Modular crypt

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9945147-B2
Application number	US-201615010059-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 29, 2016
Priority date	Apr 30, 2009
Publication date	Apr 17, 2018
Grant date	Apr 17, 2018

Abstract

A modular crypt structure comprising a frame, a module insert defining a chamber and a closure panel and methods of constructing the same are disclosed. The chamber functions as a crypt module and is adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof. The chamber is closed by attaching a closure panel, such as a stone crypt front to the frame, thereby encapsulating bodily remains The modular crypt structure may comprise a plurality of chambers, thereby providing a plurality of crypt modules, and the frame may comprise a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars. A method of constructing a modular crypt structure comprises erecting a frame, providing at least one module insert, configuring the insert to define a chamber adapted to receive bodily remains, and closing the crypt module.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for constructing a modular crypt comprising:
erecting a frame defining a plurality of crypt modules;
providing at least one module insert to be supported by the frame;
configuring said at least one module insert such that the insert defines a chamber having at least one open end adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof;
positioning the at least one module insert substantially within one of the plurality of crypt modules of the frame; and
attaching a closure panel to the frame such that the closure panel is configured to close the chamber at an end of the frame associated with the at least one open end of said chamber;
wherein the frame comprises a plurality of wall support bars attached to a wall of an outside structure and positioned such that a first wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a first side of the frame and a second wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a second side of the frame, the plurality of wall support bars attached to a plurality of horizontal bars of the frame by one or more flanges such that the plurality of horizontal bars of the frame are spaced away from the wall.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein erecting a frame comprises:
providing a plurality of vertical bars;
providing the plurality of horizontal bars;
providing the plurality of wall support bars;
providing a plurality of support beams;
aligning the vertical bars horizontally and the horizontal bars vertically such that the vertical bars and horizontal bars intersect perpendicularly;
coupling the plurality of wall support bars to the frame vertically via the one or more flanges; and
forming a platform by arranging the support beams such that they intersect the vertical bars in a horizontal plane;
wherein positioning the at least one module insert in the frame comprises positioning the module insert on the platform.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a plurality of walls and a roof;
erecting the walls around sides of the frame; and
positioning the roof above the frame.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is adapted to receive a casket or coffin configured to store non-cremated, full body remains.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of crypt modules has at least one vertically adjacent crypt module at a left side or a right side thereof and at least one horizontally adjacent crypt module positioned at the top side or bottom side thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a trim plate to a bottom portion of the frame.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a crypt sealing cap to the at least one module insert at the at least one open end of said chamber.

8. A method of encapsulating bodily remains comprising:
erecting a frame defining a plurality of crypt modules;
providing at least one module insert;
configuring said at least one module insert such that the insert defines a chamber having at least one open end adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof;
positioning the at least one module insert substantially within one of the plurality of crypt modules of the frame;
inserting bodily remains or portions thereof into the chamber; and
closing the chamber at an end of the frame associated with the at least one open end of said chamber;
wherein the frame comprises a plurality of wall support bars attached to a wall of an outside structure and positioned such that a first wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a first side of the frame and a second wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a second side of the frame, the plurality of wall support bars attached to a plurality of horizontal bars of the frame by one or more flanges such that the plurality of horizontal bars of the frame are spaced away from the wall.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein closing the chamber comprises closing a closure panel attached to the frame at an end of the frame associated with the at least one opened end of the chamber.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein closing the chamber further comprises providing a crypt sealing cap configured to be placed in the at least one modular insert at the at least one open end of the chamber.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein erecting a frame comprises:
providing a plurality of vertical bars;
providing the plurality of horizontal bars;
providing the plurality of wall support bars;
providing a plurality of support beams;
aligning the vertical bars horizontally and the horizontal bars vertically such that the vertical bars and horizontal bars intersect perpendicularly;
coupling the plurality of wall support bars to the frame vertically via the one or more flanges; and
forming a platform by arranging the support beams such that they intersect the vertical bars in a horizontal plane;
wherein positioning the at least one module insert in the frame comprises positioning the module insert on the platform.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the chamber is adapted to receive a casket or coffin configured to store non-cremated, full body remains.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of crypt modules has at least one vertically adjacent crypt module at a left side or a right side thereof and at least one horizontally adjacent crypt module positioned at the top side or bottom side thereof.

14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising attaching a trim plate to a bottom portion of the frame.

15. A method for constructing a modular crypt comprising:
erecting a frame defining a plurality of crypt modules;
providing a plurality of wall support bars attached to a wall of an outside structure and positioned such that a first wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a first side of the frame and a second wall support bar of the plurality of wall support bars is positioned on a second side of the frame, the plurality of wall support bars attached to a plurality of horizontal bars of the frame by one or more flanges such that the plurality of horizontal bars of the frame are spaced away from the wall;
providing at least one module insert to be supported by the frame;
configuring said at least one module insert such that the insert defines a chamber having at least one open end adapted to receive bodily remains or portions thereof;
positioning the at least one module insert substantially within one of the plurality of crypt modules of the frame; and
attaching a closure panel to the frame such that the closure panel is configured to close the chamber at an end of the frame associated with the at least one open end of said chamber;
wherein the frame is configured to provide the plurality of crypt modules in tandem orientation to one another.

Assignees

• Matthews Resources Inc
• Matthews Int Corp

Inventors

• Bridgeman Kenneth B
• Young Charles T

Classifications

• E04H13/006 Primary

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