Tape punching apparatus for accounting machines and the like

摘要

850,492. Calculating-machines. OLIVETTI & CIE S.p.A. ING., C. April 1, 1958 [April 10, 1957], No. 10419/58. Class 106 (1). [Also in Group VIII] The differential actuators of an accounting- machine have movable therewith members comprising code elements whereby an amount set up in the machine may be entered in coded form into a multi-order storage device for controlling the punching of the digits in sequence into a tape. The invention is applied to a machine as described in Specification 737,050 having actuators 10, Fig. 1, controlled by a pincarriage 14. Coding.-Each actuator 10 carries a code member 16 having projections 17 so arranged that when a storage device 18 having four pins 23 for each order is moved by a main shaft cam 33 towards the actuators certain of the pins 23 are moved to the left in the storage device to represent in a four-point code the decimal digits of the amount set in the actuators. A plate 36 latches the set pins 23 as the storage device is restored. Punching function and programme symbols.- The machine has column stops 138, Fig. 5, carried by a paper carriage which, as described in Specification 773,004, are moved forwardly (to the right in Fig. 5) as they move into effective position, and then further forward during the cycle. The stops carry control projections 137 of different lengths and before a set amount is punched, a code symbol corresponding to the selected function is punched. For this purpose, the projection 137 rocks a bail 132 having an arm with a stepped end 139 which during the cycle is sensed by a lug 146 of a slide 147. This slide carries a vertically slidable plate 167SP1/SP which is thus differentially positioned over the upper ends of four plates 155 which are notched so that when a plate 171 is rocked to depress the plate 1671 one or a combination of the plates 155 will be depressed depending on the length of the function-selecting projection 137. The depressed plates 155 are latched by a bail 159 and through levers 55, position links 54 to the left so as to couple them with an actuating bail 63, Fig. 2, operated by a punch cam-shaft 68. Thus on operation of the latter, the links 54 are depressed and actuate punches 58 to punch the tape 60. A very long projection 137 rocks the arm 139 to ineffective position, in which case, the slide 147 is positioned by engaging the stepped end 145 of a lever rocked by the vertical movement of a shaft 142 which, as described in Specification 773,004, selects different programmes by selecting those ones of the stops 138 to be effective. Thus in this case, a code symbol is punched to record the programme selected. Punching the amount.-When the bail 132 is rocked, it rocks a control lever 108 which so conditions a mechanism that in the ensuing cycle, a rack 73, Figs. 4 and 8, pivoted on a rod 92 is freed for engagement with a worm 72 on a shaft 71. At the same time, a lever 91 is rocked and co-operates with a cam 88 so as to engage a clutch 83 so that the shaft. 71 and the punch cam shaft 68 to which it is geared will be rotated. These shafts rotate at four times the speed of the main shaft of the machine. The lever 92 is latched by a lever 124. The worm 72 thus moves the rack 73 so as to move a sensing frame 39, coupled thereto by a lever 78 across the rear of the storage device 18. The sensing frame carries four feelers 46 each sliding in a corresponding bail 48, Figs. 1 and 4, coupled by arms on a corresponding shaft 50 to a corresponding one of the punch links 54, Fig. 2. Thus, as the sensing frame 39 passes each denominational group of pins 23, the punch links 54 are shifted in accordance with the setting of the pins and the punch cam-shaft 68 causes the registered digit to be punched. Controlling the punching of zeros.-In the storage device 18, Figs. 1 and 4, zero is represented by the setting of the uppermost pin 23 only and all other digits involve the setting of at least. one of the other three pins. A plate 121 sensing the three lower rows of pins can thus move forwardly only if all the denominations sensed register zero. The plate 121 moves in advance of the feelers 46 and when the latter are sensing the highest significant digit, the plate 121 moves forwardly and trips the latch lever 124, Fig. 8, so that the rack 73 is restored to the position shown and the clutch 83 for the punch is disengaged. Controlling the keyboard.-The sensing plate 121 also controls means (not described) for locking the keyboard until punching has been completed, and in a modification, this plate may have a step in its sensing surface so that it moves forwardly to some extent before the highest significant digit is punched. This movement may unlock the keyboard to allow the setting of a new item shortly before punching has been completed.