US2032387A - Automatic ticket cash register - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1936. P. ZUUNSK] E AL 2,032,387

AUTOMATIC TICKET CASH REGISTER Filed Oct. 2/1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 3, 1936. P. ZULiNSKl ET AL 2,032,337

AUTOMATIC TICKET CASH REGISTER Filed Oct. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 3, 1936. I, Z s ET AL 2,032,387

AUTOMATIC TICKET CASH REGISTER Filed Oct. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 3 I 1936. P. ZULINSKI El AL AUTOMATIC TICKET CASH REGISTER Filed 001,. 2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 AUTOMATIC TICKET CASH REGISTER Peter Zulinski, Astoria, and Philip Fleischman, Bronx, N. Y.

Application October 2, 1931, Serial No. 566,404

3 Claims.

This invention relates to registering devices, and has particular reference to cash registers, and methods that may be practised in association therewith.

One object of the invention is'to provide a device of the character described having improved means which are responsive to the perforations or marks in an article so as to operate or register according to the maximum amount or value of such perforations, in accord with the different or successive positions of the several perforations.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth having improved means coacting with an article, such as a check, in such manner that the means may be adjusted for diiferent periods of time or circumstance so as to coact with only such articles or checks as are proper for any particular period of time.

Another object of the invention is to construct a device of the class alluded to having improved means for registering the maximum amount punched on a member and for operating a suitable counter mechanism; another object of the device is to provide improved means automatically responsive to the maximum amount indicated on a member and to display said amount on an indicia bearing member; another object is to provide improved means for operating a counter mechanism and an indicia bearing means which is adapted successively to show the separate amounts additively recorded bythe counter mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved device of the type mentioned wherein a means responsive to the amounts shown on a check or the like is operative only after operation of another means which is responsive to a time indicia or the like borne by the check.

Another object is to pi'ovide an improved mechanical method of registering, checking or indicating, to minimize inaccuracy, save time'and labor and prevent fraud.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for each of the following purposes, singly or in any'combination: means for guiding and holding a paper or flexible check; means whereby a nonconducting check ele- .ment causes an electrical circuit to be closed for energizing a registering orindicating device; means whereby contact pins are successively projected against a check; means whereby a rotary device will operate all of said pins durr ing a single rotation of the device; means whereby actuation of the pins is caused by fingers one of which makes contact through a properly positioned opening in a check, which position may be changed from day to day; an arrangement whereby the preceding means may be readily adjusted; means whereby a counter is operated on the instant that the first pin makes electrical contact; means including toothed clutches for aiding in the accurate synchronization of the mechanism; means for automatically ejecting a check after the registering operation is completed; means whereby a single rotary device may actuate a counter or indicator on rotation in one direction, and the ejecting means onrotation in reverse direction; an improved two way 10 clutch means for the preceding means; means whereby a display indicator or the like is opera ated only according to the amount of the check and then returned to zero position; means including solenoids for operating the registering or 15 indicating mechanism; means whereby a drawer or other element may be automatically unlocked and'locked before and after the registering operation, respectively; means whereby opening of the drawer or other receptacle operates a switch 20 v to break the line circuit to the mechanism; means for controlling or regulating the passing of people before the machine; means whereby the register or indicator operates the preceding means as the operation of the machine begins or 25 is completed; means for indicating when the machine is to be emptied of its checks, and numerous associated or correlated mechanisms, elements, supporting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide 30 amachine of the nature set forth which shall have comparatively few and simple parts, which shall be inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, quick and easy to operate; reliable, rugged, and eflicient in use. 35

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects inview, the invention consists in the novel combinations and ar- 40 rangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the 45 several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a device embodying the invention, taken on the line I-i 50 of Fig. 2, and with a part removed.

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and with a part removed.

Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section taken on the broken line 3--3 of Fig. 2, and with a part removed. 1

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, with parts in section, of a rotary stop device.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the two way clutch.

Fig. '7 is a view in horizontal section taken on the line |'I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a check.

Fig. 10 is an energized view in elevation of the two way clutch.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of a drawer operated switch.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a cam arrangement for successively actuating the contact pin levers.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several diflerent constructions. The accompanying drawings, there fore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Generally described, this invention provides a device and method of checking, registering or indicating amounts or values of articles, services,

'or purchases of any kind, and it may be best illustrated in connection with a check which is used in cafeterias and which is punched everytime that a purchase is made. Heretofore it has been possible for employees to substitute other checks having punch marks of lesser amount and to ring up such lesser amount on the cash register. Hence owners of cafeterias have sustained a considerable and continuous loss. By this invention, the check is handed to the cashier by the customer, and the cashier inserts the check into the machine. The machine thereupon operates an indicator which shows the total amount of the check, and the customer may be guided by such indication andpay the amount thus shown. Furthermore, this amount is shown by a counter, so that the receipts may be accurately checked. The checks are received and retained I in the machine, to be removed therefrom only by the owner or other authorized person, thus precluding the possibility of substitution of checks. Moreover, to prevent fradulent preparation of checks in advance, all the checks issued on any one day may be differentiated from those issued on a preceding or other day, by a mark which may be printed, but is preferably in the nature of a notch, which may be placed, for instance, on the edge of the checks, by the management with out the knowledge of the cashier or other em-,

ployees. The machine is likewise adjusted, and will respond to the check only if the notch therein is in proper position on the check. The cash register is intended to be closed and is automatically looked after each transaction, but on inserting a check, the machine begins to operate and the cash drawer opens. To regulate the passing of customers before the machine in process of paying their checks, an automatic control may be used which is operated on opening or closing of the cash drawer. In the drawings has been shown a full and complete embodiment of the invention to comply with the patent statutes, but the same is to be considered as merely illustrative of one-possible form of the invention.

The term check as used herein is intended to denote any article or device, of any size, shape or function which may operate by reason of its size or other quality, as well as the perforations herein shown. Similarly the term cash register or the like, is to be broadly construed for any type of value, amount, speed or quantity recording or indicating device; and all terms herein used are to be correspondingly read and understood, separately and in their various relations, in the same broad and comprehensive sense.

Referring in detail to the drawings, l0 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same includes a casing including a main casing section II, a drawer casing section l2 therebeneath, and a base casing section l3. Disposed upon the main section I I is an indicator casing section II. I5 denotes the front wall of the main section, and IS a window through which may be observed the amount registered by the device. It will be clear that the entire casing structure may be made of any suitable material, in one or more parts, and of any suitable form to accommodate the invention.

Formed in an upper portion of the casing section ,II is a check receiving guide or slot I! with which registers a suitable guideway 18 for the check. This guideway may be formed between a pair of rigid members I 9, 20 which may be mounted upon the casing. The said members l9 and 20 may be secured to a wall or bracket structure extending parallelly to the front wall I5 and including a central offset upward extending housing portion 20a and having oppositely extending bars 20b and 200 secured to the side walls of the main casing. To guide the check lengthwise into the guideway l8 along a wall l9 thereof, a pressure means such as a plurality of resilient or wire members 2| may be provided extending in substantial parallelism along the guideway and in proximity to said wall. These wire members may be secured to the wall 20 at 22 and 23. Beyond the lower end of the wall IS, the members 2| may each have a curved cam portion 24 for guiding the check from the guideway. Thus it is seen that after the check has been fully inserted into the guideway, it may be maintained at rest for a suitable time interval by means such as the members 2!, both of which bear on the check,

. the latter being thereafter readily moved onward along the cams 24, as hereinafter described.

The check 25 may be of any suitable shape or construction. The form illustrated shows a well known type of check, to which, however, the invention is not limited, as it may also include any various types of tickets or tokens, depending upon the specific construction of the machine and the use to which it is put. The check 25 may be made of a still paper, fabric, or other material in which openings or deformations may be made by a suitable tool. Preferably paper of a substantially water proof nature, is desirable. The check 25 may have one or more rows or columns 26, 21 of suitable spaces or indicia, such as 28, arranged in a predetermined manner, so as to increase in regular or predetermined amounts in a given direction. For instance, the amounts may increase from 5 cents at one end of the check to 50 cents at the opposite end, and then in reverse direction, from 55 cents to $1.00 along the other column of the check. However, any amounts may be used, and. reference may be had, as in factory use, to the numbers of articles produced, the amount or value of work done, matters of speed or time, and generally to any kind of device, system or process which is capable of measurement in an accurate or arbitrary manner.

The check 25 may be punched as at 29, 39 and 3| after each measurement or scale, and the check indicates a total purchase of '75 cents.

In order to permit a given check to be used only on a specified day, or time interval, or condition, the check. may have a supplemental deformation or marking, as, for example, a notch 32 in an edge thereof. Thus all the checks to be used for one day, may have the notch located in the same position, while, on the following day, checks having notches in a different position will be used. The notch, which may be disposed in spaced relation to the indicia 28, so co-operates with a device mounted on a shaft 49, which is correspondingly preset, all as hereinafter described that only a properly notched check will cause the operation of the device. In this manner, the management of a cafeteria, or other establishment can control the .checks used so as to prevent fraudulent use of checks by employees to defeat the objects of the machine.

Now, when. the check 25, with the amounts punched thereon, is inserted into the guideway l8, preferably by the operator of the machine, the latter registers the amount and suitably operates the cash register to control the opening thereof. But if the notch 32 is in improper position on the check, the machine and cash register will be prevented from operating by a means that will now be described. 7

As shown in Fig. 3, the guideway it has a lateral longitudinal extension 33, in which is mounted a suitable means responsive to the notch 32. One form of construction, includes a plurality of horizontally extending, vertically spaced fingers 34, preferably seven in number to correspond to the days of the week. These fingers may be mounted for actuation in any feasible manner, as by loosely pivoting on a pin 35 and spaced from each other by suitable spacers 36 on the pin. Preferably the pin 35 passes through slots in the fingers, as shown. Each finger may be individually operated by a leaf spring 31, so as to move away from the buss bar 38 which is mounted on the wall l9. Coacting separately with the fingers 34, are provided a plurality of equally angularly spaced cams 39 fixed upon a shaft 49, in the planes of the corresponding fingers. This shaft is journaled at its upper end 4| in the top of the casing, and has rigidly secured to its lower end a supplemental alined shaft 42 which is journaled in a bearing 43 at the bottom of the main casing H. Journaled on the shaft are a pair of collars 44 and 45, the former of which is slidable along the shaft and is held against relative rotation thereto by a pin and slot connection 46, 41. The shaft 42 is rotatable relatively to the collar 45, and both of the collars have releasable toothed engagement at 48.. An expansion coil spring 49 acting between the abutment 50 and the collar 44 tends to drive said collars into engagement. For manually turning the shaft 42 through an angle corresponding to an angle of a cam 39, so as to bring a different cam 39 into operative relation to a finger 34, the shaft has a suitable head at its upper end engageable by a tool. When av torque is applied to the shaft, the collar 45 being normally held against rotation except as hereinafter described, the teeth 48 cause the. collar 44 to move upward against the force of the spring 49, for re-engagement of the teeth in a different angular position. In operation, as will be more particularly described hereinafter, the selected cam is in operative engagement with its corresponding contact be restored by the latter movement to initial selected position automatically, this operation being the same for all similar tickets and notches 25, 32.

When the check 25 is inserted into the guideway I8, the check causes actuation of a suitable means, electrical or mechanical, for operating the cams 39. For instance, the end portion of the check presses laterally against a lug 52 of a bell crank lever 53 that is pivoted at 54 on a bracket 54a secured to the wall member l9. This lever carries a contact plate 55 which is removably retained thereon by a leaf spring 56. Another contact 5'! is carried by a screw 58 that is threaded through an arm 59 of the bracket 54a, and is rotatable by a knob 69 for adjusting the gap between the contacts. An expansion coil spring 6| normally keeps said contacts apart, but, on

insertion of a check, the bell crank lever is swung clockwise and the contacts engage.

Electrically coacting with said contacts 55, 51 are wires 62, 63 connected to the bell crank lever 53 and a bus bar 6i, and to the bracket 5% and a solenoid 65 respectively. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Another wire 66 is connected at one end to a buss bar Bl and at its opposite end to solenoid 65. The buss bar Bl may be connected to a conventional electrical line socket 68 by a conductor 69, and the buss bar 64 is connected to a fuse "l0, and hence through a cash drawer switch device hereinafter described, to the socket 68. Thus the solenoid 65 is connected in circuit and energized. This solenoid has acore 65a connected by a link H to an arm 72 extending laterally from the collar 45. Opposing the movement of the solenoid, is a tension spring 53 secured to said arm and to a fixed post 14. When the solenoid is energized, a counterclockwise movement of the shaft 49 is caused, with a corresponding rotation through a suitable angle of all the cams 39, through the angle of one cam 39, for actuating one of the fingers 34 If the notch 32 is in proper position on the check, the free end of the actuated finger 34 passes through the notch and contacts the buss bar 38. This causes operation of a suitable means that is responsive to the punched holes in the check as will now be described. If there is no notch at the actuated finger, the same yields so as to prevent cutting of the check.

Connected electrically to the buss bar 64 as by a wire 15, is a solenoid 16. Another wire 11 runs from said solenoid to the buss bar 38. To complete the circuit, a third wire 18 is connected to the bus bar 61 and toa conductor rod I9 having at its free end a grooved portion 89 for sliding electrical engagement with the shaft 40. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) In this way, if any one of the fingers 34 touches the buss bar 38, the solenoid I6 is energized, with the current flowing through the shaft 49, a cam 39, and a finger 34.

The solenoid I6 is provided with a movable core 8| connected by a link 82 with a lever 83 that is pivoted on a shaft 84 journaled in a fixed bracket 85. Opposing the action of the solenoid is a tension coil spring 86 connected to the lever and to a stationary post 81. Alsoconnected to the lever is a reciprocatory rack bar 88, the teeth 39 of which mesh with the teeth of a piion 90 that is mounted on a shaft 9|. To provide for a small degreeof oscillation of the rack bar, while retaining the same in uniform engagement with the pinion, a yoke 92 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 9| so as to engage around the back of the rack bar. The shaft 9I is journaled in lugs 93 of the bracket arm 20b, in a bracket 94 secured to said bracket arm, and also in the spaced angular plates or lugs which are at the inner ends of the bracket arms 20b and 200. Between said lugs is a wall member 96 disposed in the plane of the member 20 but positioned therebeneath. Fixed on the shaft 9| between said lugs, are a plurality of spaced cams 91, preferably twenty in number to correspond to the number of indicia marks on the check 25. Each of these cams has a recess 98 in the face thereof, the recesses for all the cams including portions uniformly angularly spaced through an angle of approximately 360 degrees. Thus said portions are formed by recesses which successively increase by equal angles, the first of these recesses being shown in the drawings. In general, the arrangement of the cams is such that the levers are successively actuated and maintained in actuated positions during the successive movements, as hereinafter described. Coacting with the different cams respectively are levers 99 having follower portions I00 disposed along a common plane. All of the levers may be pivoted on a common shaft IN, and they may all be pressed toward the cams by a common leaf spring I02. The levers are spaced for accurate alinement with their corresponding cams, the latter being similarly spaced by-means of discs I03 which are substantially larger in diameter than the cams so as to guidingly receive the levers therebetween. Connected to the upper ends of the levers are a plurality of contact pins I04 which may be arranged above one another in two parallel rows I04a and I0). These pins are suitably slidingly guided in parallel holes I05 in the wall member 20 which may be made of insulating material. The spacing and arrangement of the pins I04 is such as to accurately correspond to the indicia on the check 25. For convenience in construction, the pins vary in length gradually, the uppermost pins being longest. The levers 99 are pivotally connected to the pins at I06, and all the levers for one row of the pins have their upper portions 99a in a common plane, in alinement with the plane of the pins. At 9%, the levers are laterally offset and extended straight dow'nward so as to lie in spaced side by side relation, and at 990, the levers are formed so as to extend inward toward the wall. member 20,-

and then downward but along a common line at 99d so as to extend in a vertical direction to the shaft WI. The construction and arrangement of levers 99 is clearly shown in side elevation in Fig. l, and in edge elevation-in Fig. I. Said levers may be variously arranged and shaped so as to clear each other and to lie compactly side by side; these forming no feature .of the invention.

It will now be understood that when the solenoid I6 is energized, the rack bar 88 is moved downward sufiiciently to cause a substantially complete rotation of the cams 91. As such rotation progresses, the cams cause successive actuationof the levers 99 and a corresponding tendency of the pins to successively move through any punched holes in the check 25. As will be noted, the pins have reduced ends for easy entrance into the holes in the check 25. At those places in the check where there are no holes, the movement of the pins is arrested by the check, and the levers 99 for said pins have sufficient resilience to adequately spring for accommodation.

In practice it is preferred that the cams 9! be so arranged ,as to cause the movements of the pins to follow the order to the indicia on the check beginning from the maximum amount. Consequently the pin corresponding to $1.00 will be first actuated, and-that pin which corresponds to 5 cents will be last actuated. Owing to the conformation of the successive cams, which have dwells of decreasing sizes and recesses of increasing size each lever 99 which is actuated will remain in operated condition until the rotation of the cams has been fully completed. When that has been accomplished, the followers I00 of the levers reseat in their respective cam recesses so as to cause release of the levers 99 and the pins I04 thus, in turn, disengaging the check in the guideway I8.

Coacting respectively with both rows of pins I04a and I041), are a plurality of buss bars I0! and I08. These are interconnected back of the wall I9 by a conductor plate I09 having a binding post H0. To the latter is engaged a wire I II which is connected to the buss bar 64. A brush H2 is mounted to wipe against a clutch casing II3 hereinafter described. This brush is connected by a conductor II4 with a solenoid I I5, from which extends another conductor I I6 to the buss bar 6'! to complete the circuit. The circuit is completed by contact of pins I04 with buss bars I01, I08, and through levers 99 carrying the pins, and through shaft 9Ib carrying the levers and the clutch I I3, and hence to the brush H2. The solenoid II5 may be used to operate a counter mechanism as will be described subsequently. It will be appreciated that suitable insulation may be used wherever required to prevent short circuiting, and the positive end of the line may be connected preferably to the buss bars I 07 and I08 rather than to the contact pins I04. In any case it will be clear that the current may flow through the shaft 9| and the levers 99 and pins I04 to the buss bars I01, I08 with which the pins may contact through the holes in the check.

It may now be understood that, by this arrangement, and as will be more specifically described hereinafter, the device is well adapted to register the punch mark corresponding to the maximum amount punched on the check. As soon as such maximum punch mark is penetrated by a pin I04, the circuit is closed to the solenoid H5 and certain operations are initiated, ac cording to which any subsequent penetration of other punch marks on the check by other pins I04 will be immaterial to the accurate operation of the machine.

The invention may include a counting mech anism, and if the same is connected for operation by the shaft 9|, it may be desirable that the latter shall not rotate in reverse direction, which would happen when the solenoid I6 is de-energized and 'the spring 86 retracts the rack bar 88 and causes reverse rotation of the pinion 90. Accordingly, a clutch II1, (see Fig. 6) may be interposed in the shaft 9I between the sections SIa' and 9Ib thereof. This clutch may be in the nature of a two way clutch and include the casing II3 consisting of opposite end wall members H8, H9, the former of which rotates in an opposite direction to the latter, and an intermediate circular portion I20. The latter includes a hub I20a' on a wall I20b, which hub is keyed to the shaft section 9Ia at I200, and is provided with.

angularly spaced radial inwardly extending lugs I2I, one adjacent to each wall I I8, I I9. On these lugs are pivotally mounted the dogs I22, I23

which extend intocthe end walls I I8, I I9, the latter being each of channel form in cross section. A pin I24 is fixed to the wall I201) of the intermediate member I20, and on this pin is mounted a spring I25, the central portion of which is coiled around the pin and the end portions of which bear on the dogs so as to tend to throw them simultaneously outward. Each of the end walls H8, H9 has a recess I22a and I23a for its corresponding dog. Consequently, when the solenoid 16 is energized, the dog I23 is operative to cause rotation of the intermediate shaft section of the shaft section am, the dog I23 is idle, and

the dog I22 operative to rotate the member, I I8.

It will be noted that due to the arrangement of the clutch the angular rotation of members I18 and I I9 is approximately equal.

A counting device may be provided which may include a continuous counter, and a counting mechanism that is reset to zero for each day.

Such counting mechanisms are well known and counters, I26, I21 and I28 which may be suitably geared together at I29. To drive the counters, a

third section 9Ic may be provided for the shaft 9I. may be arranged a'clutch I30 consisting of two disc elements having mating teeth, which are.

preferably twenty in number for each of them to correspond to the number of indicia on the check 25. This clutch is normally retained open by a yoke- I3I carried by a lever I32 pivoted on a fixed pivot I33 on the bracket arm 200; this lever being actuated by an expansion coil spring I34 which acts at one end onan arm I35 of the lever, and at its other end on a bar I36 affixed to said bracket arm. The solenoid II5 has 'a plunger I31 connected by a link with the free end I38 of the lever I32, so that when the solenoid is energized, the clutch I30 is closed.

Since the solenoid H5 is energized on the instant that a pin I04 makes contact through a maximum perforation in the check 25, the operation of the counters will instantly begin and will continue to the low value end of the check, the

cams 91 being arranged for successive] operation of one row of the pins I04 in an upward direction from I to 55, on the check and then of the second row of pins I04 in a downward direc-- tion from 55 to 5. If the value of the check is 65, the countergis rotated through 13 units of angle, and if the value is I5, the counter is rotated through 3 units of angle. Thus the counters will register the full maximum amount of the check. By providing twenty teeth in the clutch I30, any slight lost motion in the mechanism is automatically corrected when the clutch is engaged, assuring proper chronism in the operation.

To assure against any accidental reverse rotation of the counters, a ratchet wheel I39 may be mounted on a hub I40 of enact the clutch ele- Interconnecting the sections 9Ib and file ments I30 that is secured to shaft section 9| c. With the teeth of this ratchet wheel may coact a suitable fixed leaf spring I4I.

A suitable display indicator may be provided to show through the window I6 the amount of the check registered by the machine. For this purpose a disc I42, for instance, may be ,pro-

vided, which may carry indicia. corresponding to the indicia on the check 25. Such indicia may be arranged along a circle or are of any suitable angle. The disc may be mounted on 'a hub I43 of a bevel gear l44 that is journaled on a stationary shaft I 45 secured to a bracket arm I45a that extends from a long upright .bracket I452). The latter may be fixed to the casing and wall I9 by bolts I450 and N511. Engaging this bevel gear is a second bevel gear I46 that is freely .iournaled on an end of the bracket arm I450; (see Fig. 3). Fixed to a shaft I41 which is journaled in a bracket Mia secured to the wall I9, is a sprocket wheel I48 connected by a chain drive M9 over the idlers I 50 and extending thence downward around a sprocket wheel I5I secured to the main shaft section Me. The idlers I50 may be journaled on stub shafts I52 fixed to the vertical frame bar I36.

As it is desirable that the disc I42 shall return to zero position for each check inserted into the machine, a clutch I53 may be arranged to connect the bevel gear I46 with the shaft I41 when the clutch I53 is closed. When this occurs, the disc I42 will rotate in precisely equal angles with the shaft section 9Ic for the counters. The clutch includes one member fixed to said bevel gear, and other member splined to the shaft I41 and slidable therealong by conventional means such as a guide member I54 and yoke I55. The latter is pivotally mounted at I56 on a suitable bracket arm I56a which may be part of the large bracket I451). It is intended that the yoke shall be moved toward the left by any feasible means to open the clutch I53 when the operation of the counters and display indicator disc I42 has been completed, and such means may be provided in connection with the check ejecting means hereinafter described. In any case, whenthe clutch I53 is opened, the disc I42 may be returned to zero position by. a. torsion coil spring I51 which is wound around the stationary shaft I 45 and secured thereto at one end, and at its other end at I58 to a cam shaped plate I59 that is fixed to the hub I43. Also fixed to said shaft I45 at I60 is a resilient stationary member I6I, the end I62 of which is adapted to ride along the edge I63 of the cam I59 so as to engage in the notch I64 to act as a positive stop for limiting the return movement of the display disc I42 under the action of the spring I51.

After operation of the counters and disc I42,

the check 25 is automatically ejected from the guideway I8 by suitable means, one form of which will now be described. Any drive means that may be used for the purpose, may include a sprocket wheel I65 fixed to the member H8 01 the casing I I3 of the two way clutch I I 1. A chain I66 which may be straight or crossed asv may be necessary, passes through an opening I61 in the bracket wall 201) and connects the sprocket wheel I65 with a sprocket wheel I68 that is mounted on a shaft- I69 journaled in the bracket I45b. Mounted on the shaft is a second sprocket wheel I which is connected with a chain to a'sprocket wheel "I on a shaft I12 journaled in a bracket arm I 45e ofthe bracket 517, so that the shaft I12 is above the shaft I69 and extends in parallel relation thereto. Fixed on each of the shafts I69 and I12 are rollers I13 and I14 respectively which may be made of a suitable frictional material such as rubber. See Fig. 4. These rollers are disposed in the same vertical plane. The upper roller I14 communicates at right angles with the guideway I8 through a slot I15 in the wall I9, between the buss bars I01, I08 and in alinement with the wire springs 2I, so that the check 25 may be gripped between the roller I14 and said springs. To facilitate insertion of the check 25 into the guideway I8, the roller I14 may have a plane edge portion I16 for clearance. The lower ejecting roller I13 is positioned with an edge thereof in close proximity to the cam portions of the springs 2|.

When the main shaft section 9 la reverses under the action of the spring 86, the sprocket wheel I65 is turned in a corresponding direction, and causes rotation of the shafts I69 and I12, and hence of the rollers I13, I14, inthe clockwise direction. The upper roller I14 feeds the check 25 downward along the springs 2| to the lower roller I13, which discharges the check into a suitable receptacle I11. Obviously the circumferences of the rollers I13, I 14 may be made sufiicient to completely eject a check with a single rotation of the rollers. The upper roller I14 is now again in its initial position with the plane portion I16 disposed toward the guideway I8 which is thus ready to receive another check.

It will be noted that when the check 25'is completely ejected the bell crank lever 53 is free to swing counterclockwise to break the contact at 55, 51, causing release of the solenoid 65.

To operate the yoke I55, a disc I18 is mounted on the shaft I12, this disc carrying a cam element I19 near its periphery. This cam element I19 is adapted to strike a pin I fixed to the yoke so as to cause the same to move into open position, an action which is accomplished as the ejection of the check 25 is completed. Thereupon the spring I51 reversely rotates the disc I42 to initial position, as hereinbefore described.

To close the clutch I53, an arm I8I extends from the collar 45, see Fig. 2, this arm having pivotal connection I82 at its end with a lever I83. The latter has an intermediate pivot at I84 on an arm I45] of the bracket I451). At its other end, the lever I83 has a rule break joint at I85 with the arm I86 of the yoke I55 below the pivot I56. For this purpose the arm I86 may have a channel portion I81 at its lower end for receiving the lever I83. Now, when the solenoid 65 operates, this being the first solenoid to be energized, the lever I83 is caused to swing clockwise. This causes the yoke arm I86 to swing counterclockwise, so that the clutch I53 is closed, the rule break joint I85 being effective. But said joint will permit the yoke to be moved in reverse direction to freely open the clutch I53 by means of the cam I19.

It may now be noted that the invention embodies a principle that all the essential rotating parts thereof function by a rotation not in excess of 360 C. In this manner accuracy and simplicity in a high degree is obtained.

To give the operator of the cash register suitable notice that a predetermined number of checks have been received in the receptacle I11 so that the same will be emptied, we may provide a slide I88, or the like which is guided on the members I89 for movement transversely to the mouth of the guideway I8. A suitable speed reduction means may be used, including a small suitably mounted roller I 90 frictionally engaging the roller I14 and another roller I 9|. The latter may be mounted on a shaft I92 journaled on the ears I93 of the guides I89. Rotatably mounted on said shaft I92 is a finger I94 which is engageable with a lug I95 of the slide so as to tend to move the same into closing position. A torsional coil spring I96 is connected to said shaft I92 and to the finger I94 so as to resiliently move the finger as stated. A tension coil spring I91 tends to move the slide to open position. As the roller I14 rotates the roller I9I is slowly turned and after a great number of checks 25 have been received, the finger I94 is gradually caused to close the slot I1. However, the slot is of sufiicient width to still permit reception of checks. But the receptacle I11 may now be emptied, and the operator may engage the lip I98 on the slide to draw the same toward the right, thus permitting the finger I94 under actuation of the spring I96, to quickly pass the lug I95. The lip I98 is then released, and the spring I91 retracts the slide to open position.

The receptacle I11 may be supported in the main casing section II on inclined guides or supports I 99'mounted on the bottom of said section at I99a and I99b. For removal of the receptacle I11, a door 200 may be provided at the rear of the main casing, this door being hinged at 2000 and locked at 20I. A handle 202 on said receptacle facilitates removal thereof. wall 203 maybe re-enforcingly connected to the bracket 20b by means including a bracket 204.

The drawer casing I2 is separated from the main casing by a horizontal wall 205 which may afford support to, various members and brackets in the main casing II. A similar wall 206 separates the base casing I3 from the drawer casing. In the casing section I2 may be provided a conventional cash drawer 201 having partitions 208 and 209providing a plurality of compartments. This drawer may have the grooved guide members 2I0 which are adapted to ride on the antifriction rollers 2II mounted in the wall 206.

It is preferred that the drawer 201 shall always be closed and locked after payment has been received from a customer, said drawer to be released only on the full insertion of a check 25 in the guideway I8. Accordingly a lever 2I2 (see Fig. 2) is pivotally mounted at 2 I3 between a pair of brackets 2I4, secured to the wall 205, (see Fig.

l) This lever is normally urged in counterclockwise direction by a compression coil spring 2I5. The lever is provided with a toe 2 I6 which is engageable by a finger 2I1 fixed to the shaft 84.

At its other end, the lever is provided with a locking head 2 I8 which is adapted to pass through an opening 2I9 in the wall 205 for engagement with the rear wall 220 of the drawer 201 to prevent the opening of the drawer.

When the solenoid, 16 is energized, the shaft 84- is rocked, causing the finger 2I1 to swing the lever 2I2 in clockwise direction, elevating the locking head 2I8 to release the drawer. When the solenoid 16 is de-energized, and the drawer is moved into closing position, the locking head, due to the inclination of the lower edge 22I thereof, rides easily over said wall 220 and locks therewith.

It is desirable when the drawer 201 is opened, that the current to the machine shall be cut off. For this reason one terminal of the socket 68 is connected through 222 as shown in Fig. 3, to a contact member 223 secured to the rear wall 224 of the drawer compartment, and the fuse 10 being connected to a mating contact member 225 afiixed The rear to the outside of the rear wall 220 of the drawer. The contact members 223 and 225 constitute a switch which is opened on opening the drawer 201 to stop all flow of current to the machine. In

order that such flow -of, current may not be sufficient to afford an adequate margin of time to,

assure full operation of the machine. When the drawer is closed, this spring is deformed.

The opening of the drawer 201 may be aided by a plurality of expansion helical springs 221 which maybe secured to the rear wall 224. A bell 228 having a-knocker 229 maybe sounded on opening the drawer 201, the latter having a catch 230 to engage, and then to spring the knocker and release the same for sounding the bell.

To regulate the passing of customers before the machine and maintain a proper order in the payment of the checks, a suitable passage closing device may be provided which may directly or indirectly be caused to operate by the machine. For instance the device may operate with the opening and closing of the cash drawer 201'. One form of such device may include an arcuate bar 23| which lies in the plane of the base casing section l3 and is adapted to move back and forth therethrough along the arc of the bar as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. This bar may be of any suitable length or curvature so as to readily pass in front of a person paying his check,

and then behind the person when his payment has been made and the drawer closed. The casing section l3 may extend laterally at l3a beyond the drawer casing section l2 so as to afford ample space to accommodate said bar.

The casing section l3 may have openings at 232 and 233 for the passage of the bar. To guide the bar in its oscillation, we provide a plurality of pairs of rollers 234, and additional single rollers 235. The bar 23! may have a rack 236 on its inner surface, the teeth of which mesh with those of a gear 231 which has a fixed bearing at 238, the arrangement being such that the gear is always in engagement with the rack. To actuate the gear 231, a sprocket wheel 239 may be provided on the shaft 238. A chain drive 240 may so connect this sprocket wheel with the drawer 201 as to cause the movement of the latter to operate the bar 23L Thus the chain may engage around the idlers 2, 242, 243 and 244, the idlers 242 and 243 being arranged along a central line of the drawer in the path of movement thereof. For engaging the drawer with the chain 240, a member 245, having a fork 246, is secured to the rear wall 220 of the drawer by longitudinal brackets 241 and may extend downward to closely engage the chain at any part thereof. Thus the chain is detachably reliably engaged by the fork, due to the links of the chain. It will now be seen that when the drawer 201 is opened,the ear 231 is turned in clockwise direction to move the bar 23l to the dotted line position, and when the drawer is closed, the bar is moved into the position shown in full lines.

To aid the opening movement of the drawer 201 and the movement of the bar 23! into the dotted line position, a rod 248 is mounted on posts 249 at an angle along the path of travel of the chain between the idlers 243 and 244. Secured upon this rod is a slide 250. A tension coil spring 25l takes around the rod and is connected at one end to the slide 250 and at its other end to the end 252 of the rod. The chain 240 may be connected. to the slide at 253, at which point a stiff tension coil spring 254 may be interposed in the chain to' take up any slack therein. It will now be clear that when the drawer 201 is being opened, the spring 25l facilitates such movement and serves to takeup a part of the inertia and friction of the bar 23!. When the drawer 201 is closed, an operation that is more easily accomplished than opening the drawer, the spring 25l is elongated.

It will be appreciated that this invention may be embodied in many different forms and constructions, and for different purposes, and that various features and parts of the invention may be changed in whole or in part, or omitted or replaced by others, and that the invention is not to be limited by any construction herein shown, but is rather defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A device responsive to perforations successively disposed along a check, including means for releasably holding the check, electrical conductor means, contact elements successively actuated for movement through the perforations to engage said conductor means, and counter means actuated by the first element so moved and continuously during during movement of the other elements.

2. A device responsive to amount indicating perforations successively disposed along'a check in variably spaced relations to each other, in-

cluding. an electrical conductor means, contact elements uniformly spaced from each other, said conductor means and contact elements being movable relatively to each other so that the contact elements have successive engagement with the conductor means through adjacent perforations, those elements not adjacent to said perforations being maintained by the check out of contact with the conductor means, counting means and means for operating the same, the last mentioned means being actuated by the first element making said engagement and continuously during. any succeeeding engagement of other elements.

3. A device responsive to perforations successively disposed along a check to indicate in-

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