An Improved Repeating Movement for Timepieces.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Feb., 1834
Complete Specification Left, 15th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 12th Jan.,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Repeating Movement for Timepieces.
We, CARL HAHLWEG, Watchmaker, of 3, Paradenplatz, Stettin, and
MARC BLOCH, Merchant, of 20, Breitestrasse, Berlin, both in the Empire of
Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a repeating movement for timepieces. Such movements
as at present in use, especially those used in watches, are open to objection on the
ground of the complication of their construction, in consequence of which they are
extremely costly and easily get out of order.
Our improved movement is characterized by great simplicity and absolute
certainty in its action.
The main feature of our invention whereby such simplicity of the movement,
compared with those previously in use is attained, consists in the employment of a
single hammer and a single gong for fulfilling the function of repeating all the
hours and the quarters, and in dispensing with a considerable number of parts, such
as the return lever and lifting piece with their delicate springs.
We employ a lever which serves as the stop lever for the hour rack and at the
same time as a releasing lever for the quarter rack and striking mechanism.
A forked spring mounted upon a pin so that it can turn thereon has one of its arms
acting upon the hour rack and the other upon the quarter rack, the two arms
having their distance from each other so regulated that in the resting position they
are not in tension so that no pressure is exerted upon the quarter rack by its
respective spring-arm. The spring is not thrown into tension until the striking
mechanism is wound up, when the hour rack presses upon the other spring-arm and
puts both arms of the spring in tension so that it can act forcibly upon the quarter
rack without offering any resistance to the works during striking, its force
diminishing as that action proceeds.
The quarter rack has a nose ascending obliquely immediately in the rear of its
teeth, which nose lifts the hammer-tooth out of the reach of the teeth of the rack
as soon as the striking of the quarters is completed, and thus allows of the free
passage of the teeth of the hour rack in winding up.
The hereinbefore described stop or releasing lever turns on the pivot of the hour
rack to which it is secured by a screw having a certain amount of play, the said
lever carrying a check lever which oscillates on a screw and terminates in a spring,
by means of which the hook of the check lever is moved towards the quarter rack,
the check lever abutting against the screw fixed in the hour rack, moving the end
of the stop or releasing lever which carries it against the hour step wheel with the
object of securing the quarter rack in position by means of the check book after
the striking is completed, and on the other hand, when the movement is again
wound up, the hour rack is so turned that the end of the stop lever is held by the
step wheel for the hours, and the hour rack being turned somewhat farther, the
check hook is pressed back by means of the screw so that the quarter rack is set free
and can spring back again, thus releasing the striking mechanism.
Dated the 17th day of February 1894.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: An Improved Repeating Movement for Timepieces.
We, CARL HAHLWEG, Watchmaker, of 3, Paradenplatz, Stettin, and
MARC BLOCH, Merchant, of 20, Breitestrasse, Berlin, both in the Empire of
Germany, 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 :-
Our invention relates to a repeating movement for timepieces. Such movements
as at present in use, especially those used in watches, are open to objection on the
ground of the complication of their construction, in consequence of which they are
extremely costly and easily get out of order.
Our improved movement is characterized by great simplicity and absolute
certainty in its action.
The main feature of our invention whereby such simplicity of the movement,
compared with those previously in use is attained, consists in the employment of a
single hammer and a single gong for fulfilling the function of repeating all the full
hours and the quarters, and in dispensing with a considerable number of parts, such
as the return lever and lifting piece with their delicate springs.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a view shewing the striking mechanism in the position of rest, that is
to say, unwound.
Figure 2 is a view shewing the same wound up, that is to say, in the position
which it assumes when the winding lever is released to allow of the striking.
Figure 3A is a section, and,
Figure 3B a plan of the hammer mechanism.
Figure 4 is a plan of the rack for striking the quarters, and,
Figure 5 a similar view of the rack for striking the full hours.
Figure 6 is a plan of the lever which serves as the stop-lever for the hour rack
and at the same time as a releasing lever for the quarter rack and of the striking
mechanism.
The going train which is only indicated in dotted outline in Figure 2 at x, x, x², x³,
with the anchor for regulating the seed of striking is connected to the pinion t
which engages with the teeth of the hour rack s.
In the form of construction shewn, the hour-rack is provided with 19 teeth as
shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 5 and the racks turns on a pin e by means of its pivot
hole. Opposite the part of the rack just referred to is attached to it an arm s
which projects through a slot in the case of the movement and is intended to wind
up the striking mechanism. A fixed spring p attached at p2 has its free end p¹
located beneath a shoulder s¹ on the hour-rack and this spring serves to drive the
striking mechanism.
The spring has at its lower end a slot or recess p³, p through which the arm s
of the rack passes.
The racks, however, actuates by means of its teeth on the one hand the hammer a
and on the other hand the going train, which latter limits the travel of the rack
in the usual way as it returns and thereby brings about the regularity of the
successive strokes. The two-armed Hat lever blies flat upon the racks and is
provided as shewn in Figure 6 with two round holes and 6, and the screw
hole 63.
By means of its hole the lever turns upon the screw or pin c, whilst the
screw c¹ passes through the hole 62 and is securely screwed into the racks, whilst
its head prevents the lever 6 from leaving the rack. The screw c' has, as shewn in
Figure 6, a certain amount of play so that the lever (owing to the size of the

page_text: reference to the rack s.
hole 2) is able to execute a slight movement of rotation upon the screw c, with
The extent of this movement is indicated by the dotted
lines n, n' in Figure 6. A screw d¹ is firmly screwel into the screw-hole 63 of the
lever b and serves as a pivot for the check lever d which is provided with a hook d³
in front and a spring or part d' acting as such behind. This check lever partakes
of the slight motion of the lever b by means of its pivot of rotation d' and its spring
end abuts against the pin u¹ fixed in the racks whilst the middle portion abuts on
the screw cwhich is likewise fixed in the rack e. The spring d therefore acts, not
upon the check lever only but also simultaneously upon the lever b, and this too in
such a way as to cause the hook d of the check lever to be pressed in the direction
of the quarter rack and the arm 6 of the lever in the same direction toward the
step-wheel or jumping cam h. In this position the check lever holds the quarter
rack in check as shewn in Figure 1. The movement of the hook d³ and arm b₁ occurs
when as the striking train is wound up, these two parts together with the racks are
turned on the pivot c so far that the arm of the lever strikes upon the step-
wheel h, and is arrested, whilst the rack continues to rotate through a short
distance. The screw c', which is firmly screwed into the rack s, then presses the
check hook d³ back. In Figure 2 these mechanisms are shewn in the position
which they take up at the end of this movement, in which the point of the check
look d³ is pushed back to the mid point of the screw c and has released the quarter
rack v, whilst the spring d² is placed in a state of tension.
When the rack s is
released, the spring d drives the check hook
into their previous
position of rest with reference to the rack s.
and the lever
The quarter rack v turus on a pin 3, and lies free upon the racks at the same
height as the check lever d. It is shewn separately at Figure 4. This rack
possesses three pairs of teeth which like the teeth of the rack s, can lift the
hammer a, and thus give rise to two strokes in rapid succession these double strokes
announcing the quarters.
When the stroke of the quarter is completed, the nose v of the rack v which
ascends gently and commences immediately after the teeth, lifts the hammer
tooth as out of the reach of the teeth of the rack, as shewn in Figure 1 and as we
will now describe. In this latter movement of the rack vits arm v strikes upon
the check hook d³, presses the latter back and is engaged by the hook so as to
retain the quarter rack as shewn in Figure 1.
The
The rack vis acted upon during the winding up by the spring f, which presses
upon a lug or pin 2 on the rack v, and causes the rack, as soon as the latter is
released to turn in such a way that its arm v strikes upon the step-wheel or
jumping cam m, which causes the proper number or strokes to be given, as by
known methods. The rack v receives its striking impulse from the hour rack s
since it is caused to partake in the motion of the latter through the pin u.
hammer a is capable of rotation upon the pin a² and is of such a thickness that its
tooth a can engage in both of the racks s and v. The arm a' which is fixed to the
hammer a is, however, thinner than the hammer itself, so that the spring r, which
drives the hammer against the gong I may send its small nose over the hammer and
prevent its being lifted off from the pin a². The pin a² is not fixed in the plate g
but upon a lever a³ (Figures 1 and 3) capable of rotation upon a pivot a*.
The pivot a with its lever a³ is placed between the lower surface of the plate q
and the plate or block 9' (Figures 3 and 3). The pin a passes through the
longitudinal hole w in the plate q, and allows the hammer to enter into and pass out
of engagement with the rack. In the position shewn in Figure 1 the bammer is
out of engagement with the rack and in Figure 2 it is in engagement with the
same. The movement from the former into the latter position is effected by the
spring. The spring k serves as a counteracting spring for forcing back the hammer
out of contact with the gong after each stroke to ensure the production of a pure,
clear tone. The step wheels for the hours and quarters are arranged in the
usual way except that in the present arrangement the former is placed upon a
fixed pin h¹.

page_text: The pinion in the teeth of which the racks engages, is not permanently
connected to the wheel x of the going train, but is connected to it by means of a
small ratchet mechanism movable in one direction.
The striking mechanism is wound up by pressing the arm s² of the rack in the
direction indicated by the arrow I (Figure 2) the pinion then turning loosely on
the wheel and the spring being placed in tension.
If it is desired that the striking should be effected, the winding up must be
continued until the lever arm abuts against the step-wheel and the check
hook is pushed back as far as it is allowed by the amount of play of the
screw c in the hole b². The rack can then not be turned any farther, whilst the
check hook d³ releases the quarter rack v.
This latter under the action of
the spring springs back until its arm strikes upon the step wheel m.
In executing this movement the teeth of the quarter rack pass under the tooth a
of the hanımer whereby the latter is raised after the manner of the pawl of a
ratchet mechanism by the teeth of the rack. Since the tooth a³ is somewhat
strongly pressed against the teeth of the rack by the spring r, the spring f
must act proportionately strongly and requires to be specially adapted to its
purpose in order that it may not unduly oppose the mechanism in the process of
striking.
The spring ff is therefore as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 made with two arms
like a fork and rotates at its foot on the screw 2, whilst its arm faces on the
quarter rack and its arm f¹ on the pin u³, which is fastened to the hour rack s.
The two spring arms, f¹ have their distance from each other so regulated that in
the resting position shewn in Figure 1 they are not in tension, so that the spring
arm fexerts no pressure upon the quarter rack v. The spring is not thrown into
tension until the striking mechanism is wound up when the piu u² which is moved
in a circular path by the rack s presses upon the spring arm fi and causes the latter
to recede from the spring arm f, the effect of this being to put the spring arm fin
tension. Since, however, both spring arms interact in consequence of their common
foot turning on the screw f2, the spring arm f is also placed in tension and presses
against the quarter rack r. In the first third part of the action of winding up, the
spring is sufficiently placed in tension to bring it into action and from this
point to the end of the process of winding up, the spring is only placed more in
tension to a very small degree because the end is so bent down that it almost
coincides with the circular path which the pin u² has still to describe, as may be at
once seen on reference to Figure 2.
The result of thus constructing the spring f,f' is that it is capable of being
placed in such a state of tension as to ensure its driving back the quarter rack
without offering any impediment to the mechanism in striking, since the tension of
the spring increases as the winding up is continued and diminishes as the
mechanism runs down ceasing to exist altogether when the position of rest
(Figure 1) is reached. Thus this spring in contrast to the springs at present used
for the same purpose, is not wound up by the power exerted by the mechanism
when striking but is placed in tension by the act of winding up and involves no
expenditure of energy on the part of the mechanism. As has been mentioned, the
return of the rack vis effected when the mechanism is fully wound up the release
of the mechanism to perform the act of striking being accomplished at the same
time. For, so long as the quarter rack retains the position of rest shewn in
Figure 1, its nose v keeps the hammer tooth as out of contact with the teeth of the
rack, and the striking mechanism cannot act, even if it be partly wound up so that
false striking is prevented and rendered impossible. Thus in order that striking
may take place the mechanism must be fully wound up, the result being, as above
described that the hook of the check lever d³ being pressed back, the quarter rack t
is released and springing back allows the hammer tooth a to engage with the teeth
of the rack. This position is shewn in Figure 2. The mechanism is thus released
and when the arm is set free strikes the hours in single strokes; and the quarter
rack being made to partake of the motion of the hour rack by means of the pin u

page_text: the quarters are struck in double strokes. The quarter rack then lifts the hammer
tooth as out of engagement with the teeth of the rack by means of its nose ** whilst
at the same time the rack arın presses back the check hook d³, which latter
engages the arm and holds the quarter rack firmly in this position.
The action of the mechanism is therewith ended and the whole of its parts are in
the position of rest as shewn in Figure 1.
It has yet to be noted that whilst the hour rack is operating the hammer, the
quarter rack as regards its sector of teeth is within reach of the hammer tooth a³,
but the latter always entering one of the larger intervals between the pairs of teeth
is able to withdraw without hindrance.
With respect to the double stroke which serves to distinguish the quarters, it
may be remarked, that these latter are very clearly contrasted with the strokes
which singly give the hours, since the double strokes are given by single ones
following so speedily upon one another that they give the impression of being
executed by two hammers, in addition to which, the single points of the double
teeth are nearer together than the teeth of the hour rack, and the quarter rack
being driven by a shorter lever from the pin u, its teeth have an accelerated
motion, so that the single strokes which form the double one follow more than
twice as quickly, one upon another, as the hour strokes. Single strokes can,
however, be used for the quarter strokes, since the pause which occurs between the
hour strokes and those which mark the quarters is in itself sufficient to indicate the
latter as such.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A repeating movement for time pieces distinguished by a single hammer
which serves to strike the full hours as well as the quarters and which has its
axis of rotation movably arranged, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. A repeating movement for time pieces, distinguished by a forked spring the
foot of which is adapted to turn and one arm of which engages with the hour rack
and the other with the quarter rack, which spring on the works of the hour rack
being wound up, has the hour rack arm placed in tension and, by reason of the
turning of the foot, transmits this tension to the other arm and through it to
the quarter rack so that when the works are being wound up the spring being
placed in tension can act forcibly upon the quarter rack without offering any
resistance to the works during striking, its force diminishing as that action
proceeds, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing.
3. A repeating movement for time pieces distinguished by a quarter rack which
has a nose asceuding obliquely immediately in the rear of its teeth, which nose lifts
the hammer tooth out of the reach of the teeth of the rack as soon as the striking
of the quarters is completed and thus allows of the free passage of the teeth of the
hour rack in winding up, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawing.
4. In a repeating movement for time pieces a releasing mechanism for the
quarter rack consisting of a lever turning on the pivot of the hour rack to which it
is secured by a screw having a certain amount of play, the said lever carrying
a check lever which oscillates on a screw and terminates in a spring by means
of which the hook of the check lever is moved towards the quarter rack the
check lever abutting against the screw fixed in the hour rack moving the end 6 of
the lever which carries it against the hour step wheel with the object of securing
the quarter rack in position by means of the check hook after the striking is
completed and on the other hand, when the movement is again wound up the
hour rack being so turned that the end of the lever is held by the step
wheel for the hours, and the hour rack being turned somewhat farther, the
check hook is pressed back by means of the screw c¹ so that the quarter rack

page_text: is set free and can spring back again, thus releasing the striking mechanism,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
5. The improved repeating movement for time pieces hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 15th day of November 1894.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants.