Prayer enclosure

Abstract

A prayer enclosure which can be constructed as a free-standing enclosure or attached to a structure or built into a closet and includes an enclosure interior, typically closed by a door. The enclosure interior is fitted with an alter and alter support, which alter support typically defines an alter recess, a kneeler storage recess and a kneeler having a kneeler recess for accommodating literature such as a Bible and Bible reference books. Above the alter is an interior cross emblem, typically fitted with an interior cross border and a decorative light fixture can be mounted on the top panel of the enclosure frame. A literature holder or holders may also be provided in the enclosure interior, to facilitate a prayer enclosure for accommodating an individual, typically in the kneeling position and typically for prayer purposes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/009,042, Filed Dec. 26, 2007.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Biblical admonishment to pray in a solitary place of isolation is provided in a prayer enclosure which may be free-standing as an enclosure frame or attached to a wall of a structure or built into a closet, and in each case, includes an enclosure interior. The enclosure interior is typically closed by a door and is also typically provided with a light fixture on the top interior panel thereof and with an interior cross emblem that faces the worshipper. The cross emblem may be superimposed on a mirror or wall and an alter and alter support are provided beneath the interior cross emblem. An alter recess in the alter support typically provides space for storage of various articles, including rosaries, prayer and reference books and the like. A kneeler storage recess is also typically provided in the alter support beneath the alter recess to accommodate a movable kneeler which can be adjusted to accommodate a worshipper in a kneeling position and a kneeler recess is typically provided in the kneeler to allow room for other resource books and literature, including a Bible, in non-exclusive particular. One or more literature holders may also be provided in the enclosure interior for receiving tracts and other literature.

The enclosure or enclosure frame of the prayer enclosure is typically sized to accommodate one person in a kneeling or standing position and is designed to be self-contained for the purpose of prayer and accessing resource material, books, Bibles and other desired accessories which the worshipper may bring or need while in the prayer enclosure. Exterior cross emblems and decorative indicia and the like are typically also provided on the door of the prayer enclosure and typically on the sides thereof, under circumstances where the enclosure frame is free-standing or built against an interior wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a typical free-standing prayer enclosure with a closed door and exterior cross emblems and designs thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top frontal perspective view of the prayer enclosure illustrated in FIG. 1, with the door open to illustrate a typical enclosure interior with alter, kneeler, interior cross emblem and literature holder configurations; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom frontal perspective view of the prayer enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, particularly illustrating a light fixture as well as other enclosure interior components of the enclosure frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an embodiment of the prayer enclosure of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1 and includes a typical free-standing enclosure frame 2, which is characterized by a frame top 3, parallel and spaced-apart frame sides 4, each having a side cross emblem 4a thereon and a frame bottom 5 and frame back 6, illustrated in FIG. 3. As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the enclosure frame 2 includes an enclosure interior 7 of selected size, but typically sufficiently large to facilitate a worshipper of average size to enter the enclosure interior 7 and kneel, with the knees resting on a kneeler 18. The kneeler 18 is typically movably placed on the frame bottom 5 and may be stored in a kneeler storage recess 18a, provided in an alter support 16, built into the enclosure frame 2, when not in use. An alter 15 rests on the alter support 16 and typically includes an alter recess 17 for receiving one or more Bibles, literature, prayer book, rosary the like accessories. One or more literature holders 21 are typically provided on the frame sides 4. An interior cross emblem 14 is typically provided directly in front of the worshipper and above the alter 15 and may be provided with an interior cross border 14a, and a mirror (not illustrated) on the frame back 6, as further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. A door 9 is typically provided with a border 9b and is fitted with door hinges 9a to facilitate opening and closing the door 9 on the enclosure frame 2, as further illustrated in the drawings. The door 9 is also fitted with a door knob or pull 10 (FIG. 1) mounted on a door knob mount 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and door ornamentation 12 may be provided on the door 9, as illustrated in FIG. 1. A door cross emblem 13 may also be provided on the door 9, as further illustrated in FIG. 1. The kneeler recess 19 provided in the kneeler 18, is typically sized to receive a resource book 20, which may include one or more Bibles, Bible commentaries and the like. A light fixture 22 may also be provided in the top of the enclosure interior 7, typically mounted on the frame top 3, as further illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

It will be appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings that the prayer enclosure 1 of this invention may also be configured in an existing closet or against a wall (not illustrated) to accommodate the alter 15, alter support 16, kneeler 18, interior cross emblem 14, literature holder or holders 21 and the alter support 16, in non-exclusive particular, as desired. Furthermore, the prayer enclosure 1, whether designed as a free-standing enclosure frame 2 or built against an interior wall of a structure or built into an existing closet, is designed to accommodate one person who enters to worship and typically kneels on the kneeler 18, with his or her elbows and arms resting on the alter 15. The light in the light fixture 22 may be activated to provide interior illumination when the door 9 is closed, or the enclosure interior 7 may be kept dark, to provide a quiet, isolated environment for prayer and meditation.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the prayer enclosure 1 can be constructed in any desired size and dimensions, depending upon the size of the worshipper or worshippers to be accommodated. It may also provided with alternative interior decorations or ornamentation, including, for example, a mirror behind or in a plane with the interior cross emblem 14, according to the desires of the user. Furthermore, the size of the kneeler 18, as well as the kneeler recess 19, alter recess 17 and the kneeler storage recess 18a, can be varied to accommodate selected books and accessories, as desired.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A prayer enclosure comprising an enclosure for accommodating a person; an alter provided in said enclosure; and a kneeler provided in said enclosure for receiving the knees of the person when the person is in a kneeling position.

2. The prayer enclosure of claim 1 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

3. The prayer enclosure of claim 1 comprising an alter support provided in said enclosure for supporting said alter and a kneeler storage recess provided in said alter support for storing said kneeler.

4. The prayer enclosure of claim 3 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

5. The prayer enclosure of claim 1 comprising a frame defining said enclosure and wherein said alter is attached to said frame.

6. The prayer enclosure of claim 5 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

7. The prayer enclosure of claim 5 comprising an alter support provided in said enclosure for supporting said alter and a kneeler storage recess provided in said alter support for storing said kneeler.

8. The prayer enclosure of claim 7 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

9. The prayer enclosure of claim 1 comprising an enclosure cross emblem provided in said enclosure over said alter.

10. The prayer enclosure of claim 9 comprising an alter support provided in said enclosure for supporting said alter and a kneeler storage recess provided in said alter support for storing said kneeler.

11. The prayer enclosure of claim 10 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

12. The prayer enclosure of claim 5 comprising a door hingedly attached to said frame for selectively closing said enclosure.

13. The prayer enclosure of claim 12 comprising an alter support provided in said enclosure for supporting said alter and a kneeler storage recess provided in said alter support for storing said kneeler.

14. The prayer enclosure of claim 13 comprising a kneeler recess in said kneeler for receiving accessory items.

15. The prayer enclosure of claim 14 comprising at least one literature holder provided on said frame in said enclosure for receiving literature.

16. A prayer enclosure comprising a free-standing enclosure frame defining an enclosure; a door hingedly mounted on said enclosure frame; an alter provided in said enclosure; and a kneeler located in said enclosure for accommodating a person in said enclosure.

17. The prayer enclosure of claim 16 comprising an alter support provided in said enclosure for supporting said alter and a kneeler storage recess provided in said alter support for storing said kneeler.

18. The prayer enclosure of claim 17 comprising an interior cross emblem provided in said enclosure.

19. The prayer enclosure of claim 18 comprising at least one frame cross emblem provided on said enclosure frame and a door cross emblem provided on said door.

20. The prayer enclosure of claim 19 comprising a source of light provided in said enclosure.