Improvements in Time-recorders and in Cards and Card Racks therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1899--Accepted, 21st Apr., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Time-recorders and in Cards and Card Racks
therefor.
I, WILLARD LE GRAND BUNDY, of Binghamton, in the County of Broome, State
of New York, U.S.A., 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:-
My invention relates to recorders and especially to time recorders. It has for
iis object to produce a recorder, adapted to make an impression upon any desired
part of a card or other removable printing surface, in which the impression
mechanism is movable in one or both of two directions so as to bring the impres-
sion mechanism opposite the different places upon the card, which latter remains
stationary also to provide means for driving the recording mechanism syn-
chronously with the clock and to do this irrespective of the two movements of the
recording mechanism; also to provide means for operating the impression
mechanism irrespective of the recording mechanism; also to provide means for
preventing the actuation of the impression mechanism until after the card has
been properly inserted into the machine; also means for preventing any incom-
plete operation of the impression mechanism: also means for preventing the
removal of the card after its insertion until the impression has been made;
also to provide a new and improved record card; also to perfect and improve
a recorder in other particulars; also to provide a new and improved card rack
for use therewith. It consists of the novel devices and method herein shown
and described.
In the drawings accompanying this specification, I have shown the preferred
form of my invention and have shown it in connection with a workman's time
recorder.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a time recorder embodying my invention in its
preferred form;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same with the front casing removed and with
a card in position in the card holder;
Fig. is a side elevation of part of the same viewed from the left hand side of
Figs. 1 and 2, with the casing removed:
Fig. 4 is a vertical elevation taken on the lines A-A of Fig. 6, viewed as shown
by the arrow:
Fig. 5 is a vertical elevation taken from the right hand side or that opposite to
Fig. 3:
Fig. 6 is a front elevation with the casing removed of the part of my time
recorder containing the time recording mechanism and surrounding parts;
Fig. 7 is a plan of the impression mechanism, with certain parts of the
apparatus removed for the purpose of clearness:
Fig. 8 is a view of one form of card adapted to be used in my improved time
recorder;

page_text: Fig. 9 is a detail of part of the mechanism for imparting vertical movement
to the carriage and showing part of the elastic synchronizing connection between
the clock movement and the time recording mechanism;
Fig. 10 is a side view of the part shown in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a detail of the sector and communicating parts for imparting move-
ment from the clock to the carriage; and
Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on the lines B-B of Fig. 1.
Fig. 13 is a detail of part of the inking mechanism;
Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the means for causing the clock movement to
automatically raise the shelf of a card receiver and of my improved device for
locking the impression mechanism and for unlocking it;
Fig. 15 is a detail of part of the mechanism for moving the shelf;
Figs. 16, 17 and 18, are detail views of part of the mechanism for locking and
unlocking the impression mechanism;
Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-section of my improved catch for preventing the
removal of a card from the card-holder;
Fig. 20 is a view of my improved card in its preferred form;
Fig. 21 is a face view of my improved card rack;
Fig. 22 is a vertical cross-section through the same:
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of my improved blank; and
Fig. 24 is a view illustrative of my improved method of cutting out blanks
from a strip of material.
In the embodiment of my invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 13 of the drawings, 1
represents a clock movement which may be of any desired construction. 2 is a
carriage adapted preferably to have a movement in two directions and to carry the
time recording mechanism, which, as shown, consists of the usual hour recording
type wheel 3 and minute recording type wheel 4. These time recording wheels
are driven synchronously by a clock movement through a flexible spring shaft 5
connected with and driven by the clock movement and connected by a sliding
connection with the time recording wheels so as always to drive them syn-
chronously with the clock movement irrespective of the movements of the time
recording mechanism. The impression mechanism consists of an impression
platen 6 and an impression operating device, which, as shown, consists of
impression operating lever 7 provided with a handle 8 adapted to be moved by
the operator to cause an impression to be made, and suitable adjustable connec-
tions between the impression operating lever and the platen, so arranged as to
permit the movements of the platen with the carriage without interfering with
the operation of the impression mechanism.
My improved time recorder is especially adapted to be used with a card or
other removable record surface, such as, for example, the card 9, shown in detail
in Fig. 8. Preferably, this card is arranged as there shown, with horizontal
columns representing different dates and with vertical columns provided with
spaces representing different divisions of the day, such as, for instance, A.M. or
P.M. and in or out or for other purposes such as "Lost Time." The card shown
in Figs. 8 & 20 is shown with horizontal spaces for 15 days. In the operation of
the recorder, the impression mechanism is moved downward every day a distance
equal to one space upon the card by mechanism actuated by the "clock movement
as will be presently described. The time recording mechanism is also movable
laterally from column to column by means of an arm 10 pivoted in the front casing
of the machine and adapted to register with different points upon a dial 11,
marked to correspond with the markings of the card. By swinging arm 10 the
operator moves the time recording mechanism, in a manner presently to be
described, laterally, so as to cause it to register with any of the different vertical
columns of card 9. Through the above described vertical and horizontal move-
ments imparted to the time recording mechanism, the type representing the time
are caused to properly register with the appropriate space upon the card.

page_text: Carriage 2 is mounted upon vertical supports or guides 12, secured at the
bottom to a base 13, adapted to slide laterally in grooves 14 in the framework 15
of the machine. The supports 12 are tied together at their upper ends by cross-
piece 16, bolted to supports 12, as shown in Fig. 6;-the upper part 17 of
supports 12, sliding in a lateral groove in guide 18 forming part of the framework
of the time recorder. Supports 12, base 13, cross-piece 16 forms a strong, rigid
and durable frame upon which carriage 2 is free to move vertically and by which
lateral or horizontal motion is also imparted to the carriage.
The means for imparting horizontal or lateral motion to the carriage through
the said frame consists of the following mechanism. Arm 10 on the front casing
of the machine is keyed to sleeve 19 encircling shaft 20, as shown in Fig. 5.
A pin 21 projects from the shaft into slot 22 of sleeve 19. An arm 10 is swung,
shaft 20 rotates and carries with it sector 23, which meshes with rack 24, secured
to base 13 of the frame. As arm 10 is swung backward and forward, across dial 11,
base 13 with its supports and the carriage 2 are moved horizontally or laterally
to different positions corresponding to the position of arm 10 on dial 11.
Vertical motion is imparted to carriage 2 and through it to the time recording
mechanism by means automatically actuated by the clock movement so as to
impart an intermittent downward movement to the carriage. The means shown
for accomplishing this consists of the following. 25 is a gear wheel connected
with the hour wheel of the clock movement; through gears 26 and 27, sector 28
and arm 29, fixedly secured to the sector, an intermittent vertical feed is imparted
to rod 30. Gears 25, 26 and 27 are so arranged as to cause one complete move-
ment of sector 28 every 24 hours. Thus, every 24 hours rod 30 is raised a full
stroke. By that time the part of gear wheel 27 which is not provided with teeth
comes opposite sector 28, whereupon rod 30 is immediately drawn downward by
spring 31, returning sector 28 to its original position and feeding the carriage
downward a certain prescribed distance by means of the following mechanism.
Connected to rod 30 is an arm 32 pivoted in the framework of the machine and
carrying a pawl 33, held in contact with ratchet wheel 34, also mounted in
the framework of the machine, by means of spring 35. 36 is a spring pressed
pawl to prevent backward rotation of ratchet wheel 34. Upon the same shaft
with and connected to ratchet wheel 34 is gear 37 meshing with the teeth of
rack 38 secured to carriage 2. Every time rod 30 is drawn downward by spring 31
pawl 33 feeds ratchet wheel 34 forward one tooth and through gear 37 moves
rack 38 and with it carriage 2 downward on its supports until that part of peri-
phery of gear 37 which is free from teeth, comes opposite the rack. When this
space comes opposite rack 38 the latter and with it carriage 2 are released and
both are drawn upward by means of coil spring 39 operating through steel tape 40
secured to the carriage 2 and to spiral 41 within which, spring 39 is coiled.
Spring 39 is preferably made just strong enough to slightly overbalance the
weight of carriage 2 or sufficiently so to lift the carriage to its uppermost position
when released from gear 37. By making spring 39 of such strength as to slightly
counter-balance the weight of carriage 2, the carriage is made easily movable in a
vertical direction. This spring 31 need not be made of unusual strength.
Spring 31 is, of course, made strong enough to overcome spring 39 so that each
time rod 30 is released the carriage will be fed downward a distance equal to the
difference between the horizontal spaces on card 9.
By the above means the carriage is moved in one direction, namely, vertically,
intermittently through means automatically actuated by the clock movement.
This automatic actuation by the clock movement can be made at any desired
intervals. In the time recorder shown in the drawings, this actuation is made once
every 24 hours. If made every 12 hours or at any other regular periods of time,
the horizontal columns on the card should, of course, be correspondingly changed.
The motion from the clock movement to the carriage may be imparted by any
suitable mechanism, but I prefer to actuate it through an oscillating sector such as
sector 28, because with such a sector the mechanism can be more exactly and

page_text: accurately arranged and there is less dragging friction than when çams are
employed.
In practice, I have found that in order to permit the proper disengagement of
rack 38 from gear 37, it is necessary to. omit so many teeth of gear 57 that the
latter gear will not bring the next succeeding tooth into operation in sufficient
time to begin the feeding operation again. To overcome this objection, I provide a
long tooth 42 arranged at one side of the bare spot on the periphery of the
gear 37 and also a pin 43 projecting from the side of rack 38 sightly below
the lowest tooth of the rack. Tooth 42 is so arranged and of such length and it
and pin 43 are, so positioned that at the first movement of gear 37 after rack 38
has slipped to its uppermost position, tooth 42 will engage pin.43 and move the
rack downward the necessary distance until the ordinary teeth of gear 37 engage
rack 38 again..
By means of the vertical and the horizontal motion imparted as above described
the carriage 2 and the time recording mechanism can be moved opposite to
any desired position upon the card and a record of the time be made at such
place. In the time recorder shown in the drawings, the vertical movement of
the carriage is automatically controlled by the clock movement, while the hori-
zontal movement of the carriage is under the control of the operator. For some
of the broad aspects of my invention such an arrangement however is not essential,
as the time recording mechanism can be moved in one direction or in any
two desired directions by any suitable means and where moved automatically in
one direction by clock movement, that direction need not necessarily be a vertical
one, although I have found in practice that the movements of the time recording
mechanism as shown and actuated as described herein give excellent results.
The means shown in the drawings for driving the time recording mechanism
synchronously with the clock movement will now be described. The clock move-
ment 1 is shown in the drawings as arranged in the usual manner and any clock
movement and any suitable arrangement of the same in any desired part of the
mechanism may be employed. The time recording mechanism consisting of hour
wheel and minute recording wheel 4, are driven synchronously by and with
the clock movement by adjustable connections between them adapted to transmit
motion from the clock movement to the time recording mechanism and they
are so arranged as to permit of the movement of the time recording mechanism
and the clock movement or either of them relatively to each other in either or
both of two directions without interfering with the synchronous driving of the
time recording mechanism by the clock movement.
Referring now to the form of device shown in the drawings, the synchronous
movement of the time recording wheels is accomplished through a flexible, shaft 5,
preferably a spring flexible shaft. This shaft is connected with and driven by
the clock movement in any well known manner. Between flexible shaft 5 and
wheels 3 and 4, I interpose a sliding connection adapted to transmit motion from
the flexible shaft to the said wheels irrespective of the relative positions of the
shaft and the sliding connection. As shown, this sliding connection is constructed
in the following manner. The lower end of shaft 5 passes through a collar 44
on carriage 2 and has a square or polygonal shaped end in cross-section 45 adapted
to fit snugly into a similar shaped opening in a hollow sleeve or hollow shaft 46
mounted in bearings 47, secured to carriage 2. End 45 of shaft 5 fits snugly
inside of shaft 46 but is free to move up and down therein. This end of the shaft
is made of some length so as to permit of the rise and fall of the carriage without
permitting end 45 to rise clear of sleeve 46. Shaft 46 carries at its end beveled
gear 48 which meshes with bevel gear 49 on shaft 50. Upon this same shaft is a
spur gear 51 which meshes with spur gear 52 upon shaft 53. Upon this same
shaft is another spur gear 54 meshing with spur gear 55 upon sleeve 56 of short
shaft 57. Upon this same sleeve 56 is fixedly mounted minute recording wheel 4.
The rotation of shaft 5 thus drives minute recording wheel 4. Hour wheel 3 is
mounted upon a sleeve 58 loose upon shaft 57 and is rotated one place every hour

page_text: from minute recording wheel 4. Any suitable mechanism for this purpose may be
employed and as this mechanism forms no part of my invention it will not be
further described in detail.
By means of the flexible shaft with its sliding connections between it and the
time recording wheels, the carriage and the time recording mechanism are per-
mitted to move horizontally and vertically without interfering with the driving
of the time recording mechanism by the clock movement, the flexible shaft of
the form shown in the drawings, permitting the horizontal movement and the
sliding connection between it and the time recording mechanism permitting the
vertical movement. By using a spring flexible shaft, a locking of the time
recording wheels is permitted at the moment an impression is being made, the
power being temporarily stored in the spring flexible shaft, for actuating the
parts when the impression is completed and the time recording mechanism is
unlocked. The locking device referred to will be presently described. It is
evident that where either the clock movement or the time recording mechanism
is to be moved in one direction only relative to the other, either the flexible shaft
or the sliding connection may be dispensed with.
Any suitable impression mechanism may be employed for causing an impression
to be made by the time recording mechanism upon the card or other suitable
record surface. I prefer in practice to use an impression platen mounted upon the
carriage and movable therewith and to provide an impression operating device
adapted to be moved by the operator to bring the platen and time recording
mechanism together to cause an impression to be made and to provide adjustable
connections between the impression operating device and the platen adapted to
permit of the movement, in either one or both of two directions, of the carriage
and platen without interfering with the making of the time impressions upon the
card or other record surface. I have shown such a device in the drawings herein
and will now proceed to describe it.
The impression operating device consists of lever 7 secured to rock shaft 59.
60 is an arm secured to the rock shaft and having a forked end 61 engaging
between the forks of the same a pin 62 projecting from a plunger 63. Plunger 63
is free to move horizontally through a collar 64 secured to the framework of the
machine and carries at its inner end a pressure plate 65. In the form shown in
the drawings, this pressure plate is rectangular on its face. Arm 66 secured to
rock shaft 67, mounted in bearings in the carriage, is adapted to bear against
pressure plate 65 and as plunger 63 moves the pressure plate 65 inward, rock
shaft 67 is rocked. This rock shaft has depending from it at each side a fixed
arm 68, which at its lower end encircles a rod 69. Rods 69 are secured at their
forward end to pressure bar 70 which carries impression platen 6. Accordingly,
whenever lever 7 is depressed, impression platen 6 is forced against the time
recording mechanism. The card or other record surface is placed by the workman
in card holder 71, so as to lie between impression platen 6 and the time recording
mechanism and receive the impression thereon.
As shown, pressure plate 65 is stationary vertically and horizontally, while
carriage 2 and with it lever 66 moves either vertically or horizontally or both.
In order to permit of such a vertical and horizontal movement of lever arm 66
without interfering with its operative connection with pressure plate 65, I make
that plate of sufficient size and of a proper shape so as to permit both vertical
and horizontal movement of arm 66, whilst keeping the latter arm still opposite
some portion of the pressure plate. The shape of the pressure plate may be
varied from that shown in the drawings, so long as the plate and arm are always
adapted to make contact with each other. By these means I provide an adjust-
able connection between the improved operating device and the platen, which does
not interfere with the movements of the one part relative to the other or with
the making of the time impressions irrespective of the relative positions of the
parts.
In order to adjust the pressure of the printing blow, I preferably insert

page_text: springs 72 between pieces 70 and a part of the framework of the carriage. By
means of set screws 73, piece 70 can be moved along rods 69 in one direction or
another to adjust the pressure.
Spring 74 secured at one end to lever 7 and at the other to a part of the frame-
work of the machine, tends to hold lever 7 and handle 8 in their upper and
normal condition.
By means of my improved impression device, the impression platen can be
arranged on the front of the carriage without interfering with the operation of any
of the parts and the impression platen and the lever 66, upon which point the
printing pressure is exerted upon the carriage, are exactly in line with each other,
thus tending to support the parts under the pressure of the printing and relieving
the mechanism from unnecessary strain while producing a more satisfactory
impression. The impression mechanism can be used at all times irrespective of
the positions of the carriage.
In order to prevent a workman from operating the impression mechanism before
his card is properly inserted in the card holder, I preferably make use of a
lock for preventing such operation until the card has been properly inserted. My
improved mechanism for the purpose, consists of the following. 75 is a locking
lever pivoted at 76 in the framework of the machine. It is provided with a
shelf 77; over which operating lever 7 is normally adapted to rest; when lever 75
thus situated, operating lever 7 cannot be depressed. Locking lever 75 is tilted
out of the way of lever 7 to permit the latter to be operated whenever a card
is properly inserted in the card holder, by means of bell crank 78, pivoted at 79,
and having a finger 80 normally projecting slightly upward into the card holder
through an opening in the bottom of the same. A spring 81 secured to one end
of bell crank lever 78 normally holds finger 80 in its inserted position in the card
holder. Bell crank lever 78 is pivotally connected by rod 82 with locking
lever 75. When card 9 is fully inserted into the card holder, it rests upon
finger 80 and either through the weight of the card or by pressure from the work-
men, as desired, lever 78 is rocked and through 82 locking lever 75 is thrown
to the right-hand of the position shown in Fig. 6, and operating lever 7 is free
and can now be moved by the workmen. Until thus freed by the complete inser-
tion of the card into the card holder, the impression mechanism cannot be
operated. It is therefore necessary for a workman before he can make a record
to insert his card fully into the card holder to bring it into the proper position
to receive an impression.
In order to insure that the workmen shall insert the card with the face prepared
to receive the impression pointing in the proper way toward the impression
recording mechanism, I cut away a portion of the card, preferably at its lower
edge, as at 83. When the card is properly inserted with the proper side towards
the impression mechanism, the cutaway portion 83 will not register with finger 80
and the bottom of the card will therefore rest upon finger 80 and locking lever 75
will be removed from its locking position. Should the card be inserted with the
face in the wrong direction, the cutaway portion 83 will register with finger 80,
so that the card will not rest upon finger 80, lever 78 will not be moved and
locking lever 75 will remain in its locking position. The form and relative location
of finger 80 and cutaway portion 83 can, of course, be widely varied, the only
essential being that when the card is improperly inserted, said parts will register
to prevent the removal of the locking lever, and when the card is properly inserted
the card will engage with finger 80 and will remove the lock.
In order to prevent tearing or breakage of the card, the locking lever and its
unlocking mechanism are preferably made so as to be easily and delicately
moved. For this purpose, I preferably arrange it so that lever 7 will normally
not rest upon shelf 77, a slight space being left between them so as to permit of
the ready removal of the locking lever without friction against lever 7. Should
the workman, however, depress operating lever 7 against shelf 77, the parts
might become temporarily locked or the friction be so much increased that there

page_text: would be a tendency to break the edge of the card. To obviate this, I preferably
arrange an adjustable spring connection between lever 78 and rod 82 to permit
the movement of lever 78 irrespective of that of arm 82 and lever 75. For this
purpose I provide a spring 84 fixed at one end of rod 82 and at the other end to
a pin 85 projecting from lever 78 through a slot 86 in rod 82. Pin 85 is free to
move in slot 86, the movement from lever 78 being communicated to rod 82 to
spring 84. If locking lever 75 is frictionally held by lever 7, spring 84 will be
compressed, permitting movement of finger 80 and lever 78, and when locking
lever 75 is freed the spring 84 will then move the locking lever from its locking
position, the power being meanwhile and temporarily stored in spring 84. An
elastic connection is thus provided which will prevent injury to the card without
preventing the operation of the unlocking devices.
It is sometimes desirable to prevent workmen from moving the carriage
horizontally, and for this purpose I provide the following locking mechanism..
I provide a keyhole 87 in arm 10 in which a suitable key can be inserted to operate
a bolt 88 of the lock 89 on the back of arm 10, the bolt being arranged when
shot, so as to engage with frames 90, corresponding with the different positions
on dial 11.
In order to compensate for the varying strength of coil spring 39 in its different
positions and to make the upward pull upon carriage 2 as nearly equal at all
times as possible, I place coil spring 39 inside of an eccentric or spiral 41 and
secure the upper end of tape 40 to this eccentric as shown in Fig. 4. By these
means the leverage of the downward pull of the carriage through tape 40 is
varied, making that pull greater as spring 39 coils more tightly and grows
stronger or less as the spring uncoils and grows weaker.
I preferably place the inking mechanism on the carriage. Any suitable inking
mechanism may be employed. Referring to the inking mechanism shown, 91 is
the inking ribbon and 92, 92 are the ink ribbon rolls. from one to the other of
which the ink ribbon passes and repasses. The ink ribbon is fed forward at each
actuation or impression of operating lever 7 by means of arm 93 rigidly secured
to shaft 67. Arm 93 is connected by a rod 94 with feeding mechanism adapted
to feed each one of rolls 92. This mechanism is arranged so that only one of these
feeding mechanisms is in operation at a time. Each feeding mechanism consists
of an arm 95, loosely mounted on shaft 96, and carrying a spring-pressed pawl 97.
and oscillated by arm 94 as arm 93 moves up or down. Pawl 97 engages with
the teeth of ratchet wheel 98, loosely mounted on shaft 96. A gear 99 is connected
with ratchet wheel 98, and is adapted at times to mesh with gear 100 on roll 92.
When one gear 99 is in mesh with gear 100 of one of the rolls, the other gear 99
is out of mesh with the gear 100 of the other roll. This is accomplished by means
of the following mechanism: Both shafts 96, with their ratchet wheels 98, are
carried by a sliding plate 101, which is frictionally secured to the framework of
the carriage by means of pins 102 projecting from the carriage through slots 103
in the sliding plate. This fastening is such as to hold plate 101 stationary,
except when moved positively as described below. 104 is a bell-crank lever,
having projecting from one end a bent wire 105, through which the ink ribbon
passes. This wire is shown in Fig. 6. A knot is secured near each end of the ink
ribbon which catches in bent wire 105 when it is desired to feet the ink
ribbon in the other direction, thus rocking lever 104. In the position of the parts
shown in Fig. 3, the feeding mechanism is in mesh with the lower roll 92. In
this position of the parts, when lever 104 is rocked upward, it pulls upward
arm 106 secured to the end of lever 104. Arm 106 has at its lower end a slot 107
in which plays pin 108 secured to lever 109. In the position of the parts shown
in Fig. 3, pin 108 is at the lower end of slot 107. The upward pull of arm 106
therefore rocks lever 109 upward on its pivot 110. 111 and 112 are two levers
pivoted in the framework of the carriage, each having a notch 113 in its surface.
114 is a bowed spring connecting the two ends of levers 111 and 112 and tending
to separate the ends thus connected. Lever 100 has near its center, a slot 115

page_text: through which projects a pin 116 projecting from sliding plate 101. With the
parts in the position shown in Fig. 3. lever 111 rests with its nose against pin 117
projecting from lever 109 which holds lever 111 from moving under the strain
of spring 114. As arm 109 moves upward, pulled by arm 106, lever 111 follows
pin 117 until notch 118 of lever 111 stands opposite to but does not engage
pin 116 of plate 101. In the further movement of lever 109, the further end
of slot 115 reaches pin 116 and pulls it and with it sliding plate 101 upward,
disengaging lower gear wheel 99 from gear wheel 100 of the lower roll 92. and
causing upper gear wheel 99 to mesh with upper gear wheel 100 of the upper
roll 92. At the same time notch 113 of lever 111 snaps behind pin 116 and holds the
parts in this position until a similar knot at the other end of the inking ribbon
engages with a similar bent wire on lever 118 which corresponds in all respects
to lever 104. Lever 118 connects with an arm 119 corresponding with an arm 106
. and having a similar slot through which passes pin 108 of lever 109. By the
time this happens, pin 108 is at the upper end of the slots in arms 106 and 119.
Arm 119 is then pulled downward just as arm 106 was pulled upward as above
described, reversing the position of the parts and bringing them into the position
shown in Fig. 3, feeding the ink ribbon in the reverse direction.
I preferably provide bell mechanism to indicate to the workman the operation
of the impression mechanism. Any suitable ringing mechanism can be used for
this purpose. That shown by me, consists of a spring pressed tooth 120 mounted
upon operating lever 7 and provided with a stop 121. 122 is a spring hammer for
bell 123 and having a tooth 124 past which tooth 120 easily slips when operating
lever 107 is depressed. Upon the return of operating lever 177, tooth 120 pulls
bell hammer 122 upward and the spring causes a blow to be given upon the bell.
The bell is not rung until after an impression has been made.
As
125 is a locking lever adapted to engage with the teeth of toothed wheel 126,
secured to the minute wheel, in order to lock the minute wheel and with it the
hour wheel at the moment an impression is made. Locking lever 125 is secured
to an arm 128, the upper end of which bears against pressure plate 65.
pressure plate 65 is pushed forward, through armı 128 locking lever 125 is forced
into one of the serrations of toothed segment 126, thus holding the minute wheel
rigid at the time the impression is made.
129 is a dial having an index finger 130 to indicate the vertical movement of
the carriage. The index finger is connected by an arm 131 and rod 132 with
carriage 2, so that the index finger moves over the dial as the carriage moves up
and down.
By means of my invention, the card and card holder remain stationary and
fixed at all times; the operator inserts his card or other record surface always at
the same place, in the same manner and to the same extent. Mistakes on the part
of the operator are thus guarded against. Moreover the operator cannot make an
impression until his card has been properly inserted, with the card facing in the
right direction and completely inserted so as to be in the proper place to receive
the impression. By means of the lock on the arm 10, the carriage cannot be
moved laterally except by the person having charge of the machine.
In Figs. 14 to 18 I show another form of locking mechanism to prevent
the actuation of the impression mechanism until the card is properly inserted,
and means for unlocking it and also means, automatically actuated by the time
movement, for intermittently moving the shelf of the card holder.
159 is the card holder or receptacle for the card. It is composed of a stationary
framework and a movable shelf 160. Shelf 160 forms the bottom of the card
holder but the card is never adapted to rest upon it even when fully and properly
inserted into the card holder, as will be presently explained.
The shelf is made movable vertically in the card holder and is automatically
actuated by the clock movement at regular stated intervals by mechanism which I
will now describe.
The shelf is automatically raised by the clock movement at regular stated

page_text: intervals and when it reaches the uppermost limit of its travel is automatically
and temporarily released from connection with the clock movement and is at
once returned to its lowest position.
133 represents a gear wheel connected with the hour wheel of the clock move-
ment. It meshes with gear 134 on shaft 135. Integrally connected with gear 134
is a cam 136 upon the same shaft. 137 is a lever pivoted at 138 to a second
lever 141, and having its nose 139 held against cam 136 by means of spring 140.
Lever 141 is pivoted at 142 to the framework of the clock movement and has a
shoulder 143 against which a projection 144 from lever 137 is at times adapted
to press. By means of spring 145, a spring or elastic or yielding connection is
maintained between levers 137 and 141. 146 is an arm pivoted to lever 141 and
carrying at its end a pawl 147 adapted to engage with the teeth of ratchet
wheel 148. A spring 149 tends to hold pawl 147 in mesh with the teeth of
ratchet wheel 148. Upon the same shaft is a gear wheel 152 rotating therewith
and meshing with rack 151 which is free to move vertically in bearings 150
secured to the framework of the machine. A rod 153, shown as broken away in
Fig. 14, runs from the lower end of rack 151 and is connected to a sleeve moving
up and down on guide 158 and connected by arm 157 with shelf 160. As cam 136
forces lever 137 upward, spring 145 pulls the lower part of lever 141 to the right.
as viewed in Fig. 14, thus causing pawl 147 to move backward to engage a new
tooth of ratchet wheel 148. When nose 139 falls off from the high to the low
part of cam 136, pin 144 strikes shoulder 143 forcing the lower part of lever 141
to the left and feeding ratchet wheel 148 forward one tooth and moving rack 151
up one tooth, thus raising the shelf a certain prescribed distance. This feeding is
automatically repeated at every entire revolution of cam 136. By varying the
ratio of gears 133 to 134, the length of time between successive movements of
shelf 160 may be varied. As shown, the ratio is as 1 to 2 causing an upward feed
of the shelf once in every 24 hours.
Levers 137 and 141 constitute a compound lever. the connection between the
two parts of which is elastic or yielding in one direction and rigid in the other.
156 is a rod secured to lever 141. Whenever it is desired to move shelf 160
upward without waiting for the clock movement, it can be done by pulling
rod 156 downward, thus feeding ratchet wheel 148 forward and raising the shelf.
This is sometimes desirable owing to the difference in the number of days in the
different months. Without the elastic connection between the two members
of the compound lever, this could not be done. The compound lever thus permits
of this manual adjustment while at the same time imparting rigidity to the parts
at the time of feeding.
Cam 136 can be delicately adjusted one way or the other way upon gear 134
by means of slots 154 in the cam and set screws 155 projecting through the
slots from gear wheel 134.
By means of the above described mechanism the carriage and with it the time
recording mechanism are movable horizontally and the card is movable vertically
in the card holder, so that any desired position upon the card may be caused to
register with the impression mechanism for making an impression upon that
space upon the card.
In Figs. 14, 16, 17 & 18 I show another form of lock which normally is adapted
to prevent the operation of the impression operating mechanism and means,
actuated by the card or other record surface when properly inserted in place for
receiving the impression, for removing the lock from its locking position. My
improved mechanism for this purpose can be used in any suitable recording or
time recording machine. In the form shown in the drawings, I show a locking
lever 177 which occupies normally a position underneath operating lever 173,
which corresponds with lever 7 of the form of recorder shown in Figs. 1 to 13,
to prevent the depression of that lever and means adapted normally to project
into the path of the card as it is inserted into the card holder and adapted to be
struck and moved by the card to remove the lock from operative position to

page_text: permit the depressions of lever 173. In the preferred form shown in the drawings,
the unlocking means consist of an abutment 162 which forms one end of a bell
crank pivoted at 161 upon shelf 160. A rod 163 is connected to the other end of
the bell crank lever and passes through support 164, also secured to shelf 160, and
engages with a sleeve 165 which forms the head of the rod 163. A set screw, 160
enables sleeve 165 to be moved one way or the other on rod 163 so as to adjust
the length of rod 163 and sleeve 165. The end of sleeve 165 is adapted to rest
against a plate 167. Plate 167 is free to swing horizontally a slight distance, on
hinges 168 at the rear of the plate. Locking lever 177 is pivoted at 169 and has
a spring pressed pin 170 fitted in a cylindrical chamber 171 of locking lever 177.
When the abutment 162 is struck and pressed downward by a card, either through
the weight of the card or by the pressure of the workman upon it, rod 163 presses
head 165 against plate 167, the latter presses upon spring 170 and through it
forces locking lever 177 to the right as shown in Fig. 14, withdrawing shelf 172
of locking lever 177 from beneath operating lever 173. permitting the operation
of that lever by the workman. Spring 174 tends to hold locking lever 177 in its
locking position. I preferably make the surface of lever 177 just below shelf 172
of a bevel shape, as shown at 178, to enable the operating lever 173 to force
locking lever 177 further to the right, if necessary.
As rod 163 moves vertically with shelf 160, pressure plate 167 and head 165 of
rod 163 are always adapted to make contact with each other in whatever position
rod 163 may be.
In order to prevent the impression operating lever from returning to its normal
position without completing the operation and making the desired impression, I
preferably provide a lock to prevent the withdrawal or return of the impression
operating device, after it has commenced its movement and until the same has
been completed. In the form shown in the drawings this lock is shown as locking
arm 177 pivoted at 178b and pressed to the right by spring 179. Locking
arm 177 has a catch 179 at its upper end and lower down a beveled edge 178ª.
The catch portion is adapted to normally rest against the side of operating
lever 173, as shown in Fig. 16. When the operating lever has been slightly
depressed, catch 179 will snap above it, as shown in Fig. 17, thus preventing
operating lever 173 from being raised to its normal position. It is permitted to
return to its normal position only after making its full stroke, during which the
impression is made, and by striking beveled edge 178ª of locking arm 177ª
toward the close of its movement. When lever 173 strikes beveled edge 178ª it
forces arm 177 to the left, as shown in Fig. 18, permitting operating arm 173
to be raised to its normal position. As locking arm 177ª would be moved to the
right by spring 179 as soon as lever 173 leaves beveled edge 178ª, I preferably
provide a second lock for seizing and holding the first lock in the inoperative
position into which it is moved by lever 173 striking beveled edge 178ª.
shown, this second lock consists of arm 182, pivoted at 183 and pressed down-
ward by spring 176. It also has two catches 180 and 181. Normally catch 180
lies immediately over lever 1783, as shown in Fig. 16. When lever 173 is
depressed, catch 180 follows it holding catch 179 of locking arm 177ª in the
position shown in Fig. 17, preventing its further movement to the right. When
lever 173 strikes beveled edge 178ª, forcing locking arm 177ª to the left, catch 181
springs in front of catch 179 and holds it to the left, preventing its return over
lever 173 until that lever has risen up to nearly its normal position. As the latter
lever rises it strikes catch 180 forcing locking arm 182 upward and out of its way
and permitting locking arm 177ª to return to the position shown in Fig. 16.
The card or other removable record surface may be brought into contact with
the means for unlocking lock 177 in any suitable way and by any suitable means.
In practice I prefer, however, to cut away a portion of the card as at 185, shown
in Fig. 20. and so arrange the unlocking means and the cutaway portion of the
card that the unlocking means will be struck and actuated by the card or other
record surface only when the latter is inserted in the card holder with the card
As

page_text: facing in the proper direction for receiving the impression. This may be accom-
plished in many different ways, but I prefer to accomplish it by placing in the
path of the card a fixed stop, over which the cutaway portion of the card is adapted
to fit, when the card is properly inserted, to allow the card to reach and strike and
actuate the said means for removing the lock. In the form shown, 191 is the fixed
stop. It is mounted upon shelf 160 and moves therewith. When the card is
inserted with the face of the card, shown in Fig. 20, facing the type on the hour
and minute recording wheels, the cutaway portion 185 will fit over stop 191,
permitting the card to strike abutment 162 and operate the lever, as above
described, to unlock locking lever 177 and permit the operation of the impression
mechanism: If the card, however, is inserted facing the wrong way or so that
the cutaway portion 185 will not register with stop 191, a portion of the card not
cutaway will strike stop 191 and the card will not strike the abutment 162, or will
not move it sufficiently to unlock lever 177. Preferably the cutaway portion
is made so that in the position of the parts it will register with abutment 162.
In order to prevent the premature withdrawal by the workman of the card
from the card holder, I preferably provide a catch to engage with the card, when
inserted in place in the card holder, to prevent the removal of the card, and means
for automatically removing the catch after the impression has been made to permit
the removal of the card.
As shown, these devices consist of a catch 187 pivotally mounted at 188 on
shelf 160. Catch 187 is adapted through spring 189 to engage with a portion of
the card, when the card is inserted in position. The catch may engage with any
portion of the card, but I prefer in practice to cut a slit 186 in the card through
which catch 187 will project when the card has been fully inserted. This will
effectually prevent the removal of the card from the card holder until the
impression has been made. Then the catch is automatically removed by means of
cam 190 on lever 162 which strikes a projection on catch 187 forcing it out of
the slit 186. Normally catch 187 is held out of the path of the card by means of
lever 162 and cam 190.
A space upon the periphery of gear wheel 152 is left unprovided with teeth so
that when this part comes opposite rack 151 the latter drops to its lowest position
carrying down with it shelf 160. In order to move rack 151 up at the next feeding
operation, I provide a long tooth 156 arranged in the said bare space on gear 33,
unprovided with teeth, and place a pin on rack 151 near one end of the teeth of
the rack. Tooth 156 engages with said pin and moves the rack upward until the
ordinary teeth of ratchet wheel 152 come into mesh with the teeth of rack 151.
By means of my invention the workman is prevented from operating the
recording mechanism until his card has been properly inserted in place, with
the card facing in the right direction and inserted to the full extent to properly
receive the impression, and after having once inserted his card, he is unable
to withdraw it or to return the impression operating device to its normal position
until he has properly operated the machine and made the proper impression
upon the card; the shelf can also be manually moved to the proper position
without the necessity of breaking the mechanism or part of it to pieces.
In Figs. 21 to 24 of the drawings I have shown and will now proceed to
describe the preferred form of card rack for use with my improved time recorder.
193 is my improved blank out of which my improved card rack is largely con-
structed. This blank is adapted to form part of the walls of a compartment of the
rack, preferably the back wall and the lower wall or floor of the compartment.
Each blank is made up of two legs, 194, 195, and a connecting body 196 uniting
the two legs. The space 197 between the legs is made of the same width as the
combined width of the two legs taken together. Preferably the legs are made
of the same width.
198 is my improved card rack. It is provided with suitable rear wall 199 and
preferably with suitable side walls 200, and, if desired, with one or more middle
partition walls such as wall 201, shown in Fig. 21, for the purpose of making

page_text: a plurality of series of vertical compartments. The card rack is also provided
with any suitable lower support for the blanks. I prefer an inclined lower support
like that of bottom support 202, as shown in Fig. 22, resting upon the
bottom of the rack. Each blank has, preferably, its feet turned up as at 203,
in order to form a floor for the compartment when the blanks are inserted in the
rack, and a part turned over at 206 to form a reinforce to strengthen the blank.
The rack is constructed by placing blanks 198 in the rack in an inclined posi-
tion, as shown in Fig. 22, the lowest blank resting against the back 199 of the
card-case and with its feet resting against the bottom support 202. Each other
blank is similarly placed in an inclined position in the rack and rests against the
back 199 with its feet resting against the blank immediately below it, as shown
in Fig. 22. The feet thus furnish a floor for each compartment and at the same
time help to maintain a space between adjoining blanks for the insertion of a
card or similar object into the compartment. The blanks for. the card rack are
of course made of the same size. By means of the construction of my improved
blank, a series of such blanks of the same size and shape, can be cut and made
from a strip of suitable material without waste of the material, in the following
manner.
The method of making the blanks consists in taking a strip of suitable material,
cutting it into blanks of the construction above described by cutting out a row
of blanks with the connecting portions of the blanks lying side by side and
with the legs of the blanks of the row pointing in the same direction, and then
by cutting another row of blanks with the connecting portions adjoining each
other, and with the legs of the second row pointing in the direction opposite that
of the legs of the first row, the legs of the blanks of each of said rows entering and
filling the space between the legs of the other row of blanks. This is shown
clearly in Fig. 24, where I have shown two rows each containing three blanks,
arranged as above described, the blanks in one row being numbered 204, 204,
and those in the other row 205, 205.
The strip of material from which the blanks are cut may be of any desired
length and width. I prefer, however, to use a strip just wide enough for two rows
of blanks. By using such a strip, the entire strip, except possibly a very small bit
at each end, can be utilized for making blanks without any waste of material
except possibly the said end bits. By making the strip of the proper shape at
each end, this latter waste could be also avoided. Where the strips are of
considerable length, however, such waste at the ends would be insignificant in
amount. Where the strip is a sheet or is wider than two rows of blanks, this
waste at the edges would be slightly increased.
After the blanks have been cut out, the feet are turned up to form the por-
tions 203 as above set forth.
Many changes and modifications can be made in the devices shown in the
drawings herein without departing from my invention.
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 recorder, adapted to make an impression of the time upon a card or
other suitable record surface, characterized by a clock movement, time recording
mechanism synchronously driven thereby and movable in two directions, means
actuated by the clock movement for intermittently moving the time recording
mechanism in one direction, and means for moving it in the other direction,
whereby a record of the time of the actuation of the machine may be made at
any desired place upon the card or other record surface, substantially as set
forth.
2. A recorder, adapted to make a record upon a card or other suitable record
surface, characterized by a carriage upon which the recording mechanism is
mounted, movable in two directions, an impression operating device adapted to

page_text: be actuated by the operator to cause the recording mechanism to make an impres-
sion upon the card or other record surface, adjustable connections between the
impression operating device and the recording mechanism adapted to permit the
movement of the recording mechanism in one or both of said directions without
interfering with the making of the impressions upon the card or other record
surface, substantially as set forth.
3. A recorder, adapted to make a record upon a card or other suitable record
surface, characterized by suitable recording mechanism, including an impression
platen, a carriage upon which the recording mechanism is mounted, movable in
two directions, an impression operating device, a pressure plate connected with
the impression operating device and adapted to be moved thereby, a lever
mounted upon the carriage and connected with the impression platen and adapted
to bear upon the pressure plate and to be moved thereby to operate the impression
platen, the pressure plate and lever being so arranged that the lever will always
bear upon some portion of the surface of the pressure plate, no matter what the
position of the carriage, whereby the movement of the carriage will not interfere
with the making of the impressions upon the card or other record surface and
the record may be made at any desired place upon said card or record surface,
substantially as set forth.
4. A time recorder characterized by a clock movement, time recording mechanism
movable in two directions, adjustable connections between the clock movement
and the time recording mechanism to transmit motion from the former to the
latter to drive the latter synchronously with the former, all arranged and adapted
to permit of the movement of the time recording mechanism in either or both
directions without interference with the synchronous driving of the time recording
mechanism, and suitable impression mechanism, whereby a record of the time
may be made at any desired place upon a record surface irrespective of the move-
ment of the time recording mechanism substantially as set forth.
5. A time recorder characterized by a clock movement, time recording
mechanism movable in two directions a flexible shaft connected with and driven
by the clock movement, a sliding connection between the flexible shaft and the
time recording mechanism adapted to transmit the motion of the flexible shaft
to the time recording mechanism irrespective of the relative positions of the
shaft and sliding connection, whereby the fime recording mechanism may be
moved in either or both directions without interference with the synchronous
driving of the time recording mechanism, and suitable impression mechanism,
substantially as set forth.
6. A time recorder characterized by a clock movement time recording
mechanism driven synchronously thereby, a carriage suitably mounted upon
supports and adapted to move thereon and to carry the time recording mechanism
means actuated by the clock movement for intermittently moving the carriage
along its supports, means for causing an impression to be made by the time
recording mechanism upon a card or other suitable record surface, whereby a
record of the time may be made at any desired place upon the card or other
record surface along the line of movement of the carriage, substantially as set
forth.
7. A time recorder characterized by a clock movement. time recording
mechanism driven synchronously thereby, a carriage suitably mounted upon
supports and adapted to move vertically thereon and to carry the time recording
mechanism, a spring for moving the carriage dowward, intermittently strained
by the clock movement and released to intermittently move the carriage down-
ward, a spring adapted to counter-balance the weight of the carriage and to
raise it, when released, to the uppermost limit of its travel, means for preventing
the upward movement of the carriage at other times and for releasing the
carriage when it has reached the lowermost limit of its travel to permit the
counter-balance spring to raise the carriage and means for causing an impression
to be made by the time recording mechanism upon a suitable record surface,

page_text: whereby a record of the time may be made upon the record surface at any
desired place along the line of movement of the carriage, substantially as set
forth.
8. A time recorder characterized by time recording mechanism, a device
projecting outside of the casing for moving the time recording mechanism in
one direction and a locking device adapted to lock said operating device to prevent
the improper movement of the time recording mechanism in the said direction,
substantially as set forth.
9. A recorder, adapted to make a record upon a card and having suitable
recording and impression mechanism, characterized by a lock adapted to prevent
the actuation of the impression mechanism, and means, automatically actuated
by the card. when properly inserted in place in the recorder, for removing the
lock from its locking position to permit the operation of the impression
mechanism only when the card has properly inserted, substantially as set forth.
10. A card for a recorder characterized by a portion cut away, the cutaway
portion being adapted to register with a part of the recorder, when the card is
properly inserted, to unlock the impression mechanism and permit a record to be
made only when the card is properly inserted, substantially as set forth.
11. A recorder, having suitable recording and impression mechanism, charac-
terized by an impression operating device, a lock adapted to prevent the with-
drawal or return of the impression operating device after it has commenced its
movement and until the same has been completed and an impression has been
made means for automatically putting the lock into its operative or locking
position when the impression operating device begins its movement, and means
for automatically removing the lock from operative position after the making
of the impression, substantially as set forth.
12. A recorder, having suitable recording and impression mechanism charac-
terized by an impression operating device, a lock adapted to prevent the with-
drawal or return of the impression operating device after it has commenced its
movement, means for automatically putting the lock into its operative or locking
position when the impression operating device begins its movement, and means
for automatically removing the lock from operative position after the making of
the impression, a second lock for seizing and holding the first lock in its
inoperative position to permit the impression operating device to return to its
original position and means for automatically releasing the first lock from the
second lock substantially as set forth.
13. A time recorder, adapted to make impressions of the time upon a card,
characterized by a clock movement, suitable time recording mechanism, a
stationary card holder, a shelf in the card holder adapted to move vertically
therein and to form the support for the card, whereby different horizontal spaces
on the card may be brought into register with the printing line, connections
between the clock movement and the shelf for automatically and intermittently
moving the shelf vertically in the cardholder, the said connections including a
cam driven by the clock movement and a compound lever consisting of two
separate levers, one of the levers being actuated by the cam and the other lever
being adapted to actuate the mechanism for intermittently feeding the shelf, the
said separate levers being connected by a yielding connection in one direction
and a rigid connection in the other, whereby, when the feeding operation takes
place, the connection between the two levers is rigid and when the second lever is
moved by the first lever into position to feed, the connection is yielding, sub-
stantially as set forth.
14. A recorder, adapted to print upon a card, characterized by a catch adapted
to engage with a part of the card when the latter is inserted in place in the
recorder to prevent the removal of the card, and means for removing the catch
and releasing the card, automatically actuated after an impression has been made,
whereby the card is locked in position after insertion and until after the
impression has been made, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 15. A card for use in a recorder, characterized by a slit in the card, into
which a catch is adapted to take when the card is inserted in the recorder to
prevent the removal of the card until after an impression has been properly made,
substantially as set forth.
16. A blank, adapted to form part of the walls of a compartment of a rack
for time-recorder cards, characterized by two legs and a connecting body portion,
the space between the legs being of the same width as the combined width of the
legs, whereby a series of such blanks of the same size and shape can be made from
a strip of suitable material with little or no waste, substantially as set forth.
17. A card rack for time-recorder cards, characterized by a suitable back and
bottom support and by compartments, a part of the walls of each of which are
made of a blank having two legs, and a connecting body portion, the space
between the legs being of the same width as the combined width of the legs,
and the feet of the blank being turned up to form the floor of the compartment,
substantially as set forth.
18. The method of forming blanks adapted to form part of the walls of com-
partments of racks for time-recorded cards, characterized by cutting a strip of
suitable material into blanks in such a manner as to give to each blank two
leg portions and a connecting body portion, and so that the space between the legs
will be of the same width as the combined width of the legs and so that adjoining
rows of blanks shall have the connecting portions of the blanks in each row
adjoining each other and so that the leg portions of the two rows shall point in
opposite directions with the legs of each blank projecting into the space between
the legs of the opposing blanks in the other row, whereby the strip can be cut
into blanks with little or no waste, substantially as set forth.
19. A time recorder, characterized by ink ribbon feeding devices actuated each
time the impression mechanism is operated, and means for reversing the direction
feed on the ink ribbon, actuated by each end of the ink ribbon as it is reached,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 19th dot of Dexams 1000
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, WC..,
Agents for the Applicant.