Improvements in Cash-registering and Indicating Apparatus or Check-tills and Arithmometers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by THOMAS CARNEY, of Dayton, Ohio, United
States of America.]
Improvements in Cash-registering and Indicating Apparatus or
Check-tills and Arithmometers.
We, THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, LIMITED, of 356 Strand,
in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
machines.
The cash-registers now in use consist mainly of two classes :-First, machines in
which a series of operating keys or levers are employed representing the various
amounts to be indicated and registered, and in which the keys themselves directly
actuate the indicating and registering mechanism, so that the simple operation of
any given key effects the indication and registration of its value; and secondly,
machines in which the keys do not directly actuate the indicating and registering
mechanism, but operate merely as stops, trips or adjusting devices, to control or
determine the operation of the indicating and registering mechanism, which latter
are actuated from a source of power independent of the keys. In the latter
machine, the operation consists in first setting the proper keys, and then applying
power to the machine, through the medium of a lever, crank or other suitable
handle or hand device, to actuate the several sets of mechanism aud effect the
indication and registration corresponding to the set keys. The machines first
described are known as "key" machines, or "single motion" machines, while the
latter are generally called "crank" machines, or "double motion
The operation of the key machines is commonly limited to indicating and
registering the values represented by the operated keys, while the machines of the
other class are generally provided with means for printing each amount indicated
and registered, sometimes upon a single record-strip carried within the machine,
and sometimes also upon a second strip called a check-strip, the end of which,
bearing the printed amount, is projected from the machine at each operation, into
position to be severed from the strip, to serve as a detached check or ticket.
There are exceptions to the above general statements of the capacities of the two
classes of machines, some "key" machines having been devised which accomplish
all the results of the "double motion" machines, while some "double motion"
Another
machines are limited in operation to indication and registration.
distinction between the two classes of machines consists in the fact that, as a rule,
the "double motion" machines have a capacity for higher, and a greater variety
of, values than have the key machines, owing to the fact that, in the latter
machines, the indication and registration of the amount of a sale are generally
effected by operating a single key, or at most two keys, while in the "double
motion" machines, owing to the fact that the power is applied to the machine by a
handle independent of the keys, a greater number of keys may be set, to represent
a wider range of values, and the indication and registration be then effected with
case by operating the independent handle. There are also exceptions to this
distinction between the two classes of machines, for key machines have been
devised in which three or more keys may be employed at the same operation, to
indicate and register as wide a range of values as can be done in machines of the
other class, but, in such instances, in which power is applied to the machine solely

page_text: through the keys, the operation cannot be effected with as much ease and certainty
as in the "double motion" machines.
Owing to the difference in the modes of operation and capacities of the two
classes of machines above referred to, they have generally differed widely from
each other in their construction and arrangement of parts, and, of the machines
now upon the market and in general use, the double motion machines are generally
more complicated in their mechanism and far more expensive to manufacture than
are the key machines. For illustration, a familiar form of key-machine now in
general use is that made under Letters Patent granted to H. J. Haddon and dated
September 26th 1893, No. 18052, while a familiar form of double motion machine
is that built under Letters Patent granted to H. Cook, and dated 10th October
.1892, No. 18079.
It is the object of the present invention to produce a double motion machine
which shall have all the capacities and advantages of that class of machines, but
which shall be built upon the general plan of a key machine, and embody the
simplicity and economy of construction of such a machine. In brief, the invention
may be said to consist in converting a key machine into a double-motion machine
without destroying or materially changing its organization as a key machine, but
producing a machine having a new mode of operation, differing from that of either
the old key machines or the old double-motion machines. The new machine
embodies a series of keys or key elements, to represent different values, and
independent driving or operating mechanism, having a definite movement at each
operation of the machine, and means for connecting the keys at will with such
mechanism, whereby the connected keys will be given their full and proper
movement by such driving-mechanism and caused to actuate the indicating,
registering, printing, or other mechanism with which they are arranged to
co-operate.
In the preferred form the said invention is carried out in the following manner
and by the following means :-
In all, or nearly all, key machines there is a movable bar or frame or key-coupler
of some sort common to all the regular keys of the machine, which bar or frame is
moved by the operation of any one of the keys, being generally given the same
definite movement by the operation of different keys. In some machines heretofore
devised, means have been provided for automatically attaching the operated keys
to this movable bar or frame at the beginning of their movement, so that a
number of keys may be started in succession, and the operation of all of them be
carried out and completed, to effect the indication and registration of their
combined values, by fully depressing or operating any one or another of the keys
so started. In the new machine, instead of this movable bar or frame being
actuated as heretofore by some one of the several keys so set or started, whereby
the entire load of the machine has to be borne or overcome by the single key by
which the operation is finally carried out, the movable bar or frame is connected
with an independent operating device, such as a crank or other handle, so that, in
operating the machine, the proper keys are started or set by slightly moving them
and thereby attaching them to the common bar or frame, and then the latter is
given a definite movement by power applied to the independent operating device.
All the keys which have been set are thus given a full movement, just as though
they had all been simultaneously depressed directly by the hands of the operator,
and their full values thereby indicated and registered, and also printed in the event
of the machine being provided with a printing attachment.
The machines embodying the present invention which have thus far been built
have been constructed upon the general plan of the machine shown and described
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to R. Haddon and dated 23rd May
.1893, No. 10213, and the present invention is hereinafter described in connection
with an illustration of such a machine in the drawings; but, except as is hereinafter
particularly pointed out, the said invention is not in any way restricted to such
machines.

page_text: mproved machines remove FROM AUS
casing;
Figure 2 a plan or top view of the same;
Figure 3 an elevation of the right hand end of the same;
Figure 4 a vertical section approximately on the line 4-4 Figure 2;
Figure 5 a vertical section approximately on the line 5-5 Figure 2;
Figure 6 a vertical section approximately on the line 6-6 Figure 2;
Figure 6 a detail of the segment or mutilated gear by which, the check-strip
rollers are driven;
Figure 7 a detail view of the printing wheels and the shaft and sleeves to which
they are secured;
Figure 8 a detail view of the inking devices for the printing wheels; and
Figure 9 a detail view of the locking device for the special printing wheel,
hereinafter described.
The operating keys of the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings
consist, as shown and described in the said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893,
of levers A (Figure 4) fulcrumed about midway of their length upon a horizontal
shaft B extending from side to side of the machine in the lower forward part
thereof. The rear ends of the levers A rest upon the cross-bar C of the framework
and are guided in their vertical movements in slots in a guide-plate D extending
across the rear of the machine. Mounted in guides over the rear ends of the
levers A are the vertical rods E carrying at their upper ends the indicators F
representing the values of the respective keys by which they are operated. The
rods E are provided on their rear sides with supporting projections G which
co-operate with the usual pivoted supporting bar or wing G 10 by which the
operated indicators are temporarily held in the exposed position.
The finger-buttons at the front ends of the levers A, by which the front ends of
the levers are depressed, and which bear numbers representing the values of the
respective levers, are not fastened directly upon the front ends of the levers, as
described in the said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893 (and as they might
be in the present instance) but are secured upon the upper ends of stems or pins H
held and guided vertically in a cross plate I of the framework and arranged one
over the front end of each lever A. The front ends of the latter terminate
beneath the plate 1 and do not project outside the casing of the machine.
In the machine shown in the accompanying drawings, as in that described in the
said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893, there are three sets of cash-keys cach
set containing nine keys representing the nine digits or multiples thereof, and the
keys of the right-hand set serving to represent units of cents, those of the middle
set tens of cents, and those of the left-hand set units of dollars. The three sets of
cash-keys are separated by two special keys, while two additional special keys are
shown at opposite sides of the machine. The upper ends of the indicator-rods E
of each set are so bent as to bring all of the indicators of the set into line one
behind the other, while the spaces between the several sets of indicators and. at
the opposite ends of the three sets are occupied by the indicators of the special
keys.
While a machine embodying three sets of cash-keys, as above described, will
serve to illustrate the present invention, yet it will be understood, from the general
description of the invention given at the beginning of the specification, that it may
be utilized to greater advantage in machines employing a larger number of keys.
In some of the machines in which the present invention has been embodied,
five sets of keys have been used, so that the machines are capable of indicating
and registering any amount from one cent to $999.99, instead of being limited to
amounts from one cent to $9.99, as in the machine shown in the accompanying
drawings.
Overlying the entire lot of keys, in rear of their fulcrum-shaft B and hung at
its opposite forward corners to the side frames of the machine, is the movable bar

page_text: or frame J hereinbefore referred to, Figure 4. This bar is provided along the
.lower side of its rear edge with a rearwardly extending flange J, while immediately
above the flauge and extending forward into the bar is a slot J' running longi-
tudinally from one end to the other. Resting upon the flange J¹ with their
forward edges projecting into the slot J and their rear edges projecting over the
rear edge of the flange J', are three thin plates Js, one for each set of keys and
extending transversely across the same. These plates are secured to the flange J'
by pins J passing through the bar J and through backwardly and forwardly
extending slots in the plates, while confined in the slot J in the bar J are a series
of coiled springs J' which serve to press the plates J³ rearward and yieldingly
hold them in their normal rear position.
The key-levers A are provided immediately in rear of the flange J' with the
usual slotted lugs or hooks K, which are adapted to catch over the flange J' and
plates J when the rear ends of the levers are lifted. In the present instance, the
flange J of the movable bar does not rest directly upon the levers A, but by
means hereinafter described is normally held, in its position of rest, a slight
distance above the levers, so that the rear edges of the plates J stand directly in
the path of the points of the hooks K. It results from this that, when the front
end of any lever A is slightly depressed and its rear end raised, the point of its
hook will come into contact with the plate J3 in front of the hook and press it
slightly forward into its slot in the bar J, until the point of the hook clears the
edge of the plate, whereupon the latter will spring rearward beneath the point of
the hook, and the lever will thus be coupled to the bar J, so that, if the latter be
It will also be seen that,
then moved upward, it will carry the lever A with it.
if, when the bar J is lowered with the raised lever, it is allowed to move
downwardly until it rests upon or touches the levers A which are at rest, the
flange J and the plate J upon it, will be entirely disengaged from the hook of
the operated key; and, when the bar is again slightly raised to its normal position
of rest, it will not carry such key with it, but the rear edges of the plates J³ will
simply move into the path of the hooks upon the keys as in Figure 4, so that,
whenever any other key is started, it will become coupled to the movable bar,
while the previously-operated key will remain at rest.
Instead of the above described means for attaching the keys to the movable bar,
any other known or suitable devices for the purpose may be employed.
From the foregoing description, it will be understood that, if means be provided
for giving the bar J a definite movement upward and downward at each operation
of the machine, a uniform movement may be given to any desired number of the
levers A by first slightly depressing their front ends and thereby attaching them
to the bar J, and then giving the said bar its proper movement. It is evident that
such movement may be given to the bar J by a variety of operating devices, all of
which would fall within the contemplated scope of the present invention. In the
arrangement shown more particularly in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, there is secured
upon the outer end of a short shaft L journalled in a bearing in the frame-plate M
which supports the printing attachment hereinafter described, at the right-hand end
of the machine, a crank-handle N, by which such shaft may be turned. The
grasping portion of such handle is provided at its inner end with a catch O,
Figure 2, which co-operates with a stop P upon the plate M and is controlled by
a thumb-piece Q in the usual manner, so that, by pressing in the said thumb-piece,
the catch will be disengaged from the stop, and upon then turning the handle until
the catch comes into contact with the stop again, the shaft will be given a complete
revolution. Fast upon the inner end of the shaft L, against the left-hand side of
the plate M, is a gear-wheel R, Figures 2, 5 and 6, which meshes with a second
gear-wheel S mounted upon a stub-shaft supported by the plate M, while the gear-
wheel S meshes with a third gear-wheel T fast upon the left-hand end of a shaft U
extending to the right through the plate M, Figure 1, and journalled at its extreme
right-hand end in the side plate Q2 of the printing attachment, hereinafter referred
to. Pivoted to the side of the gear-wheel T, (or in this instance to a cam-disc

page_text: formed integrally with the gear-wheel upon its left-hand side for a purpose
hereinafter described) Figure 6, is the upper end of a link or pitman V which is
pivoted at its lower end to a laterally projecting stud or bearing W' upon the front
end of a curved arm W, Figure 5, formed integrally with the movable bar J at
its right-hand end and extending forward and downward over the fulcrum-shaft B
of the levers A.
It results from this gearing of the handle N to the bar J, that each revolution
of the handle will impart a definite upward and downward movement to the said
bar. The adjustment of the parts is such that the bar J will terminate its down-
ward movement shortly before the operating handle completes a revolution, so that,
in the further movement of the handle, the bar J will be raised slightly, and, as
the handle comes to rest, will be left in the normal position shown in Figure 4,
with the rear edge of the flange J a slight distance above the levers A and the
rear edges of the plates J in the path of the points of the hooks K of the levers,
for the purpose hereinbefore explained.
For the purpose of preventing backward movement of the operating handle and
parts geared to it, the gear-wheel R, Figure 6, has formed upon its left-hand side
a ratchet-wheel X, with which co-operates a spring-pawl Y pivoted to a stud upon
the plate M.
While, as herein before stated, the bar J may be given its movement by any
suitable operating or power-applying device, yet a rotary handle and an inter-
mediate crank-and-pitman connection, such as are above described, afford a
desirable and advantageous means for the purpose. Inasmuch as the handle has
to make a complete revolution while the bar J is moving back and forth through
a very short distance, it follows that the movement of such bar, and of the keys
connected to it, will necessarily be comparatively slow, so that, even if the handle
be turned with great rapidity, the bar and keys will not be moved quickly enough
to cause any shock or jar to the machine, or any dauger of overthrow or excess
movement from the momentum of the parts. In key-machines, the parts are often
subjected to severe shocks and strains by exceedingly quick and violent operations
of the keys on the part of persons desiring to get the machines out of order or to
cause them to operate incorrectly. In such machines, by depressing the front ends
of the key-levers very quickly, the movable bar will acquire considerable momentum
and will be moving at its greatest speed when it reaches its upper limit of move-
ment, thereby producing a severe shock to the machine when it is arrested at the
end of such movement, and also tending to cause excess of movement in the various
sets of mechanism. Such might be the case in the present machine if a simple
lever were employed to operate the bar, whereas the employment of the rotary
handle with the intermediate crank-and-pitman connection causes the bar to be
given its most rapid movements during the middle portions of its strokes in opposite
directions, and as it approaches its limit of stroke in either direction, the speed of
its movement is largely reduced, so that no shock or strain upon the parts is
produced even though the handle be turned as quickly as it is possible to turn it by
hand. A rotary cam geared to the handle and acting upon the movable bar
might be substituted for the crank-and-pitman connection, with the same results,
as will be readily understood.
As hereinbefore stated, the separate push-buttons or setting keys H for depressing
the front ends of the levers A may be dispensed with, and the levers bear the
numbered buttons upon their front ends and be depressed directly by hand to
attach them to the bar J ; but while this is true, so far as the general operation of
the machine is concerned, it is nevertheless important and highly advantageous to
provide the special setting keys H having a limit of movement just sufficient to
couple the levers A to the bar J, for the reason that, where power may be applied
without limit directly to the front ends of the levers, it is possible to subject them
to violent usage, and to such twisting and breaking strains and shocks, as would
necessitate their being made of much greater weight and strength than would
otherwise be necessary.
It has been found that, in order to withstand the rough

page_text: usage which these machines often receive in practical use, and the direct and
determined attempts to break and injure them, it is necessary to make the
operating keys of sufficient strength to withstand almost anything less than a
sledge-bainmer blow upon them. By employing the special setting keys H in the
present machine, which keys, as seen in Figure 4, have a very limited movement
just sufficient to depress the front ends of the levers A far enough to couple
their rear ends to the bar J, it is impossible to do violence to the levers A, or
any other parts of the machine, by striking the front ends of the said levers;
and inasmuch as the movement imparted to the bar J by the operating handle
is, as before explained, comparatively slow, no matter how quickly or violently the
said handle may be turned, it follows that it is not possible, in operating the
machine, to subject it to such usage as will interfere with the correct operation of
all its parts or injure it in any way.
The sets of registering and printing mechanism are somewhat similar to those
shown and described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 10213 of 1893,
and may be here described as follows:-The registering wheels A', Figures 2 and 4,
are mounted in a rocking frame B₁ fulcrumed on a shaft C¹ supported by the
framework, and the pinions of the three right-hand wheels are adapted to be
thrown into and out of mesh with three segments D' secured respectively to three
rocking frames E, F, G' mounted upon a rock-shaft H' journalled at its opposite
ends in brackets upon the side frames of the machine. Each rocking frame is
composed of two end-pieces or arms, an integral cross-bar connecting them in rear
of the shaft H', and a rod I connecting the extremities of their end-pieces or
The frames E F are loose upon the shaft H¹, and their segments D¹ are
secured to their adjacent ends and co-operate with the pinions of the first and
second registering wheels, while the frame G' is fast upon the shaft H, and its
segments D', instead of being secured to the frame, is fastened upon the shaft H¹
immediately at the left of the segment of the frame F1, in position to co-operate
with the pinion of the third registering wheel.
arms.
One of the rocking registering frames above described corresponds to each set
of keys, and each frame is given different degrees of movement by the operation
of the different keys of its set, proportionate to their respective values, by means
of a series of lifter arms or plates L', Figure 4, pivoted at their lower ends to the
sides of the levers A near their rear ends, and provided upon their forward sides
toward their upper ends with recesses aud lifting fingers M' adapted to co-operate
with the rod I of the corresponding registering frame. The fingers M' upon the
plates L' of each set are arranged at graduated distances from the rod I¹ of the
registering frame, so that they will engage with the said rod at different points in
the movements of the respective key-levers, and thereby impart different degrees
of movement to the registering frame according to their respective values,
substantially as described in the said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893.
The lifter plates L' are provided upon their rear sides with shoulders N' arranged
in graduated order corresponding to the fingers M' upon their front sides, which
shoulders co-operate with a fixed cross-bar O of the framework to positively throw
the lifters L' into engagement with the rod I¹ of the registering frame at the
proper time, and maintain it in engagement therewith during the further upward
movement of the lifter, substantially as described in the said former Specification,
No. 10213 of 1893.
The rocking frame B₁ which carries the registering wheels A' is vibrated back
and forth at each operation of the machine, to throw the pinions of the three right-
hand wheels into and out of mesh with their co-operating segments D' in such
manner that the movements of the segments in one direction will be transmitted
to the registering wheels, while the latter will be disengaged from the segments
during their movement in the opposite direction. This rocking movement of the
frame B¹ is effected by suitable connections of the frame with cams P¹, Q¹ fast
upon a rotary shaft R, Figure 4, the said shaft being given one complete
..revolution.at each operation of the machine. In the machine shown in the said

page_text: former Specification No. 10213 of 1893 this shaft is given its rotation by suitable
motion-converting devices interposed between it and the movable bar J. overlying
the key-levers, and it may be so actuated in the present instance; it is preferable,
however, to dispense with the devices heretofore employed between the said shaft.
and the bar J, and to simply gear the shaft to the operating handle N through the
medium of suitable gear-wheels driven by the gear-wheels R, S, T hereinbefore:
described, as shown in Figure 6.
The printing wheels S, T, U, Figure 7, are secured respectively upon the
outer ends of a shaft V and two concentric sleeves W1, X, which shaft and
sleeves are geared at their left-hand inner ends to the respective segments D¹,.
Figure 4, substantially as described in the said former Specification No. 10213
of 1893. Each of the printing wheels is provided with two diametrically opposite
sets of type-numbers, Figure 3, representing the nine digits, and adapted to
co-operate at diametrically opposite printing points with impression platens on
levers A2, B2 pivoted to studs projecting from the plate M, and connected at C² in
such a manner as to cause the one platen, in its movement away from the printing.
wheels, to impart a like movement to the other platen. These levers are moved in
one direction, to retract the platens and put the springs under tension, by a cam D2
fast upon the end of the rotary shaft R', herein before described, and co-operating
with a projection upon the upper side of the lever B2. The position of this.
cam D is such that, during the setting of the type-wheels, it will press back the
levers A, B and retract the platens, and, after the wheels have been set and
before they begin their return movement to normal position, it will release the
levers and permit the springs to throw the platens against the types which have
been brought to the printing points.
The printing at the lower side of the type-wheels is effected upon a paper
record-strip E carried upon a supply reel F and led thence over suitable guides
and wound upon a storage reel G2, which latter is actuated by suitable mechanism
to draw forward and wind up a small portion of the strip at each operation of the
machine. In the present instance, the reel G2 is actuated by a booked pawl H2
pivoted to the lever B2 and co-operating with a ratchet-wheel I fast upon the bub
of the reel, the pawl reaching forward and engaging a new tooth of the ratchet-..
wheel each time the platens are thrown against the type-wheels, and being drawn
backward and moving the reel with it as the platens are retracted by the cam D².
A suitable spring retaining pawl L2 co-operates with the ratchet-wheel I2 to prevent.
backward movement of the reel.
The printing at the upper printing point, above the type-wheels, is effected upon
a paper strip M² carried by a reel supported upon an upright or standard N2 and.
led downward and forward through suitable guide-plates past the printing point,.
and thence forward between a pair of rollers O2, P journalled between the plate M
and an outer plate Q2. The roller P2 is geared to the operating handle through :
the train of gear-wheels R, S, T, hereinbefore described, Figures 5 and 6, and a
pinion R2 fast upon the extreme left-hand end of the spindle of the said roller,..
at the left of the plate M, and meshing with a mutilated gear-wheel S2 formed or
secured upon the right-hand side of the gear-wheel T, (shown in Figure 6ª but
hidden by the gear-wheel T in Figure 6). The gear-wheel S2 is provided with
teeth upon only about one-half of its periphery, so that, at each revolution, it will.
turn the pinion R2 and the rollers P, O2 only one complete revolution, to advance
the strip M. The two rollers are geared together, and, in the present instance, as
in the machine described in the said Specification No. 10213 of 1893, one of them
consists of a plain impression-roller, and the other of a type-cylinder containing
consecutive numbering and dating wheels, and bearing an electrotype, by which.
the checks or tickets are numbered and dated and the desired advertising matter
printed upon them.
The cam-disc T2 formed upon the left-hand side of the gear-wheel T, herein before
referred to, operates a locking lever U whose upper end co-operates with a disc V
fast upon the extreme left-hand end of the spindle of the roller P2, Figure 6.

page_text: The said disc V2 has in it a single notch in which the upper end of the lever U2 fits
and is held by the cam-dise T, except when the said mutilated gear-wheel S² is in
mesh with the pinion R2 upon the spindle of the roller P. The gear-wheels T
and S and the cam-disc T turn together, and, as the gear-wheel S2 comes into
mesh with the pinion, the cam-disc releases the lever U2 and unlocks the roller P
and permits the gear-wheel S² to turn it. As soon as the gear-wheel S clears the
pinion R², the cam-disc throws the locking lever U2 into engagement with the
notch in the disc V2 and again locks the rollers from movement. In this manner
the rollers are always positively locked except when they are in gear with and
being turned by the operating handle, and at the end of their movement they
become automatically re-locked and any accidental excess of movement of them is
thereby prevented.
From the rollers O³, P2, the strip M2 passes forward beneath a vertically
reciprocating knife-bar A, Figures 1, 2 and 3, which co-operates with a fixed
knife-bar or shearing edge, not shown, supported between the plates M and Q2
beneath and immediately in rear of the knife-bar A. The latter is guided at its
right-hand end in a slotted plate B, Figure 3, while its left-hand end is secured to
a block C, Figures 1 and 6, surrounding and rigidly secured to a vertical rod D¹
mounted to reciprocate in a bracket or plate E' secured to the side of the plate M.
Fitting in a slot in the rear side of the block C is the front end of a lever F¹
fulcrumed upon the left-hand side of the plate M, Figure 6, and co-operating at its
rear end with a cam G fast upon the rotary shaft R. The adjustment of the
parts is such that, just at the end of the operation of the machine, after the printing
has been effected and the check or ticket delivered or projected from the machine
by the rollers O, P, the cam G will ride under and lift the rear end of the
lever F and throw down the knife A' and sever the check or ticket, and, as the
cam clears the end of the lever, a spring 1 returns the latter and the knife
to normal position. The severed check or ticket falls upon a shelf Jo in front of
the knives, Figures 2, 3, and 6.
In addition to the type-wheels for printing the amounts of the sales, there
is provided, in the present instance, a fourth wheel W2, Figure 7, located
immediately at the left of the three wheels S', T', U₁ above described, and
secured upon the right-hand end of a sleeve X' surrounding the sleeve X. This
sleeve X is geared at its left-hand end, Figures 2, 5 and 7, to the rear end of a
rotary shaft Y suitably journalled in the framework and in a bearing upon the
plate I, and having secured upon its front end a thumb-piece Z, by which it may
be turned, and an index disc A3 bearing a series of letters or characters corre-
sponding to the type-letters or characters upon the printing wheel W2, in this
instance the first nine letters of the alphabet. This index co-operates with a fixed
pointer B³, and the adjustment of the parts is such that, when the shaft Y' is turned
until any given one of the letters upon the index disc stands opposite the
pointer B³, the corresponding type-letters upon the printing wheel W2 will stand at
each of the two printing points. A coiled spring C³ surrounding the shaft Y' and
secured at one end thereto and at its opposite end to the frame-work, serves
to yieldingly hold the shaft in and return it to normal position, in which position a
blank space upon the disc A³ will stand opposite the pointer B, and blank spaces
upon the wheel W' will be presented at the printing points. When the shaft Y2
is turned to the right, by means of the thumb-piece Z2, to set the wheel W2, the
spring C³ is put under tension. To prevent the parts being returned to normal
position by the' spring immediately upon removing the hand from the thumb-piece,
the sleeve X has fast upon it a ratchet-wheel D³, Figure 6, with which co-operates
a spring retaining pawl E³ pivoted to a stud on the right-hand side frame of the
machine, by which the parts are temporarily held in any position to which they are
turned, and the type-wheel W maintained in its set position until the printing has
been effected. After the printing has been effected, the pawl E³ is disengaged
from the ratchet-wheel D³, to release the parts and permit the spring C³ to return
them to initial position, by means of a cam F³ fast upon the rotary shaft R',

page_text: hereinbefore described, which cam rides over the up-turned rear end of the pawl Es
after the printing has been effected and disengages its upper forward end from tha
ratchet-wheel.
It will be understood that the platens Y, Z' are wide enough to co-operate with
all four of the type-wheels so that, at each operation, there may be printed upon
the two paper strips not only the amount of the sale but some one of the letters or
characters shown upon the disc A³ and type-wheel W2. This special printing
device may be used for a variety of purposes, its most common use being to
designate either the different clerks who make the respective sales, or the different
classes of goods sold, as in stores divided into a number of departments and in
which it is desired to keep a distinct record of the sales of each department.
In using the machine, if, for example, the sale has been made by clerk D (or from
department D), the clerk, after setting the proper keys and before operating the
handle N, will turn the thumb-piece Z2 until the letter D on the disc A³ stands
opposite the pointer B³, and, upon then giving the handle N a revolution, the
printing will be effected and the parts released and restored to initial position,
ready for the next operation.
In establishments where the clerks work in shifts, one clerk relieving another at
stated intervals, it may be desirable to lock the special wheel permanently in
position to print the letter or character of any given clerk at all the succeeding
operations of the machine during the time he is on duty, and to unlock it and set it
to print the letter of the clerk who succeeds hin, when such clerk comes on duty.
To that end is provided the locking device shown in Figure 9, where D' represents
a locking bolt fitted to slide in a guideway in the plate I, and co-operating at its
front end with a series of holes in the rear side of the disc A³. The position of
the bolt is controlled by a lock D³ at its rear end. Upon inserting the key in the
lock and withdrawing the bolt from engagement with the disc A3, the latter and
the printing wheel W2 may be set to print any desired letter or character, and can
be then locked in such position by re-engaging the bolt with the disc. When
desired the bolt may be kept disengaged from the disc, so that the parts will then
operate in the manner first described, as though the bolt and lock were absent.
In the machine described in the said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893,
the types upon the printing wheels were inked by means of a ribbon led around
them and automatically advanced at each operation of the machine to present fresh
inking surfaces. In the present machine, such inking ribbon is dispensed with,
and, in place of it, inking pads G³, H³, Figures 3 and 8, are employed. These pads
are carried by short arms 13 secured to plates K' pivoted to the inner or left-hand
side of a plate L³ near its opposite ends, the plate L³ being hung upon the outer
end of the shaft V₁, in this instance fitting over the hub of the outer type-wheel St.
Upon the same axis is hung a three-armed lever M³, whose two opposite arms N
engage with notches or shoulders upon the plates K³, while its third arm 03
projects below the plate 13 for a purpose hereinafter explained. The lever M³ is
connected to the plate L3 by slots and pins at P³, so as to be carried by the plate
in its rocking movements upon its axis, whilst being capable of a slight independent
movement. A stud upon the outer side of the plate L³ near its lower end fits in a
slot in the upper end of an arm Qs fast at its lower forward end upon a rock-
shaft R³ journalled at its opposite ends in the plates M and Q, below the rotary
shaft U hereinbefore described. A second arm S³ fast upon the shaft R³ projects
into the path of a cam T3 fast upon the shaft U, so that, at each operation of the
machine, the shaft R³ will be rocked and the upper end of the arm Q³ thrown
rearward and downward, thereby rocking the plate L into substantially vertical
position. The plate L³ will carry the lever M with it in this movement, as above
explained, and, as it approaches its limit of movement, the arm 03 of the lever will
come in contact with a stop-pin U³ upon the frame-plate M, Figure 3, thereby
arresting the lever M³ and causing slight independent movement of the plate L³.
This independent or relative movement of the plate L³ and lever M³ will cause the
arms N3 of the said lever to rock the plates K³ and throw the inking pads G³, H³
B

page_text: against the type-wheels to ink the types. At the first backward movement of the
parts, the pads will be thrown outward away from the types by the action of
springs K secured to the edges of the plate L³ and bearing against the plates K³,
so that, in the return movement of the parts to normal position, the pads will be
clear of the types.
The machine rests upon a base A* containing the usual money-drawer B.
When closed, this drawer is locked by the engagement, with the upper edge of its
rear wall, of one arm of a three-armed lever C, Figure 4, pivoted at D and
having the upper end of its upwardly extending arm standing in the path of a
cam E upon the rotary shaft Ri. At each operation of the machine and revolution
of the said shaft, the cam will lift the lever and disengage it from the money-drawer
and permit the latter to be thrown open by the usual spring placed behind it.
As hereinbefore stated, while, in the drawing, the present invention is illustrated
as embodied in a machine containing three sets of keys, it is more especially
designed for and can be utilized to greater advantage in machines containing a
large number of keys and having a greater capacity, such as, machines containing
five sets of keys. In such machines, it would not be practicable to operate the
machine by the keys alone, for if, for instance, five keys should be set or started,
and then it be attempted to complete the operation by fully depressing any one of
such five keys, the load which such single key would have to bear would be too
great for practical purposes. Even in machines employing two or three sets of
keys, it is hardly practicable to have the keys actuate the printing and ticket-
delivering and cutting mechanism, in addition to the indicating and registering
mechanism, so that where such additional sets of mechanism are employed
a separate operating device is used to actuate them. Thus in the machine
described in the said former Specification No. 10213 of 1893, the keys are
arranged to directly operate the indicating, registering and printing mechanism,
while a separate hand-lever is employed to actuate the ticket-delivering and cutting
mechanism. In that machine, the keys have to bear all of the load of the
indicating, registering and printing mechanism, and where three keys are started
and their operation then completed by depressing one of them, such single key has
to bear the load which would be borne by all three of the keys if power were
applied directly to all of them; while the lever for operating the ticket-delivering
and cutting mechanism has only those two sets of mechanism to actuate, and
consequently a very slight load to bear considering the amount of power which
may be readily applied to such a lever. As compared with that machine, therefore,
the present improved machine presents the great advantage of relieving the
operating keys of substantially all load, and transferring it to the independent
operating handle, to which ample power for all the purposes of the machine may
be readily applied. So far as the keys are concerned, a very light tap upon their
respective buttons is sufficient to couple them to the movable bar, and thereafter
they are given their movements by the power applied to them through the medium
of such bar by the crank-handle or other operating device.
It is obvious that, although the machine shown in the drawings is designed to
be used with dollars and cents, its construction can be modified to adapt it for
other coinage, such, for example, as pounds, shillings and pence.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to us
by our foreign correspondent, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The combination of a series of keys or key-levers, suitable driving-
mechanism operated independently of the said keys or levers, and means for
connecting one or more of the said keys or levers at will with the said driving
mechanism, so that the various sets of mechanism connected with such keys or
levers may be actuated by the said driving-mechanism, substantially as hereinbefore
described and for the purposes specified.
2. The combination, of a series of key-levers, suitable driving-mechanism

page_text: operated independently of the said levers, means for connecting the rear ends of
the said levers with the said mechanism upon slightly depressing their front en⋅ls,
and a series of setting keys adjacent to the front ends of the said levers for so
depressing them, substantially as, and for the purposes, herein before described.
3. A movable bar or frame to which the keys or key-levers are adapted to be
connected, and to which a definite movement is imparted at each operation of the
machine by mechanism operated independently of the said keys or key-levers, for
the purposes above specified.
4. The combination of a series of key-levers, a movable bar or frame common
thereto, means for attaching the respective levers to the said bar, and mechanism
operated independently of the said levers to give the said bar a definite movement
at each operation of the machine and cause it to actuate the levers attached to
it, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
5. The combination of a series of keys representing different values and adapted
to operate suitable indicating and registering mechanism and to set the type-
carriers of suitable printing mechanism, devices for feeding forward and cutting
the strip on which the tickets are printed, a movable bar or frame common to the
keys, means for attaching the keys to the said bar, and means operated indepen-
dently of the keys for giving the said bar a definite movement at each operation of
the machine and actuating the printing mechanism and the said feeding and cutting
devices, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
6. The combination of a series of keys representing different values, and adapted
to operate suitable indicating and registering mechanism and to set the type-
carriers of suitable printing mechanism, a mouey-drawer, a latch for normally
holding the same closed, a movable bar or frame common to the keys, means for
attaching the keys to the said bar, and means operated independently of the keys
for giving the said bar a definite movement at each operation of the machine,
operating the said printing mechanism, and disengaging the latch from the money-
drawer, substantially as described.
7. The combination, with the cash-printing wheels and the driving-mechanism
for setting the same, of a special printing wheel for printing letters or characters,
means for setting this special wheel, a re-setting spring put under tension by setting
the said wheel, a latch for holding the wheel in its set position, and a trip for the
latch operated by the driving-mechanism of the machine to automatically release
the wheel after the printing has been effected, substantially as described.
8. The combination, with the cash-printing wheels, of a special printing wheel
for printing letters or characters, a setting shaft geared to the special wheel, for
setting it, an index co-operating with the said shaft, a re-setting spring therefor,
a ratchet-wheel turning with the special printing wheel, a pawl co-operating with
the ratchet-wheel, and a trip for automatically disengaging the pawl from the
ratchet-wheel after the printing has been effected, to release the special wheel and
permit the spring to returu it and the setting shaft to their initial position,
substantially as described.
9. The combination, with the cash-printing wheels, of a special printing wheel
for printing letters or characters, means for turning the said wheel by hand to set
it in different positions, and means for locking the wheel in any desired set
position during a series of succeeding operations of the machine, substantially as
described.
10. An inking device comprising a rocking plate hung upon the same axis as the
type-wheels, and carrying one or more inking pads, means for rocking the said
plate, and means for throwing the said pad or pads against the type-wheels to ink
the types, substantially as described.
11. The combination, with the type-wheels, of the rocking plate mounted loosely
upon the same axis as the said wheels, the plates pivoted to its opposite ends the
inking pads carried by the said pivoted plates, the lever between the pivoted
plates, carried by the said rocking plate but capable of slight independent

page_text: movement, and having the projecting arm adapted to come into contact with the
fixed stop, substantially as described.
12. The improved cash-register constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and operating as and for the purposes
above specified.
Dated the 23rd day of June 1896.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.