IMPROVED CHECK REGISTER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright
Association, Limited, 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of " IMPROVED CHECK REGISTER." A cominu-
nication from abroad by Louis Von Hoven, of the City, County, and State of
New York, United States of America.
aled the 18th December 1877, and dated the 21st June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1877.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVED
CHECK REGISTER." (A communication from abroad by Louis Von Hoven, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.)
This Invention consists of certain improvements in registering apparatus, whereby
a simple and reliable record may be kept of the checks issued in dining houses,
restaurants, cafés, wine rooms, and such like places, to prevent embezzlement on the
part of waiters and others giving out the checks and collecting the pay.
The apparatus consists essentially of a series of cells or receptacles for the checks,
in which they are placed in vertical columns, so as to gravitate to the bottom,
where there is a horizontal working pusher, or puller, as may be preferred, to each
cell, with a knob handle projecting out through the front of the case containing the
apparatus.
Behind the cells, and in a little lower plane, is a receptacle which I call the
"control drawer," into which a backward or inward movement of the pusher will
eject the lowest check in the column; and similarly arranged in front of the case is
an open space, into which the forward or return movement of the pusher ejects the
next check at the bottom of the column, which latter check is to be taken by the.
waiter to the guest for payment by him to the cashier, while the former remains in
the control drawer, as the record by which the proprietor may know the amount of
sales and the money he should find in the cashier's hands.
There is also a series of drawers, say, at the front and below the open space, into
which the checks are dropped for the waiters, one for each waiter, and having his
Dia 1

page_text: number or name, in which his checks may be deposited by him, or any other one
giving them out, when a more expensive meal is given than is represented by any
one check, in which case he will make a written check for the total sum and give it
to the guest to pay the cashier.
And there is also another drawer within the case, which I call the "exchange
drawer," into which exchange checks are to be deposited; that is, when a guest, after
having received his check for payment, orders more food, drink, or other article, as the
case may be, and is required to surrender his check for one of higher denomination, the
returned check is to be deposited in the exchange drawer, to be deducted from the
sum of those in the control drawer.
For convenience in counting the checks, and for keeping the different denomina-
tions separate for arranging them in the different cells, which are numbered
according to the different denominations of the checks, the control drawer and the
exchange drawer are partitioned for each denomination.
There is a signal bell so connected with the apparatus that each pusher is made
to sound it every time a check is delivered, as a precautionary influence upon the
waiters, to ensure their taking the checks, which, in case they do not, will readily
be detected by the silence of the signal.
In using the check register, say, in a bar room, a middle-sized machine or register
will be placed on the bar, containing checks corresponding with the prices of the
articles sold. The bar keeper will, in places where he receives payment himself,
strike a pusher and drop before the guest a check showing the amount due, on pay-
ment of which he will drop the check in a drawer, where it remains to be counted
with the money, and the money will be put in the cash drawer, to be subsequently
counted together with the checks aforesaid, and also with the checks in the control
drawer, with both of which it must agree.
A card hung in a conspicuous place, informing the guests of the bar keeper's
duties in connection with the check register, together with the signal, will secure
complete control and correct register of the transactions even when the proprietor
is not present, as the bar keeper will know he cannot once omit his duties without
giving means of certain detection. But where a cashier is in attendance the control
becomes perfect, the guest taking the check to the cashier's desk, between whom
and the one giving out the checks there can be no collusion.
In dining rooms, restaurants, and cafés the register can be used in different
ways.
In such establishments where meals are served at fixed prices, the machine con-
taining from twelve to twenty-four keys or pushers and other appliances for like
numbers of checks can be placed with the front toward the dining room, and where
the waiters pass in taking the dishes to the guests, and where it is most convenient
for them to get the checks for the guests when they have finished their meals.
If a guest orders an additional dish after having received his check, the waiter
will exchange checks with him, and drop the one received from him in the exchange
drawer. The cash and checks in the cashier's desk must then balance with the
checks in the control drawer, less the checks in the exchange drawer.
The most perfect way however of using the register is the following:-A machine
or register containing as many different checks as the bill of fare contains prices is
placed near the counter or passage where the dishes are handed to the waiters; as
often as a plate is handed to a waiter the clerk will get the check for the same
The waiter will then write
from the register and drop it into the waiter's drawer.
a check for the sum of all the checks so deposited to give to the guest, or he may
collect the cash, which must agree with the amount of the checks in his drawer,
and also with the corresponding checks deposited in the control drawer.
For dishes returned the waiter's check in writing will be put in the exchange
drawer in this case.
In confectionaries, cafés, and places where there is but little variety of dishes the
machine can be connected with tubes running to the basement or kitchen, into which
the checks may drop, instead of being taken by the waiter, the checks having in

page_text: this case the name of the dish wanted instead of the number, so that the cook may
attend to the orders in a simple and easy way. The waiters will then use other
checks for the guests, or collect the cash.
In ferry-boat offices, brewers' establishments, and other like places the register
will be indispensable.
The case may be made of any approved material, but will, by preference, liave a
plate-glass front, through which the apparatus may be seen.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st December
1877.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patentright Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVED
CHECK REGISTER." (A communication from abroad by Louis Von Hoven, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America.)
This Invention consists of certain improvements in registering apparatus, whereby
a simple and reliable record may be kept of the checks issued in dining houses,
restaurants, cafés, wine rooms, &c., to prevent embezzlement on the part of waiters
and others giving out the checks and collecting the pay.
The apparatus consists essentially of a series of cells or receptacles for the checks,
in which they are placed in vertical columns so as to gravitate to the bottom, where
there is a horizontally working pusher or puller, as may be preferred, to each cell,
with a knob handle projecting out through the front of the case containing the
apparatus.
Behind the cells, and in a little lower plane, is a receptacle, which I call the
control drawer, into which a backward or inward movement of the pusher will
eject the lowest check in the column; and similarly arranged in front of the case is
an open space, into which the forward or return movement of the pusher ejects the
next check at the bottom of column, which latter check is to be taken by the
waiter to the guest for payment by him to the cashier, while the former remains in
the control drawer, as the record by which the proprietor may know the amount of
sales, and the money he should find in the cashier's hands.
There is also a series of drawers, say, at the front and below the open space, into
which the checks are dropped for the waiters, one for each waiter, and having his
number or name, in which his checks may be deposited by him or any other one
giving them out, when a more expensive meal is given than is represented by any
one check, in which case he will make a written check for the total sum, and give
it to the guest to pay the cashier.
And there is also another drawer within the case, which I call the exchange
drawer, into which exchange cheques are to be deposited; that is, when a guest,
after having received his check for payment, orders more food, drink, or other article,
as the case may be, and is required to surrender his check for one of higher denomi-
nation, the return check is to be deposited in the exchange drawer, to be deducted
from the sum of those in the control drawer.
For convenience in counting the checks, and for keeping the different denomina-
tions separate for arranging them in the different cells, which are numbered
according to the different denominations of the checks, the control drawer and the
exchange drawer are partitioned for each denomination.

page_text: There is a signal bell so connected with the apparatus that each pusher is made
to sound it every time a check is delivered, and as a precautionary influence upon
the waiters to ensure their taking the checks, which, in case they do not, will readily
be detected by the silence of the signal.
In using the check register, say, in a bar room, a middle-sized machine or register
'will be placed on the bar, containing checks corresponding with the prices of the
articles sold. The bar keeper will, in places where he receives payment himself,
strike a pusher and drop before the guest a check showing the amount due, on pay-
ment of which he will drop the check in a drawer, where it remains to be counted
with the money, and the money will be put in the cash drawer to be subsequently
counted together with the checks aforesaid, and also with the checks in the control
drawer, with both of which it must agree.
A card hung in a conspicuous place informing the guests of the bar keeper's
duties in connection with the check register together with the signal will secure
complete control and correct register of the transactions even when the proprietor
is not present, as the bar keeper will know he cannot once omit his duties without
giving means of certain detection. But where a cashier is in attendance the control
becomes perfect, the guest taking the check to the cashier's desk, between whom and
the one giving out the checks there can be no collusion.
In dining rooms, restaurants, and cafés the register can be used in different
ways.
In such establishments where meals are served at fixed prices, the machine cón-
taining from 12 to 24 keys or pushers and other appliances for like numbers of
checks can be placed with the front towards the dining room, and where the waiters
pass in taking the dishes to the guests, and where it is most convenient for them to
get the checks for the guests when they have finished their meals.
If a guest orders an additional dish after having received his check the waiter
will exchange checks with him, and drop the one received from him in the exchange
drawer. The cash and checks in the cashier's desk must then balance with the
checks in the control drawer, less the checks in the exchange drawer.
The most perfect way however of using the register is the following:-A machine
or register containing as many different checks as the bill of fare contains prices is
placed near the counter or passage where the dishes are handed to the waiters;
as often as a plate is handed to a waiter, the clerk will get the check for the same
from the register and drop it into the waiter's drawer. The waiter will then write
a check for the sum of all the checks so deposited to give to the guest, or he may
collect the cash, which must agree with the amount of the checks in the drawer and
also with the corresponding checks deposited in the control drawer.
For dishes returned the waiter's check in writing will be put in the exchange
drawer in this case.
In confectionerics, cafés, and places where there is but little variety of dishes the
machine can be connected with tubes running to the basement or kitchen, into
which the checks may drop, instead of being taken by the waiter, the checks
having in this case the name of the dish wanted, instead of the number, so that the
cook may attend to the orders in a simple and easy way. The waiters will then
use other checks for the guests, or collect the cash.
In ferry-boat offices, brewers' establishments, and other like places the register
will be indispensable.
The case may be made of any approved material, but will, by preference, have a
plate-glass front, through which the apparatus may be seen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is partly a front elevation and partly a sectional elevation taken through
the register from side to side.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken from front to rear.
And Fig. 3 is partly a horizontal section and partly a ton view

page_text: A represents the case, which may be constructed in any approved form and
material; B represents the cells in which the checks D are deposited; E represents
the pushers; F, control drawer; G, the open place in front; H, the exchange
drawer; I, the waiter's drawer; and J, the signal bell.
The cells are arranged in a series, corresponding in number to the number of
checks of different denominations, and they are numbered in front by tablets K
for the .denomination of checks they are to contain. By preference, they are
arranged in a case or drawer that is readily removable from the case A when open.
The pushers E act by a little stud a on the bottom check, ejecting it into the control
drawer F through the opening b, when moved inward, and on the return movement
pushing it out through the passage c to the open place G, where it can be taken by
the waiter to give to the guest, or put in his own drawer I, as before stated, or as
in the case of the confectarery, described, it may there pass into a tube to be con-
ducted to the kitchen, as the order for the dish wanted. At b is a little spring
guard to prevent the checks from sliding through the opening when handling the
The
register. The studs a prevent them from escaping through the passage c.
pushers are made to lift the bell hammer by the bar N, arms O, shaft P, and toe Q.
The spring R draws back the lifting toe Q, and it has a tendency to drive the pushers
outward.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improved Check Register,"
substantially as the same is herein-before set forth and described and illustrated by
the accompanying Drawings, comprising thereunder,―
1st. A check register, combining a series of cells for the checks, a control drawer
securely enclosed in the case, an open receptacle for checks to be used in reckoning
with the guest, and pushers or keys which deliver the checks for such reckoning,
and at the same time deposit corresponding checks in the control drawer, together
with or without a signal bell, substantially as herein-before described.
2nd. A check register, combining the cells for the checks, control drawer, open
space, and the pushers, as aforesaid, and also the waiter's drawers for depositing the
waiter's checks when the written checks are to be used, or the cash collected
instead, by the waiter.
3rd. A check register, combining the cells for the checks, control drawer, open
space, and pushers, as aforesaid, and also the exchange drawer.
4th. A check register, combining the cells for the checks, control drawer, open
space, and pushers, as aforesaid, and being connected by a tube or tubes with the
kitchen or serving room in such manner that the checks serve for the orders for the
dishes required.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of December, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
5
Witness,
W. HILLIER,
Clerk to Inventors' Patentright Ass"., Ld.,
21, Cockspur St.,
London,
S.W.
THOS. MORGAN. (L.S.)