US3143908A

US3143908A - Cash box having insertion slot for a multi-part sales record slip

Info

Publication number: US3143908A
Application number: US110737A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schildt Josef; Fischer Wilhelm
Original assignee: C&A Brenninkmeyer GmbH
Current assignee: C&A Brenninkmeyer GmbH
Priority date: 1960-12-15
Filing date: 1961-05-17
Publication date: 1964-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-11

Description

Aug. 11, 1964 J. SCHILDT ETAL 3,143,903

I CASH BOX HAVING INSERTION SLOT FOR A MULTI-PART SALES RECORD SLIP 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 17. 1961 Aug- 11, 1 4 J. SCHlLDT ETAL CASH BOX HAVING INSERTION SLOT FOR A MULTI-PART SALES RECORD SLIP 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17. 1961 M MW Aug. 11, 1964 J. SCHILDT ETAL 3,143,908

CASH BOX HAVING INSERTION SLOT F OR A MULTI-PART SALES RECORD SLIP 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 17, 1961 11, 1964 J. SCHILDT ETAL 3,143,908

CASH BOX HAVING INSERTION SLOT FOR A MULTI-PART SALES RECORD SLIP Filed May 17, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W g Q 129 9 [war/fart J05f 50/407440 W/L Hfl/W 1760/64 United States Patent ice dorf, Germany Filed May 17, 1961, Ser. No. 115,737 Claims priority, application Germany Dec. 15, 1960 16 Claims. (Cl. 83-96) The present invention relates to cash boxes. More particularly the invention relates to cash boxes of the type having a collecting drawer and means for cutting ofi a portion of cash sales record slip, card or label and collecting the cut ofi portions for control purposes.

Cash boxes are known which have an insertion slot for a multi-part sales record slip or card and which are provided with a cutting device. By means of this cutting device a section of the slip or card which has been inserted in the insertion slot of the cash box is severed and is guided into a collecting container in the housing of the cash box.

Heretofore the operation of such a cash box was effected in a manner that the cashier introduced the multi part sales record slip, for example, a perforated slip, card or label into the insertion slot of the cash box. Thereupon it was necessary to operate a hand crank or a switch in order to actuate the cutting device of the cash box and in some cases also an impregnating or printing device, either mechanically or by way of a special motor means. In this connection there existed the danger that the severing of the slip section or stub from the complete sales record slip, card or label either took place along a line which did not correspond to the severing line provided, or it was necessary to provide additional aligning means to eifect the severing operation of the individual section only when the entire sales' record slip was in the correct cutting position.

These conditions prevailing in the known cutting cash boxes resulted in that the operation of the cash box, and particularly the correct operation, was relatively time-consuming.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cutting cash box of the type described above where the time consumed for the severing and, if desired, also stacking of the severed sections in the housing of the cash box is possible with the minimum number of manipulating handles. At the same time it is to be insured that the severing operation of the individual sections of the slip remaining in the cash box is effected reliably and without undue time delay along the severing place that is provided; and finally this cash box is to be arranged in such a manner that the cashier, after orderly insertion of the sales record slip into the insertion slot, has no opportunity to influence the course of the individual functions taking place in the housing of the cash box from the outside.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide in the insertion slot for the sales record slip, control devices which are rendered operative by the introduction of the sales record slip in the insertion slot in a manner that the sequence of operations in the cash box is predetermined.

In accordance with the invention the operator of the cash box has the-sole task of introducing the multi-part sales record slip into the insertion slot of the cash box. The sales slip proper is utilized during the insertion into the cash box for initiating and determining the individual control operations and the course of the operations inside the cash box. Thus in accordance with the invention, besides inserting the sales record slip into the proper insertion slot, the cashier need not operate any 3,143,908 Patented Aug. 11, 1964 further operating handle, such as a hand crank motor switch, or the like. It is apparent that in this manner the safe course of operation inside the cash box is accelerated. For the rapid servicing of the customers in a store, as well as for the necessary control operations on the part of the management of such a store, the advantages provided by the subject of the application are of considerable significance.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described hereinafter and illustrated in the drawings, where FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cash box in operative position with the cover removed,

FIG. 2. is a section taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 1 drawn to an enlarged scale,

FIG. 3. shows a scale record slip before and FIG. 4 a sales record slip after the cutting operation,

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section taken through the lid of the collecting drawer,

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through the collecting drawer,

FIG. 7 is a partial top View of the collecting drawer without lid,

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the lid of the collecting drawer with the insertion slot,

FIG. 9 is an end view of the angular end portion of the lid, and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electric circuit.

In the housing 1 of a cash box having a space 2 which can be closed by means of a gate 3, batteries 4, such as accumulators, are provided which are prefer ably of the sealed type that can be recharged. These batteries 4 provide the current for the control devices and for the two motors used inside the cash box. It is also possible to connect the cash box to the power line, in which case the operating voltages for the electrical devices of the cash box as well as the charging potential for the charging of the batteries 4 are obtained by way of a transformer 5. The primary side of the supply line is provided in a known manner with a fuse 6.

A further gate 7 is provided in a side wall of the housing 1 for inserting a collecting drawer 8 to receive the sales slip sections 9 severed from the sales record slip 10. As soon as the collecting drawer 8 is in the required position, a rnicroswitch 12 is operated by means of a feeler member 11, whereby the circuit 'for the control devices and motors is connected to the source of potential, battery or line. The tolerances of the space into which the collecting drawer 8 must be introduced in correctly locked condition are so close that improper closing of the collecting drawer 8 prevents insertion, which is due to the fact that improper closing of the collecting drawer 8 results in increasing of the dimensions.

Slotted apertures 14, 15 as shown in FIG. 2 or 69 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 8 which are in alignment are provided in the cover of the cash box as well as also in the cover 13 of the collecting drawer, through which slots the sales record slips are introduced into the slip or stub collector.

A movably mounted flap 16 is provided in the insertion slot 14 which is moved by insertion of a sales record slip 10. The moving of the flap 16 operates a microswitch 17 which first lights a lamp 18 of a light barrier arrangement.

The slips or labels 10 are provided with leading aper-.

ically possible, the light path of the lamp 18 of the light barrier is opened through an aperture 20 in the lead blade 21, apertures 19 in the sales slip 10, and an aperture 22 in the flap 16 to the photo-diode 23.

By exposing the photo-diode 23, a circuit relay 27 is energized by way of a photo-diode amplifier 24 which is preferably provided with transistors 25 and 26. This circuit relay 27, in combinaton with further control devices, effects the release and operation of the cutting motor 28.

The microswitch 17 which is actuated by the switch flap 16, on returning to position of rest and upon a completed operation, i.e. upon removing of the severed portion 9 of a sales record slip 18 from the cash box, effects the'initiation of the stacking operation of the cash records or stubs 9 in the collecting drawer 8.

The exact position in the housing of the cash box of the record slip or label 10, which consists of two sections, is obtained in that the lower edge 29 of the lower sales slip section 9 rests upon two feelers 30. A light pressure upon the upper edge of the sales record slip It) moves the feelers 30 slightly downwardly, thereby operating the microswitches 31. As soon as the two

contacts

31 and 27, which are located one behind the other, have been closed, the relay 50 is energized and simultaneously a magnet 32 is activated, which in turn, secures the two part sales record slip in the cutting position by means of two pins, in that the two pins 33 press the sales slip 18 against the lead blade 21. Simultaneously with the excitation of the magnet the'initiation of the cutting operation is effected i.e., the advancing of a movable cutter portion 34 is started by a motor 28 of the cutting device which moves the cutter 34 against the counter cutter 35.

The cutting device comprises the movable upper cutting plate 34 which is coupled with the motor 28 of the cutting device and stationary cutting bars 35. This cutting device effects a cut by inclined positioning of the cutting edges, which is a profiled cut. The profiled cutting line is provided for reasons of safety, because this characteristic profiled cutting line constitutes the only receipt identification upon the customers portion 9 of the sales record slip 10, and it should not be possible to produce this cutting line by any kind of hand manipulation.

The motor 28 of the cutting device is provided with a reciprocating drive shaft. Such motors are known, for example, in the form of disk wiping motors. As soon as the circuit relay 27 is energized by way of the microswitch 17 and the photo-diode amplifier 24, and the microswitch closes at the same time a further circuit, the motor 28 of the cutting device starts the reciprocating movement, whereby the upper cutter plate 34 is moved in the direction of the slot by way of a lever drive 36. The guidance of the upper cutter plate 34 is by means of roller devices 37. A finger 38 is securely mounted on the upper cutter plate 34, which in one end position (position of rest) actuates a microswitch 39, and in its other end position (cutting position) operates a further microswitch Advancing the upper movable cutter plate 34 moves a carriage 43 which is slidably disposed in a track 42 away from the slot by means of an arm 41 that is secured to this plate. Feelers 30 as well as the microswitch 31 are fastened to this carriage. By withdrawing the carriage 43, the feelers are withdrawn from the cutting space so that the lower portion 9 of the sales record slip 18, which now must be separated, can drop from its cutting position to its stacking position. The carriage 43 which carries the feelers 30 is temporarily halted in thewithdrawn position by means of a latch 44 which places itself be hind the fiixed wall 46 with its tooth 45.

When the carriage 43 with the feelers 30 is in the withdrawn locked position, the cutter plate 34 and the cutting bars 35 cover one another in a manner that the insert slot is closedby this cutting device in the cutting plane of the sales slip. Consequently the record portion 9 which remains in the cash box can no longer be removed from the outside.

A further guide bar 47 is disposed on the upper cutter plate 34 which, by way of an additional bar 48, opens a drawer, which is not illustrated and which is a part of the cash box. After the unlatching of the carriage 43, described hereinafter, this carriage is again moved forwardly into operating position by means of a spring 49.

The device is also provided with a stacking motor 51 which is started in the manner described hereinafter and which causes shifting of a drive shaft 52. A control disk 53 is connected with the drive shaft 52, and the control disk is engaged by a tilting level 54 which is pivotally mounted for movement about an axis 55. The tilting lever 54 is resiliently retained on the housing of the cash box by mean of a spring 56. The second arm 57 of the tilting lever engages a sliding frame 59 by way of a roller 58. Stacking pins 60 are secured in the sliding frame 59 which can enter the apertures 61 provided in the forward wall 62 of the collecting drawer 8. On starting the stacking motor 51 the stacking pins 60 are inserted in the collecting drawer 8 and effect the stacking operaation of the severed sales slip-portion 9.

The lid 13 of the collecting drawer has a slot 69 which registers with the insert slot of the cash box housing or the

insert chute

21, 14 when the collecting drawer 8 is inserted. During insertion of the collecting drawer 8 into the cash box housing 1 two stationary pressure pins 70 (FIG. 2) arranged in the housing penetrate the collecting drawer lid through two corresponding apertures 71 in the transverse rear wall 62 and effect the opening of a closure slide 73 by way of a double lever device 72, which closure slide in position of rest engages abutments 75 in the collecting drawer lid 13 under the pressure of springs 74 and closes the aperture 69. The springs 74 which are preferably pull springs automatically reclose the locking slide 73 for the insertion slot 69 in the lid 13 of the collecting drawer when the collecting drawer 8 is removed from the housing 1.

The stacking pins 60 enter through the apertures 61 in the rear wall 62 0f the lid. Advancing these stacking ins 60 effects forward movement of a slide member 77 which is biased by springs 76 causing forward movement of the sales slip sections or stubs 9 which remain in the collecting drawer and have been placed in stacking position by way of two large projections 78 and into the record stack 79. The slide member 77 preferably consists of an element which is U-shaped, the forward wall 77 of which stacks the sales slip, stub 9 and which is connected by means of a strut 80 with the rear leg 81. The stacking pins 60 engage this rear leg 81.

The lower part 64 of the collecting drawer has a base plate which is extended beyond the storage space which receives the bent off portion of the lid which contains the sliding device and the slot locking mechanism and which engages a groove 82. The double levers 72 for the aperture of the closure plate 73 are rotatably supported on flanges 83 in the bearings 84. A handle 85 is provided at the forward end of the collecting drawer 8 to facilitate the insertion and withdrawing of the collecting drawer 8 in the housing 1 and for moving the collecting drawer 8. For closing the collecting drawer the lid 13 which has a bent'off portion '63-is moved into a slot 86 which is defined by the rearward lid 87 and plate 89 supported in the housing by means of struts 88 against the rear portion-87 of the collecting drawer. Simultaneously the right edge 64 of the collecting drawer 8 enters a groove 82 and by parallel displacement of the lid 13 the bent off transverse edge 63 (FIG. 5) is locked. After sliding on the cover 13 a lug '66 of the locking device 65 is located behindthe'bent off portion 63 (FIG. 6) of the cover 13. Unlatching or opening of the closed cash box is only possible by the use of a removable key for the latching device 65, for example, by a supervisor. Besides the apertures 61 for the stacking pins and the apertures 71 for the pressure pins the rear portion 62 of the cover has two further apertures 9 -w ichmay be engaged by the feelers 3 collecting drawer a spring arrangement 67 is provided whicn cooperates with a movable slide member 68.

To indicate the status of fullness of the collecting drawer 8 or for automatic disconnecting of the cutting cash box when the collecting drawer 8 is filled, a microswitch 91 is provided which engages an aperture 93 in the side wall of the collecting drawer by way of a roller 92. The microswitch 91 is adapted to interrupt the operating circuit for the collecting drawer and actuate a signal means, for example, a light bulb 93.

Along the movable cutting plate 34 an angular member 94 is provided which by way of a roller arrangement 95 actuates a counting mechanism 96 for indicating the cutting operations that have been completed. The counting mechanism simultaneously indicates the number of the sections 9 of the sales record slips 10 that have reached the collecting drawer 8.

The individual operations of the cutting or severing cash box during a recording operation are as follows:

In order to establish the operating condition of the cash box the collecting drawer 8 is first provided with the cover 13 in the manner explained above and is latched by means of the locking device 65. Now if the collecting drawer 8 is inserted into the housing 1 of the cash box through the gate 7, the contact of a microswitch 12 is closed. It is now possible to operate optionally with a line connection by way of contacts 97 or without line connection by means of battery 4.

The schematic diagram in accordance with FIG. 10 shows the circuit in the condition without current, i.e., the plug is not connected to the line, the collecting drawer 8 for receiving the cut off sections is not inserted in the cash box 1. If the cash box is connected to the line, then a relay 98 is energized which opens the contacts 98' and 98". As a result the batteries 4 are disconnected from the operating circuit of the cash box. The current supply takes place by way of a bridge balancing arrangement 99 which is connected in parallel with an equalizing condenser 100. The cash box is now supplied from the line due to the contacts 98' and 98" being opened.

If, on the other hand, the cash box 1 is not connected to the line,

contacts

98 and 98" are closed and the necessary current is derived from batteries 4. In that condition the batteries cannot be charged while, when operating from the line, they can be charged by a second winding of the transformer by way of a balancing bridge arrangement 101 and a load resistance 102. The,

charging current in this connection is so proportioned that also discharges of approximately one to two ampere hours are restored after a certain length of time.

By inserting the collecting drawer 8 into the cutting cash box 1, the stationary pins 70 have moved back the closure plate 73 for the slot 69 in the collecting drawer cover 13 by means of the double lever arrangement 72 and thus freed the slot 69. The carriage 43 is now in its forward position so that the feelers 30 extend into the space of the slot.

Now if a sales record card is inserted into the cutting cash box, the flap 16 is displaced and operates a contact of the microswitch 17. The contact assumes the position H1. The lamp 18 lights up and thus casts light on a photo-diode 23 of the photo-diode amplifier 24. This is possible only when the card or label 10 is insertedin the correct position and the light ray from lamp 18 can fall upon the said photo-diode 23 through aperture 20 of the insertion chute or slot 21, an aperture 19 in the sales record slip 10 and the aperture 22 in the flap 16. During the light exposure of the photo-diode a condenser 103 is discharged by way of a parallel resistance 104. In one embodiment of the invention the capacitance of the condenser 103 was 100 ,uf and the resistor 104 had a value of 1,000 ohms. The sales record slip or label which first has brought the microswitch 17 into the position I -II and made possible the discharging of the condenser 103 by way of resistor 104 is moved further into the opening of the slot and in this connection engages the feelers 30 with its lower edge 29, thus closing the contact of the microswitch 31. Upon attaining the position necessary for the cutting operation, the light of lamp 18 thus falls upon the photo-diode 23. As a result the relay 27 is energized, draws up and closes the contact 27. Inasmuch as now contact 31, as also contact 27' is closed, the relay 50 is energized, draws up and attains self-locking position by way of contact 50'. An operating contact 50" disposed parallel to contact 50 is also closed and cuts in the motor 28 of the cutting device. Motor 28 now operates the upper cutting plate 34 of the cutting device. A finger 38 provided on the cutting plate 34 engages the microswitch 40 upon completion of the cutting operation and opens this contact. As a result, relay 50 is released and contacts 50' and 50" are opened. Simultaneously with the cutting operation magnet 32 is connected into the circuit which holds the sales record slip or label in the chute by means of fingers 33 during the cutting operation. This magnet 32 is likewise deenergized by way of microswitch 40 when the same is operated. The finger 38 in position of rest holds the microswitch 39 in the switch position I-III, frees the switch 39 when the cutting plate 34 moves forward, whereupon the switch 39 assumes the position I-II. Now the cash box will remain in the condition described until the upper section 9' of the sales record slip or label 10 is removed from the chute. The upper cutter plate 34 remains in its rearward position and all other circuit elements are disconnected.

On moving the upper movable cutting plate 34 the carriage supporting the feelers 30 is moved to withdrawn position by means of the arm 41 secured to this cutting plate which is guided in a slide 43 so that the lower sec tion or stub 9 which now has been cut off can drop from its cutting position to the stacking position.

When the carriage 43 hearing the feelers 30 is in the withdrawn arrested position, the cutting plate 34 and the cutting bar 35 cover so that the insertion slot is closed. This covering continues until the upper section 9 of the sales slip or label has been withdrawn from the housing of the cash box. After the cutting motor 28 has been switched on it moves, as explained above, the upper cutting plate 34 toward the lower cutting bar 35. Upon attaining the end position, i.e., after the cutting operation and when both cutting members overlap, the cutting motor 28 is disconnected by a microswitch 40. The foregoing described position of the cutting mechanism in connection with the feeler carriage 43 continues to exist until the previously severed section 9 is removed from the insertion slot. On removing this sectionfrom the cash box chute the flap 16 of the chute returns to its initial position by virtue of the biasing effect of the microswitch which is located behind it. In this connection a contact of the microswitch 17 is closed which turns on the cutting motor a second time and effects the return of the upper cutter plate 34. During this operation the motor 28 executes an angular movement effected by a return gear. During the advancing of the upper cutter plate 34, one-half of the movement is utilized, while during return the opposite,

second half of the movement is effected and the upper cutting plate 34 is brought to its initial position.

Since the finger carriage 43 is locked in its rearward position, the fingers or feelers 30 which are encountered by the sales slip or label 10 as it is inserted in the chute are moved out of the region of the collecting drawer. Now after the slip has been cut into two parts the lower stub 9 is able to slide down onto the bottom of the collecting drawer into storage position. Inasmuch as the lower stub 9 requires a certain amount of time for sliding into its stacking position, it is necessary to take into account a predetermined time difference between the stacking operation and the reentry of the finger carriage. The latching is therefore released only when the stacking pins 60 have already traveled a corresponding distance. A plate 106 is provided at the rearward end 105 of the stacking pins which during forward movement slides onto the inclined edge 107 of the latch 44 and releases the same from latch position.

By removing the upper section 9' from the insertion chute, the contact of the microswitch 17, as explained above, returns to position IIII. Since the contact of the microswitch 39 has assumed the position I-II during the cutting operation, the relay 108 is now in position to draw up. Contact 108' which is connected parallel to contact 50" again connects the motor 28.

As described above, this motor now returns to the initial position and is again disconnected by way of the contact of the microswitch 39. The microswitch 39 allows the relay 108 to release, thereby again opening the contact 108'. The operation of the switch 39 is effected by the feeler 38 provided on the upper cutter 34. Upon being disconnected the contact 39 now returns to position I-HI. The possibility is now provided by way of the

microswitchs

91, 17 and 39 to charge the condenser 103 positively by way of a relay 109. In this connection the relay 109 pulls up for approximately 2/ to 3/ 10 seconds, i.e., until the condenser has been charged and then releases again. This wiping impulse is utilized first to draw up the relay by way of contact 109 and to bring it into self-holding position by way of contact 110. Relay 110 draws up and effects the starting of the stacking motor 51 by way of contact 110". The stacking motor 51 now carries out its angular movement, and a lever 115 during return engages the microswitch 111. The operation of the motor 51 causes the stacking pins 60 to enter the apertures 61 in the rear portion 62 of the cover and effects a shifting of the sliding member 77 in the direction of the slot. As a result the lower part or stub 9 of the sales slip or label 10 is pressed into the stacking arrangement of the collecting drawer 8, and this by way of catches 78 into the stack of sales record slips 79. After the completion of the stacking operation the stacking pins 60 are withdrawn whereupon the pushing member 77 is returned to its position of rest by means of springs 76. The contact of the microswitch 111 is briefly opened by the angular lever 115 of the stacking disk 53 and permits relay 110 to release. This contact is briefly opened by the lever 115 of the stacking motor 51 and closes again upon release by lever 115. In order to avoid that the lever 115 provided at the control disk 53 of the stacking motor which is only intended to provide a wiping effect on the microswitch 111 might stay on this switch and would result in the cash drawer falling out, a contact 109" which is parallel to the contact 110" is closed in addition to contact 109' along relay 109 during the brief engagement. Now if during the last stacking operation the contact of the microswitch should not have been closed, the motor 51 is briefly switched on by way of contact 109". The angular movement of the motor 51 in this connection is sufficient to permit the contact of microswitch 111 to reclose securely.

The

relays

109 and 110 are operated upon each movement of the flap, either by the sales slip 10 or by a manual operation of the insert flap, whereby the motor 51 is operated once.

After completed stacking the cutting cash box 1 is immediately ready for operation, i.e., it is possible during the stacking operation to insert a further sales slip in the insert chute because the initiation of the cutting operation and the initiation of the stacking operation are electrically separated in the circuit.

A battery voltage control device 112 is also provided. Such voltage control devices are known per se. This device 112 controls a lower potential limit of 5.6 volts of the battery during operation by means of the battery. As soon as the potential is attained, a relay 113 releases and connects a buzzer 114 by way of a contact 113 which informs the operator or cashier that the exchangeable battery must be replaced by one that has been charged.

As soon as the collecting drawer 8 has been filled so far that it has to be replaced by an empty collecting drawer, the microswitch 91 is operated. The contact of this microswitch then assumes the position I-II, then operates a lamp 93 or an acoustical signal and furthermore disconnects all the subsequent components. The lighting of the lamp 93 which is arranged on the outside of the housing 1 of the cash box provides an optical signal for the operator that the filled collecting drawer must be replaced by an empty one. As the lamp 93 lights up, the condenser 103 is again charged by way of resistor 104. If a new collecting drawer has been inserted, an empty stacking operation takes place as aforementioned, caused by the

microswitchs

91, 17 and 39. It would be possible to eliminate these unnecessary stacking operations, but they do not interfere and the expense of eliminating them is in no proportion to the effect obtained.

While the invention has been explained with reference to the drawing in connection with a cutting cash box where a collecting drawer is combined with the cutting and stacking means, it is possible to provide additional safety features which would permit the insertion of a further sales slip or the initiation of a cutting operation only then when the collecting drawer has again been closed.

In order to permit the relief of the cashier operating such a cutting cash box the current circuit behind the microswitch 12 which is controlled by the collecting drawer S is provided with a further contact 116 which is actuated by an electric lock. When the lock is operated this contact is closed. Thus it is only possible to use the cash box upon operation of the electric lock. Hence it is possible that during relief time at the cashiers station the collecting drawer can remain in the housing of the cash box. For this it is only necessary that the electric lock be operated in such a manner that the contact 116 is opened. This eliminates permanent locking of the cash box.

There is a small possibility when operating directly on the line that during the advancing of the cutter the voltage is briefiy interrupted. As a result relay 50 is released and thus stops the cutting motor 28. As the voltage is restored, for example by closing the

contacts

98 and 98" i.e., when shifting to battery operation, the relay 50 does not become operative again. It is then necessary to manually raise the armature of the relay 50 so that the cutting operation can be terminated. In order to avoid the necessity of opening the cash box when this occurs and to avoid raising the armature of the relay 50 manually, an auxiliary switch 117 is provided, the contact of which is parallel to

contacts

31 and 27. Then if the aforementioned situation should occur, it is possible, for example by means of a safety key, to briefly lock the contact 117 thus finishing the cutting operation. The further functions, i.e., the return of the cutter or the stacking cannot be interrupted by a sudden interruption on the line because permanent resetting for the return pivotal movement of the cutting motor and angular movement of the stacking motor is obtained with the aid of the rockable flap 16 and of the resistance-capacitance element 103, 104.

All electrical components, if desired without the microswitches and motors, may be mounted on a support plate or the like which may be provided below the mechanism of the cash box. This makes it possible to exchange the support plate. with the circuit components in a simple manner if faults occur so that it is possible to immediately restore the cash box to operative condition.

It is possible to utilize the advantageous features of the invention also in connection with other recording equipment not provided with a drawer or cash collector 'where the stubs stacked in the collecting device may,

for example, also be utilized in an evaluating machine. Recording devices of this type are, for example, advantageously used for voting, election or the like operations. Thus the invention is not limited to use in a cash box.

It is readily possible to provide the slips or cards to be inserted with additional perforations which are required for subsequent evaluation in which connection the total indicated by a built-in counting device affords a record of the distribution of the stacked slips or cards in accordance with the individual marks or perforations and of their partial sums.

Having now described our invention with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, we do not wish to be limited thereto, but what we desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device.

2. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device portion associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively asso ciated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof.

3. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of ditferent possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actaute said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light 'source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said insertion slot including a pivotally mounted flap-movable by said card, said flap having an aperture movable to open said light path in said light responsive circuit means and being operative on return ing to starting position to initiate return movement of said cutter and actuation of said stub stacking means, a carriage supporting said feelers and including carriage control means, said movable portion of said cutting device having a first abutment adapted to engage and oper ate said carriage control means to move said feelers out of said collecting container, a stacking motor including a stacking switch, a second abutment on said movable cutter portion operative to actuate said switch upon return of said cutter portion and a sliding frame movable by said stacking motor and supporting stacking fingers movable into said collecting container.

4. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate; a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and opera tive in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said feeler switch and said light circuit means being connected in series.

5. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operatiaons of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said cards in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said cutting device including a stationary portion, a movable portion and a cutting motor connected to said movable portion, and said control means including a self locking relay operatively connected to said light responsive circuit means and said finger switch to actuate said cutting motor.

6. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards on the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said cutting device including a motor of the type effecting reciprocating movements.

7. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said cards in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operableby said feelers, said cutting device including a stationary portion, a movable portion and a cutting motor connected to said movable portion, and said control means including a self locking relay operatively connected to said light responsive circuit means andsaid finger switch to actuate said cutting motor, and

a magnet connected parallel to said cutting motor and means adjacent said slot operatively connected to said magnet adapted to engage and hold the upper portion of said card in said slot.

8. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into saidcontainer, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having alight source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said insertion slot including a pivotally mounted flap movable by said card, said flap having an aperture movable to open said light path in said light responsive circuit means to actuate said light source and being operative on returning to starting posi- 12 tion to initiate return movement of said cutter and actuation of said stub stacking means.

9. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an off-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to sm'd slot, stub stacking means extending into said con tainer, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said hous ing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said cutting device including a stationary portion, a movable portion and a cutting motor connected to said movable portion, and said control means including a self locking relay operatively connected to said light responsive circuit means and said finger switch to actuate said cutting motor, said cutting motor being associated with a relay operative to advance said cutter and a relay operative to return said cutter.

10. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or the like having an actuating marking in an ofi-center location, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stubstacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said cutting device including a stationary portion, a movable portion and a cutting motor connected to said movable portion, and said control means including a self locking relay operatively connected to said light responsive circuit means and said finger switch to actuate said cutting motor, said cutting motor being associated with a relay operative to advance said cutter and a relay operative to return said cutter, and a carriage supporting said feelers and including carriage control means, said movable portion of said cutting device having a first abutment adapted to engage and operate said carriage control means to move said feelers out of said collecting container.

11. Cash box in accordance with claim 10 comprising biasing means for holding said carriage in withdrawn position.

12. Cash box of the type having an insertion slot for multi-part sales slips or labels in the form of cards or I the like havingan actuating marking in an off-center loca- 13 tion, said cash box comprising a cutting device arranged in a housing for severing a stub, a collection container in said housing disposed in receiving relationship to said slot, stub stacking means extending into said container, and control means in said slot operative to initiate a sequence of operations of the components in said housing, said control means including circuit means having a first control device associated with said slot and operative in response to the insertion of one said card in said slot, and a second control device operatively associated with said slot and responsive to said actuating marking being located in a predetermined one of different possible positions to permit the continued operation of said circuit means to actuate said cutting device, said second control device including light responsive circuit means having a light source and a light path through the confines of said slot, and said marking being a perforation in said card away from the center thereof, and a pair of pivotally mounted feelers disposed along the lower end of said slot and movable by said card and a feeler switch operable by said feelers, said cutting device including a stationary portion, a movable portion and a cutting motor connected to said movable portion, and said control means including a self locking relay operatively connected to said light responsive circuit means and said finger switch to actuate said cutting motor, said cutting motor being associated with a relay operative to advance said cutter and a relay operative to return said cutter, a carriage supporting said feelers and including carriage control means, said movable portion of said cutting device having a first abutment adapted to engage and operate said carriage control means to move said feelers out 14 of said collecting container, a stacking motor including a stacking switch, a second abutment on said movable cutter portion operative to actuate said switch upon return of said cutter portion and a sliding frame movable by said stacking motor and supporting stacking fingers movable into said collecting container.

13. Cash box in accordance with claim 12 comprising at latching device extending rearwardly of said carriage and a member carried endwise of said stacking fingers operative to engage and unlatch said latching device.

14. Cash box in accordance with claim 13 comprising a lid on said container having a slot, a spring biased locking slide in said lid and abutment members rearwardly of said container operative to move said locking slide and open said slot.

15. Cash box in accordance with claim 14, including a stacking plate in said container, a microswitch having a member extending into the path of said stacking plate operative when the cash box is filled with stubs to interrupt the circuit in said cash box and to actuate signal means.

16. Cash box in accordance with claim 15, including a battery to supply current to said cutting motor, said stacking motor and to said circuit and circuit means operative to supply line current.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,539,447 Von Pein May 26, 1925 2,031,503 Rainey Feb. 18, 1936 2,529,750 Weingart Nov. 14, 1950