IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND RECORDING THE AMOUNTS OF MONIES RECEIVED OR PAID IN SHOPS AND ELSEWHERE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Howard Boswell and James Charles Boswell both
of Norwich in the County of Norfolk for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND RECORDING THE AMOUNTS OF MONIES
RECEIVED OR PAID IN SHOPS AND ELSEWHERE
"
(Void by reason of the Patentees having neglected to file a Specification
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Howard Boswell
and James Charles Boswell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 18th November 1882.
SAMUEL HOWARD BOSWELL and JAMES CHARLES BOSWELL both of Norwich in
the County of Norfolk "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING AND
RECORDING THE AMOUNTS OF MONIES RECEIVED OR PAID IN SHOPS AND ELSEWHERE
"
This invention relates to an improved box or till for indicating and recording
the amounts of monies received or paid in shops and other places.
It is especially intended to indicate to a ready money purchaser the sum of
money which he has paid across the counter, and to record by printing or
punctuation, the several sums received by the assistant or cashier during business
hours. The apparatus comprises a series of keys or plungers. and corresponding
levers suitably mounted the said keys or plungers bearing signs or letters
indicating various amounts in pence, shillings or other coins. Each of the levers
is provided with a suitable type or marker and this is caused to press against a
travelling band or web and record thereon the sum or value marked upon the
depressed pusher or key. Connected with each lever is an indicating card or
board, or it may be a figure or letter, which is caused by the depression of the
corresponding key or pusher to appear prominently in full view of the purchaser,
who thus sees indicated the price he has paid for the goods. When one of the keys
LD 077

page_text: or pushers is depressed a catch prevents it from rising until released by means of a
handle or lever aim, or equivalent device. The moving of this handle or lever
which releases the catches, and allows the keys or pushers and their connections to
resume their normal position, is so arranged that it feeds on the travelling band a
certain distance, thereby bringing a fresh part over the type or marker ready for
the next impression. The travelling web or band may consist of paper or other
fabric which is drawn off one roller and wound onto another, passing on its way
around a third roller covered with black or other tracing paper.
The figures imprinted or marked on the travelling band can be inspected each
evening, and the takings of the day or any part thereof be accurately checked.
A bell or gong is operated each time the levers are depressed so that the
attention of the customer is drawn to the apparatus, and to the figures or signs
indicated in the openings above the counter in full view of the customer.
The apparatus for releasing the several keys and their levers when they have
been actuated consists of a transverse horizontal fixed bar and a second transverse
bar capable of a slight movement over the first bar. The catches on the levers or
their keys are retained beneath the moveable bar, but when this is withdrawn by
means of a bell crank lever or other suitable device, the catches will be released
and the levers and their keys will resume their normal position.
By this apparatus a customer will have his attention called to a prominent sign
or figure showing the sum he has paid, while the proprietor will have a record of
the amount automatically imprinted for his inspection. It will be desirable to
exhibit in a conspicuous part of the shop over the apparatus some such words as
the following, "Customers are requested to see their cash indicated.”.
The invention is applicable to public bars and restaurants.