Patent GB-190315851-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in cash Registers
Filed: 1903-07-17
Granted: 1904-01-14
Abstract: 15,851. National Cash Register Co., [National Cash Register Co.]. July 17. Receipts, checking and recording. -The machine, shown in Fig. 1 without its casing, is constructed to receive a written sales-slip on a table 102. Four handlevers 21 are movable along slots in the casing until opposite numbers representing the figures in the total amount of the bill, which figures are simultaneously shown in a row on indicating - wheels 35. A handle 22 is then given two revolutions, limited by an automatic stop gear 291. This causes the amount indicated, a word such as "Paid," an identification letter, the date, and a consecutive number, to be printed in one line at the lower end of the bill, after which the bill is automatically fed down a short distance, and the same items are again printed on it, while the lower end is cut off. The slip is then returned upward. The amount indicated is added to that already registered on an enclosed counter 46. The levers 21 and the indicating and amount-printing devices are returned to zero, the machine being thus locked until one or more of the levers 21 are again moved. The slip with one printed line is then removed, as a receipt, while the lower part, first printed, remains in an enclosed receptacle 250. The identification letter is printed from a detachable key 214, special to each operator, the machine being locked automatically when such a key is not in place. The date-printing wheels 109 are connected by concentric sleeves to wheels 111, which can be set by hand, and retained by a pin passed through them. When the machine is in its normal condition, a special key can be inserted through a movable locking-disc 195 to move a shutter (not shown), enabling the counter 46 to be read ; the counter can be turned to zero by one turn of this key ; while this key is inserted, the main shaft 24 is locked by a lever 98. A cash drawer may be provided, its latch being operated from the handle 22. In detail, the hand-levers 21 are geared directly by toothed segments to pinions 43 connected by concentric sleeves with the amount-printing wheels 41, to pinions 37 connected by concentric sleeves with the indicating-wheels 35, and to verticallysliding racks 27 for operating the counter 46. Notches in parts of the hand-levers 21 receive a bar carried by a pivoted catch so that this engages a pin on the main shaft 24 to prevent its rotation when all the levers 21 are at zero. The handlevers 21 are retained in definite positions by V-toothed segments engaging spring-pressed pawls; when the shaft 24 turns, a cam on it moves a bar to hold the pawls and levers stationary, until near the end of the rotation, when the bar relieves the spring pressure on the pawls. The levers 21 are then returned to zero by a frame rocked by cams on the main shaft. The handle 22 drives the main shaft 24 through toothed gearing, the rotation being limited to one turn of the shaft 24 by a pin 290 on a disc 23<1> turning a latch 291 into a notch in the disc ; the latch 291 is releasable by slight reverse movement of the handle 22. The shaft 24 carries a number of cams, operating the machine. The handle 22 is detachable, to permit removal of the casing of the machine, its barrel being tapered and grooved to pass and engage a spring catch, which normally holds it in place. The printing-type are all carried on one shaft. They consist of the cash-printing discs 41, the last of which has a dollar sign adjacent to each figure : a disc 41<1> to print the word "Paid" ; the letter key 214, which is a piece notched to fit on the supporting-shaft, and to displace a main shaft locking-lever ; the dating-wheels 109 ; and consecutive numbering-wheels 202, which are operated by ratchet-wheels and pawls on a block linked to a cutter-driving segment. The table 102 serves as a platen, being oscillated about a pivot below its outer end by a direct connection with a cam on the main shaft. It carries a roller to feed down the paper after the first printing, the roller being connected by a pinion, a rack, and a bell-crank lever to another cam. A pressure roller is carried by arms which are supported on the pivot of the platen, and are connected by springs with a camlever to put proper pressure on the roller. Cutting is effected by a knife being moved down in contact with a stationary knife, by a sliding rack, a toothed segment, a link, and a cam. When the movable knife is raised, it presses inking-pads against the adjusted type. The pads are carried by arms of a rocking frame 230 connected at 235 with a cam, so as to move away before the platen rises. Counting-apparatus.-The counter 46, shown separately in Fig. 6, consists of a row of number wheels and transfer levers 51 in a separate frame 29, which slides in a grooved upright frame. The counter frame is moved up and down by a lever and cam, and the upright frame is oscillated by a link and cam. In the downward movement of the counter, gear-wheels attached to four of the number wheels engage and are turned by the adjusted racks 27, Fig. 1. In the upward movement, four levers pivoted in the counter frame are turned successively by four stationary cams 54, to raise transfer pawls 50, Fig. 6, near ratchet teeth on the number wheels, the transfer pawls being held away by tripping-pawls, unless any of these are shifted by transfer pins on the adjacent number wheel. Three additional counting-wheels 66 are operated from the last wheel of the four by a pawl 63 with three graduated teeth. The shaft 45 of the counter is grooved and can be turned to engage pawls on the wheels and set these to zero, by a key applied, as mentioned above, when the counter is raised, rotation at other times being prevented by a cam 90 engaging the upright frame. A spring-held stop limits the rotation of the shaft 45 to one turn.