CERTAIN IN- PROVEMENTS IN CHRONOMETERS, WATCHES, AND CLOCKS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO ROASTING JACKS
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Restell, of the Strand, in the City of
Westminster, Watchmaker, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IN-
PROVEMENTS IN CHRONOMETERS, WATCHES, AND CLOCKS, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO ROASTING JACKS"
Scaled the 6th April 1853, and dated the 9th October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Restell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 9th October 1852.
I, THOMAS RESTELL, of the Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Watchmaker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CHRONOMETERS, WATCHES, AND CLOCKS, PART
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO ROASTING JACKS," to be
as follows, that is to say:
My Invention relates, firstly, to improvements in the method or
methods of constructing an escapement for chronometers, watches,
and clocks, (also applicable to roasting jacks,) which consists in the
production of an alternate motion from the continuous revolution of a
cam, so made. that the axis passes somewhat out of the centre of a

page_text: semicircular plain, this cam actuating a lever in which are fixed two
studs or pins, between which the cam or plain acts.
Secondly, in connection with the aforesaid lever, when used in
giving impulse to the balance of a chronometer or watch, a new mode
of action, in which, instead of employing both a detent and a lifting
spring, as is now usual, I employ only one of these, but of greater
sensibility, which is affixed-to the end of the lever.
Thirdly, to the employment for the above mentioned purposes of a
complete circular cam, when the axis passes somewhat out of the centre,
as above described.
Fourthly, to the employment of cams as above described, whether
circular or semicircular, or formed like any sector of a circle, but so
made that the axis passes somewhat out of the centre when applied to
roasting jacks, in place of an escape wheel or wheels with pallets, such
as are at present in use.
Fifthly, in watches and chronometers, to the employment of a slide
in conjunction with a circular arm of compound metals, whereby I can
lengthen or shorten the spring which actuates the balance of a watch
or chronometer sufficiently to compensate for its loss or gain of elasticity,
and for its elongation or contraction; this object being effected by the
action of the said circular arm in different degrees of temperature upon
lever, to the end of which the spring is affixed, the slide being used
for the purpose of producing the necessary length or active power
the circular arm of compound metal, that it may at all times present
the requisite degree of opposition to the elongation or contradiction
of the spring:
a
:
in
Sixthly, in conjunction with the above, to a curved part of the lever
upon which the slide acts, and also to a curved end thereof upon
which the balance spring is fixed.
Seventhly, to a mode of using pallets in a lever watch, so that there
shall be upon the one end thereof no locking or detention of any kind,
the escape wheel being detained only upon the other side of the same,
the balance affecting the lever or lock upon which the pallets are fixed
only at its second vibration, to produce which effect a slight is fixed on
the side of the above lever.

page_text: Eighthly, to a particular method of making the ordinary watch a
striking one.
Ninthly, to a particular construction of clocks, in which I dispense
with the use of a pendulum by the substitution of a ball or balls rolling
on wire, and returning to whatever place they may have started from;
so that each ball is again conveyed to the power producing motion, and
thus maintains the action of the clock.
Tenthly, to the use of a jack in the form of a watch, with a brass
knob or handle upon one of its sides, by which the necessity of a key is
obviated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Restell in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 9th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
THOMAS RESTELL, of the Strand, in the City of Westminster, Watch-
maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of October, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Restell, Her special licence
that I, the said Thomas Restell, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas Restell, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the termi
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CHRONOMETERS, WATCHES, AND CLOCKS, PART OP WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS IS APPLIED TO ROASTING JACKS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Thomas Restell, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal

page_text: Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Restell, do hereby de-
clare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say):
My Invention relates, firstly, to improvements in the method or
methods of constructing an escapement for chronometers, watches, and
clocks (also applicable to roasting jacks), which consists in the produc-
tion of an alternate motion from the continuous revolution of a can or
excentric, or cams or excentries, so made that the axis passes somewhat
out of the centre or centres of some or all the circular ares which form
the outer edges of the said cam or excentric, or cams or excentrics,
whether the same actuate a lever in which are placed two studs or
pins between which they pass, or whether the said pins be placed upon
all or some of the centres of the said circular ares bounding the cam or
excentric, or cams or excentries, and acting at the extreme end of a
lever or levers adjacent. And the modes in which I prefer to carry out
this part of my Invention are shown at Figures 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4,
4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6º, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10, Sheet I. In each Figure
the same letters of reference denote similar corresponding parts. In
Figures 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, A is the cam or excentric; B, the roller;
C, the safety pin; D, the lever; E, E, lever ruby pins, being cylin
drical, in lieu of pallets; F, F, roller ruby pins; G, the balance; M, M,
banking pins. The parts which are new are the cam or excentric A,
the ruby pins E, E, with the front of the lever D, as far as the ruby
pins E, E, the rest being old. The manner in which the above escape-
ments act is as follows:-Let the balance C, be moving in Figure 1, in
the direction of the arrows and with the ruby pin F, in the roller B,
which is fixed to the axis of the balance; the ruby pin F, is shown
actuating the lever D, and is just about to bring the ruby pin E, from
the edge of the cam A; upon its doing so the power of the train from
the main spring will give impulse to the balance by actuating the
excentric, so as to move it from E, to the highest point I, when the
excentric will be again locked in the position shown at Fig. 2, when

page_text: he lever will assume the position shown there. Figures 5, 5, 5, and
(which last is an end view of Fig. 5,) represent at A, the cam or
excentric; B, B, spring rollers, B3b; roller without spring; D, lever;
E, E, lever ruby pins at opposite ends, of which E is semi-cylindrical;
F, semi-cylindrical ruby pin acted upon by the roller; F, semi-
cylindrical roller pin acting upon lever spring; Ee, driving pins; H, H,
roller springs; K, lever spring; L, L, bearing pins; M, M, banking
pins. The manner in which these escapements act is as follows:-The
excentric locks only on one side, namely, at Eb; the ruby pin Ea, being
so much on the incline as to prevent its locking thereon. Fig. 5, shows
the roller spring about to act on the ruby lever pin Fa; but this side,
being rounded, produces no other effect than a tendency to keep the
pin E, firmer in its position; thus the spring becomes depressed, and
passes the pin Fa, but on the return vibration of the roller, the roller
spring meeting with the flat side of the pin F, will unlock the lever,
and it will instantly assume the position at Fig. 5; at the same time
an impulse is given to the balance by the driving pin F. Immediately
after this, the lever not being able to lock on the opposite side at E",
it is again brought to its former position as at Figure 5; at this time
it will be seen that the roller spring has become free of the pin Fa,
and therefore no obstruction is given to the balance roller continuing
its course. Upon its return vibration it again passes the pin F,
as before described, and so on; the bearing pin I, offering no
resistance to the depression of the spring in the direction the roller
is shewn (by the arrow) to be moving in Fig. 5. The action in Fig.
5", is precisely the same as those in Figures 5, and 5", except only
that a straight spring is affixed to a lever instead of a spiral spring
being affixed to a roller. In Figs. 6, to 10, A, A, is the propeller; B,
roller; Be, spring roller; D, lever; E, lever ruby pins; F, roller ruby
pins; F, driving pins; F, propeller ruby pins; H, roller spring;
K, lever spring; L, bearing pius; M, banking pins. In the modifica-
tions here represented, the propellers are rectilinear, or nearly so, and
contain propeller ruby pins in positions corresponding to the centres,
from which were described the excentrics of Fig. 2, the levers being
made in such a form as to produce the same effect as with an

page_text: excentric. The action in these modifications will be readily under-
stood from the description of Figs. 1, 1, and 2, 2%, and 5, and 5b, with
the difference that only one pin is used in the lever, and two pins in
the propeller, as described. Note: I sometimes employ teeth at the
edge of the curves produced from the circle, as shown at Figures 1b,
and 1°, in the excentric A; this is an arrangement I prefer for roasting
jacks, as in such I sometimes do not alter the axis of motion, which I
am obliged to do for the watch and clock escapements shown at Figs. 1,
and 1, but not elsewhere, as the centre in all other cases can be retained
in the same manner as for jacks; Figs. 1', and 1°, become, retaining
their centre, nothing more than semi-circles, with teeth at their edges
or wheels, with half or a portion of their teeth broken away.
My improvements having reference, secondly, to circular escape-
ments of the remontoir kind for chronometers, relate to an entirely
new construction thereof, which requires no compensation, and is never
affected by external motion (the balance having no spiral spring, and
moving in one direction only. This escapements are shown at Figs. 11,
to 17, which represent at Fig. 11, front view of escapenient with balance;
Fig. 12, end view of same; Fig. 13, enlarged front view of escapenient
with part of balance; Fig. 14, underneath view of balance, with straight
spring attached; Fig. 15, detached view of roller; Fig. 16, detached
view of propeller derived from Fig. 2, as shown by the dotted lines
in Fig. 8; Fig, 17, end view of the same. In each Figure the same
letters of reference denote similar corresponding parts. A, propeller; B.
roller; C, C, C, propeller pins; C', incline; D, reciprocating detent;
E, E, detent safety pins; F, unlocking pin; C, balance; H, remontoir
spring; I, winding handle, applicable also to jacks; K, groove in the
balance; L, main spring box; M, mean time screw; N, N, locking; 0,
detent pallet; P, discharging pin; Q, retaining pin. The action of this
escapement is as follows (see Fig. 13):-Suppose the propeller A,
with its three pins.C, C, Cb, to have motion given it by the power of
the main spring in the direction of the arrow, it will, when not retained
upon its locking N, proceed until the pin C, of the roller arrives at the
small pallet 0; the following pin C, on the roller, while this motion
goes on, is passing through the groove K, the balance. will therefore be

page_text: prevented from having any motion; at the same time the pin Cb, in its
progress to the pallet O, as before described, will be pulling or winding
up the remontoir spring H, affixed to the axis of the balance, as shown
at Fig. 14. Upon the. pin C, coming into contact with the pallet O,
the opposite end of the reciprocating detent safety pin Eb, will be brought
out of the roller B, and before it has finished acting upon the pallet O,
the other pin E, will enter the roller of the balance at the opposite end
of the detent; the propeller still continuing to move, and not having yet
arrived at its locking N, while the pin E, has entered the roller, it is
necessary, in order to give freedom to the balance, to remove the pin E,
from the roller before the balance can be free, which is effected by the
pin C, of the propeller striking in the incline C', when both safety pins
E, and E, will be free of the roller of the balance. The pin C, also now
having past quite through the edge of the balance, and the remontoir
spring H, being wound to its full extent by the pin C, and all opposi-
tion to the balance being thus removed, the balance, by the power of the
remontoir spring, proceeds, and makes a circuit till the unlocking pin F,
strikes the discharging pin P, and causes the detent to be unlocked at
N, also causing the pin E, (whose removal has been described) to enter
the roller. The pin C, then again enters. The object of stopping
the balance at every revolution is, to prevent acceleration of force; the
incline C, at the point of locking serves, in case the hands of the time
keeper are too tightly fixed, to prevent the backward motion of the train
from stopping or affecting the balance. The pin Q, is for the purpose
of retaining the detent (by the remontoirs passing over its end), and
keeping the same unlocked, in readiness for the train to pursue its
course if the power should be taken off just when the balance finishes its
circuit. Fig. 18, is merely a front view of the escapeinent in Figs. 2, 2,
as applied to a watch, and is lettered to correspond with those Figures.
My improvements having reference, thirdly, to an improved compensa-
tion for balance springs, are shown at Figs. 19, and 20, which represent
at A, compound bar of steel and brass, or of steel and zinc; A²; a glass
tube filled with mercury; B, lever; C; pendulum spring.affixed thereto.;
D), adjusting slide; E, tension pins; F, vulcanized india-rubber plug, with
steel point G, embedded; ; fulcrum pin; J, proportioning screw. The

page_text: manner in which these compensations act is as follows:-The bar A,
by increase or decrease of temperature, approaches or retires from the
centre of the pendulum spring C, and thus acts upon the lever B,
moving the same on its fulcrum H. In order to proportionate the
amount of its action to the effect of various temperatures on the balance
spring, I shift the slide D, either nearer to or further from the fulcrum
H, until at any degree of temperature the actions of the spring and bar
neutralize each other. The tension pins, by the leverage of the spring
upon it, which is always desiring to return to its original curvature, will
constantly keep the opposite end of the lever pressed against the slide,
and thus bring about the effects above mentioned. The tube A, exer-
cises a similar compensating compensating action by pressing out upon
the expansion of the mercury the india-rubber plug F, with its steel point
G, and causing the latter to act upon the lever B, the fulcrum of the said
lever being the proportioning screw I, which shifts to another hole in
the lever B, to produce a suitable effect. The tension of the spring,
should the mercury contract, will cause, as before described, the
india-rubber to follow the same.
My improvements being applicable, fourthly, to roasting jacks, are
represented in Figs. 1, to 9, of Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings,
which represent at Fig. 1, a front elevation of a roasting of my
improved construction. Fig. 2, a vertical side section. Fig. 3, front
view, with part of the name plate removed. Fig. 4, end view of the
lower portion of the outer case in section, for the purpose of showing
the interior. Fig. 5, the division plate, separately shown, in which
the spring works; and Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, different detached views
of the several modifications and arrangements of the working parts
of which the said jack is composed. A, A, is the outer case o
cylindrical cover; B, B, projecting spring box; C, C, key or handle
for winding the jack up; D, D, spindle passing through the spring D
and the spring box into the centre of the jack; E, E, tooth whee
gearing for giving motion to the escape wheel and pinions; F, F
suspension silk thread or spring; G, G, double-headed pinion, con
sisting in each of four leaves or teeth, which receive impulse from the
toothed escape wheel H, I, as aforesaid; I, 1, rack lever; J, J

page_text: motion wheel; K, K, thread motion pinion; L, L, hook and swivel;
M, M, spring plate; N, N, tube for enclosing the thread silk or spring
of thin steel; 0, 0, pierced metal link from which the jack is sus-
pended; P, P, propelling cams or excentries. The manner in which
this roasting jack works is as follows:-Upon impulse being given to
the wheel E, by winding up the spring D', with the key or handle C,
motion is given to the escape wheel H; this wheel has teeth on half
the circumference, less the space due to one tooth, and will therefore
act on the pinion G, G, in the manner shown most clearly at Fig. 8, to
give it an alternate motion, which is communicated to the wheel J, and
the pinion K, with its silk thread or spring. In Figures 6, to 9, the
same effect is produced by the parts marked P, by driving the rack
lever I, alternately, and thus acting the pinion J, as before stated.
My improvements having reference, fifthly, to the construction of a
clock having a gravitating ball made to answer the purpose of a pen-
dulum, are shown at Figs. 1, 2, 3, of Sheet 3, representing at Fig. 1,
a front elevation of a clock; Fig. 2, side elevation of works; Fig. 3,
back elevation of the same. A, is the rack; E, E, motion wheel arm;
C, detent; D, main spring barrel; E, motion wheel with arm; E',
with pin F; G, pulley; H, gravitating ball moving on wire coil I; K,
counterpoise. The action of this clock is as follows:-The ball H,
unlocks the detent C, from the arm E'; the motion wheel E, now gives
motion to the rack A, and the ball is brought up to the crown or top
of the wire; the ball then descends by its gravity upon the wire, the
hands remaining still, until it reaches the bottom, when the same
process is repeated.
My improvements having reference, sixthly, to a peculiar contrivance
in clock work, by which the power is returned whence it has been
obtained, is shown at Fig. 4, representing at A', A2, A2, A4, A5, A6, a
series of balls; B, detent; C, C', chain pulleys; D, arm affixed to
centre of pulley; E, counterpoise; F, incline; G, cup. The action is
as follows:-The ball A'; in rolling on the incline F, will pass to the
front of pulley C', or tlic top of the detent B, which it will depress, and
relieve the arm D. The ball being now in the cup G, the weight of
the remaining balls will bring it up to the position formerly occupied

page_text: by A; by this time the arm D, is again locked on the detent B, which
has been brought back to its original position by the counterpoise E;
at the same instant A6, again rolls down the incline, repeating the
sanie process.
My improvements having reference, seventhly, to a remontoir escape-
ment for pendulum clocks, is shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, representing
at Fig. 5, a front view; 6, a side elevation; 7, and 8, detached views
of parts, as shown by the letters. A, is a remontoir toothed wheel,
having some of its teeth broken out at opposite ends, and a hoop A',
affixed to its side, of which a part is also broken off at right angles
to the teeth, so as to form two divisions in the manner shown;
B, weight attached to a silk or chain passing over a pulley C; D,
escape wheel, with its click and spring E; F, pallets; G, pendulum;
H, roller; I, arm affixed to wheel A, having at one end a long single
pin I, at the other end two short pins I"; L, spring lever; M,
carrying wheel; N, ratchet wheel; 0, 0, pins on escape wheel. The
action is as follows:-The arm I, being free of the roller H, the
wheel A, carries the wheel M, with its ratchet wheel N, and pulley C;
at the same instant the pin O, has past under the edge of the spring
lever L, power is communicated to the escape wheel in the opposite
direction to which the weight is wound, the click and spring on the
escape wheel allowing the ratchet wheel to pass in this direction.
My improvements referring, eighthly, to another clock escapement are
shown at Fig. 9, representing at A, escape wheel; B, detent; C, arm;
D, point of detent; E, secondary gravitating arm. The action is as
follows: The detent B, is made heavier upon the side b, and will
therefore always keep the escape wheel locked, except at the time when
the arm E, comes in contact with the point D; the tooth of the escape
wheel then leaves the detent, and the point of the arm C, has presented
itself before the succeeding tooth and received impulse therefrom.
On the return vibration the secondary arm will pass over the point D,
without producing any effect, so that an impulse is only given at every
two vibrations note on seventh head of Invention. Upon the wheel
A, having past half round, the arm I, will block against the roller H,
with the pin Ia; this pin, being too long to pass through the wide and

page_text: shallow groove in the roller, causes the action of the wheel A, to cease;
the weight is now prevented from returning by the click on the escape
wheel, and therefore power is continued to the escape wheel. The
spring lever has now ceased to act by having dropt to position shown;
the escape wheel continues by the action of the weight, when the
narrow and long groove in the roller presents itself, allowing the long
pin to pass, when the process described is repeated.
Having now described the nature of my said improvements, and the
manner in which the same are to be carried into effect, I would have it
clearly understood that I do not at all confine myself to the precise details
herein-before given, as the same may be varied without departing from
the general principle of my improvements; but that which I do claim
as new and of my said Invention is as follows:-Under the first head
of my improvements I claim, firstly, the construction and employment
of a propelling cam or cams of steel or other metal applied to watches
and clocks, in lieu of escape wheels hitherto used in them. Secondly,
I claim the use of the two ruby or other pins in the various positions
shown, particularly when placed at the extreme ends of the levers,
these pins being used in lieu of pallets. Thirdly, I claim the construc-
tion of the spring rollers on the axis of the balance in the manner
described. Fourthly, the construction of the various cams or propellers
as set forth and described in Figures from 1, to 10, of Sheet 1. Under
the second head of my Invention I claim the construction of every
part of the remontoir circular escapements, as described and set forth
thereunder. Under the third head of my Invention I claim, firstly,
the use of a compound bar of steel and brass, or steel and zinc, or a
mercurial tube, acting as a compensation in the manner set forth and
described; secondly, the employment of a slide, as described. Under
the fourth head of my Invention I claim, firstly, the employment of
the silk or thread passing through the side of the cylindrical case, and
not as heretofore through the circular end plate; secondly, the con-
struction of a projecting spring box; thirdly, the permanent handle for
jacks when placed in the centre of a projecting spring box, as above.
Under the fifth head of my Invention I claim the general arrangement
of a clock having, in lieu of a pendulum, a ball moving on a curvilinear

page_text: wire, as described and set forth. Under the sixth head of my Invention
I claim the general arrangement of, clock works by which the power
is returned whence it was derived in the manner set forth. Under the
seventh head of my Invention I claim the general arrangement of the
remontoir escapement for pendulum clocks, as described; also the con-
struction of the hoop wheel and the spring lever, as described, and the
employment of the click and spring on the escape wheel. Under the
eighth head of my Invention I claim the general construction of the
escapement for pendulum clocks, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Restell, have hercto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of April, A.D. 1853.