Apparatus and method for drawing the attention of a server in a restaurant

Abstract

An apparatus for drawing the attention of a server in a restaurant is disclosed. The apparatus may be comprised of a base, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, a lighting device, and a switch device. The first end of the elongated member can be attached to the base, so that the elongated member is substantially perpendicular to the base. The lighting device may be attached to the elongated member near the second end of the elongated member. The switch device can be used to turn on the lighting device. The base can be placed on to a tabletop in a restaurant and the lighting device can be turned on by using the switch device to draw the attention of the server.

1 . An apparatus for drawing the attention of a server in a restaurant comprising: 
 a base;    an elongated member having a first end and a second end;    a lighting device; and    a switch device;    wherein the first end of the elongated member is attached to the base, so that the elongated member is substantially perpendicular to the base;    wherein the lighting device is attached to the elongated member near the second end of the elongated member; and    wherein the switch device can be used to turn on the lighting device.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a battery residing within the base; and    and wherein the battery provides power for turning on the lighting device.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a means for holding a menu of a list of restaurant items in a standing position substantially perpendicular to the base, so that at least a portion of the list of restaurant items can be seen.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein 
 the elongated member is a hollow tube.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising 
 the menu of the list of restaurant items; and    wherein the elongated member has a length and the menu has a length, which is substantially less than the length of the elongated member.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a basket portion;    wherein the basket portion is fixed to the base and the lighting device can be seen above the basket portion.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a receptacle, which can be attached and detached from the base.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein 
 the receptacle includes one or more dividers for providing two or more compartments in the receptacle.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a rear receptacle which can be attached and detached to the rear of the base; and    a side receptacle, which can be attached and detached to the side of the base.    
   
   
       10 . A method for drawing the attention of a server in a restaurant comprising: 
 providing a base;    providing an elongated member having a first end and a second end;    providing a lighting device; and    providing a switch device;    wherein the first end of the elongated member is configured to be attached to the base, so that the elongated member is substantially perpendicular to the base;    wherein the lighting device is configured to be attached to the elongated member near the second end of the elongated member; and    wherein the switch device can be used to turn on the lighting device.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 providing a battery residing within the base; and    wherein the battery provides power for turning on the lighting device.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 providing a means for holding a menu of a list of restaurant items in a standing position substantially perpendicular to the base, so that at least a portion of the list of restaurant items can be seen.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein 
 the elongated member is configured to be a hollow tube.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising 
 providing the menu of the list of restaurant items; and    wherein the elongated member is configured to have a length and the menu is configured to have a length, which is substantially less than the length of the elongated member.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 placing the base on to a tabletop in a restaurant.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising 
 turning on the lighting device by using the switch device to draw the attention of the server.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 providing a basket portion; and    wherein the basket portion is fixed to the base and the lighting device can be seen above the basket portion.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 providing a receptacle, which can be attached and detached from the base.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein 
 providing one or more dividers in the receptacle for providing two or more compartments in the receptacle.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising 
 providing a rear receptacle which can be attached and detached to the rear of the base; and    providing a side receptacle, which can be attached and detached to the side of the base.