Year: 1895

page_text: United States of America)
Pབས་པས་་པ
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 26th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 26th July, 1895-Accepted, 23rd May, 1895
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 26th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 26th July, 1895-Accepted, 23rd May, 1895
I, EDWARD GOODRICH WATKINS, of Gardner, in the County of Worcester, and
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 an improvement in workmen's time recorders, and consists
in the novel features of construction and relative arrangement of parts hereinafter
fully described in the Specification, clearly illustrated in the drawing and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying three sheets of drawings forming a
part of this Specification, in which like characters indicate like parts wherever they
occur.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved device.
Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 represents a vertical sectional view of the recording cylinder and the
mechanism connected with the upper end thereof.
Figs. 5 and 6 represent sectional views on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Figs. 7-10 show modifications of the means for connecting the buttons with the
bar or lever that operates the recording pin or type, the recording cylinder being
partially indicated in order to show the relative arrangement of the parts.
Figs. 11 and 12 are end and side views, respectively, showing the relative
arrangement of the recording type, ink-ribbon, and other parts.
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the recording type and their operating levers.
Fig. 14 is a detail view of the ribbon-operating spool.
Fig. 15 represents a detail view of the lever showing its slot y¹.
Fig. 16 represents a front elevation of the connection between the clock and
the cylinder.
A Fig. 1 represents the recorder. The enclosing case a is made with an upper
chamber a' in which the clock mecbanism a' is located, and with the lower chamber a³
in which are the recording cylinder and its associated parts. The front of the case
bulges out as at aº Fig. to make room for the recording cylinder a. This oval
portion of the case is arranged to slide in suitable ways and be secured in place by a
lock or other fastening device x. Access may be had to the interior of the case by
means of this oval shaped door. In the casing on each side of said door, as shown
in Fig. 1, are arranged a series of rows of buttons b having stems 6 Figs. 3 and 11,
the buttons in each row being arranged in a stepped form. Under these buttons are
arranged the levers for bars f., Figs. 8 and 10 that operate the recording pin

page_text: or type. These may be pivoted as shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 11, or they may be
mounted to slide in suitable brackets, as at t, t' and m, either formed integral with
the enclosing case of the recorder or secured thereto in any desired way. These bars
or levers are arranged to operate the puncturing pins h Figs. 7-10 or type r
Fig. 11, and are secured to said levers as in Figs. 3, 7, 11 and 12, or are loosely
mounted in bearings formed in the brackets m secured to the frame of the machine.
A collar ³ Figs. 8 and 10 is secured to the pins h below the brackets m. A helical
spring his mounted upon the pins h between the collars ³ and a lower bracket m¹.
By this construction and arrangement the pins are normally held by means of the
spring away from the cylinder at and preferably with their puncturing or recording
points within the bearings in the bracket m¹. When the type and an ink-ribbon are
used, the type may be mounted upon the levers, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13, or they
may be mounted upon the ends of pins similar in construction and arrangement to the
pins h.
vice versa.
It is highly desirable to be able to tell at a glance what employees are present and
I accomplish this by so constructing and arranging the buttons and the
complemental recording mechanism that the button is operative in either direction,
i.e., a record will be made whether the button is pushed in or pulled out, and the
button when operated in either direction will remain in such operated position until
it is positively operated by the employee in the opposite direction. Supposing the
buttons to be in their outer position and numbered so that each employee has a
particular button, as is usual, when the employees pass into the shop at the beginning
of labour each on will press in his particular button. Now, a glance at the buttons
will disclose what employees are present and vice versa. This idea may be carried
out in several ways. In Fig. 7 the operating lever or bar fis pivoted at its ends to
studs projecting from the inside of the side portions as of the frame a.
The
puncturing pin is secured to the bar opposite the cylinder aª. This lever is made
resilient to permit a sufficient play thereof toward and away from the cylinder so
that the pin can puncture the record-sheet in the cylinder when the lever is forced
toward the cylinder, while, when the pressure upon the lever is released, the lever
will return to its normal position, drawing the pin away from the cylinder and
within the bracket m' which serves as a guide for the lever. Projecting from the
inside of the front part a of the casing are a series of rows of studs arranged in
the same manner as the buttons b, and corresponding therewith. There is a stud 6*
for each button b, and the stem of each button pivoted by means of a pin y and
a slot y' to one arm of a lever 1, this lever being pivoted to one of the studs b
corresponding to the said button by the pin y. These levers b¹ are blanks having
substantially the form of a triangle with sides 1 and 2 at right angles to each other,
the pivot y being located in one side midway thereof. The angle at the junction of
these faces 1 and 2 is the operating part of the lever that depresses the lever f
the faces 1 and 2 acting as a stop against which the lever rests in its normal
position, and also serving as a means to retain the button in its inner or outer position
according as the button is pushed or pulled. Suppose the button to be in the position
shown in Fig. 7, if the button be pushed in,-the pin y and slot y permitting the
same to move in a straight line, the angle of the lever b¹ will force the lever f
inward to operate the recording pin or type. When the angle point has passed the
lever this lever will be forced back against the face 1, the faces 1 and 2 being at
the same distance from the pivot y³.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the button by means of the faces 1 and 2
will be retained in its inner or outer position until positively operated in the opposite
direction. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the stems of the buttons are
provided with triangular projections c. The bars are arranged to slide in lugs or
brackets t, t¹, projecting from the inside of the case in line with the stems 6. The
bar f' has a pin 10 extending in the path of movement of the projection c which
is yieldingly held against said projection and the stem by means of a helical
spring arranged on said bar f5 between the lug t and the pin f on said bar.
The puncturing pin or type is in this case spring-pressed toward the bar f³, the

page_text: upper end normally resting in the triangular notch f' in said bar. In the button
be depressed inward from its position shown in full lines to its inner or dotted line
position, as the stem 6 moves in a straight line the projection a bearing against the
pin will force the bar f' to the right, the side of the notch f'forcing the pin h
outward to puncture or mark the record sheet. As the button is pushed to its lowest
position the pin 10 will ride upon the upper surface of the projection c and the
bar and said pin will be returned by the spring f" to their normal position
bringing the notch over the top of the pin h. When the button is pulled out a
like operation occurs.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 9, the stem of the button is provided with a
rack a³ upon one side and upon the opposite side with a groove ³ in which the end
of a screw a² is arranged, the screw passing through a lug adjacent to the stem and
serving to keep the rack in engagement with a pinion d' mounted in ears d adjacent
to the stem of the button. The bar fe is provided at one end with a rack do which
is engaged by the teeth of the pinion d'. This bar f is arranged to slide in lugs m
secured to the ca-ing, and is provided on the side opposite the rack with a
triangular projection. The pin or type bar is spring-pressed toward the bar f
and its upper end normally rests at one side or the other of the projection f. If the
button be depressed the projection 72 will force the pin / outward to make a record
and permit said pin to return to its normal position on the opposite side of the
projection f². When the button is pulled out a like operation takes place.
6
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 10, bell-crank-levers e are mounted at their
angles in ears e¹ secured to the casing a adjacent to the stems. The ends of
these levers are notched to receive pins in the ends of the stems and in the ends
of the bars f, respectively. The operation in this case is similar to that of the
mechanism shown in Fig. 9.
h
In Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are shown the arrangement of parts when type and an
ink-ribbon are employed. The typer may be secured to the ends of the levers for
may be mounted upon pins similar to the pins and operated as in Figures 7, 8, 9
and 10. Any of the forms illustrated in the other figures for retaining the keys in
their depressed position could be employed, it being necessary only to give the lever
a little play, so that after it has struck the type against the cylinder, it will permit
the type to fall away a short distance. An ink-ribbon r¹ is secured in the forked
ends of spools that are mounted in bearings s¹. This ribbon is arranged
lengthwise of the cylinder between the cylinder and the type, the latter being
arranged in a roll. As the ribbon becomes worn out, a new supply can be presented
to the type by turning the spools. A surface or rubber is put on the record
cylinder when type are used, in order that the record-sheet may have a yielding
backing.
The record cylinder rotates on two spindles wand z. The spindle w has its lower
end reduced and arranged in a depression in a hearing w¹ Fig. 2 secured to the
bottom of the casing. The upper part of the spindle w passes through a chambered
block Figure 4 secured to the inside of the cylinder. In the chamber of this
block and surrounding the spindle is a helical spring to one end resting against the
inner end of the block w while the opposite end bears against a collar w³ fast on
the spindle w.
The object of the spring w³ is to counter-balance the weight of the
cylinder and its strength is determined according to the particular cylinder which is
to be used. The upper end of the cylinder is engaged by the spindle z. When it is
desired to remove the cylinder it is pressed down against the tension of the spring w³
and its upper end removed from the spindle z, as will be seen from the drawing.
This spindle is secured to the end of the casing opposite the spindle w by having
one of its ends screw-threaded as at 10 Fig. 4 and engaging a screw-threaded
aperture in a plate :" secured to the upper end of the casing by screws 21. 21 repre-
sents a shaft journaled in bearings, which are preferably lugs integral with a
bracket secured by screws 15 Fig. 16 to the casing. At the upper end of this
shaft there is a bevelled gear 22, meshing with a similar gear 23 on the arbor of the
clock a*.

page_text: At its lower end this bracket is provided with two protruding perforated ears 18 in
which is mounted a shaft 217 provided with a worm 218 and a bevelled pinion" both
fast on said shaft. The lower end of the shaft 21 has a bevelled gear 24, that meshes
with the gear 21 on the shaft 2. The worm 18 on said shaft ineshes with a worm
gear mounted to turn on the spindle 2. represents a friction crank having an
enlarged apertured boss 23 also arranged on this spindle z below said worm gear and
resting on the collar 5*, integral with the spindle z. This friction crank z' carries at
its end a pin * arranged to engage an aperture 2 on the top of the cylinder.
A leaf-spring 25 is interposed on the spindle between the gear and the crank,
the ends of this spring bearing on the gear, as shown in Fig. 4.
This spring
serves to keep the crank 2' yieldingly engaged to the cylinder, and also serves as a
means for transmitting motion from the gear to the crank. By means of the leaf-
spring 25 bearing upon the hub of the friction crank and at its end upon the
wheel I am enabled to make slight adjustments of the crank without disturbing
the gear wheels, the hub of the friction crank slipping on the spring. By means
of the screw interposed between the motor mechanism and the cylinder I prevent
any back-lash by reason of the adjustment of the cylinder, since, while the mechanism
may be turned from the motor side it cannot from the cylinder side, permitting
adjustments of the cylinder to be made, as stated above, without disturbing the
gear wheels or the connecting parts between the cylinder and motor mechanism.
Upon the front of the casing and upon the opposite side of the cylinder_from
the point where the recording pins or types are located is an index-plate k Fig. 6
having an aperture k*. An indicating finger or projection extends into this
aperture. The record-sheet k³ is provided upon its upper side with a series of figures
which, when the record-sheet is placed on the cylinder, are 180 degrees from the
point where the squares are located, which bear a like number and on which the
record is to be made. By this means the sheet can be quickly and accurately placed
and adjusted upon the cylinder. Supposing the time to be seven o'clock when the
operator places the sheet upon the cylinder. By adjusting the sheet until the figure 7
in the row at the top thereof is under the finger k₁ the operator is assured that
the part of the sheet for recording entries or departures for seven o'clock is directly
under the recording pins or type.
A bar 30 Fig. 2 pivoted to arms 31 that are in turn pivoted to the casing rests
upon the levers 7, and when these levers are raised to make a record, they raise this
bar 30 which strikes an arm connected to a bell-hammer 34 arranged to ring a
bell 35, and thus sound an alarm each time a button is operated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, complemental recording mechanism, spindles wand z upon
which said cylinder rotates, a chambered block in said cylinder enclosing one end
of the spindle w, a collar on said spindle and a helical spring surrounding said
spindle and bearing against said collar and against the end of the chambered block,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, complemental recording mechanism, spindles w and upon
which said cylinder rotates, yielding connections between said cylinder and the
spindle w, a clock mechanism, a sleeve on the spindle, connections between said
clock mechanisin and said sleeve, a spring-pressed boss-provided arm on said sleeve
carrying a pin to engage the end of said cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
3. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, complemental recording mechanism, spindles and z upon
which said cylinder rotates, and yielding connections between said cylinder and said
spindle w, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 4. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, means for rotating said cylinder, a series of recording pins,
a series of movable buttons, a series of movable parts between said pins and
buttons so constructed and arranged that a record is made upon a movement of the
buttons in either direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, means for rotating said cylinder, a series of recording pins,
a series of movable buttons, a series of movable parts between said pins and
buttons so constructed and arranged that the said buttons can be operated in both
directions to make a record and retained in their operated position until positively
operated in the opposite direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a recording cylinder arranged
to carry a record-sheet, means for rotating said cylinder, a series of spring-pressed
recording pins, a series of sliding bars provided with notches the sides of which
operate said pins, and a series of buttons and connecting parts for operating said
bars, substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder, arranged
to carry a record-sheet, means for rotating said cylinder, a series of recording pins,
a series of levers for operating said pins, a series of buttons, and connections
between the buttons and levers for retaining the buttons in their operated position,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable record cylinder, a
series of recording pins, a series of levers, for operating said pins, a series of buttons,
connections between said buttons and levers including a lever having the form of a
triangle pivoted upon one of its sides and having one of its angles arranged to
engage said pin-operating levers, substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable record cylinder and
complemental recording mechanism, means for rotating said cylinder, a record-sheet
upon said cylinder provided with a series of indicating figures corresponding to the
time columns on the opposite side of said record-sheet, an indicator opposito the
point where the records are made whereby the operator is enabled to adjust the record-
sheet on the cylinder with reference to the position of the recording pins or type,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder, a yielding
facing on said cylinder, a series of recording types arranged in a row, a series of
levers and buttons for operating said type, and an adjustable ink-ribbon between said
type and the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
=
11. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder mounted
upon the spindles and
20, the friction crank 2', the clock mechanism, and a leaf-
spring interposed between said clock mechanism and said crank, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
12. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder, spindles
and w upon which said cylinder is mounted, the block w, the collar w², the spring w³
arranged to counter-balance the weight of the cylinder, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
13. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder mounted
upon spindles z and w, the friction crank ¹, driving mechanism, a leaf-spring,
interposed between said crank and one of the wheels of said driving mechanism, the
block w in which the spindle w extends, the spring w arranged around said spindle
within said block and bearing against the collar to fast on said spindle, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
14. In a time recorder, the combination, with the case, the rotatable cylinder
adapted to carry the time sheet and the parallel pivoted marking levers, of two links
pivoted to the case, a rod having its respective ends connected with the free ends of
said links, said rod being arranged in the path of travel of the marking levers and
essentially perpendicular thereto, a bell, and an operative connection between the said
rod and the bell, substantially as described.

page_text: 15. In a workman's time recorder, in combination, a rotatable cylinder, spindles wo
and upon which said cylinder rotates, and suitable motor mechanism and connec-
tions including a worm, as 18, between said cylinder and said motor mechanism,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Duted this 13th day of July 1895
EDWARD GOODRICH WATKINS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.