Patent Abstract:
Decorative plaques are achieved by various interconnections of independent tiles. The tiles are configured with connector regions uniformly spaced about the peripheries thereof such that they align with the joint regions of other tiles in various end configurations. A friction-fit connector is used to interconnect the tiles at the paired recessed regions. No glue or permanent interconnection media is used, such that the connectors can be removed and the uniformity of the tiles accommodates repositioning and reorientation to achieve a plaque of a new or different configuration, as desired.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention herein resides in the art of decorating accessories of the type that may be placed on a table, hung on a wall, displayed on an easel and the like. Particularly, the invention relates to decorative plaques of the type that may contain photographs, illustrations, motivational or inspirational messages, scripture and the like. Specifically, the invention relates to a decorative plaque assembled from a plurality of interconnected tiles, the tiles and connective devices employed allowing for the configuration of the plaque in any of various geometries, while further accommodating the disassembly and reconfiguration of the plaque in a different geometry. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    The use of decorative plaques to accessorize a room setting has become commonplace. Such plaques often provide a means for displaying pictures or photographs, decorative illustrations, motivational or inspirational sayings, scriptures, and the like. Presently known plaques are of a fixed configuration and structure. Typically, the plaques are of a unitary and integral one-piece construction, being inflexible as to the specific nature of the display offered by the plaque. Such plaques are not given to accommodating the rearrangement of a room with regard to furniture placement, wall-hanging placement, and the like. Moreover, such plaques, being of a fixed nature, take on a familiar or “old” appearance over time. Additionally, such known plaques are not given to personalization of expression. The purchaser must necessarily find a plaque to his or her liking, or as near thereto as possible, while such do not accommodate the construction of a plaque by the end user in order to satisfy his or her specific needs and desires. 
         [0003]    There is a need in the art for decorative plaques that are configurable and reconfigurable by the end user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide reconfigurable decorative plaques that allow the end user to significantly impact the final appearance of the plaques. 
         [0005]    A further aspect of the invention is the provision of reconfigurable decorative plaques that allow the user to change the appearance of the plaques with or without additional purchases. 
         [0006]    Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of reconfigurable decorative plaques that allow the interchanging of plaque portions among different plaques. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of reconfigurable decorative plaques that are of structural integrity once assembled, and yet readily disassembled for purposes of reconfiguration. 
         [0008]    Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of reconfigurable decorative plaques that accommodate various geometric configurations of the plaque, such as accommodating horizontal or vertical display with the same constituent elements. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of reconfigurable decorative plaques that are easy to use, manipulate, interconnect and change in a cost-effective manner. 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other aspects of the invention that will become apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a decorative plaque, comprising: a plurality of tiles releasably, selectively, and interchangeably interconnectable with each other; and at least one removable and replaceable connector interconnecting adjacent tiles and thereby forming the plaque. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a complete understanding of the various objects, techniques and structures of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a decorative plaque made in accordance with the invention in a first arrangement; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a back plan view of the decorative plaque of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a decorative plaque using the constituent elements of that of  FIG. 1 , but in a different arrangement; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a back plan view of the decorative plaque of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that a first embodiment of a plaque made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral  10 . The plaque  10  of this arrangement consists of square tiles  12 ,  14  interconnected with each other and with a rectangular tile  16 . The tiles  12 ,  14 ,  16  may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, fiberboard, mica board, or the like. As shown, the tile  12  has a picture aperture  18  therein, providing a picture frame for receipt of a photograph or the like. The face A of the tile  12  may contain decorative material such as illustrations, sayings, quotations, scriptures, and the like. Similar decorative-type materials can appear on the face B of the tile  14  and the face C of the tile  16 . 
         [0017]    It will be appreciated that the plaque  10  may be of any of various geometric configurations as can the individual tiles  12 ,  14 ,  16 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the tiles  12 ,  14  are square, having a side dimension that is one-half the length of the rectangular tile  16 , and with the width of the tile  16  being the same dimension as a side of the square tiles  12 ,  14 . The resultant assembly of the plaque  10  is that of a square plaque having four times the area and double the perimeter of one of the tiles  12 ,  14 . 
         [0018]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , an appreciation can be obtained of the structure and methodology employed for interconnecting the tiles  12 ,  14 ,  16 . As shown, the backs of the tiles contain recessed regions  20  uniformly spaced about the peripheries of the tiles  12 ,  14 ,  16 . These recessed regions are, in a preferred embodiment, of a truncated triangular shape, as shown. The narrow portions  22  of the recessed regions  20  are positioned at the edges of the associated tiles. The larger portion  24  of the recessed regions  20  is distal from the edge toward the interior of the tile, as shown. It will be appreciated that the recessed regions  20  are characterized by rounded corners  26  to accommodate the removal of connectors  28  received in paired recessed regions  20 . As shown, the connectors  28  are configured as the aligned recessed regions  20  in abutting tiles  10 ,  12 ,  14 . The connectors extend from a center necked-down region to expanded ends corresponding to the cavity defined by paired and opposed recessed regions  20 . The connectors  28  are generally of a “butterfly” configuration. 
         [0019]    The connectors  28  have sharp corners  30 , leaving space in the recessed rounded corners  26  of the recessed regions  20 . In  FIG. 2 , the connectors  28  are shown as received within the cavities defined by the paired and opposed recessed regions  20 . The connectors  28  have a thickness that corresponds to the depth of the receiving cavity, and the perimeter of the connector  28  is slightly larger than the perimeter of the cavity defined by mating recesses  20 , such that the connectors  28  are received therein by a press, interference, or friction fit. To accommodate the insertion of the connectors  28 , the bottom peripheral edges (not shown) of the connectors  28  may have a slight bevel to facilitate placement. It will be appreciated that the connectors  28  may have a perimeter that is slightly greater than that of the recess  20  about the entirety thereof, or just at selected areas to accommodate the friction fit. 
         [0020]    No glue or adhesive is used between the connector  28  and its receiving cavity. Accordingly, the connector  28  may be removed for purposes of reconfiguration of the resultant plaque. Once reconfigured, the connectors  28  may be placed in the corresponding aligned recessed regions  20 , forming appropriate cavities. The area between the sharp corners  30  of the connectors  28  and the rounded corners  26  thereof, allows for the insertion of a tool, such as a small screwdriver blade, knifepoint, or the like to pry or otherwise urge the connector  28  from the cavity of the recesses  20 . 
         [0021]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that a clamp  32  is provided to be received by peripheral recess  34  defined about the picture aperture  18 . Again, the clamp  32  is received in the peripheral recess by an appropriate press, interference, or friction fit, and rounded corners  36  are again provided to accommodate access to the corners of the clamp  32  for removal thereof. The clamp  32  provides a means for holding a picture, illustration, or the like in the aperture  18 . 
         [0022]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , hanger slots  38  are centrally positioned toward an edge of the associated tiles to accommodate hanging on a nail, screw head, or the like. In that regard, hanger slots  38  are preferably of a key slot configuration and are undercut for the purpose of receiving the hanger head. 
         [0023]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that a plaque  40  of alternate configuration from the plaque  10  may be made using the same tiles  12 ,  14 ,  16  as were used for forming the plaque  10 . The back of the plaque  10  is shown in  FIG. 4 , where it can be appreciated that the connectors  28  are now used to interconnect the various tiles in an aligned rectangular configuration with the hanger slot  38  of the tile  14  providing for vertical hanging. In this arrangement, the plaque  40  again has 4 times the area of a single square tile  12 ,  14 , and a perimeter 2.5 times thereof. 
         [0024]    By uniformly positioning the recessed regions  20  about the perimeters of the various tiles and the positioning of appropriate hanger slots  38  centrally of intended “top” edges of the tiles, and by employing a press fit rather than a glued or permanent joint, the reconfiguration demonstrated above can be achieved. Not only can the same tiles be used, but other tiles can be interjected in various combinations and permutations in order to achieve any of numerous geometric configurations for the resulting plaque. 
         [0025]    Thus, it can be seen that the various aspects of the invention have been achieved by the structures and techniques presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1