Patent ID: 9723935
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: A47F

Claim:
1. A food shield, comprising: at least one shield panel adapted to be positioned between two posts and adapted for coupling to the two posts, said shield panel having a front edge, a back edge and opposed end sections and defining a thickness between a front face and an opposite face; a first panel clamp assembly comprising an upper panel clamp and a lower panel clamp that mates with the upper panel clamp, with the upper panel clamp and lower panel clamp when mated together defining a panel receiving slot of the panel clamp assembly therebetween, such that the at least one shield panel is held between the upper panel clamp and lower panel clamp in the panel receiving slot along the front edge of the at least one shield panel with the upper panel clamp contacting the front face and the lower panel clamp contacting the opposite face; a second panel clamp assembly comprising a second upper panel clamp, and a second lower panel clamp that mates with the second upper panel clamp, with the second upper panel clamp and second lower panel clamp when mated together defining a second panel receiving slot of the second panel clamp assembly therebetween, such that the at least one shield panel is held between the second upper panel clamp and second lower panel clamp in the panel receiving slot along the rear edge of the shield panel with the second upper panel clamp contacting the front face and the second lower panel clamp contacting the opposite face; a first adjustable bracket assembly connecting together the first panel clamp and the second panel clamp and adapted for coupling to the first post, wherein said first adjustable bracket assembly provides location adjustment of the shield panel in respect to the first post, the first adjustable bracket assembly comprising at least two separable collar portions that when joined together form a collar that surrounds the first post, said first separable collar portion defining a semi-circular inner cavity with sidewalls defining tapered slots extending along each of the sidewalls, and said second separable collar portion defining a semi-circular inner cavity with sidewalls defining extensions adapted to slidably engage with the tapered slots, and wherein each sidewall of the second separable collar portion further defines a front notch; and a lever pivotally connected to the first separable collar portion and with at least one lever arm adapted to contact the second collar portion, said lever urging the first collar portion toward the second collar portion when in an engaged position, and urging the first collar portion away from the second collar portion when in a released position, wherein the lever has a wishbone configuration with two arms, with the first arm pivotally joined to the first separable collar portion at one side of the semi-circular opening, and with the second arm pivotally joined to the first separable collar portion at an opposite side of the semi-circular opening, and wherein the first arm of the lever defines a first key to engage one of said front notches and the second arm of the lever defines a second key to engage the other of said front notches.