Foam wall system

Abstract

A foam panel system which is secured to studs, to conventional drywall, or other support surfaces and an installation kit therefore. The foam panels have a surface that can be prepared to resemble a variety of materials, including brick, stone, wood, artwork, coral, tiles, or even commercial information such as corporate logos, etc. Surface preparation can be accomplished by a computerized laser cutter to cut standard or unique images into the surface of a foam panel. Alternatively, molds can also be prepared with unique patterns or standard designs which are used to create panels by conventional molding techniques. Alternatively, hot dies can be used to impress a variety of surface treatments into a finished or unfinished foam panel. After the surface design is created, it may be dyed or distressed or suit a particular desired design result. Optional precut cable channels can be designed which span one or more foam panel segments to allow cables to be run within a wall with no cutting at the job site. Optional removable panel sections allow portions of panels to be removed for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, education, etc., or to provide access to hidden storage areas. An integrated illumination device allows the foam panel segments to be illuminated from within by small devices such as LEDs, electroluminescent lamps (“EL lamps”), etc., which can be embedded within the foam panel and which can be controlled by a simple off switch, a remote control, or programmed to turn on and off in a predetermined sequence.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A foam panel system for attachment to a support surface, further comprising: 
 at least one foam panel having a front surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral edge;    the front surface having an esthetic treatment such that it resembles a preselected natural material, a man-made material, or an image;    means to attach the rear surface of the foam panel to a support surface;    the peripheral edge shaped such that when attached to a support surface, it aligns with a corresponding adjacent foam panel;    whereby a surface resembling natural or manmade materials is constructed by attaching one or more foam panels to support surface.    
     
     
         2 . A system, as in  claim 1 , wherein the esthetic treatment is applied to the front surface of the foam panel by a laser, a mold, a hot die, a hot knife, and/or a grinding device.  
     
     
         3 . A system, as in  claim 1 , wherein the foam panel has at least one removable and re-attachable segment.  
     
     
         4 . A system, as in  claim 3 , wherein the removable and re-attachable segment extends through the foam panel such that when the removable and re-attachable segment is removed, an access port is created which allows access behind the foam panel.  
     
     
         5 . A system, as in  claim 3 , wherein the removable and re-attachable segment extends through the foam panel such that when the removable and re-attachable segment is removed, a storage cavity under the surface of the foam panel is accessible.  
     
     
         6 . A system, as in  claim 1 , wherein the foam panel further comprises: 
 at least one cable trough; and    at least one cover size to snugly and securely fit over the cable trough, and further sized to provide room for least one cable when the cover is installed over the cable trough.    
     
     
         7 . A system, as in  claim 2 , further comprising a surface treatment which is applied to the front surface of foam panel.  
     
     
         8 . A system, as in  claim 7 , wherein the surface treatment is to a plaster, an acrylic or a latex material.  
     
     
         9 . A system, as in  claim 1 , further comprising an integral lamp embedded below the front surface of the foam panel such that when illuminated, the foam panel is illuminated.  
     
     
         10 . A system, as in  claim 9 , wherein the integral lamp is an electroluminescent lamp.  
     
     
         11 . A system, as in  claim 9 , wherein the integral lamp is an LED.  
     
     
         12 . A foam panel kit for attachment of foam panels to a support surface, further comprising: 
 a plurality of foam panels, each having a front surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral edge;    the front surface of at least one of the foam panels having an esthetic treatment that resembles a preselected natural material, a man-made material, or an image;    means to attach the rear surface of each of the foam panels to a support surface; and    the peripheral edge shaped such that when attached to a support surface, it aligns with a corresponding adjacent foam panel;    whereby a surface resembling natural or manmade materials is constructed by attaching one or more foam panels to support surface.    
     
     
         13 . A kit, as in  claim 12 , wherein the esthetic treatment is applied to the front surface of the foam panel by a laser, a mold, and/or a hot die.  
     
     
         14 . A kit, as in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the foam panels has a removable and re-attachable segment.  
     
     
         15 . A kit, as in  claim 14 , wherein the removable and re-attachable segment is sized such that when installed in the foam panel, a cavity is formed to provide concealed storage.  
     
     
         16 . A kit, as in  claim 14 , wherein the removable and re-attachable segment extends through the foam panel such that when removed from the foam panel, an aperture is provided which allows access behind the foam panel.  
     
     
         17 . A method of installing foam panels on a support surface, including the steps of: 
 installing a series of foam panels, each having a predetermined ornamental surface appearance onto a support surface, and each foam panel shaped such that it fits against a corresponding adjacent foam panel having an edge configured to snugly fit against the edge of the first foam panel; and    securing the foam panels to a support segment by adhesives, hook and loop material, screws, nails, tacks, tapcons, or staples.    
     
     
         18 . A method, as in  claim 17 , including the additional step of: 
 providing at least one foam panel which has a removable and re-attachable segment, the removable and re-attachable segment sized such that it either extends through the foam panel such that when the removable and re-attachable segment is removed an aperture is created which allows access behind the foam panel, or it extends partially through the foam panel such that when the removable and re-attachable segment is removed from the foam panel an internal storage cavity is accessible.    
     
     
         19 . A method, as in  claim 17 , including the additional steps of: 
 providing an integral illumination system inside the foam panel; and    controlling illumination of the foam panel by activating the integral illumination system;    whereby a surface area fabricated from foam panels can be selectively illuminated.    
     
     
         20 . A method, as in  claim 17 , including the additional step of creating the predetermined ornamental surface appearance with a laser, a mold, and/or a hot die.