Improvements in Chronographic Watches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1890-Accepted; 10th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chronographic Watches.
I, ROBERT BRAGGE, and THE ENGLISH WATCH COMPANY Limited, of Villa Street;
Aston, in the county of Stafford, Watch Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to or is connected with the mechanism of chronographic
watches, and particularly to those parts connected with the starting, stopping, and
returning to zero actions in such watches; and its object is primarily, to provide an
improved return spring arrangement, for the push piece; an improved sliding paw!
or click; an improved return spring arrangement, for the said pawl or click; an
improved method of securing or carrying the said return springs; also an improved
arrangement of spring mechanism in connection with the starting, stopping, and
return or fly back pallets, for the minute's and second's hands; and further, an
improved method of connecting (in some instances) the minute's return or fly back
pallet, to the second's return or fly back pallet, whereby an equalizing or following
up pressure is applied to both pallets by the spring.
The push piece which is operated from the exterior of the watch is carried upon a
fulcrum joint, the motion of which is limited by reason of an extension or tail part
impinging against a stop when in its normal position. This normal position of the
said push piece is maintained by means of a spiral spring carried upon a pin, the one
end of the latter taking into a hole in the push piece, up to and against a collar,
whilst its other end is carried and securely held, by means of a cleft claw stud, which
is screwed into the top plate. Between this stud and the aforesaid collar upon the
pin, is placed the spiral spring, which is in compression, and tends always to press
back the said push piece. This cleft claw stud is peculiar in its form :-Its one end
is screwthreaded for attachment to the top plate, and its upper part is slotted or
gapped. Into this slot or gap, is passed the extending end of the pin upon which is
carried the spiral spring. Upon the front and upper part of the two walls formed by:
the slot, and against which the spring rests, are formed two overhanging claws or
projections, under which the end of the spring passes. Thus these claws effectually
secure the spring in its working position and prevents its accidental removal. By
compressing the spring somewhat, however, the spring and pin &c. may be readily
removed when required.
Engaging with the ratchet wheel which operates the star or cam wheel, I employ
a sliding pawl or click, after the following construction. Upon the one side of a
bar I provide a click or pawl tooth, which engages with the aforesaid ratchet wheel.
The outer end of this bar rests against and is operated upon by the push piece afore-
said. The inner end of the bar is extended, and at some distance from the pawl
tooth, and upon the other side of the bar, is provided a fixed peg or pin, having an
overhanging head, under which the said bar slides.
At the inner end of the bar, and upon the opposite side to the pawl tooth, is an
arm, at the outer end of which, is connected the one end of a pin or rod, upon'
which is carried a spiral spring, and at its outer end is an enlarged head or collar,
against which the one end of the spring abuts. The other end of this spring rests
against, and is controlled and secured by a cleft or slotted claw stud, similar to that
already described.
Thus, when the push piece is pressed forward, the sliding pawl bar is also pressed
forward, its tooth engaging with the ratchet wheel, and in so doing, the last mentioned
spiral spring is compressed. Upon the return however, of the push piece, the said
spiral spring is free to pull back the pawl bar'; and by reason of it acting at the
outer end of the arm thereon, it keeps its one end against the fixed peg; and its

page_text: pawl tooth against the ratchet wheel; at the same time yielding in order that
the said tooth shall pass or ride over the tooth of the said wheel.
Again, I provide upon the arbor of the combined return or fly back pallets
(which brings the minute's hand and the extra second's hand back to zero) a coiled
spring, by which the necessary return (or spring) motion is imparted to. both the
starting and stopping, and also to the fly back actions of the pallets. The body of
the said spring is coiled around the eyelet or pierced collet which forms the fulcrum
or centre of the pallets, and its one end rests against a peg or its equivalent upon
the said pallet or pallets, whilst its other end rests and operates against a peg or its
equivalent, upon the stopping and starting pallet.
In one arrangement, the return or fly back pallet of the minute's hand, is rigidly
connected by means of the eyelet or pierced collet already mentioned, to that of the
second's hand.. In some cases however, I secure one only of these two pallets,
leaving the other slightly rivetted, but still free upon the same hollow arbor, or
eyelet, and connect them by means of a loosely fitting cross pin, which at its either
end, is connected to the said pallets, and capable of a certain amount of oscillating
freedom at each end.
Against this connecting pin, the one end of the coiled spring presses, so that
should the one pallet fall upon its heart shaped cam earlier than the other, the pin
will accommodate itself to and equalize the pressure applied by the spring,
and readily press forward both pallets in order to return both hands back to zero.
The same result may be obtained if both of the pallets are left lightly rivetted
or free upon the connecting arbor, and in certain cases this may be the preferable
way.
Dated this 21st day of Februar 1890
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chronographic Watches.
I, ROBERT BRAGGE, and THE ENGLISH WATCH COMPANY Limited, of Villa Street,
Aston in the county of Stafford, Watch Manufacturers, 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, or is connected with the mechanism of chronographic
watches, and particularly to those parts connected with the starting, stopping, and
returning to zero actions, in such watches; and its object is primarily, to provide an
improved push piece; also an improved return spring arrangement, for the push
piece; an improved sliding pawl or click; an improved return spring arrangement,
for the said pawl or click; an improved method of securing or carrying the said
return springs; also an improved arrangement of spring mechanism in connection
with the starting, stopping, and return or fly back pallets, for the minute's and
second's hands; and further, an improved method of connecting or adjusting the
minute's return or fly back pallet, to the second's return or fly back pallet, whereby
a compensating or equalizing pressure is applied to both pallets by the spring.
. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated upon the accompanying drawings
upon which are figures and letters of reference, similar letters referring throughout
the several views to the same thing or part, and in-which :-
Fig. 1, is a general view of such parts that are relative to this my invention, upon
the underside of the top plate.
Fig. 2, is plan and side views in detail, of this my improved sliding pawl.
Fig. 3, is a detailed view of the push piece return spring and its pin.
Fig. 4, is a detailed view of the sliding pawl return spring, and its pin.
Fig. 5, is a side and top view of the claw stud.
Fig. 6, is detailed views of the push piece,

page_text: the upper side of the top plate.
Fig. 8, is a sectional view of Fig. 7, on line A-B,
Fig. 9, is a plan and side view of the starting, and stopping pallet.
Fig. 10, is a detailed plan and side view of the combined minute's and second's
hands fly back pallets.
Fig. 11, is a detailed side and plan view of the coiled spring, for the fly back
pallets.
The push piece a, which is operated from the exterior of the watch by the button b,
is carried upon a fulcrum joint c, the motion of which is limited by reason of an
extension or tail part d, impinging against a stop e, when in its normal position.
This normal position of the said push piece a, is maintained by means of the spiral
spring, carried upon a pin g, the one end of the latter taking into a hole in the
push piece up to, and against the collar h, whilst its other end is carried and securely
held, by means of the cleft claw stud i, which is screwed into the top plate. Between
this stud i, and the aforesaid collar h, upon the pin, is placed the spiral spring f,
which is in compression, and tends always to press back the said push piece a.
This
cleft claw studi, is peculiar in its form :-Its one end is screwthreaded for attach-
medt to the top plate, and its upper part is slotted or gapped at j. Into this slot or
gap j, is passed the extending end of the pin g, upon which is carried the spiral
spring. Upon the front and upper part of the two walls formed by the slot, and
against which the spring rests, are formed two overhanging claws or projections k, k,
under which the end of the spring passes. Thus these claws effectually secure the
spring in its working position, and prevents its accidental removal. By compressing
the spring somewhat, however, the spring f, and pin g, &c., may be readily removed
when required.
Engaging with the ratchet wheel I, which operates the star or cam wheel m, I
employ a sliding pawl or click n, after the following construction. Upon the one
side of a bar n, I provide the click or pawl tooth o, which engages with the aforesaid
ratchet wheel 1. The outer end of this bar rests against, and is operated upon by the
push piece a, aforesaid. The inuer end of the bar is extended, and at some distance
from the pawl tooth o, and upon the other side of the bar, is provided a fixed peg or
pin p, having an overhanging head under which the said bar slides. At the inner
end of the bar, and upon the opposite side to the pawl tooth, is an arm q, to which is
connected the one end of the pin or rod r, upon which is carried the spiral springs,
and at its outer end is an enlarged head or collar t, against which the one end of the
spring abuts. The other end of this spring rests against, and is controlled and secured
by a cleft or slotted claw stud i, similar to that already described.
Thus, when the push piece a, is pressed forward, the sliding pawl bar n, is also
pressed forward, its tooth o, engaging with the ratchet wheel 1, and in so doing, the
last mentioned spiral springs, is compressed. Upon the return however, of the
push piece a, which is effected by the spring f, the said spiral springs, is free to pull
back the pawl bar n, and further, by reason of it (the spring) acting at the outer end
of the arm q, it keeps the lower end of the bar, against the fixed peg p, and its pawl
tooth o, against the ratchet wheel 1, at the same time yielding in order that the said
tooth shall pass or ride over the tooth of the said wheel.
Again. u, is the minute's hand fly back pallet; is the second's hand fly back
pallet; is the stopping and starting pallet. I provide upon the arbor of the
combined return or fly back pallets & v, (which brings the minute's hand and the
extra second's hand back to zero) a coiled spring x, by which the necessary return (or
spring) motion is imparted to both the starting and stopping, and also to the fly back
actions of the pallets. The body of the said spring æ, is coiled around the arbor or
centre a², of the pallets u, v, and its one end rests against a pin y, or its equivalent,
upon the said pallet or pallets, whilst its other end rests and operates against a peg z,
or its equivalent, upon the stopping and starting pallet w. 1 secure one only of these
two pallets to the eyelet al, see Fig. 8, the other being slightly rivetted, but still free
upon the arbor or eyelet a¹, and further connect them by means of a loosely fitting

page_text: cross pin y, which, at its either end is connected to the said pallots u, & v, and capable
of a certain amount of oscillating freedom at each end. Against this connecting
pin y, the one end of the coiled, spring, presses, so that should the one pallet fall
upon its heart shaped cam, earlier than the other, the pin will accommodate itself to,
and equalize the pressure applied by the spring, and readily press forward both
pallets, in order to return both the minute's and second's hands back to zero.
The same result may be obtained, if both of the pallets. are left lightly rivetted 'or
free upon the connecting arbor a¹, and in certain cases this may be the pre-
ferable way.
This compensating adjustment of the two pallets u. & v, is limited as to its amount
of motion, by the adjusting screw e!, which latter always ensures the lifting of the
pallet v, clear of its cam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim
as our invention :-
1st. In chronographic watches, the push piece a, working upon a fulcrum c, and
having a tail piece d, operating against a-stop piece e, constructed and operating,
substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose specified.
2nd. The combination in chronographic watches, with the push piece a, of a spiral
return spring f, constructed, arranged, and operating, substantially as shown and
described.
3rd. In chronographic watches, the combination with the ratchet wheel 1, and push
piece a, of the sliding pawl bar n, having pawl tooth o, and arm g, constructed and
operating substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.
4th. The combination with the sliding pawl bar n, tooth o, and arm 9, of the
spiral springs, constructed and operating substantially as described and shown and
for the purpose specified.
5th. The cleft claw stud i, or i¹, having an open slot j, and overhanging claws k, k,
in combination with their respective springs or carrier pins, substantially as
described and shown, and for the purpose specified.
. 6th. The combination with the starting, stopping, and fly back pallets of the coil
spring, constructed and operating substantially as described and shown, and for the
purposes specified.
7th. The combination with the fly back pallets u, & v, and spring a, of the loosely
fitting pressure or following up connecting pin y, constructed and operating,
substantially as described and shown and for the purpose specified.
8th. The combination with the fly back pallets u, & v, and the loosely fitting
pressure or following up connecting pin y, and spring z, of the adjusting screw e
substantially as described and shown.
.
Dated this 91at dor of March 1900
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street,. Birmingham, Applicants' Agent.