Narrow groove display panel

Abstract

A display panel includes a plurality of horizontal grooves that each have a throat open to the panel face and extend to an inner cavity for receiving an s-shaped hanger end portion of a bracket adapted to support articles. The groove has a compact cross-sectional shape including reduced opening and inner cavity widths and increased panel wall and throat wall thicknesses at the opening. The throat wall may be inclined to transfer compressive load forces from the panel wall engaged by the upper extremity of the hanger end portion. The inner cavity may have a bulbous shape and be provided with a reinforcing liner. Compact hanger end portions include central portions of increased length, and optionally inclined, to be fully supported along the throat wall. The compact hanger end portions may be provided by reshaping standardized bracket hardware.

1 - 56 . (cancelled).  
     
     
         57 . A reshaped hanger end portion for a bracket adapted to be supported in a panel having a front face including a horizontally extending groove, said groove including a throat open to said panel front face, at least one throat wall extending to an inner cavity having a front wall, said reshaped hanger end portion being formed from a standardized hanger end portion, said reshaped and standardized hanger end portions each having a generally s-shaped profile including a central portion connecting an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, said reshaped hanger end portion being reshaped to have a compact profile as compared with said standardized hanger end portion and including a reshaped upper arm portion having a length shorter than the length of said standardized upper arm portion and a reshaped central portion having a length longer than the length of said standardized central portion, said reshaped upper arm portion being configured to be received in said socket in engagement with said at least one inner wall with said reshaped central portion being supported along substantially all of its length by said at least one throat wall.  
     
     
         58 . A reshaped hanger end portion as in  claim 57 , wherein said central portion has a length equal to at least 0.3″.  
     
     
         59 . A reshaped hanger end portion as in  claim 58 , wherein said central portion extends at an angle from said lower arm portion to said upper portion.  
     
     
         60 . A reshaped hanger end portion as in  claim 58 , wherein said central portion forms an acute angle with said lower arm portion, said acute angle being in the range of from about 77.5 to 88 degrees.  
     
     
         61 . A method of forming a compact hanger end portion having an extended central portion extending at an acute angle between a shortened upper arm portion and a lower arm portion by reshaping and cutting a standardized hanger end portion having a generally s-shaped profile including a central portion connecting upper and lower arm portions comprising the steps of: 
 a) deforming said standardized hanger end portion to lengthen said central portion and dispose it at an acute angle between said upper and lower arm portions, and    b) cutting said upper arm portion of said deformed standardized hanger end portion from step (a) to form said compact hanger end portion with said extended central portion and shortened upper arm portion as compared with said standardized hanger end portion.    
     
     
         62 . A display panel including a front face having a plurality of grooves in horizontal parallel relationship and being vertically spaced apart, each of said grooves being generally T-shaped and symmetrical about one axis in cross-section, each groove having a throat open to said front face and extending to an inner end communicating with an inner cavity, said inner cavity having a substantially arcuate rear wall connecting diametrically opposed front walls extending to said throat inner end, an insert mounted in at least one of said grooves, said insert comprising an outer wall having a C-shape cross-section including an arcuate portion connecting opposed diametrical portions, said insert outer wall being in substantial contact engagement with groove surfaces along a horizontal extent of said groove, said insert arcuate portion engaging said arcuate rear wall of said inner cavity and said insert diametrical portions engaging said front walls.  
     
     
         63 . A display panel as in  claim 62 , wherein said insert diametrical portions each further extend to an integrally formed laterally intersecting end portion, and said insert end portions engage said throat walls.  
     
     
         64 . A display panel as in  claim 62 , wherein said insert arcuate portion has a semicircular cross-section.  
     
     
         65 . A display panel as in  claim 62 , wherein said insert is formed of a plastic or of a metal.