US979108A - Workman's time-recorder. - Google Patents

Description

F. J. TRAN'& F. GAIS.

WORKMANS TIME RECORDER.

APPLIGATION FILED OUT. 1, 190a.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

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F. L TRAN 65 F. GAIS; WORKMANS TIME RECORDER. Arrmouron run 0017-, 1908.

979,108, I Patented Dec.'20,1910.

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APPLICATION I'ILED OOT. I, 1908.

Patented Dec.20, 1910.

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UNITED STATES FRANK J. TRAN AND FRANK CAIS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WORKMANS TIME-RECORDER.

Application filed October 7, 1808.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK J. TRAN and I FRANK Cans, citizens of the United States, and residents of Cleveland, county of Guyahoga, State of Ohio, have jointly invented a new and useful Improvement in Vorkmens Time-Recorders, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so to distinguish it from other inventions.

Our invention relates to time recorders such as are regularly employed in factories, stores, and similar establishments, where it is found desirable to register the time of arrival and departure each day, or several times each day, of a. large number of employees.

Such invention more specifically relates to improvements in a workmans time recorder of the type described in our recently issued Patents Nos. 875,392 and 875,393.

The object of these improvements is to simplify certain details of construction in our earlier forms of recorder, as also to provide means whereby the time-printing device may be moved. temporarily from the osition given it by the clock automatic controlling mechanism, whereby the setting of such time printing device may be facilitated, and whereby the clock mechanism may be relieved of the major portion of the burden that is imposed upon it in the operation of such controlling means.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, said invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings: Figure 1 is a front eleva 11 n of a time recorder of the kind referred to above, wherein have been embodied our several improvements; Fig. 2 is a. central longitudinal section of such recorder on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a detail of the recorder mechanism; Fig. 4 is partly a plan Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Serial No. 456,644.

I view and partly a section of a portion of such detail; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of another detail cooperative with the detail shown in Figs. 3 and 4:; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, with a portion of the frame broken away, of the time-printing device; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of a portion of such timeprinting device; Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a portion of the clock mechanism, whereby the recorder is operated; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of such mechanism; Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively a broken perspective view and a transverse section of an al ternative construction of automatic control for regulating the movement of the time printing device; and Fig. 12 is an elevation of the actuating mechanism for the printing device.

In general the recorder comprises a case A within which is revolubly mounted a drum or platen B, shown in section in Fig. 2: a time-printing device C adapted to move on ways a a transversely across said platen; a clock actuated spindle 6 parallel with said ways and connected to operate said timeorintin device; mechanism, including a shaft D, the more particular construction of which will be presently noted, for controlling the movei'i'ient of said time-printing device across the platen: and operating means 7'. e. mechanism whereby said platen may be rotated, so as to bring any desired portion thereof beneath the time printing device, and the latter thereupon actuated to print on the record sheet borne by said platen. Inasmuch as the general correlation of these parts is the same in the present device, as in that described in our patents above identified, the following description will be confined to noting the several departures that are now made in the previously described construction, reference being had to such patents for a description of the general operation of the recorder.

As in the recorder described in Patent No. 875,393 we propose to use a dial A. provided with two series (6 o of designating characters, Fig. 1, such characters corresponding with transverse portions of the platen. For rotating the platen two levers B B are provided in front of said dial, associated with which are pointers b b of unequal lengths, the series of characters justreferred to being so arranged as to be indicated by the longer and the shorter of said two pointers respectively. \Vhen a pointer is then brought into position with respect to any particular character and the lever pressed inwardly a reciprocable plunger 7). Fig. lying in the hollow drum shaft 7) will be actuated inwardly. and by suitable connections Figs. 2 and 12 cause the timeprinting device to contact with the portion of the platen corresponding with the character indicated. By the foregoing arrangement of characters and pointers, it is possible to keep all the characters for the entire periphery of the platen within a semi-circular dial space. It has been found, however. that inadvertently or otherwise a lever may be operated when directed downwardly. or in other words when not properly indicating any character all upon said dial; obviously this will cause the printing device to register at the wrong place on the platen. To prevent such occurrence we have accordingly provided means whereby each of said levers is held inoperative save when its pointer is cooperative with the corresponding series of characters. As a simple form of device for accomplishing this result, a semi-circular groove (4* is provided in the face of t 2e dial. and on the under side of the levers there are secured pins 7) Zr that will normally just graze the surface of the dial. so that actuation of the lever, except when such pin is located over the groove in question, is impossible.

in place of a spindle having a series of adjnstably positioned slotted disks mounted thereon for controlling movement of the time-printing device across the platen, we employ a simple shaft D upon which are mounted a plurality of lugs or knobs (Z that are rotatabl2 about radially disposed axes, such axes having various angular relation to the aXis of said shaft. The time printing device. Fig. 6. is provided with an arm 0 that. as said device thus moves across the platen. passes along such shaft D, such movement of the device being permitted only when a lug (Z on the shaft is brought into register with a notch c in said arm. as will be readily understood. Rotation of shaft D. as in the case of the spindle formerly employed is derived from the same clocl: mechanism E that drives the spindle c for rotating the time-printing type-wheels in said device. Since it occasionally becomes necessary. however. to set or change the position of the time-printing device, and since the latter preferably non-removably secured on its ways. we provide means for detachably connecting said control shaft. D with the clock mechanism F. Such means comprise a gear (Z slidably. but non-rotatably secured on the shaftand adapted to engage with a gear (1' of said mechanism. and a lever (Z that adapted normally to retain said first gear in such engagement. but when raised to permit the same to be shifted out of such engagement. \Yhen thus out of engagement. the shaft may obviously be rotated independently of the clock mechanism. to permit of the free movement therealong of the time-planting device to such position as it may be desired to give the same. In connection with this same clock mechanism, we provide a weight. E suspended from a cord 0 which passes over a pulley and is connected with a drum 0 fixedly secured to the same shaft c", upon which aforesaid gear c is mounted. Such weight thus connected. constitutes an auxiliary driving means whereby said control shaft is rotated without placing any burden upon the clock mechanism, the latter serving simply as a brake, or regulator. This is quite important since, in spite of the anti-friction character of the engagement between the knobs or balls (7 of the control shaft and the printing device. considcable power is required to drive said shaft.

In the use of a recorder of the type in hand, it not infrequently becomes desirable to record the time of arrival. for example. of an employee, even though he arrives after the period allotted within which to register such arrival; otherwise such arrival is noted in a column in which it does not belong, with attendant confusion of the record sheet. Ye accordingly provide means for longitudh nally shifting the control shaft D. either forwardly or baclm'ardly. a predetermined amount and thereby correspondingly varying the position of the time-printing device from that which it would be given by the time control means operating alone. Such shifting means comprise a cylindrical ele ment F fixedly secured in the front end of the case and provided with a helical way f. within which is rotatably mounted a rotatable element F having an arm j that engages with said helical way. lotation of said element which may be had by means ot a handle f", if in one direction will be effective to draw the element tot-weirdly as will be obvious. while if rotated in the other direction said member will be retracted with respect to the fixed element F. The front. end of shaft D is rotatably secured in the inner end of said rotatable element F so that such reciprocation of the latter simultane ously advances or retracts said shaft. ,ho distance through which such advance or retraction talus place is equal to that necessary to secure the variation in the position of the time-printing device desired. he

arm f borne by member F and engaging with helical groove f, as has been described, is connected at its outer free end with a rod j that will he obviously raised and lowered as the element f is thus rotated in order to advance or retract the same. A weighted arm f" disposed transversely of the front end of the recorder casing and connected with said rod serves normally to depress the same and thereby retain the arm f in its lower central position corresponding with the normal position of element F and the shaft D connected therewith. In order, however, that when said shaft D has been advanced or retracted from its normal position it may be temporarily retained in such position pending the act of registration (viz. operation of the time recording mechanism proper) we provide an apertured plate in position to engage the lower end of said rod such rod. end being suitably guided in brackets f to register with said aperture and extend therebelow in the lower position of the rod. This, it may be stated, is its normal position. However, if such rod be raised a plate f actuated by spring f obstructs the aperture and prevents the return of the rod. A dog f pivotally mounted laterally of the plate engages therewith and is connected through a rod f and lover f with reciprocable shaft b whereby the timeprinting n'iechanism is actuated, the nature of this connection being such that upon actu ation of the time-printing mechanism such dog f will be simultaneously actuated to displace the plate j and allow the rod f to now assume its normal position. The operation of this portion of the device should be readily evident z Assuming the shaft D to have been either advanced or retracted in order to permit registration in a column other than the one over which the time-printing device is located at the time of registration, such device will be retained in its advanced or re tracted position until after the desired registration is effected, whereupon automatically the parts are returned to their former normal positions.

The time-printing device 0, movable across the platen. as hereinbefore described upon ways a (z, comprises two parts, a car-- riage C that is thus actually mounted upon such ways, and a member C wherein are i'nounted the minute and hour type-wheels o c, that is pivotally secured to said carriage. Depression of the pivotal member to bring the type-wheels into contact with the platen is effected by depressing a rocking frame C Figs. 2 and 12, that is normally retained in elevated position by a spring cooperative with a bell-crank C, the latter having its upper arm 0" connected with said frame as clearly appears in the first figure of reference. Oscillation of this bell-crank to raise its upper arm and frame C is had from the reciprocable rod 1) within hollow shaft 7)" of the drum, such rod being formed with a lateral extension Z) b aring a pawl. adapted, when moved outwardly, to engage a lever c that had sliding pivotal connection with the lower arm 0 of the bell-crank. A tension spring 0 connected with said arm serves to draw frame C downwardly again, and with sufficient impetus to cause the time-printing device to strike the platen upon release of lever c by pawl 6 In Figs. 10 and 11, we show an alternative construction for controlling the move ment of the time-printing device across the platen, consisting, instead of a shaft D bearing knob-like stop members, of a semi-cylin drical plate D similarly equipped, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 10, when, however, it appears in inverted position. Such plate does not rotate, but axially located with respect thereto is an angular shaft D that does, said shaft having a slidably mounted disk (3* that is carried along with the time-printing device by means of an arm a on the latter. Such disk is notched, as at (Z to permit the desired intermittent movement of the device. This n'iovement, it should perhaps have been previously explained, is secured by means of a weight H and cord 71. Such cord is carried across the front of the case, see Fig. 1, so as to permit the weight to be located in one corner of the latter out of the way; and also to permit said cord to actuate an indicator H, by means of which the successive positions of the time-printing device are correctly and promptly shown.

here as in the illustrated construction of time-printing device, both the minute wheel 0 and the hour wheel 0 are of the same size, we find the imprint is rendered much cleaner by employing a cover plate, as c Figs. 6 and 7, on the under side of the movable member G that carries these wheels. Such plate, which is preferably a thin metallic sheet, is formed with two communicating apertures 0 through which correspondingly positioned type on wheels 0 0 may print. The aperture 0 is'of a size such as to permit but a single hour to be printed, whereas the companion aperture 0" permits a. plurality of minute type to print; of the minutes thus printed the one earest in line with the hour can be readily determined thus eliminating a difficulty encoimtered where the wheels are depressed without an interposed shield. .Obviously any tendency to blurring, owing to the ribbon coming in contact with the sheet, is likewise overcome.

Other means of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any one of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employ-ed.

Ive therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 1. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and a time-printing device, the one being movable relatively to the other; of means for effecting such movement; timecontrolled means for regulating such movement; manually operable means adapted to move said platen and device relatively to each other independently of aforesaid means, said platen and device remaining where placed by said last-named means until said device is actuated to print; and means for automatically restoring said platen and device to the relative position given them by said time-controlled means after actuation of said device to print.

2. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and a tii'ne-printing device, the one being movable relatively to the other; of means tending to effect such movement; time-controlled means for regulating such movement; manually operable means adapted to shift said platen and device relatively to each other from the position given them by aforesaid means a predetermined amount; and means adapted to restore said platen and device to such position upon actuation of said device to print.

3. In a time recorder, the combination with a platen and a time-printing device, the one being movable relatively to the other; of means tending to effect such movement; time-controlled means for regulating such movement; manually operable means adapted to shift said platen and device relatively to each other from the position given them by aforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction; and means adapted to restore said platen and device to such position upon actuation of said device to print.

4:. In a time recorder. the combination of a platen, a timeprinting device. movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, time controlled means for regulating such movement, and manually operable means adapted to shift said device from the position given it by aforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction from such position.

5. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, and other means for independently moving said device. said device remaining where placed by said lastnamed means until actuated to print.

6. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, manually operable means adapted to move said device in dependently of aforesaid means, means for maintaining said device where placed by said manually operable means until actuated to print, and means for automatically restoring said device to the position given it by said time-controlled means after actuation thereof to print.

7. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen. a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, time controlled means for regulating such movement, manually operable means adapted to shift said device from the position given it by aforesaid means a predetermined amount, and means adapted to restore said device to such position upon actuation thereof to print.

8. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, time-controlled means for regulating such movement, manually operable means adapted to shift said device from the position given it by aforesaid means a predetermined amount in either direction from such position, and means adapted to restore said device to such position upon actuation thereof to print.

9. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of said device and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movement of said device is regulated, and means adapted to longitudinally shift said member in either direction, whereby said device may be either' advanced or retracted a predetermined amount from the position thus given it, as desired.

10. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of said device and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movement of said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally shift said member in either direction, whereby said device may be either advanced or retracted a predetermined amount from the position thus given it. as desired, and means adapted to restore said device to such position upon actuation thereof to print.

11. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel of said device and. having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movement of said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally shift said member to move said device from the position thus given it, means tending to return said member to its normal position, and means connected to be actuated simultaneonsly with said device for controlling such return. I

12. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across ,ffiltl platen. means tending thus to move said device, a member disposed paral lot with the path of travel of said device and having time-controlled engagement therewith whereby movement of said device is regulated. and means adapted to longitudinally shift. said member to move said de ice from the position thus given it, said means comprising an elementtormed with a helical way and a rotatable element engaging such way and connected with said member.

13. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, a member disposed parallel with the path of travel. of said device and having time controllcd engagement there with whereby movement of said device is regulated, means adapted to longitudinally sln t said member to move ,aid device from the position thus given it, said. means comprising an element formed with a helical way and a rotatable element engaging such way and toUDCttQtl with said member, an arm borne by said rotatable element, a vertically reciprocable rod. connected with said arm, a stop normally preventing movement of said rod and means connected to be actuated sin'mltancously with said printing de vice for withdrawing said stop.

lat. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, a time printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move. said device, and time controlled means for regulating such movement, said last- .named means comprising two members, one of which is rotatable and one of which is borne by said device, one member lying parallel with the path of travel of said device and bearing a plurality of radially disposed rotatable l s and the other member being provided with a notch adapted to pass said lugs when in proper angular position.

15. In, a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, means tending thus to move said device, and time controlled means for regulating such movement, said lastnamed means comprising a rotatable shaft parallel with the path of travel of said device, a plurality of radially disposed lugs rotatably mounted upon said shaft, and an arm borne by said device and provided with a notch adapted to pass said lugs when in proper angular position.

16. In a time recorder, the combination of a rotary platen, a timeprinting device, a dial provided with designating characters, levers connected to operate said printing device, and means holding each of said levers inoperative save when it is positioned to indicate one of a particular series of characters on said dial.

17. In a time recorder, the combination of a rotary platen, a time-printing device, a dial provided with two series of designating characters corresponding with transverse portions of said platen, two pointers of unequal lengths mounted in front of said dial and connected to rotate with said platen, such series of characters being so arranged as to be respectively indicated by the longer and the shorter of said. two pointers, levers corresponding with said pointers and connected to operate said printing device, and means holding each of said levers inoperative save when its pointer is cooperative with the corresponding series of characters.

18. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable across said platen, a rotatable shaft parallel with the path of travel of said device and adapted to engage the same to control its movement, clock mechanism for driving said shaft, and means for detachably connecting said shaft with said mechanism, said means comprising a gear slidably but non-rotatably secured to said shaft and adapted to engage with a gear of said mechanism, and a lever adapted normally to retain said first gear in such engagement but when raised to permit the same to be shifted out of such engagement.

19. In a time recorder, the combination of a platen, a tin'ie-printing device movable across said platen, a rotatable shaft slidably engaged by said device for actuating the time-printing type-wheels therein, a second rotatable shaft parallel with the first and adapted to engage said device to control its movement, clock mechanism for driving said shafts, and auxiliary driving means connected with said second shaft.

20. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, a time-printing device movable toward and from the same, resilient means normally retaining said device against movement from a position of rest out of contact with said platen, and means adapted to remove said device still farther from said platen and thereupon to release the same.

21. In a time-recorder, the combination of a platen, time-printing device movable to Ward and from the same, resilient means normally retaining said device against movement in either direction from a position of rest out of contact with said platen, and means adapted to remove said device still farther from said platen and thereupon to release the same.

In a time-recorder, the combination of 5 a platen, a time-printing device movable to- Ward and from the same, resilient means normally retaining said (lGYlCQ againstmovement from a position or rest out of contact FRANK FRANK J. TRAN. CAIS.

Attested by E. R. Rom), Jxo. F. OBnnLix.

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