Mounting system for decorator tiles

Abstract

A mounting base has upturned edges that can be used in tile applications to hold a magnetized decorator tile. The mounting base may be a powder coated galvanized metal box, for example, that may retain a decorator tile having a magnet attached to a backside thereof. The mounting base may be installed in a tile installation at a location where a consumer may desire a decorator tile. The consumer may be able to place, remove and exchange various decorator tiles in the mounting base affordably and with ease, without compromising the integrity of the rest of the tile. The mounting base may be sized and shaped to accept various standard tile sizes, as well as custom sizes and shapes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tile installation system comprising:
 a mounting base adapted to be installed in place of a stationary tile in a tile installation;   a decorator tile adapted to removably fit into the mounting base;   a bonding agent adapted to secure the mounting base in place; and   a magnet adapted to be adhered to a backside of a decorator tile, the magnet being magnetically attracted to the mounting base.   
     
     
         2 . The tile installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting base has upturned sides. 
     
     
         3 . The tile installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting base is formed from a powder coated galvanized metal. 
     
     
         4 . The tile installation of  claim 3 , wherein the mounting base is colored to coordinate with a grout color used in the tile installation. 
     
     
         5 . A method of installing tile with an exchangeable decorator tile, the method comprising:
 choosing a location for the decorator tile;   installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location;   adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and   placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising grouting up to upturned sides of the mounting base. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising installing stationary tiles adjacent to the mounting base. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising removing a first decorator tile from the mounting base and replacing the first decorator tile with a second decorator tile by adhering a magnet to a backside of the second decorator tile and placing the second decorator tile into the mounting base. 
     
     
         9 . A method for providing a consumer with an exchangeable decorator tile, the method comprising:
 choosing a location for the decorator tile;   installing a mounting base with a bonding agent at the location;   installing stationary tiles adjacent to the mounting base;   grouting up to upturned sides of the mounting base;   adhering a magnet on a backside of the decorator tile; and   placing the decorator tile into the mounting base, wherein the decorator tile is retained in the mounting base by magnetic attraction.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising removing a first decorator tile from the mounting base and replacing the first decorator tile with a second decorator tile by adhering a magnet to a backside of the second decorator tile and placing the second decorator tile into the mounting base.