Abstract: A tensioning device for elongating a screw assembly, provided with threaded bolt and threaded nut supported on a fixed substructure, by applying a traction force to a free threaded end of the threaded bolt has a cylinder housing with internal wall and a piston movable in the cylinder housing in longitudinal piston direction. The piston together with the internal wall delimits a hydraulic operating space. A replaceable bush entrained by the piston in the longitudinal piston direction has a thread with which the bush can be screwed to the threaded bolt. A support tube is disposed on the cylinder housing, is supported on the fixed substructure, and surrounds the threaded nut. A lock bar is disposed on the support tube and has a lock-bar face facing the piston. The lock-bar face bears on a blocking face of the threaded nut that faces away from the piston.

Abstract: A tool improved over the prior art provides a means for easily and safely removing a timepiece mainspring from its barrel for cleaning and lubricating. A barrel holder is provided having a rim, and an essentially planar surface which includes openings therethrough. A mainspring barrel containing a mainspring is inserted into a mating opening. A barrel holder cap is snapped over a rim of the barrel holder. The cap surface includes openings opposite the barrel holder openings. The cap and barrel holder thereby form a receptacle for receiving an extracted mainspring. The watchmaker accesses a loop of the mainspring in the barrel holder, and removes the mainspring. The energy in the spring is thereby released and the expanding spring is captivated in the receptacle, permitting removal therefrom for cleaning and lubricating. In an improved version of the invention, a circular disc having a plurality of circular openings for receiving mainspring barrels of varying size.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus provides accented vibrations to an object and has a means for elastically suspending said object and at least one disengaging displacement means. The application of current interest is for winding a self-winding mechanical wrist watch during intervals when not worn on the wrist so it will not run down and stop. The apparatus has an enclosure and a holder to accept and position a self-winding watch which is periodically set in motion to simulate wrist action. The holder, within the enclosure, is mounted on springs and driven by a low rpm gearmotor which alternately pushes and releases; then pulls and releases so as to give a sharp acceleration in two or more directions. This action increases effectiveness of the apparatus in winding watches in different positions. The motion produced has other applications such as in testing other motion sensitive equipment or in producing unique patterns of mixing.

Abstract: The rewinder has a tubular housing defining an interior chamber which is open at the top and bottom ends and has an inboard annular shoulder and an aperture through the housing wall. A winder with a handle and an annular shoulder is received in the chamber with the handle extending out the bottom. The winder annular shoulder and the chamber form an annular rewinding compartment. The inboard end of the spring is held to the winder while the spring passes through the aperture in the chamber wall and the rewound spring is retained in the compartment by a cover. The rewinder also has an element that adjusts the effective diameter of the compartment.

Abstract: An improved spring rewinder for compressively rewinding a ribbon-type spring of concentric coils is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the winding of a self-winding mechanical wrist watch during intervals when it is not worn on the wrist and would otherwise run down and stop. The apparatus comprises a detachable, padded mandrel over which the self-winding wrist watch is placed and securely held by its own strap or band. The mandrel holding the watch is attached to a revolving winding shaft driven at slow speed by a motor wherein the relationship of the watch to the winding shaft is such that the axis of rotation of the stem of the internal self-winding rotor of the watch is generally coincident with the axis of rotation of the winding shaft.

Abstract: A support frame carries a rotary clock spring winding shaft having a reversible locking means. A set of variably sized spring retaining sleeves are provided and are selectively placed on the winding shaft according to the size of the clock spring barrel. A parallel stationary shaft on the support frame mounts a group of adjustable spring end holding elements which cooperate with the winding shaft during the winding up or unwinding of the clock spring. The apparatus effects removal and replacement of the clock spring in its barrel or retainer in a very simple manner without injuring the spring or the hands of the manipulator.