JP7421849B2 - plate holder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a plate holder for displaying the occupancy status of a table that can be freely used by unspecified users or specified users to some extent, such as in a food court or a meeting corner of an office.

In food courts of large commercial facilities and meeting corners of offices, users place their luggage and other items in order to secure a seat or table. However, in places used by unspecified people, such as food courts, problems have been pointed out, such as the risk that customers' luggage may be stolen while they are away from their seats to purchase food and drinks. . Additionally, new people wishing to use the food court will need to walk up to the unoccupied tables and check to make sure there are no belongings left on the seats or tables. Therefore, it has been proposed to install a plate holder on the table and display that the table is already occupied when the user inserts a plate into the plate holder.

Because these plate holders are placed on the table for a long period of time, dust may accumulate in the groove for inserting the plate, foreign matter from spilled food and drink may enter, and mold may occur due to the food and drink that has adhered to the plate. It is expected that bacteria will grow. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically clean the plate holder. Although the outer peripheral surface and bottom surface of the plate holder can be cleaned relatively easily, the width of the groove into which the plate is inserted is narrow, so cleaning the groove part is not easy. In particular, in the case of food courts in large-scale commercial facilities, in addition to the large number of areas and areas that must be cleaned, if the plate holders also have to be cleaned, the burden on the workers becomes even greater. It ends up.

As a technique that can be applied to cleaning the grooves of a plate holder, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning card for cleaning the grooves of a card reader for reading magnetic cards, and a groove cleaning brush is provided on a part of the outer periphery of the card. An established one is proposed. In the case of a card reader, the use of such a cleaning card is effective because it reads magnetic information when the card is inserted into a groove and passed through. Therefore, it may be possible to remove dust and foreign matter accumulated in the grooves of the plate holder by using a dedicated cleaning plate for cleaning the grooves of the plate holder.

However, in the case of plate holders installed in food courts, office meeting corners, etc., if foreign objects or liquids from spilled food and drink adhere to the bottom of the groove, it may cause mold and other seedlings to propagate, so it is better to Cleaning is required. Even if such a cleaning plate is used to clean the grooves of the plate holder, it is not easy to remove dust, foreign matter, liquid, etc. that have accumulated at the bottom of the groove, especially at the corners, and the operator must clean it several times while visually checking. Since the cleaning plate must pass through the grooves of the plate holder, it is not expected to improve the cleaning efficiency much. Furthermore, since young children also use the food court, providing cleaning brushes on the plates may pose a hygiene problem.

Furthermore, in the case of a plate holder installed in a food court or a meeting corner of an office, the plate needs to be confirmed from a distance, so the plate needs to be larger than the plate holder. When using a cleaning plate to clean the grooves of a plate holder, the bottom of the grooves of the plate holder must be made flat, and depending on how the plate is inserted, it may be difficult to hold the plate stably. Therefore, the shape of the bottom of the groove of the plate holder needs to be such that it can hold the plate in almost the same state no matter how the user inserts it, and it is preferable that it is not flat. In this case, cleaning using a cleaning plate becomes impractical.

Furthermore, if the plate holder is installed in a food court or office meeting corner, it will not only be easy to check the plate from a distance, but it will also make it easier to check which tables are occupied by monitor equipment installed in a remote location. It is preferable to be able to display whether the Therefore, it is effective to detect when a plate is inserted into the plate holder and to be able to transmit a signal via wireless communication or the like. In that case, the problem is how to secure power for the transmitting circuit inside the plate holder. Generally, it is possible to provide a battery box at the bottom of the plate holder and supply power from a button battery or the like, but there is a risk that the battery may short-circuit if liquid is spilled. On the other hand, it is possible to use an electromagnetic energy conversion device such as that described in Patent Document 2 to generate electricity using mechanical energy when a plate is inserted into a plate holder, and to transmit a signal using the electrical energy. Conceivable. In that case, it is necessary to provide a displacement member that mechanically contacts and displaces the plate inserted into the groove, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent spilled liquid from penetrating inside the plate holder.

Utility Model Publication No. 4-74373 Special Publication No. 2010-531986

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example, and it is possible to hold the plate in almost the same state no matter how the user inserts it, and the groove can be easily cleaned. The purpose is to provide a plate holder. In addition, the present invention can detect when a plate is inserted into the plate holder and transmit a signal wirelessly, eliminates the need to replace batteries, and prevents spilled liquid from entering the inside. The purpose is to provide a plate holder that is difficult to use.

The plate holder according to the present invention includes:
It has a main body in which a groove is formed into which a plate is inserted between two walls facing each other,
A fitting part is formed on the bottom surface of the groove of the main body, and the fitting part includes a top part having the highest vertical height at approximately the center of the width direction of the main body, and a top part of the main body from the top part. It is characterized by having two skirt parts that are continuously formed toward both ends in the width direction and whose height in the vertical direction gradually decreases.

In a vertical section in the width direction of the main body, the two skirt portions may be concave, and the top portion may be convex or flat.

The two skirt portions and the top portion of the bottom surface of the groove may be formed symmetrically with respect to the widthwise center of the main body.

In the depth direction of the main body, the width of the upper end of the groove in the vertical direction is larger than the width of the bottom of the groove in the same direction, and one of the two walls is configured to be substantially vertical. You can.

The surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove may be mirror-finished.

The structure may be such that the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove are treated to be water repellent.

The lower ends of the two skirts in the vertical direction are configured to be at a position higher than 1/5 of the height of the tops of the two walls with reference to the table surface on which the main body is placed. You can.

An opening is formed in one of the two walls, a displacement member having a contact portion protruding from the opening toward the groove side, and electric power is generated when the displacement member comes into contact with the plate and is displaced. The power generating element may be configured to include a power generating element and a transmitting circuit that transmits a predetermined signal when electric power is generated by the power generating element.

Further, other plate holders according to the present invention include:
It has a main body in which a groove is formed into which a plate is inserted between two walls facing each other,
an opening is formed in one of the two walls,
Inside the main body, a displacement member having a contact portion protruding from the opening toward the groove side, a power generation element that generates electric power when the displacement member contacts and displaces the plate, and electric power is generated by the power generation element. A transmitting circuit is provided that transmits a predetermined signal when the
The gap between the opening and the displacement member is set to such a size and shape that when liquid enters the gap, the liquid stays between the opening and the displacement member due to surface tension.
It is characterized by

In a state where the plate is not inserted, an upper end surface of the contact portion of the displacement member and an upper end surface of the opening opposite to the upper end surface may be configured to be non-parallel to each other in the vertical direction. .

In a state where the plate is not inserted, a lower end surface of the contact portion of the displacement member and a lower end surface of the opening opposite to the lower end surface may be configured to be non-parallel to each other in the vertical direction. .

When the plate is not inserted, the left and right end surfaces of the contact portion of the displacement member in the width direction of the main body and the left and right end surfaces of the opening opposite to the left and right end surfaces are configured to be non-parallel to each other. You can.

The gap between the upper end surface of the contact portion and the upper end surface of the opening includes the gap between the lower end surface of the contact portion and the lower end surface of the opening, and the gap between the left and right end surfaces of the contact portion and the left and right end surfaces of the opening. may each have acute angles, and at least one or more of the gaps may be configured to become wider toward the inside of the main body from the wall where the opening is provided.

In a state in which the plate is not inserted, a portion of the displacement member other than the contact portion may be configured to contact an inner side of the main body at a lower end surface of the opening in the vertical direction.

Other plate holders according to the present invention include:
It has a main body in which a groove is formed into which a plate is inserted between two walls facing each other,
an opening is formed in one of the two walls,
A displacement member having a contact portion protruding from the opening toward the groove side, inside the main body;
a power generation element that generates electric power when the displacement member contacts and displaces the plate when the plate is inserted into the groove;
a transmitting circuit that transmits a predetermined signal when electric power is generated by the power generating element;
It is characterized by being provided with.

According to the structure of the plate holder of the present invention, a fitting part on the plate side is formed on the bottom surface of the groove into which the plate of the main body is inserted, and the fitting part is arranged in a vertical direction approximately at the center in the width direction of the main body. A top portion having the highest height is formed, and two base portions are formed in which the vertical height continuously decreases from the top portion to both longitudinal ends of the groove. Therefore, any plate other than a plate having a fitting part formed at the lower end of the plate that can fit with the fitting part on the plate holder side cannot be inserted into the groove of the plate holder. In addition, even if the positions of the fitting part on the plate side and the fitting part on the plate holder side are misaligned in the width direction of the main body, the convex part of the fitting part on the plate side will overlap the base of the fitting part on the plate holder side. The concave portion and convex portion of the fitting portion on the plate side are respectively fitted to the top and bottom portions of the fitting portion on the plate holder side. Therefore, no matter how the user inserts the plate, the plate can be held in almost the same state.

In addition, a top portion and two skirt portions are continuously formed at the fitting portion of the bottom surface of the groove of the plate holder, and the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove are mirror-finished. Even if dust or foreign matter accumulates or liquid spills onto the groove, the dust, foreign matter, or liquid can be easily removed by blowing air or wiping with a cotton swab or tissue paper. In particular, in order to form mirror surfaces on the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove, a parting line is provided in the part of the mold that corresponds to the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove when resin molding the main body. As a result, there are no burrs caused by the protruding resin on the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom of the groove, and it is possible to prevent the growth of mold and other bacteria due to adhesion of liquid.

According to another configuration of the plate holder of the present invention, an opening is formed in one of the two walls forming the groove into which the plate is inserted, and a contact portion protrudes from the opening toward the groove inside the main body. A power generation element that generates power when the displacement member contacts and displaces the plate, and a transmission circuit that transmits a predetermined signal when power is generated by the power generation element are provided. When inserted into the groove of the holder, a predetermined signal is transmitted. A monitor device installed at a remote location receives a predetermined signal, and the display color of the table corresponding to the plate holder that sent the predetermined signal changes on the screen of the monitor device. It can be displayed that it is occupied. Furthermore, since no batteries are used, no maintenance is required as long as the power generation element and transmission circuit are functioning.

In addition, the gap between the opening in the wall of the main body and the displacement member is set to such a size and shape that if liquid enters the gap, the liquid will stay between the opening and the displacement member due to surface tension. Even if liquid is applied from above the holder, it will be difficult for the liquid to enter the inside of the main body through the gap between the opening and the displacement member, reducing the possibility of short-circuiting and failure of the power generation element or transmitting circuit inside the main body. be done.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plate is inserted into a groove of a plate holder according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the state where the said plate holder and the plate corresponding to it are separated. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the plate holder. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing the configuration of a fitting portion of the plate holder with the plate. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing another configuration of the plate holder, showing a state in which the plate is not inserted into the groove of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing another configuration of the plate holder, showing a state in which the plate is inserted into the groove of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a waterproof structure in another configuration of the plate holder, showing a state in which the plate is not inserted into the groove of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a waterproof structure in another configuration of the plate holder, showing a state in which the plate is inserted into the groove of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view showing a waterproof structure in another configuration of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the waterproof structure prevents liquid from entering when the plate is not inserted into the groove of the plate holder in another configuration of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the waterproof structure prevents liquid from entering when the plate is inserted into the groove of the plate holder in another configuration of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a waterproof structure in still another configuration of the plate holder, showing a state in which the plate is not inserted into the groove of the plate holder. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the waterproof structure prevents liquid from entering when the plate is inserted into the groove of the plate holder in still another configuration of the plate holder.

A plate holder according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1. The main body 10 of the plate holder 1 is attached to the plate 2 so that the plate 2 and the plate holder 1 do not fall down even if the user's body or luggage touches the plate 2 while the plate 2 is inserted into the plate holder 1. It has a bottom area of about 1/6 to 1/2 of the surface area of the front surface 20 of. In addition, since the plate holder 1 is often moved to one end of the table when the user uses the table, the groove 11 into which the plate 2 is inserted is located in the depth direction (Y direction) of the main body 2. It is provided at a position shifted from the center in either direction.

Since the plate 2 needs to be visually recognized from a distance while being held in the plate holder 1, it has a certain area and height, and the vertical direction (Z direction) dimension H3 is the width direction ( X direction) dimension W2. Further, the widthwise dimension W2 of the plate 2 is set to be slightly larger than the widthwise dimension W1 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the plate 2 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, but is not limited to this, and may have any shape such as the silhouette of an animal or vehicle. Further, it is sufficient that a fitting portion 22, which will be described later, is formed at the lower end of the plate 2, and other portions may be three-dimensional if necessary.

FIG. 2 shows the state when the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1 (hereinafter appropriately abbreviated as "groove 11 of the plate holder 1") or when the plate 2 is pulled out from the groove 11. A fitting portion 22 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom surface of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 is formed at the lower end portion 21 of the plate 2 in the vertical direction, that is, at a portion inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 . The groove 11 of the plate holder 1 is formed between two walls 12 and 13 that face each other in the depth direction (Y direction) of the main body 10.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1. In order to make it easier to insert the plate 2 into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, the width T1 of the upper end of the groove 11 in the vertical direction (Z direction) in the depth direction (Y direction) of the main body 10 is the same as that of the groove 11 in the same direction. It is set to be larger than the bottom dimension T2. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the walls 12 and 13 are formed to be symmetrically inclined with respect to the center of the groove 11 of the main body 10 in the depth direction (Y direction) of the plate holder 1. However, one of the two walls 12 and 13 may be substantially perpendicular. In food courts and the like, the plates 2 are used by unspecified users and are easily damaged and need to be replaced frequently, making it difficult to spend much on the plates 2 themselves. Therefore, for example, the plate 2 may be made of cardboard or resin with a thickness of about 2 mm, and the plate 2 itself may not be provided with magnetic information or an IC chip. Alternatively, a resin plate 2 embedded with magnetic information or an IC chip may be used. In order to prevent the plate 2 from being displaced too much in the depth direction (Y direction) of the main body 10 when the plate 2 is inserted into the plate holder 1, the width T2 of the bottom surface of the groove 11 is set to the thickness of the plate 2. It is set to be larger than that by a predetermined tolerance.

FIG. 4 shows a front cross-sectional view (a vertical cross-section in the width direction of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1) cut at the center of the groove 11 in the depth direction (Y direction) of the main body of the plate holder 1. The fitting portion 14 formed on the bottom surface of the groove 11 has a top portion 14a having the highest height in the vertical direction (Z direction) at approximately the center of the main body 10 in the width direction (X direction), and a top portion 14a that extends from the top portion 14a to the main body. It has two skirt parts 14b and 14c that are continuously formed toward both ends in the width direction of the base plate 10 and whose height in the vertical direction gradually decreases. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the two base portions 14b and 14c are concave surfaces, and the top portion 14a is a flat surface. Further, the two skirt portions 14b and 14c and the top portion 14a of the fitting portion 14 on the bottom surface of the groove 11 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the main body 10 in the width direction (X direction). Note that the shapes of the top portion 14a and the base portions 14b and 14c are not limited to these; for example, the top portion 14a may have a continuous convex shape such as a semicircle, and the base portions 14b and 14c may have a straight line. It may also be a sloped surface. Further, the two base portions 14b and 14c and the top portion 14a do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the main body 10 in the width direction (X direction). Further, in order to prevent dust from adhering to the connecting portion between the continuously formed top portion 14a and the two base portions 14b and 14c, and to prevent the growth of mold and other germs, straight edges are not formed. Curved surfaces 14d and 14e are formed on.

The main body 10 of the plate holder 1 is formed by resin molding, and the surface of the mold for manufacturing the main body 10 is mirror finished, and the inside of the mold is No parting line is provided on the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 and the portions corresponding to the bottom surface of the groove 11. As a result, the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 and the bottom surface 14 of the groove 11 are mirror-finished.

The plate holder 1 is assumed to be used in a food court, a meeting corner of an office, etc., where a container containing a liquid is knocked over on the same table, and the liquid flows out onto the table. At that time, in order to prevent liquid from flowing into the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1, the lower ends of the two skirt parts 14b and 14c in the vertical direction are is preferably formed at a certain height or higher than the table surface. Specifically, the height H2 of the two base portions 14b and 14c is higher than 1/5 of the height H1 of the top of the two walls 12 and 13, more specifically, the height H2 is approximately higher than the table surface. It is preferable to set it at a position higher than 10 mm. Further, the height H1 of the tops of the two walls 12 and 13 is preferably about 40 to 50 mm. Furthermore, even if the liquid flows into the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1, in order to quickly drain the liquid from the groove 11, the main body 10 includes the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 and the bottom surface of the groove 11. The surface may be treated to be water repellent.

According to the plate holder 1 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fitting portion 14 on the bottom surface of the groove 11 of the main body 10 into which the plate 2 is inserted has a vertical height approximately at the center in the width direction of the main body 10. A top portion 14a with the highest height is formed, and two skirt portions 14b and 14c are formed in which the height in the vertical direction gradually decreases continuously from the top portion 14a to both ends of the groove 11 in the width direction of the main body 10. Therefore, only plates 2 with a fitting part 22 formed in the lower end of the plate 2 having a shape corresponding to the fitting part 14 can be inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. Even if the fitting part 22 of the lower end of the plate 2 and the fitting part 14 of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 are misaligned in the width direction (X direction) of the main body 10, the fitting of the lower end 21 of the plate 2 The convex part of the mating part 22 slides down along the mating part 14 on the bottom of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, and the concave part and the convex part of the mating part 22 on the plate 2 side respectively fit into the groove of the plate holder 1. It is fitted into the top part 14a and the base parts 14b and 14c of the fitting part 14 of No. 11, respectively. Therefore, no matter how the user inserts the plate 2, the plate holder 1 can hold the plate 2 in substantially the same state. The shape of the fitting part 22 on the plate 2 side is sufficient as long as it can come into contact with the base part 14b or 14c of the fitting part 14 of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 at least in two places when it is inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. The shape may be similar to the shape of the fitting portion 14 of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, or the shape may be different.

Furthermore, the top portion 14a of the bottom surface of the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1 and the two skirt portions 14b and 14c are formed continuously, and the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 and the bottom surface 14 of the groove 11 are also smooth. Moreover, since it is formed continuously into a mirror surface, even if dust or foreign matter accumulates on the bottom of the groove 11 or liquid splashes on the groove 11, it can be wiped off by blowing air or using a cotton swab or tissue paper. These dust, foreign substances, liquids, etc. can be easily removed. In particular, in order to form the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 of the main body 10 and the bottom surface of the groove 11 into a mirror surface, it is necessary to Since a parting line cannot be provided in the corresponding parts, as a result, there are no burrs caused by protruding resin on the surfaces of the two walls 12 and 13 and the bottom of the groove 11, and mold and bacteria caused by adhesion of liquid are not present. can prevent the proliferation of

If the plate holder 1 only needs to be able to visually confirm that the plate 2 is inserted from a distance, it is not necessary to provide the plate holder 1 itself with a function to detect that the plate 2 is inserted. On the other hand, when the plate holder 1 is installed in a food court, a meeting corner of an office, etc., it is preferable to be able to display which table is occupied on a monitor device installed at a remote location. In the configuration example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, the insertion of the plate 2 is detected and a predetermined signal is wirelessly transmitted. There is.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the plate 2 is not inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. An opening 12a is provided in one wall 12 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1. Although the position and number of the openings 12a in the wall 12 are not particularly limited, for example, the openings 12a may be provided in two locations symmetrically with respect to the center of the main body 10 in the width direction (X direction). Inside the main body 10, a displacement member 15 is provided which rotates around a horizontal rotation shaft 15b provided in the width direction (X direction) of the main body 10 as a central axis. The displacement member 15 has a substantially L shape when viewed from the side, and a contact portion 15a that protrudes from the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 toward the groove 11 is formed near the upper end of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction. has been done. A coil spring 17 is engaged with a lower end portion of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction and an end portion 15c on the opposite side to the rotating shaft 15b, and the contact portion 15a is moved from the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 to the groove 11 side. It is urged to protrude.

Further, inside the main body 10 of the plate holder 1, when the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11, a circuit is provided with a transmitting circuit that transmits a predetermined signal and a power generating element for securing power for the transmitting circuit. A module 16 is provided. The circuit module 16 is provided with a protruding pivot lever 16a, and the pivot lever 16a is engaged with the displacement member 15. As a power generation element, for example, a coil and a magnet are moved relatively by turning (displacement) of the turning lever 16a, and a current is generated by an electromagnetic induction phenomenon, and a piezoelectric element is generated by applying pressure to a piezoelectric element by displacement of the turning lever 16a. One possible example is one that generates a voltage depending on the effect. In either method, the power generation element is connected to the transmission circuit, so when current or voltage is generated in the power generation element, current flows through the transmission circuit and a predetermined signal is transmitted.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. As mentioned above, the width T2 of the bottom surface of the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 is only larger than the predetermined tolerance with respect to the thickness of the plate 2, so when the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11, one side of the plate 2 The surface contacts the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 that protrudes from the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 toward the groove 11 side. Due to the contact between the surface of the plate 2 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15, the contact portion 15 retreats from the wall 12 to the inside of the main body portion 10, and the displacement member 15 accordingly pivots around the rotation axis 15b. As the displacement member 15 pivots, the pivot lever 16a of the power generation module 16 also pivots, whereby electric power is generated by the power generation element and a predetermined signal is transmitted from the transmitting circuit. When the monitor device (not shown) receives a predetermined signal from the plate holder 1, it changes the display color of the table corresponding to the plate holder 1 that transmitted the predetermined signal among the plurality of tables displayed on the monitor screen. may be changed to indicate that the table is occupied.

When the plate 2 is pulled out from the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, the elastic force of the coil spring 17 causes the displacement member 15 to pivot in the opposite direction, and the pivot lever 16a of the power generation module 16 also pivots in the opposite direction. Whether the power generation element utilizes electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect, when the pivot lever 16a pivots in the opposite direction, a current or voltage in the opposite direction is generated. If the transmitting circuit is configured to generate different signals depending on the direction of the current or voltage generated by the power generation element, when the monitoring device receives a signal different from the predetermined signal from the plate holder 1, a message will appear on the screen. By changing the display color of the table corresponding to the plate holder 1 displayed on the screen again, it is possible to indicate that the table is no longer occupied. Further, since a power generation element is used as a power source, a battery is not required, and maintenance is not required unless the power generation module 16 breaks down.

The displacement member 15 rotates by an angle η about the rotating shaft 15b when the contact portion 15a contacts the plate 2 and is displaced. Therefore, in order to obtain a larger turning angle by displacement of the contact portion 15a, it is preferable to shorten the distance from the rotating shaft 15b to the contact portion 15a. To this end, it is preferable that the opening 12a provided in the wall 12 of the main body portion 10 be located as low as possible, close to the bottom surface of the groove 11. Further, more preferably, the rotating shaft 15b is configured to be located directly below the contact portion 15a.

In the configuration of the plate holder 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an opening 12a is formed in one wall 12 of the two walls 12 and 13 of the main body 10 that forms the groove 11. When liquid such as water is applied, it is necessary to make it difficult for the liquid to enter the inside of the main body 10 through the gap between the opening 12a and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing the waterproof structure provided between the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 when the plate 2 is not inserted into the plate holder 1 shown in FIG. be. Inside the main body 10, an internal seal member 18 having a generally concave shape when viewed from the front is installed so as to surround the opening 12a with the opening facing downward, and an inclined surface 18b of the opening of the internal seal member 18 is attached to the opening. It is formed so as to be continuous with the upper end surface 12b of 12a. Note that instead of the internal seal member 18, the wall 12 of the main body 10 may be thickened to form the inclined surface 18b continuously and integrally with the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a. As is clear from FIG. 7, the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction, the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a opposite to this upper end surface 15d, and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 are non-uniform with each other. parallel. A gap between the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a of the wall 12, and a gap between the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 are 12 and becomes wider toward the inside of the main body 10. Similarly, the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a facing the lower end surface 15e are non-parallel to each other. The gap between the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12 also widens from the wall 12 toward the inside of the main body 10. Further, a portion of the displacement member 15 other than the contact portion 15a, for example, a portion lower than the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a, is connected to the inner circumferential surface 12f of the wall 12 on the opposite side to the groove 11, and this inner circumferential surface. The contact surface 15h of the displacement member 15 facing the contact surface 12f may be configured to be in contact with the contact surface 15h. In that case, the contact surface 15h of the displacement member 15 and the inner peripheral surface 12f of the wall 12 function as a stopper for the rotation of the displacement member 15 by the coil spring 17. The angle α1 between the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a of the wall 12, and the angle between the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12. β1 and the angle θ1 formed by the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 are both acute angles, preferably in the range of 5°<α1, β1, θ1<30°. Further, in this state, θ1<α1<β1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the waterproof structure provided between the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 when the plate 2 is inserted into the plate holder 1 shown in FIG. . As is clear from FIG. 8, the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction, the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a opposite to this upper end surface 15d, and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 are non-uniform with each other. parallel. Similarly, the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 in the vertical direction and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a facing the lower end surface 15e are non-parallel to each other. An angle α2 formed between the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a of the wall 12, and an angle formed between the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12. β2 and the angle θ2 formed by the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 are both acute angles, preferably in the range of 5°<α2, β2, θ2<30°. Further, in this state, α2>β2<θ2. Note that if the rotation angle of the displacement member 15 due to the insertion of the plate 2 into the plate holder 1 is η, then α2=α1+η, θ2=θ1+η, and β2=β1−η. Further, the angle θ2 formed by the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the inclined surface 18b of the internal seal member 18 when the plate 2 is inserted into the plate holder 1 is the displacement when the plate 2 is not inserted. The angle α1 formed by the upper end surface 15d of the contact portion 15a of the member 15 and the upper end surface 12b of the opening 12a of the wall 12 is approximately equal to the angle α1.

FIG. 9 shows a horizontal cross section showing a waterproof structure provided between the opening 12a of the wall 12 of the main body 10 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15. Since the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 is not displaced in the horizontal direction, the main body 10 is not displaced in the horizontal direction in both the state where the plate 2 is not inserted into the plate holder 1 and the state where the plate 2 is inserted, as shown in FIG. The left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 in the width direction and the left and right end surfaces 12d and 12e of the opening 12a opposite to the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g are non-parallel to each other. Similarly, the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the left and right end surfaces 18d and 18e of the internal seal member 18, which are opposite to the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g, are non-parallel to each other. The gap between the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the left and right end surfaces 12d and 12e of the opening 12a of the wall 12 widens from the wall 12 toward the inside of the main body 10. Similarly, the gap between the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the left and right end surfaces 18d and 18e of the internal seal member 18 widens from the wall 12 toward the inside of the main body 10. The angles γ formed by the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the left and right end surfaces 12d and 12e of the opening 12a of the wall 12 are both acute angles, preferably in the range of 5°<γ<30°. Similarly, the angle formed by the left and right end surfaces 15f and 15g of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the left and right end surfaces 18d and 18e of the internal seal member 18 is also set to γ.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the plate 2 is not inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, and a liquid such as water is applied to the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. The liquid flows on the surfaces of the walls 12 and 13, and most of the liquid flows down to both sides of the main body of the plate holder 1 along the two skirts 14b and 14c of the fitting part 14 at the bottom of the groove 11, but some of the liquid flows down the walls. The liquid enters the gap between the opening 12a of the displacement member 12 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15. Further, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 and a liquid such as water is applied to the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. The liquid flows along the surfaces of the walls 12 and 13 forming the grooves and the surface of the plate 2, and mostly flows along the two skirts 14b and 14c of the fitting part 14 on the bottom of the groove 11 and the main body of the plate holder 1. Some of the liquid flows down to both sides of the wall 12 and enters the gap between the opening 12a of the wall 12 and the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15. However, in any case, the liquids W1 to W3 stay in the gap between the opening 12a of the wall 12 and the contact part 15a of the displacement member 15, or between the contact part 15a and the plate 2, etc., due to surface tension, and the liquids W1 to W3 stay inside the main body 10. Don't invade. Therefore, the possibility that the power generating element, the transmitting circuit, etc. provided inside the main body 10 are short-circuited and malfunctions is reduced.

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the opening 12a formed in the wall 12 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1. As shown in FIG. In the modification shown in FIG. 12, the gap between the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12 becomes wider from the wall 12 toward the outside of the main body 10, that is, toward the groove 11. ing. The angle β3 formed by the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12 is also an acute angle, preferably in the range of 5°<β3<45°. Further, in a portion below the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15, an inner circumferential surface 12f of the wall 12 on the opposite side to the groove 11 and an abutment of the displacement member 15 opposite to this inner circumferential surface 12f are provided. The contact with the contact surface 15h is similar to the configuration example shown in FIG. The gap between the lower internal sealing surface 15i of the displacement member 15 and the inner peripheral surface 12f of the wall 12 widens toward the inside of the main body 10 from the contact surface 15h.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the plate 2 is inserted into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1 and a liquid such as water is applied to the groove 11 of the plate holder 1. By inserting the plate 2 into the groove 11 of the plate holder 1, the displacement member 15 is rotated by an angle η, so that the angle of the displacement member 15 with respect to the inner peripheral surface 12f of the wall 12 is τ2 (τ2=τ1−η) reduced to Here, the range is set to 5°<τ2<30°. Due to surface tension, the liquid W2 that has entered the gap between the lower end surface 15e of the contact portion 15a of the displacement member 15 and the lower end surface 12c of the opening 12a of the wall 12 is moved to the inner circumferential surface 12f of the wall 12 on the opposite side from the groove 11. It stays between this inner circumferential surface 12f and the opposing contact surface 15h of the displacement member 15. Therefore, the possibility that the power generating element, the transmitting circuit, etc. provided inside the main body 10 are short-circuited and malfunctions is reduced.

Note that in FIGS. 5 to 13, there is no particular mention of the fitting part on the bottom surface of the groove 11 of the main body 10 of the plate holder 1, but as shown in FIGS. A top portion 14a having the highest vertical height is formed at the top portion, and two base portions whose vertical height gradually decreases continuously from the top portion 14a to both ends of the groove 11 in the width direction of the main body 10. You may form the fitting part 14 in which 14b and 14c were formed.

Note that the use of the plate holder according to the present invention is not limited to the food court of a large-scale commercial facility or a meeting corner of an office as described above, but can also be used, for example, to display the attendance of members of a parliament. is also possible. Generally, when a member attends a parliamentary session, they put up a name tag at their seat, and when they leave their seat, they knock it down. In the National Diet Building, when a member holds up his or her name tag on a table, an optical sensor is activated to record that he or she has attended the meeting, and when a member knocks down his or her name tag, an optical sensor is activated to record that he or she has left the seat. Ru. Additionally, since the voting buttons and sensors integrated with the display are fixed on the table, maintenance is difficult, and the position of the name tag cannot be moved freely, making it inconvenient when spreading out materials. It will be done. Furthermore, it is difficult to introduce equipment similar to that used in the National Diet in local assemblies with limited budgets. Therefore, by using the plate holder according to the present invention to confirm the attendance of members, it is possible to inexpensively display attendance and introduce a system for recording attendance.

In addition, certain fast food chains offer services where customers can order their food, start cooking it, and have it delivered right to their seats. At that time, the customer is handed a number plate that is integrated with a plate holder to place on the table, and the staff delivers the finished dish while looking for the number written on the plate holder. However, as is well known, a number plate that is integrated with a plate holder is extremely difficult to hold, and can get in the way if you are carrying large luggage. Therefore, a plate holder according to the present invention may be installed on each table, and a plate corresponding to the plate holder according to the present invention may be handed to the customer as a number tag.

1 Plate holder 2 Plate 10 Main body 11 Groove 12 Wall 12a (forming a groove) Upper end surface 12c of the opening Lower end surfaces 12d, 12e of the opening Left and right end surfaces 12f of the opening Inner peripheral surface 13 of the wall 1 (forming the groove) ) Wall 14 Fitting part 14a (on plate holder side) Top parts 14b, 14c Base part 15 Displacement member 15a Contact part 15b Rotating shaft 15d Upper end surface 15e of contact part Lower end faces 15f, 15g of contact part Left and right end faces 15h of contact part Contact surface 15i of displacement member Lower internal sealing surface 16 Circuit module 16a Swivel lever 17 Coil spring 18 Internal sealing member 18b Inclined surfaces 18d, 18e Left and right end surfaces of internal sealing member

Claims (8)

A plate holder having a main body formed with a groove into which a plate is inserted between two walls facing each other,
A fitting part is formed on the bottom surface of the groove of the main body, and the fitting part includes a top part having the highest vertical height at approximately the center of the width direction of the main body, and a top part of the main body from the top part. A plate holder characterized in that it has two skirt parts that are continuously formed toward both ends in the width direction and whose height in the vertical direction gradually decreases. 2. The plate holder according to claim 1, wherein in a vertical cross section in the width direction of the main body, the two skirt portions are concave, and the top portion is convex or flat. 3. The plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the two skirt portions and the top portion of the bottom surface of the groove are formed symmetrically with respect to the widthwise center of the main body. In the depth direction of the main body, the width of the upper end of the groove in the vertical direction is larger than the width of the bottom of the groove in the same direction, and one of the two walls is substantially vertical. A plate holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The plate holder according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the two walls and the bottom surface of the groove are mirror-finished. 6. The plate holder according to claim 1, wherein surfaces of the two walls and a bottom surface of the groove are treated to be water repellent. The lower ends of the two skirt parts in the vertical direction are located at a position higher than 1/5 of the height of the tops of the two walls with reference to the table surface on which the main body is placed. The plate holder according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An opening is formed in one of the two walls, a displacement member having a contact portion protruding from the opening toward the groove side, and electric power is generated when the displacement member comes into contact with the plate and is displaced. 8. The plate holder according to claim 1, further comprising a power generating element that generates power, and a transmitting circuit that transmits a predetermined signal when electric power is generated by the power generating element.