Record controlled perforating machine

Nov. 17, 1942.

J. W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY

Nov. 17, 1942

J. W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941

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Nov. 17, 1942. j _w bryce 2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 3

FIG.Z

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ATTORNEY.

J. W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

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INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

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Nov. 17, 1942. j. w. bryce 2,302,002 •RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 5

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INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 17, 1942.

J. W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941

Sheets-Sheet 6

FIG JO.

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Nov. 17, 1942. j. w. bryce

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 7

2,302,002

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Nov. 17, 1942

2,302,002

J. W. BRYCE

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941

Sheets-Sheet 8

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Nov. 17, 1942

J. W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING

MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29, 1941

Sheets-Sheet 9

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INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

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J, W. BRYCE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING MACHINE

Filed Nov. 29,. 1941

Sheets-Sheet 10

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INVENTOR.

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Patented Nov. 17, 1942

2,302,002

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,302,002

RECORD CONTROLLED PERFORATING

MACHINE

James W. Bryce, Glen Ridge, N. J., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York

Application November 29,1941, Serial No. 421,080

Claims. (Cl. 164—115)

This invention relates to record controlled perforating machines, and more particularly to such machines, which are controlled by individual records bearing magnetic index points representing the desired data.

In the embodiment of the present invention, rotatabje, spirally arranged, sensing magnets are provided for successively sensing the columns of magnetic index points, or data representations, on each record, while the latter is at rest. Suitable settable data storing means are provided, which are connected, successively, to common electron discharge amplifying means, the latter being connected, at predetermined times in the sensing cycle, to the sensing magnets, said storing means being controlled in accordance with the data representations sensed on the magnetic record sheet. Upon completion of the sensing operations, means are provided, whereby a suitable statistical machine, such as a card punch unit, is controlled, to effect perforating of the card, step by step, in accordance with the settings of the said data storage means.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved and simplified record controlled statistical machine, such as a record perforating machine.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved statistical machine, such as a statistical card punch, wherein a plurality of positionable or rotatable, and spirally arranged sensing magnets are provided, for sensing successively the columns of data representations, while the record sheet is at rest, for controlling the operations of Said machine.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved statistical machine, such as a statistical card punch, wherein the said rotatable sensing magnets are connected, successively, into the input circuit of a single or common impulse amplifying means, for controlling the operations of the machine.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved statistical machine, such as a statistical card punch, wherein a plurality of groups of data storing means are provided, which storing means are connected, successively, and in synchronism with the operation of the rotatable sensing magnets, to the output circuit of the said impulse amplifying means.

Still another object resides in the provision of an improved statistical machine, such as a statistical card punch, wherein a gaseous discharge device is provided, and connected successively, and in a predetermined timed relationship, to the said sensing magnets and corresponding data storing means, whereby the original impulses impressed upon the device are lengthened, with 5 respect to time, for controlling the associated work circuits, including the said data storing means.

Still another object resides in the provision of an improved statistical machine, such as a sta10 tistical card punch, wherein synchronously operated means are provided for rendering the said machine operative, and capable of being controlled by the data storing means, upon completion of the said magnetic sensing operations. 15 Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been 20 contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrically connected sensing and punching units.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the magnetic 25 record sheet.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the record sheet shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a table showing the code employed in the present invention.

30. Fig. 5 is a timing chart of certain control elements of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the record sheet sensing unit.

Fig. 7 As a front elevation view of the said 35 sensing unit shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the lines 8—8 of the sensing unit in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view along the lines 9—9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating details of construction of the punch unit.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 10, but taken on a section line further to the front of the punch unit.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating the details of the carriage escapement mechanism of the punch unit.

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation of the ejecting mechanism of the punch unit.

Figs. 14 and 14a, taken together, are a circuit diagram of the machine.

General description...

The present machine consists of two units, 55 namely the magnetic record sensing, or reading

3,3 unit R, and a well known type of statistical card punch P, which are electrically interconnected by a multi-wire cable PRC. The record sheet 20 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced records consisting of coded magnetic Index points representing the data recorded thereon. Provision is made, whereby the record sheet 20 is fed intermittently, or step by step, to present the individual records to a suitable sensing position, whereat the records are sensed, while the record sheet 20 is stationary.

A group of spirally arranged sensing magnets 92a—92d are provided in a continuously rotating sensing drum 32, which drum is constructed of suitable magnetic material. The said magnets are effective to sense successively the columns of magnetic index points on the individual records, while the latter are at rest, thereby initiating control impulses, at the differential times, the coded index points are sensed in the columns. In practice, the gearing of the sensing drum driving mechanism, and the size of the sensing drum, are arranged so that the linear speed of sensing the magnetic index points is slightly greater than twelve inches per second. The principle of successively sensing the individual columns of the coded data magnetic representations is preferred, so that a single common Impulse electron discharge amplifier unit 170 can be used. In the event, concurring sensing of the columns of data representations is desired, individual amplifier units, for each column of data sensed, must be used.

Means, operated in synchronism with the positionable sensing drum, including the spirally arranged sensing magnets, are provided to connect the individual sensing magnets to the input circuit of the said amplifier unit, thereby permitting the differentially timed impulses, initiated by the said sensing magnets, to be impressed upon, and be amplified by, the said amplifier unit; such means, in the instant case, comprise a plurality of individual rotatable elements, or rings 95, of suitable Insulating material, each ring being provided with an elongated conducting segments Si, S2, S3, and S4 adapted to cooperate with fixed related conducting members, or brushes 98, at predetermined time intervals, during the sensing cycle. Additional means, such as emitter means E, are provided, which also operate, in synchronism with the said spirally arranged magnets, for connecting successively, individual data storing means, comprising the individual groups of relays Rai—Ra4, Rbl—R64, Ref—Rc4, and Rd I—Rd4, to the output circuit ³of a gaseous discharge device Tl, associated with the amplifier unit 170, so as to be selectively controlled, at differential times, by the amplified impulses in accordance with the sensed magnetic index points. The selected relays, of each group, 6 are maintained in an operative condition for controlling subsequently, the operations of the punch unit, immediately upon completion of sensing operations.

A gaseous discharge device of the “Thyratron” 0 type is preferred in the instant embodiment, for it has been found, by experiment, that longer working impulses, which are to be impressed on the connected work circuit, are available by this method, as compared to, the original im- 7 pulses initiated by the high speed sensing means.

Upon completion of the sensing operations, suitable controlling means, such as the emitter controlled contacts ECI and the associated circuits, are called into action to render the punch '

2,003 unit operative. The individual statistical cards, In the punch unit, are perforated, or acted upon, in the different desired columns, step by step, in accordance with the settings of the operated 5 groups of storing relays. Suitable readout means 165 are provided, in the punch unit, for successively connecting the groups of interconnected contacts, of each group of storage relays to the group of control means, such as magnets 115, 0 of the punch unit, whereupon, the said magnets are energized selectively, in accordance with the settings of the contacts of the said groups of relays. Upon completion of the punching operations, means are called into action, under direct 5 control of the punch unit, for ejecting the punched card, feeding the next card to the punches, feeding the next magnetized record to the sensing unit, and rendering the sensing magnets effective to sense, or analyze, the last mentioned 0 magnetized record for further controlling operations.

Magnetic record sheet

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a suitable _ magnetic record sheet or strip 20 is shown to ⁰ comprise a paper carrier or base 21 which is coated with magnetizable granular material 22, and a layer of paper 23 suitable for receiving printed Impressions covering the said magnetlzθ able material. To this end, suitable metal powder, or filings, may be suspended, or mixed, in any suitable binder, and sprayed, or coated, on one of the plies, or layers, of paper. This binder may contain suitable adhesive material, in order ₅ to bond securely the magnetizable material to both plies of paper, and thus form a unitary structure of the three layers of material. If preferred, other types of magnetizable record material can be used, for example, one of the types θ shown in Figs. 4 through 9 of my U. S. Patent No. 2,254,931.

In Fig. 2, a fragmentary section of the continuous record sheet 20 is shown, and comprises Individual records formed thereon, at equally 5 spaced Intervals, which are Indicated by the reference characters A—C. Each individual record comprises a line of printed data, as Indicated by the reference character 24, which printed data correspond to the magnetically recorded data, 0 and a plurality of discrete magnetic index points, indicated by the reference character 25. Obviously, the magnetic impressions on the record sheet are not visually discernible, but are merely indicated, by the shaded areas 25, to show the 5 code positions of. certain of the data representing magnetic impressions. The combinational code employed to represent various data is shown In Fig. 4. The code or index point positions for the available columns on the record sheet are θ shown by the cross marks in the first individual record A on the sheet. It is to be noted that the printed data 24, of each record, is disposed at a predetermined and fixed location on each record, and that the magnetic index points are 5 disposed in a predetermined and fixed area on each record. The linear relationship between the line of printed data 24 and the magnetic index points 25 is a fixed relationship the purpose of which will be understood as the description pro0 gresses. It should be mentioned too, that the usual marginal or feed perforations 26 are provided in the instant record sheet 20.

Sensing unit

Record feeding means.—Referring now to Figs.

S,808,009 and 7, it is seen that the magnetic record sheet 10 is fed from a supply roll >0 under an idler roller 31, over a sensing drum 32, under the sprocket feed roller 33 to the take-up roll 34. As mentioned before, sensing operations are effected , while the record sheet or strip is stationary. Repeated, or intermittent, feeding operations are effected, in order to present the next individual record formed on the sheet to a suitable sensing position, 'under control of the punching mecha- 1 nism, after completion of the record punching operations.;

Referring now to Figs. 6-9, the mechanism of the sensing unit R for feeding the said record sheet 20 will be described. Secured to the main i shaft 3S of the sensing unit is a drive gear 36 meshing with gear 37 rotatably mounted on a single revolution shaft 38. Shaft 35-is driven by any suitable means, which in the instant case consists of motor 39, gear 40 secured to the motor 2 shaft 41, which gear meshes with gear 42 secured to the input shaft 43, of a suitable gear reduction unit 44, the output shaft 45 of the latter being coupled to main shaft 35, by a suitable coupling or connector 46. The main shaft 35 is suit- g ably supported by a main upright panel 47 mounted on a base 48, and an intermediate plate 49 secured to the said panel 47. The said gear reduction unit 44 is supported by a suitable bracket 50, which in turn is secured to the said 3 plate 49. The single or one revolution shaft 38 also is suitably journaled in the said panel 47 and plate 49.

A clutch element, of a well known type of one revolution clutch unit, such as disc 51 having a 3 single notch 52, is secured to the gear 37, which disc is arranged to cooperate with the pawl 53 pivotally supported by the clutch member 54, which member 54, in turn, is suitably secured to the said one revolution shaft 38. Normally the 4 clutch member 54 and pawl 53 are held in a latched position by a pivoted latch arm 55, the upper extremity of which (as viewed in Fig. 8) is suitably notched to engage the extension fingers usually provided on the clutch member 54 4 and pawl 53, thereby preventing the tooth 56 of the spring urged pawl 53 from energizing the notch 52 of clutch disc 51. The lower extremity of latch arm 55 normally is urged against the free end of armature 57 of the clutch mag- 5 net 58, by means of spring 55a (one end of which is linked to a camming lever 60 carried by the latch arm 55), thus maintaining the clutch unit · in the described latched position. Upon momentary energization of the clutch magnet 58, the 5 associated armature 57 is partially rotated, in a clockwise direction (see Fig. 8), to cause the spring urged latch arm 55 to be partially rotated in a clockwise direction, thereby releasing the said clutch member 54 and pawl 53. At the e proper time in the cycle, the tooth of pawl 53 engages the single notch 52 of the rotating disc 5 f, thus causing the latter to drive the said pawl 53, clutch member 54 and shaft 38. Upon completion of one revolution of shaft 38, the clutch β pawl elements are latched, as shown in Fig. 8, due to the engagement of the cam element 59, secured to gear 37, and the camming lever 60 pivotally mounted on the latch arm 55, thereby causing the latch arm 55 to be reset to the nor- 7 mal position shown, iii which position, the upper extremity of said latch arm is effective to prevent the pawl 53 and clutch member 54 from being rotated more than one revolution.

A gear 61 is secured to shaft 38, which gear 71 meshes with gear II, the last inentlpned gear being rotatably mounted on stud shaft '183. Gear 62 also meshes with gear 84,.(.the latter being fixed to shaft 61. Shaft 6p has affixed .thereto the said sprocket feed roller 33, and pulley |6, which pulley is connected, £y a spring belt 67, to pulley 68 secured to the take-up shaft 89. _t·'

Thus, it is seen, by means of the described gearing, and upon momentary energization of,‘the clutch magnet 58, that the shaft 38 is rotated one revolution to effect rotation of the sprocket feed roller 33 and the take-up shaft 69, thereby causing the record sheet 20 to be advanced a predetermined distance. The ratios of the described gearing is such that, for each revolution of shaft 38, the record sheet 20 is advanced a distance D, indicated in Fig. 2, which is equivalent to the distance from one printed line of one record to the printed line of the next adjacent record.

The take-up roll 34 is wound on a suitable reel 70, which reel is detachably mounted on the take-up shaft 69. Similarly, the supply roll 30 is mounted on a suitable reel or spool 71, as desired, which spool is detachably mounted on a shaft 72. Shaft 72 is provided with suitable braking means to keep the record sheet taut, which are shown to consist of a pulley 73 secured to shaft 72, having a spring belt 74, attached to a suitably fixed bracket 75, looped around said pulley.

Suitable means are also provided for preventing backward rotation of the one revolution shaft 38, at the instant the clutch unit is tripped, which consist of a pair of gears 76 and 77 secured to 5 a stud shaft 78, one of the said gears designated by the reference character 76 meshing with gear 64, and the other gear 77 meshing with a gear 79 rotatably mounted on a stud shaft 80. The said gear 79 carries a ratchet wheel 81. the teeth 0 of which are engaged by a spring urged, pivotally mounted locking pawl 82, which pawl and ratchet wheel permit rotation of the associated elements in one direction only. A well known expedient is provided for preventing the pawl 82 from rid5 ing on the ratchet wheel as the latter is rotated in a forward direction, which comprises a pair of arms, designated 81a, pivoted to a stud 82a riding in a suitable slot formed in paw¹. 82. The arms ride in a peripheral groove formed in the 0 ratchet wheel 81, and have the free ends thereof urged together by spring 82b. Thus, during a forward rotation of ratchet wheel 81, the arms 81a are frictionally urged in that direction, causing the pawl 82 to clear the ratchet wheel, how> ever, at any time, the ratchet wheel tends to rotate in the reverse direction, the frictionally driven arms 8 ία position the pawl 82 so as to engage immediately the teeth of said ratchet wheel to prevent rotation in the said reverse di0 rectlon.

Cooperating with tht; sprocket feed roller 33 is a spring urged pivoted bracket 84 provided with a pair of extension arms 85 adapted to hold the record sheet 26 against the sprocket feed roller 5 33.

It should also be mentioned, at this time, that a pair of cam elements 86 and 87 are secured to shaft 38, for cooperating with the suitably disposed, normally closed, cam operated contacts 0 Cl and C2, respectively (also see Fig. 14a), the purpose of which will be described later.

Record sensing means.—Referring now to Figs. 7 and 9, the means for sensing successively the individual rows or columns of magnetic index ⁵ points formed on the record sheet 20 will be ex

2,302, plained. Suitably secured to one end of the main shaft 35 is an annular flanged head or drum 90, of suitable magnetic material, such as soft iron, which is referred to herein as the sensing drum. A plurality of spirally arranged apertures 91 (four 5 in the instant case) are provided in the drum, which are spaced 90° apart·, each aperture being formed at different and equally spaced positions along the transverse axis of the sensing drum. Disposed in each aperture is a sensing or read- 10 ing magnet 92 provided with a slightly protruding pole-piece 93. The said magnets 92 are positioned in the related apertures so that the corresponding pole-pieces 93 are substantially flush with the outer periphery of the sensing drum 90. 15

It is understood, therefore, that the magnets 92 are spaced 90° apart around the periphery of the sensing drum, and are equally spaced along the transverse axis thereof, so as to correspond to the equal spacing of the columns of magnetic 20 index points on the record sheet 20. Thus, each magnet· 92 is arranged to sense a related column of index points, and the magnets, upon rotation of the sensing drum, are effective to sense the columns of index points successively. For the 25 sake, of clarity, the individual sensing magnets are designated 92a—92d in the various figures, including the circuit diagram. And, for the sake of bravity, the said magnets will be referred to herein, as spirally arranged sensing magnets. 30

The end of the shaft 35, to which the sensing drum 90 is secured, is provided with an axial bore 93, which is arranged to communicate with the individual channels 94. By this provision, the individual electrical conductors which are 35 connected to the coils of the sensing magnets 92a—92d are inserted through the said bore and channels, thereby providing suitable electrical connections, from the said magnets, to individual conducting segments SI, S2, S3, and S4. The ⁴⁰individual segments are provided in individual insulating rings 95 which are keyed, or secured in any desired manner, to the main shaft 35. The said conducting segments SI—S4 are spaced 90° apart, and each are elongated sufficiently, ⁴³so that the related sensing magnets are connected in- the sensing circuits long enough to sense all the index point positions of the corresponding column (see the timing chart in Fig. 5).

Individual fixed conducting brushes 96 (Figs. ^υα6 and 8) are provided for engaging the conducting segments SI—S4 as the rings 95 are rotated. The arrangement of the said brushes and conducting segments is such, that, the segment SI engages its related brush, at the time, the mag- ^3υnet 92a traverses the index point positions of column a (Figs. 2, 5 and 14a), segment S2 engages its related brush, at the time, magnet 92b traverses the index point positions of column b, and so on. A common conducting ring 91 is pro- 60 v^!ded, which is engaged by the associated brush 98, the purpose of which will be understood as the description progresses.

Also, secured to the main shaft 35 is a rotary arm 99, of a well known type of impulse distrib- ^Gt>utor or emitter device E (Fig. 9), carrying a pair of electrically connected brushes 100, one of which engages a common conducting ring 101, as the brushes are rotated, and the other of which trav- _ erses the spaced conducting segments 102 which 'θ are disposed, in arcuate groups, in the suitably fixed insulating ring 103. In Fig. 14a, these groups of fixed contacts or conducting segments 102 are designated a—d, and each group of seg- __ ments will be referred to as 102a, 102b, 102c, or ¹⁰

IO2d, in the description of the circuit diagram. The said groups of individual conducting segments are traversed successively by the related brush 100, and are disposed so that the group 102a are traversed, at the time, the magnet 92a is effective to sense the index point positions of column a, the group 102b are traversed, at the time, the magnet 92b is effective to sense the index point positions of column b, and so on.

Secured to and carried by the said rotary arm 99 is a camming element, such as extension finger 104, which finger, during the rotation of arm 99, engages and effects closure of the fixed and suitably disposed contacts ECI. The arrangement is such, that the said contacts ECI are closed momentarily, during each rotation of the said arm 99, after the magnet 92d traversed the index point positions of column d (see Fig. 5).

Card punch unit

Referring now to Figs. 10-13, the controlled card punch unit P will be described. As mentioned hereinabove, the sensing unit is electrically connected with the said punch unit to effect punching of record cards, in predetermined columns, in accordance with the data sensed on the record sheet 20. The punch unit is old and well known in the art, and is usually referred to as a duplicating punch. The following brief and general description is believed sufficient in order to fully comprehend its use in the present invention; however, if a more detailed and complete description of the punch unit per se is desired, reference should be made to U. S. Patent No. 1,976,618 and to the punch at the top of Fig. 1 of U. S. Patent No. 1,962,750.

During the operation of the said punch unit, , a blank statistical card 110 is fed from the bottom of the hopper 111 by the usual picker knife 112, and is advanced to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, to a position where the said card is received. by the positionable card carriage 113. The card is then punched, column by column, as desired, and the card carriage moves, step by step, to the left. When the punching of the card is completed, and the card carriage has reached the end of its movement, the punched card is automatically removed, and the operation just set forth can be repeated.

Hie said punch unit can be controlled manually, by depression of the data keys 114, or automatically, under control of the magnets 115, referred to in the art as duplicating selector magnets. The individual armatures 116 of the magnets 115 are connected to the related keys 114 by individual pivoted links 117, so that, upon energization of the said selector magnets, the corresponding data keys 114 are caused to be depressed. Depression of a key 114 actuates an associated bell crank 118 which, in turn, effects positioning of a related interpcser 119 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 10. Whenever an interposer 119 is thus positioned, it can be acted upon by a depending member 120 of a depressor plate 121. Upon positioning an interposer 119, to the left, a common bail 122 is rocked, raising an arm 123, thereby causing contacts PC to be closed.

Closure of the said PC contacts causes energization of the punch magnet 124, whereupon, the armature 125 is swung about its pivot, rocking bell crank 126, through the link 127, and drawing downwardly the link 128, thereby causing the depressor plate 121 to be rocked. Upon rocking of the said depressor plate, the positioned interposer 119 is depressed, consequently, causing the

2,302,002 corresponding punch i 30 to be depressed to perforate the card in a corresponding index point position. As the punch passes through the card, and the link 127 moves to the right, the lug 131 pushes the arm 123 to the right (as viewed in Fig. 11) to release and open the said contacts PC, thereby causing the said punch magnets 124 to be deenergized, and permitting the punch and its actuating mechanism to return to the shown normal position.

With each punching operation, the well known escapement mechanism, shown in Fig. 12, is operated to permit the card carriage 113 to be released one step, in order to present the next adjacent column of the card to the punches. Thus, for each punching operation, shaft 132 is rocked in a clockwise direction, and then a counterclockwise direction, to first effect disengagement of pawl 133 from teeth 134, formed on the top side of the card carriage rack 135, by a shaft actuated pin 136, and the engagement of latch pawl 137 with teeth 134. Spring 138 will then pull pawl 133, to the left, on its loose pivot, to rest on top of a tooth, so that, when the counterclockwise movement of the shaft 132 raises pawl 137, the advance of the rack 135 and card carriage 113 will be halted, by pawl 133 engaging the next tooth.

The rocking of the common bail 122 also causes the shaft 139, affixed thereto, to be rocked, as well as the T shaped element 140, consequently, opening contacts FC, each time the card carriage is advanced. The usual skip bar 141 can be provided, for cooperation with the pawl 133, to permit an extended movement of the card carriage, until the next low spot in the skip bar allows the said pawl to be lowered.

Thus, it is seen, that the punches 130 can be operated selectively, under control of the selector magnets 115, to effect punching of the desired data in the card 110, in adjacent columns, step by step, or, to automatically skip predetermined columns of the card, under control of the skip bar 141, and effect punching only in certain predetermined columns.

As mentioned before, provision is also made, for automatically ejecting the punched card, after the card is positioned to the last column position, and returning the card carriage to pick up another card, from the picker, for subsequent punching operations. After the positioning of the last column of the card to the punching position, the last column contacts LC are closed, by means of bracket 142 secured to rack 135. It will be explained later, how the closure of contacts LC effects energization of the ejector magnet 143. Upon energization of magnet 143, the associated armature 144 is partially rotated, in a clockwise direction, to actuate the associated mechanism to release latch 145. This permits spring 146 to move rack 147 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 13, and gears 148 to actuate the gripper jaws 149 and 150, thereby raising the card just punched, and depositing it upon the stack 151. Return of the said jaws is accomplished, by movement of the rack 147. to the left, by the end of rack 152 (Fig. 11), during the return of the card carriage, which will be described presently. It should be mentioned, at this time, that suitably disposed auto-start control contacts AC (see Fig. 14) are provided, so that these contacts are closed by the rack 147, when the latter is positioned to the right, as viewed in Fig. 13 (these contacts are designated 201 in the said Patent No. 1,976,618).

It will be shown later, that closure of contacts

AC causes the clutch trip magnet 153 to be energized. Referring now to Mgs. 10 and 11, upon energization of the said magnet 153, armature I 54 is partially rotated, in a clockwise direction, to ₅ cause the attached arm 155 to depress block i 56 under the shoulder of latch 157, thereby causing the contacts CT I to be held open, and contacts CT2 closed. It will be shown, that closure of contacts _CT2, causes the carriage return motor M 10 to be energized, and, in turn, causing the shaft 158 to be rotated.*

Another arm 159, attached to said armature 154, is depressed to cause the pawl 160 to engage one of the teetlj of ratchet 161, the latter being 15 secured to shaft 158. The pawl 160 is pivotally carried by disk 162, which disk, in turn, is secured to gear 163, so that gear i 63 is set into rotation, whenever the clutch mechanism is tripped, as described. Since gear 163 is in engagement with 2o lhe lower set of teeth of rack 152, the said rack 152 and card carriage 113 are returned to the right, as viewed in Mg. 1, upon rotation of gear 163, to receive another card from the said picker 112.

A fixed camming bracket 164 is provided to engage the free end of pawl 160, during its rotation, thereby disengaging the said pawl and ratchet, upon one revolution of shaft 158. Provision is also made to release the latch 157, at this time, to restore the said contacts CTi and CT2 to the normal positions shown in Figs. 10 and 14.

The usual magazine card lever contacts MC (Fig. 14) are provided in association with the 35 hopper 111, and are arranged to be closed as long as cards remain in the said hopper. The suitably disposed contacts RC (Fig. 14) are also provided, and as known are arranged to be closed, by the usual card lever, so long as a card is presented 40 in the punching position by the card carriage.

It should be mentioned too, that the known read-out contact strip 165 (Figs. 1 and 14) is employed, which comprises a common conducting strip 166, and a plurality of spaced conducting 45 segments 167, the said strip and segments being suitably mounted on, and insulated from, the frame of the punch unit. The said conducting segments are spaced parallel to the line of motion of the card carriage. A plurality of intercon50 nected brushes 168 are carried by, and insulated from, the card carriage, and are arranged so that the conducting segments 167 are connected successively to the common conducting strip 165, as the card carriage moves along, step by step. A 55 similar read-out strip is shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,209,107.

Operation

With reference now, particularly, to Mgs. 14 60 and 14a, showing the circuit connections of the control elements, the operation of the described apparatus' will be explained. It is noted, that one terminal of each sensing magnet 92a—92d is connected, by a common circuit, to the common conducting ring 97, which ring, in turn, is connected by the related brush 98 to the input circuit of a suitable type of electron discharge amplifier unit, generally designated by the reference character 170, which unit includes a suitable power supply for the amplifier tubes. The other terminals of the sensing magnets 92a, 92b, 92c, and 92d, are connected to the individual rings 95, carrying the conducting segments SI, S2, S3, and S4, respectively. The brushes 96, of the said rings 95, are connected, by a common circuit, to

2,302,002 the said input circuit of the amplifier unit. The output circuit of the amplifier unit is suitably connected to a grid element of a r .seous discharge device T(, which is of the “Thyratron” type. By this, it is meant, that, upon rendering the device Tl conductive, the grid element exercises no further control over the said device. The said grid element, of device T(, is biased negatively, by any suitable means, such as the battery, indicated by the reference character (71, whereby the device is normally maintained nonconductive.

The principle of magnetically sensing discrete magnetic impressions is well known, and is explained in detail in my said Patent No. 2,254,931. Upon sufficient relative movement between the magnetic record sheet and the sensing magnets, the remanent flux of each discrete magnetic impression, or index point, on the record sheet causes an E. M. F. to be generated in the coil of each sensing magnet, which E. M. F. is, in turn, impressed upon the input circuit of the amplifier unit 170, to render the latter conductive, at such times. At all other times, the amplifier unit is arranged to be substantially non-conductive. Since the output circuit of the amplifier unit is connected to the grid element of the gaseous discharge device Tl, the said device Is rendered conductive, each time the amplifier unit is influenced, by the sensed magnetic index points, and rendered conductive. As is known, the grid element of device Tl, can then, no longer, exercise any control over the device. In the Instant case, the grid element is permitted to regain control of the device, by opening the output circuit of the latter, at a predetermined time interval, after the device Tl is rendered conductive. By this arrangement, the original potential impulses initiated by the sensing magnets 92a—92d, and Impressed upon the amplifier unit, are lengthened by the action of the said gaseous discharge device, and thus, making available a greater amount of power, which is impressed upon the connected work circuits.

It is noted, that the output circuit of the gaseous discharge device Tl is connected to the rotatable brush (00 of the emitter E, the fixed groups of contacts 102a—IO2d, of which, are connected to a plurality, or group, of storing means or devices. Each storing means includes a plurality of relays, such as relays Ra(—Ra4, Rbl— Rb4, Rcl—Rc4, and Rdl—Rd*. The contacts of each group of mentioned relays are interconnected, in a similar and well known manner, so that, upon selective operation of one, or more, relays of each group, a single circuit is selected from a group of circuits, in accordance with the settings of the said relays, the purposes of which will be understood as the description progresses.

Now, let us assume, that blank cards are properly placed in the hopper (11 of the punch, so that contacts MC are closed; that the card carriage (13 is positioned in the last column position, so that contacts LC are closed; that the record sheet 20 is properly positioned in the sensing unit, and in this connection, it should be stated, that an indicator or pointer (72 (Fig. 6) is provided, and located above the sensing drum, which pointer serves as a guide for proper insertion of the record sheet. The first printed line 24, on the sheet 20, should be placed opposite the said pointer, thus assuring the fact, that the record is properly positioned for initial operation of the unit, and that the record will be positioned properly, step by step, during subsequent operations of the unit. It is further assumed, that the switches 175—177 are closed, to energize the motor 39 of the sensing unit, to impress the proper potentials upon the amplifier unit, and to establish the following circuits.

One of these circuits can be traced from the negative terminal of switch 175 to binding post i, of a suitable terminal strip, switch 176, common conductor 178, conductor 179, coil of relay R7, contacts LC, and conductor 180, switch 176, binding post 2 to the positive terminal of switch (75, energizing said relay. Upon energization of the said relay, contacts R7a and R7b are closed. Closure of contacts R7a establishes a circuit from conductor 180 to contacts CT I, conductor 10(, contacts R7a, eject magnet 1*3, conductors 102 and 103 to conductor 170, energizing the said eject magnet. The energization of the eject magnet causes the gripper jaws to rotate, as described hereinabove, and consequently, causing the autostart contacts AC to be closed. A circuit is then completed from the positive terminal of the power supply by conductor (80 to contacts R7b (now closed), contacts AC, binding posts 6 and 3, contacts MC, binding post *, conductor 184, pick-up coil of relay R5, conductor 185 to the negative terminal of the said power supply, energizing the said relay. A holding circuit is established for this relay, through contacts R5a, which is as follows: positive terminal of the power supply, conductor 186, normally closed cam contacts C(, conductor 187, contacts R5a, holding coil of relay R5, to conductor (85 and negative terminal of the said power supply.

Another circuit extending from binding post * can be traced as follows: binding posts 4 and 5, conductor 188, normally closed contacts R6c, conductor 189, the clutch trip magnet 153 to •conductor (78, which circuit is established, upon closure of the aforementioned operated contacts AC, to energize the said trip magnet 53. Energization of magnet 153 causes the contacts CT I to be opened, and contacts CT2 to be closed. Opening of contacts CTi breaks the circuit to the eject magnet 143, and closure of contacts CT2 completes a circuit from the said power supply through the punch motor M, by connecting the latter to conductors (78 and (80.

It is remembered, upon operation of the punch motor, the card carriage is returned to receive a card from the picker, and position it, to the first column or punching position, consequently, causing the last column contacts LC to be opened, which in turn, cause relay R7 to be deenergized. In this manner, contacts R7a and R7b are restored to the normally open positions.

Relay R5 being energized, a circuit is completed from the power supply to the clutch magnet 58, of the sensing unit, by means of the closed contacts R5b. Energization of this clutch magnet causes the one revolution shaft 38 to be rotated, and immediately causing cam contacts Cl and C2 to open. Opening of the said contacts CI breaks the described holding circuit for relay R5, the deenergization of which, disconnects the said clutch magnet 58 from the power supply, thereby permitting the said shaft 38 to be latched, as described hereinabove, upon the completion of one revolution. Opening of the said contacts C2 disconnects the connection between the gaseous discharge device Tl and the emitter E, associated with the said groups of storage relays, while the record sheet 20 is fed, thereby preventing the completion of any false circuits from the sensing magnets to the storage relays.

2,302,002

Rotation of the one revolution shaft 38 causes the record sheet 20 to be advanced, so that the first individual record formed thereon is moved to the sensing position, whereat, the said record sheet is held stationary during the sensing operations. Thus, it is seen, that upon completion of the single revolution of shaft 38, the first record of the magnetic sheet is positioned, so that the columns of magnetic index points, representing the desired data formed thereon, can be sensed, successively, by the magnets 92a—9 2d, while the record is stationary; and that the first blank card HO, picked up from the hopper 111 is placed in position to be punched. It is remembered that, upon energization of the sensing unit motor 39, the sensing drum is rotated continuously. Thus, during the revolution of the sensing drum, immediately following the one, during which latching of the one revolution shaft 38 occurs, sensing operations are effected. The timed intervals, during the said revolution of the sensing drum, during which the successive sensing of the different columns occurs, are indicated in the timing chart (Fig. 4), namely, by the timing of the emitter E, and the conducting segments SI—S4. During this revolution of the sensing drum, in which sensing takes place (and which will be referred to as a sensing cycle), the contacts Cl and C2 are closed, as indicated in the timing chart.

The magnet 92a is presented first to its related column of magnetic index points, which as mentioned hereinabove, is the column a, indicated on the record sheet 20 (Fig. 2). After the magnet 92a completes sensing the said index points, magnet 92b senses the adjacent column of index points, namely, column b; after column b is sensed, magnet 92c senses the index points in column c, and finally, after the sensing of column c, magnet 92d is effective to sense the index points in column d.

The rings 95, carrying conducting segments SI—S4, and the brushes 100, of the emitter E, are operated in timed relation, or synchronism, with the movement of the sensing magnets, so that, the said segments are connected in the input circuit of the common amplifier unit, at the. times the related magnets 92a—92d, respectively, are effective to sense the index points in the corresponding columns a—d. Also, the individual groups of fixed contacts of the emitter E are traversed, successively, by the brashes 100, and connected in the output circuit of the gaseous discharge device Tl, at the times, the related sensing magnets 92a—92cZ, respectively, are effective to sense the corresponding index point positions. By virtue of the described synchronous operations, the groups of storing relays, Rai— Rai, Rbl—Rbi, Rcl—Rc4, and Rdl—Rd4, are influenced, successively, in accordance with the disposition of the coded magnetic index points.

Assume now, that the first record, indicated by the reference character A in Fig. 2, is held, at rest, in the sensing position, and that magnet 92a is rotated past the first column (a) of index points. It should be mentioned, that the sensing magnets are rotated in a direction, so that the last index point positions are sensed first, i. e. with reference to Fig. 2, the index point positions are sensed in 4—3—2—1 order.

Upon sensing a magnetic representation, at the “3” index point position, the E. M. F. induced in magnet 92a is impressed upon the input circuit, of the amplifier unit 170, to render this unit con7 ductive, thereby rendering the gaseous discharge device Tl conductive. A circuit is then completed from the negative terminal of switch 175 to conductors 185, 190, cathode and anode ele_g ments of device Tl, contacts R6d, cam contacts

C2, brush 100, the'Second traversed segment of group 102a, conductor 191, coil of relay Ra3, coil of relay Ra, cam contacts Cl and conductor I8S to the positive terminal of switch 175, energizing ₁₀ said relays Ra3 and Ra. A holding circuit is established immediately, and can be traced as follows: negative terminal of the power supply connected to conductor 185, conductors 190 and 192, resistor 193, contacts Raia, coil of relay Ra3, _ig coil of relay Ra, cam contacts Ci, and conductor

186 connected to the positive terminal of the said power supply. This holding circuit is maintained, as described, until the cam contacts Cl are opened, during the next record sheet feeding ₂₀ cycle. The said gaseous discharge device Tl is rendered non-conductive, as the emitter punch 100 leaves the said segment, of the group 102a, connected to the conductor 191.

As the magnet 92a is rotated past the index point position “1” of column a, the magnetic im⁰ pression is effective to induce an E. M. F. in the said magnet, rendering the amplifier unit 170, and the gaseous discharge device Tl, conductive again. A circuit is now completed from con₃₀ ductor 185 to conductor 190, cathode and anode elements of device Tl, contacts R6d, cam contacts C2, brush 100, the last segment traversed in the group 102a, conductor 194, coil of relay Rai, coil of relay Ra, cam contacts Cl to con35 ductor 186, energizing relay Rai. A holding cir° cuit is established for this relay, and can be traced from conductor 185 to conductor 190, resistor 195, contacts Raia, coil of relays Rai and Ra, cam contacts Ci to conductor (86.

In this manner, the plurality of relays, of each data storing means, are selectively operated, or conditioned, by the differentially timed impulses initiated under the control of the said sensing magnets, in accordance with the disposition of 45 the sensed magnetic index points, which selections are maintained until all the columns of index points, on an individual record, are succes- sively sensed, and the corresponding data successively entered on the record card by the punch 50 unit.

Immediately, after the sensing of the first column of index points by magnet 92a, the second column is sensed by magnet 92b to control selectively the operation of the relays of the second 55 storing means, namely, relays Rbi—Rb4. According to the specific example under consideration, a magnetic index point is sensed at the “3” index point position by magnet 92b (see Fig. 2). Due to the synchronous operations of the congO ductive segment S2 and emitter E, relays Rbl and Rb, of the said second storing means, are energized, precisely, in the same maimer, as described in detail hereinabove. For this reason, it is believed, that further detailed description for 65 the following sensing operations are not necessary. A holding circuit is established for these relays through the contacts Rb3a, which circuit is maintained, until cam contacts Ci are opened.

Similarly, magnet 92c is effective to cause re70 lays Rc4 and Rc, of the third storing means, to be selected and energized, which selection is maintained by the holding circuit established through cam contacts Cl; and finally, magnet 92d is effective to select and effect energization of relays 75 Rd I and Rd, of the fourth storing means, which selection is likewise maintained, so long as cam contacts Ci remain closed.

Now, immediately following the sensing of the fourth, and, in the present example, the last column of index points, and before repeated sensing operations are effected, contacts ECi, associated with emitter E, are closed to establish a circuit from conductor 186, through contacts Rda, Rea, Rba, Raa, said contacts ECi, coil of. relay R6, and conductors 196 and 185, energizing said relay. A holding circuit is immediately completed from conductors 185 and 196 to coil of relay R6 contacts R6a, conductor 187, cam contacts Cl, and conductor 186, which circuit is maintained, until the said cam contacts are opened. Operation of relay R6 immediately renders the punch unit effective to punch the data, stored in the selected storage relays, successively, in desired columns on the card in the punch unit.

Due to closure of contacts R6b, a circuit is completed from the positive terminal of the power supply to conductor 180, contacts CT I, the parallel circuit including closed contacts RC and R8a (contacts RC are closed whenever a card in the punch is in punching position), contacts FC, conductor 197, binding post 7, said contacts R6b, binding post 8, conductor 198, common conducting strip 166 of the punch readout strip 165, brushes 168, one of the conducting segments 167 corresponding to the card carriage position, conductors 199 and 200, contacts Rd4c, Rd3c, Rd2c, and Rdlh, conductor 201, binding post 9, conductor 202, the “0” duplicating magnet 1 IS of the punch unit, and conductors 183 and 178 to the negative terminal of the said power supply, energizing said magnet 115.

It is recalled, upon energization of magnet 115, the associated interposer is moved, closing the punch magnet contacts PC, to effect energization of the punch magnet 124. This causes the selected punch to be driven through the card, and consequently, the contacts FC and PC are opened to break the circuits through the said selected magnet 115, and punch 124, respectively. After the punching operation is completed, the card carriage is permitted to advance one step, presenting the next adjacent column of the card to the punches, or a predetermined number of steps, . in the event a skip bar is used. The brushes 168, of the readout strip 165, are advanced accordingly, to establish the next circuit through the third group of storage relays for another punching operation.

This circuit, just referred to, can be traced as follows: conductor 180, contacts CT1, parallel connected contacts RC and R8a, contacts FC, conductor 197, binding post 7, contacts R6b, binding post 8, conductor 198, common conducting strip 166, brushes 168, one of the segments 167, conductors 203 and 204, contacts Rc4b, Rc3e, Rc2e, and Rcle, conductor 205, binding post 10, conductor 206, the “1” duplicating magnet 115, and conductors 183 and 178, energizing said selected magnet 115. Punching of this data in the card is effected, and the card carriage again is advanced to the next desired column position, as well as the readout brushes 168.

The said readout brushes 168 are then effective to complete a circuit to conductors 207 and 208, contacts Rb4c, Rb3b, Rb2g and Rd I &lt;7, conductor 209, binding post II, and conductor 210 to the ”2” duplicating magnet 115, energizing the said selected magnet, and causing the selected data to be punched in the card, and another column I of the card to be presented to the punches.

Brushes (68 are effective again to complete &amp; circuit to conductors 211 and 212, contacts Ra4c, ' Ra3b, Ra2(?, and Rai/, conductor 213, binding post 14, and conductor 124 to the “4” duplicating magnet 115, energizing said selected magnet, and causing the selected data to be punched in the card, and the card carriage to be skipped, by means of a skip bar, to the last column position (assuming that the card carriage is not in the last column position when this data is punched).

The last column contacts LC are how closed to1 effect energization of relay R7, thereby causing1 contacts R7a and R7&amp; to be closed. The eject( mechanism is rendered operative, as described hereinabove, upon energization of relay R7, to eject the card just punched, and cause another I card to be picked up by the card carriage, and another individual record, on the magnetic record sheet 20, to be presented to the sensing magnets 92a—92d, which magnets again become effective to control selectively the said storage relays, and cause the record card to be punched accordingly.

If, for any reason, it is desired to feed the magnetic record sheet 20 through the sensing unit, , under manual control, a record feed switch 216 is provided. Closure of the associated contacts 216 causes the relay R5 to be energized, which, in turn, causes the clutch magnet 58 to be energized, thereby rendering the record sheet feed means operative.

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