EP2491832A1

EP2491832A1 - Panel assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2491832A1
Application number: EP12153719A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Granville Hancocks
Original assignee: Eden a Trading Division of Marmon Group Ltd; Eden UK Ltd
Current assignee: Eden a Trading Division of Marmon Group Ltd; Eden UK Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-02
Publication date: 2012-08-29
Also published as: GB201102781D0

Abstract

The invention provides a slat-wall panel assembly comprising a plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels supported by at least one support member configured to support said plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels in a spaced relationship, wherein at least one slat-wall panel is removable from said slat-wall panel assembly, further wherein a gap is provided between each one of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels and adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels, and wherein the gap is closable.
The invention also provides: a slat-wall panel for use in the slat-wall panel assembly; a merchandise display comprising the slat-wall panel assembly and at least one merchandise hanger mounted on the slat-wall panel assembly; a method of assembling the slat-wall panel assembly; and a method of removing at least one slat-wall panel from the slat-wall panel assembly.

Description

The present invention relates to a panel assembly and, particularly, but not exclusively, to a slat-wall panel assembly. The present invention also relates to a slat-wall panel for use in such a slat-wall panel assembly. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to a slat-wall panel assembly for a merchandise display.
Slat-wall panel assemblies are known arrangements for providing means to display merchandise. They may be used to organise or display articles on a wall. Many types of slat-wall panel assemblies comprise a modular construction in which a plurality of vertically stacked modules (i.e. slat-wall panels) are spaced to define a groove or slot between adjacent modules. The grooves or slots are formed by the gaps between adjacent ones of the plurality of slat-wall panels. The slat-wall panels themselves are held in a spaced relationship to define the gaps between adjacent ones of the plurality of slat-wall panels. This may be achieved by fixing each of the slat-wall panels to one or more support members.
In another known configuration, the support members comprise a pair of upright support members each having a vertical channel formed therein. The upright support members are spaced horizontally from each other and are arranged such that the vertical channels face each other. Slat-wall panels can then be inserted between the parallel upright support members by dropping them into place from the top. A slat-wall panel display can be built-up by placing one slat-wall panel on top of another, and so on.
In some configurations, one or more cantilever hangers are located such that ends thereof are received in the grooves or slots (hereinafter "slots"). These hangers are suitable for displaying small articles of merchandise suspended thereon and are adapted to be detachably mounted on the slat-wall panel assembly. In other configurations, the slots are designed to receive hooks, shelving brackets and other hardware from which articles of merchandise are directly hung, or which provide support for shelving on which the articles of merchandise are placed.
A drawback with these known configurations is that, if a slat-wall panel in the vertically stacked array of panels of a display must be replaced (e.g. because it is damaged), then all slat-wall panels above that panel must be removed before the panel can be removed and replaced. Once a new panel has been added to the display, the removed panels must then be returned to the display. In addition to the above steps, it first may be necessary to remove any merchandise from the display.
As will be appreciated, replacement of a slat-wall panel (damaged or otherwise) in the above manner is a time-consuming process.
Aspects and embodiments of the present invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.
Viewed from a first aspect, there is provided a slat-wall panel assembly having closable slots between adjacent slat-wall panels of the assembly.
Optionally, the slots may be configured to facilitate removal of one or more slat-wall panels from the slat-wall panel assembly.
Viewed from a second aspect, there is provided a slat-wall panel assembly comprising a plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels supported by at least one support member configured to support said plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels in a spaced relationship, wherein at least one slat-wall panel is removable from the slat-wall panel assembly, further wherein a gap is formed between an upper edge of each one of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels and a lower edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels located above each said one of the plurality of slat-wall panels, and wherein the gap is closable to enable removal of at least one slat-wall panel from the assembly without disturbing adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels.
Each of said plurality of slat-wall panels may be removable from said slat-wall panel assembly independently of other ones of said plurality of slat-wall panels of said slat-wall panel assembly.
The gap between adjacent panels of the slat-wall panel assembly is closable by way of each of the slat-wall panels being moveable in a plane of an array of the vertically stacked slat-wall panels. That is, a slat-wall panel may be moved relative to adjacent panels in the array. Thus, this "sliding" movement may be employed, for example, to slide a first panel relative to a second panel located above it in the array. As the first panel is moved, the gap between the first and second panel closes. When the gap is substantially closed, the first panel is removable from the array. This may allow removal of a panel from an array of vertically stacked slat-wall panels of a slat-wall panel assembly without requiring removal first of panels located above the panel to be removed.
The gap may be configured to receive a portion of at least one merchandise display member, and opposing upper and lower edges of adjacent ones of the plurality of slat-wall panels forming the gap may be configured to support the portion of at least one merchandise display member located therebetween
Further optionally, each of said slat-wall panels may comprise at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of the plurality of slat-wall panels during removal of the panel from the slat-wall panel assembly.
Yet further optionally, each of the slat-wall panels may comprise at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of the plurality of slat-wall panels during insertion of the panel into an available panel space of the slat-wall panel assembly.
At least one support member may comprise a plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members and each of the slat-wall panels may comprise at least one support member engagement member, wherein the plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members are arranged for cooperative releasable engagement with the at least one support member engagement member located on slat-wall panels. In an optional arrangement, the plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members may comprise a series of slots spaced at intervals along a length of the at least one support member, wherein the slots are arranged to receive said at least one support member engagement member of said plurality of slat-wall panels. Further, the at least one support member engagement member may comprise at least one hook.
Optionally, each of the slat-wall panels comprises a substantially elongate planar member.
The support member engagement members may be located at ends of the slat-wall panel and/or may extend rearwardly from a rear surface of the slat-wall panel.
Optionally, the at least one support member may comprise an elongate upright member. Further optionally, the elongate upright member may comprise a hollow bar having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
In an optional arrangement, the slat-wall panel assembly may comprise two elongate upright members.
Viewed from a third aspect, the present invention provides a slat-wall panel for use in the slat-wall panel assembly comprising any combination of features described above, wherein said slat-wall panel comprises at least one support member engagement member arranged for cooperative releasable engagement with slat-wall panel engagement members of said slat-wall panel assembly, further wherein said at least one support ember engagement member is configured to allow at least one slat-wall panel to be moved vertically relative to said at least one support member to which said at least one slat-wall panel is mounted to enable removal of at least one slat-wall panel from said slat-wall panel assembly.
Optionally, the slat-wall panel may comprise at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of a plurality of slat-wall panels located in a slat-wall panel assembly during insertion of the panel into an available panel space of the slat-wall panel assembly.
In particular, but not exclusively, the at least one support member engagement member may comprise at least one hook.
The slat-wall panel may comprise a substantially elongate planar member.
Optionally, the at least one support member engagement member may be located at ends of the slat-wall panel. The at least one support member engagement member may extend rearwardly from a rear surface of the slat-wall panel.
Viewed from a fourth aspect, there is provided a merchandise display assembly comprising: a slat-wall panel assembly comprising any combination of features described above; and at least one merchandise hanger extending from a gap between adjacent ones of the plurali of slat-wall panels.
Viewed from a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a slat-wall panel assembly comprising any combination of features described above, the method comprising: (a) providing at least one support ember configured to support a plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels in a spaced relationship, wherein said at least one support member comprises a plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members for cooperative engagement with at least one support member engagement member located on each of said plurality of slat-wall panels; (b) introducing a slat-wall panel to the at least one support member; (c) aligning at least one support member engagement member of the panel with a corresponding at least one slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member; (d) moving the panel in a first direction so as to bring the at least one support member engagement member of the panel into cooperation with the corresponding at least one slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member; (e) moving the panel in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, to engage the at least one support member engagement member of the panel with the corresponding at least one slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member; (f) repeating steps (b) to (e) as required.
Viewed from a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of removing at least one slat-wall panel from a slat-wall panel assembly comprising any combination of features described above, the method comprising: (a) moving a slat-wall panel to be removed relative to at least one support member of the slat-wall panel assembly in a direction opposite to the second direction described above; (b) moving the slat-wall panel to be removed relative to the at least one support member of the slat-wall panel assembly in a direction opposite to the first direction of described above.
One or more embodiments of the present invention are described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a merchandise display comprising a slat-wall panel assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates a close-up perspective view of two slat-wall panels of the slat-wall panel assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, and the manner in which they are mounted on a support member;
Fig. 3 illustrates an end side-view of a plurality of slat-wall panels of the slat-wall panel assembly in a normal operational arrangement;
Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a method of removing a slat-wall panel from the slat-wall panel assembly illustrated in Fig. 3; and
Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate a method of mounting a slat-wall panel in a slat-wall panel assembly such as that illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a merchandise display 10 comprising a slat-wall panel assembly 12 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention and a plurality of merchandise hangers 14. Hereinafter, for convenience and expediency, "slat-wall panel assembly 12" will be referred to as "panel assembly 12".
In the illustrated arrangement, the panel assembly 12 comprises a pair of support members 16 and a plurality of slat-wall panels 18. Again, for convenience and expediency, "slat-wall panels 18" will hereinafter be referred to as "panels 18".
The pair of support members 16 may suitably comprise hollow tubular posts having a rectangular cross-section. Each support member 16 is provided with a plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members (not shown) for receiving cooperative engagement members (not shown) of the panels 18.
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the support members 16 are spaced by a distance which is approximately the same as the length of each of the panels 18. Thus, in a normal operational configuration, a left-hand end of a panel 18 will be mounted on, and supported by, a left-hand one of the support members 16, and a right-hand end of that panel 18 will be mounted on, and supported by, a right-hand one of the support members 16. The terms "left-hand" and "right-hand" are applicable when the merchandise display 10 is viewed in the direction indicated by arrow X in Fig. 1.
Each of the support members 16 is provided with a base 20 which serves to maintain the support member in a substantially upright orientation. The provision of bases 20 allows the merchandise display 10 to be free-standing. Of course, in other arrangements, the support members 16 may be fixed directly to a wall or other secondary support element. Further, the support members 16 may themselves be part of a wall to which the panels 18 can be directly mounted.
The panels 18 comprise substantially elongate planar members which are releasably mounted on the support members 16 in a vertically stacked array. The panels 18 are mounted on the support members 16 in a spaced relationship such that there are gaps between adjacent panels 18. These gaps are referred to hereinafter as "slots 21 ".
In the illustrated arrangement of Fig. 1, one or more merchandise hangers 14 are located in the slots 21. The merchandise hangers 14 may suitably be of the cantilever type wherein a bracket of the hanger comprises a plate member which is locatable in a space behind adjacent panels 18. An upper portion of the plate member lies behind an upper one of the adjacent panels 18, and a lower portion of the plate member lies behind a lower one of the adjacent panels 18. A hanger element extends away from, typically substantially perpendicularly, from the plate member and is arranged to protrude from the slot 21 between the two adjacent panels 18.
Such merchandise hangers 14 will be known to persons skilled in the field of the present invention. Other types of suitable merchandise hangers or shelves or brackets may be used in other optional arrangements.
In the above described arrangement, and in Figs. 2, 3, 4a and 4b described further below, the panels 18 are formed of sheet metal. In optional arrangements, the thickness of the sheet may suitably be between 1 to 5mm, particularly 1 to 3mm, more particularly 1.2 to 1.3mm. Other thicknesses may be employed. The choice of panel thickness may be influenced by, for example, the type of merchandise to be displayed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that heavier articles may require greater support, which may be provided by using thicker panels.
In other optional arrangements, different materials may be used to form the panels. Again, the choice of material may be influenced by the type of merchandise to be displayed.
Fig. 2 illustrates in detail the manner in which the panels 18 are releasably mounted upon the support members 16.
In the illustrated arrangement of Fig. 2, there is shown one support member 16, a first panel 18a, and a second panel 18b. For the purposes of clarity, only portions of these features are illustrated.
The first panel 18a is illustrated in a "disengaged" position and the second panel 18b is mounted on, and supported by, the support member 16 (i.e. in an "engaged" position).
First panel 18a comprises a panel having a front surface 22a, an upper, rearwardly extending flange 24a, and a side, rearwardly extending flange 26a. The panel also comprises a lower, rearwardly extending flange, but this is not shown in Fig. 2.
Second panel 18b comprises similar features as first panel 18a. However, these are denoted by the suffix reference letter "b" instead of "a".
The first panel 18a and second panel 18b are releasably mounted upon the support member 16 by way of support member engagement members 28a, 28a', 28b, 28b' cooperating with slat-wall panel engagement members 30a, 30a', 30b, 30b' respectively. For convenience, "support member engagement members 28a, 28a', 28b, 28b"' will hereinafter be referred to as "hooks 28a, 28a', 28b, 28b"', and "slat-wall panel engagement members 30a, 30a', 30b, 30b"' will hereinafter be referred to as " slots 30a, 30a', 30b, 30b"'.
First hook 28a and second hook 28a' of first panel 18a extend rearwardly from side, rearwardly extending flange 26a, i.e. they effectively extend rearwardly from a rear surface of the first panel 18a. The rear surface of the panel is that which faces the support member 16 when the panel is engaged with the upright. The hooks are configured for insertion into slots 30a, 30a' respectively of the support member 16.
First hook 28a comprises a notch 32a formed in a lower edge thereof. The notch 32a defines a vertical surface 34a for engaging an inside surface of a face of the support member 16 to which the first panel 18a is attached. The vertical surface 34a will engage the inside surface at a position below the slot 30a into which the first hook 28a is to be inserted. The notch 32a also defines a horizontal surface 36a which is arranged to rest upon a lower edge of the slot 30a into which the first hook 28a is to be inserted.
Second hook 28a' comprises a similar arrangement of features as first hook 28a. However, these are denoted by the suffix reference letter "a"' instead of "a".
Similarly, third hook 28b and fourth hook 28b' of second panel 18b extend rearwardly from side, rearwardly extending flange 26b. These hooks are configured for insertion into slots 30b, 30b'.
Arrows A and illustrate the two directions of movement of the first panel 18a that are required to move the first panel 18a from the illustrated "disengaged" position to an "engaged" position. That is, such as that of second panel 18b as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, as the end of the first panel 18a is introduced to the support member 16, the first and second hooks 28a, 28a' are aligned with first and second slots 30a, 30a'. Further movement of the first panel 18a in the direction of arrow A causes the first and second hooks 28a, 28a' to be received within first and second slots 30a, 30a'. Movement of the first panel 18a toward the support member 16 can continue in the direction of arrow A until an edge of the side, rearwardly extending flange 26a abuts the surface of support member 16. Once no further movement can be made in the direction of arrow A, the first panel 18a can be lowered into its "engaged" position by lowering the first panel 18a in the direction of arrow B. As will be appreciated, when located in this "engaged" position, the first panel 18a is securely mounted to the support member through the co-operative engagement of the first hook 28a with first slot 30a, and second hook 28a' with second slot 30a'.
To disengage the first panel 18a (or any other panel) from its engaged position with respect to the support member 16, the panel must first be moved vertically in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow B. It should then be moved horizontally in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow A.
As described above in relation to Fig. 1, the panels 18 are mounted on the support members 16 in a vertically stacked array and in a spaced relationship with slots between adjacent panels 18. This spaced relationship allows for relative movement between panels 18.
Fig. 3 illustrates an end side-view of a plurality of slat-wall panels of the slat-wall panel assembly in a vertically stacked configuration as they would be in a normal operational arrangement. For clarity purposes, the support members are not shown.
The figure illustrates an array of vertically stacked panels (i.e. first panel 18a, second panel 18b, third panel 18c, and fourth panel 18d). Features common to one or more other embodiments of the present invention, as described above, are denoted by like reference numerals. The suffix reference letter "a" is used to denote features forming part of the first panel 18a, suffix reference letter "b" is used to denote features forming part of the second panel 18b, suffix reference letter "c" is used to denote features forming part of the third panel 18c, and suffix reference letter "d" is used to denote features forming part of the fourth panel 18d.
In addition to the features previously described, the panels are illustrated as including an upper guide member (e.g. 38a for the first panel 18a) and a lower guide member (e.g. 42a for the first panel 18a). The upper guide member 38a extends from upper, rearwardly extending flange 24a and comprises a downwardly extending flange portion 39a and a guide flange portion 40a which is bent upwardly therefrom. The lower guide member 42a extends from lower, rearwardly extending flange and comprises an upwardly extending flange portion 44a, a horizontally extending flange portion 46a bent therefrom, and a downwardly extending flange portion 48a bent from said horizontally extending flange portion 46a. In the illustrated arrangement, the downwardly extending flange portion of lower guide member 42a extends beyond a lower edge of the first panel 18a.
The second, third and fourth panels (18b, 18c, 18d) comprises similar upper and lower guide members.
In an optional configuration, the upper and lower guide members may extend substantially along the length of the panel to which they are attached.
In the illustrated arrangement, lower guide member 42a of first panel 18a and upper guide member 38b of second panel 18b cooperate such that a tip of the upper guide member 38b meets a tip of lower guide member 42a. The cooperation of lower guide member 42a and upper guide member 38b in this manner defines a substantially enclosed channel 50 behind the first and second panels 18a, 18b. The enclosed channel 50 opens through a mouth section formed by the slot 21 between adjacent first and second panels 18a, 18b.
The upper and lower guide members may serve to assist location of a panel in the vertically stacked array of panels when the panel is introduced into a space between neighbouring panels which are already mounted on the support members. Similarly, the upper and lower guide members may serve to assist removal of a panel from between neighbouring panels mounted on the support members.
The upper and lower guide members may also serve to provide strength to those areas of the panels which cooperate with the brackets of merchandise hangers. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the bracket of a merchandise hanger may be located in enclosed channel 50. In such an arrangement, the hanger portion of the merchandise hanger extends from the bracket through slot 21 and protrudes beyond the front surfaces of the panels (e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 1).
In the illustrated arrangement of Fig. 3, a width of the slot 21 between adjacent panels is denoted by the reference letter W. The width of a first slot 21 between adjacent first and second panels 18a, 18b is denoted by 1. The width of a second slot 21 between adjacent second and third panels 18b, 18c is denoted by W₂. The width of a third slot 21 between adjacent third and fourth panels 18c, 18d is denoted by W₃.
As will be appreciated from Fig. 2 and the description relating thereto, the width of the slots 21 can be reduced such that the slot 21 closes (i.e. to remove a panel from the vertically stacked array of panels or to mount a panel between neighbouring panels already located in the vertically stacked array).
With reference to Fig. 2, a slot between a first panel and a second panel located immediately above the first panel can be closed by lifting the first panel in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow B. When the first panel has been lifted to this position (i.e. where the slot is closed), it can be removed from the vertically stacked array of panels. To mount a panel between neighbouring panels already located in the vertically stacked array, the above steps are reversed.
Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate the movement steps to remove the second panel 18b from the vertically stacked array of panels.
As illustrated in Fig. 4a, when second panel 18b is lifted in the direction indicated by arrow C, the slot between the first panel 18a and second panel 18b closes. That is, the width W₁ of the slot is reduced to substantially zero. When moved to this position, a lowermost portion of the second panel 18b (i.e. in the illustrated arrangement, the tip of lower guide member 42b) is spaced vertically from an uppermost portion of the third panel 18c. This vertical clearance between the lowermost portion of the second panel 18b and the uppermost portion of the third panel 18c allows the second panel 18b to be moved laterally away from the vertically stacked array of panels. This lateral movement is indicated by arrow D in Fig. 4b.
By moving a panel in the above described manner, a panel can be removed from the vertically stacked array of panels without requiring removal of panels located above the panel to be removed. Thus, for example, a damaged panel can be removed using the above-described sequence of steps and a replacement panel can be introduced to the vertically stacked array of panels by reversing the sequence of steps.
An illustrative method for mounting a panel in a space between neighbouring panels already located in the vertically stacked array is described further hereinafter with reference to Figs. 5a and 5b. The method is described in relation to the mounting of the second panel 18b in a space between neighbouring first panel 18a and third panel 18c.
Second panel 18b is introduced to the vertically stacked array of panels at an angle where the second panel 18b is tilted such that a top edge of the second panel 18b is closer to the array than a lower edge of the second panel 18b. The second panel 18b is introduced to the array in this manner by moving it in the direction indicated by arrow E. Movement of the second panel 18b in the direction indicated by arrow E can continue until the upper guide member 38b abuts the first panel 18a in the region of the lower, rearwardly extending flange of the first panel 18a. In particular, the downwardly extending flange portion 39b contacts the lower front surface 22a of the first panel 18a and the guide flange portion 40b contacts the lower, rearwardly extending flange of the first panel 18a.
When no further movement in the direction of arrow E is possible, the second panel 18b is rotated such that the lower edge of the second panel moves downwardly and inwardly relative to the vertically stacked array of panels. In effect, the second panel 18b "pivots" about a point or points where it contacts the first panel 18a. The direction of movement of the lower edge of the second panel is indicated by arrow F. As the second panel 18b is rotated in this manner, the upper guide member 38b thereof will slide relative to the lower edge of the first panel 18a. Movement of the second panel 18b in the direction indicated by arrow F may continue until the second panel 18b is located relative to the other panels in the vertically stacked array as illustrated in Fig. 5b.
When located in the position illustrated in Fig. 5b, the hooks 28b, 28b' of the second panel 18b are located in the slots (not shown - see 30b and 30b' in Fig. 2) of the support member (also not shown). From this position, the second panel 18b can be moved to its "engaged" position by lowering the second panel 18b in the direction indicated by arrow G.
In order to remove a panel from the vertically stacked array of panels, the steps described above in relation to Figs. 5a and 5b may be reversed.
Although the above-described panels have mounting members located at the side ends thereof, the mounting members may be located at any suitable position on the panels, provided that the panels are free to move relative to adjacent panels when located in the vertically stacked array of panels.
In the above described one or more embodiments of the present invention, the hooks are located upon the panels, and the slots are formed in the support members. Of course, the location of these elements may be reversed.
In an optional arrangement, the upper and lower guide members are absent from the panels.
As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
In addition, the terms "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is means otherwise.
In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments in accordance with the invention are not limited to any of the particular materials disclosed herein. Other materials suitable for performing the function described herein for a particular material may also be utilized in embodiments of the invention.
The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.

Claims

A slat-wall panel assembly comprising a plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels supported by at least one support member configured to support said plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels in a spaced relationship, wherein at least one slat-wall panel is removable from said slat-wall panel assembly, further wherein a gap is formed between an upper edge of each one of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels and a lower edge of an adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels located above each said one of the plurality of slat-wall panels, and wherein the gap is closable to enable removal of at least one slat-wall panel from the assembly without disturbing adjacent ones of the plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels.
A slat-wall panel assembly according to Claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of slat-wall panels is removable from said slat-wall panel assembly independently of other ones of said plurality of slat-wall panels of said slat-wall panel assembly; or optionally wherein the gap is configured to receive a portion of at least one merchandise display member, and opposing upper and lower edges of adjacent ones of the plurality of slat-wall panels forming the gap are configured to support the portion of at least one merchandise display member located therebetween; or optionally wherein each of said slat-wall panels comprises at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of said plurality of slat-wall panels during removal of the panel from the slat-wall panel assembly; or optionally wherein each of said slat-wall panels comprises at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of said plurality of slat-wall panels during insertion of the panel into an available panel space of the slat-wall panel assembly.
A slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one support member comprises a plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members and each of said slat-wall panels comprises at least one support member engagement member, wherein said plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members are arranged for cooperative releasable engagement with said at least one support member engagement member located on slat-wall panels; or optionally wherein said plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members comprises a series of slots spaced at intervals along a length of the at least one support member, wherein the slots are arranged to receive said at least one support member engagement members of said plurality of slat-wall panels; or optionally wherein said support member engagement member are located at ends of said slat-wall panel; or optionally wherein at least one said support member engagement member extends rearwardly from a rear surface of said slat-wall panel; or optionally wherein said at least one support member engagement member comprises at least one hook.
A slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said slat-wall panels comprises a substantially elongate planar member; or optionally wherein said at least one support member comprises an elongate upright member; and optionally wherein said elongate upright member comprises a hollow bar having a substantially rectangular cross-section; and/or optionally comprising two elongate upright members.
A slat-wall panel for use in the slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said slat-wall panel comprises at least one support member engagement member arranged for cooperative releasable engagement with slat-wall panel engagement members of said slat-wall panel assembly, further wherein said at least one support member engagement member is configured to allow at least one slat-wall panel to be moved vertically relative to said at least one support member to which said at least one slat-wall panel is mounted to enable removal of at least one slat-wall panel from said slat-wall panel assembly.
A slat-wall panel according to claim 5, wherein said slat-wall panel comprises at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of a plurality of slat-wall panels located in a slat-wall assembly during removal of the panel from the slat-wall panel assembly.
A slat-wall panel according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said slat-wall panel comprises at least one guide member for guiding movement of a panel relative to at least one other panel of a plurality of slat-wall panels located in a slat-wall panel assembly during insertion of the panel into an available panel space of the slat-wall panel assembly.
A slat-wall panel according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said at least one support member engagement member comprises at least one hook.
A slat-wall panel according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein said slat-wall panel comprises a substantially elongate planar member.
A slat-wall panel according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said support member engagement members are located at ends of said slat-wall panel.
A slat-wall panel according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein at least one said support member engagement member extends rearwardly from a rear surface of said slat-wall panel.
A merchandise display assembly comprising: a slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4; at least one merchandise hanger extending from a gap between adjacent ones of the plurality of slat-wall panels.
A method of assembling the slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
a. providing at least one support member configured to support a plurality of vertically stacked slat-wall panels in a spaced relationship, wherein said at least one support member comprises a plurality of slat-wall panel engagement members for cooperative engagement with at least one support member engagement member located on each of said plurality of slat-wall panels;

b. introducing a slat-wall panel to the at least one support member;

c. aligning at least one support member engagement member of the panel with a corresponding at least one slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member;

d. moving the panel in a first direction so as to bring the at least one support member engagement member of the panel into cooperation with the at least one corresponding slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member;

e. moving the panel in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, to engage the at least one support member engagement member of the panel with the at least one corresponding slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member;

f. repeating steps b. to e. as required.
A method of removing at least one slat-wall panel from a slat-wall panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
a. moving a slat-wall panel to be removed relative to at least one support member of the slat-wall panel assembly in a direction to disengage from the at least one corresponding slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member;

b. moving the slat-wall panel to be removed relative to the at least one support member of the slat-wall panel assembly in a direction so as to move the at least one support member engagement member from cooperation with the at least one corresponding slat-wall panel engagement member of the support member.