AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MANUFAC-. TURING WATCHES OR OTHER TIME-KEEPERS, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Gardner, of the firm of William, Henry, and
Alexander Gardner, of Droylesden, in the County of Lancaster, Watch
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MANUFAC-.
TURING WATCHES OR OTHER TIME-KEEPERS, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Gardner at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
November 1855.
I, WILLIAM GARDNER, of the firm of William, Henry, and Alexander
Gardner, of Droylesden, in the County of Lancaster, Watch Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
MANUFACTURING WATCHES OR OTHER TIME-KEEPERS, AND ALSO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MACHINERY, TOOLS, OR APPARATUS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE SAME," to be as follows:
This improved method of manufacturing watches consists in making certain
principal separate parts of the same; that is, the "plates" of one equal and
fixed size and form for each series, which is accomplished by certain novel
machinery, tools, or apparatus, as hereafter described. The principal instru-
ment is that required for piercing or perforating the plates of watches or
other time-keepers, so that the distances required between the several holes
in the "plates" or other parts of the watch for the reception or bearings of
the various pivots, steady pins, and screws shall be invariably the same, and
consequently the depth of the gearing of the several wheels and pinions of the
mechanism shall be likewise the same and more accurate positions than when
regulated or adjusted by the eye and judgment of the workman, as usually

page_text: practised, inasmuch as the extreme of mechanical accuracy may by this
improved method of manufacture be obtained. Upon the chuck of a watch-
maker's ordinary lathe is placed a steel guage, die, or face plate, which is
secured upon the chuck by means of three-small-bent- arms,-retained-in-
whatever position they may be placed by bands or strips of vulcanised india-
rubber, secured, "but having a sliding motion," to the back of and passing
through the slotted arms of the "chuck." Through the guage or face plate
are drilled in their proper and respective places all such holes as are required
for the reception or bearings of the various pillars, pivots, steady pins, and
screws. On the face plate of this die are two spring clamps, furnished with
adjusting screws, for the purpose of securing upon the die the blank watch
plates;" there are also two side springs to assist in the true adjustment of
the blank plates upon the die. The blank "watch plates" may now be
secured upon the "die," the centre of the "die" resting immediately over the
ordinary central pin or pivot running through the mandril or shaft of the
chuck. If it is desired to drill a central hole through the watch plate it is
simply necessary to advance the drill, which is fixed in a triangular rod, and
made moveable on the top of the rest of the lathe, and the desired perforation
takes place. If it be now desired to drill the hole for the reception of one of
the "pillars," or any other of the various holes of the "watch plate," the die
must be raised from the face of the "chuck," and such corresponding hole
"already" drilled upon the die or face plate placed over the ordinary central pin
of the chuck. The "slide" "rest" and drilling tool has now to be advanced,
and the desired hole is perforated in a similar manner. The entire number of
the holes (already correctly drilled through the die or face plate) may be
drilled with extreme accuracy throughout any number of succeeding "watch
plates placed upon the die, and thus secure the identity of position of all the
required holes in any number of watch plates.
Secondly, these improvements consist of a tool to be applied to the ordinary
lathe as an indicator, for the purpose of accurately shewing and determining
the thicknesses and diameters of the "plates," and also the depths of the
recesses turned ar formed therein. This indicator consists of a small case or
box, on the upper surface of which is one or more dials and indices for the
purpose of registering extremely limited graduation. Within the box or case
is a rack (sustained in position by a spring, the prolongation of which forms a
projecting piece of metal or finger extending beyond the interior of the small
case. Gearing into the rack is a pinion which actuates the shaft and gearing
for working the indicating fingers of whichever indices may be employed.
The indicator is to be fixed upon the bed of the lathe in such a position that

page_text: the projecting end of the rack will act upon the slide rest, and when the slide
rest is in motion it will by contact move the rack which drives the indicating
fingers, thus shewing the workman-when- the proper or acquired--depth-is-
obtained, as the various thicknesses and diameters of the plates are delineated
upon the dials of the said indicator.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Gardner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd May 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME; I, WILLIAM
GARDNER, of the firm of William; Henry, and Alexander Gardner, of Droylesden,
in the County of Lancaster, Watch Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Hér heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Gardner, Her especial license that I, the said William Gardner,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
William Gardner, my executors, administrators, and assigns; should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed; should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF MANUFACTURING WATCHES OR OTHER TIME-KEEPERS, AND ALSO
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY, TOOLS, OR APPARATUS POR ACCOMPLISHING THE
SAME," upon the condition, amongst others, that I, the said William Gardner,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Gardner, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement and accompanying Drawings (that is to say):-
This improved method of manufacturing watches consists in making certain
principal separate parts of the same; that is, the "plates" of one equal and
fixed size and form for each series, which is accomplished by certain novel

page_text: machinery, tools, or apparatus, as hereafter described. The principal instru-
ment is that required to regulate the piercing or perforating the "plates"
of watches or other time-keepers, so that the distances required between the
several holes in the "plates" or other parts of the watch for the reception or
bearings of the various pivots, steady pins, and screws shall be invariably the
same, and consequently the depth of the gearing of the several wheels and
pinions of the mechanism shall be likewise the same and in more accurate
positions than when regulated or adjusted by the eye and judgment of the
workman, as usually practised, inasmuch as the extreme of mechanical
accuracy may by this improved method of manufacture be obtained. Upon
the chuck of a watchmaker's ordinary lathe is placed a; steel gauge, die, or
face plate, which is secured upon the "chuck" by means of clamps or by
three small bent arms, retained in whatever position they may be placed by
bands, or strips of vulcanized india-rubber secured (but having a' sliding
motion) to the back of and passing through the slotted arms of the "chuck."
Through the gauge plate or face plate are drilled in their proper and respective
places all such holes as are required for the reception or bearings of the
various pillars, pivots, steady pins, and screws. On the face plate of this die
are two spring clamps, furnished with screws, for the purpose of securing upon
the die the blank watch "plates." There are also two side springs upon the
face plate to assist in the true adjustment of the blank "watch plates" upon
the guage, die, or face plate. The blank watch plate may now be secured
upon the die, the centre of the die resting immediately over the ordinary
central pin or pivot running through the mandril or shaft of the "chuck."
If it is desired to drill a central hole through the watch plate it is simply
necessary to advance the drill, which is fixed in a triangular rod, which rod
is capable of being moved upon the top of the rest of the lathe, and the
desired perforation takes place. If it be now desired to drill the hole for
the reception of one of the "pillars," or any other of the various holes of
the "watch plates," the die must be raised from the face of the "chuck," and
such corresponding hole (already drilled upon the die or face plate) placed
over the central pin or pivot of the chuck, which pivot is forced against the
back of the face plate by means of a spring enclosed in the lathe spindle.
By this means, when the pivot comes opposite to a hole in the face plate or
die it is forced through, thus determining the centre of the hole to be drilled
in the "watch plate," which will correspond in situation to the one already
formed in the die. The "slide rest" with the drilling or turning tool
has now to be advanced, and the desired hole will be perforated; in a
similar manner the entire number of holes (already correctly drilled or turned

page_text: through the guage, die, or face plate) may be drilled with extreme accuracy
throughout any number of succeeding "watch plates" placed upon the die,
and thus secure the identity of position of all the required holes in any
number of watch plates." The pillar screw holes are drilled and screwed
and the shoulders of the pillars turned by a similar process, preserving the
true perpendicular of all the pinions and arbors of the time-keeper. For
drilling the larger holes, and recessing or counter-sinking the "watch plates,"
I prefer to use a solid "chuck" having three slots formed in it, and in each
of which slide a dog" or clamp, which can be tightened or loosened, as may
be required, by means of thumb-screws behind the "chuck." The operation
of centering and drilling is not so expeditious as in the one before mentioned,
but the die and blank "plate" is held more firmly.
..
Secondly, these improvements consist of a tool or apparatus to be applied to
the ordinary lathe as an indicator, for the purpose of accurately shewing
and determining the thicknesses and diameters of the "plates," and also the
depths of the recesses turned or formed therein. This indicator consists of a
small case or box, on the upper plate of which is one or more dials and
indices, for the purpose, of. registering and indicating the depth of the cut or
drill of the tool. In instances where extremely fine work is required, two of
the dials and indices are necessary, a large one for regulating the separate
thicknesses and depth of "watch plates," and the smaller one for ascertaining
more accurately the thickness of metal taken from the plate, and. conse-
quently the depth of counter-sinking. or recessing, &c. Within the box or
case is a rack (sustained in position or pressed outwards by a spring), the
prolongation of which forms a projecting piece of metal or finger extending
beyond the interior of the small case. Gearing into the rack is a pinion,
which is actuated by the projecting finger; this pinion is in connection with
the gearing for working the indicating fingers of whichever indices may be
employed. The indicator is to be fixed upon the bed of the lathe in such
a position that the projecting end or finger of the rack will press against the
slide rest, and when the slide rest is in motion it will release the rack, and
allow the indicating fingers to move forward, thus shewing the operator when
the proper or desired depth has been attained. I insert or otherwise affix a
second indicator, worked in the same manner, to the "chuck," to ascertain
the position of the tool in the lathe, and so that the operator may see when
the "watch plate" is formed to its required thickness. A third indicator is
fixed upon the bed of the upper sliding portion of the slide rest, which holds
the cutting or drilling tool; by the projecting finger of this indicator coming in
contact with the upper slide, the diameter of the "plate" is regulated.

page_text: In order that these improvements may be the better understood and explained
in detail, I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawing; Figs. 1 and 2 being
-made about half size, and Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, being made about full size, as used.
in the manufacture of watches of ordinary dimensions. The several Figures
have similar letters of reference marked upon corresponding parts of the
apparatus.
66
Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of a watchmaker's ordinary lathe, for
the purpose of shewing my improvements attached thereto; Fig. 2 is a
plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a.detached view of the "chuck" as used in
drilling or recessing the larger holes, such as are in that plate called the
pillar plate; Fig. 4 is also a detached view of that particular "chuck"
used when the smaller holes are required to be turned or drilled, or other fine
work executed; Fig. 5 and 6 are respectively a plan and sectional view of
the indicator, the plan having the plate (upon which the dials are marked,
removed, for the better illustration of the interior action. of the indicator.
A, A, is the bed of a watchmaker's ordinary lathe; B, B, the headstock ;
C, C, the lathe spindle; D are the "speed" pulleys; E is the bottom slide
of the "slide rest," traversing the bed from and towards the pivot; F is the
upper slide of the "slide rest," which carries the turning or drilling tool, and
traversing (on the V edges formed. upon the bottom slide) in a transverse
manner, or in a line directly opposite to the motion of the bottom slide.
dogs"
In Fig. 1, a, a, is the solid chuck, shewn broken for the purpose of
illustrating the position of the indicator attached thereto; b, b, are the "
or clamps, which are capable of being. moved in the slots in the chuck, in order
to secure the die, gauge, or face plate c, c. This regulating gauge, die, or
face plate constitutes the first part of these improvements, and is drilled with
all the holes required to be formed in the "plates" or other parts of the watch.
d; d, is the indicator, attached to the chuck a, a, which is for the purpose
of setting the tool to the true level of the face of the chuck; e, e, is another
indicator, furnished with two dials, which is used to insure the same thickness
of "plate" throughout a series of "plates;" f, f, is a third indicator. This
indicator regulates the diameters of the "plates," so that they may all be of
the same diameter as that to which the indicator is set. The action of the
indicators will be understood by referring to the one shewn at Figs. 5 and 6;
and to the following description thereof:-g. is a finger or röd, at or about the
centre of which is cut. or formed a rack h, gearing with the pinion i upon the
shaft of the large indicating finger; upon the same shaft is fixed a spur wheel
k, acting upon the pinion l, to which is attached the smaller finger, and which
will be driven or moved by it on the leaves of the pinion. i are two fine

page_text: springs, acting to prevent the black lash affecting the proper position of the
indicating finger, which is fixed upon it. The dials over which these fingers
rotate are capable of adjustment, so that all the fingers may be made to point
to the same number (for a reason hereafter explained), at whatever point of
the circle they may be. The steel gauge, die, or face plate c, c, is shewn as
secured to the "chuck" a, a, and having the situation of the holes necessary
to be turned, drilled, or formed in the "watch plates," "pillars," &c, clearly
shewn. This die is provided with two clamps m, m, for the purpose of holding
the plates on to the die; and also with two small springs with feather edges
n, n', which hold the plates at the edges, and thus prevent them from slipping
laterally. The spring n holds the pillar plates, and the spring n' the smaller
plates. The "chuck". p, p, is that, before mentioned, which is used for
accomplishing the drilling or turning the smaller holes in the "watch plate."
As for this part of the manufacture, the "plate" does not require such a great
pressure, and the chuck p, p, allows the plate to be moved to the different
centres with greater facility. q, q, are the bent arms, which have V edges
upon their upper surface, and upon which run the small pulleys attached
to the india-rubber, which passes through the slots in the chuck a, a, and is
secured on the opposite side by cross pieces, which are turned across the slot,
and thus retain this chuck p, p, on the principal chuck a, a; this forms an
universal joint, so that when the chuck p, p, is moved over the spring pivot
of the lathe, the pivot is pressed through the holes in the chuck p, p, and thus
centres itself. The various uses of the different parts of the machinery or
apparatus will be more fully understood by the following explanation of the
working of such machinery:--
P
The blank "watch plate," upon which it may be desired to countersink or
form recesses, must be first properly secured upon the steel die or-face plate
c, c, by means of the clamps m, m, and the side springs n, n; the steel die or
guage plate c, c, is then to be fixed upon the "chuck" a, a, by means of the
screw clamps or "dogs" b, b, in such a position that the pivot of the lathe,
the point of which being very slightly tapered, will fall through the hole in
the centre of the die or gauge plate c, c, and thus correctly centre the." watch
plate secured upon the said die. In order to turn or form the "watch plate"
to the required diameter (which of course is done prior to the drilling of the
holes), the indicator f, f, (the finger or shaft of which presses upon the upper
part of the "slide rest" F) is required to be set to the number on the dial
corresponding to the size of the "watch plate" desired; the slide rest holding
the tool being advanced against the "watch plate," it will be formed to the
necessary diameter.

page_text: The operation following this is that of forming the "watch plate" to its
required thickness. The first thing needful in this operation is to ascertain
that the point or cutting edge of the turning or drilling tool is exactly level
with the surface of the chuck a, a; this is ascertained by the finger upon the
indicator d, d, which upon being touched by the tool will move the indicating
fingers to the number 10 upon the index plate, by which the operator will
know that the tool is upon the face of the "chuck.". When this is
ascertained, the moveable dials or indexes upon the indicator e, e, must now
be turned until the fingers come also over the figure 10. It will now be
evident that if the tool is advanced and the "plate" is "turned" down until
the figures point to the numbers 5, that exactly half the thickness between
the surface plate or chuck and the place from which the tool first began to
cut will remain, and so on in this same ratio until any desired thickness of
the watch plate remains. In order that the dials may be more readily set,
their peripheries are toothed, and both actuated by an intermediate toothed
wheel. It will also be seen that by this arrangement, and by altering the
centre of the "watch plate" by unscrewing the clamps b, b, and re-adjusting
the plate to another centre, such as the barrel centre or the fużee centre,
that recesses or counter-sinkings may be formed at any part or to any depth
or size upon the "watch plate."
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention for an
improved method of manufacturing watches or other time-keepers, and also
improvements in the machinery, tools, or apparatus for accomplishing the
same, I would remark, in conclusion, that I claim,
First, the novel and improved method of manufacturing watches, chrono-
meters, clocks, or other time-keepers in the manner and by the machinery
or apparatus herein-before described.
And, secondly, I claim the peculiar arrangement and application of the
machinery or apparatus to an ordinary watchmaker's or other lathe, sub-
stantially as herein-before described, and fully set forth in the accompanying
Drawings, without confining myself. to the precise dimensions or details
exhibited therein.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Gardner, have hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this Second day of May, in the year of our. Lord.
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
רותח
WILLIAM
GARDNER.
L.S.)