Multi-purpose columnar support

A method of using any item of conventional hardware selected from a group of conventional hardware items that are normally used in the display of merchandise, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting from the group of conventional hardware items those items of conventional hardware that are to be used in the intended display of merchandise,
• (i) the group of conventional hardware items including slatwalls, double-sided extruded slatwalls, wire slat grid panels, slotted strips, reinforced slotted strips, panels and brackets,
• (b) providing a tubular column having a plurality of radially extending holding areas and each holding area including means for frictionally retaining the inner portion of a connector that will connect a selected item of conventional hardware to a selected holding area,
• (c) providing a group of connectors, each connector including an inner portion to be frictionally retained in a selected holding area and an outer portion including means for frictionally retaining one item in said group of conventional hardware items,
• (i) the group of connectors including slotted channels, internal channels, slotted strips, reinforced slotted strips, double-wall channels and pivotal connectors,
• (d) selecting connectors from said group of connectors that have inner portions shaped for frictionally retaining the items selected from said group of conventional hardware items,
• (e) positioning the inner portions of selected connectors in selected holding areas in the tubular column;
• and
• (f) connecting the items selected from said group of conventional hardware items to the outer portions of corresponding selected connectors.

A columnar support adaptable for use with different items of conventional hardware and panels normally used to display merchandise in stores and exhibit halls, the columnar support comprising:

• (a) a tubular column extruded from a heavy gauge material and cut to desired lengths, the tubular column including a core and having holding areas diverging radially from the core, each holding area including means for frictionally retaining the inner portion of a connector for an item of conventional hardware,
• (b) a group of connectors, each connector including:
• (i) an inner portion including means for frictional retention in a selected holding area in the tubular column, and
• (ii) an outer portion including means for frictionally retaining an item of conventional hardware,
• whereby selected displays of merchandise are supported by the columnar support.

A columnar support adaptable for use with different items of conventional hardware and panels normally used to display merchandise in stores and exhibit halls, the columnar support comprising:

• (a) a tubular column extruded from a heavy gauge material and cut to desired lengths, the tubular column including a core and having holding areas diverging radially from the core;
• (b) a group of connectors, each connector including:
• (i) an inner portion shaped to fit in any one of the holding areas and
• (ii) an outer portion shaped to conform with and be connected to at least one item of conventional hardware;
• (c) means for retaining the inner portion of an connector in any holding area in the column while the outer portion of said connector is connected to an item of conventional hardware, whereby displays of merchandise are supported by the columnar support;
• (d) a first group of two tubular columns in close juxtaposition to each other;
• (e) a first pair of planar connectors;
• (f) means connecting the first pair of planar connectors to the tops and bottoms of the two tubular columns in said first group of tubular columns;
• (g) a first internal channel in one of the tubular columns in said first group of tubular columns;
• (h) a first panel connected to the first internal channel;
• (i) a second group of two tubular columns in close juxtaposition to each other;
• (j) a second pair of planar connectors,
• (k) means connecting the second pair of planar connectors to the tops and bottoms of the two tubular columns in said second group of tubular columns;
• (l) a second internal channel in one of the tubular columns in said second group of tubular columns;
• (m) the second internal channel being connected to the end of the first panel opposite the first group of tubular columns;
• (n) a third internal channel in one of the tubular columns in said second group of tubular columns;
• (o) a second panel connected to the third internal channel and extending at less than 180.degree. from said first panel;
• (p) a third group of two tubular columns in close juxtaposition to each other;
• (q) a third pair of planar connectors,
• (r) means connecting the third pair of planar connectors to the tops and bottoms of the two tubular columns in said third group of tubular columns;
• (s) a fourth internal channel in one of the tubular columns in said third group of tubular columns;
• and
• (t) the fourth internal channel being connected to the end of the second panel opposite the second group of tubular connectors.

A columnar support for conventional items of hardware selected from a group of conventional hardware items that are normally used in the display of merchandise, the columnar support comprising a tubular column, the tubular column having a core and the columnar support including an outer wall, four arms extending radially from the core at 90.degree. angles to each other, an arcuate segment at the end of each arm, the arcuate segments being circumferentially spaced from each other and forming spaced portions of the outer wall of the column, the four arms and their arcuate segments defining holding areas between them, a group of connectors, each connector including an inner portion shaped to be slidably received and frictionally retained in any one of the holding areas and including an outer portion shaped to frictionally retain items of conventional hardware selected from the group of conventional hardware items, and a plurality of trim caps, each trim cap including an inner portion shaped to be slidably received and retained in any holding area in the tubular column and including an arcuate outer portion that conforms in appearance with the appearance of the arcuate segments that form spaced portions of the outer wall of the column, whereby the trim caps may be installed in all of the holding areas that are not used to support connectors, and whereby the trim caps cover and conceal the unused holding areas and whereby the trim caps extend between the spaced arcuate wall segments to provide the appearance of a solid column except for the active holding areas that support connectors and items of conventional hardware.