Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Burial vault – Compartmented
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-06-26
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Burial vault
Compartmented
C052S142000, C052S749100, C052S651010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250025
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to free standing and tiered burial construction assemblies and, more particularly, to a quickly and efficiently assembleable columbarium or niche tower capable of enclosing and holding, in a permanent and dignified manner, a great plurality of individual burial remains and more particularly cremated remains.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art is well documented with numerous examples of freestanding burial niche and mausoleum structures, the purpose for which being to provide multiple and multi-tier burial enclosures for both cremated and non-cremated remains. The provision of such structures makes possible the storage of large numbers of burial caskets, crematory urns and the like.
A first example of a free-standing, prefabricated cremation memorial is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,505, issued to Larkin, III et al. and which teaches a base member prefabricated of aluminum framework and including a first plurality of underground chambers. An upright framework is supported on the base and includes a further large plurality of niches. The base member is supported on concrete footings and further is constructed as a three-dimensional framework to provide support for the upright portion of the memorial.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,594, issued to LePage, teaches a niche panel/modular urn holder and which teaches niche panels utilized for the top, bottom and side surfaces of the niche and being connected together by corner connectors that slidably connect to the ends of the panels in a snap-fit manner. The panels each further include two panel members which are snap-fit together to provide for the hollow panel. Metal strips may be added along the perimeter of each panel between the hollow halves of the members to provide extra rigidity to the panel frame. Each of the panels is molded to contain recesses to allow shelves to slidably engage within the recesses to subdivide the niche into smaller compartments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,045, issued to Giannarelli, teaches a mausoleum construction formed from a plurality of crypt structures, each having a generally tubular plastic crypt liner surrounded at side, roof and floor portions thereof by set concrete. U.S. Pat. No, 5,134,758, issued to Christensen, teaches a niche construction and method including a wall of reinforced concrete which has a surface with recesses formed therein, the recesses having openings which extend to the surface. Box liners of non-combustible plastic material have fiberglass fibers disposed therein and are respectively disposed within the recesses. An adhesive adherent to the liner and the concrete is disposed on the exterior surface of the liner and the interior of the recess and forms a bond between the box liner and the reinforced concrete to prevent removal of the box liner.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a quickly and easily assembleable columbarium and, more specifically, a crematorium niche repository tower for holding individual quantities of burial remains in an aesthetically dignifying and permanent fashion. The advantages imparted by the assembleable repository tower of the present invention include the strength and relatively light weight of the assembleable components, as well as the provision of additional and variable covering fascia to adapt the look and presentation of the tower to specific tastes. The repository tower is specifically suited for being transported in a portable fashion, such as on a two wheel cart, and is easily assembleable in both indoor and outdoor locations by an individual working alone.
The niche tower includes a substantially planar shaped and platform base having a selected thickness and an upwardly facing surface. One preferred embodiment contemplates the base being provided as a separate piece of concrete or granite which is properly supported upon a ground location. In an alternative embodiment, the platform is incorporated into the floor of a surrounding structure such as a burial mausoleum or the like.
A first plurality of elongate members are provided and which include first, second, third and fourth elongate extending faces in cross section. Each of the faces further includes a pair of first and second spaced apart and lengthwise extending and recessed channels formed therein. A first end of each member engages with the platform base and a second end extends upwardly. Anchoring of the first elongate members is facilitated in one embodiment by the provision of angled floor plates for engaging the first ends upon the upwardly facing surface of the platform base. Each of the first plurality of members further includes a webbed configuration as viewed in cross section and which defines an axially extending and substantially hollowed central interior, such that the weight associated with the elongate members is greatly reduced without any significant impact to their structural capabilities.
A second plurality of elongate members, each of the second plurality of members having first and second oppositely extending ends from which project axially extending screws, the screws are aligned with a recessed channel selected from each of a pair of spaced apart and first elongate members. Each of the second members also includes first, second, third and fourth, elongate extending faces in cross section, each of the faces further including a lengthwise extending and recessed channel formed therein. A similar webbed configuration in cross section may be provided in lengthwise extending manner for each of the second elongate members, provided the ends of the second members support the axially extending screws through a centerline of the second member.
Once positioned in aligning fashion with the recessed channels of the first elongate members, each second member is rotated in a tightening direction to secure the second member in a cross wise extending fashion between the pair of first elongate members. In this fashion, the second plurality of elongate members is assembled in cross wise extending fashion and at selected vertical locations between the first vertically extending members so that the tower of a specified height is constructed and establishes first, second, third and fourth upwardly extending sides in cross section. The preferred embodiment of the invention also contemplates the use of an 8020 aluminum extrusion in the first and second elongate members and which, in combination with the webbed cross sectional configuration of the elongate members, significantly reduces the weight of the underlying tower frame without any appreciable degradation of its structural load bearing characteristics.
In a further preferred variant, the axially extending screws of the second and crosswise extending elongate members may be replaced by angled and substantially “L” shaped brackets for securing respective ends of the cross members at specified vertical locations to the vertically upwardly extending members. In a yet further embodiment, the cross members are held in a compressed and fixed manner by additional cross wise extending compression bars. Each of the compression bars include appropriately shaped ends for slidably engaging within rearward and parallel extending recessed channels of the pair of extending channels in each of the first plurality of elongate extending members. The compression bars extend in parallel and spaced fashion relative to the second cross wise members and the compression bars may further be located in cross sectional and interconnecting fashion proximate the upwardly extending end of the constructed columbarium (niche tower). Additional such compression bars may be arranged in interconnecting fashion at intermediate and/or lower ends of the upwardly extending members.
A plurality of niche members are engageable with each of four upwardly extending sides established by the constructed tower. The niche members each including a substantially rectangular outline defined by a peripherally extending lip, opposite and vertically extending ed
Gifford, Krass, Groh Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
Greenwood, Inc.
Slack Naoko
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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