US3051377A - Perforator - Google Patents

Description

Allg- 28, 1962 w. F. BRADBURY 3,051,377

PERFORATOR Filed July l1, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

' WILBUQN F. BRADBURY Aug. 28, 1962 w. F. BRADBURY PERFORATOR INVENTOR. WILBURN F. BRADBUEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1958 Aug. 28, 1962 w. F. BRADBURY 3,051,377

PERFORATOR Filed July 1l, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'vif CYCLE@ CYCLETZ i START oSTOP START u o c n OTOP 0 40 20 5o 4o 5o 60 o |o 2o 3o 4o 5o eo CODE MAGNETS ENERCIZED START PULSE //PUNCH|\1G\ PUNCH CAM AND vwTHDiAwlNo;

TRIP Y TAPE FEED A A TRlP CAM T /\Ap QEED FEED PAWL INVENTOR.

o 7 l BYWILBURN F. BRADBURY 1J E9 MMA/@ W. F. BRADBURY Aug. 28, 1962 PERFORATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 11, 1958 7i kfw j Ill 64 6? 70 AI; 45

S/G/VAL LINE SELECTOR. MECHA N/SM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,051,377 PERFORATOR Wilburn F. Bradbury, Northbrook, Ill., assignor to Smith- Corona Marchant Inc., a corporation of New York Filed July 11, 1958, Ser. No. 748,019 28 Claims. (Cl. 234-115) This invention relates to a high speed perforator adapted to punch, on tape or other media, coded data from high speed systems such as business machines, calculators, computers and telegraphic systems.

Many reperforators in use today frequently employ `highly complicated cam elements and involved linkages which place mechanical limitations on operation speed and also pose difiicult machining problems with consequent higher manufacturing costs. For some time, in an elfort to attain much higher operating speeds, interested segments of industry have been seeking a simpliied code punching mechanism which is dependable at very high speeds and is capable of being produced at reduced manufacturing costs.

The use of electro-magnets in punching mechanisms is well-known, however the combination structural and functional association of electro-magnets and punching mechanisms as they are used in this invention has not been previously known. Prior art reperforators normally use a series of punches and a punch selecting mechanism utilizing a punch operating device, interponent levers selectively interposed in some manner between the operating `device and the selected punches, selecting levers for operating the interponent levers, an armature to control 'the positioning of selecting levers, an electro-magnet for moving the armature in accord with electric code impulses, and associated cams. Generally the code impulses received at the perforator are in sequential order within groups and require seriatim operation of a multiplicity of mechanical components, Various ingenious mechanisms have been devised to reduce the number of and extent of movement of mechanical components to result in higher speeds of operation but, even so, a practical opi-1 erational speed limit exists when a series of mechanical operations is required for each punch and such mechanical operation is initiated sequentially.

In the present invention, a series of punch levers are mechanically retained, against a biasing force, in a punch actuating position at the start of reception of a code signal combination. A corresponding series of electromagnets are arranged so each magnet utilizes an associated punch lever as its armature. Selected electromagnets, when energized by electric impulses in a simultaneous code signal combination, magnetically retain selected associated punch levers in a punch actuating position, and non-selected electro-magnets, which are not energized due -to absence of electric impulses, do not magnetically retain associated punch levers. At this point the mechanical retaining force is removed and the unselected punch levers are biased away from their punch actuating position and the selected levers are shifted to actuate punches. A lesser amount of current is needed to energize the selector magnets to hold the pre-positioned punch levers in punching position than would be required to attract and move the punch levers into punching position. The use of the armature as a punch lever is an important aid in the development of desired higher operating speeds, with simpliiied operating components.

Accordingly a principal object of this invention resides in the provision of a multiple punch code perfo-rating apparatus capable of very high operating speeds.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a high speed punching apparatus having a plurality of selector magnets which when energized by coded signals, permit a plurality of punch levers previously cammed ICC to a proper punching position adjacent the pole faces of the magnets, Ito be magnetically retained in such position at least through the initial portion of the punching cycle.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a high speed punching apparatus with a plurality of similar shaped punch levers mounted on an angular axis on -a common punch arm. This angular mounting and a iinger and slot `lost motion link between punch levers and punches, assures that no two punches initiate actu-al punching at the same instant, thus requiring less power Ito perform a multiple code holle punching operation.

A further object in conjunction with the preceding object resides in the provision that all punches (excluding the feed punch) can be made identical, to permit ease of interchangeabili-ty and lower production and maintenance costs.

A still further object resides in the provision, in a reperforator, of pre-set combination punch lever and magnet armatures mounted for pivotable and slidable movements enabling retention of selected punch levers by selected electro-magnets and sliding punching action while being magnetically retained. In conjunction with this object, i-t is also an object to mechanically maintain selected levers in selected punching and/ or non-punching positions after an operating cycle is initiated even in the event of electric impulse signals of short duration to the electro-magnets.

Still another object resides in the provision of simultaneously selected and operated code punch actuating levers with a punch arm actuated by a multi-lobe captive cam operated to enable a multiplicity of punching operations during one rotation of a function shaft to enable super high speed perforator operation without the need of high speed 'shaft bearings and associated shaft components.

A further object resides in providing a high speed coded tape punching -apparatus with automatic mechanism for back-spacing the tape, adapted for operation by a key in standard keyboard transmitter operation.

These and additional objects will become more fully apparent from the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary perspective of a punching mechanism in accord with the principles of this invention, illustrating only three of the exemplary eight sets of electro-magnets, punch levers and punches-fthe remaining sets, various bearings and iixed support structure being omitted to enable clarity of disclosure; e

FIGURE 2 represents a front elevation of the punch levers, punches and closely associated members showing them in the rese position of a punching cycle prior to receipt of an incoming signal;

FIGURE 3 represents a front elevation of the punch levers, punches and closely associated members showing them in a position instantly after a code Igroup signal has been received, with selected punch levers held in punching position by their respective energized electro-magnets and with non-selected punch levers, not retained because their respective selector magnets are not energized, pulled out of their reset punchingposition by biasing springs;

FIGURE 4 represents a front elevation of the punch levers, punches and closely associated members showing them in a punching position, approximately midway of a punching cycle;

FIGURE 5 represents a side elevation of punch levers, punches, and their respective selector magnets illustrating the alternate relative positioning of the magnets;

FIGURE 6 is a detail view illustrating the punch arm, the feed hole punch lever and punch;

e FIGURE 7 is a timin'g chart showing two cycles of operation;

FIGURE 8 is a section taken on line 8 8 of FIG- URE and illustrate the horizontal disposition of the punch lever electro-magnets;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged detail view showing one selector magnet and a portion of its associated punch selector lever; and

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic representation of the connections from a selector mechanism to a signal line and to the start and selector magnets of the reperforator.

In the exemplary mechanism herein described, there are shown eight code punch levers, eight punches, one feed punch lever and a feed punch. All of the punch levers are mounted on a single inclined axis and each code punch lever has an individual selector electro-magnet. More or less sets of punch lever, punch and associated electro-magnet can be utilized as desired.

When the selected selector magnets are energized the selected punch levers are held in a pre-set punching position by magnetic attraction of the selector magnets while the unselected punch levers are permitted to be pulled out of punching position by springs attached to the upper arms of the punch levers. Simultaneously, or an instant later, a start magnet is energized, tripping the function control mechanism and clutching a powered main shaft to a rotatable sleeve and causing such sleeve and all function components mounted on the shaft to commence rotating. One of these components is a captive cam which, through operating levers, releases a pre-set control of the punch levers, actuates the selected punches to perforate the tape, withdraws them to complete the punching cycle and resets all punching levers. Operating from the periphery of the captive cam is a follower which actuates a release linkage to trip a friction clutch mechanism on the main shaft. The friction clutch in turn, through a cam and lever arrangement, operates the tape feed mechanism. Back spacing of the tape is performed by a solenoid which is pulsed from a transmitter when corrections become necessary.

Referring now to FIGURE l, a tape reperforator 10 isl illustrated, as an exemplary embodiment of this invention, with various elements such as drive motor, fixed support structure and shaft bearings not shown.

Reperforator 10` is to be used with a plurality of electric circuits which provide paths for a simultaneous, coded electric signal combination. To this end a selector mechanism of a suitable type, shown in block diagram in FIGURE 10 can be used to receive a sequential coded signal combination, transform it to a code combination of simultaneous signals and send such simultaneous signal combinations to reperforator 10. l The selector mechanism imparts a start impulse either Simultaneously with the sending of the code impulse or after a very slight delay. Various electro- magnets 12 and 134 in the reperforator 10 are energized by the signals to initiate and control reperforator action.

Included in the reperforator structure are a plurality of punch selecting electro-magnets 12 (see FIGURE 9), each of which includes a U-shaped flat bridge 14 of magnetically conductive material. One arm 16 of bridge 14 serves as the magnet core and carries a winding coil 18 which is relatively flat in vertical cross section, FIGURE 1. Each of the flat bridges 14 is arranged in vertical disposition with Iboth arms projected sideways and the core pole face 20 and `bridge pole face 22 positioned one above the other in substantially the same vertical plane.

As illustrated in FIGURES l, 5 and 8 the flat nature of the electro-magnet coils 18 and bridges 14 enables a group of such electro-magnets 12 to be placed in closely spaced side by side relationship with all pole faces 20 and 22 disposedv in the same plane. Sleeve spacers 24 and supporting studs 26 with nuts 28, all made of non-magnetic material secure a group (in the disclosed embodiment, four) of electro-magnets 12 in fixed side by side disposition on the frame structure 29 (FIGURE 8) of the reperforator. A second similar group (in the disclosed embodiment,

four) of electro-magnets 12 is fixed to the frame structure 29 in opposed and staggered relationship to the first group, enabling eilght selector electro-magnets 12 to control the operating disposition of eight parallel vertically disposed punch selecting and operation levers 30.

Each punch lever 30 is made of flat magnetically conductive material, essentially the same thickness as that of the electro-magnet bridges 14, and is disposed invertical co-planar relationship immediately in front of the core and bridge pole faces 20 -and 22 of an associated electro-magnet l2. These punch levers 30 constitute the armatures of the associated selector magnets 12 and all levers 30 are pivotally supported on la common pivot pin 32 carried by a punch arm 34. I'f desired, to prevent sticking of armature punch levers 30 to the magnet pole vfaces 20 and 22 and to reduce friction between the levers 30 and pole faces 20 and 212, a thin spot 35 ('FlG- ULRE 9) or strip of low friction material, such as the high polymer plastics, can be affixed to an edge of one of the pole faces. The pivot pin 32 has a slight inclination in a vertical plane, for a purpose to be later described, and is aligned with and above the open space between the pole faces of the oppositely directed sets of a1- ternate electro-magnets 12. Thus the punch levers 30 depend from their pivotal mount and can be moved toward and away from the associated magnet pole faces.

All punch levers 30 are identical but alternate ones are reversed in position to correspond with alternate oppositely positioned electro-magnets 12. Accordingly, a detail description of one punch selecting lever will sui'lice for this description. Each punch selecting lever 30 has an upper arm 36, extending vertically above the pivot pin 32 and terminating in an inclined camming edge 38. The inclination is disposed so a downwardly directed force on edge 38 will produce a camming action to pivot the lower portion of the =1ever 3i) toward the pole faces 20 and 22 of its :associated electro-magnet 12. A coil spring 40, anchored between the upper lever arm 36 and a fixed spring post 42, exerts a biasing force tending to move the lever 30 away from its associated electro-magnet 12.

Levers 30 constitute an aligned series of punch operating members disposed immediately above a series of punches 46 which are vertically, slidably carried by a punch guide 48 above a die plate 5G. A tape 52 passes between the guide 48 and die plate 5() and is stepped past the punching station by pins 54 in a tape feed roller 56 operated by mechanism to be hereinafter described.

The lower end of each lever 30 is formed with an Offset depending vleg portion 6i) terminating in `a vertical wedge shaped end 62 and a lateral finger 64 projected under the main portion of the lever 30 essentially the full width of the lever. The offset of leg portion 64) provides a punch operating lateral abutment surface 66 (punch hammer) spaced above the lateral finger 64. A

Y recess `68 is formed in the side edge of lever 30l adjacent the abutment surface 66 and opposite the offset leg 60 whereby the lateral finger 64 extends a greater lateral distance than does the abutment surface 66, for a purpose which will become apparent as this description proceeds.

In the side of the shank of each punch 46, adjacent the shank end, is a fiat based recess 70 which has a length substantially equal to or slightly in excess of the length of stroke of the punch 46. Recess 70` terminates in upper and lower shoulders 72 and 74 and the lower lateral linger 64 of an associated punch lever 30 fits, into the punch recess under the upper shoulder 72. Viewing FIGURES 2 and 9, wherever a punch lever 30 is pivoted to a punch operating position, solid lines in FIGURE 9, the lever abutment surface 66 is positioned immediately above the end 76 of the shank of an associated punch 46.

Disposed a slight distance below each group of punch levers 30 and parallel to the punches 46 are wedge edged punch lever guide blades 80 secured by suitable means such as screws to the sides of the punch guide block 48. The pointed end 62 of the punch lever 30, upon down` ward movement of the lever, will pass on one or the other side of its associated guide blade 80 to retain the lever in an appropriate path during the downward stroke aS will now be described.

If a lever 30 is retained by an energized magnet 12 in a punch operation position as it is shifted downward in a vertical path, the lever serves as a punch operating hammer when its abutment surface 66 engages the punch shank end 76 and forces the punch 46 through the tape into die -plate 50. When lever 30 moves downward in a punch operating position, the pointed end l62 moves inside of the guide lblade 80, as shown by the lever 30 nearest the viewer in FIGURE 4, and the lever is retained in a punch operating path for the remaining porltion of the punching stroke and a similar portion of the punch withdrawing stroke. Note, that when the punch lever 30 starts its upward movement, its lower end lateral linger 64 will move into engagement with the upper shoulder 72 of the punch shank recess 70 and positively withdraw the punch 46 from die plate '50.

If a lever 30 is not retained in a punch operating p0- sition as it is shifted downward in a vertical path (see phantom lines in FIGURE 9 and the lever farthest `from the viewer in FIGURE 3) the biasing spring 40 will cause lever 30 to pivot so its lower offset leg 60 engages the edge of a guide and position limit linger 82 extending forward from a bracket 84 secured by screws to the punch guide block. When the lower end of lever 30 is in its limit position against -guide finger 82 the recessed portion 68 of lever 30 is immediately above the punch shank end 76 and during a downward shifting movement of lever 30 the abutment surface 66 will pass to one side of the punch shank 76 and the punch 46 will not be operated. In the non-operating position of lever 30, the lower end lateral finger -64 is still disposed within the shank recess 70 of its associated punch 46 however, as before described, -the recess 70 is of sufficient length to permit a full cycle of punch lever shifting movement without moving the punch. Although the primary puI- pose of the knife edge guide 80 is to keep the `selected levers in a selected position after a punch cycle has starb ed it will also cooperate with a non-selected lever 30 aS it moves downward in a non-operating position, the lower pointed end 62 then passing to the outer side of the knife edge guide 80. Note however that the biasing spring 40 holds the lever in its non-operating position 'during the major portion of the operating cycle.

A feed punch lever 86 is also pivotally hung on the lever pin 32 .for use in punching ya feed hole 87 in the tape during each cycle of punch lever operation. Feed punch lever 86 is always disposed in a punch operating position, it has no upper arm as do levers 30, is not spring biased in the manner of levers 30, and always depends from the lever pin `32 with its lpunch abutment portion immediately above the feed punch 88. Its lower end is shaped like and cooperates with the feed punch shank in punching and withdrawing in the same manner as described for `the lower ends of levers 30.

As was described hereinbefore, the 'axis of lever pin 32 is inclined essentially in the vertical plane and thus the vertical `disposition of each of levers '30 and 86 is different. Because all punch levers are of similar shape and :are simultaneously shifted clown yand up by a swinging movement of the punch Iarm 34 during a cycle of punching operation, only one punch will initially eng-age and start to perforate the tape at va given instant in the downward portion of `the shift cycle, so there is sequential perforar-ting within each code group thus placing less strain on the punch arm 34 and related mechanism and requiring less power than if `all of the punches were made to perforate simultaneously. All of punches 46 can be made identical and (with the exception of feed punch 88) are, therefore, interchangeable.

POWER COMPONENTS Referring now to FIGURE l, power is derived -from a main shaft driven by any suitable source, such as an electric motor not shown. During operation of the reperforator 10, main shaft 100 is continuously rotating.

lournalled on the main shaft 100 is a sleeve shaft 1012 which is coupled to the main shaft 100 by a positive clutch `104. The clutch can be similar to the positive function clutch in the printer component of copending application Serial No. 547,265 filed November 16, 1955. Sleeve shaft |102 carries captive punch cam 106 (closed track cam) rigidly secured to rotate therewith. The U-shaped punch yarm 34 is non-rotatably fixed on a support shaft 108 which is pivotably supported in the machine frame. One end tof la punch arm operating lever 110 is xed to support shaft 108 and the other end carries la cam follower 112 which is disposed in the captive cam track 114. The captive 0am 106 has -six `equal rises around lthe peripheral extent of track 114 so for each one .sixth of `a revolution of sleeve shaft 102 the punch arm cam follower will oscillate the lever 110, support shaft '108, punch arm 34 `and punch levers 30 and S6 through 'an operating cycle.

Positive clutch 104 is controlled by a stop plate 116 which rotates with the sleeve shaft portion of clutch 104 and whenever the .stop plate is blocked against rotation, the positive clutch mechanism is released and sleeve shaft 102 is maintained in a stationary condition. Equally spaced around the outer periphery of the clutch stop plate are six stop lugs 11-8 which, in rotation, can abut a stop `arm of la pivotally mounted start-stop lever 122. Start-stop lever 122 is pivoted on machine frame structure .and has three arms, the aforedescribed stop platte abutment arm 120, a lever cocking arm 124 Iand a latching arm 126. When lever 122 is in a stop position its stop arm 120 is disposed in the path of rotation of stop plate lugs 118, one of which will abut the end of stop arm 120 and tend to force the lever 122 in a. clockwise movement (FIGURE l).

However, the lever latching arm 126 of the start-stop lever 122 extends over and rests on the edge of an armature plate 128 which prevents clockwise pivotal movement of lever 122, and thus maintains the lever stop `arm 120 in its stop plate blocking position. Armature platte 128 is biased by a spring 130 to its lever blocking position. Associated with the armature pla-te '1128 is a start electro-magnet 134 which, when energized, will magnetically attract and pull the armature plate 128, against its spring biasing force, out from under the latching arm 126 of the start-stop lever. This action releases blocking of the start-stop lever 122, permitting it to pivot clockwise and release the clutch stop plate 116 which in turn positively clutches sleeve shaft 102 to the rotating :shaft 100.

When the :sleeve shaft 102 rotates, as before described, it will oscillate the punch levers 30 and 86 through a punching cycle. During this rotation a restoring earn 136 with six lobes 138 on its periphery, also non-rotatably -fixed on the sleeve shaft, rotates with sleeve shaft 102. Just before the punching cycle is completed, 4one of the restoring 'cam lobes 138 engages the cocking arm 124 of start-stop lever 1212 and pivots the lever 122 counterclockwise to raise the lever latching arm 126 over the armature plate 128, which under spring biasing action, moves away from the de-energized start magnet 1'34 to a latching position under the start-stop lever latching arm 126. This latched position of start-stop lever 122 again places the lever stop arm 120 into the path of the clutch stop plate abutment lugs 118 and the next succeeding lug 118 will yabut the lever stop `arm L20, disconnect the clutch 104 and terminate -sleeve shaft rotation.

A punch lever reset 4ba-il y142 is operated in unison with the start-stop lever i122 to engage and position `all punch levers 30 lin ,an operative position adjacent the pole faces 20 and 22 of associated selector electro-magnets 12 during an yoverlap period .at the end of one punching cycle and the beginning of the succeeding punching cycle.

Bail 142 is a tapered rod disposed with its axis extending horizontally above the inclined upper camming edges 38 of 'the punch yoperating levers 30. The taper angle of the bail rod 142, which is `exaggerated in the drawings, is double the :angle of inclination vof the punch lever pivot pin 32. This taper enables the bail 142, when the punch levers 30 vare raised, to be simultaneously engaged by all -fof the punch lever camming edges 38. At this stage in Ithe `operating cycle bail 142 is prevented from moving upward, las will be explained, ,and upon being engaged by the lever camming edges 38, all levers 30 will ibe forced .to pivot into punch operating disposition with the armature pole face portion of each punch lever 30 positioned in close proximity to the associated selector magnet core and bridge pole faces and 22.

During the initial portion of a punch operating cycle, and before the punch levers Iare lowered to -a position where the wedge ends 62 engage the lever guides 80, the bail 142 will be raised out of engagement with the punch levers 30 `and any punch lever (excepting of course the feed hole punch lever) which is not held in punch operating position by an energized selector magnet 12 will be permitted .to swing to a non-operating position under spring bias.

Bail 142 is fixed to one arm 143 of a bell-crank assembly 144, the other arm 146'of which is forked and receives an operating pin 148 in one arm 151i of a bail reset lever 152 in a `direction forcing bent end 154 into engagement with the start-stop lever arm 126. The bias force of spring 156 also tends to urge the start-stop lever in a clockwise direction. Whenever start-stop lever 122 is in a stop position (as shown in FIGURE l), reset lever 152 will be pivoted against its spring bias force to rock the bail bell crank 144 and lower the reset bail 142 against the punch levers 36. When a code signal group is received by the perforator, as previously described, the start magnet 134 is energized after a slight delay fro-m the energization ofselected ones of the selector magnets 12. Energization of start magnet 134 attracts its armature plate 128, permitting the start-stop lever 122 to pivot and this also permits the bail Ireset lever 152 to pivot under force of its bias spring. Such movement of bail reset lever lifts the bail 142 away from engagement with punch levers 30, this release movement being subsequent to energization of the selector magnets and essentially simultaneous with initiation of the cycle of movement of the punch levers 30. As described the startstop lever 122 will be reset and latched just prior to cornpletion of a cycle of operation and this resetting operaltion causes the bail reset lever 152 to also be reset and latched with the bail 142 in position to be engaged by the upper ends of the punch levers 38 in position awaiting receipt of the next code signal group.

Tape Feed Mechanism-As has been described, tape feed is accomplished by a tape feed roller 56 with pins or sprocket teeth 54 engaging feed holes 87 in tape 52. Roller 56 is non-rotatably secured to a shaft 160 and a ratchet drive wheel 162 is secured as by a set screw on the feed' shaft 160.

. Feed movement is imparted to ratchet wheel 162 by an intermittently oscillated tape feed pawl 164, which is pivotally carried by a tape feed pawl lever 166. Lever 166 is connected through a pivot shaft 168 to a tape feed cam follower lever 170, the follower end 172 of which rides on a six lobe tape feed cam 174 which is rotatably carried on main drive shaft 100 and drive connected therewith through a conventional friction disc clutch 176.

Rigidly secured, coaxially with tape feed cam 174, is a tape feed stop plate 178 having six equally circumferentially spaced stop lugs 180 on its periphery. On the periphery of the captive punch cam 106 are six circumferentially disposed cam projections 182 over which a follower arm 184 of a tape feed cam release latch 186 rides during rotation of the captive punch cam 106 and after withdrawal of the punches 46 from the punched tape code holes. When the tape feed release follower arm 184 reaches the peak of one of the six cam projections 182 a counterclockwise motion (FIGURE l) is imparted to tape feed release latch 186, through shaft 188, which moves against the bias force of a spring 187 away from a blocking position in the path of rotation of lugs 188 on the tape feed stop plate 178. This release action permits tape feed cam 174 and stop plate 178 to rotate clockwise due to the continuous rotation of the tape feed friction clutch 176 affixed to the constantly rotating main shaft 108. The tape feed follower lever then rides to the peak of one of the lobes on the tape feed cam 174, imparting a clockwise movement to the tape feed pawl 164 which engages a notch on the tape feed ratchet wheel 162, indexing it clockwise one position. The ratchet wheel 162 is held in restriction by a detent 19t); v

Tape feed pawl 164 which is pivoted on lever 166, has a spring 192 and pin stop 193 limiting device that restricts its counterclockwise movement when the pawl is out of engagement with the tape feed roll ratchet wheel 162. When the tape feed pawl 164 indexes the feed roller 56 one position, it then follows the circular periphery of the tape feed ratchet wheel 162 until the tape feed pawl lever 166 shifts the tape feed pawl 164 back up and out of engagement with the tape feed ratchet wheel 162. As shown in FIGURE 7, tape feed is initiated just as the punches are withdrawn from the tape and because rotation of the tape feed cam 174 is derived from the main shaft 10i) and not the sleeve shaft, tape feed can occur while the sleeve shaft 162 is stopped and thus overlaps cycle operations.

Tape feed lever 166 and follower lever 179 are biased by a spring 194 to move the feed pawl 164 away from the ratchet wheel 162 and maintain the follower-.lever 171i in engagement with the tape feed cam. As the yfollower end 172 of follower lever 170 moves into a depression between lobes of the tape feed cam 174, the feed pawl 164 is moved away from engagement with ratchet wheel 162. At this stage in the machine operation the captive cam 106 has rotated to a position where the follower arm 184 of the tape feed release latch 186 is between two tape feed release cam projections 182 and the release latch 186 has been positioned in the path of rotation of the stop lugs on the tape feed cam stop plate 178. The succeeding stop plate lug 180 engages the release latch 186 and rotation or" the tape feed cam 174, through its friction clutch 176, is prevented until the next cycle of punching operation.

Indexing of the tape feed ratchet 162 imparts the same directional movement to the tape feed' roller 56 to advance (or back space) the tape 52 one position consecutively by means of the small peripheral feed roller pins 54 which engage the feed holes 87 in tape 52.

Back-spacing is enabled by providing a rotary solenoid 196 which, when energized, operates a back-space pawl 198 (directly opposed to the tape feed pawl 164) causing it to engage a notch on the tape feed ratchet wheel 162, automatically back-spacing the tape 52 one position. Back-spacing pawl 198 is mounted similarly to the tape feed pawl 164, except that it is restricted in clockwise movement by a pin and spring 199. It too follows the circular travel of the ratchet teeth on the periphery of the tape feed ratchet wheel 162 and is disengaged on completion of the back-spacing cycle of solenoid 196.

OPERATION With reference to FIGURES l and l0, the selector mechanism receives a `sequential coded signal combination, transforms it to a code combination of simultaneous signals. The simultaneous code signal combination is sent through circuits to the group of selector electro-magnets ,12 which are instantly selectively energized, in accord with the code combination, to hold selected associated punch levers 30 in their punch operating position (see IFIGURE 4). As has been described, lall code hole punching levers 30 are mechanically pre-set and held in punch actuating position closely `adjacent or -against the pole faces of associated selector magnets 12 during initial receipt of a code signal combination.

The tape perforator main shaft 100 is continually rotating while the mechanism is in operation.

After receiving the coded signal combination, which energizes selector magnets 12 in accord with the code signal, the start magnet 134 (FIGURE l) is energized, attracting its armature plate 128, to unblock start-stop latch lever 122 which turns clockwise 4and releases the stop plate 116 of the captive punch cam 106. A slight delay in energizing the start magnet can be obtained by an electronic `delay circuit or the delay in mechanically removing the reset bail from engagement with the punch levers may -be suiiicient since the electro-magnetic attraction of selected selector magnets 12 is essentially instantaneous with receipt of the code signal impulses. Since the bent arm 154 of lever 152, which controls the punch lever reset bail 142, rests on the latching arm 126 of the start-stop latch lever 122, unblocking of the startstop latch lever 122 also unblocks the reset bail lever 152 and permits it to turn counterclockwise under the influence of spring 156, moving the punch lever reset bail 142 up and away from the canted edges 38 of the punch levers 30, allowing the punch levers 30` (see FIGURE 3), which are not selected by energized selector magnets 12, to y'be pulled out of punching position by their biasing springs 40.

As the captive punch cam 106 rotates clockwise, cam follower 112 on punch arm lever 110' follows captive punch cam track 114 and imparts an oscillating motion, about the axis of support shaft 108, to punch arm 34. The punch levers 30 and 86 carried by the punch arm 34 and interconnected by a lost motion connection to -associated punches `46 and 88 by punch lever fingers 64 extending through the milled flat recesses 70 on the sides of the punches, are moved downward, `and punch lever hammer ends 66 of selected punch levers strike the punch tops 76 driving selected punches 46 down through the punch guide `48, tape 52 and into die plate 50' to complete the punching of the coded holes. Punching is sequential because of the inclination of punch lever pin 32. The unselected punch levers 30 are Valso moved -down with the selected punch levers 30 and 36, but, being non-selected, that is, with their respective selector magnets 12 non-energized, springs 40 pull them out of vertical alignment with punches 30 and punch lever hammer ends 66 pass along the side of -associated punch tops 76 and thus cannot actuate the unselected associated punches.

The feed punch lever 86, which is always in punching position, punches a hole during each cycle of operation and provides a continuous line of feed holes in the tape 52.

All of the punch levers 30 are restricted in their later-al movement -by the close proximity of the punches 46 and 88 to one another and are also prevented from swinging out of complete operational alignment by the punch lever guides 82. (See FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6.) It will be noted in FIGURES 3 and 4 that punch guides 82 restrict the swinging movement of punch levers 30 when, being non-selected, they spring out of punching position. Punch guides 80 also restrict the swinging movement of the punch levers 30 but during a different part of the punching cycle. In a case where a short signal is pulsed to selector magnets 12, and the punch levers 30 were on their downward stroke, the short signal might cause the selector magnets 12 to de-energize too soon, releasing the punch levers 30, and the springs 40 would instantly tend to snap them out of punch operating alignment, in which case the punch lever hammer ends 66 10 would `miss striking punch tops 76, thus not punching the coded signal even though the punch levers 30 were selected by the incoming signal before the punching action began. To prevent such an occurrence the sharp points `62 formed on the lower ends of the punch levers 30 and 86, during the downward thrust of the punch levers, -fall inside of the punch lever guide (see FIG- URE 4) and selected punch levers 30 and the feed punch lever 86 are held in positive punching position regardless off the length of the signal to the selector magnets 12.

While the aforementioned punching operation is taking place, the start-stop lever restoring cam 136 on sleeve shaft `102 is rotating clockwise and a tooth 138 on the periphery of the restoring cam 136 will strike the lower cooking arm 124 of start-stop latch lever 122, causing the lever 122 to rotate counterclockwise to place its stop abutment arm 120 in the path of rotation of a stop lug 118 on the periphery of the main clutch stopt plate 116, causing sleeve shaft 102 and all attached components to stop rotating.

This counterclockwise rotation of the start-stop latch lever 122 moves its latching arm 126 up and unblocks the start magnet armature plate 128 which, under bias of spring 130, instantly snaps away from the now deenergized start magnet 134. instantaneously with the aforementioned counterclockwise rotation of the startstop latch lever 122, the reset bail lever 152, which has its bent arm 154 resting on the latching arm 126 of the start-stop latch lever 122, pivots clockwise and moves the reset bail 142 back to the punch lever reset position. The punches 46 and 88 are withdrawn from the tape 52 by the upstroke of the punch levers 30 and 86, and the canted ends 38 of levers 30, upon striking the reset bail 142 will cam the punch levers 30 over against or closely approximate the pole faces 20 and 22 of their respective selector magnets l12. Thus, with punches 46 and 88 withdrawn and the punch levers 30 repositioned, the punching mechanism is reset for the next cycle of punching operation.

As will be noted in FIGURE l, especially in the illustrated captive punch cam 106, the captive punch track 1 14 has six thigh and six low positions and as the captive punch cam 106 rotates it imparts an oscillating motion through cam follower 112, punch arm lever and the punch arm 3'4 to the punch levers 30l and 86, thus performing six complete punching operations per one complete revolution of the main shaft 100.

An important feature of this `invention is the punch lever guide means which keeps Ithe selected punch levers always in positive punching alignment. This guide means is particularly important in the event of a short signal to the selector magnets because, were it not for these guides, the premature rie-energizing of the magnets would release the punch levers too soon and spring would pull them out of punching alignment even though still being in -a selected status.

Another important feature of this invention is the provision of a multi-lobed, captive cam which in this invention has six high and siX low spots on the captive track. This permits six punching openations per one 360 turn of the main shaft. An advantage rin.- this relatively slower turning of the main shaft is longer -life to the shaft and all components attached thereto, especially the tape feed friction clutch which operates more efficiently at lower speeds.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is -therefore to be considered in al-l respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims nather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced there-in.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 1. In combination in a perforating device; a group of punches; a group of Iselector levers of magnetic material each of which is operatively coupled with, and is adapted to operate, an associated one of said punches; at least one lever, exclusive of said group of selector levers, operatively coupled with and operable on an associated one of said punches; mechanical means to cyclically cam all said selector levers into a punching position; la seules of individual electro-magnets, each of which is associated with a selector lever, for selective energization to magneticallyV retain, when energized, selected ones of said selector levers in punching position, and operating means connected to Iall said levers to cyclically operate said at least one lever and associated punch and all selected electro-magnetically retained selector levers and their associated punches through a punching cycle.

2. The combination as delined in claim 1, wherein a record medium feed means is provided to step feed a record medium past said punches during each cycle of punch operation kand said one lever, exclusive of said selector levers, and its associated punch comprise means for punching a feed hole in the record medium during each cycle of punch operation.

3. The combination as dened in claim 2, wherein said operating means includes a shiftable common support member, pivot means hang all of said levers from said common support member and biasing means connect to each of said selector levers tending to urge them about their pivotal support to a non-punching position.

4. The combination as defined in claim 3, wherein the sides of the shank ends of all of said punches have a recessed flat portion; the end of each of said levers has a hammer portion disposed adjacent the end in alignment with the axis of the associated punch shank and a lateral finger disposed lwithin the recessed flat portion of its `associated punch; and pivotal movement of said selector levers to a non-punching position disposes the hammer portions of such pivotal selector levers, away from alignment with said punch axis.

5. A perforating device comprising in combination: a plurality of punches; an associated plurality of unitary punch selector and operating members; means carrying said members enabling individual movement of each member to either of two positions and a shifting movement of all members regardless of which of said two positions said members occupy; means biasing said member to one of said two positions in which said shifting movement will not result in a punching operation by associated punches; tirst means cyclically operative during an initial portion of a punching cycle to directly engage and positively Vmove said members to the second of said two positions in Which said members are in a punch operating disposition with associated punches; a plurality of electro-magnets equal in number to said members selectively energized responsive to electrical impulse conditions for determining and selectively retaining associated punch selector Iand operating members in punch operating disposition; second means, cyclically operative during a portion of a punching cycle subsequent to said initial portion of said punching cycle, connected to all said members for accomplishing said shifting movement of all said members whereby only said members retained -by energized electro-magnets in punch operating position will cause associated punches to be operated through a punching cycle; and power means for operating said irst means and said second means through individual cycles during a punching cycle.

6. The combination as dened in claim 5, each of said punch selector and operating members having an operative lost motion guide connection ywith its associated punch and a hammer portion adapted to be disposed in operating alignment with the end of a punch, with which said selector member is maintained when in punch operating position; and said second means operative subsequent to initiation of reception of a coded impulse cornbination and causing simultaneous shifting of all punch selector and operating members enables the hammer portions of all punch selector levers maintained in punch operating disposition by said electro-magnets to engage associated punch ends to actuate selected punches during the shifting movement.

7. The combination deiined in claim 6, wherein punch `dies are disposed in coplanar relationship, the means to simultaneously shift all punch selector and operating members includes an arm with a mounting pin lixed therein and pivotally carrying all of said punch selector and operating members, and said pin has its axis angled toward said punches so any selected punches will enter associated dies in `sequential order.

8. A perfortating device `as deiined in claim 5, further comprising: at least one punch and an associated punch operating member, said associated operating member being continually in a punch operating position relative to its `associ-ated punch; and each of said plurality of punch se- :lector and operating members having at least a portion thereof made `of magnetically conductive material and constituting the armatures of said electro-magnets.

9. A perforating device as `defined in claim 5 wherein, each of said selector and operating members have at least a portion thereof made of magnetically conductive material and constituting the armatures of said electromagnets.

10. A code operated perforating device comprising: a plurality of punches; a plurality of simultaneously cyclic- `ally shiftable, independently pivotable, 4selectively positionable two position punch selecting levers with at least side portions made of magnetically conductive material and each of which has a punch actuating abutment portion; one position of each lever enabling actuable engagement of said lever abutment portion `with an associated punch upon a cyclic shifting to operate said associated punch; the second of said lever positions disposing said lever abutment portion away from engaging alignment with the punch during a cyclic shifting of said lever positions; means releasably holding all of said levers in said yone position; Imeans biasing all of said levers toward said second positions; a plurality of electro-magnets equal in number to said levers and each having a pole face disposed in magnetically retentive disposition to said side portions of associated levers when said levers `are in said one position; and means for energizing selected ones of said electro-magnets, releasing said holding means and causing a cycle of punch selecting lever shifting movement.

1l. A high speed perforating device comprising: a series of punches; a plurality of selectively energizable electro-magnets, each of which has a two position pivoted armature also mounted for shifting movement substantially parallel to the associated magnet pole face; means for shifting said armatures substantially parallel to said pole faces; releasable means for holding said armatures in one position adjacent said pole faces; resilient means biasing said armatures away from -said pole faces; abutment means on each armature for engaging and operating an associated punch When the associated electro-magnet is energized and the armatures are shifted substantially parallel to the magnet pole-face; and means to energize selected ones of said magnets, release said holding means and shift said armatures through one cycle substantially parallel to the magnet pole faces.

- l2. A high speed perforating `device comprising: a punch having a shank with an .anvil portion on its end; a punch lever, with at least a portion made of magnetic material, having Ian abutment end adapted to engage said anvil end portion; a shiftably mounted punch lever operating member pivotally mounting said punch lever; resilient means biasing said punch lever toward a position at which the path of said abutment end will miss the anvil portion upon shifting of `said operating member; and releasable holding means adapted to engage and pivotally hold said levers in a second position in which said abutment portion will engage said anvil end portion and operate said punch upon shifting of said operating member; means to release said holding means and enable shifting movement of said operating member; and an electro-magnet adapted when energized to magnetically couple with said portion made of magnetic material and maintain said selector lever in said second position during shifting movement of said operating member.

13. The perforating `device as defined in claim 12, wherein each punch lever is connected to its associated punch with a lost motion connection which engages and positively retracts each actuated punch during the latter portion of shifting movement of said operating member.

14. A speed perforating ldevice comprising: a punch having a shank with `an anvil portion on its end; a punch lever, with at least a portion made of ymagnetic material, having an abutment end adapted to engage said anvil end portion; a shiftably mounted punch lever operating member pivotally mounting said punch lever; resilient means biasing said punch lever toward a posi-tion at which the -path of said abutment end will miss the anvil portion upon shifting of said operating member; and releasable holding means `adapted to engage and pivotal-ly hold said levers in a second position in which said abutment portion will engage said anvil end portion and operate said punch upon shifting of said operating member; means to release said holding means and enable shifting movement of said operating member; an electro-magnet adapted when energized to maintain said selector lever in said second position during shifting movement of said operating member; and fixed rguide means disposed to structura-lly cooperate with -said punch lever after initiation of shifting movement of said punch lever -to maintain said punch lever in whichever of the two position-s said punch lever was in when shifting movement occurs during punching operations.

15. The perforating device as defined in claim 14, wherein said guide means includes a blade member aligned with the direction of shift of, and parallel with the pivoted axis of, said punch lever; and said punch lever has a projection on its abutment end which has a path, iduring punch lever shifting movement, disposed closely adjacent one side of said blade member When said punch lever is in said one pivotal position and disposed closely adjacent the other side of said blade member when said punch .lever is in said second pivotal position.

16. In a cyclically operable perforating device; a group of punches; associated die -means for said punches; a group of punch operating levers, individually connected with associated punches, a plurality of which are selectively positionable into and out of punch operating position; each lever having portions adaptable to engage and operate an associated punch upon shifting of said levers; cyclical-ly operable lever moving means to directly engage and positively move all selectively positionable levers to a punch operating position only during a first non-punching phase of the operating cycle of the device; selectively operable means separate from said lever moving means and operable during a phase of the operating cycle of the device which overlaps said first phase and includes the punching phase for retaining selected levers in punch operating position; means to move all non-selected levers out of their punch operating position rsubsequent to cyclic operation of said lever moving means; and a shiftable member directly mounting all of said punch operating levers so simultaneous shifting of all punch levers will result in punching operation of any punches associated with levers which are selectively positioned ina punch operating position.

17. In combination in a perforating device; a series of punches; means for selecting and operating said punches including an intermittently power driven cam shaft with a six lobe enclosed track cam rotatable therewith, a cam follower held captive in said enclosed track, means shifted by oscillatory movement of said cam follower each time said cam rotates one-sixth of a revolution, a plurality of unitary punch selecting and operating members, at least a portion of each member being made of magnetic mateiia-l, individually pivotally mounted on said shifted means for pivotal movement between a punch selecting position and a non-punch selecting position, resilient means biasing all members toward a non-punching pivotal position, shiftable mechanical means adapted to engage and move all of said members to a punch selecting position between each cycle of shifting movement and to release all of said members upon start of a shift cycle, and selectively energizable electro-magnets associated with each of said members to retain selected members in a punch selecting position upon start of a shift cycle and just pri-or to release of said mechanical means; and means for starting cam shaft rotation and automatically terminating cam shaft rotation at the end of a one-sixth revolution.

18. A perforating device as defined in claim 17, wherein said electro-magnets are energized only during the initial portion of said shift cycle and guide means operatively engage all members while the selected electro-magnets are energized `and positively maintain them in punch selected and non-punch selected positions during the punch actuation and retraction.

19. In combination in a code operated perforating device wherein individually positioned punch selecting levers are mounted on a common shiftable axis and serve as simultaneously shiftin-g punch operating-members for an -aligned `si-de by side series of punches; punches having shanks with recessed flats formed in the shank sides; punch selector levers at least a portion of which is made of magnetic material, of flat elongate shape pivotally mounted intermediate their ends; said elongate punch selector levers and pivotal mounts fbeing disposed in essential alignment with the common plane through the axes of the associated punches; each of said levers having one arm Vwith a canted end edge, and a second arm with a transverse lug slidably disposed within the recessed at yof the `associated punch and an abutment adapted to be alternatively -disposed immediately adjacent the end of the associated punch shank in a position essentially aligned with the punch axis and the lever pivotal mount or offset to one side of the punch axis; a plurality of electro-magnets, each electro-magnet having a thin flat bridge and core structure disposed with a pole face parallel to the shifting path of movement, and engageable by an edge of the magnetic portion of an associated punch selector lever during shifting movement of said selector lever; means adapted to engage said canted end edges of and maintain sai-d selector levers in en-gagement with associated magnet armature pole faces until -said magnets are energized at which time said energized magnets retain said shifting selector levers against associated pole faces.

20. A high speed, code operated perforating device comprising: `a power means; 1a series of punches; a plurality of two position punch selector levers, each of 4which is operatively associated with a separate one of said punches and includes an abutment portion adjacent an end of the associated punch, and all of said levers have at least a portion made of magnetic material; means pivotally mounting -said levers on a common axis; means carrying said pivotal mounting means yand operable in a cycle to shift all said levers in paths toward and away fro-m said punches; resi-lient means connected to bias said levers toward one of their posi-tions in which the paths of said abutment portions will miss the ends of associated punches when said levers are cyclically shifted; a mechanism shiftable between operative and inoperative positions including a means engaging said selector levers, when said -mechanism is in operative position, and maintaining said levers against the resilient bias force in the second of their positions in which the paths of said abutment portions will abut the ends of, and operate, associated said punches when said levers are cyclically shifted; latch means for holding said mechanism in operative position; means to release said latch means; means engageable with said mechanism for resetting said mechanism in latched position; a plurality of electro-magnets one for each of said punch selector levers, disposed in the paths of pivotal movement of said levers, having pole faces adapted to be engaged by the magnetic portion of said levers when the levers are in the second of their two positions; means selectively operatively connected between said power means and said carrying means for enabling positive power operation of said carrying means through one cycle, to positively operate said resetting means ata period intermediate the beginning and end of said cycle, and to automatically terminate positive operation at Ithe end of said cycle; start means to initiate positive operation of said selectively connected means; energization of selected said electro-magnets `and operation of said start means and latch release means being responsive to code impulses of a coded impulse combination, whereby selected electro-magnets are energized and maintain associa-ted punch selector levers in said second position, punch selector levers associated with non-energized ones of said electro-magnets are permitted to shift to said one position under spring bias, all of said punch selector levers are simultaneously cyclically operated, :and the punches associated with the punch selector levers which are maintained in said second position by said energized electro-magnets Vare actuated through a punching cycle.

21. A tape perforating device comprising: a punching station through which the tape passes; a tape feed means; a series of punches at'said punching sta-tion; a group of pivotally Imounted punch selector and actuating levers adapted to be operatively disposed in one position for actuating associated punches; resilient means normally biasing said levers away from actuating position; a plurality of electro-magnets, one for each of said selector levers and adapted when energized to retain said associated levers in punch actuating position; power means including a rotating shaft; a cam shaft; a positive clutch for engaging said rotating shaft and said cam shaft; ya, closed track multiple lobe cam fixed to rotate with said cam shaft; a first cam follower held `captive in said closed track cam; shiftable means connected to said `irst cam follower and carrying all of said punch selector levers, shiftable through an oscillation cycle each time the enclosed track cam rotates one of its lobes past the cam follower; said positive clutch means having a disengaging member including a plurality of angularly disposed stop lugs equal in number and correlated to the cam lobes; a pivoted stop member having at least three arms, one of which is adapted to be disposed in the path of said stop lugs to operate said clutch disenlgaging member; a latch member adapted to releasably engage a second of said stop lever arms and maintain said stop lever in clutch disengaging position; means to release said latch member; -a rotatable reset member, fixed on said cam shaft, havin-g a plurality of cam-ming portions equal in number and correlated to said enclosed track cam lobes, adapted to engage the third stop lever arm upon rotation of said cam shaft, whenever said latch member releases said second rarm, to shift the stop lever back to a latch position; `a tape feed cam member having a plurality of cam projections and associated stop projections equal in number to said enclosed track cam lobes; la friction clutch connecting said tape feed cam member to said rotating shaft; a further series of cam lobes on said cam shaft equal in number land correlated to said enclosed track cam; stop means resiliently biased in-to the path of said feed cam stop projections land adapted to be engaged by one of said further series of cam lobes during rotation of said cam shaft to be momentarily shifted against the resilient bias force out of the path of said stop projections each time said first cam follower oscillates through one cycle; and means including a second cam follower engaging the cam projection portion of said tape feed cam member and a member connected with said second cam follower adapted to shift into engagement with and move said tape feed l5 means to advance the tape one step through said punching station each time a cam projection shifts said second cam follower.

22. A tape perforating device as defined in claim 21, wherein tape back space means are included comprising: a solenoid operated back space member having a device adapted to be -shifted into engagement with and move said tape feed means to back space the tape one step through said punching station each time said solenoid is energized.

23. In a code operated perforating device; a plurality of punches; an associated plurality of punch selectors; means resiliently biasing said punch selectors toward a non-punch selecting position; means in control relationship with said punch selectors for maintaining said punch selectors in punch selecting position until receipt of a coded .impulse combination and responsive to receipt of a coded impulse combination to release control of said punch selectors; and means comprising a plurality of electro-magnets, one for each punch selector, responsive to electrical impulse conditions of a coded impulse combination for maintaining the punch selecting position of selected punch selectors durin-g receipt of `a coded impulse combination .and punching operation.

24. A perforating device as defined in claim 23, wherein each of said punches has la recessed dat in the side of its shank end; each of said punch selectors is an elongate flat member essentially aligned with -an associated punch, each punch selector also has a hook end engaged in said recessed at of its associated punch regardless of its position, and a hammer portion adapted to be disposed adjacent the shank end of, and aligned with, Ian associated punch only when the punch selector is in a punch selecting position, and each punch selector consti-tutes an armature means for its associated electro-magnet; all punch selectors are pi'votally `mounted on a common pivot shaft; and shiftable means carries said common pivot shaft and selector levers for simultaneously shifting said shaft and selector levers in a direction essentially parallel with the axes of associated punches in both a punch selecting position and non-punch selecting position of said selector levers.

25. In combination in a perfo-rating device; a group of punches; a group of selector levers of magnetic material, eachof which is operatively coupled with and is adapted to operate, an associated punch; first mechanical means to cam said selector levers into a punching position; a series of individual electro-magnets, each of which is associated with a selector lever, `for selective energization rto magnetically couple with and retain selected ones of said selector levers in punching position; and second mechanical means to operate said selector levers so each lever retained by an energized electro-magnet will operate an associated punch.

26. In combination in a code operated perforating device wherein individually positioned punch operating levers are mounted on a common shiftable axis and serve as simultaneously shitting punch operating members for an aligned side by side series of punches: punches having Shanks with recessed ats yformed in the shank sides; a plurality of said punch operating levers, at least one less in .number than said punch operating levers, being punch selector levers, with at least a portion of each being made of magnetic material; all of said levers.

being of flat elongate shape and pivotally -mounted intermediate their ends; said elongate punch operating levers and pivotal mounts-being disposed in essential alignment with a common plane through -the axes of the associated punches; all of said punch operating levers -having one arm with a transverse lug slidably disposed within lthe recessed flat of the associated punch and an abutment for engaging the end of `an associated punch shank; each of said punch selecting levers having a second arm with a canted end edge adapted to be alternatively disposed so the abutment .of its said one arm is immediately adjacent the end of the associated punch shank in a position essentially aligned with the punch axis and the lever pivotal mount or offset to one side of the punch axis; a plurality of electro-magnets, each electro-magnet having a thin at bridge and core structure disposed with a pole face parallel to the shifting path of movement, and engageable by an edge of the magnetic portion of an associated punch selector lever during shifting movement of said selector lever; means adapted to engage said canted end edges of and maintain said selector levers in engagement with associated magnet armature pole faces until selected ones of said magnets are energized at which time said energized magnets retain associated ones of said shifting selector levers against associated pole faces.

27. `In combination in a perfo-rating device; a series of punches; means for selecting and operating said punches including an intermittently power driven cam -shaft with a six lobe enclosed track cam rotatable therewith, a cam follower held captive in said enclosed track, means shifted by oscillatory movement of said cam follower each time said cam rotates one-sixth of a revolu tion, a plurality of unitary punch operating members individually pivotally mounted on said shifted means, a group of said operating members, at least one less than -said plurality of members, bein-g punch selector members mounted on said shifted means for movement between a punch selecting position and a non-punch selecting position, resilient means lbiasing all selector members toward a non-punching position, shiftable mechanical means adapted to engage and move Iall of said selector members to a punch selecting position between each cycle of shifting movement and to release all of said selector members upon start of a shift cycle, and selectively energizable electro-magnets associated with each of said selector members to retain selected selector members corresponding to energized electro-magnets in a punch selecting position upon start of a shift cycle and just prior to release of said mechanical means; and means i8 for starting cam shaft rotation and automatically terminating cam shaft rotation at the end of a one-sixth revolution.

28. In a perforating device: a group of punches; associated die means for said punches comprising a die for each of said punches with the punch entrances of all of said die means being coplanar; a group of punch operating levers, individually directly connected to associated punches, a plurality `of which are :selectively individually positional-ble into and out of punch operating position; each lever having portions which, when selected levers are in punch operating position, are adapted to engage and operate an associated punch upon shifting of said levers; shiftable means pivotally mounting all of said punch operating lever-s on a common pivot axis inclined toward said coplanar die means to dispo-se said levers at `different spaced positions away from said coplanar die means; means to `simultaneously shift said shiftable means and all punch levers while retaining said common pivot axis in said inclined relationship to result in punching operation of any punches associated with levers which a-re selectively positioned in a punch operating position and so that any selected ones of said punches will enter Iassociated dies in sequential order; and means for selectively positioning desired ones of said levers in punch operating position during a punching operation.

References Qited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 524,691 McLane Aug. 14, 1894 638,242 Hedgeland Dec. 5, 1899 775,237 Collins Nov. 15, 1904 2,327,646 Hutchinson Aug. 24, 1943 2,398,014 Lake et -al Apr. 9, 1946 2,580,788 Johnson Jan. 1, 1952 2,675,078 Zenner Apr. 13, 1954 2,837,162 Arthur June 3, 1958

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