GB2172729A - Cash drawers - Google Patents

Abstract

A construction of cash drawer comprises a casing 1 having flanges 2 to secure the unit to the lower surface of a counter (not shown). Side walls 3 of the casing stand proud of the flanges and are designed to lie around the perimeter of a cut-out in the counter surface so that a lift-up lid 4 in the closed position may lie flush and form a contiguous part of the counter top surface. The casing houses a drawer 5 provided with compartments 6 for coins and this drawer is mounted on runners so that it may be pushed rearwardly. In this position there is revealed a lower tray for bank notes, also compartmented. Closing the lid restores the drawer to the forward position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cash drawers This invention relates to cash drawers primarily drawers for holding coins and notes at the check-out counter of a supermarket or other store where a cashier enters purchases into a check-out terminal or till unit. The cash drawer at such a counter is a separate unit built into the counter and hitherto has comprised a tray for coinage and notes which may slide out to reveal the notes. The counter has a lift-up lid which is raised to reveal the tray which can then be slid-out to gain access to the notes.

Such an arrangement has a disadvantage in that the coin tray intrudes into the cashier's work space and is within view of purchasers.

According to this invention there is provided a cash drawer unit comprising a casing for attachment to a work surface, the casing having a lid which normally lies flush with the work surface top, the lid having positioned thereunder a tray slidable rearwardly within the casing to expose a second tray.

The casing will preferably have means to secure same to the lower surface of a counter forming the work surface and the lid will fit into a cut-out portion provided in the work surface. The lid may be operatively coupled to the slidable tray so on closing the lid said tray is slid forwardly to cover the second .tray. The upper slidable tray has compartments for coins and the lower tray has compartments for notes. Locking means may be associated with the lid.

Advantageously the slidable tray may be freely moved forward or back when the lid is open. The lid may have means which engage parts of the tray to move same forward when the lid is closed and retain the tray in the forward position. The front surface of the tray preferably forms a part of the end surface of the casing and lies flush therewith when the tray is fully forward.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the lid has an arm at least at one side thereof which depends to lie to the side of the casing, the arm engaging a lever pivoted to the front side of the casing and extending rearwardly, the arm being arranged so that when the lid is closed the lever is depressed downwardly about the pivot, the other end of the lever being operatively coupled with a further lever connected operatively with the drawer whereby depression of the lever causes the drawer to be moved forwardly on runners. Preferably the end of said lever engages with a further lever pivoted at the rear lower edge of the casing and slidable with respect thereto, this latter lever having guide means engaging an arcuate slot in the casing wall with a coupling member positioned within the casing connected to an interior lever having its other end engaging a lug on the sliding tray.Preferably the side walls of the casing have channel section runners on each side thereof and the tray has depending side portions with rollers engaging said channel. The lever arrangement may include weighting means whereby the slidable tray will normally tend to move to its forward position, a further preferred feature comprising frictional engagement means whereby in its fully rearmost position the drawer will be retained. With such an arrangement, on initial closure of the lid after overcoming the frictional means the drawer will move fully forwardly there being provided lost motion within the drawer moving linkage to effect this.

In a further preferred alternative embodiment the hinged lid includes at least one depending arm which is adapted to engage an abutment on a runner which is free to move in a fore/aft direction. The runner being operatively coupled with a cable or like means which is connected with means attached to the slidable tray wherein movement of the runner in a rearward direction causes the tray to move in a forward direction.

In one arrangement the casing includes a wire running over pulleys, one at the front and one at the rear of the casing, with the aforesaid abutment secured to one run between the pulleys and the tray being operatively coupled to the other run whereby movement of the abutment causes a reverse direction movement of the opposite run and hence the slidable tray.

Other preferred features in the construction will emerge from the drawings.

The invention is further described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments by way of exampies only. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment schematically, Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the lid raised, Figure 3 shows the embodiment of Fig. 2 with the coin drawer moved to reveal the bank note drawer, Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of cash drawer in side view, Figure 5 shows the drawer of Fig. 4 with the coin tray slid back, Figure 6 is a section on b-b of Fig. 5, Figure 7 is a section on a-a of Fig. 5, Figure 8 is a part sectional view on c-c of Fig. 4, Figure 9 is a top plan view, Figure 10 shows a side view of a third embodiment with the casing lid closed, Figure ii shows a view as in Fig. 10 with the lid open but the drawer remaining in the forward position, and Figure 12 shows a view as in Fig. 12 but with the drawer in the rearward position.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 3, these show a construction of cash drawer unit schemati cally. The unit comprises a casing 1 having flanges 2 to secure the unit to the lower surface of a counter (not shown). Side walls 3 of the casing stand proud of the flanges and are designed to lie around the perimeter of a cutout in the counter surface so that a lift-up lid 4 in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 may lie flush and form a contiguous part of the counter top surface. The casing houses a drawer 5 provided with compartments 6 for coins and this drawer is mounted on runners so that it may be pushed rearwardly as shown in Fig. 3. In this position there is revealed a lower tray 7 for bank notes, also compartmented.

In this way the upper coin drawer is not pulled out and thus will not intrude into the cashier's work space. Also the drawers are less exposed, especially as only one drawer is open at any one time.

The Figs. 4 to 9 show a second embodiment. Referring to these drawings a check-out counter has a top surface 10 provided with a rectangular cut-out 11, beneath the surface 10 is fitted a cash drawer unit 12 arranged to be removable by sliding forwardly to disengage flanges 13 from runners 14. The outer casing 15 of the drawer unit is secured by screw fasteners 16 each side. By releasing these the whole unit may be withdrawn forwardly. Pivotally connected at 17 is a lift-up lid 18 which has an upper surface flush with the top of counter 10 and closely fitting the cut-out 11, the lid 18 has an arm 19 extending down into the unit.

A removable coin tray 20 seats on a carriage 24 which has runners 21 engaging track 22 mounted on an inner casing 23 whereby the carriage 24 and tray 20 may be moved rearwardly to reveal a bank note tray 25 which seats on a base holder 26.

A cable 27 forms a continuous loop joined by an adjustabie coupling 28 and passes around pulleys 29, 30 rotatably mounted on a spindle 31 within bearings 32 on the casing 23.

A linkage arm 33 connects carriage 24 to a fixing 34 on the lower cable run 27. The upper cable run 27 has secured thereto an abutment 35. Referring to the position shown in Fig. 4: the lid 18 is closed and the arm 19 attached thereto is located rearwardly in contact with abutment 35, the cable 27 being in a position of maximum clockwise rotation. A cashier may now open lid 18 to gain access to the coin tray 20. To gain access to the note tray 25 the cashier pushes tray 20 rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5. During this action the carriage 24 via arm 33 and fixing 34 moves the cable in an anti-clockwise rotational direction, thus abutment 35 moves forward to the position shown in Fig. 5, where it abuts arm 19.

When the lid is now closed after completion of the transaction the arm 19 pushes abutment 35 and hence cable 27 back during which action the carriage 24 and tray 20 are returned to the forward position as shown in Fig. 4. On the next lid opening, therefore, only the coin tray will be exposed.

The lid movement is damped by a gas strut 36. A solenoid operated lock may be incorporated having a lid latch 37 engaging a bar 37a connected by link rod 38 to crank 39 and to a solenoid mechanism 40.

As shown in Fig. 8 the abutment 35 runs along a track 41 and is secured to cable 27 by lock screw 42.

In this arrangement the note tray is well recessed and closed in on three sides thus reducing the success of a "snatch" attempt.

The unit can be removed in a simple manner if required or the unit can be secured by the locking device providing in situ security. The tray may also be of greater dimension than hitherto as there is no outward intrusion. The unit enables check-out lane overall size to be made narrower.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 12 of the drawings these show a construction which is in principle similar to that described but embodying a different mechanism affording operationai linkage between the lid and sliding drawer.

The sides of the casing will further include an arcuate slot 116 lying about the pivot 111, the slot serving as a guide means with a runner or roller or the like engaging the guide means and provided about the pivot 109. A further feature of the construction described is a frictional engagement means such as a spring clip which is arranged to the lever arm 110 when it is in the position shown in Fig.

12. This arm is thus lightly retained in position when in its uppermost point hence retaining the sliding tray 100 rearwardly against, for example, gravitational effect, should the unit be positioned slightly from horizontal. Initial closing movement of the lid first of all overcomes a frictional engagement and the tray is then permitted to slide fully forwardly. It will be appreciated from this construction that the lever arrangement affords a "lost motion" whereby on initial closing of the lid the tray is free to move to a fully forward position or can be drawn forwardly into this position regardless of whether the lid is open or closed.

Individual features in any one of the embodiments described may be used in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention thus in the second embodiment features described in the first embodiment can be used also.

A further embodiment is shown in Fig. 10 to 12 of the drawings these figures principally showing the mechanism which couples the lid to the sliding drawer. Other features in the construction may be as illustrated in the previous embodiments.

Referring to Figs. 10 to 12 these show in schematic side view an arrangement having a drawer 100 and a lid 101 hinged to a casing at 102. The lid 101 carries a side plate assembly 103 formed from two parallel plates which are spaced with a lever arm 105 extending between the space, this lever arm being pivoted at 106 to the front of the casing.

A spring 107 serves to urge the lid 101 into its closed position and is connected at its one end to the side plate 103 and at its other end to the pivot 106. The lever 105 extends rearwardly and passes through a saddle 108 which is carried on a pivot 109 at one end of a further lever 110. This lever is pivoted to the rear of the casing at 111.

The pivot 109 also connects with one end of a lever 112 having its other end connecting with a pivot 113 formed in a side plate extension 114 of the drawer 100.

This arrangement operates as follows: The lid 101 is free to pivot to an open position as illustrated in Fig. 11 about the pivot 102. The spring 107 provides a slight force against which closing is made. In this position, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the drawer 100 is fully forward.

Pushing the drawer 100 in a rearward direction moves the pivot point 113 and by virtue of the constraint imposed by pivot 109 and lever 110 the pivot 109 will move upwardly to form a more acute angle. During this action the saddle 108 is carried upwardly and thus the lever 105 is pivoted upwardly about pivot 106. An abutment 115 is provided above the lever arm 105 and on the side plate 103 attached to the lid. When the lid is in the closed position shown in Fig. 10 lever 105 is prevented from moving upwardly by contact with abutment 115. However, when the lid is in the open position the lever 105 can freely move in an upward direction.

When in the position illustrated in Fig. 12, if force is imparted to the lid 101 to close same then the abutment 11 5 will press against the top edge of lever 105 hence forcing same downwardly about pivot 106. The other end of the lever 105 causes the saddle 108 to be depressed and hence lever 110 is pivoted downwardly about the pivot point 111. This action causes the lever 112 also to move downwardly but by virtue of its attachment at point 113 with the sliding tray 100 the tray is caused to move forwardly into the position as illustrated in Fig. 10. Thus when the lid is again opened the tray 100 will always be in its forwardmost position.

The. tray 100 has pairs of rollers at each side which engage tracks to each side of the casing and the lever mechanism as described is provided on both sides of the casing.

As in the previous embodiment the lid may include studs at each front corner which engage latch members contained within the casing with said latch members being releasable through an electric solenoid operated device preferably located at the rear of the casing and coupled with the latches through levers.

Claims (20)

1. A cash drawer unit comprising a casing for attachment to a work surface, the casing having a lid which normally lies flush with the work surface top, the lid having positioned thereunder a tray slidable rearwardly within the casing to expose a second tray.

2. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the casing has means to secure same to the lower surface of a counter forming the work surface and wherein the lid fits a cut out provided in the work surface.

3. A cash drawer unit according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the lid is operatively coupled to the slidable tray, wherein on closing the lid the tray is moved forwardly to cover the second tray lying thereunder.

4. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the upper tray has compartments for coins and the lower tray has compartments for bank notes.

5. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the lid is associated with locking means, the locking means being engageable on closing the lid.

6. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 5 wherein the locking means are actuated by a solenoid.

7. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the slidable tray may be moved freely forwards or back when the lid is open.

8. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the lid has means which engage parts of the tray to move same forwardly when the lid is closed and to retain the tray in the said forward position.

9. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the front side of the tray forms a part of the end of the casing and lies flush therewith when the tray is fully forward.

10. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the lid has an arm at least at one side thereof which depends to lie to the side of the casing, the arm engaging a lever pivoted to the front side of the casing and extending rearwardly, the arm being arranged so that when the lid is closed the lever is depressed downwardly about the pivot, the other end of the lever being operatively coupled with a further lever connected operatively with the drawer whereby depression of the lever causes the drawer to be moved forwardly on runners.

11. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 10 wherein the end of said lever engages with a further lever pivoted at the rear lower edge of the casing and slidable with respect thereto, this latter lever having guide means engaging an arcuate slot in the casing wall with a coupling member positioned within the casing connected to an interior lever having its other end engaging a lug on the sliding tray.

12. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein each side wall of the casing has a channel section runner on an internal surface thereof, the tray including depending side plate portions incorporating rollers which engage said channel so as to move forward and back therealong.

13. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein a frictional engagement means is provided whereby the tray, when located in a fully rearmost position is retained by frictional engagement.

14. A cash drawer unit in accordance with any preceding claim wherein following initial closure of the lid and after overcoming a frictional engagement means the drawer moves fully forwardly.

15. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the hinged lid includes at least one depending arm which is adapted to engage an abutment on a runner which is free to move in a fore/aft direction.

16. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 15 wherein the runner is operatively coupled with a cable or like means such as a chain which is connected with a means attached to the slidable tray wherein movement of the runner in a rearward direction causes the tray to move in a forward direction.

17. A cash drawer unit in accordance with Claim 16 wherein the casing includes a wire running around two spaced pulleys, one to the front and one to the rear of the casing, the abutment being secured to one run between the pulleys and the tray being operatively coupled to the other run whereby movement of the abutment causes a reverse directional movement of the opposite run and hence the tray.

18. A cash drawer unit constructed and ar ranged to function substantially as described herein and with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings.

19. A cash drawer unit constructed and ar ranged to function substantially as described herein and with reference to Figs. 4 to 9 of the drawings.

20. A cash drawer unit constructed and ar ranged to function substantially as described herein and with reference to Figs. 10 to 12 of the drawings.