Urn Storage Assembly

Abstract

An urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains is disclosed. The assembly includes a plurality of tubular storage members of generally rectangular cross-section, shaped to receive cremated remain storage urns. The storage members are nested in abutting side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship to one another. Each storage member has generally rounded axial corners whereby axially extending passageways are defined among the corners of abutting storage members. Securing means in the form of clips are provided for holding the storage members in fixed relationship with each other. The clips are sized and shaped to snugly grasp the corner portions of the ends of the adjacent nested support members. One form of clip is shaped to fit within the four corners of four adjacent support members while another form is shaped to fit within two corners of two side-by-side or top-to-bottom abutting support members. Each pair of oppositely arranged clips are held together by a rod engaging the clips and extending through the passageway defined among the axial corners of adjacent storage members. Cover plates removably secured to the clips and decorative edge strips for covering the exposed outer edges of the support members are also provided.

Description

This invention relates to an urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains.

Various structures exist for the storage of urns used for the interment of cremated remains. One such repository structure is a permanent side-by-side niche arrangement formed in the walls of a building referred to as columbarium. The urns are placed in the niches and removable covers are placed over the openings of the niches. Other repository structures have been proposed such as those disclosed in the patent to Diem U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,574 and the patent to Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 3,529,730. Both the Diem and Thompson structures are essentially frame assemblies which may be erected at the final location site and suitably secured in place. In one of the structures disclosed by Thompson, a honeycomb arrangement provides the storage space for the urns.

All of the known urn storage structures exemplified by those described above, are undesirable because they are expensive to construct especially in the case of the permanent structure, are unduly complex in their construction as is the case with Diem, or lack of the versatility of providing varying sizes of storage niches in their overall assemblies which is the case with all of the noted structures. The Diem structure requires an elaborate frame comprising various shaped horizontal bars and urn support members vertically separated by spacer elements. The Diem frame is designed to accommodate a specially constructed urn having a generally hexagonal cross-sectional shape and would require extensive design changes to accommodate different shaped urns, or to provide storage niches having differing vertical and/or horizontal dimensions. The Thompson storage structure comprises an array of tubular members which in one embodiment is a plurality of separate tubes supported by a permanent frame and in another embodiment is a permanent honeycomb structure. Both Thompson structures would require major changes to provide niches of varying shapes.

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks noted above with respect to the known urn storage by providing a structure which is simply and inexpensively constructed while allowing for varying size storage niches without requiring major design changes in the overall structure. More particularly those advantages result from the urn storage assembly of the present invention which preferably comprises: a plurality of tubular storage members having internal configurations shaped to receive cremated remain interment urns and further having generally flat side surfaces, and arranged in abutting side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship to one another; and securing means in the form of clips sized and shaped to snugly engage the corner portions of adjacent storage members for holding the storage members in fixed relationship to each other. Thus, the structure of this invention permits the stacking of flat sided tubular storage members without the need of elaborate support framework, with the sizes of the storage members being selected to accommodate the desire for varying sized storage niches. The storage members are held together by securing means which snugly engage the end corner portions of adjacent storage members. In the preferred form of this invention, the storage members are generally rectangular in cross-section and have rounded axial corners whereby axially extending passageways are defined among the corners of abutting storage members. The securing clips engage opposite end corner portions of the storage members with rods being provided to extend through the axial passageways to couple the clips together. Also in the preferred embodiment, each corner of each edge of the storage members are provided with an axially extending indentation, and the securing clips are sized to be received in the indentations among the adjacent storage members. such that generally continuous surfaces are defined among the edges of the storage members and the outer ends of the securing means. Edging strips are provided to cover the exposed outer edges of the storage members, and covers fit between the edging strips to close the openings of the storage members. The covers are held in position by corner pieces removably attached to the outer securing clips. Corner clips are provided at the four remote corners of the assembly for holding the corner pieces at those positions. Also, securing clips are provided at the corner portions of two side-by-side or two top-to-bottom abutting storage members.

Other details and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown a present preferred embodiment of this invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an urn storage assembly embodying the present invention, showing two different sized niches and a cover plate removed from one storage member;

FIGS. 2-4 are exploded perspective views of clip assemblies forming part of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-7 are end views of the clip members illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, respectively;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of part of an edging strip shown in position to cover the outer edges of two abutting storage members; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded partial perspective view of a cover plate for covering an open end of a storage member.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 generally refers to the cremain urn storage assembly embodying the present invention. The storage assembly 10 includes a plurality of tubular, open-ended, generally rectangular cross-sectioned storage members 12 arranged in abutting side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship to one another. The storage members 12 shown in FIG. 1 are mostly generally square in cross-section with the storage member in the center of the assembly having a rectangular cross-section, that is, the top and bottom lengths are longer than the sides. When using the expression "rectangular" in referring to the cross-section of the storage members 12, it is to be understood that both square and rectangular (i.e. base greater than the height) shapes are to be included within that expression. The cross-sectional shape of the storage members 12 are formed to receive similarly shaped urns 13 containing cremains. The depth of the smaller storage members 12 may be sized to receive one or more tandemly arranged urns while the larger of the storage members may be sized to receive both tandemly and side-by-side arranged urns.

Each storage member 12 is provided with generally rounded axial corners 14 shaped such that when the storage members 12 are stacked, axial passageways 16 are defined among three or four side-by-side and top-to-bottom abutting storage members, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the case of two side-by-side or two top-to-bottom abutting storage members 12, the rounded corners 14 thereof define axially extending creases as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The end corner portions of each storage member 12 are also provided with axially extending cut-outs or indentations 18 for receiving clip members to be described hereinafter.

The storage members 12 are held together by securing means generally designated by the numeral 20. The securing means 20 shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7 is used for securing an array of four storage members 12 stacked side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship. Securing means 20 of FIGS. 1, 4, and 7 includes a pair of identical clips 22 shaped to grasp the opposite four corners of the four stacked storage members 12. The clips 22 are coupled by a rod 24 extending through passageway 16. Each clip 22 has a generally cylindrically shaped main body 26 shaped and sized to fit snugly within passageway 16. Main body 26 has an axial bore extending therethrough, which bore comprises an inner bore 27 and an outer bore 28 of larger diameter than the inner bore whereby a shoulder is defined between the inner and outer bore. A flange 30 is formed on the outer end of main body 26, with four axially inwardly extending tabs 32, having their centerlines spaced 90 degrees apart, being formed on the radially outer edge of the flange. The outer surfaces of the tabs 32 are flat so that a generally octagonal outline is formed among the tabs 32 and the radial outer surface of the flange 30. The inner surfaces of the tabs 32 are contoured with a generally rounded or cylindrical shape to conform generally with the rounded inner surfaces of the axial corners 14 of the storage members 12. The lengths and spacings of the tabs 32 and main body 26 are such that when the clips 22 are positioned with respect to four arrayed storage members 12, the main body 26 will be snugly received in passageway 16 and the inner contoured surfaces of the tabs 32 will engage the inner surfaces of the outer portions of the four axial corners 14 of the storage members, while the spacers between the tabs 32 will fit over the abutting outer edges of the storage members. In addition, entire clip 22 will be received within the indentation 18 at the outer corners of the storage members 12 such that the outer surface of flange 30 and the abutting outer edges of the storage members form a generally continuous surface with each other. In other words, the outer surface of flange 30 is flush with the outer edges of the storage members 12.

A bushing 36 iS snugly received within outer bore 28 of main body 26 of clip 22, the bushing abutting the shoulder between the outer and inner bores 27 and 28 and being flush with the outer surface of flange 30. The bore of bushing 36 is threaded and sized to receive the threads of rod 24. Thus, front and rear clips 22 are coupled by screwing one end of rod 24 into bushing 36 and then securing the other end of the rod by a nut 37. It should be noted at this juncture, that only the front clip 22 contains a bushing 36 with the rod 24 extending through the rear clip 22 to be secured by the nut 37. Also, it is noted that bushing 36 also serves to receive a screw 38 for securing a corner plate 40 in place. The function of the corner plate 40 will be more fully described hereinafter.

The securing means 20 for holding together two side-by-side or top-to-bottom storage members 12 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, with that securing means 20 including a pair of identical clips 44 coupled with a rod 24. Each clip 44 includes a main body 46 having stepped inner and outer bores 47 and 48, respectively, defining between them a shoulder. A pair of spaced, axially extending tabs 50 are formed on the outer surface of the main body 46. The inner surface 49 of the main body 46 has a contoured, generally rounded shape terminating in a centrally disposed cusp 52 shown clearly in FIG. 6. The tabs 50 are spaced from the inner surface of main body 46 with the inner surfaces of the tabs being contoured in a complementary shape to that of the inner surface of the main body. The tabs 50 and inner surface 49 of main body 46 are sized and shaped such that when the clips 44 are mated to the outer corners of two adjacent storage memers 12, the cusp 52 will be received within the crease between the axial corners 14 and the inner surface 49 of main body 46 will abut the outer surfaces of rounded axial corners while the inner surfaces of tabs 50 will abut the inner surfaces of of the axial corners. Also, tabs 50 by virtue of the space therebetween will snugly fit over the abutting outer edges of the storage members 12. In addition, the main body 46 and tabs 50 will be received within indentations 18 such that the outer surface of the main body 46 will be flush with the outer edges of the storage members 12.

Similarly to the clip 22, a bushing 36 is received within outer bore 48 of clip 44 and is threaded to receive the threads of rod 24 and screw 38 for attaching corner plate 40. The clips 44 are coupled in the same manner as clips 22, that is by rod 24 extending along the crease between the two adjacent storage members 12, one end of the rod 24 extending into the bushing 36 in clip 44 while the other end of the rod extends through the rear clip 44 where it is held to that clip by nut 37. The rear clip 44 does not have a bushing 36.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a cover 60 is provided for closing the front end of the storage members 12. The cover 60 may be suitably decoratively designed and either completely opaque or transparent, as being glass for example. Edging strips 62 are also provided for covering the exposed outer edges of the support members 12. The edging strips 62 include inner parallel webs 63 spaced to snugly fit over the abutting outer edges of adjacent storage members 12. The outer surface of the edging strips 62 is formed of a decorative slotted center portion 64 having upper and lower ridges upon which the cover 60 will rest, thus forming a generally continuous surface between the covers 60 and the center portion 64 of the edging strips 62. Grooves 65 are provided above and below the center portion 64 of each edging strip 62, which grooves would receive a soft strip such as a vinyl strip for cushioning glass covers.

The covers 60 are held in place by corner plates 40 attached to the outer surfaces of clips 22 and/or clips 44 by means of screws 38. The four remote corner plates 40, that is, the plates located at the four remote corners of the assembly 10, are secured to the outer clip 66 of corner clip assembly 67 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. Each clip 66 has a main body portion 68 with stepped inner and outer bores 69 and 70, respectively, being formed therein, which bores define a shoulder therebetween. A bushing 36 is received in outer bore 70. The bushing 36, has a threaded bore for receiving the rod 24 for coupling together the front and rear clips 66. Main body 68 has a generally rectangular cross-section, except for one corner 71 with an indented, generally rounded configuration. A tab 72 extends axially from the front face of the main body 68 and is spaced from the indented corner 71, with tab 72 having an inner surface shaped complementarily to the surface of the indented corner. The main body 68 and tab 72 are sized such that the surface of the indented corner 71 will fit onto the outer rounded surface of axial corner 14 of support member 12 while the inner surface of tab 72 will fit onto the inner surface of the axial corner. In addition the clip 66 will fit into indentation 18 of the outer corner of the support member 12 such that the outer surface of the main body 68 of the clip and the outer edges of the support members 12 will be flush. As with the clips 22 and 44, clips 66 are coupled with rod 24 which is secured in place by nut 37.

The urn storage assembly 10 may be formed by placing same or different shaped support members 12 in any desired abutting relationship and then securing the support members with securing means 20. The storage assembly 10 may then be placed against the permanent wall of a building structure, or placed back-to-back with another storage assembly. Should the latter be desired, a back plate 80 may be used to close the rear end of the storage assembly, and in such case the back plate 80 would be provided with openings through which the ends of the rods 24 could extend and the nuts 37 threaded onto the exposed rod ends. By using a back plate 80, the rear clips 22, 44, or 66 could, if desired, be eliminated. Also, the entire storage assembly 10 may be placed in an enclosure formed by back plate 80 and side and top plates 82 suitably secured to the end plate 80.

It should now be clearly apparent how the support assembly 10 of this invention provides the advantages of simplicity and versatility indicated earlier in this description. It should also be apparent that various changes are possible to the elements forming the present invention without departing from its essence. FOr example, hexagonal cross-section shaped support members 12 could be used with the securing clips changed in shape to hold the nested members together in the same way the rectangular cross-sectioned support members 12 are held.

While we have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the socpe of the following claims.

Claims

1. An urn storage assembly for the interment of cremated remains, comprising:

a plurality of tubular storage members having internal configurations shaped to receive cremated remains interment urns and further having generally flat side surfaces, and arranged in abutting side-by-side and top-to-bottom relationship to one another;

each of said storage members having generally rounded axial corners whereby axially extending passageways are defined among the corners of abutting storage members and each corner of each edge of said storage members having an axially extending indentation; and

securing means having a first portion thereof extending through said passageway for holding adjacent storage member together in fixed relationship to each other and a second portion thereof received in the indentations among the adjacent storage members such that generally continuous surfaces are defined among the edges of said storage members and the outer ends of said securing means.

2. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said storage members has a generally rectangular cross-section.

3. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said securing means includes a pair of clip members shaped to be received in the opposite indentations among the adjacent storage members, an elongated rod extending through said passageway defined among the adjacent storage member and coupling said clip members and means for locking said rod to each of said clip members.

4. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said securing means include a first pair of clip members each of which has a main body sized and shaped to fit within a said passageway, and four axially extending contoured tabs radially spaced from and longitudinally extending wiJh respect to said main body with said tabs having their respective centerlines spaced 90 degrees apart and being sized and shaped to snugly engage the four end corner sections of four adjacent side-by-side and top-to-bottom abutting storage members; said securing means further including a second pair of clip members each of which has a contoured main body section sized to snugly engage the axially extending crease formed between two side-by-side or two top-to-bottom abutting storage members, and a pair of tab members radially spaced from and longitudinally extending with respect to said main body section, with said tab members having their respective centerlines spaced 90 degrees apart and being sized and shaped to snugly engage the two end corner sections of two side-by-side or top-to-bottom abutting storage members; said securing means further including elongated rods extending through said passageway and along said crease and coupling said first and second clip members, respectively, and means for locking said rods to each of said clip members.

5. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 including cover means for covering one end of each of said storage members, and attaching means for removably attaching said cover means to the outer end portions of said securing means.

6. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 5 including strip means removably mounted to the outer edges of adjacent storage members for covering said edges, and sized and shaped to abut said cover means to form generally continuous surfaces therewith.

7. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 6 including corner securing means comprising a pair of corner clips shaped to snugly engage the opposite corner portions of the corner storage members forming part of the overall assembly, a rod member extending between and coupling said corner clips, and means for locking said rod member to each of said corner clips; and wherein each of said cover means includes a main plate sized to cover the end of a storage member, and four corner plates abutting each corner of said cover; and whereby said attaching means extend through said corner plates for removably attaching said corner plates to said securing means.

8. The urn storage assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a closure plate for closing all of the one end of said storage members, said closure plate abutting all of the one ends; and wherein said securing means engage said closure plate for removably holding said closure plate to said storage members.