Abstract: A random-access card file system formed by card-storing cartridges, each capable of accommodating at least one deck of cards, and an automatic card selector adapted to extract any desired card therefrom regardless of its location in the cartridge. Each card in the deck includes an upstanding tab whose longitudinal position is related to a particular point on an incremental linear scale extending the full length of the deck. The selector includes a carriage movable to a position in registration with any desired incremental point on the scale, the carriage supporting a crane having a card picker thereon, whereby when the carriage is set to a particular scale point and a switch is actuated, the crane completes an operating cycle in the course of which it bows down over the cartridge to enable the picker to engage and clamp onto the tab of the selected card and to then lift the card to withdraw it from the cartridge.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are retained and removed, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth displaced inwardly of the trailing edge by an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as an acquisition blade and a return blade which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.

Abstract: A retainer element is adapted to prevent randomly filed cards, microfiche, microfiche jackets, or microfilm jackets, from accidental fall from capsules in which they are stored. The retainer element automatically moves to a card-protecting position responsive to removal of the capsule from an information retrieval device, so that cards cannot become lost or misplaced at any time when a capsule is not within the information retrieval device. The retainer element is automatically moved, however, to a card-freeing position responsive to insertion of the capsule in the retrieval device. With the capsule in the retrieval device, a control finger is moved to a position overlying the corners of the cards, microfiche, microfiche jackets, or microfilm jackets, at a particular stage of the selection cycle, and becomes a fulcrum about which selected cards pivot to positions in which the selected cards are engaged in an internal notch of the associated capsule, to facilitate their removal.

Abstract: A self-contained desk-top retrieval device for randomly filed cards or other records, accepts a capsule containing a quantity of the cards, and ejects from the capsule the specific card or cards desired. Each capsule has a series of card support bars differing from those of any other capsule, so that each capsule accepts only cards that are edge-coded to receive the bars. Within each capsule, the accepted cards are further edge-coded, whereby a coded input to a selector slide mechanism underlying the capsule, operates the slides to render accessible only those cards within the capsule that respond to the selected code. Through use of a keyboard incorporated in the equipment, or by operation of a remotely located keyboard of a computer terminal or the like, assurance is provided that no capsule will be accepted by the equipment that does not contain the card or cards desired, and it is further assured that within the proper capsule, no cards will be ejected that do not respond to the selected code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a card index which can be fixed to a vertical wall or vertically mounted on a base, in which the index cards are held by means of clamping devices in a receiving compartment formed in covered manner in the upper part of the index casing and are individually released on operating a selection key and transferred into the lower area of the casing provided with a window-like opening for inspection, the cards being secured and locked in the clamping device, so that a reliable release of the selected cards is possible, including those cards made from a material with a smooth surface such as e.g. plastics foil and in which incorrect manipulations are not possible.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are removed and retained, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth at the trailing edge and an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as a pair of acquisition blades and a pair of return blades which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for (a) selecting plural desired edge-notched coded documents from different decks of similarly coded documents successively delivered to a document selector from a remote mass document store, in which selection process the selected documents extend only partially out of their respective decks in a direction parallel to their code-notched edge, and (b) successively fully removing the partially extending documents selected from the various successively retrieved decks and temporarily storing them in a temporary storage zone prior to ejecting them into a stationary container in which they are accumulated for manual removal at the convenience of an operator. Also included is a movable selected document removal and temporary storage assembly which traverses along a path adjacent the document selector proximate the leading edges of documents selected from the deck thereat.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and retrieving large volumes of microfiche data, and a related method for its operation. The apparatus includes a number of conventional microfiche storage carousels, all mounted on a rotatable turntable to provide the increased storage capacity. Upon selection of a particular fiche for display, the turntable is rotated, if necessary, in an optimum direction and at an optimum speed, until the selected carousel reaches an operative position with respect to a retrieval station, which is then moved to an operative position with respect to the carousel for withdrawal of the selected fiche within the carousel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data register with a register card selection mechanism, whose selector keys connected with the swivel levers are arranged one behind the other and alongside one another in an opening of the housing in such a way that the width of each selector key corresponds to the width of the swivel levers, while the card restraining pins on each swivel lever are formed from U-shaped portions shaped onto the swivel lever end with a rod which engages from below in the register card opening, the drawer being open at the back and at both sides, whereby the two lateral drawer limiting walls are formed by two boundary walls shaped onto the inner wall surface of the housing cover and arranged on either side of the plate-shaped drawer base and whereby the swivel levers are guided on the end carrying the card restraining pin, while the drawer unlocking mechanism comprises a U-shaped shackle directly responsible for the locking and unlocking of the drawer.

Abstract: A random automatic selector comprises a spiral rotor for sequentially lifting up and dropping the front edges of file cases so as to weaken the friction between adjacent file cases. A designated file case is dropped to a lower level because projections of the file case are not supported by any code bars since the corresponding code bars are lowered. A separation angle bar is inserted in a vertical separation recess of the designated file case and under the bottoms of the other file cases, the front edges of all of the file cases are lifted up to the normal level at a front edge supporter and the designated file case is pushed out.

Abstract: A film card retrieval device for use in an automatic microfilm display apparatus is provided with a switch for sensing that a film card has been retrieved. In the event the device fails to retrieve a film card, the absence of a switch output signal causes the control apparatus to repeat the card retrieval routine.

Abstract: A compact index card register of relatively small dimensions, consisting of a housing with a keyboard of several selector keys arranged in an array of rows and columns, and within the housing a drawer adapted to be moved outwardly from the housing and to accommodate a stack of index cards. Parts associated with each selector key and the housing serve to retain a predetermined number of index cards within the housing and to release the drawer for outward movement whereby all but the predetermined number of index cards are moved outwardly together with the drawer, in exposing to sight an index card corresponding to the actuated selector key. Every index card includes a selector tongue with a predetermined number of selector apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data register with a register card selection mechanism, whose selector keys connected with the swivel levers are arranged one behind the other and alongside one another in an opening of the housing in such a way that the width of each selector key corresponds to the width of the swivel levers, while the card restraining pins on each swivel lever are formed from U-shaped portions shaped onto the swivel lever end with a rod which engages from below in the register card opening, the drawer being open at the back and at both sides, whereby the two lateral drawer limiting walls are formed by two boundary walls shaped onto the inner wall surface of the housing cover and arranged on either side of the plate-shaped drawer base and whereby the swivel levers are guided on the end carrying the card restraining pin, while the drawer unlocking mechanism comprises a U-shaped shackle directly responsible for the locking and unlocking of the drawer.

Abstract: A plurality of bar hooks are disposed in an array proximate the upper area of a file enclosure, and are each formed with a pair of oppositely extending arms. The arms, disposed for co-action with the ears forming the binary code on a plurality of edge coded files, are selectively actuateable to enable retrieval of selected ones of said files; even though the files have been returned to the enclosure in random order irrespective of any consecutive order of the numbering of said files. The enclosure carries one or more coding bars corresponding to a special edge code notched into the files to restrict return of the file to its proper enclosure. A latch bar extends along each side of the enclosure for co-operation with side notches provided in the files to support same out of contact with the arms of the bar hooks to facilitate actuation of the bar hooks for card retrieval. In some of the embodiments the bar hooks are supported by mounting plates which extend along the length of the bar hook.

Abstract: A machine-retrievable card and associated card retrieval apparatus and method therefor is disclosed in which the card is provided with a code-notched sorting edge located between the leading and trailing card edges which has (a) a predetermined configuration of complementary and primary digit code teeth which are removed and retained, respectively, to encode the card with a particular digit, and (b) an acquisition tooth at the leading edge and associated acquisition slot, and (c) a return tooth at the trailing edge and an associated notch. The card retrieval apparatus includes complementary and primary code blades which selectively engage associated complementary and primary code slots of the card, respectively, as well as a pair of acquisition blades and a pair of return blades which cooperate with the acquisition and return teeth, respectively.