Patent Publication Number: US-4926786-A

Title: Restaurant signaling device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a signaling device for conveying a plurality of messages in various environments, including restaurants. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When one is dining in a restaurant and needs service, it is often inconvenient or difficult to attract the attention of the waiter. The prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 1,603,751 to Dunn and U.S. Pat. No. 1,714,333 to Voss which describe restaurant signaling devices for attracting the attention of a waiter. However, these devices can only attract the attention of the waiter and do not convey a message. Thus, these prior art devices cannot convey a specific request to the waiter, such as a request for service, or a request for a check, or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a restaurant signaling device which includes at least two indicator means, each of which is separately operable and each of which can be used to convey a particular message to a waiter as to the specific service required, whereby faster service can be performed. The invention is also relatively simple in construction, easy to operate, and easy to clean. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention; 
     FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating operation of one signaling means thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of a second signaling means thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention showing the operating mechanism thereof; 
     FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c are cross-sectional views of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a locking means used in the invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of the invention illustrating operation of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a restaurant signaling device 10 embodying the present invention, which includes a base in the form of a tray 20 to be supported on a table in a restaurant. The tray 20 may take any suitable form and may, for example, include two portions 22 and 24, as shown, in which salt, pepper, sugar, and other condiments may be stored. The tray 20 and all parts of the device 10 may be made of a suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like. 
     The tray 20 includes an opening 30 between the two portions 22 and 24 in which a vertical upstanding hollow housing 40 is removably inserted for support therein. The housing 40 is preferably rectangular in cross section and includes a first wall 42, a second wall 44, a third wall 46, and a fourth wall 48. It is noted that the first and third walls 42 and 46 are opposite each other, and the second and fourth walls 44 and 48 are opposite each other. The four walls of the housing are provided with respective slots 50, 52, 54, and 56, which extend vertically from about the center of the housing to near the upper end thereof. The slots 50 and 54 in the opposed walls 42 and 46 are generally in alignment with each other. The slots are of uniform width along their lengths, except that protrusions or bumps 60 are provided near the upper ends thereof to reduce their width slightly, for a purpose to be described below. Similarly, the slots 52 and 56 are of uniform width, except for protrusions or bumps 64 which narrow them for the same purpose. The bumps 64 in the latter slots are slightly lower in elevation than the bumps 60 in the slots 50 and 54, as shown in FIG. 3. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the operating and signaling mechanism of the invention includes a first rectangular and movable signaling indicator 70 slidably mounted within the rectangular housing 40. The first indicator 70 includes four walls 72, 74, 76, and 78. Walls 72 and 76 include vertical slots 80 and 82, which are aligned with vertical slots 50 and 54 in housing 40. Walls 74 and 78 are provided with aligned holes 84 at their lower ends and a pair of actuator pins 90 and 92, which are inserted in the aligned holes 84 and are locked together therein. The actuator pins 90 and 92 are first inserted through housing slots 52 and 56 and then into aligned holes 84. They are similar in structure and include first outer finger gripping tubular portions 94 and 96 and adjacent inner tubular portions 98 and 100, which may be of smaller diameter and are seated for rotation in the aligned holes 84. Portion 96 carries a post 102 which is adapted to enter a hole 104 in portion 94 to couple the two pins together in a tight mechanical fit. 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, the device 10 includes a second signaling indicator 110, which is generally circular in cross section and is slidably mounted inside tube 70a in the first indicator 70. The second indicator 110 includes a pair of opposed aligned holes 120 near its lower end and in which actuator pins 130 and 140 are seated, after passing through housing slots 50 and 54 and first indicator slots 80 and 82. The wall of the second indicator 110 is also provided with opposed aligned slots 142 extending upwardly from their lower edge a short distance. In operating the indicators, as described below, the actuator pins 90 and 92 engage the slots 142, after passing through housing slots 52 and 56 and aligned holes 84. The actuator pins 130 and 140 coupled to the second indicator 110 are identical in construction to the pins 90 and 92 coupled to the first indicator 70. 
     The top surface 150 of the second indicator 110 may be notched or the like to receive a flower or other decorative device 152. 
     In using the signaling device 10 of the invention, the two indicators 70 and 110 may be made distinguishable from each other, for example, by being different colors, so that each can convey its own message, which may be printed on the walls of the housing 40 under the actuator pins associated with the particular indicator 70 or 110. Thus, for example, the second indicator 110 may be painted yellow and may be used to request general service. Under the pins 130 and 140, the message &#34;push up for service&#34; may be placed on the housing 40. Similarly, the first indicator 70 may be painted green and may be used to request a check and under its pins, 90 and 92, on the housing 40 may be placed the message &#34;push up for check.&#34; It is clear that other colors may be used for the indicators and that other messages may be represented by each. 
     In using the signaling device 10, initially, the device is in the non-signaling mode, as seen in FIG. 1, with the first and second indicators in the lowered non-signaling positions. If it is desired to raise the inner or second indicator 110 for general service, the user pushes upwardly on the pins 130 and 140 associated with this indicator. When the actuator pins are above the protrusions 60 in the slots 50 and 54, the pins 130 and 140, having rounded surfaces 130a and 140a, are rotated to engage the protrusions, so that they cannot fall beneath the protrusions 60. The second indicator 110 is thus held in place in its elevated signaling position. 
     If it is desired to manipulate the first indicator 70, for example to request a check, the user pushes up on the pins 90 and 92, and the first indicator 70 either slides upwardly relative to the second indicator 110 (if indicator 110 is already in the raised position) or it engages the slots 142 and raises the second indicator with it as it moves to its signaling position. When the actuator pins 90 and 92 reach and rise above the protrusions 64 in the slots 52 and 56, they are rotated so that their rounded surfaces 90a and 92a engage the protrusions 64 to hold the indicator 70 in its raised position. 
     As will be understood, in accordance with the present invention, there has been provided a signaling device which can convey a plurality of messages in a simple and convenient manner. 
     A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.