US1839174A - Cash register - Google Patents

Description

29, 1931. EL, FULLER' l 1,939,174

CASH REGISTER Original Filed Oct. 9. 1922. 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 uw l Dec. 29, 1931. F'. L.. FULLER 1,839,174

CASH REGISTER origina med oct. 9. 1922 s sheets-sheet 2 nnaav gr- Envenfur @Mr/k L //er gx SM 33% Dec. 29, 1931. F. FULLER 1,839,174

CASH REGISTER vOriginal Filed Oct. 9. 1922 .'5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gjm/vento@ frederic/a ful/er e Q. 53W( 'Patented Dec. i 29, 1931 UNrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE EREDERICK L. FULLER, 0E TEEN'roN, NEW JERSEY, .AssIGNort BY, MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, kT0 THE NATIONAL PORATION ,OF MARYLAND Original application led October 9 1922, Serial' No. v 1927. Serial This invention relates to cash registers in general and has more particular relation to interlocking mechanisms therefor vwhereby it is necessary to depress a key .in kone class prior to akey in vanother class in-order to release the machine for operation.

This application is a Adivision of the inventors co-pending application Serial Number 598,386, tiled October 9, 1922, which became Patent 1,715,910 on June 4, 1929, to which reference may be had for a more complete description o other inventions and features not directly involved in the present application. i

This invention relates moreparticularly to cash registers of that class in which the keys are divided into diiferent groups, such as, amount keys and classification keys', so that a depression of keysin different groups may result not only in an indication of amounts butalso of special characters to designate the classification of the sale registered, so that in this way each sale may becompletely identiied. To insure the proper indication, it is desirable to provide an interlocking mechanism between thefdiierent groups of keys so that it is always necessary to depress one of the classification keys with an amount key.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide an improved form of interlocking mechanism Jfor effectively performing this function and which is, simple in construction, hut positive in its action thus precluding any possibility oi tne disarrangement of the machine, either accidentally or intentionally. M lt is a vfurther object of the present invention to include pendants, or key stops, of the usual type which are appurtenant to the interlocl-:ing mechanism whereby it will be impossible to depress more th an one key in any one group. -r

In the improved form of indicating mechanism an indicator' carriage carryingindi-y cators is raised and lowered by the amount keys so that arms differentially set by the amount keys may select and retain the related indicators elevated during the lowering of the indicator carriage.' The interlocking mechanism is so co-ordinated with CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON,

` mally locked OHIO, A COR- CASH REGISTER 593,386. Divided and this application led June 8, No.`197,5as. c

the indicator carriage that the latter is noragainst any movement by the amount'keys but an initial depression oi one of the cl-erks key'to indicate the clerk operating the machine will result in slightly elevating `thecarriage todisable the interlocking device to permit its further reciprocation by the amount keys. To co-ordinate the interlocking device with the indicating mechanism'to insure the proper indication is a' urther obj ect of the present invention.

With these and incidental lobjects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims, and a preferred form of embodiment of described withV reference which accompany and ication.

, Of said drawings y Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional View of the machine taken on the line 1-,1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view looking towards the indicator carriage and showing the'details of the same. t v

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the means utilized for guiding the slidably mounted indicators at their lower ends'.

Fig. 4 is a top to the drawings form part of the speciplan'view of the illustrative machine with the cabinet and kother parts omitted.'A

Figf is chine showing clearly the method of supporting "the tablet indicators and the improved iorm of interlock.

Fig. 6 is a view inside elevation of the mechanism utilized for selecting the clerks indicating' tablets.

In the accompanying drawings the improvements are shown in connection with a machine of the general type fully shown in the pending applications for United States Letters Patent, Ser. 170.263,125 filed Nov.V

19, 1918, and'Ser. No. 283,720, filed Mar. 20, 1919by Frederick L. Fuller and in the British Patents i' Nos. 135,465; 140,363; 157,823; 157,824 and'157 ,825. The 'Fullerv applications aforementioned vhave matured into Patent 1,7 42,701, January 7, 1930, and Patent 1,7 29,-

which is hereinafter an elevation of the rear of the maf na-ted as the clerks or 338, September 24, 1929 respectively. Only such parts o1 the machine as are directly involved. in the present invention are described herein, however, and reference should be made to the applications and patents mentioned for any information desired as to the construction and operation of the rest of the machine.

.Although the .improvements have been shown applied to a machine ot' the type disclosed in the above cited applications and patents, it is to be understood that the improvements are capable of being applied to or embodied in other accounting machines without departing from the spirit of `the invention.

In cash vregisters of the type used for illustration the keys are Varranged in a plurality oit banks or sections, the number depending i upon the registering capacity desired. In the present instance, three denominational groups for registering the amounts of the transactions have been provided, and one group coni-pr'sing two keys which are desigcoupling lifting keys7 and several transaction keys. The amount or value keys are arranged in banks oit `nine with the exception of the dollars bank which is provided with seven keys. All of the ai'nonnt- `keys are arranged to control the extent of movement imparted to a frame, which is common to a particular' bank of keys, this differential movement being transmitted to the litem type carriers. By the above-mentioned means the amount, the type of transaction and the identifying clerks character may readily be printed upon a strip of ypaper as a complete record of the business transacted during a particular period.

The amount and transaction keys in the illustrative machine are normally locked against operation so tha it is necessary to depress a clerks key and this pre-requisite insures the proper designation and indication of the clerk operating the machine.

rThe tablet indicators employed in the pres ent invention are slidably mounted in a vertically movable indicator carriage. During the initial movement ot the ineicator carriaxre by one ot the special keys, the carriage will be slightly elevated disabling the interlocking mechanism to permit release of the amount keys. During the first half of an operation of the machine effected by a complete depression of the amount keys the indicater carriage is `given a vertical movement carrying with it all ot the tablet indicators mounted therein. 11n arm which has suitable connections to the differential mechanism is adjusted lifferentially while all the indicators are being elevated so as to select the indicator .corresponding to the key depressed. During the second part of the operation of the machine the indicator' carriage is lowered and such indicators as have been selected will be retained in their upper or exposed position by the differentially adj usted arm, thereby esc hibiting indications identi'tying` the keys last depressed.

In the illustrative machine the value keys 10, tranaction keys 10a, and clerks keys 11 (Figs. 1 and l) are pivoted upon a rod 12, and resting upon the rear ends oit said keys is a key coupler 13 pivoted as at 1st. 1When the outer end of the keys are depressed, the cou- 7 pler rocked clockwise about its pivot so that its rear end enters notches in the rear ends of the keys. The construction and pun pose of :such key coupler mechanisms4 are well known in the art.

*Connected -to Vthe key coupler 13 is a double rack plate 16 (Fig. 1) carrying racks 17 and 171, the connection beingsuch that as the coupler is rocked by the keys the teeth of the racks 17 and 171 alteV iatelw. engage a pinion 18 (Fig. l) fast `to a shaft 19, which shaft may be designated as the rotation shaft. The result ot' this is that a complete rcciprocation of the coupler will effect a complete rotation of the shaft 19. The shaft 1) carries cams and other devices for operating va ions parteI of the mechanism. The mechanism for ei tec-ting rotation ot the shaft has not been shown or described in detail because it is so old and well known in the art.

As shown in F ig. ll there is provided a ratchet wheel 20 secured to the extreme right end of the rotation shait i9 and against which bears a pivoted spring-pressed pawl 201. This is also a well known expedient and orovided for the purpose oit insuring a complete ope-ration of the machine.

As shown in Fig. each key is formed with an upwardly extending arm 21 carrying au anti-friction rolier engaging a slot 22 in one of a series o1 plates ne rigidly mounted in a .t'ramell loosely mounted ou a slia'tt The slots 22 in the plates 23 are graduated so that impart a different degree each of `the keys will ot movement `to the trame L. iecured to the frame 2% is a segmental rack 2li. The segniental rack 2G is always in mesh with a pinion rigid with its corresponding` item type wheel 27 and sots up numbers corr pon to the value of the key depressed.

Referring to Fig. el, it seen that there is u segmental rack 2G for each amount bank and for the transaction key bank and that these racks are concentrated in. the central part oi the machine whereas the differentially actuated frames extend transversely el the ma chine substantially the itull width ot the kevboard. It is, therefore. necessary to provino mechanism for transn'iittingr the di llerential motion imparted to the trames to the actuating racks. To this end 'the following mechanism is employed.

The diiierentially actuated trame F24 the cents bank ot keys is mounted npc u the segment shaft and has secured thereto at M) rack 26.

its left end a sleeve or tube 29 (Fig. 4). Secured to the opposite end of vthe sleeve is a fianged collar 30 to which is rigidly attached by any desirable means thecents segmental The diiferentially actuated frame 24 of the dimes bank is also provided with a sleeve designated 31, to which is secured its corresponding flanged collar 32 carrying the dimes segmental rack 26. A similar mechanism has been provided.l for the dollars and transaction banks of keys and in view of the above further description is not deemed necessary.

In the preferred form Iof embodiment shown in the drawings, the keyboardcomprises two special keys 11, designated as has been stated before, the clerks or the coupler lifting keys. rFliese keys, which are preferably located at the eXtreme left ofthe keyboard, have certain other functions, but one of their purposes is to serve as a means whereby the keycoupler 13 may be partially raised to what may be termed the coupling position, in which position other keys represent- 5 ing the nature and amount of the transaction may be engaged with the coupler so that a complete operation of all the keys so engaged with the coupler maybe effected byv further pressure applied to any engaged key. The means whereby the coupler 13 is lifted to the coupling point by either vof the keys 11 comprises alcoupler lifting cam 'surface 33 (Fig. 1) formed on the rear end of each of y the keys and co-operating with a face on a 5 shoulder 34 on the coupler 13. The surface 35 on each key 11 provides a stop face which engages the front edge of the shoulder of the coupler and stopsthe motion of the key and 4 key coupler. The couplerisretained in its 0 lifted position by the pawl 201 l 2O hereinbefore described.v Y Y In a machine of this kind it is, of course, desirable to prevent the simultaneous operation of two or more amount, transaction, or 5 clerkskeys of thesame bank. It is also desirable to prevent the amount'andtransaction keys from' being operated before the depression of a clerks key and to this end a new form of interlock hasvbeen provided.

G Referring to Figs. 1 and 5 vit will be seen that the rear end of each key is provided with an upwardly facing wedge shaped portion 3G. Referring toFig. 5, a guide plate 37 is attached by any desirable means to a cross bar 38 secured between the main side frames of the machine. The guide plate 37 is provided with guide slots 39 through which the rear ends of the keys project. Between the wedge shaped portions of the keys are a series of pendants 40 which are loosely pivoted to therplate 37 and bar 38. Between each Vgroup of keys are special pendants 41 which are 'pivotally' connectedto a' bar or slide 42 by any suitable means. A spring 43 0- (Fig. 5) interposed between the bar and the and ratchet guide plate forces the bar and attached pendants to the left as viewed in Fig. 5 yuntil stopped by the special hangers 41 co-operating with the wedge shaped portions of the keys.

When the bar 42 is in its normal position, shown in Fig. 5, a clearance-space 44 is left between the end of the bar 42 and the side frame. 'A vertically movable, indicator carriage, which Ais suitably guided on'the back frame 45 (Fig. 1) comprises two side plates 46 Vand l47 and a rod 48 connecting the lower ends of the side plates and overlying the rear ends of the keys 4as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5.V Loosely pivotedto the side plate 47 is a pawl49 (Figs. 1 and 5) its rear end being bent laterally soas to extend normally in the clearance space 44 between the bar 42 and the sideframe. The downward movement of the pawl 49 is limited by a stud 50 secured to the side plate 47 co-operating with an upwardly extending projection formedon the pawl.

Referring to Fig. 5 it will readily be seen that when the arts are as shown the keys in the amount an transaction group are locked against depression due to the inability of the pendants to oscillate in either direction. In' order to allow the pendants to oscillate, and thus unlock the said keys for depression the rear end of the pawl must be withdrawn from the clearance space. The means for removing the obstruction to unlock the amount keys is controlled by the depression of either of the clerks or coupler lifting keys From Fig. 1 it is clear that whenever .one of the clerks keys is depressed to the coupling position, the rear end of the key will contact with the rod 48 and lift the vertically movable indicator carriage high enough to withdraw the pawl 49 from the clearance space 44. At the same time the pendant 51 betweenthe two ibo clerks keys will be oscillated in one direction or the other, depending upon the key depressed. Y Whenever pressure is vremoved from the depressed clerks key, after the coupler has been lifted and held inv its coupling 1 position by the-full stroke pawl 201 engaging the ratchet wheel 20 the rear end of the key will drop back toward its normal position until the nose 52 (Figfl) rests upon a lug 521 carried by the nose of the coupler and since the indicator carriage will also be held in its partially elevated position, the pawl 49 will be retained a sufficient distanceabove the slide 42 to allow the keys of other groups to be depressed. Upon the depression of such other transaction or amount keys the bar 42 will be forced to the right (as viewed in Fig. 5) against the tension of the spring 43`and upon the return movement of the keys after their complete depression the said spring 43 will force the bar 42 to the leftand the pawl 49 willagain drop into the clearance space.

- As indicated in the foregoing, the indicator t -crf- ,Y M dlcia corresponding to their order 1n the The Sleeve 353i carriage comprises two vertical sides plates 46 rectangular aperture the sides of Which are and 47 (liigs. j. and4 located at the opposite formed With saw teeth or serrations 551 sides ol the machine. rThe side plates are which co-operate with the edges or' the indicasuit bly guifl 'l l of guide slots tor tablets. 5 formed in the s .s of the back frame 45 and As suggested heretofore, all of the groups 70 through the medium of the cross rod 4S overof indicators raised during the first oplying the rear ends of the keys the carriage is eration et the machine and ring this movegiven a complete reciprocation by the keys ment an arm ul .Mh is control oi the during each operation of the machine. Furdillerential mechanism Y t, so as to slo ther cross connections comprise a bar 58 and hold the particular ,1 ndieator olf a group (Figs. l and secured to the side plates and which is to remain in its upipiermost or e5:- atop member 54 also secured to the side plates posed posi ion, Wailc the reminding tablets of 46 and 47 by suitable fastening means. the group are returned to their low r or norllelierring to Fig. 5 more particularly it inni position. The mechanism 'it aeeoniwill be seen that the amount and clerks indiplishing this will now be om :ined9 n terence 8U eaters are oit the 'tablet type. The tablets being had to the (lirici-enti i niechai ism :1soi the clerks and dollars group carry suitable sociated with the dimes groups of keys.

indicia upon both fac s so to give a front Secured to the di ics diilerentially actuand buck iiuglicatmn. The tablets of the two ated fram i a segmental rack (35 111s. l

29 groups ot indicators or' the dimes banks are and meshing with a pinion 66 loosely 85 each Agjjrovided on one side with a f sign. mounted on the rotation shaft l0. Rigid The clerks group et indicators comprises two `with each pinion is a cam 7 said cani be ndicators in the illustrative embodiment, but ing fermer widL L )ortion and a this number may be changed Without departconcentric portion. i ing from the spirit of the invention. As sug- (Figs. l and z) wl ;V concent o ir'th a 90 gested heretofore, two groups of indicators shaft 69, which in t 'f 'i :na corresponding to the dimes and cents bank are t ie side :trames or tlv,

i provided Ale only a single group is pro- Urged dOWnW illy by Spring; (l Fig'. l). vided tor the dollars bank. From Fig. 4 it This arm carries at its forward end a roller will be evident that there are'ten indicators 77 contacting with the per .ry of the cam 95 in each of t ie den ininational groups7 the 627. The arm 70 may be secured to the sleeve foremost indicator bearing the indicia 0, G8 in any desi 1 :lle manner but in the prethe adjacent indicator bearing the integer te redforin of e,ihodim-nit i er l. l and the nemainingindicators bearing in- Ineens oit si l't las also secured to it l uch Just described tvfo sclectine' arms 7l 100 group.

s The uppgy poytgn of each 0f the tablet n- 5) jllfll l, 'llillt llltl'lll, dicators is substantially rectangular in form, 0n@ LO' the 'l'ont une the fr' er for the back both Sideg beingpyovded at their lower porgroup of dimesl indi ators. The upper end tions with a Clearance Spade@ 56 (Fig, 5) a of eac i arm 7l. carries a .lug .72 and a cam m" f-uipporting lug- 57, and a guide slot 58 formed @Clg lOlHlGCl fllLCGOllsubgmntnpy jin the 10W@- Centl-al portion of A en lar arrangeu'ient oi indicator seieet- @ich indcgjtgy The Supporting lug lll@ 1B.oCl'ltlllillV l'fibllm"l'vllfifli itllt;

y 57 is furthermore provided With a cam edge Hi-ffmll- SQGV@ 74 (lflff- 59 and a square shoulder GO7 'the purpose of CQllIlf/ Wltl the shaft 69 and l f. which Will be explained hereinafter. l l P511' i vfront and back indu: Secured to the cross member 58 in any de- -dl 1S 75 furthe cents indicators a sirable way are guide studs 6l (Figs. l and 3) Z'lill- 31TH l l5 'Gill' fm@ il will?? 77 (Fl'- lil provided with guide slots 64 Which co-op CO-(lemlm' flip ll@ @mfg C? f1 emr@ with th@ guidi@ Slots 58 formgd in the Since there is but one or indzcatrs for 1- tablets The slots 58 or" the tablets termilill@ dlllfllg llink Sll'f 73 l) nate at their lower ends in an aperture 62 lti'lldled t? li only 0U@ "@l'ilcll Si 'l which is of sutlicient size to receive the guide 79 51ml S hk@ YS@ P'm'ldil Wi'lll stud 6l (F ig. the purpose of which is to flm (F 4f) @Ff-lll@ q n Jfacilitate asseudlv of the indicators in the mi@ Vith 'the lle'PhQ-l" of Pif @Ul'ffgfmldln@ LO frames. The extent of travel of the indica- Cam 67- i tors is less than the length of the slot so that 1.5 0f COUTS@ 110095532' to provid@ meiln' when an indicator is in its raised position the for aligning and retain' t ff arms 7d, f' m guide stud 6l Wi ll be some distance above the and 8O in their s t positions so as 'to hold the lo? t aperture that a positive engaging relaselected indicain their exposed positions "d tionship between the said guide slots 64 and ui "l the next operation et the machine. n slots 58 will always be maintained. The uplng to Fig 1 iii.; per ends of the tablet indicators are urthen Wheel 82, s Y i more guided by the top member 54 as clearani 1.. ly illustrated in Fig. 4. The member 54 has a face w of the wheel is provided with a plurality of grooves or tracks 83 `ten' in' number, one for.

each position of the related'arm 70. Referring to Fig. 4,v it is seen that the arm 70 lis provided with an ear 84 on whichV is ro- `track 83 of the aligning wheel 82. As best shown in Fig.4, this mechanism is duplicated for the different loanksV so that the arms 76 and 80 may be aligned in a manner similar to the above. v

As best shown in Fig. l, the graduated portion of the cam` 67 related to the dimes bank begins at the concentric portionand extends outwardly in a lspiral line, the construction being such that when the roller 77 of the arm 7 0 is free to contact with theperiphery of the cam surface and the cam is rotated by means of the driving rack and pinion 66,

kthe dimes selectin arms 71 will, through the connections descri ed, assume positions under the indicators corresponding to the key depressed.

- The sequence of the operation of the parts just described will now be explained in connection with the dimes bank. The normal positionof the parts is illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein it is seen that the selecting'arm 71 has retained the 9 indicator in` its exposed position. Y n

As before explained, a clerks key 11 must be initially depressed and such depression will raise the coupler to thev coupling point where it will be stopped and held in this position.

VThis initial movement of the coupler will raise the indicator carriage to disable the interlocking devices which normally prevent operation of the amount keys to indicate amounts without indicating the clerk operating the machine. This movement of the` coupler Will rotate the shaft 19 and the aligning wheels 82 suflicient to free the rollers 85 from the tracks L 83 and the arm 7 0 will be urged bythe spring 710 to its lowermost position until the roller contacts with substantially the lowest portion of the spiral cam 67. The connected selecting arms 71 (Fig. 5)V will at theA same time be drawn forwardly to vrelease the 9 tablets until they are in line with the 0 tablets of the'two groups. From this, vit is .evident that upon depression of a clerks key to the coupling point all'the previously Jexposed indicators will be released. Amount keys-representing the valueof the keys may now be coupled to the coupler andthe coupler and indicator carria e raised to the full extent by completing' t edownward stroke of the value keys. v l

V.During the lifting of the indicator carriage theselecting arm 71 will be adjusted differentially through theY connections de- -scribed and stand in the line of travel of the desired indicator. In the present construc-` tion the arms 71 of the respective banks may .be set before theindicators reach their highest position. [Atsubstantially the end of the ydownward stroke of the keys the cam ed es -59 of the lugs 57 (Fig. 5) of the tablets which are to be exposed will contact with the cams 73 of theflugs 7 2 formed on the upper ends of the arms 71, and in so doing, will cam the arms 71 laterally until the lugs 72 clear the supporting lugs 57, whereupon the lugs will spring ,under the `shoulders 60 as clearly shown in Fig. 5. About the time the key reaches the extreme end of its downward stroke thebevel rollers 85 are engaged by their Vcorresponding tracks 83 to yalign and tion of the machine. y

Upon the return or upstroke of the keysthe indicator carriage will descend, carrying with lthat the sides of the frames will receive the same 'amount of lifting movement the following mechanism is provided. Referring yparticularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the forward edge of plate 46 isformed with fteeth 86, Theplate 47 is likewise provided with teeth. J ournalerd between upwardly extending ears 87 of the frame 45 is a shaft 88 (Figs. 1,2 and 5) Secured to opposite ends of the shaft are two pinions 89 meshing with the teeth 86 of the plates 46 and 47. From t-he foregoing it is evident that if the indicator carriage be lifted by a key or keys lo- .cated atone end of the machine a simultaneous and equal lifting movement of the other end of the indicator carriage will be effected through the connections just described.

\ Inasmuch as there is no differentially actuated frame and segmental rack associated with the two clerks keys 11 special means must be provided to exposethe associated indicators. Adjacent to one of the keys, such as the B key (Fig. 4) is a cam plate 90 loosely mounted upon the shaft 25 (Fig. 6). Cam plate 90is formed with a cam slot 91 ried by the upwardly extending arm21 of the clerks key B The cam plate 9() lis further provided with an upwardly extending arm 92 to which is secured a stud 93. An

arm 94 is secured to one end of the shaft 69 and is bifurcated at its forward end and provided with aninternal cam edge 95 which co-operates with the stud 93 above-mentioned. The arm 94 is further provided with hold `the `arms 71 in the position set'by, the ,dimes cam 67, during the rest of the operaco-operating with theanti-friction roller cara downwardly extending arm 96 carrying a stud 97. Secured to the rotation shaft 19 is a semi-circular element 98 provided with a groove 99 which at times co-operates With the stud 97. The shaift 69 has secured to its other end a selecting arm 100 (Fig. 5) like the selecting arms heretofore described.

If the parts are as shoivn in Fig. 6 and the B clerks key is depressed the arm Will be cammed backivardly and the rotation shaft 19 and aligning Wheel 98 rotated far enough to liberate the stud 97 from co-operation with the guide slot 99. During the 'lurther downsstroke oi" the clerks key B the arm 94 will be cammed upwardly and at substantially the extreme end ol" the stroke, the stud 97 will Contact with the periphery ot' the aligning Wheel and the arm 94 will now be held in its elevated position during the return or upstroke of the keys. The arm moving vvith the arm 94 Will have been rocked rearwardly thus releasing the exposed A tablet to a position in line with tablet indicator bearing the character B. he B tablet will then be held in exposed position in the manner explained in connection With the denominational groups of indicators.

It will, of course, be evident that if the clerks key A be depressed during the next operation oi' the machine, the Stud 97 will drop from its highest position to engage the groove 99 of the aligning Wheel 98 whereupon the arm 100 will move forwardly to release the B indicator and stand in the line of travel oi' the A indicator to accomplish the functions hereinbeore stated. The characters A and B appear on both sides of the indicator tablets to give both front and back indications.

The above is a description of the operation of the indicator select-ing and holding means associated with the amount and clerks keys. Other devices have been provided for in dicating the nature or". the transaction but since they form no part of the present invention or are not directly involved, this mechanism Will not be explained herein. For details of construction and operation reference may be had to the parent application Serial Number 593,386 filed October 9, 1922.

lhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to coniine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described as it is susceptible of embodiment in various 'forms all coming Within the scope of the claims which 'follow.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a cash register, the combination of a series oi keys, a second series of keys, pendants including a series of special peinlants cooperating,l with the second series ot keys,

a bar connecting tl cial pendants, an obstruction normally in tue path of the bar to prevent oscillation ci the pendants to lease the second series of said ob;:truction being capable oi being withdrawn to release the second series or l'or operation when a key of the first :se is opei: ed.

In a cash register, the combination ci3 a side frame, a series ot clerks a series of amount keys, rendants incn of special pendants coppev'at amount keys, a bar coni pendants, an obstruction pla side :trame and the bar to pr of the pendants to release the amount said obstruction being capable ofi being vfitadraivn to release the amount keys .vhen one ot the clerks keys given a preliminary movement.

3. ln cash register, the combination series of clerks keys, a l coupler adaj t d to be actuated by said clerks keys to epm tive position, a series ot amount keys, pen co-operating with the amount keys, :in element connected with the pendants adapted to normally prevent the depression oi the amount keys, means for reta ng said element in its normal position, said means being disabled by the depression oi a clerks key whereby the amount keys are released for depression.

l. In a machine of the class desc 'ibe( a key coupler, the combination of a Y, of keys divided into separate ggouns one group for controlling` amounts and the other group for designatingl clacrflcation oli sales and for actuating said coupler to operative position, key stops co-operating with the keys of one group, a removable stop device for normally preventing a illation et the key stops whereby the keys oir that group are normally locked, and means under control oi? the remaining group of keys 'for di,- ;abling the stop device.

5. ln a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality ot operatingl keys divided into separate groups, one group for controlling amounts and the other group 'for designating classilication ot sales, a movable member, a side iframe and a stop device normally disposed beta/een the movable member and the side traine for locking the keys ot one group, and means under control of the remaining `group of keys for removing' the stop device.

G. In a machine oi'4 the class described, the combination of a plurality of keys divided into separate groups, one group for controlling amounts and the other group lier desi nating classi cation oi' sales, means compr ing a movable member and a plurality of pivoted key stops for locking the keys oi' one group, said stops being held in ellectivc position by said movable n'iember, a .Fixed inein- ,Y ber, a stop device normally disposed between f' ment and the amount keys a final movement to the operating mechanism, and means requiring a predetermined sequence of operation between the amount and clerks keys to control the movements of the operating mechanism comprising a. movable member, a iixed member and a. stop device normally disposed between said members.

8. In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of keys arranged in separate groups, an indicator carriage, a plurality of indicators mounted in said carriage and adapted to be controlled by said keys, means whereby depression of any key will elevate said carriage, means normally preventing depression of keys in one of said groups, and means controlled by said carriage for disabling sai preventing means.

9. In a machine' of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in separate groups the keys of one group being normally free to be operated, means normally preventing operation of the keys of the remaining groups, a plurality of indicators each adapted to be controlled by the group of normally locked keys, means whereby the group of normally locked keys select corresponding indicators, means for holding said selected indicator-sin selected position, and means under control of said first group of keys for` releasing previously selected indicators and for simultaneously permitting depression of a key in the'group of normally locked keys.

10. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys divided into separate groups, a plurality of indicators arranged in groups and adapted to be controlled .by the keys of both groups, a plurality of pendants arranged in groups corresponding to said keys and said indicators, and adapted to be shifted upon depression of said keys, a bar connected to one of said pendants in each of a plurality of said groups, an obstruction normally preventing movement of said bar, pendants and keys of the corresponding groups, and means whereby depression of a key in another of said groups not associated with said bar will remove said obstruction to permit the unlocked ykeys to control the indicators.

11.v In a machine of the class described, the

' combination of a plurality of amount keys,

clerks keys, an indicator carriage, amount and clerks indicators carried thereby, means under control of the keys for selecting and eX- posing their corresponding indicators, an interlocking mechanism between the amount and clerks keys disabled by movement of said carriage for requiring a predetermined sequence of operation between said amount and clerks keys and means whereby the clerks keys shift said carriage. o

l2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of clerks 'and amount keys arranged in groups, means including an indicator carriage for exhibiting indicators designating the particular clerks and amount keys operated, and means comprising a train of elements requiring a predetermined sequencev of operation between the clerks and amount keys, one of said elements being carried by said indicator carriage.

13. Ina device of the class described a plurality o't keys divided into groups, liftable indicators operated by the keys in each group, separate means for holding an indicator of each group in exposed position, locking means for normally retaining the keys of one group in inoperative position and means operated by the keys of another group for releasing said locking means and for releasing the indicator holding means of each grou FREDERICK L. FULLE

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