US3155453A

US3155453A - Time recording apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3155453A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03

Description

NV 3 1964 J. T. PARsoNs ETAI. 3,155,453

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS original Filed Jan. 6, 195s INVENTORS JOHN I PARSONS Alva FLOYD E. HARWOOO A TTORNE YS United States Patent O 3,.l55,453 Tilvliii RECRDENG APPARATUS .lohn T. Parsons, itraverse City, Mich., and Floyd E. Harwood, Fort Wayne, ind., assignors to Parsons Corporation, Traverse City, Mich., a corporation of Michigan @riginal application 6, 1h55, Ser. No. 767,254, novi Patent No. 3,2ll,llll5, dated Feb. o, @62. Eivided and this application Aug. 4, i963, Ser. No. 129,346 5 Qlaims. (Ci, Sari-SZ) This invention relates to a recording apparatus and,

.more particularly, to new and improved means for controlling a time recorder of the type shown in a cop-ending application of lohn T. Parsons and Floyd E. Harwood, Serial No. 674,131, tiled luly 25, 1957, now Patent No. 3,601,693, which copending application is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The present application is a division of our copending application Serial No. 707,254, filed January 6, 1958, now Patent No. 3,020,115, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

In general, the time recorder disclosed in the above identified application consists of a timing circuit having switches which are continuously adjusted to settings representing instant time and a group ot storage relays which are selectively operated by a sensing unit in response to the insertion of a coded key or badge into the sensing unit to store digits forming the designation of an en ployee. The time recorder is placed in operation by the insertion of a blank record card into a guideway leading to the punching assembly and by the insertion of a coded key into the sensing unit. During a cycle of operation, a commutator in the recording apparatus sequentially interconnects a plurality of interposer solenoids in the punching assembly with the various switches in the timing circuit and the various groups of digit storing relays so that these items of information are punched at longitudinally spaced positions on the record card. Following the completion of the recording operation, the punched card is ejected from the time recorder.

In the time recorder disclosed in the above-identified copending application Serial No. 674,131, led July 25, 1957, the timing circuit is operated' at time spaced intervals by signals applied from a motor driven timing mechanism. in order to prevent the adjustment of the stepping switches included in the timing circuit during an interval in which time is being recorded by the punching assembly, an interlock arrangement is provided which arrests cyclic operation of the punching assembly under the control of the commutator during those intervals in which the setting of the timing circuit is being adjusted. However, it is frequently desirable to permit the uninterrupted completion of the recording operation following its initiation.

Thus, another object of the present invention is to provide a control circuit for a time recorder in which a recording cycle of operation is completed without interruption following its initiation and in which means are provided for maintaining accurate operation of a timing circuit.

Another object is to provide a time recorder including means for arresting the transmission of operating signals to a timing circuit during operation of a connected time recorder and means for storing signals transmitted during this interval and for thereafter applying them to the timing circuit to adjust the setting thereof.

In the prior time recorder unit, the record card is advanced step-by-step relative to the punching assembly by a step-by-step drive assembly including a drive wheel and a shiftable idler which is moved to bias the record card into engagement with the drive wheel when the stepby-step drive assembly is rendered effective. This time ice recorder unit further includes a card ejecting mechanism for ejecting a punched card from the recorder at the completion of the recording operation. When the ejecting mechanism is operated prior to the release of the step-by-step drive assembly, the shiftable idler in the step-by-step drive assembly tends to retard the discharge of the punched card by the ejecting mechanism.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide means controlled by the operation of an ejecting assembly for rendering a card feeding mechanism ineffective.

A further object is to provide means for shifting an idler in a card feeding assembly out of engagement with a punched card when an ejecting means is operated.

ln many instances,- the items of information recorded on a record card during a single cycle of rotation of the control commutator is not sufficient to till all of the available columns on the card. However, in the time recording unit shown in the above-identified application, the card is automatically ejected in response to the completion of a single cycle of operation of the commutator so that several different data entries cannot be recorded on a single card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control circuit for a time recorder which is effective either to eject a punched record card in response to the recording of a first data entry thereon or to eject the card from the punching assembly after a predetermined number of data entries have been recorded on a single card.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof in conjunction with the single sheet of drawings which forms a schematic diagram of a time recordel' and a control circuit therefor embodying the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the time recording unit controlled by the circuit shown therein is of the type disclosed and described in detail in the above-identified copending Parsons and Harwood application Serial No. 674,l31, now Patent No. 3,001,693, and generally comprises a punching assembly controlled by a plurality of interposer solenoids it@ which is selectively supplied with information to be recorded from a timing circuit 12 and a badge storage unit la under the control of a commutator indicated generally as i6. The badge storage unit litcomprises a plurality of groups of storage relays which are selectively operated by a badge sensing unit i3 in response to the insertion of a coded badge into the unit it. When a blank record card is inserted into the punching assembly and a badge is inserted into the sensing unit l, the digits forming the designation of the employee are stored in the badge storage unit 14 and the inserted card is continuously advanced to a position aligned with the punching assembly in which it is conditioned to receive the iirst item of information to be recorded thereon. 1n moving to this position, a control mechanism governed by a one-revolution clutch is renered effective so that a control shaft rotates through a plurality of successive cycles. In each of these cycles, the punching assembly is actuated to punch an item of information in the record card. The record card is advanced a single step, and the commutator 16 is advanced a single step to render the next data storing unit effective to control the operation of the interposer solenoids lil. Following the completion of the recording of the items of information, the continuing rotation of the control shaft is interrupted and the punched card is ejected from the recorder. Alternatively, if a number of separate er1- tries are to be recorded on a single card, the control circuit disables the ejecting means until such time as a predetermined number of complete cycles of operation of the commutator lo have been completed. At this time, the punched card is ejected and the time recorder unit is restored to a normal condition.

Referring now more specically to the punching assembly, this assembly is illustrated in detail in the aboveidentiied copending application Serial No. 674,'131 and includes ten movable punch elements which are spaced transversely relative to the record card so that one or more of these punch elements can be blocked against movement under the control of the interposer solenoids lll. Thus, when the punching assembly is actuated, punch elements associated with the operated interposer solenoids are blocked against movement and are effective to punch the card in positions related to the value of the digit to be recorded.

The details of the time circuit l2 are also disclosed in detail in the above-identified copending application. As illustrated therein, the timing circuit l2` generally consists of a plurality of stepping switches which are serially connected for operation in response to signals supplied to an input conductor 56. rfhus, the position of the switches at any given instant represents the digits of instant time. The contact banks of the various stepping switches are connected in common by a cable 57 to the interposer solenoids lll, and the various wipers of the stepping switches in the timing circuit l2, are rendered effective in sequence to control the interposer solenoids lll by the commutator le which is connected to the timing circuit 'l2 by a cable 59, A conductor 58 interconnecting the timing circuit l2 with the control circuit for the time recorder unit is periodically provided with a positive potential to perform certain control operations in the circuit f2, such as carry and reset functions.

To provide a means for operating the stepping switches in the timing circuit l?. at periodic intervals, a timing motor 5@ is provided which is placed in operation by the closure of a switch Sl to rotate a pair of

cams

52 and 53. At suitable time intervals, the cam 52 momentarily closes a pair of contacts 52a` so that a positive potential provided by a suitable potential source 5tlis forwarded through the closed contacts 52a and through a pair of normally closed contacts 426C to be applied to the input conductor 56. This operating signal or pulse advances the lowest ordered one of the serially connected stepping switches a single step, thus representing the expiration of the selected time interval. The cam 53 periodically closes a pair of contacts 53a in synchronism with the closure of the contacts 52a to forward a positive potential over the conductor 53 for performing such functions as carry and reset operations.

Referring now more specifically to the badge storage unit lli and the badge sensing unit ltd, these units are identical to the similar components shown and described in detail in the above identified copending Parsons and Harwood application Serial No. 674,131. ln general, the badge storage unit ld comprises a plurality of groups of storage relays which are selectively operated by the insertion of a badge into the unit t8 to provide a plurality of conductive paths, each representing one of the digits of the designation of the employee. These conductive paths, which are formed by relay contact decoding trees controlled by the storage relays, are connected in common to the interposer solenoids lll over a cable dit. The various conductive paths formed by the storage relays the badge storage unit ldare sequentially rendered effective to control the operation of the interposer solenoids lil by the commtitator f6 which is connected to the badge storage unit lll by a cable 62.

The badge sensing unit ld includes a plurality of movable sensing or feeler pins carried on a movable plate. When a badge Vto be sensed is inserted into the unit im, a pair of contacts 64 in the control circuit is mechanically engaged and closed to operate a sensing unit actuating solenoid 26. ln operating, the solenoid moves the plurality of sensing pins toward the inserted. badge so that this une

a plurality of contacts are selectively operated in accordance with the perforations provided in the inserted badge. These contacts are connected by a cable 65 to the badge storage unit f4 so that the operation thereof selectively operates the plurality of storage relays in the badge storage unit it to store the digits forming the designation of the employee.

Referring now more specifically to the control circuit for the time recorder unit, in the normal condition of this circuit, a relay 2d is maintained in an operated state by the positive potential provided by the power source 5d which is forwarded through a pair of normally closed contacts dtla. ln its operated condition, the relay Zlcloses a plurality of contacts 24e, Zlib, and 2de and opens a pair kof contacts Een'. The closure of the contacts 2da completes a portion of a holding circuit for a relay 22 and a motor control relay 36. The closed contacts 24h forward the positive potential provided by the source 54 to the badge storage unit ld to provide a source of holding potential for the storage relays therein. The opening of the contacts Edd interrupts an additional point in the operating circuit for a first counting relay d2, and the closure of the contacts 24e performs no useful function at this time.

If the time recorder is to be conditioned for recording several separate data entries on the card prior to its ejection, a selector switch 72 is operated to close a pair of contacts 72a and to open a pair of contacts 72b. The recorder is then further conditioned for operation by inserting a blank record card into a card guideway extending to the punching assembly. When the card is thus inserted, a switch arrangement 7d is operated to open a pair of normally closed contacts 70a and to close a pair of contacts 7M?. The closure of the contacts lilly produces no useful function, but the opening of the contacts 7tlg interrupts an additional point in a circuit for initiating operation of the recorder. The coded key or badge of the employee whose identification is to be recorded on the record card in conjunction with instant time is then inserted into the badge sensing unit lil so that the contacts ed are closed. The closure of the contacts 645 extends the positive potential provided by the source 54 through the closed contacts 72a and a pair of normally closed contacts tlc to complete an obvious operating circuit for a motor control relay 36. The operation of the relay 36 closes a pair of contacts 36a so that a common drive motor 3S for the time recorder unit is connected to a suitable source of power and thus placed in operation.

The positive potential provided at the closed contacts dd is also forwarded through a pair of normally closed contacts 22a to complete an operating circuit for a slowto-release relay Ztl and directly to the operating winding of a slow-to-operate relay 22. The relay Ztl operates immediately to close a pair of contacts 2da. The closure of the contacts 2tlg operates the solenoid 2o so that the sensing pins in the badge sensing unit l@ are moved toward the inserted key, thereby selectively operating the sensing contacts so that a coded representation of the digits forming the designation of the employee is stored in the badge storage unit ld by the selective operation of a plurality of the storage relays therein. The selective operation of these relays prepares a plurality of conductive paths, each representing one` of the digits of the employee designation.

After the slow-to-operate interval of the relay 22, this relay operates to open the contacts 22a and to close a plurality of contacts Zb-Ze. rl`he closure of the contacts 22h completes a holding circuit for the relay 22 so that this relay is maintained operated. The closure of the contacts Z211 also completes a holding circuit for the motor control relay 36 extending through the closed contacts 2da and fiile. The opening of the contacts 22a interrupts the operating circuit for the relay so that this relay releases after its delay interval to open the contacts Ztla. The opening ot the contacts Zita releases the solenoid 2d so that the sensing pins in the badge sensing unit 18 are withdrawn from the apertures in the inserted key. This permits the inserted key to be removed from the badge sensing unit so that the contacts 64 are opened. However, the opening of the contacts 64 does not release the relays 22 and 3o due to the prior completion of the holding circuits therefor. The closure of the contacts 22e prepares an operating circuit for a punch relay 3i), which circuit is interrupted at the open contacts 70a. The closure of the contacts 22d similarly prepares an operating circuit for a relay 2S.

The closure of the contacts 22e extends the positive potential provided by the source 5d through the closed contacts '72a and a pair of normally closed contacts 281 to operate a feed roll solenoid 7d. As described in detail in the above-identied copending Parsons and Harwood application Serial No. 674,131, the operation of the solenoid 74 engages a rst continuous drive mechanism so that the leading edge of the blank record card inserted into the record guideway is advanced into engagement with a card locating gate which arrests movement of the card in a position to receive the rst item of information to be recorded thereon. As the trailing edge of the card moves beyond the switch 7l), the contacts 7tlb are opened and the contacts '70a are closed. The closure of the contacts 70a concurrently completes an operating circuit for the relays ZS and Btl.

More specifically, the closure of the contacts 7de forwards the positive potential provided by the source 54 through the closed contacts 72a, 7tlg, and 22d and a plurality of normally closed contacts Zlib and itlb to energize the winding of the relay 2S. In operating, the relay 2S opens the contacts Ztib and closes a plurality of contacts 28a, and ZSC-Ztig. The contacts 28o and Zilb form a make-before-break contact arrangement so that the closure of the contacts 2da completes a holding circuit for the relay 28 extending to the positive potential provided at the source 54 prior to the opening of the contacts 28h. The closure of the contacts 28e provides a shunt around the contacts 70a to prevent the insertion of a card into the guideway from disturbing the present operation of the control circuit.

The opening of the contacts 28) interrupts the above described operating circuit for the feed roll solenoid 7d so that this solenoid is released to render the continuous drive mechanism for advancing the card to a punching position ineffective. The closure of the contacts Qldd prepares a portion of an operating circuit for a clutch solenoid 32 and card stop solenoid 3st, which circuit is interrupted at a pair of normally open contacts 39a. The closure of the contacts 28C forwards the positive potential provided at the closed contacts 23e and 'ia through a pair of normally closed contacts 76a to energize an index feed roll solenoid 73. The energization of the solenoid 73 moves an idler roller in a step-by-step card feeding mechanism into engagement with the inserted record card to press this card into driving engagement with a wheel which is subsequently indexed to feed the card step-by-step during the punching operation. The closure of the contacts 28g prepares a further holding circuit for the relay 36.

Referring back to the above-described closure of the contacts 7tlg, the positive potential provided at these closed contacts is forwarded through the closed contacts 22e to complete an obvious operating circuit for a relay 30. In operating, the relay 3@ closes the contacts 30a. The closure of the contacts 30a completes an operating circuit for the

solenoids

32 and 34. The operation of the card stop or gate solenoid 34 raises the gate against which the leading edge of the advanced card has been moved to permit this card to be advanced step-by-step during the punching operation under the control of the indexing feed assembly. In moving upwardly, the gate actuates a switch, as described in detail in the above-identified copending Parsons and Harwood application, to close a pair of contacts 34a. The closure of the contacts 34a completes an additional holding circuit for the relay 28 so as to maintain this relay energized until the punched card has been ejected from the punching assembly. The operation of the clutch solenoid 32 engages the one-revolution clutch so that a control shaft is placed in continuous operation. During each cycle of rotation of the control shaft, the punching assembly conrolled by the interposer solenoids l0 is actuated, the drive wheel in the indexing drive assembly controlled by the solenoid 78 is advanced through an increment of rotary movement to advance the record card a single step, and the commutator lo is advanced a single step.

The operatori of the recording assembly now continues under the control of the control shaft, as described in detail in the above-identiiied copending Parsons and Harwood application. More specifically, following the operation of the clutch solenoid 32, the rotation of the control shaft advances a cani il@ so that a pair of contacts 35511 are closed. rl`hus, the positive potential supplied at the closed contacts 22e is forwarded to a common conductive segment S2 in the commutator to and then forwarded over a wiper Sd to the iirst of the individual contacts S6 included in ti e commutator lo. As shown in the drawing, the iirst Contact 8d is connected by the cable 62 to the badge storage unit llt. Thus, this positive potential is forwarded over the conductive path provided by the relay contact tree of the group` of storage relays in which stored the iirst digit of the designation of the employee. ri`his positive potential is forwarded by the badge storage unit 1d over the cable dl Ito operate a selected one of the interposer solenoids itt representing the value of the rst digit. Following the operation of the proper interposer solenoid lil, the punching assembly is actuated by the control shaft, the indexing drive is operated to advance the card a single step, the cana dll advances to open the contacts thus releasing the operated interposer solenoid, and the commutator lo is advanced a single step so that the wiper tid interconnects the common conductive seg- 32 with the Contact 86 forming a second position of the commutator i6.

rihe continuing rotation of the control shaft under the control of the energized clutch solenoid 32 causes the perforation of the remaining items of information stored in the badge storage unit .ld and the iterns of information provided by the timing circuit l?. in the manner described in detail above. When the wiper Sd moves into its last position and the cam closes the contacts Stia, an obvious operating circuit is completed for an end-of-cycle relay liti. The operation of the relay d@ opens the contacts ida-idc and closes a plurality of contacts dhd and 4de.

rThe opening of the contacts 4Gb interrupts one holding circuit for the relay 2S, but this relay remains operated over the holding circuit completed at the closed contacts 3de. The closure of the contacts niet completes a holding circuit for the motor control relay 3d extending through the closed contacts 28g so that this relay is not released to stop the motor when the contacts dite are opened to interrupt the above-described operating and holding circuit for the relay 36. The closure of the contacts dile prepares an operating circuit for a solenoid 76 controlling the card ejecting mechanism. However, as described above, the selector switch 72 is in a position in which the contacts 72b are opened and, accordingly, the circuit prepared by the closure of the contacts tile is not completed and the ejecting mechanism is not operated. This operation is in accordance with the conditioning of the control circuit for recording a plurality of data entries on a single record card.

The opening of the contacts dita interrupts the above described operating circuit for the reset relay Zd so that this relay releases to open the contacts 2da, 24h and f3/ic and to close the contacts 24E-d. The opening of the confacts Zlib interrupts the holding circuits for the operated relays in the badge storage unit ld so that these relays are released to clear the unit irl for subsequent operation under the control of the badge sensing unit iti. The opening of the contacts interrupts the above described holding circuit for the relay 22 so that this relay releases to close the contacts 22a and to open the contacts 2Zb-22e- The opening of the contacts ZZb interrupts an additional point in the holding circuit for the rleay 223, and the opening of the contacts 22e interrupts an additional point in the operating circuit for the feed roll solenoid 74. The opening of the contacts interrupts an additional point in the previously interrupted operating circuit for the relay 253, andthe closure of the contacts 220, prepares the above described operating circuit for the relay The opening of the contacts 22e interrupts the above described operating circuit for the clutch relay so that this relay releases to open the contacts 3ds. The opening of the contacts Stia releases the clutch solenoid 32 and the gate solenoid Ell. The release of the gate solenoid permits the card stop or locating gate to move downwardly toward a card intercepting position. However, since a record card is now in the guideway, the gate controlled by the solenoid 36idoes not move to its lowermost position and thus the contacts 34a controlled thereby remain closed and maintain the relay 2% in an operated condition. The release of the clutch solenoid 3:2 disengages tne onerevolution clutch so that, when the control shaft completes the present cycle of rotation, additional cycles of rotation thereof are not initiated. Thus, the release of the clutch solenoid 32 arrests further operation of the indexing drive mechanism, the commutator lo, and the punching assembly.

Referring back to the above described release of the relay 2d, the closure of the contacts 24d completes an operating circuit for the first counting relay which extends from the positive potential provided at the closed contacts 3fm through the closed contacts and a pair of normally closed contacts ln operating, the relay 42 closes a plurality of contacts lilla/ZC and 22e and opens a pair of contacts 42d. The closure of the contacts 42h prepares a holding circuit for the relay .he closure of the contacts @2c prepares an operating circuit for a second counting relay dit. rthe opening of the contacts interrupts an additional point in another operating circuit for the first counting relay d2, and the closure of the contacts 42e prepares a portion of an operating circuit for the ejecting solenoid 76.

During the last cycle of rotation of the control shaft, the rotation of the cam titl opens the contacts fln so that the above described operating circuit for the relay is interrupted, thus releasing this relay. ln releasing, the relay itl closes the contacts nda-dile and opens the contacts Lith! and 4de. The opening of the contacts (alle interrupts an additional point in the operating circuit for the eiecting solenoid il-t6, `and the closure of the contacts ttb completes an additional. holding circuit for the relay 2,8. The closure of the contacts dile prepares an operating circuit for the motor control relay 3o, and the opening of the contacts 46d interrupts the holding circuit for the relay 36 so that this relay releases to open the contacts 36:1. The opening of the contacts Een stops the motor "i" he closure of the contacts completes the above described operating circuit for the relay 24 so that this relay operates to open the contacts 2da and 2de and to close the contacts 24th and Zit-d.

The closure of the contacts 24h forwards holding potential to the badge storage unit lill, and the closure of the contacts 24a prepares the above described holding circuit for the relay 22 and the motor control relay 35. rhe contacts 24e and 24d form a malte-before-breali contact arrangement so that the closure of the contacts 24C completes a holding circuit for the first counting relay lf2 extending through the closed contacts Elle, 2b and 4de prior to the opening of the contacts Zlib to interrupt the casse o; above described operating circuit for this relay. Thus, the

first counting relay remains operated to indicate that a first cycle of operation of the commutator le has been completed during which the rst data entry has been recorded 0n the record card. Further, during the last cycle of rotation of the control shaft, the wiper S4 is returned to its normal home position in which it interconnects the common conductive segment S2 and the contact Se forming the first stepping position of the commutator llo.

Accordingly, at this itme, a first data entry comprising the badge number of an employee and the time at which the badge was inserted into the badge sensing unit T18 together with other desirable items of information has been recorded on the record card, the commutator 15 has been returned to a normal home position, and the first counting relay l2 has been operated to indicate the cornpletion of a first cycle of operation of the time recorder unit. Further, the motor 38 has been stopped at the completion of the recording operation to avoid excessive operation thereof, and the record card on which the first data entry has been made has been advanced to a position in which it is capable of receiving the first item of information to be recorded in the second data entry. Also, the reset relay 2d has been released to clear the badge storage unit lll and reoperated to forward a holding potential thereto. er unit remains in this condition until such time as the next badge is inserted into the sensing unit 18.

When the next time entry for the next employee is to be made, a coded badge is again inserted into the sensing unit llso that the contacts ofi are again closed to sequentially operate the relays 2li and 22. The sequential operation of these relays again causes the sensing of the inserted key and the storage of the designation of the employee in the badge storage unit ld. The control circuit then places the timer recorder unit in operation to record the items of information forming the second data entry on the card in the same manner as described above, with the following exception. inasmuch as the cardihas not been ejected from the recorder at the completion of the recording of the first data entry, the contacts 'Illa and Fitil? are not again operated. Further, since the partially punched record card remains in the recorder, the contacts 2da are held closed to maintain the relay 28 in an operated condition. Thus, the contacts 28e yand 70a remain closed so that, as soon as the contacts 22C are closed by the operation of the relay 22, a positive potential is again forwarded to the contacts 3de and to operate the punch relay 35.9 so that the second cycle of operation of the commutator lo is initiated. During this cycle, the items of information forming the second data entry are recorded on the record card immediately following te items of information forming the first data entry thereon.

When the commutator llo approaches the end of its second cycle of operation and, more specifically, when the wiper Se is moved into engagement with the next to the last contact 86 and the cam Sti closes the contacts Sila, a positive potential is forwarded through a rectifier SS and the closed contacts 42C to complete an obvious operating circuit for the second counting relay ll-4. The relay fili, in operating, closes a plurality of contacts 44a-44d and df and opens the contacts lille. The closure of the contacts dlt-a completes a holding circuit extending to the positive potential provided by the closed contacts 34a for maintaining the relay lll-4 operated. The closure of the contacts elle prepares a holding circuit for the relay 42. rThe closure of the contacts trib and @ed prepares a portion of an operating circuit for the relay d2. The closure of the contacts i4-f prepares an operating circuit for the ejecting solenoid 76, which circuit is interrupted at the open contacts elle. The opening of the contacts interrupts the above described holding circuit for the first counting relay S2 so that this relay releases to open.

The control circuit in the time recordthe contacts 42a 42c and 42e and to close the contacts 42d.

The opening of the contacts 42a interrupts a point in a holding circuit for the relay 42, and the opening of the contacts 42h interrupts an additional point in the previously opened holding circuit for the relay 42. The opening of the contacts 42e interrupts'the above described operating circuit for the second counting relay 4d, but this relay remains operated over the holding circuit completed at the closed contacts 44a. The closure of the contacts 42d prepares an operating circuit for the relay e2 which is connected to the third from the last contact S6 in the commutator 16. The opening of the contacts 42e interrupts a point in the operating circuit for the ejection solenoid '76.

When the commutator 1d is advanced to its next stepping position, the above described operating circuit for the end-of-cycle relay 40 is completed so that this relay operates to open the contacts 46a-4de and to close the contacts 4nd and 40e. The operation of the end-of-cycle relay it? performs the same functions as described above except that the release of the relay 24 in actuating the contacts 24e and 24d performs no useful function due to the prior opening of the contacts 42e. Thus, when the commutator 16 is advanced to its home position and the end-of-cycle relay 4t? is again released to cause the reoperation of the relay 24, the control circuit associated with the time recorder unit is restored to the condition described above with the exception that the iirst counting relay 42 is now in the released condition and the second counting relay 44 is in an operated condition. Further, at this time the record card has been provided with two separate data entries and has not been ejected from the time recorder unit. The time recorder and the control circuit remain in this condition until such time as another coded key is inserted into the badge sensing unit t8.

When the third successive badge or key is inserted into the sensing unit 18, the time recorder unit and the control circuits therefor are placed in operation, as described above, so that the items of information pertaining to the designation of the employee and the time together with other items of information are recorded on the punched card as the third data entry thereon. During this operation, when the commutator lo is advanced to the third from the last stepping position thereof and the cam 80 closes the contacts Sdn, the positive potential provided by the common conductive segment 32 and the wiper 34 is forwarded through a blocking diode 99 and the closed contacts 42a', 4412 and 44d to again complete an operating circuit for the first counting relay d2. This relay now operates to again close the contacts 32a-42e and 42e and to open the contacts 42d. The closure of the contacts 42a completes a holding circuit for the relay 42 extending to the positive potential provided at the closed contacts 34a so that the opening of the contacts 42d to interrupt the above described operating circuit does not release the first counting relay 42. Since the second counting relay 44 is held in an operated condition by the holding circuit extending through the closed contacts 44a, the closure of the contacts die produces no useful function. Similarly, the closure of the contacts 421) performs no useful function at this time. The closure of the contacts 42e prepares an operating circuit for the ejecting solenoid 76 so that this solenoid is operated at the completion of the third cycle of operation of the commutator le to eject the record card which now includes three separate data entries.

Thus, when the commutator lo is advanced to its last stepping position, the end-ofcycle relay It@ is again operated to produce the functions described above. However, when the relay it? is operated at this time, the closure of the contacts @Se completes an obvious operating circuit extending through the closed contacts 42e and idf for the ejecting solenoid 7o. ln operating, the solenoid 76 opens the contacts 76a to interrupt the energizing circuit for the index roll solenoid 7S, thereby shifting the idler out of engagement with the card to free it for ejection by the ejecting mechanism. The operation of the solenoid 76 also actuates an ejecting mechanism of the type disclosed in detail in the above identified copending Parsons and Harwood application so that the record card is ejected from the time recorder unit.

As the trailing edge of the card passes beyond the lower edge of the card locating gate, which has been released by the release of the gate solenoid 34, the contacts 34a are opened. The opening of these contacts together with the opening of the contacts itil? due to the operation of the end-of-cycle relay il interrupts both of the holding circuits for the card relay 28 so that this relay releases to restore the contacts controlled thereby to their normal condition. The opening of these contacts also releases the relays i2 and 44 and the solenoid 76. The remainder of the control circuit associated with the time recorder unit is restored to its normal condition by the operation and release of the end-of-cycle relay 49 in the manner described in detail above. Thus, the completion of the recording of three separate data entries on the record card results in the operation of the ejection solenoid 7d to eject the perforated card from the time recorder unit and in the restoration of the control circuit to a normal condition in which it is capable of being placed in operation only by the insertion of a blank record card and by the insertion of a key to be sensed into the unit 18.

lf the time recorder unit is to be operated so that only a single data entry is to be recorded on each record card, the selector switch 72 is operated so that the contacts '72a are opened and the contacts 72b are closed. The closure of the contacts 72b completes a shunt around the contacts 42e and idf controlled by the first and second counting relays 42 and 44 so that each time the end-ofcycle relay dii is operated to close the contacts 4de, the ejecting solenoid 76 is actuated to eject the card from the time recorder unit. Thus, only a single data entry can be recorded on each card inserted into the time recorder unit. Further, the opening of the contacts 72a removes the shunting circuit for forwarding the positive potential directly to the contacts 6d controlled by the badge sensing unit l so that it is no longer possible to place the control circuit in operation merely by inserting a key into the badge sensing unit. Accordingly, the time recorder unit can be placed in operation only by both inserting a blank record card into the guideway therefor so as to operate the switch tl and inserting a coded key. Further, since the motor control relay 36 can only be operated over a circuit including both of the contacts "itib and 64, it is not possible to place the drive motor 33 in operation without both inserting a key into the badge sensing unit i8 and inserting a blank record card into the card receiving guideway therefor. Thus, the selective operation of the selector switch 72 conditions the time recorder unit and the control circuit therefor either for an operation in which a plurality of separate data entries are recorded on a single record card or one in which only a single data entrv is recorded on the card following which the punched card is ejected from the time recorder unit.

As set forth in detail in the above-identified copending Parsons and Harwood application, it is necessary to avoid concurrent adjustment of the settings of the stepping switches in the timing circuit l2 and the recording of time information under the control of the interposer solenoids l@ in order to avoid the recording of an inaccurate time entry on the record card. in the above identified copending application Serial No. 674,131, means are provided for arresting cyclic operation of the time recorder and of the commutator during the period in which the setting of the timing circuit is being adjusted. However, in the conrol circuit of the present invention, means are provided which positively prevent the concurrent adjustment of the settings of the timing circuit and recording of time information without also interrupting the normal cycle of recording operation of the time recorder unit.

This means includes a cam 92 which is carried on the shaft to which the wiper $34 is connected land which is driven in synchronism with the shaft for advancing the wiper Sd. The cam 92 is so disposed in a synchronous drive relationship with `the wiper dit that when the wiper Sd is in engagement with the contacts Se to which the timing circuit l2 :is connected, the cam ,312 closes a pair of contacts 92a, thereby completing `an obvious operating ycircuit for a time interlock relay do. The operation of the relay do opens the contacts les and a pair of contacts den and closes a pair of contacts de The opening of `the contacts 46c interrupts the above described path extending over the conductor 5u from the contacts 52a for applying operating signals to the timing circuit l2. Thus, the operation of the relay de positively prevents the transmission of operating signals to the timing circuit l2 during the interval in which time information is being recorded by the time recorder unit. The closure of the contacts del) interconnects the contacts 52a with a condenser 9d. lf the cont-acts 52a are closed during the opera-tion of the time recorder unit, the positive potential charges the condenser M- to store the operating signal `for subsequent transmission to the timing circuit l2.

When the commutator ltd is advanced beyond the positions in which time information is recorded, the cam 92 opens the contacts 92a to release the timing interlock relay 46. In releasing, the relay lo closes the contacts 46c to establish the normal operating circuit including the conductor 5 for supplying operating pulses to the timing circuit l2. rEhe closure of the contacts fida interconnects the storage condenser 9d with the conductor 56 through a blocking diode 9d. The condenser 9d, if charged, discharges over the path including the diode 96 and the conductor 55o to supply an operating signal to the timing circuit l2 to correct the settings of the stepping switches therein. The opening of the contacts deb interrupts the above described circuit extending between the storage condenser 9d and the contacts 52a. Thus, the operation ot the time inter-loci; relay te provides means for preventing an adjustment of the settings of the stepping switches in the timing circuit l2 during the interval in which time information is recorded on the record card and this relay, together with the storage condenser provides means for storing any operating which is supplied during the intelock interval and for subsequently transmitting it to the timing circuit l2.

According-ly, `the time recorder uni-t of the present invention together with the control means therefor provides means for selectively recording one or `a plurality of separate data entries on a record card and for moditying the operation ot .the control circuit to accomplish either of these two types of operation. Further, the control circuit includes new and improved means tor preventing the concurrent adjustment of a timing source `and recording ot information provided by the timing source. This latter means comprises means vfor interrupting the supply of operating signals to the timing circuit during the interval in which recording takes place and means for storing operating signals provided during this interval and subsequently applying them to the timing circuit following the completion of the time recording portion ot the cycle of operation of the time recorder unit.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a single embodiment thereof, it is obvious that numerous other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which will tall within the spirit and scope of the principles of `this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. in a time recorder, recording means, a timing oircuit continuously adjustable `to settings representing time data under the control of applied signals, signaling means l2 for periodically applying operating signals to said timing circuit, means for rendering said timing circuit effective to control said recording means so that said recording means records said time data, means operative during the operation of said recording means for preventing the application of signals to said timing circuit from said signaling circuit and for storing said signals, 4and means operative following the recording of said time data by said recording means for applying the stored signals to said timing circuit.

2. ln ya time recorder, recording means, a timing circuit continuously adjustable to settings representing time data under the control of applied signals, signaling means for periodically applying operating signals to said timing circuit, means for rendering said timing circuit effective to control said recording means so Ithat said recording means records said time data, first means operative during the operation ot" said recording means for preventing the application of signals, to said timing circuit from said `signaling circuit, second means vconnected to said signaling means during operation of said recording means for storing said operating signals, and means operative following the recording of said time data by said recording means for disabling said first means and for rendering said second means effective to apply the stored signals to said. timing circuit.

3. ln `a time recorder, recording means, a timing circuit continuously adjustable to settings representing time data under the control of applied signals, signaling means for transmitting operatingsignals to said timing circuit at time spaced intervals, a commutator operable through successive steps for rendering said recording means responsive to control by said timing circuit, switching means operable in synchronismwith said commutator for interrupting the transmission of operating signals to said timing circuit from said signaling `means as said cornmutator moves through at least a selected number of said successive steps, storage means controlled by said switching mean for storing a signal transmitted by said signaling means as said commutator moves through said selected number of steps, and means for transmitting said stored signal to said timing circuit after said commutator has moved through said number of successive steps. t

4. in a time recorder, recording means, a timing circuit continuously adjustable to settings representing time data under the control of applied signals, signaling means for transmitting operating signals to said timing circuit at time spaced intervals, switching means operable through successive steps for rendering said recording means responsive to control by said timing circuit, means operable in a .timed relation with said switching means tor interrupting the transmission of operating signals to said timing circuit from said signaling means as said switching means moves through at least a selected number only of said successive steps, storage means for storing a signal .transmitted by said signaling means as said switching means moves through said selected number of steps, and means for transmitting said stored signal from stud storage means to said timing circuit after said switching means has moved through said number of successive steps.

5. In a time recorder, recording means, a timing circuit continuously adjustable to settings representing instant time under the control of applied signals, signaling means for transmitting operating signals to said timing lcircuit at time spaced interv-als, a commutator operable through successive steps for rendering said recording means responsive to control by said timing circuit, switching means operable in synchronism with said commutator for interrupting the transmission of operating signals -to said timing circuit from said signaling means as said commutator moves through `at least a selected number of said successive steps, storage means connected to said signaling means by said switching mean tor storing a 3,155,453 i3 i4 signal transmitted by said signaling means as said com- References Cited in the le of this patent mutator moves through said selected number of steps, UNITED STATES PATENTS and means for connecting said storage means to said 2,407,020 Kraus Sept. 3, 1946 timing clrcult after said commutator has moved through 2,734,743 Spurhno et al Feb. 14 1956 said number of successive steps to transmit said stored 5 2,825,561 Sobisch Mal. 4, 1958 signal to said timing circuit. 2,838,361 Findlay et al June 10, 1958

Claims

1. IN A TIME RECORDER, RECORDING MEANS, A TIMING CIRCUIT CONTINUOUSLY ADJUSTABLE TO SETTINGS REPRESENTING TIME DATA UNDER THE CONTROL OF APPLIED SIGNALS, SIGNALING MEANS FOR PERIODICALLY APPLYING OPERATING SIGNALS TO SAID TIMING CIRCUIT, MEANS FOR RENDERING SAID TIMING CIRCUIT EFFECTIVE TO CONTROL SAID RECORDING MEANS SO THAT SAID RECORDING MEANS RECORDS SAID TIME DATA, MEANS OPERATIVE DURING THE OPERATION OF SAID RECORDING MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE APPLICATION OF SIGNALS TO SAID TIMING CIRCUIT FROM SAID SIGNALING CIRCUIT AND FOR STORING SAID SIGNALS, AND MEANS OPERATIVE FOLLOWING THE RECORDING OF SAID TIME DATA BY SAID RECORDING MEANS FOR APPLYING THE STORED SIGNALS TO SAID TIMING CIRCUIT.