US3690670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card sorting device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-15
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1989-12-15
Abstract
Abstract Stacked cards may be sorted by providing uniquely located identifying holes in each card and a movable element with tabs that are able to engage selected holes in a card to remove the card from a stack and deliver it to a selected sorting station. Selection is accomplished by a sort controlling means placed between the movable element and the stacked cards. The sort controlling means aligns one tab with one hole of a group on a stacked card. The tab then moves the card to a selected sorting station.
Inventors
- 👤 John Cassady
- 👤 George Coad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:39
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F1/00; A63F1/06; A63F1/12; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2411; A63F2009/2419; A63F2009/2422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A card sorting system comprising a set of cards, a series of gripping means uniquely located on each card of the set, a movable element having a series of gripping means, means for locating said set of cards in stacked relation adjacent said element, means for moving said element past said cards, said gripping means being so located on said element such that a selected one of said element gripping means can grip any one of the gripping means of the most adjacent card to remove said card from the stack, code means adapted to be interposed between the element and the most adjacent card, said code means determining the particular gripping means on the most adjacent card which is gripped by the element gripping means, and means cooperating with said card and element gripping means and responsive to the particular card gripping means engaged by the element gripping means to effect the discharge of a card to a selected sorting station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A card sorting system comprising a set of cards, a series of gripping means uniquely located on each card of the set, a movable element having a series of gripping means, means for locating said set of cards in stacked relation adjacent said element, means for moving said element past said cards, said gripping means being so located on said element such that a selected one of said element gripping means can grip any one of the gripping means of the most adjacent card to remove said card from the stack, code means adapted to be interposed between the element and the most adjacent card, said code means determining the particular gripping means on the most adjacent card which is gripped by the element gripping means, and means cooperating with said card and element gripping means and responsive to the particular card gripping means engaged by the element gripping means to effect the discharge of a card to a selected sorting station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
165 words
A card sorting system comprising: a set of cards, a series of gripping means uniquely located on each card of said set, a movable element having a series of tab means, means for locating said set of cards in stacked relation adjacent to said movable element, means for moving said movable element relative to said stacked cards, said tabs being located on said movable element such that a selection of said tabs can grip a selection of said gripping means of the most adjacent card to remove said adjacent card from said stacked cards, sort controlling means adapted to be inserted between said movable element and said most adjAcent card of said set of stacked cards, said sort controlling means determining the particular gripping means on said most adjacent card to be gripped by a tab on said movable element, and sorting station means responsive to said particular gripping means gripped by said tab to direct said most adjacent card to a selected sorting station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
165 words
A card sorting system comprising: a set of cards, a series of gripping means uniquely located on each card of said set, a movable element having a series of tab means, means for locating said set of cards in stacked relation adjacent to said movable element, means for moving said movable element relative to said stacked cards, said tabs being located on said movable element such that a selection of said tabs can grip a selection of said gripping means of the most adjacent card to remove said adjacent card from said stacked cards, sort controlling means adapted to be inserted between said movable element and said most adjAcent card of said set of stacked cards, said sort controlling means determining the particular gripping means on said most adjacent card to be gripped by a tab on said movable element, and sorting station means responsive to said particular gripping means gripped by said tab to direct said most adjacent card to a selected sorting station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The sorting system of claim 2 wherein said gripping means is a series of holes aligned parallel to the direction of relative movement between said movable element and uniquely positioned across said card perpendicular to said direction of relative movement according to the particular designation of said card.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sorting system of claim 3 wherein said particular hole for selecting a sorting station is one of said holes aligned in the direction of said relative movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sorting system of claim 4 wherein said sort controlling means includes means effective to determine said particular hole in the direction of said relative movement to be engaged by said tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sorting system of claim 2 wherein said movable element is a continuous belt adapted to move relative to said stacked cards.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sorting system of claim 3 wherein said sorting station are pockets and the selection of a particular hole limits the amount of relative movement between said adjacent card and said movable element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sorting system of claim 2 wherein said sorting stations cooperate with said cards and said tabs as determined by said sort controlling means to direct a stacked card to a selected sorting station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |