Improvements in Apparatus for Serving Viands, Beverages, and other Provisions on Tables and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Serving Viands, Beverages, and
other Provisions on Tables and the like.
RAPHAEL HOGG, of Neustadt, Baden, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to apparatus for automatically serving viands, beverages
and other provisions on tables, counters and the like.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown such apparatus applied to a dinner
table. This apparatus obviates the inconveniences which attend the serving of
food and the like at table, the disc for the provisions being automatically
transported from one place to another on the table.
Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of my improved apparatus.
Figure 2, is a longitudinal section, and
Figure 3 a plan of the same.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate details of the transporting device employed.
Upon the table t is arranged a long box or casing a which is either adapted to
be removed or formed in one piece with the table. In this box or casing a I
provide an endless chain which passes round horizontal chain pulleys c and is
stretched tight. In the arrangement represented are only two chain pulleys, but
any desired number may be employed for instance four, so that the chain moves in
a quadrangle. The mode of guiding the chain depends on the width and shape
of the table. This chain serves for transporting the dishes containing the food or
the like.
For this purpose it is set in motion by a clockwork, which may be arranged
in the box d, and by suitable gear wheels e or by any other desired means for
instance by a small water motor or electric motor. In the drawing is shown
an actuating lever whereby the clockwork can be optionally stopped and set
in motion again. As the construction of the clockwork is immaterial, it need
not be described in detail.
The chain consists of links 64 connected in a well-known manner by bolts b¹.
In the box or casing a is formed, exactly above the said chain, a slot a¹,
parallel to which I provide on either side a series of rollers h. These rollers, as
shown in Figs. 5 and 6, support the trays g which are preferably made of metal
and adapted to be transported on the roller path. For this purpose some or all the
bolts of the chain b consist of sleeves 63, as shown in Figure 6. Into these sleeves
are inserted the bolts gl provided on the under side of the trays 9 to connect
the latter with the chain which is designed to carry them away. It is expedient
to prolong the sleeves 62 upwards to such an extent that their part 63 will slide
in the slot a' for the purpose of enabling them to be more easily found and not
missed when inserting the bolt g¹. On the trays g, which move with great
facility upon the roller path, are placed the dishes to be served.
It will be understood that the arrangement shown only serves as an example
and may be variously modified. For instance in lieu of the trays g I may
employ small trucks drawn by the chain, in which case the trucks may also be
attached to the transporting chain by means of small chains. The actuating device
may also be connected with various places so that the apparatus can be operated or
stopped from several points. Furthermore, the transporting chain may be replaced
by an endless band of metal or by any other desired means fulfilling the same
purpose. Of course, the apparatus may be used for serving all kinds of viands,
beverages, cigars, and the like.

page_text: 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 ;-
First An apparatus for automatically serving viands, beverages and other
provisions, characterized by an endless transporting chain or band or the like
which moves underneath a slot and carries away the trays designed for the
reception of the vessels for the provisions, these trays being removably connected
with the chain and adapted to move above the said slot.
Second-In the apparatus characterized in the first claim the employment of a
chain having hollow joint bolts which serve for the reception of the bolts provided
on the trays which are adapted to move upon roller paths arranged by the side of
the slot.
Dated this 20th day of August 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.