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Title:
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GRAVESTONES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1995/021977
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a composite structure including gravestone, headstone, monument, obelisk, statue and the like which is adapted to be releasably attached and locked to a base part (2b) and a concealed penetrating member (1) which is typically secured in the ground or the like. The provision of releasable locking means ensures that an upper releasable part (2a) of said composite structure can be removed and subsequently replaced.

Inventors:
KNAPTON JOHN (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB1995/000263
Publication Date:
August 17, 1995
Filing Date:
February 10, 1995
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
UNIV NEWCASTLE (GB)
KNAPTON JOHN (GB)
International Classes:
E04H13/00; (IPC1-7): E04H13/00
Foreign References:
FR2494331A11982-05-21
DE8524690U11985-11-28
DE8502534U11989-02-16
DE3718056A11988-12-08
DE3518331A11986-11-27
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A composite structure comprising; i) a removable upper part having, in use, downwardly depending therefrom, at least one first anchoring member; ii) a lower base part having at least one aperture therethrough, which aperture is sized and shaped to accommodate said first anchoring member; iii) a second anchoring member for securing in the ground or other like fixing material which member is provided with means for releasably attaching to said first anchoring member; and iv) locking means adapted to releasably lock said first and second anchoring members theretogether.
2. A composite structure according to Claim 1 wherein, in use, said first and second anchoring members and said locking means are concealed from view.
3. A composite structure according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein said second anchoring member is adapted to be driven into the ground.
4. A composite structure according to any preceding Claim wherein said first and second anchoring members are provided with apertures, adapted to be aligned in use, and when aligned, to receive said locking means.
5. A composite structure according to Claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises a bolt member.
6. A composite structure according to any preceding Claim wherein said first anchoring member is fixedly attached to said upper pan.
7. A composite structure according to any preceding Claim wherein said aperture in said lower base part is in fluid connection with a channel that terminates on an accessible part of said lower base part.
8. A composite structure according to Claim 7 wherein said accessible part comprises an outer part.
9. An anchoring system for a composite structure comprising; a) at least one elongate anchoring member which is adapted to be secured in the ground or similar compressible material; and b) a lower base part on which an upper removable part can rest, said lower base part having at least one aperture therethrough, which aperture is sized and shaped to accommodate a first anchoring member provided on said upper removable part; and c) a locking means which is adapted to releasibly secure said elongate anchoring member to said upper removable part.
10. An anchoring system according to Claim 9 wherein said aperture in said lower part is in fluid connection with a channel that terminates on an accessible pan of said lower base pan.
Description:
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GRAVESTONES

The invention relates to an anchoring system for structures such as gravestones, obelisks, statues and the like.

There is presently concern in the funerary industry regarding the use of lawn type memorials in which a headstone is connected to a base. Normally, two vertical steel dowels are used to secure the headstone to the base. For example, EP 226178 describes a gravestone comprising a base and removably attached thereto a stone. The stone has locking members on its lower face and the top of the base had locking apertures adapted to engage with the locking members. Lateral movement of the stone with respect to the base causes, when the stone is moved in a first direction, release of the stone and when die stone is moved is second direction, locking of the stone in position. Alternatively, small amounts of cement can be provided between a headstone and a base.

This type of memorial is favoured because it can be simply set into a large lawn which is easily cut. Thus, maintenance of a graveyard is facilitated. As a result of this, because of the need to reduce the cost of cemetery maintenance, this type of memorial is becoming more common both for burials and cremations.

However, the present system suffers from two defects. Firstly, the base is usually relatively small with respect to the headstone and the fixing is usually insufficient or poorly applied. Therefore the headstone is easily pushed over. Many graveyards have recently been damaged in this way by vandals and others with more sinister

motives. This is very distressing, particularly to relatives. In addition, from time to time, headstones have been unintentionally pushed over leading to death and injury to born children and adults. Many unsafe headstones have had to be laid flat in order to remove this danger. Again, this is very distressing to all concerned.

It is possible to provide other types of gravestones, monuments or the like wherein the lower most end of a stone is provided with a penetrating member which may be provided with barbs spaced about the periphery of the penetrating member as described in US 4,087,945 so as to secure the stone into the ground, or alternatively, fins which extend outwardly from the penetrating member as described in US 4,502,258. In either instance the monument is driven into the ground so as to be securely mounted.

The provision of the single structure which can be driven into the ground as previously described means that the stone is more likely to remain upright because it is extremely difficult to push it over. However, there is a problem associated with this type of stone in tiiat it does not facilitate the removal of a part of the stone for repair, re-inscription or the like.

For example, memorial masons require from time to time to remove a headstone in order either to make repairs or to make additional inscriptions, possibly when an additional body is buried. The present system does not provide this facility. Apparently, in parts of northern England and Scotland because of this difficulty when additional inscriptions are required on the headstone, they are often made on site.

There is presently therefore a conflict between the need to provide a suitable structure that is safe, stable and secure, and the need for the headstone to be removable for repair or re-inscription as and when is necessary.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an anchoring system for gravestones and other similar structures which is designed to securely hold the structure in place during use and to allow removal of a part of the structure as and when required.

The object of the invention is met by the provision of a composite structure, in the context of this application composite structure is intended to include gravestones, tombstones, memorials, statues, obelisks and the like which are adapted to have releasably attached thereto an anchoring member, or alternatively, having releasably attached thereto an anchoring member.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is therefore provided a composite structure comprising;

i) a removable upper part having, in use, downwardly depending therefrom, at least one first anchoring member; and ii) a lower base part having at least one aperture therethrough, which aperture is sized and shaped to accommodate said first anchoring member, iii) a second anchoring member for securing in the ground or other like fixing material, which member is provided with means for releasably attaching to said first anchoring member, and iv) locking means adapted to releasably lock said first and second anchoring members theretogether.

It will be understood from the above that the force needed to topple over in combination the composite structure and the anchoring means is substantial.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said anchoring members and locking means are concealed when in use. In this preferred arrangement a removable seal is provided and also, ideally, a device for externally manipulating said locking

means. Further, an aperture, usually defining a channel, is provided so that said device has access to said locking means.

Preferably, said anchoring members comprise male and female mating parts which ideally are adapted to fix ideally slidably theretogether. Moreover, said parts are provided with alignable attachment means such as holes through which a dowel can be inserted.

Preferably said second anchoring member is adapted to be driven into the ground and so has a tapering configuration. More preferably still said second anchoring member is hollow and is sized and shaped so as to accommodate at least a part of said first anchoring member. If preferred, said first and second anchoring members may be provided with complimentary attachment means such as aligned bolt receiving apertures or screw thread attachment or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is therefore provided an anchoring system for a composite structure comprising; at least one elongate anchoring member which is adapted to be secured in the ground or similar compressible material; and a locking means which is adapted to releasably secure said anchoring member to a composite structure, the composite structure comprising at least one base part which rests on the ground, and at least one upper removable part.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a structure in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2a represents a front elevation of the structure in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2b represents a plan view of a structure in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3a represents a front view of an upper part of a structure in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3b represents a side view of an upper part of a structure in accordance with the invention; Figure 4a represents a perspective view of a lower base part of a structure in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 4b represents a side view of the lower base part in accordance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is illustrated a composite structure in accordance with the invention. The structure includes, in use, a viewable portion

2 comprising a removable or releasable upper part 2a typically fashioned in the form of a gravestone, memorial, obelisk or the like and a lower base part 2b whose lower surface is substantially planar so that it sits flat upon the ground.

Attached to lower base part 2b or provided separately therefrom is a downwardly depending spike or penetrating member 1. Ideally the spike 1 is located towards the centre of lower base part 2b although it is within the scope of the invention to provide a multitude of such spikes depending upon the nature and the size of the upper part 2a to be supported. In the following description the spike 1 is provided separately from base part 2b, however it is not intended that the invention should be so limited.

Typically, spike 1 is solid and has an upper substantially planar surface 6. Mounted on surface 6 in a substantially vertical axis is a hollow tubular clamping member 3b. Member 3b is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 8b as is clearly shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

The positioning of holes 8b with respect to the length of member 3b will become apparent having regard to the following description.

In the embodiment depicted by way of example only lower base part 2b comprises essentially a solid rectangular block having flat upper and lower surfaces so that the block rests reliably on the ground and an upper part 2a to be attached thereto can rest reliably on the upper part of the block. In addition, this is clearly illustrated in Figure 4a and 5a, base part 2b is provided, typically, with a central through bore 9 which is in fluid connection with one outer upstanding side of base 2b via a substantially horizontal cylindrical hole or channel 5.

A number of bores 9 may be provided, each cooperating with a separate spike 1 as will be described hereinafter.

Member 3b mounted on the upper surface 6 of spike 1 is sized and shaped so as to fit within throughbore 9 furthermore, holes 8b provided in member 3b are positioned so that when spike 1 is driven into the ground and member 3b rests within throughbore 9 holes 8b are aligned with channel 5.

In the instance where spike 1 is fixed to base part 2b this can be easily arranged. In the instance where spike 1 is provided separately spike 1 is selectively orientated prior to being driven in the ground.

In addition, where spike 1 is fixed to base 2 ideally member 3b is spaced from the walls defining throughbore 9.

Turning now to upper part 2a of composite structure 2, it can be seen, having regard to Figure 3, that upper part 2a is provided with substantially planar lower surface 12 on which is rests. Further, a recess 4 is provided within a part of surface 12 and said recess 4 is sized and shaped to accommodate a part of clamping member 3a. Member 3a is cylindrical and hollow and is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed holes 8a. Holes 8a are positioned along the length of member 3a such that when member 3a is located within recess 4 holes 8a are

visible on the part of member 3a depending downwardly from recess 4. Epoxy motor or cement 7 is used to hold member 3a in recess 4.

In addition, holes 8a are ideally so sized so that they resemble the size of holes 8b located in member 3b. Furthermore, holes 8a are positioned along the length of member 3a such that when upper part 2a sits on lower part 2b holes 8a are aligned with channel 5.

The composite structure is assembled as follows:

Firstly, spike 1 is driven into a selected area of ground. Member 3b may be attached to spike 1 or alternatively may be attached to spike 1 after spike 1 has been driven into the ground.

Lower base part 2b is positioned over spike 1 such that member 3b rests within through bore 9.

Upper part 2a is then positioned on lower part 2b such that downwardly depending member 3a also sits within through bore 9

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that members 3a and 3b must be of a different diameter so that the two can overlap. It will also be apparent that the positioning of holes 8a and 8b must be such that when parts 2a and 2b are brought theretogether holes 8a and 8b are aligned. This can be brought about by the selective positioning of member 3b on upper surface 6 of spike 1 and/or the selective positioning of member 3a in recess 4 and so upper part 2a on lower part

2b.

Once the parts have been brought theretogether holes 8a and 8b are aligned, both with each other and with channel 5, a dowel (not shown) can be fed through

channel 5 and located in aligned holes 8a and 8b of tubular clamping members 3a and 3b in order to lock the upper removable part 2a, essentially, to the spike 1. This means that spike 1 is then directly connected to the upper removable part 2a. In use, the lower part 2b supports part 2a and functions as a spacer.

A screw thread can be tapped into the inner surface of at least the outer most end of the dowel so a bolt can be screwed into it. Alternatively, a screw thread can be tapped into the outer surface of at least the outer most end of the dowel so that a nut can be screwed onto it. The dowel can thus be easily placed and removed.

For example, in order to remove the upper part 2a from lower base part 2b a removable tool incorporating a bolt at its outer most end is inserted into channel

5 and located by a turning action in the outer most ends of the dowel. Then as the tool is withdrawn from the channel 5 the dowel is also withdrawn. This means that members 3a and 3b can be removed thereapart and thus upper part 2a can be removed from lower part 2b.

If preferred, a plug or the like may be provided in order to conceal the entrance to channel 5 in an upstanding edge of lower base part 2b. Such a plug would prevent debris or the like blocking channel 5.

Although the invention has been described with specific reference to a single spike and a single set of clamping members 3a and 3b and associated parts it is within the scope of the invention to provide a composite structure including a multitude of such anchoring devices, thus ensuring that, for larger structures for example, such structures are firmly anchored within the ground at a multitude of sites.

In addition, although the invention has been described with reference to a channel

5 extended horizontally and outwardly from a central through bore 9 it is within the scope of the invention too provide a channel 5 which may be at an angle or

even circuitous so long as it reaches from through bore 9 to outer accessible part of base 2b. In the instance where the route is circuitous it would be apparent that a flexible removal tool will be required.

The structure described in this document is inherently resistant to toppling over because the spike that is located within the ground, acts a lever pushing against the ground and resisting a toppling motion. In addition, it will be apparent that whilst providing a monument of sufficient stability, the invention provides that a part of the monument, typically the headstone, can be removed quickly and easily for repair or the like and subsequently replaced at a later date.