Wall Display System And Method Of Providing The Same

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall display system and method of providing the wall display system. The system includes a base tile with an opening, a decorative tile, and a decorative tile attachment mechanism for placement within the opening. The opening has a shape for accommodating at least two different positions of the decorative tile when the attachment mechanism is placed within the opening. The attachment mechanism is removably placed within the opening for defining at least a first position and a second position within the opening.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable wall display system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vast amount of wall displays are typically available and are often chosen based upon a personal preference of a homeowner. Such wall displays include paintings, ornaments, lighting, floral arrangements, tiles, prints or photographs, and wall mounts such as vases and hooks, and the like.

One type of wall display often chosen is tile, which is typically a wall covering commonly used in kitchens or baths. The tile is often attached to a wall using mortar or tile adhesives and where grout typically fills the spaces between the sides of the tiles to form a hard, durable and watertight wall covering.

Ceramic wall tiles are normally chosen and are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and the tiles usually are selected so that the assembled tiles form a pleasing decorative wall pattern compatible with the color scheme or interior decoration of the room or space. These wall tiles usually include one or more decorative tiles and/or wall mounts to accomplish the desired wall display.

However, tile installation of ceramic tile is somewhat permanent and it is very costly to change one or more of the decorative tiles or mounts.

Wall mounts in particular pose a serious problem because a mount might need a screw or fastening system to attach it to the wall. If the mount is not fastened to a stud, the entire system is vulnerable to failure. Screwing the mount normally damages the tile wall and the damage is evident when the mount is moved from one location to another location on the wall, wherein any redecoration or removal of the mount exposes the damage to the wall.

What is desired, therefore, is a wall display system that is easy to attach and detach from the wall or space and that facilitates redecoration. A further desire is a wall display that permits the homeowner to attach and reattach various decorative or utilitarian features without the difficulty and/or expense often associated with the prior art. Yet another desire is a wall display that allows the homeowner to interchange the display without causing damage to the wall, thus eliminating touch up work after reconfiguring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wall display that permits a homeowner to alter its appearance easily and inexpensively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wall display that has repositionable and/or interchangeable decorative parts.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to a wall display system having one or more base tiles with an opening, and an attachment mechanism attached to the decorative tile for placement within the opening.

The attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, hook and loop fastener, and combinations thereof. The opening has a shape for accommodating at least two different positions of the decorative tile when the attachment mechanism is placed within the opening. The attachment mechanism is removably placed within the opening for defining a first position and the attachment mechanism is removably placed within the opening at an angle relative to the first position for defining a second position.

In some embodiments, a spacer is placed between the decorative tile and the base tile for adjusting a lateral distance of the decorative tile. In other embodiments, a mount is provided that is interchangeable with the decorative tile. In further embodiments, the mount is selected from the group consisting of a vase and a hook.

In a more specific embodiment, the opening is an eight point star. In some embodiments, the wall display system has a mating magnet placed within the opening for mating with the attachment mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, a wall display system includes a base tile having an opening with a shape selected from the group consisting of an eight point star and a generally circular hole. A plurality of decorative tiles is also provided, each decorative tile having a characteristic different than a next decorative tile. Each decorative tile is capable of being placed within the opening and the opening has a shape for accommodating at least two different positions of each decorative tile. In addition, a spacer is placed between each decorative tile and each base tile for adjusting the lateral distance of the each decorative tile.

In some embodiments, the wall display has an attachment mechanism for removably securing the each decorative tile within the opening. In other embodiments, the wall display includes a plurality of spacers, each spacer having a thickness different than a next spacer, for adjusting the lateral distance of the each decorative tile.

In further embodiments, the wall display has a mount that is interchangeable with each decorative tile of the plurality of tiles.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of providing a wall display system includes the steps of providing a base tile having an opening, providing a decorative tile, securing an attachment mechanism to the decorative tile, selecting the attachment mechanism from the group consisting of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, and combinations thereof, placing the attachment mechanism in the opening for removably attaching the decorative tile to he base tile, shaping the opening for accommodating at least two different positions of the decorative tile when the attachment mechanism is placed within the opening, defining a first position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening, and defining a second position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening and by rotating the attachment mechanism relative to the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wall display system in accordance with the invention depicting a decorative tile and several mounts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative tile attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hook attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vase attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the decorative tile attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is another front elevational view of the decorative tile attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8a is a front elevational view of the attachment mechanism and the opening shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8b is another front elevational view of the attachment mechanism and the opening shown in FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of wall display system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the decorative tile and attachment mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a plurality of the decorative and base tiles shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12-15 depict side cross sectional views of variations of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 depicts a method of providing the wall system shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-15 of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, wall display system 10 includes base tile 20, ornament 14, and attachment mechanism 34 for removably securing ornament 14 to base tile 20. As shown, ornament 14 includes decorative tile 30, vase 60, hook 62, and any other decoration for attachment to wall 12. In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 34 is a magnet. In other embodiments, attachment mechanism 34 is a fastener, glue, adhesive, hook and loop fastener such as Velcro® (see FIG. 10), and any combination with the magnet.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, wall display 10 includes base tile 20, mount 70, and attachment mechanism 34 for removably attaching mount 70 to base tile 20. As shown, mount 70 includes vase 72 for holding items such as a floral arrangement, hook 74 for hanging objects such as a coat or hat, and any ornament or attachment to wall 12.

In these embodiments, decorative tile 30 is interchangeable with either vase 60 or hook 62, both of which are known as mounts, since attachment mechanism 34 is attached to both vase 60 and hook 62 in the same manner as decorative tile 30. For the same reasons, in other embodiments, attachment mechanism 34 is adhered to each decorative tile 30 of plurality 46 of decorative tiles shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, wall display system 10 includes base tile 20 with opening 22, decorative tile 30, and attachment mechanism 34 for removably securing decorative tile 30 within opening 22.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6-9, opening 22 is shaped to accommodate at least two positions of decorative tile 30. In this effort, a user may alter an appearance of wall display system 10 by repositioning decorative tile 30. Moreover, because attachment mechanism 34 is a magnet, decorative tile 30 can be repositioned without damaging or with reduced damage to wall 12, base tile 20, and other fixtures and with less time and less difficulty than traditional ceramic wall coverings or traditional hooks and/or mounts. Decorative tile 30 is removed in FIGS. 8a-8b so that attachment mechanism 34 may be more clearly shown in the two positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 placed within opening 22. As shown, opening 22 is an eight point star wherein decorative tile 30 is placed in at least two positions within opening 22 (see FIGS. 6-8b ) by simply rotating decorative tile 30 from first position 38 to second position 39 that is 45 degrees offset from the first position. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8b, opening 22 is a generally circular hole, which is bored in some cases and a through hole in other cases. In this embodiment, attachment mechanism 34 and decorative tile 30 are placed in any one of a plurality of positions within circular hole 22. In addition, attachment mechanism 34 need not be square or rectangular but is circular to conform to the shape of opening 22. In other embodiments, attachment mechanism 34 is triangular, oval, polygonal, or any other shape.

Additionally, in some embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-15, spacer 42 is placed between decorative tile 30 and base tile 20 for adjusting a lateral distance of top surface 36 of decorative tile 30 away from or relative to base tile 20, or where a distance from top surface 36 of decorative tile 30 to a top surface 24 of base tile 20 is adjusted. In some embodiments, plurality 43 of spacers are included and wherein each spacer has a different thickness than a thickness of a next spacer. In this effort, the user selects a spacer or spacers from plurality 43 of spacers for placement within opening 22 for optimal adjustment. In another effort, multiple spacers may be placed in tandem for adjusting the lateral distance of top surface 36 relative to base tile 20. In further embodiments, spacer 42 is a magnet and at least one spacer of plurality 43 of spacers is a magnet. In other embodiments, plurality 43 of spacers include hook and loop fasteners.

In other embodiments, spacer 42 is removed so that inside surface 35 of decorative tile 30 is generally flat against top surface 34 of base tile 20. See FIG. 12.

In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 11, system 10 includes plurality 44 of decorative tiles 30, each being interchangeable with a next and each having a physical characteristic different than a next. A physical characteristic is defined to mean a shape, color, thickness, pattern, material, and any physical property of the decorative tile. In these embodiments, system 10 has enhanced flexibility because not only can decorative tile 30 be repositioned to vary system 10, but next 30′, 30″ decorative tile of plurality 44 of decorative tiles is interchangeable with decorative tile 30. As shown, each decorative tile 30 is shaped differently than next 30′ decorative tile. The attachment of each decorative tile includes all of the limitations of attachment mechanism 34 described herein.

In some embodiments, system 10 includes plurality 46 of base tiles 20, each being interchangeable with a next 20′, 20″ and each having a physical feature different than a next. A physical feature is defined to mean a shape, color, thickness, pattern, material, and any physical property of the base tile. In these embodiments, system 10 has enhanced flexibility because not only can base tile 20 be repositioned

to vary system 10, but next 20′ base tile of plurality 46 of base tiles is interchangeable with base tile 20. As shown in FIG. 11, each base tile 20 is designed differently than next 20′ base tile. Each opening of each base tile for placement of the attachment mechanism of each decorative tile includes all of the limitations of opening 22 described herein.

As shown, opening 22 is a through hole, and mating magnet 41 is adhered within opening 22 via adhesive or glue for mating with attachment mechanism 34. As described earlier, spacer 42 is also placed within opening 22 for adjusting a depth of decorative tile 30 and where spacer 42 is also a magnet. In other embodiments, opening 22 is a bored hole, which may minimize or eliminate a need for spacer 42.

FIG. 16 depicts method 100 of providing the wall display system shown in FIG. 1. Method 100 includes the steps of providing 102 a base tile having an opening, providing 106 a decorative tile, securing 110 an attachment mechanism to the decorative tile, selecting 114 the attachment mechanism from the group consisting of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, and combinations thereof, and placing 112 the attachment mechanism in the opening for removably attaching the decorative tile to the base tile. Method 100 also includes shaping 116 the opening for accommodating at least two different positions of the decorative tile when the attachment mechanism is placed within the opening, defining 120 a first position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening, and defining 124 a second position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening and by rotating the attachment mechanism relative to the first position.

In a further embodiment, method 100 provides 128 a plurality of decorative tiles, each being interchangeable with a next. In other embodiments, method 100 provides 132 a plurality of base tiles, each being interchangeable with a next.

In some embodiments, method 100 includes placing 118 a spacer between the decorative and base tiles for adjusting a lateral distance of the decorative tile. In another

embodiment, method 100 interchanges 134 the decorative tile with a mount selected from the group consisting of a vase and a hook.

While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wall display system, comprising:

a base tile having an opening;

a decorative tile having an attachment mechanism attached to said decorative tile for placement within said base tile opening;

said attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, hook and loop fastener, and combinations thereof; and

said opening having a shape for accommodating at least two different positions of said decorative tile when said attachment mechanism is placed within said base tile opening.

2. The wall display system according to claim 1, employing a plurality of decorative tiles, each being interchangeable with one another.

3. The wall display system according to claim 1, employing a plurality of base tiles, each being interchangeable with one another.

4. The wall display system according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer placed between said decorative tile and said base tile for adjusting a lateral distance of said decorative tile.

5. The wall display system according to claim 1, further comprising a mount, said mount is interchangeable with said decorative tile.

6. The wall display system according to claim 5, wherein said mount is selected from the group consisting of a vase and a hook.

7. The wall display system according to claim 1, wherein said opening includes an eight point star.

8. The wall display system according to claim 1, wherein said opening includes a generally circular hole.

9. The wall display system according to claim 1, further comprising a mating magnet placed within said opening for magnetic mating with said attachment mechanism.

10. The wall display system according to claim 9, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably securing said each decorative tile within said opening.

11. The wall display system according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of spacers, each spacer having a thickness different than a next spacer, for adjusting the lateral distance of said each decorative tile.

12. A method of providing a wall display system, comprising the steps of:

providing a base tile having an opening;

providing a decorative tile;

securing an attachment mechanism to the decorative tile;

selecting the attachment mechanism from the group consisting of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, and combinations thereof;

placing the attachment mechanism in the opening for removably attaching the decorative tile to the base tile;

shaping the opening for accommodating at least two different positions of the decorative tile when the attachment mechanism is placed within the opening;

defining a first position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening; and

defining a second position of the decorative tile by placing the attachment mechanism in the opening and by rotating the attachment mechanism relative to the first position.