Columbarium Vertical Storage With Secure Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cemeteries face space constraints for storing cremation urns, leading to revenue decline and maintenance issues, as they struggle to increase urn storage without compromising access for loved ones.
Innovation Solution
A columbarium design featuring a base with vertical openings for multiple urns, a secure locking mechanism, and a lid that seals from exterior elements, allowing for stacking and easy relocation, using materials like granite and concrete with steel reinforcement for durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cemeteries build upward using mausoleums to increase urn storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility for loved ones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The columbarium is divided into multiple individual niches or compartments, each capable of holding a cremation urn. This segmentation allows multiple urns to be stored in a compact vertical structure while maintaining individual access to each niche through separate openings at ground level, thus increasing storage capacity without compromising accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal ground-level burial plots to vertical stacking of urns in a columbarium structure. By utilizing the vertical dimension with multiple levels and floors, the system achieves significantly higher storage density while maintaining ground-level accessibility through strategic placement of openings and doors.
2Ease of operation
If traditional burial plots are used, then accessibility and simplicity are maintained, but storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The columbarium utilizes vertical stacking with multiple floors and levels, transforming the traditional single-level horizontal layout into a multi-story vertical structure. This dimensional change enables significantly increased urn storage capacity while maintaining ground-level accessibility through strategically positioned openings, doors, and pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The design nests multiple urns within individual protected compartments or niches, which are themselves nested within the larger columbarium structure. This nested arrangement allows efficient space utilization and increased storage capacity while maintaining individual access to each urn through separate openings.
3Quantity of substance
If mausoleums are built upward to increase capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The columbarium structure is segmented into modular sections with standardized niches, floors, and walls. This modularity simplifies construction and maintenance by allowing standardized components to be replaced or repaired independently, reducing overall maintenance complexity despite the increased storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design provides slightly more space than the minimum required for each urn niche, creating adequate clearance for maintenance activities. This partial excess space facilitates easier access for cleaning and repairs without significantly increasing the overall footprint or complexity of the structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A columbarium for housing a plurality of cremation urns including a columbarium base and a plurality of vertical openings in the base interior, the vertical openings for the storage of cremation urns. The columbarium includes a plurality of slab members secured to the base side surfaces and a lid securable to the slab member upper portions. The columbarium includes a lock assembly for securing the lid to the columbarium base including a slide catch disposed on an interior portion of the lid and a latch assembly having a latch member. The latch assembly is secured to the columbarium base and is rotatingly engageable with the slide catch by rotation of a horizontal shaft having a free end with a male or female portion aligned with the side key opening. The lock assembly includes a key having a male or female portion for mating with the latch assembly shaft. The lid is removable by inserting the key in the key opening, engaging the key male or female portion with the latch assembly shaft male or female portion and rotating the key until a free end of the latch member disengages the slide catch.