Patent GB-191346-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to keyboard and differential mechanism for cash registers and like machines
IPC: G06C7/10
Filed: 1921-10-04
Abstract: 191,346. Haddan, A. J. H., (National Cash Register Co.). Oct. 4, 1921. Cash registers with several item-value totalizers; keyboards; differential mechanism.-In a machine of the key-set, independently-operated type, a bank of keys is divided so that one of two differential mechanisms driven in common may co-operate with one set of the keys and the other with the whole bank. A single key bank, Fig. 6, contains special transaction keys 49 and two cashiers' keys 9, 10 which serve also as release keys. Co-operating with the key-bank are two side-by-side differential members 1109 driven by means of a common operating-mechanism (including cams 101, 102 and a Y lever 105) through latches 115, 122. One of these, namely, latch 115, effects the selection of the totalizer, corresponding with the key depressed, and may be tripped by any of the keys in the bank, and the other, 122 co-operates only with the cashiers' keys 9, 10 and controls the cashiers' indicator and type-carrier. When a special transaction key 49 is depressed, the subsequent depression of the cashier's key 9 or 10 results in the release of the machine and the positioning of the cashiers' indicator and type. On the other hand, if a cashier's key only is depressed, the machine is not on]y released and the cashier's symbol indicated and typed by virtue of the setting effected by the differential movement of latch 122, but in addition the cashier's key trips the other latch 115 so that the corresponding cashier's totalizer is thrown into receptive position. The mechanism for carrying out these actions involves a construction of the keys 9, 10 whereby they may be in part disabled by the prior depression of a key 49 so that they have no effect on one of the differential latches, namely 115, appertaining to the totalizer-selecting differential mechanism. Each cashier's key shown assembled and dissembled in Figs. 8 and 12 has a pin 48 engaged normally by a hook 76 formed on a slat 77 adapted to lie along one edge of the key stem. At the lower end of this slot is a plate 78 having an out-turned lug 79 and provided also with a recess 80 normally engaged by a block 81 adapted to fit a notch 86 in the locking plate 50 and having also a projection 82 which is received by a notch 83 in the key stem. When one of the other keys 49 is first depressed, the resultant longitudinal movement of its locking plate 50 removes the block 81 from engagement with the key stem and also positions a projection 88 on the locking plate below the portion 84 of the hook 76. If now the key 9 or 10 is depressed, its stem 74 will be set in the path of the latch 122 as usual, but none of the above-mentioned appurtenances will move, the result being that the lug 79 does not extend into the path of the other latch 115, which consequently passes along the bank and is tripped by the set key 49. If, on the other hand, no key 49 is set, the key 9 or 10 will trip both latches, since in that case the plate 78 will be in connection through block 81 with the key stem, and its lug will therefore lie in the path of the latch 115 to trip it and throw in the totalizer of the cashier concerned. The amount will also be accumulated on the " Received on account " totalizer if the key corresponding therewith and situated in the department bank has been depressed. Specification 8119/15 is referred to.