GB561757A - Improvements in or relating to record-controlled perforating machines - Google Patents

Abstract

561,757. Punching statistical cards. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Nov. 27, 1942, No. 16902.. Convention date, Nov. 29, 1941. [Class 31 (ii)] In a record-controlled perforating-machine the perforating-apparatus is controlled by records in which the data, are represented by magnetic index points with which co-operates a sensing device comprising a plurality of sensing magnets 92a, 92b, 92c, 92d, Fig. 7, which are arranged in spiral form on a drum 90 at distances of 90 degrees apart and are moved in succession past all the index point positions arranged in coded manner in four columns, and means are provided for storing the data sensed during each rotation of the magnets, and for subsequent release of the same to cause the operation of the perforating machine which is preferably of the construction set forth in Specification 362,529 with slight modification. The index sheet 20 is of known kind and comprises two paper layers 21, 23, Fig. 3, separated by a coating of magnetisable granular material 22 such as iron filings mixed with a binder or sheets such as are described in Specification 515,183 [Group XIX] may be used. The layer 23 preferably receives printed impressions. The sheet 20 is fed intermittently from a drum 71 and is wound upon a drum 70 and passes over a guide drum 31, the magnet drum 90, and an intermittently rotated feed roller 32 which is driven from the continuously rotating shaft 35 of the drum 90 through a magneticallycontrolled one-revolution clutch. The magnets have electrical connection with a commutator consisting of a drum fitted with insulated segments S1, S2, S3, S4 with which contact brushes 96, and a ring 97 with contact brush 98. The magnets are connected in succession to the segments S1, S2, S3, S4, as they sense the respective columns of index point positions. The shaft 35 carries the arm of an impulse distributer or emitter E carrying a pair of electrically connected brushes 100, Fig. 9 (not shown), one of which engages a common conducting ring while the other moves over segments 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d indicated in diagram in Fig. 14a. The brushes 96, 98 are connected to a thermionic amplifier 170, and the output of the amplifier is connected to the grid of a " thyratron " valve T the grid of which is biassed negatively by a battery 171. The output circuit of the valve T<1> is connected to a brush 100 of the emitter E, and the contacts 102a ... 102d are connected to the electrical storing means each of which includes a plurality of relays Ra<1> ... Ra<4>; Rb<1> ... Rb<4>, Rd<1> ... Rd<6>. The punching mechanism comprises as in Specification 362,529 a stack of cards 110, Fig. 11, from which the cards are fed by picker mechanism, are advanced on a carriage by spring means controlled by an escapement mechanism, and delivered automatically by grippers when the carriage is returned automatically. The operation of the punches is governed by interposers 119 controlled by keys 114 or by selector magnets which are energized when the storage means are released. The actual punching operation is controlled by the energization of punching magnets 124 which depress a plate 121 on to the interposer 119. At the completion of the punching of a card the carriage is returned automatically under control of an eject magnet 143, Fig. 14. During the action of the sensing. magnets the first magnet 92a passes from positions at which magnetic index points may be situated, and relays Ra1, Ra2, Ra3, Ra4 are energized if a point is situated at one or other position. A relay Ra is also energized and holding circuits for the relays are energized. When all four magnets have operated and the selected other relays Rb1 ..., Rc1 . . ., Rd1 . . . and relays Rb, Rc, Rd have been energized the emitter E is thrown into circuit by closing of contacts EC1, and this causes energization of a relay R6 and of a holding circuit for ft. Operation of relay R6 renders the punch effective to punch the data stored in the selected storage relays successively in the desired columns on the card. The circuits thus brought into operation include connections to the various selector magnets 115, Fig. 14, the punch magnet 124, and a number of read-out contact strips 165 engaged by contacts 168 on the card carriage which also engage constantly a contact strip 166. On rotation of emitter E the punches 115 are operated in accordance with which of the relays Ra1, Ra2, Ra3, Ra4 have been energized, and then the carriage is moved forward one step so that the next set of relays comes into operation. The punching-machine may be fitted with a skipbar, and, if desired, the feed of the strip 20 may be effected by hand instead of automatically. Specification 561,758 [Group XIX] also is referred to.