Stock price tracking apparatus

Stock price tracking apparatus includes a base having at least one side; a chart removably mounted on each side and each chart including a first scale and a second scale; a lever associated with each side for monitoring a stock price to determine when to sell or retain a stock, each lever removably and pivotally mounted on the respective side along the first scale at a selected position corresponding to a stop loss setting, each lever including a pointer for pointing to a second stock price along the second scale as the lever is pivoted on the base about the selected position, and a channel extending along each lever; a retaining spring for releasably retaining each lever in a selected pivoted position; and a ball movable in each channel between a first position when the second stock price is above the stop loss setting and a second position when the second stock price is not greater than the stop loss setting for indicating when to sell or retain the stock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to stock price tracking apparatus and, 
more particularly, is directed to a stop loss annunciator for tracking a 
plurality of stop loss orders. 
Investors in the stock market must continuously be aware of the price of 
their stocks in order to determine what further action to take, that is, 
whether to buy, sell or hold onto the stocks. In this regard, investors 
commonly use stop loss orders. A stop loss order is an order given to the 
broker to sell the stock at the market price if the stock price drops to a 
certain predetermined level. For example, a common indicator for a stop 
loss order is 10% of the then selling or market price, that is, if the 
stock price drops 10%, the broker has a standing order to sell the stock 
at the then market price. 
As such, stop loss orders act as a safety net so that the investor can 
avoid major losses and also prevent complete devastation, particularly in 
the case of margin accounts. In a sense, stop loss orders are insurance 
that the stock price will not drop any further than a predetermined price. 
However, for an investor with a large stock portfolio, it becomes difficult 
to keep track of a plurality of stop loss orders. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide stock 
price tracking apparatus that permits easy setting and tracking of stop 
loss orders for a multitude of stocks. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide stock price 
tracking apparatus in which mental stop loss prices can be monitored, 
rather than placing rigid stop loss orders with the broker and then having 
to change them from time to time, to the annoyance of the broker. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide stock price 
tracking apparatus having much greater flexibility in monitoring stop loss 
orders than can be achieved by placing an advanced, fixed stop loss order 
with a broker. 
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, stock price tracking 
apparatus includes a base; a first scale on the base; a second scale on 
the base; lever means for monitoring a stock price to determine when to 
buy, sell or retain a stock, the lever means removably and pivotally 
mounted on the base along the first scale at a selected position 
corresponding to a first stock price, the lever means including pointer 
means for pointing to a second stock price along the second scale as the 
lever means is pivoted on the base about the selected position, and a 
channel extending along the lever means; and ball means movable in the 
channel between a first position and a second position in correspondence 
with the pivoted position of the lever means for indicating when to buy, 
sell or retain the stock. 
The above and other, objects, features and advantages of the present 
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed 
description which is to be read in connection with the accompanying 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, a 
stock price annunciator 10 according to a first embodiment of the present 
invention includes a base cube 12 having a top 14, a bottom 16 and four 
sides 18, 20, 22 and 24. Base cube 12 may be made of any suitable 
material, such as plastic, wood or the like, and is preferably hollow to 
reduce the weight and amount of material. As shown, top 14 includes a 
central opening 26 and, although not shown, bottom 16 also includes a 
central opening. In this manner, a plurality of base cubes 12 can be 
stacked on a support platform 28 through an upstanding support shaft 30 
mounted on platform 28. With this arrangement, each base cube 12 can be 
rotated about the axis of support shaft 30 for easy viewing of any side 
18, 20, 22 or 24 of any cube 12. Although only three base cubes 12 are 
shown, it will be appreciated that any desired number of base cubes 12 can 
be provided by merely extending the height of support shaft 30. 
Each side 18, 20, 22 and 24 includes means for securing a chart 32 thereon. 
For example, such means may take the form of four pins 34 extending from 
each side of base cube 12, two pins 34 being spaced from each other at the 
upper end of each side and two pins 34 spaced from each other at the lower 
end of each side. The pins 34 at the lower end of each side may have 
enlarged heads, much like nails, the reason for which will be apparent 
from the discussion which follows. 
Chart 32 may be in the form of a flat sheet of preprinted paper having two 
apertures 36 at the upper end thereof through which pins 34 at the upper 
end of the respective side extend. The lower part of chart 32 includes two 
spaced lead-in channels 38 through which pins 34 at the lower end of the 
respective side extend, whereby chart 32 can be removably secured to a 
respective side 18, 20, 22 or 24. 
As shown, each chart 32 includes a first columnar scale 40 extending along 
the left edge thereof and having a plurality of numbers 42 extending in 
ascending order from the lower edge to the upper edge of chart 32. Chart 
32 also includes a second columnar scale 44 extending along the right edge 
thereof and having a plurality of numbers 46 extending in ascending order 
from the lower edge to the upper edge of chart 32. Scales 40 and 44 
correspond to stock prices and are preferably identical to each other. The 
scales can be made to correspond to any range of stock prices by only 
including unit digits 0-9 in each scale, as shown. Thus, tens and hundreds 
digits, if applicable, can be added by the user, in accordance with the 
range of stock prices to be covered by scales 40 and 44. As shown, scale 
40 includes a circle 48 adjacent each number 42, the reason for which will 
become apparent from the discussion which follows. Each chart 32 may also 
include various indicia, for example, instructions 50 on how to fill in 
chart 32, and a blank area 52 for filling in such information as the name 
of the stock, the purchase date and the purchase price. However, any 
suitable modification of charts 32 can be made, as long as there are two 
scales 40 and 44. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5-8, stock price annunciator 10 further 
includes a lever 54 associated with each side 18, 20, 22 and 24, each 
lever 54 being identical to any other lever 54. Accordingly, only one such 
lever 54 will be described. Lever 54 preferably has a wedge-shaped 
configuration, as shown in the rear plan view of FIG. 8, and includes a 
pivot pin 58 extending from the rear face 60 at the narrow end of 
wedge-shaped lever 54, as shown in FIG. 8. In accordance with the present 
invention, pivot pin 58 is removably fit through a circle 48 on chart 32 
into a respective side of base cube 12. In this regard, sides 18, 20, 22 
and 24 of base cube 12 are made of a material that permits insertion and 
removal of pivot pin 58 therefrom. Alternatively, each of sides 18, 20, 22 
and 24 may include a plurality of apertures (not shown) in line with 
circles 48 when a chart 32 is positioned thereover for receiving pivot pin 
58, whereby pivot pin 58 can be easily inserted and removed from each 
aperture. It is only important that pivot pin 58 can be selectively 
inserted and removed from a side of base cube 12, and pivotally secured in 
a selected aperture in the respective side. 
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5-8, lever 54 includes an elongated channel 
62 extending in the lengthwise direction on the upper surface thereof. As 
will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, channel 62 carries a ball 
64, which can roll from one end of channel 62 to the other end thereof, 
depending on the angle of inclination of lever 54. A pocket or depression 
66 is formed in channel 62 adjacent the free end of lever 54 so as to 
capture ball 64 when lever 54 is downwardly inclined. In this manner, 
pocket 66 prevents ball 64 from rolling back. A through bore 67 extends 
through lever 54 and, in particular, through pocket 66. In this regard, 
when ball 64 rolls into pocket 66, a pin or the like (not shown) can be 
inserted through bore 67 to remove ball 64 from pocket 66. 
A pointer 68 is formed at the free end of lever 54. In the embodiment shown 
in FIGS. 5-8, pointer 68 takes the form of a screw or bolt 70 screw 
threadedly received in a vertically oriented aperture 72 formed at the 
free end of lever 54. As lever 54 is pivoted about pivot pin 58, pointer 
68 will be associated with the numbers 46 of second scale 44. In 
accordance with the present invention, pointer 68 is set so that lever 54 
is tilted slightly in the downward direction when pointer 68 points to a 
number 46 which is identical to the number 42 at which lever 54 is 
pivoted. In this regard, a pointer setting device 69 which can be 
constructed from cardboard, plastic or any other suitable material, can be 
provided in the configuration shown in FIG. 12, for easily adjusting 
pointer 68 by appropriately turning screw or bolt 70. 
In addition, as shown, lever 54 includes a gripping tab 74 at the free end 
thereof by which a user can grip and thereby pivot lever 54 to any desired 
position. Preferably, gripping tab 74 is narrower than the remainder of 
lever 54, as shown, the reason for which will become apparent from the 
description which follows. 
Referring back to FIG. 1, retaining means 76 is provided for retaining 
lever 54 in a desired pivoted position. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, 
retaining means 76 includes a coil spring 78, a first end of which is 
secured to a first post 80 at the upper end of the respective side 18, 20, 
22 or 24 along the right edge thereof and a second end of which is secured 
to a second post 82 at the lower end of the respective side 18, 20, 22 or 
24 along the right edge thereof. First and second posts 80 and 82 are 
preferably removably secured within apertures (not shown) in the 
respective side to permit different charts 32 to be removed and added to 
the side. Alternatively, each chart 32 may include a lead-in channel, much 
like lead-in channels 38, by which the charts can be inserted over and 
removed from posts 80 and 82. Coil spring 78 is stretched between posts 80 
and 82 and exerts a restraining force on gripping tab 74 of lever 54, 
whereby lever 54 can be pivoted by moving gripping tab 74 to a desired 
position against the restraining force of coil spring 78. However, once 
such external pivoting force is removed, coil spring 78 maintains lever 54 
in the pivoted position. 
In operation, the user first adds the appropriate tens and hundreds digits, 
if applicable, to scales 40 and 44 of each chart 32 in accordance with the 
range of stock prices to be used. Generally, a range is provided in which 
the purchase price of the stock is substantially centrally located along 
scales 40 and 44. The user then secures charts 32 to each side 18, 20, 22 
and 24 of base cube 12. This is accomplished by removing lever 54, coil 
spring 78 and posts 80 and 82 from each side. However, coil spring 78 and 
posts 80 and 82 can remain in the respective side during such change if 
the charts have their bottom and top right edges chamferred. 
In accordance with the present invention, wherein stop loss orders are 
continuously and easily monitored, the user inserts the pivot pin 58 of 
each lever 54 into a respective side 18, 20, 22 or 24 and through a circle 
48 corresponding to a number 42 of scale 40 which is, for example, 10% 
less than the then selling or market price of the stock. This number 42 
represents the stop loss price at which the stock is to be sold. It will 
be appreciated that any other suitable spread, such as 5%, 8% or the like, 
may be used for setting the stop loss order settings, depending on the 
price of the stocks. Posts 80 and 82 and coil spring 78 are then inserted 
into each side of base cube 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Then, each lever 54 is 
pivoted upwardly to a position at which pointer 68 points to the current 
price of the stock, as shown in dashed lines in the uppermost base cube 12 
of FIG. 1. In this position, the ball 64 in each channel 62 rolls toward 
the left or pivoted end of the respective lever 54. 
If the price of the stock drops, the respective lever 54 is pivotally 
lowered in accordance with such drop in price. Coil spring 78 maintains 
lever 54 in each pivoted position. If the price of the stock drops to a 
value which represents a 10% or greater drop, lever 54 is pivoted to a 
position which is below level. As a result, ball 64 therein rolls into 
pocket 66 to indicate such price drop. This is an indication to the 
investor that he should contact his broker to place a sell order. In this 
manner, a user can readily keep track of a plurality of stop loss orders, 
and determine when to sell the stock. If the price of the stock does not 
drop at all, or drops to a value which represents a less than 10% drop, 
ball 64 does not roll into pocket 66, thereby providing an indication to 
the investor that he should retain the stock. Further, mental stop loss 
prices can be monitored, rather than placing rigid stop loss orders with 
the broker and then having to change them from time to time, to the 
annoyance of the broker. The present invention therefore provides much 
greater flexibility in monitoring stop loss orders than can be achieved by 
placing an advanced fixed stop loss order with a broker. 
Of course, if the price of the stock increases too much, the stop loss 
order is changed. In such case, pivot pin 58 is removed from the circle 48 
it then occupies, and is inserted within the respective side through 
another circle 48 which corresponds to a number 44 of greater value. In 
other words, the stop loss order is raised. For example, when the price of 
the stock reaches a value 10% greater than the then previous market price, 
the stop loss order is raised to a value equal to the previous market 
price, and the lever 54 is pivoted to a position where pointer 68 points 
to the current market price. Then, if the stock falls to the previous 
market price, the stock is sold. The stop loss setting of pivot pin 58 is 
periodically changed as the stock increases in price. 
The present invention can also be used for monitoring stocks to determine 
when to buy a stock, as indicated by lever 654 in FIG. 13. In such case, 
lever 654 includes a pocket 666 on the left side of channel 662, with the 
ball rolling from right to left. Thus, pointer 668 would be set to a price 
which is 10% less than the then expected price at which lever 654 would be 
pivoted. When the price of the stock rises by 10%, the ball would roll 
from right to left to indicate an opportunity where an investor should buy 
a stock before it rises any further (that is, to indicate a time when a 
security is breaking out on the upside), to indicate a buy stop loss 
order, or to cover a "short" position. 
Use of the present invention is not limited to stocks, but can also be used 
with respect to option trading and in future trading. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3, there is shown a stop loss annunciator 
110 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which 
like parts are represented by like numerals augmented by 100, and a 
detailed description thereof will not be given for the sake of brevity. 
Specifically, a base stand 112 is provided in place of base cube 12. Base 
stand 112 includes a support platform 128 and a support panel 184 secured 
to support platform 128 in an upstanding position. As shown, support panel 
184 includes two opposite sides 118 and 122 which include pins 134 at the 
upper and lower ends thereof for supporting respective charts 132 in the 
same manner as pins 34 of FIG. 1. Further, the lower end of support panel 
184 is cut away at the edges thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, to 
define undercut sections 186. Chart 132 is constructed in a substantially 
identical manner to chart 32 of FIG. 1. 
Lever 154 is constructed in an identical manner to lever 54 of FIG. 1, with 
the exception that pointer 68 is formed as a triangular section 170 
fixedly secured to lever 154, rather than the adjustable screw or bolt 70 
of FIG. 1. 
Further, retaining means 176 includes a wire rod 178 bent in a U-shape, as 
shown in FIG. 2B, and includes two eyes 188 at opposite ends thereof. Eyes 
188 are secured to posts 180 at the top 114 of support panel 184 and to 
posts 182 at undercut sections 186 of support panel 184, whereby wire rod 
178 extends over gripping tab 174. Biasing pins 190 are also secured to 
top 114 and undercut sections 186, around which wire rod 178 travels. In 
this regard, biasing pins 190 are positioned so as to provide a biasing 
force to wire rod 178, whereby wire rod 178 applies a restraining force to 
gripping tab 174, and thereby functions in an identical manner to coil 
spring 78 of FIG. 1. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of the present 
invention, in which like elements similar to those in FIG. 1 are 
represented by the same numerals augmented by 200, and a detailed 
description thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity. As 
shown, stock price annunciator 210 of FIG. 4 differs from the previously 
discussed embodiments by the use of a plurality of flat display bases or 
plaques 212 which are mounted on a common wall 292. In this regard, a user 
can monitor any number of stocks at a single glance. 
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown another embodiment of a 
lever according to the present invention, in which like elements similar 
to those in FIGS. 5-8 are represented by the same numerals augmented by 
300, and a detailed description of such like elements will be omitted 
herein for the sake of brevity. As shown, lever 354 is of an adjustable 
spread type and, in this regard, includes an elongated, substantially 
vertically oriented slot 394 extending therethrough. A lever extension 
354a is pivotally mounted with respect to lever 354 about pivot pin 358, 
and is positioned behind lever 354, as shown in FIG. 10. Lever extension 
354a includes a similar elongated, substantially vertically oriented slot 
394a in coincidence with slot 394 of lever 354. A fastening device 396 in 
the form of a bolt 397 extending through slots 394 and 394a, and a nut 398 
secured to the end of bolt 397, serves to secure lever 354 and lever 
extension 354a together, that is, to prevent pivoting movement of lever 
extension 354a with respect to lever 354. In this regard, lever extension 
354a can be pivoted with respect to lever 354 and secured at different 
desired positions to accommodate different spreads in stock prices on the 
charts. Accordingly, the bottom of lever 354 can be made to appear 
parallel to horizontal when a stop loss price is achieved, regardless of 
the spread in stock prices on charts 32. In a sense, the fan-like 
arrangement of lever 354 functions as a visual aid to the user. 
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown another embodiment of a lever 
according to the present invention, in which like elements similar to 
those in FIGS. 5-8 are represented by the same numerals augmented by 400, 
and a detailed description of such like elements will be omitted herein 
for the sake of brevity. As shown, lever 454 includes an internal cavity 
500 which contains a battery 502 and terminal ends 504 and 506 which hold 
battery 502 in the position shown and electrically connect battery 502 to 
a circuit 508 which will now be described. 
Circuit 508 includes an alarm device 510 which may take any suitable form. 
For example, as shown, alarm device 510 is a lamp which is visible through 
an aperture (not shown) at the front of lever 454. Any other suitable 
alarm device, such as a bell, buzzer or the like may be substituted for 
the lamp. Circuit 508 further includes conducting wires 512 and 514 which 
are electrically connected at one end thereof to terminal ends 504 and 
506, respectively. The opposite end of wire 512 extends to the surface of 
pocket 466, while the opposite end of wire 514 is connected to alarm 
device 510. A separate wire 516 is connected between alarm device 510 and 
the surface of pocket 466 in spaced relation to the opposite end of wire 
512. With this embodiment, ball 464 is made of a conducting metal 
material. 
In operation, when lever 454 is pivoted downwardly to the stop loss 
setting, ball 464 rolls in channel 462 into pocket 466. At this time, ball 
464 closes circuit 508, whereby current is supplied from battery 502 to 
alarm device 510, and the lamp lights to indicate to the user that a stop 
loss setting has been reached. 
Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with 
reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the 
present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that 
various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of 
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of 
the invention as defined by the appended claims.