Abstract:
An urn system includes means for configuring memorials tributes with urns as the centerpiece. Urns include cut-outs for receiving independent flanges or flanges connected to other elements or secondary members including other urns, display cases, frames, inscription plates, insert holders and the like. Each of the secondary members allows a substantive memorial to be created with numerous decorative and inspirational elements. Multiple urns can be linked to one another as well.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/081,161 filed Jul. 16, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an urn system wherein multiple urns may be connected to one another and/or a rigid surface (e.g., wall or supportive item). 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Urns take on many shapes and sizes, and are fabricated of numerous types of materials including wood, alloys, and plastics. Considering their purpose, conventional urns are essentially static and subdued in nature. However, there are situations in which it would be desirable to enhance an urn system such that multiple urns may be connected to one another to create a more dynamic presentation and tribute. Advantageously the urn should be configured for connection to a wall or other rigid structure. 
         [0004]    Moreover, urns have not been decorative or configurable with pieces of memorabilia associated with the deceased. Such features provide a more versatile urn system which may be tailored to celebrate the deceased. 
         [0005]    Thus, there exists a need for a more dynamic urn system. Advantageously, the urn system should be expandable, reconfigurable, decorative and attachable to rigid surfaces, like a wall or other supportive item. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is an urn comprising: a housing defining an interior space, said housing having at least one opening for accessing the interior space; closure means adapted to close said at least one opening; and one or more cut-outs on one or more exterior surfaces of said housing, said one or more cut-outs configured to receive flanges of secondary members. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment is an urn system comprising: a first urn connected to one or more of the following secondary members: one or more additional urns, one or more segments, one or more display cases, one or more brackets, one or more flange inserts, one or more inscription plates, one or more frames; and wherein said connection between said first urn and said secondary members is accomplished by mating flanges of said secondary members with corresponding cut-outs in one or more exterior surfaces of said first urn. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment is an urn comprising: housing defining an interior space, said housing having at least one opening for accessing the interior space; one or more end caps configured to attach to ends of the housing wherein at least one end cap serves to open and close said at least one opening; and wherein at least one of said end caps is configured to retain items of interest. 
         [0009]    The embodiments of the present invention allow a tribute comprising one or more urns to be easily created and altered using an urn attachment system. In addition, other decorative items, including frames, display cases, insert holders, accent rings and the like, may be connected to expand the tribute. 
         [0010]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate perspective views of a square urn according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an urn bracket adapted to attach a first urn to a second urn, or other attachment members; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates the urn bracket of  FIG. 2  being inserted into slots on an exterior surface of an urn; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a wall bracket adapted to receive the urn bracket; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a circular style urn according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  illustrate urn brackets configured to attach urns to one another; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   b  illustrates a perspective view of a circular style urn with and without decorative features in place; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a canister for containing artifacts and remains and configured for positioning within a circular urn; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   b  illustrate specialized end caps/lids; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates a frame member configured for placement between two urns; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   b  illustrate an inscription plate separately and in position on an urn; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 12   a - 12   c  illustrate various display cases for attachment to the urns; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 13   a - 13   c  illustrate a series of flange inserts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. 
         [0025]    Initial reference is made to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrating an urn  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The urn  100 , as shown, is substantially in the shape of a cube but any shape and size is possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Housing  110  defines an interior space  120  for receipt of items, including keepsakes and ashes, related to a person being memorialized. A threaded opening  130  in the housing  110  is accessed and closed by receiving a threaded lid  111 . 
         [0026]    One exterior surface of the urn  100  defines a recess  105  configured to receive a photo, paper or similar flat article. A pair of spaced slots  115  defined by protrusions  116  receive and retain a properly dimensioned photo, paper or similar article. While the recess  105 , slots  115  and protrusions  116  are shown on one exterior surface of the urn  100  only, it is understood that multiple exterior surfaces of the urn  100  can define such a recess  105  and include slots and protrusions for retaining a flat article. 
         [0027]    Another exterior surface of the urn  100  includes a pair of spaced cut-outs  140  extending along a height thereof. The cut-outs  140  are configured to receive a bracket member  150  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The bracket member  150  comprises a pair of spaced, elongated protrusions  155  with cross-sections matching the cross-section of the cut-outs  140 .  FIG. 3  shows the bracket member  150  partially inserted into the cut-outs  140 . 
         [0028]    Opposite the elongated protrusions  155  are two rows of teeth  160  joined in a parallel fashion. The teeth  160  are configured for attachment to a wall bracket member  170  shown in  FIG. 4 . The wall bracket member  170  comprises two rows of parallel, individual slot members  175 . A receiving slot member  180  is positioned at an end of each row of slot members  175 . In practice, the two rows of teeth  160  are received by the defined slot members  175  and receiving slot members  180  to attach the urn  100  to a wall or similar rigid member. The wall bracket member  170  includes three countersunk openings  185  for receipt of screws, nails or similar fastening means for attaching the wall bracket member  170  to a wall or similar rigid surface or item. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the bracket member  150 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is symmetric consisting of back-to-back pairs of spaced elongated protrusions such that multiple urns  100  may be connected to one another. 
         [0030]    A circular urn  101  is shown in  FIG. 5 . A housing  111  of the circular urn  101  defines an interior space  121 . A threaded opening  131  accommodates lid  190  via threaded portion  195 . In this embodiment, a bracket member  151  is symmetric such that multiple urns  101  may be connected to one another or a wall bracket. The bracket member  151  comprises two oppositely positioned, triangular projections  156  which are received by triangular cut-outs  141  in the exterior surface of the urn  101 .  FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  show alternative bracket designs. A first alternative bracket member  152  and flanges  153  are similar to bracket member  151  except for its cross-sectional shape. A second alternative bracket member  154  includes six attachment flanges  155  allowing five items to be attached directly to a subject urn. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of bracket designs are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   b  show a circular urn  200  having a body  205 , ends caps  210 , accent rail  215  and holder insert  220 . In other embodiments, the accent rail  215  may be adorned with gems, inscriptions and other decorative elements. The holder insert  220  includes a base unit  221  and guide unit  222  configured to maintain flowers, candles, flags and similar elements.  FIG. 7   b  shows a flag  225  maintained by the holder insert  220 . The holder insert  220  includes a flange  230  which slides into a cut-out (not visible) in the urn body  205  prior to one or both of the end caps  210  being threaded onto the body  205 . In other words, the holder insert  220  may be attached to the body  205  from one or both ends of the body  205  with the corresponding end cap  210  removed. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a canister  250  configured to be maintained within a circular urn. Canister has a body  255  with a circular cross-section and a threaded cap  258 . The canister  250  is designed to hold artifacts and remains and rest within a circular urn.  FIGS. 9   a - 9   b  show different end caps  260 ,  265  designed to retain additional items related to the deceased. The display cap  260  includes a primary ring  261 , transparent cover  262  and locking ring  263 . This end cap  260  configuration allows a picture, for example, to be displayed in the end cap  260 . End cap  265  includes primary body  266  and a laser disk  267  which may be inscribed or engraved with information related to the deceased. For example, the laser disk  267  may be inscribed with medial history, DNA mapping and/or descriptions and images. The laser disk  267  may be attached to an internal surface  268  of the primary body  266  using any means including screws, adhesives, snap fit, etc. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  shows a frame member  275  with flanges  280  on each end of a picture receiving portion  281 . The flanges  280  allow the frame member  275  to be connected between two urns or extend freely from a single urn. The frame member  275  is configured to accept a picture.  FIGS. 11   a - 11   b  show inscription plate  285  having flange members  290 . As shown in  FIG. 11   b  the flange members  290  allow the inscription plate to be attached to an urn  100  like that shown in  FIG. 1 . The inscription plate  285  may be inscribed with memories, pictures and the like related to the deceased. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 12   a - 12   c  show various display cases  300 ,  305  and  310  which may be connected between two urns or extend from a single urn.  FIG. 12   a  shows a display case  300  including a cabinet/door member  301  and drawer  302  which can both be utilized to store personal items (e.g., medals, media articles, etc.) of the deceased. Flanges  303  provide means for connecting the display case  300  to the urn(s).  FIG. 12   b  shows a display case  305  including a transparent dome  306  and drawer  307  which can both be utilized to store personal items (e.g., medals, media articles, etc.) of the deceased. The transparent dome  306  allows items to be displayed for viewing. Flanges  308  provide means for connecting the display case  300  to the urn(s).  FIG. 12   c  shows a display case  310  including a transparent display case  311  and drawer  312  which can both be utilized to store personal items (e.g., medals, media articles, etc.) of the deceased. The transparent display case  311  allows items to be displayed for viewing. Flanges  313  provide means for connecting the display case  310  to the urn(s). 
         [0035]      FIGS. 13   a - 13   c  show a series of flange inserts.  FIG. 13   a  shows a flange insert  325  including flange  326  which is configured for positioning in an urn cut-out. The face  327  of the flange  325  extends outward sufficiently to rest flush with the urn body creating a clean look. In one embodiment, the face  327  may be engraved with information.  FIG. 13   b  shows a segment  330  including a flange  331  for attaching the segment  330  to the urn. The segment  330  has a letter  332  engraved on a face  333  thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the segment  330  may have any type of symbols including letters, numbers and the like engraved, etched, inscribed or otherwise depicted on the face  333 .  FIG. 13   c  shows a series of different segments  335  engraved with letters  336 . The segments  335  in combination can be used to spell names and other information on the urn. 
         [0036]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the urns, urn brackets, wall brackets, segments, ends caps and other components may be fabricated of any suitable type of material including metals, alloys, plastics, composites and combinations thereof Moreover, the components may be machined, molded or otherwise formed. While the cut-outs  140  are shown vertically positioned on the exterior surface of the urns, it is apparent that the cut-outs  140  may also be positioned horizontally. 
         [0037]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.