AN IMPROVED WATCH-WINDING ATTACHMENT FOR WATCHES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 1; Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
WATCH-WINDING ATTACHMENT FOR WATCHES." A communication from abroad
by William H. Bracy, of Boston, County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, United
States of America.
Sealed the 29th December 1877, and dated the 5th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of. Patents on the 5th July 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "AN IMPROVED WATCH-WINDING ATTACHMENT FOR WATCHES." [A com-
munication from abroad by William H. Bracy, of Boston, County of Suffolk,
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
The object of this Invention of an improved watch-winding attachment for
watches is to provide a means for winding a watch by a device which of itself
forms a portion of the watch and dispenses with the use of a separate key.
In carrying out my Invention and adapting it to a finished watch, a circular
opening is made in the cap over the drum that contain the mainspring, and in this
opening is fitted a thin circular plate provided on its under side with a central
projecting socket that fits upon the square arbor attached to the barrel that carries
the mainspring, and having on its upper or outer side a hinged thumb piece, by
means of which the device is rotated and which is capable of being folded or turned
down to either side so as to lie flat on the circular plate without interfering with
the outer casing when closed.
A spring on the under side serves to keep the thumb piece in an elevated
position and prevent its falling on either side when the device is in use for
winding the watch.

page_text: REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS,—
Figure 1 represents a watch open on the back and showing the device as
applied.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the winding device; Figure 3 is a vertical section
of the same, enlarged; and Figure 4 is a view of its under side.
A represents the cap or inner casing in the back of the watch. In the portion of
the cap, just over the barrel that carries the mainspring, is a circular opening in
which is fitted snugly, but so as to turn freely, a circular plate B. On the under
side of the centre of the plate B is a projecting tube having a square opening or bore
that fits upon the winding square by which the watch is wound. To the upper side
of the plate B is jointed or hinged the thumb piece C, consisting of a thin metal
plate, which can be folded or turned down at either side on the plate B, when the
watch is closed, and when in use to wind the watch; the thumb piece c is at right
angles with the circular plate B, so as to be easily held between the thumb
and fore-finger.
In order to maintain the thumb piece C in an elevated position when the
watch is being wound, there is attached to the under side of the plate B, on a
line with a thumb piece C, a spring E, Figure 4, the ends of which pass up through
slots in the plate B, so as to bear on each side against the under side of the joint of
the thumb piece C with sufficient force to hold the thumb piece at right angles
with the plate B when the winder is in use.
The spring also serves to hold the thumb piece down when folded on either side.
A slight projection bon the thumb piece C enables it to be readily opened by the
finger nail.
In order to prevent the winder.from becoming loose on the arbor or square, a
spring may be attached to the said arbor, or arranged within the winder, so. as to
give it firmer hold if necessary.
1
The winding device as above described can be readily adapted to watches now in
use or already finished without interfering with the works or with the casing when
closed, and although forming a portion of the watch, the device can be easily.
removed and used for turning the hands when necessary, like an ordinary watch
key.
The form of the thumb piece and its connection with the holding spring can be
modified as taste or convenience may suggest.
It is designed that the plate B shall be so fitted within the opening as to prevent
the entrance of dust; but should not this be effectual, a dust rim may be attached to
the winder or to the cap, if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
January 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "AN IMPROVED WATCH-WINDING ATTACHMENT FOR WATCHES." A
communication from abroad by William H. Bracy, of Boston, County of Suffolk,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
The object of this Invention of an improved watch-winding attachment for
watches is to provide a means for winding a watch by a device which of itself forms
a portion of the watch and dispenses with the use of a separate key..
In carrying out the Invention and adapting it to a finished watch, a circular
opening is made in the cap over the drum that contains the mainspring, and in this
opening is fitted a thin circular plate provided on its under side with a central
projecting socket that fits upon the square arbor attached to the barrel that
carries the mainspring, and having on its upper or outer side a hinged thumb
piece by means of which the device is rotated, and which is capable of being
folded or turned down to either side, so as to lie flat on the circular plate without
interfering with the outer casing when closed.
A spring on the under side serves to keep the thumb piece in an elevated position
and prevent its falling on either side when the device is in use for winding the
watch.
REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS,―
Figure 1 represents a watch open on the back and showing the device as
applied.
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the winding device; Figure 3 is a vertical section
of the same, enlarged; and Figure 4 is a view of its under side.
A represents the cap or inner casing in the back of the watch. In the portion of
the cap just over the barrel that carries the inainspring is a circular opening in
which is fitted snugly, but so as to turn freely, a circular plate B. On the under
side of the centre of the plate B is a projecting. tube, having a square opening or
bore that fits upon the winding square by which the watch is wound. To the upper
side of the plate B is jointed or hinged the thumb piece C, consisting of a thin metal
plate which can be folded or turned down at either side on the plate B when the
watch is closed, and when in use to wind the watch, the thumb piece C is at right
angles with the circular plate B, so as to be easily held between the thumb and fore-
finger.
In order to maintain the thumb piece C in an elevated position when the watch
is being wound, there is attached to the under side of the plate B on a line with the
thumb piece C, a spring E, Figure 4, the ends of which pass up through slots in the
plate B, so as to bear on each side against the under side of the joint of the thumb
piece C, with sufficient force to hold the thumb piece at right angles with the plate B
when the winder is in use.
The spring also serves to hold the thumb piece down when folded on either side.
A slight projection b on the thumb piece C enables it to be readily opened. by
the finger nail.
In order to prevent the winder from becoming loose on the arbor or square, a
spring may be attached to the said arbor, or arranged within the winder, so as to give
it a firmer hold if necessary.
The winding device as above described can be readily adapted to watches now in
use or already finished, without interfering with the works or with the casing when
closed, and although forming a portion of the watch, the device can be easily
removed and used for turning the hands when necessary, like an ordinary watch
kev

page_text: The form of the thumb. piece and its connection with the holding spring can be
modified as taste or convenience may suggest.
It is designed. that the plate B shall be so fitted within the opening as to prevent
the entrance of dust; but should not this be effectual, a dust rim may be attached
to the winder or, to the cap, if desired.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim as the Invention is,
First. As a new article of manufacture, a detachable winding device consisting of
a base, a pipe secured thereto, and a thumb piece pivotted thereon, all arranged and
adapted to be applied to the arbor, and contained and folded beneath the outer case
of a watch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. The combination with the thumb piece C and plate B of a spring E,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof,, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN,
L.S.