US2889609A - Casket closure and sealing device - Google Patents

Description

`lune 9, 1959 Filed March 19, 1957 E. S. EISENHARD ET AL GASKET CLOSURE AND SEALING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet vIl.

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E. S. EISENHARD ET AL GASKET CLOSURE AND SEALING DEVICE.

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June 9, 1959 Filed March 19,v 1957 @aired guitares GASKET CLGSURE AND SEAlLlNG DEVICE Eli S. Eisenhard and Paul F. Faust, Boyertowu, Pa., assignors to loyertown Burial Casket Company, Boyertown, Fa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 19, 1957, Serial No. 647,076

Claims. (Cl. 27--17) Our invention relates to an hermetically sealed casket and more particularly to the provision of apparatus which will draw the lid of the casket down onto the body of the casket in hermetically sealed relation with respect thereto.

Reference is hereby made to our abandoned application Serial No. 448,486, `tiled August 9, 1954, of which this application is a continuation-impart.

It is an object of our invention to provide a closure and sealing device which can be located inconspicuously within the casket body, which can be operated from a single point outside of the casket and which is so mounted within the casket that the required openings in the casket walls for the lid engaging members and operating crank are sealed off from the interior of the casket when the lid is in closed position.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a closure and sealing device which will draw the lid of the casket downwardly into an hermetically sealed relation with respect to the casket body evenly and without distortion of the lid.

It is a further object of our invention to provide the casket closure and sealing mechanism which can be operated quickly and effectively from a single point outside of the casket.

We have illustrated our invention in preferred form in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a casket in closed position with our improved closure device and operating means being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 4;

Figure 3 is a plan section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross section on the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the manner in which the chamber is formed which encloses the operating mechanism for the closure so as to be sealed from the interior of the casket body;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section on the line 6 6 of Figure 7 showing the lid engaging latch in normal latched position;

Figure 7 is a plan section on the line 7--7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section similar to Figure 6 showing the latch in unlatched position about to engage the lid which is shown in dot and dash lines;

Figure 9 is a view showing the latch in an extreme latching position;

Figure l() is an enlarged longitudinal view similar to Figure 2 of another embodiment of this invention with parts broken away in order to illustrate important details;

Figure 11 is a view of the middle portion of Figure 10 with the operating mechanism cover removed;

Figure l2 is a plan View of the apparatus of Figure 10 with parts broken away to illustrate important details;

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken as indicated by the lines and arrows 13a-13 which appear in Figure 10;

Patented .lune Q, 1959 Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the middle portion of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the lines and arrows 15-15 which appear in Figure 10; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view in section of the portion shown at the right in Figure 10.

Although specic terms are used in the following description for clarity, these terms arerintended to refer only to the structure shown in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

The casket shown in Figure 1 comprises generally the body portion A, the lid B and the closure device and operating means C shown in dotted lines.

The body portion A (Fig. 1) consists of a metal case which can be formed in any preferred manner to insure airtight jointure between the bottom, side and end walls. ln the sheet metal casket illustrated the airtight jointure of the parts is effected by welding. The lid B may be formed from a single stamping or from multiple parts, in either case with airtight sealing at jointures.

The casket body A consists of a bottom to which side walls 10 and end walls 11 are welded, the side and end walls being welded together at the corners of the casket body. The upper marginal portions of the side and end walls are stamped to form a decorative molding indicated generally by the letter D and a similar molding E is formed on the lid of the casket. The molding D projects outwardly of the general vertical plane of the side and end walls of the casket body and is provided at the upper edge with an inturned flange 12 (Fig. 4). The lid molding E has a similar inturned flange 13 opposed to the iiange 12 on the casket body.

A longitudinal chamber 14 (Fig. 4) is formed within the molding D beneath the iiange 12 of the body of the casket by means of side sealing plates 15 and end sealing plates 16. The plate 1S has an upper flange portion 17 which is welded to the underside of the flange 12 of the casket body to form an air-tight joint therewith and a lower offset flange portion 18 which is Welded to side wall 10 of the casket to form an air-tight joint therewith. The end plates 16 (Fig. 5) have a contour which conforms to the interior contour of the molding D and are provided with peripheral iianges 16a and 1Gb directed outwardly toward the end walls of the casket. The side sealing plate 15 is welded to the anges 16b and the iianges 16a are Welded to the molding portion D of the casket, all in air-tight relation in order to form the 1ongitudinal chamber 14 which is hermetically sealed from the interior of the casket body.

A sailing gasket 21D (Fig. 4) composed of a ilexible vinyl or other flexible material lies on the upper surface of the marginal ange 12 and extends completely around the upper margin of the casket. The gasket is provided at the inner edge with an upstanding rib 21 which engages the lower face of the flange 13 of the lid when the lid is in closed positon and this rib portion is compressed when the lid is pulled down to form an airtight seal for the interior of the casket between the casket lid and body. The flat outward portion 22 of the gasket 20 performs no sealing function when the casket is closed and could be eliminated if desired. However, we prefer to use it as it covers the upper surface of the flange 12 and eliminates the need for finishing that surface.

The pull down and sealing device is mounted on an angle plate 23 and is constructed as follows:

The angle plate 23 is secured to the casket flange 12 :by means of welding or other suitable means.

Gear box 24 (Fig. 3) is welded or otherwise secured to the angle plate 23 centrally thereof. This box supports and provides a bearing for sleeve members 25 to the ends of which miter gears 26 are secured. A transverse shaft 27 is also supported for rotation by the gear 'box and carries, at one end, the miter gearv 28 which engages -rniter gears 26 on the sleeves 25. At the opposite end the shaft 27 is provided with a recessed head so that it can be rotated by a crank which can be inserted through an opening in the molding D of the casket wall adjacent thereto. A threaded sleeve 29 is secured in the opening in the molding D of the casket wall and the opening can be closed after the casket is sealed by a threaded cap member 36 which is screwed on to the sleeve 29. It is unnecessary that the cap 30 seal off the interior of the chamber 14 and it can be omitted, if desired.

The ends of the sleeves 25 are interiorly threaded and engage the threaded ends of latch operating rods 31--31 which extend lengthwise of the chamber 14. Rotation of the shaft pin 27 will, through the miter gears 26 and 28, cause the sleeves to rotate and move the rods 31--31 back and forth lengthwise of the casket, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft 27.

Two apertured blocks 32 are secured to each of the operating rods 31 by means of set screws 33 (Fig. 4). In order to suitably space the latches lengthwise of the casket one block 32 on each rod is mounted somewhat near the center of the casket while the other block 32 on each rod is located near the end of the casket (Fig. l). Each of the blocks 32 has a pin 34 (Fig. 6) engaging in a slot 34a in the rearwardly extending arm of an associated bell crank 35. The bell cranks 35 are pivoted on pivot pins 36 which are secured to angle plates 37 which in turn are welded or otherwise secured to angle plate 23. Slot 34a is provided to translate the linear motion of pin 34 and rod 31 to the arcuate motion of the bell crank arm. The opposite arms of the bell cranks 35 carry pivot pins 38 which engage the lower ends of the latches 39. As can be best seen in Figures 8 and 9, each latch extends upwardly through slots in the angle plates 37, 23, flange 12 and gasket 20. The latch 39 has an upper hook portion 48 adapted to engage the flange 13 of the casket lid, an intermediate parallel edged portion 41 extending downwardly, another intermediate parallel edged portion 42, the edges of which extend at an angle to the edges of the intermediate portion 41 and a lower portion 43, provided with a hole for the pivot pin 38. Guide pins 44 and 45 adapted to engage the edges of the portions 41 and 42 and thereby guide the latch 39 are secured to the angle plate 37.

When it is desired to close and seal the casket, the shaft pin 27 is first rotated to move the blocks 32 toward the ends of the casket while the lid is in open position and the bell crank will operate to move the latches 39 to the tilted position indicated in Figure 8, which results from the engagement on the angular edged portions 42 of the latches with the guide pins 44 and 45. The casket lid is then lowered until it rests on the rib 21 of the gasket 20 and the hook portions 40 of the latches 39 will extend into the lid through the slots 46 which are provided in the lower ange 13 of the lid. The shaft 27 is then rotated in the opposite direction causing the operating rods 31 and the blocks 32 to move toward the center of the casket. This will cause the bell cranks 35 to move the latches 39 downwardly and engagement of the edges of the intermediate portions 41 of the latches with the guide pins 44 and 45, will cause the hook portions 4l) of the latches 39 to move toward the ends of the casket and engage the inner face of the ange 13 of the casket lid. Further movement of the blocks 32 toward the center of the casket will impart movement to the latches 39 in a direction to draw the lid downwardly, rmly compressing the rib 21 thus forming a marginal air-tight seal for the casket around the entire margin of the upper surface of the casket body. Although we have illustrated a casket sealing mechanism having four latches, it is to be understood that the number of latches can be increased or decreased by addition or omission of apertured blocks 32 on operating rods 31, together with associated bell cranks and latches.

The slot 46 in the lid of the casket is covered by an inverted U-shaped sheet metal closure member 47 (Figs. 4, 6) which has flanges 48, which are welded and completely sealed to the inner face of the ilange 13 of the lid of the casket, thus preventing the entry of air into the interior of the casket through the slots 46.

Normally the parts are in the position indicated in Figure 6 when the casket is closed. However, if for any reason the flanges on the lid of the casket are warped or have irregularities, the latches can be drawn to the extreme position indicated in Figure 9 to insure suflicient compression of the gasket rib 21 to prevent any leakage which might be due to such irregularities or warping of the flanges of the lid or the body of the casket.

1t should be pointed out with the arrangement we have illustrated there is a direct downward pull on the lid of the casket when it is being sealed and no forces are exerted which would tend to put any longitudinal strain on the lid of the casket or to skew or twist the lid as it is being drawn downwardly.

Referring to Fig. l0 which illustrates another embodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, there is shown operating mechanism desig-v nated generally by the number 51 including gear means 52 and latching means 53 which are operatively connected together by conecting means 54.

Gear means 52 includes a gear box 55 and a knurled and threaded cap member 56. Extending from the ends of gear box 55 are rotatable sleeve members 57 which are longitudinally positioned Within the chamber 14. Formed in sleeve member 57 is a threaded recess 53 which receives the externally threaded end portion 61 of a latch-operating rod 62. Mounted on rod 62 is a boss 63 which is connected to the end of arm 64 of bell crank 65. Bell crank 65 has a stationary pivot which includes a pin 66. Slot 64a is provided to translate the linear motion of boss 63 and rod 62 to the arcuate motion of bell crank arm 64. Arm 67 of bell crank 65 is pivoted by pin 68 to one end 71 of latch element 72. The other end 73 of the latch element is hook-shaped. Latch element 72 is positioned within a slot 74 formed in horizontal ange 75 of angle plate 76 and horizontal flange 77 of body portion 78. Flange 75 is fastened to iange 77 by screws 81. Hook end 73 also extends through a slot 82 formed in sealing gasket 83 and slot 84 formed in horizontal ange 85 of lid 86. A closure member 87 is welded to horizontal flange 85 of lid 86.

In Fig. 1l is shown a fragmentary view of gear means 52 with cap member 56 removed to permit access to the operating means by a crank handle.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. l2, gear box 55 includes a U-shaped base member 88 which is fastened to angle plate 76 by screws 92. Attached to base 88 by screws 93 is front plate 94. Seated in a recess in the rear plate 95 of base member 8S is the inner end 96 of a transverse shaft 97. Mounted on shaft 97 is a miter gear 98 and formed in the outer end of the shaft is a crank handle recess 101 which is preferably of hexagonal bore. Shaft 97 is positioned within an aperture formed in vertical outer surface 192 of body portion 7S. Welded to surface 102 and positioned about transverse shaft 97 is an externally threaded spud 193. Sealing cap member 56 is threaded onto spud 103 to hermetically seal the chamber 14. Cap member 56 has mounted therein a gasket 104, preferably made of vinyl. It is to be noted that the it between transverse shaft 97 and spud 103 is not air-tight, that the outer end of transverse shaft 97 does not extend as far as the outer end of spud 193, and that transverse shaft 97 does not contact gasket 104. Sleeves 57 extend through recesses formed in the end walls 105 of gear box 55, and have mounted on one end a miter gear 106 which meshes with gear 98.

, Figure 13 shows a view in section of one end of gear means 52. Sealing gasket 83 is provided with a hib 107 and three smaller ribs 111, 112 and 113. Rib 107 is positioned outwardly of latch elements 72. Hence, when the casket is closed the latch elements 72 are concealed from view and the closure has a smooth, unbroken appearance. Figures 13 and 14 show the configuration of some of the components of the gear box, especially U- shaped base member 88 and front plate 94.

Figures 15 and 16 show the latching means S3 in section and in perspective and illustrate more clearly the form and relationship of the components of the latch mechanism.

In use, the lid 86 is closed. Then a crank is inserted and turned in gear box 55 to lock the lid 86 to the body portion 78. This is accomplished quickly and easily. Further, the apparatus for accomplishing this is most inconspicuous and does not detract from the design of the casket.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herein shown and described is to :be taken as a preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. Equivalent elements may tbe substituted for those described herein, parts may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, We claim:

1. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side walls and end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasket positioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaft located within said side walls, a rod threadedly engaged with said rotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveable longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, gear means located within said side Walls for rotating said shaft, means accessible from the exterior of said casket for actuating said gear means, a bell crank having two arms and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms within one of said side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to one arm of said crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formed therein for receiving said latch and having a latch engaging surface, and means operatively connecting said rod to the other arm of said crank to pull down said latch in a substantially straight line motion to bring said lid into closed position with said body portion when said rod is moved longitudinally by said rotatable shaft.

2. The metal casket dened in claim 1, wherein said sealing gasket is also located on the casket interior side of said latch so that said body portion, lid, and gasket form a hermetically sealed chamber when said latch is in closed position.

3. The metal casket defined in claim l, wherein said means operatively connecting said rod to the other arm of said crank includes a pin and a slot in slidable engagement.

4. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side walls and end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasket positioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaft located within said side walls, a rod threadedly engaged with said rotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveable longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, gear means located within said side walls for rotating said shaft, means accessible from the exterior of said casket for actuating said gear means, a bell crank having two and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms within one of said side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to one arm of said crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formed therein for receiving ysaid latch and having a latch engaging surface, a block adjustably fastened to said rod by a set screw, and a pin extending from said block, said other arm of the crank having a slot formed therein for receiving said pin to form a slidable connection between said rod and said other arm of the crank.

5. A metal casket comprising a body portion having a bottom, side walls and end walls, a lid positioned above the body portion, a sealing gasket positioned intermediate said lid and body portion, a rotatable shaft located within said side walls, a -rod threadedly engaged with said rotatable shaft and having its axis coincident therewith and moveable longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, a miter gear mounted `on the end of said shaft away from said rod, actuating means accessible from the exterior of said casket for rotating said miter gear and said shaft, said actuating means including a rotatable shaft having a miter gear mounted thereon in meshing relationship with said first mentioned miter gear and having its axis of rotation at right angles from the axis of rotation of said iirst mentioned rotatable shaft, a bell crank having two arms and pivotally mounted at the juncture of the arms within one of said side walls, a hook-shaped latch pivotally connected to one arm of said crank, said lid being hollow and having a slot formed therein for receiving said latch and having a latch engaging surface, a block adjustably fastened to said rod by a set screw, and a pin extending from said block, said other arm of the crank having a slot formed -therein for receiving said pin to form a slidabl-e connection between said rod and said other arm of the crank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 131,699 Miller Sept. 24, 1872 1,216,765 Anderson Feb. 20, 1917 1,328,355 Arndt Jan. 20, 1920 2,150,371 Furnish Mar. 14, 1939 2,417,756 Hillenbrand Mar. 18, 1947

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