US224666A - Hand-stamp - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. EMERSON.

Hand-Stamp.

No. 224.666. Patented Feb. 17-, 1880.

[Id/b I Inventor 2 i 2 Shets-Sheet 2.

G. B. EMERSON.

I Hand-Stamp.

No. 224, 66. 1 Patented Feb. 17, .1880.

with 85 555 UNITED STATES PATENT Q EFICEe GEORGE E. EMERSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

HAND-STAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 224,666, dated February 1 7, 1880.

Application filed September 20, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE E. EMERSON, of the city and county of San Francisco, and

State of'Galif'ornia, have invented an Improvement in Dating, Canceling, and other Stamps; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of stamps which are employed for marking, dating, canceling, or otherwise impressing various documents, and at the same timeindicating the hour and minute at which such impression is made; and it consists of the ordinary horizontal fixed die hav ing the usual official marks, letters, or figures upon it, and within this die a clock or timedial, forming a part of or permanently fixed within it upon the bedplate of the stamp. In combination with this stationary die I employ two indicators, hands, or pointers, which are moved by a clock or timing mechanism beneath, so as to mark by the dial the hour and minute at which the impression is made without the use of any automatically-moving dial or other mechanism.

My invention further relates to a novel means of moving the indicating-pomter by a direct vertical connection with clock-movement, while the latter is at the same time relieved from all the effects of concussion by the blows of the stamp. In combination with this mechanism I employ a peculiar meridian-disk, by which the ante and post meridian divisions of time are indicated, and also a cylindrical die rotating at right angles with the horizontal die, and having the words Ganceled, Received, Audited, &c., formed upon it. This cylindrical die is provided with an adjusting and locking device, by which any desired word or character upon it may be instantly brought uppermost and locked in position for use.

The letters and figures of the date are fitted into a dovetailed slide, which is easily introduced to or removed from the bed-plate when the date is to be altered.

' Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure l is a View of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are details of construction.

Various attempts have been made to combine a timing and stamping apparatus in one machine; but this has hitherto been eil'ected by a multiplicity of automz'tticallymoving dials and ineridian-wheels, which necessitated complicated gearing and interi'nediate mechanism to connect it with a more or less distant clockmovement, so as to protect the latter from injury, and also in devices for restoring lost motion in the moving dials, all of which have had the etl'ect to render the apparatus exceedingly delicate, easily deranged, and unfitted for prac tical use.

In my invention Iemploy the ordinaiy stamp having a bed-plate provided with fixed ofiicial and dial dies, dating letters and figures, meridian-disk, and such other words as may be desired, and a combination with these of two hands or pointers connected directly with a simple clock mechanism situated directly beneath the dial and hands. The frame of the stamp is formed with a cavity to receive the clock mechanism, and has the usual hinged or other stamping-arm and impression-mm, and the inking-ribbon, with its ieeding-pawls and ratchet.

The base of my stamp consists of a hollow portion, forming an inverted cup, as shown at A, to contain the timing mechanism, and a foot, 13, which is united to the part A by an arch or connecting portion, C.

The impression-pad D is mounted in the free end of the armor lever E, so as to have a universal movement to adjust its face so as to fit the die or type in the usual manner.

The arm E is hinged at the rear to the top of the arch O in the usual form of this class of stamps, and the impression-pad is held up and withdrawn after each impression by means of a spiral or other spring, as shown. The inkingribbon F passes around rollers situated within the frame at each side of the bed-plate, and is moved over the die, being actuated at each movement of the impression-pad lever E by the ratchet-wheel G and the double pawls H, in the usual manner, the separts having nothing in them novel.

The bed-plate H is secured to the top of the hollow clock-containing case A, and upon this plate is formed the name of the bank, olfice, or place of business, together with the figures or characters of a clock-dial, from I to 12, as at I J. These letters and figures are fixed to or form a part of the plate H, so that they are permanent, while within the inner circle are fitted two concentric movable stems or disks, K L, each of which carries a suitable 5 pointer or indicator upon its surface in the manner otaclocle't'ace; and in this construction of solid receivingletters and'figures combined with the movable indicator-pointers lies the principal merit of my machine, as I am thus enabled to provide a stamp of equal solidity with the ordinary dating or canceling stamp, and having but few exterior moving parts.

The minute-hand m is in the form of a raised arr'ow or pointer upon the upper surface of 1 5 the disk or stem L, which extends down through the bed-plate E into the case to connect with the clock-work or timing mechanism. The hour-hand is in the form of an arrow-head or imlicatingpoint, a, and it is raised above the surface of the ring or annulus forming the head of the outer stem, K. This outer stem is a cylindrical sleeve which surrounds the stem L, and has an independent connection with the clock mechanism, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The clock mechanism is of any ordinary simple form of escapement, and is secured to a plate, Q, which maycasily be introduced to or removed from the case A.

The spindle O, which actuates the minutehand, has its upperend flattened, and the lower end of the stem L is formed with a long slot, which will fit over the flattened end of the spindle, so that the stem will be turned by it,

5 and thus actuate the indicator m upon its upper surface.

The sleeve K, carrying the hourliand, has two studs, p p, projecting downward from its lower end, and these studs fitinto correspond- 0 ing slots in a disk, q, driven at the proper rate by the clock mechanism. This sleeve surrounds the spindle O, and the two indicators are thus driven directly from the timing mechanism without the intervention of levers or other intermediate connecting-gear. The movement and action of the clutches being in line vertically with their connecting spindle and sleeve, it will be seen that while the pointers will be continuously rotated by the tilning mechanism no blow upon or vertical motion of the indicator-stems can in any way be communicated to the mechanism below.

In order to sustain the indicatorsagainst the blows of the pad necessary to imprint the 5 5 stamp, and hold them at all times on a level with the stationary words and figures on the plate H, and also to prevent such action from being in any way detrimental to the timing mechanism, I countersink the bed-plate ll.

from its upper surface, so as to form a seat with a square shoulder, r, into which the annulus or disk carrying the hour-indicator fits.

This depression supports the flange of the disk,

so that it is as solid to resist the blows of the pad astheplate 11 itself. Theinn er stem, which carries the minute hand or indicator, has an enlarged disk or head, which fits into a depression in the head of the sleeve K, carrying the hour-hand, and a similar shoulder, bl, in this depression supports the stem, so that any blow orconcussion upon it will be supported and resisted in a vertical line with and by the shoulder 0" in the outer plate, H.

A groove is formed around the inner stem, L, and a pin or screw fits this groove and prevents its being withdrawn, while permitting its free rotation. The outer sleeve, K, is similarly secured within the bedplatc ll, as shown.

At one side of the circle containing the 0thcial letters or figures is the letter M, while at the other side I fit a small disk, Z, which may be rotated horizontally in its seat. Upon one side of the face of this disk is the letter A, and at the opposite side the letter P. This is so placed that only one ot'theseletters will lie beneath the inking-ribbon and impression-pad at one time. This enables me to turn the disk so as to use the letters A and P. res wctively, with the permanentletter M, and thus indicate morning and afternoon.

The dating letters and figures are fitted into a dovetailed slide, t, which fits a similar slot or groove in the bed-platejust in front of the dial. A spring, T, is secured to the side of the slide, and by its elastic tension holds the slide in place and steadies it without other tastening. The day, year, and month are formed so as to be easily removed or replaced in the slide, so as to be changed with but little trouble. The front part of the bed-plate H is formed with two extensions or arms, U, which serve asjournal-boxes, between which the cylinder V revolves. This cylinder has the raised letters, words, figures, or characters tin-med upon its side as may he demanded by the especial business in which the stamp is to be used, as Forwa-rded, Received, Recorded, Paid, Audited,Answered,Oancelcd,&c. One ot'thejournalsw ofthis cylinder is round, while the other journal, '10, has as many sides as there may be words or characters upon the cylinder. The extension or hearing U, corresponding with this journal, has a similarlyshaped opening, so that when this polygonal bearing is introduced into its socket the cylinder will be firmly held with whichever-character or word may be desired uppermost.

In order to make a rapid adjustment, the opposite roumljournal, w, is made long enough to allow the whole cylinder to be pushed along in that direction until the polygonal bearing is out of its seat and the succeeding round portion (which is son'iewhat smaller) has entered it. This then allows the cylinder to be rotated until the desired word is uppermost, when the spiral spring X will force the angular bearing back into its socketorbearing and hold it there. This gives me a firnily-suppm-ted, and at the same time easily-adjusted, series of words or characters.

The winding-lu y (t for the clock mechanism is permanently attached and projects through the plateQ, so as to be easily reached and operated. The milled head b also extends through the plate, and is connected with the hands, so that they may be easily set when desired. The regulator 61 is also operated from the same point.

My apparatus thus provides a strong and durable chronometric stamp suitable for any ot'fice use, and especially valuable in such positions as the offices of traiirdispatchers, where the time must be accurately taken. It contains the fewest possible moving parts, and by the employment of the fixed dials with moving pointers or indicators an imprint is given which is a facsimile of a clock-dial, and is much more easily and correctly read than if a number of continually-changing dials were employed.

It will be manifest that in order to have the movement of the hands or indicators corre spond with the face of a dial and type which will make a correct imprint the movement of these hands must be reversed, and they must turn to the left instead of to the'right. This may be done either by a specially-constructed movement, or, if an ordinary clock-movement be employed, the gears and pinions actuating the hands and the spindle for the same must be placed upon the opposite side of the frame from their ordinary position.

' In the present case the spindle O, which actuates the minute-hand, passes freely through the hub of its driving-gear and pinion, and is. driven by frictional pressure of elastic washers, which are held against the hub by a pin passing through the spindle, and the milled head I) being secured to the lower end of the spindle, the latter may be turned at any time 6 to adjust the hands without affeetin g the clockmovement.

The disk (1, which drives the hour-hand, turns freely upon the spindle O, and, with its gear-wheel, has a certain amount of longitudinal motion upon it without affecting its rotary movements, thus allowing of an adjustment betweenit and the lugs 19 of the sleeveK, which it drives. The hub of this disk q rests upon a convex elastic plate, 0, which is held down upon the side of the gear-wheel, so as to be driven by it, but at the same time to allow the disk to be moved around, so as to adjust the hour-hand independently of the minute-hand when necessary for regulating its position.

Having thus described my invention, I do not claim, broadly, the combination of a dating or marking stamp with a timing mechanism, as I am aware that such a combination has been already used, but differing from my invention.

\Vhat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The fixed letters or characters I and dial J, mounted upon the bed-plate and having the movable pointers m audit, and the clock mechanism, as shown, in combination with the slide R, containing the dating letters and figures, and the stamp V, the whole combined substantially as and'ibr the purpose herein described.

2. In a hand-stamp, the cylinder V, provided on its surface with raised characters, letters, or words, and having at one end a cylindrical bearing and at the other a bearing with a polygonal section, 10, in combination with the arms U U, one of which has an opening corresponding to journal-section w, and the spring X, substantiallyas herein described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. The clock mechanism situated within the case A, directly beneath the stamp, and having the hour and minute disk q and spindle 0, as shown, in combination with the hands or pointer-stems K L, standing in a line above said disk and spindle, and so united to them as to be rotated, while having a free vertical movement, substantially as herein described.

4. The stem L, carrying the minute-hand and having its lower end slotted, as shown, and the sleeve K, 'arrying the hour-hand and having the lugs 19 at its lower end, in combination with the flattened spindle 0 and the slotted disk (1 of the clock mechanism, whereby a direct vertical connection is made to drive the index-hands without conveying the concussions of the impression-pad to the clock mechanism, substantially as herein described.

5. In astamp consisting of a cylinder or body, V, having the raised characters, fign res, or words upon two or more sides, and adapted to receive a blow from an impression-pad, so as to imprint the characters upon a document, the polygonal journal 20, having its sides corresponding with the characters upon the body and fitting into a similarly-shaped socket in the bearing arm, the elongated cylindrical journal 20, spring X, and the indicating cylinder-extension to the journal, having characters corresponding with those upon the stamp, whereby its adjustment may be secured, substantially as herein described.

6. In a chronometric stamp having a clock mechanism adapted to drive the movable index hands or pointers by a loose direct connection, as shown, the immovable letters, characters, or dials forming a part of or fixed to the bed-plate in line above the clock mechanism and case, and concentric with its driving-spindle, in combination with an im pressionpad,whereby the time of an impression may be indicated upon a document, substantially as herein described.

7. In a chronometric stamp having a clock mechanism adapted to drive a movable index hand or hands, a fixed bed-plate with immovable dials or characters and an impressionpad, as shown, the hollow clock-containing case A, forming a support for or part of the bed-plate and dials, and in line directly below the same, the foot B, the connecting-arch O, and the arm E, for supporting and actuating the impression-pad, when the whole are combined substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

Vitnesses: G. E. EMERSON.

S. H. Nounsn, FRANK A. BRooKs.

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