IMPROVED WATCH KEYS
Year: 1876

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 18th day of November 1886, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan, Secretary of the Inventors Patent Right
Association, Limited, 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVED WATCH KEYS." A communication
from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 12th January 1877, and dated the 14th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1876.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVED
WATCH KEYS." A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
United States of America.
This Invention consists of a pair of angle jaws contrived to grip diagonally
opposite corners of the post of the watch, said jaws being made to clamp and hold
on to the post by a tubular case pressed down by a spring, or by the fingers on the
branching or downwardly diverging shanks of the jaws, or they may be clamped
on or against the post by a screw, sleeve, or nut screwing down on them, and they
spring open to apply to the post either by spring shanks or by springs connected
to and actuating the shanks for that purpose.
The essential feature of the Invention is the angle form of the faces of the jaws
whereby they clamp the post of the watch on two sides of its angles so as to hold
it more firmly than it is possible to hold in any other form in connection or
together with an arrangement of the back or outside of the shanks, whereby the
jaws diverge from each other from a point a little inside the end of the tube to a
point a little beyond the end of the same to enable the tube to close them on the
post, while in the other direction, or at right angles to the diverging shape they
are of uniform breadth and have parallel edges, that is to say, they diverge or taper
only in the direction in which they open and close, whereby they fit better in the
tube or sleeve and are made to work better than if they were conical in form.

page_text: The arrangement of the stock or handle may be varied at pleasure, for example,
the jaws may be coupled together at the upper end and fitted in a tube having
slots on opposite sides, out of which a pin going through the jaws may project
sufficiently to slide the jaws out of the tube to let them open for applying to the
post, or they may be formed on or connected to a rod extending up into the tube,
and having a spring to press the tube down for clamping the post, the rod to.be
pressed down against the spring to open the jaws, or the rod may be merely
arranged to slide up and down in the tube and be pushed down to allow the jaws
to open and the tube to be pushed down by pressing the jaws on the post of the
watch for closing them thereon. The jaws are prevented from turning in the tube
by studs in the latter forming stops against the edges of the jaws, or by a pin
passing through the tube and between the jaws or through them.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th January
1877.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVED
WATCH KEYS." A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
United States of America.
My Invention consists of a pair of angle jaws contrived to grip diagonally
opposite corners of the post of the watch, said jaws being made to clamp and hold
on to the post by means of a tubular case pressed-down-by which by the pressure
of a spring, or screw or by of the fingers is made to bear on the branching or
downwardly diverging shanks of the jaws. as-they-may be-elamped-on-or-against
the post-by-a-serew, sleeve, or-nut-screwing-down-on-them-and-they When said
pressure is removed the jaws spring open to-apply so that they may be applied
to the post either by means of spring shanks, or by springs connected to, and
actuating, the shanks for that purpose.
The essential feature of the Invention is the angle form of the faces of the jaws
whereby they clamp the post of the watch on two sides of its angles so as to hold
it more firmly than it is possible to hold in any other form in connection or together
with an arrangement of the back or outside of the shanks, whereby the jaws diverge
from each other from a point or a little inside of the end of the tube to a point a
little beyond the end of the same to enable the tube to close them on the post,
while in the other direction, or at right angles to the diverging shape, they are of
uniform breadth and have parallel edges, that is to say, they diverge or taper only
in the direction in which they open and close, whereby they fit better in the tube
or sleeve and are made to work better than if they were conical in form.
The arrangement of the stock or handle may be varied at pleasure, for example,
the jaws may be coupled together at the upper end and fitted in a tube having
slots on opposite sides, out of which a pin going through the jaws may project suffi-
ciently to slide the jaws out of the tube to let them open for applying to the post,
us or they may be formed on or connected to a rod extending up into the tube, and
having a spring to press the tube down for clamping the post (the rod to be pressed
down against the spring to open the jaws), or the rod may be merely arranged to
slide up and down in the tube and be pushed down to allow the jaws to open and
the tube to be pushed down by pressing the jaws on the post of the watch for
closing them thereon. The jaws are prevented from turning in the tube by studs in
the latter forming stops against the edges of the jaws, or by a pin passing through
the tube and between the jaws or through them.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved watch key, shewing the arrange-
ment of the jaws to slide out and in the tube by means of studs projecting out
from opposite sides of the jaws through slots in the tube.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation shewing the jaws connected by springs to the rod

page_text: jaws to close them. Fig. 3 is a section of the key shewing the jaws connected to
the rod by means of the spring jaws of the latter."
•
Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the key shewing the form and relative arrange-
ment of the shanks of the jaws with the tube.
A, represents the tubular holder, case, or handle of the key; and B, the jaws.
Said jaws having a right-angled groove a in the face to clamp the diagonal corners
of the post, and being conical as to exterior form on the projecting end d. for
about the length of the post, or a little more, the conical form allowing the jaws
to enter the hole in the watch plate when open, and at the same time afford the
necessary strength for turning the post of the watch; for the rest, they converge
upwards to the point of connection with the rod c, so that the tube will close them
on the post by pressing down on them, the said convergence being in the same
diametrical line as the one cutting the angles of the faces of the jaws, while in the
line at right angles thereto the jaws are the same width throughout the whole
When the
length of the parts, subject to the action of the tube in closing them.
jaws are connected together, as in Figure 1, the pin D, which is employed to
prevent the jaws from turning in the tube, is made to project through the tube
each side far enough to serve for the device for sliding the jaws out. The jaws are
in this case made to spring a little at the point where they connect together. for
opening to take in the post. When the rod c is used the jaws may be parts of it
with spring connections at E, or they may be coupled to it by other spring jaws,
as in the Figure 3. In Figure 1 the pin D prevents the jaws from turning; in
Figs. 2 and 3 the studs G of the tube perform the same function. In the arrange-
ments shewn in Figures 2 and 3 the coil spring H is employed to press the tube
down to close the jaws, but the tube may be worked on the rod and the jaws by
the fingers without the spring. In Figure 3, the rod C is connected to the jaws B
by hookheaded springs. On rod C is pin F which slides in the screw groove of
the inner case. The jaws are advanced and withdrawn by turning head J, and
the inner case is prevented from moving longitudinally by means of pin I which
passes through the outer case. The rod C is prevented from turning by means
of pin K.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put-in-practice,
Lelaim I desire to say that I do not broadly claim the jaws formed or hinged
upon the shank, and adapted to be distended when they are forced from the tube,
but what I claim is--
1st. The improvement in watch keys, consisting of jaws having angle faces
adapted to clamp the opposite diagonal corners of the winding post of a watch, and
being constructed with portions above the said faces converging in the plane in
which the angles of the two jaws lie, but parallel in the plane at right angles
thereto, and having a tube, sleeve, or collar to close, and a spring or springs to
open them, substantially in the manner described.
end. In-a-watch-key-having-jaws for clamping the winding post,-the-said jaws
constructed with angularly grooved faees for clamping the corners of the wateh
post-and-the-ends thereof, which-enter-the-watch-plate-constructed-in-conical forms,
substantially-as-described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right
Association, Limited, 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVED WATCH KEYS." A communication
from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1876.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVED
WATCH KEYS." A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
United States of America.
This Invention consists of a pair of angle jaws contrived to grip diagonally
opposite corners of the post of the watch, said jaws being made to clamp and hold
on to the post by a tubular case pressed down by a spring, or by the fingers on the
brauching or downwardly diverging shanks of the jaws, or they may be clamped
on or against the post by a screw, sleeve, or nut screwing down on them, and they
spring open to apply to the post either by spring shanks or by springs connected
to and actuating the shanks for that purpose.
The essential feature of the Invention is the angle form of the faces of the jaws
whereby they clamp the post of the watch on two sides of its angles so as to hold
it more firmly than it is possible to hold in any other form in connection or
together with an arrangement of the back or outside of the shanks, whereby the
jaws diverge from each other from a point a little inside the end of the tube to a
point a little beyond the end of the same to enable the tube to close them on the
post, while in the other direction, or at right angles to the diverging shape they
are of uniform breadth and have parallel edges, that is to say, they diverge or taper
only in the direction in which they open and close, whereby they fit better in the
tube or sleeve and are made to work better than if they were conical in form.
The arrangement of the stock or handle may be varied at pleasure, for example,
the jaws may be coupled together at the upper end and fitted in a tube having
slots on opposite sides, out of which a pin going through the jaws may project
sufficiently to slide the jaws out of the tube to let them open for applying to the
post, or they may be formed on or connected to a rod extending up into the tube,
and having a spring to press the tube down for clamping the post, the rod to be
[Price 6d.]

page_text: pressed down against the spring to open the jaws, or the rod may be merely
arranged to slide up and down in the tube and be pushed down to allow the jaws
to open and the tube to be pushed down by pressing the jaws on the post of the
watch for closing them thereon. The jaws are prevented from turning in the tube
by studs in the latter forming stops against the edges of the jaws, or by a pin
passing through the tube and between the jaws or through them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance-of-the-conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th January
1877.
"
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVED
WATCH KEYS." A communication from abroad by John S. Birch, of New York,
. United States of America.
My Invention consists of a pair of angle jaws contrived to grip diagonally
opposite corners of the post of the watch, said jaws being made to clamp and hold
on to the post by a tubular case pressed down by a spring, or by the fingers on the
branching or downwardly diverging shanks of the jaws, as they may be clamped
on or against the post by a screw, sleeve, or nut screwing down on them, and they
spring open to apply to the post either by spring shanks or by springs connected
to and actuating the shanks for that purpose.
The essential feature of the Invention is the angle form of the faces of the jaws
whereby they clamp the post of the watch on two sides of its angles so as to hold
it more firmly than it is possible to hold in any other form in connection or
together with an arrangement of the back or outside of the shanks, whereby the
jaws diverge from cach other from a point or little inside of the end of the tube to
a point a little beyond the end of the same to enable the tube to close them on the
post, while in the other direction, or at right angles to the diverging shape, they
are of uniform breadth and have parallel edges, that is to say, they diverge or taper
only in the direction in which they open and close, whereby they fit better in the
tube or sleeve and are made to work better than if they were conical in form.
The arrangement of the stock or handle may be varied at pleasure, for example,
the jaws may be coupled together at the upper end and fitted in a tube having
slots on opposite sides, out of which a pin going through the jaws may project
sufficiently to slide the jaws out of the tube to let them open for applying to the
post, as they may be formed on or connected to a rod extending up into the tube, and
having a spring to press the tube down for clamping the post (the rod to be pressed
down against the spring to open the jaws), or the rod may be merely arranged to
slide up and down in the tube and be pushed down to allow the jaws to open and
the tube to be pushed down by pressing the jaws on the post of the watch for
closing them thereon. The jaws are prevented from turning in the tube by studs
in the latter forming stops against the edges of the jaws, or by a pin passing
through the tube and between the jaws or through them.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved watch key, shewing the arrange-
ment of the jaws to slide out and in the tube by means of studs projecting out
from opposite sides of the jaws through slots in the tube.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation shewing the jaws connected by springs to the rod
by which they are pushed out and in the tube, the springs being to open the jaws

page_text: Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the key shewing the form and relative arrange-
ment of the shanks of the jaws with the tube.
A, represents the tubular holder, case, or handle of the key; and B, the jaws.
Said jaws having a right-angled groove a in the face to clamp the diagonal corners
of the post, and being conical as to exterior form on the projecting end d for
about the length of the post, or a little more, the conical form allowing the jaws
to enter the hole in the watch plate when open, and at the same time afford the
necessary strength for turning the post of the watch; for the rest they converge
upwards to the point of connection with the rod c, so that the tube will close them
on the post by pressing down on them, the said convergence being in the same
diametrical line as the one cutting the angles of the faces of the jaws, while in the
line at right angles thereto the jaws are the same width throughout the whole
length of the parts, subject to the action of the tube in closing them. When the
jaws are connected together, as in Figure 1, the pin D, which is employed to
prevent the jaws from turning in the tube, is made to project through the tube
each side far enough to serve for the device for sliding the jaws out. The jaws are
in this case made to spring a little at the point where they connect together for
opening to take in the post. When the rod c is used the jaws may be parts of it
with spring connections at E, or they may be coupled to it by other spring jaws,
as in the Figure 3. In Figure 1 the pin D prevents the jaws from turning; in
Figs. 2 and 3 the studs G of the tube perform the same function. In the arrange-
ments shewn in Figures 2 and 3 the coil spring H is employed to press the tube
down to close the jaws, but the tube may be worked on the rod and the jaws by
the fingers without the spring.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in practice,
I claim―
1st. The improvement in watch keys, consisting of jaws having angle faces
adapted to clamp the opposite diagonal corners of the winding post of a watch, and.
being constructed with portions above the said faces converging in the plane in
which the angles of the two jaws lie, but parallel in the plane at right angles
thereto, and having a tube, sleeve, or collar to close, and a spring or springs to
open them, substantially in the manner described.
2nd. In a watch key having jaws for clamping the winding post, the said jaws
constructed with angularly grooved faces for clamping the corners of the watch
post and the ends thereof, which enter the watch plate constructed in conical forms,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
THOS. MORGAN. (L.S.)