GB695083A - Improvements in or relating to statistical machines - Google Patents

Abstract

695,083. Feeding cards in punching &c. machines. BRITISH TABULATING MACHINE CO., Ltd., and WOODHEAD, J. Oct. 30, 1951. No. 25351/51. Class 31 (ii). [Also in Groups XIX and XXX] A step-by-step record-card feeding mechanism in a punching &c. machine, comprises two parallel spaced endless flexible bands, means for moving both bands in synchronism intermittently, a plurality of card grippers secured to each band, each gripper having an open and a closed position, means for bringing cards sequentially to a position between the bands in which each card may be engaged by at least one pair of grippers, means for opening each gripper prior to engaging the card, and means for closing each gripper, at a fixed point in its travel, subsequent to engaging the card. Record cards are placed in a stack between vertical pins 35 and are ted singly from the bottom by rollers 34, Fig. 1A. Rollers 31 advance the card intermittently towards the two parallel endless bands 28 until the card is arrested by contact with the fixed stops 38. Further movement of the bands 28 and the card, causes the first pair of grippers 39 nearest the fixed stops 38 to close on to the card the remaining grippers on each band closing in sequence until all five on each side are closed, when the cycle is repeated with the next card. The bands each carry four fixed stops 38 and twenty grippers 39 in four sets of five. The bands are advanced intermittently by means of a Geneva mechanism comprised by the pins carried by a pair of gears 47 and the slotted wheel 48, Fig. 2. The gears 47 are controlled by a clutch 45 which is controlled by an escapement magnet 120 so that each time the magnet is energized to draw the member 57 downwards, the bands and cards are advanced one column pitch, the cards being so disposed on the bands that the columns run transversely to the direction of movement of the bands. The cards are carried along under a punching unit 14 where they are punched in known manner under the control of an operator using the keyboard 87, and then to a reading station. After sensing the punched holes, the cards are released to either one of two stackers 70, 71, Fig. 2. The grippers are released by engaging a cam 63, and the card edge 128 springs away to enter a guide 111 to the hopper 70. The cam 63 may be swung clear'of the path of the grippers by means of an electromagnet 65 in which case the grippers are operated by contact with the cam 64 and the card edge is guided by a guide 113, into a hopper 71. The grippers are shown in Fig. 4 open, and in Fig. 5 closed, the spring 75 providing a toggle action for the member 74 to snap from one position to the other when the tail 76 is contacted by the cams 63 or 64 at the left hand end of the travel or by cams 40 at the right hand end of the travel. The grippers are secured to the bands by screws 130, and the wheels over which the bands pass are grooved as shown at 29 in Figs. 4 and 5, to accommodate the screw heads. Only wheels 29 are driven intermittently, the wheels 30, Fig. 2A (not shown) running free. The wheel 29 is provided with projections 77, Fig. 6, which engage slots in the bands to give them a positive synchronised drive. The main drive shaft 1 drives a worm 2 and wheel 3, and gears 5 and 6. The gear 5 drives a gear 11 on a sleeve 10 revolving freely on the shaft 9. Figs. 1, 1A.-The sleeve 10 drives the punching unit by means of a worm 13 and wheel 119 and the intermittent escapement clutch 45 via bevel gears 15 and 16. The gears 6 and 114 drive the shaft 9 which drives the constantly running rollers 31, 34. Specification 612,028 is referred to.