Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02285874 1999-10-15
APPLICATION FOR PATENT
INVENTORS: DENNIS J. RIGA
TITLE: DEATH CARE MERCHANDISE DISPLAY UNIT
SPECIFICATION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an integrated display system for death care
merchandise such as caskets, coffins, urns, burial vaults and materials for
decorating or
adorning the same. The display systems of the invention are particularly
designed for use by
prospective purchasers in a preview room. In addition, they may be useful for
displaying
death care merchandise during its intended use, such as in a memorial or
funeral service as
well as in a viewing room.
Background of the Invention
Various casket display systems are known in the art. The more primitive of
such
systems consist of a casket display rack or support. See, for instance, U.S.
Patent No.
2,937,768 which discloses a two-tiered casket display rack having a rigid C-
shaped frame-
like structure for the display of two caskets - one casket supported above
another.
U.S. Patent No. 5,405,017 discloses a more contemporary casket display system
for
full caskets. The display system of the'017 patent includes a two-tiered
casket display rack
retractable by means of a scissors unit which, in turn, is connected to a rod.
The display rack
of the '017 patent is not an integral part of the casket display system.
While the casket display system of the '017 patent offers a more serene
setting than
the primitive systems of the prior art, as set forth in the '768 patent, they
do not permit the
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full display of merchandise used in the funeral and death care industry. In
addition, it does
not permit the display of all types of merchandise such as adornment
accessories, urns, and
burial vaults.
Further, the display systems of the prior art containing a rollout rack onto
which a full
casket is mounted basically require the presence of two caskets - one on a top
shelf and the
second on a bottom shelf. Such systems are difficult to manage and handle
especially since
the lower casket is often required to be in a retracted state.
The need exists therefore for a display system which permits the exhibition of
a
greater volume and a greater type of death related merchandise at greater ease
for the
prospective purchaser. In addition, the need exists for a display system which
can be more
easily assembled and utilized than afforded by the systems of the prior art.
Summary of the Invention
A death care merchandise display unit which maximizes the types and styles of
death
care merchandise comprises two vertical, parallel, spaced wing wall panels,
and a vertical
back wall having lateral edges secured to the rear edges of the wing wall
panels. The display
unit may contain one or more fabric boards and may further contain a cornice.
Additionally,
the display unit may contain doors on the front to protect it and to
facilitate shipping.
Further, the display unit of the invention may contain one or more retractable
drawers
in relatively close proximity to the rack(s) displaying the burial vault,
coffin or casket.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a stackable death care
merchandise display unit having means for interconnecting two or more
stackable units.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a modular death care
merchandise display unit having a means for interconnecting two or more
modular units.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of the display unit of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the stackable display unit of the invention.
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FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the display unit of the
invention
showing the cornice assembly.
FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the display unit having two sectional decedent
confinement
chambers.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the drawer assembly unit for use with the
invention.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cornice assembly secured to the back wall.
FIG. 7 illustrates a decorative endcap for the modular display unit of the
invention.
FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the display having three sectional decedent
confinement
chambers.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one method to attach the display unit to the
wall.
FIG. 10 illustrates two modular display units affixed side by side.
FIG. 11 shows how the modular display units may be connected.
FIG. 12 shows the doors that may be used to protect the display unit during
transit..
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The present invention provides an integrated display system for death care
related
merchandise. The display system of the invention is principally used in a
preview room
where selection of death care related merchandise by the decedent's loved ones
occurs. In
addition, the display system of the invention may be used in death related
ceremonial areas
such as the viewing room of a funeral home as well as at funeral and memorial
services.
The display system of the invention is defined by a back wall and side or wing
walls.
One of the principal advantages of the display system of the present invention
is that it
maximizes the number and types of death care merchandise which may be
displayed in a
given area.
The display system of the invention may further be a stackable and/or modular
assembly; permitting it to be assembled and disassembled within a short period
of time as
well as on an "as needed" basis. The ability of the display system to be
stackable and/or
modular permits purchasers to buy all or sections of the system when so
desired.
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The display system contains a number of novel features which may be used alone
or
in combination with each other. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the death
care
merchandise display system 1 of the invention, principally for use in preview
rooms. The
display system 1 comprises a back wall 2 and two side or wing wall panels 3
and 4. Wing
wall panels 3 and 4 are connected with back wall 2 at the rear section of each
wing wall
panel 3 and 4. The vertical back wall 2 may be removably secured to the rear
edges of wing
wall panels 3 and 4.
As set forth in FIG. 3, wing wall panels 3 and 4 are attached to back wall
panel 2 by
conventional ready-to-assemble ("RTA") fittings in the art. Depicted are
fitting 31 with
flanges which mate with fitting 32 having an approximate %2" deep recessed
area. Back wall
panel 2 has an L-shaped cut 33 and wing wall panels 3 and 4 have receptor
notch 34 for the
RTA fittings.
The back and wing wall panels of the display system of the invention are
typically
plywood but may be fiberwood or other durable material such as a synthetic
plastic material
as plexiglass or Mylar. The back wall or wing wall panels may be covered with
a fabric-like
material or have a textured surface. When so desired, the fabric-like material
may be
removably attached to the panel allowing the user to select the color and
texture.
Back wall panel 2 and wing wall panels 3 and 4 may include known means for
removably attaching objects such as signs and photographs. The means for
attaching objects
include, e.g., peg-board type attachments, slat wall, stackable surfaces, hook-
and-loop fabric
(e.g., VELCRO') attachments, magnetic attachments or other known devices for
removably
attaching objects to a vertical surface for display of the objects.
The alcove defined by back wall 2, lefft wing wall pane13 and right wing wall
panel
4 may display one or more sectional decedent confinement chambers 7a, 7b,
and/or 7c. The
decedent confinement chambers may be sectionals of actual size or miniatures.
FIG. 1 illustrates an alcove having two sectionals of actual size decedent
confinement chambers. The sectionals preferably contain that portion of the
decedent
confinement chamber showing the handle 15 and guiding rod 16. The display unit
may
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contain a first bottommost or base modular unit 10 and a second modular unit
9. Both the
second modular unit 9 and the base modular unit 10 are secured to wing wall
panels 3 and
4.
Display unit 1 may further contain identification placards 8a and 8b on top of
sectional decedent confinement chambers 7a, 7b, and/or 7c. In preview rooms,
identification
placards 8a and 8b may be used to inform the customer of features of the
displayed casket.
Such placards may consist of photographs of a sectional or whole decedent
confinement
chamber in an open or closed position. Communicative materials, such as
signage, may
further be mounted on back wall 2 or wing wall panels 3 or 4 to designate
information about
the death care related merchandise (when used in a showroom display setting)
or the
decedent (when used in a viewing room, funeral home or memorial service
setting). When
used in a preview room display setting, each of the sectional decedent
confinement chambers
7a, 7b, and/or 7c may be displayed with signage or other communicative means
providing
information to the prospective purchaser of the chamber. Identification
placards 8 may
include signage.
The wing and wall panels 3 and 4, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are typically 5
to 7
feet, preferably 6 feet, tall. The length of back wall 2 is sufficient to
contain a sectional of
an actual size decedent confinement chamber.
As used herein, the term "decedent confinement chamber" shall refer to a
casket,
coffin or burial vault and, where appropriate, urns. The term shall include
ready-for-use
caskets, coffins, and burial vaults as well as the facade of caskets, coffins,
and burial vaults.
Where the display unit is to be used in a preview room and designed not to be
opened, it is
especially preferred to use facades of such caskets, coffins, and burial
vaults. The facade
typically includes those outer sides and surfaces of the chamber visible to
the observer.
Where the chamber is being used to exhibit only the facade, the inner chamber
is hollow.
It is often desirable to secure the unit to a stationary support. Thus, the
back wal12
may be secured to the adjoining wall (or sheetrock) surface of the building.
Alternatively, or
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in addition to securing the back wall to the adjoining wall, the base of the
wing wall or back
wall may be bolted, by means of conventional fasteners, to the floor.
The display unit of the invention may contain one or more shelves. FIG. 2
illustrates
shelving 11 for the mounting of a non-retractable decedent confinement
chamber. Additional
support for the chamber may be provided by extending shelving 11 the length of
the interior
of the alcove defined by back wall 2 and wing wall panels 3 and 4.
In order to increase the number and types of decedent confinement chambers
being
displayed, the display unit of the invention preferably contains sectional
decedent
containment chambers. A sectional decedent containment chamber is a partial
casket, coffin
or burial vault cut in such a manner so as to be mounted on the receiving
wall. FIG. 2
illustrates an alcove containing two sectional decedent confinement chambers
7a and 7b. As
set forth in FIG. 4, a sectional decedent containment chamber 7a, cut at 90 ,
allows the
observer to view the left end 41 of the chamber along with all external
ornamentation of the
segmented chamber that usually includes handle 15 and guiding rod 16. The
partial chamber
may be a facade only or contain an interior view of the segmented chamber
being presented.
As set forth in Fig. 8, the decedent containment chamber for use in the
invention may
further be sectioned at an angle greater than 90 from the wall panel. When
secured on a flat
wall, the sectional decedent containment chamber 7a, allows the observer to
more keenly
view a chamber appearing higher with the alcove. In addition, the interior of
an opened
chamber is more easily viewable when the chamber is sectioned at an angle
greater than 90 .
When so sectioned, the partial chamber appears to the observer in a position
which is slanted
in a downward direction. Sectional decedent confinement chambers 7a, 7b,
and/or 7c may
be easily mounted onto wing wall panels 3 or 4 and/or back wall.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the death care merchandise display system of the
invention
may be comprised of stackable modular units. As such, a given modular system
may be
modified to include any number of modular units. For instance, the modular
system may
contain two stackable units containing sectional decedent confinement chambers
41 as
depicted in FIG. 2. The top surfaces of wing wall panels 3a and 4a and back
wall 2a of lower
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modular unit 10 may include dowels 13. The bottom surface of wing wall panels
3b and 4b
and back wall 2b of adjoining upper modular unit 9 contain holes 14 for mating
with dowels
13. The top surfaces of wing wall panels 3b and 4b and back wa112b of upper
modular unit
9 also include dowels for interlocking with the holes on the bottom surface of
the wing wall
panels 3c and 4c and back wall panel 2c of the top cornice assembly.
FIG. 4 presents another embodiment of the invention directed to a display unit
containing a top and bottom sectional decedent confinement chambers 7a and 7b.
The
sectional decedent confinement chambers 7a and 7b illustrated in FIG. 4 may be
"quarter
caskets," each representing one quarter of a full size casket. As depicted,
the unit is about
six feet tall and four feet wide.
The merchandise display unit 1 of the invention may further contain one or
more
retractable drawers 44a and 44b and may contain at least one display board 5a,
5b, and 6a,
and/or 6b for displaying accessories typically used with the decedent
confinement chamber
on display. Such accessories include fabrics for the cap panel - that portion
of the interior
of the chamber lining the upper part of the lid, as well as the overlay - the
fabric which lies
across the outside of the chamber when the lid of the chamber is opened.
Display boards 5a
and 5b and 6a and 6b may be secured to wing wall panels 3 and 4 and/or back
wa112. The
drawer 44a or 44b could further be modified to hold the samples of ornamental
trims for the
exterior of the chamber being displayed.
The retractable drawer unit 42 of FIG. 4 consists of two sets of retractable
drawers
44a and 44b. In operation, each of the drawers may display adornment materials
for separate
decedent confinement chambers. The drawers are retractable by conventional
bottom
mounted drawer slides conventional in the art. The top surface 43 of the
drawer unit 42 may
contain recessed area 45 for placement of sign placard 46. Base 47 of placard
46 fits within
recessed area 45. The front surface of the placard may contain additional
information about
the chamber on display (where used in a preview room) or the decedent (where
used in a
funeral home or memorial service setting). Retractable drawer unit 42 may
extend from
wing wall pane13 to wing wall panel 4.
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The merchandise display system of the invention may further contain a cornice
12.
Any conventional cornice or so.ffit disclosed in the art may suffice. For
instance, the cornice
may consist of a horizontal beam which extends from wing wall panel 3 to wing
wall panel
4. Typically, the use of a cornice will increase the display height to above 7
feet. In a
preferred embodiment, the height of the wing wall panels and back wall panels,
when
cornice is added, is about 7.5 feet.
A particularly preferred cornice is that set forth in FIG. 3 which is easy to
produce
and which affords to the display a more than adequate amount of light. The
cornice 12 is
mounted along the upper portion of either back wall 2 or wing wall panel 3 and
4 of the
display unit. An illunlination source 35 can be attached by any means to the
backside of the
cornice 12 to provide additional illumination.
The placard 8 may contain information about either the decedent (where the
unit is
employed in memorial settings or funerals) or the merchandise displayed (where
the unit is
employed for point-of-sale merchandise). For instance, in point-of-sale
merchandise,
placard 8 can display photographs, illustrations, or information about the
materials used in
the manufacture of the decedent confinement chamber, such as "Stainless
Steel," "Veneer,"
"Hardwood," "Steel," etc. as well as information about the merchandise on
display, such as
"Interiors" for a display illustrating the interior of the decedent
confinement chamber.
The cornice 12 may be secured to either the back wall 2 of wing wall panels 3
and
4 of the display unit by various known means, e.g., by a RTA fitting, by a
threaded screw
connection, by gravity lock method, or otherwise as known to those in the art.
The preferred
connecting member is the ready-to-assemble ("RTA") fitting 61, which includes
a threaded
fastener such as a machine-threaded screw extending longitudinally outward
from the end
of the receiving member and attached to a threaded nut or other threaded
retaining device.
For instance, the screw head of the RTA fitting may extend from the back wall
of the
connecting member. Receiving member is attached to the receiving end.
FIG. 6 demonstrates one method of securing the cornice assembly to back wall
2.
Vertical beams 62 and 63 are secured to back wal12 by threaded screws
extending from the
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back of back wal12 into the vertical beam. Mounting brackets are secured to
the top 64 and
bottom 65 of the front vertical beams 62 and 63. Mating screws are inserted
into the back
of horizontal beam 66 which interlock within the groove 67 of mounting bracket
68.
The configurations for use in the invention may further be characterized as a
stackable display system wherein stackable units are prefabricated and are
removably
attached to one another to create the desired alcove configurations. In this
manner, pieces
of the display unit may be mixed or matched as well as be purchased
concurrently with each
other or at different times. FIG. 2 exemplifies the stackable display unit.
The base unit 10
of the stackable system contains back wa112a secured to wing wall panels 3a
and 4a. The
top surfaces of wing wall panels 3a and 4a as well as the top surface of back
wa112a have
dowels 13. The holes 14 in the bottom of second stackable unit 9 are recessed
and interlock
with dowels 13 of base unit 10. Altematively, the top of base unit 10 may
interlock with the
bottom of second stackable unit 9 by other conventional means. Second
stackable unit 9, in
turn, contains dowels 13b on the top surface of left wing wall 3b, right wing
wall 4b, and
back wall 2b panel for engaging the recessed groove running the bottom
perimeter of third
modular unit 21.
Base stackable unit 10 may contain shelving 11, such as that illustrated in
FIG. 2 for
a stationary sectional decedent confinement chamber or may contain the
requisite hardware
for receiving a butt end sectional decedent confinement chamber 4. The third
stackable unit
21 may contain a cornice 12 (illustrated in FIG. 3) with or without
illumination means.
Decorative endcap 71, as shown FIG. 7 further may be affixed to the top of
dowels
13 of either base unit 10, second stackable unit 9, or third stackable unit
21. Endcap 71 has
a recessed groove which interlocks with the dowels 13 of the uppermost unit of
the display.
The endcap can easily be unsnapped off of the lip to add additional modules
when so desired.
It is often desirable to secure display unit 1 to a stationary support. Thus,
back wall
2 may be secured to the adjoining wall (or sheetrock) surface of the building.
FIG. 9
illustrates a possible securing solution where a bracket 90 is attached by any
means to the
back surface of back wa112. Bracket 90 creates a mating groove 92 that can
interlock with
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a mating groove 93 of bracket 91 to create a French cleat. Though certainly
not the only
method of attaching display unit 1 to a wall, this method offers a removably
secure method
to prevent toppling.
The configurations for use may further be characterized by a modular display
system
wherein modular display units are prefabricated and are removably attached to
one another
to create the desired alcove configurations. In this manner, pieces of the
display unit may
be mixed or matched as well as be purchased concurrently with each other or at
different
times. FIG. 10 exemplifies the modular display unit. Display unit 1 contains
back wall 2 and
wing wall panels 3 and 4, any of which may contain a longitudinal groove 110
on back wall
2 illustrated in FIG. 11. A second modular display unit 101 can be attached to
display unit
1 at a back wall 102, wing wall panel 103, and/or wing wall panel 104 via
another
longitudinal groove 111 depicted, for example, on back wall 102 in FIG. 11. In
FIG. 11, an
elongated mounting bracket 112 can be pushed into elongated groove 110. Then
second
modular unit 101 can be aligned and pushed into place such that mounting
bracket 112 is
forced into longitudinal groove 111.
FIG. 12 illustrates doors 120 and 121 that are longitudinally attached to
front edges
123 and 124 of wing wall panels 3 and 4, respectively. One means of attachment
that may
be used is similar to the method depicted in FIG. 11 whereby longitudinal
grooves 125 and
126 can accommodate an elongated, hinged bracket 127 which allows doors 120
and 121 to
be opened and shut. An analogous procedure to the connection of display unit 1
to second
modular unit 101 depicted in FIG. 11 may be utilized to attach the doors 120
and 121 to
display unit 1.
A finish on any or all of the surfaces of the merchandise display unit may be
placed
to more closely coordinate with the merchandise being displayed. For instance,
where the
merchandise display is of caskets or coffins, the back and side walls of the
display unit may
be pigmented to enhance the colors of the merchandise.
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Various modifications may be made in the nature, composition, operation, and
arrangement of the various elements, steps, and procedures described herein
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
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