US1873770A - Cash register - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 23, 1932. 1 E 1,873,77Q

CASH REGISTER Filed Dec. 26. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

gwuwtoz Charies L. Lee

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Aug. 23, 1932. c. L. LEE

.CASH REGISTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26. 1930 zlwve/wlio a Charles L. Lee

Aug. 23, 1932. C, LEE 1,873,770

CASE REGISTER F-iled Dec. 26, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Charles L. Lee

" operated machine of the type disclosed in the Patented Aug. 23, 1932 warren STATES;

rater seine CHARLES L. LEE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHI0,'A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND CASH REGISTER Application filed Deceinber 26, 1930. Serial n 504,763.

This invention relates to improvements in cash registers and like machines, and more particularly to printing mechanism, and is illustrated as applied to a press-down orkey United States Letters Patent, No. 497,860, issued to Thomas Carney on May 23, 189 3.

l/Vhen adding a feature which requires eX- tensive changes in machines thatfare being $.10 manufactured, it generally necessitates a re designing of the machine, which is very expensive and results mostly in delayed manufacturing.

This invention is an improved printer adaptable to be inserted in a machine of the type mentioned, by providing a single actuator for the entire printer, whichactuator is attached to a driven member of the machine, thus eliminating the necessity of redesigning 2c the machine, and the undue delays.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a printer having a common actu- 'ator therefor. i

Another object is to provide a novel sever- 25ing device cooked by the printer actuator and released by the feeding means at the end of the feeding stroke.

Still another object is to provide a novel means to retract the impression hammers 530 from the printer actuator, and an adjustable means carried by the actuator to release the retracting means. V

lVith these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In said drawings Fig. l is a right-hand side elevation of the printer actuating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is'a detail side View of the type wheel drive and the cam shaft drive.

3 is a detail side view of the printer actuator, showing the drive for the detail paper feed, the detail impression hammer,

and means for cooking the severing. means,

a part of the receiptpaper feed, andthe I H member for releasing the severing means.-

F ig; 4 is a detail View in. front elevation of the severing means."

Fig. 5 is a right-hand elevation of the printer, showing the. receiptprinting hammer,- the type wheels and the type wheel aligner. I I V v Fig. Gis a detail View of amanipulative lever for adjusting a designating number F. wheel. Fig. 7 is a detail view in side elevation of the printer actuator sh'owing the drive for I the receipt feeding rollers togetherwith the a tension mechanism. i

T Fig. 8 is'a facsimile of a receipt issued by this machine.

Fig. 9 is a facsimile of a part of the detail strip. i

Fig. 10 is a detail view in front elevation of the impression hammerfor printingon the receipt.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view showing a front elevation of the chute for receiving the severed receipt, and the manipulative le- 3 'ver with the indexing plate for adjustingthe designating number wheel.

General description Machines ofthe type disclosed herein are provided with a plurality of groups or denominational sets of keys, mounted on one end of key levers j ournaled intermediate their ends, and supporting at their opposite ends upright key cams having'graduated steps. These key cams are adapted to cooperate with a segment to rock the segment. to position a typecarrier, and operate totalizer actuators to add the value, represented by the operated keys, into a totalizer which is engaged with the actuators during the downward move- 'ment of the outer end of the key levers. The rearwardly extending endof each key lever is adapted to raise an indicator tablet (not shown) to display the value of the operated key upon the operation of a key. The usual key coupler extends across the key levers and operates in the, usualand-well known manner to coupletogether several keys, so that the:

complete depression of all may be completed by the operation of any one of them after they have been partially depressed to effect such coupling. The weight of the key coupler also acts as a medium to return the operated keys to their normal positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Keys and driving mechanism The above mechanism is old and well known in the art, and will be described but briefly.

Key levers (onlyone of which is shown in Fig. 1) arranged in denominational groups are journaled intermediate their ends on a universal rod 31 extending between and supported by two main side frames 32 (only one, the left side frame, being shown).

The rearwardly extending end of each key lever 30 is adapted to raise an indicator tablet (not shown) to display the value of the depressed key. lilach key lever 30 carries near its rearwardly extending end, an upright key cam 33, having a graduated step 34: to cooperate with a rod 35, extending between and supported by arms 36 connected by a bail 37, pivoted on a shaft 38, to which a totalizer actuating segment 40 2) is secured. There is one pair of arms 36 for each rod 35, and a segment 40 for each denominational group of keys. The segment 40 adds an amount equal to the value of the depressed key into a totalizer (not shown) which is rocked into engagement with the segmenton the downward stroke of the key, and also sets a type carrier.

The operation of the machine by the (16-.

pression of a key, is adapted to give a cam shaft 39 (Figs. 1 and 2) one complete rotation, in manner which is old and well known in the art, and therefore, will be described very briefly.

Extending across the key levers 30 is a key coupler having trunnions 46 and 47 projecting from each end thereof and journaled in the main side frames 32. Projecting from the right-hand side of the key couler 45 (Fig. 2) is a stud 48 extending t rough a slot 49 of a rack plate 50 which is guided by a stud 51 projecting inwardly from the right side frame (not shown). The

. rack plate 50 has a rack 52 normally held in mesh, by spring 54, with a pinion 53 secured to the cam shaft 39.

Upon the depression of a key the counterclockwise movement of the key lever 30 rocks the key coupler 45 counter-clockwise, which raises the rack plate 50, and the rack 52 rotates the shaft 39 in a counter-clockwise direction.

As the depressed key lever 30 nears the end of its downward movement, the upper end 55 of the left-hand rack contacts a flange 56 of a spring-tensioned arm 57 which tends ink ribbon.

to rock the rack plate 50 clockwise about the stud 51, but is prevented from any movement in that direction by an ear 58 projecting from the right-hand rack 52, which ear at this time is riding up in front of a flange 59, projecting inwardly from the right main side frame (not shown).

As the key lever 30 reaches the limit of its downward movement the bottom edge of the travels down the right side of the flange 59,

thus holding the rack 60 in mesh with the pinion 53, which continues to rotate the pinion 53 and shaft 39 in a counter-clockwise direction to complete the rotation of the shaft 39. Thus, the excursion of the rack plate 50 imparts one complete rotation to the shaft 39. I

As the rack plate 50 reaches its normal position, the car 58 clears the bottom of the flange 59, and the spring 54 rocks the plate counter-clockwise around the stud 51 to disengage the rack 60 from the Pinion 53 and engage the rack 52 therewith. Therefore, upon the next downward movement of a key, the rack 52 will again rotate the pinion 53 and shaft 39 in a counter-clockwise direction, and upon the upward movement of said key the rack 60 will complete such rotation.

PRINTER Actudtz'ng means As was previously stated, this invention comprises a novel printer, and it is so arranged that it can be assembled in machine of the typ-e disclosed without redesigning'the machine. To drive the printer, a single actuator, operated by the key coupler, is used.

This printing mechanism will now be described. It includes a printer plate 7 0 (Figs. 1 and 3) suitably mounted in the machine, which plate forms a support for a record printing hammer 71, type carriers 72, a receipt printing hammer 73, a second group of type carriers 7 4, a pair of feed rollers 7), a scissor operating knife 76 (Fig. 4; to sever the printed receipt, and an All of the above mentioned parts are driven by a common actuator 7 7 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted on the key coupler 45 to receive one excursion upon each operation of the machine, first counter-clockwise, and then in a clockwise direction.

Detail feed As the key coupler't5 receives its counter clockwisemoveinent by the depression of a key, the common actuator 77 raises a feeding arm 7 8 (Figs. 1 and 3) supported on a stud 79 projecting laterally from the actuator 77. The upper end of the arm 78 cooperates with a ratchet 30 secured. to the side of a detail paper receiving roll 81 upon which the paper 82 is ,wound, it being .unwoundfrom a supply roll 83 jo'urnaled on'a stud projecting from the'printer frame '70. The paper passes under studs 69 and between the printing platen and type carriers, on its travel fror thesupply roll83 to the receiving'roll 81. 7 As the com mon actuator 77 receives its counter-clockwise movement, the feeding arm 78 advances the receiving roll 81 one tooth space to position a blank portion of the paper 82 at the printing line to receive the impression- It can be noticed by referring to Fig. 3, that the feeding arm 78 has an elongated opening which receives the stud 79. The movement the key coupler 45 ii'nparts to the common actuator 77 is greater than the movement required to advance the receiving roll 81 one step, and during the first part or the movement of the actuator 77, the stud 79 moves idly in the slot of the feeding arm 78. A spring 84 connected to the upper end of the feeding arm 7 8, normally tends to force the feedin arm slightly in an upward direction to position the feeding arm '7 8 so that the stud 79 is. in the lower part of the slot. The spring 84 also holds the feeding arm in cooperative relation with the ratchet 80. A spring tensioned retaining pawl 85 pivoted on a stud projecting from the printer frame 70, cooperates with the ratchet 80 to prevent any retrograde movement thereof.

Type setting The means for and manner of setting the type carriers 72 and 74; will now be described. Upon depression of an amountkey, the graduated step 3% of thekey cam 33, on its upward movement, picks up the universal rod 35 for the denominational group to which the operated key belongs, and rocks the previously mentioned segment 40 a distance according to the value of the depressed key. The movement of each segment 40 is transferred by a pinion and a tube 91 surrounding a shaft 92, to its type carrier 72 (F 2 and The pinion 90 is secured to one end of the tube 91, and the type carrier 72 is secured to the opposite end of the tube 91. The type carriers 72 print on the record strip 82.

The type carriers 74 from which the receipt is printed, are also adjusted through the same type carriers 72 is transmitted through the gearing ust described to the type carriers 74;

operating means for the Retreading and v hammers The common actuator 77 also retracts the impression hammers. Upon counter-clockwise movement of the actuator, a driving dog (Fig. 3) pivoted on the common actuator .77 cooperates with a hammer operating arm 101, pivoted on a hammer supporting stud '102 projecting through the printer plate 70,

to rock the -arm 101 clockwise against the tension of a strong spring 103 connected to the hammer operating arm 101 and to astud 104: on the printer frame 70.

Connected to the hammer operating arm 101 is a second arm 105, supporting one end of a hammer retracting link 106. The opposite end of the link 106 has a slot 108 cmbracing a stud 107- on the hammer 71. As the hammer operating arm 101 is rocked clockwise bythe dog 100, the second arm moves the retracting link 106 toward the right in the direction of its length, whereupon a spring 109 rocks the hammer 71 in counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 110.

The clockwise movement of the hammer operating arm 101 also retractsthe receipt printing hammer 73 (Fig.

.A stud on the arm 101 enters a slot 116 of a short arm 117 pivoted on a receipt hammer arm 118. The arm 118 is of yoke formation and is pivoted on the stud 102 and on a stud 119 (Fig. 10) projecting from the auxiliary frame 96 and in axial alignment with the stud 102.

Arms 120 and 121 (Figs. 5 and 10) supportedby the hammeroperating arm 118 are hooked at their upper ends to cooperate with hooks 122 and 123 of plates 12 1 and 125. The plate 124's guided by studs 126 on the printer frame 7 0 and the plate 125 is likewise guided by studs 127 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 10) projecting from aprinter cap 128. Studs 126 and127 are in axial alignment. Arms 129 and 130 (Figs. 5 and 10), con ,nected by a yoke 132, are pivot-ed on a stud 131 supportedby the printer frame 70 and the. printer cap 128. A spring 133 connected to a stud 13 1 on the arm 129 holds a finger 15 1 in contact with the uppermost hook on the plate 12 1, thus maintaining the hook 122 in contact with the hook formed on the arm 120. The arm 130 also has a finger like 154, which is held in contact with the upper book of the plate 125 to maintain'the hook are 123 (Fig. 10) in contact with the hook of the arm 121.

Secured to the plates 124 and 125 are plates 135 and 136 (Fig. 10) respectively, connected by a yoke 137 which supports the various platens of the receipt printing hammer 73 (Fig. 5), such as the amount platen 156, an electro platen 157, and a consecutive number platen 158.

From the above description it will be clear that as. the hammer operating arm 101 is moved clockwise by the driving dog 100, the stud rocks the hammer arm 118 and raises the arms 120 and 121.

The arms 120 and 121 are guided in recesses cut in opposite sides of a bracket 138 (Fig. 5) which supports the electro. One edge 139 of each recess prevents the hooks of the arms 120 and 121 from being moved out of the plane of the hooks 122 and 123 of the plates 124 and 125. The plates 124 and 125 do not move upwardly under influence of the spring 133 when the arms 120 and 121 are raised, since the plate 124 abuts a projection of a paper support plate 141 mounted on the printer frame 70.

As the common actuator 77 reaches the limit of its countenclockwise movement, which is at the same time the depressed key reaches the limit of its downward movement, the driving dog 100 is disengaged from the hammer operating arm 101 by an adjustable trip plate 145 carried by the actuator 77, to permit the impression hammers to make an impression on the record strip and the receipt.

A spring 153 (Fig. 3) normally holds the nose of the driving dog 100 in cooperative re lation with the hammer operating arm 101. As the actuator 77 moves counter-clockwise, carrying with it the dog 100, the latter is rocked slowly clockwise about its pivot by the spring 153 to maintain its cooperative relation with the hammer operating arm 101, until a projection 146 of the driving dog 100 contacts the surface 144 of the trip plate 145.

As the common actuator 7 7 nears the limit of its counter-clockwise movement, the projection 146 blocks further clockwise movement of the driving dog 100, and causes the same to move in a path concentric with the pivot trunnion 46 of the key coupler.

The driving dog 100 travels in this path of movement, concentric with the pivot trunnion 46, until the actuator 77 reaches the limit of its counter-clockwise movement, at which time the dog 100 escapes from the arm 101, whereupon the spring 103 gives the arm 101 a quick counter-clockwise movement until the same is arrested by a stop stud 147 on the printer frame 70.

The quick clockwise movement of the hammer operating arm 101, and consequently of the arm 105, moves the link 106 to its normal position, and the latter effects a rapid clockwise movement of the hammer 71.

This rapid movement imparted to the hammer 71, due to a weight 148 carried thereby, carries the hammer beyond its normal position, the stud 107 of the hammer traveling in the slot 108 of the link 106, until the platen 149 drives the record strip against the type carriers 72 and an ink ribbon 270, thus causing an impression to be made on the record strip 82. The spring 109 then restores the hammer 71 and platen 149 to their normal positions shown in Fig. 3.

The impression is taken on the receipt paper, by the quick clockwise movement of the hammer operating arm 101 at the same time the hammer 71 is operated to make the impression on the record strip.

It will be recalled that the receipt hammer arm 118 (Figs. 5 and 10) was rocked clockwise to raise the arms 120 and 121. The quick counter-clockwise movement of the hammer operating arm 101 rocks the hammer arm 118 rapidly in counter-clockwise direction to lower the arms 120 and 121.

The momentum of the arm 118, aided by a weight 150 thereon, is sufiicient to carry the arms 120 and 121 past their normal positions, the slot 116 of the arm 117 permitting such additional movement of the arm 118 beyond its normal position.

As'can be seen from Fig. 5, the lowering of the hook arms 120 and 121 past their normal positions also lowers the plates 124 and 125, which lowers the plates 135 and 136 and the yoke 137, whereupon the plat- ens 156, 151 and 158 force the check or receipt strip 151 against the type carriers to make an impression. The ink ribbon 270 makes the impressions legible.

After the impression has been so made, the spring 133 restores the platens and their supporting means to their normal positions shown in Fig. 5.

' The trip plate 145 is pivoted on a stud 142 (Fig. 3) on the actuator 77 and held in place by an adjusting screw 143.

By a close examination of the trip plate 145, it can be seen that the surface 144, which cooperates with the projection 146, is not concentric with the pivot 142 of the trip plate. Therefore, by shifting the trip plate 145 in either direction, a higher or lower surface can be brought beneath the projection 146 to vary the time of escapement of the driving dog 100 from the hammer operating arm 10 Ohecic strip feed After the receipt has been printed by the mechanism just described, operated by the common actuator 77, feed rollers 75 and (Figs. 1, 5 and 7), also operated by the common actuator, advance the printed receipt onto a receipt table 152 (see also Fig. 11), after which it is severed by a scissor operating knife, to be hereinafter described.

There are two feed rollers 75 secured to a short shaft 161 journaled in arms 162 and 163 pivoted on a rod 164 mountedbetween the printer cap 128 and the printer frame- 7 0. There are also two rollers 165 loosely mounted on a shaft166 journaled in the printer frame and the a'ukiliary frame 96. The rollers act. as tension and ejector roller s, and are normally held away from the'rollers 165 by springs 167 and 169 connected to the arms 162 and 163 respectively (Figs. 5 and 7) The arm 162 has a rearwardly extending arm 171 (Fig. 7) carryinga stud 170 projecting into a notch of one arm 172 of a bell crank 173 pivoted on the shaft 38. V

A stud 174 projecting from asecond arm 17 5 of the bell crank 173 is held in contact with a finger 176 of a tension operating bell crank 180 by a strong spring 177. A roller 178 on one arm 179 of the bell crank 180 is held in contact with the periphery of the tensi on cam 168 by the spring 177. The spring 177, being connected tothe arms 176 and 179, has the dual function of maintaining the contact between the roller 17 4and arm 176, and

between the roller 178 and cam 168. Due to the fact that the spring 177 is strong enough to overcome both of the springs 167 and 169,

it en ables the connections'from the roller 178 to the arm 171 to limit the clockwise movement of the arms 162 and 163 under influence of their springs 167 and 169' 1 I 'i The combination tension and ejector rollers 75 are rotated to feed the printed receipt from the machine, by a segment 190 (Fig. 7)

- pivotedon the rod 164.

Secured to the shaft 161, to which the tension and ejector rollers '75 are fastened, is a pinion 191 in mesh with the segment 190. 1

The segment 190 has a slot 19 2'which re ceives a roller 193 mounted on the common actuator 77. 7

As the common actuator 77 is rocked in counter-clockwise direction by the depression of a'key, the roller 193, acting on the lower face of the slot 192, ro thresegment 190 clockwise againstthe tension of aspring 194, one end of which is connected to a studpro jecting from the segment 190. j

The clockwise movement of the segment 190 rotates the pinion 191, shaft 161, and the tension and ejector rollers 75, in counter- I clockwise direction, but as the rollers 75 are held away from the stationary rollers 165 as sociated with the rollers 7 5 110 movement is impartedto the receipt paper at this time.

As the common actuator 77 reaches the limit of its counter-clockwise movement, the tension cam 168 rocks the bell crank 180 clockwise, and the spring 177 causes the stud 174 to follow the arm 176 of said bell crank-180,.

thus rocking the arm 172 clockwise, which rocks the arms 171, 162 and 163 counter-clockwise to engage the rollers 75 with the rollers Since the arms- 162 and 163 pivot on the same rod 164 upon which the segment 190 pivots, the pinion 191 merely rolls over the segment 190 during the engaging movement of the rollers. 75. To insure that "the paper shall be firmly gripped between the rollers 75 and 165, the cam 168 ismade so "as to move the bell crank 180 far enough to cause the arm 76 thereof to move away from the stud 174 after the rollers 75 have'been moved downwardly.

As the common actuator 77 is moved clockwise with the key coupler45 when the latter returns to its normal position, the roller 193,

ment 190 counter-clockwise, thus turningthe pinion 191, shaft 161, and the tension and ejector rollers 75 clockwise tofeed the printed receipt from the machine. After the printed receipt has been so fed, and as the v common actuator 77 arrives at its normal position, the low portion of the cam 168 is again opposite the roller 178, thus permitting the springs 167 and 169 to again raise the arms the rollers 165 V vSeuering meciumzlsmv ext-ending arm 203 having an arm 204 (Figs.

3'and 4) formed at right angles thereto and forked to receive a stud 205 projecting from the knife blade 76. This connection 205 with the arm 204 accommodates manual opening ofthe knife for threading a new receipt paper web into the machine. The

I knife blade'pivots on a support stud 206 projecting from a bracket 207 secured to an ear 208 of the printer frame 70. 1 Upon 'thecounter-clockwise movement of the common actuator 77 the bell crank 201 is rocked clockwise by the link 200 to raisethe arms 203 and 204 to rock the knifeblade 76 in counter-clockwise direction. As the knife blade 76 reaches the limit of its counterclockwise movement,which is when the limit of the counter-clockwise, movement of the.

common actuator 77 is reached, a retaining pawl 209 urgedin clockwise direction by a spring 210 engages a shoulder 211 of the knife blade 76 to retain the same in its opened position, the forked arm 204 returning to it-s normal vpositlon w th the return movement pr the. common actuator 77. v

together with the spring 194, rocks the seg- 9 162and 163 to move the rollers 75 away from I printed receipt is advanced to the full eX- tent of its movement, the retaming pawl 209 is released by an arm 215 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) secured to the side of the segment 190 when the segment 190. arrives at its normal position, at which time the receipt paper will have been advanced to its full extent of movement;

A stud 216'. (Figs. 3 and 4;) of. the retaining pawl 209 projects through a slot in the bracket 207 and lies in the path of an car 217 of the arm 215.

As the common actuator and the segment 190 reach their normal positions, the car 217 contacts the stud 216 of the retaining pawl 209, and lowers the stud 216 until the pawl 209 is released from the shoulder 211 of the knife blade ,76, whereupon a spring 218, which was tensioned when the blade was rocked counter-clockwise, rocks the blade clockwise toeffect a shearing action against the side of a stationary blade 215, thus severing the printed receipt from the strip. The receipt is deposited upon the table 152. The downward movement of the stud 216 is stopped by the bottom of the slot through which it projects.

The spring 218 (Fig. 4) is connected to the stud 205 of the knife blade 76 and-to a stud 219mounted in a flange of the printer frame 70. A compression spring 220 (Fig. mounted on the support stud 206 tensions the knife blade 76 against the side of the stationary blade 221 to insure positive shearing.

Oonsccnticc number printing By referring to Fig. 8, it can be seen that the receipt has printed thereon a consecutive number and the date at the bottom, and also a number in line with and to the right of the amount, which number can be used for any designating purpose.

The consecutive number mechanism includes a plurality of type wheels 230 (Fig. 5) loose on the consecutive number shaft 166, each wheel having a ratchet 229 secured to its side.

A differentially tined pawl 23]. is pivoted to a consecutive number operating arm 232 secured to the shaft 202 which is rocked by the common actuator 77 through the link 200 and the bell crank 201, as previously described. The counter-clockwise movement ofthe shaft 202, during each operation of the machine, raises the pawl 231 to operate the proper ratchet or ratchets 229 to advance the consecutive number wheel or wheels 230 one step on each operation of the machine in a manner well known in the art.

A knob (not'shown) secured. to the end of the consecutive number shaft 166 is provided to reset the consecutive number wheels to Zero.

By giving the knob (not shown) one complete turn a spline cut in the shaft eooperates with a pawl (not shown) mounted on each wheel, to turn the wheels to their zero positions, in a manner also old and well known in the art.

Date printing Date printing wheels (not shown) also mounted on the consecutive number shaft 166 are adjusted by knobs (not shown) connected to one end of tubes 233 (Fig. 6) in an old and well known manner to set up the proper date.

Clerk's type setting A lever234 (Figs. 1, 6 and 11) is provided to adjust a printing wheel 228, which may be used to'designate clerks, or anything else desirable:

Any movement of the lever 23 1 adjusts a printingwheel on the receipt printing line, and acorresponding wheel on the record strip printing line.

he lever 23 i (Fig. 6) is connected to a tube 235 surrounding the date setting tubes 233. The-tube 235 has connected thereto a segment 236 meshing with a pinion 237 secured to the side of the clerks or designating number type wheel 228.

A slot 238 of the segment 236, into which astud 239 projects from the auxiliary frame 96, limits the movement of the segment 236 and the lever 234.

An indexing plate 240 (Fig. 11) mounted tothe left of the receipt table informs the operator of the machine the number that is set in the printing position.

The clerks or designating number is also printedupon the record strip-retained in the machine. Andto accomplish such printing the type wheel 228 (Fig. 6) carries a pinion 227 meshing with an intermediate gear 226 on the shaft 95. The gear 26 drives a gear 225 secured to a type wheel 22a in axial alignment with the amount type wheels 72 which print on the record strip.

Check and record strip The check is shown in Fig. 8, and a portion of the record strip as printed by this machine, is shown in Fig. 9. The top row of printing on the check represents the amount and the clerks or designating number. The next three lines are printed by the electro, and may have anything the merchant desires. The last line" represents the consecutive number of the ticket and the date.

' The three left-hand columns of figures shown'on the record strip in Fig. 9, repre sent the amounts, and the right-hand column of figures represents-the clerks or designating number. The dollar typewheel is somewhat wider than the other type wheels, and carries the decimal point, the characters 1 to 9, and the dollar sign opposite each character, but there is no Zero character-the dollar sign being centralized at the zero position, thus giving the effect shown in Fig. '9 that is, when the amount does not equal one dollar, the'dollar signs are close to the decimal point, but when the dollar wheel is moved past its zero position, as is shown in twov instances, the dollar sign is out of line with the other dollar signs printed when the amount does not register up toSBLOO.

. Type wheel alz'g 'ners An aligner (not shown) correctly holds the consecutive number type wheels 230' (Fig. 5) and the date wheels (not shown) injtheir adjusted positions.

The amount type wheels 72 and the clerks or designating number type wheels 224 and 228 are aligned by pawls 245 (Fig. 5) operated by the key coupler 45. The aligning pawls 245, there being one for each amount type wheel, pivot on astud 246 extending b etween the printer frame 7 O and the auxiliary frame 96, and are held in their proper lateral positions by a" guide plate 247 secured to a yoke 248 connecting two arms 249 (only one of which is shown). The plate 247 is slotted to receive and guide theupper ends of the pawls 245. V V n A spring 250 associated with each pawl 245 holds arearwardly extending finger 251 ofthe pawl. 245 in contact with a flange 252 projecting from the guide plate 247.

A tension operating plate 253 pivoted on the stud 95 is provided with a notch to receive .anupwardly extending finger 254 of an arm 255 pivoted on a downwardly extending arm of a bracket 256 secured to the key coupler 45. The plate 253 is provided with an car 257 adapted to rock the aligning pawls 245 into cooperative relation with the intermediate gears 94 and 226, by acting on a surface 258 of an extension 259 of the arm 249.

When the key coupler 45 is rocked counterclockwise upon the downward movement of a key, theiarrn 255 is rocked counter-clockwise and the finger 254 rocks the tension op erating plate 253 clockwise, whereupon the ear 257 wipes over the surface 258 of the arm 259. Dueto the contour of the surface 258, the armf259 and the arms 249 connected by theyoke 248are rocked, counter-clockwise, thus moving the aligning pawls 245 into engagement with the intermediate gears 94 and p to align the type wheels. i

h. stud265 (Fig, 5) projecting from the printer frame limits the clockwise movement of the plate 253.

The arm 255 is held rigid with the'bracket 256 by a screw 266 which projects through a slot in the bracket 256, but said arm'255 may be adjusted relative to the bracket 256 v to accommodate variations in manufacture, so that the time of aligning the type wheels can vary accordingly.

The return movement of the key coupler to its normal position removes the ear 257-from the surface 259, whereupon the arm 259, together with the arms 249 and paWls 245, rock clockwise, by gravity, about the stud 246 to permit rotation of the intermediate gears 94 and 226 during the downward movement of the key on a subsequent operation. A stud 267 projecting from the printer frame 7 0 into the path of the arm 259 limits the clockwise movement of the pawls 245.

, V [viking ribbon The ink ribbon 27 0 (Fig. 6) is fed around an inking roll 271 loose on a stud. 272 projecting between the printer frame 7 O and an ink ribbon frame 273. The-ribbon then passes under a tension roll 274 around guide studs 275 and 27 6 and around a ribbon guard 277.

The tension roll 274 is supported by a pair of arms pivoted on the stud 272. The weight of the roll 274 tensions the ink ribbon 270.

. The common actuator 77 also advances the ink. ribbon one step during each operation of the machine. I

A feeding pawl 280 (Fig. 8) supported by a downwardly extending arm (not shown) secured to the consecutive number shaft 202, is held in cooperative relation with a ratchet wheel 281 of the ink roll 271 by a spring 278 connected between the feed pawl 280 and a retaining pawl 27 9, and is moved forwardly on each operation of the consecutive number shaft 202 to advance the ink ribbon 27 0 to present freshly inked sections thereof beneath the printing platens. 7

Operation Briefly. the depression of a key rocks the key coupler 45 and the common actuator 77 counter-clockwise which advances the record strip, retracts the hammers, cocks the segment 190 for feeding the printed receipt, cooks the severing blade 76, advances the consecutive number printing wheels one step, advances the ink ribbon to present a freshly inked portion thereof beneath the platens, and releases the retracted hammers when the common actuator 77 reaches the limit of its counter-clockwise movement, making an impression on the record strip retained within the machine, and printing the receipt which is to be handed to the customer.

Upon the return movement of the key coupler and common actuator 77 to their normal positions, theprinted receipt is fed from the machine and the retaining pawl which holds the blade in its cocked position is tripped by the arm 215 of the segment 190 on the return of the latter to its normal position, whereupon the blade 76 severs the check or receipt from the strip.

lVhile 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 confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a machineof the class described the combination of a main operating device; paper feeding rollers; severing means; an actuator driven by said device; means operable by the actuator to cook the severing means; means to retain the severing means in its cocked position; a second means operable by the actuator to drive the feeding rollers; and means carried by the second means to release the retaining means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a main operating device; severing means; feeding rollers; a member connected to and operated by said device; means operable by said member to cook the severing. means; means to retain the severing means in its cocked position; oscillating means to rotate the feed rollers and control the release of the severing means from the retaining means.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a main operating member; paper feeding rollers; severing means; a seg ment to rotate the feeding rollers; a device operable by said'mcmber to oscillate the segment; means operable by said device to cock the severing means; means to retain the severing means in its cocked position; and means carried by the segment and operable upon the return of the segment to its normal position, to release the severing means from its cocked position.

4;. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a main operating device; impression-taking means; type carriers; a member connected to and operable with the main operating device; means carried by the mem ber and'movable relatively thereto, to retract the impression -tal;ing means; a second means carried by said member to move and release the first-mentioned means; and impelling means to carry the impression-taking means against the type carriers to make an impression.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a main operating device; type carriers; an impression hammer; a hammer operating device; a pivoted means adapted to engage and move the hammer operating device to retract the same; means to disengage the last'mentioned means from the hammer operating device when the latter is in its retracted position; means to return the hammer operating deviceto normal to operate the hammer; and a singlemember actuated by the main operating device and supporting the pivoted means and the disengaging means.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rockable device; type carriers; an impression-taking device; retracting means therefor; a member operable with the rockable device; means movably supported by and movable with said member to operate the retracting means; an element also supported by said member to move the second mentioned means relative to said member to release the retracting means said element being adjustable to vary the time of release of the retracting means; and impelling means to carry the impression-taking device against the type carriers when the retracting means is released.

7. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a rockable member; type carriers; impression-taking means; retracting means therefor; an actuating arm operable with the rockable member; a driver supported by said arm and adapted to engage and operate the retracting means; an adjustable means also supported by said arm to disengage the driver from the retracting means; and means to carry the impression-taking means against the type carriers upon such disengagement of the driver.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a rockable member; type carriers; impression-taking means; a pivoted member adapted to retract the impression-taking means; a driver supported by the rockable member and normally engaging the pivoted member to operate the same; an adjustable means carried by the rockable member and adapted to disengage the driver from the pivoted member while the rockable member is in motion; and means to actuate the pivoted member upon disengagement of the driver therefrom, to cause the impressiontaking means to make an impression from the type carriers.

9. In a. machine of the class described, the combination of a main operating member; a plurality of printing hammers; means common to both hammers to operate the same to take impressions upon a plurality of record materials; a device operable by the main operating member to actuate the hammer operatin device; and a plurality of devices operable by the main operating member to feed the plurality of record materials.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sets of type carriers; a printing hammer for each set; a device adapted to be positively rocked in one direction preparatory to printing, and spring actuated in the other direction to effect printing; connections intermediate said device and each of the hammers; a mam operating member; means carried thereby and adapted to be moved therewith; a member carried by said means and engaging said device to positively rock the same; and a devlce carried by said means to disengage the second mentioned member from the first mentioned device; and resilient means to actuate said first mentioned device.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sets of type carriers; an impression hammer associated with each set to print upon a plurality of record materials; feeding means associated with each of the record materials operating means for each hammer; severing means for one of the record materials; and an oscillating member common to both feeding means, the hammer operating means, and the severing means to actuate the same during one oscillation of said oscillating member, to feed both record materials, print on both of them and sever one of them. I

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sets of type wheels; an impression hammer for each set to print upon a plurality of record materials;

feeding means for each of said record materials; a severing device associated with one of the record materials; means connected to each of the hammers to operate the same; an oscillating device and means carried thereby adapted to cock and trip the hammer operating means when the oscillating devlce is moving in one direction; other means on the oscillating device adapted, when it is moving in the same direction, to operate one of the record strip feeding devices; a further means connected to the oscillating member to cock the severing device when the oscillating member is moving in the said one direction; means to retain the severing device in its cocked position; and a second oscillating means connected to and operated by the first oscillating means when said first oscillating means is moving in another direction to re lease the cooked severing means from its retaining means and actuate the feeding device for the other record material.

13. In a key operated cash register having press down amoimt keys; the combination of a normally closed Web-severing means; driving means for the severing means operating upon the depression and release of an amount key; and a pin and slot connection between the severing means and the driving means to accommodate manual opening of the normally closed severing means for threading new webs into the machine without moving the actuating means.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES L. LEE.

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