US337426A - Coffin - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. NORDEN, OF DE KALB, ILLINOIS.

coFpFlN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,426, dated March 9, 1886.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEs J. NOEDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at De Kalb, in the county of De Kalb and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ooffins, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a construction, which is formed by the addition to or connection with an ordinary coffin, of adjustable legs or supports.

I have illustrated my invention by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective View of coffin with legs extended for the purpose of supporting the same. Fig. 2 is a plan view of under side of coffin having my adjustable legs or supports secured there to. Fig. 3 is a section view showing the application of spring.

Like letters refer to like parts in the differ ent views.

A indicates a coffin.

B indicates the downward extension of the coffin, within which or inside o f which the ad- 2 5 justable supports .are secured and operated.

d d d d indicate the adjustable legs, which constitute the principal element of my invention, said legs being connected together by the axles e e, which axles are shown in the drawings as extending outward from the legs and within the lower extension of the coffin, thus affording a bearing for said axles and the legs connected therewith. This particular feature of construction is immaterial, however, as any suitable support for the axles may be connected to or with the lower portion of the coffin.

h indicates aspring which is connected with the under side of the coffin, said connection being preferably central,'the free ends of said spring extending beyond theaxles e e.

k k indicate slots near the outer ends of said spring, thus forming shoulders n n, which act to firmly support the axles e e when the legs are extended, or in position for supporting the coffin. When the legs are in the position last indicated, the axles e e pass within the slots k la, so that the shoulders n n prevent the axles from turning in either direction until released by a downward movement or withdrawal of the spring. j

It will be evident that instead of using a spring of the precise construction whichl have shown, having the slots as described, any style of spring may be used, formed either of wood or metal, having projections or lugs which would perform the oiiice of preventing the turning of the axles until the pressure of the spring had been withdrawn. a

Ifp referred, the legs and the con necting-axle passing between the saine may be cast or otherwise formed together.

My invention is designed to afford a convenient means for supporting coflins, which means are immediately connected with the coffin, as shown, thus avoiding the necessity of using independent supports.

It is well known that considerable inconvenience is experienced in using separate supports upon which to place coffins, it often happening that said supports are not at hand when needed.

My improvements add but a trilling expense to the cost of a coffin. They are always in a position for immediate use, and when the coffin is extended downward, as shown in the drawings, the legs and other parts referred to are entirely concealed from view until the legs or supports are required for the purpose for which they were intended.

It often happens where a regular undertaker is not employed that it is not possible to obtain suitable supports for cofflns without having the same made for the particular occasion for which they were desired.

The spring shown and described,besides acting to hold the supports firmly in position when the same are extended, performs the further office of holding said legs or supports out of the way and against the bottom of the coffin when the same are folded upward. As will be seen, the spring compresses upon or against the axles and prevents the same from turning. I

Vhile axles for this purpose or use may be varied in form', it is essential that they should be of such shape as to cause the slot in the spring or the projections or lugs thereon to afford a resistance which prevents the turning of the axles, which resistance could not be secured or attained were such axles round, or so constructed as not to have sides.

With my improvements attached to or connected with a coffin the same may be readily and securely supported at any time and in a IOO manner which does not present to the eye anything which is unsightly.

My improvements may be connected with any kind or class of cofflns.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

l. The combination, with a coffin, of downward extensions from the bottom, legs mounted on an axle arbored in said extensions, said axle being rectangular and of greater width in one direction than the other, aspring fastened v to the bottom'of the cofn and provided at each end with rectangular recesses of asize to receive the short side of the axle, whereby the legs will be firmly held in their extended p0- sition by the shoulders of the recess, and also retained when folded against the bottom ofthe cofn by the pressure of the springs upon the broad side of the axles, substantially as de scribed and shown.

2. The combination, with legs mounted upon an axle arbored to projections from the bottom of a cofliu, said axle being rectangular in shape, of a spring attached to the bottom of the coffin and having at its end a rectangular recess adapted to receive one side of the said axle and brace it with the legsin extended position, whereby the legs are held,as aforesaid, in their extended position, or are ,retained in their folded position against the bottom ofthe coffin by the pressure of the spring upon one of the ilat sides of the axle, substantially as described and shown.

3. The combination of a coiin having its sides projecting down below the bottom, legs mounted upon axles arbored in said `projections, and means for bracing said legs in their extended position and holding them in their position when folded against the bottom of the coffin, said sides being extended below the plane of the mechanism when the legs are in their folded position, guardingit at such times from injury, substantially as described and shown. l

CHARLES J. NORDEN.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK C. GOODWIN, E. L. HUBER.

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