617,358. Punching statistical cards. REMINGTON RAND, Inc. Aug. 1, 1946, No. 23024. Convention date, Aug. 2, 1945. [Class 31(ii)] A machine for perforating plural zoned statistical cards comprises means for spacing a card in successive positions corresponding to successive columns, and key-controlled perforating means which are separately grouped in successively offset rows aligned with the columns of each separate card zone and are successively operable, whereby a card may pass uninterruptedly through the machine and be punched in each of the separate card zones. The perforating means preferably comprises two rows of punches, each adapted to perforate holes in a different zone of the card, one of said rows being disabled until the card has cleared the other row. Each row of perforating means is operated by its own electro-mechanical device, and the movement of the escapement-operated card carriage may be arranged by means of a transfer switch to render one of the electromechanical devices operable. The machine shown in Fig. 1 is adapted to punch the two-card zones in a Powers 90 column card successively, the base 15 being twice as long as usual. The card 17 is fed by an escapement movement along the recess 16 beneath the punching mechanism; during the first half of its travel actuation of the keys causes the lower zone only of the card to be perforated and during the second half of its travel the upper zone only. The escapement mechanism comprises a spacing key 30, Fig. 3, which on depression moves bell crank 32, link 36, and bell crank 40 having pin 43 which lifts the escapement bail 44. The latter has a pin 46 which projects through clearance holes in the escapement pawl 48 and the bell crank 47 whose other end is pivoted at 49 to the holding pawl 51 so that raising the escapement bail 44 disengages the escapement pawl 48 but engages the holding pawl 51 to advance the carriage one step. Depression of the release key 53, Fig. 2, operates bell crank 58, link 59, and bell crank 60 to lift pin 61 and hence escapement pawl 48 to release the carriage. Perforation is effected by depressing one of the keys 63, Figs. 7 and 9, which operates the corresponding bell crank 68, link 76 and arm 79 to rotate the corresponding shaft 80. Each shaft 80 has a number of depending arms 83 which displace the appropriate slides 81 into operative position over punches 88 positioned over the lower zone of the card 17 and a similar number and arrangement of punches 89 positioned over the upper zone of the card. The punches 88, 89, Fig. 7, are mounted in punch blocks 86, 87 and are actuated upon the downward stroke of the hammer bails 96 or 107 when the appropriate slide 81 is displaced so that its shoulder 91 or 92 comes between hammer bail and the punch head. During the first half of the travel of the card towards the left only the hammer bail 107 is operative so that the punches 89 perforate the upper half of the card, whilst the punches 88 positioned over the lower half of the card are inactive. At the completion of punching of the upper half, further movement of the escapement carriage causes a projection thereon (not shown) to operate a change-over switch whereby the circuit to the electro-magnet actuating hammer bail 107 is broken and that for hammer bail 96 completed, so that further depression of the keys causes the punches 88 to perforate the lower half of the cards. One or the other of the hammer bails 96, 107 is actuated electro-mechanically upon depression of the key 63 by the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, wherein each key-actuated bell crank 68 has also a horizontal arm 64 which serves firstly to prevent the depression of more than one key at a time by entering a row of spaced balls 73 in known manner, and secondly, by depressing the bail 125 rotates the lever 126 and raises the pawl 127 to close the contacts 128, 129. This completes a circuit to one or the other electro-magnets 103, 106 to attract the armature 101 or 108 and by suitable linkage to force down the hammer bail 96 or 107 on the ends of any displaced slides 81 to actuate the punches. The links 97, 105 are each connected to a tie link 135 which passes through a slotted link 134 so that upon actuation of either hammer bail links 134 and 135 are depressed and the pivoted pawl 127 is tripped clear of the spring contact blade 129 so that the circuit to the electro-magnet is broken and cannot again be completed until the key 63 is released to restore the pawl 127 to the inoperative position shown and another key depressed.