Patent GB-718564-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to record card controlled statistical machines
Inventor: THOMAS ARTHUR
IPC: C10G73/08
Filed: 1952-08-14
Abstract: 718,564. Statistical apparatus. POWERSSAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. May 22, 1953 [Aug. 14, 1952], No. 20504/52. Class 106 (1) In a statistical machine having a set-up mechanism including columns of set-up members of which the set-up members of each column are displaceable relatively one to the other to represent data sensed from a statistical record card, there is provided, a first and second column of testing elements which successively test each column of set-up members and simultaneously test adjoining columns of set-up members, a support for the testing elements with means to move the support stepwise to bring the two columns of testing elements into testing relation with successive columns of set-up members, actuating means to effect relative movement between the testing elements and the set-up members to effect a testing operation, and impulse transmitting means actuated by the testing elements of the first column to control a function of the machine. The apparatus described is more particularly applicable to a machine for converting data in the form of punched holes in statistical cards to coded punched holes on a paper tape using the well known five-hole code, with figure shift and letter shift signals for controlling a tape translating machine, such as a teleprinter, also punched in the tape as shown in Fig. 1. By means of the arrangement described the alternate figure and letter shift signals can be punched in the tape under the control of the statistical record card which is bearing data also to be punched in the tape. Cards are fed from a magazine 1, Fig. 3, in known manner to a vertically reciprocable card chamber of known construction having a plurality of vertically displaceable set-up members 2 for each data representing position. Testing of the set-up members 2 is effected.by a first column 3 of sensing elements and a second column 4 of sensing elements, Figs. 5 and 6, mounted one in advance df the other in a support comprising a pair of end frames 5 carried by a carriage 6, Fig. 4, movable stepwise in known manner along a rack 7 under control of a known escapement mechanism. The first column 3 comprises for each data representing position in a vertical card column a testing pin 8, a member 9 termed a hatchet pin, and an actuator pin 10. The second column 4 comprises for each data representing position in a vertical card colmun a testing pin 11, a hatchet pin 12 and an actuator pin 13 The testing pins 8, 11, are supported, by a vertically reciprocable carrier comprising a bar 14, Fig. 5, reciprocable vertically in slots formed in the end frames. 5 and plates 15, 16,. movable with the bar 14. Reciprocation of the bar 14 is effected by a main shaft 25 driven through a. clutch 30, Fig. 7, The hatchet pins 9, 12 are supported in slots formed in plates 41, 42 and are rockable lengthwise by a shutter 43 supported by straps 44 secured to arms 45 rockable with, a shaft 46. The operation of the hatchet pins is well known and is fully described in Specification 401,012. When a hatchet pin 9 is raised by its testing pin 8 the actuator pin 10 engaged by the hatchet pin is raised and effects clockwise movement, as viewed in Fig. 5, of a bail actuator 53 of which one is provided for each of the pins 8 except two. The shift signals described above are indicated' by the elements of the first column 3 of sensing elements, and for this purpose the bail actuators 53 cooperate with one or other of two angularly movable bails 54, 55, of which bail 54 is engageable by the bail actuators for the sensing. elements for the 1 to 8 positions and bail 55 is engageable by the sensing elements for the 11 and 10 positions. Thus if in a vertical column of a card there is punched a single data-indicating perforation this is representative of a figure and only one of the bails 54, 55, as appropriate will be rocked by bail actuator 53. On the other hand, if the vertical column of the card has two data-indicating perforations, one in the 11 or 10 positions and the other in one of the 1 to 8 positions both bails 54, 55, will be rocked. Each bail is of inverted U-form and is free'y mounted on a fixed spindle 56 supported by a plate 57 on the carriage 6 and the bail actuators 53 for the respective bails are also free'y mounted on the spindle 56 being disposed between the portions of the bails which embrace the spindle 56. Rocking of the bails causes them to actuate an impulse transmitting means shown as Bowden wires 58, 59, by which an impulse is sent to the tape punching machine or other apparatus to be controlled. Thus, as the carriage 6 is moved stepwise column by column over the columns of set-up members 2, the first column 3 of sensing elements senses a column of set-up members 2 in the sensing cycle preceding that during which the column is sensed by the second column 4 of sensing elements. Accordingly, the impulse transmitting means 58, 59 are actuated by the sensing elements of the first column 3 to control the function of the tape punching unit or other apparatus to be controlled as required in the subsequent sensing of the same co'umn of set-up members by the sensing elements of the second column 4.