Patent GB-167833-A (GB)
Abstract: 167,833. Haddan, A. J. H., (National Cash Register Co.). May 13, 1920. Tickets, issuing.-Relates to machines for issuing strip tickets having separate strips for different denominations of tickets, as described in Specifications 6797/14 and 13170/14, and comprises improved mechanism for controlling the number of operations of the machine according to the predetermined number of tickets of any denomination to be issued. Two sets of keys are provided, one set selecting the value of the ticket, and the other the number to be issued. Depression of one of the number keys sets a stop arm, movable in either direction from a normal position, in the path of a corresponding step on a rotatable plate, while depression of a price key releases the driving-mechanism for operation by hand or power to an extent determined by the position of the stop arm. When only one ticket is required, a price key only is depressed, and means are provided for preventing operation of the machine should a number key be depressed after a price key. The keys of both sets are temporarily locked in the depressed position and subsequently released automatically. The depression of a price key couples a corresponding ticket feeding and printing device, described in Specification 168,012, to the driving mechanism. The machine may be mounted in a frame 50, Fig. 1, carried by a shaft 52 adapted to be raised or lowered by a cam 57 to enable the keys to be projected up through a slot in a counter or to lower the machine completely beneath the counter when access to it is required for repair or for taking returns. The operating-handle 61, Fig. 1, is attached to a shaft 62, Fig. 3, and the main driving-shaft of the machine (not shown) is driven from this shaft 62 through toothed gearing. The price keys 91 - - 95 and number keys 181 - - 184 are slid ably mounted in a frame 101, Figs. 6 and 10. The former keys are provided with pins 103, Fig. 10, guided in vertical slots in the frame 101 and adapted when depressed to engage the edges 132 of inclined slots 133 in a movable plate 121 supported at one end by a lever 122 and at the other end by an arm 124 on a sleeve 125 loose on a shaft 126. Upon the depression of a key, the plate 121 is moved to the right, Fig. 10, against the resistance of a spring 127 acting on the lever 122; and rocks the sleeve 125 about its shaft 126. An additional positive movement is given to the plate 121 through an arm 141 on the sleeve 125, to cause the engage. ment of notches 136 in the plate with the key pins 103 to latch the keys in the depressed position. The reverse movement of the arm 14 allows the latch to be released and the keys to rise under the action of their springs 110. The number keys 181 - - 184, Fig. 6, are similarly guided and are latched by a plate 195 under the action of a spring 198. A hook 205 on this plate is adapted to be engaged by a stud 204, Fig. 10, on the other latching-plate 121 to prevent depression of a number key after a price key has been depressed. Associated with the number keys is a plate 224, Fig. 6, having graduated notches 227 engaged by the key pins 189 to move the plate in either direction from the central position shown, so as to set the stop arm 161 controlling the operations of the machine. The plate is supported by an arm 231 on a sleeve 119 and by an arm 232 fast on a sleeve 233 loose on the sleeve 125. The stop arm is attached to one end of the sleeve 233, and integral therewith is an arm 234 having a pin 235 located between pivoted arme 236, 237 urged into contact with a fixed frame stop 241 by a connecting spring 240, so that movement of the stop arm is opposed by the spring 240 in both directions. Loose upon the shaft 67, Figs. 3 and 8, is a combined cam plate 143, ratchet plate 152 and stop plate 164. These' plates are adapted to rotate clockwise under the action of a spring 154 around the shaft when a price key is depressed to disengage a hook 142, Figs. 8 and 10, from a shoulder on the plate 143, and a similar hook 151, Figs. 8 and 14, from the teeth of the ratchet plate 152. The extent of rotation of the combined plates is determined by the position of the end 162 of the stop arm 161, which may engage steps 165, 166, 167, 168 on the stop plate 164 according to the number key depressed, or the end 163 of the stop plate if a price key only is depressed for a single ticket. As soon as the plates are released for rotation, a portion 156 of the plate 143 gives the hook 142, arm 141 and arm 124, Fig. 10, an additional movement to latch the plate 121 over the pin of the depressed price key. The arms 141 and 147, Figs. 9 and 14, are normally connected by a latching-arm 144, Fig. 8, having a pin 145 engaging a notch 146, and move together as a unit in the first release movement of the combined plates. A camslot 176 in the plate 152 engages an arm 174 on a shaft 172 to release an arm 171, Fig. 3, normally locking the wheel 66 of the driving-mechanism of the machine. The ratchet-plate and associated parts are restored one step at a time by the driving-mechanism through the action of a cam-plate 222, Fig. 11, on the shaft 62, Fig. 3. An arm 245 carrying a pawl arm 249 and pin 252, Fig. 8, is rocked about the shaft 126 by a cam-groove 248, while the arm 249 is oscillated by a cam-groove 251 to move the pawl in and out of the ratchet teeth, the latching-arm 144 being first lifted by a. cam-groove 261 in the rear face of the cam-disc 222 to allow the nose 151 to engage the ratchet teeth. The latching-arm is returned to the coupling position by the continued rotation of the cam. Should a price key be held depressed, the latching arm strikes a shoulder 270 on the arm 147 and prevents complete operation. The arm 147 is normally restored by a spring 148, but a positive movement is ensured by a pin 269 on the cam 222 engaging a sloping face 268 of the arm 147. The rocking movement of the shaft 172 lifts a link 214, Figs. 3 and 11, into the path of a pin 223 on the cam-disc 222, and the sleeve 1194 is rocked to release the number key latching-plate 195, Fig. 6, and restore the keys to the raised position.