Improvements in Stop Watches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 21st Mar, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stop Watches.
I, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, of 32, Rock Street, Bury, in the County of Lancashire,
Watch Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a watch which will register a distinct
sixteenth part of a second for timing races, counting the revolutions of machinery,
and for other purposes.
In accordance with my invention I dispose the escapement wheel and pinion in
the centre of the watch so as to carry the hand in a circle round the dial which is
marked to register each distinct part of a second. Thus, in the case of a watch
timed to beat the sixteenth part of a second the dial face is marked for 960 beats,
for the twelfth part of a second 720 beats, for the tenth part of a second 600 beats
and so on in proportion to the desired fraction of a second.
I employ between the fourth wheel of the watch, and the escapement pinion, an
intermediate wheel, the pinion of the fourth wheel gearing into the pinion of, and
thus driving, 'the intermediate wheel, which, in its turn, gears into the pinion of, and
thus gives motion to, the escapement wheel. It is by the divisions of the teeth on
the wheels and pinions that the desired number of beats is determined.
For instance, if I want a watch to beat sixteen times in a second or register the
sixteenth part of an inch I divide the teeth of the four wheels, intermediate wheel,
escapement wheel, and the pinions, into, or about, the following numbers :-
90 teeth for the first wheel, which gears into a pinion of 12 teeth; 80 teeth for
the second wheel, which gears into a pinion of 10 teeth; 75 teeth for the third wheel,
which gears into a pinion of 10 teeth 72 teeth for the fourth wheel, which gears
into a pinion of 12 teeth; 50 teeth for the fifth or intermediate wheel which gears
into a pinion of 10 teeth, the latter pinion being placed on the escapement wheel
arbor or spindle carrying the hand in the centre of the dial face.
Although I have above described the best method I am acquainted with of
carrying my invention into practice, it will be obvious, that by slightly varying the
arrangements above specified the same result may be obtained; or, that by altering
the number or divisions of the teeth of the wheels and pinions, the watch may be
caused to register a 'fifth, tenth, or other part of a second.
Dated this 26th day of March 1890
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stop Watches.
I, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, of 32, Rock Street, Bury, in the County of Lancaster,
Watch Manufacturer, 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 :-―
The object of this invention is to construct a watch which will register a distinct
sixteenth part of a second for timing races, counting the revolutions of machinery,
and for other purposes.

page_text: In carrying out my invention I dispose the escapement wheel and pinion in the
centre of the watch so as to carry the hand in a circle round the dial which is
marked to register cach distinct part of a second. Thus in the case of a watch
timed to beat the sixteenth part of a second the dial face is marked for 960 beats,
for the twelfth part of a second 720 beats, for the tenth part of a second 600 beats,
and so on in proportion to the desired fraction of a second. In accordance with my
present invention however, in which the escapement wheel and pinion are disposed
in the centre of the watch and designed to register the sixteenth part of a second,
the dial face is divided into 32 equal divisions the first sixteen divisions being passed
over by the hand, during the first half of its revolution, in one second; the following
sixteen divisions in the next second when the hand completes one whole revolution,
this revolution taking place in two seconds, or the dial may be divided into sixteen
equal divisions in which case the hand will make one revolution in one second by
modifying the arrangement of wheels and pinions accordingly. An ordinary stop
arrangement is adapted to the watch in order that the hand may be stopped at the
desired time and so record the fractional part of a second.
1 employ between the fourth wheel of the watch and the escapement pinion an
intermediate wheel, the pinion of the fourth wheel gearing into the pinion of, and
thus driving, the intermediate wheel, which in its turn gears into the pinion of and
thus gives motion to, the escapement wheel. It is by the divisions of the teeth on
the wheels and pinions that the desired number of beats is determined.
For instance, if I want a watch to beat sixteen times in a second or register the
sixteenth part of a second divide the teeth of the four wheels, intermediate
wheel, escapement wheel and the pinions, into or about, the following numbers :-
90 teeth for the first wheel, which gears into a pinion of 12 teeth; 80 teeth for
the second wheel, which gears into a pinion of 10 teeth; 75 teeth for the third
wheel, which gears into a pinion of 10 teeth: 72 teeth for the fourth wheel which
gears into a pinion of 12 teeth; 50 teeth for the fifth or intermediate wheel which
gears into a pinion of 10 teeth; the latter pinion being placed on the escapement
wheel arbor or spindle carrying the hand in the centre of the dial face.
In the annexed explanatory drawing
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved watch for indicating the sixteenth
part of a second, the hands being disposed in the centre of the dial which is
divided into the required number of parts for the hands revolving either in one or
two seconds.
C
Figure 2 represents the driving train in which a is the first wheel, the second
wheel, the third wheel, d the fourth wheel, e the fifth or intermediate wheel, and
the escapement wheel. The lever escapement employed is capable of rapid
movement and regulates the rotation of the escapement wheel, which, by this
means, makes sixteen distinct stops or beats in one second.
Figure 3 is a slight modification of the foregoing arrangement, the hands for
denoting the fractional part of a second being placed below the centre of the dial,
the face of the latter being formed, as shown, with the requisite divisions.
Although I have above described the best method am acquainted with of
carrying my invention into practice, it will be obvious that by slightly varying the
arrangements above specified the same result may be obtained; or that by altering
the number or divisions of the teeth of the wheels and pinions the watch may be
caused to register a fifth, tenth or other part of a second.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First A stop watch for indicating the sixteenth part of a second substantially
as set forth.
Second-In a stop watch designed to register the sixteenth part of a second the
use of an escapement wheel, pinion and arbor disposed in the centre of the watch

page_text: and driven by a train of wheels having teeth in or about the numbers specified
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 24th day of December 1890.
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, W.C., Agent for Applicant.