Waiter signaling device

A waiter signaling device comprising a pole having a lower base and an upper tip end, a light source coupled to the tip end, a power source for energizing the light source, a switch mechanism connected to the pole and operable in one orientation to energize the light source, thereby generating a signal indicating that service is required, and in another orientation to deenergize the light source, thereby generating a signal indicating that service is not required, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the base end of the pole to a table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a waiter signaling device and more 
particularly pertains to a device which may be used to signal a waiter for 
service. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of devices which can be used to signal a waiter for service is 
known in the prior art. More specifically, devices heretofore devised and 
utilized for the purpose of signaling a waiter for service are known to 
consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural 
configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the 
crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of 
countless objectives and requirements. 
For example, a U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,764 to Frezieres, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,250,491 to Dotson, and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 328,571 illustrate devices 
used to signal a waiter for service. Each device includes an illumination 
means coupled to a freestanding base. 
Other patents that illustrate components generally related to the invention 
are U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,707 to Peters and U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,111 to Sloan 
et al. Each device includes an apparatus for monitoring the status of 
requests for waiter service. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a waiter 
signaling device that minimizes the space required for its use on a table, 
maintains its relative position on a table even when the table is bumped 
or moved, and contains an integral power supply that may be coupled to 
different tables in a variety of ways, enabling the power supply to be 
hidden from view, and enabling the signaling device to be used in areas 
where commercially supplied electrical power is not available. 
In this respect, the waiter signaling device according to the present 
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs 
of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily 
developed for the purpose of signaling a waiter for service. 
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for 
new and improved waiter signaling device which can be used to signal a 
waiter for service. In this regard, the present invention substantially 
fulfills this need. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
devices for signaling a waiter for service now present in the prior art, 
the present invention provides an improved waiter signaling device wherein 
the same can be utilized for signaling a waiter for service. As such, the 
general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved waiter 
signaling device for signaling a waiter for service which has all the 
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a rigid and 
upright hollow pole having a lower base end and an upper tip end, a light 
source coupled to the tip end, a translucent and globular container having 
an opening disposed thereon for receiving the light source therein, the 
container adapted to be coupled to the tip end, a hollow box having a 
magnet, a pile type fastener, and an adhesive strip coupled thereto, 
wherein the magnet, pile type fastener, and adhesive strip are used to 
secure the box to a table, the box further adapted to hold a power source 
therein for supplying power to the light source, a power cable disposed 
within the hollow pole and having a first end coupled to the light source 
and a second end adapted to be coupled to a power source within the 
container, a switch connected to the pole and power cable, the switch 
operable in one orientation to energize the cable, thereby activating the 
light source and presenting a signal indicating that service is required, 
and in another orientation to deenergize the cable, thereby deactivating 
the light source and presenting a signal indicating that service is not 
required, and a clamp coupled to the base end of the pole, the clamp 
further comprising a rigid and generally U-shaped member having a top end 
and a bottom end, the bottom end having a threaded hole disposed thereon, 
a rigid and elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end, the 
first end threadably coupled to the U-shaped member through the threaded 
hole, and a handle coupled to the second end of the cylinder to 
incrementally advance the first end of the cylinder toward the top end of 
the U-shaped member for securing a table top therebetween. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device which has all the advantages of the prior 
art and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
waiter signaling device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured 
and marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device which is of a durable and reliable 
construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device which is susceptible of a low cost of 
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly 
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby 
making such a waiter signaling device economically available to the buying 
public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device which provides in the apparatuses and 
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while 
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated 
therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that minimizes the space required for its 
use on a table. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that maintains its relative position on a 
table even when the table is bumped or moved. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that contains an integral power supply 
that is coupled to different tables in a variety of ways, enabling the 
power supply to be hidden from view, and enabling the signaling device to 
be used in areas where commercially supplied electrical power is not 
available, such as a patio, terrace, or garden. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that enables a patron to readily signal a 
waiter when service is desired without having to signal by hand or voice. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that enables a waiter to know when a 
patron desires service, thereby avoiding irritating, needless, or 
embarrassing interruptions, such as disrupting an important conversation 
between patrons or soliciting service when a patron's mouth is full of 
food. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved waiter signaling device that can provide illumination to an area 
when primary light sources fail unexpectedly, such as during a commercial 
power outage, thereby helping to reduce injury to patrons who may not be 
seated at the time. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a waiter 
signaling device comprising a pole having a lower base end and an upper 
tip end, a light source coupled to the tip end, a power source for 
energizing the light source, a switch means connected to the pole and 
operable in one orientation to energize the light source, thereby 
generating a signal indicating that service is required, and in another 
orientation to deenergize the light source, thereby generating a signal 
indicating that service is not required, and coupling means for coupling 
the base end of the pole to a table. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a 
new and improved waiter signaling device embodying the principles and 
concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the 
reference numeral 10 will be described. 
The waiter signaling device 10 comprises a rigid and upright hollow pole 12 
having a lower base end 14 and an upper tip end 16. A light source 18 is 
coupled to the tip end. The light source can be a three volt bulb or any 
other bulb that would provide adequate signaling and illumination 
capability. 
The device includes a translucent and globular container 20. The container 
has an opening 22 disposed thereon for receiving the light source 18 and 
is adapted to be coupled to the tip end 16. 
The device includes a hollow box 24 adapted to hold a power source therein 
for supplying power to the light source. Power can be supplied by 
batteries, enabling the signaling device to be used in areas where 
commercial power is not available, such as gardens, terraces, or patios. 
The box has a magnet 26, a pile type fastener 28, and an adhesive strip 30 
coupled thereto. The magnet, pile type fastener, and adhesive strip are 
adapted to secure the box to a table. For example, the magnet can be used 
to secure the box to a metal table, the pile type fastener can be used to 
secure the box to a table having a complementary pile type fastener 
coupled thereto. The adhesive strip can be used when the metal or pile 
type fasteners are not appropriate. 
A power cable 32 is disposed within the hollow pole. Such cable has a first 
end coupled to the light source 18 and a second end adapted to be coupled 
to a power source within the box 24. 
A switch 34 is connected to the pole 12 and power cable 32. The switch is 
operable in one orientation to energize the cable, thereby activating the 
light source and presenting a signal indicating that service is required. 
In another orientation the switch is operable to deenergize the cable, 
thereby deactivating the light source and presenting a signal indicating 
that service is not required. 
The device includes a clamp 36 that is coupled to the base end of the pole. 
The clamp includes a rigid and generally U-shaped member 38 having a top 
end and a bottom end. The bottom end has a threaded hole 40 disposed 
thereon. 
The clamp includes a rigid and elongated cylinder 42 having a first end and 
a second end. The first end is threadably coupled to the U-shaped member 
38 through the threaded hole 40. The clamp includes a handle 44 coupled to 
the second end of the cylinder to incrementally advance the first end of 
the cylinder toward the top end of the U-shaped member for securing a 
table top therebetween. The clamp allows the device to be positioned on a 
table such that the device remains stationary even if the table is bumped 
or moved. 
The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 
and includes a different type of translucent container 50. The light 
source 52 is colored to define a first signal. The container is colored to 
define a second signal and is slidably disposed on the pole 54. The first 
signal is generated when the container is disposed away from the light 
source and the second signal is generated when the light source is 
disposed within the container. 
The third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and 
includes a translucent container 60 with a rotatable and directional lens 
62 coupled thereto. The lens is positionable such that the signals 
generated by the light source 64 are directed toward a desired location. 
The present invention is safe and easy to use in high traffic areas like 
restaurants because it is self-contained. it can be made in a variety of 
decorative styles and colors to fit any type of table. In addition to 
being bolted to a table, the device can also be screwed in, attached with 
hook-and-loop material, or built into the table. The device also serves as 
an emergency light. Since it is battery powered, it can be switched on 
during a power outage thereby reducing the risk of injury to those who may 
not be seated at the time. 
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same 
should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further 
discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.