IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHIES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Charles Henderson, of No. 6, Southampton
Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHIES." A communication from abroad by
Julien J. B. Joseph Lebas, Watchmaker, of Willerval, in the Department of
Pas-de-Calais, in the Republic of France.
Sealed the 27th October 1877, and dated the 17th May 1877. .
COMPLETE, SPECIFICATION filed by the said Arthur Charles Henderson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1877.
Arthur Charles HENDERSON, of No. G, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCHES." A commu-
nication from abroad by Julien J. B. Joseph Lebas, Watchmaker, of Willerval, in
the Department of Pas-de-Calais, in the Republic of France.
The improvements in watches herein referred to comprise,-
1st. Important modifications in the axis of the balance and the escapement wheel,
obviating recoil and facilitating motion.
2nd. An improved disc support to the lower axis of the balance, which increases
its solidity and facilitates construction.
3rd. New means of fixing the regulator to the escapement potance.
4th. A simple, prompt, and perfectly accurate method of fixing the escapement
spring to its collar.
5th and finally. A modification of the rundle of the mainspring arbor, which
renders the action of the mainspring irreproachably regular.
Each of the characteristic features above enumerated will be more readily under-
stood by reference to the accompanying Drawings aided by the following description
of these essentially novel innovations:-
It should moreover be observed that although the improvements are here
described as relating to watches, still their application to large pieces of clockwork
is reserved, the forms, dimensions, and matter of construction varying to suit the
requirements of the case.

page_text: without catch, for in this case the columns of the balance axis serve as fly pinions
to the escapement wheel.
With axes with closed columns the anterior lines of the teeth of the escapement
wheel, Figs. 10 to 14, may have as much slope as it is possible to give them without
weakening the teeth too much. These teeth may be cut with a hammer, but this
method is not so good or so simple as the plan previously named.
All the escapement' wheels are flat.
As example, and to show the construction of the pieces, the balance axes, and the
escapement wheels, the following are the dimensions:-
Diameter of the axis of the balance, 38 of a millimètre.
Height of the columns, 1 millimètre.
Thickness of the columns taken from the inside to the outside of the axis, of
a millemètre.
Breadth of the columns, 18 of a millimètre.
Diameter of the escapement wheel, about of a millimètre.
Breadth of a tooth before the slopes are made, 1 to 3 of a millimètre.
In making these axes of balances and of escapement wheels the above dimensions
may be wholly or partly discarded, but it must be observed that the best dimen-
sions are those which give most liberty to the escapement when it is suitably raised,
in reducing the slopes as much as possible, and permit of giving to each tooth the
greatest breadth.
The Disc Support of the Lower Axis of the Escapement.-This disc support of
the escapement arbor may be similar to that of a cylinder escapement, but with the
substitution of the arrangement represented by Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18, its diameter
may be increased or diminished, and furnished or not with feet.
The circle P of the plate, Fig. 15, represents the cylindrical sinking, at the bottom
of which are the two screw-cut holes,, and to the right the sinking s of the base
of the lower pivot of the balance. The circle t, Fig. 16, represents the disc support
furnished with its hole in stone ; this disc support is a rundle of hard brass pierced
with two holes, not countersunk, and just large enough for the passage of each of
the screws.
The circle v represents a plate of hard brass pierced with two holes,
and furnished at ul with a stone counterpivot. The hole 11 serves as sinking to the
screw, which corresponds with it.
To set the stone hole u the disc is fixed with two screws at the bottom of the
sinking ? made in the plate m, and the stone is set at the requisite distance of the
pivot hole of the escapement wheel; this effected, the disc is removed, and the holes
are gently enlarged to oval or round to allow a little play to the screw, so that when
desired the escapement may be advanced or withdrawn by pushing the disc to the
side required by its circular rim, which remains visible; it is then returned to its
place by simply fixing it with the screw of the hole r, and the plate of the counter-
pivot is directly brought to the disc, so that the head of the screw 7 already placed
falls into the corresponding hole 11 of this plate, which latter is fixed with the single
screw in the centre, the head of which is sunk in a countersinking spherical, or
otherwise made in this plate.
As will beobserved by Fig. 18, the disc has slightly less diameter than the hollow
of the plate in which it is placed, and the counterpivot plate has also a rather less
diameter than that of the disc. These two pieces, disc and counterpivot, may be
of the thickness of the ordinary disc.
When the new disc is employed the cock of the escapement is fixed, like that of a
cylinder watch, by means of two or three feet and a screw, but it is planted inter-
nally on the plate instead of being on a spindle, like the ordinary disc, and which
traverses the plate to receive the feet and screw of the pivot.
This disc can also be applied to large clockwork, and suppressing at will the rubies
and counter rubies of the balance axis.
Fixing the Regulator. Figs. 19, 20, 21, and 22.-The regulator can be fixed to
the cock or potance of the escapement by the usual means, but preference is given
to the following method:-A small bras socket x, Fig. 19, is riveted in a hole

page_text: pierced through the potance in the direction where the ruby is to be set, allowing it
to exceed the thickness of the regulator a little; the hole is sufficiently sunk at the
upper part of the socket, flush with the potance only, so as to leave the necessary
thickness below to set the ruby; the countersunk part is screw cut, and the ruby
fixed beneath in the usual manner.
The regulator, Fig. 20, whose hole is cylindrical and polished, with the angles
slightly cut off, is mounted with gentle friction on the socket; then the counter-
pivot and regulator are adjusted with the large screw, Fig. 21, with well-marked
thread, enters the screw-cut hole of the socket x, in which it is screwed. This
screw, whose head keeps the regulator in place without pressing it, is pierced and
countersunk in the centre like the potance of an ordinary regulator, and is of such a
length that when screwed to the bottom its head rests above the socket, whilst the
hollow of its lower end locks the counterpivot placed inside the said socket, and
just sufficient to prevent its vacillation.
The slender head of this screw is cast as usual before or after countersinking; this
latter operation, to be easily performed, requires the screw to be fixed to a screw
plate or special metallic plate; its head may partly or entirely cover the crown of
the regulator; it may also lodge in a slight sinking made in the crown; in this case
the socket is lower.
A suitable stroke of the burin on the crown of the regulator, and another on the
border of the head of the screw, will give the hollow thread of ordinary regulator.
crowns.
The fixing socket of the regulator may be contained in the thickness of the escape-
ment potance; it will then be of a single and same piece with the latter.
The regulator may be flat ou each side or without crown; then the head of the
screw is thus shaped-Instead of a slit on the screw head, it can have two small
holes to screw or unscrew it by, or merely one or two notches round the head; it
need not be pierced, and can be well tempered and polished below to serve as
counterpivot; it can be replaced by a pin of similar shape, plain or pierced, and
merely fixed in the hole of the socket; it requires neither slit or notches on the head.
If it is pierced it is just like the socket of the short hand of a watch, the upper angle
of whose hole is slightly countersunk.
The mode of fixing the regulator to the potance by a single screw, or by a pin
which at the same time serves as cock, is very expeditious, and presents the advan-
tage of centring it perfectly and without trouble on the hole of the balance axis,
which is important for the proper action of the spring, and consequently the freedom
of oscillation of the balance.
New Method of Fixing the Spiral of the Escapement to its Collar.―The escape-
ment spring may be fixed as usual, but it is proposed to fix it there by cruciform
apertures, Figs. 23, 24, and 25. The collar is first pierced as usual on the circum-
ference y; it is then placed flat, and is vertically pierced with a second hole 2, Figs.
23 and 24, which intersects the first, so that together these holes forn a cross in the
collar. The end of the spring is then threaded in the hole y; the collar is then
placed on a metal plate bearing a slight sunken part, so that the collar rests at the
bottom, whilst the spring reposes on the plate. By this means both collar and spring
rest perfectly horizontal. A pin is then forcibly pushed in the small hole, pierced
on the surface of the collar, which locks the spring passed through the hole y. So
that the pin does not encounter any obstacle at the bottom of the sunken part of
the plate, it is necessary to make a small opening in the direction corresponding
with the hole of the collar for the passage of the end, which enters too far. The
pin once fixed, is cut at its upper part, and it is gently bammered to make it enter
flush with the ferrule. The piece is turned, and the lower end of the pin is cut.
If necessary, it is cut with a smooth file to make the two sides of the pin flush with
the collar.
This new system is important as admitting of centralizing the spring quickly and
well, and also perfectly straight with its collar without breaking it in pining.
Modification of the Rundle of the Mainspring Arbor.-This rundle may be similar

page_text: to that of a cylinder or anchor escapement, but the following may be advantageously
employed-Up to the present time it has been the rule that the rundle of the
mainspring arbor of cylinder or anchor escapements should be the third of the dia-
meter of the interior of the barrel; experience however proves that the force of
recoil of the mainspring is better and more regular when the diameter of this rundle
is reduced below a third of the interior of the barrel to the thickness of two or even
one turn of the spring.
Advantages of the Column Escapement. This escapement is a recoil, but the
recoil, less sensible on the pinion of the escapement wheel on account of the diameter
of this wheel, is very favourable to the well going of the watch by the force of 1
action that these effects produce on the oscillations of the balance.
When this escapement acts with a balance axis with side columns open to one
another, each column produces a slight movement of recoil on the escapement wheel.
This escapement produces four impulsions instead of two for two vibrations in a
contrary direction, of which the following is an example:-Supposing the balance
in full motion and returning from its left vibration, the anterior line of the teeth,
which is then in contact with the column to the right, forcibly pushes the balanco
axis, from this side, and this impulsion is so much more energetic, as it is powerfully
assisted by the spring. When the column has reached the inclined part of the same
tooth, the stroke occurs for the right vibration; at the same time that this tooth
escapes, the next tooth falls on the left column; then this column, swinging forward
the tooth that has just fallen, again pushes it to the benefit of the right vibration,
and then the balance, returning to the left, receives the second stroke from the
column at this side by means of the inclined part of this latter tooth, which
establishes three impulsions for the right vibration of the balance, and one for the
left, or four impulsions instead of two for two vibrations in contrary directions. If
the. balance has its columns closed, that of the right only causes the escapement to
recoil. With this axis two impulsions only are produced for the right vibration of
the balance, and one for the left.
The column escapement has the merit of compensating the power of the main-
spring without stoppage throughout the whole extent of its action.
If the watch is allowed to run down instead of being rewound every 24 or 30
hours, then like other watches there will be a variation in the latter hours; but if
the barrel of this watch is furnished with a rundle whose diameter is reduced to
less than a third of the interior of the barrel, of the thickness of two turns of the
spring blade, when wound up the watch will go 36 hours at the least without
variation.
The column escapement rests on an exact and incontestable principle, its sim-
plicity bearing favourable comparison with any other.
When all the pieces of the watch have been well callipered, it does not require to
be executed with any great precision to produce good results.
This escapement is free from the minute and multiple difficulties which present
themselves in the manufacture of cylinder and anchor escapement watches; in a
word, it is reduced to the simplest labour.
The escapement wheel and its inclines may be easily made on a wheel-cutting
machine in a mathematical manner, which is important for the celerity of the
work.
Application of the Column Escapement to Large Clockwork.-This escapement is
applicable to alarm clocks, table clocks, or large clocks by increasing the proportions
and placing the wheels so that the balance wheel can be easily established, and in
putting them in communication with the escapement, according to the number of
vibrations desired in a minute or hour.
. For large clocks the escapement wheel may have more teeth than for watches.
The axis of the balance may be placed horizontally or vertically; in the latter
case the mechanism is modified, and too well known to require mentioning here.
To the axis of the column escapement, destitute of a spring, an ordinary forked
shaft may be added, acting on an ordinary pendulum.

page_text: The axis of the column escapement may be furnished with an alarm balance in
accordance with the strength of the piece and power of the alarm.
With large clocks, if the alarm balance is used, or a pendulum of some sort is in
use, the escapement wheel may be less advanced on the oscillating axis, if deemed
advisable.
The oscillating axes of column escapements may fall on more than one tooth of
the escapement. If these axes are employed, the columns are modified so as to
reduce the falls of the escapement as much as possible; they may also be composed of
several pieces acting in the same way as if single.
What is claimed as the Invention is, the improvements herein specified and as
illustrated by the Drawings, their use either singly or in combination being reserved
for the manufacture of either watches or large pieces of clockwork, their charac-
teristic features having been previously explained, and comprising,―
1st. The balance axes having side columns either open to one another or closed
behind.
2nd. The flat escapement wheels with special teeth, in combination with the
balance columns.
3rd. The disc support of the lower axis of the escapement.
4th. The method of fixing the regulator.
5th. The mode of fixing the spiral of the escapement to its collar.
6th. The improved rundle on the barrel arbor axis.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Charles Henderson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.