Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Enclosed compartment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2001-10-09
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Enclosed compartment
C296S024430, C296S026080, C296S026130
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299229
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of PCT/ES99/00092, filed Apr. 9, 1999 and P 9800880, filed Apr. 24, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention is directed to a mobile mortuary. Mobile mortuaries are neither known or in use at the present. The nonexistence of mobile mortuaries creates a major obstacle for inhabitants of small communities in providing the necessary service to a deceased person.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The mobile mortuary in accordance with the present invention is of simple construction and also enormously functional when the time comes to provide an extensive and complete service to the deceased and his/her family and friends. Furthermore, its functionality makes it possible to move the aforesaid mortuary quickly to the home or temporary resting place of the deceased.
In accordance with the invention, the mobile mortuary includes a dual-axle semi-trailer chassis upon which a body structure with a system for outward expansion of the walls is installed to create sufficient space to accommodate the services offered by this type of funeral facility.
These services will be distributed through three well defined zones: an end cabin reserved for the deceased, another which forms a parlor for the immediate family, and a third, larger cabin for other family and friends. This last parlor will also accommodate a restroom and beverage service area.
As a unit, then, the mobile mortuary consists of a body structure, a refrigerated room for the deceased, a parlor for the immediate family and another parlor designated as the common room.
With regard to the structure, it should be pointed out that the upper front portion of the body contains the cooling unit. This unit has two functions: it maintains the temperature in the deceased's room at a constant temperature of under 5° Centigrade, and, when necessary, acts as an air conditioning system in the other rooms. It will be powered by an electric motor to eliminate the noise which some other type of motor would produce. It will also be equipped with the corresponding control panel which can be operated from outside the vehicle.
As a space expansion option, the rear portion of the semi-trailer may be equipped with a removable trailer, formed by a canvas-covered metallic framework. Installed underneath the chassis will be an electrical heating system which will heat the rooms through the floor of the bodywork an electric power transformer system and a set of electric motors which will activate a rack and pinion power train, for moving the trailer's retractable compartments in and out.
The aforesaid compartments will permit expansion of the available inside space up to a total width of four and one-half meters. Retractable stanchions located under the rear end of the trailer will impart greater stability to the mobile unit, when the compartments are expanded outward. The remainder of the available space beneath the chassis will be occupied by a complex of compartments, which can be used to store the mobile elements of interior furniture, as well as the various devices required by the funeral personnel for their services.
The roof of the chassis body will contain three skylights, with the capability of sliding a louver arrangement beneath them. These skylights will provide natural illumination of the interior, if required, as well as ventilators for replenishing the air in the rooms and freshening or service of the common room. The cooled room will serve as a resting place for the deceased. Its dimensions will permit arrangement in any position. This room will be accessed from the outside, by way of a hermetically sealed door. The aforementioned cooling system will prevent the inside temperature from ever rising above 5° Centigrade.
The coffin will be brought in and out by a folding interior elevator platform. A curtain will screen the platform from view through the window of the immediate family room. This window will be hermetically sealed, with a 15 millimeter space between its panes, to prevent the temperature differential between the rooms from steaming it up. Also, an opaque venetian blind in this window will permit undertaker staff to work with the casket without being seen from inside. A system will also be installed to hang four wreaths in the frontal portion of the chamber. Chapel-type light can be provided.
The room for the immediate family is located in the space to the immediate rear of the aforesaid cooled room, and is separated from the other room by a rigid wall which will be extended automatically by an accordion-pleated screen of fabric panels, when the semi-trailer is extended. It will also have two large windows with suitable venetian blinds.
The interior will be generously furnished for comfortable accommodation of the mourners. The lighting will employ incandescent or fluorescent fixtures, according to preference. Several loudspeakers concealed overhead will permit the creation of a suitable musical background, if desired. The common room features a door which opens to the immediate family room. The common room features a restroom with toilet and wash basin, as well as a small beverage service area and refrigerator. The room is amply and comfortably furnished. The mobile unit is equipped in the rear with an access staircase, which will be hinged in the middle, for folding and stowage inside the semi-trailer.
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Crowell & Moring LLP
Interpyramid, S.A.
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran B.
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