AU746944B2

AU746944B2 - Panel member

Info

Publication number: AU746944B2
Application number: AU38812/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Samuel Falanga
Original assignee: STUDIO DISPLAYS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: STUDIO DISPLAYS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-01-22
Filing date: 2001-04-24
Publication date: 2002-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-15
Also published as: AU3881201A

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Panel member The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Freehilis Carter Smith BeadleMELC6Ol 114012.7 CD/01101012.1 1A~ PANEL MEMBER Field of the Invention This invention relates to a panel member and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a panel member used to form a display surface.

Background of the Invention For many years office partitioning, display panels and the like, have been connected by using connecting devices that enable the partitions, panels or the to be readily assembled and disassembled. The connecting devices have proved o ""generally unsuccessful. Over a period of time, they loose their ability to hold the 10 panels tightly together, and can even come apart.

o•o 00.: One example of such a connecting device is shown in the Australian Patent 636689. With that particular connecting device, there is no inherent locking, which allows for a relatively easy accidental releasing of the components. Also, by relying upon the inherent resilience of a metal such as aluminium (which has a relatively low resilience), over a period of time the metal will have a tendency to bend and/or lose its resilience. At that time the connecting device will not be able to hold the post with the connection thereby becoming relatively loose and thus enabling the panels, partition or the like to move and thus the entire assembly to become non-rigid.

Also, the panels are often made from a frame having a number of panel members therein in a back-to-back array. Such panel members may also be mounted directly onto another surface (eg a wall) if desired. One example of such a panel member is shown in Australian Patent 593924.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention accordingly provides a panel member adapted to be assembled with at least one other identical panel member to form a display CD/01101012.1 2 surface, the display surface having a transversely extending channel therein, the panel member including: a substantially planar panel having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first engagement member extending along the first side and depending therefrom; a second engagement member extending along the second side and depending therefrom; .1ai(d) the first engagement member having a hook-like projection at an inner end thereof; the second engagement member having hooked lug extending upwardly therefrom with the hook of the lug being arranged in the opposite direction to the hook-like projection; the hook-like projection of the panel being adapted to engage 15 the hooked lug of another panel member to cover the join between the panel members and to form the transversely extending channel.

Advantageously, there is a third engagement member extending from the planar panel intermediate the first side and the second side, and being adapted to engage the first engagement member of an adjacent panel member when assembled in a back-to-back array.

Furthermore, there may be a fourth engagement member depending from the planar panel intermediate the first side and the third engagement member, the fourth engagement member engaging upon the second engagement member of the adjacent panel member when being assembled in a back-to-back array.

Preferably, the second engagement member has a rib on a side thereof to CD/01101012.1 3 engage the third engagement member of the adjacent panel member.

Description of Drawings A preferred form of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a panel member according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the panel member of Figure 1 engaged with another panel member; and Figure 3 is the assembly of Figure 2 engaged with a similar assembly in a 10 back-to-back array.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments eoeee Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, there is shown a panel member generally designated as 100. It has a planar panel portion 102 with a first side 104 and a :i second side 106.

Depending from first side 104 is a generally inwardly directed first engagement member 108, which is approximately L-shaped. The inner end 110 of the first engagement member 108 has a downwardly and outwardly extending hook-like projection 112.

Depending from second side 106 is a second engagement member 114 which has a first part 116 which is generally L-shaped and is inwardly directed. At the inner end of first part 116 is a generally channel-shaped second part 118. On a wall 120 the second part 118 has a rib 112, and on a second wall 124 an upper barb 125. The lower wall 126 has an upwardly directed hooked lug 128 with the hook being directed outwardly. The hooked lug 128 divides the lower wall 126 into a first portion 130 and a second portion 132.

CD/01101012.1 4 To secure panel member 100 to another surface, a fastener can be passed through second portion 132 of wall 126. Another panel member 200 identical to panel member 100 can be attached by locating hook-like projection 212 under hooked lug 128. A transverse channel 138 is thereby created, with the fastener, and the joining of the panels members 100,200, being covered.

Panel member 100 has a third engagement member 134 depending from planar panel 102 between sides 104, 106. The third engagement member 134 has a stem 136 and a C-shaped head 138.

A fourth engagement member 140 is provided depending from planar panel 102 between side 104 and third engagement member 134. The fourth engagement member 140 is also L-shaped, and also extends outwardly.

fifth engagement member 142 is provided depending from planar panel 102 between fourth engagement member 140 and second engagement member 114. The member 142 is also L-shaped, and also extends outwardly by the same distance as fourth member 140.

It is possible to have panel member 100 engage a further panel member o 300 in a back-to-back array. This is done by inverting and reversing the further panel member 300 such that its first engagement member 304 engages wall 124 :i of second engagement member 114 of panel member 100. Fourth and fifth .i 20 engagement members 340 and 342 rest against lower wall 126 to provide strength and rigidity, and third engagement member 334 engages over rib 122. Similarly, second engagement member 314 cooperates with first engagement member 104; fourth engagement member 140 with lower wall 326; and third engagement member 134 with rib 322. In this way panels 100, 300 are.releasably attached to each other, and planar panels 102, 302 can be used in display in mounting of a desired product or the like, particularly if panels 102 302 are arranged vertically to create a double-sided display panel. Transverse channels 138 and 238 are formed on each side of the assembly so that shelves, mounting brackets, and other display items, can be mounted therein in the usual manner.

CD/01101012.1 Naturally, another panel member 400 can be similarly engaged with panel member 200, and that assembly engaged with the assembly of panel members 100, 300. Further panel members may be added until the desired array is achieved.

Preferably, hook-like projection 112 and/or hooked lug 128 have a bulbous head 134, 136 respectively so that when they interengage they do so in the manner of a snap fit, and the engagement will be substantially tight and rattle-free.

The panel members may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, aluminium, and may be made by any suitable process such as, for example, extruding.

*l Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description a preferred *.***construction of a connecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in detail of design or construction may be made without departing from the essential features of the invention.

Claims

2. A panel member according to claim 1, further including a third engagement member extending from the planar panel intermediate the first side and the second side, and being adapted to engage the first engagement member of an adjacent panel member when assembled in a back-to-back array.
3. A panel member according to claim 2, further including a fourth engagement member depending from the planar panel intermediate the first side and the third engagement member, the fourth engagement CD/01101012.1 7 member engaging upon the second engagement member of the adjacent panel member when being assembled in a back-to-back array.
4. A panel member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second engagement member has a rib on a side thereof to engage the third engagement member of the-adjacent panel member. A panel member according to claim 3, further including a fifth engagement member depending from the planar panel intermediate the fourth engagement member and the second member, and being of a height the same as the fourth engagement member. 10 6. A panel member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Freehills Carter Smith Beadle Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: Studio Displays Pty Ltd 24 April 2001