Patent GB-694081-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to a watch-carrying steering wheel for vehicles
IPC: B60Q1/00
Filed: 1951-11-13
Abstract: 694,081. Mounting instruments. TAVANNES WATCH CO., SOC. ANON. Nov. 13, 1951 [May 2, 1951; June 19, 1951], No. 26525/51. Class 79 (iii) A watch carrying steering wheel for vehicles wherein the steering wheel is mounted at the extremity of a steering column rotating wheel is mounted at the extremity of a steering column rotating in a stationary tubular support, is characterised by a spindle eccentric with reference to the axis of the steering wheel and rotatably mounted thereon around an axis parallel with the axis of the steering wheel, by two pinions on the spindle, by a stationary toothed wheel rigid with the stationary tubular support and meshing with one of the pinions, and by a toothed wheel rigid with the watch coaxially with the latter and with the axis of the steering wheel and meshing with the other of the pinions so as to constrain the watch to remain stationary when the steering wheel is being angularly shifted. In the arrangement according to Fig. 1, a watch 9 is rotatably carried by three equally spaced rollers 10 in a cylindrical frame 5 located in a recess 4 in a steering wheel hub 1a. The frame 5 is retained by three equally-spaced bladed springs 7 which engage an annular groove 8 in the recess 4. The rollers 10 are rotatably supported between a flange 11a of a watch casing 11 and a plate 12 secured to the bottom of the casing and supported by a bottom plate 14 of the frame 5. A spindle 15 extending through the hub 1a carries rigidly, a lower pinion 16 which meshes with a wheel 17 rigid with a steering column support 3, an upper pinion 18 which meshes with a wheel 19 rigid with the bottom of the watch, and a pinion 20 which meshes with a wheel 21 forming part of clockwork winding gear of the watch. A minute hand spindle 22 extends through a watch glass '23 and carries a time setting knob 24 having a concave and knurled upper surface 25. In modification the wheels 17, 19 may be replaced by wheels, the teeth of which surround the'pinions 16 and 18 respectively. More than three springs 7 and or rollers 10 may be provided and the latter may be replaced by balls. The winding gear may include a free wheel or ratchet device and may be operative for either direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The plate 12 may be replaced by an extension of the wheel 19. The watch may be wound electrically. In another arrangement, Fig. 3, (not shown), the winding gear of the watch is controlled by a spindle extending coaxially from the bottom thereof and carrying a disc, a notch in which engages an upstanding projection of a washer secured to the top of the steering column. In a similar arrangement, Fig. 4 (not shown), the winding spindle carries a downwardly projecting lug which engages a steering wheel-securing nut. In a further arrangement, Fig. 5 (not shown), in which the watch winding spindle is arranged as in the last mentioned arrangement, the gear wheel rigid with the base of the watch surrounds an extension of the steering column and is spaced from the watch by vertical stays. In the arrangement according to Fig. 6, a watch 56 is rotatably carried by an extension 57a of a steering column 57, through a hub 58a of a wheel 58 secured to the watch and meshing with an upper pinion 34. The extension 57a carries within the watch a wheel 59 of a winding gear. The watch is secured by a tongshaped spring 60.