U.S. patent application number 14/311346 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for barrier apparatus adapted for extending the height of existing backsplashes of commerical cooking appliances.
The applicant listed for this patent is George Hatjopoulos, Triandafilos Hatjopoulos. Invention is credited to George Hatjopoulos, Triandafilos Hatjopoulos.
Application Number | 20140299118 14/311346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40294157 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140299118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hatjopoulos; Triandafilos ;
et al. |
October 9, 2014 |
BARRIER APPARATUS ADAPTED FOR EXTENDING THE HEIGHT OF EXISTING
BACKSPLASHES OF COMMERICAL COOKING APPLIANCES
Abstract
A barrier system for use with a commercial cooking apparatus
easily couples to the backsplash of the cooking apparatus to extend
the height of the backsplash to a level that promotes safety,
efficiency, and organization. The barrier system includes a barrier
member that includes an attachment assembly that clips to an edge
of the backsplash to hold the barrier member in a position
extending upwardly from the cooking surface, and extending along
the backsplash of the grill. The barrier member can have an
accessory staging feature along a topmost portion, the topmost
portion being at least eight inches above the cooking surface. The
accessory staging feature can support one or more accessories to
increase usable grill surface area. By preventing food and hot
grease from being ejected over the backsplash and into an exhaust
well, the invention substantially reduces the likelihood of
ventilation/exhaust well fires. The invention makes cleaning the
factory exhaust vent much easier, as well as protecting the
stainless steel or tile kitchen back wall from splatter, smoke,
grease, and soot.
Inventors: |
Hatjopoulos; Triandafilos;
(Uxbridge, MA) ; Hatjopoulos; George; (Blackstone,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hatjopoulos; Triandafilos
Hatjopoulos; George |
Uxbridge
Blackstone |
MA
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40294157 |
Appl. No.: |
14/311346 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11880851 |
Jul 24, 2007 |
8757140 |
|
|
14311346 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/214D |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/12 20130101;
A47J 37/0682 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/214.D |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/12 20060101
F24C015/12 |
Claims
1. A barrier system for enhancing the safe operation of a
commercial cooking appliance, the commercial cooking appliance
having one or more heating elements disposed beneath an open
cooking surface, the one or more heating elements used to heat the
open cooking surface to an appropriate temperature for cooking
thereon, the commercial cooking appliance including a backsplash
extending in an upward direction along the back end of the cooking
appliance to a first height above the cooking surface, the barrier
system comprising: a barrier member configured to be coupled to the
backsplash of the commercial cooking appliance so that it extends
upwardly to a second height above the cooking surface that is
substantially greater than the first height of the backsplash above
the cooking surface, the barrier member having a length that
extends substantially along the entire length of the backsplash; an
attachment assembly comprising at least one retaining clip, the
attachment assembly affixed to the back of the barrier member and
capable of coupling the barrier member to the backsplash to create
a continuous extension of the backsplash whereby the barrier member
is supported against rotation-to maintain the barrier member in its
upward orientation; and an accessory staging feature extending
along a length of a topmost portion of the barrier member.
2. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted squared
"J".
3. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted "L".
4. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like a straight vertical wall
having a thin smooth flat top across which various accessories can
move horizontally.
5. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
retaining clip of the attachment assembly is a spring clip having a
receiving end configured to receive and then squeeze the backsplash
between the barrier member and the attachment assembly by
spring-like compression.
6. The barrier system of claim 5, wherein the attachment assembly
includes a plurality of the spring clips.
7. The barrier system of claim 5, wherein the receiving end of the
at least one spring clip has a toe portion that bends away from the
back splash to aid in receiving the backsplash, and makes squeezing
contact with the backsplash at the bend.
8. The barrier system of claim 6, wherein the attachment assembly
includes at least one track, running substantially in parallel with
the backsplash, within which at least one of the plurality of
spring clips is are slideably disposed.
9. The barrier system of claim 1, wherein: the commercial cooking
appliance includes side splashes disposed along the sides of the
cooking appliance and substantially perpendicular to the
backsplash; and said barrier system further includes an adjustable
side buttress disposed at each end of the barrier member so that
each adjustable side buttress rests on the side splashes for
additional rotational support when said barrier system is attached
thereto.
10. The barrier system of claim 9, wherein each of the adjustable
side buttresses has a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom
portion of each resting on one of the side splashes and the top
portion of each capable of being slideably raised or lowered
relative to the bottom portion of each side buttress in accordance
with the height of each side splash, the top portion of each side
buttress capable of being fixed in position relative to the bottom
portion of each side buttress once the adjustment is complete.
11. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a spacer
disposed at a bottom end of the barrier member, the spacer
configured to maintain the barrier member in a substantially
vertical orientation when the barrier member is coupled to the
backsplash such that the bottom end is in contact with and
supported by the commercial cooking appliance, the spacer capable
of displacing the lower end of the barrier member away from the
backsplash sufficiently to compensate for any forward displacement
of the barrier member at the top of the backsplash.
12. The barrier system of claim 1, further comprising a spacer
means disposed at a bottom end of the barrier member, the bottom
end being in contact with and supported by the commercial cooking
appliance, the spacer means for maintaining the barrier member in a
substantially vertical orientation by displacing the lower end of
the barrier member away from the backsplash sufficiently to
compensate for any forward displacement of the barrier member at
the top of the backsplash.
13. An apparatus for use with a commercial cooking appliance, the
commercial cooking appliance having one or more heating elements
used to heat the open cooking surface to an appropriate temperature
for cooking thereon, the commercial grill including a backsplash
that extends in an upward direction along the back end of the
cooking appliance to a first height above the cooking surface, the
apparatus comprising: a barrier member; an accessory staging area
extending along a length of a topmost portion of the barrier
member; and retaining clip means, attached to the barrier member,
for coupling the barrier member to the backsplash so that the
barrier member extends upwardly to a second height that is
substantially greater than the first height with respect to the
cooking surface, the retaining clip means configured to receive and
then squeeze the backsplash between the barrier member and the
attachment assembly by spring-like compression, the barrier member
forming a continuous extension of the backsplash up to the second
height.
14. The barrier system of claim 13, further comprising an accessory
staging feature extending along a length of a topmost portion of
the barrier member.
15. The barrier system of claim 14, wherein the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted squared
"J".
16. The barrier system of claim 13, further comprising a spacer
disposed at a bottom end of the barrier member, the spacer
configured to maintain the barrier member in a substantially
vertical orientation when the barrier member is coupled to the
backsplash such that the bottom end is in contact with and
supported by the commercial cooking appliance, the spacer capable
of displacing the lower end of the barrier member away from the
backsplash sufficiently to compensate for any forward displacement
of the barrier member at the top of the backsplash.
17. The barrier system of claim 13, wherein: the commercial cooking
appliance includes side splashes disposed along the sides of the
cooking appliance and substantially perpendicular to the
backsplash; and said barrier system further includes an adjustable
side buttress disposed at each end of the barrier member so that
each adjustable side buttress rests on the side splashes for
additional rotational support when said barrier system is attached
thereto.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of allowed U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/880,851 filed Jul. 24, 2007 and entitled "A
BARRIER SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING THE SAFE OPERATION OF A COMMERCIAL
COOKING APPLIANCE," and which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to commercial cooking
equipment, and particularly to commercial griddles and
charbroilers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A griddle or a charbroiler is often the first piece of
equipment purchased for a new restaurant because it is an essential
focal point for activity in the kitchen. Owners of restaurants,
hotels, hospitals, military bases, cruise ships, colleges, etc all
use a griddle or a charbroiler to cook many of their offerings.
[0004] Commercially available griddles and charbroilers provide a
large cooking surface to efficiently cook food. However, after a
prolonged period of cooking food on a griddle and/or a charbroiler,
large quantities of ejectile food residue, including hot fat and
oil splatter, and food particles, are produced. Such ejectile
splatter and food residue lands in the ventilation well of a
griddle and accumulates. With time, the air flow of the ventilation
well dries the food residue, resulting in a dangerous potential for
fire.
[0005] Commercially available griddles and charbroilers have a
backsplash, typically rising no more than 6 inches above the
cooking surface. Cleaning the backsplash at the end of each shift
is essential to maintain a safe and professional-looking cooking
environment. However, because food ejectile accumulating on the hot
backsplash becomes very difficult to remove, one must get close to
the backsplash to apply sufficient scrubbing force. Since a cooking
surface takes several hours to sufficiently cool, cleaning the
backsplash near the cooking surface is dangerous, since it's
difficult to avoid coming into contact with the hot cooking
surface.
[0006] Moreover, food and oil ejectile accumulates on the wall
immediately behind the griddle or charbroiler. Such ejectile
accumulation must be regularly cleaned. However, it is difficult to
clean this accumulation with sufficient frequency to maintain a
sanitary condition and a professional impression.
[0007] Also, grill cooks can benefit from cooking accessories such
as a butter pan, or a sauce water bath. However, such cooking
accessories are typically placed on the grill cooking surface,
taking up valuable surface area intended for cooking food.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for use
with a commercial grill to increase safety, efficiency, and
organization, the commercial grill having a cooking surface and a
backsplash. The apparatus includes a barrier extending upwardly
with respect to the cooking surface, and extending along the
backsplash, the barrier having an accessory staging feature along a
topmost portion, and the topmost portion being at least eight
inches above the cooking surface.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the accessory staging feature has
a cross-section shaped like an inverted squared "J".
[0010] In an alternate preferred embodiment, the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like an inverted "L".
[0011] In yet another preferred embodiment, the accessory staging
feature has a cross-section shaped like a straight vertical wall
having a thin smooth flat top across which various accessories can
move horizontally.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes an
attachment assembly, attached to the back of the barrier, and
capable of attaching the barrier to the backsplash.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the topmost portion is no
more than 17 inches above the cooking surface.
[0014] In other preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly can
adapt to a variety of backsplash thicknesses.
[0015] In yet other preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly
is removeably attached to the backsplash.
[0016] In preferred embodiments, the attachment assembly includes a
plurality of attachment devices. In further preferred embodiments,
each attachment device includes a track along which a plurality of
clips are slidably attached.
[0017] In preferred embodiments, the barrier is made of stainless
steel.
[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus further
includes a side buttress. In further preferred embodiments, the
side buttress is adjustable.
[0019] In other preferred embodiments, the apparatus further
includes an adjustable side buttress having a top portion and a
bottom portion. In further preferred embodiments, the adjustable
side buttress is supported by a side splash guard of the grill. In
other further preferred embodiments, the bottom portion of the side
buttress is slideably cooperative with the top portion of the side
buttress. In other further preferred embodiments, the top portion
of the side buttress is secured in fixed relationship with the
bottom portion so as to accommodate the height of the side splash
guard.
[0020] Another general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for
use with a commercial grill to increase safety, efficiency, and
organization, the commercial grill having a cooking surface and a
backsplash. The apparatus includes a barrier extending upwardly
with respect to the cooking surface, along a topmost portion, the
topmost portion being at least 8 inches above the cooking surface;
and an attachment assembly, attached to the back of the barrier,
and capable of attaching the barrier to the backsplash.
[0021] In preferred embodiments, the topmost portion is no more
than 17 inches above the cooking surface.
[0022] In other preferred embodiments, the apparatus further
includes an adjustable side buttress having a top portion and a
bottom portion, the adjustable side buttress being supported by a
side splash guard of the grill.
[0023] The barrier of the invention is preferably made from
stainless steel, and is easily attached to a standard factory
backsplash. The invention substantially reduces the likelihood of
ventilation/exhaust well fires. With the barrier of the invention
mounted on a factory backsplash of a griddle or charbroiler, food
items and oils on the cooking surface of the grill have
substantially less chance of spattering into the exhaust well,
thereby reducing the risk of fire as presently experienced with
grills having only a standard factory backsplash. In addition, the
invention makes cleaning the factory backsplash much easier,
because the backsplash is substantially protected from splatter by
the apparatus of the invention. Consequently, cleaning the factory
backsplash is now safer and easier due to the invention.
[0024] Another feature of the invention is an accessory staging
feature that is capable of supporting one or more accessories, such
as a pan of grill butter, above the cooking surface of the grill.
For example, the accessory staging feature supports the pan of
grill butter high enough above the cooking surface to allow the
area below the pan to be used for cooking, but still close enough
to the cooking surface to keep the butter warm. Keeping the butter
pan off the cooking surface frees up more grill surface area,
thereby allowing more food to be cooked on the grill at anyone
time.
[0025] The invention also substantially protects the stainless
steel or tile kitchen back wall from splatter, smoke, grease, and
soot.
[0026] The invention can also support a "warming drawer" attached
under a shelf that is mounted on the accessory staging feature of
the invention. The warming drawer can be used to hold and enclose
meat that has already been cooked, but must be held in a warm state
after cooking while other meats are being further cooked.
[0027] The shelf also supports a spatula, grill weights, and
cooking tongs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The invention will be more fully understood with reference
to the Detailed Description, in conjunction with the following
figures, wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a rear corner isomeric view of a prior art griddle
having a backsplash and an exhaust well;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a rear corner isomeric view of showing a preferred
embodiment of the invention attached to the backsplash of FIG.
1;
[0031] FIG. 3A is an isomeric view of a plurality of adjustable
retaining clips and a single-track embodiment for holding the
barrier of the invention to the backsplash;
[0032] FIG. 3B is an isomeric view of a reinforced track
embodiment, and an exploded view showing how an adjustable
retaining clip is attached to the reinforced track;
[0033] FIG. 3C is an isomeric view showing a partial barrier sized
to accommodate a grill partition, such as a partition between a
griddle portion and a charbroil portion of a grill;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the invention configured
as an integral part of a griddle or char-broiler;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a rear corner isomeric view of an alternate
preferred embodiment of the barrier showing an inverted "L" shape
accessory support portion;
[0036] FIG. 6 is an isomeric view of the rear of a grill, with a
barrier of the invention secured in place by a plurality of clips,
the position of each clip being adjustable using a respective track
attached to the barrier;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a side view of the barrier of the invention,
showing how the barrier is clipped to a factory backsplash having a
top portion that is bent forward, also employing a spacer;
[0038] FIG. 8A is an isometric view of the barrier of the
invention, also showing an adjustable side buttress having a top
portion and a bottom portion, the top portion of the adjustable
side buttress being attached to or integral with the barrier, and
being supported by a side splash guard of the grill;
[0039] FIGS. 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E respectively show the top portion
of the side buttress of FIG. 8A, and three views of a bottom
portion of the side buttress slideably cooperative with the top
portion of the side buttress; and
[0040] FIGS. 8F and 8G respectively show a side view of the bottom
portion, and a front view of how the top portion of the side
buttress can be secured in fixed relationship with the bottom
portion after being properly adjusted to accommodate the height of
the side splash guard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a rear corner perspective view of a
grill 100 with a cooking surface 110, a front 115, a backsplash
120, side walls 130, and an exhaust well 150, representative of
that found in the prior art. The backsplash 120 functions as a
barrier between the grill cooking surface 110 and the exhaust well
150. The backsplash 120 rises approximately four inches above the
grill cooking surface 110, thereby preventing splatter from hitting
the wall behind the grill, and preventing food items from being
pushed into the exhaust well 150. Since a cook accesses the cooking
surface 110 from the front 115 of the grill 100, the exhaust well
150 typically extends along the back edge of the cooking surface
110 so as to exhaust cooking fumes, vapors, smoke, and/or
particulates away from the cook and away from the food being
cooked. The backsplash 120 is integral with, or attached to, the
rear portion of the cooking surface 110, the backsplash 120
separating the cooking surface 110 from the exhaust well 150.
[0042] The exhaust well 150 directs combustion fumes created by gas
burners below the cooking surface 110 through the exhaust well 150
and up towards overhead exhaust vents (not shown). The overhead
exhaust vents then remove the combustion fumes, along with any
cooking fumes, from the general area of the grill 100. The interior
surfaces of the exhaust well 150 become very hot due to the high
temperatures of the hot gases flowing within the exhaust well 150.
Consequently food items, cooking oils and the like, that fall into
contact with the hot inner surfaces of the exhaust well 150, are
likely to catch fire.
[0043] There are several ways food particles, oil splatter, and the
like, can fall over the backsplash 120 and into the exhaust well
150. The most likely way is manipulation of food on the grill
surface 110 near the backsplash 120. Cooks tend to handle food
quickly, thereby creating food "ejectile" which can fly into the
exhaust well 150. A scoop-and-lift motion often used by experienced
cooks tends to launch food off the grill surface 110, adding to the
likelihood of food entering the exhaust well 150.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention
is shown in use with a typical grill. The barrier 210 of the
invention is attached to the backsplash 120 so as to vertically
extend the backsplash 120, thereby more effectively preventing
food, oil splatter, and other ejectile originating from the surface
110 of the grill from entering the exhaust well 150. The barrier
210 can be attached to the backsplash 120 of any commercially
available flat top griddle or charbroiler. In preferred
embodiments, the barrier 210 includes retaining clips 220 that
enable the barrier 210 to easily attach to the backsplash 120.
[0045] To attach the barrier 210 to the backsplash 120, the rear
surface 230 of the barrier 210 is pressed against the front surface
of the backsplash 120, and then urged downward until spring clips
220 of the barrier 210 engage with the back of the backsplash 120.
Retaining clips 220 can be for example, spring clips that are
either spring-loaded or they can be angled to create tension when
displaced by the backsplash 120 to create spring-like tension.
[0046] The barrier 210 further includes an accessory staging
feature 240, which in the preferred embodiment shown as an inverted
squared "J". One advantage of the inverted squared "J" is to
provide resistance to lateral bending of the barrier 210. In
alternate embodiments, the accessory staging feature 240 can be
shaped as an inverted "L," or simply as a straight vertical wall
having a thin smooth flat top across which various accessories can
move horizontally.
[0047] To function effectively in the high-temperature environment
of a commercial griddle or charbroiler, the barrier 210 is
preferably made of stainless steel. While other materials can be
used, such as aluminum, cast iron, copper, and the like, they are
more costly. Stainless steel is preferable also because it is easy
to clean, and is commonly used in commercial kitchens. Stainless
steel is also a readily available material which can be readily
shaped into the various embodiments of the accessory staging
feature 240.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 3A, the retaining clips 220 are sized
(e.g. 5.times.inches) and shaped to allow for easy and secure
installation of the barrier 210 over various heights (e.g., up to a
5 inch backsplash) and thicknesses of the backsplash 120. The
retaining clips 220 are formed into a modified "Z" shape having a
guide toe 310 at a lower end angling away at 45 degrees from the
barrier rear 230. The guide toe 320 allows the spring clip 240 to
easily engage the top edge of the backsplash 120 during
installation. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining clip 220
includes a 90 degree bend 320 and a 45 degree bend 330, such that
the portion of the clip 220 between bends 320 and 330 extends
straight downwards when engaged with the backsplash. After
installation, the bend 330 contacts the backsplash 120, holding the
barrier 210 in place with spring-like force created by the
displacement of the retaining clip by the backsplash.
[0049] With reference to FIG. 3B, in this preferred embodiment, a
plurality of separate tracks 350 can each support a retention clip
220 in slideable and adjustable relationship with a respective
track 350. Embodiments can include from two to five tracks, for
example, depending on the width of the grill. The track 350 in the
embodiment of FIG. 3B is six inches wide, which allows the clips to
be laterally positioned so as to avoid structural obstructions
sometimes found within the exhaust vent of the grill. The clips 220
shown in FIG. 3A are attached in positions known to be free of such
structural obstructions for a particular grill. By contrast, the
clips of FIG. 3B can be adjustably positioned so as to adapt to a
variety of grill models.
[0050] A track 350 includes a slot 360 through which bolts 370 can
pass, thereby engaging with threaded holes 380 of the clip 220.
[0051] In this preferred embodiment, the track 350 is vertically
positioned between two and seven inches above the base of the
barrier 210, for example.
[0052] In the alternative embodiment, a barrier 380 is shown in
FIG. 3C having a single attachment ledge 390, and five clips 220
securely attached thereto. The attachment ledge 390 is positioned
approximately two inches above the base edge of the barrier 380.
This allows the barrier 380 to be installed on a backsplash 120 of
the grill 100, without impinging upon the grill divider 394.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the barrier
of the invention a grill or charbroiler 405 includes a barrier 410
configured as an integral part of the grill 405. The barrier 410 is
an integral extension of the backsplash of the grill 405.
Alternatively, the barrier 410 can be permanently attached to the
backs plash of the grill 405, such as by welding, or by a nut and
bold assembly.
[0054] The barrier 410 includes an accessory support portion 430,
which in a preferred embodiment is shaped so as to structurally
reinforce the portion 430. For example, the accessory support
portion 430 can be shaped like an inverted "U", or it can be shaped
like a "T", or like an inverted "L". In some embodiments, at least
the accessory support portion is made from strengthened or
thickened metal. The accessory support portion 430 is capable of
receiving attachment of, and supporting, a variety of accessories,
such as a butter pan holder, sauce pan holder, a shelf, a spice
rack, a spatula holder, a warming drawer, grill weight holder, and
any other accessory that would be helpful in using the grill.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 5, which is a rear corner perspective view
of an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier
510 may also be secured in place over an existing grill backsplash
by the retaining clips 220. Rigidity for the barrier 510 is
provided by a horizontal inverted "L" top 520 extending over the
cooking surface 110.
[0056] The preferred embodiment of FIG. 5 is further illustrated in
FIG. 6, where it can be seen that the combustion exhaust well 150
is maintained open by the vent support 600. A user installs
retaining clips 220 using respective tracks 350, as described in
FIG. 3C. The lateral position of the retaining clips 220 is
determined so as to avoid the obstruction presented by the vent
supports 600.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, a barrier 210 of the invention is
clipped to a factory backsplash 120 using clips 220. The barrier
210 rests on the surface 110 of the grill 100, and is maintained in
a substantially vertical position due to the placement of a spacer
700 that compensates for the forward displacement due to the
forward bend 710. The width 720 of the spacer 700 is the same
magnitude as the forward distance component of the forward bend
710. For example, the width 720 is half an inch.
[0058] FIG. 8A is an isometric view of the barrier 210 of the
invention, also showing a side buttress having a top portion 800
and a bottom portion 820, the side buttress being attached to or
integral with the barrier 210, and being supported via a bottom
portion 820 by a side splash guard 130 of the grill 100. The top
portion 800 of the side buttress is adjustably joined with the
bottom portion 820. The bottom portion 820 has a base 830 which
rests upon the side splash guard 130. The top portion 800 of the
side buttress is adjustably cooperative with the bottom portion 820
via an adjustable fastener, such as a bolt assembly 840. The
cooperation of the top portion 800 of the side buttress, the bottom
portion 820, and the bolt assembly 840 serves to brace the barrier
210 against bending forward, especially when weight is placed at
the top of the barrier, such as when the barrier 210 is used to
support an accessory.
[0059] FIG. 8B shows the top portion 800 of the adjustable side
buttress of FIG. 8A, the top portion 800 having a slot 850 for
receiving the bolt assembly 840.
[0060] FIG. 8C shows a first view of the top portion 800 slideably
cooperative with the bottom portion 820 of the adjustable side
buttress, also showing the slot 850, the bolt assembly 840 inserted
therethrough, and the base 830 which rests upon the side splash
guard 130.
[0061] FIGS. 8D and 8E shows second and third views of the top
portion 800 and the bottom portion 820 in different states of
adjustment so as to accommodate respective side splash guards 130
of different heights. For example, sliding the bottom portion 820
downward accommodates a relatively shorter side splash guard
130.
[0062] FIGS. 8F shows the bottom portion 820, having the base 830,
and a bolt 840 of the bolt assembly.
[0063] FIG. 8G shows a side view illustrating how the wing nut 860
attaches to the bolt 840 of the bolt assembly to tighten the top
portion 800 of the side buttress against the bottom portion 820 of
the side buttress so as to allow the base 830 to rest in supporting
relationship with the side splash guard 130. Thus, the bottom
portion 820 can be secured in fixed relationship with the top
portion 800 of the adjustable side buttress after being properly
adjusted to accommodate the height of the side splash guard.
[0064] Other modifications and implementations will occur to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope
of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is
not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the
following claims.
* * * * *