Improvements in Cash Registers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application; 24th July,
1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Apr. 1895-Accepted, 29th June, 1895'
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash Registers.*
I, ALBERT HINDSON MILLER, of 57 Gracechurch Street, in the City. of
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in cash registers, and refers more
particularly to that class of cash registers in which drums are rotated by the
depression of key levers and in which an advertisement is displayed at each
depression of the key levers and especially where it is important to have all the
wheels on the same shaft as for instance, in machines in which the amounts
registered are taken or printed direct from the machine as in my Patent No. 13494
dated 11th July 1893; and the objects of my invention are to register a greater
amount in a single column of figures than hitherto, by using a series of sets of
two or more registering drums on the same axis; to construct cash registers of the
class referred to which shall be certain in action and not liable to become deranged,
and whose mechanism shall be comparatively simple and easy to operate.
In carrying my invention into practice I construct two suitable side frames, one
for each side of the machine, which side frames are mounted or fixed on a suitably
constructed stand which is preferably provided with a money drawer in the usual
manner. Supported by a convenient part of the front portion of said side frames
I provide a shaft upon which a series of key levers are mounted. The outer end
of each of said key levers is provided with a button or the like, bearing a figure
or number indicating the amount to be registered by the depression of such key
lever, in the usual manner, the opposite cud of each of said key levers extending
to about the back of the machine. At a suitable part of said side frames I mount
a main or drum shaft upon which a series of sets of two or more drums are mounted,
one such set for each key lever. Each set of drums consists of at least a primary drum
and a secondary drum. The primary drum is provided on its periphery with suitable
type figures which begin at zero and are then progressive multiples of its relative
key lever, and the secondary drum has also provided on its periphery suitable
type figures which begin at zero and are then progressive multiples of the total or
highest amount or number on its relative primary drum. Each drum is formed or
provided on one side with a ratchet wheel having any desired number of teeth and
each key lever is provided at a suitable part with two pawls one of which pawls
engages with the teeth of its relative primary drum and thus moves or revolves
said drum through the space of one tooth at each operation of its key lever. The
secondary drun is moved or revolved through the space of one tooth at each
compléte revolution of its primary wheel; to this end the second pawl on the key
lever is arranged so as to be normally out of engagement with the ratchet wheel
on its relative secondary drum, and the primary wheel is provided at a suitable
part with a pin which engages with a suitably mounted cam-lever or spring at
each complete revolution, said cam-lever or spring in turn putting into gear the
second pawl with its ratchet wheel and thus causing the secondary drum to be
moved as stated. Each of said pawls is formed or provided with an arm by means
of which the druins are prevented from revolving through a greater space than
necessary. For the purpose of bringing all the drums back to their zero or
starting positions, each drum is provided at a suitable part with a pin, each of
which pins, on the drum shaft being turned a sufficient distance in the direction

page_text: opposite to that in which the drums have been moved, engages with one of a series
of suitable and pivotally mounted stops, and in order to ensure that all the drums
revolve when their shaft is being revolved I mount said drums on their shaft in
such a manner that their frictional contact with their shaft causes them to be
revolved when the shaft is being revolved. Such frictional contact may be
brought about in any desired manner but I prefer to form said drum shaft with a
series of apertures one for each drum, into each of which apertures I insert a
suitable spring by means of which two studs or the like, are normally pressed
outwards against the drum.
For the purpose of preventing the motion of any one of the drums being
accidentally communicated to its neighbouring drum, I insert a washer between
each of the drums, which washers are prevented from turning on the drum shaft,
by means of a suitable projection which enters into a correspondingly shaped
groove in the drum shaft.
The type figures with which the drums are provided on their peripheries, are
for the purpose of enabling the amounts registered on all the drums to be readily
printed on a strip of paper, as shown in my Patent No. 13494 dated 11th July 1893.
To this end I provide a suitable printing guard running at a convenient position
from side to side of the machine upon which guard I place the strip of paper,
having previously, by any suitable means, inked the type figures which are left
exposed by the said guard, I then bring to bear a suitably supported pad or the
like, by means of which the strip of paper is pressed upon the exposed and inked
type letters, whereby the required impression is made.
For the purpose of ensuring that any one of the key levers shall be moved its
full extent when actuated, I provide, at about the back of the machine, a catch
plate, having preferably the form of a curved plate with a rib or ribs or teeth
(preferably two) projecting towards the machine. The rear end of each key lever is
provided with a double acting pawl adapted to engage with any one of the ribs or
teeth of the said catch plate and which double acting pawl is preferably normally
retained in alignment with the shank portion of its key lever by means of a spring
or springs. If now a key lever be partially depressed, its rear end will be raised
so that said double acting pawl will be depressed to a sufficient extent to pass the
bottom rib or tooth of the catch plate which rib or tooth will prevent the key
lever being returned to its starting position until the said pawl is made to pass
completely over the catch plate which it can only do when the front end of said
key lever has been depressed to its full extent. The rib or tooth on the top edge
of the catch plate preventing the front end of the key lever being depressed until
the double acting pawl has passed completely under the catch plate, which it can
only do when the front end of said key lever has returned to its highest position.
For the purpose of exhibiting a tablet showing the amount which has been
registered, provide a series of vertically disposed rods which are guided in
suitable guide plates at about the back of the machine. The upper end of each
rod bears a tablet having the necessary figure or number marked thereon and the
lower end of said rod rests on the rear end of its relative key lever, so that a
tablet will be raised to view at cach depression of a key lever. For the purpose
of retaining any of said tablets in their raised position, I form cach of them with
a suitable notch into which a pivotally mounted rocking plate engages and for the
purpose of disengaging said rocking plate with all the rods which it may be
supporting at the time a key lever is depressed, I provide a suitably guided bar
preferably at about one side of the machine which bar is adapted to be
automatically raised a sufficient distance at each depression of a key lever. Said
bar has pivotally attached to it a trip or the like, which engages with and lifts up
the said rocking plate at each depression of a key lever. By these means it
will be impossible for any tablet to remain exposed except those which have been
raised at the last operation of the key levers.
I also provide means for advertising, the advertisement or advertisements
changing at each depression of a key lever. To this end I support a spindle at

page_text: a suitable and prominent position of the machine, which spindle is provided at
about each end with a disc between which discs and supported by them, I provide
a series of triangular or other shaped bars of suitable dimensions. Each of the
faces on said bars bears an advertisement and each of the bars is supported in such
a manner as to be capable of revolving relatively to the discs by which they are
supported. The whole of said bars revolve within a casing which also acts as a
guide to the bars and which case has a suitable opening at the top for the purpose
of allowing the bar to turn on its axis once in every revolution of the discs. The
arrangement of the parts is such that normally there are one or more advertise-
ments visible from the front of the machine through suitable openings in the front
of the casing referred to.
The discs are revolved a certain necessary distance, by any suitable means at
each depression of a key lever, but I prefer to use mechanism resembling the
escapement motion of a watch by means of which the discs are not only revolved,
but are also locked in their places.
For the purpose of revolving the bars relatively to the discs, I provide a spring
trip which enters within the case at the top, and which engages with one of the
bars each time the discs are revolved a space. By these means the said bars will
present a different face and consequently a different advertisement through the
front of the casing according to the number of faces on the bars.
The machine is covered with a suitable case and the stand is provided with a
money drawer in the usual manner, which drawer is preferably provided with a
spring tending to keep said drawer open, I also prefer to provide a locking frame
which is pivoted to the side frames and which, normally locks all the key levers and
prevents any of them being operated until said locking frame has been lifted a
certain necessary distance. The lifting of said locking frame may be brought
about by any suitable means, but I prefer to provide the drawer with a suitable
catch which acting through a suitable lever, lifts the said locking frame when the
drawer is shut, and for the purpose of keeping the drawer shut provide a latch
or the like, fixed preferably to one of the side frames, which latch is so arranged
that it is raised at each operation of a key lever. By these means the drawer will
be opened at the operation of a key lever said key levers remaining locked until
the drawer has been again closed.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the details exactly as
described, as they may be altered or modified without departing from my invention,
also that the different parts may be constructed of any materials that may be
most suitable.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.
I, ALBERT HINDSON MILLER, of 57 Gracechurch Street, in the City of London,
Gentleman, 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 refers more
particularly to that class of cash registers in which drums are rotated by the
depression of key levers, and in which an advertisement is displayed at each
depression of the key levers, and especially where it is important to have all the
wheels on the same shaft. as for instance, in machines in which the amounts
registered are taken or printed direct from the machine as in my Patent No. 13494
dated 11th July 1893; and the objects of my invention are to register a greater

page_text: amount in a single column of figures than hitherto, by using a series of sets of two
or more registering drums.on the same axis; to construct cash registers of the class
referred to which shall be certain in action and not liable to become deranged, and
whose mechanism shall be comparatively simple and easy to operate.
In order that my invention may be readily understood reference is made to, the
accompanying drawings wherein like letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures and in which :-
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a cash register constructed in accordance
with my invention, the case being removed in order to expose the mechanism and
the stand and drawer being shown in section.
Figure 2, represents my improved means for advertising, the view being a side
elevation taken from the opposite side to that shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3, represents an enlarged side elevation of my improved pawls for
operating the drums, this view being also from the opposite side to that shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 4, represents in side elevation my improved mechanism for ensuring that
any of the key levers shall be moved its full extent before its motion can be
reversed.
Figure 5, represents one of the money tablet carrying rods with its rocking
bar, and
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 represent details hereinafter referred to.
In carrying out my invention I construct two suitable side frames A, one for
each side of the machine, which side frames are mounted or fixed on a suitably
constructed stand B which is provided with a money drawer C in the usual manner.
Supported by a convenient part of the front portion of said side frames A, I provide
a key lever shaft D upon which a series of key levers E are mounted. The outer
end of each of said key levers is provided with a button or the like El, bearing a
figure or number indicating the amount to be registered by the depression of such
key lever in the usual manner, the opposite or rear end of each of said key levers
extending to about the back of the machine. At a suitable part of said side
frames A, I mount a main or drum shaft F upon which a series of sets of two or
more drums G are mounted, one such set for each key lever. Each set of drums
consists of at least a primary drum and a secondary drum as shown in Figure 6.
The primary drum is provided on its periphery with suitable type figures which
begin at zero and are then progressive multiples of the number or amount on the
button of its relative key lever, and the secondary drum has also provided on its
periphery suitable type figures which begin at zero and are the progressive
multiples of the total or highest amount or number on its relative primary drum.
Each drum is forined or provided on one side with a ratchet wheel G having any
desired number of teeth, and each key lever is provided at a suitable part with two
pawls E, E, one, E' of which pawls engages with the teeth of its relative primary
drum and thus moves or revolves said drum through the space of one tooth at each
operation of its key lever. The secondary drum is moved or revolved through the
space of one tooth at each complete revolution of its primary drum; to this end
the said secondary pawl E on the key lever is arranged so as to be normally out
of engagement with the ratchet wheel on its relative secondary drum and for the
purpose of putting said secondary pawl into engagement with its relative secondary
drum at each complete revolution of the relative primary drum, 1 provide the key
lever E with a pivotally mounted cam lever E which cam lever is formed with a
hook Es by means of which said cam lever is engaged with a pin E with which
the secondary pawl E³ is provided, and the said secondary pawl E³ is provided with
a spring e by means of which said pawl is normally held out of engagement with
its relative ratchet wheel. The primary drum E is provided with a pin g the
arrangement of the whole being such that at each completion of a revolution of the
primary druni the pin g will depress the free end of the cam lever and consequently
the hook E' will raise the pawl E³ into position for engagement with the secondary
drum, and when said secondary drum has been moved through the space of one

page_text: tooth, the pin g will have passed the free end of the cam lever E,,which, by. reason
of the action of the spring e,, will be returned. to. its normal position. The .cam
lever. E is also preferably provided with a spring e to keep its hook in engagement
with the pin E, and the rear. end of the primary pawl.E2 is formed with an
extension to which a spring e is secured for the purpose of, keeping said pawl
normally in position for engagement with its relative ratchet wheel. The pawls E, E³
are provided with arms e by means of which the drums are prevented from revolving
through a greater space than one tooth. at each depression of a key lever. For
the purpose of bringing all the drums back to their zero or starting positions, each
drum is provided at a suitable part with a pin g³, each of which pins-on the main
shaft being turned a sufficient distance in the direction opposite. to, that in which
the drums have been turned by the operation of the key levers-engages with one
of a series of suitable and pivotally mounted stops g³, and in order to ensure that all
the drums revolve when their main shaft is being revolved, I. provide said main
shaft with a series of washers g', each of said washers being formed with a tongue
which fits into a corresponding groove in the main. shaft as shown in Figure 7, the
frictional contact between the washers and the drums being sufficient to turn said
drums when the main shaft is being turned, said main shaft being formed at one
end with a square upon which a suitable key fits. For the purpose of locking the
main shaft so as to prevent its rotating, except when the drums are being re-set as
described, I provide a lever H pivotally mounted on one of the side frames A, said
lever having an arm / which is entered into the groove on the main shaft being
normally retained therein by a spring, and for the purpose of preventing the
drums being, accidentally moved in the wrong direction, I provide a series of
spring actuated pawls 2 the lever H being preferably connected with the pawls h³
by a rod h³, the arrangement of the whole being such that normally the shaft and
drums are locked, but when the drums are being re-set it is only necessary
to push back the free end of the lever H and both the shaft and drums are
unlocked.
The type figures with which the drums are provided on their peripheries are for
the purpose of enabling the amounts registered on all the drums to be readily
printed on a strip of paper, as shown in my Patent No. 13494 dated 11th July 1893.
To this end I provide a suitable printing, guard i running at a convenient position
from side to side of the machine, upon which guard I place a strip of paper having
previously by any suitable means, inked the type figures which are left exposed by
the said guard, I then bring to bear a suitable pad or the like, by means of which
the strip of paper is pressed upon the exposed, and inked type letters, whereby, the
required impression is made.
For the purpose of ensuring that any one of the key levers shall be moved its
full extent when operated, I provide at about the back of the machine (see Figure 4)
a catch plate J which is formed with, two or more ribs.or teeth; projecting towards
the machine. The rear end of each key lever is provided with a double acting
pawl J adapted to engage with any one of the ribs or teeth ; of the catch plate
and which double acting pawl is preferably normally retained in alignment with
the shank portion of its key lever by means of one or more springs J².
If, now, a
key lever be partially depressed, its rear end will be raised so that said double
acting pawl J will be depressed a sufficient extent to pass the bottom rib or tooth
of the catch plate J which rib or tooth will prevent the key lever being returned
to its starting position until the said pawl is made to pass completely over the
catch plate J, which it can only do when the front end of said key lever has been
depressed to its full extent. When on the return stroke or motion of the.key
lever-the pawl J' has passed the top rib it will he impossible to again depress the
front end of the key lever until its rear end has passed a sufficient distance below
the catch plate so that the pawl J shall have also passed said catch plate, which
it can only do when the front end of said key lever has returned to its highest
position. For the purpose of exhibiting a money tablet K' showing the amount
which has beeu registered, I provide a series of vertically disposed rods K

page_text: (Figure 5) which are guided in suitable guide plates at about the back of the
machine. The upper end of each rod bears a tablet (not shown in Figure 5)
having the necessary figure or number marked thereon and the lower end of said
rod rests on the rear end of its relative key lever so that a relative tablet will be
raised to view at each depression of a key lever. For the purpose of retaining
any of said tablets in their raised position, I form each of them with a suitable
notch into which a pivotally mounted rocking plate 2 engages and for the
purpose of disengaging said rocking plate with all the rods which it may be
supporting at the time a key lever is depressed, I provide on one side frame A a
suitably guided bar K which bar is adapted to be automatically raised a sufficient
distance at each depression of a key lever, by means of a locking frame L running
across the rear ends of all the key levers so that when said locking frame is lifted
on the operation of any of the key levers, the bar K is also lifted and said bar,
by means of a pivotally supported trip or the like ³ raises the free side of the
rocking plate, said plate being for the purpose, provided with a pink which
projects through a suitable aperture in the side frame as shown in Figure 1, and in
order to keep the rocking plate in engagement or contact with the tablet rods, I
provide a spring k which acts against the pin k as shown.
I also provide means for advertising, the advertisement or advertisements
changing at each depression of a key lever. To this end I support a spindle M at
a suitable and prominent position of the machine, which spindle is provided at
each end with a frame M', between which frames and pivotally supported by them,
I provide a series of triangular or other shaped bars M of suitable dimensions.
Each face on the said bars M bears an advertisement and each of said bars is
supported by the frames M in such a manner as to be capable of revolving
relatively to them. At one or both ends of said bars I provide a fixed or
stationary casing m which casing acts as a guide to the bars M² said casing having an
opening m at the top and is formed or provided with a suitable spring trip m², the
arrangement of the parts being such that if the frames M be turned, the one
corner of the theu uppermost bar M2 will strike against the spring trip m² and
will-if the revolution of the frames be continued-be revolved thereby showing
a different advertisement to that shown on its last revolution. For the purpose
of imparting the necessary motion I prefer to use the following mechanism -
To one of the side frames A. I pivotally attach a lever a and a double lever a¹,
said levers being connected together by means of a rod a². The lever a is
provided with a pin or the like a³ so that when the locking frame is raised a
sufficient distance by the operation of a key lever, the free end of the lever a is
also raised thereby and consequently the double lever a' is rocked on its pivot.
The double lever a' is formed with an open jaw piece a' the ends of which are
adapted to alternately enter between studs a with which the frame M' is provided,
the action resembling the well known escapement motion of some watches. By
employing this mechanism, not only are the frames M revolved at each operation
of a key lever, but said frames are also locked in their places. For the purpose of
making this mechanisms double acting i.e. moving the frames so as to exhibit two
fresh advertisements at each operation of a key lever, I provide a spring a whereby
the lever a' after being moved in one direction by the operation of a key lever, is
pulled or forced back to its original position by the said spring a*.
I also
The machine is normally covered with a suitable case not shown, and the stand B
is provided with a money drawer C, which drawer is provided with a spring
tending to keep said drawer open as is usual in this class of machine.
provide a locking frame L which is pivoted to the side frames and which normally
locks all the key levers E and prevents any of them being operated until said
locking frame has been lifted a certain necessary distance. The lifting of said
locking frame may be brought about by any suitable means, but I prefer to
provide the drawer C with a spring catch c which, acting through a pivotally
mounted lever c', lifts the said locking frame when the drawer is shut, as shown
in full lines Figure 1, and for the purpose of keeping the drawer normally shut,

page_text: I provide a latch or the like c² (Figure 8) at about the back of the machine and
preferably midway between the side frames A, which latch is raised by means of a
lever at each lifting of the locking frame L. The arrangement of the
mechanism being such that at the operation of a key lever-when the drawer is
shut the locking frame L is raised thereby unbolting the drawer which, by means
of its spring, is pushed open. When the locking frame L has fallen to its normal
position as shown in dotted lines Figure 1-after the completion of an operation
of a key lever, the lever c' falls into the position shown in dotted lines and the
drawer when closed forces the lower end of said lever back and thereby raises the
locking frame thereby rendering any of the keys workable. It is often desired to
keep the money drawer locked while the machine is in use, and to enable this to be
done, I provide one of the side frames with a lock N (Figures 1 and 9) the bolt n
of which is adapted to hold the locking frame in its raised position as shown in
dotted lines (Figure 9) by reason of the lug or the like n' with which the locking
frame L is provided engaging with said bolt, or the key levers E may be locked
by the locking frame being locked in its lowermost position, as shown in full lines
(Figure 9).
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the details exactly as
above described, as they may be altered or varied without departing from my
invention, also that the different parts may be constructed of any material or
materials that may be most suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, 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 drums G having ratchet wheels G¹
and mounted on a main shaft F pawls E2, E³ a cam lever E having a hook Es
engaging with a pin E on the pawl E3 arms e said pawls and cam lever being
supported by a suitably mounted lever key E provided with a double acting
pawl, adapted to engage with the ribs or teeth of the catch plate J, said pawl
plate being normally held in position by means of a spring J2, a bar K2, having
a trip, a locking frame L, having a lug n³ a lever c¹ adapted to be operated by
the operation of the drawer C, having a spring catch e a rocking plate k², having
a pin and adapted to engage with the notch k¹ of a tablet carrying rod K, a
locking frame L, levers a, a connected by a rod a² a jaw piece a, a spindle M..
carrying frames M' which support advertisement bearing bars M2, a case m having
an opening m¹ and a catch m² a spring a, a spring actuated lever H, connected by
a rod with pawls h², the lever H having an arm h, pins g, g², and pivoted stops g³
all adapted, arranged and operating for the purposes and substantially as described
and illustrated.
2. In a cash register a key lever E, carrying pawls E', E³ and a cam lever E',
the lever E³ being normally retained out of engagement with its relative drum.
and the cam lever Et being adapted, at about each complete revolution of the
primary drum, to put the pawl E³ into engagement with its relative ratchet wheel,
the said cam lever E* being actuated by a pin g, all for the purposes and
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In a cash register having key levers such as E, double acting pawl Jadapted
to engage with ribs j of a catch plate J, and a spring J2, all for the purposes and
substantially as described and illustrated.
4. In a cash register, advertisement carrying bars M2 pivotally supported in
suitable frames M and adapted to be revolved within a guiding case or cases m all
for the purposes and substantially as described and illustrated.
5. In a cash register, levers a, a' connected by a rod as the lever a' being formed
or provided with an open jaw piece a, a spring a, a spindle M supporting
frames M¹ carrying bars M² and having pins as a case m having an opening m¹
and a spring catch m² all for the purposes and substantially as described and
illustrated.

page_text: 6. In a cash register having key levers such as E, a locking frame L having a
lug n adapted to be engaged by the bolt n of a lock N for the purposes aud
substantially as described and illustrated.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.