An Improved Watch and Clock Calendar.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Watch and Clock Calendar.
I, DUNCAN EDMUND GRANT, of 33 D'Artiguy Street, Quebec, in the Province
of Quebec and Dominion of Canada, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for an improved watch and clock calendar, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
There are at present in use only two classes of time-piece calendars. The first
and most numerous class consists of those which are operated by the movement of
the outer end of the mainspring transmitted through part of the train of wheels
of the time-piece. The second class consists of those which are operated by power
of hand during the process of winding up. Both these classes of calendars have
defects which have prevented their coming into general use, the most prominent
being the difficulty or inconvenience of setting or correcting them. In order to
correct or set them, it is necessary to remove the glass which covers the time-piece
dial and use a detached key or other instrument to shift the hands or dials of the
calendar. Even then some of. them can be corrected only by a person who
thoroughly understands their mechanism, (which the average owner of a time-
piece rarely does,) and consequently a watch-maker has to be employed to correct
the calendar whenever from any cause it becomes deranged. The second class of
calendars does not require setting at the end of the month; but if the time-piece
be wound up on any occasion before it has run down to a certain point the calendar
will fail to act, and if the time-piece be stopped for a day the calendar will become
wrong to that extent, so that it also requires periodical correction, which can only
be made by the inconvenient means referred to. It also has the defect, in common
with all of the first class, (with one exception, perhaps,) that it does not show a full
monthly calendar-that is, it does not give the name and date of every day in the
month.
My invention provides a third method of moving the calendar, which is perfectly
distinct in principle from those at present in use and is free from their defect of
inconvenience.
A calendar constructed in accordance with my invention can be set by means of
the winding-arbor by any person who knows nothing of the mechanism used as
simply and as easily as the time-piece hands are set by the same winding-arbor.
It also possesses the novelty that both name and date dials move daily, presenting
the name and date of the current day to the eye in a convenient vertical position
instead of their having to be read upside down or sidewise, as must for the greater
part of the time be the case in calendars in which the dials are stationary and the
current day is pointed out by a revolving hand.
The objects of this invention are to provide a simple and reliable calendar for use
on watches and clocks which will not be affected by any variation of the periods
which elapse between the windings of the time-piece, or by any alteration of the
position of the time-hands, to enable the owner of the time-piece when alteration
of the calendar is required to adjust it at any time to the correct day by means of
the winding-arbor as easily and as simply as he can by the same means change the
position of the hands of the time-of-day dial, so as to do away with the necessity
which exists in present calendars of removing the glass, employing a key or other
nstrument, or taking the time-piece to a watch-maker when the calendar requires
alteration, and to provide a calendar which will indicate not only the name and
late of the present day, as the existing calendars do, but will also show at the same
time both the name and date of every day in the past and future of the current
nonth. The name or date of some past or future day of the month is information

page_text: for which reference to a calendar is required quite as often if not oftener than the
name or date of the present day and is not afforded by any time-piece calendar at
present in use.
The preferred form of the invention consists of an annular revolving dial
indicating the names of the week-days for five weeks in succession and of a second
similar dial concentric with the first and provided with numerals from 1 to 31 to
indicate the date of any day in the month. Both dials move simultaneously and
show the name and date of the present day over "12" of the time-dial and at the
same time the name and date of every past or future day of the current month.
The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the 1
same, as will be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the figures.
Fig. 1 is a face view of the improvement as applied to an ordinary watch, the 1
front cover of the watch being in an open position.
Fig. 2 is a like view of the same with parts broken out and parts removed.
Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the same, the covers of the watch being
closed;
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, detail views illustrating the construction of the name and
date dials and their ring.
Fig. 9 is a cross-section of the ratchet-wheel and the spring mechanism.
Fig. 10 is a face view. of the same.
Fig. 11 is a face view of the barrel for the spring mechanism.
Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 13 is a transverse section of the spring mechanism.
Fig. 14 is a face view of the improvement as applied to a watch of different
form, parts being broken out and parts in section.
Fig. 15 is a vertical transverse section of the same.
Fig. 16 is a transverse section of the spring mechanism for the same.
Figs. 17 and 18 are respectively edge and side views of an arm-operating spring
mechanism.
Fig. 19 is a face view of a ratchet-wheel for the spring mechanism shown in
Fig. 16.
Fig. 20 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 21 is a face view of the gear-wheel of the spring mechanisin shown in
Fig. 16.
Fig. 22 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 23 is a transverse section of a spring mechanism of modified form.
Fig. 24 is a face view of a ratchet-wheel for the said spring mechanism.
Fig. 25 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 26 is a face view of the spring-barrel of the spring mechanism shown in
Fig. 23.
Fig. 27 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 28 is a face view of another ratchet-wheel for the spring mechanism shown
in Fig. 23.
Fig. 29 is a transverse section of another spring mechanism of modified form.
Fig. 30 is a face view of the Geneva stop.
Fig. 31 is a face view of the ratchet-wheel and barrel for covering the auxiliary
spring.
Fig. 32 is a transverse section of the same..
Fig. 33 is a face view of a gear-wheel for the modified form.
Fig. 34 is a transverse section of the same.
Fig. 35 is a face view on an enlarged scale to better show the dials CD,
pawls K O, ratchet J, and latch L; and
Fig. 36 is a detail section through dials CD and ring G.
In Figs. 1 to 13 and 29 to 34 the improvements shown are adapted equally for

page_text: use on watches or clocks, while in Figs. 14 to 22 and 23 to 28 the calendar is
adapted for use on watches only.
As shown in Figs. 1 to 13, inclusive, a watch A of ordinary construction is
provided with a numeral-dial C, divided on its face into thirty-five spaces
containing the numerals 1 to 31, four spaces being left blank. The numeral-dial C
is surrounded by a ring-shaped dial D, Fig. 7, containing the names of the days of
the week for five weeks, thus forming the same number of spaces-that is, thirty-
five as are contained on the dial C. The spaces containing the numerals on the
dial C correspond with the spaces containing the names of the days of the week on
the dial D, as is plainly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 35. The dial D rests upon the
flat front face of an annular flange C', formed on the dial C, said flange Chaving
ratchet-teeth C³ formed on its edge or periphery, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 36.
The dial C turns on a projection of the frame of the works and is locked in its
place by the ordinary time-dial B, as shown in Fig. 3. The dial D, which turns
on the face of the dial C, is held in place on the latter by a spring. F, secured to
the inner edge of the dial D, with its free end pressing against the periphery of the
dial C, as shown in Fig. 7. When the dial C is turned the dial D turns with it,
unless prevented from turning by a mechanism hereinafter described. Dial D is
provided on the back of its flange C₁ with a spring-pawl C³, (see Fig. 6,) which is
adapted to engage ratchet-teeth G2, formed on the outer edge of a ring G, mounted
to turn in the back of the dial C, Figs. 8 and 36. The inner edge of the ring G
is provided with gear-teeth G₁ to engage a gear-wheel H, in mesh with a gear-
wheel, formed on the barrel I, containing the calendar-spring 12. This calendar-
spring 12, which is coiled in the opposite direction to the main-spring J', is secured
by its outer end to the spring-barrel I and by its inner end to the hub 1 of a
ratchet-wheel I, fastened on the shaft of the said mainspring II, as represented
in Fig. 13. The ratchet wheel I is provided with segmental slots 15, into which
project pins I, secured on the rim of the spring-barrel I, as is plainly shown in
Figs. 11, 12, and 13. The gear-wheel I' is connected in the usual manner with the
winding mechanism of the watch, and the ratchet-wheel I is engaged by the usual
spring pawl O. The ratchet-teeth C² on the dial Care engaged by a spring-
pawl K, (see Fig. 2,) secured to the case of the watch A. The said teeth C
stand in the opposite direction to the teeth G2 on the ring G, and the pawl K,
engaging said ratchet-teeth C³, prevents the dial from turning in the wrong
direction. In the outer edge of the name-dial D are formed notches D', placed
the same distance apart as the spaces containing the names of the days of the week
on the said dial, as is plainly shown in Fig. 7. The notches D' are adapted to be
engaged by a spring-latch L, held in the casing of the watch A. The operation is
as follows: When the watch A is wound up, the calendar is moved cue space or
day. This is done as follows: The spring I is somewhat stronger than the
mainspring J.when the latter is fully wound up, so that when in winding up the
watch the gear-wheel is turned the spring 12 in the barrel I, without itself
bending, causes the shaft J to turn until it is arrested by the usual Geneva stop.
The ratchet-wheel I then also comes to a standstill but the spring [2 now
yielding, permits the barrel I to continue its revolution until its pins I have passed
to the ends of the slots I in the ratchet-wheel I, and the further forward move-
ment of the gear-wheel I, and consequently of the winding-arbor in the stem, is
thereby prevented. During the winding the ring G turns in the direction of the
single arrow in Figs. 2 and 4, its teeth G² riding over the pawl C³ in the back of
the dial C, which latter is held against turning by means of the pawl K. When the
winding of the watch has thus been completed, as above described, and the
pressure of the hand on the key is removed, the barrel I moves backward by
the reaction of the spring 12 until the pins I have returned to the ends of the
slots 1 in the ratchet-wheel I', from which they started. This backward motion
of the barrel I reverses the movement of the gear-wheel H, which latter then
turns the ring G in an opposite direction from that in which it was revolving
while the time-piece was being wound, or, in other words, turns it in the direction

page_text: of the double arrow. in Figs. 2 and 4. The ring G, moving in the direction of
the double arrows, is engaged by the dial C, and thereby locking both dials C
and D to the ring G. The distance the ring G and the two dials C and D
(which latter are locked together by spring ) travel corresponds to one space
on the said dials, so that the following name and date of the following day appear
directly over the figure "12" of the time-dial B. From this it will be seen that
the calendar is shifted only when the winding up of the watch has been completed.
It will also be seen that as the calendar is shifted one day every time that the time-
piece is wound it would be best to wind the time-piece either just before retiring at
night or the first thing in the morning, so that the change in the calendar from one
day to the next may take place when (so far as the owner of the time-piece is
concerned) one day is finished or the next day commences.
The calendar has to be set at the end of each month, and this is accomplished in
the following manner: When the watch or clock has been wound up as usual and
the calendar-dials C and D have shifted one day, as above described, the spring-
latch L is pressed inward with the finger to engage one of the notches D' of the
dial D, thus stopping further motion of the latter. The key or winding-arbor of
the winding mechanism is then again turned forward as far as the slots in the
ratchet-wheel I will permit it to go. The pressure on the key is relaxed, and the
barrel I, moving backward, moves the dial C one day in the manner above
described, without, however, carrying along the dial D, as the latter is locked in
place by the spring-latch L. The pressing and releasing, of the key is repeated,
the dial moving the distance of a space each time until the correct date comes over
the number "12" of the time-dial B. The operator then releases the spring-latch L,
so that the dial D is set free to turn with the dial C. It is, understood that the
dial D needs no shifting at the end of the month, as the names of the days are
marked in succession on the said dial. The calendar is then set for the month, and
no further attention need be given to it until the beginning of the next month.
If
the calendar-dial is made for one year instead of one month, the action is the same,
and no setting of it will be required during the year except in February of leap-
year. For watches, however, the yearly dial would be inconveniently large on
account of the many spaces necessary; but it can be used on clocks either in the
shape of a circular dial or in the form of an endless tape or band moving
vertically.
is
In the modification illustrated in Figs. 14 to 22 the additional spring
dispensed with, and a gear-wheel J of the winding mechanism is secured on shaft J
and provided with a lug J³ to fit into a segmental slot N', formed in a ratchet-
wheel N, which latter is held loosely on the shaft J, between the gear-wheel J* and
the ratchet-wheel J on the shaft J. The ratchet-wheels J and N are engaged by
the spring-pawls O and P, respectively. The spring-pawl O engages the ratchet-
wheel J, and the free end of the said spring-pawl O passes into a slot Q in a rod Q,
Figs. 17 and 18, extending upward and adapted-to slide in suitable bearings in the
watch-case. The upper end of the rod Q is provided with an offset Q2, on which is
adapted to press a cam R¹, formed on the offset R3 of the ring R, which latter is
provided on its other end with the offset R³, extending parallel to the offset R².
Pivots R' pass through the parallel offsets R2 and R3, Fig. 14, thus permitting the
ring R to swing from its normal position in line with the watch-case into a right-
angular position. The operation under this plan is as follows: When the ring R is
at right angles to the plane of the watch-case and the watch is wound, the gear-
wheel. J and the ratchet-wheel J, fastened on the mainspring-shaft J, are revolved,
so that the lug J³ of the gear-wheel J passes along the slot N¹ in the ratchet-
wheel N, which is standing still, until it (the said lug) strikes the end of the slot,
when the three wheels J, N, and J'will turn together until the watch is completely
wound. When the operator turns the ring R into the normal position shown in
Fig. 14, the cam R' on the offset R2 of the ring R acts on the offset Q2 of the rod Q,
depresses the pawl O, and releases the ratchet-wheel J. The inner end of the
wound-up mainspring J¹ then revolves the shaft J, with the wheels J and J', in the

page_text: opposite direction from that in which they were going when the watch was being
wound, until the lug J³ of the wheel J' strikes that end of the slot N from which
it originally started, and, as the ratchet-wheel N is held stationary by its pawl P,
motion ceases until it is necessary to wind the watch again. While the watch is
being wound, the gear-wheel J revolves the gear-wheel H, which turns the ring G
of the calendar in the same direction as that in which the hands of the time-dial
moves but the calendar-dials C and D are held stationary by the action of the
spring-pawl K, Fig. 2, engaging the teeth of the dial C. When the winding has
been completed and the ratchet-wheel J released, the wheels J* and H and the
ring G revolve in the opposite direction to that in which they were going while the
winding was taking place, and the ratchet-teeth G of the ring G, acting on the
spring-pawl C3, Fig. 6, move the dial C the distance of one space or day, carrying
the dial D with it. The length of the slot N¹ is regulated by the distance the
calendar-dials have to move each day. The setting of the calendar is the same as
that previously described in reference to Figs. 1 to 13, except that while the
calendar is being set the. ring R must be up in line with the plane of the watch,
while in the other plan no attention need be given to the position of the ring.
The modification shown in Figs. 23 to 28 is to be used on the watch described
above, and shown in Figs. 14 and 15. An additional spring I', Fig. 23, is employed,
similar to the spring previously referred to, but somewhat weaker than the
mainspring when said mainspring J is run down, and of just sufficient strength to
move the calendar-dials. The spring 1' is secured by its outer end to the barrel I
and by its inner end to the hub 13 of the ratchet-wheel 1', engaged by the pawl O,
Fig. 16, and is coiled in the opposite direction to that in which the mainspring is
coiled. Between the barrel I and the said ratchet-wheel I is placed a ratchet-wheel N,
through the segmental slots of which pass the pins I of the barrel I, the said pins
also passing through the slots 15 of the ratchet-wheel 1', which latter is secured on
the shaft J, while the wheel N and the barrel I are loose on the same. The ratchet-
wheel N is engaged by the pawl P, Fig. 16, connected with the rod Q, operated
from the cam of the ring R. When the winding takes place, the barrel I and the
ratchet-wheel N revolve together until the pins 1° strike the ends of the slots 1° in
the ratchet-wheel I, so that the latter is also turned, and the mainspring J is
wound up. The ratchet-wheel N is then released by the pawl actuated by the rod Q
and cam R¹ of ring R, as previously described, while the ratchet-wheel I' is held
stationary by its pawl O. The ratchet-wheel N and the barrel I are carried
backward by the reaction of the spring I as far as the slots 1' in the ratchet-
wheel I permit. The barrel I in moving backward moves the calendar-dials in
the manner described above, so as to change the dials for the next day. The setting
at the end of the month is accomplished in the manner previously described relating
to Figs. 14 to 22. It is understood that the back action of the calendar-spring
causes the shifting of dials C and D, as above described.
The modification shown in Figs. 29 to 34 is to be used on the watch described in
reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and is equally applicable to twenty-four-hour clocks.
The gear-wheel N is fast on the shaft J of the mainspring J, and the central
wheel U of the Geneva stop U is secured on the hub of the ratchet, wheel V,
mounted loosely on the shaft J. The auxiliary spring W is attached by its inner
end to the hub of the gear wheel N and by its outer end to the barrel of the
ratchet-wheel V. It is coiled in the same direction as the mainspring, and its
strength is just sufficient to overcome without bending the resistance of the spring-
pawl O as it slides over the backs of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel V while the
watch is being wound up. The projection V₁ on the barrel of the ratchet-wheel V
fits into the slot N¹ of the gear-wheel N. The action is as follows: When the
watch is being wound up, the gear-wheel N is revolved by the usual mechanism,
(shown in Fig. 2,) and the wheels V and U₁ are carried along with it by means of
the auxiliary spring W until the motion of the said wheels and U is arrested by
the star-wheel U of the Geneva stop U. The gear-wheel however, still continues

page_text: to revolve until the right-hand end of the slot N' strikes the projection or lug V₁ on
Then when
the barrel of the ratchet-wheel V and all forward motion ceases.
pressure of the operator's hands on the winding-arbor is relaxed the gear-wheel N
is carried backward by the reaction of the mainspring J and the auxiliary spring W
until the left-hand end of the slot N¹ rests against the lug V on the barrel of the
ratchet-wheel V, as it did before the winding began. It is understood that the
ratchet-wheel V is prevented from moving backward by its spring-pawl O. The
gear-wheel N in moving backward, when the winding has ceased, the distance which
its slot N will permit moves the gear-wheel H, which moves the calendar one space
or day. The method of setting the calendar is precisely the same as that of the
device above described relative to Figs. 1 to 13, inclusive.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination, in a watch or clock, of a spring and a calendar operated by
the reaction of the spring, said spring being put under tension during winding
operation, but coming into action only after the winding is completed.
2. The combination, in a watch or clock,, of an annular revolving dial showing.
simultaneously the name of each day of the week for five weeks in succession, and
means, substantially such as shown and described, for imparting motion to the dial,
said dial being adapted to be set or altered at any time and to any extent by the
winding-arbor.
3. The combination, in a watch or clock, of an annular revolving dial showing
simultaneously and in succession the date of each day of the current month, and
means for imparting motion to the dial, said dial being adapted to be set or altered
at any time and to any extent by means of the winding-arbor.
4. The combination, in a watch or clock, of an annular revolving dial divided into
thirty-five equal spaces and showing simultaneously the name of each day of the
week for five weeks in succession, with a second annular revolving dial concentric
with the first, divided into thirty-five equal spaces, and showing simultaneously the
dates of the days of the month, both of which said dials can be set or altered
separately or together at any time and to any extent by means of the winding-arbor.
5. The combination, in a watch or clock, of an annular revolving dial showing
simultaneously the name of every day for five weeks, and a spring which by its
reaction shall actuate the dial, said spring being put under tension during the
winding operation, but reacting to operate the dial only after the winding has
ceased.
6. The combination, in a watch or clock, of an annular revolving dial showing
simultaneously the date of every day of the current month, and a spring reacting to
actuate the dial, said spring being put under tension during the winding operation,
but coming into action only after the winding has ceased.
7. The combination, in a watch or clock, of a calendar consisting of two annular
and concentric dials exhibiting simultaneously the name and date of each day of the
current month, and a spring which by its reaction shall operate said dials, said
spring being put under tension during the winding operation and coming into action
only after the winding has ceased.
8. The combination, in a watch or clock, of two annular concentric revolving
calendar-dials with a spring-latch or push-pin held in the casing of the watch or clock
and adapted to be depressed by hand, so as to arrest the movement of the name-dial
by entering notches, in its periphery when it is necessary to set or alter the other or
date dial alone, substantially as shown and described.
9. The combination, in a watch or clock, of two annular concentric revolving
calendar-dials actuated by the reaction of a spring put under tension during the
winding operation, but which shall come into action only after the winding of the
watch or clock- has been completed; and intermediate mechanism connecting said

page_text: dials with the winding-arbor, so as to enable the said dials to be set or altered at
any time and to any extent by means of the winding-arbor from the outside of the
watch or clock casing, all substantially as shown and described.
10. In a watch, the combination, with two annular concentric revolving calendar-
dials, of a pivoted watch-ring provided with a cam and of an arm or rod connecting
said cam with a pawl which controls the ratchet-wheel of the mainspring, for the
purpose, when necessary, of depressing said pawl and thereby releasing the
mainspring, the reaction of which operates the said calendar-dials, substantially as
shown and described.
11. In a watch, the combination, with two annular concentric revolving calendar-
dials, of a pivoted watch-ring provided with a cam and of an arm or rod connecting
said cam with a pawl which controls the ratchet-wheel of the auxiliary or additional
spring, for the purpose, when necessary, of depressing said pawl and thereby
releasing the said spring, which by its reaction operates the calendar-dials,
substantially as shown and described.
12. The combination, in a watch or clock, of an auxiliary or additional spring
with annular concentric revolving calendar-dials exhibiting simultaneously the name
and date of each day in the current month and actuated through intermediate
gearing by the reaction of the said spring after the winding of the watch or clock
has been completed, substantially as shown and described.
13. The combination, in a watch or clock, of a mainspring and an auxiliary or
additional spring, and two annular concentric revolving calendar-dials exhibiting
simultaneously the name and date of each day of the current month and actuated
through intermediate gearing by the reaction of said spring after the winding of the
watch or clock has been completed, substantially as shown and described.
14. The combination, with an auxiliary spring connected with the winding
mechanism of a watch or clock, of dials actuated by the reaction of the said
auxiliary spring, substantially as shown and described.
15. The combination, with two calendar-dials, of a pivoted watch-ring provided
with a
cam and mechanism connecting the said watch-ring with the winding
mechanism of the watch for the purpose of releasing the spring operating said
calendar-dials, substantially as shown and described.
16. The combination, with an auxiliary spring connected with the winding
mechanism of a watch or clock, of a dial indicating the days of the month and
mounted to turn by the back action of the said auxiliary spring, substantially as
shown and described.
17. The combination, with an auxiliary spring connected with the winding
mechanism of a watch or clock, of a dial indicating the days of the month and
mounted to turn by the back action of the said auxiliary spring, and a second
dial provided with the names of the days and carried by the said first-named
dial, substantially as shown and described.
18. The combination, with an auxiliary spring connected with the winding
mechanism of a watch or clock, of a dial indicating the days of the month and
mounted to turn by the back action of the said auxiliary spring, a second dial
provided with the names of the days and carried by the said first-named dial, and
a spring-latch for holding the said second dial while the first-named is being
set, substantially as shown and described.
ו.יד
1
1
£ 1001
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent