Moveable Bar Countertop Partition for the Hygienic Separation of Patrons

Abstract

A moveable partition for the hygienic separation of patrons or customers particularly suited for use on bar countertops consisting of a transparent sheet of plastic of appropriate size vertically supported atop the countertop by a counterweight mounted at one end of the sheet, the counterweight end to be positioned at the inner side of the bar top, the counterweight optionally detachable from the sheet, optionally providing a handle to position the partition, and optionally raising the sheet to a selected height over a bar countertop having an outer lip to provide for the positioning of the sheet between patrons.

Claims

1. A moveable bar countertop partition for the hygienic separation of patrons, said bar countertop having an inner side and an outer side, said partition comprising in combination: A. a transparent sheet of plastic, said sheet having a lower edge and an upper edge, a rear edge and a forward edge, said sheet configured to be positioned transversely across said bar, said rear edge of said sheet commensurate with said inner side of said bar and said forward edge of said sheet extending beyond said outer side of said bar a sufficient distance to separate said patrons from physical contact; and B. a counterweight attached to said sheet at the location of the intersection of said lower edge and said rear edge of said sheet, said counterweight arranged to support said sheet in an upright position.

2. The partition of claim 1 including a countertop protective mat disposed beneath said counterweight.

3. The partition of claim 1 wherein said counterweight is comprised of a pair of opposed right angle members and a clamping assembly to clamp said sheet between said members in said upright position.

4. The partition of claim 3 wherein said sheet and said right angle members each have an aligned hole transverse said partition and said clamping assembly comprises a pair of opposing male and female mutually communicating threaded members disposed in said holes, said threaded members arranged to clamp said sheet between said right angle members when said threaded members are engaged.

5. The partition of claim 4 wherein said threaded members comprise handles for said partition.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional illustration of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1 along line A-A; and

[0025] FIG. 7 is a further illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention 10 is shown in which a transparent sheet of, for example, a polycarbonate or similar plastic material 12, having a lower edge 14, an upper edge 16, a rear edge 18 and a forward edge 20, is supported by an exemplary counterweight 22 attached to the sheet at the location of the intersection of its lower and rear edges, the counterweight supporting sheet 12 in an upright position when placed on a bar top. The combined weight of the counterweight and sheet are selected to be within any governmental or insurance requirements relating to liftable weight limitations by employees.

[0027] Counterweight 22 is composed of a pair of opposed right angle metal members 24 and is arranged to support and clamp sheet 12 when engaged by a clamping assembly comprising a pair of opposed threaded handles 26 and 28 more specifically shown in FIG. 6. A countertop protective mat 30 is positioned on the underside of right angle members 24.

[0028] FIGS. 2-5 are additional views of the partition of FIG. 1 wherein like callout designations refer to that Figure. FIG. 2 further shows sheet 12 with a space 15 above a countertop 32 as is achieved by the configuration of the clamping assembly.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional illustration wherein sheet 12 and right angle members 24 each have aligned holes 34 and 36 respectively positioned transverse partition 10 and the clamping assembly comprises a pair of opposing female 38 and male 40 mutually communicating threads at the ends of members 26 and 28 respectively disposed in holes 34 and 36 respectively, the threaded members serving to clamp sheet 12 between right angle members 24 when the threaded members are engaged.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates the invention in use.

[0031] It will be understood that both the shape and material of sheet 12 and the configuration of counterweight 22 may be altered to achieve the protective function of the invention within the scope of and as defined by the following claims.