Improvements in Time and Date Stamps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Nóv., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Time and Date Stamps.
I, JOSEPH WOODMAN STOVER, of 19, Barclay Street, New York, United States
of America, President of the Gamewell Fire Alarm & Telegraph Co., and GEORGE
ERNEST KING, of Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, United States of America,
Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
time-stamps to be operated by an electro-magnet to record the time on a strip
of paper whenever the circuit of said electro-magnet is operated.
In accordance with this invention the time printing device of the time-stamp
comprises essentially a stationary disc having on its face, characters indicating
the hours of the day, and moving hands or equivalent devices are provided
which move over or cooperate with said disc, and whenever the strip of paper
is pressed up against said time-printing-device an impression like a clock face
will be printed thereon.
A spring impelled motor is employed for operating the hands or equivalent
movable members which cooperate with the stationary disc.
The main shaft of said motor is employed for carrying said hands and said
shaft also carries another set of hands which travel over a stationary plate having
characters thereon like the time-dial of a clock, and said time-dial with the hands
cooperating with it indicate the position of the hands or moving members of
the time printing-device.
Date printing-devices are provided, they consist of two separate discs, one of
which has characters on its face representing the months of the year and the
other has characters on its face representing the days of the month, and said
discs are attached to shafts which are adapted to be turned by hand or otherwise.
To the shafts carrying the said discs are secured other discs having characters
thereon corresponding to the characters on the aforesaid discs and as the shafts
are turned said discs will be moved beneath a plate having suitable openings
through which the characters on said dises may be observed one by one.
The date printing-discs are located at opposite sides of the time printing-discs,
and a platen is provided which presses the paper against them, and said platen
has a contact surfaces for the time printing-disc and also has portions projecting
from said contact surface which cooperate with suitable portions of said date
printing-discs in such manner as to print upon the paper the time and also one
of the month characters and one of the day characters.
The time and date printing-devices and motor for operating the time printing-
device are supported by a suitable frame which is attached to the main frame
of the apparatus, and said frame is so constructed as to be readily removed when
desired together with all the parts supported by it in assembled condition.
An inking ribbon is provided which is contained in two sliding drawers which
are connected together so as be removed whenever desired and said drawers each
contain a rod or shaft on which the ribbon is wound.

page_text: The platen is carried by a pivotally supported arm which is operated by a
toggle-fever bearing the armature of an electro-magnet and said platen is con-
nected to said supporting arm by a universal-joint and means are provided for
holding said platen in proper position and also for preventing it from turning.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Time and Date Stamps.
I, JOSEPII WOODMAN STOVER, of 19, Barclay Street, New York; United States
of America, President of the Gamewell Fire Alarm and Telegraph Co., and
GEORGE ERNEST KING, of Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, United States of
America, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
time and date printing stamps adapted to be operated by an electro-magnet to
record the time and date on a strip of paper.
In the time and date printing stamp embodying this invention the time and
date printing devices are made as rings or discs turning on vertical axes so that
all of their printing characters shall be disposed in the same horizontal plane.
Some of the printing-devices are adapted to be operated by a spring impelled
train and others are adapted to be operated by hand.
The platen by which the paper is pressed up against the printing-devices is
adapted to be raised by an electro-magnet assisted by a spring, yet incans are
also provided for operating said platen by hand.
The platen is supported in such manner that it always occupies approximately
a horizontal position and also always occupies a predetermined position with
relation to the printing-devices, and it is so constructed that only certain portions
of the printing-devices will be comprehended within the boundaries of its con-
tacting or engaging surface.
A paper-support is located beneath the printing-devices over which the paper
travels, and in order that a free and unobstructed passage may be provided for
the paper said paper-support is provided with a recess into which the platen
recedes when in its lowermost position.
The printing-devices and operating devices therefor are supported by a frame
which is independently removable from the main frame of the instrument, so
that in case repairs are necessary said parts may be removed in assembled con-
dition without disturbing any of the other parts of the instrument.
A dial is provided at the top of the instrument over which travel suitable hands
moving in unison with the time printing devices to thereby visually indicate
the position of said time printing-device, and means are also provided whereby
the position of the date-printing-devices are also visually indicated.
The inking ribbon is contained in a ribbon-holder consisting of a sliding
frame which is suitably supported in guideways in proper position for use, and
said frame is adapted to be withdrawn without disturbing any of the other parts
of the instrument,

page_text: this invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3, is an underside view of the same.
Figure 4, is a plan view of the same.
Figure 5, is an enlarged vertical section (full size) of the time and date
printing stamp taken on the dotted line xx, Figure 2, the platen being shown
in elevated position.
Figure 6, is an enlarged vertical section (full size) of the time and date
printing stamp taken on the dotted line y-y Figure 1, the platen being shown
in elevated position.
Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, are details to be referred to.
Figure 11 is an underside view of the time and date printing devices, and,
Figures 12 and 13 are details to be referred to.
The base of the machine is made quadrangular and has erected upon it two
upright side plates a¹, a', made substantially alike and located one at each side
of the base. The base a is made as a shell having an upright marginal flange
which serves as a support and having a horizontal top piece which is essentially
cut away. Two electro-magnetic coils b, b, are disposed in the cut away portion
of the base a and occupy a horizontal position, and said coils are secured rigidly
to a heel piece b which is in turn secured by screws 2 to the top of a supporting
plate which is secured to the underside of the base a by screws 3 or otherwise.
The supporting plate 2 is made T-shaped, as shown in Figure 3, and the
extremities of two of its arms are attached rigidly to the base a and its other
arm extends along between the two coils b, b.
The two coils b, b, of the electro-magnets are thus supported by the base.
A block b of insulating material is secured to the underside of the supporting
plate to the underside of which two contact plates 65, 5 are secured to which
the leading in wires are connected.
The armature of the electro-magnet is secured to a lever 68 fastened to
a pivot rod or shaft having its bearings in a pair of ears 610, 610, which are
secured to the base by screws 4 or otherwise.
The armature is retracted by the gravitating action of the parts supported
by it, as will be described and attracted by the electro-magnet b, but it's attractive
movement is assisted by a spring 612 which is coiled around the pivot bar 69 and
which has two projecting ends 63, 64, one of which, as 613, is, attached to a ver-
tically adjustable post 6 and the other of which as 6+, rests upon or against
a pin 6, and said end 64 is itself formed with a coil 617 intermediate its length,
and said end 614 is disposed so as to engage the lever 68 at the proper time to
assist in attracting the armature.
The tendency of this spring is to assist in moving the armature towards the
poles of the electro-magnet and is designed to act at the beginning of its attractive
movement and during a part of said movement and to cease acting just before
the armature arrives in its attracted position, and the tension or force of said
spring is adjusted by turning the post 65.
The platene is made circular, as a disc, and is herein adapted to at all times
occupy a true horizontal position, and to accomplish this result it is connected
universally or by a auniversal joint with its support c¹.
As herein shown the platen has formed on its underside a spherical projection
or boss which is contained in a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the
extremity of the arm c', said recess serving as a seat for said boss and said arm
serving as a support for the platen.
The arm is secured to a horizontal pivot rod or bar having its bearings
in the side plates a¹, a¹.
A rod or bar is connected to the spherical boss on the underside of the
platen which extends down through a hole provided for it in the extremity-
of the supporting-arm and thence passes down between the two coils 1, b, of

page_text: the electro-magnet, and at the lower end of said rod or bar a quadrangular or
other shaped extension is secured which passes down through a correspondingly
shaped hole in a plate which is secured to the supporting-plate 62. The rod
or bar is free to move up and down in the hole in the plate c, but will be
held by said plate in a vertical position at all times, so that the platen will at
all times be held in an approximately horizontal position regardless of the
position of the supporting arm el bearing said platen, and consequently said rod
or bar serves as a guide-rod for said piston.
The extension 6, being of any other shape than round, and sliding in a corre-
spondingly shaped hole in the plate also keeps the rod or bar from turning
on its axis, and consequently the platen will at all times occupy the same
relative position to the printing-devices (to be described) with which it cooperates.
Thus it will be seen that the platen is not only guided and held in true
horizontal position at all times but also is held in a predetermined position at
all times relative to the printing-device.
The hole which is provided at the extremity of the supporting arm c¹ will
be made of suitable size and shape to provide for the rod or bar c moving
freely as the supporting arm c is moved on its pivot.
As a means of moving the supporting-arm c¹ on its pivot to thereby move the
platen up against the printing-device a link co is loosely connected at one end
to said supporting-arm c, its opposite end being connected to the upper end
of the armature-lever 68, and said link 10 is connected with said armature-
lever in such manner as to form a toggle which will be straightened more or
less when the armature 6 is attracted.
I find that by employing a toggle connection of this character that the platen
may be raised forcibly against the printing-device in order that a good impression
may be made upon the paper.
It is desirable to provide means for ljusting the platen more or less and to
accomplish this result the lower of the link to which is connected to the
upper end of the armature-lever has a hole through it which receives the
eccentrically disposed shank e, see Figure 7, of a pin which passes through the
upper end of said armature-lever, and said pin has opposite end portions 16, 17,
made or formed concentrically to its axis which turn in holes provided at the
upper end of said armature-lever 68 so that by turning said pin its eccentric
shank portion cl will move the link to different elevations and correspondingly
move the platen.,
It is some times desirable to operate the platen by hand instead of by the
electro-magnet b, and as herein shown a spring pressed hand piece d is provided,
which is mounted in the frame opposite the armature-lever 68, which is adapted
to be pressed inwards by land to engage and move said armature-lever the
same as it is moved by the electro-magnet.
The electro-magnet b, its armature and armature-lever are contained in a
box-like structure on the base «, and the side plates a, a, are formed to present
two sides of said structure as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, and removable
plates, and form the two ends and the top thereof, and a slot is
provided in the top plate d for the link 10 and rod c4 both of which pass through
it.
The paper to be printed upon is in the form of a strip and it passes beneath
the printing-device and above the platen c and to support the strip of paper
in such position a paper-support is provided which consists of a curved plate e
made of suitable length to extend from side to side of the machine and of suit-
able width to properly support the strip of paper, and said curved plate is
rabbetted at each end to form a seat e¹, see Figure 6, adapted to rest upon the
upper edge of the side plates a, a, and to form a shoulder or lip which
extends down inside of said side plates, thereby furnishing a good and sufficient
support for the plate.
The paper-support is thus adapted to be placed in position on the side-plates

page_text: in such manner that it may be removed easily whenever desired. The paper-
support has a hole through it substantially midway its length, and width of
suitable size and shape to receive the platen so that when said piston occupies
its lowermost position its top surface will be substantially flush with the plate
as shown in dotted lines Figure 1.
The strip of paper is therefore not obstructed in any way, yet overlying the
platen as it does, may be readily raised by the platen and pressed into firm
contact with the printing-device.
The printing-devices comprise essentially time and date printing-devices,
adapted to print the time, i.e. hour and minute, also post and anti-meridian
indications, also the month the day of the month and also the year, and said
printing-devices are all supported by a removable frame so that in case any
repairs are necessary they may be removed in assembled condition without
disturbing any of the other parts of the machine.
The time printing-devices are adapted to be operated by any suitable motor-
mechanism and the date and other printing-devices are adapted to be operated
by hand.
ff represent two horizontally disposed plates which are rigidly secured
together by posts f², four such posts being herein employed for the purpose,
and said plates f. f and posts constitute the essential parts of the frame which
supports the printing-devices. The top plate f is made circular in shape and
the bottom plate f¹ is made substantially rectangular in shape.
The circular top plate f rests upon and is adapted to be secured by screws
or otherwise to inwardly projecting flanges f provided within a circular
opening f formed in a plate f which is made quadrangular or any other
suitable shape and which is mounted on top of the upright side plates a¹, a¹ and
secured thereto by thumb screws f6 or otherwise.
The plate is thus detachably connected to the side plates a¹, a¹, and may
be readily removed.
There are herein shown three inwardly projecting flanges f³ within the
circular opening fin said plate f, see Figure 12, so disposed as to properly
support the plate f, yet at the same time leave an opening of suitable shape
for the unobstructed passage through it of the substantially rectangular bottom
plate fl, so that even though said plate f should not be detached from the side
plates a, a, the top plate f and the bottom plate f¹ which are rigidly connected
together and the parts supported by them can be removed in assembled condition.
It will however be understood that as the top plate f is secured to the flanges f³
of said plate f³, said top plate f and all the parts connected with it may be
removed with said plate fif desired.
The time printing-devices comprise essentially a stationary ring i fitting a
recess in the underside of the bottom plate f¹ about midway its length and width
and secured to said bottom plate, said ring i having formed or provided on its
under face characters representing the hours and minutes and resembling an
ordinary clock face, and movable members or hands are provided which are
adapted to be moved relatively to said stationary ring to indicate the hours
and minutes. Two such movable members or hands are provided, as 1, 2, one
of which, as is made as a ring formed on the lower end of a tubular shaft
and fitted into and adapted to revolve in a recess formed within said stationary
ring, and the other of which, as , is made as a circular disc fitted into and
adapted to revolve in a recess within said ring 2. The ring has formed on
its underside a single triangular projection, see Figure 11, and the dise has
formed on its underside a projection like unto an arrow, and as said ring and disc
move relatively to the stationary ring the triangular projection and arrow
will point to the correct hour and minute.
The arrow on the disc is supposed to be the minute hand and the triangular
projection on the ring is supposed to be the hour hand and the parts bearing
them will travel accordingly.

page_text: By arranging the stationary ring and ring and disc in relative positions
as shown it will be seen that the impression made on the strip of paper will
be like unto an ordinary clock dial.
•
Any suitable means may be provided for rotating the ring and disc &
relative to each other and to the stationary ring i so far as my invention is con-
cerned, although herein the disc is represented as connected to a centrally
disposed main shaft or arbor n so as to turn with it and the ring connected
with said main shaft or arbor by gearing like unto an ordinary clock, said
gearing being herein represented as a toothed wheel connected with the ring
and sleeved on to the main shaft which engages a pinion connected with
a toothed wheel which engages a pinion secured to said main shaft or
arbor n.
As a means of connecting the disc and ring with the parts supporting
them so that they will be positively revolved yet will be undisturbed by the
shock incident to a sudden blow of the platen I have formed the disc at the
lower end of a tubular shaft which is provided with a pair of upright arms 210
which frictionally embrace a projection 2 on the lower end of the main shaft n,
and said disc extends beneath a shoulder formed on the ring which latter
is formed with an external shoulder adapted to abut against a shoulder formed
on the stationary ring i, and said ring is formed at the lower end of a tubular
shaft which encloses the arms 10, and which has formed at its upper end
arms which enter recesses in a disc secured to a sleeve mounted on the
main shaft n and to which the toothed gear n¹ is connected.
The main shaft or arbor n will be driven by any suitable clock-work, and as
my invention does not include any particular construction of clock-work I have
omitted to illustrate the same.
The main shaft or arbor n passes up through plates, n, which form the
upper and under plates for the clock-work or motor-mechanism, not shown, and
said shaft also passes up through the top plate f and through a dial plate g
which is located above the plate f and which is suitably supported.
The dial plate y will have on its top face characters like unto the face of a
clock, and the main shaft or arbor which projects up through it will bear
two hands gg2, which travel over said dial in unison with the disc and
ring.
One of said hands, as g¹, is connected directly with said main shaft or arbor
and thereby turns in unison with the disc ', and the other hand is secured to
a sleeve bearing a toothed wheel which engages a pinion g connected
with a toothed wheel which engages a pinion secured to said main shaft or
arbor, and thereby turns in unison with the ring.
Thus it will be seen that as the time printing-devices are continuously
operated by the motor (not shown) the hands g, will also be operated to at
all times visually indicate the position of the time printing-device.
On the underside of the bottom plate f¹, a boss j is formed adjacent the
stationary ring i, see Figure 11, on which the character M is formed and on
the other side of said stationary ring i a disc is provided which is set in a
recess in the underside of said bottom plate fi and which is adapted to be
revolved and on the under face of said disc the letters A and P are formed
so that when the impression is made on the strip of paper the letters A, M,
and P, M, may be struck.
The disc is adapted to be turned half a revolution each time it is operated
so as to bring the letter A or the letter-P in proper position to print upon the
paper and to thus revolve the disc it is attached to a shaft 2, see Figure 9, which
is connected with the hub on the underside of a barrel mounted on
stud, and a spring is contained in said barrel one end of which is con-
nected to the barrel and the other end to a ratchet-wheel also mounted on
said stud.
'
a
A pawl engages the teeth of said ratchet wheel which prevents backward

page_text: movement thereof and a projection on the hub of the pinion 10 is adapted
to engage said ratchet-wheel and turn it one tooth during each revolution of
said pinion so that as the ratchet-wheel is thus turned the spring contained
in the barrel 3 will be wound.
The barrel is held at rest at intervals in either one of two positions by two
pawlsk, k, engaging a projection on the barrel and means are provided for
disengaging either one of said pawls at a predetermined time and when dis-
engaged the barrel will turn one half of a revolution or until its projection
engages the other pawl.
To disengage either one of the pawls at a predetermined time a cam groove k
is formed on the face of the ratchet-wheel which engages a pin on the pawl.
Thus it will be seen that the disc j' bearing the letters A and P will be turned
half a revolution at regular intervals to bring either one of the letters into proper
position to print upon the paper and such result is accomplished by the spring
impelled train by means of which the time printing-devices are operated.
Other discs and m are secured to the underside of the bottom plate f' which
are adapted to be turned by hand whenever desired, the disc as herein shown
bearing the figures 18 and 19 and the disc m, as herein shown, bearing the
figures '99, '00, 01, '02, and said dises when set in proper position will print
any year upon the paper.
To print the month and the day of the month two like discs and are
provided which are fitted to turn in recesses formed in the underside of the
bottom plate f, and each disc is attached to the lower end of an upright shaft o¹, pl
which projects up through the plates, and f, and each shaft has its upper
end squared, as at ², and said squared ends are accessible through
openings op formed in the dial plate g so that they may be turned by a
suitable key whenever desired.
The disc o will have formed on its underside or face letters to indicate
the months of the year and the disc p will have formed on its underside or face
figures to indicate the days of the month.
Discs are secured to the shafts o¹, near their upper ends which have
their bearings in holes in the plate fand are disposed above said plate f and
therefore just beneath the plate g and said dises have on their upper sides
or faces letters and figures indicating the months and days of the months like
the discs o and 2.
In the dial plate g holes o are formed or provided beneath which the
dises op, travel and through said holes o, the month and day of the month
may be observed. By employing the discs of and it will be seen that the
discs and may be moved to occupy proper positions to print upon the paper
which greatly reduces the attention required to be given to the instrument.
All of the time and data printing-devices thus occupy a position substantially
flush with the underside of the bottom plate for in a horizontal plane, and the
platin e rises in a horizontal plane and thus presses the paper against the printing-
devices, the inking ribbon being interposed between them as shown. In order
that only such portions of the printing-devices shall print upon the paper as is
required the platen e is made of metal and its upper surface cut away as shown
in Figure 8, and said cut away portion is filled with a rubber pad 20 made of
suitable shape to fit, and as shown said pad has a central portion for the time
printing-devices and several arms or projections, six being herein shown for
the other printing-devices, there being two arms or projections for the A.M.
and P.M., two arms for the year one arm for the month and one arm for the
day of the month, and as the platen is raised only these portions of the printing-
devices will be printed upon the paper.
The plate f is formed or provided with an upwardly extended rim or flange f
upon which a glass plate 2 may be placed with a suitable spring interposed
between it and the rim, and a collar f22 is adapted to be placed on said rim f20
which holds the glass plate in position. A cylinder is provided having at its
upper end an outwardly projecting rim or flange t¹ which overlies the said

page_text: plates a, a, and is fitted into recesses formed therein, see Figure 6, so that
said cylinder is thus properly supported and said cylinder is of suitable size
to surround or enclose the clock-work or motor-mechanism and other parts con-
tained between the top plate f and bottom plate f', and said cylinder is made
circular and has a circular opening at the top of substantially the same size as
the circular plate f, and at the bottom it has a substantially rectangular opening
of approximately the same size and shape as the bottom plate f
The bottom of the cylinder is therefore partially closed, that is to say, it
has an oblong opening extending across it diametrically from side to side, but
at each side of said opening is closed, and at each side of said opening along the
closed portions of the bottom of the cylinder a recess is formed or provided for
the inking-ribbon holder.
Rolls w, we are herein shown as adapted to receive the inking-ribbon and they
are made as rods or shafts having thumb nuts w² at their outer ends by means
of which they may be turned by hand as desired, and the ribbon passes from
one to the other rod or shaft as shown in Figure 6, directly along beneath the
printing-device.
The rods or shafts, have their bearings in sliding drawers 3, which
are made substantially alike. The drawer is formed with a top wall, two
longitudinal side walls and two end walls, being open at the bottom, and said
drawer has on one side of it at the top a laterally projecting rib or flange w
which enters a correspondingly shaped recess in the bottom of the cylinder.
The rod or shaft c¹ has its bearings in the end walls of the drawer and the
thumb nut is disposed outside of the front end wall.
The two drawers ³, 14 are rigidly connected together so that they may be
withdrawn together and as herein shown a strap is attached at its opposite
ends to the rear ends of said drawers, at the bottoms thereof, and a strap 7 is
attached at its opposite ends to the front end walls of said drawers.
When the drawers are in position to hold the inking rolls in proper position
for use the front strap will bear against the cylinder t, as shown in Figure 5,
and as said drawers are withdrawn the strap will pass beneath the bottom
plate f.
In Figures 10 and 13, the drawers bearing the inking rolls are shown as
partially withdrawn from the support bearing them.
The drawers may be removed by withdrawing them at any time and also may
be removed with the cylinder whenever desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is;-
1. In a time stamp, the combination of a printing-device, a platen, a support
for said platen, an electro-magnet and armature, a pivoted armature-lever with
which the support for said platen is connected and which is adapted to be moved
by the gravitating action of said platen and its support to retract the armature,
and a spring connected with said armature-lever which is compressed by the
gravitating platen and its support to thereafter assist the electro-magnet in
raising said platen, substantially as described.
2. In a time stamp; the combination of a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted
supporting arm to which said platen is connected by a universal joint, a guide-rod
depending from said platen and guide therefor whereby said platen is held in
approximately horizontal position as the supporting arm is moved on its pivot,
substantially as described.
3. In a time stamp, the combination of a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted
supporting-arm to which said platen is connected by a universal joint, a guide-
rod depending from said platen and guide therefor constructed and arranged
to hold said platen in approximately horizontal position and also in a pre-

page_text: determined position relative to the printing device as the supporting-arm is
moved on its pivot, substantially as described.
4. In a time stamp, the combination of a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted
supporting-arm for said platen, a spherical boss on the underside of said platen,
a seat formed in the supporting-arm for said boss, a guide-rod depending from
said boss which passes freely through a hole in said arm and enters a hole in
a fixed plate, substantially as described.
5. In a time stamp, the combination of a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted
supporting-arm for said platen, a spherical boss on the underside of said platen,
a seat formed in the supporting-arm for said boss, a guide-rod depending from
said boss which passes freely through a hole in. said arm, and has a guiding
portion other than round, and a fixed plate having a hole shaped to correspond
to the shape of said guiding portion, in which said guiding portion is free to
slide, substantially as described.
6. In a time stamp, a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted supporting-arm
bearing said platen, an electro-magnet and armature, a toggle-lever one member
of which bears said armature and the other member of which is connected to said
supporting arm, and means for adjusting said toggle-lever whereby the platen
may be adjusted relatively to the printing-device, substantially as described.
7. In a time stamp, a printing-device, a platen, a pivoted supporting-arm
bearing said platen, a toggle-lever connected to said supporting-arm, an armature
borne by one member of said toggle-lever, an electro-magnet, and a spring con-
nected to one member of said toggle-lever for assisting said electro-magnet in
attracting its armature and thereby also assisting in raising the platen, sub-
stantially as described.
8. In a time stamp, the combination of a printing-device, a platen located
beneath it, means for raising said platen to press the paper against the printing-
device, a paper-support located beneath the printing-device and removably sup-
ported by the frame for holding the paper in position between said printing-
device and platen, said paper-support having a recess adapted to receive said
platen when in its lowermost position, whereby an unobstructed passage is
provided for the paper, along which it is free to move, substantially as described.
9. In a time stamp, the combination of an electro-magnet, its armature, a
platen connected with and operated by said armature, contact plates to which the
leading in wires to said electro-magnet are connected, a main frame supporting
all of the aforesaid parts, a time printing-device, a motor for operating it, and
an independent-frame supporting said time printing-devices and motor which is
removably connected with said main frame, whereby said parts may be removed
in assembled condition, substantially as described.
10. In a time stamp, the combination of a main frame comprising a base,
and upright side plates, an electro-magnet its armature and a pivoted armature-
lever supported by said base, a platen, a supporting arm bearing it pivoted to
said side plates, intermediate connections between said pivoted supporting arm
and armature-lever, a time printing-device, a motor for operating it, and an
independent frame supporting said time printing-device and motor which is
removably connected with said side plates, whereby said parts may be removed
in assembled condition, substantially as described.
11. In a time stamp, a motor-driven shaft, a time printing device operated by
it, a visual time dial having a hole through it and hands travelling over said
dial operated by said shaft in unison with the time printing-device, a date-
printing-device, an operating-shaft therefor disposed in parallelism with said
motor-driven-shaft, and a disc having characters thereon secured to said operating
shaft which moves beneath the hole in said visual time dial, substantially as
described.
12. In a time stamp, a date printing-device comprising a ring having on
its lower face a number of reversed characters, an operating-shaft for said ring,
a disc secured to said shaft having on its upper face normally disposed characters

page_text: corresponding in number and position to the reversed characters on the ring,
and a plate having a hole through it beneath which any one of the characters
on said disk may be brought to view substantially as described.
13. In a time stamp, a date printing-device comprising a ring.having on its
lower face a number of reversed characters, an operating-shaft for said ring having
a squared end, a disc secured to said shaft having on its upper face normally
disposed characters corresponding in number and position to the characters on
the ring, a plate having a hole through it through which the squared end of
the shaft is accessible and also having a hole through it beneath which any one
of the characters on the disk may be brought to view, substantially as described.
14. In a time stamp, printing-devices, a ribbon-holder comprising two sliding
drawers rigidly connected together, a rod or shaft contained in each sliding
drawer provided with means for turning it, and a support having guideways in
which said drawers slide, substantially as described.
15. In a time stamp, a main frame, time printing-device, an independent sup-
porting frame for said time-printing-device removably connected with said
main frame, a cylinder surrounding said time printing-device also removably
connected with said main frame, guideways provided on said cylinder for the
ribbon-holder, and the ribbon-holder comprising two drawers rigidly connected
together which slide in said guideways and a rotatable rod or shaft contained in
each drawer provided with means for turning it, substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1900.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,.
Agents for the Applicants.