Abstract:
An interchangeable decorative panel or backsplash assembly having a frame structure mounted to the wall surrounding a predetermined opening in the wall. The frame structure is constructed in such a manner so as to appear to be a part of or set into a tiled wall. The removable decorative panel is mounted in the frame structure and consists of a substantially rigid base member having a front surface containing an adhesively attached decorative material design thereon. The base member containing the decorative material is readily removable from the frame structure to accommodate remodeling changes in style, designs, or seasonal tastes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The invention relates to installation of decorative panels on wall coverings and more specifically to a convertible backsplash tiled panel for wall structures. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    Ceramic and natural stone wall tile is a popular wall covering commonly used in kitchens or baths. Decorative ceramic tiles, when used in a home, are typically displayed in one of two ways: permanently affixed to a wall surface with mortar or tile adhesive and surrounded by grout, or within a frame for use as a work of art, such as a wall hanging. In kitchens, bathrooms, and some other environments, it is often desirable to maintain a pleasing appearance for surfaces adjacent to work surfaces. Work surfaces include sinks, ranges, countertops, grills, and the like, any of which can expose adjacent surfaces to liquid splatter, smoke, grease, food, heat, and other elements. Any of these elements exposed to an adjacent surface will create an unpleasant appearance of the adjacent surface and over time may cause permanent damage to adjacent surfaces. 
         [0008]    In an attempt to protect such an adjacent surface, tile or other materials such as plastic, stainless sheeting, or synthetic panels are often used to cover the adjacent surface so that any liquid spatter or grease spatter can easily be cleaned from the tile, sheeting, or panel used to protect surfaces adjacent to the work surfaces. Typically, tile or other sheeting or panels are installed by permanently mounting these coverings to the surface by nailing or bonding, thereby making removal of a permanently mounted tile or other permanently mounted material difficult and time consuming. In the case of tile affixed to a wall, replacement requires chipping away the grout surrounding the decorative tile, prying the tile away from the underlying wall, and hoping that the wall surrounding the tiles is not damaged. In the case of framed tile, replacement requires breaking the adhesive bond or removing the hardware or other mechanical means holding the tile within the frame. 
         [0009]    Tiles, when used in bathrooms and kitchens, are generally selected so that the assembled tiles form a pleasing decorative wall pattern compatible with the color scheme or interior decorations of the room. Many find the aesthetic beauty of a ceramic wall or backsplash an advantage over other wall coverings. For this reason the murals in kitchen backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners. These tile murals or backsplashes may consist of art work painted onto the tile or the art work may be fired into the tile itself. Alternatively, homeowners may choose to seasonally decorate home interiors and desire to change the mural to reflect the present season. 
         [0010]    However, the permanent nature of conventional tiled wall coverings is a great disadvantage if redecoration is desired. Removing or replacing tiled surfaces is not only expensive but inconvenient and dirty. As a result, tiles are not changed and an original tile pattern or color scheme remains a permanent part of the room. When homeowners desire to remodel, the costly tiled murals are often intentionally destroyed because they become outdated and no longer fit in with the new, remodeled kitchen design. Additionally, if the murals are seasonal and the homeowner wishes to change the mural to reflect the current season, the ability to change one seasonal tiled mural for another is not practical if the tiled mural is constructed in the conventional manner by being bonded to the wall surface. 
         [0011]    The prior art has proposed some solutions to the difficulties inherent in the time honored methods of installing tiled centers and walls for a bathroom or kitchen. Some involve prefabrication of various parts. However, all still require considerable tiling work to be performed by a skilled person at the installation site. For example, Han, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,005, discloses a prefabricated tiled panel for installing on a counter or a wall. The panels have to be individually placed on a counter base or wall surface and each fastened in place before adding the next panels until all are completed. A number of tiles are left off each panel to allow for fastening the panel to a base or wall. The panel edge trim is also generally omitted from the prefabrication panel. 
         [0012]    While the Han approach described above is definitely an improvement on the current industry wide methods, it still requires the services of a skilled tile setter on site to install and properly join the panels. He must also install the missing tiles described above and other tiling such as edge trim; all of which has to be done on site, leaving a mess to be cleaned up. Furthermore, the Han approach does not permit a customer to see what a finished counter will look like before installation and before the customer commits to a tiled configuration. 
         [0013]    Vanderpol, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0257436, discloses a removable tiled mural that uses a hook and loop fastener commonly known as Velcro to hold a tiled base member to a wall within a frame that is constructed of V-cap border tiles adhered to the front of the base member after the tiled base member is attached to its complementary Velcro connection such that each time a homeowner wishes to replace the tiled mural the adhesive applied to the V-cap border tiles must be pried away from the base member before the base member can be removed from the Velcro fastener that holds it against the wall to enable replacement of a new tiled mural. 
         [0014]    Sperling, U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,937, also discloses a convertible tiled wall assembly with a closure panel that is placed in an opening in a wall. A channel shaped profile is attached to the back of the synthetic plate and has a groove therein which fits over a vertical ledge extending from a horizontal ledge or flange secured to a side of the wall opening. The panel engages the vertical ledge in the groove and swings into the opening until a roller comes to rest against the rear edge of a striker. The panel is held in position or can be pulled out of the opening by inserting a thin tool into the gap between the periphery of the panel and the edge of the opening. The problem with the Sperling convertible wall structure is that there is no outer frame and any misalignment in squareness of the panel relative to the opening will be very noticeable after assembly. Further, in new construction, settlement of the building structure will result in misalignment between the opening in the wall as well as the outer periphery of the tiled mural. 
         [0015]    Thus, there is a need for an improved tile wall covering wherein the backsplash is easily removable for cleaning or replacement so that the homeowner can easily remove or change the tiled wall covering as desired during a remodel or design change, or when the homeowner so desires without being concerned with misalignment of the interchangeable tiled wall covering and the wall opening. The removable tiled wall covering can be integrated into a wall covering composed of conventional ceramic tile and grout. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention is a prefabricated interchangeable or convertible backsplash decorative tiled panel adapted for installation in a tiled wall of any room such as a kitchen, bathroom or bar, so as to enable changes in appearance of the overall wall structure. The construction of the invention is highly versatile and the appearance of a wall can be easily and quickly changed. In addition, the convertible backsplash can be replaced inexpensively once the framework of the invention has been installed in the opening of the wall. 
         [0017]    More specifically, in most home environments the wall size over a standard range or cook top is 30 inches wide, dictating the size of the decorative panel width to approximately 22 inches. It is also a standard height for a backsplash of 18 inches measured from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets making the decorative panel approximately 14 inches high. This opening can increase but rarely is smaller allowing the system to fit in any home environment. 
         [0018]    The present invention consists of a frame structure which is permanently attached to a wall to form an integral part of the tiled wall that defines an opening therein. The frame structure is mounted flush with the wall surface so that the tile applied to the wall will completely cover the frame structure and surround the opening defined by the frame structure. The opening defined by the frame structure is adapted to receive a base member upon which a custom decorative panel is displayed. The frame structure has two slots on the lower inside surface thereof which receives the base member and, in cooperation with latch members mounted along the top side of the frame member, holds the base member in place. After the base member is tiled or has another type of decorative design applied to it, it is then referred to as a decorative panel. When the decorative panel is completed and inserted into the frame structure in the wall it allows the decorative panel to be flush with the front face of the tiled wall surrounding the opening in the frame structure. When the homeowner wishes to remove or change out the decorative panel, the two latches in each corner of the frame are easily unlatched by pressing forward on the upper corners of the decorative panel. The decorative panel is thereafter tilted forward and then lifted up and out of the slots in the lower inside surface of the frame structure. The homeowner can simply insert a different decorative panel with a new decorative design and place it into the slots of the lower portion of the frame structure, then tilt the decorative panel inward until the two latches engage in the frame structure so as to enjoy the new decorative design. 
         [0019]    Installation of a new decorative panel with a different design does not require a professional installer since the decorative panel is prefabricated prior to installing. The various decorative designs are fabricated off site and stored when not in use. As long as the accurate size of the opening is measurable, a decorative panel with a selective design can easily be fabricated off site and installed by the homeowner as desired. 
         [0020]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide interchangeable decorative wall coverings which are simple to install. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a complete prefabricated convertible decorative panel capable of being installed easily and quickly by relatively unskilled persons. 
         [0022]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a decorative panel insert to mount in an opening of a tiled wall structure that can be viewed by a customer prior to installation. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a complete decorative panel that can be produced in any shape or design of hard surface, i.e. tile, metal, granite, wood, glass, ceramic, stone, epoxy that meets a customer&#39;s custom requirements and preferences. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the present invention is its minimal installation time and thus minimal description at any installation site. 
         [0025]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a simple and less expensive method of installing a decorative panel or backsplash into an existing tiled wall structure. 
         [0026]    Yet another advantage of the present invention allows the customer to remove custom decorative panels and install them into a new location, i.e. future house, apartment. 
         [0027]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary front view of an installed embodiment of the invention illustrating the display structure of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the frame structure only; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the base member without the decorative tile mounted to the base member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of only the decorative tile to be mounted to the base member; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the frame structure shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the base member and decorative tile mounted to the base member; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a push-to-close/push-to-open latch; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a push-to-close/push-to-open latch; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a magnetic latch; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a magnetic latch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0039]    The invention is an interchangeable prefabricated decorative panel or backsplash that when installed in any room such as a kitchen, bathroom, or bar enables a homeowner to easily and quickly change out one decorative panel, i.e. seasonal, holiday, sports team logo, for another, or during a remodel or design change, or when the homeowner so desires. 
         [0040]    With reference to the figures, there is illustrated a front view of a decorative wall illustrating an assembly embodiment  10  of the present invention wherein an opening  12  in a wall  14  is occupied by a decorative panel or backsplash  16  according to the present preferred embodiment of the invention ( FIG. 1 ). The assembly  10  may be of any desired size and shape and the decorative panel may consist of multiple different designs or a custom seasonal or holiday using multiple artistic mediums, i.e. tile, metal, granite, wood, glass, ceramic, stone, or epoxy. About the perimeter of the decorative panel is a customized frame border tile  18  which may be chosen of any desired type of border tile. 
         [0041]    The design which makes up the decorative panel  16  may be of any suitable or desired material, without limitation, ceramic, marble, clay, glass, plastic, concrete, plaster, wood, metal, or composite materials of any combinations of any of the aforementioned materials. Apart from artistic or design considerations, other factors may affect the suitability of the materials used for the decorative panels, including the specific location where the assembly  10  is to be located. The tiles that make up the decorative panel  16  may also include artwork painted onto the tile or the artwork may be fired into the tiles. Rather than applied artwork, the decorative panel  16  may simply be a design or shape consisting of an arrangement of colored tiles or tiles of different textures or materials or characteristics arranged in artistic patterns or designs. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention which illustrates the unassembled components of the present decorative wall structure assembly  10 . The frame structure  20 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 3 , is inserted into a pre-measured cut opening in the drywall or wallboard so that the outer peripheral flange  22  of the frame structure  20  is flush against the drywall or wallboard surrounding the opening  12 . The frame structure  20  is then attached to the wall using appropriate anchors, preferably one in each corner and one in the middle of the longest side. Integral with the frame structure  20  are two corner flanges  24 , one at the top right-hand and one at the top left-hand corner each containing a latch opening  26  for receiving a push-to-close/push-to-open latch. Care must be taken to insure that each of these latch openings  26  are clear from obstructions found in the wall structure, i.e. two by fours or two by six frame studs. If there is a stud directly behind the latch opening  26 , a hole is drilled into the stud at that latch location to clear the latch which is later installed into the latch opening  26 . 
         [0043]    The bottom side  28  of the frame structure  20  is constructed with two slots  30 , lower left and lower right hand corners, which receive the base member cleats. The slots  30  are adapted to receive a bottom edge  32  of the base member or base support member  34  upon which the decorative panel  16  is displayed. 
         [0044]    The two corner flanges  24  are offset from the front surface of the frame structure  20  such that when a tiled base member  34  is mounted in the frame structure  20 , the front face of the tiled base member  34  will be flush with the wall adjacent to the opening  12  containing the frame structure  20 . 
         [0045]    The base member  34 , shown in  FIG. 4A , includes a front surface  36  and a back surface  38 . The bottom edge  32  of the base member  34  is relieved so that this bottom edge  32  will snuggly fit into the slot  30  of the frame structure  20  upon assembling the base member  34  to the frame structure  20 . The front surface  36  of the base member  34  is a rough textured surface in order to provide a better bond for the adhesive placed between the front surface  36  of the base member  34  and the decorative material  40  that makes up the decorative panel or tiled backsplash, shown in  FIG. 4B . The dimension of the outer peripheral edge of the base member  34  is preferably slightly smaller than the opening  27  of the frame member  20 . The decorative tiles  40  are positioned on the front surface  36  of the base member  34  with an adhesive  41  or any other suitable bonding material placed between the back of the tiles and the front surface  36  of the base member  34 . The preferred embodiment was fabricated using loctite superflex RTV silicone adhesive readily available from many home improvement stores. The decorative tiles  40  are positioned onto the rough texturized front surface  36  of the base member  34  such that they align with the edges of the base member  34  and do not extend beyond the edges. Similarly, if the installation is made in a tiled wall, the decorative tiles  40  are positioned on the wall surrounding the opening  27  and aligned with the edge of the opening  27  on the frame member  12 . The decorative material  40  mounted on the base member  34  may be placed edge-to-edge or may be spaced from each other such that tile grout can be used to fill the spaces between the decorative material  40 . The approach taken is a function of the design features of the decorative materials  40  and may vary from one design to the next. It should be appreciated that the manner used to fix the decorative material  40  to the base member  34  may depend on the material used for the decorative material  40  as well as the base member  34 , the desired appearance, the anticipated environmental conditions for the assembly  10  when mounted in a wall, and expected uses for the assembly  10 . 
         [0046]    The base member  34  is held in position on the frame structure  20  with two push-to-close/push-to-open latches  44  (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) mounted in the latch opening  26  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10 . The latch body  46  snaps into the latch opening  26  in the frame structure  20 , while the keeper  48  is attached to the back surface  38  of the base member  34 . This is easily accomplished by engaging the keeper  48  with the push-to-close latch  44  after the latch body  46  is snapped into the latch opening  26 . The push-to-close/push-to-open latch  44  is then opened by a simple touch of a finger on the front surface  36  of the decorative panel  16 . 
         [0047]    An alternative to mechanically actuated latches is shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . A magnetic catch latch  52  is mounted into the latch opening  26  and snaps into place. A metal striker plate is then screw mounted or adhesively attached to the back surface  38  of the non-metallic base member  34 . Both the mechanical actuated latch and magnetic catch latch  52  are available from Southco in the United Kingdom. 
         [0048]    As stated earlier, the decorative material  40  which make up the decorative panel  16  may be of any suitable or desired material. Likewise, the frame structure  10  and base member  34  should be sufficiently rigid to support the decorative material  40 . It is preferable, however, that the base member  34  is light weight to minimize the overall weight of the total assembly  10 . Additional factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a suitable base member  34 , including the type of material used for tiles, the specific location of the assembly  10  so that the environments at that location can be considered. With these additional factors taken into consideration, a suitable material for the base member  34  and/or the frame assembly  10  may include, without limitation, plexiglass, wood, aluminum, plastic, fiber board, cement board, and/or acrylic coated backer material, coated polystyrene, or foamed polystyrene. The preferred embodiment is made from light weight plastic having a glass-filled fiber therein. 
         [0049]    Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to that embodiment. Rather, changes to the details of the embodiment may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.