Patent ID: 8308249

Claim:
A convertible food guard system comprising: a support structure configured to mechanically couple to a food service countertop; at least one main viewing panel; an adjustable mechanism mechanically coupled to the support structure and to the at least one main viewing panel, wherein the adjustable mechanism is adjustable from at least a first position to at least a second position and from the at least a second position to the at least a first position, and wherein adjustment of the adjustable mechanism from the first position to the second position adjusts the main viewing panel from a cafeteria mode position to a buffet mode position, and wherein adjustment of the adjustable mechanism from the second position to the first position adjusts the main viewing panel from the buffet mode position to the cafeteria mode position; at least a first adjustment mechanism component mechanically coupled to the support structure on a first side of the support structure; and at least a first adjustable side panel mechanically coupled to the first adjustment mechanism component in an adjustable arrangement that allows the first adjustable side panel to move substantially horizontally relative to the support structure from a forward position to a rearward position, and vice versa, wherein when the main viewing panel is in the cafeteria mode position, the first adjustable side panel is positionable in the rearward position such that a leading edge of the first adjustable side panel is generally aligned with a leading edge of the main viewing panel, and wherein when the main viewing panel is in the buffet mode position, the first adjustable side panel is positionable in the forward position such that the leading edge of the first adjustable side panel is generally aligned with the leading edge of the main viewing panel, and wherein if the support structure is mechanically coupled to the food service countertop, a certain gap distance between the first adjustable side panel and the food service countertop is substantially maintained when the first adjustable side panel is positioned at the forward and rearward positions.