Patent GB-893307-A (GB)
Abstract: 893,307. Selective punching machines. KIMBALL CO., A. Dec. 23, 1958 [Dec. 31, 1957], No. 41495/58. Class 31 (2). Apparatus for use in punching record cards comprises a plurality of punches 38 arranged in groups, and a setting arm 68 associated with each group of punches for selecting those punches in the group appropriate to the information to be punched, the arrangement being such that the punches in at least certain of the groups may be selected either by the associated setting arms or by the insertion into the apparatus of a key 82 appropriate to the punches to be selected. The setting arms are used for punching variable information into a series of cards and the key for punching the same data into all the cards. The punches 38, Fig. 4, which are arranged in a gang of twelve columns of five punches each, are mounted for vertical movement in a punch block 30 urged downwardly on guides 32 by springs 34. The upper ends 44 of the punches co-operate with a fixed stripper plate 42 and with a corresponding gang of setting pins 45 also arranged for axial movement in the block 30. Setting of the punches is effected by slidable gag bars 52 each disposed above a column of the pins 45 and provided on its lower edge with lugs for appropriately controlling these pins and therefore the punches ; each bar 52 is manually moved to its selected position (in which it is held by a detent lever 64) by a setting arm 68 carrying an indicator bar 78 movable beneath a window 80 in the casing 76 of the apparatus. Assuming that the key 82 is to set the first three columns of punches to punch the same information on all the cards, then the gag bars 52 for these columns are moved to a neutral position in which a notch on the underside of the bars is aligned with the corresponding pins 45 and provides a slot through which the coded end 86 of the key may be slid into position over the pins ; the coded end 86 of the key is appropriately perforated, according to the information to be punched, in three columns aligned respectively with the three columns of pins 45 when the key is locked in correct position by a latch 92, Fig. 3, on a lever 94. The card to be punched is located by pins 102 on a slide 100 which is movable transversely between guides 106, 108 on a block 104 slidable vertically on the guides 32, and is urged by a spring 110 to its outer position in order to permit positioning of the card. The slide is then pushed into the apparatus until a notch on the slide is latched in correct punching position by the lower end of the lever 94. Punching is effected by depressing a lever 142 acting through linkage 130 . . . 138 to raise the block 104 against the operative punches which are those associated with pins 45 not opposite the perforations in the key or lugs in the gag bars. During this movement, of the block 104, the pins 102 enter corresponding recesses in the block 30 and the latter is pushed up against the action of the springs 34. At the end of the downward movement of the lever, a latch 154 drops over a pin 156 on the lever 94, and, on its return upward movement to lower the block 104 and card, the latch 154 swings the lever 94 so as to unlatch it from its engagement with the key 82 and slide 100. The card slide 100 is then urged outwardly by the spring 110 and the upturned end of a stripper 116 which supports the card on the slide can then be depressed to lift the card from the pins 102.