Improved Checking Apparatus for Tills, Pay Desks, Turnstiles, and other Places where Money is Paid or Received.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 1st May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Checking Apparatus for Tills, Pay Desks, Turnstiles, and
other Places where Money is Paid or Received.
FRANK STANLEY WILLOUGHBY, Wine Merchant 15 Cross Street Manchester
THOMAS HORSFIELD Accountant 60 King Street Manchester do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a checking apparatus which shall
give an audible indication as well as a type written or perforated or visible one in
any form, of the amount of each payment made into the till or other cash receptacle
where a check is desirable upon the money paid or received.
The invention consists principally in the combination of the instrument known as
the "phonograph" with a key board or other efficient device worked by the fingers
of the operator in such a manner that when a sum of money is received the
instrument will on the appropriate keys or buttons being pressed down or thrown
into gear by the operator emit audible sounds indicating the amount paid and
received.
The phonograph as is well known is an instrument which records the vibrations
of sound by directing such sound whether of the human voice or otherwise upon a
sensitive membrane or diaphragm with a stylus attached, thereby causing such
stylus to vibrate, these vibrations are visibly recorded upon (1) wax (2) metallic
foil or other suitable substance; on such foil or substance travelling beneath the
stylus. When this metallic foil or substance is again passed beneath the stylus the
very indentations or visible sound record which such stylus originally made, in
turn causes the stylus and attached diaphragm to vibrate in strict accordance with
those indentations, and the diaphragm is found to emit sounds the repeat of the
original sound directed upon it. We prepare in this manner surfaces of wax or
metal foil or other substance which will if caused to travel in contact beneath a
phonograph diaphragm with the stylus attached emit the words "pounds,"
shillings," and "pence" and also numbers say from " one to "twenty" either
alone or in combination with the words "pounds,"
# shillings" & pence.'
Of these prepared foils or substances we produce if found necessary exact
counterparts in hard metal by means of the process known as electrotyping or any
other means whether chemical, electrical or mechanical such as engraving. Having
obtained these indented surfaces we then so to speak use them as "set phrase types"
and we so arrange and connect the keys or buttons with these types that by
pressing down one or more of them, their corresponding indented type will
uniformly travel beneath a diaphragm with stylus attached causing such diaphragm
to emit sound the repeat of what was employed to produce that particular set
phrase type.
11
In the reverse manner if preferred a diaphragm with stylus attached might be
caused to travel over the types, though the first named arrangement is preferable.
The same mechanical movement on the part of the operator which causes the
instrument to speak as before described, sets in motion any known form of type
writer & perforator acting upon paper or other writing or printing surface in such
away that about the time the phonograph part was calling out the amount an
indication of the same amount would be written, printed, embossed or perforated
pon or in the paper or other material slip which would be visible at will. Or the
ame mechanical movement which causes the instrument to speak may cause a
oller or wheel with progressive amounts indicated upon it, to advance a step, this
would cause the sum total of the amounts called out by the operation of any

page_text: particular button or key or other setting in motion mechanism, to be indicated
upon the roller or wheel at the opening inside the cash till or pay desk &c. where
it can be read off at will. Any number of diaphragms may be used. The
mechanism would be so constructed and secured in a fuck box that it would be
impossible for the operator (1) to record an amount on the paper slip without the
phonograph part calling out the amount so recorded or rice-rersa (2) to make the
phonograph part call out an amount, & the type writing or indicating mechanism to
record a different (presumably smaller) amount, or in the case where a progressively
numbered wheel or roller is used, for the phonograph part to call out an amount,
and the roller or wheel not to move forward a step.
The foregoing apparatus might be further combined with the already existing
check-till system which causes the amount of ench payment to be displayed
at an opening in front of the instrument by the appearance of plain ligures
mdienting such amount: thus appealing to both the human senses of hearing
and sight.
A. bell might be further combined with the aforementioned, to ring at or about
the time of each transaction.
It is obvious from the foregoing that the phonographic part of the till might he
used by itself without being combined with either of the above named indicating
apparatus.
Dated this 30th day of April 1890.
FRANK STANLEY WILLOUGHBY.
THOS. HORSFIELD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Checking Apparatus for Tills, Pay Desks, Turnstiles, and
other Places where Money is Paid or Received.
We, FRANK STANLEY WILLOUGHBY, Wine Merchant, 15 Cross Street,
Manchester, and THOMAS HORSFIELD, Chartered Accountant, 60 King Street,
Manchester do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performeil, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to construct a checking apparatus which shall
give an audible indication as well as a type written or perforated or visible one
in any form of the amount of each payment made into the till or other cash
receptacle where a check is desirable upon the money paid or received. The
invention consists principally in the combination of the instrument known as the
phonograph" with a key board or other efficient device worked by the fingers of
the operator in such a manner that when a sum of money is received the instru-
ment will on the appropriate keys or buttons being pressed down or thrown into
gear by the operator emit audible sounds indicating the amount paid and received.
The phonograph as is well known is an instrument which records the vibrations of
sound by directing such sound whether of the human voice or otherwise upon a
sensitive membrane or diaphragun with a stylus attached thereby causing such
stylus to vibrate, these vibrations are visibly recorded upon (1) wax (2) metallic
foil or other suitable substance, on such foil or substance travelling beneath the
stylus. When this metallic foil or substance is again passed beneath the
stylus the very indentations or visible sound record which such stylus originally
made in turn causes the stylus and attached diaphragm to vibrate in strict
accordance with those indentations, and the diaphragm is found to emit sounds, the
repeat of the original sound directed upon it. We prepare in this manner
surfaces of wax or metal foil or other substance which will if caused to travel
in contact beneath a phonograph diaphragm with the stylus attached canit the
words" "pounds shillings" and "pence" and also numbers say from "one" to
22

page_text: "
32
"
"twenty" either alone or in combination with the words "pounds shillings
and "pence."
Of these prepared foils or substances we produce if found necessary
exact counterparts in hard metal by means of the process known as electrotyping
or any other means whether chemical, electrical, or mechanical, such as engraving.
Having obtained these indented surfaces we then so to speak use them as set
phrase types" and we so arrange and connect the keys or buttons with these types
that by pressing down one or more of them their corresponding indented type will
uniformly travel beneath a diaphragm with stylus attached causing such diaphragm
to emit sounds the repeat of what was employed to produce that particular set
phrase type. In the reverse manner if preferred a diaphragm with stylus attached
might be caused to travel over the types though the first named arrangement is
preferable. The same mechanical movement on the part of the operator which
causes the instrument to speak as before described sets in motion any known form
of type writer or perforator acting upon paper or other writing or printing surface
in such a way that about the time the phonograph part was calling out the amount
an indication of the same amount would be written printed embossed or perforated
upon or in the paper or other material slip which would be visible at will. Or the
saine mechanical movement which causes the instrument to speak may cause a
roller or wheel with progressive amounts indicated upon it to advance a step, this
would cause the sum total of the amounts called out by the operation of any
particular button or key or other setting in motion mechanism to be indicated upon
the roller or wheel at the opening inside the cash till or pay desk &c. where it can
be read off at will. Any number of diaphragms may be used. The mechanism
would be so constructed and secured in a lock box that it would be impossible for
the operator (1) to record an amount on the paper slip without the phonograph part
calling out the amount so recorded or vice-versu (2) to make the phonograph part
call out an amount and the type writing or indicating mechanism to record a
different (presumably smaller) amount or in the case where a progressively
numbered wheel or roller is used for the phonograph part to call out an amount
and the roller or wheel not to move forward a step. The foregoing apparatus
might be further combined with the already existing check till system which causes
the amount of each payment to be displayed at an opening in front of the instru-
ment by the appearance of plain figures indicating such amount thus appealing to
both the human senses of hearing and sight. A bell might be further combined
with the aforementioned to ring at or about the time of cach transaction. It is
obvious from the foregoing that the phonographic part of the till might be used
by itself without being combined with either of the above named indicating
apparatus.
Having thus given a general description of our invention we will for the purpose
of illustration proceed to describe one way in which the same may be carried into
practical effect by describing its application to and combination with the already
existing "cash register" or check till manufactured by the National Cash Register
Co. of Dayton, O. U.S.A. It is obvious however that the phonographic apparatus
can as hereafter illustrated be applied to or combined with any very simple cash
register, check till, pay desk or turnstile by suitable alteration in the mechanism
connecting such phonographic apparatus with the key board or other operating
device of the particular cash register, check till, pay desk, or turnstile in question.
Taking one of the above cash registers we remove the board which closes in the
mechanism on the side the opposite to that where the operator stands and expose to
view the reverse ends of the levers holding the buttons upon which are indicated
the various amounts the cash register will record. These buttons are worked
(depressed) by the operator, and his operation of them causes the whole of the
functions of the above cash register to be performed amongst others a tablet is
elevated to a position of prominence upon which is recorded in plain figures the
amount indicated upon the button to which it is connected. This tablet is caused
to appear when the operator depresses a button owing to the reverse end of the

page_text: 105
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WC CAKE meyamag
37
elevation of the reverse end of the button lever and cause it to put into operation
our addition to the cash register by lowering an usual phonograph diaphragm with
stylus attached into position and so to speak in gear with its particular phonogram
on the cylinder or roller as hereinafter described, and at the same time by the same
action the roller or cylinder containing the phonograms is released and allowed to
revolve as hereinafter described. At the back of the cash register from which we
have removed the board we solidly fix a frame upon which we mount a cylinder on
an axle in suitable bearings. This cylinder is about the length of the key or button
board and is of a circumference sufficiently large to contain on the surface
round it the phonographie record or phonogram,
penny" or "three farthings" or "one penny
pence" or of "one shilling" "two shillings"
case where an instrument would be used in a foreign
large circumference to contain on the surface of
or
&c.
"
of
once
"half-
"eleven-
or one
up to
of "one farthing'
"two pence" &c.
up to "twenty shillings" or in the
country it is made of sufficiently
round the phonographic recoril
once
in use in that country, such as
4. one
cent
"
or phonogram of the words
"one dollar
"
indicating any coin
"one frane
זי
&e.
can be
words indicating the
On the
slipped
face of
over the
this cylinder (or on a
cylinder) we form
various
amounts
named on the
cash
permanent
wax, metal, or
or
in
phonograms can be made in any known
metal foil,
metal
foil
removable collar or collars which
permanent phonograms of the
register buttons. These
way, they may be formed in
with a deposit
of solid metal at the back or may be formed in any way by any process of
manufacture which Edison and others may declare best for permanent phonograms.
These permanent phonograms are so made or placed upon the cylinder that each
one occupies a position as nearly opposite the button indicating the same amount as
it is possible to place them consistent with the due fitting in of the diaphragm
mechanism hereinafter described. We place a rigid bar of metal from one end to
the other of the frame carrying the cylinder and spille. above the cylinder
and parallel with the spindle. On this bar we hinge as many levers as there are
keys to the instrument and upon the end of each fever, other than the hinge end
we place an usual phonograph diaphragm with stylus attached mounted in the usual
ring frame. If each of these diaphragins occupies a larger width of space than is
allowed in the instrument for a key or button, we, to enable us to get all the
diaphragms in about the same width as the key or button board, make the levers
carrying the diaphragms of two, three or more lengths and by thus putting some of
the diaphragms lower down, or further round the circumference of the cylinder and
so letting them fit in between each other in a triangular manner we are enabled
to keep the width space containing the diaphragms about equal to that containing
the keys or buttons. Ench diaphragm is so adjusted laterally that its stylus falls
exactly into the groove of one of the permanent phonograms. Each lever has a small
spring attachment by which it is held up and out of the phonogram groove, and
each lever may have a stop arrangement, by which, though it is lifted by the spring
out of the phonogram groove, it is prevented from rising up too far a clearance of of
an inch will be found ample. Or all the levers may be stopped by one bar common
to all. On the other linnd each lever may have a stop on its under side by
which is prevented the lowering of the lever, against the strength of the spring,
too far, so that the stylus goes too deeply into the phonogram groove, thus damaging
the articulation and probably breaking the stylus and diaphragm. We may
attach a small set screw to ench under stop arrangement to get delicacy of
adjustment.
The cylinder is caused to revolve by any motive power such as an electro-motor,
a spring, or weight. We ent a groove or slot in the face of the cylinder, or in the
collar on the cylinder parallel with the axle about of an inch wide and of an
inch deep and an inch long into which a piece of metal drops or springs which
piece of metal is fastened to one end of a lever hinged to the frame of the machine,
the other end of the lever is connected with all the keys or buttons of the instrument

page_text: or key levers at either end in such a way that on one of the keys or buttons being
operated the piece of metal engaging the slot is lifted out of the slot, this allows the
cylinder to revolve by the power of the motive power employed. The rib of metal
rides upon the cylinder during one revolution until the slot is brought under it
again when it drops in and stops the cylinder. The operation of any key or button
which lifted the rib of metal out of the slot and allowed the cylinder to revolve
causes the particular diaphragm with stylus attached which is opposite that particular
key or button and which is placed immediately over the particular phonogram of
that key, to be lowered into the phonogram groove and by a simple engaging catch
or by holding down the key we compel that diaphragm stylus to remain in that
groove, and so receive the vibration from the phonogram and so cause the attached
diaphragm to call out the amount such phonogram indicated. When the cylinder
has completed its one revolution however the metal rib springs into its slot and
stops the cylinder, at the same time releasing the engaging catch when used for
holding the diaphragm stylus in the phonogram groove which then springs up out
of the phonogram groove and all is clear for the operation of another key.
In order that our invention may be more clearly understood we will refer to the
annexed drawings of which Fig. 1 shows how the phonographs may be connected
to the keys or buttons of a checking instrument. For the sake of simplicity of
illustration we have omitted the type or other recording apparatus and its adjuncts
as they form no part of our invention and are well known and we have only shown
means for raising the indicating tablet. The above figure shows one of the phono-
graph diaphragms a hinged at a' so that its stylus a' can fall into the groove of the
permanent phonograms upon the cylinder b. This cylinder as previously stated has
a constant tendency to revolve (by spring or clockwork or other motive power in
common use, not shown) but it is kept stationary by the loose lever c & spring e',
the rib or catch at the end of the lever c taking into a notch in the cylinder
shown. As soon however as the button or key d is depressed it pushes down the
diaphragm a and stylus a' and also the end e of the lever e e' raising the end e¹ and
exhibiting the tablet e indicating the amount corresponding to the phonogram.
Each button or key d also depresses a short arm on a shaft g at one or each end
of which is fixed a lever or arm " acting against and releasing the catch lever c
from the notch in the cylinder b and setting the latter in motion.
as
In another form of practically the same instrument we instead of having all the
permanent phonograms upon one large cylinder 6 form each permanent phonogram
upon a small cylinder or disc of its own as shown at Fig. 2 in this case each
cylinder or disc in combination with its own key or button d contains the necessary
starting and stopping mechanism previously described complete for itself, (ff being
in one piece rocking on a fixed rod at g*) independently of the neighbouring
cylinders or discs mechanism in combination with their own keys or buttons.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that we
do not claim and confine ourselves to the precise methods of carrying the same into
practical effect as are described in the foregoing as it is obvious that the mechanical
details might be materially altered and the end desired arrived at in many
mechanical ways without departing from the spirit of the invention, but what we
do claim is
The combination of the phonograph with a key or button board or other device
actuating a cash register, check till, pay desk, or turnstile in such a manner that the
action of the operator depressing a button or key, or operation of any other setting
in motion device common to cash registers, check tills, pay desks, or turnstiles, will
cause a permanent set phrase type, phonogram, or visible sound record to uniformly
travel beneath a phonograph diaphragm with stylus attached, so adjusted and
arranged that such diaphragm will call out in audible tones the amount indicated
upon the key or button or other operating device. Thus if in combination with the

page_text: cash register herein referred to, appealing as a check to the two senses of
hearing and sight. Also in combination with any internal recording mechanism
common to cash registers, check tills, pay desks, or turnstiles, substantially as
described.
Dated this 26th day of November 1890.
FRANK STANLEY WILLOUGHBY.
THOS. HORSFIELD.