Abstract:
A columbarium suitable for indoor or outdoor placement includes a plurality of niche units carried by a supporting framework, the niche units being independently assembleable and disassembleable from the supporting framework as often as desired prior to activation but, upon activation, being permanently connected to the framework, each niche unit having means for creating a non-air atmosphere within the niche unit upon activation of the niche unit, each niche unit having four seals protecting the niche unit interior.

Description:
This invention pertains generally to interment structures and more specifically to a columbarium consisting of a support structure and one, or more frequently a plurality, of niche units received in the support structure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There has been an increase in demand for use of columbariums as a method of interment due to a number of factors which have become increasingly relevant in modern society including a definite trend toward cremation and the decreasing space available in existing cemeteries, particularly in urban areas where cemetery space can no longer be expanded. The same space pressure exists in churches of many faiths which have in the past allowed interment within the walls of the sanctuary As with outdoor cemetery interment, a great many sanctuaries cannot be expanded to accommodate further interments and yet the need exists to provide indoor final resting places, particularly in churches which have been long established. 
     A number of columbarium structures have been proposed, and used, in recent years but nearly all such structures have one or several drawbacks which have prevented any single construction to become the standard. For example, it is always desired that the final appearance be dignified and impressive, and this requirement is most often met by the use of a face plate, often made of marble or other majestic stone, attached to, but not forming a part of, the box or niche in which the remains are held. A face plate requires the use of exteriorly accessible means for fastening the face plate to the niche, and such exterior fastening means tend to detract from the dignity and mood of reverence with which people view the crypt. If the exterior fastening means are ornate, or simple, they run the risk of going out of fashion with the passage of time. If the exterior fastening means are not perfectly aligned and rigidly maintained, they enormously detract from the aesthetic appearance of the individual niche and the columbarium as a whole. And the use of exterior fastening means is subject to defacement by vandals, particularly in outdoor settings. 
     One of the most difficult attributes to achieve in an individual niche unit is providing the capability of quickly removing the face plate from the niche unit at the time the niche unit must be opened to receive remains, and then just as easily replacing and then permanently securing the face plate in place. 
     Many current assemblies, consisting essentially of a box or niche and an associated niche cover, also have drawbacks which have not been fully resolved in an economical manner. As one example, most niche assemblies are so designed that they do not form a sealed space into which a container containing the remains are placed. Rather such niche assemblies usually rely on the surrounding support structure and the face plate to form a receiving space and such an arrangement is very seldom, if ever, effectively sealable. Thus the remains are placed in a sealed container which is placed within the space defined by the niche assembly, and hence only one sealed enclosure protects the remains. Changes in atmospheric pressure and the passage of time can on occasion degrade the sealed container received from the crematorium and thus the remains may eventually be exposed to the degenerating effect of ambient air and, in some localities, the danger of storm water, particularly in outdoor ground level environments. 
     One or some of the above mentioned drawbacks have been overcome in a few known designs, but no current design eliminates all of the above drawbacks in a single design. Even those constructions which eliminate one or some of the above drawbacks have the further disadvantage that the drawback is only overcome by means which are expensive or difficult to work with, and usually both. U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,055 is an example of a known construction which eliminates aesthetically displeasing exterior fastening means, but it does so only by the use of complex parts, some of which have to be destroyed and replaced when a niche unit is to be activated. Further, it is inherently incapable of providing a double sealed system since clearance must always be provided for severing the connecting pins which hold the face plate in position when the niche unit is to be activated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a columbarium and a niche unit therefor which (1) may be located on either a horizonal or vertical surface indoor or outdoor with no decrease in its functionality, (2) provides a double seal for the interred remains, (3) is substantially unaffected by changes in atmospheric pressures and/or the passage of time so that maximum protection is provided to the remains, (4) is inexpensive, compared to existing inferior constructions at least, (5) is well adapted to being formed in large measure from inexpensive materials such as plastics and standardized structural steel components, (6) contains a minimum of individual parts compared to existing patented constructions, (7) presents an appearance of maximum aesthetic impression both before and after activation, (8) provides reinforced atmospheric sealing by the use of negative pressure and, if desired, a neutral atmosphere, (9) is light weight and mobile, and (10) is easily disassembled and reassembled in the event the need arises at a later date to obtain access to the interior or move the unit to a different location, such as to an upper floor from a lower floor. 
     Among its significant features are a two piece plastic niche assembly which can be easily held in place by simple hand pressure while awaiting activation and, when activation is required, just as readily reclosed and permanently scaled, and a niche assembly within which a negative pressure can be obtained or a neutral atmosphere created so that the niche assembly is virtually immune to atmospheric conditions. A further feature is a third seal which utilizes the face plate as a component of the third seal thereby utilizing the face plate as a functional element to eliminate the possibility of vermin, such as insects and mice, from gaining access to the interior, as well as an aesthetic feature. Yet a further feature is a simple spring clip means which connects the face plate to the niche assembly in two relationships, the first being a temporary non-sealed multi-activation relationship and the second being a permanent non-activateable rigid sealing relationship. 
     The foregoing and other functions and advantages not specifically mentioned will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing in which 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of a 16 unit columbarium attached, in this instance, from a vertical wall surface though it could be used in a free standing condition which, in many locations, would be the preferred condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cross section through a portion of FIG. 1 showing two left niche units in top plan view; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the means for mounting the individual units to the supporting structure with the right side broken away for clarity, this Figure showing the niche unit in an activated condition; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view with parts broken away through the means for mounting a face plate to its associated box; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the box assembly with the face plate omitted for clarity; 
     FIG. 6 is a section view taken substantially along the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5 with the lower portion of the box broken away; 
     FIG. 7 is a section view taken substantially along the line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a section view taken substantially along the line  8 — 8  of FIG. 5 to an enlarged scale with the lower portion of the box broken away; 
     FIG. 9 is a section view taken substantially along the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 5 to an enlarged scale with the lower portion of the box broken away; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the top portion of the exterior of the box; 
     FIG. 11 is a view of the bottom of the box shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the cover of the box assembly; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a view of the underside of the face plate prior to its connection to the box assembly; 
     FIG. 15 is a side view to an enlarged scale of a portion of the face plate of FIG. 14 showing particularly one of the connecting clips in side view; 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 15 shown in its condition prior to securement to the face plate; and 
     FIG. 17 is an end view of the clip of FIG.  16 . 
    
    
     Like reference numerals will be used to refer to like or similar parts from Figure to Figure in the drawing in the following detailed description of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The columbarium of this invention is indicated generally in a fully assembled form at  10 . In this instance the columbarium is shown mounted to a vertical surface, here a wall  11 , by means which will be described hereafter. It will be understood that the columbarium can be mounted on a horizontal surface, such as an indoor or outdoor concrete base, or a wood base for an indoor location. It will also be understood that the columbarium is shown as it would appear if it is empty, partially filled, or completely full; the eye of the observer cannot detect the degree of utilization of the columbarium. In the event owners of the individual units wish to attach a nameplate to a unit, they may do so assuming it is the policy of the columbarium proprietor to give such permission and, if so, then the observer can deduce that some at least of the units have been used. 
     In this instance 16 individual units have been shown, two of the units being indicated generally at  12  and  13 . 
     The exterior housing, which forms part of the support means for the individual units, is indicated generally at  15 , the housing including top panel  16 , two side panels  17  and  18 , and a base  19 . The panels and base may be made of any suitable material depending on location. If the columbarium is mounted indoor the panels and/or base may be made of wood or metal, but if mounted outdoor metal or a more weather resistant material, such as concrete, may be used. The exterior edge of top panel  16  is indicated at  20 , the exterior or exposed edges of side panels  17  and  18  at  21  and  22  respectively, and the exterior edge of base  19  at  23 . Three T-shaped vertical dividers which extend from the base  19  to top panel  16  are indicated generally at  25 ,  26  and  27 , and two L-shaped vertical dividers, see FIG. 2, are indicated generally at  28  and  29 . Five series of horizontal dividers are indicated generally at  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34 . In this instance the vertical dividers  25 - 29  extend from the base  23  to the top panel  16  and the individual dividers, such as  35  and  36  in series  32  extend only between their flanking vertical dividers. 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, two adjacent niche units are indicated generally at  38  and  39 . Each niche unit includes a niche assembly, indicated generally at  40 ,  41 , each niche assembly consisting of a niche  42 ,  43  and an associated cover  78 . See FIGS. 5 and 6. The niche unit  38  consists of niche assembly  40  and a face plate  46  (see also FIGS. 3,  4  and  14 ) connected thereto, and by like token niche unit  39  consists of niche assembly  41  and a face plate  47  connected thereto. 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2,  7  and  11  it will be noted from FIGS. 7 and 11 that niche  42  has two grooves  51  and  52  formed in the bottom  53  thereof, each groove extending to the far edge of the outer plane of bottom  53 . 
     Referring now again to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the support means  55  for the niche units consists of, in this instance, a metal frame composed of standardized metal units, the frame including horizontal rear support channels, one of which is shown at  56  in FIG. 2, and horizontal front support channels, one of which is shown at  57 . The front support channel  57  is secured to a horizontal spacer  58 , see FIG. 2, at each of its ends. The spacers  58 , one of which underlies at least each of the top three horizontal rows of niches, are secured by any suitable means to end structure, indicated at  59 , the end structure  59  in turn forming a support structure to which the side panel  17  may be secured. 
     As will be readily seen from (1) the absence of any structure in the space between niches  42  and  43  in FIG. 2, and (2) the rigid spatial positioning of the niches  42 ,  43  resulting from the seating of the horizontal rear support channel  56  into the grooves  51  in the rear of each niche  42 ,  43 , that only a second end structure  59  at the right end of the columbarium shown in FIG. 1 is required to provide a rigid, self-standing support means  55 . 
     It will be understood that, while the front horizontal support member  57  lies just beneath the open end of niches  42  and  43  to form a rigid base on which the front end portion of the niches can rest, the rear horizontal support channel  56  is at the level of the middle of the niches  42  and  43  in their FIG. 2 position. In this position the support channel  56  mates with the groove  52  in the bottom of the niches  42  and  43 , thereby, in cooperation with the front support channel  57 , maintaining the niches in a stable, horizontal position. 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that a plurality of flat vertical uprights  61 ,  62  and  63  extend upwardly from the lower front support channel  57  and are secured at their upper ends to an upper front support channel, not shown. From FIG. 3 which illustrates upright  62  to a larger scale than FIG. 2, it will be seen that the vertical T-divider  25  is connected to the upright  62  by fastener  64 . As a consequence the outer edges  65 ,  66  of the cross bar of the T-divider  25  form abutments which preclude sideways movement of a niche as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. As seen in FIG. 3, the undersides of the cross bar of T-divider  25  engage an outwardly projecting portion of the rim portion of niches  42  and  43  to further preclude rearward movement of the niches and prevent front wobble. 
     It will be noted that T-divider  25  is made of wood so that fastener  64  may be a wood screw. The advantage of using wood is that the exposed end face  67  of the T-divider will present a wood grain surface to the viewer which is aesthetically pleasing in this environment. A T-shaped metal channel could of course be used if desired with minimal modifications. 
     The niches  42 ,  43  are illustrated in larger detail in FIGS. 3,  6 - 8 ,  10  and  11 . From FIGS. 3,  6  and  8  it will be seen that the slightly upwardly and outwardly tapering walls  70  of the niche terminate in an annular flange  71  which has an outwardly facing seating surface  72 . An annular collar portion  73  extends further upwardly and outwardly (as best viewed in FIG. 8) and terminates in an upper flange  74  having an upper smooth sealing surface  75 . The extremity of flange  74  has a down turned lip  76  which in turn has a circular notch or undercut indicated at  77 . 
     The flange  71  and the outwardly extending collar  73  form seat  72  which receives an associated cover indicated generally at  78  whose features will be described hereinafter, the cover  78  resting on seating  72  and forming, with the niche  42 , the niche assembly. It will be noted that, when the niche unit is activated, suitable sealant/adhesive will be present between the seating surface  72  and the aligned portion of the bottom of cover  78 , as viewed in FIG. 8, and extending upwardly between the interior wall surface of collar portion  73  and abutting portion of the edge of cover  78 . No sealant/adhesive is shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to indicate a niche assembly in unactivated condition and for ease of description. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3,  5 ,  6  and  11  it will be seen, from FIGS. 3,  6  and  11  particularly, that eight bosses  79  are formed on the underside (as viewed in FIG. 11) of the upper flange  74 . Each of the bosses has an aperture  80 , see FIGS. 3 and 6, and a countersink  81 . By reference to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the niche  43  is rigidly anchored to the T-divider  25 , and hence the support means for the niche (including vertical upright  62 ) by a fastener  82 , here a wood screw whose head is beneath the sealing surface  75  of the upper flange  74 . 
     The cover  78  is illustrated best in FIGS. 3,  5 - 8 ,  12  and  13 . Referring initially to FIGS. 12 and 13 the cover  78  is seen to consist of a flat plate  85  with four rounded comers. An edge wall  86  extends outwardly for a short distance about the periphery of flat plate  85  as best seen in FIGS. 3,  6 - 8  and  13 . A central, circular reinforcement web collar is indicated at  87  and four reinforcement webs  88  extend outwardly from the collar to provide structural rigidity to the cover. An air exhaust aperture is shown at  89  for reception of a conventional valve, preferably a needle valve, for the purpose of drawing a vacuum within the niche assembly after remains have been placed in the niche  43  and the cover  78  sealed to the niche  43  by the use of a sealing adhesive between the exterior surface  90 , see FIGS. 3,  12  and  13 , of the wall  86  and the interior surface  91 , see FIGS. 3 and 6, of the annular collar portion  73  of the niche  43 . 
     Cover  78  includes four locking dogs  93 , see FIGS. 7,  12  and  13 , which project outwardly from edge wall  86  of the cover, each dog  93  being located, in this instance, at the mid-point of the four sides of edge wall  86 , see particularly FIG.  12 . Each dog  93  fits within a socket  94 , see FIGS. 7 and 10, in the annular collar portion  73  of niche  43 , one socket  94  being provided at the mid-point of the four sides of the collar portion  73 . 
     An oblong depression  95 , see FIGS. 5 and 7, is formed in the outer surface of upper flange  74  to receive identifying indicia. 
     The face plate  46  which provides the viewed surface of the niche unit  12  is shown best in FIGS. 3,  4 ,  14  and  15 . As best seen in FIG. 14, face plate  46  is rectangular in shape and dimensioned to fit snugly in the space defined by an adjacent pair of vertical T- and L-dividers  25 - 29  and an adjacent pair of front horizontal support channels  57 . 
     The face plate  46  is connected to a niche assembly  40  or  41  by four spring clips indicated generally at  98 , see FIGS.  4  and  14 - 17  particularly. Each spring clip  98  is formed from sheet or strip stock by conventional forming methods and includes a U-shaped base having two legs  99  spaced apart by bight  100 . A J-shaped connector  101 , see FIG. 15, extends outwardly from the base and includes a resilient depressible hook  102 . A spring clip  98  is secured to each corner of the interior side of the face plate  46  by any suitable means, but glue is the preferred means. Four apertures  103  are formed in the legs  99  of the clip, one aperture at each end of each leg. After glue is applied and the clip is pressed against the interior surface of face plate  46 , excess glue  104  will ooze into, and sometimes all the way through, the apertures  103 , see FIG.  4 . 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4,  5 ,  9  and  14  it will be noted from FIGS. 5 and 9 that a depression  105  is formed in the comers on the sealing surface  75  of the flange  74  of the niche  46 . A rectangular shaped aperture  106  is formed in each depression  105  as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 11. Three of the four walls which form each rectangular aperture are smooth and uninterrupted as represented by the right side of the aperture  106  shown in FIG. 4, but one side has a projection  107 . When a face plate  46  having clips  98  secured thereto is assembled to a niche assembly, the ramp portion  108  of the clip will slide on projection  107  while in contact with it, and then will snap into the position of FIG. 4 when the interior surface  109  of face plate  46  moves into abutting contact with the flat sealing surface  75  of the niche  43  as seen in FIG.  4 . 
     Suitable sealing material may be placed between sealing surface  75  on the niche assembly and that footprint of the interior surface  109  of niche  43  which makes contact with sealing surface  75 . A seal ring  110 , which is shown only slightly compressed in FIG. 4 since it passes through the depression  105 , represents sealing means generally between the niche assembly and the niche unit, or, alternatively, simply adhesive means in depression  105 . 
     One unique feature of the invention is the easy removeability and reconnection of the face plate  46  to the niche assembly  40  any desired number of times prior to activation, together with a strong mechanical locking action following activation. Thus, by reference to FIGS. 1,  5 ,  11  and  14 , and particularly FIGS. 5 and 14, it will be noted that the longer dimension of the two apertures  106  at the top of FIG.  5  and the major axis of the two clips at the top of FIG. 14 lie in the same direction. By the same token, the longer dimension of the two apertures  106  at the bottom of FIG.  5  and the major axis of the two clips at the bottom of FIG. 14 also lie in the same direction, which direction is 90° offset from the longer dimensions at the top of said Figures. When the face plate  46  of FIG. 14 is assembled to the niche assembly of FIG. 5 in the relationship shown in said Figures, that is, with face plate  46  rotated 180° about its central vertical axis in FIG. 14 to engage the niche assembly  40  of FIG. 5, the strong mechanical locking action illustrated in FIG. 4 will be the result. In the FIG. 4 condition, the face plate  46  is virtually impossible to remove from the niche assembly  40 , and thus FIG. 4 represents the activated condition. 
     However, if the face plate  46  of FIG. 14 is rotated 90° in the plane of the paper prior to being rotated 180° about its central vertical axis, that is, the face plate is re-oriented with respect to the niche assembly, and then assembled to the niche assembly  40  of FIG. 5, no mechanical locking action will occur. Specifically, if the ramp  108  of clip  98  engages either the right wall or the rear wall of aperture  106  in FIG. 4 (that is, if the spring clip  98  is rotated 90° in either direction from its illustrated FIG. 4 position), the ramp portion  108  and nose  111  of the clip  98  will engage one of the three flat walls of aperture  106  and the clip will be compressed to a greater extent than the condition shown in FIG. 4, but no interfering or locking engagement between the clip and the aperture  106  will occur. In other words, when the four spring clips  98  hold a face plate  46  to a niche by means of spring generated pressure between the clips and the apertures  106 , the niche unit is in an unactivated condition since it is only necessary to overcome the spring pressure generated between two sliding surfaces to separate the face plate  46  from the balance of the niche assembly, and this may be done repeatedly before placement of a container in the niche. However, when, as just mentioned, the face plate is rotated 180° with respect to a niche to cause the spring clips  98  to form a mechanical locking engagement with the projections  107  of apertures  106 , then the niche unit is in an assembled condition which is the condition it takes upon placement of a container holding remains therein. 
     Thus in a multi-unit columbarium, only a portion of the niche units may be activated; i.e.: contain remains, and yet the exterior appearance of all niche units is identical. Those units which have been activated will be strongly mechanically locked in place to the point where the face plate  46  would have to be destroyed or partially broken away to gain access to the interior. At the same time, those niche units which have not been activated, yet in appearance are identical to the activated units, can be easily disassembled, and reassembled if desired, prior to activation. When activated, the interior space of each niche unit is protected by four seals; i.e., the valve in aperture  89 , the sealant between the cover and the niche, the sealant between the face plate  47  and sealing surface  75 , and the seal  110 . It is believed that this feature is unique in the industry. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail it will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the foregoing exemplary description, but rather only by the scope of the hereafter appended claims when interpreted in light of the relevant prior art.