Display for a casket selection and/or viewing room

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/911,823 filed Aug. 15, 1997, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the funeral service industry, and more particularly to a display system facilitating the selection by a customer of a casket in a funeral home selection room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Funeral home casket selection rooms have evolved as those in the industry have attempted to better meet the funeral customers needs. The “traditional” presentation of product in a funeral home selection room was to simply place each casket on a bier and open the head end cap or lid of the casket to permit viewing inside the casket. As many caskets as possible were displayed in a selection room in order to maximize the number of product choices for the customer. Unfortunately, such a “traditional” presentation results in what has been referred to as a “sea of caskets” effect, which can be both distressing or alarming and confusing to the customer.

Advances in the design of funeral home selection rooms have taken the form of providing a plurality of alcove structures, either of a “modular” construction or of a “stick built” construction, in the funeral home selection room. Each alcove structure includes a vertical back wall and a pair of vertical, spaced apart wing walls cooperating with the back wall to form an alcove. A soffit may span the upper front edges of the wing walls, and lighting, for example track lighting, may be incorporated into the soffit. A two-tier casket rack is located within the alcove, the lower tier of the casket rack being a roll out rack permitting the lower casket to be rolled out from under the upper casket and the casket lid opened for display of the lower casket. Tasteful signage and the like is mounted on the back wall above the caskets. Such a construction, which is the subject of the assignee's prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,017 and 5,524,394, both increases the number of caskets which can be displayed in a funeral home selection room, as well as greatly improves the “look and feel” of the casket presentations, reducing the clutter and confusion of the so-called “sea of caskets” effect and providing a feeling of comfort to the families. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,017 and 5,524,394 are hereby incorporated by reference herein at this point as if fully set forth in their entirety.

New construction and renovation costs being what they are, there is an ever-increasing need to increase the product density displayable in the funeral home selection room, without sacrificing comfort, convenience and look and feel of the casket display systems of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,017 and 5,524,394.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a number of selection room displays for facilitating the selection of a casket by a customer of the funeral home, which displays increase the density of product displayable in the selection room yet without compromising the pleasing look and feel of prior displays. One such selection room display comprises a vertical back wall and a pair of vertical, spaced apart wing walls cooperating with the back wall to form an alcove. A plurality of casket portions are displayed in the alcove. The plurality of casket portions represent a plurality of casket choices from which the customer may select. A vertical signage column or graphics tower is positioned in the alcove and displays information. The column would display information to create a “theme” for the alcove, such as informational and inspirational graphics; text and copy and lifestyle imagery.

In another aspect, a selection room display is provided which comprises as before, a vertical back wall and a pair of vertical, spaced apart wing walls cooperating with the back wall to form an alcove. A plurality of casket portions are displayed in the alcove, with each of the plurality of casket portions being removably positioned atop a shelf which itself is removably secured to the back wall. A plurality of casket information modules are displayed in the alcove, with each information module being removably secured to the back wall and corresponding to one of a plurality of casket portions.

In yet another aspect, an information insert for use in a selection room display is provided. The information insert is fabricated of a transparent material and comprises a first pocket having upper and lower edges and having a generally C-shaped cross section, a second pocket attached to the upper edge of the first pocket, the second pocket having a generally U-shaped cross section, and a third pocket attached to the lower edge of the first pocket, the third pocket having a generally U-shaped cross section. The second and third pockets have lower and upper edges, respectively; the lower edge of the second pocket is spaced above the upper edge of the third pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the third or lower pocket is eliminated.

In still another aspect, an information module for use in a selection room display is provided. The information module comprises an enclosure including a door pivotable to and between a closed position and an open position, and the above-mentioned information insert, which is movable into and out of the enclosure.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a selection room display is provided which comprises a vertical back wall including at least one horizontal groove therein. A plurality of shelves are removably secured to the back wall. Each shelf of the plurality includes an upstanding lip on a back edge thereof. The lip is received in the horizontal groove thereby cantilevering the shelf from the back wall. Each of a plurality of casket portions is displayed on one of the shelves. A plurality of casket information modules are displayed on the back wall. Each of the information modules includes an upstanding lip on a back edge thereof. The lip is received in the horizontal groove thereby cantilevering the information module from the back wall as well.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a selection room display is provided which comprises a vertical back wall and two pairs of vertical, spaced apart wing walls cooperating with the back wall to form a centrally positioned center alcove and two laterally positioned side alcoves. An entire casket is displayed in the center alcove, and a plurality of casket portions are displayed in each of the side alcoves. In an alternative embodiment, one of the side alcoves is eliminated.

The display system of the present invention includes a number of additional features. For example, the vertical signage column has a square cross section. The signage column extends from the floor substantially to an upper edge of the back wall of the alcove. The signage column is positioned in the alcove such that one wall of the column abuts the back wall and another adjacent wall of the column abuts one of the wing walls.

The first pocket of the information insert includes therein a portion of the cap panel of the casket. The second pocket includes therein a photo of the casket and the third pocket includes therein a fabric swatch of the casket. The information insert further includes a hook on an upper back side thereof. The hook is positionable over an upper edge of the door of the enclosure of the information module when the door is in the open position and the information insert is removed from the enclosure to thereby display the information insert.

In the three alcove selection room display, the full size casket is supported atop a floor engaging support. Each of the plurality of casket portions is removably positioned atop a shelf which is removably secured to the back wall, as described above. Either or both of the side alcoves may include a vertical signage column therein. The side alcoves further include a plurality of the above-described casket information modules displayed therein and removably secured to the back wall thereof. This three alcove display may further include cremation urns, vaults, head stones and sympathy cards displayed in the side alcoves. Graphics may be displayed on a central portion of the back wall forming the center alcove to create a “theme”. Similarly, graphics may be displayed on the signage columns to likewise create a “theme.”

The present invention may also be utilized in a funeral home viewing room for displaying a body of a deceased. The viewing room comprises a vertical back room wall and a pair of vertical side room walls. A pair of vertical, horizontally spaced apart wing walls cooperate with the back room wall to form an alcove. A casket containing the body is positioned within the alcove. Signage forms the background for the casket. The signage includes text and/or graphics to create a theme. The theme is preferably patterned along the lifestyle of the deceased, for example, gender, religion, sports, politics, patriotism, outdoors and/or athletics.

The present invention therefore provides a number of display systems for use in a funeral home selection room which not only increase the number of product choices displayable in the selection room and therefore available to be chosen by the customer, but do so in a way which is tasteful and visually appealing. The invention also provides a funeral home viewing room.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a wall of a funeral home selection room including three alcoves, the center alcove including an entire casket, and the two side alcoves including a plurality of casket portions displayed therein and information modules associated with the casket portions displayed therein;

FIG. 2

is a front elevational view of the display of

FIG. 1

;

FIG. 3

is a perspective view illustrating the grooved rear wall of the display and the method of attaching the casket portion shelves and information modules to the grooved wall;

FIG. 4

is a partial vertical cross sectional view through the back wall of the display illustrating the back wall of the display attached to plywood which itself is attached to dry wall studs and illustrating the attachment of the shelves and information modules to the display back wall;

FIG. 5

is an exploded perspective view illustrating the information module comprising an enclosure with an openable and closable door and a removable information insert which is hangable on the door when the door is open and the insert is withdrawn from the enclosure; and

FIG. 6

illustrates the principles of the present invention adapted for use in the funeral home viewing room for display and viewing of a body of a deceased.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, there is illustrated a display

10

according to the principles of the present invention. The display

10

would be installed in the selection room of a funeral home for facilitating the selection by a customer or a family member of a casket. As illustrated, the display

10

includes essentially three alcoves

12

,

14

and

16

, though it is to be understood that the present invention admits of many different possibilities and combinations and therefore is not to be limited to any specific number or arrangement of alcoves. Referring first to alcove

12

, a vertical back wall

20

cooperates with a pair of vertical, spaced apart wing walls

22

and

24

to form the alcove

12

. A soffit

26

spans the upper front edges of the wing walls

22

and

24

and may include recessed track lighting (not shown). A ceiling

28

is positioned near the upper edges of the back wall

20

, wing walls

22

and

24

and soffit

26

. The wing walls

22

and

24

are removably secured to the back wall

20

via fasteners as shown in the assignee's prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,017. Additionally, the soffit

26

, recessed track lighting and ceiling

28

are also as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,017.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1

,

2

and

4

, the construction of the back wall

20

is shown in more detail. Back wall

20

is a commercially available product known as “Slat Wall”, available from Marlite of Dover, Ohio. The Slat Wall

20

includes a plurality of horizontal grooves

30

therein, each of which is lined with an aluminum extrusion

32

having generally a dovetailed cross-sectioned configuration. The Slat Wall

20

is mounted to a sheet of ¾″ CDX plywood

40

with screws

42

. Approximately 100 to 150 screws are required to secure a 4 ft.×8 ft. sheet of the Slat Wall

20

to the plywood

40

. The plywood

40

is in turn glued with construction adhesive

44

, for example “Liquid Nails”, available from the Glidden Company of Cleveland, Ohio, to the dry wall

46

and additionally screwed to the wall studs

48

with 2½″ No.

6

screws

50

. Screws

50

are preferably spaced approximately 6″ apart down each stud

48

. (If the plywood

46

is to be mounted to masonry, then the plywood may be attached to the masonry with the appropriate masonry screws, for example a masonry fastener known as “Tapcon”, available from Elco Industries, Inc. of Rockford, Ill.) The adhesive

44

is preferably placed as ⅜″ wide beads, spaced four inches apart up and down the stud lines. In the event that signage, for example a category sign, is mounted to the Slat Wall

20

, the Slat Wall

20

is similarly secured to the plywood

40

with construction adhesive.

Referring now back to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, alcove

12

includes a plurality of casket portions

60

,

62

,

64

,

66

,

68

and

70

displayed therein. Each of the casket portions represents a different casket choice from which the customer or family member may select. In other words, each of the casket portions are of a different color, material, finish and/or include different hardware styles. The casket portions are each removably positioned atop a shelf

80

. Referring to

FIGS. 3 and 4

, a typical shelf

80

used as a display

10

is illustrated. The shelf

80

, fabricated of, for example, transparent acrylic, includes a casket portion supporting surface

82

, a pair of lateral stiffening gussets

84

, and upwardly projecting back and front lips

86

and

88

respectively. As is seen in

FIG. 4

, back lip

86

of shelf

80

may be inserted within the groove

30

to thereby cantilever the shelf

80

from the wall

22

. Front lip

88

prevents the respective casket portion from being inadvertently dragged off the front edge of the shelf

80

.

Referring still to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, it will be seen that the casket portions may take one of many forms. For example, portions

60

and

62

are short quarter sections of a casket showing half of an end wall and an end portion of a side wall of a casket. Portions

64

and

66

are portions which show a short length of the casket side wall. Portion

68

shows a short length of the entire end of a casket. It will thus be appreciated that many different configurations of casket portions may be displayed in the alcove

12

depending on the positioning of the shelves

80

and the selection of the portion of the casket to be displayed. As can be appreciated, in the alcove

12

of the display

10

as many as eight different caskets may be represented.

A plurality of casket information modules

90

are displayed in the alcove

12

. Like the shelves

80

, each information module

90

is removably secured to the back wall

20

, and corresponds to one of the casket portions

60

,

62

,

64

,

66

,

68

and

70

displayed in the alcove. Referring now to

FIGS. 3-5

, it will be seen that each information module

90

includes an enclosure

92

including top and bottom walls

94

and

96

, side walls

98

and

100

and a rear wall

102

. A door

104

is pivoted to one of the side walls

100

and is movable to and between a closed position and an open position. The enclosure

90

is preferably fabricated of pressed wood and is assembled with wood screws. A bracket

110

including an upwardly extending lip

112

is secured to the rear wall

102

in an upper location via screws

120

. Lip

112

is receivable in one of the grooves

30

in the wall

20

in a manner similar to the manner that back lip

86

of shelf

80

may be inserted in groove

30

. The information module

90

is thereby cantilevered from wall

20

in the same manner as the shelves

80

. While it is preferable to orient the information modules

90

vertically, it is within the scope of the present invention to orient information modules

90

horizontally as illustrated.

Each information module

90

further includes an insert

130

fabricated of a transparent material such as acrylic. The information insert

130

includes a first pocket

132

, a second pocket

134

attached to an upper edge

136

of first pocket

132

and a third pocket

138

attached to a lower edge

140

of first pocket

132

. The first pocket

132

is generally C-shaped in cross section, whereas the second and third pockets

134

and

138

, respectively, are generally U-shaped in cross section. Preferably the first, second and third pockets

132

,

134

and

138

are integrally fabricated as by molding. Of course it will be appreciated that either or both of the small pockets

134

and/or

138

may be eliminated, depending on how much information is desired to be displayed in the information insert

130

. The information insert

130

further includes a hook

150

attached to the back side

152

of the insert

130

in an upper location. Hook

150

is positionable over the top edge

156

of the door

104

. In this way, a funeral director illustrating the features of the various caskets which are represented by the casket portions in the alcove may remove the insert

130

from the module

90

associated with one of the casket portions and hang the insert

130

on the edge

156

of the door

104

thereby permitting easy viewing of information in the insert

130

.

In particular, it is contemplated that the insert

130

would include a portion of a cap panel

160

positioned in the first pocket

132

. The second pocket

134

would include a photo

162

of the casket, and the third pocket

138

would include a fabric swatch

164

of the fabric of the casket. The lower edge

170

of the second pocket

134

is preferably spaced above the upper edge

172

of the third pocket

138

. In this manner, the cap panel

160

is easily viewed between the lower and upper edges

170

and

172

, respectively, of the upper and lower pockets

134

and

138

, respectively. Furthermore, a customer may access the cap panel

160

to feel the fabric thereon. Similarly, it is contemplated that the fabric swatch

164

, which might be mounted on a card (not shown) to provide rigidity, is of a height such that its upper edge

180

extends above the upper edge

172

of the third pocket

138

, similarly allowing the customer to touch and feel the fabric

164

. Additionally, information cards such as those shown at

182

and

184

may also be positioned in the second and third pockets

134

and

138

, respectively. In the event that one or the other of the small pockets

134

and

138

are eliminated then of course less information would be displayable in the insert

130

as compared to that illustrated.

Referring now back to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, the alcoves may include a vertical signage column such as that shown at

200

in any or all of the alcoves

12

,

14

and

16

. The signage column

200

has a square cross section and extends from the floor to a lower edge

202

of the soffit

26

or substantially to an upper edge of the back wall. The column

200

is positioned in the alcove, for example alcove

12

, such that one wall (not shown) abuts the back wall

20

and another adjacent wall

204

abuts one of the wing walls

22

. Thus, two remaining walls

206

and

208

, the front wall and the laterally inboard side wall, respectively, may be A utilized to display information thereon. The signage columns or graphics towers

200

are intended to be utilized as “positioning devices” identifying a specific theme for the alcove, be it the physical material of the casket (wood, metal, etc.) or a lifestyle particularly identified with the deceased (male or female gender, personal lifestyles or orientations like religious, patriotic, outdoorsman, athletic, etc.). It is contemplated that the graphics towers/signage columns would provide informational text and imagery to describe particular product offerings, as well as more inspirational text/poetry and imagery to describe the person, the lifestyle, etc. in a way that will resonate with the consumer in this particular context. The latter may be referred to as “lifestyle orientation”, i.e. providing a thematic lifestyle context for selection. The signage columns

200

are preferably fabricated of pressed wood and are assembled with wood screws. Graphics panels can be mounted in several ways on the column

200

. First, transparent acrylic covers or the like (with or without frames) mounted on the columns

200

may be utilized to display signage, product information, photo imagery, text and the like thereunder. Second, graphic prints can be mounted to a foam or plastic substrate (including foam core, gator board, sintra or the like) and laminated with a UV protective laminating film. In this second case, no acrylic cover would be required. Third, the graphic print could be on a transparent film and then backlit with a light inside the column, making the column a “light box”.

Referring still to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, it will be seen that the center alcove

14

includes an entire casket

220

displayed therein. Casket

220

is preferably supported atop a floor engaging support

222

such as a bier or the like. Alternatively, a two-tiered casket rack of the type disclosed in the assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,017 may be utilized to display two entire caskets stacked vertically in the alcove

14

. With the center alcove

14

being utilized to display an entire casket

22

the left or right or both side alcoves

12

and/or

16

are utilized to display a plurality of casket portions in conjunction with corresponding information modules and vertical signage columns. In addition, the side alcoves

12

and

16

may include additional products either removably positioned on shelves removably secured to the back wall

20

or simply placed on the floor within the alcoves. These products may include, for example, cremation urns

230

, vaults

232

, head stones

234

and sympathy cards

236

. Flower sprays may also be displayed in the alcoves. Additional signage may be mounted to the rear walls

20

as indicated at

240

,

242

,

244

and

246

. Further, graphics

250

may be applied to the portion of the back wall

20

forming the back wall of the center alcove

14

. The graphics

250

may be chosen to create a “theme” for the display

10

, such as a patriotic theme for a deceased veteran, outdoor theme, sports theme or the like. Such graphics

250

in combination with the visual impact of the entire casket

220

in combination with the many casket portions and corresponding information displayed in the lateral side alcoves presents a dramatic presentation for a funeral customer which is tasteful and presents all of the information required to make selections from the display.

Referring now to

FIG. 6

, the principles of the present invention are illustrated adapted for use in a viewing room

260

of a funeral home. The funeral home viewing room

260

includes a back room wall

262

and a pair of side room walls

264

and

266

. The walls

262

,

264

and

266

form one end of the viewing room

260

. A pair of wing wall panels

268

and

270

are positioned along the back wall

262

. A casket

220

is displayed atop a pedestal or bier

280

with a body

282

of a deceased being displayed in the casket

220

. Signage

272

of the type described above forms a background for the casket

220

and creates a theme for the alcove

274

. Sprays of flowers

284

may be supported on easels

286

and positioned between each room wall

264

or

266

and its corresponding adjacent wing wall

268

or

270

, respectively. Thus, the prior described room environment may be carried over from the casket selection room of a funeral home directly into the body viewing room of a funeral home with similar effects and advantages as described above. Further, the portions of the back wall

262

between the side walls

264

and

266

and their adjacent, respective wing walls

268

and

270

may include additional signage, text, graphics or memorabilia mounted thereto, by way of for example the use of the above-described Slatwall to build upon the theme chosen.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present invention which will result in an improved selection room display, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.