US1870234A - Tabulating machine - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 9, 1932. J. w. BRYCE TABULATING MACHINE s sheets-sheet 1 u Filed June 16, 1928 Allg. 9, 1.932 W, BRYCE 1,870,234

TABULATING MACHINE Filed June 16. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGB l1/wanton a elli/tom Aug. 9, 1932 J. w. BRYCE 1,870,234

TABULATING MACHINE Filed Juxie 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 vwwntoz FIGA.

SW3' am Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMESW. BBYCE, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 THE TABULATING MA- CHINE COMPANY, 0F ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY TABULATING MACHINE rApplication tiled June 16,

This invention relates to tabulating machines and more particularly to a device for indicating a change in group classification before a card of the new group classification f becomes effective for controlling the adding and printing mechanisms of the tabulator.

Tabulating machines are designed to operate under control of perforated cards from which the data represented by the perforations are entered into accumulators and printed. Certain card columns are ordinarily used to indicate classification data and it is customary to control the machine operation from these classification columns. Briefly, before being tabulated the cards are sorted into groups of like classification and as the cards feed through the tabulator the classification perforations establish a control circuit causing the tabulating to continue as long as successive cards bear the same classification data. Vt'hen the classification of card group changes, meaning that two successive cards have unlike classification perforations, the control circuit of the machine is interrupted causing the machine either to stop or to take a total as desired. Tabulators are provided with upper, or control brushes, to which the cards are first fed and lower, or adding brushes, to which each card is fed exactly one machine cycle later. It is often desirable to know not onl when a group changes but also what particular group will be tabulated next. The first card in a group is fed to the upper brushes before the machine senses the difference between its classification data and that on the preceding card; consequently the card which bears the first group designation Vof the succeeding group is already under the upper analyzing brushes before warning is given that the group is to change.

In certain cases it may be desirable to perform 'some operation either connected or not connected with the tabulating machine for the new group. For i example, in certain kinds of accounting practice it is considered desirable to print the items, or other data representedby perforations in cards of a oup, on statements identified by the same umber. 5 By indicating the group number prior to ac- 1928. Serial N0. 286,006.

counting operations in connection with that group the operator is informed which statement should be selected to receive the desired data. 'here the statements carry previously inserted data the present structure insures that each statement will bear related information.

Upon insertion of the selected sheet in the printing mechanism the same will receive the data represented by the cards then fed to the machine upon its subsequent operation.

The main object of the present invention is to provide for successively indicating on a single group of indicating wheels the classification of record cardsbefore any card has entered theanalyzing mechanism which controls the tabulating features.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved means for indicating the classification of a card group before the first card of the group feeds to the adding control mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an indicator setting mechanism which provides for the direct setting of the indicator wheels from a. previous setting to the new setting during a single card feeding cycle.

The invention contemplates taking the classification of the card as it passes the upper brushes and by suitable differential controlling mechanism adjusting a series of indicator wheels torepresent by indicia thereon the classification of the card. During this indicator adjusting operation a previously adjusted supplemental differential device tends to restore the indicator wheels to zero but is dominated by the newly adjusted differential device so that at the termination of each card feeding cycle the indicator wheels will finally indicate the classification of the card presented to the upper brushes.

As the card continues its feeding movement during the successive card feeding cycle it is presented to the lower brushes which sense the perforations to contmrol the usual adding and printing mechanism.

As the cards pass the upper or control brushes the indicator wheels are rapidly' adjusted to indicate the card classifications and l:

in synchronism with card feeding cycles making it almost impossible to read the wheels. However, when a card of a different classification is presented to the upper brushes the machine is stopped to permit an operation lto be performed in-connection with the new classification, and when the machine is so stopped the classification of the new group may be read from the indicating mechanism.

The invention will be clear from the following detaileddescription which should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the indicating mechanism constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view ,taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a tabulator embodying the present improvements;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 1 but show 'the parts adjusted to indicate other classification numbers.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference numeral 10 designates a shaft driven b a-tabulating motor T. M. (Fig. 3) which s aft carries a gear wheel 11 driving a larger gear wheel 12, with a one to two ratio so that the shaft 13 carrying the gear 12 is given a.

half rotation each card feeding cycle. Attached to the shaft 13 is a box cam 14 the race of which engages ajroller carried by a lever 15 attached to a rock shaft 16. It will be observed that the race of the box cam is such that it will effect a complete reciprocation of lever 15 during a complete rotation of the box cam 14. Attached to shaft 16 for a simultaneous rocking movement is an operating arm 17 while a second operating arm 18 ,is rocked reversely by intermeshing segmental racks 19 and 20, the former 19 being an integral part of arm 18 while the latter is secured to the rockshaft 16. By the construction just described it will be clear thatl during each revolution of shaft 10 which is synchronous with each card feeding cycle, operating arms 17 and 18 will be moved oppositely. Operating arm 18, for example, is adapted to actuate a frame member 21 through a link 22, thel frame member being slidably mounted on a pair of vertical rods only one of which is shown and designated by numeral 23. Pivotally mounted on the frame member 21 is a series of clutch elements 24 each adapted to engage an angular arm 18 rises, clutch elements 24 will connect the frame 21 and the adjusting racks for slmultaneous movement, veach rack 26 rising being observed that as pawl 24 engages notch 25 it forces rack 26 against a bail 27 carried by extensions of the frame 21. Thus rack 26 is depressed until it engages a stop bar 34.

As rack 26 is moved downwardly a cam surface above the notches 30 will cam pawl 31 until it is latched by the related latching pawl 35.

A similar set of parts is associated with arm 17 and comprise, in general, a frame 36 adapted to be clutched to an adjusting rack 37 by a clutch pawl 38 .until the rack is stopped by a stop pawl 39 which is differentially controlled by a `magnet 40 to engage 'one of a series of notches 41 in the side of rack 37.

Interposed between and in continuous engagement with rack teeth portions 42 andl 43 of racks 26 and 37 respectively, is a pinion 44 carried by the lower end of a depending link 45 connected to a lever 46 which is an extension of a segment arm 47. The teeth of segment arm 47 are in mesh with a pinion 48 attached to an indicator drum 49 which carries on its periphery indicia indicating the previous differential adjustment of racks 26 or 37, or as willbe explained hereinafter a setting which depends upon time energimt) tion of either magnet`32 or 40 which are energized at differential times in accordance with the perforations inthe controllingv cards. In the drawings, a single indicator wheel is shown in connection with associated differential adjusting mechanism but in practice, the indicating mechanism may' comprise more than a unit, although frames 21 and 36 may be common to such units as' clearly disclosed in Fig. 2.

Fixed to shaft 13 for rotation is a commutator structure comprising a series of metal segments 50 and insulating portions 51 which are preferably of equi-angular dimensions. A brush 52 (Fig. 3) is adapted to be in electrical Contact with the metal segment 5() when the metal segment 50 contacts either brush 53 or 54. The brushes 53 and 54 are disposed about the periphery of the commutator to engage segmentO or insulating portion 51 so that'impulses are transmitted from brush 52 at alternate card feeding cycles to magnet 32 or 40.

Referring to the circuit diagram of Fig. 3 the machine circuits are energized from a source of energy indicated at 55 connected tothe circuits through a double pole switch 56, the main feed lines being designated as 57 and 58. The upper or automatic control brushes 59 are energized from the left side of the line 57 by cam contacts 60 which close during the feeding of cards and open between successive card feeding cycles. Brushes 59 are electrically connected to plug sockets 61 and by jumper connections 62 to the brushes 52 `forming partof the indicating controlling mechanism. The other jumper connections 63 indicate how the same brush circuits may 'be arranged for automatic group control as well as for lgroup indication by the special indicating mechanism.

As previously stated the registration of a perforation with -one of the upper brushes closes the circuit to either magnet 32 or 40 depending upon the particular position of the commutator. From magnets 32 or 40 the circuit extends by a wire 64 to cam contacts 65, 66 which are controlled by dentated wheels to break the circuit connection prior to the time that the brush leaves a perforation in order to prevent sparking at the analyzing brushes. From these contacts a wire 67 extends the circuit to contacts T-2, T-3, which are driven in unison with the tabulating motor while cards are feeding through v the machine, by wire 68 to binder post 13a,

thence to the lower contacts P-'4 now closed, lower card lever contacts 69 now closed, through binder posts 9a and 10a, through contacts P-5 now closed, contacts 88 closed, to the right side of the line 58.

W'liile the group classifications are usually identified by numbers of one or more denominational orders, for simplification it will be assumed that the classification number is of a single order. After the first card has reached the upper brushes 59 the perforation in the `card will register with one of the brushes, and if the index point perforation should be at the 6 position the indicator 49 (F ig. l) should be adjusted to indicate a like number. It will be assumed that the previous indication was at 0 leaving the parts in the position shown in Fig. 4 and furthermore, it will be assumed that during the next cycle of machine operation arm 17 will be raised upwardly and arm 18 oppositely to restore the rack 26 to its lowermost position as indicated in Fig. 1. It will be clear that as rack 37 rises to its differentially stopped position by pawl 38, rack 26 will be given an equal and opposite movement. Pinion 44 will-therefore, remainstationary keeping the indicator at 0 until pawl 39 engagesv a notch 41 in rack 37. Rack 37 will be stopped in its movement but arm 17 will continue its upward movement. Asl arm 18 thereafter depresses rack V26 pinion 44 will roll over the stationary rack teeth 43 depressing link 45 and rocking segment 46, to rotate drum 49 clockwise to indicate a 6 classification for the second card fed.

If the third card should represent the same classification 6 it will be clear that during this next card cycle arm 17 (Fig. 1) will be depressed and arm 18 raised. As pawl 38 approaches its related notch in rack 37 pawl 24 will elevate its related bar 26 causing pinion 44 to roll counterclockwise over rack teeth 43 to elevate link 45 until the time when pawl 3l stops the movement of bar 26. Thereafter when pawl 38 engages the notch in bar 37 the depression of the bar 37 will cause pinion 44 to roll counterclockwise over rack teeth. 42 to depress link 45. This will result in a clockwise adjustment of indicator 49 to again indicate 6.

However, if the third card should represent some number other than 6, such as 2 for example, it will be clear that arm 17 will move downward idly with respect to rack 37 for 6 steps and that during this time arm 18 will raise rack 26 the same distance to bring indicator 49 to indicate 0. Thereafter, racks 37 and 26 are moved oppositely 4for 2 steps causing indicator 49 to remain at 0. At the termination of this point in the cycle of events rack 26 will be stopped by the pawl 31 (Fig. 5) but rack- 37 will continue to its lowermost normal position, thus depressing link 45 and rockin'Y indicator 49 in a clockwise direction to indicate 2.

The above-examples will make clear the particular manner in which the differential devices co-operate with a single set of wheels to adjust the indicator wheels 49 to indicate the classification numbers of successively fed cards. As the cards are fed to the brushes by mechanism fully shown and described in the Lake Patent 1,600,413 the indicator wheels will successively indicate the classication numbers but the rapidity of the card feed makes it almost impossible to read the numbers but upon a change in card classification the machine is stopped'permitting the operator to read the last number exhibited by the wheels 49.

The manner in which the machine is automatically stopped upon a change in group classification forms no part of the present invention but in order to understand the nature of the present improvements it will be briefly described herein. For details of construction and operation, however, reference may be had to the Lake Patent No. 1,600,413, dated Sept. 2, 1926.

It may be explained that prior to the starting up of the tabulator a resetting cycle must be carried out. This resetting cycle has energized a relay 84 (Fig. 3) which closes contacts 86. To start the tabulator in operation the operator depresses the start key 80. 4A circuit is now established from the left side of the line 57, through tabulating motor T. M., clutch magnet 78, motor relay 85,

' has started up the tabulating motor T. M.

and energized clutch magnet 78 and engaged the usual one revolution clutch to thereby cause cards to be fed through the machine in the well known manner.

After the initiation of the cycle by the start key, motor relay 85 attracts its armature and establishes a stick circuit tokeep the motor in operation. From the conta-ct made by the armature of relay 85 a line extends to the upper card lever contacts 63a and another line connected to cam contacts T-1. After the machine has operated a certain amount cam contacts Tf-l close and establish a circuit to binder post 9a. As soon as the upper card lever contacts 63a are closed another holding circuit is established through these contacts to the terminal 90, thence through contacts 86, stop key 87 and to binder post 10a. The card lever contacts 63a maintain the operation of the tabulator while contacts T-l open once per card cycle provided relay 84 remains energized.

As previously described there is a circuit to the lower card lever contacts 69. These contacts are connected to binder post 9a and also to binder post 11a and when closed by the passage of cards past the lower brushes the card lever establishes certain control circuits to the cam contacts T-2 and T-3 hereinbefore mentioned.

The tabulator is now in operation and cards successively pass the upper and lower brushes.` As long as these cards agree in their control perforations a control circuit 7 4 is made at each card cycle and is adapted to maintain the tabulator in operation so long as card groups agree. On the previous resetting operation contacts GI--lO make. Upon closure of these contacts 'current flows from the left side of the line 57 through relay 84, control relay magnet 91, contacts GI-lO now closed, thence toO binder post 9a and back to the right side of the line 58. After control relay 91 is energized a stick circuit is established through armature of relay 91, cam contacts C-l back to the binder post 9a. Cam contacts C-1` break once per card cycle but during this time there is a second holding circuit through armature of relay 91 and through a control circuit 74 back to binder post 9a. GI--lO contacts open up after the first card has been analyzed. rIhe circuit is then maintained atall times except for a fragmentary part of the cycle by cam contacts C-l. If during the time contacts C-l open the control circuit 74' should be energized, the operation of thel the operation is interrupted since the control relay 91 will be deenergized thereby deenergizingthe motor control relay 84.

The so called automatic control system between the upper and lower brushes when plugged in, includes contacts 71 and magnets`72. Thel function of contacts 71 is to open after the energization of ma nets 72 and take the arc from the upper rushes. As previously stated jumper-connections 63 connect upper brushes 59 to sockets connected to sockets 670. Magnets 72 are connected by jumper connections 79 from sockets 680 to the sockets 68 for the lower brushes L. B. The connections illustrated are made when the control unit is used for straight control. The energization of magnets 72 is adapted to close corresponding contacts 73 in serial connection with control circuit 74 to thereby establish the control circuit through all the contacts 7 3. This circuit 74 is establishedso long as the control perforations in two successive cards agree.

After thefirst card has reached the lower4 many patents, among which is the Lake Patent N o. 1,379,268 dated May 24, 1921 to which reference may be had for further details of construction.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel fea.- tures of the invention as applied to a single modification it will be understood that various omissions, 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. i

I claim: V

1. In a tabulating machine, the combination of indicating elements for indicating card classiication of successively fed record cards, differential-devices under control of periorations in said record cards, and means whereby said differential devices directly adjust said indicating elements from one position to the other and in either direction to indicate card classification-of each of a series of record cards.

2. In a tabulating machine, the combination of means for successively analyzing cards of different classifications, a single series ofl indicating elements for indicating the classi#4 ication of successively fed cards, and means effective during a single card feeding cycle for adjusting said elements from a previously adjusted position to a new position to indicate the classication of the card fed during that cycle. i,

3. In a tabulating machine, the combination of means for successively analyzing cards of different classifications, a series of indicat` ing elements for indicating the classification of successively fed cards, and jointly operated differential devices or adjusting said indicating elements' to indicate card classifications of each of a series of record cards.

4. In a tabulating machine, in combination, an analyzing means coordinated with group classication perforations of succes sively fed records, a single set of indicating elements forl indicating the classification of each record of a series, and controlling devices for said elements controlled by the analyzin means whereby the group classification o each record is indicated prior to representation of other data on the same record.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

J AMIES W. BRYCE.

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