US2053068A - Card controlled sorting machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1, 1936. G. F. DALY CARD CONTROLLED SORTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 452, BY

' ATTORNEYS.

G. F. DALY 2,053,068

CARD CONTROLLED SORTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 1, 1936.

IN V EN TOR. MK

A TTORNEYS.

. E L mm Sept. 1, 1936. e. F. DALY 2,053,068

CARD CONTROLLED SORTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 1, 1936. G. F. DALY CARD CONTROLLED SOR'IING MACHINE Filed NOV. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGS.

INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEYS.

?atented Sept. i, 1936 2,053,068 CARD conrnom son'rmo MA George F. Daly, West Orange, N. 3., assignor'to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. 3. a corporation of New York Application November 6, 1934, Serial No. 751,686

' 15 Claims. (01. 209: 110) 3 This invention relates to machines especially adapted for sorting cards used in tabulating systems, such, for instance, as the Hollerith. V

- Numerals are represented by punching at in- 5 dex point positions holes through the cards, the

value and character'of the information represented by each hole being dependent upon its location in a column of the card.

The function of the sorting machine is to take a promiscuous batch of cards and sort or classify them into groups according to their numeral representations.

Sorting machines of different types have been designed to accomplish sorting from the ten value and two character representing positions in a card column. Machines of one such type are provided with twelve sorting pockets arranged in a horizontal manner. In addition to such pockets a special or reject pocket is provided. The aggregate length of the machine of the horizontal type requires a great deal of floor space,

and in addition, manufacturing dimculties have been experienced with, especially in the construction of the fiem'ble sorting blades, of a construction well known in the art.

The present invention, which preferably sorts by electrical control is designed to occupy considerably less floor space and still accomplish sorting from all the numeral representing index so point positions in a card column. Experience in the nature of exhaustive tests has indicated that with the present invention nearly 80% of the present sorting speeds can be accomplished. This sacrifice in efiiciency is over-compensated by lower costs of manufacture and obviously lower installation and maintenance costs. Reduction in costs has widened the market for sorting machines and it is now possible to make installations of machinesincorporating the present so invention that could not heretofore be secured.

One of the objects of the. present invention is to provide a sorting machine which is capable of sorting cards provided with all the numeral designations in one column by a sorting mechanism'requiring fewer sorting pockets than has been possible heretofore.

More specifically the main object of the present invention is to provide means for sorting of cards representing certain numerals in one sorting run, and to cause in another run sorting of cards representing other numerals into the same pockets.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a selective arrangement in a sortlng machine whereby the same sorting pocket can ,A'r EN-T FFlCE receive cards bearing two different numeral des- .ignations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a selective arrangement which will cause sorting of cards representing certain numerals in a conventional manner and to cause the sorting of cards representing other numeralsin a different manner. Conventionally, such sorting has been accomplished by disposing the card beneath the sorting blade it is to be operatively associated with at the time the numeral designation of the card is beneath an analyzing brush.

With the selective arrangement of the present invention analyzing of other numeral designations occur in proper numeral sequencebut the effective action of the analyzing means is delayed one or more points in the machine cycle until the card is positioned adjacent the desired sorting blade. By this means two cards representing different numerals may be disposed in the same sorting pocket.

A further object is to devise two different arrangements to delay the effective actionof the card analyzing means upon the sorting mechanism. In one arrangement two cards representing numerals always differing by five digits are disposed in the same pocket. In the other arrangement the numeral diiference of two cards is a single digit. In the first arrangement cards are paired as follows: 9- 3, M, l-2, 6-4, 5-9. After the first sorting run the cards of groups B, l, 2, 3 and l must be removed as it is required for further sorting operations that all groups be in numeral sequence. In the other arrangement the groups are paired as follows: El-l, 2-3, d-E, E -l, B9. Hence the first group of cards sorted, l, 2, 3, Q and 5 may remain in the machine as the group of cards to overlie will cause over= lying groups to be in the proper numerical sequence. 40

A specific object of the invention is to cause the means which selects the card column for controlling sorting operations to automatically condition the machine for sorting in a conventional manner. This insures that in shifting from column to column for control purposes the sorting opera tions will take place in proper sequence. For example, for one column -cards M are first sorted, then cards 5-9. When the second column is selected for control purposes the machine is automatically conditioned for sorting the cards 3-8, the operator thereafter causing the machine to be conditioned to sort cards 5-9 of the second column.

Further and other advantages of the present gs invention will hereinafter appear in the accomspecification, claims, and in the drawlugs, which, by way 01 illustration, show what is to be considered as preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1c and 1b taken together is a view in side elevation of a sorting machine provided with one embodiment of the invention.

2 is a cross sectional view of the sorting mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an electrical diagram of the machine of the embodiment of the invention incorporated in the machine illustrated in Figs. 1a and 11).

Fig. i is an electrical diagram illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. is a view in side elevation of the machine which is provided with the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. lb a batch of cards indicated at Ill, which are to be sorted in accordance with the perforations in one of their columns, is shown placed in a card magazine indicated by numeral ii. The cards are fed singly from the magazine by a picker i2 operated by the usual picker operating mechanism 13. The picker i2 is adapted to feed the cards to sets of feed rollers l4 and of which the former feeds them to the analyzing mechanism and the latter therefrom after they have been analyzed.

The analyzing mechanism located between the sets of rollers l4 and i5 consists of a conducting cylinder i6 against which bears a brush ll mounted in a laterally movable brush holder IS. The manner of shifting brush H to be correlated with the column which is to control sorting and the construction of the brush shifting mechanism is fully described and shown in the patent to H. mecker, No. 1,741,992, dated December 31, 1928.

To understand the present invention it is sufficient to know that the brush I1 is shifted by turning a handle l9, each revolution of the handle shifting the brush the width of a card column. The handle is secured to a floating shaft and to the latter there is secured a profile cam 2|, one at each end of the shaft. The cams 2| coact with pins 22 secured to the framework 23, the

action being such that as handle i9 is turned shaft 20 is slightly elevated to raise the brush holder l8 and brush ll above the card asthe brush is being shifted laterally. As the depressions in the cams 2| finally coact with their respective pins 22 the brush structure is lowered and brush [1 thereupon rests upon the card surface and in the selected column.

There will now bedescribed the sorting mechanism which is preferably adapted for employment with the present invention. The sorting mechanism is of atype well known in the art and is fully shown and disclosed in the application of G. Lowkrantz, Serial No. 665,656, filed April 12, 1933, now Patent No. 1,982,216, dated November 27, 1934, and the patent to E. A. Ford, No.

' 1,741,985, dated December 31, 1929.

In its passage to the left (Fig. 1b) between sets of feed rollers l4, IS the card first passes between the contact roll l6 and sorting brush H,- then over a pair of parallel fixed plates 32 spaced a short distance apart (Fig. 2) and then passes underneath the guide blades 33. The latter lead to the several sorting pockets, as usual, and are narrowed at their right-hand ends (Fig. 1b) sufficiently to permit them to drop into the space "between the plates 32 when necessary.

The narrowed ends of the guide blades 33 are aorsaoee turned up as shown in Fig. 1b to permit a card fed by rollers l 5, to pass freelybetween the plates 32 and the guide blades 33. Normally the par rowed upturned blade ends rest on top of a cha nel or bent portion 34 formed in a horizontal plate 35 which is pivotally mounted at one end (the right-hand end, Fig. 2) on knife edges formed in a block 33 fixed in the main frame. Pins 31 carried by block 36 'and projecting through holes in the plate 35 slightly larger in diameter than the pins 3? serve to prevent'the plate 35 from slipping off the knife edges. A spring 33 interposed between the plate 35, at a positionadjacent the block 36, and a fixed stud normally tends to draw the plate 35 downwardly but such movement is prevented by a latch plate 39 pivoted by ears formed therein on a cross shaft 46 journalled in the main frames. Spacing tubes M on the shaft 49 keep the latch plate 39 in its proper position near the center of shaft 20 43. The upper end of the latch plate 39 is tapered to form a narrow tongue 42 upon which rests a block 43 secured to the underside of the plate 35 thereby holding the latter in the position shown in Fig. 2 in which position the upper surface of the channel 34 is nearly level with the upper surfaces of plates 32.

A spring (Fig. 1b) attached to the latch plate 39 above the shaft normally urges the latch plate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1b) and holds the latch plate in the position shown in that figure. A stop pin 43a which may also serve to rivet the block 43 to plate 35, prevents the upper end of the latch plate 39 from being drawn by spring 44 too far to the right (Fig. 1b) out of engagement with block 43. Adjacent the lower end of the latch plate 39 is mounted a sorting control magnet SM.

The plate 35 has an extension 35a at its left (Fig. 2) which cooperates with a buffer 35b of yielding material which construction makes the dropping of the plate 35 as quiet as possible.

Adjacent the latch plate 39, and between the latter and a shaft 45 carrying a roll of one of the sets of feed rolls 3!), is a reciprocable shaft 46 mounted in the main frames and extending parallel with the shaft 45. The shaft 46 has attached thereto an arm 41 extending upwardly and to the right (Fig. 1b) into the channel 34 so as to underlie the plate 35. This arm 41 has an offset lug which carries an adjusting screw 48 extending to' the right (Fig. 11)) toward the latch plate 39. The

, shaft 46 also carries at one and (Fig. 1b) an arm or cam follower 49 provided with a roller 50 cooperating with a cam 5| fixed to shaft 45. A spring 52 attached to an ear of the cam follower 49 tends ways to be described hereinafter causing the upper end of the latch plate 39, to move to the left (Fig. lb) by the energization of maget SM, permitting the plate 35 to drop assisted by its spring 38 and lowering all blades 33 to the left of that leading to the .3 pocket which latter blade will be held up by the card. At this time the card overlies the plates 32, and is beneath the blade 33 leading to the 3" pocket and all others to the right (Fig. 11)). Consequently, the card having the. 3 hole will be guided towards the 3". pocket and will be carried along to said pocket by the feed rolls 3|].

The cam 5! is so timed that, after the I2 or last index-point position of any card has been sensed and before the 9 index-point position of the next card is sensed, said cam 5! will rock the cam follower 69, shaft 46, and arm 4'! in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1b) thereby raising the plate 35 to the position shown in Fig. lb in which position the latch plate 39 will be drawn by its spring 44 into latching position beneath the block 43. The adjusting screw 48 serves to give the latch plate 39 a slight push in case the latter should stick to the poles of the magnet SM due to residual magnetism and insures the proper restoration of the latch plate 39 to latching position. As shown in Fig. lb, the cam 51 has just finished the restoration of the plates 35, 39 and the parts are in readiness to begin a new cycle of operation.

As was previously stated the cards to be sorted contain perforations, only one being in the column which controls sorting operations. These perforations are placed in index point positions, ten representing the numerals -9 inclusive, and there are two extra positions X and R. Previously, sorting machines have been provided with twelve sorting pockets for the twelve index point positions and an extra or reject pocket. Contrasting with the prior arrangement the present machine, as shown in Figs. 1c and 1b, is equipped with only five numeral sorting pockets 55 and the usual reject pocket 54. In one run, cards representing numerals 0-4 are distributed in the pockets 0-8 and all others are disposed into the reject pocket 54. The rejected cards are then removed from the pocket E i and placed in the magazine l9 and by selective devices these cards, representing numeral positions -9, are distributed among the same sorting pockets 55.

The manner by which this is accomplished will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 3, in starting the machine'start key ST is depressed closing'a circuit from the source S, through stop key SP,

start key ST, through card lever control relay I CLR and motor control relays MR1 and MR2 causing the relay contacts of the latter to close to start the motor M. When cards begin to pass the analyzing brush ill the usual card lever contacts CL close setting up a holding circuit, through the card lever relay contacts and contacts CL, for the relays MR1 and MR2. The machine will stop if the key SP is depressed or if the contacts CL open due to the exhaustion of cards in the magazine.

To set the machine for sorting cards containing numeral designations li-% a lever 55 (Fig. lb) is set to the @-t position, if it is not already in such a position. In such a position contacts 5'! are closed and contacts 89 and ii are opened. The circuit for the sorting magnet SM is as follows:

from the left line side through the usual split device E8, brush 5;) of the contact roll it, analyzing brush i'i, contacts 5?, wire til, cam controlled contacts 5i designed to be closed at fl-t index point positions only, wire 62, sorting magnet SM, to the right line side. Hence, by the sorting mechanism shown in Fig. 1b, the sorting magnet will cause the card to be inserted between appropriate blades to cause cards bearing numerals 9-5 to be distributed in the numeral sorting pockets. Cards with other numeral designations pass below the lowermost blade 33 to be projected into the reject pocket 54. Thereupon said cards, after the stoppage or the machine, are placed in the magazine i0 and before the next operation of the machine lever 56 is shifted to the 5-9 position.

Lever 561s secured to a shaft 63 (Fig. 1b) and to said shaft there is secured a plate 84 having a notch receiving a stud 65 of a. plate 66 pivoted at its mid-center at 61. Said plate 66 carries a pin 68 adapted to close contacts 69 and open contacts 51 when the lever 55 is shifted to the 5-9 position. A pin also carried by plate 86 is adapted to close contacts H in the 5-9 position of lever 56. A spring urged aligning arm 52 is adapted to impositively hold the plate GI and lever 56 in their position of adjustment.

In sorting machines of the type shown and described the cards are fed to the analyzing brush I! so as to analyze the index point positions in a numerical sequence beginning at "9' and successively to "0. When the index point positions 88''I65 are analyzed the leading edge of the card is considerably removed from the right ends of the blades 33 and to control the sorting of the cards 5-9 the energizetion of the sorting magnet SM is delayed until the card to be sorted is at its appropriate position with respect to the sorting blades 33. The mechanism for accomplishing this will now be described, it being recalled that in the 5-9 position of lever 56 contacts 69 are now closed and contacts II are also closed. The sorting control circuit then leads from the analyzing brush i1 through closed contacts 69, to an arcuate ring 73.

Secured to the shaft M which operates the picker operating mechanism I3 is an arm '55 carrying two electrically connected brushes l8 and TI. The brush ii is adapted to first wipe over thering i3 and then over another ring it while brush 76 contacts with a series of ten contact points 119 those numbered 9-5 being so placed as to make electrical contact with the brush it as the index points 9-5 are analyzed by brush ill.

Shaft it is adapted to make a single revolution for each sorting operation. if a card has a perforation at the index point position 9, for example, a circuit is closed from the left line side through segment it, brush ll, brush it electrically connected to brush ll, contact point 19 numbered 9, wire til, relay magnet iii to the right line side. Relay contacts 82 thereupon close to provide a stick circuit for magnet 86 through such contacts 82, a wire 83, ton, holding commutator 8% wired to the left line side. This stick circuit retains the energization of magnet 88 until the ifith index point position is analyzed.

Machine operation continues until the card is beneath the sorting blade 33 leading to the pocket d-El. At this time brush H is in contact with ring i8 and brush it is in contact with the contact point 79 numbered t. The circuit now extends from the left line side, through the holding commutator 8t, wire 83, contacts 82 now closed, wire 80, wire 85, to contact point l9 numbered l, brush it, brush it, segment 78, wire 86, through closed contacts ii, wire 62 to the sorting magnet SM to energize the latter. The card, therefore, since it is now beneath the sorting blade 33 for pocket ei-9, is caused to be fed to the pocket fl-Q and while it represents numeral 9", in this instance, it is fed to the same pocket as the card which had the "A" numeralrepresenting perforation. Obviously, to keep the cards in proper numerical sequence it will be necessary to remove the groups of sorted cards after each sorting run,

, to do this.

Sorting operations for numeral representing positioned, l, d and d are performed in a similar manner the sorting operations being delayed for five points inthe cycle by means of the wire connections 85 between the two sets of contact points is marked @d and -9.

From Fig. 122 it will be seen that cam 2! is provided with a pin 86 adapted each time the handle is is turned to strike a projection 81 of the plate 5% thereby shifting lever 56 to the position 9- 3, if it is not already there. Thus to selast. an adjacent column for sorting operations, the machine is automatically conditioned to cause the next sorting run to be controlled by the numeral representing positions Bd.

Figs. 4 and 5 represent a modification which does not require the removal of the sorted groups of cards after the first sorting run. The card feeding mechanism, the analyzing and the sorting mechanism (except the blade lengths at the right) are substantially the same as the first embodiment described. Fig. 4 illustrates the changes in the electrical connections.

The switch lever 56 in Fig. lb is positioned as shown to close contacts 57 and with the contacts 69 and 1! open a, batch of cards bearing numeral designations o, 2, d, B and 8 in one column will first be sorted.

Secured to the shaft It is commutator 88 having a collector ring 89 against which bears a brush 90. Said collector ring 89 is electrically connected to contact points 9| adapted to be engaged by a brush 92. The contact points 9| numbered 8, 6, 4, 2, and 0 are so arranged as to contact with the brush 92 at the time the analyzing brush I1 is in position to analyze the index points 8, 6, 4, 2, and 0, in the order named. The sorting blades 33 are therefore differently arranged from the first embodiment and their right ends are so spaced to cause the cards to be disposed beneath the sorting blades leading to pockets 8, 6, 4, 2 and 0 at the timethe analyzing brush I1 is in correlation with the same index point positions.

The difference in the position and arrangement or the blades will be observed by a comparison of Figs. lb and 5. Therefore, a hole at any of the even index point positions and 0 will cause a circuit to be closed through the circuit previously described to brush 92, the appropriate contact point 9|, collector ring 89, brush 90, wire 93, to the usual sorting magnet SM. Of course, in this sorting run cards with the odd numeral designations I, 3, 5, l and 9 will be fed to the reject pocket 54. Only these cards are removed and the sorted cards can remain in their respective sorting pockets.

To accomplish the second sort lever 56 is placed in the other position to close contacts 69 and H and open contacts 51. If a card has a numeral designation 9, which is the first one analyzed, obviously brush I 1 passes through the hole before the leading edge of the card is beneath the first sorting blade terminating at the sorting pocket 8. Hence the circuit leads from brush I! through closed contacts H, wire 94 to a relay magnet 95 connected by wire 96 to right line side. The usual stick circuit for the magnet 95 is provided by the relay contacts 91 and the holding commutator 84. Now, as the card is in proper position with respect to the sorting blade 33 leading to the t" pocket brush 92 will contact with the contact point 9! numbered 8". The circuit for the sorting magnet will then err tend from the holding commutator 8%. contacts Sorting for the other, or uneven numeral designs tions, is accomplished in. a similar manner. In all cases the impulse to the sorting magnet SM is delayed one point in the cycle.

The net result is that the cards after two sorting runs are grouped as shown in Fig. 5. Thus they may be removed after the second run and can without more than usual care be stacked in proper numerical sequence, o--e inclusive. In either embodimeint the reject pocket may be of a greater size than the numeral sorting pockets.

What is claimed as-new is as follows:-

1. In a sorting machine, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, analyzing means for analyzing numeral designations in a. card column, a sorting mechanism controlled by said analyzing means and including sorting blades terminating at the sorting compartments, means adapted in one position of adjustment to control said sorting mechanism to cause the entrance of cards between blades terminating at particular compartments concurrent with the analyzing of certain numeral designations of the cards, and means whereby the last-named means in another position of adjustment controls the operation of the sorting mechanism to cause the entrance of cards representing other numeral designations between said blades after such designations have been analyzed.

2. In a sorting machine, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, an analyzing mechanism. means the operation of .which is controlled by said analyzing mechanism for setting up representations of only certain numeral designations in a card column, a sorting mechanism including a plurality of sorting blades, means effective during the machine cycle in which the card is analyzed for reading out said representations in timed relationship with the operative association of the cards and said blades to sort said cards into groups in said compartments, and means for suppressing the operation of said setting means by said analyzing means and for causing the operative association of said blades and other cards as the other cards are analyzed by said analyzing mechanism when only remaining numeral designations in the same column of the other cards are analyzed. v

3. In a sorting machine, in combination, an element adapted to control the sorting of cards having numeral designations, electrical analyzing means, means for causing said electrical analyz-' ing means to control said element concurrently when certain numeral designations in a card column are analyzed, electrical means under control of said analyzing means for setting up representations of other numeral designations in the same card column of other cards, and electrical means for reading out said representations after the analyzing of the other numeral designations for controlling said element.

4. In a sorting machine, in combination, a plurality of compartments, analyzing.means, sorting mechanism, manual means adjustable to operatively associate said analyzing means with a colunm of a card to control sorting operations from that column, means in normal position for causing said analyzing means to control said sorting mechanism for sorting cards in said compart- 6 ments having certain numeral designations in a column and'ior rejecting cards having other numeral designations in the same column, and in another position for subsequently causing said sorting mechanism to sort the rejected cards in 10 the same compartments, and means whereby said manual means when adjusted to control sorting from another column positions the preceding named means to its normal position.

5. In a sorting machine, in combination-a; plulfi rality of compartments, a sorting mechanism operable in one run to sort cards having certain numeral designations in one column in said compartments and rejectcards having other numeral designations in the same card column, means to control said sorting mechanism to cause in another run the sorting of the rejected cards into groups in the same compartments, means adapted to select the column for sorting operations, and means whereby the selecting means causes the selection of numeral designations which are to control sorting'operations.

6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, card analyzing mechanism, means for sorting 80 cards into said sorting compartments, means under control of said analyzing mechanism for causing said sorting means to be receptive to cards at different points in a cycle of machine operation to sort in said compartments cards bearing in one column any numeral designation of a group of numeral designations, a settable means, and

' means for causing said sorting means when controlled by said settable means cards bearing any one of another group oi numeral designations in an the same card column are analyzed to be receptive to cards of the last-named group at the aforementioned points in a machine operation, said groups of numeral designations differing in digital value by the number of sorting compartments. I

'7. In a machine of the class described, in com bination, card analyzing mechanism, card sorting mechanism, means for causing said card analyzing mechanism to control said sorting no mechanism to cause the latter to be receptive to cards at diflerent points in a cycle of machine operation when analyzing cards representing only even numeral designations, asettable means, and means controlled by said settable means for causing said card analyzing mechanism to control said sorting mechanism to cause the latter to be receptive to cards at the aforementioned points when cards representing only odd numeral designations are analyzed.

8. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, mechanism for sorting cards in said compartment, means for causing said sorting mechanism to be operable concurrently with the analyzing of cards to sort a batch of cards in said compartments and dispose them in said compartments in correct numeral sequence when said cards contain certain numeral designations and reject cards having other numeral designations, and means adapted to cause said sorting mechanism to sort the rejected cards into the same compartments after the numerals have been analyzed also in their correct numeral sequence with each group overlying a previously sorted group ofcards bearing a numeral "representation diflering in value by a unit.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a card analyzing element, a plurality of sorting blades terminating at different lengths and spaced apart equivalent to the space between even numeral index point positions of a card, said lengths varying'in distance from said analyzing element to receive cards containing even numeral designations when said cards are in 10 analyzing position with respect to their even numeral designation positions, means whereby said analyzing element selects the sorting blade according to the even numeral designated, and

means whereby said analyzing element causes the 1c selectionof the same blades in accordance with odd numeral designations on cards.

10. In a sorting machine, in combination, a magnet adapted to control sorting of cards, electrical card analyzing means, means for causing 20 an electrical circuit between said analyzing means and said magnet to be closed when sorting cards representing by designations in one column certain numerals, electrical means under control of said analyzing element settable to represent 25 other numeral designations in the same card column of other cards when said circuit is open, and electrical means for closing a circuit to said magnet at times dependent upon the numeral designation represented by said electrical means.

11. In a sorting machine, in combination, a sorting control magnet, a perforated card analyzing brush, means for closing a circuit from said brush to said magnet when sorting cards having perforations at certain positions in a column, a 86 plurality of relays and contacts therefor, means for energizing said relays when other perforations in the same column are analyzed and for concurrently closing said contacts, and means including rotatable electrical contact means for subse- 4o quently closing at times dependent upon the relay energized a circuit to said control magnet through the related and closed relay contacts.

12: In a sorting 'machine, in combination, means for analyzing numeral designations in a 5 card column, card sorting devices controlled thereby, means for causing said sorting devices to receive cards having certain numeral designations concurrently when such designations are analyzed, a single electrical device operative only 50 when other numeral designations in the same column of other cards are analyzed, and means including a commutator provided with contact points adapted to close an electrical circuit through said electrical device at different times 55 and coincident with the reception of said cards by said sorting devices.

13. In a card controlled machine, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, analyzing means for analyzing numeral designations of m cards, a plurality of sorting compartments, card guiding means for said compartments, 8. control means adapted to be operatively connected between said analyzing means and said sorting control means when sorting is performed for only 65 certain numerals, a single settable device, means whereby said device in one set position causes said analyzing means to control said card guiding means directly to select compartments according to other numeral designations and prevents 7 said control means from being operatively con- 'nected between said analyzing means and said card guiding means, and means whereby said device in another set position causes said control means to be operatively connected between said 75 analyzing means and said card guiding means to cause the latter to select; the same compartments according to said certain numeral designations.

14. In a card controlled machine, in combination, a plurality of "sorting compartments, a single analyzing means for analyzing numeral designations in a card column, in which the location of a single designation determines the numeral represented, a single sorting control element adapted to be operated under control of said analyzing means to determine the sorting compartment selected, 'a control means adapted to be operatively connected between said analyzing means and the control element to control the operation of the latter after the analyzing operation, and means whereby a single settable device causes in one position said analyzing device to efiect the operation of said control element without the employment of said control means and concurrent with the analyzing operation when certain numeral designations are analyzed to select compartments appropriate to the desig-Y nations analyzed, and in another position causes the operative connection of said control means between said analyzing means and said control.

element whereby said control means is adapted to select the same compartments according to other and different numeral designations after the analyzing operation.

15. In a sorting machine, in combination, a plurality of sorting compartments, analyzing means for analyzing in one machine cycle designations representing all the digits which exceed in number the number of sorting compartments, sorting mechanism for separately disposing cards in said compartments, means for causing the operation of the sorting mechanism to be controlled by said analyzing means coincidentally as certain digit representing designations in a card column are analyzed for sorting cards in groups in said compartments: and means for delaying the operation of said sorting mechanism when said analyzing means analyzes other and diflferent digit representing designations of cards in the same card column and for causing the operation of the sorting mechanism 'to'separately dis-. pose the cards in the same compartments after the cards have been analyzed but in the machine cycle each card is analyzed.

GEORGE r. DALY.

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