Concealed Columbarium Shutter Mounting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The columbarium industry faces challenges with existing concealed shutter mounting systems, particularly with the use of large 24″×24″ stone panels, which are difficult to handle, expensive, and require more hardware and labor for installation and potential replacement due to engraving errors, whereas the trend towards 8″×8″ individual niche shutters increases hardware and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A universal concealed mounting system that is versatile, easier to assemble, and reduces material and labor costs, featuring a front track with adjustable components, such as a rearwardly extending channel, top slot, and L-shaped flange, allowing for secure and removable attachment of shutters of various sizes, including 8″×8″ and 24″×24″ panels, using corrosion-resistant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large 24"×24" stone panels are used, then the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the handling difficulty, installation complexity, and replacement cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a shutter mounting bracket attached to the stone panel, a front track mounted to the columbarium structure, and connecting hardware. This segmentation allows the heavy stone panel to be mounted independently of the mounting hardware, reducing handling difficulty during installation and replacement while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed bracket-and-track system.
2Shape
If large 24"×24" stone panels are used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the cost and labor for installation and replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mounting brackets are pre-attached to the stone panels during manufacturing, and the front tracks are pre-mounted to the columbarium structure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, allowing for faster installation and replacement of entire panel assemblies while maintaining the desired aesthetic appearance of the columbarium shutters.
3Ease of operation
If 8"×8" individual niche shutters are used, then the ease of handling and replacement is improved, but the quantity of hardware pieces and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses universal components that can accommodate shutters of various sizes. The front track serves multiple functions: it provides mounting points for shutters of different dimensions, acts as a structural support element, and offers concealed hardware locations. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of hardware pieces needed compared to dedicated mounting systems for each shutter size, while maintaining the ease of replacement advantage of individual 8"×8" panels.
4Shape
If a concealed mounting system is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the complexity of the mounting system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware components are extracted from the visible face of the shutter assembly and relocated to concealed positions. The mounting brackets are attached to the back of the stone panels, and the front track is mounted to the columbarium structure with hardware hidden within recesses or channels. This extraction of visible hardware maintains the aesthetic appearance while organizing the mounting system complexity into a structured, manageable configuration rather than attempting to hide all components entirely.
Data Source
AI summary
A concealed mounting system for columbarium shutters and the like. The mounting system includes a top clip and bottom hangers secured to a back side of the shutter. Vertically spaced upper and lower tracks are disposed behind the shutter at its upper end and a lower end. Each track includes a forwardly extending channel and a downwardly extending channel. A locking screw is received within apertures disposed substantially perpendicular to the forwardly extending channel. A nut threadably receives the locking screw and is disposed in the forwardly extending channel, whereby upon rotation of the nut, the locking screw is caused to move vertically with respect to a bottom edge of the upper track for engagement and disengagement with the top clip. The bottom hangers are operably supported by the lower track.