GB1367345A - Information retrieval apparatus and information elements therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

1367345 Card selecting mechanism EASTMAN KODAK CO 13 May 1971 [13 May 1970] 14687/71 Heading G4M A card selecting mechanism for cards having notched codings in one edge has a movable container holding the information carrying portion of the cards, a coded tab relatively movable to the information carrying portion and carrying identifying notches and a selector portion preventing movement of selected tabs. The tabs 22 have on their upper edge notches separated by bands, selected ones of which are removed to identify each tab. Each tab has two facing fingers 21, 23 which are received in openings in the data carrying portion of the card and which allow relative movement of the tab and the portion. Each card also has two fingers 24<SP>1</SP>, 25 both facing in one direction to rest on a rod 14 and a plate 15<SP>1</SP> respectively and two fingers 26<SP>1</SP>, 27<SP>1</SP> both facing in an opposite direction to carry a container 30 in which the data carrying portions of the cards are received. In operation certain selector bars B1-B9 are lowered against a spring to enter notches in the tabs. The container 30 is moved sideways to the position shown in Fig. 6. The container carries with it the data carrying portions of the cards which via friction on the fingers 21, 23 tend to move their associated tabs. The selector bars prevent movement of the tabs that still have bands adjacent the bars and allows the other tabs to move a distance as shown in Fig. 6 such that fingers 24<SP>1</SP>, 25 no longer rest on rod 14 and plate 15. The container is moved a distance such that it is released from fingers 26<SP>1</SP>, 27<SP>1</SP> of the tabs retained by the selector mechanism so that the container and the selected cards fall and may be extracted from the mechanism.