Improvements in Workmen's Time Recorders.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 6th July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Workmen's Time Recorders.
I WILLARD LE GRAND BUNDY, Mechanical Engineer of Bringhampton Broome
County, New York in the United States of America do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to workmen's time recorders and my object is to simplify
the construction and increase the efficiency thereof, and to produce a time recorder
in which the printing mechanism is actuated or set by the introduction of a flat
check, provided with suitable printing characters in relief, into a vertical chute;
in which the check, as it falls through the chute trips the printing alarm mechanism,
when it reaches the point therein which brings the characters thereon in the
printing line, which is in line with the time wheels; in which the check is held at
the printing point until the impression is made; in which the check is released
simultaneously with the making of the impression, and by the impression mechanism;
in which the check holder is set to catch the check by the mechanism which is
actuated by the introduction of the check; in which the printing platen also carries
the paper strip and is fed by a mechanism actuated by the vibratory movements of
the platen; and in which the ribbon feed mechanism is actuated by the introduction
of the check.
Dated this 6th day of September 1892
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Workmen's Time Recorders.
I WILLIAM LE GRAND BUNDY, of Bringhampton, Broome County, New York
in the United States of America Mechanical Engineer 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 relates to workmen's time recorders, and my object is to simplify
the construction and increase the efficiency thereof, and to produce a time recorder
in which the printing mechanism is actuated or set by the introduction of a flat
check, provided with suitable priuting characters in relief, into a vertical chute;
in which the check, as it falls through the chute trips the printing alarm mechanism,
when it reaches the point therein which brings the characters thereon in the printing
line, which is in line with the time wheels; in which the check is held at the
printing point until the impression is made; in which the check is released simul-
taneously with the making of the impression, and by the impression mechanism; in
which the check holder is set to catch the check by the mechanism which is
actuated by the introduction of the check; in which the printing platen also
carries the paper strip and is fed by a mechanism actuated by the vibratory move-
ments of the platen; and in which the ribbon feed mechanism is actuated by the
introduction of the check.
+
My invention consists in the several novel features elements and mechanisms
which are hereinafter described and which are specifically set forth in the claims.
hereto annexed.
It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the recorder complete, in its case, the door being

page_text: i
removed, everything being in its normal position ready for the introduction of
the check.
Fig. 2, is a like view of the same showing the printing and alarm mechanism
set, ready for the introduction of the check into the chute, and ready to be
tripped by the dropping of the same on to the trip.
Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional elevation of the check chute ready for the intro-
duction of the check, and an elevation of the impression and paper feed mechanism
as viewed from the right, in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, is a sectional detail of the top of the check chute, showing the check
partially introduced, and in engagement with the lever by which the impression and
alarm mechanism is set, and in the position it assumes at the, moment when they
are so set.
Fig. 5, is a sectional detail of the check chute, the catch, which holds the
impression and alarm mechanisms in their position when set, the slide which
supports the check at the printing line, the impression platen, ink ribbon and
paper strip.
Fig. 6, shows the check in front elevation, in rear elevation, and in top
plan, respectively.
Fig. 7, is a top plan of the check chute and the check inserted therein.
Fig. 8, is an elevation of the check chute, looking from the right in Fig. 1.
Fig. 9, is a rear elevation of part of the arm, which carries the alarm hammer
and the mechanism thereon.
Fig. 10, is a like view of the same showing the setting catch in engagement
therewith.
Fig. 11, is a plan of the train of gearing which actuates the time wheels.
Fig. 12, is a front elevation of part of the check chute, the check therein and
the time wheels.
Fig. 13, is a sectional detail of the check chute, and the check therein, and a
top plan of the time wheels, and the gearing actuating them, synchronous with
the clock.
Fig. 14, is an elevation of the paper feed mechanism, looking from the left in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 15, is a sectional elevation of the same on line a x, Fig. 14.
Fig. 16, is a detail (enlarged) of the crank arm connected to the platen carrying
bar and the rod actuating it.
Fig. 17, is a front elevation of the time wheels, shown in top plan, in Fig. 13.
A (Figs. 1 & 3) is the casing; and a is an ordinary clock mechanism, upon the
honr-hand part of which the gear & (Figs. 11 & 13) is mounted, in engagement
with the gear c, which is in engagement with the gear d upon the side of the time
wheel d' (shown also in Fig. 12) indicating the minutes by the number upon its
periphery.
(Figs. 12 & 13) which also carries a
gear cupon the side of the hour
the gear el having 12, so that every
The gear is mounted upon the shaft
gear Fig. 13 in engagement with the
wheel d", the gear el having one tooth, and
full rotation of the gears cand e rotates the gear cand the hour wheel the
distance of a single tooth on the gear en
on one hour upon the hour wheel (see
Fig. 17).
B (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, &12) is the check chute consisting of two parallel
bars, grooved longitudinally and mounted in an upright position in the casing, and
extending through its top; and h (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, & 13) is the check which is
of such width and thickness as to fit loosely in the chute.
This check, consists of a plate of metal, provided upon its front face with a
designating number Fig. 6, and at one side, with a raised or embossed printing
number (Figs. 6, 12, & 13), the rib (Fig. 6) on that edge being broken
away, as shown, and upon the back provided with a longitudinal guide groove
(Figs. 4, 6, 7, & 13). A short, vertical fin or rib (Fig. 7) is secured on one side
of the chute and projects into it, and when the check is inserted, it fits into the

page_text: guide groove on the back thereof, and guides it, and also ensures the proper
insertion of the check with the printing number on the proper side.
A slotway (Figs. 3 & 4) is cut in one side of the change chute, and a pivotally
mounted lever m projects through it into the check chute so that the edge of the
check engages with it, and pushes that end down, as the check is pushed into the chute,
as shown in Fig. 4, and this raises the connecting rod m' (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 16), the
lower end of which is connected to the crank arm m which is secured upon the rock
shaft n which is journaled in the frame n' and the back of the casing, as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
The arm p (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, & 16) is also secured upon said shaft, and upon its
upper end carries the impression platen r, so that when the connecting rod m' is
pulled up, as aforesaid, it partially rotates the shaft n and throws the platen from
the side of the chute as shown in Fig. 2, and 7ª (Figs. 3 & 16) is the retracting
spring which gives the impulse to the platen to strike a quick blow to make an
impression.
Upon the crank m
an arms (Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 16) is secured carrying a hammer
upon its outer end, and therefore, when the rod m¹ is raised, as aforesaid, said
hammer is raised away from the bell s' and the spring causes it to strike a single
blow upon the bell.
Upon au arm, upon the side of the check chute, I pivot a hook 1 (Figs. 1, 2, 5,
& 10), the opposite end of which projects into the check chute (Fig. 10) so that
the dropping check strikes it and depressing this end, raises the hook (Fig. 5).
When the rod m³ is raised and the arms with it, (as shown in Fig:: 2,) the
hook engages with the pin 2 upon this arm, (Fig. 10) and this holds the platen
and hammer in the position shown in Fig. 2. Then when the check drops and throws
up said hook out of its engagement with said pin, both the platen and hammer are
released to make the impression and give the alarm.
When the check has thus unlocked the platen and hammer, it rests upon the
sliding stop 3 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, & 12) and the figures thereon are then in the
printing line. This stop is suitably mounted alongside of the hook 1 and is provided
with a side pin 4 (Figs. 1, 2, & 5), which extends out beyond the edge of the
chute, and an arın 5 secured to the platen is adapted to engage with this pin, just
as the platen is making an impression, and force said stop back and release the
check which then drops from the chute into a receiver 6.
The ink ribbon (Figs. 1 & 2) is wound upon the spool 7, journaled in the
frame and the reel & which is secured upon a shaft 9 journaled in a bracket 10
secured upon the chute, and in the back of the case.
A gear 11 is secured upon this shaft meshing with the pinion 12 secured
upon the gear 13 which meshes with a pinion (not shown) secured upon the shaft
which carries the star wheel 14.
An arm 15 is secured upon the rod m³ and is raised therewith when the check is
inserted, and then when the rod is retracted, as aforesaid, the end of said arm will
engage with a tooth of the star wheel and rotate it one tooth, and thus, through
the train of gearing, rotate the reel to wind the ribbon thereon from the spool
and feed it.
A spring pawl 16 engages with the teeth of said star wheel.
A paper reel 17 (still referring to Figs. 1 & 2) is mounted in the bottom of the
case and the paper strip t extends from it up through the paper chute, across the
face of the platen, through a loop 18 across its top, over a roller across its back
corner mounted upon a shaft. 19, and thence down through the sliding feed
mechanism.
The paper chute 20 is simply a flat tube of metal secured upon the rock shaft n.
The feed mechanism comprises a loop 21 (Fig. 15) on the side of the chute
through which the paper passes, fingers 22 secured thereon, (see also Fig. 14)
the toothed ends of which engage with the paper, a plate 23 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 14, & 15)
having part of its edges bent around the edges of the paper chute and free to
slide thereon; side walls 24 formed by bending the lower edges of said plate

page_text: 1
outward; a frame 25 pivotally mounted upon these walls and provided with a
cross beam 26 beating a grip plate 27 (Fig. 15) secured thereto, and a rod 28
(Figs. 1, 2, & 15) pivotally connected to one corner of the frame and to the
back of the case.
Then, when the rock shaft is rotated, as aforesaid, the rod 28 will first
cause the frame 25 to rock upon the slide 23 bringing said grip against the
paper and gripping it against the slide, and as the movement continues, said
rod will draw the slide down, pulling the paper with it, and when the platen
strikes the blow, the grip is released from the paper, and held by the fingers 22
against retraction.
Referring to Figs. 1 & 2, upon the hammer bar I mount a spring 29 (shown
in detail in Figs. 9 & 10) in such manner that it will bear upon the hook 1
when it is in engagement with the pin 2 and hold it in engagement as shown in
Fig. 10.
Upon the hammer bar I also secure a spring 30 (Figs. 1, 2, 9, & 10) in such
manner that when the hammer arm is raised by the introduction of the check,
it will come into contact with the check stop 3 and force it into position to
operate as a stop as shown in Fig. 5 and also in Fig. 2.
A spring 31 (Fig. 8) is secured upon the change chute with its lower end
projecting into it, in such manner that a check will readily pass it downward,
but after it has been sprung out above the check, the latter cannot be withdrawn,
then being beyond the control of the workman.
This also prevents fraud by a workman and false registering, as could be done
without this spring finger, in that he could attach a cord to the wire or check,
drop it down to the printing point, make the impression from it and then pull
it back out through the top of the chute.
An arm 32 (Figs. 1, 2, & 16) is secured upon the back of the case, and it
projects outwardly in such manner that the platen arm p engages with or strikes
against it, in such a way as to cause said arm, after it has been set and released,
as aforesaid, to spring forward and strike an impression blow, and then rebound,
and throw the platen away from the printing line.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,
1. In a workman's time recorder, a check provided with a groove upon its back
in combination with a check chute consisting of four vertical walls, and provided
with a rib projecting into it and adapted to engage with the groove upon the check,
while in transit through the chute.
2. In a workman's time recorder, a check, in combination with a check chute and
a lever projecting into it on one side, with which the check operatively engages when
forced into the chute.
3. In a workman's time recorder, a check in combination with a check chute, a
lever projecting into it, a rod connected to said lever, a rock shaft and a crank arm
thereon, to which said rod is connected.
4. In a workman's, time recorder, a check, in combination with a check chute, a
lever projecting into it, a rod connected to said lever, a rock shaft, a crank arm
thereon to which said rod is connected and an impression platen mounted upon
an arm secured to said rock shaft.
5. In a workman's time recorder, a check, in combination with a check chute, a
lever projecting into it, a rod connected to said lever, a rock shaft, a crank arm
thereon to which said rod is connected, a hammer rod secured to said crank arm,
and a bell.
6. In a workman's time recorder, a check, in combination with a check chute, a
lever projecting into it, a rod connected to said lever, a rock-shaft, a crank arm
thereon to which said rod is connected, an impression platen mounted upon an arm
secured to said rock shaft, a hammer rod secured to said crank arın and a bell.

page_text: 7. The combination with the impression platen, of a rock shaft to which it is
connected, and means to rotate said crank shaft, actuated by the insertion of a
check into the check chute.
8. The combination with the impression platen, and the hammer rod and bell, of
a rock shaft to which they are connected, and means to rotate said shaft by the
insertion of a check into the check chute.
9. In a workman's time recorder, a rock shaft, an impression platen connected
thereto, a hammer rod also connected thereto, and means to rotate said shaft,
and a check chute, in combination with a trip hook mounted upon said chute
and adapted to engage with a pin upon said hammer rod, when said rock shaft is
rotated.
10. In a workman's time recorder, a rock shaft, an impression platen connected
thereto, a hammer also connected thereto, and means to rotate said shaft, and a
check chute in combination with a trip mounted upon said chute and provided with
a hook upon one end, adapted to engage with said hammer rod when said rock shaft
is rotated, and having a trip arm upon the other end, projecting into the chute and
with which a check engages to disengage said hook.
11. In a workman's time recorder, a check, a check chute, and a trip mounted
thereon, having one end projecting into the chute, in combination with a sliding
stop mounted adjacent to said trip and projecting into said chute to retain the check
upon the printing line.
12. In a workman's time recorder, a rock shaft and means to rotate it, and an
impression platen connected thereto and provided with a lateral arm, in combination
with a sliding stop adapted to project into the change chute, and with which said
arm is adapted to engage to withdraw it from the chute.
13. In a workman's time recorder, a rock shaft, a hammer rod connected thereto,
and a spring finger thereon, in combination with a sliding stop, with which said
finger engages when said rock shaft is rotated.
14. In a workman's time recorder, a check chute, a check, a ribbon reel mounted
upon a shaft, and a train of gearing operatively connected to said shaft, in
combination with a vertically movable rod and a finger thereon, adapted to engage
with the terminal gear when said rod is operated, by the passage of the check
through the check chute.
15. In a workman's time recorder, a rock shaft, a paper chute secured thereto, a
slide upon said chute, a rocking frame mounted upon said slide, a grip upon said
frame, and means to rock said frame when said shaft is rotated, in combination as
set forth.
16. In a workman's time recorder, a clock, time wheels synchronous therewith,
a rock shaft and an impression platen connected thereto, and actuated thereby, in
combination with a check chute, a rod connected to said rock shaft, a lever
connected to said rod and projecting into the check chute, and a check operatively
engaging with said lever to rotate said shaft, when inserted into said chute.
17. In a workman's time recorder, time wheel synchronous with a clock move-
ment, in combination and actuated by a train of gearing driven directly by a
primary gear mounted upon the main post of said movement.
18. In a workman's time recorder, a check, a check chute, and a sliding stop
holding the check upon the printing line, in combination with an impression platen
thrown away from the chute by the insertion of the check into the chute, and an
arm upon the platen engaging said stop to release said check at the said moment
that the impression blow is given by the platen.
Dated this 5th day of June 1893.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.