Stone and ceramic trim units

Abstract

A trim component system, each trim component including at least one tile adhered to a backing member. The tile may be natural stone, synthetic stone, or ceramic material. In one embodiment, three trim components are present as a fireplace surround.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A trim component, comprising: 
 a plurality of tiles; and    a backing member attached to the plurality of tiles, the backing member sufficiently rigid to support said plurality of tiles in a substantially vertical orientation.    
     
     
         2 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which said trim component is configured as a fireplace surround component.  
     
     
         3 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which the backing member is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         4 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which the backing member has a backing member width and the plurality of tiles has a tile width, the backing member width less than the tile width.  
     
     
         5 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which the backing member has a length and the plurality of tiles has a tile length, the backing member length being longer than the tile length.  
     
     
         6 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which the backing member comprises a combustible material.  
     
     
         7 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which the backing member comprises a noncombustible material.  
     
     
         8 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which said plurality of tiles comprises a material selected from synthetic stone, natural stone, and ceramics  
     
     
         9 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which said plurality of tiles comprises natural stone.  
     
     
         10 . The trim component of  claim 1 , in which said plurality of tiles comprises marble, granite, slate, limestone, or sandstone.  
     
     
         11 . A trim system, comprising: 
 a plurality of trim components, each trim component comprising a plurality of tiles and a backing member attached to said plurality of tiles, each said backing member sufficiently rigid to support the plurality of tiles in a substantially vertical position; and    a hinge attached to one of said tiles on each of said trim components.    
     
     
         12 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which each said backing member is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         13 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which said trim system is configured as a hearth.  
     
     
         14 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which the backing member comprises a noncombustible material.  
     
     
         15 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which each said trim component comprises a plurality of tiles.  
     
     
         16 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which each of said plurality of tiles comprises a material selected from natural stone, synthetic stone, and ceramics.  
     
     
         17 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which each of said plurality of tiles comprises natural stone.  
     
     
         18 . The trim system of  claim 11 , in which each of said plurality of tiles comprises a material selected from marble, granite, slate, limestone, and sandstone.  
     
     
         19 . A fireplace surround comprising: 
 first and second vertical components, each said first and second vertical component comprising a first tile, a second tile, and a backing member attached to said first and second tiles, each said backing member being sufficiently rigid to support each said tile in a generally vertical orientation, each said backing member comprising an extension longitudinally extending beyond one of said first and second tiles; and    a horizontal component comprising a first tile, a second tile, and a backing member attached to the first and second tiles, the backing member being sufficiently rigid to support said first and second tiles in a generally vertical orientation.    
     
     
         20 . The fireplace surround of  claim 19 , further comprising a silicone adhesive adhering the first and second tiles to the backing members.  
     
     
         21 . The fireplace surround of  claim 19 , in which each said first and second vertical component backing member includes an extension extending past one of said first or second tiles.  
     
     
         22 . A method of installing a fireplace surround, the fireplace surround comprising first and second vertical components and a horizontal component, each said first and second vertical component comprising a first tile, a second tile, and a backing member attached to said first and second tiles, each said backing member being sufficiently rigid to support each said tile in a generally vertical orientation, each said backing member comprising an extension longitudinally extending beyond one of said first and second tiles; the horizontal component comprising a first tile, a second tile, and a backing member attached to the first and second tiles, the backing member being sufficiently rigid to support said first and second tiles in a generally vertical orientation, the method comprising: 
 applying an adhesive to the first and second vertical component backing members;    contacting said first and second vertical components to a surface of a fireplace oppositely and laterally with respect to an opening in the fireplace;    applying the adhesive to the horizontal component backing member; and    positioning the horizontal component generally horizontally and above said first and second vertical components.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein each said vertical component backing member comprises an extension extending generally laterally beyond one of said first and second tiles, the method further comprising: 
 applying the adhesive to a surface of each said backing extension; and    contacting the adhesive and each said backing extension to a surface of said tiles.    
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a trim component, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of tile members; and    adhering the plurality of tile members to a substantially rigid backing member.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , in which the backing member is dimensioned such that a backing member extension extends longitudinally beyond one of said plurality of tile members after said plurality of tile members is adhered to the backing member.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the provided plurality of tile members comprises natural stone, synthetic stone, or a ceramic material.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the provided plurality of tile members is adhered to the backing member with an adhesive.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the provided plurality of tile members is adhered to the backing member with a silicone adhesive.