US2036024A - Tabulating machine - Google Patents

Description

Filed Dec. so, 1935 e sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

March 31, 1936. DALY I 2,036,024

TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 50, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 F-IG.4

FIG.5

INVENTOR BY j j ATTORNEY March 31, 1936. F DALY 2,036,024

TABULATING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet T FIG-7b GAS ARC MERCHANDISE D-RESTIMATE.

ELECTRIC POWER GAS E ELECTRIC DELiNQUENT n'zaue a 4 BALANCE 9676543210Xl2 987G5432|Ol'lZ INVENTOR i y/s14,

31, 1936 G F DALY TA-BULATING MAQHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 XNVENTOR "Patented. 31, 1936 7 PATEN 1' OFFICE 'rsnnmrmo mom George F. Dal'y, Johnson International Business New York, N. Y.,

City, N. Y assignor to Machines Corporation,

a corporation of New York Application December 30, 1933,*S erlal No. 704,769

9 Claims. (c1. 101-93) w This invention relates to billing machines and more particularly to machines in which bills or statements are automatically prepared under control of perforated record cards. 7

The invention, while adapted to various uses, will be illustrated and described in connection with the accounting system of a public utility corporation supplying services in connection with electricityflight, power, gas, and the like. It is customary to install meters on the premises of users of electricity and gas on which the consumption of these commodities is registered. An employee of the corporation makes periodic visits to read the meters, entering the readings in a meter reading book which forms the hook j of original entry. This book shows the last pre-. vious and present readings of the meters and the difierence between the two representing the consumption of the commodity during the selected period. According to the present invention, it is proposed to form perforated ledger cards from these books of ori inal entry. The ledger cardsare punched in difierential locations in the well known manner to representdiiferent data. and ordinarily a single card is prepared for the consumption of several commodities by each consumer during the accounting period. Thus, each ledger card is punched with identifying datajof the consumer, identifying data of the particular commodities, present and previous readings of the meters, the difierences between the readings representing the consumption within a period, and the amount due for-this- 'consumptlon of each commodity.

The statements, bills, or invoices, which are sent out to consumers at the end of'the account ing period may be prepared directly from the perforated ledger cards.

The particular method of handling the ledger cards may vary. Ordinarily the cards representing the various types of service to a particular customer are arranged in groups with the cards having data concerning irregular services, such as charges for merchandise, at the head of the group followed by cards having data representing more frequent types of service charges. A particular column of each card is set aside to receive a designating perforation which serves to identify the type of f service represented by that card. If a. charge remains unpaid at the end of an accounting period, the cards repre; senting such unpaid charges are punched ina second position in the identifying column. This second punching identifies the card as .delin: quent and in preparing a subsequent statement,

. the data derived from such card win be'suitalily identified. I

The broad object of the invention is to pro,-

vide an improved printing tabmator in which hills or-statements may be automatically prepared under the control of variously classified record cards.

A more specific object of the invention resides. in the provision of novel mechanism for permitting the'printing ofa plurality of lines of a bill' or statement in response to the analysis of data contained on a single record card.

A further object resides in the provision of prereading instrumentalities for determining in advance of data analysis the manner in which the data analyzing devices shall take cognizance of the data on the record.

A still further object is to provide means controlled in response to a single classification periorationin acard for causing the separate print- 0 ing of two separate classification designations on successive lines of a bill.

The invention will .now be explained more explicitly in connection with the accompanying drawings in which, v l I Fig. 1. is a. cross sectional view of the essential elements of the ledger card feeding and analyzing mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along lines 22 of Fig. 1, showing the intermittent drive card picker.

Fig. 3 is a further detail of the-intermlttent drive. I

Fig. 4 is a section of the printing mechanism showing the essential operating elements.

Fig. 5 is' a detail showing the spacing mecha-' nism for-controlling the line spacing of the bill or statement.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the cam controlled contact devices in the machine.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the data fields of the record.card and the relationship between these fields and the type bars of the printing mechanism.

Fig. 7a indicates the coding arrangement of 5 the'seventh column of the card for indicating the type of service represented.

. Fig. 7b shows the manner of perforating the eighth column of the cards to indicate miscellaneous charges.

Figs. 8 and 8a, placed one above the other, constitute a wiring. diagram of the electric circuits of the machine.

7 Fig. 9 is a timing chart of the cam controlled contact devices.

tor the 30 point position.

Referring to Fig. '7, a ledger'card is shown in the upper part of the figurapunched to represent all the data pertaining to the consumption of gas and electricity fora certain consumer during an accounting period. This card is of well known form and carries indicia arranged in columns to represent the numerals from 0 to 9'. The card is divided into three sections. The right hand section, identified with an "E, receives data related to the consumption of, electricity. The central section, identified by G, receives similar data concerning consumption of gas, and

the third or left hand section receives informa-- tion common to the other two fields.

Where a customer does not require one of these services, the corresponding field is not used. In Fig. 7a is indicated the manner in which column 7, which is the identifying column, is perforated to/indicate the type of service rendered. For example, if the card represents both gas and electric service, a perforation is made in the 8 index point position. If only electricity is represented, a perforation is made in the 6 index point position; and if gas only is supplied, a hole is made'in the 1 position. If the charges represented on the card remain unpaid after. a bill has been rendered, the identifying perforation in the seventh column is supplemented by an additional hole in the 9 index Such punching is commonly called under punching and its manner of controlling the operation of the machine will be explained hereinafter. The same kind of record card may be used to receive information concerning other types of service as indicated on Fig. 7a and a hole in an appropriate position in column 7 will indicate the type of service.

For example, a hole in the 3 position indicates a charge in connection with the purchase of some article. Perforations in such case are obviously not made in the meter reading or consumption fields but the amount due may be punched in the amount field of the central portion of the card.

In the lower part of Fig. '7 is shown the manner in which the flelds of the bill are arranged to receive the data from the ledger cards and directly above the bill are the type bars (indicated by a horizontal row of vertical lines) which are adapted to control the printing in the columns of the statement directly below. Between the ledger card and the-type bars arevariou's lines running from the fields of the card to groups of type bars. These lines indicate diagrammatically the association between the card analyzing devices and the printing devices. Within these lines are included contact devices which, as will be explained hereinafter, shift the relationship between the card fields and type bar groups so that under suitable conditions this relationship may be varied. For example, the fields of the card containing the"prior and present gas meter readings are connected to the appropriate type bar positions through normally closed contacts 560. which permit the positioning of the type bars as the card passes the first or upper brush reading station. The fields of the card which receive the prior or present electric readings are also connected to the same type bar positions through normally open contacts 561) which, when shifted, permit the same bars to be controlled from the electric portion of the card, as it is analyzed bythe second or lower brush reading station.

. .The separate units of the machine will fi st be described to explain their mechanical arrangement, after which the circuits, by means of which the various units are coordinated, will be set forth in detail.

Card feeding mechanism The card feeding mechanism is shown in its essential details in Fig. 1 and is similar to card feeding mechanisms shown in tabulating machines such as shown in Patent No. 1,762,145, issued June 10, 1930 to G. F. Daly et al., Patent No. 1,822,594, issued September 8, 1931 to C. D.

' Lake and copending application Serial No. 672,388 of C. D. Lake and G. F. Daly, filed May 23, 1933.

Record cards are fed downwardly from a magazine by a picker III which advances the record to the feed rollers and these in turn move the card successively past a set of upper brushes indicated at UB and a set of lower brushes LB. These sets of brushes are spaced so that the upper brushes UB analyze the record card during one machine cycle and the lower brushes analyze the card during the succeeding cycle.

In carrying out the present invention, an additional brush station is provided in advance of the upper brushes. At this station a plurality of analyzing brushes H are located for the puranalyzed by all three before the nextcard is fed from the supply hopper. This is brought about by providing an intermittent feed for the picker knife ||l so that it operates during every second cycle only. This intermittent mechanism .is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, where the usual picker knife operating gear l3, which makes one revolution for each cycle of the machine, has connected thereto a gear l4 meshing with a gear |5 freely mounted upon a stud Hi. Integral with gear I5 is a mutilated gear II which meshes with a corresponding gear |8 freely carried on the stud I! which also serves as a center of rotation for the gears I3 and I4. With this arrangement, the gear I8 is given a complete turn for every second turn of the gear l3. Pivoted to gear I8 is the connecting link 20 which extends upwardly to the reciprocable picker knife I.

Printing mechanism The printing mechanism is substantially that shown in the patents referred to and comprises a plurality of type carriers 2| resiliently carried by crosshead 22, which through the mechanism generally indicated at 23 and pivoted on a shaft 24 is controlled by either cam 25 or cam 26 to move the crosshead 22 and type bars 2| upwardly and then down, once for each cycle of the machine. Cam

25 is carried by shaft 21 which operates only during total taking operations and cam 26 is carried by shaft 28 which operates during tabulating and listing operations. As the type bars 2| move upwardly, a magnet 29, oneof which is provided for each type bar, may be energized at differential times during the upward movement of the bar to trip a stopping pawl 30 into engagement with .one of theteeth cut in the type bar 'and thereby mechanism are driven in unison so that thetype bars rise to successively present their type elements to the printing platen as a record card passes the upper brushes and as the card subsequently moves past the lower brushes, the type bars make a second excursion. As the card passes either set of brushes, circuits may becompleted through perforations in index point positions in the card columns to cause energization of magnet 29 so that the amount represented by the perforation may be printed on a. record sheet. V

The circuits involved will be hereinafter traced in detail in connection with the description of the circuit diagram.

Paper spacing mechanism The usual'paper spacing devices are shown in Fig. 5 where thelmechanism generally indicated at 3i and mounted for oscillation on shaft 24 is adapted to draw downwardly on link 32 to space the platen. A latch 33 is provided which upon energization of a magnet 35 engages a block v3i carried by the mechanism 3! to hold the devices in the position shown in Fig. 5 to prevent the normal operation of the spacing mechanism. With this arrangement, paper spacing is suppressed while magnet 35 is energized. This mechanism for controlling the normal operation of the paper spacing mechanism is more fully shown and described in Patent No. 1,791,921, is sued to C. Campbell, February 10, 1931.

Miscellaneous contact devices In Fig. 6 is shown the gear connections by means of which some of the contact devices of the machine are driven. Shaft 36, known as the accumulator drive shaft, is driven from the card Circuit diagram The circuit diagram of Figs. 8 and 8a will now be described in detail and the various circuits will be separately described, after which a comprehensive explanation will be made of the manner in which they are coordinated for the solution of particular problems. I

In the circuit diagram, those cam controlled contacts which operate in synchronism with the card feeding mechanism are designated with' the distinguishing prefix 2F or F. Certain cam controlled'contacts are operated from the total taking and resetting-devices of the machine and these are prefixed with the designation P and during card feeding and listing operations these latter contacts will be in the positions indicated on the circuit diagram; that is, they will be either open or closed. Wherever possible, relay con-, tacts have been shown in juxtaposition to their corresponding coils.

In other instances, where they have been separated for clarity in the circuit diagram, relationship has been indicated my identifying the contacts with the same reference numeral as the controlling coil followed by a lower case letter and in addition, the relay coils have been dotted next to the contacts. j v

Start circuit Depression of the start key will close contact 44 completing a circuit from line 45, contacts Pl,

card feed clutch magnet 46, contacts 48a, relay 41, stop key contacts 48, contacts 44, stop key contacts 45, relay contacts 500, switch 51 to line 52.

cuit. Magnet 53 will close its contacts 530. completing the circuit to the driving motor TM which is traceable from line 45, contacts Pl, motor TM, contacts 53a,.to line 52. Relay magnet 41 acts to provide a holding circuit for the starting circuit which is traceable from line 45, contacts Pl, magnet 46, relay magnet 53, magnet 41, contacts 41a, contacts 49, a, switch 51 to line 52. This circuit will remain energized until the stop key contacts 49 are manually opened or relay magnet 50 is energized to open contacts 5011. In such event, the circuit will be held v through contacts 2Fl which are in parallel con- With motor TM in operation and magnet 46- energized, the card feeding mechanism will proceed to feed cards past the analyzing brushes in succession and the printing mechanism willmove synchronously therewith to record the data analyzed. Accumulating mechanism (not shown in detail) maybe operated at the same time so that the data analyzed may also be accumulated, if desired.

Printing circuits The printing circuits are shown on Fig. 8a wherein the printing magnets 29 are shown connected to a common wire as which runs through cam contacts P1 to line 65. Several of the printing magnets 29 are-connected through wires 55 to the common blades of pairs of contacts 56a and 56b, the former of which are normally closed and connected through wires 51 to certain of the upper brushes UB. The normally open contacts 56b are connected through wires 58 to certain lower brushes LB. Thus, as the record card traverses the upper brushes, perforations therein will complete circuits to the printing magnet of which a representative one is traceable as follows: from line 52 (Fig. 8), through switch 51, contacts 55a,

distributor 60 (Fig. 8a), common contact roll of the upper brushes, perforation in the record card,

Energization of magnet I 46 will open contacts 46a and include relay magnet 52 in the cirupper card lever contacts UCL, wire 59, impulse brush. UB, wire 51, contacts 56a, wire 55, print magnet 29, wire 54, contacts P1, to line 45.

If, as the record card passes the lower brushes, relay magnet 56 is energized in a manner to be explained, contacts 56b will be closed and print-- ing circuits may be completed as follows: from line 52 (Fig. 8), switch 5|, contacts 50a, lower card lever contacts LCL, wire 61 (Fig. 8c), impulse distributor 62, lower brush contact roller, perforation in the record card, lower brush LB, wire 58, contacts 56b (now closed), wire 55. print magnet 29, contacts P1, to line '45.

It will thus be seen that the same print magnet may be controlled from. either the upper or tier which this lower brushes which in turn may analyze either the same or different columns of the record card.

In certain positions, the contacts 560 and 56b instead of being directly connected to the print magnet as through a wire 55, may have interposed a -pair of contacts 63a controlled by a relay magnet 63 so that the printing circuit may or may not be completed depending upon the operation of relay magnet 63. If magnet during the passageof the card by either brush station, the analysis of columns associated with the contacts 53a will have no efiect upon the corresponding printing magnets. Conditions unoperation takes place plained hereinafter. Another manner of associating the analyzing brushes with the printing magnets may involve including a pair of contacts 82a. in the circuit between lower brush LB and one of the normally open contacts 58b so that the printing circuit through the lower brushes will be completed only when relay .magnet 82 is energized to close contacts 82a.

Adding circuits The other terminal of eachadding magnet is connected to the common blade of a pair of contacts 56a and 56b. The normally closed contacts are connected through a wire 61 to upper brushes U13 and the normally open blade is connected through wire 68 to a lower brush LB. Magnet 56 is arranged to be energized as the card is passing thelower brushes and deenergized while itpasses the upper brushes.

In this manner, a circuit may be completed through a perforation in the card sensed by the upper brush and completed through wire 61, contacts 56a, magnet 65, wire 66, to line 45. A branch circuit from contacts 56a may follow through wire 69, normally closed, contacts 10a,

wire ll, print magnet 29, wire 54, contact P1 to line 45. Thus, the amount entered into an order of the accumulator under control of the upper brushes may be concurrently printed.

Similarly, as the card is passing the lower brushes,

a perforation will complete a circuit through wire 68 to concurrently control the same adding magnet and printing magnet 29. It will be noted that for the wiring example illustrated, items may be read from different columnar positions at the upper and lower brushes and enter into common adding and printing devices.

Total printing circuits The manner in which total printing is effected is the same as disclosed in Patent No. 1,921,451, issued to G. F. Daly, August 8, 1933. Each position of the adding mechanism has associated therewith a brush structure 12 which takes an angular position representative of -the value of the item entered in that position. During the if a brush I2 is set to represent 9, a circuitwill be completed from line 52, through brush l3, 9" wire 14, through 9"- wire of the group of wires 15, brush I2, contacts 10b (which are 63- is energized will be exclosed duringtotal taking operations), wire H,

print magnet", to line 45 as before.

Since, during total taking operations, the type bars move upwardly in synchronism with the operation of the emitter brush 1!, this circuit Automatic initiation of total taking The manner in which total taking is automatically initiated is somewhat similar to that explained in the above mentioned patents. If the switch l8 (Fig. 8) is closed, energization of relay magnet 50 will close its contacts 50b which thereupon complete a circuit from line 52, switch 5!, contacts 50b, wire I'I, cam contact 2F; which definitely time the completion of the circuit, switch I8, relay magnet ll, reset clutch magnet 19, contacts P3, contacts F4, to' line 45.

Magnet 18 closes its contacts 18b to complete a circuit to the reset motor RM, traceable from line 45, contacts F4, motor RM, contacts 18b, wire 80, to line 52. Contacts 18a provide a holding circuit for the magnets 18 and 19 as follows: from line 45, contacts F4 and P3, magnets 19, I8, contacts 18a, 18b, wire 80, to line 52. During the total taking cycle, contacts P3 open to deenergize magnets II and I! and contacts P4 act to keep motorRM energized until their controlling cam permits-opening of the contacts and breaking of the motor circuit.

Gas and electric card The manner in which a dual-card, that is, a card bearing both gas and electric information, controls the machine to prepare a statement bearing information concerning these two types of service only will now be explained in detail.

It will be recalled that dual-cards are provided with an identifying perforation in the 8 index point position of column 7. As the record card is advanced past the upper brushes UB, the

data relating to the gas information will be analyzed and entered in the appropriate positions of the type bars through circuits as traced above.

Fig. '7 represents diagrammatically the information that is so entered. Specifically, columns 22 to 25 are connected through a pair of contacts 56a to the type bars which control printing in the second held of the bill. Columns '26 to 29 are similarly connected to the type bars which print in the date position in the center of the bill. Columns 30 to 33 which control the reading date print in the left hand date position of the bill, also on the stub portion of the bill. In the same manner, columns 37 to 56 of the G field are connected to the appropriate positions of the bill to receive this data. The amount field columns 52 to 56 are connected to the accumulator A so that the total bill for the customer may be accumulated.

It will be noted, that as'the record card passes the upper brush station, no data is analyzed in the E portion of the card. As the record card advances for analysis by the lower brushes, the contacts 56a are opened and contacts 56b are closed.

This is effected by energizationof the magnets 58 (Fig. 8) upon closure of cam contacts 2F|8 which are adapted to be closed as the record cards pass the lower brushes. A circuit is thereby completed from line 45, contacts 2Fl8, magnets .56, wire 8|, to line 52. Therefore, as the record card passes the lower brushes, all contacts 58a will be open and contacts 56b will be closed. The electric field of the record card will now be connected to the appropriate columns of the bill- Inspection of Fig. '7 will show-that the amount field of the electric information is now connected through closed contacts 567: to

accumulator A so that the "electric amount is now added to the gas amount". fields of electric information are entered into the same'fields that receive corresponding information'relating to the gas service; In the left hand portion of the record card the lower brushes analyze the account number and reading date fields of the card to cause the repeated entry of this information in'connection with the electric data. These fields are associated with the type bars through contacts 824; controlled by a magnet 82 which is energized to close the contacts as the card passes. the lower brushes in the following manner: As the cards traverse the upper brushes, the perforationin the 8 index point position is sensed by the upper brush UB of column 7 and a circuit completedthrough the perforation to the upper-brush UB, wire 83 (Fig.

' 2F! is such that the magnets 82 remain energized provide a holding circuit from line 52, wire 8|,

8a), cam contacts F9 (Fig. 8) timed to'close at the 8 time in the cycle, wire 8|, relay magnets 85, 86, 81, cam contacts 2F1,-wire;88, to line 45.

Magnet 85 closes its points 8511 to. provide a holding circuit from line 52, wire 8|, contacts 850,

magnets 85, 88 and 81, to line 45. As before, magnet 86 closes its contacts 86a to complete the circuit to magnets 82 from line 45, contact 2Fl8, magnets 82, contacts 86a, wire 8|, to line 52..

- The timingof the cam contact devices F9 and during the transit of the record card pastthe lower brushes. After the card has passed the lower brushes, the bill will contain all the data relating to the gas and electric service-and if this is all that the consumer is'to be charged, the

bill is complete with the exception of the total, which is printed during the total taking and resetting cycle of operations which is initiated at this time in the following manner:

. Total printi g 1/016 the appropriate brush which completes a circuit extending from the '2 lowerbrush LB through wire 89 (Fig. 8a), cam contacts2Fl 9' (Fig. 8),

relay magnet 90, cam contacts P5, wire 88, to line 45. Magnet 90 closes its contacts 98:; to

contacts 98a, magnet 98, contacts P5, .wire 88, to line 45. This circuit remains energized until contacts P open during the total taking cycle of operations.

During the cycle in which the card passes the lower brushes, a. pair of cam contacts 2F|3 are. adapted to close momentarily to complete a circuit from line 52, normally closed relay contacts 9|a, wire 92, control magnet 58, contacts 2F3, wire 88, to line 45. Under conditionsto be explained hereinafter, contacts 9hr may be opened at the time contacts 2F|3 close so that this circuit cannot be completed.

In the present instance where there is but the The other their normal position.

single gas and electric card for the consumer, the circuit is completed as dwcribed and there sulting energizadon'of magnet 50 will open contacts 58a to interrupt the motor circuit of the This initiates an automatic total taking and resetting cycle of operations in a manner \explained hereinbefore; During this cycle, the

total is read from the accumulator and printed in the appropriate column of. the bill through circuits already traced.

As explained hereinbefore, the total printing circuits include contacts 10a and'lllb which are shifted during totaltaking operations. This a is efiected'in'the following manner. At the beginning of the total taking cycle closure of cam contacts P6 (Fig. 8) will complete a circuit from line 45, wire 88, contacts P5, P8, trip magnet 10, contacts No, contacts "a, wire 8|,,

to line 52. Energization of magnet 10 will trip" the contacts so that "a will be open and 10b will be closed. After total printing has been eifected, mechanical means (not shown) are brought into operation to restore the contacts to Summarizing briefly, 'where a consumers account is represented by the, single dual-servicecard, the card is fed'first past the upper brushes 1 where data relating to gas and data common to both services are analyzed and printed on the first line of the bill. The card then passes the lower brushes where data concerning electric service are analyzed and printed on the second 7 line of the bill. 3

Each station controls the'entry of the money item into a common accumulator which thereby acquires a cross addition of the two amount fields of the card. Following this, the machine automaticalLv enters upon a, total taking cycle of operatien, during which the total amount is printed on the bill on a third line and the machine is cleared in preparation for the analysis of the first card of the next group.

Gas and electric arrears card If the data on the record card as just analyzed represented data concerning payments which are now in arrears, the card would have an additional perforation made in the "9 index point position of column 7 and the current card would be arranged to be analyzed subsequently to the arrears card; that is, on the bill there is first listed the information concerning payments in arrears'and current charges are listed later. Q

In connection with the arrears card it is the practice to eliminate the printing of the meter readings and consumption from the customers portion of the bill but to show these. items on the oii'ice stub which is the left hand portion of the statement. The mechanism for eifecting this is controlled by the 9 perforation in column -7 which is analyzed by the special brush H as the card passes thereunder. A circuit is set up thereby from line 52 (Fig. 8), wire 8|, the 9 hole in column i, brush H, lower card contacts 2E8 closed at the "9 position, relay magnet 93, cam

contacts 2P5, to line 15. Contacts 931:. set up a' holding circuit for magnet 93 and also complete a circuit from line 52, wire 8|, contacts 930, upper analysis of the 9 position, relay magnet 63, cam contacts 2P6, wire 88, to line 45.

Magnet 84, wired in parallel with magnet 63, is also energized at this time and its contacts 84a provide a holding circuit for both magnets 94 and 63.

Referring to Fig. '7 it will be noted that the meter reading and consumption fields of the bill are connected to the corresponding record card fields through the normally closed contacts 6311' so that if these contacts-are open during the time the card passes the brushes, no printing will take place on such portion of the bill. The timing of the operation of the cams 2F5 and 2F8 is such that the circuits through magnet 83 will be maintained throughout the two cycles during which the card passes both upper and lower brush stations. As the arrears card passes the lower brushes, the 9 hole in column 'I will complete a circuit from line brush position, through wire 89 (Fig. 8a), cam contacts CFII, timed to close a relay magnet 95, magnet 9|, cam contacts 2FI'I, wire 88, to line 45. Contacts 59a close to complete a holding circuit for magnets and 9 I The contacts 9 la, as above stated are in the circuit of control magnet 50 which, since the circuit is thus interrupted, will not be energized after the analyzing of the arrears card and the machine will therefore proceed with the feeding and analyzing of the next following card.

which will take place in exactly the same manner as explained under the heading above, Gas and electric card.

Gas card Where a customer receives only a single service, such as gas, the same dual-card is employed, but only the "gas portion thereof receives entries.

In column '7, a perforation is made in the 1 index point'position to indicate that the card is a gas card. In the analysis of this card, the gas information and the identifying data are analyzed by. the upper brushes and entered into the proper type bar positions exactly as though the card were a dual-service-card. As the card passes the lower brushes,'however, all printing therefrom will be suppressed. This is effected in the following manner: The contacts 82a (Fig. '7) which are normally open will fail to close since, as explained above, the relay magnet 86 must be energized to permit completion of the circuit through the magnets 82 which cause closure of contacts 82a and since the single service card does not have the controlling perforation in the 8 index point position, magnet 88 remains-deenergized. As in the case of the gas and electric card, the control magnet 50 will be energized after the single service card has been analyzed and the machine will enter upon a total taking and resetting cycle of operations. However, the actual printing circuits, during this operation, are suppressed since but a single entry, namely, of the gas amount, has been made in the accumulator and to total print this amount would merely repeat the card reading on the bill and this is, not desirable. Themanner in which total printing is suppressed is as follows:

Since the circuit through magnet III extends through either contacts 901: or 95b to the one side of line and since these contacts are closed only when the card has either an 8" 'or "9 perforation in column 7, the circuit will accordingly not be completed and the read-out devices of the accumulator will not be connected to the print magnets for total printing purposes.

Gas arrears card If the consumer is in arrears in payment of the single gas amount, the previous months card will be provided with the arrears identifying perforation in the 9 index point position of column 7. This arrears card will, of course, be followed by the current months card. In this case, as with the'arrears card of the dual-service type, the function of the 9 perforation is to suppress the recording on the customers portion of the bill of the meterreadings and consumption. The 9 hole also serves as before to cause the energization of magnet 9| to keep the machine running additional cycles so that the following current months card may also be analyzed. The money value on the arrears card is, of course,'entered into the accumulator and during the subsequent analysis the current monthis also added. The

9 perforation will also serve to set up the relay Electric card Cardswhich contain only information relating to electric consumption will have the identifying designation in the 6 index point position of column '7. As this card passes the upper brushes, the information in the left hand field will be trans- .mitted to the type bars for printing on the record sheet. During the second machine cycle, as the card is passing the lower brushes, the remainder of the information will be printed from the E portion of the card.

It is to be noted that since there is no 8" perforation in column 7, the relay magnets 82 are not energized during the analysis of this card and consequently, the information in the left hand field is not read a second time by the lower brushes.

Electric arrears card As in the case of the gas arrears" card, this type of card receives the underpunching in the 9" index point position of column 7 and the operation is substantially the same as for the gas arrears card with the exception of the difference regarding the fields from which the information is read.

Past month readings In certain instances, it is desirable to bill a customer for two or more cur'rent-monthservice readings; as for example, where the customer has changed his address during the current billing period, he should receive a bill for the service rendered at both the old and newv address. A separate card is made out for each address and the data on each is separately listed in much the same manner as though one card were a current month's card and the other an arrears card. In the present case, however, it is not desirable to suppress the meter readings at either address since the customer is entitled to such information. In order to effect this, one of the cards, preferably that containing the data relating to the old address, is provided with a perforation in the spacing operation during the analysis 01 the card 3 position of column 8 (see Fig. 7b). The purpose of this perforation is to cause the machine to continue to run after the analysis of this card since, as noted above, the currentmonth card is usually the last card in any group and the machine is normally adapted to automatically enter upon total taking operations after its analysis.

If there had been several address changes for the consumer, there would be an equivalent num- 'ber of extra cards all X punched in column 8 except the last. The X punching in column 8 is analyzed as the card passes the lower brushes and a circuit is completed from the 8" lower brush LB (Fig. 8a) through wire 98 (Fig. 8) cam" contacts IFII, (timed to close at X) relay magnets and 8, contacts 2F", wire 88, .to line 45. As before, contacts Sic will thus be opened to prevent the interruption of the tabulating motor circuit and the machine will continue to feed the next record card.

Merchandise and Cards containing data relating to merchandise purchased will all have an X punching in column 8 and this perforation will serve to keep the machine in operation in the same manner as ex- Paper p g control As explained above in connection with the mechanical description of the paper spacing devices and with reference to Fig. 5, the paper spacing mechanism is arranged in such a manner that the energization of magnet 35 will interrupt its functioning'. When the machine is listing from dualservice cards, the machine will space the platen I one line preceding the printing of the first or gas item and will effect a second line spacing operation preceding the printing of the second or electrlc item.

When printing single service cards, the line spacing is efiected only during the first machine cycle and is suppressed during the second machine cycle while the same card is passing the lower brushes so that while data may be sensed at both the upper and lower brushes, as in the case of the electric card, the data so analyzed will be printed on a single line of the bill. In the case of the dual-service card, which has an "8 hole in column 7, the analysis of this hole by the upper brush'causes the completion of a circuit from the 1 upper brush UB, wire 83,.cam contacts F9, relays 95, 86.nnd 81; to line dies before.

Energization of relayflafi causes opening of its I contact points 8522 so that closure of cam contacts 2F! during the second card cycle will not energize magnet 35 and the paper spacing devices will remain unlatched and in normal operative con- .dition during this cycle.

Where a single service card is analyzed, which does not have the 8 hole in column 7, contacts b will, of course, be in normally closed position and during the second cycle of analysis of the card, closure of cam contacts 2F! and lFlIl will complete a circuit from line 45, wire 88, contacts 2F1, magnet 35, contacts ZFIO, contacts 85b, wire 8|, to line 52. Magnet 35 will rockthe latching member 38 (Fig. 5) into engagement with the paper spacing devices to prevent their eflecting a by the lower brushes LB.

Pn'n ti ng the service designation In several columns of the bill the service designation ordescription is printed under control of perforations in column '7 and where a single type bar is utilized, the symbolic characters are ar-- in more extended form and for this purpose two or three type bars may be associated in known manner so that they act as one; that is their controlling magnets may be wired in parallel so that an impulse at the 1 time will stop all three bars in-their 1 position and each may print part of the designation. For example, with an arrangement of three bars, an impulse stopping the bars in their "6 positions will concurrently position them so that printing or EL will take place from one bar, EC from a second, and T from-a third, the entire combination identifying the commodity as "electricity.

description bars are to be positioned, cam contacts FIB are provided which are closed duringv the analysis of the 7 to 0 index point positions of the record card as it passes the upper brushes. If the commodity is represented by' a perforation in any of these positions, a circuit will be completed at a corresponding time i'rom the upper brush in column '7 (Fig. 8a) wire 83 (Fig. 8), cam contacts FIB, contacts 81b, wire 98 (Fig; 8a) to one ormore print magnets 29, wire 54, contacts P1 to line 45'. Where, however, the cardis a dual-service card, it is desirable to print the symbol 'forgas during the first-cycle and the symbol for electricity during the second cycle, This is brought about in the following manner:

As previously noted, relay magnet 81 is energized whenever a dual-service card is analyzed, thus causing closure of its contacts 81a and opening of contactsB'ib. Contacts 81a are connected to'a pair of parallel sem -controlled contacts FM and 2Fl5. The former contacts are timed to close at the l time in the first cycle and the. latter are timed to close at the 6 time in the second card cycle so that. a circuit will be completed during the passage of the card by the upper brushes from line 52, wire 8|, wire 99, cam contacts Fi l, contact 81a, wire 98, to the print magnet-to present the symbol for gas to the printing position and during the second cycle, as the card a is passing the lower brushes and the bill has been. spaced to the next printing line, a circuit will be completed from line 52, wire 8|, wire 99, contacts 2Fl5, contacts 81d, :wire 98, to the print magnet to interrupt it in position to print the symbol for electricity.

' Recapitulation Summarizing the entire operation of the ma have either a- 9 perforation in column 7, indicating arrears charges or they will have an X perforation in column 8, indicating that these are irregular or special charges.

The absence or either of these special perforations in the last card is for the purpose, as explained, of causing an interruption in the analyzing .and accumulating functions of the machine and the initiation of total taking operations. As the several record cards each pass the several analyzing stations, the data are analyzed therefrom and entered into the appropriate type bar positions and paper spacing is effected for each card with the exception of the dual-service card in which case two paper spacing operations are effected. After the last card of the group has been analyzed and the total taking operations performed, during which the total amount is read from the accumulator and printed on the last line of the bill, the accumulators are cleared and the machine is ready to proceed with the analysis of the next group of cards. The bills may be fed into and out of the machine during total taking operations by means of mechanism of the type disclosed in the Decker patent referred to above, or, if desired, the machine may be caused to come to a stop after total taking operations and the renewal and insertion of bills effected manually.

While there has been shown and described and .pointed out the fundamental novel featuresof the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to' be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of record analyzing stations, means for feeding a perforated. record past said stations in succession, printing mechanism for printing upon a bill and means controlled by each of said stations in response to the analysis of perforations in a passing record for causing said printing mechanism to eflect printing on a different line of said bill.

2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of record analyzing stations, means for feeding a perforated record card past said stations in succession, printing mechanism for printing upon successive lines of a bill, means controlled by ,one of said stations for causing said printing mechanism to print, upon one line of the bill, data derived from one section of the record card and means controlled by another station for causing said printing mechanism to print, upon another line of the bill, data derived from another section of the record card.

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 in which further means is provided for causing each of said stations to control the printing mechanism to print on each line, common data derived from a single section of the record card.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of record analyzing stations, means for feeding a perforated'record card past said stations in succession, printing means separately controlled by more than one of said stations to print data derived from the card upon a plurality of lines of a bill, and means controlled by another causing the suppression of the operation of one of said analyzing means and suppression of the corresponding line spacing operation.

7. In a printing machine, means for'feeding and analyzing record cards, printing means controlled thereby to record the result of each card analysis, means normally operative to interrupt the operation of said feeding and analyzing means after the analysis of each card and means controlled in response to the analysis of a predetermined designation on certain of said cards for suppressing the operation of said interrupting means.

8. In a cyclically operable printing tabulator,-a plurality of record analyzing devices, a printing device, means normally operative to associate 'said printing device with one of said analyzing devices during one cycle of operation of the tabulator and sion and means controlled by said pre-reading station in response to the analysis of the card thereat for determining the manner in which said printing mechanism.

GEORGE F. DALY.

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