Search and retrieval device for card-type items

Abstract

Abstract A SEARCH, RETRIEVAL AND DISPLAY DEVICE FOR CARD-TYPE ITEMS SUCH AS MICROFICHE LOCATED IN A HORIZONTAL STACK MAGAZINE. THE MAGAZINE WITH THE ITEMS THEREIN IS MOVED THROUGH THE DEVICE WITH AN AIR BLAST DIRECTED SIDE TO SIDE THROUGH THE ITEMS TO SEPARATE THEM INDIVIDUALLY. A RIFFLING MEMBER ROTATES AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE ITEMS AND HAS SPACED PERIPHERAL GATE NOTCHES THEREIN RECEIVING THE UPPER EDGES OF THE CARDS TO SEPARATE THEM INDIVIDUALLY BY A SUBSTANTIAL SPACE THEREBETWEEN. THE DESIRED CARD IN THE MAGAZINE MAY BE IDENTIFIED OPTICALLY BY INDICIA OR OTHER IDENTIFICATION, AND CARRIER MEANS IS PROVIDED FOR ENTERING THE MAGAZINE STACK, PICKING UP A DESIRED MICROFICHE OR OTHER CARD, AND MOVING IT IN X AND Y DIRECTIONS INTO AN OPTICAL PATH WHICH DISPLAYS THE DESIRED IMAGE ON THE ITEM ONTO A SCREEN. AFTER VIEWING, THE ITEM IS RETURNED TO THE SAME PLACE WITHIN THE MAGAZINE AND IS AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED FROM THE CARRIER, AND THE DEVICE IS SET UP FOR AGAIN RIFFLING THE MAGAZINE STACK TO IDENTIFY ANOTHER ITEM DESIRED FOR RETRIEVAL AND DISPLAY. RIFFLING AND MAGAZINE MOVEMENT ARE EFFECTED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS DEPENDING UPON THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF THE OPERATING MECHANISM.

Inventors

• 👤 Eugene H Irasek

Bibliographic Details