US1896538A - Tabulating machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 7, 1933.

J. W. BRYCE TABULATING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 7, 1933. J. w. BRYCE 1,896,538

' TABULATING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1930' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1933- J. w. BRYCE 1,896,538

TABULATING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1930 5 sheetssheet 4 1 345678 BCDEFGHI K M O TUVWXYZ El E E1 E] E] a E E! g E B IE El E] [Q] 12] El E] El E El IZI El @l E] El E E3 E1 v E] E U I l avwe/ntoz w a /3W2 Feb. 7, 1933. J w BRYCE 1,896,538

TABULAT'ING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.6.

Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES W. BRYCE, O1 BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO THE TAIBULATING HA- CEINE COMPANY, 01 ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY TABULATING MACHINE Application filed July 10,

This invention relates to printing tabulators and moreparticularly to printmg tabulators which are adapted to print the alphabet as well as the usual numerals. 5v In tabulating machines, speed of printing is a desideratum and previous machines have been devised in which a rotating drum is employed carrying the type carriers and in which the type carriers were called into action to strike and imprint characters upon paper carried by the platen during the rotation of the drum. A construction of this sort is particularly adaptable for. speed of operation because there is no necessity for an idle resetting movement of the parts due to the continuous forward rotationv of the drum which carries the type carriers.

A construction of this general type is shown and described in Carroll Patent No. 3 1,516,079. The construction employed in the aforesaid patent was adapted for printing numerical items. In printin numerical items only ten type are require for printing the various digits, but when alphabetical characters are to be printed a very much greater number of type are required, that is, twenty-six for the alphabet and if both the alphabet and numeral characters are to be printed, thirty-five or thirty-six type are necessary.

Accordingly it has been heretofore proposed to provide a multiplicity of type on the drum and to print either the alphabet or numerals from such type. A construction 3 for this purpose is shown in United States patent to Carroll No. 1,623,163, dated April 5, 1927. While a fair speed of operation can be secured, the drum is comparatively large in size and it is somewhat objectionable for this reason.

It has also been proposed heretofore to use on a drum construction combined alphabetical and numerical type, each type bar having'type carriers thereon and selectively to print not only from the different type carriers on the drum, but to also selectively print different type from each bar or carrier. Heretofore when this manner of printing was employed, for example according to Carroll Patent No. 1,726,539, dated September 23,

1980. Serial No. 487,100.

1929, it was proposed to shift the platen to a difierent elevational position for each successive revolution of the drum. On each revolution a'difierent type carrier was selected and printed. This construction, while providing for greater compactness of the drum, hampered the speed of printing inasmuch as it reduced it one-third of that obtainable with numerals only.

' According to the present invention provision is made for retaining the compactness of the simple numerical lister and for also retaining its speed of printing while at the same time providing for the printing of the desired alphabetical characters in addition to the numerical characters.

vIt is accordingly, one object of the present invention to provide a construction which is capable of effecting a selection of and the obtaining of printed impressions from multiple character type on type bars while the latter are in motion and during one revolu- {:)ion of the drum which carries such type are.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a construction wherein shiftable elements carrying multiple type are provided upon the type bars and wherein means are provided for shifting the sets of type relatively to the carrying bar while the carrying bars are in flight and in motion.

Further and other objects of the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying specification and claims and shown in the drawings which by way of illustration show what I now consider to be a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevational view shown partly in section and which shows a printing drum having type carriers and type thereon arranged for both numerical and alphabetical printing and provided with the sa lecting devices which are required for selecting the type for printing action. This figure also shows somewhat diagrammatically the related adding mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged view of a fragment of the drum drawn on a greater scale and showing certain of the parts shown in Fi 1, but with certain of the move position;

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to F g. 2, but showing the parts in a still further d18- placed position in which the particular selection of type on the carrier is being efl'ected; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a typical record card with its controllmg perforations; Fig. 5 is a front view of one set of type carriers which are disposed in one row around the drum. In the figure, for convenience of illustration, the successive type carriers are disposed side by side; and

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of the machlne. 'Referring to 'Fig. 1, 20 is the printing parts in drum provided with the type restoring cam shaft 21 and with any suitable driving train for rotating the drum, for example, the driving train 22 shown by the dotted line gears. Disposed in the drum are rows of type carriers 23. These type carriers co-act with the camming shaft 21 in the manner fully described in Carroll Patents No. 1,516,079 and No. 1,726,539 and accordingly, a description of their operation will not be repeatedhere.

- Magnets 24 are the primary selecting mag-' nets audit is the energization of these magnets u'nder record card control that makes the primary selection and calling of the type carriers'into action. It is suflicient to here state that the energization of magnets 24 trip flatches 25 which in turn are positively actuated by the heels 26 of succeeding type to in turn actuate hook 27 and displace such book- 27 into position for calling a type carrier.23 by swinging action into position to print. (See Fig. 3.) This mechanism is substantially identical with the mechanism of Carroll Patent No. 1,726,539. In Fi s. 1 and- 2, 28 is the platen carrying usual s eat of aper .29.

n contradistinction to the construction heretofore provided in machines of this class, each type carrier 23 is provided with a multiplicity of type characters, i. e. 30, 31, 32 and 33,'Fig. 3, and such type characters are mounted so as to be relatively movable with respect to the carrier 23, Fig. 3 shows one construction in which the various type characters 30 to 33 inclusive, are secured upon a type carrying element 34- which is relatively slidable on its cooperating carrier 23.

It will be noted that the aggregate number of type on all of the carriers is greater than the complete number of the carriers themselves. For example in the embodiment shown there are four times as many type as there are carriers for the type.

Secondary selection of type magnets 24 in the manner heretofore explalned and in addition for certain operations, viz. the printing of alphabetical characters, there is a secondary selection of the type on the carriers'for printing action. This secondary selection is made while the type carriers are swinging towards printing position and also while the carriers are in continuous forward motion. The particulars of the secondary selecting devices will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown disposed in alignment with the path of movement of the end of the type elements 34, a camming element 35 preferably pivoted upon a shaft 35a and having a camming face 36 disposed to contact with the curved end of the type element 34.

. Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a cam 37 which rotates synchronously with the rotation of the drum and which cam displaces a follower 38 and through a linkage magnet 45 which magnet, accor ing to its time of energization, trips a latch 46 and trips a pawl .47, causing. 1t to engage one of the steps 42, 43 or 44 or to miss the 44 step entirely. The particular step which is engaged-will depend upon the time of energization of the magnet 45.

It will accordingly be seen that the art 35 and camming face 36 have four possi le positions. One of these positions will be that in which 35 rests in contact with the bail 40 in which case 47 will have missed the notch 44. The next position will be one in which 47 will have engaged notch 44, the next will be that in which 47 will have engaged notch 43 and a further position will be that in which 47 will have enga ed notch 42. It is according to which one 0? these positions that part 35 with its camming face 36 assumes that will control the extent of outward displacement of member 34. Member 34 moves outwardly with respect to its cooperatin type carrier under the influence of centri ugal force during the swinging movement of the carrier 23.

Accordingly by the above secondary selecting mechanism provision is made for selecting which of the type 30, 31, 32 or 33 will impact against the platen and this selecting action is effected during one revolution of the printing drum so that any one of the greater number of type upon a carrier can be caused to print during such single revolution of the drum. There is accordingly a concurrent selection of type carriers and a secondary selection of type on such carriers for printing action. While the piloting part 35 receives a preliminar 'set up, the actual selecting action occurs w ile the type carrier brushes and contact blocks 54, 55. Theusual card picker devices are employed which are well known in devices of this sort and in addition the apparatus is driven by a suitable driving motor M. The spacing relation of lower brushes 52 with respect to upper brushes 54 is such that the upper row of rushes will have left any holes in the 12th index pointv position in the card (see Fig. 4) atthe time when the lower brushes 52 are about to encounter the 9th index point position on the card. Suitable cam contact devices 56 and 57 are provided to supply current to the brushes 52 at the proper time and to brushes-54 and the circuits therefor. Contact blocks 55 lead to a plugboard 58 having plug sockets which connect to the selector magnets 45 as shown. Contact blocks 53 lead to a plugboard 60 having multiple sockets as shown and the primary selector magnets 24 are shown as connected to plug sockets 61. 62 represent the counter magnets (see Figs. 1 and 6) and suitable sockets 63 are provided for these counter magnets.

It will be noted that only nine type carriers are provided for the different digits. No separate type carrier is provided for printing the zero and by reference to Fig. 4 it will be noted that there is one combination of characters for zero when alphabetical characters are to be printed, viz. a hole in the sixth position and in the eleventh position, and there is a different combination of characters for zero in printing digital characters involving zero.

Accordingly when simple numerical items are to be printed it is necessary -to plug up from 60 to 61 to bring the primary selector magnet 24 into' circuit and to also plug up all the sockets 58 to bring the selector magnets 45, into operation. Then if digital characters from 1 to 9 are to be printed there will be no 'energization of the selector magnets 45 andaccordingly the secondary selectors 36 will be wholly'out of cooperation with the elements 34 and there will be digital numerical printing of all the significant digits. If a zero appears in the card it will be represented by a hole in the twelfth and ninth index point position and this will accordingly energize the corresponding selector magnets 45 and bring about zero digital printing from the second row of characters (see Fig. 5).

When numerical characters are to be added in the columns in which the aforementioned numerical printing is being effected, provision must be made for preventing the erroneous addin of 9 when zero representations are printe Accordingly, each of the latches-46 associated with the selector mag-' nets has cooperating therewith (see Fig. 3) a contact each of which contacts has one blade connected to a plug socket 71 and another blade connected by suitable conductors to plug sockets 63a.

For controlling adding plug connections are made between 630, and 63 and by reason of the contacts 70 erroneous adding of 93 will be prevented. These contact arrangements will also prevent erroneous adding action of the accumulator from alphabetical columns. For example, if the letter e was being printed, unless control was provided there would be an erroneous adding of 5. In

the event that alphabetical printing is de-.

sired on'any particular column, plug connections are made in the desired columns between sockets 58 to place in circuit the sup plementary selector magnets 45 and in addition, connections are made between plug sockets 60 and 61.

It will be understood that the aforementioned zero printing for numerical characters .by utilizing combinational representation could be obviated by providing an additional type carrier on the drum for printing, but for compactness of construction and simplicity of arrangement, the present arrangement is disclosed.

The timing of the machine is such that upon the passage of a card past both sets of brushes, the secondary selection is made first by the brushes 54 encounterin the holes in either the zero, 11th or 12th in ex point positions. v Thereafter the primary selection is made by the holes in the 9 to 1 index point positions in the usual manner. The ener-' gization of the primary selector printing magnets 24 calls a selected carrier for printing action and during the movement of the carrier and while it is swinging towards the imprint position, its secondary selector havof type by aprimary and secondary selection action, which primary and second selection is made during one revolution 0 the printing drum, that it is possible to effect adding during one revolution of the drum and that in the same single revolution of the drum it is possible to select or print all of the letters of the alphabet and the numerals Accordingly, a record controlled machlne can print alphabetical characters'and concurrently add at the speed heretofore only obtainable for adding and printing numerlcal characters alone. In other words, not-' withstanding that provision is made for alphabetical printing, the printin "of the alphabet does not hamper t e spee of adding. Accordingl the present construction provides a tal iulating machine in which one speed of operation of the printin mechanism can be used for both listing, a ding and listing, adding alone, or adding with accompanym alphabetical printing. Heretofore when a phabetical printing was attem ted the speed of machine operation as a w ole was hampered orthe drum proportions were so increased that adding took place in one portion of the printing cycle followed by' subsequent alphabetical printing. Heretofore, accordingly, it has not been possible to have concurrent addin with alphabetical printing and with un ampered speed of operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described having a lurality of type carriers each with multip e type thereon and in which printing is effected during continuous flight and movement of the type, means for selecting'the type carriers for selective printing action, and means for shifting the type u on the carriers for e'fiectin a further selection of the type themselves for controlling which of the type upon a carrier is to be caused to rint.

2. In a machine of the class escribed in combination with continuously movable type carriers each carrying a plurality of type which are relatively movable with respect to the type carrier therefor and means operative with the type carrier in continuous movement for effecting a primary selection of type carriers for printing and a secondary selection and displacement of the type relatively upon a carrier for printing.

3. In a printing machine having a rotatable drum carrying type carriers each having multiple type thereon, primary and secondary type carriers, type selecting means, and means operative in one rotative cycle of the drum for making both a primary selection of the carriers and a secondary selection of the type upon the selected carrier.

4. A printing mechanism comprising a number of continuously movable type carriers each with a plurality of type thereon which are relatively movable with respect to the type carrier, and means for concurrently selecting a. type carrier and a particular type upon a carrier for printing action.

5. A printing mechanism for a record controlled machine in which a type carrying drum is provided carryin a plurality of type carriers each with a plura ity of type thereon and in which a sensing means is provided and including in combination mea'ns for sensing one record for each revolution of the printing drum, means for effecting a concurrent major and minor selection of the type durin one revolution of the drum.

6. g printing mechanism having a drum, type carriers thereon, type on said carriers which in the aggregate are greater in number than the number of the carriers, and means for individually calling any one type into printing action during any single revolution of the drum.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 in which record controlled means is provided for controlling the action of the type calling means.

8. In a record controlled machine in which means is provided for successively handling and reading a succession of records, one at a time, a contmuously movable printing means operative to make one complete cycle of movement for each record handled and read, type carriers upon said means and type upon the said carriers which in the aggregate are greater in number than the number of carriers and than the index points upon a single record, and means for selecting any single type representing an individual character for printing for each record handled and during one revolution of the drum.

9. In a machine of the class described, means for analyzing a perforated record card comprising prlmary and secondary sensin means, a plurality of type carriers each witli multiple type thereon; means controlled by said primary sensing means for selecting a type carrier for printing action, means controlled by said secondary sensing means for controlling which of the type upon a carrier is to be caused to print and further means controlled ,by said secondary sensing means for controlling the operation of said primary sensin means.

- 10. n a machine of the class described having a plurality of type carriers each with multiple type slidably mounted thereon, means for rotating said carriers whereby centrifugal action will cause relative displacement of the type upon a carrier, means for selecting a carrier for printing action and means for controlling the centrifugal movement of said type to select a particular type upon the selected carrier for printing.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

JAMES W. BRYCE.

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