This invention relates to electric signals and more particularly to devices directed to signaling for service at a restaurant or bar.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When seated at a table, a patron waiting for service such as to order another drink, or to request a check, often has difficulty in catching the attention of the waiter or waitress. In China, one signals that the teapot is empty by opening the lid. It is customary in some places to signal for another bottle of wine or beer by inverting the bottle. These methods are not always effective in getting the attention of busy or inattentive staff. Keeping impatient diners waiting loses customers and keeps tables needlessly occupied. A method for more effectively getting the attention of the wait staff will enhance the business of the restaurant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a simple, inoffensive, and economic device for getting the attention of the wait staff. It is another object that the device be easily operated. It is yet another object that the device be operable by a technique familiar to many patrons. It is yet another object that the device is acceptable to beverage vendors as a means of advertising their product. The device of the invention comprises one or more battery operated light emitters that are gravity actuated. The device is attached to the bottom of a bottle, glass, mug, or can. The light[s] turn on when the bottle, mug, glass, or can is inverted, thereby signaling to the wait staff. To enhance the signal and reduce the battery load, the light[s] flash on intermittently. The light control may include means to turn off the lights after a preset time interval. This will conserve battery, especially in shipping the product to market. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the device on a can in the inactive position.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation as in FIG. 1 with the can inverted to call for service.
FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of the circuit of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device unattached to a container.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view through line 5—5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the device attached to a bottle.
FIG. 7 is a top view of the device in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawing FIGS. 1–5, the device 1 of the invention comprises a housing 2 having a flat top 20, a flat bottom 21 and a cylindrical side portion 22. The bottom is removable for replacing the battery 4. The top 20 may be provided with adhesive attaching means 7 for affixing to the bottom 17 of an empty beverage container, such as the beer can 9 shown here. The top 16 of the can may be provided with a label (not shown) displaying a legend such as, for example, “invert for service”. The device may also be attached by other means such as the screw 8. The housing 2 may be made of a clear or frosted plastic with the annular space 23 adapted for receiving the electronic circuitry comprising the light emitters 3 disposed around the circumference to shine out through the cylindrical wall 22 at spaced apart intervals. The one lead of the battery 4 is connected through a flashing control circuit 6 well known in the art to a plurality of light emitters 3, such as light emitting diodes. Alternatively, a single flashing light (not shown) may be provided. The control circuit 6 may also be provided with means to turn off the one or more emitters 3 after a preset time interval. The other lead from the battery connects to the emitters through a gravity activated switch 5 such as those well known in the art. The switch 5 shown here has a steel ball 24 captive in a non-conductive tube 25. Two spaced-apart conductors 26 enter the tube at one end. In one position shown in FIG. 3, the ball is resting on both the conductors 26, thereby completing the circuit and causing the emitters to flash intermittently and/or in sequence. This is the call for service position the device will have when the container is inverted. When the switch is inverted (not shown), the ball 24 moves away from the conductors 26 and the lights are out.
Referring now to the drawing FIGS. 6 and 7, a bottle 10 is shown with the device 1 affixed to its bottom 19. A stabilizer 11 is provided for the top 13 of the bottle with a plug 12 to insert into the top of the bottle. Attached to the plug is a flat plate 18 large enough to keep the bottle from falling over when it is placed in the inverted position. A legend 14 on the plate may be provided for instructional purposes. An advertising label 15 may also be provided on the container to enhance its economic value.
Referring now to FIG. 8 a container holder 27 may be provided that holds the bottle 10 with two pivots 28 so that the bottle is stable in upright and inverted position with spring detents 29. Alternatively, the bottle may be partially filled with fluent material whose weight will shift when the bottle is inverted to take the place of the detents. The housing 2′ of the invention in this embodiment has a flat face 30 applied to the bottom 19 of the bottle 10 and an opposed domed face 31 containing a single, centrally located light emitter 32.
While we have shown and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.
Patent Grant
6945664
