Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Burial vault
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2001-06-12
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Burial vault
C052S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243997
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to vaults and is particularly concerned with a lid for a burial or cemetery vault or crypt.
Double or single vaults are often used for interment of caskets in cemeteries. Such vaults are hollow, box-like structures of cement or the like with a removable lid for inserting a coffin or casket. The vault is designed to provide a substantially sealed chamber to protect the coffin. A double vault assembly of this type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,030 of Sannipoli.
Currently, a large gap of the order of 30″ is required between crypts or vaults in cemeteries. Without this gap, headstones marking adjacent graves may move during an interment, due to soil movement and the like. In cemeteries where space is at a premium, such as military cemeteries, a gap this large between grave sites is a problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved vault lid for permitting vaults to be interred closer together than is currently possible.
According to the present invention, a vault lid assembly is provided, which comprises a flat, rectangular lid member for releasably closing the open upper end of a burial vault, the lid member having an upper face, a lower face, and opposite first and second ends, and a headstone holder projecting upwardly from the upper face at one end of the lid member, the headstone holder having a vertical cavity with an open upper end for receiving the lower end of a headstone and holding the headstone in an upright position. The headstone holder is preferably a rectangular, box-shaped enclosure.
In one embodiment for use with single or multi-level vaults, the lid member and headstone holder are formed integrally in one piece. In a second embodiment, for use with double or multi-level vaults, the lid member has a first part extending from the second end to a location adjacent the first end, and a second, separate end part forming a first end portion of the lid, and the headstone holder extends upwardly from the second end part. The first and second parts have releasable locating formations for locating the first part and the second end part together over the open end of a vault. The headstone holder may be formed separately from the second part of the lid, and have a tongue and groove type releasable engagement with the second part.
In the second embodiment, the crypt or vault will normally be pre-buried with the two part lid on top, without the headstone holder. At the first interment, both parts of the lid are removed, and the casket is inserted into the lower level of the vault. The lid is then replaced, and the headstone holder is installed on top of the second part of the lid. The lower end of the headstone is then inserted into the open upper end of the headstone holder, and slides down into the cavity. Gravel is placed in the cavity around the headstone to hold it in an upright position. At the second interment, the first part only of the lid is removed. The casket is angled to slide into the upper level of the vault, and the first part of the lid is replaced, without disturbing the headstone.
This arrangement avoids the need to remove the headstone when a second burial is carried out in a multi-level vault, and thus also avoids the necessary re-alignment of the headstone after a second burial. This is much less work for the burial crew. Both embodiments also permit burial sites to be located much closer together, since the headstones at adjacent sites will be held upright by the rigid headstone holder while the grave is being dug.
In practice, this invention may permit grave site spacings of the order of ½″, with the resultant saving of space in a cemetery.
REFERENCES:
patent: 240372 (1881-04-01), Bower
patent: 324167 (1885-08-01), Robey
patent: 510696 (1893-12-01), Mease
patent: 1004273 (1911-09-01), Johnson
patent: 1815883 (1931-07-01), Davis
patent: 2024047 (1935-12-01), Kropp
patent: 2034633 (1936-03-01), Roberts
patent: 3312014 (1967-04-01), Pfister, III
patent: 3501874 (1970-03-01), Hahne
patent: 3581452 (1971-06-01), Jalbert
patent: 5746030 (1998-05-01), Sannipoli, Sr.
patent: 6088955 (2000-07-01), Nelson, Jr. et al.
patent: 329430 (1920-11-01), None
patent: 9104381 (1991-04-01), None
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Johnson Blair M.
Sannipoli, Sr. Alfred L.
LandOfFree
Vault lid does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vault lid, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vault lid will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465045