US3859511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planning tool for developing the staffing requirements of a service work force
Assignee: M WALKER ASSOCIATES Inc
•
Filing: 1973-09-06
•
Granted: 1975-01-07
•
Expires: 1993-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A tool and method for developing the staffing requirements of a service work force which provides patient care. The tool is used to ascertain the number of persons required to give each component of care, such as nurses, practical nurses, and nurse''s aides. The tool includes at least two indicators mounted for movement with respect to each other. One of the indicators has a selector scale calibrated in a spaced graduated series of indicia representing the total number of patients or other task unit services by the work force. At least three other scales are formed on the other of the indicators. Each of the other scales comprising a series of indicia represent fractions of man hours or fractions of personnel required for each in a cumulative total number of task unit services by the work force. Movement of one indicator relative to the other of the indicators displays information which indicates the total number of man hours required for each of at least three different categories of workers for the total number of task units requiring service. According to a further feature, one of the indicators includes a plurality of scales which may be selected by separating, inverting, or reversing pieces.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice J Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06C; G06C3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
A tool for developing and staffing a service work force with the required amount of personnel comprising: a frame having at least two surfaces; a series of information display windows, laterally aligned in said frame; index window means longitudinally disposed in said frame and having a selector scale adjacent thereto calibrated into a graduated series of indicia representing the total number of task units serviced by said work force; a plurality of separate slide means equal to the number of said display windows; said slide means adapted to be slidably disposed in said frame; each of said slide means comprising a plurality of series of indicia representing scales in terms of fractions of man hours required for a given class of worker to serve in a total number of task units serviced by said work force, the relative lengths of each series of indicia being correlated relative to each other; each of said slide means additionally comprising an identifying proportion factor representing the basic time module of work which a worker must devote to each category of work, whereby the position of each slide in said frame is determined from time studies directed at ascertaining the basic unit of time required to perform a pre-selected task; said slides having a physical relationship to said index window means whereby any one of said plurality of series of indicia may be displayed in said window means responsive to interchanging, reversing, and inverting the positions of said slides in accordance with said proper identifying proportion factor; selector means on each of said slides for positioning each said slide relative to said frame by selecting the total number of task units on said selector scale regardless of the interchanged, reversed, or inverted position of said slide; whereby alignment of said slides relative to each other indicates in said display windows the total number of man hours required for each of the different categories of work required.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
A tool for developing and staffing a service work force with the required amount of personnel comprising: a frame having at least two surfaces; a series of information display windows, laterally aligned in said frame; index window means longitudinally disposed in said frame and having a selector scale adjacent thereto calibrated into a graduated series of indicia representing the total number of task units serviced by said work force; a plurality of separate slide means equal to the number of said display windows; said slide means adapted to be slidably disposed in said frame; each of said slide means comprising a plurality of series of indicia representing scales in terms of fractions of man hours required for a given class of worker to serve in a total number of task units serviced by said work force, the relative lengths of each series of indicia being correlated relative to each other; each of said slide means additionally comprising an identifying proportion factor representing the basic time module of work which a worker must devote to each category of work, whereby the position of each slide in said frame is determined from time studies directed at ascertaining the basic unit of time required to perform a pre-selected task; said slides having a physical relationship to said index window means whereby any one of said plurality of series of indicia may be displayed in said window means responsive to interchanging, reversing, and inverting the positions of said slides in accordance with said proper identifying proportion factor; selector means on each of said slides for positioning each said slide relative to said frame by selecting the total number of task units on said selector scale regardless of the interchanged, reversed, or inverted position of said slide; whereby alignment of said slides relative to each other indicates in said display windows the total number of man hours required for each of the different categories of work required.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein each task unit comprises a health care patient of a particular category and each graduation on said selector scale indicates a cumulative total number of patients served by said work force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tool of claim 2 wherein each of the other scales is a number group beginning with said basic time module, and a graduation in the scale comprises a multiple of said basic time module, said relative scale lengths being such that the cumulative total number corresponds to the multiple of the number displayed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tool of claim 3 wherein said other scales contain information relating to the numbers of man hours per task unit required for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse''s aids, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tool of claim 3 wherein said selector scale is carried by an outer wrapper and the other separate slides interchangeably fit side by side within said outer wrapper to carry a slide graph inside said outer wrapper, and windows in said outer wrapper for displaying information from the scales on said side graph.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |