Abstract: In a tape punching device, punching needle selection takes place by means of selector strips slidably mounted in a rocking arm and engaged by armatures of selector magnets at their rear ends in the vicinity of the rocking axis of the rocking arm. The rocking arm and selector magnets are mounted in a separate case which is insertable in a main housing containing a continuously rotatable main shaft with an eccentric engageable by an open fork at the front end of the rocking arm. The main housing also contains a feeding mechanism alternatively usable for forward feed and back-space through 180.degree. displacement of a pulse supplied to a feeding magnet.

Abstract: A punching, reading and printing machine for document cards having a hopper holding the cards in vertical disposition, card transporting means moving the cards out of the hopper into horizontal disposition in a horizontal card path and closely spaced punching, reading and printing mechanisms operative on the cards while in the horizontal path. The punching mechanism includes a row of punches extending transversely of the card path each made active by an interposer and a leaf spring actuator for the interposer, and the printing mechanism includes a row of print hammers extending longitudinally of the card path and an electromagnet and armature for each of the print hammers. The interposer springs extend longitudinally of and over the path of card travel preceding the punches, and the armatures extend transversely of the machine for shortening the machine and rendering it more compact.