Component Foodservice Counter Systems and Methods

Abstract

According to the invention, a component foodservice counter system is disclosed. The system may include a first vertical plate member, a second vertical plate member, a plurality of lateral structural members, and a counter top. The plurality of lateral structural members may couple the first vertical plate member with the second vertical plate member, with each of the plurality of lateral structural members possibly mechanically coupled with the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate. The counter top may be supported by at least one of the plurality of lateral structural members.

1 . A component foodservice counter system, wherein the system comprises:
 a first vertical plate member;   a second vertical plate member;   a plurality of lateral structural members coupling the first vertical plate member with the second vertical plate member, wherein each of the plurality of lateral structural members are mechanically coupled with the first vertical plate and the second vertical plate; and   a counter top supported by at least one of the plurality of lateral structural members.   
   
   
       2 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises at least one vertical member mechanically coupling at least one of the plurality of lateral structural members to at least one other of the plurality of lateral structural members. 
   
   
       3 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a fascia mechanically coupled with at least one of the vertical members. 
   
   
       4 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 3 , wherein an entire profile of the fascia is substantially geometrically similar to at least some portion of a front profile of at least one of the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member. 
   
   
       5 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs is mechanically coupled with one of the plurality of lateral structural members, and wherein the legs are configured to at least partially support the system. 
   
   
       6 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of legs being mechanically coupled with one of the plurality of lateral structural members comprises the leg being movably coupled. 
   
   
       7 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member are configured to at least partially support the system on a surface. 
   
   
       8 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein the first vertical plate member defines a cavity configured to allow mechanical or electrical components to pass through the first vertical plate member. 
   
   
       9 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lateral structural members are curved. 
   
   
       10 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of tray slide bars, wherein the plurality of tray slide bars are at least partially supported by the first vertical plate member. 
   
   
       11 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter top defines at least one cavity configured to receive a foodservice apparatus. 
   
   
       12 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member at least partially define a profile of at least one of a front of the component foodservice counter system and a back of the component foodservice counter system. 
   
   
       13 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 12 , wherein the profile of the front of the component foodservice counter system is a selection from a group consisting of: a curve, a substantially straight line, a combination of multiple curves, a combination of multiple lines, and a combination of at least one curve and at least one substantially straight line. 
   
   
       14 . A method of building a component foodservice counter system, wherein the method comprises:
 providing a first vertical plate member;   providing a second vertical plate member;   providing a plurality of lateral structural members;   coupling, mechanically, each of the plurality of lateral structural members with the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member; and   providing a counter top;   supporting the counter top with at least one of the plurality of lateral structural members.   
   
   
       15 . The method of building a component foodservice counter system of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing at least one vertical member; and   coupling, mechanically, at least one of the plurality of lateral structural members to at least one other of the plurality of lateral structural members with at least one vertical member.   
   
   
       16 . The method of building a component foodservice counter system of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises coupling, mechanically, a fascia with at least one of the vertical members. 
   
   
       17 . The method of building a component foodservice counter system of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises coupling, mechanically and movably, a plurality of legs with the plurality of lateral structural members, wherein the plurality of legs are configured to at least partially support the system. 
   
   
       18 . The method of building a component foodservice counter system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member are configured to at least partially support the system. 
   
   
       19 . The method of building a component foodservice counter system of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises inserting, at least partially, a foodservice apparatus into a cavity defined by the counter top. 
   
   
       20 . A component foodservice counter system, wherein the system comprises:
 a first vertical plate member;   a second vertical plate member;   a third vertical plate member;   a first plurality of lateral structural members coupling the first vertical plate member with the second vertical plate member, wherein each of the first plurality of lateral structural members are mechanically coupled with the first vertical plate member and the second vertical plate member;   a second plurality of lateral structural members coupling the second vertical plate member with the third vertical plate member, wherein each of the second plurality of lateral structural members are mechanically coupled with the second vertical plate member and the third vertical plate member; and   a counter top supported by the second vertical plate member.   
   
   
       21 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 20 , wherein the second vertical plate member defines a cavity configured to allow mechanical or electrical components to pass through the second vertical plate member. 
   
   
       22 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 21 , wherein:
 at least one of the first plurality of lateral structural members defines a channel;   at least one of the second plurality of lateral structural members defines a channel; and   the cavity is in proximity to both a channel defined by the first plurality of lateral structural members, and a channel defined by the second plurality of lateral structural members.   
   
   
       23 . The component foodservice counter system of  claim 20 , wherein the system further comprises an additional lateral structural member coupling the first vertical plate member to the third vertical plate member, wherein the additional lateral structural member is mechanically coupled with the first vertical plate member and the third vertical plate member.