US121688A - Improvement in apparatus for supporting and lowering coffins - Google Patents

Description

cmmes A. THOMPSON & JAMES 0; C0-LEMAN.-

. v H Improvement in Apparatus for Supporting and Lowering Coffins. N J L v PatentedDec.5,187i. E L92] T F AM fwomurfiasmrwm :11 MM mean/153' PRMESS/ UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

CHARLES A. THOMPSON AND JAMES O. COLEMAN, OF HOPKINSVILLE, KY.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING ANIl LDWERING GUFFINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,688, dated December 5, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES A. THoMPsoN and JAMES O. COLEMAN, of Hopkinsville, in the county of Christian and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain Improvement in Appa ratus for Supporting and Lowering Coffins; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to furnish an improved apparatus for supporting coffins or burial-cases when the deceased is lying in state, and to serve as a bier for carrying the coffin, and so constructed as to be a convenient means for low ering the coffin into the grave; and it consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken on the line at m. Fig. 4 is a side view, showing the lowering device as in use. Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the belt-pulleys on the revolvin g bars, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section of Fig. 5 on the line g 3 both showing the belt-stirrup.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspond ing parts.

This apparatus consists mainly of a rectangular frame formed of two longitudinal bars, A A, connected together by two end pieces, B and 0, supported on folding legs D, with adjustable pulleys E on the bars A, and a wormgear device by which thebars AA are revolved. The bars revolve on journals in the end pieces B O. F is a wormgear shaft, supported by stands on the end piece 0. G G are the worms, which engage with the worm-pinions H H on the ends of the bars A A, as distinctly seen in the end view, Fig. 2. I is acrank on the end of the shaft F. The legs D are pivoted to the brackets J, which hang from the ends B C. When folded up they assume the from of braces to the end pieces, as seen in Fig. 2. When so folded the apparatus will rest on the ends of the brackets J, as seen in the drawing. The legs are held in position when folded and when standing vertical by means of springbuttons, gravity-sprin gs, or slides, orin any suitable manner. E represents adjustable flanged pulleys on the bars A A. These slide on the bars and are adjusted to suit the length of the coffin. WVhen adjusted they are held in position and prevented from turning on the bars by means of set-screws, as seen in the drawing. L L represents belts, the ends of which are attached to the pulleys E by means of the stirrups N. These stirrups are attached to the pulleys, as seen in Fig. 5, and hold the belt by friction, as seen in Fig. 6, the arrangement being such that by raisin g the stirrup the belt is readilydrawn through and detached. 0 O are metallic supports for the coffin to rest upon. The supports hook over the bars A A, as seen in Fig. 3, and are removed before lowering the coffin into the grave. To allow the supports to be removed the bars are revolved so that the belts are wound up around the pulleys sufficiently to raise the coffin.

It will be observed that the worm-gearing is so arranged that upon turningthe shaft F the bars A A will be revolved in opposite directions, so that the belts will be wound up or unwound at each end, according to the way the shaft is turned.

When the apparatus is placed over the grave and the supports 0 O are removed, as above stated, the shaft is turned in the opposite direction, and the coffin is lowered gently and evenly to the bottom of the grave; the belts are withdrawn, the legs D are folded up, as seen in Fig. 2, which allows the apparatus to be placed in the hearse.

This is a most convenient and complete device for the purposes intended, and its advantages over the awkward contrivances usuali y employed at funerals must be obvious to all.

Havingthus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The bars A A, end pieces B O, shaft F, worm-gears G H, and belts L L, when the same are arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The folding legs 1). arranged in mmbinn- 5. The brzu'kets J and legs 1), in combination (ion with the bars A A and mid pim-os lH, nsdvwith tlwvnds 1-H ui'theloweringapparatus, sub- 3. In combination with Illt l'(\'( ]\'lllj bars A (HARLES A. THOMPSON. A, the supports U 1). as and for the pul'pnsus (10- JAMES 0. COLEMAN. scribed.

4. The adjustable pulleys E {111d stirrup N, in \Vitnesses: combination with n ln\\'l*1lIl L apparatus 101 (-01 JAMES A. WALLACE,

fins, substantially as described. G150. P. STREET. (39)

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