Folding Memorial Stone Decorative Element with Hinged Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative elements for memorial stones and columbarium walls do not effectively allow for mourning rituals or the display of mourning objects while maintaining a uniform appearance, as they either require complex production or difficult attachment and lack space-efficient designs.

Innovation Solution

A decorative element with a base part that can be firmly connected to a memorial stone, featuring a ring-shaped folding part that is pivotably connected and can be moved from a first position to a second, folded position, allowing for both decorative and functional use, including the display or concealment of mourning objects, with designs that ensure a uniform appearance is maintained in the first position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a niche component with rotary body is used to hold mourning objects, then mourning objects can be placed and displayed, but the cover plate becomes complex to produce and difficult to attach to memorial stones

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to hold and display mourning objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of cover plate structure and attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative element is divided into separate components: a base part that attaches to the memorial stone and a folding part that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies production of individual parts and makes attachment to memorial stones more straightforward compared to integrated niche components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folding part can pivot between a first position (flush with base part) and a second position (folded down), enabling dynamic functionality for displaying mourning objects while maintaining a simple, uniform appearance when closed. This dynamic element replaces complex rotary bodies with a simpler hinged mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If gifts and mourning objects are placed on the floor in front of the columbarium, then mourning rituals can be performed, but the appearance becomes non-uniform and space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to perform mourning ritualsVSAvoiduniform appearance of memorial stones
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The folding part nests onto the base part in the first position, creating a compact, uniform appearance that maintains the aesthetic of the memorial stone. When needed for mourning rituals, the folding part unfolds to provide functional space for displaying objects, thus nesting functionality within a space-efficient design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The folding part utilizes vertical dimension by pivoting from a flush position to a folded-down position, allowing mourning objects to be displayed above the memorial stone surface rather than on the floor. This vertical utilization maintains uniform appearance when closed while providing ritual space when opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the folding part is positioned to display mourning objects, then visibility and access are improved, but the uniform appearance and space efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility and access to mourning objectsVSAvoidspace occupied by decorative element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The folding part dynamically transitions between a compact first position (maintaining space efficiency and uniform appearance) and an operational second position (providing visibility and access). This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both aesthetic and functional requirements without permanently occupying excessive space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a multifunctional, space-saving, and aesthetically appealing way to display or hide mourning objects, ensuring compliance with cemetery regulations by keeping the image of the deceased hidden in the first position while allowing for easy access and visibility in the second position, using magnetic closures and swivel joints for secure attachment.

Implementation Method 1

using magnetic closures and swivel joints for secure attachment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic closure: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

at least one folding part which is pivotably connected to the base part and can be moved from a first position into a second folded position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwivel joint: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2241703B1Decorative element for memorial stones
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 ERNST STRASSACKER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2241703B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2241703B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2241703B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

The jewelry element (10) has a base part (14), which is firmly connected with a memorial stone (16). A hinged part (12) is tiltably connected with the base part, and is moved from a position to another hinged position. The hinged part is arranged parallely to the base part in a former position, and is arranged vertically to the base part in the latter position.