GB777243A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for perforating a tape with perforations according to a code - Google Patents

Abstract

777,243. Selective punching - machines. CREED & CO., Ltd. Dec. 24, 1953 [Dec. 30, 1952], No. 32967/52. Class 31 (2). [Also in Group XVI] A perforating apparatus comprises a frame carrying perforator key bars, means for controlling the perforation of a tape in accordance with a code combination of perforations by operation of the key bars, means to position a typewriter in the frame, means for causing the actuation of the typewriter key bars to actuate the perforator key bars, and means operable upon the successive operation of two key bars representing characters in different cases of the code to insert in the tape, between the perforations representing the characters, code perforations representing a case shift signal. The perforator key bars 5, 6, 7, 8, &c. are moved between lower inoperative positions and upper positions for actuation by the key bars 4 &c. of a standard typewriter by means of a handle 18 which through 16, 15, 12 lowers or raises the pivots 10 of bars 5-8 &c. The latter are associated with vertically slidable code bars 19-23 &c., having projections, arranged in code combinations, on which rest pivoted vanes 25-29 which normally close contacts 30-34. Each contact controls an electromagnet 38 which, if energized, moves a corresponding sliding member 40, against its spring 41, so that the related punch 42 moves to an inoperative position on a lower portion of the member 40; similarly any punch corresponding to a vane 25-29 which is raised by a code bar remains in operative position on a raised part of member 40. When a code bar moves upwardly a wedge 46 thereon co-operates with a row of balls 47 to prevent upward movement of other code bars, latches 49 prevent re-actuation of key bars 5 &c. whilst the code bars are raised, and trip bar 50 is raised. The latter, through 51, causes the code bars to be locked by engaging bar 52 with projections 55 and projection 60 under extension 57, and through 57, 59, 62, 63, 64 causes contacts 65 to close and complete the circuit of magnets 38 and of a coil 66 of a perforator magnet whereupon armature 68 is drawn upwardly, frame 69 pivoting, to operate the raised punches 42 and the permanently raised feed hole punch 44. An extension 70 of the frame moves between points of a U-shaped member 71 connected to a spring 74 and the piston of an oil dashpot 73 to damp the movement. Frame 69 through arm 75, moves feed pawl 76 to engage another tooth on the feed ratchet 77 and disengages reverse feed pawl 79 from ratchet 80, and rotates lever 81 which through 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 58, 59 frees arm 57 for return, through 83, 65, 64 allows contacts 65 to open, through 85, 88, 63 keeps contacts 65 open, and finally returns lever 63. To prevent a second operation of the perforator, if the key is held too long, member 56 operates latch 89 to hold lever 87. Case shift signals are inserted automatically by the perforator by means of letter and figure shift bails 90, 91, thus bail 91 is lifted when code bars, such as 22, 23, representing characters in the upper case are actuated, and is latched by latches 93, 94, the letter shift bail 90 falling into position for actuation. Bail 91 raises code bar 96 which acts through 98, 99, 100 to rotate latch 86, and consequently as the perforator magnet completes its return stroke lever 63 allows contacts 65 to close a second time. Therefore when bail 96 is lifted the perforator magnet acts first to punch the figure shift code, as represented by bar 96, and then to punch the code corresponding to the key actuated. Contacts 108 of relay 107 are normally opened when contacts 65 close, but when bar 96 raises vane 105 to open contacts 106, contacts 108 shunt contacts 32, so that the latter, if their corresponding key bar has been actuated, do not interfere with the punching of the figure shift code. Similarly a letter shift code is effected by bar 109. When a typewriter key represents two characters both in the upper case in the code, two bars, such as 22, 23 are provided, 22 being actuated when the typewriter is in normal position, and 23 being actuated when the typewriter case shift key is operated, the latter acting through 111, 113, 114, 115, 116 to change the position of member 112. For back-spacing key 117, independent of the typewriter, is operated, removing pawl 76 from ratchet 77 through 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, and rotating ratchet 80 one step through 118, 124, 79. For erasing, the independent key 7 is operated to punch on all mark combination through code bar 20, this action lifting bail 90 if it is in the lower position, but a second stroke of the perforator being prevented through 125, 126, 127, 100, 99 rendering latch 86 effective to move 58, 59. The typewriter space key actuates bar 8 to raise bar 19 which operates vane 27 to open contacts 32 and perforate accordingly, but bar 19 does not affect bails 90, 91. An external key may be operated to trip bar 50 and close contacts 65, without moving the code vanes, so that a feed hole only is punched, latch 89 is rendered inoperative and the tape is fed and feed holes punched as long as the key is depressed, when the typewriter carriage 130 is returned to the beginning of a line projection 131 acts through 132, 133, &c., pawl 137 and cam 138 to rotate feed ratchet 140 three separate steps. On each of the first two steps cam 143 acts through 151 to raise code bar 152 and punch a carriage return perforation; on the third step, however, cam 143 does not operate 151 but cam 142 operates 157 to lift code bar 152 to insert a line feed perforation. If the typewriter back-space key 160 is operated to correct the first character it acts through 159 to prevent action by carriage 130 through 134, 135, &c. To prevent actuation of keys which are not represented in the code, bar 111 actuated by the typewriter shift key acts through 164, 165 to position a projection 166 over the end of the corresponding perforator key bars, such as 6. Keys not represented on the code may also be immobilized by raising flaps under the keys by operation of handle 18. The Provisional Specification includes schematic diagrams of an apparatus for carrying out the invention.