Improvements in Check Tills.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept.,
1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Check Tills.
1, HARRY MARTIN GEIGER, Manufacturer, of the City of Grand Rapids,
County of Kent, and State of Michigan in the United States of America, 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 tills usually termed "check tills" having manual.
recorders and cash drawers and the objects of my invention are:
First. To combine a plurality of spools, each spool containing a roll of paper,
with a plurality of keys and a cash drawer, in such a manner that the depression of
any key will unlock the drawer and at the same time advance the spool and roll of
paper corresponding to the particular key depressed.
Second. To provide a cash drawer having a plurality of spools containing paper,
and a plurality of keys, each key adapted to advance its corresponding spool of
paper without affecting in any manner the other spools.
Third. To enable the user of the cash register to assign to each of several clerks
a particular spool of paper upon which he alone is to make his entries, thereby
making each clerk responsible for the entries made on any one strip of paper.
Fourth. To prevent the occurrence of blank spaces in the columns of entries
by providing means for advancing only the paper upon which the entry has
been made.
Fifth. In using only such amount of paper as may be actually filled with
written words or figures, also other objects hereinafter more fully pointed out.
These objects I accomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a plan view of a case containing my register, showing the operating
keys and opening, with the sections of paper upon which the entries are to be
made exposed.
Fig. 2 is a plan view with the cover or lid removed and with a part of the
supporting partition cut away, in order to show the mechanism for operating the
spools upon which the paper or analogous material is wound.
Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view looking towards the spools.
Fig. 4 is an end view of a portion of the dog, lower section of the finger bar,
and connected mechanism.
Fig. 5 is an edge view of one of the lower sections of a finger bar detached.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of two of the spools with means for connecting
the spools with, and disconnecting the same from the shaft.
Fig. 8 is an end view of a spool showing the method of attaching the paper to
the spool; and
Fig. 9 shows a detached view of the alarm.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
A represents a box or case, of any suitable form, adapted to contain the cash
drawer and working mechanism of the machine. A' represents a lid or cover.
A" is a plate in the lid or cover. A is an opening in the plate A" for exposing
a small portion of the paper on each spool in order to allow space for the entry or
record of sales. The plate A" may be dispensed with and the opening made in
the lid or cover without a plate. A glass cover is preferably used to partially
cover the opening, leaving only a narrow space for the entry of sales, and at the
same time exposing to view one or more of the previous entries. A is a plate

page_text: for the keyed finger-bars, which plate may also be dispensed with. The finger
bars prefer to make in sections, the upper sections being movable with the lid,
while the lower sections remain stationary. This construction is merely a matter
of convenience. The upper sections are shown by B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 (Fig. 6) and
are each preferably provided with an enlargement resembling the key of an ordinary
typewriter, and may be properly called keys. The lower sections are shown
y B, B, B, B1, B. The upper sections engage with the lower sections so
that the depression of B' depresses B, and the depression of B2 depresses B', etc.
The upper ends of the lower sections are preferably each provided with an enlarged
upper end, as shown in Fig. 7, in order to make a surer engagement between the
upper section and the lower section.
By means of the construction above described the upper sections of the finger-
bars could remain unfixed to and simply rest upon the upper ends of the lower
sections so that if the lid or cover should have to be raised the upper sections
could also be lifted at the same time remaining in their holes in the cover or the
two parts could be connected by a pin and bayonet joint so as to permit of the
separate removal of the upper sections, or if the bars are to remain connected
the plate A can be made in two parts hinged to fold back and so unclose a
space in the lid of sufficient breadth to enable the heads of the finger-bars to pass
through as shown in Fig. 3.
The lower section of the finger bar, in the example of my invention illustrated in
the drawings, is provided with a slot 2 (Fig. 4) through which slot passes the main
shaft S, the slot allowing for longitudinal movement of the finger-bars. Each
finger-bar is provided with a foot 3, adapted to depress the dog, as hereinafter
described, and also provided with a wedge or cam 1, as shown in Figs.
and 7,
adapted to move the particular spool into operative connection with the shaft S.
C, C, C, C, etc., are the spools upon which the paper strips are rolled after
the entries are made, and C1, C2, C3, C4, etc. are paper holding spools;
D, D, D, D11, etc. represent the paper strips. 1 have shown five of these
strips, but it is evident that the number of spools and the number of strips may be
varied. The paper strip is attached at one end to the spool. I have shown in
Fig. 8 a convenient method of making such attachment. W shows a wedge-
shaped slot or opening, and X' a pivoted latch having a straight side adapted to
fit into the slot W in such a manner as to retain the one end of the paper securely
in the slot. E' is a plate beneath the paper supporting the same so that it may be
written upon. E is a guide frame for guiding the paper strips. E" is a bar extending
across frame 16-16 and serving as a stop for the springs U₁, U", U, U, etc.
and also as a guide for the finger-bars. The springs U U", etc. serve to raise the
finger-bars to normal position after being pressed downwards. FF are compression
springs serving to press together the paper spools C¹, C, C³, etc. in order to create
a sufficient tension on the paper to keep it taut. F1 F1 are discs forming abutting
surfaces for the action of the springs. F" F" are thumb nuts for securing the
shaft F and by their removal releasing the shaft to permit of recharging or
adjusting the spools upon the shaft. F is the shaft which supports the paper
spools. Beneath the upper spools I place a dog or detent G, which is fulcrumed
st G The rear end of the dog G is brought downwardly as shown by 13, and
1 asses through an opening in the locking plate G¹ (see Figs. 2 and 3). The
late G¹ has an opening preferably bevelled at its upper part as shown. The
downwardly projecting part 13 of the dog, is also preferably bevelled near its
end; the object of bevelling the end of part 13 is to facilitate the removal of
the dog from its locking position. The plate G' has a longitudinal surface G"
between the opening and its rear end, the object of this horizontal surface is to
hold the back end of the dog up, and the front end down while the plate is passing
1.nder the rear end of the dog as the drawer is moved out of the case, the late G¹
eing attached to the drawer, preferably to its rear end P1. Above the drawer,
which is shown by P, is the horizontal partition Q, which partition supports the
dog, the paper spools and their operating mechanism.

page_text: Gare springs which return the dog to its locking position after it has been
unlocked by the depression of the finger bars. In order to assist the springs
I sometimes use lugs 4-4.
O is a spring which pushes the drawer P outwardly as soon as it has been
released by the lifting of the rear end of the dog. The shaft S has rigid with it
the ratchet wheel H, which is operated by means of the pawl H', which pawl is
supported upon the pivoted arm I. The arm I is pivoted preferably upon or
substantially in a line with the end of shaft S, at one end, and at the other end
is pivoted to the push rod 1'. The same pirot may be used for attaching the arm I
to the push-rod I and to the pawl H'. The push rod is preferably provided with a
slot I and a bolt or pin III passing through the slot into the frame 16. At the
lower end of the push rod is a latch I which swings freely in one direction, but is
made rigid by a pin I so that it can not swing in an opposite direction.
J is a cam attached to the drawer P which engages with I" when the drawer is
moved outwardly. At the front end of the dog is a transverse bar 5 connecting
the forked side pieces of G and provided with one or more lugs 6-6 etc., preferably
one for each finger-bar, and the foot 3 of the finger-bar, when the bar is depressed,
comes in contact with the lugs 6, as shown in Fig. 4, and depresses the front end
of the dog G, raising the rear part 13 from its locking position. X is a lock bar
supported at either end by suitable journals, and also provided with a slotted arm at
either end shown by R. The arms R are rigid with X and are each provided
with a slot R'. The dog has two projecting arms each provided with a pin R
moving in the slot. The construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The lock bar X
is provided with lugs 7, 7, 7, 7 etc., one for each finger-bar. As the front end of
the dog turns from G as a center, and the lugs 7, 7, 7, 7 etc., turn from X as a
center, a much shorter distance, the front end of the dog G is depressed and the
Jugs 7, 7, 7, etc. will be carried towards the lugs 6 on the dog, and being above
them will be carried over them. Thus, if the finger bar is depressed, its foot 3
will
press downward upon lug 6, as shown in Fig. 4, and depress the lug and the
front end of the dog, when the lug 7 on the lock-bar X will pass above the foot 3
and lock and retain the finger-bar down until the dog is released at its rear end
from the surface G". That is, when the foot of the finger-bar has depressed the
front end of the dog by pressing upon the lug 6, the pins R" moving downward in
the slot R' turn down the lock bar X with its luga 7, 7 etc., one of which lugs is
brought over the foot 3 of the depressed finger-bar. The front end of the dog
being depressed its rear end 13 is raised out of its locking position and as the
drawer P moves forward the lower end of 13 rests for a moment upon the flat
surface G, which holds the depressed finger-bar down until G is passed over
by the part 13, or more strictly, until the surface G", has passed beyond 13, when
the dog and depressed finger-bar return to normal position.
The object of this arrangement is to allow the depressed finger-bar to retain the
rigid connection between its adjacent paper spool and shaft S, until the pawl and
ratchet wheel have moved the spool. As the finger-bar is depressed (see Fig. 7)
the cam surface 1 bears against a washer 9, which in turn bears against the
spool C, pressing the same into engagement with the cone V, thus temporarily
attaching C and V. The cone V is rigid with the shaft and is provided with an
adjustable nut Y, which out is provided with a screw-thread engaging with a
screw-thread in the cone V, and it may be adjusted by turning the same so as to
allow it to project more or less from the cone. This adjusting nut Y forms the
backing or support for the straight perpendicular side of the lower part of the
keys. In order to adjust the nut to proper position, I provide an arm V", which
is made rigid with the nut Y, and which projects outwardly and is provided with a
catch engaging with the notches V' in the end of the cone V. These notches are
shown in Figs. 7 and 8, Fig. 8 showing an end view and the position of the notches
extending in a circular form around the cone.
It is necessary in order to have the keys operate accurately that the key has a
backing which can be adjusted very accurately, and the above is my preferred

page_text: method of making the adjustment. 11 is a bushing rigidly attached to the shaft S,
and 12 is a notch or groove in this bushing 11, with which groove engages the
projection from the cone V, and this is my preferred form of making the attachment
of cone to shaft, but any other suitable method may be employed. 10, 10 are
springs, one for each spool, adapted to disconnect the friction clutch when the
finger bar is raised.
The form of the clutch may be varied without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Attached to and moving with the drawer is the trip K, which, as the drawer is
moved outwardly, engages with and operates the alarm.
A plate is attached to the case by any suitable means and a bent arm pivoted at
its elbow to the plate, forms the striker. This is shown by K'.
The swinging latch K", pivoted to the striker K¹, engages with the trip K as
the drawer is moved outwardly, drawing the striker away from the alarm bell N,
until the trip K passes a sufficient distance to become disengaged from the pivoted
latch K, when the spring M (see Fig. 9) by its tension, brings the striker in
contact with the bell and gives the alarm. A stop pin 8, prevents the pivoted
latch K from moving in one direction without moving the striking alarm, but as
the drawer is shoved into the case the latch K" swings upward and passes over the
trip K, and again drops down into position to operate the alarm mechanism as soon
as the drawer is again opened.
Lis a stop for limiting the movement of the striking arm, and it is preferably
provided with an elastic covering Z.
T is a tension bar for the paper strips.
T and T latches and bows for holding same in place.
The operation of my device is as follows:
The drawer being closed and locked, let the operator make his entry upon any
one of the paper strips (for example, upon strip D), then in order to open the
drawer he depresses the finger-bar B', when the cam surface 1 of the finger-bar
bearing against the washer 9, moves the spool C into engagement with cone V,
thus attaching the spool C through the cone V to the shaft S.
In Fig. 7, B shows the position of the finger-bar before it is depressed and
B shows one of the finger-bars depressed to a point which completes the coupling
between the spool and the cone. As the finger-bar is depressed, its foot 3 comes in
contact with the lug 6, bearing down the front end of the pivoted dog G, and
lifting its rear end 13 from its locking position, allowing the spring to open
the drawer.
The depression of the front end of the dog turns locking bar X and one of the
lugs 7, and moves over the foot 3 thereby preventing the depressed finger-bar
from again rising until the front end of the dog is again raised.
The part 13 of the dog being raised, is held up by the horizontal surface G"
until such surface has been carried beyond 13 by the movement of the drawer
when the spring G returns the dog to its normal position, and the spring U'
raises the depressed finger-bar, and the spring 10 disconnects the engagement
between the spool and the shaft S.
Upon lifting of the part 13 of the dog G from its locking position, and as the
drawer moves outwardly, the cam J is brought in contact with latch 1 of the push
rod I, giving it a longitudinal movement, and lifting the arm I, with its pawl H',
which engages with the ratchet wheel H, turning H one notch forward, and with
it the shaft S by the depression of the finger-bar, thus advancing the paper upon
which the entry is made. This completes the operation of this part of my invention,
and the replacement of the drawer in its locking position returns the parts to
normal position to be again used. When the alarm is used the operation of the
parts are as above described, and as the drawer is moved outwardly the trip K
comes in contact with the latch K", turning the striker K' away from the bell
until the trip has passed the latch and released the same, whereupon the spring M
acts to give the bell a quick stroke from the striking arm as above described. The

page_text: mechanism composing the alarm is so placed that the alarm is given almost
immediately after the drawer is unlocked.
I have described above my preferred form of mechanism, but it will be evident
that changes in form may be made without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is -
==
1. The combination of a movable drawer, a frame or case supporting such drawer,
and a
plurality of spools adapted to contain strips of writing material, each spool
moved independently by the movement of the drawer for the purpose specified.
2. The combination of a drawer, a plurality of spools, a plurality of paper strips.
adapted each to receive a column of figures, and suitable mechanism for connecting
any one of such spools to the movable drawer whereby it may be moved
independently of the other spools, for the purpose specified.
3. The combination of a movable drawer, a plurality of spools for containing
paper strips, a plurality of strips and a plurality of finger-bars, each bar adapted
to make suitable connection between the drawer and one of the spools, thereby
advancing a single strip of paper independently, substantially as described.
4. The combination of a movable drawer, a case supporting said drawer, a
plurality of spools bearing paper strips, a plurality of paper strips, a plurality of
finger-bars, a locking-dog and connecting mechanism whereby the depression
of any one of the finger-bars unlocks the dog and allows one of the spools to
be advanced with its paper strip independently of the other spools, for the purpose
set forth.
5. The combination of a case, a movable drawer, a plurality of spools, a plurality
of paper strips supported by the spools, a plurality of finger-bars, a locking dog.
and mechanism for advancing the spool operated upon by the depressed finger-bar
independently of the other spools, for the purpose specified.
6. The combination of a supporting case, a movable drawer, a plurality of spools,.
supported loosely upon the shaft, a shaft supporting such spools, and a plurality
of finger-bars, each bar adapted when depressed to attach rigidly its corresponding
spool to the shaft, for the purpose specified.
7. The combination of a-supporting case, a movable drawer, a plurality of spools
mounted when in normal position loosely upon a shaft, a revolving shaft, a
plurality of finger-bars, each bar when depressed attaching its corresponding
spool to the shaft so that such spool will revolve with such shaft, and suitable
mechanism operated upon by the drawer to give an intermittent movement to the
shaft and attached spool, for the purpose specified.
8. The combination of a movable drawer, a plurality of spools, a plurality of
strips supported by such spools, a shaft upon which the spools are loosely
supported, a locking dog, a plurality of finger-bars, each bar provided with
suitable bearings whereby the depression of any one of the finger-bars unlocks the
dog allowing the drawer to be opened, and iminediately preceding the unlocking
of the dog attaches its corresponding spool to said revolving shaft, whereby the.
spool is advanced for the purpose specified.
9. The combination of a supporting case, a movable drawer, a plurality of spools
normally loosely supported upon a shaft, a pivoted dog, a plurality of finger-bars,
each bar adapted as it is depressed to unlock the dog and to connect its corre-
sponding spool to the shaft, a ratchet-wheel upon said shaft, a pawl adapted to
engage with said ratchet-wheel, a cam on the drawer, and a push rod moved by
Faid cam to give an intermittent movement to the shaft for the purpose of
advancing one of the paper strips, substantially as described.
10. In combination with a pivoted dog, substantially as described, a locking bar
Laving a plurality of lugs, a plurality of finger-bars, each bar adapted to depress
the front end of the locking dog, a locking plate having a smooth surface as G

page_text: adapted to hold the dog unlocked, and a depressed finger-bar in its depressed
condition while the surface is moved beneath the rear end 13 of the locking dog,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. In combination with a pivoted locking dog, a movable drawer, a plurality
of spools, a plurality of paper strips, a shaft upon which said spools are loosely
supported, mechanism for attaching any one of said spools independently to the
shaft, and mechanism for revolving the shaft by the opening of the drawer,
substantially as described.
12. The combination of a movable drawer, a plurality of independently moving
spools, each spool supporting a strip of paper, a shaft upon which such spools are
loosely supported, means for attaching said spools severally to said shaft, a
locking dog, means for locking said dog, a spring adapted to move the drawer
outwardly as soon as released by the dog, a ratchet-wheel on said shaft, a pawl
engaging with said ratchet-wheel, supporting mechanism for said pawl, and a cam
on the moving drawer adapted to operate said pawl mechanisin and give an
intermittent movement to the shaft and to the paper spools attached rigidly
thereto, for the purpose described.
13. The combination of a movable drawer, a supporting case, a pivoted dog,
a plurality of paper supporting spools loosely supported on a revolving shaft, a
plurality of finger-bars adapted severally to temporarily connect one of the spools
rigid with the shaft, and to unlock the locking dog, a locking bar having a
plurality of locking lugs, a locking plate having a surface as G adapted to retain
the dog out of locking position, and a locking bar in locking position during the
movement of the plate G" beneath the end 13 of the dog G, substantially as
described.
14. In a manual recorder and cash-drawer, the combination of a revolving shaft,
a plurality of rollers supported thereon, a plurality of cones, one for each roller
rigid with the shaft, a plurality of adjusting nuts, one for each cone, a plurality of
keys, each key provided with a wedge-shaped projection and an abutting surface
on each roller with which the inclined or wedge-shaped portion of the key engages,
all so combined that the depression on each key will attach its corresponding
roller to its corresponding cone and thereby to the shaft, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
15. The combination of a shaft, a plurality of rollers supported on said shaft,
a plurality of cones rigid with the shaft, one for each roller, an adjustable nut for
each cone suitable mechanism for adjusting such nut, a plurality of keys each
having a wedge-shaped projection, an abutting surface on each roller with which
the key engages in its downward stroke, whereby the downward movement of the
key attaches its corresponding roller to its corresponding cone and thereby to
the shaft, substantially as described.
16. The combination of a shaft, a plurality of rollers supported on said shaft,
a plurality of cones attached to the shaft, an adjusting nut on each cone, a
plurality of keys, each provided with a wedge-shaped projection, an abutting
surface on each roller with which its corresponding key engages in its downward
stroke, an arm or lever connected to the adjusting nut, and a series of stops or
notches adapted to engage said lever and retain the same in its adjustment,
substantially as described.
Dhim with 15 M 1904
R. HADDAN,
Of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.