Abstract:
A magnetic tile with a magnetic backing to enable attachment of magnetic objects to the tiles comprises an outer surface providing an aesthetic covering. A rear surface of the tile comprises an integral lattice constructed of a ferromagnetic material. The lattice provides a magnetic field allowing a magnetic object to be secured to the outer surface of the tile.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/491,613, filed May 31, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to decorative tiles, and in particular, to a decorative tile having a magnetic backing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Suction cups are frequently used to hold shower curtains, small mirrors, shelves, and other small objects in bathroom and kitchen locations. They provide a handy non-permanent means of attaching various objects. However, the use of suction cups requires that the surface be completely flat and smooth to allow for an airtight connection. Even so, many suction cups will lose their suction over time and fail, causing the device to fall to the floor with often disastrous results that impact one&#39;s safety. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the ease and benefits of temporary surface mounting can be provided on surfaces which are not completely flat and smooth and will not fail over time. The development of the magnetic tile will serve to alleviate these concerns. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a magnetic tile. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,996, issued in the name of Jones, describes flooring structures comprising a floor covering layer containing magnetic material. This patent discloses floor tiles having a magnetic material affixed to the tiles and a second magnetic material affixed to a surface for the purpose of attaching the floor tiles with a magnetic force. This patent does not disclose a tile with a back surface comprising a magnetic lattice that is designed to permanently attach to a surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,200, issued in the name of Witt, describes a title display system. This patent discloses a set of decorative tiles comprising a magnetic means that are designed to attach to a metallic subflooring. This patent does not disclose a tile with a back surface comprising a magnetic lattice that is designed to permanently attach to a surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,033, issued in the name of Kreckl, describes a system for laying wall or floor tiles or wall or floor plates. This patent discloses a system for securing titles utilizing a flexible contact layer attached to the surface to be covered, a layer of magnetically conductive material attached to the contact layer, and a layer of decorative plates or tiles with a magnetic backing removably attached to the magnetically conductive material. This patent does not disclose a tile with a back surface comprising a magnetic lattice that is designed to permanently attach to a surface. 
     While these systems fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one or more disadvantages. Many such systems are not suited for temporarily attaching a magnetic object to the decorative surface of the tile. The tiles in the above patents would be removed along with the magnetic object due to the fact that the tiles are attached to the surface magnetically and not permanently. Accordingly, there exists a need for a magnetic tile without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a magnetic tile that allows for the temporary attachment of a magnetic object to the surface of the tile. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a tile with an integral magnetic lattice. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly utilizing a tile comprising a ferromagnetic mesh. 
     Another object of the present invention is where the assembly provides a magnetic attachment means for the temporary attachment of a magnetic object. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the assembly is waterproof. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the ferromagnetic mesh is secured to the rear surface of the tile. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the tile is thin enough to allow magnetic attraction between a magnetic object and the underlying ferromagnetic mesh. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the ferromagnetic mesh comprises a plurality of elongated strands that are arranged in a grid pattern resulting in the formation of apertures. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the elongated strands are made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron, cobalt, or nickel. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the dimensions of the ferromagnetic mesh are smaller than the dimensions of the tile so as not to expose the ferromagnetic mesh. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is where the ferromagnetic mesh is bonded to the body of the tile during the manufacturing process. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that may be achieved by performing the following steps: obtaining a desired plurality of magnetic tile assemblies including a plurality of tiles and a corresponding plurality of meshes; applying an adhesive to a wall; taking one (1) tile and one (1) mesh; placing the mesh against a portion of the wall coated with the adhesive; placing the rear surface of the tile against the mesh so that the tile hides the mesh and contacts the adhesive through the apertures in the mesh; installing each of the plurality of tiles and meshes in this manner; allowing the adhesive to dry; applying grout to the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies; smoothing the grout to evenly fill the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies; allowing the grout to dry; and, utilizing the fully installed plurality of magnetic tile assemblies to temporarily secure magnetic objects. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that may be achieved by performing the following steps: obtaining a desired plurality of magnetic tile assemblies wherein each magnetic tile assembly is manufactured with a mesh affixed to a tile; applying an adhesive to a wall; placing the mesh of each magnetic tile assembly against a portion of the wall coated with the adhesive; allowing the adhesive to dry; applying grout to the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies; smoothing the grout to evenly fill the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies; allowing the grout to dry; and, utilizing the fully installed plurality of magnetic tile assemblies to temporarily secure magnetic objects. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a magnetic tile assembly  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the magnetic tile assembly  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front environmental view of the magnetic tile assembly  10  being installed on a wall  100 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the magnetic tile assembly  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a front environmental view of a plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  installed on a wall  100 , according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 magnetic tile assembly 
               
               
                 12 
                 tile 
               
               
                 14 
                 ferromagnetic mesh 
               
               
                 15 
                 strands 
               
               
                 16 
                 apertures 
               
               
                 100 
                 wall 
               
               
                 102 
                 adhesive 
               
               
                 104 
                 grout 
               
               
                 110 
                 magnetic object 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an object of a magnetic tile (herein described as the “assembly”)  10 , which provides a system and method by which a tile  12  is provided with a ferromagnetic mesh  14 , thereby providing a magnetic attachment means to suspend a magnetic object  110  thereto. The assembly  10  is particularly suited for use on an interior wall  100  of a building. The assembly  10  is particularly adapted for use in bathrooms or kitchens where tile  12  walls are commonly installed. The assembly  10  is ferromagnetic so that magnetic objects  110  can be attached and removed on the wall  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front perspective view of the assembly  10 , is disclosed. The assembly  10  is intended to provide various benefits to a user over existing methods of attaching objects to the interior walls of a building. The assembly  10  is waterproof and can be used in showers. The assembly  10  temporarily secures magnetic objects  110  and thus is less prone to failure in a wet environment than existing methods. The assembly  10  provides all utilitarian and aesthetic features of a non-magnetic tile wall. The assembly  10  can be installed during new building projects or renovation to existing buildings. 
     The assembly  10  includes a tile  12  and a ferromagnetic mesh  14 . The tile  12  is preferably used in multiples to cover a desired exposed portion of a wall  100  (see  FIG. 4 ). The tile  12  is preferably a ceramic tile, but can be formed of any material used for interior building walls  100  including metal, stone, glass or wood without limiting the scope of the invention. The tile  12  is constructed in any desired shape, preferably a square shape. The tile  12  must comprise dimensions which are thin enough to permit magnetic attraction between a magnetic object  110  and the underlying ferromagnetic mesh  14 . 
     The ferromagnetic mesh  14  includes a plurality of elongated strands  15  which cross in a grid-type pattern to form a plurality of apertures  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the mesh  14  is a plurality of perpendicularly intersecting strands  15  forming a plurality of square apertures  16 , although other geometrical configurations can be used to equal benefit. The strands  15  are formed from a ferromagnetic material such as iron, cobalt, or nickel. The apertures  16  enable adhesive  102  to penetrate and contact with the tile  12 , thereby securing said tile  12  and ferromagnetic mesh  14  to the desire wall  100 . The ferromagnetic mesh  14  comprises dimensions which are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the tile  12  as to not expose said ferromagnetic mesh  14  beyond said tile  12  (also see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a rear perspective view of the assembly  10 , is disclosed. During installation or manufacture, the mesh  14  is secured to a rear surface of the tile  12 . During installation, a user would utilize an adhesive  102  to secure the ferromagnetic mesh  14  to the tile  12  and the wall  100  (also see  FIG. 3 ). During manufacturing, the ferromagnetic mesh  14  would be pressed into the body of the tile  12  prior to the drying and glazing processes. The perimeter shape of the mesh  14  is congruent to and slightly smaller than the perimeter shape of the tile  12  so that the mesh  14  is concealed behind the tile  12  after installation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front environmental view of the assembly  10  being installed on a wall  100 , is disclosed. The wall  100  is preferably a waterproof substrate covered with a cement board layer commonly used in shower installations. The tile  12  is attached to the wall  100  by an adhesive  102 . The adhesive  102  is preferably a thinset grout or similar mortar material. The adhesive  102  is applied to the entire portion of the wall  100  which is to be covered with a plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  in a desired pattern. In at least one (1) embodiment, the mesh  14  is attached to the tile  12  with the adhesive  102  during installation. The apertures  16  provide sufficient surface area for the adhesive  102  to bond the mesh  14  to the tile  12  and the tile  12  to the wall  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the assembly  10 , is disclosed. In at least one (1) other embodiment, the mesh  14  is affixed to the tile  12  during manufacture and the assemblies  10  are attached to the wall  100  with the adhesive  102  during installation. The mesh  14  is preferably affixed with an adhesive substance during manufacture. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a front environmental view of a plurality of assemblies  10  installed on a wall  100 , is disclosed. The magnetic tile assemblies  10  are installed in multiples to cover a desired portion of the wall  100 . Once the adhesive  102  is dried, a user applies grout  104  between the assemblies  10  to inhibit moisture from reaching the wall  100 . A user can place a magnetic object  110  such as a mirror, a decorative magnet, or the like against one (1) or more of the magnetic tile assemblies  10  and said object  110  will be retained in place along the exposed surfaces of the tiles  12  by the ferromagnetic meshes  14 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 through 4 . 
     A first method of installing the assembly  10  includes the steps of obtaining a desired plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  including a plurality of tiles  12  and a corresponding plurality of meshes  14 ; applying an adhesive  102  to a wall  100 ; taking one (1) tile  12  and one (1) mesh  14 ; placing the mesh  14  against a portion of the wall  100  coated with the adhesive  102 ; placing the rear surface of the tile  12  against the mesh  14  so that the tile  12  hides the mesh  14  and contacts the adhesive  102  through the apertures  16  in the mesh  14 ; installing each of the plurality of tiles  12  and meshes  14  in this manner; allowing the adhesive  102  to dry; applying grout  104  to the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies  10 ; smoothing the grout  104  to evenly fill the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies  10 ; allowing the grout  104  to dry; and, utilizing the fully installed plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  to temporarily secure magnetic objects  110 . 
     A second method of installing the assembly  10  includes the steps of obtaining a desired plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  wherein each magnetic tile assembly  10  is manufactured with a mesh  14  affixed to a tile  12 ; applying an adhesive  102  to a wall  100 ; placing the mesh  14  of each magnetic tile assembly  10  against a portion of the wall  100  coated with the adhesive  102 ; allowing the adhesive  102  to dry; applying grout  104  to the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies  10 ; smoothing the grout  104  to evenly fill the spaces between the plurality of installed magnetic tile assemblies  10 ; allowing the grout  104  to dry; and, utilizing the fully installed plurality of magnetic tile assemblies  10  to temporarily secure magnetic objects  110 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.