Improvements in Time Stamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 11th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Time Stamps.
I, JOSHUA ENTWISLE, of the Firm of E. K. Dutton & Co., of 5, John Dalton
Street, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Fellow of the Chartered Institute
of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me by Albert Tuerk, of Chicago, State of Illinois, United States of America,
Manufacturer), and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying
drawings.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference letters and
figures indicate like or corresponding parts,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved time stamp;
Fig. 2 is a similar view with the side plate removed showing the interior.
Fig. 3 is a similar view of the opposite side.
Figs. 4 and 5 are opposite views of an elevation of the clock mechanism;
Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section in lines 6-6 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section in line 7-7 of Fig. 6 looking downward;
Fig. 8 is a section in line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are detail views, and Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic
view.
In the construction of time stamps it is the usual practice to so connect the
various parts that the clock spring driving the clock mechanism also drives the
registering wheels or devices. Considering the many parts necessary for the accu-
rate working of such a device this proves a heavy burden upon the clock spring,
limited as it must be to the small space it necessarily occupies. Consequently
in a short time the overburdened spring ceases to drive the mechanism and the
device stops, and ceases to operate as designed.
The object of my invention is to obviate the above in a simple and effective
manner. To this end my invention consists primarily in so constructing a time-
stamp that the index or registering wheels shall be wholly disconnected from the
clock mechanism and be operated by the force exerted by the hand of the operator,
thus entirely relieving the clock from this unnecessary burden. It also consists
in so constructing the clock that the driving parts shall only be operated at stated
intervals, say of one minute each, and during the remainder of the time shall
stand inactive or still. It also consists of such other novel construction and combi-
nation of parts as are shown and described and as are particularly pointed out in
the claims.
In the drawings A represents a base of suitable form supporting the clock
mechanism B, assembled and contained in position within the plates B1 B2 and
the stamp mechanism C, contained in proper position within the frame C¹ (see
Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5). An inspection of these figures shows that the two mechanisms
are not so connected together as to be operated in unison by the clock spring.

page_text: Referring first to the stamping or registering mechanism, D D¹ D² etc. are levers
pivotally supported between their ends on the shaft E supported in turn by the
frame M which is vertically movable within the frame C¹. The outer ends of
.each lever D1 D2 etc. is provided. with a lateral pin d d etc. which, in each
case, is positioned within an eccentrically formed slot g² 3 g formed in the index
or registering wheels G G¹ G² etc. to be actuated by that particular lever. The
several index wheels are loosely mounted on a shaft. It will thus be seen that
the depression of the outer end of the several levers will cause the several regis-
tering wheels to be rotated, if no obstruction is met with, to the limit permitted by
slot g³g etc. therein. (See Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 17.) The several springs H tend
to normally throw the levers D downward to their limit and thus turn or rotato
the index cr registering wheels to their limit.
The inner ends of the levers D extend into the clock mechanism and are engaged
to come in contact each with one of the shoulders of a cam or irregularly shaped
piece, or an equivalent part, I I', etc. located in the same vertical plane, thereby
limiting the distance the inner end of the lever shall move upward, and conse-
quently the distance the outer end of the lever shall move downward and, as
before stated, the distance the index wheels will be rotated. The frame F;
mounted upon the shaft E (Figs. 2, 3, and 9) is constructed with sides substantially
in the form of a bell-crank lever, the lower arm projecting downward and forward
at f. supporting a rod f¹ running transversely across just beneath the several
levers D, so that when the rod f¹ is lifted the outer ends of the several levers D D¹
D etc. will be lifted to such an extent that the inner ends of said levers will be
released and free from the cams I I¹ I², etc. The upper part of the frame F is
provided with an extension f³ passing above the pink in the lower end of the
plunger K. The result is that when the plunger K is at its upper limit the outer
ends of the several levers D D1 D2 etc. are also lifted while the inner ends are dis-
engaged from the several cams I I¹ I* etc. of the clock and in nowise interfere with
the clock mechanism. The bar f³ also extends across the frame F (Figs. 2, 3, 6,
and 9) and the several projections extending downward between the levers D
D¹ etc., when pressed downward, fit into depressions 1, 2, 3, etc. in the upper
periphery of the several index wheels G G etc. and lock them against misplace-
ment during the stamping operation and thus keeps them in proper alignment.
A spring L tends to normally throw the frame F downward when it is released
from the cross-bar k of the plunger.
The entire working parts of the stamping mechanism thus described are sup-
ported and positioned in a vertically movable frame M (Figs. 2, 3, and 6,) which is
normally held at its highest limit within the fixed frame C¹ by the spring N N.
The vertically movable plunger K is held in its upper limit by the spring k¹,
(Fig. 3).
The mode of operation of the stamp, as thus described, is as follows: As the
plunger K is depressed by the hand of the operator the frame F is released from
the bark and thrown forward on its pivotal shaft E, by the spring L. The outer
ends of the several levers D D¹ etc. are thrown downward to the extent permitted
by the inner ends coming in contact with the cams I I¹ I³ etc., revolving the several
index wheels to that extent. The parts still descending, the fixed collar ³ comes
in contact with the movable frame M and the entire frame is then depressed. The
downwardly projecting parts of the bar f³ (Figs. 6 and 9) register with the depres-
sions in the tops of the several index wheels and lock them in their then position,
and in alignment. The parts, still descending under the force of the hand of the
operator, the several numbers, letters, etc., at the lower limit of the several index
wheels are brought positively in contact with the pad C below. An inking
ribbon P supported on the rolls pp being interposed, any article, as a sheet of
paper, etc., resting on the pad, receives the inked impression of the indices on the
index wheels. In removing the pressure of the hand on the plunger, the several
springs return the several parts to their normal position as first described. A

page_text: spring m. (Fig. 8) pressing against the collar ¹ serves to hold the rolls
position and also acts as a spring-brake to the roll.
in proper
It will thus be seen that the clock mechanism takes no part in the stamping
operation aside from setting the several cams I I¹ I² etc. in proper position to
regulate the distance the inner ends of the levers 1) 11 D2 etc. shall be permitted
to move upward, and also that the contact of the levers with the cams is but
momentary and consequently does not interfere with the operation of the clock.
In the stamping mechanism, the index wheels for the year and month are
preferably set by hand; wheel G indicating the tens of days, and G¹ the units of
days; wheel G indicating the hour, wheels G and G indicating respectively
the tens of minutes and the units of minutes, and wheel G indicating the morning
or evening, are all automatically set as described.
The clock mechanism is of the familiar construction or type known as spring
clocks, in which a spring drives the main or master wheel 5, which, by means of
the usual well-known intermediate gear, drives all the rest of the mechanism,
including the shaft 60 timed to rotate once each hour and carrying the minute
hand. The ordinary train for causing the hands to indicate the hour etc. will
not need detailed description here, as I claim nothing new in that particular as
applied to a clock alone.
The pinion 65 (Fig. 5) firmly secured to the shaft 60, meshes with the cog-
wheel 66, rotating the same and the pinion 67 secured thereto. Pinion 67 meshes
with cog-wheel 68 secured to a sleeve carrying the hour-hand 69. The whole
forms a reducing gear between the minute shaft and the hour sleeve, so timed
that while the former is making a complete revolution the latter will only make
one-twelfth of a revolution.
Fig. 5 shows the positive side of the clock mechanism, while Fig. 4 shows the
mechanism upon the reverse or negative side, which may be employed or not as
preferred. To cause the hands to rotate in the proper direction on the negative
side shown in Fig. 4 it is necessary to reverse their movement. In doing this I
prefer to place the pinion shown in dot lines on the end of the shaft R in mesh
with pinion 70, meshing with pinion 71, which in turn meshes with cog-wheel 72
mounted on a sleeve carrying the minute hand. The reducing mechanism is the
same as shown in Fig. 5 and heretofore described. Thus the hands are rotated
from left to right in the usual manner.
For the purpose of this invention, however, I prefer to so construct the clock
mechanism proper that it will stand inactive for an interval of time, say one
minute, and will then advance the several parts sufficiently to mark that interval.
To this end I arrange a supplemental train to continue the operation of the clock
during said interval, which receives its energy from the clock mechanism.
This train consists of the spring-actuated pinion 6 and the connected pinious 7
and 8 and the regulating escapement 9, 10, 11. To this combination also belongs
the cam 12, trip 13, and ratchet wheel 14 (Figs. 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The
cog-wheel 15, driven by the master wheel 5 energizes the train as follows:
The cog-wheel 15 which is mounted on the minute shaft 60 by a close frictional
contact, is driven by the master wheel 5 (Fig. 2) and suitable connecting mechan-
ism thus actuates the pinion 16 as well as the shaft 17, to which it is secured,
(see Fig. 12). Firmly secured to the shaft 17 is the ratchet wheel 14, (Figs. 2, 15,
and 16), while loosely mounted on the same shaft is the spring-actuated cog-
wheel (, (Figs. 12, 13 and 14). The spring 18 is secured at one end to the shaft 17,
and at the other end to the wheel 6. (Figs. 14 and 13). The rotation of the shaft,
therefore, puts a tension on the spring which is transmitted to the wheel 6 and the
connected train 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
The operation of this portion of my invention is as follows: The master-wheel 5,
driving the cog-wheel 15, rotates the shaft 17, (Fig. 2) putting a tension on the
spring 18 rotating the cog-wheel 6. This, in turn, rotates the cog-wheel 7, and
cam 12, (Figs. 15 and 16). The connected escapement, the operation of which is
obvious, is timed to cause the cam-wheel 12 to be rotated once in the desired

page_text: interval, say one minute. As the cam 12 rotates it lifts the arm of the trip 13,
releasing the tooth 19 from the arm 20, but causing the rotation of the ratchet
wheel 14 to be arrested by the tooth 21 coming in contact with the stop 22, (Fig. 16).
The further rotation of the cam 12 releases the arm 13, permitting it to fall, by
reason of the weighted arm 61 secured thereto, (Fig. 3), thereby releasing tooth 21
from the stop 22, and permitting the ratchet wheel 14 to rotate sufficiently to
bring the tooth 23 to the arm 20 which arrests the further rotation (Fig. 15). The
momentary rotation of the shaft 17 permits the mechanism of the clock to move
forward sufficiently to indicate the interval during which it has remained inactive,
viz., 1 minute. By using the term "inactive" I wish to be understood that the
various pinions are inactive. The main spring of the clock is always at a tension
so that as soon as the lever 13 is released from the cam 12 and falls, the whole
clock movement moves forward until checked by the next tooth in the ratchet
coming in contact with the arm 20. This momentary advance again increases
the tension on the spring 18 to an extent sufficient to carry the operation of the
supplemental train over the next interval, as described. In the preferred form
the arm 20 is loosely mounted on the shaft bearing the trip 13, and may thus
remain undisturbed during a part of the movement of the trip. At the desired
point in the trip's upward movement the pin 63 comes in contact with the rear
of the arm 20, and the further lift of the trip lifts said arm 20, and releases the
proximate tooth 19, etc.
Referring now to the mechanism setting the cams I I I I³ I and 15, or their
equivalents, in proper position to properly limit the upward movement of the
inner ends of the levers D D D D³ D and D³, and thus set the index wheels G G¹
G2 G3 G and G, as first described, it will be seen that six cams must be used to
properly designate the day of the month, the time of the day, and morning and
evening. The cog-wheel 62 is firmly secured to the shaft 60, which rotates once
every hour and carries the minute-hand of the clock. This cog-wheel 62 drives
pinion 24 and that the pinion 25 and the shaft R (Fig. 5), the several parts being
so proportioned that the pinion 25 and shaft R make a revolution every ten minutes.
Firmly secured to said shaft R so as to rotate therewith, is the cam wheel I'
(Figs. 11 and 17) also making a complete revolution once in ten minutes. Placed
next to the cam I is the disc or wheel 26 arranged to rotate in unison therewith,
and having upon its periphery a single projecting tooth or lug 27. In the same
plane with the disc 26, loosely mounted on the shaft S is a disc 28, having twelve
depressions, 29, in its periphery, adapted to mesh with and receive the lug 27.
Each time the disc 26 makes a revolution, therefore, disc 28 is rotated the distance
between two of the depressions 29, requiring one hundred and twenty minutes
or two hours to make one complete revolution. Upon the shaft S, and arranged
to rotate in unison with the disc 28, are the cog-wheel 30 and disc 31. On the
shaft R in the same plane with the cog-wheel 30, and meshing therewith, is the
cog-wheel 32, so secured to the cam 13 that the two rotate in unison.
The cam 13,
therefore, makes a complete revolution once in one hundred and twenty minutes
or two hours. It is for this reason made double-each half being adapted to
regulate the setting of the proper index wheel up to 6, one indicating the tens
of minutes for one hour when the second half begins at the proper moment to
indicate the number of the next hour.
The disc 31, which it will be remembered makes a revolution once in two hours,
has upon its periphery, diametrically opposite to one another, two teeth or lugs 33,
which are adapted to mesh with twelve corresponding depressions 34 in the peri-
phery of the disc 35, loosely mounted on the shaft R. It will thus be seen that
cach hour disc 35 and cam 12 moving in unison therewith, is moved forward the
distance between the depressions 34 and make one complete revolution every
twelve hours.
On the shaft R rotating in unison with the cam I2 and disc 35, is another disc 36,
having on its periphery a single lug or tooth, 37. In the same plane, on shaft S
is firmly secured the disc 39 having in its periphery 12 depressions, 38, meshing

page_text: .
with the lug 37. For each revolution of the disc 36 and cam 13 or each 12 hours,
therefore, disc 32 is moved forward the distance between the depressions 38. The
disc 40 and cog-wheel 41 are also firmly secured to the shaft S and consequently
rotate therewith, and the disc 39. On shaft R, meshing with cog-wheel 41 is a
cog-wheel 42 carrying in unison with it the irregular wheel or cam 15, which is
so shaped and proportioned that it is therefore regularly carried forward the
distance between the shoulders on its periphery every 12 hours, corresponding
to A.M. and P.M.
The movement imparted to shaft S by disc 39 is also, by proper pinions utilized
to control the hand 43 (Figs. 1 and 17) indicating the units of the days of the
months. On the periphery of disc 40 are six lugs or teeth, one corresponding
to each day of 24 hours, which mesh in ten depressions, 44, in the periphery of
the disc 45 on the shaft R, and moving the said disc and cam I¹ forward regularly
one notch or depression each day of twenty-four hours. Discs 45 and 46 and
cam I, each make a complete revolution, therefore, once in ten days. Disc 46,
moving in unison with disc 45 and cam I', has upon its periphery a single lug, 47,
which meshes with depressions 48 in the periphery of disc 49, causing the same
to move forward a single notch every ten days.
Suitable pinions impart this movement to the hand 50 (Figs. 1 and 17) to indi-
cate the tens of days of the month. Cog-wheels 51, moving in unison with disc 49,
mesh with cog-wheel 52 on shaft R which is so connected with cam I that it also
will be regularly moved forward the required distance to indicate a change of ten
days.
These several movements serve to set the several cams, as stated, so that the
index wheels actuated by the levers, will correctly stamp the time and date. By
means of the buttons 53 the parts governing the registering mechanism can be
moved backward or forward to set the parts as desired, for example, at the beginning
of a month, without affecting the clock. Buttons 54 serve a like purpose for the
clock, which can be likewise moved. backward or forward, the several parts assum-
ing correct positions.
It will be obvious that in Fig. 17 the train is extended to show the proper con-
nection. The cams, wheels, and discs are each mounted on the shaft indicated
by the letters R or S thereon.
I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form herein
described, the broad idea of my invention consisting in so disconnecting the
stamping or registering mechanism from the clock mechanism, that it will not
burden or retard the operation thereof.
Having now particulary described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a time stamp, the combination of the following elements: the clock
mechanism, a series of cams, connecting mechanism, whereby the movement of
the clock operates the cams, registering devices normally wholly disconnected
from the clock mechanism and the cams, and means for momentarily securing
mediate connection between the registering devices and the cams, whereby the
position of the cams regulates the impression of the stamp, substantially as
described.
2. In a time stamp, the following elements in combination: clock mechanism,
a controlling train, whereby the clock remains inactive at regular intervals, a
series of cams, mechanism connecting the same to the clock whereby the move-
ment of the clock operates the cams, registering devices normally wholly dis-
connected from the clock mechanism and the cams, and means for momentarily
securing mediate connection between the registering devices and the cams, whereby
the position of the cams regulates the impression of the stamp, substantially as
described.

page_text: 3. In a device of the kind described, the clock mechanism a series of cams, and
connecting mechanism whereby the movement of the clock operates the cams, in
combination with a movable frame containing a series of registering wheels wholly
disconnected from the clock mechanism and cams, and means for momentarily
securing mediate connection between the registering wheels and the cams, whereby
the position of the cams regulates the position of the registering wheels, when
the stamp is operated, substantially as set forth.
4. In a device of the kind described, a clock mechanism, a controlling train
whereby the clock remains inactive at regular intervals, cams and connecting
mechanism whereby the movement of the clock operates the cams, in combination
with a movable frame containing a series of registering wheels wholly disconnected
from the clock mechanism and the cams, and means for momentarily securing
mediate connection between the registering wheels and the cams, whereby the
position of the cams regulates the position of the registering wheels when the.
stamp is operated, substantially as described.
5. In a device of the kind described, the clock mechanism, a series of cams and
connecting mechanism whereby the movement of the clock operates the cams, in
combination with a vertically movable frame and series of registering wheels, G G¹
etc., provided with cam-formed slots g g', etc., levers D D₁, etc., pivoted
between their ends and provided at their outer ends with pins d d¹,
etc., adapted to be loosely positioned in said slots, the inner ends of the levers
extending into the clock mechanism and being positioned in a vertical plane with
the several cams, and means for normally holding the outer ends of the levers
at their upper limit, whereby upon depressing the frame the levers are released,
and the registering wheels set in a position governed by the upward movement
of the inner ends of the levers as limited by the action of the cams, substantially
as described.
6. In a device of the kind described, the clock mechanism and controlling train
whereby the clock remains inactive at regular intervals, a series of cams, and
connecting mechanism whereby the movement of the clock operates the canis,
in combination with a vertically movable frame, a series of registering wheels G G¹,
etc., provided with cam-formed slots g g¹, etc., levers D) D¹, etc., pivoted between
their ends and provided at their outer ends with pins, d d', adapted to be loosely
positioned in said slots, the inner ends of the levers extending into the clock
mechanism, and being positioned in a vertical plane with the several cams, and
means for normally holding the outer ends of the levers at their upper limit,
whereby upon depressing the frame the levers are released and the registering
wheels set in a position governed by the upward movement of the inner ends of the
levers as limited by the action of the cams, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
7. In a device of the kind described, the movable frame M, the plunger K, the
frame F, the registering wheels G G¹, etc., and the levers D D¹, etc., in combination
with a clock mechanism, the cams I I¹, etc., and connecting mechanism between
the clock and said cams whereby the movement of the clock operates the cams,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a device of the kind described, the movable frame M, plunger K, frame F,
registering wheels G GI, etc., provided with alignment depressions 1, 2, 3, the
levers D D, etc., and the spring H, in combination with a clock mechanism, the
train 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, the cams I I, etc., and connecting
mechanism whereby the clock mechanism remains inactive at regular intervals
and when in action regulates the position of the cams, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
9. In a device of the kind described, the frame M, the plunger K, the frame F,
spring L, registering wheels G G¹, etc., provided with alignment depressions 1,
2, 3, the levers D D¹, etc., the spring H and the inking ribbon P and pad 0, in
combination with a clock mechanism, the cams I I', and connecting mechanism

page_text: whereby the operation of the clock regulates the position of the
as and for the purpose described.
1
1000
cams,
substantially