US2876574A

US2876574A - Mosaic tile and method

Info

Publication number: US2876574A
Application number: US692861A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles W Powell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-10-28
Filing date: 1957-10-28
Publication date: 1959-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-10

Description

March 10, 1959 Filed Oct. 28, 1957 c. w. POWELL 2,876,574

MOSAIC TILE AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 his INVENTOR.

C/MAZES M POM/6Z1 BY March 10, 1959 c. w, POWELL MOSAIC TILE AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28. 1957 JNVENTOR.

C/IAAZAS w. Pan 14 States 1 The .present invention relates to mosaic tiles, and in particular to an improved method for the manufacture of a simulated mosaic and to an improved mosaic product useful for a wide variety of decorative purposes.

With the ever increasing and widespread popularity of do-it-yourself kits, hobbyists and amateur artists have popularized paint sets having picture outlines with numbered areas for designating prescribed regions of ditferent colors such that the overall picture will have a color composition of attractive appearance. Despite the most careful execution by the user of such kits, the aesthetic impression created by the end product is somewhat stilted and easily recognized as a work from this type of kit.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to pro vide an improved type of do-it-yourself kit which makes possible the creation of a wide variety of pictures and designs with attractive composition and professional appearance. Specifically, it is Within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved product and method for the creation of simulated mosaics of prescribed designs. Advantageously, such mosaics may serve as wall ornamentation or may be incorporated into objects of furniture and accessories, such as tables and lamps, to enhance the decoration of such objects and accessories.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and product for the creation of simulated mosaics which approach, in character and color, a mosaic made of tiles set in mortar.

In accordance with method aspects of the present .invention, a simulated mosaic may be created by forming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-like projections on the front face thereof and with corresponding depressions on the rear. face thereof. This sheet is turned over to bring the depressions uppermost whereupon the depressions may be colored in accordance with an overall pattern or design. Conveniently, the

coloring may be achieved with water or oil paints which are brushed onto the walls of the individual depressions. Advantageously, the hobbyist may assemble the transparent sheet, preliminary to painting, over a color-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines in the pattern formed on the transparent sheet, with the depression containing rear face of the transparent sheet uppermost and with the tile outlines on the instruction sheet registering with the tile pattern. Accordingly, the color coding of the instruction sheet will be visible in each of the depressions to appropriately inform the user of the prescribed color'imparted to the region which is being pain ted or colored. 1

The simulated mosaic which may be'made in accordance with the present invention comprises a transparent sheet including a series of embossed regions shaped to simulate individual tiles of a mosaic pattern. The individual tiles or embossed regions are separated by scoring, which has the appearance of mortar lines about the respective tiles. The embossed regions are colored "by ice placing paint or other coloring medium in the corresponding depressions or shallow cavities on the rear faces of the respective tiles, while the mortar line is given a particular color by mounting the entire facing sheet on a coextensive backing sheet of the color which is to-be imparted to the mortar lines.

Among the contemplated uses for my simulated mosaic, are mounted pictures for walls, decorative ornamentation for serving trays, decoration for lamp bases, ornamental coverings for tables, and numerous other uses which will occur to the hobbyist.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred simulated mosaic, and method for its manufacture, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective view showing an embossed transparent sheet which ultimately will make up the mosaic proper in position for assembly with a colorcoded instruction sheet;

Fig. 2 is a rear plan view of the embossed transparent mosaic sheet;

v Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the circled portion of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective View of the completed transparent mosaic sheet in position for assembly between a mounting frame and a backing; I

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the completed mosaic sheet when mounted with the assembly shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the circled portion of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a lamp, with its shade removed, showing the completed mosaic sheet as mounted on the lamp base, which is illustrative of the many further applications of my new and useful article of manufacture.

Referring now specifically to the drawings,'there is shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the constructional details and method for the preparation of a simulated mosaic in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the simulated mosaic includes a facing sheet 10 of transparent plastic material, such as a flexible acetate, vinyl acetate, etc. which is a gauge of the order of ten thousandths. The facing sheet is formed with a series of embossed regions or tile-like projections 12, each of which is shaped to simulate the individual tiles of a mosaic. The embossed regions or tile-like projections each include a substantial fiat top or front face 12a and bounding walls 12b, which extend substantially at right angles to the top or front face 12a. The individual embossed regions or tile-like projections 12. are contiguous and meet at embossed lines or scoring 14-. The respective tiles are shaped'and positioned with re spect to each other to create a picture of design, such as the fish F illustrated herein with the embossed lines or scoring 14 imparting to the overall design the appearance of mortar lines between the respective tiles 12'.- As scen best in Fig. 4, the scoring or embossed lines 14 ad joins contiguous upstanding walls of the adjacent-tiles, with the scoring terminating in a flat rear face 14a. The flat rear faces 14a of the scoring 14 are all disposed in a common plane such that said fiat surfaces 14a may be brought into abutment with a backing sheet, as wil1 .stibsequently be described. p Y

Patented Mar. 10, 1959 depression, or clup-like cavity 16 opening at the rear face of the sheet 10. These shallow depressions are each defined by the top walls 12a, 12b ofthe respective tilelike projections 12. Each of the tiles 12 may be colored in accordance with an overall pattern or scheme by placing paint or other suitable coloring mediums on the bottom surfaces 16a of the individual depressions. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the paint 18 or similar coloring medium may be applied over the surface 16a by a brush B. It will be appreciated that little orno skill and dexterity is required to paint or color the individual tiles since the areas to be colored are isolated from each other in that each area is bounded by a continuous series of walls, thus isolating the area being painted from contiguous areas. Accordingly, the individual area may be colored quite quickly and easily, care only being taken to avoid applying the paint 18 or other similar coloring medium to the upstanding bounding walls 12b.

In order to facilitate the coloring of the individual tiles 12, a color-coded instruction sheet 20 (see Fig. 1) is provided which includes tile outlines 22 corresponding to the embossed lines 14 which define the individual tile areas 12 on the transparent sheet 10. The individual areas bounded by the lines 22 may be coded in any convenient manner. In the illustrative embodiment the coding takes the form of numbered areas. It is intended that the kit include colored pictures or designs, corresponding to the design to be made, which are appropriately keyed to the number system such that by the selection ,of a particular group of colors corresponding to the number designations, a particular color composition may beimparted to the transparent sheet 10. With the very same sheet and tile design, the number coding may be used with a different set of colors to achieve a different color composition, if desired. The instruction sheet 20 is arranged so that the tile outlines 22 register with the score lines 14 when the transparent sheet 10 is placed thereon with its outer face 10a abutting against the outer face 20a of the instruction sheet 20 so that a number will be discernible to the user through the bottom surface 16a of each depression 16 indicative of the color to be imparted to the particular depression. Conveniently, the facing sheet 10 and the instruction sheet 20 may be assembled one above the other, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, and mounted on a board or other work surface with the required registry thereby freeing both hands of the user to color in the designated areas.

Upon completion of the coloring, the mosaic sheet 10 will be composed of a pattern of contiguous tiles 12 colored in accordance with the color coding, or with other color arrays, if the user so desires, with the scoring or mortar lines 14 framing the respective tiles still of the clear transparent plastic. An appropriate color, preferably contrasting, can be imparted to the mortar lines by placing mosaic sheet 10 against a backing sheet 24 of an appropriate color. As seen in Figs. 5, 7 and 8, the backing sheet 24 will abut the rear surfaces 14a of the mortar lines or scoring 14 and the color of the backing sheet 24 will be imparted to the regions corresponding to the surfaces 140 which are unpainted. Even if paint is inadvertently applied to the inner surfaces of the upstanding walls 12b (see Fig. 4), it still will not aflfect the color of the mortar lines. Although applying the backing sheet 24 appears to be the easiest way in which to color the mortar lines 14, the user may paint the surfaces 14a.

- Referring now to Figs. to 8, inclusive, there is shown mounting frame 26 and the backing 24. In this illustration, the mosaic 10 is fixed in the window opening 28 of the mounting 26 and with the backing sheet 24 coextensive therewith and against the rear surface thereof by the use of tapes 30 (see Fig. 7). The tape 30'is adhered to the rear surface of the backing sheet 24 and to the adjacent rear surfaces of the mounting frame 26 to fix the assembly together. It should be understood that other forms of mounting are equally within the coutemplation of the present invention.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a lamp base 32 having the mosaic sheet 10 wrapped thereabout, with or without the backing sheet, for imparting color to the score lines 14. This is readily achieved sincethe plastic material of the sheet 10 is flexible and can easily be formed into generally cylindrical shapes.

The above illustrative applications are but a few of the many decorative purposes for my simulated mosaic. Although the coloring is imparted to the mosaic by paints which may be easily chipped, scratched orremoved, such coloring medium is on the rear surface of the sheet and is protected by the transparent sheet or body. The mosaic sheet can be readily cleaned, using warm soapy water or the like.

I claim: I I

l. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of trans parent material formed to include a number of adjacent raised tile-like projections on the front face thereof with jection such that said sheet has the apeparance of a tile mosaic, and a backing coextensive with the rear face of said sheet, said backing being visible through said scoring to impart the color of said backing to said mortar lines;

2. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including a facing sheet and a backing sheet coextensive therewith, said facing sheet being fabricated of trans-; parent plastic and including a series of embossed regions shaped to simulate individual raised tiles of a mosaic, said embossed regions forming a series of shallow cuplike cavities on the rear face of said facing sheet separated from each other and each adapted to receive coloring mediums which will be visible through said facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have the appearance of individually colored tiles when viewed from the front of said facing sheet, said backing sheet being visible through the portions of said facing sheet which does not receive said coloring mediums. g

3. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of transparent material formed to include a number of adjacent tile-like projections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, said projections being bounded by scoring having the appearance of mortar lines about said projections, the portion of said sheet forming said scoring serving as bounding walls 4 about said depressions, and means in said depressions for imparting color to the corresponding projection such that said sheet has the appearance of a tile mosaic.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including a facing sheet fabricated of transparent plastic and including a series of embossed regions shaped to simulate individual raised tiles of a mosaic and formed with scoring bounding said embossed regions, said embossed regions forming a corresponding series of shallow cup-;

like cavities on the rear face of said facing sheet, the portions of said facing sheet forming said scoring serving as bounding walls about said cavities, and a coloring medium in each of said cavities which is visible through said;

facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have the appearance of individually colored tiles when.

viewed from the front of said facing sheet. 5. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic, including a facing sheet fabricated of transparent plastic and including a series of embossed regions shaped to simulate individual tiles of a mosaic, and formed with scoring bounding said embossed regions, said embossed regions having substantially flat top faces and forminga series of shallow cup-like cavities on the rear surface of said facing sheet each adapted to receive coloring mediums which will be visible through the respective flat top faces of said facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have the appearance of individually colored tiles when viewed from the front of said facing sheet, the portions of said facing sheet forming said scoring serving as bounding walls about said cavities, selected ones of said top faces being disposed at different levels whereby an irregular contour is imparted to said simulated mosaic.

6. In combination, a facing sheet of transparent plastic molded with a series of tile-like projections, each of said tile-like projections including a substantially planar face bounded by scoring having the appearance of a mortar line, and coloring mediums on the rear surfaces of said facesimparting colors to the individual tile-like projections which colors are visible from the front side of said facing sheet, the portions of said facing sheet bounding said scoring at the rear surfaces of said faces serving as barriers during the application of said coloring mediums such that different coloring mediums may be conveniently applied to adjacent rear surfaces.

7. In combination, a facing sheet of transparent plastic molded with a series of tile-like projections, each of said tile-like projections including a substantially planar face bounded by scoring having the appearance of a mortar line, coloring mediums on the rear surfaces of said faces imparting colors to the individual tile-like projections which colors are visible from the front side of said facing sheet, and means on the rear surface of said facing sheet for imparting color to said scoring.

8. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps of forming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-like projections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over a colorcoded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the color coding of said instruction sheet.

9. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps of forming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-like projections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over a colorcoded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the color coding of said instruction sheet.

10. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps of forming a transparent sheet with a pattern of contiguous tile-like projections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, assembling said transparent sheet over a color-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines in said pattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said pattern, and painting said depressions in accordance with the color coding of said instruction sheet, and thereafter mounting said transparent sheet on a backing sheet with said tile-like projections uppermost.

11. A simulated mosaic comprising a sheet of transparent material formed to include a number of adjacent tile-like projections on the front face thereof with corresponding depressions on the rear face thereof, each of said depressions including a substantially planar bottom wall and upstanding bounding walls, said projections being bounded by scoring having the appearance of mortar lines about said projections, means in said depressions for imparting color to the corresponding projections such that said sheet has the appearance of a tile mosaic, and a backing coextensive with the rear face-of said sheet, said backing being visible through said scoring to impart the color of said backing to said mortar lines.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a simulated mosaic including a facing sheet and a backing sheet coextensive therewith, said facing sheet being fabricated of transparent plastic and including a series of embossed regions shaped to simulate individual tiles of a mosaic, said embossed regions forming a series of shallow cuplike cavities on the rear face of said facing sheet each adapted to receive coloring mediums which will be visible through said facing sheet whereby said series of embossed regions will have the appearance of individually colored tiles when viewed from the front of said facing sheet, each of said cup-like cavities being bounded by substantially upstanding walls such that adjacent cavities are effectively isolated from each other, said upstanding walls being arranged to provide scoring about said individual tiles at the front face of said facing sheet.

x 13. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps of forming a transparent sheet, the rear face of which is formed with a pattern of tile-like de pressions comprising the major part of the total surface, the depressions having substantially perpendicular walls and being separated by relatively narrow elevated portions simulating mortar lines, assembling said transparent sheet over a color-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines matching said pattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said tile-lilie depressions, and painting said depressions in accordance with the color coding of said instruction sheet, the perpendicular walls of the depression acting to permit filling of the depressions with excess paint without disturbing the appearance of the finished simulated mosaic.

14. A method of creating a simulated mosaic including the steps of forming a transparent sheet, the rear face of which is formed with a pattern of tile-like depressions comprising the major part of the total surface, thedepressions being separated by relatively narrow elevated portions simulating mortar lines, assemblingsaid transparent sheet over a color-coded instruction sheet having tile outlines matching said pattern with its rear face uppermost and with said tile outlines registering with said tilelike depressions, and painting said depressions in accordance with the color coding of said instruction sheet.

15. A simulated mosaic comprising a transparentsheet fabricated of a plastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having its rear face formed with a pattern of tile-like depressions each bounded by substantially upstanding Walls, said sheet having its front face formed with tile-like projections corresponding with said depressions, said depressions being separated from each other by said walls which merge and define scoring serving as simulated mortar lines about said projections when said sheet is viewed from the front face thereof, said depressions and projections being shaped and arranged to form a composite mosaic design, and coloring means in said depressions for individually coloring said depressions such that said projections when viewed from the front face of said sheet form said composite mosaic design, said walls of said depressions permitting the coloring of said depressions with substantially no coloring from one depression accidentally going into an adjacent depression and remaining substantially transparent to serve as contrasting simulated mortar lines.

16. A simulated mosaic comprising a transparent sheet fabricated of a plastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having its rear face formed with a pattern of depressions and having its front face formed with tile-like projections corresponding with said depressions, each of said depressions including upstanding bounding walls and a planar bottom wall which serves as the top wall of the corresponding tile-like projection,

said depressions being separated from each other bysaid bounding walls which merge and define scoring serving as said sheet form said composite mosaic design, said bounding walls of said depressions permitting the coloring of said depressions with substantially no coloring from one de-' pression accidentally going into an adjacent depression and remaining substantially transparent to serve as contrasting mortar lines.

17. A simulated mosaic comprising'a transparent sheet fabricated of a plastic material and having front and rear faces, said sheet having its rear face formed with a pattern of tile-like depressions each bounded by sub:

stantially upstanding walls, said sheet having its front 1 face formed with tile-like projections correspoding with said depressions, said depressions being separated from each other by said walls which merge and define scoring serving as simulated mortar lines about said projections when said sheet is viewed from the front face thereof, 7

serve as contrasting mortar lines, and means for impart ing color to said contrasting mortar lines.

. 18. In a paint kit, a simulated mosaic comprising a transparent sheet including a series of embossed regions shaped and arranged to form a mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles on the front face thereof, each of said raised tiles having a substantially flat top wall and depending walls, adjacent depending walls cooperating to define scoring about said raised tiles which simulate mortar lines, said top and depending walls of each of said raised tiles defining a corresponding shallow welllike cavity accessible atthe rear of said sheet, and coloring mediums in selected ones of said cavities visible through the flat top Walls of the corresponding raised tiles, said coloring mediums being arranged such that a prescribed design is presented by said mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles, said depending walls at said rear of said sheet serving as barriers preventing communication between adjacent cavities. I 19. In a paint kit, a simulated mosaic comprising a transparent sheet including a series of embossed regions shaped and arranged to form a mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles on the front face thereof, each of said raised tiles having a substantially fiat top wall and depending walls, adjacent depending walls cooperating to define scoring about said raised tiles which simulate mortar lines, said top and depending walls of each of said raised tiles defining a corresponding shallow well-like cavity accessible at the rear of said sheet, coloring mediums in selected ones of said cavities visible through the fiat top walls of the corresponding raised tiles, said coloring mediums being arranged such that a prescribed design is presented by said mosaic pattern of individual raised tiles, said depending walls at said rear of said sheet serving as barriers preventing communication between adjacent cavities, and means for imparting color to said mortar lines.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 237,416 Tiffany Feb. 8, 1881 307,395 Jones Oct. 28, 1884, 731,158 Blackmore June 16, 1903 1,600,580 DArino et a1. Sept. 21, 1926 1,790,531 Bethlern Jan. 27, 1931 1,990,224 Cochran Feb. 5, 1935 2,185,492 Barrett Jan. 2, 1940 2,427,612 Lobb Sept. 16, 1947 2,645,049 Brown July 14, 1953