GB2052590A

GB2052590A - Improvements in and relating to memorial devices

Info

Publication number: GB2052590A
Application number: GB7921937A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MILL STAINLESS PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: MILL STAINLESS PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1979-06-23
Filing date: 1979-06-23
Publication date: 1981-01-28

Abstract

A memorial device for use in place of the conventional gravestone. The device comprises a shell (10) which is hollow and is formed from stainless steel. The front face (12) of the shell is flat and includes an aperture (14) into which a rectangular plate (24) can be fitted and secured by means of screws (32, 34), platforms (20, 22) being provided for retaining the screws (32, 34) and serving to seat the plate (24) in the aperture. The plate is of polished marble or granite or slate or plastics material which may be figured to simulate granite or marble. A hollow base shell (36) having an aperture (38) within which flowers and the like can be received, extends forwardly from the front face (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to memorial devices FIELD OF INVENTION This invention concerns memorial devices such as gravestones and memorial plaques.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Hitherto memorials and particularly gravestones have been formed from marble or granite or the like and lettering has been engraved in the material. This particular form of memorial has been favoured due to the weather-resistant properties of the material concerned and the long life expectancies of such memorial devices.

Memorial plaques and the like have also normally been formed from similar materials for the same reason.

With the increasing cost and scarcity of such materials and the difficulty of finding skilled personnel to work such materials and produce the finished products, the Applicants have sought to find an alternative solution to the production of memorial devices and typically headstones for graves.

THE INVENTION According to the present invention a memorial device comprises a shell of non-corrodable material having an aperture therein, ledge means to the rear of the aperture defining plafforms for receiving an insert of another material bearing an engraving and means for securing the insert within the aperture by fixing the insert to the said platform means.

Typically the shell is formed from stainless steel. The latter may be polished or may be sandblasted.

The aperture is formed at a convenient place within the shell where a large enough flat area of the shell exists and the insert is most conveniently secured to the platform means by means of screws. (Alternatively or in addition an adhesive may be used.) In addition a sealing strip or sealing material may be injected around the insert so as to weatherproof the joint between the insert and the shell.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the insert is formed from polished marble or polished granite or slate.

Alternatively the insert may be formed from metal or from a plastics material which is figured so as to simulate granite or marble.

The shell may be of any convenient shape or design and the only fundamental requirement is that part of the shell includes a flat surface in which the aperture is formed to receive the insert.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

IN THE DRAWING Fig. .1 is a perspective view of a headstone constructed in accordance with the invention with the insert removed showing the support means for the insert within the aperture and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the completed and assembled headstone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Fig. 1 a headstone 10 in the form of a shell of stainless steel includes a flat vertical front face 12 in which is formed a rectangular aperture 14. Behind the aperture and aligned with the vertical edges of the aperture but protruding into the area defined by the aperture are two vertical struts 1 6 and 1 8 each containing at least one screw-hole 20 and 22 for supporting a plate 24 of polished marble containing an engraving (not shown in detail but generaliy designated 26).

The insert plate has holes 28 and 30 which register with the screw-holes 20 and 22 in the struts 16 and 18 and screws 32 and 34 are employed for securing the insert plate 24 in place in the aperture 14.

Although not shown a rubber or mastic strip may be situated around the inside edge of the plate 24 so as to form a good weatherproof seal with the aperture 1 4 as the plate 24 is fitted thereinto.

The headstone shell 10 includes a base section 36 which in this illustrated embodiment includes a circular aperture 38 into which a vase of flowers or the like can be fitted.

The completed headstone is shown in Fig. 2 with the plate 24 fixed in position so that only the heads of the two screws 32 and 34 show.

The stainless steel shell may be lacquered or polished or sand-blasted to produce any particularly desired finish.

Where the plate 24 is a sufficiently tight fit in the aperture 14 the need for sealing is reduced.

1. A memorial device comprising a shell of noncorrodable material having an aperture therein, ledge means to the rear of the aperture defining platforms for receiving an insert of another material bearing an engraving and means for securing the insert within the aperture by fixing the insert to the said platform means.

2. A memorial device as claimed in claim 1 in which the shell is formed from stainless steel.

3. A memorial device as claimed in claim 2 in which the shell is polished.

4. A memorial device as claimed in claim 2 in which the shell is sand-blasted.

5. A memorial device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shell includes a flat area and the aperture is formed within the flat area.

6. A memorial device as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the insert is secured to the platforms by means of screws.

7. A memorial device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the insert is secured to the platforms by means of adhesive.

8. A memorial device as claimed in any one of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to memorial devices FIELD OF INVENTION This invention concerns memorial devices such as gravestones and memorial plaques. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Hitherto memorials and particularly gravestones have been formed from marble or granite or the like and lettering has been engraved in the material. This particular form of memorial has been favoured due to the weather-resistant properties of the material concerned and the long life expectancies of such memorial devices. Memorial plaques and the like have also normally been formed from similar materials for the same reason. With the increasing cost and scarcity of such materials and the difficulty of finding skilled personnel to work such materials and produce the finished products, the Applicants have sought to find an alternative solution to the production of memorial devices and typically headstones for graves. THE INVENTION According to the present invention a memorial device comprises a shell of non-corrodable material having an aperture therein, ledge means to the rear of the aperture defining plafforms for receiving an insert of another material bearing an engraving and means for securing the insert within the aperture by fixing the insert to the said platform means. Typically the shell is formed from stainless steel. The latter may be polished or may be sandblasted. The aperture is formed at a convenient place within the shell where a large enough flat area of the shell exists and the insert is most conveniently secured to the platform means by means of screws. (Alternatively or in addition an adhesive may be used.) In addition a sealing strip or sealing material may be injected around the insert so as to weatherproof the joint between the insert and the shell. According to a preferred feature of the invention the insert is formed from polished marble or polished granite or slate. Alternatively the insert may be formed from metal or from a plastics material which is figured so as to simulate granite or marble. The shell may be of any convenient shape or design and the only fundamental requirement is that part of the shell includes a flat surface in which the aperture is formed to receive the insert. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing. IN THE DRAWING Fig. .1 is a perspective view of a headstone constructed in accordance with the invention with the insert removed showing the support means for the insert within the aperture and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the completed and assembled headstone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Fig. 1 a headstone 10 in the form of a shell of stainless steel includes a flat vertical front face 12 in which is formed a rectangular aperture 14. Behind the aperture and aligned with the vertical edges of the aperture but protruding into the area defined by the aperture are two vertical struts 1 6 and 1 8 each containing at least one screw-hole 20 and 22 for supporting a plate 24 of polished marble containing an engraving (not shown in detail but generaliy designated 26). The insert plate has holes 28 and 30 which register with the screw-holes 20 and 22 in the struts 16 and 18 and screws 32 and 34 are employed for securing the insert plate 24 in place in the aperture 14. Although not shown a rubber or mastic strip may be situated around the inside edge of the plate 24 so as to form a good weatherproof seal with the aperture 1 4 as the plate 24 is fitted thereinto. The headstone shell 10 includes a base section 36 which in this illustrated embodiment includes a circular aperture 38 into which a vase of flowers or the like can be fitted. The completed headstone is shown in Fig. 2 with the plate 24 fixed in position so that only the heads of the two screws 32 and 34 show. The stainless steel shell may be lacquered or polished or sand-blasted to produce any particularly desired finish. Where the plate 24 is a sufficiently tight fit in the aperture 14 the need for sealing is reduced. CLAIMS

3. A memorial device as claimed in claim 2 in which the shell is polished.

4. A memorial device as claimed in claim 2 in which the shell is sand-blasted.

8. A memorial device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a sealing material is located around the insert so as to weatherproof the joint between the insert and the shell.

9. A memorial device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the insert is formed from a polished stone such as marble or granite or slate.

10. A memorial device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 in which the insert is formed from metal.

11. A memorial device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 in which the insert is formed from a plastics material.

12. A memorial device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shell is fornied in two sections, the first generally upright rectangular section having a flat rectangular front face in which the aperture is formed and a second base section which extends forwardly from the lower edge of the flat front face and includes therein aperture means within which plants or flowers or the like can be located.

13. A memorial device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.