Improvements in Tell-tale Mechanism for Recording the Attendance of Watchmen and others.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1893
•
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICAHUN,
Improvements in Tell-tale Mechanism for Recording the Attendance
of Watchmen and others.
I, GERALD JOHN Satchell Hopkins, of Westbeath House, Northfield in tho
County of Worcester, Engineer, do horoby declaro the nature of this invention to
be as follows:—
This invention has for its object to simplify the appliances used in tell-tale
mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmon and others, and more
especially to prevent the mechanism being tampered with.
According to this invention, clock mechanism of any ordinary or convenient
description may be used to operate the dials hereinafter described, but the minute
hand is preferably dispensed with altogether. A clock face or dial is mounted (in
lieu of a hand) upon the hour hand spindle so as to turn therewith. The face is
divided into twelve or it may be twenty four hours, and revolves once in each
period corresponding to the number of hours into which it is divided. Each hour
may be subdivided into six, twelve or other divisions, each indicating a certain
number of minutes. If, as is preferred, the dial revolves in the direction in which
the hands of a clook are moved, the numbering of the hours is of course in the
reverse order round the dial to that in which an ordinary fixed dial is marked. A
ring or disc, formed as a pad of indiarubber or other suitable material for the
purpose hereinafter shewn, is placed within an annular or circular recess formed in
the face of the dial, or is otherwise placed against the surface of the dial; and a
paper or cardboard dial, marked to correspond with the clock dial, is placed against
the rubber or other ring or disc, and such paper dial is held firmly against the pad
by means of a disc furnished with a milled boss by which it is screwed tightly to
the end of the hour hand spindle. The paper dial consequently revolves with the
clock dial. The paper dial, and also the rubber or other pad, is of a less diameter
than the clock dial so that the marking of the clock dial may be seen around the
paper dial. A peg or pegs project, preferably, from the clock dial and pierce the
paper dial as it is placed in position, and thus prevent it from turning independently
of the clock dial. The paper dial is fixed with its markings on the radii,
respectively, of the corresponding markings of the clock dial. The paper dial is
marked by the watchman, or other person whose attendance is to be indicated,
causing an instrument to move forward against such dial and puncture or mark it,
and such instrument returns automatically from the paper immediately the
puncture or marking has been effected. Such an indication may be made when the
man comes on duty, and at predetermined periods throughout the time he is on duty,
and again as he goes off duty; and the manager or other person in authority can, by
inspecting the paper dial (which may be removed for the purpose, if required), see
at what times the dial was marked. The paper dial may then be replaced with a
fresh one. These dials, being merely plain discs held in the manner described, are
very easily put in position and removed, and replaced by fresh ones. The pad,
aforesaid, receives the point of the pricker, or acts as a backing to the paper dial
against the pressure of the marking pencil.
"
The mechanism is of course contained within a lock-up case; and it is important
that the means adopted for causing the puncture or inarking of the paper dial shall
be such that the operator cannot hold the pricker or pencil against the dial and thus
stop the clock mechanism. The apparatus by which the puncturing and marking is
accomplished, according to this invention, comprises a pricker or pencil which can
be released by the operator, and when released is thrown forwards with considerable

page_text: force by means of a spring, against the pressure of which it has been previously
moved back, and thus pierces or marks the paper; and such pricker or marker is
theu moved outwards again by means of a secondary spring which it has caused to
become compressed to some extent as it has moved forwards to prick or mark the
paper dial. The pricker or pencil is then maintained by the secondary spring in
position back from the face of the paper dial, and may be subsequently moved back
by the operator against the pressure of the first mentioned spring and then be
suddenly released so as to be shot forward again by such spring; but the operator
has no means by which he can hold the pricker or pencil forward against the paper
dial, and thus he cannot tamper with the apparatus. The apparatus for the purpose
of causing the puncturing or marking of the paper dial may be varied in detail, but
a convenient form of it consists of a vertical arm pivoted at its lower end and having
the pricker or pencil projecting forwards at its upper end. A sideway projection is
formed with or fixed to the arm, and a spindle which is formed to receive a koy,
which may be inserted through an opening in the side of the case, carries at or near
its inner end an excentric cam formed with a sudden break at its point of greatest
enlargement which makes the transition from such point to the point of least
projection from the axis, and the spindle is preferably provided with a ratchet
wheel engaging with a spring pawl so that it can be turned in one direction of
rotation only. When the spindle is turned the cam bears against the projection,
aforesaid, of the arm and forces the arm back against the pressure of the spring
which subsequently throws it forward again, and when the break in the cam comes
opposite to the projection aforesaid tho arm is released and is thrown suddenly
forward by the spring. It will thus be seen that the operator cannot himself move
the arm forward at all, but can only move it backwards against the pressure of the
spring by which it is subsequently thrown forwards.
The mechanism may be carried upon a bed or plate fitted to slide in guides
within the case for convenience in readily withdrawing it from the case and
replacing it therein.
DAL
1000
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tell-tale Mechanism for Recording the Attendance
of Watchmen and others.
I GERALD JOHN SATCHELL HOPKINS of West Heath House Northfield in
the County of Worcester 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 simplify the appliances used in tell tale
mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmen and others and more especially
to prevent the mechanism being tampered with.
According to this invention clock mechanism of any ordinary or convenient
description may be used to operate the dials hereinafter described but the minute
hand is preferably dispensed with altogether. A clock face or dial is mounted (in
lieu of a hand) upon the hour hand spindle so as to turn therewith. The face is
divided into twelve or it may be twenty four hours and revolves once in each period
corresponding to the number of hours into which it is divided. Each hour may be
sub-divided into six twelve or other divisions each indicating a certain number of
minutos. If as is preferred the dial revolves in the direction in which the hands of
a clock aro moved the numbering of the hours is of course in the reverse order
round the dial to that in which an ordinary fixed dial is marked. A ring or disc
formed as a pad of india-rubber or other suitable material for the purpose herein-
aftor shown is placed within an annular or circular recess formed in the face of the

page_text: B
dial or is otherwise placed against the surface of the dial and a paper or cardboard
dial marked to correspond with the clock dial is placed against the rubber or other
ring or disc and such paper dial is held firmly against the pad by means of a disc
furnished with a milled boss by which it is screwed tightly to the end of the hour
hand spindle or it may be fitted in any other convenient manner. The paper dial
Consequently revolves with the clock dial. The paper dial and also the rubber or
other pad is of a less diameter than the clock dial so that the marking of the clock
dial may be seen around the paper dial. The paper dial is fixed with its markings
on the ralii respectively of the corresponding markings of the clock dial. The
paper dial is marked by the watchman or other person whoso attendance is to be
indicated causing an instrument to move forward against such dial and puncture or
mark it and such instrument returns automatically from the paper immediately the
puncture or marking has been effected. Such an indication may be made when the
man comes on duty and at predetermined periods throughout the time he is on duty
and again as he goes off duty and the manager or other person in authority can by
inspecting the paper dial (which may be removed for the purpose if required) see
at what times the dial was marked. The paper dial may then be replaced by a
fresh one.
These dials being merely plain discs held in the manner described are
very easily put in position and removed and replaced by fresh ones.
The pad
aforesaid receives the point of the pricker or acts as a backing to the paper
dial against the pressure of the marking pencil. The mechanism is of course
contained within a lock up case and it is important that the means adopted for
causing the puncture or marking of the paper dial shall be such that the
operator cannot hold the pricker or pencil against the dial and thus stop the
olock mechanism. The apparatus by which this puncturing or marking is
accomplished according to this invention comprises à pricker or pencil which
can be released by the operator and when released is thrown forwards with
considerable force by means of a spring against the pressure of which it has
been previously moved back and thus pierces or marks the paper and such
pricker or marker is then moved outwards again by means of a secondary spring
which it has caused to become comprossed to some extent as it has moved
forwards to prick or mark the paper dial. The pricker or ponoil is then main-
tained by the secondary spring in position back from the face of the paper dial
and may be subsequently moved back by the operator against the pressure of
the first mentioned spring and then be suddenly released so as to bo shot forward
again by such spring but the operator has no means by which he can hold the
pricker or pencil forward against the paper dial and thus he cannot tamper with the
apparatus. The apparatus for the purpose of causing the puncturing or marking of
the paper dial may be varried in detail but a convenient form of it consists of a
vertical arm pivoted at its lower end and having the pricker or pencil projecting
forwards at its upper end. A sideway projection is formed with or fixed to the arm
and a spindle which is formed to receive a key (which may be inserted through on
opening in the side of the case) carries at or near its inner ond an eccentric cam
formed with a sudden break at its point of greatest enlargement which makes the
transition from such point to the point of least projection from the axis and the
spindle is preferably provided with a ratchet wheel engaging with a spring pawl so
that it can be turned in one direction of rotation only. When the spindle is turned
the cam bears against the projection aforesaid of the arm and forces the arm back
against the pressure of the spring which subsequently throws it forward again and
when the break in the cam comes opposite to the projection aforesaid the arm is
released and is thrown suddenly forward by the spring. It will thus be seen that
the operator cannot himself move the arm forward at all but can only move it
backwards against the pressure of the spring by which it is subsequently thrown
forwards. The mechanism may be carried upon a bed or plate fitted to slide in
guides within the case for convenience in readily withdrawing it from the case aud
replacing it therein.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to

page_text: TU WHICH:
Figure I is a side elevation of an instrument constructed according to my inven-
tion the case within which the mechanism is contained being however shewn in
section.
Figure II is a front elevation thereof with the door of the gase removed.
Figure III is a section of the clock face or metal dial.
Figure IV is a plan and Figure IVA a sido elevation of a disc with a
milled boss.
Figure V is a side elevation of the cam.
Figure VI is a side elevation of the ratchet wheel.
Figure VII is a view of cam and ratchet wheel as attached to shaft.
Figure VIII is a side elevation of bracket carrying spring pawl and
Figure VIII is a side view theroof at right angles to Figure VIII.
The detached views shewn by Figures III to VIII inclusive aro to an enlarged
scale.
In the different drawings like parts are indicated by similar letters. A in the
case of the instrument. B the clock face or metal dial. C the paper dial. D the
clock and E the flange with milled boss a.
The hour hand spindle has fixed near its forward end a collar e against which
abuts the clock face or metal dial B the paper dial C is placed against the clock
face or metal dial B and both dials are securely held in position on the hour hand
spindle by the disc with milled boss E which is screwed into the end of the hour
band spindle. The clock face or metal dial B and the paper dial C thus turn with
the hour hand spindle b.
The clock face or metal dial B is divided round its circumference into preferably
twelve divisions denoting hours and each division is in its turn subdivided into four
equal parts denoting quarter hours.
The paper dial C is divided in a like manner to the clock face or metal dial B
and is placed against the clock face or metal dial B with its own divisions and
subdivisions radial with corresponding divisions and subdivisions of the clock face
or metal dial B.
An important feature of the invention consists in means by which the marking
is effected without it being possible for the watchman or other person to hold the
pricker or marker against the registor. According to this part of the invention
an arm F is pivoted at e and is formed at its upper end with a pricker g or carries
a pencil in lieu of the pricker. This art is normally pressed back by means of
a spring G against a spring H. A spindle is carried within bearings formed
in the upper ends of uprights or brackets h and i and on this spindle are fixed an
eccentric cnm k and a ratchet wheol. A sideway projection m is carried from the
arm Fin position across the face of the cam k. This cam is formed as shewn
more clearly by Figure V with the periphery thereof increasing in distance from
the centre from the point n around to the point o and these two points of the
periphery are joined together by a portion thereof p which is radial or approxi-
mately eo with the centre of the cam. A pawl gears with the ratchet wheel!
and the pawl and ratchet are set so that the spindle can be turned only in the
direction indicated by the arrow 9 Figure I. When the cam is in relation to
the projection m of the arm F shown by Figures. I and 11 and the cam is turned
in the direction indicated by the arrow Figure I the arm is forced back by the
periphery of the cam against the spring H and compresses such spring but
immediately the point of the cam has passed the projection m the spring H
forces forward the arm F and causes the pricker or marker g to puncture the paper
dial C or causes the pencil used in lieu of the pricker to mark such dial. The
momentum of the arm causes it to overcome the resistance of the spring G
sufficiently to allow the pricker or pencil to come against the paper dial C and the
upper end of the arm F is formed in the manner shown or in other manner to give
it sufficient weight for this purpose. Immediately the arm has been projected

page_text: forwards and marked the paper dial C and thus expended its forward energy it is
pressed back again into its normal position shewn by Figure I by the reaction of
the spring G. The spindle may project sideways through the case A so that it
may be operated by the watchman or other official but it is preferred that the
spindle shall not project through the case but that when it is to be operated a
key J shall be inserted through a hole in the side of the case the end of the
shaft being made to receive it.
The whole of the mechanism is carried upon a bed K upon which it can be slid
out of the case A and it is kept down properly in the bottom of the case by means
of guides . The spring H is fixed conveniently to the door A¹ of the case and
when the door is opened a stud t carried by the bracket A prevents the arm F from
falling down forwards.
In setting the dials the markings thereon which correspond to the correct time
are placed opposite a fixed pointer u which is on the radial line on which the
pricker or pencil strikes. When it is desired to renew the paper dial C the
mechanism is withdrawn from the case the disc E unscrewed from the hour hand
spindle 6 the marked paper removed and the fresh one placed against the metal
dial B and fixed by again screwing up the disc E. The marked dial will show by
the occurence of the markings thereon the exact times when the watchman or other
official allowed the arm to bo shot forwards against the paper disc.
By these means I obtain an inexpensive time checking or recording apparatus
which is so completely efficient in its action that a false return cannot be made and
is at the same time so simple in construction that it cannot be disarranged or
tampered with.
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. In tell tale mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmen and others a
marker which is moved outwards from the recording register by the person whose
attendance it is required to be recorded and is automatically moved into contact
with the register and immediately afterwards automatically drawn back clear
therefrom substantially as described.
II. In tell tale mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmen and others
meaus substantially as described and shown by the drawings hereinafter by which
a pricker or pencil is made to automatically mark a register and more back
automatically therefrom that is to say the combination of a pivoted arm carrying
the pricker or pencil with an eccentric cam which as it is rotated presses back such
arrangement against pressure of a spring and at a point in its rotation allows the
arm to be projected forwards with considerable force to mark the register_the
said arm being automatically moved back clear of the register by a secondary
spring.
III. In tell tale mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmen and others
a look up box or case an ordinary clock movement a disc or clock face fixed upon
the bour hand spindle of a clock movement so as to turn therewith a paper or card-
board disc to receive the indications of the attendance removeably fixed against the
clock face substantially as described.
IV. Tell tale mechanism for recording the attendance of watchmen and others
constructed and operated substantially as described and shown in the drawings
herewith.
Dated this Twenty-eighth day of October One thousand eight hundred and
ninety-threo.
GERALD JOHN SATCHELL HOPKINS.