Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for mounting temporary niche cover panels and a method for replacing panels. 
         [0003]    Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Columbarium structures are utilized to store cremated remains as a less expensive alternative to traditional burials. Such columbarium installations include multiple storage niches for storing urns or other receptacles. The niches include stone shutters or panels covering the niche compartments in a respectful manner to provide dignified interment. 
         [0005]    As access is required for placing the remains in the niche, the stone cover panels, also commonly referred to as shutters, are removably secured to the columbarium structure using a mounting system that is preferably concealed or substantially hidden from view so that the hardware does not detract from the appearance of the stone and the dignified appearance of the columbarium. Such systems are weather resistant and configured to hold the shutters in position despite variations in temperature and harsh weather conditions. Examples of such hardware systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,644,711, 5,802,781, and 8,122,650, all owned by Eickhof Columbaria, LLC. The hardware generally provides for an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the stone facing panels with the hardware substantially hidden from view. Moreover, the mounting hardware allows for simple and straight forward installation and removal of the facing panels. 
         [0006]    Although the niches generally have the same shape, it can be appreciated however that there may be slight variations from panel to panel and installation to installation. Stone and particularly granite is a popular and widely used material for facing panels as it has a pleasing appearance and is durable. However, due to its extreme hardness, granite is difficult to work with may not be cut to exact dimensions with great precision. Therefore, there may be slight variations in the thickness of the panels as well as the height and width. Mounting hardware of Eickhof Columbaria, Inc. has been developed that provides infinite adjustment to mount the facing panels so that all are properly aligned and flush. 
         [0007]    A typical columbarium structure will initially have the stone facing panels without inscriptions but that the panels will need to be removed to add inscriptions, to update information or if additional remains are added to a niche, to add names and information. During such tasks the niche must be covered while the permanent stone panel is being inscribed. Therefore, temporary panels are used, preferably of the same outer material as the original shutter. However, due to slight variations such as mounting position or other configuration characteristics, the hardware and spacing of the temporary cover panel may not necessarily align properly with the hardware of the existing panel that it is replacing. Therefore, there may be problems with installing the temporary panel. Moreover, a temporary cover must provide sufficient security to the contents of the niche while the permanent cover panel is being inscribed. 
         [0008]    It can therefore be appreciated that a new and improved system for mounting a temporary niche stone cover panel for a columbarium is needed. Such a system should provide for infinite adjustment of the mounting hardware of the temporary panel to fit the complementary hardware of the niche. Such a system should provide for using the same hardware with easy, simple, quick and precise adjustment and for maintaining the panels in proper alignment relative to the panels of adjacent niches. The present invention addresses these problems as well as others associated with temporary niche facing panels. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a temporary cover panel for a columbarium and to a method for mounting a temporary cover panel on a columbarium. The columbarium includes an array of niches. Each niche is covered by a decorative stone shutter, also known as a facing panel. 
         [0010]    The stone shutters may be configured for covering a single niche or may cover multiple niches and divided into quadrants corresponding to the niches and include information correspond to the each of the niches being covered. A frame and other materials are be made of materials that will not rust, corrode, or degrade over extended periods of time, such as is required for a columbarium exposed to the elements. An inner cover may fit into a groove and may be removably attached for providing additional privacy and sealing of the interior of each niche. 
         [0011]    When one of the covers must be removed for engraving or other tasks, temporary cover is placed on the niche. The temporary cover panel includes an exposed front, and a back configured to face the niche. The temporary cover panel includes corresponding panel retainer assemblies. The temporary panel retainer assemblies each include a bracket mounted on the back of the temporary stone cover panel and having and an orifice formed therein. A retainer element, such a bolt, includes a threaded engagement portion extending through the orifice of the bracket and projecting from the bracket. The bolt is supported on the retainer element spaced apart from the panel and extending substantially parallel to the back of the panel. A spring member engages the bracket and the retainer element. 
         [0012]    To mount the temporary stone cover panel, the permanent cover panel is removed from the niche. The temporary cover is compared to the permanent cover, releasing the spring-loaded infinitely adjustable complementary hardware of the temporary cover and adjusting the spring-loaded adjustable hardware of the temporary cover while released to match the complementary hardware of the permanent cover. The process is repeated for each of the temporary hardware mounting assemblies so that the temporary mounting hardware matches the position of the corresponding hardware on the permanent niche cover panel. The temporary niche cover is placed on the niche compartment with the spring-loaded adjustable hardware engaging the complementary mounting hardware of the niche. 
         [0013]    These features of novelty and various other advantages that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings that form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a columbarium according to the principles of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of the columbarium shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of two niches and covers for the columbarium shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a side elevational view of a temporary cover panel for the columbarium shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of a permanent cover panel beside a temporary cover panel for the columbarium shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a side elevational view of an adjustable mounting device for the temporary cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a rear elevational view of the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a bracket for the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11A  shows a front elevational view of the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 11B  shows the adjustable mounting device with the bolt depressed for adjustment; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  shows a side sectional view of the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 12  B shows a side sectional view the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 11B ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  shows a side sectional view of the adjustable mounting device shown in  FIG. 11A  with adjustment shims for setting the position of the bolt. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a columbarium, generally designated  100 . The columbarium  100  may take on a variety of different sizes and configurations, but typically includes an array of niches  102  aligned vertically and horizontally. Planar and curved wall configurations are possible and different columbarium structures may be grouped together in a single installation. 
         [0029]    Each of the individual niches  20  is covered by a stone shutter or facing panel  102 . In a typical installation, the columbarium  100  includes sides  104  also with a stone facing, a cap stone  106  and a base  108 . It is envisioned that in many installations, exposed surfaces will be covered with a decorative stone, such as marble or granite depending on the location and exposure of the installation. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of these niches  20  includes opposed sidewalls  22 . A top  24  and a bottom  26  along with rear  28  and cover panels or shutters  30  define an interior storage space capable of storing remains. The size of the niche  20  may vary and be divided depending on the needs to store one or more sets of remains. The stone shutters or covers  30  may be configured for covering a single niche  20  or may cover multiple niches. For example, a single stone shutter  30  covering four niches  20 , but may include four different quadrants corresponding to the niches  20  and include information correspond to the each of the niches being covered. A frame  34  is constructed with mounting elements to adapt to various configurations and provide a structurally sound, lightweight and weather resistant structure. The frame and other materials may be made of materials that will not rust, corrode, or degrade over extended periods of time, such as is required for a columbarium exposed to the elements. In addition, an inner cover  36  fits into a groove  38  and may be removably attached for providing additional privacy and sealing of the interior of each niche  20 . 
         [0031]    Mounting hardware, generally designated  40 , mounts to a front portion of the top  24  and/or bottom  26  extends outward beyond the interior cover  36 . The mounting hardware includes a release mechanism  42 , and a top hook element  44  mounting to the removable stone cover panel  30 . Bottom receivers  46  each receive an adjustable bottom engagement assembly  48 . A bracket  52  mounts to the bottom of the stone cover panel  30  and includes a threadably connected peg  50  that engages the receivers  46 . The mounting hardware  40  is adjustable at both the top and bottom to ensure that the shutters  30  are properly aligned and spaced to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a temporary stone cover panel  32  including easily adjustable mounting hardware  60 . The hardware  60  can be easily adjusted to a range of infinite different positions in a short period of time so that the replacement niche cover  32  can be used while other covers  30  are removed, such as may be required by being engraved. The adjustable hardware assembly includes a bracket  62  including a mounting section  64  and a bolt receiving section  66 . The receiving section  66  includes a hole  60  through which a bolt  80  extends. The bracket  62  is mounted to the back of the niche  32  with a mounting screw  74  including a nut  76  and washer  78 . A slot  70  is formed in the back surface and substantially parallel to the back surface of the niche includes a widened portion shown most clearly in  FIG. 5 . The widened portion  72  allows for the head of the bracket mounting screw  74  to be inserted into the slot  70 . The bracket  62  may be positioned relative to the niche  32  and then retained in place by tightening the nut  76  onto the mounting screw  74 . Although the bracket  62  may be adjusted by loosening the mounting screw  74  and nut  76 , it is envisioned that most adjustment will be made by changing the position of the bolt  80 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the typical temporary niche  32  includes two adjustable hardware assemblies  60  corresponding to bottom engagement assemblies  48  on a conventional stone shutter  30 . 
         [0033]    As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 6, 7, 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B , the engagement bolt  80  is configured to engage the complementary receiver  46  mounted to the columbarium, shown in  FIG. 3 . The bolt  80  extends through the mounting hole  68  of the bracket  62  and includes a nut  84  threadably attached on the bolt  80 . A washer  82  is mounted in an opposite side of the receiving section  66  of the bracket  62 . A compressible spring inserts intermediate a head  88  of the bolt  80  and the washer  82 . In such a spring-loaded configuration, the spring  86  is biased against the bolt  88  and the washer  82  to push the head away from the receiving section  66  of the bracket  62  and to pull the nut  84  into engagement with an underside of the receiving section  66 . The spring constant of the spring  86  is such that the is sufficiently stiff to hold the bolt  80  in the position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  even while supporting the weight of the temporary niche  32 . However, it can also be appreciated that the spring constant is not too high and provides for manually compressing the spring  86  to release bolt  80  for adjustment, as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 12B . It can be appreciated that, like the permanent mounting hardware, the temporary adjustable hardware  60  is also substantially hidden from view when installed and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
         [0034]    As the receiving hole  68  in the bracket receiving portion  66  is much larger than the diameter of the bolt  80 , the relative position of the bolt  80  to the receiving portion  66  of the bracket  62  may be altered. Therefore, position the bolt  80  relative to the temporary shutter  32  may also be changed. When depressed, the bolt  80  may be moved toward and away from the rear of the temporary shutter  32 . Moreover, the bolt  80  may be laterally in the hole  68 . As it is envisioned that more side-to-side adjustment may be required, the hole  68  may have an oblong configuration as shown in  FIG. 8 . Furthermore, the bolt  80  may be adjusted vertically by simply twisting the bolt  80  relative to the nut  84  to change the final position of the bolt  80  relative to the mounting bracket  62  and therefore the final position of the bottom end of the bolt  80  for engagement with the receivers  46  of each niche  20 . 
         [0035]    To remove one of the niche cover panels  30  and replace it with a temporary panel  32 , the release mechanism  42  is actuated with a tool configured to extend through the space above the niche and release the top hardware. Such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,650, incorporated herein by reference. The niche cover panel  30  may then be pivoted downward on the lower mounting hardware and then lifted off from the columbarium  100 . Following removal, the niche cover panel  30  is placed beside the temporary cover panel  32 . A positioning element  200  is then placed against the bottom of the niche  30  and spacers such as shims are inserted until the gap between the element  200  and the peg  50  is filled. The positioning element  200  and the shims are then moved to the corresponding adjustable hardware  60  and the bolt  80  is twisted clockwise or counter clockwise, depending on whether it is to be moved up or down until it just engages the shims  202 . In this manner, the vertical position of the bolt  80  matches the vertical position of the peg  50 . The process is then repeated for the other adjustable hardware assembly  60  to match the position on the cover panel  30 . In addition, the distance between the peg  50  and the rear of the stone shutter  30  is measured and the bolt  80  is pushed to compress the spring and release the bolt  80  to move into a corresponding position. Similarly, the relative lateral position of the bolt is measured and the bolt moved to the correct lateral position depressing the spring and moving the bolt along with its washer, spring, and nut. The threaded bolt  80  allows for vertical adjustment while the compressed spring along with the nut, washer and bracket  62  with an enlarged hole  68  allow the bolt  80  to be moved toward and away from the temporary stone shutter  32  and laterally along the shutter  32  to match the position of the peg  50  of the original shutter  30 . When both of the adjustable hardware assemblies  60  are correctly aligned to match the hardware of the permanent niche cover shutter  30 , the temporary cover panel  32  may be installed. The process is repeated for the second adjustable hardware assembly  60 . The temporary cover  32  is installed by placing the bolts  80  into the corresponding receivers  46  and tilting the temporary stone panels  32  into the vertical position. The release mechanism  42  is then engaged so that the top hook element is retained. When the top hook element is properly retained, the temporary cover  32  is securely mounted to the columbarium  100 . 
         [0036]    It can be appreciated that when the permanent niche cover panel  30  is replaced, the temporary cover panel  32  may be easily removed by simply engaging the release mechanism  42  and pivoting the temporary cover stone cover panel  32  downward in the same manner used for removing the permanent stone cover panel  30 . Moreover, it can be appreciated that the temporary cover  32  may be used for temporarily replacing other permanent niche covers  30  with adjustments being made to properly match the positioning for each installation. Therefore, one or only a few temporary panels may be utilized to fill the spaces when the permanent stone cover panels  30  are removed for engraving or other reasons. The use of such temporary cover panels  32  achieves a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and greater security than having to leave the niches without a stone cover panel or requiring more time-consuming adjustment by using a replacement permanent panel  30 . 
         [0037]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: 2