US332023A - Self-winding watch - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. H. VONDERHEYDT.

SELF WINDING WATCH.

No. 332,023. Patented Dec. 8,1885.

o )Mv M e wwwa/M @a PWCL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. VON DER HEYDT.

SELF WINDING WATCH.

No. 332,023. Patented Dee. 8, 1885.

N. PETCRS. Plmm-Lmmgmphnr. Wnshinglon, D. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(Mmm H. VON DBR HBYDT.

SEL1 WINDING WATH. No. 332,023. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

N PETERS. PhalwLixhegmpher. wuxhmgmn. D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEieE.

HERMANN VON DER HEYDT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELF-WINDING WATCH.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,023, dated December 8, 1885.

Application filed December' 17, 1884. Serial No. 150,550. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN voN DER HEYDT, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Vi1itling Watches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction in selfwinding watches of that class in which the mainspring is wound by means of the vibrations of a pendulum putin motion by the movements of the wearer in walking or under other circumstances.

The self-winding devices herein illustrated as embodying my invention are, in their general features of construction, similar to those heretofore used and first known as the invention of Breuget, of Paris, France, and to those illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States No. 211.280, granted upon the 7th day of January, 1879, to August Von Loehr, of Vienna, Austria, and in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me upon the 19th day of February, 1884, and numbered 293,691.

The winding device herein shown and above referred to consists, essentially, of a weight or pendulum which is pivotally connected with the plate of the watch, an arbor mounted concentrically with the pivotal axis of the pendulum, and provided with a ratchet-wheel, a click o1' pawl upon the pendulumarm,engaged with the ratchet-wheel in such manner as to turn the latter when the pendulum is vibrated, a detent also engaged with the ratchet-wheel and constructed to prevent backward rotation of the latter, a spring opposing the weight of thependulum so as to hold thelatter normally about midway between the upper and lower limits of its movement and adapted to yield, so as to permit a vibratory movement of the pendulum when the latter is shaken bythe movements of the body, and a train of gears connecting the arbors ot' the said ratchet-wheel with the mainspring-arbor of the watch.

The important feature of novelty in the device herein shown and illustrated consists in an improved stop device, by means of which the overwinding of the watch will be prevented, andthe pendulum will at the same time become locked or held from further vibration'when the watch is wound to a desired degree, and will be held immovable until the watch is run down or the spring unwinds to a definite extent, when said pendulum will be winding the watch.

In the self-winding devices shown in the patent to Von Loehr, referred to, which, with the exception of my prior patent, embodies the most recent improvements in devices of this character, 11o stop mechanism is used; but the vibrator-y pendulum is made relatively light, and a spring-pawl upon the weight-arm, which pawl engages the ratchetwheel, is made to yield backwardly upon any considerable resistance to the rotation of the ratchet-wheel over that ordinarily required for winding the watch, so that when the watch has been wound the said pawl will yield to permit the continued vibrations of the pendulum, but will not pnt too great a strain upon the mainspring. This construction is objectionable for several reasons, the principal of which is that the weight or pendulum being relatively light, it is necessary, in order to get the required power, to gear the ratchet-wheel with the spring-arbor `in such manner that a great ina-uy vibrations of the pendulum are necessary to wind the watch, it being stated in Von Loehrs specification that about twelve thousand vibrations of the pendulum may be necessary for completely winding the watch. This number of vibrations is greater than will ordinarily occur in case the wearer takes no more than the ordinary amount of exercise, so that a watch constructed in this manner will obviously be liable to run down.

In the watch shown in the patent granted to me, and above referred to, a device is shown constructed to prevent overwinding, and which is also adapted to arrest the movement of the pendulum. Such device, although useful so far as the prevention of overwinding is concerned, is found defective for the purpose of holding thependulum from movement after the watch is fully wound up, for the reason that in it there is no especial means provided for causing the engagement of the stop device released and permitted to again operate in IOO with the pendulum for a detinite length ol` time. 0n the contrary, the stop device for arresting the pendulum is caused to engage the pendulum by the vibrating movements of the pendulum itself, so that as soon as the spring begins to unwind or the watch to run down fromitscompletely-wound condition the locking device immediately becomes released. The effect resulting from this construction is that when the person carrying the watch continues to move after it has been wound up, the weight or pendulum will continue to become engaged with and disengaged from the lock ing devices at short intervals, thus causing an almost constant action of the stop device under such circt'tmstanccs, calculated to injure and rapidly wear ont the same.

To obviate the objectionstostop devicesheretofore usedthat have been abovepointed out, l employ, in connection with a winding meehanism and a detent constructed to engage the pendulum or weight, intermediate devices consisting, essentially, of a spring or its equivalent adaptcd to throw the detent into engagement with the weight or pendulum, and mechanism adapted to hold said detent ont of engagement with the pendulum under ordinary circumstances, or when the watch is being wound, which mechanism is so constructed that the said detent will be released at the moment the watch is completely wound up. The devices Yfor holding the dctent out ofengagement with the weight are so constructed, also, that they will not permit the disengagement of the detent from the pendulum until a certain definite period after the watch is fully wound, so that the mainspring may be allowed to run down a certain length of time before the weight is released and the winding begins again. By this means the. continued engagement and release of the pendulum or weight and the consequent continued operation ot' the stop device (which is objectionable Vfor reasons before stated) are prevented.

Another feature of novelty in the winding mechanism herein illustrated consists in adevice for releasing both the pawl upon the weight-arm and the stationary detent engaged with the ratchet, whereby the watch may be unwound when it is desired to take the watch apart i'or repairs or other purposes, as will be hereinafter described.

The invention may he more readily understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of the watch with the dial removed, illustrating the parts by which the selfwinding is eli'ected. Fig. 2 is a similar plan with the plate adjacent to the dial removed, showing only the parts of the watch relating to the stop mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail View illustrating the operative parts of the stop mechanism shown in Fig. 2 in a changed position. Fig. et is a section through the inainspring-barrel, taken upon the line a; fr ot' Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the outer end of the spring shown in Fig. 4. Fig. G is a detail illustrating a modified form of the device shown in Figs. 2, 3, and et. Fig. 7 isa view similarto Fig. 2, showing a modified form ofthe stop device. Fig. S is a detail view showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 7 in a changed position. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken upon line x .e of Fig. 7. Fig. l0 shows another modified form of the device. Fig. ll is a detail section taken upon line a x of Fig. l. Fig. l2 is a detail elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 11.

In the drawings, A is a pendulum or weight, (clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 7,) which is secured to arod or pendulum-arm, A', said arm being pivoted to the plates l? and F of the watch, as herein shown, by means of an arbor, A2, having bearings in the said plates, to which arbor the said arm is rigidly connected.

B is a ratchet-wheel, which is mounted coneentrically with the pivotal axis of the arm .A, a construction being preferably used for this purpose in which the said wheel is attached to a sleeve mounted to rotatel'reely on said arbor.

C is a lifting-spring, which opposes the weight of the pendulum, and which is adapted to act upon the arm A in such manner as to hold the weight at a point approximately midway between the upper and lower limits of its movement when the wearer is at rest, said weight being adjusted in strength to correspond with the weight of Ithe pendulum, so that the latter may be readily moved, and will thereby be caused to vibrate. by the motion of the wearer in walking or otherwise. The hftingspring C may be of any form found desirable and applied in any manner, so that it will properly oppose the weight of the pendulum. As herein shown, however, the said spring is in the form of an ordinary curved leafspring, which rests at its free end against the side ot' the arm A', and is secured at its opposite end by a screw, c, to the plate P adjacent to the dial ot' the watch. In the particular form of the device shown the spring C is provided with a solid part or shank adjacent to the screw c, in which is inserted a setscrcw, c', the head ol' which is adapted to bear against a raised part of the, said plate l?, whereby the position of the .tree end ofthe spring with reference to the arm A may beadjustcd in putting the parts together or afterward, as required. The arm A. is preferably located within the recess formed in the plate P beneath the dial to aiiord space for the pinions by which the proper relative speed is given to the hour and minute hands, the said pendulum-arm being curved to avoid the said pinions, as clearly shown in Fig. l.

Upon the inner side ot' the pendulum-bar A is located a pawl, (t, engaged with the ratchet-wheel B in such manner as to rotate the ratchet-wheel when the pendulum is moving downwardly, and upon the plate l is placed a second pawl or detent, a', also engaged with the ratchet-wheel and adapted to prevent backward movement ol' the latter.

ICC

IIO

The said pawl and detent may be constructed l J, and the opposite end of which is slotted, as

in any desiredv or well-known manner, those herein shown consisting of small pivoted clicks and separate springs a2 c3, respectively secured to the arm A and the plate P, and resting at their free ends upon the clicks in such manner as to hold them in contact with the ratchet-wheel. The teeth in the ratchetwheel are preferably very small, between one and two. hundred having` been found a con venient number in watches of ordinary construction. The ratchet-wheel B is connected with the n'iainspring-arbor D by means of a train of intermediate gearing. herein shown as preferably composed of a pinion attached to the arbor ot' the ratchet-wheel B, a gearwheel, e, and pinion upon an arbor, E, and a gear'wheel, d, upon the Inainspri11g-arbor D. These several wheels and pinions will usually be so proportioned that the mainspring will be completely wound up by between three and four thousand vibrations of the pendulum, the parts in the particular watch shown being so proportioned that the watch will be wound for twentyfour hours by about two thousand vibrations of said pendulum.

As far as the construction of the pendulum and of the train of gears is concerned, the device herein shown is substantially similar to that illustrated in the patent previously granted to me, and hereiubefore referred to.

As an improved means for stopping the vibrations of the pendulum when the spring is completely wound, in order to prevent overwinding and consequent liability of breaking` the spring or of irregularity in the action of the watch, which may be caused` by the action of the spring upon the escape mechanism when the spring is too tightly wound, devices are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, which are constructed as follows: F is the barrel of the watch, within which is located the mainspring G, and H is a movable plate or detent, which is provided with a notch, h, adapted to engage a stud or projection, I, upon the pendulum A, and which is pivoted upon the plate P adjacent to the dial by means of a stud or screw, h', (shown in section in Figs. 2 and 3, in which the watch is shown with the said plate P removed,) said plate or detent being provided witha pointor projection, h2, extending toward the mainspring-arbor D and adapted to engage theperiphery ofa serrated on finely toothed or notched wheel or disk, J, mounted to rotate freely upon said arbor D. K is a spring which is secured to the plate P, (a screw and stud connecting said spring with the said plate being shown in section in Figs. 2 and 7,) and is adapted to rest at its free end against a pin. h3, in the said detent H, in such manner as to tend to throw the part of the latter containing the notch lt outwardly,or into position for eugagement with the stud l. Upon the surface of the mainspring barrel adjacent to -the wheel J is mounted a pivoted pawl or detent,

L, one end ot' which is adapted to engage a projection, tooth, or teeth upon the said wheel indicated at Z. and engaged with a projection, g, upon the spring G, near the outer end of the latter, said projection g being constructed to extend upwardly througl'i a slot, j', in the barrel, and so arranged that when the spring is nearly wound up it will be drawn inwardly, and thereby move the said detent so as to release it from the wheel J.

An improved construction inthe spring, whereby a considerable amount of inward movement ofthe stop g will take place before any considerable strain is put upon the portion of the spring adjacent to its outer end, is illustrated in the detail view, Fig. 5, in which the end ot the spring G is shown as having secured to it. by rivets or otherwise, one end of a short piece of spring metal, G', which eX- tends backwardly along the outer surface of the spring, and the other end of which is attached to the barrel, the outer end of the spring thus being secured to the barrel through the medium ofthe said piece G,iustead of being directly attached to the barrel, as has heretofore been customary. The spring G, also, is provided near its end with a slot, g, the effect of which is to weaken or render more flexible the part of the spring adjacent to its end. By thus weakening or rendering more ilexiblc this part of the spring the latter is permitted to readily bend at the point mentioned when the spring` is nearly wound, and thereby give a direct inward pull upon the end ofthe piece G to which the spring is connected. The spring is usually so arranged that the inward movement mentioned will take place when the spring is within onefourth ot' a turn of being completely wound. The projection g, above referred to,is attached to the piece G at its free end, or that which is connected with the spring, so that when the said piece G is drawn inwardly or laterally by the tension ofthe spring the said projection will be moved inwardly, for the purpose bciore mentioned. As a simple and convenient construction, the projection g is formed upon or integral with the piece G', as shown. The part of the wheel J engaged by the pawl L may be serrated, so as to be engaged by said pawl in the same manner as is the upper or outer portion thereof, which is engaged by the detent H. Instead ot' this construction, however, the said part of the wheel may be provided with buta single tooth, j, for engaging the pawl, as shownin Fig. (i, or with two or other number of equallyspaced teeth, it' desired.

The particular object gained by the use of one or more than one tooth for engagement with the pawl L will appear in the following description of the operation of the device. Vvlhen the watch is running, and either while it is being wound or when it is held immovable, so that the weight does not vibrate, the barrel F will turn in the usual manner and in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon in Figs. 2 and 3, and while so turning (the IOO IIO

spring being partially unwound and the pawl L therefore in engagement with the wheel J) the said wheel J will be carried around with the barrel and in the direction indicated by the arrow l thereon. The point if of the detent H being engaged with the serrated periphery ofthe wheel J, the rotation of said wheel in the direction last mentioned will obviously carry and hold the notch It of said detent away from the weight and against the action ofthe spring K, which, as before described, tends to cause engagement of the detent with the weight. rhe deteiit il will continue in the position described, the point h2 thereof slipping over the serrated edge of the wheel J, as the latter revolves, as long as the watch is running, and until itis completely wound up. W'hen, however, by the continued action ofthe weight or pendulum the spring is wound to a desired extent, the pawl 'L will be drawn inwardly by the action of theV projection g at the end of the spring in the inanner described, and said pawl thereby released from the wheel J. The said wheel now being free to revolve, it will no longer operate to hold the detent against the action ot' the spring K, but will allow the notched end ot' said de tent to be thrown forward bythe spring K into position to engage the stud upon the pendulum, the said wheel being rotated backward or in the direction indicated by the arrow 2, Figs. l and 2, for a short distance in this movement of the deteiit. The rotary movement of the wheel J necessary to cause engagement of the detent with the pendulum is relatively slight, and the point zf" ofthe detent is made ot' such length and the notches oi'such depth that said point will fully enter the notch with which it is engaged when the wheel is so turned that the point is in alignnient with the pivotal aXes ofthe wheel J and the detent, and will become disengaged and slip over the projections upon the wheel when the latter has been moved sufficiently to release the deteiit from thependulum, The detent H, when thrown outwardly in the inanner described, will, unless the stud I is opposite the recess h, which is seldom liable to occur, rest at its outer edge againstthe stud until a subsequent movement ofthe weight brings the stud in opposition to the notch, when the spring will throw the end of the detent outwardly, so as to cause the engagement of the notch with the stud. After the pendulum or weight is locked in the manner described the spring will begin to unwind and will continue to unwind until the projection g at the outer end thereof is permitted to move outwardly so as to carry the pawl L into engagement with the wheel J, and the wheel has been carried by the said pawl through a distance (in the direction o1" the arrow l) sn'llieient to release the detent from the stud I. inasmuch, however, as the movement required for engaging the pawl with the wheel J and the detent with the stud may be relatively slight, the engagement and disengagement of the detent and pendulum will,

when the wheel J is serrated, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and et, take place at coinparativly short intervals-say about one-halthour apartwhen the person carrying the watch is moving continually, and in order to enable this time to be made longer, il" desired, the part ot' the wheel J engaged by the pawl L may be provided with only one tooth, as indicated at j, Fig. 6, or with several teeth placed at some distance apart, as indicated at j j in dotted lines in said ligure. By this construction it will be observed that when the pawl L is rcleased froni the wheel J and the said wheel allowed to rotate backwardly, under the action of the spring-detent engaged therewith, the pawl will become disengaged from the tooth engaged by it, which tooth will be carried under or past the pawl in the said backward movement of the wheel, so that when the pawl is again advanced it will comev into position in advance of the said tooth, and in the rotary movement of the pawl with the barrel said pawl will move withoutturning the wheel J until the barrel has made a complete revolution and the pawl encounters the saine tooth, in case one tooth is used, or the next tooth to the one previously engaged, in case several teeth ai'e used. The number or distance apart of the teeth j will be dependent upon the time it is desired the watch should run alter it has been wound up and before winding again begins. lt is not desirable that this time should be too long, otherwise the time during which the watch will run without any motion tending to wind it will be objectionably shortened in case the watch has been completely wound and the pendulum locked, so as to prevent any winding by the movements of the wearer just previous to the heginning ot' the period ot' time during which it is allowed to remain quiescent. rlhe length of time during which the watch will run under these circumstances will obviously be less than the total time required for ruiming down when the watch is fully wound by a period equal to the length ot' time that it has previonsly run with the pendulum locked. It', on the other hand, the time during which the watch inay run before rewindiiig begins is very short, the winding device will be continually stopping and starting. so as to subject the stop mechanism to continuous action, tending to wear it out and to produce irregularity in the action of the winding mechanism. The distance apart ol' the teeth, therefore, will be graduated to give a medium length ot' time during which the watch may unwind, not usually less than half an hour nor more than two hours.

ln Figs. 7, S, and9 another form of stop device is shown having thesaine general features ot' construction before described, but in which a somewhat different mechanism upon the barrel for holding the serrated wheelJ from rotation is used.

As illustrated in the iiguics of the drawings last-above mentioned, the means for holding IOO the said wheel J from rotation duri ng the winding of the watch, instead of being actuated by a projection upon the outercnd of the spring, as in the device before described, are moved by a tooth, d, upon the mainspringarbor D, which engages a notched disk', M, located upon the barrel F, adjacent to the said arbor, in such manner that the said disk will be turned through a distance of one tooth or notch at each rotation of the arbor, in a manv ner well known in the construction of stop devices heretofore used for the prevention of overwinding of the mainspring in ordinary watches. This notched disk M carries a projection upon its surface, which is so constructed and located in connection with a tooth or teeth, j', upon the wheel J that the said projection upon the disk will be in position to engage a tooth upon the wheel, so as to hold the latter from rotation during the winding of the watch, and will, when the watch is fully Wound, be carried by the movement of the disk into position for disengagement from the said tooth, so as to allow the said wheel to rotate, and thereby release the detent in the same manner as hereinafter set forth.

In the particular construction of the device above generally described, which is herein shown, the notched disk M is pivoted upon the top plate of the barrel F by means of a dovetailed stud, f', upon said barrel, the disk preferably having a relatively large central aperture with which the stud is engaged, and being split at one point, so it may be sprung upon said stud in a familiar manner. The said disk IWI also is provided with a series of teeth, m, of which there are five shown, so as to form six notches, one of which is engaged by the tooth d upon the arbor D at each rotation of the latter in winding, it being contemplated, in the watch shown, that the spring will be sufficiently wound by six rotations of the mainspring-arbor. Upon the upper surface of the said disk M is formed a segmental rib or annular projection, M, which preferably extends through slightly more than half a circle, and is provided with an outer cylindric surface in position to engage the teeth j upon the wheel J, said teeth being located upon the lower part of the said wheel J, or that adjacent to the barrel, and adapted to pass over the upper surface of the disk M. The segmental projection M is so located with reference to the teeth m' upon the disk that when the watch is unwound, and during the time that it is being wound up, said projection will be in position to engage one of the teeth j', and t-o retain the wheel J in position to hold the detent H free lfrom engagement with the pendulum. The ends m and m2 of the said segmental projection M, also, are so placed that when, in the rotation of the barrel, the tooth B upon the arbor engages the last tooth of the series m, and the spring is sufficiently wound, the tooth 7" engaged with the said projection will be released from the end m thereof and allowed to move inwardly past said projection, and thereby allow the wheel J to freely rotate and the detent to be thrown outwardly by the spring K.

The position of the parts immediately after the tooth engaged with the projection has been released therefrom is illustrated in Fig. 8. The said projection may obviously extend through any part of a circle necessary in order to hold the wheel J from rotation during a desired time, depending upon the distance apart of the teeth m and the number ot' times it is necessary to turn the arborto sufficiently wind the watch.

Asherein shown and preferably construe-ted, the ends ofthe segmental projection or rib M are so arranged that when the end m engaged with a tooth j is in position to release said tooth the opposite end, mi, will be at the same distance from the center of the spring-arbor as the said end m, soy that when the watch begins to run down after the pendulum has been locked, in the manner above described, said projection M in the bodily movement of the disk M with the barrel will pass without striking the tooth which has just been disengaged therefrom. It will be understood, of course, that as soon as such un winding orbodily movement of the disk with the barrel begins the said disk and the rib M will be turned backwardly, or in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 8, so as to bring the end m ot' the angular pro* jection into position to engage the toot-h following that which was previously engaged therewith, or, in ease there is only one tooth, to reengage the same tooth after a complete rotation of the barrel.

IOO

It will be readily seen that the time during which the watch will run down after the pendulum has been stopped may be varied by changing the number of teeth j upon the wheel J or their distance apart in the same manner as before described in connection with the tooth or teeth]- shown in Figs. 2, 3, and G.

In the construction of the devices above described, herein shown, and illustrated more clearly in Fig. 9, the tooth d is formed upon a collar, d2, attached to a sleeve, d3, which is fitted upon the squared portion dof the arbor D, upon which the gear d is also placed, the wheel J being fitted to rotate upon the said sleeve d.

In the particular form of the detent II shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7, and S t-he edge thereof adjacent to the pendulum is so formed that the stud I is caused to pass over a gradual incline in order to reach the notch in passing to the notch from either side of the latter. It will also be observed that, asshown in the said figures, the location of the pivot h of the said detent is such that when the said detent is fully thrown out the point lr thereof, which is engaged with the wheel J, will be carried to or slightly beyond or above a straight line passing through the pivotal axis of the detent and the axis of rotation of the wheel, so that the said detent will be locked outwardly, and the pendulum cannot be released, except by the said wheel J being rotated. tage ot' this construction is,that the pendulum is thereby held positively and cannot be unlocked by the yielding ofthe spring Ii. The notch h and the stud I are also preferably constriu'ted, Figs. 2, 3, 7, and 8. with their side edges perpendicular to a line drawn from the center ot' the pivot h through the said notch, so that the pressure of the stud upon the sides of the notch will be directly toward the pivotal axis ofthe detent, and will therefore have no tendency to rotate the latter in either direction.

In Fig. l0 a t'orm ofthe stopdeviceis shown embodying the same general principles ot' construction, so tar as the use of a spring to throw the detent into engagement with a notch in the pendulum is concerned, but in which devices generally similar to those shown in my said prior patento. 293.69Lare used to move the spring bodily at a desired time,in order to cause the engagement oi" the detent and pendulum.

This device comprises, essentially, a notched disk, M, pivoted upon the barrel and actuated from a tooth upon the mainspringarbor, a wheel, J, loosely mounted upon the said arbor and connected with the barrel, so as to rotate with the latter-,by means ot' a spring, jg, said wheel J also being provided with a ijngenf, adapted to engage atooth or projection, m, upon the disk M, and a pivoted plate or detent,I-I, provided with a point or projectionJz/t, engaged with the serrated wheel J, and with a part or projection, lr", adapted to engage a notch, I, in in thependulum, said projection 7i* in this case being made in the form ot'a spring. In the operation oi'this device the disk M will be turned one notch by the tooth upon the arbor at each revolution ofthe barrel, and when the spring` is wound to a desired extent the tooth m3 upon the said disk will encounter the finger js, thereby rotating the wheel J backwardly against the resistance of the spring y, and carrying the plate II in position for engagement otA the projection h willi the recess ofthe pendulum. The spring h" is made of such strength that it will yield baclnvardly when the projection if is pressed against the pendulum, until, by the movement of the latter, the notch I is brought into position for engagement with the said projection. The said projection if will obviously enter the recess I a distance dependent upon the extent of the movement ot' the pendulum tending to wind the watch after the said projection comes in contact with the pendulum and before the said recess is brought opposite the projection. This movement may in some cases be so slight as to make the time during which the spring must unwind in order to release the pendulum objectionably short, and i'or this reason the use ot' the devices shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7, and S is preferred in practice.

It will be understood that two or more notches may be provided in the detent when the construction herein shown is used, or two or more notches may be madein the pendulum The advanl when a projection is used upon the detent, so

thata less extent of movement in the pendulum at'ter the detent is released and thrown outwardly by the spring is required to cause the positive engagement between the detent and pendulum than in the construction herein shown. Inasmuch, however, as the move. nient of the pendulum is comparatively slight, and the said pendulum will practically in all eases come into position i'or engagement with the notch at its iirst vibration, the useotmore than one notch or project-ion will usually be unnecessary. It is obvious, also, that instead of the spring herein shown for actuating the detent au equivalent weight may be used; but, t'or evident reasons, a spring is preferred i'or this purpose.

In the patent above referred to as having been granted to me springs are, shown attached to the watchplates in position to encounter the upper and lower ends ofthe pendulum, so as to take up the impetus ot' the weight, and which also tend to throw the weight backward in its oscillatory movement. Another form of spring device for the san-ie purpose is herein shown, which embodies the same principles ot" operation. In this case a single spring, N, Fig. l, is shown as secured to the plate l) adjacent to the dial and arranged to extend inwardly over the pendulum in position to be encountered by pins a upon the said pendulum, said pins, as herein shown, being secured in a part ofthe arm A. In the vibratory movement oi` the weight the spring N will obviously alternately strike the pins a with the same result as is obtained by the use of the two separate springs shown in the said prior patent.

In taking apart a sel t winding watch ofthe character above described, i'or cleaning, repairs, or other purposes, considerable dithculty has heretofore been experienced in unwinding` the mainspring, for the reason that the ratchet-wheel B, which is geared with the inainspringarbor, is engaged both by the pawl a upon the pendulum-arm, and also by the detent d upon the plate, it being practi-- cally iinpossible for one person to at once hold both the pawl and detent out oi" engagement with the ratchet-wheel, and at the same time tohold the spring as it unwinds. Injury to the watch is also liable to occur in attempting to unwind it in this manner, Yfor the reason that unless both the pawl and detent are positively held clear from the ratchet their ends are liable to strike the latter in its backward movement, and so as to cause injury both to the pawl and detent and to the ratchet-wheel.

In order to provide a convenient means for holding both the pawl and detent out ot engagement with the ratchet-wheel for the purpose above stated` means are heroin provided as follows: The ends of the pawl and ratchet which are engaged with'the ratchet-wheel are placed at such distance apart that when the detent is thrown outwardly or disengaged from the ratchet, and when the pendulum is at the IOO IIO

upper limit ofits movement, as is shown, for l herein illustrated is preferred, however, for

instance, in Fig. l, the free end of the pawl upon the pendulum-arm will be engaged by the free end of the detent in such manner that the said pawl will also be held out of engagement with the ratchet.

In order to enable the detent to be positively and readily moved so as to disengage it and the pawl, the plate P, to which the detent is attached, is provided with an aperture, p, at a point adjacent to the said detent, and in said aperture is located apin, o, in position to engage the side ofthe detent adjacent to the ratchet-wheel, said pin o being attached at the opposite or inner side of the plate P, Figs. ll and l2, to a rod or plate, O, which is held by a spring-support secured to the said plate P in such manner that the pin o will be held normally free from contact with the de tent and in position to allow the latter to engage the ratchet. The said plate O is arranged in such position that-it may be reached by a pin or other slender instrument from a point exterior to the plates ofthe watch,so that it may be moved in a direction to carry the pin toward the detent, and to cause the said pinto throw the free end of the said detent out of engagement with the ratchet.

In the construction of the parts herein shown, and illustrated more clearly in detail,

'Figs ll and l2, the plate O is arranged to extend from the pin 0 outwardlyr toward the edge of the plate, and is attached to a transversely-arranged spring, O', secured to the under or inner side of the plate P. The said spring is herein shown as being made in one piece with the plate O.

In the particular watch herein illustrated the plate O is so located that its outer end is opposite one of the posts PL connecting the plates P and P of the watch, and the said post is provided with a transverse aperture, p, through which the pin may be inserted for pressing the plate O inwardly, and thereby moving the detent, as above described.

It will be observed that the effect of pressing inwardly upon the outer end of the bar or plate O, as described, is not only to thrust the said bar inwardly toward the center of the watch, but also, on account of the attachment of the plate to the spring O', located at right angles thereto, to cause the inner end of said plate which carries the pin oto move laterally, so as to move the pin toward the detent in a direction transverse thereto.

By the use of the releasing device above described the spring may obviously be unwound in a watch in which the self-winding device is at the side of the watch adjacent to the dial without removing the latter.

It is obvious that a releasing-pin, o, and a spring-plate, O, supporting it, can be so arranged that it may be moved by an instrument inserted through a suitable aperture in the plate P, or that remote from the dial,without the necessity of taking the works from the case for this purpose. The arrangement the reason that by its use the detent and pawl are much less likely to be released by accidentally moving the pin 0. or by the plate O being intentionally disturbed by a person ignorant of its purpose.

The essential feature of novelty in that part of my invention which relates to the stop mechanism forlocliiug the pendulum consists in the use, in connection with a spring-actuated detent adapted to normally engage the pendulum, of mechanism constructed to hold said detent out of engagement with the pendulum while the watch is being wound, and to release said detent so as to allow it to engage the pendulum when the watch is fully wound. In carrying out this feature of the invention it is obviously not essential that the spring-detent should be constructed as herein shown, and any movable part adapted to engagea projection upon or a notch in the pendulum, or to otherwise engage the latter so as to hold it from movement, may be used. rlhe spring by which the detent is actuated may also beseparated from or made in one piece with the detent, or otherwise applied so as to properly move the detent,withont departure from my invention. Other devices than those herein illustrated may also be used for holding the detent from engagement with the4 pendulum, and for releasing the said detent at a desired time,with the same novel results as herein set forth. I desire, therefore, to claim, broadly, all devices for the purpose above mentioned operating upon the general principles herein set forth, as well as the particular devices herein illustrated as a practical embodiment of my invention.

A device for releasing the detent and pawl from the ratchet engaged by them in unwinding the watch, such as is herein shown, I consider to be essentially novel with mc,and said device is, therefore, broadly claimed herein without restriction to the particular form thereof which is illustrated herein.

I claim my inventionl. In aselfwinding watch, the combination, with a vibrating pendulum, of a spring-actuated detent adapted to normally engage said pendulum, means for holding said detent out ofengagement with the pendulum against the action of the spring, and means actuated by part of the watch mechanism which is moved in winding, constructed to release the detent, so as to permit its prompt engagement with the pendulum when the watch is wound to a desired extent, substantially as described.

2. In a self-winding watch, the combination, with a vibrating pendulum, of a spring-actuated dctent adapted to normally engage said pendulum, means for holding said detent ont of engagement with the pendulum against the action ofthe spring, and means actuated by a part of the watch mechanism which is moved in winding, constructed to release the detent, so as to permit its prompt engagement with the pendulum when the watch is wound to a IOO desired extent, and means constructed to disengage the said detent from the pendulum at the end ot' a desir-td time after such engagement, substantially as described.

3. In a sel twinding watch, the combination, witn a vibrating pendulum, of a spring-actated detent adapt ad touormally engage the pendulum, a notched or serrated wheel, as J, engag'ed withthe detent, means connecting the said wheel with the mainspring-barrel,whereA b v the wheel is caused to rotate with the barrel in a direction to hold the deteut out ot' engagement with the pendulum, and means operated by a part ot' the watch mechanism whichis moved in winding, construetet'l to di.sengage said wheel l'rom the barrel when the watch is wound to a desired extent, whereby said detcut is caused to promptly engage the pendulum, substantially as and l`or the purpose set i'ortll.

et. In itself-winding watcl., thceombinatiou, with a vibrating pendulum, ol' a springactuated detent adapted to normally engage the pendulum, a notched or serrated wheel, as d", mounted concentrically with the mainspringbarrel and engaged with the dctent, a movable part or projection upon the mainspringbarrel adapted to engage a tooth or projection upon said wheel J, antl means ope 1ated by a part ot' the mechanism which is moved in winding, constructed to move said part or projection when the spring is wound to a t esired extent, so as to release the wheel and permit the prompt engagement oi' the detent with the pendulum, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. Initself-winding watch, the combination. with the mainspring, mainspriizg arbor and barrel, and avibrating pendulum, ot' a springaetuated detenta adajiited to engage the pendulum, a notched or serrated wheel, J, mounted to rotate t'rely concentrically with the mainspring-arbor and engaged with the detent, a pawl pivoted upon the mainspring-barrcl and engaged with the wheel J, and a projection, g, upon the mainspring engaged with the said pawl, substantially as and t'or the purpose set forth.

6. Ina self-winding watch, the combination, with the mainspring, a mainspring arbor and barrel, and a vibrating pendulum, ot' a spring actuated deteut adapted to normally engage the pendulum, a piece, G, of spring metal attached to the end ofthe mainspring and eounectiug the latter with the barrel, a projection, g, upon the mainspring, means engaged with the detent, constructed to hold the latter free from engagement with the pendulum, and

means actuated bythe inward movement ot' the p rojectiong when the spring is fully wound, constructed to release the said detcnt, so as to permit its engagement with the pendulum, substantially as described.

7. In aselfwinding watch, the combination, with the mainspring, mainspring arbor and barrel, and avibrating pendulum, ot' a springvactuated detient adapted to engage the pendulum, a notched or serrated wheel, J, mounted conventi-i fa ly with the mainspriiig-arbor and engaged with the detent, a pawl, L, pivoted upon the barrel and engaged with the said wheel, and a piece, G, connecting tho end of the mainspring with the barrel and provided with a projection, g, engaged with the said .pawl, substantiallyv as and tor the purpose set forth.

8. In a selfwinding watch, the combination ot` a mainspring provided with a slot, g', near its outer end, a mai nspring arbor and barrel, a vibrating pendulum, a springaetuated detent adapted to engage the pendulum, apiece, G', of spring metal attached to the end ofthe mainspring and connecting the latter with the barrel, a projection, g, upon the mainspring, means constructed to hold the detent tree vfrom engagement with the pendulum, and means actuated by the inward movement ofthe projectiong when the spring is fully wound, constructedto release the said detent,so as to permit its engagement with the pendulum, substantially as described.

9. Ina selt'- winding watch, the combination, withthcvibrating pcndulun1,ot'asinglespring, N, and stops n n upon the 'atchlplate and pendulum, substantially as and for thc purpose set t'orth.

10. In a wimling` mechanism comprising a vibrating pendulum and a pendulumarm, a ratchet-wheel, and a pawl upon thc arm and a detent upon the watch-plate engaged with thc said ratchet-wheel, said detcnt being lo cated in such position tliatwhen released from the ratchet-wheel it will be encountered by the pawl, so as to free the latter from the ratchetwheel in the upward movement ot' the pcndulum, means engaged with the detent,whereby the latter may be moved from the Outside of the plates, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1I. In a winding mechanism comprising a vibrating pendulum and pendulumarm, a ratchet-wheel, a pawl upon the arm, a detent upon the waticl'i-plate engaged with the said ratchet-wheel, and aspring-supported plate, O, provided with a piu, o, adapted to engage the said detent, substantially as and for the purpose set l'orth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERMANN VON DER HEYDT.

Vitnesses:

C. @rinunce Poom, Umvnn E. Faoin.

ICO

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