Improvements in Cash Check Tills.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1898-Accepted, 18th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash Check Tills.
I, ARTHUR HENRY GLEDHILL, of 22, Clare Road, Halifax, in the County of York,
Mechanical Expert on Cash Check Tills, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in cash check tills, and refers more
especially to that class of till in which provision is made for exhibiting the coins
tendered by customers, for one or more transactions, and may also be combined with
an arrangement whereby a strip of recording paper is provided for receiving entries
giving particulars of sales & the amount thereof, said recording paper having a
motion transmitted to it, from the action of opening the cash drawer, sufficient to
move the recorded particulars to an inaccessible part, preferably under a glass
window; also various other combinations as will hereafter be described &
explained.
The improvements constituting my invention, are as follows.
:-
Firstly Improvements in the method of and means for exhibiting coins, for the
purpose of settling all questions of dispute between buyer & seller as to the
denominations of the coin or coins tendered in payment.
Secondly-Of means for closing the aperture of the coin exhibitor, so that no
coins can be placed in the exhibitor, without first operating the cash drawer..
Thirdly-Of simplified means for actuating the paper winding-on drum by the
outward movement of the cash drawer, and in the method of and bearings for
supporting said winding-on drum.
Fourthly: Of improved means for automatically closing the drawer from any
desired point or position.
Fiftlily Of means for preventing the cash-drawer being re-opened after a
partial closure, until the closing movement has been carried to a sufficient extent to
move the paper, on being again re-opened.
Sixthly Of improvements in hand motion tills.
In order that my improvements in coin exhibitors may be more fully realized, I
propose to scrutinize the various methods that have already been devised for this
purpose; and to show by such scrutiny wherein my improvements consist, and the.
practical importance thereof.
The most familiar form of coin exhibitor now in general use, is that in which an
endless belt is caused to travel in a continuous direction by the sliding movement of
the cash drawer, the coins tendered by the customer are placed through a slot in the
lid of till, and fall upon this belt; the movement of the belt carrying the coins away
from said slot, each payment being divided by swinging bars. This system has been
a practical success. My improvements consist in novel mechanisin for accomplishing
similar results in a simpler manner, & the construction enables a more rapid.
assembling of the parts in the cases of the tills.
Another system which has been devised as an alternative to the afore described,
employs a platform in combination with hinged scrapers or coin-pushers.
Firstly-In some constructions the platform is given a reciprocating movement,

page_text: and the scrapers or coin-pushers are stationary as regards their pivots, but are free
to swing in one direction only. The action is as follows:-Coins placed upon the
platform are carried on it when moving in one direction, the coin-pushers swinging
clear of the coins, and falling normal again on the 'completion of the stroke; on the
return stroke of the platform, said scrapers or coin-pushers prevent coins returning
with platform, hence on the completion of the return stroke, the coins will be at the
opposite side of the scrapers or coin-pushers, or have moved one space. This action
is repeated for as many spaces as designed, the coins afterwards falling into the cash
drawer. The defect of this system is, that the coins lying on the platform do not
nove in correct relation to the movement of the platform, either lagging, owing to the
rapid starting movement given to the platform, or the momentum which they receive
from the movement of the platform causes them to "shoot" beyond their position,
after the platforin has ceased moving, in either case they would then come in contact,
and interfere with the scrapers or coin-pushers, preventing them retaining all the
coins that had passed' under, or else becoming jammed between the scrapers and
the platform, preventing same moving and causing the whole machine to be unwork-
able or broken.
Secondly In other constructions the platform is stationary, and the coin-pushers
move carrying the coins with them in one direction, and swinging over next
succeeding batch in the other direction, dropping to normal again on the completion
of return stroke, ready to move the said next batch of coins on being again
operated.
A similar difficulty & drawback occurs in this construction, the coin-pushers
knocking against & dispersing the coins, if a few have fallen over each other, or
the vibration resulting from the working of the various parts, causes such coins to
slide out of position and come in contact with the coin-pushers; under each circum-
stance the coin-pushers would be held partly off the platform by such dispersed
coins, hence the same results would follow as in the previous mentioned
construction.
We may therefore, sum up the main disadvantages in all previous constructions
of coin exhibitors employing scrapers or coin-pushers, and a platform, to be as
follows:-
:-
1. Dispersal of the coins, causing one payment to become mixed with the other,
thus defeating the main object for which the till was designed viz.: To show each
customers payment separate.
2. The jamming of the machine, by coins getting out of their respective positions,
and in most cases, causing the whole machine to be unworkable, which in a place of
business becomes a great nuisance.
It will be seen hereafter, that my invention overcomes these defects.
The third system is that in which an endless belt is employed, said belt passing
round rollers, and having cups or boxes fastened to it or otherwise the cups are
pivotally connected forming an endless belt of cups. In all patents that I have been
able to find in an exhaustive search, the cups are fixed to the outerside of the endless
belt, the belt forming the inner & smaller diameter; also the necessary motion
is communicated to these cups from one or both of the rollers round which they
revolve.
This system has never proved. a practical success, but the number of patents that
have been taken out for this form of coin exhibitor, show that many ideas have been
sketched out in theory, all of them being based upon the above fundamental prin-
ciples, which construction makes the system clumsy in its practical manipulation,
and comparatively useless :-as a proof of this, I may point to the fact that the first
patent upon this arrangement was taken out considerably over 14 years ago, yet there
is not at the present time any till made upon this principle, and to the best of my
knowledge, there are none in work, and what few have been put into use from time
to time have soon been discarded as practically unworkable.
My improvements in this class of exhibitor consist in arranging the endless belts
so that they form the outer or larger diameter, thus permitting larger pulleys (round

page_text: which they have to pass) to be used; the cups being suspended from said belts, &
being contained within the space described by said belts, this arrangement reduces
in several ways, the clumsiness in operation.
The main & vital improvement consists, however, in the movement of the cups,
by novel mechanism actuated from the sliding movement of the drawer (or other
equivalant) and so constructed as to act by direct contact with the cups, producing a
positive and definitive movement of the cups, and constituting an essential difference
in construction, in that the pulleys or rollers round which the endless belts pass,
become the driven instead of the driving pulleys. This will form one of the distinc-
tive features in my machine from all that have been previously constructed, and as
the above improveinents enable practical and workable machines to be built upon this
cup principle, I wish to claim such improvements as above specified, in their broad
application, without confining myself to any particular mechanism for effecting the
desired movements.
Before referring to the drawings, it is very essential that a clear conception should
be formed of what is known in the art as automatic action, and the technical difference
that exists between such action, from nechanism operated by hand; because a person
unacquainted with the art, would argue that so long as the drawer is worked by hand,
there is no difference between mechanism operated by the drawer, from that operated
by direct application of the hand to some suitable lever or other appliance; and
similarly with regard to any other operation for the purpose of uncovering the cash
receptacles.
That there is a great difference, the following explanation, will, I think, clearly
show.
In cash tills it is an essential feature that the cash should be covered when no
transactions are proceeding, but a transaction having been made, and the money
paid over to the attendant, it then becomes necessary to gain access to the cash
receptacles to place part or the whole of such monies in their proper receptacles, or
to take out the necessary amount of change that may be required.
To accomplish this three methods have chiefly been adopted.
The most common being the formation of the cash receptacles into a drawer,
arranged and adapted in a suitable case, to slide outwards and inwards thereof, so
that on pulling the drawer outwards from the case, access is had to the money in the
cash receptacles, but on closing the drawer again said money is covered by the
case.
The second, is to cover the drawer or receptacles with a sliding lid, which when
operated in one direction uncovers the cash, and when operated in the other
direction covers the cash.
The third, is to make part or the whole of the lid of the case hinged, so that on
lifting up the hinged portion, access can be made to the cash, but on closing again
the cash is covered.
It is obvious that other modifications may be used for effecting the same
object.
As I have stated before, in the legitimate working of the cash till, some operation
has of necessity to be performed to gain access to the cash in the cash receptacles.
Therefore in the case of mechanism arranged to be operated by hand, there must be
two operations at least to perform.
1st. The operation of sliding, tilting, or their modifications, to gain access to the
cash in the cash receptacles.
2nd. The operation to effect the movement of the various part or parts, constructed
in combination with the receptacles for cash, and designed for the purpose of
affording a check upon the attendants, preventing disputes, recording particulars, or
any other object.
In practice these two operations have great drawbacks.
1st. In loss of time, which is an extremely important item and serious drawback,
when attending to customers.
2nd. Liability to forget one of the operations, and as the primary operation is to

page_text: :
gain access to the cash receptacles, this omission would fall to the operation required
for checking the attendant, thereby defeating the main object for which the till was
constructed.
•
In so-called automatic tills, (and the term is now understood technically to indicate
a particular class of till) the mechanism is so constructed, arranged, and adapted in
its several parts, that the act of sliding the drawer or cover, or tilting the lid, or any
other operation performed for the purpose of gaining access to the cash receptacles,
shall, at the same time, perform the operations that are necessary for the working of
any other mechanism designed in combination with the said cash receptacles, for the
purpose or purposes already described.
It will therefore be understood that any additional operations (apart from that
performed for gaining access to the cash receptacles) are disposed of, hence saving
time, and also increasing the efficiency of the till as a check against dishonest
practices, and as a recorder of particulars of transactions, and the like.
To show more clearly this increased efficiency, we need only consider one point,
viz. The action of the recording paper for taking down particulars of sales. Should
the attendant forget to make a record, with the automatic action, the paper would
be traversed by the act of gaining access to the cash receptacles, thus indicating such
forgetfulness by showing a blank space on the record paper; with the non-automatic
action, the paper would remain unmoved, hence there would be nothing to show
that the entry had been omitted.
... Therefore I claim that the construction of mechanism for the purpose of effecting
the automatic action (in future references it will be assumed that the meaning of
this term is understood) of any other mechanism previously designed to be worked
by hand, (this term also assumed to be understood) & which may be old, is in its
combination fully entitled to a sound claim of novelty.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, reference is hereafter had to
the annexed drawings forming a part of this specification, viz. :-
(As I prefer to use figures as reference to the parts, I have chosen letters to
indicate the drawings).
Fig. A. is a side elevation, partly in section.
Fig. B. Plan with part of lid removed to show construction of coin exhibitor.
Fig. C. Side elevation of a cup coin exhibitor, arranged in a vertical position.
Fig. D. Enlarged side elevation of drawer, partly in section, showing mechanism
in connection with self-closer, & check action.
Fig. E. End elevation of drawer back.
Fig. F. Isometric projection of latch and parts in connection with check action.
Fig. G. Isometric projection of one end of operating shaft.
Figs. H. J. K. Position of the retaining pawls in different positions and
movements of the cash drawer.
Fig. M. Side elevation of mechanism for closing slot of coin-exhibitor.
Fig. N. Side-elevation of a hand motion till.
Fig. P. Side elevation of a locking mechanism for hand motion coin exhibitor.
The same numbers of reference are used to indicate identical parts in all the
figures.
Referring to said drawings, it should be stated, that the several improvements
embraced by the present invention are, in any desired combination, embodied in a
perfect inachine adapted to the various exigencies and attempts at fraud, which a
machine in practical use should be capable of meeting, and the various improvements,
herein specified, may be employed in such machines either collectively, or separately,
or as desired.
Proceeding first to a description of the coin exhibiting mechanism, and the manner
in which I overcome the existing defects already pointed out, reference is had to
Figs. A to C, in which 1 represents the box or case of the till, 2 lid of same, 3 cash
drawer, having compartments and divisions therein, forming receptacles for the
different denominations of coins, as usual.
I mount in the case 1, two shafts 4 & 5, preferably round, dropping into retaining

page_text: slots cut in the sides of the case; after the rods have been dropped into the slots, they
are prevented froin rising by small blocks, adapted to fit in the slots, over the shafts,
and to be screwed or otherwise fastened to the sides of Case ), and I claim this con-
struction as novel in a coin exhibitor; it being specially designed to facilitate the rapid
assembling of the parts into the cases. Between these shafts 4 & 5, rests a so-called
platform 6, preferably having each end hollowed to fit said shafts, the curvature of
which forming support for the platform.
Pulleys are mounted on these shafts, preferably four, 7, 8, 9 & 10, two at each side
Round each of the
of the platform, said pulleys being free to revolve on the shafts.
two setts of pulleys I muut a narrow endless belt of any suitable material, preferably
of leather, that is, one belt 11, travels round pulleys 7 & 9, and another belt 12,
round pulleys 8 & 10. To these belts 11 & 12, I rivet a number of so called scrapers
or coin-pushers 13-13 (hereafter called coin-pushers), so that when all the coin-
pushers are rivetted to this belt, they form an endless travelling band of coin-pushers.
The coin-pushers are preferably angular in shape, one side projecting downwards to
the platform 6, the other and narrower side being for the purpose of rivetting the
coin-pushers to the belt, and the comparative narrowness of this side allows it to pass
readily round the curvature of the pulleys. This side also protrudes a little beyond
the outsides of the belts, for purposes hereafter to be described.
The edge of the coin-pushers which meets the platform, may be straight and the
platform a flat surface, but I prefer to make the coin-pushers with a serrated edge,
such serrations travelling in corresponding serrations in the platform, the object of
this construction being to prevent the coin-pushers jumping small and thin coins, as
the bottom of each tongue on the coin-pusher travels below the level of the tops of
I mount in bushes 15, a
the tongues on the platform upon which the coins lie.
shaft 16, said bushes are also fitted into slots cut in the sides of case, similarly to,
and for the same object as described with reference to shafts 4 & 5, and these are also
retained in position by blocks affixed in slots cut in sides of case. The shaft 16.is
free to turn in the bushes 15, and has fastened to it rigidly a bell crank lever, 17,
having upward and lowerward projecting arms, the lower arin projects to come in con-
tact with the drawer, the upper arm 'has connected with it a piwl 18 which is free to
swing; and has its free end resting on one of the protruding ends of a coin-pusher 13.
Towards the opposite end of the shaft 16, I fix rigidly another arm 19 (similar to the
upper arm of lever 17) which has also a pawl 20 affixed to it, said pawl resting on the
other protruding end of the coin-pusher. The bell crank 17, is either weighted
or connected with a spring, so that when the cash drawer is opened, the parts will
fall into the position shown in full lines, in which position the pawls 18 & 20 have
their notches 21 in engagement with the protruding ends of one of the coin-
pushers 13. The action of closing the drawer pushes the lever 17, and arm 19, into
position shown in dotted lines, during which motion the pawls 18 & 20 actuate the
coin-pusher with which they are engaged, moving it forward one stage, thereby carry-
ing all the coin-pushers one stage forward, through the medium of the endless belts
to which they are all connected.
It will thus be seen, that each time the drawer is opened and closed, the coin-
pushers are moved one stage forward. A glass plate 22 is let into the lid above the
coin exhibitor, so that each coin lying on the platform can be seen by customer and
'salesman alike.
The coins are inserted through a slot 23, thence falling on to the platform 6,
between 2 of the coin pushers. Each time the drawer is closed the coin-pushers are
moved forward one stage, carrying the coins forward on the platform, and presenting a
clear space again under the slot, for the reception of the coins to be tendered in the
next transaction. The number of transactions that may be thus exhibited are only
limited by the length of the platform, the drawings A & B show the mechanism
arranged to exhibit coins up to the third transaction, but any number may be pro-
vided for, the length of the platform being made according to the number of transac-
tions required to be shown. After passing along the platform, the coins fall over the

page_text: end thereof into the cash drawer below, or they may if required fall into a locked
receptacle.
The exhibitor is divided longitudinally into divisions corresponding to the drawer,
for the purpose of keeping various denominations of coins distinct from each other,
the common style being three divisions. 1st for gold, 2nd for large silver, 3rd for
threepenny & sixpenny pieces.
It will be evident from the foregoing description, that the coins never change their
position in respect to the coin-pushers, being carried between the same two coin-
pushers the whole distance along the platform, and as the said coin-pushers are not
required to have a swinging motion, it is impossible for the coins when "shooting,"
to drive under a coin-pusher and become mixed with the next batch of coins.
Each coin-pusher thereby performs a twofold object, viz. :-One face pushes the
coins forward, and the opposite face acts as an effective stop, checking any motion due
to the momentum gained by the coins in the rapid transference from one position to the
next on the platform. It is therefore absolutely impossible, for any coin or coins in one
batch and representing one transaction, to become mixed with the coin or coins in
another batch and representing another transaction, however rapidly and violently the
machine may be worked.
The arrangement permits of the parts being adapted to show the coins horizontally
or vertically as desired.
While under the arrangement I have illustrated the coin-pushers actuated by pawls
engaging with their outer ends, yet, if desired, I may arrange such pawls to drive
gear wheels which shall cause pulleys 7 & 8 to revolve, and said pulleys may be
provided with projecting arms to engage with the coin-pushers, thereby carrying them
forward. Or I may employ any other mechanism for actuating the coin-pushers, or I
may arrange the present mechanism to actuate the coin-pushers upon the outward
instead of the inward movement of the cash drawer, in which case a temporary
receptacle would be provided for receiving the coins as they fell off the platform or
exhibitor, and retaining them until the drawer returned, when the receptacle would
be tilted and the coins deposited into the drawer, this arrangement would be necessary
to prevent the coins falling into the bottom of the case.
To my knowledge, I am the first in the art to combine and illustrate an endless
band of coin-pushers or scrapers, working over a platform, with mechanism for
actuating same from the operation that is performed for uncovering the cash
receptacles, or technically known as automatic action, therefore my invention does
not reside solely in the details of construction or arrangement of parts, but consists in
the production of a new machine, having a new mode of operation, and accomplishing
new results, or old results in a different and better manner from that in which they
have been heretofore accomplished. I therefore desire to claim the combination
above referred to, and the mode of operation, broadly, without regard to the character
of the mechanism interposed for the purpose of communicating motion to the endless
band of coin-pushers and their parts, from whatever operation is performed for the
purpose of exposing the coins in the cash receptacles.
As an alternative construction, I may bend the scrapers to form cups, in which case
the coins would rest in said cups, instead of resting on the platform. I am fully
aware that it is not new in the art to employ an endless band of cups, but in every
instance with which I am familiar, such cups are driven by the rollers round which
they revolve, as I have already explained in a former part of this specification.
Therefore the novelty in this feature of my invention, consists in combining an
endless band of cups with an operating motion communicated direct to the cups,
thereby forming an important distinction in reference to the rollers round which the
endless belts revolve, in that they all become driven by the belts or cups, instead of,
as in previous constructions, being the driving roller or rollers, by which motion is
transmitted to the cups.
I therefore desire to claim this combination and mode of operation, broadly, without
regard to the character of the mechanism interposed for carrying it into effect.

page_text: I also claim the particular and novel construction employed in suspending the cups.
from the belts in the manner already described.
This arrangement is very suitably applicable to a vertical coin exhibitor as shown in
Fig. C, the action is similar to that described in reference to Fig. A, and will be.
understood without further reference here, except in so far as to slight modifications..
The shafts carrying the pulleys round which the endless belts revolve, are fixed to
upright supports, said supports also having slots for receiving glasses 44 and 45, also
middle-glass 46. The cups pass down between and in close proximity to the glasses 45.
and 46, and upwards, between glasses 46 and 44. The coins are placed in the slot 47,
and drop into the cup which is underneath. The closing of the drawer advances the
cups one stage, the coins being prevented from falling out of said cups by the two
glasses 45-46, until the cups pass. below the glasses, when the coins fall into the
cash drawer or other receptacle. It will be understood from the above description
that the coins are held on their edges, and can be inspected through the glasses from.
both sides.
The second part of my invention relates to the means for closing the receiving slot
of the coin exhibitor when the drawer is closed..
.
Referring to Figure M, 24 is a bell crank lever, adapted to engage by projection 27.
with a hinged plate 25, and riding upon an inclined-striker plate 26, which is fastened.
to the drawer. The parts are shown in their normal position i.e. when the drawer is
closed, and the plate 25 is tight against the glass plate 22, closing the slot 23, and,
preventing any coins being inserted. When the drawer is opened the action is as
follows. The continued. opening movement carries the striker 26 away from under.
the bell crank lever 24, when said bell crank falls by its own weight until the.
projection 27 assumes the position shown in dotted lines, thereby allowing the hinged
plate 25 to fall into position also shown by dotted lines, and opening the slot 23 for
the reception of coins.
On closing the drawer, the inclined face of the striker 26, rides under the bell'
crank lever 24, raising it, and again closing the slot, through the action of the
projection 27 upon the hinged plate 25.
The striker. 26, is of sufficient length that it does not release the bell crank 24 (and
consequently the slot is not opened) until the drawer has been opened a sufficient.
distance to traverse the registration paper, the object of this construction is to
enforce an entry of the particulars of the transaction, before any coins can be put
into the exhibitor.
The third part of my invention relates to simplified means for operating a paper,
strip upon the opening of the cash drawer.
In Fig. A I illustrate the same. A plate 31 is fixed to the side of the till, 28 is ȧ,
swinging lever, centred upon a stud attached to plate 31, 29 is a freely connected
pawl swinging on a stud attached to lever 28, and engaging with a ratchet wheel 34,
affixed to the paper winding-on drum 35, which is supported in bearings 36. A
stop or retaining catch 30, swings on a stud attached to plate 33, which is fixed
to side of case, said catch being provided to prevent the drum slipping backwards.
during the period that pawl 29 is riding over to engage in next tooth. A striker 32.
is affixed to the drawer. The action is as follows:-When the drawer is opened the
striker 32 engages with swinging lever 28, moving it the necessary distance required.
for the pawl 29 to pull the ratchet wheel 34 a distance of one or more teeth as.
required; when the stop catch 30 retains the wheel, and the swinging arm 28 rides
over striker 32. On the closing of the drawer, said striker 32 engages swinging.
arm 28, moving it in the opposite direction, to allow the pawl 29 to engage another.
tooth of the ratchet wheel 34, and on completing the closing stroke, 28 again rides.
over striker 32, ready for action upon the drawer being again re-opened.
The usual roll of paper 37, is contained in a box 38, the paper is threaded through.
a guide rod 39, over the writing tablet 40, and affixed to winding-on drum 35.
A slit 41 is provided for the purpose of making the records upon the paper, and 42
is a glass window for viewing the last few records.
The record being first made upon the paper, the drawer is. then opened, and, by
. وعامة

page_text: means above explained, the paper winding-on drum is revolved a small distance
thereby drawing the written record under the glass, so that it cannot be tampered
with. 36 is a special form of bearing, it is preferably a piece of brass or other
material, adapted to fit in a slot cut in side of case. It has a hole drilled in it for
receiving one end of the shaft 43, upon which the winding-on drum is fixed, and
other suitable holes for affixing it to the side of case.
Slots are cut in each side of the case exactly opposite each other, and one of these
bearings is placed on each end of the shaft 43.
These bearings are then placed in their respective slots, and the paper winding-on
drum is thereby fixed in position square and true.
Affixed to the side of the case
(removed in sectional elevation A) and bearing against the drum 35, is a spring,
forming a brake to prevent irregular movement of said drum.
I am aware that it is old in the art, to move a recording strip of paper upon the
outward motion of the drawer, and therefore the scope of my invention in this
respect, and also in respect of the bearings, is limited by the terms of the claims in
which it is expressed.
The fourth & fifth parts of my invention relate to means for automatically closing
the drawer, & to means for preventing the drawer being re-opened after a partial
closure.
In speaking of the drawer, I wish it to be understood that I refer to the usual
cash drawer, or the slide sometimes used to reciprocate over the cash receptacles, or
the hinged lid sometimes used, or any other device used for the purpose of uncovering
and covering the cash receptacles, but as the cash drawer is the most common form
of arrangement for uncovering the cash receptacles, I shall hereafter for the sake of
brevity, include any of the above operations under the term "drawer.”
I am aware that it is not new to employ springs for the purpose of wholly or
partly closing the cash drawer. But in all previous constructions, the following
drawbacks are prevalent. In the older class having a spring adapted to close the
drawer as soon as the attendant "leaves go," there is the drawback that it is necessary
to hold the drawer by one hand, thus only leaving one hand free for taking out the
change, which is a great disadvantage and loss of time. In the more recent class,
the spring acts for a short distance, usually about 4 inches, and beyond which the
drawer is self retained, but here is the disadvantage that the drawer is not strictly
speaking a self closing drawer, for it has to be pushed back by hand (which means
loss of time) until reaching the place where the spring comes into action, and also
the drawer has always to be opened a certain distance before it will stop open.
To make this clear, I give below a quotation from a prior specification upon this
class of drawer :-
"It is designed primarily with the object of making the drawer self-closing for a
portion of its inward travel so that when full open it will remain so but when only
partially open the tendency will be to close" and the claim "a money till having a
cam surface attached to the drawer acted upon by a lever and spring which when at a
certain position causes the drawer to close substantially as described." Note "at
a certain position."
My improvements consist in arranging the mechanism so that it is not necessary
to place the drawer in a certain position before it will close, but so that it will close
from any desired point in its travel, and even when full open, yet such mechanism
being so designed, that to whatever extent the drawer be opened, it will be retained
in that position so long as the attendant desires for the object of gaining access to
the cash receptacles, and leave both hands free for that purpose; but will then auto-
matically close without having to be pushed part way.
My invention therefore relating to self-closing tills, consists in improvements
designed to overcome the defects of prior systems, and in addition I add a novel
feature, in this class of till, which prevents the drawer being re-opened after a partial
closure.
In all previous constructions of self closing drawer tills, a dishonest assistant may
put an obstruction in the way, that would prevent the drawer shutting quite home,

page_text: then the drawer may be re-opened without moving the registration paper, hence
defeating the check which the movement of the registration paper is intended to
accomplish.
It is an essential feature in a well designed check till, that the paper should be
carried forward at an early stage in the outward movement of the cash drawer, and
before access can be had to the cash receptacles, the paper should have travelled the
full distance under the glass. It therefore follows as a result of this requirement,
that the drawer must be completely closed, or very nearly so, or it will not actuate
the
paper recording mechanism on being again re-opened.
My improvements consist in applying to self closing drawer tills, novel mechanism
whereby after once the drawer has commenced its closing movement, it cannot be
again re-opened more than the distance of a tooth on the stop rack, until it has been
pushed home a sufficient distance for the working parts to assume their normal
positions, so that on next re-opening, the proper checking functions of the till will
be performed.
In order that such mechanisin may be more fully understood, reference is made to
the following drawings. Figs. D, E, F, G, H, J, K,
I mount within the drawer a rod 48 running from front to back, the front end ter-
minates in a knob 49, which serves for a projection by which to open the drawer, the
back end is shaped as shown in Fig. G, having a projection 50, for purposes to be
described; at this end of the rod also, a section is milled out, and the same end of
the rod protrudes through a supporting plate 51, Fig. E, fastened to drawer back,
which plate has a guide lip 52 fastened to it, and adapted to fit the recess milled out
in rod 48, preventing the rod twisting round transversely, but permitting free motion
longitudinally.
An angular bracket 53 has one side fixed to the drawer back, and the other
projecting into a recess cut in the drawer back, to this projection is fixed a stud 54
upon which is hung loosely a detent or pawl carrier 55, having lugs 56 and 57, and
also a stud 58, upon which swings a pawl 59 said pawl being free to swing in either
direction, and adapted to ride over a toothed rack 60, which is fastened to the bottom
of the case 1, said rack extending from back to front of the case, a recess being cut
in the bottom of the drawer to clear same.
Two long springs 61, are fixed at one end towards the front of, and to the drawer,
and at the other end to the back of the case of till. I may employ any number of
springs, two however being preferable, and fixed on opposite sides of the drawer, to
equalize the pull.
The projection 50 in rod 48 extends over lugs 56 or 57, and the rod 48 has a longi-
tudinal sliding movement sufficient to allow projection 50 to pass from over lug 56 to
a position in which it will be over lug 57. Suitably placed stops 62 and 63 forming
the limit to such movement, in either direction respectively.
With reference to Figs. H, J & K it will be seen that when the projection 50 is over
lug 56 as-in Figs. H & K, it will prevent the detent 55 swinging in that direction,
i.e. counter clockwise, but will allow it to swing in the opposite or clockwise direction.
Also when the projection 50 is over lug 57 as in Fig. J, it will prevent detent 55
swinging in a clockwise direction but allow it to swing in a counter clockwise
direction.
Fig. K represents the normal position of parts when the drawer is closed.
Fig. J the position during the opening movement.
Fig. H the position during closing movement.
The action is as follows:-In the normal position, i.e. when the drawer is closed, the
parts are in the position shown in Figs. D and K.
Owing to the position of projection 50, in relation to lug 56 on detent 55, same is
prevented from swinging in a backward direction, and the pawl 59 being in engage-
inent with the rack 60 prevents the drawer being opened, except through the medium
of the knob 49; but as the rod 48 is free to slide, the pull on the knob cannot open
the drawer until the rod 48 has moved the required distance, when the stop 63,
projecting from rod 48, abutts against the plate 51 fastened to drawer, thereby
B

page_text: forming a connection between the rod and the drawer,, by which the latter can be
opened. This movement also transfers the projection 50 from lug 56 to lug 57,
therefore the outward movement of the drawer to which pivot 54 is, indirectly
fastened, causes the detent 55 to swing backwards, (owing to the pawl 59 being
engaged with the rack 60,) until the stud 58 has raised a sufficient height to allow
the pawl 59 to swing under, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. J, the detent 55 then falls
(by means of its own weight or a spring) to normal position again, and the pawl 59
rides over the teeth of rack as shown in full lines Fig. J, in this position it permits
the drawer being opened but prevents its closing movement, owing to the position of
projection 50 in relation to lug 57, and pawl 59 with the rack 60.
From the foregoing description and reference to the drawings, it will be seen that
the drawer may be opened any desired distance against the tension of the springs 61,
and will remain in that position with the springs 61 in tension so long as desired,
leaving both hands of the attendant free for obtaining change from the cash
receptacles. The required amount of change having been obtained and desiring to
again close the drawer, the attendant gives the knob 49 a sharp hit, which causes the
rod 48 to slide back to its normal position, the stop 62 checking its further move-
inent; such movement causing the projection 50 to be transferred from over lug 57
as in Fig. J, to lug 56 as shown in Fig. H.
The tension of the spring 61, then causes the drawer to close, because the pawl 59
can no longer retain it, the detent 55, being now free to swing in a forward direction,
allowing the said pawl to ride under (as shown in dotted lines Fig. H) when having
passed the vertical, the detent 55 falls normal again as shown in full lines, and the
pawl 59 rides over the teeth of the rack 60, as shown in full lines Fig. H, allowing
the drawer to continue its closing movement, but preventing it being re-opened,
(owing to the abutment of lug 56 against the projection 50,) until the knob 49 is
again pulled out to transfer said projection.
To prevent the knob 49 being pulled out, and thereby prevent the drawer being
re-opened until it has closed the desired distance for the purpose of operating all the
checking mechanism, I employ a latch 64, Fig. F, swinging on a stud 65 fastened
to bracket 53 and adapted to engage with the projection 50, said projection having an
inclined face at its rearward end shown only in Fig. F, so that when the rod 48,
is pushed to normal (as in the operation above, to enable the drawer to close)
the latch 64 rides up incline, then falls into engagement with the inside face of
the lug 50, thereby preventing the rod being moved outwards, and retaining the
projection 50 over lug 56 until the drawer has continued its closing movement the
required distance for purposes already described, when the inclined projection 66,
which is fixed to back of case, engages with the latch 64, and at the required time
lifts same out of engagement with the projection 50 on rod 48, thereby allowing
same to be pulled out when desired, and the drawer opened in the manner already
described.
So far as I am aware, the mechanism I employ to carry out my invention in
relation to self-closing drawers is novel, and I wish it to be particularly understood
that I do not confine myself to this particular construction, but may employ any
modification, or any other construction of mechanism for carrying the same into
effect, and my invention does not reside merely in details of construction or
arrangement of parts, but in the broad combination of elements set forth, any one or
more of which may be assumed to be old. For instance, am aware that it is not
new to employ springs for the purpose of closing the drawer in a cash till, also I
an aware that it is not new to employ means for preventing the drawer being
re-opened after a partial closure, but I believe I am the first in the art to combine
these. two elements: i.e. to combine mechanism for preventing the re-opening of
the cash drawer after a partial closure, with means for automatically closing said
drawer, either the whole or a part of its movement.
Also I am aware that it is not new to employ springs so that the drawer will
automatically close from any desired point, but in all cases with which I am familiar,
it is necessary for the attendant to hold the drawer open, therefore I believe myself

page_text: to be the first to employ mechanism for accomplishing this object, and to provide
ready means for releasing said mechanisın.
The sixth part of my invention relates to hand-motion tills, or non-automatic.
The object is to construct a simple and effective hand motion till, which can be
retailed at a price within the reach of the s naller shopkeepers, and others where the
extra time taken in the double action of working the parts separate from the opening
of the drawer, is not so much a consideration as the price of the article.
Fig. N shows mechanism fitted into a till, and alapted to show the coin or
coins tendered by the last customer between two vertical plates of glass or other
material 67-68; also provided with a paper recording apparatus, and a latch to
cash drawer, preventing same being opened until the various parts have been
actuated.
69 is a lever having its upward end projecting through the lid, it is pivotted on a
stud 70, affixed to plate 71, which is fastened to side of till, and has a pawl 72
swinging upon a stud 73 attached to said lever 69. An oscillating frame. 74
swings on studs 75 attached to brackets 76, depending from lid 2, said oscillating
frame normally covering the slot which is cut in the lid between the two glass
plates 67 and 68, and having a projecting arm 77, adapted to be operated upon by a
pin 78, protruding from lever 69. A bell crank lever swings on a stud 79, fixed to
case, and having an upward arm 80 adapted to engage with lower end of lever 69.
A catch plate 81 is fastened to drawer, and when the parts are in their normal
positions as shown in full lines, the arm 82 of bell crank lever is in engagement
with catch plate 81, preventing drawer being opened.
The action is as follows:-
The attendant writes down upon the strip of paper in a similar manner to that
explained with reference to Fig. A. He then pushes the lever 69 to position
shown in dotted lines, which motion causes the pawl 72-by means of the ratchet
wheel to actuate the paper winding-on drum, thereby moving the written entry
under the glass, when the stop catch 91 falls into a tooth and prevents record
being drawn back.
. During the movement of the lever 69, pin 78 engages with arm 77, and the
continued movement of lever thereby oscillates the frame 74, carrying its upper
end away from under slot in lid, and allowing the coins, which were being
exhibited between the glass plates, to fall into cash drawer, suitably placed shoots
guiding them into the various receptacles. Also towards the completion of stroke
the lower end of lever 69 engages arm 80 of bell crank lever, and thereby lifts the
other arm 82 out of engagement with catch plate 81, as shown in dotted lines.
When the lever has been pushed its required distance, the attendant "leaves go,"
and the spring 84 returns it to normal position again, when the pawl 72 engages
another tooth in ratchet wheel and the frame 74 again covers slot in lid.
The attendant now places the coins received, through slot 85, whence they drop
on to top of frame 74, and are held on exhibition between the two plates 67---68,
until the next transaction.
The bell crank lever 80, 82, 83 is however held by suitable springs or other device,
in the position which the lever 69 moved it into,-shown in dotted lines,--so that
the drawer can now be opened, and on so doing the catch plate 81 comes in contact
with arm 83, and pushes the bell crank back into normal position, so that on closing
the drawer it will again engage with said catch plate, and prevent the drawer being
opened until the lever 69 is again actuated.
The novel features in this part of my invention, consist in providing means for
securing an entry on a registration paper for each lot of coins that are passed into the
till through the exhibitor. Also in providing means for preventing the drawer being
opened, until the paper has been traversed and the coins in exhibitor released.
I am fully aware that it is not new to employ in cash tills, a vertical hand operated.
coin exhibitor, and also a paper registering mechanism such being described in
Gledhill's Patent No. 27,449 of 1897, but I believe I am the first to combine these

page_text: operations, & actuate both from one source or movement; also the first to combine
with them a latch for locking cash drawer.
The advantage of this combination will readily be understood, for in prior con-
structions operating both parts independently, it is possible to pass any number of coins
into the till through the exhibitor, without making any record on the paper, thus
defeating the check intended to be made by the record paper; whereas in the above
combination such a form of fraud is impossible. An entry must be made on the
paper or a blank space will be pulled by the act of working the coin exhibitor.
I desire to claim this combination, broadly, without confining myself to the
particular mechanism employed.
In tills where the record paper is moved automatically, for instance as shown in
Fig. A, and where the simple hand coin exhibitor is desired to be attached, I employ
the following mechanism to enforce the movement of the registration paper for each
time the coin exhibitor is operated.
The oscillating frame 74, is provided with an upward arm 86, protruding through
the lid, and a lowerward arm 89, carrying a pawl 88. The normal position of parts
is shown in full lines, and the pawl 88 is free to ride over rack 90. When the lever
is operated to release the coins on exhibition, it travels into the position shown in
dotted lines, the oscillating frame uncovering slot in lid, and the pawl 88 having
travelled off end of rack 90. When the lever is "let go," the spring 87 pulls the
parts back to normal position, but the pawl this time rides in a position to engage
with rack 90, as shown in dotted lines, thereby preventing the lever being again
operated until the drawer has been opened, and therefore the record paper actuated.
The opening of the drawer allows pawl 88 to fall off the opposite end of rack 90,
and the closing causes said pawl to ride over rack in the position shown in full lines,
thereby liberating lever 86 for action, when the operation above referred to would be
again repeated.
Instead of the pawl and rack, I may employ a suitably placed catch to hold the
lever, said catch being released on opening the drawer, or any other suitable device for
effecting the same object may be employed.
The invention does not reside merely in details of construction, but in the com-
bination with a hand operated coin-exhibitor; and an automatically actuated registra-
tion paper, of means for securing the movement of said registration paper each time
the coin exhibitor is operated; thereby preventing the fraudulent use of the coin
exhibitor as already explained.
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. In a cash check till, the combination of a platform and a plurality of scrapers or
coin-pushers attached to endless belt or belts, said scrapers or coin-pushers being
caused to travel by or from the opening or closing movement of the cash drawer, or
both, or from any other operation for uncovering or covering the cash receptacles,
substantially for the purposes described.
*2. In a cash check till, the combination of a stationary platform having a flat or
corrugated surface, and a plurality of scrapers or coin-pushers also having flat or
corrugated edges, and attached to endless belt or belts, travelling round rollers
or pulleys, said scrapers or coin-pushers being automatically caused to travel, by
mechanism interposed and set in motion by or from the opening or closing movement
of the cash drawer, or both, or from any other operation for uncovering or covering
the cash receptacles, substantially for the purposes described.
3. In a cash check till, the combination of a stationary platform and a plurality of
scrapers or coin pushers, said scrapers or coin-pushers being attached to endless belt
or belts passing round rollers or pulleys, and said scrapers or coin-pushers having an
intermittent motion in a continuous direction communicated to them by suitable
mechanism arranged and adapted to actuate said scrapers by direct contact with them,
substantially for the purposes described.

page_text: 4. In a cash check till, the combination of pulleys or rollers with endless belt or
belts, and mechanism for automatically operating said belt or belts directly or
indirectly, such that said pulleys or rollers are driven or have motion communicated
to them by or from the motion of said belts.
5. In a cash check till, the combination of a plurality of boxes or cups, attached to
endless belt or belts travelling round rollers or pulleys, and a pawl or pawls engaging
directly with said boxes for the purpose of communicating motion to them, said pawl
or pawls being connected to suitable mechanism set in motion by or from the opening
or closing movement of the cash drawer, or from any other operation for uncover-
ing or covering the cash receptacles, substantially for the purposes described.
6. In a cash check till, having a plurality of boxes or cups attached to endless
belts, the construction and arrangement of said boxes or cups in relation to the belts,
substantially as herein described and illustrated and for the purposes set forth.
7. In a cash check till, the combination of a bell-crank lever 17, shaft 16 mounted
in suitable bearings, arm 19, and pawls 18 & 20, adapted to engage with suitably
formed coin-pushers or boxes, all for the purpose of communicating motion to a coin
exhibitor from the operation of uncovering or covering the cash receptacles, substan-
tially as and for the purposes described.
8. In a cash check till, the combination with a coin exhibiting appliance, of slots
cut in the walls of the case of till, and shafts adapted to fit in said slots, either
rigidly or loosely, and suitably formed bearings or holders fitting in said slots,
substantially for the purposes described.
9. In a cash check till, the combination with a coin exhibiting appliance, of a hell
crank lever 24 striker 26, and swinging plate 25, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
10. In a cash check till, having a registration paper for recording particulars of
sales, the combination of a swinging lever 28, pawl 29, striker 32, stop catch 30,
ratchet wheel 34, paper winding-on drum 35, mounted on shaft 43, substantially as
described.
11. In a cash check till, having a registration paper the combination of a paper
winding-on drum mounted on a shaft or axis, with side plates or brackets for receiv-
ing and forming bearings for said shafts, and slots cut in the walls of cases, adapted
to receive said side plates or brackets, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
12. In a cash check till in which some operation has to be performed, causing the
drawer, or certain part, or parts, to be transferred from their normal position for the
purpose of gaining access to the cash receptacles, the combination of a spring or
springs-weight or other device-for effecting the return of such drawer, part, or
parts, to or towards their normal position, and of mechanism for retaining said
drawer, part, or parts, for any desired period in any position to which they may have
been transferred, and of means for releasing said retaining mechanism, allowing said
drawer, part, or parts, to commence and continue movement in a direction towards
their normal position, by the action of said springs or other devices, substantially for
the purposes described.
13. In a cash check till, employing a spring, or springs, or other suitable device to
partly or wholly close the drawer (or any other part or parts forming a cover for the
cash receptacles), the combination of mechanism for retaining said drawer, part or
parts, and of means for releasing said retaining mechanism, and also of means for
preventing the re-operation or outward movement of the said drawer, part, or parts
until they have returned towards their normal position the distance required,
substantially for the purposes described.
14. In a cash check till, the combination of a spring, or springs for partly or
wholly closing the cash drawer, or other part or parts forming a cover for the cash
receptacles, with means for preventing said drawer, part, or parts, being re-opened
or re-operated, after a partial closure, until the closing movement has been carried
to the required extent to ensure the action of the various checking mechanisms,
substantially for the purposes described.

page_text: 15. In a cash check till, the combination of a spring or springs 61, knob 49,
rod 48 having stops 62 and 63, also a projection 50, suitably formed guide plates,
detent 55 having lugs 56 and 57, and pawl 59 adapted to engage in a rack 60,
substantially as described.
16. In a cash check till, the combination of a spring 61, knob 49, rod 48 having
stops 62 and 63, also a projection 50, suitably formed guide plates, detent 55 having
lugs 56 and 57, and pawl 59, rack 60, latch 64 adapted to engage with projection 50,
bracket 53, and inclined projection 66, substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and illustrated.
17. In a cash check till, the combination of a lever such as 69, (or other hand
operating device), with and actuating a coin exhibitor, substantially as that described
and referred to in Fig. N, and also with & actuating a recording strip of paper
substantially for the purposes described.
18. In a cash check till, the combination of a lever such as 69, (or other hand
operating device) with and actuating a coin exhibitor such as referred to in Fig. N,
and also actuating a recording strip of paper, and with a latch for preventing the cash
receptacles being uncovered until said lever or operating device has been operated,
substantially for the purposes described.
19. In a cash check till having a coin exhibitor, such as described in reference
to Fig. P, the combination of suitable mechanism for preventing the coin exhibitor
being operated a greater number of times than the paper is actuated, substantially
for the purposes described.
20. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus as herein described
and illustrated in the annexed drawings, or any modifications that may be
employed within the limits and combination of elements claimed in this specification,
collectively or otherwise embraced, forming a cash, check till substantially as herein
described, and for any or all of the purposes set forth.
Dad L
1
1000