US2044121A - Tabulating machine - Google Patents

Description

June 16, 1936. w. w. LASKER TABULAT ING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Shet '1 Filed July 20, l93l TORNEY June 16, 1936. w, w, LASKER 2,044,121

TABULATING MACHINE ATTORNEY w k n/MW June 1 1936- w. w. LASKER 2,044,121

TABULATING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTdR Wm Wa BY KPW.

ATTORNEY June 16, 1936. w. w. LASKER V I TABULA'I'ING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV TOR ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1936 4 UNITED STATES TABULATING MACHINE William W. Lasker, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 20, 1931, Serial No. 551,861

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to punched card accounting systems, and especially to the tabulator mechanisms used in such systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to new mech- 5 anisms for transmitting data, obtained by the sensing of a record card, to the computing unit used to tabulate that data.

Until fairly recently tabulating machines of the Powers type weredesigned to record data appearing on a punched card in a single hole code. It was found, however, that when the minimum spacing, not detrimental to the strength of the card, was used, such a code did not permit the recording of more than 45 columns of information.

Consequently, a two-hole code has been put in use. This code provides for 90 columns of information; 45 columns appearing in the upper half, and the remaining 45 columns in the lower half of the record card. It has become customary to designate the two systems respectively as 45 column, or straight, and 90 column, or combination, code. Likewise it has become customary to designate the upper half of the card as the upper 90-column zone, and the lower half as the lower 90-column zone, and to speak of a number of adjacent vertical columns or half columns of the card as a field.

Since both the coding systems mentioned above are at present in use, it is desirable to have a tabulator mechanism adapted to sense cards per- 30 forated in accordance with either code and to transmit the sensed data to recording mechanism which will properly tabulate it. Up to the present time it has been necessary to tabulate 45-column cards through the use of a tabulator adapted to that code only, and to tabulate 90-column cards on a tabulator adapted to that code alone. I

As was stated above, mechanism is already in use whereby a card perforated in accordance with the 90-column code may be sensed and the sensing transmitted to a tabulator head adapted to operate in accordance with that 90-column code. This, however, requires two sets of transmitting r elements and two computing units for each vertically adjacent pair of 90-column fields from which data is topbe tabulated. There are many times when a single unit will sufllce for the two adjacent Bil-column fieldajoi. themard. ;;All example of such a conditi6n1jls--preseiitdwhen the price of an article is insertc'don a cafd in 9. def-- inite Bil-column fieldand that price subsequently changed. In this case a new price may be inserted in the other of the two vertically adjacent 90- column fields, thus making it unnecessary to punch up an entire new card simply because the price of the article has been changed. In order that the new price may be tabulated in place of the old through the medium of the same computing unit, it is merely necessary that the transmitting elements associated with the new price field 5 be substituted for those associated with the old price field. It will readily be seen that in this manner a single computingunit is used for controlling the accumulation of price, regardless of whether that price is the one originally inserted 10 on the card or a new one subsequently inserted.

The invention thus contemplates a mechanism, insertable between the sensing mechanism and the computing mechanism of a tabulator, which will permit computing mechanism normally 15 adapted to operate from 90-column cards to operate from 45-column cards. In fact, the invention not only provides this, but also provides means to properly tabulate data taken from 45 and 90-. column zones and fields of the same card. 20

The invention also contemplates mechanism, such as that set forth above, which will permit a selection of one of two vertically adjacent 90- column fields to the exclusion of the other for controlling a computing unit common to both.

It is customary to term that mechanism which is insertable between the sensing chamber and the stop baskets of the computing head a multiple translator and that term will be used in the following specification.

Likewise, the term multiple translator section will be used to designate that portion of a complete multiple translator which is associated with a single computing unit.

It is an object of this invention to provide a multiple translator which will transmit the sensing of a card perforated in accordance with the -column code to a computing mechanism adapted to be controlled by cards punched in accordance with the 90-column code and will prop- 40 erlyoperate that mechanism. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide means whereby card fields which lie directly beneath one another, 1. e. in the upper and lower 90-column zones 01a card, may be selected for tabulation.

A further object of the invention is to provide ea s whereby a: single multiple translator may "accomplish both or the foregoing objects. In

other words, it is an object of the invention to provide a multiple translator having one section adapted to transmit the sensing of data perforated in accordance with the 45-column code to a tabulator head adapted to operate in accordance with the 90-column code, and having another section which is adapted at the same time to select one of two adjacent fields to control the operation of the computing mechanism associated with both those fields.

A still further object of the invention lies in provision of means whereby multiple translators may be readily removed from the tabulator and be replaced by others.

other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a usual form of the well known Powers tabulating machine. This view is so taken that it shows a section through one form of multiple translator section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the form of translator section shown in Fig. 1.

This view also shows a tabulator stop basket.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of another form of multiple translator section showing the mode of transmitting data in accordance with the -column code to computing mechanism arranged to operate in accordance with that code.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of still another form of multiple translator section adapted to select one of two fields, one of which lies beneath the other (the first being in the upper 90-column zone, and the second in the lower 90-column zone) to the exclusion of the other.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4; this view shows two translator sections.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the detail of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a view of a card showing the numerals from 1 to 9 and 0 represented in both 45 and 90- column codes, the 90-co1umn code representation being shown in both the upper and lower zones of the card.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a manually operable means for selecting either the Coding In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, the various codes utilized will be described in detail.

The 45-column code is so arranged that each digit is represented by a single hole in a. column of the card. All the digits from 1 to 9 as well as zero, 11, and 12, are represented in the 45-column code in the first twelve columns of the card illustrated in Fig. '7; zero appears in the first column, 1 in the second, 2 in the third, etc. up to 11 and 12 which appear in the eleventh and twelfth columns respectively. At the left margin of the card there are Roman numerals which designate the rows of pins of the sensing mechanism.

The 90-column code is arranged so that each odd numeral is represented by a single perforation appearing in a half column of the card, or in other words, in a zone of the column. The 90- column code is the same whether the coded representations appear in the upper or lower zone, and is so arranged that each odd numeral is represented by a single hole while each even numeral is represented by two holes, one of which is the to the main shaft any suitable power source, such as an electric same as that of the next lower odd numeral, and the other that perforation which, if alone, would represent 9.

In the upper-QO-column zone the sensing pins which will be operated when a card punched to represent numerals is analyzed are as follows: XII; ll1." m; H 7 }{I l X; -X and HI; 5"-I; I and III; -II; -II and III; 9-III. These are shown in columns 23 through 32 of the card of Fig. '7.

In the lower-90-column zone the sensing pins which will be operated when a card punched to represent numerals is analyzed are as follows:

in columns 58 Sensing mechanism The sensing mechanism is located in the base of the tabulator and is similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 1,245,502 issued to James Powers on November 6, 1917 As is well known, this mechanism is not dependent upon any coding for its functioning, but simply determines whether there is, or is not, a hole in a column of the record card and causes mechanical movements whenever there is a hole present. The sensing mechanism is located in the lower portion of the tabulator (see Fig. 1) and is supported by the base framework I. The sensing mechanism includes a sensing box l6, which is operated by a cam fastened 5, which shaft is driven from motor.

Cards to be sensed are stacked in the magazine l0 (Fig. 1) and a weight placed on top of the stack. A picker knife Ii is connected by a link and cam (not shown) to a roller 6 which rides on a cam I fastened to the shaft 5. The cam 1 is shaped so that the knife is reciprocated once during each cycle of the machine. On each forward movement of the picker knife II, a card is taken from the bottom of the stack and positioned between the right-hand one of the sets of feed rolls l2 and I 3, which rolls are driven from the main shaft 5 through gears (not shown). As the rolls revolve, the card is transported into the sensing chamber I 4 where it is held due skid rolls l5 against a card stop (not shown) during a reciprocation of the sensing box l6.

During each cycle of the machine, sensing box I is elevated under control of the cam on the main shaft, and all sensing pins l! are brought against the under surface of a card in the sensing chamber it. Each pin above which there is no hole is moved downward with respect to the sensing box IE against the tension of its spring l8, which surrounds the sensing pin i1 and is held in place between a shoulder I 9 on the pin and the lower plate 20 of the sensing box IE. Each pin above which there is a hole passes through the card and elevates an interponent pin 23 of the interponent pin box 24.

The sensing box 1 contains, as is well known in the art, forty-five columns of sensing pins, each column comprising twelve pins, or a total of five hundred and forty. Likewise the interponent pin box 24 contains five hundred and forty pins 23 arto the action of ranged in forty-five columns of twelve pins each.

After the card has been sensed the card stop is removed and the skid rolls i5 transport the cards to the right-hand pair of eject rolls 2i-22 which pass it on to the left-hand pair and thence to a receiving receptacle.

Computing head The computing head is mounted on the frame 3 which is supported by the hinge 4 and by the in- The stop basket with which multiple translator sections of the present invention are designed for use is commonly known as a 90-column stop basket and is shown and described in detail in my Patent No. 1,780,621, dated November 4, 1930. Each stop basket (Fig. 2) comprises a plurality of denominational sets of stops, each such set including four variable stops 3!], a fixed stop 3i, a special stop 32 and a zero stop 33. The number of denominational sets of stops in a basket varies, but usually lies between the limits of eight and thirteen. Likewise the number of stop baskets varies, the usual number being seven, frequently less, infrequently more.

The variable stops are guided at their lower ends by slots in the stop basket base plate 34, and are held against sidewise movement by pairs of spacers supported by the stop basket frame 35. Each stop 3|] is held in its lower position by a spring 31. K

The special stop 32 is similarly guided by the base plate 34 and the spacers 35, and is similarly held in its lower position by a spring 31. The upper end of the special stop is provided with a projection which cooperates with fixed plate 38 which extends across the stop basket. The upper ends of the stops 30 are arranged so that when elevated they extend into the path of a projection or heel 44 on an accumulator actuating sector 43, and thus determine the extent of movement of the actuating sectors.

It will be seen that when a stop 30 is elevated alone, it rises into position to permit the actuator to move a definite distance, while if the same stop is elevated together with the special stop 32, all stops lying to the left of the operated stop 30 will be moved further to the left due to the pressure of the heel 44 on the operated stop 30, this movement being permitted because spe cial stop 32 is raised to clear the fixed plate 33. The additional space through which the actuating sector 43 is moved, due to the operation of the stop 32, is equal to the space between two adjacent teeth on the actuator and consequently the actuator is positioned to add the digit represented by the two-hole punching.

Zero stop 33 is normally in its elevated position to hold the actuator at the zero position. The elevation of any stop 30 or of stop 32 causes the slidable cam plate 33 to' be moved to the right (Fig. 2) to lower the zero stop 32 and permit the elevated stop to be effected.

It will also be obvious that when the special stop 32 is elevated alone, it will serve simply to depress the zero stop and release the actuating sector which will move until the heel 44 thereon strikes the fixed stop or bar 3| which is so positioned that the actuating sector then comes to rest in the 9 position. For this reason the stop 32 is frequently called the-9 stop.

Computing mechanism Each of the type sectors 40 carries numeral types adapted to be imprinted on a record sheet placed on the paper platen I03. All type sectors are pivotally carried on a: shaft 64 carried by the frame of the computing head. Each sector 40 is provided with a rearward extension 4| forming a hook to which a spring 42 is attached. The other end of spring 42 is anchored to the toothed actuating sector 43, and tends to displace the sectors 40 and 43 so as to keep a pin 45 which projects from the sector 43 against the end wall of a slot 45 in the sector 45. The teeth of the actuating sector 43 cooperate with a totalizer wheel 41 in the conventional manner. The actuator wheel has a tens transfer tooth 45 which cooperates with a lug on a tens transfer arm 49., During totaling cycles the lug of the arm 49 acts as a stop which limits the reverse rotation of the totalizer wheels and thus determines the position of the sectors 40 and 43 in accordance with the digit which was represented by the totalizer wheel. As was shown when the stop basket was described the actuating sector 43 has a heel 44 adapted, during accumulating cycles, to cooperate with one of a number. of stops 30, selected and elevated by the sensing mechanism, or with fixed stop 3|.

A type sector 40, an actuating sector 43, a. totallzer wheel 41 and a lug carrying tens transfer arm 49 constitute a denominational unit of the computing mechanism of the Powers tabulator. The entire computing mechanism ordinarily comprises seventy denominational units arranged in groups, each group comprising from eight to thirteen units which are cooperatively connected by the tens carrying mechanisms. Such a group will be termed a computing unit hereinafter.

An oscillating shaft 54, which is journalled in the frame of the machine carries as many sector shaped cams 55 as there are computing units. Each of the cams 55 is pivotally mounted on shaft 54 but is resiliently connected by pin, slot and spring, with an arm attached to the shaft.

A link 51 is pivoted on a stud 55 projecting from cam 55 and extends upwardly and rearwardly to a lever 53 to which it is pivoted. The lever 58 is in turn pivoted on a horizontal shaft 53 and has a curved cam slot in its lower portion. The cam slot 50 embraces a roller 5| on one of a pair of arms 52. The arms 62 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 54 and carry a universal restoring bar 53 which extends in front of the vertical arms of sectors 40 of the computing unit.

During any cycle of operation the cam 55 reciprocates and imparts a forward and upward toand-fro movement to the restoring bar 53, thereby permitting the sectors to advance and thereafter positively restoring the sectors to initial position. Each sector tends to follow the universal bar 33 on its forward stroke owing to the action of a spring 55 which exerts a. downward pull on the end of arm 4|. Springs 65 are anchored at suitable points to the tabulator frame. The forward movement of the sector is limited during tabulating cycles by a card controlled stop 30 or totalizer wheel which is stopped in zero position.

The oscillating shaft 54 is driven through a crank and connecting rod (not shown) from a continuously rotating shaft which in turn is driven from the main shaft 5.

3i and during totaling cycles by the It is believed that the foregoing description of the sensing and computing elements of the Powers tabulator will suifice for the purpose of illustrating the cooperation of the present invention therewith.

Multiple translator The mechanical movements originated by sensing the data card must be transmitted to the stop baskets to properly operate the stops thereof to control the computing units. Due to the fact that the spacing of the stop baskets differs considerably from the spacing of the pins in the interponent box, and due also to the fact that it may be desirable to arrange data in different order'on the ledger sheet than on the card, the stop baskets are separated from the interponent box by a considerable amount and a multiple tranlator interposed to transmit the mechanical movements resulting from the sensing to the proper stop baskets.

The multiple translator comprises a frame Till (shown in cross section in Figs. 1, 2, and which is considerably wider at the top than the bottom (as indicated by the shading in Figs. 3 and ll and somewhat deeper (distance side to side 3) at the bottom than at the top and which suiliciently high to reach substan tlally from the interponent hot: to the stop lrets. When viewed from the front the shape the multiple translator is that of a shallow ll.

hastened to the multiple translator ii-l the lease hereof is perforated guide plate which the same size and shape as plates of tie sensing chamber and which has hve hundred forty holes arranged in columns oil twelve.

astened to the upper edges of the translator .ie are a plurality oi plates l2, one plate e stop basket. Each p ate l2 has a phlraliu rectangular" oles g these holes losing ar= anged co each, there being as any columns as there are denominational units 2n the associated stop basket.

Each multiple translator is thus adapted to contain a plurality oi: multiple translator tlons, various terms or "which will be described hereinafter.

lid-column multiple translator section Two translator sections if rm which is common use are shown in Fig. which sec tlonal view through the multiple translator show ing but one denominational order of each section.

Each denominational order comprises sh: l1- terpreter wires guided their lower ends in six adjacent columnar holes in one hall the plate ill, and at their upper ends in six holes in an upper plate shown in Fig. 3 the in terpreter wires associated with the section of the lower llihcolumn zone (1. e. those six wires at the left of the View) extend. straight upwards and cooperate with a stop basket directly above while those associated with the section of the upper 90- column zone are offset and cooperate with a stop basket located at the left of the computing head. The two stop baskets may be adjacent or remote. The arrangement of the offsets in the interpreter wires of Fig. 8 is purely exemplary; in service the wires associated with the upper QO-column field may be straight and those associated with the lower 90-column field offset, or both may be ofiset in the same direction, or again both may be oilset but in diflerent directions. The amount 01' oflfset may vary as between translating sections, but will always be substantially the same for the difl'erent denominational orders of the same section.

Field selecting translator section The mechanism described above requires a computing unit for each field from which data is to be tabulated and does not permit a single computing unit to be used for data from either of two card fields. However, in accounting practice it is frequently desirable to use a single ledger column to indicate either one of two quantities, and to represent both quantities on the same data card. @ne example of such a problem is presented in chain store accounting in the practice of which it is customary to price an article twice, once in accordance with its price at the warehouse and the second time in accordance with the price delivered to the retail store.

The present invention contemplates the use of a data card in which the price appears in a given held, and the reprice appears in a vertically adlacent 90-c0lumn held; the invention comprises means to select one of the two fields and transmit data therefrom to a common computing unit.

Although price and. reprice have been mentioned above it is to he understood this use is exemplary only and that the invention. in tended to he used whenever the irom one two fields is to he selected :lor tabulation.

l .e l'leld selecting translator section is associated with two fields oi the record cord it obvious that a complete multiple translator 1 include ileld selecting sections, straight i9d-ooltunn sections such as those described herelnahove, and

ss-eo column sections hereinafter.

such. as those to be deo terms of field selecting traw tor section are shown the attached drawin hows amanually operable device and we. and

guide plate l5 indicating schematically the posi tion oi the guide holes in relation to the stops Elli, and ill of a single denominational order. Considering now the lowest denominational order only, it will be seen that the live interpreter wires oi the lowest order of placed in the holes in the column the interpreter wires of the lowest order oi i r "ce held in the holes of cohunn .l'l zen the -ce i'leld wires "will, in the position shown. register with the stops.

The plate E5 is adjustable along the upper members of the translator. frame ill, the amount of adjustment being made equal to the distance between the centers of columns 76 and 77. ll. knurled headed screw 18 is provided and. held in fixed position in respect to the translator l'rame it by a collar or other similar means (not shown) The screw meshes with a screw thread in the plate '35 and as is obvious turning of the screw adjusts the position of the plate. When the plate is moved to the right (Fig. 8) the interpreter wires in the column 77 register with the stops and data from the lowest denominational order of the reprice field will be inserted in the computing unit.

the price field he All denominational orders are arranged in the manner described above for the lowest; a unit may comprise any number oi. orders the usual limits being eight and thirteen.

The manually operable field selecting section described above serves its purpose admirably when the cards to be tabulated have been sorted and the plate 15 set in accordance with the field to be tabulated. However, there are times when cards punched in the price field are mixed with cards punched in both the price and reprice field. In such a case means must be provided for automatically selecting one of the two fields'for controlling the common computing unit; a translating section for accomplishing this is called an automatic field selecting section.

Cards for controlling the automatic section contain special control holes in the position to permit the operation of the X11 pin of the sensing box. samples of such control holes being shown in columns 42-45 of the card of Fig. '7.

Each automatic field selecting translator section (Fig. 5 shows two sections) comprises a plurality of interpreter wires 88, levers 82, stub interpreter wires 85, as well as a lever supporting plate 83, operating lever 88, control wire 82 and plate restoring spring 83.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the translator and shows in sideelevation the parts comprising a singledenominational order of the automatic field selecting translator section.

Interpreter wires 88 are generally similar to and operate in the same manner as lower 98-column unit described in connection with Fig. 3. These wires differ from wires 13 in that they are differently bent and in that they have attached to them the sockets 8|. Each socket member 8| is provided with a disc shaped receptacle into which fits the rounded forward All levers 82 are of the same end of a lever 82. length, and each is pivoted on one of the studs 84 on the plate 83. T Pivotally connected to each lever 82 to the right of its center is a stub interpreter wire 85. These stub wires extend downwardly and occupy the positions of the upper 90 column of interpreter wires of Fig. 3.

The plate 83 is slidably mounted on the translator frame", the slidable connection being effected in the present example by the cooperation of a shouldered screw 88, inserted in the lower rear member of the translator frame, with a slot 81 in the lug 88 bent over from the'plate (see Fig. 5) As is readily seen this construction permits the plate to move vertically a limited amount.

Pivotally connected to an upper extension of the plate 83 is an operating lever 88 which extends forward and is pivoted at its forward end on a stud 98 held by a bracket 8| which is fastened to the lower front member of the translator frame.

Attached to the operating lever 88 toward the rear thereof, is a special control wire 82 which extends downwardly and is guided by a hole in the 'lower plate 1| to position to be controlled by a. sensing pin in the XII position.

A spring 83 is stretched between a stud 84 on the plate 88 and a stud 85 on the translator frame. This spring serves to hold the plate 88 in its lower position and, therefore, to hold the control wire 92 as well as all stub interpreter wires 85 in lower position.

As is readily seen by referring to Fig. 5, the studs 88 which support the levers 82, are sufliciently long so that the rear ends of all levers associated with the same digit in all denominational rangement, only a part of the wires 13 of the orders of the translating section may be pivoted thereto. The sections shown in Fig. 5 have but four denominational orders each, but obviously there might be more.

When a perforation in a price or upper field is sensed the stub interpreter .wire 85 corresponding to that perforation is elevated by the elevation of. the sensing pin and the corresponding interponent pin 23. The elevation of the interpreter wire 85 swings the connected lever 82 clockwise about its stud 8d and elevates the connected interpreter wire 88 to operate the associated stop. It should be noted that stub interpreter wires 85 do not extend as far below the plate H as do the interpreter wires 88. be elevated the same amount, and since when operated by the stub interpreter wires 85 there is an increase of movement due to the lever armovement of the interponent pins 28 can be utilized.

When a perforation appears in the reprice or lower 98-column field a control hole appears in the price or upper 90-column field. A sensing pin passing through the control hole elevates an interponent pin which causes lever 88 to swing counter-clockwise about its pivot 88, thus lifting plate 83 against the tension of spring 93.

Elevation of plate 83 causes all levers 82 to swing about their forward ends and raise all stub interpreter wires out of contact with interponent pins.

' The sensing pin which finds a perforation in the lower field raises the corresponding interponent pin which then directly elevates an interpreter wire 88 to set a stop 38 or 82.

The special control wire 92 is sufficiently long to protrude below the plate as much as the wires 88 in order that plate 83 will be sure to rise before interponent pins of the upper field come into contact with stub interpreter wire 85.

Fig. 6 shows a field selecting translator section in which provision is made for elevating the control wire 92 through the control of any one of four control holes. Fastened to the wire 82 is a block 96 which carries four pins 81 each adapted to cooperate with a pin 24 in the four denominational orders of the section.

45-90 column translating section As was stated hereinabove cards are frequently punched in accordance with the 45 column code either throughout or in one or a few columns If the only tabulator available be adapted to operate from 90 column code cards, it is impossible to tabulate such cards and for this reason the The stops 38 must always- 23 and raises control wire 92 2 modification of the automatic" 45-90 column translating section, described hereinafter, has been designed.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the sensing and interponent boxes, translator and stop basket of a tabulator. A single denominational order of a 45-98 column translator section is shown in the mid portion of this figure.

Interpreting "wires i88, which are similar to but not identical with wires 13 and 88 previously described, extend from alternate guide holes in the translator lower plate H to the guide holes in the associated upper plate 12. These wires, in other words, are adapted to be elevated when a hole representing an odd digit appears in the card, or whenever an interponent pin is elevated by any one of the sensing pins 1,, III, V. VII, IX.

Each interpreter wire I88, other than the one associated with the IX sensing pin, has

fastened 75 I03 and a sleeve I06.

. made without departing Blocks I03 extend rearwardly (to the right in Fig. 2) from the respective interpreter wires and are provided with holes through which the wires I00 pass freely.

It will be seen that whenever one of the stub interpreter wires is elevated it elevates a block I 03 which then presses against the collar i and the sleeve Wt and elevatesa wire M0 and the flag M2.

Let it he assumed that a card punched to represent the digit "7" appears in the sensing chamber. Then the sensing pin VII will be elevated, and through the cooperation of the associated interponent pin 23 will elevate the interpreter wire 300 which is second from the front (left in Fig. 2). The interpreter wire slides freely through the block 903 and thus elevates a. single stop 30 which will position the actuating sector 43 properly for indicating the digit assumed.

If it be assumed that punching for the digit 8 appears in the card then the operation will differ. In this case sensing pin VIII will be elevated and the stub interpreter i0! which is nearest the Iront will be elevated carrying with it the block i0! and, therefore, causing flag H02 and interpreter 100 to rise. Mag H02 will cause the lore- :most interpreter wire M0 to be elevated to operate the special stop 32, the associated wire H00 will also rise to cause elevation of the associated stop 30. As was explained when the stop basket was described the actuating sector 43 will advance one additional tooth space due to the elevation of the special stop.

It will be seen. from the foregoing that a complete multiple translator may comprise any number of sections (usually not more than seven) each having a plurality oi' denominational orders and that the sections may be all of one species or some of one of the species disclosed, and others of another.

While I have described what I consider to be a highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in form could be from the spirit of my invention, and I, therefore, do not limit myself to the exact form herein shown and described, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as hereinbefore set forth, and as hereinatter claimed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a plurality of sets of sensing pins includlng a control sensing pin, a single set of variable stops adapted to be controlled thereby, a multiple translator section between said sensing pins and said stops, 2. set of interpreter wires within said section cooperating with said stops and with one of said sets of sensing pins, 2. set of stub interpreter wires operatively connected to said interpreter wires within said section cooperating with another of said sets of pins and means movable by said control sensing pin for rendering said stub wires ineffective.

2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of sets of sensing pins and a single actuating sector controllable by either of sad sets, interpreter wires intermediate one of said sets oi sensing pins and said actuator, means movable relative to said interpreter wires capable of cooperation therewith and also with said other set of sensing pins whereby said actuating sector may be controlled by one set of pins through said interpreter wires or by another set of pins through both said interpreter wires and said means, and means responsive to a special record perforation for moving said movable means to ineiifective position.

3. In a machine of the class plurality of sets of sensing pins and a single actuator controllable by either of said sets, lnterpreter wires between one of said sets of pins and said actuators, stub interpreter wires adapted to be operated by another set of pins, movable members connecting said interpreter wires and corresponding stub interpreter wires so that sen ing pins of the second set can operate said interdescribed, a

preter wires, and means to move all said movable 1 members in unison to prevent the sensing pins from operating said stub interpreter wires and thus make the interpreter wires only eflective to control the actuators.

4. In a multiple translator for use with a tabuing stub interpreter wire, a slidable plate on which all said levers are pivoted, and means to move said slidable plate to cause all said levers to pivot about said interpreter wires to move said stub interpreter wires to a. position such that they can not be operated by tabulator elements normaily effective upon them.

WILLIAM W. LASKER.

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