US1186579A - Drawer-controlling mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

M. JACOB.

DRAWER coNTRoLuNG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZ. 1913.

Patented J une 13, 1916.

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NI. JACOB.

DRAWER CONTROLLING IVIECHANISIVI.

APPLICATION FILED IULY2. 1913.

. I I l l I J I .1

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.latonfvd .11u10 13, 1916.

M. IACOB.4

DRAWER CONTROLLING MECHAMSM.

' APPLICATION FILED luLYe, i913. 1,186,579. lzl'vlmdlun@ 13, 191).

3 sHEETssHEEr UNITED STATES OFFICE.

MAX JACOB, F BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO, (INCORPORATED IN 1906.)

DRAWER-CONTROLLING IVIECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application filed July 2, 1913. Serial No. 776,935.

T 0 all whom it may concern ot the Emperor of Germany, residing at Berlin, Germany, in the Kingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Drawer-Controlling Mechanism, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description. l

This invention relates to accounting machines such as cash registers, coin displayers, fare boxes, coin receivers, and the like and more particularly to improvements in the drawer mechanism thereof.

This class of machines is usually provided with a money or ticket receptacle, the top or one side of `which is open when not in the machine, and the money therefore is.sub

- ject to theft, as `the clerk, collector, or whoever removes the drawer for any purpose, such as for placing it in a safe, has access to the interior thereof. There are also defects in machines of this class, such as cash registers, intended for use at different times of the day by a number of cashiers in department stores or any other large mercantile establishments, as when one cashier goes off duty it is necessary for him to count the money which has been placed in the money receptacle while on duty in order to prevent a cashier who comes on duty from wrongfully taking the money without the possibility of detection. Then also when severalV cashiers have access to the interior of the same money receptable disputes arise as to the actual amount placed in the receptacle by each cashier eventhough themoney is counted by each cashier. To eliminate this defect some machines used in such a system are provided with interchangeable money receptacles, one for each cashier. vAs such interchangeable receptacles, however, are not necessarily locked when they are not 1n the machine, the money may still be subject to loss or theft until it is oiicially removed from the drawer.

The main object of this invention is therefore to eliminate the possibility of theft or loss by any clerk, collector or cashier of the money for which he is accountable, by providing a means whereby the money receptacle is always locked in closed Condition when not in place in the accounting machine so that the money cannot be wrongfully withdrawn.

It is also clear that the invention is of practical use where interchangeable money receptacles are used by each cashier. If each cashier, in a business where a number of cashiers are employed, uses an individual money receptacle with this invention applied for closing the money receptacle when completely detached from the machine, the

cashier may take the receptacle out of the machine when he goes olf duty without the necessity of counting the money and as the receptacle is locked, the money cannot be withdrawn.

While the invention in the illustrative form disclosed herein is shown applied to a single drawer of a coin displayer, it is clear that the invention is susceptible to 'use in cash registers or coin displayers using interchangeable drawers as just explained and also in fare' and ticket receptacles for street railways, theaters and the like, where it is desired that the contents of the boxes be locked from` access when out of ticket or fare -receiving position, except for thosel who should have access to the receptacles and possess keys for same.

To the above ends the rear portion of the receptacle in the illustrative embodiment shown, carries a Yale lock for locking a sliding top of the receptacle in closing position when the receptacle is not in the machine. `A key for the Yale lockis ypermanently carried in the machine and is so positioned that when the receptacle is inserted intothe machine the key passes into the lock, and turns it to move the sliding top into openingposition during the final movement of the receptacle so that the money may be deposited therein upon operation of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to detect the use, by an unfaithful clerk, of a duplicate key to open the receptacle after it is withdrawn from the machine. To accomplish this object two inaccessible counters are provided, one counter being carried in the receptacle and arranged to be operated every time the money receptacle top slide is opened, while the other counter is carried in the machine and constructed to be operated every time the receptacle is inserted into the n'lachine.

ll h these and incidental objects in view. the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth. in appended claims. and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of the drawings which show the inventionv applied to a coin displayer: Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken throi'lgh the coin displayer near the right hand side and looking to the right showing the parts of the machine in their normal position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a register device carried in the money receptacle. Fig. 2% is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the center of the machine with the rear portion of the machine and the forward portion of the money receptacle broken away and showing the invention applied thercto, the money receptacle not being sufficiently inserted into the machine for its lid to be open. Fig, 4. is a top plan view of the money receptacle with the sliding top partly broken away to show the locking mechanism therefor. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the lines 'fa-af of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 vis a transverse section taken on the lines g/hy/ of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

The invention is shown herein as applied to the type of machine disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,013,991, granted to F. C. Fabry, on January 9, 1912, but it is to be understood that the invention is equally susceptible to use in other types of machine employing; money receptacles.

As seen in Fig. 1, of the drawings show" ing one form of the invention, the machine is provided with a continuous carrying band 1 which passes over rollers 2 and 3 and is divided in sections by parallel cross pieces L so located relative. to one another that the distance betweentliem corresponds exactly with the degree of movement to be imparted to the band by an operating lever 5 at each operation of the machine. The roller 3 which is loosely mounted on a shaft 11 has fast to its right hand end a driving ratchet 6 which is provided with three teeth. The ratchet is adapted to be actuated in one direction only by a plate 7 through the medium of actuating pawls 8 and 9 pivotally mounted on the plate. The plate 7 is slidably mounted on a shaft 11 and a pin 12 and is adapted to be given a longitudinal sliding movement upon the rocking of the main operat` ing lever 5 through the medium of an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 13 rigid with the operating lever on a rock shaft 14 and having a slot and pin conneo tion with the extreme forward end of the plate.

At the extreme end of the arm 13 the forward end of a link 15 is pivotally connected and at its rear end this link is pivoted to an arm 16 pivoted at 165. This arm 16 is bifurcated at its upper end to straddle a pin 17 on a bracket 18, extending downwardly from a movable cross bar 19 slidably carried b v a coin receiving table 21 at the top of the machine. The arm 16 and consequently the cross bar 19 on the coin receiving table, the link 15, arm 13 and operating handle 5 are normally held to their rearmost position by a coil. spring 166 acting on the arm 16 near its pivot.

The operation of the machine so far described is as follows: The coin is deposited upon a receiving table 21. the cross bar 19 being in its normal rearmost position and the operating lever 5 is then pulled downward. The cross bar 19 is through the arm 13, link 15, and arm 16, moved forward and carries the coin deposited on the table to the opening 22 through which it falls on the carrying band 1 below the glass plate 23. The band 1 is ad 'anced one step at each operation of the machine by the reciprocation of the plate 7 by the operating handle and the coin which was between the two foremostcross bars at the beginning of the ope `ation of the machine falls throughtheI opening 25 in the horizontal partition 26 j ust above the money receptacle into the latter. Complete movement of the handle 5 in both directions after being started is made compulsory by providing a full stroke mechanism including the pawl 269 and ratchet plate 270. This mechanism is clearly described in the aforesaid patent.

The machine thus far described is similar to the coin displayer shown in the aforesaid patent and it is not intended to claim any of these parts, as the invention disclosed. herein relates to means for automatically locking the money receptacle when withdrawn from the machine, the invention being wholly independent of the particular kind of machine to which it is shown applied and equally ap plicable wherever receptacles are used and it is desired to keep them locked when removed from their usual location. The means by which this object of the invention is accomplished in the illustrative embodiment shown will now be described.

The money receptacle 26S slidably mounted in the lower part of the machine is provided with a lid or topQT. Figs. fiand 5, slidably mounted between the right-angled supporting members 28 rigidly mounted on the sides of the receptacle. and the horizontal flanges 29 integral with the sides. The drawer is provided with a hand grip 31 for inserting and pulling it out of the machine and with a lock 32 for manually locking it in@ the machine at the end of its full inward stroke. The rear end of a bell crank lever 20 pivoted at 21 to the side frame of the machine, is adapted to be forced upward into engagement with a stud 24 on the link 15 by a spring 30 when the receptacle is not in place in the machine, to prevent the operation of the machine except when the receptacle is in its inserted position. When the receptacle is inserted into the machine the forward arm of the bell crank 20 is engaged by the rear end of the receptacle and causes the rear arm to be carried down out of the path of the stud 24. The front plate of the receptacle is provided with a flange 40, which when the receptacle is inserted is in engagement with a shoulder 40a. in the partition 26 below this carrying belt. This arrangement is employed to provide a good closure for the receptacle and prevent the insertion of a card board or a piece of sheet metal between the top of the money receptacle and the partition 32 should there be a loose fit between these parts, to withdraw the money after it has dropped on the card board or sheet metal.

It is obvious that the liange 40, shoulder 40a and the'plate on which said shoulder is formed are to be so proportioned that they will also preventgaining access to the receptacle by withdrawing the receptacle just far enough only partially to close the lid. Therefore, by the time the receptacle has been withdrawn a suiicient distance for the flange 40 to clear said plate, the lid 27 will have been moved to the fully closed position by the lid operating mechanism described in the following: rl`he slidable lid 27 of the receptacle which is adapted to be moved rearwardly on the receptacle and open the latter at its top, carries an antifriction roller 33 on its under side working in a helically formed slot 34 on a half cylinder 35. The half-cylinder 35 is rigidly fastened to a segmental member 36 (Figs.

`3 and 5) which is fast on a drum 37 of a Yale lock, the drum being rotatably mounted in a cylinder 38 fastened by screws 39 to a horizontal iang'e 41 integral with the rear wall of the receptacle. A key 42, employed to actuatelthe Yale lock, has a circular key shank 43 extending longitudinally through the interior of a hollow bracket 44 as shown in Fig. 6. This bracket is fastened by screws through its flanges 442 to the top of an inverted U shaped supporting frame 45 rigidly mounted on the rear of the base of the machine and so positioned that the bracket is adjacent the rear wall of the receptacle when the receptacle has been pushed completely into the machine. The bracket 44 is closed at its ends by plates 441 provided with openings 442a through which the key shank slides, these plates serving as accurate guides and supports for the key which, as will later appear, necessarily must be left in exact alinement with the key barrel 37 carried by the rear of the sliding money receptacle. The key shank 43 carries on that portion within the bracket 44 and between the plates 441 a pin 47 engaging in a helical slot 49 in the cylindrical surface of the bracket 44.

From the above description is clear that when the receptacle is inserted into 'the ma chine the flat portion 42 of the key will eli-- ter the slot in the drum 37 of the lock if this VLaortion of the key and the slot are in the same plane, and as the rear edge of the receptacle engages a projection 51 on the key the key will be moved rearward 'with the receptacle. rThis rearward movement. because of the helical form of the slot 49 in which the roller 47 of the key shank 43 engages is effective to rotate the key. As the drum 37 of the lock must rotate with the key when the latter is in it and as the drum is fast to the segmental member 36 rigidly connected to the half-cylinder 35 the latter will also be rotated by the turning of the key. Rotation of the half-cylinder as it moves rearward witlrthe key and receptacle serves to move the lid 27 of the receptacle rear- 9 ward on the latter, as the helical slot 34 of the rotating half-.cylinder 35 acts against the roller 33 pivoted on the lid and forces the roller from the forward end of the slot 34 to the rear end thereof.

By the mechanism just described movement of the money receptacle into the machine because of the movement thereby imparted to the key 43, the lock barrel 37, and the half-cylinder 35 serves to slide the top 27 of the money receptacle rearwardly to open position. It is obvious that as long as the money receptacle is in place in the niachine the lid for the receptacle will be open. Also it will be clear that movement of the receptacle forwardly in withdrawing it from the machine effects a reverse operation of the above parts to close the lid and that the lid can thereafter not be opened with# out the use of the key 43 in the machine, in-v accessible for this purpose except by again inserting the receptacle in the machine, or of a key the duplicate of key 43 in the machine.

A device is also employed to prevent the turning of the key in the machine when the receptacle is not in the machine, as the receptacle could not be given its full inward stroke if the flat portion of the key was not in the same plane as the slot in the drum 37 of the lock when the receptacle is inserted.

yTo this end a latching plate 53 is arranged parallel to the keyshank and has a projection 54 for locking the key in its Vnormal position by overlapping the pin 47 carried by the key shank. The plate is slidably mounted relative to the key shank being fast to a sleeve 55 slidably surrounding the key shank and the plate is guided in its reciprocation by a vertical flange 56 projecting laterally from the bracket 44 (Fig. 6) and having a slot 551 through which the plate passes. The plate is normally held in latching position by a compressed spring 57 coiled about the key shank and intermediate the sleeve 55 and a cup-shaped member 58 fast to the rear end of the key shank. The front portion 59 of the plate 53 normally projects slightly forward of the projection 51 of the key and is in the path of the rear end of the receptacle so that when the re ceptacle is inserted it first engages the front portion 59 of the plate and thereby moves the plate rearward to carry the projection 54 out of the path of the pin 47 before the key is turned upon later engagement of the projection 51 of the key with the rear end of the receptacle.

The lock shown in the drawings is so constructed as to prevent the receptacle from being opened when not in the machine by any key other than one like that mounted in the machine. "A Yale lock is shown but it isto be understood that a lock of any other typemightvbe employed, a Yale lock being shown merely for illustration. As is usual in Yale locks a number of divided plungers 60 are employed, a portion of each divided plunger being seated in the cylinder 38 and the plungers spring pressed normally to keep the lowerportion of the plungers in their respective grooves 61 formed in the upper portions of the walls of the key slot in the drum 37. TheI grooves do not extend to the lower edge of the walls of the slot so that when either the key in the machine or a like key is inserted the plungers are raised by the inclined edge 62 on the end of the key but when the lower portions of the plungers are in their corresponding notches63 in the upper edge of the key the upper edges of all the lower portions of the divided or two part plunger-s are just flush with the inner surface of the lcylinder 38 so that the drum may be turned by its key, carrying the lower portions of the plungers with it and leaving the other portions of the plungers station` ary with the cylinder 38 and riding on the periphery of thekey barrel 37. If a wrong key is inserted the lower dividing lines between portions of the plunger-s will not coincide with the surface between the peripherywof the keybarrel 37 'and the interior of the cylinder '38and one or more of the portions of the plunger-s will be both in the c vlinder 38 and key barrel 37 and prevent rota tion of the latter relative to the former. As the slot i9 will permit rearward movement of the key only when the lock barrel and key are free to rotate, it is clear that the lock plungers and slot will coperate to hold a wrong key stationary, thereby causing the projection 51 on the key to serve as a stop to prevent the receptacle being fully inserted jnto a machine not equipped with the proper rey'.

i A spiral spring 65 which is fast to the cupshaped member 58 is compressed against the back wall of the casing of the machine when the receptacle is inserted and when the key 66 in the lock which holds the receptacle closed is turned to unlock the receptacle in order that it may be withdrawn the spring 65 will push the key 43 forward to normal position and through its connection with the receptacle will push the latter slightly out of the machine so that it may be more readily grasped for withdrawal therefrom.

An accounting device for registering the number of times the sliding top of the receptacle is opened is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A `counter 70 is carried by a bracket 71 fast to the left side of the receptacle and within the same.` The counter wheels are not shown in detail in the drawings as-their construction is not essential to the understanding of the invention and any one of the well known counters on the market may be employed. An actuating arm 72 for the counter Wheels is mounted on a shaft 73 and is held in engagement with one edge 74 of a notch in the periphery of the half-cylinder by a leaf spring 75. Every time the cylinder is rotated the arm 73 is rocked downward toy addk one upon the counter. A sight opening (not shown) is provided in the side of the ,drawer so that the number on the counter mayv be readily seen.

Referring to Fig. 1, 76 is a counter similar to the counter 70 and is arranged to be oper ated every time the receptacle is inserted into the machine. The amount on this counter 76 can be seen through sight openin 7 7 cut in the rear wall of the machine. he receptacle upon being. inserted engages the forward end of a sliding bar 78 pivotallyconnected toyan actuating arm 79 mounted on the counter wheel shaft 80 and forces the j bar rearward. This rocks the actuating arm 79 for the counter rearward and through its connection with the units wheel of the counter adds one on the counter. When the receptacle is withdrawn from the machine a spring 81`connected to the bar 78 and a stationary block 82 restores the arm 79 to normaly position. The number of operations of the sliding lid7 effected bya duplicate key can be easily determined by subtracting the number on the counter in the rear of the machinefrom that on the counter in the rcceptacle.

lWhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfil the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended tol confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming Within the scope' of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is ,l. In a machine of the class described,

the combination With a normally closed' and locked money receptacle; of automatic means tor opening said receptacle when the same is inserted into the machine, said means being effective to also close and lock said receptacle as the same is being removed from the machine.

2, in a machine of the class described, `the combination with a money receptacle including a member normally closing'the receptacle; of a lock carried by said receptacle and, locking said member in closing position when the receptacle is not in the machine; and a key in said machine for automatically actuating said lock to unlock and move the closing member to open said receptacle when the receptacle is inserted into the machine.

3. ln a machine of the class described, the combination with a receptacle including a slidable top normally closing said receptacle; of means for automatically sliding said top to open said receptaclevvhen the receptacle is inserted into the machine, said means automatically closing said top and locking the same in its closing position when the receptacle ris Withdrawn from the niachine.

4. ln a machine of the class described, the combination With a receptacle including a-slidable closing member; olf a device carriedin Ithe rear of said receptacle and cmployed to lock the closing member in clos- .ing position every time the receptacle is Withdrawn from the machine; and means in the rear of the machine' actuated by the insertion of the receptacle and employed to operate said device to cause the device to unlock and 'move said closing member to open said receptacle every time the receptacle is inserted into the machine.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a receptacle including a slidable top normally closing said receptacle When the latter is not in the machine; of a lock carried by said receptacle; a cylinder carriedl byvsaid lock and having a cam groove; a roller carried by said slidable top and engaging in said groove; a key in the machine carrying a roller and positioned to'.

be engaged by said receptacle when the latter is inserted into 'the machine; and a cylindrical support for said key, having a groove engaged by said roller on the key and so shaped that rearward movement of 'the receptaclel after the latter has engaged the key turns said key to cause rotation of the cylinder of the lock so that said sliding top may be moved thereby to open position.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination With a receptacle including a sliding top normally closing said receptacle; of a locking device normally locking said top in closing position; a key in said machine for causing said locking device to open said top when the receptacle is in serted into the machine; and a device for locking said key in normal position and constructed to be rendered ineffective for such purpose upon insertion of said receptacle.

7. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination with a receptacle including a movable closure normally closing said receptacle; of alock carried by said receptacle and connected to said movable closure; and a key for said lock so mounted in a machine that it is given a reciprocating and rotary movement by the receptacle when it is inserted into the machine in order to actuate said lock the actuation of Which moves said. closure to opening position.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a receptacle including a top normally closing said receptacle; of a lock carried by said receptacle and connected to the top; a key carried in the machine; a support 'for said key having a cam groove; a pin on 'said ykey and engaging in said groove so that when the receptacle is manually inserted into the machine said key is engaged by the receptacle and turned to cause said lock to open said top; land means `for automatically ejecting` said receptacle `from the'machine and turning said key to normal .position tocause said lock to close and lock said top when the receptacle is being ejected.

9. In' a machine of the class described,

the combination with a normally closed and locked money receptacle; of automatic vmeans for opening said receptacle when the same is inserted into the machine, said means being eil'ective to also close and lock said receptacle as. the same is being, removed from the machine; and an account- Y ing device for determining the number of insertions of the receptacle into the machine. 10. In amachine of the class described, the combination With a receptacle including a member normally closing the receptacle; oi' a lock carried by said receptacle and locking said member in closing position When the receptacle is not in the machine; a key in said machine for actuating said lock to unlock and move the closing member to open said receptacle when the receptacle is inserted into the machine; and an accounting device or determining the number of insertions of the receptacle into the machine. l l

11. ln a machine of the class described, the combination With a receptacle, includ;

ing a member normally closing the receptacle; oi' a lock carried by said receptacle and locking said member in closed position when the receptacle is not in the machine; a key in said machine for actuating said lock to unlock and move the closing member to open said receptacle when the latter is inserted into the machine; and accounting means for determining the number of times the receptacle is opened when it is not in the machine. f

l2. In a machine of the class described,

l the combination with a receptacle including a slidable top normally vclosing said recepF tacle; of means for automatically sliding said top to open said receptacle when the receptacle is inserted into the machine, said the machine; and a deviceofor locking saidoperating mechanism against operation when the receptacle is not in the machine and constructed to be moved to unlocking position when the receptacleis inserted.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a receptacle including a member normally closing said receptacle;

of means ior moving said member to open said receptacle; a main operating mechanism for the machine; and a device preventing operation of the operating mechanism when the closing member of the receptacle is in closing position. Y

l5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main operating mechanism; of a receptacle including a me1nber normally closing said receptacle; means for operating said member to open the receptacle, and means normally locking said main operating mechanism against operation but rendered ineffective for such purpose as an incident to opening the receptacle.

16. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with a money receptacle.

the combination with a receptacle including a member for-closing said receptacle; of a. loclr carried by said receptacle for actuating said member to move the same to open and closed positions; and means in the machine for always operating said lock to move said member when the receptacley is being fully inserted o1' completely detached from the machine.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a traveling coin conveyer; of means for operating said conveyer; a normally closed and .locked money receptacle for receiving the coins carried by the conveyer; and means for opening said receptacle when the same is inserted into the machine to permit the coins to be deposited in the receptacle, said means closing and locking said receptacle as the same is being removed from the machine.

19. In a machine pf the class described, the combination with a traveling coin conveyer, et means for operating said conveyor, a normally closed and locked receptacle for receiving the coins from the conveyer, means for opening the receptacle when same is inserted into the machine to permit the coins to be deposited in the receptacle, said means closing and locking said receptacle as the receptacle is being removed from the machine, and locking devices preventing operation of the coin conveyor operating means until the receptacle is opened.`

20. The combination of a receptacle, a member with an opening for coperating with the receptacle; locking means for always opening the receptacle when in position to receive articles passing through said opening, and for always closing and locking said receptacle When it is out of such .article receiving position, and means for locking the box in article receiving position.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cash receptacle, of a lid therefor, a lock for the lid, and connections operated by the lock to open and close thel lid as an incident to the operation of the loc i.

22. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination with a cash receptacle comprising a sliding lid, of a lock supported by the receptacle, and connections whereby op erations of the lock will slide the lid to open or close the receptacle as desired.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cash receptacle adapted to be inserted into the machine and comprising a lid, of a lock for the lid, and a key in 'the machine arranged to operate the loch' whereby to open and close the lid every time ,the receptacle is inserted and withdrawn.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a cash receptacle adapted to be inserted into the machine and4 erations of the lock will slide the 11d to open and close the receptacle, and a keyin the machinev arranged to operate the lock' whereby to open and close the lid as the receptacle is inserted and Withdrawn.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a receptacle including a permanently attached and slidable closing member, of a devicev carried inthe rear of said receptacle and employed to lock the closing member in closing position when the receptacle is not in the machine, and means in the rear of the machine, actuated by theinsertion of the receptacle and employed to operate said device t'o cause the device to unlock and move said closing member to open said receptacle.

4 f In testimony whereof I afix my signature in the presence of tWo- Witnesses. n

MAX JACOB.

Witnesses HENRY HASPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT.

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