SLATWALL ADAPTER

Abstract

A display panel assembly comprises a display panel, a base for supporting the display panel, and a pair of spaced panel supports coupled with the base, each panel support having a slot. An adapter for the display panel assembly comprises a panel support portion comprising a channelway defined by a pair of spaced flanges and an interconnecting web, and an insert portion comprising an insert flange extending from the web and terminating in a spacer extending generally parallel to the web. The spacer is adapted for receipt in a panel support slot and the channelway is adapted for receipt of an edge of a panel therein, the channelway having a width different than the width of the slot. Panels having a first thickness can be supported by the panel support slots and panels having a second thickness can be supported by the adapter inserted into the panel support slots.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to slatwall panel display assemblies, and in particular to an adapter for assembling slatwall panels into a display assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Temporary display assemblies are ubiquitous for commercial and retail use. Such assemblies are used for displaying goods for sale to a customer, and may include signage. A typical assembly may comprise a pair of spaced uprights attached to a base with a panel extending between and supported by the uprights. The panel may be accessible from both sides. Goods are displayed on the panel for selection and purchase by a customer. The assembly can be readily assembled and disassembled as needed.

The panel may comprise pegboard, solid wood panels, plastic panels, and the like. The panel can be readily painted or embossed with desired colors, signage, and the like. Hangers can be a readily attached to the panel for the display of goods, and can be attached to the panel at selected locations depending upon the size and desired display configuration for the goods. Pegboard is a particularly desirable display medium.

The uprights are frequently specially configured to accommodate a pegboard or solid panel. For example, the uprights may include an inwardly facing slot extending the length of the upright into which the edge of the panel is inserted. The slot will have a width to accommodate the thickness of the panel while minimizing movement of the panel in the slot. Since pegboard and solid panels used in such an assembly frequently come in ¼″ thicknesses, the width of the slot will typically be slightly greater than ¼″ but no larger to enable the panel to be readily inserted and removed.

It is frequently desirable to display goods on a slatwall panel rather than a pegboard, or solid wood or plastic, panel. An example of a slatwall panel is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,957 to Muellerleile. It is also desirable to utilize the same base assembly for both a slatwall panel and a pegboard or solid panel. However, the thickness of a slatwall panel may be two to five times greater than the thickness of a pegboard or solid panel. Consequently, the slatwall panel cannot be inserted into the slot configured for a thinner panel. The only alternatives are to 1) use separate base assemblies for a slatwall panel and a pegboard or solid panel, 2) modify the width of the slot, such as by cutting away a portion of the upright, in order to accommodate the slatwall panel, 3) cut a rabbet into the slatwall panel to enable the panel edge to be inserted into the slot, or 4) run the slatwall panel between the uprights but not into the slots by attaching the slatwall panel to the uprights, such as by tacking or welding. The first alternative is very costly, the second alternative is difficult to accomplish without ending up with an unsightly configuration and will require another base assembly to again utilize a pegboard or solid panel, the third alternative is costly and potentially unsightly, and the fourth alternative may be unsatisfactory from a performance and appearance standpoint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A display panel assembly comprises a display panel, a base for supporting the display panel, and a pair of spaced panel supports coupled with the base, each panel support having a slot. An adapter for the display panel assembly comprises a panel support portion comprising a channelway defined by a pair of spaced flanges and an interconnecting web, and an insert portion comprising an insert flange extending from the web and terminating in a spacer extending generally parallel to the web. The spacer is adapted for receipt in a panel support slot and the channelway is adapted for receipt of an edge of a panel therein, the channelway having a width different than the width of the slot. Panels having a first thickness can be supported by the panel support slots and panels having a second thickness can be supported by the adapter inserted into the panel support slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display panel assembly comprising a first embodiment of a slatwall adapter according to the invention.

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a portion of the display panel assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along view line 1A-1A.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the first embodiment of the slatwall adapter illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base assembly comprising a portion of a display panel assembly with a pair of slatwall adapters for receipt of a slatwall panel.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a portion of the display panel assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 taken along view line 3A-3A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 showing the assembly of slatwall panels into a display panel assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a second embodiment of a slatwall adapter according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an adapter for a display panel assembly which can be attached to a display panel support adapted for support of a display panel having a first thickness so that a display panel having a second thickness different than the first thickness can be supported by the display panel support. Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a slatwall assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated comprising a base 12 upon which is supported a display panel assembly 14. The display panel assembly 14 comprises a slatwall panel 16 supported by and extending between a pair of upright panel supports 18. A slatwall adapter 20 according to the invention is attached to the panel supports 18 for support of the slatwall panel 16.

Referring also to FIG. 1A, the panel supports 18 comprise elongated members having a generally rectilinear cross-sectional configuration, and having a generally rectilinear panel slot 22 extending the length of the support 18. The supports 18 are attached to the base 12 so that the panel slots 22 are oriented toward one another for support of a panel therebetween. The slatwall adapter 20 comprises a panel support portion 24 and an insert portion 26 adapted so that the insert portion 26 can be inserted into the panel slot 22. Preferably, the slatwall adapter 20 has a length approximately equal to the length of each support 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional configuration of the slatwall adapter 20. The slatwall adapter 20 comprises a web 30 having a panel face 42 and an opposed insert face 44. The web 30 transitions at a first end to a half flange 32, and at a second end to a full flange 34. The half flange 32 and the full flange 34 extend generally orthogonally to the web 30 in parallel, spaced-apart disposition. A first portion of the full flange 34 comprises a panel flange 36, which with the web 30 and the half flange 32 defines the panel support portion 24. The panel flange 36, web 30, and half flange 32 define an elongated, channel-like panel slot 46 extending the length of the slatwall adapter 20. A semi-cylindrical, rail-like spacer 48 extends into the panel slot 46 from the panel face 42 intermediate the panel flange 36 and the half flange 32.

A second portion of the full flange 34 comprises an insert flange 38, extending orthogonally away from the insert face 44 of the web 30. The insert flange 38 transitions away from the web 30 to a stabilizer flange 40. The stabilizer flange 40 extends orthogonally to the insert flange 38 parallel to the web 30. The stabilizer flange 40 extends generally the length of the slatwall adapter 20 and has a length orthogonal to the length of the slatwall adapter 20 adapted for generally slidable insertion of the insert portion 26 into the panel slot 22 as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

The slatwall adapter 20 fabricated of a material having suitable strength and rigidity for the purposes described herein. Such materials can include aluminum, steel, plastic, and the like. The slatwall adapter 20 can be an aluminum or plastic extrusion, or a formed or roll-formed steel or aluminum.

FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the slatwall adapter 20 for support of a slatwall panel in a display panel assembly configured to support a thin display panel (not shown), such as pegboard, a solid wood or plastic panel, or tack board. After the thin display panel has been removed, a slatwall adapter 20 is installed to each panel support 18 by inserting the insert portion 26 in the panel slot 22 so that the insert face 44 of the web 30 is in contact with or immediately adjacent to the panel support 18. As illustrated in FIG. 4, 1 or more slatwall panels 16, such as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,957 to Muellerleile, can be slidably inserted into the panel slots 46 in each slatwall adapter 20 to create a display panel extending the height of the panel supports 18 (FIG. 1).

The spacer 48 will control the depth to which the panels 16 can be inserted into the panel slot 46. A preferred means of fabricating the slatwall adapter 20 is through a well-known extrusion process. The extrusion process will result in a radius corner where the flanges 32, 36 join the web 30. If the slatwall panel 16 is inserted too far into the panel slot 46, the edge of the panel 16 can bind in the radius corner, thereby making installation and removal of the panel 16 difficult. The spacer 48 prevents this binding from occurring.

If desired, the slatwall panels 16 can be removed, followed by removal of the slatwall adapters 20, and a thin display panel can again be installed in the display panel assembly by inserting the edges of the thin display panel in the panel slots 22. Thus, a single display panel assembly can be utilized for both thin display panels and slatwall display panels.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a slatwall adapter 60 comprising a panel support portion 80 and an insert portion 82. The panel support portion 80 comprises a web 62 and a pair of flanges 64, 66 extending orthogonally from both ends of a panel face 68 of the web 62. The flanges 64, 66 and a web 62 define a panel slot 72 adapted for receipt of a slatwall panel (not shown) therein. A semi-cylindrical, rail-like spacer 74 extends away from the panel face 68 longitudinally along a midline of the web 62. The insert portion 82 comprises an insert flange 78 extending orthogonally away from an insert face 70 of the web 62 opposite the panel slot 72. The insert web 76 terminates in an insert flange 78 extending orthogonal thereto, generally parallel to the web 62.

The slatwall adapter 60 is assembled to the panel support 80 by inserting the insert portion 82 into the panel slot 22 of the panel support 18 so that the insert face 70 of the web 62 is in contact with or adjacent to the panel support 18. The slatwall panels 16 can then be slidably inserted into the panel slots 72 to form the slatwall assembly 10, as previously described herein. The slatwall adapter 60 is utilized to center the slatwall panels 16 with respect to the panel supports 18, which may be desirable with panel supports 18 that extend from a midline of the base 12 rather than an edge of the base 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the slat wall adapter 20, 60 can be fabricated as an integral part of the slatwall panel 16 or adapted to be fixedly attachable to the slatwall panel 16, such as by a friction or interference fit, to provide a panel/adapter assembly which can be engaged with the panel supports 18 as a single, integrated unit.

In another embodiment, the slatwall adapter can be configured to support a thin panel, such as ¼-inch plywood, in a panel slot along a panel support that is sized to receive a slatwall panel. Thus, the adapter enables the support of a thin panel in a slot that is configured for a thicker panel.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adapter for a display panel assembly comprising a display panel, a base for supporting the display panel, a pair of spaced panel supports coupled with the base, each panel support having a slot, the adapter comprising:

a panel support portion having a width different than the width of the slot; and

an insert portion for coupling the adapter with the panel support;

wherein the insert portion is adapted for receipt in the panel support slot and the panel support portion is adapted for receipt of an edge of a panel therein, so that a panel having a first thickness can be supported by the panel support slots and a panel having a second thickness can be supported by adapters inserted into the panel support slots.

2. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

3. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the panel support portion comprises a channelway defined by a pair of spaced flanges and an interconnecting web, and the insert portion comprises an insert flange extending from the web and terminating in a spacer extending generally parallel to the web.

4. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the adapter comprises a unitary body.

5. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the adapter is fabricated of one of aluminum, steel, or plastic.

6. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the adapter is formed from one of an extrusion process, a forming process or a roll-formed process.

7. An adapter according to claim 3 wherein the insert flange extends from an edge of the web.

8. An adapter according to claim 3 wherein the insert flange extends from a centerline of the web.

9. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the panel having the first thickness is a pegboard panel.

10. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein the panel having the second thickness is a slatwall panel.

11. A slatwall adapter in combination with a display panel assembly, comprising:

a base for supporting the display panel assembly;

a pair of spaced panel supports coupled with the base, each panel support having a slot adapted to receive an edge of a first panel for supporting the first panel therebetween; and

an adapter comprising an insert portion for insertion into a slot, and a panel support portion comprising a channelway for receipt of an edge of a second panel therealong having a thickness different than the thickness of the first panel;

whereby the second panel can be incorporated into the display panel assembly by inserting an edge of the second panel into the channelway and inserting the insert portion into a slot.

12. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the adapter comprises a unitary body.

13. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the adapter is fabricated of one of aluminum, steel, or plastic.

14. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the adapter is formed from one of an extrusion process, a forming process, or a roll-formed process.

15. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the panel support portion comprises a pair of spaced flanges extending generally orthogonally from a first side of a web to define a channelway.

16. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the insert portion comprises an insert flange extending generally orthogonally from a second side of the web and terminating in a spacer extending generally parallel to the web.

17. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the insert portion extends from an edge of the web.

18. A combination according to claim 15 wherein the insert flange extends from a centerline of the web.

19. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the first panel is a slatwall panel.

20. A combination according to claim 11 wherein the second panel is a pegboard panel.

21. An adapter for a display panel assembly comprising a display panel, a base for supporting the display panel, a pair of spaced panel supports coupled with the base, each panel support having a slot, the adapter comprising:

a panel support portion comprising a channelway defined by a pair of spaced flanges and an interconnecting web; and

an insert portion comprising an insert flange extending from the web and terminating in a spacer extending generally parallel to the web;

wherein the spacer is adapted for receipt in a panel support slot and the channelway is adapted for receipt of an edge of a panel therein, so that a panel having a thickness different than the width of the slot can be supported by the panel supports without inserting the panel into the slot.

22. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the adapter comprises a unitary body.

23. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the adapter is fabricated of one of aluminum, steel, or plastic.

24. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the adapter is formed from one of an extrusion process, a forming process, or a roll-formed process.

25. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the insert portion extends from an edge of the web.

26. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the insert portion extends from a centerline of the web.

27. An adapter according to claim 21 wherein the display panel is a slatwall panel.