PANEL ASSEMBLY, PANEL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE PANEL ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A panel assembly, system, and method include upper and lower panels attached respectively to upper and lower back support, which are connectable to each other using linking beams. The upper back support is configured to be hung from a horizontal beam. The panels have through holes and the back supports have front blind holes that are aligned with the through holes in the panels. In another embodiment, rear blind holes are also provided in the back supports. A peg is securable to each of the blind holes. Multiple pegs can be secured to provide furniture options that can be used for storing, displaying, organizing, and merchandizing. Rear blind holes provides additional storage that can be hidden away from view.

Claims

1. A panel assembly usable with a peg to display an object, the panel assembly comprising: a first panel including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of first through holes extending between the first side and the second side; and a first support secured to the first panel and configured to be mountable to a structural support, and including: a first side confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; a plurality of first first-side blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of first through holes on the first side thereof; and a plurality of first second-side blind holes on the second side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of first through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of first first-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of first through holes from the first side of the first panel, and wherein each of the plurality of first second-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted from the second side of the first support.

2. The panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first support includes: a first cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of first beams each including: a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; on the first side thereof, a first slot sized to receive the first cross beam and allow the first side of the first cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of first beams to contact the second side of the first panel; and at least one of the plurality of first first-side blind holes opening from the first side thereof.

3. The panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein: at least a first beam, among the plurality of first beams, includes the plurality of first second-side blind holes of the first support, and each of the plurality of first second-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted from the second side of the first beam.

4. The panel assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: a second panel disposed adjacent to the first panel and including a first side and a second side opposite the first side thereof, and a plurality of second through holes extending between the first side and the second side of the second panel; and a second support secured to the second panel and including: a first side confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of second first-side blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of second through holes on the first side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of second through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of second first-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of second through holes, and wherein the plurality of first through holes and the plurality of second through holes are arranged in an array.

5. The panel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second support includes: a second cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of second beams each including: a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; on the first side thereof, a second slot sized to receive the second cross beam and allow the first side of the second cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of second beams to contact the second side of the second panel; and at least one of the second first-side blind holes, among the plurality of second first-side blind holes, opening from the first side thereof.

6. The panel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second support further includes: a third cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of second beams has a third slot spaced from the second slot and sized to receive the third cross beam and allow the first side of the third cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of second beams to contact the second side of the second panel.

7. The panel assembly according to claim 6, further including: a first linking beam that secures together one of the plurality of first beams and one of the plurality of second beams; and a second linking beam that secures together another of the plurality of first beams and another of the plurality of second beams, wherein the first and second linking beams secure the first and second supports together.

8. A panel system comprising: a peg; and a panel assembly usable with the peg to display an object and including: a first panel including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of first through holes extending between the first side and the second side; and a first support secured to the first panel and configured to be mountable to a structural support, and including: a first side confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; a plurality of first first-side blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of first through holes on the first side thereof; and a plurality of first second-side blind holes on the second side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of first through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of first first-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of first through holes from the first side of the first panel, and wherein each of the plurality of first second-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted from the second side of the first support.

9. The panel system according to claim 8, wherein the first support includes: a first cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of first beams each including: a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; on the first side thereof, a first slot sized to receive the first cross beam and allow the first side of the first cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of first beams to contact the second side of the first panel; and at least one of the plurality of first first-side blind holes opening from the first side thereof.

10. The panel system according to claim 9, wherein: at least a first beam, among the plurality of first beams, includes the plurality of first second-side blind holes of the first support, and each of the plurality of first second-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted from the second side of the first beam.

11. The panel system according to claim 10, further comprising: a second panel disposed adjacent to the first panel and including a first side and a second side opposite the first side thereof, and a plurality of second through holes extending between the first side and the second side of the second panel; and a second support secured to the second panel and including: a first side confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of second first-side blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of second through holes on the first side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of second through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of second first-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of second through holes, and wherein the plurality of first through holes and the plurality of second through holes are arranged in an array.

12. The panel system according to claim 11, wherein the second support includes: a second cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of second beams each including: a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; on the first side thereof, a second slot sized to receive the second cross beam and allow the first side of the second cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of second beams to contact the second side of the second panel; and a plurality of first blind holes opening from the first side thereof and comprising the plurality of second blind holes of the second support.

13. The panel system according to claim 12, wherein the second support further includes: a third cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the second panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of second beams has a third slot spaced from the second slot and sized to receive the third cross beam and allow the first side of the third cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of second beams to contact the second side of the second panel.

14. The panel system according to claim 13, further including: a first linking beam that secures together one of the plurality of first beams and one of the plurality of second beams; and a second linking beam that secures together another of the plurality of first beams and another of the plurality of second beams, wherein the first and second linking beams secure the first and second supports together.

15. The panel system according to claim 8, further comprising a locking peg including: an elongated body; a locking mechanism at one end of the elongated body, wherein the one end of the elongated body is configured to pass through a first through hole, among the plurality of first through holes, and extend into and secure to a first blind hole, among the plurality of first first-side blind holes, aligned with the first through hole, wherein the elongated body extends outwardly from the first side of the first panel when inserted in the first blind hole.

16. The panel system according to claim 15, wherein: the one end of the elongated body is insertable into a second blind hole, among the plurality of first second-side blind holes, and the elongated body extends outwardly from the second side of the first panel when inserted in the second blind hole.

17. A method of assembling and mounting a panel assembly comprising: a first panel including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of first through holes extending between the first side and the second side; and a first support secured to the first panel and configured to be mountable to a structural support, and including: a first side confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; a plurality of first first-side blind holes that each align with one of the plurality of first through holes on the first side thereof; and a plurality of first second-side blind holes on the second side thereof, wherein each of the plurality of first through holes is dimensioned to permit the peg to pass therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of first first-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted through one of the plurality of first through holes from the first side of the first panel, and wherein each of the plurality of first second-side blind holes is dimensioned to receive the peg inserted from the second side, the method comprising the steps of: providing a support beam; securing the support beam to a structural support; and mounting the first support to the support beam.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: the first support includes: a first cross beam including a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel and a second side opposite the first side thereof; and a plurality of first beams each including: a first side disposed confronting the second side of the first panel; a second side opposite the first side thereof; on the first side thereof, a first slot sized to receive the first cross beam and allow the first side of the first cross beam and the first sides of the plurality of first beams to contact the second side of the first panel; and at least one of the plurality of first first-side blind holes opening from the first side thereof, and the mounting step comprises mounting the plurality of first beams to the support beam.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: each of the plurality of first beams includes a second slot, on the second side thereof, sized to receive the support beam, and the mounting step comprises resting the second slots of the plurality of first beams on the support beam.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the present panel assembly, showing the front side of upper and lower panels assembled together.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the back side of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, in an exploded view.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of the first embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the side view of the first embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates the top view of the first embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present panel assembly.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded back view of the second embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates the front view of the second embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the side view of the second embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates the top view of the second embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates the side view the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) disposed next to a wall.

[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) hung from the wall.

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the present locking peg.

[0036] FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of a wedge of the locking peg.

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates the side view (in relation to FIG. 13) of the locking peg.

[0038] FIG. 16 illustrates the bottom view (in relation to FIG. 13) of the locking peg.

[0039] FIG. 17 illustrates the right end view (in relation to FIG. 13) of the locking peg.

[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates the side view of the second embodiment (see FIG. 9) with locking pegs and plain pegs inserted from the front and back sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present panel assembly PA, which is designed to be flexible, can provide individuals and families with storage and furniture options that maximize smaller living spaces and provide the opportunity to be creative. Other useful feature is that the present panel assembly also can be used for displaying, organizing, and storing merchandise, such as at exhibits or trade shows. There are many uses for the present panel assembly since it can be disassembled for portability and quickly assembled.

[0042] The panel assembly PA is hangable from a hanging horizontal beam HB (hereafter hanging beam) that is held securely to a structural support, such as a wall, stand, frame, etc., using fasteners. The hanging beam HB is horizontally mounted to a wall and can be made of metal. FIG. 12 illustrates the present panel assembly PA hung on a vertical wall using the hanging beam HB that has a French-cleat configuration that allows the weight (gravity) of the item to be mounted to securely hold the panel assembly in place. The back (second) side of the panel support (disclosed below in detail) is used for mounting the panel assembly to the hanging beam HB.

[0043] The panel assembly PA includes an upper (first) panel 1, a lower (second) panel 2, an upper back (first) support (3, 5) secured to the upper panel 1, a lower back (second) support (4, 5) secured to the lower panel 2, and linking vertical beams 7 that connect together the upper and lower back supports using fasteners 9, which can be bolts each provided with a threaded shaft.

[0044] Each of the upper and lower panels 1, 2, which can be flat, has a front (first) side (see FIG. 1) and a back (second) side (see FIG. 2), and a plurality of spaced (first, second) through holes 1H, 2H extending between the front side and the back side. The through holes 1H, 2H can be in an array configuration as illustrated, namely having a predetermined number of horizontally spaced through holes arranged along each of a plurality of vertically spaced rows and a predetermined number of vertically spaced through holes along each of a plurality of horizontally spaced columns. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper panel 1 has nine rows and five columns of through holes, thus providing 45 through holes 1H, and the lower panel 2 has seven rows and five columns of through holes 2H, thus providing 35 through holes that are aligned with the through holes 1H along the five columns. The number of through holes, however, are not critical. Moreover, while the illustration shows the through holes being arranged in an array, the through holes can be arranged in a different pattern or offset pattern.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the upper back support (3, 5) has a front (first) side and a back (second) side opposite the front side. The upper back support is secured to the back side of the upper panel 1 so that the front side of the upper back support confronts the back side of the upper panel 1. Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the upper back support includes, on the front side, a plurality of front (first) blind holes 3H that each align with one of the through holes 1H in the first panel 1. Specifically, the upper back support comprises a plurality of upper (first) vertical beams 3 and at least one (first) horizontal (cross) beam 5 (one provided in the illustrated embodiments). The vertical length of each of the upper vertical beams 3 is substantially equal to a vertical length of the first panel 1. The illustrated embodiments show the upper vertical beams 3 being equal in height to the first panel 1.

[0046] The horizontal beam 5 has a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the upper panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side. The upper vertical beams 3, which are horizontally spaced from each other and parallel to each other, each have a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side thereof. The front and back sides of the upper back support correspond respectively to the front and back sides of the upper vertical beams 3.

[0047] Each upper vertical beam 3 has a plurality of vertically spaced front (first) blind holes 3H opening from the one side. The front blind holes 3H in the upper back support correspond to the front blind holes in the upper vertical beams 3.

[0048] Each upper vertical beam 3 has, on the front side thereof, a front (first) slot 3Sf sized to receive the horizontal beam 5 and allow the front side of the horizontal beam 5 and the front side of each upper vertical beam 3 to contact the back side of the upper panel 1. The front slots 3Sf confine the horizontal beam 5 from moving in the vertical direction relative to the upper vertical beams 3.

[0049] Each upper vertical beam 3 also has, on the back side, a back (second) slot 3Sb vertically spaced above the front slot 3Sa and configured to hook onto an upper portion of the hanging beam HB. The back slot 3Sb can have a French-cleat configuration complementary to the French-cleat configuration of the hanging beam HB to allow the upper vertical beams 3 to be hung from the hanging beam HB. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 12, the back slot 3Sb at its upper side is angled to form an overhang 3Sbh that engages and sits on the angled upper end of the hanging beam HB. The overhang 3Sbh prevents the upper horizontal beams 3 from drifting out horizontally away from the wall.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, the back slots 3Sb are configured to allow the panel assembly PA to positioned so that the overhang 3Sbh can be disposed just above the angled upper end of the hanging beam HB to permit the passage of the hanging beam HB through the back slots 3Sb and allow the back side of the vertical beams 3, 4 to rest on the vertical wall. Dropping the panel assembly PA after resting the back side of the vertical beams 3, 4 on the wall seats the overhang 3Sb, which becomes disposed sandwiched between the wall and the angled upper end. To dismount the panel assembly, the panel assembly PA is first lifted up so that the overhang 3Sb clears the angled upper end of the hanging beam HB to allow the panel assembly to be displaced away from the wall. See FIG. 11. Specifically, the vertical opening width of each back slot 3Sb is larger than the vertical overall width of the hanging beam HB to permit the panel assembly to be lifted up so that the overhang 3Sbh can clear the upper edge of the angled upper end of the hanging beam HB.

[0051] The upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 can be secured to the back side of the upper panel 1 with an adhesive or glue. The upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 also can be secured together with the adhesive or glue. Moreover, the upper horizontal beam 5 and each upper vertical beam 3 can be further secured using screws.

[0052] The lower back support is configured similar to the upper back support, except that the lower back support is made shorter and does not include the back slots 3Sb. See FIGS. 3, 4, 8, and 9. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1-2, the lower back support (4, 5) has a front (first) side and a back (second) side opposite the front side thereof. The lower back support is secured to the back side of the lower panel 2 so that the front side of the lower back support confronts the back side of the lower panel 2. The shorter back support allows for access to power outlets and provides an area for stowing power strips hidden from the view.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the lower back support includes, on the front side, a plurality of front (first) blind holes 4H that each align with one of the through holes 2H in the lower panel 2. Specifically, the lower back support comprises a plurality of lower (second) vertical beams 4 and at least one (second, third) horizontal (cross) beam 5. The lower vertical beams 4 are used for overall stability of the structure and also lessen any warping of the lower panel 2. The illustrated embodiments also use two (upper and lower) horizontal beams 5 to lessen warping of the panel 2. The vertical length of each lower vertical beam 4 can be substantially shorter than the vertical length of the lower panel 2 as illustrated.

[0054] Each horizontal beam 5 has a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the lower panel 2 and a back (second) side opposite the front side. The lower vertical beams 4, which are horizontally spaced from each other and parallel to each other, each have a front (first) side disposed confronting the back side of the first panel and a back (second) side opposite the front side thereof. The front and back sides of the lower back support correspond respectively to the front and back sides of the lower vertical beams 4.

[0055] Each lower vertical beam 4 has a plurality of vertically spaced front (first) blind holes 4H opening from the front side. The front blind holes 4H in the lower back support correspond to the front blind holes in the lower vertical beams 4.

[0056] Each lower vertical beam 4 has, on the front side thereof, upper (second) and lower (third) slot 4Sfu, 4Sfl each sized to receive one of two horizontal beams 5 and allow the front side of the horizontal beams 5 and the front side of each lower vertical beam 4 to contact the back side of the second panel 2.

[0057] Each horizontal beam 5 and each lower vertical beam 4 can be secured to the back side of the lower panel 2 with an adhesive or glue. Each horizontal beam 5 and each lower vertical beam 4 can be also secured together with the adhesive or glue. Moreover, each horizontal beam 5 and each upper lower beam 3 can be further secured using screws.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper vertical beams 3 and the lower vertical beams 4 are aligned vertically. Two linking beams 7 each secure together one of the upper vertical beams 3 and one of the lower vertical beams 4 using fasteners 9, which can be bolts having threaded ends. Specifically, these two linking vertical beams 7 are disposed inwardly from the two upper and lower outermost vertical beams to link together the upper and lower panels 1, 2.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the horizontal beam 5 joined to the upper panel 1 can be disposed near the upper end of the two linking beams 7, as illustrated. The lower horizontal beam 5 joined to the lower panel 2 can be disposed near the bottom end of the lower vertical beams 4, while the upper horizontal beam 5 joined to the lower panel 2 can be disposed at the upper region of the lower vertical beams 4, as illustrated.

[0060] Through holes in the two outermost vertical beams 3, 4 can be predrilled to permit passage of fasteners 9. Each linking vertical beam 7 can have threaded nuts 8 in the form of inserts or anchors preinstalled therein from the side opposite the side confronting the outermost vertical beams 3, 4 to receive the threaded end of the bolts to enable the end user to easily assemble and disassemble the panel assembly for portability (transporting) and storage. Although the illustrations only uses two linking vertical beams 7, the number thereof can depend on the size of the panels.

[0061] The height of the lower panel 2 can be the same as the upper panel 1, but can have less row of holes 2H than the upper panel 1 (seven rows of holes being provided for the lower panel 2, as opposed to nine rows of holes provided for the upper panel 1 in the illustration).

[0062] The second embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, is identical to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-5), except for the upper and lower vertical beams 3, 4. Specifically, each of the upper and lower vertical beams 3, 4 in the second embodiment includes a set of rear blind holes 3Hb, 4Hb opening from the back sides thereof. That is, in the second embodiment, blind holes are drilled on both the front and the back sides of the upper and lower vertical beams. The front and rear blind holes are offset from each other so that none of the holes are drilled fully through the upper and lower vertical beams.

[0063] A locking peg LP is securable to any of the front and rear blind holes 3H, 3Hb, 4H, 4Hb in the upper and lower back supports. The through holes 1H, 2H in the upper and lower panel 1, 2 are configured or sized to permit the locking peg to be inserted therethrough to allow the locking peg LP to be secured thereto. Non-locking pegs PP (see FIG. 18), such as a plain dowel, can also be inserted into the blind holes. As seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, 7, the through holes 1H, 2H in the front side thereof can have a larger opening to facilitate insertion of the locking peg LP or non-locking peg PP through any of the through holes 1H, 2H.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 13-17, the locking peg LP includes a wedge 10, a stem 20, which is a hollow rod or tubular member, and a fastener 30, 40. The stem can be cylindrical (as illustrated) or any other shape that is matched to the shape of the holes 1H, 2H, 3H, 3Hb, 4H, 4Hb. The fastener can be a bolt having a threaded shaft 30 and a head 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the head is threaded into the shaft. But a one-piece fastener, namely a bolt having a thread shaft with an integral head, can be used instead. Moreover, the locking peg LP can include a head cover 50 having a protrusion that is forcibly inserted into a hexagonal socket (used for tightening/loosening) formed in the head 40 to cover the head.

[0065] The stem 20 has a proximal end 20P at which the bolt enters and a distal end 20D that is angled relative to stem body. The wedge 10 also has a beveled or angled end 10D that is complementarily angled that engages and slides relative to the angled proximal end 20P. The fastener 30, 40, the wedge 10, and the angled proximal end 20P of the stem 20 form a locking mechanism, which is similar in design to a bicycle handlebar stem. The wedge 10 is sized to be inserted into any of the blind holes 3H, 3Hb, 4H, 4Hb and through any of the through holes 1H, 2H or directly thereinto. The fastener is rotated in one (tightening) direction to draw the angled end 10P of the wedge 10 against the angled proximal end 20P of the stem 20. This causes the wedge to slide in relation to the stem 20 in both the radial and axial direction, causing these components to be jammed in the blind hole to secure the locking peg LP therein. The locking peg, when inserted to the blind hole extends outwardly from the front side or the back side. Rotating the fastener 30, 40 in the opposite (loosening) direction moves the wedge 10 and stem 20 away from each other, releasing the locking peg LP from the blind hole.

[0066] The rear blind holes 3Hb, 4Hb, in conjunction with multiple locking pegs LP or non-locking pegs PP (having a similar shape as the locking pegs), provide extra rear storage, which can be used as a hidden storage, for exhibit or office installations. See FIG. 18, which illustrates the locking pegs LP and non-locking pegs PP inserted from both the front and back sides.

[0067] The vertical beams 3, 4 hold the upper and lower panels 1, 2 spaced from a wall (when the hanging horizontal beam is secured to a wall) and provide the load strength for holding or storing items. Holding the upper and lower panels 1, 2 spaced from the wall also provides a space for running power chords behind the upper and lower panels 1, 2 or inserting sound muting panels between the upper and lower vertical beams. Specifically, the upper and lower vertical beams can have a depth large enough (e.g., 60 mm) to accommodate power strips behind the upper and lower panels 1, 2. As illustrated, the lower vertical beams 4 do not extend the entire height of the lower panel 2 in contrast to the upper vertical beams 3, which extend substantially the entire length of the upper panel 1. This provides a relatively large open area behind the lower panel 2 to allow for stowing one or more power strips and accessing power outlets. See FIG. 12.

[0068] Moreover, the panel assembly can be separated into upper and lower panels sized to fit in a vehicle for flat packing or stowing.

[0069] Although the panel assembly (less the fasteners) can be made from any suitable material, including plastic and metal, for aesthetic reasons, at least the upper and lower panels are preferably made of wood. Moreover, although the illustrated embodiments show two panels, namely upper and lower panels, additional panel(s) can be stacked. For instance, one or more upper panel with the upper back support can be disposed between the two illustrated upper and lower panels 1, 2, with back supports configured like the upper back support, but without the back slots 3Sb. Moreover, multiple panel assemblies can be hung side-by-side from one or more hanging beams HB.

[0070] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims.