US1817816A - Cash register - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1931.

c. w. GREEN cAsH REGISTER Filed Dc.

ano: nur# n oe displa Patented Aug. 4, 1931,

yUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PANY, me., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE cAsn REGISTER l Appneauon mea December 19, 1927.r serial No. 241,046. s

One of theobjects ofthis inventionis to provide improved mechanism for retaining 1n elevated f position the j operated indicator tablets in a cash registervand for releasing at each operation those indicators that have been previously operated. It is a particular object of the invention to, provide means whereby improper dropping of indicators and the erroneous retention of previously opm erated indicators will be effectively prevent-k ed, sothat the proper indication will be displayed at alltimes.

It is a -further object to provide means to insure that a correct indication will always yed even though the keys are operated quic ly-and with considerable force.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple and effective means for insuring against overthrow of totalizer wheels, even L,hough the latter be subjected to operations of considerable rapidity.

In thek accompanying drawings `the improvements are shown in one form which they might taker when applied to or embodied Vw in machines of the type shown anddescribed in the U. Slapplication Ser. No. 183,392,` filed yApril 13, 1927, by CharlesW. Green.y This embodiment vis only illustrative, however, as the improvements are capable of nau modification and change to permit applying them to machines of various types, and it is lthe desire not to limit the use of the improvements to any one style of register.

machines of the key-operated type,

#as vwhich is the type of register used to exemplify the present invention, thetablet indicaters are usually directly elevated by the keys. During the elevation of the indicators a supporting bar is first moved by the operat- 40 in'gvmechanism of the machine away from the indicators, to release the'indicatortablets that were raised in the preceding operation; andsaidbar is then moved in the opposite direction for engaging portions of the newly elevated tablets, to retaln them in elevated position. In rapid operations of the machine the depressed keys may be returned sojquickly thatl the y:related elevated indicators may be lM lowered to `such an .extent that by the time newly elevated indicators.

n. CHARLES W. GREEN, or THON, NEW aromi, Assreion To lannuimrolvy Anus comoperatewith the supporting portions of the elevated indicators, permitting the latter to drop downwardly as the depressed keys are being returned to normal. It is important that said bar he moved to its supporting position before it is too late to retain the At the same time, the supporting bar should not`be` restored from its position for releasing the previously elevated indicators to its indicator supporting position so rapidly as to re-engage any yindicator which shouldnot be retained.

. In the preferred construction of my invention the supporting bar is, at an early stage in the operation'of the machine, moved outwardly` sufficiently to permit the release of the previously elevated indicators and after it has received its maximum,movement it may be moved oppositelytowards its normal supporting position by suitable spring means. v Suitable latching mechanism is provided to hold the released supporting bar away from its normal positionbut quite close to the indicators. At substantially the time when the newly-raised indicators are elevated to their maximum position, the latch is disabled, permitting the `spring means to furthe-r rock the supporting bar to its normal supporting position for holding said indicatorsy in elevated position. It will be evident therefore, that'by this construction the supporting bar is not returned directly to indicator engaging position, andthus its effectiveness for releasing previously operated indicators is increased; while on the other hand only a short movement of said bar is necessary to engagethe newly elevated indicators, vand such engagement may ube quickly andy promptly effected when the newly raised indicators are in position therefor. v v In the preferred construction the indicators are arranged in groups, onebehi'nd the other. Thev stems, however, are staggered so that they may engage the rear ends of their respective keys. When therelevated indicators are'ydisengaged from the supporting bar they may be restored to their normal position gravit;v hut in very rapid operations ot the niuehine this foi-ee muy not not quieldj: enough to Cause the elevated indiezitors to eseflile the supporting har and drop to their norm-ul positions. This would result in retaini :in undesired iinlieit-or in eie- 'rted pennen. To prevent mis-operations such es th` the Steins of the indicators preteruhl;v eurrj Coil ufhieh engage n stilof one end of the Y Y, serves to Compress the extreme doufnwnrd depression compression Ve to depress ing that 'ne elevated indine n of the arrangethe Steins it is not .1 igutoszrnu urry the (foil springs directif,T .Y in the prior nrt constructions.

'et Carrying the springs e. notion, 4eti'eetive in pere. greatly reduces the ACost of -e indi eters :rnd springs.

i l `e ahoreengl other objects in View tl e 2 i e i i n. Inovel eoinhinntioi ts. the 'features ot n im it d `out in the nir D pei und n preferred forni oi 'ein- 1iodiine ich is hereinafter described .i'tli n nee to the drawings accompanying ani ning ,part of this specification.

Fie. vertical transverse seetionni VieuioL ent ineehine `dieelosed `in the :diere-in d M.een ninffetien with the eent iniinefeinents nied thereto.

l teken on the line .4@ perticulnrly the l` tor Steins.

Vjlrn rieur of the in ninnouped e ation of the indicatingr Wine clearly the manner in v atm; sten f1. are staggered und d sn ineens for initially re ed indicators.

rrr inei'iery top plrn View in 'of the inrhen'tor controlling nientsry det-nil View in vfront showing parts oi' nij,7 improved 'ou' nreventiue' ineens.

si oi'gfenizzition and loperation ot" sin es :i whole huvine thus heen rred constru -ion of the mv.' he deserihed more in detail. `oreinents are applied rto a Cash register the hey-'operated 'type in which the amount lief, s are divided into a pluralitj)T of hunks for registering the amounts of the several denominations. rlie machine also contemplates the provision oi" special heirs, such es transaction or elerlis keys. for extrinple, \,.'herehjif speeifii tinnszietions or the Clerk operating the machine muy he suitahiy indi (fated. As will he more apparent later on, the iniproren'zents in the indi ating ineehauisni `nin)v he .in'rflied to either amountor special indientors.

As nest shown in Fig. l, the uinount keys 19 are pivoted upon n snuit 2O journnled hetr-:een the niziin sine 'frames 2l of the machine. The nieehnnisni is enclosed hy :i suitable nh .inet The various keys Carry et their trot-.it no1-tions suitable key eens hearing indicia. designirtine the nature of the keys und the forward end 'i the key levers ure guided hv' slots ienne-d iu the e: -net Attheir rear enne he l: irs are guided -hju slots Q-L fornied in a plete secured to cross hers Q6 85 ovided with notches QS rearward end of r:i key eorpier 2Q "which eil-tends between the side freine. l end normallyY rests upon tle rear ends oi the l-ere. The lier counter is pirotrilsy sunt "t lh?v ineens oi u mir oi't n .fit-uehed to the ends ui Cornier h v screws Si. The plates Pit ire *eh-l nner., .ged to receive 't eted in sulrifteutially the inidthe erlernt-ine keys are l the lief: eouililer it? ie rocked Y 1 reurrfzwfl. eno

depressr c n rounteweloelm'iee so thm ,L i u' -l enter 'the nef-lilies :'28 nl hers. The purnoe of' sinh hej.' roupler niefdinni and need une is well linou'r. in tue nrt not ne r i.

lt is definibie that sonie fle-fier he prorit of.. to insure e ennplete nerferniuuf'e of t rted re21 tration heitere szeeond @geretion een suhseq.ientlj,rv he. (rler-tod.

To this end any suited l .ineffhzniisin muy he provided hut in the present instance one oi" the nietes 30 (Fig. 1) is @rter-ded unu'zufdlj und to the rear to forni u Segment il?) nro ded with teeth Si adapted to eo-eet with a n; to which n Spring' 36 is connected. Very early in. the Operation oi the neehine the engaging* end oi; the piwl b5 will Comet with one of the teeth and thereh)T hold the key coupler and key in their operated positions eren thonwi `pressure on the. hey :nefs he releused und duringr the subsequent vportion ot the down-stroke ot the hey the reteheting ot the paul over the teeth will prevent. auf? retrograde niereinent oi, the hef? or lier eeupler.

At the termination et u down-stroke lief.' 'the full-stroke peni will he di from the reel; thus permitting the 'est bank the rearmost indicator of thesame group has jections 37,

commenced will positsv direction.

As will be noted in Fig. 1, the rearends of' the keys are formed with upstanding prothe forward edges 38 being substantially concentric with the key coupler supporting shaft 32. When the coupler' is ing operated the rearward end 29 thereof will pass in front of theconcentric portion of the unopera ted keys thereby locking them against movement. Since this construction is well known in theart it need not'be discussedherein in further detai y f'The present invention includes improveprevent movement in the op- 'ments inI the indicating mechanism withl which the machine is equipped whereby the items or classifications represented by the variousfkeys are publicly indicated during each operation of the machine. The indicators in the present inst-ance comprise fiat tablets bear.- ing suitable indicia, the tablets being provided with stems which directly (fo-operate with the rear ends of the operating keys. As best shown in Figs. 3 andk 4, the indicators are arranged'in groups of three so that for a full of nine keys there will be three adjaf cent groups of indicators. By this construction it will be obviousthat the indicators are more nearly in the same plane than `would he possible to place them if each group contained ythe nine tablets related to a 'particular denomination. Also in the event of the ldepnession'o'f the adjacent keys ofy different denominational orders one indicator will not hide thek other to the same `extent as ifis they were otherwise arranged.

Theuppcr portions 39 of the,indicators,"as will he seen in Fig. 4. carry the designated characters'. and the character bearing por tions are integral with `indicator stems 40. The indicators are confined and guided in their reciprocatory movements by having the stems fitted into slots formed in a lower supporting plate 41 which is attachedto the bar 26 and an upper supporting plate 42 which is attached to a. cross bar 43. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that considering the indicators of a group of three, the foremost indicator has` its stem to the right of a central vertical line of the group so that the stem is in the path Vof the'rear end of its related key. Furthermore,

its stem to the left of the vertical centerline so that this stem may also be in line with its related key. The intermediate indicator ofv the group is different in shape from the oth-y ers and has its indicator stem centrally located Aso that it is directly in line with its'rela-ted key. By this construction and'arrangement it will be obvious that each indicator may be directly .elevated by its associated key.

The stem of cach indicator is provided witha pair of centrally located `rectangular slots 44 and 45which are separatedby an iplstegml'portion 46. :Extending between the 57 integral jto withdraw; ,the `fingers side frames of the machine is an indicator supporting baror bail 47 locatedy forwardly of the indicators and pivoted by integral side arms 48 which are apertured to receive a shaft 49 extending transversely of the machine and yjournaled in the side frame 21. The bar 47 fingers 50 serves to` stop the upward move` ment of the indicators when raised by their keys and especially to prevent any overthrow movement ofk an indicator when the associated key is operated violently and quickly.

VThe upper portion of the channel bar 47 is also provided V.with projecting fingers 51, which'y as' shown in lengths'. When the indicators are in their lowerxnost position each finger projects into the upper slot of its associated indica-tor. However. when an indicator 39 is elevated by the associated lkey -therelated linger 51 will first be drawn out of co-operation with the upper yslot 45 by means Which will presently be described, and will then co-operate with the lower slot 44 beneath the cross portion 46 thus holding the indicator in raised position.

It will be noted, therefore, kthat since the fin-V gers 51 are of ditferentlengths so as to pro-r ject into the slots 44 of their related stems an equa1,amount,the rocking movement of the supporting bar 47 serves to disengage all the ylingers 51y from co-operation with the cross bars 46 aty substantially the same time during. the cycle of operation ofthe indica-tor releasing mechanism. f

f As shown in Fig. 1A one of the side arms 48 of the indicating supporting bar 47 is connectcd to a slidable member 52 the forward end of which is guided by a slotted stud 53 i carried by the left side frame 21. The extreme forward end of the slidable member 52 is provided with .a lug 54 in the plane of an extension 55 ofthe key' coupler supporting plate 30V. A spring 56 connected between the member 52 and a stud carried by the left side frame 21 urges the member 52 and indicator supporting bar'47 rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 until stopped yby an extension with the left side arm 48 co-acting with the bar 43. j f c f Pivotally mounted onthe stud 53 is a latch 58 provided with a hook 59 adapted to en- Fig. 3, are of different lllf gage with alug 60 on the upperside of the slide member 52. Connected to the latch 58 is a sprin; 61. It will beseen that at anearly stage int ie depression of a key the extension 55 vwill cooperate with the lug 54 to draw forwardly the slidable member '15,2 and the sup-v porting bar 47 istherebyfrocked` forwardly 51 .from the slots of the ndicatcr'stems to permit; the descentgf .l gaged trom the lug 5l and the those indicators which were raised at the preceding operation ot the machine. Shortly after the extension engages the lug 54 to draw the slidable member 52 forwardly, the hook 59 will be disengaged from the lug 60, permitting the spring (il to rock said hook downwardly so that the edge 66 rests upon the top ot said lug (SO. It will be noted that the path ot movement of the extension 55 is concentric with respectto the shaft 32, while the movement or the slidable member' 52 is in substantially a straight line and at the intersection ot' the lines delineating these two V.iovements the extension 55 will be disenmember 52 released. The spring 5G now draws said member 52, together with the supporting bar ll, rearwardly, but the movement in this direction will be stopped by the coaction of the lug o() with the hook 59. The supporting bar l? is thus not permitted to return directly to its normal position but is held in an intermediate position wherein the retaining lingers 5l are just out oi engagement with the slots in t-he associated indicator stems. As the depression of the hey continues, the indicator associated with said key continues rising and at substantially the time that the ley l'ully depressed, the indicator elevated by said key will have reached its highest position.v at which time the cross port-ion 46 ot said indicator' will have been positioned above the associated retaining linger 5l; and when this relation exists a stud 62, carried by the plate 30, will contact with a linger G3 oi the latch member 58 thereby disengaging the hook 5S) from the lug 60 permitting the spring 56 to further rock the supporting bar i7 to its normal posit-ion so that the ngers 5l may pass beneath the cross portions i6 olf the elevated indicators. It will thus be noted that the indicator supporting bar #i7 will be linally released only when the elevated indicators have received their highest positions, at which time the cross portions fle-G will be positioned above the liu rs 51, and it will be further noted that said har et? need move but a slight distance trom its latched position to indicator' retaining position. Such movement ot' said bar 47 may thus talie place in a minimum of time thereby insuring that the lingers 5l will pass beneath the portions 4G of the raised indicators belore the latter start downwardly durin the return movement ot the depressed keys.

During the return movement of the depressed lteys, the substantially horizontal edge ot the extension 55 cooperating with the lug 5l will roch the slidable member 52 about its pivotal connection with the side arm 48 and the lug 60 coacting with the hook 59 h 5S, tensioning the will also rcel; the lat sprine' 5l, and when said horizontal edge of extension 55 is completely withdrawn "from beneath lug 54 the springs 5G and (il will return the member 52 and latch 5S respectively to their normal positions.

lt has been found that in rapid operations ot the keys a previously elevated indicator might be held up in its exposed position during a subsequent transaction even though t-he related key was not depressed. It will be seen that the time element which intervenes etween the retraction ot the supporting bar Ll1? and its linal release is reduced when the keys are operated quickly and that it might not ati'ord suliicient time to allow a previously elevated indicator to drop downwardly by gravity to its normal position. As a result this indicator may also be held elevated by the supporting bar and an erroneous indication produced.

To elimina-te such mis-operations the invention includes the provision ol spring means tor giving each indicator' an initial restoring movement, 'further restoration ot -he indicator being due to gravity. As best shown in Fig. el, it will be noted the lower portion ot the stem l() which is beneath the slot l `s aperturcd to form a pair ot oppositely extending lingers G4. ln assembly one end of a coil spring is passed over one ol these lingers and fully compressed so that the other end may surround the other linger when the compression ol' the spring is released. This facilitates to a great extent and reduces the time necessary to assemble the springs and vthe indicators particularly so in machines possessing a high registering capacity which requires a. large number ot indicators and springs.

It will be noted in Fig. t that the springs G5 are beneath the lower plate ll with a result that when an indicator fully elevated the spring 65 will be compressed as shown in Fig. el, but this compressive action occurs only at the extreme downward depression ot the key when a considerable amount of power is available. This lessens the load on the machine contrasting to heavier loads imposed by constructions employing springs so long that they are compressed during the entire depression oli' the hey. `When the supporting bar 47 is rocked forwardly duringl the beginning ol: thc operation o't the machine so as to cause the disengagement ot the linger 5l with the cross portion Ll-G ot an elevated tablet the compression in the spring (35 will be eltect-ive to start the indicator down initially quickly so that by the time the supporting bar 47 is rocked to its normal position the cross portion lo will be considerably below the associated linger 5l. In practice this enpedient has been found very ell'ect-ive in its performance..

Fig. 2 shows the echelon arrangement of the stems l0 of the indicators and also illustrates the manner in which the springs (S5 are carried by their respective stems to avoid in- 1 been depressed the related indicator will oc-k depressed, :depression of. n the .key coupler 29 and, therefore, the plate unit comprising an indicator stem and spring may be moved independently ofandwithout interference with any other unit.

The operation of my improved indicator controlling mechanism may be briefly summarized as follows: k i

If a key in a certain bank has previously cupy the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein it k1will be noted that the cross portion 46 rests upon the related su portino' finger 51. In this instance it will be noted that the upper end of the coil spring 65 is in direct contact with the iplat'e41 and that a force due to compression has been stored in .the spring.l

If,y yfor example, another key in the sameA denominational bank shouldk subsequently be this key will rock 30,; During the down-stroke of the oper`- ated keyk thev extension 'will strike the lug 54 and through the member 52 will rock the indicatory supportingbar' 47 about its pivotal v point disengagingv the finger 51 from the cross portion 46 of the elevated indicator so that the compression stored in the vspring will @depressY the elevated indicator quickly allowing it to drop to its normal position. During the continued depression of the operatedy key the member 52 will be rockedfurther forwardly resulting in a similar rocking movement of the supporting bar 47 until thefflug 60 clears the hook 59, whereupon the spring 61 will be effective to rock said hook clockwise so that it is ositioned to the rear of the'lug 60. When t e extension 55 clears thelug 54 the spring 56 will rock the member 52 and indicator supportingbar 47 rearwardly 'towards their normal positions until the lug 60 contacts with the hook 59 thereby stopping the rocking movement of the indicator supporting bar 47 and holding it in a partially rocked 'position atwhich Vtime the fingers 51 are close to the stems of the i related indicators. During this time the depressed key is still raising its associated indicater and at substantially the time the indicator occupies its highest positionv the pin 62 will contact with the finger 63 of the latch 58 disengaging the hook 59 from the lug 6() therepermittingthe spring 56 to draw the memcator has been positioned so thatthe crossk portion 46fis above the related finger 51 the ber 52 and indicator supporting bar 47 to its normal position and since the related indilatter will pass beneath the cross portion 46. When the operated key begins its up-stroke the indicator will descend slightly until the cross portion 46 rests uponthe finger 51. The operated key may now be given an independenty restoring movement and upon continued movement of the key to its normal position theextension 55 contacting with the under- 1stered.

' the various about its pivotal connection with the side anni 48 and through the lug 60 contacting with the the spring 61.` When the extension 55 clears the lug 54 the springs 56 and 61 will forceithe member 52. and hook 58, respectively, to their normal positions.. Vhen theo'perated key is at its normal position the parts will againbev n the positions shown in F ig. 1 at which time the indicator related to the last key depressed will have its indicia so positioned thatit may be viewed through an aperture. in the cabinet indicating to bystanders the .last amount regvMachinesofthis 'character are at times. subjected to improper usage by extremely' rapid and violent operations. VIn rapid operations ofan adding machine or cash register considerable momentum is imparted to,

elements and particularly to the. actuators for the totalizer'wheels as well as'k to said wheels themselves; that the totalizerwheels be knot thrown `beyond their proper positions. I I have devised means simple in construction'but'elfective in operation y:for insuring J against overthrowV eventhough the parts be subjected to unusually forceful and rapid operation. Thismeans is shownapplied tothe machine ofy my application Serial No. 183,392, hereinbeforey referred to, but its applicability to ma-V chines of various types will be'apparent.

'In Fig. lthereis shown one of a series of actuating segments adapted to drive a cor-1 responding totalizer wheel 71; it being, ofw course, understood that vrthe totalizer wheels are engagea/ble with the 'respective actuating segments for actuation inaccordance with the keys depressed. In my application above referred to- I have disclosed certain forms of means whereby the totalizer wheels may bev'engaged withv the actuators for `actuation thereby during depression of the keys.

kThe `totalizer engaging means, however,

forms no part of my present invention and is hence not described herein. l kIt is suliici'ent to note that the totalizer wheels are driven by the actuators during the downstroke of the l keys, whichy is of common occurrence inv the art. c

Each actuating segment is movable with a corresponding diderential framey 701 operated by the associated denominational series of keys19.; said frame having a rearward cross piece-702 lyingin the path of upstanding extensions 191. on the rear portions of said keys whereby said framev is rocked when any of the associated Series of keys is depressed. The rear: extensions 191 of the respective keys are spaced different distances from the cross piece 702, whereby the differential frame may be actuated different ex- It is important side of the lug 54 willk rock themember .52'

lll() los.

ten-ts, commensurate with the values; otl the keys. Each key is also provided with a complemental projection 192 on its forward portion, which projection is adapted to engage a cross bar 7 03 on the ditlerential trame to positively stop the latter when it has been moved the appropriate extent.

lVhile each segment 7 O is secured to its corresponding' ditlerential trame, and while each differential frame is positively held against overthrow by the complemental stops 192, I have provided an additional overthrow preventing means cooperating directly with the actuating segments and precluding overthrow thereof when the register keys are misoperated by too rapid and violent depression. It, in the course ot extremely rapid and torcetul operations, a segment should be temporarily strained beyond its proper position and the associated totalizer wheel momentarily overthrown, an incorrect reading might under certain circumstances result. More specifically, should the proper position of the totalizer wheel be at 9, overthrowing thereof as the result ot improper and violent op.- eration might, though only momentary, result in conditioning the transfer mechanism for carryingr l prematurely 'to the totalizer wheel of next higher order. To insure that misoperation of the machine shall not result in such overthrow, I have provided the following` mechanism.

Each actuating segment has secured thereto a serrated plate 72. Secured to the trent tie bar 73, ot the machine, is a bracket 74 comprising a horizontal portion 75 and side arms 76, 77, the rear portions of said side arms being biturcated to engage the shaft 2O tor support thereby. Pivotally mounted in said bracket is a bail 7 8 having lingers 79 extending rearwardly and adapted to cooperate with the serrated plates 72. A spring 80, interposed bracket 7 el normally holds the bail in its torward position (Fig. I), in which position a forward extension or arm 82 of said bail rests against the horizontal portion 75 ot said bracket 74. Extending from the opposite side ot said bail is an arm 83 carrying a laterally disposed pin S-l which lies in the path ot a rocking linger 85. The latter is an extension ot segmental plate which moves with the key coupler 29.

From the foregoing description it will readily be seen that as the register keys are depressed and the segments 70 operated to drive the totalizer wheels 7l, the linger 85 moves downwardly, and at approximately the end ot the depression ot said keys said linger will strike )in The lingers 79 of .d :c bail t8 are thereoy brought into engagement with the setrations of extensions 72 so that the actuators 70 and totalizer wheels 7l in mesa therewith will not be carried beyond their proper positions.

between said bail and an ear 8l of' The above described mechanism for preventing overthrow ofthe totaliZer actuators has been made the subject ot a divisional application, Se ial Number 347,335, i'iled March l5, 1929.

lWhile the form ot mechanism herein described is admirably adapted to tultill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one torni of embodiment herein shown since it may be embodied in various forms, all comino' within the sco 3e of the claims which follow.

lfvlhat is claimed is:

l. In a cash register, the combination 01E an indicator having a stem, said stem being provided with two oppositely disposed projections, and a coil spring carried by said projections.

2. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator having a stem, said stem being apertured and provided with two oppositely disposed projections, and a coil spring fitting in said aperture and surrounding said pro.- jections.

In a cash regis er, the combination of a movable indicator having a stem, said stem being ap ertured and provided with two, oppositely disposed projections, a coil spring fitting in said aperture and surrounding said projections, and a stationary plate co.-operating with said spring when said indicator is moved.

Ll. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of littable tablet indicators of a supporting bar therefor, an operating mechanism, means controlled by the operating mechanism for retracting and then releasing the indicator supporting bar, a latch for holding the released indicator bar. and means controlled by the operating mechanism for disabling the latch.

5. In a cash register, the combination of a tablet indicator, ot a supporting bar there.

for, an operating mechanism and means controlled by the operating mechanism for retracting said indicator bar, means for holding said bar away from its normal position, and means cont-rolled by the operating mechanism for disabling said holding means.

6. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality olf indicators, a bar adapted to releasably support the indicators` a member adapted to retract said bar, a latch tor holding the bar and member in retracted position, and means tor disabling the latch.

7. In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of keys, a plurality ot` amount indicators elevated by said keys, a bar for releasably supporting the elevated indicators, means for retracting and then holding the bar to permit the release ot the previously elevated indicators and the elevation ol the newly raised ones, spring means for initially depressing the previously elevated indicators,

lll;

yan indicator supporting bar,

and means for releasing the retracted bar when the indicators are elevated by the keys.

8. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator having a stem, and a sprin disposed intermediate the side portions o said stem for urging said indicator toward its normal concealed position. v

9. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator havinga stem,'a spring carried by said stem for urging said indicator to ward its normal concealed position, and mounting means for said spring intermediate the side portions of said stem.

10. In a cash register,the combination of an indicator'having a. flat stem and means formed within said coil spring.

11. In a cash register, the combination of an indicator having a fiat stem, an aperture formed therein, and oppositely disposed projections provided' withm said aperture.y

In a cash register, the combination of a plurality of liftable indicators, an indicator supporting bar, an operating mechanism, means controlled by the operating mechaanism for retracting and then releasing the indicator supporting bar, a latch for holding the released indicator bar, and means controlled by the operating mechanism for disabling the latch.

13. In a cash register, an indicator having a stem, a plurality of slots in said stem, ar

holding bar, lugs carried by said bar engaging in one of said Vslots for holding the indicator in elevated osition, and a spring carried in another o? said slots for initially urging the indicator yto depressed position.

14. In a cash register, a liftable indicator yhaving a stem, a holding bar, lugs carried by said bar, one of saidflugs being adapted to engage the indicator to prevent overthrow thereof, and a depressed position. l

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality yof indicators, Y an operating mechanism, a pivoted latch member, a plate having a projecting surface actuated by said operating mechanism, a link pivotedv at one end to said indicator supporting bar having a pair of projections, one of which is adapted to be engaged by the projection on said plate and the other of which is adapted to be engaged by said latch, additional means carried by said plate for releasing said latch, andV means for causing said indicator supporting bar to be restored to normal position.

oHARLEs W. GREEN.

stem for supporting a p spring carried by said indi? cator for initially urgingsaid indicator to

Images