GB296120A - Improvements in or relating to record-card-controlled statistical machines - Google Patents

Abstract

296,120. British Tabulatiing Machine Co., Ltd., (Tabulating Machine Co.). May 25, 1927. Statistical machines.-A record-card-controlled machine is provided with an electrostatic device which when electrically excited controls the actuation of the registering or recording mechanism. According to the principle of the device when an electric current passes between a metallic conductor and a semi-conductor the two conductors adhere to each other by electrostatic attraction. In the form shown the conductors are constituted by steel strips 4 and an agate cylinder 6. The conductors 4 are yieldingly connected to springs 5b and in circuit with card contact brushes 2. The cylinder 6 is continuously rotated during an operation of the machine and its spindle 7 is in electric contact with a brush 8, cam contacts 9 (closed during the analyzing portion of the cycle), battery 10, brush 11, and metallic cylinder 3 continuously rotated. When a circuit is closed through the brush feeling a perforation the corresponding strip 4 adheres to the agate cylinder and is moved thereby to raise the lower end of the strip. To the lower end of each strip is connected an insulated arm of a bell crank lever 12 co-operating with the usual clutch member 13 of the individual counting elements. When the clutch is thrown in by movement of the strip it is retained in engaging position by a corresponding latch pawl on a bar 17, the bar being adapted to be moved by cams 16a on spindles 16 at the proper instant during the operating cycle to free the latches and disengage the clutches.