This invention concerns improvements in or relating to covering apparatus and particularly but not exclusively to apparatus for covering graves.

Conventionally grave covers have been made of marble or other stone. Such coverings are heavy and difficult to handle, particularly if the grave has to be reopened. Accordingly the coverings are often made to extend over only a part of the grave's length. A further problem is that grave stones often in time lean away from the vertical. Further, grave coverings tend to discolour with time.

According to the present invention there is provided ground covering apparatus comprising a cover member locatable on the ground in a required position and made of a non- rotting synthetic material, the member being so constructed that the apparatus may be readily handled by one person.

The cover member may be made of a plastics material or alternatively of fibre glass.

The cover member is preferably hollow.

The apparatus preferably includes a head member rigidly engagable with the cover member to extend therefro . The head member preferably extends substantially perpendicularly

to the cover member

A plate is preferably removably mountable on the head member whereby information can be recorded thereon and subse¬ quently added to.

Ground engaging means are preferably provided on the cover member and may comprise a plurality of elongate members extending from the opposite side of the cover member to the head member .

The cover member is preferably dimensioned to cover the whole of a grave.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be desc¬ ribed by way of example only with reference to the accompany¬ ing drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a covering appara¬ tus according to the invention in a partially disassembled state ;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The drawings show covering apparatus suitable for

covering a grave. The apparatus comprises a cover member 10 dimensioned to entirely cover the top of a grave. The member 10 is hollow and formed of a UPVC plastics material. The member 10 is substantially rectangular and has a central rounded raised portion 12. The top surface of the member 10 around the portion 12 shelves outwardly to provide for water run-off. A decorative raised cross design 14 is provided on the portion 12 and a frustoconical recess 16 is also provided to accept flowers.

A pair of substantially vertical spaced cylindrical holes 18 are provided adjacent one end of the member 10 to enable a head member 20 to be mounted thereon. The member 20 comprises a pair of correspondingly spaced cylindrical lugs 22 extending from a rectangular portion 24. A decorative part-circular portion 26 extends from the end of the portion 24 opposite from the lugs 22. A removable plate (not shown) is provided on the portion 24 to enable the recordal of details concerning the person or persons buried in the grave.

A rod 28 extends from the underside of the member 10 adjacent each corner thereof to secure the member 10 on the ground. The rods 28 may be made, for example, from stainless steel .

There is thus described a covering apparatus suitable

for a grave which can be readily handled by a person on their own but which remains securely in position over a grave by virtue of the rods 28 engaging in the ground. If required, this cover can be readily lifted, for example, if another person is to be placed in the grave or if landscaping is required, for example, if the grave has sunk. This covering is rot-proof and will not discolour. The use of plastics materials enables the cover to be easily and thus inexpens¬ ively manufactured. The head member on this apparatus will not lean with time. The apparatus can be readily made to cover the whole of the grave.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the apparatus may be made from a different material, for example, another plastics material or fibre glass. The cover may be made a different shape and/or differently decorated. If required the material could be decorated, for example, with a wood effect. The head member may be held on the cover member in a different fashion. The apparatus could engage with the ground by different means. This type of cover could also be used, for example, on animal graves where it is often important for the covering to not be inhibitively expensive.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to

be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.