Watchman's Clock

© Brooke Clarke 2016

Background
Description
Photos
    Guardsman (Wafer)
    Guardsman (Warded)
    Newman
    Dent
Patents
Related
Links

Background 

A night watchman is supposed to walk a beat on a regular interval, but some may just sleep.  So by placing special keys at different locations and having the watchman carry a recording time clock there is proof that the watchman actually made his rounds.  If a problem occurs the recording will bound the time of occurrence.

This requirement still exists and the more modern solutions involve things like using the Maxim iButtons.  The iButtons are mounted where the keys used to be mounted and the guard carries an iButton reader that records the time and button serial number.

Another approach is to hide RFID tags along the beat and the watchman carries an active card reader that logs the time and ID number.

Description

There are two fundamentally different types of recording, the original paper disk that has a period of 24 hours and the paper tape that can go for a few days.

Photos

Both lids are difficult to open because the "hook" on the lid jams with the slot in the base, so prying between the hook and slot may be required to get the lid open.

Guardsman Wafer Lock

This is a newer model than the warded key model shown below.

Instructions inside leather case.  Note the instructions for the wafer lock model are slightly different from the warded lock version.

Instructions for Operating Detex Guardsman (Wafer Lock)

To Open Clock - Insert lock key in cover and turn 90° clockwise and pull cover open.  Key cannot be removed in this position.
To Wind and Set Clock - Insert winding key to engage arbors marked "W" and "S".  In winding, turn key counterclockwise.  In setting, turn key in either direction.  Wind once a week on a scheduled day.
To Load and Set Tape - Release tape clamp.  Insert roll of tape in tape container, with perforated edge up, drawing tgape through guide so that perforations engage the pins of the tape driving wheel.  Close tape clamp.  Turn tape driving wheel counterclockwise until the correct time as it appears on tape is opposite the set tape arrow.  May jam if turned clockwise.
CAUTION - In order to check the (?) whatchman's last round, you must allow five hours to elapse before you cut tape.
To Remove Recorded Tape - Press tape cutter forward to cut off used portion of tape then lift out piece cut off.  Remove recorded tape daily whenever possible, on long holiday weekends thpe mar be allowed to remain in clockk for as long as 90 to 120 hours without effecting normal movement function.  D??? removed.  On strip of registered tape covering an extended period cut into daily strips first and then date, initial and place it on tape file.
Change Tape every other Friday - For maximum ?.  ? safety aganist  ? out over weekend, since each full roll of tape will last just a little over 14 days.

Advance Protedtion Systems
Detex, Watchclock ? Service
?  St. Dedhan, MA 02026 ?
(??) 32?-????
 

This clock does not tick.
Fig 30 Detex clock winding & setting key
Fits 1/8" square shaft.
See Fig 4

Detex CLock
                      Winding Key
Fig 2 This Gardsman clock has the station keyway cover, the one
at the left is missing the cover.

Detex
                      Guardman Watchman's Clock
Fig 3 The keyway shown is a wafer type.
Soon to be picked.
Detex Guardman Watchman's Clock

Fig 4 Opened (I added wind key to lid)
Three screws to free clockwork.
Detex
                      Guardman Watchman's Clock
Fig 5 Clock
How to open it? Let me know
Detex
                      Guardman Watchman's Clock
Fig 6 Paper Tape
Flat key double warded cam lock.
Detex
                      Guardman Watchman's Clock
Fig 32
Detex
                      Gardsman Watchman's Clock double warded key


Guardsman Warded Lock

This is an older design Gardsman Watchman's clock
Instructions for warded lock

Instructions for Operating Detex Guardsman
To Open Clock - Insert lock key in cover, turn 90° clockwise and pull cover open.  Remove lock key.
To Wind and Set Clock - Insert winding key to engage arbors marked "W" and "S".  In winding, turn key counterclockwise.  In setting, turn key in either direction.  Wind once a week on a scheduled day.
To Load and Set Tape - Release tape clamp.  Insert roll of tape in tape container, with perforated edge up, drawing tgape through guide so that perforations engage the pins of the tape driving wheel.  Close tape clamp.  Turn tape driving wheel counterclockwise until the correct time as it appears on tape is opposite the set tape arrow.  May jam if turned clockwise.
??? hard to read???

This clock ticks and seems to keep time.

Fig 1  Clock, two key stations & lid key
Detex
                      Guardman Watchman's Clock
Fig 21 Round key warded lock
Detex
                      Guardsman w/Warded Lock
Fig 32
Detex round warded lid key
Detex
                      Gardsman Watchman's Clock double warded key

Fig 22 "FM" cast into lid
No. 447432
Detex
                      Guardsman Watchman's clock w/Warded Lock






Newman

This is an older design where the recording media is a paper disk.  Replaced by the paper tape Guardsman models above that can  go up to 14 days on a roll of paper tape.

The clock ticks, let's see if it keeps time.

Fig 1
Detex
                      Newman Watchman's Clock
Fig 2 Small lid key at bottom
Detex
                      Newman Watchman's Clock
Fig 3 Uses paper disk p/n: 3924 (eBay order in)
Note the drive holes in the paper spell out DETEX.
Detex
                      Newman Watchman's Clock
Fig 4 Some missing screws
Detex
                      Newman Watchman's Clock
Fig 5 Clock is a separate module
Oil cups on back of clock.
Detex
                      Newman Watchman's Clock


Dent's Portable Registering Tell Tale

Also see my Dent Meridian Instrument - Dipleidoscope - used to set clocks by using the sun.

GB544119A Improvements relating to portable watchman's tell-tale, E. DENT & COMPANY LIMITED, Filed: 1940-12-18, Pub: 1942-03-27 -
GB708200A Improvements in or relating to key-operated time recorders, tell-tales, watchmen's clocks and similar apparatus, E. DENT & CO. LIMITED, 1954-04-28
Fig 1
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 2
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 3 Clock s/n: 76737
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 4
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 5  Letter stamp w/o ink is very hard to see.
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 6 Letter stamp has round & triangle ends so only can be used one way around.
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 7 Square shaft is for winding clock
Two pins and hollow under knurled nut to trap paper disk.
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale
Fig 8 Arrow is time pointer.
Dent's
                      Portable Registering Tell Tale









Patents

853878 Workman's time-recorder, Charles T Hawley, Simplex Time Recorder Co, 1907-05-14, - for worker's time card stamping, not for watchmen.
98289 Time Check (Improvement in Watchman's Time-detectors),
A. Meter, Theodor Hahn, Dec 28, 1869, 346/57 - each station has a paper disk and the watchman's clock stamps the time on it.
156532 Watchman's Time-Detector, J.E. Buerk, Nov 3, 1874,
290946 Watchman's Time Detector, L. Van Bunnen (Belgium),  Dec.25, 1883, 346/57 346/144- paper disk in moving clock, uses ink for marking, stations have
305882 Watchman's Time Detector, W. Bauer (Austria), Sept 30, 1884, 346/57 346/141 346/144 - ink on paper strip
354904 Watchman s time-recorder, A.C. Howard, Dec 28, 1886, 346/146 346/57 - paper disk in locked box, the open part has the motor and winding key
Pinkertons Inc, 491978 Workman's Time Recorder, F.H. Bolte, Feb 21, 1893, 346/17 346/136 346/20 346/57- employee arrive and depart time clock
3690528 Watchclock tape storage unit, Richard J O'connor, Pinkertons Inc, 1972-09-12 -

ECO

857985 Watchman's time-detector, George B Fessenden, Eco Magneto Clock Company, Jun 25, 1907, -
924441 Electric watchman's clock, George B Fessenden, Eco Magneto Clock Company, Jun 8, 1909, - central box w/electromagnets
1140859 Watchman's time-detector, Erastus E Wadsworth, Eco Magneto Clock Company, May 25, 1915, - 

Newman

"Timekeeper" is the term for a worker's time clock to know how many hours were worked.
676764 Watchman's clock, Jun 18, 1901,  346/57 346/141- embosses paper disk (no ink)
688326 Marking device for watchmen's clocks, Abraham Newman, Dec 10, 1901, 346/57  - complete and partial station characters for more stations
753615 Marking watchmen's-clock dials, Abraham A Newman, Mar 1, 1904, 346/57 40/495  -
792784 Watchman's Clock, Abraham A Newman, Jun 20, 1905, 346/57
830098 Watchman's key-box, Abraham A Newman, Sep 4, 1906
878739 Key for watchmen's clocks and securing device therefor, Abraham A Newman, Feb 11, 1908
843293 Box for patrol-stations, Abraham A Newman, Feb 5, 1907
876655 Watchman's clock, Abraham A Newman, Jan 14, 1908, 346/57
878741 Marking device for watchmen's clocks, Abraham A Newman, Feb 11, 1908
878742 Marking device for watchmen's clocks, Abraham A Newman, Feb 11, 1908
885366 Watchman's clock, Abraham A Newman, Apr 21, 1908, 346/57 -
889393 Marking device for watchmen's clocks, Abraham A Newman, Jun 2, 1908, 346/57; 123/301 -
901462 Watchman's time-register, Abraham A Newman, Oct 20, 1908, 346/137 -
GB172083A Improvements in and relating to supervisory or indicating and recording mechanism for valve, THE NEWMAN CLOCK COMPANY, 1921-11-24 -  

Detex

1523450 Recording and supervisory attachment, Benjamin Richards, Detex Watchclock Corp, Filed: Oct 28, 1919, Pub: Jan 20, 1925, 346/144 - watchclock key on fire water valve
1523418 Supervisory mechanism, Healy Ellis C, Detex Watchclock Corp, Jan 20, 1925,  346/144 - watchclock key on fire water valve
1523419 Supervising device for valves, Brown Russell S, Healy Ellis C, Jan 20, 1925, 346/144 - watchclock key on fire water valve
1716477 Watchman's time clock, Alois Beyer, Jun 11, 1929, 346/41 -
Calls:
1412914 - bad patent number maybe 1442044?
2671005 Recorder key for watchmen's clocks, Martin Jauch, Mar 2, 1954, 346/57, 346/144, 346/53 - for use on paper tape
Calls:
Cited Patent Filing date Publication date Applicant     Assignee
Title
US806166 * Dec 6, 1904 Dec 5, 1905 Paul Moosmann -
Watchman's time-detector.
US973383 * Jul 9, 1907 Oct 18, 1910 George Lewis Prentiss -
Watchman's time-detector.
US1188349 * Nov 25, 1910 Jun 20, 1916 Franklin Hardinge -
Key for watchmen's clocks.
US1238706 * Nov 20, 1914 Aug 28, 1917 Arthur J Baldwin -
Key for watchmen's clocks.
US1257227 * Jan 4, 1918 Feb 19, 1918 Ellis C Healy Newman Clock Company Actuating means for watchmen's clocks.

Newman Clock Co.

1407806 Recording Attachment for valves and the like,

1407807 Supervisory Mechanism, Healy Ellis C, Renshaw Charles E, Newman Clock Company Inc, Feb 28, 1922, 346/144, 101/49 - fire water valves
1407808 "
1407809 "
1407810 "
1407811 "
1407812
"
1407813 "
1407814 "
1407815 "
1407816 "
1407817 "
1407818 "
1407819 "
1442044 Time register, S. Brown, Jan 16, 1923, 346/57; 346/145 -

Hahn

466166 Watchman's Time Recorder, Dec 29, 1891, 346/137 -

Related

Dent Meridian Instrument - Dipleidoscope
Stop Clock - for timing scientific experiments
Calculagraph - for timing pool games and phone calls
Time & Frequency

Links

 - A History of the Detex Corporation -
NAWCC - ECO Magneto Recorders - use magnetos at stations, watchman carries crank, central clock records signals on disk of paper
Fire Prevention and Protection: - Watchmen's Time-recording apparatus for local or private stationary systems which have been approved...

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Page Created 17 Feb 2017