Modular food guard apparatus and systems and methods of use thereof

{
  "publication_number": "US2006163976A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Modular food guard apparatus and systems and methods of use thereof",
  "abstract": "A method of converting a modular food guard from a first configuration to a second configuration. The method includes the steps of disengaging a securing means from a vertical mounting member of a food guard apparatus; removing a first bracket member from the vertical mounting member; and removably securing a second bracket member to the vertical mounting member with the securing means, wherein the first and second bracket members have different constructions.",
  "claims": [
    "12. A method of converting a modular food guard from a first configuration to a second configuration, comprising the steps of: disengaging a securing means from a vertical mounting member of a food guard apparatus; removing a first bracket member from the vertical mounting member; and removably securing a second bracket member to the vertical mounting member with the securing means, wherein the first and second bracket members have different constructions.",
    "13. The method of claim 12, wherein the disengaging step further comprises disengaging a first pair of pivot pins from a first pair of support receptacles disposed in the vertical mounting member, the support receptacles of the first pair of support receptacles being separated by a distance.",
    "14. The method of claim 13, wherein the disengaging step further comprises threadably disengaging the first pair of pivot pins from the first pair of support receptacles.",
    "15. The method of claim 13, wherein the removably securing step further includes engaging the first pair of support receptacles with the first pair of pivot pins.",
    "16. The method of claim 13, wherein the removing step further comprises extracting the first pair of pivot pins from a first pair of support apertures disposed in the first bracket.",
    "17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of: removably attaching a shelf support member to the vertical mounting member; and supporting a shelf with the shelf support member.",
    "18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of removably connecting a shield to the second bracket.",
    "19. A method of assembling a modular food guard comprising the steps of: removably attaching a first bracket to a vertical mounting member of a food guard apparatus by engaging a first pair of support receptacles disposed on the vertical mounting member with a first pair of pivot pins wherein the support receptacle of the first pair of support receptacles are separated by a distance; and removably attaching a second bracket to the vertical mounting member by engaging a second pair of support receptacles disposed on the vertical mounting member with a second pair of pivot pins, wherein the support receptacles within the second pair of support receptacles are separated by the distance.",
    "20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: removably securing a first shield to the first bracket; and removably securing a second shield to the second bracket.",
    "21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: removably connecting a shelf support to the vertical mounting member; and supporting a shelf on the shelf support member.",
    "22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of: disengaging one of the pivot pins of the first pair of pivot pins from an associated support receptacle; rotating the first bracket into a second position; and securing the first bracket in the second position by re-engaging the associated support receptacle with the pivot pin.",
    "23. The method of claim 19, wherein the removably attaching steps further comprise threadably engaging the support receptacles with the pivot pins."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "A47F 10/06",
    "A47F 2010/065"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MATUS JOSE O JR"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2006-03-23",
  "publication_date": "2006-07-27",
  "priority_date": "2001-09-13",
  "application_number": "US-38759906-A",
  "family_id": "26935695",
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}