Improvements in Apparatus for Taking or Registering the Time Worked by Operatives for Manufacturers and other Employers of Labour, and for Detecting Fraud.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Taking or Registering the Time
Worked by Operatives for Manufacturers and other Employers
of Labour, and for Detecting Fraud.
I JOSEPH BURCH of Stepping Hill near Stockport in the County of Chester
Consulting Mechanician do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:
This invention is supplementary to my former invention for which Letters Patent
No. 8490 A.D. 1887 were granted to me, the nature of the present invention being
identical therewith, the object being to simplify and improve the construction, reduce
cost, and secure the means employed for working the time wheel of the apparatus
in combination and in concert with the movements of the office clock.
The first part relates to the means employed for producing and causing the time
wheel to make one complete rotation in an hour when the wheel is required to
operate, and then cease to move while the clock goes on keeping correct time.
The second part relates to the construction of the turnstyle employed in order
that it may either be used with detector apparatus or put out of action when time
taking alone is required, for which purpose one or more of the arms are hinged to
the body of the turnstyle, so that they can be folded back, and thereby leave a free
passage for the workers, who deposit their checks and pass through after meal times,
the detector apparatus being generally used when the workers come in to commence
work for the day.
The third part relates to an appliance whereby the attendant when the turnstyle
is in operation, can assist a young worker and others to pass quickly through. By
this same appliance the attendant when a weight is used in combination with the
clockwork, can wind up such weight when required.
The fourth part relates to a modification of the turnstyle apparatus, instead whereof
by preference a wicket door, or it may be one of the arms of a turnstyle. is used
and hinged to the side of the entrance passage, so as when closed it will stop the
way. A Detector, an Auxiliar, a guiding tube, and others of the appliances named
in the specification of the said former patent, are used in combination, and a time
wheel into which the single checks as they are deposited fall according to the time
into one or other of the receptacles in the wheel which is rotating in concert with
the clock. But if two checks are fraudulently deposited by one worker and sent
down the guiding tube, they are stopped in the auxiliar by the detector and the
wicket door will not then open, so that admission to the works is prevented, the depositor
of the two checks is turned back, and his name and that of his confederate are known by
their numbers on the checks when the latter are taken out of the auxiliar and examined.
Dated 24th November 1888
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Taking or Registering the Time
Worked by Operatives for Manufacturers and other Employers
of Labor, and for Detecting Fraud.
I, JOSEPH BURCH of Stepping Hill, near Stockport, in the County of Chester
Consulting Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
This invention is supplementary to one of earlier date for which Letters Patent

page_text: No. 8490, A.D. 1887 were granted to me. The nature of the present invention is
identical therewith, my chief object now being to simplify and improve the construction;
reduce cost as much as possible and include the means employed for rotating the
check tray, or time wheel, of the apparatus by independent clock work in combination
and acting in concert with the movements of the office clock.
In many large manufacturing and other commercial establishments, to every
worker is given a check bearing a progressive number, by which he or she is known.
Amongst a certain class, especially those whose wages are reckoned by the day or
hour, a fraudulent system of what is called "working the checks" does and has
prevailed. This consists in two or more of such workpeople conspiring together to
obtain full wages for all while only one goes to work, which one at the time of
commencing labor for the day or returning after meals, deposits not only his own
check but also those of his confederates, thereby enabling them to obtain wages they
have never earned.
"
The important results obtainable by the use of this invention and my said former
invention, consists in not only ascertaining the time that each of the workpeople
returns to his or her work, but also the nefarious practice of "working the checks
is prevented, for if attempted, the delinquent is detected, and if the turnstile machine
is used, is also trapped and detained.
The turnstile or entire machine is fully described in the Specification of my said
former invention. The present invention relates more especially to modifications,
whereby the cost is lessened and the construction simplified, the workpeople having
simply to deposit their checks as they walk through without any cause for delay,
and the effect of the independent clockwork, in producing the regular intermittent
movements of the rotating-time-table are described. The checks also after deposit
can be examined before they are allowed to fall into the receptacles of the check tray,
which is removable and may be inspected at any time throughout the day.
First. Many of these improvements are embodied in what I call my complete
time-taking and detector apparatus, and are shown by the Figures on sheet 1 of the
drawings hereto annexed, and whereon Fig. 1 exhibits a front view of the Office
clock and side cases for the independent clockwork, in combination with the cabinet
that holds the operating parts.
Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the clock and clockwork cases and a section of
the Cabinet and its contents. Fig. 3 shows a plan of the Cabinet uncovered, so that
the check tray, the fixed platform and guide pulleys are seen within.
Fig. 4 plan of fixed platform with central lateral bearing for vertical shaft.
Fig. 5 plan of cabinet showing glass eyepiece, and the check receiver, with check
tray and parts dotted in. Fig. 6 side view of check tray. Fig. 7 rotating table on
vertical shaft. Fig. 8 check detainer. Fig. 9 weight cord and pulleys for clockwork.
Fig. 10 shows three checks, and Fig. 10% the tappet wheel, lever and locking
plate.
In the complete time-taking apparatus shown on sheet 1 A. marks a removable
ck tray of small size, being about 18 inches in diameter, and according to the
number of trays used, froin 3 to 6 inches deep. It is internally divided by means of
A', which marks a number of radiating partitions that form 10 separate sectoral
receptacles marked A³, and differing in size. The check tray is concentrically
placed upon B which represents a horizontal round table, that is fixed upon the
upper end of the vertical shaft C. The edge of this table is grooved at B¹ to
receive the cord or band F10 that by means of the clockwork causes the table to
make by intermittent movements one complete revolution in an hour, the check
tray of course rotating with it. C¹ is a fixed step which receives the lower end of
the shaft C. D marks a square platform frame that carries the central lateral
bearing D', which holds the vertical shaft C in position. E marks the office clock
and E its pendulum. F marks the clock case, and F and F mark the side cases
for the independent clockwork, both of which are attached to the clock case and the
cabinet G which has folding doors marked G¹. F, marks the side case for the
section of independent clockwork on the left of the clock and F shows the case for

page_text: the section on the right. The section F comprises an escapement wheel and pallet F¹,
a pendulum F2, a winding up barrel, cord, and weight F³. These parts actuate the
pulley F, that by means of a suitable train of tooth wheels, is caused to make exactly
10 rotations in an hour, and F5 marks a plain wheel with tappet, that depresses the
free end of the lever F see Fig. 10ª every time the pulley F₁ rotates. This lever
forms the communication with the section of clockwork in the case on the right side
of the clock, which comprises F7 that marks a locking plate, and a pulley F8 which
actuates the locking plate when the weight F has been wound up by the cord F10,
one end of which is made fast to the side of the case Fa, and the other end, directed
by suitable grooved pulleys, is fastened to the groove B' in the edge of the table B,
so that the weight F causes a constant pull upon the cord, and every time the tappet
on F, depresses the free end of the lever F, the lock catch on the opposite end of
the lever is lifted out of a divisional notch in the locking plate, and the table B is
then moved on its axis by the pull of the cord, and is stopped by the lock catch
falling into the next notch in the locking plate which occurs every 6 minutes or
10 times in the hour, in accord with the rotations of the pulley F. The weight F
is wound up by the table B being pulled round in a backward direction, no dial is
required, and a flyer in most cases will be used to regulate and govern the rate of
speed at which the table moves the check tray A from one compartiment to the next
which occurs every time the lock catch on the end of the lever is raised and the
locking plate is then free to rotate.
The automatic starting of the clockwork is effected by the action of the clock and
alarum, the clockwork pendulum F2 which is held on one side at the extremity of its
action or swing, being liberated when the alarum goes off, and gives audible notice
that work time has commenced, by the ringing of the alarum bell. The arrangements
of the several parts as regards their relative positions will depend upon the kind of
time-taking apparatus for which they have to operate.
G2 in the top of the cabinet G, marks a glass eye piece through which the checks
after being deposited can be examined. H marks the check receiver, H' the guiding
tube, and H the detainer that arrests the checks whilst the atten lant through the
eye piece sees there is not more than one left by each operative. H³ is a stud, which,
when pressed upon, depresses the detainer, and allows the checks to fall into and
through the guiding spout H into that receptacle of the check tray which happens to
be beneath. The receptacles in the check tray are marked. When 10 receptacles
are used the largest see Fig. 13 Sheet 3, is marked 0 to 6, the second size is marked
6 to 12, the third size 12 to 18, the fourth 18 to 24, and so on; so that when the
tray is examined, all checks found, say in the fourth receptacle will show that their
owners were between 18 and 24 minutes late, and probably, be subject to a fine.
Second. This part relates to the improved turnstile shown on sheet 2 of the
drawings whereon Fig. 12 exhibits the lower half of an elevation of the turnstile ;
and Fig. 11, shows a plan. The improvement consists in making one or more of the
arms of the turnstile capable of being folded back, so as to leave a clear passage
when the turnstile is not required. J marks the turnstile, and J' the position of one
of its arms when folded back. The arm is easily again fixed in its normal position by
lifting it off the square inclines on the fixed bolt J2, then moving it into position
and dropping it again on the inclines, above and below which the bolt is round and
of small diameter. K marks projecting spurs fixed to the sheet iron casing L for the
purpose of preventing any person, after depositing his check, going round with the
turnstile and out again. M marks the wooden upright supports to which the casing L
is bolted.
Third. This part relates to an appliance adapted to the turnstile machine for
causing the turnstile and also the time wheel to turn when required. It is not shown
on the drawings, being simply a light tooth wheel fixed on the axis of the turnstile,
beneath the floor, and actuated by means of a light hand wheel, which, by the aid of
light bevel gearing and an intervening tooth wheel, cause the turnstile to rotate.
Fourth. This part relates to a modification of the turnstile apparatus, instead of
which, amongst other details, a wicket door or gate is substituted for the turnstile

page_text: and hinged to the side of the entrance passage, which it bars if any one workman
at any time deposits two checks.
Figure 13 on sheet 3, shows a plan of the check wheel, the detector bar and
detector, the auxiliar, spring catch &c. Fig. 14 exhibits a side view of the check
wheel, the raised floor, the edge of detector bar with detector, and part of the
auxiliar. Fig. 15 is a plan of the bottom bar of the wicket gate with catch piece.
Fig. 16 elevation, or front view of wicket gate, and Fig. 17 the auxiliar showing the
detector way and vertical check passage with checks.
O. marks the check wheel which is mounted on the fixed centre 0', and is supported
by the screw cap 03, which carries the regulating centre screw 03; and, 0 marks a
groove, made round the upper edge of the check wheel to receive the clock line, by
which it is caused to move round intermittently. P marks the check receptacles, the
movements whereof are regulated by the clockwork as described in the First part in
respect to Sheet 1. Qmarks the detector bar which is free to move lineally to and
fro between S which marks the two pairs of guide rollers that also support the bar.
Q'shows a rectangular opening in the detector bar, through which when the bar
moves, the checks fall into the check wheel. R marks the detector, and T is a spring
catch disposed in a transverse slot formed at the end of the detector bar, and free to
engage with a catch piece projecting from the lower outer corner of W, which marks
the wicket gate. When there are two checks deposited by any one person it will be
seen by the Fig. 17 which shows two checks, one resting edgewise upon the other in
the auxiliar U that the second or upper check will prevent the detector passing
through U which marks the detector way in the auxiliar, and in consequence thereof
the detector bar cannot move, and the spring catch T will continue to hold the gate
and prevent its being opened, and thus the depositor of the two checks is detected.
But so long as only one check is deposited, the way U₁ through the auxiliar for the
detector to pass is always clear, and when the gate is pushed open by the person
passing through, the spring catch which, with the detector moves in a direct line,
gradually loses hold on the catch piece, which moves in a curve; see the dotted lines
in Fig. 13 marked Y. The gate is closed by a twist or other spring, or a weight.
The checks for the entire or turnstile time-taking and detector machine I continue
to use made in bronze and also for the modification described in the Fourth part of
the present invention, but for the complete time-taking apparatus I prefer to use
bone checks, which are lighter, and where there are several separate departments in
a business, which is almost always the case in manufacturing processes they are dyed
of different colors, and (for example) red checks are given to all the workers in one
department, Blue checks to the workers in another department, green to all those
employed in the third department, orange for the fourth, pink for the fifth, and so
The color of a workers check would show at a glance to which department he
belonged. Generally sets of three checks are given to each worker, all having the
same progressive number by which the bearer is known, one of the three checks
marked M being the morning check for use in conîmencing work for the day;
the second check is marked B, being the after breakfast check, and the third is
marked D, being for use on returning to work after dinner. Overtime checks may
also be used.
on.
Having now clearly set forth and ascertained the nature and usefulness of my
said invention, and the manner in which it is to be performed, what I claim as my
invention consists in :
First. I claim for the construction and use in time-taking apparatus, of a circular
rotating table, and concentrically placing thereon, a removable check tray, internally
divided into a number of receptacles differing in size to receive the checks of
work people, and actuated by clockwork, causing such table to make one complete
rotation in an hour, after the manner and for the purposes herein described.
Second. I claim for the construction and use of a Cabinet and employing Clock-
work to actuate its contents, and made either with or without an eye piece to
examine workpeoples' checks after they are deposited as herein described.

page_text: Third. I claim the use of independent clockwork acting in concert with an office
alarm clock, which sets in motion the pendulum of the clock-work, and gives audible
notice at the appointed times for commencing work as herein set forth.
Fourth. I claim for the construction of turnstiles with a folding arm and with
central forked cross arms for clearing fixed spurs in the manner and for the purposes
described.
Fifth. I claim for the modified construction of time taking apparatus wherein a
wicket door or gate is substituted for a turnstile, and the check wheel is placed on
a fixed axis beneath a raised floor, after the manner described.
Sixth. I claim for the use of a detector bar and detector, having rectilineal
motion to and fro, and also a check opening and transverse moving spring catch,
at one end for the purposes described.
Seventh. I claim the use of bone checks variously colored to distinguish the
departments of a business in which those who use them are employed.
Dated 24th Avant 1880
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.