US1871846A - Assig-ntoe - Google Patents

Description

VE TOR.

C. W. GREEN CASH REGISTER Filed Aug. 2.6, 1924 3 Sheets-Shaw?l vl CHARLES. WEPEEN Aug. 16, 1932.`

WITNESS.

C. W. GREEN CASH REGISTER Aug. 16, 1932.

Filed Aug. 25, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheec 2 Aug. 16, 1932. C W GREEN 1,871,846

CASH REGISTER Filed Aug. 26, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Suva/nto@ Char/vs m6110614 fitter muri Patented Aug. 16, 1932 N IT STATES PATENT OFFICE CHA RLES 7. GREEN, OF ILION, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, .A CORPORATION 0E MARY- LAND CASH REGISTER Application led August 2G,

This invention relates to cash registers and :1.countingmachines generally and more particularly.' to that class employing printing devcfwy for printing items and totals.

Broadly speaking an object of the present invention is to provide devices for positively and rigidly holding alined a Yframe carrying :i plurality of printing elements so as to preclude any possibility of the frame rebounding while printing is being effected.

More specificallyv it is an object oi' the present invention to provide such alining devices in combination with a printer trame which is normally in a position to print items and movable to other positions to print totals from the printing elements carried by a plurality of totalizers. The totalizers are pivotally mounted so as to be movable to engage their respective pinions with the operating racks whenever items are being registered. When the printer frame is moved so as to obtain a total print from the totalizers` the sudden blow of the platen against the totalizer elements would normally tend to vibrate the `frame and result in a double impression or over-print. In order to preclude this possibility there is provided a member which is movable under the control of the total manipulative devices with which the machine is equipped so that it can engage a portion of the totalizer frame and positively hold the said frame to prevent any movement while a total printing impression is being effected.

Another object of the present invention iS to positively return the aligning device for the totalizers to its normal or inoperative position after the total has been printed thereby preventing any interference with the totalizer engaging mechanism during subsequent registering operations.

With these and incidental objects in view the ii'tivcntion consists of certain novel features of construction and combination of parte, tie essential elements of which are el 'forth in the appended claims and a pretei red form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawvvhicli accompa y and form part of the specification.

1924. Serial No. 734,238.

Of said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view from the left of the register showing the operating keys, the differential' mechanism and the printer frame for printing the items and t0- tals upon the record strip contained within the machine.

Fig. 2 is another transverse sectional view ofthe cash register showing the other side of the printer frame the multiple totalizers w and the improved devices for holding them rigid while effecting total taking.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in elevation taken through the printing mechanism and showing the printer operating mechanism ,5 and the special alining device.

In the accompanying drawings the improvements are shown in one form which they might take when applied to or embodied in machines of the key operated type shown :o andV described in the U. S. application, Ser. No. 263,125, tiled Nov. 19, 1918, by Frederick L. Fuller, which has matured into Patent LT1-2,701, January .7, 1930. 'This embodiment is illustrative only as the improvements are capable of modiiication to adapt them for other types of machines and it is the desire not to be limited to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described.

The illustrative machine is provided with a number of groups of amount or registering keys these being shown in connection with the dimes group of keys and indicated by reference character 10. The amount keys are pivoted upon a transverse shaft 11 eX- tending transversely and journalled between the side frames of the machine, the keys being guided in their reciprocating movements toward their front ends by slots 12 formed in the cabinet of the machine and being guided at their rearward ends by a vertically slotted plate 13 attached to a fixed bar 14. Resting upon the rear ends of the keys is a key coupler 15 journalled at 16 between the machine side frames. The key coupler 15 is provided with a nose 17 co-operating at times with notches 18 formed in the rear ends ot the keys. When the outer ends of the keys are depressed the key coupler 15 is rocked clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 and the nose 17 thereon enters the notches 18 formed in the rear ends of the keys. The purpose of such key coupler mechanisms is well known in the art and need not be discussed herein in detail.

Connected by a stud 19 to the key coupler 15 is a vertical reciprocating rack plate 20 formed with oppositely facing rack teeth 21 which alternately mesh with a gear 22 rigidly secured to a main operating shaft 23 journalled between the machine side frames. The arrangement of this mechanism is such that a reciprocation of the key coupler 15 by one of the keys will effect a complete rotation of the gear 22 and the shaft 23 to which the gear is secured. The shaft 23 is designated as the main driving shaft since it carries cams and other devices for operating various parts of the registering and printing mechanism.

In nearly all forms of cash register construction it is essential and desirable that some device be provided to compel the complete performance of the registering operation when once begun before a subsequent operation of the machine can be effected. Suitable mechanism for the accomplishment of this function may be comprised by a ratchet wheel attached to the shaft 23 and a spring pressed pawl bearing against the ratchet, neither of which are shown in the drawings since they are well known in the art and are shown and described in considerable detail in the patent to Thomas Carney7 #Manci-Sept. 6, i892.

The differential mechanisms or devices controlled by the various groups of keys for adjusting the item type carriers and operating the totalizer elements are similar in construction and principle so that description of one will suffice for all.

As shown the amount keys 10 associated with the dimes bank of keys are provided with upwardly extending arms 24 carrying rollers 25 co-operating with differential slots formed in cam plates 26 rigidly secured to a frame 27 loosely mounted upon a transverse shaft 28. The cam plates 26 are provided with L shaped slots having branches 29 and 30, the branches 3() being concentric with respect to the shaft 28, while the branches 29 are graduated with respect to the movement of the rollers 25 about the shaft 11. It is to be understood that there is a cam plate 26 for each key in a bank and that the cam slots 29 are differentially inclined so that when a particular key of a certain bank is operated the frame 27 will be moved diern entially to an amount commensurate with the value of the key depressed. When, however, the frame 27 is operated by the depression of a key the rollers 25 of the undepressed keys will play in the arcuate slots 30 of their respective cam plates thereby permitting the frame 27 to be raised upwardly without interfering with the rollers 25 on the unoperated ke s.

lt is to be understood that there is a differential frame for each group of amount keys and a frame for each of two groups of special keys known as transaction keys and clerks or departmental keys 39 for identifying the amounts entered in the machine.

As shown in Fig. 1 the frame 26 has attached thereto a segmental rack 31, the teeth of which are continuously in mesh with the teeth of a pinion 32 attached to an item type carrier 33. From the above it will be evident that when a frame 27 and its segmental rack 31 are adjusted diierentially the type carrier 33 will be rotated a similar amount and when held in its adjusted position and suitable printing means is operated the type wheel will print a character corresponding to the value of the key depressed.

Situated below the item type carriers 33 are two pivotally mounted totalizers designated in the drawings as A and B. Each totalizer comprises a frame having ournalled in it a shaft supporting a series of wheels 3i the peripheries of which aie formed with raised characters so as to enable the printing of the amount standing on the totalizer upon the record strip. The totalizers are carried by intermediate frames and are pivoted at k each end by studs 3G so that each totalizer frame may be. rocked about these studs as pivots so as to bring the totalizer pinions secured to the printing wheels into engagement with the actuating racks 31 at the desired time. The totalizers A and B are adapted to accumulate the amounts for separate departments, clerks, or for any other segregation of items desired and may be placed under control of the transaction keys, or if so desired a series of special keys designated as clerks or other identifying keys.

For selectively engaging the totalizcrs with the operating racks 1 any suitable mechanism may be used and one forni which this mechanism might take is shown and described in considerable detail in the Fuller application hereinbefore referred to. The present drawings do not show the mechanism in detail as it forms no novel feature of 'the present invention and for a general understanding of this mechanism it will be sufficient to say that the machine is provided with two control slides 37 and 38 which, when operated, are adapted te engage their respective totalizer with the operating racks 31. In order to throw thc A or the upper totalizer into engagement with the racks all that is necessary is to move the control slide 37 downwardly and in order to act lower or B totalizer it will be nec move its respective control slide wardly from the position shown in 1. The movements of these control slides may be placed under control of the clerks keys 15cm-noire.:

which serve. as selecting keys and when thel totalizer engagingslides upon an operation of the-,machine aswell as the.l meansfor selectirrgithe desired slide: for effective action arefudw disclosed, in the Fuller-application before mentioned, this mechanism need notV be described in detail here..

i Printing' mechanism 1 Itiis desirable thati each. time an item is eni tened in the machine the amount and other charactjersbe printed upon the record strip within 'the machine cabinet. The illustrative machine has in additionA tothe mechanism for printing the items entered in the ma- `chine suitable printing mechanism for printing upon the record strip the totals staudin upon the respective totalizers. j

The printing mechanism forprinting; the

items andtotals accumulatedfby thetotalizers y,comprises a pivotedprinter? frame formed of two sideframes'40 andi-41, thc'lower ends of which" are provided.V with claws 42 overlying the shaft. 28r'previously referred to. Normally the printingl mechanism rests in the ce; positionB vshown in the drawings with lugs conta'otingwith therear machine frame. The frames40 and 41 are 'connected together by a crossv member 43'. aswell as shafts and other members which will be. referred to -h-erei n atte r.

=1T-hefprinter frame is normally in ar'position to print the items entered in the machine upon the record strip, but it may be rocked downward under .control of suitable manipulative devicesk to print the totals' standing upon 'either of the totalif/ters on the record strip.

.Jou'rnalled.in-r .the printer side framesy 40 and` 441. is a `shatt'44, and atthe eXtreme leftA end issecured a; bellcra'nk 45 carrying a roller which c'o-acts with.l the race of a box cam 46 2 secured to the rotationshaft 23. Y As the shaft 23de given` a complete revolution during each operationfof the machine the rocking movement imparted to the shaft 44 through. the box-calm 46' willactuate a-plat-en, aswell as i feed' thefinkifng.ribbon and the record strip,

by, means fully desc-ribedin thebeforementioned Fuller application S. N. 263,125.

.A platen 47 is: mounted between@ apair of arms 481and 49 which are pivotally mounted upon-al rod 461? extending across theprinter frame., `Extending Yreamvardly'V from and moyable with the right arm `48 is= aplaten aotnatinggarma 4911 whicheis` actuatedy by a hammer .5.9; to@ iforce: vthe Y platen 'against thev type-@to impressiom `Forf nocknglthe ai projection 58 formed as part of an arm 59" securedto the main printer operating shaft 44.A

When the arm 59 is rocked counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, by means of the bell-` crank 45 and the shaft-44 to which the bellcrank is secured, the projection 58 will bear against the lug 57 of the retractingpaw-l 55 and. retract the hammer 50 against the tension of the spring 53. Upon a further movement of the arm 59 the projection will clear the lug of the pawl. and will permit the hammer portion 50 to lstrike the platen arm 491, and through the supporting arms 48 and 49 will rock. the platen 47 downwardly-to effect a. printing impression from the adjusted type carriers.

The record strip upon which are printed the items and totals is drawn from a supply roll 60, around suitable gui-de rolls 61 and 62 under the platen 47around and'over the Ilatter, around a guide roll 64 andth'en back toa storage roll 65a The storage andfeed rolls are both -attached to a frame 66 which is pivoted at 67 to the left printer side frame, and

raised as a unitary structure, in order to replenish the paper supply. v

The details of the mountingof the record strip as well as the means for advancing it during an operation of the vmachine are fully set forth in the Fuller application, #263,125, before mentioned and, therefore, need not be described here. 1

The machine is further equipped with an inking ribbon and a ribbon feeding mechanism which is not shown in the drawings since these do not comprise any part in the present invention'. One form which this mechanism might take is clearly shown 'and described in the Fuller application #263,125 to which reference may be had for 4further details of con-` struction and operation.

To obtain the totals from the totalizers A and B all that is necessaryis to swing the printer frame carrying the platen, inking ribbon, and record strip downwardly about its pivot 28 unt-il the platen 47 is directly over the corresponding totalizer and when the plat-en is in this position it will automatically forward of the lug 58 and is adapted to cooperate With a groove 72 formed in the righty hand intermediate supporting frame 35, which, it will be recalled, serves as a support for the totalizer frames. The groove 72 is eccentric with respect to the shaft 28 about which the printer frame is rocked so that a relative movement between the frame and the arm 59 securedto shaft 44 will be produced. To take a total the manipulative device 70 is grasped and by drawing it and the printer frame forward y.the stud 71 will enter the groove 72 and a vfurthermovement of the printer` frame will cause a. counter-clockwise movement of thenshaft 44 as seen in Fig. 2, to the same extentthat the box cam 46 rocks it during a regular operation of the machine. It may be pointed out here that the first effect of drawing forward on the finger piece 70 is to carry the lug 58 into contact with the lug on the hammer retracting pawl 55 by a direct pivotal action of the arm 59. After this Contact, however, the resistance to the further pivotal action about the shaft 44 is so increased that the entire printer frame will swing more freely about the segment shaft 28, it beng `understood that the cam groove 72 then takes effect to cause further turning of the arm 59 'and the sha-ft 44 with respectto the frame. As will be apparent from Fig. 3, the initial turning of shaft 44 by the arm 59 will also be limited byv the engagement of the roller carried by the arm with the central portion of the cam 46. The cam groovel 72 is so proportioned that it will release the printing hammer at substantially the time that the platen overlies the total .printing elements 34 of the A totalizer. The end of the groove 72 serves to positively stop the for- Ward movement of the printer frame when in its position.; to print aftotal from the A totalizer. Whenever'a total is printed upon the recordfstrip the record strip will be advanced an increment inthe manner described in detail in the Fuller application #263,125, previously referredyto.;

In order to obtain a total from the lower totalizer there is provided another manipulative device 731 in the form of a linger piece integral with the right printer side frame 41. As shown in Fig. 2 it will be noted that the supporting frame 35 is provided with a second slot 73 longer thanthe slot 72 previously referred to and of a different curvature. The stud 71, before mentioned,

is also adapted to co-operate with this'slot so that ,wheny the printer frame is pulled forward by grasping the manipulative device 731 the stud 71 will enter the slot 7 3 and cause.arelativefturning movement of the shaft 44 for the purpose of retracting the hammer 50 and releasing the platen 47 for printing at substantially the time that the platen is over the total printing elements 34 associated with the lower or B totalizer. This operation is identical to that of printing the total from the A totalizer, except for the greater movement of the frame and the timing of the hammer release.

It will be apparent from a study of Fig. 2 that when the manipulative device 731 is drawn forwardly the movement of the stud 71 to begin with will be in an arc about the shaft 28 as a center, whereas, when the device is drawn forwardly the movement of the stud will be in a compound curvilinear path partly about the shaft 44 as a center and partly about the shaft 28 as a center. This accounts for the entry of the stud in the appropriate one of the cam slots 71 and 72 as before explained. As described more fully in the Fuller application #263,125 the record strip is also advanced an increment after the total has been obtained from the lower totalizer.

Totaleer shaft holdz'ng device Referring now more particularly to the present invention, devices have been provided for positively holding the totalizer frame while printing is being effected therefrom. l/V hen the platen 47 is moved so as to overlie the totalizer printing elements and the hammer 50 is actuated, the platen will under the influence of the spring 53 acting on the hammer be suddenly forced against the totalizer elements to effect a printing impression. In order to obtain a clear and legible printing impression it is necessary that the actuating spring 53 have considerable force of compression. It has been found from pasteX- perience that the blow given to the totalizer elements by the platen under the influence of the spring 53 has been sufficient to vibrate the totalizer frame, thus causing a double printing impression upon the record strip. If the printer frame happened to be moved slightly between the printing impressions the overprint would render the printed total indistinct and illegible.

In order to overcome this difficulty and to insure legible totalprinting impressions the following devices have been provided. As shown in Fig. 2, loosely pivoted upon the shaft 28 previously referred to is a member 7,5; which is bifurcated to form arms 7 6 and 7 t The arms 76 and 77 are open slotted at 78 and 79 respectively so as to co-operate with and hold at the desired time the shafts 80 and 81 which support the totalizer elements of the several totalizers. The member is mounted between the totalizer supporting frame 35 and the right printer side framev 41 and is 'urged rearwardly by a tenmeenam sion spring 82 attached at one end to the member 75 and at the other end ltoa poi-.tion of the frame 85 until stopped kby a `lug 83 extending laterally from member 75 and contacting with a bar 84 integral with a bracket 85 fastened to the frame 35. The member 75 is furthermore .provided with two lugs 86 and 87 which are inthe paths of the pin 7l, carried by the printer frame, in entering the cam slots 7 3 and 72, 'respectively.

The operation of the above described mechanism is as follows: When it -is desired to print a total from the upper totalizer the manipulative device is grasped and fdrawn forwardly bringing the platen 47 over the upper totalizer `printing elements 34. Just before the stud 71 strikes the lower end of the cam slot 72 it contacts with vthe lug 87 and forces the member 75 downwardly against the tension of the spring 82 thereby permitting the slots 78 and 79 to engage the totalizer supporting shafts 80 and 8l. The engagement of the arms 76 and 77 with their respective shafts will positively hold lthe totalizer frames against any movement while printing is being effected from one of them. In order to move the member 75 when printing from the lower totalizer the lug 86, previously mentioned, is provided so that when the stud 7l enters vthe lower portion `of the slot 73 the member 75 will also be yrocked downwardly and will serve to positively hold the totalizer frames.

It is also desirable that the member 75 be positively forced to its normal position without depending upon the tension of the-spring 82, because it is clear that if the spring 82 failed to return the member 75, the member 75 would hold both totalizers so that upon the subsequent entry of an item it 'would be impossible to mesh the desired totalizer -pinions with the actuating racks.

To insure a positive return of the member 75 the lug 54 which co-operates -with the platen actuating spring V53 is so dimensioned and proportioned that it will contact with the lug 83 integral with the member '75 so thatthe return movement of the printer frame will positively force the member 75 to its normal or inoperative position.

In order to preclude the possibility of the membei` 75 moving laterally there is provided a stud 88 attached to the frame 35 and which is slotted to engage the member 75 so as to permit its pivotal movement but prevent any Side play.

The member 75 is preferably located at the right hand end of the totalizer shafts since a partial aligning effect is produced at the combined action of these several elements the totalizer shafts are possibly held somewhat more positively v.and 'rigidly in position -..during total :taking operations.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fullill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is the desire not to confine the invention to the one form of -embodiment shown and described herein, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all comin-g Within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is 1, In a cash register the combination with a movable frame carrying a shaft, of a plu- .ralit-y of printingelements mounted on said shaft, a `holding device engageable with Said shaft and amanipulative device .foroperating the holding device during a portion only .of the movement of said manipulative device.

2. In a cash register the combination with .amovable lframe carrying a plurality o-total printing elements, of a pivoted member -engageable with a shaft carried -bysaid frame, and a Atotal .printing device for operating the pivoted member.

3. In a cash register the combination with a. plurality of pivoted totalizer frames, of :a .member adapted when actuated to engage a portion of said frames to lock them .against movement .and a plurality of total printing devices either of which is adapted fto actuate said member. v i 1 4. Ina. cash register the combination with -a plurality of pivoted ftotalizer frames-carrying a plurality of printing elements, a memvber engageable therewith for holding them rigid, a aplurality of total printing devices one for each totalizer, ,and means associated with the total printing devices for-operating said member.

5. In a cash register the 'combination a frame carrying a plurality of :printing elements, a .movable member for effecting `a printing impression vfrom said elements, :a device engageable with the frame .for positively holding it, and means under [control of the movable member for .moving-fthe device .positively :to its operative lor inoperative position. l

6. In a cash register ythe 'combination with a plurality of fprin'tingelements:carried lays!J frame, a ,printing mechanism adapted to italie printing limpressions from 4said ielements, :a Vmani-puiative Idevice for operating't'he printing mechanism, a Ymember under 'control .fort .the manipulative device .foar` positively holding xfthe -frame while printing, spring 'means for returning said member to its inoperative position and A'means for positively retumng it to .its inoperative position upon faiiuneiof the spring means Ato operate.

"7. In .acash :register the combination with ea plurality fof printing elements ycarried 4a frame, sa, shaft arpon which .the elements are mounted, a pivoted member bifurcated to engage the shaft, a printing device and means for moving said member upon operation of said printing device.

8. In a machine of the class described, a plurality' of printing totalizers, actuators therefor, means for engaging and disengaging said totalizers and actuators by movement of the totalizers, devices for causing impressionsto be talren from said totalizers, and

a common member controlled by said devices for preventing movement of either of said totalizers. y

' 9. In a machine of the class described, a series of total printing elements, a supporting shaft therefor, actuators for said elements, means acting at one end of said shaft for moving said elements into and out of engagement With said actuators, said means normally serving to hold said total printing elements out of engagement, means for causing an impression to be taken from said elements, andV means controlled by said impression means'for rigidly holding the opposite 1 end of said shaft in printing position.

10. In a machine of the class described, general operating means, a pivoted frame, a series of printing elements carried thereby, means for rocking said fra-me upon an operation of the machine, a separate means for taking an impression from said printing elements, -said impression means inclu-ding a spring driven hammer, and means controlled byfsaid impression talring means active duri ing an impression taking operation to prevent movement of said frame.

11. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of lines of printing elements, a printing frame movable different distances rto'cooperate with said printing lilies, asingle member for holding said printing` lines ,against movement, said member being movable a uniform distance to hold the plurality of printing lines, and connections whereby said printing frame imparts a uniform movement to said member regardless of the extent of movement of said frame..

12. In a machine of theclass described, a plurality of movable supported shafts, printing elements mounted on each shaft, a printing frame adapted to move varying extents to cooperate with the elements mounted on said plurality of shafts, mea-ns for holding all of said shafts against movement when printing is being effected from the elements Vmounted on any shaft, said means being controlledby said printing frame as the latter is moved to oo-operate with the elements on frame, a series of actuators forsaid totalizer,

operating mechanism including means for Vrocking said frame. to engage the totalizer With the actuators,'means for taking an impression from said totalizer, and means for holding the totalizer fixed While an impression is being taken, said last mentioned means being rendered ineffective during operations of said operating mechanism.

14. In a machine of the class described, a shaft, a series of totalizer wheels mounted on said shaft, a series of actuators for said Wheels, means acting at one end of said shaft for engaging said Wheels With and disengaging them from said actuators, printing means and means controlled by said printing means and adapted to cooperate With th-e opposite end of said shaft to prevent any movement of the latter. i

15. In a device of the class described, a plurality of printing totalizers mounted in rockingv frames, means for rocking said frames for enga-ging said totalizers with their actuators, a holding means for said totalizers for holding the same rigid during a total taliing operation, means adapted to engage said holding means at different points along an edge thereof for moving the same to operative position.

16. In a device of the class described, a plurality of totalizers mounted in rocking frames, a holding means for said totalizers, an engaging means adapted to engage said holding mea-ns at different points along au edge thereof for moving the same to operative position, and a plurality of manipulative means for actuating said engaging means.

17. A printing mechanism comprisin a type Wheel, a platen cooperating therewit i, a

rtime that the type Wheel is locked.

18..A printing mechanism comprisingr a type Wheel, a. platen cooperating therewith, a lock having means for preventing radial movement of the type Wheel due to impact by the platen, a lever for operating the lock and adapted to effect a printing impression While the loci: is in operative position, and.

Ameans for restoring the lock to inoperative position after each operation of the platen.

In Witness whereof I have signed my name hereto this 22d day of August, 1924.

CHARLES W. GREEN.

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