US2476408A - Fisher - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1949. G. FISHER RHYTHM CALCULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 3. 1944 G. FISHER RHYTHM CALCULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 19, 1949.

Filed Aug. 5, 1944 RHYTHM CALCULATOR July 19, 1949.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 3. 1944 Q6' rVf 17W July 19, 1949. G. FISHER 2,476,408

Y RHYTHM CALCULATOR Filed Aug. 3. 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE administratrix of said George Fisher, deceased, assigner, by direct and mesnc assignments,y toY George F. Fisher, Jr.

ApplicationAugust 3, 1944, Serial No..547,90`

(Cl. 2515"-51'8)z I8" Claims. l This invention relates to a calculator for determiningv the rhythm numbers and also the calendar dates corresponding theretov for various menstruation cycles.

An important' object ofthe invention is to provide a calculator of` ths kind adapted to cover regular menstrual periods and normal. variations thereof.

A. further object ofA the invention is to provide a calculator for determining the two rhythm ligures for any usual menstrual cycle.

Another. object of the invention is toapply the calculator to determine the actual dates. for any particular rhythm 'gures covering any of the` usual menstrual cycles..

Still a further object of theA invention is to provide for calendar determinations applying thev rhythm gures for. months of different4 lengths.

Another object of theinventionfis.toprovide a calculator of this kindlwhichis generally otnew and improved construction; characterizedY by simplicity of design as. well as ease and facility in use and assembly.

Other objects ofthe inventionand various ad.- vantages and characteristics` of the. present cal.- culator will be. apparentfrom a consideration of the following detaileddescription.

The inventionconsistsinthe several novel features of construction and, operation. which are hereinafter described. and more particularly de.. fined by the claims at the conclusion hereof..

In the drawingswhichaccompanyy andform a part of this specification. or. disclosure and ina which like letters andnumerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the severalA views:

Figure l is an assembly view of` thecalculator showing the parts in a position for determining the rhythmv numbers for ay cyclev ot 2B. days; Figure 2 shows theA calculator with the. parts in positionior determining the rhythm numbers tor amenstruallcycle which var-iesrom 2K3-to, 30 days, the cycle beginning upon` the tenth dayl of a 30 day month; Figure` 3 isa sectionaltview of the calculator; Figure 4' is aplan orY face.view ofthe other parts are movable and adjustable; Figure illustrates a modiiication4 set for determining the rhythm numbers for a cycle which varies from 22'! to' 26 days; and Figures 9; 10-and 11- show fragmentary views of the days, left and right adjust'- able parts'respectively, ofI Figure 8-.

It has been determined that in a menstrual cycle, there is a sterileperiod beginning with the iirst day of menstruation, followed by a fertile period lasting for a number of days in whichA conceptionv can occur, and then aperiod of sterilityextending to thel next menstruation. For' a woman whose regularcycle is 28 days, thesel periods are 9, 8 and 11` days respectively.

In the same manner; airegularcycle of 20 daysf has periods of 1, 8, and 11 days respectively; anda. cycleof 36 days hasperiods-of- 17, 8, and 11 days respectively'.

Most normal menstrual cycles vary from 2 to 6v days, as from 20 to 25` days; 26 to 28, or 24 to 30 days, and it is somewhat difficult to calculate the' rhythm numbers for these variations, and to carry over the periods from one month to another.

The present invention provides a simple, reliable, and easily operated calculator for making the determinations ofthe rhythm numbers and their application to months of different lengths.

It is assumed thata woman has determined by observation over eight months or more, the shortest and longest periods in her menstrual cycle. The iirst two figures of her rhythm are important to herthe. rst ofA which indicates the sterile days at the beginning ofv her menstrual cycle, and the secondi indicates the number of days in her fertile period;

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the calculator comprisesY a base member I0 preferably circular in form and of flat flexible material such as cardboard-metaL plastic, or any other suitable, material.`

InV the outer marginal edges are graduations l I. containing designations from 20 to 40. Inside of the graduated portion H is a ring containing a segmental portion 12.01V the same circular extent as the graduations lil marked with a distinguishing color such as blue. Within the ring I2 and spaced from the lower graduation 2D by a distance oi three ofthe same graduations is a marker I3 preferably in the form of. a, blockwhich occupies 3 the same circular proportionate space as one of the outer graduations II. At the center of the base member is a perforation I4 for receiving a mounting pivot I5.

Rotatably mounted on the pivot I 5 next to the base plate I6 is the right side adjustment part I5a having a portion I6 of a diameter to cover the outer graduated ring II of the base member I and a portion I1 of smaller diameter to extend within and to uncover the base marker I3. At one end connecting the portion I6 and I1 is a connecting shoulder I8, and at the other side connecting these portions is a shoulder I9 having an outer projection 26 which extends outwardly4 beyond the edge or periphery of the base member Ill to provide means for easily adjusting it at the right side of any ofthe graduations II. At the base of the Shoulder I9 is a ring segment 2I corresponding to the color ring segment I2 Y of the base member I0 and having a length corresponding to four of the graduations II. These are divided into two graduations 22 which are preferably of the same color as the color segment I2 and two other segments 23 which are a lighter shade of the same color.

The left adjustment part 24 as shown in Figure has a portion 25 With a diameter substantially the same as that of the portion I6 of the part I5a to cover the graduations I I of the base member, and a portion 26 of reduced diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the portion I1 of the right adjusting part, which extends to the inner edge of the cooler ring segment I2. The portions and 26 of larger and smaller radius are connected by a straight portion 21 atV one side and by a shoulder 28 at the other side having a continued projection 29 which extends beyond the periphery of the base member I 6 to form a finger hold portion for adjusting the left part. Extending from the base of the shoulder 28 is a ring segment 36 having a colored portion 3| of a width of two of the graduated spaces I I, and a portion 32 of lighter color having a width of one of the same graduations. Extending circularly in the portion 25 of larger radius is a curved slot 33 to embrace the inner and outer sides of the marker I3 of the base member which is therefore Visible through the slot for a full length corresponding -to fteen of the graduated spaces.

And finally, there is an outer adjustment part 35 having an outer ring 36 divided into continuous graduations having in one group and 31 in another group corresponding to months of 36 and 31 days respectively. Inside of the graduated ring 36 is another ring of corresponding graduations 31 which areat a distance from the center so that they register with the marker I3 of the base member which is visible through the slot 33 of the left member 24. It is preferable that this outer adjustment part is made of transparent material so that the marker I3 and the colored sections in the ring I2 of the base member and 2l and 30 inthe adjustable parts S5@ and 24 respectively are easily visible through it, the numbers designating the days of the month being also plainly visiblein the outer graduated ring 36.

To cover a month of 28 days, the transparent outer part 35 is preferably marked with numbers from 1 to 28 arranged relatively to the graduations 3 to 36 for a month of 30 days and at the inside of the graduated ring 31.

It would be suilicient to have the two outer rings of the movable part 35 of a transparent 4 nature, but by having the entire part made of transparent material, the outer surface of the left adjustment part 24 may have thereon printed directions for using the calculator or other subject matter which is visible through this outer part 3 On the projection 29 of the left part 24 is an arrow 4t preferably having a distinguishing color such as red to designate the left side of the number of days in the shortest menstruation period, and in the projection 20 of the other part I5a is an arrow 4I preferably having a different designating color such asblack to designate the right side of the graduation in the longest menstruation period under consideration.

, calculator.

In operating this calcula-tor to determine the rhythm numbers for any cycle, Whether it be a single day or a number of days, the left adjustment part is moved so that its arrow is at the left `of the number designating the cycle or the shortest variation thereof, and the right adjustment part is moved so that its edge as designated by the arrow is at the right side of the numbered graduation designating the day and the period or the number of days in the longest period. With the right and left parts in these positions turn the transparent outer disc until the number 1 appears directly over the marker I3 which is then visible through the slot 33 of the left adjustment part. The rhythm numbers are thus in advance of the color visible through the disc in the example as shown in Figure 1, the numbers appearing in color being from l0 to 17, so that the two rhythm numbers are 9 and 8. In a similar manner, the rhythm numbers may be determined for any usual period and for any ordinary variation menstrual cycles.

'I'o use the calculator for calendar dates, it is necessary only to vary the position of the outer transparent disc so that instead of placing the numeral one upon or over the marker I3, the date of last menstruation be adjusted to that position, the calculator being set for the days of longest and shortest periods, the sterile and fertile dates may be actually determined and read from the That portion of the outer disc which represents the number of days in the month under consideration, should be used in connection with the marker I3, whether it be for a month of 28, 30 or 31 days. For a February having 29 days, an additional day may be added to the result. In the example shown in Figure 2. the rhythm numbers which may be calculated are 7 and 12, the sterile days will be from the tenth to the sixteenth of the month, and the fertile days being from the seventeeth to the twenty-eighth.

In the same manner, the rhythm numbers and the calendar dates may be easily and quickly determined for any regular or variable menstrual periods within the range of the calculator. For all practical purposes, this range of calculation is included between graduations 20 to 40 on the base member.

A simplified form of the calculator is shown in Figures 8 to 11, comprising a base 44, a left adjustable part 45, a right adjustable part 46, and an outer rotatable part 41, all connected together for relative rotation by a common pivot screw 48. The difference between this structure and that previously described is that the base member has a marker 49 which projects outwardly from the periphery Where it is visible outside of the outer edges of the left and right parts 45 and 46. This marker projection is spaced four graduations from the lower end of amarres graduations 5()` designating the high andiow days partAB has a portion 55 with an outer diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the base member with a reduced portion 55 between the right end marker Elv and av shoulder 58,

this portion of reduced diameter being the same as the portion 54 ofv the left part and uncovering the numbered graduations 55 between theend markers for any variation or the graduations 50 from 20, the lowest numben to 4.0, the largest number contained therein; and the outer member 41 is circular form, and has an outer, diameter less than the diameter of theY inner edge of the graduations 5b ci the base member and corresponding thereto. The outer member is not necessarily transparent since no covered marker or open slot is necessary as in. the other form of the invention. and the marker 49l visible at the outer edge of the base member 44 is substantially the width of one of the graduationsy of the base member and also ofl one of the graduations of the outer member M, thus making it possible to set the outer member so that one of its number l gradnations is placed opposite the marker iii for determining the rhythm numbers, or to set any number in the edge of the outer member opposite the marker 49 for determining the calendar applications of the rhythm numbers, all as previously set forth.

Inv the projection 52 of the left member d5 are three graduations 6@ in line with the graduations 5l) of the base member, and in the project tion 5T of the right adjustable member l5 are four graduations E5! in line with the graduations 5()V of the base member. These graduations are added to those exposed between the left and right adjustable members in determining the so-c'alledfertile period.

With this construction, no slotted or transparent parts. are necessary and although the method and theory of operation is the same, the parts are simpler to construct, to set and to operate.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to. the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rhythmv calculator having a base with the edge graduatedto represent days, a pair of parts iaving outer projections 'and movable from opposite sides of the to visibly include any number of graduati between the projections designating days var tions in length. of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, and a movable outer member ng corresponding tov those ci the Law determining the graduations of the marker from one side ofthe visible graduations of the base.

2; A rhythm calculate-r having a graduated to represent days, a of parts having outer projections movable at opposite sides upon the base to include any number of said graduations between the projections design'ating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, each of the parts having portions adjacent the included graduations including a predetermined number of similar graduations, and a movable outer member having corresponding graduations for determining the number of graduations from the marker to the adjacent predetermined graduations and the number of graduations includedv between the parts and added to said predetermined graduations.

3. A rhythm calculator having a base with graduations to represent days in menstrual.

cycles, a pair of parts having. terminal projecting portions and movable on the base to include any number of said graduations therebe.- tween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, each part having a designating portion of several graduations adjacent its terminal portion, the base having a similar designating portion extending along its graduations and corresponding. to the designating portions of said parts, and a movable outer member having graduations for determining the number of graduations from the marker to the adjacent designating portion and the total graduations included in and between said graduated portions.

4'. A rhythm calculator having a base with graduations to represent days in menstrual cycles, a pair of parts having terminal portions projecting over the graduations and movable to include any number of said graduations therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, one of the parts having a slot through which the marker is visible, the other part having a portion of reduced sections which uncoversA the slot of the first part, and movable outer member having graduations corresponding to those of the base for determining the graduations from the marker to the adjacent terminal portion included between the movable parts.

5; A rhythm calendar calculator havin a base` with graduations to represent days, a pair of parts having terminal portions projecting over and movable to include any number of said graduations therebetween designating days variations inv length of the menstrual cycle, a marker on the base spaced a number of graduations from one end of the graduations thereon, and a movable outer member having graduations corresponding tov those oi the base, and designated as consecutive days of adjacent months so that the transparent outer member may be moved with respect to the marker to bring any date of a month in register with the marker for determining the extension of the rhythm calculations in the same and into adjacent months.

6. A rhythm calculator' having base with circular graduations to represent days, a pair of parts rotatably mounted upon the base and having opposite projections movable from opposite sides tov visibly include any number of graduations with respect thereto, and a rotatable outer member having graduations corresponding to those of the base for determining the number of graduations from the marker to one side of the visiblelv graduations of the base in determining the rhythm numbers of amenstrual cycle, the saidparts, all being; rotatable upon a common aXis.

7. A rhythm calculator having a base with curved graduations to represent days, a pair of parts rotatable on the base having relatively opposed terminals projecting over and movable at opposite sides of the base to include any numn ber of graduations therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, one of the parts having a curved slot through which the marker is visible, a movable transparent outer member having circular graduations on the same scale as those of the base to represent the days of consecutive months, and a common connecting pivot upon which the base and said parts are connected for relative rotary movement, the variation of the said parts causing a corresponding variation of the distance of the marker from the adjacent edge of the graduations included between said pair of parts.

8. A rhythm calendar calculator having a base with curved graduations to represent days, a pair of parts having opposed terminal portions projecting over the graduations and movable in opposite directions with respect to the base to include any number of graduations therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, and a rotatable outer member having graduations corresponding to those of the base and designated as the consecutive days of adjacent months, an additional graduation for 28 days terminatingron the last day of one of the said months for determining rhythm calculations in the same month and in adjacent months having 28, 30 and 3l days.

9. A rhythm calculator, comprising a base with a circular graduation to represent days and a color ring at one side thereof, a pair of parts having opposite outer terminal portions projecting over the graduations and movable at opposite sides of the base to include any number of said graduations designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle and a corresponding portion of the color ring therebetween, each of the parts having its terminal portion and extension of the colorrring for a predetermined number of graduations, a marker on the base spaced a predetermined number of graduations from the lower numbered end of the base graduations and located inwardly of the color ring, the movable part adjacent the marker having a curved slot therein located within the color ring through which said marker is visible, and a movable transparent outer member having graduations representing consecutive dates of adjacent months and located upon a ring to overlie the color rings of the base and said pair of parts so that the said marker is positioned adjacent the graduations of the outer member and visible through the outer member and the said slot of the underlying part.

10. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base member, a pair of independent parts having opposite outer terminal portions to project over the base graduations and movable relatively to include any of the base graduations therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, an outer member having graduations corresponding to those of the base member and movable relatively over the parts, the base member and the movable parts being connected by a common pivot, the base having a marker spaced with relation to the graduations, and the terminal portions of the movable parts extending 8 beyond the edgeof the base to provide fingerhold portions for adjustably moving the parts with respect to the base and said marker.

11. A rhythm calculator, having a circular base, a pair of parts pivoted on the base having relatively opposite terminal portions which extend beyond the edge of the base to provide adjusting nger-hold portions to include various portions of the edge of the base therebetween, the base having a marker and one of the parts having a slot through which the marker is visible when the part is moved, the other part having a reduced portion of reduced diameter to uncover the base marker, and a movable transparent outer member through which the marker is also visible, the base and outer member having edge graduations to represent days and the outer member and the parts being adjustable with respect to the graduation of the base to determine the rhythm numbers for any periods included in and between said graduated portion of the base.

12. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base member, a pair of independent parts having outer projections and movable relatively to include diierent numbers of the graduations of the base between the projections, a marker fixed with respect to the graduations of the base, one ofthe parts having a slot through which the marker is visible, the other part having a cut away portion to uncover the marker when the parts adjacent the marker are in overlapping relation, and a transparent member having graduations corresponding to those of the base member movable relatively over said parts and the marker visible through the slot of one of the parts with relation to the graduations of the transparent member.

13. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base, a pair of parts independently movable having relatively opposite projecting terminal portions adjustable to include any number of said graduations therebetween, a marker on the base member, one of the parts having a slot through which the marker is visible, the base member having a color line at one side of the graduations, the slotted part having a colored portion adjacent the terminal end extending for three graduations, the other movable part having a colored portion extending for four graduations adjacent the terminal thereof, and a transparent member with graduations movable relatively to the graduations of the base and to the said adjustable parts having graduations corresponding to those of the base member and the marker of the base member being visible through the slot of one of said parts and the colored portion of said parts and of the base member being also visible through the transparent member.

14. A rhythm calculator having a base member with curved graduations designating days, a pair of independent parts having opposite projecting terminal portions and rotatable relatively to include graduations of the base therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a marker on the base member relative to the graduations thereof, a color ring at one side of the base graduations, one of the parts having a curved slot through which the marker is visible, beginning at a predetermined distance from the said terminal of this part, the terminal of the slotted part having a continuation of the color ring of the base member extending for three graduations, the more remote graduation having a lighter color than the other two graduations, the other part having a color portion extending for four graduations in line with the color ring ofthe base and the two more remote graduations being of a lighter color than the adjacent two, and a rotatable transparent member with graduations corresponding to those of the base member designated with numbers indicating the days oi adjacent months.

15. A calculator for determining the two rhythm numbers of a menstrual period, comprising a graduated base member, a pair of independent parts movable relatively to include any of the graduations of the base designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a base having a marker in a predetermined location thereon, one of the parts having a recess through which the marker is visible, the parts having designating portions adjacent their indieating ends, each including a predetermined number of steps corresponding to the graduated base to be added to the steps included between the parts when designating any of the graduations, and a transparent member having graduations corresponding to those of the base member with calendar designations for indicating the number of days from the spaced marker to the adjacent end of the said designating portion on that part on which the recess appears.

16. A rhythm calculator having a relatively stationary base with graduations, a pair of movable parts to include any of the graduations designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a marker on the base member, and an outer member having calendar graduations corresponding to the graduations of the base movable relatively over said parts and the marker and visibly related to the graduations of the base member.

17. A rhythm calculator having a base member with graduations representing days, a pair of superposed movable parts having relatively opposite projecting ends to include any number of said graduations between the ends designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a marker on the base member at a predetermined distance from one end of said graduations and visible at the outer edges of said parts, and a predetermined number of graduations at the said projecting end of each part adjacent to the graduations of the base member and visible between the parts, and an outer movable member having graduations related to the graduations of the base member and said parts.

18. A rhythm calculator having a circular base member with a limited arc of graduations at its edge representing days and a marker projecting from the edge a predetermined number of graduations from the lowest day graduation, a pair of circular rotatable members having edges extending over the said graduations and each terminating in a relatively opposite shouldered end portion which uncovers said graduations, the end portions disposed oppositely to include any number or" graduations between said ends, the end position adjacent the marker having three graduations and the other end portion having four graduations in line with the base graduations, and a rotatable outer member having its edge graduated in consecutive numbers representing calendar month days and disposed at the inner edges of the base and parts graduations and corresponding in size thereto.

GEORGE FISHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenfoes are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,458,649 Gardner June 12, 1923 2,076,242 Marquis Apr. 6, 1937 2,118,354 Mansur May 24, 1938 2,343,592 Tilbrook Mar. 7, 1944 2,350,219 Brandao May 30, 1944

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