Improvements in Cash Indicating and Recording Apparatus or Check Tills.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 8th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Cash Indicating and Recording Apparatus or
Check Tills.
1, WILHELM Lowy, of the Firm of W. A. Stohr and Company, Erste Oester
Ungarische Kontrollkassen Fabrik, Saaz, Bohemia, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement..
The hereindescribed cash register belongs to that class in which the indication
and registration are effected by the turning of a crank; the sums paid in being
indicated by depressing keys, which are so marked or designated, that the
registering mechanism in the initial stage of registration is arrested by the
depressed key at a point where the amount which the depressed key indicates
agrees with that indicated to the purchaser's or payer's eye.
In the accompanving two sheets of illustrative drawings Fig. 1 is a side view
of a registering apparatus constructed according to this invention, one side being
removed and the journal bearing frame omitted.
Fig 2 is a front view with the front side removed.
show details of the registering mechanism.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
Figs 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 show the adding mechanism especially
In all the drawings and description like numbers indicate like parts.
1 shows the driving or actuating arbor or shaft, rotated by the crank 2 which
last may be held in any desired position and prevented from turning by the
click or pawl 3 housed on the side wall of the apparatus and acting on the
In the illustration Fig. 6 this is shown more clearly. The position
there shown is one which may he called the neutral or rest position
nose 4.
On the arbor 1 (see also Fig. 3) four toothed wheels 5 are loosely mounted
and also four chain-wheels or sprockets 7 and four ratchet-wheels 8. all of which
are mounted upon the same sleeve 6 as the other gear-wheels 5
Each toothed-wheel 5 with its corresponding sprocket-wheel 7 and ratchet-
wheel 8 forms a group or unit.
Between the members of each adjacent pair of the above mentioned groups
or units are dog-levers 9 which are fast upon the arbor 1.
On the side of each ratchet-wheel 8 is a pin 10. on which the levers or dogs 9
press when the arbor is sufficiently rotated so that they cany with them
the entire corresponding wheel group or unit.
The toothed-wheels 5 of the wheel groups or units gear with the larger spur-
wheels 11. The sprocket-wheels 7 gear with chains 12 which gear with other
sprocket-wheels 13. mounted loosely upon the arbor 14 each wheel 13 being
connected with an indicator wheel or drum 15.
The large spur-wheels 11 are loosely mounted upon an arbor 16 and each
carries an arm 17. on which is pivotted a ratchet or pawl 18 with suitable spring.
The pawls 18 press or bear upon the shanks 19 of the keys which are depressed
and which latter represent the sums paid in (Figs 1 and 8).
On the arbor 1 is mounted a spring harrel 20, in which the spiral spring 20¹
(Fig 3) 15
when. the crank 2 and arbor 1 are in the position shown the
figure wholly or partly wound up so that it tends to facilitate and even effinei,

page_text: the rotation of the crank 2 and its arbor, in the reverse direction shown by the
arrow (Fig 6).
Next the spring-case or barrel 20 is mounted a device which limits the rotation
of crank 2 and arbor 1.
A fixed disc 21 is provided with internal teeth in which engages a pawl 22
pivotted on an arm 23, mounted on the arbor 1.
Pawl 22 tends by the action of a tension spring 24 normally to be held in a
middle position with relation to arm 23. The teeth of the disc 21 hold the
pawl 22 in an indirect position, from which it is released to take up its normal
position only when it enters the two notches 25, 26.
The projection 27 between the two notches 25, 26 limits the rotation of the
crank owing to the arm 23 striking against it.
When the crank is turned in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6 the pawl 22
slides along the internal teeth of the disc 21 until the arm 23 strikes the projec-
tion 27, the pawl then assumes an upright position in the notch 26 so that the
crank can be rotated in the reverse direction, up to the point at which the arm 23
strikes against the other side of the projection 27 at which point the pawl 22
enters notch 25.
A change in the direction of rotation of the crank can only take place after
the pawl 22 has been slipped or moved.
Each time that a payment is made, a forwards and a backwards partial
rotation of the crank is necessary. When the crank is rotated forwards (the
arrow in Fig. 6 corresponds to that in Fig. 1 the apparatus being viewed from
opposite sides) the large toothed-wheels 11, carrying pawls 18 rotate so far
that the various pawls assume positions parallel to each other (as shown by
detted lines in Fig. 1) the dog arms 9 picking up from the previous set position
the pins 10 on the ratchet wheels 8 setting the four before mentioned wheel-
groups or wheel-units to zero position. Springs 28 in the indicator wheels or
drum 15. the inner ends of which springs are attached to the fixed axis 14 and
the other end to the inner side of the indicator-wheels or drums, are thereby put
in tension and give the effective movement to the indicator and register.
Before however the crank is reversed in rotation the dog arm 9 must bring
cach pawl 29 out of engagement with the various ratchet-wheels 8; and this is
effected by the levers 9 stuking against the pins 30 of the pawls 29 which causes
the said pawls to se clear of the teeth (Fig. 4), where they are held by the catch
levers 32, which are connected with tension springs 31 and each engaging under
the pins 33 of adjacent ratchet pawls.
Any one or all of the four wheel-groups or units as well as the large spur-
wheels can now be rotated in the other direction and this reverse rotation is
effeected by the flat spiral springs in the indicator-wheels or drums 15.
A sudden and noisy fall of the pawl 29 and violent striking against the
depressed keys is prevented by the pins on the ratchet-wheels riding back in
contact with the dog-lever.
The arrangement of the above described pawl and catch lever has for its
object, that in case a key is depressed which bears a higher value than is indicated
below, the pawl cannot be released from its catch until such value is registered.
When released the pawl will lie with its tooth in the ratchet-wheel and prevent
the latter from turning.
The return of the pawl from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that in Fig. 1 is
effected by the lever dog at the end of its return stroke pressing the catch levers
a little back, so that the pins 33 can retire therefrom, in which case the tension
springs 34 effect engagement of the pawls in the ratchet-wheels.
The transmission of the movement of the large spur-gear wheels 11 to the
front indicator wheels or drums 35 which show the purchaser the amount
registered. is effected by sprocket-wheels, and chains as hereinafter described.
On each of the arbors 36, 37 there are two toothed wheels 38, 39 which gear
with the spur-wheels 1).

page_text: With each toothed wheel 38, 39, is a sprocket-wheel 40, 41, mounted on the
arbors 36 and 37 in such manner that each toothed wheel rotates on the same
arbor bushing or sleeve with a sprocket wheel.
In this manner the figures on the left hand upper or rear indicator wheels
or drums 15 are duplicated on the right hand front or under indicator wheels or
drums 35 and vice versa.
On the arbor 42 sprocket wheels 43 are mounted which are geared through
chains with the sprocket wheels 40, 41 on the arbors 36, 37, each of the last
named sprocket wheels 40, 41 being connected with an indicator wheel or drum.
By providing large gear-wheels as the initial elements to produce a given
movement it is easily possible to arrange for indicating on several sides of the
apparatus, the amount paid in, by means of pinions gearing with the larger
spur-wheels.
On the arbor 44 there are four toothed wheels 45, each connected with a type
wheel 46 and proportional thereto so that they rotate these latter at a rate
proportional to their own angular movement as well as that of the indicator
wheels or drums.
The type wheels 46 imprint the amounts paid in, upon a paper strip 47, as soon
as the same is brought in contact with the type wheels.
The bringing of the paper up to the type wheels is effected by the arbor 1,
an arm 48 upon which presses upon a pin 49 of a lever 50 with which latter
through a strip or lever 51 the recessed plate 52 is connected.
This latter rotates on arbor 37 and by gripping a pin or stub 54 on the side
of a rotatable type-writing machine frame moves the paper strip which passes
over the upper connection piece 53, against the type wheel 46.
The traversing of the paper strip is effected by means of a hook 54 or in other
convenient manner.
The typewriting or printing mechanism comes into action only at the last
moment of the registering operation.
At the same time the box or drawer 55 which serves as a change drawer and
is pushed in against the action of a spring 56 (Figs. 1 and 7) and held in the
closed position by a catch 57, is released by raising the catch 57 by a lever 60
which operates through rods 58, 59 On being released the drawer is forced out
by the spring 56, the amount of forward motion of the drawer being limited
by the pins 61.
With the toothed wheels 11 are also geared gear-wheels 62, that transmit the
rotation of the wheels 11 proportionately to an adding mechanism which latter
adds the separate items so that in the evening or whenever it is desired to balance
accounts or to check the receipts all is ready.
The toothed-wheels 62 rotate loosely upon the arbor 63 and gear with other
toothed-wheels 65 upon arbor 64
The wheels 65 are fast with ratchet-wheels 67 within the register-wheels or
drums 66 (Figs 11 and 12) When the apparatus is operated in the direction of
the arrow P, (Figs. 10, 11) the wheels 67 rotate the register-wheels or drums
by pushing on the pawls 68.
In order to transfer a full period of ten units to the wheels registering tens,
or any other full ten to the register wheels of next higher order, there is employed
a special mechanism hereinafter described.
This consists first of pins or stops 69 on the periphery of the indicator-wheels
or drums 66. The pins 69 press at each rotation against lever arms 70 of crank
levers mounted loosely upon the arbor 71 and by means of the springs 72 held
constantly against the indicator-wheels or drums The other arms 73 of the
crank levers piess with their free ends upon a nose 74 of levers 75 which turn
easily and loosely upon the arbor 76.
The levers 75 are thereby held in place despite the tension of the spring 77,
which is fast on an arm 78 of a sliding pawl 79.
The arm 70 (Fig. 1) is acted upon by the pin 69 on the drum 66 to raise

page_text: arm 73 from the nose 74 of lever 75,, which 'latter is by spring 77 drawn towards
the indicator wheel or drum of next higher denomination.
In this manner the sliding pawl 79 is also moved, and thereby turns the
ratchet-wheel 80 and the indicator wheel or drum 66 of next higher denomination
one step or integer further.
In order to prevent the register wheel or drum being pushed forward more than
one step or number there are ratchet devices consisting of the nose or curved
projection 81 on the lever 75 and pawl 82, which is connected with the arm 78
by means of the spring 77:
In order to move the lever 75 again so far from the register-wheel or drum
that the free end of the lever arm 73 shall again engage the nose 74 of lever 75
so that the lever can by means of the sliding pawl 79 at the completion of a new
ten on the register-wheel of lower denomination again effect the transporting of á
completed ten from one wheel on the other the following arrangement 19
provided.
On the arbor 83 are mounted two discs 84, which are united by a rod or cross
pin 85. This rod is bent so far back toward the periphery of the disc, that when
the arbor 83 is rotated it presses the lever 75, if this latter is in the above
described position (shown by dotted lines in Fig 10) and brings it into the
position shown by full lines.
The lever reversing mechanism is operated from the wheel 86 on the crank
arbor of the register apparatus, by means of the chain 87 which gears with
the sprocket wheel SS loosety mounted on the arbor 83. The sprocket wheel SS
is connected with a disc 89 which latter carries a pawl 90, that engages in a
notch of the disc 91, fast upon the arbor 83.
This arbor S3 19 therefore always rotated in one dection of the sprocket
wheel SS and of the crank. On the arbor 83 19 fixed another dise 92 having a
notch in which a pawl 94 that is controlled by a spring 93 engages, for the
purpose of preventing the reverse rotation of the arbor 83 which might occur
during the sliding ratchet movement of the pawl 90 on the disc 91 and prevent
the rod 85 coming under the lever 75.
In order to bring the register-wheels or drums to a zero position, the lever
arm 73 must be withdrawn from the noses 74 of the levers 35. This is effected
by means of a reverser which consists of the lever 95 with handle and the wide
rod 96, which serves as a lever. Raising the lever 95 causes the rod 96 to strike
the lever arms 73 and the levers 75 are by means of the spring 77 brought into
the dotted position. With the finger or with the aid of a small hook or key each
lever 75 is movable backwards or forwards to bring the zero o cipher of the
register-wheel or drum in view. This being considered as the starting point
of the movement or chain or cycle of movements.
The manner of operating the cash registering apparatus is as follows:
At first keys corresponding to the amount of the purchase or payment are
depressed. The crank 2 is then turned the pawl 3 being pressed back somewhat
so that the crank is free to rotate in the direction of the arrow in Figs 1 and 6.
The rotation is limited by the projection 27. The crank attains the position
shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6. The arbor 1 rotated by the crank carries with it
the dogs 9 which strike the pins 10, and rotate the ratchet-wheels 8 and all the
wheel groups or wheel units 5, 7, 8 and also the large spur-wheels 11 until their
pawls 18 stand in a parallel zero position (shown dotted in Fig. 1). The levers 9
attain the position shown in Fig. 4 and by pressing on the pins 30 raise the
pawls 29 from engagement with the ratchet-wheels 8. The pawls are caught
by the catch levers 32 and held up. The indicator-wheels or drums 15 and 35
are turned to zero
During reverse rotation of the crank the gear-wheels 11 with the pawls 18 go
backwards, until the pawls strike against the shanks of the depressed keys.
This effects a proportional rotation of the indicator-wheel or drums 15 and 35,
so that the amount corresponding to the depressed keys is shown on the indicator-

page_text: wheels or drums 15 and 35 not only to the customer or other payer, but also
to the cashier or attendant.
Further, the adding mechanism is set in operation and its figure-wheels or
number-wheels 66 are rotated in the proper direction proportionately to the
rotation of the indicator-wheels
The crank 2 must in the reverse direction make nearly an entne rotation
until the arm 23 strikes the projection 27, thereby operating through the cam 48
the typewriting or printing mechanism; the paper strip is brought into contact
with the type-wheel or figures printing wheel 40 and at the same time the front
part of the catch 57 is raised so that the cash drawer 55 15 forced open by the
spring 56.
The lever dogs 9 strike against the catch levers on retaining levers 32 pressing
them back (Fig. 1) and the pawls fall back again into then ratchet-wheels 8
After the crank 2 has rotated back as far as the nose of the pawl 3 permits,
this reverse rotation being compulsory effected by the flat spiral sping in the
spring case 20, it is only necessary to push the cash drawer to, and the apparatus
is then ready to receive and correctly indicate, register print and add a new
amount.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what
I claim is:—
1. A cash register characterised by large spur gear-wheels 11 with pawls or
catches 18, groups of gear-wheels 5 chain-wheels 7 and ratchet-wheels 8 mounted
loosely upon the diving arbor 1; pins 10 provided on the sides of the gear-
wheel groups. and lever dogs 9 fast upon the arbor 1 and rotating the wheel
groups by stinking upon the pins 10 and also 1otating the toothed-wheels 11
canying the pawls 18, and of moving forward the pawls corresponding to the
keys 19 representing specified amounts.
2. An arrangement or device which ensures that the striking pawls shall be
set to zero before a registration can be effected, oi cue versa consisting of the
pawls 29 with tension spring 34 and pins 30 and 33, the catch lever 32 with
tension spring 31 oscillating between each pin of adjacent 1atchet-pawls 29
which are so actuated by the lever dogs 9, that by contact of the latter with the
pins 30 the ratchet-pawls 29 are raised up to a position where they are caught
by the noses of the catch levers 32 and in the reverse rotation. by icason of the
lever dogs stuking the catch levers 32, the ratchet-pawls 29 fall into the
depression or teeth of the ratchet wheels.
3. In combination with the cash registering or indicating device described
in Clam 1. an adding mechanism characterised by a crank lever one arm 70 of
which bears against a figure dium or number-wheel 66 while the other arm 73
bears on a nose 74: a lever 75 with a sliding pawl 79 which lever carries the
nose 74, a pawl and ratchet wheel 79, 80: a stop 69 on each number wheel 66
operating in each rotation of the wheel on the lever arm 70 for the purpose of
moving at each 1otation of the figure wheel 66, the lever arm 70 away from the
said figure wheel and the lever arm 73 from the nose 74 of the lever 75, so that
the connected lever 75 that has a tension spring 77 which latter is attached to a
second aim of the sliding pawl 79 is drawn in by the spring 77 towards the
figure wheel 66 causing the sliding pawl 79 to rotate the ratchet-wheel 80 and
the figure-wheel 66 coupled therewith substantially as described.
17 1
1000
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.