US2172754A - Accounting system - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 12, 1939. w. w. LASKER ET AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 TYPEWRITER TAPE PUNCH TAPE TRAN SMITTER PLUG BOARD FIGJ.

TAPE READER RE-PERFORATOR TAPE TRANSLATOR SORTER TABULATOR CARDPUNCH INVENTORS. WILLIAM w. LASKER WALTER F. KELLEY THEIR ATTORNEY P 1939- w. w. LASKER El AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1954 l6 Sheets-Sheet 2 THEIR A TORNEY P 12, 1939- w. w. LASKER ET! AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 G 2 z m Q- a 8 15 in i- Q E 1: 5 5 5 U E L Z I luv CARRIAGE RETURN AND TRP EY INVENTORS WILLIAM ASKER WALTER ELL EY P 12, 9- I w. w. LASKER El AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM W. LASKER WALTER F. KELLEY Sept. 12, 1939.

w. w. LASKER ET AL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM 16 sheets sheet 6 Filed July 28, 1934 ER WALTER F4 KELLEY INVENTORS WILLIAM WLASK TORNEY I p 1939- w. w. LASKER El AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet '7 A mw INVENTORS WILLIAM W LASKER WALTER F KELLEY THEIR ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1939. w. w. LASKER El AL 2,172,754

ACGOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 3% II "A 5 E 5:. fli; 55:

To OPUZR'HON SOLENOIDS INVENTORS WILLIAM W. LASKER WALTER F. KELLEY k/ZW THEIR ATTOR EY ,FIG.I4.

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ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 WWW a? 33 a g z I i 53 5',

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INVENTORS 9 WILLIAM w. LASKER LL WALTER F. KELLEY THEIR ATTOR EY Sept. 12, 1939. w. w. LASKER ET AL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 1O i o I mm Kw SL SAL L O .K M F pR EMR, O w V ML mum A Q wAfl WW U I B H T Illll in V7 \lllllllllll Sept. 12, 1939. w. w. LASKER ET AL ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 l WQOZUJOM I02 INVENTORS WILLIAM W.LASKER WALTER F.KELLEY THE TORNEY p 12, 9- w. w. LASKER m A; 2,172,154

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 I ti I9 INVENTORS WILLIAM W.LASKER WALTER F .KELLEY T l TORNEY Sept. 12, 1939. w. w. LASKER ET AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 TIE- INVENTORS WILLIAM W. SKER WALTER L LLEY TEE- Sept. 12, 1939. w, w, LASKER H M 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16, Sheets-Sheet 14 FNUMERALS-w r--ALPHABET FJEEHHHHHHHfiQ 1351911 I3 :5 I7I92/2325272937 535537 444345 0123456789 ABGDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ I4YDS EEEHHHHHHHHQ INVENTORS WILLIAM W.LASKER WALTER F. KELLEY THE|R TORNEY Sept. 12, 1939. w w, LASKER AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 45 COLUMN los 90 COLUMN ESCAPEMENT BAR CARRIAGE RETURN CK SPACE.

FIG-2a mvzmons W.F. KELLEY W. W. LASKER REMINGTON RAND INC.,AS$IGNEE ATTORNEY p 1939- w. w. LASKER ET AL 2,172,754

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1934 16 sheets-sheet 16 FIG.29.

INVENTORS v W. F. KELLEY W.W.LASKER REMINGTON RAND INC-,ASSIGNEE- g ronNcv Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM of Delaware Application July 28, 1934, Serial No. 737,348

13 Claims. (or. 164-112) This invention relates broadly to an accounting system, and more particularly to that form of accounting system in which recorded information is electrically transmitted and further relates to a device for reading a tape perforated in telegraphic code and translating said code into impulses for controlling a card punching mechanism for perforating a card in forty-five and ninety column code.

The invention broadly consists of means for recording data in code in combination with-means for conveying the data in code to a distant point, means for re-recording the data in code on a second record, and means for tabulating the data from the second record.

In further detail, the invention provides means for making a typewritten record and for perforating a record tape by manual operations, together with means for transmitting telegraphically the record from the tape, reproducing the tape at the distant point, and means for reproducing data cards from the reproduced tape, for use in the tabulator.

An object of the invention is to transmit electrically recorded information in suitably prepared code form for automatic translation, at a distant point, into record cards of the punched card accounting system, adapted for use in a sorter and tabulator of that system.

Another object of the invention is to expedite the process of gathering recorded information in suitable form for automatic extraction and tabulation on a punched card actuated tabulator.

Still another object of the invention is to achieve a greater degree of economy than heretofore in the gathering of recorded information in suitable form for automatic extraction and tabulation in a punched card actuated tabulator.

Another object of the invention is to prove automatically the correctness of transmitted data, by electrical retransmission of previously transmitted record information.

A further object of the invention is to expedite the preparation of recorded information, at its source, in record form suitable for transmission to, and transiation at, a distant or central point into perforated record cards of the punched card accounting system.

A still further object of the invention is to obviate the necessity and consequent delay and hazard of mailing valuable information recorded on and carried by perforated record cards of the punched card accounting system.

Another object of the invention is to create a system comprising a group of interdependent members, the operation of which is so ordered as to permit of the use of the low telegraphic rate periods for the transmission of information in record form suitable !or translation, at a distant or central point, into perforated record cards of the punched card accounting system.

A further object of the invention is to render available for use at an early time, at a central point, information in printed tabular form, gathered from one or more distant sources by the use of a system comprising a group of interdependent devices, one of which is theperforated record card of the punched card tabulating system.

A still further object of the invention is to render retainable a record, in perforated code tape form, of electrically transmitted information; the perforated code tape having previously functioned as an interdependent member in a system comprising a group of interdependent devices one of which is the perforated record card of the punched card tabulating system,

Another object of the invention is to control a punch alternatively from the manual keyboard and from a tape translator in accordance with coded perforations in a telegraph tape, and to control punch operating functions according to the requirements of a switching mechanism also controlled from said tape.

A still further object is to provide a punch mechanism controllable by a perforated tape which will prepare a data card punched in two different zones in the ninety-column code and will record further data in the forty-five-column code in the same card.

An additional object of the invention is to actuate a punching mechanism to prepare a punched card record according to data from a perforated tape, and to control the function operations of said punching mechanism from the same tape while preventing the recording of 40 data.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the gathering, using and retaining of information of great managerial importance, such as itemized or summarized daily sales reports or running in- 45 ventories, daily balances, production reports, etc., at a central point, such as the main oflice or headquarters of a multi-branched merchandise distributing and, or, manufacturing or financial business enterprise, from decentralized points, 50 such as district or branch offices, branch factories, etc., in a more expeditious, economical and accurate manner, and in the concise and confidential form of a printed tabular record; the printed tabular record to be produced on a tab- 56 ulator under the printing and operative control of punched record cards of the punched card accounting system; the punched cards in turn having been automatically sorted and previously automatically punched with perforated code information through a process of automatic translation from the information in a perforated code tape; the information carried by the perforated code tape having originated at a decentralized point and having been manually recorded in a perforated code on an original tape; the original tape having been used for the introduction to and the control of telegraphic means for transmitting to and recording the information on the automatically produced perforated code tape.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the invention comprises the combination, into a broadly new system of bookkeeping, of typewriting, telegraphing, card punching, card sorting and tabulating machinery, together with other devices, of the general form set out in various of the patents listed as follows:

Typewriter tape punch Lasker 2,059,253 November 3, 1936, and Hart 2,063,737 December 8, 1936.

Telegraph. apparatus Kleinschmidt 1,045,855 December 3, 1912; Bille 1,076,944 October 28, 1913; Benjamin 1,298,440 March 25, 1919; Creed 1,452,793 April 4, 1923; Kleinschmidt 1,460,357 June 26, 1923; Rosendahl 1,481,153 January 15, 1924; Creed 1,792,238 February 10, 1931, and 1,804,496 May 12, 1931; Rothermel 1,841,122, January 19, 1932, and Hoover 1,851,838 March 29, 1932.

Card punch Lasker 2,044,707 June 16, 1936 and Re. 20,720 May 10, 1938 (original 2,044,708 June 16, 1936.)

Sorter Lasker et al. 1,665,595 April 10, 1928.

Tabulator Lasker 2,034,103 March 17, 1936.

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 diagrammatic viewof the system of the invention showing the devices used for transmitting data from the typewriter punch to the tabulator;

Fig. 2 is a view, in longitudinal section, of a bookkeeping machine, partially disclosing that mechanism and the tape punching device built into the base thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the keyboard of the bookkeeping machine of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a view, in isometric projection, of the tape punching mechanism associated with the bookkeeping machine;

Fig. 5 is a chart showing a character key blank and the code interpretation for the various notches;

Fig. 6 is a chart showing a character key blank and the code interpretation for the various notches for the numeral keys only;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the tape controlled telegraph line with re-perforators;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, showing a special key and its associated double space contacts, for controlling the bookkeeper tape punch;

Fig. 9 is a view, in side elevation, of the tape punching mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, in exploded isometric projection of the punches and tape positioning mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a punched tape showing the interpretation of a form of code punching;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic presentation of the electric control circuit operable by the control keys of the bookkeeping machine for double spacing tape;

Fig. 13 is a view, partially in diagrammatic form, showing a tape sensing mechanism with pickers below the tape,'only one of which is shown showing the mechanical linkages in their position at the end of their movement following a blank tape, and showing part of the electrical circuit constituting an element of the translator means;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 except that the pickers are at the tape and the linkages are positioned accordingly;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 except that the pickers are through the tape and the linkages are positioned accordingly;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of the mechanical linkages in one of their operative positions;

Fig 17 is a fragmentary view of the mechanical linkages in another of their operative positions;

Fig. 18 is a view in isometric projection of the permutation bar mechanism of the tape translator;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view of a permutation bar and a selector bar of the tape translator mechanism showing the method of engagement;

Fig. 20 is a front view in elevation, partly in cross section, showing a Powers punch adapted for use in the system;

Fig. 21 is a vertical cross section of the Powers punch.

Fig. 22 is an isometric view of the latching slides for the punch stop pins;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic view of mechanism operated by a punch solenoid;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of the punch keyboard;

Fig. 25 is a view of a record card of the Powers punched card accounting system showing the use of a ninety column code (two hole) in one portion of the card and a forty-five column code (single hole) in the remainder of the card;

Fig. 26 is a, view of a record card perforated in accordance. with the forty-five column code as used for numerals and alphabet;

Fig. 27 is a view of a record card perforated in accordance with the ninety column numerical code;

Figs. 28 and 29 combined form a schematic wiring diagram of the tape translator and punch; Fig. 28 containing the punch circuit and Fig. 29 the translator circuit.

This system of accounting comprises in effect four separate and distinct pieces or groups of mechanism which, while related, operate independently of one another. The first machine is the well known type of Remington bookkeeping machine which is adapted to be used in the normal manner for preparing bookkeeping records. Built in the base of this machine is a tape punch for perforating tape in telegraph code. This machine is indicated as a typewriter tape punch in Fig. 1. A machine of this type is disclosed in the patents to W. W. Lasker 2,059,253 and Hart 2,063,737 listed above.

The second group of mechanism comprises any well known form of tape transmitter, telegraph system and re-perforator in which the tape prepared by the typewriter tape punch may be used. This group of mechanism is used to transmit the data prepared by the bookkeeping machine to a distant point, where it is received from the reperforator in the form of tape punched in telegraph code and machines of a similar character are disclosed in such patents as those to Benjamin and Hoover mentioned above.

The telegraph tape is used in a third group of mechanism which comprises (see Fig. 1) a tape reader, tape translator and card punch. The

tape taken from the re-perforator is passed through the reader which actuates the translator to translate the telegraph code into a code for controlling the card punch. The cards from the punch contain the original data perforated in the well known Powers 45 or 90 column code. The machines of this group with the exception of the card punch have not been disclosed heretofore and will, therefore, be described in detail. The card punch is disclosed inthe patents to Lasker 2,044,707 and Re. 20,720.

The fourth and final group of mechanism comprises a sorter and tabulator (Fig. 1) in which the cards from the card punch are sorted and tabulated to prepare bills, ledgers, or any other form of business paper desired. These machines are disclosed in the patents to Lasker et ai. 1,665,595 and Lasker 2,034,103.

Typewriter punch mechanism The first step, in the system of the invention, is the punching of the code tape at one of the decentralized points to which reference has been made in the objects of this patent application. For this purpose a manually operable mechanism is provided.

A tape punching mechanism of this type can be manually operated in numerous ways, but, for the purpose of description, it will be described as being built into and associated with the mechanism of a typewriter bookkeeping machine. A complete disclosure of a tape punching mechanism of this type, in its relationship to a typewriter bookkeeping machine, is given in the Lasker Patent 2,059,253 listed above.

The functional and structural details of the initial tape punching mechanism, for the punch-- ing of a five hole code, having been fully disclosed and described in the above patent only those parts necessary for an understanding of the invention will be described.

The lever I (Fig. 2) is for shifting the arms 2 to cause the punching of the tape to correspond to the type of code desired on the tabulator card in its various fields (upper ninety column, forty-five column, or lower ninety column), three notches being provided to position the lever. The center position 45 being the forty-five column position, the inward position L90 being the lower ninety column position, and the outmost positionv U90 being the upper ninety column position. In Fig. 2, the arm 2 is shown with a resilient link and stop, and represents the nine digit. By shifting the lever I punches are positioned so that the telegraph tape can be modified to cause the card punch to produce perforated cards according to the desired card code.

The tape punch mechanism is shown in Figs. 2, 4, 9, and 10. When an alphabet snatch pawl 3 (Figs. 2 and 4) is actuated as described in the above mentioned patent, it depresses a springsupported interponent member I, the lower end of which forces a toothed arm 2 or 2A downwardly against a row of five parallel bars 5 (Fig. 4) each pivoted to a pair of spring-held bell-cranks 6 and I. The teeth on the arms 2 and 2A are positioned in accordance with different' combinations of the punched holes in the tape. Fig. 5 is a complete illustration of the positions of the teeth in arms 2, and the corresponding code which will be perforated by the various arms in their different fields. Fig. 6 is a similar showing for arm 2A. As shown in Fig. 4, a bell-crank 8 is connected by a pin and slot arrangement to bell-crank I and is rocked by the bell-crank I. The other arm of the bell-crank 8 is bent so as to contact with one of five punching pins 9 (Figs. 4 and 10) fitted freely in plate III, which plate is rigidly connected to a similar plate and reciprocates vertically in a bracket fixed to the main frame of the punching mechanism. There is a bell-crank 8 for each parallel bar 5 and a punching pin 9 for each bell-crank 8. When a pin 9, or a group of those pins, is depressed against the tension of the heavy spring I I (Figs. 4 and 9), the plates I are forced downwardly by a shoulder on said pins and the pin, or pins, which has been actuated by its bellcrank 8, punches code holes in the tape I2.

An adjustable spring-held hook I3 (Fig. 10) is fixed to one of the plate connecting rods. (When a punch rod 9 is depressed, the hook I3 snaps over one tooth of the ratchet I4 and, when the punch pins are drawn upwardly by the strong spring II, the ratchet is caused to move the tape I2 the necessary distance for a subsequent punching operation. The tape is fed by a common form of sprocket I attached to the shaft of ratchet ll. The holes I5a (Fig. 11) in the tape for the sprocket feed are punched, two at a time, by pins I6 fixed in the lower plate II). The take-up mechanism, as shown in Fig. 9, comprises a train of gears driven by a pinion N (Fig. fixed to the ratchet shaft. The actual feed is accomplished by a disc I8 (Fig. 9) which rides on the periphery of the roll of tape and may be of rubber or any other suitable material. The hold-back of the magazine reel may be any one of several conventional forms.

Inasmuch as the initial punched tape is to be used in a telegraphic system the tape punching mechanism must be so constructed as to provide a five hole tape familiar to the telegraphic art. Therefore, there are five punches 9. These punches are combined in different combinations as shown in Fig. 11 to provide the required letters and numerals necessary for transmitting data to the card punch at a remote point.

The forty-five column code used in the cards operating the Powers type tabulator is a single hole code and contains letters and numerals as disclosed in the card shown in Fig. 26.

The ninety column code used in the same cards is a two hole code and is punched in the upper and lower zones of a card as shown in Fig. 27. This code contains only numerals. Fig. 25 discloses a card punched in both codes.

The tape shown in Fig. 11 discloses the combinations of five hole telegraphic code used to actuate the card punch in accordance with the two codes, forty-five and ninety.

Since the card punch has a traveling carriage, which sets the punches as will be described later, certain control operations of the carriage are also provided for in the tape.

When a key in the typewriter punch is depressed the corresponding character is punched in the telegraphic tape l2. In order to provide for'the control operations certain keys of the bookkeeper are provided with contacts which will space the tape as described above and then punch a code combination which when received by the card punch will cause certain control operations. The blank space preceding the control signal is provided, as will be described later, to condition the translator to cause the punch to go through a machine operation instead of punching a character. The special operations are space, skip, carriage return, trip, and back space. The appearance of the tape, in which a K blank space is left, is shown opposite operations in Fig. 11. The regular code combination for C, when preceded by a blank, is herein interpreted as space, that for D as skip, etc.

To initiate a double spacing of the tape, for op erations indication (see Fig. 11), a magnet I9 (Figs. 9 and 12) is provided. The operation and action of this magnet is controlled by certain special keys 23 (Fig. 3) on the typewriter. When the circuit for the magnet is closed by the depression of a special key, or by any other mechanical means, the arm which is secured to hook 2| is drawn down, the hook 2i draws the ratchet l4 over one tooth, thereby moving the tape one space without punching any holes there in.

The member 22 (Fig. 10) serves as a guide for the punch pins 9 and as a bracket to carry the escapement mechanism. The member 23 forms the die for the punching operation.

When any of the special keys 24 (Figs. 3 and 8) which are similar to the alphabet keys, both in design and operation, are depressed, the camlike surface 25 on the upstanding projection of the key lever, engages the channel key locking bail 26, rocking said bail and thereby causing the arms 21 which are connected to the bail to close the contacts 28, thereby completing the circuit for the magnet l9 (Fig. 12) to initiate a double space operation of the tape l2 to indicate a special operation to control the card punch as will be described.

Referring to Fig. 3 which shows the keyboard of the typewriter punch the keys indicated 24 are the control keys. The space key causes the punching of a combination to cause spacing of the card punch carriage. The back space and skip keys cause the same operations of the punch. The CRA key causes the card punch to return to an intermediate stop, while the CR* key causes the punch to trip, i. e., punch the card, and return the carriage to normal position.

Perforated tape code transmitting and reperforating mechanisms The next step in the operation of this invention rquires that telegraphic means be utilized for the transmitting of impulses corresponding to the code in the initially perforated tape, and duplicating of the code information as contained therein. This mechanism is varied in design and is well known in the telegraphic art, as indicated in the patents listed above and, therefore, will not be described herein. The Benjamin type of tape transmitter and Hoover type of re-perforator are shown in Fig. 1.

Tape reading and translating mechanism The next succeeding step in the operation of this invention requires that the code information contained in the re-perforated telegraph tape be automatically translated into code form on a record carrying member, such as a perforated card, suitable for automatic sorting, and as the means for controlling the printing elements and other devices of an automatic tabulating mechanism. This is accomplished by a tape reading mechanism which reads the re-perforated telegraph tape and controls the operation of a tape translator and card punch. The tape translator contains a system of permutation bars which translate the telegraphic code into a code suitable for controlling the card punch.

The tape reading mechanism is shown in Figs. 13, 14, and 15 and comprises a means for feeding the tape past a line of sensing pins or pickers which control linkages for opening and closing contacts in accordance with the perforations sensed.

The mechanism comprises a frame 36 on which is pivotally mounted five picker arms 43 which have pickers 56 pivotally mounted thereon. Cooperating with the picker arms is an arm 44 having a roller 42 adapted to ride on the upper surface of the arms 43. Resiliently connected to arm 44 is a feed pawl 3| which cooperates with feed wheel to feed the tape. Secured to the arm 44 is a link 45 which is mounted for horizontal action by means of the pivotally mounted arms 45A. Secured to the link 45 by a pin-inslot connection 46 is a link 41. Two pins on the link 45 are adapted to rock a bell-crank or snap switch 48 for opening and closing contacts 43 and 6|. The lower end of link 4! is adapted to cooperate with a bell-crank or transfer switch 52 for opening and closing contacts 53 and 65. Both snap switches are provided with a centrally connected spring for insuring a positive snap action when moved past center. The free end of each of the picker arms 43 cooperates with its bell-crank 13 which closes a contact 62 individual to on of the five magnets in the translating mechanism. The re-perforated tape 23 is drawn through the sensing mechanism by the engagement of the sprocket or feed wheel 30 with the row of small holes near the center of the tape, the feed wheel being stepped forward (the direction indicated by the arrows) one tooth space by the pawl 3| which moves upward under control of arm 44 at each closing of the spacing magnet 32.

Bearing on the tape through the action of a flat spring 33 is a roller 34, which bears on the tape and causes the tape to pass through a depression in the frame member 36. Also bearing lightly on the tape, through the action of a fiat spring 37, is a roller 38. Each of the springs 33 and 31 carries one of a pair of electrical contact points 39 which are normally closed. These contacts are in one side of the circuit supplying power, and the opening thereof will break the circuit and thereby stop the operation of the mechanism. If the tape leading to the sensing mechanism be held back, the tightening action of the tape will cause the roller 34 to move upwardly, thereby breaking the contact 39 and, consequently, stopping the operation of the mechanism, thus preventing the obvious damage to the tape. The roller 38 is held up by the tension in the tape and as the end of the tape passes the feed wheel 30 there is no longer any tension and the roller 38 will drop.

When the end of the tape passes the feed wheel 30, the gravitational action of the tape already accumulated, at the forward end of the mechanism, will pull the end of the tape clear of the

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