Recording device

Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

2,392,467

Filed

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

2,392,467

Filed May 4, 1942

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2,392,467

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942

2,392,467

Sheets-Sheet 4

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942 . 2,392,467

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

2,392,467

Filed May 4,

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

2,392,467

Filed May 4, 1942

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

2,392,467

Filed May 4, 1942

Sheets-Sheet 8

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ET AL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942

2,392,467

Sheets-Sheet 9

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Jan. 8, 1946.

G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942

2,392,467

Sheets-Sheet 10

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Jan. 8, 1946.

2,392,467

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G. C. ENGEL ETAL

RECORDING DEVICE

Filed May 4, 1942

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Patented Jan. 8,1946

2,392,467

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

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. Eidmann, 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 (CI. 234—36.5) vide printing means for cooperation with said type wheels.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the appended drawings which form a part of this application and in which like reference numerals designate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of this Invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the record tape to the type wheels, and showing the various types of entries which may be made on the tape;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of the preferred embodiment herein shown:

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 but with the cover removed in order to show the location of the various parte of the mechanism. In this figure, and in the other figures, certains parts may be omitted, or broken away for the purpose of clarity;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, this view being taken along line

5—5 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 6—6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the mechanism with the cover removed, this view being taken along line 7—7 of Fig. 5; &lt;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8—8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a pportion of the mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detailed enlarged sectional view taken along lines (0—10 of Fig. 9 and of Fig. 11;

Mg. 11 is a detailed sectional view taken along line 11—11 of Mg. 10;

Mg. 12 is a sectional view taken along line | 12—12 of Mg. 7;

Mg. 13 is a detailed view of certain parts shown in Mg. 12;

Mg. 14 is a view similar to that shown in Mg. 13, but showing the parts in a changed position;

> Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation taken along line (5—(5 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 16 is a rear sectional elevation taken along line 16—16 of Mg. 5;

Mg. 17 is a sectional elevation taken along line I 17-(7 of Mg. 7;

Mg. 18 is a sectional elevation taken along line 18—18 of Mg. 7;

Fig. 19 is a detailed sectional view showing certain of the parts shown In Mg. 18 in a changed ’ position;'

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in recording devices, and in particular to improvements in devices which are adapted to record the starting and stopping of a rotatable element in terms either of time or of the number of rotations of said rotatable element or of both.

That embodiment of the invention herein shown and described is adapted primarily for use on trucks or other motor vehicles to record the times at which the truck is started and is stopped. A printed record of such starts and stops is often desired by trucking companies to determine the . actual driving time put in by their employees, and the number and duration of the stops made by them.

.This particular embodiment also provides means to record mileage when the time is recorded, so that the locations of stops may be approximated,. and further to provide a check on the average speed of the truck. Because of the fact that numerous stops of short duration are made, especially in cities, due to driving conditions, means are provided to render the device inoperative with respect to such stops.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an improved recording mechanism which is actuated by the starting and by the stopping of a rotatable element.

A further object is to provide means for actuating such a recording member after a predetermined time interval subsequent to the stopping of a rotatable element.

A still further object is to provide an improved truck recorder which records the time at which a truck is started and is stopped together with the mileage of the truck at such times. Such a truck recorder will record stops even' when the motor is left running, as contrasted with the recorders of the prior art which are actuated by the operation of the ignition switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a truck recorder, means to advance the record tape in an exposition position so that the truck driver may make notations thereon opposite the times and mileages record on said tape.

Still another object is to provide in a truck recorder, improved means to actuate the same either manually or automatically, and also to provide means to indicate on the record tape the manner in which a particular entry is made.

Other objects are to provide for a truck recorder or the like, improved means for actuating both the type wheels which record time and the type wheels which record mileage, and to pro- ^δδ

2,38$

Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 20—20 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 21 is a section taken along line 21—2 ί of Fig. 20.

With reference now to Fig. 1, reference nu- 5 meral 25 designates the housing of a truck recorder, the housing being cut away to expose a clock dial 26 which is provided with the usual hour hand 27 and minute hand 26. The housing is also cut away to expose a portion of a paper b tape 29 which is provided with certain figures which have been printed thereon by the recording mechanism. The front end of the housing is provided with a hinged cover 30, which may be elevated to provide access to the iree end of the 1 tape 29.

A manually actuated slide 31 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 2 be depressed manually in order to actuate the printing mechanism.

The housing 25 is mounted over a base 33, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and is adapted to be secured thereto by means of a lock 34, indicated 2 generally in Fig. 1. 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 j of which the position of the type wheels may be recorded on the tape 29. As sliown in Fig. 2 the type wheels 36 comprise five wheels 37 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 &lt;, of the month wheel 41. A wheel 42 is 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 made when '* the truck is going.

The mileage type wheels 37 are driven through the speedometer cable of a car which is adapted to be connected to the truck recorder. The time wheels 3^ are advanced by a pawl and ratchet 5 mechanism which is actuated by a minute step magnet 54 shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 12. The printing mechanism is actuated by a motor shown in Fig. 3. The recorder is connected to the battery 44 of the truck as shown in Fig. 3, one ter- 5 minal 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 47 and 48 which are cam actuated, r, 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 51 and 52. The conductor 50 is in circuit with the contact 51, (i 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 7 automatically tensioned every minute by the clock-winding magnet 55, and the minute impulses generated by the minute impulse contacts cause the type wheels 38 to be advanced each minute by magnet 54 as shown in Figs. 7 and 12, ⁷

1,467

The conductor 56 leads to the motor 58 which drives the printing mechanism, and the operation of the motor is controlled by a microswitch 57 in circuit therewith. The return circuit of the i motor and of 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 60, 61, 0 63, 64, 66 and 69 which are suitably secured to the base and to each other. The plates may be secured 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 fixed position with respect to the other plates by suitable spacers. For instance, a spacer 62 is provided for plates 60 and 61, a spacer 65 for plates 61 and 63, a spacer 67 for plates 63 and 0 64, a spacer 68 for plates 64 and 66, and a spacer for plates 60 and 69. Other plates and other spacers, not shown in Fig. 4, but illustrated in the other figures, will be pointed out as the description proceeds.

- Between the plates 63 and §4 is disposed the clockwork, indicated generally in Figs. 4,7 and 16 by the reference numeral 71, for operating the minute impulse contacts 47 and 48. The clockwinding magnet 55 is provided with a core memq ber in the form of a base 72 which is disposed between and secured to the plates 63 and 64. A similar core member in the form of a base 73 is provided for the minute step magnet 54 which is disposed between the plate 64 and another Ο plate 3.10. The relay 49 which controls the operation of the magnets 54 and 55 is mounted on plate 60 at the front end of the recorder. Disposed between plates 60 and 69 is a clockwork indicated generally by the reference numeral 74, 10 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 61, and 5 the microswitch 57 which controls the operation of the motor is mounted at the rear portion of the plate 60 as shown in Fig. 4. The clock dial 26 is mounted above the plates 66 and 69.

A horizontal plate 75 which is hinged at its 0 forward edge, is disposed between the plates 60 and 61, 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. The print5 ing hammer and a roll of tape are disposed beneath the hinged plate 75. Guide rollers 76 and . 77 are disposed along the rear and front edges respectively of the plate 75, and an apron 78 extends downwardly and forwardly between the 0 plates 60 and 61 in front of the plate 75 and beneath the hinged cover 30, as shown in Fig. 18.

A roller 79 is mounted beneath the apron 78 and engages the forward end of the tape 29 in order to advance it. As indicated in Fig. 4, a 5 cross member 80 extends between the plates 60 and 61 and is disposed in front of and above the apron 78, on which cross member a plurality of arms 81 are journalled in pairs by means of hubs 81a. Rollers 82 are mounted between each pair 0 of arms 81, and extend into cut-away portions of the apron 78. The rollers 82 are adapted to engage the tape 29 and hold it against the roller 79 so that as the latter roller is rotated, the tape will be advanced. A spring 84 is provided ^α which engages the levers 81 in order to force the

2,392,467 rollers 82 into operative engagement with the tape 29.

The position of the rollers 79 and 82 is shown in elevation in Fig. 18, in which it will be noted that a metal sheet 279 is spaced from the apron 78 and cooperates therewith to form a channel 278 through which the tape 29 is advanced. The sheet 279 is cut away to permit the roller 79 to extend into the channel, just as the apron 78 is cut away to permit the rollers 82 to extend into the channel. It will be seen therefore that as the roller 79 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 75. The manner in which the roller 79 is automatically advanced will be described later.

A plate 87 is disposed exteriorly of the plate 60 and, as shown in Fig. 4, 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 87 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.

The clockwork 71 is shown in Fig. 8 to comprise the usual balance wheel 100 and escapement mechanism (01, together with a gear train which includes a gear 102 mounted on a shaft (03, journalled in plates 63 and 64, which is adapted to be driven at the rate of one revolution minute. A driving gear 104 is provided for clockwork which gear is mounted on a shaft journalled in the plates 61 and 63.

A plate 106 is rotatably mounted on the shaft (05, and a clock spring 107 extends from a lug 108 formed on the plate 106 to a pin 109 which extends outwardly from the plate 6(, as shown in Fig. 9. The plate 106 forms a part of a pawl and ratchet mechanism through which the power of the spring 107 is transmitted to the driving gear (04.

A ratchet wheel 110 is rotatably mounted on the shaft (05, and is adapted to be engaged by a pawl I i ( which is carried on the rotatable plate 106. A spring t (2 is provided to urge the pawl 11 ( into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel (10, A pin 113 (Figs. 10 and 11) extends perpendicularly from the surface of the ratchet wheel 110, and a pin 114 extends perpendicularly from the surface of the gear 104, toward the pin (13. A spring 115, in the form of a single loop of wire, is secured at either end to the pins (13 and 114 so as to form a resilient coupling through which the pawl and ratchet mechanism drives the gear 104 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 107 at regular intervals so that the clockwork 71 may be continuously driven by the driving gear 104. This tensioning means includes an armature 116 for the clock-winding magnet'55, the armature being pivoted on a pin 117 which extends between the plates 63 and 64 (Fig. 7). The armature is provided with a projection 118 which engages a bent-over lug (19 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 counterper the (05

C>0 clockwise direction, thereby tensioning the spring 107.

A locking pawl (20 is mounted on a pin (2( which extends outwardly from the surface of the plate 6(, and a spring 122 is provided to force the locking pawl (20 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 110 to prevent reverse rotation thereof while the spring 107 is being tensioned. It will be seen that while the clockwork is being driven by the spring 107, 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 that the spring (07 is being tensioned by the reverse rotation of the plate 106.

An insulating block (23 is suitably secured to the plate 64, and secured to the insulating block are resilient contact arms 124 and 125, the former carrying contact 47, and the latter carrying contact 48, as shown in Figs. 8 and 16. It will be observed that the arms 124 and 125 are horizontally spaced from one another, and that the contacts 47 and 48 are carried in vertical alignment with each other at a point between the spaced resilient arms. Two cams 126 and 127 are secured to the shaft 103, which as pointed out above, is part of the clockwork and is driven at the speed of one revolution per minute. Cam 126 engages the end of the resilient arm 124, and cam 127 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 47 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 126 is somewhat ahead of the drop face of cam (27 so that as the shaft 103 rotates into the position shown in Fig. 8, the arm. (24 will drop first thereby closing the circuit. A second or so later, the arm 125 will drop, thereby breaking the circuit through contacts 47 and 48, and during the remainder of the revolution of the cams 126 and (27, the resilient arms and their contacts will maintain their open circuit . relationship with each other.

In operation, the contacts 47 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 (07 to be tensioned so as to cause further rotation of the cams (26 and 127, whose rotation is limited by the clockwork 71 to one revolution per minute.

' In Fig. 8, the spring 107 is shown in its tensioned position, the circuit being closed through the contacts 47 and 48 and through the magnet 55. In Fig. 11, the spring 107 is shown in its rundown position. It will be observed that the plate * 106 is provided with a projecting lug 128 which extends through a notch 129 in the plate 6(. These parts not only limit the rotation of the plate 106, 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 128 is readily accessible when the hinged plate 75 is elevated as shown in Fig. 9.

The mechanism for advancing the time wheels is shown in Fig. 12, and includes a shaft (35 journalled in plates 64 and 66 together with a ratchet wheel 136 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft. A pawl 137 cooperates with the ratchet wheel to advance it one tooth at a time, the pawl being mounted on an armature 138 which is /

2,392,467 pivoted at 139. The armature is mounted directly above the minute step magnet 54, and is biased against a stop pin 138a into its inoperative, raised position by a spring 134, as shown in Fig. 7. The pawl 137 is associated with the armature 138 by means of a pin 140 extending laterally from the armature, and upon which the pawl is Journalled. A leaf spring 141 secured to the end of the armature engages the pawl (37 and urges it into contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 136.

Forward rotation of the ratchet wheel (36, when the armature is in its attracted position, is prevented by a rock lever 143 which is pivotally mounted on a pin (42 secured to plate 66. One end of the rock lever 143 is forked as shown at (44 and engages the pin 140, and the other end is provided with a bent-over portion which forms a tooth 145 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel (36. When the armature is in its attracted position as shown in Fig. 12, the lever 143 will be rocked so that the tooth (45 engages the ratchet wheel, thereby preventing rotation of the ratchet wheel. Reverse rotation at this time is prevented by a locking pawl (33 which . may be provided with suitable spring means not shown herein to urge it into engagement with the ratchet wheel (36.

A stop pin (37a is secured to plate 66 and is ^engaged by the sloping rear edge of the pawl 137, so that the pawl is positively held against the ratchet wheel to lock the latter in a predeter mined position when the armature is in its unattracted position.

The rotation of the ratchet wheel 136 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 147 which are carried by and project laterally from a wheel (48. The wheel (48 is associated with a sleeve 149, 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 (51 in order to disengage the pins (47 from the toothed wheel (46. The lever (51 is in the form of a strip which is mounted on plate 64 by means of studs 152 and (S3 as shown in Fig. 15. The lever is provided with an aperture 154 which has inwardly directed lugs (55, these lugs fitting in between the flange (50 and the wheel 148. A leaf spring (56, which is mounted on the plate 64, bears against the lever 15( to maintain the parts in clutched relationship. A gear (57 is mounted on the shaft (35 and is provided with apertures through which the pins 147 extend. It will be seen that the rotation of the ratchet wheel 136 is transmitted through the pins (47 to the gear (57, except during such times as the lever 15( is manually retracted. A shaft 158, 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 159, which is associated with the minute type wheels so as to drive them in the usual manner. The gear (59 meshes with the gear (57 so that as the ratchet wheel is advanced 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 69 as shown in Fig. 7, the shaft extending through plate 66 and being provided with a gear 16 ( which meshes with the gear,J57. The shaft 160 is also provided with a bevelled gear (62 which is

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G5 adapted to drive a bevelled bear 166 which is associated with the hour and minute the hands 27 and 28. A block 163 is mounted at the top of the recorder between the plates 66 and 69, and journalled in the block is a vertical shaft 164 which is maintained in position by means of the pinion (65. The bevelled gear 166 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 164. The dial 26 is spaced above the block (63 and may be provided with a skirt 167 which is broken away in Fig. 7 to show the usual reduction gearing enclosed thereby. The upper portion of the shaft 164 is reduced as indicated at 168 and extends through the dial 26 and carries the minute hand 28. A sleeve (69 surrounds the reduced portion and carries the hour hand 27, the sleeve also carrying at its lower end a gear (70. The sleeve and the hour hand are driven by reduction gears comprising a pinion 17( mounted on a stub shaft (72 which also carries a gear (73, which gear in turn is driven by the pinion 165.

As the minute wheels 39 are advanced by the gear (57, the hands 27 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 151 is provided with a bent-over portion 174 which overlaps the gear (6(. The setting of the hands and the type wheels may be changed by rotating the gear 16( by the thumb of the operator. The lever 151 may be laterally displaced by the same manual operation due to the proximity of the bent-over portion (74 to the gear 161.

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 reference numeral (80 with the type wheels 36. As shown in Fig. 18, the printing hammer comprises a channelled block 181 which is carried on arms 182, the arms being secured to the hammer shaft (83. A strip 184 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 185 forms a part of the hammer shaft 183, 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 185, and the other end being secured to a spacer 187. A shock absorbing leaf spring 389a, riveted to a spacer 389, is engaged by the lever 185 at the end of the hammer stroke and also prevents a double or blurred printing impression. .

The hammer shaft (83 is journalled in the plates 60 and 61, and is extended outwardly beyond plate 60 and carries at its 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 which is rotatably journalled on a shaft (9(. The shaft is journalled in plates 60 and 87 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 shown in 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 193 is also mounted on plate 81 by means of screws 195, the speed reduction prefer70

2.392.467 5 ably being effected by means of a worm and gear 196 and (97. The worm 196 is driven by the motor 58 through a suitable coupling 192, and the gear 197 is mounted on a shaft 198 which is journalled in the plates 60 and 61. A pinion (99 is carried at the end of shaft 198 and drives a gear 200 which is secured to the hub 190, as shown in Fig. 6.

In operation it will be seen that the motor, through pinion 199 and gear 200, causes the cam 189 to rotate, thereby causing the cocking lever 188 to drop off the cam, and the operating spring 186 to actuate the hammer. As the cam 189 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. 5 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 57, and for maintaining the circuit closed until the cam 189 has made a complete revolution. The operation of the manual means is controlled by a slide bar 201 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 201. The heads of the studs coniine the slide bar closely against the plate 64. A pin 206 projects outwardly from the slide bar 201, and a spring 207 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 25 (see also Fig. 1), engages the upper edge of the slide bar 201. It will be noted that a leaf spring 227 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. A pin 208 forms a part of the slide bar 201, 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

210 which extends across the recorder, being journalled in plates 64 and 87, the lever and the shaft forming a part of a linkage for operating the microswitch 57. This linkage includes an arm 2(( secured to the shaft 210, as shown in Fig. 5 and a link 212 extending between the arm

211 and a crank 213. The crank is pivoted on a horizontal member 2(4 extending between the plates 60 and 87. The horizontal arm of the crank 213 is provided with a bent-over lug 2(5 which actuates a second linkage which includes a horizontally disposed lever 2(6 which is also pivoted on member 2(4. A spacer 2(7 (Figs. 4 and 16) serves to maintain the horizontal member 216 against the horizontal arm of the crank 213. A vertically disposed link 218 extends between the lever 216 and another lever 219, the latter lever (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) being pivotally mounted on plate 60 by means of a stud 220. The microswitch 57 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 219, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It will be seen that when the push button 32 is depressed, that the crank 2(3 will be rocked, thereby causing the second linkage comprising the members 2(6, 218 and 219 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 216 is provided at its forward 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 g linkage will be maintained in closed circuit position throughout one complete revolution of 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 10 ²²⁵· 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 158, is _Λ provided with type in the form of an asterisk which when printed with the time record indicates that the printing operation has been ef₂₀ fected 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 201, which serves to elevate the 25 segment into position to print the asterisk as shown in Fig. 13. A click 231 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 g₀ 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 55 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 21 ( and a pin 236, mounted in plate 60 so as to cause the linkage comprising the crank

213, the arm 2 i ( 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 50 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 55 cam 238 which is provided on the hammer shaft (83, the cam engaging a bent-over lug 237 at the lower portion of the vertical arm of the crank 2(3. It will be seen therefore that when the hammer is in its printing position (Fig. 18), the ¢0 cam 238 displaces the crank 213 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 65 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 241, which arm is provided 70 with a pin 242 which extends through a slot 243 into the path of the hammer arm 182 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 same in the position shown in Fig. 75 5. During each printing operation, the hammer &lt;5» 2,8 arm 182 engages pin 242 and depresses the lever 241 to actuate the- ribbon advancing mechanism.

The ribbon advancing mechanism includes a ratchet wheel 245 which is rotatably mounted on the stud 240, and which is adapted to be advanced by a pawl 246 carried on the lever 241. A leaf spring 247 serves to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel. The motion of the arm 241 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 251 which is secured to a shaft 252, journalled in a collar 253 which is secured to the plate 60. 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 257 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 261 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 of the lower spool may be held in place by an axially displaceable member, not shown herein, but similar to the plate 264 shown in connection with the upper spool.

In operation it will be seen that the upper spool

256 is advanced to a slight degree with each printing operation, thereby causing the ribbon

257 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 taut just in front of the type wheels 36.

The tape 29 is supplied from a roll 275 which 45 is held in a bracket 270 secured to the underside of the hinged plate 75, as shown in Fig. 9. The bracket 270 is pivotally associated therewith as shown at 271,. the bracket being provided with bent-over ears 272 which engage the upper edges ⁵⁰of the plates 60 and 61 when the hinged plate 75 is in closed position, so as to cause the bracket to be suspended perpendicularly from the plate 75. The rear portion of the bracket comprises a wall 273 which is disposed immediately in front 55 of the type wheels, the wall being slotted as indicated at 274 in Fig. 18 to permit the operation of the hammer 180. It will be noted that the side members 276 of the brackets 270 are disposed interiorly of the arms 182 of the printing hammer 60 180. A guiding member 277 for the tape 29 is journalled in the side members 276 and cooperates with the rollers 76 and 77 to guide the tape 29 upwardly in front of the type wheels and forwardly over the surface of the plate 75. The tape ⁶⁵is then guided through the channel 278 formed between the members 279 and 78, the former being cut away at 280 to permit the tape advancing roller 79 to engage the tape.

The roller 79 is mounted on a shaft 281 which 70 is journalled in the plates 60 and 61, 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 283, and a ratchet wheel 284 which is secured thereto, are mounted 75

93,487 on the shaft 191, and are driven from the gear 200 by means of a pawl 285. A spring 286 biases the pawl 285 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 284.

In operation it will be seen that during each printing operation, the tape 29 will be automatically advanced by the operation of the recorder. A pawl and ratchet mechanism for the tape advancing roller 79 permits the tape to io be advanced manually in the event that it is desired to bring the last entry up to an exposed position overlying the plate 75 so that it may be seen, or so that a written notation may be made in connection therewith. . The means for ad15 vancing the tape manually comprises a yoke member 290 which may be reciprocated by the slide 31 in order to advance the gear wheel 282. The yoke member has an arm 291 which is pivoted on the shaft 281, and an arm 292 which 20 is pivoted on a stud 293 extending inwardly from plate 87, 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 in25 eludes an arc-shaped member 296 which is provided with an aperture 297 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 31 is secured to the upper 30 surface of the sliding plate 299. The housing 25 is slotted as shown at 300 to permit manual reciprocation of the knob 31, sliding plate 299 and the pin 298. It will be noted that the knob 31 and the plate 299 overlap the sides of the slot 300.

in operation when' the knob 31 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 79 are caused to rotate, thereby advancing the tape.

¹¹⁰ The mileage wheels 37 are driven from the speedometer cable of the truck by means which are shown in Figs. 16 and 17. A plate 310 is mounted between the plates 66 and 69 and secured in spaced relationship thereto by suitable spacers which are not shown. A split shaft 311, provided with a flexible coupling 31 la, is journalled in plates 310, 69, 60, and in the outer wall of a gear reduction box 312. A worm gear 313 is suitably secured to the shaft 311 within the gear reduction box, and is adapted to be driven by a worm 314 (Fig. 5) which is in the form of a sleeve slidably mounted on a vertical shaft 315. The shaft 315 is journalled in the top and bottom walls of the gear box 312, and is provided with a collar 316 and a pin 317 which extends through the shaft 315 immediately above the collar. A notch 318 is provided in the lower end of the worm sleeve 314 so that the sleeve may be engaged by the pin 317 and rotate with the shaft. A spring 319 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 speedometer cable without rotating the gear 313. It will be noted that the collar 316 takes the vertical thrust on the shaft 315. The lower end of the shaft 315 is adapted to be secured to the speedometercable.

When the truck is going in the forward direction, the rotation of the vertical shaft 315 is transmitted through the worm and gear mechanism to the shaft 311, and to a gear 320 which is secured thereto. A gear 321, which meshes with the latter, is rotatably mounted on a shaft 322, this shaft being journalled in plates 310 and 60.

2,892,467

The gear 321 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 327 in the gear 321 so that the shaft 322 may have a limited_;amount of rotation with respect to the gear 321. The mileage wheels 37 are of the usual construction and are mounted on a· shaft 330 which is journalled in the plates 310 and 60. A ratchet wheel 331 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 337 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 331 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 310, and is provided with a roller 339 at its lower corner. A cam 340 is mounted on the shaft 322, the cam having a drop face 341, 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 331. After the drop face 341 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 310 and 60, is provided to prevent reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 331 during operation of the pawl 332. A leaf spring 347 is provided to urge the locking pawl into contact with the ratchet wheel 331. 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 37 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 321 with the shaft 322 is such as to permit the substantially instantaneous drop-off of the plate 334 with respect to the cam 340. This provides a step by step advance of the mileage wheels, which is desirable in a printing recorder, as contrasted with a continuous rotation of the tenths of a mile indicating 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 180 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 213, this arm extending horizontally through an aperture 351 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

356 by means of studs 358 and 359 respectively, this construction being shown in Figs. 18 to 21. The rock plate 356 is mounted on or forms a part of a hub 375, which hub is rotatably mounted on a shaft 351 which is journalled in the plates 3IG 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 361 mounted in plate 60. 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 360 and 362 urge the pusher bars upwardly against the arm 350. When the truck is started, the rock plate 356 is rocked in the 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 213 is rotated and the recorder circuit through the microswitch 57 is closed in the manner hereinbefore described.

An arm 364 extends downwardly from the hammer shaft 183 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 350 in a manner so as to permit subsequent operation.

A pinion 365 is mounted on the shaft 311 and engages a gear 366 which forms a part of a clutch assembly illustrated in Fig. 20 and designated generally by the reference numeral 367. This clutch assembly and a differential assembly 368 are mounted on the shaft 357 and constitute means to rock the rock plate 356 in order to initiate the printing operation.

A hub member 370 is provided on the shaft 357 and supports a shaft 371 which is perpendicular to the shaft 357. Bevelled pinions 372 and 373 _δΰ are suitably mounted on the perpendicular shaft 371, and form a part of the differential assembly 368. A bevelled gear 374 is secured to, or may form a part of the hub 375, and meshes with the bevelled pinions 372 and 373. Another bevelled 55 gear 376 is disposed on the other side of the differential assembly and meshes with the pinions 372 and 373, this bevelled gear 376 being mounted on or forming a part of a sleeve 377. The sleeve 377 is carried on a bushing 378, which bushing is ₆₀ staked to plate 310. The reduced end of the shaft 357 is journalled in the end of the bushing 378.

One end of the sleeve 377 is provided with screw threads 379 which cooperate with a threaded flanged sleeve 380. The flanged sleeve may ₆₃ be provided with a keyway 381 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 377, and the two clutch 70 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 pre75 determined degree of tension. A lock nut 38$

8,889,467 may be provided for the threaded portion 379 of the sleeve 377 so that the tension of the spring 384 may be regulated.

It will toe seen that as the gear 366, which is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 377, is rotated by the speedometer cable, that its rotation will be transmitted through the clutch plates 382 and 383 to the bevelled gear 376 which forms one element of the differential assembly 368. Inasmuch as rotation of the hub 370 is limited, the rotation of the bevelled gear 376 will cause the bevelled gear 374 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 387 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 367 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 376 will remain stationary, and the spring 388 will cause the rock plate 356 to be rotated in 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 387. The speed with which the rock plate is returned to its “stopped” position is determined by the clockwork 74 which is associated with the middle element of the differential, namely the hub 370. 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 357 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. 5 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 57 is closed, and when the hammer 180 has been released, the arm 364 depresses the pusher bars as shown in Fig. 18 so that they clear the arm 350. 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 213 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. This 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 350 to its normal position, and at the conclusion of the printing operation, the parts will be again in δ 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. Of course if the truck starts beio fore 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 “G” if the printing operation is made while the truck is going, but if the printing 20 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 25 adapted to abut against a pin 396, extending inwardly from the plate 60. ' A pin 397 projects from the side of the G wheel 43, and a spring 398 is tensioned between the pin 397 and between a spacer 399 so as to urge the shoulder 30 395 against the pin 396, this being the printing position of the G wheel. An actuating lever 400 is pivoted on a pivot pin 401 extending inwardly from the plate 60, the lower end of the actuating lever being bifurcated as shown at 402 and 35 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 397 so as to rotate the G wheel 43 into non-printing position, the position of the parts at this time 40 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 397, and the spring 45 398 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 ⁵⁰ clearance between the lug 215, forming a part of the crank 213, 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 in⁵⁵ eludes the horizontal member 216, is engaged to close the microswitch 57. It is during this free movement of the first linkage which includes the crank 213 that the segment 42 is brought into its printing position. Similarly, 00 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 70 the arm 350, before the motor circuit is closed, this delay being controlled by the clockwork 74. Similarly, the truck must be driven a predetermined distance after starting, before the recorder circuit is closed, this distance being determined 75 by the extent of the rotation permitted by the

9,893,407 rock plate 356 and also by the speed of the rotation of the clockwork. This slight delay eliminates unnecessary printing operations in the event that there are several stops and starts, due to traffic conditions, when the truck is first 5 started. In the embodiment of 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 10 one way or the other by proportioning the parts in a different manner.

The operation of the various parts and mechanisms have been pointed out above in connection with the description of those parts. When the 15 recorder is first installed in the truck, a connection is made between the speedometer cable and the lower end of the shaft 315. The clock hands 27 and 28 are then set to the correct time by rotating the gear 161 after the latter parts have 20 been declutched by the displacement of the lever 151. The date wheel 41 is so associated with the hour wheel 40 that it may be set merely by manually rotating the same. The clockwork 71 is then started by displacing the lug 128 in order 25 to tension initially the clock spring 107. This lug 128 is readily accessible when the hinged plate 75 is lifted.

A roll of tape 275 may at this time be placed between the arms 216 of the bracket 270, and 30 the end of the tape threaded around the guides 277, 76 and 77 and fed into the channel 278 and between the rollers 79 and 82. It will be noted that an additional guide member 287 in the form of a curved strip of metal attached to the wall, 35 273 of the bracket, is provided to maintain the tape 26 clear of the hammer 180 and its associated mechanism, in the event that the roll of tape 275 tends to unwind too quickly. The housing 25 is then placed over the base 33 and is locked in 40 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 bottom- 45 most entry on. the tape as shown 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 starting 50 in this entry the “G” indicating that the- entry 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 55 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 which was-made while the truck was going, this 60 entry presumably being made in accordance’ with certain instructions for 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, ⁶⁵which may be the termination of the trip.

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

The first or bottommost entry indicates that a 70 stop was made at 4:46 due to an accident. The operator manually advanced the tape and entered the cause of the stop ph the tape, thus providing valuable evidence as to· the time and location of the accident. The second entry shows that, after 75 the accident, the truck got going fifteen minutes 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 5 at this point.

The tape 29 and the inked ribbon 257 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 10 be done by operating the slide 31 to bring that entry on the tape into exposed position as shown in Fig. 1. The entry can then be made on the tape, the plate 75 serving as a backing.

Although this invention has been shown pri15 marily 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 20 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 specific application, the automatic 25 delay may foe 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 may be 30 effected 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.