GB2502638A - Banknote retaining member for cash drawer - Google Patents

Abstract

A cash drawer is provided with a non-metallic banknote retaining member 10 for holding paper currency in a compartmentalised cash drawer 20. The retaining member may be formed from a resiliently deformable plastic material, preferably an elastomer such as silicone, and further preferably from an anti-microbial material. The retaining members are connected to the drawer and biased by means of a spring. Forming the retaining member from a resilient material goes some way to preventing injury should a users finger become trapped in the cash drawer. Also disclosed is a cash register comprising additional silicone components.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

CAROL KNIGHT

FOR

A NON-METALLIC COMPLIANT MEMBER

Fi&d of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-metallic compliant member, more particularly for use with a cash register.

Backeround and Prior Art

Despite ongoing attempts to automate shopping processes it seems that people prefer dealing with other people when making purchases; even if solely to scan items and take payment.

Likewise, despite ongoing attempts to make payment processes wholly electronic, it seems likely that many people will continue to use paper or coin money or cash for a period of time.

Users taking payment are therefore likely to continue dealing in cash for some time, typically using a cash register or till.

These tills generally have drawers for receipt and storage of cash. Because paper is light banknotes are generally held in place by elongate sprung paddles or clips.

Said drawers are typically opened automatically when a transaction is registerecL In order for the drawer to open in such a way and for user convenience, the drawer is situate typically at user elbow height and is provided on runners, with a spring and/or running on sprung runners to ensure automatic opening.

This is combined with a catch that is released when the user activates the till, typically by entering a transaction or sale, and the drawer or tray becomes available as the springs ejects it from the till.

To return the drawer the user must typically push against the drawer hard, against the spring.

In this action, and in general handling of cash into the drawer and under clips, the user risks injury to his/her hands from bruising. Given that users may handle the drawer, cash and clips many times an hour in a typical working day, these injuries can be very troublesome.

In solution the present invention provides a easily fit or retro-fit method of ensuring that sales staff handling cash and cash registers do not receive such injuries.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a non-metallic compliant member for use in a compartmentalised cash register money drawer, wherein the member maintains money in place in a compartment.

More particularly this member typically provides a means for preventing movement of paper money, banknotes or notes.

This may be by preventing movement towards a user who is operating the register, for example in a largely vertical or horizontal plane or a combination of either.

According to a second aspect therefore the user is able to override the member's prevention or maintenance function.

For example in preferred embodiments the member is an elongate member mounted on a spring at one end; wherein the user would lift the distal end to access the money.

Further embodiments may combine a first spring member with other members, which other members may be disposed orthogonally to the first; andlor contiguous, for example in order that a three dimensional multiplanar shape is defined in which to hold and/or maintain the notes.

Vet further embodiments may dispense with any sprung first member; being instead better suited to a compartment for metallic money or coins.

Such a member may define at least one side of said compartment; in this way preferably that closest to the user, in order that the user is less likely to suffer injury in retrieving or storing coins.

For example when the drawer closes the user's hand will be pushed against this flexible member, and accordingly the member will absorb force into its flexibility, thereby minimising injury to the user's hands.

Typically in all preferred embodiments the member is, or the members are, formed in silicone rubber; being a hard wearing, flexible material.

Further embodiments may include wherein the tray is entirely constructed in a similar manner to the member, or more particularly, forms the member; wherein said member may be available in a large plurality of shapes, sizes and arrangements in order to fit or retrofit a plurality of cash registers by addition to their trays.

Silicone has an added advantage of being easily cut.

For example therefore compartmentalised tray interiors and/or dividers may be available in a range of sizes and shapes in order that the user may cut the member to shape and/or combine it with other members also cut to shape.

Vet further embodiments of the member may include parts on the till that constitute some of a body of the till, said body being from which the drawer extends. For example the member may act to cushion the till body from hands trapped by the drawer.

In the preferred embodiments however it is envisaged that the user will remove a standard paddle or clip used to clamp notes, and replace it with the member.

In order that such a replacement is effective it is envisaged that in some embodiments the member has variation in flexibility, for example so that an area of the member proximate to and in connection with the spring is less flexible and an area distal to the spring or user end is more flexible; to minimise user injury.

In this way the clip is able to accommodate different depths of compartment content s, for example wherein the clip will be pushed up against the spring, and consequently the user needs more force and risks greater injury in lifting the clip.

Embodiments may accordingly be envisaged where the spring is formed in a different material, or different grade or thickness or weight of material, to the user end.

Yet further embodiments are claimed wherein the material becomes progressively thicker or less flexible towards the spring end.

In still further embodiments the member may c constitute a Lover, sleeve or glove, in order that the user may simply fit the member over an existing clip, tray, tray compartment or till body.

Such embodiments may have a thick bulbous end, in order that the paddle does not injure the user as a thick layer of flexible material may absorb impact(s) Further retrofit embodiments of the member may include sleeves or coverings for other parts of the tray, such as compartment sides.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum * dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent * relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a clip member; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a tray member and till tray; and Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a tray member and clip member both in use in a till tray.

Detailed Description of Ficures

In the pictured and preferred embodiment of a clip member in Figure 1 the member may be sized, dimensioned or otherwise produced or manufactured for till embodiments as necessary.

Ideally the clip member may be used to replace existing till clips.

The clip member (10) includes the following parts: Hinge studs (1); Angled clip body (2) to accommodate depth of contents; And User finger recess (3).

In some embodiments the clip body 2 may incorporate striations of varying flexibility and/or material in order to accommodate different depths of tray contents and prevent deep contents making the clip difficult to lift against the clip's spring.

In Figure 2 the tray member (4) is constructed to a correct size for the till tray (5) as appropriate.

The tray member 4 may have some compartments (6) that are fully formed in silicone or may have some rigid sides or parts.

The embodiment of the till tray 5 as pictured in Figure 3 visualises a till tray 5 equipped with a plurality of clip members (10) and a tray member (20).

In this way any chance of injury to the user is minimised fully, so that both the clip springs and the tray's springs are neutralised in any accidental finger trapping effect.

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A non-metallic member for use in a compartmentalised cash register money drawer wherein the member maintains paper money in place in a compartment.
2. 2. A member according to claim 1 wherein the member is resiliently deformable.
3. 3. A member according to claim 2 wherein the member is formed in an elastomer such as silicone.
4. 4. A member according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the member is disposed on a spring.
5. 5. A member according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the member is connected to the drawer.
6. 6. A member according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the member is a part of a till body from which the drawer extends.
7. 7. A member according to any preceding claim formed at least in part of antimicrobial material.
8. 8. A till with clips, tray, compartments or body constituted in silicone.
9. 9. A method of cushioning a till in accordance with any of the preceding claims.