US507763A

US507763A - Coffin-protector

Info

Publication number: US507763A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1893-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 1910-10-31

Description

(No Model.)`

D. D. SIVIUCKER.

GOFFIN PROTECTOR. A No. 507,763. Patented Oct. 31, 1893.

Wa'zzgm:

NITED STATES PATENT DAVID D. SMUCKER, OF WEST LIBERTY, OHIO.

COFFIN-PROTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 507,763, dated October 31, 1893.

Application tiled March 11, 1893. Serial No. 465.660. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID D. SMUCKER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of West Liberty, in the county of Logan and- State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Coffin-Protector, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful device for protecting coftins and burial caskets from water where graves are dug in soil permeated with water.

Figure l is a cross section through the box and protector, showing the coffin in eleva tion. Fig. 2 is a broken perspective of the box and protector, showing the coffin inclosed.

The object of my device is to provide a simple, cheap, non-corrosive cover for coftins that can be readily inclosed in the usual cofiin box, and which will prevent water that percolates into agrave, from coming in contact with the coffin, and which will permit the escape of gases which may be formed within the cover.

My device consists of a case D suitable for slipping into the ordinary coffin box A, and capable of covering the coffin O, when in the box, and extending farther down in the box than the coflin does.

The case or protector shown is about rectangular, with the upper corners rounded, and is provided on top with handles h. The case will conform in ageneral way to the shape of the coffin or casket, but must be longer, wider, and deeper than said coffin.

My case is made of zinc or other non-corrosive material, and on the top and sides and ends is made perfectly air and water tight.

The bottom of my case is-open but reinforced or stiften ed as by a strengthening band c', near the bottom edge to preserve its shape.

The coflin box is of the ordinary style in use, but on the inside on the bottom b has a series of cleats or supports B, extending only part way across the box, and sufficiently distant from each side to allow my cover or protector D to slip down between them and the sides of the box. As the edge of the cover rests on the bottom of the box, and the cover protector.

is held down merely by its weight, should the shield become filled with gases (owing to the decomposition ot' the body in the coffin) the excess of such gases may escape from under the lower edge of the cover. The coffin and rough box are not usually air tight, and will permit the escape of gases through the joints.

In operation, when the coffin box has been lowered into the grave, the coffin is lowered into it, and rests on the cleats B. The cover or protector D is then lowered into position until its edges rest upon the fioor or bottom of the box. The coffin C, resting on the cleat B, is supported some distance above the bottom of the box, and above the edges of the Should any water accumulate in the grave, and get into the coffin box, it may rise on the outside of the cover until it covers its top, but the air in the protector prevents the water arising therein, and the cot'- n on the elevated cleats is kept dry and uninjured.

I do not wish to cover the old principle of preventing water from arising in an inverted air tight vessel, but the application of it to a new use, by means of my appliances.

I am aware that Gaskets and preserving cases have been known in which an air tight coffin cover has been made to inclose a coffin, and the same cemented to a bottom slab, making an air tight box or inclosing casing. I claim nothing of the kind, as my preserving case is purposely left open at thebottom.

The combination with a coflin and the usual inclosing box, of supports by which the coffin is held above the bottom of said box, and a protector or casing, closed air tight as to its sides and top and open at the bottom, and extending over the top and sides of the cof- [in and having its edges resting on the bottom of the box below the level of the bottom of the coffin, substantially as described.

DAv'ID D. sMUoKER.

At test E. K. CAMPBELL,- NED CAMPBELL.