US3508705A - Punch for telephone dial cards and the like - Google Patents

Description

April 1970 R. J. SCRANTON- 3,508,705

PUNCH FOR TELEPHONE DIAL CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 15, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet l [N VEN TOR ROBERT J. SCRANTON BY 58 e i A TTORNE'Y A ril 28, 1970 R. J. SCRANTON 3, 08,

PUNCH FOR TELEPHONE DIAL CARDS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1967 v JNVENTOR ROBERT J SCRANTON fimfn ATTORNE Y April 28, 1970 R. J. SCRANTON 3,503,705

PUNCH FDR TELEPHONE DIAL CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 15, 196'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNI/ENTOR ROBERT J. SCRANTON ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,508,705 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 3,508,705 PUNCH FOR TELEPHONE DIAL CARDS AND THE LIKE Robert J. Scranton, Mentor, Ohio, assignor to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 690,976 Int. Cl. G06k 1/00 U.S. Cl. 234-51 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A punch for punching coded information in a two-hole code into plastic cards (such as telephone dialing cards) includes a row of punches each activated by levers which can be shifted so as to place an interposer portion into operative relationship to a power bail. Operating a key on the keyboard acts through a code bar system, first raising the appropriate levers for selected punches to active position, then trips the power bail while also providing means to lock the levers in activated position during the stroke. Completion of the punching cycle automatically steps the card to the next punching position and resets the tripping mechanism. The equipment includes a settable tabbing mechanism to provide for programming the skipping of certain punch positions, and an auxiliary punch mechanism for punching special signal or stop holes without advancing the card. Card movement is powered by a spring barrel which is wound by inserting the card into the machine. The parts are arranged to provide card position and card motion simulating the card position and motion in existing telephones of the automatic dialing type.

9 Claims Punching of openings at appropriate locations in workpieces, such as telephone dialing cards, so as to cause them to operate the telephone equipment correctly can be a very tedious task if done manually, since it is necessary to refer repeatedly to the code, and then recheck to be certain that the code for the desired numeral was punched as intended.

According to the present invention there is provided a punching device whereby the punches providing the proper code holes for a numeral are selected by a single pushbutton or key having the numeral indication thereon, so that correct location for the punched holes is achieved without difficulty. Thereafter the selected punches are driven through the punching stroke, preferably by power mechanism.

Because it is advisable for economic reasons to provide as few punch elements as possible, the machine is arranged to punch the code holes for one numeral at a time, and a row of punches equal in number to the punch positions in a single row is provided, in this case eight.

The machine is preferably arranged to step the card automatically from one code position to the next in response to the completion of each punching stroke, and in this respect simulates the action of a telephone equipped with automatic dialing which steps the card after each dialing operation.

Moreover it is an object of the present invention to arrange the card insertion and the card stepping motions to be as similar as possible to the operation of the use of the card in the telephone, thus simplifying the punching process for the user, who is normally familiar with the telephone operation.

In addition the keyboard is preferably so arranged as to simulate in a general way other familiar keyboards such as that of a ten-key adding machine or that of a touchdialing telephone.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which relates the two immediately foregoing objects, and the location of the punch mechanism dictated thereby, in a convenient table top machine of small overall size.

Additional objects, features and advantages will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a machine according to the invention with the cover in place;

FIGURE 2 is partial perspective to a larger scale of the machine of FIGURE 1 with the cover removed, and showing the punch operating mechanisms, certain parts being omitted for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective of the machine with the cover removed, taken in a direction similar to that of FIGURE 2, but showing the tabulation setting mechanism, the tabulation operating mechanism, and the spacing or line skipping mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detail perspective taken in the same general direction as FIGURES 1 to 3 and showing the mechanism for turning the machine on and off;

FIGURE 5 is a central section through the upper portion of the machine to a larger scale showing the card receiving and punching mechanisms in detail;

FIGURE 6 is a detail view in top plan showing the punch levers and driving bail therefor, taken substantially on line 66 of FIGURE 5, but to a reduced scale; and

FIGURE 7 is a detail section showing the anti-repeat mechanism.

Referring to the drawing, a preferred machine according to the present invention comprises a base 10, a keyboard 12, and a card receiving means 14 comprising a thin, card-receiving or pocket throat bounded by edge guides 16 and 18 defining a track for receiving a workpiece such as a plastic telephone dialing card 20 having preformed feed holes 21. The machine also comprises a housing or cover 22.

Turning to FIGURE 2, the punching mechanism is illustrated in detail. It will be understood that in this figure the operating linkage, punches and key for punching a single numeral code only are shown to avoid confusion, and that the mechanisms for punching the other numeral codes are analogously constructed and arranged.

The punching location is at the card receiving means 14 and just within the top of the housing, in order to afford the aforesaid similarity with telephone operation, and the driving means and control linkages are ingeniously arranged for suitable conn ction with this punching mechanism and an appropriately located generally horizontal keyboard without distorting the shape or exaggerating the size of the housing.

The punching means consists of a perforate guide block 30 mounted on the machine frame, a series of eight punches 32 (two of which are shown) slideable in the guide block perforations and a mating die block 36 having die openings 37 in direct line with the row of punches. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, the die block is conveniently located so that the chad escaping therefrom can be guided by a chute 38 directly into a readily removable container 40 located in a suitable opening in the rear of casing 22.

Operation of the punches is effected by individual punch driving levers 44 each associated with one of the punches and drivingly and slidingly fitting into a slot 46 milled in the butt end of its corresponding punch. Whether or not the lever 44 is effective to drive its punch is determined by its vertical elevation, for each lever is equipped with an interposer car 47 normally positioned below and out of the path, but raisable into the path, of an oscillating driving bail 48 whose operation will presently be explained. The lower end of each lever 44 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 50, and all of the bell cranks are pivoted upon a shaft 52 affixed to the frame. Each bell crank 50 is driven by a sliding code bar 54 pivotally connected to the other arm thereof, which bars extend horizontally beneath the keyboard. Each code bar has selector projections 56 at appropriate locations therealong to coact with a swing plate 58 related to a designated key 62. There is, of course, a swing plate for each key, and each swing plate 58 is pivoted to the machine frame by cars 60'. The selector projections on the code bars are so positioned that each numeral key has a unique combination of a plurality of punches associated therewith. In the present instance a two-hole code is being described, so that two code bars are related to each key by their projections such that as the key 62 is depressed it will press upon the top of its swing plate causing the lower edge thereof to swing to the left and move the two associated code bars 54 to the left also. The code bars will ultimately be returned to their rightmost positions by suitable springs, one of which is shown at 64.

In this connection it will be noted that all springs are shown as connected at one end to the member operated thereby, and for simplicity the other end is shown without connection. In each case it will be understood that such other end is anchored upon an appropriately located portion of the machine frame.

One arm of each bell crank 50 is preferably associated with a conventional ball type lock-out mechanism (not shown) to prevent actuation of two numeral keys at the same time.

The power to drive the selected punches is provided by a power shaft 66 which carries two cams 68, each driving an arm of the driving bail 48 through follower rollers 70, the bail being pivoted on a fixed shaft 71. The power stroke of the upper rail of the bail 48 during a punching cycle of the machine is from the position shown in FIG. 2, through a short stroke towards the right, and return. During this stroke, if any punches were selected by having their levers 44 raised, the bail will engage the interposer ears 47 thereof, thus driving the associated punches through a punching stroke. The rollers 70 are maintained in contact with earns 70 by springs 72.

The driving bail is seen in greater detail in FIG. 6, wherein it is shown as including a retracting bail 48;- con nected thereto for returning the punches to bank position after each operation. Also it is noted that one-half 48a of the driving bail 48 is arranged to take effect before the other half 48b, the code being so arranged that one punch is selected from each half of the punch row by each key. In this way the two punches required to code each numeral operate in sequence rather than simultaneously, and hence the power needed for punch operation and the strength required in the driving bail system are both minimized.

Rotation of the power shaft 66 is brought about by a motor, not shown in FIG. 2, but indicated diagrammatically at 77 in FIG. 4. This motor drives a pulley 74 through a belt 76, and a single revolution clutch 78 which includes a cam disk 80 on shaft 66 carrying a pawl 82 engageable with a ratchet 84 integrally associated with the pulley 74 so as to be rotated thereby.

It will be noted that the parts are so arranged that the first portion of the stroke of key 62 effects punch selec tion through raising of the selected punch driving levers 44 until their interposer ears 47 are in operative position. Thereupon the bell cranks 50 have moved far enough to strike a trip bail 86 which is pivoted on shaft 52, biased by springs 88, and which has a finger 90 normally blocking motion of an intermediate clutch trip member 92 pivoted on a suitable support, e.g., the shaft 71 and biased by springs 93. The member 92 has a slot 94 receiving a pin 96 of a clutch trip arm 98 pivoted on a portion of the machine frame.

The arm 98 is provided with two ears 100 and 102, and forms part of the single revolution clutch in that the ear 4 100 lies in the path of an ear 104 on the pawl 82 to effect clutch disengagement at the end of each cycle, while the car 102 engages the periphery of cam disk so as to reposition the ear 100 in a location to strike the ear 104 as the cycle termination approaches.

Due to the aforesaid construction, the second portion of the travel of key 62, after contact occurs between the bell cranks 50 and trip bail 86 (at points x, for example), results in finger releasing the member 92 so that springs 93 cause the same to move pin 96 to the right, thereby raising the car (car 102 presently being opposite the low point of cam disk 80). This allows pawl 82 to drop into engagement with the rotating ratchet 84, and the cam disk 80 and shaft 66 make one rapid revolution until the pawl is again released by contact with the car 100. During this single revolution, cams 68 drive punch bail 48 and selected punches 32 through a punching stroke.

In order to insure that the levers 44 remain in raised active position throughout the punching cycle regardless of whether key 62 is held down, member 92 also provides a bail or locking member 92 which shifts to a position beneath points 50' formed on bell cranks 50', thereby locking the mechanism against inadvertent lowering of the levers 44. The member 92 also overlies the points 50' of any of the bell cranks 50 which were not actuated, and thereby locks the mechanism against inadvertent movement of a second key during the punching cycle.

It will be noted that as the punching cycle draws to a close, the periphery of cam disk 80 moves the lower portion of trip arm 98 to the left in opposition to the urging of springs 93, and, through pin 96, shifts member 92 to the left, thereby releasing bell cranks 50 to permit restoration of levers 44 to lowered position and allowing the finger 90 on trip bail 86 to drop into a relatched position blocking rightward movement of intermediate trip member 92, so that the machine is reset for another cycle.

At this point it should be noted that antirepeat means are provided for preventing the possibility of the users inadvertently holding a key down long enough to start a second punching cycle. This means thus confines each key operation to producing a single cycle only and requires that any operated numeral punching key be released before that key or any other key can produce the next punching cycle. The anti-repeat means is not shown in FIGURE 2 to avoid confusion of the drawing but may be seen in FIGURE 7 wherein is shown another or secondary latch mechanism, which comprises a second blocking finger 90a pivoted also on the shaft 52 and urged upwardly towards blocking position in relation to the intermediate trip member 92 by a tension spring 90b connecting the finger 9011 with the blocking finger 90. Stop means 900 are provided, however, so acting between the fingers that only one of the fingers 90, 90a can engage the trip member 92 at any one time. A blocking surface 90d of the finger 90a is slightly in advance of the blocking surface of finger 90.

In operation, tripping of the power stroke of the machine is caused by the finger 90 rising as previously described, at which time the finger 90a is raised by spring 90b to press against the bottom of intermediate trip member 92 at the urging of spring 90b. Assuming that the user holds the key depressed, which maintains finger 90 in raised position, the finger 90a will continue to ride the bottom of member 92 until the latter has been reset at the cycles end by the action of cam disk 80 on car 102, arm 98 and pin 96. At that time the finger 90a snaps upwardly into blocking position relative to the trip member 92 due to the urging of spring 9% to prevent an additional power cycle. Only by releasing the originally actuated key and thereby allowing the finger 90 to drop into blocking position under the influence of spring 88 (which, through stop 90c simultaneously disengages the blocking finger 90a from the intermediate trip member 92) is the machine readied to commence a new cycle of operation.

In FIGURE 3 is illustrated the card positioning and feeding mechanism which includes sprocket wheels 200 drivingly associated with a shaft 202 and engageable with feed holes 21 in card 20 which is constrained to remain in contact with the sprockets 200 by reason of their position relative. to the pocket of the card receiving means 14. It will also be noted that the sprockets are differently spaced from the edge guides, as are the sprocket holes from the card edges, so that ambiguity in card position in both the punch and telephone is prevented. The shaft is normally urged in a clockwise or card-ejecting direction by a spring barrel 203 rotatable on the machine frame and drivingly connected with the shaft 202 by a strap 204 wrapped on a spool 206. Such clockwise rotation of the shaft 202 is normally prevented by a ratchet 208 which engages a pawl 210 pivoted on a shaft 212 on the machine frame.

Under normal circumstances the pawl 210 and a pawl 214, also pivoted on the shaft 212 and arranged to cooperate with the ratchet 208, act in concert. This occurs under the influence of springs 216 and 218, and a pin 220 on pawl 210 lying in contact with one side of pawl 214, so that these two pawls normally act as an escapement for stepping the ratchet 208 one tooth at a time. It is here noted that spring 216 is the more forceful, so that the escapement, in effect, acts under the biasing of this spring. Pawl 210 is normally in engagement with the ratchet, and pawl 214 normally out of engagement. Operation of this escapement is effected automatically during the punching cycle by a cam 222 on the power shaft 66, which cam is generally circular but has a short dip portion 224 so located as to allow an oscillation of the escapement once each revolution at a time when the punching operation has been completed and the punches withdrawn from the card. This permits the escapement 210, 214 to allow the ratchet 208 to escape one tooth, thereby causing the sprockets 200 to move the card 20 upwardly one step to the next punching position.

In order to provide for card shifts of more than one step at a time, in certain applications, an auxiliary escapement arrangement under the control of a tab key 226 is provided. On the shaft 202 is a wheel 228 carrying a plurality of slides 230 which can each be axially shifted between end positions such that in the projected position a portion of the slide will lie in the path of a pawl 232 and act as a stop, while in the retracted position, a clearance notch 234 in each slide will be presented to the pawl 232. A detent spring 234 retains the slides in either set position. It will be understood that only a few of the slides 230 are shown to avoid confusion, but that they are mounted substantially around the periphery of wheel 228 to correspond with each punching position of the shaft 202. In FIGURE 3 certain of the slides 230, particularly the lowermost one, are shown in projected or active position while others are shown in retracted or inactive position.

The pawl 232 is pivoted on the shaft 212 and urged away from contact with the stops 230 by a spring 236. It is pivotally connected with a link 238 which is operated by the tab key 226 through a bell crank 240. In addition, the pawl carries an interlock arm and pin 242 and 244, respectively, which tie the action of pawl 210 to that of pawl 232. This sets up an auxiliary manually controlled escapement such that by depressing the tab key 226, pawl 210 can be released while the pawl 232 is placed in a potentially stop engaging position. If all of the slides 230 should be projected, for example, the arrangement would act as a normal escapement, stepping the shaft 202 and the card 20 one position at a time for each depression of tab key 226. Wherever one or more of the slides 230 is retracted, however, a corresponding number of positions will he jumped when the tab key is actuated, since the pawl 232, even though projected into a stopping position, fails to meet any stopping surfaces until a projected slide is encountered.

Positioning of the slides 230, in order to select the desired tabulating action, can be effected by means of a rocking slide operator 246 on a shaft 248 actuated by a slide button 250 on the keyboard, through a link 252 and crank 254. The slide button 250 is normally held in centered position by suitable spring means (not shown). The slide operator 246 presents itself within a suitable notch, e.g., the. notch 234 in each passing slide 230, and by acting on the ends of the notch, the slide may be shifted in one direction or the other using the slide button 250. The slide operator 246 is so located, of course, that it reposes within the notch of each slide as the wheel comes to rest at the end of a card stepping motion.

When a punching operation is completed, or if a card is mispunched, the user of the device will wish to eject the card in order to replace it. This is accomplished by an eject key 256 which, through a bell crank 258 and a link 260 can push upon the pawl 210 so as to retract it from contact with the ratchet 208, thereby allowing the shaft 202 to run free under the influence of the spring barrel 203, thereby ejecting the card 20. Normal position of the key is maintained by a spring 262, and a lost motion connection 264 with the pawl 210 allows the latter to react normally to the effects of cam 222 or pin 244 without interference from link 260.

While not shown in the drawing except in FIGURE 1 and probably not essential to convenient use of the device, there may be provided, if desired, a back space mechanism represented by a key 266 on the keyboard. If such a key were suitably linked to a pawl and ratchet mechanism like 208, 210 but of reverse sense, it can be readily seen that the shaft 202 could be stepped one. step at a time in a reverse direction in opposition to spring barrel 203 by depressing the key 266. However, since the cards 20 are normally stiff, the same can readily be used to cause reverse shaft rotation as desired, with the click of pawl 210 giving audible indication of the step wise motion.

Similarly, if it is desired to provide for one or more spaces between adjacent punched codes, a space key such as 268 (FIG. 1) may be provided. The linkage associated with this key would be substantially the same as that shown for key 62 in FIG. 2, except that the key operates a single code bar 54 and a single bell crank 50 which has associated with it no punch lever 44. Accordingly, when the key 268 is depressed, it merely cycles the mechanism once with the card being stepped one step via cam 222 and escapement 208, 210, 214, but without any punching operation occurring.

Certain telephone dialing operations require that a stop hole be punched in a column different from those used for numeral codes, and, if the machine is to provide for punching such a hole when desired, a stop punch key 270 (FIG. 1) may be provided. This key also has an associated linkage substantially like that of FIG. 2 for key 62, except that it also has a single code bar 54 only, a single bell crank 50, and this bell crank 50 is connected with a single punch lever 44 which is associated with a single punch 32 aligned with an end opening 30x in the guide block 30. The operation is identical with that for key 62 in FIG. 2. However, it may be that when a stop hole is punched, it is preferable not to step the card, whereby a numeral code can be subsequently punched on the same line without back spacing. If this is the case, the stop key is also linked with a blocking member for preventing oscillation of the escapement pawls 210, 214 during the cycle. This may be an additional code bar 54 (not shown) operating from the swing plate 58 of stop key 270, a cooperating bell crank 50 (not shown), and a connected vertically shiftable member 44x (FIG. 3) which is like the punch lever 44 except for being devoid of any punch connection. Instead, as seen in FIGURE 3, it operates a shiftable blocking member 272 which will underlie the tail of pawl 214,whenever the stop punch key 270 is depressed, thereby raising the member 44x, putting the blocking member 272 in active position, and thus preventing a card stepping. motion after punching by the stop hole punch is effected.

The machine is turned alternately on and ed by a key 274 on keyboard 12. As seen in FIGURE 4, this key drives a lever 276 pivoted on a shaft 278 aflixed to the machine frame and biased in a key return direction by a spring 280. The lever drives a spring pressed pawl 282 which steps a ratchet wheel 284 rotatable on the frame and drivingly connected to a cam 286. The cam has alternate high and low points 288 and 290, and cooperates with the operating member of a switch 292 in the circuit of the motor 77. Alever 296 has one arm connected to 'a' solenoid 298, and the other arm 300 thereof acts as a blocking member which is arranged to lie in the path of trip bail 86 and prevent the machine from being tripped. A spring 302 urges the lever 296 towards its bail blocking position. The parts are so arranged that whenever the cam actuates the switch 292 to the off position preventing opening the circuit of motor 77, it also opens the circuit of solenoid 298, which may, as shown, be connected in parallel with the motor 77, thereby allowing the spring 302 to place the blocking member 300 in position to bar tripping action of bail 86. In this condition (i.e., with the motor deenergized) it is impossible for the machine to be tripped by pushing a key 62. Accordingly, the machine cannot be left in tripped condition so that when it is plugged in or turned on it will at once begin to cycle inappropriately. When the machine is turned on, of course, a circuit to the solenoid 298 is completed, thereby retracting the blocking member 300 so that normal operation can proceed as heretofore described.

In operation, the user of the punch grasps a card '20 and inserts it into the throat of the card receiving means 14. By pressing down on the card, the sprockets 200 are rotated, winding the spring barrel 203 until the card reaches its bottommost or bank position.

The machine is turned on by pressing key 274, simultaneously withdrawng the blocking member 300 from the path of the trip bail 86.

The user then selects the first desired numeral and presses the corresponding key 62, which causes first the selection of the two appropriate punches 32, and then the tripping of the single revolution clutch 78 to activate a punching cycle. The cycle terminates with the automatic moving of the card one step upwardly by the spring barrel 203 through the offices of the escapement 208, 210, 214 when the fiat 224 on earn 222 is presented thereto as heretofore described. The other desired numerals are selected in turn and punched by merely pressing the designated key 62, the card 20 being automatically stepped after each punching operation.

If the user wishes to place a stop or signal hole in the left hand column opposite a numeral code, he first punches the stop hole by pressing key 270 which fails to advance the card because of the action of the blocking member 272, then the appropriate numeral key is pressed.

At any time a line which is to be left without punching can be skipped by pressing the space key 268 which causes the machine to execute one cycle with all punches idle. If a predetermined interval of several spaces on each of several cards is to be traversed without punching, this information can be programmed into the wheel 230 as previously described. Then, when the card on which the user is working reaches the beginning of such interval, the user merely presses tab key 226 which activates the auxiliary escapement 208, 228, 210*, 232, causing the spring barrel to jump the card across the interval to the next punching line.

When punching is complete, if the card has not already stepped to a level releasing it from the sprockets 200, the user presses eject key 256 which retracts the pawl 210 and allows the spring barrel 203 to drive the card upwardly to a fully released position where it may be removed from the throat of the card receiving means When the user has completed his work, he again presses the on olf key 274, thereby opening the circuit to motor 77, and, -via solenoid 298, releasing the blocking member 300 so that it is carried by its spring 302 to a position where it prevents inadvertent tripping of the machine mechanism while it is in idle condition.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such variations and modifications as may fall within the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Punching means comprising:

a generally horizontal row of generally horizontally acting punches;

a generally horizontal manual keyboard located to one side of the punches and comprising vertically acting punch selecting keys;

a plurality of slidable code bars controlled by individual punch selecting keys on the keyboard for selecting a plurality of punches which in combination, are uniquely identified with the punch selecting key;

a vertically shiftable driving lever for each punch operatively associated with a code bar for vertical shifting thereby and movable into and out of driving relation with its punch;

a swing plate associated with each punch selecting key swingable into driving engagement with certain of the code bars which are associated with a chosen key for sliding the code bars in response to movement of the key, and for moving the driving levers associated with the key into driving engagement with the selected punches;

a driving bail for actuating the driving levers for driving the selected punches to perform a punching operation upon a workpiece disposed generally vertically adjacent the punches;

trippable power means for actuating the driving bail;

and

tripping means for the power means actuable by movement of any one of the punch selecting keys.

2. Punching means comprising:

a generally horizontal manual keyboard comprising vertically acting punch selecting keys;

a generally horizontal row of generally horizontally acting punches located ahead of the keyboard and movable away from the keyboard to effect punching,

a plurality of horizontal lengthwise slidable code bars extending from beneath the keys to a'position adjacent the punch location;

a vertically extending driving lever for each punch operatively associated with one of the code bars and vertically shiftable into and out of driving relation with its associated punch so as to select certain punches for actuation;

means drivingly connecting each of the code bars with one of the driving levers to effect vertical shifting of each driving lever in response to lengthwise shifting of the code bar;

a swing plate associated witheach punch selecting key so mounted as to provide amotion path of one of its edges along the code bar path in response to vertical travel of its punch selecting key;

said code bars each including a plurality of selector projections lying in the paths of a plurality of swing plates to determine which of the code bars will be shifted in response to the operation of any punch selecting key;

a driving bail for actuatingthedriving levers for driving the selected punches to perform a punching operation upon a workpiece disposed generally vertically adjacent the punches;

trippable power means for actuating the driving bail;

and

tripping means for the power means actuable by movement of any one of the punch selecting keys.

3. Punching means for punching a workpiece in the form of a card, comprising;

a plurality of generally horizontally acting punches disposed in a generally horizontal row at a punching station;

a generally horizontal manual keyboard including vertically acting keys and located to one side of said punches in an attitude such that an operator at the keyboard would reach across the same towards the punching area;

means responsive to operation of the various keyboard keys for moving certain punch combinations in a direction to perform a punching operation on a card positioned at the punching station;

track means adjacent the punching station for guiding a card vertically past the punching station and providing a pocket within which the card is received, having an upper access orifice through which a card may be manually introduced in a downward direction and caused to move to a lowermost starting position within the pocket;

power means for moving the card upwardly by steps of predetermined length from its starting position towards a discharge position; and

means responsive to actuation of each punch selecting key for activating the power means to step the card upwardly by one step after completion of the corresponding punching operation.

4. Punching means as set forth in claim 3 in which the power means includes:

means to drivingly contact a card;

spring means normally urging the card contact means in a direction to drive the card upwardly towards discharge position, which spring means is energized by pushing the card manually to starting position while in contact with the card contact means; and

escapement means controllingly associated with the contact means tripped by actuation of each punch selecting key.

5. Punching means as set forth in claim 4 in which there is provided means for disabling the escapement means to permit ejection of a card -by the spring means when the operator chooses.

6. Punching means as set forth in claim 4 in which there is also provided a stop device operating in parallel with the escapement means and provided with selectively settable stops, and which further includes means to disable the escapement and simultaneously activate the parallel stop means to allow the spring means to raise the card a preselected amount.

7. Punching means comprising:

a bank of punches;

a keyboard comprising punch selecting keys;

means controlled by each punch selecting key on the keyboard for selecting a plurality of punches which in combination, are uniquely identified with the chosen key;

punch driving means for driving the selected punches to perform a punching operation upon a workpiece disposed adjacent the punches, said punch driving means having portions acting serially on the selected punches whereby the plural punching operations for each punch selecting key are performed individually in sequence; and

power means for the punch driving means actuable by movement of any one of the punch selecting keys.

8. Punching means comprising:

a bank of punches;

a keyboard comprising punch selecting keys;

means controlled by each punch selecting key on the keyboard for selecting a plurality of punches which in combination, are uniquely identified with the chosen key;

a driving lever for each punch;

a driving bail for actuating the driving levers for driving the selected punches to perform a punching operation upon a workpiece disposed adjacent the punches, said driving bail having portions positioned to act on certain of the selected driving levers in advance of the remainder;

said driving lever associated with any one punch related to different driving bail portions, whereby the plural punching operations for each punch selecting key are performed individually in sequence; and

,power means for the driving bail actuable by movement of any one of the punch selecting keys.

9. Punching means comprising:

a row of generally horizontally acting punches;

a generally horizontal manual keyboard located to one side of the punches and comprising vertically acting punch selecting keys;

means controlled by individual punch selecting keys on the keyboard for selecting a plurality of punches which in combination, are uniquely identified with the chosen key including,

a vertically shiftable driving lever for each punch,

an interposer ear on each driving lever,

a driving bail for actuating those driving levers whose interposer ears are moved into the path of the driving bail and having portions positioned to act on certain of the punches in advance of the remainder, and

code bars, a plurality of which are operatively associated with each punch selecting key, in which the code bars associated with any one punch selecting key are operatively associated with driving levers for code bars related to different driving bail portions, whereby the plural punching operations for each punch selecting key are performed individually in sequence;

trippable means for driving the selected punches to perform a punching operation upon a workpiece discposed generally vertically adjacent the punches; an

tripping means for the punch driving means actuable by movement of any one of the punch selecting keys.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GERALD A. DOST, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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