Abstract:
A removable tile mural assembly constructed in such a manner so as to appear to be a part of, or set into, a backsplash or tiled wall, but which is actually removable from the wall surface. The removable tile mural assembly comprises a substantially rigid base member to which is fixed on the front outer peripheral edge thereof a tile frame which defines a framed surface area. A tile mural comprising at least one tile is fixed to the front side of the base member within the defined framed surface area. Mounting means is provided for removably mounting the assembly to a wall surface. The tile mural may include rope lighting and/or the tile mural may be back-lighted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of earlier filed provisional application Ser. No. 60/573,976 filed May 24, 2004 entitled “Removable Tile Mural” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, including any appendices or other attachments filed therewith. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Tile murals in kitchen backsplashes is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. These tile murals may comprise artwork painted onto the tile or the artwork may be fired into the tile itself. Alternatively, rather than painted artwork, the tile murals may simply be a design or shape comprising various colored tiles arranged in a unique artistic pattern.  
         [0003]     The cost of custom tile murals can be considerable. Unfortunately, when homeowners desire to remodel their kitchens, these costly custom murals may be damaged or destroyed, sometimes accidentally, but often intentionally because the mural has become outdated or no longer fits in with the new, remodeled kitchen design. Additionally, some murals are seasonal and homeowners may desire to change the mural to reflect the present season. The ability to change-out one seasonal tile mural for another is not practical if the tiled mural is constructed in the conventional manner by being grouted or otherwise bonded or adhered to the wall surface.  
         [0004]     Accordingly, there is a need for an invention that will allow homeowners to remove or change-out tile murals on their walls as desired, whether seasonally, or during a remodel or design change, or when the homeowner moves.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention is a removable tile mural assembly that is constructed in such a manner so as to appear to be a part of, or set into, a backsplash or tiled wall, but which is actually removable from the wall surface. The removable tile mural assembly comprises a substantially rigid base member to which is fixed on the front outer peripheral edge thereof a tile frame, which thereby defines a framed surface area. A tile mural comprising at least one tile is fixed to the front side of the base member within the defined framed surface area. Mounting means is provided for removably mounting the assembly to a wall surface. The tile mural may include rope lighting and/or the tile mural may be back-lighted. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view showing one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a wall surface.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the invention of  FIG. 1  as viewed along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view showing another embodiment of the present invention incorporating rope lighting as part of the mural.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a detailed cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention in which a lighting element is disposed between two plates comprising the base member to achieve a back-lighted effect for the assembly.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view showing yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating a recessed light fixture disposed in a wall behind the assembly to achieve a back-lighted effect for the assembly.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating a light box to achieve a back-lighted effect for the assembly.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention incorporating a lighting element to back-light at least a portion of the frame and at least a portion of the mural. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     A preferred embodiment of the assembly  10  comprising the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The assembly  10  includes a tiled mural  12  bordered by a tiled frame  16  fixed to a base member  18 . The assembly  10  is removably mountable to a wall  14 , such as, for example, a ceramic tiled backsplash of a kitchen as depicted in  FIG. 1 . The assembly  10 , may be any desired size and shape and the tiled mural  12  may comprise multiple tiles or a single tile. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , the tiled mural  12  comprises six tiles. Around the per meter of the tiled mural  12  is the frame  16  which may be comprised of any desired type of border tile. Preferably, the frame  16  is constructed using V-cap tiles for the reasons discussed in detail later.  
         [0014]     The tiles comprising the tiled mural  12  and the frame  16  may be of any suitable or desired material, including, without limitation, ceramic, marble, clay, glass, plastic, concrete, plaster, wood, metal and composite materials or any combination of any of the foregoing materials. Apart from artistic or design considerations, other factors may effect the suitability of the materials used for the tiles, including, the particular location where the assembly  10  is to be located (i.e., humid or wet environments, exposure to high heat, etc.). Further, depending on the materials, the tiles comprising the mural and/or frame may be translucent, transparent, or opaque or have any combination of these characteristics. The tiles comprising the mural and/or frame may also include artwork painted onto the tile or the artwork may be fired into the tiles or the artwork may be sublimated onto the tiles. Rather than applied artwork, the tiled mural  12  may simply be a design or shape comprising an arrangement of colored tiles or tiles of different textures or materials or characteristics arranged in a unique artistic pattern or design.  
         [0015]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , which is a cross-sectional view of the assembly  10  as viewed along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , in the preferred embodiment, the assembly  10  comprises a base member  18  that is sufficiently rigid to support the tiled mural  12  but is also preferably light weight to minimize the overall weight of the assembly  10 . In addition to weight considerations, other factors that should be considered when selecting a suitable base member  18  including, the type material used for the tiles, the particular location where the assembly  10  is to be located (i.e., humid or wet environments, exposure to high heat, etc.) and other potential uses for the assembly  10  when not disposed on the wall (i.e., use as a serving tray, etc.). Accordingly, with the foregoing factors taken into consideration, suitable material for the base member  18  may include, without limitation, Plexiglas®, wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiber board, and cement board. Hardiboard® cement board has been found to be a suitable base member  18  for most applications.  
         [0016]     The base member  18 , includes a front surface  20  and a back surface  22  and an outer peripheral edge  24 . The dimensions of the outer peripheral edge  24  of the base member  18  are preferably larger than the outside dimensions of the completed tiled mural  12  such that sufficient surface area projects beyond the outside edge of the tiled mural  12  to receive the frame tiles  16 . The tiles comprising the mural  12  are positioned onto and fixed to the front surface  20  of the base member  18  by a suitable bonding material, such as an adhesive, grout, mortar, etc. The tiles comprising the frame  16  are also cut and positioned around the perimeter of the tiled mural  12  and fixed in like manner to the front surface  20  of the base member  18 . It should be appreciated that the material and manner used to fix the mural tiles and frame tiles to the front surface  20  of the base member  18  may depend on the material used for the tiles, the base member  18 , the desired appearance (i.e., whether the mural and/or frame is to be back lighted as discussed later), the anticipated environmental conditions for the assembly  10  when mounted on the wall and expected uses for the assembly as previously identified.  
         [0017]     As previously identified, the preferred border tiles for the frame  16  are V-cap tiles, the general cross-section of which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the V-cap tile includes a lip or rim  30  that projects below the bottom surface  32  of the border tile that is adhered to the front surface  20  of the base member  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rim  30  preferably covers the outer peripheral edge  24  of the base member  18  thereby providing a more finished appearance to the assembly  10  and providing the illusion that the entire assembly  10  is part of the actual tiled backsplash or other wall surface  14 .  
         [0018]     In the preferred embodiment, the assembly  10  is removably mounted on the wall surface  14  by a hook-and-loop fastener connection  34 , commonly known as Velcro®. Preferably secured on the back side  24  and around the perimeter of the base member  18  is a strip of felt  36  or the loop-side of the hook-and-loop fastener. Secured to the wall surface  14  are mating strips  38  of the hook-side of the hook-and-loop fastener connection  34 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the greater the weight of the assembly  10 , the more surface area will be required for the hook-and-loop fasteners to securely support the assembly  10 . It has been determined that two inch wide strips of industrial strength Velcro® around the outer periphery and in the middle of the base member  18  will support a 16×22 ceramic tiled mural. It should be appreciated that by placing the felt or loop-side  36  of the Velcro® on the back side  24  of the base member  18 , the felt  36  prevents scratching of surfaces when the assembly  10  is removed from the wall surface  14 , thereby allowing the assembly  10  to also function as a serving tray or the like.  
         [0019]     Rather than using Velcro®, magnet strips may also be used to secure the assembly  10  to the wall surface  14 . In which event, the base member  18  may be made of steel or other magnetizable material to which magnets will magnetically bond or attach. Alternatively, the strip magnets may be adhered to the base member and the wall surface  14  may be steel or other material to which magnets will magnetically attach. In yet another alternative embodiment, the assembly  10  may simply be secured to the wall by hooks, brackets, anchors, or any other conventional or well known means of removably mounting an assembly to a wall surface.  
         [0020]     Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the invention  10  allows homeowners to remove or change-out tile murals on their walls as desired, whether seasonally, or during a remodel or design change, or when the homeowner moves.  
         [0021]     The assembly  10  may also incorporate a lighting element—whether for better viewing of the mural  12  or as part of the design or artwork comprising the mural  12 . For example, in an embodiment of the invention  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , rope lighting  40  such as, for example, miniature incandescent rope lights or fluorescent rope lights, or light emitting diode (LED) rope lights and/or “glow sticks” which utilize chemiluminescence, may be incorporated into the mural  12  around its border and/or disposed along the seems or grout lines between adjacent individual tiles comprising the mural  12 . Where electrical power is required for the rope lighting  40 , such as, for example, with miniature incandescent rope lights, fluorescent rope lights or LED rope lights, an electrical outlet  42  may be disposed behind or in proximity to the assembly  10  for receiving the rope light&#39;s electrical plug end  44 . To improve the aesthetic appearance of the assembly  10  with the rope light  40 , the electrical plug end  44  preferably extends from the back side of the assembly through an opening (not shown) in the base member  18 . If the electrical outlet  42  is not disposed behind the assembly, a small notch (not shown) may be required in the edge of one of the frame tiles to allow the power cord  44  to pass through such that the assembly remains flat against the wall.  
         [0022]     In another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a lighting member  50 , such as a rope lighting, or the like, as previously described, may be placed between a first plate  52 , preferably a transparent or translucent plastic or Plexiglas diffuser plate, and second plate  54 , preferably having a reflective surface, such as, for example a mirrored glass plate. In this example, the first and second plates  52 ,  54 , which together comprise the base member  18 , are preferably removably connected, so that the plates  52 ,  54  may be separated to permit access for replacing or exchange the lighting member  50  if the lighting member burns out, is damaged, or if a different colored lighting is desired, for example. It should be appreciated that with this embodiment, a thicker v-cap tile for the frame  16  may be required to accommodate the increased depth of the base member  18  that may required by this embodiment. The tiles comprising the mural  12  and/or the frame  16  may be opaque such that the back-light is only visible between spaced adjacent tiles. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the mural  12  and/or frame  16  may incorporate translucent and/or transparent tiles or tile portions alone or in combination with opaque tiles or opaque tile portions whereby the back-light is visible through all the translucent and/or transparent portions of the mural  12  and/or frame  16 .  
         [0023]     In still another alternative embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the mural  12  and/or frame may be back-lighted, much like a light box used by artists for tracing. In this embodiment, a conventional recessed incandescent light fixture  60  is mounted in the wall  14  in a conventional manner in a predetermined area over which the assembly  10  is desired to be placed. In the preferred embodiment the base member  18  is translucent such that it acts as a diffuser of the light from the incandescent lamp  62  of the recessed light  60 , thereby providing more uniform lighting over the entire surface area of the base member  18 . As in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the tiles comprising the mural  12  and/or frame  16  may be opaque such that the back-light is only visible between spaced adjacent tiles. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the mural  12  and/or frame  16  may incorporate translucent and/or transparent tiles or tile portions alone or in combination with opaque tiles or opaque tile portions whereby the back-light is visible through all the translucent and/or transparent portions of the mural  12  and/or frame.  
         [0024]     In still yet another alternative back-lighted embodiment,  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment where the assembly  10  is disposed over a shallow light-box  70  such as the type contemplated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,012 issued to Crum, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In the preferred embodiment, the shallow light-box  70  includes a lamp  72 , such as a florescent tube lamp, a socket  74  for receiving the lamp  72  and any other necessary electrical components for proper operation and compliance with electrical codes, such as, for example, a ballast  76  for the florescent lamp. The back surface  78  of the light box  70  is preferably reflective as is common in light boxes to provide a more uniform light over the entirety of the surface area of the diffuser plate  80 , which, in this embodiment is also the base member  18  of the assembly  10 . As with the previous back-lighted embodiments of  FIGS. 4-5 , the tiles comprising the mural  12  and/or frame  16  may be opaque such that the back-light is only visible between spaced adjacent tiles. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the mural  12  and/or frame  16  may incorporate translucent and/or transparent tiles or tile portions alone or in combination with opaque tiles or opaque tile portions whereby the back-light is visible through all the translucent and/or transparent portions of the mural  12  and/or frame  16 . Again, a thicker v-cap tile for the frame  16  may be required to accommodate the increased depth of the assembly  10  in order to cover the edges of the light box  70  if desired.  
         [0025]     In yet still another embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , if it is desired to back light only the tiles comprising the frame  16 , a lighting element  50 , such as a rope light, may be disposed under the border tiles comprising the frame  16 . It should also be appreciated that, apertures  80  may be provided through the base member  18  to receive a lamp  82  so as to backlight only those areas of the mural or to provide brighter backlighted areas of the mural  12  than other areas of the mural  12 .  
         [0026]     Although only certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.