MORTUARY NICHE WITH MODULAR STRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF COFFINS

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a funerary niche with a modular structure allowing the underground storage of coffins. Said funerary niche comprises a structure for the underground storage of coffins designed to support substantial weight loads and can be assembled quickly, safely, cleanly, and efficiently without the need for tools. The field of the present invention pertains to mechanics, specifically to the technical field of funerary structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vault or burial chamber is a lined and sealed external receptacle that houses the coffin; it protects the coffin from the weight of the soil and heavy maintenance equipment that will pass over the grave. Additionally, it is water resistant and helps preserve the beauty of the cemetery by preventing soil settlement (Burial. (n.d.). Wilbert.com. Retrieved on Dec. 15, 2023, from https://www.wilbert.com/burial/).

Regarding the prior art, in terms of inventions, document number US4648219A describes a lawn crypt that comprises a rectangular series of chambers. Each chamber is defined by opposing lateral and end panels. A top panel serves to enclose the chamber and is supported by the side and end panels. Each chamber is divided into an upper and lower vault by a horizontal divider. The lateral, end, and top panels are made of reinforced concrete to withstand the substantial load of heavy machinery. By using heavy machinery, grave opening and closing operations can be performed with a minimum amount of labor and time.

The invention corresponding to US5287603A describes a storage container for human remains that comprises a bottom portion, a plurality of walls each having a bottom edge coupled to the bottom means, a rim portion, a cover which fits into a recessed portion of the rim portion, a retainer portion which retains the cover within the recessed portion, fastener means to fasten the retainer portion to the cover wherein the container contains human remains in ashes.

Document number FR2694777A1 describes a lightweight, sealed composite material monoblock tomb made of composite material by hot resin injection. The tomb consists of a standard element used as a single or multiple units with molded reinforcements on the sides to give it rigidity. The tomb has a lid of the same material attached with rubber or composite torsion seals to ensure watertightness. The units are made of indestructible materials, such as composite, stainless steel, polyamide, polypropylene, polyacetate, or similar. Their weight is 42-156 kg for 1 to 3 place units compared to 500-1200 kg of concrete. This is a prefabricated unit that is also resistant to deformation and is anchored to the ground.

The lawn crypt described in document number US5511345A is made from molded unitary plastic structural members. The structural members are joined together to inhibit lateral movement using pins inserted through interconnected protrusions extending outward from the sides of the structural members. The protrusions resemble semi-circles or partially open knuckles. Each adjacent protrusion of each structural member opens in the opposite direction. The lawn crypt allows the lids of funeral chambers to be molded in place using a unitary plastic lid mold that becomes part of the lid after molding. The lid includes molded bushings to hold concrete reinforcement bars placed inside.

The invention number US5746030A describes a double-depth vault having a floor and opposing spaced side walls and end walls forming a burial enclosure. An intermediate floor panel can be mounted in the enclosure at a predetermined location spaced above the floor to divide the vault into a lower and upper burial chamber. Aligned pairs of vertical guide slots are provided on opposite walls of the vault, extending from the open end to the floor, ending at the desired intermediate floor position. Opposing edges of the intermediate floor member facing the grooved walls of the vault each have at least two spaced protruding pins to engage the respective guide slots as the intermediate floor member descends within the vault. The closed ends of the guide slots provide stops for engaging the respective pins to support the intermediate floor member at the desired height in the vault.

Document number US5894699A describes a crypt system comprising a front frame, a rear frame, and a plurality of cells received between the front and rear frames, longitudinally inclined to form a column of cells. Drainage and ventilation heads communicate with each cell, and a fastening system is provided to join adjacent columns. The front frame consists of horizontal and vertical members spaced to fit perfectly with the cells. Each cell can be independently sealed using a sealing panel fixed over the open front end of the cell. A plurality of discrete cladding panels can be mounted on the front frame of the crypt using rectangular section posts extending outward from the vertical members at predetermined intervals to butt against angled corners of the cladding panels and retaining the angled corners of the cladding panels and retention members that secure the angled corners of the cladding panels. This invention's structure also provides a crypt structure that does not suffer from the maintenance problems of existing mausoleums. The resealing of cladding panels can be efficiently and reliably achieved as needed. The removal of a cladding panel from a cell is easy for inspection, repair, or coffin loading. Additionally, the retention system for the cladding panels takes into account settlement, building shrinkage, or seismic disturbance of the surrounding mausoleum structure.

The invention numbered JL/a/2002/000015 refers to an ossuary and/or funerary urns for ashes and/or arid remains, as it is made with materials existing in the market and manufactured with advanced technology such as fiber cement, preferably or similar, punctuated inside with cement paste, and with a front grid of P.T.R or similar such as: wood, tubular, aluminum, and other compounds, and covers made with top-quality materials. This makes the urn economical, durable, waterproof, and inert, given that fiber cement does not create mold or saltpeter and is fireproof. Additionally, it has a high load capacity despite being very thin (1 cm thick), which optimizes space and, being so lightweight, it avoids the cost of reinforcing structures.

The invention numbered MX/a/2007/001551 refers to a modular system for manufacturing crypts for ashes and arid remains deposits, comprising a crypt support frame that has a base structure and a pair of vertical profiles, where the base structure is formed by a plurality of horizontal members of the base structure and a plurality of vertical members of the base structure assembled fixedly by a plurality of multiple connecting members. The invention also describes a method for manufacturing and installing such modular crypts.

The invention numbered EP1783303A1 provides a tomb lining system comprising a casing that defines an enclosure that can be divided into several vertically stacked modules or compartments, each capable of receiving an individual coffin inside, and comprising a lid that allows repeated access to the tomb.

The invention number EP1813739B1 refers to a modular structure for cemetery constructions comprising at least one module of substantially parallelepiped shape, where the module comprises: four panels, each forming a wall of the module; at least one lid forming one end of the module; and four joints, each coupled with two of said four panels forming two consecutive walls of said module. An advantage associated with the modular structure for cemetery constructions of this invention is the ability to assemble the elements of the structure-panels, joints, and covers-on site to mount a certain number of modules, as needed.

Document number MX/a/2012/000479 describes a modular crypt structure comprising a frame, a module insert defining a chamber, and a closure panel, and methods for constructing the same. The chamber functions as a crypt module and is adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof. The chamber is sealed by joining a closure panel, such as the front part of a stone crypt, to the frame, thereby encapsulating the bodily remains. The modular crypt structure may comprise a plurality of chambers providing multiple crypt modules, and the frame can comprise a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars. A method for constructing a modular crypt structure is described, including constructing a framework, providing at least one module insert, configuring the insert to define a chamber adapted to receive bodily remains, and sealing the crypt module. A modular crypt system is further described that includes a niche insert, comprising a niche sidewall frame, a niche insert defining a plurality of niches placed within the frame, and a closure panel placed in the niche sidewall frame.

The patent application number WO2012001425A2 relates to a funerary chamber of the type that can be provided in a location, typically at least partially underground, to receive at least one body in a container, such as a coffin. The funerary chamber can typically receive multiple coffins in a cavity that can be subdivided into smaller portions by the selective placement of one or more covers or lids. The chamber can be provided with anchoring means to securely maintain its position and withstand movement of the surrounding soil. The funerary chamber also includes coupling means to allow adjacent chambers to be secured to each other.

The invention number US2013067705A1 describes a coffin and burial system for human remains, including a coffin made of plastics and polymer composites, such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The coffin includes a base and an upper element that fits over the base. While the human remains inside the coffin are available for viewing, a transparent coffin cover is used, which is interchangeable with the upper element of the coffin.

The invention describes a coffin consisting of four sides, a cover, a plurality of fixed lower beams extending across the width of the coffin, and at least one movable lower panel located inside the coffin above the fixed lower beams. At least one rope is attached to each movable lower panel, and the rope extends through the coffin to the outside. The coffin places the deceased's body in closer contact with the soil to promote the natural disintegration of the body, in accordance with the funeral customs of religious beliefs requiring such intimate body contact with the earth.

Document number MX339719B describes a modular crypt structure comprising a frame, a module insert defining a chamber, and a closure panel, and methods for constructing the same. The chamber functions as a crypt module and is adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof. The chamber is sealed by joining a closure panel, such as the front part of a stone crypt, to the frame, thereby encapsulating the bodily remains. The modular crypt structure can comprise a plurality of chambers providing multiple crypt modules, and the frame can comprise a plurality of horizontal and vertical bars. A method for constructing a modular crypt structure is described, including erecting a frame, providing at least one module insert, configuring the insert to define a chamber adapted to receive bodily remains, and sealing the crypt module.

The document number US10596055B1 describes a coffin assembly that includes a floor structure, transparent side walls, and end walls extending upwardly from a lower rail to define the side and end panels, and a transparent lid attached to at least one of the sidewalls. A cardboard container made of suitable material for cremation is sized to fit inside the closed coffin. At least one of the side or end panels can be moved between a closed position to fully enclose the inside of the coffin and an open position to allow horizontal movement of the insert container holding a deceased human body in and out of the coffin interior without lifting the insert container over the top edge of the side and end panels.

The invention, numbered CA3028096C, discloses a modular crypt structure that comprises a frame, a module insert defining a chamber, and a closure panel, as well as methods for constructing the same. The chamber functions as a crypt module and receives bodily remains or parts thereof. The chamber is sealed by attaching a closure panel to the frame, such as the front of a stone crypt. The modular crypt frame can include a plurality of horizontal and vertical bars. A method for constructing a modular crypt structure is described, including erecting a frame, providing at least one module insert, configuring the insert to define a chamber adapted to receive bodily remains, and sealing the crypt module. Additionally, a modular crypt system is described, including a niche sidewall that has a niche sidewall frame, a niche insert defining a plurality of niches placed within the frame, and a closure panel placed on the niche sidewall frame.

The invention numbered US20220018150A1 refers to a crypt system that has a frame used as a skeletal structure on which a facade is secured. The frame includes vertical and horizontal supports, each equipped with a mechanical interconnection arrangement that allows the frame to be easily assembled with tight tolerances. The interconnection arrangement also provides the desired structural stability and integrity for a mausoleum or columbarium, even when the system is independent. Each horizontal support has a fluid channel that collects fluid (e.g., gas and/or liquid) and directs it to the vertical support in connection with the horizontal support. Each vertical support has a fluid channel that directs gas to a conduit leading to the outside of the building housing the crypt system. The vertical fluid channel also directs liquid to a drain that captures the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Shows a front view of the lateral support panel of the present invention.

FIG. 2. Shows a cross-section of section A-A of FIG. 1, scaled at 1:6.

FIG. 3. Shows a cross-section of section B-B of FIG. 1, scaled at 1:6.

FIG. 4. Shows a cross-section of section C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5. Shows a side view of the lateral support panel.

FIG. 6. Shows section D of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7. Shows a front view of the structural coverage panel, both basal and upper, of the present invention.

FIG. 8. Shows a cross-section of section A-A of FIG. 7, scaled at 1:6.

FIG. 9. Shows the detail of section B of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10. Shows a top view of the connecting beam of the present invention.

FIG. 11. Shows a side view of the connecting beam.

FIG. 12. Shows an isometric side view of the connecting beam.

FIG. 13. Shows a side view of the assembly of the structural coverage panels, both basal and upper.

FIG. 14. Shows an isometric view of the assembly of the structural coverage panels, both basal and upper.

FIG. 15. Shows an isometric view of the start of the assembly of a lateral panel with the connecting beam.

FIG. 16. Shows the detail of section AB of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17. Shows an isometric view of the assembly of a lateral panel with the connecting beam.

FIG. 18. Shows the detail of section C of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19. Shows an isometric front view of a plurality of assembled funerary niches.

FIG. 20. Shows an isometric front view of a plurality of assembled funerary niches.

FIG. 21. Shows an isometric top view of a plurality of assembled funerary niches.

FIG. 22. Shows an isometric front detailed view of a plurality of assembled funerary niches, showing the interior once they form a modular structure.

FIG. 23. Shows an isometric view of the assembly of a structural coverage panel and a lateral panel using a connecting beam.

FIG. 24. Shows an isometric top view of a plurality of assembled funerary niches.

FIG. 25. Shows an isometric detailed view of reinforced connecting means, comprising a groove located on the distal end of the lateral support panel, complementary to a capo located on the structural coverage panel.

FIG. 26. Shows an isometric detailed view of a lateral support panel, displaying support means that include a widening, curved, at each end of each rhombus contained in the plurality of rhombuses of the lateral support panel, located on the edge of the elongated containment elements.

FIG. 27. Shows an isometric detailed view of the reinforced connecting and support means.

FIG. 28. Shows an isometric view of the general structure of the invention, displaying reinforcement means of the connecting beams.

FIG. 29. Shows an isometric detailed view of one end of the quadrangular planar body.

FIG. 30. Shows an isometric detailed view of the reinforcement means of the connecting beams and their location in the invention.

FIG. 31. Shows an isometric view of the reinforcement means of the connecting beams.

FIG. 32. Shows a side view of the reinforcement means of the connecting beams.

FIG. 33. Shows a bottom view of the reinforcement means of the connecting beams.

FIG. 34. Shows an exploded isometric view showing all the elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a funerary niche with a modular structure that allows the underground storage of coffins, providing a structure designed to support substantial weight loads. Additionally, it allows for the consolidation of a modular structure when a plurality of such funerary niches is assembled, forming a honeycomb-type structure, as observed in FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, and 34.

The funerary niche with a modular structure, subject of this invention, comprises a main modular quadrangular housing (4), preferably rectangular, made of plastic material, consisting of two structural coverage panels (2): a first basal structural coverage panel (5) and a second upper structural coverage panel (6). This first basal structural coverage panel (5) is located at the lower part of the main modular quadrangular housing (4), where the first basal structural coverage panel (5) is equipped with lateral support panels (1) on each of its ends and perpendicular to it. Opposite to the first basal structural coverage panel (5) and perpendicular to the lateral support panels (1), a second upper structural coverage panel (6) is located, where the first basal structural coverage panel (5) and the second upper structural coverage panel (6) are substantially identical in structure.

The plastic material is preferably fiberglass reinforced nylon, which offers superior mechanical properties in terms of strength and durability, enhancing the engineering of the invention, ensuring exceptional performance in practical applications.

Each of the vertices of the main modular quadrangular housing (4) houses a connecting beam (3) that allows the assembly of the lateral support panels (1) with the first basal structural coverage panel (5) and the second upper structural coverage panel (6), as can be observed in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14.

Each of the structural coverage panels (2) consists of a flat rectangular structure (13) featuring, on its interior surface, elongated support elements (14) equidistant from each other with a spacing of 36.29 to 84.68 mm, as shown in FIG. 8. Each elongated support element (14) has a height of at least 5.36 to 12 mm relative to the flat rectangular structure (13) and is parallel to its lateral periphery.

On the same surface, in the inner part of the structural coverage panel (2), there is a lattice (15) composed of a rhomboidal grid (16), where the junction of each lateral vertex of each rhombus contained in this grid coincides with the elongated support element (14) that crosses vertically through the entire flat rectangular structure (13). Perpendicular to the elongated support elements (14), secondary elongated support elements (17) are located, matching the junction of the upper vertex with the lower vertex of each rhombus in the rhomboidal grid (16).

Parallel to the elongated support elements (14), at the periphery of each of the lateral ends of the structural coverage panel (2), hook-shaped gutters (18) are located, where the hook of the left channel is in the opposite position to the hook of the right channel, allowing the structural coverage panels (2) to be joined multiple times through these connectors to form larger structures.

As shown in FIG. 1, each lateral support panel (1) comprises a quadrangular planar body (7), from 1 to 12 mm, preferably rectangular, which has a ribbed periphery (8) on its lateral ends. This ribbed periphery (8) has a thickness less than the total thickness of the quadrangular planar body (7), preferably, having a thickness of at least one-third of the total thickness of the quadrangular planar body (7); the ribbed periphery (8) comprises a two-channel bond structure (9) with two channels: a first upper channel (10) and a second lower channel (11). As shown in FIG. 4, the two-channel bond structure (9) also has an external blunt periphery (12) that houses these channels (10) (11).

The quadrangular planar body (7) has reinforcing elements with a thickness of 12 to 52.5 mm, considering both faces of its surface. These reinforcing elements comprise a plurality of rhombuses (19) that are equidistant and uniform and that provide structure to the quadrangular planar body (7). On the same faces of said surface, parallel elongated containment elements (20) are placed, parallel to each other and to the ribbed periphery (8). These elongated containment elements (20) are located over the plurality of rhombuses (19), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The quadrangular planar body (7), the plurality of rhombuses (19), and the elongated containment elements (20) make up the core of each lateral support panel (1). The lower section of the lateral support panel (1) has a width of 30 to 70 mm, considering an inclination of 4° starting at 550 mm from its base, as shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, support means (25), shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, comprise a widening, in the form of a curve, at each end of each rhombus in the plurality of rhombuses (19) of the lateral support panel (1). This widening is located at the edge of the elongated containment elements (20).

The connecting beam (3), shown in FIG. 10, comprises an elongated prismatic structure, preferably quadrangular, with connecting channels (21) on all its faces. Each connecting channel (21) has a cutout with the exact geometry corresponding to that contained in the two-channel bond structure (9), which allows the bonding thereof.

Similarly, the present invention includes reinforced connecting means (24), shown in FIGS. 25 and 27. Said connecting means comprise an elongated indentation (22) complementary to the capo (23). The elongated indentation (22) is located at the distal outer end of each lateral support panel (1), and the capo (23) is located at each distal end of the structural coverage panel (22). These reinforced connecting means allow the structure of the invention to remain firm and enable better coupling between the panels forming it, with each panel connection including at least one reinforced connecting means (24).

As shown in FIG. 28, the invention also includes reinforcement means (26), shown in FIGS. 28, 31, 32, and 33, which act as locks between the panel joints and comprise parallel plastic elongated elements to the connecting beams (3).

It should be noted that, in the present invention, the rhomboidal arrangement represents an engineering approach that improves structural integrity, offering a solid and efficient solution for providing stability and resistance to the panel overall. This can be observed in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9.

The connecting beams (3) not only serve as coupling points but also allow smooth sliding to facilitate assembly with other panels, optimizing the mounting process efficiency and improving structural integrity by providing a secure and high-precision connection between adjacent panels. This connection can be seen in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18, and 23.

Having sufficiently described my invention, I consider the following claims as novel and therefore claim them as my exclusive property: