Patent GB-912782-A (GB)
Abstract: 912,782. Counters. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. Aug. 1, 1961 [Sept. 9, 1960], No. 27813/61. Class 106 (1). An impulse generator includes a series of differently profiled impulsing discs cyclically driven in unison, individual sensing devices effective, when co-operating with their related impulsing discs, to sense the profiles thereof and each capable of imparting a certain number of impulses to a common output impulse transmitter, a predetermined totality of output impulses being transmitted at each cycle of the impulse generator in dependence upon the number of sensing devices which are effective, and selectively operable devices effective, when operated, each physically to obstruct the cooperation of different ones of the sensing devices with their related impulsing discs to determine the totality of output impulses transmitted by the transmitter via the unobstructed sensing devices at each cycle of the impulse generator. A motor 101 drives through gearing six discs constituting the selecting line 105, each disc having a number of notches which are sensed by an associated pawl 106. Springs 133 urge pawls 106 mounted on a shaft 128 into engagement with the discs, and when any pawl senses a notch in its associated disc, the pawl rotates counter-clockwise to rotate a switch yoke 136 and thereby release the pressure on the switch arm 141 of a micro-switch 140 to close it, arm 141 being engaged by a stud 138 of yoke 136 and biased to an open position by a spring 137. Each closure of switch 140 is adapted to advance a series of price indicators by one unit. With motor 101 rotating at constant speed, variable amounts/hour may be recorded on the indicators by inserting slotted keys (not shown) between the discs and pawls, only those pawls which correspond to a slot in the key being in an operable position, and/or by varying the ratio of the gearing between the motor and the discs. In Fig. 1, indicators 172 and 179, 173 and 178, 174 and 177, 175 and 176 are respectively cent, dime, dollar and ten-dollar indicators, indicators 172 to 175 facing the operator and indicators 176 to 179 facing the customer. Closure of switch 140 operates a solenoid 144 having a plunger 150, downward movement of which is transmitted through links 163, 164 and a stud 170 on a drive arm 151 to rotate arm 151 counter-clockwise, arm 151 being freely mounted on the indicator drive-shaft 152. During rotation of arm 151, a pawl 154 on this arm rotates a ratchet wheel 153 pinned to shaft 152 to rotate this shaft. A pawl 155 prevents ratchet 153 from rotating clockwise when arm 151 is rotated clockwise upon de-energization of solenoid 144. Only cent indicators 172, 179 are pinned to shaft 152, each of the others, with the exception of indicator 176 which is driven directly by indicator 175, being driven by the adjacent lower denomination indicator through Geneva type mechanism. Manual zeroizing is effected by rotating the reset discs 212 on indicators 176 to 179, the zeroizing of indicators 172, 175, 173 and 174 being effected respectively through drive-shaft 152, the direct drive from indicator 176, and through the transmission pinions and pinion shafts of the Geneva mechanism.