Improvements relating to the Looking of Cash Register Keys and similar Devices.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Looking of Cash Register Keys and
similar Devices.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, a communication to me from abroad by
The National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio, in the United States
of America, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention has for its principal object the provision of means for preventing
the simultaneous operation of certain keys of the machine, and permitting the
simultaneous operation of certain other keys. It has heretofore been common in
machines of this class to provide means whereby the simultaneous operation of
two or more keys in a given set or group was prevented, while the independent
operation of single keys in such sets or groups was permitted, such means generally
consisting of a series of laterally movable stops arranged in the path of the keys
in such manner that when a single key was operated it would push the stops aside
and pass between the two immediately above it, while when it was attempted to
operate two or more keys at once they would be locked against the intermediate
stop or stops. The provision of means for this purpose is a comparatively simple
matter, and stops such as those referred to have been employed for the purpose in
many different forms; but it is also desirable, in some instances, to provide means
for preventing the simultaneous operation of certain keys in given group or set,
while permitting the simultaneous operation of certain other keys in such group.
or set, and the invention has for its object the provision of means for this last
mentioned purpose. Inasmuch as the invention is of especial utility in machines
for use in connection with English money, where fractions of the unit of. value are
frequently used, there has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings a machine
built for that purpose; but it will be understood from the explanation of the
invention which will be given that its utility is not confined to such machines,
but extends as well to machines for the handling of American money.
In the machine illustrated in the drawings there are employed three sets or
groups of keys, one representing pence, the second shillinge, and the third pounds,
the latter group also including in the present instance a special key, which latter,
however, has no connection with the invention. The keys representing pence run
as follows: t, t, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Now, under
such an arrangement of keys, inasmuch as there are provided, in addition to
the penny key, keys representing 1, 2, 3, 4 pence, it follows that in order to
indicate and register the latter values it is not necessary to operate a combina-
tion of the half-penny key with the 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny keys, and it is moreover
desirable, for practical reasons which need not be explained in detail, that such
combinations shall not be operated, and that when an amount representing either
one of such four values is to be registered that some one of the single keys
representing such values shall be operated. It is therefore necessary to provide
means for preventing the simultaneous operation of the half-penny key with either
the 1, 2, 3 or 4 penny keys, while permitting its simultaneous operation with the
five penny key and those of higher value. Inasmuch, also, as there are provided
2 penny 3 penny, 4 penny, and 5 penny keys, it is..not desirable that such values
be indicated and registered by operating the half-penny key in connection with

page_text: the 1, 2, 3, or 4 penny keys, and it is therefore necessary to provide means for
preventing the simultaneous operation of the half-penny key in connection with
either one of said last mentioned keys. Inasmuch, however, as the penny key is
the only key representing that fraction of a penny, either alone or in addition to
any other amount, it is desirable that simultaneous operation of the penny key in
connections with the 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 penny keys, and those of higher values, be
permitted. On the other hand, inasmuch as there is a penny key provided it is
not desirable that simultaneous operation of the penny and penny keys, or
simultaneous operation of the penny key with either the 1, 2, 3, or 4 penny
keys be permitted, and it is therefore necessary to provide means which, while
permitting the simultaneous operation of the penny key with any one of the
penny keys representing whole numbers, will prevent simultaneous operation of it
with any one of the keys representing a fractional number. Furthermore, because
of the combination which may be made of the penny key with any one of the
penny keys representing a whole number it is not desirable that simultaneous
operation of the penny key with either one of the penny keys representing a
fractional number be permitted, and it is therefore necessary to provide means
which, while permitting the operation of the penny key with any one of the penny
keys representing a whole number, shall prevent such operation of the penny key
with any key representing a fractional number.
As before stated, it is not deemed necessary to explain in detail the practical
reasons for the necessity or desirability of always indicating and registering a given
value by means of a single key if one representing such value is provided, instead
of permitting the operation with a combination of two or more keys whose
aggregate values represent such amount; but it may be stated here that one of
the reasons is that in operating a combination of two or more keys, if such keys
happen to be adjacent or near each other the indicator of one key is liable to more
or less hide the indicator of the other key, and thus produce confusion in the
indication und permit fraudulent manipulations of the machine, while another
reason relates to the registering mechanism of the machine, for the proper operation
of which it is always desirable, and frequently absolutely essential, according to
the character of the mechanism employed, that certain values shall be registered by
the operations of certain keys, and no others.
Having thus explained the general nature of the invention, I will now proceed
to describe more in detail the particular machine illustrated in the drawings, and
the means which I have provided for accomplishing the results above mentioned.
In the drawings
.
Figure 1 represents a top plan view of part of the framework, the operating
keys, and the universal bar over-lying the keys, of a machine of this class, with
the invention applied to it;
Figure 2 a rear elevation of the machine;
Figure 3 a detail rear elevation of part of the machine, with some of the swinging
stops or hangers removed;
Figure 4 a view corresponding to Figure 3, but with more of such hangers in
position;
Figure 5 a view corresponding to Figures 3 and 4, with still more of the stops or
hangers in position; and
Figure 6 a detail horizontal section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate identical parts in all the
figures.
Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that the eighteen keys representing
pence constitute the right hand group or set of keys in the machine, and are
designated by the first eighteen letters of the alphabet; while the ten keys
representing shillings constitute the next group at the left, and are all designated
by the letter S; while the three keys representing pounds, and the special key
marked "No Sale," at the extreme left hand side of the machine, are designated by
the letter "T."

page_text: Referring now to the rear view of the machine, in Figure 2 the corresponding
letters of reference will be found applied to the rear ends of the keys, the latter
consisting as usual of levers fulcrumed about midway of their length upon a
horizontal rod fixed in the framework of the machine, and provided upon their
front ends with the numbered finger buttons, and resting at their rear ends in the
lower ends of vertical slots in a guide-plate U fixed to the rear side of the frame-
work, in which slots the rear ends of the keys play up and down when their front
ends are depressed and released. Pivotally supported above the rear ends of the
keys are the swinging stops or hangers before mentioned, there being a separate
group or set for each group or set of keys. The hangers for the four keys in the
group T are three in number and lettered T', while those for the group of keys S
are eight in number, and designated by the letters S. These two groups of
hangers are the same in all respects, and co-operate in the same manner with the
keys of their respective groups, as those hitherto in use. It will be seen that each
hanger is pivoted immediately above the space between two keys and that its
lower portion is somewhat wider than such space. The lower ends of the hangers
are pointed, (or may be rounded,) to facilitate the upward passage of the keys
between them. When the front end of any single key is depressed its rear end, as
it rises, will simply spread apart the two hangers immediately above it and pass
hetween them, but if the front ends of two adjacent keys be depressed at once
their rear ends will contact with the opposite sides of the lower, end of the hanger
immediately above them and be arrested by it, while if two non-adjacent keys are
depressed at once the several intermediate stops, being together wider than the
space between such keys, likewise lock them from upward movement. In each of
the groups S and T, therefore, it is not possible to operate any two keys at once,
but inasmuch as there is left a vacant space between the group of hangers S and
the group T it follows that any key in the group S may be operated simultaneously
with any key in the group T. A vacant space being likewise left at the left of the
hangers S in Figure 2, between them and the hangers co-operating with the pence
keys, it follows that any one of the latter keys may be operated simultaneously with
any one of the keys in the groups S and T.
Referring now to the pence group of keys, to which the invention relates, it will
be seen that in Figure 3 there is one of the swinging stops or hangers pivoted in 1
the space between each two adjacent keys excepting between the keys C and D,
the result of which is that no two of the keys A, B and C can be simultaneously
operated, and no two of the keys from D to R inclusive, while either one of the
keys A, B, and C may be operated simultaneously with either one of the keys
from D to R. With only the hangers shown in Figure 3, therefore, the pence
keys would be separated into two groups or sets, with respect to the hangers, the
keys A, B. and C constituting one group or set and the keys from D to R the
other. It is necessary to omit the hanger between the keys C and D, and thereby
separate the pence keys into two sets or groups as it were, in order to permit
simultaneous operation of certain of the keys A, B, and C with certain of the
keys D to R, but inasmuch as this leaves the keys A, B, and Cifree to be
operated with all of the keys D to R, (that is, with any one of them) it is
necessary to provide additional stops intermediate certain ones of the keys A, B,
and C and certain ones of the keys D to R whereby the simultaneous operation of
such keys may be prevented.
The keys A, B, and C, as shown in Figure 1 and as also indicated in Figure 3,
are the penny, penny, and penny keys, while the amounts represented by the
keys from D to R are also indicated in Figure 3. As before explained, it is
desired that the penny key A be left free to be operated simultaneously with
either one of the keys D, F, H, J, L, and the remaining pence keys M to R, but
shall not be free to be operated with either one of the keys E, G, I, and K; also
that the penny key B shall not be free to be operated with either one of the key*
from D to K, but shall be free to be operated with either one of the keys L to I;
and, further, that the penny key C shall be free to be operated with either one of

page_text: the keys D, F, H, J, L, and the keys M to R, but shall not be free to be operated
with either of the keys E, G, I, and K. The stops or hangers shown in Figure 3
may be termed the first row or set, all of them fitting directly against the vertical
plate U in whose slots the rear ends of the keys rest. In Figure 4 there is shown
..the second set or row of hangers added to those of Figure 3. These additional
hangers are four in number, C, G, E. 1', and are hung in the spaces between the
keys D and. E, F and G, H and I, and J and K, respectively. They are not, in
the present instance, of the same shape as the other hangers, being cut away upon
one side, so that only their opposite sides co-operate with the keys. In the present
instance their left hand sides are cut away or formed to hang in vertical
lines and have no co-operation with the keys D, F, H, and I. The right
hand sides of the hangers project over the keys E, G, 1, and K and serve to
lock the latter keys so long as the hangers are maintained in their normal or
right hand position. The lower end of these hangers C, E, G, I do not terminate
in points, as do the other hangers, but extend downward between the keys and
below are formed into T-shaped heads V which abut directly against each other,
or stand so near each other that the movement of any hanger in one direction
serves to move all of the other hangers which are upon that side of it. The
hanger B, which occupies the space between the keys B and C, is shaped at its
lower end like the hangers C, E, G, 1, just described, or at least is provided
with one-half of a T-shaped head, which extends to the right into contact with or
close proximity to the head of the hanger C', the left hand end of the head V of
the latter hanger being bent inward toward the plate U, as indicated by the shaded
lines upon it, to bring it into the same vertical plane as the end of the hangers B'.
The result of this provision of the hangers C, E, G2 and 13, and their co-operation
with the hanger B', is that whenever either the key A or the key B is operated the
hanger B', being forced slightly to the right, will move all four of the other
hangers in that direction, or at least maintain them in their normal right hand
position, shown in Figure 4, in which position, as before stated, they lock the
keys E, G, I, and K from movement. Likewise, when either one of the keys E, G, I,
or K is operated the hangers A and B will be forced to the left, or at least
maintained in their normal position shown in Figure 4, in which position they lock
the keys A and B from movement. The result of this is that neither one of the
keys A and B can be operated simultaneously with either one of the keys E, G, I,
and K.
Upon reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that the keys E, G, I, and K
represent, respectively, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pence, so that the provision of the
hangers just described prevents the simultaneous operation of either one of such
keys with either the penny key A or the half-penny key B. Thus an additional
portion of the sought for result is attained by the provision of the hangers C, E,
G, I and their co-operation with the hangers A B₁; but the complete result is
not attained for the reason that the half-penny key B is still left free to be
operated simultaneously with the keys D, F, H, and J, representing 1, 2, 3,
and 4 pence, respectively, while the penny key C is left free to be operated
simultaneously with any one of the keys D to R. Inasmuch as, for the reasons
heretofore stated, operation of the half-penny key B simultaneously with either
of the keys D, F, H, and J is to be prevented, and likewise simultaneous
operation of the penny key with either one of the keys E, G, I, and K, it
follows that additional stops must be provided for that purpose, and which
will at the same time permit simultaneous operation of the penny key C with
either of the keys D, F, H, and J, as well as with the higher keys L to R.
To this end the additional stops shown in Figures 2 and. 5 are provided, where
it will be seen that there is a hanger D' hung upon the pivot of the hanger D',
a hanger F' upon the pivot of the hanger F', a hanger H upon the pivot of the
hanger H', and a hanger J upon the pivot of the hanger J'. The hangers D³, F³,
.H, Jare connected by a link or bar K' pivoted to their rear sides, so that the
movement of either one of the hangers serves to move all of them. The link K

page_text: extends to the left of the left hand hanger D' and is pivoted at its end to a
hanger B hung upon the pivot of the hanger B', with the result that whenever the
banger B is moved to the right by the operation of the key B all. the hangers to
which it is connected by the link K will be moved in that direction, while when it
is moved to the left by the operation of the key C all of such hangers will
he moved toward the left. In the first instance, the movement of the hangers D, F,
H', and J' to the right will cause them to lock the respective keys F, H, and J, so that
no one of the latter keys can be operated simultaneously with the key .B. Now,
the keys F, H, and J represent, respectively, 2, 3, and 4 pence; so that it follows
that the penny key B cannot be operated simultaneously with either of the keys
representing 2, 3, and 4 pence. In the second instance, the movement of the
hangers D, F, H, J' to the left, by the operation of the penny key C, causes
said hangers to lock the keys E, G, I, and K, representing, respectively, 1, 2, 3,
and 4 pence, so that it follows that no one of said keys can be operated
simultaneously with the penny key. So, too, when either one of the keys E, G, I,
or K is operated the hanger B is pulled to the right and locks the key C, as will
be readily understood.
The stops above provided still leave the one penny key D free to be operated
simultaneously with either one of the keys A, B, C, but inasmuch as there is
provided a 1 penny key simultaneous operation of the key D with the penny
key B is to be prevented, and to this end there is formed integral with or rigidly
secured to the hanger B a second hanger B³, occupying the space between the
keys C and D, and forming with the hanger B' a compound hanger. There is just
sufficient space between the hangers B and B to permit the passage of the key.C,
and the width of the hanger B is such that it permits simultaneous operation of
the keys C and D. When, however, the half-penny key B is operated the
hanger B' will be swung to the right over the key D and thereby lock the
latter, thus preventing simultaneous operation of the half-penny key and the one
penny key.
It will be noticed that there is also formed integral with the hangers B and B
another hanger A³, located at the left of the penny key A, the lower end of which
hanger is moved to the right over said key whenever any one of the keys B, E, G, 1
or K is operated, thus serving to lock the key A when any one of the last mentioned
keys is moved, and likewise causing operation of the key A to lock all of the
keys B, E, G, I, and K. It has been heretofore explained that when either one of
the keys E, G, 1, and K is operated the key A will be locked by the hanger A¹
through the movement transmitted to said hanger by the T-heads of the
hangers B, C, E, G, and 12, and that likewise when the key A is operated the move-
ment transmitted by the hanger A' to the hangers B, C, E, G, and I will lock the
keys C, E, G, I, and K. The hanger A³ therefore serves as a double or auxiliary
lock for the key A, and likewise as an auxiliary means for causing the operation of
the key A to lock the keys E, G, I, and K. It is therefore not absolutely
essential to the operation of the locking mechanism for the purpose described, but
is provided in the machine from which the drawings of the present application were
made because its presence and its operation above described, render unnecessary
such accurate construction and adjustment of the hangers B, C, E, G' and I as
would be necessary where their co-operation with the hanger A' was alone
depended on for locking the key when one of the keys E, G, I, and K was operated,
and vice versa.
From the foregoing description it will be. understood that the series of keys
from A to K inclusive is separated into two sets or groups, the keys A, B, C
constituting one set or group, and the keys D to K the other; and it will also he
seen that the key A is free to be operated simultaneously with any one of the
keys D, F, H, and J, but cannot be operated with either one of the keys B, C, E, G, I,
aud K. Likewise the key C is free to be operated with either one of the keys D, F, H,
and J, but cannot be operated with either one of the keys E, G, I, and K; while
the key B is locked from operation with either one of the keys A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I,

page_text: and K, but is free to be operated with any one of the bigher keys L to R. It will
be understood that if the keys B and C were removed from the left hand set,
leaving only the key A in said set, the locking operation between that key and the
other keys would remain the same, while if the keys A and B were removed
the locking co-operation of the key C with the other keys would likewise remain
the same; so that the invention may be utilized to advantage even where there is
but a single key separated from the main set or group of the series, instead of
several keys as in the present instance. Again, in some instances the series of
keys may be separated into more than two sets or groups, and the locking devices
he so arranged as to permit the operation of certain keys of one set with certain
keys of another set, but prevent their operation with certain other keys of such
-other set.
So far as is known the present invention is the first in the art to combine a series
of operating keys or similar movable members separated (with respect to the
locking mechanism) into groups or sets, (whether one of said sets contains a single
key or several keys,) with a locking mechanism of any kind whatever which will
permit the simultaneous operation of the key or keys of one set with certain keys
of another set, and prevent its or their simultaneous operation with certain other
keys of such other set, and the invention is of corresponding scope.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. In a cash register, a series of keys or other similar movable members
separated (with respect to the locking means hereafter mentioned) into sets or
groups. in combination with locking means which prevents simultaneous operation
of the key or keys of one set with certain keys non-adjacent thereto in another
set, but permits its or their simultaneous operation with certain other keys of such
other set, substantially as described.
2. In a cash register, a series of keys or other similar movable meinbers
separated (with respect to the locking means hereafter mentioned) into groups or
sets, each containing a plurality of keys, in combination with locking means
which prevents simultaneous operation of the several keys of one set with certain
keys of another set, but permits simultaneous operation of them with certain other
keys of such other set, substantially as described.
3. In a cash register, the combination of a series of keys or other similar
movable members with locking means intermediate the several keys which
prevents simultaneous operation of certain keys in the series with certain keys but
permits their simultaneous operation with certain other keys of the series,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In a key locking mechanism comprising a series of pivoted stops, a series of
non-adjacent stops separated from each other by two or more keys and provided
with T-heads adapted to contact or co-operate with each other in the manner and
.for the purpose described.
5. In a key locking mechanism comprising a series of pivoted pendent hangers
or stops, a series of non-adjacent hangers separated from each other by two or
more keys and' provided with T-heads at their lower ends adapted to contact or
co-operate with each other in the manner and for the purpose described.
6. In a key locking mechanism comprising a series of pivoted stops, the
combination of a series of non-adjacent stops with a link connecting them together
so that they move in unison, substantially as described.
7. In a key locking inechanism comprising a series of pivoted stops or hangers,
the combination of a plurality of such hangers, a compound hanger comprising a
pivoted plate composed of a plurality of integral prongs or hangers, and a link
connecting said compound hanger and the several individual hangers, whereby
such connected hangers move in unison, substantially as described.
8. In a key locking mechanism, the compound locking hanger consisting of the

page_text: pivoted plate having the integral hanger B' and the integral prong or hanger B³-
separated by a slot for the passage of a key, substantially as described.
9. The combination, with the keys A to K, inclusive, of the hangers A¹ B
co-operating with the keys A, B, and C, the hanger B having the extension or
T-head V at its lower end, and the hangers C, E, G, and I co-operating with
the keys E, G, I, and K, and provided at their lower ends with the T-heads V
co-operating with the hanger B, substantially as described.
10. The combination, with the keys A to K, inclusive, of the hangers A' B¹
co-operating with the keys A, B, and C, the hanger B' having the extension o:-
T-head V at its lower end, the hangers C¹ to 1', inclusive, co-operating with the
keys D to K, inclusive, and the hangers C, E, G, and I' co-operating with the
keys E, G, I, and K and provided at their lower ends with the T-heads V
co-operating with the hanger B', substantially as described.
11. The combination of the keys A to K, inclusive, the hangers A¹ B'
co-operating with the keys A, B, and C, the hanger B' having the extension or.
T-head V at its lower end, the hangers C to 1', inclusive, co-operating with the
keys D to K, inclusive, the hangers C, E, G, and I co-operating with the
keys E, G, I, and K, and having the T-heads V at their lower ends co-operating-
with the hangers B', the hangers D, F, H, and J alternating with the
hangers C, E, G, and I, the compound hanger B2 B3, and the link K' connecting
the hangers D, F, H2, J with the compound hangers B' B³, substantially as-
described.