IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER TIMEKEEPERS.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Borthwick Smith, of Warwick Row, Coventry,
in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHES,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER TIMEKEEPERS.'
"
Sealed the 29th October 1878, and dated the 3rd May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Borthwick Smith
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd May 1878.
WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITH, of Warwick Row, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER TIMEKEEPERS."
This Invention relates chiefly to improvements in watches, and comprises various
details of construction herein-after described.
The first part of the said Invention has reference more particularly to full plate
movements, and is designed to provide such a movement, in which the top plate
and the pillar plate are so constructed and arranged that there will be more space
for the reception of the barrel and fusee than is obtained by the ordinary con-
struction, but without increasing the thickness of the watch movement or frame,
thereby permitting the employment of a deeper fusee, carrying a thicker chain,
and of a deeper barrel containing a wider and more elastic spring, and con-
sequently improving the action of the mechanism to a considerable extent.
In carrying into practice this part of my said improvements I cut away a portion
of the top plate above and around the fusee, as well as around the barrel, affording
space sufficient to receive and give extra depth to both those parts of the move-
ment, and I provide above the barrel and fusee a bar, which extends across the
whole space caused by this cutting away of the top plate, the said bar being
screwed at each end to the top plate, and also to a pillar placed between the barrel
and fusee, and connecting said bar with the pillar plate. I also cut a hole or
hollow completely through the pillar plate, within which I fit the barrel, so that
the latter comes flush or-nearly so with that surface of the pillar plate which is

page_text: nearest to the dial of the watch, and I provide a bar, which extends across this
hole or hollow, and is screwed to the pillar plate on each side, through which bar
the spindle or arbor of the barrel passes, whilst the usual click and ratchet is placed
upon the upper slide of the bar upon the top plate.
It will be readily seen that by means of this construction and combination of
parts I obtain a largely increased space for both the barrel and fusee, and con-
sequently effect a great improvement in the action by reason of the provision thus
made for a better spring.
The strength of the fusee, chain, and other parts is also increased owing to the
additional space provided for the same, the fusee cap standing on a level with the
top of the barrel cover.
In adapting my improvements to three-quarter plate movements with going
barrels I provide for the increase of thickness in the barrel by cutting a hole or
hollow completely through the top plate for the reception of the barrel, and I place
a bar over the hole in the top plate and fasten it to the latter by means of screws
on each side. I also provide a series of sunks or depressions in the pillar plate for
the reception of the wheels and any other parts of the movement requiring space
in that direction, but I do not cut these sunks right through the pillar plate, and
consequently there are no bars upon the same.
My said Invention also comprises an important improvement in connection with
timekeepers, known as independent seconds' stop watches, which are designed chiefly
for the use of engineers, surgeons, sporting men, and others requiring to ascertain
minutely and accurately the exact space of time occupied by any event or occurrence.
Such timekeepers are provided with two seconds' hands, that is to say, the ordinary
one usually placed near the lower part of the dial plate, and another working on a
spindle or arbor projecting through the centre of the dial plate, and which is called
the centre seconds' hand, the latter being connected with mechanism whereby it
may be instantaneously stopped and started at any moment without interfering
with the motion of the other parts of the watch.
In watches of this description it is customary to employ a separate spring and
train in connection with the said centre seconds' hand in order to effect the operation
of stopping and starting the latter, as above described. Mechanism has also been
used whereby the same object is obtained without a complete separate train by
providing means for bringing the centre seconds hands into and out of gear with
the ordinary single train of wheels as required, but such mechanism as heretofore
used has not been of such construction as to secure perfect action, and prevent the
time rate from being affected by the operation of the stop motion; and this part
of my said Invention is designed to furnish a simple and effective arrangement,
whereby the said centre seconds' hand may be instantaneously put in and out of
gear with the ordinary going train of a watch, and may therefore be stopped and
started instantaneously at pleasure, the costly arrangement of a separate spring
and train on the one hand, and the defective operation of mechanism heretofore
devised for dispensing with the same on the other hand, being entirely avoided.
In carrying into practice this part of my said Invention I fit loosely upon the
extra arbor or spindle carrying the centre seconds' hand, and below a fixed collar or
Hange upon the said arbor, an extra fourth or seconds' pinion, which is capable of
revolving upon the said arbor without operating the same. I also fit upon the said
arbor below the aforesaid pinion a hollow cone, which is arranged to slide vertically
upon the arbor, and also may or may not revolve thereon independently of the
rotation of the arbor. Within this cone is a spiral or other suitable spring, bearing
at the one end against a flange or shoulder fixed rigidly on the arbor, and operating
so as to keep the said cone pressed against the under surface of the said pinion,
when the former is relieved from the pressure of an arm or lever provided to force
the said cone down, when it is desired to stop the movement of the centre seconds'
hand.
The contacting surfaces of the said cone and of the pinion may be roughened, or
may be so formed that one fits into the other, and owing to the pressure of the

page_text: spring against the flange in the cone, and of the pinion against the collar above the
pinion when the cone and pinion are in contact, the pinion will be effectually
prevented from revolving without communicating its motion to the arbor, but will
communicate its motion instantaneously upon contact taking place.
Instead of a cone I may if desirable use a device of any other shape suitable to
effect the same object.
In connection with these devices I provide an arm or lever, one end of which is
in close proximity to and is capable of being brought into contact with the said
cone, the other end or a suitable connection therewith being carried through the
case of the watch and conveniently placed to be operated for stopping and starting
the said centre seconds' hand. This arm or lever is pivoted or jointed at a con-
venient part of its length to the frame of the watch, and works upon the pivot
joint or fulcrum in the movement of its inner extremity required to depress the
said cone upon the centre seconds' arbor, and thereby to release the same from its
connection with the pinion. The said pinion is permanently geared with the
ordinary third wheel of the going train of the watch, and so long as the said cone
is in connection with this pinion the arbor or spindle upon which both are carried
is caused to rotate, and with it the centre seconds' hand, which is firmly fixed to the
said arbor.
When it is desired to stop the centre seconds' hand the said arm or lever is
operated upon from outside the case of the watch, and thus made to turn slightly
upon its pivot, thereby causing the inner end of the arm to slide upon the upper
surface of the cone, and overcoming the resistance of the spring to depress the
cone and remove it from contact with the pinion, thus leaving the latter free to
rotate upon the arbor without communicating its motion thereto, and thereby
causing the centre seconds' hand to remain stationary. The contact and pressure
of the inner end of the stop lever upon the cone is also communicated through the
medium of the latter to the arbor itself, and thereby prevents motion of the centre
seconds' arbor during such contact. When it is desired to put the said hand in
motion again the end of the arm or its connection projecting through the case is
moved in the opposite direction, thereby releasing the cone and removing the inner
end of the arm from contact with the cone, which by the action of its spring rises
immediately, and comes again into contact with the pinion, thereby causing the
arbor, and consequently the centre seconds' hand thereon, to rotate again by the
ordinary motion of the going train of the watch.
Another feature of the said Invention consists in providing means whereby
smaller divisions of time than can be indicated upon an ordinary centre seconds'
watch dial may be indicated upon a watch provided with these means, thereby
obviating the necessity of using a separate apparatus for this purpose, as heretofore
practised. For this purpose I provide an additional hand working centrally or in
an extra sunk or depression on the dial plate, which sunk, depression, or extra
dial circle may be graduated so as to indicate any desired parts of a second, the
hand being attached to an arbor having a wheel or pinion suitably connected with
the going train of the watch to cause it to make a complete revolution within a
fraction of a minute, and to indicate small fractions of a second upon the extra dial,
sunk, or circle, according to the graduation aforesaid.
Another part of my said Invention relates to improved means for permitting a
going barrel watch to be wound up in the same direction as a fusee watch. In
winding up the spring of a watch of the latter description the key turns in the
same direction as the hands move, but in going barrel watches the winding up
motion is usually in the opposite direction.
It is desirable that the winding-up motion of a going barrel watch should be in
the same direction as that of the hands, and this part of my said Invention is
designed to provide improved mechanism for effecting this object, and is carried
into practice as follows:-1 construct the ordinary centre or minute wheel arbor
with the usual centre or second wheel gearing into the usual third wheel pinion,
but without the usual centre pinion, and I provide another second or so-called

page_text: centre wheel with a pinion, the latter gearing with the going barrel or so-called
great wheel, and the two second or centre wheels gearing together, so that motion
is communicated from the great wheel to the centre arbor or spindle carrying the
minute hand in an indirect manner, thus causing the barrel with the great wheel
to rotate in the same direction as the arbor or spindle carrying the minute hand,
or in the case of 3 plate movements, as the hollow centre pinion connected by
friction or otherwise with the arbor of the minute. hand;, by means of which arrange-
ment the motion of the hands and of the key in winding up will be in the same
direction.
I may also effect the same object, by a somewhat different arrangement, as
follows, that is to say:-I provide. an extra great wheel gearing directly with the
ordinary great wheel, the said extra great wheel also gearing with the pinion on
the ordinary second or centre wheel arbor carrying the minute hand. In this
arrangement the ordinary great wheel and barrel will have to be placed so as to be
quite clear of the pinion on the centre spindle.
Another feature of the said Invention consists in providing means for winding
up. the spring of a watch by giving a to-and-fro motion to the key upon the square
instead of turning the key round in a continuous circular motion as is usual, so
that in winding up the watch the fingers of the operator remain upon the key
during the whole time occupied by the winding, there being no necessity to remove
them, or to remove the key during the process of winding. To effect this object
I. provide mechanism somewhat similar to the click and ratchet devices of a fusee,
that is to say, provide a wheel or two wheels gearing together, either with
ordinary or ratchet teeth, through one of which wheels passes the arbor, having the
square upon which the key fits. To this arbor a ratchet wheel is fixed, and there
are one or more pawls or clicks attached within a depression formed in the wheel,.
through which the arbor passes, which clicks, when there are two or more, fit into
the said ratchet wheel at opposite sides thereof. These clicks are kept pressed to
the ratchet wheel by means of a spring or springs conveniently situated for the
purpose.
The same object may also be obtained by adopting in connection with a pair of
ratchet wheels gearing together, for the purpose of effecting the reverse winding of
the spring, an oval hole or slot, into which the lower end of the arbor of the key
square fits, permitting the ratchet wheels to fall out of action on any attempt
being made to wind up the watch in the wrong direction. Suitable springs and
pawls will be provided in connection with the said wheels for the purpose of
keeping them in gear and preventing running back.
It will be obvious that these arrangements will prevent any injury to the
mechanism by an attempt to wind up the watch in the wrong direction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Borthwick Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd November 1878.
WILLIAM BORTHWICK SMITH, of Warwick Row, Coventry, in the County of
Warwick. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
APPLICABLE TO OTHER TIMEKEEPERS."
This Invention relates chiefly to improvements in watches, and comprises various
details of construction herein-after described.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a plan of the top plate or top of a centre seconds' watch embodying
parts of
my Invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the pillar plate or under side of the said watch.
Figure 3 is a top view of a watch with the ordinary fusee train, shewing the bar
removed.
Figure 4 is a plan of the top plate or top view illustrating my improved three-
quarter plate construction.
Figure 5 is an under side view or plan of the pillar plate of the said watch.
Figure 6 is a plan of my improved independent seconds' mechanism for a stop
watch; Figure 7 is an edge view of the same.
Figures 8 and 9 are vertical sections of portions of the same on the line x, x,
shewing them in two different positions.
Figure 10 is a top view or plan of the top plate, illustrating. my improved going
barrel construction.
Figure 11 is a plan of the pillar plate of the same.
All of the above Figures are drawn larger than the actual size of the mechanism,
Figures 8 and 9 being on a larger scale than the other Figures.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
The first part of the said Invention has reference more particularly to full plate
movements, and is designed to provide such a movement, in which the top plate
and the pillar plate are so constructed and arranged that there will be more space
for the reception of the barrel and fusee than is obtained by the ordinary con-
struction, but without increasing the thickness of the watch movement or frame,
thereby permitting the employment of a deeper fusee, carrying a thicker chain, and
of a deeper barrel, containing a wider and more elastic spring, and consequently
improving the action of the mechanism to a considerable extent.
In carrying into practice this part of my said improvements I cut away a
portion of the top plate a, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1, above and around
the fusee 1, as well as around the barrel, affording space sufficient to receive and
give extra depth to both those parts of the movement; and I provide above the
barrel and fusee a bar b, which extends across the whole space caused by this
cutting away of the top plate a, the said bar being screwed at each end to the top
plate, and also to a pillar c placed between the barrel and fusee 1, and connecting
the said bar with the pillar plate d. I also cut a hole or hollow completely through
the pillar plate, as shewn in dotted lines at d¹ in Figure 2, within which hole I fit
the barrel o, so that the latter comes flush, or nearly so, with that surface of the
pillar plate & which is nearest to the dial of the watch; and I provide a bar or
bridge e,
which extends across this hole or hollow and is screwed to the pillar
plate d on each side of said hollow, or is turned out of the solid pillar plate to form
a bridge on the dial side of said hollow, as herein-after described. Through this
bar e or solid bridge the spindle or arbor o¹ of the barrel passes, whilst the usual
click and ratchet is placed upon the upper side of the bar b, upon the top plate,
as shewn at g, gl. Figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, are the gear wheels.
It will be readily seen that by this construction and combination of parts I
obtain a largely increased space for both the barrel and fusee, and consequently

page_text: effect a great improvement in the action by reason of the provision thus made for
a better spring.
The strength of the fusee chain h and other parts is also increased by reason of
the additional space provided for the same, the fusee cap i standing on a level with
the top of the barrel cover o. In the watch shewn in Figure 3, the bar b is ex-
tended over the centre pinion arbor, and there is a cross winding fusee 1, the barrel
and fusee being in the reverse position to that shewn in Figure 1.
In adapting my improvements to three-quarter plate movements with going
barrels, as shewn in Figure 4, I provide for the increase of thickness in the barrel o
by cutting a hole or hollow completely through the top plate a for the reception of
the said barrel, and I place a bar b¹ over the hole in the top plate, and fasten it to the
latter by means of screws on each side; I also provide a series of "sunks" or
depressions in the pillar plate, as shewn in dotted lines, for the reception of the
wheels 2, 3, and 4, the wheels 2 and 4 and the pinion 4ª being fitted into hollows
sunk to the same level, the wheel 3 being sunk in a deeper hollow, so that when
in position it lies beneath and crosses the aforesaid wheels 2 and 4, and any other
parts of the movement requiring space in this position or direction; but I do not
cut these "sunks "completely through the pillar plate d, and consequently there are
no bars upon the latter.
My said Invention also comprises an important improvement in connection with
timekeepers known as independent seconds' stop waches, which are designed chiefly
for the use of engineers, surgeons, sporting men, and others requiring to ascertain
minutely and accurately the exact space of time occupied by any event or occurrence.
These improved timekeepers are shewn in Figures 6 to 9, and are provided with
two seconds' hands j, k, that is to say, the ordinary one j usually placed near the
lower part of the dial plate, and the other one k working on a spindle or arbor k¹
projecting through the centre of the said dial plate, and which is called the centre
seconds' hand, the latter being connected with mechanism, whereby it may be
instantaneously stopped and started at any moment without interfering with the
motion of the other parts of the watch.
In watches of this description it is customary to employ a separate spring and
train in connection with the said centre seconds' hand k in order to effect the opera-
tion of stopping and starting the latter, as above described. Mechanism has also
been used whereby the same object is obtained without a complete separate train
by providing means for bringing the centre seconds' hand into and out of gear with
the ordinary single train of wheels as required, but such mechanism as heretofore
used has not been of such construction as to secure perfect action and prevent the
time rate from being affected by the operation of the stop motion; and another part
of my said Invention is designed to furnish a simple and effective arrangement,
whereby the said centre seconds' hand may be instantaneously put in and out of
gear with the ordinary going train of a watch, and may therefore be stopped and
started instantaneously at pleasure; the costly arrangement of a separate spring
and train on the one hand, and the defective operation of mechanism heretofore
devised for dispensing with the same on the other, being entirely avoided.
In carrying into practice this part of my said Invention I fit loosely upon the
extra arbor or spindle k' carrying the centre seconds' hand k, and below a fixed
collar or flange upon the said arbor, an extra fourth or seconds' pinion 4*, which
is capable of revolving upon the said arbor k' without operating the same. I also
fit upon the said arbor below the aforesaid pinion 4ª a hollow cone k³, which is
arranged to slide vertically upon the arbor k¹, and also may or may not revolve
thereon independently of the rotation of the arbor. Within this cone ³ is a spiral
or other suitable spring, bearing at one end against a flange or shoulder fixed
rigidly on the arbor k, and so operating as to keep the said cone pressed against the
under surface of the said pinion 4a when the former is relieved from the pressure
of an arm or lever 1, provided and arranged to force the said cone down when it
is desired to stop the movement of the said centre seconds' hand, and to relieve the

page_text: said cone of pressure, and thereby start the said centre seconds' hand, as herein-after
described.
The contacting surfaces of the said cone ³ and of the pinion 48 may be roughened,
or may be so formed that one fits into the other..
or a
Instead of a cone I may use any other suitable device in connection with the said
arm or lever l, one end of which is in close proximity to and is capable of being
brought into contact with the said cone ³ or other device, which the other end
suitable connection therewith is carried through the case of the watch and con-
veniently placed to be operated for stopping and starting the said centre seconds'
hand. This arm or lever is pivotted or jointed at a convenient part of its length to
the frame of the watch, and works upon the pivot joint or fulcrum 2 to depress the
said cone upon the centre seconds' arbor and thereby to release the same from its
connection with the pinion 4ª. The said pinion is permanently geared with the
ordinary third wheel 3 of the going train of the watch, and so long as the said cone
is in connection with the pinion 4a the arbor or spindle k upon which both are
carried is caused to rotate, and with it the centre seconds' hand k, which is firmly
fixed to the said arbor.
When it is desired to stop the centre seconds' hand the said arm or lever / is
operated from outside the case of the watch and thus made to turn slightly upon its
pivot 3, thereby causing the inner end of the arm to slide upon the outer surface of
the cone k³, and, overcoming the resistance of the spring k, to depress the cone and
remove it from contact with the pinion 4, thus leaving the latter free to rotate
upon the arbor without communicating its motion thereto, and thereby
causing the centre seconds' hand to remain stationary.. The contact and
pressure of the inner end of the stop lever upon the cone ³ is also commu-
nicated through the medium of the latter to the arbor itself, and thereby
prevents motion of the centre seconds' arbor during such contact. When it is
desired to put the said hand in motion again the end of the arm / or its connec-
tion projecting through the case is moved in the opposite direction, thereby releasing
the cone and removing the inner end of the arm from contact with the said cone,
which by the action of its spring rises immediately and comes again into contact
with the pinion 4ª, thereby causing the arbor k¹, and consequently the centre
seconds' hand k thereon; to rotate with the ordinary motion of the going train of
the watch. To prevent any jerking or irregularity in the motion of the hand
light brake spring m is applied and kept in constant contact with the periphery of
the flange attached to the lower end of the arbor of the centre seconds' hand and
projecting beyond the outer edge of the said cone as shown.
a
Another feature of the said Invention consists in providing means whereby
smaller divisions of time than can be indicated upon an ordinary centre seconds'.
watch dial may be indicated upon a watch, thereby obviating the necessity of using
a separate apparatus for this purpose as heretofore. For this purpose I provide an
additional hand working centrally, or in a "sunk" or depression on the dial plate,
which "sunk" or depression or extra dial circle may be graduated or marked with
dimensions to indicate any desired parts of a second, the hand being attached to an
arbor having a wheel or pinion suitably connected with the going train of the
watch to cause it to make a complete revolution within a fraction of a minute and
to indicate small fractions of a second upon the extra dial, "sunk," or circle, according
to such graduation or division. This object can be effected either by placing an
extra hand on a lengthened arbor of the scape wheel pinion or on an independent
pinion, which may be made to rotate during any desired fraction of a minute, and
may also if desired be made to act independently of the going train of the watch by
the application to its abor of any mechanism similar in effect to that herein-before
described for starting and stopping an independent centre seconds' hand.
Another part of my said Invention relates to improved means for permitting a
going barrel watch to be wound up in the same direction as a fusee watch. In
winding up the spring of a watch of the latter description the key turns in the same.

page_text: direction as the hands, but in going barrel watches the winding-up motion is
usually in the opposite direction.
It is desirable that the winding-up motion of a going barrel watch should be in
the same direction as that of the hands, and this part of my said Invention, as shewn
in Figures 5, 10, and 11, is designed to provide improved mechanism for effecting
this object, and is carried into practice as follows, that is to say:-I construct the
ordinary centre or second wheel arbor 2 with the usual centre or second wheel
gearing into the usual third wheel pinion 3, but without the usual centre pinion, and
I provide another second or so-called centre wheel 2ª with a fixed or safety pinion 2b;
the latter gears with the going barrel or so-called great wheel 1ª, and the two second
or centre wheels 2 and 2ª gear together so that motion is communicated from the great
wheel to the centre arbor 20, carrying the minute hand in an indirect manner, thus
causing the barrel with the great wheel la to rotate in the same direction as the
arbor or spindle 2°, carrying the minute hand, or in the case of three-quarter plate
movements in the same direction as the hollow centre arbor connected by friction or
otherwise with the arbor of the minute hand; by this arrangement the motion of
the hands and of the key in winding up will be in the same direction.
I may also effect the same object by a somewhat different arrangement as follows,
that is to say-I provide an extra great wheel gearing directly with the ordinary
great wheel, the said extra great wheel also gearing with the pinion on the ordinary
second or centre wheel arbor carrying the minute hand. In this arrangement the
ordinary great wheel and barrel will have to be so placed as to be quite clear of the
pinion on the centre spindle.
Another feature of the said Invention consists in providing means for winding up
the spring of a watch by giving a to-and-fro motion to the key upon the square
instead of turning the key round in a continuous circular motion as is usual, so that
in winding up the watch the fingers of the operator remain upon the key during the
whole time occupied by the winding, there being no necessity to remove them or to
remove the key from the square during the process of winding. To effect this object
I provide mechanism, as shewn in Figure 5, and which is somewhat similar to the
click and ratchet devices of a fusee, that is to say, I provide a wheel, or two
wheels n, o*, gearing together either with ordinary teeth, as shewn, or with ratchet
teeth; through one of these wheels n passes the arbor n¹ having the square upon
which the key fits. To this arbor a ratchet wheel n is fixed, and there are two or
more pawls or clicks n³ within a depression formed in the said wheel n through
which the arbor passes; when there are two or more of these clicks they should
fit into the said ratchet wheel at opposite sides thereof. These clicks are kept
pressed to the ratchet wheel by a spring or springs n' conveniently situated for the
purpose.
The same object may also be obtained with a pair of ratchet wheels arranged and
geared together, like those above-described, for the purpose of effecting the reverse
winding of the spring. The lower end of the arbor of the key square is fitted in an oval
or oblong hole in the pillar or dial plate, which hole permits the ratchet wheel on the
said arbor to move out of gear with the other wheel on any attempt being made to
wind up the watch in the wrong direction. Suitable springs and pawls must be
provided in connection with the said wheels for keeping them in gear and pre-
venting their running backward.
It will be obvious that these arrangements will prevent injury to the mechanism
from an attempt to wind up the watch in the wrong direction.
In Figure 11 I have shewn my improvements applied to a watch in which I
dispense with detachable bars on the pillar plate whilst affording extra thickness of
plate, thereby ensuring very firm bearings for the arbors passing through the same.
În carrying. this part of my Invention into practise I form depressions d³, d, in the
solid pillar plate d², whereby sufficient space is afforded in the outer circular depres-
sion for the insertion of the bolt p, spring p', joint q, and ratchet pawl or click gl,
and other parts requiring space in this direction; the inner "sunk" or depression d'

page_text: is excentric to the outer depression d³. This inner depression serves for the recep-
tion of the motion wheels 7, 4, and also of the ratchet wheel g and other parts of the
mechanism.
The ridge do formed by these depressions is crescent shaped, as shewn, and affords
extra bearing surface for the arbors of the wheels 2ª, 3, 4, and 5, and the balance
staff 6.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing-
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. In a watch with a centre seconds' movement, the improvements consisting
in the arrangement whereby the barrel projects through the pillar plate and is sup-
ported by a bar or bridge thereon, either in combination with an extension of the
barrel bar on the top plate or otherwise, as and for the purpose specified.
Second. In a watch with the ordinary going train (that is to say, without tho
centre seconds' movement), the extension of the barrel bar to cover the centre wheel
arbor, in combination with a cross winding fusee or otherwise, as and for the pur-
pose specified.
Third. In a watch with a three-quarter plate movement the combination of a
barrel bar or bridge on the top plate with the series of depressions or "sunks" in
the pillar plate for the reception of the train of wheels, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5,
or the modifications of the part of my Invention relating to "sunks" or depressions,
as shewn in Figures 10 and 11, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a watch or timekeeper the mechanism illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9,
of the Drawings, and as above described and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. In a watch or timekeeper the means for indicating very small fractions or
divisions of time, as above set forth.
Sixth. In a watch movement with a going barrel train of wheels the employment
of an intermediate wheel between the barrel and minute hand arbor or centre wheel
or pinion for permitting the watch to be wound up in the direction of the move-
ment of the hands and with or without the safety pinion, as above set forth.
Seventh. In watch or timekeeper, in combination with the other improvements
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the mechanism comprising the arrangement of the
pair of ratchet or other winding wheels with safety devices, whereby I provide for
the convenient winding up of the watch in the direction of the movement of the
hands, while preventing danger of injury to the same from attempts to wind it in
the wrong direction, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Borthwick Smith, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. BORTHWICK SMITH. (L.S.)