American Silversmiths

Benjamin Lewis
(1785-1848)
George Washington Briggs
(1811-1890)
Lydia Gardner Lewis
(1815-1885)
George Dexter Briggs
(1836-1915)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:

1. Celestina L. Jenks

George Dexter Briggs
  • Born: 20 Aug 1836, Swansea MA
  • Marriage (1): Celestina L. Jenks on 18 Jun 1867 in Pawtucket RI
  • Died: 5 Jul 1915, Providence RI

  General notes:

Jeweler

  Events in his life were:

  • He appeared on the 1870 census taken at Providence RI, listed as a manufacturing jeweler.
  • He appeared on the 1880 census taken at Providence RI, listed as a manufacturing jeweler.

picture
  • He was issued design patent number 397,774 on 12 Feb 1889

    GEORGE D. BRIGGS, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

    LOCKET.

    SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,774, dated Febraary 12, 1889. Application filed March 22, 1888, Serial No. 268,073

    To all whoM it may concern:
    Be it known that I, George D. Briggs, of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lockets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.
    My invention consists in providing a locket or charm with a calendar or game-counter.
    Figure 1 is a front view of my improved locket. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2, the front plate being removed and the sides or frame shown in section, and the calendar-disks, spring, and spring-boss shown in full view. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the lines 1 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the back plate provided with the tubular bearings and spring-retaining boss.
    In the drawings, 6 is the front part of the locket. 7 is the back part. The two parts are hinged together at 8 in the usual manner, and are provided with the ordinary snap, 9.
    10 is the front plate, which is provided with the two oval openings. 11 and 12, through which the figures on the disks 13 and 14 can be seen as the disks are revolved. The two disks 13 and 14 are each provided on their face with the numerals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 and a blank space, the blank to be used until the tenth day of the month arrives, when the numeral 1 takes its place. The two disks 13 and 14 are each mounted on the tubular bearings 15 and 16, respectively. These bearings are drawn or stamped up from the plate 17 and are integral therewith, as is also the spring-retaining boss 18. The spring 19 is forced, into the slot 20 and securely held in place. The spring 19 will at all times exert a pressure on the disks 13 and 14, and, by reason of the disks being provided with the ratchet - teeth, will always hold the disks in proper relation to the openings in the front plate, and as the disks project through the openings 21 at the ends of the frame, so as to expose one or more of the ratchet-teeth, the disks may be readily turned by the finger.
    The back portion, 7, of the locket is formed in the usual and well-known manner, and contains the glass 23, for covering and protecting the picture 24, and the bezel 25, for holding the glass and picture in place.
    In constructing the front part of the locket I first form the frame 27 from a band of metal, which band is formed so as to allow of the disks 13 and 14 projecting through the frame at the two ends. I next draw up the tubular bearings 15 and 16 from the plate 17, and also at the same time the boss 18. In the top of the boss I cut a slot, 20, for holding the spring 19. I then punch from the sheet-stock the two disks 13 and 14, with the teeth 22 and the holes 26. The figures may be enameled on the disks, or they may be embossed and polished, or they may be formed thereon in any other suitable manner. The plate 17 is placed in position in the frame and soldered or otherwise firmly held thereto. The disks 13 and 14 are placed on their respective bearings 15 and 16. The spring 19 is forced into the slot 20 in the boss 19, and if it is found desirable the ends of the bearings 15 and 10 may be slightly spun or turned over, so as to hold the disks in place. The front or finishing plate, 10, is now placed over all and firmly soldered to the frame, thereby securely holding all the parts in place.
    By allowing the teeth 22 to slightly project beyond the ends of the locket, the disks 13 and 14 may be turned so as to expose the several figures at the opening in the front plate, 10.
    In Fig. 1 the numerals 2 and 6 are exposed to view, indicating, if the device is used as a calendar, that it is the twenty-sixth day of the month, or, should it be used as a game-counter, that there have been two games won and that the party has six points on the next game.
    Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent—
    1. The combination, in a locket, of a frame provided with two openings, one opposite the other, and a plate having integral tubular bearings, on which are mounted the ratchet-disks, part of said disks extending through the openings in the frame, a spring mounted in the boss for engaging the teeth of the ratchet-disks, and the plate having the two openings through which the face of the ratchet-disks may be seen, substantially as and for the purpose described.
    2. The combination of the part 7 of a locket with the part 6, provided with the plate 17, the disks 13 and 14, and plate 10, having the openings 11 and 12, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.
    3. The combination of the part 7 of a locket with the part 6, provided with the plate 17, having the bearings 15 and 16, of the disks 13 and 14, mounted on said bearings, and the front plate, 10, having the openings 11 and 12, substantially as shown and described.
    4. In a locket, the combination, with the plate 17, provided with the bearings 15 and 16, and the boss 18, for holding the spring 19, of the disks 13 and 14 and the front plate, 10, having the openings 11 and 12, substantially as set forth.
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.
    George D. Briggs

    Witnesses:
    Joseph A. Miller, Jr.
    M. F. Bligh

George married Celestina L. Jenks on 18 Jun 1867 in Pawtucket RI. (Celestina L. Jenks was born on 18 Jun 1848 in Pawtucket RI and died on 20 Feb 1935 in Providence RI.)




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