Patent GB-248652-A (GB)
Abstract: 248,652. National Cash Register Co., Ltd., (National Cash Register Co.). Sept. 10,1925. Cash registers; voucher-issuing; printing on bills; printing totals.-In a machine adapted to deal discriminately with single-item and multiple-item transactions, and to print upon a voucher or an inserted slip, three release-keys are provided to be selectively depressed for (1) printing a single-item in duplicate upon and issuing a voucher, (2) printing a single-item in duplicate upon an inserted slip, and (3) entering each multiple item amount in a sub-totalizer and printing it upon a voucher. This last key is also used, in conjunction with a " total " key, for printing the total of the transaction in duplicate upon and issuing the voucher. The invention is described as applied to a known form of machine wherein the amounts are entered in selected transaction totalizers mounted on a reel turned by a handlever to bring the desired totalizer into juxtaposition to the actuating sectors. In singleitem transactions the use of the voucher key 87 produces duplicate imprint upon and the perforation, severance, and ejection of the voucher. For multiple-items, depression of the key 88 causes an imprint of the item amount on the voucher, but when for total-printing this key is depressed in conjunction with the total key, the complete total with characteristics is printed in duplicate on the voucher, which is then perforated, severed, and ejected. If it is desired to print a singleitem transaction upon an inserted slip instead of a voucher, the " slip " key 89 is used for releasing the machine, and this disables all voucherissuing mechanisms and converts the ejecting- mechanism to make it available for feeding the slip to space the duplicate impressions. Entering multiple-items. After each amount is set up the key 88, Fig. 9, is depressed to release the machine by means of a sliding detent plate 84 carrying a flattened stud 83 normally obstructing an arm 81 on the machine-release shaft 80. By rotation of the crank handle applied to shaft 45, Fig. 8, the main shaft 38 is given one rotation to drive the differential mechanism and so actuate the engaged transaction totalizer and, through a floating broad pinion 65, Fig. 4, the sub-totalizer 70. The voucher and slip release keys 87, 89 ara locked by the depression of the multiple-item key 88 through the medium of a sliding plate 91. Moreover, these keys are maintained locked throughout the whole of the item-entering and until the total is taken, by means of a bell crank 104, Fig. 9, which springs up behind a pin 103 on a link 102 connected with the plate 91. Voucher-feed. The, voucher strip is fed to the printing line by means of a pair of rollers 170, 171, Figs. 8 and 10, the upper of which has a long and a short feeding rail 345, 346. The lower roller is loosely mounted on an eccentric sleeve and can be raised into feeding engagement by turning the sleeve or alternatively by means of a roll 180 carried by an arm 179 fixed to a shaft 178. For multiple-items transactions the latter method is adopted, but as the initial feed of the voucher strip to bring it to the printing line is greater than the line-spacing feeds, provision is made for imparting these different lengths of feed. With the parts in the short feed position shown in Fig. 10, a pin 175 on the roller 170 driven by the gearing shown in Fig. 8 engages a nose 176 of a bell-crank 177 loose on shaft 178, and through a spring 181 raises the roll 180 momentarily and thus brings the feed rollers into contact for a sufficient time to obtain the short feed. In a total-taking operation, however, the selection of the long platen 136, to be subsequently explained, rocks a lever 187 counterclockwise to remove a step 199 from a pin 198 on a spring- controlled arm 196 pivoted on the bell-crank 177. Consequently this arm falls and remains resting upon a fixed pin 200. When, therefore, in the next multiple-item entering operation of the machine, the pin 175 rocks the bell-crank 177 the notched end 205 of the arm engages with the pin 200 and maintains the feed until by the further movement of pin 175 the arm 196 is dislodged and the parts can resume their normal non-feeding position shown in Fig. 10. In other operations, however, not involving multiple-item entering, the above feeding arrangements are disabled for the consecutive numbering mechanism interposes a projection 526 in the path of an extension of the arm 179 carrying the roll 180, so that this cannot be raised into effective position. In single-item transactions or total-printing operations the feed of the voucher strip is controlled by means of the eccentric mounting of the roller 171. In either class of operation a link 298, Fig. 16, is moved to the left by means to be described later, and this rocks shaft 300 to which the eccentric sleeve of the lower feed roller is secured. Consequently this roller is raised and both feed rails come into action to feed the strip initially and then for line-spacing the duplicate impressions. Platen impression arrangements. Two platens 135, 136, Figs. 8 and 10, rigidly connected are pivotally mounted upon a rocking frame 152 pivoted at 149, one platen 135 being curtailed so as to extend over the amount type wheels only. In multiple-item entering operations this platen is in effective position as shown. In other operations, however, the plat-ensare rocked to the left, to render the long platen only operative, by means of a guide plate 161 shifted by mechanism under key control as follows. The total key 210, Fig. 17, carries a pin 213 to depress a plate 285 to bring a block 291 thereon within range of a cam rail 289 fixed on the rocking shaft 34. When the machine is operated therefore, this rail shifts the plate still farther, and through a projection 287 on a pitman 288 rocks a shaft 296, and through the link 298 and the other means shown in Fig. 16. the guide plate 161. If the voucher key 87 is depressed for registering a single-item transaction, a stud 475 causes a shaft 211 to rock and through a pin 478 to depress the plate 285 to position the parts as in total-printing. Consecutive numbering of voucher. The numbering mechanism is rendered ineffective during multiple-item entering operations by connection with the platen-positioning means. The numbering wheels are stepped by a pawl 315, Fig. 8, oscillated by a lever 311 that is loose, on shaft 310 and provided with a stud 341 co-operating with a surface 340 on a pawl 325 pivoted on an arm 309 rocked at each operation of the machine by mea;ns of a cam 307. The pawl 325 is controlled as to effectivity by a lever 328 connected at 330 with a rock plate 331, Fig. 16, linked to the platen guide plate 161. Consequently with the short platen 135 in position the pawl surface 340 is moved clear of stud 341 and the consecutive number wheels are not operated. Perforating-mechanism. This, normally inoperative. becomes active in total-printing operations and single-item transactions. As stated above, with the total key or voucher key depressed the link 298, Fig. 16, is moved to the left, and this rocks a lever 350 and, through a link 352, a bell-crank 353, Fig. 19, controlling the position of a link 359 connecting a cam-rocked arm 361 with the reciprocatory perforator 380. The link 359 is thus displaced leftwards to break the pin and hook connection at 360 and so disable the perforating mechanism. The lever 350 is retained in its shifted position throughout the operation of the machine by means of a. gapped ring 3821, Fig. 16, in co-operation with a pin 383 on the lever. Severing-mechanism. The movable knife blade 409, Fig. 17, is carried by a pair of arms pivoted at 149, one of which arms 403 has a stud 402 engageable by a bell-crank lever 392 provided with a roller 395 to co-operate with a cam 400. When, by depression of the total key 210 or voucher key 87, the pitman 288 is moved to the right, connections 295, 389, 389 rock the bell-crank lever 392 to insert the roller 395 into the cam groove. Towards the end of the rotation of the cam the bell crank lever is rocked farther by the groove and through the stud 402 operates the knife to sever the voucher strip. Voucher-ejecting. An ejecting roller 431, Fig. 8, is carried by an arm spring-supported by another arm fixed to a shaft 443 adapted to be rocked counterclockwise to engage the roller 431 with a stationary roller 435 by means of a cam 440 and arm 442. Prior to this engagement the roller is rotated clockwise by a toothed sector 428 adjustably connected with a lever 422 pivoted at 310 and operated by a pin 420 on a lever 418- rocked by a cam 415. After the rollers are engaged the pin 420 restores the lever 422 and so rotates the roller 431 to eject the voucher. In multiple-item entering operations the ejecting mechanism must be inactive. Accordingly the rise of the roller 431 into effective position is prevented by obstruction of a bracket 520 on the roller-supporting arm by a projection 521 on the rock plate. 331 when this occupies the position for multiple-item entering. Sub-totalizer control. For total-printing, the amount on the sub-totalizer is read off and set upon the keyboard. It is necessary, therefore, in the total-printing operation to prevent entry of this amount into the sub-totalizer. For this purpose the pitman 451, Fig. 4, effecting the engagement of the floating pinion 65 is connected with the arm 453 of the rock-shaft 454 by pin and slot 452. When the total key 210 is depressed the consequent rocking of the arm 212. Fig. 14, causes a pin 465 on an arm 464 fixed to a shaft 463 to move into the sweep of a cam rail 467 so that in the subsequent rocking of shaft 34 the arm 464 and shaft 463 rock clockwise and through abutting arms 470, 473, Fig. 4, and a link 474 raise the pitman, 451 to break the connection 452. In single-item transacions the sub-totalizer not being required is thro