Patent GB-374417-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in self winding watches
IPC: G04B5/00
Filed: 1930-12-01
Abstract: 374,417. Self-winding watches. SOC. ANON. DES ETABLISSEMENTS L. HATOT, 12, Rue du Faubourg, St. Honore, Paris. Dec. 1, 1930, No. 36127. Convention date, Feb. 21. [Class 139.] A self-winding watch of the type in which a weight is oscillated (by the movement of the wearer or support) to wind up the mainspring automatically, is characterized in that the weight is mounted on ball bearings. The weight M, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, slides on ball bearings B parallel to the watch movement H and has a pin 6 whereby in each direction of sliding it actuates a fork 71 and parts 9, 10 to drive a ratchet 11 and worm gearing 12, 13 to the mainspring. A coil or blade spring may return the weight M to its mean position. In Fig. 7 the weight M moves on rollers 16, 17 about a central pivot 14 and drives ratchet and pawl 19, 20 to the mainspring. In a modification of this, Fig. 8, the weight drives the spindle 24 through a one-way ball clutch 25, 26. In a further modification, two devices as in Fig. 7 are used to drive a ratchet common to both. In Fig. 12 the weight M surrounds the movement H, is mounted in ball bearings and eftects winding as in Fig. 6 or as in Fig. 17. The ball races supporting the weight may be on the movement. In Fig 19a a thin weight M of heavy metal (e.g. gold) surrounds the movement on three sides. In Fig. 22 the weight M is of box formation and carries pawls C, C<1> for actuating a common ratchet in both directions of oscillation. In Fig. 23 the weight M is at one end of the movement H and its pivot O at the other end, the weight driving in both directions of its movement through arm 37 and pawls C, C<1>. In Fig. 26 the weight oscillates about a central ball bearing B and drives pawl C and worms V, V<1>. In Fig. 27 the weight consists of a ball M which impinges against a lever L and actuates the pawl C against the action of spring r<2>. In this construction the tension to which the mainspring is wound is limited by the strength of spring r<2>. In a modification two balls are used to actuate two levers operating a common drive to the mainspring. In Fig. 29 the weight M is an eccentric mass attached to the ring 42 of the ball bearing B, and in a modification of tnis the mass is sector-shaped, the inner ring 42 is omitted and the mass is returned to mean position by a spring. In Fig. 31 the weight M is the movement itself and moves between ball bearings B, being returned to mean position by springs 48. Levers 52, 52<1> on the movement, Fig. 33, have forks coacting with lugs 53, 531 on the watch case so that the pawls 49, 491 drive the ratchet R as the movement oscillates. The movement may be enclosed in a thin dustproof envelope having apertures for the hands, ratchet wheel and hand-setting spindles. Spring-pressed pawls may be used to prevent overwinding. Hand-setting apparatus.-When the movement itself constitutes the oscillating weight, the hand-setting wheel 58, Fig. 35, is normally disengaged from the train 57, 56 by a blade spring 61, but may be engaged by finger pressure. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) describes also the following modifications : instead of being supported on ball bearings, the winding weight M, which surrounds the watch mechanism H, may slide by means of holes and polished steel rods, Figs. 23 (Cancelled), and 24 (Cancelled). In Fig. 27 (Cancelled) the weight M is hung on the watch mechanism by a short pivoted member 36 at each end. In Fig. 33 (Cancelled) the watch movement 37 itself constitutes the winding weight and is oscillatably supported by springs or rubber dampers 39 to actuate a ratchet and pawl 38, 41. In a further modification, a construction is described similar to that of Fig. 26, but having two weights carrying two parts which act on a common ratchet wheel. In another construction the moving weight carries a pawl and is attached to a yielding blade. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.