US1763650A - gregory - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1930. H. :w. GREGORY CASH REGISTER Filed March 18, 1925 3 SheetsSheet 1 gwwmlfov June 17, 1930. H. W.IGREGORY CASH REGISTER Filed March 18, 1925 ;3 Sheets-Sheet 2 jwuentop H. w. GREGORY CASH REGISTER June 17, 1930.

Filed March 18 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet s m M Z v w H Patented June it, 1930 arerrics mar w. enneonr, or rnrrannnrnra, rnnnsrnvnnra, .assrenon 'ro-nmameron anns comranr, Inc, a conroaarron or nnnawaaa CASH REGISTER Application and March a, was. Serial 33.10. 16,418.

This invention relates to cash registers and accounting machines generally and more particularly to that class employing printing devices for printing the items upon a record strip.

A broad object of the present invention is to provide an improved autographic attachment in combination with special printing devices whereby written notations may be en- .te tered in appropriate columns formed by the special printing devices.

More specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide means for printing parallel lines upon a record strip simultaneously with each item registering and printing operation. The present invention also contemplates etching of the glass covering the printed record strip so that the entry of the desire notation in the appropriate column will be facilitated. I Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple means whereby the printing devices for efiecting the printing of the lines may be readil changed at will to meet the requirements 0 a particular need. Another object of the present invention 18 to provide improved devices for effecting line printing upon the record strip so that the ruling device may be readily and easily detached and a new one substituted therefor.

With these and incidental objects in -view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims and a preferred form? of embodiment of which is hereinafter described in reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of the specification.

Of said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional View of the cash register taken near the left of the machine showing some of the ke s, a portion of the printing devices, and t e diiierential mechanism for driving the totalizer elements and ad usting the item type carriers.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through the center of the machine showing the devices for efiecting printing upon the record strip by the adyusted type to carriers and ruling devices.

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the printer showing the platen frame, the clutch for connecting it to the actuating member lid showing a number of printed items and the manner in which the ruling block rules the record strip to permit the entries of (is sired notations in the proper columns.

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the ruling block for printing lines upon the record strip. Reference to the detailed description which tollows and which is divided under suitable headings will give a full understanding of the venous features embodied in the present invention and their intended mode of operaion.

For the purpose of illustration this invention has been shown as applied to a type oi machine, the general princple of which is disclosed in the United States application, Serial No. 263,125 filed Nov. 19, 1918, by Frederick L. Fuller as well as the British Patents 135,465; 157,823; 157,824; and 157,825 granted for the same invention, but it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to this type of machine, but may, with slight modifications from the present illustrative embodiment, be applied to other well known forms of accounting machines.

Framework The various parts of the mechanism are supported by a suitable frame work comprising a base casting 20 and suitable side frames neither of which are shown in the present drawings. The main side frames are connected at their upper rear ends by a frame work 21 and cross connections in the form of tie bars 22 and 23 suituated toward the front and rear of the machine respectively. The present machine is also provided with two intermediate and parallel supporting frames 24 and 25. The mechanism is enclosed by a cabinet 26 preferably formed of one piece and which may be made of any suitable material. The cabinet 26 has hinged thereto a flat lid 27 and a front cover 271 for providing access to the printing mechanism for replenishing the paper supply, priming totals and resetting the totalizer.

Keys and operating mechanism The illustrative machine is provided with a number of groups of amount keys, several of these keys being shown in Fig. 1 and in chine and journalled between the side frames.

The keys are guided in their reciprocating movements by slots 31 formed in the front part of the cabinet 25 and are further guided at their rearward ends by a vertically slotted plate 32 attached to the tie bar 23. Resting upon the rear ends of the keys is a key coupler 34 journalled at 35 between the side frames. The key coupler has a nose 36 cooperating at times with notches 37 formed in the rear ends of the keys 28. When the outer ends of the keys are depressed the key coupler 34 is rocked clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1) and the nose 36 thereon enters the notches 37 formed in the rear end of the depressed keys. The purpose of such key coupler mechanism is well known in the art and need not be discussed herein.

Connected to the key coupler at 38 is a vertical reciprocating rack plate 39 provided with oppositely facing rack teeth 40 which alternately mesh with a gear (not shown) fast to a main operating shaft 42 journalled between the machine side frames. The arrangement of this mechanism is such that a reciprocation of the key coupler 34 by the keys will effect a complete rotation of the gear and the shaft 42 to which the gear is secured. The shaft 42 is provided with cams or other suitable devices for operating various parts of the registering and printing mechanism.

Dz'flerential mechanism The differential mechanisms or devices controlled by the various groups of keys for adjusting the item type carriers and actuating the totalizers are all similar in construction and principle and a description of one will suffice for all.

As shown in Fig. 1 each of the amount keys is provided with an upwardly extending arm 43 carrying an anti-friction roller 44 co-operating with differential slots formed in cam plates 45. Loosel mounted upon a transverse shaft 46 is a f rame 47 provided with spaced slots in which are secured by pins 48, a series of thecam plates 45, one for .each key. The cam plates are provided with L shaped slots 49 and 50, the slots 49 being concentric with respect to the shaft 46. The slots 50 are, however, graduated'so that when the rollers 44 carried by the arm 43 of a depressed key operates in the differential slot of its associated cam plate 45 it will move the frame 47 difierentially and to an amount commensurate with the value of the key depressed. When, however, the frame 47 is operated by the depression of a key 28 of a certain group, the rollers 44 of the undepressed keys of the same group will play in the arcuate slots 49 of their respective cam plates 45, thereby permitting the frame 47 to be raised differentially without interference with the rollers 44 of the unoperated keys.

It is to be understood that there is a differential frame for each group of amount keys. As is shown in Fig. 1 the differential frame 47 has attached thereto a segmental rack 51. In continuous mesh with the teeth of the segmental rack 51 is a pinion 52 at -tached to an item type wheel 53 mounted upon a shaft 541 and adapted to print upon a record strip. From the above it will be evident that since there may be nine keys in a particular group and a corresponding number of cam plates 45 the segmental rack 51 and type carrier 53 may be brought to any one of nine different positions selectively by the depression of a key 28 associated with such group of keys. In a manner similar to this the keys associated with any of the denominational groups will adjust their related type carriers so that when printing is effected the type wheel will print the character corresponding to the value of the keys depressed.

As best shown in Fig. 3 the machine is provided with three segmental racks 51 for adjusting a corresponding number of amount type carriers 53. There is also shown a special type carrier 54 for indicatingthe type of transaction entered in the machine. This type carrier is normally in a position to print a character indicating a cash transaction, but may be movable to other positions under the control of special keys for indicating other types of transactions, such as, received on account and paid out. For adjusting this type carrier 54 differentially there is provided. a segment 55 which is operated by a differential frame controlled by a series of transaction keys. The present drawings do not show any transaction keys since they operate in a manner similar to that which has been described in connection with the amount keys so thatthe character of any special registration or transaction may be re corded in connection with the amount. For

. further details of construction and operation of the Iriechanism associated with the transaction keys reference may be had to the Fuller application, Ser. No. 263,125 or the British patents hereinbefore mentioned.

Accanwlating devices Situated below the type carriers 53 and 54 IS a p1votally mounted totalizer 56. The totahzer 56 as shown in detail in the Fuller application and generally in Figs. 1 and 2, is pivotally mounted'between the side frames 24: and 25 and comprises a frame jo'urnaled as at 57 and having mounted therein a shaft Record strip printing mechanism It is desirable each time an item is entered in the machine that the amount be printed upon a record strip within the machine cabinet. The record strip provides the complete record of all the transactions entered in the machine, and at the end of an arbitrary period may be detached from the machine and .filed away for future reference.

The printing mechanism for printing the items and totals accumulated by the totalizer 56 comprises a pivoted frame formed of two side plates 61 and 62 (Figs. 1 and 2) the lower ends of which are provided with claws 63 engaging the shaft 46. Normally the printing mechanism rests by its own weight in the position shown in the drawings with lugs 64 contacting with a portion of the frame 21. The side frames 61 and 62 are connected together by a cross member 65, as shown in Fig. 2, and shafts and other members which will be referred to as the desc'rip:

tion progresses. In the position shown the printer frame is adjusted to print from the type carriers the items and other special designations upon the-record strip.

Journaled in-the printer side frames 61 and 62 is a shaft 66, the extreme left end of which has fastened to it a bell-crank 67 carrying a roller 68 co-operating with the 42 is given a complete rotation during each operation of the machine and the rotation of the box cam will rock the shaft 66 to actuate a platen and to feed the record strip and inking ribbon an increment.

Extend'ng transversely of the printer side frames 61 and 62 is a platen supporting shaft 0 (Fig. 3) upon which is supported the platen 71 by means of forwardly extending arms 72 and 7 8 secured to the shaft 70. The under face of the platen 71 is provided with a rubber impression block 74 clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Extending rearwardly from and movable with the arm 72 is a platen actuating arm 75 (Fig. 2) provided with a lug 76 which is actu- :itcd by a hammer 77 to force the platen 74 against the type to take an impression. The

platen 71 is not directly connected to the platen actuating arm 7 5, but is connected to it by a clutch member 751 (Fig. 8). The clutch member '7 51 is loosely mounted upon the shaft and is adapted to connect or disconnect the arm with the arm 72 since it is provided'with a groove 78 adapted to engage with a rib 79 formed on one side of the platen supporting arm 72. A spring 80 surrounds the shaft 70 and is interposed between a collar fast to the shaft 7 0 and the clutch and tends to force the groove 78 into its normal or looking position with respect to the rib 79 on the platen arm 72. To disconnect the platen 71 from the actuating arm 75 so that the platen may be lifted upwardlyin order to obtain access to the type wheels or the usual'inking ribbon below the platen or for any other reason all that is necessary is to manually slide the clutch 751 to the right as viewed in Fig. 8 to disengage the groove from the locking rib and lift the platen frame upwardly.

' For actuating the platen actuating arm 75 the hammer 77 is provided and is formed. as part of an arm 81 pivoted to the inside right printer frame 62by a stud 83. The hammer 77 is forced upwardly by a spring 8% bearing against a lug 85 carried by printer frame 62. The arm 81 is furthermore provided with a spring-presesd retracting pawl 86 having a tail bearing against an adjustable stop 87 on the arm 81. The pawl 86 has a lug 88 co-operating with a nose 89 formed as part of an arm 90 secured to the printer operating shaft 66 previously mentioned.

When the arm 90 is rocked clockwise by means of the bell-crank 67 and the shaft 66 to which the bell-crank is secured the nose 89 will bear against the lug 88 of the pawl 86 and retract the hammer 77 against the tension of the spring 84:. Upon further movement of the hammer 77 the nose 89 will clear the lug 88. and permit the hammer 77 to rise under the influence of the compressed spring 84 and to strike the lug 76 of the platen arm 75, and through the clutch 751 the platen 71 will rock downwardly to edect a printing imv pression from the adjusted type carrier.

The record strip upon which are printed the items is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, the paper extending from the supply roll 91, around suitable guide rolls, under the platen 71, around other guide rolls carried by the platen, and finally back-to the storage roll 92. The details of the record strip as well as the means for advancing it during the operation of the machine are fully se forth in the aforementioned application 8st. No. 263,- 125 and therefore need not be described.

The machine is further equipped with an inking ribbon and a ribbon feeding mechanism which are not shown in the drawings since these do not comprise any part of the present invention. Une form which this mechanism might take is clearly shown and described in the Fuller application and the British patents already mentioned to which reference may be had for further details of construction and operation. It is suflicient here to state that the inking ribbon passes between that portion of the record strip just below the rubber impression block 74; and the type wheels 53.

The lids 27 and 271 which are hinged to the cabinet 26 are provided to cover and conceal the record strip printing mechanism and printing totalizer. The lid 27 is provided for the purpose of permitting the clerk to obtain access to the paper holding mechanism in order to replenish the supply of paper when it is exhausted while the lid 271 permits access to the totalizer printing means and the resetting devices. These lids may be under control of different locks so that while the clerk may have access to the printing mechanism for replenishing the paper supply he cannot have access to the other devices which would permit him to obtain information, he was not entitled. to. Thisconstruction forms no part of the present invention and therefore need not be described herein in detail.

Secured to the under side of the lid '27 there is a glass 910 (Figs. 2 and 5) to permit the inspection of anumber of the last items which have previously been entered in the machine. The glass is, furthermore, cut away at 911 to permit written entries to be made in juxtaposition to the printed items in the manner shown in Fig. 4. As previously described the record strip passes over the upper surface of the platen 71 and this surface provides a suitable writing table.

Ruling device would write alongside of the printed number the reason the amount was paid out and in case aperson paid a certain sum on account the clerk would write the name of the party alongside of the printed item so that the bookkee ipg or auditing department could readily cre it th this means the'proprietor or manager can have full information regarding each transaction and by perusing the record strip at the end of the day he can note what has taken place and he will be able to check up at any tlme any transaction entered in the machine.

e person with the amount paid. By

In some mercantile establishments goods are sold in quantities and it is desirable for the purpose of check or inventorying that the total of the quantities sold during a period be known. The autographic attachment provides a satisfactory means for the attainment of this end and permits the entering of quantities on the record strip so that at the termination of an arbitrary period these may be summed up to determine the total sold during this time.- When notes, such as this, are placed upon the record strip it is found diflicult to keep the written notations of the different articles separated and divided. In order to facilitate the summing up of the written amounts it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a ruling attachment so that parallel lines may be printed upon the record strip simultaneously with each printing operation so that the notation may be entered in the proper column.

The mechanism for effecting the above is best shown in Figs. 8 and 5. It will be noted that there is provided a block 92 which is attached to the intermediate side frame 2-1 by a screw 93: The block is provided with a plurality of projections 94 in alignment with.

the printing points of the item type carriers 53 and the special type carrier 54, and these projections extend above the surface of the block to the horizontal plane of the printing surfaces of the various type carriers as shown in Fig. 1. The projections 94: form printing surfaces for printing three parallel lines upon the record strip during each operation of the machine. In order to hold the block 92 rigid and prevent it from swinging about its pivotal point 93 the block 95 extends downwardly and is bifurcated at 96 to engage the shaft 541 previously referred to.

The operationfof the above described device is as follows: When the machine is operated by an operation of any of the keys the platen block 74 is forced downwardly against the type carriers 53 and 54 and also against the ruling members 94 so that the printing edges will print in a horizontal row a series of parallel lines as shown in Fig. 4;. As shown in this figure the glass 910 is marked by etching or otherwise to indicate the proper columns on the strip for each particular class of goods sold so that the clerk may make the desired notation in the proper column. The embodiment shown illustrates how this system can be used in a gasoline station and shows a number of sales of gasoline and lubricating oil. At the end of the day the number of gallons of gasoline may be readily summed up and checked against that which remains in the gasoline tank. In this manner an inventory of the proprietors stock may be kept and an attempt to defraud the proprietor. may be readilyascertained and prevented.

It is, of course, clear that the ruling block may be attached by any suitable means and areaeso may be made of any desired length and width and formed so as to print any number of lines horizontally, vertically or in any other way desired, depending upon the requirements of the business. These ruling blocks may be made up and kept in stock so that when it is desired to change the style or number of lines or their spacing all that is necessary is to detach the old printing block and substitute the new one therefon' Heretofore this system of bookkeeping has been accomplished by the use of paper which has been previously ruled and printed. It is, of course, obvious that since the requirements of various forms of business differ greatly it would be necessary to keep in stock rolls of ruled paper either made up accord ing to certain standards, or ruled to meet the special and different requirements. In the latter instance, it would be necessary to keep v employment of the ruling block the record strlp can be ruled as desired and may be readily changed at will. If at times it is desirous to discontinue line printing this can be readily efiected'by the elevation of the platen and inking ribbon, and by the use of a screw driver the block can be' detached and the machine used inthe regular manner.

It is to be understood that while an example has been given of one use of the machine as disclosed, it is not intended to limit its aplication to the line of business for which it as been described herein.

W e Is the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated it is to be understood that 1t is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown, sine it may be embodied in various forms, all 'ming within the scope of the claims which follow:

' *7 at is claimed is:

1. In a cash register, the combination of a series of keys, type carriers di'fierentially adjustable to difierent'positions under the control of the keys and adapted to print upon record-material, a fixed member having inte al projecting members for rinting a pluraIity of lines upon the recor material, and a platen co-ordinated with the type carriers and said member.

2. In a cash register, the combination of a series of keys, te carriers under control of the keys adapted to print items upon record material, a line printing member'for printing lines upon" the record material, a platen, and means under control of the keys for operating the platen to simultaneously print from the type carriers and line printing member.

3. In a cash register, the combination of a shaft, a series of adjustable type carriers mounted on said shaft, a stationary frame supporting said shaft, and a block attached to the frame provided with a plurality of line printing elements in alignment with the type carriers, said block having a portion engaging said shaft.

4. In an accounting machine a frame, a shaft mounted in said frame, a block provided with line printing projections detachably mounted on said frame, and means carried by said block and engaging said shaft to prevent turning of said block. 7

5. In a machine of the class described a plurality of movable printing elements adapted to print difierent data upon a record medium, a relatively fixed member adapted to printa series of lines adjacent said data, and a cover for said record medium provided with an opening to permit writing between saidlines.

6. In a machine of the class described a plurality of movable printing elements adapted to print difierent data upon a record medium, means for printing a series of lines adjacent said data, and a cover for said record medium provided with an opening to permit writing between said lines.

7. In a machine of the class described, a supporting structure, a plurality of adjustable printing elements mounted in said supporting structure for printing difi'erent dataupon a record medium, a line printing mem: ber fixed to said supporting structure and adapted to print a series of lines adjacent said data, and a common platen for taking printing impressions from said elements and member.

8. In a machine of the class described, a supporting structure, a plurality of adjustable printing elements mounted in said supporting structure for printing difierent data .upon a record medium, a line printing member fixed to said supporting structure and adapted to print a series of lines adjacent said data, said member being readily dewill from said type carriers and demarcating means. i

10. In a cash register, the combination of type carriers for printing items upon a 5 record sheet means positioned to the side- 'of said type carriers fordemarcating columns in which notations identifying the Y printed items may be made, and a common impression means cooperating with said type 10 carriers and said column demarcating means. 11. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of adjustable item type carriers, means positioned laterally of said type carriers for printing column demarcations, a 15 platen for effecting printing impressions upon a record material from said item type carriers and said columns demarcating means, and a glass covering the record material and having a out-awa portion to permit Written entries to be ma e adjacent to the printed items and in the desired columns formed on the record material by said column demarcating means.

in witness whereof I have signed my name 5 hereto this 16th day of March, 1925.

HARRY W. GREGORY. 2

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