GB2474335A - Columbarium for storage of cinerary urns - Google Patents

Abstract

The columbarium 10 stet includes a base plinth 12, corner pillars 14 which locate in recesses 38 in the base plinth such that the pillars are supported vertically. Side panels 16 having edges received in grooves 32 in the pillars and span between the pillars to bound an internal space. The columbarium also includes dividers 20 that subdivide the internal space into compartments. A top panel 18 is located on the upper ends of the pillars. Some of the side panels define openings 40 through which the interiors of the compartments are accessible and cover panels 22 that are arranged to selectively close the openings. The columbarium may be made from stone such as granite. The columbarium may also have intermediate pillars, between which side panels span, such that several panels may exist between corner pillars. The covers may be lockable.

Description

"COLUMBARIUM"

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a columbarium.

Columbaria are used to store cinerary urns containing cremated ashes. A typical columbarium includes a number of compartments or niches in which the individual urns are located.

Columbaria may be built into churches or mausolea, or they may be free-standing in a cemetery or the like. In the latter case, the columbarium is usually constructed off-site and transported to the cemetery as a fully constructed unit. Given that the colurnbarium may be of large size and extremely heavy when constructed of natural stone, this is an inconvenient and expensive operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a columbarium which, when assembled, is polygonal in horizontal cross-section and which comprises a base plinth, a plurality of corner pillars lower ends of which are engagable in complementary recesses or openings in the base plinth such that the pillars are supported vertically by the base plinth, a plurality of side panels having side edges receivable in grooves in the pillars such that the side panels stand upright and span between the pillars to bound an internal space, an internal dividing structure locatable within the internal space to subdivide the internal space into compartments, a top panel which can be supported at a horizontal attitude over the compartments by upper ends of the pillars, openings in the side panels through which the interiors of the compartments are accessible for placement of cinerary urns therein, and cover panels removably mountable on the side panels to close the openings.

In the preferred columbarium at least the base plinth, pillars, side panels, top panel arid cover panels are made of a natural stone such as granite or marble.

The internal dividing structure may include at least one assembly of vertical dividing panels arranged upright on edge. Typically, the structure includes at least one assembly of vertical dividing panels arranged in mutually orthogonal relationship to one another. For this purpose the vertical dividing panels may have operatively vertical slots therein arranged to interengage with one another when the vertical dividing panels are placed in mutually orthogonal relationship.

The internal dividing structure may also include at least one horizontal panel for subdividing the internal space into respective upper and lower levels of compartments.

The columbarium may include intermediate pillars between the corner pillars, the intermediate pillars having grooves therein to receive side edges of side panels spanning between respective pillars.

Conveniently the openings in the side panels are rectangular in shape and each cover panel has an outer rectangular panel section with height and width dimensions greater than those of the associated opening, an intermediate panel section with dimensions less than those of the associated opening and an inner panel section with a vertical dimension greater than that of the associated opening and a horizontal dimension less than that of the associated opening, whereby the cover panel can be fitted to the associated opening with the internal panel section located internally, the intermediate panel section located in the opening and the outer panel section located externally over the opening.

A locking means may be provided for locking the cover panel releasably over the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a columbarium according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the columbarium of Figure 1 in an assembled condition; Figure 3 shows a front side view of the columbarium of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a vertical cross-section at the line 4-4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a horizontal cross-section at the line 5-5 in Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a columbarium according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a columbarium according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a columbarium according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a typical pillar; and Figure 10 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a typical cover panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The columbarium 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 has a rectangular base plinth 12, four elongate corner pillars 14, four rectangular side panels 16, a rectangular top panel 18, an internal dividing structure indicated generally by the numeral 20 and sixteen cover panels or tablets 22. For clarity of illustration, only one side panel 16, a part of the internal dividing structure and one cover panel 22 are shown in Figure 1.

Referring also to Figure 9, each of the pillars 14 has three right angled corners 24, 26, and 28 and fourth corner 30 which is of rounded shape.

Between the corners 24 and 26 is a groove 32 which extends for the full length of the pillar. A similar groove 34 is provided between the corners 24 and 28.

The base plinth 12 has rounded corners 36. Adjacent to each corner the upper surface of the plinth is formed with a recess 38 having a horizontal cross-sectional shape complemental to that of a pillar. The recesses have a depth less than the thickness of the plinth and have dimensions marginally greater than the corresponding dimensions of the pillars. The relative dimensions of the pillars and recesses are such that, with the pillars oriented vertically their lower ends can be located in the recesses with sufficient snugness for the pillars to be supported vertically by the plinth.

The side panels 16 have a thickness marginally less than the width of the grooves 32 and 34, allowing the side panels to be dropped vertically into position between the pillars with their side edges received complementally in the grooves. In the assembled columbarium, the side panels are accordingly supported at a vertical orientation by the pillars. Each side panel is formed with four rectangular openings 40 as shown in Figure 1.

The top panel 18 has a rectangular shape similar to that of the base plinth.

The underside of the top panel is formed with recesses 42 of similar shape to the recesses 38 in the plinth.

Accordingly, with the pillars and side panels in place, the top panel can be laid horizontally over the upper edges of the side panels with upper ends of the pillars received complementally in the recesses 38. It will be understood that each pillar has a length which is greater than the vertical dimension of a side panel by an amount equal to the sum of the depths of the recesses 38 and 42 so that, in the assembled columbarium, the lower edges of the side panels rest on the upper surface of the base plinth and the top panel rests on the upper edges of the side panels when the lower and upper ends of the pillars are located in the respective recesses.

It is within the scope of the invention for the recesses 38 to be replaced by openings of similar cross-section which extend right through the base plinth 12, with the additional depth of insertion of the lower ends of the pillars providing the pillars with additional support. Alternatively or in addition, a suitable cement may be used to bond the upper and lower ends of the pillars in the recesses or holes 38 and 42. Similarly, side edges of the side panels 16 may be bonded into the grooves 32 and 34 using a suitable cement.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the illustrated dividing structure 20 includes vertical dividing panels 44 and 46 and a horizontal dividing panel 48. The dividing panels 44 and 46 are formed with complemental, vertical slots 47, 49 which can be interengaged with one another. In this embodiment, a single vertical dividing panel 46 is interengaged in this way with three vertical dividing panels 44.

The assembly of vertical dividing panels 44 and 46 rests on the base plinth 12. The respective vertical dividing panels 44, 46 have lengths marginally less than the clear internal spacing between opposite side panels 16, so the assembly fits snugly within the internal space 50 defined between the side panels.

The horizontal dividing panel 48 of the dividing structure 20 is laid horizontally on the lower assembly of vertical dividing panels 44 and 46.

It will be noted that the panel 48 has notched corners 52 enabling it to fit against the internal corners 24 of the pillars 14. Thereafter a further assembly of vertical dividing panels, similar to the illustrated assembly, is located on the horizontal panel 48. The combined height of the vertical dividing panels 44, 46 and horizontal dividing panel 48 is marginally less than the clear vertical distance between the upper surface of the base plinth 12 and the underside of the top panel 18.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 the assembled dividing structure 20, consisting of two assemblies of vertical dividing panels and the horizontal panel 48, subdivides the internal space 50 defined between the side walls 16 into sixteen internal compartments or niches 54, with eight compartments on each of two levels separated from one another by the panel 48. Each of these compartments can be accessed through one of the side panel openings 40. Referring to Figure 5, the compartments 54.1, 54,2 are accessed through the openings 40.1, 40.2 in a forwardly facing side panel 16, the compartments 54.3, 54.4 are accessed through openings 40.3, 40.4 in a side-facing side panel 16, and so on. The volume of each compartment 54 is sufficient for it to accommodate one or several cinerary urns 56 (Figure 4), for example the urn(s) of a single or multiple family members.

Referring also to Figure 10, each cover panel or tablet 22 has an outer panel section 58 with rectangular dimensions greater than those of an opening 40, an intermediate section 60 with rectangular dimensions less than those of an opening 40 and an inner section 62 with a horizontal dimension less than that of an opening 40 and with upper and lower flanges 62 and 64 defining a vertical dimension greater than those of an opening 40. With this configuration it is possible to tilt each cover panel to a non-vertical attitude, insert the upper flange 62 into an opening, raise the cover panel such that the lower flange 64 clears the lower edge of the opening and thereafter lower the cover panel into position covering the opening.

Once mounted on a side panel in its covering position, the cover panel cannot be removed by horizontal movement.

If access to an internal compartment 54 is required, a sequence of movements opposite to the mounting procedure must be followed, ie, the cover panel is first lifted, whereafter it can be tilted outwardly, lowered and removed. An intermediate stage in the mounting/removal process is illustrated in Figure 4.

Each of the openings 40 is in use provided with a cover panel to conceal and protect the contents of the associated compartment.

With the exception of cement, if used, all of the components described above are of natural stone or a stone-like synthetic material having the appearance of natural stone. The components are typically of natural granite which is cut, polished and where necessary machined to the required shape. Other stone or stone-like materials, for example marble, may also be used. In each case, the weight of the various components is sufficient to hold the columbarium in its assembled state even if cement is not used.

The outer surface of each outer panel section 58 of a cover panel 20 can be engraved, by normal stone engraving techniques, with the name or names of the deceased whose cinerary ashes reside within the associated compartment and/or with other inscriptions.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of columbarium according to the invention. This differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 in that the internal dividing structure is designed to provide three levels of internal compartments as opposed to two. It will be understood that this will require an additional assembly of vertical dividing panels similar to the panels 44 and 46 and an additional horizontal dividing panel similar to the panel 48, and that this embodiment provides twenty four internal compartments which are individually accessible through respective openings in the side panels.

Figure 7 illustrates a third embodiment which also has three levels of internal compartments. In this case, however, the single forwardly facing side panel 16 of the previous embodiments is replaced by two forwardly facing panels 16.1 and 16.2. Similarly a single rearwardly facing side panel is replaced by two panels.

The columbarium in this case also includes intermediate pillars 70, of generally H-shaped cross-section, which are formed with oppositely facing grooves 72 to receive the side edges of the respective forwardly and rearwardly facing side panels. The upper surface of the base plinth and the underside of the top panel are formed with complementally shaped recesses 74 to receive the respective ends of the pillars 70.

The embodiment of Figure 7 provides twelve compartments on each level, i.e. a total of thirty-six compartments, which are individually accessible through respective openings in the side panels.

The embodiment of Figure 8 has a main, rearward section 80 with a horizontal top panel 18.1 and a forward section 82 with an inclined top panel 18.2. The forwardly facing side panel 16 has six openings covered by cover panels 22' and arranged in two levels of three each to provide access to internal compartments which are elevated above the base plinth. The rearwardly facing side panel (not visible in the Figure) has three low level openings, once again covered by cover panels, providing access to three low level compartments beneath the elevated compartments accessible through the upper openings. The nine internal compartments in the rearward section 80 of the columbarium (six accessible from the front and three accessible from the rear) extend from the forwardly facing side panel to the rearwardly facing side panel, so the side-facing side panels 16" are not provided with access openings.

The forward section 82 of the columbarium of Figure 8 provides a further three compartments which are accessible through openings in the inclined top panel 18.2, these openings being covered by cover panels 84. The forward section 82 has a forwardly facing side panel 86 and side-facing side panels 88.

It will be understood that the various internal compartments of the embodiment of Figure 8 are formed by an internal dividing structure appropriately composed of vertical and horizontal panels. In particular it will be understood that the internal dividing structure will include an internal dividing panel that separates the internal compartments served by the cover panels 84 from the internal compartments accessible through the rearward facing side panel of the rearward section.

It will also be understood that the embodiments are merely a few of the many different variants of columbarium, with more or less internal compartments, which could fall within the scope of the invention.

If there is a concern about possible pilferage or vandalism, it is possible to provide a locking means for locking the cover panels or tablets in position closing the openings 40. Figure 10 shows a conventional key-operated barrel lock 100 which can be mounted in an opening near to the upper edge of the outer panel section 58 so as to locate beneath the upper edge of the associated opening 40 when locked. This prevents the cover panel from being lifted up to the extent necessary for the lower flange 64 to clear the lower edge of the opening, thereby preventing removal of the cover panel. If access to the associated internal compartment is required, it will be necessary to release and withdraw the lock by appropriate operation of the key.

Apart from having an aesthetically pleasing appearance, an advantage of each of the columbaria described above is the fact that it can be assembled, possibly in situ in a cemetery, garden of remembrance or the like, from individual components which can be manhandled relatively easily. -10-

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS1. A columbarium which, when assembled, is polygonal in horizontal cross-section and which comprises a base plinth, a plurality of corner pillars lower ends of which are engagable in complementary recesses or openings in the base plinth such that the pillars are supported vertically by the base plinth, a plurality of side panels having side edges receivable in grooves in the pillars such that the side panels stand upright and span between the pillars to bound an internal space, an internal dividing structure locatable within the internal space to subdivide the internal space into compartments, a top panel which can be supported at a horizontal attitude over the compartments by upper ends of the pillars, openings in the side panels through which the interiors of the compartments are accessible for placement of cinerary urns therein, and cover panels removably mountable on the side panels to close the openings.
2. 2. A columbarium according to claim I wherein at least the base plinth, pillars, side panels, top panel and cover panels are made of natural stone.
3. 3. A columbarium according to claim 2 wherein the natural stone is granite or marble.
4. 4. A columbarium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal dividing structure includes at least one assembly of vertical dividing panels arranged upright on edge.
5. 5. A columbarium according to claim 4 wherein the internal dividing structure includes at least one assembly of vertical dividing panels arranged in mutually orthogonal relationship to one another.
6. 6. A columbarium according to claim 5 wherein the vertical dividing panels have operatively vertical slots therein arranged to interengage with one another when the vertical dividing panels are placed in mutually orthogonal relationship.
7. 7. A columbarium according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the internal dividing structure also includes at least one horizontal panel for subdividing the internal space into respective upper and lower levels of compartments.
8. 8. A columbarium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top panel has complementary recesses in an underside thereof to receive upper ends of the corner pillars.
9. 9. A columbarium according to any one of the preceding claims and including intermediate pillars between the corner pillars, the intermediate pillars having grooves therein to receive side edges of side panels spanning between respective pillars.
10. 10. A columbarium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the openings in the side panels are rectangular in shape and each cover panel has an outer rectangular panel section with height and width dimensions greater than those of the associated opening, an intermediate panel section with dimensions less than those of the associated opening and an inner panel section with a vertical dimension greater than that of the associated opening and a horizontal dimension less than that of the associated opening, whereby the cover panel can be fitted to the associated opening with the internal panel section located internally, the intermediate panel section located in the opening and the outer panel section located externally over the opening.
11. 11. A columbarium according to claim 10 and including a locking means for locking the cover panel releasably over the opening.
12. 12. A columbarium substantially as herein described with reference to, or with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.