Improvements in Cash Tills.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Nov., 1893—Accepted, 30th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash Tills.
I GEORGE ALEXANDER of the Acorn Hotel, Temple Street, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, Hotel Manager do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to cash tills, or money receptacles, whereby I produce
an arrangement for readily calculating and ascertaining at a glance the total
amount of money contained in the till; and it consists of a block or box of any
suitable size and shape, composed of wood, papier mache, india rubber, celluloid,
or other suitable material, or of metal. Upon the surface of the block or box
are found a series of semi-circular channels, or grooves, situated side by side, these
semi-circular channels or grooves run from bottom to top of the block or box i.c. from
the near to the far side when the same is in position and are of the same size as
one half the circumference of the coins which they individually have to receive,
each individual channel or groove taking each size coin, in the case of English
coinage from one halfpenny to one pound, thus providing a separate column for
each class of coin.
The surface of the block or box is made preferably somewhat sloping from
bottom to top in order that the coins inay find their level against each other and
so prevent their falling forwards.
may if required also use in connection with the arrangement a spring or sliding
piece of metal at the foot of each channel or groove so as to compress the coins
together and make them fit up tightly and compactly. Situated at the foot of the
channels or grooves are arranged a series of circular or oval cups or small tills
for containing loose cash and also a square receptacle for containing bank notes,
stamps, and for other purposes, the latter being provided with a weight to retain
the contents in place. Down each side or intermediate portion, between the
channels, or grooves, are indexes to show the approximate amount of cash contained
within a given space in each individual column, these indexes are measured off
according to the thickness of the coins and are figured at any given point as
desired so as to easily calculate the value of the total amount contained in the
individual channel, groove or column.
A portion of the space upon the surface of the till (preferably the right band
side) is provided with a slab or tablet of porcelain, slate, or any suitable substance
for writing upon which may be ruled off in money columns, to enter rapidly the
amount each channel or groove contains.
A suitable lid is provided to cover the till which may slide in grooves or be
suitably hinged and secured by a lock, when a sliding lid is used and when the till
is open, such lid may be stowed away in a slot which receives it beneath the till.
When preferred the lid itself may have channels or grooves therein to fit over
and correspond with the channels in the till which will assist to retain the coins in
their place and prevent them from rattling when moving the till.
The main object I have in view is to be able to calculate at a glance the total
amount contained in each channel or column without the necessity of counting each
individual coin.
11
101
T
A D 1009

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cash Tills.
I, GEORGE ALEXANDER, of The Philharmonic Restaurant 76 St. Marys Street
Cardiff in the County of Glamorgan, Hotel Manager, 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, reference
being had to the drawings hereunto annexed and to the figures and letters shewn
thereon:-
My invention relates to cash tills or money receptacles whereby I produce an
arrangement for readily calculating and ascertaining at a glance the total amount
of money contained in the till, and it consists of a block or box of any suitable
size and shape, composed of wood-preferably-or it may be made of papier
maché, india rubber, celluloid or other suitable material, or of metal.
In the accompanying drawings which are one half full size-
Figure 1, is a plan of the till.
Figure 2 a side elevation of same.
Figure 3 a weight for use in connection with the till.
Upon the surface of the block or box A are formed a series of semi-circular
columns, channels or grooves B to B situated side by side, these semi-circular
channels or grooves run from bottom to top of the block or box A (i.e. from the
near to the far side when the same is in position as shewn) and are of the same
size as one half the circumference of the coins, which they individually have to
receive each individual column, channel, or groove, taking each size of coin in the
case of English coinage, from a halfpenny to a sovereign, thus providing a separate
column for each class of coin.
As seen in Figure 2 the surface of the block or box A. is made preferably
somewhat sloping in order that the coins may find their level against each other,
and so prevent their falling forwards, and also to allow the coins to be easily
extracted for giving change or otherwise.
Down each right side or intermediate rib of the columns or channels are indexes C
measured off and figured at any given point as desired according to the thickness of
the coins in order to shew the approximate amount of cash contained within a
given space in each individual column or channel, so as to readily calculate the
value of the total amount, contained in the individual column, channel, or groove.
Column B receives halfpennies B' pennies B2 threepenny pieces, B³ sixpences,
B shillings B florins B half crowns, B7 four shilling pieces B7 five shilling
pieces, B half sovereigns, B sovereigns, the indexes C setting forth the amount
contained in each column as stated.
A portion of the space upon the surface of the till (preferably the right hand
side) is provided with a slab or tablet D of porcelain slate or any suitable
substance for writing upon (and which can easily be washed or rubbed off), which
may be ruled with money columns as shewn, to enter rapidly the amount each
column, channel or groove contains, this tablet D may slide in grooves to withdraw
the same when desired.
Situated at the foot of the columns, channels or grooves are arranged a series
of circular or oval cups or small tills E, for containing loose cash until assorted
for the columns, also a square receptacle F for bank notes stamps, and for other
purposes, the latter being provided with a weight G to retain the contents in
place. I may if required also use in connection with the arrangement of till, a
spring or sliding piece of metal or wood at the foot of each column so as to
compress the coins together and make them fit up tightly and compactly the one
against the other.
A suitable lid is provided, if required to cover the till which may slide in
grooves or be suitably hinged and secured by a lock when a sliding lid is used and

page_text: when the till is open such lid may be stowed away in grooves or in a slot situated
beneath the till; but as a rule it is proposed to make the till without the lid, & to
be kept in a drawer or safe.
ADVANTAGES.
The object that I have in view by my improved arrangement is to be able to
readily calculate at a glance the total amount of cash contained, not only in each.
column, but in the till itself without removing the coins for the purpose.
Furthermore for giving change the required coins can be extracted very
rapidly and accurately, also by reason of the coins being on edge, any suspicious
or spurious ones can easily be detected.
Obviously for foreign coinage I shall adapt the arrangement of the till to
comply with the demands of the various size coins.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the more precise details
of arrangement herein set forth as I may vary the same to suit different require-
ments without departing from my method.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The improved arrangement and construction of cash till or coin receptacle
consisting of the method herein described and illustrated for the purpose
substantially as set forth.
Second. The improved arrangement and combination of cash till and ready
reckoner consisting of the method herein described for the purpose substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 21st dor of November A T 1803
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.