Patent GB-270935-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for sorting perforated record cards for statistical and accountancy purposes
Filed: 1926-09-03
Abstract: 270,935. Tauschek, G. Sept. 3, 1926. Statistical sorting machines. -A card-sorting machine is controlled by cards in which the number in each column is represented by as many perforations as there are units in the number. After being read the card passes into a card funnel which is positioned opposite the appropriate sorting pocket according to the number of impulses given to a controlling electromagnet which receives an impulse for each perforation. The cards are fed by a plate 2 down an inclined conducting plate 1 which coacts with a main feeler 10 reading the card perforations and an auxiliary forked feeler 9 which coacts with the unperforated edge of a card. When no card is under the feelers, the feeler completes the circuit of a relay magnet 34 which, through its armature 35, breaks contacts 37 in the circuit of an electromagnet 11. When a card is being read the magnet 34 is de-energized, contacts 37 are closed and every perforation sensed by the feeler 10, which is adjustable to any particular card-column, gives an impulse of current to the magnet 11 through a. circuit from battery-36- 37-38-11-1-10-battery. Each time the magnet 11 is energized its armature lever raises a pawl 20 to feed a ratchet 19 one tooth, 21 being a holding pawl. Attached to the ratchet 19 is the card funnel 8 which is thus moved step by step until opposite the correct sorting pocket 12. When the magnet 34 is energized its armature bell-crank 33, carrying pins 40, is rocked counter-clockwise to withdraw the pawls 20, 21. To speed up the machine the feeding rollers 6 are rotated faster and the feelers 9, 10 are moved downwards with the card on a rack 13 without, however, altering the relative speed between card and feeler. For this purpose the rack 13 is driven by a wheel 14 and a sector 15 pivoted at 16 and slotted at 17 to coact with a crank 18. Thus the rack 13 and feelers move downwards at a certain speed and return upwards with a quick return motion to coact with the next card. Also, the funnel 8 may be disengageable from its setting means in the following manner. Radially guided in the ratchet 19. Figs. 2 and 3, is a slide 22 having an arc 23 coacting with a reciprocating rod 24 controlled by a cam 25 on a shaft 26. A pin 27 on this slide 22 coacts with a V-shaped cut-out portion in a member 28 which is loose on shaft 29 and is rigid with funnel 8 and a member 30 having teeth which coact with a second rod 31 controlled by a second cam 32. The arc 23 is always in contact with the rod 24 and as the ratchet 19 is rotated an amount corresponding to the number of perforations in the column the pin 27 moves the same amount. The cam 25 then raises the slide 22 until this pin 27 reaches the top of the notch in the member 28, which member, together with the funnel 8, is thus rotated the correct amount. The cam 32 now raises the rod 31 into engagement with the teeth 30 holding the funnel opposite the correct pocket 12 and the slide 22 is withdrawn, leaving the ratchet 19 free to be set again by the next card while the first card is passing into its appropriate pocket. Specification 263,748 is referred to.