Abstract:
A user wearable device for tracking or reminding the user of time and/or numerical records. In the preferred embodiment, the device takes the form of an attractive bracelet. The bracelet is made of two sets of beads strung together to form the bracelet and at least one charm for removable placement between the beads. The first set of beads has numbers marked thereon while the second set of beads does not have any markings. The two sets of beads are placed in a predetermined alternate fashion along the bracelet such that the at least one charm can be placed between certain beads to note the time and/or numerical record. In the preferred embodiment, each of the twelve sequentially numerically marked beads is separated by a predetermined number of unmarked beads, such as 4, such that each unmarked beads represents a fifteen (15) minute interval between the hours.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/541,569, filed Feb. 4, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an attractive record tracking device that is wearable by a user and a method of using such a device. In particular, the wearable device takes the form of a bracelet that tracks or reminds the user of time or numerical records.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is very common for people to keep track of and be reminded of time or numerical records throughout the day, days or week. For example, the last time a baby was fed (whether by breast or bottle) or the next time feeding is due, the number of wet/dry diapers in a day, the number of glasses of water drank in a day, the last time medication was taken or given or the next time medication is due, the time of an appointment, the number of cycles/laps completed during an exercise routine, etc.  
         [0004]     The most basic record tracking device utilizes a writing instrument and a medium for recording the written notation, such as paper, self-adhesive notes, etc. Oftentimes, when a user needs to record a numerical record or note a time, either the writing instrument or the medium for recording the written notation, or both, is not readily available. Further, the writing instrument and medium for recording the written notation are often misplaced or lost when needed, such that a user cannot readily make the appropriate recordation.  
         [0005]     Other prior art electronic gadgets are also available to remind a person of different time and for numerical recording. However, a user must first learn to manipulate, input and use and carry such electronic gadgets for effective recordation. Similarly, electronic gadgets are also often misplaced or lost when needed and prevent a user from readily making the appropriate recordation.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. D415,976 entitled “Reminder Bracelet” discloses a bangle with numbers 1 through 8 marked thereon with an attachment for sliding over each number to note numerical records. Although this device is also wearable by a user and minimizes the likelihood of losing or misplacing the device, it cannot be used to track time and is not aesthetically pleasing as the numbers are not discreetly displayed.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,415 entitled “Calorie Management System” discloses a bracelet having a plurality of beads frictionally strung together for counting the number of calories consumed a day. After every five counting beads, with each representing a value of 100 calories, is a summing bead, which represent the 500 calories of the five counting beads. A freespace is provided along the bracelet such that a user slides the appropriate number of beads to one side of the bracelet to record the number of calories consumed. At the end of the day, the user would have to count the total number of beads to determine the number of calories consumed during the day. Although this device is also wearable by a user, it merely provides a counting device and fails to provide instantaneous information on the time and/or other numerical records.  
         [0008]     For a new mother, it is important for her to record the time her baby was last fed or when the next feeding is due. This is especially important for a new mother who breastfeeds, as she faces many challenges: (1) to perfect the proper breastfeeding technique to avoid discomfort and ensure the baby is suckling well; (2) maintain an even milk supply and avoid breast engorgement by feeding equally from both breasts; (3) ensure the baby gets enough milk to thrive; (4) learn to differentiate between the baby&#39;s cry as a result of hunger or for other reasons. As new mothers are often overwhelmed with the new experience of caring and feeding a baby and suffer from lack of sleep, it is difficult to keep track of such information in a state of extreme fatigue.  
         [0009]     Canadian Patent No. 2177291 discloses a device that reminds a new mother which breast she last fed her baby from. This device does not track time nor numerical records, but merely has a pivotable indicator that points to either the left or right breasts her baby last fed from. The device is designed to be attached to the mother&#39;s bra and is hidden from sight most of the time.  
         [0010]     Some websites, such as www.thenewparentsguide.com, offer nursing logs for a nursing mother to keep track of the nursing pattern. This is not a practical method unless the mother has ready access to the computer. Although the nursing log may be printed for written notation, it suffers from the same disadvantages of losing or misplacing either the printout and/or the writing instrument when needed.  
         [0011]     Therefore, there is a need for a device that is wearable, attractive, simple to use and visually tracks or reminds the user of time or numerical records.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention is an aesthetically pleasing looking bracelet to be worn on a user&#39;s wrist that tracks or reminds the user of time or numerical records.  
         [0013]     The bracelet of the present invention comprises two sets of beads strung together to form the bracelet and at least one charm for removable placement between the beads, acting as the marker/indicator. The first set of beads has numbers marked thereon while the second set of beads does not have any markings. The two sets of beads are placed in a predetermined alternate fashion along the bracelet such that the at least one charm can be placed between certain beads to note the time and/or numerical record. In the preferred embodiment, each sequentially numerically marked bead is separated by four unmarked beads such that each unmarked bead represents a fifteen (15) minute interval.  
         [0014]     The bracelet of the present invention allows a user to discreetly note time or numerical records without having to worry about losing or misplacing the records. Further, the bracelet of the present invention is simple to use, can be easily removed and looks aesthetically pleasing.  
         [0015]     The bracelet of the present invention particularly meets the need of a nursing mother. Not only does the bracelet note time or numerical records, its placement on the appropriate wrist also notes the last breast feeding cycle and indicates to the mother which breast her baby last fed from. For example, when the baby cries, an inexperienced mother may not know if her baby is hungry or not, or she may just be so tired that she cannot remember when the baby was last fed (which is especially true during the night when the mother may be only half awake), but a quick look at the bracelet of the present invention will help her determine if another feeding is due. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is the bracelet of the present invention in a slightly extended position.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate one end of the bracelet with a decorative pin and bead combination.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a removable charm of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a user placing the charm on the bracelet to note the time 6:30.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows the method of placing the bracelet on a user&#39;s wrist.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows the bracelet as worn by a user. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     With reference to the drawing wherein the same reference number illustrates the same element throughout,  FIG. 1  shows a bracelet  1  of the present invention. Bracelet  1  comprises two sets of string-able elements, such as beads  14  and  16 , for stringing together on a length of stringing material  10  to form the bracelet  1  and at least one removable charm  26  for removable placement between beads  14  and/or  16  to note a record.  
         [0023]     The stringing material  10  holding the beads  14  and  16  can be any flexible wires  10  known to one skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the wire  10  is a memory wire, which is a hardened steel wire which has a certain coil shape and can be stretched open but springs back to and retains its original shape when released, even after repeated use. Stainless steel Remembrance™ Memory Wire from Beadalon is an example of such memory wire. Memory wire comes in different sizes to accommodate different diameters, such as ring memory wire, bracelet memory wire and necklace memory wire. Other stringing material  10  such as iron memory wire, cadmium coated stainless steel memory wire, stainless steel nylon coated beading wire, Stretch Magic™, hook-to-hook or hook-to-ball bracelet bands, elastic, can also be used.  
         [0024]     The first set of beads  14  includes marked beads  14  having sequential numbers thereon. In the preferred embodiment wherein the bracelet  1  is used to note time, the first set of beads  14  includes twelve (12) sequential numbers, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to represent a twelve-hour clock. However, the number of beads  14  and therefore the number of sequential numbers used on the bracelet  1  may vary, more or less, depending on the intended usage of the bracelet  1 . For example, a bracelet  1  intended to count the number of glasses of water drank in a day may include only eight (8) sequential numbers or a bracelet  1  intended to count the number of cycles/laps during an exercise routine may include more than twelve (12) sequential numbers. Although  FIG. 1  shows that a two digit number, e.g.  10 ,  11  and  12 , is formed from two beads  14 , a single bead  14  bearing the two digit number can also be used (not shown). Further, other markings signifying numbers, such as with a plurality of dots or other designs, can also be used.  
         [0025]     The second set of beads  16  includes unmarked beads  16 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the bracelet  1  is used to note time, four unmarked beads  16  are placed between each marked beads  14  such that each unmarked bead  16  represent a fifteen (15) minute interval between the hours of the adjacent marked beads  14 . Alternatively, each sequentially numerically marked bead  14  can be separated by more or less unmarked beads  16 , such as two, six or twelve unmarked beads  16  such that each unmarked bead  16  represents a thirty (30), ten (10) or five (5) minute interval, respectively.  
         [0026]     The sequence of stringing beads  14  and  16  on wire  10  for the preferred embodiment is as follows: a number one bead  14 , four unmarked bead  16 , a number two bead  14 , four unmarked bead  16 , a number three bead  14 , four unmarked bead  16 , . . . a number twelve bead  14 . As discussed above, since the number of marked beads  14  can increase or decrease, a plurality of unmarked beads  16  may be placed before and/or after the marked beads  14  to sufficiently cover the length of wire  10  used for a particular user&#39;s wrist size.  
         [0027]     Beads  14  and  16  may be of any design, size, material, shape, and color to achieve the aesthetic preference of each individual user. Further, each marked bead  14  and each unmarked bead  16  may be of different design, size and color from other marked beads  14  and unmarked beads  16 .  
         [0028]     The removable charm  26  may be placed between any beads  14  and/or  16 . In the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , charm  26  is placed in the center of the unmarked beads  16  between the two marked beads  14  with the numbers four and five, which notes the time of half past four (4:30). Charm  26  as shown in  FIG. 1  may also represent that a user has completed four cycles/laps of an exercise routine. Therefore, the charm  26  can be moved to any location to note the time or count. For example, for the preferred embodiment, placing the charm  26  to the right of a marked number bead  14  marks the hour, placing the charm  26  after the first unmarked bead  16  next to a number bead  14  marks a quarter past the hour, placing the charm  26  after the second unmarked bead  16  next to a number bead  14  marks half past the hour, and placing the charm  26  after the third unmarked bead  16  next to a number bead  14  marks forty-five minutes past the hour.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  shows an enlarged view of one end of the bracelet  1 . Each end of the wire  10  forms a loop  20  to prevent beads  14  or  16  from being disengaged from the wire  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a pin  22  with an enlarged end  22   a  retains an unmarked bead  16 . The pin  22  can be made of a soft metal such as sterling silver, base metal or a composite metal known to one skilled in the art. The opposite end of pin  22  is coiled to engage loop  20 . The unmarked bead  16  on the pin  22  provides an added, optional, decorative element to bracelet  1 .  
         [0030]     The removable charm  26  of  FIG. 3  comprises a decorative charm element  26  attached to a clasp  28  through an intermediary split ring  30 . The split ring  30  may be partially opened such that the charm element  26  and clasp  28  can be hooked together before closing the split ring  30 . The clasp  28  can be selectively opened to an open position  32  as shown in  FIG. 4  such that the removable charm  26  can be hooked onto any location along the length of bracelet  1 . As known to one skilled in the art, the clasp can be made from sterling silver or brass, coated with imitation rhodium or gilt.  FIG. 4  shows the removable charm  26  being placed in the center of the unmarked beads  16  between the two marked beads  14  with the numbers six and seven, which notes the time of half past six (6:30).  
         [0031]     Charm element  26  is shown to be tear drop shaped. However, charm  26  may be of any design, size, material (e.g. sterling silver, pewter, brass, etc.), shape, and color to achieve the aesthetic preference of each individual user. The charm  26  may also hold pictures.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wire  10  of the bracelet  1  has a length sufficient to form more than one loop around a user&#39;s wrist. Placement of the bracelet  1  on a user&#39;s wrist is achieved by first hooking one end of the bracelet  1  over the wrist while stretching out the remaining length of the bracelet  1  and then winding the remaining length of the bracelet  1  around the wrist, allowing the bracelet  1  to spring back to its original shape to encircle the wrist.  
         [0033]     The method of using bracelet  1  of the present invention in the preferred embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1  relates to infants&#39; nursing cycle. During the course of a day, after a mother finishes nursing her infant, the removable charm  26  can be placed to mark the time when she last fed the infant. Also, the placement of the bracelet  1  on either left or right wrist may indicate the corresponding breast the infant last fed from. Therefore, a quick look at the bracelet  1  provides the mother with instant information. The charm  26  can also be used to note the time when the infant should be fed next and the placement of the bracelet on either wrist may indicate which corresponding breast the infant should begin his/her next feeding. The charm  26  can also be used to note the number of times the baby has been fed during the course of a day. The different notations marked by charm  26  described above can be used either individually or in combination by using a plurality of charms  26 . Therefore, a plurality of charms  26 , in different shapes, sizes, colors, etc., can signify different notations. For example, a gold spherical charm  26  may indicate when the baby was last fed, a silver cube charm  26  may indicate when the baby should be fed next and a star black charm  26  may indicate the number of times the infant has been fed.  
         [0034]     The bracelet  1  in the preferred embodiment for use to note infants&#39; nursing cycle acts as a teaching tool for new mothers because if her baby cries, with a quick look at the bracelet  1 , she can determine whether her baby is crying from hunger based on when the next feeding is due.  
         [0035]     Although certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, other better modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modification and changes that fall within the spirit of the invention.