US1998281A - Record card-controlled business machine - Google Patents

Description

April 935- I w. KUHLMAN arm. 1,998,281

RECORD CARD CONTROLLED BUSINESS MACHINE 7 Filed Sept. 11, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 April 16, 1935. w, KUHLMAN r A 1,998,281

RECORD CARD CONTROLLED B USINESS MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 16, 1935. w. KUHLMAN ETAL 9 3 RECORD CARD CONTROLLED BUSINESS MACHINE Filed Sept. 11, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet rs Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATES.

PA'I'QENT OFFICE RECORD CARD-CONTROLLED BUSINESS MACHINE Application September 11, 1934, Serial No.

In Germany September 2,- 1931 2 Claims.

Our invention relates to a record card-controlled business machine and, more particularly, to a total punching equipment for card-controlled tabulating machines.

An object of our invention is the provision of a tabulating machine adapted to analyze cards sorted in groups and to automatically register the total of each group by printing and perforating operations. Further objects are to provide automatic card feeding means feeding pre-sorted punched cards to be analyzed through the tabulator and feeding blank cards through the total punching mechanism of the tabulator in the succession of the groups of punched cards; to provide a total punching attachment adapted to be applied to existing tabulating machines without the necessity of materially modifying the construction thereof, to provide amount-storing means adapted to be set by the total-representing elements of a tabulating machine and to control a card punch; to provide a card punching device having a full complement of punches with a multiple translator which is adapted to be set under control of the tabulating machine to cause one or more totals computed in certain tabulator units to be recorded in any desired card field by perforation of blank cards fed to the punching device under control by the totalling mechanism of the tabulator.

Further objects of our invention will appear from the description of a preferred embodiment of our invention following hereinafter and'the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims. I

In' the drawings the invention is illustrated as applied to the Powers tabulator which is disclosed in numerous patents, for instance in Patents No. 1,245,502, No. 1,376,555 and No. 1,388,271.

' It is to be understood, however, that our inven-v tion is also applicable to other types of tabulating machines. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a partial vertical section through a Powers tabulator and the amount-storing-means forming part of our improved total punching equipment, the sectionbeing taken along line AB of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the viewed from the left, Figs. 3, 4] and 5 are similar to Fig. 1, but illustrate the elements in successive positions during a totalling ycle,

Fig. 6 illustrates a denominational storing element adapted to convert a digit into its complement, 4

Fig. 7 is a vertical section extending fore-andupper part of Fig. 1

aft through the total punching attachment including the storing means, the selector slides cooperating therewith, the multiple translator, the punching means and the total card feeding mechamsm,

. Fig. 8 is a side view of the multiple translator.

In the drawings we have illustrated so much only of the Powers tabulator as is necessary for an understanding of the invention.

First, an explanation of the principal elements 10 of the Powers tabulator will be given to facilitate the understanding of the improved punching attachment cooperating therewith.

Each of the type sectors 2 of the tabulator is pivotally carried by a shaft l mounted in the frame of the machine and carries the numeral types 4 adapted to be imprinted on a record sheet placed on the paper platen 3 The sector 2 is provided with a rearward extension 5 forming a hook to which a spring I is attached.- The other end of spring 1 is anchored to .a toothed actuating sector 8 and tends to relatively displace the sectors 2 and 8 so as to keep a pin 9 projecting from the sector 8 against the end wall of a slot l0 provided in the sector 2. The teeth H of the actuating sector 8 cooperate with a totalizer wheel IL in the conventional manner. The actuator wheel has a ten-carrying tooth l3 which cooperates with a lug ll of a ten-carrying lever. During totalling cycles the lug it constitutes a stop which limits the resetting turn of the totalizer wheel I! and thus determines the position of the sectors 2 and 8 in accordance with the digit which was represented by the totalizer wheel. The actuat ing sector 8 base. heel l5 adapted during accumulating cycles to cooperate with one of a number of sector stops 18 which is selected and lifted by the sensing mechanism. One only of the sector stops I6 is shown in the drawings.

A type sector 2, an actuating sector 8, a totalizer wheel l2 and a ten-carrying lever having lug l4 constitute a denominational unit of the computing mechanism of the Powers tabulator. The entire computing mechanism may comprise I0 denominational units arranged in groups each group comprising from eight to thirteen units which are cooperatively connected by the tencarrying mechanism. Such a group will be termed a tabulating unit hereinafter.

An oscillating shaft I I which is journalled in the frame of the machine indicated at '18 carriesas many sectors l9 as tabulating units are provided. Each of the sectors I8 is freely piv otally mounted on shaft ll, but is resiliently connected by pin, slot and spring with an arm attached to shaft H. A link 2| is pivoted on a stud 20 projecting from sector I9 and extends upwardly and rearwardly to a lever 25 and is linked to the latter by a pivot 22. The lever 24 is pivoted on a horizontal shaft 23 and its lower end is provided with a curved cam slot 25 embracing a roller 26 mounted on one of a pair of levers 21. The levers 21 are pivotally mounted on shaft I and carry a universal restoring bar 28 extending '11 front of the vertical arms of sectors 2 of the tabulating unit under consideration.

During any cycle of'operation the sector i9 oscillates and imparts a forward and upward toand-fro movement to the restoring bar 28 thereby permitting the sectors to advance in the direction of the arrow and then positively restoring the sectors to initial position. Each sector 2 tends to follow the universal bar 28 on its forward stroke owing to the action of a spring 29 exerting a downward pull on the end of arm 6 attached to the projections 5. The springs 29 are anchored at suitable points of the machine frame. The forward movement of the sector is limited during tabulating cycles by a card-controlled stop l6 and during totalling cycles owing to the stoppage of the totalizer wheel in its zero position.

The shaft indicated at 35 is a contnuously rotating main shaft in the tabulator head from which the rocking motion of shaft I1 is derived.

It is believed that the foregoing description of the principal elements of the Powers tabulator will suffice for the purpose of describing our invention. For a more detailed disclosure, particularly of the means for feeding the punched cards to and from the sensing mechanism controlling the sector stops l6, reference may be had to the patents above referred to.

For the purpose of transferring items or totals set up in the tabulating units to a recording device, particularly a card punch, we have provided the attachment described hereinafter.

We have attached a gear 36 to shaft 35 and have added the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 above shaft 35. This mechanism comprises a shaft 31 mounted in the machine frame on which a gear 38 is freely rotatably arranged to mesh with gear 35 and to be permanently driven thereby in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. A'suitable one-revolution-clutch of any desired type, such as that shown in Patent No. 1,810,317, issuedto W. W. Lasker on June 16, 1931, and which need not be illustrated. in detail, is so arranged as to connect gear 38- to an eccentric 39 attached to shaft 31. The one-revolution-clutch including a disc 40 will be engaged by withdrawal of a latch 43 from a lug 50 of disc 40. The latch 43 is mounted on a stud 42 projecting from the lower, end of a two-armed lever 4| depending from a stud 45 fixed to a bracket 46 which is mounted on a transverse bar 41 of the machine frame la. The latch 43 is guided in a grooved block 44 suitably supported by a spring. A spring 48 attached to the bracket 45 and to lever 4| tends to keep lever 4| against an abutment 49 and to draw latch 43 into engagement with lug 5| whereby the one-revolution-clutch is normally kept in disengaged condition in which the eccentric 39 is at rest. Lever 4| may be operated from various elements of the tabulatordepending on the nature of the amount to be registered by the card punch. If totals are to be registered, lever 4| is operated from one or the other or both total shafts of the tabulator. The total shaft of 2. Powers tabulator is shown in Fig. 1 of .U. .8. Patent No. 1,926,203, issued to W. W. Lasker on September 12, 1933. This shaft is designated by the numeral 35. An arm on this total shaft is connected by a linkage to the end of lever ll so that operation of the total shaft releases clutch disc 49. It is believed that the means connecting lever 4| with the total shaft or total shafts need not be described in detail, as it will be understood that any time the total shaft is rocked to initiate the totalling operation, the upper end of lever M will be rocked in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, thereby tripping the one-revolutionclutch 49 and imparting a single revolution to the eccentric 39.

The strap of the eccentric 39 is integral with the connecting rod 5| which is linked to the arm 52 of a shaft 55. The shaft 54 extends transversely across the top of the tabulator and is mounted in brackets 55 suitably attached to the frame I8.

Shaft 54 carries as many pairs of arms 56 as tabulating units are provided, each pair of arms 56 being coordinated to one tabulating unit. The arms'55 of each pair which are splined to shaft 54 are connected by parallel rods 51 and 5| to constitute a rigid rocking frame which is rocked by the eccentric 39 once at any totalling cycle. Between the two cheek plates 55 of each rocking frame, there are loosely mounted on shaft 54 as many storing sectors 58 as corresponds to the denominational capacity of the coordinated tabulating unit. Each storing sector may assume any one of ten differential positions relative to the rocking frame 56, 51 and 5| and may be arrested in this position by a pawl 60 pivotally mounted on rod GI and cooperating with ratchet teeth 59 provided on the upper face of the sector. A separate pawl Si! is provided for each sector 59 and is connected with an extension 55 of the same by a spring 61 which tends to keep pawl in engagement'with the ratchet teeth 59 and to turn sector 58 in clockwise direction relative to the rocking frame. Rod 51 forms a stop limiting such clockwise movement. In the path of the upwardly projecting arms of pawls 69 there is interposed a transverse stop bar 62 carried by suitable extensions of frame l8. When the rocking frame 56, 51 and 6| assumes its left, or rearward, end position as shown in Fig. 5, all of the pawls 60 are held disengaged thereby permitting the storing sectors 58, 66 to swing to engagement with the rod 51. Each storing element includes the stepped extension plate 66 detachably secured to the sector 56 and a depending sensing pin 64 pivoted to a forwardly. projecting arm of the sector. The lower ends of the sensing pins 84 are guided for vertical movement within'a suitable comb 65 extending between brackets 55 and are positioned directly above the rearward extensions. 6 of the type sectors 2. The rearward lower face of the plate 56 is formed with'ten steps which correspond to the digits to be trans- 1 the beginning of a totalling cycle. The totalizer wheel I2 is in engagement with the teeth H of the actuating sector 8 which has just started its forward movement and has advanced the type sector 2 one pitch, whereby the zero type has been moved to printing position opposite to the platen 3. At this instant lever 4| is operated from the total shaft thereby withdrawing latch 43 from the lug 50 of disc lfl and thus engaging the onerevolution-clutch which connects the eccentric 39 with the continuously revolving gear 38. When the one-revolution-clutch is in its normal disengaged condition, it arrests the eccentric 39 shortly before the lower dead center position of the same, as will appear from Fig. 1. Therefore, the arm 52 is slightly lowered upon engagement of the one-revolution-clutch and rocks the frames 56, 5'! and 6| through a small angle in anti- 1 clockwise direction. This rocking motion forces the pawls 60 against the stop bar 62 whereby the pawls 60 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 59 and permit the sectors 58 to move into the positionv illustrated in Fig. 5 in which they abut against/rod 51. In this manner the storing sectors arecleared of the amounts set up in the preceding totalling cycle.

Further rotation of shaft 35 causes sector E9 to continue its turn in clockwise direction until it arrives in its forward end position illustrated in Fig. 3. At the same time link 25 has moved arms 27! to their forward end position in which the universal restoring bar 28 has fully released the sectors. All of the type sectors 2 and the actuating sectors 8 connected to-the same by springs 71 have so far advanced under action of springs 29 as to turn the meshing totalizer wheels 02 to zero position in which the tencarrying teeth 03 engage the lugs B8 of the tencarrying pawls. In this manner the type sectors 2 are diiferentially set to permit the total line including totals of accumulated items in some tabulating units and designating numbers in other tabulating units, as described for instance in the patent to Lasker No. 1,388,271. a

The matter printed in the total line including totals and designating numbersis now set up in the storing elements and preserved for later transfer to the total punching device. After the storing elements have been cleared at the beginning of the totaling cycle, the continued revolution of eccentric 35 imparts a clockwise turn to the rocking frame 54, 56, Stand the sectors 58 tend to follow this turn under action of springs Bl until they are arrested by engagement of the sensing pins 64 with the extensions 5 of the type sectors 2. After the sectors 58 have been thus arrested in differential positions, each rocking frame continues its, clockwise turn stretching springs 61 and carrying pawls 60 with it which ride over the teeth 59 'of the arrested sectors 58, as illustrated in Fig. 3. After the eccentric has passed through its upper dead center position, the rocking frame returns in anti-clockwise direction carrying the sectors 58, which are kept by the pawls 6|] in differentially set positions as shown in Fig. 4 with it.

I Considering one of the storing sectors 58 it will be appreciated that shortly after the beginning of the totaling cycle it bears against rod 51 under action of spring 57, while the pawl 60 engages the teeth 59. Assuming that the coordinated type sector 2 be set to print the digit 5 the storing sector 58 will be arrested by engagement of its sensing pin 64 with the extension 6 afterthe rocking .frame has performed half of its stroke. The rocking frame, however, continues its turn and carries pawl 60 along until pawl 60 has engaged the fifth tooth 59, as shown in Fig. 3. The angle embraced by the teeth 59 and the angle of movement of the rocking frame correspond to the path storing bar 28 restores the type sectors 2 of the tabulating machine and the rocking frames 56 turn the storing sectors 58 and the-stepped plate 65 connected thereto to the position shown in Fig. 4. When the type sectors have been restored, the

stepped plates 66 arrive in position to cooperate with the sector slides 68. After their arrival in this position, the one-revolution-clutch is automatically disengaged and the step of each plate 66 which corresponds to the digit set up by the associated type carrier remains in the horizontal path of movement of the associated selector slide H11, whereas the type carrier itself is restored. .The storing elements will not be vcleareduntil the next subsequent totaling cycle commences. Hence, the resumption of tabulating operation after the total printing cycle need not be delayed on account of the total punching operation.

The ratio of transmission of the gears Birand 38 is so chosen that the gear 38 imparts such a speed to the eccentric 39 as to withdraw the sensing pins 555 faster than the type sectors 2 are restored. In this manner time is saved for setting the punching or other registering device and the.

proper adjustment of the storing means relative to the type sectors is facilitated.

It will be appreciated that the one-revolutionclutch may be tripped at other times than during totaling cycles, for instance during some tabulating cycles, if it is desired to transfer items set up in the tabulator under card control to the registering device.

If it is desired to record the complement of a number set up in a tabulating unit, we substitute complementary stepped plates 55 as shown in Fig. 6 for those normally employed. The plate 66' differs from plate 66 in that it presents its outermost O-step, instead of the innermost 9-step to the punch selecting slide I01 when assuming its normal position within its rocking frame. The complementary plate 55' used in the units denominations may be so profiled as to transmit a true ten-complement as will be readily understood by anyone skilled in the art.

While theshaft 54 carrying 'the storing means and the shaft 31 carrying the driving eccentrics therefor are mounted within-suitable extensions of the frame of the tabulator, the punching mech-.- anism including the punch selectors, the multiple translator, the punches and the card feeding means is mounted in a separate frame which is preferably guided .by suitable rollers on rails attached to the same base plate on which the tabulating machine rests. The rollers running on the rails of the base plate are preferably carried by eccentrics which may be turned by the operator so as to suitably adjust the punching mechanism to proper position relative to the tabulating machine.

The upper part of the frame comprises two castings I0! which are suitably connected by a number of transverse bars or rods which support and guide the various elements to be described hereinafter. Within this frame the horizontal selector slides llll are suitably guided to be 1ongitudinally shiftable, one such slide being provided for each stepped sector 66 and being positioned within the vertical plane of said sector.

For transferring the amounts set up in the storing elements to the punching mechanism,

' each selector slide I0! is caused to move to the left with reference to Fig. 7,until it engages the opposed step of the coordinated plate 66. end, a universal bar I04 extending transversely of and below the selector slides I0! is guided to be movable parallel to itself. The ends of the universal bar I00 are guided between horizontal rails I64 attached by screws to the castings II. The universal bar I04 is reciprocated by suitable means to be described later. A comb I00 attached to bar I04 forms hooks I38 wherefrom springs I37 are stretched to the rearward ends of the slides I07, each spring tending to pull its associated slide towards the left with reference to Fig. 7, when the universal bar I00 releases the slides by movement toward the left. During such movement the selector slides I0'I will be arrested in differential positions by, the stepped plates 66, as will be readily understood.

The universal bar I04 is reciprocated by three arms I43 which are splined to a common shaft M5. Oneof these arms is formed by a bell-crank carrying a cam roller which engages a cam groove provided in a cam I49. The cam I49 is attached to a shaft I46 which is mounted in the frame WI and is driven through the intermediary of a pair of bevel gears by a substantially vertical shaft I5I which, in its turn, is cooperatively connected to the main drive shaft I8I' by another pair of bevel gears I53, I54. The cam I 49 is so designed that a revolution of shaft I8I' will cause the universal bar I04 to move quickly towards the left and to pause in its left end position for about half the period of revolution of shaft NH and then to quickly return to its initial position.

Each selector slide I01 carries a heel I13 which normally rests against the universal bar I40 under action of spring I31, and carries also a head H2 in which an interponent III is guided for vertical movement. The reduced lower end of this interponent terminates just above the multiple translator which is interchangeably inserted between the castings IN. The upper end of the interponent carries a roller I09 which is kept in contact with the lower face of a vertically reciprocating plate I03 by a rail which is attached to plate I03 in spaced relation and supports roller I09 from below. The plate I03 extends horizontally and transversely across the selector slides I01 and itsends are formed integral with sleeves guided on vertical rods I21. The rods I2! are mounted in suitable bosses of the castings IOI. During the interval in which the universal bar I00 remains in its left end position after the selector slides I07 have been differentially set, the plate I03 is lowered and lifted. In its downward movement it depresses the interponents III which, ilf. their turn, depress the selected connecting wires which are guided in the multiple translator for vertical displacement.

The following means are provided for moving plate I03 up and down. A shaft I28 is journalled in brackets attached to plate I03 and carries pinions I29 meshing with rack teeth out in the rods I21. Hence, a turn of shaft I20 will displace plate I03 parallel to itself. The shaft I20 has an arm which is connected by a link I32 with one arm of a bell-crank I33 pivotally mounted on a stud projecting from the castings I01. The

other arm of bell-crank I33 carries a cam roller To this zontal guiding 'rails I8I I35 engaging a suitable groove of a cam disc I35 which is splined to shaft I06.

The multiple translator is of substantially the same construction as that ordinarily employed in the Powers tabulator and comprises a boxshaped frame in which connecting wires are guided for vertical displacement. These wires may extend from the plane of movement of any slide I01 to any denominational row of punch setting pins I90. The multiple translator has been but slightly modified for the purpose of our invention. Plates I82 are attached to the end walls of the translator box near the topv thereof and are provided with two projecting upper studs I83 and two lower studs I84 as shown in Fig. 8. Horiare attached to the inner faces of the castings IOI. These guiding rails serve to facilitate .the insertion of the multhe translator box is provided with a hole I05 adapted to be engaged by a stud I79 projecting upwardly from the frameIBS of the basket containing the punch setting pins I 90, when the translator box, pushed forward along the rails I8I, arrives in its proper position. In this manner, the accurate position of the multiple translator relative to the other elements of the device is secured without interference with the easy removal or replacement of the multiple translator.

The punching means positioned below and adapted to be set up by the multiple translator are identical in construction and operation with those employed in the perforating machine which is in common use and known on the market as the Powers key punch disclosed for instance in U. S. Patents No. 1,307,682, No. 1,684,546 and No. 1,311,566. Therefore, a detailed description of the punching device proper and the associated card feeding means is deemed-unnecessary. It may be mentioned, however, that whenever shaft I8I' performs one revolution, a reciprocatory card picker I8'I feeds the lowest card from the stack of blank cards in the magazine I88 in between two pairs of feed rollers I89 which introduce the card into a card pocket formed by two perforated plates attached to the frame I92. Subsequently, the frame is lifted to press the card against punches I9I, one punch being provided for each index point in the card, and those punches, which are keptdepressed by set selecting pins I90, punch holes in the card while the other punches are lifted by the card. The selectknown in the art and as is shown in Fig. 3 of Patent No. 1,305,557, issued to James Powers on June 3, 1919. Then the frame I92 is lowered and the punched total card is ejected by a pair of rollers I93 and deposited in a magazine I04. Frame I02 is lifted and lowered by an eccentric which is suitably operated from shaft I8I'..

Shaft I8I' is operated from a suitable continuously rotating shaft, preferably driven by an electric motor not shown in Fig. 7, through'the medium of a one-revolution-clutch of the type shown in Patent No. 1,810,317 which is controlled from the total shaft of the tabulator. For this purpose, the total shaft is suitably connected to a slide I51 so as to move the latter towards the right during a totalling cycle. The

slide I51 is guided in an extension of the tabulator frame. Brackets I15 attached to. the castings IOI carry a lever I13. The lower end of this lever bears against slide I51 when the total punching attachment has been properly positioned relative to the tabulator, while the upper portion isconnected by link I16 to a bell-crank I18 which operates a link I80. A link I80 extends from the horizontal arm of the bell crank I18 to the horizontal arm of another bell crank I11 (which appears in elevation in Fig. 7) The vertical arm of bell crank I11 is in turn pivotally connected to the tripping lever I95 of the one revolution-clutch which couples the power source to shaft I8I'. Since the clutch is well known and not claimed as our invention the disc and all other parts aside from the tripping lever have been omitted in the drawings. Thus, it will be seen that whenever the total shaft is turned to initiate a totalling cycle, the slide I51 will be shifted towards the right and will cause the one-revolution-clutch to be tripped, where by the above described card feeding and punching operation willbeinitiated.

From the foregoing description it will appear that there is no direct connection provided between the elements mounted on the castings IN. and the elements carried by the tabulator frame. Therefore, the punching attachment may be readily removed from the tabulator with: out requiring any disassembly of screws or other connecting elements. I

If gang punching of certain designating numbers or other card holes is desired, the requisite setting pins I90 may be depressed by hand and locked in depressed condition by the means oremployed for this purpose in the Powers key punch.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of our-invention, it is to be understood that the latter is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. In a combined punch and tabulator, in combination, storing means mounted on the tabulator settable in .accordance with the position of the recording elements of the tabulator, means to set the said storing means after each total recording cycle of the tabulator, means to retain said storing means in position between successive' total recording cycles, punching means separately mounted but arranged to abut said tabulator, said punching means having punch selecting members settable in accordance with the setting of said storing means to read the setting of said means and to control punches to punch a card in accordance with the reading during the interval between successive total recording cycles of the tabulator.

2. A punch and Powers type tabulator combination comprising stepped sectors mounted on the tabulator and adapted to be positioned in accordance with the position of'the accumulator actuators of the tabulator, a rocking frame operable when a total is taken to set the sectors, means to retain the set sectors in position between successive total takings, and punching means separately mounted but arranged to abut said tabulator, said punching means including slides positionable in accordance with the setting of said sectors, punches selected by said slides and a driving mechanism controlled by the total taking operation and effective to cause the operation of selected punches.

PAUL BECKER.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. 1,998, 281. April 16, 1935.

WILLIAM KUHLMAN. ET AL.

It is herehj'certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column, line 38, for "permit" read printyand that the said Letters Patent should be read-with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signedcand sealed this 25th day of June, A; D. 1935.

Bryan M. Battey a Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No; 1,998,281. April 16, 1935.

WILLIAM KUHLMAN. ET AL.

It is herehy'certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, first column,

line 38, for "permit" read print;'and. that the said Letters Patent should he readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signedand sealed this 25th day of June, A'. D. 1935.

Bryan M. Battey a Acting Commissioner 0! Patents.

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