Patent GB-609077-A (GB)
Abstract: 609,077. Cash registers. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. March 5, 1946, No. 6843. Convention date. June 14. 1943. [Class 100(iv)] [Also in Group XIX] To reduce noise and wear, the printing hammers in a cash register are prevented from performing idle strokes. The hammer is normally restrained against cooperation with the operating means, but when released by the restraining means, means controlled by the hammer itself enable it to co-operate with the operating means. Printing mechanism. Type carriers 104, Figs. 4, 7, carrying two sets of type, are positioned differentially in known manner. An item hammer 111, Fig. 4, a total hammer 112 and an electro hammer, Fig. 6, print on a voucher, while a lower hammer 221, Fig. 7, prints on a record strip or on an inserted slip. Item, total, and electro hammer operating mechanism. A cam 115 is rotated once in each cycle and ordinarily rocks a lever 123 clockwise to depress a link 122 to rock an arm 121 and a bail 118 to rock an arm 136 against the action of a strong spring 137. The hammer 111 is then retracted by a spring 141 and engages a nose 161 to prevent operation of a pawl 146. When a lobe 125 falls from the high point of the cam 115, the spring returns the arm 136 and related parts smartly, an arm 138 actuating the hammer 111. In the first cycle of a total-taking operation, however, the hammer 111 is held in inoperative position by means described later. Clockwise rocking of the lever 123 now results in the arm 136 being held in clockwise position by the pawl 146 which is rocked clockwise by a spring-pressed lever 145, all parts except the cam now being held stationary until printing is required. In the second cycle of a total-taking operation, the hammer 111 is released and is rocked clockwise by its retracting spring 141 to engage the nose 161 and shift the lever 145 and pawl 146 at the same time as the high point of the cam 115 wipes past the lobe 125. The arm 136 is thus released to actuate the hammer for printing. Counter-clockwise rotation of the arm 136 and related parts is limited by a stop 162, engaging an extension of the arm 123, the hammer over-throwing to print. The total hammer 112. Fig. 6, is operated by the same parts. The electro hammer 113 is operated by a cam 114 earlier in the cycle than the other hammers but in a similar manner. Detail strip hammer operating mechanism. A cam 231, Fig. 7, rocks an operating arm 228, a bail 229 and an arm 223 counterclockwise to permit a spring-pressed latch 235 to engage a lower surface 241 on the arm 223. If the hammer 221 is held inoperative, the arm 223 is held in this retracted position. When the hammer is rendered operative, as described later, it rocks counter-clockwise slightly and at the time that the high point of the cam 231 wipes past the operating arm 228, a stud 226 on the hammer strikes an arm 227 integral with the arm 223 which rocks slightly to release a hook 237 which pulls the latch 235 away from the arm 223, which springs back smartly so that the arm 227 actuates the hammer. Selective means for controlling operativeness of hammers. Movement of the usual total lever 251, Fig. 10, to total or sub-total position, through cam-slot and lever-mechanism, rocks a shaft 263 and' moves a pitman 268 to the left to move a slide 275 to couple together a gear 99 and a disc 272, so that rotation of the usual crank will drive a cam race 271 to rock the shaft 263 still further clockwise. The shaft 263, through a link 282 and roller 283 rocks a shaft 285, Fig. 2. A cam arm 97, Fig. 2, is positioned differentially under control of the usual transaction keys. Depression of either a " Grand Total " or a " No Sale " key supersedes the control exercised by the total control lever over the printing hammers by rocking the cam arm 97 clockwise so that a high portion 292 lifts a roller 286 to rock an arm 297 and the shaft 285 to the same extent as when the shaft 263 is given its two steps of movement. This enables printing on the receipt and on the detail strip for No Sale" operations. Operation. In the entry of items, a hammer control lever 300, Figs. 4, 6, 7. is in clockwise position and flanges 301. 304 cooperate with studs 302, 308 to prevent operation of the hammers 221, 112 but a flange 305 is free of a stud 306 to permit the hammer 111 to operate. A projection 316 detains a lever 318 and a bail 320 in counterclockwise position to hold the electro hammer 113 against operation. In total-taking, initial movement of the shaft 285 in the first cycle, in known manner, rocks the lever 300 counterclockwise to engage the flange 305 with the stud 306 to render the hammer 111 inoperative. Near the end of the first cycle the shaft 285 and the lever 300 are given a further step of movement to render all the hammers operative during the second cycle. In taking a sub-total, all the hammers are inoperative in the first cycle and only the hammer 111 operates in the second to print the sub-total. Movement of the lever 251 to sub-total position, moves a link 374 to rock a shaft 85 counter-clockwise and through a gear train rocks a cam plate 383, Fig. 10, which rocks an arm 386 and via members 390, 392, 393, 401, 402, 403, 404, rocks arms 405, 406, also Fig. 6, clockwise to position the lower ends of those arms over studs 407, 323 to prevent operation of the hammers 112, 113, the arms 405, 406, being maintained in this position by a spring-pressed hook 410 engaging the stud 402, until the lever 251 is moved from subtotal position and a new operation begins, to cause cams 427, 428, Fig. 10, to rock a lever 421, and through a slide 420, bellcrank 416 and lever 414, to restore the hook 410 to release the stud 402, when the arms 405, 406 return under spring action. The hammer 221 is maintained inoperative during sub-total taking in a similar manner. Check control key. In known manner.' the upper hammers are rendered ineffective when a check is not required. Depression of the check control key rocks the arms 405, 406 to prevent operation of the hammers 112, 113 until the key is released by the usual machine-release shaft, Fig. 1 (not shown).