Improvements in and relating to Cash Registers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894-Accept:d, 9th Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cash Registers.
We, CHARLES JULIUS RYBERG, Inventor, and LESTER LEGRAND BOND,
ALBERT HAMILTON ADAMS, CHARLES ERNEST PICKARD and JOHN LUTHER
JACKSON, Attorneys at Law, all of Monadnock Buildings, S.W. Corner of
Dearborn and Jackson Streets, Chicago, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
Figure 1 is a front view of the operating mechanism of a cash register having an
adding machine attached, some of the parts being shown in section;
Figure 2 is a top or plan view of a cash register having an adding machine
attached, part being in section ;
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section on line 3-3 of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is a detail view of the locking mechanism.
Cash registers as heretofore constructed have consisted of sale registering
mechanism operated by a series of keys, each key representing a different amount,
the arrangement being such that to register a sale, the key bearing the number
corresponding to the amount of the sale would be operated, and registering
In certain machines
mechanism operated thereby to register the proper amount.
of this class, in addition to the sale registering mechanism there has been provided
a total registering mechanism to register the total sales, and in such machines, as
well as in all other cash registers, after each actuation of the register keys the sale
mechanism is returned to its original position, cancelling the prior registration, the
total register, however, remaining unaffected by such return movement. Such
machines are very convenient for the purpose of keeping an accurate registration
of all cash sales made; and if all money taken in for cash sales is deposited in the
cash drawer the total registration of the machine will correspond with the total
cash in the drawer; but it frequently happens that it is necessary to take money
from the cash drawer, and then the amount indicated by the total register does not
correctly represent the cash on hand. Furthermore, it is desirable that means
should be provided for registering credit sales and cash paid out; that is, cash
taken from the money drawer. The combination in one machine of the above
mentioned item registers necessitates such a construction as will provide for both
the positive and negative actuation of the cash-on-hand register, inasmuch as when
money is paid out it is necessary to subtract the amount paid out from the
indication of the cash-on-hand register. So far as we are aware, no register
heretofore constructed has contained mechanism which will accomplish the above
mentioned registrations, and to provide such a machine is the principal object of
this invention. Another object is to provide a cash register with a number of item
registers and with means whereby the different item registers may be readily
thrown into or out of operative connection at the pleasure of the operator.
Another object is to provide such a machine as will be compact in form and simple
in construction and operation, and which may be readily attached to an ordinary
cash register. These objects are accomplished as hereinafter specified and as
illustrated in the drawings. That which is regarded as new will be set forth in the
claims.
In the accompanying drawings the improved machine is shown as attached to a
cash register of the class shown and described in Letters Patent of the United

page_text: States No. 393,089, November 20, 1888; the registering in this machine being
accomplished by means of a graduated lever operating upon a ratchet wheel, which
lever is operated by a series of keys engaging the lever at different points so that
each key has a different leverage upon the operating lever, and consequently no
two keys will move the operating lever the same distance, since all the keys have
the same motion. This improved machine may, however, be applied to cash
registers and adding machines of other makes by slightly modifying it.
Referring to the drawings,
5 indicates a cash register, of which 6-6 are the operating keys, arranged in two
banks, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The keys 6 are mounted upon a rock shaft 7
journaled in the frame 8 of the register, as shown in Figure 4, and are provided at
their outer ends with finger pieces 9. The rear ends of the keys 6 extend to the
back of the frame 8 and under the lever 10, as shown in Figure 1. The lever 10
is pivoted at one end upon a stud 11 supported by the standard 12, as shown in
Figures 1 and 3. The stud 11 also carries a ratchet wheel 13, the teeth of which
are adapted to be engaged by a pallet 14 pivotally connected to the lever 10 by a
pin 15, as best shown in Figure 1. The pallet 14 is held in engagement with the
teeth of the ratchet wheel 13 by a suitable spring. By this construction, when one
of the keys 6 is depressed the inuer portion thereof will engage the under side of
the lever 10, and raise it a greater or less distance, depending upon the point at
which the key strikes said lever. This will partially rotate the ratchet wheel 13.
The lever and ratchet 13 are of course adjusted so that the actuation of any key will
rotate the ratchet 13 through the proper arc.
16 indicates a gear wheel, which is mounted upon the stud 11 beside the ratchet
wheel 13, to which it is secured. 17 indicates a shaft pivotally mounted transversely
of the frame 8 of the machine, which shaft is movable longitudinally in its bearings.
18 indicates an elongated pinion which is mounted upon the shaft 17, and is adapted
to mesh constantly with the gear 16. 19 indicates a spring mounted upon the
shaft 17, one end of said spring bearing against a portion of the frame 8, the other
end of the spring bearing against a collar 20 mounted upon the shaft 17. The
tension of the spring 19 is such as to normally hold the shaft 17 in its retracted
position, as shown in Figure 3. 21 indicates a rock shaft mounted in suitable
bearings at the back of the frame 8 of the register, as shown in Figure 3.
22 indicates an arm which is secured upon said shaft 21, and is connected to the
rear end of the shaft 17, as shown in Figure 3. The arrangement is such that by
rceking the shaft 21 the shaft 17, through the arm 22, will be moved longitudinally
in its bearings. 23 indicates an arm which is also secured at one end to the
shaft 21, preferably at the opposite end. of. said shaft from the arm 22. The
arm 23 depends from the shaft, and is provided with an inclined lower edge 24, as
shown in Figure 3. 25 indicates a second arm, which is in general similar to the
arm 23, and is similarly mounted upon the shaft 21. The arm 25 is provided with
an inclined lower edge 26, which edge is of a different inclination to that of the
edge 24 of the arm 23.
27 indicates a key for registering amounts paid out, which key is similar to the
keys 6, and is similarly mounted, except that it is located at the end of the register
and does not engage the lever 10 when operated. The inner end of the key 27 is
adapted to engage the inclined edge 26 of the arm 25, the arrangement being such
that by depressing the key 27 the arm 25 will be thrown outward, rocking the
shaft 21 and shifting the shaft 17 in its bearings, as above described.
28 indicates a key for registering credit sales, which key is similar to the key 27,
and is similarly mounted except that it is adapted to engage the inclined edge 24
of the arm 23, the arrangement being such that by operating the key 28 the
arm 23 will be thrown backward and the shaft 21 will be rocked a less amount,
and the shaft 17 moved in its bearings a less distance than when the key 27 is
operated.
29-30-31-32 indicate a number of pinions which are mounted upon the shaft 17
at different points, as shown in Figure 3.

page_text: 33-34-35-36 indicate a number of gears or register wheels, which are mounted
at different points upon a shaft 37, which is journaled in suitable bearings in the
frame of the machine, in a position parallel to the shaft 17. Each of the
gears 33-34-35-36 carries a flange 38, the surface of which is marked off to
indicate different amounts, from five cents to five dollars. As illustrated, the
register wheel 33 registers cash sales, the wheel 34 credit sales, the wheel 35,
amount paid out, and wheel 36, cash on hand. The position of the different
wheels may be varied, however, by correspondingly changing the operating
nechanism.
39 indicates a shaft, which is mounted in the upper portion of the frame 8 of the
register and is parallel to the shaft 17. The shaft 39 is longitudinally movable in
its bearings, and is normally held in its forward position by a spring 40, as shown
in Figure 3. 41 indicates a pinion which is mounted upon the shaft 39.
42 indicates a shaft which is parallel to the shaft 39, and is suitably journaled in
the frame of the register near the shaft 39. The shaft 42 carries a pinion 43,
which meshes with the register wheel 35, as shown in Figure 3. The pinion 41 is
adapted to be moved into mesh with the pinion 43 by the longitudinal movement of
the shaft 39, and its length is such that when so moved it will also be in engagement
with the register wheel 36. The pinion 41, as shown, is in mesh with the register
wheel 36 when the shaft 39 is in its normal position, but it is then merely an idler.
44 indicates a rocking lever, which is pivoted upon a support 45 and extends from
the forward end of the shaft 17 to the forward end of the shaft 39, the arrangement
being such that when the shaft 17 is moved forward the lever 44 will be rocked,
thereby moving the shaft 39 back, and bringing the pinion 41 into mesh with the
pinion 43.
The pinion 29 upon the shaft 17 is normally in engagement with the cash sale
register wheel 33; and the pinion 32 is normally in engagement with the cash on
hand register wheel 36, as shown in Figure 3, the pinions 30-31 being then idle.
When the credit sale key 28 is operated the shaft 17 will be moved its shorter
distance, as herein before described, and the pinion 30 is so placed that when the
shaft 17 is so moved said pinion will move into mesh with the register wheel 34.
Such movement of the shaft 17 will at the same time move the pinions 29 and 32
out of engagement with their respective register wheels, and the pinion 31 will
remain idle. The lever 44 will be slightly rocked by the movement of the shaft 17,
but it will not be moved sufficiently to move the pinion 41 into mesh with the
pinion 43. The mechanism will now be in such position that when any one of the
register keys 6 is operated the credit sale register wheel will be rotated the proper
amount, but none of the other register wheels will be actuated. When the paid out
key 27 is operated the shaft 17 will be moved its greater distance, moving the
pinion 31 into mesh with the register wheel 35, the pinion 30 moving beyond the
register wheel 34, and the pinions 29 and 32 moving out of mesh with their
respective register wheels. At the same time the rocking lever 44 will be actuated
sufficiently to move the pinion 41 into mesh with the pinion 43. Now by operating
any of the register keys 6 the paid out register wheel will be rotated the proper
distance to indicate the amount paid out, and the cash on hand register wheel will
be rotated the same distance in the reverse direction, thereby subtracting from the
amount previously indicated the amount paid out. The cash on hand register will
therefore at all times indicate the actual cash on hand. The cash sale and credit
sale register wheels will of course not be operated, as the pinions which operate
them will be idle. As soon as the paid out key is released the spring 19 will
retract the shaft 17, returning the mechanism to its normal position.
In order to lock the shaft 17 against accidental backward movement when either
of the special keys 27-28 is operated, I provide one of the arms 23 or 25 with a
laterally projecting pin 46, which pin is adapted to be engaged in notches 47-48
formed in a pawl 49 pivoted to the frame of the machine. The arrangement is such
that by the actuation of the credit key 28 the pin 46 will fit into the notch 48, and
when the arms 23-25 are actuated by the paid out key 27 the pin 46 will enter the

page_text: notch 47, and thereby the arms 23-25 will be held back, and backward movement
of the shaft 17 be thereby prevented. To release the arms 23-25 a rocking lever 50
is provided, which lever is pivotally mounted, by a pin 51, upon the frame of the
register, in such position that one of its arms is adapted to strike the under side of
the pawl 49, thereby lifting it sufficiently to permit the arms 23-25 to swing to
their normal position. The lever 50 is operated by a universal lever 52, which is
mounted upon the shaft 7, and extends over all the register keys in such position
that when any one of the keys is operated the free edge of the lever 52 will be
lifted. 53 indicates a pawl pivoted centrally by a pin 54 to one side of the lever 52,
in such position that the rear end of said pawl will be adapted to project slightly
over the forward end of the lever 50. The forward end of said pawl is adapted to
rest upon a pin 55 carried by the lever 52. The arrangement is such that when
the lever 52 is raised, the rear end of the pawl 53 will move above the forward
end of the lever 50. When the lever 52 is moved downward again, the rear end of
the pawl 53 will press down upon the forward end of the lever 50, thereby rocking
said lever and causing it to strike the pawl 49 and release the arms 23-25.
A spring or other suitable device is provided for returning the lever 52 to its
normal position upon the register keys. The construction above described is one
of a number of constructions which may be used for the purpose stated, and
this invention is not to be limited to the use of a locking device of the particular
construction shown.
In Figure 1 is shown one method of transferring the amounts from the register
wheels 33-34-35-36 to other wheels, so that the mechanism will not have to be
frequently re-set. In the construction shown, what may be called a total registering
wheel 56 is provided, which is mounted upon a shaft 57 parallel to the shaft 37.
58 indicates a rocking lever, which is also mounted upon the shaft 57. The lever 58
carries a pallet 59 adapted to engage the teeth of the register wheel 56, in
engagement with which it is held by a spring 60, as shown in Figure 1.
61 indicates a spring, the lower end of which is connected to one end of the
lever 58, its other end being connected to a suitable support. The spring 61 acts
to exert an upward pressure upon the lever 58, holding it. substantially in the
position shown in Figure 1. A suitable stop is provided to limit the upward
motion of the lever 58. The end of the lever 58 opposite to that which carries
the pallet 59 projects slightly beyond the periphery of the register wheel, from
which the wheel 56 is to receive the total amounts, and, for convenience, the wheel
shown in Figure 1 as actuating the wheel 56 will be considered to be the cash sale
wheel 33. The lever 58 is actuated by means of a pin 62 carried by the wheel 33.
The arrangement is such that at each complete rotation of the wheel 33 the pin 62
will engage the lever 58 and rock it, moving the pallet 59 back the space of one
tooth, the pin 62 then passing beyond the end of the lever 58. As soon as the
lever 58 is released the spring 61 will rock the lever 58 in the opposite direction,
thereby rotating the wheel 56 the space of one tooth. To prevent accidental
reverse rotation of the wheel 33 a pawl 63 is provided, which engages the teeth
of the wheel 33, and permits it to rotate only in a forward direction. The
pawl 63 is held in engagement with the wheel 33 by a spring 64, as shown in
Figure 1.
The mechanism shown for transferring the totals from the registering wheels
is intended for use only with the cash sale, credit sale, and paid out registering
wheels, it not being adapted for use with the cash on hand mechanism, for the
reason that no mechanism is shown for reversing the total wheel, as would be
necessary when the cash on hand wheel was reversed for subtractions, as ahove
described.
In the machine herein described and illustrated mechanism is shown for registering
four different items; but this invention is not limited to the use of all the
above mentioned item registers together, since certain features of it may be
incorporated in a register having only cash on hand and cash sale item registers,
or cash or hand and cash paid out item registers, or various other combinations

page_text: of the different item registers may be incorporated in a single machine. The
item registers which are incorporated in the machine herein described are those
which seem most likely to be of value, and the inachine described is the best form
in which all of said item registers could be incorporated in one machine.
Having now particularly described the nature of our said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The combination with three or more registering devices, of a single series of
keys adapted to operate said registering devices, and means for simultaneously
throwing two of said registering devices into or out of operative connection,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with devices adapted to register three or more items,
and an operating device common to said registering devices, of means for simul-
taneously throwing two of said registering devices into or out of operative engage-
ment and at the same time throwing another of said registering devices out of or
into operative engagement, substantially as described.
3. The combination with devices adapted to register three or more items, and
an operating device common to said registering devices, of means for simul-
taneously throwing two of said registering devices into or out of operative
engagement and at the same time throwing another of said registering devices out
of or into operative engagement, a single series of keys for operating the different
registering devices, and one or more keys for effecting the different engagements
of said registering devices, substantially as described.
4. The combination with three or more registering wheels adapted to be
rotated in the same direction, of actuating mechanism common to the different
register wheels, and means for simultaneously operatively connecting two of said
wheels with said actuating mechanism, while disconnecting another of said wheels,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with three or more registering devices, of actuating
mechanism common to the different registering devices, and means for simul-
taneously operatively connecting two of said registering devices with the actuating
mechanism, while disconnecting another of said registering devices, substantially
as described.
6. The combination with three or more registering devices, of mechanism for
operating said registering devices, said operating mechanism being normally in
operative engagement with two of said registering devices, and means for throwing
the different registering devices into operative engagement at will, substantially as
described.
7. The combination with two or more register wheels adapted to register different
items, a shaft, a series of pinions mounted thereupon and arranged to be moved
into operative engagement with the different register wheels by the shifting of said
shaft, means for shifting said shaft, a series of operating keys arranged to operate
the different register wheels by means of said pinions, and mechanism for operating
the shaft from the keys, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a plurality of registering wheels, and register keys, of
means for rotating said wheels positively for purposes of addition, and means for
reversing the rotation of one of said wheels for purposes of subtraction and simul-
taneously positively rotating certain other of said wheels by actuating said keys,
substantially as described.
9. The combination with a plurality of registering wheels adapted to rotate
forwards, register keys, and mechanism for rotating said wheels forwards, of means
whereby an equal reverse rotation of one of said wheels simultaneously with the
forward rotation of certain other of said wheels may be effected by operating said
keys, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a plurality of registering devices, and mechanism for
5 operating said registering devices positively for purposes of addition, means for
causing a reverse operation of certain of said registering devices simultaneously

page_text: with the positive operation of certain other of said registering devices, and a single
series of keys for operating said registering devices, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a plurality of registering devices adapted to be actuated
in the same direction, of register-actuating mechanism common to the different
registering devices for actuating them in the same direction, and means for imparting
a reverse actuation to one of said registering devices simultaneously with and equal
to the forward actuation of certain other of said registering devices, substantially
as described.
12. The combination with a plurality of register wheels adapted to register
different items, of operating keys, an operating train movable into engagement with
the different register wheels, so that the different register wheels may be operated
by a single series of operating keys, means for shifting said train, and means for
reversing the rotation of certain of said wheels, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
13. In a cash register, the combination with cash-sale, cash-paid-out and cash-
on-hand registering devices, of means for throwing said cash-sale and cash-on-hand
registering devices into operative engagement simultaneously whereby they may
be operated at the same time, means for throwing said cash-sale registering device out
of operative engagement and for throwing said cash-paid-out registering device
into operative engagement, and means for reversely operating said cash-on-hand
registering device simultaneously with the positive operation of said cash-paid-out
registering device, substantially as described.
14. In a cash-register, the combination with cash-sale, cash-on-hand, cash-paid-
out and credit-sale registering devices, of a single series of operating keys for
operating the different registering devices, means for positively operating the cash-
sale and cash-on-hand registering devices simultaneously, means for positively
operating the cash-paid-out registering device and simultaneously reversely operating
the cash-on-hand registering device, and means for throwing out of operative
position the cash-sale, cash-on-hand and cash-paid-out registering devices and for
simultaneously throwing the credit-sale registering device into operative position,
substantially as described.
15. The combination with a series of register wheels, of a shaft, a series of
pinions mounted upon said shaft and movable into engagement with the different
register wheels by the longitudinal movement of said shaft, means for shifting said
shaft longitudinally whereby said pinions may be moved into engagement with the
respective wheels at the will of the operator, and means for effecting the reverse
rotation of one of said register wheels simultaneously with the forward rotation
of certain other of said wheels, substantially as described.
16. A cash register having cash-on-hand and cash-paid-out registering devices,
register keys, and means for operating said registering devices relatively to each
other by operating said keys so that the sum of the readings of said registering
devices will indicate the total cash received, substantially as described.
17. A register having a cash-sale and cash-on-hand registering devices, and
means for operating said devices relatively to each other so that the difference
between the readings of said register devices will indicate the total cash paid out,
substantially as described.
18. A cash register having devices for registering cash-on-hand, cash-sales and
cash-paid-out, and having a single series of register keys for operating the different
item-registering devices, and means whereby the said registering devices are
operated so that their indications bear the proper relation to each other,
substantially as described.
19. A cash-register having a single series of register keys, and devices for
registering cash-on-hand and cash-paid-out, such registering devices being operated
by the same series of register keys, a controlling key for controlling the
registration of the register, and means whereby the said registering devices are
operated, so that their indications bear the proper relation to each other,
substantially as described.

page_text: 20. The combination with two or more independent registering devices, register-
keys, and mechanism whereby by operating said keys said registering devices may
be operated positively for purposes of addition, of means for causing a reverse
operation of certain of said registering devices simultaneously with the positive
operation of certain other of said registering devices, substantially as described.
21. A cash register having devices for registering cash-on-hand, cash-sales
and cash-paid-out, and means for operating said registering devices relatively
to each other so that the sum of the readings of the cash-on-hand and cash-paid-
out registering devices will equal the cash-sale registering device, substantially as
described.
22. In a register, the combination with a series of register wheels, of longi-
tudinally movable shafts, as 17, and 39, pinions carried by said shafts adapted to be
moved to place certain of said register wheels in operative engagement by the
longitudinal movement of said shafts, means for moving one of said shafts longi-
tudinally, and means for simultaneously moving the other of said shafts in a reverse
direction, substantially as described.
23. In a register, the combination with a series of register wheels, of two
shafts 17 and 39, pinions carried by said shafts adapted to be moved to place
certain of said register wheels in operative engagement by the longitudinal move-
ment of said shafts, and a lever 44 extending opposite the ends of said shafts 17
and 39, whereby when one of said shafts is moved longitudinally the other of said
shafts will be moved in an opposite direction, substantially as described.
24. The combination with two or more register wheels, and an adjustable
shaft 17, of pinions mounted upon said shaft, said pinions being adapted to be
moved into mesh with the different register wheels by different adjustments of said
shaft, register keys, aneans for rotating said shaft by operating said register keys,
and means for shifting said shaft to throw the different wheels into operative
engagement, substantially as described.
25. The combination with a plurality of registering mechanisms, actuating
devices therefor, and means for positively actuating said registering mechanisms
by operating said actuating devices, of means whereby, by operating said actuating
devices, one of said registering mechanisms may be positively actuated simul-
taneously with the reverse actuation of another of said registering mechanisms,
substantially as described.
26. The combination with two registering devices adapted to be actuated in the
same direction, of a series of register-keys common to the different registering
devices, so that by actuating said keys said registering devices may be actuated in
the same direction simultaneously, and means whereby by operating said register-
keys one of said registering devices may be reversely actuated, substantially as
described.
27. In a cash register, the combination with a cash sale registering device, and
a cash on hand registering device, of mechanism for operating said registering
devices simultaneously, means for throwing said cash sale registering device out of
operation, and means for reversing the rotation of said cash on hand registering
device, substantially as described.
28. In a cash register, the combination with a cash sale registering device, and
a cash on hand registering device, of a series of operating keys adapted normally
to operate said cash sale and cash on hand registering devices simultaneously,
reversing mechanism whereby said cash on hand registering device may be
reversely operated for purposes of subtraction, and means for throwing said cash
sale registering device out of operative engagement, substantially as described.
29. In a cash register, the combination with cash sale, cash paid out, and cash on
hand registering devices, said registering devices being adapted to be operated by
the same register keys, of keys for operating said registering devices, means for
throwing said cash sale and cash on hand registering devices into operative
engagement simultaneously whereby they may be operated together, means for
throwing said cash sale registering device out of operative engagement and for

page_text: simultaneously throwing said cash paid out registering device into operative
engagement, and means for throwing said cash on hand registering device into
position to be operated in a reverse manner simultaneously with the throwing
of the cash paid out registering device into operative position, substantially as
described.
30. In a cash register, the combination with cash sale, cash paid out, and cash
on hand registering wheels, a shaft 17, pinions 29, 31 and 32 mounted upon said
shaft, said pinion 31 being movable into engagement with the cash paid out
wheel 35, said pinions 29 and 32 being in normal engagement with the wheels 33
and 36 respectively, a pinion 43 in engagement with the wheel 35, and pinion 41 in
engagement with the wheel 36 and movable into engagement with the pinion 43, of
operating keys, means for rotating the shaft 17 by operating said keys, means for
shifting the shaft 17 to move the pinion 31 into engagement with the wheel 35,
and means for simultaneously moving the pinion 41 into engagement with the
pinion 43, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of December 1894.
CHARLES JULIUS RYBERG.
LESTER LEGRAND BOND.
ALBERT HAMILTON ADAMS.
CHARLES ERNEST PICKARD.
JOHN LUTHER JACKSON.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.