MODULAR OR UNIT CHARACTERS FOR TOMBSTONES

Abstract: The invention relates to modular or unit characters for the formation of inscriptions on tombs. The chara­ cters in question are provided on the one side with a projection (2) and, on the opposite side, with a correspond­ ing cavity (7) so that two adjoining characters may be joined to each other by introducing and securing said projection (2) in the cavity (7). The reciprocal interlocking of the two characters can take place in any known manner, that is by means of lock screws or by welding. Both the protrusion (2) and the cavity (7) above mentioned are provided on the rear face of the characters so that when the latter are joined to each other, they are not in view. Moreover, the form of the cavity (7) and projection (2) is such that the various letters or figures are aligned.

Description: This invention relates to a complete set of modular or unit characters for tombstones, in particular to form inscriptions on same. The character considered in this description is an italic character; amongst the different types of characters used, this is the one which actually presents the greatest drawbacks to the operator. However, the novel concept of this invention can easily be applied to other types of characters having the same drawbacks as the character under consideration, even if in a smaller measure. It is known that the formation of inscriptions on tombs is effected by setting up the inscriptions with metal characters which are applied to the tombstone by means of pins provided on their rear part. The composition of the inscriptions is effected according to two different procedures, each of which has its own drawbacks making the formation of the inscriptions themselves very difficult for the operator. A first known procedure contemplates commissioning by a customer to the producer of the pre-formed inscriptions each consisting of a set of characters forming a single body, in which the characters, occur to each other in series, without interruption of continuity. This manner of proceeding requires a long period of time to form the inscription because the producer does not usually furnish these promptly, but above all it may give rise to errors in the inscriptions caused by incorrect transmittal of the order or incomprehension by the producer, all of which determine further loss of time and consequent increases in costs. The solution now considered affords the advantage of simple application of the inscriptions as these, being formed as a single body, are provided at their ends with a pin apt to be inserted in a corresponding hole in the tombstone; this requires the drilling of two holes only by the operator in the tombstone, the application of the inscription being thus greatly simplified and facilitated. A further advantage of this system lies in the fact that the letters are already positioned in the required inclination, hence do not require any additional work by the operator for adjustment. The second method for the realization of the inscriptions contemplates the compositions by separate characters; with this method, the user purchases some complete sets of characters from the producer, to form a stock which enables him to form the inscription himself, when required to do so. This system does away on the one hand, with the drawback of the first mentioned procedure, i. e. the slowness in obtaining the inscriptions as the user already has a sufficient quantity of characters to meet any demand, thereby eliminating the "dead times" of the first mentioned known procedure. The procedure in question however has considerable drawbacks as regards the composition of the inscriptions since, at the moment of application of the characters on the tombstones, the operator must bore as many as two holes on said tombstone for the single characters which are provided with two securing pins on their rear part. The number holes to be tapped is therefore of considerable and moreover said holes must be tapped with the utmost accuracy, both because they must be aligned and inclined correctly (especially in the case of Italics) and to avoid discontinuity between one character and the next, which would make the inscription practically unusable, in addition to being unaesthetic. A novel complete set of characters for the composition of inscriptions on tombstones has now been conceived and it forms the object of this invention. This sets of characters makes it possible to eliminate all the drawbacks of the above mentioned traditional type of inscriptions, and it is apt to afford at the same time the advantages of both the traditional systems. According to one of the main characteristics of this invention each character is provided, near an end portion of it, with a projection and, in a portion of its rear side, particularly on its rear surface, with a corresponding cavity to permit the introduction of said projection to link the adjoining characters to each other, the reciprocal connecting being effected in any known manner, e.g. by securing screws or by welding, and the projection and corresponding cavity above mentioned are suitably shaped so that the introduction of the projection in the cavity arranges the characters with the alignment and inclination required for the formation of a correct inscription. According to a further characteristic of the characters in question, the protrusion and cavity are conceived in such a way that there is not discontinuity once the characters are joined to each other. The characteristics and advantages of the characters according to the present invention will be evident from the following detailed description of a particular and non restrictive embodiment given only by way of example with reference to the annexed drawings. As stated hereinabove, an italic character is considered as example and more specifically letters a and n are illustrated and described in the following, the same scope hereinafter described for said letters, also extends, obviously to all the characters of the alphabet, as well as to the figures for the composition of the numbers. In the annexed drawings: FIGURE 1 is a front view of letters a and n , detached from each other; FIGURE 2 shows the same letters, again detached, but viewed from the rear; FIGURE 3 is a front view of the above letters but joined to each other; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of said letters, joined to each other as shown in Fig. 3; FIGURE 5 is a view taken along section V-V of Fig. 3; FIGURE 6 is a front view of letter a designated to form the terminal part of an inscription as it will be explained below; FIGURE 7 is a rear view of letter a , as shown in Fig. 6. Having reference in particular to figures 1 to 5, the conformation of the characters according to the invention will now be described, with reference, at first to letter a only, and considering subsequently letter n , to provide a description of the procedure adopted to join these letters together. From the above figures, it can be noted that letter a at the end of its "leg" 1 or connection portion to the successive letter, is provided with a suitably shaped protrusion 2. In fact, said protrusion 2 is substantially rectangular in shape and suitably inclined so that when it is introduced in the corresponding cavity of the successive letter, letter a is joined and aligned with letter n with the required inclination. It is likewise noted that protrusion 2, in addition to being of lesser thickness than the end of the "leg" of letter a , is set toward the rear part of same so that (as it can be noted from figure 5) said protrusion 2 will rest directly on the surface of the tombstone like the remaining part of the letter and permits application of the successive letter from the front part of the cavity. It should be noted, furthermore, that the position of projection 2 is slightly retracted with resepct to the end of leg 1 of the letter so that said projecting part 3 and front edge 4 of leg 1 match with rear part 5 of letter n , thereby also contributing to the correct reciprocal positioning of the letters. In the illustrated embodiment, protrusion 2 is provided with a hole 6 to permit the application, for example, of a screw to lock one letter to the other; however, this aspect should not be considered restrictive, as the securing of one letter to the other may also be done by a simple weld. Again, with specific reference to figures 1 to 5, said letter a is provided, on its rear surface, at a mid zone of its rear side, with a cavity 7 the shape of which corresponds exactly and is complementary to the shape of protrusion 2. As it can be seen specifically in figures 2 and 4 cavity 7 is substantially rectangular in shape and its sides are inclined, so that, as explained above, when the letters are joined to each other, they will be correctly connected; both as regards inclination and alignment. As particularly shown in figure 5, cavity 7 is provided on the rear face of the back side 8 of letter a in a manner such that when said cavity receives protrusion 2 of the preceeding letter said protrusion is completely masked to permit, thereby, the formation of a continuous inscription. Cavity 7 also, is provided with a hole 9 tapped on its bottom to make possible, for example, the insertion of a lock screw 10 as shown in detail in figure 5 but which is also visible in figure 4; the application is not however limitative, as already stated hereinabove. Having now particular reference to letter n , the latter is not described in detail since it is provided with all the characteristics of letter a above described and in this sense like parts are identified by some reference numerals. Having reference in particular to figures 6 and 7 a letter a is shown which is utilized as the terminal letter of an inscription since, for a final letter, projection 2 would be unaesthetical. For this purpose letter a shown in figures 6 and 7 is not provided with the protrusion and may be produced either without said protrusion or the protrusion may be removed later on by the user; to facilitate this operation the connection of the projection to the body of the letter may be suitably provided, for example, with a weaker zone; letter a in question will therefore have only cavity 7 as above described. From the above description the advantages of a complete set of characters for the formation of inscriptions on tombstones according to the present invention are clearly evident; in fact characters make possible a simultaneous achievement of the advantages of the two known systems and elimination of their drawbacks at the same time. In fact the user can provide himself with an adequate stock of letters and numbers, as explained hereinabove and easily form the inscriptions directly by himself obviating the possibility of errors, and in a considerably short time. The application of the inscription on the tombstone will be also greatly facilitated as it will be sufficient to apply a lock pin only on the first and on the final letters, and only two holes will have to be tapped on the tombstone. As it can be seen, the application of the inscription on the tombstone is greatly simplified and facilitated.

Claims: Modular or unit characters for the formation of inscriptions on tombs, wherein each character is provided, on the end of its "leg" or connecting portion to the successive character, with a suitably shaped protrusion 2, characterized in that it is further provided, at a substantially mid point of its rear side 5, 8, with a cavity 7, made on the rear face, said cavity being suitable to receive the corresponding protrusion 2 of the preceeding character, said protrusion 2 being secured within said cavity 7. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that said protrusion 2, of lesser thickness than the body of the character, is provided on rear face of the latter. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that said protrusion 2 is slightly retracted with respect to the end of leg 1 of the character, thereby forming a projecting part 3 on said end of leg 1, which part cooperates, together with the front edge of leg 1 for a correct reciprocal positioning of the characters. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that protrusion 2 and cavity 7 are both provided with holes 6 and 9 respectively apt to permit the introduction of a locking screw 10. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that protrusion 2 is fastened in cavity 7 by welding. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that protrusion 2 and cavity 7 are substantially rectangular in shape and in that their sides are suitably inclined according to the inclination and alignment required in the composition of the inscriptions. Modular characters according to claim 1, characterized in that they are not provided with protrusion 2, thereby being suitable to form the end character of an inscription.

Inventors: BARBARINI, CLAUDIO, CAGGIATI, CLAUDIO
Applicants: CAGGIATI S.P.A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G09F7
IPC codes: G09F7