[0001] The present invention relates to cash drawers and more particularly to release mechanisms
for cash drawers.
[0002] A known form of cash drawer release mechanism comprises a solenoid which is operated
in response to a drawer opening signal received from a cash register or the like to
release a catch which holds the drawer closed. The drawer may then open under the
force of an opening spring.
[0003] It has been found that certain such mechanisms may be susceptible to accidental opening
when the cash drawer is struck. The present invention seeks, from a first aspect to
alleviate this problem.
[0004] From a first aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a cash drawer comprising:
a tray;
a drawer mounted for movement within the tray; and
a drawer release mechanism: said release mechanism comprising:
a catch member, said catch member being mounted on a catch support for movement from
a first position in which it retains the drawer closed and a second position in which
it releases the drawer;
a catch retainer which retains the catch member in its first position; and
means for disengaging said catch member from said catch retainer to open the drawer;
wherein said catch member is arranged at an angle to the base of the cash drawer
tray or is mounted to a support arranged at an angle to the base of the cash drawer
tray.
[0005] It has been found that by angling the catch member in this manner, forces which may
be transmitted to the catch member so as to cause it to disengage from the catch retainer
are reduced or removed, thereby improving the security of the cash drawer.
[0006] Preferably the catch member is arranged at an angle of up to 45°, and more preferably
about 30°, to the base of the cash drawer tray.
[0007] Preferably the catch member is pivotally mounted on its support for movement between
its first and second positions.
[0008] Preferably the catch member and catch support are respective plates, the catch member
being mounted on a face of the catch support.
[0009] Preferably the catch support is provided with mounting brackets for mounting it at
the appropriate angle to the base of the cash tray.
[0010] Preferably the catch retainer comprises a tongue of material released from the catch
support plate whereby an edge of the catch engages behind the tongue to retain the
catch in its closed position.
[0011] Preferably the catch disengaging means comprises a solenoid which upon actuation
in response to a suitable electric signal, pushes directly or indirectly on the catch
member to push it out of engagement with the catch retainer.
[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the solenoid is mounted under and preferably projects
through the catch support so as to engage the underside of the catch member whereby
upon operation of the solenoid the catch member is pushed upwardly out of engagement
with the catch retainer.
[0013] Preferably, to accommodate this vertical movement, the mounting of the catch member
on its support comprises a slidable fixing. Most preferably, therefore, the catch
member is mounted pivotally around a shaft along which it can also translate. Preferably
the catch member is biased along the shaft towards its position of engagement by spring
means.
[0014] As mentioned above, the catch disengagement means preferably comprises a solenoid
which is operable in response to an appropriate electrical signal. Preferably, however,
means are provided to open the cash drawer manually as well. In the preferred embodiment,
therefore, a manual release member extends for engagement with the solenoid to push
the catch member in the appropriate direction.
[0015] Preferably the manual release member engages the lower end of the movable solenoid
part such that it pushes upwardly on the member to release the mechanism. This has
the advantage that gravity will assist in returning the solenoid to its start position.
[0016] This is a novel arrangement in its own right, so from a further aspect, the invention
provides a cash drawer mechanism comprising a drawer opening solenoid having a moveable
part which is operable to open the cash drawer in response to an opening signal, said
cash drawer mechanism further comprising a manual release mechanism, said manual release
mechanism operating upon a lower end of the moveable solenoid part so as to move the
solenoid member in an opening direction.
[0017] Preferably the manual release mechanism comprises an elongate member mounted to the
cash drawer for manipulation by a user. Most preferably, the manual release member
comprises an elongate strip having one end which cooperates with the solenoid.
[0018] Preferably, the manual release member is mounted adjacent the base of the cash drawer
and preferably it extends through the rear of the cash drawer for engagement with
the solenoid.
[0019] Preferably the manual release member is pivotable to effect the opening movement.
Accordingly, the release member is preferably pivotally mounted in the cash drawer.
[0020] Preferably, the manual release member is rotated by a rack and pinion mechanism.
Preferably, therefore, one end of the release member is provided with a rack into
which engages a pinion coupled to a rotary release mechanism accessible by a user,
for example a key unit. This mechanism has the advantage that it does not impose out
of plane forces on the release member and is advantageous in its own right, so from
a further aspect, therefore, the invention provides a manual release mechanism for
a cash drawer comprising a pivotally mounted release member extending from the front
of the cash drawer to a drawer release mechanism at the rear of the drawer, and a
rack and pinion mechanism for pivoting the release member in response to a drawer
opening action by a user.
[0021] Preferably the mechanism is biased towards a closed position by a biasing spring.
Preferably the biasing spring acts on the pinion mechanism, and most preferably extends
between the pinion mechanism and a front wall of the drawer.
[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a cash drawer embodying the present invention in an open condition;
Figure 2 shows a the cash drawer of Figure 1 in a locked position;
Figure 3 shows, in detail, the drawer release mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 shows the manual release mechanism of the drawer mechanism of Figure 1 in
a drawer locked position; and
Figure 5 shows the manual release mechanism of Figure 4 in a drawer open position.
[0023] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a cash drawer unit 2 comprises a tray 4 and a
drawer 6. The drawer 6 is slidable within the tray 4 along guides 8 provided on the
sides of the tray. The tray is biased to the open condition shown in Figure 1 by spring
means not shown.
[0024] The drawer 6 is held in a closed position within the tray 4 by a mechanism 10. The
mechanism 10 comprises a catch pin 12 mounted in arcuate slots 14 in a pin retaining
bracket 16 mounted to the rear face 18 of the drawer 6. The other part of the mechanism
is a drawer release mechanism 20 which receives the pin 12 when the drawer is in the
closed condition and which can release it to allow the drawer to open under its spring
loading. The arcuate slots 14 allow the pin 12 some degree of movement, to accommodate
misalignment of the pin 12 with the release mechanism 20.
[0025] The detail of the release mechanism is shown in Figure 3.
[0026] The mechanism comprises a catch 22 which is pivotally mounted to a catch support
plate 24 about a spindle 26 mounted to the catch support plate 24. The catch support
plate 24 has respective legs 28, 30 which have mounting feet 32, 34 at their lower
ends. The feet 32, 34 have holes 36, 38 for receiving suitable fasteners for fastening
the catch support plate 24 to the base of the tray 4 such that it, and thus the catch
22, does not lie parallel to the base of the tray 4. In this particular embodiment
it is arranged at an angle of about 30°.
[0027] One leg 28 mounts a drawer status microswitch 40 which is closed when the catch plate
22 is in its closed position indicating that the drawer is closed. The other leg 30
mounts a power disconnect microswitch 42 whose operation will be discussed further
below.
[0028] The catch 22 is biased to its open position by a spring 44 which engages a mounting
post 46 provided on the catch support plate 24 and a lug 48 provided on the catch
22.
[0029] The catch 22 is provided with a hook portion 50 which overlies a slot 52 provided
in the catch support plate 24. The catch support plate 24 has a raised tongue 54 behind
which the catch 22 engages.
[0030] The catch 22 is mounted for both pivotal and axial movement with respect to the spindle
26. In its normal operative condition it is biased downwardly into contact with the
catch support plate 24 by a spring 56 and washer 58.
[0031] A solenoid unit 60 is mounted to one leg 28 of the catch support plate 24 and has
a moveable member 62 (Figure 4) whose upper end extends through an aperture 64 in
the catch support plate 24 for engagement with the underside of the catch 22.
[0032] In the drawer position shown in Figure 2, the drawer mounted pin 12 engages with
the hook 50 so as to retain the drawer closed. In this condition the pin 12 extends
both through the hook 50 and the underlying slot 52 of the catch support plate 24.
When a suitable signal is sent to the solenoid from the cash station, the moveable
member 62 moves upwardly to impact on the underside of the catch 22. This pushes the
catch 22 upwardly against the force of the spring 56 and out of engagement with the
catch retaining tongue 54, so causing the catch 22 to rotate in a clockwise direction
in the sense of Figure 3 such that the hook 50 releases the drawer pin 12 to allow
the drawer 6 to open. The catch 22 is stopped by a lug 66 provided on the catch support
plate 24.
[0033] When the drawer is closed once more, the drawer pin 12 can engage with the edge of
the catch 22 so as to pivot it anti-clockwise against the force of the spring 44.
Due to the sprung mounting of the catch 22 which allows axial movement of the catch
22 relative to the mounting pin 26, and the inclined face of the catch retaining member
54, the catch 22 will be able to ride up over the catch retaining member 54 until
it clears that member 54 and is then forced back down behind it by the spring 56.
In that position the hook 50 will have closed once more around the pin 12 to retain
the drawer closed, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
[0034] The drawer described above also has a manual release mechanism 70. This mechanism
70 comprises an elongate release member 72 which is mounted along the base 74 of the
drawer 6. It extends out through the rear face 18 of the drawer 6.
[0035] The rear end of the member 72 is provided with an opening fitting 76 for engagement
with the movable solenoid member 62 as will be described further below. The forward
end of the member 72 is provided with a rack member 78. Both these members may be
an integral part of the opening member 72 or separately fabricated or moulded parts
suitably affixed thereto.
[0036] The rack member 78 engages with pinion teeth 80 provided on a lock barrel 82 which
can be engaged by a key to open the drawer.
[0037] The release member 72 is pivotally mounted about a pivot (not shown) provided on
the base 64 of the drawer 6. The release member 72 is biased towards a central, drawer
closed, position (intermediate the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5) by a coil spring
84 which extends between a lug 86 on the lock barrel 82 and a mounting hole 88 provided
in a flange 90 of the drawer front.
[0038] The opening fitting 76 comprises a cam surface 92 which, when the release member
is pivoted towards its opening position, shown in Figure 5, by turning a key inserted
into the lock barrel 82, engages the lower end of the moveable solenoid member 62
so as to push it upwardly to disengage the catch member 22 from the catch retaining
member 54 thereby allowing the drawer 6 to open.
[0039] The lock barrel 72 may also be turned in an opposite direction from the central,
drawer closed, position to a drawer locked position shown in Figure 4. In this position
the lock locks the drawer and the opening fitting 76 engages power disconnect microswitch
42 which disables the electrical supply to the solenoid 60, thereby preventing electronic
opening of the drawer 4. (In the Figure, the catch 22 is shown disengaged, but it
will in fact be engaged in this position.)
1. A cash drawer comprising:
a tray;
a drawer mounted for movement within the tray; and
a drawer release mechanism: said release mechanism comprising:
a catch member, said catch member being mounted on a catch support for movement from
a first position in which it retains the drawer closed and a second position in which
it releases the drawer;
a catch retainer which retains the catch member in its first position; and
means for disengaging said catch member from said catch retainer to open the drawer;
wherein said catch member is arranged at an angle to the base of the cash drawer
tray, or is mounted to a support arranged at an angle to the base of the cash drawer
tray.
2. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angle is up to 45°, and more preferably
about 30°, to the base of the cash drawer tray.
3. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the catch member is pivotally mounted
on its support for movement between its first and second positions.
4. A cash drawer as claimed in claim any preceding claim wherein the catch member is
mounted on a face of a catch support plate.
5. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the catch retainer comprises a tongue
of material extending from the catch support plate whereby an edge of the catch engages
behind the tongue to retain the catch in its closed position.
6. A cash drawer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the catch disengaging means
comprises a solenoid which upon actuation in response to a suitable electric signal,
pushes directly or indirectly on the catch member to push it out of engagement with
the catch retainer.
7. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the solenoid is mounted under and preferably
projects through the catch support so as to engage the underside of the catch member
whereby upon operation of the solenoid the catch member is pushed upwardly out of
engagement with the catch retainer.
8. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the catch member is mounted on the catch
support by a slidable fixing.
9. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 8 wherein the catch member is mounted pivotally
around a shaft along which it can also translate.
10. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the catch member is biased along the shaft
towards its position of engagement by spring means.
11. A cash drawer as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising means for opening
the drawer manually.
12. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 11 comprising a manual release member extends for
engagement with a or the solenoid to push the catch member.
13. A cash drawer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the manual release member engages the
lower end of the movable solenoid part such that it pushes upwardly on the member
to release the mechanism.
14. A cash drawer mechanism comprising a drawer opening solenoid having a moveable part
which is operable to open the cash drawer in response to an opening signal, said cash
drawer mechanism further comprising a manual release mechanism, said manual release
mechanism operating upon a lower end of the moveable solenoid part so as to move the
solenoid member in an opening direction.
15. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 14 wherein the manual release mechanism
comprises an elongate member mounted to the cash drawer for manipulation by a user.
16. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein the manual release member comprises
an elongate strip or rod having one end which cooperates with the solenoid.
17. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 16 wherein the manual release member is
mounted adjacent the base of the cash drawer and preferably it extends through the
rear of the cash drawer for engagement with the solenoid.
18. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17 wherein the manual release
member is pivotally mounted to the cash drawer.
19. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein the manual release
member is rotated by a rack and pinion mechanism.
20. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 19 wherein one end of the release member
is provided with a rack into which engages a pinion coupled to a rotary release mechanism
accessible by a user.
21. A manual release mechanism for a cash drawer comprising a pivotally mounted release
member extending from the front of the cash drawer to a drawer release mechanism at
the rear of the drawer, and a rack and pinion mechanism for pivoting the release member
in response to a drawer opening action by a user.
22. A mechanism as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the mechanism is biased towards a
closed position by a biasing spring.
23. A cash drawer mechanism as claimed in claim 22 wherein the biasing spring acts on
the pinion mechanism, and most preferably extends between the pinion mechanism and
a front wall of the drawer.