Patent GB-718116-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record strip positioning devices in tabulating and like machines
Filed: 1951-12-03
Abstract: 718,116. Statistical-apparatus. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Dec. 3, 1951 [April 11, 1951], No. 28268/51. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group XVI] In a machine for printing data indicia on a record receiving strip R controlled by a succession of record cards each bearing data indicia and line number selection indicia the data is sensed from the record cards CS and is printed on the strip in a particular line chosen by the line selecting indicia, this indicia being electrically. compared with indicia in a feed control tape TP travelling in synchronism with the strip, to stop the: feeding of the: strip at the: required line. The invention, is an improvement in the tape-controlled record feeding devices of the kind disclosed in Specification 618,267.. In the machine described, the receiving strip R may contain 99 line positions any of which can be positioned at the printing line in response to the selecting indicia situated in a tens column and a units column in the record cards. If for successive printing operations the receiving strip R has to move twenty or more line spaces the record card' feed and printing operations are delayed. On the feed control tape: one set of four channels is provided for the tens; line position code: and one set of four channels, for the units code and these codes are compared with the card indicia. The tape line codes TC, VC may be placed in any predetermined relationship with the lines on the record sheet and not necessarily at the same line represented by the numbers of the code. For listing operations line selecting indicia are put on each card and for tabulating a heading or first item card bears the line selection indicia for the group. Whenever a group indication or listing cycle is taken the platen is rotated by the energization of a low speed clutch magnet LS. There are two card sensing positions UB, LB, the first position, UB detects the line code and energizes the particular unit code relays LS 1-4 and tens code relays LS 5-9 which are transferred to corresponding secondary relays L5 9-12, L5 13-16: these relays operate contacts in comparing circuits which include brushes B4-7, B8-11 relating to the tens and units position of the tape sensing device. When a comparison is made a circuit is completed which operates a sheet feed clutch control to terminate strip feeding at the desired printing line position. The codes on the ,tape TP may involve either one or two perforations in either or both the tens or units channels. In single perforation codes, the circuit controlling the feed clutch is directed by a common brush to the roller 231 at the tape sensing station, from where it then negotiates the contacts of the card controlled relay contacts LS 9-16. In the case of two perforation codes, the circuit controlling the feed clutch passes to the sensing station roller 231 via one perforation and out by the other. The roller 231 is divided into two parts because the control circuit has to pass to and from the tens channel brushes and from the tens control relay contacts and then continues in series with similar circuits in the units channel. A control by relays LS 17, LS 18 determines beforehand which type of control circuit is used. Relays LS 17, 18 are operated by contacts of the relays LS 1-4, LS 5-8, respectively, so arranged that the corresponding relay LS 17, LS 18 is picked up when only a single one of the four relays is energized. Group control devices are provided for separately considering different classes or groups of cards as distinguished by different group number perforations for different groups. Consecutive cards are compared ; one card being read at the first card sensing position, while the preceding card is read at the second position. As long as the card readings are alike the card feed continues, but. if different, the tape feed stops the machine, prints the total, the accumulator cleared to zero and the machine starts feeding the cards of the next group. On every printing operation cam contacts are operated to control line spacing. One set of contacts close while the type bars are moving upwardly to the recording position and advance the platen before printing, and two sets close while the bars are moving down after printing. One of the latter sets is used for space skipping and are effective whenever a tape brush is selected for a line spacing of more than one space. Line spacing is also controlled by a switch set for listing or tabulating operations. When set at listing, an upstroke spacing operation occurs on every listing cycle and every totalling cycle and, when set for tabulating, there is an upstroke spacing operation on group indication cycles and also on intermediate total printing cycles. Downstroke spacing accompanies every total-taking cycle when the switch is set for listing. When set for tabulating there is a downstroke spacing operation every margin total recording. The means for checking or providing a comparison to detect the call for strip R advances of twenty or more line spaces comprises a series of relays LS 22-25. A circuit is controlled to operate on a differential of more than one in the tens column. Relay LS 22 is plugged to upper tens brush UB of the first card sensing position and relay LS 24 is plugged to the tens brush LB of the second sensing position. If they both operate together indicating a common tens digit then a relay LS 25 operates to energize a relay R23 and maintain the card feed clutch magnet CFCM active and the cards continuing to feed. If there is a difference of one digit, a relay LS 23 bridges the gap between the operation of relays LS 22, LS 24 so that LS 25 and R 23 are again operative but if there is a difference of two digits LS 23 cannot bridge the gap relays, LS 25 and R 23 do not operate and the card feed stops. An error-preventing circuit is provided to avoid incorrect ending of the strip feed in the case of the tape TP having a two hole perforation preceding a single hole perforation (this single hole corresponding in position to one of the two holes) and the two hole card is missing.