US1791341A

US1791341A - Combined releasing and suspending device

Info

Publication number: US1791341A
Application number: US360982A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry L Bancroft
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-05-06
Filing date: 1929-05-06
Publication date: 1931-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1948-02-03

Description

Feb. 3, 1931.

H L. BANCROFT COMBINED RELEASING AND SUSPENDING DEVICE I 'iled May 6. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

1931- H. L. BANCROFT COMBINED RELEASING AND SUSPENDING DEVICE Filed May 6. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fwy. 1:

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Patented Feb. 3, 1931 PATENT OFFICE HARRY L; BANoRoFT, on SALEM, OREGON COMBINED RELEASING AND susrnnnme DEVICE Application filed May 6, 1929. Serial No. 360,982.

Y This invention relates to a combined releasing and suspending device designed pri marily for use in connection with the bottomless outer casket of aburial unit of that type to be lowered into a grave and including an outer casket and an inner burial casket, but it is to beun derstood that a device in accordance with this invention may be employed for any purposes for Whichit is found applicable, and the invention has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to to cause a positive separation of the outer casket from enclosing position with respect to the burial 1 casketd'uring the lowering movement of the burial 'unit 'within a grave and before the burial casket reaches the bottom of the grave,

and further to provide for the suspending' of the outer casket within the grave after it has been separated from enclosing position with respect to the inner or burial casket.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,a device of the class referred to for normally supporting an inner casket containing the corpse within an outer bottomless casket and with the device capable ofjbeing shifted to release the outer casket from the inner casket when the unit is placed upon a means for lowering it into .a grave, and with the device further including means, after the unit has been lowered for aportion of the depth of the grave to separate the outer casket from the inner casket and to suspend the outer casketwithin the grave while the inner casket moves downwardly to the bottom of the grave.

I Further objects of the invention are to 7 provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a device for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, positive in its operation, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently installed with respect to the outer casket, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. V

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughoutthe several views: V

Figure l is an inverted plan vievv of a burial unit consisting of an outer casket and an inner burial casket and further illustrating the tion.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section and elevation illustrating the inner casket secured within the outer casket whereby the latter will enclose the former.

Figure dis a section on line 4 -l Figure 3. V Figure 5 is a fragmentary View in vertical section of the outer casket and further illustrating partly in section the securing means for the inner casket shifted to released position and the suspending element for the outer casket connected to said securing means.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 Figure 5.

A combined releasing and suspending device, in accordance with this invention, includes a series of securing elements including releasable, tiltable combined supporting and retaining members for the inner casket, and a series of combined separating and suspending elements corresponding in numberto the number of securing elements. Preferably four of each will be employed and arranged in pairs. Each pair of securing elements is carried by a side of the outer bottomle'sscasket and having the supporting and retaining men'ibers thereof extend within the lat The securing elements are employed, when active for maintaining the outer bottomless casket normally in encompassing position with respect to the inner or burial casket and to releasably secure the latter within the outer casket.

Each side of the outer casket is cut away to provide clearances for the tilting members of the securing elements to and from securing and supporting position with respect to the inner casket. As each releasable inner casket securing element is of like construction, but one will be described as the description of one will apply to the other. As each clearance is of like form but one will be described as the description of one will apply to the other. As each combined separating and suspending element is of like construction, but one will be described and the description of one will apply to the other.

The burial unit includes an outer bottomless casket 1 which has a bead 2 secured to the outer face of the bottom of each end and a bead 3 secured to the outer face of the bottom of each side. The ends of the outer casket 1 are indicated at 1 and the sides thereof at 5. The unit further includes an inner or burial casket 6 which contains the corpse and the casket 6 isof less length width and height than that of the casket 1. A lowering device of known type is designated 7 and includes lowering straps 8, four in number and which unwind from drums or spools 9. As is well known the straps 8 are detachably connected to the spools 9 so one can be released from a spool and withdrawn after the casket 6 has been lowered into the receptacle or case 10 which is arranged upon the bottom of the grave 11.

Each side 5 of the casket 1 adjacent each end of the side is formed with an opening 12 of substantial height which extends through the bottom edge of the side. The head 3 secured to the side 5 is formed with a recess 13 which provides a continuation of the opening 12 and the latter in connection with the recess 13 forms a clearance for the operation of the combined securing and supporting member of the securing element. Such member will be hereinafter referred to. The bottom edge of the head 3 is grooved as at 1 1 which provides a continuation of the clearance and permits of the operation of the latching member for the combined securing and supporting 1nember of the securing element. The latching or releasing member will be presently referred to and it will be stated at this time that it is constructed in a manner to couple a combined separating and suspending element with the casket 1.

Each securing element includes an angleshaped wall plate formed of a vertically disposed portion 15 and a horizontally disposed portion 16 which is disposed at right angles to and projects outwardly from the lower end of the portion 15. The bend between the

portions

15 and 16 is provided with an opening or slot 17. The portion 15 of the plate is secured to the wall 5 by suitable holdfast devices. as indicated at 18 and the portion 15 is so seated relative to the wall 5 whereby it will be flush with the inner face of the latter.

The portion 16 is secured against bead 3 and wall 5 by a suitable holdfast device as indicated at 19. The portion 16 is positioned above the bottom edge of wall 5 and head 3. The portion 16 extends to a vertical wall 20 of the recess 13. See Figure 5. The angle shaped plate formed of the

portions

15, 16 forms respectively the inner wall and bottom of the clearance provided by the opening 12 and recess 13 and. such clearance is indicated generally at 21 in Figure 5.

Positioned against the lower face of the portion 16 of the angle-shaped plate and in proximity to the slot 17 is a spacer member 22 of rectangular form and which has its outer side edge formed with a concaved portion 23 which provides a clearance for the purpose to be presently referred to. The portion 16 of the angle-shaped plate in proximity to the wall 20 of the recess 13 is formed with an opening 24 for the passage of the shank 25 of a T-shaped, rotatable holder referred to generally at 26. The head of the holder 26 is indicated at 27 and is arranged within the clearance 21 and spaced above the portion 16 of the angle-shaped plate.

The holder 26 extends through and is fixedly secured to a shiftable releasing mem ber 28 consisting of a flat bar of suitable width, thickness and length having a curved inner end 29 which operates in the clearance provided by the concaved portion 23 of the outer side of the spacer member The member 28 operates in the clearance provided by the groove 1 1 when said member is shifted for the purpose of releasing a combined supporting and securing member to be presently referred to. The outer end of the member 28 is offset as at 30 and provided with a transverse slot 31 for a purpose to be presently referred to.

The normal position of the member 28 is as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4E. Positioned against the spacer member 22 and opposing the lower face of the portion 16 of the angle-shaped plate is an L-shaped mem ber 02 which acts as a retaining means for the spacer member 22 and which also provides in connection with the portion 16 of the angle-shaped plate a groove for the reception of the curved end of member 28 when the latter is shifted to position the holder for retaining the combined securing and supporting member in a manner to secure and support the casket 6 within the casket 1. See Figure 3.

porting and securing member for the casket 6 is of substantially 2 form and referred'to generally-at 33. Themember' 33 comprises "an outer part 34, an intermediate part 35 and an inner part'36. The

parts

34 and 36 are of greater length than the part 35. The

part 34 is reduced in width, as at 37 where it joins the part 35. The part 34 has its portion of greater width bifurcated as at '38 to'permit of the extension therethrough of the holder 26. The part36 corresponds in width to thepart 35 and said part 36 extends in a planeparallel to the plane ofthe part34 when the member'33 is in securing and supporting position with respect to the casket 6. See Figure 3. The reduced part 37of the member 36 extends through the slot 17. The normal position of the member 33 is as shown in Figure 3 and is retained in such position by the head 27 of theholder 26 overlapping the upper face of the part 34 of member 33. When the member 28 is shifted to the position. shown in Figure 6,

so that the head 27 of thehold'er 36 wine);-

tend le'n thwise with respect to'the part 34 the mem lier'33 will swingortilt to the position shown in Figure 5, or in other words will assumea vertical position and with the part 36 of member 33 offset with respect to the part 34. The wider portion of part 34 will abut'the upper'fa'ce'of'th'e portion 16 of the angle-shaped'plat'e and preventthe'member 33 passing from the wall 5, or in other words, the Wider portion of part 34 will prevent the separation of me'mb'er33 fromthe angle-shaped plate which constitutes the inner wall and bottom of the clearance'21.

To restore the member 33 to the position shown in Figures 3 and4 the member 33 is shifted manually so that the part 34 will have'the holder 26 extend therethrough, and after member 33 has been moved to such position, member 28 is moved'to the position shown in Figure 4, whereby the head 27 will overlap part 34of member'33 and retain it in the position shown in Figures 3 and '4.

Each combined separating and suspending element consists of a flexible member of substantial length and which is looped around the spoolor drum 9. The flexible member is in the form of a strap and indicated at 39. The looped portion of the mem- 'ber 39 is indicated at'40. The lower end of the member'39 i's' 'provided with a hook 4'1 and is adapted to extend through the slot 31 whereby member 39 will be connected with the outer casket 1. The 'member39 is connected to the member 28after the latter has been shifted to the position'shown in Figures 5 and 6. a

It will be assumed that the

caskets

1 and 6 are in the position shown in Figure 1, whereby casket 6 will be secured within and supported by the member 33. The unit is then positioned on the strap 8 at the top of the 'grave, that is above the grave. After the unit hasbeen mounted upon the strap, the several securing elements are moved to released position, whereby the member 33 will assume the vertical position'as shown in Figure 5, under such conditions the outer casket is separated from the inner casket.

Theunit however, will be supported upon the straps 8. After the securing elements have beenmoved from'released position, the combined separating and suspending ele- 'ments are connected tothe'members 38 of the securing elements. The unit is then lowered into the grave, both caskets moving downwardly, and when the casket 1 reaches the limit of the leng'thof the combined separating and suspending elements, it will be separated from enclosing positionwith 'respect to-casket 6 and suspended in the grave 11 in a manner as shown in Figure 2.

The'casket 6 however'moves downwardly until it reaches the bottom of the case or receptacle 10. The straps 8 are then removed "and "after which the members 39 employed to elevate the casket 1. After the casket 1 has beenelevated to the'desiredextent, the

straps aredisconnected therefrom and the securing elements moved to the position they would'assume when securing and supporting the inner casket. This willprevent the 'members 38 from being damaged. When the casket 1 isa'gain employed for enclosing the casket 6 the securing elements are shifted to released position, the casket 1 mounted over the casket 6 and the securing elements then moved to position the 'members'28 in combined securing and supporting position for the casket 6. The device is operated in the manner as hereinbefore. referred to for separating the inner casket from the outer casket and for suspending the latterwithin the gravedu'ring the lowering'movement of the casket 6} It is thought the many advantages of a combined releasing and suspending device, in accordance with this invention andfor the purpose set forth can be readily understood, and although thepreferred embodiments adapted to be carriedby the sides of the outer casket and including tiltable, re-- leasable, inwardly projecting means for normally supporting and securing the burial casket within the outer casket, said elements further including pivoted latches for said means and a set of combined outer casket separating and suspending elements for con ncction to said latches when the securing elements are in active position.

2. In a combined releasing and securing device for a burial unit of that type including a burial casket and a removable, open bottom enclosing casket for the burial casket, the combination of a set of releasable securing elements for normally supporting and securing the burial casket within the outer casket and adapted to be carried by the latter, and a set of combined outer casket separating and suspending elements for connection to the securing elements when the latter are in released position, each of said securing elements including a slotted releasing member, and each of said combined separating and suspending elements including a hook coacting with the slot of the releasing member for detachably connecting a securing element to a combined separating and suspending element.

3. In a device for the purpose set forth, a pivotally supported combined securing and supporting member for a burial casket and including a bifurcated portion, means adapted to be secured to an open bottom enclosing casket for the burial casket and providing a fulcrum for and for connecting said member to the enclosing casket, a latching means coacting with said bifurcated portion for releasably holding said member in position to support and secure the burial casket within 1 the enclosing casket, and a combined separating and suspending means for said burial casket and detachably connected to said latching means.

l In a device for the purpose set forth, a tiltable combined securing and supporting member for an inner casket, a fulcrum means for said member, said means supporting said member from an outer casket, a shiftable latch pivotally connected to said means and engageable with said member to releasably maintain it mounted in position to support and secure the inner casket within the outer casket, and an outer casket combined separating and suspending element for connection to said latch when said member is in active and inactive position.

5. In a device for the purpose set forth,-a tiltable combined securing and supportii'ig member for an inner casket, means providing a fulcrum for and for supporting said member from an outer casket, a shiftable latch pivotally connected to said means and engageable with said member to releasably maintain it mounted in position to support and secure the inner casket within the outer casket, and an outer casket combined separating and suspending element for connection to said latch when said member is in active and inactive position, said latch and element having coacting means for detachably connecting them together.

6. In a device for the purpose set forth, a tiltable combined securing and supporting member for and for extension below the bottom of a burial casket, means adapted to be secured to an open bottom enclosing casket for the burial casket and providing a fulcrum for and connecting said member to the enclosing casket, a latching means coacting with one end of said member for releasably holding the latter in position to support and secure the burial casket within the enclosing casket, and a combined separating and suspending means for said burial casket and detachably connected to said latching means, said member and means having coacting means to provide for said member moving to a perpendicular position when released.

7. In a device for the purpose set forth, an angle-shaped, tiltable, com'binedsecuring and supporting member for an inner casket, said member having one of its ends bifurcated, means for connecting said member to an outer casket, said means providing a fulcrum for said member, said member projecting from said means, a shiftable latch pivotally connected to said means and coacting with the bifurcated end of said member for maintainthe projecting portion of said member in position to support and secure an inner casket within the outer casket, and an outer casket combined separating and suspending element for connection to said latch, said latch being shiftable to and from latching position with respect to the bifurcated end of said member.

8. In a device for the purpose set forth, the combination with an outer, open bottom casket having a bead secured to the outer face of each side wall thereof at the bottom of the latter, each side wall and bead cut away at two spaced points to provide a pair of spaced clearances opening at the bottom of the bead, bottom of the side wall and inner face of the side wall, of means secured to said side walls and providing walls for closing the clearances at the inner face and bottom of the side walls, releasable, tiltable members, each member having a part thereof positioned within a clearance and its remaining part projecting into the outer casket, the parts of said members projecting into the outer casket providing for normally supporting and securing an inner casket within the outer casket, said means providing fulcrums for said members, latching elements pivotally connected to the bottom of said means, operating in said clearances and projecting upwardly from said beads, each of said latching elements including head coacting with that part of a member within a clearance for latching the member in extended position with respect to said means to abut the bottdin of the inner casket.

9. In a device for the purpose set forth, the

combination with an outer, open bottom casket having a bead secured to the outer face of each side wall thereof at the bottom of the latter, each side wall and bead cut away at two spaced points to provide a pair of spaced clearances opening at the bottom of the bead, bottom of the side wall and inner face of the side wall, of means secured to said side walls and providing walls for closing the clearances at the inner face and bottom of the side Walls, releasable, tiltable members, each member having a part thereof positioned within a clearance and its remaining part projecting into the outer casket, the parts of said members projecting into the outer casket providing for normally supporting and securing an inner casket within the outer casket, said means providing fulcrums for said members, latching elements pivotally connected to the bottom of said means, operating in said clearances and projecting upwardly from said beads, each of said latching elements including a head coacting with that part of a member Within a clearance for latching the member in extended position with respect to said means to abut the bottom of the inner casket, and a plurality of outer casket combined separating and suspending elements for connec tion with the outer ends of said latching elements, said elements having coacting means for detachably connecting them together.

In testimony whereof,I alfix my signature 7 hereto.

HARRY L. BANCROFT.