Employees Time Recorder.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1894
Complete, Specification, Left, 4th July, 1995-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1895
! !
Employees Time Recorder.
I JAMIN SETH MORSE of No. 234 Broadway in the City County and State of
New York, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
1
My invention consists of apparatus whereby a large number of employees may
rapidly record their time of entering and leaving the premises on a record sheet.
automatically moved along the marking devices by a clock or in unison with the
movements of a time measuring instrument, one of the essential advantages of my
improved recorder being that a number of persons may readily and without
interference with one another make their records simultaneously, to expedite the
record making when many are passing together, particularly, as when leaving the
works in a body.
In any suitable case I arrange a roll to carry a record' sheet, said roll being
actuated by any approved motor so as to move the record sheet synchronously with
a clock or other time measuring instrument, said sheet being lined transversoly and
figured on one margin with a time scale, and being lined in longitudinal divisions
one for each individual whose time is to be recorded; these divisions being numbered
on the sheets preferably at the top but elsewhere if desired, correspondingly with
identifying numbers on the front of the case. For example the roll may be on a
rear extension of the hour hand shaft of the clock, but it may be otherwise geared
and gravitating guide rolls will be suitably arranged. with it for controlling the
record sheet.
With each division of the record sheet is an impression stamp arranged to take
effect on the record sheet radially to the roll and preferably consisting of a
reciprocating rod and also preferably arranged vertically and above the roll, the
impression die or point being preferably integral with the rod but it may be
arranged as a type lever, and it may have various means of actuating it for making
the impression which may be by puncture, indentation or otherwise. The rods may
however be connected to pivoted levers and have impression points to take effect on
the record sheet,
A coiled spring may be applied to the rod of the impression stamp between a
fixed bar and a collar secured to the rod for imparting the thrust to make the
impression, and a like compressed spring may be applied to the rod on the other
side of said bar, and between it and another collar secured to the rod to effect
recoil of the impression stamp for clearing the record' sheet immediately after
making the impression, so that the sheet which moves continuously will not be
mutilated by the stamp, but a simple coiled spring may be arranged to effect' both
impression and recoil..
When the rod is raised, teusion for effecting the impression is increased and the
tension for effecting the recoil is diminished, so that on release of the rod for making
the impression the stamp will be thrust sufficiently beyond the normal position to
make the impression, and on recovery will retract the stamp clear of the record
sheet, and leave it free to continue its movement without mutilation of the
sheet.
But instead' of the coiled springs I may use flat springs attached at one end to the
inside of the case or any other support, and at the free end's carrying the rods which

page_text: 1.
pass through them with collars or other suitable means to complete the proper
connection. These springs set so as to hold the impression points slightly above
the record sheet normally will act similarly to the others in effecting the
impression and retracting the stamps when the impression stamps are lifted by
the keys.
For raising the impression stamp, the upper end of the rod is connected to a
plate near its lower end, which plate having a slot and shoulder for the key is fitted
in a slide way attached to the inside surface of the front plate of the case, so that it
can slide up and down freely, and a key having two spurs for lifting the plate is
inserted through the front plate in suitable relation to said plate for the spurs
to take effect on the shoulder to raise the stamp twice to each revolution of the
key.
When a spur of the stamp lifter escapes from the extremity of the shoulder of
the plate, the impression stamp is instantly thrust down by its spring to make the
impression. Two studs are used in order that two operations of the impression
stamp may be made by one revolution of the key, and the key has a short arm on
the outer end whereby after having made one record, as when entering the factory
in the morning, the position of the arm of the key shows that the operator
represented by it is on duty and on shifting it again the position of said arm shows
that the operator is out.
The shoulder of the slot in the sliding plate prevents the key from being turned
backward after making a record and compels the forward turning and consequently
the second record before the release of the key.
I consider the rotating key an especially desirable means of operating the stamps,
because of the facility it affords of guarding against tampering with the apparatus
by unauthorized persons, and also against interference with the records of one
another by the employees, which can be effectually prevented by specially adapting
cach key for its particular stamp lifter by differential wards as common in locks;
and it has this special advantage over all other forms of keys, viz. it locks against
backward movement after having caused one operation of the impression stamp,
and compels the making of another record before it can be withdrawn.
It will be seen that for large numbers of operatives it is important to arrange the
impression stamps as close together side by sido as possible to avoid too great
breadth.
L.
The rods of the impression stamps are therefore made with the elbows connecting
in the sides of the sliding plates, and the lifting devices are arranged in several
groups one above another in diagonal lines so that the rods of the lifting devices
may occupy a plane back of the plane of said lifting devices.
The record strips may be of length suitable for one day to be applied daily, with
corresponding morning and evening time scales, or they may be more lengthy for
weekly or monthly applications, in which cases the daily time scales will be placed
at intervals apart corresponding to the run. of the roll during the hours when
business is suspended, or such long strips may have the scales following in close
proximity, and be readjusted every morning before the hour for resuming business
arrives.
The lifting devices which I have represented are such as I prefer for simplicity,
but it is obvious that I may employ various different forms of apparatus for this
purpose, and I do not limit myself to the devices so far described. For example the
key may be made with cams or arms adapted to act against the projecting euds of
the flat springs described to lift them or to press them down and make the impressions
by direct action of the key, in which case the springs will yield to the action of the
keys in making the impressions, and the recoil will raise the stamps above the
paper.
It will be seen that the spurs of the key will be stopped by the edges of
the springs against being turned backward same as they are stopped against like
motion by the shoulder of the sliding plate.

page_text: And it is obvious that instead of the arrangement of the impression stamps to act
against the timed roll for making the impressions, the roll may be made to draw the
paper over a fixed pad against which, the stamps may be made to act; the roll or
pad will have a suitable yielding felt or other surface best adapted for protection of
the record sheet under the action of the stamps.
The front plate of the case may be glazed so that the record sheet may be visible
at. will.
Dated
NV....
Containho 1+ 1908
I, JAMIN SETH MORSE of No. 234 Broadway in the City County and State of
New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained' in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of apparatus whereby a large number of employees may
rapidly record their time of entering and leaving the premises, on a record sheet
automatically moved along the marking devices by a clock or in unison with the
movements of a time measuring instrument, one of the essential advantages of my
improved recorder being that a number of persons may readily and without
interference with one another make their records simultaneously to expedite the
record making when many are passing together, particularly as when leaving
the works in a body, as hereinafter fully described reference being made to
the accompanying drawings in which :-
11
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of my improved time recorder.
Fig. 2, ie a side elevation.
Fig. 3, is a sectional clevation of the case and part of the clock and a rear
elevation of the recording apparatus.
Fig. 4, is also a sectional elevation of the case, the section being taken at right
angles to that of Fig. 3, and transversely of the axis of the roll which carries the
record sheet, showing a side elevation of the recording apparatus.
Fig. 5, represents detail views of several parts of the recording stamp operating
devices separately, in side elevation and on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 6, represents plan views of the parts shown in side elevation, in Fig. 5..
Fig. 7, is a vertical section of the assembled parts of Figs. 5 & 6, and a side
view of a key such as is used by the employees for making the record, the section
is taken on the line - Fig. 6.
Fig. 8, is a front elevation of a key hole plate.
Fig. 9; is a cross section of an impression stamp lifter and its case, taken on
line y-y Fig. 7.
Fig. 10, is a sectional elevation of the apparatus in part, transversely of the
axis of the roll that carries the record sheet, showing a modification of the
impression devices.
Fig. 11, is partly a front elevation of the apparatus as in Fig. 10, and partly a
sectional elevation at right angles to that of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12, is a detail showing the impression to be made by direct action of the
key through pressing the stamps downward instead of lifting them, as they may
be if preferred, with equal facility.
In any suitable case as a, I arrange a roll as b, to carry a record sheet as c, said
roll being actuated by any approved motor so as to move the record sheet.

page_text: synchronously with a clock as c, or other time measuring instrument, said shect
being lined transversely as d, and figured on one margin with a time scale as e, and
being lined in longitudinal divisions as f, one for each individual whose time is to
be recorded; these divisions being numbered on the sheets preferably at the top
but elsewhere if desired, as at g, correspondingly with identifying numbers on
the front of the case. For example the roll may be as herein represented on a
rear extension of the hour hand shaft i, of the clock but it may be otherwise
geared, and gravitating guide rolls will be suitably arranged with it for controlling
the record: sheet.
With each division of the record sheet is an impression stamp k, arranged to
take effect on the record sheet radially to the roll and preferably consisting of a
reciprocating rod and also preferably arranged vertically and above the roll, the
impression die or point being preferably integral with the rod but it may be
arranged as a type lever, and it may have various means of actuating it for making
the impression which may be by puncture, indentation or otherwise. The rods
may however be connected to pivoted levers a³, as in Figs. 10 & 11, said levers
having impression points d² to take effect on the record sheet.
In Figs. 3 & 4 a compressed coiled spring 1, is applied to the rod of the
impression stamp between a fixed bar m, through which the rod works and a
collar n, secured to the rod for imparting the thrust to make the impression, and a
like compressed spring o, is applied to the rod on the other side of said bar, and
between it and a collar p secured to the rod to effect recoil of the impression stamp
for clearing the record sheet immediately after making the impression, so that the
sheet which moves continuously will not be mutilated by the stamp, but a single
coiled spring may be arranged to effect both impression and recoil.
When the rod is raised compression of spring, is increased, and compression of
spring o is diminished so that on release of the rod for making the impression,
spring, will thrust the stamp sufficiently beyond the normal position to make the
impression slightly increasing the compression of spring o, and decreasing its own
whereby spring o on recovery will retract the stamp clear of the record sheet, and
leave it free to continue its movement without mutilation of the sheet. But instead
of the coiled springs I may use flat springs e², Figs. 10 & 11, attached at one end
to the inside of the case at, or any other support, and at the free ends carrying
the rods which pass through them with collars 92, or other suitable means to
complete the proper connection. These springs being set so as to hold the
impression points slightly above the record sheet normally will act similarly to the
others in effecting the impression and retracting the stamps, when the impression.
stamps are lifted by the keys.
For raising the impression stamp, the elbow of the upper end of the rod is
connected into the side of the plate s near its lower end, which plate having the
slot t, and the shoulder u, is fitted in the slide-way r, attached to the inside surface
of the front plate w of the case and secured by the disk cover, so that it can
slide up and down freely. The slide way is formed in the face of the heady of
the case a, in which the rotating impression stamp lifter is fitted; said head is
secured to the front plate w, by screws 'inserted through the holes 6 which screws
also secure the cover plater.
The case is a tubular extension of head y, inserted in a bored hole of the case
front with the end flush with or slightly projecting from the outside surface of the
front plate and forming the key hole plate e having the slot d for the key e¹ and
the cavity, surrounding the key hole to facilitate the entry of the key so that
operators passing in a hurry may not be delayed.
The stamp lifter is a rotating device fitted in the bored case z, so as to turn freely
and having two studs g' fitted in its head to engage shoulder u, of the sliding
plates when turned by the key in the direction indicated by the arrow. in Fig. 5,
and lift the impression stamp, said lifter having the slot to receive the key for
turning it.

page_text: When a stud or spur gl of the stamp lifter escapes from the extremity of the
shoulder of the plates, the impression stamp is instantly thrust down by its spring
to make the impression. Two studs are used in order that two operations of the
impression stamp may be made by one revolution of the key, and the key e' has a
notch ' in one edge, which when the key is entered and turned engages the inner'
edge of the key hole plate and secures the key so that after having made one
record, as when entering the factory in the morning, the key may be left in the
key hole ready for making the record of leaving time. But the key may be fitted
so as to remain in its working position and be provided with a short arm at which.
being in one position shows that the operator is on duty, and in the reverse position
shows that he is out.
The shoulder m of the slot t in the sliding plate s, prevents the key from being
turned backward after making a record and compels the forward turning and
consequently the second record before the release of the key. I consider the
rotating key an especially desirable meaus of operating the stamps, because of
the facility it affords of guarding against tampering with the apparatus by
unauthorized persons, and also against interference with the records of one another.
by the employees which can bo effectually prevented by specially adapting each
key for its particular stamp lifter by differential wards as common in locks; and,
it has this special advantage over all other forms of keys, viz. it locks against
backward movement, after having caused one operation of the impression stamp,
and compels the making of another record before it can be withdrawn.
In this example I have represented a small machine adapted for only twenty
persons, each being identified on the record slip by the number of the longitudinal
recording space corresponding with the number of the recording stamp figured on
the front of the case which he works, but in practice the machines will be made
larger according to the number of hands employed up to several hundred recording
stamps. It will be seen that for large uumbors operators it is important to
arrange the impression stamps as close together side by side as possible to avoid
too great breadth.
The rods of the impression stamps are therefore made with the elbows 7,
connecting in the sides of the sliding plates, and the lifting devices are arranged in
groups of several (five in this case) one above another in the diagonal lines
represented in Figs. 1, 3 & 11, so that the rods of the lifting devices may occupy a
plane back of the plane of said lifting devices which are too wide for being in the
same plane of the lifting devices of stamps thus placed close together.
4
The record strips may be of length suitable for one day to be applied daily, with
corresponding morning and evening time scales e, or they may be more lengthy for
weekly or monthly applications, in which cases the daily time scales e will be
placed at intervals apart corresponding to the run of the roll during the hours
when business is suspended, or such long strips may have the scales following in
close proximity, and be readjusted every morning before the hour for resuming
business arrives.
1
The lifting devices which I have thus far represented are such as I prefer for
simplicity, but it is obvious that I may employ various different forms of apparatus
for this purpose, and I do not limit myself to tlie devices so far described. For
example the lifter may be made with cams or arms a³, Figs. 10, 11 & 12, and
adapted to act against the projecting ends of flat springs e² to lift them as in said
figures, or they may be arranged to press them down and make the impressions by
direct action of the key, in which case the springs will yield to the action of the
keys in making the impressions, and the recoil will raise the stamps above the
paper. The lifter is modified a little in form and it has a square socket to receive
a square eud of the key, but these are immaterial changes.
It will be seen that the arms as will be stopped by the edges of the springs against
being turned backward same as the studs g are stopped against like motion by the
shoulder of the sliding plate m³,

page_text: And it is obvious that instead of the arrangement of the impression stamps to aut
against the timed roll for making the impressions, the roll may be made to draw the
paper over a fixed pad against which the stamps may be made to act; the roll or
pad will have a suitable yielding felt or other surface best adapted for protection of
the record sheet under the action of the stamps.
The front plate of the case may be glazed as at h³, or otherwise as preferred, so
that the record sheet may be visible at will.
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. The combination in a stationary time recorder, of the timed record sheet
carrying roll, tho record sheet carried thereon and having the record scale
graduated to the timed roll, a series of impression stamps adapted to act on the
record sheet, a series of rotating keys each adapted for actuating an impression
stamp individually, and means to prevent reverse action of the keys substantially as
described.
2. The combination in a stationary time recorder, of the timed record sheet
carrying roll, the. record sheet carried thereon and having the record scale
graduated to the timed' roll, the sbeet guiding and controlling rolls, a series of
impression stamps adapted to act on the record sheet, a series of rotating, keys each
adapted for actuating an impression stamp individually and means to prevent
reverse action of the keys substantially as described.
3. The combination in a stationary time recorder, of the timed record sheet
carrying roll, the record sheet carried thereon, a series of impression stamps
adapted to act on the record sheet, a series of rotating keys adapted for raising a
stamp individually, means to prevent reverse action of the keys, stamp thrusting,
and stamp recoiling springs substantially as described.
4. The combination in a stationary time recorder, of the timed record sheet
carrying roll, the record sheet carried thereou, a series of impression stamps
adapted to act on the record sheet, means for raising the stamps individually, and
stamp thrusting and recoiling springs, said springs consisting of the plates.attached
at one end to the case and carrying the stamps at the free ends substantially as
described.
5. The combination in a stationary time recorder, of a series of impression
stamps each provided with a stamp raising slide having the slot and the shoulder
for the studs of the stamp raiser, a rotating stamp raiser, a key to actuate said
stamp raiser, and a spring to actuate the stamp both for making the impression and
withdrawing the stamp from the paper substantially as described.
6. The combination in a time recorder, of a series of impression, stamps each
provided with a stamp raising slide having the slot and the shoulder for the studs
of the stamp raiser, a rotating stamp raiser having two studs to raise the stamp
twice in a revolution, and a key to actuate said stamp raiser substantially as
described.
7. The combination in a time recorder, of a series of impression stamps, each
provided with a stamp raising slide having the slot and the shoulder for the studs
of the stamp raiser, a rotating stamp raiser having two studs to raise the stamp
twice in a revolution, a key to actuate the stamp raiser having a retaining notch in
one edge, and the retaining flange of the key hole plate to retain the key for the
second action substantially as described.
8. The combination with the stamp raising slide, of the rotating stamp raiser
case having the head provided with the guide way for the slide, the cover for said
guide way, said rotating stamp raiser having the studs for raising the slide and the
slot for the key, and said key substantially as described.
9. The combination in.a time recorder, of the timed record sheet carrying roll,
the record sheet carried thereon, and having the, record scale graduated to the

page_text: timed roll, a series of impression stamps adapted to act on the record sheet, rotating
keys for actuating the impression stamps individually, means to prevent reverse
action of the keys, and means for recoil of the stamps clear of the record sheet.
substantially as described.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent, Agent, London,
For the Applicant.