US2002808A - Card filing and segregating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 28 1935- J. wHlTsoN l 2,002,808

CARD FILING AND SEGREGTING APPARATUS Filed sept. 4, .1929 s sheets-sheet v1Y Y v -yhililihldiliiiilillalil-I (fi /f Milly-28,1.935"` l JQ w,wH|TsoN 2,002,808

CARD FILING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS Filed sept. 4, 1929 s sheets-sheet? m :Och

May 28, 1935. J. w. wHwsoN 42,002,802?.

CARD FILING AN) SEGREGATING APPARATUS Y Filed sept. 4, 192s Y s sheets-sheet 3 `Um'rlap STATES "PATENT OFFICE e CARD FILING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS v John W. Whitson, .San Francisco, Calif. 'v I Application September 4, 1929, Serial No. 390,373 22 Claims. (Cl. L29-16.1)

This invention relates to improvements in card vthe abutments removed therefrom to enable said filing and segregating apparatus which will be card to be selected. Y comparatively simple as to construction and op- Fig. 12 is a section taken through Fig.410 on eration, compact, and inexpensive and whichl the line I2I2. n i` maybe operated to segregate the cards as de- In detail the construction illustrated in the 5 sired, in a. much more accurate and expeditious drawings comprises a casing I, made up of a card manner than has heretofore been possible with compartment 2, a, mechanism compartment 3 and apparatus of this kind. p a key-board 4. Cards 5 are provided with re- Another object of the inventionis to provide a cesses 6 on the-bottom edges thereof .and adjai0 card record apparatus ofthe characterdescribed centeach of the opposite sides thereof to be rel0 in which the cards may beeasily, reliably and acceived on the carrier bars "I of a card carrier. curately segregated according to oneora plu- The carrierbars 'I of the tray or card carrier are `rality of characteristics of the cardsby the simadapted to engage the recess 6 when removing t ple expedient of pressing a button or similar the cards from the tray compartment or install- V1li operating member. ing the same therein. The card-supporting bars 15 A further object of the invention is toprovide 'I are provided` with a plurality of card-spacing an apparatus of the character described which elements 8 adjustable throughout `the length will provide for the proper housing of a greater thereof whereby a number of cards are confined number of cards and a more rapid, reliable and between each pair of spacers. The bars 1 and accuratesegregation of said cards in a smaller elements 8 together form a card carrier. A plu- 20 and more simply constructed apparatus than has rality of `holders 9 are arranged laterally across heretofore been possible in this art.` the casing I between the front and rear ends A further object is to provide a card-selectingV thereof, the upper edges of said holders lyingon apparatus of the character describedin which a common plane slightly below the line of the the cards may be segregated in various ways in bottom surface of the card compartment 2. The 25 accordance with the invention by magnetically casing I is provided with supporting frames 35 attracting cards or a card of the group of cards. each of which has a shoulder I0 on its top edge In the accompanying three 'sheets of drawings, at respectively opposite sides thereof which form Fig. l is a perspective view of a fragmentary porthe bottom supportingsurfaces of the said comtion of a segregating apparatus constructed in partment 2. When the cardsareinthe compart- 30 accordance with my invention. f ment the bottom edgesl thereofu at the opposite Fig. 2 is a, longitudinal cross-section through corners rest on the upper face of the shoulders my segregating apparatus taken on aline 2-2 of I0 and the carrier bars 1 of the tray drop below Fig. 4L the plane of said shoulders II! into recesses pro- Fis. 3 is a lateral Cross-section through my vided in the bottomof the compartment on oppo- 35 segregating apparatus taken on the line 3-3 of site sides thereof between the shoulders IIJ. The Fig. 4; holders 9 are provided with crosswise recesses Il` Fig. 4 is a plan view of my segregating appatherein adjacent each of the opposite endsthereratus with the card carrier removed..` of and disposed next to the opposite sides of the ,u Fig. 5 is a perspective v iew of a fragmentary casing into which the longitudinally extended 4o portion l0f the machine illustrating the cuttersv bars 'I of the card carrier. are adapted to rest when for cutting abutments from the index cards. said card carrier is placed within the card com- Fig. 6 is a Side elevation 0f the Segregating partment 2. The card carrier shown in Fig. 8 apparatus shown in reduced scale. supports all .of the cards that are confined `with- Fig. 'I is a perspective View Of 011@ 0f the m8-8` in the card compartment and said carrier may 45 net-holding brackets. be removed at will to permit various groups of Fig, 8 is a perspective view of a card carrier. cards supported in similar'carriers to be removed Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an end of one to and from the compartment at will. of the card-selecting bar holders. 'i The holders 9 are provided with a series of Fig. 10 is a front` elevation of one of the cards elongated slots I2 (Fig. 9) cut down from the 5o` showing the selector abutments at the bottom upper edge thereof and extending across `the thereof and a magnetically attractable element entire' length of said cross members. The slots on one side of the card. I2 in all of the holders 9 are in alignment with l Fig. 1i is a fragmentary view of the lower KAeach other.` The lower edge of each of the holdedge of the card shown in Fig. l0 withicertain of ers 9 is turned up into a U section so that the 55 edge I4 is bent upwardly to lie on a plane substantially flush with the bottom of slots I2.

A selector bar I 5 is confined in each of the slots I2 in each of the cross members, each of said selector bars extending from a point rearwardly of the rearmost holder 9 to a point forward of the foremost holder 9. The upper edge of each of the selector bars I5 lies substantially flush with the upper edge of the holder 9. Each of the bars I5 has inclined slots I6 formed therein through which rods I1 extend, said rods being attached at their opposite ends to opposite sides of the inside supporting frames 35.

A plurality of finger keys I8 comprising the key board 4 are mounted on levers I9 which in turn are rotatively journaled on a cross-bar 20. Each of the key levers I3 engages one of the selector bars I5 beyond the fulcrum bar 20. Thus when any one of the finger keys I8 is depressed, the opposite end of the key lever is moved upwardly causing a corresponding upward and forward movement of the related selector bar I 5 within the limits of movement prescribed by the inclined slots I6 and cross rods I'I. Each lever i9 on opposite sides of the pivotal axis 20 is confined in the respective guide members 2| and 22 which are substantially the same as holders 9 in the inverted position, to eliminate lateral play of said levers during movement thereof.

The forward end of each selector bar I5 is provided with an arm 23 thereon to which one end of a cutter 24 is vertically slidably and detachably secured. Each cutter member 24 consists o1' an inverted U-shaped element having one end attached to the selector bar as described, and the opposite end of said cutter provided with an opening 25 through the bottom thereof, one edge 25 0f said opening being cut on an angle to provide a.y shearing or cutting edge. The cutters 24 lie along side of each other across the entire width of the casing I. 'I'he bottom face of each of the cutters rests on a spring finger 21, while the upper face of the' cutters'is confined below the bottom side of the shear bar 29. The spring -fingers 21 engage the interior of the respective cutters 24 and tend to force the upper side of said cutters upwardly against the bottom side of the shear bar 29. The describedl method of mounting the cutters permits of a slack or looseplay fit of said parts and the spring fingers 21 serve to hold each of the cutters in proper operating position. The spring tension of the fingers on the cutters also supplies the necessary friction to maintain each selector bar in its elevated position. When the cutters are inoperative the'outer ends thereof lie flush with the outer face of the shear bar 29. When any one of the finger keys is depressed, in addition to raising a corresponding selector bar I5, the movement of the selector bar causes the cutter attached thereto to be projected forwardly oi' the shear bar 29 into cutting position, as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The cards 5 are provided with. a plurality of spaced lugs or abutments 39 along the bottom edge thereof, the spaces between the plurality of lugs corresponding to the number of selector bars I5. Each one of the lugs or the space between any pair of lugs may represent or be designated by any of the letters of the alphabet or by numbers or by any other emblems or indicia to suit the particular conditions of work of the card. yThe lugs or spaces on the bottom of the 'card are related to the finger keys on the machiner whereby each key on the keyboard when depressed will always move its selector bar into a space on the bottom of the card having a symbol corresponding with that on the key. Fig. 10 shows a card before any of the lugs 30 have been removed. The card can be made of magnetically attractive material or as shown in Figures 10, and 12 light spring-steel pieces 3|- may be attached to the card edge in some conventional manner. The cards must be responsive to magnetic attraction and suitable magnetically attractable material may either be incorporated in the card or attached thereto.

Operation In order to prepare the card shown in Fig. 10 so that it may be selected from a group of cards confined in the card compartment, the operator first depresses certain keys on the key board in proper sequence corresponding to the name or title or other key data which will distinguish that particular card from other cards. The keys thus depressed will cause corresponding cutter members to be projected beyond the face of the shear, bar 29 into position shown'in Figs. land 5. With the cutters in this position the card would have the lugs 30 on the bottom thereof dropped down into the cutters as shown in Fig. 5. 'I'he operator would then move a handle member 32 to cause all of thevcutters to be returned simultaneously to the concealed position which action of the cutters causes the lugs on the bottom edge of the cards to be cut therefrom. The handle 32 is attached to a cross rod 33 jour'- naied inside the frames 35 secured on the casing I. The shaft 33 is provided with a bar 34 extending lengthwise thereover and said bar is adapted to engage the forward end of the selector bars and to move said bars downwardly and rearwardly. This rearward movement of the `selector bars causes the finger keys I8 to` be raised out of the depressed position. The cutters 24 being attached to the selector bars move in unisontherewith. After the handle 32 has returned the selector bars I5 and cutters 24 into the down position, the machine is in readiness for further operation.

The card 5 from which certain of the lugs have been cut or severed as shown in Fig. ll would then be placed in the card holder in the card compartment 2. In order to select the card shown in Fig. ll with the cut-out portions thereof from the stack of cards, the operator would first see that all ofthe cards in the holder had the marginal edges thereof in alignment. This would be done manually by forcing the cards against the side wall 36 of the casing I. The wall 36 is adiustably secured to the side of the casing by screws 3I whereby said wail may be adjusted laterally relative to the side of the casing in order to accommodate cards of different widths in the card compartment.

An electro-magnet 38 of any suitable form, size and type is arranged lengthwise of the casing I along the side thereof opposite the adjustable wall 36 The magnet extends the full length of the casiigl and on its bottom side is supported in brackets 39, which are pivoted at one end thereof as ,at 40 to cam guides 43, by rods 56 which extend continuously thru the holes in the brackets 39 and holes in vthe c'am guides 43, and at the opposite end thereof each bracket 39 is resiliently supported on an expansion spring 4I. The tension of the spring 4I is suiiicient to maintain-the magnet in desired position relative to the side of the card compartment. of the magnet facing the edges of the cards The side 2,662,808 'stacked in thecard compartment is `inclined at an angleto said 1cardswhereby when any card or cards are attractedto the magnet,.said card is ,caused to move horizontally and then upwardly on an arc as it is" withdrawn from the stack of cards as shownl by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The angle of inclination 'of the magnet relative to the card edges may be adjusted at will through the instrumentality of a cam member 42 which bears, Vagainst the'upper side of each of the magnetsupporting brackets 39. The coacting cam guides 43 have the cam 42 slidably confined` therein whereby lengthwisemovement of the cam in v the rguideswilll cause the magnet, to `be swung f downwardly. When the pressure of the cam 42 is relieved,` theexpansion springs Y4| force the `magnet upwardly.' The cam 42 is actuated by` means of a hand'lever 44 which is pivoted tov represented by the cutout portions on` said card.

'Ihe keys when depressed would force thellselector bars thereon upwardly into the cutout `,spaces between the lugs on said card. VThe selector barsA would also assume a position in the spaces between the lugs on all other cards in the stack which either have or do not have cutout portions thereon. Obviously cards that do not have lugs 1 cut from the bottom edge thereof could not have any lateral movement inasmuch as the width of the selector bar exactly Ifits vthe spacebetween any pair of lugs. However, on those'cards where one or more lugs have been removed to provide a space between llugs greater than the width or thickness vof the selector bar then such card can move `laterally relative to the selector bars extended between the lug spaces thereon. After the desired number of keys have been depressed and selector bars engaged with theaforesaid selector spaces-on the bottoml of the cardsthe operator would move the handle 32 toward the front which, in the for'm shown in Fig. 1,` isprovided with a mercury-tube type ofswitch `5l) to close a circuit from a source of electricity to the magnet to energize the' magnet with electricity and to thereby magnetically attract toward the magnet one or more selectedA cards. A wire 5l leads from one end of the mercuryswitch tothe source of electricity, a Wire 52 from the opposite end of the tube to one pole of the magnet, and a wire 53` v leads from the other pole ofthe magnetto a ground. Spring 54 is used for normally maintain- Although I have shown and described a mercury tube type of switch it is to be understood that any conventional form of circuit closing means can be substituted in lieu thereof;l When the cards 5 are in the' card compartment in the position to be selectably attracted to themagnetvthe `opposite edges of said cards are supported on the shoulders I0 in the bottom of the card compartment and hence are free tomove laterally with a minimum of resistance. After the selected cards have been attracted to the magnet the operator would withdraw said selected cards from the stack of cards. The handle 32would then be suitably I'he herein vdescribed invention is of the same generic character as those described inmy Patent No. 1,846,779; February 23, 1932, and co-pending application Serial No. 270,475led April 16, 192,8.

Having thus described this invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. Card record apparatus, comprising a card compartment; a rowuof 'magnetically Vresponsive ncards mounted inthe compartment; selectively operable means 4tol lockv certain cards against movement; and a magnet arranged alongside the rowof cards having the side thereof facing the cards inclined at an angle to the edge of the cards A to cause any unlocked card or cards attracted to the magnet to move substantially in an arc, out of alignment with the row of locked cards.

2. Card frecord apparatus, comprising a card compartment; a row of magneticallyresponsive cards mounted in the compartment; selectively operable means to lock certain cards against movement; a magnet arranged alongside the row of cards having the side thereof facing the cards inclined at an angle to the edge of the cards to cause any unlocked card Aor cards attracted to ythe magnet to move substantially in an arc, out

of alignment `with the rowof locked cards; and means to vary the inclination of the magnetrelative tothe card edges.

3. Card record apparatus, comprising a cardf compartment; a row of^magnetically responsive cards'mounted in the compartment; selectively operable means to lock c'ertain cards against movement; a magnetarranged alongside the row of cards having the side thereof facing the cards inclined at an angle to the .edge of the cards to cause any unlocked card `or cards attracted to the magnet to, move substantially'in an arc, out

lof alignment with the row of locked cards; a

frame to hold the magnet in any selected position relative to the cards; and means on the apparatus related to the magnet' frame to vary the `selected cards from the stack of cards; and a guide on the frame to hold the cards in operative relation to the selecting means and magnetic means.

5. Card record vapparatus including record cards adapted for movement by magnetic attraction; a frame to hold said cards in stacked relation; means inthe frame to select certain cards; magnetic means on the frame to attract the selected cards from the stack of cards; a guide on the frame to hold the cards in operative relation to the selecting means land magnetic means; said guide being adjustable relative to the frame to accommodate cards of differing sizes.

6. Card record apparatus comprising ,a card compartment; a plurality of cards for the compartment; a plurality ofl lugs extended from an edge of each of the'cards; a plurality of cutters on Vthe apparatus adapted to simultaneously register with the several lugs on the cards; and means to actuate one or more selected cutters to sever one or more selected lugs from a card.

'7. Card record `apparatus comprising a card compartment; a plurality of cards for the compartment; a plurality of lugs extended from an edge of each of the cards; a plurality ofvcutters on the apparatus adapted to simultaneously register with the several lugs on the cards; means to move selected cutters into position to receive corresponding lugs on the'wcards'; and means to move all of the selected cutters in unison to sever the selected lugs from the cards in a single operation.

8. A record card apparatus including a comment to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, and spacer plates in the compartment of cards for subdividing the set into groups, said spacer plates being adjustable within the compartment.

9. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, each card having differential edge portions to distinguish the card from other cards pertaining to the same set, consisting of projections and indentations between projections along at least one yedge thereof, individually settable selector members to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction, means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, whereby through the proper positioning of selector elements rela- 'tively to certain projections or indentations the projections from the series of projections provided on the individual cards'to render them distinctive for .differential locking or release operation.

10. A card record apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, in which the means for selectively setting the selector elements also control the cutting device, whereby the proper projections are severed from the edges of the cards.

11. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment each card having differential edge portions to distinguish said card from other cards vpertaining to the same set, consisting of projections and indentations between projections along at least one edge thereof, individually settable selector meinbers to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction, means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having atendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permitthe cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, whereby throughv the proper positioning of selector elements relatively to certain projections or indentations the card may be locked against movement relatively to the selector elements or remain unlocked relatively thereto; means for selectively cutting projections from the series of projections provided on the individual cards to render them distinctive for differential locking or release operation, in which the means for selectively setting the selector elements also` control the cutting device, whereby the proper projections are severed from the edges of the cards.

12. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, each card having a series of projections with notches in between along anedge thereof, individually settable selector members to lock cards in the set against movementin a predetermined direction, means subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not'engaged by the selector elements to be influenoed by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, the cards being locked against movement after the selector-.members en ter the notches between two adjacent projections of the cards, means for selectively cutting projections from the series of projections provided on the individual cards to render them distinctive for differential locking or release operation, in which the means for selectively setting the selector elements also control the cutting device, whereby the proper projections are severed from the edges of the cards, to render the cards suitable for occupying a differential position after actuation of the selector elements in the desired way, and means for returning the set selector elements and the selected severing device simultaneously to their normal position.

13. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, each card having differential edge portions to distinguish the card from other cards pertaining to the same set, consisting of projections and indentations between projections along at least one edge thereof, individually settable selector members to engage indentations to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction and means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set transversely relatively -to the movement of the selector members, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, whereby through the proper positioning of selector elements relatively to certain projections or indentations the cards may be locked against movement relatively to the selector elements or remain unlocked relatively thereto, means for selectively cutting projections from the series .of projections provided on the individual cards to render them distinctive for differential locking or release operation, in which the means for selectively setting the selector elements also control the cutting device, whereby the proper projections are severed from the edges of the cards, means for returning the set selector elements and the selected severing device simultaneously to their normal position, including means on said severing devices to move the severing devices together with the selector elements to operative position and for retaining said selected severing devices and selector elements in operative position, common means for returning simultaneously the selected severing devices and selector elements to selectormembers `adapted to ylock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; an electrom'agnet for subjecting allof ythe cards of thev set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set `transversely n relatively to the movement of the selector members, whereby the cards locked by the selector l element are prevented from following said move"- ment`to permit the cards not engaged by the .selector elements to be inuenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, the cards being locked against movement after the selectormembers enter the notches between two adjacent projections of the cards, means for selectively cutting projections'from the series 0f projections provided `on the individual cards to render them distinctive for differential locking or release operation, and means associated with the selector mechanism, for energizing and deenergizing of the electro-magnet.

15. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in said compartment, individually settable selector members to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; means on the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship, an electromagnet for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the inliuence of a force having a tendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, and means for energizing the magnet to move the unlocked cards to dilerentiating position, the effective surface of the magnet being positioned at an angle to the side of the set of cards, whereby the cards iniiuenced by the electro-magnet will travel in an arcuate path to arrive at differentiating positions.

16. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in said compartment, individually settable selector members to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; an electro-magnet extending longitudinally of the entire set of cards; means on the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engagedby the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, means for energizing the magnet to move the unlocked cards to differentiating position, a carrier for the electromagnet and means for adjusting said carrier at differential angular positions relatively to the side of theset of cards.

17. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, individually settable selector members to lock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; an electro-magnet extending longitudinally of the entire set of cards; means on the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship for subjecting all of the 'cards of theset to the influence of a force having a tendency to move `the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards-.not engaged by the selector elements tobe inuenced by said force and to move to a differentiating positionrelatively to the locked cards,means for energizing `the magnet to move the unlocked cards to differentiating position, and means for adjust'ablyl positioning theelectromagnet in direction towards theV set of cards. Y

` v18. A record card apparatusv including av compartment, a set of cards in the compartment each card having a series of projections with notches in between along an edge thereof, individually settable selector members lto enter the notches between two adjacent projections of the'cards to Vlock cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set in said direction, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following lsaid movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be iniiuenced by said force anc1 to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards, a guard adjustable relatively to the compartment for the cards, whereby said compartment is rendered suitable to accommodate cards of different sizes, means on the compartment for the cards to support the cards adjacent the outer edges only to render them more readily movable under the inuence of the force which places selected cards to differential position.

19. A record card apparatus including a compartment, `a set of cards in the compartment, spacer plates in the compartment of cards for subdividing the set into groups, said spacer plates being adjustable within the compartment, individually settable selector members to lock certainV cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction, means on the cards with which the selector members enter into lockingrelationship, and means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having Ya tendency to move the set, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to beY inuenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards.

20. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, individually settable selector members to lock certain cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction, means on'the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship, and means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the inuencc of a force having a tendency to move the set, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a diiferentiating position relatively to the locked cards, means for retaining the yselector elements in differential card locking position after actuation and a common means for returning all set selector elements simultaneously to their inoperative position.4

21. A record card apparatus including a compartment, a set of cards in the compartment, a guard adjustable relatively to the compartment for the cards, whereby said compartment is rendered suitable to accommodate cards of different siz'es, individually settable selector members to lock certain cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction, means on the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship, and means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set, whereby the cards locked by the selector-elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a diierentiating position relatively to the locked cards.

Y 22. A record card apparatus including a compartment; a card carrier having card supporting means thereon; a set of cards in said carrier;

spacers for the cards throughout the length of said carrier; a card carrier and card receiving means in said compartment including means engageable with the lower corners of the cards, whereby the cards are released from the carrier when the card carrier is placed in the compartment, individually settable selector members in the compartment to lock certain cards in the set against movement in a predetermined direction; means on the cards with which the selector members enter into locking relationship; and means for subjecting all of the cards of the set to the influence of a force having a tendency to move the set, whereby the cards locked by the selector elements are prevented from following said movement to permit the cards not engaged by the selector elements to be influenced by said force and to move to a differentiating position relatively to the locked cards; means for retaining the selector elements in differential card locking position after actuation; and a common simultaneously to their inoperative position.

JOHN, W. WHITSON.

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