A modular columbarium system comprised of modular niche units each having a plurality of urn niches defined therein, wherein adjacent modular niche units are secured to one utilizing an interlocking system that provides alignment and stabilization of the units. The columbarium system is a modular design which facilitates the easy relocation of the modular niche units and the redesign of the columbarium system. The interlocking system connects the modules of the columbarium system to one another to enable easy expansion of the system without diminishing its stability. The modular niche units can also be used with existing columbarium systems. Memorial plates of various sizes are provided to cover the niche openings such that couples or family members can be grouped together under one memorial plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION: CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of the Provisional Application No. 60/850,522 entitled: MODULAR COLUMBARIUM SYSTEM, filed on Oct. 10, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to storage and display systems for containers holding cremation ashes or remains. In particular, the present invention relates to a columbarium system that is compact, modular and expandable. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Cremation of the remains of humans and animals, such as pets, has become increasingly popular in the recent years. For social, economic and religious reasons, people have turned to cremation of the remains of a deceased as an acceptable alternative to preservation and burial of the remains. Whether the remains of a deceased are preserved and buried or cremated, traditionally, there is a time honored need for memorialization of the deceased. Memorialization provides a visual symbol that functions as a reminder of the deceased. In most cases, this visual symbol is simply a location where the remains of an individual are afforded a physical resting place that can be identified by name and dates. Most families find that a memorial, regardless of its size, serves a basic human need to remember and to be remembered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, preparation of a deceased's remains by cremation, as with traditional burial, is simply one step in the memorialization process. Once a deceased's remains have been cremated, the final disposition of the cremated remains and the memorial selected for the remains must be selected. Such memorials are varied and numerous. 
         [0006]    Of course, one time honored tradition is to simply spread the remains in a location of significance to the deceased, such as a garden. In such cases, a plaque, tree, or similar reminder may be utilized as a visual symbol to remember the deceased. For remains that are contained in a permanent container, such as an urn, one option is to inter the remains in a burial chamber or family plot. Cemeteries often permit the interment of cremated remains of more than one person in a single adult space. Burial chambers are desirable in cases where casketed remains are to be interred with cremated remains. 
         [0007]    Another option for the memorialization of cremated remains is an urn garden or similar location specifically designed for the interment of cremated remains. Even with cremation, some desire ground or above-ground interment where a marker can be placed. 
         [0008]    Still yet another option for the memorialization of cremated remains is in a columbarium. A columbarium is an indoor or outdoor wall containing niches or recessed compartments in which urns are placed. Columbariums of the prior art are permanent structures that typically range in size from entire buildings to individuals walls. Such walls may be incorporated in rooms, chambers, alcoves, mausoleums, chapels or similar structures or may be freestanding. The niches of columbariums typically come in many sizes to accommodate the numerous and varied selection of urns that are available. Some niches are capable of containing two or more urns, such as for families. Niche coverings may be glass, marble, bronze, mosaic, granite or the like. 
         [0009]    One drawback to columbariums of the prior art is that they are fixed structures that are generally installed at the time of creation of the larger memorial. In this regard, the number of niches available is limited and expansion requires significant structural changes. For example, one of the most famous columbariums originally built in 1897 is the Columbarium on Loraine Court in San Francisco. The ornate structure was fixed in size and niche capacity and now requires new construction to add on wings for additional niches. In this same vein, these traditional columbarium systems are not easily installed, and once installed, are permanent in nature and cannot be relocated or moved. Likewise, fixed construction is typically expensive. Furthermore, since traditional columbariums are designed for their particular environment, indoor columbarium designs are not generally suitable for outdoor use. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular columbarium system that is flexible in construction, capacity, shape and look. Such a modular system would be easily expandable to meet increased capacity needs. While the system should be stable and secure when assembled, such a system should be readily capable of disassembly, transport and reassembly as desired. 
         [0011]    Such a modular system should be configurable as necessary to accommodate various space requirements, whether installed as a free-standing wall or installed in even small spaces such as unused alcoves and the like. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a columbarium system that is configured in an efficient manner such that a greater volume of cremation urns can be stored in the modular system than in the prior art columbarium systems. 
         [0013]    It is also desirable that such a modular system should be capable of installation either indoors or outdoors. 
         [0014]    These, and other, objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention provides a modular columbarium system generally comprising a base unit, a niche unit, a cap unit and an interlocking system that attaches niche units to one another. Each modular niche unit has a plurality of niches disposed therein into which an urn containing compacted cremains can be inserted. Preferably the number of niches is selected so as to permit the niche unit to be substantially square with evenly spaced apart niches. Multiple niche units can be secured on top of one another to form a niche column. Likewise, multiple niche units can be secured adjacent one another to form a niche wall. The base unit is a foundation unit which elevates and secures niche units in freestanding systems. The niche units are modular units that permit design flexibility, mobility and easy expansion. The interlocking system is generally comprised of pins/connectors and receptors provided in the tops and bottoms of niche units, and optionally on the rear and sides, to permit alignment between adjacent units and to secure units to one another. The interlocking system likewise provides stability to the overall columbarium system. 
         [0016]    In one preferred embodiment, memorial plates are use to cover the tubular niches. Memorial plates are preferably a standard size so as to cover a single niche. The memorial plates can be provided in a variety of materials and colors to permit design flexibility. In one preferred embodiment, the columbarium system includes security features such as security head screws and metal anchors to attach memorial plates to the niche units thereby protecting the niche contents. 
         [0017]    The cap unit is an optional decorative piece for the tops of niche columns. Cap units can also be placed between stacked niche units to provide relief therebetween. The benefits of a modular columbarium system include expandable columbaria, niche systems that can be reconfigured, easy columbarium relocation, and compact niches for reduced space. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention shown as an assembled unit and prepared to accept sealed urns. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the various parts of a modular columbarium system in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of two niche units attached adjacent one another to form a wall. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a single niche unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the interlocking system of the columbarium system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a freestanding columbarium wall formed of multiple niche units. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of multiple columbarium systems configured to have different heights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    In the detailed description of the invention, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout. Various items of equipment, such as fasteners, fittings, etc., may be omitted to simplify the description. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment can be employed as desired. 
         [0026]    With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , the modular columbarium system  8  comprises a plurality of niche units  10 . In the illustrated embodiment and as specifically shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each niche unit  10  includes a plurality of in a stacked, modular configuration. Each niche unit  10  includes a plurality of open tubes or urn niches  14  for receiving an ash urn  15 . Typically, the ash urn is sealed with a lid  17 . The ash urn is placed in the urn niche  14  and secured therein with a plate  19  which is mounted on the face of the niche unit  10  by a plurality of fasteners  21  received in holes  23 . The face of the plate  19  may be engraved with information about the contents of the urn. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the various parts of a modular columbarium system  8  in accordance with the present invention. The modular columbarium system  8  generally comprises modular niche units  10  and an interlocking system  22  to securing modular niche units  10  to one another. The modular niche units  10  can be secured to one another either in a stacked configuration to form a modular columbarium column ( FIG. 7 ) or a side-by-side configuration to form a modular columbarium wall ( FIG. 3 ) or in a combination thereof ( FIG. 2 ). Modular columbarium system  8  may further include a base unit  32  and a cap unit  34 . The base unit  32  is a foundation unit which secures and elevates modular niche units  10  for columbarium systems that are freestanding. In freestanding configurations, modular columbarium columns and walls of varying heights can be formed, as shown in  FIG. 7 , by stacking side-by-side modular niche units  10  on top of the base unit  32  and also other modular niche units  10  to form a modular columbarium column. Interlocking system  22  permits adjacent individual niche units  10  to be secured to one another, either vertically or horizontally. Interlocking system  22  can also function to secure modular niche units  10  to the topside of the base unit  32 , and to secure cap unit  34  to the top of modular niche units  10 . The cap unit  34  is an optional decorative piece for the tops of modular columbarium columns or relief between modular niche units  10 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of a single modular niche unit  10  in accordance with the present invention. The modular niche unit  10  is a block  12  in which is defined a plurality of niches  14  extending from the face  15  of block  12 . Each niche  14  is disposed for receipt of an urn  36  ( FIG. 2 ). While block  12  may be of any dimension so long as multiple niches  14  are defined in a single block, in the preferred embodiment, face  15  of block  12  is 12 inches×12 inches and is comprised of nine niches  14 , preferably set in a 3 inch×3 inch pattern. In an alternative embodiment, the number of niches is selected so as to permit the niche unit to be substantially square with evenly spaced apart niches. Likewise, while niches  14  can be sized to accommodate urns  36  of varying dimensions and shapes, the columbarium system  8  of the invention is particularly well suited for use with tubular shaped urns with compacted cremains disposed therein. Such urns are typically no larger than six inches in diameter and range from 8 inches to 14⅝ inches in length. In such case, niches  14  are tubular in shape and uniform in dimension. As such, a greater number of niches  14  can be defined in a single modular unit  10 . In one preferred embodiment, the outside diameter of the tubular niches  14  is approximately 3.67 inches. It is the compact and uniform nature of the urns, and hence the small diameter of the niches, that permits meaningful modularity of niche units  10 . 
         [0029]    In any event, as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , each niche unit  10  includes locking fasteners  16  and niche cover  18 . Niche covers  18  are individual plates that cover one or more niches  14 . For example, a niche cover  18  may be disposed to cover a single niche  14  or, groups of niches holding the cremains of couples or families. Niche covers  18  may serve as a memorial plate for the cremains disposed within a niche. Locking fasters  16  are preferably security head screws and metal anchors that removably secure niche covers  18  to face  15 , thereby allowing the cremation urn to be removed, viewed, and/or even transported to a different location. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 5  illustrate interlocking system  22  with more specificity.  FIG. 3  in particular, illustrates two modular niche units  10  attached side-by-side to one another utilizing interlocking system  22  to form a wall  20 , while  FIG. 5  illustrates the components of interlocking system  22 . More specifically, each modular niche unit  10  is defined by a top surface  17  and a bottom surface  19 . A plurality of locator pins  24  extend from top surface  17 , while a plurality of alignment apertures  26  are disposed in bottom surface  19 . Pins  24  and apertures  26  are positioned on their corresponding surfaces  17 ,  19 , respectively, so that pins  24  on the top of one unit  10  will seat in apertures  26  on the bottom of another unit  10  when the units are stacked on top of one another. In such alignment, adjacent faces  15  will be flush with one another. Thus, locator pins  24  and apertures  26  are used to both align stacked units  10  with one another and secure those units to one another. 
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment, a pin recess  28  is defined in top surface  17  around each pin  24  and extends from pin  24  to the edge of unit  10 . When adjacent units  10  are aligned to form a wall  20 , such as in  FIG. 3 , pin recesses  28  of the adjacent units  10  will be aligned such that a coextensive recess extends between adjacent pins  24 . A stabilizer strap  30  is then secured over adjacent pins  24 , thereby securing adjacent units  10  to one another. Preferably, stabilizer strap  30  has a thickness that is the same as or less than the depth of recess  28  so that stabilizer trap  30  will be flush with surface  17  when disposed around pins  24 . This will in turn permit adjacent units stacked on top of one another to fit flush with one another. Stabilizer strap may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and may be formed of any desirable material so long as the strap secures adjacent units  10  to one another. In one preferred embodiment, stabilizer strap  30  is metal. A fastener may be secured on pin  24  to ensure strap  30  remains engaged therewith. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the locator pins  24  and corresponding alignment apertures  26  may also be placed on the sides of units  10 . Likewise, pin recesses  28  may also be defined on the sides and back of each units  10 , thereby permitting stacked units  10  to be secured to one another along their vertical surfaces utilizing stabilizer straps  30  as described above. 
         [0033]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while the interlocking system  22  permits the formation of a stable and sturdy columbarium system  8 , it also permits system  8  to be readily broken down and disassembled for transport or altered as necessary for expansion of the capacity of columbarium system  8 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 and 7  both show a free-standing modular columbarium system.  FIG. 7  additionally shows a free-standing modular columbarium system as modular niche units  10  are added on top of an existing columbarium column so that the height of the column can be progressively increased as the need for additional niche space arises. In each of the Figures, a two column free-standing columbarium system  8  having a cap unit  34  attached to a modular niche unit  10 , which is attached to another modular niche unit  10 , which is then attached to a base unit  32 . Expansion of the columbarium system  8  can be easily achieved by lifting the cap unit  34  and placing a modular niche unit  10  followed by placing the cap unit  34  on top of the added modular niche unit  10 . This procedure of adding additional modular niche units  10  can be repeated until the desired height is reached. 
         [0035]    The modular columbarium system described herein provides many benefits over prior art columbaria and solves many deficiencies found in the prior art. The modular design of the niche units  10  allows columbarium systems to be built in phases, thus being truly expandable. The modular nature of the columbarium system  8  and niche units  10  also permits the columbarium system  8  to be more readily relocated or rearranged as desired. 
         [0036]    Since the size of urns containing compacted cremains as described above are only about 50% of the size of traditional urns, to the extent a columbarium system  8  of the invention is dimensioned for receipt of urns with such compacted cremains, a 12 inch×12 inch niche space of the present invention can easily fit nine cremation urns  36 , whereas the same space in a traditional columbarium would fit only one or two urns. 
         [0037]    Another advantage of the current invention is that niche covers or memorial plates  18  can be designed such that they can be fitted to cover one niche or multiple grouped niches so that couples or families can be covered by just one niche cover. This design allows family members to be placed under one cover so that they can be together even after death. 
         [0038]    The modular nature of the columbarium system  8  provides the ability to construct the system either as stand-alone units or as incorporated into some type of structure like a wall, fence or gazebo. In this same vein, the columbarium system can be easily customized in shape and size to fit in a desired space, or to increase the capacity of an existing system. 
         [0039]    Still yet another benefit of modular columbarium system  8  is that the niche units  10  they can be manufactured using almost any material, non-limiting examples including without limitation, marble, granite, wood or similar traditional columbarium materials, or even non-traditional materials such as concrete or plastics, the material being selected based on the particular specifications of a system. Selection criteria for materials may include the location of the system, i.e., indoors or outdoors, the need to resist mold, mildew, mausoleum insects or various natural or man made elements, or the need to satisfy certain maximum weight requirements. 
         [0040]    While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it is appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the following claims.