MXPA98005905A - Cri system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a burial crypt arrangement comprising pre-cast concrete cells (1) arranged in rows, the cells (1) in each row being spaced apart and staggered relative to the cells (1) in adjacent rows. The corners (3) of the traps (1) in a row are juxtaposed with the diagonally opposite corners of the cells in adjacent rows. In this way, both the spaces within the cells and the spaces between the cells can be used as burial chambers. Each cell (1) is formed by a continuous wall (2) of rectangular shape. The cells can be stacked vertically. The thickness of the wall (2) is used, being thicker in the upper part than in the bottom, so that a ridge (9) is formed at the junction of the stacked cells. An intermediate cover (10) can be supported in each burial chamber by the flanges (9). Each burial chamber is enclosed by a top cover (12). A trailer (17) can be used to lift and transport the lids (1

Description

CRYPT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to burial crypts. In particular, the invention is directed to an improved crypt, and to a crypt arrangement, which provides a more efficient burial system. The traditional method of burial requires the excavation of individual burial sites, replacing the excavated soil on top of the coffin and subsequent modification of the terrain. The traditional burial technique is not only laborious work, but also wastes space. Several modular burial structures have been proposed in order to overcome the disadvantages of traditional burial techniques. Examples of such modular burial systems can be found in International Patent Application No. PCT / AU95 / 00272 (WO 95/31623); Australian patent application No. 30423/92 and patents of E. U. A. Nos. 3878656, 4068425, 4606839, 4989382, 5243794 and 5381591. However, in these systems, the modules are stacked vertically to form mausoleums. According to some cultures and religions, deceased people should be buried in graves below the ground, instead of above the ground in mausoleums. The patent of E. U. A. No. 4134239 discloses a burial field arrangement comprising rows of rectangular burial chambers formed from individual wall sections. Before the burial system of the E patent. OR . A. No. 4134239 allows burial in the earth and provides a more efficient use of space, its construction is particularly time consuming since the chambers must be formed of many individual components. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved crypt, and a more efficient and economical crypt arrangement.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION In a broader form, this invention provides a crypt arrangement for a cemetery, comprising at least one layer of hollow cells arranged in stacks, each cell being formed by a continuous wall of generally rectangular shape when viewed from above, cells in each row being separated and staggered in relation to the cells in adjacent rows, the cells in a row having their corners juxtaposed with the diagonally opposite corners of the cells in adjacent rows, whereby burial crypts are formed through the spaces within the cells and the spaces between the cells.

Through this specification, the term "cell" is intended to encompass a structural unit comprising an area or volume joined by the wall. Typically, each cell is constructed of concrete.

In the preferred embodiment, the cells are of identical construction, and are arranged so that the spaces within the cells generally have the same shape and volume as the spaces between the cells. In this way, an efficient crypt arrangement is obtained, in which there is approximately twice as many crypts for burial as there are cells, the crypts being separated by an individual wall thickness. Preferably, the corners of the rectangular cells have external faces, which are angled obliquely to the sides of the cells. The oblique external face of a cell corner is completely within a notional rectangular boundary defined by the external faces of the side walls of the cell. When the cells are arranged to form the cemetery, the external oblique face of a corner of a cell is juxtaposed with the outer face of a diagonally opposite corner of an adjacent cell. Each outer face may contain a vertical slot, so that a hole of composite material is formed through opposite slots in juxtaposed faces. The hole can be filled with cement grout or other sealant to seal the joint between the cells. Preferably, the wall on at least one pair of opposite sides of the cell is of tapered thickness, being thicker in its upper part than in its background. The crypt array can be formed from two (or more) layers of cells, each cell in a top layer being stacked on a respective cell in the bottom layer. Due to the tapered wall thickness, a flange is formed at the junction of vertically stacked cells, the flange being formed both internally and externally of the cell wall. Intermediate covers on such ridges can be supported within any of the burial crypts. The upper parts of the cells in the upper layer, and the upper parts of the spaces between the cells in the upper layer, can be closed by respective covers. The lids, and the intermediate lids, can be formed in several sections. This invention provides a vehicle for lifting and transporting a lid of a crypt, the vehicle being adapted to be placed on the crypt and comprises a mobile frame supported on separate grounding elements, joining means for connecting the lid, the means for union being located within the frame, and lifting means actuated to raise the joining means within the frame. Typically, the vehicle is a wheeled truck, and the attachment means comprises a horizontal frame, which is configured and sized to roughly coincide with the periphery of the lid that will be raised. The vehicle is capable of raising the lid along with any soil and grass on the lid. Similarly, the lid, soil and turf can be replaced together in a single operation, thus minimizing the time required to open and close the crypt.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially complete crypt arrangement; Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the crypt arrangement; Figure 3 is a side elevational view in section of part of the crypt arrangement; Figure 4 is an extreme elevation in section of part of the crypt arrangement; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus for removing and replacing crypt covers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As shown in the drawings, a burial crypt system is formed from a pre-cast concrete "cell" 1 arrangement, which have a substantially identical shape. Each cell 1 is formed through a continuous perimeter wall 2, which generally has a rectangular shape (in plan) comprising two pairs of parallel side walls. Each cell 1 is open at its top and bottom. The corners 3 of cells 1 are truncated and have oblique external faces, which are juxtaposed with (and can bump), the oblique external faces of the diagonally opposite corners of the cells in the adjacent rows, as shown in Figure 2 The juxtaposed corners 3 can be held together by suppression means, such as bolts 4 inserted through horizontal bolt holes aligned at the corners of the cells. A vertical channel 5 is formed along the oblique external face of each corner region 3. Cement slurry or other sealing material can be inserted into the composite hole formed by opposed channels in the juxtaposed corner regions, to seal the joints corner of the cells 1. In the crypt arrangement of the preferred embodiment, the rectangular crypt cells 1 are arranged in rows. The cells in each row are separated, and staggered and deviated in relation to the cells in adjacent rows. The truncated corners of the cells in a row are supported by the truncated corners of the deviated cells in adjacent rows. The interstitial spaces 6 formed between the separated cells 1 are of a substantially equal shape and volume as the chamber within each cell 1. The cells 1, and the interstitial spaces 6 between the cells, each form a chamber or crypt suitable for the cell. burial. In this way, for a particular number of cells, the arrangement described allows approximately twice as many burial chambers to be obtained. The cells 1 can be arranged in a single layer, each cell having a height equal to the desired depth of the crypt. However, preferably, the cells are of a shorter height and are stacked vertically, typically in two or three layers, to obtain the desired depth. As shown in Figure 1, a second layer of cells 1A is placed on the first layer of cells 1, each cell 1A being placed on a respective cell 1 to form a composite crypt. The shorter cells are easier to build, transport and manage. The vertical stacking of the cells also allows a crypt to accommodate multiple burials, one above the colt, as described below. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the side walls 2 of each cell are of tapered thickness, the lower end being narrower than the upper end. A shallow longitudinal channel 8 is formed along the upper part of the perimeter wall 2. The width of the channel 8 is slightly larger than the width of the bottom end of the wall of perimeters. When one cell is stacked on another cell, the lower ends of the side walls 2 of the upper cell are located in channels 8 formed at the upper ends of the underlying cell, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Since the bottom of the upper cell is located on channel 8 in the upper part of the lower cell, the junction between the two cells is sealed. The additional seal can be obtained by placing a sealing compound or other deformable material at the junction between the upper and lower cells. Since the upper end of the side wall of the lower cell 1 is wider than the bottom end of the side wall of the upper cell 1A, a shoulder 9A is formed on either side of the junction of a pair of cells stacked An intermediate concrete cover 10 can be supported on its periphery on the flanges 9A. The intermediate covers 10 can be placed inside the crypts formed by the stacked cells, and inside the crypt formed by the space 6 between the adjacent cells. Each intermediate lid 10 preferably comprises three sections, which are separately removable. Each section has a joining attachment 11 on its upper surface. Flanges or shoulders 9B are also formed along both sides of the upper end of the upper cell 1A and are used to support the upper concrete covers 12. Each cell 1A and each interstitial space 6, can be closed through a cover respective top Each top cap 12 has a generally rectangular shape, and comprises three sections, the central section which is independently removibie of the two end sections. Each section is provided with a joining attachment 13. The caps 12 have shallow lips on the underside of their periphery which are located on the channel 8 in the upper cells 1A.

Since the cells in each row are separated, and deviated from the cells in adjacent rows, the open chambers will remain at the end of each row and / or column of cells. As shown in Figure 1, concrete panels 14 are used to close these chambers and complete the rectangular perimeter of the crypt arrangement. Each concrete panel 14 has straight faces obliquely angled at their opposite vertical edges. The obliquely angled faces meet the truncated edges of the separate cell stacks. Bolts 4 may be used to secure the perimeter panels 14 to their stop cells in the same manner as the cells are joined together. To build the crypt layout, the soil is first cleaned and graded to the required depth. Preferably, a slight inclination is provided for drainage. Thereafter, concrete strip bases 15 are formed in the ground. The strip bases 15 are parallel and separated by the length of a cell. The rows of pre-cast concrete cells 1 are then placed on the bases 15, the walls of the shorter side of the cells 1 being supported on the bases 15. Typically, a crane is used to elevate the cells and place them in the positions. desired. As shown in Figure 1, the cells in each row are offset or staggered relative to the cells in the preceding row, and the truncated corners of the cells rest on the diagonally opposite corners of the adjacent cells. Preferably, two layers of cells are used, the cells in the upper layer being stacked on respective cells in the lower layer. However, a large number of layers can be used. The end panels 14 are then used to complete the rectangular perimeter of the crypt arrangement. In this way, the space between each cell stack, and the interstitial space between cells, each forms a crypt or chamber for burial. The burial chambers have substantially the same dimensions, and are separated by a single cell wall thickness. After the cells have been placed, joined together and their joints sealed, the crypt arrangement is completed by placing the top covers 12 on the cells and on the interstitial chambers between the cells. The upper end of each cell wall is sufficiently wide to support the edge portions of both the lid on the cell and the lid on the adjacent interstitial space. The upper covers 12 are then covered with a layer of soil, typically with a depth of 200 mm. The grass is placed on the ground to form a graveyard of grass. A tombstone may be incorporated on the top cover 12. However, preferably no tombstone is used so that the grass on the top of the crypts remains unobstructed. To indicate the position of the underground cells, a small marker 16 can be placed on each cell 1A. The marker 16 is a short bar that emerges upwards from the top of the cell 1A through the floor, and is surpassed by a lid at the level of the lawn but below the cut height. The marker can indicate if a person is buried in the crypt to which the marker refers. Intermediate covers 10 are only required if more than one body is to be buried in a particular chamber. Typically, at the first burial, a coffin A (Figure 2) is placed at the bottom of the crypt in contact with the ground. If it is desired to bury another person in the same crypt before the first body has decomposed, an intermediate cover 10 is placed in the chamber, supported by the shoulders 9A formed in the upper part of the lower cell 1. Then, a second coffin B can be placed on the intermediate lid 10. However, if enough time has passed since the first coffin A was placed in the crypt, earth can be added to the crypt, enough to cover only the coffin A. Then the next coffin can be placed on the ground. The intermediate cover 10 can then be used to support a third coffin. In the same way, a crypt can adapt up to four burials, for example, four members of the same family. Figure 5 illustrates a trailer 17 suitable for removing and replacing the top covers 12, intermediate covers 10 or sections of the covers. The trailer 17 can be mounted on wheels (as shown), rails or slides, and is typically towed behind a tractor or similar vehicle. The trailer 17 comprises a platform assembly 18 suspended from a skid frame 19 by four independently controllable hydraulic cylinders 20. The skid frame 19 can be positioned laterally relative to a main trailer frame 21 through the hydraulic cylinders 22. The assembly of platform 18 also includes three handlebars 23 each having a cable that can be secured to the attachment on a respective lid section. The handlebars 23 are separated at the same distances as the attachment fittings on the cover sections. During use, if a body is to be buried in a particular crypt, it is first necessary to remove the lid of the crypt and cover it with dirt / grass. The particular crypt is located by a starting line reference from markers 16 on the final crypts in the rows and columns of the crypt array.

A pair of attached angled sections (not shown) forming an arrangement of T are inserted into the earth along the rectangular periphery of the crypt to be opened. The external angle section defines the edge of the opening in the floor, and is left in place during the burial to hold the soil along the edge of the opening. The internal angle section is raised with the top cover of the crypt and covers the floor, as described below. A template is placed over the crypt. The template has reference points, which are aligned with the markers of the crypt, as well as three reference circles that define the site of the joining accessories on the three cover sections. Therefore, it is only necessary to remove a small amount of earth directly below the reference circles in order to reveal the joint fittings. The trailer 17 then moves to its place on the crypt. By moving the trailer back and forth, and operating the hydraulic cylinders 22, the platform 18 is positioned so that the handlebars 23 are placed precisely on the attachment fittings. The handlebar lines are then secured to each respective attachment fitting on the cover sections. The handlebars 23 are wound to apply tension to the respective handlebar lines. The three cover sections and the cover soil and turf, together with the internal angle section are then raised together as the platform assembly 18 is lifted by the hydraulic cylinders 20. The cover sections can be raised to an angle , since the hydraulic cylinders 20 are capable of being controlled independently. This helps to free the edges or stacked corners of the lid sections. The trailer is then towed away to allow the burial to take place. After burial, the top cover, together with the soil and the cover turf, is then placed back in a reverse form to that described above. In this way, the crypts can be opened and closed quickly, with a minimum of work requirements and minimum interruption of the cover turf. The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the invention, and modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, each cell can be divided into a number of small compartments, each closed by a respective lid section, for burial of pets, ashes, or fetuses. In addition, the crypt arrangement of this invention can be used for storage on the ground of other materials, such as hazardous waste.

Claims (16)

1. - A crypt arrangement for a cemetery, comprising at least one layer of hollow cells arranged in rows, each cell being formed by a continuous wall of a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above, wherein the cells in each row are separated and staggered in relation to the cells in adjacent rows, the cells in a row having their corners juxtaposed with the diagonally placed corners of the cells in adjacent rows, so that crypts are formed for burial by the spaces within the cells and the spaces between cells.

2.- A crypt arrangement according to the claim

1, wherein the corners of the cells have external faces, which are angled obliquely to the sides of the cell, and wherein the outer face of a corner of a cell is juxtaposed with the outer face of a diagonally opposite corner of a cell. adjacent cell.

3.- A crypt arrangement according to the claim

2, wherein the oblique external face of a cell corner is completely within a notional rectangular boundary defined by the external faces of the side walls of the cell.

4. A crypt arrangement according to claim 2, wherein each oblique external face has a vertical slot therein, so that the external faces juxtaposed from adjacent corners form a composite hole, the hole can be filled with material Cement 5.- A crypt arrangement in accordance with the claim

1, wherein the wall of at least a pair of opposite sides of the cell is of a tapered thickness, the wall being thicker in its upper part than in its bottom.

6. A crypt arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the wall is symmetrically tapered about its central longitudinal vertical plane.

7.- A crypt arrangement in accordance with the claim

2, which further comprises substantially flat perimeter panels adapted to be placed between corners of cells separated at the perimeter of the arrangement, each panel having oblique vertical faces at their opposite ends to bear against the oblique faces of the corners of the separated cells.

8. A crypt arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each cell is of a concrete construction with an open top and an open bottom, further comprising a plurality of covers, the upper portions of the cells, and the upper parts of the spaces between the cells being closed by the respective covers.

9. A crypt arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a second layer of cells, each cell in the second layer being stacked on a respective cell in the first layer.

10. - A crypt arrangement in accordance with the claim

9, wherein the wall on at least a pair of opposite sides of each cell is of a tapered thickness, the wall being thicker in its upper part than in its bottom, so that an edge is formed at the junction of the cells in the first and second layers.

11.- A crypt arrangement in accordance with the claim

10, further comprising at least one intermediate cap located within a cell or in a space between cells, and supported on its opposite side edges on the flanges.

12.- A crypt arrangement in accordance with the claim

9, wherein each cell is of a concrete construction with an open top and an open bottom, further comprising a plurality of covers, the upper portions of the cell in the second layer and the upper portions of the spaces between the cells in the second layer being closed by the respective caps.

13. A preclassed concrete crypt having a continuous perimeter wall with a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above and comprising two pairs of opposite parallel side walls, wherein at least one pair of opposite side walls are of a tapered thickness, being thicker in the upper part than in the lower part.

14. A crypt according to claim 13, wherein the corners of the perimeter wall have external faces, which are angled obliquely to the side walls.

15. - A vehicle for lifting and transporting a lid of a crypt, the vehicle is adapted to be placed on the crypt and comprising a mobile frame supported on separate grounding elements, joining means for connection to the lid, the means of union being located within the frame, and lifting means activated to raise the joining means within the frame.

16. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the vehicle is a trailer and the ground engaging elements are wheels, and wherein the joining means comprise a plurality of handlebars, each having a handle line that it can be connected to a joining fitting on a respective section of the lid, the joining means further comprising a horizontal frame, which is configured and sized to approximately coincide with the periphery of the lid.