Stamp with automatic adjustment of the time to be recorded

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stamp (1) pertaining to the technical field of printing devices for recording times / dates, said stamp (1) being composed of: a printing device (2) comprising wheels (3) engraved with digits (4) to be printed; an automatic programming device (20) which, when the stamp (1) is activated by the user, automatically programs the printing device (2) in real time with the current time at which the stamp (1) is used; and a prismatic housing (50), formed by a movable upper housing portion (51) that houses the printing device (2) and the automatic programming device (20), and by a fixed tubular lower housing portion (52) into which the upper housing portion (51) is telescopically received and which is placed on the document (101) to be stamped. Said stamp (1) further comprises an articulated ink pad (70), arranged inside the fixed tubular lower housing portion (52), beneath the wheels (3); and a button-actuated locking device (80), which locks the upper housing portion (51) in the position in which it is inserted into the lower housing portion (52).

Description

[0001] "STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RECORDED"

[0002] INTRODUCTION

[0003]

[0001] This descriptive report refers to a patent application for a stamp, belonging to the technical sector of printing devices for recording times / dates; said stamp essentially equipped with a printing device and an automation device that automatically adjusts the printing device according to the current time to be recorded; said stamp being portable, pocket-sized, features intended to meet the needs of professionals who have to record the time of an activity, such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, and others.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005]

[0002] In many situations, particularly those related to professional activities, such as those of doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers and others, it is desirable or even essential or even legally required that the time of a given procedure be recorded accurately, in real time, in a document written on paper.

[0006]

[0003] To meet this need, so-called date stamps are already known. In a more traditional construction, they are comprised of: a manually programmed printing device comprising, essentially: several closed-ring bands, mounted on upper and lower shafts, the latter of smaller diameter, said bands having external surfaces that have engraved numerals that print the date / time information; between said bands and associated with the upper shaft are interspersed manual adjustment discs, which are rotated by the user to arrange the bands according to a date / time to be recorded, that is, to arrange the characters to be used at the lower end of the printing device;said printing and programming device mounted in a structure, consisting of: a base that rests on the paper to be stamped and into which, during the stamping procedure, the lower end of the printing device advances, carrying the characters to be printed; an intermediate support and movement region, in which the printing and programming device moves downwards (to stamp) by user action and against the force of spring(s) and upwards (after stamping) by the action of the spring(s) extension; and an upper grip region (handle) for the user.

[0007]

[0004] More recently, these stamps have gained some electronic arrangements that provide them with some incipient automation, which still requires that a large part of their operation be manual.

[0008]

[0005] These stamps, when they are to be used to print information relating to date, time or other details, must be adjusted based on information provided by an external device, such as a clock or calendar; that is, the user of the stamp consults an external device, such as a clock or calendar, and programs the stamp based on that information.

[0009]

[0006] This may be an undesirable procedure for the user, and may also lead to errors in the recorded information, as well as other inconveniences.

[0010]

[0007] For this reason, it has been desirable to provide a date stamp that offers ease of use and accuracy in the information to be recorded.

[0011] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0008] Thus, the objective of the present invention patent is to provide a stamp that overcomes the problems and limitations of the prior art mentioned above, particularly those related to adjusting the time to be recorded.

[0013]

[0009] Another objective is to provide a stamp that, in addition to overcoming the aforementioned problems and limitations, is simple to construct and manufacture.

[0014]

[0010] Another objective is to provide a stamp with low acquisition, operation and maintenance costs.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]

[0011] In view, therefore, of the problems and limitations mentioned above, and in order to overcome them and aiming to meet the related objectives, the stamp with automatic adjustment of the time to be recorded, which is the subject of this patent application, was developed, comprising: a printing device; a programming device (setup) for the printing device; and a structure in which the printing device and the programming device are mounted, which, when the stamp is used, rests on the area to be stamped, belonging to a document; said printing device being composed of a set of rotors that have engraved the digits to be printed, which make up the written representation of the time; and the programming device being incorporated with an electronic automation system that automatically programs the printing device so that it prints the written representation of the current time, in real time, when the stamp is used.

[0017]

[0012] This stamp's construction and operation overcomes the problems and limitations of the state of the art, since the adjustment of the time to be recorded is done automatically, in real time, without the user having to consult other equipment external to the stamp, such as a clock, calendar, and others, and program the stamp based on the information obtained. This facilitates the use of the stamp and avoids possible errors in its programming, which often occur with known stamps. In fact, the programming of usual stamps is generally done in such a way that the user has to consult other equipment, such as a clock, obtain the information, the time, shown on it, and operate the stamp in order to program it with the information obtained, procedures that often give rise to inaccuracies.Furthermore, the present stamp features constructive solutions that define a small volume, allowing it to be housed in a relatively small casing, resulting in a portable, pocket-sized stamp that is easily transported and handled. All of this fulfills the main objectives of the present invention.

[0018]

[0013] Despite the advantages mentioned above, the present stamp has a simple construction and manufacture, which contributes to a lower cost, thus fulfilling other objectives of the invention.

[0019] LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0020]

[0014] The attached drawings refer to the stamp with automatic adjustment of the time to be recorded, the subject of this patent application, in which: - Figs. 1 to 7 show stamp 1 from all sides, with Fig. 1 showing it in front view, Fig. 2 showing it in rear view; Fig. 3 showing it in right side view; Fig. 4 showing it in left side view; Fig. 5 showing it in top plan view; Fig. 6 showing it in bottom plan view; and Fig. 7 showing it in perspective and indicating how it is applied to the paper 101 to be stamped;

[0021] - Fig. 8 shows stamp 1 in exploded perspective;

[0022] - Fig. 9 shows the printing device 2, which is part of the stamp 1, in exploded perspective;

[0023] - Fig. 10 shows the rotor assembly 3, which is part of the printing device 2, viewed in isolation and in perspective;

[0024] - Fig. 11 shows the automatic programming device 20, incorporated with the automation system, in exploded perspective;

[0025] - Fig. 12 shows a detail of stamp 1, which shows components of the automation system 20; and

[0026] - Fig. 13 shows the casing 50 of stamp 1, in exploded perspective.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION BASED ON THE DRAWINGS

[0028]

[0015] As illustrated in the figures above and provided for in the invention, the stamp 1, the subject of this patent application, comprises (fig. 8): a printing device 2; a programming device (setup) for the printing device 2; and a structure 50, in which the printing device 2 and the programming device 20 are mounted, which is portable and, when the stamp is used, is supported on the area 100 to be stamped, belonging to a document 101 (fig. 7).

[0029]

[0016] In the present invention, and this constituting the main object to be protected in the patent, the printing device 2 is essentially composed of a set of rotors 3 (figs. 8, 9, 10) which have engraved on them the digits to be printed 4, which, when the stamp 1 is used, print the written (graphic) representation of the time; and an electronic programming device 20 incorporated with an automation system (figs.8, 1 1 ,12), (hereinafter also called automatic programming device 20), which, when stamp 1 is activated by the user, automatically programs, in real time, the printing device 2 with the current time at which stamp 1 is used, that is, said automatic programming device 20 moves the rotor assembly 3 and coordinates the positions of the digits 4 in relation to each other, according to the current time; and by housing 50 (figs 1 to 7), formed by: a movable upper housing section 51, which houses the printing device 2 and automatic programming device 20, and a fixed tubular lower housing section 52, in which the movable upper housing section 51 is telescoped and which is supported on the document 101 to be stamped; said printing device 2 also provides an articulated inkwell 70, arranged in the fixed tubular lower housing section 52, under the rotors 3.

[0030]

[0017] In detail, the set of rotors 3 (figs. 8, 9, 10), of the printing device 2, is formed by: four parallel rotors (discs) 5, spaced apart from each other, which have engraved on their perimeter edges the digits 4 that print the graphic representation of the time; said rotors 5 mounted on a shaft 6 and, at least one, provided with a surrounding alignment of radial pins 7, which gives it the function of a gear. The far left rotor 5 (fig. 10) has engraved the digits 0, 1, 2 and the immediately following rotor 5 has engraved the digits 0 to 9, said rotors indicating the hour. The following intermediate rotor 5 has engraved the digits 0 to 5 and the following rotor 5 has engraved the digits 0 to 9; these last two rotors indicating the minutes.

[0031]

[0018] The automatic programming device 20 is electronic, comprising essentially (figs. 8, 11, 12): a drive assembly consisting of: electric micromotors 21 and their respective gear transmissions 22, coupled to rotors 5 and shaft 6, so that when said micromotors 21 are activated, the respective rotors 5 rotate, according to the current time indication to be printed; a controller board 23, which contains a microcontroller 24, which controls and manages the micromotors 21; an RTC (Real Time Clock) board 25 associated with the microcontroller 24 and which provides it, in real time, with data on the current time, in which the stamp 1 is used; a push-button drive device 26 operated by the user, such that when pressed, it generates a signal that is fed into the microcontroller 24; The RTC 25 board feeds this, in real time, with information relating to the current time (hour, minute).The aforementioned microcontroller 24 processes the information and generates drive signals for the micromotors 21, and these imprint angular movement on the rotors 5, extending from the position corresponding to the time at the end of the previous use of the stamp 1, registered in the system, to the position of the current time, provided by the RTC board 25, so that at the end of said angular movement the rotors 5 have the digits 4, which will perform the printing, facing downwards.

[0019] In more detail, regarding the operation of the microcontroller 24, it is noted that the microcontroller 24 performs calculation cycles to convert the time requested by the RTC board 25. The communication between the microcontroller 24 and the RTC board 25 allows the time to be transformed into a specific angle or position for the micromotors 21. After each execution cycle, the program restarts the information request to the RTC board 25 to maintain accuracy.

[0032]

[0020] Said automatic programming device 20 is further comprised of a user interface device, consisting of visual indicators to communicate the status of the updated time, comprising: an LED 30, for example green, which lights up when button 26 is pressed to indicate that the time is correctly set and the stamp is ready for use; and an LED 31, for example red, which is activated when the update cycle is nearing its end, signaling the need for a new adjustment.

[0033]

[0021] Said automatic programming device 20 further comprises a power supply circuit, consisting of: a battery 40; a charge controller board (charger) 41 equipped with a connection port 42; a power cable 43 connected to the connection 42 and to the mains for charging the battery; and signaling LEDs, namely: an LED, for example blue 44 indicating that the charging process is in progress and an LED, for example yellow, 45 indicating that the charge is complete. Said charge controller board 41 also incorporates a protection device 46 against excessive battery discharge, such that when the charge is low, the microcontroller 24 automatically interrupts its operations to avoid rotor positioning errors 5 due to lack of power in the micromotors 21.

[0022] The housing 50, in which the printing device 2 and the automatic programming device 20 are mounted, is a prismatic housing, formed (figs.1 to 8, 13): by a movable upper housing section 51, within which the printing device 2 and the automatic programming device 20 are mounted; by a fixed tubular lower housing section 52, in which the upper housing section 51 is telescoped; and by a system of side guides 53, with parts incorporated into the sides of the upper housing section 51 and parts incorporated into the tubular lower housing section 52, which enable the movements of the upper housing section 51.Said upper housing section 51 is essentially formed by: a chassis 54, on which the printing device 2 and automatic programming device 20 are mounted, and by front 55, side 56, 57 and top 58 closing plates mounted on the chassis 54; said top face 58 constitutes the pressure application face for the user to move the upper housing section 51 downwards, against the force of a return spring device 59, when performing a stamping operation. The fixed tubular lower housing section 52 is formed by: a lower base 60, which rests on the area 100 of the document 101 to be stamped and from which extends the tubular section in which the upper housing section 51 is telescoping.The side guide system 53 is formed by guide parts incorporated into the outer surface of the side plates 58, 57 and by corresponding guide parts coupled to them, located on the inner surface of the side walls of the lower housing section 52.

[0023] Said stamp 1 is equipped with an articulated inkwell 70, comprising a tray 71 that supports a stamp pad 72 (figs. 6, 8, 9), said inkwell 70 articulatedly arranged within the tubular lower housing section 52 and which moves between a use position, in which it is under the lower sectors of the rotors 5 that contain the digits 4 that will print the written time information, and a non-use position, in which said articulated inkwell 70 is folded against the inner surface of the fixed tubular lower housing section 52, against the force of the return spring and to which it is carried by the passage of the upper housing section 51 in its downward movement to stamp the document 101.

[0034]

[0024] The components of stamp 1, except for the electronic boards, are designed to be manufactured by 3D printing or other more traditional methods: machining, injection molding.

[0035]

[0025] Stamp 1 with the above construction works as described below:

[0036] Rest Mode (Figure 7): a. Initially, the constituent system of stamp 1 is at rest, and in this condition, the base 60 of the section and lower tubular housing 52 rests on the region 100 of the document 101 that receives the stamp. b. To activate stamp 1, the activation button 26 is pressed.

[0037] Ready-to-Use Indicator: c. After pressing button 26 and adjusting the positions of rotors 5, the green LED 31 lights up, indicating that rotors 5 are correctly positioned.

[0038] Stamping Process: d. Press stamp 1 against paper 101, i.e., press the upper face 58 of the upper housing section 51, which moves downwards into the lower tubular housing section 52. e. The rotors 5 touch the inkwell pad 70 in the first stage. f. Then, the inkwell 70 rotates, allowing the rotors 5 to touch the document 101, marking the current time on it. Cycle End Indicator: g. After 60 seconds, the red LED 31 is activated for 5 seconds. This signals that the rotors 5 will return to the initial position (0 hours), requiring the button 26 to be pressed again for subsequent use.

[0026] Within the basic construction described above, stamp 1, the subject of this patent application, may present modifications relating to materials, dimensions, construction details and / or functional and / or ornamental configuration, without departing from the scope of the protection sought.

[0039]

[0027] Within this, the description above refers to a stamp 1 specifically intended to record the time of an event. However, said stamp 1 may additionally or alternatively display sets to print other types of information, such as: dates, dates and times, name and professional registration number of the user and other similar prints related to other situations that require the recording of dates and / or times, others.

[0040]

[0028] Stamp 1 may be fitted with an audible signal, “timer”, associated with microcontroller 24 and RTC board 25 to function as a device for signaling the start and end of a work shift, rest period or others.

[0029] Stamp 1 may be fitted with a display for visual display of time, date, etc.

[0041]

[0030] Stamp 1 may be provided with a locking device operated by button 80, located in a window provided on face 61 of the lower tubular housing section 52; said lock intended to lock the upper housing section 51 in the position introduced within the lower tubular housing section 52, to reduce the volume of the stamp and thus facilitate its transport (figs. 1, 8, 13).

Claims

Claims 1 “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RECORDED”, comprising: a printing device (2); a programming device (20) for the printing device (2); and a structure (50) in which the printing device (2) and the programming device (20) are mounted, which is portable and, when the stamp is used, is supported on the area (100) to be stamped of a document (101), characterized in that the printing device (2) is composed of a set of rotors (3) that have engraved the digits (4) to be printed, which, when the stamp (1) is used, print the written (graphic) representation of the time; because the programming device (20) is incorporated with an automation system, configuring an automatic electronic programming device (20), which, when the stamp (1) is activated by the user, automatically programs, in real time, the printing device (2) with the current time at which the stamp (1) is used;and because the structure (50) is a prismatic housing (50), formed by a movable upper housing section (51), which houses the printing device (2) and automatic programming device (20) and by a fixed tubular lower housing section (52), in which the upper housing section (51) is telescoped and which is supported on the document (101) to be stamped; said stamp (1) also provides an articulated inkwell (70).; 2 “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RE- "GISTRADA", according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotor assembly (3) is formed by: four parallel rotors (discs) (5), spaced apart from each other, which have engraved on their perimeter edges the digits (4) that print the graphic representation of the time; said rotors (5) mounted on a shaft (6) and, at least one, provided with surrounding alignment of radial pins (7), which gives it the function of a gear; said leftmost rotor (5) has engraved the digits 0, 1, 2 and the next rotor (5) has engraved the digits 0 to 9, said hour indicator rotors; the next intermediate rotor (5) has engraved the digits 0 to 5 and the next rotor (5) has engraved the digits 0 to 9; said last two rotors indicating the minutes. 3 “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RECORDED”, according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic programming device (20) comprises: a drive assembly formed by: electric micromotors (21) and their respective gear transmissions (22), coupled to the rotors (5) and shaft (6); a controller board (23), which contains a microcontroller (24), which controls and manages the micromotors (21); an RTC (Real Time Clock) board (25) associated with the microcontroller (24) and which provides it, in real time, with data on the current time at which the stamp (1) is used; a push-button drive device (26) operated by the user, such that when pressed, it activates the microcontroller (24);the RTC board (25) feeds this, in real time, with information relating to the current time (hour, minute), said microcontroller (24) generates drive signals for the micromotors (21) and these impart angular movement to the rotors (5), with extension between the position corresponding to the time at the end of the previous use of the stamp (1), registered in the system, to the position of the current time, provided by the RTC board (25), so that at the end of said angular movement the; rotors (5) have the digits (4), which will perform the printing, facing down; said automatic programming device (20) is also formed by a user interface device, formed by visual indicators to communicate the status of the updated time, comprising: LED (30), which lights up when pressing the button (26); and LED (31), which is activated when the update cycle is nearing its end. 4 “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RECORDED”, according to claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the automatic programming device (20) comprises an electrical power supply circuit, formed by: a battery (40); a charge controller board (charger) (41) equipped with a connection port (42); an electrical power cable (43) connected to the connection (42) and to the mains; an LED (44) indicating the charging process in progress and an LED (45) indicating full charge; said charge controller board (41) also incorporates a protection device (46) against excessive battery discharge.

5. “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE REGISTERED”, according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable upper housing section (51) and the fixed tubular lower housing section (52) incorporate respective parts of a lateral guide system (53); said upper housing section (51) is formed by: a chassis (54), in which the components of the printing device (2) and automatic programming device (20) are mounted, and by front (55), side (56), (57) and top (58) closing plates mounted on the chassis (54); said top face (58) constitutes a pressure application face by the user against the force of a return spring device (59); the fixed tubular lower housing section (52) is formed: by a lower base (60), which rests on the document (101) to be stamped and from which extends the tubular section in which the upper housing section (51) is telescoped; in said lower tubular housing section (52) is provided a locking device activated by a button (80), located in a window provided on its face (61), which locks the upper housing section (51) in the position introduced into the lower tubular housing section (52). 6 “STAMP WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE TIME TO BE RECORDED” according to claim 1, characterized in that the articulated inkwell (70) comprises: a tray (71) and a stamp pad (72); it is articulated within the lower tubular housing section (52) and moves between a use position, in which it is under the lower sectors of the rotors (5) that contain the digits (4) that will print the written time information, and a non-use position, in which said articulated inkwell (70) is folded against the inner surface of the fixed lower tubular housing section (52), against the return spring force.

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