American Hospital Supply Corporation

Robert R Moore

Vincent E Eitzen

Apparatus for reading a plurality of apertured cards in sequence in response to a series of command signals includes a supply hopper for storing a vertical stack of cards. The apertures of the cards are located in a matrix of columns and rows. A solenoid-actuated plunger moves the bottom card from beneath the stack and into engagement with a card drive mechanism. The card drive mechanism includes a floating transport equipped with endless tracks for riding on top of cards passed from the bottom of the stack and exerting a substantially constant downward and forward force on the cards while continuously moving each card in sequence across an array of optical detectors in register with the columns on the cards. A line source of light is carried by the transport for illuminating a card along a line parallel to the rows of apertures on the card. As the detectors beneath the cards are illuminated by light passing through the apertures in the cards, binary electrical signals are generated, representative of the information on the cards.

Optical card reader apparatus

A platform or tray for holding laboratory containers such as test tubes is driven in orbital motion by an eccentric drive mechanism housed in a cabinet. First and second pairs of tracks are mounted respectively beneath the tray and to the top of the cabinet. An intermediate plate holds four disc-shaped, low-friction bearing elements, each coupled to and guided by an upper and a lower track to maintain said tray in the same disposition during its orbital motion. An electronic circuit controls orbital speed in a continuous manner over the operating range, even at low speeds. The system operates in either a continuous mode or timed mode under control of a switch. The motor which drives the platform also drives a dc motor, the terminal voltage of which is displayed as a signal representing the speed of operation. Both the speed and the time (in timed mode of operation) may be controlled by the operator. A vibration-free mounting system is used to secure the main motor and drive train within the cabinet.

Orbital platform stirring system

A generally upright cylinder is secured at its upper neck by means of a gimbal mount; and its base is driven in circular motion at a substantially constant angular velocity. As a tube of fluid is inserted into the cylinder, the fluid is stirred by the motion of the cylinder; and the intensity of the stirring action increases with the depth to which the tube is inserted into the cylinder. An appliance removably attaches to the apparatus to provide a vibrating platform.

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Glenview, IL, United States of America

Robert R Moore