US1174318A - Filing and recording apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

H. J. HICK.

FILING AND RECORDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION men FEB. 3. 1912.

1,174,31 8. Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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EC 10C H. J. HICK..- FILING AND RECORDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.3.'1912.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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H. J. HHIK.

FILING AND RECORDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. 1912.

1,174,:3 18. Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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v H. J. HICK. "HUNG AND RECORDING APPARATUS.

I APPLICATION FILED FEB- 3, 1912. 1,174,318, Patented Mar. 7,1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY J. HICK, OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE MCCASKEY REGISTER COMPANY, (INCORPORATED IN 1914,) OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FILING AND RECORDING APPARATUS.

Application filed February 3, 1912.

To all 10 ham it may concern Be it known that I, I'TARRY J. HICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Filing and Recording Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to filing and recording appliances, it being especially applicable to filing and storing papers or bills and recording amounts or values represented by each paper or bill, or entered thereon from time to time.

For the purpose of illustration, 1 have, in the accompanying drawings, shown and herein described one form of apparatus embodying my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an appliance embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view from one side of the appliance, it being partly in section and partly in side elevation to illustrate the mechanism. Fig. 3 1s a top plan view of the auxiliary section, parts being broken away, removed. Fig. a is a longitudinal sectional view on the line of Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5 looking toward the right thereof; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the same line looking toward the left of said line. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail sectional views of the latch mechanism for the drawer. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of the combination mechanism.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a casing of suitable size to house the mechanism or parts hereinafter described. It may be of any special or standard form, but preferably comprises a main or horizontal section 1 and an upright superposed section 1". The main section may comprise a bottom 1, a back or rear wall 1, sides 1 and a top 1. The back 1 and rearward portions of the sides 1 are preferably extended upward as shown at 1*, 1 to form the superposed section 1". The top 1 preferably comprises a. base 1 arranged adjacent to the back 1 and a plate 1 extending from the forward edge of the base 1 approximately to the front of the section 1. This plate 1 is preferably formed of glass in order to expose to view an index 1 arranged below it. The index l may be. mountedin aslidablc frame, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. *7, 1916.

Serial No. 675,237.

guides for which are provided in the sides 1 and permit it to be moved outwardly at the front end of the casing for insertions or corrections at will.

2 indicates an auxiliary section preferably slidably mounted in and removable from the main section 1 This section 2 comprises side walls 2*,a rear wall 2*, and a front wall 2. Guides of a well known form may be provided between the main section 1 and auxiliary section 2.

3 indicates a series of pivoted holders for receiving and removably supporting papers, slips, bills or records and adapted to be swung either individually or in groups from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, and vice versa. hen in horizontal position the free edges of the holders rest on the top plate 1 By such operation either face of any holder may be arranged in a position which will permit ready access thereto by the operator. The holders 3 may be of uniform size and normally arranged in a vertical position as shown in Fig. 1. Each holder comprises a back 3 to the opposite faces of which are secured clips 3* of suitable character to hold the papers or bills in place. Each clip may be provided with a plate 3 for carrying and exposing a heading, abbreviation, or character designating to the operator what papers or bills are to be filed behind the adjacent clip. The free edges of the holders may also be provided with indexing characters which designate in a well known manner the clips carried by each holder and assist the operator in quickly and accurately referring to any particular clip thereon.

3 indicates ribs arranged along the opposite longitudinal edges of the backs 3-. These ribs serve to space the holders from each other and also to strengthen the backs thereof. Additional ribs 3 spaced from each other, may also be provided, whereby side walls will be formed for the papers held in place by the clips.

The holders 3 are preferably pivotally connected or geared one to another, as shown at 3 the front most holder having pivotal support upon a pair of bearing blocks 1 mounted on the base 1 and the rear holder resting against the back 1 or a cushioning device 4 which may be interposed between it and the back. During the operation of the holders from the vertical to the horizontal position and back again, the lower or hinged ends of the upright holders move forwardly and rearwardly and also upwardly and downwardly. Cooperating with the upper edge of the rear holder is a guide arm 5 for guiding that holder and also those holders in the upright position in front of it upwardly and downwardly. When in operative position, the guide 5 is preferably inclined upwardly and forwardly for the purpose of moving'the upper edges of the upright holders forwardly and rearwardly during their up and down movements, hence maintaining them substantially vertical at all times. The guide 5 isprovided with a latch 5 at or near its free end. lV hen all the holders, except the rear holder, are

swung down, the rear holder will engage the latch 5 and be locked against operation. The guide is preferably pivoted tothe back 1 in order that it may fall or swlng to a horizontal position, when all of the holders are uprigh as shown in Fig. 2. When in this latter position the latch lies forward of and below the edge of the front holders 3 and thus operates to look all the holders in normal position.

6 indicates a partition extending longitudinally of the auxiliary section 2 and dividing it into two main compartments 6, 6 The compartment 6 may also be divided by a transverse partition 6 to form a rear compartment 6 7 indicates a drawer, adapted for receiving money, mounted in the compartment 6 6 indicates guides interposed between the opposite sides of the drawer and the adjacent side :2 and wall or partition 6. 7 indicates a catch arranged on the rear wall of the drawer 7. It coiipcrates with a lock and release device 8 to lock the drawer '7 in closed position and to release the drawer when access thereto is desired. The catch 7 is beveled at its front end and pivoted on a suitable support 7* fixed to the drawer to permit its automatic engagement with the lock and release device 8 in a well lmown Of the lock and release device 8. 8 indi cates a casing fixed to the rear wall 2 of theauxiliary section 2. This casing may inclose one or more electro-magnets 8*. 8 indicates an armature pivoted at 89 and arranged to be operated in one direction upon the closing of an electric circuit which includes said magnets. 8 indicates a spring tending to maintain the arm ture away from the cores of the magnets. The armature 8 is cut away at its opposite ends to form abutments 8 as will be presently described. 8 indicates a shaft supported at its opposite ends in the casing 8. 8 indicates a locking lever. the legs 8" of which are pivoted on the shaft 8 8 indicates a spring, prefer ably: .coiled;around the: shaft. 8', oneiend thereof being connected with the casing 8 and its opposite end engaging the levers, tends to swing it in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 9. The legs of the lever 8 are formed with shoulders 8 which engage an elevated wall 8* of the casing and limit the movement of the lever 8 under the influence of the spring 8 8 indicates an interlocking member arranged between the lever 8 and the armature 8. It preferably comprises a pair of plates 8 arranged upon opposite sides of the locking lever 8 and pivoted at 8 to thecasing 8. These plates may be connected together by a cross bar 8 in order that they will swing on their pivots together. The plates are of a length to lie in the cutaway portions of'the armature when it is in normal position and hence they will engage the abutments 8 and be locked against operalf however the electric circuit be closed, the armature will be attracted and moved downwardly, moving the abutments 8 out of the path of movement of the plates 8 8 indicates a recess formed in the front edge of each plate 8 and adapted to receive a pin or projection 8 extending from either side of the locking lever S The pins 8 and the walls of the recessesS form a connection between the locking lever 8 and interlock S so when the armature 8 is in normal position and its abutments 8 are in the path of the plates 8 the latter will be locked against movement and will in turn lock the locking lever 8 But upon the operation of the armature the interlocking member 8 will be released and free to be operated by the lever 8 r 9 indicates as an entirety spring actuated devices for moving the drawer 7 outwardly upon its release from the lock and release device 8. Of these devices, 9 indicates a thrust rod slidably supported on the partition 6 by a pair of straps 9 or equivalent means. At its rear end the rod 9 is provided with an arm 9 which projects laterally through a slot 6 formed in the partition 6. The arm 9 carries a member 9 which lies in the path of the drawer 7 and is engaged thereby when moved to its innernost position. The drawer engaging member 9 may comprise a bolt having screw-threaded connection with the arm permitting it to be ad justed thereon and a nut 9 for locking the bolt in its adjusted position.

9 indicates a spring, preferably of the coiled type, having one end connected at 9 to the thrust rod 9%. and its opposite end to a stationary part of the apparatus, for instance, a projection 9 formed integral with one ofthe straps 9 As will be understood from the drawings, when the drawer 7 is moved inwardly and lockedzrbythe lock and release device 8, it

engages the bolt 9, moves the rod 9"* rearwardly and puts the spring under tension. From this it follows that when the drawer 7 is released, the tension of the spring 9, acting through the rod 9, thrusts the drawer 7 outwardly on its guides 6. It will be understood that to release the latch 7* in opening the drawer 7, the locking lever 8 must be swung on its pivot on shaft S and against the tension of the spring 8 after the armature 8 has been operated and the interlocking member 8 released therefrom. actuating devices 9 is therefore of a size and sufficient strength to overcome the tension of the spring 8 and also impart enough momentum to the drawer to thrust it partially open.

10 indicates a supplemental casing preferably formed of metal. It is connected to the auxiliary section and arranged thereon at one side of the drawer 7. The casing 10 is hollow and extends forward of th main section I to provide a writing support and recording means. It is formed with sides 1.0 a top 10 and a curved front and bottom wall-10 said side and bottom walls being secured in a well known manner to the side and bottom surfaces of the side walls forming the compartment 6". Being open at its rear, said casing 10 forms a continuation of the compartment 6 10 indicates a cutaway portion formed in the top 10 10 indicates a glass plate arranged in said opening one longitudinal edge of which cooperates with the opposing longitudinal edge of the opening 10 to form a slot 10 through which entries may be made upon a web of paper 11, the glass plate permitting the entries to be seen and inspected after the paper has been moved forward one step. 10* indicates a base plate arranged below the opening 10. This plate is spaced from the inner surface of the top 10 to permit a paper web to move over it and below the opening 10 and it also serves as a back so that entries can be made upon the paper web. The plate 10 may be supported by a pair of brackets 10 11 indicates a spindle or core on which the web of paper 11 is rolled. This spindle or core is provided with pins or trunnions 11 which are loosely mounted in recesses 10 formed in the opposite sides 10 of the casing 10. The trunnions 11 permit the roll of paper 11 to rotate as the web is drawn off therefrom from time to time. i

12 indicates an electrical combination mechanism for controlling the lock and release member 8. This mechanism is connected with and included in the electric circuit 13. This circuit comprises conductors 13 13 leading from the lock and release control magnets 8 one leading to the combination mechanism 12 and the other lead- The thrust spring 9 of the drawer.

ing to one side of a battery or source of elec tric supply A, which may be mounted in the compartment 6. The battery 14: is preferably fixed therein by a strap or clamp member 1%. From the opposite side of the battery is another conductor 13 which leads therefrom to the combination mechanism. 15 indicates a switch interposed in the electrical circuit 13 and having suitable con tact devices whereby the said circuit can be closed or opened and left in that condition for any length of time as may be desired.

Of the combination mechanism 12, 12 indicates a supporting plate which is preferably arranged rearwardl of the opening 10 in the supplemental casing top 10*. It may be formed integral with the top 10 and slightly inclined relative thereto. The plate 12 is formed with a series of openings alined relative to each other. Each opening is adapted to receive a circuit controlling device 12 which may be of any well known construction but preferably comprises a spring operated push button having a plunger 12 1 have shown five push buttons in the drawings, although a greater or less number thereof may be used. One or more of the push buttons or devices 12 is or are arranged and adapted to close the electric circuit 13 when operated; while the remaining push buttons or devices are dummies, but may serve to open the circuit if operated.

12, 12 indicate contacts carried. by the inner end of each controlling device 12 12 indicates a conductor leading from each of said contacts to a contact of an adjoining device 12 12,12 indicate a pair of contact plates carried by the contacts 12, 12, respectively of those devices 12 that close the circuit (see the second and fourth device as viewed in Fig. As shown in the drawings, the f ee ends of these plates are arranged in juxtaposition so that when the second and fourth push buttons 12 are operated the plunger 12 thereof will engage the plates 12 12 and close the circuit 13.

12 indicates a contact plate carried by the plungers 12 of each of the remaining push buttons 12". These plates are normally held in contact with the adjacent contacts 12, 12 by he plunger-s 12 and thus constitute part of and carry the circuit across the contacts 12 12 of the inoperative or dummy devices 12*.

The construction will be clearly understood from Fig. 5, where the circuit is made up of the wire 13*, plates 12, con ductors 12 contact plates 12, 12 and wire 13, the circuit being normally broken between the free ends of the contact plates 12, 12, but arranged to be completed by contact therewith of the adjacent plungers 12" when the latter are moved endwise upon the operation of the push buttons 12 of which the plungers 12" form parts. The

' 65 a p ng 16 isconnected theoppositeend of erative buttons 12 plungers 12 of the dummy push buttons or control devices 12 are longer than the plungers 12 of the other push buttons or control devices for the purpose of normally supporting the plates 12 in engagement withthe adjacent contacts 12, 12; 7

In the event that any one or all of the dummy buttons 12* are operated, the plates 12 will be moved out of engagement with contacts 12 12 thus effecting an opening of the circuit.

From this construction it will be seen that the circuit 13 is normally connected or closed across the dummy buttons 12 and open between the plates 122 12 of the op- In order to open the drawer, it is therefore necessary to operate those push buttons 12 of the combination which close the circuit. Since the push buttons 12 are all alike in appearance and arrangemenh a person not knowing the combination of buttons which will complete the circuit 13, will be unable to gain access to the drawer 7 and in case an unauthorized person attempts to open the drawer by operating all of the push buttons simultaneously, the dummy push buttons will simultaneously open the circuit and thus make the operative buttons inoperative in effect.

16 indicates a step by step paper feed mechanism for drawing the paper 11 off the roll and moving it relative to the writing slot 10. Of this mechanism, 16 indicates a roller, preferably provided with knurled or roughened surface and rotatably mounted in the casing sides 10 16 indicates a frame comprising a pair of levers pivoted at 16 to the opposite side walls 10 16 indicates presser roller rotatably mounted between the levers 16 and arranged to press the pa per yieldingly against the guide roller 16 To the free end of one of these levers is connected one end of a spring 16, the opposite end of which is fixed to the adjacent side 10 of the casing 10. This spring operates to press the presser rollertoward the guide roller 16. The levers 16 may be connected together by a cross bar 16, whereby the levers can be manipulated manually to insert or remove the paper 11 from between the presser roller 16 and guide roller 16. 16 indicates a ratchet wheel arranged near one end ofv the roller 16' and fixed thereto in any suitable manner. mounted on the guide roller 16, and preferably arranged between the ratchet 16 and adjacent side 10 16 indicates a link one end of which is pivoted to the free end of the arm 16 and its opposite end pivoted to the front or forward end of the thrust rod 9 16 indicates a pawl pivotally mounted on the arm 16 and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet 16. The pawl l6 has a rearward extending arm to which one end of 16 indicates an arm swingably' the spring being fixed to a projection pref erably formed integral with the arm 16 From the construction just described it will be seen that when the thrust rod 9 is moved forwardly, under the tension of the spring 9 to open the drawer 7, it will actuate or swing the arm 16 on the guide roller 16 and that the arm 16 by means of the pawl and ratchet will operate to rotate the guide roller one step in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figs. '2 and 6) and hence move the paper ll forwardly relative to the slot 10 This operation will bring a new portion of the web immediately below said slot 10 to receive the next entry. When the drawer is returned to locking position and the thrust rod 9 moved rearwardly the arm 16 will be returned to its former position, the pawl 16 ridingthe ratchet 16 ready to engage'the next tooth thereof. The portion of the paper web 11 which is fed through the rollers 16, 16, will be guided rearwardly into the compartment 6 where it may remain until removed.

17 indicates a hell or signal device preferably supported by the partition 6. 17 indicates a striker mounted on the end of a tensionrod 17 The tension rod 17 is supported at its opposite end by the thrust rod 17 indicates a device for operating the striker 17. This device preferably comprises an arm extending laterally from the partition 6 and arranged in the path of movement of the striker 17. t is arranged to be engaged by the striker 17 and to arrest its forward movement temporarilv as the thrust rod 9 18 moving forward to open the drawer 7.

Through such engagement the supporting rod 16 will be placed under considerable tension. After the thrust rod has moved a certain distance, the striker 17 will ride'the arm 17 and be forced by the tension stored up in the rod or support 17 against the bell 17 thus sounding a signal which signifies that the drawer 7 has been opened.

18 indicates a shaft mounted in bearings inthe outer side 1O of the supplemental casing 10. This shaft 1.8 is arranged in and rotates on an axis coincident with the axis of the feed or guide roller 16. On its outer end the shaft is provided with a knob 18 whereby the shaft can be rotated manually. On its inner end it is provided with a ring or collar 18? which encircles the roller 16. 18 indicates a pawl pivoted on the ring 18 and normally pressed toward the roller 16 by a relatively light spring 18 in a well known manner. The roller 16 is provided with ratchet teeth 16 which are engaged by the pawl 18. As will be understood, by rotating the shaft 18 in one direction, the pawl 18 will engage the ratchet teeth 16 and rotate the guide roller 16 to feed forwardly the paper web 11. vThis arrange .r...mont'-is. convenient when .it is. desiredto remove the record slip at the close of the day, or to move it up a short distance to leave a space after the last entry or set of entries. This construction and arrangement permit the actuating of the feed roller 16 by the step-by-step mechanism independently of the operation of the manual feed devices.

The web of paper 11 may be provided with one or more columns each for receiving certain entries, for instance, cash entries, credit entries, number of the clerk, as well as other data. When so arranged, I may provide a plate 19 to receive a card or guide designating what entries are to be made in the columns, respectively. 20 indicates a cover for the compartment 6. lVhen the auxiliary section 2 is drawn forward on its guides, the cover can be raised and the used record strip removed.

My invention may be described as applied for use by a merchant where both cash and credit sales are made. The total amount of each sale can be made upon the record strip or paper web 11: or the amount of each cash sale can be made in one column thereof and the amount of each credit sale entered in another column. In either case, the record forms a check for the merchant enabling him to ascertain quickly errors, as well as permitting him to total the sales made each day.

When a cash sale is made, the clerk first enters the amount thereof on the record strip; thereafter he operates the combination mechanism, which in turn releases and automatically thrusts open the drawer. Since the operation of opening the drawer effects the feeding of the paper web forwardly, failure to first make an entry thereon will be indicated by a blank space. Such operation will provide a check for the merchant where the drawer is opened by persons who attempt to manipulate the apparatus in a wrong manner.

When a credit sale is made, a sales slip or bill is filled out and filed behind the clip in one of the holders set aside for the customer to whom the sale is made. The total of the sale is entered on the record strip 11, where all the credit sales can be totaled at the close of the day. Such record will also form a list of the individual sales permitting them to be checked up at any time to locate errors.

To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a casing, an auxiliary section removably mounted in the casing, a drawer, a lock and release device therefor, means for opening the drawer, an electrical combination mechanism for controlling the locking and releasing of said drawer, and a recording mechanism operatively connected with the drawer opening means, the said drawer, lock and release device, combination mechanism and recording mechanism being carried by said an);- iliary section.

2. The combination with a casing, of an auxiliary section mounted therein and provided with a drawer, means for opening the drawer, electro-magnetic means for locking and releasing said drawer from said section, a supplemental section carried by said auxiliary section, a combination mechanism carried by said supplemental section for controlling the operation of said locking and releasing means, an electric circuit between said combination mechanism and said locking and releasing means, a recording mechanism mounted in said supplemental sec tion, feeding devices for said recording mechanism, operatively connected with the drawer opening means, and endwise movable devices between said drawer and said feeding devices for operating the latter.

3. The combination of a casing provided with guides adapted to receive a drawer, a lock and release device for the drawer, an electrical combination mechanism for controlling said lock and release device, means for thrusting open said drawer when released, a recording mechanism including a paper feed mechanism, and connections between said drawer opening means and said feed mechanism and movable in a plane parallel with said drawer for operating the feed mechanism.

4. The combination with a casing, of an auxiliary section mounted therein and provided with guides adapted to receive and support a drawer, means for opening the drawer, a lock for the drawer, mechanism for controlling said lock, means for supporting a paper web, and means operatively connected with the drawer opening means for feeding the paper web step by step, said feeding means being carried by the auxiliary section and mounted to move in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the drawer.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY J. HICK.

Witnesses:

T. C. URAN, HENRY F. POLLOCK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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