Patent GB-189819316-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Cash Registers and Indicators and Check Tills.
Inventor: MARKS GEORGE CROYDON
Filed: 1898-09-10
Granted: 1899-05-20
Abstract: 19,316. Marks, G. C., [Hallwood Cash Register Co.]. Sept. 10. Tills.-Relates to cash registers and check tills of the character described in Specification No. 23,920, A.D. 1896. Independent counters are employed for registering different transactions, such as "cash sales," "received on account," &c., and a totalizing register for "whole amount received," is provided actuated by each register. In addition there are other counters for transactions which should not appear on the totalizer, such as "sums paid out," &c. There is one keyboard for all the registers, placed at one side of the machine and having say four rows of keys. On the main spindle 1 of all the register wheels are pivoted cranks carrying the transverse bars C<1>, C<2>, C<3>, C<4>, Fig. 3, one for each row of keys. These bars are rigidly connected to eccentric toothed sectors c, Fig. 2, which are normally locked by hooks c on sectors a<6> engaging pins c'. On depressing a key, a pin on its shank, striking a bevelled hook, not shown, on the sector, rocks the hook c<2> and releases the sector, which then turns, as its corresponding transverse bar falls, until one of its teeth encounters the end of the shank of the key ; the angular movement is proportional to the value of the key depressed. The bevelled hook temporarily retains the key in its depressed position. Arms b<2>, carrying pawls b<3>, have projections b<4> resting on the transverse bars, and move down with them. There is one arm b<2> for each wheel of each register. On the return stroke of the bars, subsequently effected, the pawls b<3> turn the corresponding registering-wheels b. To prevent over-driving of the register wheels, the driving-pawls b<3> are forced firmly into the teeth of the ratchet, after the upward stroke of the pawl-carriers, by a cross-bar b<7> actuated at the end of the movement of the drawer. By the mechanism so far described, if any key in any register were depressed, all the registers would be actuated. To prevent this, each "department" or independent register has a key e which must be depressed to release a latch D<2> holding projections b<5> on the pawl levers b<2>. The latch of the totalizer, however, is normally out of action, so that it will be simultaneously actuated with the other registers, except in the case of the "paid out" and such like registers, when the latch is brought into action to prevent these transactions being added to the totalizer. Moreover no movement takes place until the drawer C is thrown open by its spring, but the fastening f of the drawer is released on pressing any departmental key, a projection f<2> on it passing over the rear ends d<1> of the latches. A roller on the drawer acts upon a swinging frame, by which all the transverse bars C', C<2>, C<3>, C<4> are supported. As the drawer opens, the frames make their movement ; when it is closed, the roller swings the frame back again, lifts the transverse bars and the pawl levers which are resting thereon, and effects the registration. Each departmental key e is locked, until a cash key of that department has been fully depressed, by notched rods k, k<1> passing over and under it and cut away in certain places to allow of the passage of the key under proper conditions ; on depressing a cash key the rods are turned into this position by connecting them with the hook c<2> and mechanism for holding the cash keys depressed. When a departmental key has once been pressed, the cash keys of all the other departments are locked. One departmental key only can be depressed at a time, as these keys are connected by a cord r passing alternately through loops on the keys and on the rod 4 and having sufficient slack to give full play to one key only. A detent plate k<8> retains the key when operated. Indicator discs m are set at each actuation of the apparatus by racks m<4> pivoted to the ends of levers m<1>, the other ends being moved down by the transverse bars. The discs are retained by pawls m<7> engaging ratchet-wheels m<6>, but, when the till drawer is opened for the next transaction, the detent that releases the drawer catch acts also upon a lever system which rocks the shaft m<8> and releases all the pawls m<7>, while, at the same time, it holds the drawer catch out of action. When the drawer is closed, a rocking frame C<5>, acting in the same manner as the transverse bars C' ... C<4>, returns the lever system to normal position. The nature of the transaction " cash," "paid on account," &c. is indicated on a cylinder by the side of the registering- wheels m. This cylinder is turned the required amount to display the corresponding announcement by a pinion and sector connected, by slotted links of various lengths, to arms which fall with the frame C<5> on depressing a departmental key. A "no sale" key is also provided, the only effect of actuating this being to turn the notice cylinder and unfasten the drawer. The notches on the rods k, k<1> and on the " no sale " key are so arranged that the key is normally unlocked, but, when any other departmental key is depressed, it becomes locked by the turning of the rods. As the drawer is closed, the various keys are released, and are returned by springs to normal position.