US2841978A

US2841978A - Watch testing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2841978A
Application number: US521442A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kohn Julius
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-07-12
Filing date: 1955-07-12
Publication date: 1958-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 1975-07-08

Description

July 8, 1958 J. KO'HN 2,841,978

WATCH TESTING APPARATUS Filed July 12, 1955 2 sheets-she t 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 J. KOHN WATCH TESTING APPARATUS Filed July 12, 1955 BY M W 18 7C- ATTORNEY- United States Patent WATCH TESTING APPARATUS Julius Kuhn, New York, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1955, Serial No. 521,442

7 Claims. (Cl. 73-6) This invention relates to an improved watch testing apparatus that is particularly usable over an extended period which would simulate the use when mounted on the wrist, thereby checking an adjustment that has been made in a watch by a jeweler. The novel apparatus has been particularly constructed to hold the watch in several different positions for predetermined lengths of time to check that the adjustment has been properly made and would be satisfactory for practically all of the different positions a watch may be placed in during every day use and for the purpose of knowing average time variations.

It is well known in the horological field that watches are held in different positions for different lengths of times during the time they are Worn on the wrist, or held in the pocket, or when lying on the dresser. It is also well known that when a Watch has been adjusted to keep accurate time in one position, it may vary to some little extent when placed in another position. Therefore, it is desirable to make an adjustment that will be substantially retained when the watch is in any position.

It has been a desire for a long time for the jeweler and the watch repairer to have a relatively low cost device or apparatus which will permit the checking of any adjustment of the watch when it is placed in various positions to which it is subjected. Such a device must be preferably of low cost and simple of construction and operation and one that will position a watch in several different positions for predetermined periods so that the testing or checking will be complete and so that the jeweler will know that his assembly and repair work have been proper and satisfactorily done and to know that the different testing positions will coincide with the actual use of the watch.

Therefore, one feature of this invention is to provide an improved, low cost watch checking or testing device or apparatus which will move a watch into various positions and to accomplish the testing in a relatively short period of time. i

It is a further feature of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for receiving an adjusted Watch and for moving it into various positions so that there are definite rest or dwell periods in particular positions, and so that there is a movement to a new position intermittent the rest periods.

A. further feature of this novel invention is to provide an apparatus which is continuously driven and which will move a watch through a 360 cycle while at the same time, and at intervals, the watch will be twisted on its carrying spindle so as to be placed in several different predetermined positions.

Another feature of this improved invention is to provide a small type of testing apparatus, of low cost, and which will test a plurality of repaired watches at the same time for the purpose of making final adjustments, and will intermittently move the watches to various positions, While the main support for all of the watches is being 2,841,978 Patented July 8, 1958 rotated at a substantially uniform speed through a 360 cycle.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide portions of the watch testing machine that will positively hold watches in particular dwell positions between the intermittent turnings of the watches on their carrying spindles and while the main support is moving through a definite arc of a circle.

It is a further feature of this novel invention to provide a testing apparatus wherein the watch carrier moves through a 360 degrees cycle while at the same time a carrying spindle supporting a watch and attached to the carrier would move the watch through a 360 degrees cycle of its own, thus providing an improved testing apparatus that will have the watch move into all possible positions that it would be in during a full 24-hour period in actual use.

Further features and advantages of this invention will be noted from the following detailed description of the disclosure and in the drawings of this apparatus, wherein:

Fig. l is a front view partially in section. of the improved watch testing apparatus showing several holders for a plurality of watches;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view partly in section, showing a periods;

Fig. 5 is another view partly in section showing the watch carrying spindle being rotated by reason of teeth engaging a rack having several teeth; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 partly in section showing the watch carrying spindle gear. engaging a single tooth on a rack, thus turning the watch to a position a short distance from its prior position.

The. main advantage of this structure is the provision of a successfully operable watch testing machine to provide the positioning of the watch in a series of successive positions, all of which positions are those that the wrist watch would normally be in during the every day use of the watch and when the Watch is removed from the wrist and laid level, or at right angles to the top of the bureau.

The next advantage is to provide a small structure of low cost so that any jeweler or watch repair person or corporation may employ this structure or device to obtain definite testing; and when desired, to place the de vice in the window for purposes of attracting attention of the passerby.

In the horological field, a watchmaker or a watch repair person is confronted with the problem of a watch keeping substantially accurate time over a period of 24 hours, even with the watch held in many different positions.

running a watch for 24 hours in from 3 to 5 different positions, then computing the elapsed time and making the necessary adjustments. Another method is the use of an electronic machine that will, in a spot check of a few seconds, indicate the rate of time change in a watch in a given position, or positions, for a 24 hour period. Such a spot check would not show that any rate of change would be consistent or not over a period of time. All of these methods Where not disputed as to their accuracy, still will fail to show the mean time of the watch in actual wear. Therefore, the best method would be the use of a watch testing machine that simulates the wrist motion for actual use time, and enable the watch repairer to make the necessary adjustments to coincide with the mean time.

In adjusting a watch, originally or during repair there are many variables for a watchmaker and a watch re- Many methods are used for testing watches, such as i pairer toconsider. Some of these variables may be noted as follows: When adjusting a watch the main spring may be partially wound, or half wound, or fully wound; in the wearing of a watch on the wrist it may take various positions in-wh'ich-themain spring and the hairspringor the train of gears may have various effects. Therefore, it is desirable tohave a watch produced oradjusted for average: or mean runningcondition. There may also-be variation by reason of the watch being worn only a portion of..the 24'hours, and then be laid'or. stood on-the bureau or dresser for the other portionof the 24hours.

Also, there may be variations due to whether the dial is up, or the dial is down, or the pendant is down, or for other reasons. I

All of theabove variations are necessary to-be considered, and adjustments made to obtain the average mean time.

Therefore, in adjusting a watch for any use in actual wear, it is desirable, in general, to have a means oftesting apparatus that will closely simulate all wrist motions or actions in order to be able to ascertain the mean time for 24 hours.

After suchadjustments have been made, it is'desirable to-place the watch on the improved watch testing apparatus'described herein and which simulates the actual wrist wear, and operate the apparatus at a selected R. P. M. from 8 to 24 hours and then check to determine how much the watch has varied from the original adjustment. If the results show that further adjustments should be made, then the estimated mean adjustment should becompleted-and the watch again placed on the testing apparatus for a short or long time to determine whether there should be further adjustments.

When an electronic testing machine is not available, then the watch testing machine disclosed herein should be used for 4 to 5 hours, and then make adjustments, and thereafter make such other adjustments as are necessaryv after operating the testing apparatus for selected periods of time.

It may be noted that watches as manufactured have a slowbeat, or an intermediate beat, or a fast beat, and often times it is desirable to use this information as a background .in making any original or repair adjustment. A slow beat approximates 14,000 beats per hour. The intermediate beat approximates 18,000 beats per hour, and the fast beat approximates 21,000 beats per hour, and oftenmay be found to be between 16,200 beats to 21,600 beats'per hour.

A watch received for repair does not have arecording on it of its beat. Computations for the beat of a watch'are difficult. However, by-use of the improved watch testing apparatus herein, the received watch after being placed and operated on the machine for a period of'time between '4 to 8 hours, will give to the repair man sufficient information so that he may make a preliminary first adjustment. Thereafter, further use of this-watch testing apparatus will permit the repair man to accomplish necessary adjustments in a relatively short time.

Referring now to the drawings a normal support is shown to be placed on a watch repair desk or in a jewelers window or at another suitable place. This support 15 carries a plate 16 held in the position-of non-rotation as by aset screw 17 in respect to the support 15. A shaft 18 extends through support 15 and is driven by a suitable motor 19. This shaft operates to rotate carrier 20' which has mounted thereon a series of carrying spindles'21, 22, 23, 24, and 26. Each of these carrying spindles firmly supports a watch holder 27 upon which a repaired watch is mounted for testing.

The stationary plate 16 is preferably provided with a series of racks 29 'and'30 of five teeth each and racks'31' and 32 of one tooth each, the purposes of which are'de scribed below.

The carryingspindles 2146' extend through the flange portion 33. of carrier-2tland each spindle has bearings- 34 and 35formed as studs extending inwardly from the inner faceof carrier 20. Between the

bearingsor studs

34 and 35 there is provided and firmly mounted on the carrying spindles a gear 36 and a hexagonal member 37. Preferably, each gear and each hexagonal member constitute a single element and when assembled and fastened to the carrying spindle functions to hold the spindles from moving relatively longitudinally to the carrier 20.

Gear 36 functions to engage with the

racks

29, 30, 31 and 32. The hexagonal member 37 engages

plates

39, 40, 41 and 42 in succession during the functioning of the device in a manner which may be said to correspond to a Geneva movement'whereby the movement'of the'carrying spindles across these segments cause the Watch on the spindle to be held in a definite non-rotating position in respect to the carrier 20. This non-rotation period may be expressed as a dwell period. Thus, when the teeth 36 engage with the rack 29 there is a definite rotation of the carrying spindle 21, and after the disengagement of the gear 36 with the'teeth' of the rack, then one face of the hexagonal member 37 engages the segment 40 and'definitely keeps the carrier spindle from rotating.

In the operation of this improved testing device, an example will be taken by following the carrier 20 through its 360 degrees cycle and the carrier spindle 21 moving through its 360 degrees cycle. A repaired watch 50, vFigs. 4, 5 and'6, is mounted on the support or holder 27.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the shaft 18'will start to rotate carrier 20, and the carrier spindle. 21 having its hexagonal plate 37 in engagement with segment 39'will move to the right until the hexagonal member leaves the segment 39 and gear 36 starts its engagement with the teeth of rack 29. The further rotation'movement of carrier 2%) will cause the gear 36 tomtate the carrier spindle 21 and thus rotate the watch on the holder 27 and this rotation continues until the five'teeth of the rack have been engaged by the gear 36 and during thattime the Watch in its own cycle on' the carrier spindle 21. will have rotated through degrees. The hexagonal member 37 will next engage segment 40 and keep the watch from any further rotation on its spindle 21 while the carrier 20 continues its rotation. After the hexagonal member 37 passes from segment 40, gear 36 will engage the single tooth rack 31, and then the watch on the carrier spindle Will be revolved through an additional 30 degrees. The hexagonal member 37 will then engage segment 41 and will temporarily maintain the carrier spindle from further rotation. However, the carrier 20 has by this time passed through degrees of its cycle and. has moved thewatch through that 180 degrees so that the watch is now at the bottom of its travel and is in a position that is opposite to its original upright position at the top of Fig. 3. Thus, the watch has been moved through 180 degrees by reason of the travel of carrier 20, and has been rotated on its carrier spindle 180 degrees.

The return route of the watch to its original upright or starting position'is carried out in like manner by having the gear 36 engage the S-tooth rack 30 and one-tooth rack 32 andto have the hexagonal member 37' engage segments 42ancl 39, all in successive order. During this travel the carrier 20 will move through the second part of its 360 degrees cycle and the carrier spindle will have rotated through another 150 degrees angle and another- 30 degrees angle, thusmaking its second 180 degrees turn and has been carried back to its original position through the second-180 degrees of the carrier 20. Thus, a repaired watch when carried through the single 360 degrees cycle of the carrier and through the 180 degrees specific turns of'its carrier spindle, will have been moved to all of the positions possible that a watch will bemovedto during any twenty-four hours wear anddwell periods during the day and during a dwell period at night on the dresser.

Referring now-to Figs. 4, 5 and 6; Fig. 4 illustrates'the' hexagonal member 37 in engagement with segment 39, and Fig. 5 shows gear 36 in engagement with rack 29, and Fig. 6 illustrates gear in engagement with the single tooth 31, and each of these figures shows the different positions a watch will take during its travel from its upright position to its reversed down position, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 3, while at the same time the watch has been rotated on its carrier spindle.

While the foregoing description has been made in regard to a single carrier spindle, and the repaired watch mounted thereon, the improved testing apparatus has been provided with the

additional spindles

22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 for carrying additional watches. All of these spindles will function to pass through the same cycle of operation as carrier spindle 21 when the carrier 20 is rotated.

From the foregoing description it will be readily noted that an improved watch testing apparatus of small size and low cost has been produced that has the ability of carrying a series of watches through the many desirable testing periods, and to complete this testing in a relatively short time.

It will be further noted that the apparatus is simple, easily operated and is provided with holders preferably of resilient material which permits the watches to be quickly mounted thereon. Such a simple, low cost, small size testing apparatus performs the function of testing the repaired watches, and when placed in a jewelers window functions particularly to create attention and to cause an observer to see other products assembled in the window.

It will also be noted from the foregoing description that any repaired watch is moved through a series of movements and dwell periods, and in those movements and dwell periods will have been positioned in the several positions which a watch will take during its normal and rest periods of any day.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the preferred form of the invention herein, and such modifications and changes are to be understood as part of this invention, as outlined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. Watch testing apparatus comprising a support, a carrier rotatable on the support, a spindle on the carrier and extending with a radial component away from the axis of rotation of the carrier, a bearing on the carrier in which the spindle isrotatable about an axis of rotation extending lengthwise of the spindle, a watch holder attached to the spindle and rotatable with the spindle about the axis of rotation of the spindle, means for rotating the carrier to impart orbital movement to the spindle and watch holder, mechanism for turning the spindle intermittently about its own axis of rotation during said orbital movement, means for preventing rotation of the spindle at a plurality of angular locations and during certain arcs of movement along the orbital path of the spindle, said mechanism including means for automatically restarting rotation of the spindle at the end of each of said arcs of movement.

2. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 1, and in which the spindle rotating mechanism includes a pinion on the spindle and a plurality of gear segments carried by said support at angularly spaced locations along the orbital path of movement of the pinion, the gear segments being in positions to mesh with and rotate the pinion as its travels along the arcs of its orbit along which the gear segments are located.

3. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which the means for preventing rotation of the spindle during certain arcs of movement include relatively fixed abutments located along the orbit of the spindle, and a co-operating abutment connected with the spindle.

4. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which some of the gear segments are of different arcuate extent than others so that the angular movements of the spindle and its watch carrier are different as they travel past difierent ones of the gear segments.

5. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which some of the gear segments are of different length from others to impart different amounts of angular movement to the spindle and its watch carrier, the total length of all of the gear segments being co-related with the circumference of the pinion to produce a total angular movement of the spindle through 360 during each complete orbital movement of the spindle.

6. The watch testing apparatus described in claim 2, and in which there are a plurality of spindles and associated watch holders at angularly spaced locations around the carrier, all of the spindles being operatively connected with the spindle-turning mechanism during at least a part of their orbital movements, and each during the same period of its orbital movement so that the series of positions occupied by the watches on the different watch holders is similar.

7. In a watch testing device, the combination of a support, a plate carried by said support in non-rotation in respect thereto, a series of separate toothed racks carriedby said plate, a series of guide members also carried by said plate, a shaft extending from said support and adapted to be driven, a carrier mounted on said shaft and driven thereby, a series of spindles mounted on said carrier at angularly spaced locations around the circumference of the carrier for receiving and carrying a series of watches, two bearings extending from said carrier for receiving and holding each of said spindles, a gear wheel and a dwell hexagon member mounted on each of said spindles in position to engage said separated toothed rack segments and said guide members respectively and at successive times as said carrier is rotated, a watch holder mounted on the end of each spindle, said carrier being continuously moved through a 360 degree cycle, each spindle being alternately rotated about its own axis and held against rotation a plurality of times and at the same angular positions during each revolution of the carrier, the total rotational movement of each spindle about its own axis being 360 during each revolution of the spindle.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 443,695 Copeland Dec. 30, 1890 FOREIGN PATENTS 295,742 Switzerland Jan. 15, 1954