US479336A - range - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 1.

J. J. RANGE.

' CASH REGISTER.

N0. 479,336. Patented July 19, 18925 ill/[1111M (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. J. RANGE.

CASH REGISTER. No. 479,336. Patented July 19, 1892.

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3 SheetsSheet 3. J. J. RANGE. CASH REGISTER.

(No Model.)

No. 479,336. Patented July 19, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. RANGE, OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE BOSTON CASH REGlSTER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,336, dated July 19, 1892.

Application filed April 13,1892. Serial No. 428,982. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. RANGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at North-. ampton, in the county of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and usef ul Improvements in Cash-Registers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cash'registering machines, the particular object being to provide mechanism in conjunction with the heretofore well-known or any suitable or approved form of registering de vices essentially embodying keys and a cashdrawer, whereby after a key of a given bank or single keys of different banks have been started in their register-working movement they must necessarily move to the end of their working or register operating movements and commence the return movements to their normal positions before the drawer can be opened.

For the attainment of the above object the invention consists in combinations or arrangements of devices for interdependent actions, all substantially as will hereinafter more fully appear, and be set forth in the claims.

Embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in perspective and partial vertical section of so much of a cash-registering machine as will render clear the application and utility of the improved devices, which are also shown in said view. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, representing its parts as in their positions assumed on the depression of a key-lever. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a somewhat different form of devices for holding the drawer closed; but nevertheless automatically operative to release the drawer on, but only on, the return movement of a key-lever. Fig. 4 is a plan and horizontal sectional view of parts of the said latter mechanism.

In the drawings, Fig. 1, A A indicate series of key-levers of the cash-registering machine, the same, as usual, being pivotally mounted, and those keys in the group shown at the upper part of the perspective-view figure are understood as being comprised in one bank, while the keys indicated in part at the lower left-hand portion of the view are understood as being of another bank embodied in a single cash-register machine. Different banks of keys, as well known, are desirablefor instance, one thereof for units, another for dimes, and still another for dollars or other higher multiples-and it is well known in the construction of cash-registering machines that the keys are so arranged and have provided therefor instrumentalities whereby when a key of a given bank is started in its working movement it must necessarily go to the end of such movement and completely return to its normal position before another key of the same bank can be operated, although keys of different banks may be independently operatedthat is, for instance, after one key has been partially or completely depressed or while it is on its return movement any one key of another bank may be moved. And while the devices of this invention are particularly applicable upon cash-registers in which but a single key of any bank is at one ti me operative, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate the mechanism for the establishment of such conditions.

The depression of any register-operating key-lever insures the concurrent swinging of a common tilting plate 13, which transversely extends across all the keys of a given bank, tilting plates being respectively provided for the several banks. Each tilting plate is connectedas, for instance, by means of the link a and the arm b-with a common rocker-bar C, whereby the tilting of either one of the plates B will effect the rocking of the bar, and, due to the pin-and-slot engagement between the link a and arm I), the movement of the tilting plate of one of the banks of keys and the rocking of said bar C need not move the tilting plate of another bank of keys.

D represents the cash-drawer, arranged for its support and horizontal sliding movement under the horizontal table or base E, on which the registering mechanism is mounted, and there is, broadly speaking, a catch device for confining the drawer closed and a medium of connection or engagement between the catch device for the drawer and each of the key-levers, constructed, arranged, and adapted for operation all whereby a kev-lever may be depressed to its full extent, effecting the corresponding operation of the register without permitting the drawer to be opened, but operative on the return movementof the key to release the drawer-catch, and inasmuch as this capability and action in cash-registering machines is believed to be absolutely new, I have shown different forms of devices for effecting the result, which, although in their structural compositions differing the one from the other, are both, as well as equivalents thereof, within the scope of the invention as reduced to and defined by its simplest terms, and while in Figs. 1 and 2 one form of the device is shown, in Figs. 3 and 4 another form thereof is shown as a legitimate modification.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the cash-drawer is provided with two abutment-lugs, the one d in advance of the other f. The rocking bar 0 has the rearwardlyextended arm g, the swinging movement thereof,in consonance with the rocking of the bar 0, being in avertical plane alongside of the bolt h, which plays vertically through a guideway therefor in the horizontal support E, and has its extremity engaged when the drawer is closed by the abutment-lug d. The back of this abutment -lug is downwardly and rearwardly inclined, while the extremity of the latching-bolt h is upwardly and forwardly inclined, so that when the drawer is opened and the latch-bolt his in a lowered position in the drawer on the then closing of the drawer it, through the medium of its abutment-lug cl, may be snapped into engagement with the latching-bolt. The latch-bolt h has the angularly-extended stud h which is engaged by the arm g when the latter is in its upward movement.

3' represents a lever horizontally pivotally mounted or hung from the under side of the support E, and has its forward arm perforated, through which loosely passes a linkrod lo, the upper end of which is pivoted to the arm g, the extremity of said rod below the lever-arm being provided with the nut k or shoulder-constituting element. The rear end of the lever has a downwardly-extended member 7' which on the proper swinging of the lever may be moved into engagement with the abutment-lug f of the drawer. Zindicates a spring suitably supported at the rear of the drawer and having a forwardly-forcing stress thereon.

The depression of any one of the key-levers for its working movement and action on the register effects the rocking of the rocker-bar O in a direction to upwardly swing the rearwardly-extended arm g, which upwardlydraws the bolt h, releasing it from its engagement with the abutment or catch lug d and permitting the slight forward movement of the cash-drawer as impelled by its spring, the

drawer, however, having this very slight movement only for the reason that the upward movement of the lever-arm, acting to draw the bolt as aforesaid, elevates, through the link-rod 7c, the forward end of the catchlever, the rear end then being depressed and caused to have its angular catch member assume a position in line with and a short dis tance in advance of the engagement face of the catch-lug f. The relative positions of the parts just as the rocking movements and upward swinging of the rock-bar and lever-arm with a key-lever are completed are indicated in the sectional elevation, Fig. 2, and after the bolt has been withdrawn, as stated, and the drawer has been given its slight springimpelled forward movement, as limited by the catch-lug and detent devices fj the engaging-face of the lug passes in advance of the engaging end of the bolt. The return movement of the key having been commenced, the then reverse rocking and downwardly swinging of the rock-bar and its arm effect the release of the catch-lever from the drawer, when the drawer is free to be further outwardly spring-impelled.

Referring to the modified construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the drawer, being locked and there held by the tilting catch-lever 7' by the gravity of thelatter or the effect of the spring applied thereto, will of course not be opened until the catch device has been released, which willnot be until after akey-lever has been carried to the limit of its working movement and proceeded on its return, and the mechanism for this action will now be explained. The push-rod 7.0 has the dog 'or abutment-catch k which is adapted to recede on impingement against its side upwardly into the slot therefor in the push-rod. The arm g, movable with the swinging of either of the key-levers and carried by the rocker-bar, has its end chambered or otherwise constructed to form a bearing for the spindle-like member on of the pawl, which spindle member is mounted angularly to the plane of swinging movement of the arm carrying it, and has its end held adjacent the face of the upright 01 by the spring m which is located in the chambered extremity of the carrying-arm and bears between one wall of said chamber and the shoulder of the pawlspindle. The pawl has the angularly-extended engaging-tooth m The face of the upright adjacent which the pawl-spindle extremity is located has the cam surface or rib 91 the location and extent of which is determined with relation to the time desired during the return movement of the key-lever to effect the release of the cash-drawer. The pawl-carrying arm, upwardly swinging on the working of the key, assumes a position above the catch k without affecting the drawercatch. On the return movement of the arm the pawl is by the cam-rib caused to be placed so that its tooth will be in engagement with the catch 76 long enough during the down- IOC ward movement of the arm to depress the push-rod and release the drawer, and in order that the further downward movement of the pawl-carrying arm need not then continue to further downwardly move the push-rod, which of course is unnecessary after the catchlever has been sufficiently swung, the receding portion of the cam-rib permits the pawl to move crosswise and out of engagement with the push-rod catch.

Now, referring to the device for holding the key-levers against working movement except when the drawer is in its closed position, it will be noted that the same consists of a catchlever 19, pivotally mounted as at 13 having its upper hooked arm adapted to swing into engagement with the stud g on the rock-bar arm, the spring q, applied at the under end of the catch-lever, tending to maintain the lever swung into its engaging position. The abutment-lug 1' on the drawer, which has such a position at the time of the closing of the drawer relative to the end of the adjacent catch-lever, forcesthe latter outof engagement with the rocker-bar arm. The drawer being fully closed, the rocker-bar and the keys are free for movement and may return to their normal positions, immediately on which, however, the rocker-bar arm is engaged by said catch. There cannot, of course, be another operation of the rocker-bar and any of the keys until the drawer has been forced home for the release of the said engaging parts. The catch 19 has an arm .9 forwardly and upwardly extended in proximity with the front wall of the register-in closing cabinet, on which wall is supported the intermediatelypivoted lever t, one end of which when the lever is properly swung will engage the arm 8, and thereby hold the said catch p out of engagement with the rock-bar arm g. Under these conditions, the establishment of which is within the control of the proprietor or anthorized person, the register may be operated whether the drawer is open or closed.

It will be stated of the mechanism for restraining the drawer (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) that it may be readily rendered susceptible of the releasing operation, as heretofore usual that is, to permit the drawer to open as the key is in or at the termination of its working movement. This capability of action may, as will be evident, be assured by the removal of the link-rod It and catch-leverj.

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

1. In a cash-registering machine, the combination, with a key-lever and a cash-drawer, of a catch for holding the drawer closed, and a medium of connection between the key-lever and the drawer-catch, arranged and adapted to permit of the maintenance of the locked relations of the catch and drawer on the working movement of the key-lever and to be operated for the release of the drawer only on a return movement of the key-lever, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a cash-registering machine, the combination, with one or more key-levers and a movable cash-drawer having two catch-abutments,of a catch adapted to engage each of said abutments, and mechanism of connection between each of said catches and the key-levers, whereby one of the catches will disengage its abutment on the working movement of a keylever and the other catch will disengage its abutment on the return movement of the keylever, substantially as described.

8. In a cash-registering machine, the combination, with the key-lever and the rocking bar 0, movable therewith and having the arm g, of the cash-drawer having the catch-abutment d and the catch-abutment f, the bolt h, having the stud 72. projected to be engaged by said arm 9, the intermediately-pivoted catchlever j and a connection between one arm thereof and said arm g, and the spring for forwardly forcing the drawer, all substantially as described.

JOHN J. RANGE.

WVitnesses:

WM. S. BELLOWS, THERESA F. DENEEN.

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