Patent Publication Number: US-9420903-B2

Title: Commemorative plaque frame

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE DATA 
     The present application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/809,504 filed on Apr. 8, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to funeral crypt and niche equipment, and more particularly to a commemorative plaque frame for supporting and displaying a commemorative plaque on a funerary crypt or niche panel called a shutter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is customary to install commemorative plaques in funerary crypts or niches where information about the deceased will be engraved or otherwise displayed. This information typically includes the name, the date of birth, the date of death and the like. Commemorative plaques are usually made of stone or marble. 
     The plaques are fixed to the front face of a funerary crypt or niche shutter that closes off an enclosure within which the coffin or urn of the deceased will be stored. To fix the commemorative plaque to the crypt or niche shutter, commemorative plaque frames are used. The plaque frames are often made of bronze. One way to install the plaque and the frame on the crypt or niche shutter, consist in first manually holding the plaque against the crypt or niche shutter and then applying the frame over the plaque and fixing it to the shutter, with suitable fasteners. Alternately, some plaque frames allow the plaque to first be installed on the plaque frame itself, and the combined frame and plaque can then be attached to the crypt or niche shutter as a unit, for example by bolting the frame to the crypt or niche shutter. In both cases, manipulating (a) the plaque and (b) the frame, during installation, is cumbersome. This is true whether the plaque and frame are handled separately or as a unit. 
     Blank commemorative plaques are often pre-installed in funerary crypts or niches. When a user wishes to buy a funerary crypt or niche for himself (in advance) or for a deceased family member, the commemorative plaque will be removed from the frame and will be engraved with the desired markings. This increases the number of required handlings of the plaque and the frame, and consequently increases the possibility of accidentally breaking the plaque if it is dropped. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a commemorative plaque frame for supporting and displaying a commemorative plaque on a funerary crypt or niche shutter, comprising:
         a frame support for attachment to the shutter;   a cover comprising a window, said cover being pivotally attached to said frame support in non-removable fashion so as to be pivotable between an opened position in which said cover is pivoted away from the shutter; and a closed position in which said cover is pivoted against the shutter; said cover defining opposite outer and inner sides, with said inner side for facing the shutter when said cover is in said closed position and said outer side for facing away from the shutter when said cover is in said closed position;   a plaque enclosure defined on said inner side of said cover when said cover is in said closed position, said plaque enclosure sized for housing the commemorative plaque therein such that the commemorative plaque is at least partly visible through said window; and   a plaque support member carried by one of said cover and said frame support, for supporting the commemorative plaque in said plaque enclosure.       

     In one embodiment, the commemorative plaque further comprises a blocking member capable of maintaining said cover in said opened position. 
     In one embodiment, the said blocking member comprises a stop provided on said frame support on which said cover abuts. 
     In one embodiment, when said cover is in said closed position, it defines a top and a bottom, said cover being pivotally attached to said plaque support member with a hinge member that is attached to said plaque support member and to said bottom of said cover. 
     In one embodiment, in said closed position, said cover is vertical and in said opened position, said cover is maintained in a transversal position with respect to the vertical opened position by means of said blocking member. 
     In one embodiment, in said opened position, said cover is substantially horizontal. 
     In one embodiment, said hinge member allows said cover to translate along a first axis away and towards said frame support in addition to allowing said cover to pivot, with said cover being allowed to pivot only when it is first translated away from said frame support along said first axis. 
     In one embodiment, said hinge member allows said cover to further translate along a second axis that is transversal to said first axis, with said cover being pivoted into said opened position after having been translated away from said frame support along said first axis and then along said second axis. 
     In one embodiment, said plaque support member is carried by said frame support. 
     In one embodiment, said frame support comprises anchors for attachment to the shutter and a backing panel attached to said anchors, with said plaque support member being carried by said backing panel. 
     In one embodiment, the commemorative plaque further comprises a lock for releasably locking said cover in said closed position. 
     In one embodiment, said lock comprises fasteners linking said cover to said frame support. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the annexed drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a commemorative plaque frame according to the present invention attached to a crypt or niche shutter, with the cover of the commemorative plaque frame being in its closed position and enclosing a commemorative plaque, and with the locking screws being shown removed from the commemorative plaque frame; 
         FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , although at a slightly enlarged scale and slightly different perspective angle, and with the cover of the commemorative plaque being in its opened position; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the commemorative plaque frame and commemorative plaque of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are partial enlarged perspective views of the areas respectively circumscribed by lines IV and V in  FIG. 2 , with part of the yoke being broken in  FIG. 5  to show the L-shaped opening of the hinge member leg and the hinge pin therein; and 
         FIGS. 6-8  are partly broken partial cross-sectional views showing the bottom portion of the commemorative plaque frame and of the commemorative plaque, and an adjacent section of the crypt or niche shutter, and sequentially showing the cover in its closed position against the shutter in  FIG. 6 , translated away from the shutter and downwardly in  FIG. 7 , and pivoted into its opened position in  FIG. 8 ; with line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 2  showing where the cross-section is taken when the cover is in its opened position such as in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-8  show a commemorative plaque frame  20  for supporting and displaying a commemorative plaque  22  on a funerary crypt or niche shutter  24 , according to the present invention. It is understood, however, that the commemorative plaque frame  20  could be installed on any wall surface, and expressions such as “shutter” and “funerary crypt or niche shutter” are considered to encompass herein any suitable walls, panels or doors. Shutter  24  is shown to be vertical and although this is likely to be the case in most funerary installations, it could also be inclined or horizontal. Herein, shutter  24  will be considered to be the front panel of a funerary crypt or niche wherein a coffin or ashes of one or more deceased person(s) can be stored, although it might be a distinct wall behind which no funerary urn or coffin is stored. Shutter  24  may be made of stone or any other suitable material. 
     Commemorative plaque  22  is shown to be a flat rectangular slab of marble, but it could be made of any other suitable material and could be of another shape. 
     Commemorative plaque frame  20  comprises a frame support  26  attached to shutter  24  and a cover  28  pivotally attached to frame support  26  so as to be pivotable between an opened position in which cover  28  is pivoted away from shutter  24  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 and 8 ; and a closed position in which cover  28  is pivoted towards or against shutter  24  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 . Cover  28  is attached to frame support  26  in non-removable fashion in that it is not intended to be entirely removed from frame support  26  during normal use, i.e. it remains pivotally attached thereto. Of course, outside of the normal use of commemorative plaque frame  20 , for example to remove it entirely from shutter  24 , suitable tools could enable the dismantlement of commemorative plaque frame  20 . 
     Cover  28  is generally rectangular and defines a front wall  30  and a top wall  32   a , a bottom wall  32   b , and two side walls  32   c ,  32   d . Top wall  32   a , bottom wall  32   b , and side walls  32   c ,  32   d  are collectively referred to herein as peripheral wall  32 . 
     A window  34  is provided in cover front wall  30 . Window  34  may be a simple opening as shown in the annexed drawings, or may further include a transparent panel (not shown) made of glass or plastic. 
     Cover  28  defines opposite outer and inner sides  36 ,  38 , with inner side  38  facing shutter  24  when cover  28  is in its closed position and outer side  36  facing away from shutter  24  when cover  28  is in its closed position. 
     A plaque enclosure  40  is defined on inner side  38  of cover  28  when cover  28  is in its closed position. Plaque enclosure  40  is sized for housing commemorative plaque  22  therein such that commemorative plaque  22  is at least partly visible through window  34 . Engravings or other information provided on commemorative plaque  22  can consequently be seen even when cover  28  is in its closed position. Peripheral wall  32  surrounds commemorative plaque  22  spacedly therefrom when cover  28  is in its closed position. 
     Frame support  26  comprises a pair of anchors  42 ,  44 , in the form of attachment plates, that are screwed into shutter  24 ; and a backing panel  46  attached to anchors  42 ,  44  by means of panel attachment brackets  48 ,  50 . 
     Commemorative plaque frame  20  also comprises a plaque support member  51  carried by frame support  26  that supports commemorative plaque  22  in plaque enclosure  40 . More particularly, the plaque support member comprises a pair of plaque attachment brackets  52 ,  54  attached to backing panel  46  and that hold commemorative plaque  22  therebetween. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , plaque attachment brackets  52 ,  54  each comprise a base  56 ,  58  fixed to backing panel  46 , in which an L-shaped press-member  60 ,  62  is slidable. The position of press-members  60 ,  62  is adjustable with cam screws  64 ,  66  to allow commemorative plaque  22  to be tightly squeezed and held between press members  60 ,  62 . 
     Cover  28  is pivotally attached to frame support  26 , and more particularly to anchors  42 ,  44 , through the instrumentality of a pair of hinge members  68 ,  70 . Each hinge member  68 ,  70 , for example hinge member  68  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5-8 , comprises a leg  72  attached to its corresponding anchor  42  and a yoke  74  attached to cover  28 , at a bottom thereof, i.e. on its lower half when it is positioned in its closed position; and more particularly near its bottom wall  32   d . This attachment of yoke  74  to the bottom of cover  28  allows cover  28  to pivot downwardly when it is opened. 
     Leg  72  comprises a first segment  76  that extends away from anchor  42 ; a second segment  78  that extends downwardly from first segment  76  and spacedly from anchor  42 ; and a third segment  80  that extends away from second segment  78  in a direction opposite anchor  42 . Third segment  80  comprises an L-shaped opening  82  therein with a first opening segment  82   a  aligned along a first axis transversal to shutter  24 , and more particularly disposed horizontally; and a second opening segment  82   b  aligned along a second axis transversal to the first axis, and more particularly disposed vertically. 
     Yoke  74  comprises coaxial openings  75 . A hinge pin  84  extends through the coaxial openings  75  of yoke  74  and snugly fits therein such that hinge pin  84  is allowed to rotate within yoke  74  but not to translate. 
     Hinge pin  84  further extends through L-shaped opening  82  of leg  72  such that it may not only rotate therein but also translate within L-shaped opening  82 . Consequently, cover  28  may not only pivot towards and away from shutter  24 , but it is also allowed to translate along the first above-mentioned axis away and towards frame support  26 , and along the second above-mentioned axis that is transversal to the first axis. 
     In use, cover  28  can be pivoted into its closed position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6  to protect commemorative plaque  22  while still allowing visual access to one surface of commemorative plaque  22  through window  34 , where information may be displayed. In this closed position, cover  28  can be locked with a lock in the form of a pair of fasteners  86 ,  88  ( FIG. 1 ), such as locking screws, that are threaded through the side walls  32   b ,  32   c  of cover  28  and through locking walls  90 ,  92  provided on first and second anchors  42 ,  44 . Access to commemorative plaque  22  is consequently limited by requiring the removal of fasteners  86 ,  88  to open cover  28 . Other locking devices could alternately be envisioned instead of or in addition to fasteners  86 ,  88 , including some that would require authorized access such as a lock-and-key. 
     In the closed position of cover  28 , cover peripheral wall  32  abuts with its free peripheral edge against shutter  24 . A seal (not shown) could be provided along the free peripheral edge of peripheral wall  32 . 
     To pivot cover  28  into its opened position, fasteners  86 ,  88  are first removed to unlock cover  28  from frame support  26 . However, cover  28  is not yet allowed to pivot towards it opened position. This is desirable to avoid cover  28 , which can be relatively heavy, from accidentally pivoting into its opened position under gravity and injuring a person standing in front of cover  28 , immediately after fasteners  86 ,  88  are removed. Cover  28  indeed abuts with its peripheral wall  32 , and most importantly with bottom wall  32   d , against shutter  24  to prevent the pivotal displacement towards its opened position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , to allow cover  28  to pivot into its opened position after locking screws  86 ,  88  are removed, cover  28  must first be translated away from shutter  24  along its first axis. This is accomplished by pulling on cover  28  which will result in hinge pins  84  sliding in the first opening segments  82   a  of yokes  74  along the first axis. Once hinge pins  84  reach the outermost position within first opening segments  82   a , i.e. away from shutter  24  and frame support  26 , the weight of cover  28  will carry it naturally under gravity downwards along the second axis with hinge pins  84  then sliding into the second opening segments  82   b  until hinge pins  84  come to rest at the bottom of second opening segments  82   b.    
     In this translated position, cover  28  will be allowed to pivot into its opened position. Indeed, the bottom wall  32   d  of cover  28  will have enough leeway to pivot towards shutter  24 , and more particularly between shutter  24  and the second segments  78  of legs  72  of hinge members  68 ,  70 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In fact, cover  28  may commence to pivot towards its opened position as soon as it is first translated along the first axis. But its full deployment will only be allowed when hinge pins come to rest into the bottom of second opening segments  82   b.    
     When cover  28  reaches its opened position, bottom wall  32   d  of cover  28  will abut against the rear surface of the second segments  78  of legs  72  of hinge member  68 ,  70  thereby allowing cover  28  to remain in an opened position that does not freely hang from frame support  26  but is close to horizontal instead. Second segments  78  of legs  72  of hinge members  68 ,  70  consequently represent blocking members in the form of stops capable of maintaining the cover in the opened position by the abutment of bottom walls  32   d  thereagainst. 
     One advantage of the commemorative plaque frame of the present invention is that it does not require removal of the cover to access or handle the commemorative plaque, since the cover is installed to the frame support in non-removable fashion and may be simply pivoted to open or close, to allow access or prevent access to the plaque enclosure. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the cover pivots downwardly, thereby not requiring a mechanism to maintain it in its opened position such as a hook that requires manipulation to enable. By providing a simple stop to prevent the cover from freely hanging from the hinge members, accidental collision of the cover with the crypt or niche shutter is however prevented. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the hinge members, by requiring translation of the hinge pin to enable pivotal displacement of the cover, help prevent opening of the cover at an undesirable time, for example while the locking screws are being removed and a person is standing in front of the commemorative plaque frame. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the plaque support member could be carried by the cover instead of by the frame support. Opening and closing the cover would be a bit more cumbersome since it would then be loaded with the weight of the commemorative plaque, but access to the commemorative plaque would still be easy and would not require removal of the cover. The other advantages noted above would remain true also for this alternate embodiment.