Patent GB-731963-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to a statistical-machine decoding unit
Inventor: GUTTRIDGE ERIC JOHN
IPC: F16L7/00
Filed: 1952-10-31
Abstract: 731,963. Statistical apparatus. POWERS-SAMAS ACCOUNTING MACHINES, Ltd. July 23, 1953 [Oct. 31, 1952], No. 27503/52. Class 106(1). A statistical-machine decoding unit comprises a plurality of code bars, testing members co-operating with and movable relatively to the code bars to effect the coding. According to the arrangement of code bars retained in active position, actuating means for each code bar to effect movement from inactive to active position, a solenoid for each code bar circuit means to energize the solenoids to retain in active position the required associated code bars, an operating member common to all the actuating means to effect simultaneous movement of all the code bars from inactive to active position and a restoring member for each code bar 8 restore it to the inactive position on non-energization of its associated solenoid. Fig. 1 shows code bars 10 for the known 1, 2, 4, 8 and X code. The code bar representing value 4 is shown in the active position. The bars 10 are moved simultaneously to the left in Fig. 1 by triangular shaped pieces 15 pivoted at 16 and actuated together by a vertical bar 18. Movement of the bar 18 is effected by a member 26 engaging a lip 27 formed on the bar 18. The member 26 is actuated by a cam follower 30 and rod 29. When all the code bars 10 are moved to the left the solenoids associated with each bar are energized as required by the coded output of the calculating machine read out means, those solenoids which are energized thus retaining their associated code bar in the active position. Decoding is effected by movement downwards in Figs. 1 and 2 of bars 14 bearing pins which are assisted by the top edge of the code bars except where a slot is present in line with the pin as shown by bar 14a. The bars 14 are moved down in unison by a plate 38 movable downwards on the frame 37 by actuation of a bell crank lever 40 which carries a roller 42 engaged in a slot 43 in member 44 which is moved to the right in Fig. 1 by means of an arm 45 and a further arm 47 to which is secured a cam follower 48. Each bar 14 carries a projection 51, Fig. 3, which is engaged by a plate 52 pivoted at 53 and spring-urged into contact at the lower edge with the projections 51. The plate 52 is carried on the rod 53 which in turn is supported on the plate 38 as shown in Fig. 2. Each code bar 14 is downwardly biased by a spring 50 and in normal position the projection 51 on each bar 14 rests in line with the lower edge of the plate 52 as shown in Fig. 5. When a bar 14 falls due to its pin finding a slot in one of the code bars 10 the projection 51 falls below the edge of the plate 52 and is engaged thereby for positive movement downwards when the plate 52 and member 38 move downwards under the influence of the cam follower 48. The positive movement of the bars 14 by plate 52 makes available the decoded output for actuation of a punching mechanism in known manner. Fig. 6 shows the circuit arrangement whereby energization of the solenoids is effected. A similar circuit is provided for each solenoid shown in Fig. 1. R represents a part of a register in which the result of a multiplication or similar operation is set up. A reading out operation is controlled by switch RO which is cam-operated from the main shaft not shown. When switch RO is closed an impulse passes from the register R through a triode PT to a lead L. Figs. 1 and 6 to energize the solenoid 23. The pulse along line L from register R is of too short a duration to ensure that the solenoid 23 remains energized for the required time, and a hold-on switch H/S which is also cam-operated from the main shaft is therefore provided. The timing of the cam for the read out switch RO in relation to cam 31 is such that the armature 34 are all positively engaged by the solenoid poles before the read out switch RO permits energization of the solenoids 23. Accordingly, those solenoids which are energized will retain the bars 10 in active position, when the cam 31 restores the operating member 18 and the bars to which are not retained by their respective solenoids will be returned by their return springs 36. When hold-on-switch H/S is opened at the appropriate time bars 10 in active position will be released and also returned by their return springs 36. After selection of bars 10 testing bars 14 are moved downwards as described above. A restoring bar 37 is provided to retain testing bars 14 in inactive position prior to the testing operation.