US1002985A - Catafalque. - Google Patents

Description

J. S. HAINLINE.

GATAFALQUE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1911.

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OATAFALQUE.

APPLICATION 211.21) MAYG, 1011.

1,002,985, Patented Sept. 12,1911.

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JAMES SCOTT HAINLINE, OF MACOMB, ILLINOIS.

CATAFALQUE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1911.

Application filed May 6, 1911. Serial No; 625,596.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES SCOTT HAIN- LINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macomb, in the county of McDonough and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Catafalque, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application, is adapted to be employed for upholding a corpse temporarily, above a grave, prior to the lowering of the corpse into the grave.

One object of the present invention is to provide a catafalque which may be adjusted vertically, to maintain the corpse at different heights above the grave, the catafalque likewise being expansible longitudinally, to accommodate graves of dilferent lengths, the catafalque also being extensible transversely, to accommodate graves of different widths.

A further object of the invention is to provide a catafalque of the sort above mentioned, with longitudinally extensible supports, adapted to permit a transverse expansion of the catafalque, the supports being slidable upon the catafalque longitudinally of the same, to permit the corpse to be lowered into the grave, between the supports.

A further object of the invention is to provide a catafalque which may be readily knocked down, and stored in small compass, when the occasion for the use of the structure has passed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cat-afalque having an auxiliary curtain so constructed that the same will extend downwardly into the grave, thereby hiding the open mouth of the grave, the curtain being so connected with the catafalque, that the depositing of the coflin upon the catafalque, will in no wise be interfered with by the presence of the curtain.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the drawings,Figure 1 shows the invention in top plan, parts being removed;

Fig. 2 shows the invention in side elevation, parts being removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail showing the catafalque in position above the grave, with the curtains applied to the catafalque; Fig. 4: is a sectional elevation of one of the side members; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of one of the end members,-the view serving equally well to show the construction of the longitudinal braces; Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section on the line AB of Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of one of the elements which go to make up the legs of the catafalque.

The catafalque herein disclosed, is adapted to be employed for supporting a corpse above a grave and for convenience in description, it will be supposed that the corpse, as usual, is inclosed in a coflin, although this supposition is by no means obligatory.

In carrying out the invention, a pair of side members 1 are provided. These side members 1 each consist of a tubular outer part 2, within which is telescoped an inner part 3, the same also being of tubular construction. The relative movement between the parts 2 and 3 is prevented by means of a set screw 4, entering the outer part 2, and engaging the inner part 3. The remote ends of the parts 2 and 8 enter elbows 5, the elbows 5 being connected with the upper members 6 of the legs of the catafalque.

The invention further includes end members 7. There may be two of these end members 7, at each end of the catafalque. Each end member comprises an outer part 8, within which is telescoped an inner part 9, the relative movement between the parts 8 and 9 being prevented by means of set screws 10, entering the parts 8, and engaging the parts 9. The remote ends of the parts 8 and 9, enter Ts 11, the upright branches of which are vertically slidable upon the upper members 6 of the legs of the catafalque, the end members being held in adjusted positions by means of set screws 12, entering the Ts 11, and bearing upon the members 6 of the legs of the catafalque.

The invention further includes longitudinal braces 14. These braces 14: are disposed beneath, and substantially parallel with, the side members 1, while the end members 7 are disposed substantially at right angles to the members 1 and to the braces 141-, thereby giving an approximately rectangular outline to the frame. The longitudinal braces 14 comprise an outer part 15, within which is telescoped an inner part 16, relative movement being prevented between the parts 15 and 16 bymeans of set screws 17 which, being threaded into the outer parts 15, engage with the inner parts 16. The remote ends of the parts 15 and 16 of the longitudinal braces, carry Ts l8, vertically slidable upon the members 6 of the legs of the catafalque, the longitudinal braces being held in adjusted positions, by means of set screws 19, entering the Ts 18, and engaging with the members 6 of the legs.

In the foregoing description, set screws have been mentioned specifically, as a means for preventing relative movement between certain parts of the structure, but it is obvious that the set screws may readily be replaced by any other devices, adapted to ex ercise a like function.

The legs of the catafalque include lower members 20, telescoped within the upper members 6, the lower members 20 being provided at their lower ends, with laterally extended feet 21. In the lower members 20, there are spaced openings 22, into which may be inserted pins 23, adapted to engage the lower edges of the upper members 6 of the legs. There may be any number of these openings 22, whereby a series of vertical adjustments forthe catafalque may be provided. It is to be noted that the pins 23 serve as a positive means for preventing a telescoping of the parts 6 and 20, and thus unseemly accidents, due to a vertical collapse of the catafalque, under the weight of the coflin, will be avoided.

The invention further includes a pair of supports 24, extended transversely of the catafalque, and slidable upon the catafalque, longitudinally of the same. These supports 24 each consist of an outer member 25, within which is telescoped an inner member 26, relative movement between the parts 25 and 26 being prevented by means of set screws 27, or other devices adapted to a like end. The parts 25 and 26 terminate in hooks 28, adapted to engage over the parts 2 and.3 of the side members 1, the construction being such that the supports 24 may be slid longitudinally of the catafalque, for apurpose to be described hereinafter.

The invention further includes a series of curtains 29, united by means of clamps 30, with the side members 1, and with the uppermost set of the end members 7. The clamps 30 may be of any desired form, and constitute a means whereby the curtains 29 are 'reinovably assembled with the above mentioned parts of the catafalque. The curtains 29 are of suflicient length to extend downwardly into the grave 31, the ends of the curtains being, when desired, carried across the bottom of the grave, as shown at'32.

It will be noted that by loosening the set screws 4 and 17, the catafalque may be lengthened to any desired extent. Likewise, by loosening the set screws 10 and 27, the catafalque may be expanded to any desired width. Likewise, by mounting the pins 23 successively in the openings 22, the height of the catafalque may be adjusted.

\Vhen it is desired to lower the cofiin into the grave, the coffin being carried by the supports 24, the supports 24 may be slid longitudinally of the catafalque, permitting the coffin to be lowered into the grave, between the supports 24.

Owing to the telescoped construction of the several parts of the catafalque, it is obvious that the catafalque may readily be knocked down, the Ts 11 and 18 sliding readily off the lower ends of the parts 6 of the legs. The device, therefore, may be knocked down into small compass, and be housed readily within a suitable case of any desired construction, not shown.

It is to be noted that the curtains 29 depend from the members 1 and 7 the members 1 and 7 being disposed substantially in the plane in which the cofiin is immediately supported. Owing to this construction, the curtains in no way interfere with the placing of the coffin upon the supports 24, no lifting of the coflin over the curtains being necessary.

The legs may be adjusted to any desired height, and therefore, the bearers are not compelled to assume a stooping posture, to deposit the coffin above the grave.

It is to be noted that the curtains extend downwardly into the grave, u on the outside of the catafalque, and there ore, when the device is in use, the open mouth of the grave is entirely hidden from view. The curtains 29 may be carried downwardly into the grave, to any desired extent, and may either be permitted to remain in the grave, when the bottom of the grave is covered by the curtains, or be removed from the grave, before the same is filled in.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A catafalque comprising a frame; and transverse supports slidable upon the frame, longitudinally of the frame, to permit the coffin to be lowered into the grave between said supports.

2. A catafalque comprising a frame, transversely expansible to accommodate graves of different widths; and longitudinally extensible supports disposed transversely of the frame, and slidable upon the frame, longitudinally of the frame.

3. A catafalque comprising telescoped side members; telescoped end members; means for holding the end members together against relative movement and preventing separation of the side members; and telescoped supports disposed transversely of the side members and slidable thereon, longitudinally of the side members.

4. A catafalque comprising legs; side members united with the upper ends of the legs; supports mounted upon the side members, for sliding movement longitudinally of the side members; longitudinal braces connecting the legs below the side members and substantially parallel to the side members; end members connecting the legs, the end members being disposed substantially at right angles to the side members; the side members, the end members, the longitudinal braces, the supports, and the legs, all consisting of telescoped parts; and means for preventing relative movement between said parts.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES SCOTT HAINLINE.

Witnesses:

J. W. BAlLEY, ALBERT EADS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). O.

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