GB404799A - Improvements in sorting machines for punched record cards and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

404,799. Statistical apparatus. NAAMLOOZE VENNOOTSCHAP KAMATEC, 29, Rokin, Amsterdam. Dec. 13, 1932, No. 35351. Convention date, Feb. 5. [Class 106 (i).] Sorting cards.-Relates to a machine for sorting punched record cards or the like and may be applied to machines of the type described in Specification 295,353, [Class 106 (i), Calculating &c.]. Deflector-actuating means are guided by the card-reading into one of a number of channels of different lengths and at the end of the channel actuate mechanism to raise a card deflector at the time the corresponding card reaches the deflector, the deflectoractuating means consisting of independent bodies (steel balls 4) which move at a speed proportional to the card-feed. The balls 4, fed up path 7 by vane 8, fall under gravity down the channels 3 formed by ribs 2 and close contacts 5 which actuate the corresponding deflector magnets. When a card hole is read, the corresponding magnet 18 is energized and through its armature and a rod 19, pushes a ball from groove 6 into the corresponding channel 3. The ball falls intermittently down channel 3; alternate bars with interceptor pieces 10 are attached to a bar 12 and intermediate interceptor pieces are attached to a bar 13. Bars 12 and 13 are pulled together by springs 14 on to two flats on each of two rollers 15. Those rollers are oscillated by links 16 and a bar 17 which reciprocates regularly whilst the machine is in operation so that the two sets of interceptor pieces 10 attached to bars 12 and 13 are alternately withdrawn from, and replaced in, channels 3 in alternation with each other. By these means a ball in any channel falls from one intercepter piece 10 to the next below, until it reaches its contacts 5. The cards may be read by mechanical means. The balls may be fed along the channels by conveyer worms and the channels may be in line with each other instead of side by side ; or the channels may be circular. Further, the channels may be of the same length, the means for actuating the deflector and the ball speed being correlated to give the correct timing in each case.