Patent GB-144361-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in cash registers
IPC: G06C7/10
Filed: 1919-03-05
Abstract: 144,361. Haddan, A. J. H., (National Cash Register Co.). March 5, 1919. Cash registers with operating means; differentially-moved indicators; differential mechanism; keyboard interlocks; machines with several itemvalue totalizers.-In a single-bank, key-set handle-operated machine having a denominationselecting mechanism, a differential element common to all the keys is adjusted on depressing any key and m turn actuates the denomination - selecting mechanism which comprises itemwheels differentially and axially movable. On operating the handle, the itemwheels are re-set and the consequent differential movements communicated to stops which predetermine the subsequent movement of corresponding pairs of a series of complementarily movable pairs of members which actuate the totalizer. The movements of these pairs of members are derived from the main operating- mechanism, are in the same direction and combine to a constant value. A double movement may be given to actuate two totalizers, one of which is detachable. The item-wheels are also combined with operator's item indicators and a screen which exposes only the indicators that have been set up, and which is returned to normal position on re-setting the item-wheels. The digit keys are operated in the order in which the amount is usually read. On operating a digit key 61, Fig. 1, its shaped surface 64 carries with it a transverse rod 65 and rocks a shaft 67 and a segment 68, through an arc inversely proportional to the digit. A rocking bar 73 on a shaft 71 is also engaged by the slot 75 of the key 61 and engages the surface 79 of the remaining keys locking the latter against movement. The bar 73 is sufficiently weighted to return the keys. The movement of the segment 68 is transmitted through a pinion 81, Fig. 3, to a setting-wheel 85 of the denomination-selecting mechanism, both parts 81, 85 being mounted on a rocking arm 83. The wheel 85 is directly mounted on a hub 86, Fig. 8, of a shaft 87 which is longitudinally movable through this hub and through the supporting- arms 88. Three item-wheels 91, 92, 93, on the shaft 87 are set in turn by a pin 94 on the setting-wheel 85. The pin passes through a hole in a block 95 on the wheel 91 and engages notches 96, Fig. 3, in the peripheries of the other wheels 92, 93. Near the end of the down stroke of the key 61, the item-wheels are shifted to the right. disengaging the item-wheels in turn from the pin 94, but after the third shift leaving the pin 94 still in engagement with the block 95. Three operator's item indicators 101, 102, 103, are mounted on concentric sleeves with the respective item-wheels. The lateral shift of the item-wheels and indicators is effected by a bell-crank 115, Fig. 1, on the shaft 71 and a plate 111, Fig. 5, having bevel teeth 113, 114. On the downward movement of the key 61, the shaped end 116 of the bell-crank 115 engages one of the teeth 114 giving half the movement which is completed on the return movement of the key 61 and bell-crank by the bevelled edge 121 of a pawl 117. This pawl is normally held in inoperative position by a spring 122, and is oscillated by the interaction of the bell-crank 115 and the pin 123 on the pawl. To re-set the item-wheels and position stops that control the totaliser-actuating means, the driving- shaft 55 is rotated by turning the handle of the machine. A connecting-rod 147, Fig. 3, is actuated by pin 148 working in a cam groove 149 on the shaft 55 and rocks the bracket 83 and shaft 84 to bring the item-setting wheels into gear with the toothed segments 146, and thereby move stop arms 155 into positions corresponding to the return movement of the respective wheels. To meet the case in which there, are only one or two digits in the item, and in consequence only one or two shifts of the item-wheels, the segments 146 are normally held against rotation by a blade 169, Figs. 3, 5 and 8, mounted on the shaft 87 and stepped with the item-wheels. The indicators and item-wheels are returned to zero by a pin 125, Fig. 1, which engages elongated slots 126 in the indicators, and is carried by an arm 124 loosely mounted on the shaft 87. The arm 124 carries a toothed wheel 128 which is turned by a sector 129 and a pin 133 on an arm 134, Figs. 1 and 5, actuated from a cam groove on the shaft 55 and a connecting rod 137. The indicators are normally hidden from view by a slotted plate 191, Figs. 1 and 5, fastened to a support 193 which is given a double shift on each actuation of a digit key. This is effected by a stationary rack 197 fixed on the rocking shaft 84, a toothed segmem. 195, 196 pivoting on a collar 199 on the sleeve 106 connecting the item-wheels and item indicators, and the rack 194 on the slotted plate support 193. The indicators are locked after having been set, by a plate 215, Figs. 8 and 9, on an arm 218 pivoted on the support 193 and stepped with it. The arm 218 has a slotted portion engaging the shaft 71, and the locking plate 215 is disengaged when the shaft 84 and bracket 83 are rocked to bring the segments 146 into engagement with the item-wheels. After the arms 155 have been positioned, the bracket 83 and the itemwheels and indicators are returned by the connecting-rod 147, Fig. 3, and the cam groove 149. The segments 146 and arms 155 are returned bv a pin 157 operated by a bell-crank 158, a crank 159, and another cam disk on the shaft 55. The spring-controlled pawl 117, Figs. 1 and 5, is disengaged from the rack 113 by a pin 182, ou a, spring-controlled lever 183 having a shaped end loo which is depressed by a stud lob of a disk 187 on the shaft 55 for a sufficient time to allow a full return of the plate 111. To prevent the operation of the driving shaft 55 and mechanism until any operated Key 61 has been returned, one end of a spring-controlled bell-crank lever 223, Fig. 1, is held in engagement with the disk 187 by the bar 73 which rides over the curved arm 224 of the bell crank. The totaliser-actuating mechanism comprises pairs of complementary members 231, 232, Fig. 3, for each digit. The combined movement of the members is constant, the individual movement being controlled by the setting of the levers 155. The members have oppositely sloping steps 255, 256 which engage pins 253 on the levers 155 and are slidably mounted by slots 229, 230 on shafts 233, 241, and are moved by pinions 243 on the shaft 234. The shaft 234 is carried by movable side piates 236, Fig. 14, which slide on the shafts 241, 55 and are reciprocated by rollers 247<1> engaging cam disks 249 loosely mounted on the shaft 55. The cam disks are driven from the shalt 55 through intermediate gearing on a shaft 57, in such a way that the plates 236 are reciprocated twice during a single rotation of the shaft 55 corresponding to each transaction registered. In normal position, or if the zero-key digit has been operated, the arm 258 of the member 231 holds this member stationary, and the paired member 232 is moved by the gear 243 through ten steps. If, on the other hand, another, say the " nine," key is operated the segment 68 is given one step of movement and the arm 155 is positioned, to limit the movement of the member 232 to the first step, and allow the member 281 nine steps. The members are normally held against movement by a bevelled arm 435, Fig. 3, which engages notches 436 on the member 231 and is released by a cam rotating with the cam 249, Fig. 14. On the first return movement, the rack 269 of the member 231 operates the grand totaliser 284, and on the second return movement operates the detachable totalizer 355.