| Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of useRelated Patent Categories: Education And Demonstration, Religion, RosaryApparatus for praying the rosary and method of use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060177806, Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The invention relates to praying the rosary, and more particularly to an apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use. BACKGROUND [0002] Rosary beads and crucifixes are constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, gold, silver, bone, pearl, coral and precious stones, as well as other natural and man made materials. Rosaries are often constructed with various combinations of materials. Beads today are commonly held together using string, cord, chain, or metal wire. [0003] The rosary is essentially a tallying device, known in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Historically rosary beads have been used for manually progressing through a prayer sequence by holding a bead in hand and moving from one bead to the next when a prayer is finished. A person with arthritis may have a difficult time holding the individual beads for an extended time during prayer in order to keep track of their place in the prayer sequence. If a person sits the rosary down or drops it, the person's place in the prayer sequence is lost. A better method of keeping track of a prayer sequence is needed. However, the traditional appearance of a rosary should remain in order to preserve religious tradition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the invention, as well as methods, operation and functions of related elements of structure, and the combinations of parts and economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the following description and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of the specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures, and wherein: [0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for praying the rosary according to one embodiment of the invention; [0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of a luminescent rosary including a crucifix shaped housing according to one embodiment of the invention; and [0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of an luminescent rosary for praying the rosary according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0008] An apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use are disclosed. In one form, a crucifix shaped housing including electronics operable to sequentially illuminate at least one of a plurality of luminescent beads is provided. The apparatus includes a sequence timer housed within the crucifix shaped housing and operable to periodically provide an electronic signal to sequentially illuminate each luminescent bead of the plurality of luminescent beads. A conductor is also provided and includes a first end, a second end, and a length between. The first end is coupled to a first terminal of the crucifix shaped housing and the second end is coupled to a second terminal of the crucifix shaped housing. The conductor is electrically coupled to the sequence timer to conduct the electronic signal. The apparatus further includes a medallion positioned along the conductor and operable to separate the conductor into an upper portion including a loop portion and lower portion including a pendulum-like portion. A first series of five (5) luminescent beads are electrically coupled to the conductor and positioned along the pendulum portion, each of the five (5) luminescent beads operable to be sequentially illuminated in response to the electronic signal. A second series of fifty-four (54) luminescent beads are also electrically coupled to the conductor and positioned along the loop portion, each of the fifty-four (54) luminescent beads operable to be sequentially illuminated in response to the electronic signal. The apparatus includes a power switch accessible along a rear portion of the crucifix shaped housing and operably coupled to the electronics and a power source operable to power the electronics. [0009] In another form, a method of operating a luminescent rosary for praying is disclosed. The method includes providing a rosary having a crucifix shaped housing made of plastic and including electronics operable to sequentially illuminate at least one of a plurality of luminescent beads. The luminescent rosary includes a processor operable to periodically provide an electronic signal to sequentially illuminate the at least one of the plurality of luminescent beads and a speaker coupled to the processor and operable to output an audio signal. A memory is coupled to the processor and operable to store information associated with providing the electronic signal and the audio signal. A conductor includes a first end, a second end, and a length between. The first end is coupled to a first terminal of the crucifix shaped housing and the second end is coupled to a second terminal of the crucifix shaped housing. The conductor is operable to conduct the electronic signal to sequentially illuminate the plurality of luminescent beads. The rosary further includes a medallion having an aperture formed along an interior portion of the medallion providing passage of each end of the conductor through the medallion. The aperture is formed to combine the first and second ends of the conductor to couple the crucifix shaped housing at a distance from the medallion and the aperture further includes an upper portion separating the first and second ends of the conductor to form a loop including the conductor. The rosary further includes a first series of five (5) luminescent beads coupled to the conductor and positioned between the medallion and the crucifix shaped housing with each luminescent bead operable to be illuminated in response to the electronic signal. A second series of fifty-four (54) luminescent beads is coupled to the conductor and positioned along the loop. Each luminescent bead is operable to be illuminated in response to the electronic signal. A battery compartment accessible along a rear portion of the crucifix shaped housing is provided and operable to store a battery and a power switch accessible along the rear portion of the crucifix shaped housing and operably coupled to the electronics and the battery to power the electronics. The method further includes illuminating a first luminescent bead of the series of five (5) luminescent beads for a period of approximately twenty-four (24) seconds, and sequentially illuminating a second luminescent bead, a third luminescent bead, and a fourth luminescent bead within the series of five (5) luminescent beads, each luminescent bead is illuminated for a period of approximately fourteen seconds (14). The method further includes illuminating a fifth luminescent bead of the series of five (5) luminescent beads for a period of approximately twenty-four (24) seconds. [0010] In another form, an apparatus for praying the rosary includes a crucifix shaped housing comprising plastic and including electronics operable to sequentially illuminate at least one of a plurality of luminescent beads. The apparatus further includes a processor operable to periodically provide an electronic signal to sequentially illuminate the at least one of the plurality of luminescent beads and a speaker coupled to the processor and operable to output an audio signal. A memory is coupled to the processor and operable to store information associated with providing the electronic signal and the audio signal. The apparatus further includes a conductor including a first end, a second end, and a length. The first end is coupled to a first terminal of the crucifix shaped housing and the second end is coupled to a second terminal of the crucifix shaped housing. The conductor is operable to conduct the electronic signal to sequentially illuminate the plurality of luminescent beads. The apparatus further includes a medallion-having an aperture formed along an interior portion of the medallion providing passage of each end of the conductor through the medallion. The aperture is formed to combine the first and second ends of the conductor to couple the crucifix shaped housing at a distance from the medallion. The aperture further includes an upper portion separating the first and second ends of the conductor to form a loop. A first series of five (5) luminescent beads are electrically coupled to the conductor and positioned between the medallion and the crucifix shaped housing. Each luminescent bead is operable to be illuminated in response to the electronic signal. A second series of fifty-four (54) luminescent beads are coupled to the conductor and positioned along the loop and each luminescent bead is operable to be illuminated in response to the electronic signal. The apparatus further includes a battery compartment accessible along a rear portion of the crucifix shaped housing and operable to store a battery. A power switch is provided and accessible along the rear portion of the crucifix shaped housing and operably coupled to the electronics and the battery to power the electronics. [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for praying the rosary according to one embodiment of the invention. A luminescent rosary, shown generally at 10, includes a crucifix shaped housing 11 shaped in the form of a religious symbol such as a cross, crucifix, or other religious symbol for storing electronics (not expressly shown) for operating luminescent rosary 10. Crucifix shaped housing 11 may be formed from various types and/or combinations of materials including, but not limited to, plastics, wood, glass, metals, ceramics, gold, silver, bone, pearl, coral, precious stones or other natural and/or man-made materials. In one form, crucifix shaped housing 11 may be formed from non-toxic plastics using one or more plastic forming manufacturing processes such as a plastic molding, extruding, blowing processes and the like. For example, a plastic manufacturing process of injection molding or blow molding may be used to form crucifix shaped housing 11. Injection molding is a process that is used in mass production of materials and includes melted plastic material being forcefully injected into a relatively cool mold. As the plastic material hardens, it takes on the shape of the mold cavity. One skilled in the art can appreciate that other methods may be employed to provide crucifix shaped housing 11 either alone or in combination with other manual or automatic fabrication methods. Additionally, various other religious shapes and dimensions may be selected for forming crucifix shaped housing 11. [0012] Luminescent rosary 10 further includes a conductor 12 having a first end 13 coupled to a first terminal 15 of crucifix shaped housing 11 and a second terminal 16 coupled to a second end 14 of crucifix shaped housing 11. In one form, first terminal 15 and second terminal 16 electrically couple electronics stored within crucifix shaped housing 11 to conductor 12 encased in an insulative material for protecting an individual from electrical shock. Conductor 12 may be soldered to a first terminal 15 and second terminal 16 such that an electrical contact or connection is provided to electronics stored within crucifix shaped housing 11. First terminal 15 and second terminal 16 may further include a strain relief (not expressly shown) reducing the amount of strain that may be placed on conductor 12 for holding or suspending crucifix shaped housing 11 and contents stored therein. [0013] In one embodiment, first terminal 15 and second terminal 16 may be integrated as a part of a plug (not expressly shown) allowing for removal and replacement of crucifix shaped housing 11 in the event of failure of electronics within crucifix shaped housing 11 or conductor 12 providing a modularized form for luminescent rosary 10. For example, a user may purchase one or more types of crucifix shaped housings (not expressly shown) to remove and replace crucifix shaped housing 11 as desired. In another form, a user may desire to utilize a different conductor 12 with different types of or colors of luminescent beads and as such may mix and match housings, conductors, luminescent beads, etc. as desired. [0014] Luminescent rosary 10 further includes a medallion 17 including an aperture 18 allowing for passage of conductor 12 through medallion 17 forming an upper portion or loop 19 and a lower portion or pendulum-like portion 20. Medallion 17 may be formed from various types of materials and may include graphic illustrations such as an illustration of a young female such as `The Virgin Mary`. Medallion 17 allows for separation of a plurality of luminescent beads into first series 21 located along lower portion 20 of conductor 12 and a second series 22 located along upper portion or loop 19. Each luminescent bead is electrically coupled to conductor 12 and may be periodically illuminated. [0015] First series 21 of luminescent beads includes five (5) luminescent beads including first luminescent bead 23, a second luminescent bead 24, a third luminescent bead 25, a fourth luminescent bead 26, and a fifth luminescent bead 27. Each luminescent bead within first series 21 may be provided in various colors for signifying or initiating a specific prayer. In one embodiment, first luminescent bead 23 and fifth luminescent bead 27 emit a substantially white light when illuminated. Additionally, second luminescent bead 24, third luminescent bead 25, and fourth luminescent bead 26 emit a non-white light (i.e. red, amber, orange, green, blue, etc.) when illuminated. As such, using different colored lights indicates to a user to pray or recite a different prayer when illuminated. [0016] Second series 22 includes fifty-four (54) luminescent beads having five (5) sub-groups 28 of ten (10) luminescent beads operable to emit a non-white light when illuminated. Positioned between each first sub-groups 28 is a single luminescent bead 29 collectively illustrated as second sub-group 29 operable to emit a substantially white light when illuminated. [0017] Crucifix shaped housing 11 further includes a speaker 30 operable to output an audio signal in association with operating luminescent rosary 10. For example, a visually impaired person may not be able to see if a bead is illuminated. As such, a luminescent rosary 10 may periodically provide an audio signal to indicate when and/or which prayer should be prayed. Such an audio signal may include a tone, title of a prayer, an/or a playback or output of the specific prayer. In another embodiment, luminescent rosary 10 may include a vibrating mechanism (not expressly shown) for a visually impaired person. For example, a vibrating mechanism may be turned on for different lengths of time indicating which prayer should be recited. [0018] In one embodiment, crucifix shaped housing 11 may include a manual illumination button 31 to enable manual illumination each luminescent bead. For example, a user may desire to operate luminescent rosary 10 in a manual mode and at a different pace than provided by luminescent rosary 10 when used in an automatic mode. As such, a user may select manual illumination button 31 during operation of luminescent rosary 10 allowing a user to place luminescent rosary 10 in a manual mode. In one embodiment, re-activation of manual illumination button 31 for a period of time may return to an automatic mode by pressing and holding manual illumination button for a specific period (i.e. three seconds, five seconds, etc.). [0019] Luminescent rosary 10 allows for efficient praying of the rosary and enables a user to progress through saying a series of prayers traditionally provided in a Catholic Religion. Some examples of prayers include "The Our Father", "The Hail Mary", and "The Glory Be To The Father". Other prayers may also be considered including, but not limited to "The Hail, Holy Queen", "The Let Us Pray", "The Sign Of The Cross", and "The Apostles' Creed". Each prayer or combinations of prayers, may be prayed or recited before, during, or after operating luminescent rosary 10. An example of each prayer is described below. [0020] "The Sign Of The Cross" includes reciting `In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.` while forming the sign of the cross by through motioning with a user's hand. Continue reading about Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use... Full patent description for Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for enhancing memory and cognition in aging adults Next Patent Application: Putting stroke analyzer and putter for use therein Industry Class: Education and demonstration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus for praying the rosary and method of use patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.89456 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
