Universal tile accessory system

Abstract

A universal unit is disclosed, for use singly or in pairs, to form a tile accessory system, such as for bathrooms. The universal unit has a back portion with a substantially flat front surface and a rear surface which is adapted for mounting on a wall. The universal unit has an upstanding projecting portion extending perpendicularly outward from the front surface. This projecting portion has two lateral and substantially parallel sides with at least one recess in one side for holding a separate accessory. The recess may be round, in which case the accessory may be a toilet tissue spindle, a towel bar or a grab bar, or it may be elongate in which case the accessory may be a shelf, a soap dish, a tumbler holder and/or toothbrush holder.

1 . A universal tile accessory system comprising:
 a) a universal unit for use singly or in pairs, the universal unit having:
 i) a back portion with a substantially flat front surface and a substantially flat rear surface adapted for mounting on a wall, wherein the back portion of the universal unit has dimensions of a standard ceramic tile, whereby when the universal unit is mounted, the back portion blends in with surrounding tile, wherein the back portion defines an opening therein; and 
 ii) an upstanding projecting portion extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the front surface, the projecting portion having two lateral and substantially parallel sides with at least one recess on one side for holding a separate accessory, wherein the projecting portion is received in the opening in the back portion, and wherein the back portion and projecting portion form an integral unit after installation, and further wherein at least one recess of the universal unit is adapted and configured to permit the exchange of a plurality of different types of accessories to permit the universal unit to be used to construct a plurality of different types of bathroom fixtures. 
   
   
   
       2 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein only one of the accessories is mounted in the universal unit at a given time. 
   
   
       3 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal unit can accommodate accessories chosen from the group consisting of a toilet tissue spindle, a shelf, a grab bar and a towel bar when used in cooperation with a second universal unit to create different types of bathroom fixtures. 
   
   
       4 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the Universal Unit consists essentially of a monolithic structure without moving parts after being installed. 
   
   
       5 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes an accessory selected from the group consisting of a soap dish, a toothbrush holder and a tumbler holder, wherein the accessory is mounted into the recess in the universal unit to form a bathroom fixture when the projecting portion of the universal unit is oriented in a generally horizontal orientation, when mounted, and the recess projects in a generally vertical direction, when mounted. 
   
   
       6 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further includes a second universal unit and an accessory selected from the group consisting of a toilet tissue spindle, a shelf, a grab bar, a towel bar and a soap dish in combination with a grab bar, wherein the accessory is mounted into the recess in each universal unit to form a bathroom fixture when the projecting portion of the universal unit is oriented in a generally vertical orientation when mounted and the recess projects in a generally horizontal direction when mounted. 
   
   
       7 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the back portion is generally rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       8 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 7 , wherein the front surface of the back portion is generally square in shape. 
   
   
       9 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the back portion is generally hexagonal in shape. 
   
   
       10 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the projecting portion may be rotatably received in the back portion to permit rotational angulation of the universal unit during installation. 
   
   
       11 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the universal unit is made of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramic, plastic, metal, and a composite of different materials. 
   
   
       12 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 11 , wherein the universal unit and back portion are made from cultured marble. 
   
   
       13 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 11 , wherein the universal unit and back portion are made from polymethyl methacrylate. 
   
   
       14 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the rear surface of the back portion of the universal unit is serrated to form lugs and depressions between the lugs for improved adhesion to a wall. 
   
   
       15 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , further comprising a ceramic tile surround system to complement the universal unit. 
   
   
       16 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the back portion has a decorative edge on the front surface. 
   
   
       17 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 1 , wherein the back portion includes a recess having a cross-section with a dovetail shape for receiving the projecting portion therein. 
   
   
       18 . A universal tile accessory system comprising:
 a) a universal unit for use singly or in pairs, the universal unit having:
 i) a back portion with a substantially flat front surface and a substantially flat rear surface adapted for mounting on a wall, wherein the back portion of the universal unit has dimensions of a standard ceramic tile, whereby when the universal unit is mounted, the back portion blends in with surrounding tile, wherein the back portion defines a substantially circular opening therein; and 
 ii) a projecting portion extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the front surface, the projecting portion having two lateral and substantially parallel sides with at least one recess on one side for holding a separate accessory, wherein the projecting portion is rotatably received in the opening in the back portion, and further wherein at least one recess in the projecting portion is adapted and configured to permit the exchange of a plurality of different types of accessories to permit the universal unit to be used to construct a plurality of different types of bathroom fixtures. 
   
   
   
       19 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 18 , wherein the perimeter of the opening in the back portion includes a plurality of radially displaced lugs that are adapted to interdigitate with radially displaced lugs on one end of the projecting portion. 
   
   
       20 . The universal tile accessory system of  claim 18 , wherein the perimeter of the opening in the back portion includes a circumferential groove for receiving material to secure the projecting portion to the back portion.