GB765129A - Improvements in statistical record card reproducing punching machines - Google Patents

Abstract

765,129. Statistical apparatus. MAUL, M. Oct. 19, 1954, No. 30102/54. Class 106 (1). The invention relates to a machine for reproducing " multiple deck " record cards, i.e. cards, e.g., as shown in Fig. 1, in which information is recorded in two or more areas or "decks," with the corresponding columns of the respective decks aligned, the control arrangements being such that in the reproduced cards the record columns are interchanged within decks and between decks according to an arbitrary selection. The control-cards are fed from a magazine 38, Fig. 3, in known step-by-step manner past analysing brush sets bI, bII, bIII, Fig. 4. Each brush set contains thirty brushes so that all card columns are sensed simultaneously row-by-row, and the brush sets are spaced the distance between the decks. The blank cards are fed synchronously from a magazine 39, the timing being such that as the first row of the first and second decks of a control card are under brushes bII, bI, respectively, the first row of the first deck of the blank card is positioned beneath thirty punches 23, Fig. 5. Thus record punching of the blank card is effected row-by-row for the first deck as the first and second decks of the control card are sensed by brushes bII, bI respectively, and the second deck is punched row-by-row as the first and second decks of the control card are sensed by brushes bIII, bII, respsctively. The punches are operated by respective selector magnets W which when energized rock corresponding selector bars 16 to the right (Fig. 5) so that the full depth of the latter come under the punching yoke 17, which is rocked by a cam 19 to actuate the selected punches. The individual brushes of the sets bI, bII, bIII are connected to respective linear arrays obI, obII, ubII, ubII of parallel conductor bars, Fig. 10 (there being two arrays obII, ubII for brushes bII), arranged perpendicularly to a further array Ws of conductor bars connected to the selector magnets W. The bars are perforated at their points of intersection to form a plug board so that by inserting plugs in arbitrarily selected holes, Figs. 11, 12 (not shown), a selector magnet may be connected to any one of the brushes to affect columnar interchange in the reproduced card, as required. During punching of the first deck, brushes bI, bII and the bars obI, obII are operative. For punching the second deck, brushes, bII, bIII and bars ubII, ubIII are operative. This change over in the control circuits is affected by thirty cam-operated contacts uI, and a single contact uII, Fig. 9. Operation; circuitry; Fig. 9. Upon closure of a start key a the motor M runs to feed cards to the analysing and punching stations. Contacts k1 k2 are operated, respectively, by the presence of a control card at the brushes bII, and a blank card under the punches, to provide a locking circuit for the motor. Gam contacts i, d are closed as the first rows of holes are analysed by brushes bII, bI, so that current flows through these contacts, brushes bII, contacts uI and the plug board (indicated by a dotted circle) to energize appropriate selector magnets. In addition other selected magnets are energized over contact uII, brushes bI and the plug board. Thus in accordance with the " plugging " the selector magnets may respond through brushes bI or bII. Cam contact i opens shortly before the cards are fed to their next row positions where contacts i close again and punching of the second row is effected in a similar manner. When the upper deck of the card has been punched the contacts uI, uII are changed over so that during punching of the lower deck the brushes bII, bIII are operative. After analysis of the last position of a control card, the control and reproduced cards are fed to card receivers, and contacts uI, uII revert to their original positions and the operating cycle is repeated for the next card.