| WO2000012844A1 | 2000-03-09 |
| US4304076A | 1981-12-08 |
| 1. | Cta ! ms : The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property are defined as follows : (1) An apparatus which is so designed as to be a fully modernized version of a cemetery remembrance monument, that is an illuminated screen in place of a present day marble stone/granite stone, or plaque. This device is activated by day through solar energy or at night, if desired, by a battery powered light with an automatic timer to be activated to turn on at dusk or to turn off at daylight. An Illuminated Remembrance Monument can be so mechanized as to allow a one hour timer for the viewer while at the gravesite, thus if requested the screen is darkened while not being viewed. (2) An apparatus which is so designed as to be a biographical remembrance account of the deceased individual at the gravesite. This would include a favourite photo of the deceased in one upper corner, and/or a photo of a religious icon or any symbol of one's choice in the opposite corner, date and place of birth, date of death, nature of death if so desired, i. e. accidentally killed, passed away from cancer, died suddenly, etc.; family members left to mourn, educational background, date of marriage, number of children, wife's maiden name, if so desired, brief employment history, social interests and/or sports, hobbies, etc. Basically as much information as requested or as little as requested. This montage or obituary can be prearranged by the deceased before death or put together by family members or friends of the deceased after death. (3) An apparatus which is so designed as to be a permanent fixture in that it is of a durable transparent shatter proof plexiglass (lexon plastic) or similar hard plastic so as to prevent vandalism or desecration of a grave remembrance marker Specially designed steel/aluminum/or plastic rods which screw in or clip in to the bottom assembly are inserted into the soil approximately two feet below the surface. Much similar to a gyproc screw, once inserted, a series of outer edged protruding fragments make it extremely difficult to remove upwards unless using a heavy piece of equipment thus preventing movement due to weather or vandalism. (4) An apparatus which is so designed as to be of a lightweight material. Present day remembrance monuments are generally made from marble limestone. These headstones are extremely heavy and can weigh hundreds of pounds. They require a backhoe or heavy machinery to transport and generally need three to four people to lift one such item. The Illuminated Remembrance Monument can be easily carried by a single individual and is very lightweight. To allow for permanency of the Illuminated Remembrance Monument an auger or some such device would be used to allow two fencelike post holes to a depth of approximately twentyfour to thirty inches below the soil. Two concrete fence postlike settings would then be poured, allowing the two rods attached to the Illuminated Remembrance Monument frame to be permanently set. This would better prevent any vandal from pushing over the apparatus, and also would help keep natural forces, such as wind, snow, sleet, etc. from damaging the mounted structure. The mounted screen would be enclosed by an aluminum, fibreglass, hard plastic or any similar durable mounted frame. A base stand would allow the Illuminated Remembrance Monument to sit atop the base and further give it a more pleasing appeal. The two rods would be inserted through the predrilled holes allowing for better stability and these rods would then be inserted below the ground surface and encased in concrete molds, similar to fence post concrete attachments. (5) This apparatus is so designed as to allow a montage of information including photographs, as well as graphic designs and general information, to be placed on a spreadsheet which when completed will be permanently affixed to the inner portion of the Illuminated Remembrance Monument screen for illuminated viewing. (6) An apparatus which is so designed as to be used from a computer design including typing, spacing, colour photos, symbols, and a list of graphic designs to be viewed in order to enhance the right selection for the user. (7) An apparatus so designed as to allow as little corrosion as possible due to weather conditions including wind, rain, snow, sleet, sun, and a host of other possible combinations of climate conditions. Present day remembrance tablets over a period of years tend to obscure the lettering within the marble and thus make it difficult to read. (8) An apparatus which is so designed as to cut costs as related to present day remembrance monuments. This is primarily due to the present cost involved in marble or stone monuments as opposed to the less expensive plastic products used for the Illuminated Remembrance Monument. (9) An apparatus which is also so designed to allow for a more personal touch in so far as who the deceased individual was and in some respects the contributions he/she has made to society during their life time. |
Present day gravesite remembrance monuments have been in existence for many centuries and have not changed much since the beginning of time. In the beginning most often small wooden crosses were used to mark or identify the remains of a particular individual, Over time an industry grew out of such a necessity and headstones began to give a better account of the deceased individual At the present time many types of various headstones can be viewed in cemeteries throughout the world. Most gravesite remembrance markers are now made from polished limestone marble, granite crystalline igneous rock, steel plaques or any other such products. In order to service the needs of such remembrance monuments mining operations are necessary at various quarries in order to extract various slabs of rock or stone.
As with any such operation labour costs are high due to the necessity of mining equipment, labourers, transportation, and the follow up process of manufacturing the finished product for individual usage, The more modem version of the gravesite marker has no need of such costly expenditures The Illuminated Remembrance Monument is made from hard plasticì iie lexon plastic or plexiglass, somewhat similar to and if possible stronger than plexiglass now used at hockey arenas to prevent hockey pucks from penetrating it.
The illumination of the transparent screen can be derived in various ways including a battery powered light inside the assembly or with solar energy from the sun. An internal switch mechanism can be activated for a simple on/off procedure, a continuous daylight viewing procedure, or a perpetually lighted screen inclusive to daylight and nighttime hours.
If and when necessary the inner mounted bulb and batteries can be changed once they no longer serve their usefulness. The Illuminated Remembrance Monument will be so designed as to try and prevent desecration of the gravesite by way of vandalism. Since no product is ever one hundred percent unbreakable, all steps will be taken to try and prevent tampering or damaging the Illuminated Remembrance Monument by vandals, The averaged sized Illuminated Remembrance Monument will be similar to present day marble remembrance monuments. Once the spreadsheet, film artwork and/or photograph is complete and proofread by the client it is then mounted on the inner side of the outside plexiglass for viewing Various shapes including square, rectangular, <BR> <BR> triangular, round, heart shaped, etc. will be designed to meet the specified requests.<BR> <P>Likewise any graphics chosen by the client can be enhanced by way of computers or animation procedures or can simply be of a simple layout written or printed as desired.
Various solid colours or combinations of colour can be used to better illustrate photos, symbols, icons, or the printed or written word. The whole purpose of the Illuminated Remembrance Monument is to give the user an enhanced remembrance.
No matter the shape of the Illuminated Remembrance Monument most should be approximately two to three feet in width with the one piece joined together. The back frame can be likewise illuminated or perhaps just the name of the deceased showing.
Regardless, the whole of the Illuminated Remembrance Monument will be sealed together as one unit.
The two rod insertions or stands will be sealed from the inside bottom portion and depressed into the soil. Various outward angled attachments being part of the solid piece rod prevent easy lifting back to the soil surface.
Thin metal plating may cover the plexiglass joins and also hide screw and bolt fixtures.
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