US1295167A - Registering and recording apparatus for tabulating systems. - Google Patents

Description

H. HOLLERITH. RECORDING APPARATUS FOR TABULATING SYSTEMS.

REGISTERING AND 1,295,167.

Hoi/nut REGISTERING AND RECORDING APPARATUS FO APPLICATION HLED MAR. ze. 1913.

H. HOLLERITH.

A TABULAUNG SYSTEMS.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. HOLLERITH. ECORDING APPARATUS FOR TABULATING SYSTEMS. APPLICATION FILED MMI. 2e. Isls.

IIEGISTERING AND R Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

J /la @W4/Webau UNITED sTATEs .PATENT oEEicE.

HERMAN HOLLERITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT or COLUMBIA, AssIGNoE To THE TABUIQATIN G MACHINE COMPANY, 0F EAST ORANGE, N EW'J' ERSEY, A CORPORATION,

0F NEW JERSEY.

REGISTERING AND RECORDING APPARATUS FOR TABULATING SYSTEMS.

Application tiled March 26, 1913. Serial No. 757,\OOO.

To all wko-ml t may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN HoLLERiTH,

of IVaShingtOn, District of Columbia, have` invented certain new and useful Improvements in Registering and Recording Apparatus for Tabulating Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,` clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to' which it appertains to make and use the same.

The primary object of this invention is to provide iii a tabulating system' simple and highly efficient means for recording or recording and registering the numbers indicated by a series of index-points on recordcards.

The invention is especially adapted for use 'in connection with the class of record-cards employed in the Hollerith tabulatingv system, such index-points being indicated by punched holes at the proper index-point positions on each particular record-card in accordance with the data which that card represents." By means of my presentinvent-ion the recording will be automatically controlled synchronously with the actuation of the registering device by the corresponding index-point of each record-card.

The recording means comprises a series of tipe-carrying members arranged to move in unison in Vopposite. directions.. each being capable of being independently arrested at any point in its travel in one direction without interfering with the others, the arrest of a type-carrying member being automatically .accomplished in accordance with the indexpoint in the respective column of a recordcard.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2-2, Fig. 3, the

registering device being omitted. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 3 3. Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section in detail. Fig. 5 is a face view of a record-card.

In the form of record-card which I have selected for illustrating and describing my invention, but without intending to limit myself thereto. the index-point positions, as shown in Fig. 5, are denoted by printed igures arranged in groups, each group consistingof one or more columns of figures comprising the nine digits and the cipher, sub- Specication of Letters Patent.

.isters of the Hollerith system,

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

stantially as shown in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 777,209, With the cipher at the top of each colum'nin horizontal alinement, and the digits following in order down each column to the figure' 9. To secure brevity in this description I have indicated iiideX-points in -only three columns of one 'of record-actuated contacts by a reciprocating cross-liead 2 and feed-rollers 3, in gear with the main operating shaft 3a. Asthe feeding mechanism shown is substantially similar to that described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 945,236, further description thereof is unnecessary. Conducting brushes 4, 4a and 4b. are normally in contact with plates 5,

5, and 5b, insulated from each other, but the l brushes and their contact plates are separated when a card is fed between them.

' Each brush and its respective plate form a pair of electrical contacts, which are actuated or permitted to come together and move apart, by the record; IVhen a card is fed between the brushes and the contact plates, the index-point positions of each column of the group to which the Contact brushes apply, are presented successively to the brushes or record-actuated devices, and when the punched hole in a column registers with the brush of that column, the brush' will contact with its complementary member, and an electrical contact will be established momentarily and the corresponding registering device will be operated in the manner wellknown in connection with the tabulatying regaiid according to my present invention means for controlling the' recording mechanism will likewise be operated in synchronisinwith the registering. device. The brushes are mounted on a common plate 6 which is energized when a punched hole registers with abruslnbeing placed in circuit with a battery 7 in the main circuit. The time at which the record-actupoint at all times when no card is between the brushes and their complementary contact plates, as for,y instance during the period D which elapses between the passage of Successive cards. This contact is shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 as consisting of two opposed spring arms 8 and 9 which are controlledby a lever 10 with which the record-cards engage to complete the main circuit. The'contact plates, 5, 5a and 5* are separately connected in a secondary circuit with relay magnets 12, 12 and 12", thearmatures of which, when the magnets are energized, will close the secondary circuit by engaging contacts 13, 13*L and 13b, after the manner contemplated by my before noted Patent No. 945,236.

The recording apparatus comprises a series of type-carrying members 15 each of which is shown in the form of a double sector loosely mounted on a common shaft 17, upon which they are designed to reciprocate. On their outer edges theseA sectors carry type 18 ranging from O to 9, while their inner ed es are equipped with a corresponding num er of ratchet teeth 19. These type-carrying members are all moved in one direction, namely, to the starting point, by

a bail 20 which rocks on shaft 17 and is operated by acam 214 actin on a roll 22 of the bail once in each cycle o operation. To the bail is connected a spring 23 (see Fig. 3), by which its return is effected. Each of the type-carrying members has` connected thereto a spring 24 by which said members are moved on the shaft, following thepbail on its return travel. Within the electric circuit, and connected with the relay magnets, is a series of controlmagnets 30, 301l and 30". When a relay magnet is energized, its respective control magnet will actuate a pawl 31 and cause it to engage one of the teeth of the respective typecarrying member and arrest the travel thereof under the recoil of its spring. The moment of` arresting a type-carrying member is controlled by the index-point of the respective column of the record-card, the type of the member in operative position at the time such member is 'arrested corresponding to the number represented by such index-point.

The registering devices adapted to be operated according to the location of the in deX- points on the record card comprise a register wheel or member and suitable driving means therefor, such as a clutch disk. Three such register Wheels 32, 32a and 32b are illustrated in Fig. 1 which is intended t0 illustrate a typical form of registering apparatus; but their number may, of course, be varied, as desired. Any desired form of registering apparatus embodying directly actuated registering members with means for carrying or transferring from one member to that of the nexthigher order, accumulating members and zero resetting devices may be'employed, and I have therefore not considered it necessary to illustrate or describe the same in detail since their construction and operation are well understood by those skilled in the art.

In the re 'stering apparatus, 32 indicates the units w eel, 323L the tens wheel, and 32b 80 the hundreds wheel, and through a suitable sight-opening, (indicated by dotted lines), only one number of each wheel is exhibited. Each wheel is mounted loosely'on the shaft 33 which is constantly driven at a uniform 85 speed in synchronism with the moving card and the travel of the recording mechanism. The wheels are suitably supported so that the turning movement of the shaft 33 will not actuate them until they are brought into positive connection therewith. Each of said wheels is provided with a series of peripheral numbers from 0 to 9, and in the form of apparatus illustrated this connection of the wheels with the shaft 33 is e'ected by means 95 .of a clutch, comprising a series of clutch teeth, one for each figure, on the wheels, and coperating clutch members or disks 34, splined so they will slide on the shaft and turn therewith. Each clutch disk is provided with clutch teeth which will engage the clutch teeth on its registering wheel when it is moved toward the wheel, locking the wheel and disk together so that the wheel will turn with the disk and make the necessary partial revolution.

The clutch members are engaged by spring-held pawls 35,forming the armatures of a third series of magnets 37, 37a and 37b which are connected with the control magnets of the recording mechanism and with the main or battery circuit through contacts Y38 which are arranged to be separated to break the main circuit simultaneously through all the magnets by a constantly revolving cam 39 at the instant the advancing movement of the card brings the index-point positions, denoted by the ciphers, under the brushes. When any one of the control magnets of the recording mechanism is energized, the corresponding control-magnet of the registering device will also be energized, and its armaturewill be attracted and thereby carry its respective clutch disk into locking engagement with its register wheel. The energizing of both magnets is established by the closing of the circuit by the recordactuated contacts and will be maintained, after such contacts'are separated, by the circuit established through the relay Imag- I nets until the circuit is broken at the condex-points is elfected by the actuation of a tacts 38.

The strip of paper upon which the numbers are to be recorded is indicated at 40, Figs. 1 and 3, and 'is shown as passing vertically in proximity to the type of the recording members. Between the paper and the type an inking ribbon is conventionally yshown at 41, Figs. 1 and 2. I have not indicated the spools upon which the paper is wound or the means for controlling the inking rilbbon, as the samey may be of any preferred4 form of construction. After a record-card has passed from control-position, the imprintof the type of the respective recording members corresponding to the instriker 42 which is shown as carried-by two 4levers 43 which are actuated by cams 44.

These cams are shown as having three proud portions (Fig. 3) since they make o`ne complete revolution to three cyclesof operation being actuated by reducing" of the press, gearing 45 (seeFig. 2). Springs 46, one of which is shown inFig. 3, serve to hold the striker in its normal position.-

The striker-actuating cams 44 are fast on shaft 17 which extends transversely of and is supported by the side members `of the frame 47. On this shaft is mounted one of the wheels of the reducing gearing 45, the driving memlber of which is mounted on the operating shaft 49 -whereon is, shown a toothed wheel 50 driven'by a perforated belt '51 leading from a second toothed wheel' on the main operating shaft 3*? of the card feed-mechanism, Itis manifest that the recording apparatus may be otherwise actuated and need not necessarilyfibe geared to the feed-mechanism. The shaft 49 also carries the bail-actuating-cam 21.

The strip of paper is fed through the recor-.ding field .by feed rolls arranged in pairs 5.2, 53,`with the type-carrying members between them.l The rolls of each pair are geared together, and one roll of each pair y1s mounted ona common shaft 54 so that power applied to one pair of feed rolls will be transmitted to the other. pair. This shaft v 54 is outside the plane oflthe strip of-paper,

and is beneath the striker, which latter is bent: or curved to extend over the shaft. Any suitable? means may be employed for.

imparting an intermittent movement to the feed rolls to cause theA paper to befed after eachimpression. On the shaft ofone of the feed rolls '52 is loosely mounted an arm '55 whichcarries a pawl 56 which is de signed to engage a kratchet 57 on said shaft, a spring 58 (see Fig. 3)' tending. to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet. The pawl-carrying arm "55 when engaged by any one of 'three pins 59 extending laterally from the adjacentca'm 44 will impart the necessary movement to the feed rolls.

f the action of the bail bers 'being discontinued and the bail start- In operation, the cards are fed one at a time from the platform and are caused to pass downwardly between the brushes and their contact plates. As a card is traveling downward the type-carrying ends of the recording members are moving upward under the recoil of their springs, following, in their upward movement, the return bail against which they bear. At the instant the lowerV end of the card passes between the brushes and their contact plates the spring contactarme 8 and 9 are brought into engagement by the contact of the card with the lever 10, thus closing the circuit at this point. As the card advances to bringthe index-point positions denoted 'by the numerals 9 ofthe several columns in horizontal alinement underthe brushes the lowermost teeth-of the 'series of teeth 19 of the typecarrying members will be adjacent to vthe stop pawls, while the uppermost type will be in line with the striker, and immediately back ofthe inking ribbon. made by 'any one of the brushes, say the brush 4, by reason of a hole punched at the index-point position 9, the circuit will be If contact -is immediately closed through such brush 4 and its respective contact plate, resulting in the energizing of the' relay-magnet l2 and the respective control-magnets 30 and 37 of the recording mechanism and the registering device, respectively, thereby throwing the pawl of the recordingmechanism into position to arrest the movement of the l lrespective recording member so that the type ,9 thereof Will'be held in line with the striker, and the clutch member or disk 34' point positions of .the card have passed beyond the brushes the striker will be actuated' by thefcams 44 and the impression made on the strip of'paper 40. Before the next cycle of Operation the paper `is advanced through the actuation of the feed rolls. As the cam 21 engages the 'bail all. the recording members will be returned to their starting point,

on the several meming on its return movement under the'recoil of its spring by the time the first indexpolntpositions of the next record-card are in the eld of control of the contact terminals.

While I have shown and described eleC- trically-operated means for effectingthe control of the apparatus, yet it is not my intention 'to restrict my invention to the employment of electricity, since other equivalent means may be employed instead of an electric circuit or circuits andV electricallyoperated devices; but I consider` electricity to be the most advantageous agent and have therefore selected, for the purpose of description, an'. electrically-operated apparatus, and in' this connection it is t0 be understood that where electricity is employed as an actuating or controlling agent the apparatus maybe arranged for operation either on open or closed circuits.

I cla-im as my invention:

l. In.. apparatus of the character described, in combination, recording mechanism having normally active recording members, a record-card, means whereby the record card may be moved continuously through the machine, and means controlled by the record-card for arresting said members during the movement of the card.

'2. In apparatus of the -character described, in combination,v a series ofV normally active recording members, a recordcard, means whereby the record card may be moved continuously through the machine,

means for separately arresting said members mally .active recording members, means for arresting said members, and means common to said registering device and said arresting means for automatically controlling the same.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a registering Ydevice and controlling means therefor, of

recording mechanism having normally active recording members, means actuated in synchronism with said controlling means for arresting said members, and means common to said register controlling means and said arresting means for automatically controlling the same. f

6. In apparatusV of the character described, the combination with a registering device and controlling means therefor, of recordngmechanism having normally acarresting said members, and a record-card moving in synchronism with said recording members for controlling said controllmg means vand said arresting means.

8 In apparatus of the .character dcscribed, in combination, recording mechanism having normally active recordingmembers, a record-card, means whereby the record card may be moved continuouslyI through the machine, means controlled by the record-card for varresting said members during the movement of the card, and a printing element for coperating with said recording members after the latter have been arrested. A

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a registering device and controlling means therefor, of recording mechanism having normally active type-carrying members, a record-card moving in synchronism with said recording members,4 means controlled by the recordcard in synchronism with said controliing means for automatically arresting said members, and a printing element for coperatu ing with said type-carrying members after the latter have been arrested.

1Q. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a registering device and controlling means therefor, of recording mechanism having normally active type-carrying members, means actuated in synchronism with said register controlling means for arresting said members, and av printing element for coperating with said type-carrying members after the latter have been arrested.

l1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a series of recording, members, springs connected each to said members for moving them in one direction, a bail designed tolengage all of said members for moving them in one direction, a constantly-rotating cam for actuating said bail to return said members to their starting point, a record-card having index-point positions, and means for separately arresting said recording members.

12. 'In an apparatus of the character described, in combination,.a series of recording members, a common support upon which said members are loosely mounted, each member being in the formof a double sector and having a series of type and a series of ratchet teeth at opposite ends, springs for moving the members in one direction, an element common to all of the members for moving them in the opposite direction, a record-card having index-point positions, a series of pawls, one for each recording member, for separately arresting such members, and a striker designed to coperate with the type when the recording members are at rest.

13.- In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a series of recording membersa shaft upon which said members are loosely mounted, springs connected to said members for moving themin one direction, a bail mounted cncentrically to said recording members for moving all of them'in opposition to said springs, an operating shaft, a cam carried by said operating shaft for actuating said bail in each cycle of operation, a cam loose on the first mentioned shaft, reducing gearing between said cam and the operating shaft, and a striker for coperating with the recording members actuated by said cam once in each cycle of operation. l Y

In testimony whereof I havesigned this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMAN HOLLERITH. Witnesses JUmUs V.' PATRosso, FRANCIS S. MAGUmE.

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