Improvements in Cash Registers and Indicators.
Year: 1894

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash Registers and Indicators.
I, GEORGE HENRY GLEDHILL, of Trinity Works, Trinity Street, Halifax, in
the County of York, Check Till Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in cash registers and indicators and
refers more especially to that class of cash registers in which a series of key levers
are employed each representing a particular number or value and in which the
depression of any of said key levers causes a correspondingly numbered tablet to
be prominently exhibited, said number or value being at the same time also
recorded on a recording wheel within the machine, and the object of my invention
is to construct a cash register for the use of storekeepers and others which is
adapted to indicate and record the amount of each purchase by the improved
means hereinafter described.
In carrying out my invention I support a main shaft in a suitably constructed
frame upon which main shaft I mount a bank of any desired number of recording
wheels each of which has formed at one side of it and preferably level with its
periphery, a suitable number of ratchet teeth for the purpose hereinafter described.
To a convenient part at the front of the frame I fix a transverse shaft upon which
a series of key-levers are pivotally hung one such key-lever for each recording
wheel, the outer end of each of which key-levers is provided with a button or the
like upon which is marked a figure or number corresponding to the value intended
to be indicated and recorded whenever that key-lever is operated, and to each of
said key-levers I pivotally attach a pawl which engages with the ratchet teeth of
that recording wheel to which its supporting key-lever belongs, the arrangement
being such that on any of the key-levers being operated its recording wheel will be
moved by means of the pawl, through the space of one tooth, and, to prevent any
of the wheels accidentally moving through more than that space each key-lever is
of such a form that on being operated by depressing the front part, the back or
opposite part thereof comes in contact with the periphery of its recording wheel
and thereby acts as a brake.
As already stated each of the key-levers has marked on its outer end a number
or figure representing a certain value and I prefer to mark the key-lever at the
extreme right hand side of the machine with the lowest number, say 1, the next
the third, the fourth and fifth 2 and 3 respectively and so on each of which
figures represents respectively one farthing, one half-penny, one penny, two-pence,
three-pence and so on and each of the recording wheels has marked on its
periphery a series of figures beginning at zero and then running in a progression
having the number which is marked on its key lever as a multiplicator, thus the
recording wheel with which the farthing or key-lever gears is marked 014
and so on and likewise the recording wheel with which say the three-penny lever
gears is marked 0 3 6 9 1/- 1/3 and so on. Extending across the whole width of
the bank of recording wheels I provide an index bar which allows one number or
figure on each recording wheel to be seen, the arrangement being such that before
any of the key-levers have been operated each recording wheel will show zero and
on the first operation of any of said key-levers, say the 6 penny, the relative
recording wheel will be revolved by the means described, through the space of

page_text: one tooth and 6ª will be shown in the place of the zero on the second operation of
said key-lever 1/- will be shown and so on.
In order that a purchaser may know that the amount of his purchase has been
correctly recorded, I mount a series of intermediate levers on a common shaft
which is supported by the frame at a suitable position, preferably behind and below
the bank of recording wheels, and the rear end of each key-lever is adapted to
engage with the forward end of one of said intermediate levers whose opposite
end is connected by means of a wire rod to a suitably mounted bell-crank lever
which carries a tablet bearing a figure corresponding to the figure which appears
on its actuating key-lever, the connection being such, that on the operation of any
of the key-levers, its relative tablet is raised so as to be clearly visible to the
purchaser said tablet remaining in its raised or exposed position by the means
hereinafter described until the operation of another key-lever when said raised
tablet drops out of view and another tablet corresponding to the second key-lever
operated, is exposed to view. For the purpose of retaining any raised tablet in its
raised position I provide a suitably constructed 'and pivotally mounted rocking
frame which is adapted to engage with and retain any of said intermediate levers
that may be raised by the operation of any of the key-levers and should more than
one key-lever be simultaneously operated, said rocking frame engages with and
retains all the intermediate levers thus actuated. For the purpose of releasing
said intermediate levers so as to permit said raised tablet or tablets to drop out
of view, I provide, if desired, one at each side of the machine, a bell crank lever
or the like the one arm of which is provided with a bar which is held in a position
immediately below the series of key-levers so that on any of said key-levers
being operated the bell crank lever is also operated. To a suitable part of the
other arm of said bell crank lever 1 pivotally attach a gravity lever which is
adapted on the bell crank lever being operated, to engage with the rocking frame
so as to disengage said rocking frame with the intermediate lever or levers
that have been raised; the connection and arrangement being such, that said
gravity lever operates the rocking frame only at the beginning of the depression
of a key-lever before its relative tablet has been raised to view the effect of
which is that the already raised tablet drops out of view and the rocking frame
is again free when the key-lever has been fully depressed, to retain the newly
raised tablet.
.
For the purpose of readily setting all the recording wheels to zero I form one
end of the main shaft on which they are mounted, with a square so that by
means of a suitable key said shaft may be turned. Each of said recording wheels
is provided with a projecting stud or the like and I pivotally mount a stop bar
which is capable of being set so that on the shaft being turned as described
each of said wheels will turn with it until each of said projecting studs comes
in contact with said stop bar the studs being fixed to each of the recording
wheels at such a point that when said studs are in contact with the stop bar
zero will be visible ou each recording wheel.
I also provide mechanism by means of which the whole of the key-levers will be
locked on the completion of a full revolution of any one of the recording wheels.
Said locking mechanism may be so arranged that one or more of the wheels may
make two revolutions before actuating said locking mechanism. Said locking
mechanism consists of a lever connection by means of which a suitably mounted
locking bar is automatically moved in a position under the key-levers thereby pre-
venting any of said key-levers from being actuated until the machine has been reset.
In the event of one or more of said registering wheels-being adapted to make two
revolutions before actuating the locking mechanism, I provide a suitably mounted
bar upon which I pivot a tablet for each of such wheels the arrangement being
such that on the completion of the first revolution of any such wheel its relative
pivoted tablet, which bears a figure corresponding to the total on said wheel, is
raised and retained in its raised position, until the machine is reset.
Suitable means may also be provided whereby a gong is sounded at each

page_text: depression of a key-lever and I also provide one or more universal key-levers
which are adapted to be depressed from any part of the front of the machine
simultaneously with any of the ordinary key-levers said universal key-levers
actuating a registering wheel and tablet by identically similar means to those of
the ordinary key-levers.
Dated this 10th day of February 1894.
4333
I, GEORGE HENRY GLEDHILL, of Trinity Works, Trinity Street, Halifax, in
the County of York, Check Till Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in cash registers and indicators, and.
refers more especially to that class of cash registers in which a series of key levers
are employed, each representing a particular number or value and in which the
depression of any of said key levers causes a correspondingly numbered tablet to be
prominently exhibited, said number or value being at the same time also recorded
on a recording wheel within the machine, and the object of my invention is to
construct a cash register for the use of storekeepers and others, which is adapted to
indicate and record the amount of each purchase by the improved means hereinafter
described.
In order that my invention may be readily understood, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several figures, and in which :-
Figure 1, is a side elevation of a cash register, constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 2, is a side elevation of the mechanism which I employ for enabling a
recording drum to make two revolutions as will be hereinafter fully described.
Figures 3 and 3 represent a detail hereinafter referred to.
In carrying out my invention I support a main drum or shaft A which may be
either solid or hollow, in a suitably constructed frame B, upon which main shaft A,
I mount a bank of any desired number of recording wheels C, each of which has
formed at one side of it a suitable number of ratchet teeth D, for the purpose
hereinafter described. At a convenient part at the front of the frame B, I provide
a transverse shaft E upon which a series of key-levers F are pivotally hung, one
such key lever for each recording wheel, the outer end of each of which key-levers
is provided with a button or the like G upon which is marked a figure or number
corresponding to the value intended to be indicated and recorded whenever that
key-lever is operated. To each of said key levers I pivotally attach a pawl H
which engages with the ratchet teeth of that recording wheel, to which its
supporting key-lever belongs, the arrangement being such, that on any of the key-
levers being operated, its recording wheel will be moved by means of the pawl
through the space of one tooth, and to prevent any of the wheels accidentally
moving through more than that space, I provide each of said key-levers with a
finger or the like J which engages with a tooth on the ratchet wheel at each.
operation, or I may form the rear end of each key-lever so that it will come in
contact with the periphery of its recording wheel and thereby act as a brake.
As already stated, each of the key levers has marked on its outer end, a number
or figure representing a certain value, and I prefer to mark the key-lever at the
extreme right hand side of the machine with the lowest number, say, the next
the third 1, the fourth and fifth 2 and 3 respectively and so on, each of which

page_text: .
figures represents respectively one farthing, one half-penny, one penny, two-pence,
three-pence and so on, and each of the recording wheels has marked on its periphery
a series of figures beginning at zero and then running in a progression having the
number which is marked on its key-lever as a multiplicator, thus the recording
wheel with which the farthing or key-lever gears is marked 0, 1, ., 1, 1 and
so on, and likewise the recording wheel with which say, the three-penny lever
gears, is marked 0 3 6 9 1/- 1/3 and so on. Extending across the whole width of
the bank of recording wheels, 1 provide an index bar which allows one number or
figure on each recording wheel to be seen, the arrangement being such that before
any of the key-levers have been operated, each recording wheel will show zero,
and on the first operation of any of said key-levers, say the six penny, the relative
recording wheel will be revolved by the means described, through the space of one
tooth, and 6 will be shown in the place of the zero, on the second operation of said
key-lever 1 will be shown, and so on.
In order that a purchaser may know that the amount of his purchase has been
correctly recorded, I mount a series of intermediate levers K on a common shaft L,
which is supported by the frame at a suitable position, preferably behind and below
the bank of recording wheels, and the rear end of each key lever F is adapted to
engage with the forward end of its relative intermediate lever whose opposite end
is connected by means of a wire rod M to a suitably mounted bell crank lever N,
which carries a tablet O bearing a figure corresponding to the figure which appears
on its actuating key lever, the arrangement being such that on the operation of any
of the key-levers F, its relative tablet O is raised so as to be clearly visible to the
purchaser, said tablet remaining in its raised or exposed position by the means
hereinafter described, until the operation of another key lever, when said raised
tablet drops out of view and another tablet, corresponding to the number or figure
on the second key lever, is exposed to view. For the purpose of retaining any
raised tablet in its raised position, I provide a suitably constructed rocking frame P;
having a shaft Q running across the machine. Said rocking frame P is pivotally
hung to the frame B at P and is provided with a spring P2 so that its shaft Q is
normally held against the cam-shaped front end of each intermediate lever K. On
the operation of any of the key levers F, the rocking frame P is pushed forwards
against the action of the spring P2, by means of the front and cam-shaped end of
the intermediate lever K, until said cam-shaped end is lifted beyond the shaft Q
when the spring P2 causes the said shaft Q to be pulled under the raised lever K,
thereby retaining said front end of the intermediate lever K, and consequently also
its relative tablet O, in their raised positions. By the means described any number
of tablets O may be simultaneously raised and retained in their raised positions.
For the purpose of readily releasing said intermediate lever or levers K so as to
permit the relative raised tablet or tablets to drop out of view on the depression of
another key lever F, I provide a lever R which is pivoted at E, the end R' of said
lever extending under the whole series of key-levers F, so as to be operated on any
of said key-levers being depressed, and the other end R2 extends to about the back
of the machine and is bent upwards a suitable distance and carries a gravity
lever S which lever S is provided at about its free end with a roller S¹ and is
prevented from dropping too far by a pin S2. The connection and arrangement of
the lever R, gravity lever S and rocking frame P, is such that on the operation of
any key-lever or key-levers F the rear end R² of the lever R, is raised, causing
the roller S' on the gravity lever S to come into contact with, and to a sufficient
extent move, said rocking frame so that the shaft Q is moved out of engagement
with all the intermediate levers K, thereby permitting any of said levers K which
may have been raised, to drop down into their normal positions. The rocking
frame P is formed or provided with a recess P³, the arrangement being such that
at the commencement of the operation of any key-lever or key-levers, the rocking
frame is moved by the roller S¹ as above described, and when the said rocking
frame has been moved the necessary distance, the roller S' enters the recess.P³ and
thereby allows the said rocking frame to be pulled into its nor.nal position by the

page_text: spring P2, so that the already raised tablet or tablets are allowed to drop an the
rocking frame P is again free when the key lever has been fully depressed to retain
the newly raised tablet or tablets.
For the purpose of readily setting all the recording wheels to zero, I form or
provide one end of the main drum or shaft A on which they are mounted, with a
square A' so that, by means of a suitable key, said shaft may be turned. Each of
said recording wheels is provided with a projecting pin or the like C and I provide
a stop bar C² which extends across the whole width of the recording wheels C, so
that on the shaft being turned the recording wheels will be revolved therewith
until all the pins C come into contact with the stop bar C2 as shown. The said
pins C are fixed to the recording wheels at such positions, so that, when all
recording wheels are set back as described, a zero will be visible on each, and for
the purpose of throwing all the pawls H out of engagement with their ratchet
wheels D, I provide a lever T which is pivoted on the shaft E, the lower arm of
said lever T being provided with a cross rod T¹ so that if the upper arm of
lever T be lifted the cross rod T will strike against and lift the lower arms or
extensions H' of the pawls.
Normally, when any one of the recording wheels has made a complete revolution;
the pin C comes into contact with the back of the stop bar C2, thereby locking
said recording wheel and its key-lever. For the purpose of adapting one or more of
the recording wheels C to make two revolutions before becoming locked, I cut away
a sufficient portion of the stop bar C2 to allow the pin or pins C' of such recording
wheels to pass through. In close proximity to each of the recording wheels which
is to be adapted to make two revolutions before requiring to be re-set, I provide a
suitable constructed vertical frame, upon which I pivotally mount a tumbler U
Figure 2, to the free end of which tumbler, a tablet U' is attached, said tablet
bearing a figure or number corresponding to the total on its relative recording
wheel. Said tumbler with its tablet is normally held in the position, as shown in
full lines, by means of a catch V which engages with the pin V1 on the tumbler, so
that the tablet U₁ is normally hidden behind a bar or equivalent V². The
recording wheel C in Figure 2, is shown as having made all but a complete
revolution so that if the relative key-lever be operated and said recording wheel
thereby moved through the space of one tooth in the direction of the arrow, the
pin C will move the catch V out of engagement with the pin V₁ thereby releasing
said tumbler U, which will fall by gravity to the position shown in dotted lines,
resting on a stop pin V3 and thereby bringing the tablet U in view, so that when
the store keeper or other authorized person, makes a note of the amounts shown on
the recording wheels as is usual, he will also add the amounts of the tablets U¹
which may be visible. For the purpose of re-setting the mechanism just described,
I pivotally hang a catch W on the pivot W on which the tumbler U is pivoted.
Said catch is of about the shape shown in Figures 3 and 34 so that, if the recording
wheel be turned in the direction opposite to that of the arrow, the pin C will lift
the catch W to the position shown in dotted lines and thereby the tumbler U will
be raised a sufficient extent so that the catch V will by the action of gravity be
caused to again engage with the pin V. The recording wheel C cannot make
more than two complete, revolutions as on the completion of its second revolution
the pin C will come into contact with the free end of the tumbler U.
I also provide my improved cash register with one or more universal key-
levers X which a
are preferably adapted to record fractions of a penny. Said
universal key-levers extend preferably across the whole width of the machine, a
bar X connecting the side levers, so as to be adapted to be readily depressed
simultaneously with any of the other or ordinary key-levers, each of said universal
key-levers actuating a registering wheel and tablet by identically similar means to
those of the ordinary key-levers.
For the purpose of sounding a gong Y at each operation of a key-lever, I
pivotally attach a bell crank lever Y₁ to the frame B, the lower arm of which
lever Y₁ is in engagement with the arm R2 of the lever R and the upper arm of

page_text: which lever Y is adapted to operate the spring actuated hammer Y' at each
operation of a key-lever.
For the purpose of preventing the registering wheels whilst being reset from
being accidentally moved from their starting or zero positions, I attach a toothed
wheel A' to one side or end of the main shaft. A, with which toothed wheel A² a
pawl A is normally engaged.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact construction
of the parts as shown, as the same may be varied within limits without departing
from my invention. For example, instead of the pawls H being normally kept in
engagement with the ratchet wheels C by the lower extensions H', I may employ
ordinary pawls whose swinging movement may be limited by means of a suitable
cross bar fixed across the machine about immediately in front of said pawls. The
cross rod T¹ of the lever T being in this event immediately behind the pawls.
Also, instead of having the rear ends of the key-levers F and X and lever R
heavier so as to cause the front ends to be returned to their normal positions, I may
employ springs to attain the same result.
The cash register herein described may be enclosed within a suitably constructed
case, and it may be fixed on a stand which is provided with a money drawer, as is
usual in this class of cash registers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a cash register the combination of a frame B, main shaft A supporting a
series of recording wheels C having ratchet wheels D and pins C, a cross bar C
key-levers F mounted on a shaft E and provided with pawls H and fingers J, a
lever R adapted to be actuated at the operation of any of the key-levers and
provided with a gravity lever S, having a roller S¹ and pin S²; a series of inter-
mediate levers K, tablet bearing bell crank levers N, wire M, rocking frame P
formed with a recess P³ and provided with a shaft Q, universal levers X having a
cross bar X, lever T and cross rod T', all constructed, arranged and operating for
the purposes and substantially as described and illustrated.
2. In a cash register having a series of recording wheels which are actuated by
the operation of key-levers, pins C', tumblers U having a pin V₁, gravity catch V,
bar V2, pin V³ and catch W, all constructed, arranged and operating for the
purposes and substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 10th day of December 1894.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.