US1973240A - Undertaker's block - Google Patents

Undertaker's block Download PDF

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Publication number
US1973240A
US1973240A US654604A US65460433A US1973240A US 1973240 A US1973240 A US 1973240A US 654604 A US654604 A US 654604A US 65460433 A US65460433 A US 65460433A US 1973240 A US1973240 A US 1973240A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
block
head
supporting
sides
recess
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US654604A
Inventor
Leon J Werness
Ransom C Proudfit
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UNDERTAKERS SUPPLY Co
Original Assignee
UNDERTAKERS SUPPLY Co
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Publication date
Application filed by UNDERTAKERS SUPPLY Co filed Critical UNDERTAKERS SUPPLY Co
Priority to US654604A priority Critical patent/US1973240A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1973240A publication Critical patent/US1973240A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N1/00—Preservation of bodies of humans or animals, or parts thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G17/00—Coffins; Funeral wrappings; Funeral urns
    • A61G17/04—Fittings for coffins
    • A61G17/044—Corpse supports

Definitions

  • vThis invention relates to supports for use particularly by undertakers to support the heads, arms and legs of corpses while undergoing treatment by them. After an embalining uid is injected in the veins or a dead body, the muscles of the body become pliable whereupon it is possible for the undertaker to set the head and limbs of the body as desired, so that the head and limbs will taire a natural position when the body is placed in a casket.
  • Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a block embodying the invention showing the same set in one possible manner;
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the block set as illustrated in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the block set up in a diiferent manner than as shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the block set as shown in Figs. l and 2 and supporting the head of a corpse;
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the block set up as shown in Fig. 3 and supporting the arm of a corpse.
  • a block A preferably formed of rubber which, although quite hard, has some resiliency and has a high coeicient of friction when placed on a table or other supporting surface.
  • This block has six sides which may be designated 1,
  • the two sides 1 and 3 are directly opposite each other, the two sides 2 and 4 are directly opposite each other and the two sides 5 and 6 are directly opposite each other.
  • the four sides 1, 2, 3 and 4 each have concave recesses formed therein and each of these recessesY is of a different concavity so that the bottom of each recess will lie at a different level than the bottom of any other recess when the block is so set that the different recesses are placed uppermost. For example, when the block is supported as illustrated in Figs.
  • the bottom of the recess formed in the side 1 which is uppermost, will be at a different level from the supporting surface than would the bottom of the recess in the side 2, the bottom of the recess in the side 3 or the bottom of the recess in the side 4 if the block was so set that the respective sides 2, 3 and 4 were disposed uppermost.
  • the recesses are so formed in the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4 that if a vertical section were taken through the block, intermediate the right and left ends thereof, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, this section would be rectangular in shape.
  • the two sides 5 and 6 are also provided with concave recesses of different curvature from each other and preferably of different curvatures than the recesses in the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4. Accordingly, when the block is set up as shown in Fig. 3, to rest on a supporting surface with the side 5 uppermost, the bottom of the recess in the side 5 will lie at a different level from the supporting surface than would be the bottom of the recess in the side 6 if the side 6 were placed uppermost.
  • the recesses in the sides 5 and 6 are also so formed relative to the recesses in the sides l, 2, 3 and 4 that irrespective of which way the block is placed on a supporting surface, the level of the bottom of the recess of the side uppermost will be differently spaced from the supporting surface than when the block is set therein in any other relation with a different side uppermost.
  • the two sides 5 and 6 are of rectangular shape in plan view.
  • each surface has flat portions adjacent its ends which may contact a support when the surface on which the hat portions are formed, is disposed downwardly.
  • the dat portions of the surface 3 engage the support upon which the block is resting at spaced points, and stably support the block to prevent the same from slipping both because of the spaced engagement of the surface 3 with the support, and also because of the high coeicient of friction formed by the rubber material of the block when it engages the support.
  • the block A is shown in use for supporting the head B of a corpse.
  • the block is shown in use for supporting an arni C of a corpse.
  • embalming fluid is injected into the veins of a dead body by an undertaker, to loosen the muscles of the body, the head B of the body is raised and the block A is turned until the proper one of the surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 is disposed uppermost to support the head at the correct level.
  • Similar blocks A may be correspondingly used for supporting the armsand legs of the body properly. When the head or limbs of the body are thus supported by the block A. the muscles of the body will set with the head or limbs in proper position.
  • the hair of the head may be readily dressed without diiculty.
  • the blocksin use for supporting: the arms and legs of the body makeit possible for the undertaker to readily dress the body without diiculty.
  • the block may be readily manipulatedwithout delay to support theparts of the body at different heights without difficulty. This is ofV great importance to the undertakerbecause heoften does not have time or opportunity for making mechanical adjustments in supports after the embalming uid is injected into a dead body.
  • An undertakers block for supporting thelimbs of; the corpse comprising a block having end portions substantially rectangular in outline, the block being substantially reduced in cross section from both ends toward a plane midway between the end portions, the center of the reduced portion in said plane being offset from a line connecting the centers of said end portions.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Description

Sept. 1l, 1,934. L, J. wERNEss 5T AL.
UNDERTAKER S BLOCK Filed Feb. l, 1935 Patented Sept.
tenait PATENT series UNDERTAKERS BLOCK Leon J. Werness and Ransom C. Proudfit, Minneapclis, Minn., assignors to Undertakcrs Supply Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation ol Illinois Appilcation February 1, 1933, Serial No.l654,604
1 Claim.
vThis invention relates to supports for use particularly by undertakers to support the heads, arms and legs of corpses while undergoing treatment by them. After an embalining uid is injected in the veins or a dead body, the muscles of the body become pliable whereupon it is possible for the undertaker to set the head and limbs of the body as desired, so that the head and limbs will taire a natural position when the body is placed in a casket. Some time after the embalming fluidl is injected the muscles become rigid and it is, accordingly, highly desirable to provide a suitable support for use in supporting the `nead and limbs after the embalming 'fluid is injected, so that the head and limbs of the body will assume the proper position when the muscles grow rigid.
It is the general object of this invention to provide a novel and improved block, which can f. be conveniently used for supporting the head and limbs of a corpse while the muscles are growing rigid after embalming fluid has been injected into the body.
It is another object to provide such a block .having a, number of different concave surfaces of dierent concavity so that by manipulation of the block, different surfaces may be exposed uppermost to support the head or limbs of a corpse at diiferent heights.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts .throughout the various views, and in which,
Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a block embodying the invention showing the same set in one possible manner;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the block set as illustrated in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the block set up in a diiferent manner than as shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of the block set as shown in Figs. l and 2 and supporting the head of a corpse; and
Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the block set up as shown in Fig. 3 and supporting the arm of a corpse.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a block A preferably formed of rubber which, although quite hard, has some resiliency and has a high coeicient of friction when placed on a table or other supporting surface. This block has six sides which may be designated 1,
(o1. yar- 13) 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The two sides 1 and 3 are directly opposite each other, the two sides 2 and 4 are directly opposite each other and the two sides 5 and 6 are directly opposite each other. The four sides 1, 2, 3 and 4 each have concave recesses formed therein and each of these recessesY is of a different concavity so that the bottom of each recess will lie at a different level than the bottom of any other recess when the block is so set that the different recesses are placed uppermost. For example, when the block is supported as illustrated in Figs. l and 2, the bottom of the recess formed in the side 1 which is uppermost, will be at a different level from the supporting surface than would the bottom of the recess in the side 2, the bottom of the recess in the side 3 or the bottom of the recess in the side 4 if the block was so set that the respective sides 2, 3 and 4 were disposed uppermost. The recesses are so formed in the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4 that if a vertical section were taken through the block, intermediate the right and left ends thereof, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, this section would be rectangular in shape.
The two sides 5 and 6 are also provided with concave recesses of different curvature from each other and preferably of different curvatures than the recesses in the sides 1, 2, 3 and 4. Accordingly, when the block is set up as shown in Fig. 3, to rest on a supporting surface with the side 5 uppermost, the bottom of the recess in the side 5 will lie at a different level from the supporting surface than would be the bottom of the recess in the side 6 if the side 6 were placed uppermost. The recesses in the sides 5 and 6 are also so formed relative to the recesses in the sides l, 2, 3 and 4 that irrespective of which way the block is placed on a supporting surface, the level of the bottom of the recess of the side uppermost will be differently spaced from the supporting surface than when the block is set therein in any other relation with a different side uppermost. The two sides 5 and 6 are of rectangular shape in plan view.
The concave recesses in the various surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 do not extend way across these surfaces and, as a result, each surface has flat portions adjacent its ends which may contact a support when the surface on which the hat portions are formed, is disposed downwardly. For example, if the surface 3 is disposed downwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the dat portions of the surface 3 engage the support upon which the block is resting at spaced points, and stably support the block to prevent the same from slipping both because of the spaced engagement of the surface 3 with the support, and also because of the high coeicient of friction formed by the rubber material of the block when it engages the support.
In Fig. 4, the block A is shown in use for supporting the head B of a corpse. In Fig. 5 the block is shown in use for supporting an arni C of a corpse. After embalming fluid is injected into the veins of a dead body by an undertaker, to loosen the muscles of the body, the head B of the body is raised and the block A is turned until the proper one of the surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 is disposed uppermost to support the head at the correct level. Similar blocks A may be correspondingly used for supporting the armsand legs of the body properly. When the head or limbs of the body are thus supported by the block A. the muscles of the body will set with the head or limbs in proper position.
When the head of a corpse is supported by ablock A, the hair of the head may be readily dressed without diiculty. The blocksin use for supporting: the arms and legs of the body makeit possible for the undertaker to readily dress the body without diiculty. By provision of the dif-` ferent surfaces in the block having concave recesses of diierent depths, the block may be readily manipulatedwithout delay to support theparts of the body at different heights without difficulty. This is ofV great importance to the undertakerbecause heoften does not have time or opportunity for making mechanical adjustments in supports after the embalming uid is injected into a dead body.
It is, of course, not always essential to provide the recess of each surface of a diierent concavity than all the remaining recesses, inasmuch as six diierent adjustments of the block for height may not always be necessary. It is within the scope of the present invention, therefore, to provide two or more surfaces of the block so formed that when these surfaces are set uppermost, the part of the body supported thereby will lie at the same level from the surface on which the block rests.
It'will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangementv and proportions of the various parts of the block without departing from the scope of the present invention, which generally stated, consists in the matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claim.
What is claimed is:-
An undertakers block for supporting thelimbs of; the corpse comprising a block having end portions substantially rectangular in outline, the block being substantially reduced in cross section from both ends toward a plane midway between the end portions, the center of the reduced portion in said plane being offset from a line connecting the centers of said end portions.
LEON J. WERNESS. RANSOM C. PROUDFIT.
US654604A 1933-02-01 1933-02-01 Undertaker's block Expired - Lifetime US1973240A (en)

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Cited By (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2576870A (en) * 1950-10-09 1951-11-27 Aubern E Wright Embalmer's lip holder
US2576871A (en) * 1950-10-09 1951-11-27 Aubern E Wright Embalmer's jowl holder
US2677369A (en) * 1952-03-26 1954-05-04 Fred L Knowles Apparatus for treatment of the spinal column
US2795838A (en) * 1954-02-04 1957-06-18 Mcneely Company Inc Headrest and leg rest
US3124812A (en) * 1961-06-12 1964-03-17 Pillows
US3955252A (en) * 1974-09-30 1976-05-11 Reda Louis J Collapsible corpse positioner and restrainer
US4045033A (en) * 1976-03-22 1977-08-30 Cary Schuman Golf putting aid
US4418900A (en) * 1981-03-03 1983-12-06 Ricke Theodore D Corpse positioning system
US4924540A (en) * 1989-04-21 1990-05-15 The Woodbridge Group Pillow
US5020197A (en) * 1990-08-13 1991-06-04 Bull David W Body positioning device
US5329679A (en) * 1992-07-20 1994-07-19 Batesville Casket Company, Inc. Armrest for casket
US5575295A (en) * 1992-03-02 1996-11-19 Chiro-Yog, Inc. Method and apparatus for restoring spinal cervical curvature
US5613501A (en) * 1993-06-10 1997-03-25 Gary K. Michelson Surgical face support
US6026812A (en) * 1992-06-23 2000-02-22 Equip For Independence, Inc. Lightweight, portable positional limb support
US6179756B1 (en) * 1992-12-17 2001-01-30 Woodside Biomedical, Inc. Exercise method and apparatus for relieving hip and back pain
US6490742B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-12-10 Toni Hall Supports for appendages
US6691353B2 (en) * 2001-07-20 2004-02-17 Richard Apollo Fuhriman Arm pillow
US20040215122A1 (en) * 2003-04-23 2004-10-28 Stephen Hansen Leg support device for surgical patients
US20070220678A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Ciliento Linda L Support pillows and pillow cases therefor
US20080026865A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-01-31 Patrick Thomas Hersom Kelley Golf training device for chipping and putting
US20080119299A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2008-05-22 Merrill Michael T Golf Swing Training Aid
GB2502790A (en) * 2012-06-06 2013-12-11 Alan Roy Claydon Support for body parts
US20150150391A1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2015-06-04 Gordon Hsu Travel pillow and method therefor
USD760992S1 (en) * 2015-01-12 2016-07-12 Urschel Laboratories, Inc. Food product
USD778526S1 (en) * 2015-01-12 2017-02-14 Urschel Laboratories, Inc. Food product
US20170119182A1 (en) * 2015-10-31 2017-05-04 Case Morris Therapeutic Device for the Relief of Coughing Symptoms
US9943180B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2018-04-17 Obedo Enterprises, Inc. Travel pillow and method for storing
USD821688S1 (en) * 2016-05-05 2018-07-03 Barilla G. E R. Fratelli S.P.A. Pasta
USD823027S1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2018-07-17 Xia Zou Neck pillow
USD858033S1 (en) * 2017-11-30 2019-09-03 Chengzhong Shan Dental cleaning bone
USD896550S1 (en) * 2018-12-13 2020-09-22 Jason Cane Adjustable knee pillow set
USD913725S1 (en) * 2019-11-19 2021-03-23 Luqi Yan Waist cushion
USD974803S1 (en) * 2020-03-11 2023-01-10 Chunxia Shi Hammer shape clamp leg pillow
EP4271486A4 (en) * 2022-01-27 2024-06-05 Balanced Body, Inc. Dog bone shaped exercise device

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2576870A (en) * 1950-10-09 1951-11-27 Aubern E Wright Embalmer's lip holder
US2576871A (en) * 1950-10-09 1951-11-27 Aubern E Wright Embalmer's jowl holder
US2677369A (en) * 1952-03-26 1954-05-04 Fred L Knowles Apparatus for treatment of the spinal column
US2795838A (en) * 1954-02-04 1957-06-18 Mcneely Company Inc Headrest and leg rest
US3124812A (en) * 1961-06-12 1964-03-17 Pillows
US3955252A (en) * 1974-09-30 1976-05-11 Reda Louis J Collapsible corpse positioner and restrainer
US4045033A (en) * 1976-03-22 1977-08-30 Cary Schuman Golf putting aid
US4418900A (en) * 1981-03-03 1983-12-06 Ricke Theodore D Corpse positioning system
US4924540A (en) * 1989-04-21 1990-05-15 The Woodbridge Group Pillow
US5020197A (en) * 1990-08-13 1991-06-04 Bull David W Body positioning device
US5575295A (en) * 1992-03-02 1996-11-19 Chiro-Yog, Inc. Method and apparatus for restoring spinal cervical curvature
US6026812A (en) * 1992-06-23 2000-02-22 Equip For Independence, Inc. Lightweight, portable positional limb support
US5329679A (en) * 1992-07-20 1994-07-19 Batesville Casket Company, Inc. Armrest for casket
US6179756B1 (en) * 1992-12-17 2001-01-30 Woodside Biomedical, Inc. Exercise method and apparatus for relieving hip and back pain
US5613501A (en) * 1993-06-10 1997-03-25 Gary K. Michelson Surgical face support
US6561194B2 (en) 1993-06-10 2003-05-13 Gary Karlin Michelson Surgical face support
US6490742B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-12-10 Toni Hall Supports for appendages
US6691353B2 (en) * 2001-07-20 2004-02-17 Richard Apollo Fuhriman Arm pillow
US20040215122A1 (en) * 2003-04-23 2004-10-28 Stephen Hansen Leg support device for surgical patients
US20080119299A1 (en) * 2005-07-15 2008-05-22 Merrill Michael T Golf Swing Training Aid
US7635308B2 (en) * 2005-07-15 2009-12-22 The Spirit Merchandising Group Golf swing training aid
US20070220678A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Ciliento Linda L Support pillows and pillow cases therefor
US20080026865A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-01-31 Patrick Thomas Hersom Kelley Golf training device for chipping and putting
US7585229B2 (en) * 2006-07-31 2009-09-08 Patrick Thomas Hersom Kelley Golf training device for chipping and putting
GB2502790A (en) * 2012-06-06 2013-12-11 Alan Roy Claydon Support for body parts
US9943180B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2018-04-17 Obedo Enterprises, Inc. Travel pillow and method for storing
US20150150391A1 (en) * 2013-03-07 2015-06-04 Gordon Hsu Travel pillow and method therefor
US9186003B2 (en) * 2013-03-07 2015-11-17 Obedo Enterprises, Inc. Travel pillow and method therefor
USD760992S1 (en) * 2015-01-12 2016-07-12 Urschel Laboratories, Inc. Food product
USD778526S1 (en) * 2015-01-12 2017-02-14 Urschel Laboratories, Inc. Food product
US20170119182A1 (en) * 2015-10-31 2017-05-04 Case Morris Therapeutic Device for the Relief of Coughing Symptoms
USD821688S1 (en) * 2016-05-05 2018-07-03 Barilla G. E R. Fratelli S.P.A. Pasta
USD823027S1 (en) * 2017-04-19 2018-07-17 Xia Zou Neck pillow
USD858033S1 (en) * 2017-11-30 2019-09-03 Chengzhong Shan Dental cleaning bone
USD896550S1 (en) * 2018-12-13 2020-09-22 Jason Cane Adjustable knee pillow set
USD913725S1 (en) * 2019-11-19 2021-03-23 Luqi Yan Waist cushion
USD974803S1 (en) * 2020-03-11 2023-01-10 Chunxia Shi Hammer shape clamp leg pillow
EP4271486A4 (en) * 2022-01-27 2024-06-05 Balanced Body, Inc. Dog bone shaped exercise device

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