US20110277501A1

US20110277501A1 - Goal tracking system

Info

Publication number: US20110277501A1
Application number: US12/974,372
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelley L. Davis; Jason S. Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2010-12-21
Publication date: 2011-11-17
Also published as: US9292785B1

Abstract

A goal tracking system is described. The goal tracking system can include a bracelet having numeric indicia disposed thereon representing an accomplishment or a goal such as weight loss. A button connector is adjacent to each of the numeric indicia to maintain a button-charm. The button-charm is moved from numeric indicia to numeric indicia as a corresponding goal is achieved. In one aspect, the bracelet may be used to track weight loss results, set weight loss goals, promote improved eating habits, and serve as a reminder to stay focused and motivated towards reaching weight loss goals.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/288,512, filed Dec. 21, 2009, and titled BRACELET. The above mentioned provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Determination and motivation are needed to reach and maintain healthy eating habits. However, existing mechanisms for tracking goals such as weight loss are not easily accessible. Consequently, persons attempting weight loss may become distracted and lose focus on reaching their weight loss goal.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a bracelet in accordance with an example implementation.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrations showing the button-charm of the bracelet shown in FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing example bracelets having different arrangements of numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate an example bracelet 100 configured for tracking goals such as weight loss. The bracelet 100 allows its user to set a weight loss goal in a numerical, visible fashion, and provides a way for the user to track the weight loss results. The bracelet 100 is visible on the user's wrist and thus serves to keep the user focused on reaching weight loss goals. Thus, the bracelet 100 may help motivate the user towards proper eating habits and discourage bad eating habits.
As shown, the bracelet 100 can include a flexible band 102 having numeric indicia 104 disposed thereon that are suitable for representing an accomplishment or a goal such as weight loss. A button connector 106 can be, for example, a hole or slit formed through the flexible band 102 adjacent to each of the numeric indicia 104 to receive a button-charm 108 inserted therethrough. Even though button connector 106 is described herein as a hole or slit, button connector 106 can also include a snap, connector, a magnetic connector, a velcro connector, and the like. The button-charm 108 is moved from numeric indicia 104 (e.g., button connector 106) to numeric indicia 104 (e.g., button connector 106) as a corresponding amount of weight is lost. In this manner, the bracelet 100 may be used to track weight loss results, set weight loss goals, promote improved eating habits, and serve as a reminder to a user to stay focused and motivated towards reaching weight loss goals.
The band 102 may be formed in a continuous loop, e.g., without a latching mechanism. However, it is contemplated that the band may be equipped with a latching mechanism such as a buckle or button (not shown). In various embodiments, the band 102 may be provided in a single size selected to fit an average human wrist, or may be provided in two or more sizes to accommodate users having different sized wrists (e.g., small, medium, large, extra large, etc.).
The band 102 is fabricated of a suitable material which may be flexible. Example materials include rubber (e.g., a synthetic silicone rubber, a natural rubber, etc.), leather, a plastic, vinyl, a polyethylene fiber material, or a metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, gold, silver, platinum, etc.), or the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the band 102 is approximately ½ inch in width and ⅛ inch in thickness. However, it is contemplated that the band 102 could be narrower or wider and/or thicker or thinner. The band 102 can be fabricated in any color or combination of colors.
Numeric indicia 104 may be formed on the band 102 using a variety of techniques. For example, numeric indicia 104 may be formed during molding of the band 102, by embossed or debossed printing on the band 102, by stamping, by painting, and so on. In the embodiments illustrated, the numeric indicia 104 are shown arranged on the band 102 in groups of five. However, the numeric indicia 104 may be arranged in sets of more or less numbers (e.g., sets of four numbers or sets of six numbers, and so on). Moreover, the numeric indicia 104 are shown arranged to increase in a reading fashion from left to right. However, the numeric indicia 104 may also be arranged to decrease from left to right. Numeric indicia 104 can be provided in any increment and may have any value. Examples include: “1 2 3 4 5” “2 4 6 8 10” “10 20 30 40 50” “1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5 9” “½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3”. However, other examples are possible.
Button connectors 106 may be formed in the band 102 on the right side of, and horizontal to, each numeric indicia 104. The button connectors 106 can extend through the band 102 and are illustrated as being circular in shape, but could be any shape such as a triangular, rectangular, square, and so forth.
The button-charm 108 is comprised of a button portion 110 that can be connected to one of the button connectors 106 formed in the band 102 and a charm portion 112 that may be provided with metric indicia 114 on its face. The button 110 and the charm 112 may be fabricated as separate components that are attached together using a suitable fastener such as glue, rubber cement, adhesive, a mechanical attachment, and so on. However, it is contemplated that the button-charm 108 may also be fabricated as a single (e.g., one-piece) component.
The button portion 110, which may be fabricated of a generally rigid material such as plastic, a metal, and so on, is comprised of a cylinder portion 116 having a flange 118, 120 on each end. In embodiments, the cylinder portion 116 may be approximately 3/16 inch in diameter and ⅛ inch in length. In such embodiments, the bottom flange 118 may be approximately 5/16 inch in diameter, while the top flange may be ⅜ inch in diameter. However, the size and dimensions of the button portion 110 may be smaller or larger.
In the embodiment illustrated, the charm portion 112 is provided with metric indicia 114 that provide a context to numeric indicia 104. For example, metric indicia 114 can comprise the letter “lbs.” However, it is contemplated that metric indicia 114 may comprise any design, symbol, lettering (e.g., “Kg”), or numbering. Metric indicia 114 may be formed on the charm portion 112 using a variety of techniques. For example, metric indicia 114 may be formed during molding of the charm portion 112, by embossed or debossed printing on the charm portion 112, by stamping, by painting, and so on. The charm portion 112 is fabricated of a suitable material, such as rubber (e.g., a synthetic silicone rubber, a natural rubber, etc.), leather, a plastic, vinyl, a polyethylene fiber material, or a metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, gold, silver, platinum, etc.), or the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the charm is ½ inch in diameter. However, it is contemplated that the charm portion 112 could be larger or smaller. Moreover, the charm portion 112 is shown as circular in shape, but may be any shape, color or combination of colors.
The bracelet 100 is initially worn with the button-charm 108 removed. The bracelet 100 is configured to assist the user in tracking weight loss results by allowing the user to place the button-charm 108 in the button connector 106 adjacent to the numeric indicia 104 corresponding to the amount of weight (e.g., number of pounds) lost during a user's weight loss attempt. For example, an example bracelet 100 may have a band 102 including the numbers “1 2 3 4 5” and a button-charm 108 containing the indicia “lbs.” The user places the “lbs.” button-charm 108 into the button connector 106 of the band 102 next to the numeric indicia 104 that represents the number of pounds that the user has lost. Thus, when the user has lost one pound, the user connects the “lbs.” button-charm 108 to the button connector next to the number “1” of the numeric indicia 104. Next, the user moves the “lbs.” button-charm 108 to the next numeric indicia 104 as weight loss increases. Thus, when the user loses another pound, so that the user has a total weight loss of two pounds, the user connects the “lbs.” button-charm 108 to the button connector 106 next to the number “2” of the numeric indicia 104.
In this manner, the bracelet 100 provides motivation by inducing a desire in the user to reach the next higher number during a weight-loss attempt. The bracelet 100 also functions as a mental reward by providing satisfaction when the user can move the button to the next higher numeric indicia 104. Moreover, the bracelet 100 furnishes a visual reminder of the progress achieved as well as the results desired. The bracelet 100 further reminds the user that he or she desires to lose weight. For example, the bracelet 100 is worn on the wrist of the user's hand to serve as a visual reminder/warning to the user to help prevent the impulsive snacking (e.g., the user views the bracelet 100 when reaching for an unhealthy snack such as candy or junk food).
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples.

Claims

1. A goal tracking system, comprising:

a bracelet having a pattern that includes a plurality of consecutive groupings extending around the bracelet, wherein each grouping of the pattern includes a numeric indicia and a button connector; and

a button charm having a charm portion and a button portion, wherein the button portion is structured for removable engagement with the button connector of each grouping, wherein the charm portion includes metric indicia that provides context to the numeric indicia of each grouping.

2. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the numeric indicia is different numeric indicia, wherein the different numeric indicia of each grouping is consecutively incremented with respect to an adjacent grouping.

3. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the metric indicia is a weight metric indicia.

4. The goal tracking system of claim 3, wherein the weight metric indicia includes at least one member of a group comprising: a textual indicator for pounds, and a textual indicator for kilograms.

5. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the bracelet is a continuous flexible band.

6. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the bracelet is formed from at least one member of the group comprising: rubber, leather, plastic, vinyl, polyethylene fiber, and metal.

7. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the button connector is a hole extending through the bracelet.

8. The goal tracking system of claim 7, wherein the button portion of the button charm includes a cylindrical portion and a flange on each end of the cylindrical portion.

9. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the charm portion is connected to the button portion via at least one member of a group comprising: glue, rubber cement, adhesive, and mechanical attachment.

10. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the numeric indicia is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.

11. The goal tracking system of claim 1, wherein the metric indicia is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.

12. A goal tracking system, comprising:

a flexible bracelet having a pattern that includes a plurality of consecutive groupings extending around the bracelet, wherein each grouping of the pattern includes a numeric indicia and a hole, wherein the numeric indicia of each grouping is consecutively incremented with respect to an adjacent grouping; and

a button charm having a charm portion and a button portion, wherein the button portion is structured for removable engagement with the hole of each grouping, wherein the charm portion includes weight metric indicia that provides context to the numeric indicia of each grouping.

13. The goal tracking system of claim 12, wherein the weight metric indicia includes at least one member of a group comprising: a textual indicator for pounds, and a textual indicator for kilograms.

14. The goal tracking system of claim 12, wherein the button portion of the button charm includes a cylindrical portion and a flange on each end of the cylindrical portion.

15. The goal tracking system of claim 12, wherein the charm portion is connected to the button portion via at least one member of a group comprising: glue, rubber cement, adhesive, and mechanical attachment.

16. The goal tracking system of claim 12, wherein the numeric indicia is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.

17. The goal tracking system of claim 12, wherein the weight metric indicia is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.

18. A goal tracking system, comprising:

a continuous flexible bracelet having a pattern that includes a plurality of consecutive groupings extending around the bracelet, wherein each grouping of the pattern includes a number and a hole extending through the continuous flexible bracelet, wherein the number of each grouping is consecutively incremented with respect to an adjacent grouping; and

a button charm having a charm portion and a button portion, wherein the button portion of the button charm includes a cylindrical portion and a flange on each end of the cylindrical portion, wherein the button portion is removably secured within the hole of one of the groupings, wherein the charm portion includes a weight metric identifier that provides weight context to the number of the one of the groupings.

19. The goal tracking system of claim 18, wherein the number is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.

20. The goal tracking system of claim 18, wherein the weight metric indicia is formed from at least one member of a group comprising: embossing, debossed printing, stamping, and painting.