WO2013029088A1

WO2013029088A1 - Improved display apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2013029088A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000991
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Hopkins
Original assignee: John Hopkins
Priority date: 2011-08-26
Filing date: 2012-08-24
Publication date: 2013-03-07

Abstract

A display apparatus having an anchoring cavity. The apparatus including at least one elongate insert element adapted to be received by a wall panel, wherein the insert element defines a curved longitudinal anchor cavity having an anterior longitudinal anchor slot for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion. A modular display system can comprise a plurality of wall panels, with adjacent wall panels being interconnected with an insert element. Each insert element can having an upper coupling flange and lower coupling flange for enabling rear fixing to a respective upper wall panel and lower wall panel for assembly of a plurality of wall panels into an upright wall. Each insert element can includes an upper coupling protrusion and a lower coupling protrusion for providing a complementary tongue and groove arrangement with a respective wall panel.

Description

IMPROVED DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display mounting apparatus, and in particular to display mounting apparatus used in commercial retail displays. The invention has been developed primarily for use as a retail display mounting apparatus for receiving a support bracket and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

Retailers and others who display goods commonly use demountable shelving and display supports for displaying those goods. One requirement for commercial display systems is that they be versatile with respect to shelf or support positioning, in order to accommodate different types of displays and product lines. A commonly employed display system would be expected to include a plurality of cantilevered supports for shelving panels or the like, a display wall that features a plurality of display wall support mountings arranged in a suitable array, and a plurality of support brackets that can be inserted in selected ones of the mountings and which have a cantilevered arm that support the shelves or products at the display wall. The functional geometry of the interacting support mounting wall, with respect to strength, ease of installation and removal, and cost, are strong marketplace differentiators between the available systems. Known display systems typically require the mounting supports to be fixed to a support wall. This typically restricts the configuration available for a facing presentation wall.

There is a need in the art for a display systems that can be integrated with a facing presentation wall, and/or enables flexible configuration of facing presentation wall panels. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

It is an object of the invention in a preferred form to provide a display apparatus that can form a presentation wall.

It is an object of the invention in a preferred form to provide a display apparatus that enables flexible configuration of facing presentation wall panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a display apparatus having an anchoring cavity for receiving product display system, shelving brackets or similar items, the shelving brackets or similar items having a male anchor portion adapted to be received by the anchoring cavity.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a display apparatus having an anchoring cavity, the apparatus including:

at least one elongate insert element adapted to be received by a wall panel;

the insert element defines a curved longitudinal anchor cavity having an anterior longitudinal anchor slot for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion. Preferably, the anchor cavity has a substantially constant radius so as to enable relative rotational insertion-engagement of a radiused anchor portion of the support bracket. More preferably, an upper cavity surface and a lower cavity surface that define the anchor cavity have a common concentric curvature. Most preferably, the upper cavity surfaces and lower cavity surfaces that define the anchor cavity have a substantially constant radial separation that is suitable for receiving a substantially constant-thickness radiused anchor- portion of the support bracket.

Preferably, the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior flange element for rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel. More preferably the posterior flange element is removably coupleable to the insert element. Preferably, the elongate insert element defines an upper outer surface and lower outer surface, each outer surface extending non-inwardly, or generally outwardly, from an anterior wall engagement to a posterior wall engagement for enabling rear-insertion of the insert element in an insert aperture defined in the wall panel. More preferably, the insert aperture can be generated, at least in part, by a plunge router applied to the posterior surface of the wall panel.

Preferably, the elongate insert element defines an upper lip element and lower lip element, for defining an elongate mouth of the elongated anchor slot. More preferably, each lip element is a protruding lip element, such that, when assemble, respective anterior abutting portions of the panel adjacent to protruding lip element are sufficiently deep for reducing risk of splitting or breakage of the abutting portions in use. Most preferably, when assembled, each lip element is located substantially flush with the anterior surface of the panel.

Preferably, the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element for rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel. More preferably the posterior mounting element is removably coupleable to the insert element. Most preferably, the posterior mounting element is slidably-removably- coupleable to the insert element. Alternatively, the posterior mounting element is integrally formed with the insert element. Preferably a posterior mounting element is removably coupleable to the insert element. More preferably, a posterior mounting element defines a ' -shaped protrusion that can slidably engage an opposed pair of posterior coupling flanges that define an elongate posterior mounting slot. Most preferably, the posterior mounting element, when coupled to the insert element, can be rear-mounted and fastened to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

at least one elongate insert element mountable to a support structure (frame or wall); the insert element defines the elongated anchor slot for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion; the insert element defines an upper panel coupling protrusion/projection and a lower panel coupling protrusion for respectively engaging an upper display panel and a lower display panel.

Preferably the coupling protrusions provide a complementary tongue and groove arrangement with the respective display panel for assembly of an upright wall.

Preferably the coupling protrusion are offset from the anterior periphery of the insert element for reduce risk of splitting or breakage of the respective display panel in use. More preferably, the coupling protrusions are adapted to retain a spacer panel such that a display cover element can be fixed to the spacer panel while mainlining a substantially flush upright display wall surface.

Preferably, the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element for rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to the support structure. More preferably the posterior mounting element is removably coupleable to the insert element. Most preferably, the posterior mounting element is slidably-removably-coupleable to the insert element. Alternatively, the posterior mounting element is integrally formed with the insert element.

Preferably a posterior mounting element is removably coupleable to the insert element. More preferably, a posterior mounting element defines a ' -shaped protrusion that can slidably engage an opposed pair of posterior coupling flanges that define an elongate posterior mounting slot. Most preferably, the posterior mounting element, when coupled to the insert element, can be rear-mounted and fastened to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

Preferably, display apparatus facilitates cost-effective mass production of standard elements, in particular utilising aluminium extrusions. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert element, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Preferably, the insert element defines an anchor cavity for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion. More preferably, the anchor cavity has a substantially constant radius of curvature. Most preferably, the anchor cavity is further adapted to receive an anchor portion having a profile which is a curved tab of substantially even thickness; and the anchoring cavity being of a co-operating substantially uniform width for receiving the curved tab.

Preferably, the profile of the anchoring cavity defines an upward curve away from an elongate anchor slot. More preferably, the curved profile extends through a substantially circular segment of approximately 90 degrees.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular display system comprising:

a plurality of wall panels interleaved with an insert element;

each wall panel having an anterior and a posterior surface and having an upper and a lower abutment edge surface for engaging a respective insert element;

each insert element having an upper and lower coupling flange for enabling rear fixing to respective upper and lower wall panels for assembly of a plurality of wall panels into an upright wall.

Preferably, the insert element includes an upper and a lower coupling protrusion for providing a complementary tongue and groove arrangement. More preferably, the coupling protrusions define barb-like projections on their outer surface.

Preferably, the modular display system includes a plurality of removable cantilevered support brackets mountable/coupleable to the upright wall at selectable locations defined by the insert elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective partial-cutaway view of an embodiment display assembly; FIG. 2A is perspective view of an insert element of the display assembly of FIG. 1 ;

FIG 2B is perspective view of an insert element of the display assembly of FIG. 1 ; FIG 3 is side elevation view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 ; FIG 4 is side elevation view of an embodiment display assembly, showing an integrally formed posterior flange element;

FIG 5 is side elevation view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 , showing a coupled product display system;

FIG 6 A is perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG 6B is perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 5, including a plurality of insert elements;

FIG 7 is side elevation view of an embodiment display assembly, shown configured as back-to-back display walls;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of an embodiment display assembly;

FIG. 9A is perspective view of an insert element of the display assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG 9B is perspective view of an insert element of the display assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG 10 is side elevation view of the insert element of the display assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is perspective partial-cutaway view of the display assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12A is perspective partial-cutaway view of an embodiment display assembly, shown with a facing presentation wall panel;

FIG. 12B is perspective partial-cutaway view of an embodiment display assembly of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 A is side elevation view of an embodiment display assembly, shown with a plurality of facing presentation wall panels; and

FIG. 13B is perspective partial-cutaway view of an embodiment display assembly of FIG 13A.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An improved shelving bracket mounting system is described. In particular, an arcuate anchor portion for cantilevered arms is described, which demonstrate benefits over the existing display mounting system. A cavity profile for receiving the cantilevered arms, in combination, provides a secure retention of the mount in the cavity and has a very good strength and practical utility. The cavity profile described can also provide a suitable level of support for the anchor portion which has a different profile to that of the cavity.

An anchor cavity can comprise an internal profile that is congruent with the external profile of the anchor portion. It will be appreciated that there is a direct male-female correlation between the profiles of the anchor portion and anchor cavity, i.e. a shape fit.

A system for mounting wall panels to a shop wall can facilitate rapid installation of the panels, while reducing the appearance of screws, bolts or other fastening devices when installed.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 , a display apparatus 100 can include an anchoring cavity 110 for receiving product display system (not shown), such as a shelving brackets or similar items. The shelving brackets or similar items can have a male anchor portion adapted to be received by the anchoring cavity.

In an embodiment, by way of example only, the display apparatus 100 including: at least one elongate insert element 120 adapted to be received by a wall panel portion 130,135; the insert element defines a curved longitudinal anchor cavity 110 having an anterior longitudinal anchor slot 112 for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion (for example, as shown in FIG. 5).

In this example embodiment, the anchor cavity has a substantially constant radius so as to enable relative rotational insertion-engagement of a radiused anchor portion of the support bracket. An upper cavity surface 114 and lower cavity surface 116 define the anchor cavity, and have a common concentric curvature. The upper cavity surface 114 and lower cavity surface 116 have a substantially constant radial separation that is adapted for receiving a substantially constant-thickness radiused anchor-portion of the support bracket.

In this example embodiment, the insert element 120 is operatively associated with one or more posterior flange elements (for example flange element 151, 152) for rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel

portions 130, 135. The rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element can couple a pair of separate wall panels, or fixedly engage an insert element located in an insert aperture to a wall panel. It will be appreciated that the posterior flange element (in this example embodiment) is removably-coupleable to the insert element.

In this example embodiment, the insert element 120 defines an upper surface 122 and lower surface 124, each surface extending non-inwardly, or generally outwardly, from an anterior wall engagement 131,136 to a posterior wall engagement 132, 137.

It will be appreciated that this non-inward (or generally outward) progression of each of the upper and lower surfaces as they extend rearward can enable rear-insertion of the insert element in an insert aperture defined in the wall panel. Advantageously, this insert aperture can be generated, at least in part, by a plunge router applied to the posterior surface of the wall panel.

It will be appreciated that, to facilitate generation of an insert aperture by a router, it is beneficial that the side profile of the elongate insert element is symmetrical about an axis 390 (as shown in FIG. 3), wherein the upper surface 122 and lower surface 124 each extend non-inwardly (or generally outwardly) from the axis when traversing from the anterior wall engagement 131,136 to the posterior wall engagement 132,137.

In this example embodiment, the elongate insert element defines an upper lip region 126 and lower lip region 128, for defining an elongate mouth of the elongated anchor slot 112. Each lip element is a protruding lip region, such that, when assembled, respective anterior abutting portions 133, 138 of the panel adjacent to protruding lip element are sufficiently deep for reducing risk of splitting or breakage of the abutting portions in use. When assembled, each lip element is located substantially flush with the anterior surface of the panel.

In an embodiment, the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element 150 for rear- mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel. This mounting element is removably-coupleable to the insert element through slidable- insertion.

By way of example, the posterior mounting element 150, can define a ' -shaped protrusion 155 that can slidably engage an opposed pair of posterior coupling

flanges 160,162 that define an elongate posterior mounting slot 165. The posterior mounting element, when coupled to the insert element, can be rear-mounted and fastened by a fastening element 170 (for example a screw element) to a posterior surface of the wall panel (as shown in FIG. 3). It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, a posterior mounting element can be integrally formed with the insert element (as shown in FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment display apparatus 500 comprises the insert element 120 that defines a curved longitudinal anchor cavity 110 having an anterior longitudinal anchor slot 112 for receiving a support bracket 510 with a curved anchor portion 512. It will be appreciated that an arcuate anchor portion for cantilevered arms can demonstrate benefits over existing display mounting system. A cavity profile for receiving the cantilevered arms, in combination, can provide a secure retention of the mount in the cavity while retaining an ability to longitudinally slide the support bracket (for example, by sliding the curved anchor portion 512 within the longitudinal anchor slot 112) into a desired location. A further advantage can be achieved by fixing/mounting the insert element from the posterior of the wall panel, where in use the cantilevered arms exerts force that further holds the mounting element 150 against the wall panel portions.

Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment display apparatus 600 shows that the insert element 120 can be rear mounted through a mounting/insert aperture. Advantageously, this insert aperture can be generated, at least in part, by a plunge router applied to the posterior surface of the wall panel. In this embodiment, the mounting/insert aperture need not extend across an entire wall panel or extend to an edge of a wall panel. This enables rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of a single wall panel (for example at 130,135). An advantage of this embodiment is that the fixing elements of the display apparatus remain substantially concealed. The wall panel can then be fixed to a wall or wall frame.

Referring to FIG. 7, as the insert element 120 is rear mounted, a pair of back-to-back display apparatus 700,701 can be assembled.

It will be appreciated that the insert element 120 A can be mounted through a

mounting/insert aperture in the rear of a respective panel 710. The insert element 120A inserted in a panel 710, when assembled as a pair of back-to-back display apparatus, is retained by the other backing wall panel 711. The insert elements 120B and 120C are similarly retained/restrained by wall panel 710. By using an insert aperture in a pair of back-to-back wall panels, posterior flange elements are not required for fixing the insert element to the wall panels.

It will be appreciated that posterior flange elements are not required for adjoining vertical aligned/positioned wall panels, as back-to-back wall panels may be bonded/coupled together to assemble a plurality of wall panels into an upright wall. This can be achieved with a plurality of wall panels interleaved with an insert element, wherein oppositely facing insert elements do not substantially align back-to-back (or horizontally).

FIG. 8, FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 10 and , FIG. 11 each show aspects of an alternative embodiment display apparatus 800.

Referring to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the apparatus includes an anchoring cavity 810 for receiving product display system (not shown), such as a shelving brackets or similar items. The shelving brackets or similar items can have a male anchor portion adapted to be received by the anchoring cavity. It will be appreciated that the display apparatus 800, can include an anchoring cavity as previously described for receiving product display system.

The anchoring cavity 810 is defined by an insert element 820. Similar to previous embodiments, at least one insert element 820 defines an upper surface 822 and lower surface 824, adapted to be operatively associated with a wall panel portion 830,835, wherein each surface extends non-inwardly, or generally outwardly, from an anterior wall engagement 831,836 to a posterior wall engagement 832,837.

In this example embodiment, the elongate insert element defines an upper lip region 826 and lower lip region 828, for defining an elongate mouth of the elongated anchor slot 812. These can, by way of example, conform to lip regions disclosed herein.

In this example embodiment, the anchor cavity has a substantially constant radius so as to enable relative rotational insertion-engagement of a radiused anchor portion of the support bracket. An upper cavity surface 814 and lower cavity surface 816 define the anchor cavity, and have a common concentric curvature. The upper cavity surface 814 and lower cavity surface 816 have a substantially constant radial separation that is adapted for receiving a substantially constant-thickness radiused anchor-portion of the support bracket. In an embodiment, the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element 850 for rear-mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel. This mounting element is removably-coupleable to the insert element through slidable- insertion. As shown in earlier embodiments, by way of example, the posterior mounting element 850, can define a 'T' -shaped protrusion 855 that can slidably engage an opposed pair of posterior coupling flanges 860,862 that define an elongate posterior mounting slot 865. The posterior mounting element, when coupled to the insert element, can be rear-mounted and fastened by a fastening element (for example a screw element) to a posterior surface of the wall panel. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, a posterior mounting element can be integrally formed with the insert element.

In this embodiment, the insert element includes either (or both) a downwardly extending longitudinal protrusion 880 and/or an upwardly extending longitudinal protrusion 885.

It will be appreciated that the insert element can no longer be inserted through an insert aperture in a wall panel. The insert element is assembled as: a full length insert interleaved between two wall panel portions 830,835 or as a slidably engaged insert element (from an edge of a wall panel) between two wall panel portions 830,835 - wherein the downwardly extending longitudinal protrusion 880 and/or upwardly extending longitudinal protrusion 885 and/or engage a respective recess 834,839 in the wall panels 830,835. It will be further appreciated that wall panel abutment surface 838,834 are typically generated using a router. It is therefore beneficial that the side profile of the elongate insert element is symmetrical about an axis 1010 (shown in FIG. 10), which thereby can enable a single router tip to be used to generate the upper and lower wall panel abutment surface (for example 838 and 834). It is also beneficial that the longitudinal coupling protrusions are substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. Symmetry of the elongate insert element 820 about the axis 1010 enables a single router tip to define a slideable engagement aperture extending from the side of a wall panel for slidably receiving the insert element (from an edge of a wall panel) between two wall panel portions 830,835.

By way of example, the coupling protrusions provide a complementary tongue and groove arrangement with the respective display panel for assembly of an upright wall. Typically, the coupling protrusions are offset from the anterior periphery of the insert element to reduce risk of splitting or breakage of the respective display panel in use. The coupling projections are adapted to retain a spacer panel such that a display cover panel element can be fixed to the spacer panel while maintaining a substantially flush upright display wall surface.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show cutaway views of an alternative embodiment display apparatus 1200. In this embodiment, the upper wall panel comprises at least two layers 1235A,1235B. By way of example, the backing wall panel 1235A is restrained behind the upwardly extending longitudinal protrusion 885 and fixed to the posterior mounting element 850. A facing wall panel (for example, a decorative display panel, mirror panel, tiles) can be applied/fixed (for example glued, screwed or the like) to the backing wall panel 1235 A. The facing wall panel need not be a structural component of the display apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the display apparatus can be constructed as a layering of wall panels and insert elements. Referring to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, an example display apparatus can include a plurality of facing wall panels 1235B,1335B.

In an embodiment, a modular display system can comprise:

a plurality of wall panels interleaved with an insert element;

each wall panel having an anterior and a posterior surfaces and having an upper and lower abutment edge surfaces for engaging a respective interleaved insert element; each insert element having an upper and lower coupling flange for rear fixing to a respective upper and lower wall panels for assembly of a plurality of wall panels into an upright wall.

The insert element typically includes an upper and lower coupling protrusions for providing a complementary tongue and groove arrangement. The coupling protrusions can define one or more barb-like projections on their outer surface to engage the respective wall panel.

It will be appreciated that a modular display system can include a plurality of removable cantilevered support brackets mountable/coupleable to the upright wall at selectable locations defined by the insert elements.

The engagement between the longitudinal protrusion 880,885 and respective wall panel 830,835 provides one or more of the following advantages:

providing further fastening of wall panel by restraining the wall panel against the posterior mounting element and behind the longitudinal protrusion;

providing further fastening of wall panel, with longitudinal protrusion engaging a respective panel recess, by restraining the wall panel between the posterior mounting element and longitudinal protrusion;

with a wall panel retained behind or by a respective longitudinal protrusion, a facing panel can be applied.

Typically, a display apparatus facilitates cost-effective mass production of standard elements, in particular utilising metal (for example aluminium or the like ) extrusions.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated display apparatus can provide a useful alternative. In particular, in an embodiment a display apparatus that can form a presentation wall, and in an embodiment a display apparatus that enables flexible configuration of facing presentation wall panels.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected", along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed

Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different

embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A display apparatus having an anchoring cavity, the apparatus including:

at least one elongate insert element adapted to be received by a wall panel;

the insert element defines a curved longitudinal anchor cavity having an anterior longitudinal anchor slot for receiving a support bracket with a curved anchor portion.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the anchor cavity has a

substantially constant radius so as to enable relative rotational insertion-engagement of a radiused anchor portion of the support bracket.

3. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchor cavity is defined by an upper cavity surface and lower cavity surfaces that each have a common concentric curvature.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the upper cavity surface and lower cavity surfaces that defines the anchor cavity that is suitable for receiving a substantially constant-thickness radiused anchor-portion of the support bracket. 5. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior flange element for rear- mounting and fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

6.. The display apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the posterior flange element is removably-coupleable to the insert element. 7. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element defines an upper outer surface and lower outer surface, each outer surface extending non-inwardly from an anterior wall engagement to a posterior wall engagement for enabling rear-insertion of the insert element in an insert aperture defined in the wall panel.

8. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate insert element defines an upper lip element and lower lip element, for defining an elongate mouth of the elongated anchor slot.

9. The display apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each lip element is a protruding lip element; such that when assembled, a anterior abutting portions of the panel adjacent to a respective protruding lip element are sufficiently deep for reducing risk of breakage of the abutting portions in use.

10. The display apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein each lip element is located substantially flush with the anterior surface of the panel when assembled. 11. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element for rear- fastening of the insert element to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

12. The display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the posterior mounting element is removably-coupleable to the insert element. 13. The display apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the posterior mounting element is slidably-removably-coupleable to the insert element.

14. The display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the posterior mounting element defines a 'T' -shaped protrusion that can slidably engage an opposed pair of posterior coupling flanges that define an elongate posterior mounting slot in the insert element. 15. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the posterior mounting element, when coupled to the insert element, can be rear-fastened to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

16. The display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the posterior mounting element is integrally formed with the insert element. 17. The display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the posterior mounting element, can be rear-mounted to a posterior surface of the wall panel.

18. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element defines an upper outer surface and lower outer surface, each outer surface extending non-inwardly from an anterior wall engagement to a posterior wall engagement.

5 19. The display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert element defines an upper outer surface and lower outer surface, each outer surface extending non-inwardly from an anterior wall engagement to a posterior wall engagement for enabling rear-insertion of the insert element in an insert aperture defined in the wall panel; and wherein the insert aperture is at leats partially generated 10 by a plunge router applied to the posterior surface of the wall panel.

20. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the insert element further defines an upper panel coupling protrusion and a lower panel coupling protrusion for respectively engaging an upper display panel and a lower display panel.

15 21. The display apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the coupling protrusions each define barb-like projections on their outer surface.

22. A display apparatus having an anchoring cavity, the apparatus including:

at least one elongate insert element;

the insert element defines the elongated anchor slot for receiving a support bracket 20 with a curved anchor portion;

the insert element defines an upper panel coupling protrusion and a lower panel coupling protrusion for respectively engaging an upper display panel and a lower display panel.

23. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the coupling

25 protrusions provide a complementary tongue and groove arrangement with the

respective display panel for assembly of an upright wall.

24. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the coupling protrusion are offset from the anterior periphery of the insert element for reducing risk of breakage of the respective display panel in use.

25. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the coupling protrusions are adapted to retain a spacer wall panel such that a display cover element can be fixed to the spacer panel while mainlining a substantially flush upright display wall surface.

26. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element that enables rear- mounting and fastening of the insert element to the support structure.

27. The display apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the insert element is operatively associated with a posterior mounting element that is mountable to a support structure.

29. A modular display system comprising a plurality of wall panels each being

interconnected with a display apparatus insert element according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein each wall panel has an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and each wall panel has an upper abutment edge surface and a lower abutment edge surface for engaging a respective insert element;

30. A modular display system comprising:

a plurality of wall panels, with adjacent wall panels being interconnected with an insert element;

31. The modular display system according to claim 30, wherein the insert element includes an upper coupling protrusion and a lower coupling protrusion for providing a complementary tongue and groove arrangement with a respective wall panel.

32. The modular display system according to claim 32, wherein the coupling protrusions define barb-like projections on their outer surface.