GB2418933A

GB2418933A - Tiling apparatus with tiles releasably secured to a support board

Info

Publication number: GB2418933A
Application number: GB0422221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Henderson; Daniel John Rippin
Original assignee: RHR SOLUTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: RHR SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-06
Filing date: 2004-10-06
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Also published as: GB0422221D0

Abstract

A tiling apparatus comprises a tile support board and a least one tile, the support board having a face with coupling means, the or each tile having a face (403) with coupling means, where the coupling means are in the form of closed end recesses (302, Fig. 3) and projections (402) which engage to provide a releasable attachment. Preferably the coupling means are further provided with a catch (406) and groove (308, Fig. 3) to allow a positive mechanical fit between the tile and support board. The front face of the tile may have an attachment member (1002, Fig. 10) for securing a rail (1006, Fig. 10), handle or the like thereto. Alternatively the tile may have a number of recesses (1009, Fig. 10) which receive decorative inserts (1010, Fig. 10).

Description

24 1 8933 Tiling Apparatus

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tiling apparatus, in particular to tiling apparatus comprising a tile support board, a tile and coupling means to releasably couple the tile to the tile support board.

2. Description of the Related Art

A first method of tiling a surface, such as an interior wall, involves ensuring the surface to be tiled is suitably clean and flat. A starting point on the surface is then selected and tiles adhered to the surface in a pattern radial from the starting point. Tiles are aligned in a spaced apart arrangement providing gaps between neighbouring tiles into which grout is applied. Tile spacers may be used to ensure uniform grouting gaps.

This method requires a degree of skill to produce a secure bonded array of tiles that is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, a variety of different tools may be required, for example to trim tiles when accommodating obstructions or tiling around recesses.

A tiling system is disclosed in United Kingdom Patent No. GB 2 368 855. The tiling system comprises a support matrix and tiles that are removably locatable on the matrix. The support matrix defines an array of aperture and tiles are secured to the matrix by means of projections configured to engage with the apertures. A tile removal tool may be provided.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided tiling apparatus comprising a tile support board for securing to a wall and a tile, said tile support board having a substantially planar rear face and a front face presenting first coupling means, and said tile having a rear face presenting second coupling means and a front face for displaying, said first and second coupling means configured to communicate to provide a to releasable coupling arrangement such that said tile may be releasably coupled to said tile support board; wherein said first coupling means comprises a closed end recess, said second coupling means comprises a projection, and said projection is configured to be received in said recess to couple said tile to said tile support board.

According to a second aspect of the present invention said first coupling means comprises a closed end recess providing a recess catch surface, said second coupling means comprises a projection providing a projection catch surface, and said projection is configured to be received in said recess such that said projection catch surface locates behind said recess catch surface to provide said coupling arrangement with a positive mechanical fit into the engaged condition.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the tile support board is provided with at least one insert region configured to receive an insert component.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention the tile is provided with at least one insert region configured to receive an insert component.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a wall having a pattern of tiles adhered thereto; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustrating an alternative method of mounting a tile to a wall; Jo Figure 3 shows a tile support board; Figure 4 shows a tile; Figure 5 illustrates the operation of the coupling arrangement provided by the tile support board of Figure 3 and the tile of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an array of tile support boards; Figure 7 shows different tiles; Figure 8 shows a second type of tile support board and a tile; Figure 9 shows tiles and insert components coupled to a tile support board; Figure 10 shows different accessory tiles and accessory rail; Figure 11 shows an edging member; Figure 12 is a view of the interior of a kitchen.

Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Figure 1 A tiled interior wall is shown in Figure 1. A pattern of tiles, such as tlie 101, is to be removed from the wall 102 by a building operative 103 and replaced by an array of new tiles, such as tile 104.

The tiles to be removed were previously adhered directly to the wall 102, and removing one of these tiles involves prising the tile away from the wall, typically using a tool, until the adhesive bond between the tile and wall breaks. Undesirably, this action may damage the tile and/or neighbouring 0 tiles and often a rough patch of cured adhesive is left behind that needs to be levelled off before a replacement tile or other finish can be provided in that area. In addition, orienting tiles with respect to a wall often involves adjustment of individual tiles when first applied to the wall. This is time consuming and inconvenient, whether adjustment is desired to achieve a regular pattern or to improve the aesthetic quality of a tile arrangement.

Figure 2 An alternative approach to mounting tiles directly to a surface is illustrated In the schematic of Figure 2. A wall is indicated at 201, which presents a prepared surface 202 to be tiled. A tile support board is indicated at 203, that is mountable to the wall 201. The tile support board 203 has a rear face 204 for securing to the surface 202 and a front face 205 presenting first coupling means.

A tile is indicated at 206, which is arranged to be coupled to the tile support board 203. The tile 206 has a rear face 207 presenting second coupling means and a front face 208 for displaying.

The first coupling means and the second coupling means are configured to communicate to provide a releasable coupling arrangement.

Providing each of the tile support board 203 and tile 206 with one of the first and second coupling means of this coupling arrangement enables tile 206 to be releasably connected to the tile support board 203. Thus, when the tile support board 203 is secured to the wall 201, the coupling arrangement 0 provides for the tile 206 to be releasably mounted to the wall 201.

In the example shown in Figure 2, tile support board 203 presents a plurality of closed end recesses and tile 206 presents a plurality of projections configured to be received within the recess of tile support board 203 with an interference fit.

Figures 3 and 4 A coupling arrangement will now be described with reference to Figure 3, which shows a tile support board 301 presenting tile support board coupling means, and with reference to Figure 4, which shows a tile 401 presenting corresponding tile coupling means. The coupling arrangement provides for tile 401 to be repeatedly located upon the tile support board 301 and subsequently released.

Tile support board 301 is provided with first coupling means comprising at least one recess, such as recess 302, that extends inwardly from the front face 303 of the tile board 301. Each first coupling means recess provides a recess catch surface. Recess 302 is described in further detail below.

Tile 401 is provided with second coupling means comprising at least one projection, such as projection 402, configured to be received within first coupling means recess 302. Each second coupling means projection provides a projection catch surface. Projection 402 is described in further detail below.

The coupling arrangement provides for the first coupling means and the second coupling means to engage into the engaged condition with a positive mechanical fit, when the projection catch surface locates behind the recess catch surface, as described with reference to Figure 5.

When the coupling arrangement is in the engaged condition, under a force applied to separate the first and second coupling means, the projection catch surface is brought against the recess catch surface, providing an initial resistance to release of the coupling arrangement. The positive mechanical fit provides an initial resistance that has an associated release force threshold. When the force applied to separate the first and second coupling means meets or exceeds the release force threshold, separation of the first and second coupling means results.

Referring to Figure 3, a front view of recess 302 is shown at 304.

Recess 302 extends substantially perpendicularly to front face 303 of tile board 301. Recess 302 is shaped substantially as a circular bore, the diameter of which is indicated at 305. in this example, the recess catch surface is provided by a ring groove extending around the circumference of the main bore of the recess. The diameter of the ring groove, indicated at 306, is larger than that of the main bore of the recess, and the circumference of the ring groove is substantially concentric with the circumference of the main bore of recess 302.

A side view of tile support board 301 showing the arrangement of recess 302 is shown at 307. It can be seen that the recess 302 has a closed end, and the depth of the recess 302 is less than the thickness of the tile support board 301. In this example, the ring groove appears at approximately half the depth of the recess 302. The backward facing inner surface of the ring groove, indicated by arrow 308, provides the recess catch surface of recess 302.

Tile board 301 is provided with a plurality of recesses. In this example, front face 303 has a substantially square shape and the recesses are distributed about the perimeter of the front face 303 with equal spacing between neighbouring recesses and with a recess appearing at each corner of the front face 303. In this example, each recess has a depth of 4mm, a main bore diameter of 1 Omm and a ring groove diameter of 10.25mm.

Referring to Figure 4, a front view of projection 402 is shown at 404.

Projection 402 extends substantially perpendicularly from the rear face 403 of the tile 401.

Projection 402 is shaped substantially as a cylindrical peg, the diameter of which is indicated at 405. The projection catch recess of projection 402 is provided by a ring protrusion extending from the circumference of the main peg of the projection. The diameter of the ring protrusion, indicated at 406, is larger than that of the main peg of the projection and the circumference of the ring protrusion is substantially concentric with the circumference of the main peg of projection 402.

A side view of tile 401 showing the arrangement of projection 402 is 0 shown at 407. In this example, the ring protrusion appears at approximately half way along the length of the projection 402. The location of the ring protrusion along projection 402 complements the location of the ring groove along recess 302. The forward facing outer surface of the ring protrusion, indicated by arrow 408, provides the projection catch surface of projection 402.

Tile 401 is provided with a plurality of projections. In this example, the rear face 403 of tile 401 has a substantially square shape and the projections distributed about the perimeter of the front face 403, with equal spacing between neighbouring projections and with a projection appearing at each corner of the rear face 403. The arrangement of projections of tile 401 complements the arrangement of recesses of tile support board 401.

In this example, the length and width of tile 401 is 100mm and 100mm respectively and the depth is 4.5mm. Each projection has a length of 4mm, a main peg diameter of 10mm and a ring protrusion diameter of 10.25mm.

Projection 402 is substantially hollow, however a projection may be substantially solid.

Figure 5 Figure 5 illustrates use of the first coupling means of tile support board 301 and the second coupling means of tile 401 to releasably couple tile 401 to mounted tile support board 301.

to As shown at 501, to mount tile 401 on the tile support board 301, projection 402 is inserted into recess 302 in a forward direction, indicated by arrow 502. The projection 402 is pushed into recess 302 until the ring protrusion of projection 402 is received in the ring groove of recess 302, this condition being shown at 503.

As the ring protrusion of projection 402 locates in the ring groove of recess 302, the projection catch surface of projection 402 locates behind the recess catch surface of recess 302 with a positive mechanical fit. The engaged condition is illustrated at 503. Alternatively, projections may be provided with a groove and recesses may be provided with a protrusion.

The coupling arrangement of Figures 3 to 5 operates in a similar mode to a press stud. Thus, tactile feedback may be provided to a user to indicate entry into and exit from the engaged condition.

To release tile 401 from the mounted tile board 301, a force is applied to pull or lift the tile 401 away from the board 301. As described previously, such a separating force causes the projection catch surface of the second coupling means into contact with the recess catch surface of the first coupling means to provide an initial resistance to separation of tile 401 and tile board 301. However, when this separating force is increased above the associated release force threshold, the coupling arrangement separates and the tile 401 disconnects from the tile board 301.

The magnitude of the coupling arrangement release force threshold at and/or above which a tile releases from a tile support board may be 0 sufficiently low to allow manual release. This feature is advantageous when manually relocating tiles when forming a tile display. Alternatively, the magnitude of the coupling arrangement release force threshold may be sufficiently high such that manual release is inhibited, requiring a tool (not shown) to be used. Such a tool may comprise a suction cup or a lever. Thus, the magnitude of the coupling arrangement release force threshold may be selected to prevent unintentional removal of a tile from a tile support board.

It is to be appreciated that recess 302 of tile support board 301 provides for a tile to be mounted to the tile support board 301 by means of an interference fit. Thus, recess 302 of tile support board 301 provides for go tiles having projections providing a projection catch surface and also tiles having projections that do not provide a projection catch surface to be located thereon.

According to this illustrated example, when tile 401 is mounted on ble board 301, there is a very small separation gap between the rear face 403 of the tile 401 and the front face 303 of tile support board 301, as shown at 503. In this example, the front and rear faces of both the tile support board 301 and tile 401 are substantially planar. However, other complementing, or non-complementing, surface profiles may be used.

The coupling arrangement described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 allows tile 401 to be coupled to tile support board 301 and then subsequently released, following which both the tile 401 and the tile board 301 are in a condition suitable for reuse. Thus, tile 401 may be located on tile support 0 board 301, released and coupled again to tile support board 301 covering the same or different area of the tile board 301. Alternatively, tile 401 may be released from tile support board 301 and replaced by a different tile that is also provided with first coupling means that complement the second coupling means of tile support board 301. It is found that the structural integrity of tiles provided with projections is greater than that of tiles provided with recesses. Thus, tiles are preferably provided with projections, and the tile support board(s) with recesses, to reduce instances of damage to tiles.

Although a tile may be coupled to a tile support board by means of a single projection and recess coupling arrangement, rotation of the mounted tile may occur and a more stable positioning is achieved when the tile is provided with a plurality of coupling arrangements. In some applications, a single elongate projection may be provided for insertion into an elongate recess of a tile support board, and such a projection may take the form of a perimeter wall extending from the rear face of the tile.

A fixed relationship between the position of the coupling means of a tile, in the present example projections, and the tile in effect determines the orientation of a tile with respect to a tile support board when in the engaged condition. This provides for a tile to be quickly and conveniently positioned on a wall.

Figure 6 In Figure 6, tile support board 301 is shown incorporated into an array of tile support boards 601 that each provide the functionality of tile support board 301. As described, tile support board 301 provides a substrate surface for tile 401, thus each tile support board of the array 601 is arranged to provide a substrate for tile 401. However, the array of tile support boards 601 provides an arrangement of recesses that allows differently sized and/or shape tiles to be coupled to the array. In addition, the arrangement of recesses provides for different patterns of the tiles to be displayed. In Figure 6, the tile support boards of the array 601 are tessellated, however the arrangement of recesses provided by the array 601 may be provided by a single continuous tile support board (not shown).

The array 601 incorporates a tile support board 602, which is an example of a second type of tile support board that is configured to receive an insert component. This type of tile support board is described below with reference to Figure 8, which shows tile support board 602 in further detail.

An alternative arrangement of first coupling means is indicated at 603.

The arrangement comprises recesses positioned along side each other.

A second alternative arrangement of first coupling means is indicated at 604. The arrangement comprises recesses spaced apart with a connecting channel extending between neighbouring recesses.

A third alternative arrangement of first coupling means is indicated at 605. This arrangement comprises a continuous channel.

The recesses of the arrangements shown at 603, 604 and 605 may be configured to allow a tile to be coupled to the tile support board presenting the arrangement by means of a friction fit only or also providing for a positive mechanical fit as described with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

Figure 7 Examples of different tiles connectable to the array of tile support boards 601 are shown in Figure 7.

The length of tile 701 is 1.5 times the length of tile 401 with other dimensions being substantially the same as tile 401. Tile 701 has the arrangement of projections of tile 401 to one side of dotted line 702 and the equivalent of half the arrangement of projections of tile 401 to the other side of dotted line 702. In this example, the length and width of tile 701 is 150mm and 100mm respectively.

The length and width of tile 703 is 1.5 times that of tile 401 with other dimensions being substantially the same as tile 401. Tile 703 has the arrangement of projections of tile 701 to one side of dotted line 704 and further projections at mirror image locations to the other side of dotted line 704. In this example, the length and width of tile 703 is 150mm and 150mm respectively.

The length of tile 705 is 2 times the length of tile 401 and the width of tile 705 is 1.5 times the width of tile 401 with other dimensions being substantially the same as tile 401. Tile 705 has the arrangement of projections of tile 703 to one side of dotted line 706 and further projections at mirror image locations to the other side of dotted line 706. In this example, 0 the length and width of tile 705 is 200mm and 150mm respectively.

The length of tile 707 is 2.5 times the length of tile 401 and the width of tile 707 is 2 times the width of tile 401 with other dimensions being substantially the same as tile 401. Tile 707 has the arrangement of projections of tile 705 within the area enclosed by dotted line 708 and further projections arranged to repeat the pattern of projections. In this example, the length and width of tile 705 is 250mm and 200mm respectively.

The arrangement of projections of tiles 701, 703, 705 and 705 complement the arrangement of projections repeated throughout the array of tile support boards 601. This allows an assortment of tiles 701, 703, 705, 707 to be coupled to the array of tile support boards 601, for example to provide different aesthetic displays or to accommodate different sized areas to be tiled. Similarly, tiles of different regular shapes, for example hexagons and squares, circles, triangles and/or irregular shapes may be coupled to a tile support board.

The arrangement of recesses and projections of tile support board 301 and tile 401 is substantially regular. However, the arrangement of either or both of the recesses and projections of a tile support board and tile may be irregular and still provide complementing first coupling means and second coupling means allowing the tile to be releasably coupled to the tile support board.

A plurality of differently dimensioned coupling arrangements and/or a plurality of different relative arrangements of first coupling and second 0 coupling means may be provided. Within a tiling system, more of one of the first coupling means and second coupling means may be provided than the other. Coupling arrangements may be selected to provide different degrees of complexity regarding potential pattern variations of tiles upon a tile support board or array of tile support boards.

Tile 709 is provided with a front face perimeter border 710 that is lower than the front face 711 of the tile and presents a grouting surface. The perimeter borders of neighbouring tiles form a channel 712 into which grout can be applied.

Figure 8 Figure 8 shows tile support board 602 of Figure 6 in further detail.

Tile support board 602 includes features of tile support board 301, however, tile support board 602 differs from tile board 301 in that it defines a recessed insert region 801 configured to receive an insert component. In this example, the insert region 801 is substantially square and is located substantially central to the tile support board 602 inwardly of the first coupling means recesses providing a frame around which the first coupling means recesses are found.

Tile support board 602 is also provided with at least one access region, such as access region 802, that provides an access channel leading from an external edge of the tile support board 602 to the recessed insert region 801. The access channels allow connection to an insert component.

The bosom of an access channel may be flush with the bosom of the insert region 801 of tile support board 602. In the shown example, tile support board 602 defines an access channel along each edge, with each access channel substantially centred along the associated edge of tile support board 602. Access regions may be located at a different position along an edge of a tile support board frame and more than one access region may be provided along an edge of a tile support board frame. The size and shape of an insert region and location of an insert region relative to the edges of a tile support board may vary between applications.

The arrangement of tile support board 602 is such that when tile 401 is coupled thereto, a chamber is formed between the tile support board 602 and tile 401, in which an electrical or other insert component may be accommodated, as illustrated in Figure 9.

The size of an insert component chamber between a tile support board and tile may be increased by the provision of a recessed insert region sunk from the rear face of a tile, such as is shown at 803. Insert components may be removably located within insert regions.

Figure 9 Figure 9 shows a tile support board 901 defining a plurality of substantially identical tile support regions. It can be seen that tile support board 801 provides tile support region 902. Tile 401 is shown coupled to tile support board 901 at a tile support region and is shown transparent for 0 illustration purposes.

An electrical connection circuit, indicated at 903, is distributed across a plurality of tile support regions. The arrangement of access regions allows for external connections to insert components located between the tile support board and a tile and allows for connections between insert components that extend across the tile board behind tiles.

Insert components, such as first electrical insert component 904 located within the insert region of tile support region 905 and second electrical insert component 906 located behind tile 401 within the insert region of tile support region 907, may be selected such that when received in an insert region, the components sit lower than or flush with the front face of the tile support board. The first and second electrical insert components 904, 906 are provided with access regions similar in arrangement to those of tile support board 901. When the insert components 904,906 are located within tile support board 901, the bosom of the channels of the insert component access regions are flush with the bottom of the channels of the tile support board access regions.

An electrical connector 908 connects electrical insert component 904 and electrical insert component 906, and passes between tile support board 901 and any tiles along the connection path between the components 904, 906. Electrical connectors that may be accommodated within the tiling system include: laminated flexible electrical circuits and electrical connectors in the form of rigid strips with inlaid electrical tracks.

lo The arrangement of tile support boards 801 and 901 provide for insert components to be hidden from view.

A solid insert may be located within a tile support region, to effectively provide a tile support board having a structure similar to tile support board 301. For example, a solid insert may be used to provide a mounting substrate for a mechanical fixing for an attachment to be secured to the tiling system.

Thus, a mechanical fixing, such as a screw, may extend through a tile into the support board. In some applications, an attachment may be adhered to a mounted tile.

A tile support board may be provided that can be cut or otherwise reduced to a chosen size and shape.

Tile support board 901 may be fabricated from a plastic sheet, along which snap lines are marked. In this example, snap lines, such as snap line indicated by dotted line 909, extends between tile support regions. The snap lines enable the tile support board 901 to be reduced in size by increments, in this example corresponding to the area of a tile support region. Furthermore, tile support board 901 may be fabricated from a material that can be cut using a tool, such as knife.

As described, insert components may be located upon the tile support board 901, tiles may be coupled to the tile support board 901 over inserted components and mounted tiles and inserted components may be removed from the tile support board 901. Thus, tiles and/or insert components may be added, removed or substituted as desired.

lo The material from which a tile support board and/or a tile is fabricated may be selected according to the type of insert component that is to be housed within the tiling system. Insert components include: electrical wiring, electrical connectors, switch plates, electrical lighting, speakers, heating components, pipes and sensors. A protective shield may be located between s an insert component and a tile or tile support board. Such a protective shield, for example used to protect cables, may be releasably clipped into place and may be secured to either to an insert component, a tile or tile support board.

A shield or bridge may be placed over a component located in an access channel.

Components may also be incorporated in or secured to a tile. Fixings and/or components may be secured to the front face and/or rear face of a tile, and may be secured by means of adhesive or a mechanical fixing, such as a clip. For example, an electrical socket or communication network connection may be integrated with a tile or a tile itself may incorporate or be an audio speaker or visual display. A tile may incorporate or be an electrical switch, for example to allowing on/off switching of low voltage insert components, and such a tile may utilise a rocker element orlighVtouch sensitive functionality. The rear of a tile may hold a lighting element, such as a diffuser, to allow back lighting of a tile or tile display. Thus, insert components received within an insert region may be secured to the rear of a tile.

Thus, tile support board access regions also allow external to connections to tiles and connections between tiles that extend across the tile board behind tiles.

Figure 10 Different accessory tiles are shown in Figure 10.

Accessory tile 1001 has an attachment member 1002 extending forwardly from the front face 1003 of the tile 1001. In this example, the attachment member 1002 is shaped substantially as a cylinder, the sidewall of which is threaded, as indicated by arrow 1004. A second accessory tile 1005 similar in construction to accessory tile 1001 is shown.

An accessory rail 1006 is shown. Each end of the rail 1006 is provided with an end cap 1007 that Is configured to be secured to the attachment member 1003 of tile 1001. Thus, one end of accessory rail 1006 may be secured to tile 1001 and the other end secured to tile 1005. According to this example, each end cap is internally threaded, is rotatable around the rail 1006 and is movable backwards and forwards along the rail 1006. The attachment members of the accessory tiles 1001, 1005 and the end caps of accessory rail 1006 allow the accessory rail 1006 to be releasably screw fixed to a tile display.

The accessory tile combination of accessory tiles 1001 and 1005 and accessory rail 1006 may be fitted in a bathroom or kitchen and accessory rail 1006 used as a towel rail. Other accessory attachments include: toilet paper holders, soap dishes, hooks, clips.

to Accessory tile 1008 has a plurality of attachment recesses, for example recess 1009, configured to receive an insert component, for example insert tile 1010. Such an insert tile may be a ceramic or glass decorative tile, and an insert component may be secured to an accessory tile by means of adhesive or a mechanical fixing.

Preferably, the coupling arrangement between an accessory tile and an accessory or insert component allows an attachment to be releasably coupled to the accessory tile. For example, an accessory coupling arrangement may be based on a press-stud.

Another type of accessory tile has a clip extending from the front face thereof, for example, configured to receive a strip light.

A tile may be provided with a combination of different types of accessory attachment means.

Figure 11 Substance ingress between a tile support board and a tile is undesirable, particularly when electrical components are inserted between the tile support board and tiles coupled thereto. Closed end recesses of a tile support board inhibits the ingress of water between the tile support board and tiles from behind the tile support board.

A tile support board may be secured to a wall by means of adhesive, cement or a mechanical fixing. In some applications, adhesive may be preferred on the basis that an aperture may allow water ingress between the tile support board and a tile. Alternatively, a mechanical fixing, such as a screw, may be used and sealant, such as waterproof sealant, applied over the fixing.

A seal between tiles may be provided to prevent the ingress of water or other substance from the front of the tile display. Tiles may be provided with sealant around the edges thereof provided such that the sealant of one tile may abut the sealant of a neighbouring tile to provide a mechanical seal between tiles.

The edges of a tile may be shaped according to the type of seal required between tiles or at the edge of a tile display, or according to aesthetic preference.

Tiles may be provided with a spacing border around the edges thereof such that the border of one tile may abut the border of a neighbouring tile to provide a channel in which grout or sealant may be applied.

An edging member configured to provide a tile display edge trim is shown in Figure 11. Edging member 1101 is configured to be releasably coupled to an edge of a tile support board. Edging member 1101 defines a channel 1102 extending along the length thereof and configured to receive a tile. Preferably, location tabs, such as location tab 1103, extend from the channel 1102. Each location tab is configured to be located within an access region of a tile support board, for example access region 1104. The location tabs serve to seal access regions of a tile support board that appear at the edge of a tile display. The location tabs may be movable along the channel to to accommodate access regions appearing at irregularly spaced locations.

Figure 12 A view of the interior of a kitchen 1201 is shown in Figure 12. A tile support board (not shown) extends across wall 1202. An arrangement of tiles, such as tile 1203, are shown coupled to the tile support board. In this example, the tile support board is fabricated from recyclable plastic and the front face of the tile 1203 presents a display surface replicating that of a traditional ceramic tile.

Tiles may be fabricated from different materials, such as plastic and may be formed in two or more layers or parts. For example, a ceramic front tile layer may be applied to a plastic tile backing, together forming a tile suitable for use within the described tiling system.

Tiles to be coupled to a tile support board may display graphics or other indicia and/or have a profiled surface. The display surface of the tile may be configured to receive printed or transfer applied graphics or other indicia. The tile may be manufactured using an in mould decoration process.

Tiles may have different textures and surface profiles.

Different tiles may be provided for practical and/or novelty purposes.

Tiles that may be provided include: magnetic tiles, tiles that present a corkboard, chalkboard or other notice board surface, tiles that present an advent calendar, tiles that present or a simple game board, for example on which to play noughts and crosses.

0 Tiles may have surface colouring or the material from which the tile is fabricated may be coloured or contain decorative items or particles, such as foil shapes. The tile may be transparent, translucent or opaque. As previously mentioned, back lighting for one or more tiles may be provided. A tile may incorporate a design that becomes visible or more visible when illuminated from behind. Tiles may be provided with an antibacterial coating on the display surface. Tiles may be provided that can be washed by hand or in a dishwasher.

The described tiling system provides a convenient method of securing tiles to a wall. Once a tile support board is installed on a wall, tiles may be secured thereto and removed as required. The tiling system enables a tile display to be changed quickly and easily. For example, a tile support board may be installed in a bathroom of a house for sale, and the purchasers of the house can choose whatever style of tile to use in the bathroom. The tiles can subsequently be easily removed and replaced with new tiles that co-ordinate with new decoration. In a further example, a tile support board may be installed in a kitchen of a house and have a tile coupled thereto that incorporates an electrical socket. By releasing and relocating the tile on the tile support board the electrical socket can be repositioned to accommodate a new appliance or wall tiffing.

Claims

Claims 1. Tiling apparatus comprising a tile support board for securing to

awallanda tile, said tile support board having a substantially planar rear face and a front face presenting tile support board coupling means, and said tile having a rear face presenting tile coupling means and a front face for displaying, said tile support board coupling means and said tile coupling means 0 configured to communicate to provide a releasable coupling arrangement such that said tile may be releasably coupled to said tile support board; wherein a first coupling means of said tile support board coupling means and said tile coupling means comprises a closed end recess, the second coupling means of said tile support board coupling means and said tile coupling means comprises a projection, and said projection is configured to be received in said recess to couple said tile to said tile support board.
2. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said first coupling means comprises a closed end recess providing a recess catch surface, said second coupling means comprises a projection providing a projection catch surface, and said projection is configured to be received in said recess such that said projection catch surface locates behind said recess catch surface to provide said coupling arrangement with a positive mechanical fit into the engaged condition.
3. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the depth of said recess is less than the depth of said tile support board.

to
4. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said recess is shaped substantially as a circular bore and said recess catch surface is provided by a ring groove extending around the circumference of the circular bore.
5. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein said projection is shaped substantially as a cylindrical peg and said projection catch surface is provided by a ring protrusion extending from the circumference of the cylindrical peg.
6. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said positive mechanical fit provides an initial resistance to a pulling force applied to separate the first and second coupling means apart from the engaged condition, the initial resistance having an associated release force threshold that is overcome when the applied pulling force meets or exceeds the release force threshold, resulting in separation of the first and second coupling means.
57. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the release force threshold is arranged to be overcome by a manually applied pulling force.
8. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tile support board is provided with at least one insert region configured to 0receive an insert component.
9. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tile support board is provided with at least one access region.
510. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tile has an insert region configured to receive an insert component.
11. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tile support board is provided with a plurality of closed end recesses.
12. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tile is provided with a plurality of projections.
13. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tile is provided with accessory attachment means.
14. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said accessory attachment means comprises an attachment member extending from the front face of the tile.
15. Tiling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said accessory attachment means comprises an attachment recess extending from the front face of the tile.
16. Tiling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an edging member.
17. Tiling apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.