IMPROVED MEANS AND APPA- RATUS FOR CHECKING RECEIPTS OF MONEY."
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Britten, of Camberwell, in the County of
Surrey, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS AND APPA-
RATUS FOR CHECKING RECEIPTS OF MONEY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Britten at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd December 1875.
I, JOHN BRITTEN, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Chemist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CHECKING RECEIPTS OF MONEY," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object to check the receipt of money in retail
shops and at all other places where it is desirable to check the receipt of
money, and consists, firstly, of a machine or apparatus containing or con-
sisting partly of a system of wheels, dials, and pointers, similar to those
in use in ordinary gas meters, but the said dials representing not
measurement or capacity, but pence, shillings, and pounds. The finger
of the dial indicating pence is actuated by a ratchet wheel mounted on
[Price 8d.1

page_text: '
the axis of a flat drum about 8 inches diameter and 2 inches wide, or
similar in proportion to an ordinary sieve. The paul of the ratchet
wheel is attached to the side of the said flat drum, and the drum,
ratchet, and pawl are so arranged that when the drum and pawl move in
one direction the ratchet wheel moves with them, and thereby propels
forward the pointer of the pence index,, but both ratchet and pointer
remain stationary while the drum and paul move in the opposite
direction. On the periphery of the drum are a series of large figures,
commencing with 0 or zero, and followed successively by , 1, 1, 2, 2,
3, 3, and so on up to 11, making with zero 24 items. These figures
represent pence and halfpence, and the figures on the pence dial corre-
spond with the above series of figures on the periphery of the drum.
At the back of the machine is a column of figures, also corresponding
with those on the drum. Ou one side of the drum and extending com-
pletely round it is a groove for receiving a small cord, one end of which
is attached to the drum.. The other end of the.cord passes over a pulley
in the can or frame of the machine, and is there attached to a suitable
hook, which when the machine is at zero stands above and nearly over
the aforesaid column of figures, and the said column of figures is so
arranged with reference to the figures on the periphery of the drum that
when the hook is drawn down to and fixed at the level of any figure or
figures in the column at the back of the machine, and corresponding
figure or figures on the periphery of the drum will become visible on the
opposite side or front part of the machine, where the customer or payer of
the money will be likely to stand.
When a new receipt has to be registered the hook is first lifted to the
top of the column of figures, and the drum of the machine thereby put
back to zero. The hook is then drawn down to the required figure or
figures, and fixed as before. The proof of the machine having been put
buck to zero will in each case be indicated by a bell, which will be sounded
by the act of moving the drum from zero.
The machine here described registers amounts up to 11 d. In order to
register higher amounts a double machine is required, representing the
receipt of both pence and shillings, and if required to register amounts
above £1, a triple machine is required.
In cases where it is desirable that the amount last. registered by the
machine shall be visible in or from all parts of the shop, the machine is
J

page_text: mounted on a vertical axis, and by means of a suitable arrangement of
spring and wheels is made to revolve once after each act of registry.
A further improvement in this machine consists in the addition of a
suitable contrivance for causing the machine to print the amounts taken
in a continuous column or on separate tickets, as may be desired.
This
contrivance is similar to that in common use for printing consecutive
numbers, but with the difference that the whole of the wheels in which
the type are mounted are put back to zero by the act of putting the
drum back to zero.
An ordinary clock with suitable printing appliances may be connected
to the machine in such manner that the time at which the money is
registered shall be recorded.
A means of checking the action of the machine consists in attaching
to an ordinary till an apparatus for registering the number of times the
till is opened, and in using in connection with such registry a book, in
which the lines are numbered consecutively. The till register is so
arranged as to be visible to the shopman, and his duty will be to enter
each receipt of money on the line of the book which corresponds
the last number registered by the till.
with
Another plan for attaining this object consists of an apparatus in
which two plates of glass are 'fixed vertically in such a manner that
the money last received may be distributed vertically between the said
plates of glass, and each coin be there visible to the customer or payer
of the money.
When the next "payment is received a backward action
of the machine causes the previous receipt to fall into the till, and so
prepares the apparatus for receiving the incoming payment. This con-
trivance does not register the amount taken, but merely provides for its
passing under the eye of the customer or payer beyond the reach of the
receiver.
0 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Britten in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd June 1876.
J
JOHN
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
BRITTEN, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Chemist,. send
5 greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
⚫ give and grant unto me, the said John Britten, Her special
licence, that I, the said John Britten, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as 1, the said John Britten, my executors, admi-
-nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS AND
APPARATUS FOR CHECKING RECEIPTS OF MONEY," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Britten, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Britten, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say :—
My Invention has for its object to prevent fraud on the part of
persons entrusted with the receiving of money in retail shops, public
houses, restaurants,' theatres, concert halls, and all other places where it
is desirable to check the receipt of money by mechanical means.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, illustrate one machine or mechanical arrange-
ment for effecting this object; Figure 1 is a partial side elevation;
Figure 2, a partial front elevation, as seen by the payer of the money
to be checked (herein called the customer); and Figure 3, a back
elevation as seen by the receiver of the money to be checked (herein
called the attendant or the operator). Similar letters refer to similar.
parts. a is a case or frame in which some of the working parts are
enclosed, and which may consist of wood or other suitable material. In

page_text: Figure 1 part of this case is removed to exhibit part of the interior;
6 is a flat drum (herein called a figure drum) about two inches wide and
about eight inches diameter, or about the shape of a small fat cheese, and
having around its periphery figures corresponding with those on the dial
marked " pence" (herein called the pence dial). Partial views of the the
periphery of this and a companion drum are shown at f. Figure 2, with
the Figures 4 and 3 visible, and meaning as there shown the sum of four
shillings and threepence. The drum is mounted loosely on an axis,
the end of which is seen at e in the centre of the pence dial. This
drum contains a convolute spring fixed to the said axis and acting
against the inner surface of the drum, so as to impel it gently in the
direction of the arrow B¹, just as the spring of a watch or clock impels
the box or drum which contains it. The ratchet wheel c is fixed on the
axis e, and is actuated by the paul d attached to the drum b. The
pence dial is also fixed on the axis e, so that the ratchet c and the
pence dial move simultaneously. The lines h, k, show the position of
a groove projecting from and fixed to the side of the drum b. A cord
(preferably a fine and pliable wire cord) shown at h, passes entirely
round this groove when the drum is in a position to show O, or zero, at
the opening f. (The cypher is herein called zero, and when a figure
drum is in a position to show zero at the opening the drum is herein
said to be at zero, and when all the figure drums in a machine show
zero at the opening the machine is herein said to be at zero). The end
of the cord is fixed inside the groove, so that by drawing out the
cord to its extreme length the drum b shall make at least one
complete revolution. This cord passes over a pulley i, and is attached
outside the case a to a hook or other suitable appliance 9, having on one
side a suitable projection for receiving the finger of the operator, and
on the other side a small spur g₁ suitable for being held by the flattened
staples m, m, which project from the back of the machine, as shown
in Figures 1 and 2. Parellel with the drum b so as to be entirely
concealed by it when the machine is seen from the side elevation,
shown in Figure 1, is a second drum, a partial view of which appears at
the opening f, Figure 2, with the Figure 4 shown. This second drun
with its appliances corresponds in all particulars with the drum b,
except that the figures on its periphery correspond with those on the
dial marked shillings (herein called the shillings dial), and excepting
also as herein-after described, these two drums are herein called
respectively the shillings drum and the pence drum, and the figures on

page_text: their peripheries represent respectively shillings and pence or pence and
halfpence.
At the back of the machine, as shown in Figure 3, are two columns
of figures corresponding with those on the drums, and representing
respectively shillings and pence. Corresponding with the figures in
these columns are a series of wide staples or projecting wires m, suitable
for catching and retaining the spur of the hook g. The figures on the
pence drum, Figure 1, and the pence column, Figure 3, correspond, so also
do those on the shillings drum and the shillings column, and they are
so arranged respectively that when either of the hooks g or glis drawn
down to any figure in the corresponding column, the corresponding
figure will appear at the opening in front of the machine. And the
figures on the pence and shillings dials also correspond with the corre-
sponding drums and columns, so that the act of drawing either of the
hooks g org down to any figure, will cause the corresponding dial to
move in a corresponding degree. For example, if the hook g be drawn
from the top down to 5% which is half way down the pence column,
the pence dial will thereby be made to move through half a revolution.
The teeth on the ratchet wheels also correspond with the figures ou the
peripheries of the drums. The pence drum has 24 groups of figures on
its periphery, and therefore the ratchet of that drum has 24 teeth. The
shillings drum has 20 groups of figures and its ratchet 20 teeth.
The shillings dial, Figure 1, receives motion from the ratchet wheel /
on the shillings drum by means of a pair of toothed wheels one attached
to the ratchet and the other to the axis of the dial, so that the dial
makes one revolution for each revolution of the said ratchet wheel.
The shillings dial fits on its axis sufficiently tight to ensure its moving
with the axis, and is yet free to move independently of the axis when a
moderate pressure is applied. Round this dial is a ratchet actuated by
a pawl, suspended from the lever x. This lever rests on a cam y
attached to and moving with the pence dial, and when the said pence
dial completes a revolution the projection of the cam passes the angle x'
of the lever x. The lever then drops and the paul y taking into a
tooth on the ratchet of the shilling dial moves it forward sufficiently to
register one shilling. The paul y is sufficiently weighted at point y' to
ensure its pressing towards the ratchet of the shilling dial.
The shillings
dial thus receives motion both from the shillings drum and from the pence
dial.

page_text: The pounds dial, Figure 1, receives notion from the shillings dial' by
means of a cam lever, paul and rachet similar to that above described,
so that one revolution of the shillings dial. causes the pounds dial: to
move forward sufficiently to register one pound. These latter appliances
are not shown in. the Drawing; being exactly similar to those above
described, except that in order to make the lever and paul. act in the
required direction they are impelled by springs instead of depending
upon gravitation for their action. If the machine be required to register
individual sums of one pound and upwards, I combine with the above
machine a third drum, called the pounds drum;, which with: its appur-
tenances corresponds in every particular with the shillings drum, and in
these triple machines the pounds dial receives motion both from the pounds
drum and from the shillings dial, as above described, with reference to the
shillings dial, whicli receives motion from the shillings drum and also
from the pence dial.
The dials and other appliances herein described as being outside the
machine are in the working machine enclosed by a suitable covering
which works on hinges so as to admit of being conveniently opened for
the inspection of the dials: The total amount registered at any time is
shown by the figures which lie against the fixed pointers w. As the dials
stand in the Drawing the total registered is £5,, 4ª.
23
3,,ª.
When about to register a sum the attendant. commences by putting
the hooks g, g', up, to zero. As either hook rises the corresponding drum
being impelled by its internal spring revolves backwards in: the direction
of the arrow B: drawing the corresponding end with it until the drum
and hook are both at zero. When both drums are at zero the machine
is ready for registering an incoming receipt; supposing the sum to:
be 4/34, the attendant, pulls the shilling hook: down to 4 in the shillings
column and catching the spur of the hook into the corresponding staple
leaves it there. He next draws the pence hook down to 3 and fixes it
in the same way.
The machine thereby registers. 4°/3d as having been
received, and shows that amount. in figures at the opening f, Figure 2.
In putting the drums back to zero the operator does not. carry back the
ratchets c also. The latter are prevented from moving backwards by pawls
attached to any convenient part of the interior of the case, and working
in ratchets of smaller radius than the ratchet c, as shown at G, V,
Figure 1.

page_text: Froof of the drums having been put back to zero before registering a
new item is afforded by the following means:-Over each drum is a
pault, Figure 1. These pawls have one common axis on which they
are fixed, so that a revolving motion of the axis moves each paul equally
and in the same direction. The pauls thus connected. are forced
upwards by a spring against a suitable stop, whereby they are retained
in the position of t. When the drums are both at zero the dependent
ends of the pauls stand each over a slot in the drum to which it belongs.
The axis common to the two pauls extends outside of the machine, and
its projecting end is mounted with a suitable handle, by means of which
the attendant may turn the axis partially, and thereby depress the pauls
into the slots in the drums.
This depression of the pauls, which can only take place when the
drums are both at zero, may be made available for sounding a bell or
for giving a conspicuous motion to something on the outside of the
machine or for releasing a catch, whereby a spring or weight within or
below the machine may produce the required conspicuous motion. For
this purpose I prefer an arrangement of spring, wheels, pinions, fanner,
bell and hammer, similar to that in common use for striking the hours in
clocks, the former being visible outside of the machine. The catch which
stops the motion of this striking apparatus is attached to the axis of the
pauls above described in such manner that the act of turning the said
axis for the purpose of depressing the pauls releases the catch and puts
the apparatus in motion. The working parts of this apparatus are so
proportioned as to keep the fanner in motion about half a minute after
each release of the catch, and to ensure the bell to strike twice while
the fan is in motion. A useful modification of this arrangement
consists in mounting the machine on a vertical axis so as to admit of its
revolving once after each act of registry. In machines thus made to
revolve the striking apparatus is of greatly increased power and is placed
below the machine, and one of its pinions or smaller wheels gears into
a toothed wheel on the axis of the machine, and thereby causes the
` machine to make one revolution after each release of the catch which
stops the motion.
As there is no essential difference between a striking
.apparatus suitable for this purpose and that of an ordinary clock no further
description is needed.
As the chief obiect of these motions is to attract notice to the machine

page_text: mechanical toy may be used for the purpose. The only essential condition
is that it shall not be possible to set such automaton in motion except when
the drums are all at zero.
I sometimes modify the above machines by printing the required figures
on tapes instead of on the peripheries of drums.
The mechanical appliances necessary for substituting tapes for drums
are so obvious as to need no description otherwise than to explain that it
is necessary that the act of drawing the hook g from zero to the foot of
the column of figures, Figure 3, shall be inade to give one complete
revolution to some one wheel. This one wheel is thereby fitted for
working the ratchet C just as the said ratchet is worked in figure 1 by the
drum b, and in so working the ratchet will work also the register as
already described.
I sometimes fix under or in the lower part of these machines an arrange-
ment for printing in continuous columns or on detached tickets the
individual amounts registered by the machine.
The arrangements for printing pence when applied in the machine
first described in this Specification, Figures 1, 2, and 3, are as follows :—
I fix to the pence drum b, Figure 1, a circular groove similar to the
groove K, but not more than about 6 inches in diameter. This groove
is by preference placed on the side of the drum opposite to that from
which the groove K projects. Within this groove is fixed one end of a
fine and pliable wire cord, or some other kind of cord that is at once
pliable, and free from liability to become elongated by use.
When the
drum b is at zero this cord is almost entirely unwound from the groove
on that drum. The cord extends downward to the printing apparatus,
being guided where necessary by suitable pulleys, so as to admit of its
being brought into the position most convenient for the required
purpose.
a, Figure 5, is a side elevation of one of three or more small drums
herein called type drums, and which are similar to the drums which
contain the springs of clocks and watches, and are impelled in the
direction of the arrow Z by internal springs. These drums represent
respectively pounds, shillings, and pence, with halfpence; or if preferred
the last named drum may represent pence only, and a fourth drums may
be provided representing farthings; but this description supposes the
►

page_text: 1 d
drum seen in Figure 5 to represent pence and halfpence, and that the
drums representing shillings and pounds are behind, and therefore
concealed by it. From the periphery of this drum project at equal
distances 24 types or groups of types commencing with 0 or zero, and
rising afterwards from up to 11½d, so that the said types correspond
with the figures on the pence drum, the pence column, and the pence dial,
Figures 1, 2, and 3. On one side of this drum is a groove, shown by the
circle b, of the same diameter as the smaller groove attached to the figure
drum as already described, and the wire cord, the end of which is fixed
in the smaller groove on the drum b after passing downwards as already
described, passes entirely round the groove b on the type drum a, Figure 5,
and its end is fixed to or in the said
groove.
The dotted line c indicates the position of the said cord as it passes from
the type drum b.
Below the type drums a and its companion drums for printing pounds
and shillings is a frame preferably of cast iron, and similar in shape to
an oblong box with its top and bottom removed. This box lengthened
by a suitable handle projecting in the direction of the arrow. y forms a
lever (herein called the printing lever), which lever works on a pin
passing through two gudgeons, one of which is seen at d. Within this
frame in positions indicated by the dotted curves are various rollers.
On one roller situated at e is rolled the blank paper, on which the
amounts registered are to be printed. From this roller the paper passes
over a guide roller situated at f, thence over the platten, shown by the
dotted lines, and thence downward between two rollers situate at g, g'.
The printed paper indicated by the dotted line then falls into any
receptacle that may be provided. The rollers g, g¹, press together
with sufficient force to draw the strip of printed paper between them,
and the said rollers receive the necessary motion from a ratchet wheel
fixed to the farther end of the roller y', part of which ratchet is seen
rising above the frame at K. Between the type drum and the frame b
is situated the inking tape, which being common to all machines for
printing varying numbers needs no description here nor illustration in the
Drawing.
The type projecting from the type drum a, Figure 5, are so arranged
with relation to the figures on the periphery of the drum b, Figure 1,
that when the drum bis caused to revolve so far as to show any figure

page_text: or group of figures at the opening f corresponding type will be at the lower
part of the type drum in such position as to give their impression when the
platform is lifted.
The drums for printing shillings and pounds are worked exactly as
here described, the type on either type drum corresponding with the
figures on the corresponding drums on the upper part of the machine.
When the impression is about to be given the printing lever, which
includes the frame b, is lifted by hand with sufficient force to give the
impression. Excessive pressure is prevented by means of an adjustable
stop, which prevents the lever from rising beyond the necessary degree.
As the lever falls into its stationary position the ratchet K is caught by a
pawl attached to some convenient part of the frame of the machine, and
thereby gives to the rollers g, g', a partial revolution, which moves the
strip of paper forward, so as to bring a blank space again under the centre
of the type drums.
I sometimes substitute for the above printing arrangement other
arrangements suitable for printing the amounts registered on detached
tickets, or on the customer's invoice if preferred. In this latter arrange-
ment the type drums are worked as above described, and the tickets or
invoices are inserted and withdrawn by hand. If preferred suitable
tickets may be fed to the machine, and withdrawn from it by means
similar to those used in numbering railway tickets. When these
machines are fitted with a printing apparatus the pauls t,. Figure 1, are
modified as shown in Figure 6, and are placed below instead of above the
figure drums.
The curved line 6 represents the lower part of a figure drum, against
which the paul c is pressed upwards by the balance weight c¹; e is the
upper end of a rod of iron or other metal, the lower end of which rests
on the printing lever b, b, Figure 5. This rod rises and falls in guides.
When the paul c is in the position shown in Figure 6 its dependent
member d projects over the rod e, and since the lower end of this rod rests
upon the printing lever it is impossible to raise the lever while the paul is
in this position; but when the slot on the periphery of the figure drum is
brought over the paul at the point c the weight c¹ forces the paul into the
slot, and at the same time causes the dependent member d to move in the
direction of the arrow entirely from over the rod e. The rod e is then free
to rise, and therefore the printing lever raised, and the required impression
given.

page_text: The apparatus already described for striking a bell, and giving other
signs of the machine having been at zero, is so placed in relation to the
printing lever that the act of raising the said printing lever releases the
catch, which checks the action of the striking apparatus, and thereby sets
the said apparatus free to strike the bell, or to create any kind of automaton
or toy motion that may be adopted for attracting notice to the machine.
The paule is so shaped that it releases itself from the slot in the figure
drum by the simple motion of the drum. The end served by these
arrangements is to render it impossible to strike the bell or create the
desired automatic motions without first raising the printing lever sufficiently
to give the required impressions, and also impossible to raise the printing
lever, except when the figure drums are at zero.
I sometimes modify the machines herein-before described by providing
them with duplicate sets of dials placed, by preference, on the axes of the
dials marked pounds, shillings, and pence, in Figure 1. These duplicate
dials, like the finger of a clock, admit of being moved backward or forward
independently of all other parts of the machine, and can therefore be
turned back to zero every time the till is emptied without interfering with
the continuous and cumulative action of the principal dial, shown in
Figure 1.
Another mode of attaining the object of my Invention consists in various
machines or apparatus, in which the money last received is exhibited
vertically between two plates of glass, or between a plate of glass and some
other body, in such manner that the payer of the money shall be able to
see it, and determine its amount after it has passed beyond the reach of the
person who receives it.
One of such contrivances is illustrated by Figures 7, 5, 9, 10.
The figures are full size, and similar letters refer to similar parts.
Figure 7 is a front elevation with the middle part, including the knob a,
broken away to shorten the drawing. is a narrow strip of plate glass,
which would be about one foot in length if all shown; c, a metal
frame, preferably of brass, in which the glass plate bis fixed.
and frame are seen in section in Figure 8, b, c.
second plate d of equal length, but rather narrower, and fixed like bin
a frame or sash, preferably of brass. The money to be checked or passed
beyond the reach of the receiver is put into the chamber e between the
Behind this
The glass
plate b is a

page_text: glass plates b, d, from whence after the apparatus is closed it cannot be
extracted, except through the passage f, from whence it falls into the till,
the connection with which is partially obstructed by the sloping shelf g.
The brass frame c is enlarged at the parts c¹ c', in order to receive at
each enlargement a pin, the two pins serving as an axis, on which the
said frame may swing, and working in gudgeons in the walls of the
chambers h, h².
Figure 9 shows the inside of the chamber h with the outer wall
removed. On the pin i, on which the glass and frame b, c, swing, is
fixed a lever j. which is forced in a direction opposite to the arrow ¹ by a
spring B. This lever and frame c, being both fixed to the same axis
move together, therefore when the lever moves in the direction of the
arrow the lower part of the glass and frame b, c, moves in the same
direction, that of the arrow ', Figure 8, and thereby opens a passage
for the money contained in the chamber e.
m, Figure 9, which is at
once a ratchet and a cam, revolves upon the pin k, which latter is fixed
to the flap 1, Figure 8, and forms the axis on which the flap moves.
The crank n is fixed ou the pin k, and has therefore the same motion as
the flap, to which the pink is fixed. When the knob or handle a is
drawn in the direction of the arrow a¹ the paul o, taking into the
ratchet of the cam (against which it is pressed by a gentle spring H).
causes the cam to revolve in the direction of the arrow ¹, and thereby
ejects the lever j from the recess on the cam m, which motion of the
lever j, as before explained, opens the chamber e, in which the money
last received is held in check, and allows the same to fall into the till.
The chamber e remains open at bottom until the cam
quarter revolution, when the lever again falls into a recess on the canim,
and the chamber e is thus closed at bottoin. By this time the flap is
brought into a horizontal position, as shown by the dotted lines . The
incoming receipt is then distributed on its surface, from which it falls
into the chamber e, as the flap approaches a vertical position while being
closed. If the flap were opened very suddenly the opening f might be
reclosed before the money passed entirely through it, in which case the
money might be abstracted from above. To prevent fraud in this
direction I mount on the pin of the crank na peculiar kind of paul p, the
upper part of which is broken away to show the paul o. At the lower
end of the paul p is a roller, which, if the flap be opened with ordinary
speed, will follow the undulating course of the guide q, and will there-
has made a

page_text: fóre
pass downward without obstruction; but if the flap be opened
with undue rapidity the paul 2 will be jerked in the direction of the
arrow p', by which means the projecting stud on the paul will
become entangled with the stops, and the opening of the flap will be
retarded.
Another means whereby the money held in check by the closing of
the bottom of the chamber e might be fraudently abstracted, would be
by not closing the flap sufficiently to ensure the paul o falling into
the ratchet on the cam m. To prevent fraud in this direction I provide
in the chamber, Figure 7, an arrangement of paul and ratchet,
whereby it is rendered impossible to open the flap unless it shall first
have been properly closed. This arrangement is shown in Figure 10 as
it would appear against the outer wall of the chamber if it were
looked at through the machine. is the axis on which the flap / moves;
u, a crank fixed on this axis, the end of which crank is broken away to
show the paul v. The paul when in its highest position is forced in the
direction of the arrow by a spring w, and therefore in its downward
motion the projecting stud ¹, Figure 11, will pass down the groove,
provided it be first raised sufficiently to pass over the point y. At the
lower end of the groove a is a paul Z forced upward by the spring 7.
This paul yields to the pressure of the stud v, Figure 11, and after
allowing the stud to pass closes the passage and causes the paul to
travel over the face of the ratchet y in its upward course, and the said
stud of the paul v cannot return into the groover until it has first been
raised above the point y. Therefore if the flap be not thoroughly
closed after placing an incoming payment in check in the chamber e
the stud of the paul will lie against the ratchet y, which will bar its
descent, and therefore prevent the flap from being opened. Part of the
surface of the flap Z on which the incoming money is first distributed is
notched like an ordinary ratchet, the teeth being inch wide and th
deep. By placing a pile of copper coins at one end of this ratchet and
sliding the pile over the ratchet in such manner that the lower coins
shall strike against the vertical sides of the ratchet teeth the whole are
instantly distributed, supposing the ratchet to have as many teeth as the
number of coins to be distributed; the space appropriated to silver and
gold coins is not notched. Owing to silver coins differing so much in size
the space alloted them on the flap can be better utilized if level than if
notched.

page_text: Where these machines are used a supply of change must be provided
which the attendants would be required to maintain of one constant
amount. When the amount of copper or silver coin received at one
time is more than the machine will receive a part of the copper can be
exchanged for silver, and a part of the silver can be exchanged for gold,
or imitation gold coins before the incoming payment is checked in the
machine.
The motive for having glass at the back of the machine is to render the
money visible to those behind the counter as well as to those in front. The
space between the two plates of glass may, if preferred, be divided trans-
versely into compartments, each fitted for receiving one coin, or each fitted
for receiving two or more coins with suitable notches at the lower part of
the compartiments so as to allow of one coin partially overlapping the other
without preventing it from being clearly visible, so far as to ensure its
recognition in counting the money contained in the machine at any one
time.
Figures 12 and 13 represent a modification of this mode of checking
cash receipts, which has the merit of being capable of checking large
amounts by individual operations, but lacks the merit of having a glass
back like the machine last described; Figure 12 is a back elevation;
and Figure 13 a side elevation. The front elevation shows little beyond
a plate of glass set in a frame of brass or other suitable material
(herein called a glass door). a is a case, preferably of thin cast iron,
similar in its outward shape and proportions to an ordinary book,
and open at the side which faces the glass door, which latter is not
shown in the Drawings. This case is hinged at Z to the upper edge of
the till or chamber for finally receiving the incoming money. Inside
the case a and almost filling it is an clastic cushion M, the back of
which consists of a plate of metal or other suitable material. This
elastic cushion is pressed against the glass door in front of the machine
by suitable springs, situate between the cushion and the inner side of
the case a.
The glass door is hinged at to the side of the case a,
Figures 12 and 13; c, Figure 12, is a thumb bit by which the atten-
dant opens the glass front after it and the case a have been brought
into a horizontal position by being drawn backwards and downwards,
that is, in the direction of the arrow o, Figure 13. The position of the
hinge Z and thumb bit c, illustrate clearly the position of the glass
door in front of the machine. d is a spindle mounted in bearings i and i,

page_text: which bearings are fixed on the back of the case a. At the upper end
of this spindle is a cross head forming a handle e, the end of which is
seen in Figure 12, and the side of which is shown at e, Figure 15; ƒ, f,
are two staples fixed to the back of the cushion already described, the
said back being, as already stated, a plate of metal or its equivalent.
Within these staples are two cams fixed ou the spindle d, a plan of one
being shown in Figure 14, as it and the spindle stand within the staple f
when the machine is in the position and condition for exhibiting
money.
By turning the handle and spindle d, e, a quarter of a revolution the
cams inside the staples f; f, are made to bear upon the inner side of the
said staples, and force them backwards, that is, towards the operator,"
thereby drawing back the cushion to, which the staples are fixed. By
this means the cushion is separated from the glass door sufficiently to
allow the money held between it and the said glass door to fall into the
receptacle below. The projecting boxes contain each a roller or pulley
impelled by an internal spring in the direction of the arrow h',
Figure 13. To each of these rollers is fixed the end of a cord or tape
suitable for being wound on the surface of the roller by the action of the
internal spring. These cords or tapes support jointly a small strip of metal,
the upper edge of which is turned over at a right angle, as shown at L,
Figure 13.
This strip of metal, herein called the sweeper, extends entirely
across the head of the cushion, and in front of it. The projecting boxes y
contain each a pulley fixed on one spindle k, so as to revolve simultaneously.
This spindle extends beyond the box g into a third pulley box g¹, and
there carries a third roller of much smaller diameter than those in the
boxes g, g. The pulley box g¹ and its companion g are shown partially
in section in Figure 13, so as to make the pulleys visible. To the small
roller on the box g' is fixed one end of a suitable cord or tape, which
after passing several times round the said roller is fixed at its opposite end
to the lever /.
To the larger rollers in the boxes are fixed two cords or tapes, which
pass downward between the cushion and the inner surface of the case a,
then under a pair of pulleys working on pins fixed to the lower part of
the said case, as shown at P, Figure 13, and then upwards to the metal
bar already described, and called the sweeper, to which said sweeper the
ends of the said cords or tapes are severally fixed. The effect of this
arrangement is that if the case a and its appliances be pushed forward,

page_text: that is, in the direction of the arrow n, the lever 1, which remains
stationary on account of the catch at R, gives motion to the rollers in the
boxes g, g, and thereby coils upon their surfaces part of the cord or tape
which extends down the side and up the front of the cushion, whereby
the angular metal bar herein called the sweeper is caused to descend
between the cushion and the glass door, thus ensuring the liberation of
any coins which might through fraud or accident adhere to the cushion or
glass door..
In passing money through this apparatus the receiver proceeds as
follows He first turns the handle c one-fourth of a revolution, and
thereby separates the cushion from the glass door, so that any money
already between the cushion and glass door may, if not adhering by
accident or design, fall through the slot below, shown by dotted lines at
T. He then pushes the case and its appliances forward to the extent of
about one-twelfth of a revolution, and since the lever I cannot move
forward beyond the position it occupies in Figure 13 the act of pushing
the machine forward produces the same effect on the rollers and cords
already described as if the lever moved backwards and the case remained
stationary, that is to say, the spindle k and rollers G, G¹, Figure 13, are
made to revolve in the direction of the arrow, thereby drawing on to the
larger roller G the cord indicated by the dotted line H, and thereby
causing the sweeper L to travel downwards in front of the cushion, so as to
ensure absolutely the release of any coin that might remain there through
accident or design.
When the machine has been pushed forward to the point at which a
backward motion becomes possible the attendant draws it backward in
the direction of the arrow o until it falls into a horizontal position. He
then opens the glass door by lifting the thumb-bit C, lays the incoming
money on the cushion, gold to his right hand, copper to his left, and
silver in the middle, closes the door, and lifts the machine back into a
vertical position, in which it is retained by a suitable cam and spring
contained in the projecting chamber p, Figure 12, a side view of which
is shown at p, Figure 13.
This chamber also contains an arrangement
similar to that described with reference to the preceding machine, and
illustrated in Figure 10. The effect of this latter arrangement as applied
to the present machine is that after the machine has made some progress
in passing from the horizontal to the vertical position it becomes impos-
sible to move it backward until it shall have first been pushed forward

page_text: to the extent necessary for carrying the sweeper L down the front of the
cushion. y, Figure 13, is a plate projecting from the frame of the glass
door underneath a stop w, the effect of which is that the glass door
cannot be opened except when the machine is in its horizontal position or
nearly so.
The dotted lines j represent a hood, consisting preferably of a thin
plate of metal about two inches wide, and having its ends shaped and
turned down at right angles, as shown by the dotted lines. The side A
of this plate is also turned down at a right angle to the level of the
point A throughout the entire length of the plate. The Hood or
covering so formed is hinged to the lower part of the case a at the
point in such manner as to leave between itself and the case a an
opening of sufficient width to allow of money falling from the front of
the cushion into the receptacle below. This opening is indicated by the
dotted lines T, and extends entirely across and under the front of the
cushion so as to be exactly under the space formed between the cushion
and the glass door when the cushion is forced backward by the action
of the cams on the spindle d against the staples f. The hood j. is
supported by a stud j¹ projecting from each end and resting on guides B.
The effect of this arrangement is that when the case a falls into a
horizontal position the part A of the hood is brought over or in contact
with the hinge throughout its entire length, and thereby closes the till
or money chamber below it.
Figures 15 and 16 represent another mode of attaining the object of
my Invention suitable only for small payments in copper. Figure 1 is a
back elevation, and Figure 16 a plan.
Similar letters refer to similar parts. The circles a, a, a, a, a, a,
represent 6 pennies exhibited vertically between annular plates of
glass. These coins are prevented from friction against the glass by
projecting upwards within the metallic frame of the glass against the
inner sides of which they find a support. Smaller coins, halfpennies.
and farthings, are similarly supported by hoop-shaped wires, one of
which is in front and another behind the coins, as shown at b, that is,
between the coins and the glass plates. c, c, c, are radiating ribs
projecting from a revolving plate of metal, and forming, with the hoop-
shaped wire and metal frame already described compartments suitable
for receiving pennies or any smaller copper coin and retaining them in

page_text: or near a vertical position. d is a trough-shaped chamber projecting
from the back of the machine, and having within it a sliding plate e
held in a vertical position, partly by guides, shown partially in section
at g and partly by being fixed to the rod f. This sliding plate is forced in
the direction of the arrow by a helical spring h. The incoming coppers
are inserted vertically in the chamber at d in front of the slide which is
drawn backward for the purpose. They are thereby projected with
The handle is then turned a
moderate pressure against the machine.
complete revolution, whereby the radiating ribs are made to revolve in the
direction of the arrow i, and the result is that any coppers previously in
the machine fall into the till, and the coppers last put into the trough d
take their place. That part of the revolving metal plate which lies con-
cealed at x is solid, and each time the machine is used it will be the duty
of the attendant to turn the handle so far as to put this solid part out of
sight.
The revolving plate is prevented from moving backward by a ratchet
within the machine. Part of the handle h in Figure 16 is broken away to
show the chamber d below it.
I sometimes modify the machines described with reference to Figures
7 to 16 in the manner already described with reference to the machines
for registering incoming payments, namely, by providing that the act of
closing, opening, or using either of such machines shall, by liberating
a suitable catch, set in motion some kind of striking apparatus or some
kind of automaton movement which shall cause the machine to make
one revolution after having been used, or which shall be otherwise
adapted for attracting attention to the fact of the machine being then
used or having been then used for the insertion of an incoming
payment.
My Invention as herein described may be modified in various ways
while yet retaining its essential features. For example, the figures.
which show to the customer the amount registered at each operation
may be written or printed on discs similar to but much larger than the
dials shown in Figure 3. Or the amount registered at each operation
may be indicated by showing in front of the machine instead of figures
or in addition thereto as many coins or imitation coins as shall represent
the amount registered, and instead of the dials for indicating the total
amount registered being movable as described with reference to Figure 1.

page_text: the dials may be fixed and the pointers w, w, w, Figure 1, be made to
revolve like the fingers of a clock.
And the machine described with reference to Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10,
may be modified by dispensing with the flap and substituting a fixed
sloping surface on which money may be distributed, and either exhibited
thereon after being covered by a glass flap or from which it may be
allowed to fall into the chamber e, on opening a passage between the
said sloping surface and chamber e. And this machine may be further
modified by varying the mode of closing the top of the machine or
opening the passage through which the money falls from the machine
into the till below. Or by providing that
is distributed prior to falling into the
horizontal position while the machine is
a sloping or vertical position prior to discharging money into the
chamber e.
.
the flap 6 on which the money
chamber e shall remain in a
at rest, and rise or fall into
And the machine described with reference to Figures 12 and 13 may
be modified by substituting for the cushion contained in that machine, a
number of small ledges or their equivalents on which the lower edges of
the coins may rest when the machine is in a vertical position, and by
causing such ledges to recede from under the edges of the coins by the
act of turning the handle e, Figures 12 and 13, or by any other action
of the operator.
And this machine may be further modified by providing that the surface
on which the money is distributed shall remain in a sloping position, both
while receiving and while exhibiting the money to be checked, and pro-
viding also that it shall be so arranged with reference to the glass door
which forms part of the machine, as to make it compulsory that the surface
on which the money lies for exhibition shall prior to the opening of the
glass door be made to fall into a position for ensuring that the money on
such surface shall pass beyond the reach of the operator before the said
glass door shall be opened.
And the machine described with reference to Figures 15 and 16 may
be modified by arranging the chambers in a row, so as to exhibit the
incoming money in a horizontal line as in the machine, Figures 7 to 10.
Or instead of the compartments being made to travel while receiving
the incoming money, they may remain fixed and the chamber into which
the money is first inserted may be made to travel, while the money is

page_text: being transferred from it to the compartments.
But any and all of such
modifications are but different forms of my Invention, and are therefore
included in the following general and special claims.
I wish it to be understood, therefore, that while I claim generally the
machines herein described for registering incoming payments of money,
and the machines herein described for checking incoming payments of
money, by impounding the incoming money in suitable chambers or
compartments, as herein described, I also claim,—
First. The method of checking the action of machines for registering
incoming payments of money by showing in some conspicuous part of the
machine so as to be visible to the payer of the money either figures
representing the amount last registered by the machine, or coins or
imitation coins serving the same purpose, substantially as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The method of insuring that the amount shown to the payer
of the money after each act of registration shall be actually registered, or
what is the same thing, the method of ensuring that the machine shall
have been put back to zero prior to each act of registration, such method con-
sisting in providing that the act of moving the machine from zero shall be
made to strike a bell or evolve some noticeable sound, or to set in motion
some kind of automatic toy or other apparatus, so that by hearing the said
sound or seeing the said automatic movements the payer of the money
shall without watching the act of registration be able to assure himself
that the machine was put back to zero prior to such act of registration, as
herein-before described.
Thirdly. The method herein-before described of counter-checking the
action of machines for registering incoming payments of money by causing
the said machines to print on paper or other material the individual
amounts which they register.
Fourthly. The method herein-before described of facilitating the com-
parison of the money in the till with the progress of the registry of
receipts by providing duplicate sets of dials or pointers, one of which sets
admits of being put back to zero without interfering with the continuous
and cumulative action of the other set.
Fifthly. The method of checking incoming payments of money by
distributing the said money in a horizontal row or rows within a suitable

page_text: chamber or compartment, the means of covering or closing which shall
be so arranged with reference to the means of checking the passage of the
money from it into the till below that it shall be impossible to open the
cover sufficiently to abstract the coin upwards without first opening the
bottom of the chamber sufficiently to allow of the coin falling into the till
below, substantially in the manner herein-before described.
Sixthly. The method of ensuring that machines for temporarily
impounding incoming payments of money for the
purposes herein
described shall not be opened rapidly by providing such machines with
the apparatus herein-before described and illustrated by p, q, r, s, t,
Figure 9, or any equivalent apparatus which shall offer no obstruction to
the opening of such machines when slowly or properly opened, but which
shall check the opening of the said machines if it be attempted to open
them rapidly.
Seventhly. The method of ensuring that machines for impounding
incoming payments of money for the purpose's herein described shall be
properly closed or moved into any desired position before or after being
used by providing such machines with the apparatus herein-before
described and illustrated by Figure 10, or an equivalent apparatus.
Eighthly. The method of facilitating the distribution of coins in a
vertical or sloping position in any machine, chamber, or compartment by
providing such machine, chamber, or compartment with a fixed sloping
surface, on which money may be impounded, or from which it may fail
into an impounding chamber as herein described, or by providing a flap
door or covering, which while the machine is at rest shall remain in a
horizontal or sloping position, or which when the machine is at work shall
fall or rise into, or nearly into, a horizontal position, so that incoming
money may be conveniently distributed on its surface while in a horizontal
or sloping position, and be afterwards exhibited upon that surface in a
vertical or sloping position so as to be visible from a distance, as described
with reference to Figures 12 and 13. or be afterwards made to fall from
that surface into some chamber in which it shall remain in a vertical
position, or in a position so nearly vertical, that each coin may be visible
at a distance.
Ninthly. The method of facilitating the distribution of coins in a
vertical or nearly vertical position within chambers or compartments by
providing that the motion of such chambers or compartments in front

page_text: of or behind a number of coins standing on their edges, or the motion of
such coins in front of or behind the said compartments shall cause the
said coins to be distributed within the said compartments, as described
and shown with reference to Figures 15 and 16.
Tenthly. The method of attracting attention to the class of machines
herein described for impounding money during its passage from the hand
of the operator into the till by providing that the act of opening, closing,
or using such machines shall liberate a catch and thereby set in motion
some kind of striking apparatus or some kind of automaton movement, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Britten, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of June One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN BRITTEN. (L.S.)