Abstract: A slat wall structure including a substantially vertical support portion and at least one substantially horizontal web extending from the support portion. An end of the web includes a downwardly depending portion extending longitudinally along the end of the web, with the downwardly depending portion defining an upwardly extending recess. The recess is located below each of the webs, whereby both hook-like engagement brackets and upwardly extending mounting flange brackets can be supported by the slat wall. The web can also include a downwardly extending portion that defines at least one screw boss, wherein screws are receivable to mount the slat wall from its end. A pair of oppositely disposed and mutually spaced vertical end walls having a slat wall located between and attached to the end walls by screws placed through the vertical end walls and into the screw boss to thereby secure a side of the web to the vertical end walls and form an integral upright assembly which may be self-supporting.

Abstract: A free-standing modular wall system (10, 110) utilizing a plurality of individual slat members (22) stacked vertically one upon the other to form panels (12, 14) and supported upon upright end members (20) having a foot or base (16, 116) whereby the resulting module may be moved from place to place and joined with other such modules to form a longer wall. Preferably, the slats (22) are formed of sheet metal and mounted on transverse hanger brackets (24), to which some or all of the slat members (22) may be either fixedly or movably by interlocking slidable engagement. Preferably, the panels, (12, 14) consisting of slats (22) and hanger brackets (24) are removably mounted upon the upright supports (20). The modular wall system units (10, 110) may either be single-faced or double-faced, i.e., may have only a single slat-wall panel (12, 14) or may have a pair of such panels disposed back-to-back, for use in installations where both sides are fully exposed.

Abstract: A method for extending the life of a cutting tool includes shot peening the surface of the tool, including all cutting edges thereof, with substantially spherical shot peening media of glass beads. Maximum life extension is achieved by optimizing the parameters of the peening process, including the Almen intensity and the shot size and uniformity. Cutting tools, especially steel tools, shot peened in accordance with the present method display many-fold increases in life.