Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 17th May, 1887.
I, ALBERT HENRY POTTER; residing at Geneva, in the Swiss Republic, watch
manufacturor, do hereby declare that 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:―
Figure, 1, is a perspective view of the blank from which my combined case-centre
and movement plate is made.
Figure, 2, is a like view of the same after having been subjected to the action of the
drawing dies.
Figure, 3, is a perspective view of said part and the stem before they are united.
Figuro, 4, is a liko view of the rear movement plate.
Figure, 5, is a perspective view from the rear of said parts when combined.
Figure, 6, is a like view of the same from the front.
Figure, 7, is a plan view of my watch from the rear, the case-back and rear move-
ment-plate being removed.
Figuro, 8, is a like view of the same from the front.
Figures, 9, 10, 11, and, 12, are enlarged plan views of the escapement and show the
parts in different relative positions.
Figure, 13, is a central cross-section of my watch complete, and,-
Figure, 14, is a like view of the same without a separable back-cover, the combined
movement-plate and case-centre being adapted for use as a case-back.
Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in cacli of the figures.
The object of my invention is to simplify the construction, to lessen the cost; and to
increase the efficiency of watches, and to this end my said invention,
Consists, in the combined movement frame and case, in the escapement, and in the
Tu 077

page_text: general construction and combination of parts, substantially as & for the purpose
hereinafter specified.
In the carrying of my invention into practice, a disc of metal, A, is passed through
dies, and its edge, a, turned up at an angle of, 90, degrees, as shown, after which its
exterior and interior are turned up in a lathe and within the corners of said flange are
provided an outer and an inner rebate, a², and, a³, respectively, and within its face
corner is formed a third rebate, a³.
The part, A, thus constructed, constitutes the front movement-plate and case-center
of my watch, and within the inner rebate, a², is fitted a rear movement-plate, B, which
is secured in place therein by screws, or any like means usually employed for such
purpose. The rebate, a', receives a case-back, C, and the rebate, a³, a glass bezel, D,
both of ordinary construction.
The pendant or stem, E, has the general form usually employed, but at its inner
end is provided with a rectangular tennon, e, which corresponds in size and shape to
the like features of a radial mortise, a, that is provided within the periphery of the
part, A, and when inserted within closely fills the same. After said tennon is in position,
its inner, projecting end is headed down with a hammer or other suitable tool, by
which means said parts are firmly united and not liable to become separated by use.
In some instances I prefer to make of the part, A, the rear movement-plate and
case-center, in which event, the front movement-plate will fill the entire space within
the flange, and said part, A, will have a portion of its plate removed. to expose the
balance and escapement, precisely as in case of the rear movement plate, B.
In some instances, I, also, construct the part, A, so as to form the case-centre, rear
movement plate, and case-back, in which event the usual case-back is omitted and the
pivot-holes and the recesses for the train are contained wholly within the inner portion
of the plate, instead of extending through, as is usual.
In the manufacture of cheap watches, the combined movement plate and case-centre
is constructed from brass, nickle, or other cheap or base composition or metal, and
will have its exposed surface, together with the surfaces of the bezel and back (when
the latter is used,) electro-plated in the usual way, but for the finer grades of watches,
where silver or gold cases are required, the bezel and back are constructed wholly from
fine, metal and over the exposed surface of the base metal is placed a shell of fine metal
which is made to conform to & fit closely upon the same and is secured in place by the
ordinary process of "sweating" with soft solder. This is done before the rebates are
cut, by which means the fine metal will extend to and be impinged upon by the
engaging edge of the bezel and back so as to cause the entire exterior of the case to
present a surface of fine metal.
:
Journalled between and within the plates, A, and, B, is a time train composed of a
going barrel, F, a center or second arbor, G, having a toothed wheel, g, and a pinion, g',
which meshes with and receives motion from said barrel, a third arbor, H, provided
with a wheel and pinion, h, and, h¹, respectively, a fourth arbor, I, with a pinion, i,
and toothed wheel, , and a fifth arbor, 1', with a pinion, 1, and toothed wheel, 3, and
a sixth arbor, K., which has a pinion, &,, that meshes with and receives motion from
said wheel,, which last named arbor occupies the place and performs the office of the
usual escape wheel arbor.
Secured upon the arbor, K, is a bar, k', which, preferably, extends in opposite
directions to equal distances & within one end is provided with a round pin, k, that
projects upward in a line with said arbor:
Said pin is engaged by a lever, L, which is pivoted at or near its longitudinal
center & at one end is adapted to engage with a pin, m, upon the roller, m³, of the
balance wheel, M, as in the usual form of detached lever escapements. The opposite
end of said lever has the peculiar shape in plan view shown and is provided with two
locking faces, l, and, , that are formed upon lines which are substantially concentric
with. the center of vibration, and has, also, two impulse faces, F, and, 13, that are
formed upon lines which are substantially radial to said center.
The escape pin, 2, is adapted to engage with each of the locking and impulse faces,

page_text: and the operation of parts will be sufficiently illustrated by following the movements
of said pin during one revolution of its arbor, K.
As seen in figure, 9, the escape pin, 2, is engaged by the outer locking face; 1, while
the outer end of the lever, L, is being swung to the left. When the latter has reached
the substantial center of motion in such direction, said escape pin slips from said
locking face, 1, into engagement with the contiguous impulse face, 12, as shown in
figure, 10, when it operates to give to said lever an impulse in the direction of its
motion.
When the lever, L, has nearly reached the limit of its motion in the direction shown
by the arrows of figures, 9, and, 10, the escape pin, ², slips from the impulse face, ²,
and engages with the inner locking face, l, as seen in figure, 11, and remains in such
engagement until
on the return movement of said lever a central position is reached
when said pin passes out of engagement with said locking face and engages with the
contiguous impulse face, ³, as seen in figure, 12, such operations being repeated and
said escape pin, with its arbor, permitted to make two half revolutions for each double
vibration of said lever.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that each impulse is given at sub-
stantially a right angle to a line passing through the pivotal centre of the balance
wheel, escape-lever arbor and the arbor of the escape pin, in consequence of which the
friction between said said escape pin and the impulse faces is reduced to such a point
as to render unnecessary the lubrication of the engaging surfaces, or that any special
finish should be given such parts. Another advantage arises from the cheapness with
which this escapement may be constructed as each portion of the work may be done by
machinery, while in other forms of escapement the parts must be mainly formed or
finished by hand, and for such work only the most skillful and expensive labor is
available.
Fitted upon the plate, A, is a dial, N, between which and said plate are the usual
dial wheels, O, that carry the necessary hours hand, o, and minutes hand, o¹. The
diameter of said dial is such as to leave the upper edge of the flange, a, exposed when
the bezel, D, is removed, and at a suitable point upon said edge is formed an index
scale, as, over which extends a regulator arin, P, that projects from beneath said dial,
the arrangement being such as to enable the movement to be regulated whenever said
bezel is removed.
The stem or pendant, E, contains a stem arbor of ordinary construction which is
rotatable and connected with the main spring arbor so as to enable the main spring to
be wound by the rotation of said arbor, all in the usual manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is.-
First. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement plate and case-
centre which upon opposite sides is adapted to receive a bezel and a case-back,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Second. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement plate and case-
centre which is adapted upon its front side to receive a bezel, & upon its rear side to
receive a rear movement-plate and a case-back, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Third. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and case-
centre which is adapted to receive upon its front side a bezel, and upon its rear side a
rear movement-plate and a case-back, and within its periphery is adapted to receive a
case-pendant, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and case-
centre which is provided within its front side with a peripheral rebate, and within its
rear edge with a peripheral rebate, in combination with a bezel & with a case back,
substantially as & for the purpose described.
Fifth. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and case-
centre which is provided within its front side with a peripheral rebate, and within its

page_text: rear odge with outer and inner peripheral rebates, in combination with a bezel, a case-
back and a rear movement plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and caso
centre, which is adapted to receive upon its front side a dial and bezel, and upon its
rear side, a rear movement-plate and a case-back, substantially as and for the purpose
shown.
Seventh. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and
case centre, which is provided within its front side with a peripheral rebate and within
its rear edge with outer and inner peripheral rebates, in combination with a dial, a
bezel, a rear movement-plate and a case-back, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Eighth. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate & case-
centre which is adapted to receive upon its front side a dial and a bezel, and upon its
rear edge a rear movement-plate and a case-back, in combination with said parts and
with a time train, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
Ninth. As an improvement in watches, a combined front movement-plate and case-
centre which is adapted to receive upon its front side a dial and a bezel, & upon
its rear edge a rear movement-plate and case-back, in combination with said parts, a
time-train and a pendant, substantially as & for the purpose specified.
Tenth. A watch in which the front movement-plate and case-center are constructed
from one piece and are combined with a dial, bezel, rear movement-plate, case-back,
pendant and time-train, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
Eleventh. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-back
and case-centre constructed from one piece,. substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Twelfth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-back and
case-centre constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to receive a
front movement plate, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
Thirteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-back
and case-centre constructed from one piece and provided within its outer edge with a
rebate for engagement by a bezel, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-back
and case-centre constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to
receive a front movement-plate, and provided within its outer edge with a rebate for
engagement by a bezel, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
Fifteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-back
and case-centre constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to receive
a front movement-plate, and provided within its outer edge with a rebate for engage-
ment by a bezel, and having a radial opening for the reception of a pendant, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
Sixteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-centre
and case-back constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to
receive a front movement-plate, in combination with a front movement-plate which is
adapted to fit over and engage with said edge, substantially as and for the purpose
shown and described.
Seventeenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-
centre and case-back constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to
receive a front movement-plate & provided with a rebated outer-edge, in combination
with front movement plate which fits over and engages with the said inner edge, and
a bezel that engages with the rebated outer edge, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Eighteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-centre
and case-back constructed from one piece, and having its inner edge adapted to receive
a front movement-plate, and provided with a rebated outer edge, in combination with
front movement-plate which fits over and engages with the said inner edge, a bezel
that engages with the rebated outer edge, and a pendant which fits into and is secured

page_text: within a radial opening in the periphery of said part, substantially as and for the
purpose shown.
Nineteenth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate and case-
centre, constructed from one piece and provided with an inner edge which is adapted
to receive a front movement-plate, in combination with a front movement-plate- which
fits over and engages with said inner edge, and with a movement train that is placed
between and journalled within said parts, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
..
Twentieth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate and case-
centre, constructed from one piece and provided with an inner edge which is adapted
to receive a front movement-plate, in combination with a. front-movement-plate which
fits over and engages with said inner edge, a movement. train that is placed between
and journalled within said parts, and a dial which is super-imposed upon said front
movement-plate, and extends radially to or near the edge of the same, substantially as
and for the purpose shown and described.
Twenty-first. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate and
case-centre constructed from one piece and having its inner edge adapted to receive
a front movement-plate and provided upon its upper edge with a regulator index
scale, in combination with a front-movement-plate: which fits over and engages with
said inner edge, a dial that is super-imposed upon said front movement-plate, and
a regulator arm which projects from beneath said dial over said index scale, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
1
Twenty-second. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate and
case-centre constructed in one piece from base metal and having the periphery of
the case-centre portion covered by a shell of precious metal which is super-imposed
upon and secured to the same, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
Twenty-third. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate and
case-centre constructed in one pieco from base metal and having the periphery of the
case-centre portion covered by a super-imposed plate of precious metal, in combination
with a bezel and a case-back, which aro constructed from precious metal, & are fitted
to and adapted to engage with said case-centre portion, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Twenty-fourth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-
centre and case-back, which are constructed in one piece from base metal and have tho
outer surface of the case-centre and case-back portions covered by a super-imposed and
attached plate of precious metal, substantially as and for the purpose shown and
described.
Twenty-fifth. As an improvement in watches, a combined movement-plate, case-
centre and case-back which are constructed in one piece from base metal, and have
the outer surfaces of the case-centre and case-back portions covered by a superimposed
and attached plate of precious metal, in combination with a bezel which is constructed
from precious metal and is adapted to engage with said case-centre portion, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
Twenty-sixth. As an improvement in watch cases, a case-centre provided with a
radial, rectangular opening, in combination with a pendant which has its inner end
fitted into and through such opening and headed down upon the inside of said
case-centre, substantially as and for the purpose shown.
Twenty-seventh. As an improvement in watch escapements a vibratable lever which
at one end is provided with two locking faces that are formed upon lines that are sub-
stantially concentric with its pivotal centre, and two impulse faces that are formed
upon lines which are substantially radial thereto in combination. with an escape pin
that is adapted to revolve around a centre and to engage alternately with the locking
and impulse faces of said lever as the same vibrates upon its pivotal bearing, sub-
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-eighth. A watch escapement composed in part of an escape pin which is
adapted to revolve around a centre, in combination with a vibratable lever that is

page_text: provided within one end with two pairs of locking and impulse faces. which are
alternately engaged by the escape pin, whereby at each double vibration of said lever,
said escape pin, will make one complete revolution around its centre, substantially as
and for the purpose shown and described.
Twenty-ninth. As an improvement in watch escapements a pivoted lever which, by
means of a vibratory balance, is adapted to be oscillated upon a pivotal bearing, & is
provided at one end with two pairs of locking and impulse faces, and means whereby
said escape-pin may be given a step-by-step rotation in one direction, and such motion
may be transmitted to time indicating mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.