GB1213076A - Cash registers or similar accounting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,213,076. Programme control of several totalizers. NATIONAL CASH REGISTER CO. 24 June, 1969 [1 July, 1968], No. 31822/69. Heading G4B. In an accounting machine, e.g. a cash register, including a number of totalizers mounted on a common shaft and in which totals are transferred from certain totalizers to certain other totalizers when certain of the machine control keys are operated, a member is provided for controlling the selection of the particular totalizers to figure in the transfer operations and the member can be programmed in any one of a number of ways to enable the machine to operate under any one of a number of accounting procedures. As shown (particularly Fig. 2) the member comprises a plate 30 including two sets 37, 38 of apertures, in which studs 40 can be selectively located so as to project from the upper and/or lower surfaces of the plate. The two sets 37, 38 are used to control first and second sets of totalizers mounted on first and second shafts respectively. The controlling mechanism for the totalizers on only one of the shafts is illustrated. When one of the machine control keys 20, Fig. 3, is depressed, its stem engages a cut-out 60-62 in a bar 57 to move the bar a certain distance to the right or to the left or not to move the bar at all, depending upon the position of the cut-out relative to the respective key stem. This movement of bar 57 is transmitted through linkage shown to the control plate 30, which is positioned accordingly. Plate 30 is mounted for sliding movement along its length on brackets 34, which, in turn, are mounted for sliding movement perpendicular to plate 30. The brackets 34 are reciprocated perpendicular to plate 30 by a cam 115, Fig. 8, acting through the linkage shown, so that during the first part of the machine cycle, the plate 30 is in a raised position to enable the studs 40 projecting from its lower surface to be sensed, and during a second part of the machine cycle, the plate 30 is in a lowered position to enable studs projecting from its upper surface to be sensed. The stud sensing means, Fig. 4, comprises two fingers 111, 112 carried on plates 71, 72 which are reciprocated so that the fingers move towards and away from each other twice during each machine cycle. Reciprocation of plates 71, 72 is effected by a cam 108 acting through linkage 100-107. As the fingers 111, 112 approach each other during the first part of the machine cycle, one of them will stop when it contacts a stud 40 below the plate 30 and the other finger will then move until it too contacts this stud. During this movement, notched portions 70 of either plate 71 or 72 will have moved an arm 68 which, in turn, moves the assembly of totalizers, rotatably mounted on a shaft 64, so that the chosen totalizer is located adjacent a set of actuator racks (not shown). The total stored in the chosen totalizer can now be transferred to the racks. As the fingers approach each other during the second part of the machine cycle, they are stopped when they contact a stud 40 above plate 30, the latter now having been lowered. Movement of arm 68 and the totalizer shaft 64 is again effected to bring a second chosen totalizer adjacent the actuator racks, so that the amount stored in the racks and which was taken from the first chosen totalizer can now be transferred to the second chosen totalizer. Manually operable means, Fig. 7 (not shown), are provided for preventing movement of the plate 30 to its lowered position so that the studs 40 below the plate 30 are sensed during both the first and the second parts of the machine cycle when certain accounting operations are to be performed. A resilient link in the linkage shown in Fig. 8 permits such holding of plate 30. Further manually operable means, Figs. 9 and 10 (not shown), are operable to move plate 30 to its lowered position and keep it there when certain other accounting operations are to be performed.