Food Shield Pivot Connection for Tool-Free Angular Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food shields are difficult to adjust and maintain, requiring time-consuming tool use and not easily customizable to match specific display settings, making it hard to create a visually appealing and compliant installation that adapts to different food displays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an adjustable food shield system with a panel clamp and pivoting connection that allows for tool-free adjustment of panel positions and orientations, including translation and angular adjustments, enabling infinite positioning options along slots and secure clamping without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional food shield structures are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adjustment and maintenance require time-consuming tool use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, and other tool-required fasteners) with a tool-free clamping mechanism. The clamp assembly uses a cam lever or snap-fit mechanism that allows panels to be secured and adjusted without any tools, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The food shield system enables users to perform adjustment and maintenance operations themselves without requiring external tools or specialized equipment. The tool-free clamp design allows end-users to easily adjust panel positions and perform maintenance tasks independently, eliminating the need for tool-based operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional food shield structures are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the customization and adaptability to different display settings is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The food shield system is divided into modular components including multiple clamp assemblies, adjustable panel sections, and interchangeable support structures. This segmentation allows different combinations of components to be assembled for various display configurations without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assemblies incorporate adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow the structure to adapt dynamically to different display settings. The tool-free adjustment mechanisms enable panels to be repositioned, reoriented, and reconfigured easily to match various architectural and display requirements.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable panel mechanisms are added, then the ease of adjustment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment function into separate, independent clamp assemblies and pivot connections that operate independently from the main panel structure. This allows the adjustment mechanism to be simplified and standardized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanisms to enable adjustment, the patent employs simple clamping and friction-based holding principles. The adjustment is achieved through straightforward mechanical advantage and friction retention rather than complex linkages, motors, or control systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A food shield pivot connection providing for adjustment of the angular orientation of a support arm, and any attached panel, relative to a food shield stand. A representative pivot connection includes a threaded shaft extending from the stand clamp, an opening extending through the panel support arm defining a pivot axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the threaded shaft, and a plate positioned to selectively engage and disengage with the panel support arm. In this embodiment, a knob is threaded onto the threaded shaft, such that rotating the knob in a first direction drives the plate into engagement with the support arm, and rotating the pivot knob in the opposite direction allows a spring or similar mechanism positioned around the threaded shaft to bias the plate away from the support arm.