GB2355229A

GB2355229A - A rolling activity planner having a series of panels for recording information

Info

Publication number: GB2355229A
Application number: GB9926249A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barrie Lloyd Reece
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-13
Filing date: 1999-11-05
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-05
Also published as: GB9924145D0; GB2355229B; GB9926249D0

Abstract

The activity planner comprises a backboard 1 to which is attached a series of vertically-spaced panels 2 each of which may represent a weekly, monthly or yearly time period. Each weekly panel is printed with the days of the week and has an additional space for notes. The backboard and panels have a hard glossy surface so that removable marks can be applied using a non-permanent marker. In use, after the current weekly uppermost panel has been used, the panels are removed from the backboard or the backboard moved so that the next weekly panel becomes the uppermost panel. The panels may be releasably attached to the baseboard by mounting in channels 3. Other methods of attachment include clips, slots, magnetic, mechanical fasteners, hooks, Velcro (RTM), atmospheric pressure or surface tension. The movable backboard may comprise a pull-down material.

Description

2355229 A Rolling Activity Planner I This invention relates to a device

that erables a group of people to plan their activities over a rolling period of time.

2 Individuals use a diary or personal organiser to plan their activities. Groups of people working together have to take account of each other's activities when rriaking plans over periods of time from days to years.

3 Devices for helping people plan their activities have been available for a long time. They include the "office diary" and "planners" which cover daily periods from days and weeks to years. The diaries can take the form of books and boards, and cards and posters that can be affixed to walls, and more recently computers and 'white board' technology.

4 AR of these devices suffer from the practical problem of not allowing immediate access to information for scanning, addition and amendment Without having to turn pages, making key strokes to a computer or trying to decipher small entries on a large screen.

According to the present invention that is shown" schem atically in Figure 1, a group of people may view their activity over a discrete amount of tirne that may be rolled forward as time lapses. The discrete units of time are shown in the form of individual panels. The separate panels are supported on a 'backboard' or 'baseboard'.

6 The representation in Figure I is Bor a rolling period of 4 consecutive weeks with each week divided into 5 days. The panels are placed above each other so that the calendar so formed reads from the most recent week at the top to the most distant week (in time) at the bottom. The user puts the relevant number denoting the day of the month in the space alongside the name of the day. Information is then recorded in the daily spaces provided for the purpose.

7 When the most recent week is finished (the top panel), the information contained on that board for that week is erased (its contents may have been stored more permanently elsewhere) and it becomes the week that follows that represented by the bottom panel. The top panel is then moved to the bottom and each of the other panels is moved one place upwards. It is this movement of time periods that leads to the device being referred to as --a "rolling7' activity planner. Thus the top panel now becomes the week ahead and inforination can'now be written into the new week represented by the bottom panel. This process is repeated on a weekly basis.

8 The panels representing the consecutive weeks are supported in place on the main backboard. The panels and the backboard. have a hard gloss white surface for use with cc overhead projector" type "non-permanenf' pens. When dry, the ink produced by these pens is not easily smudged or wiped off. The ink can be removed with a cloth dampened with water. The socalled "'permanerif' pens may also be used but the erasure of the marks produced by these pens requires the use of organic solvents and may lead to permanent discolouration of the surfaces. The normal "dry-wip6" w+.nte2.

board marker pens are not recommended because there is too great a risk of accidental erasure when writing additional information on the panels.

9 Each of the panels is suitably marked with the days of the week that may be either in the form of 5 or 7/ days, and each has a vacant space at the end of the week for special notices. Space on the board under and alongside the panels can be used for further notes and adornment.

The invention is mounted in a suitable way so that the information in all weeks can be easily seen. This will usually mean that it will be fixed to a wall or a vertical stand.

I I A specific embodiment of the invention will now be.described by way of example writh reference to the accompanying drawing (Figure 2) that provides for a rolling period of 4 consecutive weeks. Each week is represented by the days of the week being printed on a 'panel'. The 4 panels representing the 4 weeks are mounted on a board that is hereinafter referred to as a 'backboard. Each panel is marked in days of the week and a separate section is marked for notes- Each paqel is held in a channel made from aluminium or plastic and fixed to the bacld)oard by an adhesive. The fit of the panels to the channel is such that each panel can easily be removed but when iii place maintains a stable position so that it can be easily written on.

12 In this embodiment, each panel is made from a sandwich of medium density fibreboard sandwiched between 2 sheets of plastic laminate. The plastic laminate has a high gloss surface that can be marked by "overhead projectoe' pens; the Lnk when dry, can be wiped off with a cloth dampenedwith water.

13 In this embodiment, the panel is shown with 5 days of the week marked out on the one side to be generally suitable for industry. The reverse side of the panel is similarly laid out but on that side the number of days in the week is extended to 7.

14 The backboard has one high gloss surface and one balancing laminate. The high gloss surface is for logos and notes.

The panels are arranged in sequential date order.

16 Holes in the board allow this embodiment of the irivention to be fixed to a wall.

3.

Figure 1: Schematic Representation of a Rolling Activity Planner based on a selected period of I -weeek and -ffie presentation of 4 consecutive weeks with 5 days in each week 1 I 4.

Claims

1 A rolling activity planner in the form of a set of movable'panels each representing a defined period or interval of time such as a day, week, month or year. The panels may be attached to or incorporated into a movable screen or may be physically separated from each other. The matter of importance is that the panels representing the information-can be moved relative to each other as time progresses. The planner is used by the action of putting information onto the panels in the appropriate time intervals.

2 A rolling, activity planner as Claimed in Claim I where the panels are removable I and have a sequence of different intervals of time on their reverse side.

3 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim 1 where the panels are reusable.

4 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I where the surfaces of the panels are such that infor-mation recorded on them can be erased allowing t eir reuse.

g A rolling g activity planner as Claimed in Claim I where the panels after use are discarded.

6 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I where the panels after use are stored.

7 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has panels supported in channels or clips fixed to the backboard and made from metal, wood, paper or plastic.

8 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has panels supported in slots cut out of the backboard.

9 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has a ferromagnetic backboard and magnetically attached panels.

A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has an electromagnetically operated backboard and magnetically attached panels.

I I A rolling , activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has mechanical fasteners to support the panels on the backbo'ard.

12 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has hooks to support the panels on the backboard.

13 A roffing activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has Velcroztype materials to support the panels on the backboard.

14 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I that has a mechanised system to move the panels in sequential order either on a drum or on the backboard.

5.

A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I where the panels constitute part of pull-down or movable material.

16 A roffing activity planner as Claimed in Claim 1 that relies on atmospheric pressure or surface tension to support the movable panels or intervals of time on a supporting board or wall.

17 A rolling activity planner as Claimed in Claim I substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanied drawings.