US2346267A

US2346267A - Perforating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2346267A
Application number: US449444A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert W Mills; Edward J Rabenda
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1942-07-02
Filing date: 1942-07-02
Publication date: 1944-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1961-04-11
Also published as: FR942469A; US2346268A; GB566964A; DE971621C

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet l April 11, 1944. A. w. MILLS ET AL PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2 M%ENTSDRS BY pril 11, 1944.-

A. W. MILLS ETAL PERFORATING APPARATUS 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2 TTORNEY .Nga

April 11, 1944. A. w. MlLLsgE-r AL.

I PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY April 11, 1944 A. w. MILLS ETAL.

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 sheds-sheet 4 Nav TOR W:

ATTORNEY April 11, 1944. A, w. MILLS ETAL.

PERFORATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1942 5 Sheets--Sheet 5 F'IGJ.

c/sw27/------- mman- F'IGM.

'l y EN'TO 5 A TTORNEY Patented Apr. il. im@

aangename etrangeres national timeliness lil.. assignore to linter- Yer-ls, lil. Y.. a corporation el NewYork Application .lilly 2, Het, Serial N". rl'alfl 1li Claims. im. lnll) This invention relates to perforating means and is an improvement of copending application f A. C..H0lt. Sel'ill N0. 438,973, filed April 15.

In the said application a plurality of punch elements are provided, which are pivotally connected to one of the ends of related punch levers.

Cyclically operable eccentric means are disposed within the yoke portions of the punch levers and are operated in a. start-stop manner for actuating or oscillating the punch levers. Individual latching means disposed in close proximity to the free ends of the punch levers are operated selectively to latch one or more of the oscillated punchy levers, thereby causing the connected punch ele- `ments to be eiective.

In the present application. the cyclically operated eccentric means are disposed within oval shaped openings provided in each punch lever.

In addition thereto, the individual 'latch levers are provided with latching arms cooperating with electromechanically controlled latch-members for normally retaining the latch levers out of the paths ofthe oscillated punch levers. Upon selective operation oi' the latch members,l the related latch levers are released to latch the punch levers, whereupon common control means associated with the said latch levers are operated by one or more of the latter, which are released for initiating operation of the normally stationary eccentric means.

An lobject of the present invention resides-in the provision of van improved perforating apparatus having common control` means operated by any one of the released punch'lever latching means for e'ecting operation of the eccentric means.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved perfcratng paratus having electromechanically controlled latch means for normally latchirig the individnal spring operated latch levers ont ci the paths of the related punch levers. Bue to this provision,

a more rapid operation ofthe said latch levers f is possible. Y

Still another ohject oi the present inversion resides in the provision or" cyclically one .isle restoring means for the eleetromechanicaily con.- trolied latch rosales, whereby tire armatures are acted upon directly as well. as the latches.

@ther objects of the invention will be out in the illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way oi esempl-e. the principle ci the following description and claims and' stop invention` and the best mode. which has been contemplated, of applying that principle. i

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view ing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view ofthe perforating apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a. detail oi' the cam control the latch lever locking means. Y

Fig. 5 is 'a sectional view taken along the lines 5--5 of Fig. 1 showing the start-stop clutch control means.

Fig. 6 is asectional view taken along the lines ofthe improved perforatmeans for 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the arrangementof `the control magnets and latching means.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines l-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail of a code-hole punch element.

Fiss. 9 and 9A are details of the latch levers.

Fig. l0 is a timingchart.

Fig'. l1 is a simplied-circuit diagram.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of afkey operatedl mechanism for controlling the selector magnet contacts of the perforating apparatus.

Fig. 131s a side elevation of a tape sensing mechanism for controlling the selector magnet contacts of the'perforating apparatus.

Referring now to Figs. l'and 2, the perforating apparatus is shown to include individual punch elements 2 I 0, one for each unit ofthe code, and a common die block 2H. The punch elements are slidably arranged in individual openings in a common punch guide block 212, and

are normally held in retracted positions by means of individual springs 2i 3. 'l'hesaid springs are supporter. icy a bracket lli! which is suitably se- 'li-e upright plate -Tne seid punch man u vided W guides or rods et?! and al@ are provided to Suitabiy disposed l alignment ci' the .said punch- In order to lpacethe punch levers properly, suitable nloose fitting' spacing washers 224 and 22| are provided on rod 222 and eccentric 2| il, respectively, and disposed between each punch lever 2|1, as shown in Fiss. 1 and 2. In addition thereto, the free ends o!l the individual punch levers extend into correspondingly spaced, individual slots formed in a guide comb 226 suitably securedto plate 2|5. Normally, during the rotation of the eccentric, theV punch levers are moved downwardly and upwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) about the pivoted connections formed by the ends of the punch levers engaging the recesses of the relatedi punch elements. Under these conditions, it is seen that the free ends of the punch levers arelpartially rotated rst in one direction and then in the reverse direction, or, stated in other words, the said free ends of the punch levers are oscillated.

Individual, suitably spaced latch members or levers 221 are provided, one for each punch lever, said latch levers being pivotally supported by a stud shaft 228 and having the depending arms 221a and upright arms 221e loosely fitted into individual slots in guide combs 226 and 229, respectively, the latter also being suitably secured to plate 2|5. Near the extremity of each arm 221a, a latching shoulder 236 is provided, which shoulders are disposed in close proximity to, but normally held out of the paths of, the rotatable ends of the punch levers, by means of the individual and related latching armatures 23| of magnets 232. Each amature 23| is provided with a shouldered recess 233 and, when released, engages the tip of arm 221d of the related latch lever 221 to latch the latter and hold the arm 221a out of the path of the free end of the related punch lever. A

Upon'momentary energization of magnet 232, the related armature 23| is attracted to trip or release the engaged arm 221d, and permit the related latehlever 221 to swing in a clockwise direction, under influence of spring 234, thereby positioning the shoulder 230 of arm 221a in the path ofthe free endof the related punch lever 2|1.

It should be mentioned at this time that, in the present embodiment, the shaft 220 carrying the eccentric 2|9 is not constantly rotated, but operated in a start-stop manner, and that the latch levers 221 are arranged to be' positioned to latch the desired punch levers before the rotated eccentric displaces or oscillates the said punch levers. Thus, upon latching of a punch lever 221 and rotation ofthe eccentric 2|9, the said punch lever is positioned by the eccentric about the pivotal connection formed by the arm 221a of the latch lever 221 and the latched end ofthe punch lever, to force the related punch element 2||l downwardly (Fig. 2), thereby causing the sheet, such as a telegraphic tape 235, interposed between the said guide and die blocks to be perforated. l

Itshould also be mentioned that individual springs 234 having the one endthereof secured to posts 236 are attached to arms 2211 and 221d of alternate latch levers 221 for normally urging the related latch levers in a clockwise direction. Due to the close spacing of the latch levers, the springs are alternately arranged as mentioned. For this reason, only the alternate latch levers 221 need be provided with arms 22127 (see Figs. 9 and 9A). The related armatures 23| and magnets 232 are also placed in staggered assess? positions, as shown in Fig. 6, in order to provide an extremely compact arrangement of the magnets and latch levers.

Locking means are provided for holding the displaced latch lever or levers ln a latched position, and for preventing displacement of undesired latch levers durng the rotation of the eccentric. This means comprises a locking bail 238, which is common to all latch levers 221, and which is suitably secured to an arm 239, which arm 239 in turn is xed to shaft 24d. Shaft 243 is rotatably mounted in the said plates 2|5 and 22| and also has affixed thereto a spring urged cam follower arm 24| (also see Figs. 3 and 4) cooperating with cam 242 secured to the startstop shaft 220. Cam 242 is shaped so that normally (with the shaft 220 in a stop position) the locking bail 238 is held in a position so as to be out of the path of the extremity of arm 221a of each latch lever 221. Upon displacement of the desired latch levers in the said latching position 'and upon rotation Vof shaft 220, the follower arm 24| drops from the high portion of the cam 242 to permit the locking bail 238 to be raised (in Fig. 2) in the path of the said arms 221a, thereby engaging the extremities of arms 221a of the displaced latch levers and locking them in the latching position (also see timing chart in Fig. 10). This position of the said locking bail also prevents any faulty displacement of the normally positioned latch levers, since the bail is now effective to engage the extremity of arm 221a of any latch lever which inadvertently might be displaced during the rotation of shaft 220, thereby blocking further clockwise rotation of these latch levers and preventing engagement of the latching shoulders 230 and the latching ends of the related punch levers 2|1. The said raised position of locking bail 238 is maintained until the sheet or tape 235 is perforated, when the high portion of cam 242 again engages the follower arm 23| to lower the said bail. Obviously, the said bail must be lowered before the latch levers 221 are positively restored by the action of a reset bail 243.

For this arrangement, it is preferred to render the reset bail 243 effective from approximately the 207 point to' the 225 point in the said cycle (see Fig. 10). The said bail 243 is secured to arm 244, which arm in turn is fixed to shaft 245 journaled in the said plates 2|5 and 22|, which shaft has affixed thereto a spring urged cam follower arm 246 (Fig. 3) cooperating with a related cam 241 secured to shaft 220. Said cam 241 is effective, during each cycle of rotation of shaft 220 (see Fig. 10), to partially rotate the follower arm 246 and shaft 245 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3) to cause thebail 243 to positively urge and restore the latch levers 221 to the normal latched position out of the path of the latching ends of the related punch levers 2|1, as shown in Fig. 2. Upon release of the latched punch levers 2|1, the punch elements are withdrawn immediately from the perforated tape under influence of the related springs 2|3 For this condition, the punch levers are positioned about the eccentric 2|9 as a pivot. It is evident from the description to follow, if it is desired to withdraw the punch elements positively from the tape under influence of the eccentric, it is merely necessary to prolong the period during which the punch levers are held in latched positions by levers 221 and delay the period in the cycle during which the balls land 260 are .operated rfor resetting and latching the said levers .221.l

Reset means are also provided for positlvelyrestoring the attracted armatures 23| of magnets 232 to the normal positions, shown in Fig. 2. at the time bail 243 is operated for resetting the latch levers 221. This means comprises `a bail 250 which is arranged common to the free ends of armatures 23| (also see Fig. 6) and is secured to orformed as an integral part of Aan arm 25| secured to shaft 252, the latter being suitably iournaled in plates 2|5 and 22|. Shaft252 has aliixed thereto a spring urgedcamfollower'arm 253 (Fig. 3) cooperating with a related cam 254 secured to shaft 226. This cam is effective, at the same time during which cam 241 positions bail 243 (see Fig. 10), to urge the said bail25|1 in a counterclockwise direction to move positively any of the displaced armatures 23| to the normal position, in order to engage and latch the released arms 221d of the latch levers 221.

Suitable means for intermittently advancing the tape 235 are provided, which means in the present arrangement are .operated near the end of each cy'cle of rotation of `the said shaft 226.

The tape 235 is fed, step by step, `from a suitable supply 255, the reel 256 for which is loosely mounted in support 251 secured toplate 22|, under a pivoted tape lever 258, over hinged roller 259 and tape guide member 260, between the separated blocks 2|| and 2|2, over a sprocket wheel 26|, and under a guide post 262 to the take-up reel 263. Said sprocket wheel 26| is provided with centrally located and equally spaced teeth 264 for engaging the-'centrally located feed perl:

. said sprocket wheel. Sprocket wheel 26| is fixed to shaft 261 journaled in plates 2|5 and 22|. Shaft 261 has secured thereto a ratchet wheel 268 (Fig. 3), which is advanced step by step by a spring urged cooperating pawl 269 pivotally mounted on a cam follower arm 219.

Cam follower arm 210 is pivotally mounted on plate 2|5 and urged against a-related cam 21| by spring 212. `Near the end of Aeach cycle of shaft 220 (see Fig. 10), the high point of cam 21| moves the cam follower arm 210 and pawl 269 to the left, as viewed' in Fig. 3, to advance the ratchet wheel 268 one step, and consequently the sprocket wheel 26|. Thus, the tape 235 is advanced to present the next position thereon to the punching elements. During further rotation of cam 21|,

spring 212 is effective to cause the pawl 269 to ride over a tooth of the ratchet Wheel and be in a position for another feeding'operation.

A fixed. plate 213 secured to plate 2|5 is provided with a camming surface 214 which is engaged by the free end of lpawl 269, as the latter is urged to the left (Fig. 3), thus insuring a positive driving connection between the pawl and ratchet wheel and also preventing an overdrive of the ratchet wheel. The usual spring urged detent arm 215 is provided and cooperates with a detent Wheel 216 xed to shaft 261 for maintaining the said shaft 261, ratchet wheel 266 and sprocket Wheel 26| in the advanced position. In order to facilitate tape insertion and removal operations,

the tape fingerv guide 266 issecured to an arm 211 pivotallymounted on plate 2|5, which arm is pivotally connected to one end of link 211a, the other end of which is connected by a pin and slot connectiori to the pivotally mounted and spring urged tape guide member 260. Thus, whenever thel guido 266 lsraissd manually, Athe guide member y260 is also partially rotated ln a countercloclrwise 2), in order to latch the free ends of the related punch levers 2|1. Next, the locking bail 238 is operated to engage and lock the displaced latch levers 221 in a latched position, during part of the cycle, and to prevent further latching operations by the remaining latch lever or levers during this cycle.

Eccentric 2|9 is then effective to oscillate the latched punch levers 2|1 causing the connected punch elements 2||l to be operated to perforate the tape'235, in accordance with the selected combination of operated punches, while the said tape is at rest at the punching station (see code groups of perforations 211). After the punching operation, the locking bail 236 is restored to its normal position and the

reset balls

243 and 250 are rendered operative to restore the latch levers'221 and armatures 23|, respectively, tovtheir normal positions, thereby releasing the latching ends of `the related punch levers and permitting the punch yelements to be withdrawn from the tape.

The tape feeding mechanism is then rendered operative, near the end of the cycle, to advance the tape one step, thus presenting the next punching position on the tape to thevsaid punch elements.

It should be mentioned at this time that the `centrally located perforations 265 are not originally provided in the tape'235 but are formed therein during each punching operation. Refer-l ring now to Fig. '1, it is seen that for this purpose a special latch lever 218 is provided, which is also pivotally mounted on stud shaft 228 and disposed in related slots in the guide combs 226 and 229. This latch lever is also provided with a latching shoulder 219, similar tov latching shoulders 230, which shoulder 219 constantly engages the latching end of the related punch .lever 266 under the influence of spring 28|, so that during each punching operation the said lever 280 is effective to operate the connected punch element 282, similarly as described hereinabove. In this Way, the centrally located feed perforations 265 are formed in the paper tape. It is to be noted that latch lever 218 is not provided with a latch arm similar to arms 221d, and obviously there is no need for it, since latch lever 218 always is maintained in a latching position. Also, itis to be noted in Fig. 7 that the reset bail 243 is provided with a recess 283 so that, during the resetting of latch levers 221, the said special latch lever 218 is not engaged by the said bail and accordingly no release of punch lever 280 is eifected during the resetting operations. v cycle, the related punch element is withdrawn from the tape under the influence of the eccentric 2H). Since the punch lever is latched constantly,

a pivotal connection is formed by the latched end of punch. lever 286 and thestop guide or rod 223 thereby enabling the eccentric to positively restore the punch element to its normal 4retracted l position.

In order to control the start-stop operations of shaft 226, a welll known type of electromagnetically controlled, one-revolution clutch means is provided. For a detailed description of a similar After perforation of the tape, each is pivotally mounted clutch mechanism reference should be made to U. B. Patent 2,206,845, issued to Schneider on July 2, 1940. According to be given is deemed sumcient for complete comprehension o1' the present invention. In Pigs. 1

ery of the 299" and normally is positioned again'stastop 294 formed on the sultably pivoted lever 295 (secured to stud shaft 2954), which lever normally is urged by spring 299 so that the said stop 2941s in the path of the dog lift lever 294. With the described elements of the clutch means in this Secured to the said pivoted lever 29|;is an amature 299 of an associatedand suitably disposed magnet liil, which armature upon momen'- tary energization of magnet 399 positions the stop worm and worm wheel In this manner shaft 22| is rotated. Upon completion of a cycle of rotation of shaft 220, the dog is urged against the said stop 294 to preventing further rotation lci.' able locking means are provided for this described clutch, and comprises a suitably disposed, spring the brief description this shaft. 'suit-v` urged arm 903 (secured to stud shaft 295a) cooperating 31th a suitable notchl formed in a cam 405, the latter being xed to shaft 229. 'I'he int of cam 905 IIJ serves asa positive resetting device for stop 294 and amature 299 (see Fig.vl0) l Any of the known controlling means can be time the punch magnets 232 are energized, so that the clutch mechanism is operated and effective to connect the punch shaft 22B to the constantly rotated shaft 299. Contacts 3M, for example, can be controlled lon a stationary member 4|8 One example of a suitable keyboard controlled device is shown in U. S. Patent 2,165,237 to C. R. Doty, dated July 1939. In Fis. 12 of the present application, a single view oi.' a keyboard device of this type for operating-the selector magnet contacts JIU is shown. The key 4H pivoted driven roller 4|9, when releasedby the trip lever 400. The leverY 4| 2 is connected by a linkage 4|i to a type bar mechanism not shown in the drawing. As the cam 4|`| 'revolves in contact with the roller 4|il, it engages a roller 40| of a related group of contacts 3io. Each cam' 4H has a particular group of the contacts 3io associated with it, the groups being different for the dlil'erent cams. Thus. when a particular key lever 4|'| is actuated, a certain combination oi' the contacts 5 I9 is closed.

Fig. 13 shows an alternative mechanism for controlling the selector magnets, in the form of a tape sensing apparatus of conventional design. Tape 420, similar to tape 235, is guided over rollers 42| and 422, the latter having peripheral pins 429 to engage feedholes in the tape, corresponding to the holes 265 of tape 2375. Fixed to the feed roller 422 is a ratchet wheel 424 with which coacts a dog 425 articulated at 426 to a. lever 421. The latter is pivoted at 428 to a stationary part and has an armature 429 coacting with an electromagnet 430. A spring 43| holds the dog 425 against the ratchet wheel 424, and a spring 432 holds the lever 421 against a stop 432. When the magnet 430 is energized, the dog isretracted to engage another ,tooth and. when the magnet is deenergized, the dog feeds the ratchet wheel 424 and the feed roller 422, to ad- Vance the next combination of holes on the tape to sensing position. There is a set of five sensing levers 435 pivoted at 436, only one being shown in Fig. 13.. 'I'hese levers are spaced ltransand biased by a stronger spring 44|. An electromagnet 442, when energized, rocks the lever 439 and releases the sensing levers 435. Those levers which 11nd a hole in the tape close related contacts 3M by their rear arms 443.

With kreference again to Fig. 2, a pivoted bail SI2 isprovided which is common to the arms 221c of latch levers 221 and supported by arms 3|3 (Fig. 1) mounted on shaft 3| 4. One of the said wise directionto close the suitably disposed contacts 3| I. Thus, it isfseen that the clutch control suitably disposed cam controlled contacts can' be provided, such as contacts Ci and C2, which are operated cyclically by related cam elements 09 secured to the start-stop vshaft; 220. The normon timing control contacts (see Fig. 1l). Rei.'-

erence can be made to the copending application of Mills and Rabenda, Serial No. 450,248, filed July 9, 1942, showing one contemplatedV embodiment or the instant .perforating apparatus and the circuit controlled by the said cam controlled contacts. a

Additional controlling contacts can be provided, if desired, for example, the suitably disposed tape controlled contacts 3|`| secured to upright; plate 2|5. These contacts are controlled both upon the exhaustionof the tape supply to the punch station, and bythe tautness of\the tape supp1y A contact operating arm 3|8 is secured to shaft 3|9 Journaled in plates 2|5 and 22|, which arm is constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) by the elongated spring blade of contacts 3| Also secured to shaft 3| 9 is a dog member 320 having oppositely directed pins 32| fastened thereto. The spring urgedtape lever 258 is pivotally mounted on shaft 3|5 and rides on the tape 235, thus preventing engagement of the lever and one of the pins 32|. However, upon exhaustion of the tape, the lever 258 is rotated sufy ficiently in a clockwise direction to engage and partially rotate the dog member and operating arm 3|8 to open the contacts 3| 1. A tape tension arm 322 having a roller 323 is also rotatably mounted on shaft 3|9, which arm 3|8 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by spring 324. In the event the tape supply to the punch station becomes too taut, the tape 235 is eie'ctive to cause the arm 322 to be partially rotated in a clockwise direction toengage the other pin 32| on the dog member 320, to rotate the latter and operating arm 3|-8 to open the said contacts 3||. These contacts can be connected in the circuit to the clutch control magnet 300, as indicated in Fig. 11, so-that this magnet cannot be energized whenever the tape becomes too taut or the supply thereof exhausted.

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

What is claimed is:

1. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, a plurality of punch levers, one for each punch'element, each lever having one end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatable eccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating the latter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punch lever, individual means for normally latching the said members in positions in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, and means for selectively operating the said latching means and releasing the Irelated members so that the latter engage and latch the said other ends of the related punch levers, thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connected punch elements.

2. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, a plurality of punch levers, one for each punch element. each leverhaving one end pivotally connected to a related having a latching arm, individual positionable means normally cooperating with the latching arms oi' said members for holding the latter in close proximity to, but out of thepaths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, and means for selectively positioning the said holding means and releasing the related members so that the latter engage and latch the said other ends of the related punch levers, therebyA causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connected punch elements. Y

3. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided for positively restoring the positioned holding means to their normal positions for further cooperation with the said latching arms.

4. The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein cyclically operable means are .provided for positively restoring the positioned holding means to their normal positions for furthercooperation with the said latching arms. l

5. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, a plurality of punch levers, one for each punch element, each lever having one end pivotally connectedl to a related punch element. rotatable eccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating the latter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punch lever, each member having a latching arm, individual positionable means normally cooperating with the latching arms of saidv members for holding the latter in close proximity to but out of the paths of, the otherends of the K related punch levers, and individual electromagity of punch elements, a plurality ofv punch levers, l

one for each punch element, each lever having one end pivotally connected to a. related punch element, rotatable eccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating the latter,

a plurality of positionable latch members, one for eachfpunch lever, each member having a latching arm, individual positionable means normally cooperating with the latching arms of said members for holding the latter in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, individual electromagnetic means for selectively positioning the said holding means and releasing the related members so that the latter engage and latch the said other ends of the related punch levers, thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connected punch elements, and means for positively restoring the positioned holding means to their normal positions for further cooperation with the said latching means.

7. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, a plurality of punch levers, one for each punch element, each lever having one end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatable eccentric means constantly engaging the punch levers for actuating the latter, a plurality of positionable latch members, one for each punch lever, each member having a. latching arm, individual posltionable means normally cooperating with the latching arms of said members for holding the latter in close proximity to, but out of the paths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, individual electromagnetic means for selectively positioning the said holding meansand releasing the related members so that the latterengage 'and latch the said other endsl of the relatedjpunch" levers, thereby causing the latched actuated` levers toioperate the connected punchelements,fand cyclically opera- -ble means' for positively-restoring the` positioned holding means to their normal positions forl further cooperation with the said latching arms.

8. Peri'orating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elementsaa plurality of punch levers, one for each Apunch element, each lever having one'end pivotally connected to a related punch element, rotatable meansconstantly engaging the punch levers for-actuating the latter, start-stop control means -for rendering-the said rotatable means operative'ior a cycle of rotation. a plurality oi positionabie latch members, one for each punch lever, individual means for normally latching the said members siny positions in close proximity to, but out vof the paths of, the other ends of the related punch levers, means for selectively operating thefsaid latching means and releasing the related members so that the latter engage and latch the said otherends oi the related punch levers, and common control means actuated by any one of the said released members for influencing the said start-stop control means and rendering the latter operative for a cycle of operation, thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operate the connected punch elements.

9. Perforating apparatus comprising a plurality of punch elements, a plurality ci punch levers, one for each punch element, individual `latching means, one for each lever, means for selectively displacing the latching means` for effecting engagement ofthe latching means and the related vpunch levers for latching the latter, rotatable means constantly engaging the punch leversffor actuating the latter, start-stop control means -for rendering the said rotatable means operative for a cycle ofrotation, and common control means actuated by any one of the displaced latching means for iniiuencing the said startstop control means and-rendering the latter operative for a cycle of operation, thereby causing the latched actuated levers to operatel the connected punch elements.

10. The invention-.set forth in claim"9 wherein the said start-stop means includes electromagnetic control means, and the said common control lmeans includes switching means for controlling the energizationv of the said electromagnetic control means.

1l. Perforating means comprising a punch lever, a punch element rockably engaging one part of .said punchlever and guided -for reciprocation,

actuating means engaging a second part of said punch lever. a spring actuatedr latchnormally .biased toward eilective position to engage a third partof said punch-leverto provide a fulcrum therefor, a detent adapted to hold said latch out of said effective position, and means to` release '80 said detent from said latch.

ALBERT W." MILLS.

EDWARD J. RABENDA.