US3045902A

US3045902A - Toy cash register

Info

Publication number: US3045902A
Application number: US4464A
Authority: US
Inventors: James E Thomson
Original assignee: WESTERN STAMPING Co
Current assignee: WESTERN STAMPING Co
Priority date: 1960-01-25
Filing date: 1960-01-25
Publication date: 1962-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1979-07-24

Description

Jul 24, 1962 E HOMSON 3,045,902

TOY CASH REGISTER Filed Jan. 25, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 4/ INVENTOR.

July 24, 1962 J. E. THOMSON TOY CASH REGISTER Filed Jan. 25, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. James 15, 7%07716072 h MZ NFMQ July 24, 1962 J. E. THOMSON 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I I I I III ill, III/I I I INVENTOR.

ar/vryst July 24, 1962 J. E. THOMSON 3,045,902

TOY CASH REGISTER Filed Jan. 25, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. E y'kmas I 7Za777s07 July 24, 1962 .1. E. THOMSON 3,045,902

TOY CASH REGISTER Filed Jan. 25, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Q INVENTOR.

" J'Zwes .5. fi'az'rs ayz United States Patent Ofifice 3,045,902 Patented July 24, 1962 3,945,902 TOY CASH REGISTER James E. Thomson, Jackson, Mich., assignor to Western Stamping Company, Jackson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 4,464 10 Claims. (Cl. 23512) This invention relates to toy cash registers, and more particularly to devices of this nature which are adapted to indicate amounts of money in response to button depression, and which have a slidable cash drawer simulating in its function a real cash register of the type used in commercial establishments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved construction for such toy cash registers which enables the register to be fabricated in an extremly economical manner, while still incorporating the display indicia, automatic drawer opening, bell ringing, push button, indica return and other functions of a standard cash register.

It is another object to provide an improved toy cash register of this nature which is especially adapted to be fabricated of stamped sheet metal parts, and in which the various components of the toy are combined and cooperate in an extremely efficient and economical manner.

It is a further object to provide an improved toy cash register having the above characteristics, which may be easily fabricated in the form of sub-assemblies which are then assembled, and in which the necessity of matching the individual push buttons with specified display indicia is eliminated.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a toy cash register incorporating the principles of this invention, the drawer being shown in its closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the register with the housing removed showing the relative positions of the indicator keys and opening button;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view in cross section taken at the centerline of the register and showing the drawer detent and guide bar, as well as the relationship between the indicator keys and the indicators;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the register with the housing removed;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view in cross section taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3, and with portions removed, showing the drawer release linkage as well as components for returning the indicator buttons and indicators upon closing of the drawer;

FIGURE 6 is a rear elevational view of the register with the case removed, showing portions of the bell ringing mechanism;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the base and main frame with attached parts;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIGURE 3, and showing the manner in which the figure keys are supported and guided by the marker supporting frame;

FIGURE 9 is a rear View of the indicator sub-assembly taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 10 is a partial perspective view of the lower indicator frame member shown in its unassembled condition; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the action of the drawer in returning the indicator buttons and indicators to their retracted positions at the drawer is closed.

In general terms, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a toy cash register fabricated primarily of stamped sheet metal parts, and including a rectangular base and a generally H-shaped main frame extending upwardly therefrom. An indicator sub-assembly extends between the upper legs of the main frame and pivotally supports a plurality of indicator tabs having indicia denoting different monetary denominations. Each of these tabs is rockable between a retracted position and an upstanding or display position, and the indicator supporting frame carries slidably mounted indicator keys for moving the tabs to their exposed position. Each key has a shoulder portion which, when the key is depressed, will swing its associated tab upwardly, the key then serving to hold the tab in its indicating position while the tab holds the key in its depressed position.

A cash drawer is slidably mounted on the base between the lower legs of the main frame, and a latch bar is pivoted immediately below the cross-member of the frame and serves to hold the cash drawer in a closed position, the drawer carrying a helical coil spring engageable with upstruck tabs on the base to urge the drawer to its open position. The indicator frame carries a drawer release key connected to a shoulder portion on the detent lever by a rockable link, so that depression of the drawer release key will retract the detent lever from engagement with the drawer to permit the drawer to move outwardly. A bell and striker are mounted on the base and are actuatable by a tab on the drawer as it moves outwardly to ring the bell, and a spring mounted on the main frame urges the detent lever downwardly toward its detent position in readiness for holding the drawer when it is closed.

A return plate is pivotally mounted between the upper legs of the main frame below the indicator frame, and is swingable upwardly from a retracted position into engagement with the lower ends of the indicator keys. This return plate is actuatable by a return lever pivoted between one side of the main frame and an upwardly extending tab on the detent lever, the return lever being so positioned as to be operatively engageable by the drawer when it is closed. As the indicator keys are raised by the return plate, their shouldered portions will be retracted from the indicator tabs, permitting these tabs to drop to their retracted positions by gravity. During opening and closing movement of the drawer, the detent lever will also serve as a guide to maintain accurate drawer movement.

A one-piece plastic housing is provided for the entire unit, this housing being securable to the base by a plurality of bosses projectable through apertures in the base and which may be spread by heat and pressure. The upper portion of the housing has windows for viewing the indicator tabs when in their upper position. Novel means are also provided for marking the indicator keys and drawer release key, these being preferably fabricated of plastic material. This novel means and method includes the use of a number marking transfer sheet applicable to the keys only after they have been assembled, so that it is not necessary to match individual indicator keys with the indicator tabs during assembly.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the toy cash register is generally indicated at 11 and comprises a base 12 seen in FIGURE 7 which is preferably a stamped sheet metal part and is of generally rectangular shape, having a plurality of apertures 13 along its edges and a low upstanding flange 14 along its front edge, the ends of this flange being spaced inwardly from side edges 15 and 16 of the base. A tab 17 is struck upwardly from the base a short distance rearwardly of front flange 14, this tab being somewhat concave rearwardly and serving as a limit stop for the opening movement of the drawer, as will be later seen. A pair of

tabs

18 and 19 are struck upwardly from base 12 somewhat rearwardly of stop 17, these tabs being bent upwardly and rearwardly from the a base and being symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the cash register.

Tabs

18 and 19 serve to tension a spring carried on the underside of the drawer, so as to urge the drawer toward its open position. A hell 2]. is secured by a center rivet 22 to a rear portion of the base 12 somewhat to the right of the register centerline when viewed from the front. This bell is engageable by a striker 23 pivotally secured to the base by a rivet 24 somewhat to the left of the centerline, this striker being held in a centered position by a helical coil spring 25 secured at one end 26 to the centrally pivoted striker and at the other end 27 to an upstruck tab 28 on the base, as seen in FIGURE 11. The base is also provided with a pair of small viewing apertures 29 and 31 visible in FIGURE 7.

The main frame is generally indicated at 32 and cornprises a pair of

lower legs

33 and 34, a pair of

upper legs

35 and 36, a forward web member 37 extending between the forward portions of

legs

33 and 34 at their upper ends, a rear web member 38 extending between the rear upper portions of

legs

33 and 34, and a central web 39 extending between the intermediate portions of webs 37 and 38. Frame 32, which may likewise be fabricated of a single stamped sheet metal part, thus has a generally H-shaped appearance when viewed from the front.

The lower edges of

legs

33 and 34, which are somewhat wider than they are high, are provided with a plurality of tabs 41 extendable through slots 42 in base 12 to secure the frame to the base. Strengthening flanges 43' and 44 are formed along the front edge of frame portion 37 and the rear edge of frame portion 38 respectively.

The upper edges of

legs

35 and 36 are provided with a first inclination 45 and a second inclination 46, edges 45 being inclined toward the forward portion of the cash register. Tabs 47 are formed on edges 45 for securing an indicator support frame generally indicated at 48. This frame, which may be pre-assernbled together with a set of indicators generally indicated at 49, comprises a lower frame member 51 and an upper frame member 52, these members being of elongated shape as seen in FIG- URE 8. Lower frame member 51 is of somewhat channelshaped cross section, having an upwardly extending forward flange 53 as seen in FIGURES 3 and 11, and a rear flange 54-, best seen in FIGURE 10. Frame member 51 is also provided with means for pivotally supporting indicators 49 in two rows. The rear row of pivotal supports comprises a plurality of spaced rectangular notches 55 in the upper edge of flange 54. Alternately disposed between these pivotal supports are those of the front row, comprising upstruck tabs 56 having rectangular notches 57 in their upper edges, these notches being somewhat shallower than notches 55. Clearance apertures 58- are formed in member 51 and flange 54 thereof behind tabs 56, for the indicators supported by these tabs.

Indicators 49 are of generally similar construction, but are of two different shapes depending upon the row in which they are situated. Each indicator 59in the rear row comprises a flat metallic tab capable of carrying imprinted indicia on its forwardly facing surface and a lower pivot portion 61 bent angularly from the main portion of the indicator and having a downwardly and rearwardly curved end 62. The side edges of pivot portion 61 are provided with notches 63 adapted to receive the side edges of a notch 55 as seen in FIGURE 8, so that indicator 59 will be pivotally supported.

Indicators 64 in the forward row are alternately placed between indicators 59 and carry similar imprinted indicia. These indicia, for example, may be of various monetary denominations such as 191', 50 or $1, and one of the indicators may carry the legend No Sale. Indicators 64 have pivot portions 65 which are somewhat longer than pivot portions 61 of indicators 59, but which have similar curved ends 66. The side edges of pivot portions 65 are provided with notches 67 seen in FIGURE 8, these notches receiving the sides of notches 57 in tabs 56. When moving from its retracted position as shown in FIGURE 11 to its display position as shown in FIGURE 3, each indicator 64 will move within an associated clearance aperture 58.

Two rows of

indicator keys

68 and 69 are provided for actuating

indicators

59 and 64, respectively. All

keys

68 and 69 are of identical construction as seen in FIG- URE l1, and are preferably fabricated of a decorative moldable plastic material. Each key has an oval button portion which may be hollow and has a flange 71 at its inner end. A flat actuating portion 72 extends from each button portion, the actuating portion having a straight upper edge 73 and a straight lower edge 74. A shoulder 75 is formed on each portion 72, and a relatively narrow extension 76 extends from shoulder '75, this extension having a rounded end.

Keys

68 and 69 are adapted to be slidably mounted in frame 48. For this purpose, both lower and upper frame members 51 and 52 are provided with elongated guide apertures for the reception of fiat legs 72 and extensions 76. These apertures are indicated at 77 on member 51. Member 52 has a pair of

flanges

78 and 79 which fit over flanges 53 and 54, respectively, of frame member 51, so that tabs 81 formed at the corner of the frame member 51 may be folded over frame member 52 to secure the frame members together. On the right hand side of frame 48 as seen in FIGURE 8, a drawer release key guide 82 is also secured to frame 48 by tabs 81 in overlying relation with frame member 52, the purpose of this guide being described later. A plurality of elongated apertures 83 are provided in frame member 52, these apertures being in registry with apertures 77 but being somewhat longer so that they can accommodate legs 72., apertures 77 accommodating extensions 76. The disposition of the guide slots is such that

keys

68 and 69 will have somewhat different angular positions with respect to frame 48, to correspond to the curvature of the housing as later described. The guide aperture positions are also such as to retain keys 6S and 69 with their shoulders 75 extending upwardly and rearwardly, so as to be engageable with frame member 51 when the keys are depressed as seen in FIGURE 3.

The curved portions 62 and 66 of

indicators

59 and 64, respectively, are adapted to be engaged by shoulders 75 of the two rows of keys when in their outer positions, as seen in FIGURE 11, so that when any key is depressed it will rock its corresponding indicator counterclockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 3. As this position is reached, the curved portion of the indicator will be retracted away from shoulder 75 and will be engaged by upper edge 73 of the key, thus holding the indicator in its upper or display position. The weight of each indicator will tend to return it clockwise to its retracted position, but the force exerted by the indicator on the key will be resisted by the bottoms of apertures 77 and 83. The indicator will thus stay in its display position while the key remains in its depressed position as seen in FIGURE 3.

Guide apertures 77 and 83 may be punched out of their respective frame members 51 and 52 in such a manner as to provide a narrow wall around each aperture to facilitate smooth movement of the keys. These walls extend downwardly and rearwardly, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 11. Means are also provided for maintaining a proper pivotal relationship for

indicators

59 and 64. In the case of indicators 64, this is provided by a plurality of elongated depressions 84 in frame member 52 above each notch 57 which restricts the play of indicator 64- in its notch. In the case of indicators 59, the downwardly and rearwardly extending walls of guide apertures 83, as well as flange 7 9 on frame member 52, serve to restrict play.

The cash register is provided with a cash drawer generally indicated at 85 which is preferably fabricated of stamped sheet metal parts and comprises a front panel 86, side panels 87, and a bottom 38 which may be formed integrally with front panel 86 as seen in FIGURE 3 and has a curved forward portion 89, and an upwardly extending rear flange '91 which acts as the rear panel of the drawer. The drawer may be divided into compartments for dilferent coin denominations by a transverse partition 92 and longitudinal partitions 93, visible in FIG- URE 5. As seen in FIGURE 4, drawer 85 is adapted to slide between

lower legs

33 and 34 of frame 32, being somewhat narrower than the distance between these legs.

Side panels 87 are preferably of inverted U-shaped cross section as seen in FIGURE 6, so as to present rounded upper edges, rthese panels being joined to front panel 86 by flanges 94 on the front panel, as seen in FIGURE 11, and being joined to rear panel 91 by tabs 95 formed on the inner portions 96 of side panels 87. The length of side panels 87 is slightly less than that of base 12, with bottom 88 of the drawer being somewhat shorter than side panels 87 and a substantial distance above base 12.

Means are provided for urging drawer 85 toward its open position, this means including a helical coil spring 97 extending between and secured to side panels 87 by apertures 98 in these panels, as seen in FIGURES 6 and 11. The length of spring 97 is such that, if undefiected, it would extend straight across between panels 87. When the drawer is closed, however, the spring is engageable with the forwardly facing surfaces of

posts

18 and 19 extending upwardly from base 12, so that the drawer will be urged toward its open position. The opening of drawer 85 will be limited by engagement of a down-struck tab 99 formed in drawer bottom 38 with stop 17. When the drawer is in its fully opened position, spring 97 will be withdrawn a short distance forwardly of

posts

18 and 19. In other Words, upon release of the drawer from its closed position, spring 97 will drive it part way toward its fully opened position, and the drawer will coast the rest of the way. Tab 99 is somewhat blade-shaped in a fore and aft direction, with a vertical forward edge 101 and an inclined rear edge 102 for purposes later described, this tab being located at the rearward end of the drawer bottom.

The means for holding drawer 85 in its closed position includes a longitudinally extending latch bar 103 seen in FIGURE 3 which is of elongated flat shape and may be formed as a stamped metal part. The upper edge 104 of latch bar 103 carries a hook-shaped pivot extension 105 at an intermediate portion thereof which extends through a pivot aperture 106 formed in the central portion of section 37 of frame 32. The lower edge 107' of latch bar 103 has a shoulder 108 notched into the rear portion thereof, and this shoulder is engageable with rear panel 91 of the drawer at the bottom of a notched portion 109 in the upper edge of this panel. When in its latching position, as seen in FIGURE 3, shoulder 108 will restrain drawer 85' in its closed position. When latch bar 103 is swung counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG- URE 3, shoulder 108 will be withdrawn from rear panel 91 and the drawer will move toward its open position. During this movement, latch bar 103 will act as a guide for maintaining the drawer in a central position and restraining it against lateral movement. For this purpose, the lower portion of latch bar 103 will be received by notch 109, and also by a notch 111 formed in transverse pantion 92. Drawer 85 will thus be guided at two longitudinally spaced locations during its travel.

The means for urging latch bar 103 clockwise toward its latching position as seen in FIGURES 3 and 11 comprises a leaf spring 112' secured to frame section 38 on the left hand side thereof as viewed from the front by a strap 113 pressed out from the frame section and surrounding an intermediate portion of leaf spring 112 (see FIGURE 7), as well as a tab 114- engaging one end of the spring. The other end of spring 112 engages the rounded upper end of a projection 11.5 extending upwardly from the upper edge 104 of latch bar 103 through a slot 116 in frame section 38 at its juncture with frame section 39.

The means for retracting latch bar 103 includes a drawer release key 117 best seen in FIGURE 2, this key comprising a fiat bar of irregular shape having a curved intermediate portion 118 for clearance purposes. A button 119 is mounted on the upper end of key 117, this button preferably matching

keys

68 and 69 and bearing a legend such as Open. The upper portion of key 117 is disposed in an elongated guide aperture 121 in guide member 82, as seen in FIGURE 8. The lower end of key 117 is apertured to receive a hooked end 122 of a release rod 123, best seen in FIGURE 7. This release rod is rotatably mounted and rests on the forward portion of frame section 33, being retained for rotary movement by a curved tab 124 struck upwardly from frame section 33 adjacent key 117 (FIGURE 2). The other end of rod 123 passes through a vertically elongated aperture 125 in latch bar projection .115. The purpose of aperture 125 is to prevent forward or rearward movement of rod 123, but the rod has no operative connection with latch bar 103 at this point, the latch bar being utilized in a novel manner to retain the release rod in position and thus eliminating the necessity of another upstruck tab at this point. Aperture 125 is elongated to permit operative movement of latch bar 103 without interfering with the functioning of release rod 123. The lower end of key 117 is also provided with a finger 126 bent out of the plane of, but parallel to, the main portion of the key, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 6, this finger serving to restrain rod 123 against longitudinal movement.

The inner end 127 of rod 123 is also hook-shaped but extends forwardly, the outer end of hook portion 127 being disposed beneath a shoulder 128 of an upward projection 129 on latch bar 103 between

extensions

105 and 115, as seen in FIGURE 3. Projection 129 extends through a slot 131 in central section 39 of frame 32, a pair of guide tabs 132 being struck upwardly alongside slot 131 and maintaining the vertical positioning of bar 103. Shoulder 128 extends rearwardly on projection 129, and is so disposed that clockwise rotation of hook portion 127 of rod 123 from the position shown in FIG- URE 3 will cause counterclockwise movement of latch bar 103 to release the drawer. Clockwise rocking of rod 123, as seen in FIGURE 3, will of course be accomplished by depression of key 117.

Means are also provided for returning indicator keys 6% and 69 to their outer positions, and thus permitting

indicators

59 and 64 to drop to their retracted positions, upon closing of drawer 35 after it has opened. This means includes a return plate actuating rod 133 pivoted at one end to a depressed pivot portion 134 on frame leg 35, as seen in FIGURE 7, and at an intermediate portion by an aperture 135' in latch bar projection 129. It should be observed that here again, there is no operative connection between rod 133 and latch bar 103, but that the latch bar serves to pivotally support rod 133 without the necessity of a separate supporting tab for this purpose. As will be later seen, the fact that projection 129 has a slight vertical movement during operation will not effect the function of rod 123.

The portion 136 of rod 133 between its two pivotal supporting points is of forwardly and downwardly extending U-shape, as seen in FIGURE 7, while the portion 137 of rod 133 on the opposite side of projection 129 extends upwardly and rearwardly. When unrestrained, rod 133 will assume the solid and dotted line position shown in FIGURE 3, due to its weight distribution. When in this position, portion 136 of the rod will hang down into the drawer compartment and will be disposed somewhat below the upper edge of rear panel 91. As drawer 85 moves toward its open position, rear panel 91 will ride under rod portion 136, swinging the rod momentarily to its dot-dash line position as seen in FIGURE 3. After rear panel 91 passes rod portion 136, the rod will again rock into its unrestrained position shown in solid and dotted lines in FIGURE 3.

Upon return of drawer 85 to its closed position, rear panel 91 will engage rod portion 136 and swing the rod counterclockwise as seen in FIGURE 11, the rod being b released by the time drawer 35 reaches its fully closed or latched position of FIGURE 3.

A return plate 133 is pivotally mounted between

legs

35 and 36 of frame 32 by means of tabs 139 formed on the frame and apertured portions 141 in the upper corners of the rectangularly shaped plate. The return plate, which is provided with appropriate strengthening flanges 142 and ribs 143 as seen in FIGURE 11, is normally urged by its own weight toward a retracted position against a stop 144 formed as an inwardly struck tab on leg 36. The back of plate 137 is adapted to be engaged by the rounded outer end 145 of rod portion 137 when the latter moves to its counterclockwise position, as seen in FIG- URE 11. During this movement, plate 133 will swing clockwise and engage the lower ends of extensions 76 on

keys

68 and 69, sliding these keys to their outer positions. No resistance will be offered to this movement since it is parallel to the alignment of guide apertures 77 and 83. As

keys

68 and 69 reach their outer positions, edges 73 of the keys will be retracted from curved ends 62 and 66 of

indicators

59 and 64, respectively, permitting these indicators 'to drop, by their own weight, from their display position as shown in FIGURE 3 to their retracted position as shown in FIGURE 11.

Means are also provided for ringing bell 21 upon opening movement of the drawer. This means includes striker 23 and arm 99, the arm being engageable with the striker upon opening movement of drawer 85 to swing the striker clockwise as seen in FIGURE 5. As arm 99 moves past the striker, the latter will be released, permitting spring to pull the striker counterclockwise so that it wil strike bell 21. Upon closing of the drawer, inclined edge 102 of arm 99 will ride over striker 23, pivot 24 being sufiiciently loose to permit the striker to rock slightly counterclockwise as seen in FIGURE 6, until arm 99 passes over the striker. Arm 99 thus serves the dual function of engaging stop 17 to limit outward movement of the drawer and operating the bell as the drawer opens.

A housing generally indicated at 146 is provided for the typewriter, this housing being preferably formed of a decorative molded plastic material. Housing 146 has the general ornamental configuration of a conventional cash register, including a generally vertical rear wall 147, a convex front wall 143, side walls 149, a somewhat enlarged drawer receiving portion 151 (see FIGURE 1) and an indicator window portion 152. Base portion 151 has a front recess 153 for the reception of drawer 85, and window portion 152 has an elongated aperture 154 for the reception of a window 155. An upper retaining groove 156 and a lower retaining groove 157, as seen in FIGURE 3, may be molded into housing 146 to receive window 155, the latter preferably being fabricated of a transparent and flexible material which may be snapped into place within the grooves, the window further having opaque partitions 158 imprinted thereon so as to form individual windows corresponding to

indicators

59 and 64. It will be noted from FIGURE 3 that the shape of housing 146 is such as to permit indicators 49 to engage groove portion 157 when the indicators swing to their display positions, this engagement creating a clicking sound which will simulate the action of a standard cash register when a key is depressed. A plurality of ribs 159 are formed within drawer compartment 151 of housing 146, as seen in FIGURE 5, the lower ends of these ribs carrying protrusions 161 such as that seen in FIGURE 3, which may extend through apertures 13 in base 12 and be spread by heat and pressure to secure the housing to the base. A foot 162 is molded around the lower edge of housing 146 so that the cash register may rest thereon. Front wall 148 of the housing is provided with a plurality of apertures 163 for accommodating the various keys. In the upper position of the keys, flanges 71 thereof are adapted to engage the housing portion surrounding apertures 163 to limit outward movement of the keys. A pair of closely 8 spaced lugs 164 are also provided immediately below a front counter or table portion 165 of housing 146, these lugs being disposed on opposite sides of the forward end of bar 163 to maintain the bar in a centered position.

In assembling the toy cash register of this invention, separate sub-assemblies may be fabricated, one of which will comprise indicator frame 48 and

indicators

59 and 64, together with keys 6S and 69. Another sub-assembly would comprise base 12, main frame 32, and the parts carried thereby as seen in FIGURE 7, plus return plate 138. The first-mentioned sub-assembly may then be secured to the main frame. Housing 146 may then be mounted in position, and drawer inserted.

According to the invention, a novel method of marking

keys

63, 69 and 119 is provided which eliminates the necessity of matching

keys

68 and 69 to their

corresponding indicators

59 and 64. The method comprises the use of a paper or other known flexible transfer type of imprinting sheet shown schematically at 166 in FIGURE 11 to mark the keys after they have been assembled. This sheet would carry the indicia in the desired arrangement, the sheets being provided in quantity so that each sheet could be used for a single toy cash register. Since the Open key 119 is differently shaped than the others, and could thus be individually assembled without chance of error, it may or may not be marked by this marking sheet. The

other keys

68 and 69, however, need only be produced and assembled with blank faces, the marking sheet being laid over the keys after assembly and the indicia transferred thereto by heat or other known methods. It thus becomes necessary only to assemble

indicators

59 and 64 in their proper order in each toy cash register, but not

keys

68 and 69.

In operation of the toy cash register, assuming an initial position of the parts with the drawer closed and

indicators

59 and 64 in their retracted positions, as seen in FIGURE 11, any selected key or

keys

68 and 69 may be depressed. As each key is depressed, its corresponding

indicator

59 or 64 will swing upwardly with a clicking sound into its display position, as seen in FIGURE 3. The indicators will be held in their display position by edges 73 of the keys.

When it is desired to open drawer 85, key 119 will be depressed, causing rod 123 to rock clockwise as seen in FIGURE 3 and swing latch bar 103 counterclockwise as seen in this figure. This will cause shoulder 108 of the latch bar to be withdrawn from rear wall 91 of the drawer, and spring 97 will impel the drawer outwardly. During this movement, edge 101 of arm 99 will swing striker 23 clockwise as seen in FIGURE 5 and will then release the striker, permitting spring 25 to return it so as to ring bell 21. Drawer 85 will come to rest when arm 99 engages stop 17. During the opening movement of the drawer, rod 133 will swing idly from its solid line to its dot-dash line position and then back again, as the drawer slides under it. Bar 103 will be disposed within drawer slots 109 and 111 during the opening movement, so as to maintain the drawer in a centered position.

Return of drawer 85 will cause rear wall 91 of the drawer to engage portion 136 of rod 133, swinging the rod counterclockwise to the position shown in FIGURE 11. End of rod 133 will engage the back of return plate 138, swinging this plate clockwise, as seen in FIG- URE 11, so as to engage the outer ends of key extensions 76. The keys will thus slide outwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 11, permitting

indicators

59 and 64 to drop to their retracted positions. As drawer 85 reaches its fully closed position, shoulder 108 of bar 163 will drop in front of rear wall 91, as urged by spring 112, retaining the drawer in position. At this point, the rear wall will have passed portion 136 of rod 133, and the rod will swing back by its own weight to the solid line position of FIGURE 3. Return plate 138 will drop to its retracted position against stop 144, but the keys will be held in their outer positions by engagement of curved sections 62 and 66 of the indicators with shoulders 75 of the keys.

It will thus be seen that a novel and improved toy cash register has been provided which is especially adapted for inexpensive mass production, utilizes a minimum number of parts and is relatively easy to assemble. The toy simulates many functions of an actual cash register in a realistic manner and is extremely resistant to wear and damage during operation.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the swbjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toy cash register or the like, a housing, a drawer slidably mounted in the lower part of said housing, spring means urging said drawer to an open position, latch means for holding the drawer in a closed position, a plurality of indicators mounted in the upper part of said housing for movement between retracted and display positions, keys for each of said indicators, means responsive to movement of each key from a raised to a depressed position for moving its corresponding indicator to its display position and holding said indicator in such position, said drawer latch means being operative to hold said drawer in closed position during and after depression of each key, means operable independently of said keys (for releasing said drawer latch means, and means responsive to return movement of said drawer to its closed position for returning said keys to their raised positions and said indicators to their retracted positions.

2. In a toy cash register or the like, a housing, a drawer slidably mounted in the lower part of said housing, spring means urging said drawer to an open position, latch means for holding the drawer in a closed position, a plurality of indicators mounted in the upper part of said housing for movement between retracted and display positions, keys for each of said indicators, means responsive to movement of each key from a raised to a depressed position and retention in its depressed position for moving its corresponding indicator to its display position and holding said indicator in such position, means operable independently of said keys for releasing said drawer latch means, a return member separate from said drawer latch means and movable between a retracted position and a return position, said return member when moved to its return position being engageable with all depressed keys to return said keys to their raised position and permitting the corresponding indicators to return to their retracted position, and a return member actuating element responsive only to movement of said drawer to its closed position for moving said return member to its return position.

3. The combination according to claim 2, said keys being of elongated shape and supported for tr-anslatory movement along a rectilinear path between their retracted and display positions, said return member comprising a swingably mounted plate engageable with corresponding ends of the keys.

4. In a toy cash register or the like, a plurality of indicators movable between retracted and display positions, at key for each of said indicators, means slidably mounting said keys for translatory movement along a rectilinear path between raised and depressed positions, means on each key responsive to movement of the key to its depressed position for swinging the corresponding indicator to its display position, mutually engageable portions on said indicator and key when the indicator is in its display position and the key in its depressed position for preventing movement of the indicator to its retracted position, said last-mentioned portions being mutually engageable only when the key is in its depressed position, and means cfor simultaneously returning all depressed keys to their raised positions and separating said mutually engaging portions, whereby said indicators may return to their retracted positions.

5. In a toy cash register or the like, a plurality of indicators comprising indicia bearing tabs, an indicator frame comprising a pair of spaced plates, means between said plates for pivotally supporting said indicator tabs for movement between retracted and display positions, the weight of said tabs urging them toward their retracted positions, a plurality of keys corresponding to said indicator tabs, each of said keys having a button portion and a shouldered extension, apertured portions in said frame plates slidably supporting said extensions, and curved portions on said tabs engageable by the shouldered portions of said keys when moved to their depressed positions for swinging the indicator tabs to their display positions, said curved indicator tab portions being engageable with the edges of their corresponding depressed key extensions when in their display positions, whereby said indicator tabs will be held against movement to their retracted positions.

6. In a toy cash register or the like, a base, a frame having a horizontal portion spaced above said base, a drawer slidably mounted on said base below said frame portion :between open and closed positions, a latch bar comprising an elongated flat plate pivoted below said frame portion said latch bar extending a substantial distance forwardly of the rear end of said drawer when the drawer is in its open position, the drawer having at least one guide slot within which said latch bar is disposed throughout the range of movement of said drawer, a shoulder on said latch bar engageable with said drawer to hold the drawer in its closed position, means urging the drawer toward its open position, an upward extension on said plate, a clearance aperture in said frame portion for receiving said extension, a release shoulder on said extension, and a release rod engageable with said release shoulder to swing the latch bar to its unlatching position.

7. In a toy cash register or the like, a base, a frame having a horizontal portion spaced above said base, a drawer slidably mounted on said base below said frame portion between open and closed positions, a latch bar comprising an elongated flat plate pivoted below said frame portion, a shoulder and said latch bar engageable with said drawer to hold the drawer in its closed position, means urging the drawer toward its open position, an upward extension on said plate, a clearance aperture in said frame portion for receiving said extension, a release shoulder on said extension, a horizontally disposed release rod mounted for pivotal movement on its own axis, a release key for actuating said release rod, a first hooked portion on said release rod engageable by said release key, a second hooked portion on said release rod engageable with said release shoulder to swing the latch bar to its unlatching position, and a restraining portion pressed out from said frame portion toward the end of said release rod adjacent said first hooked portion.

8. In a toy cash register or the like, a drawer slidable between open and closed positions, a plurality of indicators movable between retracted and display positions, a latch for holding said drawer in a closed position, means separate from and movable independently of said indicators for releasing said latch, and an indicator return rod separate from said latch and responsive only to closing movement of said drawer for causing movement of said indicators toward their retracted positions.

9. In a toy cash register or the like, a drawer slidable between open and closed positions, a plurality of indicators movable between retracted and display positions, a latch for holding said drawer in a closed position, means separate from and movable independently of said indicators for releasing said latch, an indicator return rod separate from said latch and movable between an inoperative position and a return position, said return rod having a first portion operatively engageable by said drawer only when moving toward its closed position for swinging said return rod toward its return position,

11 and a second portion on said return rod extending in a direction substantially opposite to said first portion and responsive to movement of the return rod to its return position for causing movement of said indicators to their retracted positions.

10. In a toy cash register or the like, a housing, a drawer slidably mounted in the lower part of said housing, spring means urging said drawer to an open position, latch means for holding the drawer in a closed position, a plurality of indicators mounted in the upper part of said housing 'for movement between retracted and display positions, keys for each of said indicators, means responsive to movement of each key from a raised to a depressed position for moving its corresponding indicator to its display position and holding said indicator in such position, means operable independently of said keys for releasing said drawer latch means, a return member movable between a retracted position and a return position, said return member when moved to its return position being engageable with any depressed keys to return said keys to their raised position and permitting the corresponding indicators to return to their retracted position, and a return member actuating element responsive only to movement of said drawer to its closed position for moving said return member to its return position, said return member actuating element being pivotally mounted and having a first portion in the path of movement of said drawer whereby said element will swing in one direction when the drawer opens and in the opposite direction when the drawer closes, and another portion on said element having a one-way connection with said return member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,026 Jacobs July 12, 1910 1,141,547 Heyman June 1, 1915 1,198,825 Chein Sept. 19, 1916 1,856,971 Sherman May 3, 1932 1,906,361 Berry May 2, 1933 2,095,023 Bosselier Oct. 5, 1937 2,454,000 Midouhas Nov. 16, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,069,517 Germany Nov. 19, 1959 198,399 Great Britain June 1, 1923 617,803 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1949