Abstract:
A table structure comprises: a table body having a rotatable platform on a table plate thereof, the platform being divided into a plurality of divisions; a transmission mounted inside the table body for rotating the platform; at least a control box located on the table plate for connection with a control circuit of the transmission; and at least a monitor mounted on the platform for being controlled by a control means, whereby the control means enables the monitor to inform guests of a dish count by showing a numeral before placing the dish on the platform and the control box also controls the rotation manner of the platform for facilitating the eating of dish.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an improved structure of conveniently usable table that is applicable for various dinning tables of various restaurants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The Chinese are a hospitable people. Due to the habitual behavior, the Chinese people always select the large-sized round table, which stands for perfection and reunion. However, the large area of the large-sized round table makes the process for eating dishes difficult. In order to facilitate the eating of dishes, a turntable is placed on this large-sized round table so as to change the locations of the dishes by rotating the turntable. 
         [0003]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a turntable  10  is mounted on the conventional table structure, and composed of a stand  11  and a rotatory plate  12 , wherein rolling balls  13  are located between the stand  11  and the rotatory plate  12  to allow the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the rotatory plate  12 . However, the users must rotate the turntable  10  by themselves so as to pick up the dishes according to their likes. In addition, the users are unable to know the current dish count and cannot handle the speed of showing the dishes. Moreover, they cannot be informed that whether the dangerous dish such as hot soup or fiery dish is ready to be placed. As a result, they cannot prepare themselves beforehand. 
         [0004]    Whereas the foregoing description, the present inventor makes diligent studies in providing the consumers with an improved table structure that enables the users to know the speed of showing the dishes and promotes the safety. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is a main object of the present invention to provide an improved table structure that enables the users to know the dish count. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved table structure that is rotatable according to the requirements of users to facilitate the eating of dishes. 
         [0007]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved table structure that promotes the safety. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a table body having a rotatable platform on a table plate thereof, the platform being divided into a plurality of divisions; a transmission mounted inside the table body for rotating the platform; at least a control box located on the table plate for connection with a control circuit of the transmission; and at least a monitor mounted on the platform for being controlled by a control means, whereby the control means enables the monitor to inform guests of a dish count by showing a numeral before placing the dish on the platform and the control box also controls the rotation manner of the platform for facilitating the eating of dish. 
         [0009]    The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily clarified in the description of the preferred embodiments and the enclosed drawings of the present invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing the components of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  are schematic views showing the usage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view showing another application of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional table structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  simultaneously, a table body  3  of the table structure of the present invention comprises a table plate  31  and a table post  32 . In addition, a platform  34  with a smaller area than that of the table plate  31  is movably, pivotally coupled with the center of the table plate  31 . A pivotal connection part  341  on which a corresponding transmission is mounted is located on and protrudent from the center bottom of the platform  34 . The platform  34  can be divided into a plurality of divisions, such as six divisions in this preferred embodiment. In addition, a positioning trench  342  is formed on each of these six divisions, wherein a touch switch  343  is formed in the positioning trench  342 . Besides, these positioning trenches  342  have respective extension flanges, which are distinguished from one another by respective colors, numerals, English letters, patterns, or symbols. In this preferred embodiment, these extension flanges are distinguished one another by respective colors. Several small-depressed cavities  344  are formed on the platform  34  for holding respective relish trays. Besides, several monitors  345  are properly disposed around the edge of the platform  34 . In this preferred embodiment, each monitor  345  comprises two seven-stage display devices for showing green-, red- and blue-color lights. 
         [0016]    Moreover, these monitors  345  are controlled by a control circuit and connected to the respective touch switches  343 . A transmission, which is composed of a stepper motor  321  and a gear  322 , is mounted inside the table post  32  of the table body  3 . The gear  322  is coupled to a motor shaft of the stepper motor  321  and engaged correspondingly with the transmission of the pivotal connection part  341  of the platform  34 . Besides, the stepper motor  321  is connected to a control circuit  33 . The control circuit  33  is further connected to a plurality of control boxes  35  in parallel, wherein the amount of the control boxes  35  is depended upon the size of the table plate  31  and the number of people. Several push buttons are located in each of control boxes  35 . For example, nine push buttons are adopted in this preferred embodiment, wherein six of these nine push buttons are assigned to six division colors, respectively, and the remaining three push buttons are adopted as function buttons including a start button  351 , a pause button  352  and a stop button  353 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , if there is a need to place the first dish, which is cold cuts, on the platform  34  after the guests have taken their respective seats, the control circuit enables the monitors  345  to show twinkling green numeral “01” so as to inform the guests that the first dish, which is going to be placed on the platform  34 , is a low-danger dish. Besides, the dishes can be firmly placed in the respective positioning trenches  342  on the divisions of the platform  34 , and held firmly by the extension flanges of the positioning trenches  342 . In addition, the numeral, which is shown on the monitors  345 , stops twinkling once the dish presses down the touch switches  343 . As a result, the guests can be informed of the current dish count by using the static numeral. If the fourth dish, for example, is hot soup or fiery dish, the control circuit enables the monitors  345  to show twinkling red numeral “04” so as to inform the gests that the fourth dish is highly dangerous. Besides, the guests can be informed of the dish count and the speed of showing the dishes by showing the numeral on the monitors  345 . 
         [0018]    If the guests want to taste a dish on the farthest-distance division, they merely need to push down the push buttons that have the same color as this division to enable the stepper motor  321  to rotate the pivotal connection part  341  such that this division of the platform  34  can be rotated to be in front of the guests for facilitating the eating of dishes. If two guests press different push buttons in the control boxes  35  at the same time, the dish, which is first ordered by one of the guests, is rotated to be in front of this guest by the control circuit  33  for controlling the rotation sequence of the platform  34 . 
         [0019]    In addition, the rotation of the platform  34  can be controlled by using the function buttons  351 ,  352  and  353  of the control boxes  35 . For example, the stepper motor  321  is driven to rotate the platform  34  slowly, continuously by pressing the start button  351 . If it is uneasy to pick up the dishes or the guest is a golden ager or an elderly or young tardy person, the platform  34  can be paused for about 10 to 15 seconds by pressing the pause button  352  to facilitate this guest to pick up the dishes. In addition, if a waiter or a waitress wants to place the dishes on the platform  34 , the platform  34  can be stopped immovably by pressing the stop button  353 . 
         [0020]    Furthermore, after the start button  351  of one of the control boxes  35  on the table plate  31  is pressed persistently for about 3 to 5 seconds, this corresponding seat is defined to be the important seat. After the stopping of the platform  34  for placing the dish, the platform  34  can be rotated by the control circuit  33  such that this newly placed dish is rotated to be in front of this important seat. Accordingly, an elderly person, an important person, or a worthy person has priority in enjoying this newly placed dish, thereby complying with the traditional morality of honoring the aged and the wise and educating the younger persons. In addition, if the stop button  353  is pressed persistently for about 3 to 5 seconds, this button is transformed into a service bell so as to notify the waiter or waitress that the corresponding services are demanded. 
         [0021]    After several dishes are placed on the platform  34 ,. the extension flanges of the farther positioning trenches  342  on the diagonal positions may be covered by the dish plates so the gusts are unable to know the colors of the extension flanges of the positioning trenches  342 . In respond to this problem, a plurality of marking regions  346  marked with respective patterns, colors or characters can be formed on the border of the platform  34 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this case, the above-mentioned six push buttons, which are located inside each of the control boxes, may be changed to have the corresponding patterns of the marking regions  346  so as to enable the guests to know the corresponding patterns of the marking regions  346  clearly. Alternatively, various proper patterns that are suitable for the topic, atmosphere, and situation of feast may be formed on the marking regions  346 . 
         [0022]    In accordance with the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention provides the advantages as follows: 
         [0023]    1. the monitors mounted on the platform inform the users of the dish count and enable them to further participate in the feast and know the process of feast, and the shown colors of the monitors also notify the users that whether the following dish is dangerous. 
         [0024]    2. The platform can be rotated according to requirements by lightly pressing the buttons inside the control boxes on the platform so as to facilitate the eating of dishes. 
         [0025]    3. The marking regions formed on the platform can be applied for distinguishing the different divisions from one another and for increasing the atmosphere by forming proper marking patterns according the topic of feast. 
         [0026]    In summary, the present invention indeed achieves the expected objects by providing the table structure that enables the guests to know the dish count. Accordingly, the present invention satisfies the requirement for patentability and is therefore submitted for a patent. 
         [0027]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.