Year: 1892

page_text: Figure 12 is a view showing the bill of fare as in Figure 1, save that the parts or
sections are opened and portions are broken away to show the manner of inserting
the blocks or slides.
Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view with parts broken away, of the joint and
the retaining bar or arm.
Figure 14 is a transverse sectional view taken through the meeting edges of the
parts or sections and the retaining bar.
Referring to the drawing, A. designates the main or body portion of my improved
bill of fare, which is formed in two corresponding sections a, a, pivotally connected
together at their lower meeting edges by a hinge a². In the front board B are two
corresponding columns of openings b, adjacent to the outer longitudinal side edges
of the main or body portion, while in the back-board B' are two columns of
openings & corresponding to the columns b, but adjacent to the meeting edges of
the parts or sections a, a. Between the openings of each column are transverse
bars 63, provided with opposite grooved faces. The solid portions of front board B

page_text: form the backs or bottoms for the columns of openings 6', and likewise the solid
portions of the back-board B' form the backs or bottoms for the front columns of
openings b. The openings of columns are contiguous with and open into the
openings of the adjacent columns facing rearward. Between the upper ends of
the front and back-boards of parts or sections a, a', are secured metallic strips C, C¹,
to add strength to the parts. The strip C₁ of part or section a¹ is extended into a
short arm D, which when the parts or sections are closed together projects between
the front and back-boards B, B', of the part or section a, and said parts or sections
are held locked together by a plate spring catch d projecting from arm D engaging
a shoulder d of part or section a. A key d² is designed to be inserted through a
hole in the top of part or section a to effect the disengagement of the spring
catch when the parts are to be opened, said key consisting of a pin or straight
piece of wire, as shown.
e¹
In each of the openings in columns bis designed to be placed a block or slide E,
which is of oblong shape corresponding to that of the openings. To one longi-
tudinal edge of each block E is secured a plate spring e, which in the present
instance is shown as being secured at its centre and as having free curved ends
extending around two of the corner edges of the block. The free ends of the spring
bear against the transverse bars 2. In each end of block E is a hole or groove
into which is designed to be placed the end of a key E' by which each block may
be moved from the opening of column into the coincident opening of the adjacent
column . These blocks have indicated on their front and back faces the names
of the different articles composing the bill of fare for any one meal and are divided
off into courses under appropriate headings which are also indicated by periodically
arranged blocks. In the front board B is an upper central opening F, located at
the meeting edges of the parts or sections. Into this opening placed a block f
indicating thereon the meal for which the bill of fare is given. At the lower end
of the front board in part or section a are two openings f,, the former exposing
a block with the year indicated thereon, and the latter a block with the day of the
week. Likewise in the other part or section a' are two openings f³, ", the former
for a block indicating the day of the month, which latter is shown by a block/1.
It being necessary to change the blocks indicating the day of the week and
month more frequently than those indicating the month and year they are placed
adjacent the meeting edges of the parts or sections to facilitate the replacement
thereof.
G is a long arm, whose hinging plate g forms a part of hinge a². This arm is
located between the meeting edges of the parts or sections a, a, and is designed to
fit between the front and back boards B, B, and bear against the ends of the
transverse bars to prevent the blocks or slides E of one part or section from
falling out while the blocks or slides of the other block or section are being inserted
in position. It also limits the inward movement of the blocks or slides.
Upon the back-board B, near the upper end thereof is a block or space of
suitable material whereon is to be indicated the number of the table and chair
occupied by the guest ordering. At the lower end of said back-board may be a
space for the number of the waiter taking the order, but this is not necessary.
The operation or manner of using my improved bill of fare is as follows :—
The columns of openings expose to view two series of blocks whereon are
indicated under appropriate course-headings the various dishes or articles composing
the bill of fare, said blocks being first inserted while the parts or sections are
opened, after which said parts or sections are closed and held firmly united by the
spring catch. The guest in ordering takes key E and looking at the bill of fare
as shown in Figure 1, moves those blocks indicating the desired dishes toward the
longitudinal centre out of the view he then has. "Having indicated his full order
by moving the blocks, a view of the reverse side of the bill of fare (see Figure 3)
will display in columns of openings his entire order, the same serving as an
accurate guide for filling the entire meal. The blocks after the order is filled can

page_text: be returned to their normal position by the key E', and then the bill of fare is
ready for the use of another guest.
The advantages of my invention are apparent, and it will be especially observed
that the same presents in a new and safe manner the entire bill of fare, and that
accuracy in serving or filling an order is insured. It will also be observed that
the device is extremely simple and not liable to get out of order, and that it can be
highly embellished or ornamented to add to its attractiveness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein-described improved bill of fare having front and back boards
provided cach with a column of openings, the openings of one column being
contiguous with the openings of the adjacent column, onc or more series of
indicating blocks having corresponding names or marks on its opposite sides, and
capable of being moved from the openings of one column to the openings of the
next adjacent column and thus being visible on the other side of the bill of farc
and concealed from view on the side where at first visible, and a pivoted bar or
arm adjacent to one of said columns of openings for limiting the movement of said
blocks, substantially as set forth.
2. The herein-described bill of fare, composed of two parts or sections pivotally
connected together at their lower mecting edges and capable of being locked
together, and having front and back boards, being provided with two columns of
openings adjacent to their longitudinal edges, and said back-boards with two
columns of openings adjacent to the said meeting edges of said parts or sections,
and two series of indicating blocks normally exposed to view through the said
columns of openings in said front boards, substantially as set forth.
3. The herein-described improved bill of fare, composed of two parts or sections
pivotally connected together at their lower meeting edges, a pivoted bar or arm
located between said meeting edges, each of said parts or sections having an outer
front column of openings and an inner back column of openings contiguous with
said former columns of openings, and indicating blocks capable of being moved from
one column of openings to the other or adjacent column, the blocks of one part or
section being held in place by said bar or arm, while the blocks are being placed in
the other part or section, substantially as set forth.
4. The herein-described improved bill of fare, composed of two parts or sections
pivotally connected together at their lower meeting edges, a pivoted bar or arm
located between said meeting edges, each of said parts or sections having an outer
front column of openings and an inner back column of openings contiguous with
said former columns of openings, indicating blocks capable of being moved from
one column of openings to the other or adjacent column, the blocks of one part or
section being held in place by said bar or arm while the blocks are being placed in
the other part or section, and a spring catch projecting from one of said parts or
sections for engaging and locking the other part or section, substantially as set
forth.
5. The herein-described improved bill of fare, composed of two parts or sections
having each front and back-boards with an intervening space, the hinge pivotally
connecting said parts or sections together at their lower meeting edges, and an arm
extending from one of said parts or sections, and a plate spring secured thereto and
designed to engage a shoulder of the other part or section, said parts or sections
being provided each with two adjacent columns of openings and indicating blocks,
designed to be operated as and for the purpose stated.
6. A. bill of fare indicator formed in sections and having upper coincident
openings at their meetings edges, meal indicating blocks located therein, and lower
series of openings with blocks therein indicating the day and date, a column or
columns of front openings, a column or columns of back openings adjacent to said
former openings and indicating blocks located in said front column or columns of

page_text: openings and capable of being moved into said back column or columns of openings.
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 26th dox of July 1805
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.