GB2388869A

GB2388869A - Locking device for cash register drawer

Info

Publication number: GB2388869A
Application number: GB0212093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Richard Mann; Basil Christopher Baldock
Original assignee: RETAIL ASSOCIATES Ltd
Current assignee: RETAIL ASSOCIATES Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-25
Filing date: 2002-05-25
Publication date: 2003-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-25
Also published as: GB2388869B; GB0212093D0

Abstract

A cash storage container has a body (1), a closure member (7) and a locking arm (10) having a first portion (20, Figure 4) which is fixed relative to the body and a second portion (12), moveably, preferably pivotally, connected, to the first portion where, in use, the second portion is moveable between a first position, in which it overlies the body and the closure member and a second position in which it is clear of the closure member. When in the second position the locking arm may be locked to a support (9) upon which the container is located. The locking arm may further comprise a base member (11, Figure 5) located between the body and the support.

Description

A CASH STORAGE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY FOR A CASH REGISTER

The present invention relates to a cash storage container assembly for a cash register. A cash register of the kind that is used at checkout tills of retail outlets to perform sales transactions has a cash storage container such as a cassette or drawer in which cash is temporarily stored. The cassette is of generally box-like configuration with a hinged lid and has internal compartments for receipt of bank notes and coins.

Usually it is mounted on a fixed base of a housing in front of, or to one side of, the cash register.

The cassette or drawer is generally provided with a security locking device to prevent theft. The locking device may secure the cassette to the base and/or the lid to the rest of the cassette so as to prevent unauthorised access to the cash particularly when the checkout till is unmanned.

One example of a locking device for a cash register container is described in GB 2291116. A telescopic clamp of plate-like construction has a plurality of limbs that are configured to embrace the cassette on three or four sides. This prevents the lid from being opened. This device, although providing satisfactory security, has a drawback in that it has to be removed from the cassette to gain access thereto and stowed away for subsequent use. Special provision thus has to be made for storage of the device when it is not in use. This is a problem in that the available space at the checkout till is generally a constrained. Moreover, the locking device can be mislaid or otherwise go missing when not secured to the cassette.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a cash storage container assembly comprising a cash storage container body having an access opening to allow access to its contents, a closure member movable relative to the container body and by which the access opening may be selectively opened or closed, a locking device having a first portion fixed relative to the container body and a second portion connected to said first portion and moveable relative thereto between a first position

( in which it overlies the closure member and container body and is lockable to prevent exposure of the access opening and a second position in which it is clear of the storage container to permit it to be opened, the second portion of the locking device being disposed adjacent to the container when in said second position.

The assembly provides for secure locking of the cash storage container when it is unattended but leaves the locking device in a permanently accessible position when the container is in operation so that it is readily available the next time it is required.

The first portion of the locking device is preferably pivotally connected to said second portion and is movable relative thereto by pivoting.

The assembly may further comprise a cash storage container support on which the container is supported, to which the locking device is fixed and/or to which the locking device may be locked.

Preferably the locking device comprises three hinged arms that, in the first position, pass over three sides of the container body. The container ideally has front, rear, top and bottom walls, the access aperture being in at least part of the top wall.

The arms of the locking device may pass over the front, top and rear walls in the first position. The locking device may further comprise a base member that is located between the support and the container body and is fixed to one or the other. The base member ideally has a recess or aperture for co-operation with a lock on the locking device. In moving from said first position to said second position the hinged arms of the locking member are pivoted so that locking device is moved to the rear of the storage container.

Preferably the arms are of plate-like forth and in said second position at least two of the arms overlie each other.

A rear arm of the locking member is preferably fixed to the rear of the support or container.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

( Figure I is a perspective view of the cash storage container assembly of the present invention, showing the container in an unlocked configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of figure 1, the container being shown in a locked configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of figure 1, a locking device of the invention being shown intermediate the positions shown in figures I and 2; Figure 4 is a side sectioned view of the assembly of figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of one part of a locking device that forms part of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective underneath view of another part of the locking device.

Referring now to the drawings, a cash storage cassette I is of box-like configuration with front, rear, side, upper and lower walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. front part of the upper wall 5 has an opening across its width. The opening is closable by a hinged lid 7 that may be pivoted upwardly about a hinge 7a to allow access to the contents of the cassette I. The opening is shown closed in figures I to 4.

The cassette I is received in a recess 8 in a cash register support shelf 9 such that its front 2 and upper \valls 5 are conterrninous with corresponding walls that define the recess 8. in use in a retail environment, the support shelf g forms part of a checkout desk or till area (not shown).

The cassette 1 is secured by a locking assembly 10 that is in two parts.

Referring to figures 4 and 5, a base plate 11 underlies the cassette I and a locking member 12 overlies the cassette I. The base plate 11 is disposed between the shelf 9 and the lower wall 6 of the storage cassette I and comprises an elongate plate that terminates at one end with an upstanding lip 13 and at the other with a depending hook 14. The length of the plate 11 is substantially equal to the depth of the recess 8 so that the upstanding lip 13 is disposed between the rear wall 3 of the cassette I and that of the recess and the hook 14 locates over the front edge 15 of the shelf 9. The plate has two elongate transverse slots 16 by which it may be secured to the shelf 9 and the hook has an aperture 17 to receive a lock as will be described below.

The locking member 12 (shown most clearly in figures 4 and 6) comprises three hinged elongate arms 20, 21, 22, each of plate-like construction. A rear arm 20 is

( disposed between the rear wall of the recess 8 and the rear wall 3 of the cassette 1.

This arm 20 is fixed to the upstanding lip 13 of the base plate 11 by means of rivets or other fixing means. A main arm 21 is hinged thereto and is slightly longer that the cassette 1 whilst a front arm 22, hingedly connected to the other end of the main arm 21, is of a length that is roughly equivalent to the depth of the cassette 1 and front edge 15 the shelf 9 in combination. The free end of the front arm 22 supports a key-

operated lock mechanism 23.

In a locking configuration, the locking member 12 is disposed such that the main arm 21 overlies the upper wall 5 and lid 7 of the cassette in a direction perpendicular to the rear arm 20. The front arm 22 extends downwardly from the main arm 21 in parallel to the rear arm 22 and overlies the front wall of the cassette I and the front edge 15 of the shelf 9. The lock mechanism 23 is aligned with the aperture 17 in the hook 14 of the base plate l l so that the locking member 12 can be locked thereto. In this position the locking member 12 and base plate 11 prevent access to the cassette I (in that the main arm 21 prevents upward pivoting of the lid 7) and also retain the cassette I on the shelf 9.

When the cassette I is being used by an authorised person the lock mechanism 23 is opened by a key, the locking member 12 is lifted and the main arm 21 pivoted rearwardly through 180 degrees as shown in figures I and 3. At the same time the front arm 22 is pivoted relative to the main arm 21 through 90 degrees so that it overlies the latter. In this configuration (see figure 1) the locking device supported on a wall 30 of the support shelf 9 to the rear of the cassette 1. Here it is clear of the cassette so as to allow access thereto but is readily accessible when it is next required.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described desigr may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the container may take the form of a drawer rather than a cassette with a hinged closure. Moreover, the base plate may be omitted and a separate element provided one or machined into, the front edge of the shelf to cot operate with the lock. Finally, the main arm 21 of the locking device 12 may be movable relative to the rear arm 22 and the cassette in any convenient manner as an alternative to the pivotal connection.

Claims

( s CLAIMS

1. A cash storage container assembly comprising a cash storage container body having an access opening to allow access to its contents, a closure member movable relative to the container body and by which the access opening may be selectively opened or closed, a locking device having a first portion fixed relative to the container body and a second portion connected to said first portion and moveable relative thereto between a first position in which it overlies the closure member and container body and is lockable to prevent exposure of the access opening and a second position in which it is clear of the storage container to permit it to be opened, the second portion of the locking device being disposed adjacent to the container when in said second position.

2. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the locking device is pivotally connected to said second portion and is movable relative thereto by pivoting.

3. A cash storage container assembly according to claim I or 2, further comprising a cash storage container support on which the container is supported.

4. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 3, wherein first portion of the locking device is fixed to said container support or to said second portion..

5. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the locking device is lockable to said support in said first position.

6. A cash storage container assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a first portion of the locking device is fixed to the rear of the support or container.

(

7. A cash storage container assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the locking device further comprises a base member that is located between the support and the container body and is fixed to one or the other.

8. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 7, wherein the base member has a recess or aperture for co-operation with a lock on said locking device.

9. A cash storage container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking device comprises at least three hinged arms that, in the first position, pass over three sides of the container body.

10. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 9, wherein the arms are plate-like and in said second position at least two of the arms overlie each other.

I i. A cash storage container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the container has front, rear, top and bottom walls, the access aperture being in at least part of the top wall.

12. A cash storage container assembly according to claim 11, wherein the locking device passes over the front, top and rear walls in the first position.

13. A cash storage container assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking device is disposed to the rear of the body of the cash storage container when in said second position.

14. A cash storage container assembly according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.