PANEL MOUNTING MEANS

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of panels for use in display constructions, so-called light boxes, retail counters, signs and the like for displaying information or other visual matter. In examples of the invention, at least two panels (18, 20) are arranged in edge-to-edge configuration to form an at least partially box-like construction, including joining strips (2) each provided with one or two longitudinal grooves (4), edge portions of panels being received in said groove(s). Each strip (2) is provided with a lengthwise extending land (6) provided with a series of apertures (8) into which are received keying members (12), panel anchor portions (14) which are provided with notches (22). Spaced edge portions of a further panel (24) are received in the notches so as to extend in a plane parallel to the first panel (20) in the adjacent groove (14).

Description: PANEL MOUNTING MEANS The invention relates to an improved means for mounting panel members so as to form an assembly thereof. It is known to construct display constructions, so-called light-boxes, retail counters, signs and similar assemblies of panels by securing panels together at edge portions thereof to enclose or support display material illumination devices and the like. Such assemblies are usually restricted in the variations possible in their construction by difficulties in coping with forming a rigid construction including exterior panels forming an outer wall and further panel forming optional inner walls of an assembly. The invention provides a method of constructing an assembly of panels in edge-to-edge manner so as to form at least in part a box-like construction, comprising the steps of procuring a joining strip provided with at least one longitudinal groove so that when edge portions of a panel are inserted into the or each said groove, the panel(s) project therefrom in a plane passing through a centre line of said strip, there being a longitudinally extending land formed adjacent said groove(s) and provided with apertures at intervals therealong, inserting keying members in said apertures to provide keying points along at least one line parallel to a centre line of said strip, and securing a further panel at the or each line of keying points by inserting edge portions of the or each further panel into notches formed in said keying members, so said further panel lies in a desired plane with respect to said first mentioned panel. Advantageously said plane may be parallel thereto. Conveniently, each joining strip may be provided with two of said longitudinal grooves, the grooves being arranged so that two of said first panels, edge portions of which are inserted in the grooves, project therefrom to include a desired angle, which may be a right angle, said land extending between the grooves. The invention further provides an assembly of panels arranged in an edge-to-edge configuration in a least a partially box-like construction, said assembly further comprising a plurality of joining strips each provided with at least one longitudinal groove, selected edge portions of each panel being received in said grooves, wherein each strip includes a longitudinally extending land formed adjacent said groove, which land is provided with apertures, and keying members each having a tail portion adapted to enter and engage with one of said apertures, the keying members further comprising panel anchor portions having at least one notch formed therein, the construction and arrangement being such that the keying members in the apertures of each land form a line of keying points at said notches, at least one further panel being provided, edge portions of which are inserted in said notches so that the further panel lies in a plane at least substantially parallel with the first mentioned panel. The invention further provides, for use in the method and assembly above described, a keying member comprising a panel anchor portion having at least one notch formed therein and a tail portion adapted to enter and engage with an aperture of one of said joining strips. An assembl'y according to the invention may comprise a plurality of panels partially defining said box-like construction and further including end caps or the like or end walls of the assembly may be composed of panels secured in accordance with the method of the invention. In the latter case, an example of which is described below, the assembly further comprises corner members adapted to engage end faces of three converging joining strips. In another example, the keying members include a flexible portion so as to permit hinging of the further panel with respect to the strip. Besides application to the aforementioned display constructions, light-boxes, retail counters, and signs, it will be understood that the devices according to the invention may be adapted for use as notice boards, office boards or any suitable information or data display arrangement. There will now be described examples of panel assembly members for assembly according to the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a joining strip according to the invention, including two forms of alternative apertures; Figure 2 shows the joining strip in association with two panels and a first keying member, using a first form of aperture, in association with a third panel; Figure 3 is a side view of the first form of keying member; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 including a second form of keying member; Figure 5 is a side view of the second form of keying member? Figure 6 shows a side view of a third form of keying member; Figure 7 shows a range of keying members, all being example of the first form of such members; Figure 8 shows three joining strips and a corner piece; Figure 9 shows the parts of Figure 8 in an exploded view; Figure 10 shows a side view of the corner piece of Figures 8 and 9; Figures 11 and 12 show alternative arrangements of joining strips; and Figure 13 shows an arrangement for mounting a joining strip for relative movement. In Figure 1, a joining strip 2 comprises an extruded aluminium strip having a cross-section such as to provide two longitudinally extending grooves 4 and an intervening land 6. Apertures 8 are formed at intervals in the land 6, apertures 8 being slots having a dimension longer in the axial direction with respect to the centre line of the extrusion than in the cross-wise direction and the apertures 8' being circular. The apertures 8, 8' give onto an elongate chamber 10 within the strip. Figure 2 shows a keying member 12 received in an aperture 8 of the strip 2. The member 12 comprises a panel anchor portion 14 and a tail portion 16, the latter being inserted into the aperture 8, which is in the form of a slot and turned through 90° into the position shown in order to secure the keying member in place. The strip 2 is arranged to receive two panels 18,20 one in each of the grooves 4, so as to form, at least in part, a box-like construction. The panel anchor portion 14 of the member 12 has a notch 22 in which is received a further panel 24 so as to extend in a plane parallel to the panel 20. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the member 12. For display purposes the panel 24 may be provided with printed information and the panel 20 may be transparent and act as protection for the printed display. Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 2, showing a keying member 12' which includes a resilient anchor portion 16'. The deformation of the portion 16' as it is inserted in the circular aperture 8' is shown in Figure 5. An alternative tail portion 16" of a member 12" is shown in Figure 6. Alternative arrangements of notches 22 in the panel anchor portion of a variety of keying members is shown in Figures 7a-e, capable of supporting from, for example, one to four further panels. Although all are shown with tail portions 16, it will be understood that any selected ones may be provided with tail portions 16' or 16". In Figure 7(e) the keying member 12' is shown having a narrow neck portion 25 which is relatively flexible by virtue of its lesser width. A panel supported by a plurality of members 12' would therefore be capable of partaking of a hinging action. Where the box-like construction is not provided with suitable end caps, the strips 2 may be used to complete side walls by the use of corner pieces 26. One corner piece 26 is shown in Figure 8-10 having three extension portions 28 adapted to be received within the chamber 10 of each of three strips 2. Figure 10 shows the corner piece 26 in the direction of arrow A of Figure 8. It will be understood that the strips 2 are versatile in their range of uses. For example, two strips may be joined to one another by means of H-shaped keying members 30 inserted in confronting grooves 4 as in Figure 11. Parallel panels may be inserted in the two remaining grooves 4, or as shown in Figure 11, two more strips 2 may be added to give a column-like structure. Alternatively, two strips 2 may be arranged as in Figure 12 and linked by keying members 32 or 32', which act as infill panels and which have inturned flanges 38 to engage with the member 2, Figure 13 shows an arrangement including three roller bearings 40 which,' in co-operation with lugs 42 projecting from a mounting member 44, act to hold strip 2 slidingly captive for mounting a movable panel assembly 16,24.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A method of constructing an assembly of panels in edge-to-edge manner so as to form at least in part a box-like construction, comprising the steps of procuring a joining strip provided with at least one longitudinal groove so that when edge portions of a panel are inserted into the or each said groove, the panel(s) project therefrom in a plane passing through a centre line of said strip, there being a longitudinally extending land formed adjacent said groove(s) and provided with apertures at intervals therealong, inserting keying members in said apertures to provide keying points along at least one line parallel to a centre line of said strip, and securing a further panel at the or each line of keying points by inserting edge portions of the or each further panel into notches formed in said keying members, so said further panel lies in a desired plane with respect to said first mentioned panel. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plane is parallel with said first mentioned panel. 3. A method as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the strip is provided with two of said longitudinal grooves, the grooves being arranged so that when edge portions of the panels are inserted in the grooves, the panels project therefrom to include a desired angle, said land extending between the grooves. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the included angle is a right angle. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said keying members are provided with a flexible, portion intermediate between the tail portion and the panel anchor portion so as to permit a hinging movement of said further panel with respect to the strip. 6. An assembly of panels arranged in an edge-to-edge configuration in a least a partially box-like construction, said assembly further comprising a plurality of joining strips each provided with at least one longitudinal groove, selected edge portions of each panel being received in said grooves, wherein each strip includes a longitudinally extending land formed adjacent said groove, which land is provided with apertures, and keying members each having a tail portion adapted to enter and engage with one of said apertues, the keying members further comprising panel anchor portions having at least one notch formed therein, the construction and arrangement being such that the keying members in the apertures of each land form a line of keying points at said notches, at least one further panel being provided, edge portions of which are inserted in said notches so that the further panel lies in a plane at least substantially parallel with the first mentioned panel. 7. An assembly of panels as claimed in claim 6, wherein the tail portion of said keying members are resilient, being defor able to permit insertion in said apertures . 8. An assembly of panels as claimed in either one of claims 6 and 7, wherein there are further provided end caps adapted to be received in recesses in end faces of the strips. 9. An assembly of panels as claimed in either one of claims 6 and 7, wherein there are further provided corner pieces adapted to engage recessed end faces of three converging strips. 10. In an assembly of panels according to any one of claims 6 to 9, a keying member comprising a panel anchor portion having at least one notch formed therein for receiving a panel edge portion and a tail portion adapted to enter and engage with an aperture of one of said joining strips, said keying member being further provided with an intermediate, narrow, neck portion which is relatively flexible by virtue of its lesser width, the construction and arrangement being such that panels engaging with said keying members are capable of partaking of a hinging action.

Inventors: STABLES EUGENE GORDON, STABLES, EUGENE, GORDON
Applicants: STABLES EUGENE GORDON, STABLES, EUGENE, GORDON
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A47B47
IPC codes: A47B47, A47B96, A47F3, F16B12, G09F15