US3652010A

US3652010A - Totalizer control mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3652010A
Application number: US87767A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hans-Juergen Krause; Johannes Rindsfuesser
Original assignee: NCR Corp
Current assignee: NCR Voyix Corp; National Cash Register Co
Priority date: 1970-11-09
Filing date: 1970-11-09
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28

Abstract

A device for controlling the totalizer mechanism of a cash register during a total-taking operation in which an amount set up in the keyboard of the machine is entered into the differential mechanism of the cash register during the second half of the total-taking machine cycle and is then transferred into the totalizer mechanism during the first half of the next succeeding machine operation. Mechanisms operated by various control keys control the timing of the movement of the totalizers into engagement with rack members in the amount banks of keys to allow a total-taking operation to occur within a single operation of the machine.

Description

United States Patent Krause et al.

[451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] TOTALIZER CONTROL MECHANISM [73] Assignee: The National Cash Register Company,

Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 87,767

52 us. Cl. .;...235/60 R 51 Int. Cl ..G06c 21/00 581 Field of Search... ..235/60 R, 60.48

3,315,884 Bennett Thevis ..235/60 R X 1/1970 Placke et al... l/1971 ....235/60 R Crain et al "235/60 R Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney-Louis A. Kline, Wilbert Hawk, Jr. and Richard W. Lavin [5 7] ABSTRACT A device for controlling the totalizer mechanism of a cash register during a total-taking operation in which an amount set up in the keyboard of the machine is entered into the differential mechanism of the cash register during the second half of the total-taking machine cycle and is then transferred into the totalizer mechanism during the first half of the next succeeding machine operation. Mechanisms operated by various control keys control the timing of the movement of the totalizers into engagement with rack members in the amount banks of keys to allow a total-taking operation to occur within a single operation of the machine.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures P'ATE'N'T ED MAR 28 I972 sum 1 OF 4 S R o T N E V N HANS- JUERGEN KRAUSE 5 JOHANNES RINDSF SSER M/L, W

THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTED MAR 2 8 I972 SHEET 2 OF 4 INVENTOR S HANS-JUERGEN KRAUSE 8 JOHANNES RINDSF U ESSER THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAR28 I972 SHEET R []F 4 INVENTORS HANS'JUERGEN KRAUSE & JOHANNES RINDSFUESSER BY M,

THEIR ATTQRNEYS TOTALIZER CONTROL MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In present-day cash registers and accounting machines, amounts are entered into the totalizing mechanism during a single machine operation which is characterized as an add operation, while, in a total-taking or a sub-total-taking operation, two distinct machine cycles of operation are required. With the emphasis on speed in today's check-out counter operations, it is important that the operation of the cash register be shortened as much as possible during these check-out operations. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved totalizer control mechanism which will shorten the machine time in a total-taking operation or a sub-totaltaking operation, and which is relatively simple in construction and low in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mechanism for operating the totalizer-engaging mechanism to allow add, total-taking, and sub-total-taking operations to occur during a single operation of the machine which includes a first detent-controlled selectively-operated drive mechanism for operating the totalizer-engaging mechanism in sub-total timing which includes a selecting disc and a sensing member for coupling a drive member to the totalizer-engaging mechanism, and a second detent-controlled selectively-operated drive mechanism for controlling the position of the selecting disc during a machine operation, thereby allowing the totalizer-engaging mechanism to operate in add and total timing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial detail side view of a transaction bank of keys used to control the totalizer-engaging mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a partial detail side view of the selecting disc showing its various control surfaces and the sensing arm which senses said control surfaces.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the selecting disc controlled by the detent members in the transaction bank of keys, together with the finger member and the cams which operate said finger member.

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the main cam drive for operating the totalizer-engaging mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a timing chart showing the timing operation of the rack members located in the amount banks and the totalizer-engaging mechanism in an add, sub-total-taking, and total-taking operation of the cash register.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the totalizer-engaging mechanism utilized in the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is directed to a conventional cash register whose operation and construction are well known in the art. Included in the cash register are a number of banks of amount keys and at least one row of transaction keys, the latter of which control the machine to perform add, total-taking, and sub-total-taking operations. In each of the banks of amount and transaction keys are rack members settable to a position representing the depressed keys in each of the banks of keys. Engaged with each of the rack members in the amount key banks is an adding segment which is also adjusted by the movement of the rack members to a position which represents the depressed key. Only those elements which are necessary to a full understanding of the invention will now be described.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of the transaction bank of keys used in the present embodiment, which includes four transaction keys to 23 inclusive, which are slidably mounted for movement in a downward direction in a manner well known in the art. Each of the transaction keys has mounted on its stem a stud 24, which cooperates with cam surfaces cut in a pair of detent control members 25, 26 (FIGS. l and 3). As is well known in the an, the detent control members are programmed to move in either of two directions or not to move whenever one of the control keys 20 to 23 inclusive is depressed, clue to the type of cam surface cut into the detent members positioned adjacent the stud 24 of the control key. Thus the detent 25 moves to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1, whenever the control keys 20 and 21 are depressed, while the detent 26 moves to the right on depression of the control keys 21 and 23. A description of this operation by the various control keys will be given hereinafter. Both of these movements of the

detent members

25, 26 are against the action of a pair of spring members 27 mounted between the detent members and a pair of frame members 28 of the machine. The function of these springs 27 is to return the detent members to their home positions upon the release of the depressed control keys to their home position. The detent members are slidably mounted on a pair of rollers 30, secured to the machine framework. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the transaction key 20 operates the totalizer-engaging mechanism to provide a total-taking operation of the machine; the key 21,.a sub-total-taking operation; the key 22, an add operation; and the key 23, a No-Sale operation.

Mounted adjacent the front end of the detent member 25 is a mechanism for controlling the operation of the totalizer-engaging mechanism. Included in this mechanism is a selecting disc 31 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) rotatably mounted on a shaft 32, which in turn is mounted within the framework of the machine. An arm member 33, rotatably mounted on the shaft 32 adjacent the disc 31, has, mounted in its lower end, a stud 34, which is positioned within a slot 35 located in the disc 31. A spring 36, secured between the stud 34 and a bent over portion 37 of the disc 31, couples the disc 31 to the arm 33. The upper portion of the arm 33 has, mounted thereon, a stud 38, which is positioned within a slot 40 located in the front portion of the detent member 25. A spring 41, mounted between a stud 42 located on the detent member 25 and a stud 43 mounted on a machine framework 44 (FIG. 3), normally urges the detent member 25 to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, and, by means of the spring 36, the disc 31 counterclockwise about the shaft 32.

The lower portion of the selecting disc 31 contains a number of cut-out portions, which provide high and low control surfaces, as will be described more fully hereinafter. These control surfaces are sensed by a sensing arm 45, which controls the totalizer-engaging mechanism shown in FIG. 6.

Mounted on the selecting disc 31 are a pair of

studs

46, 47 FIGS. 1 and 3), which coact with an operating finger member 48 to rotate the selecting disc 31 counter-clockwise about the shaft 32. The finger member 48 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 50, mounted within the framework of the machine. A stud 51, mounted on the finger member 48, rotatably supports a coupling pawl 52, which has a bent-over portion 53, engaged by one end of a spring 54, the other end of which is mounted to a stud 55, secured to the finger member 48. The action of the spring 54 rocks the pawl 52 counter-clockwise about the stud 51 until a top portion of the pawl engages the stud 55. This position of the pawl allows a lower stop portion 56 of the pawl to be positioned in the path of movement (FIG. 1) of a rod member 57, mounted within a slot 58 located in the finger member 48. The rod member 57 is mounted on a cam follower arm 60, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the shaft 50.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the cam follower arm 60 has a bent-over ear 61, to which is mounted one end of a spring 62, the other end of which is mounted to a rod 63, secured to the machine framework. The spring 62 normally urges the cam follower arm 60 into engagement with a roller 64 mounted on a cam member 65, which in turn is secured to the main cam shaft 66. Also secured to the rod 63 is a spring 67, mounted to the stud 51, which also urges the finger 48 counter-clockwise about the shaft 50. This movement is limited by a stop portion 68 of the finger member 48, which engages the rod 63. As will be described more fully hereinafter, the cam 65 rocks the cam follower arm 60 and the rod 57 clockwise during the machine operation. Depending on the position of the coupling pawl 52, either this movement of the arm 60 is transmitted to the finger member 48, or the rod 57 simply moves within the slot 58, as will now be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the detent 26 has a depending finger portion 70, to which is mounted a stud 71 positioned adjacent a stop portion 72 of the coupling pawl 52. If the detent member 26 moves to the right upon depression of one of the control keys to 23 inclusive, this movement allows the stud 71 to rock the pawl 52 clockwise about the shaft 50 against the action of the spring 54, thus removing the stop portion 56 of the pawl from the path of movement of the rod members 57. This action disables the rod member 57 from rocking the finger member 48 clockwise about the shaft 50, which would have normally occurred if the pawl had remained in the position shown in FIG. 1.

The sensing arm 45 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) associated with the selecting disc 31 is rotatably mounted on an operating plate 73 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6), which in turn is secured to a hub 74, mounted on a control plate 75 (FIG. 6) associated with a line of totalizer wheels 76. The sensing arm 45 is urged counterclockwise about its pivot point by a spring 77, mounted between a bent-over ear 78 of the sensing arm 45 and a stud 80 mounted on the plate 73. As will be described more fully hereinafter, this action of the spring 77 moves the sensing arm 45 in a sensing direction with respect to the selecting disc 31. As shown in FIG. 1, there is one sensing arm for each line of totalizer wheels, there being three lines of totalizer wheels in the machine. Each sensing arm cooperates with the selecting disc 31 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The control plate 75 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 81 (FIG. 6), which extends through the hub 74 and is engaged at its end by a driving arm 82. The control plate 75 has a cam slot 83, within which is mounted a roll member 84, which in turn is mounted to a totalizer control plate 85, to which is secured a shaft 86 supporting a number of totalizer wheels 76. A second roll member 87, mounted within the cam slot 83, actuates a tens transfer mechanism which is generally indicated as 88 and which forms no part of the present invention. As is well known in the art, depending on the timing of the movement of the totalizer wheels 76 into engagement with the adding segments (not shown) set under the control of the differential mechanisms in the amount banks of keys, the add, total-taking, and sub-total-taking operations of the machine will be carried out.

The operating plate 73 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6) is provided with a slot 90, within which is located a rod 91 secured to the driving arm 82. As shown in FIG. 4, the driving arm 82 is one of three such arms engaged by a stud 92 mounted on a control plate 93 rotatably mounted on a shaft 94. Each of the control anns 82 controls the engaging and disengaging movement of an associated line of totalizer wheels. The studs 92 are positioned within a slot 95 located within the driving arm 82. The control plate 93 contains a slot 96, within which is positioned a stud 97 secured to one end of a cam follower arm 98 rotatably mounted on the shaft 50. A pair of rollers 100, mounted on the arm 98, engage a pair of cam plates 101, secured to the main cam shaft 66. Rotation of the main cam shaft 66 during a machine operation rocks the cam follower arm 98 first clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4, and then counterclockwise This operation occurs twice during 360 degrees of revolution of the cam shaft 66. Clockwise movement of the cam follower arm 98 results in the clockwise movement of the driving arms 82 and the rod 91. If, during the sensing of the selecting disc 31 by the sensing arm 45, a low surface 102 (FIG. 1) had been sensed by a stud 103 mounted on the sensing arm 45, the spring 77 rotates the arm 45 counterclockwise to allow a front portion 104 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6) of the arm to move downwardly to a position which is in the path of movement of the rod 91. Thus the clockwise movement of the rod 91 is transmitted to the operating plate 73 and to the control plate 75, thereby resulting in the movement of the line of totalizer wheels 76 into engagement with the adding segment of each of the amount banks of keys. If the sensing arm 45 senses one of the high surfaces 105, 1116 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the selecting disc 31, the front portion 104 of the arm 45 is held out of engagement with the rod 91, which then allows the rod 91 to move in the slot without effecting any movement in the plate 73. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, this latter action disables the totalizer engagement mechanism FIG. 6) from control by the cam 101 (FIG. 4).

There will now be described an operation of the cash register utilizing the control mechanisms previously described for operating the totalizer-engaging mechanism. The cash register includes differentially-set rack members (not shown) in each of the transaction and amount banks of keys, which are driven during the machine operation in a manner well known in the art to a position where engagement with a depressed key stops the rack. Adding segments (not shown) engage the rack members and are driven by the rack members to a position commensurate with the key depressed. Depending on the type of operation as determined by the transaction key depressed, the totalizer wheels 76 (FIG. 6) are brought into engagement with the adding segment. Subsequent movement of the rack and the adding segments transfers the amount set up in the keyboard to the totalizer wheels.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a timing chart of the operation of the adding rack members (not shown) and the totalizer-engaging mechanism (FIGURE 6) with respect to 360 of operation of the main cam shaft 66 (FIG. 3). Assuming that an add operation is to occur, the operator depresses the add transaction key 22 (FIG. 1) after setting up the amount in the amount keys (not shown) of the machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the stud 24 on the control key 22 senses vertical slots 107 located in the

detents

25 and 26, thus leaving the detents in the position shown in FIG. 1. As disclosed in FIG. 5, the rack members in the amount banks will be moved between 180 and 260 of the machine operation and will be positioned during this movement by the stem of the depressed amount keys in a manner well known in the art. The adding segments (not shown) will be positioned accordingly.

Since the detent member 25 does not move during this add operation, the selecting disc 31 remains in the position shown in FIG. 1, with the control surface (FIG. 2) in position to be sensed by the sensing arm 45. Between and 180 of rotation of the cam shaft 66, the cam plates I01 (FIGS. 3 and 4) rock the cam follower arm 98 clockwise about the shaft 50, resulting in a clockwise rotation of the driving arm 82 and the rod 91. Since the sensing arm 45, under the action of the spring 77, has sensed the control surface 105 FIG. 2), which limits the counter-clockwise movement of the front portion 104 of the arm 45, the clockwise movement of the rod 91 will not pick up the operating plate 73 and will move within the slot 90. Thus the totalizer wheels 76 (FIG. 6) will not move into engagement with the adding segment at this time.

The depression of the add control key 22 leaves the control detent 26 in the position shown in FIG. 1. Thus the lower stop portion 56 of the coupling pawl 52 remains in the path of movement of the rod member 57. At 245 degrees of revolution of the cam shaft 66, the cam 65 (FIGS. 1 and 3), by means of the roller 64, rocks the cam follower arm 60 clockwise about the shaft 50. This action allows the rod member 57 to rock the coupling pawl 52 and the finger member 48 also clockwise, resulting in the finger members engaging the stud 47 on the selecting disc 31, thereby rotating the disc counter-clockwise against the action of the spring 36 to position the low control surface 102 adjacent the sensing arm 45. When this occurs, the spring 77 rotates the sensing arm 45 counter-clockwise to sense the control surface 102, which allows the front portion 104 of the arm to engage the rod member 91. At 320 degrees of operation of the cam shaft, the rod member 91 is again rocked clockwise by the cam plates 101 (FIG. 4) in the manner described previously, which action allows the rod member 91 to rock the operating plate 73 clockwise about the shaft 81. This movement is transmitted to the control plate 75 and, by means of the roll member 84 moving along the cam slot 83, to the totalizer line, thereby moving the totalizer wheels into engagement with the adding segments. This operation occurs between 320 and 350 (FIG. 5) of the cam shaft. Thus, at the end of the machine operation, the rack members in each of the amount banks of keys will be in their adjusted position, together with the adding segments engaged with the totalizer wheels.

Assuming that the next operation will be a sub-total operation, the control key 21 is depressed, initiating a machine operation. As shown in FIG. 5, between 0 and 75 of this second cycle, the rack members are returned to their home positions, thereby rotating the adding segments to their home positions, which action adds the amount, inserted into the adding segments in the previous machine operation, into the totalizer wheels 76, in a manner well known in the art. Thus it is seen that the amounts set up in the amount key banks are stored in the rack members and the adding segments during the first machine operation and are then entered into the totalizer wheels during the first half of the succeeding machine operation.

Between 80 and 1 of the second machine cycle, the cam plates 101 will again rock the driving arms 82 and the operating plates 73 counter-clockwise, thereby disengaging the totalizer wheel 76 (FIG. 6) from the adding segment, thereby completing the adding operation. Depression of the sub-total key 21 results in the detent member 25 being moved to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and the detent member 26 being moved to the right. This movement of the detent 25 rotates the selecting disc 31 counter-clockwise, which positions the low control surface 102 in a position to be sensed by the sensing arm 45, thereby coupling the operating plate 73 to the action of the driving arm 82 in the manner described previously. Thus, when the cam plate 101 rocks the driving arm 82 clockwise, the totalizer wheels 76 are moved into engagement with the adding segments. Between 180 and 260 of operation of the cam shaft (FIG. 5), the adding segment and the rack members move under the control of the engaged totalizer wheels until the amount set up in the totalizer wheels is transferred to the rack members in a manner well known in the art. Thus the rack members are set at a position representing the total amount contained in the totalizer wheels, and the totalizer wheels are in their zero positions. As shown in FIG. 5, the cam plates 101 disengage the totalizer wheels from the adding segments between 270 and 300 and then re-engage them between 320 and 350 of revolution of the cam shaft. At the end of the second machine operation, the totalizer wheels remain engaged with the adding segments.

The movement of the detent member 26 (FIG. 1) to the right, upon the depression of the sub-total key 21, allows the stud 71 (FIGS. 1 and 3), located on the finger portion 70 of the detent, to rock the coupling pawl 52 clockwise about the stud 51 against the action of the spring 54, thereby removing the stop portion 56 of the pawl from the path of the rod 57, as shown in FIG. 3. This movement disables the finger member 48 from the action of the cam 65, which drives the rod 57 along the slot 58 (FIGS. 1 and 3) at 245 of revolution of the machine operation. Thus the totalizer-engaging mechanism remains under the control of the cam plates 101.

If the next machine operation is to be atotal-taking operation, the total control key is depressed to initiate a machine operation. Depression of the total control key moves the detent control member to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, while leaving the detent control member 26 in its home position, as shown in FIG. 1. Both of these detent control members were returned to their home positions at the end of the previous machine operation.

As shown in FIG. 5 and as described previously, the rack members will have returned to their home positions between 0 and 75 of this operation, thereby returning the total amounts to the engaged totalizer wheels in a manner well known in the art. Between 80 and 150 of revolution of the cam shaft of this third machine operation, the cam plates 101 (FIG. 4) disengage the totalizer wheels, now containing the total amount, from the adding segments by the action of the counter-clockwise movement of the rod 91 on the operating plate 73 in the manner described previously.

The movement of the detent member 25 to the left, upon depression of the Total key 20, results in the coupling of the operating plate 73 to the movement of the rod 91, thereby allowing the totalizer wheels to be brought into engagement with the adding segments between and of revolution of the cam shaft and subsequently transferring the amounts set up in the totalizer wheels into the adding segments between 180 and 260 in the same manner as described previously with respect to the sub-totaI-taking operation. The totalizer wheels are now in their zero positions. Since the detent member 26 remained in its home position upon depression of the Total key 20, the finger member 48 is rotated at 245 degrees by the cam 65 in the manner described previously. Clockwise rotation of the finger member 48 engages the stud 46 on the disc 31, which has been rotated counter-clockwise by the detent 25, thereby rocking the disc farther counterclockwise to position a high control surface 106 adjacent the sensing arm 45, thereby disabling the operating plate 73 from the action of the cam plate 101. At 270 of revolution of the cam shaft, the rod 91, under control of the cam plates 101, rocks the operating plate 73 counter-clockwise about the shaft 81 due to the engagement of the rod 91 with the edge of the slot 90. This movement disengages the totalizer wheels from the adding segment, the totalizer wheels being in the zero position at this time. Upon the subsequent rotation of the driving arms 82 between 320 and 350 of revolution of the cam shaft by the cam plates 101, the rod 91 again moves along the slot 90 in the operating plate 73 without effecting any movement of the totalizer wheels. Thus, at the end of the Total operation, the totalizer wheels will be cleared of any amount and disengaged from the adding segments. Thus the total operation is completed within one machine operation, and the cash register is now conditioned for the next machine operation. Between 0 and 75 of the next machine operation, the rack members and the adding segments are returned to their home positions.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a NO SALE control key 23, which, upon depression, moves the detent member 26 to the right, while the detent member 25 remains in its home position. This is the same as an Add operation, except that the movement of the detent member 26 to the right uncouples the pawl 52 from the rod 57, thereby disabling the finger member 48 from the action of the cam 65 at 245 of revolution of the cam shaft. Thus the operating plate 73 remains uncoupled from the rod 91 during the entire machine operation, and the totalizer wheels remain in their disengaged position.

It will thus be seen from this structure that the total-taking operation and the sub-total-taking operation will each be completed during a single machine operation, thereby allowing a total cash register operation to be completed in a much shorter length of time than that of present known machines of this type.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations, a plurality of amount keys for entering amounts into the cash register, and differential mechanisms adjusted to a position controlled by the amount keys to represent the amount entered into the cash register, the combination of a. a plurality of totalizer elements;

b. means for supporting said totalizer elements and adapted for movement to a position engaging said totalizer elements with the adjusted differential mechanisms;

c. first driving means operated during each machine operation;

d. first coupling means engaging said supporting means for coupling, when operated, said first driving means to said supporting means whereby said totalizer elements are engaged with the differential mechanisms in sub-total timmg;

e. second driving means operated during each machine operation;

f. second coupling means mounted adjacent said first coupling means and adapted, when operated, to couple said second driving means to said first coupling means, thereby modifying the operation of said first coupling means, whereby said totalizer elements, under the control of said first driving means, are engaged with the differential mechanisms in total timing;

g. and means controlled by said control keys for selectively operating said first and second coupling means, whereby the totalizer elements are engaged with the differential mechanisms during each machine operation in either add, total, or sub-total timing.

2. The cash register of claim 1 in which said first driving means, when coupled with said supporting means, will engage said totalizer elements with the differential mechanisms at the end of the machine operation and disengage the totalizer elements at the beginning of the next machine operation.

3. The cash register of claim 1 in which said first coupling means includes a. a rotatably-mounted control member having first and second control surfaces thereon;

b. sensing means mounted on said supporting means and adapted for movement to sense one of said control surfaces;

c. engaging means mounted on said first driving means and positioned adjacent said sensing means;

d. means normally urging said sensing means in a direction for sensing one of said control surfaces, whereby, upon sensing said second control surface, said sensing means couples said engaging means to said supporting means;

e. and said selectively operating means includes a first slidably-mounted detent member engaging said control member and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to position said control member, whereby said control surface is sensed by said sensing means.

The cash register of claim 3 in which a. said sensing means comprises a rotatably-mounted arm member having a blocking portion mounted adjacent said engaging means;

b. said control member comprises a disc having high and low control surfaces;

c. and said urging means comprises a spring member normally urging the arm member into engagement with said disc, whereby, upon sensing a low control surface, the arm is rotated by the spring member to position the blocking portion of the arm in engagement with said engaging means.

5. The cash register of claim 3 in which said second coupling means includes a. an actuator member mounted adjacent said control member and adapted, when operated, to move said control member whereby the control surface adjacent said sensing means is switched between the first and second control surfaces;

b. a drive member mounted on said second driving means and positioned adjacent said actuator member;

. a coupling pawl rotatably mounted on said actuator member and normally engaging said drive member whereby said second driving means will operate said actuator member during each machine operation;

d. and said selectively operating means includes a second slidably-mounted detent member engaging said coupling pawl and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to rotate the coupling pawl whereby said coupling pawl is disengaged from said drive member, thereby disabling the operation of said actuator member by said second driving means.

6. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations and including amount keys and differential mechanisms positioned by the amount keys to represent amounts entered into the cash register, the combination of a. totalizer means adapted for movement into engagement with the differential mechanisms;

b. first drive means operated during the first and second half of each machine operation;

c. first coupling means adapted, when operated, for

coupling said totalizer means to said first drive means;

d. a differentially-settable control member settable to a position for selectively operating said first coupling means;

e. second drive means operated during the second half of each machine operation;

actuating means mounted adjacent said control member and adapted, when operated, to actuate said control member to a position modifying the operation of said first coupling means by said control member;

g. second coupling means rotatably mounted on said actuating means for coupling said second drive means to said actuating means whereby said actuating means is operated during the second half of each machine operation;

h. and means selectively operated by the control keys for selectively positioning said control member and said second coupling means whereby the totalizer means are engaged with the differential mechanisms to provide a total or sub-total operation during a machine operation.

7. The cash register of claim 6 in which said first drive means, when coupled with said totalizer means, will move said totalizer means into engagement with the differential mechanisms at the end of each machine operation and disengage the totalizer means at the beginning of the next machine operation.

8. The cash register of claim 7 in which said a. diflerentially-settable control member includes high and low edge control surfaces thereon;

b. and said first coupling means includes sensing means rotatably mounted on said totalizer means and adapted for movement to sense one of said control surfaces;

c. a drive member mounted on said first drive means and positioned adjacent said sensing means;

d. resilient means engaging said sensing means and normally urging said sensing means in a direction to sense one of said control surfaces whereby, upon sensing said low control surface, the sensing means will engage said drive member;

e. and said selectively-operated means includes a first slidably-mounted detent member engaging said control member, said detent member being adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to differentially set the control member whereby the low control surface is sensed by the sensing means.

9. The cash register of claim 8 in which a. said second drive means includes a second drive member mounted adjacent said actuator means;

b. said second coupling means includes a pawl member rotatably mounted on said actuating means adjacent said second drive member;

c. means normally urging said pawl member into engagement with said second drive member whereby the second drive means will operate the actuating means during the second half of each machine operation;

(1. and said selectively-operated means includes a second slidably-mounted detent member engaging said pawl member and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to rotate the pawl member from engagement with the second drive member, thereby disabling the operation of the actuating means by said second drive means.

10. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations, the combination including a. a plurality of totalizer elements mounted on a shiftable support member;

b. a plurality of amount differential actuators to add amounts into the totalizer elements;

a plurality of banks of amount keys to control the positioning of the differential actuators;

a first cam-operated drive mechanism operated during the first and second half of each machine operation;

high and low control surfaces, said disc member having a stop portion;

f. a sensing ann rotatably mounted on said shiftable support member and positioned adjacent said disc member;

a first rod member mounted on said drive mechanism and positioned adjacent said sensing arm, said rod member being actuated by operation of said drive mechanism;

. means engaging said sensing arm for urging said arm in a direction to sense a high or low control surface, whereby, upon sensing a low control surface, the arm is moved by said urging means to a position engaging said first rod member, thereby allowing the drive mechanism to shift said support member to engage the totalizer elements with the differential actuators;

i. a second cam-operated drive mechanism operated during the second half of the machine operation;

. a rotatably-mounted disc member having a plurality of j. an actuator member rotatably mounted adjacent the stop portion of said disc member and adapted, when operated, to engage said stop portion, thereby rotating said disc member to switch the control surface positioned adjacent said sensing arm;

k. a second rod member mounted on said second drive mechanism and positioned adjacent said actuator member, said second rod member being actuated by operation of said second drive mechanism; a coupling pawl rotatably mounted on said actuator member and engaging said second rod member, whereby said actuator member is operated by said second rod member upon operation of said second drive mechanism;

m. and a plurality of slidably-mounted detent members

Claims

1. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations, a plurality of amount keys for entering amounts into the cash register, and differential mechanisms adjusted to a position controlled by the amount keys to represent the amount entered into the cash register, the combination of a. a plurality of totalizer elements; b. means for supporting said totalizer elements and adapted for movement to a position engaging said totalizer elements with the adjusted differential mechanisms; c. first driving means operated during each machine operation; d. first coupling means engaging said supporting means for coupling, when operated, said first driving means to said supporting means whereby said totalizer elements are engaged with the differential mechanisms in sub-total timing; e. second driving means operated during each machine operation; f. second coupling means mounted adjacent said first coupling means and adapted, when operated, to couple said second driving means to said first coupling means, thereby modifying the operation of said first coupling means, whereby said totalizer elements, under the control of said first driving means, are engaged with the differential mechanisms in total timing; g. and means controlled by said control keys for selectively operating said first and second coupling means, whereby the totalizer elements are engaged with the differential mechanisms during each machine operation in either add, total, or subtotal timing.

3. The cash register of claim 1 in which said first coupling means includes a. a rotatably-mounted control member having first and second control surfaces thereon; b. sensing means mounted on said supporting means and adapted for movement to sense one of said cOntrol surfaces; c. engaging means mounted on said first driving means and positioned adjacent said sensing means; d. means normally urging said sensing means in a direction for sensing one of said control surfaces, whereby, upon sensing said second control surface, said sensing means couples said engaging means to said supporting means; e. and said selectively operating means includes a first slidably-mounted detent member engaging said control member and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to position said control member, whereby said second control surface is sensed by said sensing means.

4. The cash register of claim 3 in which a. said sensing means comprises a rotatably-mounted arm member having a blocking portion mounted adjacent said engaging means; b. said control member comprises a disc having high and low control surfaces; c. and said urging means comprises a spring member normally urging the arm member into engagement with said disc, whereby, upon sensing a low control surface, the arm is rotated by the spring member to position the blocking portion of the arm in engagement with said engaging means.

5. The cash register of claim 3 in which said second coupling means includes a. an actuator member mounted adjacent said control member and adapted, when operated, to move said control member whereby the control surface adjacent said sensing means is switched between the first and second control surfaces; b. a drive member mounted on said second driving means and positioned adjacent said actuator member; c. a coupling pawl rotatably mounted on said actuator member and normally engaging said drive member whereby said second driving means will operate said actuator member during each machine operation; d. and said selectively operating means includes a second slidably-mounted detent member engaging said coupling pawl and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to rotate the coupling pawl whereby said coupling pawl is disengaged from said drive member, thereby disabling the operation of said actuator member by said second driving means.

6. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations and including amount keys and differential mechanisms positioned by the amount keys to represent amounts entered into the cash register, the combination of a. totalizer means adapted for movement into engagement with the differential mechanisms; b. first drive means operated during the first and second half of each machine operation; c. first coupling means adapted, when operated, for coupling said totalizer means to said first drive means; d. a differentially-settable control member settable to a position for selectively operating said first coupling means; e. second drive means operated during the second half of each machine operation; f. actuating means mounted adjacent said control member and adapted, when operated, to actuate said control member to a position modifying the operation of said first coupling means by said control member; g. second coupling means rotatably mounted on said actuating means for coupling said second drive means to said actuating means whereby said actuating means is operated during the second half of each machine operation; h. and means selectively operated by the control keys for selectively positioning said control member and said second coupling means whereby the totalizer means are engaged with the differential mechanisms to provide a total or sub-total operation during a machine operation.

8. The cash register of claim 7 in which said a. differentially-settable control member includes high and low edge control surfaces thereon; b. and said first coupling means includes sensing means rotatably mounted on said totalizer means and adapted for movement to sense one of said control surfaces; c. a drive member mounted on said first drive means and positioned adjacent said sensing means; d. resilient means engaging said sensing means and normally urging said sensing means in a direction to sense one of said control surfaces whereby, upon sensing said low control surface, the sensing means will engage said drive member; e. and said selectively-operated means includes a first slidably-mounted detent member engaging said control member, said detent member being adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to differentially set the control member whereby the low control surface is sensed by the sensing means.

9. The cash register of claim 8 in which a. said second drive means includes a second drive member mounted adjacent said actuator means; b. said second coupling means includes a pawl member rotatably mounted on said actuating means adjacent said second drive member; c. means normally urging said pawl member into engagement with said second drive member whereby the second drive means will operate the actuating means during the second half of each machine operation; d. and said selectively-operated means includes a second slidably-mounted detent member engaging said pawl member and adapted for movement by certain of said control keys to rotate the pawl member from engagement with the second drive member, thereby disabling the operation of the actuating means by said second drive means.

10. In a cash register having a plurality of control keys for initiating successive machine operations, the combination including a. a plurality of totalizer elements mounted on a shiftable support member; b. a plurality of amount differential actuators to add amounts into the totalizer elements; c. a plurality of banks of amount keys to control the positioning of the differential actuators; d. a first cam-operated drive mechanism operated during the first and second half of each machine operation; e. a rotatably-mounted disc member having a plurality of high and low control surfaces, said disc member having a stop portion; f. a sensing arm rotatably mounted on said shiftable support member and positioned adjacent said disc member; g. a first rod member mounted on said drive mechanism and positioned adjacent said sensing arm, said rod member being actuated by operation of said drive mechanism; h. means engaging said sensing arm for urging said arm in a direction to sense a high or low control surface, whereby, upon sensing a low control surface, the arm is moved by said urging means to a position engaging said first rod member, thereby allowing the drive mechanism to shift said support member to engage the totalizer elements with the differential actuators; i. a second cam-operated drive mechanism operated during the second half of the machine operation; j. an actuator member rotatably mounted adjacent the stop portion of said disc member and adapted, when operated, to engage said stop portion, thereby rotating said disc member to switch the control surface positioned adjacent said sensing arm; k. a second rod member mounted on said second drive mechanism and positioned adjacent said actuator member, said second rod member being actuated by operation of said second drive mechanism; l. a coupling pawl rotatably mounted on said actuator member and engaging said second rod member, whereby said actuator member is operated by said second rod member upon operation of said second drive mechanism; m. and a plurality of slidably-mounted detent members selectively positioned by said control keys, the detent members engaging said disc member and said coupling pawl, whereby said first drive mechanism will engage said totalizer elements with the differential acTuators to provide a total or sub-total operation during a machine operation.