Patent GB-792514-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to a combination of a cash register, accounting or like machine, and a ticket or stamp issuing mechanism
Inventor: DEUTSCH JOHANN JAKOB
IPC: G06C11/08
Filed: 1955-08-30
Abstract: 792,514. Cash registers. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Aug. 29, 1956 [Aug. 30, 1955], No. 24919/55. Class 106 (1). A remote stamp-issuing device is electrically connected to a cash register, or similar machine, and is controlled by the cash register so as to issue stamps to the value of a transaction entered. The stamps are such as might be issued as tokens in respect of a bonus due on the transaction.. As described, the cash register 1, Fig. 1, is similar to that described in Specification 614,347 but includes additional electrical equipment, shown above and to the right of the broken line in Fig. 27. Connection is made over a multi-core cable 12 to the stampissuing apparatus 11, components of which occupy the remainder of Fig. 27. Cash register. This includes banks of amount keys 4, a row of transaction keys 3, the usual control slide 5 and a motor bar 2 for initiating operation. The indicator drums are adjusted from the amount differentials through a minimum movement mechanism and vertical links at the rear of the casing, the links remaining in adjusted positions at the end of the cycle. In the present machine, a set of ordinal digit switches UC-HD, Figs. 7 and 27, mounted on a plate 106, is secured across the rear of the machine frame. Grooved washers 98, attached to the wipers of these switches, are inserted in holes of the respective indicator links so that the wipers mark digit contacts 104 corresponding to the adjustment of the links. A similar switch CB is associated with the bank of control keys 3 and serves, in conjunction with contacts actuated cyclically under control of a cam SC3 on the main shaft and a self-locking relay H(O), to interrupt the initiating circuit of the stamp issuing apparatus at contacts h1. Also included in the cash register are contacts CS1 and CS2 controlled by main shaft cams, and contacts CS45 controlled jointly by the control slide 5 and transaction differential. The cash register is motor-driven through the usual one-revolution clutch, which is engaged and the motor contacts 164, 168 closed by depression of the motor bar. A magnet SL is energized whilst stamps are being delivered and its armature 170 then prevents reclosure of the contacts so that further operation of the register cannot be initiated until the delivery of stamps has been completed. Stamp issuing apparatus. Stamp strips 15 for four denominational values (ten cents to one hundred dollars) are stored in rolls each on a stud 175, Figs. 15, 20 and 23, secured to a plate 174 which is removable from the casing to facilitate replenishment. Each strip is adapted to be fed to a delivery outlet 16 by means of a sprocket 207 driven through an individual clutch from a central drive-shaft 181 for all four sprockets, each clutch comprising a pair of spurwheels (not shown), fast respectively with the sprocket and drive-shaft, and a coupling-pinion 225, Figs. 20 and 23, brought into engagement with the spur-wheels upon energization of a respective magnet M2-M6 (see also Fig. 27). The shaft 181 is driven by a motor SM through spur-gears 178, 180 and 181 and a one-revolution clutch DC, Fig. 27, adapted to be engaged upon energization of a magnet M1. The motor SM also drives the wipers of a multi-bank selector switch SW, which is interconnected with the denominational digit switches UC-HD in the cash register and the individual clutch magnets M2-M5 so as to stop feed of the individual stamp strips after the appropriate number of stamps in each denomination has been delivered. The switch SW has five banks SW1 to SW5 corresponding to the five denominations of the cash register UC to HD, Fig. 27. The contact arcs SW2 to SW5 are connected directly, over the cable 12, to the corresponding digit contacts of the cash register switches SW2 to SW5. Since there is no stamp strip for units of cents, the switches SW1 and UC for this denomination are so interconnected with the switches SW2 and TC that an additional ten-cent stamp is delivered when the value registered in the units exceeds four. The totals of stamps delivered are registered by counters 217, each driven from a respective delivery sprocket 207 through a Geneva gear 212 and spur gears 215 and 216. Provision is made for manual delivery of stamps by means of push-buttons 18. Depression of a push-button rocks a lever 248 which raises a link 251 and rocks a disc (not shown) concentric with the delivery sprocket 207 counterclockwise, Fig. 23. This causes a driving pawl 252 on the disc to advance the sprocket 207 by engagement with a stud 210 thereon. A stop-pawl 228 coacts with the studs 210 to limit the advance to one unit step. Prior to the driving pawl 252 advancing the sprocket, a pawl 256 on the lever 248 trips a lever 259 which, through a hooked bar 261, temporarily disengages the stop-pawl 228 to permit the advance. A back stop pawl 229 also engages the studs 210. Automatic delivery is prevented during manual operation, the pushbuttons displacing a slide 244 adapted to operate a lock-out switch LOS in the main supply to the apparatus, Operation. During entry of items, e.g. of a multiple-item transaction, the transaction differential cam SC4 holds the contacts CS45, Fig. 27, open so that operation of the stamp delivery apparatus is prevented. The cam SC4 allows the contacts CS45 to close during the ensuing sub-total or total-taking operations so that power is applied to the circuits upon closure of the cyclically controlled contacts CS1 and CS2, closure of CS1 being delayed until the second half-cycle of the cash register to allow the digit switches UC to HD to become adjusted to the item total. Closure of CS1 results in energization of a relay A, which locks-up over a1<SP>1</SP>x<SP>1</SP> for final release at cam-controlled contacts CS5 upon completion of one revolution of the main clutch DC in the drive of the stamp delivery motor SM. Contacts a3 and a4 complete the circuit to the motor, whilst contacts a2 complete those to the motor clutch magnet Ml and the individual clutch magnets M2 to M5, so that delivery from all four strips is initiated and the wipers of the selector switches SW1 to SW5 commence rotation. As each wiper SW2 to SW5 reaches the contact marked by the corresponding digit switch TC to HD of the cash register, a corresponding relay D/2 to G/2 is energized and opens the circuit to the individual clutch magnet M2 to M5 at contacts d1 to gl to terminate delivery from the strip concerned. The main clutch magnet M1 is de-energized at further paralleled contacts d2-g2 of the relays, when all the relays have been energized. When, as in a multiple-item sub-total operation, stamp delivery must be suppressed in an ensuing operation, the self-locking relay H(O) becomes energized over contacts of the control bank switch CB and the cam SC3. This opens contacts h1 in the initiating circuit for stamp delivery. Contacts h1 remain open until, during the course of the ensuing operation, e.g. a total taking operation, the release winding H(R) of the relay is energized over contacts of CB and SC3.