US2886963A - Monument - Google Patents

Description

May 19, 1959 c. NBERG'MANN i 2,886,963

n) Ihll/v'ENTOR. y 2 v Christian N. Bergmann BYMMNMM May 19,1959 C. N. BERGMA'NN l 2,886,963

MONUMENT Fiied April 1. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

m c m. ma e B uw n May 19,V 1959 l. c. NBERGMANN l2,8862963 MONUMENT Filed April l. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gigi 9 v l A l Christian N. Bergmann r wwgmd, M

May 19 1959 I c. N. BERGMANN 1 2,886,963

' MONUMENT Filed April 1. 1954 l v 4 sheets-sheet 4 34" INVENToR.

Christian N. Bergmann MoNUMENr Christian N. Bergmann, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Applicationnpril 1,1954, serial No. 420,426

4 claims. (cm2-7.1)

This invention relates to a monument. More particularly, it pertains to a prefabricated monument for use, for example, in connection with commemorations in the nature of burials, events of note and significant sites, which are to be preserved.

Heretofore, the preparation and installing of monuments of various kinds have been relatively laborious and expensive undertakings. In the case of burial monuments, as an illustration, the phenomenon of ground sinking has often required the resetting of those monuments. In other cases where the ground has been sloping, satisfactory treatment to cope with terrain of that nature has not been readily available. Still further, the problem of maintenance upkeep, and where attempted, the problem of decoration, have involved other diiiiculties for which there have not been wholly satisfactory solutions.

In this invention, the foregoing diiculties have been overcome. Thus, I provide a new monument which may readily be prefabricated, which is relatively light in Weight and inexpensive, which is not subject to other problems and diiculties heretofore attendant upon the construction, installation and/ or maintenance of such monuments. More especially, my new monument and its novel markers are not subject to earth movement in the manner of prior practices, and further, are readily adaptable not only to level ground but also to ground which slopes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be nited States Patent apparent from the following description and from the drawings, which are illustrative only, in which Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal median section of one embodiment of a new monument of this invention including a new head marker and a new bed marker on a relatively level ground site in supported combination with Figure 3 is a front View of a head marker like that shown in the embodiment of Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a section view of the new head marker shown in Figure 3 taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a new bed marker of this invention like that included in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the new bed marker of Figure 5 taken along line VI--VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view in vertical median section, taken along line VII-VII of Figure 7A, of a new head marker of this invention prepared for use with a stone commemorative member;

Figure 7A is a plan view of the new structure shown in Figure 7;

Figure 8 is a view of a further embodiment of this invention, partly in longitudinal median section, illustrating a new monument made of ceramic material in use on relatively level ground;

Figure 9 is a view of an embodiment of this invention ice like that shown in Figure 8 adjusted for use on sloping ground;

Figure 10 is a front view of the new head marker of the kind illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of the new head marker shown in Figure 10 taken along line XI--XI of Figure l0;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a new bed marker of this invention of the kind shown in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8 and 9; and r Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of the new bed marker shown in Figure 12 taken along line XIII- XIII of Figure 12, and further, mounted on sloping ground by itself in the manner shown in Figure 9, to serve as a monument.

In the embodiment of my new monument 10 shown in Figure l, there is a novel head marker 11 and a novel bed marker 12 which may be placed in juxtaposition, as shown, to form the monument 10. A subsurface base 13, which may comprise a burial vault or a subsurface slab or block, for example, is provided beneath monument 10. Base 13, in areas having frost, is preferably placed below the frost line. Thereby, the ground heaving which usually takes place in the spring of the year in such areas, would not affect the installation position of the base 13.

Upwardly extending rigid supports 14 are provided between base 13 and head marker 11. Further upwardly extending rigid supports 15 are provided between base 13 and bed marker 12. In the embodiment shown, supports 14 and 15 have lower sections bolted to base 13 by bolts 16 and upper sections bolted to head marker 11 by bolts 17. In the case of supports 14, and in the case of supports 15, the upper sections thereofare bolted respectively to bed `marker 12 by bolts 18. The bolts 17 and 18 by any of a variety of recognizable ways may have the outer ends thereof in countersunk recesses in the respective markers 11 and 12, or theymay be attached to internal brackets on the markers 11 and 12 so that no portion of the bolts 17 and 18 appear on the outside of the monument 10. On the other hand, the outer ends of the bolts 17 and 18 may be decorative in nature, such as being provided with rosette heads for appearance, for

use in such a manner as to show on the exterior of monu-` ment 10 with a pleasing appearance.

The upper and lower sections respectively of the supports 14 and of the supports 1S are each drilled in the overlap areas thereof with a vertical series of holes 19. Hence, after adjusting the extent of overlap between the adjoining section ends in each of the supports, bolts 20 may be employed to pass through the respectively registering sets of holes 19 to ix the respective heights of head marker 11 and of bed marker 12 relative to base 13, and, also relative to one another. In the case of a grave, the assembling and supporting of the new monument 10 is readily performed while the grave is still open. Once performed, monument 10 is lixed in place and remains un` disturbed in proper commemorative position as originally installed irrespective of the heavings of the earth, the surface of which is relatively level in the illustration of Figure l as indicated by line 21.

Generally, a grave opening such as that illustrated in Figure 1 will be filled in after the burial, the closure of the cover on vault 13 and the aliixation of at least the supports 14 and 15. On the other hand, bed marker 12 may be provided with an open center 21a through which such filling-in may take place if desired. The open center 21a then will preferably be used for decoration by means of planting or other decorative treatment.

The new head marker 11 includes, in the illustrated embodiment of Figures l and 2, a shell 22.. That shell may be stamped, for example, on a suitable press out of a material like steel which is clad with copper or bronze for weather resistance and appearance. The shell may comprise a plinth portion shown as skirt 23 in the lower portion of the marker 11 and, simply as an illustration, a pillow-shaped memorial portion 24 in the upper part of the marker 11. ln the stamping operation, an embossed plate surface 25 may be formed to constitute a commemorative member on which letters may -be affixed to designate the event for which the marker is employed. Or, commemorative member 25 may be engraved or stamped with such letters and numerals as required to form a permanent record. The advantages of such a new head marker are legion in terms of relatively low cost, enduring quality, lightness of weight, readyl assembly and installation, and permanent positioning through the medium of base 13 and supports 14.

Supports 14 have the upper ends of the upper sections fastened to the inside of the skirt portion 23 of marker 11 as described above. A recess 26 extends across the front of the 'lower portion of the front reach of skirt 23 to form an inter-fitting space for head end 27 of a new bed marker 12. A neoprene lip 28 may be employed around the edge of recess 26 to substantially seal off any space between head end 27 and the edges of recess 26 when a bed marker 12 is placed in juxtaposition with head marker 11 as shown in, for example, Figure l or Figure 2.

Registering holes 29 and 30 respectively in the head and bed markers may be engaged by a pivot bolt 31, if desired, to dellectively connect a new head marker 11 and a `new bed marker 12 in accordance with the respective installation adjustments of supports 14 and 1S. The sides of the lower portion of a head marker 11 may have wings attached thereto to extend forwardly in the form of shields 32 to overlap the sides of the head end 27 of bed marker 12 and thereby present a finished appearance in a monument having both a head marker and a bed marker. The shields 32 may 'be constructed so as to be operative with adjoining portions of head end 27, such adjoining portions to be laterally depressed if desired so that the entire length of each side of monument 10 will be iiush.

The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is like the embodiment shown in Figure l and therefore the portions thereof that are illustrated have been given the same reference numeral as the elements illustrated in Figure l. However, in the case of the employment of monument 10 on sloping ground 33 as shown in Figure 2, supports 15, in Figure 2, are correspondingly adjusted so that the longitudinal axis of the bed marker 12 may be deflected to conform to such slope 33, the axes of the bolts 18 in bed marker 12 and of bolts 31 acting as pivot points in order to realize such appropriate deection.

The embodiment employed as illustrated in Figure 2 represents a marked advance and enables hilly terrain to be readily used for burials or to have events connected therewith properly commemorated without employment of extraordinary devices heretofore deemed necessary because of such sloping terrain. At the same time, the

open center 21a of the embodiment used in the position shown in Figure 2 lends itself to the planting of flowers or ground cover materials which yield an attractive appearance which is a vast improvement over the unkempt look of so many present day memorial areas. In the last-mentioned connection, further, the new monument shown in Figures l and 2, for example, makes the trimming of grass growing around them a simple matter since the outside of the monument at the level of the ground surface acts in the nature of a continuous guide for grass edge cutting whenever such may become necessary.

The new bed marker 12 illustrated in Figures l and 2 is further illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. It comprises a Imember which is readily stamped out of the same material as the material in head marker 11. In section, the bed marker has an inverted J-shape or L-shape, generaflly speaking, the longer leg lbeing an outer plinth portion wall 34 and the shorter leg being an inner Wall 35 joined by a top integral connecting portion 36. Thus in position, the ground comes up at least to the bottom edge of inner wall 3S, which inner wall forms the open center 21a described above.

In the embodiment of bed marker 12 that is shown, the head end 27 is cut away at 37 between the sides to facilitate prefabrication as by means of a stampi-ng operation. If the outer wall 34 at the head end 27 of bed marker 12 is brought down to the lower edge of the remainder of outer wall 34 thereof, then such outer wall 34 at the head end would be a vertical wall rather than being cut back as shown at 37 to facilitate deflection of a nature 'like that illustrated, for example, in Figure 2. The placement of the nearer supports 14 to head end 27 of ybed marker 12, is not critical in the event that bed marker 12 extends into recess 26 to a greater extent than is illustrated in Figures l and 2. The horizontal edge of recess 26 preferably extends across top 36 at head end 27 so that all of the open center 21a is exposed when a monument 1G is provided.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 7A is composite in nature and illustrates a new head marker in which parts corresponding generally in character and functioning to those of head marker 11 are given the same reference numerals with the addition of a prime factor thereto. Thus, a lower portion constituting shell 22 may be formed so as to be rectangular in plan, a longitudinal median section being shown in Figure 7. The shell 22 is rigidly supported by attachment to the upper sections of adjustable supports 14. However, shell 22' is provided with an outer skirt 23 and an inner wall 38 leaving an open center 39. The inner wall is stepped hack at 40 to provide an annular shelf to support a stone 41, for example, Which may be of granite. A hard-setting caulking material 42 may lbe interposed between wall 38, lledge 40 and headstone 41. Thereby, a feature of this invention with rigid support of shell 22 from a subsurface base (not illustrated) is utilizable with a conventional commemorative member 41 and irrespective of any heaving or settling of the earth, the member 41 permanently remains in its originally installed position.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 8 in general character and functioning is like the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and the same reference numerals have been applied to such corresponding elements with the addition of a double prime factor thereto. ln the embodiment of Figure 8, a head -marker 11" and bed marker 12 are made for example, of a cast ceramic material like porcelain used for bathroom fixtures either as a solid shaped material or in the nature of a vitreous enamel material applied to a skeletal form. As shown, the elements of the new monument 10 in Figure 8, and in Figure 9 for that matter, are made of solid cast ceramic, the outer exposed surface of which may be glazed if desired and colored to whatever pigmentation is deemed suitable. Plate 25" may be a bronze commemorative member affixed to the upper portion of head marker 11" by suitable bolts 43 having decorative outer ends. Monument 10 as used in the position shown in Figure 8 with relatively level ground 21" is provided with rigid supports 14" and 15" which may simply be lengths of pipe screwed into iianges 44 which in turn are fastened to base 13". The upper ends of the supports 14" and 15 which are cut to suitable length, tit into sockets 44 in head marker 11 and into sockets 45 in bed marker 12, such sockets being prefabricated at the time of the casting of the respective new markers 11 and 12". The sockets may be filled with a caulking material to set hard after insertion of the supports to bond them to the markers. The material of the new markers 11" and 12 is heavy enough to endure accidental blows and whatever usage to which they are subjected without damage or loss of their attractive character. In the placement of head end 27 into recess 26, caulking 46 may be employed at the front of skirt 23" between the lower edge thereof and the top 36" of bed marker 12". On the other hand, such caulking is not necessary particularly when the parts are made to interiit with relatively narrow spacings between them.

In the construction of Figure 9, a monument like that shown in Figure 8 is employed. However, inasmuch as the ground line 33 is sloping, supports 14a and 15a are employed. Such supports are made with adjustable telescoping pipe members with registering holes 47 and 48 respectively in the overlapping sections thereof in each of the sets of supports 14"a and 15a. The sockets 45 are so made that they diverge in a downwardly extending direction whereby, as shown in Figure 9, bed marker 12 may assume the slope of ground 33" in accordance with the setting of the respective supports 15a at the head end 27" and at the toot end 48 of bed member 12" as shown in Figure 9. The outer wall 34" at the head end 27 is substantially arcuate for ease of deiiection adjustment to conform to a slope 33". The advantages inuring to open center 21a and to the general construction and functioning of the new monument 10 are comparable to those described above in connection with monument 10.

With some soils and in some climes, earth surface movement is negligible. In such situations the new monument of this invention including a new head marker and a new bed marker may be provided without any supports being necessary on the selected site. Features of my invention would still be present and utilized, for example, in the application of my new monument without such supports to sloping ground and in the presence in the new bed marker of the open center for use as a filling opening, or for decorative utilization, or both. Still further in all such new head markers, the commemorative plaque may be removably attached over an opening through the new head marker, which opening may also be utilized as a lling opening if desired in connection, for example, with a grave iilling operation. As will also be evident, my new monument may be constructed as a single integral monument having both a new head marker and a new bed marker therein.

Although the new markers of this invention have been described as being readily made out of metal or ceramic materials, with the present-day growth of high strength plastic materials, the new monument of my invention and the markers thereof may also be made of such plastics ot' suitable strength characteristics. Further, although described in connection with a burial monument, this invention is applicable to a host of commemorative monuments or markers for memorial or other purposes. Various features in the embodiments shown may be changed without departure from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A monument, compri-sing, in combination, a subterranean base, a head marker in separated relation to said base, rigid members extending between said base and said head marker to iix the position of said head marker, a bed marker adjacent said head marker and in separated relation to said base, said bed marker being placed in aligned juxtaposition to said head marker, subsurface rigid members extending between said base and said bed marker to tix the position of said bed marker, said markers interiitting to provide a continuous uninterrupted monument surface, at least said last-mentioned rigid members being adjustable n height, whereby said bed marker may be deflected to conform. to a slope on which said monument may be placed.

2. A monument, comprising, in combination, an area base below any annual season earth movement line, a head marker, a commemorative member supported by said head marker, adjustable rigid supports extending between said base and `said head marker, said head marker having a recess, a bed marker having an end extending into said recess in relatively close fitting relation thereto, a pivotal connection between said head marker and bed marker to enable said bed marker to be.` adjusted to a deflected position relative to said head marker while said end substantially remains in said recess a suicient distance to provide a continuous monument without interruption between said markers, and adjustable rigid supports extending between said base and said bed marker.

3. A monument, comprising, in combination, a level subsurface area base such as the top of a burial vault or the like, upwardly extending rigid supports fastened to said base, a Ihead marker supported by said rigid supports in spaced higher relation to said base, said head marker having a skirt extending downwardly at least to the surface of the ground upon which said monument is located and a commemorative member above said ground and a recess, a bed marker having a head end fitting `generally horizontally into said recess in fixed but deectable relation to said head marker, said markers being interfitted and interconnected to provide a continuous, uninterrupted monument, further upwardly extending rigid supports fastened to said base, said further rigid supports supporting said bed marker in fixed position relative to said head marker and in spaced higher relation to said base, said bed marker having an outer wall extending downwardly atleast to the surface of said ground, said bed marker further having an inner wall defining an open center for decorative planting, and means for adjusting the height of said respective supports, whereby said monument is adapted to have said bed marker adjusted to conform to such slope as said ground may have.

4. A burial monument or the like, comprising, in combination, a head marker member having a plinth portion for engagement with the ground and an upper memorial portion, an elongated body member having a plinth portion for engagement with the ground, said members being generally grave-shaped in plan, one of said :members being recessed and the other of said members projecting into said recess for longitudinal angular adjustment between said members in accordance with the ground surface, and means for interconnecting said members to provide a substantially continuous, uninterruptedymonument surface above the level of the ground on which such burial monument is to be placed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 510,696 Mease Dec. 12, 1893 1,112,018 McGillivray Sept. 29, 1914 1,860,915 Whitman May 31, 1932 2,046,594 Walton July 7, 1936 2,383,787 Guenther Aug. 28, 1945 2,504,800 Campagna Apr. 18, 1950 2,611,570 Kroll Sept. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,350 Great Britain of 1892 539,168 France June 22, 1922

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