US3837251A

US3837251A - Card punch

Info

Publication number: US3837251A
Application number: US00312962A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-07
Filing date: 1972-12-07
Publication date: 1974-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-24

Abstract

A pocketable computer card punch, having a base plate grooved to the width of the card and having a row of die holes across the groove and spaced to correspond to the rows on the card, and a punch slidably mounted on the base to be displaced across the groove above the die holes, with a detent for positioning the punch, located to correspond to each die hole position, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns on the card, all so that the card may be slid across the base, guided by the groove to bring a selected column over the row of dies as indicated by the appropriate graduations, and the punch then moved across above the card to the desired row, detained there accurately positioned, and operated to punch a hole in the card at the selected number.

Description

[451 Sept. 2a, 1974 Primary ExaminerJ. M. Meister Stanle T. Schneider 7246 Pershin Ave {jniversity MO 63130 g Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm--Rogers, Ezell & Eilers v Dec. 7, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 312,962 A pocketable computer card punch, having a base plate grooved to the width of the card and having a row of die holes across the groove and spaced to corond to the rows on the card, and a punch slidably United States ?atent [191 Schneider CARD PUNCH [76] Inventor:

22 Filed:

resp

mounted on the base to be displaced across the groove above the die holes, with a detent for positioning the punch, located to correspond to each die hole posi- 004 3 41 9 6 2 5/16 M3 9 00 6 2 B 2 5 n 4 3 4w 8 9 3 w w; m 2 m we 8 UN mmoo m mh .c u "r. u "a n n :1 C l0 WM t. e U mm 11] 2 00 5 55 .l. [rt

tion, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns on the card, all so that the card may be slid across the base, guided by the groove to bring a selected column over the row of dies as indicated by the appropriate graduations, and the punch then moved across above the card to the desired row, detained there accurately positioned, and operated to punch a hole in the card at the selected number.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures I l wb hu aa DR 0 3 9 CARD PUNCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore there has been no satisfactory portable punching device for putting holes accurately in selected numbers of computer cards such as IBM cards. These cards have numerals on them in carefully measured positions, in columns and rows across the card. It is necessary that the punch holes be accurate, as the computer is operated in accordance with the positions of the holes.

Ordinarily the cards are punched by a punching machine operated by a keyboard; but such machines are costly, non-portable and normally are located only at some central location. Consequently, to punch his card on such machine, the person must go to some central location and await his turn at the machine. This is tedious and costly in time. The present punch can be carried around in a pocket so as to be usable on location, or in class or at a desk. It is accurate and simple to operate, having visible indexes by which a card can be positioned to dispose the desired column beneath the punch, and positioning means by which the punch can be accurately aligned with any line on the card selected for punching.

Thus, to facilitate use of the present invention, its base has a shallow groove the true width of a card. The card is placed in this groove and can be slid therein along the base. The base is graduated so that when the edge of the card is brought against a designated graduation on the base, it will put the appropriate column on the card under the punching mechanism. The punching mechanism is designed to make it possible to line up the edge of the card with graduated lines appropriate to substantially all of the columns. The punch is movable accurately transversely across the board, and punch detent means are provided in alignment with each line of numbers on the card, so that the punch can be securely held in a position corresponding to the selected row of digits on the card. The operation of the punch is manual.

The objects of the invention are those above stated together with others that will appear from the following description.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device with the punch handle removed;

FIG. 2 is an edge view from the bottom of FIG. 1, partly broken away, the punch being shown also in dashed lines to indicate a second position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the punch taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1, the punch being retracted;

FIG. 4 is a section at right angles to FIG. 3, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the punch depressed through a card;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the punch depressed through a card;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device in reduced scale with a card in place;

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 but at the scale of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the base with a corner of a card in position;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the device at the scale of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a view of a card showing typical numbers thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device includes a base or plate 20 and a punching mechanism generally designated at 21. The base 20 can be made of plastic material, preferably of the thermosetting type, which is durable for the type of wear here contemplated. Also, it can be made accurate in dimension, and has minimal changes in response to temperature changes.

The plate has a shallow recess or groove 23 in its upper face. This recess is accurately dimensioned to the width of a punch card, such as a typical IBM type computer card 25. This recess or groove 23 is deep enough to insure that the card will be held easily but accurately for sliding along with the upper and lower edges of the card engaging the edges of the groove.

As noted, the card 25 has, in a typical case, rows of numbers 26, the numbers being 0 through 9. Two undesignated rows for punching are located above the 0 row. Each row is made up of a series of digits of the same value that are equally spaced from each other to provide a plurality, here 80, columns of numbers, each column comprising a series 0-9. There are top and bottom rows of small numbers 28 that sequentially designate the several columns. One can therefore identify any particular position on the card by its number and column.

The punching arrangement includes a die plate 30 embedded in the plate 20, being secured snugly in an appropriate recess in the upper surface of the plate 20 with its upper surface preferably flush with the surface of the groove 23 upon which the card 25 rests. The die plate 30 has a row of rectangular die cutting openings 31 in it. These openings are accurately spaced to correspond with the rows of numbers on the card. Below the die plate 30, the base 20 is provided with a narrow slot 33 through which punch cut-outs may fall and be discharged, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The punch mechanism overlies the die plate 30, and includes a punch support comprising a left-hand plate 35 that can be formed unitarily or otherwise with

opposite posts

36 and 37. The end posts are mounted, and rise up from, the margin of the base 20. This item is preferably made of metal.

A punch-supporting circular slide rod 39 is secured between the two

posts

36 and 37 and extends across above the card recess or groove 23 in the base 20. The rod 39 supports a punch block 42 for sliding movement across the groove 23, and the card. The block 42 has a sufficient width that it can travel smoothly on the rod 39 and will not wobble. The block 42 has a rounded corner 43 to permit it to be swung up around the rod 39 to a position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 or to move down to the full line position wherein its bottom surface is flush with a top surface of the plate 35.

The punch block has a recess 44 vertically through it. The lower part of this recess closely fits a punch shaft 45 to confine it slidably in a vertical direction. The upper part of the recess 44 is enlarged to receive the lower end of a compression spring 46 surrounding the punch shaft 45 and confined between the bottom of the recess and a thumb handle 47 on the upper end of the shaft 45. The lower end of the shaft 45 has a punch 50 formed on it, that is adapted to be pressed downwardly to project its lower end through the slot 56 to engage a card within the groove 23, and acting against the sharpened edges of one of the holes 31, to punch a rectangular hole through the card. Upward movement of the punch is limited by a pin or set screw 51, secured through the punch rod 45, the ends of which pin ride in opposite notches 52 extending up from the bottom of the punch block 42.

The punch block 42 extends over another elongated plate 55 that is secured to the margins of the base and spans the card recess 23, above the bottom thereof. The plates and 55 abut at their ends over the margins of the card recess 23, but are cut back above the row of die holes to form a slot 56 somewhat wider than the holes 31 and through which the holes may be seen. The plate 55 has a plurality of detent recesses or holes 57, one for each row of numerals on the card, and one for each of the so-called l 1 and l2 punches. The punch block 42 has a small projection 58 that selectively fits closely into any of the recesses 57. Thus, when the slide is rocked to the dashed-line position of FIG. 2, it can be slid along the rod 39 until it comes to the desired row. Then it is returned to the full-line position of FIG. 2 and its projection 58 is engaged into the appropriate recess 57 for that row. The fit is close enough to insure a precise alignment of the punch with the die for that row and for the numeral to be punched.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 9, the base 20 within the bottom of the groove 23 has a plurality of linear graduations 60. These preferably extend all the way across the groove and correspond in number to the number of columns on the card 25. It will be observed that on the left side of the groove 23 in FIG. 1 the graduations are numbered from 2 to 40 with even numbers at the top and intervening odd numbers at the bottom. On the right side the numbers go from 41 to 79. The two plates 35 and are notched or cut back over the numbers identifying the graduations so that a maximum number of graduations could be made visible.

Use of the Device To use the device, a card 25 is inserted into the card recess or groove 23 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. It will be seen that the card fits closely within the groove 23 and its upper and lower edges engage and can slide along the walls of the recess, so that the numerals on the card are precisely positioned with respect to the die holes 31.

If the right edge of the card is moved to an appropriate graduation such as the line 62 shown in FIG. 9, the column 62 will appear precisely on the center line of the row of die openings 31. Similarly, the right edge of the card 25 may be brought to any of the graduations to the right side of the base 20. Because of the nature of the punch support and the necessary strength and rigidity thereof, it is impossible to have all of the graduations visible. A few, here graduations for columns 1 and 80, may not be visible because covered by the punch mechanism. Nevertheless, the identification number 28 for these two columns, or the columns themselves, can be seen easily through the slot 56 in the plate 55 and centered therein.

When the card has been thus located to dispose the desired column over the line of the die holes 31, the punch is then raised or rocked to the dashed-line position of FIG. 2, slid transversely of the card recess 23 to the appropriate line on the card, then rocked back to the full-line position, and located precisely by causing the projection 58 to engage in the recess 57 appropriate to that line. The punch is then depressed, and the appropriate hole is cut in the card.

Because the card is accurately positioned, and the parts are made as described, the punch holes are as accurately positioned as they would be by a larger machine, yet the machine may be made inexpensively and is of such size and weight that it can be carried in the pocket or briefcase.

Various changes and modifications may be made within this invention as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim: I

1. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in any desired row and any desired column: a base having a guiding edge against which a computer card may be held and the edge having a length so that the card is guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precise path; a slide for a punch block fixed with respect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the base between the base and the slide while guided by the guiding edge; a punch block having a punch movably mounted'therein, the block being movably secured to and movable about the fixed slide into and out of engagement with indexing means at selected positions across the card; a die fixed on the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the die support to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, the die being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across the card to overlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat.

2. In a device of claim 1, the base having two opposite edges adapted to fit against the opposite longitudinal edges of the computer card, the punch slide being mounted at its ends at the margins of the base and overlying the recess.

3. In the device of claim 1: the base comprising a plate having a card-receiving recess approximately the size of a computer card, and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns on the card, the graduations being registrable with an edge of the card and bearing indicia to designate the column overlying the die openings when the edge is at a graduation.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the base has a length in the direction of movement of the card of at least about one-half the length of the card, and having graduations spaced in accordance with the spacing of the columns on the card, the graduations being so related to the row of die cutting openings that when the edge of the card is aligned with a graduation, the row of openings will underlie a column on the card.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the base has a length at least about the length of the card, and wherein the graduations number approximately the number of columns on the card.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the slide is located to dispose the punch midway between the ends of the base.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the punch is pivotable on the fixed slide into and out of engagement with the indexing means.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the slide passes through the punch block and the punch is pivotable about the slide into and out of engagement with the indexing means.

9. In the device of claim 8, the punch slide comprising a rod, the punch block having a complementary opening slidably engaged over the rod, the punch block being rockable to enable it to be lifted away from the punch-holding means;

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the slide is a rod, having a circular cross section.

11. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in any desired row and any desired column, a base having an edge against which the computer card may be held and guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precise path, the base comprising a plate having a card receiving recess approximately the size of a computer card and graduations on the base corresponding to the columns of the card, the graduations being registerable with an edge of the card and having indicia to designate the column overlying the die openings when the edge is at a graduation; a slide for a punch block mixed with respect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the base between the base and slide; a punch movable on the slide to selected positions across the card; a die on the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the die support to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, the die being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across the card to overlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat.

12. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in any desired row and any desired column, a base having an edge against which a computer card may be held and guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precise path; a slide rod for a punch block fixed with respect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the base between the base and the slide rod; a punch block having a complimentary opening slidably engaged over the slide rod; a punch mounted on the punch block; a punch holding means mounted on the base; the punch block being rockable to enable it to be lifted away from the punch holding means; a die on the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the base to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, the die being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across the card to overlie any die openings to punch a hole thereat; the punch being selectively in registery with each die cutting opening.

Claims

1. In a device for accurately punching holes in computer cards in any desired row and any desired column: a base having a guiding edge against which a computer card may be held and the edge having a length so that the card is guided for lateral movement in a controlled and precise path; a slide for a punch block fixed with respect to the base and spaced therefrom so that a punch card may be passed over the base between the base and the slide while guided by the guiding edge; a punch block having a punch movably mounted therein, the block being movably secured to and movable about the fixed slide into and out of engagement with indexing means at selected positions across the card; a die fixed on the base having a row of die cutting openings arranged across the die support to correspond to the rows of numerals on the computer card, the die being located adjacent the slide so that the punch can be moved across the card to overlie any die opening to punch a hole thereat.

9. In the device of claim 8, the punch slide comprising a rod, the punch block having a complementary opening slidably engaged over the rod, the punch block being rockable to enable it to be lifted away from the punch-holding means.