GB2424003A - Memorial constructions - Google Patents

Abstract

A foundation slab 12 for a memorial construction e.g. a tombstone is formed as a unitary construction. The foundation slab 12 may be moulded from high density ethylene and comprise an inverted dish or tray shape with a boundary wall 21 and a main web 20. Recesses 23, 24, 25 may be formed in the web 20 and apertures 28, 29 or 30 are provided through the floors of the recesses for securing bolts. Alternative apertures 26, 27 may also be provided for anchoring members of two different diameters. The underside of the web 20 may have strengthening ribs 32.

Description

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MEMORIAL CONSTRUCTIONS

This invention relates to memorial constructions, and in particular to memorials of the type comprising a headstone for marking the head of a grave or burial plot, with a supporting base and optional plinth, and a foundation slab which distributes the weight of the headstone base and the plinth over a larger area of ground across the width of the plot.

Attention in the development of memorial constructions has tended to focus on the hazard presented by the risk of toppling of headstones, and to anchoring systems devised in an effort to overcome this hazard.

Examples of such anchorage systems are set out in our own applications GBA-2383350 and GB-A-2,386,385, and also in GB-A-2306525 (Allen) and GB-A-2, 335,671 (Pany). An alternative approach has been to make the head marker as a hollow moulded body, as in GB-A-2,280,689 (Ake and Bird), used in combination with a conventional plinth and base, or even, as in GB-A-2, 241,7l9 to make the entire memorial from a single moulded plastics body which however is filed with a filler, which may be relatively lightweight, as semi-rigid polyurethane foam, or massive, as concrete.

These prior proposals have tended to focus on the safety of the headstone, either providing for anchoring thereof, or reducing its weight. Little alternation has been directed towards the foundation slab, except to eliminate it completely in the case of GB-A-2241719. In GB-A-2,335,671 and 2,383,350 the foundation slab is shown as being a relatively thin concrete slab extending over a greater area than the plinth of the memorial, while GB-A-2280689 and 2306525 show more massive constructions of slab.

Since the foundation slab must be pierced by at least one bore to allow an anchoring device to engage in the ground below the foundation slab, the concrete or natural stone must be formed with corresponding apertures, which is difficult to carry out. Furthermore, a foundation slab of concrete is relatively massive, and with a typical thickness of from 70 to 100mm may weigh from 60 to 80kg approximately.

which may require two or three or more persons to move the slab, more than can conveniently obtain a grip.

There is thus a need for a foundation slab construction which is lighter in weight, and further is preferably compatible with the majority of anchorage systems in current common use.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a foundation slab for a memorial construction which meets these desiderata.

According to the present invention a memorial construction comprises a foundation slab which is formed as a unitary moulding.

The foundation slab is preferably moulded from a synthetic material, or a plastics or resin bonded concrete or aggregate material. More preferably, the foundation slab is moulded from a plastics material, such as a polyolefin material, preferably a high density polyolefin, such as high density polyethylene.

The moulded foundation slab may be formed as a dish or tray with a rim surrounding a recess, and be formed with relatively thick walls to provide a rigid structure. In use the recess will be directed downwardly so that the rim provides a downwardly extending wall, and the main part of the slab forms a main web with an upwardly directed surface which acts as a support surface for the plinth, or any equivalent part of the upper parts of the memorial construction.

The main web of the slab is preferably provided with recesses which extend downwardly into the volume enclosed within the rim, and also with apertures there through which are dimensioned and positioned to enable use of one or more different anchor systems. These may be selected for example from known systems such as these provided by The Blast Shop; Nettlebank; or C.C.A.

The recesses in the upper surface of the main web may provide for reception of flower vases, and the lower ends of or projections from the plinth or headstone or equivalent parts of the memorial construction.

In a preferred embodiment, the foundation slab may comprise an inverted dish or tray of rectangular shape, having a downwardly extending rim all around the main web, and provided with a base web extending horizontally from the lower edge of the rim.

The main web may be formed with recesses extending downwardly into the volume surrounded by the rim and below the main web, and these may comprise a single elongate recess disposed near to one longer side of the slab and parallel thereto, and two shorter recesses disposed near to the other longer side of the slab, and the main web may also be pieced by at least first and second circular apertures of respective first and second diameters for reception of at least two different types or sizes of anchoring element.

Further, a plurality of apertures for pins or bolts may be provided through the slab, located for example in the bottom webs of the recesses.

At least some of the recesses and apertures may be disposed symmetrically with respect to the centre line of the slab which is parallel to the shorter sides thereof.

The wall thickness of the moulded slab may be in the order of 5 to 20mm.

A preferred embodiment of a memorial construction according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of memorial construction according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the memorial construction shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a foundation slab forming part of the memorial construction of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the slab of Figure 3, on line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the slab of Figure 3 on line V-V of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a lateral section of the slab of Figure 3 on line VI-VI of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a lateral section of the slab of Figure 3 on line Vu-Vu of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a lateral section of the slab of Figure 3 on line VIlI-VIli of Figure 3; and Figure 9 is a lateral section of the slab of Figure 3 on line IX-IX of Figure 3.

An embodiment of memorial construction according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a headstone 10, a base 11 on which the headstone is supported. The base in this rests upon a foundation slab 12 which rests on the ground and has a much greater area or "footprint" to spread the weight of the memorial construction over as large an area as possible.

The upper parts of the construction are secured against toppling by means of an anchor pin 13 which has a wider head part 14 within the base 11 and a narrower shank part 15 extending through an aperture in the slab 12 and into the ground 16, with an extension stake 17 with a step which rests on the rim of the aperture in the slab 12. This type of anchor arrangement is described and claimed in our application GB-A-2383350 referred to above.

The foundation slab 12 is moulded from a high density polyethylene plastics material, and is in the general shape of an inverted tray having a main web 20, surrounded by downwardly extending rim walls 21 which in turn are provided with outwardly directed longitudinal flanges 22.

The shape of the foundation slab 12 is shown in Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. The wall thickness of the foundation slab is in the range of S-2Omm.

The main web 20 of the foundation slab 12 is provided with recesses 23, 24 and 25, the recess 23 being quite long, and extending parallel to and displaced towards one of the longer sides of the generally rectangular slab 12, and the recesses 24, 25 being each shorter and displaced towards the opposite longer side of the slab 12 as well as being parallel to the long recess 23. These recesses extend down from the main web 20 into the volume bounded by the rim walls 21 and are disposed symmetrically with regard to the centre lines of the slab.

Also provided are apertures which extend through the material of the slab.

These comprise a main aperture 26, disposed on the shorter centre line, and aligned with the centres of the shorter recesses 24, 25. This aperture 26 is for the pin 13's shank part 15 as shown in Figure 2 and according to our earlier patent application identified above, and as supplied by The Blast Shop.

A further aperture 27 is disposed between the aperture 26 and the long recess 23, and displaced to one side of the centre line. This is to receive an anchor pin of an alternative anchoring system.

Further, smaller apertures 28, 29 are provided one in each recess 24, 25 and a row of five apertures 30 in the longer recess 23, and an aperture 31 at each end. Also, the slab is reinforced by a multiplicity of strengthening ribs or walls 32.

These apertures can receive fastening bolts or pins, and act as drain holes for any water from the bolting of the plate and base or seepage of water between the base and foundation.

The foundation slab in memorial structure according to the invention and as particularly described above is much lighter in weight than known concrete or masonry slabs of equivalent size, and thus easily manageable by a single worker without assistance. The slab is extremely light yet retains suitable properties of strength for supporting the superstructure of the memorial.

As the slab is moulded, with all recesses and apertures provided from the mould, there is no need to drill holes in the foundation and tight tolerances (to 25 micron) can be used. The drilling of holes in concrete tends to weaken or crack the foundation, which is avoided by use of polyethylene and by moulding. Also spalling (the shattering of fragments from the reverse side) when drilling quickly through a stone or concrete slab) due to the nature of the plastics material is avoided.

The apertures and recesses may be set out to receive a pre-bolted memorial according to any of a preselected group of systems without any additional drilling to accommodate bolting nuts and washers, as the recesses 23, 24, 25 can provide locating troughs for the nuts and washers.

The structure also facilities efficient drainage to the subsoil thus reducing the potential of trapped water to freeze.

Reinforcement such as mild steel, stainless steel or fibres are not required.

The slab 12 can be fitted onto either dug or undisturbed ground provided there is level surface to receive the foundation, and the slab 12 is dimensioned to be long enough to span the width of a grave or burial plot, and holes may be provided at each end to allow it to be secured into firm ground to each side of the grave.

The foundation can be engineered to a flat surface and can be used with any of the systems noted, including the lockdown unit, and anchors supplied by Nettlebank, C.C.A, and Peg and Tube type anchors.

The anchor aperture 27 is dimensioned to take 38mm anchor pins, but a converter sleeve may be used to allow anchors less than 29mm in diameter to be used in this hole.

Modifications and variation may be made to the memorial structure and in particular to the foundation slab according to the invention wherein the scope of the invention as set out hereinbefore.

Claims (10)

1. Claims I. A foundation slab for a memorial construction which is formed as

   a unitary moulding.
2. 2. A foundation slab according to claim 1, wherein the foundation slab is moulded from a synthetic material, or from a plastics or resin bonded concrete or aggregate material.
3. 3. A foundation slab according to claim 2, wherein the foundation slab is moulded from a polyolefin plastics material.
4. 4. A foundation slab according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the foundation slab is formed as a dish or tray with a rim surrounding a recess, with relatively thick walls to provide a rigid structure, adapted so that in use the recess is directed downwardly and the rim provides a downwardly extending wall, the main part of the slab forming a main web with an upwardly directed surface which acts as a support surface for a plinth, or the like.
5. 5. A foundation slab according to claim 4, wherein the main web is provided with recesses which extend downwardly into the volume enclosed within the rim, and also with apertures therethrough to enable use of an anchor means.
6. 6. A foundation slab according to claim 5, wherein the recesses comprise a single elongate recess disposed near to one longer side of the slab and parallel thereto, and one or two shorter recesses disposed near to the other longer side of the web.
7. 7. A foundation slab according to claim 6, wherein the main web is pierced by at least first and second circular apertures of respective first and second diameters for reception of at least two different types or sizes of anchoring element.
8. 8. A foundation slab according to claim 7, wherein in addition a plurality of apertures for pins or bolts are provided through the main web, said apertures being located in the bottom webs of the recesses.
9. 9. A foundation slab according to any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising reinforcement ribs or walls.
10. 10. A memorial construction including a foundation slab as claimed in any one of claims I to 9.