US2031175A - Grave covering apparatus - Google Patents

Description

GRAVE lCOVERING- APPARATUS Filed Feb, 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fb. i8, W36.

N'R. MOORE GRAVE COVERING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATONEY -Patentecl Feb. 18, 1936 NETE STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

The invention relates to mechanism for apparatus intended for use by morticians, funeral directors and the like for the purpose of covering a grave automatically as the casket is lowered.

It is well known that at cemetery services it has now become the practice to place within and about a grave a lining or covering of material which is formed as the representation of grass mats, the purpose being to cover the raw soil and detract from the harsh and cold appearance of the grave. It is also known that numerous mechanical devices have been devised for the purpose of gently and slowly lowering the casket as the ceremony progresses, such devices rendering unnecessary the presence of mechanics with the well known hand lowering straps or other devices of the past. However, notwithstanding the progress which has been made along the above mentioned two' lines, there still exists a certain amount of shock to the feelings of bereaved spectators when the casket disappears into the yawning void of the grave and it is on account of this latter mentioned fact that I have devised the present invention which has for its general object the provision of novel means associated with and operated by the casket lowering mechanism for automatically drawing and folding the imitation grass mats over the top of the grave as the casket is lowered, the grave being consequently covered by a mound of mat-like material which appears to be sod, thus creating an impression far less harrowing to the sentimentalities of bereaved spectators than would otherwise be the case.

An important object of the invention is to provide a grave cover applying means which may be constructed as an attachment to an already eX- ist'ing casket lowering apparatus.

Yet another object is to provide an apparatus of this character embodying features of adjustability so as to compensate for differences in the width of the casket lowering mechanism, it being known that the size of the latter is varied in accordance with the width of the actual grave.

The invention further contemplates the pro'- vision of a very simple and yet novel means for attaching the cover applying mechanism to the lowering apparatus without involving the making of material changes in the latter.

An additional object is to provide a device of this character which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to make and use, easy to set up and adjust, positive in action, efficient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the 4details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device showing it attached to a casket lowering mechanism and in situ with respect to a grave,

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, l

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through one oi the transverse guides,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of what is shown in Figure 4, the device being detached from the casket lowering mechanism,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of one end of one of the longitudinal members of my apparatus,

Figure 7 is a detail cross section taken on the line '1 -'l of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective View looking at the underside of one end of one of the transverse guides,

Figure 9 is a similar view looking at the guide from a different angle,

Figure l0 is a fragmentary perspective View showing one end of one of the longitudinal members of my apparatus,

Figure il is a detail view showing one of the elements for moving the longitudinal mem-bers Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be noted that I have, in Figures i, 2, vand 3, shown a conventional and popular form A`of casket lowering mechanism to which my device is attached, the whole being mounted upon the usual cross beams A, and longitudinal beams B which are disposed upon the ground adjacent the ends of the sides, respectively, of a `grave C. While the lowering mechanism forms no part of the present invention, it is shown for the sake of clearness and is represented as including corner posts D mounted upon the beams B and connected by telescopic longitudinal members E and telescopic transverse members F. The members E and F carry intermeshing bevel gears G and H, respectively, located within the upstanding posts D. As is customary in devices of this type, the casket supporting straps or webs I are secured to and wrapped about the longitudinal members E. The arrangement is of course such that there is provided within at least one of the posts D a brake mechanism for checking the descent of the casket which is placed upon the straps I at the beginning of or prior to the funeral services. This brake mechanism is not shown as it is old and well known and as it forms no part of the present invention. However, such mechanism is customarily adjustable so as to hold the casket stationary as long as desired and to permit it to descend into the grave at a predetermined or desirable speed. The longitudinal members E and transverse members F are formed of telescopic sections in order to permit adjustability so that the device may be accommodated to graves of widely different sizes. The intermeshing gears G and H insure simultaneous rotation of the longitudinal members E and consequent uniform unwrapping of the straps or Webs I therefrom as the casket is lowered under the inuence of gravity.

In carrying out my invention I provide an attachment which is formed as a complete and separate entity adapted to be mounted upon the already existing lowering mechanism above described and comprising the parts D to I inclusive. This mechanism is represented as comprising transverse guides I5 each formed of telescopically engaged tubular sections I6 formed in their upper sides with registering slots I'I and in the end portions of their lower sides with elongated openings I8. In order to mount the guides I5 upon the posts D of the lowering mechanism, I provide the tubular members I6 with preferably dovetail shaped projections I9 received within socket members on the inner faces of the posts D. It should be understood that the purpose in constructing the guides I5 of the telescopic sections I6 is to permit adjustability to correspond with the adjustability of the tubular members F or the distance between the posts D. Mounted upon spindles 2| extending transversely of the end portions of the members I6 are grooved pulleys 22 about the outer portions of which are engaged flexible members 23 which may conveniently be simply ropes, and which are for a purpose to be described.

Rotatably mounted upon the end portions of the longitudinal members E of the lowering mechanism are grooved drums 24 which are adapted to be connected to the members E for rotation therewith. To eiect this when a desired adjusted relationship has been obtained as will be explained, I provide upon each of the members E a longitudinally shiftable latch member 25 having a nger piece 28 and adapted to be engaged within a selected one of a plurality of sockets 2T in the adjacent drum 24. One end of each of the flexible members 23 is secured to one of the drums 24, the exact mode being immaterial but very conveniently comprising the simple expedient of inserting one free end of the exible member within a socket or recess 28 in the depressed or central part of the periphery of the drum and securing said end in place as by means of a screw 29 entering an appropriately tapped hole in the drum as very clearly shown in Figure 7. In addition to having one end positively secured to one of the drums 24, the iiexible members or ropes 23 are also wrapped about the associated drums to a greater or less extent. Referring to Figure 4 in particular it is thought that the rope arrangement will be clear inasmuch as said gure shows the ropes or flexible members at each end of the apparatus as having one end secured to a drum and wrapped thereupon, from which point the exible members, respectively, pass around the outer portions of the adjacent pulleys 22, then along within the guides I5 and then through holes 30 in the lower ends of the opposite or remote angular arms 3| which have their upper ends provided with ball heads 32 for a purpose to be described. The flexible members are consequently in crossed relation. Outwardly beyond the arm members 3| the cables, ropes or other flexible members hang free or depend but are equipped with stops 33 which are intended to be adjustable along the length of the depending portions of the flexible members and which are therefore represented, as will be best seen from an inspection of Figure ll, as of balllike form with an aperture for the passage or reception of the flexible member, Securing with respect to which may be effected by means of a grub screw 34 clampingly engaging the iexible member.

My cover applying attachment further includes longitudinal rails 35 which should, logically, be formed of tubular telescopic sections 36 so as to be adjustable to accord with the length of the members E of the lowering mechanism. The outer end portions of the members 36 are represented as formed with a species of curved bayonet slots 31, the larger ends of which are for the reception of the heads or knobs 32 on the arms 3| and the smaller ends of which are intended to receive the arms 3| adjacent the heads 32 when the members 36 are engaged upon the arms 3| and partly rotated. The relationship between the members 36 and the arms 3| should be readily understood from an inspection of Figures l0 and 11. The engagement of the angular arms 3| within the bayonet slots 31 and the angularity of these arms will operate to hold up the unsecured ends of the ropes or other exible members 23 as clearly indicated in Figure 4.

The mechanism is of course used in association with the well known mats indicated at J, which mats are formed of some appropriate material and constructed to resemble grass.

To use the device, it is of course rst necessary that the lowering mechanism comprising the parts D to I be properly positioned at the grave and supported by the planks A and B. The transverse guides I5 are adjusted longitudinally so that the projections I9 thereon will be received within the sockets 20 on the posts or standards D. The angular arms 3| are moved apart soi as to be positioned within the outer end portions of the slots I'I and the members 36, after being telescopically adjusted as to length are so positioned with respect to the transverse guides or rails I5 that the wide ends of the bayonet slots 3l may be passed over the heads 32 of the arms 3|, after which the members 36 are given a partial rotation and possibly readjusted lengthwise to cause the small ends of the bayonet slots to receive the arms 3|. When this is done it is apparent that the members 36 will not become detached with respect to the guides I5. The gravey lining mats J are then hung `over the longitudinal rails 35 comprising the parts 36 and are suspended therefrom so as to lie against the sides of the grave as indicated in Figure 3. The lowering mechanism itself is of course adjusted in readiness to receive the casket upon the straps or webs I. The latch members 25 are intended to be withdrawn from the drums 24 so that the drums may be turned by hand to wind on or leil rolif the exible members secured to and Wrapped thereabout until the stops 33 are at the desired position with respect to the lower ends of the arms 3 I, the idea being that it is not intended for the rails 35 to move toward each other' for drawing the grass mats J up over the grave until the. casket has been lowered to the desired extent. As mentioned above at the beginning of the funeral services the rails 35 are intended to be widely separated with the grass mats depending therefrom.

Everything having been adjusted as indicated above when whatever brake me-chanism controlling the descent of the casket is released the weight of the casket upon the straps or webs I will cause the si'de rails E of the lowering mechanism to be rotated in a direction downwardly and toward each other. When this occurs the drums 24 which are l-ocked onto the side rails E by engagement of the latch members 25 Within the selected recesses 21 will also be rotated and will wind up the ropes or other flexible members 23. However, nothing happens until the stops 33 come into engagement with the lower ends of the arms 3|, which will occur some time after the casket has started to lower, the time depending on the initial adjustment of the parts or the position of the stops with respect to the arms 3l.

As the casket is lowered and when the stops engage the arms 3| the continued descent of the casket causing continued winding of the ropes 4or other flexible members onto the drums will result in movement oi the rails 35 toward each other. As this movement continues the grass mats hanging from Ithe rails 35 will be drawn toward each other, their edges sliding more or less with respect to the rails. Depending upon the adjustment of the: parts, it will be seen that when the casket has descended to the desired extent the grass mats will have been pulled together up over the top of the grave as shown by the dot and dash lines in Figure 3, thereby presenting the appearance of a sodded mound covering the grave and giving a much less harsh and harrowing appearance than if the grave were left uncovered as is ordinarily the prac-tice. Later, for instance after the services have been concluded and the mourners have departed, the grass mats, the covering apparatus and the lowering mechanism are of course removed so that the grave may be iillecl in the customary manner.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simple `and inexpensive mechanism for temporarily covering a grave,l the device being calpable of manufacture as a complete and separate entity adapted for attachment to already existing lowering mechanisms of various sorts or, if preferred, being capable of production as part of the lowering mechanism, this depending upon the preference of the manufacturer and the demands of the trade. It will be noted that the device has been made fully adjustable to accord with the adjustability of the lowering mechanism which in lturn is necessitated by variations in the sizes of graves and caskets. In fact every contingency has been prepared for to take care of all conceivable circumstances or conditions and it is therefore believed that the device will be eminently satisfactory for the purpose intended.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of they invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is mere-ly anV exemplii'lcation of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the iield of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including supports and longitudinal side members journally connected therewith .and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; including relatively stationary transverse rails, interengaging elements on said supports and said transverse rails for mounting the latter, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means positively connecting the side rails with said transverse rails and means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated.

2. A grave cover applying .attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including end supports and longitudinal side members journaled therein and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary transverse rails, means for detachably connecting said transverse rails with said end supports, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, .and means operating within said transverse rails and operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated, said means being ineffective throughout a predetermined number of revolutions of said side members.

3. A grave cover applying attachment for .a casket lowering mechanism including uprights and longitudinal side members supported thereby and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary transverse rails, interengaging elements on said uprights and transverse rails for detachably mounting the latter on the former, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means slidable along said transverse rails for positively connecting said side rails thereto, means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated, and adjustable means forming part of the connection between the side members and side rails for enabling the latter to remain stationary throughout a predetermined number of revolutions of the former.

4. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including upright supports and longitudinal side members supported thereby and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary telescopic transverse rails, projections on said transverse rails engaging within sockets on said upright supports for mounting the transverse rails, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other .as the former are rotated, means forming part of said operative connection enabling the side members to have a predetermined number of revolutions preliminary to movement of said side rails toward each other, and means for adjusting said last named means.

5. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including supports and longitudinal side members supported thereby and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary transverse rails, means for mounting said transverse rails directly on the lowering mechanism, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated, said means including drums carried by said side members, flexible members secured to and trained about said drums and movable within said transverse rails and connected with the opposite side rails, and elements carried by said flexible members, slidable within said transverse rails and connected with said longitudinal rails.

6. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including supports and longitudinal side members supported thereby and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary transverse rails, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails for moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated, said means including drums carried by said side members, flexible members secured to .and trained about said drums and movable within said transverse rails, elements carried by said flexible members, slidable along said transverse rails and connected with said longitudinal rails, the exible members being slidable through said elements, and stop means carried by the flexible members and engageable with said elements after the flexible members have been moved to a predetermined extent.

'7. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including supports and longitudinal members supported thereby and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising relatively stationary transverse rails having means for mounting upon the lowering mechanism, longitudinal side rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails in positive connected relation thereto and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, means operatively connecting said side members and said side rails or moving the latter toward each other as the former are rotated, said means including drums carried by said side members, flexible members secured to and trained about said drums and movable along said transverse rails, elements carried by said effexible members, slidable along said transverse rails and connected with said longitudinal side rails, and means for latching said drums upon said side members in a predetermined rotatably adjusted position with respect thereto.

8. A grave cover applying attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including corner supports and longitudinal side members rotatably mounted therein and connected for simultaneous rotary movement; comprising transverse rails, means for mounting the transverse rails upon said corner supports, longitudinal rails slidable toward or from each other along said transverse rails and adapted to have a pliable mat draped thereover, exible members extending within said transverse rails and adapted to be shortened by rotation of said side members, and means carried by said exible members and connected with the opposite ones of said side rails for moving the latter as the side members are rotated.

9. An attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including supports and longitudinal members journally mounted with respect thereto for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions; said attachment comprising transverse rails, means for detachably connecting the transverse rails with said supports, longitudinal rails slidable to` ward each other along said transverse rails, drums carried by said side members, exible embers secured to and trained about the drums and extending within said transverse rails, said transverse rails being formed with slots, elements carried by said transverse rails and slidable along said slots and detachably connected with said longitudinal rails, and means adjustably mounted along each of said flexible members and cooperable with the remote ones of said elements for moving the latter and consequently said longitudinal rails when said side members are rotated.

10. An attachment for a casket lowering mechanism including suports and longitudinal members journally mounted with respect thereto for simultaneous rotation in opposite directions; said attachment comprising transverse rails, means for detachably connecting the transverse rails with said supports, longitudinal rails slidable toward each other along said transverse rails, drums carried by said side members, flexible members secured to and trained about the drums and extending in crossed relation longitudinally within said transverse rails, said transverse rails being formed with slots, elements slidable within said transverse rails and having projecting portions extending through said slots and detachably connected with said longitudinal rails, means adjustabiy mounted along said flexible members and engageable with the opposite ones of said elements for moving the latter and consequently said longitudinal rails when said side members are rotated, and means for rotatably adjusting the drums with respect to the side members.

NINIAN R. MOORE.

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