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

An improved time clock 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, and being of the type having a base, a clock, a printer platen, a printing mechanism, a ribbon shield, and a light, wherein the clock is fixed relative to the base, wherein the printer platen is fixed relative to the base and has the time card rested thereon when time indicia is being indicated on the time card, wherein the printing mechanism moves relative to the base, has a target area, traverses between a print position and an idle position, impresses the time indicia on the time card while in the print position thereof and allows the time card to be interposed between the printer platen and the printing mechanism when in the idle position thereof, wherein the ribbon shield is fixed relative to the base and has a through slot, and wherein said improvement comprises:

• a) the ribbon shield aiding the user in aligning the time card to the target area of the printing mechanism;
• b) the light being a focused illuminated guide;
• c) said focused illuminated guide being fixed relative to the base;
• d) said focused illuminated guide, in combination with the ribbon shield, guiding the time card with respect to the printing mechanism to clearly identify where the user should position the time card in the time clock to assure that the time clock provides the properly positioned printing on the time card;
• and
• e) the ribbon shield being made of a light-absorbing material to aid the user in aligning the time slot of the time card with the printing mechanism by absorbing light outside of the through slot of the ribbon shield so as to allow the user to clearly see mainly the time slot of the time card.

A device 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, comprising:

• a) a ribbon shield;
• and
• b) a focused illuminated guide;
• wherein said focused illuminated guide, in combination with said ribbon shield, guide the time card with respect to a printing mechanism of the time clock to clearly identify where the user should position the time card in the time clock to assure that the time clock provides the properly positioned printing on the time card;
• and
• wherein said ribbon shield is made of a light-absorbing material to aid the user in aligning the time slot of the time card with the printing mechanism by absorbing light outside of a through slot of said ribbon shield so as to allow the user to clearly see mainly the time slot of the time card.