Cash Register or Check Till.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1900-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Cash Register or Check Till.
I, GEORGE BARKER, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, of
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention as communicated to
me from abroad, by Thomas Henry Blair, of Northborough, in the County of
Worcester, Massachusetts, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a cash register which is controlled by the use of a
number of independent checks, and the objects of this invention are,
First, to provide a compact, inexpensive, and durable cash register in which
the checks successively inserted into the machine will be stacked or kept in
order to form a record showing the sequence in which the transactions represented
by the checks has taken place, and
Second, to provide simple and efficient connections for releasing the cash
drawer which flies open while a check is being inserted into the machine.
The valve of a good cash register to the store-keeper is now well established
and is attested by the number of such devices in use.
The practical utility and actual protection of cash registers is proved by the
fact, that large numbers of shops have deemed it good policy to pay out from
twenty pounds to sixty pounds (20% to 60£) apiece for the expensive registers,
which thus far have been the only ones combining with their security any consider-
able degree of convenience.
Many other shop-keepers are today desirous of having a cash register, but are
unable or unwilling to pay the high prices heretofore necessary to secure a
good one.
The especial object of this present invention is, therefore, to provide a cash
register of such construction as will afford security and protection in an equal
degree with the expensive machines, and which will be so simple in its con-
struction that it may be manufactured and sold at a price that can be afforded
by all.
The connections employed for controlling the operative parts of a cash register
from a key-board are necessarily complicated and expensive.
One object of this invention, is, therefore, to dispense with the key-board, and
to provide a cash register which will afford the same degree of security, and will
keep an equally accurate record of the transactions, but which is controlled by
the use of independent checks which may be inserted one after another into the
machine, each check exposing the amount of sale or transaction to view, until
the next check is inserted.
To this end a cash register constructed according to this invention, comprises
a guide-way for receiving and exhibiting the checks which are inserted therein,
and a check-receiver in which the checks are successively stacked for economy
in space, and to form a record showing the sequence in which the transactions
represented by the checks has taken place.
The guide-way for the checks is preferably located at the front of the machine,

page_text: so as to be in plain view, and the check-receiver preferably extends to the rear
of the guide-way, and is preferably detachably secured in the frame of the
machine so that it can be unlocked and removed, and the checks therein examined
or the amounts thereof added up.
Mounted in the frame of the machine, preferably below the check-receiver, is
a cash drawer. The cash drawer is preferably arranged to be released, so that
it will fly open while a check is being inserted into the machine,
A single operating lever or connection is preferably employed for releasing the
cash drawer, and for thereafter pushing the check back out of its guide-way
into the check-receiver.
This operating connection or pivoted lever has an inclined or cam-shaped front-
end located in position to be engaged by the checks as they are inserted.
The checks employed preferably have side-tongues or projections which fit into
the grooves forming the guide-way therefor. So long as these wings or side
projections are retained in the grooves or slots forming the guide-way, the down-
ward pressure exerted on a check will be exerted on the front-end of the operating
lever to depress the front-end of the operating lever and release the cash drawer.
As soon as the side projections of a check pass down below the bottom of the
grooves, the check will be left free to be moved back, and as the front-end of the
operating lever rises, it will force the check back into the check-receiver, this
operation being repeated, and the checks thus inserted into the machine being
stacked in the check receiver to form a record showing the sequence in which the
transactions represented by the checks has taken place.
The checks may be made of metal, celluloid, card-board, or similar material,
and may have numbers or figures printed thereon.
To record odd or unusual transactions, special blank checks may be provided
on which numbers can be written or pencilled by hand, or if preferred, composite
checks may be employed having the form of holders for receiving small cards or
slips.
In the use of a cash register constructed according to this invention, at the end
of a day's business, or at other times, the register may be unlocked and the con-
tents of the check receiver added and compared with the cash in the drawer.
If the number of sales exceeds the capacity of one check-receiver, the full check
receiver may be removed and an empty one inserted. The full check-receiver
can then be laid aside until the end of the day's business, or it may be emptied
and the checks counted or assorted as often as required.
The blank checks which are provided for recording special transactions or
disbursements may have an erasible surface upon which any memoranda desired
may be recorded.
These blank checks may thus be used repeatedly, or a cheaper quality with a
non-erasible surface may be employed, which checks may be destroyed or filed
after being once used at a nominal expense.
Further, a cash register constructed according to this invention may be em-
ployed for separating different accounts, and for making comparisons which
would be impossible in the use of ordinary cash registers. For example: where
several clerks are employed, one clerk may be required to use checks of one
letter, number, or color, and other clerks checks of different letters, numbers,
or colors, so that the amounts of sales of each clerk can be readily determined.
In the same way, several departments of a business may be kept separate. For
example, checks of one color may be employed for recording sales of cigars and
tobacco, and checks of other colors used for different wares; while at the same
time, the checks may be lettered or numbered so that they may be assigned to
different clerks.
A cash register constructed according to this invention will also afford con-
venient means for the comparison of sales during the different hours of a day's
business. For example: if it is desired to ascertain the amount of transactions
during any particular time of the day, a memorandum of the time can be written

page_text: on a blank check which is inserted into the machine to separate the checks
inserted according to the periods of time desired.
In some instances, in order to more perfectly separate the different depart-
ments of a business, or to more readily keep account of transactions of different
employees, cash registers constructed according to this invention may be provided
with a plurality of check receiving guide-ways, and in constructing a multiple
compartment machine according to this invention, operating connections are
preferably arranged to release the cash drawer whenever a check is inserted in any
one of the guide-ways.
These operating connections may comprise a plurality of levers, any one of
which is arranged to release the locking frame or bail which holds the cash
drawer in its locked or closed position.
Other modifications or additions to cash registers constructed according to this
invention may be made by those who are skilled in the art without altering the
essential characteristics of the novel cash registers which are sought to be pro-
tected.
Dated this 20th day of Databur 1899
I, GEORGE BARKER, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, of
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Consulting
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention as communicated to
me from abroad, by Thomas Henry Blair, of Northborough, in the County of
Worcester, Massachusetts, 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 a cash register which is controlled by the use of a
number of independent checks, and the objects of this invention are,
First, to provide a compact, inexpensive, and durable cash register in which
the checks successively inserted into the machine will be stacked or kept in
order to form a record showing the sequence in which the transactions represented
by the checks has taken place, and
Second, to provide a simple and efficient means for releasing the cash
drawer which ties open whenever a check is inserted into the machine.
To these ends, this invention consists of the parts and combinations of parts,
and of a special form of check as an article of manufacture, as hereinafter
described and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this
Specification.
In the accompanying four sheets of drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cash register constructed according to this
invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the checks therefor.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cash receiver in which the checks are
stacked in the same order in which they are successively used, so as to form a
record, showing the sequence in which the transactions represented by the checks
has taken place, which cash receiver is preferably detachably secured in the
machine.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the cash register.
Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the parts in a slightly different position.
Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive are diagramatic views illustrating the operation of the

page_text: connection for releasing the cash drawer, and for pushing the checks back into
the check receiver.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of a bell and the devices co-operating therewith for
sounding the bell when the cash drawer flies open.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of cash register provided with
a plurality of distinct check guide-ways.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the operating connections employed in this
modified form of construction, and
Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a modified form of check
which may be employed for recording unusual transactions.
The especial object of this present invention is to provide a cash register of
such construction as will afford security and protection in an equal degree with
the expensive machines and which 'will be so simple in its construction that it
may be manufactured and sold at a price that can be afforded by all.
The connections employed for controlling the operative parts of a cash register
from a key-board are necessarily complicated and expensive.
One object of this invention is, therefore, to dispense with the key-board of
a cash register, and to provide a cash register which will afford the same degree
of security, and will keep an equally accurate record of transactions, but which
is controlled by the use of independent checks which may be inserted one after
another into the machine, each check exposing the amount of sale or transaction
to view until the next check is inserted.
To this end, a cash register constructed according to this invention comprises
a guideway for receiving and exhibiting the checks which are inserted therein,
and a check receiver in which the checks are successively stacked for economy
in space and to form a record, showing the sequence in which the transactions
represented by the checks has taken place.
The guideway for the checks is preferably located at the front of the machine
so as to be in plain view, and the check receiver preferably extends to the rear
of the guideway, and is preferably detachably secured in the frame of the
machine so that it can be removed therefrom, and the checks therein examined,
or the amounts thereof added up.
Mounted in the frame of the machine, preferably below the check receiver, is a
cash drawer.
The cash drawer is preferably arranged to be released so that it will fly open
while a check is being inserted into the machine.
In its preferred form, a cash register constructed according to this invention
preferably comprises a single operating connection for releasing the cash drawer,
and for thereafter pushing the check back out of its guideway into the check
receiver.
This operating connection, as herein illustrated, comprises a pivoted lever
having an inclined or cam-shaped front end located in position to be engaged by
the checks as they are inserted.
The checks employed preferably have side tongues or projections which fit
into the grooves forming the guideway therefor.
So long as the wings or side projections of a check are retained in the grooves
or slots at the side of the guideway, the downward pressure exerted on a check
will be exerted on the front end of the operating lever to depress said front end
of the operating lever and release the cash drawer.
As soon as the side projections of a check pass down below the bottoms of the
grooves, the check will be left free to be moved back, and as the front end of
the operating lever rises, it will force the check back into the check receiver
this operation being repeated, and the checks inserted into the machine being
stacked in the check receiver to form a record showing the sequence in which the
transactions represented by the checks has taken place.
Referring to the accompanying drawings and in detail, the frame of the

page_text: machine as herein illustrated,
rises a metallic base-piece 10, and a metallic
rear-plate 11, which support a body portion 12.
The body portion 12 is preferably made of wood or similar material, and
may be attractively finished or covered with leather, as desired.
At the front of the machine are one or more metallic front plates 16, and
formed in the front-plates is a guideway for receiving the checks.
Detachably secured in a portion 13 of the frame of the machine at the rear
of the guideway is a check-receiver 14.
The check-receiver 14 is preferably provided with a lock, as indicated at 15,
which lock may be of any of the ordinary or approved constructions which need
not be herein shown or described at length.
Mounted in the frame of the machine below the check receiver is a cash
drawer 17.
The checks which are employed for operating the machine are preferably sub-
stantially of the construction illustrated in Fig. 2. Each of these checks, as 18,
is provided at its lower end with side projections or wings 19.
These checks may be made of metal, celluloid, cardboard, or similar material,
and may have numbers or figures printed thereon, as shown in Fig. 1, while to
record odd or unusual transactions special blank checks may be provided, as
shown in Fig. 2, on which numbers can be written or pencilled by hand, or if
preferred, composite checks may be employed for recording odd or unusual tran-
sactions, as illustrated in Fig. 12, and as hereafter described.
a
The cash drawer 17 may be of the ordinary construction, and as herein
illustrated, said cash drawer 17 is provided with side strips 26 supporting
movable compartment or change drawer 27, the lower part of the cash drawer
being used for bills in the ordinary manner.
Extending from the rear of the cash drawer 17 is an arm 20 which is con-
nected to the springs 21 normally tending to pull the cash drawer open.
Also secured on the arm 20, as shown most clearly in Fig. 9, is a pawl
which is normally held in position by a spring 23 to engage the tongue or
striker 24 of a bell 25 secured in the frame of the machine, to sound the bell
as the cash drawer flies open.
Journalled in the frame of the machine above the cash drawer 17 is an
operating lever 28 which is provided for performing the double function of
releasing the cash drawer when a check is inserted into the machine, and to
then push back or stack the check into its check receiver.
As shown herein, the operating lever 28 has a latch or catch at its rear end
engaging a socket 30 in the cash drawer.
The front end of the operating lever 28 is normally raised by a spring 29, and
is beveled or inclined to form a cam for pushing the checks back into the check
receiver, this operation being most clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive.
These figures show one of the grooves or slots 180 which form the guideway
for receiving the checks 18, the other parts of the machine being omitted for
the sake of clearness.
When a check is inserted into the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 6, so long
as its side projections or wings 19 remain in the slots 180 the downward pressure
on the check will be transmitted to the lever 28, so that as the check is pushed
down, the lever will be raised, to release the cash drawer, as indicated in Fig. 7.
In order to avoid the necessity of so setting the lever 28 that it will release
the check from the bottom of slots 180 of the check guideway at the same time
the cash drawer is released, thus preventing a check which has once been inserted
into the machine far enough to unlock the cash drawer from being drawn up
out of the check guideway, small springs or pawls as 31 may be secured in one
or both of the slots 180, so that these springs will engage above the side wings 19
of a check as the same is forced down to hold the check from being again
withdrawn.
When a check has been pushed down into the guideway far enough for its

page_text: wings or projections 19 to pass down out of the slots 180, the check will be free
to be pushed back, and as the front end of the lever 28 is raised by its spring,
the check will be forced back into the check receiver, as shown in Fig. 8, it
becoming thus additionally secured against removal until the receiver has been
removed from the register.
The wings or side projections 19 of the checks fit into guideways in the check
receiver, and the body portion of the check is designed to fit so loosely into
the check receiver that no special provision is required for forcing back the upper
part of the check.
The rear face of the turned up end of the lever 28 is substantially vertical,
and as there is no resistance to the backward motion of the body portion of the
check, this vertical face will carry the check bodily back into the receiver.
The check receiver, as most clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, is preferably
provided with a false back-piece or follower 16 which slides in grooves in said
check receiver, so that as the checks are stacked into the check receiver they
will be held from falling over.
In the use of a cash register as thus constructed, at the end of a day's business,
or at other times, the register may be unlocked, and the contents of the check
receiver added and compared with the cash in the drawer.
If the number of sales exceeds the capacity of one check receiver, the full
check receiver may be removed and an empty one inserted. The full check
receiver can then be laid aside until the end of a day's business, or may be
emptied, and the checks counted and assorted as often as required.
The blank checks which are employed for recording special transactions or
disbursements, may have an erasible surface upon which any memoranda desired
may be recorded.
These blank checks may thus be used repeatedly, or a cheaper quality with
a non-erasible surface may be employed if desired, which checks may be destroyed
or filed after being once used, at a nominal expense.
Furthermore, a cash register as thus constructed may be employed for separat-
ing different accounts, and for making comparisons which would be impossible
in the use of ordinary cash registers.
For example, where several clerks are employed, one clerk may be required
to use checks of one letter, number or color, and other clerks checks of different
letters, numbers or colors, so that the amounts of sales of each clerk can be
readily determined.
In the same way, several departments of a business may be kept separate.
For example, checks of one color may be employed for recording sales of cigars
and tobacco, and checks of other colors may be used for different lines, while
at the same time, letters or numbers may be assigned to different clerks.
A cash register as thus constructed will also afford convenient means for the
comparison of sales during different hours of a day's business for example, if
it is desired to ascertain the amount of transactions during any particular time
of the day, a memorandum of the time can be written on a blank check which is
inserted in the machine to separate the checks inserted according to periods of
time as desired.
In some cases, in order to more perfectly separate the different departments of
a business, or to more readily keep account of the transactions of different
employees, cash registers constructed according to this invention may be pro-
vided with a plurality of check receiving guideways, and such a construction is
illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.
The cash register illustrated in Fig. 10 comprises a body portion 31 which
may be of the ordinary construction, and a detachable check receiver 32.
In front of the check receiver 32 are a plurality of independent guideways for
receiving the checks to be inserted in the machine.
In the present instance, three such guideways are illustrated for receiving
independent checks, as 33, 34 and 35, it being understood that the check

page_text: receiver 32 is provided with corresponding compartments in which the checks
are stacked.
Below the check receiver is a cash drawer 36.
The operating connections for a multiple compartment cash register of this
form may be of the construction shown in Fig. 11.
As shown in this figure, the operating connections comprise a lever 37 arranged
to be actuated by one of the checks, as 33, a lever 38 arranged to be operated
by one of the checks, as 34, and a lever 39 arranged to be operated by the third
check, as 35.
At their rear ends, the levers 37, 38 and 39 extend under, and are arranged
to lift a locking frame 40 having detents or catches 41 for locking the cash
drawer.
By means of this construction whenever any one of the levers 37, 38 or 39 is
depressed, the cash drawer will be released without effecting the other operating
levers.
In some cases instead of employing blank checks upon which odd transac-
tions or memorandum may be written, composite checks may be employed which
have the form of holders for retaining small cards or slips, as illustrated in
Fig. 12.
The composite check illustrated in this figure, comprises a body portion 48
having side strips or tongues 19, the upper and lower edges of the body portion 48
being bent over, as at 50 and 49, to form grooves for receiving a plurality of
separate cards or strips of paste board or similar material, as 51.
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
CLAIMS.
1. The improved cash register substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
2. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway for receiving the checks
inserted into the machine by hand, and a check receiver in which the checks are
successively stacked to economize in space and form a record of the sequence in
which the transactions represented by the checks has taken place, substantially
as described.
3. In a cash register, the combination of a money drawer, a guideway for
checks inserted into the machine by hand, connections for releasing the money
drawer by the insertion of a check into the guideway, and a check receiver in
which the checks are successively stacked to economize in space and form a record
of the sequence in which the transactions represented by the checks has taken
place, substantially as described.
4. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway for receiving checks
inserted into the machine by hand, and a check receiver in which the checks
are successively stacked to economize in space and form a record of the sequence
in which the transactions represented by the checks has taken place, said check
receiver being detachably secured in the frame of the machine so that it can
be removed therefrom when desired, substantially as described.
5. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the machine
for receiving the checks inserted therein by hand, a check receiver at the rear
of the guideway arranged to expose the check last used until a succeeding check
is inserted into the machine, a cash drawer arranged below the check receiver,
and connections for releasing the cash drawer, substantially as described.
6. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the machine
for receiving the checks inserted therein by hand, a check receiver at the rear
of the guideway arranged to expose the check last used until covered by a suc-
ceeding check, and means for forcing the successive checks back into the check
receiver to stack the successive checks therein, substantially as described.

page_text: 7. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway formed by grooves for
receiving the side projections of a check, a spring latch or pawl for engaging
above the side projections of the check to prevent the check from being removed
after having once been inserted into the guideway, and a check receiver in which
checks are successively stacked to economize in space and form a record of the
sequence in which the transactions represented by the checks has taken place,
substantially as described.
S. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway formed by grooves for
receiving the wings or side projections of a check, and a depressible lever
arranged to be first depressed by the insertion of a check into the guideway, and
to then move the check back out of the guideway when its side projections pass
below the bottoms of the grooves, substantially as described.
9. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway formed by grooves for
receiving the side projections of a check. a check receiver, and a lever arranged to
first be depressed by the insertion of a check into the guideway, and to then move
the check back into the check receiver when the side projections of the check
pass down out of the grooves, substantially as described.
10. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway, formed by grooves for
receiving the side projections of a check, a check receiver, at the rear of said
guideway, said check receiver being detachably secured in place so that the same
may be removed from the machine, and a lever arranged to first be operated by
the insertion of a check into the guideway, and to then move the check back into
its check receiver when the side projections of the check pass below the bottoms
of the grooves, substantially as described.
11. As an article of manufacture, a check of a substantially inverted T-shape
for use in connection with cash registers having side projections or wings at its
bottom for holding it in position during its passage through the guideway of the
cash register, but permitting it to be moved back when its projections pass out
of the bottom of the grooves forming the guideway, substantially as described.
12. As an article of manufacture, a check of a substantially inverted T-shape
for use in cash registers comprising a body portion having side wings or projec
tions at one end for holding it in position during its passage through the guide-
way of the cash register, but permitting it to be moved back when its projections
pass out of the bottoms of the grooves forming the guideway, and having turned-
over edges forming grooves for retaining cards or slips, substantially as described.
13. In a cash register, the combination of guideways formed by grooves for
receiving the side projections or a check, a cash drawer normally held in its
locked or closed position, and a lever arranged to be engaged by a check as the
same is inserted in the guideway to first release the cash drawer and to then
force the check back from said guideway when its side projections pass down
out of the grooves forming the guideway, substantially as described.
14. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the
machine formed by grooves for receiving the side projections of a check, a check
receiver at the rear of said guideway, a cash drawer arranged below these parts
and normally held in its locked or closed position, and a lever arranged to first
be operated by the insertion of a check into the guideway to release the cash
drawer, and to then force the check back into the check receiver when the side
projections of the check pass down below the grooves forming the guideway,
substantially as described.
15. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the
machine formed by grooves for receiving the side projections of a check, a check
receiver detachably secured in place behind the guideway, a cash drawer arranged
below these parts and normally held in its locked or closed position, a lever, and
a bell arranged to be sounded when the cash drawer opens, said parts being
arranged so that when a check is inserted in the guideway, the lever will first
be depressed to release the cash drawer, and will then act to force the check back

page_text: out of the guideway into the check receiver when the side projections of the check
pass down out of their grooves, substantially as described.
16. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of guideways for receiving
and exhibiting the checks inserted therein, and a check receiver in which the
checks inserted in each guideway are successively stacked for economy in space
and to form records of the sequence in which the transactions represented by the
cheeks has taken place, substantially as described.
17. In a cash register, the combination of a cash drawer, an operating lever
having one end thereof forming a detent for holding the cash drawer in its closed
or locked position, and having its opposite end arranged to be engaged and directly
actuated by a check when the same is inserted into the machine, substantially as
described.
18. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the
machine for receiving and exhibiting checks inserted therein, a pivoted lever
extending to the rear of the guideway, the rear end of said lever forming a
detent for holding the cash drawer in its locked or closed position, and the
front end of the lever being arranged to be engaged and directly actuated by a
check when the same is inserted into the machine, substantially as described.
19. In a cash register, the combination of a guideway at the front of the
machine formed by grooves for receiving the side projections of a check, a check
receiver secured in place behind the guideway, a cash drawer arranged below
these parts, and a pivoted lever having its rear end forming a detent for holding
the cash drawer in its locked or closed position, and having a cam or inclined
portion at its front end arranged in position to be engaged and operated by the
insertion of a check into the guideway to first release the cash drawer, and to
then rise and force the check back into the check receiver when the side pro-
jections of the check pass down below the grooves forming the guideway, sub-
stantially as described.
Dated thin 91st day of Tune 1000