Improvements in or relating to Watch Casings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 18th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Watch Casings.
I, EDOUARD RENFER, of Noiraine, Canton of Neuchatel, in the Republic of
Switzerland, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the present invention is improvements in the casings or parts
containing the watch movement, in which the engagement of the parts is by
means of a screw-thread, whereby the hinges which may be employed are rendered
invisible, the outer shape of the casing as well as the movement being of any
desired form.
A watch casing according to the present invention is illustrated by way of
example in the accompanying drawing.
On a ring A, screw-threaded on its outer surface and carrying the move-
ment B, B secured by means of screws b, are mounted, in recesses, a bezel C and
the back D of the casing, the back being connected to the ring A by means of a
hinge-joint h. The ring, the bezel, and the back form a complete casing which
is screwed into the watch-casing proper F, the inner surface f of which is provided
with a screw-thread for that purpose. When the inner casing is screwed into
its place, the bezel fits exactly in the flange or opening fl of the watch-casing,
the projecting and somewhat conically shaped edge d of the back fitting a recessed
portion of the edge or flange f so as to make a perfect joint and render the hinge
invisible.
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The movement of which B may represent a "three-quarter plate
and B the front plate, is provided with a bolt or catch (Figures 2,
5 and 6) arranged so as to be capable of longitudinal movement,
and serving to secure the position of said movement in the ring A,
by passing through an opening a in the latter and projecting into the
watch-casing. When the inner casing is unscrewed one or more turns, said bolt
strikes against a stop g on the watch-casing (Figure 2) at a desired point, thus
determining the extent to which the inner casing can be unscrewed, and which
is required to uncover the hinge and enable the back to be opened. In order to
unscrew the inner casing completely, it will be necessary to open the back 1),
partly unscrew the screw d¹ and push back the bolt e sufficiently to enable it to
pass the stop y, whereupon the back is again closed and the inner casing can be
completely unscrewed.
When the inner casing is screwed in completely, a stop i on the back engages
with the watch casing at o, (the screw-thread on a portion of its circumference
being here removed Fig. 2) so that in this way the correct position of the
movement relatively to the pendant-pin N passing through the ring A and
engaging with the winding stem K, (Figure 3), is assured.
A flat spring M (Figures 3 and 4) in the watch casing, pressing at one end
against a stop g' on the watch-casing, and engaging at the other end with
notches n in the pendant pin N enables said pin to be withdrawn to enable the

page_text: inner casing to be unscrewed, and maintains it in engagement with the winding
stem, when the casing is screwed in.
On the ring A and under the back D may be placed a metallic or glass dust
cap and the back may be provided with a screw-threaded edge so as to enable it
to engage with a corresponding screw-threaded portion in the watch-casing. The
bezel may be also connected to the ring A by means of a hinge joint. The
bolt e may also be mounted directly on the ring A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A watch casing provided with a screw-threaded inner surface, adapted
to receive a screw threaded ring or casing containing the watch movement the hinge
or hinges of the outer casing being rendered invisible, substantially as described.
2. In a watch-casing of the character described the combination of an exter-
nally screw-threaded ring adapted to contain the watch movement, provided with
a bezel, with a hinged back of a larger diameter than that of the ring, substan-
tially as described.
3. In a watch casing of the character described an outer watch-casing with
an internal screw-threaded surface in combination with a correspondingly screw
threaded ring carrying the watch movement substantially as described.
4. In a watch-casing of the character described a bolt cooperating with a stop
on the watch casing so as to enable the casing to be unscrewed only as far as
necessary for uncovering the hinge and allowing the back to be opened, sub-
stantially as described.
5. In a watch casing of the character described a stopping device constituted
by a stop on the back cooperating with one on the watch-casing for determining
the position of the movement relatively to the winding stem when the casing is
fully screwed in, substantially as described.
6. In a watch-casing of the character described a flat spring arranged in the
rim of the casing and a stop on the latter in combination with a pendant pin
provided with notches with which said spring can be engaged or disengaged in
order to allow said pin to be withdrawn to enable the casing to be unscrewed or
to hold it in engagement with the winding stem; substantially as described.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete watch
casing substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of December 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.