WO1999055205A1

WO1999055205A1 - Panel structures

Info

Publication number: WO1999055205A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/001255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Daniel De Niet
Original assignee: Christopher Daniel De Niet
Priority date: 1998-04-23
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 1999-11-04
Also published as: GB9808715D0; AU3619399A

Abstract

A slatwall panel assembly adapted for display of devices requiring connection to service lines, such as electric cables or pressure fluid pipelines, has a panel with channels of re-entrant cross section on the front face of the panel, and a service line for connection to a device on display is led along a channel within a groove at the side of the channel so as to be hidden from view. Mounting members for supporting articles on the panel are arranged so that they do not block the channel grooves to passage of the service lines. As a separate aspect, there is described a slatwall panel installation in which a panel with channels of re-entrant cross section shape is mounted with the channel extending across the panel from top to bottom.

Description

PANEL STRUCTURES

This invention is concerned with panel structures and it relates in particular to a development of the metal slatwall panels described in International Patent Application No. WO 97/33053 as well as to a novel slatwall installation assembly.

So-called slatwall panels are installed in retail outlets where the panels have in the past been generally mounted on walls. The panels have parallel horizontal grooves to allow support brackets or the like to be hooked onto the lower edges of the channels at selected points, such as for displaying merchandise which is for sale. Most commonly slatwall panels have been made of wood. In the aforementioned International Patent Application No. WO 97/33053, however, there is described a more versatile slatwall panel system obtained by forming the panels from metal sheet by bending successive sheet portions to form channels with substantially S-shape side walls whereby a panel is produced having on each of its main faces a series of re-entrant channels of the same cross-sectional shape. There are also described in that specification novel attachment clips which are adapted to engage with a snap fit into the horizontal channels for mounting support brackets, and tooling for the production of panels by the method of bending sheet metal portions to form the channels.

According to one aspect the present invention provides a wall panel assembly including a panel having channels of re-entrant cross-sectional shape, extending across a front face of the panel, each of the channels having confronting front edges extending along the opposite sides of the channel with longitudinal grooves defined behind said front edges, a mounting member releasably engageable in a selected channel for supporting an article on the panel, the continuity of the groove extending along the selected channel being substantially unobstructed by the mounting member, and at least one service line received in said groove and extending therealong.

The service line may be an electric power cable, a telephone or other signal transnutting electric signal transmitting cable, an air or hydraulic fluid line, a fibre optic, or other flexible elongate transmission element. In one embodiment the mounting member defines an opening providing a passage to enable a service line to pass from the groove to a device carried by the member. Thus, in a particular embodiment a light fitting is supported on the mounting member and a cable connecting the light fitting to a power supply passes from the light fitting through the mounting member and along the channel to an edge of the panel while remaining concealed from view to a person viewing the panel from the front. Of course a wide variety of other installation possibilities are created by the recognition that service lines can be installed in the channel grooves so that they remain hidden from view, and that the passage of these service lines along the grooves need not be impeded by support members fitted into the channels to support articles on the panel. An example of one such further possibility is to mount on the panel a movable advertising display which is operated electrically and/or pneumatically, the electricity and/or compressed air being supplied to the motor of the display through one or more service lines concealed in the grooves of the channels.

In the case of a generally upright panel with substantially horizontal channels, it is convenient for the service line or lines to be led along a groove at the lower side of the selected channel.

As explained in detail below there is proposed according to another aspect of this invention to orientate a slatwall panel with its channels running substantially vertically. Such an installation offers the same facility for concealing service lines, such as electric cables, provided by slatwall panels with horizontal channels, and the same advantages can be obtained. Thus, according to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a wall panel assembly in which a structural panel formed from sheet material, and having a series of parallel channels of re-entrant cross-sectional shape extending from top to bottom of the panel, has a mounting member releasably engagable with a selected channel for supporting an article on the panel, and at least one service line being received in a groove at the side of a channel and extending therealong.

A further possibility is for the panel to be mounted substantially horizontally, each on a ceiling or within a suspended ceiling structure, with the front face extending downwardly. Such an installation is ideally suited for displace of light fittings for example with power supply cables connected to the fittings being concealed with the panel grooves so that they do not impair the visual appearance of the display. Clips which are releasably engageable with the channels can be fitted to the panel to retain the service line within the groove and thereby hidden from view, and such clips may be desirable when the channel run vertically or the panel is mounted horizontally.

As a further development, a connection conduit may be provided at an edge of the panel transverse to the channels and be equipped with supply connections to which the service lines may be releasably connected, such as through plug and socket type couplings. For example, the conduit may include one or more electric socket outlets into which a conventional electric plug attached to the end of a cable extending along a channel groove may be plugged. The conduit preferably includes a front cover which is detachable or at least movable to provide access to the supply connection, the cover normally concealing the plug and socket connections from view so that the aesthetic appearance of the panel assembly is not impaired thereby.

Slatwall panels have in the past invariably been installed with their channels orientated substantially horizontally, this having enabled support brackets of simple hook form to be utilised for mounting articles to the panels, for example as described in GB-A-2123277. Metal slatwall panels may be manufactured from coils of sheet steel, e.g. by a roll forming technique. The panels can then be produced in long lengths with the channels extending along the length of the panels, but the height of the panels, which is determined by the coil width, is then restricted by the fact that the maximum width of steel sheet supplied in coils by steel mills is in the order of 2 metres. The need to transport long panels to an installation site itself imposes a practical limit on the length of such roll formed panels. With slatwall panels manufactured as described in the aforementioned International Patent Application No. WO 97/33053, the channels are formed across the width of the initially coiled sheet and panels can be produced to extend in one piece over the full height of a typical slatwall panel installation, e.g. 2-3 metres, but the length or horizontal dimension of such panels is restricted by the width of the coiled steel raw material.

It has now been realised that slatwall panel installations having continuity of appearance over long lengths are readily attainable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention resides in a slatwall panel installation comprising a structural panel formed from sheet material and having a series of parallel channels with a re-entrant cross- sectional shape extending continuously between opposed edges of the panel, wherein the panel is mounted with the channels extending from top to bottom of the panel. Mounting devices are provided which are selectively engageable either in a channel or with a panel portion between two adjacent channels. Each of the mounting devices is preferably so arranged that loads imposed on a support element extending from the mounting device tend to increase a clamping effect with which the mounting device frictionally engages or grips the panel. In particular the mounting device includes parts relatively movable to facilitate engagement of the device with the panel and subsequent firm clamping engagement of the device with the panel. It has been found mat mounting devices can be firmly anchored to a structural panel while relying only on frictional engagement between the mounting devices and the panel. More especially it is possible in this way to provide supports attached to the panel sufficiently securely to ensure more than adequate support to carry articles typically displayed on slatwall installations, even when the slatwall channels are directed substantially vertically.

The structural panel is conveniently and preferably formed by bending successive sheet portions to form respective channels using the same method and press tooling as described in WO 97/33053. With vertical channels, continuous long length panels can be produced from coils of sheet steel by this method, and the possibility of winding such panels into a roll about an axis directed parallel to the channels will alleviate the problems associated with transportation of long panels having horizontal channels. Of course, the currently restricted maximum width at which coiled steel is available means that the height of the individual panels will be limited to tiύs width. However, as and when larger widths become available it will be possible to produce taller panels in continuous lengths. In the meantime, taller panels can be manufactured in limited lengths from planar sheets of steel.

Panels with vertical channels and of any height can be made from coiled steel by pressing sections of sheet steel with longitudinal channels or by roll forming, although the length, mat is the horizontal dimension, of the individual panels will then be restricted for same reasons mentioned above, i.e. the maximum available width of coiled steel. However, the panels having vertical channels can be formed with lateral edges which hook together, in particular in the manner described in WO97/33053 for interlocking vertically adjacent panels, enabling several panels to be mounted in series and give die visual impression of a single continuous panel of long length as the joining lines are hidden within the channels of the panels.

Vertical channel slatwall also gives rise to a novel slatwall appearance adding further possibilities to designers creating interior designs incoφorating slatwall installations. Furthermore, the panel has greater rigidity in the vertical direction which can ease installation, and installations in which panels curve along their length can be assembled without difficulty.

A clear understanding of the invention will be gained from the following more detailed description of some specific embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a slatwall panel assembly in which the panel is mounted with its channels substantially horizontal;

Figures 2 and 3 are front and side views of an assembly like that of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a light fitting mounted on a panel assembly similar to that of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a different form of mounting clip and support bracket for use with a panel having horizontal channels;

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of a slatwall panel installation in which the channels extend vertically;

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate two alternative forms of mounting device suitable for use with a slatwall panel installed with its channels extending vertically;

Figure 10 is a horizontal cross section showing a joint between two panels installed with their channels vertical;

Figure 11 illustrates a ceiling slatwall panel installation in accordance with the invention; Figure 12 is a partial cross section through the installation of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the upper side of a mounting member for use in the ceiling installation of Figs 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lower side of the mounting member shown in Fig 13;

Figure 15 illustrates a mounting bracket for use with the ceiling panel installation of Figs 11 and 12;

Figure 16 is a side view showing the engagement of the bracket of Fig. 15 with the panel;

Figure 17 illustrates in perspective a partially disassembled mounting device suitable for use with a slatwall panel oriented with its channels extending vertically; and

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting device of Figure 17 assembled with a panel.

In all of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described below the slatwall panels are as described in International patent application WO 97/33053, in particular as shown in Figure 1 thereof, and are made by the manufacturing method and by means of the press tooling described in that specification. Many of the features disclosed in WO 97/33053, the contents of which are hereby incoφorated herein by this reference, are applicable to the panel assemblies and installations described herein below, and may be claimed in combination with features of the specific slatwall panel developments disclosed herein.

The shaped metal panel shown in Figure 1 has parallel channels 2,3 of the same re-entrant cross-sectional shape defined on its opposite faces. The side walls 6 of the channels have an S-shape cross section whereby oppositely facing recesses or grooves 4 are defined by the side walls, the wall parts 7 separating these grooves being substantially parallel to the channel base walls 5. A mounting or attachment clip 140 having releasable snap-fit engagement in a selected channel 2 or 3, and generally similar to that shown in Figure 15 of WO 97/33053, is shown fitted into a channel 3. The mounting clip has a rigid upper tongue 142 which is engaged in the downwardly facing groove at the upper side of the channel, and a resilient lower engagement portion 143 which engages the upwardly directed front edge defined at the lower side of the channel. The lower part of the mounting clip can be slotted, as shown in broken line, to provide increased elasticity to the engagement portion 143 so that tolerances on the width of the channel 2,3 are less critical. The mounting clip 140 is shown carrying a support arm or bracket 146 on which articles may be suspended in known manner. It is to be noted that the mounting clip extends into the groove 4 at the lower side of the channel by a minimal amount so that the continuity of the groove along the channel is essentially unobstructed by the mounting clip. Laid into the lower groove 4 and extending past the mounting clip are service lines 200, which may comprise electric cables, pipes or the like, these service lines being concealed from view within the panel assembly.

Figures 2 and 3 show a mounting clip which incoφorates a through passage or duct 202 enabling a cable or pipe 200 extending along a channel groove 4 to be led out through the mounting clip 140, e.g. for delivery of operating power and or control signals to a device carried on the mounting clip.

Figure 4 shows a light fitting 203 carried by a mounting clip 140, an electric cable by means of which the fitting is connected to an electric power supply being laid in the channel groove 4 and passing through a cable duct in the mounting clip. The cable duct can be configured, as depicted in Figure 2, to facilitate passage of cables running to and/or from the mounting clip in either direction along the channel 3, which means that several light fittings can be located along a channel and be connected in a series or parallel circuit. The facility to run concealed service lines along the slatwall channels opens up additional opportunities for use of slatwall installations for displaying products in retail outlets as well as making the slatwall assemblies suitable for other p poses.

Figure 5 illustrates a slatwall assembly in which the shaped metal panel is mounted with its channels 2,3 substantially horizontal. Mounting members or attachment clips in the form of moulded plastic blocks 240 are provided for releasable attachment to the panel. As with the previously described mounting clips the blocks 240 have rigid tongues 242 which are adapted to fit within the downwardly facing groove at the upper side of a channel 2,3, and resilient lower mounting portions 243 defined by L-shaped parts attached to the blocks 240 which engage with the upwardly directed front edge at the lower side of the channel, the lower portions having downwardly directed lips at their free ends for engagement behind this edge. As depicted in Figure 5, the mounting blocks can be attached to the panel either by mserting the tongue 242 into the upper groove and then pushing the lip on the lower mounting portion 243 inwardly over the lower front edge of the channel, or by inserting the block into the channel in an angled orientation and then rotating the block to snap it into the correct attachment position. The blocks have projections, such as a rib or bar or, as shown a pair of pins 249 on one side face which can be introduced into complementary recesses or openings at the other side face of another substantially identical mounting block so that two or more blocks can be assembled together, as indicated by blocks 240A and 240B, where this might be desired. The lower ends of the blocks are shown reduced in width which, when blocks are positioned in close side-by-side assembly, leaves an opening through which service lines can pass from the groove at the lower edge of the channel. The lower part of Figure 5 shows how a mounting block 240 can be used to carry a support arm 260 which is of previously known construction and has a base plate 261 with a step portion which is brought to rest on a shoulder 10 formed on the mounting block 240 after inserting an upper part of the base plate into the upper groove 4 of the channel between the tongue 242 and the upper front edge of the channel.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate part of a slatwall installation in which the metal panel is mounted with the channels 2,3 directed vertically. Apart from its orientation, the panel is as previously described. The mounting devices or members used with vertical channel panels are required to grip positively the panel as the frictional engagement is solely responsible for preventing the mounting members from sliding down the panel. A mounting device 300 shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises an engagement part 301 of generally T- shape and a U-shaped clamping body 302 pivotally connected to the leg of the engagement part by a pivot pin 303 the pivot axis being parallel to the cross bar of the T part. The clamping body is shown carrying a longer arm 306 although the mounting device may carry any form of support element as required. The side limbs of the body 302 have at their rear ends clamping faces 304, and further faces 305 inclined to the clamping faces and spaced from the pivot axis by a smaller distance than the clamping faces are spaced from the pivot axis. With the clamping body adjusted so that the faces 305 are essentially parallel to the front of the panel, the cross member of the engagement part 301 is introduced into a channel 3 in an angled orientation, after which the mounting device is rotated to bring the ends of the cross member to engage in the grooves 4 at the sides of the channel, as indicated in the upper part of Fig. 6. The mounting device is thereby brought into the position shown in the lower part of Figure 6, and the clamping body 302 is then rotated downwardly, thereby bringing the clamping faces 304 into cooperation with the panel as shown in Figure 7. The mounting 300 device thereby firmly grips the channel edge portions between the cross member of the engaging part 301 and the side limbs of the clamping body 302. Furthermore, any load applied to the arm 306 e.g. 11 due to articles being suspended thereon, results in the mounting device exerting a greater clamping force on the panel to ensure that it remains in position on the panel. Of course the mounting device can be detached from the panel when required by reversing the mounting steps.

Other forms of mounting device either engagable in the vertical channels or engageable over panel sections between channels are possible and two examples are shown in Figs 8 and 9, respectively. The mounting device 400 of Figure 8 is made in two separate parts 401,402. An engagement part 401 is shaped to embrace a panel section between adjacent vertical channels 3, and i.e. a panel section defining a channel 2 on the opposite face of the panel, and is wedge-shaped so that its outer width increases downwardly. At least one of lateral edge portions of this engagement part 401 is flexible due to an integral hinge 404, thereby enabling the edge portions to be engaged with a snap action around the edges of the panel section. The clamping body 402 of this device comprises a rigid clamp plate which is shaped to conform to the outer surface of the engagement part 401. A support arm 406 is fastened to the body 402. The clamp plate is applied over the engagement part 401 by sliding downwardly from above. The cooperating wedge shapes cause the clamp plate 402 to urge the engagement body 401 into firm gripping engagement with the panel section, and downwardly directed loads applied to the support arm 406 result in an increased clamping effect. To detach the mounting device 400 from the panel the clamping body is removed by sliding it upwardly and the engagement part 401 is then released from the panel. It is not essential for the clamping body to be a separate part and as an alternative it could be pivotally mounted to the engagement part (as in the mounting device of Figs 6 and 7) and have limbs arranged to bear against the hinged lateral edge portions to maintain them in secure cooperation with the panel section. With such a modified construction the wedge shape would not be needed for the engagement part and 12 clamping body.

In Figure 9 there is shown a unitary mounting device 500 of basically similar type to that of Figures 6 and 7. It consists of a one piece plastic moulding including an engaging part 501 with a cross member which is engageable in a panel by inserting and twisting, as described in relation to the engaging part 301 of the mounting device 300. The clamping body 502 has limbs which are brought to bear against the front face of the panel so that the panel is gripped firmly at the side edges of the channel 3. If thought desirable the clamping body can include a part which flexes resiliently and engages in the mouth of the channel into which the device is fitted to ensure the correct rotational orientation of the mounting device.

Rather than forming the mounting device as a unitary member with two parts which clamp onto the panel, it can be made as two separate parts interconnected by a fastening device which can be loosened to facilitate attachment of the mounting device to the panel, and tightened so that the panel is clamped firmly between the two parts of the mounting device. Such a mounting device is illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. This device which is generally designated 700 in the drawings includes an engaging part 701 which is engageable in a channel of the panel 1 by inserting the engaging part 701 through the channel mouth and then turning it so that the ends of this part engage behind the re-entrant side walls of the channel, as depicted in Figure 18. Extending from the front face of the engaging part 701 so as to project through the channel mouth when the engaging part fitted into the channel is an externally screw-threaded spigot 702. As shown a support arm 703 is connected to the engaging part at the spigot 702, but this is not essential and the threaded spigot and support arm could be attached to the engaging part 701 independently of each other. For cooperation with the engaging part 701 there is provided a clamp plate 705 having a hole 707 of sufficient size to enable the 13 clamp plate to fit over the threaded spigot 702, and a clamp nut 706 with a knurled periphery to facilitate manual rotation is engageable with the threaded spigot 702 for tightening the clamp plate 705 to the engaging part 701. The width of the clamp plate 705 is greater than that of the mouth of a channel of the slatwall panel. With the clamp nut 706 released, as in Figure 17, the engaging part 701 can be inserted into a channel as described above. The clamp plate 705 and clamp nut 706 are then engaged over the spigot 702 and the nut is tightened so that the side walls of the channel become firmly clamped between the engaging part 701 and the clamp plate 705 to secure the mounting device to the slatwall panel. To prevent the clamp plate twisting as the nut is tightened it is provided with a pair of rearwardly projecting ribs 708 which fit within the channel mouth and engage the channel side walls, as may be seen in Figure 18. Of course other forms of fastener which can be tightened to urge the clamp plate 705 and the engaging part of 701 together could be used in addition to or in place of the threaded spigot 702 and clamp nut 706.

With the channels of the panels oriented vertically, several panels can be installed in series and give the visual impression, from both sides, of a single continuous panel. This is achieved by the lateral edges of the adjoining panels being hooked together as illustrated in Figure 10 which shows two panels 1, each formed with channels 2,3 as described above, having hook portions 34,35 at their upright side edges which interlock so that the resulting join 8 between the panels is not visible from either side of the panel assembly since the extreme edge of each panel is concealed with a channel 2,3 formed by the adjoining panels 1.

The grooves at the sides of the vertical channels can be used to house concealed electric cables or other service lines, essentially as described above in connection with panels having horizontal channels. If desired snap-in clips can be fitted to the channels to retain the cables, etc in their hidden position. 14

Illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 is a ceiling installation in which slatwall panels 1 are mounted horizontally with their front faces directed downwards, such an installation being suitable for displaying ceiling light fittings in a retail outlet. As shown there are two panels 1, each panel 1 being as described in WO 97/33053 and having channels of the same form as in the panel shown in Figure 10. The panels are mounted with the channels 2 at their downwardly directed front faces aligned and the adjacent edges of the panels, which are transverse to the channels 2, are interconnected by a conduit 600 in which electric sockets 602 are housed. The electric sockets are conveniently conventional electric power outlet sockets. The conduit 600 has a detachable front cover 604 which is easily removable to provide access to the sockets 602 and clips into place to close the conduit and therefore normally to conceal the sockets from view. Cables 606 for supply of electric power to light fittings, ceiling fans or the like, e.g. as indicated at 608, are connected to the sockets 602 by conventional electric power plugs 603 and are passed along the grooves at the sides of the appropriate channels 2 of the panels so that they remain hidden from view until they reach the associated fittings. Clips can be fitted if desired to assist in holding the cables 606 within the channel grooves. A mounting member suitable for supporting a light fitting on a ceiling panel is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. This member comprises a plastic moulding including a plate 610 with upwardly directed inverted-L-shaped protrusions 611 on the upper side of the plate. The mounting member can be securely attached to the panel by introducing the protrusions 611 into a selected channel 2 so that the plate 610 abuts the front face of the panel, and turning the member so that the protrusions hook behind the side edges of the channel. A spring finger 612 is formed at the edge of the plate 610 and snaps into the channel 2 when it has been rotated to the correct attachment position to provide an indication that the member has been correctly mounted and to lock the member 15 against inadvertent detachment from the panel. On the underside of the plate 610 there are attachment blocks 613 with holes 614 for receiving self- tapping screws, e.g. for attaching a light fitting ceiling rose to the mounting member, and flex holding elements 615 with which an electric cable or flex 616 (Fig. 11) can be engaged so that a light fitting can be suspended by means of the power flex, in a manner well known per se. The plate 610 includes a central hole 618 through which the electric cable passes out from the channel to which the mounting member is fitted. If a light fitting is provided with a separate suspension chain, a bracket 620 as shown in Figures 15 and 16 can be employed. The bracket has two arms 621 connected in the form of a V and provided with in turned flanges 622 at their free ends. The suspension chain 624 is hooked onto the apex of the V. The bracket arms 621 can be opened sufficiently to engage over a panel portion between two channels 2, the in turned flanges 622 then springing into engagement behind the side edges of those channels. The weight of the light fitting imparted downwardly at the apex of the V tends to close the arms 621 together thereby improving the gripping force with which the bracket engages the panel. It will be noted that the inner ends of the flanges are provided with curved chamfers so that space is defined within the channel grooves in which they are fitted to enable electric cables to extend past the bracket.

It will be appreciated that there are many modifications possible to the described embodiments, and other slatwall display panel installations are also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. As an example a slatwall panel with horizontal channels can have mounting members with arms which project forwardly for supporting electric appliances on display and to which power cables are led along channel grooves. The support arms may alternatively support shelves on which articles are positioned for display, and it is possible for a shelf to be made of light transnntting material and to be 16 illuminated internally with electric current being delivered through a cable positioned along a channel groove, for illumination of an article displayed on the shelf. Other display arrangements within the scope of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

17 Claims:

1. A display panel assembly comprising a panel having a series of parallel channels of re-entrant cross-sectional shape on a front face of the panel, each channel having confronting front edges extending along the opposite sides of the channel with longitudinal grooves being defined behind the front edges, a mounting member releasably engageable with a selected channel for supporting an article for display on the panel, the continuity of a groove extending along the selected channel being substantially unobstructed by the mounting member, and at least one service line received in said groove and extending merealong.

2. A display panel assembly comprising a panel having a series of parallel channels of re-entrant cross-sectional shape on a front face of the panel, each channel having confronting front edges extending along the opposite sides of the channel with longitudinal grooves being defined behind the front edges, a mounting member releasably engageable with a channel for supporting for display on the panel a device requiring connection to a service line for operation, and a service line for connection to the device on display, the service being led from an edge of the panel to the vicinity of the mounting member along a selected one of the channels and within a groove at the side of the channel.

3. A display panel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one service line includes one or more of the following lines:

(i) an electric power cable;

(ii) a telephone or other electric signal transn╬«tting cable;

(iii) a pneumatic or hydraulic pipeline; and

(iv) a fibre optic. 18

4. A display panel according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein clips are fitted into the selected channel to retain the service line within the groove along which the service line extends.

5. A display panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a conduit is attached to the panel to extend along an edge thereof transverse to the direction of the channels, and supply connections to which a service line is selectively connectable are housed within the conduit.

6. A display panel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the conduit has an openable and closable front cover to provide access to the connections with the cover.

7. A display panel assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the supply connections comprise plug and socket type connections.

8. A display panel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the supply connections comprise electric power supply sockets.

9. A display panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the channels are substantially horizontal, and the service line is received in the groove at the lower side of the selected channel.

10. A display panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the channels extend in the direction from top to bottom of the panel.

11. A display panel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein 19 panel is mounted substantialy horizontally with the front face directed downwardly.

12. A display panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mounting member fitted to the panel carries a device to which the service line is connected, the mounting member carrying the device defines an opening through which the service line is guided out of the channel and to the device.

13. A display panel assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the device is an electrical device and the service line is an electric cable.

14. A display panel assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electrical device is a light fitting.

15. A display panel assembly according to claim 13, wherein the mounting member comprises a moulded plate having protrusions on one side for releasable engagement in a channel of the panel and having on the other side a cable holding element.

16. A display panel according to claim 13, wherein the electrical device is a shelf member of light transimtting material illuminated internally.

17. A slatwall display panel installation comprising a structural panel formed from sheet material and having a series of parallel channels with reentrant cross-sectional shape extending continuously between opposed edges of the panel, wherein the panel is mounted with the channels extending between the top and bottom edges of the panel. 20

18. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 17, wherein the panel has channels on both sides thereof and the channels on one side have the same cross-sectional shape as the channels on the other side.

19. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 20, wherein two separately formed panels are mounted side-by-side, the adjoining edge portions of the panels defining channels on opposite sides, and the edges having hook portions which are interlocked so that the two panels have the appearance of a single continuous panel when viewed from either side.

20. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 17,18 or 19, including at least one mounting device selectively releasably engageable with the panel, the device being arranged to engage either in one of the channels or over a channel portion between two adjacent panels and to provide secure frictional engagement with the panel at a selected mounting position for supporting an article for display on the panel.

21. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 20, wherein the mounting device is so arranged that the load imposed by the weight of an article supported thereon tends to increase the frictional engagement with the panel.

22. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the mounting device includes a first part arranged to contact the panel, and a second part movable relative to the first part between a position facilitating engagement of the first part with the panel and another position in which the mounting device is urged into tight frictional contact with the panel. 21

23. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 22, wherein the first part is engageable in a selected channel and the second part is pivotally connected to the first part.

24. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 23, wherein the first part is T-shaped with a cross bar portion for engagement in a channel, and a leg portion to which the second part is connected to pivot about an axis parallel to the cross bar portion.

25. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 22, wherein the first part is shaped to embrace a panel portion between two channels, and the second part is arranged to fit-over the first part and clamp the first part onto the panel portion embraced thereby.

26. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 25 wherein the first and second parts are arranged to fit together with a wedging action

27 A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 20, wherein the mounting device comprises a plastics moulding engageable in a channel and arranged to grip the panel at the side edges of the channel, after insertion into a channel the moulding being twistable to grip the channel edges.

28. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 22, wherein the first and second parts are interconnected by a releasable fastening device which can be tightened for clamping the mounting device to the panel.

29. A slatwall display panel installation according to claim 28, wherein the releasable fastening device comprises a screw threaded connection.