Patent GB-792975-A (GB)
Title: Cash registers and similar accounting machines
IPC: G06C7/10
Filed: 1956-11-20
Abstract: 792,975. Cash registers. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Nov. 20, 1956 [Nov. 21, 1955], No. 35414/56. Class 106 (1). A key-set cash register has a mechanism normally effective on depression alone of any one of certain control keys to repeat the amount entered in the last operation, this mechanism being disabled on depression of an amount key. Thus, in a multiple-item transaction, several items of the same value may be entered by entering the first in the normal manner and then by merely depressing the transaction keys appropriate to the other items in turn. When an item of different value is to be entered, the mere setting of the new amount disables the repeat mechanism. The invention is applied to a well-known type of cash register having amount keys 103 arranged in denominational columns each associated with primary and secondary differential members 146, 148. In an entry operation initiated by one of the motorized control keys, the primary members move to differential positions determined by the depressed keys and the secondary members are moved to zero positions determined by the abutment of shoulders 276 against transmission gears 153. Coupling pinions 170 are then engaged with associated primary and secondary members so that as the primary members are restored in the second half of the cycle, the secondary members are moved to positions corresponding to the set item. They remain so positioned until the next operation. Normally, the coupling pinions 170 are disengaged at the beginning of an operation. Drum indicators 118 and printing mechanism are positioned in known manner by the secondary members. The machine has two rows 215, 217 of interspersed totalizers, selected under the control of the two columns of keys 104-113, a column of clerk's keys 114, a total control slide 116 and a cash drawer. Repeat mechanism. If one of the control keys is depressed but no amount keys are actuated, the coupling pinions 170 remain in engagement with the primary and secondary differential members 146, 148 and, as described below, zero stops 193 are withdrawn. Consequently, the primary members are arrested when the secondary members reach their zero positions, i.e. in the positions corresponding to the last entered item. When the primary members are restored, the secondary members again move to positions representing that item. The coupling pinions 170 are normally disengaged at the beginning of an operation by cams acting on a follower lever 179, Fig. 2, carrying a stud 178 engaged between end portions of a pair of arms 174, 175, Fig. 3, pivoted to an arm 172 forming part of a frame rockable about a rod 173 and supporting the pinions 170. However, on depression of one of the control keys 106 and 109-112 for a repeat operation, a plate 269 is cammed downwardly and rocks an arm 285 which in turn rocks a lever 262 bearing a stud 261 engaged in a notch of the arm 175. The latter is thus drawn away from the camoperated stud 178 which consequently moves idly, leaving the coupling pinions 170 engaged. The coupling pinions 170 associated with the clerk's keys and control keys are mounted independently of those for the amount keys and are invariably disengaged for the first half of an operation by further cams. Consequently, the corresponding differential mechanisms are always controlled by the depressed clerk's and control keys. Control of zero stops. In a normal entry operation, the key-locking shaft 139 rocks clockwise, and, in each denomination, a stud 198 in an arm 138 fast on that shaft moves into a wider portion of a slot in an arm 196, Fig. 10, thus allowing that arm to be rocked clockwise by a stud 195 in the zero stop 193, which is thus able to assume an effective position. However, if an amount key has been depressed in a given denomination, a plate 199 will have been cammed downwards to rock a hook 200, Fig. 1, over a stud 203 in the zero stop which will thus be maintained in ineffective position. On depression of any one of the control keys 109-112, to initiate a repeat operation, the arm 285 is rocked as described above and in its turn, rocks an arm 284, Fig. 5. The latter rocks a frame comprising rods 292 about the shaft 139 and the rightmost rod 292 blocks clockwise rocking of all of the plates 196 and so holds the zero stops 193 in ineffective positions. Depression of a total key 105, 107 or 108 cams a plate 288, Fig. 5, downwardly and a stud 344 therein rocks the arm 284 so that the zero stops are again held in ineffective positions. Disabling repeat mechanism. Depression of any amount key cams downwardly a plate 130, Fig. 1, which through a lever 300 rocks a bail 301, a finger 310, Fig. 2, of which releases an arm 313 which, with its shaft 308 and an arm 314, rocks clockwise. The arm 314 raises the plate 269 so that depression of one of the control keys 109-112 will cam this plate still further upwardly instead of downwardly. Thus, the arm 285 is not depressed to cause a repeat operation as described above. Depression of a total key 105, 107 or 108 cams downwardly the plate 288, Fig. 5, which, through a lever 349, also rocks the bail 301 so as to disable the repeat mechanism. The Paid Out key 104 and Total Control slide 116 similarly rock the bail 301 through independent mechanisms, Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown). At the end of an operation in which the repeat mechanism is disabled, the arm 313, Fig. 2, is normally restored by a resilient linkage operated by the mainshaft, and re-latched in its non-disabling position by the arm 310. However, when the lever 349, Fig. 5, is rocked to disable the repeat mechanism in a total operation, the lever is latched by an arm 421 and so holds the bail 301 in depressed position at the end of the operation, thus ensuring that the repeat mechanism will be disabled in the next operation. The latch 421 is rocked to free the lever 349 in the next operation by a lever 426 actuated by a cam-operated lever 432. Keyboard interlocks. In a repeat operation, rocking of the frame carrying the rods 292, Figs. 5 and 10, to maintain the zero stops ineffective as described above, also moves plates 294 of this frame beneath the plates 199, thus preventing depression of any amount keys. Conversely, depression of an amount key, by lowering its plate 199, blocks rocking of the frame 292, 294, and so of the arm 284, and plate 288. Thus, depression of a total key 105, 107 or 108 is prevented. When the total control slide 116 is moved to the Read Row 2 or Reset Row 2 positions, it rocks arms 362 and 375, Fig. 2, which depress a plate 377 so that a notch 381 therein latches the zero stop for the Row 1 differential mechanism. The latter is then able to prevent a means from locking the total slide in the succeeding operation.