US2729875A

US2729875A - Adjustable bed construction for caskets

Info

Publication number: US2729875A
Application number: US435417A
Authority: US
Inventors: John L White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-06-09
Filing date: 1954-06-09
Publication date: 1956-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1973-01-10

Description

Jan. 10, 1956 .J. L. WHITE ADJUSTABLE BED CONSTRUCTION FOR GASKETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1954 I w. l l l l w l lvi y U w 1 Z ZMMW.

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Jan. 10, 1956 J. L. WHITE ADJUSTABLE BED CONSTRUCTION FOR GASKETS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1954 Jan. 110, 1956 J. L. WHITE 2,729,875

ADJUSTABLE BED CONSTRUCTION FOR GASKETS Filed June 9, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 E-"lb a 5 44 28 g 15 g 1 E-14 BY ozlNVENgRg mfl miinw Arro/eusys.

United States Patent 2,729,815 ADJUSTABLE BED CONSTRUCTIONFOR CASKETS John L. White, Cambridge City, Ind. Application June 9, 1954, Serial No. 435,417

12 Claims. (CI. 27-12 This invention relates to caskets and is particularly directed to a casket construction in which the position of the bed can be adjusted by tilting either end of the bed from side to side or by raising or lowering either end.

A casket of this type generally includes .a shell or casket body, a bed for supporting a corpse within the shell and a lid for closing the top of the casket. It has been found highly desirable to provide caskets in which the position of the bed within the shell can readily be adjusted by an undertaker. A casket provided with such an adjustable bed can be shipped by the manufacturer to an undertaker with the bed completely lowered, in contact with the floor of the shell, sothat the pillow, mattress, robes and other accessories furnished with the casket can be packed above the bed and shipped right in the casket in which they are to be used. After the casket is received by the undertaker, it is frequently dis played in a showroom where purchasers can select from many different models. In order to display the casket most attractively, the bed is preferably made up and is elevated to a position in which it is spaced only a slight distance below the top of the shell.

Later when a corpse is to be displayed within the casket, the bed is completely elevated so that the corpse can be lifted up and placed on the bed without the necessity of lowering the corpse .down into the casket. After the pillow and robes have been arranged, the position of the bed is adjusted so that thecorpse is dis played most favorably. Positioning a corpse so that it meets with the approval of many relatives is a meticulous operationand is greatly facilitated by the provision of a casket bed which canbe placed in anyof a large number of different positions. l

The present invention is directed to a casket in which a mortician can readily change the position of the "bed and corpse to provide exactly the efiect desired, A bed constructed in accordance with the invention can be tilted from side to side, and fromend to end, and can be raised or lowered to various levels. More particularly, the bed can be adjusted so that it extends, horizontally, or is canted at varying degrees toward the front or rear of the casket. In addition, each end of the bed can be shifted so that it is disposedin an extreme position adjacent to either the casket floor or .the upper rimof the casket shell, or can be supported in any of a large number of intermediate positions. I

A preferred form of casket constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a shell, each end of which is provided with a vertical end post extending substantially from the floor of the casket to a point adjacent to the upper rim thereof, and including a plurality of vertically spaced apertures. A generally rectangular bed frame is disposed within the shell. Each end of the bed frame carries a positioning plate which is pivotally mounted to the frame and is adapted to slidably embrace one of the vertical posts. The positioning plates are identical and include a series of vertically 2,729,875 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 spaced notches formed on one edge of the plate, these notches being adapted for cooperative engagement with a finger carried by an adjustment plunger. An adjustment plunger is mounted on each end of the bed frame for reciprocating movement parallel to the end of the frame and is spring urged toward engagement with the positioning plate. One end of the adjustment plunger is adapted to engage the apertures provided in the vertical post. A cross link interconnects the adjustment plunger to an actuating handle which is pivotally se cured to a side frame member.

Sideways canting, or tilting, movement of the frame is obtained by depressing the actuating handle a fraction of its permitted travel shifting the plunger to disengage the finger carried by the plunger from the spaced notches in the positioning plate. When the plunger is retracted only far enough to effect this disengagement, the end of the plunger still resides in contact with an aperture in the vertical post so that the bed frame is held against vertical movement. It is free to tilt sideways however, and when it has been canted the desired amount, the actuating handle is released so that the plate engaging arm is urged into contact with one of the notches in the positioning plate by the spring acting on the adjustment plunger. If it is desired to change the height of an end of the bed, the actuating handle is completely depressed so that the plunger is fully retracted to withdraw the end of the plunger from engagement with the notches in the vertical post. The positioning plate can then be shifted along the post until the end of the bed has been raised or lowered to its dc sired position. When the end of the bed is properly positioned, the actuating handle is released so that the end of the plunger is urged by the spring into one of the openings in the vertical post.

One of the principal advantages of the present bed construction is that it is. extremely simple to manipulate. No keys or other separate operating elements are re quired. There is only a single actuating handle, mounted at each end of the bed frame. Each handle completely controls the positioning of one end of the bed since a partial depression of the handle permits the bed to be canted sideways and a further depression allows the end of the bed to be raised or lowered. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment the actuating handle and spring loaded plunger are constructed so that an undertaker can readily locate, by the pressure exerted on the actuating handle, the position of the actuating handle which permits pivotal movement but prohibits lifting movement. I Another advantage of the present invention is that the actuating handle is easily operated by the mortician while using both of hishands to support the weight of one end of the bed. Consequently, a single individual can readily adjust the position of the bed even after the corpse has been placed upon it. Furthermore, as explained in detail below, the mortician can quickly adjust the position of the bed even after a corpse has been placed upon it.

An additional advantage of the present bed construction is that it is extremely compact so that the actuating handle and other elements of the adjustable support mechanism are readily concealed and do not mar the appearance of the display.

A still further advantage of the present adjustable bed is that it is relatively simple and can be inexpensively produced. Consequently, this construction can be incorporated in moderately priced caskets without unduly increasing their cost.

'lhese and other advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a casket provided with a bed and adjustable support constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of one end of the bed and its associated supporting mechanism as viewed along line 3-3 of Figure 2. v

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a semi-diagrammatic view showing a casket interior in which the bed has been'disposed with the foot end lowered with respect to the head end.

Figure 6 is a semi-diagrammatic view, similar to Fig,- ure 5, showing acasket in which the bed has been tilted sideways so that its back eclgeis elevated with respect to its front edge.

Figure 7 is a semi-diagrammatic'view; similar to- Figure 5, showing the casket bed both tilted from head to foot and canted from rear to front.

As shown in Figure l, a casket 1'0 constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a shell 11' formed of sheet metal or other material such as wood or plastic. The shell includes a front wall 12, a rear wall 13,

end walls

14 and 15, and a bottom 16; A flange 17 extends around the upper periphery of the side and end walls and either a full or sectional lid (not shown) is hinged to the rear wall for closing the top of the lid. Suitable handles 19 are secured to the front and rear walls.

A corpse supporting bed 18 is mounted within the shell. The bed includes a generally rectangular frame formed of side channel irons 20 and end channel irons 21, the irons being welded or otherwise joined together at the four corners of the frame. A plurality of springs or straps 22 are secured to the side and end channel bars, the strips extending across the frame and being adapted to support a mattress which is placed on top of the frame and springs. This mattressv has been omitted from the drawings for the purpose of clarity.

, In the preferred embodiment, each end of the bed is supported by means of an adjustable support mechanism indicated generally at 23. However, if for some'reason adjustment is desired only at the head end of the casket, the foot end of the bed can be mounted in some other suitable manner. Since in the preferred embodiment the tab 37 which is bent at right angles to the plate and includes a plunger receiving aperture 38. The end of the plate remote from flange is of arcuate configuration. This end of the plate is preferably cut along the arc of a circle having its center at the pivot point of the plate. The arcuate edge is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 40, each notch preferably being directed along a radius of a circle centered at pivot pin 31.

The end channel of the frame also carries an outwardly extending bracket 41 which is welded or otherwise secured to the frame, and is provided with an aperture 42 in alignment with the opening in the central flange 37 of the positioning plate. A cylindrical plunger 43 is inserted through the

openings

42 and 38 in the bracket and central flange'and is adapted for sliding movement parallel to the end member of the bed frame. When the plunger is in its fully advanced position (to the left in Figure 3) its inner end 44 passes through one of the apertures 28 in the vertical post, and when the plunger is in its fully retracted position the end 44 of the plunger is disengaged from the center post. The plunger is biased toward its advanced position by means of a main coil spring 45 which is compressed between bracket 41 and an abutment plate 46, welded or otherwise secured to the plunger.

The plunger also carries a sleeve 47, which is slidable along the plunger and is provided with an extension 48 forming an arm adapted for engagement with the notches in the positioning plate. As shown particularly in Figure 3, arm 48 also extends through a narrow, elongated slot cut in end channel 21 of the frame. 'An auxiliary spring 49, appreciably lighter than main spring 45, is compressed between plate 46 and a plate in engagement with sleeve 47. The auxiliary spring is effective to urge the sleeve toward the inner end 44 of the plunger. The end of arm 48 is welded or otherwise secured to a cross link 51 disposed within the channel and interconnecting the arm and actuating handle 52. The actuating handle is mounted within the channel of side member 20 of the support mechanisms disposed at either end' of the bed are stantially from the floor of the casket to the upper rim of the end walls. As shown, the vertical posts are formed from strips of sheet metal which have been bent into a substantially Z configuration. One leg 25 of the post 24' abuts the end wall 15 of the shell at a point. substantially midway between the two sidewalls and is secured in' place by'some suitable means such as screws 26. If the end of the casket is of an arcuate configuration, post 24 can be secured to the bottom of'the casket andito flange 171 The angular arm 27 of the post interconnecting the two legs is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 28. I p

.A positioning plate 30 is pivot'ally secured, for rotation about a horizontal axis, to end member 21 of. the bed frame by means of bolt 31 and nut 32. As shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4, the positioning plate is provided with an upper flange 33', a lower flange 34' and an end flange 35 including an over turned lip 36. The three flanges and over turned lip define an opening for receiving the vertical post; the lip being adapted for engagement with the angulated arm of the post, while the ends of the upper and lower flange engage the edged formed along'the endtof the leg 25*of' the post. Thus the plate is prevented from pivotal movement'about the post but is adapted to slide vertically along it. The: plate is also provided with a center flange formed by a knocked-out bed frame and is pivotally secured as at 53 to the frame at a point spaced from the end channel member. With the plunger 43 in its advanced position, the actuating handle 52' extends angularly across the corner of the frame where it can readily be depressed, whenever the end ofthe bedis to be shifted.

Horizontal adjustment of the bed is effected by grasping the end of the bed frame and depressing handle 52; that is, pivoting it toward the outer edge of the bed frame. Pivotal movement of the handle shifts cross link 51 and causes sleeve 47 to be retracted. The initial movement of sleeve 47 compresses auxiliary spring 49 and after that spring has been fully compressed the retracting force applied to the sleeve is transmitted to plate 46 and in turn to the plunger rod. When. the. handle has been depressed to shift thev adjustment plunger to its retracted position shown in dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4,, the inner end 44 of the plunger is withdrawn from engagementwith the apertures of vertical post 24. The end of the bed can then be raised or lowered to the desired level and the actuating handle released. Main spring 45 returns the plunger to its advanced position in which the plunger end 44 engages the particular aperture in the post with which it is in registry; locking the end of the bed at the desired'level.

Lateral canting. movement of the bed can be effected without changing the vertical height of the bed. This is accomplished by depressing actuating handle 52 to an intermediate position in which extension 48 is disengaged from the notches 40 in the positioning plate, but adjustment plunger 43 has not been retracted a sufiicient distance to disengage its end 44 fromv an aperture in the vertical post. In. the preferred embodiment auxiliary spring 49: is appreciably lighter than main spring 45. Consequently, the: sleeve is retracted along the plunger until the auxiliary spring is completely compressed, before sufiicient force is transmitted to the plunger to cause it to move. Preferably the distance which the plunger is free to move before the auxiliary spring is completely compressed is just sufiicient to result in disengagement of extension arm 48 from the notches in the positioning plate.

Hence, an undertaker compressing the actuating handie when it is hidden from view, can readily determine the intermediate position of the handle in which the sleeve arm is free of engagement with the positioning plate notches but the end of the. plunger is still in engagement with the notches of the post, by compressing the handle until he meets greatly increased resistance. At this point, the light auxiliary spring has been fully compressed and the main spring is starting to be compressed. As soon as he feels this greater resistance, the undertaker maintains the actuating handle in the same position and pivots the bed about pivot pin 31 by which the bed is joined to the positioning plate. When the bed is in the desired angulated position, the actuating handle is released and sleeve 47 is urged by auxiliary spring 49 toward the positioning plate so that arm 48 is shifted into engagement with one of the notches of the plate. The bed is then locked in the desired position by the inner engagement of arm 48 with slot 54 in end frame member 21 of the bed frame and notch 40 of the positioning plate.

It will be appreciated that the casket bed frame is constructed of light weight materials, so that the bed frame may be warped allowing one end of the bed to be angulated while the other is maintained in a horizontal position. In fact, it is feasible for displaying deformed corpses, to angulate the foot end in one direction and the head end in the other. By combining different height and angular adjustment-s at either end of the bed, a wide variety of ditferent positions can be obtained.

From a manufacturing point of view the casket bed supporting mechanism of this invention is extremely advantageous,.since it is very simple and economical to produce. The component parts are formed from relatively simple sheet metal stampings, a cylindrical plunger which can be formed of conventional bar stock, and readily available coil springs. Moreover, the supporting mechanism is adapted for use with the wide variety of different types of caskets and can readily be installed in a casket, even after the shell has been completely fabricated.

, A further advantage, from a manufacturing point of view, is that present adjusting means permits the use of a standard size bed with casket shells of varying lengths. Thus, if a standard bed is to be incorporated in a shell of extra length, the only change necessary in the bed mounting mechanism is that a different vertical post is supplied at the foot end. In the special vertical post, the angulated arm of the Z is of extra width so that the distance between the two legs is substantially the same as the end of the casket shell and the foot end of the. bed.

From the foregoing discussion of the general principles of the present invention and a disclosure of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the invention is susceptible.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A support mechanism for adjustably supporting a casket bed, said mechanism comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidableengagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for recip rocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position inwhich it is disengaged from said aperture in the verticalpost and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioningplate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted.

2. A support mechanism for adjustably supporting a casket bed, said mechanism comprising a vertical post configurate to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an. end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted, said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement with an aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered.

3. A support mechanism for adjustably supporting a casket bed, said mechanism comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, 21 positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post, and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted, said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement with an aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered, a contact handle for shifting said plunger and composite spring means for urging, said plunger into its advanced position, said composite spring means presenting a substantially greater resistance to plunger retraction after the plunger has been retracted to its intermediate position.

4. In a casket having a casket bed, means for adjustably supporting said casket bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end-of the bed can be raised orlov'veredand thesideways angulation of the'bed can be adjusted.

S. In a casket having a casket bed, means for adjustably supporting said casket bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning-plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in. an advanced'position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which itis disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation' of the bed can. be adjusted, said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement with an aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby'the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered.

6. Ina casket having a casket bed, means for adjustably supporting said casket bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures a positioning plate pivotally secured toone end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of verti- I cally spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftableto a retracted position in which it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post, and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can'be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted,said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement ,withan aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, 7

whereby the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered, a contact handle for shifting said plunger and composite spring means for urging said plunger into its advanced position, said composite spring .means presenting a substantially greater resistance to plunger retraction after the plunger has been retracted to its intermediate position.

7. In a casket including a casket shell and a bed disposed within said shell, means for adjustably supporting said bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning. plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning: plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of saidbe'd, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying afinger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is inan advanced position, said plunger being shiftable toa. retracted position inwhich it isdi'sengag'ed from said aperture in the verticalpost and the finger is disengaged from tlie notches in the position iug plate, whereby the end or the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted.

8. in a casket including a casket shell and a bed disposed withinsaid shell', rne'a'ns for adjustably supporting said bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagemen't with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurat'ed to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, anadjustment plunger, means for reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an end of said bed, said pluugerbeing shiftableto an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which. it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways angulation of the bed can be adjusted, said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement with an aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered.

9. In a casket including a casket shell and a bed disposed within said shell, means for adjustably supportizg said bed, said means comprising a vertical. pos't configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable en gagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate b :ing configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced.

notches, an adjustment plunger, means for. reciprocally mounting said adjustment plunger at an endof said bed,

said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of the openings in the vertical post, said plunger carrying a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate when said plunger is in an advanced position, said plunger being shiftable to a retracted position in which'it is disengaged from said aperture in the vertical post, and the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the end of the bed can be raised or lowered and the sideways a'ngulation of the bed can be adjusted, said plunger also being shiftable to a position intermediate its advanced and retracted position in which it is in engagement with an aperture in the vertical post but the finger is disengaged from the notches in the positioning plate, whereby the bed can be tilted sideways but cannot be raised or lowered, a contact handle for shifting said plunger and composite spring means for urging said plunger into its advanced position, said composite spring means presenting a substantially greater resistance to plunger retraction after the plunger has been retracted to its intermediate position.

10. A support" mechanism for adjustably supporting a casket bed, said mechanism comprising a vertical post configuratedto form a' plurality of vertically spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for'm'ounting said. adjustment plunger upon one end of said bed for reciprocal movement therealong, said means including a bracket mounted on said bed, s'aid plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of said openings in the vertical post, a sleeve slidably mounted upon saidplungen. said sleeve including a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate and with a cooperating portion of said casket bed, spring means urging said plunger into engagement with said aperture in the vertical post and the finger into engagement with one of said notches in the positioning plate, said last named spring means comprising an abutment plate mounted on said plunger, a spring compressed between said plate and said mounting bracket, and a second spring lighter than the first compressed between said abutment plate and said sleeve, and an actuating handle in operative connection with said finger, said finger being retracted along said plunger to a position in which said finger is disengaged from said notch before said second spring is completely compressed, whereby said bed can be rotated while said plunger is still in engagement with one of the apertures in the vertical post.

11. In a casket having a casket bed, means for adjustably supporting said casket bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjust ment plunger, means for mounting said adjustment plunger upon one end of said bed for reciprocal movement therealong, said means including a bracket mounted on said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position in which it engages one of said openings in the vertical post, a sleeve slidably mounted upon said plunger, said sleeve including a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate and with a cooperating portion of said casket bed, spring means urging said plunger into engagement with said aperture in the vertical post and the finger into engagement with one of said notches in the positioning plate, said last named spring means comprising an abutment plate mounted on said plunger, a spring compressed between said plate and said mounting bracket, and a second spring lighter than the first compressed between said abutment plate and said sleeve, and an actuating handle in operative connection with said finger, said finger being retracted along said plunger to a po- 10 sition in which said finger is disengaged from said notch before said second spring is completely compressed, whereby said bed can be rotated while said plunger is still in engagement with one of the apertures in the vertical post.

12. In a casket including a casket shell and a bed disposed within said shell, means for adjustably supporting said bed, said means comprising a vertical post configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, a positioning plate pivotally secured to one end of said casket bed, said positioning plate being disposed in slidable engagement with said vertical post, said positioning plate being configurated to form a plurality of vertically spaced notches, an adjustment plunger, means for mounting said adjustment plunger upon one end of said bed for reciprocal movement therealong, said means including a bracket mounted on said bed, said plunger being shiftable to an advanced position. in which it engages one of said openings in the vertical post, a sleeve slidably mounted upon said plunger, said sleeve including a finger adapted for engagement with one of the notches provided in said positioning plate and with a cooperating portion or" said casket bed, spring means urging said plunger into engagement with said aperture in the vertical post and the finger into engagement with one of said notches in the positioning plate, said last named spring means comprising an abutment plate mounted on said plunger, a spring compressed between said plate and said mounting bracket, and a second spring lighter than the first compressed between said abutment plate and said sleeve, and an actuating handle in operative connection with said finger, said finger being retracted along said plunger to a position in which said finger is disengaged from said notch before said second spring is completely compressed, whereby said bed can be rotated While said plunger is still in engagement with one of the apertures in the vertical post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS