WO2001079628A1

WO2001079628A1 - A grave cover

Info

Publication number: WO2001079628A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred John Betteridge
Original assignee: Alfred John Betteridge
Priority date: 2000-04-19
Filing date: 2001-04-19
Publication date: 2001-10-25

Abstract

A cover (10) is shown for covering a grave (12). The cover (10) has a perimeter wall made up of three side panels (16, 18 and 20), each orthogonal to one another and joined to an adjacent side panel at a side edge. A top panel (22) is joined to each side panel (16, 18 and 20) to form an elongate enclosure (21). The cover (10) has lateral earth engaging means in the form of a peripheral flange (14) adjacent to a lower part of the perimeter wall. The flange (14) preferably extends laterally both inwardly and/or outwardly from the side panels (16, 18 and 20) adjacent to an open base opposing the top panel (22). The flange (14) enables retention of the element (10) in the ground in use. A member in the form of head (24) is adapted for positioning within the open end (26) of the enclosure to close that end in use. The head (24) includes a projection which is not received into the enclosure (21) when the head (24) is fitted therein. In the drawings the projection is in the form of a rounded top panel (28) which is oriented orthogonally upwardly to the head (24) and to the enclosure (21). The projection can be used for inscription of the name of a deceased person, provision of relevant dates etc, or be present in other forms, for example as a cross, statue or other symbolic article.

Description

A GRAVE COVER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cover for an earthen grave and will primarily be described with reference to this context. It should be remembered, however, that the invention has broader use in ground covering applications for all manner of permanent and temporary purposes, for example to cover uneven surfaces or excavation holes including for graves.

Background Art

Permanent grave stones for covering earthen graves are known in the art . Such covers are generally formed from marble or granite or other heavy stone material, and are placed on a grave after a suitable period when the earth settles after burial has occurred. ' Such covers are permanent fixtures in graveyards and, because of the materials of construction, are expensive items to purchase. In WO91/04381 a fully enclosed hollow plastic grave cover is disclosed, being a single cover member to entirely cover the top of a grave. Similarly, in US4200964 a decorative grave site cover is described. These grave covers are both used as a permanent cover fixture. Each embodiment of the permanent grave cover apparatus described is limited to a certain specific size and, depending on the size of grave requiring covering (eg adult, child, animal or pet) , this both necessitates the development and supply of many different sizes of moulded covers thus increasing the storage space requirements. A temporary (removeable) grave cover is described CH656421 for protecting a grave stone from discolouration due to autumn leaf fall however such a cover does not form a permanent grave cover fixture. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a grave cover including: a perimeter wall connected to a top panel to form an elongate structure having an open end; an elongate member adapted for positioning within the open end of the structure to close that end; and a projection connected to and protruding from the member, and wherein in use the cover is partially embedded in surrounding ground. , Because the member is positionable within the structure the grave cover can therefore be of adjustable length to cover graves of varying length depending upon the size and shape of the member and the extent to which it is positioned in the structure. Such ready size adjustment allows a selection of an appropriate cover length depending on the size of grave requiring covering (eg adult, child, animal or pet) . Preferably the member is separate to or separable from the structure.

Preferably the projection is oriented orthogonally upwardly to the member.

Preferably a lateral earth engaging flange extends out from the perimeter wall in use to enable retention of the element in the ground.

In use the cover can be positioned to define a substantially earth filled arrangement. In an application as a permanent structure, a wet concrete mixture can be poured around the flanges and even into the interior of the structure to cap the device onto the ground by adding extra weight onto the interior facing flange(s).

Preferably recesses are defined in the top panel through which fixing pegs may be inserted in use to fasten the structure and member at the grave.

Preferably one or more further recesses are located in the member, which can align with recesses in the structure to also receive the fixing pegs therethrough, to in turn fasten the member to the structure and to the surrounding ground. Preferably the peg means is one or more pins, stakes, spikes, rods or the like.

Preferably the perimeter wall comprises three rectangular side panels.

Preferably the perimeter wall and top panel are formed from fibreglass. Hard plastics may also be a suitable weather and UV stable substance. Such materials can be reinforced so that they are not able to be bent or fractured. Fibreglass or hard plastics are not brittle or breakable in the way that stone materials are. Also, plastics or fibreglass can be non-porous so that they are more readily cleaned of marks, graffiti etc.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic view of one embodiment of a cover in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of a cover in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of one part of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows an end view of another part of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the other part of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows an opposing end view of the other part of Figure 4.

Figure 7 shows an end sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on the line 7-7.

Figure 8 shows a plan view of one part of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 9 shows an end view of another part of the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 10 shows a plan view of the other part of Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows an opposing end view of the other part of Figure 9.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 a cover 10 is shown for covering a grave 12. The cover 10 has a perimeter wall made up of three side panels 16, 18 and 20, each adjacent panel orthogonal to the other and each joined to an adjacent panel at a side edge. A top panel 22 is joined to each side panel 16, 18 and 20 to form an elongate enclosure 21. The cover 10 has lateral earth engaging means in the form of a peripheral flange 14 at a lower part of the perimeter wall. The flange 14 preferably extends laterally both inwardly and/or outwardly from the side panels 16, 18 and 20 adjacent to an open base opposing the top panel 22. The flange 14 enables retention of the element 10 in the ground in use (eg. by being buried thereunder.)

A member in the form of separate or separable head 24 is adapted for positioning within the open end 26 of the enclosure to close that end in use. The head 24 includes a projection in the form of rounded top panel 28 which is not received into the enclosure 21 when the head 24 is fitted therein. In Figures 1 to 6 the rounded top panel 28 is oriented orthogonally upwards with respect to the head 24 and to the enclosure 21. The projection can be used for inscription of the name of a deceased person, provision of relevant dates etc, or be present in other forms, for example as a cross, statue or other symbolic article. Positioning and fastening the head and projection to the grave cover enclosure in this manner, provides a sturdy upright retention of the projection with respect to the surrounding ground. Because the head 24 is separate' or separable from the enclosure 21, it is possible to interchange the head at a later time if a different selection of projection is required to be made.

Recesses in the form of holes 30 are defined in the top panel 22 through which fixing pegs 32 may be inserted in use to fasten the enclosure 21 into the earth at the grave 12. The pegs are typically one or more pins, pegs, stakes, spikes, rods or the like. Preferably recesses in the form of holes 34 are located in the head 24 and can each align with a respective hole 30 in the enclosure 21 adjacent open end 26 so as to jointly receive the pegs 32 therethrough, and to fasten the head 24 to the enclosure 21 and thence to the earth grave 12. The placement of multiple holes 34 along the sides of head 24 allows the cover to be readily adjusted in length depending on the size of grave requiring covering (eg adult, child, animal or pet) . In practice, multiple pins can be used to fasten the head to the cover enclosure if required. In further embodiments, the head can be fastened to the enclosure by clips or other fasteners, and the head and/or the enclosure can be pinned by discrete pegs to the earth at the grave. Also, pins can be inserted through flange 14.

The invention provides for an adjustable length cover for covering graves of varying length because the head 24 is elongate and is therefore nestable and slidable within the open end 26 of the enclosure 21, and can also close that end in use. A variation to the shape of the enclosure and the head is shown in Figures 2 and 8 to 11. Those figures show a cover 36 which is suitable for a smaller grave because of the narrower width of the head 38 when compared to head 24 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2 top panel 40 of enclosure 39 has a recess 42 which can receive projection 44 therein in use, when head 38 is nested within enclosure 39. As shown in the drawing, the head 38 has a number of holes 47 on each side of the projection 44 for the placement of fastening pins which still provides for length adjustment of the grave cover. In other respects the devices shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are similar.

In the embodiments shown it is also possible for non- continuous (discrete) flanges of various sizes to project outwardly from each enclosure 21, 39 so as to extend laterally, typically both inwardly and outwardly from an edge of the side panels at the open end. The flange (s) in any case are used as feet to anchor the open end of each enclosure 21, 39 into the grave and to facilitate the enclosure being held to the ground by the weight of earth on both the inward and outward facing flanges. The flange (s) can also act in conjunction with the flange (s) of an adjacent covers 10, 36 to space the grave covers an even distance apart when placed alongside one another in use in a graveyard. In use the cover can be positioned over a grave and be substantially filled with earth, the open base of the enclosure 21, 39 being positioned facing the ground. In one application as a permanent structure, a wet concrete mixture can be poured around the flanges, and even into the interior of the structure to cap the device onto the ground by adding extra weight onto the interior facing flange(s). If required, the apparatus can also be used as a temporary structure during settling of a freshly dug grave, and then replaced by either a conventional stone grave cover or using the concrete fill technique described.

A preferred form of the apparatus is one where the enclosures 21, 39 are comprised of three rectangular side panels and a rectangular top panel, although any geometry and number of side panels may be used to form structures of different geometry (triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal etc) . The material of construction of the flanges, the side and top panels, and the head is preferably fibreglass, or hard plastics which are weather and UV stable substances. Such materials can be reinforced so that they are not able to be bent or fractured. Fibreglass or hard plastics are not brittle or breakable in the way that stone materials are. The handling and transport of such materials without breakage is much easier than for stone type grave cover materials which require delicate handling. Plastics or fibreglass can be non-porous so that they are more readily cleaned of marks, graffiti etc. Typically the dimensions of a rectangular enclosure 21, 39 for use in grave covering applications are 0.6m long for a child or 2.4m long for an adult by 1.2m wide and 0.25m in depth. The heads 24, 38 may typically be up to 1.5m in height. Because of their strength and light weight, if a slight upward taper is provided in each of the side walls of the hollow enclosure 21, 39, they are able to be stacked to reduce warehousing and freight costs to remote areas and to occupy less room at a graveyard storage site. Moulded fibreglass is also non-degradable, and is significantly cheaper than the marble, granite or other stone materials found in common use.

The embodiments of grave covers described when made of fibreglass or plastics can provide improved, low cost grave covering apparatus compared with other materials, and, because of their relatively light weight, such covers may be stacked to greatly reduce their storage space requirements. Such features can provide a general reduction in both the cost of such fixtures compared with the cost of using conventional stone materials and in storage space requirements, while maintaining or improving the necessary ground engaging properties of such covers. Furthermore, because of the adjustability of the length of each of the grave covers of the invention, the development and supply of many different sizes of moulded covers is not required, since the apparatus can be readily adjusted in length depending on the size of grave requiring covering

(eg adult, child, animal or pet) without necessitating the development and supply of many different sizes of moulded covers . Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms .

For the purposes of this specification it is to be clearly understood that the word "comprising" means

"including but not limited to", and that the word

"comprises" has a corresponding meaning.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A grave cover including: a perimeter wall connected to a top panel to form an elongate structure having an open end; an elongate member adapted for positioning within the open end of the structure to close that end; and a projection connected to and protruding from the member, and wherein in use the cover is partially embedded in surrounding ground.

2. An element as claimed in claim 1 wherein the member is separate or separable from the structure.

3. An element as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the projection is oriented orthogonally upwardly to the member.

4. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a lateral earth engaging flange extends out from the perimeter wall in use to enable retention of the element in the ground.

5. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein recesses are defined in the top panel through which fixing pegs may be inserted in use to fasten, the structure and member at the grave.

6. An element as claimed in claim 5 wherein one or more further recesses are located in the member, which can align with recesses in the structure to also receive the fixing pegs therethrough, to in turn fasten the member to the structure and to the surrounding ground.

7. An element as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the peg means is one or more pins, stakes, spikes, rods or the like.

8. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the perimeter wall comprises three rectangular side panels.

9. An element as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the perimeter wall and top panel are formed from fibreglass.