Abstract:
A leveling bed assembly for a casket includes a support member having a first end and a second end. The support member pivots allowing the first end of the support member to be raised from a level position to a raised position. A support stop is in contact with the second end of the support member. A spring member is attached to the first end of the support member. The spring member flexes when the first end of the support member is in the raised position. A post supports the flexed spring member in the raised position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to caskets. More specifically, the invention is directed to a leveling bed for a casket. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Caskets are used for the interment of the bodies of deceased persons. Before interment, the body of the deceased is typically displayed for the benefit of loved ones at a funeral. When the body is displayed, it is highly desirable that the body be presented within the casket in a respectful manner. According, the upper torso and head of the deceased is often raised so that the body can be easily viewed. When the viewing of the body is completed, the upper torso and head of the body are lowered to a level position within the casket. 
   Within the casket, the body of the deceased rests on a bed. Raising and lowering the upper torso and head of the body is accomplished by raising and lowering a portion of the bed. Raising and lowering of a portion of the bed should be accomplished quickly and with a minimum of effort. Raising and lowering of a portion of the bed should also be accomplished with minimum disruption to the body of the deceased. Further, raising and lowering of a portion of the bed should be accomplished by a cost effective mechanism. The invention provides such a casket leveling bed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A leveling bed assembly for a casket includes a support member having a first end and a second end. The support member pivots allowing the first end of the support member to be raised from a level position to a raised position. 
   A support stop is in contact with the second end of the support member. 
   A spring member is attached to the first end of the support member. The spring member flexes when the first end of the support member is in the raised position. 
   A post supports the flexed spring member in the raised position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view, partially in cross section, of a casket leveling bed according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an expanded front view, partially in cross section, of a portion of the casket leveling bed; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a casket leveling bed  10  is positioned within a casket, indicated generally at  12 . The casket  12  has a left side  14 , a bottom  16 , a back  18  and a plurality of joint rails  20 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the casket leveling bed  10  includes a support member  22 , a support stop  24 , a spring member  26 , a post  28 , and a post bracket  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the support member  22  is configured to support the weight of the upper torso and head of the displayed body and has a thickness t 1 . In this embodiment, the thickness t 1  is approximately ½ inch. In another embodiment, the thickness t 1  can be more or less than ½ inch. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member  22  is made of particleboard. In another embodiment, the support member  22  can be made of other materials. Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the support member  22  has a first end  32  and a second end  34 . The first end  32  of the support member  22  includes a lower surface  36 . Optionally, the support member  22  can be covered with padding and fabric (not shown) for a desired presentation of the deceased within the casket  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support stop  24  is attached to the bottom  16  of the casket  12 . The support stop  24  includes a pivot surface  38  against which the second end  34  of the support member  22  is butted. In this embodiment, the support stop  24  is a wood rail, having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and extending substantially perpendicular across the bottom  16 . In another embodiment, the support stop  24  can be made of another material and can have another cross-sectional shape sufficient to provide a pivot surface  38  against which the second end  24  of the support member  22  is butted. In operation, as the second end  34  of the support member  22  pivots against the pivoting surface  38  of the support stop  24 , the first end  32  of the support member  22  is raised from a level position P 1  to a raised position P 2 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the casket leveling bed  10  includes a spring member  26 . The spring member  26  is configured to move relative to the post  28  and flex against the post  28  when the support member  22  is in the raised position P 2  as will be explained in more detail later. In this embodiment, the spring member  26  is made of spring steel. In another embodiment, the spring member  26  can be made of another material, such as for example a polymer, sufficient to flex as will be explained. The spring member  26  includes an attachment section  40 , a latch section  44  and a handle section  46 . In this embodiment, the attachment section  40  of the spring member  26  is substantially flat and attaches to the lower surface  36  of the first end  32  of the support member  22 . One or more fastening devices  47  attach the attachment section  40  to the lower surface  36  through corresponding apertures  48  in the attachment section  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening devices  47  are wood screws. Alternatively, the fastening devices  47  can be other fastening mechanisms, such as for example clips, clamps or adhesives, sufficient to attach the attachment section  40  to the lower surface  36  of the first end  32  of the support member  22 . 
   As further shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the spring member  26  includes latch section  44 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the latch section  44  includes slot  50 . Slot  50  has a slot width Sw and a slot length SL. As will be explained later in more detail, the slot  50  is configured to receive the post  28  and allow the spring member  26  to flex against the post  28 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the spring member  26  includes handle section  46 . The handle section  46  is configured to allow a user to grip the spring member  26  to raise and lower the support member  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle section  46  has an arcuate cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the handle section  46  can have other cross-sectional shapes, such as for example a flat cross-sectional shape, sufficient to allow a user to grip the spring member  26  to raise and lower the support member  22 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the post  28  includes a post shaft  52  and a post attachment section  54 . The post shaft  52  slides within the slot  50  of the spring arm  26 . The post shaft  52  further provides vertical support for the support member  22  when the support member  22  is pivoted to the raised position P 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the post  28  is a machine screw and the post shaft  52  is the unthreaded portion of the machine screw. In another embodiment, the post  28  can be other structures or devices, such as for example a rod, sufficient to slide within the slot  50  of the spring arm  26  and provide vertical support for the support member  22  when the support member  22  is rotated to the raised position P 2 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the post attachment section  54  of the post  28  attaches to the post bracket  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the post attachment section  54  is the threaded portion of the post  28 . The attachment section  54  threads into a threaded aperture  56  in the post bracket  30 . In another embodiment, the post  28  can be attached to the post bracket  30  in another manner. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the post bracket  30  includes mounting flanges  60 . The mounting flanges  60  include one or more mounting apertures  62 . The post bracket is attached to the casket bottom  16  by mounting screws  64 . In another embodiment, the post bracket  30  can be attached to the casket bottom  16  by other devices, such as for example clips, clamps or adhesives. 
   In operation, the casket leveling bed  10  is initially in level position P 1 . The body of the displayed body is positioned within the casket  12 . The head and torso of the body are positioned on the support member  22  such that the head is at the first end  32  of the support member  22 . To facilitate viewing of the deceased, the handle section  46  of the spring member  26  is raised. Raising the handle section  46  to raised position P 2  causes the second end  34  of the support member  22  to pivot against the pivot surface  38  of the support stop  24 . Once the support member  22  is in raised position P 2 , the weight of the displayed body causes the spring member  26  to flex at the slot  50 . Flexing of the spring member  26  at the slot  50  causes the spring member  26  to wedge against the post shaft  52  thereby securely holding the support member  22  in raised position P 2 . The support member  22  can be lowered from raised position P 2  by further raising the handle section  46  to disengage the spring member  26  from the post shaft  52 . 
   While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments, but that the invention shall include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.