US2392467A - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

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fnyen 075A Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED* STATES PATENT oFEicE 2,392,467 RECORDING DEVICE George C. Engel, Ridgewood, N. J., Leslie S. Lynch, Jr., Flushing, N. Y.. and Frank L. Eidmann, deceased, late of Princeton, N. J., by

Ethel I. Eidmimn, executrix, Princeton, N. J., assignors to General Time Instruments Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 4, 1942, Serial No. 441,756

\ 45 Claims. (Cl. 234-365) This invention relates tol improvements in revide printing means for cooperation with said cording devices, and in particular to improvetype wheels. ments in devices which are adapted to record the Other objects, features and advantages of this starting and stopping of a rotatable element in invention will become apparent as the description terms either of time or of the number of rotaproceeds. tions of said rotatable element or of both In the appended drawings which form a part That embodiment of the invention herein of this application and in which like reference shown and described is adapted primarily foi` use numerals designate like parts, on trucks or other motor vehicles to record the Fig. I is a plan view of a preferred embodiment times at which the truck is started and is stopped. of this invention; A printed record of such starts and stops is often Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the redesired by trucking companies to determine the lation of the record tape to the type wheels, and actual driving time put in by their employees, and showing the various types of entries which may the number and duration of the stops made by be made on the tape; them. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the preferred em- This particular embodiment also provides bodiment herein shown; means to record mileage when the time is re- Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 but with corded, so that the locations of stops may be apthe cover removed in order to show the location proximated,i and -.further to provide a check on of the various parts of the mechanism. In this the average speed of the truck. Because of the ligure, and in the other figures, certains parts fact vthat numerous stops of short duration are may be omitted, or broken away for the purpose made, especially 4in cities, due to driving conof clarity; ditions, means are provided to render the device Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the mechanism inoperative'with respect to such stops. shown in Fig. 4, this view being taken along line A primary object of this invention is to pro- 5-5 of Fig. 7; 7 vide an improved recording mechanism which is Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along actuated by the starting andby the stopping of a line 6 6 of Fig. 5 rotatable element. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the mechanism A further object is to provide means for actuwith the cove;` removed, this view being taken ating'such a. recording member after a predeter- 30 along line 'l-T 0f Fig- 5; f mined time interval subsequent to the stopping Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of a rotatable element. of Fig. '7; v

A still further object is to provide an improved Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a'portlon of the truck recorder which records the time at which mechanism; l a truck is started and is stopped together with Fig. 10 is a detailed enlargedsectional view the mileage of the truck at such times. such a taken along lines (l1-IU of Fis- 9 and 0f Fig- 11; truck recorder will record stops even` when the HnF-I ll'soa gallloef Sectional View taken along motor is left running, as contrasted with the reeorders of the prior art which are actuated by 40 zz lisgpsecuonal Vlew taken along Ime the operation of the ignition switch. f. y

Another object of this invention is to provide inpgg' 1521.5 a' detalled View of certain parts shown in a wel? recorder Fans to adv-ance the Tec' Fig.' 14 'is a View similar to that shown in Fig. 0rd tape m an exposition posltion so that the 13, but showing the parts in a changed position; truck driver 'may make notations thereon oppo' 45 Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation taken along line site the times and mileages record on said tape. |5 |5 of Fig. 7;

Still another object is to provide in a truck Fig. 16 is arear sectional elevation takenalong recorder, improved means to actuate the same line lli-I6 of Fig. 5; either manually or automatically, and also to pro- Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation taken along line vide means to indicate on the record tape the il-IT of Fig. 7; manner in which a particular entry is made. Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation taken along line Other objects are to provide for a truck re- |8-I8 of Fig. '7; cordel' or the like, improved means for actuat- Fig. 1915 a detailed Sectional View Showing Cer" ing both the type Wheels which record time and tain of the parts Shown in Fig'.v 18 in 9 Changed the type wheels which record mileage, and to proposition;

Fig. is an enlarged sectional view taken lalong line 2li-2|! of Fis. 17;

Fig. 21 is a section taken along line 2|-2| of Fig. 20.

With reference now to Fig. l, reference numeral 25 designates the housing of a truck recorder, the housing being cutaway to expose a clock dial 26 which is provided withthe usual hour hand 21 and minute hand 28. The housing is also cut away to expose a portion of a paper tape 29 which is provided with certain figures which have been printed thereon by the recording mechanism. The front end of the housingis provided with a hinged cover 30, which may be elevatedl to provide access to the .free'end of the tape 29.

A manually actuated slide 3| is provided along` the left-hand edge of the housing 25 for advancing the tape 29. A printing button 32 extends upwardly through the housing and is adapted to be depressed manually in order to actuate the printing mechanism.

The housing 25 is mounted over a base 33, as shownin Figs. 5 and '1, and is adapted to be secured thereto by means of a lock 34, indicated generally in Fig. l, A key 35 is provided for the lock.

Within the housing are disposed various type wheels 36, together with means for advancing the type wheels, and printing mechanism by means The conductor 56 leads to the motor 58 which drives the printing mechanism, and the operation of the motor is controlled by a microswitch 51 in circuit therewith. The return circuit ofthe motor and oi the various electromagnets may be grounded as herein shown.

The general organization of the parts is shown in Figs. 4 and 7. The mechanism is mounted on or between a plurality of parallel plates 6|), 6|, 63, 64, 66 and 69 which are suitably secured to the base and to each other. The plates may be seof which the position of the type wheels may be recorded on the tape 29. As slown in Fig. 2 the type wheels 36 comprise iive wheels 31 which record the cumulative mileage of a truck,- these wheels being similar to the usual speedometer wheels, except that they are type wheels and are not merely indicating wheels.' The type wheels also comprise a plurality of time wheels indicated generally as at 38, these wheels consisting of two minute wheels 39, an hour wheel .40"and a day of the month wheel 4|'. A wheel 42 Ais provided, which is adapted to print an asterisk, when the printing operation is actuated manually. A wheel 43 is also provided which is adapted to print a G to indicate whether the entry is'inade when the truck'is going.

The mileage type wheels 31 are driven through the speedometer cable of acar which is adapted to be connected to the truck recorder. The time wheels 38` are advanced by a pawl and ratchet mechanism which is actuated by a. minute step magnet 54 shown in Figs. 3, '1, and 12. The printing mechanism is actuated by a motor shown in Fig. 3.l The recorder is connected to the battery 44 of -the truck as shown in Fig. 3, one terminal of the battery being grounded as shown at 45, and the other terminal being connected to three conductors 46, 50 and 56.

The conductor 46 leads to the minute impulse contacts 41 and 48 which are cam actuated. The rotation of the cam is controlled by suitable clockwork hereinafter described. The contact member 48 is in circuit with a relay 49, the-relay being provided with contacts 5| and 52. The conductor 56 is in circuit with the contact 5|, and the contact 52 is in circuit with a conductor 53 to which the minute step magnet 54 and the clock-winding magnet 55 are connected in parallel. The clockwork which controls the operation of the cam actuated minute impulse. contacts is automatically tensioned every minute fby the clock-winding magnet 55, and the minute impulses generated by the minute impulse conta-cts cause the type wheels 38 to be advanced each minute by magnet 54 as shown in Figs. 7 and 12.

cured to the base 33 as shown in Fig. 5 by means of lugs 85 and studs 86, .which studs extend through the base and are threaded into the lugs: or certain of the plates may be maintained in xed position with respect to the other plates by suitalble spacers. For instance, a spacer 62 is provided for plates 80 and 6|, a spacer 65 for plates 6| and 63, a spacer 61 for plates 63 and 64, a spacer 68 for plates 64 and `66, and a spacer 1|) for plates `60 and 69. Other plates and other spacers,l not shown in Fig. 4, but illustrated in the other figures, will be pointed out as the description proceeds.l

Between the plates 63 and 64 is disposed the clockwork, indicated generally in Figs. 4, 'I and 16 by the reference numeral 1|, for operating the minute impulse contacts 41 and 48. The clockwinding magnet is provided with a core member in the fonm of a base 12 `which is disposed between and secured to the plates 63 and 64. A

similar core member in the form of a base 13 is provided for the minute step magnet 54 which is disposed between the plate 64 and another plate 310. The relay 49 which controls the operation of the magnets 54 and 55 is mounted on plate at the front end, of the recorder. Dis-v posed between plates 60 and 69 is a clockwork indicated generally by the reference numeral 14, this clockwork being provided to control the two minute delay subsequent to the stopping of the truck and after which the printing mechanism is automatically actuated. 'The motor 58 is mounted at the forward end of the plate 6I, and

the microswitch 51 which controls the operation of the motor is mounted at the rear portion of the plate 69 as shown in Fig. 4. The clock dial 26 is mounted above the plates 66 and 69.

VA horizontal plate 15 which is hinged at its forward edge, is disposed between the plates 60 andl 8|, and it is over this plate that the exposed portion 'of the tape 29 is advanced, the plate serving as a backing when the truck operator makes pencil notations on the tape. 'I'he printing hammer and a roll of tape are disposed beneath the hinged plate 15. Guide rollers 16 and 11 are disposed along the rear and front edges respectively of the plate 15, and an apron 18 extends downwardly and forwardly between the plates 60 and 6| in front of the plate 15 and beneathv the hinged cover 30, as shown in Fig. 18.

A roller 19 is mounted beneath the apron 18 and engages the forward end of the tape 29 in order to advance it. As indicated in Fig. 4, across member 88 extends between the plates 60 l and 6I and is disposed in front of and above the apron 18, on which cross member a plurality of arms 8| are journalled in pairs by means of hubs Bla. Rollers 82 are mounted between each pair of arms 8|, and extend into cutaway portions 83 of the apron 18. The rollers 82 are adapted to engage the tape 29 and hold it against the roller 19 so that as the latter roller is rotated, the

tape willbe advanced. A spring 84 is provided which engages the levers 8l in order to force the rollers 82 into operative engagement with the tape 29.

The position of the rollers 19 and 82 is shown in elevation in Fig. 18, in which it will be noted that a metal sheet 219 is spaced from the apron 18 and cooperates therewith to form a channel 21s through which the tape 29 is advanced. The sheet 219 is cut away to permit the roller 19 to extend into the channel, just as the apron 18 is cut away to permit the rollers 82 to extend into the channel. It will be seen therefore that as the roller 19 is automatically advanced after each printing operation, the tape 29 will be advanced through the channel and will be held taut over the hinged plate 15. The manner in which the roller 19 is automatically advanced will be described later.

A plate 81 is disposed exteriorly of the plate 60 and, as shown in Fig. 4y is held in spaced relationship thereto by means of suitable spacers 88. The mechanism which controls the operation of the printing hammer is disposed between the plates 81 and 60 and is designated generally by the reference numeral 89.

-The mechanism for advancing the time wheels 38 will first be described, and this mechanism comprises time controlled means for generating minute impulses and means which are actuated by the impulses to advance the type wheels step by step.

'Ihe clockwork 1| is shown in Fig. 8 to comprise the usual balance wheel and escapement mechanism |0|, together with a gear train which includes a gear |02 mounted on a shaft |03, journalled in plates 63 and 64, which is adapted to be driven at the rate of one revolution per minute. A driving gear |04 is provided for the clockwork which gear is mounted on a shaft journalled in the plates 6| and 63.

A plate |06 is rotatably mounted on the shaft |05, and a clock spring |01 extends from a lug |08 formed on the plate |06 to a pin |09 which extends outwardly from the plate 6|, as shown in Fig. 9. The plate |06 forms a part of a pawl and ratchet mechanism through which the power of the spring |01 is transmitted to the driving gear |04.

A ratchet wheel ||0 is rotatably mounted .on the shaft |05, and is adapted to be engaged by a pawl which' is carried on the rotatable plate |06. A spring ||2 is provided to urge the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet Wheel H0. A pin ||3 (Figs. 10 and 11) extends perpendicularly from the surface'y of the ratchet wheel H0, and a pin I|4 extends perpendicularly from the surface of the gear |04, toward the pin |I3. A spring ||5, in the form of a single loop of wire, is secured at either end to the pins ||3 and |4 Yso as to form a resilient coupling through which the -pawl and ratchet mechanism drives the gear |04 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 8, or in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 11.

Means are provided to tension the spring |01 at regular intervals so that the clockwork 1| may be continuously driven by the driving gear |04. This tensioning means includes an armature |I6 for the clock-winding magnet`55, the armature being pivoted on a pin |1 which extends between the plates 63 and 64 (Fig. 7). The armature is provided with a projection ||8 which engages a bent-over lug H9 on the plate |06 so that when the magnet 55 is energized, as viewed in Fig. 8, the plate |06 will be rocked in the counterlil Islockwlse direction, thereby tensioning the spring A locking pawl |20 is mounted on a pin |2| which extends outwardly from the surface of the plate 6|, and a spring |22 is provided to force the locking pawl |20 in engagement with the ratchet wheel ||0 to prevent reverse rotation thereof while the spring |01 is being tensioned. It will be seen that while the clockwork is being driven by the spring |01, that the spring ||5, which forms a resilient connection between the ratchet Wheel and the driving gear |04, is always under tension. It is the tension of this spring ||5 which drives the clockwork during the short interval thatthe spring |01 is being tensioned by the reverse rotation of the plate |06.

An insulating block |23 is suitably secured to the plate 64, and secured to the insulating block are resilient contact arms |24 and |25, the former carrying contact 41, and the latter carrying contact 48, as shown in Figs. 8 and 16. It will be observed that the arms |24 and |25 are horizontally spaced from one another, and that the contacts 41 and 48 are carried in vertical alignment with each other at a point between the spaced resilient arms. Two cams |26 and |21 are secured to the shaft |03, which as pointed out above, is part of the clockwork and is driven at the speed of one revolution per minute. |26 engages the end of the resilient arm |24, and cam |21 engages the resilient arm |25, and it will be observed that the end of the latter arm is bent upwardly so as to permit the contacts 41 and 48 to be in contact with each other when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 8. The drop face of cam |26 is somewhat ahead of the drop face of cam |21 so that as the shaft |03 rotates into the position shown in Fig. 8, the arm |24 will drop rst thereby closing the circuit. A second or so later, the arm |25 will drop, thereby breaking the circuit through contacts 41 and 48, and during the remainder of the revolution of the cams |26 and |21, the resilient arms and their contacts will maintain their open circuit relationship with each other.

In operation, the contacts 41 and 48 are closed every minute, thereby closing the circuit of relay 49 (Fig. 3) and causing an impulse of short duration to be transmitted to the minute step magnet 54 and to the clock-winding magnet 55. Energization of the latter causes the clock spring |01 to be tensioned so as to cause further rotation of the cams |26 and |21, whose rotation is limited bythe clockwork 1| to one revolution per minute. In Fig. 8, the spring |01 is shown in its tensioned position, the circuit being closed through the contacts 41 and 48 and through the magnet 55. In Fig. ll, the spring |01. is shown in its rundown position. It will be observed that the plate |06 is provided with a projecting lug |28 which extends through a notch |29 in the plate 6|. These parts not only limit the rotation of the plate |06, but the lug also affords a means to tension the spring manually, This manual operation is necessary when the recorder is first connected into the battery circuit, and the lug |29 is readily accessible when the hinged plate 15 is elevated as shown in Fig. 9.

The mechanism for advancing the time wheels 38 is shown in Fig. 12, and includes a shaft |35l joui-nailed in plates 64 and 66 together with a ratchet wheel |36 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A pawl |31 cooperates with the ratchet wheel to advance it one tooth at a time, the pawl being mounted on an armature |38 which is Cam -mis1ed DQSition when the armature is in its pivoted at |39. 'I'he amature is mounted directly above the minute step magnet 54, and is biased against a stop pin 38a into its inoperative, raised position by a spring |34, as shown in Fig. 7. The pawl |31 is associated with the armature |38 by means of a pin |40 extending laterally from the armature, and upon which the pawl is journalled. A leaf spring 4| secured to the end of the amature engages' the pawl |31 and urges it into contact with theteeth of the ratchet wheel |36.

Forward rotation of the ratchet wheel |36, when the armature is in its attracted position, is

t prevented by a rock lever |43 Vwhich is pivotally ,may be provided with suitable spring means not shown herein to urge it into engagement with the ratchet wheel |36.

A stop pin 31a is secured to plate 66 and is engaged by the sloping rear edge of the pawl |31, so that the pawl is positively held against the ratchet Wheel to lock the latter in a predeterun.. attracted' position.

The rotation f' the ratchet Wheel |36 is transmitted to the type wheels through a clutch which comprises a toothed wheel |46 which is secured to the ratchet Wheel |36 and is engaged by a series of three pins |41 which are carried by and project laterally from a wheel |48. 'I'he wheel |48 is associated with a sleeve |49, the sleeve being mounted on the shaft |35 in axially shiftable relationship, as shown in Figs. 7 and 15. The sleeve is provided with a flange |50 so that it may be engaged by the lever in order to disengage the pins |41 from the toothed wheel |46. 'Ihe lever 5| is in the form of a strip which is mounted on plate 64 by means of studs |52 and |53 as shown in Fig. 15. The lever is provided with an aperture |54 which has inwardly directed lugs and the `wheel |48. A leaf spring.|56, which is mounted on the plate 64, bears against the lever |5| to maintain the parts in clutched relationship. A gear |51 is mounted on the shaft |35 and is provided with apertures through which the pins 41 extend. ItV will be seen that the rotation of the ratchet Wheel |36 is transmitted through the pins |41 to the gear |51, except during such times as the 1ever|5| is manually retracted. A shaft |58, which is journalled in the plates 64 and 66, is provided for the minute wheels 39,'and on this shaft is also mounted a gear |59, which is associated with the minute type wheels so as to'drive them in the usual manner. The gear |59 meshes with the gear |51 so that as the ratchet wheel is advancedv step by step by each minute impulse, the minute type wheels 39 will be advanced one minute for each impulse 'A shaft |60 is journalled in the plates 66 and 699s shown in Fig. 7, the shaft extending through plate 66 and vbeing provided with a gear |6| which mesheswiththe gearJ 51. The shaft |60 is also provided with a` bevelled gear |62 which is adapted to drive a bevelled bear |66 which is associated with the hour and minute the hands 21 and 28. A .block |63 is mounted at the top of the recorder between the plates 66 and 69, and journalled in the block is a vertical shaft |64 which is maintained in position by means of the pinion |65. The bevelled gear |66 is secured to the lower end of the shaft |64. 'I'he dial 26 is spaced above the block |63 and may be provided with a skirt |61 which is broken away in Fig. 7 to show the usual reduction gearing enclosed thereby. The upper portion of the shaft |64 is reduced as indicated at |68 and extends through the dial 26 and carries th minute hand 28, A

sleeve |69 surrounds the reduced portion and carries the hour hand 21, `thesleeve also can'ying 'at its lower end a gear |10. 'The sleeve and the hour hand aredriven by reduction gears comprising a pinion |1| mounted on a stub shaft |12 |55, these lugs fitting in between the ange |50 which also carries a gear |13, which gear in turn is driven by the pinion |65.

As the minute wheels 39 are advanced by the gear |51, the hands 21 and 28 will also be advanced one minute at a time in the usual manner. It will be observed that the upper end of lever |5| is provided with a bent-over portion |14 which overlaps the gear |6|\` The setting of the hands and the type Wheels may be changed by rotating the gear |6| by the thumb of the operator, The lever |5| may be laterally displaced by the same'manual operation due to the proximityof the bent-over portion -|14 to the gear |6|. i

The hour type wheel 40 is driven in the usual manner by the minute type wheels 39, and the date type wheel 4| is advanced one day at a time by each complete revolution of the hour type wheel in the usual manner.

Recording is effected by the cooperation of a printing hammer indicated generally by the reft erence knumeral with the type wheels 36. l.,

As shown in Fig. 18, the printing hammer comprises a channelled block 8| which is carried on arms |82, the arms being secured to the hammer shaft |83. A strip |84 of rubber or other somewhat resilient material is held in the channelled block |8| in a position to contact the type wheels. In Fig. 18 the hammer is shown in its printing position. A lever |85 forms a part of the hammer shaft |83, and an operating spring |86 serves to urge the printing hammer into its printing position, one end of the operating spring being secured to the lever |85, and the other end being'secured to a spacer |81.V Ashock absorbing Y yond plate 60 and carries at itsl outer end a cocking lever |88 as shown in Fig. 5. A cam |89 is provided for the cocking lever |88, the cam being mounted on a hub |90 whichlis rotatably journalled on a shaft |9| The shaft is journalled in plates 60 and 81 as shown in Fig. 6. and the cam |89 is adapted to be rotated by the motor 58 in order to cause the hammer to be drawn back into cocked position.

As srowniin Figs. 4 and 9, the motor 58 is mounted by means of suitable screws |94 at the forward end of plate 6|, the motor being a highspeed six volt direct current motor. A gear reduction box |93 is also mounted on plate 6| by means of screws |95, the speed reduction preferably being eirected by means of a worm and gear |96 and |91. I'he worm |96 is driven by the motor 58 through a suitable coupling |92, and the gear |91 is mounted on a shaft |98 which is journalled in the plates 60 and 6|. A pinion |99 is carried at the end of shaft |98 and drives a gear 200 which is secured to the hub |90, as shown in Fig 6,

In operation it will be seen that the motor. through pinion |99 and gear 200, causes the cam |89 to rotate, thereby causing the cooking lever |88 to drop off the cam, and the operating spring |86 to actuate the hammer. As the cam |89 continues its rotation, the printing hammer is withdrawn to its cocked position. Means hereinafter described, cause the cam to come to a stop in the position shown in Figs. and 19, wherein the parts are in position for another operation.

Both manual and automatic means are provided for closing the motor circuit through the microswitch 51, and for maintaining the circuit closed until the cam |89 has made a complete revolution. The operation of the manual means ward end with a bent-over portion in the form of a cam rider 226. When the circuit through the microswitch is closed by the depression of the button 32, it will be seen that the second linkage will be maintained in closed circuit position throughout one complete revolution oi the cams 224 and |89, even though the pressure on the button 32 is released. At the end of this revolution, the rider 226 drops at the drop face 225, thereby releasing the pressure on the plunger 22|, and opening the motor circuit. In this position of the parts the hammer has been cocked and is ready for another printing operation.

As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the segment 42, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft |58. is

a.; provided with type in the form of an asterisk is controlled by a slide bar which as shown in Figs. 12 to 14, is mounted on plate 64 by means of the studs 204 and 205 which project through apertures 202 and 203 in the slide bar 20|. The heads of the studs confine the slide bar closely against the plate 64. A pin 206 projects outwardly from the slide bar 20|, and a spring 201 is tensioned between the pin 206 and the stud 204 to maintain the slide bar in elevated position. The manually depressible button 32, which is slidably mounted in the housing (see also Fig. 1), engages the upper edge of the slide bar 20|. It will be noted that a leaf spring 221 engages the push button 32, and maintains it in elevated position within a U-shaped lug 228 formed on the under surface of the housing 25. f A pin 208 forms a part of the slide bar 20|, and is positioned toward the lower end thereof in a position to engage the lever 209 when the button 32 is depressed. The lever 209 is mounted on a shaft 2|0 which extends across the recorder, being iournalled in plates 64 and 81, the lever and the shaft forming a part of a linkage for operating the microswitch 51. This linkage includes an arm 2|| secured to the shaft 2|0, as shown in Fig. 5 and a link 2|2 extending between the arm 2|| and a crank 2|3. The crank is pivoted on a horizontal member 2|4 extending between the plates 60 and 81. 'Ihe horizontal arm of the crank 2|3 is provided with a bent-over lug 2|i which actuates a second linkage which includes a horizontally disposed lever 2|5 which is also pivoted on member 2|4. A spacer 2I1 (Figs.- 4 and 16) serves to maintain the horizontal member 2 I6 against the horizontal arm of the crank 2|3. A vertically disposed link 2|8 extends between the lever 2|6 and another lever 2|9, the latter lever (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) being pivotally mounted on plate 60 by means of a stud 220. The microswitch 51 is provided with an upwardly .extending plunger 22|, which plunger is engaged by a set screw 222 carried in a lug 223 formed on the horizontal lever 2|9, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It will be seen that when the push button 32 is depressed, that the crank 2I3 will be rocked, thereby causing the second linkage comprising the members 2|6, 2|8 and 2I9 also to be rocked, and thereby closing the circuit through the microswitch.

A second cam 224 is carried' on the hub |90, this cam being provided with a drop face 225. The horizontal lever 2l6 is provided at its forwhich when printed with the time record indicates that the printing operation has been effected manually. This segment is normally maintained in a depressed position as shown in Fig. 12 but is provided with a spring arm 230 which is engaged by the pin 206, upon depression of the slide bar 20|, which serves to elevate the segment into position to print the asterisk as shown in Fig. 13. A click 23| is mounted on plate 64 to maintain the segment 42 in either one of the two positions shown.

Means are provided to return the segment 42 to its depressed position automatically after the completion of a manual printing operation. This means includes a slotted plate 232 which is slidably associated with the slide bar 20| by means of studs 233. The lower portion of the slotted plate 232 is provided with a bent-over lug 234 which extends into the path of the lever 209. As shown in Fig. 5, a spring 235 extends between the arm 2|| and a pin 236, mounted in plate 60 so as to cause the linkage comprising the crank 2|3, the arm 2|| and the lever 209 to be turned to their normal position. When the pressure on the button 32 therefore, is released, the spring 235 causes the slotted plate 232 to be returned to its elevated position, the upper portion of the slotted plate 232 engaging the spring arm 230 and rotating the segment 42 so that the asterisk type is depressed. In Fig. 13, the parts are shown. during the depression of the push button, and in Fig. 14 the parts are shown immediately after the pressure has been-released from the push button, but just before the lever 209 has been returned to its normal position due to the action of the spring 235.

This latter action is delayed by virtue of a cam 238 winch is provided on the hammer shaft |83, the cam engaging a bent-over lug 231 at the lower portion of the vertical arm of the crank 2|3. Itwill be seen therefore that when the hammer is in its printing position (Fig. 18), the cam 238 displaces the crank 2|3 and the lever 209, and maintains these parts in displaced position until the hammer has again been withdrawn into its cocked position. This action also prevents the opening of the motor circuit, in case the pressure on the button 32 is released before the rider 226 has -cleared the cutaway portion of the cam 224.

A stud 240 extends outwardly from plate 60 and carries an arm 24|, which arm is provided with a pin 242 which extends through a slot 243 into the path of the hammer arm |82 as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 16. A leaf spring 244, which is secured to the spacer 88, engages the arm 24| to maintain the samein the position shown in Fig. 5. During each printing operation, the hammer 24| to actuate the. ribbon advancing mechanism.

The ribbon advancing mechanism includes a the stud 240, and which is adapted to be advanced by a pawl 246 carried on the lever 24|. A leaf spring 241 serves to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel. The motion ofthe arm 24| is sufficient to-cause the ratchet wheel to be advanced one tooth during each printing operation. A pinion 248 is secured to the ratchet wheel 245, and drives a gear 249 which is mounted on the plate 60. A pinion 250 is associated with the gear 249, and drives'a ribbon-advancing gear 25| which is secured to a shaft 252, journalled in a collar 253 which is secured to the plate 80. The shaft 252 is axially displaceable, and a spring 255 is disposed between the plate 60 and a plate 254 which is mounted on the axially displaceable shaft 252. A ribbon spool 256 is mounted at one end on the axially displaceable shaft 252, and means, such as a pin 258, is provided to cause the spool to rotate with the plate 254. The other end of the spool 256 may be provided with a spindle which fits into a slot 259 (Figs. 17 and 18) formed in the plate 64. A ribbon 251 is wound around the upper spool 256, and extends to a lower spool 260. The plate 64 may be suitably slotted as shown in Figs. 17

and'18 at 26| to-receive the spindle of the lower spool. A leaf spring 262, secured to a block 263 on the plate 64, serves to lock the lower spool in position. The other end ofthe lower spool may be held in place by an axially displaceable `member, not shown herein, but similar to the plate f 254 shown in connection with the upper spool.

' In operationit will be seen that the upper spool 256 is advanced to a slight degree with each printing operation, thereby causing the ribbon 251 to be unwound from the lower spool 260 onto the upper spool '256.' `Ribbon guides 265 and 266,

' as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, may be provided to hold the ribbon wheels 36.'

The tape 29 is taut just infront of the type supplied from a roll 215 which is held inI a bracket 210 secured to the underside of. the hinged plate 15, as shown in Fig. 9. The bracket 2101is pivotally associated therewith as shown at 21|,4 the bracket being providedwith bent-over ears 212 which engage the upper edges of the plates 60 and 6| when the hinged plate 15 is in closed position, so as to cause the bracket to vbe suspended perpendicularly from the plate 15. The rear portion of the bracket comprises al wall 213'which isdisposed immediately infront of the type wheels', the wall being slotted as indicated at 214 in Fig. `18 to permit the operation of the hammer |80. It will be noted that the side `members 216 of the brackets 210 are disposedinteriorly of the arms |82 ofthe printing hammer |80. A guiding member 211-for the tape 29 is journalled in the side members 216 and cooperates with the rollers 16 and A11 to guide the tape 29 upwardly in front of the type wheels and forwardly over the surface ofthe plate 15. The tape is then guided through the channel 218 formedV between the members 219 and 18, the former being cut away at 280 to permit the tape advancing roller 19 to engage the tape.

The roller 19 is mountedvon a shaft 28| which is journalledin theplates 60 and 6|, the shaft extending through plate 60 and being provided with a gear 282 at its end, this gear being shown in Figs 5 and 6." A pinion 263, and a ratchet wheel 284A whichis secured thereto, are mounted J ratchet wheel245 which is rotatably mounted on y be advanced manually in the event that it is de sired to bring the last entry up to an exposed position overlying the plate 15 so that it may be seen, or so that a written notation may be made in connection therewith. ,The means for advancing the tape manually comprises a yoke member 290 which may be reciprocated by the slide 3| in order to advance the gear wheel 282. The yoke member has an arm 29| which is pivoted on the shaft 28|, and an arm 292 which is pivoted on a stud 293 extending inwardly from plate 81, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. A pawl 294 is carried on the yoke member which engages the gear 282, a spring 295 being provided to urge the two into engagement. The yoke also includes an arc-shaped member 296 which is provided with an aperture 291 through which a pin 298 extends. The pin 298 is secured to the underside of a sliding plate 299, and the manually actuated slide member 3| is secured to the upper surface of the sliding plate 299. The housing 25 is slotted as shown at 300 to permit manual reciprocation of the knob 3|, sliding plate 299 and the pin 298. It will be noted that the knob 3| and the plate 290 overlap the sides of the slot 300.

In operation when the knob 3| is pushed rearwardly, the pawl 294 rides over the teeth of the gear 282; when the knob is pushed forwardly, the gear 282 and the tape advancing roller 19 are caused to rotate, thereby advancing the tape.

The mileagewheels 31 are driven from the speedometer cable of the truck by means which are` shown in Figs. 16 and 17. A plate 3|0 is mounted between the plates 66 and 69 and secured in spaced relationship thereto by suitable spacers which are not shown. A split shaft 3| I, provided with a flexible coupling 3| la, is journalled in plates 3|0, 69, 60, and in the outer wall of a gear reduction box 3|2. A worm gear 3|3 is suitably secured to the shaft 3|| within the gear reduction box, and is adapted to be driven by a worm 3|4 (Fig. 5) which is in the form of a, sleeve slidably mounted on a vertical shaft 3|5. The shaftl 3|5 is journalled in the top and bottom walls of the gear box 3|2, and is provided with a collar 3|6 and a pin 3I1 which extends through the shaftl3|5 immediately above the collar. A notch 3 8 is provided in the lower end of the worm sleeve 3|4 so that the sleeve may be engaged by the pin 3|1 and rotate with the shaft. A spring 3 I9 is confined between the upper end of the worm sleeve and the top of the gear box so as to urge the parts in operative relationship. This construction permits reverse rotation of the speedl ometer cable without rotating the gear 3|3. It

' will be noted that the collar 3 6 takes the vertical The gear 32| is confined between a collar 323 and a disk 324, the collar being pinned to the shaft, and the disk being secured to the shaft by means of a hub 325. A pin 326 is disposed in the disk 324 and extends into an arcuate slot 321 in the gear 32| so that the shaft 322 may have a limite amount of rotation withrespect to the gear 32|.

The mileage wheels 31 are of th'e usual construction and are mounted on yashaft 330 which is journalled in the plates 3|0 and 68. A ratchet wheel 33| is rotatably mounted on the shaft 330 in a position to drive the mileage wheels. A pawl 332, as shown in Fig. 17, is pivotally mounted at 333 on a rock plate 334, the pawl being provided at its rear end with a pin 335 which' engages the plate 334 in a slot 336. A spring 331 extends between the pin 335 and a pin 342, the latter being mounted in plate 334, so as to maintain the parts in the position shown in Fig. 17. This construction permits the pawl 332 to be retracted over a tooth of the ratchet wheel 33| when the plate 334 is rocked as hereinafter described.

The plate 334 is pivotally mounted, by means of a hub 334a, on a pillar 338 extending from plate 3|0, and is provided with a roller 339 at its lower corner. A cam 348 is mounted on the shaft 322, the cam having a drop face 34|, so that as the cam is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, the plate 334 will be elevated, and the pivotally mounted pawl 332 will be withdrawn over one tooth of the ratchet wheel 33|. After the drop face 34| has cleared the center line of the roller 339, the spring 343, which is tensioned between a pin 344 and the pin 342, will cause the plate 334 to be returned to its normal position,

thereby advancing the ratchet and the type wheels by one step. A locking pawl 345, which is mounted on a shaft 346 journalled in plates 3| 0 and 68, is provided to prevent reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 33| during operation of the pawl 332. A leaf spring 341 is provided to urge the locking pawl into contact with the ratchet wheel 33 I. As shown in Fig. 16, the usual pinions 348 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 346 which provide the carry-over from one of the mileage wheels 31 to an adjacent wheel.

In operation, it will be seen that the mileage Wheels are advanced step by step by the rotation of the speedometer cable through the pawl and ratchet mechanism which is actuated by the cam 340. The association of the gear 32| with the shaft 322 is such as to permit the substantially instantaneous drop-off of the plate 334 with respect to the cam 346. This provides a step by step advance of the mileage wheels, which' is desirable ln a printing recorder, as contrasted with a continuous rotation of the tenths of a mile indieating wheel in the usual speedometer. Furthermore there is sufficient power in the spring 343 to advance not only the tenths of a mile wheel, but also any of the other wheels which are at that moment being carried over or advanced one step.

Means are also provided to actuate the printing hammer |88 automatically by the starting and by the stopping of the truck. These means include an arm 350 (Figs. 5, 18 and 19), which comprises a bent-over portion at the end of the vertical arm of the crank 2| 3, this arm extending horizontally through an aperture 35| in plate 60. The arm 350 is adapted to be engaged and displaced in a forward direction by either an upper pusher bar 352 or a lower pusher bar 354, each of these bars being provided with shoulders 353 and 355 respectively which effect this displacement. The pusher bars are linked to a rock plate and 60.

A spring 360 supports the forward end of the upper pusher bar 352, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin 36| mounted in plate 66. The forward end of the lower pusher bar 354 is similarly supported by a spring 362 which is secured to a similar pin 363. In operation. it will be seen that the springs 36D and 362 urge the pusher bars upwardly against the arm 350. When the truck is started, the rock plate 356 is rocked inthe clockwise direction from its position shown in Fig. 21 to the position shown in Fig. 19, thereby causing the upper pusher bar to displace the arm 350 and actuate the printing hammer. When the truck is stopped, means are provided to rock the plate 356 in the opposite direction, causing displacement of the arm 350 by the lower pusher bar 354. When the arm 350 is displaced, the crank 2I3 is rotated and the recorder circuit through the microswitch 51 is closed in the manner hereinbefore described.

An arm 364 extends downwardly from the hammer shaft |83 in a position so that it will engage both of the pusher bars 352 and 354 during the printing operation. This causes both pusher bars to be depressed against the tension-of the springs 360 and 362 and to clear the arm 350 so that the latter may return to its normal position through the action of the spring 235. When the hammer is again cocked at the conclusion of the printing operation, the pusher bars again engage the arm 358 in a manner so as to permit subsequent operation.

A pinion 365 is mounted on the shaft 3|| and engages a gear 366 which forms a part of a clutch assembly illustrated in Fig. 20 and designated generally by the reference numeral 361. This clutch assembly and a differential assembly 368 are mounted on the shaft 351 and constitute means to rock the rock plate 356 in order to initiate the printing operation.

A hub member 310 is vprovided on the shaft 351 and supports a shaft 31| which is perpendicular to the shaft 351. Bevelledpinions 312 and 313 are suitably mounted on the perpendicular shaft 31|, and form a part of the differential assembly 368. A bevelled gear 314 is secured to, or may form a part of the hub 315, and meshes with the bevelled pinions 312.and 313. Another bevelled gear 316 is disposed on the other side of the differential assembly and meshes with the pinions 312 and 313, this bevelled gear 316 being mounted on or forming a part of a sleeve 311. The sleeve 311 is carried on a bushing 318, which bushing is staked to plate 3|6. The reduced end of the shaft 351 is journalled in the end of the bushing 318.

One end of the sleeve 311 is provided with screw threads 319 which cooperate with a threaded flanged sleeve 386. The anged sleeve may be provided with a keyway 38| in its sleeve portion, and a clutch plate 382 is slidably mounted on this sleeve portion and is keyed thereto so as to rotate therewith. Another clutch plate 383 forms a part of the'sleeve 311, and the two clutch plates 382 and 383 cooperate with the gear 366 in clutched relationship. A spring 384 in the form of a spider is confined between the flanged sleeve 380 and the clutch plate 382 and serves to urge the latter against the gear 366 with a predetermined degree of tension. A lock nut 385 may be provided for the threaded portion 919 of the sleeve 311 so that the tension of the spring 384 may be regulated.

It will be seen that as the gear 366, which is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 311, is rotated by the speedometer cable, that its rotation will be transmitted through the clutch plates 382 and 383 to the bevelled gear 316 which forms one element of the differential assembly 368. Inasmuch as rotation of the hub 310 is limited, the rotation of the bevelled gear 316 will cause the bevelled gear 314 and the rock plate 356 to be rotated in the clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 21. This action occurs when the truck is first started, and causes the printing operation to take place.

The rock plate 356 is provided with a shoulder 386 which abuts against a spacer member 381 to limit the rotation of the rock plate in the clockwise direction. A spring 388 extends between the rock plate 356 and a spacer 389. When the truck is started as above described, the rotation of the rock plate in the clockwise direction will tension the spring 388, and after the rock plate and its associated parts have reached the limit of their rotation, the clutch assembly 361 will slip, but the rock plate will remain in its going position as shown in Fig. 19 due to the action of the clutch.

When the truck has come to a stop, the bevelled gear 316 will remain stationary, and the spring 388 will cause the rock plate 356 to be rotated Vin a counter-clockwise direction, the extent of its rotation in this direction being limited by the abutting of the corner 390 of the rock plate against the spacer 381. The speed with which the rock plate is returned to its stopped position is determined by the clockwork 14 which is associated with the middle element of the differential, namely the hub 310. This limitation on the speed of the rotation of the rock plate in the counter-clockwise direction determines the two minute delay after the truck has come to a stop and after which the printing mechanism is actuated.

A driving gear 391 is secured to the shaft 351 by means of a hub 392, and as shown in Fig. 18. it drives the usual clock work comprising the balance -wheel 393 and the escapement mechanism 394 through the usual train of gears.

In Figs. and 21 the pusher bars are shown in their position when the truck is stopped. Just after the truck has been started, the arm 350 has been displaced to its dotted line position as shown in Fig. 19 by the shoulder 353 of the upper pusher bar 352. In this position of the arm 350, the motor circuit through the microswitch 51 is closed, and when the hammer |80 has been released, the arm 364 depresses the pusher bars as shown in Fig. 18 so that they clear the arm 35o. The relationship of the arm 364 with respect to the cam 238, which is also on the hammer shaft 183, is such that before the pusher bars are permitted to return to their elevated position, the crank 2|3 and the arm 350 have moved back into the position as shown in Fig. 19 wherein the arm 350 has cleared the shoulder 353 and is in position to be engaged by the shoulder 355 of the lower pusher bar 354. rlhis is the normal position of the parts as long as the truck is going.

After the truck has stopped, there will be a delay of two minutes as above described, before' the shoulder 355 of the lower pusher bar 354 has displaced the arm 350 to an extent sufficient to initiate the printing operation. During the printing operation, the pusher bars will be depressed to permit the return of the arm 360 to its normal position, and at the conclusion of the printing operation, the parts will be again in the position as shown in Figs. 5 and 21, in which the upper pusher bar 352 has been retracted sufficiently so that the shoulder 353 is in position to engage the arm 350 when the truck is again started. 0f course if the truck starts before the two minutes are up, the plate is immediately rocked in the clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings, retracting the lower pusher bar 354 so that the printing hammer will not be tripped.

The means for rotating the G wheel 43 into and out of printing position is shown in Figs. 16, 18 and 19. As pointed out above, this wheel prints a 1G if the printing operation is made while the truck is going, but if the printing operation occurs when the truck is stopped, no G will be printed. This action is effected by linking the G wheel 43 to the upper pusher bar 352.

A cut-away portion is formed in the G wheel 43 so as to provide a shoulder 395 which is adapted to abut against a. pin 396, extending inwardly from the plate 60. A pin 391 projects from the side of the G wheel 43, and a spring 398 is tensioned between the pin 391 and between a spacer 399 so as to urge the shoulder 395 against the pin 396, this being the printing position of the G wheel. An actuating lever 400 is pivoted on a pivot pin 40| extending inwardly from the plate 60, the lower end of the actuating lever being bifurcated as shown at 402 and engaging a pin 403 in the upper pusher bar 352.

When the truck is at rest, the upper end of the actuating lever 400 bears against the pin 391 so as to rotate the G wheel 43 into non-printing position, the position of the parts at this time being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 19. When the truck is going however, the pusher bar 352 is maintained in an advanced position, which causes the actuating lever 400 to be withdrawn from contact with the pin 391, and the spring 398 maintains the type wheel 43 in its printing position. This position of the parts is shown in solid lines in Fig. 19 and in Fig. 18.

It will be observed in Fig. 5 that when the parts are at rest, there is a certain amount of clearance between the lug 215, forming a part of the crank 2I3, and the horizontal lever 216. This clearance provides a certain amount of free movement or play when the button 32 is depressed before the second linkage, which includes the horizontal member 2l6, is engaged to close the microswitoh 51. It is during this free movement of the first linkage which includes the crank 2l3 that the segment 42 is brought into its printing position. Similarly, when the printing operation is automatically effected by the starting of the truck, this free movement permits the G wheel 43 to be brought into printing position before the printing operation.

As pointed out above, after stopping the truck it requires two minutes to take up this free movement together with any additional play which is provided by the clearance between either one of the shoulders 353 or 355 of the pusher bars and the arm 350, before the motor circuit is closed, this delay being controlled by the clockwork 14. Similarly, the truck must be driven a predetermined distance after starting, before the recorder circuit is closed, this distance being determined by the extent of the rotation permitted by the rock plate 356 and also by the speed of the rotation of the clockwork. This slight delay climinates unnecessary printing operations in the event that there are several stops and starts, due to trafiic conditions, when the truck is ilrst started. In the embodiment oi' the invention herein shown, the recording operation does not take place'after the truck has been started, until after the truck has gone from eighty to one hundred feet. Obviously this delay can be changed one way or the other by proportioning the parts in a dii-ferent manner.

The operation of the various parts and mechansms have been pointed out above in connection with the description of those parts. When the recorder is iirst installed in thetruck, a connection is made between the speedometer cable and the lower end of the shaft 3|5. The clock hands 21 and`28 are then set to the correct time by rotating the gear |6.| after the latter parts have been declutchedby the displacement of the lever |5|. The date wheel 4| is so associated with the hour wheel 40 that it may be set merely by manually rotating the same. The clockwork 1| is then started by displacing the lug |28 in order to tension initially the clock spring |01. This lug |28 is readily accessible when the hinged plate 15 is lifted.

A roll of tape 215 may at this time be placed between the arms 216 of the bracket 210, and the end of the tape threaded around the guides 211, 16 and 11 and fed into the channel 218 and between the rollers 19 and 82. It will lbe noted that an additional guide member 281 in the form of a curved strip of metal attached to the wall, 213 of-the bracket, is provided to maintain the tape 26 clear of the hammer |80 and its associated mechanism, in the event that the roll of tape 215 tends to unwind tooquickly. The housing 25 is then placed over the base 33 and is locked in position.

A typical series of entries on the tape 29 is shown in Fig. 2. When the truck driver checks in in the morning, his time can be "recorded by pressing the button. 32. This entry, the bottommost entry on. the tape as shownI in Fig. 2, is indicated by the asterisk as being a manual entry. The absence of the G indicates that the entry is made when the truck is stopped. The second entry indicates the time and mileage of startng,

in this entry the G" indicating that the entry the accident, the truck got going fifteen minutes was made while the truck was going, and' the absence of the asterisk indicating that the entry was made automatically. The third entry was automatically made two minutes after the truck had been stopped, and the fourth entry shows that the truck got started again fifteen minutes later. The fifth entry is indicated by the presence of the G and the asterisk to be'a manual entry y which was made while the truck was going, this entry presumably being made in accordance with certain instructions iorl the employee to record the time and mileage when a predetermined point, such as a state line, is passed. The sixth entry indicates the times and mileage of another stop, which may be the termination of the trip.

The manner in which-the tape may be adivanced manually to make written entries thereon is indicated in Fig. 1. i

The first. or bottommost entry indicates that a stop was vmade at 4:46 due to an accident.4 The operator manually advanced the tape and entered the cause of the stop von the tape, thus providing valuable evidence as tothe timev and location of the accident. The second entry shows that, after later. The third entry is a manual entry and the figure shows how the tape may be advanced to indicate that a state line had been crossed at this point.

The tape`29 and the inked ribbon 251 are automatically advanced during each printing operation. If it is desired to make a written notation to explain any stop, or any other entry, this can be done by operating the slide 3| to bring that entry on the tape into exposed position as shown in Fig. l. The entry can then be made on the tape, the plate 15 serving as a backing.

Although this invention has been shown primarily as applied to a truck recorder, it is obvious that the mechanism is well adapted for many other applications. For instance whenever the stopping or starting of any rotatable element is to be recorded, this mechanism can be adapted to make such a record, showing both the time and the number of revolutions of the rotatable element. For instance this invention may be adapted to be used as a production meter, and. in any such specinc application, the automatic delay may be lengthened, or'it may be shortened to any degree, or omitted altogether.

It'will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes in the size, shape and proportion of the parts maybe eiected without departing from the spirit of this invention. The above .description relates to a preferred embodiment only and is not intended to limit the scope of this invention which is defined in the appended claims. i

We claim:

' 1. A truck operation recorder comprising recording mechanism, automatic means for actuating said recording mechanism after the truck is started, a timing mechanism, means driven thereby, means eiective when the truck comes to a stop for initiating the operation of said means driven by said timing mechanism to measure a predetermined time interval, and means effective at theY end of said interval for automatically causing the actuation' oi' `said recording mechanism.

2. A truck operation recorder comprising recording mechanism, automatic means for actuating said recording mechanism after the truck is started, automatic means for actuating said re- -cosdingvmechanism after said truck has stopped,

@ditional recording means, and means for rendering said'additional recording means operative only when said truck is in motion for dinerenvtiating between entries made by the'stoppingjand by the starting of said truck.

3. A truck operation recorder comprising recording mechanism, automatic means .for actuating said recording mechanism after the truck is started, manual means for actuating said recording mechanism, additional recording meansandmeans associated withl said manual. actuating meansxior rendering. said f additional recording means operative to diil'erentiate those entries made by manual actuation from those made automatically.

4. A truck operation recorder comprising a l

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