Modular food guard apparatus and mounting bracket therefor

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.

1 .- 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A modular food guard apparatus, comprising: 
 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, wherein the mounting bracket 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, and wherein the food shield can be removably secured to the support post in one of several different positions relative to the support post.    
   
   
       25 . The modular food guard apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the food shield is positioned relative to the support post at an angle of between zero degrees and ninety degrees.  
   
   
       26 . The modular food guard apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the mounting bracket is removably secured to the support post by disposing a first pin through the first aperture and a second pin through one of the second apertures so as to position the food shield in a desired position.  
   
   
       27 . The modular food guard apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the support post includes at least two receptacles in which the first and second fasteners threadedly mate.  
   
   
       28 . The modular food guard apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one flange for engaging the food shield.  
   
   
       29 . A mounting bracket for mounting a food shield to a support member, comprising: 
 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,    wherein the mounting bracket removably attaches the food shield to the support member in one of several different positions relative to the support member.    
   
   
       30 . The mounting bracket of  claim 29 , wherein the food shield is positioned relative to the support member at an angle of between zero degrees and ninety degrees.  
   
   
       31 . The mounting bracket of  claim 29 , wherein the first fastener acts as a pivot point from which the mounting bracket can be rotated.  
   
   
       32 . The mounting bracket of  claim 29 , wherein the support member is a vertical support member.  
   
   
       33 . The mounting bracket of  claim 29 , wherein the support member is a horizontal support member.  
   
   
       34 . A mounting bracket for mounting a food shield to a support member, comprising: 
 at least one flange for attachment to the food shield;    a first aperture through which a 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, wherein the mounting bracket removably attaches the food shield to the support member in one of several different positions relative to the support member.    
   
   
       35 . The mounting bracket of  claim 34 , wherein the food shield is positioned relative to the support member at an angle of between zero degrees and ninety degrees.  
   
   
       36 . The mounting bracket of  claim 34 , wherein the first fastener acts as a pivot point from which the mounting bracket can be rotated.  
   
   
       37 . The mounting bracket of  claim 34 , further comprising a plurality of semi-circular notches coupled to the slot, wherein only one of the notches receives the second fastener when the mounting bracket is mounted to the support member.  
   
   
       38 . The mounting bracket of  claim 34 , wherein the support member is a vertical support member.  
   
   
       39 . The mounting bracket of  claim 34 , wherein the support member is a horizontal support member.