Patent GB-1306503-A (GB)
Title: Time recording apparatus
IPC: G07C1/26
Filed: 1969-02-21
Abstract: 1306503 Timing apparatus E WILKINSON 19 May 1970 [21 Feb 1969] 9542/69 Heading G4T Time recording apparatus of the type in which a time record of insertion of articles into a container of the apparatus has to be made, the articles thereafter being housed against unauthorized removal, comprises a timing mechanism arranged so that it cannot be tampered with to produce a false record of the time of insertion of an article, a container in the form of a drum 4 (Fig. 1) having a plurality of equispaced pockets 4a into which articles to be timed can be inserted, and mechanism 6 for printing a time record on a record web 5 from print wheels (d)-(g) (Fig. 2, not reproduced). Timing mechanism.-The timing mechanism comprises hour, minute and second print wheels (e)-(g) (Fig. 2, not reproduced), a spring drive and an escapement mechanism. The latter is provided with spring banking pins to prevent speeding up of the timing mechanism by shaking (not further disclosed). Minute, hour and second indicator discs (a)-(c) are visible through a cover of the apparatus, and a datum is provided by an indicator disc i (Fig. 1). A stop-start device (h) (Fig. 2) can engage the " second " wheel (g), and is inaccessible from outside the apparatus. Operation.-As described with regard to pigeon timing apparatus, the pigeon rubber ring is placed in a thimble and inserted through an aperture 8a (Fig. 1) in a transparent disc 7a, an aligned aperture through a fixed cover-plate (8) (Fig. 2) and into a pocket 4a (Fig. 1) of the drum 4. A knob 7 is then turned to rotate the disc 7a through 360 degrees. On the start of the rotation, the aperture 8a is moved out of alignment with that through the cover-plate (8), to render the pigeon ring inaccessible. Simultaneously, a shaft 10 passing through the centre of the drum 4 and attached at one end to the knob 7, is rotated to turn a trigger 17 (Fig. 3) carried at its other end. The trigger 17 rotates a bellcrank 19 clockwise until contact is lost, whereupon the bellcrank 19 is returned to its initial position against an abutment 21 by a spring 20, so striking a lever arm 22. The resulting movement of the lever arm 22 is transmitted through a rod 23 (Fig. 1) to a pad 6, to print the time from the edges of the print wheels (e)-(g) (Fig. 2) and a " day " wheel (d) on to the record web 5 (Fig. 1) through an ink ribbon 26. Finally and after printing, gear-wheels 13-15 transmit the shaft 10 rotation to a record web take-up spool 16, and a finger-wheel 12a engages a wheel 12b attached to the drum 4, to rotate the drum through one step to bring an empty pocket 4a into the loading position. A non-return ratchet and pawl 11 and a check detent wheel 12 are attached to the shaft 10, which is located in its loading position by a detent cam and co-operating spring-loaded lever. A spring-loaded ball and ratchet device 24 allows paper to be unwound from the record web take-up spool 16; part of the print-out on the record web 5 is visible through the casing of the apparatus. The casing surrounding the timing and storing mechanism is provided with a look comprising an internal latch (27) (Fig. 4, not reproduced). The latch (27) engages a locking stud and the head (28) of a spring-loaded web puncturing device, so that the record web 5 (Fig. 1) is punctured on any movement of the latch (27).