US2061784A - Burial apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 24, 1936. 1 v. TROUP BURIAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

NOV. 24, 1936. v TROUP 2,061,784

BURIAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

g L/ogak 73 0026 40 I %/7% mam ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 24, 1936 irso STATES 3 Claims.

This invention relates to burial apparatus, and more specifically to means for supporting the vault base and casket over the grave opening when the services are being conducted at the grave.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design simple, practical, and economical means for supporting the vault base in position over the grave, said means being adjustable to permit them to be swung out of position, so that the grave opening will be free and unobstructed, and so that the vault can be readily lowered.

Another object is to provide a sectional frame around the grave, so that the vault handling apparatus can be readily wheeled into and out of position, and so that it will remain level and true during the vault raising and lowering process.

A further object is to provide a frame and base supporting means which supports the vault base approximately level with the surface of the g ground, so that the ferns and other decorating means can be extended over the frame sufficiently to conceal the grave opening from view when the vault base is in position.

A still further object is to design a sectional frame and drop brackets which can be readily assembled and disassembled, and which can be folded into a neat, compact bundle, so that it can be readily transported from one location to an other.

The above and other objects will appear as the specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which I have shown one embodiment of my invention, and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts :15 throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawings- Figure l is a plan view of a grave opening, showing the sectional frame and the vault base supported in position thereon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional edge view.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the drop brackets with the vault base in position thereon.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating 45 the manner of connecting the side and end members.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the adjustment of the drop hangers, the broken lines showing it swung upwardly and 50 against the end frame member.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the drop brackets.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the opening for the drop bracket lugs.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings in which I have shown one embodiment of my invention, the grave opening is indicated at A and a frame, preferably formed of wood, is placed on the edges of the grave opening and on which the vault handling apparatus (not shown) rolls, 5 said frame comprising spaced apart side members 8 and s respectively, and end members it) and H are detachably secured thereto in a manner to be presently described, a strip of bar iron l2 being secured to the inner edge of each side member 10' and serves to confine and guide the vault handling mechanism which travels thereon.

The inner edges of the end members l0 and l I are also provided with bars it which project beyond the ends thereof and engage in slotted open- 15 ings l4 provided in the side members, short strips l5 being provided on the outer edges of these end 'members and are adapted to engage the ends of the side members when the frame is assembled, so that it is locked in assembled relation, the usual decoration (not shown) covering the frame and edge of the grave opening which is not covered by the vault base.

Drop hangers l6 and ll respectively span the grave and support the vault base B as shown, each hanger being formed with outwardly projecting lugs I8, terminating in enlarged shoulders i9. These lugs are inserted in openings 20 provided in the bar iron strips l2, said openings being formed as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings to facilitate the assembly of the lugs l8 and lock the hangers in position, said hangers being spaced a predetermined distance from the end members of the frame and are formed with centrally disposed openings 2 l, and which accommodate the spring actuated locking pins 22 which are mounted in the end frames, and when these drop l hangers are swung upwardly to position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the pin 22 is released and engages the opening Zl in the drop hanger to hold it in adjusted position, so that the grave opening is free and unobstructed and the burial vault can be freely lowered into the grave.

In practice the vault base B is placed on the drop hangers it and ll, and when the funeral procession reaches the cemetery, the casket (not shown) is placed thereon; at the conclusion of the services the vault handling apparatus, with the vault cover supported thereby, is wheeled into position, the side members 8 and 9 serving as tracks, this vault handling apparatus being the subject matter of a separate application filed by me under date of February 15th, 1935, Serial No. 6,659. The cover is then lowered on the base and is securely fastened thereto; the entire vault is then raised sufiiciently to permit the drop hangers l6 and H to be swung upwardly and in alignment with the end members It] and II, as above explained, the locking pins 22 securing them in adjusted position, leaving the entire grave opening free and unobstructed so that the vault is readily lowered into position in the grave. The handling mechanism, together with the frame, is then detached and dissassembled, and the operation is complete.

This frame and mechanism folds compactly and is readily transportable from one location to another.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, practical, lightweight, sectional frame and vault supporting brackets, which can be readily assembled and disassembled, and which folds compactly to permit easy and rapid delivery from one location to another.

What I claim is:

1. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising a sectional collapsible frame adapted to support a vault base over a grave opening, drop hanger brackets pivotally and detachably connected to the side members of the frame and adapted to receive said vault base, and means on the frame for engaging and locking the hanger brackets as they are swung upwardly into alignment with the frame.

2. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising a sectional collapsible frame adapted to be placed on the edges of a grave opening, means for securing said frame in assembled relation, drop hanger brackets detachably and pivotally connected to the side frame members for supporting a vault base over the grave opening, spring actuated pins mounted in the end members of the frame, and openings in said brackets for engagement by said pins when the brackets are swung upwardly into alignment with the end frame members.

3. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising a sectional collapsible frame adapted to form a track for a wheeled vault handling apparatus and to support a vault base over a grave opening, said frame including interlocking end and side members formed with metal edges on the inner rim thereof, and drop hanger brackets detachably connected to the metal edges of the side frame members for supporting said vault base in position above the grave opening.

LLOYD V. TROUP.

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