Abstract:
Devices, apparatus, and methods for clamping a pivoting arm/flag onto an edge of furniture, such as a table edge, countertop edge, and the like, with or without messages and advertising indicia thereon, in order to signal servers and wait staff that service is being requested. The clamp can include a one-piece clip with a substantially horizontal top leg perpendicular to a top edge of a back panel, and an upwardly angled lower leg attached to a bottom edge of the back panel.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the service industry for but not limited to; restaurants, diners, cafes, and bars, and in particular to devices, apparatus, and methods for clamping a pivoting arm or flag onto a table edge or counter top edge, with or without messages and advertising indicia thereon, in order to signal servers and wait staff. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Many modern day service industry restaurants, diners, cafes, and bars are typically setup with waiters, waitresses, bartenders and of the such to provide service for the Patrons. In these establishments the need for service for the Patrons is not always noticed right away by the servers and waitstaff. On some occasions a Patron may have to catch a server&#39;s attention by verbal signals such as whistling, speaking loudly, or tapping glasses, or even hand signals physically motioning a server&#39;s attention and the like. While these techniques are well known, the signaling techniques can be time consuming and/or frustrating for the patrons, as well as potentially disruptive to other patrons. 
     More elaborate devices have been proposed over the years to help with notifying servers. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,115 to Goor et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,409 to Shank; U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,196 to Green; U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,856 to Maruszak; and 2006/0279415 to Solheim. However, these devices require power supplies to operate and be an expensive supply for food service establishments that work on tight budgets. 
     Other more mechanical devices have been proposed such as using table top flags or placards. However, these loose devices can easily be dropped from the tabletops and not used over time. 
     Thus, the need exists for a simple and effective server notification device, etc. over the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, and methods clamping a pivoting flag/arm onto a table edge, with or without messages and advertising indicia thereon, in order to signal servers and wait staff. 
     A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide mechanical attachable devices, apparatus, and methods attachable to table tops for signaling servers and wait staff. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide devices, apparatus, and methods clamping a pivoting flag/arm onto a countertop edges, with or without messages and advertising indicia thereon, in order to signal servers and wait staff. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide mechanical attachable devices, apparatus, and methods attachable to counter top edges for signaling servers and wait staff. 
     A preferred embodiment of a signaling device for notifying servers, can include a clamp having a front and a rear, the rear for attaching about an edge of a piece of furniture, and an articulating elongated member having a first end pivotally attached to the front of the clamp, and a second end which extends away from the first end, the elongated member having a first lowered position generally adjacent to an substantially covering across the front of the clamp, and a second raised position being substantially angled to the front of the clamp with the second end raised from the front of the clamp. 
     The clamp can include a one piece clip. The clamp and the elongated member can both be formed from plastic. The clamp and the elongated member can both be formed from metal. The clamp and the elongated member can also be formed from other materials, such as cardboard, and the like, as well as fiberglass, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
     The clip can include a top leg for fitting about an upper surface of the furniture edge, and a lower leg for fitting about a lower surface of the furniture edge. 
     The clip can further include a back panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, with the top leg attached substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the back panel, and the lower leg attached at an upward angle from the bottom edge of the back panel. 
     The top leg can include a substantially flat planar member with outer convex curved edges. 
     The top leg can include a substantially flat planar member with outer tapered or beveled edges. 
     The clip can further include a hinge along the bottom edge of the back panel for allowing the lower leg to adjust to different clamp ranges about the edge on the piece of furniture. 
     The clip can clamp about an edge of furniture such as an outer edge of a table top. The clip can clamp about an edge of furniture such as an outer edge of a counter top. 
     The signaling device can include a catch for limiting travel of the articulating elongated member in the first lowered position to be substantially horizontal to the clamp. 
     The signaling device can include another catch for limiting travel of the articulating elongated member in the second position to be substantially perpendicular to the clamp. 
     The signaling device can include a male member mateably attached to a female member to allow for pivotally attaching the first end of the elongate member to the rear of the clamp. 
     The elongated member can include an elongated arm with the second end having a knurled surface designed to allow easy traction for a patron&#39;s finger. The elongated member can include an elongated arm with the first end having a convex curved surface. 
     The signaling device can include indicia such as messages and/or advertising on an outer exposed surface of the elongated member. 
     The signaling device can include indicia such as messages and/or advertising on an outer exposed surface of the front of the clamp. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       First Embodiment 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of the novel clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly in position to clip onto an edge of a table. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly clipped onto table edge. 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly clipped onto table edge of  FIG. 2  with arm/flag raised to an up position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of the preceding figures with the arm/flag in a down(closed) position. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4  clamped to a table edge as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly shown in  FIG. 4  with arm/flag in raised up(open) position. 
         FIG. 11  is another rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly shown in  FIG. 4  is arm/flag in down lowered(closed) position. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded front perspective view the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly shown in  FIG. 4  with arm/flag separated from the assembly. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly shown in  FIG. 12  with arm/flag separated from the assembly. 
         FIG. 14A  is an enlarged view of the female pivot snap of the assembly spaced from the male pivot snap on the arm/flag shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 14B  is another enlarged view of the female pivot snap of the assembly attached to the male pivot snap on the arm/flag shown in  14 A, 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the arm/flag attachment to the assembly shown in  FIG. 14B  along arrows  15 Y. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly of  FIG. 4  with the arm/flag in a raised up(open) position. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 16  along arrows  17 Y showing male pivot snap ( 160 ) and grip knurl ( 140 ) detail. 
       Second Embodiment 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag clipped to a table edge for smaller thickness tables (approximately ⅞″ to 1.5″). 
         FIG. 19  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag clipped to a table edge of  FIG. 18  with the arm/flag being raised. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 19  with arm/flag in lowered closed position. 
         FIG. 21  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 20  clipped to a table edge shown n  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 25  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 20 . 
       Third Embodiment 
         FIG. 26  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag with a pivoting pin locking plug attaching the arm/flag to the assembly clipped to a table edge with arm/flag in the down position. 
         FIG. 27  is another view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 26  with arm/flag raised to an up open position. 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag with a pivoting pin locking plug attaching the arm/flag to the assembly. 
         FIG. 29  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 32  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28  clipped onto a table edge. 
         FIG. 33  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded front perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag of  FIG. 28  with arm/flag separated from the assembly. 
         FIG. 35  is an exploded rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag shown in  FIG. 34  with arm/flag separated from the assembly. 
         FIG. 36  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the pivot pin snap feature in the assembly spaced from the arm/flag and pivot pin. 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the arm/flag attached to the assembly along arrows  37 Y shown in  FIG. 36 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
     A list of components will now be described.
       10  Server flag assembly for 1.5″ to 2.25″ thick tables.     20  Table, 1.5″ to 2.25″ thick.     30  Beverage serving glass.     40  Beverage fill level.     50  Flexible clamp leg.     52  Outer edge     60  Rigid clamp leg.     62  Outer edge     64  side edge     70  Articulating arm/flag.     72  Convex curved lower end     80  Rigid clamp back panel for server flag assembly ( 10 ).     82  Curved ledge     84  Horizontal ledge     90  Advertising text and/or graphics printed or molded onto back panel ( 80 ).     100  Flexible clamp hinge.     110  Flag up support clip.     120  Flag down support clip.     130  Restaurant patrons hand raises flag ( 70 ).     140  Grip knurl located on the end of the server flag ( 70 ).     150  Female pivot snap located on rigid clamp back panel ( 80 ).     152  separate tabs     155  cut-out opening     160  Male pivot snap located on server flag ( 70 ).     162  outer extending wider ridge     170  Clamp range of server flag assembly ( 10 ).     180  Server flag assembly for ⅞″ to 1.5″ thick tables.     190  Rigid clamp back panel for server flag assembly ( 180 ).     200  Table, ⅞″ to 1.5″ thick     210  Clamp range of server flag assembly ( 180 ).     220  Universal server flag assembly embodiment.     230  Credit card (Prior Art).     240  Restaurant sales receipt/check.     250  Pivot pin locking plug.     252  Catch edge     258  Tapered tip     260  Rigid back panel for universal serving flag assembly.     270  Flag-up pivot stop.     280  Pivot pin male snap feature.     282  Arc cut-outs     284  Raised tabs  284       286  Outwardly protruding portions     288  Inwardly protruding portions     290  Pivot female snap feature.     292  Dome     294  Inner circumferential ledge   

     First Embodiment 
       FIGS. 1-17  cover the novel clamp with pivoting arm/flag with a clamping thickness of approximately 1½″ to approximately 2¼″ using a hidden pin connection. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of the novel clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  in position to clip onto an edge of a table  20 .  FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  clipped onto the edge of the table  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , assembly  10  can be used with tables having a thickness of approximately 1.5″ to approximately 2.25″. The assembly  10  can include a top generally rigid flat planar clamp leg  60  and a lower generally flexible clamp leg  50  that can have a tip edge which can abut against a bottom of the table top. The top generally rigid flat planar leg  60  can generally be flush against a top surface of the table  20 . Here, the glass  30  is shown full of liquid  40  so no service from a waitress or other wait staff is required so the arm/flag  70  is in a down(closed) position. 
       FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  clipped onto the edge of the table  20  of  FIG. 2  with arm/flag  70  being articulated by at one end to be raised to an up position. Here, a patron can use a finger on their hand  130  placed on the grip knurl  140  at the outer end of the arm/flag  70  to raise the arm/flag thereby alerting the server that service is desired. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of the preceding figures with the arm/flag  70  in a down (closed) position.  FIG. 5  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4  clamped to an edge of a table  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 4  with arm/flag  70  in raised up(open) position.  FIG. 11  is another rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 4  is arm/flag  70  in down lowered(closed) position. 
     In this embodiment, the front (entire back panel  80  dimensions) of the assembly  10  can include a width of approximately 6″, and an overall height of approximately 2.5″, with the arm/flag  70  having a length of approximately 6″ and a width of approximately 1″. The upper leg  60  can have a length of approximately 6 inches and a depth of approximately 2″. The space between the upper leg  60  and the outer edge  52  of the lower leg  50  can be approximately 1.50″ at rest with a extending distance of approximately 2.25″ with the clamp range  170  between these values as shown in  FIG. 8 . The hinge  100  can have an R value of approximately R.250. The lower leg  50  outer edge  52  can be spaced from the back panel  80  by approximately 1″. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11 , the assembly  10  can include the arm/flag  70  having one end pivotally attached to an upper left side portion of a rigid clamp back panel  80 . Lower convex curved end  72  of arm/flag can rotate about convex curved ledge on back panel  80  to rest in a horizontal position adjacent to horizontal ledge  84 . Support clip  110  along left side edge of the front face of back panel  80  can function as a stop to limit the raised position of arm/flag  70  to a generally vertical position. Another support clip  120  on the front right side of the back panel  80  adjacent to horizontal ledge  84  can function as a stop to limit the down lowered position of arm/flag  70 . 
     Various indicia  90 , such as messages (such as but not limited to service please), advertisements, and the like, can be placed on the front of the arm/flag  70  and/or on the lower front exposed face of the back panel  80 . Additional indicia can be placed on the front face of the back panel  80  that only becomes exposed from the arm/flag  70  is in a raised up vertical position. 
     The back panel  80  and upper horizontal clamp leg  60  and lower flexible clamp leg  50  can be formed from a single piece of plastic, such as molded plastic, and the like. 
     The upper horizontal clamp leg  60  can be generally perpendicular to the back panel  80 , and the lower leg  50  can angled upward from a flexible clamp hinge  100  area where the lower leg  50  meets the bottom of the back panel  80 . The flexible clamp hinge  100  allows for bending the lower leg  50  to different table thicknesses between approximately 1.5″ to approximately 2.25″. When clipped in place, the outer edge  52  of lower leg abuts against a bottom surface portion of the table  20 . 
     The perimeter outer edge  62  and side edges  64  of the upper horizontal clamp leg  60  can be additionally be convex rounded to narrow tips and/or beveled so that someone wiping the top of table  20  can slide a wipe cloth/towel over the outer edges  62 ,  64  of the upper flat leg  60  and not end up pushing the entire assembly  10  off the table  20 , and also not cause any grime and/or debris to be swept underneath the upper clamp leg  60 . The upper clamp leg  60  can also be made to be flush against the upper top surface of the table  20 . 
     In operation, the assembly  10  can be used with outer edges of tables  20  having flat outer sides or convex curved outer side edges which can abut against a rear surface portion of the back panel  80 . 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded front perspective view the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 4  with arm/flag  70  separated from the assembly  10 .  FIG. 13  is an exploded rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 12  with arm/flag  70  separated from the assembly  10 .  FIG. 14A  is an enlarged view of the female pivot snap  150  of the assembly spaced from the male pivot snap  160  on the arm/flag  70  shown in  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 14B  is another enlarged view of the female pivot snap  150  of the assembly  10  attached to the male pivot snap  160  on the arm/flag  70  shown in  14 A,  FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the arm/flag  70  attachment points to the assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 14B  along arrows  15 Y. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , a male pivot snap  160  can be formed on an inner side portion of the arm/flag  70 , and have a generally hollow ring shape with wider outer perimeter ridge  162  that protrudes outward from the rest of the ring shape of the male snap  160 . The female pivot snap  150  can have a central opening cut-out  155 , surrounded by a plurality of cut tabs  152 , each having a base wider than the distal end which is about the opening  155 . Pushing the male snap  160  into female snap  150  causes the perimeter ridge  162  to enlarge opening  155  followed by the tabs  152  snapping about the narrower exterior diameter of the ring portion of male snap  160  behind wider ridge  162 . As a result the arm/flag  70  can articulate and pivot relative to the back panel  80 . 
       FIG. 16  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  10  of  FIG. 4  with the arm/flag  70  in a raised up(open) position.  FIG. 17  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag  70  of  FIG. 16  along arrows  17 Y showing male pivot snap  160  and grip knurl  140  detail. The arm/flag  70  can be seen to be tapered along its length so that it is weighted in such a way as to want to stay up when the arm/flag  70  is raised. The base of arm/flag  70  can have a thickness of approximately 0.09″ and outer tip end having thickness of approximately 0.06″ across a length of approximately 1″. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIGS. 18-25  cover the novel clamp with pivoting arm/flag having a clamping thickness of approximately ⅞″ to approximately 1½″ with a hidden pin connection. 
       FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  clipped to an edge of a smaller thickness tables  200  (approximately ⅞″ to 1.5″ thick). Similar to  FIG. 1 , the serving glass  30  is shown full so no service is required so the server flag  70  is down relative to back panel  190 . 
       FIG. 19  is another perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  clipped to the edge of the table  200  of  FIG. 18  with the arm/flag  70  being raised by patron&#39;s finger on their hand  130 . Here, the serving glass  30  is near empty. The patron can use a finger from their hand  130  placed on the grip knurl  140  of the arm/flag  70  to raise the arm/flag  70  thereby alerting the server that service is desired. 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  of  FIG. 19  with arm/flag  70  in lowered closed position.  FIG. 21  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 22  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  of  FIG. 20 .  FIG. 24  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag  180  of  FIG. 20  clipped to the edge of a table  200  shown in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 25  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  180  of  FIG. 20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18-25 , the assembly  180  works and functions similar to the assembly  10  in the previous embodiment. Here, the space between the lower leg tip  52  and the under surface of upper leg  60  can be approximately ⅞″, with an overall spacing when opened to approximately 1.50″ with the clamp range  210  between these values as shown in  FIG. 24 . 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIGS. 26-37  cover the novel clamp with pivoting arm/flag having a clamping range of approximately ½″ to approximately 2″ with a more efficient pin connection. 
       FIG. 26  is a top perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  similar to the preceding figures clipped to an outer edge of a table  200  with arm/flag  70  in the down position. Here, a sales receipt  240  and/or a credit card  230  are shown inserted between the front of back panel  260  and the lowered arm/flag  70 . 
       FIG. 27  is another view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 26  with arm/flag  70  raised to an up open position to rest against clip  270  which can function as a stop to limit travel of the arm/flag  70  to a generally upright vertical position. 
       FIG. 28  is a front view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  with a pivoting pin locking plug  250  attaching the arm/flag  70  to the back panel  260  of the assembly  220 .  FIG. 29  is a rear view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  is a top view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 32  is a right side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28  clipped onto an outer edge of a table  300 . Here, the table  300  can have a thickness of approximately 0.50″ to approximately 2.00″.  FIG. 33  is a left side view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-33 , the assembly can function similar to the previous embodiments. Here, the space between the lower leg tip  52  and the under surface of upper leg  60  can be approximately ½″, with an overall spacing when opened to approximately 2″ with the clamp range between these values as shown in  FIG. 32 . 
       FIG. 34  is an exploded front perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  of  FIG. 28  with arm/flag  70  separated from the assembly  220 .  FIG. 35  is an exploded rear perspective view of the clamp with pivoting arm/flag assembly  220  shown in  FIG. 34  with arm/flag  70  separated from the assembly  220 .  FIG. 36  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the pivot pin snap features in the assembly  220  spaced from the arm/flag  70  and pivot pin  250 .  FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the arm/flag  70  attached to the assembly along arrows  37 Y shown in  FIG. 36 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-37 , the assembly  220  can function similar to the previous embodiments. Here, a pivot pin locking plug  250  can have a prong portion with narrow stem and catch edge  252  and tapered tip  258 . Rigid back panel  260  can have a raised pivot female snap features  280  that can include a plurality of arc cut-outs  282  with a raised tabs  284  forming a generally cylindrical configuration with inwardly protruding portions  288  forming a narrow opening therebetween, and outwardly protruding portions  286 . On the articulating end of the arm/flag  70  can be a pivot female snap feature  290  that can have an outer raised dome portion  292  with a lower circumferential ledge  294  inside the opening of the dome  292  having a narrow opening formed between the inner circumferential ledge  294 . 
     Pushing the pivot female snap feature  290  on the arm/flag  70  against the pivot pin male snap feature  280  on the back panel  260  causes outwardly protruding portions  286  to catch on the inner circumferential ledge  294  in the dome  292  on the arm/flag  70 . Next, pushing the tip  258  of prong  250  into the outer opening of the dome  292  allows for the catch edge  252  to snap about the inwardly protruding portions  288  of the pivot pin male snap feature  280 . 
     The term “approximately” can be +/−10% of the amount referenced. Additionally, preferred amounts and ranges can include the amounts and ranges referenced without the prefix of being approximately. 
     Although some embodiments show male attachment features on the arm/flag and female attachment features on the back panel, the invention can be used with reversing the locations of the male attachment members to be on the back panel and female attachment members to be on the arm/flag. Thus, the location of the female and male attachment members can be reversed on all of the embodiments. 
     While the embodiments refer to plastic parts, the invention can be formed from other materials, such as but not limited to metal, and the like. Additionally, the clamp portion can be formed from plastic and the arm/flag formed from metal, or vice versa. Still furthermore, the arm/flag or clamp can be formed from cardboard, etc. with the other part formed from another material. 
     Although the preferred embodiments show the invention being clamped about the edge of a table, the invention can be clamped about edges of countertops, as well as other edges. For example, the invention can be clamped about chair armrests and be modified to clamp on chair backs, and the like. 
     While the embodiments describe using separate members to form a pivot point, the pivot pins can be substituted by a live hinge at the horizontal or vertical axis, so that the entire assembly (clamp and arm/flag) is one component, and not separate components. For example, a single molded plastic clamp and pivotal arm/flag can come from one mold, and the like. Or the single clamp and pivotal arm/flag can be formed from one cardboard piece. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.