Tide calender disk and method

A tide disk in combination with a calibration device for calculating state and time of tide comprising a disk with spiral columns of numerals corresponding to calendar days for the duration of a year for use with reference to a clock face, each numeral being separated by an angular separation of 24.4.degree.; the tide disk including a ring segment of distinctly marked calendar months for positioning the calendar dates in spaced angular arrangement in relationship with the numerals on the clock face for determining condition and time of tide, wherein the calibration is established once a year by setting the calibrator device in a "12 o'clock high position" relative to a time of condition of tide on a specified date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Forecasting time of condition of tide is important for anyone whose life 
touches and concerns the ocean, including those who navigate boats, 
particularly in coastal tidal areas, those who engage in fisheries 
including shell fish such as clams and scallops which are harvested at 
conditions of tide other than high tide, which activity is tide dependent, 
and those who engage in recreational activities along the seashore. 
Determining the time of a given tide, be it high or low or intermediate, 
is relatively easy on a current or day to day basis as tide information is 
published in a local newspaper, is often carried on the radio, and 
included on certain calendars. Furthermore, daily tide information is 
available through the use of well known, conventional "tide clocks" which 
are mechanically linked to a timing or clock mechanism, which indicate the 
time of high tide on a daily basis. However, forecasting time of high tide 
throughout a current month or future months is clearly more difficult 
task. Typically such forecasting involves the use of tide tables in 
conjunction with calendars, which often are expensive, cumbersome and 
typically are not readily available and convenient when making or changing 
plans which involve tidal waters. 
Prior Art tide devices, in particular, tide clock devices, such as U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 4,848,949 issued 1989, 4,035,617 issued 1977, and 4,623,259 
issued 1986 shows use of a display apparatus integrated with a clock 
mechanism to operate a tide indicating means to show the time of tide on a 
current daily basis. Another prior tide device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,745,313 issued 1973 shows a board with a first scale having index 
marks signifying days of the year and a second scale having successive 
sections and index marks indicating the hours of the day. These tide 
clocks are complex and costly and do not provide a basis for quickly 
calculating a selected time of condition of tide in future months up to 
and including a period of twelve months in a simple tide disk. 
However, in search of a simple device for fore-casting tides and through 
analysis of historical tidal records, I determined that the time of next 
high, or low, or "somewhere in between" tide can be determined by spacing 
the days date a certain angular distance on a circular display. The time 
of day, particularly the hour could be compared with this spacing of dates 
by using a disk display comparable adaptable to be in registration with 
the face of a conventional clock. 
Accordingly it is therefore desirable to provide a simple, quick, 
convenient, non mechanical, and economical tide disk apparatus and method 
of calculating a selected condition of tide employing the tide disk which 
overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to an improved tide disk apparatus for 
use in determining the time of condition of tide at a selected time, at 
one or more selected locations and at a selected date during a selected 
year, and to a method of calculating the time of said condition with 
reference to a conventional clock face for a plurality of months employing 
the present invention. 
In particular the present invention comprises a disk apparatus in 
combination with a calibration clip apparatus to be calibrated to be in 
registration with and in reference to a conventional clock face, which is 
useful in calculating the time of a condition of tide for a plurality of 
months, typically twelve months, and can also be calibrated to forecast 
the time of a condition of tide for a plurality of different geographical 
locations. 
In the preferred embodiment the present invention comprises an improved 
tide disk in combination with a calibration clip apparatus for affixation 
to a disk configured for displaying calendar dates in a spaced apart 
circular arrangement. The tide disk is of circular construction 
characterized by a front display surface of generally flat construction 
consisting of a thin sheet mounted on the face of the disk for providing a 
display for a circular arrangement of radially-spaced spiral columns of 
calendar numerals. The tide disk also includes a back display surface for 
affixing instructions for use of the Calendar numerals, typically Arabic 
numerals, are arranged on a series of concentric circles having a center 
at the central axis of the disk, and includes all the days in each of the 
12 months of the year arranged by month. The arrangement of the sequence 
of calendar numerals numbers typically proceeds from the inside to the 
outside of the disk, or alternatively may be arranged to proceed from the 
outer periphery to the central axis according to the wishes of the user. 
Angular spacing is provided for determining the separation of the 
positioning of each calendar date for arrangement in the spiral columns 
extending radially outward from the central axis. Identification of each 
month's calendar dates are arranged on two circular paths comprising an 
outer path including calendar dates for the second half of the month from 
16 to 31 and an inner, adjacent path including the calendar dates for the 
first half of the month from 1 to 15. The angular spacing is set at 
24.4.degree. which has been determined the be the critical spacing. This 
spacing has been calculated by beginning on the first of the month and 
running 30 days to the 31st, the total number of degrees totaling 
732.degree. or twice around 360.degree. plus 12.degree.. 
The numerals are provided for designating the day of the month comprising 
twelve sequences of Arabic numerals from 1 up to and including 31, 
depending on the month of the year, each sequence on a separate distinctly 
colored segment. The numerals are arranged in a plurality of at least 
fifteen concentric spiral columns, wherein the numerals are radially 
spaced an angular distance of 24.4.degree. for positioning the calendar 
numerals with reference to and in calibration with a commonly remembered 
conventional hour numerals on a clock face. In the preferred embodiment 
the spiral columns of numerals extend radially outwardly from the center 
of the disk to form a spiral of index calendar numerals. 
The tide display disk is formed of a series of concentric ring segments, 
each ring segment comprising a calender month, there being twelve ring 
segments corresponding to the twelve months of the calendar year. Each of 
the ring segment is distinctly marked to signify a distinct calendar 
month, preferable by marking with a distinct color, with each months 
calendar dates arranged on circular paths within each ring segment said 
circular paths comprising an outer path including calendar dates for the 
second half of the month from 16 to 31 and an inner, adjacent path 
including the calendar dates for the first half of the month from 1 to 15. 
The inner most ring segment having thirty-one numerals corresponding to 
calendar days in the month of January as shown in FIG. 4, and the next 
ring comprising twenty-eight days for the month of February. The next ring 
being for March having a total of thirty-one days. The next ring being for 
the month of April having a total of thirty days. The next ring being for 
the month of May having a total of thirty-one days. The next outer ring 
being for June having a total of thirty days. The next outermost ring 
being for the month of July having a total of thirty-one days. The next 
outermost ring being for the month of August having a total of thirty-one 
days. The next outermost ring being for the month of September having a 
total of thirty days. The next outermost ring being for the month of 
October having a total of thirty-one days. The next outermost ring being 
for the month of November having a total of thirty days and the outermost 
ring being for the month of December having a total of thirty-one days. 
For those years other than leap year, the disk for leap year being changed 
to provide for twenty-nine days in the month of February. 
The numerals designate days of a month from 1 to 31, depending on the 
number of days in a given month, and are arranged such that the time of 
high tide is the corresponding hour numeral on the face of a conventional 
clock, particularly a clock with a round dial when the calibration device 
clip is affixed at the "12 o'clock high position." For example if a 
calendar numeral was positioned at the bottom of the disk, being adjacent 
the hour numeral of six, the time of high time would be at six. In as much 
as the tide is approximately one half hour later in the evening, the 
accuracy of the disk is in the range of + or - half an hour. 
Colors may be varied according to choice, one such choice being the colors 
of birth stones as follows: 
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January Garnet (reddish) 
February Amethyst (purple) 
March Aqua Marine (bluish-green) 
April Diamond 
May Emerald (green) 
June Pearl 
July Ruby (dark red) 
August Peridot (yellow-green) 
September Sapphire (blue) 
October Opal or Pink Turmeline 
November Topaz (dark orange) 
December Turquoise or Blue Zircon 
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Furthermore, since time and height of tide vary from location to location, 
a geographic variation device comprising a spring clip with an 
identification device is provided for adjusting to different locations by 
use of an indexing clip device including a hanger device for hanging the 
disk in a vertical arrangement and a geographical label adapted to be 
attached to the outer edge of the disk for showing the time differential 
in different tides cycles on a given day. The tide discs are adapted for 
use in those areas of the world which are characterized by semi diurnal 
tides, i.e. having two tides a day, typically the east coast of the United 
States. The adjustable feature of the disk is particularly adapted for 
adjustment by the user from actual observation by the user for his precise 
location and can be adjusted from time to time to adjust for variations 
resulting from inaccuracy of initial setting or other factors. 
In the preferred embodiment, the tide disk is adapted to be attached to a 
wall or clock and set for the geographical variation for the location 
selected and thereafter used as a means for calculating or determining the 
time of condition of tide at a selected hour and a selected date for the 
balance of the selected month and year by reference to the disk. 
The following is an example of how a condition of tide may be predicted. 
Calculation of the time of a given tide condition at a given coastal 
location for a given date is accomplished by following the steps set forth 
hereinafter. Referring to FIG. 1, it is first necessary to calibrate the 
tide disk by affixing the calibration pointer to the peripheral edge of 
the tide disk, however, having once calibrated the tide disk it will 
remain calibrated for a period of one year, except for the situation of a 
leap year which is discussed later. Calibration is accomplished by first 
referring to a tide reference such as a local tide chart or actual 
observance of tide on a given day to determine the time of the condition 
of tide for a selected location. Calibration can be either for time of 
condition of tide which may be varied (i.e. it can be either calibrated 
for a high tide or low tide or an intermediate tide). For example, on 
January 3rd referring to a table/newspaper/radio announcement or actual 
observation, the time of high tide is established as 3 PM. Referring to 
the FIG. 1, the month of January is located by a ring segment 
configuration identified by the month and also identified by a color. 
Having located the disk ring segment for the month of January, the date is 
then located, i.e. the numeral "3" is located within the January ring 
segment. The calibration device consisting of a clip with pointer and 
hanger is then clipped to the calibration position outer peripheral edge 
of the tide disk with reference to said numeral "3", by establishing a 
"Twelve o'clock high" position wherein the tide disk is aligned with 
respect to the well known positions of the numerals on the hour hand 
positions of a clock such that said numeral "3" is aligned with the 3 PM 
position of a typical clock face. This can be done in a number of ways, 
however according to the invention, a clip spring with pointer and hanger 
is attached to the "twelve o'clock high position" such that said numeral 
"3" in the January circle remains in the 3 o'clock position when the clip 
is hung on a wall or placed on the table. The spring clip device is the 
calibrating device and having been established for one date in the month, 
for one date is then good for the balance of the year for a specific 
location. To determine the time of tide at a different day and a different 
month i.e. for the month of June if we select the day of June 3rd we will 
see that numeral "3" for June is at the six o'clock position relative to 
the "12 o'clock high position" and therefore the time of high tide on June 
3rd is 6 o'clock. 
Any other date in any other month, the time of high tide can be determined 
by reference to the position of the date in the colored circle for a given 
month and relating it with reference to the 12 o'clock high position to 
determine the hour of high tide, the time of low tide being 6 hours 
difference would be the reciprocal hour hand in respect to the "12 o'clock 
high" position or would be at 2 o'clock. Optionally if user is more 
interested in low tide (i.e. if he is engaged in clamming) he can 
calibrate the time such that the date numeral falls at the time of low 
tide (i.e. and that the high tide therefore is in the reciprocal position 
on the disk tide surface). It is intended that the tide disk according to 
the invention be re-calibrated once a year by resetting the position of 
the calibrating clip in reference to a tide table or other document to 
reset the time of the recalibrate for the first of January. In a further 
embodiment of the invention, a time of high tide for January 1st for a 
plurality of years (i.e. ten years) can be fastened on the back of the 
disk for reference for re-calibrating by means of a stitcher. 
The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in 
connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that those 
persons skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications, 
improvements and additions on the illustrated embodiments all without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a tide disk apparatus 10 
including a flat circular disk 12 having a faced template 14 attached to 
the front of said tide disc. The disk 12 comprises a front surface, a 
central axis 16 and an outer circumferential edge 18 and includes a 
plurality of calendar numerals 20, circularly arranged in a plurality of 
at least fifteen spiral columns 22. Said spiral columns extend radially 
outward across a series of circular paths 24, wherein said calendar 
numerals are radially spaced by an angular spacing of 24.4.degree., for 
positioning the calendar numerals in a circular arrangement on the face 
template 14 to relate to conventional and well known hour numerals on a 
conventional clock face. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the angular positioning of the calendar numerals 20 on 
the face template 14 may be related to the positioning of traditional hour 
numerals, typically being circumferentially spaced on the dial face of a 
conventional clock. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the tide disk apparatus 10 is of circular construction 
adapted to be mounted directly on a flat surface such as a table, with the 
front surface 14 and a rear surface 40, said disc consisting of a thin, 
sheet of material. The calendar numerals 20 shown in FIG. 1, designate the 
day of the month comprising Arabic Numerals from 1 to 31, for a series of 
twelve months to complete a full calendar year. FIG. 4 shows circular 
segment 46 for the month of January and circular segment 48 for the month 
of February. In this embodiment the disk 12, is adapted to be hand held, 
or alternatively, hung on a wall, not shown, wherein a calibration clip 50 
having a conventional spring clip device, 60 a pointer device 62 and a 
hanger device 64, may be attached to the disc 12 at a "12 o'clock high 
position" 66 for calibration of the tide disc for a calendar year. Also, a 
geographic indexing clip 52 of similar construction, is included for 
providing a variation parameter for adjusting to different locations 
having tide cycles on a given day, as is shown in FIG. 1. 
The invention also can be employed to determine the time of condition of 
tide at alternate locations having differing tide conditions. According a 
second color code be provided such that a reference to the color can be 
identified by the user (i.e. the series of brown, blue, green, pink, 
yellow, orange covers a span of six months and then it is repeated as 
shown with brown, blue, green, pink, yellow and orange, as is set forth in 
the Exhibits of the application showing color). The disk 12 is adapted to 
be preferably hung on a wall by means of the hanger 64 attached to the 
calibration clip 50 having apertures for accepting a hanger or nail. The 
disk 12 can alternately be used on a flat table surface as previously 
mentioned. In a further application, the disk can be applied directly to 
the face of a clock by removing the hour and the minute hand, placing the 
tide disk over the face of the clock and replacing the hour and minute 
hands and replacing the lens. In the clock location, the disk is fixed to 
the face of the clock and does not move and is not in any way related to 
the clock mechanism and will not need to be calibrated for a year. While 
in practice, the disk would obliterate the hours markings on the clock 
face since the hour position is well recognized, they are not necessary on 
the clock face and in point of fact, many clock faces do not include hour 
hand markings for one reason or another.