Patent Publication Number: US-7895953-B2

Title: Structural support for a food guard apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/730,218, filed Oct. 25, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of food guard apparatuses and methods of construction thereof, and more particularly to structural supports for food guard apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Food guard apparatuses, also sometimes referred to as food protectors, food shields, sneeze guards, food guards, breath shields, or counter protectors, are required by law to protect or cover open or exposed food in a public establishment with a panel, typically a transparent panel constructed of tempered glass or clear acrylic, so as to intercept the breath from the consumer. 
     Generally, the food guard apparatuses take one of two basic forms. First, the food guard can be constructed of a single vertical, transparent panel or food shield, which may or may not be connected to an upper shelf. Such design is typically used for stations where food is handed to a consumer by a server. Second, the food guard can be constructed of an angled transparent panel, with or without an upper shelf, as typically used with self-serving stations, salad bars, and buffets. 
     Such food protectors or food guard apparatuses typically have supporting structures, frames, and/or posts for supporting the food shield. Some such structures can include hollow tubing that is round, square, oval, elliptical, rectangular, slotted, notched or hexagonal shaped. Other such structures can include solid bars or rods having a round, square, oval, elliptical, rectangular or hexagonal shape. Still other such structures can include cable, chain, or wire, either suspended or tensioned to support the food shield. And still other support structures can be constructed of steel, aluminum, or stainless plate material having a substantial thickness of about a half-inch or more. 
     Additionally, the food guard apparatuses typically have a limited distance in between vertical supports, and thus, the transparent food shield cannot span long distances (such as spanning the length of long counters) without additional supports. Typically, ¼″, ⅜″, or ½″ tempered glass is the shielding material used for the transparent panels of the food guards. The limitation as to how far the tempered glass can span generally is dependent on the thickness of glass. For example, ¼ glass will typically deflect and bend over a 42″ span, whereas ⅜″ glass will typically deflect and bend over a 54″ span. Half inch tempered glass will typically deflect and bend over a 60″ inch span. This deflection or bowing of the glass can generally be alleviated by supporting the glass along its longitudinal plane or by adding center support structures. To support the glass along its longitudinal plane, typically a beam comprising a tubular structure, or a tubular square structure, having a minimum diameter of about 1 ½ inches is used. In some cases, the horizontal beam is 2 or 3 inches in diameter. Thus, the added horizontal beam can create a sort of “framing” around the glass, which can be unsightly and can block the view of the food being protected. 
     Fabrication of such structures, frames, and/or posts can be time-consuming and expensive. Also, some structures, frames, and posts have a handedness to them such that separate structures, frames and posts are fabricated depending on the position of the structure relative to the shield (i.e., left, right or center structures). Therefore, a need exists in the industry for an apparatus and method which would allow for inexpensive fabrication of structural supports for food guard apparatuses and which would avoid the handedness typically associated with such supports. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an example form, the present invention is a structural support for a food guard apparatus. The structural support has first and second spaced apart sheet-like arms coupled together with at least one spacer positioned between the sheet-like arms. The first and second sheet-like arms are securely connected to each other or to the at least one spacer to form a substantially rigid structure. Preferably, the at least one spacer includes a plurality of spacers. The structural support can have a variety of sizes and shapes, including shapes in the form of an elongated post, a logo, and an alphanumeric character such as a generally elongated A-shape, a generally oblique T-shape, and a generally L-shape. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for supporting a food guard. The apparatus includes a first thin panel and a second thin panel spaced apart from the first thin panel by a plurality of connectors. The first and second thin panels are securely connected to the connectors or to each other to form a substantially rigid support for the food guard. Preferably, the plurality of connectors space apart the first and second thin panels a distance which is at least an order of magnitude greater than the thickness of the thin panels. Also preferably, each sheet-like arm has a thickness of about 0.020 inch to about 0.125 inch. The apparatus can have a variety of sizes and shapes. Exemplary shapes include an elongated frame, a logo, and an alphanumeric character such as a generally elongated A-shape, a generally oblique T-shape, and a generally L-shape. 
     In another aspect, the invention is a food guard apparatus comprising a transparent panel, first and second vertical structural supports for supporting the transparent panel, and a horizontal brace which spans the distance between the first and second vertical structural supports and securely attaches to both vertical supports and the transparent panel. Each vertical structural support preferably includes first and second spaced apart sheet-like arms and a plurality of spacers positioned between the sheet-like arms. The first and second sheet-like arms are securely connected to each other or to the plurality of spacers to form a substantially rigid structure for supporting the transparent panel. The horizontal brace preferably includes first and second spaced apart thin panels and a plurality of connectors positioned between the thin panels. The first and second thin panels are securely connected to each other or to the plurality of connectors to form a substantially rigid structure for supporting the transparent panel. The horizontal brace is securely attached to the transparent panel at a point that is approximately the midpoint between the distance between the two vertical supports. 
     Advantageously, the structural supports of the present invention provide a rigid support structure for a food guard apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture. By coupling a pair of sheet-like arms together with a plurality of spacers to form a rigid support, the amount of material for the support is decreased, which in turn decreases the cost of the support. Moreover, the manufacturing of the supports is simplified, as the sheet-like arms can be laser cut, for example, from sheet material and then assembled together with a plurality of spacers and fasteners. Additionally, such sheet-like arm design can eliminate the handedness typically associated with conventional supports posts for food guard apparatuses. Moreover, the structural supports can have shapes that allow them to be used for multiple functions (such as a shape that provides support for both a vertical shield and shelf in one embodiment and provides support for an angled shield in another). 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of structural supports having sheet-like panels in accordance with a first preferred form of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C are schematic views of how the sheet-like panels of the structural supports of  FIG. 1  can be attached to one another, with a spacer positioned therebetween. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of structural supports in accordance with a second preferred form of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of structural supports in accordance with a third preferred form of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of structural supports in accordance with a fourth preferred form of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the structural supports of  FIG. 5  in another orientation. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of structural supports in accordance with a fifth preferred form of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a food guard apparatus supported by a pair of vertical supports and a horizontal support in accordance with a sixth preferred form of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a food guard apparatus  10  is shown according to principles of the present invention. The food guard apparatus  10  includes two structural supports, posts, or members  12  and  14  for supporting a food shield or panel  16 . The food shield  16  can be a transparent or substantially transparent panel constructed of tempered glass, Plexiglas, or clear acrylic, for example, and such food shields are generally well known in the industry. 
     The support  14  includes elements substantially similar to those of the support  12 , and thus only the support  12  will be described herein. The support  12  includes sheet-like arms or thin panels  18  and  20  spaced apart by one or more spacers, cross pins, connectors, or ribs,  22 . Preferably, four or more spacers  22  space apart each pair of sheet-like arms  18  and  20 , although those skilled in the art will understand that any number of spacers, including one, two, three, four, or more spacers can be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. The sheet-like arms  18  and  20  can be securely connected to each other with, for example, conventional fasteners or fastening techniques, such that the spacers  22  function much like washers. Alternatively, the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  are securely connected to the spacers  22  by, for example, metal adhesives, welding, soldering, mechanical fastening, or other conventional fastening techniques or fasteners. 
       FIG. 2A  schematically shows how the sheet-like panels  18  and  20  can be attached to one another, with the spacer  22  positioned therebetween, and this construction is typical throughout the supports  12  and  14 . The panels and the spacers bear fastener holes for receiving fasteners. One such fastener is shown in  FIG. 2A  as a screw  23 A and a corresponding nut  23 B. The screw  23 A and nut  23 B are inserted through a smooth bore  21  of a rigid spacer  22  and securely fasten the panels to each other, forming a rigid sandwich assembly with the spacer flanked by the panels. Here the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  are shown to be sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel sheet metal, and the spacers  22  are shown as being constructed of a rod of material substantially similar to the sheet metal of the sheet-like arms  18  and  20 . For example, the spacer  22  can be a rod of aluminum or stainless steel. Those skilled in the art will understand that metals and other rigid materials can be used for the spacer  22 . Alternatively, the spacers  22  can be constructed of a resilient element, such as plastic, wood, or rubber. Moreover, while  FIG. 2A  depicts the panels as fastened to each other about the spacer,  FIG. 2B  depicts the panels as fastened each to the spacer. As shown in  FIG. 2B , tapered screws  27  can be threaded through the sheet-like arms  18  and  22  and into the spacer  22 , thereby securing the panels to the spacer. Alternatively as shown in  FIG. 2C , the panels  18  and  20  can be fastened to the spacer  22  by a pair of machine screws that are threaded into a threaded bore  21  of the spacer  22 , thereby securing the panels to each other. 
     Preferably, the plurality of spacers  22  space apart the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  a distance which is at least an order of magnitude greater than the thickness of the sheet-like arms. Preferably, the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  are spaced apart by about one inch. Those skilled in the art will understand that such spacing is exemplary and that the spacing can be smaller or larger. For example, the spacing between the arms  18  and  20  can be about a half of an inch to about several feet. 
     Preferably, each sheet-like arm  18  and  20  is constructed from a durable sheet material, such as but not limited to, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum sheet metal, or plate material. The thickness of the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  can vary, and in one embodiment, the thickness of the sheet-like material can be about 0.020 of an inch to about 0.50 of an inch. Preferably, in an exemplary embodiment, the thickness is about 0.050 to about 0.25 of an inch, although the thickness can be larger or smaller. Most preferably, the thickness is about 0.050 to about 0.125 of an inch thick. When the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  are connected together with the spacers  22 , the sheet-like arms form a rigid support  12  that resists buckling and bending in the horizontal direction. 
     The support  12  also includes at least one, and preferably, a plurality of mounting assemblies  24  to mount the shield  16  to the support. As shown in the drawings, two mounting assemblies  24  are used to connect the food shield  16  to the support  12 , although those skilled in the art will understand that any number of mounting assemblies can be used. Preferably, each mounting assembly  24  is located at a spacer so that the mounting assembly is securely fastened to both sheet-like arms  18  and  20 . Preferably, each mounting assembly  24  includes a mounting bracket  26  attached to both sheet-like arms  18  and  20  and a fastener  28  extending therethrough for securely attaching the shield  16  to the mounting bracket of the support. Preferably, the mounting bracket  26  is constructed of the same or similar material as the material of the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  so as to maintain uniformity in the appearance of the food guard apparatus  10 . However, those skilled in the art will understand that various other durable materials can be used for the mounting bracket. The fasteners  28  can be removable fasteners, such as bolts, screws and the like. Alternatively, the shield  16  can be fastened to the support with a more permanent fastening technique such as gluing and bonding. Those skilled in the art will understand that various mounting assemblies, brackets, fasteners, and fastening techniques, including those described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0047086 of Matus, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes, can be employed as well without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     The supports  12  and  14  can be coupled with conventional bracketing or feet  30 , and secured to a counter, floor, wall, ceiling, or food tray, so as to construct a frame for the food guard apparatus  10 . Exemplary feet are shown in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0150388 of Matus, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes, although those skilled in the art will understand that various other feet or bracketing can be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various fasteners and fastening techniques can be used to secure the supports  12  and  14  of the food guard apparatus  10  to a support surface, with or without feet for the supports, and still be within the scope of the present invention. Thus, the sandwiched support structure of the sheet-like arms  18  and  20  and the spacers  22 , coupled with a number of mounting assemblies  24  and a transparent panel or a food shield  16  thereby form the food guard apparatus  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the supports  12  and  14  can have various shapes and sizes.  FIG. 1  shows generally straight or linear elongated sheet-like arms that form a generally rectangular shaped support  12  for supporting a vertical food shield.  FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the support  112 . The support  112  has generally oblique T-shaped sheet-like arms  118  and  120  for supporting an angled food shield  16 .  FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of the support  212 . The support  212  has generally L-shaped sheet-like arms  218  and  220  for supporting the vertical food shield  16 , as well as a horizontal food shield  17 .  FIG. 5  shows a generally elongated A-shaped support  312  having arms  318  and  320  for supporting a vertical food shield  16 .  FIG. 6  shows a plurality of the generally elongated A-shape supports  312  of  FIG. 4  rearranged to support a plurality of food shields.  FIG. 7  shows a generally elongated A-shaped support  412  having arms  418  and  420  for supporting an upright food shield  16  along with a curved extender  440  for supporting a horizontal food shield  17 . 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that such shapes depicted in  FIGS. 1-7  are merely exemplary and that the supports  12  and  14  can have any of a variety of shapes. For example, the supports can have a shape resembling an alphanumeric character or other character such as, but not limited to, a character in a foreign language. Alternatively, the supports can have a shape in the form of a company logo. For example, the shape depicted in  FIG. 5  could be the shape of a logo for a particular company. Moreover, the supports can have shapes resembling geometric shapes or any other object. Or, the supports can be generally elongated supports, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , with voids therein. The voids can take the form of letters or words (such as company names or other phrases), logos, or any other ornamental design. 
       FIG. 8  shows a food guard apparatus  410  supported by a pair of vertical supports  112  and  114  and a horizontal brace or support  450  according to a sixth preferred form of the present invention. The horizontal brace  450  spans the distance between the two vertical supports  112  and  114  and connects to both vertical supports. The horizontal brace  450  includes two sheet-like arms  452  and  454  spaced apart by a plurality of spacers  456 . The sheet-like arms  452  and  454  and the spacers  456  of the horizontal brace  450  are constructed of materials substantially similar to those of the vertical supports and are constructed in the same or similar manner as that of the vertical support so as to maintain a uniformity in look. In the depicted embodiment, the horizontal brace  450  has a slight curve in shape, but those skilled in the art will understand that straight braces and braces of other shapes and sizes can be used as well. Additionally, the horizontal brace  450  preferably does not substantially block the view of the food being protected by the shield  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the food shield  16  defines a longitudinal axis  458  extending therethrough. Preferably, the horizontal brace  450  is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  458  and attaches to both vertical supports  112  and  114  as well as attaches to the food shield  16  at a point  460  that is approximately the midpoint between the two vertical supports with one or more fasteners  462 . However, those skilled in the art will realize the connection point to the glass does not have to be the midpoint, as the connection point can be anywhere along the length of the brace  450 . Moreover, the brace  450  may connect to the shield  16  at more than one point. Those skilled in the art will understand that the brace  450  can have various other configurations and can be attached at various points on the shield  16  and vertical supports  112  and  114 . Moreover, those skilled in the art will further understand how and where to connect the horizontal brace  450  to the transparent shield  16  and to the vertical supports  112  and  114  so as to provide adequate support, which minimizes or eliminates deflection or bending in the glass. 
     The fasteners  462  can be removable fasteners, such as bolts, screws and the like. Alternatively, the shield  16  can be fastened to the brace  450  with a more permanent fastening technique such as gluing and bonding. Those skilled in the art will understand that various mounting assemblies, brackets, fasteners, and fastening techniques can be employed as well without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.