Adjustable viewing panel assembly for food guard systems

Abstract

Described are embodiments of an adjustable viewing panel assembly for use in a food guard system to convert the system between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration. In one example, a convertible food guard system includes a support structure and a viewing panel assembly rotatably coupled to the support structure. The viewing panel assembly includes a main panel positioned in a first plane, a side panel positioned in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a dynamic connector unit coupled to the main panel and the side panel. The dynamic connector unit is rotatably coupled to the support structure and operable to at least partly rotate the main panel and the side panel relative to the support structure while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 753,239 filed Feb. 3, 2025, titled “ADJUSTABLE VIEWING PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR FOOD GUARD SYSTEMS,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cafeteria-style and self-service or buffet-style food establishments are required by law to have food guard systems to protect food, beverages, and other consumable items. These systems are required to have a front or main viewing panel and fixed vertical side panels as barriers between consumers and items on display within the food guard systems. With a cafeteria-style food guard system, an attendant accesses items from one side of the main viewing panel and serves them to consumers located on an opposite side of the main viewing panel. With a self-service or buffet-style food guard system, consumers may access displayed items directly by way of an opening between the main viewing panel and a surface supporting the displayed items. The main viewing panel in cafeteria-style food guard systems extends nearly or completely to the surface supporting the displayed items to omit such an opening. The vertical side panels in both the cafeteria and self-service food guard systems are fixed in place as required to prevent uncontrolled consumer access.

[0003] To allow for a food guard system to be configured and function as both a cafeteria and self-service style system, convertible-style food guard systems can be converted from a cafeteria configuration to a self-service configuration and vice versa. The manner in which convertible food guard systems are converted from a cafeteria configuration to a self-service configuration varies across different convertible systems. The main viewing panel in many convertible systems can be rotated or pivoted into a cafeteria configuration where the panel extends nearly or complete to a surface supporting items on display. The main viewing panel can also be rotated or pivoted into a self-service configuration where the panel extends only to a defined location above such a surface to create an opening for consumers to access the displayed items. Similar to cafeteria and self-service food guard systems, the vertical side panels in many convertible systems are also fixed in place as required to prevent uncontrolled consumer access.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of an adjustable viewing panel assembly that can be included in a food guard system and operable to convert the system between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service or buffet configuration. The viewing panel assembly can be embodied and implemented as an adjustable front end or main viewing panel assembly that is rotatably and slidably coupled to a support structure of a food guard system in some examples. The viewing panel assembly in many examples includes front and side viewing panels that remain fixed in place relative to one another while being at least partly rotated about or linearly translated relative to a pivot point located on a support structure of a food guard system. For instance, such front and side viewing panels can remain fixed in place relative to one another while the viewing panel assembly is being rotated about or linearly translated relative to such a pivot point to convert the food guard system between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration. The viewing panel assembly can be embodied and implemented as a modular, add-on, or aftermarket component that can be implemented in an existing food guard system in some cases. In other examples, the viewing panel assembly can be embodied and implemented as an original, integrated, integral, or permanent component of a new food guard system.

[0005] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description or can be learned from the description or through practice of the embodiments. Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, all of which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related concepts of the present disclosure.

[0006] According to one example embodiment, a convertible food guard system includes a support structure and a viewing panel assembly rotatably coupled to the support structure. The viewing panel assembly includes a main panel positioned in a first plane, a side panel positioned in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a dynamic connector unit coupled to the main panel and the side panel. The dynamic connector unit is rotatably coupled to the support structure and operable to at least partly rotate the main panel and the side panel relative to the support structure while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

[0007] According to another example embodiment, an adjustable viewing panel assembly for a convertible food guard system includes a main panel positioned in a first plane and a side panel positioned in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The adjustable viewing panel assembly further includes a dynamic connector unit coupled to the main panel and the side panel. The dynamic connector unit is rotatable about a pivot axis and operable to at least partly rotate the main panel and the side panel relative to the pivot axis while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the concepts of the disclosure. Moreover, repeated use of reference characters or numerals in the figures is intended to represent the same or analogous features, elements, or operations across different figures. Repeated description of such repeated reference characters or numerals is omitted for brevity.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example food guard system in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the food guard system of FIG. 1 with certain components removed from view in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of the food guard system of FIG. 1 with certain components removed from view in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the food guard system of FIG. 1 with certain components removed from view in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Convertible food guard systems can be converted from a cafeteria configuration to a self-service configuration and vice versa. The main viewing panel in many convertible systems can be rotated or pivoted into the cafeteria and self-service configurations while the vertical side panels remain fixed in place.

[0014] A problem with many convertible food guard systems relates to the design of the main viewing panel and vertical side panels such that the systems are compliant with certain regulatory requirements while positioned in each of the cafeteria and self-service configurations. The fixed vertical side panels in many convertible systems do not provide adequate full side coverage in both configurations. In particular, the forward-most edges of the vertical side panels in many convertible systems do not coincide with the leading edge of the main viewing panel when the systems are in each configuration. The low or bottom edge of the main viewing panel is considered to be the leading edge when the system is in the self-service configuration. The front surface of the main viewing panel is considered to be the leading edge when the system is in the cafeteria configuration.

[0015] The embodiments described herein provide a solution to the aforementioned problems associated with convertible food guard systems in the form of an adjustable viewing panel assembly that can be included in a food guard system and operated to convert the system between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration. The viewing panel assembly in many examples includes front and side viewing panels that remain fixed in place relative to one another while the assembly is being at least one of rotated about or linearly translated relative to a pivot point located on a support structure of a food guard system. As the front and side viewing panels remain fixed in place relative to one another, the position of such panels relative to one another can be designed in many examples such that respective leading edges of the panels are in proper regulatory alignment when the system is in both a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration.

[0016] For initial context, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example convertible food guard system 100 (or “food guard system 100”) in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example convertible food guard system 100 that can be converted between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service or buffet configuration as described further in examples herein.

[0017] The food guard system 100 is illustrated as a representative example of a convertible food guard system having an adjustable viewing panel assembly that can be operated to convert the food guard system 100 between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration. The concepts described herein can be extended to use with a range of food guard systems, food guard support structures, and food guard viewing panel assemblies of different types, styles, components, and configurations, however.

[0018] The food guard system 100 is not drawn to any particular scale or size in the drawings. The shape, size, proportion, and other characteristics of the food guard system 100 and the components thereof can vary as compared to that shown. Additionally, one or more of the parts or components of the food guard system 100, as illustrated in the drawings and described herein, can be omitted in some cases. The food guard system 100 can also include other parts or components that are not illustrated.

[0019] Among other components, the food guard system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes support or frame structures 110a, 110b (also “support structures 110a, 110b” or collectively “support structures 110”), an adjustable viewing panel assembly 120 (or “viewing panel assembly 120”), and multiple viewing panels in this example. In this particular example, the food guard system 100 includes an adjustable front or main viewing panel 130 (or “adjustable main panel 130”), a stationary or fixed top or main viewing panel 131 (or “fixed main panel 131”), adjustable side viewing panels 132a, 132b (also “adjustable side panels 132a, 132b” or collectively “adjustable side panels 132”), and stationary or fixed side viewing panels 133a, 133b (also “fixed side panels 133a, 133b” or collectively “fixed side panels 133”). As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustable main panel 130 has a leading edge 135 and the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b have leading edges 136a, 136b, respectively, in this example. Each of the leading edges 135, 136a, 136b of the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b, respectively, are positioned in a same, shared, or common plane. Any or all of the adjustable main panel 130, the fixed main panel 131, the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b, or the fixed side panels 133a, 133b can be embodied as a clear or transparent material such as at least one of glass, acrylic, or another material in some cases.

[0020] As described further in examples herein, the viewing panel assembly 120 can be rotatably and slidably coupled to at least one of the support structures 110a, 110b. In the example shown, the viewing panel assembly 120 is rotatably and slidably coupled to each of the support structures 110a, 110b. The adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b are coupled to the viewing panel assembly 120 in the example shown. The fixed main panel 131 is coupled to each of the support structures 110a, 110b in this example, and the fixed side panels 133a, 133b are coupled to the support structures 110a, 110b, respectively.

[0021] Turning to additional features of the support structures 110a, 110b and the viewing panel assembly 120 of the food guard system 100, FIGS. 2 and 3 each illustrate another perspective view of the food guard system 100 with certain components removed from view in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the food guard system 100 with certain components removed from view in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2, the fixed main panel 131 and the fixed side panels 133a, 133b are removed from view to reveal components of each of the support structures 110a, 110b. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjustable main panel 130 is removed from view to reveal components of the viewing panel assembly 120.

[0022] The support structures 110a, 110b are illustrated as representative examples of support structures or frames that can be embodied with, included in, or otherwise used to form a food guard system such as a convertible food guard system described in examples herein. The viewing panel assembly 120 is illustrated as a representative example of an adjustable viewing panel assembly that can be embodied with, included in, or coupled to a food guard system such as a convertible food guard system described in examples herein. For instance, the viewing panel assembly 120 can be embodied with, included in, or coupled to a food guard system to allow for conversion of such a system between a cafeteria configuration and a self-service configuration. The concepts described herein can be extended to use with a range of food guard systems, food guard support structures, and food guard viewing panel assemblies of different types, styles, components, and configurations, however.

[0023] The support structures 110a, 110b and the viewing panel assembly 120 are not drawn to any particular scale or size in the drawings. The shape, size, proportion, and other characteristics of the support structures 110a, 110b, the viewing panel assembly 120, and respective components thereof can vary as compared to that shown. Additionally, one or more of the parts or components of at least one of the support structures 110a, 110b or the viewing panel assembly 120, as illustrated in the drawings and described herein, can be omitted in some cases. At least one of the support structures 110a, 110b or the viewing panel assembly 120 can also include other parts or components that are not illustrated.

[0024] Referring among FIGS. 1 to 4, the viewing panel assembly 120 is rotatably and slidably coupled to each of the support structures 110a, 110b in the example shown. As described further herein, the viewing panel assembly 120 can be embodied and implemented as an adjustable front end or main viewing panel assembly having front and side viewing panels that remain fixed in place relative to one another while being at least one of rotated about or linearly translated relative to a pivot point located on each of the support structures 110. For instance, such front and side viewing panels, as well as their respective leading edges can remain fixed in place relative to one another while the food guard system 100 is being converted from a cafeteria configuration to a self-service configuration and vice versa. The viewing panel assembly 120 can be embodied and implemented as a modular, add-on, or aftermarket component that can be coupled to and implemented with an existing food guard system in some cases. In other examples, the viewing panel assembly 120 can be embodied and implemented as an original, integrated, integral, or permanent component of a new food guard system.

[0025] The food guard system 100, the support structures 110a, 110b, and the viewing panel assembly 120 each have a front end and a back end as shown in FIG. 1. The support structures 110a, 110b in many examples can each include one or more support or frame members that can be designed and embodied to be coupled to a surface such as a counter or a table (not illustrated) and further coupled to and support the viewing panel assembly 120. As shown in FIG. 2 in this example, the support structure 110a includes support members 111a, 112a, 113a, 114a (or collectively “support members 111a-114a”) and the support structure 110b includes support members 111b, 112b, 113b, 114b (or collectively “support members 111b-114b”). Any or all of the support members 111a-114a or 111b-114b can be embodied as at least one of a stainless steel material or alloy, an aluminum material or alloy, or another material in many cases. In some examples, either or both of the support structures 110 may include only a single support member such as the support member 111a or 111b.

[0026] In addition to the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b, the viewing panel assembly 120 in this example further includes dynamic connector units 140a, 140b (or collectively “dynamic connector units 140”) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The dynamic connector units 140a, 140b are rotatably and slidably coupled to the support structures 110a, 110b, respectively, as described further below.

[0027] To facilitate rotation and translation of the viewing panel assembly 120 about and relative to a pivot point as described in examples herein, the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b can each include one or more panel connectors coupled to the adjustable main panel 130 and at least one of the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b of the viewing panel assembly 120. The dynamic connector units 140a, 140b can each also include a translate member such as a rod, track, beam, or other structure coupled to such panel connectors. Each of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b can further include a rotatable connector that is slidably coupled to such a translate member at one end and rotatably coupled to a corresponding support structure 110a, 110b at another end.

[0028] To facilitate rotation and translation of the viewing panel assembly 120 about and relative to a pivot point in the example shown, the dynamic connector unit 140a includes panel connectors 150a, 160a (FIGS. 3 and 4) that are each coupled to the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132a. The dynamic connector unit 140a in this example also includes a translate member 170a (FIGS. 3 and 4) extending between and coupled at its opposite ends to the panel connectors 150a, 160a. The dynamic connector unit 140a further includes a rotatable connector 180a (FIGS. 3 and 4) that is slidably coupled to the translate member 170a at one end and rotatably coupled to the support structure 110a at another end. Similar to the dynamic connector unit 140a, the dynamic connector unit 140b in the example shown includes panel connectors 150b, 160b (FIGS. 3 and 4) that are each coupled to the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132b. The dynamic connector unit 140b also includes a translate member 170b (FIGS. 3 and 4) extending between and coupled at its opposite ends to the panel connectors 150b, 160b. The dynamic connector unit 140b further includes a rotatable connector 180b (FIGS. 3 and 4) that is slidably coupled to the translate member 170b at one end and rotatably coupled to the support structure 110b at another end.

[0029] The rotatable connector 180a in the example shown includes a fixed member 182a (FIG. 4) coupled to and extending in a perpendicular direction from the support structure 110a along a pivot axis 181a (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the rotatable connector 180a. The pivot axis 181a in this example is aligned with and passes through a corresponding pivot point location on the support structure 110a. The rotatable connector 180a also includes a rotatable member 184a shown in FIG. 4 that is rotatably coupled to the fixed member 182a about and relative to the pivot axis 181a of the rotatable connector 180a. The rotatable connector 180a further includes a translate channel 186a formed through the rotatable member 184a as shown in FIG. 4 in this example. The translate channel 186a is formed through the rotatable member 184a along a translate axis 187a of the translate channel 186a in this example. The translate axis 187a extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 181a of the rotatable connector 180a in the example shown. The translate member 170a is positioned in and extends through the translate channel 186a along the translate axis 187a between the panel connectors 150a, 160a as shown in FIG. 4. The translate member 170a is operable to move in a linear direction through the translate channel 186a along the translate axis 187a between the panel connectors 150a, 160a. The translate member 170a is further operable to rotate about the pivot axis 181a by way of the rotatable member 184a. For instance, the translate member 170a is operable to both separately rotate about the pivot axis 181a and translate along the translate axis 187a in some cases. In other examples, the translate member 170a is operable to simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 181a and translate along the translate axis 187a.

[0030] Similar to the rotatable connector 180a, the rotatable connector 180b in the example shown includes a fixed member 182b (FIG. 4) coupled to and extending in a perpendicular direction from the support structure 110b along a pivot axis 181b (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the rotatable connector 180b. The pivot axis 181b in this example is aligned with and passes through a corresponding pivot point location on the support structure 110b. The pivot axis 181b is also aligned with the pivot axis 181a in this example. The rotatable connector 180b also includes a rotatable member 184b shown in FIG. 4 that is rotatably coupled to the fixed member 182b about and relative to the pivot axis 181b of the rotatable connector 180b. The rotatable connector 180b further includes a translate channel 186b formed through the rotatable member 184b as shown in FIG. 4 in this example. The translate channel 186b is formed through the rotatable member 184b along a translate axis 187b of the translate channel 186b in this example. The translate axis 187b extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 181b of the rotatable connector 180b in the example shown. The translate member 170b is positioned in and extends through the translate channel 186b along the translate axis 187b between the panel connectors 150b, 160b as shown in FIG. 4. The translate member 170b is operable to move in a linear direction through the translate channel 186b along the translate axis 187b between the panel connectors 150b, 160b. The translate member 170b is further operable to rotate about the pivot axis 181b by way of the rotatable member 184b. For instance, the translate member 170b is operable to both separately rotate about the pivot axis 181b and translate along the translate axis 187b in some cases. In other examples, the translate member 170b is operable to simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 181b and translate along the translate axis 187b.

[0031] The viewing panel assembly 120 by way of at least one of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is rotatably coupled to a corresponding support structure 110a, 110b. Each of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b relative to the corresponding support structure 110a, 110b while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. For example, the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned in a certain plane and each of the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b is positioned in a different plane that is perpendicular to the plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. The adjustable side panels 132a, 132b are positioned in respective planes that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned in the example shown.

[0032] Each of the leading edges 135, 136a, 136b of the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b, respectively, are positioned in a third plane that is perpendicular to each of the aforementioned first plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned and the aforementioned second plane in which the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b are positioned. Each of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b relative to the corresponding support structure 110a, 110b while maintaining the leading edge 135 of the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding leading edge 136a, 136b of the corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b in such a third plane. For instance, during rotation of the viewing panel assembly 120 relative to one or both of the support structures 110a, 110b, the leading edges 135, 136a, 136b remain in a same, shared, or common plane relative to one another.

[0033] The dynamic connector unit 140a in this example is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132a relative to the support structure 110a while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the adjustable side panel 132a in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. For instance, the dynamic connector unit 140a is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132a about the pivot axis 181a shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Similarly, the dynamic connector unit 140b in this example is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132b relative to the support structure 110b while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the adjustable side panel 132b in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. For instance, the dynamic connector unit 140b is operable to at least partly rotate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132b about the pivot axis 181b shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The food guard system 100 in the example shown is designed such that the pivot axes 181a, 181b are aligned with one another.

[0034] The viewing panel assembly 120 by way of at least one of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is also slidably coupled to a corresponding support structure 110a, 110b. Each of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b relative to the corresponding support structure 110a, 110b while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. For example, as previously described the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned in a certain plane and each of the adjustable side panels 132a, 132b is positioned in a different plane that is perpendicular to the plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. The adjustable side panels 132a, 132b are positioned in respective planes that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned in the example shown.

[0035] Each of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is also operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b relative to the corresponding support structure 110a, 110b while maintaining the leading edge 135 of the adjustable main panel 130 and a corresponding leading edge 136a, 136b of the corresponding adjustable side panel 132a, 132b in the aforementioned third plane that is perpendicular to each of the aforementioned first and second planes. For instance, during translation of the viewing panel assembly 120 relative to one or both of the support structures 110a, 110b, the leading edges 135, 136a, 136b remain in a same, shared, or common plane relative to one another.

[0036] The dynamic connector unit 140a is operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132a relative to the support structure 110a while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the adjustable side panel 132a in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. For instance, the dynamic connector unit 140a is operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132a in a linear direction along the translate axis 187a (FIG. 4) between the front end and the back end of the support structure 110a. Similarly, the dynamic connector unit 140b in this example is operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132b relative to the support structure 110b while maintaining the adjustable main panel 130 in a first plane and the adjustable side panel 132b in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane in which the adjustable main panel 130 is positioned. For instance, the dynamic connector unit 140b is operable to at least partly translate the adjustable main panel 130 and the adjustable side panel 132b in a linear direction along the translate axis 187b (FIG. 4) between the front end and the back end of the support structure 110b. The food guard system 100 in the example shown is designed such that the translate axes 187a, 187b are parallel to one another.

[0037] The viewing panel assembly 120 by way of at least one of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is operable to both separately rotate about a corresponding pivot axis 181a, 181b and translate along a corresponding translate axis 187a, 187b in some cases. In other examples, the viewing panel assembly 120 by way of at least one of the dynamic connector units 140a, 140b is operable to simultaneously rotate about such a corresponding pivot axis 181a, 181b and translate along such a corresponding translate axis 187a, 187b. For instance, the viewing panel assembly 120 by way of the dynamic connector unit 140a is operable to both separately rotate about the pivot axis 181a and translate along the translate axis 187a in some cases and simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 181a and translate along the translate axis 187a in other cases. Similarly, the viewing panel assembly 120 by way of the dynamic connector unit 140b is also operable to both separately rotate about the pivot axis 181b and translate along the translate axis 187b in some cases and simultaneously rotate about the pivot axis 181b and translate along the translate axis 187b in other cases.

[0038] The features, structures, or characteristics described above may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner, and the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable, if possible. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided in order to fully understand the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solution of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, materials, and the like may be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] Combinatorial language, such as “at least one of X, Y, and Z” or “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless indicated otherwise, is used in general to identify one, a combination of any two, or all three (or more if a larger group is identified) thereof, such as X and only X, Y and only Y, and Z and only Z, the combinations of X and Y, X and Z, and Y and Z, and all of X, Y, and Z. Such combinatorial language is not generally intended to, and unless specified does not, identify or require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to be included. The terms “about” and “substantially,” unless otherwise defined herein to be associated with a particular range, percentage, or related metric of deviation, account for at least some manufacturing tolerances between a theoretical design and manufactured product or assembly, such as the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing criteria described in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME®) Y14.5 and the related International Organization for Standardization (ISO®) standards. Such manufacturing tolerances are still contemplated, as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, although “about,”“substantially,” or related terms are not expressly referenced, even in connection with the use of theoretical terms, such as the geometric “perpendicular,”“orthogonal,”“vertex,”“collinear,”“coplanar,” and other terms.

[0040] Although the relative terms such as “on,”“below,”“upper,” and “lower” are used in the specification to describe the relative relationship of one component to another component, these terms are used in this specification for convenience only, for example, as a direction in an example shown in the drawings. It should be understood that if the device is turned upside down, the “upper” component described above will become a “lower” component. When a structure is “on” another structure, it is possible that the structure is integrally formed on another structure, or that the structure is “directly” disposed on another structure, or that the structure is “indirectly” disposed on the other structure through other structures.

[0041] In this specification, the terms such as “a,”“an,”“the,” and “said” are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements and components. The terms “comprise,”“include,”“have,”“contain,” and their variants are used to be open ended, and are meant to include additional elements, components, etc., in addition to the listed elements, components, etc. unless otherwise specified in the appended claims.

[0042] The terms “first,”“second,” etc. are used only as labels, rather than a limitation for a number of the objects. It is understood that if multiple components are shown, the components may be referred to as a “first” component, a “second” component, and so forth, to the extent applicable. Further, if a component is described as there being “at least one” of said component, it is understood that this may mean “one or more” of said component. Conversely, if a component is described as there being “one or more” of said component, it is understood that this may mean “at least one” of said component.

[0043] As referenced herein in the context of quantity, the terms “a” or “an” are intended to mean “at least one” and are not intended to imply “one and only one.” As referred to herein, the terms “include,”“includes,” and “including” are each intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” As referenced herein, the terms “or” and “and / or” are generally intended to be inclusive, that is (i.e.), “A or B” or “A and / or B” are each intended to mean “A or B or both.” As referred to herein, the terms “first,”“second,”“third,” and so on, can be used interchangeably to distinguish one component or entity from another and are not intended to signify location, functionality, or importance of the individual components or entities. As referenced herein, the terms “couple,”“couples,”“coupled,” and / or “coupling” refer to chemical coupling (e.g., chemical bonding), communicative coupling, electrical and / or electromagnetic coupling (e.g., capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, direct and / or connected coupling), mechanical coupling, operative coupling, optical coupling, fluid coupling, thermal coupling, and / or physical coupling.

[0044] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. A convertible food guard system comprising:a support structure; anda viewing panel assembly rotatably coupled to the support structure, the viewing panel assembly comprising:a main panel positioned in a first plane;a side panel positioned in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; anda dynamic connector unit coupled to the main panel and the side panel,wherein the dynamic connector unit is rotatably coupled to the support structure and operable to at least partly rotate the main panel and the side panel relative to the support structure while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

2. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the viewing panel assembly and the dynamic connector unit are rotatably and slidably coupled to the support structure.

3. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the viewing panel assembly and the dynamic connector unit are rotatably and slidably coupled to the support structure at a pivot point located at a front end of the support structure.

4. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic connector unit is operable to at least partly rotate the viewing panel assembly about a pivot point located at a front end of the support structure and further operable to at least partly move the viewing panel assembly between the front end and a back end of the support structure relative to the pivot point.

5. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic connector unit comprises:a first panel connector and a second panel connector that are each coupled to the main panel and the side panel.

6. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic connector unit comprises:a translate member extending between and coupled to a first panel connector and a second panel connector that are each coupled to the main panel and the side panel.

7. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic connector unit comprises:a translate member extending between and coupled to a first panel connector and a second panel connector that are each coupled to the main panel and the side panel; anda rotatable connector rotatably coupled to the support structure and slidably coupled to the translate member.

8. The convertible food guard system of claim 7, wherein the rotatable connector comprises:a fixed member coupled to and extending in a perpendicular direction from the support structure along a pivot axis of the rotatable connector.

9. The convertible food guard system of claim 8, wherein the rotatable connector further comprises:a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the fixed member relative to the pivot axis of the rotatable connector.

10. The convertible food guard system of claim 9, wherein the rotatable connector further comprises:a translate channel formed through the rotatable member, the translate channel comprising a translate axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the rotatable connector.

11. The convertible food guard system of claim 10, wherein the translate member is positioned in and extends through the translate channel between the first panel connector and the second panel connector.

12. The convertible food guard system of claim 1, wherein each of the main panel and the side panel comprises a leading edge positioned in a third plane perpendicular to each of the first plane and the second plane.

13. An adjustable viewing panel assembly for a convertible food guard system, the adjustable viewing panel assembly comprising:a main panel positioned in a first plane;a side panel positioned in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; anda dynamic connector unit coupled to the main panel and the side panel,wherein the dynamic connector unit is rotatable about a pivot axis and operable to at least partly rotate the main panel and the side panel relative to the pivot axis while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

14. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 13, wherein:the dynamic connector unit is rotatable about and slidable relative to the pivot axis; andthe dynamic connector unit is operable to at least partly rotate and move the main panel and the side panel relative to the pivot axis while maintaining the main panel in the first plane and the side panel in the second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

15. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 13, wherein the dynamic connector unit comprises:a first panel connector and a second panel connector that are each coupled to the main panel and the side panel;a translate member extending between and coupled to the first panel connector and the second panel connector; anda rotatable connector rotatable about the pivot axis and slidably coupled to the translate member.

16. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 15, wherein the rotatable connector comprises:a fixed member extending in a direction aligned with and along the pivot axis.

17. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 16, wherein the rotatable connector further comprises:a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the fixed member relative to the pivot axis.

18. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 17, wherein the rotatable connector further comprises:a translate channel formed through the rotatable member, the translate channel comprising a translate axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis.

19. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 18, wherein the translate member is positioned in and extends through the translate channel between the first panel connector and the second panel connector.

20. The adjustable viewing panel assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the main panel and the side panel comprises a leading edge positioned in a third plane perpendicular to each of the first plane and the second plane.

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