A New or Improved Apparatus for Checking Workmen's Time.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1899
1000
ELL
Cont 1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus for Checking Workmen's Time.
I, JAMES HILL, of 35, Westbourne Grove, Harpurhey, near Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new or improved apparatus by which the time of
arrival or departure of workmen or other operatives in a workshop, mill or other
places may be accurately checked and recorded, the object, in the first place,
being to provide a simpler and cheaper apparatus than those now in use, and
in the second place one in which there is less liability for fraud in the shape of ⚫
one workman recording time for another.
My invention consists essentially in the provision of a slip of paper or the like
on which each workman may record his name, or a number or sign, assigned to
him preferably the former; means for moving such material a predetermined
distance for each workman and means for recording the time of arrival or
departure on said paper.
In carrying out my invention I provide a boxlike framework of a suitable size
and shape, having at the top or front side a slot wide enough and long enough
for a workman's name. Inside the box I arrange in suitable bearings two rollers
or shafts, one to carry a long length of paper or other material on which a
name, number, sign or time of the day can be recorded on either or both sides,
and the other to enable the paper with the records on it to be wound thereon.
The paper is led from one roller to the other over suitable guides and passes on
The paper
its way over a stationary plate situated beneath the slot referred to.
is fed forward by means of feed rollers or like devices on the axis of one of
which is fixed a ratchet wheel. Beneath the feed roller is a lever the outer end
of which extends to the outside of the casing of the apparatus and is there pro-
vided with a handle; knob or the like whereby it may be depressed. This lever
has coupled to it a pawl lever arranged to engage with the ratchet wheel referred
to so that when the longer lever is depressed the pawl engages with the feed
roller and moves the paper forward. As the lever moves to the lowest point of
its stroke the pawl lever is arranged to come in contact with a pin or projection
whereby it is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the travel of the paper
stopped. A further movement of the long lever, in the same direction, operates
the printing mechanism, whilst on the upward movement of the lever and parts
connected therewith, it causes a change of position in the means for inking the
type of the printing mechanism. On such upward movement the lever is assisted
by a suitable spring, and the pawl lever also assisted by a spring, again assumes
a position ready for operating the ratchet wheel on the next downward movement.
The printing mechanism consists of two moveable wheels or discs, or stationary.
discs or rings and indicating fingers and an ink ribbon, with means for bringing
the paper strip into contact with the ribbon and the latter with the discs. In
the case of discs they are arranged on shafts one above the other, one disc being

page_text: '
larger than the other. The smaller dise is provided on its edge with numerals
trom 1 to 12, representing hours, and the large one with numerals from 1 to 60,
representing minutes, and at the top side the peripheries of the discs are in the
same plane. The axis of the larger disc is coupled in a suitable way with the
. mechanism that moves the minute hand of an ordinary clock and the two disc
shafts are connected by suitable wheels or trip mechanism so that they may move
at the requisite speed and times. In close proximity to the hour and minute
discs and passing over their top sides for the time being, is an inking ribbon
soaked with a suitable aniline or like ink. The ribbon is carried on suitably
arranged bobbins and its top side is normally out of contact with the type discs.
Means are provided for bringing such ribbon into contact with the type discs
and for moving it forward so as to present a fresh surface to the type, the same
means also causing contact of the paper strip with the ribbon. These means
consist of a second pawl lever attached to the long lever herein before referred to
and so arranged that when the latter rises to its top position the pawl engages
with a ratchet wheel on one of the ribbon bobbins and moves the ribbon forward
a short distance.
For causing contact of the ribbon with the type discs I use a stamp lever or
rod the lower end of which is so arranged that the depressing lever can engage
with it. Such engagement brings the top of the lever-which extends across
the paper strip against the paper strip, pressing the latter onto the ribbon and
the ribbon against the type discs, consequently the latter through the ribbon,
impresses the paper with the figures at the top of the hour and minute discs and
so registers the time of the day indicated by the ordinary clock.
Connected to the casing of the machine is a pencil or pen by which each
workman may write his name on the paper strip. The operation of the machine
may now be readily understood. Thus each workman on entering the works
first writes his name on the strip of paper appearing in the slit of the casing and
having done so immediately depresses the long lever, which moves the paper for-
ward to the printing mechanism, leaving a blank space for the next workman,
and at the same time prints on the underside of the strip underneath his name
the time he has entered the works. As the lever rises the ink ribbon is traversed
forward slightly as explained. By these means each workman has to sign his
own name, and his signature being readily distinguished and with difficulty
imitated the record is a more efficient guide than when keys, checks, cards or
the like means are used. The roll of paper can be readily removed from the
machine as required for the purpose of booking the time.
I would have it understood that while I have indicated the writing of a work-
man's signature as the best means of preventing fraud the machine can be used
in conjunction with other indicating means. For instance each workman may
be furnished with a rubber stamp in a small case containing an ink pad, such
stamp either being a facsimile of his signature or his name in printed characters,
or a number or other sign peculiar to him alone. Such stamp he may always
carry with him, or a board may be arranged at one side of the time checker with
the stamps arranged thereon for the men as they go in, and a second board at
the other side for the stamps after they have been used. In this case the
presence of the stamps on the second board is an indication of how many men
are at work.
Again the discs with numbers of their edges may be replaced by stationary
rings having the hour and minute numbers on their upper faces and round them
may revolve fingers with projecting ends coming level with the type, these
fingers being rotated by the clock. In this case when the lever is depressed
a facsimile of the clock face and time thereon is printed on the paper strip
underneath the signature.
In addition to the parts referred to the apparatus may be provided with a lever
liaving on the end the word "out." Such lever can be turned up level with
the type so that if it is required to register the time of men leaving work, the

page_text: word "out" is printed along with the time and thus distinguishes such time
from that of going in. The depressing lever may also ring a bell each time it
is pushed down so as to indicate that the apparatus has been properly actuated.
The whole of the parts may be made from any suitable material.
That thi, 2041 dar of Cantamba. 1800
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Swan Chambers, 69, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.
A New or Improved Apparatus for Checking workmen's Time.
I, JAMES HILL, of 54, Davenport Avenue, Withington, Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Electrical Engineer, late of 35, Westbourne Grove, Har-
purhey aforesaid, 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 relates to a new or improved apparatus by which the time of
arrival or departure of workmen or other operatives in a workshop, mill or other
places may be accurately checked and recorded, the object, in the first place,
being to provide a simpler and cheaper apparatus than those now in use, and
in the second place one in which there is less liability for fraud in the shape of
one workman recording time for another.
My invention consists essentially in the provision of a slip of paper or the like
on which each workman may record his name, or a number or sign, assigned to
him preferably the former; means for moving such material a predetermined
distance for each workman and means for recording the time of arrival or
departure on said paper.
In order to make my invention clear I will proceed to describe the same with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are referred to by
similar letters of reference.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation showing the interior parts of the mechanism."
Fig. 2 is a side elevation and
Fig. 3 a plan of the same.
In carrying out my invention I provide a box-like casing not shown in the
drawings which encloses the mechanism proper, having a slotted opening on the
top for the purpose of allowing a workman to write his name on the strip of
paper passing beneath. Inside the box I arrange a suitable framework consisting
of two metal plates a braced together by stay bolts b. Between the said plates
I arrange in suitable bearings two rollers on shaft c, d, one to carry a long
length of paper or other material on which a name, number, sign, or time of the
day can be recorded on either or both sides, and the other to enable the paper
with the records on it to be wound thereon. The paper is led from one roller to
the other over suitable guide rollers e and passes on its way over a stationary
plate f situated beneath the slot in the casing before referred to. The paper is
fed forward by means of feed rollers g or like devices, on the axis of one of which
is fixed a ratchet wheel h. Beneath the feed roller is a lever the outer end of
which extends to the outside of the casing of the apparatus and is there provided
with a handle knob or the like whereby it may be depressed. This lever has
coupled to it a pawl lever k arranged to engage with the ratchet wheel h referred
to, so that when the long lever i is depressed the pawl k engages with the feed
roller and moves the paper forward. As the lever moves to the lowest point

page_text: of its stroke the pawl lever k is arranged to come in contact with a pin or
projection at whereby it is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the travel
of the paper stopped. By the same movement of the lever the printing
mechanism is operated in a manner to be particularly described later on, whilst
on the upward movement of the said lever is caused a change of position of the
ink ribbon of the printing mechanism. On each upward movement the lever
is assisted by a suitable spring and the pawl lever k, also assisted by a spring m
connected to another pawl lever n, again assumes a position ready for operating
the ratchet wheel h.
The printing mechanism consists of two movable wheels or discs p and q, a
lettered arm and an ink ribbon r with means for bringing the paper strips into
contact with the ribbon and the latter with the said discs and lettered arm. The
discs and arm are arranged on shafts one above the other, the disc p being larger
than the disc g. The smaller disc g is provided on its edge with numerals from
1 to 12, representing hours, and the large one with numerals from 1 to 60,
representing minutes, and at the top side the peripheries of the discs are in the
same plane. The axis of the larger disc is coupled in a suitable way by means
of a flexible spring coupling u with the mechanism that moves the minute hand
of an ordinary clock which is attached to the machine by the pins or studs s
and the two disc shafts are connected by suitable wheels gearing with a wheel ei
which has only one tooth so that they may move at the requisite speed and times.
In close proximity to the hour and minute discs and passing over their top sides
for the time being, is the inking ribbon soaked with a suitable aniline or like
ink. The ribbon is carried on suitably arranged bobbins w, y, y' and its top side
is normally out of contact with the type discs. Means are provided for bringing
such ribbon into contact with the type discs and for moving it forward so as to
present a fresh surface to the type, the same means also causing contact of the
paper strip with the ribbon. These means consist of a second pawl lever n before
mentioned attached to the long lever i hereinbefore referred to and so arranged
that when the latter rises to its top position the pawl engages with a ratchet
wheel on one of the ribbon bobbins and moves the ribbon forward a short
distance.
On the same shaft of the ribbon bobbin y to which is fixed the ratchet wheel c
is carried a grooved pulley a¹ connected with another grooved pulley on the
spindle of a rocking frame e by means of a driving band which has fixed to
it a spur pinion e. To each limb of the rocking frame c¹ is attached rollers w
having on their axles pinions g¹ which alternately gear with the pinion e¹ so
as to drive the rollers in opposite directions according to whichever pinion is made
to engage with the latter by movement of the lever . The ink ribbon r is thus
wound backwards or forwards a little at a time whenever the lever is operated.
Roller is also driven simultaneously by the same band which is continued
over the pulley for the purpose, thus letting off a small quantity of paper strip
with which the roller is charged and from which it is gradually fed through the
machine over the writing plate f to the draught roller on which the printed
strip is wound. The said roller j¹ is operated in a similar way by means of a
band m and pulleys from the ratchet motion h before mentioned.
For causing contact of the ribbon r with the type discs P and and the lettered
arm I use a stamp lever or rod of the lower end of which is so arranged that the
depressing lever can engage with it at 7. Such engagement brings the top
of the lever in the form of an arm g--which extends across the paper strip and
which has on its under face a flexible pad-against the paper strip pressing
the latter onto the ribbon and the ribbon against the type discs, consequently
the latter through the ribbon, impresses the paper with the figures at the top
of the hour and minute discs and so registers the time of the day indicated by
the ordinary clock. In a similar way the lettered arm which has a rocking
motion round the axis of the larger type disc p may have its outer end, which has
the words "in" and out" engraved upon it likeunto and for a similar purpose

page_text: as the type discs' peripheries, brought under the stamp lever arm q. This is
accomplished by means of the lever attached to the arm for the purpose of
being moved backwards or forwards so as to register
inor out as may
be desired.
I would have it understood that while I have indicated the writing of a work-
man's signature as the best means of preventing fraud the machine can be used
in conjunction with other indicating means. For instance each workman may
be furnished with a rubber stamp in a small case containing an ink pad, such
stamp either being a facsimile of his signature or his name in printed characters,
or a number or other sign peculiar to him alone. Such stamp he may always
carry with him, or a board may be arranged at one side of the time checker with
the stamps arranged thereon, for the men as they go in, and a second board at
the other side for the stamps affer they have been used. In this case the
presence of the stamps on the second board is an indication of how many men
are at work.
Again the discs with numbers on their edges may be replaced by stationary
rings having the hour and minute numbers on their upper faces and round them
may revolve fingers with projecting ends coming level with the type, these
fingers being rotated by the clock. In this case when the lever is depressed
a facsimile of the clock face and time thereon is printed on the paper strip
underneath the signature.
The depressing lever also rings a bell teach time it is pushed down so as to
indicate that the apparatus has been properly actuated. Fig. 2 shows one
method of doing this, which may be varied as convenient or desirable. The
whole of the parts may be made from any suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A time checking machine of the character described comprising a paper strip
on which a signature or sign is impressed or written. Means for carrying said
strip; an ink ribbon adjacent to said strip; printing discs located close to said
strip and ink ribbon and rotated by an ordinary clock; means for making con-
tact between the strip, ink ribbon and printing dises; a manually depressed lever
connected with ratchet motions for traversing the paper strip and ink ribbon
substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a time checking machine the parts comprising the registering movement
of the stamping lever and bar whereby the paper strip is impressed upon the
ribbon and discs substantially as herein described.
3. In a time checking machine the paper strip traversing rollers and driving
bands and driving gear all substantially as described herein.
4. In a time checking machine the mechanism for reversing the ink ribbon
substantially as herein described.
5. The general construction combination and arrangement of parts forming
the improved time checking machine substantially as described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
TY
0041 r of July 1900
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Stephens Buildings, 62, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.