Patent GB-529842-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for sorting record cards
Filed: 1939-05-22
Abstract: 529,842. Sorting statistical cards. DEUTSCHE HOLLERITH MASCHINEN GES. May 22, 1939, No. 15232. Convention date, May 23, 1938. [Class 106 (i)] A machine for sorting record cards feeds cards in succession from a magazine 10 past a reading device 15 to a sorting mechanism 21 and thence to either a " sorted " or a " reject " card pocket, A, R, the sorting mechanism being automatically or manually rendered responsive to a different selected designation in each run according to a pre-determined sequence of designations. The cards, which are of the type shown in Fig. 5, are placed in the magazine 10 with a control card on top, and the switch 85 is depressed or raised according to whether the upper or lower field is to be read. A crank arm, operating worm 14 positions brush holder 15 over the column to be read, an external pointer 20 indicating the number of this column on a scale. Switch 120 starts the motor 11, a holding circuit being established through contacts 125, 123, 124. Motor 11 reciprocates a card picker 12 and rollers 13 to run the cards through the machine. The " 9 " cards are first selected, the cylinder 118, Fig. 3, being positioned so that the numeral " 9 " shows through a window 30. The brushes 16 co-operate with the holes in each card to energize corresponding magnets 57 (I, II, III, IV), when cam operated contacts 133b or 134b close. These magnets open or close contacts so that when a " 9 " card is read, a current flows along a selected line 106 to member 105 to energize magnet 21 which moves sorting blade 22 to send the card into pocket A. The other cards go into pocket R through the last rollers 13. The contacts operated by magnets 57 are restored to original positions at every card-cycle by a cam 83 and latch 74. The reading of " 0 " - " 8 " cards are indicated by magnets 79 energized by leads 107 from lines 106, the contacts 78 so operated being maintained open. Closed contacts therefore indicate the absence of corresponding designations in the card pack. Visible indicators may be provided. The sorting card has a perforation co-operating with a brush 98 to energize magnet 101 and move cylinder 118 and members 105, 115 attached thereto one step so that the " 8 " cards are next sorted. This process is repeated until all the cards are sorted. When the designation next to be sorted is absent, a circuit is completed through the closed contacts of the corresponding magnet 79, a line 164, member 115, cam-operated contacts 121 and stepping magnet 101 to move the members 105, 115 a further step. If the next designation is also absent, this is repeated. When the sorting is completed, member 105 contacts blank contact 104, member 115 the contacts 119, 168 to energize magnets 80 to restore contacts 78 to closed positions through latch 82 and to open contacts 125 to break the motor circuit. While the motor slows down, the cylinder 118 and its contact members 105, 115 are moved two steps to the initial position. For manual adjustment of the selector, switch members 71, 81, 91 are depressed and a key 111 is depressed for each energization of the stepping magnet 101. In a simpler form, the indicator magnets 79 and associated mechanism are omitted. In a modification for sorting Hollerith type cards. the translator device is omitted and each line 106 is connected directly to a separate brush 16, of which there will then be ten. U.S.A. Specification 2,025,602 is referred to.