Flexible tile wall system

Abstract

A wall system comprising a flexible frame and modular tile assemblies. The flexible frame includes a plurality of spaced apart, generally parallel vertical posts and a plurality of spaced apart, generally parallel support members mounted with the vertical posts and pivotally connected to each other. The modular tile assemblies are removably mounted with the frame along the vertical posts and the support members.

1 . A wall system comprising: 
 a flexible frame including a plurality of spaced apart, generally parallel vertical posts and a plurality of spaced apart, generally parallel support members mounted with said vertical posts and pivotally connected to each other; and    modular tile assemblies removably mounted with said frame on said vertical posts and said support members.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said posts have mounting openings and said support members have pass-through openings, and wherein said frame further comprises a plurality of pins, said pins disposed in said mounting and pass-through openings so as to mount said support members with said vertical posts.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said mounting openings are disposed along a vertical centerline of said posts and said pass-through openings are disposed along a vertical centerline of said support members.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said posts has a threaded stud attached at one end therof, and wherein said frame further comprises a support leg removably attached to said threaded stud, said support leg adapted to support said frame on a floor in a spaced apart relationship with said floor.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said posts has a threaded stud attached at one end therof, said threaded stud positioned in a hole of a ceiling portion and engaging a threaded nut so as to secure said frame to said ceiling portion.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a support member includes a plurality of integral cross-shaped configurations joined at opposite vertical ends thereof in a linear arrangement.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said frame includes a plurality of hinges attached to opposite horizontal ends of said cross-shaped configurations, wherein said hinges pivotally connect adjoining support members.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein each of said tile assemblies comprises an outer tile element and an inner tile element.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said outer tile element has a generally rounded square periphery and a convex face.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said outer tile element is made of plastic.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said outer tile element comprises a cross brace having at least one locator opening shaped to receive and securely hold one of said pins so as to removably mount said outer tile element on one of said posts.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said locator opening is slotted.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said inner tile element has a generally rounded square periphery and a generally planar face.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein said inner tile element is made of plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said inner tile element comprises a mounting flange having at least one locator opening shaped to receive and securely hold one of said pins so as to removably mount said inner tile element on one of said support members that is mounted with one of said posts.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein said locator opening is slotted.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said inner tile element comprises a face having an exterior surface covered by a decorative membrane.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said inner tile element comprises a flexible cross-shaped brace having a pair of generally perpendicular horizontal and vertical arms and a customizable tile frame, each of said horizontal and vertical arms having an inwardly curved lip at each end thereof, wherein said tile frame is securely received in said brace.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said vertical arm has at least one locator opening shaped to receive and securely hold one of said pins.