Patent GB-445540-A (GB)
Abstract: 445,540. Cash registers. BURROUGHS ADDING MACHINE CO., 6071, 2nd Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Sept. 14, 1934, No. 26395. Convention date, Sept. 15, 1933. [Class 106 (i)] The partial depression of a key or keys of a key-operated cash register releases the keycoupler for movement to coupling position under the action of yielding means that, upon the depression of a further key or keys, permits the coupler to be moved as a unit to couple the latter key or keys thereto. The invention is described as applied to the key set and operated machine forming the subject-matter of Specification 449,004 and provided with indicating-mechanism as described in Specification 447,263 and totalizing-mechanism as described in Specification 449,005. Key-coupler. The keys 9 are coupled upon partial depression by the engagement of lugs 33, thereon, beneath a key-coupler 30. The coupler comprises a flanged plate 30 formed integral with arms 31 pivoted on a tubular bail 10. Both the coupler and bail extend across the full width of the machine, the bail being supported at its ends by levers 12 rockable with the key shaft 5 and urged clockwise by a spring 14. A full stroke of the bail 10 and coupler is enforced by a pawl 17 co-operating with teeth 16 on the levers 12. The coupler, under the action of springs 34, tends to rock clockwise about the bail 10 to engage its flange 32 over the key-lugs 33, but is normally restrained by the abutment with stops 37 of fingers 36 extending upwardly from the arms 31. However, upon the partial depression of a key or keys to engage the full-stroke pawls 17 with the first teeth 16 of the lever 12, the bail and coupler are rocked sufficiently counterclockwise about the shaft 5 to disengage the fingers 36 from the studs 37 and permit the coupler to move to coupling position. The machine is now said to be in " preset " condition. Keys in other banks may now be partially depressed and coupled to the key or keys first depressed. To enable this to be done, the flange 32 is stepped so that keys of a bank of higher denomination will rock the coupler to a greater extent than keys of a lower bank. Thus depression of a key will couple it to previously depressed keys of higher order and will release previously depressed keys of lower order. The arrival of a key at " preset " position is noticeable by its abutment with the bail 10. To prevent overthrow of the coupler upon the depression of a key, a lever 40 is pivoted to one arm 31 and urged counterclockwise by a spring 42. Upon the counterclockwise rocking of the coupler by a key, an arm 44 of the lever engages the stud 37, as shown in Fig. 8, and prevents excessive movement. " Preset " key. To facilitate the setting of the bail 10 and key-coupler 30 to " preset " position, a "preset " key 60 is provided, upon the depression of which the levers 12 are rocked through the desired angle by a lever 61, 63 connected to the key. Depression of the " preset " key also serves to release any keys that may have been incorrectly partiallydepressed. For this purpose, a lever 68 is provided that, upon depression of the " preset " key, rocks clockwise and by abutment with one of the fingers 36 rocks the coupler counterclockwise to uncoupling position. In this position of the coupler, the ends 72 of its arms 31 abut fixed stops 73 to prevent overthrow of the arms 12 due to too rapid depression of the " preset " key. Upon the release of the " preset " key, the bail 10 is retained in " preset " position by the full-stroke pawls and the coupler returns clockwise to coupling position. "No Sale key. Depression of the " No Sale key elevates a "No Sale indicator tablet and shifts a locking plate to prevent depression of an amount key. " Paid Out " key. Depression of the " Paid Out " key elevates a " Paid Out " indicator tablet and is made dependent upon the depression of one or more amount keys. The "Paid Out" key is normally locked by a latch 76 flexibly mounted thereon and engaging over a stop 78 on the lever 61 of the " preset " key. Depression of the " preset " key releases the " Paid Out " key which is now depressible to coupling position, in which position it is arrested by the abutment of a finger 79 thereon with a bail 146. This bail 146 is operated by the tubular bail 10 and makes constant left- and-right excursions at each machine operation. The " Paid Out key is cut away in the vicinity of the bail 10 and is thus incapable of operating the machine. However, upon the depression of one or more amount keys, the " Paid Out key, being coupled thereto, is operated to elevate the corresponding tablet.