Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Winding means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-08
2001-07-03
Miska, Vit (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Winding means
C081S007500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254270
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to self-winding watches, and, more particularly, to an automatic watch-winding apparatus for keeping a self-winding watch wound during periods of non-use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mechanical wrist watches employ spring wound mechanisms which convert the stored energy of the spring into mechanical movement of the watch's hands. Typically, such watches must be hand wound every two or three days to assure continuous operation. If the user forgets to wind the watch, the spring motor will eventually unwind causing the watch to cease operation.
Self-winding mechanisms are known for keeping a mechanical wrist watch wound while it is worn by a user. Most self-winding mechanisms employ a rotary pendulum mechanism for winding the spring motor. The random arm movements of the user as he or she engages in normal day-to-day activities causes the pendulum to swing back and forth. The motion of the pendulum is used to wind the spring. The spring motor stores sufficient energy to keep the watch operating overnight, whether worn or not. Thus, the daily use of the watch will be sufficient to maintain continuous operation without the need to manually wind the watch spring.
It is not uncommon for a person to own more than one watch. For example, a person may have a stainless steel watch which is used for sports events, a second watch for normal daytime use, and a third watch for evening or formal events. Consequently, there may be significant periods of time during which a particular watch is not used. Unless the owner remembers to manually wind the watches, the spring motor will eventually unwind and the watch will cease operation. The task of keeping multiple watches wound and operating is an inconvenience. For this reason, many people depend on a watch winder to keep their watches wound during periods of non-use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
A watch winder is a powered device which is designed to keep a self-winding watch fully wound thereby eliminating the need for manual rewinding and resetting. Prior art watch winders typically comprise an electric motor which drives a spindle. The spindle terminates in one or more c-shaped brackets over which the watch band is fitted. When activated, the watch rotates continuously in one or two opposite directions with the axis of rotation being coincident with the center of the watch face. Thus, the watch rotates in the same plane as do the hands of the watch. Some versions employ timers so that the winding action is not continuous and winding occurs only a portion of the time.
The 360° rotational motion of the watch is far different from the normal arm movement of a person as he or she engages in day-to-day activities. A person's arm normally swings through an arc of 120° or less when walking or engaging in other normal day-to-day activities. The unnatural motion of the rotational watch winder substantially increases the amount of wear on the winding mechanism and may eventually lead to malfunctioning or inaccurate timepieces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a method and apparatus for keeping a self-winding watch wound during periods of non-use. The present invention departs from the prior art practice of mounting the watches for rotational movement. Instead, the watch is fitted over a conical, cylindrical or shaped mandrel so that the watch space is radially spaced from the axis of rotation of the mandrel. The mandrel is driven at a low speed by an electric motor. When the winding apparatus is activated, the watch body moves in a circular path around the axis of rotation of the mandrel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis of rotation is disposed at an angle of approximately 30° from a horizontal plane. The orbital motion of the watch about the inclined axis causes the rotary pendulum in the self-winding mechanism to swing back and forth thereby replicating the effect of a person's natural arm movements. When a 30° angle from horizontal is chosen, each rotation causes the rotary pendulum to move through an arc of 120°.
Multiple watches may be placed on a single mandrel so there is no need for separate winding apparatuses for each watch. For most watch owners, a winding device with a single mandrel will be sufficient. For retailers or collectors with large numbers of watches, a winding apparatus with multiple mandrels and independent motors can be used.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2863345 (1958-12-01), Flechter
patent: 2917955 (1959-12-01), Leger
patent: 2926519 (1960-03-01), Setterberg
patent: 3620007 (1971-11-01), Kauffman
patent: 19535229A (1997-04-01), None
patent: 52043457 (1977-05-01), None
patent: 1111998 (1954-11-01), None
patent: 2233477A (1991-01-01), None
Coats & Bennett PLLC
Miska Vit
Orbita Corporation
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