AU2013100510B4 - Improvements in or in relation to shop fittings - Google Patents

Abstract

A display panel assembly 10 comprising removable panels 11 that may be fitted to spaced horizontal rails 12 located between vertical uprights 13. In the illustrated embodiment the rails form a rectangular grid behind the panels 11 and in this case there are four panels 11, three uprights 13 and there are three rails 12 per panel. The arrangement is modular so any number of rails and panels may be fitted out in this manner. At the level of each rail 12 each upright 13 has three transversely spaced slots 14, 15 and 16 on each side 17, 18. The slots are in group of three at set vertical spacing along each vertical upright 13. Each rail 12 has a notch 19 forming a hook 20 and along with the length of each slot 14, 15, 16 and the width of rails 12, the rails 12 drop into the slots and may be taken out and shifted between the slots 14, 15, 16.

Description

1 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR IN RELATION TO SHOP FITTINGS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] THIS INVENTION relates improvements to panels and associated fittings and in particular but not limited to shop fittings with display panels. BACKGROUND [0002] Panels are often secured in place using fasteners. In shop fittings panels are often located on walls or stands where items for sale are displayed in front of the panels on shelves or scanning hooks and so on. [0003] At present panels generally are not adjustable or are difficult to change if the shop owner wants to alter the appearance of the display in this regard. [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide shop fittings which easily facilitate an interchange of display panels. SUMMARY [0005] In one aspect there is provided a panel assembly comprising a grid of rails divided into sections of predetermine outline, panels mounted to the grid and there being panel adjustment means comprising selectable panel and rail attachments provided behind the panels so the panels may be adjusted in or out. [0006] In a preferred form there is provided a panel assembly comprising spaced vertical rails, spaced horizontal rails extending between the vertical rails and a removable panel adapted to fit onto the horizontal rails, adjustment means enabling the panels to be shifted in or out relative to the vertical rails.

2 [0007] In another preferred aspect there is provided a panel assembly comprising spaced vertical rails, spaced horizontal rails and a removable panel adapted to fit onto the horizontal rails, the horizontal rails being adjustable in or out so that the panels may be adjusted in or out. [0008] Preferably, the adjustment means comprises a set of discrete and selectable panel and rail attachments, the attachments being located at spaced intervals both across and down the vertical rails. [0009] In one preferred adjustment means there is provided vertically spaced groups of transversely spaced slots in the vertical rails with groups opposite each other so the horizontal rails may be located in a selected one of the slots in each group thus providing a forward or rearward horizontal rail position depending upon the selected slot. [0010] The panels may be of any shape or configuration but preferably have rail attachment means. The rail attachment means typically comprise spaced brackets. Typically the spaced brackets are adapted to removably fit a panel to a rail. In one preferred embodiment the spaced brackets form spaced close fitting hooks having an elongate channel matched to the horizontal rails to locate by a lift and drop action to put panels in place. [0011] Preferably an edge of the panel assembly includes a removable edge, the removable edge being adapted to be removably fitted to a vertical rail and typically includes a fitting adapted to fit the adjustment means so that the removable edge is interchangeable with and may utilise the panel position adjustment means for its fitting to the panel assembly.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and be put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings and wherein: [0013] Figure 1 is an exploded view from the front illustrating a panel assembly according to the present invention; [0014] Figures 2-4 are close-up views of parts of the assembly of Figure 1; [0015] Figure 5 is an exploded view from the back of a panel assembly according to the present invention; [0016] Figures 6 and 7 are exploded views of respective corners of a panel assembly according to the present invention illustrating edge finishing with a removable edge fitting; [001 7]Figures 8 and 9 are front and rear views of a panel assembly with panels in one position; [0018] Figures 10 and 11 are front and rear views illustrating a second embodiment of panels in a second position; and [0019] Figures 12 and 13 are front and rear views illustrating panels in a third position. METHOD OF PERFORMANCE [0020] Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1-5 there is illustrated in exploded view a display panel assembly 10 comprising removable panels 11 that may be fitted to spaced horizontal rails 12 located between vertical uprights 13. In the illustrated 4 embodiment the rails form a rectangular grid behind the panels 11 and in this case there are four panels 11, three uprights 13 and there are three rails 12 per panel. The arrangement is modular so any number of rails and panels may be fitted out in this manner. [0021] At the level of each rail 12 each upright 13 has three transversely spaced slots 14, 15 and 16 on each side 17, 18. The slots are in group of three at set vertical spacing along each vertical upright 13. Each rail 12 has a notch 19 forming a hook 20 and along with the length of each slot 14, 15, 16 and the width of rails 12, the rails 12 drop into the slots and may be taken out and shifted between the slots 14, 15, 16. Of course this is after the uprights 13 have been secured to a back support, for example, a wall. [0022] Each panel 11 has nine brackets 21 which include a hook portion 22 with narrow channel 23 which may be fitted over the rails 12 in close fitting with a lift and drop action. Thus panels 11 may be easily taken off by just lifting to clear the rails 12 and then moving the panels out. The rails 12 may then be moved to a new position and the same of other panels put back in place thus changing the display. [0023] Thus it will be appreciated that the panel position may be adjusted in or out by placing the rails 12 in a selected pair of the slots 14, 15, 16 on adjacent uprights 13. [0024] It will of course also be appreciated that the same effect can be achieved by modifying bracket 21 to have extra channels shown in phantom at 24 and 25. So in this case the rail 12 would be fixed. Of course greater clearance will be required for the wider panel brackets. [0025] It will be appreciated that the panels 11 may be repeated due to the modular nature of the panel assembly. Once the panel assembly reaches a desired finish, the vertical edge may be finished by an end cap assembly. The end cap assembly comprises brackets 27 and end cap rails 28 which arrangement is shown in exploded view in Figures 6 and 7.

5 [0026] As shown in the bracket 27 has three prongs 29, 30, 31 and an end plate section 32. The prongs fit into slots 14, 15, 16 and the plate section has holes 33 and 34 so that it may be secured to be an end cap rail 28. Thus the end cap assembly may simply be lifted off the upright 13 in a similar way to the rails 12. [0027] This means that the display may be changed by changing the panels 11 and it also may be changed by changing the matching end cap assemblies 28 so there can be a complete mix and match. [0028] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a position of panels 11 with the rails in the middle slots 15, Figures 10 and 11 utilise panels 33, each having edge rebates 34 so the panels 33 extend partly across the uprights 13 with the rails 12 in the front slot 14. Figures 12 and 13 show another panel set up with the rails 12 in the rearmost slot 16. [0029] In the illustrated embodiment the uprights 13 are standard shelving bracket verticals that have holes 35 to take shelving brackets, hangers, scanning books and so on as are commonly used in shop fitting. The present panels 11, 33 are shown as plain panels but any panels may be employed including those as commonly used in shop fitting. [0030] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present inventions many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the inventions as set out in the appended claims. In addition in the present specification words "comprised", "comprising", "including" and similar words used herein are non-limiting and are used in the non-exhaustive inclusive sense, that is to say they do not mean "made up of' but rather "include".

Claims (5)

1. A display panel assembly comprising a grid of rails divided into sections of predetermined outline, panels mounted to the grid and there being panel adjustment means comprising selectable panel and rail attachments provided behind the panels so the panels may be adjusted in or out.

2. A panel assembly according to claim 1 wherein the the rails comprise vertical and horizontal rails and the adjustment means comprises a set of discrete and selectable panel and rail attachments, the attachments being located at spaced intervals both across and down the vertical rails.

3. A panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the adjustment means is provided by transversely spaced slots in the vertical rails.

4. A panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels are side by side and have rail attachment means comprising spaced hooks.

5. A panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels have rail attachment means comprising spaced brackets as spaced close fitting hooks each having an elongate channel matched to the horizontal rails to locate by a lift and drop action to put panels in place.