GB833461A - Improvements in card sorting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

833,461. Sorting record cards. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Sept. 11, 1956 [Sept. 14, 1955], No. 27719/56. Class 106 (1). A card-sorting machine comprises a plurality of card-receiving pockets two of which 9-1, 9-2 each serve to receive the overflow of cards from the other, the cards of a particular classification being directed into one of the pockets until it is filled and following cards of that classification then being directed into the other pocket, an indicating lamp being associated with each pocket which becomes operative when the pocket is filled. There are interlocking means for the indicating lamp circuits so that the lamp of the first filled pocket stays lit until the cards are removed from it. This allows the cards in the two pockets to be re-associated in the correct order. The provision of overflow pockets for the " 9 " class may be necessitated if a large proportion of the cards being sorted are in that class. A similar provision may be made for other .classes as well. The pocket selecting magnets 80-12, 80-9-1 are energized as usual by a circuit through the card-sensing brush 128 and a commutator arm. The " 9 " contact of the commutator is normally connected by a relay contact R20-2 to the selector magnet 80-9-1 for pocket 9-1 but when latching relay R20LP is energized the overflow pocket magnet 80-9-2 is connected and the cards are accordingly diverted into this second pocket. When pocket 9-1 is filled to capacity a contact C9-1 is closed to energize relay R9-1. This energizes relay R20LP through contacts R9-1b (normally open) and contacts R9-2a (normally closed). Transference of contacts R20-1 causes indicating lamp L9-1 for the first pocket to light through contacts R9-1c. When the second pocket 9-2 is full contacts C9-2 close to energize relay R9-2 and complete a circuit through contacts R9-1a to the stop relay R21 so that the machine stops. While the first pocket is still full the relay R9-2 is ineffective to trip the relay R20LP by energizing trip coil R20LT because contact R9-1b is still transferred. The lamp L9-1 therefore remains on showing that pocket 80-9-1 was the first to be filled. If, while the second pocket was being filled, the first pocket was emptied the contacts C9-1 open and relay R9-1 is deenergized so that when the second pocket is full no circuit is made through stop relay R21 and the machine continues running. A circuit is made through contacts R9-2b to energize trip coil R20LT so that contacts R20-2 return to normal position and " 9 " class cards begin to be fed to pocket 80-9-1 as before. Also lamp L9-1 is put out and lamp L9-2 is put on indicating that the pocket 80-9-2 is full and, when both pockets are filled, that it was filled first. Specification 242,654 is referred to.