GB2241997A

GB2241997A - Joining together counter modules

Info

Publication number: GB2241997A
Application number: GB9005791A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Reginald Graham
Original assignee: VICTOR Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: VICTOR Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 1990-03-15
Filing date: 1990-03-15
Publication date: 1991-09-18
Also published as: GB9005791D0

Abstract

A method of joining together counter modules, for example food servery counters, comprises providing at least one spacer tube 16 located between and spacing apart adjacent sides of two respective counter modules 12 and passing a bolt 18 through the spacer tube to engage the module sides and thereby affix the modules to one another in a spaced apart condition determined by the length of the spacer tube, in this manner, the modules are affixed together but spaced apart sufficiently to allow cleaning therebetween. Plastics grommets 20 may also be provided at each end of the spacer tube. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF FIXING COUNTERS This invention relates to a method of fixing counters, in particular counters for food serveries, cafeterias, and the like.

A common arrangement in cafeterias is for counters to be set up carrying hot or cold food along which a customer walks with a tray making his selction. At the end of the counter or counters there is usually a cashier point where the food selected can be paid for. The counter may be built up of a number of units or modules and indeed counter modules are commercially available which can be fitted together to produce a counter having any desired arrangement of serveries for hot and cold foods, beverages, plate and cutlery dispensers, and the like. Such modules may be supplied and designed to be permanently fixed in place or may indeed be supplied with castors. However, hitherto it has been usual for adjacent counter modules to be butted together by extending the tops of each module and permanently joining them together with a butting plate or bolts.This method is not only permanent but often leaves a gap between the tops where the two modules are joined thus allowing food, dirt, etc. to fall between the two or become engrained in the gap which is unhygienic. Should ceramic tiles be employed to cover the tops, the tiles have to be laid on site in such a way as to cover the joints and thus the counters become permanently fixed.

The invention seeks to provide a method of joining counter modules improved in the above respects.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of fixing counter modules which comprises providing at least one spacer tube located between and spacing apart adjacent sides of two respective counter modules, and passing a bolt or threaded barthrough the spacer tube to engage the module sides and thereby affix the modules to one another in a space apart condition determined by the length of the spacer tube.

That is, the method of the invention does not seek to butt adjacent counter modules together but deliberately spaces them apart creating a gap, preferably of at least 100 mm, which allows easy access for cleaning. The method of the invention allows unskilled personel to carry out the process of joining the modules on site. Modules can be easily and quickly disconnected if desired and pushed to one side. The method can be used for both mobile service counter modules, e.g. having castors, and those with feet.

Preferably the spacer tubes are further provided with rubber of plastics material grommets at either end so as to give a smooth practically seamless connection to the adjacent module sides.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of counter modules joined in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a spacer unit on an enlarged scale; and Figures 3 (a) - (d) illustrate the stages of joining adjacent modules.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1 illustrates three food servery counter modules as viewed from the operator's side joined in accordance with the invention. In particular, the joining of the right hand side of a module 10 to the left hand side of a module 12 will be described. Spacers generally designated 14 are provided comprising a spacing tube 16 and a central bolt 18. In addition, rubber or plastics material grommets 20 are also provided one for each end of the tube 16. Associated nuts 22 and washers 24 are also provided.

The operation of the method is illustrated in figure 3.

Preferably four spacers are employed between each adjacent pair of counter modules. Accordingly four holes are drilled in the right hand side of the module 10 and four correspondingly spaced holes in the left hand side of the module 12. These holes may be pre-drilled in the factory and, indeed, preferably are so. The bolt 18 is passed through one of the holes in the right hand side of the module 10 and fixed in place as illustrated in figure 3(a) by means of nuts 22 and washers 24. The grommets 20 are placed over the respective ends of the tube 16 and the latter passed over the projecting end of the bolt 18. The two units 10,12 are then brought together and the projecting end of the bolt 18 passed through the corresponding hole in the left hand side of the module 12 (figure 3(c)) where the join is completed by applying a further washer 24 and nut 22.Naturally all four spacer tubes and grommets are placed in position before the final nuts 22 are applied to the bolts 18 and tightened after ensuring that the two modules are pushed together and are square. It may be necessary to ease the modules together whilst carrying out the final tightening of the nuts so ensuring that the spacer tubes are held in position. This process is carried out with each module to be linked in a counter run. The space between the modules (see figure 1) is sufficient to allow cleaning and the smooth surfaces of the grommets and spacer tubes allow them to be thoroughly cleaned without trapping food or dirt. Furthermore tiled tops can be provided in the factory to units if desired since there is no need to tile over gaps as hitherto.

The method of the invention provides a simple and economical way of fitting together counter units which allows them to be assembled by non-skilled labour and, furthermore, to be easily disassembled when required and moved out of the way, for example if the room is required for another purpose.

Claims

1. A method of fixing counter modules which comprises providing at least one spacer tube located between and spacing apart adjacent sides of two respective counter 'nodules, and passing a bolt or threaded bar through the specer tube to engage the module sides and thereby affix the modules to one another in a spaced apart condition determined by the length of the spacer tube.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spacer tubes are further provided with rubber or plastics material grommets at either end so as to give a smooth, practically seamless, connection to the adjacent module sides.

3. A method as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which four spacer tubes and respective bolts are employed between adjacent modules.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which four holes are drilled in the right hand side of one module and four correspondingly spaced holes are drilled in the left hand side of the adjacent module, the blots are passed through each of the holes in the right hand side module fixed in place by means of nuts and washers, grommets are placed over respective ends of the spacer tube, and the latter passed over the projecting end of the bolts after which the two units are brought together and the projecting end of the bolts passed through the corresponding holes in the adjacent module after which the join is completed by applying a further washer and nut.

5. A method of fixing counter modules substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.