CERTAIN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRE- VENTING FRAUD IN THE PAYMENT AND RECEIPT OF MONEY
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Britten, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey,
Chemist, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRE-
VENTING FRAUD IN THE PAYMENT AND RECEIPT OF MONEY."
Sealed the 23rd December 1879, and dated the 20th September 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Britten at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September 1879.
JOHN BRITTEN, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Chemist. " CERTAIN
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD IN THE PAYMENT AND RECEIPT OF
MONEY."
My Invention consists chiefly of improved or modified means of developing the
Invention for which a Patent was granted to me on the 22nd day of December 1875,
No. 4450.
This former Invention comprises two methods, each variously developed, of
checking cash receipts mechanically.
One of these methods exhibits the amount of each individual sum received in
large figures in front or at the sides of a machine, and the same operation which
shews the required figures also prints the amount so shewn on continuous bands of
paper or on detached tickets, and also registers the said amount by adding it to the
total previously received.
The other method of checking cash receipts comprised in the aforesaid Invention
consists in machines in which incoming payments of money are first distributed
individually on a suitable surface, so that each coin shall be visible in such manner
that the amount shall be determinable by simple inspection. The coins thus dis-
tributed are then passed between two plates of glass, or behind or under oue
plate of glass, in a vertical, sloping, or horizontal chamber, in which the money
ceases to be accessible to the receiver, and yet remains exposed to the view of the
payer, so that each coin may be seen and the amount of the impounded money
determined by the payer or by any other person having a view of the said vertical
or sloping or horizontal chamber.

page_text: On the 28th of November 1876 a second Patent, No. 4596, was granted to me
for the Invention of various improved means of further developing these two methods
of checking cash receipts, and a similar Patent was also granted to me on the 29th
day of August 1877, No. 3287. The chief object of my present Invention, like that
of the aforesaid second and third Inventions, is to further improve and variously
modify the means of developing the aforesaid two methods of checking cash
receipts.
One of the improved apparatus for which I now desire to obtain Letters Patent
differs from those last described in that the incoming payments are dropped directly
into the exhibiting chamber without first being distributed on an exposed surface
outside the said chamber; another of the said improved apparatus differs in that
the incoming payments are placed edgewise in the exhibiting chamber, that is,
so that the coins are seen only or chiefly at their edges instead of on their sides;
and another of the said improved apparatus consists in a money tray in which a
supply of change may be kept ready counted for being used, in connection with the
before indicated tills or other similar tills for impounding incoming payments of
money. The said trays are provided with grooves or cells in which the coins stand
with their edges upwards in such manner that change for half a crown or any smaller
coin may be conveniently and quickly lifted from the tray.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Britten in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th March
1880.
<<
JOHN BRITTEN, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Chemist. CERTAIN
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FRAUD IN THE PAYMENT AND RECEIPT OF
MONEY."
My Invention has for its object to prevent fraud on the part of persons intrusted
with the receiving of money in retail shops, public houses, restaurants, theatres, and
other places in which it is desirable to check the receipt of money wholly or chiefly
by mechanical means, and consists chiefly of improvements, modifications, and
developments of an Invention for which Letters Patent have already been three
times granted to me, first, on the Twenty-second day of December, in the year One
thousand eight hundred and seventy five, No. 4450, and afterwards on the Twenty
eighth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and seventy six, No. 4596,
and afterwards on the Twenty ninth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy seven, No. 3287; and the Figures or Drawings herein
referred to as bearing the numbers 1 to 66 inclusive are those supplied with the
aforesaid three Specifications, and the letters of reference herein used with reference
to said Drawings numbered 1 to 66 are the same that occur in the aforesaid three
Specifications and their accompanying Drawings. The other Drawings herein
referred to as bearing numbers higher than 60 are those hereunto annexed. It will
be understood therefore that when any Drawing or Figure bearing any number from
1 to 66 is herein mentioned such Drawing or Figure will be found in the sheets of
Drawings accompanying the Specifications of my former Inventions; and it will
also be understood that the term first Specification, as herein used, means the
Specification of my first Patent, as herein before mentioned; and that the term
second Specification, as herein used, means the Specification of my second Patent
herein-before mentioned; and that the terin third Specification, as herein used,
means the Specification of my third Patent hereinbefore mentioned; and it will
also be understood that this present Specification supposes that in all cases wherein
a knowledge of the three former Specifications is necessary to the understanding of
this the reader will obtain such knowledge by direct reference to the aforesaid
former Specifications. The Drawings accompanying the present Specification are
mostly about one fourth the size that would be convenient in practice, that is, they
are drawn to a scale of six inches to the foot; but it will be obvious that no rule
can be laid down for determining what should be the size in practice of machine
or instrument herein described. The maker or the intending user must in each case
determine the size that will best suit the duty any particular machine is intended
to discharge. Similar letters refer to similar parts, except where it is otherwise
expressed or obviously intended.
any
My present Invention consists, firstly, of an improvement in the machine for
registering incoming payments of money, described with reference to Figures 17 to
19 (second Specification). This improvement consists in placing the figure drums
side by side and with their peripheries towards the back and front of the machine,
as in the machine described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 (first Specification).
Motion is given to each drum by means of an endless chain passing over a spiked
wheel fixed to the side of the drum, which endless chain also passes over another
spiked wheel which gives motion to the index. Fig. 67 shows the relative position
of the figure drum and the spiked wheels, except that in this Drawing the drum
and lower spiked wheel are nearer together than in actual practice, for the purpose
of shortening the Drawing. A, the figure drum; B, the spiked wheel fixed to its
side; C, the corresponding spiked wheel over which the endless chain shown by the
dotted line D passes; H is a guide pully whose object is to project the chain D
beyond the range of the figure drum A; G is a hook fixed in and forming part of
the chain D, the use of which is described with reference to Figures 17 to 19 (second *

page_text: Specification), and which is therein called the hook G ; K is a bevelled wheel fixed
to the side of the spiked wheel C, and La corresponding bevilled wheel. The
relative proportions of the spiked wheels and the bevilled wheels are such that one
complete revolution of the figure drum A gives a complete revolution to the bevelled
wheel L, the axis of which M gives motion to the index which shows the total
amount of money received. It will be understood by referring to the Drawings 17
to 19 and their description (second Specification, that the hook G is actuated by
keys or movable studs carried in a frame E, which frame rises and falls between the
operator and the said hook G, and so far as relates to the movement of the hook the
description given in that Specification applies to the present Invention. The figure
drum A is impelled in the direction of the arrow A' by means of a spring or weight,
and in the reverse direction by one of the keys in the frame E, Figure 19 (second
Specification) taking into the hook G and pressing it downwards as the frame e
which contains the said keys moves downward. This machine may be modified
by substituting a cord for the endless chain D, one end of which would be fixed to
and work in or round a grooved periphery in the position of the spikes of the wheel
B, and the other end be fixed to and working round a corresponding groove on the
periphery of the spiked wheel C, which latter wheel would under this arrangement
be impelled in the direction of the arrow C' by means of a spring or weight of lower
power than the spring or weight which impels the drum A, so that the spring or
weight which impels the drum A shall in any condition of the machine operate with
greater power than that which impels the wheel C. This machine may be further
modified by dispensing with the figure drum A and substituting for it a tape bearing
the necessary figures. This tape would form one half of an endless belt corre-
sponding to the endless chain D, the remaining half of which endless belt would
consist of chain working round the spiked wheel C, and the tape of the belt would
work over a small drum in the position of the figure drum A.
It will be further understood by reference to the same Drawings and their descrip-
tion that the arrangement herein described with reference to Figure 67 relates only to
one denomination of money, and that for every separate denomination that has to be
represented a distinct or seperate arrangement must be used. In the present Invention
I use drums severally for farthings, pence, and shillings, the latter up to ten shillings
only; I also use a drum for tens of shillings. By thus increasing the number of drums
their sizes are materially reduced. This machine in either form is intended to show
figures representing the amount registered at each operation on one side only, so as
to be visible from the point or direction H¹. It may stand against a wall or wall
fixture behind the shopman, or may lie horizontally on the counter, in which latter
position the figures showing the amount registered at each operation would present
their faces upwards, so as to be visible through an opening in what would then be
the upper surface of the machine. In the modification last described the spiked
wheel C would be impelled by a spring or weight in the direction inverse to that
of the arrow C', whereby an upward tendancy would be given to the hook G, which
hook would he pressed downward when required, as described with reference to
Figures 17 to 19 (second Specification). The indexes which show severally the
total amount registered in each denomination of money are attached in each case to
the axis M or corresponding axis, and their ends project in the direction of the arrow
M'. For description of further improvements in this machine see latter part of this
Specification prior to recapitulation of claims.
One of my improvements in tills for checking cash receipts by impounding
incoming payments in glazed chambers, so as to remain visible after passing
beyond reach of the receiver is applicable to the machine described with reference
to Figures 27 and 28 (second Specification). This machine has an endless belt with
several ribs fixed to it transversely. The belt and ribs over a platform, and
round two rollers d, d¹, Figure 28. In the present improved machine, these rollers
have spiked wheels at both ends, over which endless chains travel, and the endless
belt is fixed to the said endless chains in such manner as to cause it and the
chains to move simultaneously. A spring (preferably an india rubber spring) is

page_text: The
also attached by its one end to the wynch handle shown in Figure 27, and by its
other end to the extreme further end of the carcase a of the machine. The effect
of this spring is to pull the wynch handle into the position shown in the Drawing
directly the operator removes his hand from it, and thereby ensures that the
wynch and its attached roller shall lie at rest after making one complete revolution,
which again ensures that the endless belt shall move a uniform distance at each
operation. This machine may be modified by dispensing with the endless belt,
and fixing the travelling ribs directly to the endless chains. In this case the
travelling ribs should be of metal, and provided with teeth half an inch apart, and.
projecting downwards into grooves cut in the platform, over which the ribs travel.
Under this modification the money is pushed forward by the ribs instead of being
carried on the surface of the belt, and the object of the teeth and grooves is to
prevent the ribs from passing over small coins. This method of preventing the
smaller coins from being missed or passed over is applicable to the machine
described with reference to Figure 54 (third Specification). As thus improved the
slab b of this machine is grooved, and the bar which sweeps the money from it as the
slab is drawn outward has teeth corresponding to and dipping into the said grooves.
Another improvement of this machine, Figures 27 and 28, consists in sub-
stituting for the endless belt, an endless chain of small boxes hinged together
at their lower edges. As thus modified the rollers d, d¹, Figure 28 (second
Specification, would be square, the sides of the square being equal to the area of
the bottom of one of the boxes which form the endless belt of boxes, so that a
quarter revolution of these square rollers'shall cause the chain of boxes to move
forward a distance equal to the width of one of the boxes. These boxes are
divided into small cells with partitions, rising sufficiently high to support the
money edgewise, or partially edgewise, so as to allow of each coin been, and
the whole conveniently counted by looking downwards on the saia-
depth of the cells is proportioned to the width of the coins to be exhibitted so as to
bring the edges of the coins close to the under surface of the glass. This arrange-
ment has the merit of reducing the horizontal dimensions of the machine very
materially. This latter arrangement might be further modified by substituting for
the endless chain of square boxes a number of triangular boxes open at their
bottoms, and ranged concentrically round a common centre, as in the tills commonly
known as Nixey's tills. These triangular boxes would be divided into cells, as,
above described, in which the incoming coins may be exhibitted with their edges
upwards. In this Invention the cells are bottomless, and the coins are supported
on a fixed bottom, over which they are pushed until they fall through a hole
in the same.
This fixed bottom is higher under the cells for small coins, so as
to raise them as above described. In some cases I prefer combining shallow cells
for showing silver horizontally, with one or more deep cells for showing copper.
edgewise; and in order to decrease the tendency of the silver coins to over-ride each
other while being pushed forward I divide the space allotted for each incoming.
payment into two or more compartments by means of dividing ribs lying in the
direction of the radius of the circle within which the triangular boxes rotate. I do
3 not limit myself here to any particular degree of elevation or slope with regard to
the exhibitted coins, but claim as my Invention the using in this class of tills of.
any kind of partition or sloping surface that shall serve the purpose of bringing the
edges of the coins more clearly in view than they would be if lying one over
another on a horizontal surface. It will be understood that what I have here for
convenience called triangular boxes, are merely the chambers into which a circular
vessel may be divided by partitions radiating from the centre. I am aware that in
what are called Nixey's tills these so called triangular boxes are subdivided by
partitions in a direction transverse to lines radiating from the centre. I therefore
wish it to be understood that what I claim with reference to this feature of my.
Invention is the subdividing of the chambers in which each individual payment.
is exhibitted, by means of partitions radiating more or less directly from the centre
round which the said chambers rotate.

page_text: Another of my improvements in this kind of check till is applicable to that
described with reference to Figure 54 (third Specification), & consists in adapting
the drawer C for being pushed forward towards the payer of the money instead of
being drawn backward towards the receiver. This is effected by fixing a strong
rod of iron to the back of the drawer, near the position of . This rod extends
through the end of the till near the position k², & is of sufficient length to admit
of the drawer being pushed by means of the rod through its entire course. The
knob u¹ is dispensed with under this arrangement, and the till is fixed on the
counter with the outward end of the drawer towards the payer of the money.
"
Figure 68 is a back elevation of another improved construction of impounding
till, the lower part being oroken away to shorten the Drawing. The word back as
here used means the side which is towards the operator, the till being supposed to
stand on the shop counter. Figure 69 is a transverse section of the same through the
line Z, Z, but with the glass omitted to simplify the Drawing. Similar letters refer
to similar parts. a is a chamber, four sides of which consist of glass, wire gauze, or
other transparent materials, preferably plate glass; A¹, A', are angle brasses
forming the corners of the chamber A; Figure 76 is a full sized horizontal section of
one of these angle brasses and the attached parts. q, part of the lower carcase; A¹,
the angle brass; A2, A2, the rabbets in which the squares of plate glass are
supported. The Z shaped line A³ represents a piece of thin double angle metal
soldered to the inside of the main angle brass so as to form grooves to receive the
glass. These angle brasses A¹ project inside the upper carcase b and the lower
carcase q, and are fixed thereto by horizontal screws, indicated by the dotted
lines q¹, g¹. b is a chamber formed preferably of wood having a partition in the
position of the dotted line c, and having inside three sloping surfaces, one shown in
section d, Figure 69, and the others indicated by the dotted lines e & f. The former.
is connected with the opening g, and is therefore visible in the section Figure 69, but
the two latter being connected with the opening hare beyond the division
indicated by the dotted line c, Figure 68, and are therefore not visible in the section
Figure 69. i is a swing table forming the bottom of the chamber a, and supported
by and rotating partially on a rod j which runs lengthwise through a tubular hole
in the table, or through a groove partially covered so as to serve the purpose of a
tubular hole. Figure 70 is a full sized sectional view of the table with part of the
carcase q shewing the mode of supporting the rod j, with other details omitted in
Figure 69. K is one of a pair of metal brackets having each a bole K' through
which the rod passes fitting tightly. These brackets are placed severally about 2
inches from either end of the table, it being desirable to avoid having them at or
near the ends of the table. The brackets are nearly of an inch thick as seen from
the top or bottom, and recesses are cut in the underpart of the table to allow their
ends to pass upward to receive the rod j, and also to allow the table to swing through
rather more than one fourth of a revolution. These brackets are screwed to the
inner side of the carcase 9. The table is covered with ribbed or fluted india
rubber or some equivalent material, and at each end is fitted a tube of india rubber or
some other very elastic body p and p, Figure 71. This latter Figure is a horizontal
view of the swing table. It shows the ribbed surface of the india rubber o and the
elastic ends p; r, Figure 70 is a sonorous steel bar suspended by two fine cords passing
through holes drilled in the bar, as shown at r'. The dotted lines 8, s¹, show the
position of an ordinary bell hammer with the usual mountings as used in clocks.
As the table i swings partly round the short end 8 of the lever which works the
hammer is struck by the stud t, whereby the hammer head is raised and caused to
strike the steel bar on its recoil. As the table falls back to its level position, the
stud t revolves partially on the pin t¹, and thereby passes the lever s¹ without exerting
any force upon it. 2 is a spring which retains the stud t in its proper position;
u is part of a circular block of wood round which the cord passes. This cord is
attached to the tables at v¹ and passes outward through a hole in the carcase of the
till and is mounted externally with a knob w. y is a pendulum suspended from the
top of the glass chamber in such a position that the swing table may strike it and

page_text: cause it to oscillate whenever the till is worked. x is a metal weight which causes
the table to fall back to its horizontal position after being tilted, as hereinafter
described.
In using this till the operator proceeds as follows:-He first pulls the knob w
sufficiently to tilt the swing table i until the 'pendulum y is struck by the table.
By this means the whole of the money previously lying on the table is thrown off
and falls into receptacles in the lower part of the till, not shown in the Drawing.
On relaxing his hold of the knob w the table falls back to its horizontal position,
the return motion being quickened by a gentle spring, preferably an india rubber
spring (not shown in the Drawing). The operator next puts in the money last
taken, first putting the copper through the opening g, and then the silver through
the opening h, taking care to put small coins in last, so that the larger coins may not
cover and conceal them. The copper coins rush down the inclined surface d, and
strike against the projecting wires d', by which it is scattered so as to fall on the
swing table in such manner that it may be counted by simple inspection. The wires in
each row are so wide apart that no coins shall be held between any two wires, but
the lower wires are situated half way between those above them, so that if the
falling coins fail to strike the upper wires they shall be certain to strike the lower
ones. The silver coins slide down the inclined surface indicated by the dotted line e,
which forms the floor of the passage opening at h. It then strikes against the
inclined surface indicated by the dotted line f, and falls from there on to the swing
table. The motive for having for the silver coins a different arrangement from that
used for copper is that we require the copper to be well scattered so that it may be
easily counted while lying on the swing table, but silver coins being received in
fewer numbers do not require so much scattering, and if scattered too much get mixed
with the copper. The inclined surfaces d and c are fluted like the surface of the
swing table, but in these parts of the till brass or some other metal is used in.
preference to india rubber." The motive for having fluted surfaces to the swing
table, and inclined surfaces d and e, is to prevent the coins from adhering to the said
surfaces when the latter become dirty and adhesive from having wet or dirty money
passed over them. I do not confine myself to the use of fluted surfaces for this
purpose. Any kind of unevenness of surface that will reduce materially the amount
of contact between the coins and the surfaces over which they slide or on which they'
lie will answer the required purpose, and in some cases Brussels carpet or some similar
textile fabric may be used. The motion of the pendulum and the sound of the
steel bar when struck by the hammer will be joint proof that the money previously
lying on the table has been thrown downwards into a receptacle below before
putting in the new payment. This necessary proof may be obtained by any other
means that shall cause the till to emit a sound or to appear differently immediately
after each operation. For example, the swing table i may be made to turn com-
pletely over at each operation, so that the side which is uppermost before putting
in a new payment shall be below when the new payment is in. If the two sides be
of conspicuously different colour, any person seeing the till before and after putting
in a new payment will know by the colour of the table whether the previous
payment was thrown off before putting in the new one. If the colour of the upper
surface remains unchanged that fact will prove that the table has not been fairly
worked, and if the color becomes changed that fact will prove that it has been fairly
worked; or instead of using a swing table this till may be constructed with a
double sliding table, as shown in plan, Figure 73. In this Figure a, a, represents one
table; b, b, another; and c, c, a slot midway between them. This table is intended.
to slide backward and forward at the bottom of the glass chamber a, openings being
made at each side to allow of the motion. If the part a, a, be lying within the
chamber d the operator will then push the part B, B, inward before inserting a new
payment. The money previously lying on a, a, will then be swept off through the
slot c, c, and the part b, b, will take the place of a, a, to receive the new payment.'
Any person noticing the position of the table before and after use will know whether
the till has been fairly worked by observing whether the position of the table has

page_text: or has not been changed. Instead of using a number of scattering wires d', as
above described, I sometimes use an inclined surface in the position of the dotted
lined, so that the copper coins after rushing down the inclined shall strike
against the lower incline with a sufficient force to assist materially in scattering
them over the swing table; and in order to increase the efficacy of this arrange-
ment for scattering the coins I use one or more scattering wires placed either
between the two inclines d and d², or at or below the lower edge of the lower incline.
in the direction and the position of the arrow d³. Figure 72 is a side view of a modified
top for the till last described, the word top here meaning that part of the till
which is above the glazed chamber. In this design the copper falls through a
small square tower a, and after passing three inclined surfaces in the position of the
dotted lines b, c, and d, is finally divided into two or more streams by one or more
wires in the position of the dotted line e. The silver is put in through a narrow
slit opening upwards in the position of the dotted lines f. Under this design the
upper part is rendered less heavy in appearance, and is better suited for being made
of brass or some other metal.
Another improvement in this kind of till consists in pivotting the swing table
immediately under the plate of glass that forms one side of the glass chamber, and
extending the table outwards towards the operator so that it may form the cover of
a box to hold a supply of change. This arrangement is illustrated by the sectional
Drawing Figure 77, in which a and a are the improved swing table; b and b, parts of
the plate glass which form the two sides of the glass chamber; j, the pin on which
the table swings; 9, 9, 9, parts of three fixed walls of the till; c, the box for holding
change; d, an inner cover to the change box which is hinged to the box at the end
projecting towards the spectator, or at the opposite end, or in any other manner so
that it cannot be opened or moved until the outer cover a' which forms part of the
swing table a and a¹ is lifted into a vertical position; e and f are two curved ribs
extending the whole length of the swing table so as to keep the joint constantly
closed above and below the table while the latter is in motion. Instead of using
the inner cover d the upper cover a¹ may be fitted with dependant sides and end so
as to form a kind of hood similar to that which covers the till represented by
Figure 51 (third Specification). This hood should be of sufficient depth to admit of
its keeping the money box c closed until, the swing table a and cover a¹ are so far
tilted as to throw off the money previously on the swing table. In either case the
object of these last described improvements is to prevent access being had to the
change box without first clearing off the money lying on the swing table. A similar
effect may be produced by using a drawer instead of the box c, and connecting this
drawer with the cord which works the swing table, but the above described plan is
preferable.
Another improvement in this kind of till consists in fitting a swing table outside
of the till in such manner that it may lie with either side upward, and also in such
nanner that the act of reversing it shall tilt the inner swing table. Figure 74 is
a plan of the outer swing table, and Figure 75 a side view. a is the body of the
table; b, the pivots on which it swings; c, a long flat staple fixed on one side of the
table with a peculiar kind of notch at each end c¹ and c²; d is a link, one end of which
is intended to be, attached to the cord v, Figure 70, which works the inner swing
table. If this table be swung over in the direction of the arrow the link & will be
held in the notch c¹. When the table is completely reversed the notch c¹ and
the end of the link d are drawn into the position of the asterisk c. The inner
swing table will then be fully tilted, and will fall back to its horizontal position
on liberating the link d from the notch c¹ by pressure of the finger. On each
side of the outer swing table there will be fixed, when the apparatus is in
use, a sheet of paper ruled with money columns, in pairs or double sets, as if
intended for debit and credit entries. For convenience the two sets of columns in
each pair are herein severally distinguished as the first and second set of money
columns. When about to put a new payment into the till the attendant will first
enter its amount in the first set of money columns. He will then count the money

page_text: already in the till and enter the amount in the second set of columns, he will
then turn the outer swing table completely over and release the link d, as already
explained, whereby the inner swing table will be emptied and prepared to receive the
new payment which he will then put in, as already described. Under this arrange-
ment each incoming payment will be entered twice, firstly, before being put into
the till, and afterwards immediately before being thrown off the inner table. And
the person who makes the second entry of any one payment will be unable to see
the former entry of the same payment until after he has himself made the second
entry and reversed the table. He will therefore be compelled to count the money in
the till carefully before making the second entry, by which means the efficacy of the
check will be materially increased. I am aware that glazed chambers with movable
bottoms like the chamber a, Figure 68, have been used for the collection of fares
on tram cars, and have referred in my third Specification to several Patents that
have been granted for Inventions of this kind of fare collecting boxes, and I there-
do not claim such instruments as my Invention, I claim only those parts or features
thereof as are hereinafter defined. I am also aware that fare collecting boxes have
been in use in which the edge of an inclined surface is fringed with wires, but these
wires are not so placed as to assist in scattering the coins, but serve and are
intended to serve an entirely different purpose. I am also aware that another fare
collecting box has been in use in which the falling coins strike at right angles against
a projecting stud or wire. Therefore with reference to this part of my Invention I
claim the use of wires for scattering the incoming coins only as arranged in two
rows, one above another, in such manner that if a coin passes between two wires
in the upper row it will strike against a wire in the bottom row or in combination
with two or more inclines in such manner as to divide the incoming money into
two or more streams, either before it strikes the lower incline or immediately after
it has struck the said lower incline.
In some cases I still further improve this class of tills by dividing the glazed
chamber into two compartments, one for silver and gold, the other for copper.
:
Figure 78 is an end view of another improved impounding till. c is the sash of
a curved glass-case; and b, a glazed end of the same. In this curved glass case a
four-bladed fan revolves, as indicated by the dotted lines d, d'. At the further end
the axis of this fan is furnished with a ratchet wheel and pawl to prevent its moving
in the direction of the arrow. At the nearer end outside the carcase the axis is
mounted with a disc f, from which four studs project. These studs take into the
pawl g, which is forced upward by a spring. This pawl is cranked outwards at
the point g', so that when the pawi is depressed the studs may pass it. In using
this till the operator spreads the last incoming payment on the exposed blade of
the fan at d¹ he then depresses the pawl g so that a stud may pass it, and thereby
is enabled to move the fan through a quarter of a revolution. By this operation
the money spread on the blade of the fan at d' is turned over into the glass case,
from which it eventually falls into a chamber below, not shown in the Drawing.
Figure 79 is a longitudinal section of another improved impounding till.
a, the
carcase; b, b, the bottom and back end of a drawer which is open at the end h and
closed midway by a partition c and platform d; i and k are two projecting studs which
serve as handles; g is a glazed opening; and f, a slab of wood or other material, one
end of which rests upon and in action slides over the platform d, and the other end i
rests at each side on the upper edge of the drawer b, b; is a pawl inside the
drawer b, b, and in the actual till this pawl is fenced with some kind of covering
to prevent the money from touching it. The lower end of this pawl, indicated by
dotted lines, passes over a rack sunk in the bottom of the carcase a so that the
drawer cannot be opened while the pawl is in the position shown in the Drawing.
The incoming payments are exhibited on the platform d under the glass g. When
about to put in a new payment the operator presses against the stud i and pushes it
and the slab finward until the latter strikes against the upper end of the pawl l,
and thereby liberates the lower end of the pawl from the rack fixed in the bottom of
the carcase.
By this means the money will be swept off the platform d and the

page_text: stud will be brought immediately over the stud k, so that the operator may grasp
them both conveniently. He then pulls out the drawer as far as it will come, and
by releasing his hold of the stud k continues to pull the stud i until he has drawn
the slab fentirely off the platform d. The new payment is then put on the plat-
form and the drawer closed. Fixed to one side of the drawer a is another drawer
for holding a supply of change, and it will be understood from the above description
that the change drawer being so fixed to the drawer a cannot be opened until the
money shall have first been swept from the platform d. The most convenient
mode of fixing this till under key is to put a strong lock inverted at the back end
of the drawer, and so that the bolt may shoot downward into a groove in the bottom
of the carcase; the drawer will then travel only the length of the groove. A hole
must be cut in the back end of the carcase at a¹ to pass the key through.
Another part of my Invention consists of an improved tray for containing a
supply of copper, ready counted in lots of sixpence each. This tray in its simplest
form contains a number of grooves about of an inch deep, and of such section as
to fit a penny coin when standing on its edge in a sloping position. At one end of
the tray these grooves are closed by a fence rising about 1 inch above the bottom
of the grooves, and sloping outward sufficiently to allow coins to lean against it'
without any liability to fall in the opposite direction. At the opposite end the
grooves are open, but the two sides of the tray are fenced similarly to the end first
described, except that the side walls are upright. Under the open end of the tray
is fixed a rib about an inch wide so as to give a sloping direction to the body of
the tray, and thereby to assist in maintaining the coins on their edges. In fitting
this tray with copper for use the sixpenny lots are all placed in the rows formed
by the grooves so as to form one long row in each groove. Care must be taken to
have at least two half pennies in each lot, and the half pennies must be so placed with
relation to the pennies that the back coins of each lot shall be pennies and the front
coins half-pennies. The difference in the sizes of the coins will then indicate where
each individual lot ends and the next begins. I sometimes modify these money trays
as follows: I take a board in which the grooves above described are already
planed and saw the board transversely into pieces about three quarters of an inch
long, measuring in the direction of the grooves. I then take a number of laths or
strips of thin wood or metal and place these and the above short lengths of grooved
board together alternately, and glue them in this position, and finally place a fence
round the whole, as above described, the said fence rising 14 inch above the bottom
of the grooves so that one tray may rest on another without touching the copper
contained in the lower tray. By these means the grooves in the tray are divided
transversely into cells in which the separate lots of coins are contained apart from
each other. The transverse dividing laths are preferably notched, as shown in
Figure 80, which is a full size section of one of the cells. a is part of the solid
board in which the grooves are placed; b, the transverse partition; and c, the
notch.
In order to meet the requirements of publicans and other businesses in which
the payments are received mostly in small amounts I modify the registering
machine described with reference to Figure 67 by adapting it for registering pence
and half-pence only, and supplying by the side of the opening at which the figures
are shown a glazed chamber in which silver coins forming part of the last incoming
payment may be shown vertically with their flat sides towards the spectator; and
where necessary I supply also a similar glazed chamber in which farthings may be
exhibited. The bottoms of these glazed chambers are hinged loosely, and held in
horizontal position by means of a suitable catch, which catch is struck and released by
the frame e (Figure 17 and 19, second Specification) when the latter rises to the top
of its course, and the bottoms of the glazed chambers are thereby allowed to fall, so
that the money contained in them may fall into a receptacle below. In this
Invention and that described with reference to Figure 67, the frame e (Figures 17
and 19, second Specification) is furnished with a pawl and rack similar to the pawl
and rack K and K¹, Figure 53 (third Specification), so that when the frame shall have

page_text: commenced to move in either direction its direction shall not be reversible until it
has passed through the whole of its course; but as the rack will be vertical in
these machines the pawl must be so weighted that its point may project hori-
zontally when at rest.
The
In cases where the till herein before described as having some features in common
with Nixey's till is required to work in connection with a drawer for containing
a supply of change, I extend the axis or pivot of the rotating chambers downwards
The
and fix a ratchet wheel to the lower end within the locked money drawer.
change is kept in a small drawer which works within one end of the locked money
drawer, and two rods whose ends are furnished with pawls project from the change
drawer into the locked money drawer so that the said rods may pass one on each
side of the aforesaid ratchet wheel. The pawls are so fixed that on withdrawing
the change drawer one pawl shall strike the ratchet wheel and thereby cause the
rotating chambers to move sufficiently to bring an entirely new chamber under the
opening through which new payments are inserted. In the chamber thus exposed
the new payment is inserted, and the act of closing the change drawer causes the
other pawl to strike the ratchet wheel, and thereby to push the new payment
entirely under the glazed part of the till. As a sign by which to determine
whether the till has been properly worked when a new payment has been or should
have been inserted I fix a distinguishing letter, figure, or some other sign to the
rotating parts of each compartment so that there shall be a change of signs every
time the till is worked. Or I place the figures or letters outside the till and fix a
pointer outside which moves simultaneously with the rotating chambers.
registering machine described in the proceeding page may be conveniently modified
by substituting for the glazed chamber for exhibiting farthings a small plate of
enamelled metal or other material with the figures d. printed on its face, herein
called the farthing plate. This plate should be pivotted or hinged loosely by its
lower edge to the machine in such manner that it may fall backward into a hori-
zontal position when out of use; in which positions the figures printed on it will not
be seen, but when the plate is turned upward into a vertical position the figures
will then be seen.
An ordinary registering index should be connected with this
plate in such manner as to register the number of times it is turned upon edge and
again thrown down. For the purpose of actuating this plate there should be placed
by the side of each key representing pence and halfpence in the frane e (Figure 17 and
19, second Specification) another key for working the farthing plate, and projecting
from the lower edge of the said farthing plate in the line of the face of the plate
should be a small ear or stud against which the farthings keys may strike in the
downward course of the frame e, and thereby throw the farthing plate into a
vertical position. There should also project from the said farthing plate at right
angles to the line of its face another ear or stud against which a part of the frame e
may strike when the latter is at its highest position, and thereby throw the farthing
plate back into its unseen position. In using this machine the operator presses
simultaneously the pence key and the corresponding farthing key when the frame is
in its highest position. The farthing key will then in its downward motion strike
the stud of the farthing plate and turn it into a vertical position, in which it will be
retained by a friction spring pressing against its edge, and the act of thus raising the
plate will cause the index to mark 1. This method of checking farthings is avail-
able for checking halfpence also, that is to say, we may supply an enamelled plate
showing the figures d. when upright and another such plate showing 1/d. And to
suit this arrangement the frame e (Figure 17 and 19, second Specification) should by
preference have three rows of keys for representing pence and fractions of pence,
one row of 12 keys representing pence only, another row of 12 keys representing
halfpence, and a third row representing farthings. The motive for having so many
keys for halfpence and farthings where one for each would suffice is to quicken the
working of the machine by enabling the operator to strike the keys for pence and
fractions of pence with one motion of the hand.
Having now fully described the nature of my Invention and the manner in

page_text: which it may be carried out, I wish it to be understood that I claim generally as
my said Invention, the various machines, instruments, and apparatus herein described
for preventing fraud in the receipt of money and the various modifications thereof
herein described and indicated, except so far as such machines, instruments, and
apparatus form parts of my former Invention herein-before mentioned, and
excepting also so far as this general claim is limited by qualifications submitted
herein. I also wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the materials
herein specified in cases where other materials may obviously serve the required
purpose. And I also wish it to be understood that I make the following special
claims, that is to say, I claim,-
First. Any modification of the machines described with reference to Figure 67, and
Figures 1 to 3 (first Specification), and Figures 17 and 19, second Specification), in
which the chain or other material to which the hook g or its equivalent shall be
attached shall be held taut and kept in its desired line by each end being passed
round a wheel or its equivalent, and being either fixed to such wheels or formed
into an endless belt.
Secondly. The combining of tills of the kind described with reference to Figures
68 and 69 with drawers or other chambers for containing a supply of change in such
manner that the act of obtaining access to the change shall throw off the money
previously lying within the exhibiting chamber.
Thirdly. The use of ribbed surfaces or their equivalents, as herein defined, on the
floor of the exhibiting chamber and in other parts of this class of tills over which
money has to slide.
Fourthly. The use of india rubber tubing or other elastic material at the
ends of the swing tables forming the floors of the exhibiting chambers of this class
of tills.
Fifthly. The dividing of the exhibiting chambers of the same class of tills in
two compartments severally for silver and copper by means of a partition of plate
glass or other transparent material; and also the use of two distinct arrangements
severally for admitting silver coins and copper coins into the exhibiting chambers
of the same class of tills, whether such chamber be divided into two compartments
or not.
Sixthly. For this Claim, omitted by accident, see after Claim the ninth.
Seventhly. The combination of a counterpose weight with a spring for drawing
the swing table into a horizontal position.
Eighthly. The combination of change drawers or their equivalents with platforms
or slabs on which money is exhibited under glass in such manner that before
obtaining access to the change drawer it shall be necessary to push the money off
the said platforms, or push, withdraw, or propel the said platforms from under the
money.
Ninthly. The use of grooves or their equivalents on the surface of the slabs or
platforms above described, with teeth or their equivalents dipping into the said
grooves to prevent thin coins from being passed over while sweeping the money
from the said platforms.
Sixthly. The combining of pendulums, gongs, or other equivalent signs, as herein
described, with the particular class of tills described with reference to Figures
68 and 69, to afford evidence of the swing table which forms the distinguishing
feature of such tills having been properly worked before putting in the new
payment.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Britten, have hereunto set my hand
l thin o0th
1000