U.S. patent application number 12/363969 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for wall display system and method of providing the same.
Invention is credited to Melissa Stajos, William Stajos.
Application Number | 20100193652 12/363969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42396906 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100193652 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stajos; William ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
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.
Inventors: |
Stajos; William;
(Barkhamsted, CT) ; Stajos; Melissa; (Barkhamsted,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF DELIO & PETERSON, LLC.
121 WHITNEY AVENUE
NEW HAVEN
CT
06510
US
|
Family ID: |
42396906 |
Appl. No.: |
12/363969 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/231.91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/0815
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/231.91 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08 |
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.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable wall display
system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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
[0008] 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.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
wall display that has repositionable and/or interchangeable
decorative parts.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] In further embodiments, the wall display has a mount that is
interchangeable with each decorative tile of the plurality of
tiles.
[0017] 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
[0018] 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:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wall display system in
accordance with the invention depicting a decorative tile and
several mounts.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative tile attached
to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hook attached to the
base tile shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vase attached to the
base tile shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the attachment mechanism shown in
FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the decorative tile
attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 7 is another front elevational view of the decorative
tile attached to the base tile shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 8a is a front elevational view of the attachment
mechanism and the opening shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 8b is another front elevational view of the attachment
mechanism and the opening shown in FIG. 8a.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of wall display system
shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the decorative tile and attachment
mechanism shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a plurality of the
decorative and base tiles shown in FIG. 1.
[0031] FIGS. 12-15 depict side cross sectional views of variations
of the spacer shown in FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 16 depicts a method of providing the wall system shown
in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.RTM. (see FIG. 10), and any
combination with the magnet.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
* * * * *