IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF- ACTING CATCHES APPLICABLE FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE THEFT OF WATCHES FROM THE POCKET OR THE SUDDEN UNAUTHORIZED DRAWING. OUT OF ROPES OR OTHER LINES FROM THEIR RECEPTACLES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I GEORGE, WILLIAMS, of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, Inventor, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-
ACTING CATCHES APPLICABLE FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE THEFT OF WATCHES
FROM THE POCKET OR THE SUDDEN UNAUTHORIZED DRAWING. OUT OF ROPES OR
OTHER LINES FROM THEIR RECEPTACLES," to be as follows:-
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This invention is mainly designed to prevent the theft of watches. These latter
are almost invariably separated from the chain by thieves by breaking of the bow,
and my invention prevents the thief: extracting the watch from the pocket at
all, and therefore prevents him getting at the bow. It consists in placing on the
line of the chain, an, attachment, which, by pulling at the chain, causes a series of
points or grappling pins to project and catch the stuff of the pocket, but which,
when the cap is pressed down, or, the pull taken from the said attachment itself
instead of; from the chain, leaves the pocket freely without permitting the grapnels
to fly out. The simplest form of the apparatus consists in a cylinder or cone
fastened or attached by links to the swivel carrying the watch. Through the cap
between
of this works a pin with a head, at bottom inside the cone or cylinder;
the head of the pin and the cap is a spiral spring, and on the head are hinged a
series of pins. projecting all round the central pin, with their points projecting
through the end of the cylinder. By pulling the chain these points are propelled
forward and outward at an angle and catch in the stuff of the pocket. I sometimes
have a, spring cap that I can press down over the points and prevent them
expanding while held, so that there shall be no chance of the owner pricking his
fingers when withdrawing his watch.
In place of a cylinder or cone, a double cone or other fancy shape of spring and
point case can be used, and in cheap apparatus the points can be fixtures on the
head and slide in and out of holes or slots in the lid of cylinder. The cylinder too
can be replaced by simple guards.

page_text: I, GEORGE WILLIAMS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Inventor, do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-
ACTING CATCHES APPLICABLE FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE THEFT OF WATCHES
FROM THE POCKET" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention is mainly designed to prevent the theft of watches. These latter
are almost invariably separated from the chain by thieves by breaking of the bow,
and my invention prevents the thief extracting the watch from the pocket at all,
and therefore prevents him getting at the bow. It consists in placing on the line
of the chain or to the bow of the watch, an attachment, which, by pulling at the
chain, causes a series of points or grappling pins to project and catch the stuff of
the pocket, or the pull taken from the said attachment itself instead of from the
chain, leaves the pocket freely without permitting the grapnels to fly out.
Figure 1 sectional elevation of my invention shewing the pins extended.
Figure 2 sectional elevation with pins in normal position.
Figure 3 sectional elevation of modified form.
Figure 4 sectional elevation of same with pins extended.
In the drawings filed with the specification these are all for the sake of clearness
shown 3 to 4 times as large as the actual size,
One form of the apparatus is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and consists in a
cylinder fastened or attached by links between the swivel carrying the watch and
the watch chain.
B is a spindle passing through the cap or top C of the cylindrical casing made of
less diameter towards its lower end and terminating in a head D. E is a washer
surrounding the spindle at its lesser end against which the head D abuts. F' is a
short internal cylinder through which the end of the spindle passes, to this spindle
a number say 4 pins G are pivoted by means of a wire f passing round the inner
cylinder F and through holes provided in the base of each of the pins. These pins
are provided at their base with a projection g which reaches out towards the
spindle B' the washer E coming in contact with their under surface. A washer or
cap H is placed on top of the internal cylinder F, against which presses a spiral
spring I. In the sides of the cylinder A are formed a number of slots corresponding
with the number of pins. By means of the ring J the apparatus is attached to the
watch or other article to be secured in the pocket and by the key K to the chain
When a pull comes on the ring J the spindle B is withdrawn causing the washer E,
by coming in contact with the projections g of the pins G to force the pins slightly
forward and outward into the position shown in Figure 1. When the pull or strain
is released the spring I forces the inner cylinder F back into the position shown in
Figure 2, the pins g being forced inwards again as they pass below the sides a of
the cylinder A. The wearer can of course withdraw the watch from the pocket
without pulling on the chain and thereby causing the pins to project.
Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of the apparatus in which the pins G are
hinged to a projecting ring on the end of the spindle B. These pins pass through
holes in the side of the casing of the apparatus which may be of the shape shown,
or cylindrical, or any other fancy or convenient shape, and any pull on the spindle
forces them into the position shown in Figure 4.
I sometimes have a spring cap that I can press down over the points and prevent
them expanding while held, so that there shall be no chance of the owner pricking
his fingers when withdrawing his watch.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. A self-acting catch applicable for preventing the theft of a watch from the
pocket, having a series of pins actuated by or attached to a spindle which are forced
forward and outward or either when the spindle is withdrawn and returned to
position by a spring, substantially as described and shown.
2nd. The combined apparatus, substantially as herein described in Figures 1 and 2
and Figures 3 and 4, each taken separately as a whole.