# US 12,760,552 B2 · Shutter mounting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,552 B2 - Document ID: US12760552B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/520,128 - Filed: 2023-11-27 - Published: 2024-05-30 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-11-28 - Assignees: Eickhof Columbaria, Inc. - Applicants: Eickhof Columbaria, Inc. - Inventors: Peter Tollefson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760552B2 ## CPC - E04H 13/006: {Columbaria, mausoleum with frontal access to vaults} - E04H 13/001: {Accessories for grave sites, e.g. liners, covers, vault lowering devices (E04H13/003 takes precedence)} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A columbarium includes a shutter mounting system for mounting shutters over niche. The shutter mounting system includes a flange extending outward from an outer edge of the horizontal panel of each niche, the flange having a channel formed parallel to the outer edge of the base. An upper mounting assembly attaches to the inner face of the shutter, and includes an upper mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support an upper engagement element to engage a channel in a flange of an adjacent higher niche. Lower shutter mounting assemblies each have a lower engagement element, and a lower mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support the lower engagement element to extend into the channel in the flange of the niche. A second shutter mounting system mounts a shutter over a topmost niche and includes a bracket and plunger. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A columbarium comprising: a plurality of niches, each niche comprising a horizontal panel forming one or both of a top and a bottom of the niche; a plurality of shutters mounting in front of the niches, each of the shutters having an outer face and an inner face; a shutter mounting system for mounting a shutter over one or more niches, the shutter mounting system comprising: a flange extending outward from an outer edge of the horizontal panel of each niche, the flange having a channel formed therein extending parallel to the outer edge of the horizonal panel; an upper shutter mounting assembly attached to the inner face of the shutter, the upper shutter mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support an upper engagement element to engage a channel in a flange of an adjacent higher niche; an upper complementary mounting assembly including a support member; wherein the upper mounting bracket includes lateral retaining side wall portions extending inward toward the niche, and wherein the support member of a complementary mounting assembly is confined between the side wall portions to prevent lateral movement of the shutter; two or more spaced apart lower shutter mounting assemblies, each of the lower shutter mounting assemblies having a lower engagement element, and a lower mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support the lower engagement element to extend into the channel in the flange of the niche; wherein the upper mounting bracket is laterally intermediate the lower mounting brackets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The columbarium according to claim 1, wherein the engagement elements comprise bolts. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The columbarium according to claim 1, wherein the mounting brackets comprise a longitudinal slot extending substantially horizontally transverse to the inner face of the shutter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The columbarium according to claim 1, wherein mounting brackets comprise a slot for adjusting a distance of the engagement elements from the shutter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The columbarium according to claim 1, wherein engagement elements are adjustably mounted to the mounting brackets to horizontally adjust the engagement elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The columbarium according to claim 1, wherein the columbarium is free of swivel sockets; and wherein the lower mounting bracket comprises an L-shaped bracket with a threaded stud extending through a threaded orifice in a projecting leg of the L-shaped bracket, the threaded stud resting directly in the channel of the flange. ### Claim 7 A shutter mounting system for mounting a shutter over at least one niche, the shutter having an outer face and an inner face; the niche comprising a horizontal panel forming one or both of a top and a bottom of the niche; the shutter mounting system comprising: a flange extending outward from an outer edge of the horizontal panel of each niche, the flange having a channel formed therein extending parallel to the outer edge of the horizonal panel; an upper mounting assembly attached to the inner face of the shutter, the upper mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support an upper engagement element to engage a channel in a flange of an adjacent higher niche; an upper complementary mounting assembly including a support member; wherein the upper mounting bracket includes lateral retaining side wall portions extending inward toward the niche, and wherein the support member of a complementary mounting assembly is confined between the side wall portions to prevent lateral movement of the shutter; two or more spaced apart lower mounting assemblies, each of the lower mounting assemblies having a lower engagement element, and a lower mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support the lower engagement element to extend into the channel in the flange of the niche; wherein the upper mounting bracket is laterally intermediate the lower mounting brackets elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The shutter mounting system according to claim 7, wherein the engagement elements comprise bolts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The shutter mounting system according to claim 7, wherein the mounting brackets comprise a longitudinal slot extending substantially horizontally transverse to the inner face of the shutter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The shutter mounting system according to claim 7, wherein mounting brackets comprise a slot for adjusting a distance of the engagement elements from the shutter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The shutter mounting system according to claim 7, wherein engagement elements are adjustably mounted to the mounting brackets to horizontally adjust the engagement elements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The shutter mounting system according to claim 7, wherein the columbarium is free of swivel sockets; and wherein the lower mounting bracket comprises an L-shaped bracket with a threaded stud extending through a threaded orifice in a projecting leg of the L-shaped bracket, the threaded stud resting directly in the channel of the flange. ### Claim 13 A columbarium comprising: a plurality of niches, each niche comprising a horizontal panel forming one or both of a top and a bottom of the niche; a plurality of shutters mounting in front of the niches, each of the shutters having an outer face and an inner face; a first shutter mounting system for mounting a shutter over one or more niches, the shutter mounting system comprising: a flange extending outward from an outer edge of the horizontal panel of each niche, the flange having a channel formed therein extending parallel to the outer edge of the horizonal panel; an upper mounting assembly attached to the inner face of the shutter, the upper mounting assembly comprising an upper mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support an upper engagement element to engage a channel in a flange of an adjacent higher niche; two or more spaced apart lower mounting assemblies, each of the lower mounting assemblies having a lower engagement element, and a lower mounting bracket attached to the inner face of the shutter to support the lower engagement element to extend into the channel in the flange of the niche; wherein the upper mounting bracket is laterally intermediate the lower mounting brackets; a second shutter mounting system for mounting a shutter over at least a topmost niche, the second shutter mounting system comprising: an upper lock assembly comprising: a threaded element including a radially outward extending protrusion; a nut fixed to the threaded element above the protrusion; a plunger configured to engage a complementary element on the shutter; a bracket comprising: a mounting portion mounting to the columbarium; a supporting portion having a vertical orifice receiving the threaded element and supporting the threaded element oriented substantially vertically; an anti-rotation portion extending downward from the supporting portion, the plunger engaging the anti-rotation portion to block rotation of the plunger; wherein the threaded element includes a center collar portion having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein the screw support portion is retained between the nut and the second portion of the collar portion so that the threaded element does not rise or fall relative to the bracket during rotation; and wherein rotation of the threaded element causes the plunger to travel axially along the threaded element to raise or lower the plunger while the threaded element remains at a constant vertical position.