US2684717A - Card perforating device - Google Patents

Description

Jfy 27, T954 M. o. JONES ET AL CARD PERFORATING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March l0, 1952 ATTORNEY July 27, 1954 M. o. JONES ET AL CARD PERFORATING DEVICE' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March lO, 1952 ATTORNEY July 27, 1954 M. o. .JONES ET AL CARD PERFORATING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March lO, 1952 ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1954 CARD PERFORATING DEVICE Montgomery Osborne Jones and Raymond S. Ruffin, Richmond, Va., assignors to G. Tucker Smith, Coleman Wortham, L. Williams, Richmond, Va.,

Jr., and Fielding trustees Application March 10, 1952, Serial N0. 275,722

14 Claims.

This invention relates to card perforating devices and is an improvement over the device shown in the copending application of Montgomery Osborne Jones filed March 10, 1952, Serial No. 275,721.

Bookkeeping machines have come into general use for various purposes in record keeping, these machines having passed therethrough cards punched at predetermined points in accordance with the data to be recorded. In recent years, cards operable in conjunction with such business machines have been adapted for use in the issuance of money orders by the Post Oce Department. These cards are issued by postal clerks and the amounts of the money orders are written in by hand on the cards. The translating of the handwritten amounts of the money orders into perforations through the cards for the recording of the amounts in business machines has been done manually with the expenditure of substantial time and at appreciable expense.

In the copending application referred to above there is disclosed and claimed a card punching device particularly intended for use in punching Post Oiiice money orders, although the device is not restricted to such use. In the copending application there is disclosed a card supporting body having a traveling structure associated therewith and the traveling structure as a whole moves longitudinally of the body while a punch device carried by the traveling structure is movable thereover transversely of the body. The punch device is thus capable of being positioned with respect to any row or column of indicia on the money order card.

The prior construction is provided with two detent devices, one operable for positioning the punch transversely of the card and the other operable for positioning the traveling structure and hence the punch itself longitudinally of the card to be perforated. These detent devices locate the punch accurately with respect to the indicia on the card and the device is operable in a matter of seconds for properly perforating a money order card' at the time of issuance of the money order, thus eliminating the time and expense involved in translating the written-in amounts to card perforations. The prior device is provided with means operable `upon initial movement of the punch for positively locking the traveling structure against longitudinal movement to insure against any creeping of the punch longitudinally in either direction from each individual point where a perforation is to be made. In the prior structure the traveling structure is moved manually to successive columns and is located with respect to the columns by one of the detent devices referred to.

An important object of the present invention is to provide automatic means for locating the punch at successive steps corresponding to successive columns of indicia, thus eliminating the necessity for advancing the traveling structure manually and exercising care to make certain that the punch is positioned over successive columns without jumping over one or more columns due to forceful movement of the traveling structure.

A further object is to provide such a device wherein the traveling structure is biased for movement in one direction to tend to move it over the columns of indicia and wherein an automatic stepping device operates in conjunction with the traveling structure so that by pulling back on the traveling structure and releasing it after each successive punching operation and before the first punching operation, the punch is forced to stop over successive columns of indicia, thus reducing the care necessary in operating the device and eliminating any possibility that the traveling structure may be pushed two columns instead of one after each punching operation.

A further object is to provide a device of the character just referred to wherein the stepping device is in the form of a wheel movable about its axis step by step upon each retraction of the traveling structure and wherein each step in the operation of the wheel presents a deeper notch therein to cooperate with a finger on the traveling structure whereby the latter is caused automatically to advance one step after a perforation in each indicia column on the card.

A further object is to provide a stepping device of the character referred to which positively limits movement of the traveling structure at each operation thereof, thus making it impossible for the operator to push forwardly on the punch device as the punch is operated, thus insuring the punching of a perforation in the proper indicia column.

A further object is to provide novel means for positively locking the punch against movement laterally -of the card after the punch has been properly located and the punch is operated.

A further object is to provide detent means for positioning the punch transversely of the card wherein such detent means accurately positions the punch but does not require great force to be overcome to move the punch transversely of the card, and to provide locking means in conjunction with the punch device of such nature that when the punch is located over any desirable point on the card, initial operation of the punch actuates the locking means before the perforating action is started, to positively prevent movement of the punch transversely of the card, thus insuring the perforating of the card at the proper point.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description.

In the drawings we have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 .of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View on line 'Jl-tl of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary edge elevation vof a portion of the device showing the longitudinal locking means and one of the biasing springs therefor;

Fig. l is a sectional view on line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a similar view on line 3-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a similar view on line Q-ll of Fig. 2; and

Fig. l is a face view of a reproduction of the indicia rows and columns attached to the device to facilitate locating the punch at the proper points.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral it designates the body of the device, this body preferably being substantially rectangular as shown in Figs. l and 3. Opposite longitudinal edges of the body are provided with upstanding flanges ii extending throughout the greater portion of the length of the body and terminating at a point spaced from the left-hand end thereof as shown in Figs. l and 2. The body is provided intermediate its ends with an opening i?. therethrough, this opening being rectangular and extending substantially throughout the width of the body. The length of the opening i2 longitudinally of the body depends upon the use to which the device is to be put, that is, how many columns of indicia are to be punched on the card, as will become apparent.

A traveling structure indicated as a whole by the numeral if: is mounted to slide bodily longitudinally of the body i@ as described in detail below. The traveling structure comprises a body plate i of substantial width extending entirely across and somewhat beyond the edges of the body iii. The plate i5 just clears the top of the flanges l l as clearly shown, for example, in Fig. 5. The traveling structure further comprises a bottom plate le having at adjacent opposite longitudinal edges thereof upstanding flanges il lying outwardly of and slidable against the ilanges il. The bottom plate i6 is slidable against the bottom of the body it, as will be apparent in Figs. 2 and 8. Above the flanges il, the bottom plate i5 is provided with outstanding flanges i8 to which the plate l5 may be fixed by any suitable oonnecting elements lil, such as screws or rivets. As shown in Fig. l. the flanges it terminate inwardly of the longitudinal extremities of the bottom plate I6 and the latter are provided at the top of the flanges Il with short inturned anges 2li overlying the flanges Il. Thus the traveling structure comprises two main body elements l5 and I6 which are fixed to each other and provide means for longitudinally slidably connecting the traveling structure hl to the body i6.

Within the opening l2 of the body it and in the plane thereof is arranged a plate 22 extending transversely of the body ii) and coextensive in length with the width of the opening i2, as will be clear in Fig. 1. The plate 22 is fixed by rivets or other fastening elements 23 to the bottom plate iii to slide therewith. The forward or lefthand edge of the plate 22, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, is tapered downwardly as at 2t substantially to a knife edge, and this taper or slope is provided to facilitate the insertion of a card in the device as described below. A preferably hard steel die strip 25 is recessed into the plate 22 as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 4. This strip is bra-Zed to the plate 22 as at 2 or otherwise rigidly secured thereto and is provided with a plurality of preferably rectangular die openings 23, these openings corresponding in shape to the perforations commonly used on business machine cards.

The present device is primarily intended for use in perforating postal money orders and one column of indicia on the cards employed for this purpose consists in abbreviations of the months of the year. To this end, twelve die openings 28 are provided, one for each month in the year, as will become more apparent. It also will become apparent that the two die openings 28 furthest from the observer in Fig. l, that is the last two openings to the left in Fig. Li, are for the months or" November and December. The remaining ten openings are for the first ten months in the year and for the numerals 0 to 9 to be perforated on the card.

A punch structure indicated as a whole by the numeral 3l) forms a part of the traveling structure and is slidable relative to the plate i5 transversely of the body ill. rlhe punch structure comprises a plate 3i overlying the plate lli and having a depending ilange 32 overlying the forward or left-hand edge of the plate i5, as shown in Fig. 2. A similar plate 33 lies beneath the plate ie and is also provided with a depending forward flange fixed to the flange 32. The plates 3l and 33 slidably embrace the forward edge of the plate l5. A plate 3d has a horizontal portion overlying the plate i5 and has its forward edge spaced from the rear edge of the plate 3! for a purpose to be described. The plate lili has a downwardly oiset horizontal rear flange 35 fixed to a plate 3% projecting beneath the plate i5. The plates 34 and 36 embrace the rear edge portion of the plate i5 to slidably connect the punch structure as a whole to the plate l5, as will become apparent.

A block til is Xed to the horizontal portions of the plates 3l and 34 and anchors these elements with respect to each other. The block. i9 is provided in its bottom face with a deep groove 4l for a purpose to be described.

Forwardly of the block il is arranged a vertical guide cl2 fixed to the plate 3i and vertically slidably receiving a punch 43 (Figs. 2 and 4), the lower end of the punch being chamfered to facilitate the cutting operation. Obviously the punch i3 will correspond in cross sectional shape and size to the die openings 28,

A nnger piece or button lid is nxed to the upper end of the punch G3 and carries a depending vertical pin 45 slidable in an opening 66 in the block dit. This pin is movable downwardly upon operation of the punch to engage selectively in a plurality of spaced openings 41 formed in the plate I5, these openings corresponding in number and arrangement to the die openings 28. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the plates 3| and 33 are apertured in alignment with the pin 45 to accommodate downward movementI thereof. 'Ihe pin 45 is surrounded by a compresison spring 48 which biases the pin, button 44 and punch 43 upwardly to the normal positions shown. The button 44 is provided with depending side plates 49 and these plates in turn are provided with rearwardly extending portions 50 for a purpose to be described.

The plate I5 is provided with a second series of openings therethrough, as indicated by the numeral 52 (Figs. l and 8). These openings also correspond in number and arrangement to the die openings 28. 'Ihe block 40 is provided with an opening 53 therethrough in the bottom of which is arranged a detent ball 54 urged downwardly by a spring 55 seated at its upper end against a screw 56. The ball 54 is selectively engageable in the openings 52 to position the punch over any row of figures on the card to be punched.

The plate I5 is provided therethrough with an elongated slot 68 extending parallel to the length of the plate I5, as shown in Fig. 7. Beyond the ends of the slot 68 the plate I5 is provided with openings 6I extending therethrough. A relatively thin locking bar 63 is shaped to slide vertically through the slot 58 and openings 6I. The intermediate portion 64 of the lower edge of the bar 63 is coextensive in length with the slot 68 and also is coextensive with the distance between the remote faces of the flanges II. The bar 63 is notched as at E5 adjacent each end to bridge over the gaps between the ends of the slots 6B and the openings 6I, and the bar 63 is provided at its ends with downwardly extending fingers 66 engaging leaf springs 61 (Figs. 6 and 7) to bias the locking bar 53 upwardly. The leaf springs 61 are ilxed to the flanges I8 preferably by one of the screws I9.

The upper edges of the flanges I I are provided with vertical notches 10 spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the columns of indicia on the card to be perforated. The lower edge of the body portion of the bar 63 is engageable in selected notches 10 to positively prevent f longitudinal movement of the traveling structure when a punching operation is to be performed. To effect operation of the locking bar, the flanges 5! of the finger piece 44 normally lie above the bar 53 a distance slightly less than the distance between the lower end of the punch and the card to be perforated and the flanges 5U are engageable with the locking bar upon initial downward movement of the punch to positively lock the carriage against longitudinal movement at each operation of the punch.

A thumb seat 12 is arranged above the plate I5 and is provided with depending side walls 13 xed at their lower ends to the plate 34 as shown in Fig. 8. The thumb seat 12 is provided on three sides with upstanding flanges 14, the seat being open forwardly thereof and the finger piece 44 projecting above the seat as shown in Fig. 2. Thus the operator may exert lateral forces on the side flange 14 and a retracting force on the rear flange 14 to veffect movement of the punch structure, while forward movement of the traveling structure is effected by forward pressure against the finger piece 44. The upper edges of the flanges 50 (Figs. 2 and 7) are engageable beneath the seat 12 to limit upward movement of the nger piece 44 and the elements vertically movable therewith. The seat 12 is provided with an opening 15 therethrough for the insertion of the screw 56.

The device is provided with means to facilitate the insertion and positioning of a card to be perforated. At the rear or right-hand end of the device, as viewed in Fig. 2, a plate 18 is xed to the upper face of the body III and to this plate is connected the rear end of a plate 19 the forward edge of which extends beneath the plate I5 as shown in Fig, 2. When a card is inserted, it is slipped through the space between the lower end of the guide 42 and the die plate 26, and the advancing edge of the card slides beneath the upwardly curved or sloped free end of the plate 19 to be guided thereby into position. The advancing edge of the card is insetred until it contacts with the left-hand edge of the plate 18. This positions the card longitudinally of the device while the side flanges II position the card transversely of the device.

At the left-hand end of the device is arranged a, flap I82 pivoted as at 83 at the left-hand end of the body I0. This flap is provided preferably with a plurality of finger pieces to facilitate its operation. One of these nnger pieces 84 projects inwardly and upwardly centrally of lthe free edge of the flap while opposite ends of the flap are preferably provided with linger pieces 85. This flap is opened for the removal and insertion of a card and is closed when the card is in position to assist in positioning it. The left-hand end of the card reaches to the hinge portion 83 of the flap when the card is inpunching position. Opposite edge portions of the body I0 may be notched as at 86 to facilitate picking up the adjacent end of the card when the flap l82 is opened and Ithe card is to be removed.

In the copending application referred to above, detent means is provided for positioning the punch longitudinally of the card, the detent openings provided for this purpose corresponding in number and arrangement to the columns of indicia on the card. The present device provides means automatically operative upon each retraction and subsequent release of the ltraveling structure for causing the latter to be advanced one column on the card, no spring detent means being employed. The present device is preferably provided with a cover plate 98 arranged beneath ythe body I0 and plate I6 and maintained spaced therefrom by suitable spacers 9|. The plate 90 may -be provided with rubber or similar feet 92 to support the device on the surface "93 of the table o-r desk on which the device is to be used. The means for automatically positioning the traveling structure is arranged between the body I0 and plate 90.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the numeral 95 designates va wheel arranged beneath the plate I5 in contact therewith and rotatably connected thereto by a screw pin 96. The forward or lefthand edge of the plate I6 is provided with a small bracket 91 carrying -a projecting resilient arm 93 to the free end of which is connected a pawl 99 for a purpose to be described.

The wheel is provided with a plurality of sets yof radial slots, each set having a number of slots corresponding lto the number of indicia columns on the card to be punched. In the case of a postal money order of the type in present use, there are six columns to be punched, as further described below, one columnof indicia relating to the months of the year and the other five to the numerals from which the amount of the money order is to be punched. Each group of radial notches in the wheel 85 thus consists of six radial notches correspondng to the columns on the card and numbered respectively IIJIl to m inclusive. These slots progress in depth to an extent equal to the distance between the columns of indicia on the card, as will become apparent.

A bracket It is fixed against the bott-om of the plate I6. This bracket projects beyond the left-hand end of this plate `and has fixed to the top thereof an elongated finger lili! which may be welded or brazed to the bracket. This fingei` is radially arranged relative to the wheel 95 and preferably slides in a slot I III formed in the body A tension spring is arranged adjacent each longitudinal edge of the body I0 between such body land the plate 9D, each spring being indicated by the numeral III. One end of each spring is connected as at H2 to the bottom of the body Iii and is connected at its other end as at H3 lto the bottom of the plate IE near the left-hand end thereof. These springs bias the plate I6 and hence the entire traveling structure toward the left in Fig. 2. Such movement is limited .by engagement of the linger m9 in one of the notches of the wheel 95. Before each operation, the traveling structure is retracted to the limit defined by engagement of the rightliand edge of the plate 22 (Fig. 2) with the righthand limit of the opening I2. At each such retraction, the detent 99 engages one of the radial i slots of the wheel .t5 approximately at the point shown in Fig. 3, regardless of the 4position from which the retraeting movement has been started, and the remaining retracting movement rotates the wheel $5 to bring the next longer slot of the wheel 95 into alignment with the finger HIS.

A small plate II4 is secured against the bottom of the body ii] and has xed thereto one end of a leaf spring H5 the free end of which is engageable in successive slots of the wheel 95 to tend to hold it against movement.

To facilitate the opera-tion of the device a card l it (Fig. is iixed to the top face o1 the plate 'i9 (Fig. 2) and bears indicia corresponding to that on the card. If desired, this indicia may be stamped on the upper face of the plate 'I9 and suitably colored by enamel or the like to render it highly visible. The plate 3E has a central portion projected rearwardly substantially beyond the plate and such projecting por-tion of the plate 3S is provided with an opening i I1 through which the indicia may be read.

As previously stated, postal money orders bear six columns and the first of these columns, reproduced in Fig. 10 and indicated by the numeral IES, will be abbreviations of the months of the year. The next live columns, indicated lby the numerals Ilt to 23 inclusive, successively represent the numerals of the cents, tens, dollars, tens of dollars, and hundreds to be punched to indicate the amount of a money order. It will become apparent that inasmuch as mon-ey orders are now issued for maximum amounts of $199, only 0 and 1 appear in the column 123. It also will be apparent lthat the numeral columns terminate two steps short of the month column since there are a maximum of ten numerals in the number columns.

During the first ten months of each year 'there will be no occasion .for punching the months oi November and December and means may be provided for blocking out the eleventh and twelfth openings so that in the punching of the number columns, a positive stop is provided at the tenth row. To this end, the lange I8 remote from the observer in Fig. 1 is provided with a block It secured thereto and to this block is pivoted a finger I having a small stub or finger piece lit projecting upwardly from the free end thereof. The finger l'l will occupy the position shown in Fig. l during the first ten months of the year and the free end of the nnger l2? will provide a stop engageabie with the adjacent edge of the plate BI when the punch structure is moved transversely away from the observer in Fig. 1.

Operation Assuming that a patron calls at a Post Office to secure a money order, for example in the amount of $49.25, the clerk will make out the money order in the usual manner, filling out the amount of the money order in ink in the space provided for this purpose. Having otherwise completed the money order the clerk will then insert the card in the present device for the punching of the amount in the columns and rows printed on the card. The flap 82 will be swung open and the card inserted into the device in the manner previously stated. The sloping surface 25 will guide the card over plate 22 without catching on the edge thereof and the advancing edge of the card will loe guided to its Afinal position by the plate is. When the card is fully inserted the iiap will be closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Assuming that the traveling structure would have been retracted and released in perforating the previous card, the finger Iiii will be arranged as shown 3 in one of the shallowest slots itil. it will be retained in such position by the springs i l l. Assuming that the money order is being issued in the month of February, the punch structure will be moved transversely of the card until FE appears in the opening lll (Figs. 1 and 2). The clerk will then press the finger piece ill downwardly and the punch t3 will move through the card and through the corresponding die opening 23 to properly punch the month column on the card. The clerk will then retract the punch mechanism by rearward pressure on the rear iiange iii of the thumb seat *i2 until the limit or" movement or" the traveling structure is reached. The clerk will then release the traveling structure. During the movement ci the traveling structure in the retraction thereof from the position of the plate 22 in Fig. 2 to the limit of retracted movement, the detent til will have rotated the wheel one step in a clockwise direction to bring the slot lill of the set now in use into alignment with the nger iS. Upon the releasing of the traveling structure, the springs ill will then urge the traveling structure forwardly until the iinger H39 engages r the bottom of the slot it! in engagement therewith. The punch il will new be aligned with the cents column. Assuming that the money order is for $49.25, the clerk will now move the punch structure transversely of the card until 5 appears in the opening lll, whereupon he vi punch the cents column. At this time, the detent 29 (Fig. 3) will be arranged one step to the left of its position shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, upon the next retractionY of the traveling structure, the -detent 99 will move a distance approxi- 'mately equal to the distance between two adwhich will rotate the wheel 95 clockwise. The

escapement of the p awl 99 when the traveling structure moves forwardly or to the left and its snapping into position in one of the notches as shown in Fig. 3, upon each retracting movement, will be facilitated by the spring H5 which tends to prevent rotation of the wheel 05.

The operations referred to are repeated until the entire amount has been punched. After the 5 has been punched, the carriage will be retracted and released, whereupon the punch will be moved to position over the numeral 2 of the tens column, the punch operated, and the traveling structure retracted and released. This brings the next adjacent Wheel notch |02 into position whereupon the numeral 9 may be punched, followed by the retraction and releasing of the traveling structure and then the punching of the numeral 4.

In this connection it may be pointed out that a perforation mustA appear in each one of the six columns in order for the money order to be valid. The reason for this is that if nothing is punched in the hundreds column for the amount of the money order referred to, namely $49.25, an unscrupulous person might some way perforate the l numeral in the hundred column, thus raising the amount of the money order to $149.25. For the desired amount of the money order as referred to above, therefore, the operator after punching the 4 will again retract and release the traveling structure and move the punch to a position over the 0 in the hundreds column and perforate the card at that point. Assuming that the desired amount of the money order contains only three digits, for example $9.25, the operator after punching these three digits in the proper columns will then proceed to punch the in each of the tens and hundreds columns. Thus it will -be impossible to raise the amount of the money order and in making out each money order sixV columns will be punched, thus making it practicable to use notches in the wheel 95 for each of the six columns on the card or any other number of columns. The hundreds column, of course, Will be punched with the nger |09 in one of the slots |05 and the next operation will bring up the next successive short slot |00 into alignment with thefinger |09.

After completing a card, the operator may retract and release the traveling structure to position the parts for the starting of the next punching operation so far as the' month column is concerned, or he may wait to do this until he is ready to punch the next card. In subsequent operation it merely is necessary for the operator to exercise care to make sure that the opening H1 exposes a month column. If it does, the next operation may be started. If the device has not been previously reset, the finger |09 will be in one of the slots |05 and it merely Will be necessary for the operator to retract and .release the traveling structure to prepare the device for the punching of the next card.

vAs previously stated, initial depression of the finger piece 44 causes the flanges 50 to engage the locking bar 63 to cause the lower edge thereof to engage one or both of the notches 10 with which it is aligned. Assuming that the punch is near the right-hand side of the device as viewed in Fig. 4, operation of the punch will depress only the right-hand end of the locking bar 63. If the punch is near the left-hand end of the bar 63, only such end will be moved downwardly into engagement with an adjacent notch l0. With the punch adjacent the central portion of the device, both ends of the bar 63 will be moved downwardly. It will be obvious'that only one end of the locking bar need operate t0 positively lock the traveling structure with the punch in alignment with any column of indicia. It further will be apparent that the engagement of the finger |39 in one of the notches of the wheel positively prevents accidental movement of the traveling structure toward the left in Figs. 2 and 3 butvdoes not lock such structure against movement in the opposite direction. The locking bar t3 performs this function and if the locking portions of such bar are not in alignment with a pair of notches l0, the punch cannot be pushed downwardly a sufficient distance to perforate the card.

s The seat 'i2 is engageable by the operators thumb for the exertion of force to move the punch structure transversely of the card and to move vthe traveling structure as a whole longitudinally of the card. The side flanges lll facilitate the transverse movement and the rear iiange lll facilitates the retracting movement. It is not necessary to push forwardly on the finger piece tzt in view of the use of the springs l which bias the advancing movement of the traveling structure. The operator will shift his thumb from the thumb seat l2 to the finger piece Lili to operate the punch and in rapidly performing the punching operation after he shifts his thumb the operator may exert some degree of longitudinal or transverse force on the finger piece 40 which would tend to move the punch out of alignment with the desired die opening 28. The notches of the wheel 95 and the locking bar 63 prevent such undesirable operation so far as concerns movement of the traveling structure longitudinally of the card. The same function is performed transversely of the card by the pin 45. This pin will engage at its lower` end one of the openings il (Fig. 5) before the punch engages the card, and if there has been any misalignment transversely of the card, the pin 5 cannot enter any opening 41 and accordinglyl the punching operation cannot be performed. vThus the present device functions to perforate the card with extreme accuracy at every desired point, thus permitting the userof the cards in automatic business machines. In the case of postal money orders, therefore, it is unnecessary to perform any work in translating written figures into perforations since thev present machine permits the perforating operations to be performed in a matter of seconds on each money order, `when issued.

We claim:

l. A punch device comprising a body for supporting a card to be punched, a traveling structure slidably supported by said body for linear movement therealong, said traveling structure comprising a punch element vertically movable downwardly to perforate the card and there being die means beneaththe card through which the punch is operable, means carried by said body for limiting movement of said traveling structure in one direction of its linear movement, and means operable-by successive back .and forth movements of said traveling structure in said linear movement thereof for causing said movement limiting means to stop movement of said traveling structure at successively different points to position said punching element over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

2. A card punching device comprising a body, a traveling structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement relative thereto, a punch element vertically movable relative to said traveling structure, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by said body, and means for moving said member to present successively different portions thereof to engagement with a portion of said traveling structure to limit linear movement of said traveling structure in one direction with said punch element arranged over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

3. A card punching device comprising a body adapted to support a card thereon, a traveling structure connected to said body for linear sliding movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said traveling structure and vertically movable downwardly through the card, there being a die arranged beneath the card, a finger carried by said traveling structure and projecting therefrom in one direction of said linear movement, and a movement limiting member movably connected to said body and provided with a plurality of notches adapted successively to be brought into alignment with said finger upon movement of said member to limit movement of said traveling structure at successively different points with said punching element arranged over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

4. A card punching device comprising a body adapted to support a card thereon, a traveling structure connected to said body for linear sliding movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said traveling structure and vertically movable downwardly through the card, there being a die arranged beneath the card, a finger carried by said traveling structure and projecting therefrom in one direction of said linear movement, a movement limiting member movably connected to said body and provided with a plurality of notches adapted successively to be brought into alignment with said finger upon movement of said member to limit movement of said traveling structure at successively different points with said punching element arranged over successively diierent columns of indicia on the card, and means connected between said traveling structure and said movable member to move the latter upon successive movements of said traveling structure in one direction of its linear movement to bring successive notches of said movable member into alignment with said finger.

5. A card punching device comprising a body adapted to support a card thereon, a traveling structure connected to said body for linear sliding movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said traveling structure and vertically movable downwardly through the card, there being a die arranged beneath the card, a linger carried by said traveling structure and projecting therefrom in one direction of said linear movement, a wheel rotatably connected to said body and provided with a plurality of notches of progressively increasing depths, successive notches being movable into alignment with said finger to receive the latter and limit movement of said traveling structure at successively different points with said punch elements arranged over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

6. A card punching device comprising a body adapted to support a card thereon, a traveling structure connected to said body for linear sliding movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said traveling structure and `vertically movable downwardly through the card, there being a die arranged beneath the card, a linger carried by said traveling structure and projecting therefrom in one direction of said linear movement, a wheel rotatably connected to said body and provided with a plurality of notches of progressively increasing depths, successive notches being movable into alignment with said finger to receive the latter and limit movement of said traveling structure at successively diiferent points with said punch elements arranged. over successively different columns of indicia on the card, and mechanical means connected between said traveling structure and said wheel to advance the latter one step upon each successive movement of said traveling structure in one direction in its linear movement to bring successive notches of said wheel into alignment with said nger.

7. A card punching device comprising an elongated rectangular body, a traveling structure slidably supported by said body for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto, a punch element carried by said traveling structure and normally arranged above said body and movable downwardly to perforate a card thereon, a die carried by said traveling structure and through which said punching element moves upon perforating the card, means limiting movement of said traveling structure in one direction longitudinally of said body, means biasing said traveling structure for movement in the opposite direction, movable means for limiting movement of said traveling structure in said opposite direction, and means mechanically connected between said traveling structure and said movable member to move the latter upon each movement of said traveling structure to its limit in said one direction to f' present different portions of said movable member to said traveling structure in movement thereof in said other direction to limit such movement at successively different points with said punching element arranged over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

8. A card punching device comprising an elongated rectangular body, a traveling structure slidably supported by said body for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto, a punch f element carried by said traveling structure and normally arranged above said body and movable downwardly to perforate a card thereon, a die carried by said traveling structure and through which said punching element moves upon perforating the card, means limiting movement oi said traveling structure in one direction longitudinally of said body, means biasing said traveling structure for movement in the opposite direction, a finger carried by said traveling structure and projecting therefrom in said opposite direction, a whee1 rotatably connected to said body and having a plurality of notches of progressively greater depths movable into alignment with said nger to limit movement of said traveling structure at different points in said opposite direction to position said punching element over progressively different columns of indicia on the card, and mechanical means connected between said traveling structure and said wheel to rotate the latter for moving progressively deeper notches into alignment with said finger upon successive longitudinal movements of said traveling structure.

9. A card punching device comprising an elongated rectangular iiat body over which a card is adapted to be arranged, a traveling structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement longitudinally thereof, said traveling structure comprising a transverse body plate above said body and a punch structure movable along said plate transversely of said body, said punch structure having a vertically movable punch element, a die plate forming a part of said traveling structure and provided with a line of die openings extending transversely of said body and over which said punching element is adapted selectively to be arranged upon movement of said punch structure along said plate, means for limiting movement of said traveling structure in one direction longitudinally of said body at a fixed predetermined point, and means for positively limiting movement of said traveling structure in the opposite direction selectively at a pluralityT of points to position said punching element selectively over rows of indicia on the card.

10. A card punching device comprising an elongated rectangular flat body over which a card is adapted to be arranged, a traveling structure slidably connected to said body for linear movement longitudinally thereof, said traveling structure comprising a transverse body plate above said body and a punch structure movable along said plate transversely of said body, said punch structure having a vertically movable punch element, a die plate forming a part of said traveling structure and provided with a line of die openings extending transversely of said body and over which said punching element is adapted selectively to be arranged upon movement of said punch structure along said plate, means for limiting movement of said traveling structure in one direction longitudinally of said body at a fixed predetermined point, means biasing said traveling structure for movement in the opposite direction longitudinally of said body, and movable means forming a plurality of positive stops for limiting movement of said traveling structure at successively different points in its movement in said opposite direction to position said punching element over successively dierent columns of indicia on the card.

1l. A device constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the means for limiting movement of said traveling structure in said opposite direction comprises a wheel rotatably supported by said body therebeneath and provided with a plurality of spaced notches projecting inwardly from the periphery of the wheel, and a finger carried by said traveling structure and engageable in successive notches, said notches successively increasing in depth to stop movement of said traveling structure in said opposite direction at progressively further points.

12. A device constructed in accordance with claim 9 wherein the means for limiting movement of said traveling structure in said opposite direction comprises a wheel rotatably supported by said body therebeneath and provided with a plurality of spaced notches projecting inwardly from the periphery of the Wheel, a iin-ger carried by said traveling structure and engageable in successive notches, said notches successively increasing in depth to stop movement of said traveling structure in said opposite direction at progressively further points, and means carried by said traveling structure and operative in one longitudinal direction of movement thereof for engaging said wheel to advance it and move the next successive notch into alignment with said nger.

13. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body, said body and said structure constituting a pair of relatively linearly movable units, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by one of said units, and means for moving said member to present successively different portions thereof to engagement with a portion oi the other unit to limit said linear movement in one direction with said punch element arranged over successively diierent columns of indicia on the card.

14. A card punching device comprising a body, a structure slidably connected to said body, said body and said structure constituting a pair of relatively linearly movable units, a punch element carried by said structure and mounted for vertical movement, there being a die beneath said punch element and over which a card is adapted to be arranged to be perforated upon downward movement of said punch element, a movable member carried by one of said units, the other unit having a portion engageable 4with said movable member upon movement of said other unit in one direction relative to said one unit, and means carried by said other unit and engaging said movable member upon successive movements of said other unit linearly in the other direction relative to said one unit to present successively diiiferent portions of said movable member to engagement with said portion of said other unit to limit relative linear movement of said other unit in said one direction With said punch element arranged over successively different columns of indicia on the card.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 912,142 Livermore Feb. 9, 1909 1,203,262 Powers Oct. 31, 1916 1,742,216 Rauber Jan. '7, 1930 1,904,719 Beaumarchais Apr. 18, 1933 2,580,756 Furman Jan. 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 573,100 Great Britain Nov. 6, 1945

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