U.S. patent application number 09/834176 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for convertible food merchandising counter construction and method.
Invention is credited to Dewitt, C. Wayne, Hodges, Franklin Dwight, Lauer, Timothy G..
Application Number | 20020043906 09/834176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26892767 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020043906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dewitt, C. Wayne ; et
al. |
April 18, 2002 |
Convertible food merchandising counter construction and method
Abstract
A counter construction for merchandising prepared foods
comprises a support fitted with and extending above the counter and
an elongated sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means
above the counter top. The sneeze guard is extensible into and out
of the counter to permit the assembly to be raised and lowered
relative to the counter top, permitting both full service and
self-service modes of operation. The sneeze guard assembly further
includes other features, including an illuminating light, a shelf
and an advertising/accent panel, all of which are carried by the
sneeze guard assembly.
Inventors: |
Dewitt, C. Wayne;
(Jacksonville, FL) ; Hodges, Franklin Dwight;
(Jacksonville, FL) ; Lauer, Timothy G.; (Orange
Park, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
255 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1401
P.O. Box 3791
Orlando
FL
32802-3791
US
|
Family ID: |
26892767 |
Appl. No.: |
09/834176 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60197355 |
Apr 13, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 2010/065 20130101;
A47F 9/00 20130101; A47F 3/007 20130101; A47F 10/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/137 |
International
Class: |
A47F 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A counter construction for merchandising prepared foods, the
construction comprising: a counter having a bottom adapted to rest
upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending upwardly
from the bottom, the counter further including an upper serving
counter top adapted to receive food retaining means; support means
fitted with and extending above the counter; and an elongated
sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending
above the counter top, the sneeze guard assembly including a
unitary member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary
member, the transparent panel extending to a height and in a
direction relative to the counter top which permits the transparent
panel to function as a sneeze guard, the sneeze guard assembly
further including at least one of a light, a shelf and an
advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
2. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze
guard assembly comprises both a light and a shelf fitted to the
unitary member.
3. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze
guard assembly comprises both a light and an advertising/accent
panel fitted to the unitary member.
4. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze
guard assembly comprises both a shelf and an advertising/accent
panel fitted to the unitary member.
5. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the sneeze
guard assembly comprises all of a light, a shelf, and an
advertising/accent panel fitted to the unitary member.
6. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary
member comprises an extrusion defining at least one internal
channel and plural special purpose channels facing outwardly
relative to the interior channel, a first one of the
outwardly-facing channels shaped and dimensioned to receive and
support an interior end of the transparent sneeze guard panel, and
a second outwardly-facing channel shaped and dimensioned to receive
one of a light, a shelf, an advertising/accent panel and a mounting
plate.
7. The counter construction recited in claim 6 further comprising
means for releasably locking the interior end of the transparent
panel within the first outwardly-facing channel.
8. The counter construction recited in claim 7 wherein the
releasably locking means comprises: plural elongated mullions, each
having a first end dimensioned to extend into the first
outwardly-facing channel and a second end dimensioned to extend
away from the unitary member; means along the second end of each
mullion for supporting the transparent panel; and a riser on one
and a corresponding groove on the other of the first
outwardly-facing channel and the interior end of each mullion, the
riser and groove releasably locking each mullion within the first
outwardly-facing channel.
9. The counter construction recited in claim 7 wherein the
releasably locking means comprises a sealing strip along an
interior edge of the transparent sneeze guard panel, the sealing
strip dimensioned to retain the interior end of the transparent
panel within the first outwardly-facing channel.
10. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises a light-retention channel with
light fixture means positioned therein, the light-retention channel
positioned and dimensioned such that a light therein will
illuminate the counter top.
11. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises a shelf-retention channel with a
shelf having a shelf stanchion extending into the shelf-retention
channel.
12. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises an advertising/accent retention
channel above the first outwardly-facing channel, with an
advertising/accent strip positioned in the second channel.
13. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises a mounting plate retention
channel with a mounting plate releasably contained therein, with
the mounting plate fitted to the support means.
14. The counter construction recited in claim 6 wherein the unitary
member comprises the second and a third outwardly-facing channel,
including: a light-retention channel with light fixture means
positioned therein, the light-retention channel positioned and
dimensioned to illuminate the counter top; and a mounting plate
retention channel with a mounting plate releasably contained
therein, the mounting plate fixed to the support means.
15. The counter construction recited in claim 14 further comprising
a fourth outwardly-facing channel comprising a shelf-retention
channel with shelves having a shelf stanchion extending into the
shelf-retention channel.
16. The counter construction recited in claim 15 further comprising
a fifth outwardly-facing channel comprising an advertising/accent
retention channel above the first outwardly-facing channel, with an
advertising/accent strip positioned in the second channel.
17. The counter construction recited in claim 1 wherein the support
means is extensible into and out of the counter, thereby permitting
the sneeze guard assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the
counter top.
18. A counter construction for selectively merchandising prepared
foods in either a full-service mode or a self-service mode, the
construction comprising: a counter having a bottom adapted to rest
upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending upwardly
from the bottom, the counter further including an upper serving
counter top adapted to receive food retaining means; support means
carried by and extensible into and out of the counter; an elongated
sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending
above the counter top, the sneeze guard assembly including a
unitary member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary
member, the transparent panel extending to a height and in a
direction relative to the counter top which permits the transparent
panel to function as a sneeze guard; and wherein extension of the
support means into and out of the counter permits the sneeze guard
assembly to be raised and lowered relative to the counter top.
19. The counter construction recited in claim 18 wherein the
unitary member comprises an extrusion defining plural channels,
including a first outwardly-facing channel shaped and dimensioned
to receive and support an interior end of the transparent sneeze
guard panel, and a second outwardly-facing channel shaped and
dimensioned to receive one of a light, a shelf, an
advertising/accent panel and a mounting plate.
20. The counter construction recited in claim 19 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises means in combination with
locking tabs for coupling together end-to-end lengths of the
extruded unitary member.
21. The counter construction recited in claim 20 wherein the second
outwardly-facing channel comprises a shelf retention channel
dimensioned to receive a shelf having a shelf stanchion extending
into the shelf-retention channel.
22. A method for constructing and using a modular counter for
merchandising food in either a full-service mode or a self-service
mode, the method comprising: constructing a counter having an upper
counter top with food retaining means therein; fitting the counter
with support means and a sneeze guard assembly carried by the
support means, the sneeze guard assembly including a transparent
panel; dimensioning the sneeze guard assembly and the transparent
panel such that the panel extends to a height and in a direction
relative to the counter top so as to permit the transparent panel
to function as a sneeze guard; constructing the sneeze guard
assembly and the support means such that the sneeze guard assembly
may be raised or lowered in relation to the counter top; and
wherein the sneeze guard assembly may be raised when the counter is
to be used in a self-service mode and may be lowered when the
counter is to be used in a full-service mode.
23. The method recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of:
constructing the sneeze guard assembly with an elongated unitary
extrusion; and supporting the transparent panel with the unitary
extrusion.
24. The method recited in claim 23 further comprising the step of
fitting the elongated unitary extrusion with lighting means for
illuminating food in the food retaining means.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This nonprovisional application claims the priority date of
copending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/197,355filed
on Apr. 13, 2000, which is incorporated into this application by
reference. The benefit of its earlier filing date is claimed under
37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.78(a)(4).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to counter constructions and
methods for displaying and merchandising prepared food products in
restaurants, supermarkets and similar facilities.
[0003] A variety of construction techniques have been employed in
the past for counters useful in displaying and merchandising
prepared foods. Generally, when the foods are to be "self-served"
(i.e., placed on a plate or tray by the consumer) local and state
regulations require that a sneeze guard panel be installed between
the consumer and the food products. Examples of prior art sneeze
guard constructions are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:
3,847,250 to Sherrill; 4,013,880 to Kennedy et al; 4,208,972 to
Arend et al; and 4,892,366 to Yerman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This present invention is directed to a convertible food
merchandising counter construction and method which provides a
significant degree of flexibility to the food retailer. In
particular, a food merchandising counter construction and method in
accordance with this invention permits the food retailer to use a
single counter construction for merchandising prepared foods in
either a full service mode (with the merchandiser's employees
removing the food from the food receptacles) or in the self-service
mode described above. Additional flexibility in the food
merchandiser's options are present when the counter construction
and method of the present invention is used together with a "Hot
and Cold Food Storage and Display Apparatus and Method of
Manufacture" as disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/577,450 filed on May 24, 2000, the specification and
drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Application
Ser. No. 09/577,450 is co-owned by the assignee of this
application.
[0005] The ability to operate in either the full service mode or
the self-service mode is achieved in the counter construction of
the present invention using a counter having a bottom adapted to
rest upon a support surface, opposing sides and ends extending
upwardly from the bottom, with the counter including an upper
serving counter top adapted to receive food retaining means. The
counter construction includes support means fitted with and
extending above the counter and further includes an elongated
sneeze guard assembly carried by the support means and extending
above the counter top. The sneeze guard assembly includes a unitary
member and a transparent panel retained by the unitary member, with
the transparent panel extending to a height and in a direction
relative to the counter top which permits the transparent panel to
function as a sneeze guard. In accordance with the present
invention, the sneeze guard assembly further includes at least one
of a light, a shelf, and an advertising/accent panel fitted to the
unitary member.
[0006] In a preferred form of the construction for the sneeze guard
assembly, the unitary member comprises an extrusion defining at
least one internal channel and plural special purpose channels
facing outwardly relative to the interior channel. A first one of
the outwardly-facing channels is shaped and dimensioned to receive
and support an interior end of the transparent sneeze guard panel,
and a second of the outwardly-facing channels is shaped and
dimensioned to receive one of a light, a shelf, an
advertising/accent panel and a mounting plate. In a specific
arrangement, the unitary extrusion member is fitted with all of
these features: a light facing downwardly toward the counter top to
illuminate food in the retaining means; a shelf fitted across the
top of the unitary extrusion member on a side opposite the light;
an advertising/accent panel fitted above the transparent panel; and
a mounting plate on a side opposite the advertising/accent panel
and the transparent panel for attachment with the support
means.
[0007] Other specific features form a part of the preferred counter
construction of this invention. These include but are not limited
to a means for releasably locking the interior end of the
transparent panel with the first outwardly-facing channel in a
manner which permits the transparent panel to be easily engaged and
disengaged from the unitary extrusion member. In one form, the
releasably locking means comprises plural elongated mullions each
having a first end dimensioned to extend into the first
outwardly-facing channel and a second end dimensioned to extend
away from the unitary member. Each mullion includes means at the
second end thereof for supporting the transparent panel. A riser on
one and a corresponding groove on the other of the first
outwardly-facing channel and the interior end of each mullion forms
a mechanism for releasably locking each mullion within the first
channel.
[0008] In an alternate form, the transparent panel may be
releasably locked into the first, outwardly-facing channel through
the use of a sealing strip at the interior edge of the transparent
panel.
[0009] As discussed above, the counter construction of the present
invention is useful in both full and self-service modes. To achieve
this, means are provided for extending the sneeze guard upwardly or
downwardly as desired by the food merchandiser. In one arrangement,
this is achieved by the use of extensible posts as the support
means, with the posts extending through the counter top and being
lockable in different positions so as to change the height of the
sneeze guard assembly above the counter top.
[0010] The flexibility of the counter construction of the present
invention is increased by the use of the unitary extrusion member
as a means for forming end-to-end angular connections with adjacent
unitary extrusion members, to thereby create a non-linear sneeze
guard assembly useful for food merchandising installations having a
variety of counter configurations, such as "island style"
arrangement or the like. Examples of such configurations are shown
in the "New Renaissance" promotional brochure of Load King
Manufacturing Company, the assignee of this invention, which
brochure is incorporated into this application by reference. Such
non-linear sneeze guard assembly constructions are achieved in
accordance with the present invention by using locking tabs which
extend into one of the outwardly-facing channels in the end-to-end
sections of the unitary extrusion member.
[0011] Many other modifications and improvements are described
further below with reference to the drawing and detailed
description set out next.
THE DRAWING
[0012] FIG. 1 is a right side front perspective view of a counter
construction in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of the counter construction
shown in FIG. 1 with the bottom portion of the counter cut away,
and with certain aspects of the invention illustrated with dotted
lines.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sneeze guard
assembly of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion
member incorporated into the sneeze guard assembly of FIGS. 1, 2
and 3, taken along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sneeze guard
assembly of FIG. 1, taken along the line 5-5.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an alternate
embodiment of the sneeze guard assembly shown in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of a portion
of the sneeze guard assembly, illustrating details of the lighting
fixture feature.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion
member shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating certain aspects of the 15--
lighting fixture feature.
[0020] FIGS. 9 and 10 are partially cut away perspective views of
the sneeze guard assembly further illustrating details of the
lighting fixture feature.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a partially cut away perspective view of the
sneeze guard assembly, showing details of the mounting plate and
support post features.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side view of the portion of the sneeze guard
assembly shown in FIG. 11, further illustrating details of the
mounting plate and support post features.
[0023] FIGS. 13 and 14 are side views, and FIG. 15 is a partially
cut away perspective view, showing details of the feature for
releasably locking the mullion and transparent panel into
place.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a partially cut away side view of the
advertising/accent panel feature.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a partially cut away side view of the sneeze
guard assembly, illustrating the top shelf feature.
[0026] FIGS. 18-21 are top plan views of the releasable locking tab
feature which permits end-to-end joinder of adjacent sections of
the unitary extrusion member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A preferred embodiment of the counter construction and
method of the present invention will now be described with
reference to the drawing.
[0028] First noting FIGS. 1 and 2, the counter construction is
referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a
counter 12 having a bottom 14 adapted to rest upon a support
surface such as the floor of a restaurant or supermarket, for
example. The counter 12 further includes opposing ends 16, 18
extending upwardly from the bottom 14 and opposing sides 20, 22
extending upwardly from the bottom 14 and between the opposing ends
16, 18. The counter 12 further includes a counter top 24 having a
plurality of food retaining means extending therein, such as
serving trays 26. As discussed above, the serving trays 26 may be
adapted to dispense prepared foods in either a hot or cold state,
in accordance with the aforementioned application Ser. No.
09/577,450.
[0029] A pair of support posts 34, 36 extend through the counter 12
and the counter top 24, and are mounted with corresponding hardware
28, 29 so as to be extensible into and out of the counter 12 as
depicted by arrow 48 in FIGS. 1 and 2. With specific reference to
FIG. 2, reference numeral 36A depicts the support post 36 in the
upper, extended position while reference numeral 36B depicts the
support post 36 in the retracted position. It will of course be
understood that a variety of techniques may be employed to achieve
the raising and lowering of the sneeze guard assembly 30; by way of
example, a telescoping technique may be used.
[0030] The counter construction 10 further comprises a sneeze guard
assembly referred to generally in the drawing using reference
numeral 30. In accordance with this invention, the sneeze guard
assembly 30 employs a unitary extrusion member 32 which is
supported by upright support posts 34, 36 in a manner which is
described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5, 11 and
12. End caps 38, 40 are fitted at opposite ends of the unitary
extrusion member 32, and plural mullions 42 are releasably locked
with the extrusion member 32 in a manner described below with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 13-15. The mullions 42 support a
transparent sneeze guard panel 44 which comprises either an acrylic
or glass. The exterior edge of the transparent panel 44 is fitted
with an edge trim 46.
[0031] As is shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the counter
construction 10 may be utilized in a self-service mode with the
support posts 34, 36 extended in the elevated position 36A relative
to the counter top 24; in this mode, customers may engage in self
service of the prepared foods within the trays 26 by reaching under
the transparent sneeze guard panel 44. However, if the retailer
wishes to dispense the prepared food products in a full service
environment using an employee to remove the food from the tray, the
support posts 34, 36 may be retracted inside of the counter 12 so
as to lower the sneeze guard assembly 30, as shown by dotted lines
in FIG. 2 in position 36B. In this mode, the ability of the
customer to reach the food product is restricted.
[0032] Reference is now made to the exploded view of FIG. 3, which
is useful in identifying the various additional features and
elements of the sneeze assembly 30, which features and elements are
described in great detail below with reference to FIGS. 5-17.
Additional elements shown in FIG. 3 include a light channel plate
31 which extends the length of the sneeze guard assembly 30 in
order to cover the electrical wires running between light fixtures
39. Plates 41 cover portions of the light fixtures 39 against
possible shock hazard. Advertising/accent strip 43 is mountable to
the unitary extrusion member 32 as described further below.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross section of one embodiment of the unitary
extrusion member 32, which contains risers, walls, tabs, grooves,
indents and flanges identified with both odd and even reference
numerals in FIG. 4 from wall 52 to alignment groove 110 to form a
single interior channel and five outwardly-facing special purpose
channels extending along the length of the unitary extrusion
member. By way of example, the extrusion member may be fabricated
of aluminum although other materials are suitable.
[0034] The six channels are identified by reference numerals A, B,
C, D, E and F in FIG. 4 and have the following functions:
[0035] A - light fixture channel
[0036] B - inner wire channel
[0037] C - sneeze guard and mullion support channel
[0038] D - advertising sign/accent strip channel
[0039] E - shelving and connector channel
[0040] F - post mounting plate channel
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, lighting fixture channel A is defined by
walls 82, 86 and 96 and includes indent 83 and flange 94 adapted to
engage the lighting fixture cover plates 41. Flanges 84 and 100
together with tab 102 are dimensioned to engage the channel plate
31 and an optional lens cover (not shown). Interior channel B is
defined by walls 54, 62, 72, 86 and 96, and is designed to act as a
channel for electrical wiring serving the lighting fixtures 39. The
sneeze guard/mullion channel C is defined by walls 62, 70 and 72
and includes riser 74 dimensioned to engage a groove 75 in the
mullion 42 (FIGS. 13-14) for purposes of releasably locking the
mullion into the channel C. The walls 70, 62 and 72 define a narrow
back chamber 73 which engages the interior end of the mullion 42
(again referring to FIGS. 13-15). The advertising/accent strip
channel D is defined by walls 60, 64 and 70, and flanges 66, 68 so
as to hold advertising/accent strip 43 in channel D as shown in
greater detail at FIGS. 5 and 16. Shelf mounting channel E is
defined by channel sides 56, 58 and wall 54 for purposes of
supporting a shelf 49 and shelf stanchion 50 (FIGS. 5 and 17). The
bottom portion of channel E also receives locking tab 114 as
described with reference to FIGS. 18-21. Mounting plate channel F
is defined by wall 96 and flanges 98, 108, and is dimensioned to
receive mounting plates 35, 37 which are attached by fasteners 47
extending through fastener guide 104 (see both FIGS. 4 and 5). The
unitary extrusion member 32 further includes additional screw
locator grooves 55, 88 and 92, screw holes 65, 78 and 110,
alignment slots 80 and 106 and a second recess 90 for locking tab
116 (FIGS. 18-21). Recess 90 also serves as a wiring through for
conductors 112 between adjacent light fixtures 39. An unnumbered
recess at the inside of channel D also is available to receive a
locking tab if needed for structural integrity.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the unitary extrusion
member 32 as it is incorporated into the sneeze guard assembly 30.
In this cross-sectional view, the placement of channel plate 31,
lighting fixtures 39 and cover plates 41 relative to the various
portions of the extrusion member 32 can be seen, together with
flourescent light tubes 51 which extend along a portion of the
length of the elongated extrusion member 32 between light fixtures
39. The mounting plate 35 is positioned against wall 96 of the
extrusion 32, and is attachable with fasteners 47 extending into
screw groove 104. Shelf 49 with corresponding stanchion 50 extends
into channel E, as previously described. Advertising/accent strip
43 is positioned within channel D, and mullions 42 are fixed in
channel C, with the interior end of the mullion positioned in
chamber 73.
[0043] An alternate form of construction for the transparent sneeze
guard panel 44 is shown in FIG. 6; in this arrangement, mullions
are not employed. Instead, the transparent panel 44 (which in this
example preferably comprises a non-breakable acrylic) is provided
with a sealing strip 74A at the interior edge of the panel, so as
to be lockable within chamber 73.
[0044] Additional details of the counter construction 10 will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 7-17; however, occasional
reference back to FIGS. 1-5 will assist in understanding these
details.
[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover plates 41 are
attached with the unitary extrusion member 32 in a facile manner by
first extending one side of each plate underneath tab 94 and then
pushing the other side into slot 83. Fasteners may then be extended
through the fixture 39 and cover plate 41 into screw groove 88
(FIG. 8). Thereafter, the light channel plate 31 may be pushed into
place by engaging tab 102 and flanges 84, 100, as shown in FIGS. 9
and 10. It will of course be appreciated that the electrical wiring
112 may be passed through the support posts 34, 36 so as to prevent
any potential electrical hazard to customers or employees.
[0046] Now noting FIGS. 11 and 12, the mounting plates 35, 37 may
be attached into extrusion channel F by engagement under flanges
100, 108 and extension of fasteners through each mounting plate
into screw groove 104.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the mullions 42 provide a means for
releasably locking the interior end of the transparent panel 44
within channel C. This is accomplished using riser 74 within
channel C and groove 75 on the underside of the interior end of
each mullion 42. By extending that interior end of each mullion 42
into chamber 73, the groove 75 is engaged with riser 74 to lock
each mullion 42 in place. Each mullion 42 includes a U-shaped
bracket 45 at the exterior end thereof, which engages the edge
strip 46 of the transparent panel 44. It will thus be understood
from a review of FIGS. 5 and 13-15 that the mullions 42 may be
initially releasably locked into place, and then the transparent
panel 44 are mounted onto the mullions in a rapid, facile manner by
pushing the interior end of the panel 44 into the channel C, and
then sliding the panel 44 forwardly into engagement with the
brackets 45.
[0048] As was discussed above, the use of the unitary extrusion
member 32 permits a counter construction 10 which employs a sneeze
guard assembly 30 in a construction other than just along an
elongated length. An example of such an arrangement is described
next with reference to FIGS. 18-21. In this arrangement, two
sections of the unitary extruded member 32 having 45 degree end
cuts are joined together to form a right angle construction. This
is achieved by employing two locking tabs 114, 116; the locking
tabs are preferably flat metal stock which in this example forms a
right angle, although other angular displacements are suitable for
non-right angle changes in direction of the sneeze guard assembly
30. Locking tab 114 extends into channel E of the unitary extrusion
member 32 (FIG. 4) and is fastened with screws 118 to screw groove
55 at the bottom of channel E (compare FIGS. 4 and 21). Locking tab
116 extends into recess 90 and is attached to screw groove 92 (see
FIG. 4). In this manner, various angular configurations of the
sneeze guard assembly may be achieved.
[0049] While the present invention has been described with
reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can
be made in the construction and methods described without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *