Automated watch winder and method of using the same
OwnerHenri Bonnetinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A winding apparatus for winding a mechanical watch while the watch is being stored or displayed, preferably comprises a housing, a wrist-sized mandrel whereupon the watch is placed and held in the housing. A grasping assembly of multiple claws grasps the crown of the watch and is driven by an electric motor. The claws rotate the crown of the watch to automatically wind the watch a predetermined amount and at a periodic interval. A control circuit adjusts the frequency at which the watch is wound as well as the length of time the claws are driven by the motor each time the watch is wound.
Claims24
A winding apparatus for winding a mechanical watch, the watch having a crown on a watch stem for winding the watch, said winding apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a power source;
- means for holding the watch;
- means for detachably engaging the crown, said detachable engaging means in cooperative alignment with the watch stem when the watch is being held on said holding means;
- and
- drive means for rotating the crown, said drive means powered by said power source and coupled to said detachable engaging means,
- whereby the operation of the watch is maintained by automatic winding of the crown of the watch.
A method for automatically winding a mechanical watch while being stored or displayed, the watch having a crown for winding the watch, said method comprising the steps of:
- holding the watch in a stationary position on a holding assembly;
- engaging the crown of the watch with a grasping assembly while the watch is being held;
- and
- rotating the crown of the watch by turning said grasping assembly with a drive assembly,
- thereby maintaining the operation of the watch by automatically winding the crown of the watch.
A winding apparatus for winding a mechanical watch, the watch having a crown on a watch stem for winding the watch, said winding apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a power source;
- a housing;
- a wrist-sized mandrel whereupon the watch is placed and held about the periphery of said mandrel, said mandrel detachably coupled in said housing;
- a grasping assembly of multiple claws for receiving and grasping the crown, said grasping assembly in cooperative alignment with the watch stem when the watch is being held on said mandrel;
- an electric motor coupled to said grasping assembly and powered by said power source,
- said grasping assembly driven by said motor such that said grasping assembly rotates the crown of the watch, whereby the operation of the watch is maintained by automatic winding of the crown of the watch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.