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US3647064A - Information carrier selection system - Google Patents

Information carrier selection system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3647064A
US3647064A US36821A US3647064DA US3647064A US 3647064 A US3647064 A US 3647064A US 36821 A US36821 A US 36821A US 3647064D A US3647064D A US 3647064DA US 3647064 A US3647064 A US 3647064A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
selector
arrangement
frame
tabs
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US36821A
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English (en)
Inventor
Norman J Rosenburgh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3647064A publication Critical patent/US3647064A/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K21/00—Information retrieval from punched cards designed for manual use or handling by machine; Apparatus for handling such cards, e.g. marking or correcting
    • G06K21/02—Information retrieval from punched cards designed for manual use or handling by machine; Apparatus for handling such cards, e.g. marking or correcting in which coincidence of markings is sensed mechanically, e.g. by needle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K21/00—Information retrieval from punched cards designed for manual use or handling by machine; Apparatus for handling such cards, e.g. marking or correcting
    • G06K21/04—Information retrieval from punched cards designed for manual use or handling by machine; Apparatus for handling such cards, e.g. marking or correcting in which coincidence of markings is sensed optically, e.g. peek-a-boo system

Definitions

  • An apparatus for positively separating preselected i ormation carriers from an arrangement of similar carriers includes a frame and a container, and is adapted to be used with a plu- Rochester' rality of selector tabs releasably suspended from the frame and releasably suspending the container.
  • a plurality of information carriers are symmetrically supported within the container and are respectively connected in sliding frictional relation to the selector tabs.
  • Each selector tab has an edge configuration of alternative lands and notches that is coded to identify a respectively connected carrier by removing preselected of 209/11L8, 209/ l 10 such lands.
  • the frame are actuated to a blocking position within cor- .209/72, 80,5, 111,8, 110 responding notches of the coded selector tabs, and the container is shifted one notch pitch.
  • the selected carrier selector 1 tabs i.e., those which have lands removed adjacent the actuf ated selector bars, will move with the shifted container and will remain fixed thereto while releasing from the frame. How- 209" 8 5 ever, the selector tabs of the nonselected carriers will each 209/80 5 have at least one of their lands blocked by an actuated selector P l 80 5 bar.
  • the blocked selector tabs WI" be prevented from moving l with the shifted container and will release therefrom while remaining suspended from the frame.
  • the selected carriers whose selector tabs have been released from the frame are then positively separated from the suspended arrangement of nonselected carriers in response to movement of the container away from such arrangement.
  • the present invention relates to information handling, and more particularly to a new and improved system for selectively separating individual information carriers from an arrangement of a plurality of similar carriers.
  • the present invention is useful in indexing and filing systems wherein it is desired for a particular information carrier to be extracted from an arrangement of similar carriers by means of an independent selection system.
  • the present invention is particularly useful in the kind of indexing system wherein the information carriers are stored in random fashion without regard to the customary consecutive numbering or lettering which is required in usual indexing systems.
  • No. 3,073,013 as in prior art systems, relies exclusively'on gravity to extract each selected carrier released from the frame. And as there may be some frictional contact between selected and nonselected carriers, the former can become wedged in position so that gravity will fail to extract them from the arrangement.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for information carrier selection that positively, i.e., affirmatively, extracts selected carriers from an arrangement of similar carriers regardless of any frictional contact or electrostatic forces between contiguous ones of the arranged carriers.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved selector tab and information carrier.
  • a given selector tab By removing .preselected of its lands, a given selector tab can be uniquely "coded .to identify the information on a particular carrier.
  • Carriersain the arrangement are connected to respective ones of the coded selector tabs and are symmetrically supported within the container.
  • the coded selector tabs respectively suspend the arranged carriers from the frame.
  • appropriate selector bars on the frame are actuated to a blocking, i.e., engaging, position within corresponding .notches of the coded selector tabs, and the containeris shifted a given distance equal to one notch pitch.
  • the selected carrier selector tabs i.e., those which have lands removed adjacent the actuated selector bars, will move one notch pitch with the shifted container and will remain vertically fixed thereto while releasing from the frame.
  • the selector tabs of the nonselected carriers will each have at least one of their lands blocked by an actuated selector bar.
  • the blocked selector tabs will'be prevented from moving with the shifted container and will release therefrom while remaining suspended from the frame.
  • Theselected carriers whose selector tabs have been released from the'frame may then be positively, i.e., affirmatively, separated from the suspended arrangement of the -non selected carrierswhose selector tabs have been released from the container, in response to movement of the container away from such arrangement.
  • FIG. 1 is .asimplified perspective view of the apparatus in accordance 'withthe present invention, showing a portion of position;
  • FIG..5 is a top view of the frame, showing a portionof the mechanism depicted in FIG. 4 extending through a'slot in'the frames top surface;
  • FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment of the apparatus depicted in H0; 1.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a frame 10, a plurality of selector tabs 20 releasably suspended from the frame, a container 30 releasably suspended from the selector tabs, and a plurality of similar-type information carriers C randomly filed and vertically arranged or stacked within the container, each carrier being slidingly frictionally connected to a respective one of the selector tabs.
  • the frame as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a pair of spaced, parallel rails 14 and extending along opposite edges and transversely of the entire file of arranged information carriers C and the plurality of releasably suspended selector tabs 20.
  • Rail I4 is of rodlike configuration
  • rail 15 is L- shaped with a horizontal portion 15' extending toward the file.
  • a pair of spaced, parallel frame portions 11 and 19 have corresponding U-shaped notches 12 formed therein for seating the respective ends of selector bars B0, B1, B2 B9 which are described more fully hereinafter.
  • the frame 10 is open around its sides and bottom and has a top portion 13 in which a slot 16 is formed (FIG. 5).
  • information carrier is intended to generically include information-bearing elements, such as cards, film sheets and the like having information thereon, and jackets, aperture cards and the like in which an information strip or chip such as microfilm is housed.
  • information-bearing elements such as cards, film sheets and the like having information thereon, and jackets, aperture cards and the like in which an information strip or chip such as microfilm is housed.
  • an information strip or chip such as microfilm is housed.
  • Each carrier C has spaced, parallel pockets C C' therein which open along carrier edges C C and are separated by divider C' Pockets C C' may be used to respectively house information strips (not shown), and the use of pocket C will be described hereinafter.
  • Container 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is of a boxlike construction and has a pair of spaced, parallel rails 36 and 37 which extend transversely of the entire vertical file of arranged information carriers C.
  • the rails 36 and 37 are L- shaped and include respective horizontal portions 36' and 37 that extend to the right as viewed in FIG. 2.
  • the container is closed except for an open top portion located in the plane defined by the horizontal rail portions 36' and 37', and has an interior surface 35 shaped to maintain the arranged information carriers in an aligned, i.e., symmetrical, relation.
  • each selector tab 20' comprises a flat plate 22, and that the plate has a pair of opposed carrier support fingers 21 and 23 which extend towards each other.
  • the pocket C, of each information carrier C is complementarily shaped and constructed with respect to each pair of the carrier support fingers 21 and 23 for receipt of the latter within its respective pocket openings along carrier edges C, and C
  • each information carrier is flexible, a pair of carrier support fingers can readily be inserted or removed from the carrier pocket C',.
  • each selector tab 20 and each information carrier C can be respectively connected in sliding frictional relation, so that movement therebetween is along a linear path, the direction of which is determined by the direction of such sliding movement.
  • the linear path extends in a horizontal direction as that is the direction in which the selector tab and the information carrier are oriented for movement with respect to each other.
  • Each selector tab 20 has a pair of frame-engaging fingers 24 and 25 located at the opposite ends of the tabs upper longitudinal edge as shown in FIG. 3.
  • Frame-engaging finger 24 is L-shaped and includes a horizontal portion 24 that extends to the right as does frame-engaging finger 25.
  • the frame-engaging fingers are constructed relative to the rails 14 and 15 of the frame 10 so that each selector tab 20' can be releasably suspended from such rails in the manner shown by FIG. 2.
  • Each selector tab 20' also has a pair of L-shaped containerengaging fingers 26 and 27 that include respective horizontal portions 26' and 27 extending to the left as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the container'engaging fingers are constructed relative to the L-shaped rails 36 and 37 of the container 30 so that the container can be releasably suspended by each of the selector tabs 20 as shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 it can be seen that in order to release the suspended arrangement of information carriers C from the frame 10, the container 30 and each of the arranged carriers must be shifted left a given distance to be described hereinafter, in the direction indicated by the arrow 38 and in conjunction with the plurality of selector tabs 20, until each selector tabs frame-engaging fingers 24 and 25 are released from respective ones of the rails 14 and 15 of the frame. Because the arranged information carriers are symmetrically supported by the container as shown in FIG. I, a movement of the latter in the direction indicated by the arrow 38 effects a like movement of the former.
  • the shifted container of arranged information carriers and the shifted selector tabs can be withdrawn downwardly or if not supported are allowed to fall free of the frame under the force of gravity.
  • each selector tab 20 is respectively connected to an information carrier C, and the containers rail portions 36' and 37 remain respectively engaged with the container-engaging fingers 26 and 27 of each of the selector tabs, it can be seen that the selector tabs, the information carriers and the container will be vertically lowered as a unit with respect to the frame. It is to be noted that the container will only release from a selector tab if the former is moved relative to the latter at least the given distance and in the direction indicated by the arrow 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
  • a plurality of like projections 0, l, 2 9 that are formed by a unifonn alternative land and notch configuration extending along the upper longitudinal edge of each selector tab 20' as shown in FIG. 3, one notch pitch being the straight-line distance between corresponding points on a pair of adjacent projections such as 0 and 1, and being equal to the given distance previously discussed.
  • the selector bars as shown in FIG. I, have their respective ends seated in the U-shaped notches l2 and extend transversely across each of the coded selector tabs that are releasably suspended from the frame 10.
  • Springs 31 and 39 described hereinafter normally maintain the selector bars in an upper position spaced from the projections as is illustrated by the raised bars B0B4, 86-87 and B9, shown in FIG. 2.
  • selector bars are adapted to be selectively actuated to a lower position in blocking, i.e., engaging, relation with the selector tab projections, as is illustrated by the lowered bars B5 and B8 blocking projections 5 and 8 respectively (FIG. 2
  • Each one of the selector bars can be moved to its lower position by an individual cam mechanism 40 respectively associated therewith and more fully described below.
  • the friction between slidingly connected ones of the selector tabs and the arranged information carriers should be greater than the friction between contiguous selector tabs in the arrangement. Also, as is obvious from the above description, respectively connected ones of the selector tabs and the information carriers must be able to slide relative to each other for the given distance, i.e., one notch pitch.
  • each cam mechanism 40 located within the fixed frame includes an associated pair of cam members 42 and 44 pivotably mounted about parallel extending rods 43 and 45 respectively. It should be understood that the cross-sectional area of each rod is located offcenter of the curve formed by the edge of a respective one of the cam members.
  • Link 46 interconnects the associated pair of cam members 42 and 44 by pivotally coupling thereto at joints 47 and 48 respectively.
  • Cam member 42 includes a handle 41 extending through the slot 16 in the top 13 of the frame 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the'cam handle is pivotable about rod 43 between positions A and B, positions A and B being ones wherein the cam handle abuts slot edges 17 and 18 respectively, thereby defining the range of travel of such handle.
  • cam members 42 and 44 will pivot clockwise, and the selector bar respectively associated therewith will correspondingly be moved from its upper position shown in full lines in FIG. 4 to its lower position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4.
  • rod 43 has rotatably mounted thereon a series of parallel-spaced cam members each indicated by the reference numeral 42 (and not all shown).
  • Rod 45 has rotatably mounted thereon a series of parallel-spaced cam members each indicated by the reference numeral 44 (FIG. 2).
  • each pair of springs 31 and 39 respectively interconnect the frame portion I] and 19 with the respective ends of a selector bar, and urge that selector bar to its upper position spaced from the projections of the coded selector tabs.
  • an associated pair of springs will be extended as shown by the appropriate broken lines in FIG. 4.
  • the associated pair of springs will contract as shown by the appropriate full lines in FIG. 4 to retract the associated selector bar to its upper position.
  • selector bars on the frame are actuated to their lower blocking positions within the corresponding notches of uniquely coded selector tabs that are releasably suspended from the frame and slidably connected to respective ones of the arranged information carriers.
  • the container of arranged carriers is then shifted left one notch pitch.
  • the selector tabs of the selected carriers i.e., those which have projections removed adjacent the actuated selector bars, will move left one notch pitch in conjunction with the shifted container.
  • Those selector tabs displaced to the left one notch pitch remain vertically fixed to the shifted container and are released from the frame as described above.
  • the selector tabs of the nonselected carriers each have at least one of their projections, i.e., lands, engaged by those selector bars actuated to the lower blocking position, so that the blocked, i.e., engaged, selector tabs are prevented from moving left with the shifted container.
  • Both selected and nonselected ones of the arranged carriers are moved one notch pitch with the shifted container.
  • the selected carriers whose selector tabs have been released from the frame are then positively, i.e., affirmatively, extracted from the suspended arrangement of nonselected carriers in response to lowering of the container away from such arrangement.
  • the weight of the container is sufficient to overcome any friction between contiguous ones of the selected and nonselected carriers.
  • the lowered container of selected carriers may be transported out of the frame by a suitable conveyor system (not shown).
  • FIG. 6 there is shown a modification of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • actuation means 50 such as the solenoid shown in FIG. 6, is used to automatically shift the container.
  • the modification shown in FIG. 6 includes an assembly 60 for automatically withdrawing the shifted container downwardly away from the suspended arrangement of nonselected carriers.
  • the assembly comprises four container arms '61 (not all shown four rollers 62 (not all shown) respectively located on the free end of each of the container arms, parallel frame walls 63 and 64 each having a pair of L-shaped roller guide slots 65 formed therein, and four tension springs 66 (not all shown) respectively interconnecting the rollers and the frame walls.
  • Rollers 62 each have a peripheral groove 67 (not all shown) formed therein to facilitate roller movement in the respective guide slots.
  • rollers 62 will each move from a horizontal portion of the respective guide slots to a vertical portion thereof, so that the tension springs can then draw the container downward.
  • a suitable conveyor system (not shown) may be used to move the vertically lowered container away from the frame 10.
  • the present invention provides an improved information carrier selection system that includes simple means which can be used to positively, i.e., affirmatively, extract selected information carriers from an arrangement of similar carriers, regardless of any frictional contact between contiguous carriers in the arrangement.
  • the container can be supported in orientations other than as illustrated.
  • the container 30 can instead by supported for horizontal movement by means (not shown) located on the frame, and merely be engageable with (as opposed to suspending from) each selector tab.
  • means (not shown) would be provided for horizontally extracting the selected carriers from the arrangement of nonselected carriers.
  • each selector tab is not intended to be exclusively a part of the apparatus, and that each selector tab can be slidingly connected to an information carrier in a permanent manner so as to form a single unit, rather than the separable selector tab and information carrier fully described above.
  • each element comprising a selector tab and an information carrier connected so as to provide relative movement therebetween along a predetermined linear path and each selector tab having first, second and third engageable portions, apparatus for positively separating preselected of such elements from such an arrangement, said apparatus comprismg:
  • second means for selectively engaging the second engageable portion of at least one of the selector tabs in an arrangement of such elements movably supported by said first means, and for preventing movement of a selector tab in said first direction when so engaged;
  • third means movable with the information carriers of the supported arrangement in said first direction, for engag ing the third engageable portions of the selector tabs in such arrangement, and for positively extracting from the supported arrangement, in response to movement of said third means in a first direction, those elements which are not engaged by said second means.
  • Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for moving said third means with the information carriers of the supported arrangement in said first direction.
  • each element comprising a selector tab and an information carrier connected so as to provide relative movement therebetween along a predetermined linear path for at least a predetermined distance and each selector tab having:
  • apparatus for positively separating preselected of such elements from such an arrangement, said apparatus comprising:
  • first means located on said frame, for movably supporting an arrangement of such elements by engaging the first portions of their selector tabs in a manner such that the elements are aligned with their predetermined linear paths parallel and are each movable relative to said frame in the second direction for the predetermined distance;
  • second means located on said frame, for selectively engaging the second portion of at least one of the selector tabs in an arrangement of such elements movably supported by said first means, and for preventing movement of a selector tab relative to said frame in the second direction when so engaged;
  • third means movable with the information carriers of the supported arrangement, for engaging the third portions of the selector tabs in such arrangement, and for positively extracting from the supported arrangement upon movement of said third means relative to said frame in the first direction, those selector tabs engaged thereby which are not engaged by said first means.
  • said second means includes a plurality of selector bars independently actuatable to a position for engaging the second portion of at least one of the selector tabs in the supported arrangement and means for independently actuating each of said selector bars to their engaging position.
  • said third means includes a container constructed to symmetrically support information carriers within its interior when the third portions of their respective selector tabs are engaged by said third means.
  • said third means includes a container having an interior constructed to maintain information carriers of the supported arrangement aligned with their predetermined linear paths parallel to the second direction when the third portions of their selector tabs are engaged by said third means, and said container has means defining an opening constructed for withdrawal of information carriers from said interior in the direction opposite the first direction when said third means is released from the third portions of the selector tabs in the supported arrangement and said third means is moved relative to said frame in the first direction.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automatic Disk Changers (AREA)
  • Sheet Holders (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
US36821A 1970-05-13 1970-05-13 Information carrier selection system Expired - Lifetime US3647064A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US3682170A 1970-05-13 1970-05-13

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US3647064A true US3647064A (en) 1972-03-07

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US36821A Expired - Lifetime US3647064A (en) 1970-05-13 1970-05-13 Information carrier selection system

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US (1) US3647064A (de)
DE (1) DE2123583A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2091542A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1367345A (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3719274A (en) * 1971-07-01 1973-03-06 Minolta Camera Kk Mechanism for delivering recorded sheet film selected in indexing device to reproduction position
US3841480A (en) * 1972-06-21 1974-10-15 Ricoh Kk Card selection for a card retrieval system
US3902662A (en) * 1972-03-17 1975-09-02 Hitachi Ltd Microfiche storing means
CN112371517A (zh) * 2020-10-15 2021-02-19 北京极智嘉科技有限公司 物品分拣系统和方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3073313A (en) * 1956-01-19 1963-01-15 Int Standard Electric Corp File record selection arrangement
US3292631A (en) * 1963-04-11 1966-12-20 Randomatic Data Systems Inc Data processing equipment
US3339849A (en) * 1963-12-03 1967-09-05 Mosler Safe Co Card selection nozzle

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3073313A (en) * 1956-01-19 1963-01-15 Int Standard Electric Corp File record selection arrangement
US3292631A (en) * 1963-04-11 1966-12-20 Randomatic Data Systems Inc Data processing equipment
US3339849A (en) * 1963-12-03 1967-09-05 Mosler Safe Co Card selection nozzle

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3719274A (en) * 1971-07-01 1973-03-06 Minolta Camera Kk Mechanism for delivering recorded sheet film selected in indexing device to reproduction position
US3902662A (en) * 1972-03-17 1975-09-02 Hitachi Ltd Microfiche storing means
US3841480A (en) * 1972-06-21 1974-10-15 Ricoh Kk Card selection for a card retrieval system
CN112371517A (zh) * 2020-10-15 2021-02-19 北京极智嘉科技有限公司 物品分拣系统和方法
CN112371517B (zh) * 2020-10-15 2022-06-24 北京极智嘉科技股份有限公司 物品分拣系统和方法

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Publication number Publication date
GB1367345A (en) 1974-09-18
FR2091542A5 (de) 1972-01-14
DE2123583A1 (de) 1971-12-02

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