US443994A - Cash-register - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A. HERB.

OASH REGISTER.

N0. 443,994. Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

HiA.HERR.

7 CASH REGISTER.

N0. 443,994. Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

H. A. HERB.

CASH REGISTER.

No. 448,994. Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER A. HERB, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,994, dated January 6, 1891.

Application filed May 5, 1890. Serial No. 350,587. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, HOMER A. HERR, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Cash-Registers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to cash-registers; and it consists of certain improvements, which are fully set forth in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereoi.

The object of my invention is to provide in a cash-register suitable mechanism for looking all of the keys or levers when the cashdrawer is open, locking all ofthe keys or levers which are not struck, and also looking the keys or levers struck against backward movement until a completion of their full stroke, suitable mechanism operated by the keys or levers for exposing or unlocking a movable part, which maybe actuated by the operator 10 release the cash-drawer, means for throwing the signal-bell out of action, a lock to lock all of the keys or levers irrespective of the position of the cash-drawer, and a catch or lock for the indicators, whereby all of the actuating parts for the indicators except the one operated are automatically locked against displacement.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on line .13 LC of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of my improved cashregister, taken on line 3 y of 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the locking-frames, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the signal-bell. Fig. 5 1s a front elevation of a portion of the mechanism of my improved cash-register with the framing removed. Fig. 0 is a plan view of the drawer and its locking mechanism. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of same. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of Fig. 7 on line 3 s; and Fig. 9 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 1, showing amodilied arrangement of locking mechanism.

A is the frame of the machine.

B are a series of pivoted levers or keys having the marks placed upon the finger'pieces b, and said levers pivoted to a common shaft B.

C C are two registering-wheels,the lower of whichoperates the upper one in the usual way. The lower registering-wheel is operated by a pawl 0, carried upon a secondary lever C, and which latter is operated by the keys or levers B. The registering-wheels O are prevented from accidental rotation by means of the spring-pawls 0 D are a series of in dicatorrods, one for each lever or key B, and adapted to rise upon the rear end of said levers or keys. These rods are secured at the upper part of the screens D, which are adapted to cover the marks upon the tablets D When these rods and their screens are raised, the tablets are exposed. These rods D are provided with projeci ions d d. pointing in opposite directions, for the purpose of locking said rods in their normal positions or supporting them when raised. E is a sliding locking-plate for said rods D, and is guided in the frame A by guideways V, and is reciprocated by a bell-crank E, provided upon its free arm with a loose pawl e.

N is a vertically-reciprocating arm, which is actuated by the movement of any of the levers B in the manner hereinafter described, and when raised rocks the bell-crank E, causing a reciprocation of the locking-plate E, so as to draw it over the projections d and look all the rods D which have not been raised during the actof raising the particular rod which is purposely being raised. A spring 6 is employed to return the parts to their normal position, shown in Fig. 1. The rod D, which is raised, has its projections d caught above the locking-plate E, and is thus held in an elevated position. This construction prevents the accidental raising of two indicatingbars and indirectly acts as a lock to the accidental and subsequent operation of any of the levers B which should not have been struck.

F is a frame, which is pivoted at F to the main frame. This frame has upon its rear end a series of slots f, through which project downwardly-extending arms B from the several levers B. These arms B may be pivoted to the levers B or may be cast integral therewith. lVhenever one of these arms B is raised it also raises the frame F. Pivoted to theirame A on studs h at the rear of the arms B is a locking-frame H, which has a lower projecting edge H, adapted to be thrust above or below the projections B on the lower ends of'the a-rnisB?- "The "upper portion of this locking-frame H is curved inward, as at H and is adapted to be moved by cam projections T, extending upon the rear of the arms B When any of the arms B are raised, the frame II is oscillated and the lower edge H is thrust above the projections B of the arms of the levers B, which have not been raised, and this locks them against accidental displacement. To the locking-frame H is con-' nected a link F, the other end of which is hinged to a sliding lock G, carried by the frame F and adapted to be forced under projections B of the arms 13 of such levers as are actuated. The object of this is to insure every lever-which has been'struck completing its full registering movement. By this construction it will be seen that if two levers B ere struck simultaneously andintentionally the lock G would be thrustunder the projections 13 corresponding to such levers as soon as such projections were raised clear of the projections corresponding to the remaining levers, and then if the finger were removed from one of the said levers a continued pressu re upon the remaining lever would insure registration-of both levers.

I is a pivoted ,lever, provided with rackteeth t', and is connected by a loose link J with the frame F. The upper or free end of the 'lo'cking-fra-me II is adapted to catch in the teeth't' of the lever I, and this prevents the return of the locking-frame H until it is released by a full movement of the levers B. If the lever struck were lifted a short way, so that the frame H caught into the first notch or tooth, this would lock all of the other levers Band :preventany operation of the machine until the lever struck was moved its full stroke, which action would cause the frame F to be fully raised and the projection G to strike the lever I in such a manner as to leave it to release the locking-frame H. The link J is made loose,.so that when the frame F is raised there is no resistance to the action of theprojection G. The lever I is so weighted at I that when oscillated in either direction it remains in such position until positively shifted. When the frame moves upward, the lever I above the frame H is raised, and when the parts return to their normal position, with the frame F down, the lever I is pulled down again by the action of the link J. v

K is a-pivoted locking-frame secured to the rear of the machine and adapted to be drawn the spring 76 into position to look all of the levers -13.

Secured to the side of the drawer is a pro jection g, which is adapted to be caught bya locking-bolt Q,"adapted to be "'thr'ust downward by a finger, so as to release the catch q. The spring Q may beemployed to normally keep the bolt in looking position. Arranged above the bolt Q is a pivot-ed plate P, having an aperture 10 and pivoted to the main frame at P. This plate is connected by a link 0 with the locking-frame H, so that when said locking-frame is positively moved by an operation of any lever or key B the plate P is moved so as to bring the aperture 12 over the end of the locking-bolt, enabling the operator to depress said bolt to release the drawer.

The plate P may also have a projectingloop P adapted to'catch upon the under side ofa head on the locking-bolt Q, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, so that said bolt s posit-ivelylocked against movement, except when said plate P is shifted.

The plate Pis in effect-a leverand has pivoted to it a bell-crank lever R, the lower arm R of which is adapted to be struck by a pin S on the drawer L. This bell-crank lever is connected by asp'riug 4' with the plate P, so as to act upon said plate and yet permit of an independent movement. Thisspring-connection is designed to enable the plate P to be moved before the drawer is released, and also to enable the drawer to be pushed into a locking position. \Vhen the drawer is released, it is forced outward by a spring Z.

V is a lock secured to the frame of the machine,"and is adapted to be operated by akey t, the said lock being designed to lock the frame F,*and thereby all of the levers in case the operator wishes to leave the machine in a condition in which it'can'not be operated in his absence and in which the cashdra wer is locked. The action of this look V in preventing the movement of the frame F will prevent the movement of any of the levers B, since the upward movement of any of said levers must lift the frame F.

M is the alarm-bell, and is made of any suitable construction, and its hammer is operated by a pivoted lever m, which is rocked by a trip M on the under part of frame F.

M is a screw which extends through the rear of the machine and may be moved into position and throw the lever m out of action to prevent the striking of the bell during the operation of the machine. This is for use when it IS desired to avoid the constant ringin of the bell.

In place of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 for locking or coupling two or more of the operating-levers together and for looking all of the levers except those struck againt move.- ment, a modification in Fig. 9 may be employed. In this construction I have a sliding locking-piece H corresponding to the locking-edge'H of Fig. 1, which is connected by a frame with the pivoted frame H, so that when said frame-is oscillated the locking-edge H is thrust above the various projections B on the arms B of these levers, which have not been struck. The other mechanism is substantially the same as that previously described.

In many instances sales are made which are to be charged, and where no cash is directly placed in the cash-drawer. Again, payments are made in checks. Also, in some cases cash is paid out from the cash-drawer. In other cases cash is paid in without sales having been made, and, finally, the machines are sometimes operated to give change. To permit these various operations to be carried out and make the register clearly indicate and record such operations, I provide a series of supplemental indicating devices such as above specified for indicating the amount of purchases, and provided with such terms as Charge, Paid in, Paid out, Change, and check, and provide therefor a series of registering devices having their surfaces marked consecutively with multiples of one, and a series of keys or levers with words similar to those on the supplemental tablets. These various keys orlevers and the connecting mechanism are operated in substantially the manner described with reference to the other indicators and registering mechanism, the only difference being that they do not relate to specific amounts, and are usually used in connection wit-l1 some of the other keys or levers, which actually indicate the amounts.

Vhile I prefer the constructions herein set out,l do notlimit myself to the details thereof, as they may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention. v

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of operating keys or levers, a pivoted frame adapted to be operated by any of the said levers or keys, a pivoted locking-frame adapted to lock all of thelevers againstmovement except those struck, supported inde pendently of the said frame, cams upon the various levers or keys for oscillating the said locking-frame upon being struck, a lockingpiece adapted to lock the levers or keys struck, so that a further movement of either of levers struck will cause all of the levers originally struck to move together, the said locking-piece being carried by the first-mentioned frame, and a connection between the locking-piece and locking-frame, whereby both are simultaneously moved by the action of the key or lever struck.

2. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of keys or levers having portions at their inner ends provided with projections, a locking mechanism located under the rear ends of the levers or keys to lock two or more of said levers or keys together to insure a positive movement of two or more of such levers when simultaneously struck, consisting of a sliding locking-piece adapted to be forced under the projections of the key struck, and

means to raise said locking-piece simultaneously with the raising of the inner ends of the keys or levers, whereby'each of the keys or levers is required to perform its full function, independent locking mechanism operated by the levers or keys struck to lock the keys or levers not struck against movement, and a connection between the two locking mechanisms, whereby both operate simultaneously.

3. In acash-register, the combination of a series of keys or levers having portions at their inner ends provided with projections, a locking mechanism to lock two or more of said levers or keys together to insure a positive movement of two or more of such levers when simultaneously struck, consisting of a sliding lockingpiece adapted to be forced under the projections of the key or lever struck, a pivoted frame upon which the sliding locking-piece is supported, operated bythe keys or levers struck, and connections, substantially as set out, for operating the slidinglocking-piece bythe upward movement of the levers or keys struck, whereby each of the keys or levers struck is required to perform its full function, and registering devices and operating mechanism therefor actuated by the keys or levers.

l. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of operating keys or levers having projections at theirinner ends, registering mechanism operated by the keys or lever an oscillating locking-frame operated by the movement of any of the levers and adapted to be projected above the projections of all of the levers or keys except those struck, a lockingpiece operated by the movement of the levers to be forced under the projections, and a lock to couple two or more of the levers which are struck together and force them both to move simultaneously.

5. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of operating keys or levers having projections at their inner ends, registering mechanism operated by the keys or levers, an 0scillating locking-frame operated by the movement of any of the levers and adapted to be projected above projections of all the levers except those struck, a lockingpiece operated by the movement of any of the levers to be forced under projections of the levers struck to lock or couple two or more of the levers which are struck together and force them both to move simultaneously, a frame carrying the locking-piece connected to and moving with the lovers struck, and a connection between the oscillating frame and said locking-piece, whereby the said locking-frame and locking-piece simultaneously move the locking-frame to lock the levers not struck and the locking-piece to lock the levers which have been struck.

(5. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of operating keys or levers having projections at their inner ends, registering mechanism operated by the keys or levers, an oscillating locking-frame operated by the movement of any of the levers and adapted to be projected above projections of all the levers except those struck,a locking-piece operated by the movement of any of the levers struck and adapted to be projected under projections of said levers to lock or couple two or more of the levers which are struck together and force them to move simultaneously, a frame carrying the locking-piece connected and moving with the levers struck, a connection between the oscillating frame'and said locking-piece, whereby the said locking-frame and locking-piece simultaneously move the locking-frame to lock the levers not struck and thelocking-piece to lock the levers which have been struck, a pivoted ratchet-lever adapted to lock the locking-frame against a return movement until the keys .or levers struck have been fully moved, and mechanism,substantially as set out, for causing said ratchet-lever to be thrust into or out of contactwithsaid locking-frame at the beginning and ending of the movement of the levers struck.

7. In a cash-register, the combination of a series of keys or levers having a hanging arm orprojection at their inner end, an oscillating locking-frame operated by the movement of any of the levers andadapted to be projected above the projections of all thelevers except the ones struck, and provided with a pawl projection, andza pivotedlocking ratchet-lever having notches in v hich the pawl catches for locking said oscillating frame vfrom a return movement until it has moved the full limit of .play given it by the operating-key, and movable parts operated by the lever struck to oscillate the ratchet-lever.

8. In acash-register, the combination of a series of keys or levers, a frame common to all of the keys or levers and operated by one of them, an oscillating locking-frame to lock the levers not struck against movement, an automatic lock for said oscillating lockingframe, whereby on the operation of any key or lever said automatic lock holds the locking-frame from releasing the levers or keys from a return movement until after ithas completed the full limit of its play, and a connection between the frame common to all of the keys and levers and the said automatic lock for the lockingframe.

9. Ina cash-register, the combination of a registering mechanism, a series of operating levers -'or keys for operating said registering mechanism and provided with depending arms, a frame common to all of said arms and adapted to be moved by the operation of one or more of said levers, a pivoted lockingfram'e operated by a cam .projection upon said arms and adapted to lock all of saidarms against vertical movement except those of the leversstruck, a locking-piece carried by the first-mentioned frame and adapted to lock two or more of thearms together'when slightly raised, and acon-nection between the pivot-ed locking-frame and the locking-piece, whereby mechanism and provided with depending arms, a frame common to all of said arms and adapted to be moved by the operation of one or more of said levers, a pivoted lockingframe operated by a cam projection upon said arms and adapted to lock all of said arms against vertical movement except those of the levers struck, a locking-piece carried by the first-mentioned frameand adapted to lock two or more of the arms together when slightly raised, a connection between the pivoted locking-f ra me and the locking-piece, wherebyboth are simultaneously operated, a lock to prevent backward movement'of the pivoted locking-frame except when moved to its full extent, and a mechanical connection between the said locking device and the movable frame first mentioned, whereby the said locking device is thrown into action when the frame is down and out of action when the frame is raised.

11. In a cash-register, the combination of registering mechanism, a series of operating keys or levers therefor, a movable frame'common toall of said keys or leversand adapted to be moved by the operation of any one or more of said keys or levers, and a lock'to lock said frame against movement when it is desired to prevent the action of the machine.

12. In a-cash-register, the combination of indicating mechanism, a series of operating keysor levers'for operating said indicating mechanism, a movable frame common toall of the keys or levers and movable with each of said keys or levers, anda lock to lock said frame against movement, and thereby prevent the operation of the indicating mechanism.

13. In a cash-register, the combination of registering devices, operatingparts for operating said registering mechanism andasignalbell, .a frame common to all of the operating parts for actuating said bell, an inclosing case, and a movable pieceextending through the casing of the register, whereby said belltrip may be thrown out of action when -desired without impairing the operative .function of the machine.

14. In a cash-register indicating mechanis'm, a series of rods thereforwith a locking projection or shoulder, a series of operating parts or keys, one for each of said-rods, amovable lock to lock the rods against movement, and thereby the keysalso, except'those whose keys or operating parts are struck, and mechanism, substantially asset out,for actuating said movable lock.

15. In a cash-register, the combination of indicating mechanism, a series of rods-therefor having two sets of locking-projections or shoulders, a series of operating parts'or keys, one for each of said rods, a movable lock to .lock the rods against movement except'those whose keys or operating parts are struck, and a mechanical connection between said lock and various keys or operating parts, whereby the movement of any key is caused to operate said lock.

16. In a cash-register, the combination of indicating mechanism, a series of rods therefor having two sets of locking projections or shoulders, a series of operating parts or keys, one for each of said rods, a movable lock to lock the rods against movement except those whose keys or operating parts are struck, a frame common to all of the keys or operating parts and adapted to be moved by any one or more of said keys or parts, and a connection between said moving frame and the lock, whereby the operation of any key or part is caused to actuate the lock.

17. In a cash-register, the combination of indicating mechanism, a series of rods therefor having two sets of locking projections or shoulders, a series of operating parts or keys, one for each of said rods, a movable lock to lock the rods against movement except those whose keys or operating partsare struck, a frame common to allot the keys or operatingparts and adapted to be moved byanyone or more of said keys or parts, and a trip-connection between said moving frame and the lock, whereby the operation of any key or part is caused to actuate the look when being depressed, but without effect upon the look when rising.

18. In a cash-register, the combination of registering devices, a series of operating keys or parts therefor, a cash-drawer, a lockingbolt for said cash-drawer, a movable part to lock said bolt against movement, and connecting mechanism between the keys or operating parts and said movable locking part, whereby the operation of any key actuates the moving part for the purpose of permitting the movement of the locking-bolt.

10. In a cash-register, the combination of registering devices, a series of operating keys or parts therefor, a cash-drawer, a lockingbolt for said cash-drawer, a movable part to lock said bolt against movement, and conneeti n g mechanism between the keys or opererating parts and said movable locking part, whereby the operation of any key actuates the moving part for the purpose of permit ting the movement of the locking-bolt, and mechanical devices, substantially as set out, actuated by the cash-drawer when closed, for resetting the locking part to relock the bolt against movement.

20. In a cash-register, the combination of registering mechanism,a series of keys or levers for aetuatin g said registering mechanism, a movable frame actuated by either or all of said levers or keys, a cash-drawer, a lockingbolt to lock said cash-drawer, and a releasing mechanism for releasing the bolt to permit its operation actuated by said movable frame.

21. In a cash-register,tl1e combination of registering mechanism,a series of keys or levers for actuating said registering mechanism, a movable frame actuated by either or all of said levers or keys, a cash-drawer, a locking- 7o bolt to lock said cash-drawer, a releasing mechanism for releasing the bolt to permit its operation, actuated by said movable frame, consisting of a movable plate having an aperture adapted to be drawn over the lockingbolt, and a connection between said plate and the movable frame.

22. In a cash-register, the combination of registering mechanism, a series of keys or levers for actuating said registering mechanism, a movable frame actuated by either or all of said levers or keys, at cash-drawer, a locking-bolt to lock said cash-drawer, a releasing mechanism for releasing the bolt to permit its operation, actuated by said movable frame, consisting of a movable plate having an aperture adapted to be drawn over the locking-bolt, a connection between said plate and movable frame, and a giving connection between said movable plate and the cashdrawer, whereby said plate may be automatically reset to lock the locking-bolt when the drawer is closed.

23. Ina cash-register, a series of keys, a frame common to all of said keys and moved by the operation of any one of them, a drawer for holding the money, a movable part or plate above said drawer, which plate is operated by said frame, and a part adapted-to be touched by the hand, covered or concealed by said plate, s0 that on operating any key said plate is moved by mechanism connected with said frame exposing said part, the touching of which opens the money-drawer.

24. In a cash-register, a series of keys, combined with a movable plate, a moneydrawer, and a part adapted to be operated by the hand, concealed by said plate, so that on operating any key said plate shifts its position, allowing the finger free access to said movable part to open the drawer.

25. The combination, in a cash-register, of a series of keys or levers, a dra-wer,a drawerholder, a supplemental. drawer-releasing key or part for releasing the drawer by the operation of the hand, connecting mechanism between the various keys or levers of the machine, and a supplemental drawer-releasing part, whereby upon the operation of any key or lever the said drawer-releasing part is unlocked or released, whereby it may be operated by the hand to release the drawer.

26. The combination, in a cashu'egister, of a series of keys or levers for registering amounts of cash paid in, a drawer, a supplemental tlrawer-releasing key or part adapted to be operated by the hand to release the drawer, a lock to hold the supplemental drawer-releasing key or part against movement and adapted to automatically lock the supplemental key or part against movement upon closing the drawer and when the registering keys or levels m'efin their normal'pe In testinleny of which invention I have 'sitions, and. connecting lilQChiIliSfHbtWBGfl' hereunto set mymna. v v the various -fegisteri'ng keys 01* levels and the 100k for the supplemental drawer-releasing HOMER A. HERE. 5 key or part, whereby upon operating any 'registering key or lever the said supplemental Witnesses: drawer-releasing key or part may be released ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, for operation by the hand. A. J. DUNN.

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