Improvements in Time Stamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov. 1890-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Time Stamps.
I, JOSEPH DAYTON MALLONEE, of Weldon Street, Cypress Avenue, in the
City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings and State of New York, United States
of America, Machinist, 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 improvement relates to so-called time stamps in which the time of day and
other data may be impressed upon a paper or document, and wherein the time is
automatically changed.
I will describe my improvement in detail, and then point out the novel features
in claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a plan or top view of a time stamp embodying my improvement, certain
plates being removed to disclose parts arranged beneath them.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, taken on the line xx, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line y y, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a detail of a certain minute wheel employed, on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 5 is a similar view of another minute wheel.
Fig. 6 is a similar view of an hour wheel.
Fig. 7 is a similar view of an A.M. and P.M. wheel.
Fig. 8 is a similar view of a day wheel.
Fig. 9 is a similar view of another day wheel.
In all the Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, I have represented the wheels, both in side
elevation and in edge view.
Fig. 10 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, and partly in section, of certain
pawls employed together with the indicator wheels.
Fig. 11 is a view of an impression which may be made by the stamp.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
In the example of my improvement shown, the automatic changing of the time
in the stamp is effected by electricity, the electric current by which the changes
are effected being received from a clock or regulator S, of well known construction,
and with which the stamp may be in circuit. Such regulators as ordinarily
employed close circuit, and thus give an impulse to the indicator mechanism of the
stamp once every minute, and the stamp, as here illustrated, is organized to receive
such an impulse.
In a box or case A, which may be of metal, is located an electro-magnet B,
which may consist of one or more spools connected in circuit with the main
regulator.
C designates an armature, which armature is mounted upon a lever C¹, near the
lower end of the latter. The lever is fulcrummed, as here shown, upon pivots a,
consisting of screws having conical inner ends engaging similarly shaped recesses
in the lever, so that the lever may rock with little friction upon its fulcrum. When
the electro-magnet B is energized, the armature of course will be attracted, thus
rocking the lever in one direction upon its fulcrum. When the electro-magnet is
de-energized, a spring b, secured at one end to the lever C', and at the other to a
support extending from the box or case A, operates to retract the lever and
armature.
The upper arm of the lever C¹ extends into the interior of a hollow rocking
arm D. This arm is hung at its rear end so that it may rock freely upon pivots d,
shown as consisting of screws extending through suitable apertures in lugs
rising from the box or case A. The forward end of the arm D comprises an

page_text: enlarged hollow head D¹. Removable plates d² d³ enclose the upper portion of the
arm, and may be removed for the purpose of obtaining access to the mechanism
contained in the arm. All the mechanism for causing the impression of the date
and time is arranged in the hollow head D'.
The box or case A is provided with a platen A', upon which, when an impression
is to be made, a paper or document is placed. The arm D is then swung down-
wardly, and the indicator wheels will, through an opening in the under side of
the head D', stamp the impression.
A handle D2 upon the upper side of the head may be employed to rock the arm
downwardly, and a spring D³, secured near one end to an arm a extending from the
rear of the arm D downwardly into the box or case A, and at its other end to a
pin de extending from the box or case, will operate, when the handle is released, to
return the arm D to its normal or elevated position.
Those
Certain of the indicator wheels are operated to indicate changes in time by the
electro-magnet;. other of the indicator wheels are operated by hand.
indicator wheels which are operated by the electro magnet are mounted side by
side, loosely, upon a shaft D, which shaft is journalled in the side walls of the
head D¹. I have shown six of these wheels, and have illustrated them more clearly
in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. When mounted on the shaft, they are, in the example
of my improvement shown, unconnected with each other, and motion is transmitted
to them by a number of pawls e, e¹, e², e³, e¹, and e³, which pawls are, in this instance,
mounted upon, or form part of a cross bar E. The cross-bar E is provided, near
its ends, with lugs e, through which extends a rod e', journalled at its ends in
suitable bearings in side arms e of a frame comprising also a stretcher bar or
plate e³, extending between the arms e³, and secured to the latter at its ends. The
arms are loosely hung, at their inner ends, upon the shaft D₁, outside the
indicator wheels, and the frame is therefore free to be swung up and down.
A coil spring elo, coiled about the rod e', and bearing at one end against the
bar E, and at the other against the stretcher bar or plate e, operates to force the
pawles e, etc., toward the indicator wheels. Each of the indicator wheels is
provided, upon its periphery, with raised figures or letters, and upon one of its
sides with a ratchet wheel. The pawls e etc., in causing the rotation of the indicator
wheels, operate upon the teeth of the ratchet wheels. They are thus caused to
operate by a swinging motion, which is imparted to the frame carrying the pawls,
by means of a rod F pivotally connected near one end to the lever C, and at the
other to said frame.
It will be observed that the lever C¹ extends into such position in the arm D,
that the centres of rotation of the arm D and the rod F, when the former is swung
downwardly, will be approximately coincident, and the rocking of the arm D will
therefore impart no motion to the pawls. When the electro-magnet is energized
and the lever C¹ is rocked on its fulcrum, the rod F will be drawn backwardly,
swinging the frame, carrying the pawls in the same direction, and moving the pawls
far enough to cause one or more of them to engage teeth upon the ratchets of
the indicator wheels. When the electro-magnet is de-energized, the spring b
operates to move the lever C¹, the rod F, and the frame and pawls, in the other
direction, thus causing a rotary progressive movement to be imparted to one or.
more of the indicator wheels. Backward movement of the indicator wheels during
the rearward movement of the pawls is prevented by a number of stop pawls F¹,
loosely hung, as here shown, upon a bar f, secured near its ends to the walls of the
head D'. These stop pawls engage the ratchet teeth upon the indicator wheels,
and are maintained in such engagement by springs f', bearing upon their upper
ends, which springs are secured upon the bar f
I will now describe more particularly the indicator wheels and their mode of
operation.
G designates a minute wheel, upon the periphery of
from 1 to 0, and arranged at regular intervals apart.
indicator wheel is a ratchet wheel G¹, having ten teeth.
which are ten figures,
Upon the side of this
The pawl e¹ co-operates ·

page_text: with the ratchet wheel G, and is in constant contact therewith. Impulse is given
to the pawl e every minute, and there is consequently a forward progression of
the wheel G every minute, which brings a different figure into proper position for
printing.
The ratchet wheel G¹ is provided, at one of its teeth, or that by which the
figure 0 is moved into proper position for printing, with a depression into which
the pawl el will drop when brought opposite the same.
G designates another minute wheel, provided upon its periphery with two sets of
figures each, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 0, or, in other words, with twelve figures. On the side of
the indicator wheel G2 is a ratchet wheel G³, having twelve teeth. The pawl e²
co-operates with the ratchet wheel G³. The ratchet wheel G³ is provided at two
of its teeth, which are opposite each other, or those teeth by which the figure 0
is moved into proper position for printing, with depressions g.
g
It will be observed by an examination more particularly of Fig. 10, that the
pawl is not so long, and does not extend downwardly so far as the pawl e.
When, therefore, the pawl e' is out of the depression 9, and is engaging the ratchet
teeth of the wheel G, said pawl will operate to hold the pawl e² out of contact
with the ratchet wheel G³. Ten impulses will therefore be imparted to the
indicator wheel G, before the pawl el drops into the depression g. The depth of
the depression is sufficient to allow the pawl e¹ to drop so far that the pawl e² will
contact with the ratchet wheel G³, and the next impulse given to the pawls will
move each of the indicator wheels G G2 a distance sufficient to bring the next
figures in rotation on said wheels into proper position for printing, whereby the
pawl el will be again lifted out of the depression g, and the pawl e removed from
contact with the ratchet wheel G³.
By this operation, the figure 0 on the
wheel G will be brought into proper position for printing, and the figure on the
wheel G adapted for printing will be changed; thus, if the figure 19 were formerly
in position for printing, by the movement just described, the figure 20 will be
brought into such position.
There being sixty minutes in the hour, the wheel G2 makes but one-half of a
revolution each hour, while the wheel G¹ makes six revolutions each hour. At the
end of the hour, the wheels G1 G2 are each brought into position to print the
figure 0, the pawls e e² having then dropped into the depressions 9 g³ respectively.
G designates an hour indicator wheel haring upon its periphery twelve figures
numbering from 1 to 12. Upon the side of the wheel G is a ratchet wheel G³,
provided with twelve teeth and a depression g², similar to the depression g in the
wheel G. The pawl e co-operates with the ratchet wheel G³.
It will be seen, again, from an examination of Fig. 10 more particularly, that the
pawl is shorter than the pawl e². When both the pawls e¹ e² have, however,
dropped into their respective depressions g g', the pawl 3 will come in contact with
the ratchet wheel G, and the next impulse imparted to the pawls will move the
indicator wheels G G2 G, a distance sufficient to bring the next figures in rotation
on said wheels into proper position for printing. The pawl e' will, by such move-
ment, be lifted out of its depression g, and the pawls ee be lifted clear of the
ratchet wheels G³ G. One revolution of the hour indicator wheel G₁ therefore
takes place every twelve hours.
At the end of every twelve hours, an A.M. and P.M. indicator wheel G' is
rotated to indicate the divisions of the day according to the meridian. I have
shown such wheel as provided with twelve letters A.M. and P.M., arranged alter-
nately upon the wheel. When the hour wheel G has made a complete rotation,
and its co-acting pawl e³ drops into the depression 9², the pawls e¹ e will likewise
have dropped into their respective depressions g 9. This admits of the pawl e,
which co-operates with the A.M. and P.M. wheel, dropping into contact with one
of the teeth upon a ratchet wheel G', with which the A.M. and P.M. wheel is
provided. The next impulse given to the pawls, therefore, imparts progressive
movement to both the minute wheels, the hour wheel, and the A.M. and P.M. wheel,
and said wheels are brought into proper position to print twelve o'clock noon or

page_text: midnight, as the case may be. By this movement also the pawl e¹ has been lifted
out of the depression, and the pawls e² e³ and e have been lifted clear of the
ratchet wheels G³, G and G' respectively.
At the end of every twenty-four hours, a change is effected in a day wheel G³,
which day wheel, as shown, is provided with ten figures upon its periphery, num-
bering from 1 to 0. Upon the side of the wheel G8 is a ratchet wheel G³, provided
with a depression 94, similar to the ratchet wheels G¹ G'. The ratchet wheel G'
of the A.M. and P.M. wheel G, is provided with twelve teeth, and with six
depressions 93, one depression for every two teeth. Every second impulse given to
he A.M. and P.M. wheel, or, in other words, once in every twenty-four hours, the
pawle which co-operates with the ratchet wheel G', will drop into one of the
depressions 9. The pawle, being shorter than any of the pawls e¹, e², e³, cannot
drop into the depression g³, until the pawls e¹, e², e³ have all dropped into their
respective depressions g, g¹, g².
The pawl, which co-operates with the ratchet wheel G, is shorter than
the pawl e, and the former cannot therefore drop into the depression g until the
pawl e is within one of the depressions g³. When this last has occurred, all the
pawls e, e¹, e², es, e will be in their respective depressions, and the next impulse
given to the pawls will therefore impart progressive movement to all the indicator
wheels G, G, G4, G and G³. Such movement will, however, lift the pawl e¹ out
of the depression g, and all of the pawls e, e², e³, et out of contact with their respective
ratchet wheels.
Go designates another day wheel, and G" a ratchet wheel upon the side thereof.
Upon the periphery of the wheel Go I have shown three sets of figures, num-
bering from 1 to 3 respectively. This wheel is for the purpose of indicating, in
conjunction with the wheel G, the numbers "10," "20,"*"30." Between the sets
of figures upon the wheel 10, are blank spaces go, which spaces are arranged in such
position upon the wheel, that while the wheel G8 is printing the first nine days of
the month, no impression will be made by the wheel G¹º.
When the figure 0 upon the wheel G has, however, been brought into position
to print, an impulse is given the wheel G which brings one of the figures upon
said wheel into position to print. There being three sets of figures upon the
wheel G, and said wheel receiving an impulse but once in ten days, said wheel
makes a complete rotation but once in three months. The ratchet wheel G" is
provided with twelve teeth, so that twelve distinct impulses are given to the
wheel G10 during that time.
An impulse is given to the ratchet wheel G" by the pawl e in manner previously
described. Said pawl being shorter than all the other pawls, is not allowed to drop
into contact with the wheel G until all the other pawls are in their respective
depressions, which occurs only every ten days. The next impulse given to the
pawls therefore causes a rotation of all the indicator wheels, whereby the pawl e¹
is lifted out of its depression g, and all the other pawls are lifted out of contact
with their respective ratchet wheels.
Of course it is to be understood that where certain of the ratchet wheels,
operated by the pawls e e' e², etc., have 12 teeth, while others have but 10, there
will be a slight lost motion of the pawls operating the ratchet wheels having
12 teeth, when a single motion is employed to rotate both sets of wheels. By this
means, the type upon all the wheels will be brought into line when, as before
stated, all the ratchet wheels are rotated together by a single movement of the
pawls.
By the construction and arrangement described, indicator wheels of very
small and uniform diameter may be used, and errors are rendered well nigh
impossible.
I have shows the pawls e³ e as made in one, but this is not essential.
In months containing 31 days, the type "3 "of one of the series on wheel G10 is
brought in position when the date "30" is to be printed, the wheel G furnishing
the type for the "
"0"
part of the date. The date "31 will then be printed at

page_text: the end of the next twenty four hours by the same type "3," and by the next or
unit type of the wheel G, which wheel has been moved forward one step by the
pawle. In order to avoid the printing of a succession of numbers like "32," "33,"
etc., the wheels G8, G10 must be set by hand, in order that the former will print "1"
at the beginning of the next day, and the latter not print at all.
It will be observed that the head D₁ has two inclined or angularly extending
sides DD, one upon the front, and one upon the rear side of said head. It is not
essential that the exteriors of these sides should be thus inclined, but their inner
surfaces must be.
De D' designate bevel wheels adapted to be rotated upon pins h, here shown as
screws passing centrally through the bevel wheels, and engaging the sides D' D'.
Upon the periphery of the wheel D° are raised letters indicating the twelve months
of the year, and upon the periphery of the wheel D' are raised figures indicating
the year.
In Fig. 11 I have shown the month and year to be printed by these bevel wheels
as "May" "89." The inclination of the inner surfaces of the sides D* D*, and
the bevel of the peripheries of the wheels D D7, are such, that the letters and
figures upon said wheels will be brought into a horizontal plane co-incident with
the planes of the letters and figures upon the indicator wheels G etc. These
wheels D D are to be rotated by hand, in order to change the month or year
which they will indicate. By this arrangement, the parts may all be enclosed in a
very limited space, while at the same time a stamping surface of considerable size
is afforded.
I have shown this stamp as adapted for Post Office use, in stamping the date of
receipt or delivery of letters, and also for cancelling a postage stamp. The words
"New York" and the letters "N. Y.," appearing in Fig. 11, are permanently cast
or otherwise formed upon the upper side of the head D'.
I have shown an inking ribbon H coiled upon rotary shafts i, journalled in
cases J upon opposite sides of the head D'. By rotating hand pieces j, the inking
ribbon may be moved along beneath the head, so as to cause the stamp to print
an impression.
It will be observed that by my improvement I provide a stamp by which letters,
papers, or other documents may be stamped upon their upper sides, and therefore
in plain view of the person operating the stamp, while at the same time changes in
time are effected automatically.
Although I have illustrated an indicator mechanism as operated by electric time
mechanism, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to such time mechanism,
as the same might obviously be operated by clock work actuated by a spring or
weight.
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 time stamp, the combination with a bed or platen, of time mechanism, a
swinging arm, indicator mechanism mounted on said swinging arm above said bed
or platen, and comprising a number of indicator wheels, ratchet wheels on said
indicator wheels, and a number of pawls complementary to said indicator wheels,
operated by said time mechanism, to impart rotary motion to the indicator wheels
engaged thereby successively in unison, substantially as specified.
2. In a time stamp, the combination with a bed or platen, a time mechanism, a
swinging arm indicator mechanism mounted on said swinging arm above said bed
or platen, and comprising a number of indicator wheels, ratchet wheels on said
indicator wheels, said ratchet wheels being provided with depressions, and a number
of pawls complementary to said indicator wheels, operated by said time mechanism,
to successively drop into said depressions, and impart rotary motion to the
indicator wheels engaged thereby successively in unison, substantially as specified.
3. In a time stamp, the combination with a bed or platen, of time mechanism, a

page_text: lever being comprised in said time mechanism, a hollow swinging arm, a rod
pivotted to said lever, and extending through said hollow arm, indicator mechanism
mounted in said hollow arm, and comprising a number of indicator wheels, a
swinging frame with which said rod is pivotally connected, and a number of pawls
mounted on said frame, and co-operating with said indicator wheels, substantially
as specified.
4. In a time stamp, the combination with a bed or platen, of indicator mechanism,
comprising a number of rotary indicator wheels, an arm on which said wheels are
mounted, and an indicator wheel in the form of a bevel wheel arranged adjacent to
said rotary wheels, substantially as specified.
5. In a time stamp, the combination with a bed or platen, of indicator mechanism
comprising a number of rotary indicator wheels, an arm on which said wheels are
mounted, and two indicator wheels in the form of bevel wheels arranged one on
each side of said rotary wheels, substantially as specified.
Deted this 25th day of November 1890
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.