US2093566A - Perforated record controlled machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 21, 1937'. c; D. LAKE 2,093,566

PERFORATED RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ';

' A1I'TORNEY Sept. 21, 1937. C LAKE 2,093,566

PERFORATED RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY- Sept. '21, 1937. C. D. LAKE 2,093,566

PERFORATED RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 F|G.3. K

"I III 206 W l A AI'TORNEY Sept. '21, 1937. J c. D. LAKE PERFORATED RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed Feb. 2'0, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1937.- c. D. LAKE PERFORATED RECORD CONTROLLED MACHINE Filed Feb. 20. 1935 s SheertS -Sheet 5 ATT RNEY- Sept. 21 1937- I C. D. LAKE 2,093,566

PERFORATED nncoan CONTROLLEDMACHINYE Filed Feb. 20, 1933 e Sheets-Shet 6 FIG-.8.

as 3003 a a a a as as 3033 a a a s as 5 5s 5 5 5 50s 55 5 5 5 5 55 55 505 555 s 2 2 z 2 2 2 z 2 2 2 2o a a a as a a a e000 0065 as as 6088 assso'seassa 9909099895338 Illillll llllll :soasravnun ATTORNEY- Patented Sept. 21, 1937 rnaroaa'rizn PATENT OFFICE 2,098,586 imconn CONTROLLED mcnma Clair 1). Lake, .Binghamton, N. Y., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 20, 1933, Serial No. 657,559

9 Claims.

The invention relates to record card controlled machines and particularly to machines for comparing a plurality of groups of record cards to determine whether the cards of one group bear a predetermined relationship to the cards of another group.

While the invention is not limited to such use, it finds its most practical application in comparing two files or stacks of tabulating machine control cards to determine whether the several cards in onefile each contains data perforations identical with data perforations on a corresponding cardin the other file. Itis well known that data are represented on record cards, which are to be used subsequently to control tabulating machines, by perforating them indifferent locations, the perforations representing different characters by their locations on the cards. As these perforated cards are used to control'mechanical accounting machines, it is very important that their perforations or index points, as they are commonly called, be properly located, and in cases where extreme accuracy is required, each card, after being perforated, is verified to determine that all of its perforations are correctly positioned. This is ordinarily done" by passing the cards through a verifying machine, which is provided with a key for each character which may be represented on the cards by index points.- The keys must be depressed according to the characters which are supposed. to be represented by the perforations on the cards, and if the depressed keys fail to agree with the perforations in the cards the machine indicates this fact to the operator. This verifying operation involves substantially the same amount of labor as the card punching operation.

Many businesses, which make use of perforated card accounting, find it necessary to keep duplicate files of their record cards; and as the cards are ordinarily punched one at a time, the cards of the original file and the cards of the duplicate file are punched either by diilerent operators or by the same operator at different times. If the cards of the original file agree card'by card. with those of the duplicate file-then, it is a fair indication that the punching in both files is correct.

The present invention provides for a machine which automatically compares the original file and the duplicate file, card by carcl ,.and automatically separates any incorrectly punched cards from the files, thereby obviating the necessity for manual character by character verification.

' The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and'improved device for comparing Another object of the invention is to providea record comparing device of this nature, which has automatic mechanism'for feeding a plurality of groups of records, comparing their index points and separating from the groups any record whose data representing index points do not conform to those on a corresponding record in another group.

The preferred form of mechanism, so far as at present known, by which the invention may be practiced is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. -1 shows a horizontal section through a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the section being chosen to show the card feeding devices and the automatic comparing device;

Fig. 4 is a detail of a mechanism for offsetting incorrectly punched cards from the card files or stacks; J

Figs. 5 and 6 are additional detail views, at

right angles to each other, of parts of the card compared, one by one through the machine. Two

separate analyzing mechanisms are also provided, one of which analyzes a card of one file while the other is analyzing the corresponding card of the other file. The two analyzing mechanisms conjointly control a device for offsetting individual cards from the card stacks or files, and this conjoint control is such that, if perforations in the two cards being compared agree, the ofisetting device is prevented from operating and the cards feed to separate stackers to be stacked. When the perforations in the two corresponding cards of the files fail to agree, the analyzing mechanisms cause operation of the offsetting device so that both cards are offset from their stacks or files. This offset, as herein illustrated, is just sufficient to permit an offset card to be grasped and easily pulled out of the stack, the offset cards being fed to the stackers and stacked along with the others.

The general scheme of operation of the machine may be understood from Figs. 1 and 3. Each of two card supply Hoppers A and B receives one of the card files or stacks to be compared and verified. The cards are fed one by one from each hopper to suitable analyzing mechanism, shown at C for hopper A and at D for hopper B.

While a card from hopper A is being analyzed by analyzer C, a corresponding card from hopper B is being analyzed by analyzer D. If the perforations in these two cards agree, the cards feed in a straight line to their stacker mechanisms, of which that corresponding to hopper B is shown at E in Fig. 3. If the perforations in the two cards fail to agree, the analyzing mechanisms cause pusher arms 39 and 249 (Fig. 1) to move sideways and displace the cards laterally. The cards still feed to the stackers, but, when stacked, their ends project from the stacks as shown for certain cards in Fig. 4. This displacement indicates that at least one of the two cards is incorrectly punched, and they may be grasped by their projecting ends and withdrawn from the stacks.

The cards which the machine is to compare and verify are illustrated in Fig. 9. These are standard'tabulating cards of the single hole type; that is, each character is represented by a single perforation, which designates the character by its position on the card. The cards are divided into columns, and a digit may be represented in each column. Ordinarily the ten digits are printed in each column, each digit being printed in the position in which the card must be perforated to control tabulating equipment in accordance with that digit. In Fig. 9 two corresponding cards are represented, one of which may belong to the original card file and the other to the duplicate card file. As one of these cards is a duplicate of the other the same data are represented on both by the perforations. The purpose of the machine is to detect any corresponding cards in the two files, that is, cards which should be duplicates of each other, whose perforations are not the same.

The machine, as illustrated, will now be described and its operation explained in detail.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the machine is driven by a suitable motor (not shown) through a belt 20. This belt drives a pulley 2| which is fixed to and drives a shaft 22. The shaft 22 carries a bevel gear 23 which meshes with a bevel gear 24 fixed on a short vertical shaft 25. A bevel gear 26, fixed on the upper end of shaft 25 meshes with a bevel gear 21 fast to one end of a short horizontal shaft, to whose other end is fixed anisms will be described. Referring to Fig, 3,,

a stack of cards 35 is placed in the hopper B, and a weight 36 presses them down so that the lowermost card of the stack cooperates with picker mechanism. This picker mechanism (see also Fig. 1) consists of a pair of knives 45 each carrled by a reciprocable member 46, which may slide in a slot in the floor plate 41 of the hopper. The upper edge of each knife 45 projects above the floor plate 41 a distance slightly less than the thickness of one of the record cards. Thus, as the members 46 are reciprocated in their slots, the knives 45 catch behind the edge of the lowermost card and force it into the feed rolls 48. Each reciprocation of the structure 46, then, forces a card from the hopper B into the feed rolls 48, thereby causing the cards to feed one at a time.

The member 46 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided with a slot 49 in which is fixed a pin 50, which fits into a bifurcation in the upper end of a lever 5| pivoted at 52. The lever 5| is connected by a link 52 to an eccentric 53 which is fast on shaft 60. The shaft 60 (see Fig. 2) extends across the machine and at its central portion, has a worm wheel 6| fixed to it.

The worm wheel 6| meshes with a worm 62 fixed to the shaft 3|], which, as previously explained, rotates as long as the machine is in operation. It will be understood, then, that as long as the machine is in operation, the picker mechanism reciprocates and at each reciprocation forces the lowermost card out of the supply hopper B and into the feed rolls 48.

The lower feed rolls 48 (see Fig. 3) are mounted on a shaft 66, which (see also Fig. 2) has a worm wheel 68 fixed on it. The worm wheel 68 meshes with a worm 61 fast on shaft 30, which rotates as long as the machine is in operation. The upper feed rolls 48 are mounted on a shaft 69 and suitable-spur gears, indicated at 12 and 13 in Fig. 3, interconnect the shafts 6B and 69 so that whenever one of these shafts rotates the other must also rotate. The picker mechanism, then, delivers the cards, one by one to the feed rolls 48 which advance them into the analyzing mechanism.

The card on being fed forward by the feed rolls 48 moves between an upper plate 15 and a lower plate 16 which serve to guide it accurately while it is in the analyzing mechanism. The analyzing mechanism consists of a plurality of electrical brushes 80, of which one is provided for each card column in which perforations may occur. These brushes are located in a single row across the machine, and extend through an opening in the lower plate 16. Directly above the brushes 80 is a conducting roll 8|, whose lower portion extends through an opening in upper plate 15. The brushes 8!] are resilient and, as long as no imperforate portion of a card is between them and roll 8|, they bear on conducting roll 8|, and make electrical contact with it. 'The roll 8|, as will be explained later, rotates as long as the machine is in operation, so that the brushes 80 will contact with different portions of it at different times. This tends to prevent pitting of the roll due to the action of the electric current. The card is fed by the feed rolls 48 2,093,566 between the brushes so and the conducting roll ing roll 8i. This momentary contact causes an impulse of electric current to flow, as will be explained in connection with the circuit diagram, and'this impulse occurs at a time in the cycle of machine operation which corresponds to the location of the perforation on the card column. or, in other words, to the value of the digit represented by the perforation. 1

Before the rear edge of the moving card leaves the feed rolls 48, its forward edge enters the grip of additional feed rolls 84, and these eventually advance it, between spaced plates 85 and 86, to the stacker mechanism, indicated generally by E. The feed rolls 84 are driven by the shaft 38, (see Fig. 2) through a worm88 and worm wheel Si in a manner entirely similar to that already explained in connection with the feed rolls 48.

Incidentally the shaft 82, on'which the lower feed rolls 84 are mounted, also drives the conducting roll 8i of the analyzing mechanism, this drive being effected by suitable gears indicated at 85, 86, and 81 in Fig. 3.

The stacker mechanisms, one of which is indicated generally at E in Fig. 3, are mounted fast on a shaft 256. This shaft is rotated with an intermittent motion by the Geneva mechanism shown in Fig. 7, whose driving connection from the drive shaft 38 of the machine is illustrated in Fig. 2. A worm 288 is formed on one end of shaft 38 and meshes with a .worm pinion 28I on a short cross shaft 282 (see also Fig. 1). A mutilated pinion 283 (Figs. 1 and 7) is also fixed to shaft 282 and cooperates with a mutilated gear 284 fixed to shaft 256. The mutilated pinion 283 has teeth about a portion of its periphery, and the remainder of its periphery is smooth as indicated at 285. The mutilated gear 284 is provided with four. sets of teeth separated by extensions 286 with indented edges to cooperate with the smooth concentric portion 285 of the pinion 283.

The number of teeth in each set on gear 284 is the same as the total number of teeth on pinion 283. As the pinion 283 rotates, then, it drives the gear 284 with an intermittent motion, the gear 284-being driven whenever the teeth of pinion 283 mesh with any oneof its sets of teeth and remaining stationary when the smooth portion 285 of the pinion periphery cooperates with any one of the extensions, 286. A positive lock is provided to hold gear 284 stationary during the periods when it is at rest. One partLof this lock consists of a plate 2881fastened to the gear and provided with four arcuate recesses 28L A disk 282 is pinned'to shaft 282 and carries an attached segmental plate 283 in the plane of plate 288. The contour of this plate 283 corresponds to the arcuate recesses 288 and its periphery is concentric with shaft 282. As long as the plate 283 is within one of the recesses 28i it prevents plate 288, with attached gear 284 from rotating. When, during rotation of pinion 283, plate 283 has been turned clear of a recess 29l, the plate 288 and attached gear 284 are free to turn. Just at this time, the teeth of pinion 283 engage one of the sets of teeth on gear 284 and drive this gear through one quarter of a revolution, after which plate 283 is turned into another recess 28l, thereby again locking gear 284 againstmovement. Thus the gear 284 and shaft'256; tov which it isattached, make one quarter of a'revolution for each revolution of pinion 282, and are stationary for an interval after each quarter revolution.

Each stacker mechanism (seeFigs. 3 and 10) consists of two narrow drums 388 fixed to shaft 256 by spiders 38 i Thesedrums are spaced apart surface of the drums.

Aligned pairs of grippers on both drums are mounted on a common pivoted supporting structure 383, which is pivoted at'384 on the right hand drum in Fig. 18 and at 385 on the left hand drum. An individual spring, as shown at 386 in Fig. 10, rocks each gripper supporting structure 383 so'thatlthe protruding ends of its grippers 382 press against the outside-surface of their drum 388, as shown in the case of the upper three grippers illustrated in Fig. 3. Each gripper supporting structure .383 is provided with a cam surface, shown at 3l8 in Fig. 3, which cooperates with a roll 3| I, pivoted on a bracket 3'i2 fastened to the machine frame.

It will be recalled that shaft 256 rotates for a quarter revolution and then stops for an interval. Before it stops, the roll 3 encounters cam surface 3l8 on one of the supporting structures 383, thereby rocking the supporting structure against the action of its spring 386, and forcing the grippers attached to this particular supporting structure to open position, as shown for the lowermost gripper 382 in Fig. 3. The timing of the drive for the stackerdrums is such that a set of open grippers 382 arrives. and stops opposite the guide plates and 86 just before a card has been fed clear of the feed rails 84. At this outer surface of the stacker drums 388 and carried by the stacker. At the end of this quarter revolution, of course, another set of grippers arrives in open position opposite the guide plates 85 and 86 to grip the next card. Eventually a card gripped on the stacker encounters a stripper plate 3l6, .and the subsequent movement of the stacker drum strips it from the grippers as it arrives in the discharge hopper K.

,The picker mechanism for the supplyhopper A, the feed rolls for feeding the cards from this hopper, and the analyzing mechanism 3 for analyzing the cards fed out of this hopper are entirely similar to corresponding devices just described in connection with supply hopper B. These several mechanisms'are driven by the same shaft 38 which drives the corresponding mechanisms associated withhopper B, the shaft extendingacross the machine for this purpose and card feedsi'rom hopper .B into its analyzing mechanism, a corresponding card from hopper A feeds into the other analyzing mechanism, and the analyzing brushes of the two analyzers analyze corresponding index hole positions on the two cards at the same time.

The purpose of the analyzing mechanisms is to control comparing devices to determine whether the cards of each pair simultaneously fed are like or unlike in their perforations, and to ofl'set from the card stacks those cards which are unlike. The card comparing mechanism is very similar in construction and operation to the usual automatic control devices which are used on standard electrical tabulating machines, and which are well known. The operation of these devices will first be explained in connection with a circuit diagram shown in Fig. 8, and thereafter the mechanical parts of the comparing mechanism will be described and explained.

Referring to Fig. 8, the electrical power for the machine is obtained from a source S, and the machine circuits may be connected to this source by a manual switch SW. The motor M for driving the machine is connected across the main lines of the machine circuits through motor relay contacts I00, which are controlled by motor relay coil IOI. Assuming that the separate stacks of cards have just been placed in their respective hoppers, the machine may be started into operation by depressing the start 'key I02, whereupon a circuit is established from the source S through main line I05, wire I06, stop key contacts I03, normally closed, start key contacts I02, stick relay coil I01, wire I 08, motor relay coil IM and wire I09 to main line I I and back to the other side of source S.

The energization of motor relay coil IOI closes its contacts I00, and throws the motor M directly across the main line, whereupon the machine starts in operation. The energization of stick relay coil I01, which is included in the starting circuit, closes its contacts I I which are arranged in a shunt around the start key contact I 02. This shunt, however, becomes effective only after cards have been fed into both of the analyzing mechanisms, where they close card lever contacts II 6 and H1 of which II6 cooperate with the cards from hopper A and H1 cooperate with the cards from hopper B. These contacts in the well known manner remain open as long as cards are not feeding through the analyzing mechanism, and close whenever a card is in or passing through the analyzing mechanism.

When'starting the machine the start key contacts I02 must be held closed manually until the cards feed to the analyzing mechanisms and. close card lever contacts H6, H1. These contacts, on closing, establish a circuit extending from the source S through main line I05, card lever contacts H6 and H1, wire I2I, relay coil I22 and.

through wire I23 and main line IIO back to the source S. The energization of relay coil I22 closes its contacts I33 and completes the shunt around start key contact I02. After this the start key may be released to open contacts I02, and the motor relay coil is maintained energized by a circuit extending as follows: from source S, through main line I05, wire I06, stop key contacts I03, wire I30, card lever relay contacts I33, now closed, stick relay contacts II5, stick relay coil I01, wire I 08, motor control relay coil I M, wire I09 and main line IIO back to the source S. After this, the driving motor M remains in continuous operation, but may be stopped by depressing the stop key to open contacts I00. Opening of these contacts breaks the circuit of motor relay I0l, which opens contacts I 00 and thus breaks the motor circuit.

The successive cards from the two card hoppers A and B now feed in synchronism with each other to the analyzing brushes 60 and I40, respectively, cards from hopper B feeding between the brushes 60 and conducting roll 8|, and cards from hopper A feeding between the brushes I40 and conducting roll I66. Each analyzing brush 80 is connected to an individual socket MI, and' each brush I40 is connected to an individual socket I42. The sockets are provided to permit plugging of the analyzing brushes cooperating with any desired card columns in circuit with the comparing mechanism, and thereby impart great flexibility of operation to the machine. The comparing mechanism is controlled by the analyzing brushes in a manner very similar to that in which the well known auto-controlled devices at present in use are controlled,- and the principles of operation of this mechanism, in the form shown in the present case, are fully explained in U. S. patent to Bryce, No. 1,787,719, dated January 6, 1931. An auto-control relay I45 is provided for each card column on which comparison may be desired. The terminals of these relay coils are brought out to individual sockets I46 and I41, and, when a comparison is desired in any particular card column, the analyzing brush 80 cooperating with that card column is plugged from its socket I4I to socket I41 of control magnet I 45. The corresponding brush I40 of the other analyzing mechanism is plugged from its socket I42 to socket I46 of this control relay I45. In other words, the control relay I 45 is wired directly between an analyzing brush 80 and the corresponding brush I 40. In the circuit diagram, the several relay coils I45 are indicated as plugged in circuit properly with the analyzing brushes.

It may be stated at this point that whenever a control relay I45 is energized, it opens its relay contacts I50 which are normally closed, and closes its contacts I5I which are normally open. A common wire I55 is connected to one contact of each pair I50 and to the main line I05 through a commutator I56 and. wire I68. The commutator I56 is provided with suitable segments to supply current impulses to any analyzing brushes, which are plugged in circuit, whenever index point positions on record cards are cooperating with them, and to break the brush circuits at other times. This is a well known arrangement in record controlled electrical machines to prevent sparking at the brushes. Each of the other contacts of pairs I50 is connected individually to one terminal of its relay coil I45 through a resistance I60, and to the other terminal of its coil through a resistance I6I The resistances I 60 and I6I form two arms of a Wheatstone bridge connection with the coil I45 connected across them. If the cards feeding through the two analyzing mechanisms each presents a perforation in a certain column at the same time to their respective analyzing brushes 80 and I 40, current will flow from the source S through main line I I0 to a common brush I65 cooperating with the conducting roller I66, thence to brush I40 and, through a plug cord, to socket I46, thence to resistance I6I, contacts I50 normally closed, and wire I55 to commutator I 56 and through wire I60, card lever contacts Ill and H6, closed as long as cards are feeding through the machine, and-main line I05 back to the source S. Current aooasee will likewise flow from mate 8 through main line H and wire I18 to brush I1'I, cooperating with conductor roller II, corresponding analyzing brush 80 and through plug connections to socket I41 of the relay coil I45, thence to resistance brush I40 directly to main line I I0, and the other terminal being connected through analyzing brush 80 and wire I10 to the same main line H0. The presence of corresponding index point perforations in cards under the two analyzing mechanisms, therefore, does not effect energization of any of the relay coils I45. Obviously, also. the

. absence of perforations. under both analyzing brushes has'no effect on the coils I45 because the card material between the brushes 80 and I40 and their respective contact rollers 8I and-- I60 insulates the coil I40 from the line IIO. If a perforation occurs in a card under one set of analyzing brushes, however, without at the same time a hole occurring under the other corresponding analyzing brush, the Wheatstone bridge circuit'will be unbalanced and the coil I45 energized. Assume, for example, that an analyzing brush I40 encounters a hole in a card, while at the same time the corresponding analyzing brush 80 does not encounter a. hole.

will then flow from the source S throughmain line IIO, common brush I85, conducting roller I88, analyzing brush I40, socket I42 through a plug connection to socket I46. It will be noted that, as no current can flow through the-analyzing brush 80, the socket I41 and consequently the terminal of coil I45 which is connected to it is not at the same potential as the other terminal of the coil which is connected to socket I48. The current flowing from analyzing brush I40 therefore divides, part of it flowing through the I resistance IN and part of it flowing through the relay 0011145 and resistance I60. The return circuit through contacts I50 is the same as that previously described. This operation, however,

' has energized relay I45, causing it to open its contacts ,II may close at any time while a rec- 0rd card is being analyzed, as the several index point positions on the card cooperate successively with the analyzing brushes. The card offsetting mechanism, which is operated by magnet I19 and whose operation will be explained later,

must operate at a certain time after the card has left the analyzing brushes. The closing of any .oneof the pairs of contacts I5I, therefore, mere- 1y arranges for completion of the circuit through magnet I19. The actual completion of the circuit to energize this magnet is effected later, when the card has cleared the analyzing brushes and is in position to be operated upon by the offset- Current ting mechanism. Closure of any pair of contacts I5I, due to the presence of a perforation in a card under one set of analyzing brushes without a. corresponding perforation in the card under the other set of analyzing brushes, completes a circuit from main line I05 through wire -I15and through any pair of closed contacts I5I and wire I18 to cam contacts I11, which are closed during the analyzing operation, thence through wires I82 and I88 to stick relay coil I80 and 'through wire ,-I8I to line 0. Stick relay coil I80 is thus energized and closes its contacts I85. Another circuit is thereby closed for the stick relay coil I80, this circuit extending from main line I05, through wires I15 and I81 to cam contacts I86, which-are also closed during the card analyzing operation, thence through stick relay contacts I85, coil I80 andwire I8I to line IIO. After the analyzing operation is completed and the card leaving the analyzing brushes is in position to be offset, cam contacts I18 close, thereby energizing the offset mechanism magnet I19. The circuit extends as follows: from main line I05 through wires I15 and I81 to cam contacts I88, thence through stick relay contacts I85, wire I83 and cam contacts I18 to magnet I18 and back to main line I I0.

Afterv the card offsetting mechanism has had an opportunity to-operate, and prior tothe beginning of the analysis of the following card cam contacts I88, I11, and I18 open, and control relay contacts I50 and I5I are restored to closed and open positions, respectively, thereby conditioningthe circuits for comparing the next cards which feed tothe analyzing mechanisms. The mechanical operation of restoring contacts I50 and I5I will be explained in the explanation of the mechanical operation of the control or comparing unit.

The mechanical parts of the card comparing mechanism are shown in Fig. 3,-the mechanism .known, it will be described briefly in'the present case. The auto-control relay magnets I are arranged in two rows for the purpose of conserving space. Thetwo rows of magnets control their contacts I and I5I in the same manner, and the only difference in the structures associated with the two rows are obvious mechanical modifications of the parts to provide for operating from their diflerent positions. The operating mechanism associated with the left hand row of magnets I45; will therefore be described, it being understood that] the mechanisms operated by the other row are substantially the same.

The contacts I50 and I5I are mounted on leaf springs which are supported by a block of insulating material 200. A spring 20I pulls upwardly on the leaf spring which carries lower contact I50.. When the machine is in operation, a' bell'crank 202 pivoted at 203 is latched by a latch member 204 in the position shown in Fig. 3. The bell crank202 has an extension 205 on one of its arms to press downwardly on the leaf spring support of upper contact I50 and hold the contacts, I50 closed.

I The contacts I5I under these conditions open under their own resiliency. The latch member 204 is mounted on the armature structure 208 of magnet I45, the armature structure being pivoted at 201 and normally held in latching position by a spring 2I2. Energization of the magnet I45 causes its armature structure to rotate counterclockwise about pivot 201, thereby causing latch member 204 to release bell crank 202. The spring 20I, thereupon pulling upwardly on the lower contact I50, causes an insulating knob 2I0 supported on the leaf spring support of lower contact I50 to press upwardly on the leaf spring supportin lower contact support II, thereby closing contacts I5I. Incidentally, the free end of the leaf spring supporting upper contact I50 moves upwardly under its own resiliency and opens contacts I 50. It will therefore be understood that whenever magnet I45 is energized, contacts I50 open and contacts I5I close, the reason and function for this operation having been explained in connection with the circuit diagram.

It has also been explained that the contacts I50 and I5I when opened and closed, respectively, during the analysis of a card, must remain in operated positions until the analysis of the card is complete; and that after the analysis of the card is completed, and before the analysis of the following card begins, they must be restored to their normal positions as shown in Fig. 3. The restoring mechanism consists of a pair of cams mounted on shaft 2I5. It may be remarked at this point that it is customary to construct the automatic control devices in sections, each of standard size and each containing the complete mechanism for effecting automatic control within its capacity. In the present machine (see Fig. 1) three standard automatic control sections have been used for the comparing device, and as the drive for the restoring mechanism of each of these sections is substantially the same, the driving connections for the right hand section only in Fig. 1 will be described.

The shaft 2I5 (see Fig. 3) has a gear 350 attached to its end which meshes with a gear 35I (see also Fig. 1) fixed to shaft 352. Shaft 352 extends across the machine, and, at one end, carries a gear 353 which meshes with a gear 354 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 355. Gear 354 meshes with a gear 356 fixed to the end of shaft 92 which carries the lower feed rolls 84. The shaft 92, supporting feed rolls 84, it will be recalled, is operated from the main drive shaft 30 of the machine. The gear ratio is such that shaft 2 I 5 makes one revolution for each card sent through the analyzing section of the machine.

When the magnet I45 is deenergized, the spring.

2I2 restores the armature structure to latching position, and a cam 22I, mounted on shaft 2I5 restores the bell crank 202 into latching position, where it is latched by the latch member 204. Of course, when this occurs, the extension 205 on the bell crank arm closes contacts I50 and opens contacts I5I', whereby the comparing device is restored, in readiness to operate, if necessary, according to the following cards passing through the analyzing mechanisms. A positive restoring device is provided for the armature structure in case the armature sticks, and the spring 2 I2 fails to restore it. This consists of a bail 2I3 extending over the latching members 204, and pivoted on pivot 201. An extension 2I9 on this bail cooperates with a cam 2! on shaft 2I5, and just after the bell cranks 202 have been rocked to latching position, a hump on the cam engages extension 2I9 and rocks the bail clockwise, whereupon it restores any armature structures which have not been restored by their springs 2 I 2, to latching position.

225a and 226a from stack 35a, thus indicating that the perforations in these oifset cards do not agree with those in corresponding cards in the other stack. The offsetting operation is performed by mechanism operated by magnet I19.

Referring to Fig. 3 for a moment, the actual ofisetting operation occurs just after a card which is to be oifset has left the feed rolls 84, and is in position with its forward edge within an open gripper device of the stacker E but before the gripper device actually grips it. At this instant the card is free between the plates 85 and 86 and may be forced to one side.

The magnet I19 (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) has an armature 230, which hangs from a pin 23I extending through an upstanding ear 232 on the armature 230 and through holes in levers 233 and 234, which are pivoted on the magnet supporting frame at 235 and 236, respectively. The free end of lever 233 carries 9. depending link 240 whose lower end is pivoted at 2 to a lever 242, which is pivoted at 243 on the magnet supporting frame.

A spring 244 holds the free end of lever 233 upwardly, to maintain the armature 230 in unattracted position, and forces a sideways extending lug 241 on lever 242 against a stop screw 245. The lever 242 is yoke-shaped at its end distant from the pivot 24I, and a depending member 246 is fast to this yoke-shaped end. A pusher member 249 is pinned to the depending member 246 forming substantially an integral structure therewith. The lower end of the pusher member 249 is broadened as shown at 250, and this broadened end portion lies opposite one edge of the card. which is passing between the plates 85 and 66. The relation of this pusher member to a 'card which is between the plates 85 and 86 is shown in Fig. 4, the card being indicated at 25I.

It will be recalled that whenever the magnet I19 is energized, which occurs whenever a card disagreeing with the corresponding card in the other stack has just left the feed rollers 84 and is between plates 85 and 86, this card will be pushed to one side so as to be ofiset from its stack when it reaches the discharge hopper.

Energization of magnet I19 attracts its armature 230, which moves downwardly and rocks arm 233 clockwise about its pivot 235, in opposition to the spring 244. The link 240 attached to the end of arm 233 thereupon rocks lever 242 counterclockwise around its pivot 243, whereupon the broad end portion 250 of pusher member 249 is forced against the edge of card 25I and forces it to the right as shown in Fig. 6. When this happens the card on reaching the discharge hopper will be offset as indicated for the cards 225 and 226 in Fig. 4.

After the magnet I19 is deenergized, which occurs shortly before the analyses of the following cards begin, the spring 244 tends to restore the pusher mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 4. The spring is assisted by a positive restoring device in the shape of a cam 255 (Figs. 4 and 5) cooperating with the member 246 which supports the pusher 249. The earn 255 is mounted on shaft 256, which carries the card stackers, and which analyzing operation. The cam 255 is provided with four humps 265 which are arranged to strike an extension 2 66 on member 246 at the proper time to restore this-member, and the attached linkage connecting itto armature 230, after the offsetting operation has been performed.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be noted that exactly similar ,mechanism is provided for offsetting cards from stack 35a. This mechanism is operated by the magnet I18 in exactly the same manner as just described in connection with the OE:-

setting mechanismfor stack 35.

The general operation of the machine, as illustrated inthe drawings, will now be briefly summarized. One stack of perforated cards is placed in the supply hopper'A (see Fig.1) and another stack, which should agree card for card with the stack in hopper A, is'placed in supply hopper B,

The machine is started in operation by dea pressing the start key I02 (Fig. 8), whereupon the ,motor M drives the mechanical parts. The two sets of card picker knivesiof which one of those operating in connection with supply hopper "B is shown at 45 in Fig.3) each feeds cards successively from the supply hoppers into the feed rolls. Corresponding cards from the two hoppersare simultaneously analyzed by therespective analyzing devices, of which that for hopper B consists of brushes 8!! and conducting roll 8|. As long as the index point perforations in corresponding cards agree, the cards from each stack feedin a straight line to the stacker mechanism, one of which is shown at E in Fig. 3, and are stacked thereby in discharge hoppers, bne of which is indicated at K. Whenever one analyzing mechanism finds aperforation in a card which it is analyzing and the other analyzing mechanism does not find a corresponding perforation in the card which it is analyzing, a circuit is,prepared to energize an offsetting magnet 219. The circuit is'actually completed and the magnet 219 actually energized, at a later time in the operation of the machine, just after the disagreeing cards feed clear of feed-rollers 84, and before they have been gripped by the grippers of their respective stackers. The magnet I19 (see Fig. 4) pn being energized attracts its armature 230 and,

through suitable levers and linkages, rocks pusher members, one of whichis indicated by 249, from .the position shown in Fig. 4'to that shown in Fig. '6. The pusher members, in rocking, displace the two disagreeing cardsto the side, offsetting them from the normal path of card travel. Thereafter the gripper members of thestackers close on--the displaced cards and feed them into their respective discharge. hoppers. The stacks in the discharge hoppers, therefore, have the disagreeing cards offset as indicated for the cards-225,

266, 25511., and 226a in Fig. 4.

.The invention has now been disclosed in connection with what is believed to be the preferred form of mechanism for practicing it, but it will be obvious that modifications of the mechanism and other methods of utilizing the invention will readily occur toth'ose-skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the invention is intended to be limited only as indicated bythe scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a machine of the class described, a card feed mechanism for normally feeding a card in a. straight line of travel, card analyzing means, a card stacker arranged toward the end of said line of travel and provided with gripper members place it to one side of its normal straight line of travel yet maintaining the same plane of travel and mechanism' controlled by said analyzing means for operating said deflecting device.

2. In a machine of .the class described, a card feed mechanism for normally feeding a card bearing index points in a straight line of-travel, a card analyzing device, a. card stacker arranged toward the end of said line of travel and provided with grippers for seizing a card after it reaches the stacker, a. deflecting device for operating on the card after it reaches the stacker, but before the grippers seize it, to displace it to one side of the straight line of travel yet maintaining the same plane of travel, an electromagnet for operating said deflecting device, a circuit including said electromagnetic device and means for controlling said circuit under control of said card analyzing device.

Be A record card comparing machine for comp ring, card by card, stacks of cards on which data may be represented by index points, comprising analyzing mechanism for concurrently analyzing corresponding cards from each stack, card feeding mechanisms for advancing cards continuously and synchronously past said analyzing mechanism, comparing mechanism controlled by said analyzing mechanism, and meanscontrolled, by said comparing mechanism when index -means for sensing predetermined designations in the cards when they reach said station, means for imparting a predetermined movement of a card transversely of its normal line of travel and in its own plane before reaching said pocket, and means controlled by the sensing means for operating the second named means when predetermined cards are sensed by the sensing means whereby to offset the predetermined cards relative to the others.

5. In a record card controlled machine, a record supply hopper, a receiving hopper, means for conveying the records from the supply hopper to the receiving hopper, means adapted when 012- erated to offset the recordshorizontally and transversely of their line of travel between the hoppers, an analyzing device adapted to sense designations in said records during their passage between said hoppers, and means controlled by the analyzing device for operating the offsetting means in accordance with designations in the records.

6.,A device of the class described, comprising a record receiving pocket, a pusher element located at the entrance to said pocket and adapted to move'a record entering said pocket 9.. small amount parallel with the cards in said pocket a record analyzing station, means to convey a batch of records from the analyzing station to the receiving station, means to move the records at right angles to their line 01' travel and in their own planes prior to reaching said station whereby certain of the records in the batch reach said station physically displaced or offset a predetermined amount relative to the other records of the batch which were previously conveyed to said station, and means controlled through said analyzing station for operating the moving means on the occurrence of records having a predetermined designation whereby such records on reaching said station are caused to project beyond the records of the batch which do not have said designation.

8. In a record controlled machine, means to place a batch 01' records in a common stack, means associated with the stack for displacing records in their own planes and transversely of their normal line of travel into the stack whereby certain records oi! the batch may be stacked upon the other records of the batch in a position di splaced in a direction parallel with the planes of the records of the batch which were previously stacked, means to detect a predetermined designation in a record, and means controlled by the detecting means for actuating the displacing means.

9. A record card controlled machine having means for delivering a batch of records to a common stack and means for distinguishing certain records from others by virtue of data designations in the records, comprising a member for imparting an oflsetting movement to the records in their own plane an extent less than a dimension of the records to displace them whereby certain records of the batch are stacked so as to project beyond other records of the batch previously delivered to the stack, and means for actuating said memher under control of the distinguishing means.

CLAIRD. LAKE.

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