US1661232A - Keyless watch - Google Patents

Description

March 6, 1928. 1,661,232

G. PERRET KEYLESS WATCH Filed Oct. '19, 1926 [770621 for Geo g'es Per/"6f b flea gwvw Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFics.

GEORGES FERRET, OF LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HANS WILSDORF, OF BIENNE, SWITZERLAND.

KEYLESS WATCH.

Application filed October 19, 1926, Serial No. 142,725, and in Switzerland October 30, 1925.

The subject of the present invention is a keyless watch having a winder connected to the winding stem in such manner that on operating the winder'the winding stem is rotated and the main spring wound.

In watches of this kind, and particularly in small watches where the winder is, as it were, connected to the watch case, the joints between the case on the one hand and the O winder and the winding stem on the other hand become in course of time, passages easily penetrable by dust, moisture and other matters liable to damage the movement or to interfere with the operation of the watch.

It has already been attempted to obviate this disadvantage by different means, such as covers, packing and the like, but none of such means has given satisfaction, some being too complicated and expensive and others hardly practical, of short life or inadequate fully to satisfy the requirements.

The problem of effecting tightness of the joints between the winder, the winding stem and the watch case has been solved satisfactorily in the watch forming the subject of the present invention.

The watch of the invention is characterized in that the winder and the winding stem are connected with one another in such manner that the latter always follows the movement of the rotation imparted to the winder and that the winder is adapted to perform an axial movement relatively to the winding stem, the winder including a thread ed portion whereby it may be assembled to form a rigid unit with the watch case, the latter being associated with a corresponding threaded part.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing illustrate in section the characteristic parts of one embodiment of the invention. The winder is shown in two different positions in the two figures.

The rim 1 of the watch case is formed with a screw-threaded opening 2 into which is screwed a cylindrical plug 3 projecting beyond the periphery of the rim. The projecting part of this plug has an external left handed screw-thread. The winding stem 4 passes freely through an axial passage 5 of the plug 3 and carries at its upper end a head 6 screwed on to said stem. The head 6 is fitted in a cylindrical recess 7 of the body 8 of the winder. The latter is fitted with two screws 9, 10, each of which engages at its inner end in a longitudinal groove 11 or 12 of the head 6. In the space formed on the one hand by the recess 7 in the body of the winder and on the other hand by a counter-bore 13 in the head (3, is housed a helical spring 1e continuously urg mg the winder upwards relatively to the winding stem.

The body 8 of the winder is formed at the entrance to the recess 7 with an internal screw-thread 15 corresponding to the external screw-thread of the projecting part of the plug 3, which permits of screwing the body 8 of the winder on to the plug 3 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. On the plug 3 is fitted a packing member 16 formed by a washer of elastic material impermeable to water. Thus, when the body of the winder is screwed home on the plug 3 (Fig. 1), the joint between the case and the winder is quite tight, preventing passage of moisture and dust.

To wind the watch and set the hands, the body 8 of the winder is unscrewed by rotating it in the direction for winding. In this operation the screws 9 and 10 entrain the winding stem 4, while moving axially in relation to the latter in the respective grooves 11 and 12. As soon as the body 8 of the winder is separated from the plug 3, the spring 14 thrusts it into the position indicated in Fig. 2, in which the screws 9 and 10 abut against the upper ends of the grooves 11 and 12. finding can then be effected and the hands set.

If the setting mechanism is of the pull type, or of a type known as negative it is sufficient to pull the winder in order to bring the winding stem and the mechanism which it operates to setting position.

After the hands are set the winder is re turned to position by screwing it on to the plug 3, as the result of which the spring 1% is compressed anew while the screws 9, 1O abut against the lower ends of the grooves 11 and 12 and force the winding stem to winding position.

Modifications of the subject of the invention differing from the example shown are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Thus, the plug 3 can be forcibly driven into the opening 2 in the rim or may be soldered to the latter. Also the head 6 may be otherwise fixed on the winding stem. Also the construction may include a winding stem and a head in one piece. The Washer 16 is not essential because the joint is perfectly tight Without the need for employment ot' packing, In certain variants the pendant of the case may replace the plug 8. The upper part of the pendant would then include a threaded portion to connect With the body neeraaa provided with anexternal head of larger diameter than said stem, a Winder screwing upon a fixed part of the Watch casing and being recessed to receive said head, a pin and slot connection between said head and Winder compelling them to rotate together While at the same time permitting independ ent reciprocatory movement of said memhers, the end Walls of said slot cooperating with said pin to cause said stem and Winder to reciprocate together at the ends of their range of independent reciprocatory move ment, one of said members being formed endwise With a recess, and a spring held in compression Within said recess between said memioers.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

PERRFI".

GEORGES

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