Patent GB-722164-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines controlled by statistical record cards
Inventor: THOMAS ARTHUR
IPC: A61M16/01
Filed: 1953-06-29
Abstract: 722,164. Statistical apparatus. POWERS-SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. June 29, 1953 [Oct. 2, 1952], No. 24743/52. Class 106 (1). A machine for recording data-indicating signals on a tape under control of statistical record cards comprises apparatus for recording on the tape signals of predetermined significance in succession to signals representative of data recorded on a record card, including a testing device responsive to data indications on a record card and movable stepwise column by column in relation to a record card, a tape recording unit including tape feeding means and recording elements, a continuously rotatable driving shaft coupled to the testing device and to the tape recording unit to-effect operation thereof, conditioning means to receive signals from the testing device to condition the recording operation in accordance with signals received, and an end of card signal selector unit coupled to the conditioning means and operable under control of the testing device to condition the recording elements to record on the tape selected signals of predetermined significance. The apparatus is constructed to produce from perforated record cards Fig. 1, a tape T, Fig. 2, which can be employed to control a machine such as a teleprinter to produce a printed bank statement, Fig. 3. Between successive entries punched in the tape T there are a number of signals punched in the tape to control the operation of the teleprinter or other machine controlled by the tape, for example, a line feed signal, carriage return signal, and a signal to effect printing of a D or C on the statement to indicate whether a balance amount is debit or credit. These signals are punched into the tape under control of card column 31, Fig. 1. A card to tape punching machine having apparatus described in the present invention is shown in Figs. 5A and 5B. The machine comprises a card-sensing unit C.S., a translator unit T.U., a tape-punching unit T.P. and an end of card signal selector unit ECSS all driven by suitable means not shown. The record cards are fed and sensed in known manner one at a time in a vertically reciprocating card chamber while a testing unit tests the set up members column by column and the card chamber is not lowered until the testing operation is completed. The tape punching unit T.P. is fully described in Specification 718,564 and the testing device is fully described in Specification 718,565. For the purpose of describing the present invention, only the lower row of punches 82, Fig. 11, need be considered, selection of these punches is effected by the interpolation of vertical bars 87 between the ends of the punches and the punch-operating member 84. Conditioning of the bars 87 is by conditioning means formed by the translator unit T.U. which comprises slotted code bars 88, locking bars 89 and members 90,Fig.13, which through conditioning plates 92 rock rods 93 to which are secured arms 94, Fig. 11, to actuate the bars 87. The conditioning plates 92 extend on opposite sides of the rods 93 and the actuation thereof by toothed bars 91 results as described in Specification 718,564, form the testing operations performed by the record column 14 of the testing elements. The conditioning plates 92 are, however, also operated by the end-of-card signal selector unit ECSS so as to effect punching of signals of predetermined significance to succeed the signals punched in the tape as the result of the testing operations of the record column 14 of testing elements. The end-of-card signal selector unit according to the invention comprises a drum unit DU and a stop basket SB, Fig. 14. The drum unit comprises a base-plate 95, Figs. 13, 14 secured to the base 96 of the translator unit. Two side frames 97, 98 are fixed to the base 96 and support bearing blocks 99, 100, carrying two shafts 101, 102, of which the shaft 101 is the drum shaft. Slidably mounted on the shaft 101 is a cam-carrying drum 108, Fig. 15, to which is secured a member 109 having a peripheral groove 110, Fig. 14. The drum 108 is arranged by means of the stop basket to be arrested in any one of five predetermined positions and selection is made from six predetermined end-of-card signals selected by operation of code bars 135. Axial movement of the drum 108 is effected by cam 121 which engages a follower roller 142, Fig. 14. To the underside of link 145 is secured an abutment formed as a stop block 149, Fig. 14, to cooperate with five stops 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e, in the stop basket SB which receives control signals during the testing of set-up members representing card column 31 to cause one of the stops to be raised and determine the position of the drum relative to the code bars 135. The control signals are received by the stop basket from Bowden wires 151 actuated by the testing of set up members representing card column 31 by the first column 13 of testing elements, Fig. 7, as described in Specification 718,565. The impulses imparted to the Bowden wires are received by code bars 163, Fig. 19, supported for lengthwise sliding movement to the right in side plates 164, 165, and latched by shutter 166. The code bars are slotted in known manner to receive five test bars 180, supported for vertical sliding movement to plates 181, 182. Above the test bars are the stops 150, supported for lengthwise sliding movement in plates 197, 198. When the appropriate Bowden wire 151 is operated the appropriate stop 150 becomes operative to control the punch unit T.P. When the carriage for column 13, 14 has reached the end of its forward travel, and the end-of-card signal selector unit is operative to control the punch unit T.P. when wire 130, Fig. 14, is operated to initiate full operation of the end-of-card signal selector unit.