US2980325A

US2980325A - Device for indicating rhythmic cycle

Info

Publication number: US2980325A
Application number: US592056A
Authority: US
Inventors: Francis J Pisarra
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-06-18
Filing date: 1956-06-18
Publication date: 1961-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1978-04-18

Description

April 18, 1961 Filed June 18, 1956 IIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIII' F. J. PISARRA DEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMIC CYCLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1961 F. J. PISARRA 2,980,325

DEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMIC CYCLE Filed June 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2,980,325 Patented Apr. 18, 1961 nice DEVICE FOR INDICATING RHYTHMIC CYCLE Francis J. Pisarra, 18 Beelmzau Place, Fair Lawn, NJ.

Filed June 18, 1956, Ser. No. 592,056

15 Claims. (Cl. 235-86) This invention relates to a rhythmic cycle indicating device and more particularly to a device, in the nature of a cyclic calendar for women, which is adapted to be readily set and indicate visually the period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility during the ensuing menstrual cycle.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending patent application Serial No. 477,091, filed December 22, 1954, and entitled Device for Indicating Rhythmic Cycle, now Patent No. 2,755,998.

The purposes and functions of devices constructed in accordance with this invention and the objects of this invention are essentially the same as those disclosed in my said copend-ing patent application, to which reference may be had for details.

The present invention has for an additional object the provision of a device of the character indicated having its parts so constructed and arranged as to permit of its ready and convenient use and reuse over an extended time period.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts set forth in the following detailed description and illustrated in the annexed drawings of several forms of construction embodying the invention, from which the features of the invention, together with the advantages obtainable thereby will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a rhythmic cycle indicating device constructed in accordance with the invention, certain parts being broken away for better illustration of other parts;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of a reel that constitutes one of the elements of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the slide unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 corresponds to Fig. l and illustrates a first moditied form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 corresponds to the upper portion of Fig.- 6 and illustrates a second modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a view in enlargement taken along staggered line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

paperboard, including cardboard, laminated paper and the like. Unit T is preferably made of paper but may, if desired, be made of any other suitable material.

Unit C is formed from an elongated generally rectangular strip that is bent and curved to obtain a base 11 and a pair of spaced

housings

12 and 13. Housing 12 terminates in an extension 14 that overlies and is joined to base 11 by a pair of eyelets 15 which extend through corresponding aligned openings that are provided in the extension and base. Housing 13 also terminates in an extension 16 that overlies the base and is joined thereto by eyelets 17. Extension 16 is notched or recessed, as indicated at 18. It will be appreciated that connector means other than eyelets may be used advantageously to connect the extensions and base. Among the connector means which may be employed in lieu of the eyelets are staples, rivets, bolts and snap fasteners.

Base 11 is provided with first indicia comprising

transverse color bands

20, 21 and 22 which are visible from its upper surface. Bands 2i) and 22 are preferably of one color, such as green, as indicated in Fig. 1, while band 21 is of a constrasting color, such as red, as is also indicated in Fig. 1.

Bands

20 and 22 denote periods of probable sterility and band 21 denotes a period of probable fertility, in a complete rhythmic cycle. To assist the user,

bands

20 and 22 are imprinted with the word Sterile and band 21 is imprinted with the word Fertile or its abbreviation Felt, such imprintings being exposed when the device is assembled and in use. The base is also provided on its upper surface with a plurality of second indicia, generally indicated by numeral 24 and consisting of a series of numerals which correspond to the number of days in the usual range of rhythmic cycles.

Housings

12 and 13 rotatably support

respective reels

25 and 26. These reels are preferably identical and as best shown in Fig. 2, each reel comprises a shaft 27 having a longitudinal through slot 28, a pair of spaced circular members 39 that define an annular recess 31 with the shaft, and a pair of end discs 32 that bear against corresponding ends of the reel housings to prevent axial movement of the reel relative to its housing. Each disc 32 is serrated about its periphery to permit gripping and turning of the reel relative to its housing. Each reel forms a snug lit with its housing whereby the peripheral surfaces of circular members 30 frictionally engage the inner surface of the housing. Such frictional engagement is sufiicient to normally restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to the housing but may be readily overcome by manually turning the reel about its axis. Either or both reels may be of one-piece or multi-piece construction, as desired or required for purposes of assembling the complete device.

Unit T is a calendar tape that is made from an elongated, flexible paper strip which is substantially narrower than base 11 and slightly narrower than the spaces between connectors 15 and between connectors 17. The tape has imprinted on one surface the days of at least one full calendar year. Such days are arranged consecutively and equidistantly along the tape and are identified by their month dates, as illustrated in Fig. l. A first end portion (not shown) of the tape unit is wound about the shaft of reel 25 and a second end portion 35 is wound about the shaft of reel 26 (Fig. 5). The extremities of such end portions extend through slots 28 of corresponding reels and are suitably anchored to the shafts of such reels. Intermediate portion 36 of the tape overlies the upper surface of the base and extends through a passage 37 which is defined by base 11, extension 16 and eyelets 17 and through a similar passage (unnumbered) which is defined by base 11, extension 14 and eyelets 15.

Slide unit S is preferably made from a flexible plastic material that is formed to obtain a top member 40, depending sides 41 and inwardly extending flanges 42. Unit S is slideable along the base and has its parts so configured and arranged as to frictionally engage the side edges of the base and be maintained in selected position thereon. Top member 40 overlies part of the intermediate portion 36 of the tape unit and has an end recess or notch 43 and a window 44 for viewing any selected one of indicia 24. The portion of top member 40 remote from notch 43 is disposed between and bears against extension 14 and the base, as indicated at Fig. 1.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, it is first assumed that carrier unit C, tape unit T and slide unit S are assembled, with the end portions of the tape unit wound about the corresponding reels and the intermediate portion of the tape unit overlying the base. It is also assumed, by way of example, that a particular womans menstrual cycle is twenty-eight days and that menstruation started on August 17. The slide unit S is positioned along base 11 so that numeral 28 of indicia 24 appears in window 44. The tape is advanced along the carrier unit by turning reel 25 in the direction indicated by the full arrow in Fig. 1 until the tape date marking Aug. 17 is located in recess 43, as shown in Fig. 1. The parts are are maintained in the illustrated position by the elements earlier described. The device now exposes a total of twenty-nine days consisting of twenty-eight days (Aug 17 through Sept. 13), which constitute the full menstrual cycle and an additional day (Sept 14), which is the date on which the next menstrual cycle is expected to start.

It will be observed that

bands

20 and 22, in conjunction with the associated date markings on the strip, indicate visually the days in the womans cycle during which she is probably sterile, while band 21 and its associated date markings indicate the days on which she is probably fertile. Thus, in the cyclic period under consideration, the woman would most likely be unable to conceive from August 17 through August 26 and from September 2 through September 13, but would be likely to conceive during the period August 27 to September 1. If the womans menstrual cycle is other than twenty-eight days, the slide unit is relocated with respect to the base so that the proper numeral of indicia 24 appears in window 44. The parts of the device and indicia 24 permit adjustment of the device forthe usual range of menstrual cycles for normal women.

The tape unit may be readily advanced or moved backward along the carrier by manipulating the reels, as required. To advance the tape, the user need only manually turn reel 25 in the direction of its full line arrow. Such turning overcomes the friction between both reels and their housings and causes the tape to be correspondingly wound on reel 25 and unwound from reel 26. To move the tape backward, when required in setting the device or rewinding the tape, the user manually turns reel 26 in the direction indicated by its full line arrow, thereby overcoming the friction between the reels and their housings and causing the tape to be wound on reel 26 and unwound from reel 25.

At such time as the tape has been substantially completely wound on reel 25, which condition preferably occurs at the end of a calendar year, it may be rewonnd unto reel 26, as will be evident from an examination of Fig. 1. The tape may be provided with suitable indicia to signal when it is approaching extreme wind and rewind positions relative to the base.

Reference is now had to Figs. 6 and 7 for an understanding of the construction of the modification of the invention illustrated therein. In this modification, only one of the reel supporting housings is fixedly secured to the carrier base. The other housing is secured to and constitutes part of the slide unit. The complete device of this modification is generally indicated by numeral 45 4. and consists of a carrier unit C, a tape unit T and a slide unit 8'.

Carrier unit C, as in the case of carrier unit C, comprises a base 11, a housing 13 integral with the base and an extension 16, all constructed, arranged and marked in the same manner as the corresponding parts of carrier unit C.

Slide unit S is mounted on and slideable along the end portion of the base remote from housing 13. The slide unit includes a housing 46, corresponding to housing 12 and a reel 25 rotatably supported by housing 46 in the same manner as in the earlier described form of the invention. Integral with housing 46 are parallel upper and

lower extensions

47 and 48, respectively. Upper extension 47 is provided with earlier described second indicia 24 and has a pair of depending side flanges 50 that extend along the side edges of the base. Upper extension 47 also has a notch or recess 51 which corresponds to notch 43 of Fig. 3. The upper extension has a pair of parallel slots 52 while the lower extension has a pair of parallel slots 53 (Fig. 7). Each slot 52 is in alignment with a slot 53. The lower extension is provided with one or more curved resilient tongues 54 that are struck therefrom and project upwardly and into engagement with base 11. Second indicia 24 are pro vided on the upper surface of extension 47 and are disposed along slots 52.

Slide unit S is joined to carrier base 11 by a pair of removable connectors 55 which permit of sliding movement of unit S relative to unit C to the extent allowed by the slots. Each connector 55 includes a head 56 and an internally threaded tubular shank 57 that extends through the base and registers with aligned

slots

52 and 53. Shank 57 is preferably non-circular to prevent rotation thereof during use. A screw 58 engages the threads in shank 57. Head 56 has an arrow 60 or other marking for indicating the selected numeral of indicia 24.

It will be appreciated that the device shown in Figs. 6 and 7 operates in a manner similar to the device shown in Fig. 1. Any slack occurring in the tape unit during adjustment may be readily taken up by turning either or both

reels

25 and 26, as required. Tongues 54 frictionally maintain slide unit S in selected adjusted position with respect to base 11. Connectors 55 may be tightened or loosened to thereby correspondingly increase or decrease the friction developed between the slide unit and the base, as will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 7.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a second modification of the invention. This modification is closely related in construction and operation to the modification shown in Figs.

6 and 7. The complete device illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 is generally identified by numeral 61 and consists of a carrier unit C, a tape unit T and a slide unit S".

Carrier unit C" difiers over carrier unit C only in that it is provided with a pair of parallel slots 62 (Fig. 9) and is imprinted with second indicia 24, as indicated in Fig. 8.

Slide unit S" is similar to slide unit S but does not include slots of the character identified by

numerals

52 and 53 of Figs. 6 and 7. Unit S has a window 63 for viewing any selected one of second indicia 24.

The removable connectors 55 of Figs. 8 and 9 extend through openings in

extensions

47 and 48 and register with slots 62 to permit sliding movement of unit S" along the base to the extent allowed by base slots 62.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various tive only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced supports secured to the base, a reel carried by and rotatable with respect to each support, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part of theintermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along'the base and the intermediate portion of the tape.

2. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base hearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced supports secured to the base, the base and each support defining a passage, a reel carried by and rotatable with respect to each support, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and through the passages and that overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along the base and the intermediate portion of the tape.

3. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced housings carried by the base, a reel supported by and rotatable with respect to each housing, each reel having a pair of axially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of its housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to its housing, each reel also having an annular recess intermediate its spaced surfaces, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on and at least partly disposed in the annular recesses of corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along the base and the intermediate portion of the tape.

4. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced housings carried by the base, the base and each housing defining a passage, a reel supported by and rotatable with respect to each housing, each reel having a pair of axially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of its housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to its housing, each reel also having an annular recess intermediate its spaced surfaces, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on and at least partly disposed in the annular recesses of corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and through the passages and that overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part 6 of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along the base and the intermediate portion of the tape.

5. A device according to claim 4 including means preventing axial movement of each reel relative to its housing.

6. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced housings aflixed to opposite ends of the base, a reel carried by and rotatable with respect to each housing, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along the base and toward or away from either housing.

7. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a pair of spaced housings ailixed to opposite ends of the base, the base and each housing defining a passage, a reel carried by and rotatable with respect to each housing, a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and through the passages and that overlies the upper surface of the base, and a slide mounted on the base and including a member overlying and covering part of the intermediate portion of the tape, said slide being movable along the base and toward or away from either housing.

8. A device according to claim 7 including means preventing axial movement of each reel relative to its housing.

9. A device according to claim 7 wherein each reel has a pair of axially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of its housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to its housing, wherein each reel also has an annular recess intermediate its spaced surfaces, and wherein each end portion of the tape is at least partly disposed in the annular recess of the corresponding reel.

10. A device according to claim 7 wherein the base bears a plurality of second indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmic cycles and said member includes means for identifying any selected one of the second indicia.

11. In a rhythmic cycle indicating device, a base bearing indicia denoting a period of probable fertility and periods of probable sterility, said indicia being visible from the upper surface of the base, a first housing secured to the base, a second housing carried by the base, said second housing being spaced from the first housing and slideable along the base toward and away from the first housing, a reel carried by and rotatable with respect to each housing, and a tape of flexible material narrower than the base and having markings denoting days of a calendar year arranged consecutively and equidistantly therealong, said tape comprising end portions that are wound on corresponding reels and an intermediate portion that extends between the end portions and overlies the upper surface of the base, said second housing including a member that overlies and covers part of the intermediate portion of the tape.

12. A device according to claim 11 including means connecting the second housing to the base and limiting 7 sliding movement of the second housing relative to the base.

13. A device according to claim 11 wherein each reel has a pair of axially spaced surfaces that frictionally engage the inner surface of its housing to restrain the reel against rotational movement relative to its housing, wherein each reel also has an annular recess intermediate its spaced surfaces, and wherein each end portion of the tape is at least partly disposed in the annular recess of the corresponding reel.

14. A device according to claim 11 wherein the mem ber bears a plurality of indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmic cycles, and means carried by the base for identifying any selected one of said last-mentioned indicia. I a

15. A device according to claim 11 wherein the base bears a plurality of second indicia denoting the number of days in corresponding rhythmic cycles and said member includes means for identifying any selected one of the second indicia. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 288,329 Hack Nov; 13, 1883 387,784 Hack Aug. 14, 1888 1,714,650 Webb May 28, 1929 2,021,934 Dull Nov. 26, 1935 2,161,345 Gates June 6, 1939 2,437,167 Lovelock Mar. 2,1948 2,494,291 Fay Jan. 10, 1950 72,520,208 Green Aug. 29, 1950 2,641,406 Packard June'9, 1953 2,642,225 Lee June 16, 1953 2,755,998 Pisarra July 24, 1956