and Time Printing Stamp
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Mar.,
1889
CHAS. ADAMS RANDALL No. 15 Montpelier Square, Brompton, London, W.,
Electrical Engineer and Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of apparatus technically known as Electric Date
and Time Printing Stamps and is more particularly an improvement upon Patent
No. 15,717 dated November 16th 1887.
The invention has for its object mainly the production of a more simple and more
cheaply made instrument together with certain Improvements upon the aforementioned
patent.
.
To this end the Invention consists generally in dispensing with the intermediate
gear or spur wheels shown in the said Patent and numbered "4," "5," "8," "9," "12,"
and the projecting pins "10," "13" and other parts, and in securing a ratchet
toothed feed wheel having a proper number of teeth and a cam directly to the
minute type wheel in such manner that all three will move together, and in securing
a similar feed wheel having a proper number of teeth and a cam, to the hour type
wheel in such manner that all three will move together, and in securing a similar
feed wheel, having the proper number of teeth to the day type wheel in such manner
that both will move together, and further, in mounting all upon a single main
shaft so that they can be rotated thereon by proper mechanism, the minute type
wheel being rotated step by step by a feed pawl upon the armature-lever acting upon
the feed wheel secured to the minute type wheel, the said armature-lever carrying
the armature of an electro-magnet and being actuated by the action of the electro-
magnet and a retractile spring once every minute, this intermittent movement of the
armature-lever rotating the feed wheel, the minute type-wheel and the cam secured
thereto, this movement of the cam acting to move a second lever properly fulcrumed
in one direction setting the feed pawl carried thereby, in the proper tooth of the hour
feed wheel ready to move the same, a retractile spring acting on the lever to return it
to normal position when the cam has made a complete revolution or once every hour;
this return movement of the lever to normal position by the spring, or, unechanically

page_text: by a proper shaped cam or snail without the spring, causing the hour feed wheel, the
hour type-wheel and the cam secured thereto to move one step and change the hour,
is movement of the second cam acting to move similarly as before, a third lever
properly fulcrumed the return of this third lever to normal position when the second
cam has made a complete revolution or once every twenty four hours, causing the
day feed wheel and the day type-wheel to move together one step, changing the day
at midnight.
The improvement consists further, in reconstructing the non-interfering mechanism
numbered in patent aforesaid "40." "41." "43" and "46" to meet the new arrange-
ment and construction of the feeding mechanism.
The improvements consists further in arranging the types wheels so that the
impressions therefrom may read substantially as follows, MAY. 10. P.M. 2.45. 1888,
in the order shown, and in improved means for holding the month and year wheels in
position.
The improvement consists further in constructing and supporting the impression
lever in such manner that a continuous printed slip may pass out from the type
wheels without being obstructed by the impression lever.
The construction generally of the other parts, and the operation of the apparatus
will be fully understood by reference to the aforementioned Patent No. 15,717.
Dated this 16th day of May 1888.

page_text: Electric Date and Time Printing Stamp.
I CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL, of No. 15 Montpelier Square, Brompton London, W.,
Electrical Engineer, and Inventor, 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 apparatus technically known as electric date and time
printing stamps, and comprises various improvements whereby I simplify the con-
struction and increase the efficiency of the apparatus described in the specification
of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated November 16th A.D. 1887,
No. 15,717.
According to one part of my present invention, I provide for the intermittent
rotation of the "minute" type-wheel by energy stored up in a spring or other suitable
device by the action of an electromagnet, the battery-circuit of which is completed
and interrupted once every minute. And I provide suitable mechanism whereby
motion will be transmitted from the said "minute" type-wheel to the "hour" and
"day" type-wheels.
I can accomplish this result advantageously as follows, that is to say I dispense
with the intermediate gear or spur-wheels shown in Figure 1 sheet 1 of the drawings
accompanying the said former specification and numbered 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, and the
projecting pins 10 and 13; and I provide the "minute" type-wheel with a ratchet-
toothed feed-wheel having a suitable number of teeth, and with a cam; the said feed-
wheel and cam being firmly secured to the said type-wheel; I also provide the "hour"
type-wheel with a ratchet-wheel and cam in a similar manner, and the "day" type-
wheel with a ratchet-wheel in such a manner that each type-wheel will move with its
respective ratchet-wheel and cam. Moreover I mount all of the said wheels and cams
upon a single main shaft so that they can be rotated thereon by suitable mechanism.
The "minute" type-wheel is arranged to be intermittently rotated by a pawl engaging
with its ratchet-wheel and carried by a lever to which is attached the armature of an
electromagnet, and which is actuated in one direction by the said electromagnet and
in the reverse direction by a spring or weight once every minute. This intermittent
movement of the armature-lever causes the step-by-step rotation of the said ratchet-
wheel and of the "minute" type-wheel and cam secured thereto. The said cam acts
to move a second lever in one direction, thereby setting or drawing back a pawl
carried by the said lever so that it will engage with a fresh tooth of the "hour" feed-
wheel ready to move the same when released by the said cam. When the cam has
mnade a complete revolution that is to say once every hour it releases the "hour"
wheel feed-lever, and a spring or weight acts on the said lever to return it to its initial
position and thereby partially rotate the ratchet-wheel and its attached type-wheel and
I sometimes provide for effecting this return movement of the lever by means
of a suitably shaped cam or snail without the aid of a spring. The "hour" typo-
cam.
"

page_text: the construction and arrangement of Life Outer pares or the appara
described.
My said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, of my improved electric date
and time stamp.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2, x, Figure 1, a portion of the
mechanism being removed.
Figure 3 is also a section on the line x, z, Figure 1, showing that portion of the
mechanism omitted in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan, partly in horizontal section on the line y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a section on the line ¹, ¹, Figure 3, a portion of the mechanism being
removed.
Figure 6 is a section on the line 2², x², Figure 3, a portion of the mechanism being
removed.
•
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating a slight modification of my invention.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a box or case in which are mounted in suitable bearings the type-wheel
shaft B, the armature-lever shaft C, and the shaft D₁ of the impression-lever D, and
in which is arranged the electromagnet E. F, G, H, J, K are the type-wheels for
printing respectively the month, day, hour, minutes, and year. These type-wheels
are of different width according to the size of the figures or letters they are intended
to contain, and the said wheels are arranged to give impressions substantially as
follows "May 10. P.M. 2.45. 1889" and in the order shown, or otherwise.
a is a ratchet feed-wheel firmly attached to the "minute" type-wheel J, and having
the same number of teeth (viz.-60) as there are divisions of the said type-wheel.
is a lever mounted on the shaft and having a pawl c pivoted thereto at its
upper end and acted upon by a spring c' attached to the said lever. The said
pawl c is adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel a, being maintained
in gear with the said wheel by the said spring. To the lower or short arm of
the said lever is attached in any convenient manner the armature d of the electro-
magnet E.
e is a spring attached at one end to the long arm of the lever band at its
other end to a rod which extends across and is secured in the sides of the box
or case A. The said spring e opposes the pull of the electromagnet E on the lever b,
and serves for effecting the return or operative movement of the said lever. The
lever is provided with an adjustable screw-stop 2 which, by its contact with the
ratchet-wheel a, limits the return or operative movement of the said lever. Another
adjustable screw-stop g is passed through a stationary rod g', extending across and
secured in the sides of the box or case A, and this screw-stop limits the movement
of the lever caused by the attraction of the electromagnet. By this arrangement,
the extent of movement of the lever can be so regulated that the pawl c will,
in each movement of the said lever by the electromagnet, be carried over ono tooth
of the ratchet-wheel a, or, if desired, it may be permitted to move the said pawl over
two or more teeth.
A spring is attached to the rod and has a hook or catch adapted to engage
with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, so that it serves as a retaining pawl to prevent
backward movement of the said wheel.
The electromagnet E is connected once every minute with a battery by means of
a clock substantially as described in the said former specification,. and the magnet

page_text: being thereby energized attracts the armature d and turns the lever b about its pivot
In this movement the
antil the said lever comes in contact with the stop g.
spring e is extended, and the pawl is caused to engage with another tooth of the
ratchet wheel a. The current passing through the coil of the electromagnet is only
of momentary duration, and, on its cessation and the consequent demagnetization
of the core of said magnet, the lever bis released and is drawn back by the spring e
to its initial position, the ratchet-wheel a being thereby rotated through a distance
equal to the length of one tooth thereof, and another type on the "minute" type-
wheel thus brought under the pad on the impression-lever D. The stop 6 arrests
the return or operative motion of the lever 6 by contact with the ratchet-wheel
and thus serves as a gauge to bring the type-wheel to rest with its type-face exactly
under the impression-pad.
For transmitting the motion of the "minute" wheel to the "hour" and "day"
wheels so that these wheels will be moved at the proper times, I employ the following
mechanism, that is to say :-A snail or cam j is firmly secured to the "minute" type-
wheel J so that it will rotate therewith, performing one complete revolution in each
hour. A lever kis mounted upon a shaft k¹ extending across and supported in
bearings in the sides of the box or case A. This lever kis provided with an adjustable
tracing finger which rests against the cam j, being maintained in contact therewith
by a spring el secured at one end to the lever k and at its other end to the fixed rod f.
A ratchet-wheel or feed-wheel having 24 teeth is firmly secured to the hour-wheel
(Figure 5) and the lever k is provided with a pawl 3 pivoted to its upper end and
maintained in gear with the teeth of the said ratchet-wheel by means of a spring
attached to the said lever.
By the rotation of the said cam j, the lever k is gradually forced backwards against
the tension of the spring e' until the pawl 3 falls into gear with another tooth on the
ratchet-wheel. When the cam has performed one complete revolution, the part of
the cam whore its radius is suddenly diminished comes under the tracing finger 2
and the cam thus allows the lever & to be suddenly drawn forward by the spring el.
As in the case of the "minute" lever b, the lever k is brought to rest by an adjustablo
stop coming in contact with the ratchet-wheel 1. The "hour" type-wheel H is in
this manner partially rotated through a distance equal to the pitch of the typo every
time the "minute" wheel makes a complete revolution, that is to say, once every
hour. A retaining pawl h, his provided for preventing backward motion of the
ratchet-wheel l.
The motion is transmitted from the "hour" wheel to the "day" wheel in a similar
manner to that herein before described, the "hour" wheel H being for this purpose
also provided with a snail or cam j, which operates another lever k mounted on the
shaft and provided with a tracing finger ², a pawl ³ and an adjustable stop-pin k³,
as above described. This pawl k³ is geared with a ratchet-wheel m (Figure 6) having
32 teeth and firmly attached to the "day" wheel G. If preferred this "day" feed-
wheel may have only 31 teeth. It will then require adjustment by hand less
frequently, as several months of the year have 31 days. The said lever & turns the
ratchet-wheel m and type-wheel G through a distance equal to the length of one tooth
of the ratchet-wheel in each revolution of the "hour" wheel, that is to say, once
every 24 hours.
33
The "month and "year" type-wheels F and K are rotated or adjusted, when
required, by hand. I provide spring catches or retaining pawls h, similar to those
above described which engage with ratchet-wheels n firmly secured to the said
"month" and "year" type-wheels, and having the same number of teeth as there are
types or sets of type on the said wheels.
For preventing the rotation of the type-wheels while the impression-lever D is being
operated, I employ the following mechanism, viz. :-On the shaft D' of the impression-
lever D is loosely mounted an arm o, and an arm or leyer p is firmly fixed on the said
shaft. To the free end of the lever p I attach one end of a spring q the other end of
which is attached to a rod r extending across and secured in the sides of the box. or

page_text: "
case A. On depressing the impression-lever D, the lever p turns with it, thus
extending the spring q which, by its reaction, effects the raising of the said lever D,
as soon as the latter is released by the operator. The extent of movement of the
lever P and therefore of the impression lever D is regulated by two fixed stops.s, s
covered with india-rubber or other suitable material. Through a screw-threaded hole
in the lever p is passed a set-screw pl adapted to bear against a projection o¹ on the
arm o and thus raise and support the said arm. In this manner it will be seen that
the arm o may rise and fall with the movement of the impression-lever D although it
is mounted loosely on the shaft D'. The said arm o extends a short distance beyond
the free end of the pawl c and, when the impression-lever D is raised into the position
shown in Figure 1, the said arm o is raised by the lever p just clear of the said pawl c.
If the impression-lever D is operated while the parts are in this position, the arm o
will be allowed to fall and rest on the pawl c and will be raised clear of the said pawl
when the impression-lever is released. If, however, the pawl c should be drawn back
by the electromagnet E while the arm o is resting on the said pawl, the said arm o
will fall on the ratchet-wheel a in front of the pawl and will prevent the return
movement of the said pawl and its lever under the action of the spring e so that it
is impossible for the ratchet-wheel a to be rotated while the arm o is in this position,
that is to say, while the impression-lever is depressed or is being operated. When,
however, the impression-lever is released, the spring e will move the lever b and thus
operate the ratchet-wheel a as required.
If desired, the arm o is extended or prolonged and adapted to engage with a
pin or stud fixed in the lever b, instead of with the pawl e, for the purpose above
specified.
The impression-lever preferably consists of two arms secured by screws or other
convenient means to the ends of the shaft D' and firmly connected by a cross-bar
and by the bar carrying the impression-pad. This bar is surmounted with a suitable
handle for operating it.
An inking-ribbon t is wound on a roller u mounted in the box or case A and
passes over the type-wheels to a second roller to which it is secured. The roller v
is provided with a ratchet-wheel ¹. On the lever p is pivoted at p² a pawl p³ which
is adapted to engage with the said ratchet-wheel v¹." When the said lever p is
moved, in each impression effected by the lever D, the said pawl p³ partially rotates
the said ratchet-wheel vl and advances the inking-ribbon t a short distance so as to
bring a fresh surface thereof over the type-wheels.
In Figure 7 I have shown a modified form of retaining pawl which I have
found advantageous for the purpose of my invention. This pawl consists of a
spring secured to the fixed rod f and provided with a head the lower end of
which is adapted to engage successively with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and
prevent backward rotation of the said wheel. The upper end of the head 2 is so
formed that it will bear successively against the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and
prevent accidental forward movement of the said wheel, but can readily be moved
outward by the teeth of the said wheel when the latter is rotated by the operating
pawl and lever as hereinbefore described. An adjusting screw ³ is, moreover,
provided whereby the pressure of the retaining pawl against the ratchet-wheel may be
accurately regulated or determined.
1 prefer that the levers b, k should be provided with handles w whereby, when
the glass front A¹ of the box or case A is removed, the said lovers may be operated
by hand if necessary.
It is obvious that I can, if desired, employ other means than those above
described for transmitting motion from the "minute type-wheel to the "hour"
and "day" type-wheels. Moreover I can employ more than one electromagnet
for storing up energy in the spring e for the purpose above specified, or I may.
substitute for the said spring a suitable weight so connected with the lever b that
it will be raised by the action of the electromagnet and will then operate the
"minute" type-wheel by gravitation.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. An electric date and time stamp wherein one of the type-wheels is arranged
to be intermittently rotated by energy stored up in a spring or other device by means
of one or more electromagnets, and is connected by suitable mechanism with the other
type-wheel or type-wheels so that step-by-step rotation will be imparted thereto, for
the purposes above specified.
Second. An electric date and time stamp wherein provision is made for auto-
matically operating or controlling two or more type-wheels by means of a single
electromagnet and spring, for the purposes above specified.
Third. The combination, with the type-wheels and the ratchet or feed-wheels, of
the cams and the feed-levers provided with the pawls and with adjustable fingers
and stops, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. The combination, with the impression-lever, of an arm mounted loosely
ou the shaft of the said lever and serving as a stop for preventing movement of
the feed-lever of the "minute" type-wheel while the impression-lever is being
operated, and an arm fixed upon the said shaft and adapted to raise the loose arm
when the impression-lever is released, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The employment, in an electric date and time stamp, of an inking-ribbon
and means whereby the same will be moved by the operation of the impression-lever,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The combination, with the ratchet or feed-wheel, of the improved retaining
pawl, substantially as described with reference to Figure 7 of the drawings and for
the purposes specified.
Seventh. The improved electric date and time stamp constructed and operating
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.