FOCUSED ILLUMINATED GUIDE FOR CLEARLY IDENTIFYING WHERE A USER SHOULD POSITION A TIME CARD IN A TIME CLOCK TO ASSURE THAT THE TIME CLOCK PROVIDES A PROPERLY POSITIONED PRINTING ON THE TIME CARD, etc.

Abstract

A time clock clearly identifies where a user should position a time card therein. The clock and a printer platen are fixed relative to a base, and has the time card rest thereon. A printing mechanism moves relative to the base and has a target area, it is traversable between a print position and an idle position, and it impresses the time indicia onto the time card while in the print position. A ribbon shield is fixed relative to the base. A focused illuminated guide is fixed relative to the base, and in combination with the ribbon shield, guides the time card with respect to the printing mechanism to clearly identify where the user should position the time card in the time clock.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A time clock for clearly identifying where a user should position a time card therein to assure that the time clock provides a properly positioned printing on the time card, comprising:
 a) a base   b) a clock;   c) a printer platen;   d) a printing mechanism;   e) a ribbon shield; and   a focused illuminated guide;   wherein said clock is fixed relative to said base;   wherein said printer platen is fixed relative to said base;   wherein said printer platen is for having the time card rested thereon when time indicia is being indicated on the time card;   wherein said printing mechanism moves relative to said base;   wherein said printing mechanism has a target area;   wherein said printing mechanism is traversable between a print position and an idle position;   wherein said printing mechanism is for impressing the time indicia on the time card while in said print position thereof;   wherein said printing mechanism is for allowing the time card to be interposed between said printer platen and said printing mechanism when in said idle position thereof;   wherein said ribbon shield is fixed relative to said base;   wherein said ribbon shield is for aiding the user in aligning the time card to said target area of said printing mechanism;   wherein said focused illuminated guide is fixed relative to said base; and   wherein said focused illuminated guide, in combination with said ribbon shield, is for guiding the time card with respect to said printing mechanism for clearly identifying where the user should position the time card in said time clock to assure that said time clock provides the properly positioned printing on the time card.   
     
     
         2 . The time clock of  claim 1 , wherein said printer platen and said printing mechanism work in conjunction with each other for imprinting a time indicated by said clock onto the time card. 
     
     
         3 . The time clock of  claim 1 , wherein said printing mechanism includes:
 a) a housing;   b) a ribbon cartridge;   c) a print head; and   d) a frame.   
     
     
         4 . The time clock of  claim 3 , wherein said ribbon cartridge of said printing mechanism is removably attached to said housing of said printing mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The time clock of  claim 3 , wherein said housing of said printing mechanism is attached to said frame of said printing mechanism, along with said print head of said printing mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The time clock of  claim 3 , wherein said housing of said printing mechanism, said ribbon cartridge of said printing mechanism, and said print head of said printing mechanism move forward, and said print head of said printing mechanism moves downwardly onto a ribbon of said ribbon cartridge of said printing mechanism for indicating the time onto the time card. 
     
     
         7 . The time clock of  claim 3 , wherein said through slot of said ribbon shield is below said print head;
 wherein said through slot of said ribbon shield allows said print head to pass therethrough for indicating the time on the time slot of the time card; and   wherein said through slot of said ribbon shield is for framing the time slot of the time card to assist the user in properly aligning the time slot of the time card with said target area of said printing mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . The time clock of  claim 1 , wherein said printing mechanism is moved toward the time card and imprints a current time onto the time slot of the time card when said printing mechanism is in said print position thereof.