Improvements in Automatic Time and Date Stamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Time and Date Stamps.
I CHARLES STAHLBERG, of 1316 Tenth Avenue, New York City in the County of
Now York and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC TIME STAMPS,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to instruments by means of which the current time and date,
together with other names and characters may be printed on documents and similar
articles in which is embodied a series of type wheels with mechanism to automatically
set them, a clock movement to run the same, a case wherein the instrument is
mounted, and other appliances more fully described hereafter.
The objects of the invention are to provide an instrument by means of which the
correct time and date may be printed; to construct them so that they will operate
automatically in setting the type wheels to the proper minute, hour, meridian, date
and month with special reference to the different number of days in the different
months of the common year and leap year; to so arrange the mechanism that it
may be manufactured cheaply and at the same time be good and of neat appearance;
to have the instrument run with little power and keep accurate time, notwithstanding
the extra strain put on the clock movement; in order that the same may be available
as a reliable watchman's time detector; together, with other good and valuable objects
set forth in the detail description.
Heretofore automatic time stamps have been made wherein ordinary clock move-
ments were used, the actuating shaft of which moved with the ordinary continuous
motion, and was converted into the required intermittent motion necessary for the
minute type wheel; by cam, pawl and ratchet devices, the latter also acting to transmit
motion from the clock to the time stamp incchanism. These intermediate devices used
up so much of the clock power that extra stiff mainsprings were required, which
again, caused the clock to keep time badly and necessitated frequent windings. My
invention does away with the above intermediate converting mechanism and fully
corrects the faults mentioned.
Time stamps, so far as I am at present aware, have never before been made to
automatically move the month type wheel at the proper time. In my invention this
desirable feature is fully attained.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 represents a front view of the time stamp with the cover turned up.
Figure 2 is a side elevation with the cover in place.
Figure 3 is a front end view of the case cover in part section.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively top and front views of the year typo wheel.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively top and front views of the meridian, minuto and
hour type wheels with their moving mechanism.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively top and front views of the date and month wheels
with their moving mechanism.
In figures 6 and 8 the type wheels are shown in section to give a clearer view of
the moving mechanism.
In figures 4 to 9 supports are not shown to avoid confusion.
Figure 10 shows a toothed segment used in the date mechanism.
Figure 11 is a
mechanism.
cam belonging on the month wheel used also in the date
Figure 12 is a front elevation of the clock with frame broken; such parts, as are
not a part of the invention, dotted to clearly show the special mechanism.
Figure 13 is a side view of a portion of the mechanism shown in full lines,
Gours 12

page_text: marged sine view, m part section, of the mechanism of wheels U
and Z of the clock.
Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.
The type wheels have on their periphery the type corresponding to the divisions of
time which each one is intended to print and are preferably arranged in the following
order
First, the year wheel, second the meridian and hour wheel operating mechanism,
third, the meridian wheel; fourth the minute wheel; fifth, the minute wheel operating
mechanism; sixth, the hour wheel; seventh, the date wheel operating mechanism;
eighth, the date wheel; ninth, the month wheel, and finally the month wheel operating
mechanism.
The year wheel (figures 4 and 5) is fast to the shaft A and has bearing in frame B
(figures 1 and 2). On the shaft A the other type wheels take their bearings and are
placed thereon preferably in the order mentioned although other arrangements may
be made if desired. The year wheel is held in position by means of a flat spring
(a. figure 1) having its end bent and tapered to pass into any one of the
holes b, b1, b2, etc. c and care stop pins set so that they engage the lever (when
a leap year is at the top and thus causes the date wheel to skip only two days, on
March 1st of these years instead of three as it does in a common year. These pins
are placed on the web of the year wheel at equal distances from the center. Their
angular location being determined by the type of the year wheel. One pin for each
leap year. The type of a leap year being in position for printing its respective pin is
then directly under the end of lever C to intercept the fall of this lever. When any
other year is on top this pin will be out of the way of lever C.
Levers C and C are adjusted to such an angle with respect to each other that
when has fallen on one of the pins c and c¹, the end of C will just escape contact
with the pin d on segment D, (to be hereinafter described) as the latter turns with the
day wheel, but will meet the pin d'.
C, C, and C are mounted on the same shaft pivoted in the frame B, C engages
pins on the segment D (figures 9 and 10), C² rides on the cam E (figures 9 and 11)
on the month wheel.
Levers C and C² are adjusted to such an angle with respect to each other, that
when C2 is resting on the highest portions of cam E, the end of C will just escape
contact with the pin on the day wheel. When Crests. in one of the shallower
notches of cam E, should meet the pin d² on segment D. When C³ rests in the
deepest notches of cam E, then C should meet the pin d.
The minute type wheel F (figures 6 and 7) has its bearing on the hub of the
meridian wheel M and has attached thereto the gear f, which meshes into the gear g
on the shaft G. This shaft is turned by the clock movement at intervals corresponding
to the divisions of time to be shown by the minuto wheel.
The gear wher! (figures 6 and 7) fast to the minute type wheel F; and the gear
wheel fast on the shaft G, merely serve to transmit the motion of the shaft to the
minute wheel, unchanged; as a convenience of construction.
The shaft G is an extension of the actuating shaft of the clock. I have here shown
it connected to the clock shaft by a coupling devico (i, x, m, y) more fully described
hereafter. This coupling can be varied by other known devices, and can be entirely
dispensed with, without changing the character of my invention, by making the
actuating shaft of the clock long enough to extend clear through the time stamp
movement, thus, directly, taking the place of tho shaft G. I do not consider such a
change advisable on account of a slight increase in the cost of manufacture.
The meridian (M) and hour (N) type wheels are fastened to the same hub on each
side of the minute wheel. This arrangement of the wheels gives the necessary room
for the levers and pawls and also gives the proper relative order and spacing to the
impression. They (M and N) are practically one wheel and carry the type for the
twenty four hours of the day.
The moving mechanism for the wheel is as follows:-
A toothed wheel K having twenty four straight sided teeth, is fastened to the hub

page_text: of the meridian wheel. A pawl L enters between the teeth of wheel K and locks the
same from turning in either direction. Levers O and o are fastened to the same hub
and a spring s is attached to a serrated arm on lever O giving the necessary power to
actuate the lever O. Lever o rides on the cam h which latter is fast to shaft G and
turns once an hour. Loosely jointed to the upper end of lever O is a pawl P which
during its forward movement turns the wheel K.
This pawl carries an extension with a projection p on its end to engage in its
forward motion a similar extension and projection on pawl L. The projection p is
inclined on its front face and the projection 9 on pawl L is correspondingly inclined.
The projections are so adjusted that p, in its forward motion, will enter under the
projection and cause the latter to rise on the inclined plane of p.
q
The projections
should be but very little wider than will suffice to keep the pawl L out of the teeth of
wheel K, until the latter has been fairly started by pawl P.
The action of this mechanism is as follows:-
:-
When the lever o falls off cam h, the pawl P moves forward, its projection p meets
projection 7, thereby lifting the locking pawl L out of the wheel. Then the pawl
point of P meets a tooth on wheel K moving the same forward. In the meantime,
the projections p and q will be out of engagement, and the locking pawl L will enter
the next space between the teeth and again lock the wheel.
On its return motion, the pawl P rides over projection 7 and the teeth of the
wheel.
The locking pawl L firmly holds the type wheel and prevents it from being moved
in either direction thus giving a reliable tally at all times and particularly when the
instrument is used as a watchman's time detector.
The operating mechanisms for the month and the date wheels are of similar con-
struction as the above. The levers O¹ and 03 are actuated, respectively, by the
cam H' on the hour wheel and the cam h² on the date wheel R, through the arms o
and o. Lovers O¹ and o¹ are fast to one hub, and O2 and o² are fast to one
other hub.
All the lover hubs and all the locking pawl hubs have their bearings respectively on
shaft and mounted in the frame B.
The mechanism by means of which the date wheel is adjusted at the end of months
having less than thirty one days is as follows:-
A segment D is pivoted on one side of wheel K¹ preferably in bearings concentric
with the central shaft and carries three pins projecting through a slot in the wheel K.
It also has three teeth registering with the teeth on wheel K', when the stop pin d is
against the side of the slot being held in such position by a spring & which tends to
press the segment forward and in which position D turns with wheel K', its teeth
registering with those of K' as just mentioned and consequently having no effect on
the lock pawl L. When, however, this segment is stopped, by C₁ coming in contact
with one of the pins d, d'or d², as will be presently explained, then one of its three
teeth will stand under the pawl L', preventing the latter from entering the tooth
spaces on K', and the day wheel thus be left free to return and skip the days
required.
On the month wheel T, which makes one revolution in two years, is fastened the
circular disk or cam E having notches corresponding in number and position to the
months on the periphery, said notches being formed of proper depth and angular
distance apart to cause the proper number of days to be skipped at the end of
the months having the least number of days. Cam E through levers C and C is
the cause of arresting the movement of segment D thus causing the skipping of
days at the end of the month and the number of days skipped, depends on which
pin d, d', or d on the segment D is engaged by the lever C.
When a full month of thirty one days is exposed for printing, one of the curved
peripheral portions of the cani E should be under the lever C2; and then C' should
clear all pins d, d', d² and v.
When a month of February is similarly exposed, then a deep notch should be
under the lever C. The depth of this notch should be such that C₁ will meet pin d,

page_text: thus causing a skip of three days. For a thirty day month a notch should be under C¹³
deep enough to cause C to meet pin 2, and high enough to cause C to clear pin d'.
The notches have the back side an inclined plane to raise lever C easily when the
month wheel T turns.
When cam E has taken out of engagement with the pins on the segment,
the latter will fly to place by virtue of spring t, its teeth will again match those of K¹
and then locking pawl L can again enter the tooth spaces.
The lover C is so adjusted in length, with respect to the pins and teeth on the
segment D, that one of the latter's teeth will stand fairly under the pawl L when the
movement of tho segment is arrested. The distances between the pins d, d', and d²
is equal to the distance between the radial lines of the teeth taken at the point where
the pins are located, said pins being equal distances apart, measured on their
respective radii. Their position with respect to the three teeth, is determined by
the position of the end of lever and the pawl L'. When pin dis against
lever C then the tooth, furthest forward in the direction of rotation should stand
under paw! L. The normal position of the segment D, should be such that the
tooth on the segment furthest forward, will stand four tooth spaces ahead of the
tooth space in which the lock pawl lies when "1" is in position to print.
A stop pin is placed on the edge of wheel K', nearly two tooth spaces back from
pin d. The office of this pin is to stop the date wheel in caso the cam E has not had
time to lift lever C₁ out of engagement with the segment pins, thus preventing the
date wheel from skipping more days than required. The pin vis necessary in
ordinary cases, where the type wheels are heavy and require time to get started, but,
when the typo wheels are made very light, and the actuating spring on the date wheel
mechanism, is very carefully adjusted as to strength; then the pin v can be left off.
I do not recommend this construction as the mechanism will then be less sure in its
action.
P has two pawl points with range enough to move the wheel K' four spaces.
These pawl points are placed at such a distance apart, that, when the forward one has
moved the wheel two spaces, the rear one will engago the teeth and move the wheel
during the other two spaces and the cam on the meridian or hour wheel (M, N) has
throw enough to give pawl P₁ the necessary range. The pawl P is cut away on the
side to clear the projection q
The cam through the medium of levers o¹ and O' pushes back the pawl P¹ to its
greatest extent at each revolution (once in twenty four hours) thus throwing the
spring S¹ under tension and storing power to move the pawl the necessary distance to
skip the days in short months. Lock pawl L' when not held by segment D, allows
but one tooth to pass at a time and the teeth of wheel K' hold pawl P until cam h¹
commences to lift lever o¹.
The action is as follows:-
In a month having thirty one days the lover C2 rides on a high portion of cam E
and the lever C is brought out of range of any of the pins on D or pin e, allowing
the date mechanism to move one tooth at a time.
In a month having less than thirty one days the lever (2 is in one of the notches of
the cam E and thereby brings lever O' in range with one of the pins d. For instance,
in the month of February C is in one of the deepest notches in which position lever C
is in range with pin d. On the 28th day of February when the change is taking
place, the pin d meets levor C which stops the motion of segment. D, leaving one of
the latter's teeth under the locking pawl L thus allowing pawl P to turn the wheel
four spaces.
In the meantime lever o will have fallen off cam 2, thus allowing the
month wheel to move one space. This, through cam E, raises lever C' out of range,
the segment again flies to place, and pawl L is free to lock wheel K'.
The stop pin v meets lever and stops the momentum of the type wheel, giving
the locking pawl time to get in position.
In a leap year the pin c or c¹ prevents lever C2 from falling so far into the February
notch of cam E. Then the pin dis brought into action and wheel K' rotated only
three spaces.

page_text: In a month having thirty days, pin a meets the rever ♥ ame
only two spaces.
The clock movement, figures 2, 12, 13 and 14 is constructed to move the shaft which
actuates the type wheel mechanism, equal distances at intervals of one minute, or at
such intervals as is desirable; the shaft being stationary during the intervals. In
this case I use the center shaft of the clock, which usually carries the minute hand.
I gain this intermittent motion of the actuating shaft (2), by interposing an
auxiliary motor or spring S in the train of the clock. This really divides the clock
train into two portions. The lower portion of the train is driven by the regular
mainsprings of the clock, and its office is, to wind the auxiliary motor spring once a
minute.
The motion of the lower train is arrested by a stop mechanism and is released at
the proper time by the clock train as follows:-The last wheel Z of the lower train
which is in effect an escapement wheel, and is adapted to engage with the shaft of a
wheel (1) in the upper train, which latter turns once a minute, and usually carries the
second land. A notch r on this shaft allows the movement of the escapement wheel Z
to take place.
The spring S is the connection between the upper and the lower train. It is put to
proper tension and then propels the upper train continuously. At the end of each
minute it is rewound by the lower train.
The spring will thus exert a practically uniform power on the clock balance wheel
or regulate and cause the same to keep accurate time, notwithstanding the varying
power of the regular main springs.
The actuating shaft (2), being in the lower train, it will be seen that it can move
only at minute intervals. Thus I obtain the motion suited to the setting of the
minute wheel, and require only simple transmitting mechanism to carry this motion
to the type wheel.
I do not require an extra mechanism to convert the continuous motion of an
ordinary clock, which has been the case in all time stamps heretofore constructed.
Again, by my device in the clock movement, I save all lost motion and loss by
friction occasioned by the above mentioned intermediate converting mechanisms. The
result is, that my time stamps will run from eight to ten days at one winding, where
former time stamps required to be wound about every day; both using the motive
power of an ordinary eight day clock.
The details of the clock mechanism are as follows:-
The wheel Z has the desired number of escapement teeth thereon and turns in an
opposite direction to the second hand wheel (1). It is geared with tho center wheel (2)
so that the latter will make sixty jumps in one revolution. The escapement teeth
rest against the shaft of wheel (1) and are thin enough to enter the notch r on the
shaft (1) without binding.
When this notch comes in front of a tooth of the wheel Z the latter will enter and
be held and carried, with the notch until it can escape. The next tooth will be
arrested on the shaft until the notch comes around again.
The wheel Z has its bearings on a short stud y which is riveted to the clock frame.
This stud has also a small hole at its inner end which forms the bearing for the
forward pivot of the wheel U.
The cylindrical spring S has one of its ends fastened by means of a collet to the
shaft of wheel U, and its other end is fast to the hub of wheel Z.
It is necessary that the two wheels, which are connected by the auxiliary motor
spring, should be geared to turn an equal number of times in order to prevent
increase or decrease in the tension of the spring.
Wheel U meshes into the pinion of the second band wheel (1).
In coupling the actuating shaft of the clock movement with the shaft G of the time
stamp, I use a device whose objects are: First, to form a secure shaft coupling.
Second to prevent this coupling from binding the shafts it couples, should the latter
be out of line. Third, to provide means for setting the minute type wheel to the
time, so that the type will align without further adjustment.

page_text: Fastened by a suitable support to the actuating shaft (2) of the clock is a spring
pawl Y, having a V-shaped toe fitting into correspondingly shaped teeth, sixty in
number, on a wheel a. Wheel has its bearing on shaft (2) and the spring pawl Y
keeps it from turning.
Wheel carries a pin m which latter fits into the slot of a clutch (figures 6
and 7). Clutch is fast to the shaft G.
When the two movements are mounted in the case, pin m entering into clutch i
forms a secure coupling. By putting extra pressure on the minute type wheel,
spring Y will give, and allow it to be set.
This coupling can be replaced by others well known or as before stated it can
bo left off entirely, by making the actuating shaft (2) long enough to extend
through the time stamp, thus taking the place of shaft G.
When the instrument is especially intended for a watchman's time detector a
rigid coupling should be used as for instance the one last described.
The case (figures 1 and 2) consists of a frame with glass sides. It has a cover
hinged on the back; and provided with a lock and key, which prevents access to
the interior by unauthorized parties.
The cover carries the spools for the inking ribbon, w and w¹, with the mechanism
for automatically moving the same; the details of which are constructed similar to
other known devices and require no further description.
The cover being thus constructed gives easy access to all parts of the instrument.
In using the instrument as a watchman's time detector, it is fastened down and
locked and the watchman is required to take impressions at specified times.
Owing to the locked typo wheels he cannot set them to make falso impressions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the naturo of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a time stamp, the combination with the movable type, type moving mechanism
and a motor connected therewith for moving the type into printing position, of a stop
for arresting the movement of the type and a clock train controlling the stop to
release the same at predetermined intervals; substantially as described.
2. In a time stamp, the combination with the movable type and a motor spring
geared thereto, of a stop for arresting the movement of the type and an independent
clock train controlling the stop to release the same at predetermined moments, said
clock train being driven by a motor separate from the first named motor; substantially
as described.
3. In a time stamp, the combination with the movable type, a motor connected
therewith for moving the same into printing position, and a stop for arresting the
movement of the type, of a clock train controlling said stop to release the same at
predetermined moments, a motor for actuating the clock train and gearing con-
necting said clock train motor and the motor for driving the printing mechanism,
whereby the clock motor is wound by the movement of the printer motor; sub-
stantially as described.
4. In a time stamp, the combination with the type wheel, an actuating spring
and a train of gears connecting said wheel and spring and a stop interposed in
said train, of a clock train independent of the printing mechanism and controlling
said stop, an actuating spring for said clock train and a gear wheel connected to
one end of said clock spring and gearing with the type wheel train; substantially
as described.
5. In a time stamp, the combination with the type moving mechanism and a
locking pawl therefor, of an actuating pawl engaging and operating the locking
pawl and type moving mechanism during its forward stroke, whereby the locking
pawl is released and the type moved into position and locked while the pawl is
moving in one direction; substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a time stamp, the combination with the time printing mechanism, the
toothed wheel connected therewith and the pawl L engaging said wheel to prevent

page_text: thereon, of
the movement of the printing mechanism end having the projection
the pawl P and projection p; substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7. In a time stamp, the combination with the type wheel, the toothed wheel con-
nected therewith of the actuating pawl P having the projection p thereon with the
inclined lower face and locking pawl L having the projection y with the inclined upper
face whereby the actuating pawl is lifted during the return movement; substantially
as described.
8. In a time stamp, the combination with the month printing mechanism, the date
printing mechanism and a wheel having a single line of regularly spaced teeth con-
trolling the same, of a pawl engaging said toothed wheel, a sector engaging the pawl
and holding it out of the path of the teeth on said wheel and a lever operated by
the month printing mechanism to throw said sector into operative position; substan-
tially as described.
9. In a time stamp, the combination with the month printing wheel, the date
printing wheel and toothed wheel connected thereto, of a pawl engaging said toothed
wheel; a sector mounted on said wheel and engaging the pawl to hold it out of the
path of the teeth and a lever operated by the month printing wheel to throw said
sector into operative position; substantially as described.
10. In a time stamp the combination with the printing mechanism and a locking
pawl L of a movable piece D having pins d and d², lovers (and C and a cam E,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In a time stamp the combination with the date printing mechanism, the toothod
wheel connected therewith, and a locking pawl therefor, of the spring pressed sector
mounted on said wheel for keeping the locking pawl out of engagement therewith and
a lever controlled by the month wheel for moving said sector into operative position ;
substantially as described.
12. In a time stamp the combination with the date and month printing mechanisms,
of a locking pawl for the date mechanism, a sector for holding said pawl out of
engagement, a lever operated by the month printing mechanism to throw said sector
into operative position and a stop pin on the date mechanism with which the lever
cooperates to arrest the movement of the date mechanism; substantially as described.
13. In the mechanism for moving and locking the day or date type wheel of a time
stamp, the combination with a locking pawl L of a movable piece D having pins d
and levers C¹ and C2, a cam E, and a stop-pin v, substantially as and for the purposo
set forth.
14. In a time stamp the combination with the year, month and date printing
mechanisms a locking pawl for the date mechanism and a movable sector for holding
said pawl out of engagement, a lever operated by the month printing mechanism to
throw said sector into operative position and a lever operated by the year wheel for
controlling the extent of such engagement; substantially as described.
15. In the mechanism for moving and locking the day or date type wheel of a
time stamp, the combination with a locking pawl L', of a movable piece D having a
pin d', levers C and C, and pins c and c'; substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
16. In the mechanism for moving and locking the day or date type wheel of a time
stamp, the combination with a locking pawl L', of a movable piece D having a pin d¹,
levers C and C, pins c and c', and a stop pin v; substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
17. In a time stamp the combination with the hour and meridian wheels mounted
on a common shaft and connected together to move simultaneously, of the minute
wheel journaled between said hour and meridian wheels; substantially as described.
18. In a time stamp the combination with the hour and meridian wheels, of the
minute type wheel journaled on the hub of the said hour and meridian type wheels,
in the space between the two latter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19. In a clock movement for a time stamp the combination with a motor and an
auxiliary motor spring S, connecting the motor and clock trains, of a stop wheel Z in

page_text: the motor train and a notched shaft (2) controlled by the clock movement; substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
20. In a time stamp the combination with the printing mechanism and motor
therefor, a separate clock train and an auxiliary spring connecting the motor and
clock trains, of a stop wheel Z in the motor train and a notched shaft (7) controlled
by the clock train for releasing the stop wheel at predetermined intervals; substan-
tially as described.
21. In a time stamp, the combination with the day wheel having a variable move-
ment to compensate for the unequal number of days in the months, and having tho
cam 2 connected thereto, of the month wheel, the actuating pawl therefor operated
by the cam h² and the lever operated by the month wheel and controlling the extent
of the variable movement of the day wheel; substantially as described.
Dated thie 25th day of March 1890
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.