IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH-CASES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH-CASES." A communication from abroad by
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH-CASES." [A com-
munication from abroad by Sir August von Loehr, of Vienna Austria.]
This Invention relates to the cases of watches, and has for its object so to
construct the same as to allow the watch always to be in one position, whereby
greater correctness of its operations can be ensured than is possible in a watch
whose position is frequently changed.
Time-pieces as hitherto manufactured for the purpose of being worn in pockets,
are ordinarily made of a circular exterior shape, which permits such watch or time-
piece when on the person to shift or turn, and no provision is made in the case for
keeping the same in position during the time when the watch is not being worn, as,
for instance, during the night.
It is well known that watches when placed in different positions vary con-
siderably with respect to the correctness of their indications, as the different
positions cause friction and gravity to act differently upon the works, and if a
watch could always, or nearly always be kept in the same position, this would
materially improve the action of the same.
In carrying this Invention into practice, I make the case of a watch in a shape
different to that ordinarily adopted; the watch may have the ordinary escapement,
and may otherwise be of well known construction, and be provided with any
desired winding-mechanism, and the case may have any suitable number of lids or
covers; instead however of being made circular, the case is made octagonal or
quadrangular, with the corners and edges taken off or rounded; or I may bevel the
Prins Rd71

page_text: edges of such case downward or sidewise, or such case may otherwise be provided
with surfaces which guide the same and maintain it in its position in the pocket of
the user, so as to prevent turning of the watch. To maintain the watch when it is
not being worn in the same position, as when in the pocket, the lids or covers of
the case are so arranged that by opening such lids a natural support for the watch
will be formed, which will enable it to stand securely on level surfaces (for instance,
on a table, chest of drawers, or the like); or the watch-case is formed with a
flattened or broad surface which will give the same sufficient stability to stand
(without further support) in the requisite position when placed on a level surface.
The watch-work or movement may be arranged directly on angular plates of the
form of my improved watch-case, whereby stronger works (with better utilization
of the space) may be used; if my Invention is to be applied to existing works or
movements, I mount the same on suitable plates to permit of such adaptation.
One of the corner spaces formed by a watch case constructed according to this
Invention can be utilized for receiving a reserve key.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th May 1881.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH-CASES.
A com-
munication from abroad by Sir August von Loehr, of Vienna, Austria.
This Invention relates to watch-cases, and has for its object such a construction
of the same as will allow a watch to which this Invention' is applied to be kept
always in one position, whereby greater correctness of its operations can be ensured
than is possible in a watch whose position is frequently changed.
Watches as hitherto manufactured are ordinarily made of a circular exterior
shape, so that when carried in the pocket they can shift or turn, and no provision
is made in the construction of the case for keeping the watch in the same position
during the time when the watch is not being worn, as, for instance, during the
night.
It is well known that watches when placed in different positions, vary con-
siderably with respect to the correctness of their indications, as the different
positions cause friction and gravity to act differently upon the works, whereas if a
watch could always, or nearly always be kept in the same position, the action of
the same would be materially improved.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figures 1 to 7 are front views of a watch-case.
Figures 8 to 12 are edge-views, and
Figures 13 and 14 are side views.
Figure 15 represents a portion of a watch-case.
In carrying this Invention into practice, I make the case of a watch of a shape
different to that ordinarily adopted; the watch may have the ordinary escapement,
and may otherwise be of the usual construction, and may be provided with any
desired winding-mechanism; the case may have any suitable number of lids or
covers, instead however of being made circular, the case is made octagonal or
quadrangular, with or without the corners and edges being bevelled, curved, or
rounded, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, or I may curve one or more of the
edges, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, or the case may otherwise be provided
with surfaces which guide the same and maintain it in its position in the pocket of
the wearer, so as to prevent the turning or change of position of the watch.
To maintain the watch when it is not being worn in the same position as when
it is in the pocket, say, with the XII. and the VI. in a perpendicular line, the hinges
or covers of the case are so arranged, that by opening one or two of the said lids, a
convenient support for the watch will be formed, which will enable it to stand
securely on level surfaces (for instance, on a table, chest of drawers, or the like), as
clearly shown in Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12; or the watch case may be formed with a
flattened or broad surface, which will give the same sufficient stability to stand.
(without further support) in the requisite position when placed on a level surface
(see Figure 10).
The watch-work or movement may be arranged directly on angular plates
corresponding in form with my improved watch-case, so that the watch may have
stronger works than ordinary watches, without requiring increased space in the
pocket; or the works mounted on circular plates as hitherto manufactured may be
used with cases, such as shewn in Figures 13 to 15, and the sections belonging to
these Figures; these cases are specially designed for the application of my Invention
to the existing watch-movements.

page_text: Figures 13 and 14 also illustrate instances of the manner in which the hinges
and fastenings may be arranged. Moreover, one of the corners may be utilized for
the reception of an extra key as shown.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A watch-case of angular shape, and with supporting side or bottom
surfaces (or both) which cause the watch when being worn always to maintain the
same or nearly the same position, as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. A watch-case of the construction shewn and described with reference to
the modification of my Invention, whereby one or two lids when opened, or the
stability afforded by the shape of the case, will cause the latter to remain in its
normal position when placed on a level surface, as and for the purpose set forth.
Tbird. The provision for placing an extra key in one corner of the case as above
set forth.
Fourth. The modifications of my Invention illustrated with reference to
Figures 13 to 15 for applying the said Invention to watch-mechanism mounted on
circular plates, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
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