An Improvement in Time-stamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 18th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Time-stamps.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, W.C. in the County of
Middlesex, Patont Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by John M. Glover, of St. Louis, in the Stato
of Missouri, United States of America, Gentleman,) and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My improvement relates to so-called "time-stamps," in which the time of day and
other data may be impressed upon a paper or document, and wherein the time is
automatically changed.
I will describe my improvement in detail, and then point out the novel features in
claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan or top view of a time-stamp embodying my improvement, certain
plates being removed to disclose parts arranged beneath thein.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, taken on the line x, x, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line y, y, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a detail of a certain minute-wheel employed, on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 5 is a similar view of another minute-wheel.
Fig. 6 is a similar view of an hour-wheel.
Fig. 7 is a similar view of an A.M. and P.M. wheel.
Fig. 8 is a similar view of a day-wheol.
Fig. 9 is a similar view of another day-wheel.
In all the Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 I have represented the wheels both in side
elevation and in edge view.
Fig. 10 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale and partly in section, of certain pawls
employed, together with the indicator-wheels.
Fig 11 is a view of an impression which may be made by the stamp.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figuros.
In the example of my improvement shown the automatic changing of the time in the
stamp is effected by electricity, the electric current by which the changes are effected
being received from a clock or regulator S, of well-known construction, and with
which the stamp may be in circuit. Such regulators as ordinarily employed close
circuit, and thus give an impulse to the indicator mechanism of the stamp once
every minute, and the stamp as here illustrated is organized to receive such an
impulse.
În a box or case A, which may be of metal, is located an electro-magnet B, which
may consist of one or more spools connected in circuit with the main regulator.
Ċ designates an armature, which armature is mounted upon a lever C¹, near the
lower end of the latter. The lever C is fulcrumed, as here shown, upon pivots a,
consisting of screws having conical inner ends engaging similarly-shaped recesses in
the lever, so that the lever may rock with little friction upon its fulcrum. When the
electro-magnet B is energized, the armature of course will be attracted, thus rocking
the lever in one direction upon its fulcrum. When the electro-magnet is de-energized,
a spring b, secured at one end to the lever 0 and at the other to a support b³,
extending from the box or case A, operates to retract the lever and armature. The
upper arm of the lever C extends into the interior of a hollow rocking arm D. This
arm is hung at its rear end so that it may rock freely upon pivots d, shown as con-
sisting of screws extending through suitable apertures in lugs d', rising from the box
or case A. The forward end of the arm D comprises an enlarged hollow head D'.

page_text: Removable plates dª, d², inclose the upper portion of the arm, and may be removod
for the purpose of obtaining access to the inachanism contained in the arm.
All the mechanism for causing the impression of the date and time is arranged in
the hollow head D¹.
The box or caso A is provided with a platen A', upon which, when an impression
is to be made, a paper or document is placed. The arm D is then swung downwardly,
and the indicator-wheels will, through an opening d in the under side of the head D
stamp the impression. A handle D upon the upper side of the head may bo
employed to rock the arm downwardly, and a spring D³, secured neur one end to an
arm d, extending from the rear of the arm D downwardly into the box or case A,
and at its other end to a pin dº, extending from the box or case, will operate when
the handle is released to return the arm I to its normal or elevated position.
Certain of the indicator-wheels are operated to indicate changes in time by the
electro-magnet. Other of the indicator-wheels are operated by hand. Those indicator-
wheels which are operated by the electro-magnet are mounted side by side loosely
upon a shaft D, which shaft is journaled in The side walls of the hoad D¹. I have
shown six of these wheels, and have illustrated them more clearly in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, and 9. When mounted on the shaft, they are, in the example of my improvement
shown, unconnected with each other, and motion is transmitted to them by a number
of pawls e, e³, e², e, e, and, which pawls are in this instance mounted upon or form
part of a cross-bar E. The crossbar E is provided near its ends with lugs &
through which extends a rod ‹³, journaled at its ends in suitable hearings in side
arms of a frame comprising also a stretcher lar or plate ", extending between the
arms " and secured to the latter at its ends. The arins euro loosely hung at their
inner ends upon the shaft 1 outside the indicator-wheels, and the frame is therefore
free to be swing up and down. A coil-spring, coiled about the rod and bearing
at one end against the bar E and at the other against the stretcher bar or plate e³,
operates to force the pawls e, &c., toward the indicator-wheels.
Each of the indicator-wheels is provided upon its periphery with raised figures or
letters and upon one of its sides with a ratchet-wheel. The pawls e, &c., in causing
the rotation of the indicator-wheels operate upon the teeth of the ratchet-wheels.
They are thus caused to operate by a swinging motion, which is imparted to the
frame carrying the pawls by means of a roil F, pivotally connected near one end
to the lover ("and at the other to said frame. It will bo observed that the
lever extends into such position in the arm that the centers of rotation of the
arm D and the rod F when the former is swung downwardly will be approximately
coincident, and the rocking of the arm D will therefore impart no motion to the
pawls. When the electro-magnet is energized and the lover C is rocked on its
Fulcrum, the rod F will be drawn backwardly, swinging the frame carrying the pawls
in the same direction, and moving the pawls far enough to cause one or more of them
to engage teeth upon the ratchets of the indicator-wheels. When the electro-magnet
is de-energized, the spring boperates to move the lever C, the rod F, and the frame
and pawls in the other direction, thus causing a rotary progressive movement to bo
imparted to one or more of the indicator-wheels. Backward movement of the
indientor-wheels during the rearward movement of the pawls is provonted by a
number of stop-pawls F", loosely hung, as here shown, upon a bar, secured near its
ends to the walls of the head D'. These stop-pawls engage the ratchet-teeth upon
the indicator wheels, and are maintained in such engagement by springs f'benring
upon their upper ends, which springs are secured upon the bar f
I will now describe more particularly the indicator-wheels and their mode of
operation.
G dosignatos a minute-wheel, upon the periphery of which are ten figures, num-
bering from 1 to 0 and arranged at regular intervals apart. Upon the side of
this indicator-wheel is a ratchet-wheel G', having ten teeth. The pawl e co-operates
with the ratchet-wheel G' and is in constant contact therewith. Impulso is given
to the pawl e¹ ovory minute, and thore is consequently a forward progression of the

page_text: wheel G every minute, which brings different figure into proper position for
printing. The ratchet-wheel G¹ is provided at one of its teeth, or that by which the
figure "0" is moved into proper position for printing, with a depression g, into which
the pawle will drop when brought opposite the same.
g
Gdesignates another minute-wheel provided upon its periphery with two sets of
figures each 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, or, in other words, with twelve figures. On the sido
of the indicator-wheel G2 is a ratchet-wheel G³, having twelve teeth. The pawle³
co-operates with the ratchet-wheel G³. The ratchet-wheel G³ is provided at two of its
teeth which are opposite each other, or those teeth by which the figure "0" is moved
into proper position for printing, with depressions g'. It will be observed by an
examination more particularly of Fig. 10 that the pawl is not so long and does
not extend downwardly so far as the pawle'. When therefore the pawl e' is out of
the depression and is engaging the ratchet-teeth on the wheel G, said pawl will
operate to hold the pawl e out of contact with the ratchet-wheel G³. Ten impulsos
will therefore be imparted to the indicator-wheel G before the pawl e' drops into
the depression 9. The depth of the depression 9 is sufficient to allow the pawl e¹ to
drop so far that the pawl e will contact with the ratchet-wheel G³, and the next
impulse given to the pawls will move each of the indicator-wheels G, G³, a distance
sufficient to bring the next figures in rotation on said wheels into proper position for
printing, whereby the pawle will be again lifted out of the depression 9 and the
pawl removed from contact with the ratchet-wheel G³. By this operation the
figure "0" on the wheel G will be brought into proper position for printing and
the figure on the wheel G2 adapted for printing will be changed. Thus if the
figure "19" were formally in position for printing by the movement just described
the figures "20" would be brought into such position. As there are but sixty
minutes in the hour, the wheel G makes but oue-half of a revolution oach hour,
while the wheel G¹ makes six revolutions each hour. At the end of the hour the
wheels G, G, are each brought into position to print the figure "0," the pawls e¹, e³,
having then dropped into the depression g, g', respectively.
G designates an hour-indicator wheel having upon its periphery twelve figures,
numbering from 1 to 12. Upon the side of the wheel G is a ratchet-wheel G³,
provided with twelve teeth and a depression g*, similar to the depression 9 in the
wheel G. The pawl e co-operates with the ratchet-wheel G. It will be seen again
from an examination of Fig. 10 more particularly that the pawl e is shorter than
the pawle. When both the pawls el, e, have, however, dropped into their respec-
tive depressions 9, g, the pawl e³ will come in contact with the ratchet-wheel G³,
and the next impulse imparted to the pawls will move the indicator-wheels G, G³, G+,
a distance sufficient to bring the next figures in rotation on said wheels into proper
position for printing. The pawl e will by such movement be lifted out of its
depression g and the pawls e, e, be lifted clear of the ratchet-wheels G³, G. One
revolution of the hour-indicator wheel G therefore takes place every twelve hours.
At the end of twelve hours an A.M. and P.M. indicator-wheel G" is rotated to
indicate the divisions of the day according to the meridian. I have shown such
wheel as provided with twelve letters A.M. and P.M., arranged alternately upon the
wheel. When the hour-wheel G' has made a complete rotation and its coacting pawle³
drops into the depression 9², the pawls e', e², will likewise have dropped into their
respectivo depressions g, g'. This admits of the pawl e, which co-operates with the
A.M. and P.M. wheel, dropping into contact with one of the teeth upon a ratchet-
wheel G7, with which the A.M. and P.M. wheel is provided. The next impulse
given to the pawls therefore imparts progressive movement to both the minute-wheels,
the hour-wheel, and the A.M. and P.I. wheel, and said wheels are brought into
proper position to print twelve o'clock noon or midnight, as the case may be. By
this movement also the pawl el has been lifted out of the depression 9 and the
pawls e, e, and e have been lifted clear of the ratchet-wheels G³,G and G', respectively.
At the end of every twenty-four hours a change is effected in a day-wheel G³
which day-wheel, as shown, is provided with ten figures upon its periphery, number-
ing from 1 to 0. Upon the side of the wheel G³ is a ratchet-wheel G³, provided with

page_text: a depression, similar to the ratchet-wheels (1, G'. The ratchet-wheel G7 of the
A.M. and P.M. wheel G is provided with twelve teeth and with six depressions g³,
one depression for every two teeth. Each second impulse given to the A.M. and
P.M wheel, or, in other words, onco in every twenty-four hours, the pawle, which
co-operates with the ratchet-wheel (17, will drop into one of the depressions g³ The
pawle, being shorter than any of the pawls e,,, cannot drop into into the depres
sions until the pawls,,, have all dropped into their respectivo depressions y,
9. The pawl which co-operates with the ratchet-wheel G is shorter than
the pawl e, and the former cannot therefore drop into the depression g* until the
pawle is within one of the depressions g. When this last has occurred, all the
jawls e, e¹, e²,,, will be in their respective depressions, and the next impulse givea
to the pawls will therefore impart progressive movement to all the indicator-wheels (i,
,, and (i". Such movemont will, however, lift the pawle out of the
depression, and all of the pawls e, ‹³, e², A4, out of contact with their respective
rnichet-wheels.
G designates another day-wheel, and a ratchet-wheel upon the side thereof. Upon
the periphery of the wheel G, I have shown three sets of figures, numbering from 1 to 3,
respectively. This wheel is for the purpose of indicating, in conjunction with the
wheel (1, the numbers “10” "20" 30." Between the sets of figures upon
the wheel G, are blank spaces g, which spaces are arranged in such position upon the
wheel that while the wheel G is printing the first nine days of the month no impres
sion will be made by the wheel (". When the figure "0" upon the wheel (" has,
however, heen brought into position to print, an impulse is given the wheel G
which brings one of the figures upon said wheel into position to print. There being
three sets of figures upon the wheel (, and said wheel receiving an impulse but once
in ten days, said wheel makes a complete rotation but once in three months. The
ratchet-wheel is provided with twolve teeth, so that twelve distinct împulses are
given to the wheel G during that time.
An impulse is given to the ratchet-wheel by the pawl, in manner previously
described. Said pawl, boing shorter than all the other jawls, is not allowed to drop
into contact with the wheel G until all the other pawls are in their respectivo
depressions, which occurs only every ten days. The next impulse given to the pawls
therefore causes a rotation of all the indicator-wheels, whereby the pawl is lifted out
of its depression and all the other pawls are lifted out of contact with their respec-
tive ratchet-wheels. Of course it is to be understood that where certain of the
ratchet-wheels operated by the pawls e, el, ², &c., have twelve teeth, while others have
but ten, there will be a slight lost motion of the pawls operating the ratchet-wheels
having twelve teeth when a single motion is employed to rotato both sets of wheels.
By this means the type upon all the wheels will be brought into line when, as before
stated, all the ratchet-wheels are rotatud together by a single movement of the
pawls.
By the construction and arrangement described indicator-wheels of very small and
uniform diameter may be used and errors are rendered woll-nigh impossible.
I have shown the pawls, as mado in one; but this is not essential.
In months containing thirty-one days the type "3" of one of the serios on
wheel is brought in position when the date "30" is to be printed, the wheel (**
furnishing the type for the "0" part of the date. The dato "81" will then be
printed at the end of the next twenty-four hours by the same type "B" and by the
next or unit type the wheel G" which wheel has been moved forward one stop by the
pawl .
In order to avoid the printing of a succession of numbers like
82" "33," &c., the wheels G, G10, must be set by hand, in order that the former
will print "1" at the beginning of the next day and the latter not print at all.
6.
It will be observed that the head has two inclined or angularly-oxtending
sides 1, D, one upon the front and one upon the rear side of said head. It is nol
essential that the exteriors of these sides should be thus inclined; but their inuer
surfaces must be.
1º, D², designato heval-wheels adapted to be rotated upon pins ½, here shown as

page_text: screws, passing centrally through the bevel-wheels and engaging the sides D*, D.
Upon the periphery of the wheel D' are raised letters indicating the twelve months
of the year, and upon the periphery of the wheel D' are raised figures indicating
the year.
In Fig. 11 I have shown the month and year to be printed by these bevel-wheels
as "May," "89." The inclination of the inner surfaces of the sides D4, D³, and
the bevel of the peripheries of the wheels D°, D7, are such that the letters and figures
upon said wheels will be brought into a horizontal plane coincident with the planes
of the letter and figures upon the indicator-wheels G, &c. These wheels D, D', are
to be rotated by hand, in order to change the month or year which they will indicate.
By this arrangement the parts may all be inclosed in a very limited space, while at
the same time a stamping-surface of considerable size is afforded.
I have shown this stamp as adapted for post-office use in stamping the date of
receipts or delivery of letters, and also for canceling a postage-stamp. The words
"New York" and the letters "N.Y." appearing in Fig. 11 are permanently cast or
otherwise formed upon the under side of the head D'. I have shown an inking-
ribbon H, coiled upon rotary shafts i, journaled in case J upon opposite sides of the
head D. By rotating hand-pieces; the inking-ribbon may be moved along beneath
the head, so as to cause the stamp to print an impression.
It will be observed that by my improvement I provide a stamp by which letters,
papers, or other documents may be stamped upon their upper sides, and therefore in
plain view of the person operating the stamp, while at the same time changes in time
are effected automatically.
Although I have illustrated an indicator mechanism as operator by electric time
mechanism, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such time mechanism,
as the same might obviously be operated by clock-work.
Having now particularly 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 with a bed or platen, of time mechanism com-
prising an electro-magnet, a longitudinally-movable rod connected with the armature
of said magnet and operated by said time mechanism, indicator mechanism, and a
swinging arm on which said indicator mechanism is mounted above said bed or
platen, said indicator mechanism being operated through the movement of said rod
by said time mechanism, substantially as specified.
2. In a time-stamp, the combination, with a bed or platen, of time mechanism
consisting of a regulator, an electro-magnet energized from said regulator, an
armature, a lever upon which said armature is mounted, a swinging arm, indicator
mechanism mounted on said arm, and a rod connected with said lever and with said
indicator mechanism and acting when said armature is attracted to operate the
indicator mechanism, substantially as specified.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1890.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant