# US 7,743,568 B1 · Tile system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,568 B1 - Document ID: US7743568B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 11/364,661 - Filed: 2006-02-27 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-25 - Inventors: Montgomery Mars - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743568B1 ## CPC - E04F 15/02138: {by hook and loop-type fasteners} - E04F 13/0882: {by hook and loop-type fasteners} - E04F 13/0883: {by magnets} - E04F 15/02144: {by magnets} - Y10T 29/49815: Disassembling - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tile system for mounting one or more tiles with one or more removable inserts to a surface, the system comprising: a tile with an outwardly-facing tile face, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending therebetween, the tile configured to be at least partially mounted to the surface using an adhesive building material abutting at least a portion of the peripheral edge, the tile comprising at least one wall; an insert configured to be removably secured to the tile such that the insert is substantially in contact with the at least one wall; and a means for temporarily securing the insert to the tile; wherein: the at least one wall of the tile defines an the outwardly-facing tile face; the insert is formed with a lip about at least a portion of the perimeter of the insert; and the insert is secured to the tile such that the lip covers at least a portion of the tile face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the tile comprises at least two walls; and the insert is in contact with the at least two walls such that the securing means is a net fit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: a first metal portion is integral with the tile; and a second metal portion is integral with the insert, whereby the securing means is a magnetic attraction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the tile comprises a substantially planar outwardly-facing tile face; and the insert is flat and rests on the tile face. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one wall of the tile defines an outwardly-facing receptacle having a receptacle perimeter; the insert is formed with an insert face having a face perimeter; and the face perimeter extends beyond the receptacle perimeter such that the receptacle is not visible when the insert is secured to the tile. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least one wall of the tile defines an outwardly-opening receptacle having a receptacle perimeter; the insert is formed with an insert body having a body perimeter; and the body perimeter is substantially equivalent to the receptacle perimeter such that the receptacle is not visible when the insert is secured to the tile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tile is further installed on the surface using the back wall of the tile by at least one means selected from the group consisting of nails, screws, fasteners, glue, mastic, grout, and adhesives. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the securing means is selected from the group consisting of a net fit, a partial net fit between the insert and at least two of the tile walls, a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, a retaining lip, a tongue and groove joint, a lock and key, mating surfaces, a temporary adhesive, a latch, a clip, a shim, a liner, suction, a suction cup, and male and female connecting counterparts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tile is configured to hold a plurality of removable inserts. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein: the at least one wall defines a single outwardly-facing receptacle; and the plurality of removable inserts are inserted adjacent to one another within the receptacle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A tile system of claim 1, wherein the adhesive building material includes at least one of a grout, mortar, cement, mastic or Thin Set®. ### Claim 12 A tile system for mounting, at least partially using an adhesive building material, one or more tiles with one or more removable inserts to a surface, the system comprising: a tile configured to be installed on the surface by the adhesive building material, the tile comprising at least one wall bounding a receptacle and defining an outwardly-facing tile face substantially about the receptacle the tile further comprising a back wall and a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge extending between the tile face and back wall and wherein the peripheral edge is configured to abut the adhesive building material; an insert configured to be removably secured to the tile, the insert being formed with a body for receipt within at least a portion of the receptacle and being further formed with an outwardly-facing insert surface having a lip configured to overlap the tile face when the insert is secured to the tile; and a means for temporarily securing the insert to the tile.