US2675959A - Drawer-controlled cash register - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1954 R. E. DEY

DRAWER-CONTROLLED CASH REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 9, 1952 v INVENTOR Ra/,o/v E. Dey

ATTORNEY April 20, 1954 R. E. DEY

DRAwER-coNTRoLLED CASH REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 195'2 INVENTOR 'Ra/pb E. Dey

ATTORNEY April 20, 1954 R. E. DEY

DRAWER-CONTROLLED CASH REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 9, 1952 INVENTOR Rd/,O E'. Dey

ATTORNEY April 20, 1954 R; E, DEY 9 2,675,959

DRAWER-CONTROLLED CASH REGISTER Filed Feb. 9, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6 /90 @y 56d f mA :@m 70 *Kw 48 46 INVENTOR Ra/p E. Dey

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1954 My. inventionV relates" generally' to calculating machinesv and the like f and particularly concerns a combination Cashreg'ist-erhavingv drawer control of: the totalizing mechanism;-

An object of my invention is to provideV a. mechanism of the general *.typefdescribed which is simple, directandv substantiallyL fool-prooffin op eration; whichv is sturdy.- infoperation andof long useful 1ife,whichv effectively Apermits-the draweroperationv of the-machine withoutmanipulatingthe control fhandle'; and which control handleA can in turn bebnerated without manipulation of thel drawer-operated mechanism.

Another Yolsjectisfto produce a` combination caslrregister having both number andf depart-y ment keys; .wherein theresul-ts' achieved arev substantially. equivalent' te vthose of an electric ma-A chine; with completeifoperation of the machine taking 'place during and as an incident tothe drawer closurestagef; wherein'the number ofloperations for"completeentryl o'f data isminimized; depression of 'anyr department key: serving-- not only to set up that department 'concerningwhich data is to be recordedon the register-tape', but;V

as well,` 4to open'the cashdrawer; wherein l'entries-H on' `thekeyboardmay either'beA corrected afterw preliminarily"setting` un the entryon the key--y boardvv and thereupon opening the -cash-I drawer,

or may be'initially f set upV folloxiving-lv opening-i of the cash drawer; wherein" theftotal-izingand *en-V trymechanism of tli'e'fregi'ster willfbefcornpletelyY operated byy the full stroke closure of the` cash-i drawer; and wherein itis' rendered-impossibleto open the leash-drawer by any' meanswithoutan- I indication or such opening appearingz on the entrytape.

Yet another object'isto providea mechanismy of the Lgeneral 'type desciiibed wherein "it f is made mandatoryfthat full stroke'fopenirrgvof" the cash' drawer "occurs before the latterf can f be returned to its closed 'position whereinth'e' closure ofthe cash drawerfisrenderdsimple and ready; where--v` in ftherequisite mechanismv can be'installed 'easily and.v at" minimum ccst 'both' of equipmentt andy 'of labor," cnnearlyall 'existin'gftypes of 'combination cashregisters?4 'w'lierein' 'the rapidityfor fricewithy t 2. injg the l,course of the following describton, y taken inthe light of theaccompanying drawings.

Accordingly, my invention may be seen Yto re-` side-inthe several parts, elements. and features :s of construction, in the variousmechanisms and lirlkages-f` and ini the-; combinations thereofz and inthe relation of each of the same to loneor more ofjtheothersthe scope of the application of all of which is more fully set forth in the claims at nl the end of thisspecifica-tiling In the several; views of Y the drawirif-is.i yWlflierein- I have disclosed that embodiment of my inventionwhich Ijprefer atpresent,v

Figure lis a side elevation, Withupper case kor 15V canopy removed, of a combinationcash register embodying my new inventionparts beingfshown in skeleton outline tor simplicityy and ready understanding.

Figure- 2 is .a view' inside elevation,` generally.

2'0" similar to Figure lywith the'top case in position thereon;

Figure -3v is a sidefelevation, showing the control linkage in accordance withl myV ,inventiong the associatedparts of the cash register being shown in skeleton outline;

Figure 4 isiaI fragmentaryfront elevation, taken at ri'ghtangles'toFigure 3, and looking from the rear* thereof and disclosing the details j of the one-way.u clutch mechanism which Vconnects the -rocker--linliiagewitl1 the-straight-line linkage;

Similarly, yFigure -5-is la; fragmentary View, corresponding tei/Figure 4, but.showing-in rear elevationthe/ details of-the clutch mechanism at the bas'efof the hand-operated=actuating handle;

Figure 6 is a' vertical section Vthroughthe mechanism'according to Figure 44; while nnally,

Figure `'1U is-a fragmentary perspective view disclosing-a modified arrangement of the department' keys 'relative' to' the vdrawer-release mecha- Throughout the-several views -ofthe drawings, like 'ref erencecharacters Y denote like structural .partsr As conducive-to amore thorough understandingof *my invention',Y it'maybe notedA that inthe development of cash `reg-istersit has been a long time" objective tosia'pp-roach as closely as possible the-'ready'and easyfoperation of thel electrical cashregiste'rwithoui' however; being subjected-to "ther hea-WiA initial investment required for such machines. Ordinarily, their high cost prohibits theus'efof'electrical machines bythe small niercliant for' otherioperatorii0 Much study;l therefore, hasbeen directed'toethef'productiorr'of a satisfactory "drawer-operatedscash register or generacvacs 3 ally similar calculating machine, wherein the drawer is released without actuating the totalizing mechanism cf the machine, but which latter is operated at the time of, and as an incident to. the closure of the drawer.

However, for one reason or another all these many suggestions which have been presented from time to time have fallen short of their desired objective. Illustratively, in machines of the general type described and as heretofore known it has been impossible, so far as I have been able to ascertain, to set up entries on the calculating keys after the drawer has been opened. Similarly, it has been impossible -to correct or change such entries, once they have been initially set up and the drawer opened. For once the drawer is opened, that entry then on the keyboard must be carried into the totalizer. It has been necessary,

according to known practices, initially to set up the number to be carried over into the totalizer, before the cash drawer is opened. The opening of the cash drawer provides an initial half-stroke operation, in which the totalizer is conditioned to receive the entry from the keyboard and the keyboard is locked with the entry thereon; and this keyboard cannot thereafter be changed in any manner until after the entry thereon is carried into the totalizer. The entry into the totalizer is then completed upon closure of the drawer; and this constitutes the second half-stroke of the complete operation. Similarly it has been impossible in known machines to actuate the totalizer through manual control, as in addition, during drawer-open condition, without successive closures of the cash drawer.

A still further objection heretofore confronting the art is the difficulty in insuring correct entry into the totalizer upon forceful and vigorous drawer closure stroke. Heretofore in-many such instances, forceful closure of the drawer has been accompanied by incorrect entry into the totalizing mechanism, in large measure resulting from objectionable backlash in the parts 4 register, indicated generally at I 0, and of the type such as shown in the patent to Sumner, 1,246,178 of November 13, 1917, I provide the usual keyboard, indicated generally at A and a totalizer whose location is indicated at IOB. I provide thereon the usual keys, including amongst others, the number keys and department keys. The keyboard is carried on the cabinet portion II, which contains the usual cash drawer, indicated generally at l2.l A retractable lock plunger I3 is carried loosely by and extends upwardly from the upper side of 'the cash drawer, emerging upwardly and outof the machine, as upon inertia or springlikeaction.

An important object of my invention, therefore, is to eliminate or appreciably reduce the many disadvantages and difficulties heretofore confronting the art, and at the same time to provide, in direct and simple manner and in substantially foolproof construction, a cash register and calculating machine of full stroke operation in which drawer-closure operates the totalizer mechanism; wherein entry need not be made prior to drawer opening, but which if made prior thereto, can be corrected readily after drawer opening and while the latter remains opened, or can be initially set up thereon with open drawer; wherein full stroke opening of the drawer is made mandatory before the keyboard setting can'be carried over into the totalizer; wherein the drawer operation of the totalizer mechanism is carried out without movement of the hand-operated handle; wherein the operating` handle can be operated without affecting or operating the drawer-control mechanism and can be operated at will during drawer-open position; and as well,

wherein the drawer can be closed at any desired speed without in any manner affecting the correct carry-over of the keyboard setting into the totalizer. A

And now, having reference more particularly to that embodiment of my invention disclosed in the several views of the drawings, it may be noted that on the ordinary combination ,cash

wardly therefrom, and is spring-pressed or other- 'l wise suitably biased, by conventional means not shown,'upwardly through a corresponding openingld: provided in the bottom of the body portion I5 ofthe cash register I0. This body portion I5, including the keyboard, the totalizer mechanism, and the drive shaft, is likewise carried upon the cabinet I I. To operate the plunger or pin I3 I provide a suitable lever I6, conveniently of bell-crank configuration. Lever I6 is pivoted at one end Il to the body portion I5. An auxiliary arm IGA projects outwardly and downwardly from lever I6 near the apex IBB thereof and terminates in a striker plate IGC. This plate IEC bears against plunger I3. On the second arm ISD of bell-crank lever I6 I provide a suitable pivotal connection I8 to actuating key I9 for the release lever I6. This release lever comprises a key stem ISA and a key top I9B.

Where desired, however, the modified construction of drawer-release mechanism according to Figure 7 may be employed. Here, any department key IBC, only one of which is shown, may be depressed so that it abuts against a corresponding tooth ISD of. the yoke or comb like lever bar 2U. I provide arms 23B, 20B fast to the yoke portion 20A of member 20 at oppositeends thereof. By their journaled openings 20C, 20C, these rocker arms 20B, 20B are made fast at opposite ends of a common shaft 2 I. This shaft is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings, not shown. When key IBC is depressed, it contacts adjacent tooth ISD, and rotates bar 20A and shaft 2I about the lbearings of the latter. This rod 2I carries pivoted lever 22 which it rocks through a vertical angle, and passes bodily therethrough and is keyed to it in desired suitable manner as by collar 22A and set screw 22B, or by the usual splined joint, not shown. While lever 22 may be mounted on shaft 2| at any desired point along the length of the latter, this support point is usually at the middle ofthe shaft. At its bottom end lever 22 is connected in desired pivotal manner, as by connection 22C, with link 23, whereby to translate the arcuate motion of link 22 through a vertical angle into anarcuate swing through a nearly horizontal plane of the link 23. This link 23 is pivotally connected.

at 23A to one arm 24A of bell-crank lever 24, which latter is pivoted at its apex at 24B, to the frame, not shown, of the adding machine, and which is carried by and forms part of the body portion I5. Arm 24C of bell-crank lever 24 is pivotally connected at 24D to actuating rod I9E, similar to the rod ISA shown in Figure 1.

It will be seen that the assembly consisting of arm ISE, bell-crank lever 24', link 23 and link 22 and parts 20 and 2|, serve to translate the vertical reciprocating motion of the key ISC through an arcuate path into linearly reciprocal motion ofthe actuating arm ISE. From this it follows that depression of Yany of the department keys :fat-ie,

"t'tweetwd adjacent teeth of the fatigas, theretuated, Athrough 'rotation through its working4 eycle ofq the cashfiegist'er drive shaft.

In accordance with' the practice" f "n'i'y "invenarm assembly, indicated "generally at 29. As shown,--theroc ker-arm assembly, dislosdat the Vback of thecash drawer, rhasdouble hinge" Confstruction, fand extends through Hcabinet `I I lthrough suitable slot IIC with'bearingiplate abutting against and being attached to' theback `noted that both sleeve 43 and hub portion 32B are ,lease takes place thereof, separating linkage 46A and assembly 29, just as the latter reaches the end of its counterclockwise rotation as shown in Figure l into its full rest position and immediately following in time sequence that point in the rotation of the main drive shaft 50, under the driving impetus of the straight-line linkage, whereby it has caused the carry-over of the keyboard setting into the totalizer. Release of pawl 36 permits the main restoring spring 13 of the machine, to return to rest position, thereby clearing that particular transaction and setting up machine for next entry. The tripping mechanism which I employ comprises a bracket 52, conventionally of L-shape (Figure l) having a laterally off-set arm I, which extends into the path of the pawl 38. Bracket 52 is mounted in desired suitable manner on the side of the cash register frame, as by set screws 53, 53. An adjustable setscrew 54 extends through arm 5l into adjustable proximity with the laterally offset and enlarged head 38C of the pawl 38. As the pawl 38 rocks in counterclockwise direction under the impetus of and along with rockerarm assembly 29 to a point near the end of its stroke, it comes into contact with set screw 54 in the adjusted position of the latter. Further motion of the rocker-arm assembly in counter-l clockwise direction forces the head 38C of pawl 3B strongly against the end of the set screw 54'. The reaction thrust of the latter rocks the pawl against the tension of spring 4l in clockwise direction about its pvot pin 38A, so that the pawl tooth 38B is forced outward from the recess 40 of the hub portion 32B, physically separating the straight-line linkage from the rocker-arm assembly. Adjustment of set screw 54 varies the angular position of Sleeve 43 at which pawl release occurs. At this point, the drive shaft 50 having been rotated through the full extent of its work-conditioning stroke, the entry on the keyboard is carried into the totalizer under energy stored up in the drive shaft. The straight-line linkage 46A, now separate from the rocker-arm assembly, is carried by spring bias to -be described back to its rest position to the extreme left in Figure 1.

Heretofore attention has been given largely to the rockerarm mechanism 29. Attention will now be directed more specifically to the straightline linkage 46A which interconnects the rockerarm assembly 29 with the main drive shaft 50. This straight-line linkage 48A comprises link 44 made integral with sleeve 43. In turn, this latter is rotatably fast in desired suitable manner to stub shaft 35. At its free end link 44 is connefted by suitable pivotal connection 45 to link 46. Link 46 extends in a generally horizontal direction towards the front of the machine, and through suitable means such as hinge connection 41 is connected at its free end to the bottom end of link 48. At its free, remote or upper,

end link 48 is connected, through a one-way clutch mechanism to be described, to the operating handle 49. Moreover, it is directly connected, in vmanner to be described, to the totalizer actuating or main drive shaft 50 for rotation therewith, whereby the driving impetus of the straightline linkage is transmitted to the drive shaft 50, thereby operating the latter so that any entry on the keyboard is carried into the totalizer mechanism. Since this totalizer mechanism is of standard design, further description thereof is omitted.

Description has now been given of the rockerarm assembly 29 and the relation of the cash drawer l2 thereto, and as well, the relation between the straight-line linkage 46A (which has also been described) and the rocker-arm assembly 29. During the course of that description reference has heretofore been made to the existence of a one-way clutch mechanism between the operating handle 49 and the straightline linkage, which handle also effects the operation of the main drive shaft 50. Referring to the disclosure of Figure 5, it will be seen that this second one-way clutch, which I term the control handle clutch and which is indicated generally at 55, serves to by-pass the control handle 49 when the totalizer whose location is indicated generally at IDB is actuated by the straight-line linkage 46A from drawer control. This has the advantage that it avoids necessity for up and down movement of the handle 49 upon opening and closure of the drawer l2. On the other hand, this one-way clutch 55 permits the transmission of driving impetus from the handle 49 through its working stroke into the totalizer, during handle operation. The straight-line linkage 48A is operated as an incident to movement of the handle through its working stroke, but the iirst-one-way clutch, disclosed in Figure 4, efiectively prevents carry-over of this stroke to the rocker-arm assembly 29. I make control arm 49 fast in any suitable manner, as by set screw 55 (Figure 6), to sleeve 51. Sleeve 51 is provided with central bore 51A whereby it nts snugly but freely about the cooperating and laterally projecting, shouldered end of link 48. The said shouldered end 48A of link 43' is removably fast to drive-shaft 50 in desired suitable and conventional manner, as by splined joint or the like. In the present embodiment a castellated construction is employed. Drive shaft 50 carries entirely through the machine to the far side of the latter, remote from handle 49, and, powers the entire machine. It is apparent that sleeve 51, cooperating with shouldered end 48A of link 48, may be cast or otherwise formed integrally with handle 49, serving as a hub therefor'. For simplicity, however, I form the two parts separately, securing them together by set screw 56. i On the shouldered end 48A of link 48 I provide a sleeve 62, comprising a hub portion. Sleeve 62 is offset from the adjacent end of arm 48 in the direction of sleeve 51. Sleeve 51 is correspondingly enlarged at its end 51B remote from the handle so as to fit snugly about sleeve 62, with freedom for rotation relative thereto, g'iv- `ing rise to a journal bearing. I provide'means between sleeve B2 and sleeve 51 for locking them together during the working stroke of the operating handle 49, but which means will release these two elements and permit handle 49 to' rebe operated through its return stroke, into fully closed position. When this takes place the rocker-arm assembly 2S is carried in a counterclockwise direction in Figure l, carrying with it the straight-line linkage 46A, whereby the latter rotates the main drive shaft 50. The second clutch 55 slips the operating handle 49 during the drawer-closure stroke, whereby the latter remains stationary, compelled by the :biasing spring 69 to rest against the stop 61.

As heretofore pointed out, my new machine permits listing all desired entries through handle operation during drawer-open position of the register. In this manner and with drawer open any number of entries may be set up on the keyboard and carried into the totalizer without closing the drawer. Moreover, should the keyboard setting be initially made prior to opening the drawer, this setting can be changed at will afterl the drawer has been opened. This is in sharp contrast with the known combination machines presently available which at their` best have only half-stroke operation. By half-stroke I mean that the setting on the keyboard can not be corrected or changes made once the drawer has been opened, and this setting cannot be carried into the totalizing mechanism without closure of the drawer. For the first time there is made available a manual machine which can be operated at will either by drawer or handle without operation of the one affecting the other.

Moreover, so far as I know this is the first practical machine in which all data can be set up and carried into the totalizer with the drawer open, and any number of transactions carried into either the drawer or into the totalizer, or both, with a single opening of the drawer or while the drawer is open throughout the entry of all such transactions.` Every opening of the drawer is indicated on the cash register tape by appropriate entry thereon'. My new machine makes it possible to carry entries made on the keyboard into the totalizer, as in addition, through the use of the manual operating handle without the necessity of opening the cash drawer'except in those instances when the cash drawer is keylocked.

My new construction is so simple that not only can it be readily incorporated in new equipment in simple and inexpensive manner but as well, it may be added with equal facility as part of existing machines. I n this latter case the expense is small, and in both cases the machine is sturdy and fool-proof, displaying long, useful life, and involving but minimum change from known and available construction. It is ready and easy and Simple in operation, requiring minimum effort on the part of the operator, and with no sacrifice to structural or functional uncertainty, complexity, fragility orhigh cost, it closely approaches the simple, nicefand ready operation characteristic of the electric machine. The number of operations for complete entry of data is minimized, since depression of any department key in one embodiment' of my invention serves not only to set up that department concerning which data is to be carried into the totalizer, but as well, to open the cash drawer. Full stroke opening of the cash drawer is made mandatory before carry-over into the totalizer of my new construction so that there is no possibility of hang-up of the mechanism in partly-open condition of the drawer.

Dash pot 1l, of conventional design, and operably connected by link 'l2 with 'main drive shaft 50, insures that data is carried into the totalizer with even, uniform stroke, and this regardless of the rapidity or force with which the cash drawer is closed. In this manner provision is made that the different manners in which the several users of the machine close the cash drawer will have no effect on the entry of data into the totalizer.

All the foregoing, as well as many other highly practical advantages attend upon the practice and use of my new invention.

It is apparent from the foregoing that once the broad aspects of my invention are disclosed many embodiments falling within the scope thereof will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, I intend the foregoing disclosure to be considered as illustrative, and' not as a limitation.

I claim:

l. A. cash register comprising a keyboard, a totalizer, a drive shaft for causing a keyboard setting to be transferred into said totalizer, a cash drawer slidingly mounted in said register, a linkage interconnecting said cash drawer with said drive shaft, a one-way clutch in said linkage so that upon the closing movement of said cash drawer said drive shaft is operated to cause the transfer of the keyboard setting into said totalizer while during the opening movement of said cash drawer said one-way clutch allows said drive shaft to be inoperative, a manually operable handle for operating said drive shaft independently of said drawer operation to cause the transfer of a keyboard setting into said totalizer, and a second one-way clutch interconnecting said one-way clutch with said drive shaft, a

second linkage interconnecting said one-way clutch with said cash drawer, so that upon the closing movement of said cash drawer said drive shaft is operated to cause the transfer of the keyboard setting into said totalizer while during the opening movement of said cash drawer said one-` way clutch allows said drive shaft to be inoperative, a manually operable handle for operating said drive shaft independently of said drawer operation to cause the transfer of a keyboard setting into said totalizer, and a second oneway clutch interconnecting said handle and said drive shaft so that upon a closing movement of said cash drawer actuating said drive shaftA said handle 'remains irl-initial position and upon. a manual operation of` said handle said cash. drawer and said second Alinkage remain undis-- turbed.

3. A cash register comprising a keyboard, a

transfer of the keyboard setting into said totalizer` While during the opening movement of said cash drawer said one-way Vclutch allows said drive shaft'to be inoperative, a manually operable 13 handle for operating said drive shaft independently oi said drawer operation to cause the transfer of a keyboard setting into said totalizer, a second one-way clutch interconnecting said handle and said drive shaft so that upon a closing movement of said cash drawer actuating said drive shaft said handle remains in initial position and means cooperating with said drive shaft to secure uniform rotation thereof throughout its working stroke regardless of the speed of closing said drawer.

4. A cash register comprising a keyboard, a totalizer, a drive shaft for causing a keyboard setting to be transferred into said totaliaer, a cash drawer slidingly mounted in said register, a linkage connected at one end to said drive shaft, a handle releasably connected to said drive shaft and to said linkage for manual operation oi said drive shaft, a rocker arm mechanism connected at one end to said cash drawer, clutch means interconnecting the free ends of said linkage and said rocker arm mechanism, said clutch means comprising a sleeve mounted on the free end of said linkage having an elongated recess therein, a shoulder at the free end of said rocker arm mechanism, said shoulder having an indented step therein, a spring pressed pawl mounted on said sleeve extending into said recess and en-l gaging in said step in the fully open position of said drawer, said step rotating said sleeve through said pawl and operating said linkage during the drawer-closure stroke of said rocker arm mechanisrn to an extent sucient to fully operate said drive shaft during the closing movement of said drawer but slipping said rocker arm mechanism in the open position of said drawer upon operation of said handle and an adjustable stop on said register cooperating with said pawl to trip said clutch and disengage said linkage and rocker arm mechanism near the end of the working stroke of said linkage and rocker arm mechanism.

5. A cash register comprising a keyboard, a totalizer, a drive shaft for causing a, keyboard setting to be transferred into said totalizer, a cash drawer slidingly mounted in said register, a rocker arm mechanism connected at one end to said cash drawer, a linkage connected to said drive shaft, means interconnecting said rocker arm mechanism and said linkage so that upon the closing movement of said cash drawer said drive shaft is operated to cause the transfer cf a keyboard setting into said totalizer while during the opening movement of said cash drawer said means allows said drive shaft to be inoperative, a manually operable handle for operating said drive shaft independently of said drawer operation to cause the transfer of a keyboard setting into said totalizer, a clutch interconnecting said handle and said linkage, said clutch comprising at one end thereof a shoulder frictionally fast on said drive shaft having a shaft portion, said shoulder having a step theren on; a peripherally and transversely recessed hub of enlarged diameter on said handle engaging about said shaft portion of said shoulder and a pawl mounted on said hub for swinging in said recess and into contact with said step whereby said handle engages said shaftconnected rnechu anism and hence said drive shaft only during the working stroke of said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,131,754 Von Pein Mar. 16, 1915 1,206,059 Wales Nov.` 28, 1916 1,246,178 Sumner Nov. 13, 1917 1,395,044 Gooch Oct. 25, 1921 1,816,263 Robertson July 28, 1931 2,577,395 Zurbuchen Dec. 4, 1951 FORElGN PATENTS Number Country Date 145,476 Germany Nov. 1951 243,734 Great Britain Jan. 28, 1925 495,070 Great Britain Nov. 7, 1938

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