Backlight tile system

• US 9,239,163 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BackLit Tile Kit LLC
• Original Assignee: Matthew Alan Barry
• Inventors: Barry, Matthew Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): COUGHLIN, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US14/310,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20140376214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 362/147
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/0862 composed of a number of elements which are identical or not, e.g. carried by a common web, support plate or grid
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 19/02 Borders; Finishing strips, e.g. beadings; Light coves for protecting edges of plaster E04F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/105 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A backlight tile system is configured to be attached to a wall stud and to be surrounded by tile attached to drywall. The backlight tile system has a rear channel that is mechanically coupled to the wall stud and extending through the drywall. A first lighting strip is detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first adhesive strip. A front channel is detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first magnetic strip. A mosaic tile is directly attached to the front channel. The first lighting strip is configured to render light through the mosaic tile.

Claims

1. A backlight tile system, configured to be attached to a wall stud and to be surrounded by tile attached to drywall;

the backlight tile system comprising;

a rear channel, mechanically coupled to the wall stud and extending through the drywall;

a first lighting strip, detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first adhesive strip;

a front channel, detachably coupled to the rear channel with a first magnetic strip; and

a mosaic tile, directly attached to the front channel;

wherein the first lighting strip is configured to render light through the mosaic tile, and wherein the mosaic tile attached to the front channel is substantially flush with the tile when the front channel is coupled to the rear channel.

2. The backlight tile system of claim 1, further comprising a second lighting strip, detachably coupled to the rear channel with a second adhesive strip;

wherein the second lighting strip is configured to render additional light through the mosaic tile.

3. The backlight tile system of claim 2, wherein the first lighting strip and the second lighting strip are an IP65 waterproof light emitting diode lighting strip configured to provide light while being impervious to moisture.

4. The backlight tile system of claim 1, wherein the rear channel is made from ½

inch 18 gauge galvanized steel channel that is configured to retain fire within the rear channel, preventing the fire from spreading to the wall stud or the drywall.

5. A process for installing a backlight tile system into a wall stud and to be surrounded by tile attached to drywall;

the process comprising;

mounting a rear channel to the wall stud with at least one screw;

adhering a lighting strip to the rear channel;

adhering a mosaic tile to a front channel;

connecting the lighting strip to a power source with wiring and a switch;

connecting the front channel to the rear channel with at least one magnetic strip; and

joining the mosaic tile to the tile with grout such that the mosaic tile and the tile are substantially flush with one another.

6. The process of claim 5, further comprising:

switching the power source on and testing the lighting strip.

7. The process of claim 6, further comprising:

removing the grout between the mosaic tile and the tile.

8. The process of claim 7, further comprising:

disconnecting the front channel from the rear channel thus providing access to the lighting strip.

9. The process of claim 8, further comprising:

replacing the lighting strip with another lighting strip.