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SELF-WINDING WATCH.
The annexed engraving represents a device for winding a watch by means of the motion of the wearer's body in walking, which has been patented by A. R. Von Loehr, of Vienna, and described in the Horological Journal.
It will be observed that the mechanism is in principle the same as that which constitutes the pedometer. The inventor is aware that the motion of a weighted lever has been used before for winding a watch, but he claims to have overcome the objections existing in former arrangements.
A weighted lever, G is pivoted at one end, and kept in its normal position against the upper of two banking pins, as shown, by the long curved spring. The strength of this spring is so adjusted that the motion of the body in walking is sufficient to cause the lever to descend to the lower banking pin at each step. There is a ratchet-wheel with very fine teeth, pivoted at the same center as the weighted lever, and fixed to the lever is a pawl, A, which engages with a ratchet-wheel. It is considered a special feature of the invention that this pawl is made very elastic, in order to take up the strain arising from any tendency of the pendulum to vibrate after the main-spring has been fully wound up. A is the barrel arbor, and the connection between it and the ratchet-wheel is made by means of a train of wheels, as shown; B is a second pawl to prevent the return of lie ratchet wheel.
It is urged that a watch wound in this automatic manner yields a better rate, by reason of the lesser range of main-spring in use, than when wound in the ordinary way.
In connection with this invention is an up and down indicator, with a revolving dial, which does not need special description.
For setting hands there is a disk, B. which has a milled surface, slightly cupped to suit the point of the finger.
Scientific American March 5, 1881