BURIAL SYSTEM WITH REUSEABLE OUTER CASKET
United States Patent 3815185
A burial system comprising an outer, reuseable casket and an inner coffin. The casket and coffin are provided with means to suspend the side and end walls of the casket from the coffin. Locking pins retain such side and end walls of the casket in suspended assembly around the coffin.
US Patent References:
Casket
Scott - March 1933 - 1903197
Casket
Scott - March 1933 - 1903198
Casket
Zinser - February 1935 - 1989962
Burial vault
Morris - December 1937 - 2103547
COFFIN
Pare - September 1968 - 3545055
Casket
Scott - March 1933 - 1903197
Casket
Scott - March 1933 - 1903198
Casket
Zinser - February 1935 - 1989962
Burial vault
Morris - December 1937 - 2103547
COFFIN
Pare - September 1968 - 3545055
Application Number:
05/331264
Publication Date:
06/11/1974
Filing Date:
02/09/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
27/19, D99/7
International Classes:
A61G17/00; A61G17/00
Field of Search:
27/2,3,5,6,7,19,35,4 220/4R,4F,63R
Primary Examiner:
Gaudet, Richard A.
Assistant Examiner:
Dunne G. F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Jeffery, Donald D.
Claims:
1. A casket assembly comprising:
2. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein the vertical side edges of each of said side and end walls of said outer casket are bevelled so that when the adjacent edges of said walls are in confronting abutment only the outermost edges of said walls are exteriorly exposed.
3. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for removably connecting the adjoining edges of said side and end walls of said outer casket comprise hinge means separately attached to each of the vertical edges of said side and end walls, each of said hinges comprising spaced loop portions adapted to interleave with the adjacent loop portions of the adjoining hinge thereby to form, when so interleaved, a cylinder extending downwardly through the joint of the interconnected side and end members, and pin means extending through said cylinder for maintaining the joint connection between adjacent side and end members.
4. The casket assembly of claim 3 wherein said pin means comprises a cylindrical pin and a separate retainer pivotally attached to the pin at the top thereof about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin, said pin being formed with a groove to receive said retainer whereby the latter can be pivoted from a position generally concentric with the pin to a position generally perpendicular thereto for limiting the downward movement of said pin.
5. The casket assembly of claim 4 wherein said pin is formed with an independently movable segment adjacent and defining one side of said groove, the portion of said retainer below the pivot axis thereof being dimensioned so as to press said segment outwardly when said retainer is moved to a locking position thereby tightly engaging said segment with the adjoining socket hinge to provide a tight joint.
6. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein said inner casket is made of fiberglass and the side and end walls and the top of said outer casket are of metal capable of withstanding repeated use of said outer casket.
2. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein the vertical side edges of each of said side and end walls of said outer casket are bevelled so that when the adjacent edges of said walls are in confronting abutment only the outermost edges of said walls are exteriorly exposed.
3. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for removably connecting the adjoining edges of said side and end walls of said outer casket comprise hinge means separately attached to each of the vertical edges of said side and end walls, each of said hinges comprising spaced loop portions adapted to interleave with the adjacent loop portions of the adjoining hinge thereby to form, when so interleaved, a cylinder extending downwardly through the joint of the interconnected side and end members, and pin means extending through said cylinder for maintaining the joint connection between adjacent side and end members.
4. The casket assembly of claim 3 wherein said pin means comprises a cylindrical pin and a separate retainer pivotally attached to the pin at the top thereof about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pin, said pin being formed with a groove to receive said retainer whereby the latter can be pivoted from a position generally concentric with the pin to a position generally perpendicular thereto for limiting the downward movement of said pin.
5. The casket assembly of claim 4 wherein said pin is formed with an independently movable segment adjacent and defining one side of said groove, the portion of said retainer below the pivot axis thereof being dimensioned so as to press said segment outwardly when said retainer is moved to a locking position thereby tightly engaging said segment with the adjoining socket hinge to provide a tight joint.
6. The casket assembly of claim 1 wherein said inner casket is made of fiberglass and the side and end walls and the top of said outer casket are of metal capable of withstanding repeated use of said outer casket.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates as indicated to a burial system with a reuseable outer casket, and relates more particularly to a burial system comprising an inner coffin which can be interred at the grave site, and a reuseable outer casket which can be disassociated from the coffin at the grave site after the ceremony and reused. In this manner, the outer casket can be constructed having primarily in mind the esthetic qualities of the casket thereby achieving the effect of elegance found only in relatively expensive caskets. As generally known, the predominant cost of burial today is the price of the casket itself.
In the description which follows, it will be noted that the terms "casket" and "coffin" have been used for purposes of clarity to describe the outer, reuseable member and the inner member in which the body is interred. Actually, these terms are used synonymously in the art, and the above terminology is used simply for convenient distinguishing reference.
In an attempt to lower the costs of burial, there have been several suggestions in the art that an outer reuseable casket be used in combination with a relatively inexpensive inner, burial coffin. Examples of such arrangement are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,128,865; 3,133,334; 3,050,818; 3,613,189, and 3,654,676. Although the structures disclosed in these patents do generally achieve the intended result, the two part assemblies are relatively complicated and thus costly, and typically provide for guided movement of the burial coffin from the outer, reuseable casket.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With the above in mind, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a two part burial system comprising an ornate, outer casket which can be reused, and a relatively inexpensive and smaller inner coffin in which the body is interred.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a burial system in which the casket and inner coffin are constructed and arranged to provide, when associated, the appearance of a unitary casket having the desired esthetic features. In accordance with the invention, the outer casket is comprised of separate sides and ends adapted to fit around the burial coffin, with the sides and ends of the outer casket and the inner coffin being provided with cooperating means to permit suspending of the outer casket from the inner coffin. A lid is provided for the outer casket and is hinged to one of the separately formed sides.
It is accordingly a further object of the present invention to provide a burial system in which the outer casket and inner coffin can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled after the burial service.
These and other object will become apparent as the following description proceeds in particular reference to the application drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of the outer casket and inner coffin, with these members being shown assembled and the lid hinged to one of the sides of the outer casket being shown fragmentarily;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, with the outer casket being shown disassembled from the inner coffin;
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the locking pin, with the retainer being shown in a vertical position, and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the retainer in its horizontal, locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the application drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer, reuseable casket is generally indicated at 10, and the inner coffin in which the body is interred is generally indicated at 12. The latter can be made of any suitable, comparatively inexpensive material such as fiberglass or the like, and includes side walls 14 and 16, end walls 18 and 20, and a bottom wall 22 (FIG. 3) all of which are integrally formed, for example, by molding or the like. If desired, in order to improve the appearance of the burial coffin, the interior faces of the side and end walls may be tufted as shown at 24. It will be understood that the interior of the burial coffin will be exposed when the body is laid out so that some type of decorative covering for the interior of the coffin is normally desirable.
The outer, reuseable casket 10 comprises side walls 26, 28 and end walls 30,32, with the side wall 28 in the form shown having a lid 34 secured thereto by a hinge 36. The inner faces of the side and end walls of the outer casket are preferably planar for contiguous contact with the outer walls of the coffin 12. The exterior faces of the side and end walls and the top of the outer casket can be of any suitable design and formed from materials to provide the desired appearance of quality and elegance. Since the outer casket is reuseable, the same may be constructed of bronze, copper or similar relatively expensive and attractive metals, or various highly attractive hard wood materials, or combinations of these materials. The exterior of the outer casket may be molded or sculptured in the form desired, with the design shown in the application drawings being merely by way of example. Handles commonly designated at 38 are mounted at the exterior of the side walls 26 and 28 for carrying the assembled casket. Each side and end wall of the casket 10 is formed with an inwardly extending bottom flange commonly designated at 39 (FIG. 3) which extends under the bottom of the coffin 12 for lifting the latter when the casket 10 is raised by the handles 38.
A plurality of generally L-shaped supporting brackets commonly designated at 40 are mounted in spaced relation on the top surfaces of the side walls 26, 28 and the end walls 30, 32 of the outer casket 10. As best seen in FIG. 4, each supporting bracket includes a laterally extending portion 42 secured to the associated wall, in this case end wall 30, by means of mounting screws 44, and a downwardly extending terminal portion 46. In the form shown, four of such brackets are mounted on each of the side walls 26, 28, and two of such brackets are mounted on the end walls 30 and 32.
A corresponding number of openings 48 are formed in the top surface of the coffin 12, with the openings 48 being spaced so that each receives the downwardly extending portion 46 of the support bracket 40 when the side and end walls of the outer casket are disposed contiguous the inner coffin. As shown, the openings 48 are slightly greater in depth and similar in width to the dimensions of the portion 46 of the bracket, with a lateral countersunk opening 50 being preferably formed in the top surface of the side and end walls of the coffin to receive the laterally extending portion 42 of the support bracket so that the top surfaces of the casket and coffin are flush when assembled.
It will thus be seen that the side and end walls of the outer casket can be suspended from the inner coffin simply by aligning the support brackets 40 with the openings 48 and then lowering the outer casket walls so as to position the terminal portions 46 of the support brackets in the openings 48 formed in the inner coffin. The walls of the outer casket are thus supported completely by the inner coffin, with the assembly and disassembly of the outer casket walls being effected simply and quickly. No additional connecting means between the casket and coffin is required other than the supporting brackets and their associated openings in the inner coffin.
In order to interconnect the side and end walls of the outer casket after they have been suspended from the inner coffin, the vertical side edges of each side and end wall of the outer casket are bevelled, as shown in 52 in connection with end wall 30. The bevelled angle is approximately 45°, and the length of the side and end walls is such that the confronting side edges of the side and end walls are contigous when the latter are suspended from the inner coffin.
Each bevelled edge of each side and end wall has mounted thereon a hinged section having a plurality of cylindrical socket sections extending vertically along the edge in spaced relation. Thus, referring to the side edges shown at the forefront of FIG. 2, the adjacent side edge of the end wall 32 is provided with socket sections commonly designated at 54, and the adjacent side edge of the side wall 26 is formed with socket sections commonly designated at 56. The socket sections are spaced vertically on the respective members so that when the side and end walls are suspended from the inner coffin, the socket sections interleave to form a hinge joint which is not exposed to the exterior of the outer casket. The cylindrical socket sections can be embedded in the side edge and the opposite side edge grooved as shown at 58, for example, to receive the complimental socket section provided on the adjacent wall member. In this manner, the side edges of the adjacent members can be maintained flush and the hinge sections completely hidden from the exterior of the casket.
A locking pin generally indicated at 60 is provided for insertion downwardly through the aligned socket sections when the walls of the outer casket have been suspended from the inner coffin. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking pin 60 is of cylindrical configuration and is formed with a groove 62 extending partially therethrough adjacent the top thereof. Received within the groove 62 is a generally cylindrical shaped retainer 64 which is pivotally mounted to the pin 60 by means of pin 66. The retainer 64 is loosely received in the slot 62 whereby the same can be moved from a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 5, to a position generally perpendicular to the axis of the locking pin, as shown in FIG. 6. As noted, the groove 62 does not extend entirely through the pin 60, with a segment 68 remaining. Slots 70 and 72 extend downwardly the length of groove 62 on either side of the segment 68 thereby effectively separating the same at the sides thereof from the pin 60, with the segment thus being cantilevered relative to the pin at the bottom of the groove 62. The lower end of the retainer 64 below the pin 66 is of slightly greater dimension than the distance from the pin 66 to the adjoining face of the segment 68 whereby the latter is forced outwardly when the retainer 64 is moved from its vertical, FIG. 5 position to its horizontal, FIG. 6 position. Such outward movement of the segment 68 serves to press the same tightly against the surface of the adjoining hinge socket, thereby to tightly secure the locking pin in the socket.
When the side and end walls of the outer casket have been suspended from the inner coffin, locking pins 60 are inserted downwardly through the hinge sockets at each corner of the casket. As each locking pin approaches its fully inserted position, the retainer 64 is pivoted to the position thereof shown in FIG. 6 thereby to limit the downward movement of the locking pin through the sockets of the hinge. Movement of the locking pin terminates when the retainer 64 engages the top surfaces of the side and end walls of the outer casket, and the retainer may if desired be rotated to align the retainer with the joint edge. When the retainer is rotated, the segment 68 is pressed outwardly as described thereby providing a tight joint fit.
To remove the outer casket following the burial service, the locking pins 60 are raised at each corner of the outer casket thereby permitting each side and end walls to be lifted from its engagement with the inner coffin. After the walls of the outer casket, including the lid, have been so removed, the inner casket can be interred. Although not shown, it will be understood that the inner casket is provided with a lid or cover which can be tightly selaed on the inner casket at the time of burial.
The present invention relates as indicated to a burial system with a reuseable outer casket, and relates more particularly to a burial system comprising an inner coffin which can be interred at the grave site, and a reuseable outer casket which can be disassociated from the coffin at the grave site after the ceremony and reused. In this manner, the outer casket can be constructed having primarily in mind the esthetic qualities of the casket thereby achieving the effect of elegance found only in relatively expensive caskets. As generally known, the predominant cost of burial today is the price of the casket itself.
In the description which follows, it will be noted that the terms "casket" and "coffin" have been used for purposes of clarity to describe the outer, reuseable member and the inner member in which the body is interred. Actually, these terms are used synonymously in the art, and the above terminology is used simply for convenient distinguishing reference.
In an attempt to lower the costs of burial, there have been several suggestions in the art that an outer reuseable casket be used in combination with a relatively inexpensive inner, burial coffin. Examples of such arrangement are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,128,865; 3,133,334; 3,050,818; 3,613,189, and 3,654,676. Although the structures disclosed in these patents do generally achieve the intended result, the two part assemblies are relatively complicated and thus costly, and typically provide for guided movement of the burial coffin from the outer, reuseable casket.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With the above in mind, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a two part burial system comprising an ornate, outer casket which can be reused, and a relatively inexpensive and smaller inner coffin in which the body is interred.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a burial system in which the casket and inner coffin are constructed and arranged to provide, when associated, the appearance of a unitary casket having the desired esthetic features. In accordance with the invention, the outer casket is comprised of separate sides and ends adapted to fit around the burial coffin, with the sides and ends of the outer casket and the inner coffin being provided with cooperating means to permit suspending of the outer casket from the inner coffin. A lid is provided for the outer casket and is hinged to one of the separately formed sides.
It is accordingly a further object of the present invention to provide a burial system in which the outer casket and inner coffin can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled after the burial service.
These and other object will become apparent as the following description proceeds in particular reference to the application drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of the outer casket and inner coffin, with these members being shown assembled and the lid hinged to one of the sides of the outer casket being shown fragmentarily;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, with the outer casket being shown disassembled from the inner coffin;
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the locking pin, with the retainer being shown in a vertical position, and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the retainer in its horizontal, locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the application drawings, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer, reuseable casket is generally indicated at 10, and the inner coffin in which the body is interred is generally indicated at 12. The latter can be made of any suitable, comparatively inexpensive material such as fiberglass or the like, and includes side walls 14 and 16, end walls 18 and 20, and a bottom wall 22 (FIG. 3) all of which are integrally formed, for example, by molding or the like. If desired, in order to improve the appearance of the burial coffin, the interior faces of the side and end walls may be tufted as shown at 24. It will be understood that the interior of the burial coffin will be exposed when the body is laid out so that some type of decorative covering for the interior of the coffin is normally desirable.
The outer, reuseable casket 10 comprises side walls 26, 28 and end walls 30,32, with the side wall 28 in the form shown having a lid 34 secured thereto by a hinge 36. The inner faces of the side and end walls of the outer casket are preferably planar for contiguous contact with the outer walls of the coffin 12. The exterior faces of the side and end walls and the top of the outer casket can be of any suitable design and formed from materials to provide the desired appearance of quality and elegance. Since the outer casket is reuseable, the same may be constructed of bronze, copper or similar relatively expensive and attractive metals, or various highly attractive hard wood materials, or combinations of these materials. The exterior of the outer casket may be molded or sculptured in the form desired, with the design shown in the application drawings being merely by way of example. Handles commonly designated at 38 are mounted at the exterior of the side walls 26 and 28 for carrying the assembled casket. Each side and end wall of the casket 10 is formed with an inwardly extending bottom flange commonly designated at 39 (FIG. 3) which extends under the bottom of the coffin 12 for lifting the latter when the casket 10 is raised by the handles 38.
A plurality of generally L-shaped supporting brackets commonly designated at 40 are mounted in spaced relation on the top surfaces of the side walls 26, 28 and the end walls 30, 32 of the outer casket 10. As best seen in FIG. 4, each supporting bracket includes a laterally extending portion 42 secured to the associated wall, in this case end wall 30, by means of mounting screws 44, and a downwardly extending terminal portion 46. In the form shown, four of such brackets are mounted on each of the side walls 26, 28, and two of such brackets are mounted on the end walls 30 and 32.
A corresponding number of openings 48 are formed in the top surface of the coffin 12, with the openings 48 being spaced so that each receives the downwardly extending portion 46 of the support bracket 40 when the side and end walls of the outer casket are disposed contiguous the inner coffin. As shown, the openings 48 are slightly greater in depth and similar in width to the dimensions of the portion 46 of the bracket, with a lateral countersunk opening 50 being preferably formed in the top surface of the side and end walls of the coffin to receive the laterally extending portion 42 of the support bracket so that the top surfaces of the casket and coffin are flush when assembled.
It will thus be seen that the side and end walls of the outer casket can be suspended from the inner coffin simply by aligning the support brackets 40 with the openings 48 and then lowering the outer casket walls so as to position the terminal portions 46 of the support brackets in the openings 48 formed in the inner coffin. The walls of the outer casket are thus supported completely by the inner coffin, with the assembly and disassembly of the outer casket walls being effected simply and quickly. No additional connecting means between the casket and coffin is required other than the supporting brackets and their associated openings in the inner coffin.
In order to interconnect the side and end walls of the outer casket after they have been suspended from the inner coffin, the vertical side edges of each side and end wall of the outer casket are bevelled, as shown in 52 in connection with end wall 30. The bevelled angle is approximately 45°, and the length of the side and end walls is such that the confronting side edges of the side and end walls are contigous when the latter are suspended from the inner coffin.
Each bevelled edge of each side and end wall has mounted thereon a hinged section having a plurality of cylindrical socket sections extending vertically along the edge in spaced relation. Thus, referring to the side edges shown at the forefront of FIG. 2, the adjacent side edge of the end wall 32 is provided with socket sections commonly designated at 54, and the adjacent side edge of the side wall 26 is formed with socket sections commonly designated at 56. The socket sections are spaced vertically on the respective members so that when the side and end walls are suspended from the inner coffin, the socket sections interleave to form a hinge joint which is not exposed to the exterior of the outer casket. The cylindrical socket sections can be embedded in the side edge and the opposite side edge grooved as shown at 58, for example, to receive the complimental socket section provided on the adjacent wall member. In this manner, the side edges of the adjacent members can be maintained flush and the hinge sections completely hidden from the exterior of the casket.
A locking pin generally indicated at 60 is provided for insertion downwardly through the aligned socket sections when the walls of the outer casket have been suspended from the inner coffin. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking pin 60 is of cylindrical configuration and is formed with a groove 62 extending partially therethrough adjacent the top thereof. Received within the groove 62 is a generally cylindrical shaped retainer 64 which is pivotally mounted to the pin 60 by means of pin 66. The retainer 64 is loosely received in the slot 62 whereby the same can be moved from a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 5, to a position generally perpendicular to the axis of the locking pin, as shown in FIG. 6. As noted, the groove 62 does not extend entirely through the pin 60, with a segment 68 remaining. Slots 70 and 72 extend downwardly the length of groove 62 on either side of the segment 68 thereby effectively separating the same at the sides thereof from the pin 60, with the segment thus being cantilevered relative to the pin at the bottom of the groove 62. The lower end of the retainer 64 below the pin 66 is of slightly greater dimension than the distance from the pin 66 to the adjoining face of the segment 68 whereby the latter is forced outwardly when the retainer 64 is moved from its vertical, FIG. 5 position to its horizontal, FIG. 6 position. Such outward movement of the segment 68 serves to press the same tightly against the surface of the adjoining hinge socket, thereby to tightly secure the locking pin in the socket.
When the side and end walls of the outer casket have been suspended from the inner coffin, locking pins 60 are inserted downwardly through the hinge sockets at each corner of the casket. As each locking pin approaches its fully inserted position, the retainer 64 is pivoted to the position thereof shown in FIG. 6 thereby to limit the downward movement of the locking pin through the sockets of the hinge. Movement of the locking pin terminates when the retainer 64 engages the top surfaces of the side and end walls of the outer casket, and the retainer may if desired be rotated to align the retainer with the joint edge. When the retainer is rotated, the segment 68 is pressed outwardly as described thereby providing a tight joint fit.
To remove the outer casket following the burial service, the locking pins 60 are raised at each corner of the outer casket thereby permitting each side and end walls to be lifted from its engagement with the inner coffin. After the walls of the outer casket, including the lid, have been so removed, the inner casket can be interred. Although not shown, it will be understood that the inner casket is provided with a lid or cover which can be tightly selaed on the inner casket at the time of burial.