Patent GB-232250-A (GB)
Abstract: 232,250. Shipley, B. M. March 29, 1923, [Convention date]. Cash registers with item-printing mechanism; voucher-issuing. - In a machine capable of dealing separately with single-item and multiple-item transactions and recording them upon a record-strip, a voucher and an inserted slip, the various platens are sub-divided and are controlled automatically in accordance with the particular release key used. Thus in multiple-item transactions when a voucher is to be issued the record-strip is printed with the total only but when the voucher-issue is prevented the separate items as well as the total are. printed on the strip. The voucher and slip receive impressions of the amounts only in the case of the multiple-items whereas single-item transactions and the multiple-item totals are printed in extenso. The invention is described .as embodied in a machine provided with the keyboard of Specification 228,184 and with the voucher-feed mechanism of Specification 213,600. Record-strip, mounting and feeding. This strip 541 (Fig. 12) passes in the usual way from a supply roll 542 to a winding-on roll 559 by way of a platen 552 and autograph table and is shifted automatically to present the printed line for inspection and annotation. Record-strip, platen impression. The platen is in three sections, the outermost of which impresses the date on the voucher, the middle one the consecutive number and other item characteristics on voucher and strip, and the innermost section the amounts also on both. The date is not printed on the strip as this does not extend beneath the date platen section. The charaderistic.s platen section is slidably mounted in the platen frame and is controlled as regards effectiveness by a bar 644 (Fig. 15) slidably mounted and capable of movement to the right, to lower the platen section into active position, by means of a cam slot and connections 648, 649, 650 with lever 564 rocked to feed the strip. Thus the middle platen section is always effective for printing the characteristics against the items on the record strip whenever the strip-feed is operative. The platen operation is effected in the known way by Geneva mechanism operated by a long pin on a disc slidably carried by the main printer shaft 371. Voucher printing. The voucher strip, mounted and guided as usual, is printed by a second impression of the platen 552 effected by a short pin on the disc above referred to. The middle platen section is normally ineffective as stated above, so that the characteristics are not printed against the multiple items. When, however, the singleitem key is used, namely for single-item or totalprinting transactions, the record-strip feed mechanism is released by a mutilated rod 804. This rod is connected with the short-feed mechanism of the voucher-strip and is shifted at such times therefore to bring a cut away portion into cooperation with a hook 802 formed on the recordstrip feed lever 567. The date section of the platen is also normally inactive and is rendered operative by connection with the voucher-strip severing mechanism. Fig. 20 shows this connection, a slidable bar 833 being shifted to right or left by a lever 830 connected with the knife and controlling the platen section 637 through a lever 834. Voucher " on " and " off " control. The usual knob for this purpose, when turned to " off," slides the issue-control shaft 568 to render the voucher feed completely inoperative, the connection between the knob and this shaft consisting of a pin and cam slot actuated by the sleeve with which the knob is connected. The knob must be in one or other of its effective positions, as otherwise a segmental plate geared with the knob obstructs a sliding bolt connected with the release shaft. Adjustment of the knob cannot take place at any time during the. registration of a multiple-item transaction for when the issuecontrol shaft 568 is slid to short-feed position a segment secured to the sleeve above-mentioned comes below a fixed plate and maintains the knob against movement until after the total has been taken and the shaft 568 restored to long-feed position. Fixed matter, impressing on voucher. An electroplate 676 (Fig. 12) prints fixed matter upon the voucher by the action of a plate 672 carried by a frame 675 (Fig. 15) pivoted at 551. The platen is operated by a cam attached to gear 814 through pitman 811, arm 810, and pin and slot 816, the gear being driven from the long feed mechanism through the loose spur-wheel 703 on one of the voucher feed rollers. Voucher ejection. After severance the voucher is ejected by knurled rollers 840, 849 (Fig. 12), driven by ratchet gear, the pawl 871 (Fig. 15) of which is pivotally mounted on a pitman 859 reciprocated by link 865 and a cam groove in disc 570. To prevent the action of the ratchet mechanism except when the severing mechanism is operated, a shaped arm 894 normally occupies the position shown so as to cause disablement of the pawl 871 during its retraction. When the knife is operated, however, the arm is rocked clockwise and the pawl becomes effective to actuate the ejecting mechanism. Printing on bills or like inserted material.-A slip may be printed in the same manner as the. voucher, and for this purpose the machine is equipped with arrangements for holding and linespacing the slip, for operating the platen, and for preventing impression when there is no slip present. The platen is in two portions for printing the amounts and their characteristics respectively. The latter portion is effective only when single item transactions or totals are printed, and for this purpose an arm is removed from its normal position, blocking the descent of the platen portion, by connection through pitman 950 (Fig. 15) with the lever 567 controlled by the mutilated rod 804 and referred to above. The slip is held and fed by knurled rollers, the lower ones of which are supported by an arm fast on a shaft 491 and tending to rise under spring action to carry the rollers into contact with the upper roller. This is normally prevented, however, by a plate 926 controlled in position by the differential mechanism for the release keybank. When the multiple-item key is used the plate rocks to present a notch 927 to a roller 925 on a pitman connected with shaft 491 so that this shaft may turn to bring the knurled rollers into action.