IMPROVE- MENTS IN WATCHES
Year: 1884

page_text: I ROBERT BRAGGE of George Street Lozells Aston in the County of Stafford
Watch Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WATCHES" and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying sheet of drawings as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention has for its object improvements in watches and relates in
particular to the easier and more effectivo adjustment of the "hair spring" of that
class of watch known as "undersprung" watches. It has been usual in such watches
to secure the outer end of the hair spring to a stud which is tapped and screwed
into the top plate in a fixed and permanent position. The end of the hair spring
passes through a hole in the head of the stud and is there secured by a pin or
wedge. It is therefore necessary when an "undersprung" watch is taken down
for cleaning or repair, to remove the pin in the fixed stud in order to release the
hair spring so that the staff and other parts to which it is attached may be cleaned.
In removing the hair spring and more particularly replacing it under these
circumstances, careless and unskilled workmen are liable to injure the spring and
thoy rarely readjust it in its original and perfect position-Thus variations of time
are produced and much trouble and inconvenience caused. Further:-In connection
with the air spring of such watches there is liability in the case of sudden
movements or jerks for the outer coil of the spring to jump out of the regulator or
index pins, or of the second coil jumping in between these pins.. Now my
invention is for the purpose of protecting the hair spring against such accidental or
other occurrences.
In order that my invention may be thoroughly understood and thus easily carried
into practical effect. I have appended hereunto drawings showing the parts to
which my invention has particular reference.
Figure 1 is an enlarged plan about twice the size of a medium watch with the
balance bar or cock and balance removed showing the outer end a¹ of the hair
spring A passed into my self adjusting sliding stud B which is shewn in an enlarged
side elevation about four times the actual size by Figure 2 and the underside
of which is shewn on an enlarged plan also about four times the actual size by
Figuro 3.
Figure 4 shews that part of the top plate on which the stud is fixed with the
said stud removed which exposes a small projecting pin c in front of the screw
hole f. This sloth in the stud B passes over the pin c which becomes a controlling
guide to the front part of the stud while the screw pink guides the back part
thereof. The air spring A is fixed into the hole b of the stud B in the usual
manner by a wedge shaped pin as already described The back part of the stud
is made much thinner than the part into which the spring is fixed as is shown '6'

page_text: Fig 2 and is slotted as shewn at ' Figure 3 it will thus be seen that by slightly
easing the screw pink the self adjustable sliding stud will come away with the
hair spring itself and thus there is no necessity under ordinary circumstances
either for removing the spring from its original position in the stud, or the screw
pink which secures the stud, whilst owing to the extreme lightness (about 1/th of
n grain) of the stud made as described above there is no risk of the hair spring
being injured by being handled with the stud attached thereto which greatly
contrasts with previous attempts by others in this direction. It will be evident
that the purpose in view of self adjustability would be partly attained by an
oblong hole w in the foot as shown by Figure 8 but in this case the screw pin k
would have to be entirely taken out to remove the stud and spring. In replacing
the spring the stud will slightly slide radially backwards and forwards settling in,
its correct position when the screw is tightened up securing the stud quite fast.
It will be evident to any practical man that the sliding movements might be
obtained in other ways such for instance as guide pins outside the foot of the stud
instead of the slot, but I prefer the slot as the most simple and as still further
assisting to lighten the stud which is an important desideratum in the case.
I further secure the hair spring against accident by the addition of the light cover
spring M over the two curb pins n and n¹ on the regulator S scen clearly in the
enlarged side elevation Figure 5 and plan Figure 6. In the latter view the cover
spring m is turned on one side on the pin p which secures the spring in its position
upon the regulator or index S. The plan Figure 7 shows the spring in its position
over the pins n and n' and agrees with the position shown in the side elevation
Figure 5. It will thus be clearly seen that while the spring has its usual liberty to
freely move or vibrate between the pins n and n¹ that it cannot possibly jump out
of its proper position unless the spring m were broken. Slight indents may be
made in the under side of this spring m were agreeing with the position of the
pins n and n¹ and into which they would take to prevent any liability of the
spring moving sideways By this mode of attaching and protecting the hair spring.
I give to "undersprung" watches every advantage that can be claimed for the
more expensive arrangement known as sprung over "-the terms "under" & "over"
refering respectively to the position of the hairspring in relation to the Balance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
1st In connection with the hair spring of "undersprung" watches the self
adjusting and easily removable stud B for securing the outer part of the said hair
spring in position substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth. Second In
connection with hair spring of "undersprung" Watches the guard spring m for
securing the hair spring against accidental displacement substantially as herein set
forth..
"J