US2503293A - Metal burial casket - Google Patents

Description

F. T.- PADEN METAL BURIAL CASKET April 11, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1946 T r-r-rw- A ril 11,, 1950 F. T. PADEN METAL BURIAL CASKET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 8, 1946 l' atented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL BURIAL CASKET Frederick T. Paden, Collingswood, N. J

Application October 8, 1946, Serial No. 701,861

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) 9 Claims.

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a metallic receptacle, and more particularly, to a metallic burial casket of seamless construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sheet metal seamless burial casket having a bottom convexed downwardly and a sheet metal cradle structure for attachment to the convexed bottom to support same on a flat surface.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sheet metal cradle structure in association with a receptacle having a curved bottom in which the cradle structure has portions lying in the curvature of the receptacle bottom and other intermediate portions below said first-mentioned portions and lying in a flat plane.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sheet metal cradle structure for use with a receptacle of the casket type having a curved bottom and in which the ends of the cradle are formed to present a combined handheld and molding structure.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a sheet metal cradle structure for attachment to a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom and in which the cradle has upper portions normally lying in a curvature of greater convexity than that of the receptacle bottom, and in which the cradle is sufficiently resilient so that when the cradle is secured to the receptacle bottom, it will be forced into position so that all of its upper portions will be pressed against the receptacle for engaging and supporting said receptacle.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for a sheet metal cradle for attachment to a receptacle having a bottom downwardly convexed, and in which the cradle is provided with a molding at each of its ends, and in which a space for fingers is provided adjacent each molding, and in which the finger spaces provide access to the means of securing the cradle to the receptacle bottom.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following detailed description and will be pointed out particularly in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the metallic receptacle of this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the metallic receptacle of this invention;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view thereof, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view showing the means for securing the cradle structure to the receptacle body. 7

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the receptacle or casket of this invention is composed of a main body portion l of seamless sheet metal construction and which is preferably formed by deep stamping of a unitary sheet. At the bottom of the main body portion I there is provided a supporting cradle denoted generally by reference numeral 2, also of stamped sheet metal construction. The lid (not shown) is also preferably formed by stamping. As shown in Figure 1, the sides of the receptacle body I are provided with suitable hand rails 4 secured in brackets 5 suitably secured to the exterior of the body I. The design of the hand rail bracket structure and the general design of the casket shown in Figure 1 are covered in co-pendingdesign applications, Serial Nos. D-131,670, D131,671, and D-131,672, all filed July 18, 1946. Application Serial No. D-131,670 is now Patent No. Des. 153,165 and application Serial No. D-131 ,672 is now Patent No. Des. 153,166, both dated March 22, 1949, and application Serial No. D13l,671 is abandoned. The upholstery shown in Figure 2 is of conventional type and forms no part of the present invention.

As clearly shown in Figure 4, the cradle structure 2, formed of resilient sheet metal construction, is provided with a central upper rib or protuberance 6 and side upper ribs or protuberances 1 for directly engaging the convex bottom 8 of the main body I. When the cradle is in secured position as shown in Figure 4, the ribs or pro- 4 tuberances 6 and l have the same convexit as the bottom 3 of the casket body so as to provide a substantial supporting surface. To enable the cradle 2 to be positioned on a fiat horizontal surface, it is provided With intermediate lower ribs or protuberances 9 positioned between and below the ribs or protuberances 6 and 1 and lying in a substantially horizontal plane. These ribs or protuberances 6 and I, extend throughout the length of the cradle and across the ends thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 3. The outer ends of the cradle 2 are provided with moldings in formed by extending the sheet metal of cradle 2 downwardly and outwardly, and then upwardly and inwardly, as shown in Figure 4. Although the cradle 2 is illustrated as being formed of separate sections each of which may be easily stamped and which sections are connected together at the base of the molding I0, it is within the scope of this invention to form cradle 2 of a single sheet of metal, The molding l extends continuously around the cradle and if desired can be made of several lengthwise sections suitably joined together. The extreme ends of the cradle 2 are inturned under the body I asat II, the portions ll being adapted to closely engage the portions [2 of the body I, which portions [2 are concaved downwardly and interconnect the walls l3. and the downwardly convex bottom 8 of the body I. To secure the cradle 2 tothe bottom of the casket body, there is provided a plurality of stud bolts 14' at s'p'aced intervals around the bottom 8 and welded to the exterior of the bottom 8, as shown in detail in Figure 5. It is to be noted that the bolts U! do not pierce themain body of the casket and thus the seal-tight character of the casket body is not destroyed by the securing means for the cradle 2. To complete the securing means, for each bolt f4, there is provided a threaded nut l5 which threads onto the bolt 14 passing through an' opening 16 in the cradle 2 at portion 1 thereof. Th'e'securing means, [5 are provided at spaced intervals along the casket to provide for firm engage'ment between the cradle 2 and the bottom of 'the'cask'et body.

In order to provide for a tight fit between the cradle'and the casket body, the cradle 2 is formed with'th'e portions 6, I, and H thereof normally lying in a curvature of greater convexity than thatof the bottom of a casket body so that when the portions 6' and I! contact the bottom of the casket body, the portions 1 will lie in slightly s'pa'c'ed"relationshipfrom the bottom of the casket body. Ihen when the nuts 15 are threaded tight- 13; onto the bolts l4, the portions 1. of the cradle will be carried up tightly against the bottom of the casket, and due to the resilient structure of the sheet 'metal cradle 2, this will force portions 6 and H more tightly against the bottom of the calsket'body to form'a wedge orpress fit. In order to facilitate shipping the caskets or receptacles in a shipping case or crate, there are provided a number of studs I! which are tapped to receive any suitable shipping bolt for tying the casket or receptacledownin the shipping case or crate.

The upper portions of the walls l3 0f the main body I are bent outwardly to form an endless flange [8 around the opening to the body I. The outer extremity of the flange i8 is down-turned at [9, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. Also, the flange I8 is provided with an upwardly formed bead 20 for sealing purposes. In order to reinforce the flange [8, a reinforcing angle or angles 2| are provided all around the body I, as shown in Figure 4. The angles 2! having their horiz'ontal portions 22 suitably secured as by welding or by mechanical means to the under surface of the flange 18. The down-turned Portion i9 of the flange i8 is bent over the reinforcing angles 2|, as illustrated. The vertical portions 23 of the angles 21 extend downwardly and are positioned outwardly of the horizontal portions 22 and are spaced from the walls I3 of the body portion I, as shown in Figure 4. An upper molding 24 extends continuously around the upper portion of the casket body I. If desired, the molding 24 can be made of either a single or several longitudinal sections suitably joined together to encircle the body I.

It is evident that applicant has provided a seamless receptacle or casket of sheet metal construction which has a deep stamped main body which is rounded transversely; that the cradle structure 2 which is also stamped from sheet metal is provided with upwardly extending ribs or protuberances arranged in the form of an arc to snugly receive the rounded bottom of the body portion; that it is also provided with downwardly directed ribs or protuberances which adapt it to be supported on flat surfaces, and that the cradle structure specifically provides for a lower molding ID in keeping with the upper molding 24, and which lower molding is provided with a finger space behind it so that it may be used as a handhold. It is also apparent that applicant has provided a receptacle or casket construction of lightweight and durable design which may be-readily stamped from sheet metal on a mass production basis.

Though this invention is particularl applicable to metallic caskets, it is not limited thereto since the features of this invention are equally applicable to other metallic receptacles or receptacles made of other materials such as wood, plastics, etc., and the use of the term casket, as used in the specification and claims, should be read to cover other types of receptacles as well.

While the invention has been described in more or less detail, it is not to be limited thereby as changes maybe made in the form, arrangement and construction of parts, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

No claim is made in this application to the structure of the joint between the body and closure of the casket as this has been made the subject matter of a divisional application, Serial No. 27,812, filed on May 18, 1948, and now Patent No. 2,494,577, dated January 17,1950.

I claim:

1. In combination with a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom, a cradle structure of sheet metal'having ribs contacting the receptacle bottom at spaced intervals for support, at least one rib intermediate said first-mentioned ribs and adaptedto contact the-ground ora floor, and end ribs constituting handhoids to facilitate carrying the cradle and receptacle.

2. In combination with a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom, a cradle structure of sheet metal comprising spacedrib's contacting the receptacle bottom at spaced intervals for support and having a curvature conforming substantially to the curvature of the'receptacie bottom, at least one rib intermediate and below said first-mentioned ribs adapted to lie in a flat plane for contacting the ground or a floor, and end ribs formed to provide combined handholds and molding.

3. In combination with a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom, a cradle structure of sheet metal comprising spaced ribs lyingin a curve substantially coinciding with the curve of the receptacle bottom and contacting said receptacle bottom, ribs intermediate and below said first-mentioned ribs and lying in a flat plane for contacting any horizontal support, and an end portion at each end of the cradle interconnectig the first-mentioned ribs and forming a combined molding and handheld.

4. In combination with a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom, a cradle structure of resilient sheet metal comprising spaced ribs lying in the curve of said receptacle bottom, and at least one rib intermediate and below said firstmentioned ribs forming a support for said cradle, said sheet'metal being sufficiently resilient whereby it may be sprung into position with all of said first-mentioned ribs contacting the receptacle bottom for attachment thereto.

5. In combination with a receptacle Whose bottom presents a cross-section generally downwardly convexed and merging into small end regions downwardly concaved, a cradle structure of resilient sheet metal having spaced ribs lying in the curvature of the receptacle bottom for supporting. said receptacle bottom, at least one rib intermediate and below said first-mentioned ribs and forming a cradle support, and end ribs forming combined molding and handholds and having inturned extremities for engaging said concave regions of said receptacle bottom.

6. In combination with a receptacle whose bottom presents a cross-section generally downwardly convexed and merging into small downwardly concaved end regions, a cradle structure of sheet metal comprising spaced ribs lying in the curve'of said receptacle bottom, at least One rib intermediate and below said first-mentioned ribs forming a support for said cradle, and end ribs having inturned extremities, said sheet metal being sufliciently resilient whereby it may be sprung into position with all of said first-mentioned ribs contacting the receptacle bottom and with said inturned extremities fitting into said concaved regions.

7, In combination with a receptacle whose bottom presents a cross-section generally downwardly convexed, a cradle structure of sheet metal comprising spaced ribs contacting said receptacle bottom for support of said bottom, at least one rib intermediate and below said firstmentioned ribs forming a support for said cradle, and a molding formed at each of the extremities of said sheet metal, each of said moldings being spaced from said second-mentioned rib to provide finger spaces when said moldings are used as handholds.

8. In combination with a casket whose bottom presents a cross-section generally downwardly convexed, a cradle structure of sheet metal comprising spaced ribs contacting said casket bottom for support of said bottom, at least one rib intermediate and below said first-mentioned ribs forming a support for said cradle, and a molding formed at each of the extremities of said sheet metal cradle, and means for securing the outermost of said first-mentioned ribs to the casket bottom, each of said moldings being spaced from said second-mentioned rib to provide finger spaces when said moldings are used as handholds, and said finger spaces being constructed and arranged to provide access to said means.

9. In combination with a receptacle having a downwardly convexed bottom, a cradle structure of sheet metal, a series of upwardly extending longitudinal ribs arranged in the'form of an are on said cradle and contacting the convex receptacle bottom at spaced intervals to support the same, and downwardly extending ribs intermediate said first-mentioned ribs and adapted to contact the ground or a floor.

FREDERICK T. PADEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 353,772 Baker Dec. '7, 1886 1,486,384 King Mar. 11, 1924 2,437,141 Wallace Mar. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 22,940 Austria Feb. 10, 1906

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