Improvements in Stem-winding Mechanisms for Watches.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1896--Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stem-winding Mechanisms for Watches.
I, THEODOR ELSASS, of Kleine Burgstrasse 9, Wiesbaden, in the Empire of
Germany, Watch and Clock Maker 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 :-
This invention relates to a stem-winding mechanism for watches, and differs.
from the ordinary winding mechanisms in that the several parts are arranged and
secured so that they cannot possibly work loose or fall out.
The mechanism consists essentially of a stem which is suitably secured in the
winder provided with the usual handle or bow and provided at its free end
(i.e. inside the watch case) with a screw-like head for preventing same falling out
of the watch. Such stem has a slot or recess for engaging a corresponding tongue
or lug of the well-known winding arbor arranged in the clock work as usual.
The winder and stem, which can be prevented from working loose by a cross pin,.
thus form an integral whole which may easily be made to suit any watch.
Another advantage of this winding mechanism is that it does not in any way
interfere with the removal of the works of the watch, for instance, for cleaning or
the like.
Furthermore by counting the turns of the winder, by means of its handle of any
suitable form, there is no danger of winding the watch too far, as may often occur
with the ordinary key-less watches. The arrangement is also such that the
mechanism is equally well applicable for watches with or without spring-cases.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawing in
which:
Fig. 1 is a front view of the stem-winding mechanism, only a part of the watch-
case being shown, and
Fig. 2 a vertical section on line - of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the screw or stem proper for engaging with the
arbor below.
Fig. 4 shows in section the mechanism arranged on a watch having a spring-case...
Fig. 5 is a section on line y-y of Fig. 4,
Fig. 6 is a plan view from below of the spring and stem.
A neck-like piece H attached to the casing M of the watch receives the part or
winder K, which latter, as shown in Fig. 1, may be in direct connection with the
handle or bow B made in any suitable form which allows of an easy turning of
same with the fingers.
A screw or stem S entering the winder K from inside the casing M is provided
with a groove e for engaging with the tongue d of the winding arbor A (Fig. 3).
The latter is mounted in the watch in the customary manner and need not be
moved from its normal position for engaging with the stem S. To better prevent
the stem S from working loose, a cross più r may be passed through same as shown
in Fig. 4 & 5, in which case the pin 'r serves at the same time as pivot for the
handle or bow B¹.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show the mechanism in connection with a watch having a spring
case. The winder K and stem S are arranged so that they have a certain play as
seen at u, v (Figs. 4 & 5), the groove e being made correspondingly deeper for
this purpose. The ordinary spring (Fig. 6) holding the watch case closed, abuts
against a shoulders of the stem S and thus, on pressing down the winder, the
spring is released and the case opens.

page_text: It will be evident that the hands of the watch can also be set by means of the
winding mechanism, this being effected by simply bringing same into engagement
with the ordinary setting-wheels in the customary manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a stem winding mechanism for watches, a stem (S) secured in the winder
and whose grooved head inside the watch case engages with the winding arbor (A),
substantially as described and shown in the drawing.
2. In a stem-winding mechanism for watches having spring-cases, a stem (S)
secured in the winder and having a grooved head for engaging with the watch-arbor,
said stem and its connection being allowed a certain play for disengaging the
spring (f), substantially as described and shown in the drawing.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1896
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.