Undertaking – Miscellaneous
Utility Patent
1999-01-29
2001-01-02
Dayoan, B. (Department: 3628)
Undertaking
Miscellaneous
C027S035000, C052S128000, C052S136000
Utility Patent
active
06167600
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a columbarium system, and specifically relates to a storage container that can be used for erecting the columbarium system without the need for erecting a separate framework to support each storage container.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Columbarium systems are known in the art. A columbarium system or urn storage system provides for long term storage of cremated human remains. Columbariums are generally erected either in an exterior environment or within the confines of a building. It is therefore generally preferred to have a columbarium system that is designed to withstand external wind pressures and be weather tight. Various columbarium systems consisting of a plurality of framing members are known. Included among these systems are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,183,574 to Diem, 3,529,730 to Thompson, 3,754,805 to Pangburn et al., 3,841,726 to Andros et al., 4,614,066 to Koppenberg, 5,195,812 to Eickhof and 5,477,594 to LePage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,574 to Diem discloses an urn and frame construction comprising various shaped horizontal bars and urn support members vertically separated by spacer elements. The frame is designed to accommodate a specially constructed urn having a generally hexagonal cross-section shape.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,730 to Thompson discloses a repository for cremated remains having a plurality of storage tube members arrayed and supported in a close generally parallel side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship with a plurality of individual hollow urn containers. In one embodiment the plurality of storage tubes are supported by a frame consisting of horizontal and vertical frame members. In another embodiment a honey comb arrangement provides for the storage space for the urns.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,805 to Pangburn et al. discloses an urn storage assembly having a plurality of tubular storage members of generally rectangular cross-section, each member being shaped to receive cremated remain storage urns. The storage members are nested in abutting side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship to one another. The storage members are held together by securing means which engage the end corner portions of adjacent storage members.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,726 to Andros et al. discloses an urn storage assembly having a plurality of storage units in a generally rectangular array. Each storage unit has a generally rectangular cross-section. The assembly has a lattice-like framework comprising a plurality of intersecting, rigidly interconnected horizontal and vertical members, with each member being adapted to engage and receive the wall portions of the storage unit whereby the lattice-like framework forms a facial array for the storage assembly. The vertical and horizontal members are disposed along the plane defined by the outer edge of the wall portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,066 to Koppenberg discloses a modular columbarium structure made from a plurality of preformed modular units. The units are secured together utilizing brackets spanning coplanar walls of adjacent units, channel members of overlying parallel and adjacent front edges in units, and rosettes secured to the brackets and overlying ends of the channel members.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,812 to Eickhof discloses a columbarium that is a framework. The framework uses planar risers having brackets to support lightweight shelving.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,594 to LePage discloses an urn storage assembly for the internment of cremated remains. The storage assembly comprises a plurality of similar panel members that can be used for the top, bottom and side surfaces of niches formed therein. A corner connector is provided for holding the panels that are arranged perpendicularly together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,603 to Schorman discloses a storage container for human remains consisting essentially of a box and a lid, with the lid being held in place by a retaining ring. The exterior portion of the container has mating surfaces that allow a plurality of storage containers to be stacked together into an assemblage. The disclosure, however, does not provide for connecting the individual storage containers together, and therefore the stacked system of storage containers would be unable to withstand the wind pressures expected in a columbarium system that is erected outside and exposed to the elements.
All of the known columbarium or urn storage structures exemplified by those described above are undesirable because they are expensive to construct, and are unduly complex in their construction. It would be advantageous to provide a columbarium system which did not require a frame work, which is easy to construct and made from modular members which could create a number of different shaped systems, e.g. a cross or other configuration.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular storage container for use in a flexible columbarium system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage container that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a columbarium system that is easily erected without the use of a framework regardless of the configuration.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a columbarium system that can withstand external wind pressures without the use of a separate framework.
In accordance with one form of the present invention, a storage container for human remains includes walls that define an enclosure having an opening at one end and defining a rim therearound. The storage container has a mounting plate that is mechanically connected to the rim of the enclosure. The mounting plate includes at least one pair of tabs which are arranged at opposite side of the mounting plate. The mounting plate also has at least one pair of receiving grooves dimensioned for receiving a tab therein. Preferably, the mounting plate is shaped to form a polygon having an even number of sides. The receiving grooves are arranged at opposite sides of the mounting plate so that an arrangement of containers can be formed by the interlocking engagement of tabs and grooves when the containers are adjacently arranged. The enclosure can have a cross section that is either circular, ovular, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal.
In another form of the present invention, a storage container for human remains that is configured to allow a plurality of containers to be connected to form an arrangement includes a first mounting plate, a second mounting plate, and a tube. The first and second mounting plates have a perimeter, a thickness and opposite inner and outer surfaces. Preferably, the mounting plates are shaped to form either a triangle, rectangle, or polygon. The perimeter and thickness of the first mounting plate define a first mating surface, and the perimeter and thickness of the second mounting plate define a second mating surface. The tube has opposite first and second axial ends, a longitudinal axis and a perimeter that defines a bore having a cross-section. The tube is attached at the first axial end to the inner surface of the first mounting plate and is attached at the second axial end to the inner surface of the second mounting plate. An opening that is in communication with the bore is formed in at least one of the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The opening allows the cremated remains to be placed within the bore. The first mating surface and the second mating surface are configured to allow a plurality of containers to be connected at the first mating surface and the second mating surface to form an arrangement. Preferably, the inner surface of the first mounting plate is substantially orthogonally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube.
In preferred embodiments of both forms of the invention identified above, the cross-section can be either circular, ovular, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal. The storage container may also include a plug configur
Williams Frank
Williams Kevin C.
Dayoan B.
Everest Columbarium
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Miller William L.
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