Year: 1887

page_text: CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL, New York U.S.A. No. 79 John Street, Manufacturing
Electrician, Expert, and Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
An Electrical instrument from which impressions giving the year, month, day,
meridian, hour and minute, name & address can be readily & quickly taken, at
will.
The instrument is controlled from a central or controlling clock, and automatically
changes the day, hour & minute type-wheels, in their order, by electrical impulses
sent by the clock once per minute, from which type wheels impressions can be taken
upon valuable papers of record, finance &c., or other paper. In fact it can be used
advantageously for all purposes where a record of time, & a saving of time & labor in
making a record, is of importance.
This invention relates to what is technically known as time printing stamps.
In instruments of this class using type wheels it has been customary heretofore to
drive one or more of the time wheels by a clock motor; the time wheels being geared
directly to the minute or hour shaft of the clock, and also to drive the time wheels
indirectly by a clock motor, the power of the clock motor being used to wind up or
put tension upon a spring which being released at regular intervals by proper cams,
ratchets and detents serve to turn the time wheels; and furthermore it has been
proposed to use two or more clock movements or motors geared or connected
together, one acting to regulate or control the action of the other, one movement being
used as a time keeper and the other for the purpose of driving or rotating the time
wheels.
It is the object of my invention to produce an instrument that shall be detached
from the time keeper, that shall not be limited in power, and that shall be compact,
simple, reliable and otherwise adapted to the demands of business for which it is
intended, and to this end my invention consists in the construction and combination
of devices hereinafter claimed.

page_text: In the drawings,
Figure 1, sheet 1, is a plan view of a time stamp with its top plate and inking
devices removed.
Figure 2, sheet 1, is a side elevation of the stamp with its vertical wall removed and
other parts broken away to expose operative parts...
Figure 3, sheet 2, is a top view showing the main and auxiliary impression levers
and pads.
Figure 4, sheet 2, is a side view of the minute printing wheel and its driving spur
wheel.
Figure 5, sheet 2, is a detail view of the printing wheel bearing words or symbols,
the latter being on the periphery of the wheel.
Figure 6, sheet 2, is a detail view of the electro-magnet and revolving armature of
the electro-inotor.
Figure 7, sheet 2, is a diagram of an electric circuit including a battery and stamps
controlled by a single circuit wheel of a clock movement.
Figure 8, sheet 1, is a diagram of impression from the printing wheels.
Figures 9, 10 and 11, sheet 3, are detail views.
The reference numeral 1 designates a box or case consisting of side and end walls
and top and bottom plates. A shaft 2 passes transversely through this box or case
and is secured in the side walls thereof; this shaft bears the various wheels concerned
in the operation of printing, and it also bears other wheels for driving these printing
wheels. The different wheels are loosely fitted on the shaft 2, so that they can turn
thereon. The wheel 3 has its periphery divided into sixty parts and it bears numerals
from 1 to 60, for printing the minutes. Secured to this wheel and moving with it is
a spur disk 4, having also sixty teeth and meshing into a corresponding gear wheel 5,
which is secured to a shaft 6, journaled in the side walls of the case or box and capable
of turning in its bearings. A wheel 7, serves to print the hours and it is for such
purpose divided into twenty-four parts or teeth having thereon, preferably, the
meridian marks A.M. and P.M. and the numerals from 1 to 12 repeated. If desired
the letter A, may be used for A.M. and the letter P for P.M., the type wheel then
reading A 12-A 1-A 2-&c., and P 12-P 1-P 2—&c.
A
Secured to the type wheel 7 and revolving with it is a gear wheel 8, having twenty-
four teeth; this wheel meshes into a spur wheel 9, also having twenty-four teeth and
mounted loosely upon the shaft 6. This shaft also bears a fixed projecting pin 10,
which serves to act upon the teeth of the gear wheel 8 for turning the same.
wheel 11, loosely mounted on the shaft 2, is termed the day wheel and is preferably
divided into 32 parts, it bears the numerals from 1 to 31, representing the thirty-one
days of the months, and carries also some word as
change" or the figure of an
arrow, or a space. Secured to this wheel 11, is the gear wheel 12, having thirty-two
teeth into which the pin 13, fixed to the side of the wheel 9, plays.
"
A wheel 14, also loosely mounted on the shaft 2, is designated the month wheel and
is divided into twelve parts, and carries the names of the months or abbreviations
thereof. This wheel may also be provided with suitable gearing and rotated one step
per month but preferably for the sake of simplicity it is operated manually.
A wheel 15, on the shaft 2, is designated the year wheel and it is preferably divided
into twelve parts in the same way as the month wheel. These two wheels, viz.: the
month and year wheels are locked together and held in place by means of a suitable
pin 16, which passes through the side wall of the box 1, and enters suitable holes
made in the wheels 14 and 15, as is seen in Fig. 1. These holes are arranged in a
circle and they are made to register or correspond as will be shown, and there are
as many holes in the wheel as there are divisions or printing spaces thereon.
The day wheel 11 is held in place or is prevented from turning except at the
proper time, by means of a spring catch 18, which bears in and upon the spur
wheel 12, fixed upon said day wheel. The hour wheel 7, also may be held in a similar
manner. The wheels 3, 4, and 5, on the contrary, are held by the motor device on
the shaft 20, through the medium of the electro-magnet 21, and armature 24, the
spring catch 22, and the star wheel 23. Referring to the motor device, it may be

page_text: stated that it comprises an armature 24, which is secured to the shaft 20, and revolves
with it. This arimature may be made of a single piece of cast iron having six
projecting teeth as shown, or it may be made of a disk of wood carrying six or any
other desirable number of iron pieces, or it may be made in any other convenient
manner so long as it is operative by the action of the electro-magnet 21. The star
wheel 23, above referred to is secured to the shaft 20 and to define its shape and
function more precisely it may be stated that it has V-shaped teeth upon which bears
the spring catch 22, which serves both to hold the shaft and armature in place and to
partly rotate it to a determined position. A pinion 25 also secured to the shaft 20,
meshes with the main or large gear wheel 5, on the shaft 6. As shown the pinion must
have six teeth or leaves to correspond to the six projections of the armature and since
it meshes into the gear wheel 5, having sixty teeth, it is obvious that the pinion and
armature and shaft upon which they are mounted will revolve ten times to one of the
wheel 5, or ten times an hour.
Upon the shaft 2 and preferably outside of the frame or box, I mount loosely one
or more extra wheels which are held in place by any suitable locking device such as a
pin 27, passing through holes in the sides of the extra wheels and entering the
casing 1. The extra wheels designated by the numerals 27 and 27ª, are divided into
a certain number of points and carry thereon words, signs and numerals.
The numeral wheel 27, I preferably divide into 30 parts carrying the ten digits
and the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,
90, 95, 100.
The character, sign or word wheel or wheels 27, may carry any conventional signs,
words or characters for facilitating business, such as Operator, Rush, Collect, Paid,
Received, number of words, &c. The word wheel I preferably have print at right
angles with the rotating tube wheels, an impression reading something as shown in
Fig. 8.
These type-wheels may be constructed in any of the well known ways, of metal or
wood and divided into teeth or parts and engraved with the letters, figures or
characters or they may be cast in metal or rubber but preferably they are made of
light metal covered on the circumference with a ring, band or tire of soft rubber,
having the letters, numerals, &c., cast thereon. In Fig. 11 I have shown such a rubber
ring or tire with raised type, a, designating the ring and b, the type.
Upon the inside of the box, case or frame is secured the aforesaid electro-
magnet 21, or magnets having a rotary armature 24. The magnet 21, is included in
an electric circuit with a battery and with the circuit wheel 30, shown in Figure 7, or
a similar one attached to, or actuated by, a time keeper or clock movement. The
circuit-wheel may be made in any of the well known ways and secured to a shaft of
the clock movement or time keeper and rotated thereby. The circuit breaker must be
provided with a proper number of contact points to make the electro motor move the
minute wheel 3 one step each minute, and step by step, the circuit wheel having, if.
secured to the hour shaft of the clock movement sixty makes and breaks, as shown in
Figure 10, so that the electro-magnet is charged and discharged sixty times
per hour.
As shown, the contact should be so made as to charge the electro-magnet sufficiently
long to throw the armature, shaft, pinion and V-shaped toothed wheel far enough to
move the V-shaped spring catch 22, past and over one tooth, when the circuit being
broken, the magnet discharged, and the armature released, the spring catch acts in and
upon the V-shaped toothed wheel, moving it to the correct position and holding it
until the electro-magnet is again energized.
The impressions from the type wheels may be taken by a suitable supported impres-
sion pad, either of the lever or the plunger form. I have preferably used a lever 35, as
shown in Figs. 2 and 3, suitably fulcrumed and held normally in place by a spring
and stop.
I also use when desired, an auxiliary impression lever 36, so arranged that it may
be used independently of or in conjunction with the main impression lever. For this
purpose I provide two levers which are suitably fulcrumed, the auxiliary lever which

page_text: is shown in Fig. 3, being in the path of the downward movement of the main lever
to permit it to be caught by the projecting pin 37, and carried with it; this
auxiliary lever is provided with a separate knob so that it may be used independently,
if desired.
The parts being made and arranged substantially as described, the operation is as
follows: Commencing with a given time the year, month, day and extra wheels being
set correctly and the hour and minute wheels being set to correspond with a time
keeper, when the circuit wheel 30, at the time keeper revolves, as soon as the circuit
is closed, by contact of the spring contact 38, with a metal tooth of the circuit
wheel 30, a current of electricity is sent from the battery over the electro-magnet 21,
of the electro-motor and the armature is actuated and the V-shaped toothed wheel
moves one tooth or thereabouts, the shaft 20, shaft 6, pin 10, wheel 5, wheel 4, and
minute wheel 3, moving a corresponding distance, to the proper positions, where they
are held until the electro-motor is again operated and so on every minute.
When the shaft 6 has made 59/60 of a revolution the pin 10 engages in the
wheel 8, throwing the hour wheel 7, one step at the complete revolution of
the shaft 6, and also moving the wheel 9, by the action of the spur wheel 8, upon said
wheel 9, and at twenty-four revolutions of the shaft 6, the hour wheel 7 and gear
wheel 8 and gear wheel 9, will have made one complete revolution and the pin 13,
upon the wheel 9, acting in and upon the gear wheel 12, will move it and the wheel 11,
one step or one tooth, at every revolution of the wheel 9, the gear wheel 8, and the
hour wheel 7.
It will be understood that in a similar manner the type wheel 14, may be
automatically set monthly, and the type wheel 15, once a year, but for simplicity I
prefer to set these manually. An impression may be taken at any time from the type
wheels by a quick percussive like blow of the impression levers 35, 36.
If extra impressions from the "Extra" type wheels are desired upon the same
paper or document upon which a time impression is made or upon other papers or
documents, it may be done by means of the auxiliary lever 36, after setting the
"
extra type wheels for the required impressions.
66
In Figure 7, I have shown the circuit wheel of the time keeper connected in
circuit with a voltaic battery and three electro-magnets 51, 52, 53, representing the
electro-motor of three distinct time stamps which it will be understood may be at any
reasonable distance from the time keeper. This arrangement and use of time stamps
located at different places and connected in one or more electric circuits and con-
trolled by a time piece common to all is especially, valuable and advantageous for use
by railroad and telegraph companies, manufacturers and others requiring more than
one time stamp. It will be seen that with this invention the stamp proper may be
removed any reasonable distance from the time keeper, thereby preventing any
derangement of or interference with the time keeper, insuring correct time keeping
without which time stamps are of little or no value.
It will also be seen that with this invention ample power can be provided for
actuating the parts and setting the type wheels automatically and reliably, also that
the parts are reduced to a minimum considering the needs of business and also that
with this invention any number of stamps may be automatically and simultaneously
actuated and controlled by a time keeper or clock movement common to all.
While I have shown but one circuit wheel 30, and one circuit in Fig. 7, it will be
understood that the time keeper or clock movement may be made to carry a number
of circuit wheels or have a number of contact springs bearing upon the circuit
wheel 30, and a corresponding number of circuits with a suitable battery for each.
Any of the well known devices may be employed for inking the type wheels.
It will be understood that the stamp when constructed as shown is more especially
designed for use upon papers or documents having companies or firms names or
business thereon.
If, however, it is desirable to print the name of the Company, firm or individual
with the stamp a fixed die may be readily arranged upon the top of the case or box,
near to, parallel with and in front and rear of the type wheels.

page_text: While I have shown a single helix rotary electro-motor, I do not restrict myself
thereto, as the electro-motor can be made in many forms, without departing from the
spirit of my invention, one form of which I have shown in the drawings, Sheets 4 and
5, in which,
Figure 1, sheet 4, is a top view of a time stamp embodying certain improvements,
some of the parts being removed to better show the arrangement.
Fig. 2, sheet 4, is a side elevation of the electro-magnets, armatures, impression
pad and means for transmitting motion to the type wheels.
Fig. 3, sheet 5, is a diagrammatic view of the various circuits, electro-magnets,
clock and circuit making and breaking devices on the type wheels.
The reference numeral 1 designates the frame or casing of a time stamp, which
has rotary type wheels bearing marks or characters indicating time, as in the stamp
hereinbefore proposed by me. It is understood that suitable means are provided for
inking these type wheels, and as my present improvement relates only to special
means for periodically rotating these type wheels and holding them locked at all other
times, which means for rotating and for locking are applicable to the stamp herein-
before proposed by me. The reference numeral 2 designates the hour wheel, which
has secured to it at one side a circuit wheel 3, provided with one contact point 3*.
Bearing upon this circuit wheel is the contact spring 5, which is so arranged that
electrical contact is made between the contact spring 5 and the metal point 3ª, of the
wheel 3 once every hour. Upon the opposite side of the hour wheel 3, is secured a non-
metallic pin 4, a part of which projects slightly above the circumference of another
circuit wheel 7, and passes in its revolution under the spring contact 6, lifting it at a
certain position from the circuit wheel 7. The latter is provided with a single contact 7",
and is secured to the minute type wheel together with the escapement wheel 8, and a
second circuit wheel 9, having a spring contact 10. The circuit wheel 9 is constructed so
that contact between it and the contact spring 10 is maintained during 59/60 of a
revolution, the contact being broken only 1/60 of a revolution. There are three
positions of these circuit wheels and contact springs relative to each other; first 9
and 10 being closed 59/60 of a revolution, while 7 and 6 and 3 and 5 are broken;
second, 9 and 10 being broken, and 7 and 6 closed; third, 9 and 10 being broken,
7 and 6 being broken by the lifting of the spring 6, through the pins 4, and 3 and 5
being closed. These three positions of the contact devices give three distinct electric
circuits within the machine, in an automatic manner, and for convenience, I will
call them the minute wheel circuit, the hour wheel circuit, and the day wheel
circuit. The operation and the circuits are as follows, viz.: The minute wheel circuit
being closed at 12 o'clock noon, the circuit wheel 9 and contact spring 10 are in
contact, and the electric circuit is then (see diagram view) from the battery 11,
wire 16 to the clock 12, and from the latter to the electro-magnet 13, wire 14,
spring 10, wheel 9 and shaft 15, back to the battery. By means of a contact device
and circuit-wheel on the clock arbor, the electric current is caused to pass through
the clock once per minute and the electro-magnet is energized at each impulse and
works the minute wheel around step by step, the fifty-ninth movement leaving the
circuit wheels attached to the minute wheel in the position seen in Fig. 3, that is,
the contact spring rests on the insulated point 9" of the contact wheel 9, and the
spring 6, makes contact with the metal contact point 7, of the circuit wheel 7, so
that the circuit will be broken between 9 and 10, and closed between 7 and 6. The
next electrical impulse or current from the clock (the sixtieth), now passes over the
wire, 16, clock 12, magnet 13, wire 14", magnet 16, wire 17, spring 6, circuit
wheel 7, shaft 15, back to the battery, thus energizing both electro-magnets 13 and 16,
and working the hour wheel 2 one step and also the minute wheel the sixtieth
step. In this manner the circuit is again closed at 9 and 10 and broken at 7 and 6
for fifty-nine minutes more when the same operation is repeated, thus hourly moving
the hour wheel, step by step, one step an hour. On the twenty-third movement of
the hour wheel, the insulating pin 4 passes under the spring 6 and raises it so as to
prevent contact between 7 and 6 for a specified period and at the same time the
contact point of the circuit wheel 3 attached to the hour wheel passes beneath the

page_text: contact spring 5, making electrical contact therewith, and this happens only once in
twenty-four hours and only for one minute or thereabouts. When the parts are in
the position last mentioned, the circuit is from the battery 11, wire 16, clock 12,
electro-magnet 13, (9 and 10 being broken), wire 14ª, magnet 16, (7 and 6 being
broken by insulating pin 4), wire 18, magnet 19, wire 20, spring 5, circuit wheel 3
and shaft 15, back to the battery, thereby energizing the electro-magnets 13, 16
and 19, when the day wheel, the hour wheel and the minute wheel are each moved
one step, so that the minute wheel is moved sixty times per hour, the hour wheel once
per hour, and the day wheel one per day, by the direct action of electro-magnets
automatically controlled by a circuit closing clock attached to or in electrical con-
nection with the time recording stamp. The minute, hour and day wheels combined
with the electro-magnets and contact devices in the above described manner are
mounted upon the shaft 15, so as to rotate thereon, and each wheel has an escapement
ratchet wheel 25, secured thereto. Feed dogs or pawls 26, carried by lever
extensions 27 of the armatures 28 of the three electro-magnets 13, 16 and 19, serve
to rotate the type wheels periodically in the manner and at the times heretofore set
forth. It should be observed that the pull upon the armatures of the electro-magnets
is not the direct cause of the movement of the type wheels since it is the action of
springs which effects the rotation of the wheels, such provision being made by reason
of the presence in the stamp of a non-interfering mechanism designed to prevent the
possible detention of the type-wheels by the act of printing. In time recording
stamps as heretofore made, this is a very great defect, and I overcome the same by the
employment of a simple non-interfering mechanism, whereby the type wheels are
prevented from moving just at the instant of taking the impression, thus insuring
clear and distinct printing and at the same time not detaining the type wheels
sufficiently long to cause then to lose time or throw them out of unison with the
clock controller. It will be observed that the electro-magnets 13 of the minute wheel
are energized for an instant once a minute and that the function of such magnets is
to set the dog or pawl 26 of said minute wheel ready for action and not to move
the type wheel by the pull of the electro-magnet upon the armature. On the contrary,
it is the spiral or other spring 30 connected with the armature lever and frame of the
stamp which serves to actuate the dog and move the type wheels. It is apparent,
therefore, that the electro-magnet can act and set the dog even though the type
wheels are held by the impression pad being upon the same, and the action of the
electro-magnet also serves to put tension upon the returning spring 30, which of
course remains under tension until free to act. I therefore avail myself of this method
of using the electro-magnet and spring and cause the latter to perform the work of
turning the type wheel, since it may be kept under tension for nearly a full minute,
whereas the force of the magnet is only instantaneous. In connection with the
armature lever, spring and ratchet and pawl feed mechanism, I employ a simple
locking device controlled by the impression lever, which acts to hold the escapement
feed lever while an impression is being taken, so that even though the electro-magnet
may be energized just at the instant an impression is being taken, there is no inter-
ference, as the feed lever is locked and can only move in one direction when the
impression lever is away from the type wheels. This locking device or non-interfering
mechanism consists of two swinging arms 40 and 41, of which the latter rests upon
the escapement feed lever. The arm 40 carries a pin or stud 43, under which passes
the projecting end of the impression lever 45 on a hooked piece or arm 46 projecting
from the same. The function of the pin 43 and arm 46, is to raise the arm 40 away
from the arm 41, as the impression lever moves away from the type wheels, and as
the impression lever descends the arm 40 is released from the hooked arm and rests
upon the arm 41, at such an angle and in such relation to it as to lock the arm 41,
against the feed lever, when the armature is attracted to the magnet and hold all
locked until the impression lever returns to place. In other words the arm 46 being
rigid upon the impression arm 45, it will be seen that the depression of the outer end
of the latter will disengage the hooked end of the arm 46 from the pin 43, thereby
leaving the arm 40 resting upon the arm 41, the arm 41 resting upon the escapement

page_text: feed lever. While in this position the arm 41, which is engaged with the end of
arm 40, prevents action of the escapement feed lever by bearing upon the latter
until such time as the release of the impression lever 45 again throws the hooked
end of the arm 46, under the pin 43, on the arm 40, and thereby raises the locking
arm 40, far enough to release the end of arm 41, and allow the spring 30 to act upon
the latter to actuate the escapement feed lever after the impression has been made.
In such manner the electro-magnet is permitted to act and set the dog 26 and to
place tension upon the spring every minute, no matter what may be the position of
the impression lever, and at the same time the type wheel is permitted to turn every
minute by the action of the spring and also insuring clear and distinct printing. I
have shown the locking mechanism as applied only to the minute wheel escapement
feed lever, but it is evident that it must and can be applied to all of the feed levers
in some form. The minute, hour and day wheels are moved by electro-mechanical
devices in the manner fully set forth in the foregoing description and the month and
year wheels 50 and 51, are also provided to complete the stamp. There wheels 50
and 51 are moved manually and are held by a locking pin 52. It will be understood
that two or more printing stamps of the type herein indicated, may be located in the
same electric circuit and combined with a single circuit controlling clock.
It will also be understood that the electro-magnets of the apparatus may be
controlled by actually making and breaking the circuit in other ways than shown, and
also that all of the electro-magnets may be included in one continuous circuit and by
proper means automatically shunted out and in to said circuit at proper times without
actually breaking the circuit, thus practically producing two or more circuits within
the machine and without departing from the spirit of my invention; and I therefore
do not limit myself to the devices as shown, nor to the actual making and breaking of
each circuit.
As an electro-magnet is charged and discharged quickly, it is obvious that in the
instrument above referred to all of the parts must be in condition and position to move
directly by the action of the magnet and at the moment or instant of time that the
magnet is charged or otherwise the parts are not operated. If in such construction
the impression pad happens to be upon the type wheels, at the instant the magnet is
charged, the parts cannot move and the instrument is thrown out of unison with the
clock and is behind one minute, and this defect renders the instrument useless for
printing the correct time. In my instrument, however, the electro-magnet and its
armature and armature lever are always ready for action, and if the printing pad is
upon the type wheels at the instant the magnet is charged the armature, armature
lever and feed dog may be operated and tension be put upon the spring, without
throwing the type wheels, and upon releasing the type wheels by removing or
liberating the printing pad, the tension of the spring will throw the type wheel and
present the next figure thereon, and in such manner the printing wheels are always
made to move in time with the clock unless wilfully held for one minute, which of
course would be abuse and not use of the instrument.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of October 1887
CHAS. ADAMS RANDALL,
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

page_text: Дато ани лише кашр.
CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL, of No. 26 Church Street New York, U.S.A. Electrical
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 :-
This invention relates to what is technically known as Time printing Stamps.
In Instruments of this class using type wheels it has been customary heretofore to
drive one or more of the time wheels by a clock motor, the time wheels being geared
directly to the minute or hour shaft of the clock, and also to drive the time wheels
indirectly by a clock motor, the power of the clock motor being used to wind up or
put tension upon a spring which being released at regular intervals by proper cams,
ratchets and detents, serve to turn the time wheels; and furthermore it has been
proposed to use two or more clock movements or motors geared or connected together,
one acting to regulate or control the action of the other, one movement being used
as a time keeper and the other for the purpose of driving or rotating the time
wheels.
It is the object of my invention to produce an instrument that shall be detached
from the time keeper, that shall not be limited in power, and that shall be compact,
simple, reliable and otherwise adapted to the demands of business for which it is
intended, and to this end my invention consists in the construction and combination
of devices hereinafter claimed.
In the drawings, already submitted in the application for provisional protection,
Figure 1, sheet 1, is a plan view of a time stamp with its top plate and inking
devices removed.
Figure 2, sheet 1, is a side elevation of the stamp with its vertical wall removed
and other parts broken away to expose operative parts.
Figure 3, sheet 2, is a top view showing the main and auxiliary impression levers
and pads.
Figure 4, sheet 2, is a side view of the minute printing wheel and its driving spur
wheel.
Figure 5, sheet 2, is a detail view of the printing wheel bearing words or symbols,
the latter being on the periphery of the wheel.
Figure 6, sheet 2, is a detail view of the electro-magnet and revolving armature of
the electro-motor.
Figure 7, sheet 2, is a diagram of an electric circuit including a battery and stamps
controlled by a single circuit wheel of a clock movement.
Figure 8, sheet 1, is a diagram of impression from the printing wheels.
Figures 9, 10 and 11, sheet 3, are detail views.
The reference numeral 1 designates a box or case consisting of side and end walls
and top and bottom plates. A shaft 2 passes transversely through this box or case
and is secured in the side walls thereof; this shaft bears the various wheels
concerned in the operation of printing, and it also bears other wheels for driving

page_text: these printing wheels. The different wheels are loosely fitted on the shaft 2, so
that they can turn thereon. The wheel 3 has its periphery divided into sixty parts
and it bears numerals from 1 to 60, for printing the minutes. Secured to this
wheel and moving with it is a spur disk 4, having also sixty teeth and meshing
iuto a corresponding gear wheel 5, which is secured to a shaft 6, journalled in the
side walls of the case or box and capable of turning in its bearings. A wheel 7,
serves to print the hours and it is for such purpose divided into twenty-four parts
or teeth having thereon, preferably, the meridian marks A.M. and P.M. and the
numerals from 1 to 12 repeated. If desired the letter A may be used for A.M.
and the letter P for P.M., the type wheel then reading A 12-A 1-A 2-&c., and
P 12 P 1-P 2-&c.
A
Secured to the type wheel 7 and revolving with it is a gear wheel 8, having twenty-
four teeth this wheel meshes into a spur wheel 9, also having twenty-four teeth and
mounted loosely upon the shaft 6. This shaft also bears a fixed projecting pin 10,
which serves to act upon the teeth of the gear wheel 8 for turning the same.
wheel 11, loosely mounted on the shaft 2, is termed the day wheel and is preferably
divided into 32 parts: it bears the numerals from 1 to 31, representing the thirty-one
days of the months, and carries also some word as "change" or the figure of an arrow,
or a space. Secured to this wheel 11, is the gear wheel 12, having thirty-two teeth
into which the pin 13, fixed to the side of the wheel 9, plays.
A wheel 14, also loosely mounted on the shaft 2, is designated the month wheel and is
divided into twelve parts, and carries the names of the months or abbreviations thereof.
This wheel may also be provided with suitable gearing and rotated one step per month,
but preferably for the sake of simplicity it is operated manually.
A wheel 15, on the shaft 2, is designated the year wheel and it is preferably divided
into twelve parts in the same way as the month wheel. These two wheels viz. the
month and year wheels, are locked together and held in place by means of a suitable
pin 16, which passes through the side wall of the box 1, and enters suitable holes
made in the wheels 14, and 15, as is seen in Fig. 1. These holes are arranged in a
circle and they are made to register or correspond as will be shown, and there are as
many holes in the wheel as there are divisions or printing spaces thereon.
The day wheel 11 is held in place or is prevented from turning except at the proper
time by means of a spring catch 18, which bears in and upon the spur wheel 12, fixed
upon said day wheel. The hour wheel 7, also may be held in a similar manner. The
wheels 3, 4, and 5, on the contrary, are held by the motor device on the shaft 20,
through the medium of the electro-magnet 21 and armature 24, the spring catch 22,
and the star wheel 23. Referring to the motor device, it may be stated that it
comprises an armature 24, which is secured to the shaft 20 and revolves with it. This
armature may be made of a single piece of cast iron having six projecting teeth as
shown, or it may be made of a disk of wood carrying six or any other desirable
number of iron pieces, or it may be made in any other convenient manner so long as
it is operative by the action of the electro-magnet 21. The star wheel 23, above
referred to, is secured to the shaft 20, and to define its shape and function more
precisely it may be stated that it has V-shaped teeth upon which bears the spring
catch 22, which serves both to hold the shaft and armature in place and to partly
rotate it to a determined position. A pinion 25 also secured to the shaft 20, meshes
with the main or large gear wheel 5, on the shaft 6. As shown, the pinion must have
six teeth or leaves to correspond to the six projections of the armature, and, since it
meshes into the gear wheel 5, having sixty teeth, it is obvious that the pinion and
armature and shaft upon which they are mounted will revolve ten times to one of the
wheel 5, or ten times an hour.
Upon the shaft 2 and preferably outside of the frame or box, I mount loosely
one or more extra wheels, which are held in place by any suitable locking device
such as a pin 27", passing through holes in the sides of the extra wheels and
entering the casing 1. The extra wheels designated by the numerals 27 and 27ª,
are divided into a certain number of points and carry thereon words, signs, and
numerals.

page_text: The numeral wheel 27ª, I preferably divide into 30 parts carrying the ten digits
and the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90,
95, 100.
The character, sign, or word wheel or wheels 27, may carry any conventional
signs, words, or characters for facilitating business, such as Operator, Rush, Collect,
Paid, Received, number of words, &c. The word wheel I preferably have printed
at right angles with the rotating type wheels, an impression reading something as
shown in Fig. 8.
These type wheels may be constructed in any of the well known ways, of metal
or wood, and divided into teeth or parts and engraved with the letters, figures, or
characters, or they may be cast in imetal or rubber, but preferably they are made
of light metal covered on the circumference with a ring, band, or tire of soft
rubber, having the letters, numerals, &c., cast thereon. In Fig. 11, I have shown
such a rubber ring or tire with raised type, a, designating the ring and b, the
type.
Upon the inside of the box, case, or frame is secured the aforesaid electro-
magnet 21, or magnets, having a rotary armature 24. The magnet 21, is included
in an electric circuit with a battery and with the circuit wheel 30, shown in Fig. 7,
or a similar one attached to, or actuated by, a time keeper or clock movement. The
circuit-wheel may be made in any of the well known ways and secured to a shaft
of the clock movement or time keeper and rotated thereby. The circuit breaker
must be provided with a proper number of contact points to make the electro-
motor move the minute wheel 3 one step each minute, and step by step, the circuit
wheel having, if secured to the hour shaft of the clock movement sixty makes and
breaks, as shown in Fig. 10, so that the electro-magnet is charged and discharged
sixty times per hour.
As shown, the contact should be so made as to charge the electro-magnet sufficiently
long to throw the armature, shaft, pinion, and V-shaped toothed wheel far enough
to move the V-shaped spring catch 22, past and over one tooth, when the circuit
being broken, the magnet discharged, and the armature released, the spring catch
acts in and upon the V-shaped toothed wheel, moving it to the correct position
and holding it until the electro-magnet is again energized.
The impressions from the type wheels may be taken by a suitable supported
impression pad, either of the lever or the plunger form. I have preferably used
a lever 35, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, suitably fulcrumed and held normally in
place by a spring and stop.
I also use when desired an auxiliary impression lever 36, so arranged that it
may be used independently of or in conjunction with the main impression lever.
For this purpose I provide two levers which are suitably fulcrumed, the auxiliary
lever which is shown in Fig. 3, being in the path of the downward movement of
the main lever to permit it to be caught by the projecting pin 37, and carried
with it; this auxiliary lever is provided with a separate knob so that it may be
used independently, if desired.
The parts being made and arranged substantially as described, the operation is
as follows: Commencing with a given time, the year, month, day and extra wheels
being set correctly and the hour and minute wheels being set to correspond with a
time keeper, when the circuit wheel 30, at the time keeper revolves, as soon as the
circuit is closed, by contact of the spring contact 38, with a metal tooth of the circuit
wheel 30, a current of electricity is sent from the battery over the electro-magnet 21,
of the electro-motor and the armature is actuated and the V-shaped toothed wheel
moves one tooth or thereabouts, the shaft 20, shaft 6, pin 10, wheel 5, wheel 4, and
minute wheel 3, moving a corresponding distance, to the proper positions, where they
are held until the electric-motor is again operated and so on every minute.
When the shaft 6 has made 59/60 of a revolution, the pin 10 engages in the wheel 8,
throwing the hour wheel 7, one step at the complete revolution of the shaft 6, and also
moving the wheel 9, by the action of the spur wheel 8, upon said wheel 9, and at
twenty-four revolutions of the shaft 6, the hour wheel 7 and gear wheel 8 and gear

page_text: wheel 9, will have made one complete revolution and the pin 13, upon the wheel 9
acting in and upon the gear wheel 12, will move it and the wheel 11, one step or one
tooth at every revolution of the wheel 9, the gear wheel 8, and the hour wheel 7.
It will be understood that in a similar manner the type wheel 14, may be automatically
set monthly, and the type wheel 15, once a year, but for simplicity I prefer to set these
manually. An impression may be taken at any time from the type wheels by a quick
percussive like blow of the impression levers 35, 36.
If extra impressions from the "Extra" type wheels are desired upon the same
paper or document upon which a time impression is made or upon other papers
or documents, it may be done by means of the auxiliary lever 36, after setting
the "extra" type wheels for the required impression.
In Figure 7, I have shown the circuit wheel of the time keeper connected in circuit
with a voltaic battery and three electro-magnets 51, 52, 53, representing the electro-
motor of three distinct time stamps which it will be understood may be at any
reasonable distance from the time keeper. This arrangement and use of time stamps
located at different places and connected in one or more electric circuits and con-
trolled by a time piece common to all, is especially valuable and advantageous for use
by railroad and telegraph companies, manufacturers and others requiring more than
one time stamp. It will be seen that with this invention the stamp proper may be.
removed any reasonable distance from the time keeper, thereby preventing any
derangement of or interference with the time keeper, insuring correct time keeping
without which time stamps are of little value or no value.
It will also be seen that with this invention ample power can be provided for
actuating the parts and setting the type wheels automatically and reliably, also that
the parts are reduced to a minimum considering the needs of business and also that
with this invention any number of stamps may be automatically and simultaneously
actuated and controlled by a time keeper or clock movement common to all.
While I have shown but one circuit wheel 30, and one circuit in Fig. 7, it will be
understood that the time keeper or clock movement may be made to carry a number
of circuit wheels or have a number of contact springs bearing upon the circuit
wheel 30, and a corresponding number of circuits with a suitable battery for each.
Any of the well known devices may be employed for inking the type wheels.
It will be understood that the stamp when constructed as shown is more especially
designed for use upon papers or documents having companies or firms names or
business thereon.
If, however, it is desirable to print the name of the Company, firm or individual
with the stamp a fixed die may be readily arranged upon the top of the case or box,
near to, parallel with and in front and rear of the type wheels.
While I have shown a single helix rotary electro-motor, I do not restrict myself
thereto, as the electro-motor can be made in many forms, without departing from
the spirit of my invention, one form of which I have shown in the drawings, Sheets 4
and 5, in which,
Figure 1, sheet 4, is a top view of a time stamp embodying certain improvements,
some of the parts being removed to better show the arrangement.
Fig. 2, sheet 4, is a side elevation of the electro-magnets, armatures, impression
pad and means for transmitting motion to the type wheels.
Fig. 3, sheet 5, is a diagrammatic view of the various circuits, electro-magnets,
clock and circuit making and breaking devices on the type wheels.
The reference numeral 1 designates the frame or casing of a time stamp, which
has rotary type wheels bearing marks or characters indicating time, as in the stamp
hereinbefore proposed by me. It is understood that suitable means are provided for
inking these type wheels, and as my present improvement relates only to special
means for periodically rotating these type wheels and holding them locked at all other
times, which means for rotating and for locking are applicable to the stamp herein-
before proposed by me. The reference numeral 2 designates the hour wheel, which
has secured to it at one side a circuit wheel 3, provided with one contact point 3ª.
Bearing upon this circuit wheel is the contact spring 5, which is so arranged that

page_text: electrical contact is made between the contact spring 5 and the metal point 3ª, of the
wheel 3 once every hour. Upon the opposite side of the hour wheel 3, is secured
a non-metallic pin 4, a part of which projects slightly above the circumference of
another circuit wheel 7, and passes in its revolution under the spring contact 6,
lifting it at a certain position from the circuit wheel 7. The latter is provided with a
single contact 7, and is secured to the minute type wheel together with the escape-
ment wheel 8, and a second circuit wheel 9, having a spring contact 10. The circuit
wheel 9 is constructed so that contact between it and the contact spring 10 is main-
tained during 59/60 of a revolution, the contact being broken only 1/60 of a
revolution. There are three positions of these circuit wheels and contact springs
relative to each other; first 9 and 10 being closed 59/60 of a revolution, while 7
and 6 and and 5 are broken; second, 9 and 10 being broken, and 7 and 6 closed;
third, 9 and 10 being broken, 7 and 6 being broken by the lifting of the spring 6,
through the pins 4, and 3 and 5 being closed. These three positions of the
contact devices give three distinct electric circuits within the machine, in an
automatic manner, and for convenience, I will call them the minute wheel circuit,
the hour wheel circuit, and the day wheel circuit. The operation and the circuits are
as follows, viz. The minute wheel circuit being closed at 12 o'clock noon, the
circuit wheel 9 and contact spring 10 are in contact, and the electric circuit is
then (see diagram view) from the battery 11, wire 16 to the clock 12, and from
the latter to the electro-magnet 13, wire 14, spring 10, wheel 9 and shaft 15, back to
the battery. By means of a contact device and circuit-wheel on the clock arbor, the
electric current is caused to pass through the clock once per minute and the
electro-magnet is energized at each impulse and works the minute wheel around
step by step, the fifty-ninth movement leaving the circuit wheels attached to the
minute wheel in the position seen in Fig. 3, that is, the contact spring rests on the
insulated point 9ª of the contact wheel 9, and the spring 6, makes contact with
the metal contact point 7", of the circuit wheel 7, so that the circuit will be broken
between 9 and 10, and closed between 7 and 6. The next electrical impulse or
current from the clock (the sixtieth), now passes over the wire 16, clock 12,
magnet 13, wire 14ª, magnet 16, wire 17, spring 6, circuit wheel 7, shaft 15, back to
the battery, thus energizing both electro-magnets 13 and 16, and working the hour
wheel 2 one step and also the minute wheel the sixtieth step. In this manner the
circuit is again closed at 9 and 10 and broken at 7 and 6 for fifty-nino minutes
more when the same operation is repeated, thus hourly moving the hour wheel,
step by step, one step an hour. On the twenty-third movement of the hour wheel,
the insulating pin 4 passes under the spring 6 and raises it so as to prevent contact
between 7 and 6 for a specified period and at the same time the contact point of
the circuit wheel 3 attached to the hour wheel passes beneath the contact spring 5
making electrical contact therewith, and this happens only once in twenty-four hours
and only for one minute or thereabouts. When the parts are in the position last
mentioned, the circuit is from the battery 11, wire 16, clock 12, electro-magnet 13,
(9 and 10 being broken), wire 14ª, magnet 16, (7 and 6 being broken by insulating
pin 4), wire 18, magnet 19, wire 20, spring 5, circuit wheel 3 and shaft 15, back to
the battery, thereby energizing the electro-magnets 13, 16 and 19, when the day
wheel, the hour wheel and the minute wheel are each moved one step, so that the
minute wheel is moved sixty times per hour, the hour wheel once per hour, and the
day wheel once per day, by the direct action of electro-magnets automatically controlled
by a circuit closing clock attached to or in electrical connection with the time recording
stamp. The minute, hour and day wheels combined with the electro-magnets and
contact devices in the above described manner are mounted upon the shaft 15, so as to
rotate thereon, and each wheel has an escapement ratchet wheel 25, secured thereto.
Feed dogs or pawls 26, carried by lever extensions 27 of the armatures 28 of the
three electro-magnets 13, 16 and 19, serve to rotate the type wheels periodically in
the manner and at the times heretofore set forth. It should be observed that the pull
upon the armatures of the electro-magnets is not the direct cause of the movement of
the type wheels since it is the action of springs which effects the rotation of the

page_text: This
wheels, such provision being made by reason of the presence in the stamp of a non-
interfering mechanism designed to prevent the possible detention of the type-wheels
by the act of printing. In time recording stamps as heretofore made, this is a very
great defect, and I overcome the same by the employment of a simple non-interfering
mechanism, whereby the type wheels are prevented from moving just at the instant of
taking the impression, thus insuring clear and distinct printing and at the same time
not detaining the type wheels sufficiently long to cause them to lose time or throw
them out of unison with the clock controller. It will be observed that the electro-
magnets 13 of the minute wheel are energized for an instant once a minute and that
the function of such magnets is to set the dog or pawl 26 of said minute wheel ready
for action and not to move the type wheel by the pull of the electro-magnet upon the
armature. On the contrary, it is the spiral or other spring 30 connected with the
armature lever and frame of the stamp which serves to actuate the dog and move
the type wheels. It is apparent, therefore, that the electro-magnet can act and set the
dog even though the type wheels are held by the impression pad being upon the same,
and the action of the electro-magnet also serves to put tension upon the returning
spring 30, which of course remains under tension until free to act. I therefore avail
myself of this method of using the electro-magnet and spring and cause the latter to
perform the work of turning the type wheel, since it may be kept under tension for
nearly a full minute, whereas the force of the magnet is only instantaneous. In
connection with the armature lever, spring and ratchet and pawl feed mechanism,
I employ a simple locking device controlled by the impression lever, which acts to
hold the escapement feed lever while an impression is being taken, so that even
though the electro-magnet may be energized just at the instant an impression is
being taken, there is no interference, as the feed lever is locked and can only move
in one direction when the impression lever is away from the type wheels."
locking device or non-interfering mechanism consists of two swinging arms 40 and 41,
of which the latter rests upon the escapement feed lever. The arm 40 carries a
pin or stud 43, under which passes the projecting end of the impression lever 45
on a hooked piece or arm 46 projecting from the same. The function of the pin 43
and arm 46, is to raise the arm 40 away from the arm 41, as the impression lever
moves away from the type wheels, and as the impression lever descends the arm 40
is released from the hooked arm and rests upon the arm 41, at such an angle and
in such relation to it as to lock the arm 41, against the feed lever, when the
armature is attracted to the magnet and held all locked until the impression lever
returns to place. In other words the arm 46 being rigid upon the impression arm 45,
it will be seen that the depression of the outer end of the latter will disengage the
hooked end of the arm 46 from the pin 43, thereby leaving the arm 40 resting upon
While in this
the arm 41, the arm 41 resting upon the escapement feed lever.
position the arm 41, which is engaged with the end of arm 40, prevents action of the
escapement feed lever by bearing upon the latter until such time as the release of the
impression lever 45 again throws the hooked end of the arm 46, under the pin 43, on
the arm 40, and thereby raises the locking arm 40, far enough to release the end of
arm 41, and allow the spring 30 to act upon the latter to actuate the escapement feed
lever after the impression has been made. In such manner the electro-magnet is
permitted to act and set the dog 26 and to place tension upon the spring every minute,
no matter what may be the position of the impression lever, and at the same time the
type wheel is permitted to turn every minute by the action of the spring and also
insuring clear and distinct printing. I have shown the locking mechanism as applied
only to the minute wheel escapement feed lever, but it is evident that it must and can
be applied to all of the feed levers in some form. The minute, hour and day wheels
are moved by electro-mechanical devices in the manner fully set forth in the fore-
going description and the month and year wheels 50 and 51, are also provided to
complete the stamp. These wheels 50 and 51 are moved manually and are held by a
locking pin 52. It will be understood that two or more printing stamps of the type
herein indicated, may be located in the same electric circuit and combined with a
single circuit controlling clock.

page_text: It will also be understood that the electro-magnets of the apparatus may be con-
trolled by actually making and breaking the circuit in other ways than shown, and
also that all of the electro-magnets may be included in one continuous circuit and by
proper means automatically shunted out and in to said circuit at proper times
without actually breaking the circuit, thus practically producing two or more
circuits within the machine and without departing from the spirit of my invention;
and I therefore do not limit myself to the devices as shown, nor to the actual making
and breaking of each circuit.
As an electro-magnet is charged and discharged quickly, it is obvious that in
the instrument above referred to all of the parts must be in condition and position to
move directly by the action of the magnet and at the moment or instant of time that
the magnet is charged or otherwise the parts are not operated. If in such construction
the impression pad happens to be upon the type wheels, at the instant the magnet is
charged, the parts cannot move and the instrument is thrown out of unison with the
clock and is behind one minute, and this defect renders the instrument useless for
printing the correct time. In my instrument, however, the electro-magnet and its
armature and arinature lever are always ready for action, and if the printing pad is
upon the type wheels at the instant the magnet is charged the armature, armature
lever and feed dog may be operated and tension put upon the spring, without throwing
the type wheels, and upon releasing the type wheels by removing or liberating the
printing pad, the tension of the spring will throw the type wheel and present the
next figure thereon, and in such manner the printing wheels are always made to move
in time with the clock unless wilfully held for one minute, which of course would be
abuse and not use of the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a hand time stamp the combination with a series of type wheels and an
impression pad or lever for taking impressions from said type wheels, of an electric
motor comprising an electro-magnet, and a rotary armature substantially as shown,
and means automatically as shown for partially rotating the armature to a determined
position, intermediate gearing for driving the type wheels, and a time keeper or
clock mechanism for controlling the action of the electric motor, substantially as
herein set forth.
2. In a hand time stamp the combination with the type wheels, the impression pad,
the electro-motor for rotating the type wheels, and the clock movement or time
keeper for controlling the electro-motor, of auxiliary type wheel or type wheels and
an auxiliary impression pad, substantially as described.
3. In a time stamp, the combination of the electro-motor device consisting essentially
of a revolving shaft, an armature having radial projections mounted on said shaft, and
means substantially as described for partly rotating the armature to a determined
position, and an electro-magnet with means substantially as described for communi-
cating motion from the armature shaft to a series of type wheels, circuit wheels and a
clock movement controlling the circuit wheel, substantially as set forth.
4. In a time stamp, the combination of the rotary shaft, the armature mounted
thereon, the star wheel also fixed on said shaft and the spring catch acting upon the
star wheel, with an electro-magnet, clock movement, circuit wheel and time printing
wheels, substantially as herein set forth.
5. In a time stamp, the combination of the shaft 6, the pin 10, the gear wheel 9,
having pin 13, and the spur-wheel 5, with an electro-motor acting upon the wheel 5,
and type wheels with spur wheels co-operating with the wheel 9, and pins 10 and 13,
substantially as set forth.
6. In an electro-mechanical time recording hand stamp, the combination with the
electro-magnet, armature lever, feed pawl and type wheel of the impression lever,
the swinging arms 40 and 41, pin 43, and arm 46, substantially as described.
7. In an electro-mechanical time recording hand stamp, the combination of the

page_text: type wheel or wheels electro-mechanical devices for actuating the same, an impression
lever for taking an impression therefrom, and a non-interfering or locking mechanism 40,
41, 43, 46, or equivalent device controlled by the impression lever, as and for the
purposes set forth.
8. In an electro-mechanical date and time recording stamp, the combination of the
type wheels, an electro-magnet and its armature, means for intermittently operating
the electro-magnet and the type wheels, and an impression lever or pad for taking an
impression from the type wheels, as and for the purposes set forth.
9. The combination in an electro-mechanical date and time printing stamp of type
wheels, an electro-magnet and its armature, means for intermittently operating the
same, a feed lever carrying a pawl and a retractile spring, an impression lever and
pad, and a locking mechanism controlled by the impression lever for locking the feed
lever and preventing the action of the retractile spring when the impression lever is
depressed, substantially as set forth, whereby the force of the electro-magnet places
tension upon the retractile spring and the turning of the type wheels is effected by the
action of the spring when the feed lever is free to move, as and for the purposes set
forth.
10. In combination with a central or controlling clock or other power transmitter
controlled by a clock or time keeper, two or more date and time stamps substantially
as. herein described, operated and controlled simultaneously in the same circuit or
system by or from a controlling clock or other transmitter common to the said date
and time stamps.
Dated this 7th day of April 1888.
CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL.
By D. C. Thatcher.