Modular burial vault

Details Modular burial vault Modular burial vault

1997-11-13

2001-08-07

Green, Brian K. (Department: 3628)

Undertaking

Portable coffin casings

C052S128000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06269526

ABSTRACT:

SPECIFICATION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to burial vaults, and more particularly to a modular burial vault.
2. Background of the Invention
Burial vaults are structures placed into a gravesite to protect a decedent confinement chamber, such as a casket, coffin or urn, from natural destructive elements such as water or the overlying weight of the earth. The vault prevents a decedent confinement chamber from collapsing when, after natural decay, the decedent confinement chamber has weakened and would otherwise be crushed by the earth overlaying it.
Prefabricated burial vaults are typically heavy duty metal structures comprising a flat base with a substantial metal dome. The dome is usually narrower than the base, resulting in a slight angle, or flare, in the side walls of the dome relative to the perpendicular from the base plate. This results in unused space within the burial vault when the decedent confinement chamber is placed inside. Further, the weight distribution between the base and the dome is substantial. A dome typically weighs 300 lbs., thus making it unmanageable to handle without some lifting device being employed.
A further drawback to the present burial vaults is in fabrication and shipping. The base—dome configuration necessitates at least two separate assemblies—one for the base and one for the dome. Further, the present burial vaults are shipped in an assembled fashion. This means that the dome and base are put together and shipped as a unit. The space enclosed by the vault is dead space in the shipping process.
In an alternative form, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,529, discloses a burial shell formed by a chamber and a seal. The chamber is formed as two symmetrical half shells. While alleviating some of the transportation problem, this does not alleviate the problem of having two separate assemblies for the top and the half shells.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,289 discloses a combination burial vault and casket. This design employs the same traditional base and dome configuration discussed above. Therefore, this design has the same drawbacks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,390 discloses a composite burial vault. The design comprises a base liner which is placed into a grave. The liner is filled with concrete. A top cover is then placed over the vault. While the empty liner can be transported, the segments are not modular and are not easily transportable.


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