Abstract:
A modular food guard apparatus includes a food shield, at least one support post, and at least one mounting bracket for attracting the food shield to the support post of the modular food guard apparatus. The mounting bracket further includes a first aperture through which a first fastener can be received and attached to the support post and a plurality of second apertures radially spaced apart from the first aperture through which a second fastener can be received through a single aperture of the plurality of second apertures and attached to the support post. Thus, the food shield can be removably secured to the support post in one of several different positions relative to the support post.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/243,234, filed Sep. 13, 2002, entitled “MODULAR FOOD GUARD APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF,” which claims priority to U.S. provisional application entitled, “Modular Sneeze Guard,” having Ser. No. 60/318,899, filed Sep. 13, 2001, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention is generally related to food service stations and, more particularly, is related to modular food guards that include moveable and interchangeable brackets.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Generally, a food guard is used to protect food that is to be served from a food service station. The food guard protects the food from contamination from the breath of customers that are requesting or self-serving food from a fast food bar, cafeteria food bar, or other similar food bar. Generally, a food service station includes a food service line or counter that includes some or all of the following: hot or cold food pans, soup wells, chafing dishes, and a breath protection device or sneeze guard. The food guard is typically attached to the food service counter. The food guard is positioned to protect the food from airborne bacteria, contaminants, the breath, sneezing, or coughing of customers. The food guard has a transparent shield made of glass or other material, which is attached to a support structure. The shield ensures protection of the food while often allowing accessibility as well.  
         [0004]     In order for a food guard to be effective, it must intersect what is considered the “breath zone.” This zone is determined by 1) constructing an imaginary vertical line from the front edge of a serving counter up to a height of about 4′-6″ and about 5′-6″ from the floor and 2) constructing an imaginary line from the 4′-6″ intersection to the front edge of the food zone and 3) constructing an imaginary line from the 5′-6″ height to the rear edge of the food zone. The food zone is the area where exposed food will be displayed—generally a food pan, soup well, chafing dish, or similar device that is generally set back about 3″ to about 6″ from the front edge of the counter. A glass shield or barrier must intersect the breath zone in order to prevent the contamination of food from airborne bacteria from the breath of customers. As well, per health code requirements such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Sanitation Code and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 2, a food shield must have minimal gaps, cracks, and the like that may trap food particles and other materials that can possibly cause contamination of the food. Existing permanent food guard designs frequently have gaps between the food shields and support structure that do not meet the noted health standards.  
         [0005]     In general, food guards are custom designed for a particular food service station with which they are to be used. As such, typical food guards tend to be individually constructed systems that do not include interchangeable parts that are easily removed and or added to the overall structure. Therefore, existing food guards are not expandable or adaptable such that they can accommodate changes to the lay out of the food service station, i.e., the addition of additional food items and serving trays. Moreover, the existing custom designed food guards do not lend themselves to timely repairs by the owner because the individual pieces are not interchangeable. Therefore, to either expand or repair existing food guards frequently requires the services of a third party and the construction of an entirely new food guard.  
         [0006]     As well, food guards are frequently used for different applications in a number of different circumstances. One circumstance involves using the food guard in an attendant-serving mode. In this mode, the customer is restricted from being able to touch or reach the food by way of a transparent shield, which can be in any of a number of configurations. However, the attendant can hand the food to the customer over the top of the food guard or under the guard if there is enough clearance between the food guard and the counter of the food-serving device. Another circumstance in which a food guard can be used is in a self-serve mode. Here, the shield of the food guard is angled or positioned so that a customer can serve himself food through the clearance between the shield and the food service device. The shield still provides protection from contamination from the breath of the customer because it is positioned so as to intersect the “breath zone.” The angle of the shield may need to be varied depending on the position of the food in the food serving station and the customer. Food that is farther away from the customer requires sufficient clearance between the shield and the food service station to enable access to the food. Therefore, depending on the circumstance, more or less clearance may be needed to allow accessibility, while maintaining “breath zone” coverage. In addition, different degrees of accessibility are often needed from meal to meal and from event to event thereby requiring a food guard that is adjustable.  
         [0007]     Generally, the shields of currently used food guards are in fixed, non-adjustable positions (e.g., in the vertical or angled position). A disadvantage to this arrangement is that different types of food guards are required for different serving circumstances, thereby increasing costs considerably. Moreover, although food guards exist that have adjustable shields, adjusting the positions of those shields is typically a cumbersome process that may require more than one operator.  
         [0008]     Thus, a heretofore-unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Briefly described, in one form the present invention is a modular good guard apparatus. The modular food guard apparatus includes a food shield, at least one support post, and at least one mounting bracket for attaching the food shield to the support post of the modular food guard apparatus. The mounting bracket further includes a first aperture through which a first fastener can be received and attached to the support post and a plurality of second apertures radially spaced apart from the first aperture through which a second fastener can be received through a single aperture of the plurality of second apertures and attached to the support post. Thus, the food shield can be removably secured to the support post in one of several different positions relative to the support post at an angle of between zero degrees and ninety degrees.  
         [0010]     In another form, the present invention is a mounting bracket for mounting a food shield to a support member. The mounting bracket includes at least one flange for attachment to the food shield, a first aperture through which a first fastener can be received and attached to the support member, and a plurality of second apertures radially spaced apart from the first aperture through which a second fastener can be received through a single aperture of the second apertures and attached to the support member. The first fastener can act as a pivot point from which the mounting bracket can be rotated. Thus, the mounting bracket can removably attach the food shield to the support member in one of several different positions relative to the support member. The support member can be a vertical support member or a horizontal support member.  
         [0011]     In still another form, the present invention is a mounting bracket for mounting a food shield to a support member. The mounting bracket includes at least one flange for attachment to the food shield, a first aperture through which a first fastener can be received and attached to the support member, and an elongated and generally arced-shaped slot through which a second fastener can be received through a portion of the slot and attached to the support member. The first fastener can act as a pivot point from which the mounting bracket can be rotated. Thus, the mounting bracket can removably attach the food shield to the support member in one of several different positions relative to the support member. The support member can be a vertical support member or a horizontal support member. Optionally, the mounting bracket can further include a plurality of semi-circular notches coupled to the slot such that one of the notches receives the second fastener when the bracket is mounted to the support member.  
         [0012]     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of an embodiment of the modular food guard attached to a food service station.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of interchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of interchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of interchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of interchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of interchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate perspective views of embodiments of shelf support members for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective, partially exploded view of an embodiment of shield cap assemblies for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a vertical mounting member for use with a modular food guard.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrates perspective views of an embodiment of a modular food guard adjusted to various positions.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate cut out side views of an embodiment of a modular food guard adjusted to various positions.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate perspective views of embodiments of modular food guards having various combinations of interchangeable brackets.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 13A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular food guard.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13B  illustrates a perspective view of the modular food guard shown in  FIG. 13A  with an additional segment removably attached thereto.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a modular food guard.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of a modular food guard.  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular food guard. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     The present invention provides an apparatus and method of using a modular food guard. The present invention overcomes at least one of the disadvantages discussed above for at least the reason that the present invention provides a readily adjustable modular food guard. For example, various embodiments include a food guard that can be readily modified according to an operator&#39;s desires. In general, an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of interchangeable brackets, one or more of vertical-mounting members, and a shield. The vertical-mounting members are attached to a food-serving device. The brackets are removably attached to the vertical-mounting member and the shield is attached to the brackets. The brackets are interchangeable with various other brackets such that the configuration of the food guard can be modified as desired.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a perspective of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a food service station  110  that has an adjustable, modular food guard  120  including a shield  240 , and a food-serving device  130 . All embodiments of the modular food guard  120  are not necessarily adjustable, as will be discussed later. As can be seen, the food guard  120  is in the vertical position, or an attendant-serving position, and substantially precludes customers from accessing food on the food service station  110 . In addition, the modular food guard  120  substantially precludes bacteria and other contaminants originating from the breath of the customer from impinging upon the food by providing a barrier between the customer and the food. The customer can see the food and or food preparation and can be handed the requested food from over the food guard  120  or under the food guard  120 , if there is enough clearance between the food guard  120  and food serving device  130 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a complete food service station  110  that has the modular food guard  120  in an angled position, or self-serving position, with respect to the food serving device  130 . The embodiment of the present invention provides for an apparatus and method of moving the modular food guard  120  from the vertical position to an angled position. In this configuration, the customer can access the food and self-serve food from the food service station  110 . The food guard  120  still substantially precludes bacteria and other contaminants originating from the customer from impinging upon the food by providing a barrier between the customer and the food. More specifically, the customer can see the food through the food guard  120 , but the food guard  120  still provides a barrier between the breath of the customer and the food.  
         [0034]     Individual elements of a preferred embodiment of a modular food guard  120  will now be discussed.  FIG. 2  shows a pair of modular brackets  210   a . Preferably, each modular bracket  210   a  includes a pair of support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  and a pair of support flanges  214 . A pre-determined distance  216 , as measured from the centers of the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  separates the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b . The support flanges  214  are configured to support a shield  240  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ). As shown, each support flange  214  includes an orifice  215  configured to receive a threaded stem  245  and a shield cap  244  ( FIG. 8 ). Preferably, a shield cap  244  includes a threaded orifice (not shown) configured to receive a threaded stem  245 , such as a screw or bolt. However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the orifices  215  of each support flange  214  are threaded in order to matingly engage the threaded stem  245 . Note, the support flanges  214  are only preferable embodiments, and other means are envisioned for attaching the shield  240  to the modular brackets  210 , such as, but not limited to, adhesives, support grooves, etc. Note also, as will become apparent, embodiments are envisioned including numerous support apertures. For the purposes of the present application, modular brackets  210  that are mirror images of one another are considered to be of identical construction and are typically used in pairs.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a pair of modular brackets  210   b  that are adjustable between four positions relative to a vertical-mounting member  230  ( FIG. 8 ). As shown, modular bracket  210   b  includes five support apertures  212   a ,  212   b , with one support aperture  212   a  serving as a pivot point about which the modular bracket  210   b  can be rotated and four support apertures  212   b  that can be used to secure the modular bracket  210   b  in the desired position, as discussed hereinafter with regard to  FIGS. 10A-10D  Each of the support apertures  212   b  is equidistant from support aperture  212   a , that distance being equal to the pre-determined distance  216  between the support apertures.  212   a - 212   b  of modular bracket  210   a  ( FIG. 2 ). Similar to modular bracket  210   a , modular bracket  210   b  is configured to receive a shield  240  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ).  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a pair of modular brackets  210   c  that are adjustable between at least two positions relative to a vertical-mounting member  230  ( FIG. 8 ). As shown, each modular bracket  210   c  includes four support apertures  212   a ,  212   b ,  212   c  and  212   d , with one support aperture  212   a  serving as a pivot point about which modular bracket  210   c  can be rotated and three support apertures  212   b  and  212   c  that can be used to secure modular bracket  210   c  in a desired position. Each of the support apertures  212   b  is equidistant from support aperture  212   a , that distance being equal to the pre-determined distance  216  between the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  of modular brackets  210   a  ( FIG. 2 ) and  210   b  ( FIG. 3 ). Support aperture  212   c  is separated from support aperture  212   a  by a distance equal to an integer multiple of pre-determined distance  216 . As well, modular bracket  210   c  is configured to receive a pair of shields  240  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ), the shields  240  being supported substantially perpendicular to each other. Note, however, embodiments are envisioned wherein multiple shields are supported over a wide range of angles relative to each other.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a pair of modular brackets  210   d  that are adjustable over a wide range of positions relative to a vehicle mounting member  230  ( FIG. 9 ). As shown, each modular bracket  210   d  includes two support apertures  212   a ,  212   d , with one support aperture  212   a  serving as a pivot point about which modular bracket  210   d  can be rotated. Support aperture  212   d  can be used to secure modular bracket  210   d  in a desired position, as discussed hereinafter with regard to  FIG. 12C . Support aperture  212   d  is configured as a slot, wherein each point along a central axis bisecting the slot is equidistant from support aperture  212   a , that distance being equal to the pre-determined distance  216 , such that support aperture  212   d  forms an arc about support aperture  212   a.    
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows a pair of modular brackets  210   e  that are adjustable between four positions relative to a vertical mounting member  230  ( FIG. 9 ). As shown, each modular bracket  210   e  includes five support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  connected by a bracket channel  213 . Support aperture  212   a  engages an upper pivot pin  235  while support aperture  212   b  engages a lower pivot pin  235 , thereby determining the angle of the modular bracket  210   e  in the desired position, as discussed hereinafter with regard to  FIGS. 11A-11D . Each of the support apertures  212   b  is equidistant from support aperture  212   a , that distance being equal to the pre-determined distance  216  between the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  of modular bracket  212   a  ( FIG. 2 ). Similar to modular bracket  210   a , modular bracket  210   e  is configured to receive a shield  240  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ).  
         [0039]      FIGS. 7A-7C  show preferred embodiments of shelf support members  250   a - 250   c , respectively, configured for use with preferred embodiments of the modular food guard  120 . As shown, the left shelf support member  250   a  and the right shelf support member  250   c  each includes a shelf support groove  252 , a front-end cap  254 , and a rear end cap  256 . Preferably, the front-end cap  254  is configured such that is conforms closely to the surface of the vertical mounting member  230  ( FIG. 9 ) to which it is attached. As shown, the concave shape of the front-end cap  254  helps ensure the shelf support members can be securely mounted to the associated vertical mounting member  230 , which preferably has a circular cross section. The rear end cap  256  helps to maintain a shelf  258  ( FIG. 13A ) in its associated shelf support groove  252  by preventing rearward motion of the shelf  258  ( FIG. 13A ). The center shelf support member  250   b  includes a pair of shelf support grooves  252 , thereby enabling the center shelf support member  250   b  to support a pair of shelves  258 , one disposed on each side of the center shelf support member  250   b . Preferably, the shelf support members are removably connected to the vertical mounting member  230  using threaded fasteners (not shown).  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a preferred embodiment of a pair of shield cap assembly  242  including a shield cap  244 , a threaded stem  245 , a coped connector  247 , and an angled flange  248  having a pair of mounting apertures  249 . One of the mounting apertures  249  is utilized for mounting the angled flange  248  to a vertical mounting member  230  ( FIG. 9 ) while the other is utilized for attaching a shield  240  ( FIGS. 1A-1B ) to the angled flange  248 . Preferably, an insulator  241  and a washer  243  are used to prevent the shield cap  244  and threaded stem  245  from directly contacting the shield  240 , thereby preventing potential damage to the shield  240 . Preferably, threaded fasteners (not shown) are used to attach the angled flange  248  to the vertical mounting member  230 . Note the coped connector  247  can be placed between the angled flange  248  and the vertical mounting member  230  to ensure a stable mounting exists. As well, the angled flange  248  can be rotated such that the shield  240  is supported in a substantially vertical plane, or such that the shield  240  is supported in a substantially horizontal plane ( FIG. 14 ) and thereby functions as a shelf  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a vertical mounting member  230  for use with a preferred embodiment of the modular food guard  120 . The vertical mounting member  230  includes a base  232  and a plurality of support receptacles  234 . As shown, two pairs of support receptacles  234  are disposed on a first side of the vertical mounting member  230 , and the support receptacles  234  within each pair are separated by the pre-determined distance  216  separating corresponding support apertures on modular brackets  210   a - 210   e  ( FIGS. 2-6 , respectively). As such, modular brackets  210   a - 210   e  may all be interchangeably attached to the vertical mounting member  230 , preferably with threaded fasteners, such as pivot pins  235 . As well, the vertical mounting member  230  includes a number of individual support receptacles  234   a  positioned to receive shelf support members  250   a - c  ( FIGS. 7A-7C ). Preferably, the vertical mounting member  230  includes at least a pair of support receptacles  234  on a second side (not shown), typically opposite the first side, such that modular brackets  210   a - 210   e  can be supported opposite each other ( FIG. 13B ). Preferably, the support receptacles  234  can be used to secure shields  240  directly to the vertical mounting members  230  using threaded fasteners, such as shield caps  244  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ). Embodiments are envisioned wherein the vertical mounting members  230  have other than circular cross sections, such as square, rectangular, etc.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate the movement of the various parts of an adjustable four-position modular food guard  120 . The modular food guard  120  includes a pair of modular brackets  210   b  ( FIG. 3 ), a vertical-mounting member  230 , and a shield  240 . The shield  240  is attached to the modular bracket  210   b  via a plurality of shield cap assemblies  242 , minus the angled flange  248 . The modular bracket  210   b  engages the vertical-mounting member  230  by way of a plurality of pivot pins  235 . More specifically, the pivot pins  235  engage the modular bracket  210   b  through one or more support apertures  212 . The pivot pins  235  are attached to the vertical-mounting member  230  by engaging support receptacles  234  ( FIG. 9 ) that correspond to the support apertures  212 . As shown, the modular bracket  210   b  includes four support apertures  212   b  that can be used to secure the shield at angles of approximately zero degrees, thirty degrees, sixty degrees, and ninety degrees relative to the vertical mounting member  230 . The angle is changed by removing the pivot pin  235  disposed through one of the support apertures  212   b , rotating the shield  240  into the desired position such that a support aperture  212   b  is aligned with a support receptacle  234 , and re-engaging the support receptacle  234  with the pivot pin  235 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 10B and 10C  illustrate the modular food guard  120  after it has been moved into one of the intermediate positions. The angle chosen will depend upon the function the shield  240  will serve. To re-position the shelf  240  from the vertical position ( FIG.10A ), the lower pivot pin  235  is removed from the associated support receptacle  234  and support aperture  212   b . The shield  240  is then rotated into the desired position such that one of the support apertures  212   b  on each modular bracket  210   b  is aligned with a support receptacle  234 . Once in the desired position, the pivot pin  235  is passed through the support aperture  234  and inserted into the support receptacle  234 .  FIG. 10D  shows the shield  240  in the position at which the shield  240  is perpendicular to the vertical mounting member  230 . In this position, the shield  240  can function as a shelf  
         [0044]      FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate a cut out view of an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 11A-11D  illustrate the movement of the various parts of modular four-position food guard  120 . The modular food guard  120  includes a modular bracket  210   e , a vertical-mounting member  230 , and a shield  240 . The shield  240  is attached to the adjustable bracket  210   e  via a plurality of shield cap assemblies  242 , without the angled brackets  248 . The modular bracket  210   e  engages the vertical-mounting member  230  by way of a plurality of pivot pins  235 . More specifically, the pivot pins  235  engage the adjustable bracket  210   e  through a bracket channel  213 . The pivot pins  235  are attached to the vertical-mounting member  230  through the bracket channel  213 . In a preferred embodiment, the bracket channel  213  connects four support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  that can be engaged with the pivot pins  235 . In a preferred embodiment, support apertures  212   b  are at angles of about thirty, sixty, and ninety degrees from the substantially straight portion of the bracket channel  213 .  FIG. 11A  shows modular bracket  210   e  in the vertical position, wherein none of the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  are engaged by the pivot pins  235 . The adjustable bracket  210   e  can slide along the pivot pins  235  into the desired position and locked into position by the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b.    
         [0045]      FIG. 11B  illustrates the modular bracket  210   a  after it has been moved into a locked position of approximately thirty degrees relative to the vertical support member  230  using support apertures  212   a ,  212   b . More specifically, the modular bracket  210   e  slides along the pivot pins  235 , where the pivot pins  235  are engaged to the adjustable bracket  210   e  through the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b . The modular bracket  210   e  slides into a position such that an upper pivot pin  235  engages support aperture  212   a  and a lower pivot pin engages one of support apertures  212   b  so the shield  240  is in an angled position. A non-limiting illustrative example of the angle of the shield  240  (depicted in  FIG. 11B ) is about thirty degrees, but any other appropriate angle could be used. The support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  can be disengaged from the pivot pins  235  and the shield  240  slide back into the vertical position, as depicted in  FIG. 11A , or into another angled position, as depicted in  FIG. 11C  (sixty degrees) and  11 D (ninety degrees).  
         [0046]      FIGS. 12A-12C  illustrate embodiments of the modular food guard  120  wherein each vertical mounting member  230  is configured to support multiple modular brackets  210  and/or shields  240 . More specifically, multiple pairs of support receptacles  234  are disposed on the vertical mounting members  230 , further increasing the flexibility and ease with which the modular food guard  120  can be modified.  FIG. 12A  shows two shields  240  attached to the vertical mounting members  230  with adjustable modular brackets  210   b , as discussed with regard to  FIGS. 10A-10D . As such, both shields  240  can be secured in a number of different positions. As shown, the lower shield  240  functions as a shelf and the upper shield  240  functions as a “sneeze guard” for items placed on the lower shield  240 . The modular food guard  120  could be easily modified into a two-shelf configuration (not shown) by adjusting the upper shield  240  as discussed above with regard to  FIG. 9D . Extra pairs of support receptacles  234  disposed on the vertical mounting members  230  opposite the modular brackets  210   b  permit the modular food guard  120  to be expanded laterally with the addition of extra modular brackets  210 , shields  240 , etc.  
         [0047]      FIG. 12B  illustrates a similar embodiment of the modular food guard  120  to that shown in  FIG. 12A , with the exception of replacing the upper pair of modular brackets  210   b  ( FIG. 3 ) with the modular brackets  210   a  ( FIG. 2 ). The modular brackets  210   a  and  210   b  are interchangeable because a pre-determined distance  216 , as discussed with regard to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, separates the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  on both brackets. To interchange the modular brackets  210   a  and  210   b , an operator first removes the upper shield  240 . This is accomplished by removing the shield caps  244  that secure the shield  240  to the modular brackets  210   b . Next, the modular brackets  210   b  are removed by disengaging the pivot pins  235  from the support receptacles  234 . To install the modular brackets  210   a , the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  are aligned with the support receptacles  234  and the pivot pins  235  are disposed through the support apertures  212   a ,  212   b  and engage the support receptacles  234 . The shield  240  is attached to the modular brackets  210   a  with the shield caps assemblies  242 . Note, however, because modular bracket  210   a  has only two support apertures, it is not adjustable.  
         [0048]      FIG. 12C  illustrates a similar embodiment of the modular food guard  120  to that shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , with the exception of replacing the upper pair of modular brackets  210   b  and  210   a , respectively, with the modular brackets  210   d  ( FIG. 5 ). The modular brackets  210   d  are installed as discussed with regard to  FIGS. 12A and 12B . However, the modular brackets  210   d  include a slot-shaped support aperture  212   d , as discussed with regard to  FIG. 5 , and are therefore adjustable. To adjust the upper shield  240 , the pivot pin  235  disposed in the slot-shaped support aperture  212   d  is loosened such that the modular bracket  210   d  is free to rotate about the pivot pins  235  disposed in support apertures  212   a . Once the shield  240  is in the desired position, the loosened pivot pins  235  are re-tightened such that they engage the slot-shaped support aperture  212   d . Note, the slot-shaped support aperture  212   d  can be engaged by the pivot pins  235  at any point along its length, meaning the shield  240  can be secured in a large number of positions.  
         [0049]      FIG. 13A  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. The modular food guard  120  includes a pair of modular brackets  210   a  ( FIG. 2 ), a pair of vertical mounting members  230 , a shield  240 , a pair of shelf support members  250   a ,  250   b , and a shelf  258 . Each shelf support member  250   a ,  250   b  includes a front-end cap  254 , a rear end cap  256 , and a shelf support groove  252 , as discussed with regard to  FIGS. 7A-7C . The shelf support member  250   a ,  250   b  can be of unitary construction, but preferably, the noted elements are separate and connected by threaded fasteners (not shown). Preferably, the shelf support members  250   a ,  250   b  are attached to an associated vertical mounting member  230  by disposing a threaded fastener through an orifice in the front end cap  254  and engaging a support receptacle  234  disposed on the vertical mounting member  230 . After securing the shelf support members  250   a ,  250   b  to their respective vertical mounting members  230 , opposing ends of the shelf  258  are disposed in opposing shelf support grooves  252  on the shelf support members  250   a ,  250   b . Rearward motion of the shelf  258  within the shelf support grooves  252  is then prevented by threadably securing a rear end cap  256  to each shelf support member  250   a ,  250   b.    
         [0050]      FIG. 13B  illustrates the embodiment of the modular food guard  120  as shown in  FIG. 13A , with the addition of a third vertical mounting member  230   a , a pair of modular brackets  210   a , and a second shield  240   a.    
         [0051]      FIG. 14  illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a modular food guard  120  according to the present invention. As shown, the modular food guard  120  includes a vertical mounting member  230 , a shield  240 , a shelf  258 , and a plurality of shield cap assemblies  242 . Preferably, each shield cap assembly  242  includes a shield cap  244 , a threaded stem  245  ( FIG. 8 ), a coped connector  247 , and an angled flange  248 . As shown, the shield cap assembly  242  can be used to mount both shields  240  and shelves  258  to the vertical-mounting member  230 . To mount a shield  240  to the vertical mounting member  230 , apertures in the coped connector  247  and a first flange of the angled flange  248   a  are aligned with a support receptacle  234 . A threaded fastener is then passed through the apertures and threadably engaged in the support receptacle  234 . Prior to securing the angled flange  248   a  in the desired position, the operator should ensure the second flange of the angled flange  248   a  is substantially parallel to the plane of the shield  240 . Next, apertures in both the second flange and the shield  240  are aligned so that the threaded steam  245  can be passed therethrough and threadably engaged with the shield cap  244 .  
         [0052]     To mount a shelf  250  to the vertical-mounting member  230 , substantially the same procedure is followed as that discussed above with regard to mounting a shield  240 , with one exception. Prior to securing the angled flange  248   b  to the vertical mounting member  230  with the threaded fastener, the angled flange  248   b  is rotated such that the second flange is in a substantially horizontal disposition.  
         [0053]      FIG. 15  illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a modular food guard  120  according to the present invention. As shown, the modular food guard  120  includes a vertical mounting member  230 , a modular bracket  210   c , a shelf  258 , and a pair of shields  240   a  and  240   b . The side shield  240   a  is connected to the vertical-mounting member  230  using only the shield caps  244 , a threaded stem  245  and coped connectors  247  of the shield cap assemblies  242 . Preferably, the threads of the threaded fasteners, such as the pivot pins  235  and shield cap  244 , are the same so that they can be used interchangeably with the support receptacles  234 . Preferably, spacer element  251  is positioned between modular bracket  210   c  and vertical mounting member  230 . The spacer element  251  includes a concave side adjacent the vertical mounting member  230  and a substantially flat side adjacent the modular bracket  210   c . As such, the spacer element  251  allows the modular bracket  210   c  to be securely mounted to the vertical mounting member  230 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 16  illustrates a modular food guard  120  according to the present invention. As shown, the modular food guard  120  includes a plurality of shields  240  attached to a plurality of vertical mounting members  230  using shield cap assemblies. Note that the shields  240  do not lie along a single plane. This is the result if disposing the support receptacles  234  on each vertical mounting member such that the support receptacles  234  are not disposed directly opposite each other. The angle between adjacent shields  240  can be chosen by the placement of the support receptacles  234  on the-vertical-mounting members  230 .  
         [0055]     Although not shown, embodiments are envisioned wherein modular food guards  120  are mounted to vertical surfaces (i.e., walls). Also, embodiments are envisioned wherein modular food guards  120  extend downwardly from overhangs (i.e., ceilings).  
         [0056]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.