Abstract:
A tamper resistant apparatus for removable retention of a memorial marker such as those found at a grave site. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism housed within a cylinder. The cylinder has a cover intended for use exposed to the environment. The cylinder is attached to a footing plate that provides lateral stability during placement of the apparatus in the ground. Horizontal gripping within the ground is provided by a helical anchor attached to the footing plate. The locking mechanism includes a latch which may be moved into and out of a notch in the post of the memorial marker to respectively retain and release the marker from the apparatus.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to locking mechanisms providing tamper resistance and theft protection for post mounted plaques. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the art of memorial markers such as those utilized in grave sites, vandalism and theft are unfortunate occurrences. While grave stones are relatively large and difficult to move, smaller markers tend to be more susceptible to vandalism and theft. In particular, there are certain memorial markers which may have inherent value in terms of the materials from which they are fabricated. One such memorial marker is a metallic medallion. Typically mounted upon a cylindrical metal post, such medallions used in a grave setting commemorate various notable things related to the deceased such as, but not limited to, veteran status, nationality, religious denomination, or the like. Such medallions of course may be used in settings other than a grave setting. One common aspect of any such medallions is their commemorative value or inherent material value in terms of the metal (e.g., bronze, copper, etc.) from which they are fabricated. 
     One existing post-mounted memorial marker is U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,178 granted to Rivard on Oct. 3, 1995. Rivard provides a medallion for memorializing an individual having a plaque or medallion marker which is serially stackable and rotatably mountable onto a stake, rod or post for insertion into the ground or other base material. A second medallion and subsequently additional medallions may be stackably mounted onto stacking rods. The additional medallions may stackably mount at angles from the vertical direction as measured from the top of the medallion. The medallion/markers may be used typically at grave sites or may be used to identify any region or site. The material is of such composition and finish so as to withstand weathering and to substantially retain the original aesthetic. Rivard further provides a locking mechanism in terms of holes related to a shackle-type of lock to retain the post upon which the medallion(s) are mounted. This type of locking mechanism is highly visible and commonly susceptible to bolt cutters and the like. 
     It is, therefore, desirable to provide a robust mechanism both tamper resistant, yet easily lockable and unlockable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of previous known memorial marker retention devices. 
     In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, the apparatus including: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of the cover; a locking mechanism attached to the cover at the center; a footing plate including a recess aligned with the aperture; an elongated anchor connected to the plate; and a canister connecting the cover to the footing plate and providing an inner cavity within which the locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position for retention of the memorial marker and an unlocked position for release of the memorial marker. 
     In a further aspect, there is provided an apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, the apparatus including: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of the cover, the aperture including a removable plug therein; a footing plate including a recess aligned with the aperture; a locking mechanism attached to the cover at the center, the locking mechanism having a latch capable of movement into a notch of a post attached to the memorial marker so as to retain a portion of the post between the aperture and the recess; a helical anchor connected to the plate; and a canister connecting the cover to the footing plate and providing an inner cavity within which the locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position of the latch within the notch for retention of the memorial marker and an unlocked position of the latch out of the notch for release of the memorial marker. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures. 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of the present invention in place within the ground with an accompanying memorial marker (shown in silhouette) retained therein. 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away side view taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  and showing the present invention in place within the ground with the bottom post section of an accompanying memorial marker (shown in silhouette) retained therein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view from a top of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, the present invention provides an apparatus for securely mounting a memorial marker (i.e., plaques) in a substrate such as, but not limited to, earthen ground and including a locking mechanism. Such locking mechanism thus providing tamper resistance and theft protection for post mounted plaques. 
     With specific regard to  FIG. 1 , the present apparatus  100  includes a cover  10  formed preferably of chemically and sun resistant material, such as but not limited to, nylon or similarly durable polymer material. Although any suitable shape may be provided, the cover  10  is preferably circularly shaped in order to minimize the amount of exposed surface area. Such surface area being the portion of the apparatus  100  which is exposed above the ground surface  16 . It should therefore be understood that all remaining elements ( 11 ,  12 , and  13 ) of the present invention  100  are placed under the surface of the ground. 
     With continued regard to  FIG. 1 , those elements of the apparatus  100  normally situated underground include a helical anchor  13 , a footing plate  12 , and a canister  11 . 
     The canister  11  may be fabricated from a length of cylinder made of rust-resistant material suitable for ground contact and durable enough to resist frost pressure and incidental impact from being placed out of sight underground. Such expected incidental impact may be from pedestrian or machinery traffic such as, but not limited to, lawn maintenance staff and their vehicles (e.g., mowers). The canister  11  forms the housing for a locking mechanism (shown and described later with regard to  FIG. 2 ). 
     The cover  10  and topmost edge of the canister  11  are attached together in a suitable manner so as to substantially prevent entry of soil, dirt, or moisture into the inner cavity of the canister  11  where the locking mechanism resides. Though shown simply abutting for the sake of illustrative clarity, it should be understood that the footing plate  12  and bottommost edge of the canister  11  may be attached via screws from the bottom through the footing plate  12  into the canister  11  or any similarly removable manner. This removability facilitates access to the interior of the canister  11  for cleaning or maintenance of components (i.e., locking mechanism) located therein. If cleaning or maintenance is of no concern to manufacture—e.g., if the product embodying the invention is intended for no end-user access—then such connection of the footing plate  12  and canister  11  may of course be made via direct welding or some similarly durable and more permanent manner. The footing plate  12  is preferably fabricated from a material identical to the canister  11  such as, but not limited to, aluminum. 
     The footing plate  12  is enlarged in its horizontal surface area such that it provides lateral stability to the apparatus  100  when embedded beneath the ground. The footing plate  12  may be of any shape in order to accomplish this function. For ease of manufacture, one such suitable shape is as a square plate. However, alternative shapes may be provided other than a square shape and which may provide improved lateral stability at the expense of increased manufacturing costs. Any such alternative shape being well within the intended scope of the present invention. Likewise, thickness of the footing plate  12  is dictated by a combination of durability requirements, cost of manufacture, and the given material used. For example, a relatively lower thickness may be suitable for a stainless steel footing plate of a larger surface area, though a relatively higher thickness may be required in the same surface area fabricated from aluminum. 
     The helical anchor  13  is attached to the center of the footing plate  12  by any suitably durable method such as, but not limited to, direct welding or bolting via a through hole in the footing plate  12 . Structurally, the helical anchor  13  is formed as an elongated helical auger for screwing the apparatus into the ground. Like the cylinder  11  and footing plate  12 , the helical anchor  13  is fabricated from a suitably durable metal that allows a user to rotate the apparatus  100  into a depth of ground. The ground is of course a consideration in terms of the length of the helical anchor  13  and/or the length of the cylinder  11 . Possible factors considered in those lengths provided include the size and weight of the post  15  and marker  14  retained by the apparatus  100 , the relative hardness of the ground, and the slope of the ground surface. For example, a heavy marker  14  may require increased anchoring of a longer helical anchor  13 . Likewise, sandy soil may also require increased anchoring, whereas dense clay may facilitate use of only a relatively short helical anchor  13 . Still further, in situations of a sloped ground surface, the cylinder  11  may be lengthened sufficiently so as to ensure the entire footing plate  12  is below ground. In this manner, the given use may dictate the particular manufacturing specifications related to size and/or material used in fabrication. Any such variations being within the intended scope of the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the accompanying memorial marker  14  and post  15  are shown in silhouette as they may vary greatly in shape, size, and ornamentation. Indeed, the given marker retained within the present invention does not form part of the present invention. However, it should of course be understood that the present invention will require a post  15  of a certain diameter and including a notch corresponding to the latching device in the locking mechanism described further herein below. Any such notch within the post may of course be provided after manufacture of the post/marker. 
     With regard to  FIG. 2 , the present invention is shown as a cross section taken along line  2 - 2  as indicated in  FIG. 1 . Here, the cover  10 , footing plate  12 , and helical anchor  13  are again seen as before though an inner cavity of the canister  11  is now visible. Within such inner cavity is provided a locking mechanism  21  which actuates a latch  22  into and out of place within a notch  23  of the retained post  15 . The locking mechanism  21  may be provided as a common keyed latching device well known within the art of locks. Indeed, one familiar with office furniture drawer locks with a latch that moves in a 90 degree arc when keyed between locked and unlocked positions would readily understand the type of lock used in the present invention. Accordingly, no further description of the lock itself (e.g., internal tumbler, corresponding key, etc.) is deemed necessary herein. 
     In terms of the position as shown, it should be clear that the latch  22  is shown in the locked position as the latch  22  is situated within the notch  23  of the post  15  thus preventing displacement of the post  15 . Torqueing of the post is also prevented by way of a recess  25  in the footing plate  12 . The recess  25  is aligned with an aperture  24  in the cover  10  through which the post  15  passes. The aperture  24  is preferably a hole sized only slightly larger than the diameter of the given post  15 . In this arrangement, the post  15  is squarely retained within the apparatus. Unlocking, and therefore release of the post  15  from within the apparatus, occurs by movement of the latch  22  from the locked position (as shown) to the unlocked position (not shown) via a key (not shown). Once the latch  22  is removed from the notch  23 , it should be readily apparent that the post  15  is free to slide out of the aperture  24  thereby enabling removal of the marker from the ground. This may be advantageously accomplished, for example, prior to winter and accompanying snowfall, perhaps during times of lawn or headstone maintenance, or for replacement or repair of the marker itself. 
     It should be readily apparent through the description above that the inner workings of the locking mechanism  21  are retained within the cylinder below the level of the ground. This effectively prevents inadvertent damage from occurring to the latch  22  and likewise substantially reduces the opportunity for tampering and/or vandalism. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the cover  10  includes a groove  20  within which the topmost edge of the canister  11  is retained. This aids in reducing tampering because, as previously mentioned, only the top surface of the cover  10  is visible from the ground. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view from a top of the present invention. Here, the cover  10 , canister  11 , footing plate  12 , and helical anchor  13  are again shown. The keyhole of the locking mechanism  21  is also clearly discernible from this view. As mentioned before, the post may be removed from the apparatus. Here in  FIG. 3 , it should be noted that the post is not in place. Rather, a plug  24   a  is shown covering the aperture within the cover where the post would otherwise be situated. Although shown flush with the surface of the cover  10 , the plug  24   a  may be slightly raised in a bump-like manner depending upon the plug shape, size, and material used. In general, the plug  24   a  may be of any suitable material (e.g., polymer or rubber) for compression fitting within the hole so as to keep environmental concerns such as moisture or dirt from the inner workings of the locking mechanism when the post is not in place (e.g., during Winter or maintenance as previously mentioned). Similar to  FIG. 3 , the illustration of  FIG. 4  shows a top view of the present invention. Again, the cover  10 , canister  11 , footing plate  12 , helical anchor  13 , and locking mechanism  21  are shown. However, here, the plug is removed to reveal the hole  24 . This top view also illustrates the preferred ratio of footing plate  12  surface area relative to the exposed (i.e., above ground) portion of the cover  10  area. 
     The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.