GB664322A - Improvements in and relating to record-card-controlled printing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

664,322. Record-card-controlled printing-machines. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd. Sept. 26, 1949 [Oct. 7, 1948], No. 24656/49. Class 100 (iv). A printing-machine controlled by record cards comprises means for sensing a number of columns of each card for controlling the printing mechanism to print numerical and alphabetical data, and means settable by the machine operator for controlling the same printing mechanism to print, repeatedly, different matter in one or more cycles of operations of the machine. The machine is mechanically similar to that described in Specification 605,132 but the means settable by the operator includes an emitter EM the pulses of which are directed by an arrangement of plug connections to set and operate the printing mechanism at certain functions or particular cycles of the machine. The emitter EM is adapted to send impulses at set times in each machine cycle which represent the digit impulses 9-1 and zone impulses O, X, R, and when combined in the usual manner represent letters of the alphabet. In the machine described ten columns of lettering are possible and by a number of plug cords and sockets the impulses operate the type setting mechanism to set the desired word which is printed when the printing mechanism receives the zone impulse or an " N " pulse when printing numerals, from a cam in the machine at the appropriate time. The emitter EM, Fig. 8a, comprises a pair of brushes 163, 164 rotating once in each machine cycle on shaft 22 transmitting pulses through wires 167 to sockets 168 which may be plugged directly to sockets 169-and hence to the print magnets 61-when it is required to print numerals only at each cycle of operation. If the machine is arranged so as to print at certain operations only, e.g. total taking, wires are plugged from the sockets 168 to sockets 170 so that impulses are transmitted to the magnets 61 only if a control relay R5 is operated. When it is required to print alphabetical data both a digit impulse and a zone impulse are necessary and connections as desired are taken from three rows of sockets 180, 181, 182 connected to the moving arms of a series of contacts on relays R1, R2, R3. respectively. The resting contacts of these relays are connected to the digit impulses and the open contacts are connected as shown to the zone impulses so that the desired combinations of impulses may be transmitted to the alphabet sockets 180, 181, 182. In the example shown five plug connections 183-187 are taken from these sockets to represent the word TOTAL. The first letter T comprises a digit impulse "3" and a zone impulse "O," the former circuit comprising appropriate wire 167 to T socket through R3 relay contacts, plug connection 183, socket 170, R5 relay contacts sockets 171, 169, resting contacts of relay R12 and so to magnet 61. The operation of magnet 61 selects a zone of type, in this case T, L, C by means of link 116, Fig. 1b, and cam mechanism as described in Specification 605,132. The second or zone impulse to socket 182 " T " is derived from the "O" impulse as at this point in time the relay contacts R3 have operated due to a cam CR1 which now closes its contacts. The magnets 61 are thus operated a second time and through mechanism 122, 127, 87, 85, 83 the printing wheel 60 is moved to effect printing at various times within the zone according to which of the impulses O, X, R is received. The remaining letters of the word TOTAL are printed in similar way. If no such second impulse is received the numeral of that zone is printed by an " N " impulse from a cam CR2 through wire 174 and contacts of relay R12 which operates just beforehand by cam contacts CR6. When the printing mechanism is applied to accounting machines the initiation of printing is by a card group control means wherein a change in the group number is detected by the comparison of perforations at two reading stations and if dissimilarity is detected a control relay R5 is operated. The two reading stations UB and LB, Fig. 8b, comprise contact rolls 192 and brushes 193 plugged from stations UB and LB as desired to relays R6-8 and relays R9-11 respectively so that if only one relay in each pair is operated detecting the dissimilarity a circuit is extended from cam contacts CR3, line 198, contacts e.g. R6b, R9b, plug-connection 201 effecting operation of relay R4. Relay R4 through cam contacts CR7 operates the relay R5, preparing circuits to the printing magnets 61.