GB2604146A

GB2604146A - A reservation device

Info

Publication number: GB2604146A
Application number: GB2102745.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Baker Brendan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2021-02-26
Publication date: 2022-08-31
Also published as: WO2022180590A1; GB2618659A; GB202102745D0; GB202303509D0

Abstract

A table reservation device 99 comprises a housing 2, an inflatable signal 10 and an inflation control mechanism 3. The mechanism 3 is arranged to allow inflation of the signal 10 from the housing 2, and deflation of the signal 10 into the housing 2 with respect to a preferred time period. The housing 2 may be cylindrical and may include a circular hinged lid 8 on a top face. The housing 2 defines an internal volume which holds the mechanism 3. The mechanism 3 has an inlet extending through one side through a mouthpiece 9 and an outlet valve (14,fig.3) extending through a hole in an opposite side of the housing 2. The mouthpiece 9 may include a one-way valve. A balloon 10 is located on top of the mechanism 3 such that it extends above the housing 2 when inflated. The balloon 10 may includes a printed or writeable surface 1. The housing 2 may include a magnetic lid closure and a suction cup attachment means 7 located below a bottom face (22,fig.4) of the housing 2. The device is particularly suited for reserving a table or alerting a server / waiter in a catering facility.

Description

A RESERVATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reservation device, in particular a reservation device for a table or similar; more particularly but not exclusively a portable device for providing a timed signal.

Background

Increasing demands in catering facilities, due to pressure of customers, expectations, and competing financial, public health and time constraints, leads to reservations becoming more necessary and prevalent.

In particular in busy locations it may be necessary to order elsewhere and return to a reserved table to await delivery.

However to remain at the table can be problematic, as a user may wish to reserve the table, alert a server and at the same time may not wish to be required to stay at the 20 table in the interim.

Prior Art

US 9 633 531 (TAYLOR) discloses a signalling device for notifying servers, comprising: a plastic moulded clamp having a front and a rear, the rear of the clamp having a top flat leg and a bottom upwardly angled leg, the front of the clamp having a generally rectangular configuration with top and bottom sides being longer than left and right sides, the top flat leg being perpendicular to the front of the clamp, the rear of the clamp for attaching about a horizontal edge portion of a piece of furniture, so that the rectangular configuration of the front of the clamp with the top and bottom sides being in a horizontal orientation covering the horizontal edge portion of the piece of furniture; and a plastic moulded articulating elongated member having a first end pivotally attached to the front of the clamp, and a second end which extends away from the first end, the elongated member having a first lowered horizontal position generally parallel to and overlapping across the front of the clamp, and being pivotal to a second raised position being substantially angled to the front of the clamp with the second end raised upward from the front of the clamp.

KR 2000 005 897 (HWANG) discloses a balloon filled with air on both sides of the 5 balloon when the balloon is inside of the upright position of the balloon to firmly hold securely fixed to a support function and can provide, between the support function of the support plate in the mind's eye or the life of the transfer of magnetic transfer of the letter card and thereby substantially serve function and, in the general business promotional or advertising for the advertising light for high utilization of the function, 10 the memory having a memory function to the user terminal is provided in the role of the users convenience and diversification of the functions used to provide a balloon that can be directed to the card.

DE 19 542 511 (BECK et al) discloses a service request signalling device has a vertical post and an operating device used to move a signal flag at the top of the post between distinct positions, e.g. a raised and lowered position. The signal flag surface is visible from a range of at least 10 metres in the service request signalling position, with easy visual distinction between the signal flag positions at this distance.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a reservation device comprises a housing with a gas supply, an inflatable signal and an inflation control mechanism, wherein the mechanism is arranged to allow inflation of the signal from the housing, and deflation of the signal into the housing with respect to a preferred time period.

In some embodiments the housing comprises a portable housing, for example such that in some embodiments the device may be carried by a user.

In some embodiments the housing may be comprised in or on a table or similar at manufacture or retail, such that the table may provide the device in use.

In some embodiments the housing includes a lid. In some embodiments the lid is automatically displaced by inflation of the inflatable signal and replaces by deflation of the inflatable signal.

In some embodiments the mechanism comprises an electric mechanism. For example in some embodiments the mechanism may comprise an electric pumping mechanism. In other embodiments the mechanism may comprise a manual pumping mechanism, for example a bulb.

Alternatively the gas supply includes a container or cannister of pressurised gas.

In some embodiments the inflation mechanism may be separate to or discrete to the deflation mechanism.

In some embodiments the mechanism comprises a gas mechanism. For example in such embodiments the inflation of the signal may be accomplished through release of gas into the signal.

In such embodiments deflation of the signal may be accomplished through release of 20 gas from the signal.

In this way the device may be envisaged to comprise one or more valves.

In some embodiments the device includes a timer. This timer may be electronically 25 activated or mechanically activated. For example in some embodiments the timer may comprise a winder or similar.

In some embodiments the device may include a local power or energy source. For example such energy source may comprise a battery, which may be rechargeable and/or displaceable. In some embodiments the device may include a charging port for such energy source. In some embodiments the device may comprise an energy harvesting means for the battery, for example a mechanical or photovoltaic harvesting means.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an anchor for anchoring the device to a surface. Such anchor may be envisaged to become inactive after a period of time has elapsed. In this way it may be envisaged that a device may be effective in maintaining a position whilst the time remains and/or a subsequent diner may be able to legitimise claims of displacement, such as it is not possible prior to elapsing of time.

In some embodiments the device may be capable of easily demonstrating time periods that are close to elapsing, for example wherein visible and/or partial deflation is noticeable. In other embodiments a countdown timer may provide a mechanical or digital countdown.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a numbering system or means, for example a number indication system or means, for example in order to indicate a number relating to constituency of a group, so as to indicate the device is in use for four diners for example. Such numbering means may comprise a mechanical or digital means, for example comprising a rotatable dial or digital input.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a separate or separable part, such as an activation card, number or code. For example a user may be required to display a number to a server which relates to a device on a table. In some embodiments such separate part may be envisaged to function as an activation part for the device, for example comprising a key, without which the device may be inoperable and/or have no intrinsic value.

In some embodiments the device may be envisaged to be provided with or comprise information such as a set of rules of operation, so as to limit potential for dispute. In some embodiments such information may be provided locally, for example whereby the device may include printed information of usage. In other embodiments such information may be provided remotely, for example being accessible through the internet. For example the device may include a machine readable or scannable code for access to a page on the Wodd Wide Web.

According to a further aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided apparatus comprising a device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures and a source of information for operation for a table booking system comprising timed intervals.

In some embodiments the device may provide advertising means, for example on an inflated signal or similar, and as such, according to a further aspect of the present invention there may be provided advertising apparatus comprising one or more of the device substantially as described herein, A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in a second position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with lid open; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with lid 20 closed; Figures 5 show isometric views of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with lid closed; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; And Figure 7 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Fiqures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device generally comprising a table reservation device 99 comprises a housing 2, an inflatable signal 10 and an inflation control mechanism 3, wherein the mechanism is arranged to allow inflation of the signal from the housing and deflation into the housing with respect to a preferred time period.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a short or shallow cylindrical housing 2, with a circular hinged lid 8 on a top face.

The housing defines an internal volume which holds the mechanism 3. The mechanism has an inlet extending through one side of the housing in use through a mouthpiece 9, and an outlet valve 14 extending through a hole in an opposing side of the housing.

A balloon is located on top of the mechanism, so as to extend above the housing when inflated, providing the inflatable signal 10. The balloon may include a printed or writeable surface or otherwise provide information 1 regarding the reservation.

The housing includes a magnetic lid closure means, and a suction cup table 20 attachment means, wherein the suction cup 7 is located below the bottom face 22 of the housing in use so as to allow for easy attachment to the table when needed. The suction may be located on the bottom face 22 in some embodiments.

The lid 8 is connected to the lower face of the housing in the pictured embodiment via 25 an elongate living hinge 11, which is held in place in a vertical channel 4 in the side of the housing, covering over the outlet when covering over the housing, and which extends below the channel when freed for placement under the housing.

The suction cup 7 is then located on the lower face of the lid such that when the living 30 hinge 11 enables the lid to be folded under the housing when the signal is in use, the suction cup can be used to attach the embodiment to a table.

The embodiment also includes a lanyard attachment point 6 on one side of the housing, which lanyard attachment point includes a split ring 5 in the embodiment as pictured.

The embodiment is envisaged to be substantially portable, being pocket-sized allowing for easy deployment when needed, such that the user simply blows up the balloon signal 10 through the mouthpiece 9 and attaches the embodiment to the table with the suction cup 7.

The reversed lid 8 may be envisaged to be attracted to the bottom face of the housing 22 through a ferromagnetic means.

The air from the balloon is unable to return through the inlet, as the mouthpiece includes a one-way valve. As a consequence the air exits through the outlet, which is a restricted size to ensure the deflation takes a predetermined length of time. This may be adjustable for example with a plurality of settings of valve size, such as for example a screw collar, which may display adjustment times available.

For the pictured embodiment the length of time needed for deflation of the inflated balloon signal will be 15 minutes approximately. The mechanism is provided as a metal or alloy unitary part, with a top valve 13 onto which the mouth 21 of the signal is placed in use. In some embodiments the device may be provided with more than one balloon, so as to account for different time periods of deflation.

The housing is formed in a rigid plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar, or aluminium.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 25 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A reservation device comprises a housing with a gas supply, an inflatable signal and an inflation control mechanism, wherein the mechanism is arranged to allow inflation of the signal from the housing, and deflation of the signal into the housing with respect to a preferred time period.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein housing comprises a displaceable lid.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 comprises a suction cup table attachment means.
4. A device according to any preceding claim comprises an inflatable balloon signal.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprises an inlet with a mouthpiece for inflation of the signal.
6. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a one-way valve.
7. A device according to any preceding claim comprises a lanyard attachment means.
8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the mechanism is adjustable with a plurality of settings of deflation time.
9. A device according to claim 8 comprises adjustable valve size, such as a screw collar.
10. A device according to claim 8 comprises a plurality of displaceable balloons, so as to account for different time periods of deflation.
11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the gas supply includes a pump.
12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the gas supply includes a container or cannister of pressurised gas.