GB2229694A - Interment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A metal interment apparatus for lowering a coffin comprises three lengths of webbing 12 attached to the hubs of reels 17 by means of studs and eyes. Drive shafts 16 are propelled by motor driven screw 22, and equal lengths of webbing are wound onto each reel when the shafts are rotated. Adjustable feet facilitate the use of the frame on uneven ground. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATIC INTESU:u2U CitAL" & The invention relates to an automatic interment cradle.

The act of burial is normally performed by laying planks of wood across an open grave, placing the coffin on the planks and then, by means of ropes, lowering the coffin manually into the grave.

The cradle illustrated facilitates lowering the coffin automatically into an open grave, adding dignity to the act of burial.

'The present invention provides a metal cradle with mechanically powered side shafts attached to which are three reels on both left and right hand shafts. Upon each pair of reels, from the left tc the right hand shafts, a length of webbing is attached. When the reels are revolved on the shafts an equal length of webbing is wound onto each reel, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing Fige 5.

When the webbing is fully wound onto the reels the webbing is stretched taut between left and right hand shafts. In this position the cradle is set for operating, as shown in Fig. 6.

The coffin is placed on the strips of webbing and when the mechanism is set into operation the left and right hand shafts revolve at the same speed, allowing the webbing to unwind equally from both shafts resulting in the coffin being lowered slowly into the grave.

Adjustable feet, Fig. 10, facilitates use of the cradle on uneven ground.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: SHEET 1 - Fig. 1 Shows top elevation of the cradle.

Fig. 2 Shows side elevation of the cradle.

Fig. 3 Shows end elevation of the cradle.

SHEET 2 - Fig. 4 Shows in perspective the cradle in position over an open grave with the webbing extended and the coffin fully lowered into the grave.

SHYEST 3 - Fig. 5 Shows the drive gear screw, the driven gear, jockey sprocket, drive chain, side shafts and shaft sprockets, bearings, reels and webbing, all described in detail in the following pages.

SlEET 4 - Fig. 6 Shows in perspective the cradle set for operating.

referring to the drawings, the cradle comprises a rectangular frame, large enough to fit in position over an open grave. At each end of the frame are fitted rollers, Fig. 6-11, allowing the coffin to be rolled smoothlv onto the webbing1 Fig. 6-1 2. At the head end of the cradle is fitted a metal box, Fig. 6-13, with removeable front, in which the motor and drive mechanism is housed. Adjustable feet, Fig. 3-10, facilitates use of the frame on uneven ground.

Enclosee in the left and right hand upper side frames, Fig. 6-15, are drive shafts, Fig. 5-16, attached to which are three reels, Fig. 5-17, onto which a length of webbing is wound. The webbing is attached to the hub of the reels by means of studs and eyes. The shafts are secured at either end in plastic bearings, Fig. 5-18.

At the head end of each shaft is a sprocket, Fig. 5-19, to which the drive chain, Fig. 5-20, is located.

The drive chain passes over the shaft sprocket, Fig. 5-19, over the jockey sprocket, Fig. 5-21, and around the drive sprocket, Fig. 5-14, which is activated by the drive screw, Fig. 5-22, from the motor (not shown), thus enabling the drive shafts to be propelled.

The upper side frames, Fig. 6-15, have cut-away sections on the underside, Fige 6-23, from which the webbing passes.

The left end right hand drive shafts revolve at the same speed causing the webbing to unwind equally from both shafts. The left and right hand shafts revolve in the same direction but as the webbing is wound onto the reels from the top on the left hand shaft and from the bottom on the right hand shaft, Fig. 5, the webbing shortens to maximum taut when the mechanism is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction and lengthens to its maximum extent when the mechasism is rotated clockwise.

Claims (4)

1. A portable metal framed interment cradle comprising side shafts, to which reels are fitted onto which webbing is wound in equal length on left and right hand shafts, and means controlling rotating of the side shafts.

2. An interment cradle as claimed in Claim 1 is entirely portable and, in the ownership of, for instance, Local Authority Cemeteries, can be used for all interments.

3. An interment cradle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, when set into operation allows a coffin to be lowered slowly, evenly, smoothly and quietly into an open grave.

4. An interment cradle as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, fitted with adjustable feet can be used on undulating surfaces.