US3868670A - Customer service display - Google Patents

Abstract

A remote controlled or customer activated service display indicator for use in businesses serving large numbers of customers, particularly where a group of customers are maintained in a designated area to await their turn for services by one of several clerks, the service display indicating which clerk is available for service whenever a clerk has completed business with a previous customer.

Description

United StatesPatent 1 ONory et a1.

[ CUSTOMER SERVICE DISPLAY [75] Inventors: Joseph ONory, 6121 Woodman Ave., Van Nuys, Calif. 91401; Richard A. Reister, Yucca Valley,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: said ONory, by said Reister [22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 439,560

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 337,762, March 2,

1973, abandoned.

[451 Feb. 25, 1975 Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pastoriza & Kelly [57] ABSTRACT A remote controlled or customer activated service display indicator for use in businesses serving large num- [52] U.S. Cl; 340/286, 340/332 bers of customers, particularly where a group of cus- [51] Int. Cl.G08b 5/36 tomers are maintained in a designated area to await [58] Field of Search 340/286, 278, 332 their turn for services by one of several clerks, the service display indicating which clerk is available for ser- [56] References Cited vice whenever a clerk has completed business with a UNITED STATES PATENTS Previous Customerl,257,873 2/1918 Johnson 340/278 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures NEXT PLEASE NEXT PLEASE l 4 5 a 1 3 14f k l 9 9' Lindsey 340/332 PATENTEDFEB25I975 3;868'67O.

SHEETlllfZ i NEXT PLEASENEXT PLEASE 5 7 6f 8 1 f 8I 2 3 9 1O 4 5 6 7 11 12-13 14 Qk9 toil H 9,

, Fig. 1

'3 1 Fig. 2 51 13 53 Fig. 3

PATENTEI] FEB2 5 I975SHEET 2RF 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE DISPLAY The specification and drawings of the present invention are a continuation-in-part of the earlier application Ser. No. 337,762, filed Mar. 2, 1973 and now abandoned. g

In businesses, such as banks, post offices, and similar businesses serving the public, a designated waiting area is sometimes maintained for customers to improve the efficiency of clerk service, the customers remaining in the designated area until some clerk is available for service, thus also providing each customer with more private service. To further improve the efficiency and convenience of such service, it is helpful to have some kind of indicator, remotely controlled by the individual clerks, or automatically activated whenever there is no customer at any individual clerks service counter or area.

In the present invention, an improved electrically lighted display panel with clerk numbers (or other designations) is provided, the display panel flashing on the individual clerks-number (or other designation) which is available for service to the public. The display panel is located at a central location of the service counter or area, in conspicuous view of the awaiting public, the display panel being divided into a right and left section to indicate clerk numbers available for service to the right of the display panel and clerk numbers available for service to the left of the display panel. An electrically lighted sign stating NEXT PLEASE and an electrically lighted arrow indicating the direction of clerks available for service is also provided in each right and left section of the display panel, the arrow in the left section indicating that clerks to the left of the panel are available for service, and the arrow in the right section indicating that clerks to the right of the panel are available for service. The clerk numbers on the display panel are further arranged in a unique pyramid fashion, providing a large number of clerk designations on an attractive, compact display panel.

Individual switching means are provided at each clerk station, so the individual clerks may turn their respective signals on or off manually in the display panel.

Customer activated switching pads are also provided individually at each clerk's service counter or area, which automatically turn off the individual clerks number on the display panel whenever a customer is at the clerks service counter, the clerks number flashing on automatically whenever the customer leaves the clerks service counter, so there is no delay in signalling the next customer. The manually operated individual switching means at the clerks service counter enables the clerk to turn his signal light off temporarily if he must temporarily leave his service counter.

A unique circuit is provided to operate the NEXT PLEASE and arrow signals, such that the appropriate signals in either the left or right section of the display panel flash on automatically whenever a clerk is available for service. For example, if there are seven clerk stations to the left of the display panel, and one clerk is absent from duty, the left NEXT PLEASE" and arrow signals would remain off until there was no customer at one or more of the remaining six clerks on duty. If two clerks were absent from duty, the NEXT PLEASE and arrow signals would remain off until there was no customer at one of the remaining five clerks on duty, etc. That is, the NEXT PLEASE and arrow signals remain on until there is a customer at every station where there is a clerk on duty.

The relays, power supply, and master switch for operation of the display panel are mounted in a rectangular metal chassis box, located near the display panel, the chassis box being uniquely provided with plug-in connectors for convenient electrical connection of the various electrical cables operating the display panel from the customer switch pads and clerk switches, the plugin connectors also providing convenient removal of the chassis box for servicing.

Another unique feature of the customer service display panel provides electrically lighted clerk numbers (or other designations) on the back side of the display panel (not visible to the public) operated only by the individual clerk switches, such that each individual clerks number on the back side is lighted when he is on duty, regardless of whether or not a customer is at his station. Thus the Operations Officer conveniently knows which clerk is on duty by the lighted numbers on the back side of the display panel.

It is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to provide a customer service display indicator, which indicates the availability of any of a series of clerks for service to the public.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a customer service display indicator with two sections, one section indicating the availability of clerks for service in one direction from the display indicator, and the other section indicating the availability of clerks for service in the other direction from the display indicator.

A further object is to provide a customer service display indicator in two sections with directional indicating means on each section to indicate the direction from the display panel of clerks that are available for service.

Another object is to provide a customer service display indicator in two sections with a NEXT PLEASE" sign in each section which signals the awaiting customers whenever any of a series of clerks that are on duty is available for service.

A further object is to provide a customer service display indicator intwo sections with clerk designations arranged in a unique pyramid fashion in each section to provide a large number of clerk designations on a compact, attractive display panel.

Another object is to provide means for clerks to manually operate the customer service display indicator, such that each clerk may indicate whether or not he is available for service.

A further object is to provide customer activated means to operate the customer service display indicator, such that the display. indicator automatically indicates that a clerk is available for service when there is no customer at the clerks service counter.

Another object is to provide both customer activated and manually operated means to operate the service display indicator, such that the display indicator automatically indicates that the clerk is available for service whenever there is no customer at the clerks service counter, the manually operated means allowing the clerk to turn his individual service display indicator off if he must temporarily leave his service counter.

A further object is to provide unique circuit means to operate attention and directional signals in addition to clerk designations on a display panel automatically whenever any of a series of clerks for service. V

Another object is to provide a chassis equipment box for operation of the customer service display indicator, the chassis equipment box providing means for mounting of components'and plug-in connectors for electrical cables operating the display panel.

Afurther object is to provide indicating means on the back side of the customer service display panel indicator to clearly indicate whether or not'each individual clerk is on duty.

Another object is to provide master switching means to turn the entire service display indicator off or on.

Other desirable features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating one form of the invention; It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are utilized for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this pur' pose to the appended claims. I

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the customer service display panel.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the customer service display panel with the front cover panel removed to illustrate construction details and electrical connections of the interior.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a unique clerk insignia device to be placed at each individual clerk station to clearly indicate the clerks number (or other designation).

FIG. 4 is a plan layout of the clerk stations in a typical bank and schematic diagram illustrating components and electrical connections for operation of the Customer Service Display. a

While the description herein considers the instant invention as applied to the problem of customer service display, it is to be understood that the present invention also relates to the novel features or principle of the instrumentalities described herein, whether or not such are used for the stated objects, or in the stated fields or combinations. In the following description and drawin gs, the symbol certain classes of components from other similarly numbered components.

In customer service oriented businesses, particularly such as banks, a designated area is often set aside for customers awaiting service, as indicated in FIG. 4, where customers await in line within aisles ofropes 70 suspended between supportingposts 69. A primary element of the present invention is the customer service display indicator panel illustrated in FIG. 1,display panel 1 having similar clerk number designations on the back side, however there are no NEXT PLEASE on duty is available "or arrow signals on the back side.Display panel 1 is centrally located on theservice counter 60 atclerk station 8 in FIG. 4, the front side (as illustrated in FIG. 4) being in conspicuous view of the customers awaiting at the exit of the rope aisles for dispatch to an appropriate clerk.

In FIG. 4, double-pole, single-throw switches 112 at each clerk station provide each clerk with manual operation of his individual clerk number ondisplay panel 1. When theswitches 112 at each clerk station are issometimes utilized to distinguish front ofdisplay panel 1,;turn on each clerk number in the back ofdisplay panel 1, and turn on the NEXT PLEASE" signs and arrows in the front of.display panel 1 when there are no customers at the clerk stations. When a customer is at a clerk station, the relays turn off that respective clerk s number in the front ofdisplay panel 1 but leave on that respective clerks number in the back ofdisplay panel 1. When there is a customer at every station only where there is a clerk on duty with hisswitch 112 turned on, the NEXT PLEASE" and arrows turn off in the front ofdisplay panel 1, the left arrow and NEXT PLEASE being operated bystations 1 through 7, and the right arrow and NEXT PLEASE being operated bystations 8 through 14.

For purposes of illustration it is assumed that there are 14 clerk stations,display panel 1 being centrally located atstation 8 on top ofequipment box 60.Equipment boxes 57 through 63 on top ofservice counter 54 are as customarily arranged in banks, the back of the equipment boxes being open for placement of each individual clerks equipment and needs,equipment boxes 58 through 61 representingrespective clerk stations 6 through 9 as indicated.Customer switch pads 64 are placed individually in front of each clerk station, so that a customer being serviced must stand on the switch pad. A cutaway view ofswitch pad 64 in front ofstation 7 illustrates the principle of the switch pads. The switch pads are composed of alower aluminumscreen 65, anupper aluminum screen 66, anda resilient insulatingmaterial 67 with appropriately spacedholes 68 being sandwichedbetween screens 65 and 66, such thata the switch pads to protect them, maintain their proper position relative to the clerk station, and conceal them from view. The switch pads are similar to those used to automatically open doors at the entrance to supermarkets.

In FIG. 1, the display panel is housed in arectangular I case 1, having a removablefront panel 2 covering the entire front, and twosmaller panels 3 and '4 covering respectively the left and right half sections of the front as illustrated. The case and panels may be constructed of any desired materials, such as-metal, wood, plastic, etc.,althou'gh plastic would probably be preferred for ease of construction and better appearance.Case 1 andfront panel 2 are. made of colored opaque plastic through which light-cannot be transmitted'Panels 3 and 4 are made of translucent plastic admitting passage of light but diffusing it so that objects beyond cannot be clearly distinguished. Rectangular windows5 and 6 (for NEXT PLEASE" and arrow) respectively inpanels 3 and 4 are left translucent so that light may be transmitted through to clearly disclose the colored opaque letting NEXT PLEASE and colored opaque left and right arrows. Nearly squarewindows 7 and 8 (forclerk numerals 1 through 14) respectively inpanels 3 and 4 are left translucent so that light may be transmitted through to clearly disclose the coloredopaque numerals 1 through 7 inpanel 3, and the coloredopaque numerals 8 through 14 inpanel 4. all the area ofpanels 3 and 4 outside of the describedwindows 5, 6, 7, and 8 is made any desired opaque color except for a narrow translucent border around the outside edge approximately one-eighth or three-sixteenths inch wide as illustrated, the translucent border providing a neater appearance. The arrows inwindows 5 and 6 may be placed immediately below the lettering NEXT PLEASE rather than above, if desired. ltis preferred thatpanels 3 and 4 be made as described, however the lettering NEXT PLEASE", arrows, and numerals (or other clerk designations) could be left translucent and the remainder ofpanels 3 and 4 made an opaque color.Screws 9 at each corner ofpanels 3 and 4 provide for attachingpanels 2, 3, and 4 tocase 1. Panels identical topanels 2, 3, and 4 are similarly provided on the back side ofcase 1, except that the lettering NEXT PLEASE and arrows are eliminated from the back panels, leaving only the clerk numerals (or other clerk designation) on the back panels.Windows 7 and 8 for the clerk numbers on the front and back panels are arranged in horizontal rows in pyramid fashion as illustrated in FIG. 1 to provide a compact, attractive panel.

The interior ofservice display panel 1 is illustrated in F102 wherefront panels 2, 3, and 4 are removed. Horizontalplastic members 15, 16 and verticalplastic members 17, 18 form the external rectangular casing or frame, the plastic members being bonded together at the corners with conventional plastic cement.Horizontal member 19 is appropriately spaced parallel to and below member to form a support forrectangular metal boxes 25 and 26 in which 3 candlepower, 24 Volt AC.light bulbs 31 are positioned to light up the NEXT PLEASE" andarrow windows 5 and 6,metal boxes 25 and.26 being open only at the front to transmit light.Vertical plastic member 20 is cemented midway betweenvertical members 17 and 18 to joinhorizontal members 15 and 16 at the center for additional bracing. Plastic blocks 21 are cemented at the four interior corners of the plastic casing l, as illustrated, into which screws 9 are threaded for attachment of the front andback panels 2, 3, and 4 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2,plastic block 22 is cemented at the middle of bottomhorizontal member 16 into which screws 9 are similarly threaded, block 22 also being provided with a center round opening through which supporting pipe ortubing 10 is passed.Collar 23 slips overtubing 10,allen nut 24 securely fasteningcollar 23 totubing 10.Electrical cables 11, 12, 13, and 14 pass throughtubing 10 to provide for operation of the various light bulbs in the display panel. Small plastic blocks 29 near each end ofrectangular metal boxes 25 and 26 provide proper spacing and support ofmetal boxes 25 and 26 fromhorizontal member 19,metal boxes 25 and 26 being attached tohorizontal member 19 and plastic blocks 29 with screws, bolts, or plastic cement. Spacing betweenmetal boxes 25 and 26 andhorizontal member 19 is desirable to allow the heat from the numerous electric bulbs inmetal boxes 25 and 26 to be more readily dissipated without transferring the heat directly toplastic member 19.

For purposes of illustration, only threelight bulbs 31 are indicated inboxes 25 and 26, however actually about seven are used, four lower bulbs being placed behind the lettering NEXT PLEASE" and three upper bulbs being placed behind the arrows intermediately between the four lower bulbs. Thus all seven bulbs actually provide well balanced lighting for both the letter ing NEXT PLEASE and the arrows. If the arrows are placed below the lettering NEXT PLEASE", fourupper bulbs 31 and threelower bulbs 31 would be provided.Light bulb receptacle 32 is fixed to mountingbracket 30 andbracket 30 cemented, bolted, or screwed in proper position inmetal boxes 25 and 26 as indicated.Terminals 33 and,34 provide for electrical connection to thelight bulb 31, such light bulb assemblies being readily available in stores. All thelight bulbs 31 inbox 25 are electrically connected in parallel so that they may all be operated simultaneously fromelectrical terminals 47 and 48 for purposes of illustration. All thelight bulbs 31 inbox 26 are similarly electrically connected in parallel so that they may all be operated simultaneously fromelectrical terminals 49 and 50 for purposes of illustration.

Light frame assemblies 27 and 28 indisplay panel 1 are similarly constructed from horizontal and vertical opaque plastic members cemented together as illus-, trated in FIG. 2 to respectively formcubicles 98 through 104 on the left side andcubicles 105 through 111 on the right side, the cubicles being arranged in three horizontal rows arranged in pyramid fashion as illustrated, the back of the cubicles being closed off by an opaque plastic partition. A single 3 candlepower, 24 Volt AC. light bulb is mounted in each described cubicle, similarly as previously described, to provide an individual light source behind each clerk number onfront panels 3 and 4 in FIG. 1. For purposes of illustration, light bulbs are only illustrated incubicles 103 and 104 on the left side tolight clerk numbers 6 and 7, and incubicles 105 and 106 on the right side tolight clerk numbers 8 and 9, it being understood that the other 'cubicles would be similarly provided with a single light bulb each in a similar manner.Terminal 35 is electrically connected to one terminal of each light bulb incubicles 98 through 104, and terminal 36 is electrically connected to one terminal of each light bulb in cubicles through 111. The other terminal of the light bulb incubicle 103 is terminal 37, and the other terminal of the light bulb incubicle 104 is terminal 38. Thus electrical connection of a power source tocommon terminal 35 and terminal 37 lights the bulb incubicle 103, and electrical connection of a power source tocommon terminal 35 and terminal 38 lights the bulb incubicle 104. Similarly electrical connection of a power source tocommon terminal 36 and terminal 39 lights the bulb incubicle 105, and electrical connection of a power source tocommon terminal 36 and terminal 40 lights the bulb incubicle 106. r

A light frame assembly identical toassembly 27 is similarly provided with an electric light bulb in each cubicle for the back side ofdisplay panel 1, an opaque partition being provided between thefront assembly 27 and theback assembly 27 so that light from the back cubicles will not be transmitted to the front cubicles. Thus theclerk numbers 1 through 7 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1 may be respectively lighted by each individual clerk switch, while theclerk numbers 1 through 7 on the front side ofdisplay panel 1 may be turned off by the respective customer activated switch pads when a customer is at a clerks station. For purposes of illustration, terminal 41 is the common termi- ,7 nal for theback lights 1 through 7 (similarly asterminal 35 is the common terminal for thefront lights 1 through 7).Terminal 43 in conjunction withcommon terminal 41 then provides for the lighting of back clerk number 6 (similarly as front clerk number 6), and terminal 44 in conjunction withcommon terminal 41 then provides for the lightingof back clerk number 7 (similarly as front clerk number 7).

A light frame assembly identical toassembly 28 is similarly provided with an electric light bulb in each cubicle for the back side ofdisplay panel 1, an opaque partition being provided betweenthefrontassembly 28 and theback assembly 28 so that light from the back cubicles will not be transmitted to the front cubicles. Thus theclerk numbers 8 through 14 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1 may be similarly respectively lighted by each individual clerk switch, while theclerk numbers 8 through 14 on the front side of display panel '1 may be turned off by the respective customer activated switch pads when a customer is at a clerks station. For purposes of illustration,-terminal 42 is the common terminal for theback lights 8 through 14 (similarly asterminal 36 is-the common terminal for thefront lights 8 through 14).Terminal 45 in conjunction with common terminal42 then provides for the lighting of back clerk number 8 (similarly as front clerk number 8), and terminal 46 in conjuntion withcommon terminal 42 then provides for the lighting of back clerk number 9 (similarly as front clerk number 9). The back clerk numbers may be either placed opposite corresponding front clerk numbers to read from right to left, or may read from left to right, and could actually be arranged in any manner or form desired.

If there are a smaller number of clerk stations, for ex ample eight,cubicles 98 through 100 on the left side of display panel .1 in FIG. 2 andcubicles 105 through 107 on the right side would be eliminated, leavingclerk numbers 1 through 4 in a single row on the left and clerk numbers'S through 8 in a single row on the right. The two single rows of clerk numbers thus provided might be placed one above theother in a single section ofdisplay panel 1, thearrow for the top row then pointing to the left, and the arrow for the bottom row then pointing to the right. That is, an upper and lower section would be created rather thana left and right section inpanel 1. r l

A single common NEXT PLEASE sign may also be placed between an upper and lower row of clerk station numbers on the front side ofdisplay panel 1, with an upper arrow pointing to the left and a lower arrow pointing to the right, however due to circuitry it is preferred that one set of light bulbs be provided in the NEXT PLEASE" sign operated from the clerk stations to the left, and another set of light bulbs be provided in the NEXT PLEASE sign operated from the clerk stations to the right; The two sets of light bulbs in a single common NEXT PLEASE" sign then create excessive heating difficulties when a clerk is available for service both to the right and left of thedisplay panel 1 which causes both sets of light bulbs to be operated simultaneously in the single common NEXT PLEASE sign. This it is preferred that a separate NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow be provided for the clerk stations to the right and left ofdisplay panel 1 as previously described.

The circuitry for operation ofdisplay panel 1 is illustrated in FIG. 4. A double-pole, single-throw switch 8. 112 is provided at each individual clerk station, mounted in a position where it may be conveniently operated by each individual'clerk. For purposes of illus tration, the circuitry foronly clerk stations 6 and 7 to the right of display panel 1 (to the left of the awaiting public) and the circuitry foronly clerk stations 8 and 9 to the left of display panel 1 (to the right of the awaiting public) is sufficient to demonstrate the principle of operation, the circuitry for'additional stations being similar.

Terminal 83 is electrically connected toterminal 1 of a first pole of double-pole, single-throw switch 112 at each clerk station to the right ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 as illustrated.Terminal 84 is electrically connected toterminal 3 of the second pole of doublepole, single-throw switch 112 at each clerk station to the right ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 as illustrated.Terminal 85 is electrically connected toterminal 2 of the first pole ofswitch 1 12 atclerk station 6, and terminal 87 is electrically connected toterminal 4 of the second pole ofswitch 112 at-clerkstation 6 as illustrated. Thus whenswitch 112 atclerk station 6 is turned on, terminal 85 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 83, and terminal 87 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 84.Terminal 86 is electrically connected toterminal 2 of a first pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 7, and terminal 88 is electrically connected toterminal 4 of the second pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 7 as illustrated. Thus whenswitch 112 atclerk station 7 is turned on, terminal 86 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 83, and terminal 88 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 84. Turning switches 112 off atstations 6 and 7 disconnects the described electrical connections tocommon terminals 83 and 84 as illustrated.

Terminal 89 is electrically connected toterminal 1 of a first pole of double-pole, single-throw switch 112 at each clerk station to the left ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 as illustrated.Terminal 90 is electrically connected toterminal 3 of-the second pole of double pole, single-throw'switch 112 at each clerk station to the left ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 as illustrated.Terminal 91 is electrically, connected to terminal -2 of a first pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 8, and terminal 93 is electrically connected toterminal 4 of the sec ond pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 8 as illustrated. Thus whenswitch 112 atclerk station 8 is turned on, terminal 91 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 89, and terminal 93 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 90.Terminal 92 is electrically connected toterminal 2 of a first pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 9, and terminal 94 is electrically connected toterminal 4 of the second pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 9 as illustrated. Thus whenswitch 112 atclerk station 9 is turned on, terminal 92 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 89, and terminal 94 becomes electrically connected tocommon terminal 90. Turning switches 112 off atstations 8 and 9 disconnects the described electrical connections tocommon terminals 89 and 90 as illustrated.

Terminal 81 is electrically connected to a first screen incustomer switch pads 64 at each clerk station to the right ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 (to the left of the awaiting public).Terminal 82 is electrically connected to a first screen incustomer switch pads 64 at each clerkstation to the left ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 4 as illustrated (to the right of the awaiting public).Terminal 78 is electrically connected to a second screen inswitch pad 64 atclerk station 7, and terminal 77 is electrically connected to a second screen inswitch pad 64 atclerk station 6. Thus when a customer stands onswitch pad 64 atclerk station 6,terminal 77 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 81, and when a customer stands onswitch pad 64 atclerk station 7,terminal 78 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 81. When a customer steps offswitch pads 64 atclerk stations 6 and 7,terminals 77 and 78 are respectively electrically disconnected fromcommon terminal 81, dueto the nature ofswitch pads 64 as previously described.

Similarly terminal 79 is electrically connected to a second screen inswitch pad 64 atclerk station 8, and terminal 80 is electrically connected to a second screen inswitch pad 64 atclerk station 9. Thus when a customer stands onswitch pad 64 atclerk station 8,terminal 79 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 82, and when a customer stands onswitch pad 64 atclerk station 9,terminal 80 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 82. When a customer stepsoffswitch pads 64 atclerk stations 8 and 9,terminals 79 and 80 are respectively electrically disconnected fromcom mon terminal 82.

In FIG. 4,outline 76 represents a rectangular metal chassis box in which various components may be mounted for operation ofdisplay panel 1, such aspower transformer 75, single-pole, single-throw master switch 95, double-pole, single-throw relays 71, 72, 73, and 74 with normally closedcontacts 1 and 2, and various multi-pin electrical plug-in connectors to be described for convenient connection and disconnection of various electrical cables for operation ofdisplay panel 1.Power transformer 75 may be mounted in the bottom ofbox 76, relays 71, 72, 73, and 74 attached to a metal baseboard (not illustrated) mounted abovetransformer 75 inbox 76,master switch 95 mounted in one end ofbox 76, and the various multi-pin electrical connectors mounted in the sides or ends ofbox 76 .above the relay baseboard where convenient electrical connection may be made to the relays. Any type box may be used, a'conventional fuse box available in stores being equipped with a convenient metal baseboard for the mounting of the relays and also a removable cover.

For operation of the light bulbs forclerk numbers 1 through 7 indisplay panel 1, the PR pin electrical connectors in FIG. 4 represent a right pad multi-pin electrical connector (mounted in the right side of chassis box 76) for electrical connection tocustomer switch pads 64 forclerk stations 1 through 7, the SRA pin connectors represent a first right switch multi-pin electrical connector for the first pole of double-pole switches 112 atclerk stations 1 through 7, the SRB pin connectors represent a second right switch multi-pin electrical connector for the second pole of double-pole switches 112 atclerk stations 1 through 7, the LRF pin connectors represent a right front light multi-pin electrical connector for the light bulbs in thefront clerk numbers 1 through 7 and the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow for thefront clerk numbers 1 through 7 indisplay panel 1, and the LRB pin connectors represent a right back light multi-pin electrical connector for the light bulbs in theback clerk numbers 1 through 7 indisplay panel 1.

For operation of the light bulbs forclerk numbers 8 through 14 indisplay panel 1, the PL pin connectors in FIG. 4 represent a left pad multi-pin electrical connector (mounted in the left side of box 76) for electrical connection tocustomer switch pads 64 forclerk stations 8 through 14, the SLA pin connectors represent a first left switch multi-pin electrical connector for the first pole of double-pole switches 112 atclerk stations 8 through 14, the SLB pins represent a second left switch multi-pin electrical connector for the second pole of double-pole switches 112 atclerk stations 8 through 14, the LLF pins represent a left front light multi-pin electrical connector for the light bulbs infront clerk numbers 8 through 14 and the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow forfront clerk numbers 8 through 14 indisplay panel 1, and the LLB pin connectors represent a left back light multi-pin electrical connector for the light bulbs inback clerk numbers 8 through 14 indisplay panel 1. The multi-pin electrical connectors may be either of the conventional round or rectangular type for plug-in electrical connection to chassis components.

Power transformer has a Volt A.C. primary input throughterminals 96 and 97, and a 24 Volt A.C. secondary output, all components for operation ofdisplay panel 1 being operated at 24 Volts A.C. A power transformer is selected having the appropriate Volt- Ampere capacity for the required number of clerk stations. A 110 Volt A.C. line cord may be either connected directly or through a conventional multi-pin electrical connector to inputterminals 96 and 97 ofpower transformer 75. A battery or 24 Volt DC. power source might replacepower transformer 75, however the 24 Volt A.C. power transformer would likely be preferred.

To operate the various relays, in FIG. 4,relay 71 is assigned toclerk station 6,relay 72 is assigned toclerk station 7,relay 73 is assigned toclerk station 8, and relay 74 is assignedtoclerk station 9 for purposes of ilustration. An additional relay would be assigned to each additional clerk station in a similar manner.Terminal 113 of the secondary winding ofpower transformer 75 is electrically connected to terminal ofrelays 71, 72, 73, and 74 as illustrated.Terminal 116 ofrelay 71 is electricaally connected to the female terminal of pin PR1, the male pin PR1 being electrically connected toterminal 77 ofswitch pad 64 in front ofclerk station 6 through an appropriate electrical cable.Terminal 116 ofrelay 72 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin PR2, the male pin PR2 being electrically connected toterminal 78 ofswitch pad 64 in front ofclerk station 7 through an appropriate electrical cable. Terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin PRC, the male pin PRC being electrically connected tocommon terminal 81 forswitch pads 64 to the right ofdisplay panel 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4

Terminal 116 ofrelay 73 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin PLl, the male pin PLl being electrically connected toterminal 79 ofswitch pad 64 in front ofclerk station 8.Terminal 116 of relay 74 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin PL2, the male pin PL2 being electrically connected toterminal 80 ofswitch pad 64 in front ofclerk station 9. Terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is electrically connected to the female terminal of 11 pin PLC, the male, pin PLC being electrically connected tocommon terminal 82 forswitch pads 64 to the left ofdisplay panel 1, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus when a customer is atclerk stations 6, 7, 8, or 9, relays 71, 72, 73, or 74 are correspondingly. energized. Additional relays inchassis box 76 are similarly energized by the customer switch pads at the other clerk stations through additional pins in the right-and left pad multipin electrical connectors.

To operate the clerk numbers on the front side ofdisplay panel 1, in FIG. 4,terminal 113 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is electrically connected'to the female terminal of pin LRFC, male pin LRFC being electrically connected (through an appropriate cable such ascable 11 of FIG. 2) tocommon terminal 35 oflight bulbs 31 incubicles 98 through 104 forfront clerk numbers 1 through 7 indisplay panel 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 as illustrated. In FIG. 4, the movable contact ofcontact #1 inrelay 71 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin LRFl, male pin LRFl being electrically connected toterminal 37 of the light bulb forclerk number 6 ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 2 as illustrated. In FIG. 4, the stationary contact ofcontact 1 inrelay 71 is' electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SRA1, male pin SRA1 being electrically connected toterminal 85 ofswitch 112 forclerk station 6. Whenswitch 112 atclerk station 6 is closed, terminal 85 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 83 as previously described.Common terminal 83 is electrically connected (through an appropriate cable) to male pin SRAC, the female terminal of pin SRAC being electrically connected to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 6 is turned on, the electrical circuit from the secondary winding ofpower transformer 75 is completed. to light the bulb in thefront clerk number 6 on"display panel 1 until a customer steps onswitch pad 64 in front ofstation 6 to energizerelay 71 to break the electrical circuit throughcontact #1 ofrelay 71.

In FIG. 4, the movable contact ofcontact #1 inrelay 72 is electrically connected to the femaleterminal of pin LRF2, malepin'. LRF2 beingelectrically connected toterminal 38 of the light bulb forfront clerk number 7 ofdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 2 as illustrated. In FIG. 4, the stationary contact ofcontact #1 inrelay 72 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SRA2, male pin SRA2 being electrically connected toterminal 86 ofswitch 112 forclerk station 7. Whenswitch 112 atclerk station 7 is closed, terminal 86 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 83 as previously described,common terminal 83 being electrically connected to pin SRAC and from there to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 as previously described. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 7 is turned on, the electrical circuit from the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is completed to light the bulb in thefront clerk number 7 ondisplaypanel 1 until a customer steps onswitch pad 64 in front ofstation 7 to energizerelay 72 to break the electrical circuit throughcontact #1 ofrelay 72.

When switches 112 forclerk stations 8 and 9 are turned on, the light bulbs for thefront clerk numbers 8 and 9 indisplay panel 1 are similarly turned on rereqtiv xth q shtm 9ma tsp r ay 73 an 7 and the corresponding left multi-pin electrical connectors, PL, SLA, and LLF, similarly as described forfront clerk numbers 6 and 7, until a customer steps onswitch 12pad 64 infrontof'station 7 or 8 to energizerelay 73 or 74 to break the electrical circuit through contact l ofrelay 73 or 74. I I i To operate the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow. in the front side ofdisplay panel 1, in FIG. 4,terminal 113 of the secondary winding of transformer-75 is electrically connected to themovable contact #2 in relays 71:72, 735m 74. The stationary contact of contact #Z inrglay 71 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SRBl, the male pin SRBl being electrically connected toterminal 87 of the second pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 6. Whenswitch 112 atclerk station 6 is closed, terminal 87 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 84 as previously described.Common terminal 84 is electrically connected to the male pin SRBC, the female terminal of pin SRBC being electrically connected to the female terminal of pin LRF10. Themale pin LRF 10 is electrically connected toterminal 48 of the light bulbs for the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow forclerk stations 1 through 7.Terminal 47 of the light bulbs for the NEXT PLEASE sign .and arrow forclerk stations 1 through 7 is electrically connected to the male pin LRF9, the female terminal of pin LRF9 being electrically connected to terminal 114 of the secondary winding ofpower transformer 75. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 6 is turned on, the electrical circuit from the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is completed to light the bulbs in the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow forclerk numbers 1 through 7 until a customer steps onswitch pad 64 in front ofstation 6 to energizerelay 71 to break the electrical circuit hroughsentact #27 ofl eyjll To further operate the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow in the front side ofdisplay panel 1, in FIG. 4, the

stati ar sqxist tgemeq #2 in r ay r cally connected to the female terminal of pin- SRB2, the male pin SRB2 being electrically connected toterminal 88 of the second pole ofswitch 112 atclerk station 7. Whenswitch 112 atclerk station 7 is closed, terminal 88 is electrically connected tocommon terminal 84 as previously described-The electrical circuit fromcommon terminal 84 is completed through the SRBC pin, the LRF10 pin, and theLRF9 pin back to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 as previously described to further operate the NEXT PLEASE" sign and arrow forclerk numbers 1 through 7 until a customer steps onswitch pad 64 in front ofstation 7 to energizerelay 72 to break the electrical circuit throughcontact #2 ofrelay 72. Thus the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow forclerk stations 1 through 7 in the front ofdisplay panel 1 remains on until there is a customer at bothstations 6 and 7 to energize bothrelays 71 and 72, providedswitches 112 atstations 6 and 7 are both turned on. Relays forclerk stations 1 through 5 are electrically connected similarly as relays 71 and 72 such that the NEXT PLEASE" sign and arrow forstations 1 through 7 remains on until there is a customer at every station where there is a clerk on duty to turn hisindividual switch 112 on. If any clerk is absent, so that hisindividual switch 112 is turned off, the electrical circuit from that station to light the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow is turned off such that the NEXT PLEASE" sign and arrow will remain on until there is a customer at each of the remaining clerks on duty atstations 1 through 7.

In FIG. 4, the #2 contacts ofrelays 73, 74, and similar relays forclerk stations 8 through 14 are similarly electrically connected through the SLB and LLF multipin electrical connectors and switches 112 atstations 8 through 14 to operate the NEXT PLEASE sign and arrow forclerk numbers 8 through 14 in the front ofdisplay panel 1, as illustrated and previously described forclerk stations 1 through 7.

To operate the clerk numbers on the back side ofdisplay panel 1, in FIG. 4,terminal 113 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75 is electrically connected to the female terminal of pin LRBC and to the female terminal of pin LLBC, the male pin LRBC being electrically connected to thecommon terminal 41 for the light bulbs in theclerk numbers 1 through 7 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1, and the male pin LLBC being electrically connected to thecommon terminal 42 for the light bulbs in theclerk numbers 8 through 14 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1, as indicated in FIG. 2 and previously described. In FIG. 2,terminal 43 of the light bulb forclerk number 6 on the back side of display panel 1 (as previously described) is electrically connected to the male pin LRBl in FIG. 4, the female terminal of pin LRBl being electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SRAl. The electrical circuit from the male pin SRAl passes throughterminal 85 ofswitch 112 atstation 6,common terminal 83 whenswitch 112 atstation 6 is closed, pin SRAC to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75, as previously described. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 6 is turned on,clerk number 6 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1 lights up, regardless of whether or not a customer is atstation 6 to energizerelay 71.

In FIG. 2,terminal 44 of the light bulb forclerk number 7 on the back side of display panel 1 (as previously described) is electrically connected to the male pin LRB2 in FIG. 4, the female terminal of pin LRB2 being electrically connected to thefemale terminal of pin SRA2. The electrical circuit from the male pin SRA2 passes throughterminal 86 ofswitch 112 atstation 7,common terminal 83 whenswitch 112 atstation 7 is closed, pin SRAC to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75, as previously described. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 7 is turned on,clerk number 7 on the back side of display panel lights up, regardless of whether or not a customer is atstation 7 to energizerelay 72.

In FIG. 2,terminal 45 of the light bulb forclerk number 8 on the back side of display panel 1 (as previously described) is electrically connected to the male pin LLBl in FIG. 4, the female terminal of pin LLBl being electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SLAI. The electrical circuit from the male pin SLAl passes throughterminal 91 ofswitch 112 atstation 8,common terminal 89 whenswitch 112 atstation 8 is closed, pin SLAC to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 8 is turned on,clerk number 8 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1 lights up, regardless of whether or not a customer is atstation 8 to energizerelay 73.

In FIG. 2,terminal 46 of the light bulb forclerk number 9 on the back side of display panel 1 (as previously described) is electrically connected to the male pin LLB2 in FIG. 4, the female terminal of pin LLB2 being electrically connected to the female terminal of pin SLA2. The electrical circuit from the male pin SLAZ passes throughterminal 92 ofswitch 112 atstation 9,common terminal 89 whenswitch 112 atstation 9 is closed, pin SLAC to terminal 114 of the secondary winding oftransformer 75. Thus whenswitch 112 atstation 9 is turned on,clerk number 9 on the back side ofdisplay panel 1 lights up, regardless of whether or not a customer is atstation 9 to energize relay 74. When any clerk is not at his individual station, turningswitch 112 off at his station turns his clerk number off in the front side and back side ofdisplay panel 1.

In FIG. 2,cable 11 may be utilized for electrical connection of the LRF pins in FIG. 4 to operate thefront clerk numbers 1 through 7 and the NEXT PLEASE" sign and arrow forclerk numbers 1 through 7,cable 12 may be utilized for electrical connection of LLF pins to operate thefront clerk numbers 8 through 14 and the NEXT PLEASE" sign and arrow forclerk numbers 8 through 14,cable 13 may be utilized for electrical connection of the LRB pins to operate the back clerk numhers I through 7, andcable 14 may be utilized for electrical connection of the LLB pins to operate theback clerk numbers 8 through 14. Cables l1, l2, l3, and 14 would of course have an appropriate number of wires in each cable of appropriate wire gauge for the number and candlepower of light bulbs utilized indisplay panel 1. An appropriate amperage fuse may be placed in series (not illustrated) with the output ofterminal 113 or 114 of the secondary winding of power transformer to guard against possible inadvertent short circuits in the customer display system.

To mountdisplay panel 1 in FIG. 2 on top of the service counter in conspicuous view of the awaiting public, a hole is drilled in the counter tops 60 and S4 in FIG. 4 through whichmetal tubing 10 is passed. Another collar (not illustrated) similar tocollar 23 is slipped ontubing 10 beneathcounter 60 or 54 and securely fastened by means of the allen nut, similarly as allen nut or screw 24 incollar 23. If it is desired to raise thedisplay panel 1 above the counter top, a plastic tubing or collar may be slipped overtubing 10 between the bottom ofdisplay panel 1 and the counter top 60 to supportdisplay panel 1 at the desired height, preferably at eye level of the awaiting public. Chassis equipment box. 76 is mounted on the counter wall beneath the counter top 54 atclerk station 7 or 8.

The insignia device in FIG. 3 is made from aplastic base 52, aplastic dowel rod 53 cemented into a drilled hole inbase 52, andplastic member 51 made in a V shape as illustrated is cemented to dowelrod 53, the appropriate clerk numbers (or other designation) being appropriately inscribed on both sides of V shapedmember 51. The described insignia devices may be placed on top of the counter at each clerk station to clearly designate the clerk station to the awaiting public through a wide angle in front of the insignia device.

Since many changes could be made in the aforesaid construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departure from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A customer service display apparatus for use with a series of customer service stations, comprising, in combination:

a. a public display panel including a series of station indicating means for respectively indicating, when operating, the availability of each of the customer service stations for service to the awaiting public,

15 said public display panel being placed in conve? nient view of the'awaiting public;

an operation personnel displaay panel including a series of on-dutyindicating means respectively indicating, when operated, whether or not each of said customer service stations has a clerk on duty, said operation personnel display panel being placed in convenient view of operation personnel only; i

0. customer sensing switch means at each of said customer service stations connected to said public display panel for operating a corresponding station indicating means in response to a customer leaving a customer service station to thereby indicate on said public display panel the particular customer service station that is available to serve the next I customer, the customer sensing switch means rendering inoperative the corresponding station indicating means in response to a customer arriving at the customer service station to thereby indicate that said station is no longer available for service to a next customer while the customer is still present at the station; and,

d. clerk operated switch means at each customer service station connected to said public display panel and to said operation personnel display panel for overriding the customer sensing switch means at the respective customer sensing station whereby operation of said clerk operated switch means renders the correspondingg station indicating means inoperative and simultaneously renders the corresponding on-duty indicating means inoperative to thereby advise operation personnel that the clerk at the particular customer service station has left or is not available for service.

2. An apparatus according toclaim 1, in which said customer service stations are identified by numerals,

said station indicating means on said public display panel comprisingcorresponding numerals which are electrically lighted when operated, and in which said on-duty indicating means on said operation personnel display panel similarly comprises numerals corresponding to the numerals identifying the customer service stations and which are electrically lighted when operated, whereby a lighted numeral on the public display panel designates that the corresponding numbered customer service station is available for service and a lighted numeral on said operation personnel display panel indicates that the clerk for the corresponding numbered customer service station is on duty.

3. An apparatus according toclaim 2, in which said operation personnel display panel comprises the back of said public display panel and in which the customer sensing switch means comprises switch pads on the floor area in front of the customer service stations, the switch means being operated by a customers presence and absence from in front of the customer service stations.

4. An apparatus according toclaim 1, in which said series of customer service stations are divided into first and second sections, said public display panel including direction indicating means connected to be operated whenever one of the station indicating means is operated to indicate the direction of the section containing the customer service station corresponding to said one of the station indicating means.

5. An apparatus according toclaim 1, in which said public display panel includes attention getting means connected to be operated whenever one of the station tention of the awaiting public whenever a customer service station is available for service.

Claims (5)

1. A customer service display apparatus for use with a series of customer service stations, comprising, in combination: a. a public display panel including a series of station indicating means for respectively indicating, when operating, the availability of each of the customer service stations for service to the awaiting public, said public display panel being placed in convenient view of the awaiting public; b. an operation personnel displaay panel including a series of on-duty indicating means respectively indicating, when operated, whether or not each of said customer service stations has a clerk on duty, said operation personnel display panel being placed in convenient view of operation personnel only; c. customer sensing switch means at each of said customer service stations connected to said public display panel for operating a corresponding station indicating means in response to a customer leaving a customer service station to thereby indicate on said public display panel the particular customer service station that is available to serve the next customer, the customer sensing switch means rendering inoperative the corresponding station indicating means in response to a customer arriving at the customer service station to thereby indicate that said station is no longer available for service to a next customer while the customer is still present at the Station; and, d. clerk operated switch means at each customer service station connected to said public display panel and to said operation personnel display panel for overriding the customer sensing switch means at the respective customer sensing station whereby operation of said clerk operated switch means renders the correspondingg station indicating means inoperative and simultaneously renders the corresponding on-duty indicating means inoperative to thereby advise operation personnel that the clerk at the particular customer service station has left or is not available for service.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said customer service stations are identified by numerals, said station indicating means on said public display panel comprising corresponding numerals which are electrically lighted when operated, and in which said on-duty indicating means on said operation personnel display panel similarly comprises numerals corresponding to the numerals identifying the customer service stations and which are electrically lighted when operated, whereby a lighted numeral on the public display panel designates that the corresponding numbered customer service station is available for service and a lighted numeral on said operation personnel display panel indicates that the clerk for the corresponding numbered customer service station is on duty.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said operation personnel display panel comprises the back of said public display panel and in which the customer sensing switch means comprises switch pads on the floor area in front of the customer service stations, the switch means being operated by a customer''s presence and absence from in front of the customer service stations.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said series of customer service stations are divided into first and second sections, said public display panel including direction indicating means connected to be operated whenever one of the station indicating means is operated to indicate the direction of the section containing the customer service station corresponding to said one of the station indicating means.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said public display panel includes attention getting means connected to be operated whenever one of the station indicating means is operated to further bring to the attention of the awaiting public whenever a customer service station is available for service.

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