WO2020150259A1

WO2020150259A1 - Inspection timer

Info

Publication number: WO2020150259A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/013537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Barnes
Original assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
Priority date: 2019-01-16
Filing date: 2020-01-14
Publication date: 2020-07-23

Abstract

A system includes a timer body having a display surface, toggleable time indicators each having an indication area associated therewith provided on the display surface, and a controller in communication with the toggleable time indicators. The controller is programmed to, after an initiation of a countdown timer, toggle the toggleable time indicators in a sequential progression to visually indicate a passage of time since the initiation of the countdown timer. At least one of the indication areas associated with one of the toggleable time indicators toggled at an ending of the sequential progression is larger in surface area than a preceding one of the indication areas associated with one of the toggleable time indicators toggled at a beginning of the sequential progression.

Description

INSPECTION TIMER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S.

Provisional Application No. 62/792,958 filed January 16, 2019. The contents of that application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if set forth in their entirety herein .

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates to inspection timers for equipment such as scaffolding that may need to be inspected at intervals .

BACKGROUND

[0003] In many industries, certain types of mechanical or electrical equipment need to be inspected regularly and within pre-established periodic intervals in order to comply with safety regulations or best practices. For example, scaffolding may need to be inspected weekly, monthly, yearly, or so forth.

To help remind workers that an inspection is due, the equipment may be outfitted with countdown timers which are attached to the equipment and provide periodic reminders.

SUMMARY

[0004] Countdown timers are typically linear and often times do not create the appropriate sense of urgency with respect to the deadline associated with the inspection, resulting in inefficiency by encouraging pre-mature inspection.

[0005] For example, equipment may require inspection at a monthly time interval and the timer may have a linear indicator that indicates how many equal-sized portions of the period have passed. In this case, the timer might have four lights each representing approximately one week and each of the four lights are progressively illuminated after another week has passed. In such a case, the linear indicator may indicate that three- fourths of the month have passed by activating three of four indicators. At this moment, an inspector may understand that the required inspection is coming due soon (and thus perform the inspection) but not appreciate that the inspection might still be delayed for five to six more days before the inspection is truly due. On a multiple month project, this early inspection may be inefficient and result in multiple extra inspections over the project, which can increase cost.

[ 0006 ] Still further, not all timers are designed for review at a distance. For example, some timers may have a digital interface that displays a countdown timer with precision to the day, hour, minute, and/or second. However, these timers can require close inspection by the user to determine the status of the timer and the act of reviewing the timers itself may take more time and create inefficiency.

[ 0007 ] Disclosed herein is an improved inspection timer that creates a heightened sense of urgency near the very end of an inspection period, preventing excessively pre-mature

inspections. The timer may use multiple indicators (such as LED lights) including one or more indicators that indicate when a piece of equipment does not need to be inspected because the inspection is not due for a long period of time and/or has just begun, when the piece of equipment needs to be inspected because the inspection is due in a relatively short period of time, and when the inspection is past due. Notably, the indicators and/or the visual indication areas associated with them that indicate when the equipment needs to be inspected or is overdue can be larger and more prominent than the indicator that indicates the equipment does not need to be inspected. Still further, the progressive indicators may be non-linear in the manner that they are illuminated; for example, in a monthly inspection indicator, the indicator indicating that the inspection is due may be toggled on only when a day or two is left in the inspection period rather than a week in advance. Collectively, this can result in a timer which provides appropriately-delayed reminders in a prominent manner that improve overall inspection

efficiency.

[ 0008 ] Herein, an inspection timer system is disclosed for a piece of equipment. The inspection timer system includes a timer body with a display surface, a plurality of toggleable time indicators each having an indication area associated therewith provided on the display surface, and a controller in communication with the plurality of toggleable time indicators. The controller is programmed to, after an initiation of a countdown timer, toggle the plurality of toggleable time

indicators in a sequential progression to visually indicate a passage of time since the initiation of the countdown timer. At least one of the indication areas associated with one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators toggled at an ending of the sequential progression is larger in surface area than a preceding one of the indication areas associated with one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators toggled at a beginning of the sequential progression.

[ 0009 ] In some forms, the controller may be further

programmed to toggle each successive toggleable time indicator in the sequential progression for a shorter or equal time period than the previous toggleable time indicator with one or more of the toggleable time indicators representing a shorter time period than any preceding ones of the toggleable time

indicators . [0010] In some forms, the surface area of the indication area associated with each successive toggleable time indicator in the sequential progression may be at least as large as the surface area of the indication area associated with the previous

toggleable time indicator.

[0011] In some forms, the controller may be in communication with a timer display button coupled to the timer body and may be programmed to present a toggled state of at least one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators in response to the timer display button being actuated. The timer display button may be coupled to the display surface. Of course, in alternative forms, the toggleable time indicators may persistently present their toggled state to the reader and not involve the use of a display button. Thus, there might be ways providing automatic or on-demand information about the state of the timer and whether inspection is due or past due.

[0012] In some forms, the controller may be in communication with a battery and a battery level display indicator may be coupled to the timer body. The controller may be further programmed to toggle the battery level display indicator when a power level of the battery goes below a predetermined threshold. It is also contemplated that the controller may be in

communication with a battery level display button coupled to the timer body further programmed to present a battery level state of the battery level display indicator in response to the battery level display button being actuated. Thus, there might be ways of providing automatic or on-demand information about the state of the battery.

[0013] In some forms, the inspection timer system may further include a timer mount. The timer mount may be affixable to the piece of equipment and sized to accept and retain the timer body. In some unique forms, the timer mount can retain the timer body when the timer body is rotated to a specific angular position. The timer mount can include a mount hole and the timer body can include a timer hole. The mount hole and the timer hole may be alignable with one another to receive a lock therein to secure the timer body to the timer mount such that the timer body cannot be removed from the timer mount.

[0014] In some forms, the plurality of toggleable time indicators are lights or an array of lights. Such lights may be LED lights, but other types of lights or illumination might also be used. Still yet, the toggleable time indicators are

contemplated as being discrete (that is, unique separate lights) or as being continuous and adjacent to one another. For

example, the toggleable time indicators may be portions of an LCD or other type of display screen.

[0015] In some forms, the indication area of each of the toggleable time indicators may be a portion of the display surface surrounding the respective toggleable time indicator.

[0016] In some forms, the indication area associated with each (or at least some) of the toggleable time indicators may be a unique color.

[0017] These and still other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows is merely a description of some preferred embodiments of the present invention. To assess the full scope of the

invention the claims should be looked to as these preferred embodiments are not intended to be the only embodiments within the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an inspection timer system. [0019] FIG. 2 shows a control system of the inspection timer of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary inspection timer system with a timer portion retained by a timer mount, albeit with the timer portion not illustrating the front face detail from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring first to FIG. 1, a front view of an

embodiment of an inspection timer 10 is shown. The inspection timer 10 is used to display the amount of time left before an inspection of an associated piece of equipment (e.g.,

scaffolding) is due. The manner in which this information is displayed is in a manner easily processed by a viewing user and providing an appropriate sense of urgency with respect to any necessary inspection actions.

[0022] The inspection timer 10 includes timer body 12 that is generally puck shaped. A display surface 14 is disposed on one of the axial faces of the timer body 12 so that the display surface 14 is viewable from a front side of the timer body 12.

[0023] The display surface 14 includes a plurality of indication areas 16A-D that are easily distinguished by a user. Each indication area 16A-D is a portion of the display surface 14 and they collectively arc in 180 degrees in a progression from indication area 16A to 16D. While all indication areas 16A to 16D have the same radial thickness, as shown, they can have different arcuate lengths. For example, indication areas 16A and 16B are each approximately 30 degrees while indication areas 16C and 16D are each approximately 60 degrees.

[0024] Each indication area 16A-D may have a unique color to make the indication areas 16A-D easily distinguishable to the user. This coloration may be provided in a number of ways including by the application of a decal to the surface of the timer body. However, it is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the display surface 14 can be a single display screen such as an LCD or other type of display screen. If the display surface 14 is a display screen, then the display screen can be configured to display the unique colors in each of the respective indication areas 16A-D.

[ 0025 ] Each indication area 16A-D is representative of an amount of time having passed since the initiation of the timer 10 (which can be a predetermined number of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, or years left before an inspection is required) or correspondingly, an amount of time remaining as part of a countdown. The time values associated with each of the respective indication areas 16A-D may also be indicated by icons or indicia 18A-E on the display surface 14 in positions on or near their corresponding indication areas 16A-16D. These time values may be, for example, ranges associated with start and finish times of each of the indication areas 16A-D and may be explicitly shown as part of the icons or indicia 18A-E. In the case that they are shown as part of the icons or indicia 18A-18D, a countdown time value associated with a beginning or end of each respective indication area is illustrated, whereas 18E is simply a warning icon to indicate that the countdown is past expired. In the embodiment illustrated, the icons or indicia 18A and 18B indicate that the first indication area 16A indicates a period of time between 365 and 90 days remain before inspection, the icons or indicia 18B and 18C indicate that the second indication area 16B indicates a period of time between 90 and 30 days remain before inspection, the icons or indicia 18C and 18D indicate that the third indication area 16C indicates a period of time between 30 and 0 days remain before inspection, and the icons or indicia 18D and 18E indicate that the fourth indication area 16D indicates that no days remain and an expiration period has been entered.

[ 0026 ] Thus, notably, the surface area associated with each of the time value ranges is not linear with the volume of the respective indication area. For example, despite being only one-sixth of the overall surface area of the collective

indication areas 16A-16D, the first indication area 16A

represents approximately 75% of the countdown timer duration. Likewise, while only one-sixth of the collective indication areas 16A-16D, the second indication area 16A represents almost 17% of the countdown timer duration (approximately one sixth) . Most significantly, the third indication area 16C is one-third of the collective indication areas 16A-16D, but represents a mere one-twelfth of the overall countdown timer duration, and the fourth indication area 16D is also one-third of the

collective indication areas 16A-16D even though this condition should ideally never be met or only exist for hours or days before being addressed.

[ 0027 ] The timer body 12 includes a plurality of toggleable time indicators 20A-D each associated with one of the indication areas 16A-D and centrally positioned within one of the

indication areas 16A-D. That is to say, for example, toggleable time indicator 20A is associated with indication area 16A, toggleable time indicator 20B is associated with indication area 16B, and so forth. When a respective toggleable time indicator 20A-D is toggled on (for example, illuminated) that means the countdown timer is within the time range associated with the respective indication area 16A-D.

[ 0028 ] In the embodiment illustrated, toggleable time

indicators 20A-D are LED lights. However, in other embodiments, the toggleable time indicators may be other types of discrete on-off type indicators. Still further, it is contemplated that instead of discrete indicators, the toggleable time indicators may be continuous (for example, adjacent elements of a display screen that may be turned on or off or alternated between various colors) . As such, it is contemplated that the

toggleable time indicators could be, for example, but not limited to, lights, display screens (or portions thereof) , arrays of lights, or any other indicator capable of switching between more than one display states such as between "on" and "off" states or between a first color or a second color that may be apparent to a viewing individual such as an inspector.

[0029] The various indication areas 16A-D, the respective icons and indicia 18A-E, and the toggleable time indicators 20A- D indicate various periods of time relating to the countdown timer including before an inspection is required, when an inspection is to be performed, and after an inspection is overdue. In the form illustrated, the inspection timer 10 includes two pre-inspection period indication areas including initial pre-inspection period indication area 16A and subsequent pre-inspection period indication area 16B, an inspection period indication area 16C, and an overdue inspection period indication area 16D. Although two pre-inspection period indication areas are shown, in other forms the timer might include only a single pre-inspection period indication area for reduced cost or size or might include more than two if space is available on the timer 10.

[0030] The pre-inspection period indication areas 16A-B are small in area to create a lower level of prominence when viewing the inspection timer 10 to avoid creating a false sense of urgency with respect to the approaching inspection period and avoid a pre-mature inspection. Most notably, the pre-inspection period indication areas 16A-B are each smaller in surface area than the inspection period indication area 16C and the past- inspection period indication area 16D. As can be discerned from the time ranges described above, despite representing over 90 percent of the countdown timer days, the cumulative area of the indication areas 16A-B is only about 33 percent of the total area of the indication areas. Further, the pre-inspection period indication areas 16A-B may be a color that indicates a low level of concern, such as green, as well as any toggleable time indicator 20A-B could be green as well. Thus, while these pre-inspection areas are informative upon close inspection, they do not impress a false sense of urgency upon the user with respect to impending inspection, especially when viewed from a distance, and "nudge" the user away from engaging in a pre mature inspection during their respective time intervals.

[ 0031 ] The inspection period indication area 16C indicates a piece of equipment is in an appropriate window of time for inspection. For example, if an inspection is required once per year, the time value of the inspection period indication area 16C (between indicia 18C and 18D, as illustrated) can be 30 days, 14 days, or another value that affords a user a reasonable amount of time required to schedule and perform an inspection, without giving the user an excessive amount of time as this can result in unnecessary or overly-early inspections as described above. The inspection period indication area 16C may be a color that indicates a moderate level of concern, such as yellow, orange or amber. Again, notably, the area of the inspection period indication area 16C is equal to or larger in surface area than the pre-inspection period indication areas 16A-B. This creates a greater prominence of the condition when the

inspection timer 10 is viewed, especially from afar so that the inspection requirement can be addressed with the correct amount of urgency. [0032] The overdue inspection period indication area 16D indicates a piece of equipment associated with the timer 10 is past the due date of the inspection. The overdue inspection period indication area 16D may be a color that indicates a high level of concern, such as red. The size of the overdue

inspection indication area 16D is likewise relatively large in area to create a prominence and urgency associated with its associated condition that it would not have if the area were smaller .

[0033] The toggleable time indicators 20A-D are toggled from off to on in a sequential progression to visually indicate a passage of time. More specifically, the toggleable time

indicators 20A and 20B associated with the pre-inspection period indication areas 16A and 16B are toggled before the time

indicator 20C for the inspection period indication area 16C which is toggled before the time indicator 20D for the overdue inspection period indication area 16D. The process for toggling the indicators will be described below.

[0034] With further reference being made to FIG. 2, a control system for the inspection timer 10 is shown schematically. The inspection timer 10 includes a controller 22 coupled to a power source 24. The power source 24 can be, for example, a DC input from a power supply or a battery. If the power source 24 is a battery, the controller 22 can sense a power level of the battery using methods known in the art.

[0035] The controller 22 is programmed to initiate a

countdown timer upon receiving a specific signal and count down from a predetermined value equivalent to the amount of time that can pass before an inspection is required. It will, of course be appreciated that "counting down" may also involve counting up, since counting up and subtracting that counted up value from a pre-established countdown total will also provide the remaining time left. The controller 22 is in electrical communication with and toggles the toggleable time indicators 20A-D in a predetermined sequential progression as the countdown timer advances. Based on the state of the countdown timer, various ones of the toggleable time indicators may be toggled on. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the most currently toggled indicator since the initiation of the

countdown timer will be toggled on as well as all preceding indicators. However, in some forms, it could conceivably be the case that only a single one of the indicators is toggled on at a moment in time and all other indicators are toggled off.

[ 0036 ] It is contemplated that, in some forms, the controller 22 may only show the toggled "on" ones of the toggleable time indicators 20 in response to a button or switch being actuated. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 22 is in communication with a timer display button 26 coupled to a portion of the timer body 12 such as the display surface 14.

The controller 22 can receive a signal that the timer display button 26 has been actuated and in response check the countdown value and illuminate the appropriate toggleable time indicators 20A-D.

[ 0037 ] Of course, it is equally contemplated that the

toggleable time indicators may be visible at all times without input from a user by a button, for example. In this way, the information is constantly displayed, and it is not incumbent on the user to approach and interact with the timer to elicit this information .

[ 0038 ] To start the countdown timer, the controller 22 receives a signal from an initiation mechanism 28 in

communication with the controller 22, and starts the countdown timer in response. The initiation mechanism 28 can be a button that a user actuates, sending a signal to the controller 22 and starting the countdown timer. The button may be mounted on the surface of the timer body 12 opposite the display surface 14 in order to prevent tampering. However, in some embodiments, the initiation mechanism 28 can include an RFID or NFC reader that receives a signal from a card or chip. The controller then compares the code from the card or chip to one or more

acceptable codes. If the code is determined to be acceptable, the countdown timer starts. Likewise, other types of

connectivity are contemplated (for example, Bluetooth, WiFi, and so on) which could be used to initiate and/or poll the timer 10.

[ 0039 ] The controller 22 may also be in communication with a battery level display indicator 30 in order to inform the user of a low battery condition of the timer which the controller 22 is also capable of determining. The battery level display indicator 30 can be a similar type of indicator as the

toggleable time indicators 20. The battery level display indicator 30 can display a binary state of the battery

condition, that is "on" or a first color if the battery level is low and "off" or a second color if the battery level is not low and above a predetermined threshold. This may help to provide the user with advance notice of a battery needing to be

replaced .

[ 0040 ] In some forms, the controller 22 may only toggle the battery level display indicator 30 in response to a button or switch being actuated. For example, the controller 22 may be in communication with a battery level display button 32 coupled to a portion of the timer body 12 such as the display surface 14. The controller 22 can receive a signal that the battery level display button 32 has been actuated and at least temporarily active the battery level display indicator 30 as described above to provide a state or color representative of the battery condition . [ 0041 ] It is contemplated that in some embodiments, certain components in communication with the controller 22 could be removed. For example, the controller 22 need not be in

communication with the battery level display button 32, the battery level display indicator 30, or the timer display button 26. Still further, other functionality might be readily

incorporated into the controller beyond what is described herein. Such further functionality might include advance remote polling of conditions of the timer or permit reset or manual adjustment of the timer (for instance, if a battery needed to be replaced part way through a long timing cycle) .

[ 0042 ] Referring now to FIG. 3, an inspection timer system 33 with a timer portion 34 retained by a timer mount 36 is shown. The timer portion 34 can be mounted in the timer mount 36 and the timer mount 36 can be affixed to a piece of equipment. The order of mounting might vary (for example, the mount 36 might be mounted to the equipment before or after the timer potion 34 is attached to the mount 36) . The timer portion 34 is contemplated as being the inspection timer 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, although it is noted that in FIG. 3 for ease of illustration, the various detail of the inspection timer 10 are not illustrated (but could or would be present in actuality) . As illustrated, the timer mount 36 has at least one mounting hole 38. The mounting hole(s) 38 can be sized to accept a fastener such as a bolt, screw, nail, or similar fasteners. The fastener can then engage a receiving portion of a piece of equipment, affixing the timer mount 36 to the piece of equipment. Alternative to a mounting hole / fastener arrangement, another fastener element, like a clamping mechanism of some kind (for example, a clamp ring that is screwed to reduce the diameter of the clamp) and/or a zip-tie like connection could loop through or across the timer mount and around the machine or equipment for mounting. [ 0043 ] In some constructions, the timer mount 36 can securably retain the timer portion 34 by placing the timer portion 34 against a mounting surface 40 of the timer mount 36 in a first angular position and then rotating the timer portion 34 to a specific second angular position in which the timer portion 34 is then securable in the timer mount 36. For

example, the timer mount 36 can have a mount retaining flap or flange 42. The mount retaining flap or flange 42 has a mount retaining hole 44. Furthermore, the mount retaining flap or flange 42 extends in such a way that it will contact a timer retaining flap or flange 46 of the timer portion 34 when the timer body is positioned at a specific angular position. The timer retaining flap or flange 46 is generally flat, with a retaining bump or bulge (not shown) that extends axially

forward. When the timer portion 34 lays flat against the mounting surface 40 and the mount retaining hole 44 is aligned axially with the retaining bump or bulge, the retaining bump or bulge is received in the mount retaining hole 44. This

structure acts in concert with a mount locking flap or flange 50 that provides a locking point for the timer portion 34. The mount locking flap or flange 50 is similarly constructed to the mount retaining flap or flange 42, including a mount locking hole 52 similar to the mount retaining hole 44. The timer portion 34 has a timer locking flap or flange 54, which is similarly constructed to the timer retaining flap or flange with the exception of the retaining bump. Instead of having a retaining bump, the timer locking flap or flange 54 has a timer locking hole 56. The timer locking hole 56 and the mount locking hole 52 can align axially to allow a shackle of a padlock to be inserted through holes 52 and 54 and secure the timer portion 34 to the timer mount 36. This insert, twist, and lock type structure can prevent tampering with the device, such as unauthorized actuating of a reset button placed on the surface of the timer portion 34 in contact with the timer mount 36.

[ 0044 ] As noted above, it should be appreciated that various other modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. To ascertain the full scope of the invention, the following claims should be referenced.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An inspection timer system for a piece of equipment, the inspection timer system comprising:

a timer body having a display surface;

a plurality of toggleable time indicators each having an indication area associated therewith provided on the display surface; and

a controller in communication with the plurality of toggleable time indicators and being programmed to, after an initiation of a countdown timer, toggle the plurality of

toggleable time indicators in a sequential progression to visually indicate a passage of time since the initiation of the countdown timer;

wherein at least one of the indication areas associated with one of the plurality of toggleable time

indicators toggled at an ending of the sequential progression is larger in surface area than a preceding one of the indication areas associated with one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators toggled at a beginning of the sequential progression.

2. The inspection timer system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further programmed to toggle each successive toggleable time indicator in the sequential progression for a shorter or equal time period than the previous toggleable time indicator with at least one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators representing a shorter time period than preceding ones of the plurality of toggleable time indicators.

3. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the surface area of the indication area associated with each successive toggleable time indicator in the sequential progression is at least as large as the surface area of the indication area associated with the previous toggleable time indicator.

4. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the

controller is in communication with a timer display button coupled to the timer body and further programmed to present a toggled state of at least one of the plurality of toggleable time indicators in response to the timer display button being actuated .

5. The inspection timer of claim 4, wherein the timer display button is coupled to the display surface.

6. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the

controller is in communication with a battery and a battery level display indicator coupled to the timer body and further programmed to toggle the battery level display indicator when a power level of the battery goes below a predetermined threshold.

7. The inspection timer of claim 6, wherein the

controller is in communication with a battery level display button coupled to the timer body further programmed to present a battery level state of the battery level display indicator in response to the battery level display button being actuated.

8. The inspection timer system of claim 1, further comprising a timer mount, the timer mount being affixable to the piece of equipment and sized to accept and retain the timer body .

9. The inspection timer of claim 8, wherein the timer mount retains the timer body when the timer body is rotated to a specific angular position.

10. The inspection timer of claim 8, wherein the timer mount includes a mount hole and the timer body includes a timer hole which are alignable with one another to receive a lock therein to secure the timer body to the timer mount.

11. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of toggleable time indicators are lights.

12. The inspection timer of claim 11, wherein the lights are LED lights.

13. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of toggleable time indicators are arrays of lights.

14. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the

indication area of each of the plurality of toggleable time indicators is a portion of the display surface surrounding the toggleable time indicator.

15. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the indication area of each of the plurality of toggleable time indicators is a unique color.

16. The inspection timer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of toggleable time indicators are portions of an LCD screen.