US2105640A - Cash register - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1938. A. A. DICKE 2 x CASH REGISTER Filed March 26, 1927 3 she-uts fiheet INVENTOR A LEN A. D/CKE ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 19358.

A. A. DICKE CASH REGISTER Filed March 26, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR ALLEN .4. 0/6/05 WCM ATTORNEY Jan. 18, 1938. DlcKE 2,105,640

CASH REGISTER Filed March 26, 1927 3 Sheets-fiheet I5 INVENTOR Ag f/v A. 0/6/03 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNiTED STATES PATENT DFFICE 2,105,640 oasn REGISTER of Maryland Application March 26, 1927, Serial No. 178,576

16 Claims.

This invention relates generally to accounting machines and the particular embodiment shown and described is of that class of machine known as cash registers which employ differential devices for transmitting the amounts entered into one or more totalizers and at the same time into certain indicating devices.

One primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved type of dilierential mech- 1 in which the actuators are positively moved in both directions as distinguished from the type in which springs are utilized to operate them in one direction. The advantage of having actuators positively moved and restored is that the correct addition of the amounts entered in the machine is insured together with their proper indication and, if desired, their printing upon the record medium. It becomes impossible with this type of differential mechanism to oppose and prevent the full intended movement of an actuator as is readily possible where springs are employed.

A further object is to provide such a differential device in a machine of the flat keyboard type.

Briefly, the objects just stated which result from the improved design are accomplished in the preferred form of embodiment herein shown by providing two complementally movable slides, there being a pair of slides for each denomination of a totalizer, the extents of movement of the individual slides being dependent upon the value of the controlling keys which have been depressed. A universal operating member is provided for operating the slides of the different groups, the arrangement being such that the slides of each group may be stopped in different positions from the slides in other groups so that the proper differential movement may be imparted to each totalizer pinion by rack teeth formed on the related slide. One of the slides of each pair is normally locked, but when a key in the group associated with any pair is depressed the related locking element or zero stop pawl is moved out of locking engagement with the slide to permit movem nt of the latter by the common operating member.

In connection with the differential devices it is also an object of the invention to provide an improved form of aligning or correcting device, which gives the totalizer actuators and indicator setting devices a final adjustment which insures placing them in the proper positions. Thus any misalignment that would otherwise occur, in the event that there is a change in the dimensions of the co-acting parts due to wear byconstant use of the machine is automatically taken care of.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved type of key detent mechanism which is simple in construction, but effective in operation. Each detent is adapted, furthermore, to actuate the zero stop pawl for one of the pair of slides provided for the related group of keys.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved indicator positioning mechanism which is controlled by the positive differential mechanism. An outstanding feature of this phase of the invention is in the employment of frictional driving means for rotating the indicator drums which are always turned in the same direction. The indicator mechanism includes a series of stop devices each correlated with projections carried by the associated indicator drum so that as the latter is irictionally driven by the operating mechanism the co-operation of the stop with one of the projections will stop the indicator in its rotative movement at a position in which it will indicate the value of the key depressed. The indicator setting devices are so correlated with the differential devices that they are adjusted directly from one determining position to another during the movement of the operating mechanism. So also the indicators themselves are turned directly from one setting to the next but always in the same direction. By directly setting the determining devices as well as the indicator drums from the position in which they were left in the previous operation there is eliminated the jar caused by the sudden stopping of these parts as would be required if they were returned to a constant and normal position during each operation of the machine. As a result an easier movement and a lessening of the load on the machine is effected.

In the drawings and following description the improvements are shown embodied in a cash register of the two-motion type, that is, a register in which the operation of a key predetermines the extent of rotation which is to be given a totalizer wheel by the actuator when said actuator is driven by a subsequent operation of the operating mechanism. It will be apparent, however, when reading the description in connection with the drawings that the use of the improvements is not limited to such a machine, but they can be embodied in various forms in other types of cash registers and accounting machines. It will also be apparent, that the indicator setting and driving mechanism disclosed can, with a few changes,

which will readily suggest themselves, be used for adjusting elements other than indicators and may be used, for example, in adjusting type carriers. It is not, therefore, the desire to be limited to any particular use of the indicator setting and driving mechanisms or to any particular embodiment of the improvements as a whole.

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

Fig. l is a transverse sectional iew of a cash register embodying the invention showing a bank of amount controlling keys, the differential mechanism associated therewith, the indicating devices for indicating the amounts registered in the machine and the driving mechanism for accomplishing the registering and indicating functions Fig.2 is a detail view of suitable totalizer engaging devices and the associated operating cam.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the indicator position determining devices.

Fig. 4 is a view of the machine with the casing and keyboard removed taken perpendicular to the plane of the keyboard and showing the arrangement of the complemental controlling slides forming part of the differential devices. This view also shows the arrangement of the indicating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1 showing the key construction and the associated controlling slides.

Fig. 6 is a view taken along the line 63 of Fig. 1 showing particularly the zero stop and its relationship to one of the controlling slides.

Fig. '7 is a view in side elevation showing the action of the differential devices when a key in a bank is depressed and the machine is partially operated.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 for showing the action of the differential device when no key in a bank is depressed and the machine is partially operated.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the key releasing mechanism.

Generally described the illustrative machine includes the following principal mechanisms: a driving mechanism, a keyboard, a differential mechanism, a totalizer for accumulating the amounts entered and an indicating mechanism for indicating the transactions as they occur in the machine.

The driving mechanism comprises an operating handle having gear connections to parallel driving shafts, one of which is adapted to operate the differential devices, one the indicating devices, and the remaining shaft to control the registering mechanism.

For controlling the operation of the differential devices a series of amount determining devices in the form of depressible keys are provided, suit able detent mechanism being provided to retain them in their depressed position during operations of the machine. As is usual in this type of machine the keys are arranged in a plurality of banks, each bank being provided with nine keys. It will be understood that while only amount keys are disclosed in the drawings a machine en bodying the present invention may be equipped with clerks keys and transaction or department keys as well, in which case similar connections to those provided for the amount keys will be provided for performing the functions usually performed by such keys, as controlling suitable indicators, printing mechanism, counter control mechanism, and the like.

In the illustrative machine the construction of the keys and the associated key detent mechanism is identical for the various denominational banks of keys and a description of one will be taken as representative of the various groups. As best shown in Fig. 5, each of the key frames 20 is preferably in the form of a channel bar and is suitably slotted so as to receive the stems of the keys 2l, the upper ends of which are provided witth heads so that the keys may be conveniently depressed. Each of the key frames is held in fixed position and supported at its upper end by means of circumferentially slotted rods 22 (Figs. 1 and 8) engaging a notch formed in the end of the vertical portion of the channel bar. At its lower end each channel is provided with a notch in the vertical Wall which cooperates with a cross rod 22!. Slidably mounted in the key frames 20 by means of slotted lugs 23 (Fig. 5 and 8) extending from the side of each channel frame and by means of slotted screws 24 also carried by the frame, is a detent plate 25. Each detent plate is provided with a pltuality of hooked portions 26 and as best shown in Fig. 5, each detent 25 projects through the openings 2'! formed in the keys of a related bank so that when a key is depressed against the action of a restoring spring 29 (Fig. 5) the detent plate will be moved in one direction against the resistance of a spring 30 (Fig. 8) and when the operated key is depressed sufficiently one of the hooked portions will engage an opening 3| formed in the stem of the depressed key. By reason of this construction when a key is depressed it will be held in its depressed position so that the lower portion of the key may control the differential device associated with that bank.

Located beneath the key channel frame just described are a pair of supporting bars 32 (Fig. 8) attached to which are slotted plates 33 which form the guiding means for a series of controlling slides 34. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 each controlling slide 34 is provided with a series of upstanding projections designated generally by key in each is adapted to represent a unit amount, while the uppermost key of each group is adapted to represent values of nine units. The projection designated 360 (Fig. 1) has its straight edge in substantially the same line as the adjacent side of the "9 key while the projection 361 is normally a distance of one unit away from its related or the 8 key, and of the remaining projections it will be noted that the projections 36 are a number of units away from their correlated keys corresponding to their subscript designations. The result of this is that when the lowermost or 1 key is depressed the co-action of the stem of the key with the projection 368 will permit the controlling slide 34 to be given a movement of eight units, and in each instance the movement of the slide with respect to the key depressed is the nines complement of the value of the associated key.

The projections 35 are adapted to co-operate with integral extensions 3! (Fig. 5) formed on the lower end of each of the key stems 21 it being noted that the extensions of the different keys are either, in alignment with the projections 36 which are in the plane of the plate 34 or with the projections which are bent away from the plane of the plate, so that in this way the projections 31 of the different keys are also alternately arranged in one of the two positions to the right of the center of the key as viewed in Fig. 5.

The reason for having the integral extensions on the key stems alternately disposed is due to the fact that it is desirable to have the maximum movement which can be imparted to the plate 34 greater than the distance between two adjacent keys. For example, if all the projections on the plate 34 and all the integral extensions 31 of the keys 2! were in the same plane for a denominational group of keys, it will be clear that when the lowest or 1 key (Fig. l) is depressed and the slide 34 moved upwardly until the projection 36a cooperates with the extension 3'! of the depressed key the projection 367 must pass the extension of the depressed key and this movement would not be possible if the projection 367 of the slide was in alignment with the extension 31 of the 1'key. Instead of permitting the slide 34 to be moved until the projection 38s coacted with the stem of the 1 key the projection 367 would first coact with the stem of this key if the alternate arrangement were not adopted. By this construction the keys may be spaced more closely, thus providing a small easily operated keyboard, while at the same time permitting of large movements of the internal parts which reduces the effect of structural variations and permit of larger tolerances in manufacture.

Mounted adjacent each slide 34 is a companion controlling slide 38 provided with rectangular notches through which the guiding and supporting bars 32 and plates 33 also project so that this slide is mounted just as the slide 34. The slide 38 is similar to the slide 34 but is adapted to be moved amounts complemental and in a direction reverse to the movement imparted to the slide 34 and therefore it is moved to an amount commensurate with the value of the key depressed. The slide 38 is provided with projections 391 to 398 (Fig. 4) which are arranged in a manner similar to the projections 36 on the slide 34 that is, alternate ones are bent out of the plane of the slide 38, the subscript denoting the distance in units that the projection and therefore the slide may be moved before the straight edge of the projection co-acts with the stem of its related key. Referring to Fig. it will be noted that the stems of the keys are also provided with integral extensions 49, 40 adapted to cooperate with their related projections, these being arranged alternately between two positions similar to the extensions 31, 37.

It will be observed in the preferred embodiment that no projections are provided to cooperate with the keys to control the movement of either the slide 34 or 38 equivalent to nine steps. If so desired the necessary projections may be provided, but in the machine shown the rectangular slots formed in the slides 34 and 38 cooperating with the bars 32 are utilized to limit the movement of the slides to an extent equivalent to nine steps of movement.

The power for operating the machine may be provided by any prime mover such as electric motor, or as shown in the illustrative machine it may be supplied by a crank handle 4! (Fig. 1) The crank rotates a gear 42 meshingwith a gear 43, the gearing being so arranged that two rotations of the crank will effect a complete rotation of the gear 43 and the shaft 44 to which the gear is attached. Attached to the shaft 44 is a pair of box cams 45 the cam races of which cooperate with rollers carried by the rearward extensions 45 of a pair of arms 47 (Fig. i) loosely pivoted on a rod 53, and which are connected together by a cross rod 48 thus forming a frame. The box cams are arranged so that during each operation of the machine the frame will be rocked to operate the differential devices of the machine.

The rod 48 may carry a number of rollers 48| (Figs. 4 and 5) suitably spaced by means of collars 4232 and the rollers preferably pass through and cooperate with slots i!) formed in each of a series of cam plates 50 each of which is connected at one end to its respective slide. 34 by a pivot pin 5i. At the other end each cam plate 59 is provided with a hooked portion 52 normally engaging the rod As just stated the rod 48 passes through the slots 42: formed in all the cam plates 53 so that upon each rocking movement of the frame the slides 3 5 will, by mechanism about to be described, all be moved upwardly until the projections 35 abut the stems of the depressed keys of the various banks, or if no key is depressed in certain banks, until the ends of the rectangular slots in the slides 34 for those banks co-act with the bars 32.

I Each cam plate fit is provided with a slot which is comprised of a cam portion 54 and a dwell portion 55 at each end concentric with respect to pivot 5i and which co-operates with a stud 5-5 carried by a downward extension 5'1 integral with the slide 38. The slide 3% is normally locked against a downward movement by means of a triple-armed pivoted zero stop 53 which is spring urged so that a pin 55% carried by one arm coacts with one end of the detent plate 25, another arm being provided with a lug Gil normally engaging the projection 398 of the slide 38.

The operation of the above described mecha nism when no key in a bank is depressed is as follows: Since no key has been depressed the zero stop 58 will remain in its normal position and will hold the slide 38 against any downward movement. Now when the crank handle 4! is turned the gear 42 will drive the gear 3 thereby rotating the shaft 4. The box cam 45 will rock the rod 4t upwardly and by its co-operation with the slot will rock the cam plate about the pin 5i from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in 8, it being noted that very early in the movement of the plate 58 the hooked portion 52 is disengaged from the rod 53 and during the operation is carried a considerable distance away from the latter. Since the slide 38 is locked against movement the co-operation of the slot 54 with the pin 56 will result in forcing the cam plate 50 rearwardly and upwardly and it will in turn draw the slide 34 upwardly until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 8 wherein it will be noted that the ends of the rectangular slots formed in the slide 34 have co-acted with the supporting bars 32 thus indicating that the slide 34 has received the maximum, or nine steps of movement.

If. on the other hand, the registration and indication of a certain denominational group should be five the 5 key in that particular group is de pressed and will be retained in its depressed position by means of the detent mechanism previously described. It will be noted, furthermore, that when the 5'keyis depressed the detent plate 25 co-acting with the pin 59 will rock the zero stop 58 so as to disengage the lug 60 from the projection 39a of the slide 38 (Figs. 1 and 7). Upon an operation of the crank handle the bar 48 will be lifted as before so that the slide 34 will also be moved upwardly and rearwardly as previously described, but since in this instance the slide 38 is unlocked for operation, the co-operation of the cam slot 54 with the pin 56 will also force the slide 38 downwardly or in a direction reverse to the movement imparted to the slide 34 and while the slide 34 will, during its movement, be stopped when the projection 36; strikes one side of the stem of the 5 key, the slide 38 will be moved in the reverse direction until its projection 395 strikes the opposite side of the depressed key (see Fig. 7). When both projections are in co-operation with the key the slides will be held, it being noted that during this operation the slide 38 has received five steps of movement commensurate with the key depressed, while the slide 34 on the other hand has received four steps of movement which is the complement of the value of the key depressed. During the second period of the cycle of operation, the rod 48 will be moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby imparting a reverse movement to both the slides 34 and 33 and bringing the parts to their normal positions. As the slide 50 approaches its normal position the hook 52 will again engage the rod 53 and to provide for the proper restoration of the parts, the hook is provided with camming edges 52l and 522 on opposite sides of the opening adapted to engage the rod 53 if the parts are slightly out of alignment and by a camming action to positively force the plates 34 and 38 to their normal positions. This construction insures greater accuracy of operation while reducing the required accuracy in the manufacture of the parts.

Any suitable means may be provided to actuate the key detent 25 at the end of the operation of the machine to disengage the hooked portion 26 from the notch 2'! so that the depressed key will be unlocked and released for a subsequent depression. The specific means disclosed for this purpose, as best shown in Fig. 9, comprises a cam disc 26! secured to the shaft 14 which is rotated by the operating crank through connections which will be described later. A suitable race or cam groove is formed in the disc 26i and this groove cooperates with a pin or roller carried by a bell crank 262 loosely mounted on a rod 10. The upper arm of this bell crank carries a cross rod 263 which is supported at its opposite end by an arm similar to 262 mounted on the rod 10. Cross rod 253 is in line with and only slightly removed from the lower ends 25l of the detents 25 and as the shaft 14 is rotated, counterclockwise, the bell crank 262 will be rocked clockwise toward the end of the operation and rod 263 will force all of the detents 25! rearwardly to release the depressed keys.

Since the slide 38 is adapted to receive movements commensurate with the value of keys depressed, the illustrative machine is provided with means for actuating suitable registering mechanism and for this purpose the forward portion of the slide 38 is provided with rack teeth 65 (Fig. 1) adapted to cooperate with a pinion 66 attached to a totalizer element 61. The totalizer pinions and totalizer elements, of each of which there is one for each denominational order, are carried by a pivoted frame 58 (Fig. 2) which may be rocked at the desired time so as to bring the totalizer pinions 66 into and out of engagement with the totalizer operating racks 65, and in the embodiment herein shown this mechanism comprises a bell crank or cam plate 69 pivoted upon a fixed shaft 70, one arm of the bell-crank being provided with a roller engaging the race of a box cam Ill, while the other arm of the plate is provided with a cam slot 12 engaging the shaft 13 which supports the totalizer pinions and elements. A full revolution is imparted to the shaft 14 which carries the cam H by means of the train of mechanism comprising the gear l5 attached to the shaft '14 meshing with a gear 16, the latter in turn meshing with a gear T! which is geared to the gear 42 previously described. The totalizer pinions may be rocked into mesh with the operating racks 65 previous to any movement of the slides 33, or, if so desired, the totalizer pinions may be meshed with the operating racks just prior to the time that the slides 38 are restored to their normal positions since in either case the slides 38 are moved amount commensurate with the keys depressed. As illustrated, the form of the race in the cam H is such as to cause engagement of the totalizer after the slides have been moved and just prior to their return movement.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 7 it will be noted that the earns 45 and "H are so formed as to divide a cycle of operation into three substantially equal periods. During the first period earn 45 operates the bar 48 as described to produce differential movement of the slides 34 and 38, while during the second period the bar 48 is restored and during the final period there is a dwell so that the bar and all parts of the differential mechanism are held stationary. Cam 'H on the other hand has a dwell or idle movement during the first and third periods but is active during the second period to engage the totalizer with the actuators and at the end of this period or the beginning of the third period to disengage these parts.

The purpose of the idle portions in the third period for both cams is to allow time for the operation of suitable transfer mechanism. Any mechanism suited to this purpose may be provided and one form which is particularly adapted to the mechanism shown is that disclosed in the Fuller application 5. N. 263,125, filed November 19, 1918, United States Patent No. 1,742,701, issued January 7, 1930. In accordance with this disclosure suitable elements are partially rotated upon passage of wheels of lower order from nine to zero and subsequently after the totalizer is disengaged from the actuators a series of complemental cams ill! acting seriatim upon bell cranks I08 serve to complete the transfer action into the higher order wheels. For further details of this one form of transfer mechanism which is suitable for the purpose, reference may be had to the disclosure of the Fuller application mentioned or to the corresponding French Patent No. 533,459 published March 3, 1922.

Due to the fact that in manufacturing operations the dimensions of component parts may vary, and also to offset inaccuracies due to wear, it is desirable to provide a correcting device to insure as nearly as possible that the slides 34 and 38 receive the proper differential movement. The deviation from the proper degree of movement may be caused by the varying dimensions of the projections on the slides 34 and 38, the inaccuracies in the dimensions of the key stems and variations due to the wear of the parts by constant use of the machine. To correct any errors that might occur, suitable aligning devices may be employed. This may be done very conveniently by providing the upper end of the cam plate 58 with one or more aligning teeth '18 which near their extreme upward position are adapted to coopcrate with aligning slots 19 formed in a corrooting plate 8%. The latter is attached to the key frame 20 by screws 8| passing through clongated slots 82 formed in the plate to and into the key frame.

Theoretically, if the dimensions of the various parts were correct the series of teeth 18 would always cooperate with associated. slots it but any change in the dimensions of the cooperating parts will cause the aligning teeth is to assume a position to one side or the other of the center lines of the slots 19. tionship does not exist it will be obvious that when the cam plate 56 receives its extreme upward movement the aligning teeth '18 will be slightly cit center with respect to the aligning slots 19 but on being forced in there will be a (Jamming action thus shifting the cam plate EB and the slides 34 and 38 so that they will assume the proper positions. The time at which the aligning action is performed is substantially at the time the pin is co-acting with the lower dwell -5 in the slot of cam plate 5B. It should also be observed that the plate is adjustably mounted on the key frame 25 so that when the parts are assembled the plate 8% may be adjusted to the proper position to effect the desired align ment of the slides 34 and 38. Then by tightening the screws 8! the plate may be held locked in this position. The plate as may be re-adjusted at any time if it does not function properly thus taking care of any changes that might occur in the mechanism due to natural wear of the cooperating parts.

Indicating mechanism A novel form of mechanism is provided where by the items registered by the machine are indicated. Fitting within a slot 85 formed in the upper end of each of the slides 38 is a stud. 86 (Figs. 1 and i) carried by a rack member 8'! the teeth of which co-operate with a pinion 33 attached to a cam as having a cam slot 98 formed in its periphery. A spring-pressed aligning pawl BI is adapted to engage the interdental spaces of each pinion 88 to hold the cam 89 in any of its adjusted positions.

Fig. 1 illustrates the position that the parts assume when no key in the particular bank shown was depressed during the preceding operation. When the slide 38 is moved downwardly to a position determined by the value of the key depressed the upper end of the slot 85 co-acting with the stud will draw the rack member 8! downwardly and through the pinion 88 will adjust the cam member 83 accordingly. However, if the amount last registered has left the stud 3% in such a position in the slot 85 that the movement of the slide is not sufficient to permitthe upper end of the slot to contact with the stud 85 and draw the rack ll to the new position it will be clear that the upper end of the slide it will contact with the stud 86 to force it upwardly and adjust the rack member to the position de sired.

It will be noted that the upper end of the slide 34 and the upper end of the slot formed in the slide 38, are so shaped that they may suitably engage opposite sides of the, stud as to If the precise proper re1apositively move it from one position to the other and at a certain point in the operation to clamp the stud between them. When the rack member S? has been adjusted to its new position it will be held in such position by means of the holding pawl 9i. This will permit the complementally moved slides and 288 to be restored to normal without disturbing the position. of the rack member Since the rack member is always left in its adjusted position it will be obvious that the rack and connected parts are moved positively directly from one position to the other without being restored to a constant or normal position thereby eliminating to a great extent the wear these parts and a jar in their movement, as

Well as reducing the power required.

The cam slot til to receive the roller i ifi (Figs. 1, 3, and 41-) carried by an indicator stop arm 92 which is pivotally mounted on a block 93. The upper end of the indicator stop arm is bent as shown in Fig. 3, so that it may cooperate with one of a series of stop lugs 94 attached to the associated indicator drum 95 It will be noted that while the stop lugs 94 are equally spaced circumferentially about the periphery of the indicator drum 95 they are at difierent distances from the edges of the indicator drums. The result of this construction is that the end of the indicator stop arm $2 which is shifted transversely of the drum by rotation of q The gear 43 (Fig. 1) previously described is adapted to mesh with an idler gear 96 which meshes with a similar gear 97 which in turn. is adapted to cause a rotative movement of a larger gear i8 loosely carried by a stud 98E. Attached to the gear 88 is a disk 98 provided with teeth around approximately half of its periphery and adapted to mesh with teeth formed on a mutilated gear H18 fast to a drive shaft llll. It will be noted that the gear I60 is provided with a projection lilfi which has its outer surface concentric with respect to the stud llfil and is normally adapted to co operate with the periphery of the disk 99 thus forming in effect a Geneva lock to normally look the shaft Mil. The train of gearing just described is such that a complete rotation of the gear 43 and therefore two revolutions of the crank handle 4! will produce a single rotation of the disk 95 but since the disk 99 may be rotated to a certain extent, substantially 180, before its gear teeth cooperate with the teeth of the gear iiii'i this idle movement will permit the disk 9% to be moved independently of the gear I00 and the latter will remain locked by the Geneva action. The lost motion between these two members thus provided is such that the shaft It]! will only be driven during the second half cycle of the machine when the gear teeth on the disk 99 will mesh with the teeth of the gear I00.

Rigidly secured to the shaft I!!! are a series of collars #62 (Fig. 4) each of which has attached thereto a spider comprised of bent spring fingers which are adapted to press against the side of the associated indicator drum 85, it being understood that the friction between the ends of the spring fingers and the indicator drum in each case is sufficient so that rotative movement of the shaft lt l will cause a similar movement of all the indicators so long they are free to turn but when an indicator is stopped by the co-operation of one of its peripheral lugs with its related indicator stop arm 92 that indicator will be stopped but the shaft I 68 and the spiders I93 will continue their rotative movement.

The operation or" the above described mechanism is as follows: During the first part of the cycle of the operation of the machine, substantially 120 of rotation of shaft 44, the rack members 81 will be adjusted by the compleinentally moved slides thereby rotating the gear 88 and the cam members 39 so that the cam 38 in co-operation with the roller 9 I U will shift the indicator stop arm 92 to such a position that it will be in the path of the desired lug $4 on the indicator drum. The detent 9i will serve to retain the parts in the new position of adjustment. During this operation of the machine and a part of the succeeding period the gear 43 will drive the gear 95 and through the gear 97 meshing with the gear 98, the disk 99 will be rotated to bring its teeth into co-operative relationship with the teeth of the gear I08 by the end of the first half cycle of the machine. When the teeth on the disk 99 rotate the gear I09 during the second half of the cycle of operation the spring-pressed fingers I 83 will drive each of the indicator drums until the vari ously positioned indicator stop arms 92 cooperating with the stop lugs 94 of the indicator drums will prevent them from being rotated further and will hold the indicator drums so that at the end of the second half of the cycle of operation all the indicators will be adjusted to indicate the amounts registered under control of the different denominational groups of keys.

In the event that no key in a bank is depressed the stop arm 92 will be shifted, if it is not already there, so that it cooperates with the stop lug corresponding to the Zero mark on the indicator drum.

While the cams 45 are so designed that the plates 58 and hence the complemental slides 34 and 38 will be returned toward normal after substantially 120 rotation and these parts will be fully restored after about 240 rotation of shaft 44 the racks 81 and cam members 89 will be held in adjusted position by means of detents SI so that the stop arms 92 will remain in proper positions to arrest the indicator drums as desired.

The gearing for driving the shaft Ifii and the spiders I93 is so designed that they are given a complete revolution at each operation of the machine. This is to insure that an indicator may, whenever necessary, receive nine steps of movement which, in the embodiment shown, is the maximum required. It will be clear that when an indicator is to remain in t 1e same position as in a preceding operation the stop arm 52 will remain in the path of the same lug 94 and no movement will be imparted to the indicator drum. If the new indication in a particular order is to be one higher than the previous indication the indicator drum will be given just one step of move ment. The maximum movement of the drum, nine-tenths of a revolution, will be required when the new indication is one less than the previous indication. When the machine is operated rapidly there may be some danger of slight slippage between the spring-fingers and the ind-icator drums before the indicators are stopped by their stop arms but this should never exceed 36 of angular movement so that by giving a complete rota-tion to the shaft Edi a movement of nine steps of the indicator drums will always be insured. Obviously if it is found necessary or desirable the shaft I 8! might be given a greater movement than a full rotation in order to completely avoid any danger of not carrying the indicators nine steps.

As best shown in Fig. l the entire machine is enclosed by a cabinet I04 which is apertured so that the indicators may be viewed through the glass I05. In the illustrative machine the indicators are adopted to display the amounts registered only toward the front but if desired these drums might be enlarged to carry twenty figures with one set of ten visible from the front and the others from the rear or a second set of drums suitably coordinated with those illustrated, by means Well known in the art, might be provided. A lid I09 which is normally locked serves to conceal the totalizer wheels but may be opened to permit reading of the totals.

General summary of operation The operation will doubtless be understood from the foregoing but it may be briefly recapitulated to render the sequential action of the various parts clear in the relations which they bear to each other.

It will be assumed, for example, that it is desired to register and indicate an amount of 50. It will, therefore, be necessary to depress only the 5 key in the dimes denominational group of keys and when the 5 key is depressed against the resistance of the spring 29 (Fig. 5) the coaction of the upper edge of the opening 21 of the key with the beveled edge of the hook portion 26 of detent 25 will move the detent upwardly against the resistance of the spring 30 (Fig. 7 When the operated key is depressed sufiiciently the spring will act to carry the hook portion into the opening 3I formed in the stem of the depressed key, thereby locking the key in depressed position. When the detent is operated the upper end co-acting with the pin 59 (Fig. 7) will rock the zero stop 58 so as to disengage the lug 60 from the projection 39s of the dimes slide 38 thus unlocking the latter for operation. It will be noted, however, that since no key in the units order has been depressed the locking lug 60 of the zero stop 58 for that order will remain in engagement with the projection 398 of the associated slide 38 so that this particular slide will remain locked against operation, as will the slides of hundreds and higher orders.

After the necessary key or keys have been depressed a further operation of the machine consists in operating the crank handle 4I (Fig. 1) giving the latter two complete revolutions to perform the functions or" registering and indicating the amount set up. As the crank handle 4| is turned the gear 42 will drive the gear 43 thereby rotating the shaft 44 so that the pair of box cams 45 will rock the frame comprising the side arms 41 and the cross rod 48 whereby the latter is raised. As the rod 48 is elevated its co-operation with the slot 49 or" the cam plate 56 associated with the units denominational order will rock the cam plate about the pin 5I from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 8. It will be observed that since the slide 38 is locked against movement by the zero stop 58, elevation of the rod 48 in causing the cam slot 54 to co operate with the pin 56 will cause the slide 34 to be forced upwardly until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 8 wherein it will be noted that the ends of the rectangular slots formed in the slide 34 have engaged the supporting bars 32 thereby stopping movement of the slide after it has received the maximum movement of 9 steps.

Simultaneously, elevation of the rod 48 will also rock the cam plate (Fig. 7) associated with the dim s denominational order, but since in this instance the slide 38 is unlocked for operation due to the disengagement of the lug of the associated zero stop 59 from the projection 39s, the co-operation of the cam slot 54 with the pin 53 will force the slide 38 in a direction which is the reverse of the movement imparted at the same time to the slide t? and as the slides move relative to each other the slide 34 will be stopped when the projection 364 strikes one side of the stem of the 5 key and the slide 38 will be moved until its projection 395 strikes the opposite side of the depressed key (see Fig. '7). Therefore, it Will be noted that while the slide 34 received four steps of movement the slide 38 received five steps of movement commensurate with the value of the key depressed.

During the rotation of the crank handle 4! the gear 42 (Fig. 1) will drive the gear 15 through the intermediate gears 11 and 18 so as to give the shaft 74 a revolution and by the action of the cam ll (Fig. 2) upon the roller carried by the tota izer engaging plate tit, said plate will be rocked counter-clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 2) so that the cam slot :2 will rock the totalizer frame 68 to bring the totalizer pinions 55 into engagement with the actuating racks at substantially the time the dimes rack has been moved to its differential or 5 position. It will be noted that the cam H is provided with a dwell for about 120 after which the camming surface to act on the plate 59 begins. In the case under discussion, the actuating rack 55 associated with the units order has received no movement so that the units totalizer pinion iii; will be meshed with its rack while the latter is at normal.

At substantially one third of the revolution of the shafts M and "H3, at which time the rod 48 approaches its extreme upper position which is just prior to the time the totalizer pinions are engaged with the actuator racks 65 the aligning teeth l8 of the several plates 53 (Figs. 7 and 8) will be forced into the aligning slots '19 of the adjusting plates 89 thus insuring the proper positioning cf the parts and, if they are out of correct alignment, it will result in shifting the cam plates 58 and slides 34 and 38 into their proper positions. At the time at which the aligning operation is performed each pin 55 is coacting with the dwell 55 of the cam slot formed in its related cam plate 58.

If the amount last registered by the units denominational order was Zero the associated pin 86 (Fig. 1) would have been, at the beginning of the operation now being considered, in such a position as to co-operate with the upper end of the slot 35 formed in the slide 38 in which position the stop arm 92 has its engaging end in cooperation with the stop lug 94 related to the zero mark on the indicator drum G5. This is also the position the parts will assume after the first third or" the operation of the machine under the conditions specified. Therefore, as far the units denominational order is concerned movement of the slide to its maximum. position will merely cause it to contact the pin without shifting the rack member 37, earn. 89 or stop arm 92.

If, however, the amount r gistered in the dimes dewminational order during the previous transaction should also have been zero, it will be observed that when the slide 38 is moved clownwardly a distance of five units, as described for priated to the 5 indicia on the indicator drum associated with the dimes denominational order.

During the time that the indicator stop arms 92 are being adjusted to the proper positions, which as previously stated, is during the first third of a cycle of operation, the gear 43 will drive the pinions and 9" so that the latter will drive the gear 98 and the disk 99 out during this time the periphery of the disk co-operating with the projection H35 of the gear toil, will lock the shaft Hi5) against rotation.

During the second of the three periods into which the operation of the machine may be roughly divided the pairs of slides 3d and 38 associated with the different not ational orders will be returned to the ormal positions. Thus the rod 48 will at this tine e restored to its lower position and it will rock the cam plate 50 associated with the units denominational order so that by co-operation of the cam slotwith. the pin 56 the slide 34 will be brought to its normal position. The slide 38 will, of course, have remained at normal throughout. Simultaneously the cam plate 5% associated with the dimes denominational order will also be restored:

so that by co-operation of the related pin. 55 with the cam slot 54 the slides 36 and 38 for this order will be restored to their normal positions. During the time that the slide associated with the dimes denominational order is being restored the rack teeth 55 will rotate the dimes totalizer pinion 65 giving the associated totalizer wheel 65? a rotative movement of 5 units whereby five will be added to this element. At the extreme end of this phase of the operation of the machine the cam edges 332i (Fig. l) of the hooks 5?. formed on the several cam 58 will co-act with the red 53 thereby readjusting the cam plates 34 and 38 if they are not already brought to their proper positions. that the action of the diiiferential elements those orders above the d mes denomi a in which no keys have been depressed will be we cisely the same as described for the units order elements.

During the time that the slide associated with the dimes denominational order was returned to its normal position the ali ning pawl 9| co-acting with the teeth of the pinion 88 served to hold the stop arm 92 in its adjusted position which, in the present instance, was such that the indicator stop arm was in alignment with the stop lug 95 associated with the 5 indicia on the dimes indicator drum 5&5.

It is to be noted that while the operation of the machine is divided into three periods of apthe disks d9 calls for only two per which is substantially until the beginning of the second rota-hon oi crank handle at that the teeth on the disk (Fig. 1) will co-operate with the teeth of the gear H15 thereby driving the shaft till so that the spring-pressed fingers 23 will drive all the It will be understood indicator drums simultaneously in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l. The indicator drum associated with the dimes denominational order will be rotated until the stop lug 94 associated with the 5 indicia co-operates with the related indicator stop arm 92 thereby preventing that indicator from being further rotated. At this time the 5 indicia will be brought to such position that it may be viewed through the indicator glass [05.

Since the indicator stop arm 92 associated with the units denominational order is already in alignment with the stop lug 94 associated with the 0 indicia, under the conditions assumed, the indicator drum S5 for this order will be held against movement from the start so that as the shaft i0! is rotated the spider 103 will merely slide around the side wall of the indicator drum without changing the position of the latter.

As before stated the cam stop in the cam H so formed that the totalizer will be rocked into mesh with the racks 55 after about one third or" the cycle of the machine has been completed and it will be held in mesh during the succeeding third of the cycle. At the end of this second period in the cycle, however, the cam U will rock the totalizer engaging plate 69 (Fig. 2) reversely so that the totalizer frame will be rocked about its pivotal point to bring the totalizer pinions 65 out of mesh udth the actuating racks 55. It is at this. point or during the final period of the operation of the machine that the transfer mechanism is operated by the cams l9"! car ied by shaft 74. Thus if the additions in any of the orders of the totalizer served to carry the wheels from 9 to 0 or beyond certain elements, such as those fully disclosed in the Fuller application mentioned, would be partially rotated and the subsequent operation of cams it)! after the to talizer has been disengaged from the racks would complete the carry and restore the transfer elements.

For the purpose of operating the key detent 25 so that the 5 key will be permitted to be returned to its normal position under the influence of the spring 29 the cam 255i secured to the shaft 14 is provided and this is adapted to rock the arms 262 carrying rod 263 to cause the latter to force the detent rearwardly, thus permitting the machine to be conditioned for the entry of subsequent items. Therefore, it will be observed that at the end of the operation of the machine the totalizer will have received an entry of 0.50 and the indicator drums will be adjusted to indicate this amount.

It will be seen that the construction herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated. It is to be understood that the inventions herein described are susceptible of embodiment in many other forms which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, hence in the claims which follow essential elements are recited without limitations as to details of construction.

Furthermore, many or the features herein disclosed may be applied to the other structures either in part, or in whole. The novel aligning devices for the actuators may be used in connection with other types and forms of differential devices and used with similar benefits and advantages. That part of the invention which relates to the means for determining the position of the indicating or similar devices in a cash register or analogous machine in such a manner as to obviate restoration of the determining means to zero in each operation, does not depend upon the particular method shown for its proper functioning, since it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the determining means may be used in connection with other forms of differential devices.

While the novel positioning devices have been shown in connection with indicators it will be obvious that the same mechanism may be used for other purposes such as adjusting type carriers and where the term digit carrier appears in some of the claims it is intended to cover any form of device which by its different positions designates different values, such as, an indicator, a type carrier, or a registering element of a totalizer.

While the form of mechanism herein 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 of embodiment herein shown, since it may be embodied in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

What is claimed is:

1. In an accounting machine, the combination of a plurality of stop members, a pair of longitudinally movable members adapted to cooperate with the stop members, said members having a constant aggregate movement on each operation of the machine, a plate fulcrumed on one of said pair of members, a cam slot and stud connection between the plate and the other of the pair of members, and an operating device for said plate.

2. In an accounting machine, the combination of two differentially movable members, a row of keys cooperating directly with the members for limiting the movement thereof, a connecting device between said members, a slot formed in the connecting device, a rod engaging the slot, and an operating member having excursions of invariable extents during all operations of the machine for operating the rod and the connecting device whereby the members are moved differentially.

3. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of relatively movable members each provided With a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative means cooperating directly with said stops, a connecting device comprising a plate fulcrumed on one member and having a pin and a cam sur face connection with the remaining member, and means for actuating the plate so as to move the members in opposite directions until one of the stops of each member cooperates with an operated manipulative means.

4. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of shiftable members each provided with a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative devices cooperating directly with said stops, and a cam plate connecting the members for shifting the members until one of the stops carried by each cooperates With the operated manipulative device.

5. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of shiftable members each provided with a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative devices cooperating directly with said stops, a floating cam plate for shifting the members until one of the stops on each member cooperates with an operated manipulative device, said plate serving also to restore said members to normal.

6. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of shiftable members each provided with a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative members cooperating with said stops, a cam plate for shifting the members until one of the stops on each member cooperates with the operated manipulative member, said plate serving also to restore said members to normal, and means formed on said plate comprising a cam edge cooperating With a fixed rod for aligning said members in normal position.

7. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of shiftable members each provided with a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative members cooperating with said stops, a reciprocable cam member for shifting the members until one of the stops carried by each member cooperates with the operated manipulative member and means carried by said cam member and cooperating with fixed elements for re-adjusting the shiftable members during the movement of the cam member in both directions.

8. In an accounting machine, the combination of a pair of shiftable members each provided with a plurality of stops, a series of manipulative mem bers cooperating With said stops, a reciprocable cam member for shifting the members until one of the stops carried by each member cooperates with an operated manipulative member and means associated with the cam member for readjusting the shiftable members during the move ment of the cam member in both directions.

9. In an accounting machine, the combination with an operating device for an accounting element, of means for limiting differentially the movement of said device, means for positioning the operating device differentially, and an aligning means carried by the positioning means for correcting an inaccurate positioning of the operating device.

10. In an accounting machine, the combination of an accounting element, a plurality of shiftable members one of which includes a driving means for said accounting element, a cam member for moving the shiftable members relative to each other and thereby positioning the driving means, and aligning means carried by the cam member for re-adjusting the shiftable members to correct an inaccurate positioning of the driving means.

11. In an accounting machine, the combination with a plurality of shiftable members, one of which includes a driving means for an accounting element, a cam member for moving the shiftable members relative to each other and thereby positioning the driving means, means for readjusting the shiitable members to correct an inaccurate positioning of the driving means, said means including a fixed member having aligning slots and an aligning tooth carried by the aligning member adapted to cooperate with the aligning slots in the fixed member.

12. In an accounting machine, the combination of a plurality of stops, an operating device differentially positioned under control of the stops, a pivoted member rockable for differentially actuating the operating device, and means controlled by and operated during the rocking movement of the pivoted member for aligning the operating device.

13. In an accounting machine, the combination of a plurality of stops, an operating device differentially positioned under control of the stops,

a pivoted member for differentially actuating the operating device, and means carried by the pivoted member cooperating with an aligning plate for correcting any inaccurate positioning of the operating device.

14. In an accounting device, the combination of an accounting device actuator, a member for driving the actuator diiferentially, an aligning means, and means carried by said member cooperating With the aligning means to correct an inaccurate positioning of the actuator, one of said means being adjustably mounted.

15. In an accounting machine, the combination of difierentially adjustable members, means to move the members complementary extents longitudinally of each other, the means including a plate pivoted on one member and having a cam surface formed therein cooperating with a projecting element carried by the other adjustable member, and an operating device for actuating the plate.

16. In a machine of the class described, two slidable members lying in parallel planes, a plate pivoted on one member and connected to the other by a pin and cam slot. actuating means connected to the plate, and stop means cooperating with the members to limit movement of the latter, the parts being so proportioned and arranged that a movement of the actuating means causes the members to move complementary extents through the camming action of the slot and under the control of the stop means.

ALLEN A. DICKE.

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