US3579884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Forward planning apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-09-27
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A forward planning apparatus comprising in combination a time scale with a plurality of pointers movable together over it in accordance with the passage of time, the pointers being set to indicate given periods of time between them and each representing a stage of an enterprise, and at least one multisided element representing a unit of the enterprise, the sides of said element each bearing an indication for one stage of the enterprise, such element being capable of application to the time scale with any side thereof in a given visible position to indicate the stage of the enterprise in hand.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas P Holwell Bray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B29/00; A; A46; A46B; A46B11/00; A46B11/06; G09D; G09D1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A forward planning apparatus for providing an indication of the status of a plurality of individual units with respect to a predetermined series of stages of an enterprise, said apparatus comprising: a generally circular scale bearing member having a substantially planar face divided into a plurality of annular areas, one annular area having a scale indicating divisions of time; a multisided element representing a unit of the enterprise, said element bearing on each side thereof indicia related to a particular stage of the enterprise and being adapted for application to the face of the scale bearing member within any one of the annular areas, the indicia visible on a predetermined side of the element indicating the present stage of the enterprise for the particular unit and the annular area occupied by the element indicating a further aspect of the status of the unit; and, a plurality of pointers carried by said scale bearing member in spaced relation to the face thereof and movable together with respect to the scale, the spaced relation between the pointers and the face of the scale bearing member being sufficient to permit the pointers to pass over the multisided elements when applied to the face of the scale bearing member without contact therebetween, said pointers being in fixed spaced relation to each other so as to indicate between them predetermined time intervals each related to one of a plurality of time intervals between adjacent of the stages in the enterprise, said pointers and said elements being in continuously visually observable communication with the scale.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A forward planning apparatus for providing an indication of the status of a plurality of individual units with respect to a predetermined series of stages of an enterprise, said apparatus comprising: a generally circular scale bearing member having a substantially planar face divided into a plurality of annular areas, one annular area having a scale indicating divisions of time; a multisided element representing a unit of the enterprise, said element bearing on each side thereof indicia related to a particular stage of the enterprise and being adapted for application to the face of the scale bearing member within any one of the annular areas, the indicia visible on a predetermined side of the element indicating the present stage of the enterprise for the particular unit and the annular area occupied by the element indicating a further aspect of the status of the unit; and, a plurality of pointers carried by said scale bearing member in spaced relation to the face thereof and movable together with respect to the scale, the spaced relation between the pointers and the face of the scale bearing member being sufficient to permit the pointers to pass over the multisided elements when applied to the face of the scale bearing member without contact therebetween, said pointers being in fixed spaced relation to each other so as to indicate between them predetermined time intervals each related to one of a plurality of time intervals between adjacent of the stages in the enterprise, said pointers and said elements being in continuously visually observable communication with the scale.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A forward planning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scale represents a whole calendar year, being divided into months and further subdivided into days.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A forward planning apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein all sides of said multisided element marked identically to identify the element with a particular unit in the enterprise, and each side in addition bearing a particular indication for a particular stage of the enterprise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A forward planning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the multisided element is a cube and the six sides of the cube are differently colored, each color indication corresponding to a particular stage of the enterprise.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A forward planning apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pointers each bear different color indications, each color corresponding to a particular stage of the enterprise.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A forward planning apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the multisided elements are applied to the scale bearing member and held by magnetic attraction alone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |