Improvements in and in connection with Apparatus Employed in Checking and Recording the Attendance of Workmen and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1900
Improvements in and in connection with Apparatus Employed in
Checking and Recording the Attendance of Workmen and the like.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPII GARDAM, of 45, Rose Street, in the
City and State of New York, United States of America.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 and 56, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-.
My present invention relates to machines known as workmen's time recorders
and particularly to that class in which the record is kept by the workman him-
self upon his individual card or time-check, so that the times of entering and
leaving the factory are accurately denoted and the amount of wages due to him
at the end of a given period, say one week, may be readily computed on the
card without the necessity heretofore existing of transcribing from the completo
record of all the employees, every entry in order to compute the amount of wages
due. In the type of machine referred to, the cards, checks or slips bearing
the record are adapted to be placed against a support or abutment, which latter
is movable by clock-work at the end of a given period, say twelve hours, so as to
bring the appropriate line or division on the time-card in proper relation to
the marking apparatus or stamp, that the record may be placed in the proper
position. The invention consists in certain improvements particularly relating
to the time stamp employed in the apparatus, the feeding devices for the ink
ribbon, and also in the general construction.
In the present apparatus the operating mechanism for the time-stamp and
for causing and controlling the movement of the card are somewhat similar to
those employed in ordinary striking clocks, that is to say, it embodies two springs
and gear trains, one for operating the time movement proper, and the other,
ordinarily employed for actuating the striking mechanism, being connected to
the abutment or arm controlling the position of the card, which abutment is
operated intermittingly.
The apparatus consists of the frame of the clock movement; the clock dial;
the arbor to which the minute hand is connected, having a pinion thereon mesh-
ing: with a second pinion to which is connected a third pinion meshing in turn
with a fourth pinion, loose on the said arbor and connected rigidly with the
sleeve or second arbor carrying the hour hand; said second arbor also having
connected to it an adjustable cam, which operates to release the train actuating
the card controlling abutment or arm. Also mounted in the clock frame is the
ordinary striking train of the clock, the main wheel thereof being propelled by
a suitable spring and operating a wheel, having notches in its periphery at
equal distances apart into which the end of the striking-train controlling-arm
is adapted to drop. The said notches or recesses instead of being unequal dis-
tances apart, as when a bell striking mechanism is employed, are spaced regularly
✓MING:18A

page_text: so that each time the train is released a gear is allowed to move the same
distance. Meshing with the said gear or cam is another gear and connected to
this is another cam. A pivotted lever or frame is provided having one end rest -
ing upon the cam and connected by a link with a vertically-movable rod con-
trolling the abutment for controlling the position of the card. The said adjust-
able cam upon the hour-hand shaft cooperates with the end of a lever on an
arbor, which arbor is also connected with the striking train referred to, release
arm and with the fly, controlling the movement of the spring operated gear of
the striking-train, said cam being so positioned relative to the hands of the
clock and the time stamp, that when the hands of the clock point. to 12 (or other
predetermined hour) the release arm will be operated to release the train and
allow the cam to turn a sufficient distance and move the card adjusting abutment
to bring the next subdivision on the card in line with the marking wheels of the
time stamp. The minute and hour hands of the time stamp are operated from.
the clock through two gears, the one of the two being connected to a flexible
shaft extending downward to the stamping or printing mechanism.
A card upon which the record is received contains space for the name of the
workman at the top and is suitably ruled to indicate the days of the week and
also half days, the sub divisions between these being horizontal; said card is
also ruled to form two widely separated columns marked "in" and "out" to
receive the marks made by the stamp indicating the arrival and departure from
the factory. Between the divisions last mentioned are suitable smaller sub-
divisions indicating the time lost by the workman and containing spaces for
receiving the stamp mark indicating the hour when he left the factory and also
when he returned. The same space could be used for over time, if desired.
The frame work of the time stamp may be constructed in any suitable manner,
and preferably, embodies sidepieces connected by suitable rods or connections;
and the card receiver or holder is preferably provided with the flaring mouth
for the ready insertion of the card, and open at front and back, being merely
a skeleton frame, having ears or perforated lugs through which passes the rod
secured to the frame, and at the lower end having the guiding half bearing
partially embracing the rod. An arm or lever pivotted and extending forward
forms the abutment or support for the card; said arm being weighted to cause
its descent by gravity and connected by the arm with the vertically-movable
rod or wire controlled by the cam. The card holder is moved laterally to bring
the particular sub division opposite the printing point of the stamp, by means
of a lever pivotted to the main frame and connected to the card holder said
lever having a forwardly extending operating handle. The portion of the card
opposite the printing point of the time stamp is indicated by an arm or index
pivotted to the frame and connected by a link with an arm rigidly attached to
the card holder. The upper end of the arm constitutes an index cooperating
with a scale containing marks or indications on its face corresponding to those
on the face of the card, so that when the operator moves the card holder by the
said operating handle, the column brought in line with the time stamp will be
indicated on the scale. As the vertical movement of the rod causes the vertical
movement of the arm or abutment on which the card rests, and the amount of
movement given to said arm every twelve hours, or other predetermined time,
is limited to the distance between horizontal subdivisions on the card, it is de-
sirable to indicate to the operative the particular subdivision or space which is
in line with the printing point of the stamp, and for this purpose I provide a
scale containing the subdivisions or marks corresponding to those on the card,
with which scale cooperates an index pivotted and connected by a link to said rod.
Thus the operator is enabled to tell at just what point on the card the printing
will take place.
So far as the operation of the parts above described is concerned, it is
immaterial what form of time stamp or what form of operating mechanism for
causing the printing is employed, but I prefer to arrange at the front of the

page_text: stamp a striking arm or hammer having an operating face of rubber or other
suitable yielding material and pivotted upon the stationary arbor. This striking
hammer is provided with the rearwardly extending arm with which cooperates
a shoulder on a trip arm or catch pivotted upon an operating handle and having
at its upper end a hook cooperating with a limiting arm or stop formed upon
or attached to one of the side plates or an extension thereof. A spring is
employed connected to the lower portion of the trip arm in rear of its pivot and
also to the frame and operating not only to lift the handle but to hold the upper
portion of the arm in engagement with the stop.
When the handle is moved downwardly the projection engaging the trip arm
will draw the hammer backward and as the shoulder passes off the trip arm,
the hammer will be released being drawn forward quickly by a suitable spring
connected thereto and to the main frame, causing the hammer to move the card
against the printing wheels. A bell hammer is attached to the hammer and
adapted to cooperate with a gong so that at each printing operation an alarm
will be sounded. The hammer is normally kept removed from the rear of the
card by a light spring attached to the main frame which spring will readily
yield, however, and allow the hammer to strike a blow upon the card, driving
it in contact with the printing wheels.
The printing wheels employed embody, a minute wheel and an hour wheel,
the former being secured upon the hub of a gear wheel fastened to the arbor,
and meshing with a corresponding bevel wheel secured to a shaft journaled in
a bearing formed in the frame and connected by a coupling with the flexible
shaft operated from the minute hand arbor of the clock. Upon the face of the
minute wheel are provided suitable printing type forms, indicating minutes
from one to sixty, and as. the wheel is revolved synchronously with the clock, the
proper type form is brought to the printing point in line with the hammer.
The hour-wheel having upon its periphery the figures from one to twelve, indi-
cating the hours, is attached to a sleeve loose upon the arbor and having upon
its end the escapement wheel having twelve teeth thereon, one for each of the
hours, said wheel being retained in position with the figure of the hour at the
printing point by a pallet arm pivotted upon an arbor secured to a bracket arm.
The pallet arm is formed with or secured to an arm projecting downward
and toward the arbor, the extreme end cooperating with a cam wheel secured
rigidly to said arbor and having, preferably, a notch or recess at one point in
its periphery. Two connected arms are operated upon by a spring so that the
point of the one arm is held in contact with the rim of the cam wheel, the point
of the other arm then retaining the escapement wheel, but when the point of
the one arm drops into the recess, then the spring will operate the other arm
outward and release the escapement wheel allowing the hour wheel to be moved
to bring the next figure thereon to the printing point.
The wheel is connected to a pinion which in turn meshes with a gear on a
sleeve having a pinion meshing with a gear loose on its arbor. A spring is
connected at one end to the said gear wheel and at the other to the escapement
wheel and as this wheel is driven continuously the hour printing wheel will be
held with the type form indicating the proper hour at the printing point by
the arm, while the minute-printing-wheel is making one complete revolution,
but after the printing figure "59," indicating fifty-nine minutes after the hour,
passes the printing point, the arm will release the escapement wheel and allow
the spring which has been put under tension meanwhile to rotate said wheel
and the connected hour-printing-wheel to bring the next hour printing figure in
line, being arrested at the proper point by a stop pin on the inner side of the
escapement wheel coming in contact with a second stop pin secured to the inner
face of the wheel. These cooperating pins for stops hold the hour wheel during
the interval that the arm connected to the pallet arm is in the notch of the cam
wheel, and as soon as the escapement arm is again moved into the path of the
teeth of the escapement wheel, the pin leaves the pin and the wheel is retained.

page_text: by the arm until the hour wheel is to be operated again. This construction
ensures the quick operation of the hour printing wheel at just the proper time.,
As usual in devices of this general description, there intervenes between the
numbers on the printing wheels and the card, an ink supplying device in the
form of an ink ribbon connected at opposite ends to spools, said spools being
splined upon the vertical spool arbors mounted in the slotted ends of arms ex-
tending from the main frame and held in the position by pins; or keys. Collars
rest upon the upper sides of the arms, and secured to arbors are collars between
which and other collars are arranged spiral springs said springs serving to hold
the collars against the undersides of the arms and offering sufficient friction to
the rotation of the arbors to maintain the spools in proper position..
The lower ends of the arbors are provided with gears, preferably in the form
of ratchet wheels adapted to mesh alternately with corresponding wheels secured
to the ends of an arbor, said arbor being capable of rotation and also of sliding
longitudinally in bearings formed in the lower portion of the main frame. Secured
rigidly near one end of said arbor is a ratchet wheel with which cooperates a
spring operated pawl pivotted upon a depending arm of the operating handle,
the construction being such that at each downward movement, of the operating
handle the said arbor will be rotated a short distance, and will be prevented from
backward movement by a pawl. The end of the pawl is long enough to permit
the longitudinal movement of the arbor necessary to connect the gears with the
gears on the vertical spool arbors, and as the arbor is rotatable in one direction,
it will be seen that the ribbon will be rolled from one spool to the other depending
upon which of the gears is in connection. The arbor is provided with a beveled
projection near its centre with which cooperates a V-shaped spring, said spring
serving to hold the arbor when it is moved longitudinally in engagement with
either of the spool arbor gears. The said arbor is shifted longitudinally by means
of a pivotted lever having its upper end bifurcated for the passage of the ink
ribbon; said lever is also connected by a link with a short corresponding lever,
also bifurcated for the passage of the ribbon, and at or near the ends of said
ribbon are provided enlargements or projections adapted to contact with said
levers so as to move them in the direction the ribbon is moving, and thereby
cause the reversal of the ribbon driving mechanism. These projections may be
in the form of eyelets passed through the ribbon and headed on both sides, of a
greater length than the space between the arms of the lever so that the ribbon
being moved to the left, the next movement of the ribbon will cause the lever
to be moved to the left, bringing the wheel to the right into engagement
with the wheel on the arbor of the spool so that the ribbon will then be fed to
the right again. Similarly, as the eyelet engages its lever, the shifting lever
will be moved back. I employ two levers because the eyelets or projections are
arranged near the centre or printing portion of the ribbons, but only one would
be necessary if the projections were out of this line, said eyelets then engaging
directly with the said shifting lever on opposite sides. For ensuring the proper
throw of the said lever and holding the parts in engagement I provide upon
the said lever a pin encircled by a loose roller or sleeve adapted to contact with
a pointed or V shaped head on a spring attached to the main frame. The loose
connection of the roller and pin ensures the complete movement of the shifting
lever as soon as the pin is thrown over the point of the spring by the projection
on the ribbon.
All parts of the apparatus are in practice concealed by a suitable casing,
excepting the scales indicating the position of the card, the operating handles,
and the upper portion of the card receiver; and the manner of using the device
will now be readily understood. When the workman enters the factory in the
morning, he places his time card, say with the printed face turned away from
him in the card receiver, then moves the handle until the index cooperates with
the indication "in," he then presses the operating handle drawing back the
hammer and releasing it by the continued downward- movement of the handle,

page_text: thereby causing the printing wheels to make an impression of the exact-time
upon the card in the proper subdivision thereof. This downward movement
of the handle is limited by a hook and causes the turning of the ribbon
mechanism to bring a fresh portion of the ribbon in front of the time stamp.
The card is then removed from the receiver to a suitable holder or receptacle,
and the machine is ready for the next operative.
"
Any of the subdivisions on the card in the same horizontal plane may be
brought to the printing position, the indices showing which.
The minute wheel of the time stamp is, of course, moved constantly by the
clock mechanism, and at each hour, the hour wheel is moved in the manner
described, and at the expiration of twelve hours, or twenty four hours if desired,
or other predetermined period, the abutment at the bottom of the card receiver
will be moved upwardly, limiting the insertion of the card to bring the stamp
on the subdivision thereon.
The machine thus described is simple, easily operated, and adapted to the
purpose.
Improvements in and in connection with Apparatus Employed in
Checking and Recording the Attendance of Workmen and the like.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH Gardam, of 45, Rose Street, in the
City and State of New York, United States of America.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 and 56, Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent, 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 present invention relates to machines known as workman's time recorders
and particularly to that class in which the record is kept by the workman him-
self upon his individual card or time-check, so that the times of entering and
leaving the factory are accurately denoted and the amount of wages due to him
at the end of a given period, say one week, may be readily computed on the
card without the necessity heretofore existing of transcribing from the complete
record of all the employees, every entry in order to compute the amount of wages
due. In the type of machine referred to, the cards, checks or slips bearing
the record are adapted to be placed against a support or abutment, which latter
is movable by clock-work at the end of a given period, say twelve hours, so as to
bring the appropriate line or division on the time-card in proper relation to
the marking apparatus or stamp, that the record may be placed in the proper
position. The invention consists in certain improvements particularly relating
to the time stamp employed in the apparatus, the feeding devices for the ink
ribbon, and also in the general construction, all of which will be hereinafter fully
described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of this
specification.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a time recorder embodying my improvements,
with the casing removed showing the connection between the operating clock

page_text: Figure 2, an enlarged front elevation of the stamping or marking mechanism.
Figure 3, a sectional view of the same on the line a, a of Figure 2.
Figure 4, a vertical sectional view on the line b, b. of Figure 2.
Figure 5, is a sectional view through the centre of the clock movement, showing
the devices for actuating the wheels of the stamp.
Figure 6 a sectional view taken on the line cc of Fig. 4.
Figure 7 a sectional view, on the line d-d of Figure 6.
Figure 8, a similar view on the line ee of Figure 6.
Figure 9 a detail sectional view of the device for holding the ribbon-shifting
mechanism.
Figure 10, à view of one of the record cards used in connection with the
apparatus.
Figure 11, a detail of the driving arbor for the ribbon.
Similar reference numerals in the different figures indicate similar parts.
Figure 12 shows (to a larger scale than the corresponding Figure 1, of the
arrangement already described in detail) the upper portion of a time recorder
embodying the improvements as seen when looking upon the exterior or dial
face arranged to be capable of being driven by an ordinary single main spring
clock movement or by other combination of spring in the driving mechanism
may be used.
Figure 13 shows an internal view of the upper portion of the time recorder as
in Fig. 12 with the dial and its supports removed the better to show the modified
parts of the ".
movement.."
Fig. 14 shows an edge view of the mechanism shown by Figure 13 drawn
to a much reduced scale, and showing only the features which are modified
from the corresponding Figure 5, the train of going movement of the clock and
its main spring being of ordinary description well understood and not requiring
illustration, are connected to these parts in manner substantially as already
explained in respect of Figs. 1 and 5.
As in the present apparatus the operating mechanism for the time-stamp
and for causing' and controlling the movement of the card are somewhat similar
to those employed in ordinary striking clocks, that is to say it embodies a spring
or springs and gear trains and where two springs are used one is for operating
the time movement proper, and the other is ordinarily employed for actuating
the striking mechanism being connected to the abutment or arm controlling the
position of the card, which abutment is operated intermittingly.
In Figures 1 and 5 I have shown sufficient of the clock mechanisms to illus-
trate the connections therewith and referring particularly to said figures, 1 in-
dicates the frame of the clock movement; 2 the clock dial; 3 the arbor to
which the minute hand is connected, having a pinion 4 thereon meshing with
a second pinion 5 to which is connected a third pinion 6 meshing in turn with
a fourth pinion 7, loose on the said arbor 3 and connected rigidly with the
sleeve or second arbor 8 carrying the hour hand 9; and second arbor 8 also
having connected to it an adjustable cam 10 which operates to release the train
actuating the card controlling abutment or arm. Also mounted in the clock
frame 1 is the ordinary striking train of the clock, the main wheel 11 thereof
being propelled by a suitable spring and operating the wheel 12, having
notches 13 in its periphery, at equal distances apart into which the end of the
striking train controlling arm 14 is adapted to drop. The said notches or
recesses 13 instead of being unequal distances apart, as when a bell striking
mechanism is employed, are spaced regularly so that each time the train is
released the gear 11 is allowed to move the same distance.
Meshing with the said gear 11 is another gear 16 and connected to this is a
cam 17. 18 indicates a pivoted lever or frame having one end resting upon the
cam and connected by a link 19 with a vertically movable rod 20 controlling the
abutment for controlling the position of the card. The said adjustable cam 10
upon the hour hand shaft cooperates with the end of a lever 15 on an arbor 21

page_text: which arbor is also connected with the release arm 14 and with the fly, controlling
the movement of the spring operated gear 11 of the striking train, said cam
being so positioned relative to the hands of the clock and the time stamp, that
when the hands of the clock point to 12 (or other predetermined hour) the
release arm 15 will be operated to release the train and allow the cam 17 to
turn a sufficient distance and move the card-adjusting abutment to bring the
next subdivision on the card in line with the marking wheels of the time
stamp.
The minute and hour hands of the time stamp are operated from the clock
through the gears 22 and 23, the latter being connected to a flexible shaft 24
extending downward to the stamping or printing mechanism.
In Figures 12, 13, and 14 I have shown sufficient of the clock mechanism
to illustrate the practical working thereof when the movement employed is
actuated by one main spring serving both to operate the time recorder and to
actuate the means for operating card lifting device which serves to raise and lower
the card relatively to the marking point in the printing mechanism as will
hereinafter more clearly be explained.
In these Figures 12, 13 and 14 as in the previously described arrangement
with the use of two springs and a striking movement, 1 indicates the frame of
the clock movement so far as is necessary to elucidate construction for the pre-
sent purpose; 2 the clock dial; 3 the minute hand arbor having a pinion 4
thereon meshing with a second pinion 5, connected to a pinion 6 meshing. with
a gear or pinion 7, loose on the arbor 3 and connected rigidly with the sleeve 8
carrying the hour hand 9. The arbor 8 has connected with it an adjustable
cam 10 which operates to release the the train actuating the card controlling abut-
ment or arm. 200, 200, are screws and washers passing through slots in the
cam 10 and serving adjustably to connect the cam 10 to the gears 7
.
In Figs. 12, 13 and 14; 18*, indicates a lever, pivoted at 47 to the framing 1
and resting at its one end (to the right hand) upon the cam 10 and at its other
end carrying a pivoted click or driver 48 the tooth 49 of which engages the
teeth 65 of the vertically reciprocating bar 64 which reciprocates in the guiding
groove 66 formed in the guideway frame 67 supported by the extensions 68
of the framing, 1.
This slide bar 64 is retained in the groove 66 by the screwed plates 69.
97 is a spring and 98 a counterweight linked to the lever arm 18* to counter
balance and give a downward tendency to that end of the lever 18* to press it.
onto the cam 10 and when it arrives at a point when it ceases to be supported
by the greatest diameter of that snail 10, it falls upon the smallest diameter
thereof.
As the cam 10 revolves it first raises the right hand end of the lever 18*
step by step and lowers the opposite end carrying the click 48 the depth of one
notch in the bar 64, or other predetermined movement adapted to give the
required relative movements to the parts as the predetermined period of time
elapses.
The cam 10 then releases the said end of the lever 18* and that end falls,
whilst its opposite end, is correspondingly suddenly raised with its click 48 in
engagement with a tooth of bar 64 thereby raising the bar 64 a certain distance,
during this rising of this bar the catch 78 under the influence of the spring 79
engages one of the teeth 65 and supports the bar 64 as it is successively lifted
by the arm 18* and its click or catch 48, until the bar 64 having been raised to
its fullest extent the projecting pin 64* comes in contact with the arm 78* pro-
jecting from the catch 78, it lifts that catch free of the teeth of the bar 64 and
the arm 48* of the click 48, at the same time being in contact with the project-
ing pin 67** the catch 48 is released from teeth 65 and held out of engagement
therewith..
The bar 64 being now unsupported falls to its lowest position ready to resume
step by step movements under the lifting action of lever 18*. As soon however

page_text: as in falling the stop pin 67* on the bar 64: comes in contact with the arm 78*
of the holding catch 78 that which had in the lifting been knocked out of
engagement with the teeth 65 and moreover been held out of such engagement
by its spring 79 is now knocked into its working position as a support to said
bar 64 in its step by step rise, and held in that position by the spring 79, until
the same sequence of movements of rise and fall of the bar 64 is repeated, at
the expiration of a predetermined lapse of time say 12 hours, or period.
Although I have shown the connection 20 between the toothed bar. 64 as
being constituted by a wire and between said bar and the index 43 as by a con-
tinuation 20 of said wire 20 the means may be made in any other convenient,
form adapted to impart the desired motion.
The card C upon which the record is received is shown in Figure 10, con-
taining space for the name of the workman at the top and is suitably ruled to
indicate the days of the week and also half days, the subdivisions between these
being horizontal; said card is also ruled to form two widely separated columns
marked "in" and "out" to receive the marks made by the stamp indicating
the arrival and departure from the factory. Between the divisions last mentioned
are suitable smaller subdivisions indicating the time lost by the workman and
containing spaces for receiving the stamp mark indicating the hour when he
left the factory and also when he returned.
The same space could be used for overtime. if desired.
The frame work of the time stamp may be constructed in any suitable manner,
and preferably, embodies the side pieces 25 connected by suitable rods or con-
nections; and 26 indicates the card receiver or holder, preferably provided with
the flaring mouth for the ready insertion of the card, and open at front and
back, being merely a skeleton frame, having ears or perforated lugs 27 through
which passes the rod 28, secured to the frame, and at the lower end having the
guiding half bearing 29 partially embracing the rod 30. 31 indicates an arm
or lever pivoted at 32 and extending forward and forming the abutment or
support for the card C; said arm being weighted at 33 to cause its descent by
gravity and connected by the arm 34 with the vertically movable rod or wire 20
controlled by the cam 17. The card holder is moved laterally to bring the
particular subdivision opposite the printing point of the stamp, by means of a
lever 35 pivoted at the rear to the main frame and connected to the card holder
by a link 36; said lever having the forwardly extending operating handle 37
The portion of the card opposite the printing point of the time stamp is indi
cated by an arm or index 41 pivoted to the frame at 38 and connected by a
link 39 with an arm 40 rigidly attached to the card holder.
The upper
end of
the arm 41 constitutes an index cooperating with a scale 42 containing marks
or indications on its face corresponding to those on the face of the card C, so
that when the operator moves the card holder by the said operating handle 37,
the column brought in line with the time stamp will be indicated on the scale 42.
As the vertical movement of the rod 20 causes the vertical movement of the
arm or abutment 31 on which the card rests, and the aniount of movement given
to said arm every twelve hours or other predetermined time is limited to the
distance between horizontal subdivisions on the card, it is desirable to indicate
to the operative the particular subdivision or space which is in line with the
printing point of the stamp, and for this purpose I provide a scale 43 containing
the subdivisions or marks corresponding to those on the card, with which scale
cooperates an index 44 pivoted at 45 and connected by a link 46 to said rod 20.
By this construction it will be seen that the operator is enabled to tell at just
what point on the card the printing will take place.
So far as the operation of the parts above described is concerned, it is
immaterial what form of time stamp or what form of operating mechanism for
causing the printing is employed, but I prefer to arrange at the front of the
stamp a striking arm or hämmer 50 having an operating face 51 of rubber or
other suitable yielding material and pivotted upon the stationary arbor 52. This

page_text: striking hammer is provided with the rearwardly extending arm 53 with which
cooperates a shoulder 54 on a trip arm or catch 55 pivoted upon an operating
handle 56, and having at its upper end a hook 57 cooperating with a limiting
arm or stop 58 formed upon or attached to one of the side plates 25 or an exten-
sion thereof. 59 indicates a spring connected to the lower portion of the trip
arm 55 in rear of its pivot and also to the frame and operating not only to lift
the handle 56 but to hold the upper portion of the arm in engagement with
the stop. 58.
When the handle 56 is moved downwardly the projection 54 engaging the
trip arm 53 will draw the hammer backward and as the shoulder passes off the
trip arm, the hammer will be released being drawn forward quickly by a suitable
spring 60 connected thereto and to the main frame, causing the hammer to move
the card C against the printing wheels. 61 indicates a bell-hammer attached.
to the hammer 50 and adapted to cooperate with a gong 62 so that at each
printing operation an alarm will be sounded. The hammer 50 is normally kept
removed from the rear of the card by a light spring 63 attached to the main
frame, as shown particularly in Figure 2, which spring will readily yield, how-
ever, and allow the hammer to strike a blow upon the card, driving it in contact
with the printing-wheels.
.
The printing wheels employed, as usual in devices of this description, embody
a minute wheel 70 and an hour wheel 71, the former being secured upon the
hub of a gear wheel 72 fastened to the arbor 73 and meshing with a correspond-
ing bevel wheel 74 secured to a shaft 75 journalled in a bearing formed in the
frame 76 and connected by a coupling 77 with the flexible shaft 24.
operated from the minute hand arbor of the clock. Upon the face
of the minute wheel 70 are provided suitable printing type forms
indicating minutes from one to sixty, and as the wheel 18 revolved
synchronously with the clock the proper type form is brought to the printing
point in line with the hammer 50. The hour wheel 71 having upon its periphery
the figures from one to twelve, indicating the hours, is attached to a sleeve 80
loose upon the arbor 73 and having upon its end the escapement wheel 81 having
twelve teeth thereon, one for each of the hours, said wheel being retained in
position with the figure, of the hour at the printing point by a pallet arm 82
pivoted upon an arbor 83 secured to a bracket arm 84. The pallet arm 82 is
formed with or secured to an arm 85 projecting downward and toward the
arbor 73 the extreme end cooperating with a cam wheel 86 secured rigidly to
said arbor 73 and having, preferably a notch or recess 87 at one point in its
periphery. The connected arms 82 and 85 are operated upon by a spring 88
so that the point of the last mentioned arm is held in contact with the rim of
the cam wheel 86 the point of the other arm 82 then retaining the escapement
wheel 81, but when the point of the one arm 85 drops into the recess 87 then
the spring 88 will operate the arm 82 outward and release the escapement wheel
allowing the hour wheel 71 to be moved to bring the next figure thereon to the
printing point.. The wheel 86 is connected to a pinion 89, which in turn
meshes with a gear 90 on a sleeve 91 having a pinion 92 meshing with a gear 93
loose on the arbor 73. 94 indicates a spring connected at one end to the wheel 93
and at the other to the escapement wheel 81 (a volute spring being shown, but
any other form may be employed, if desired) and as the wheel 93 is driven
continuously from the arbor 73 through the gearing described, in the direction
of the arrow in Figure 7, the hour-printing-wheel. will be held with the type
form indicating the proper hour at the printing point by the arm 82, while the
minute printing wheel 70 is making one. complete revolution, but after the
printing figure "59," indicating fifty nine minutes after the hour, passes the
printing point the arm 82 will. release the escapement wheel 81 and allow the
spring 94 which has been put under tension meanwhile to rotate the wheel 81
and the connected hour printing wheel 71 to bring the next hour-printing figure
in line, being arrested at the proper point by a stop pin 95 on the inner side of

page_text: the escapement wheel 81 coming in contact.with a second stop-pin 96 secured to
the inner face of the wheel 93. These cooperating pins or stops 95 and 96 hold
the hour wheel during the interval that the arm 85 is in the notch 87 of the
cam wheel 86, and as soon as the escapement arm is again moved into the path
of the teeth of the escapement wheel 81, the pin 96 leaves the pin 95 and the
wheel 81 is retained by the arm 82 until the hour wheel is to be operated again.
This construction ensures the quick operation of the hour printing wheel at just
the proper time.
As usual in devices of this general description, there intervenes between the
numbers on the printing wheels and the card, an ink supplying device in the
form of an ink ribbon 100 connected at opposite ends to spools 101 and 102,
said spools being splined upon the vertical spool arbors 103 mounted in the
slotted ends of arms 104 extending from the main frame and held in the position
by pins or keys 105. Collars 106 rest upon the upper sides of the arms 104 and
secured to the arbors 103 are collars 107 between which, and other collars 108
are arranged spiral springs 109, said springs serving to hold the collars 108
against the under sides of the arms 104 and offering sufficient friction to the
rotation of the arbors to maintain the spools in proper position. The lower ends
of the arbors 103 are provided with gears 110, preferably in the form of ratchet
wheels adapted to mesh alternately with corresponding wheels 111 secured to
the ends of an arbor 112 said arbor being capable of rotation and also of sliding
longitudinally in bearings formed in the lower portion of the main frame.
Secured rigidly near one end of the arbor 112 is a ratchet wheel 113 with which
cooperates a spring operated pawl 114 pivoted upon a depending arm 115 of the
operating handle 56, the construction being such that at each downward move-
ment of the operating handle 56 the shaft 112 will be rotated a short distance and
will be prevented from backward movement by a pawl 116 secured to the frame.
The end of the pawl 114 is long enough to permit the longitudinal movement of
the arbor 112 necessary to connect the gears 111 with the gears. 110 on the
vertical spool arbors, and as the arbor 112 is rotatable in one direction, it will
be seen that the ribbon will be rolled from one spool to the other depending
upon which of the gears 110 is in connection. The arbor 112 is provided with
a beveled projection 117 near its centre with which cooperates a V-shaped
spring 118, said spring serving to hold the arbor when it is moved longitudinally
in engagement with either of the spool arbor gears.
The said arbor 112 is shifted longitudinally by means of a lever. 1.19 pivoted
at 120 to the main frame, having its upper end bifurcated for the passage of
the ink ribbon 100; said lever is also connected by a link 121 with a short
corresponding lever 122, also bifurcated for the passage of the ribbon and at or
near the ends of said ribbon are provided enlargements or projections adapted to
contact with said levers 119 and 122, so as to move them in the direction the
ribbon is moving, and thereby cause the reversal of the ribbon driving mechanism.
In the present instance, these projections are shown as being in the form of
ordinary eyelets 124 (only one being shown in Figure 2 but any suitable form
of stop will suffice) passed through the ribbon and headed on both sides, of a
greater length than the space between the arms of the lever 119 so that the
ribbon being moved to the left in Figure 2, the next movement of the ribbon
will cause the lever 119 to be moved to the left, bringing the wheel 111 to the
right into engagement with the wheel 110 on the arbor of the spool 101, so that
the ribbon will then be fed to the right again. Similarly as the eyelet 124
engages the lever 122, the shifting lever 119 will be moved back to the position
shown. I employ two levers, 119 and 122, because the eyelets or projections
are arranged near the centre or printing portion of the ribbons, but only one
would be necessary if the projections were out of this line, said eyelets then
engaging directly with the said shifting lever 119 on opposite sides.
For ensuring the proper throw of the said lever 119 and holding the parts in

page_text: engagement I provide upon the said lever 119 a pin 125 encircled by a loose
roller or sleeve 126, see Fig. 9, adapted to contact with a pointed or V shaped
head 127 on a spring 128 attached to the main frame. The loose connection of
the roller and pin ensures the complete movement of the shifting lever as soon
as the pin is thrown over the point of the spring by the projection on the
ribbon.
All parts of the apparatus are in practice concealed by a suitable_casing,
except the scales indicating the position of the card, the operating handles, and
the upper portion of the card receiver; and the manner of using the device will
now be readily understood. When the workınan enters the factory in the morn-
ing, he places his time card, say. with the printed face, shown in Figure 10,
turned away from him in the card receiver, then moves the handle 37 until
the index 41 cooperates with the indication "in," he then presses the operating
handle 56, drawing back the hammer and releasing it by the continued down-
ward movement of the handle, thereby causing the printing wheels to make an
impression of the exact time upon the card in the proper subdivision thereof.
This downward movement of the handle is limited by the hook 57 and causes
the turning of the ribbon mechanism to bring a fresh portion of the ribbon in
front of the time-stamp.
The card is then removed from the receiver to a suitable holder or receptacle,
and the machine is ready for the next operative. Any of the subdivisions on the
card in the same horizontal plane may be brought to the printing position, the
indices showing which.
As the marking wheels of the time stamp are in the rear of the card and the
card is reversed from the position in Figure 10 with its printing face toward
the stamp, it requires an index arm 41, pivoted intermediate its length, in
order that the letters on the scale 42 may be read in the same direction as the
card.
The minute wheel of the time stamp is, of course, moved constantly by the
clock mechanism, and at each hour, the hour wheel is moved in the manner
described, and at the expiration of twelve hours, or twenty four hours if desired,
or other predetermined period, the abutment at the bottom of the card receiver
will be moved upwardly, limiting the insertion of the card to bring the stamp
on the subdivision thereon which is indicated by the index 44 operating on the
scale 43, shown particularly in Figure 1.
The machine thus described is simple, easily operated and I find in practice
admirably adapted to the purpose..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
In and in connection with apparatus employed in checking and recording the
attendance of workmen and for the like uses:-
1. The combination with a card receiver, a time stamp, and a movable abut-
ment for regulating the position of a card in the receiver relating to the stamp,
means for operating said abutment intermittingly, a scale containing suitable
subdivisions corresponding to the intervals of movement of the abutment and an
index connected with the abutment and cooperating with the scale for indicating
the position of the abutment relative to the printing point of the time stamp,
substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
2. The combination with a time stamp, of a card receiver movable to bring
different portions of the card in the receiver in line with the printing point of
the stamp, a scale indicating the position of the receiver relative to the printing
point of the stamp, and an index connected to said receiver and cooperating
with the scale, as set forth and shown by the drawings.
3. The combination with a time stamp, of a card receiver movable to bring
different portions of a card in the receiver in line with the printing point of the

page_text: stamp, a scale for indicating the position of the receiver relative to the printing
point of the stamp, and an index pivotted intermediate its length and connected
to the receiver, as set forth and shown by the drawings.
4. The combination with the card receiver, a time stamp, a movable abutment
for regulating the position of a card in the receiver relative to the stamp, the
rod 20 for operating said abutment, the scale 43, the index 44, and the link 46.
connecting the rod and index, all substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with a time stamp a card-receiver movable relatively to the
marking point of the stamp, the scale 43 and a pivoted index 41 cooperating
with the scale, and a link 39 connecting the receiver with the index, substan-
tially as set forth and shown by the drawings.
6. The combination with the minute printing wheel and mechanism for driving
it, of an hour printing wheel, a spring or springs for operating the latter, and
stop devices operated from the minute wheel for releasing the hour wheel at
intervals, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
7. The combination with the minute wheel, and mechanism for driving it,
of an hour wheel, a spring or equivalent connection between said wheels, and
stop devices operated froin the minute wheel for releasing the hour wheel at
intervals, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
8. The combination with the minute wheel, and mechanism for driving it,
of an hour wheel, a spring or springs for operating it, a step for arresting the
hour wheel released by the movement of the minute wheel, and means operated
by the movement of the minute wheel for winding the spring, substantially as
described and shown by the drawings.
9. The combination with the minute wheel, and mechanism for driving it, of
an hour wheel, a spring connection between the hour and minute wheels, and
stops for limiting their relative movement, a stop for arresting the hour wheel,
and means actuated from the minute wheel for releasing the arresting stop at
predetermined intervals, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
10. The combination with the minute wheel and mechanism for driving it,
of an hour wheel, a toothed wheel or its equivalent connected thereto, a stop
for engaging the teeth of said wheel, a spring or equivalent connection for
rotating the hour wheel, and a cam wheel operated from the minute wheel for
releasing the stop from the toothed wheel or its equivalent at intervals, substan-
tially as described. and shown by the drawings.
11. The combination with the minute wheel, and mechanism for driving it,
of an hour wheel, a toothed wheel connected thereto, a stop for engaging the
teeth. of said wheel, a spring arranged between the hour and minute wheels, and
means operated from the minute wheel for releasing the stop at intervals, sub-
stantially as described and shown by the drawings.
12. The combination with the minute wheel, the hour wheel, a spring or
like connection between the wheels, and stops for limiting their relative move-
ment, of a stop for arresting the movement of the hour wheel, and means for
releasing said stop actuated from the minute wheel, substantially as described
and shown by the drawings.
13. The combination with the minute wheel, the hour wheel having the toothed
wheel connected thereto, of the gear operated from the minute wheel, the spring.
or the like between said gear and the hour wheel and the cooperating stops
between said gear and wheel, the stop arm engaging the toothed wheel and a
cam wheel operated from the minute wheel for releasing the stop arm, substan-
tially as described and shown by the drawings.
14. The combination with the minute wheel, the arbor therefor, the hour
wheel loose on the arbor, and the toothed wheel connected thereto, the gear
loose on the arbor, and the spring connecting it with the hour wheel, gearing
between the arbor and said gear, a stop arm for engaging the toothed wheel-
aud a cam on the arbor for operating said stop arm, substantially as described
and shown by the drawings.

page_text: 15. The combination with the minute wheel, the arbor therefor, the hour
wheel loose on the arbor having the toothed wheel, the loose gear on the arbor,
the pins or stops between the toothed wheel and gear, and the spring connecting
the wheel and gear. of the gear and cam fixed on the arbor, connections between
said gear and the loose gear, and a stop arm for engaging the toothed wheel
and controlled by the cam, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
16. The combination with a printing mechanism, an ink ribbon, winding
arbors for the latter and an intermittently moving arbor, driving mechanism
adapted to be connected alternately with the ribbon winding arbors, of a shifting
device for the driving mechanism, embodying a movable shifting arm, and stops
arranged near the ends of the ribbon for operating said arm in opposite directions,
substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
17. The combination with a printing mechanism, an ink ribbon having the
projections near opposite ends thereof, winding arbors for the ribbon, and a driv-
ing mechanism for operating said arbors, of a shifting arm for connecting the
driving mechanism alternately with the arbors, and operated upon by the pro-
jections on the ribbon, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
18. The combination with a printing mechanism, an ink ribbon having the
projections near opposite ends thereof, winding arbors for the ribbon, a driving
mechanism for operating said arbors alternately, of the two shifting arms for
connecting the driving mechanism with the arbors, and operated upon by the
projections on the ribbon, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
19. The combination with a printing mechanism, an ink ribbon having the
eyelets or stops near opposite ends, driving mechanism for operating said ribbon
in opposite directions alternately, and a shifting mechanism embodying a bifur-
cated arm through which the ribbon passes and with which the eyelets thereon
engage alternately, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
20. An inking ribbon having eyelets or stops near opposite ends, in combina-
tion with winding spools, operating mechanism adapted to be connected to the
spools alternately, and a movable arm with which the eyelets engage to connect
the operating mechanism alternately with spools, substantially as described and
shown by the drawings.
21. The combination with the printing wheels, and the movable hammer, of
the ribbon having the projections at opposite ends, the spool arbors having the
wheels thereon, the longitudinally movable arbor having the wheels, ratchet
mechanism between the hammer and arbor, and the shifter arm for operating
the arbor longitudinally actuated by the projections on the ribbon, substantially
as described and shown by the drawings.
22. The combination with the ribbon having the stops or projections thereon,
and operating mechanism for moving the ribbon in opposite directions, the
shifting arm or part actuated by the stops or projections on the ribbon for alter-
nately connecting the operating mechanism with opposite ends of the latter to
move it in opposite directions, the pin on the lever, the loose roller thereon,
and the spring having the projection cooperating with the roller, substantially
as described and shown by the drawings.
23. The construction and use of the mechanism for changing the direction of
winding and unwinding of the inking ribbon, substantially as and for the purpose
herein before set forth and shown by the drawings.
"
"
24. The construction and use of the mechanism for effecting the change of
position of the indicating and recording device according to whether the user
is proceeding "in or out" of the place to or from which his arrival or departure
is desired to be registered, substantially as described and shown by the drawings.
25. The construction and use of the mechanism for holding a loose card in
correct position relatively to the printing point of the stamp, so that the impres-
sion of the time may be appropriately located on said card according to whether
the person whose "register" to be indicated is coming in" or going "out"
of the place of employment, substantially as set forth.
"

page_text: 26. The construction and use of the mechanism for regulating the force of
the blow imparted to the device for bringing the time card in printing contact
with the time stamp, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown
by the drawings Figures 2 and 4..
シン
27. The use of the mechanism referred to in Claim 25 in combination with
mechanism for changing the position of the working portion of the inking ribbon
relatively to the impression device; substantially as described and shown by
drawings Figs. 2 and 4.
.%
28 The combination of parts for effecting the accurate adjustment of position
of the card raising device and consequently of the. card, relatively to the striking
tent of
point the hammer or member which delivers the blow on said card to bring
it in contact with the inking ribbon in order to the card receiving the indication
of time from the time stamp, substantially as set forth and shown by the drawings.
29. The construction and use of the improved parts of the clockwork movement
actuating the means for operating the device for raising and lowering the time
card relatively to the marking point of the printing mechanism, substantially
as described and shown with reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 14...
菜品
30. The general combination and use of the mechanisms herein shown for
indicating and recording the times of attendance of workmen in factories and
other places and for like use, substantially as described and shown by the
drawings.
.)
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery. Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.