Patent GB-190404303-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Cash Registers and Tills and Signalling Devices therefor.
Filed: 1904-02-20
Granted: 1904-12-31
Abstract: 4303. National Cash Register Co., [National Cash Register Co.]. Feb. 20. Receipts, checking and recording.-Modifications are described in cashregisters of the type described in Specifications No. 1653, A.D. 1902, and No. 4543, A.D. 1903, whereby the opening of a particular drawer is notified by a characteristic sound and signalling device, together with interlocking arrangements between the main operating - handle, the indicators, signalling- apparatus, keys, and cash drawers, to ensure use of the machine in the prescribed manner. In operation, the keys 7, Fig. 2, act as stops for the segments 6 of auxiliary yokes 5, which register by means of levers 4, pawls 3, and wheels 1. The return of all these parts is effected by the depression of a hand-yoke 12, 14 which is pivoted at 13 and has a cam-arm 11 co-operating with a roller 10, upon a main yoke-frame 9, 8, 8<a> which passes under the auxiliary yokes. In the normal position shown, the handyoke is latched by engagement of the pin 18 with the nose 16 of a latchlever 15, the spring 19 throwing the yoke upward when it is released by pressure on the release-key 22, which can swing the latch-lever backwards against the pressure of a spring 24, provided that one of the drawers 26 ... 29 has been opened, in which case the inclined surface 39 of the arm 38, pivoted to the back of the drawer and with an extension 40 resting against it, will lift a pin 37 and the rod 35, whereby a pin 34 rocks the locking-bar 32, 31 out of the position shown in which it abuts against the projection 30 of the latch-lever. Simultaneously the lever 43 is rocked by the elevation of the rod, and its short arm 45 slips below the end of the spring-pulled arm 46, upon which the shaft 47 is rocked to throw the indicator detents 49 out of gear and allow the indicators to return to zero, while the return of the lever 43 and rod 35 is prevented by the overlying arm 46 until, upon the descent of the band-yoke, the shaft 47 is again rocked to throw the indicator detents into gear by the following mechanism, the indicators having been set to the new values during the rise of the hand-yoke :-The rocking-frame 60, Fig. 6, carries a pin 62, which, as the link 63 attached to the main yoke falls, is cammed to the left by the inclined surface 70, and finally passes above the shoulder 69, while, as the link comes up owing to depression of the hand-yoke, the pin is forced into the slot 68 and the frame rocked. The link 58 is pivoted to the rocking-frame and the arm 46 on the shaft 47. The rod 35 accordingly falls, and upon the return of the drawer the inclined surface 39 engages the pin 37 with its opposite side, and is merely lifted until it falls free. The movement of the arm 38 is also employed to sound a bell, the various drawers being distinguished by bells of different tone. Upon the outward movement of the drawer, the hook 75, engaging with a pin 76, pulls over the boll-hammer 77 until the parts clear, when a spring causes the bell 78 to be struck. One drawer having been opened, all the others remain locked, and the open drawer cannot be shut until the hand-yoke has been operated, for which purpose lugs 83 upon the drawers cooperate with lugs 82 upon a bar 79 which is moved vertically by the locking-bar 31, 32. The signalling-apparatus for showing the particular drawer opened consists of differently-coloured screens 85, Fig. 5, in the form of isinglass, glass, or other transparent apertures in rectangular frames 84, which are preferably arranged within one another as shown, the proper frame being dropped, by the opening of its drawer, to such a position that its apertures are opposite others 87 in a casing surrounding an electric or other lamp 88, whereby a colour signal is given in four directions. The colours may be those of badges worn by the different clerks. As the drawer opens the pawl 89 pivoted thereto is withdrawn from beneath a pin 91 on the rod 86 supporting the frame, which drops, but is again raised and dropped by the inclined surface 92, 93 upon the drawer as the latter continues to open, the lower part 93 of this surface being hinged so as to slip over the pin 91 as the drawer closes. Since each rod 86 engages with but one pawl 89, and with all the surfaces 92, the initial movement of a drawer will first release the desired rod and then restore to the inoperative position any other rod which may have been previously down. The lamp may give a continuous light or be connected only by the operation of the machine, and, in modifications, the signals can be located at a distance from the machine. A combination lock for the drawers consists of spring- drawn apertured key-plates 97, Fig. 4, some or all of which must be drawn forward by hand in order that spring-pressed plungers 98 may rise out of holes in the base board. After the main yoke 8, 9 has been restored to its normal position, the further depression of the hand-yoke 12 before it comes to rest is rendered inoperative as regards the main yoke by means of a surface 11<a> concentric with the main shaft 2, but is utilized to free the depressed amount keys. For this purpose, the nose 104 of the arm 103 strikes the pin-held pawl 105, thereby rocking the yoke 107, Fig. 3, of the lever 106 upwards against all the key-detents 108 and unlocking all the keys. The machine may include separate counting and printing mechanisms for the transactions of each drawer, stop arrangements to prevent simultaneous opening of two or more drawers, and each drawer, which is guided by a suitable dovetail with a flange on the baseboard, may have an opening spring. Other forms of movable cash receptacles may be employed.