Apparaturs and Method for Supporting Headstones

An apparatus for supporting headstones, including a rigid structure situated below the surface of the ground, and a plurality of sockets formed in the top of the rigid structure, wherein each of the sockets is formed to receive the lower end of a headstone and hold the headstones in an aligned position with respect to one another and with respect to the surface of the ground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for positioning headstones in conditions in which the headstones are susceptible to movement over time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Once headstones are set into the ground, they may shift, sink, and settle over time, thereby losing their orientation with respect to the ground and to surrounding headstones. Such movement, widely acknowledged as undesirable, arises from a variety of causes. Often, the headstone is placed in soil that has been filled into the gravesite. This soil is generally looser than the ground around it and over time it settles and erodes. Further, in instances in which a coffin is placed directly in the gravesite without a burial vault, the coffin itself is subject to deterioration. This causes the soil on top of and around the coffin to displace, thereby relieving support from around and beneath the headstone. Additionally, in nearly all parts of the U.S. there exists some depth in the ground above which the groundwater in the soil freezes and thaws. The soil above this “frost line” expands and contracts cyclically along with the freezing and thawing of the groundwater, causing the contours of the proximate ground—and headstones therein—to move. Forces from above the ground, too, can cause the movement of the ground and corresponding shifting of headstones. Heavy machinery required in the excavating of nearby gravesites can transmit enough vibration and force into the ground to cause shifting in the position of nearby headstones. Even smaller machinery and tools, when collided with headstones, for example, can provide sufficient impact to cause unwanted shifting and movement.

In spite of these improvements, however, certain limitations or deficiencies still exist. In general, each of these systems fails to provide for the alignment of several headstones to one another. Thus, not only would the alignment or re-alignment of a row, for example, require the excavation and application of the system for each headstone individually, the result would be a row of independently-fixed headstones which would lose their orientation with respect to one another over time. Thus the existing systems would require greater effort and cost yielding lesser results than the present system. The shortcomings of certain existing systems bear particular mention.

Dickenson, for example, is entirely limited to unusual instances in which the headstone is not set overtop of the casket or burial vault. Further, Dickenson is limited to single headstones. Thus, when multiple headstones in a row or newly laid or being raised and realigned together, Dickenson requires the separate excavation of each hole to accept each support.

In Murphy, each caisson supporting a single headstone must rest on two plinths. These plinths straddle the casket or burial vault to which the headstone corresponds. Where caissons are laid side by side, they share the plinth between them. Thus, where the distance between the caskets or vaults varies, each caisson must be a different length. Furthermore, would Murphy be used to recondition or raise and realign existing headstones, the excavation process must be done very carefully and precisely, digging down to the level of the bottom of the casket on each side of the casket. Thus, the excavation process would be time consuming and expensive, and presents the increased possibility of damaging the existing casket or vault. Furthermore, each plinth in Murphy is freestanding, but potentially shared by two caissons. Thus, if any plinth sustains damage, repairing or replacing the single plinth would require the disturbing of two caissons, and hence, two headstones.

Notably, in addition to their other shortcomings, no existing system permits a row of headstones to be supported and aligned with respect to one another. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved systems that address the mentioned deficiencies in structures for stably supporting and aligning headstones. The present invention provides solutions to these and other limitations of the devices known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for supporting headstones, comprising: (i) a rigid structure situated below the surface of the ground; and (ii) a plurality of sockets formed in the top of the rigid structure, wherein each of the sockets is formed to receive the lower end of a headstone and hold the headstones in an aligned position with respect to one another and with respect to the surface of the ground.

Preferably, a plurality of blocks are situated below the surface of the ground with a socket formed in the top of each block, thereby holding the headstones in an aligned position with respect to one another and with respect to the surface of the ground.

The present invention addresses the foregoing concerns by providing a rigid support structure for headstones that is situated in a trench below the surface of the ground. The structure has sockets formed in its top surface that are shaped so that the lower end of a headstone fits within each socket. Preferably, the sockets are formed in prefabricated blocks which are encapsulated in the rigid structure. The sockets, and hence the headstones held therein, are thereby affixed to one another and held in alignment to each other. Also preferably, a gap between the socket walls and the lower end of the headstone is filled with a leveling material. This allows for a precise fit between the socket and the headstone and also allows for fine adjustment of the orientation of each headstone. Also preferably, the structure sits atop a base material that fills the entire length and width of the trench, but the structure has one or more columns that protrude through the base material and approximately 4′ into the ground below the trench floor.

The present invention also provides a method for fabricating the described support structure in situ. A trench is dug at a preferred depth of approximately 27″ and preferred width of approximately 18″ encompassing a row of one or more headstones to be supported. Preferably, one or more holes of approximately 8″ in diameter are drilled in the floor of the trench to approximately 4′ below the floor of the trench. A base material, preferably gravel, is installed about the entire length and width of the trench to a preferred depth of approximately 4″ ensuring that no base material enters or obstructs the approximately 8″-diameter holes. Prefabricated blocks with sockets as described above are placed on top of the base material, with each block's socket corresponding to the desired location and alignment of the headstones. The blocks are then held in alignment to one another by affixing rebar between the blocks. The blocks are then rigidly fixed to each other, to the trench, and to the surface of the ground, preferably by encapsulating them in poured concrete. The poured concrete also flows into the approximately 8″-diameter holes, thereby creating columns extending approximately 4′ into the ground below the trench. A headstone is then placed into each socket, and soil is backfilled into the trench. Preferably, any gap between the socket walls and the lower end of the headstone is filled with a leveling material before any soil is backfilled. It is to be understood that the dimensions recited above and herein are merely exemplary and that the present invention is not limited to these dimensions.

The resulting structure, and that defined above, is highly resistant to settling or shifting, in part because it does not rest on backfill and it is supported by elements below the frost line. Each headstone is likewise resistant to such shifting or settling, as its location, depth, and orientation are fixed by the structure, rather than by soil.

Further advantage is shown where a row of several headstones are to be supported at once. This keeps all of the headstones in the row in alignment with one another. As a result of being affixed to the same rigid structure, headstones do not move with respect to one another. The supporting of headstones with respect to one another in this manner has the distinct advantage over all individual-headstone systems. Specifically, whatever disruptive effects operate on any one headstone are shared by all the headstones in the row. Hence if localized frost swell—to the degree it has any affect whatsoever—operates to push up on the center of rigid structure, for example, this force would be distributed over the entire length of the rigid structure. This produces several advantageous effects.

First, because of the increased size of the rigid structure as compared to individual-headstone support systems, the present rigid structure better resists any localized outside forces. This would be true with respect to isolated ground swell, localized vibration from nearby heavy equipment, settling or erosion of the ground beneath one area of the structure, etc.

Second, to whatever extent such forces cause minimal movement of the rigid structure, the resulting shift in the headstones is uniform. Thus if the rigid structure is elevated by two inches, all of the headstones are elevated by two inches, maintaining uniformity. Even if only one side of the rigid structure is elevated by two inches, the headstones would lift at a uniform angle (i.e. from around 2 inches at the one end, to nearly no lift at all at the far end, with all headstones in between lifting a proportional amount). There would not be a high headstone in one location, a tilted one in another, a low one in another location, etc. Accordingly, in an environment in which uniformity of headstones is a chief concern, the benefits of uniform motion of an entire row at once, if there be any motion at all, should be immediately recognized.

Third, because the rigid structure spans several caskets or burial vaults, where deterioration of any single (or even multiple) casket or vault causes the soil above and around it to collapse, the rigid structure is well-supported along other spans of its length. This bears an obvious advantage where the rigid structure is used to recondition headstones associated with older burials.

The present invention allows for the quick, inexpensive, and very uniform support and alignment of such headstones. The National Cemeteries provide a ready example of the need to precisely and permanently locate, orient, and align (or relocate, reorient, and realign) large numbers of headstones in fixed rows.

The present invention also provides for a method of setting and leveling headstones in which a leveling material is used in lieu of the rigid structure. In this embodiment, a trench is dug for one or more headstones as in the previously-described embodiments. A base material is then infilled along the entire length and width of the trench, followed by a leveling material, also along the entire length and width of the trench. Each headstone is then placed directly in the leveling material, such that the lower end of the headstone is encapsulated by the leveling material. The headstones are then leveled to the desired position and orientation and soil is backfilled.

The invention is described herein for use in primarily as raising and realigning existing headstones that have lost their original or intended placement, orientation, or alignment. It is contemplated, however, that the invention can be used on new installations of headstones.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that this summary is provided as a means of generally determining what follows in the drawings and detailed description of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, the objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides an apparatus10for supporting headstones20.FIG. 1illustrates a first embodiment of this invention, formed from a rigid structure11for installation below the surface of the ground30in a trench40which has been excavated from ground30to accommodate one or more headstones20. In one embodiment, rigid structure11is made of cast concrete, although any other material with sufficient structural strength that will not decompose when buried is contemplated. Caskets32are shown below each headstone20, and soil34is shown on top of rigid structure11. Though caskets32are shown, the present invention also contemplates burial vaults and other vessels known in the art for underground burial. Similarly, though soil34is described, this can be top soil, excavated soil, or any similar suitable material known in the art or specified by the cemetery.

As seen inFIG. 1, rigid structure11is laid on top of a base material50, such as gravel, although any other filler material that provides comparable or greater weight, anchor, and ballast is contemplated. Base material50is infilled to a certain depth51along the entire length and width of the trench40.

Also illustrated inFIG. 1, an embodiment of rigid structure11has sockets12formed in it, each socket12being formed to receive the lower end21of a headstone20. This embodiment of rigid structure11includes sockets12for several headstones20laid out in a row22thereby dictating that the overall length of rigid structure10be anywhere from several feet to hundreds of feet. It is also claimed and contemplated, however, that rigid structure11have only a single socket12and be used with a single headstone20.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 2, sockets12are formed within prefabricated blocks14, blocks14being encapsulated into the rigid structure11. In a preferred embodiment, blocks14are formed from cast concrete, although any other material with sufficient structural strength that will not decompose when buried is contemplated. In one embodiment, blocks14are encapsulated into rigid structure11by the forming of rigid structure11around blocks14. In a preferred embodiment, rigid structure11is formed by pouring concrete throughout the length and width of trench40and around blocks14, although any other material with sufficient structural strength that will not decompose when buried is contemplated.

In one embodiment, as illustrated especially inFIG. 2, a gap60exists between the walls16of socket12and the lower end21of each headstone20. Gap60is preferably filled with a leveling material90with properties of compacting well when wet. This serves to help stabilize the position and orientation of headstone20. In one embodiment, leveling material90is sand, although any other filler material that provides comparable or greater compacting and drainage is contemplated.

An embodiment of rigid structure11, as shown inFIG. 2, includes optional drains17at the lower surface of the sockets12. In a preferred embodiment, drain17comprises one or more holes in the bottom socket wall16, the holes passing through the lower surface of block14and the rigid structure11. Drains17allow for any water or moisture that enters gap60to flow out and not accumulate therein. The elimination of accumulated water in gap60minimizes erosion of headstone20and socket12that would otherwise be hastened in sitting water. Further, where a leveling material90is used, drain17prevents standing water from degrading leveling material90with a corresponding loss in its setting of headstone20.

A further optional feature of the invention is shown inFIG. 3. One or more holes41are dug or otherwise formed into the trench floor42to receive columns15protruding from the bottom surface of rigid structure11. As illustrated inFIG. 3, columns15extend into ground30below trench floor42and beyond the maximum expected depth36of the frost line38. In a preferred embodiment, columns15are unitary with rigid structure11, formed along with rigid structure11from poured concrete. In another embodiment, columns15are unitary with rigid structure11, formed along with rigid structure11from cast concrete, although any other material with sufficient structural strength that will not decompose when buried is contemplated. It is also contemplated that columns15may be separate elements, such as pipes or poles or any other suitable structure, affixed to rigid structure11in any way.

The presence of columns15serves to further anchor rigid structure11into a portion of ground30that is less susceptible to motion than ground30above casket32. This provides great resistance to roll70of rigid structure11and consequently headstones20, as shown inFIG. 4. Thus, localized forces—whether above or within ground30—acting in a way that would otherwise cause headstone20or entire row22of headstones20to tip over are resisted. Similarly, columns15operate to prevent unwanted yaw72or pitch74of headstone20or row22, as shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5shows a process100that includes the steps for fabricating and installing an apparatus10for supporting headstones20in the ground30. Starting at step102, process100includes surveying the location of a trench40to be dug, detailed inFIGS. 6aand6b.

In the context of supporting and realigning existing headstones20, this step would include the marking off of the length43and width44of trench40based on the locations of the existing headstones20. This could also involve removing headstones20from ground30.

FIGS. 6aand6billustrate trench40relative to the position of headstones20before fabrication of rigid structure11. In situations where headstones20are in highly regular row22and are of uniform dimensions such as is found in the National Cemeteries, the width44of trench40is located by measuring the same offset80from the front face23and rear face24of a headstone20, as shown inFIG. 6a. In an exemplary embodiment in which the headstones20have a thickness25of approximately 4″, the offset80is approximately 7″, creating trench40with approximate width44of 18″ (approximately 7″ offset80from the front face23+4″ of headstone thickness25+approximately 7″ offset80from the rear face24).

Also shown inFIG. 6a, the length43of trench40is determined by the placement and number of headstones20to be supported. The ends48of trench40are determined based on the locations of the outside edges26of the farthest outside headstones27, In one embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, the end48of trench40is dug beginning approximately 12″-16″ from the outside edges26of both farthest outside headstones27.

According to the excavation102above, trench T is dug in step104. In a preferred embodiment, the depth46of trench40is approximately 27″.

In step106, holes41are drilled in the trench floor42. In the preferred embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6b, holes41have diameter49of approximately 8″, a depth47below the trench floor42, and are spaced approximately every 55′-70′ and between the final position of the headstones20.

As shown inFIG. 100, step108consists of infilling a base material50into the entire area of trench T, to a certain depth51, as also shown inFIG. 3. Care is taken, however, that base material50does not enter or otherwise obscure or block holes41, which were drilled in step106. As part of step108, base material50is tamped for compaction. In an embodiment, base material50is gravel, although any other filler material that provides comparable or greater weight, anchor, and ballast is contemplated.

Step110consists of placing prefabricated blocks14on top of the base material50, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Each prefabricated block14has a socket12formed in it, socket12being formed and located to receive the lower end21of headstone20. Blocks14are located such that sockets12will locate headstones20in the desired location and position. In a preferred embodiment, blocks14are formed from cast concrete, although any other material with sufficient structural strength that will not decompose when buried is contemplated.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, blocks14are then rigidly held in alignment and position according to step112. In this embodiment, individual blocks14are secured to one another using ties18. In a preferred embodiment, ties18are made of traditional steel rebar, although any other material that provides comparable or more desirable strength and rigidity is contemplated, including fiber-reinforced products. Ties18are held in place in relation to blocks14using a chair instrument as is commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Again, however, any comparable method of securing the ties18to blocks14is contemplated. Further, while each tie18is shown spanning the entire length of the row of blocks14, use of several shorter ties18linking blocks14fixedly together is also contemplated.

Once blocks14are rigidly fixed in the desired location, alignment, and orientation, they are encapsulated in step114. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by pouring concrete to a certain depth19throughout the entire trench40, encapsulating and fixing the blocks14, also as shown inFIG. 3. In an embodiment, pouring the concrete to encapsulate the blocks14also fills holes41that were dug into the trench floor42at step106and as illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 100next shows step116, which consists of placing lower ends21of headstones20in sockets12of blocks14. In an embodiment, before headstones20are placed in sockets12, a leveling material90is placed inside each socket12, as illustrated inFIG. 2. An amount of leveling material90is added until the top of headstone20when placed thereon reaches the desired height28above the surface of ground30, as shown inFIG. 7.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, a gap60exists between lower end21of headstones20and walls16of sockets12. In step118, leveling material90is added to fill gap60. In one embodiment, leveling material90is sand, although any other filler material that provides comparable or greater compacting and drainage is contemplated. Headstones20are then adjusted and fine tuned to their desired positions. Leveling material90is tamped for compaction, setting headstones20to their positions.

According to step120, after all headstones20are set to the desired location, alignment, and orientation, soil34is backfilled into remaining trench40on top of rigid structure11(and where present, blocks14). The backfilled soil34is then tamped for compaction and renovated with sod or seeded for grass, as required by the cemetery.

Process100contemplates performing the above steps in any order that accomplishes the fabricating and installing the described apparatus10for supporting headstones20in ground30. For example, leveling material90and headstones20may be introduced into sockets12immediately after step110. The positions of headstones20may be then fine tuned and adjusted after step114.

As shown inFIG. 8, a further embodiment uses leveling material90in lieu of rigid structure11. In this embodiment, trench40is dug for one or more headstones20as in the previously-described embodiments. A base material50is then infilled along the entire length43and width44of the trench40and compacted by tamping. A leveling material90is next infilled along the entire length43and width44of trench40. Each headstone20is then placed directly in leveling material90, such that lower end21of headstone20is encapsulated by leveling material90. Headstones20are then leveled to the desired position and orientation and leveling material90is tamped for compaction to firmly hold each headstone20. Soil34is then backfilled into the remaining trench40.