CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH CASE SPRINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH CASE SPRINGS." A communication from
abroad by Joseph Britton, of San Francisco, California, in the United States
of America, Gentleman.
Sealed the 20th March 1877, and dated the 8th January 1877,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th January 1877.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. . " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WATCH CASE SPRINGS."
A communication from abroad by Joseph Britton, of San Francisco, California, in
the United States of America, Gentleman.
This Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of springs which are
known as watch case springs; these springs are secured within the case of a watch,
and are so connected with the lids or covers, either one or both, that the elasticity
of the spring will force the lid or cover open whenever the catch that holds it closed
is released. These springs have previous to my Invention been forged of steel in
the form of a thick bar so curved as to fit inside of the rim or frame of the watch
where it is secured, and the bar was drawn down thin at one end and continued
out in the form of a curved spring, having a suitable means of connecting it with
the case. Springs made in this manner are objectionable, first, because of their
liability to break, which necessitates the renewal of the whole bar and the sub-
stitution of a new one; and secondly, because from their shape where they are
reduced in size or drawn down to form the spring, a space is left which must in
every case be filled with gold or silver at a very considerable expense and no equi-
valent return.
This Invention consists in forming the bar and spring separately and uniting them
in such a manner that the spring can be easily renewed if broken without renewing
the bar; it also consists in supplying a tension device by which the power or
pressure of the spring can be regulated. The bar is so formed that it fills the space
which formerly required a more valuable metal, and the saving in this item alone is
greater than the cost of the spring.

page_text: Referring to the accompanying Drawing for a more complete explanation Figs. 1
and 2 are plan views of two kinds of case springs embodying my Invention;
Figs. 3 and 4 are interior views of the same.
A represents the body of the spring which consists simply of a metal bar curved
to fit the interior rim of the watch case; this bar is fastened in the usual manner
by a screw which passes through the rim of the case into a hole a made in the bar,
as shown; B is the spring proper which is formed with the usual projection C on
its outer end according to the position of the spring in the watch case; this spring
lies in a depression which is formed on the inner side of the bar A, and has its
inner end formed with a V shaped notch b which fits over a corresponding shoulder d
on the bar; this spring is then fastened by a screw i passing through the inner end
of the spring into the bar A. By this construction the bar may be made much
longer than those now in use, and will entirely fill the space which is formed by
drawing out the forged ones to form the spring proper, thus saving the cost of the
gold or silver which is now necessary to fill this space.
The whole spring and bar can be made by machinery in any desirable manner,
and the bar may be cast in malleable iron if desired.
If the spring part B should be broken, it can be easily removed and a new one
substituted without disturbing the part A. By means of the screw i, the tension
may be easily regulated and the action upon the case cover adjusted. . The form of
the spring part B may be advantageously changed by using a larger quantity of
steel and the centre (the most important part of the spring) will thus be
strengthened.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention com-
municated to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed,
what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. The curved bar or body A arranged to be attached to the interior rim of
the watch case, in combination with the detachable spring B, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Second. The curved bar or body A provided with the "V" shaped shoulder d
in combination with the spring B with its corresponding notch b, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
Third. The combination of a screw i or other tension device with a watch case
spring for regulating the tension of said spring, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward. Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TA
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)