Abstract:
A pivoting casket carrier includes a pivoting bed having a predefined length and width. The bed includes a plurality of rollers disposed substantially transverse to the length of the bed for facilitating removal and placement of a casket on the bed. A pivoting mechanism is operatively connected to the bed to allow a predetermined degree of rotation of the bed about a central axis of the pivoting mechanism. A locking system is operatively coupled to the pivoting mechanism to enable operation of the pivoting mechanism to allow rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a first disengaged position, and disable operation of the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a second engaged position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,383 filed Jun. 18, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     a. Field of Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to casket carriers, and, more particularly to a pivoting casket carrier for facilitating easy loading and unloading of caskets from a pivotable transport bed of a casket transport vehicle.  
         [0004]     b. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     In the art, there presently exist a variety of devices for loading and unloading of caskets or other similar units from a transport bed of an automobile.  
         [0006]     Known casket and related unit carriers are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,155,417, 3,757,972, 2,010,860, 1,242,221, 1,893,739 and 2,667,295, the respective disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, and Japanese Publication No. 3-262739.  
         [0007]     Of the aforementioned U.S. and Japanese Patents, U.S. Pat. No. 3,155,417 (&#39;417 patent), discloses a locking mechanism for a casket table having a plurality of rollers for enabling smooth placement and removal of a casket from the carrier bed. As shown in FIG. 1 of the &#39;417 patent, casket table 12 may be rotated along tracks 32 or 34 (shown in dotted lines in a transverse position) for enabling placement of a casket thereon. Once a casket is disposed on table 12, the table may be completely inserted into hearse 10, and thereafter, table 12 may be locked in place by means of locking mechanism 36 in the neutral position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 1). Although somewhat functional, the casket table of the &#39;417 patent is problematic due to the relatively complicated pivotal and sliding operation of the table, as well as the complicated operation of the pivoting and locking mechanisms disclosed therein. Moreover, as readily evident, the provision of the tracks, as well as the numerous components required for adequate operation of the locking mechanism render the casket table of &#39;417 patent susceptible to a variety of maintenance and reliability problems.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,972 (&#39;972 patent), discloses a pivotable vehicle carrier assembly including a pivotable bed which is allowed to pivot by means of a plurality of ball bearings disposed in the bed frame structure (see FIG. 4). As discussed above for the &#39;417 patent, the vehicle carrier assembly of the &#39;972 patent is problematic due to the relatively complicated operation of the pivoting mechanism disclosed therein, which renders the carrier assembly of the &#39;972 patent susceptible to a variety of maintenance and reliability problems.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,010,860 (&#39;860 patent), discloses a pivotable casket carrier assembly including a pivotable bed which is allowed to pivot by means of a conventional pin-type pivot 21 (see FIG. 2), and positioned transversely for placement and removal of a casket by rotation of a worm gear/follower mechanism. As discussed above for the &#39;417 and &#39;972 patents, the pivotable casket carrier assembly of the &#39;860 patent is problematic due to the relatively complicated pivotal and sliding operation of the table, as well as the complicated operation of the pivoting and locking mechanisms disclosed therein. Moreover, in virtually an identical manner as the &#39;417 patent, the provision of the worm gear/follower mechanism renders the casket carrier of the &#39;860 patent susceptible to a variety of maintenance and reliability problems.  
         [0010]     Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 1,242,221 (&#39;221 patent) discloses a pivotable casket carrier assembly including a pivotable bed which is allowed to pivot by means of a plurality of ball bearings disposed in the bed frame structure. Additionally, the &#39;221 patent discloses a locking mechanism including a sliding locking bolt disposed in a keeper fixed on the carrier bed. As discussed above for the &#39;417, &#39;972 and &#39;860 patents, the pivotable casket carrier assembly of the &#39;221 patent is problematic due to the inadequate operation of the locking mechanism.  
         [0011]     It would therefore be of benefit to provide a pivotable casket carrier which is simple in operation and requires minimal maintenance for adequate and continued operation. It would also be of benefit to provide a pivotable casket carrier which is robust and cost-effective in design, and which is simple and economical to manufacture.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0012]     The invention solves the problems and overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of prior art casket carriers by providing a pivotable casket carrier which is simple in operation, yet robust in design so as to require minimal maintenance for adequate and continued operation.  
         [0013]     The invention thus provides a pivoting casket carrier for facilitating easy loading and unloading of caskets from a transport bed. The casket carrier may include an enclosed bed that rotates 90° to the right or left for facilitating easy loading and unloading of caskets from a multi-roller mounted bed. The purpose of the pivoting casket carrier is to transport a casket from the cemetery funeral grounds to the grave site in a self-contained vehicle that can travel down the small rows of grave markers without disturbing the grounds. Upon reaching the grave site, the bed containing the casket can be rotated approximately 90° to the right or left to allow the casket to be rolled out of the covered bed into a lowering device without any special maneuvering of the casket carrying vehicle.  
         [0014]     In the exemplary embodiment disclosed, the carrier generally includes a mounting frame assembly for attachment thereof onto a yard maintenance vehicle. The mounting frame assembly may include a plurality of holes at a central location thereof for mounting a hub for enabling rotation of the carrier. The hub may be notched at predetermined intervals for enabling locking thereof by means of a locking bar, and thereby enabling predetermined orientation of the carrier along the intervals. The carrier may further include rollers along the carrier bed for enabling smooth placement and removal of a casket from the carrier bed. A canopy may be provided for covering a casket during transport.  
         [0015]     The pivoting casket carrier may thus include a pivoting bed having a predefined length and width. The bed may include a plurality of rollers disposed substantially transverse to the length of the bed for facilitating removal and placement of a casket on the bed. A pivoting mechanism may be operatively connected to the bed to allow a predetermined degree of rotation of the bed about a central axis of the pivoting mechanism. A locking system may be operatively coupled to the pivoting mechanism to enable operation of the pivoting mechanism to allow rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a first disengaged position, and disable operation of the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a second engaged position.  
         [0016]     For the pivoting casket carrier described above, the pivoting mechanism may include a hub connected at a central widthwise location on the bed for allowing rotation of the bed. The hub may include a rod extending therefrom, the rod being disposed in a plurality of holes in a mounting frame assembly connected to a vehicle including the pivoting casket carrier mounted thereon to enable free rotation of the rod and thereby the hub. The hub may also include a plurality of radial notches. The locking system may include a reciprocable locking bar, the locking bar being engageable with one of the notches to prevent rotation of the bed and further being disengageable from the notches to allow rotation of the bed. The locking bar may be spring biased for engagement with one of the notches. The pivoting casket carrier may further include a casket cover disposed on the pivoting bed to substantially enclose the pivoting bed.  
         [0017]     The invention also provides a pivoting casket carrier including a pivoting bed having a predefined length and width. The bed may include means for facilitating removal and placement of a casket on the bed. Pivoting means may be operatively connected to the bed to allow a predetermined degree of rotation of the bed. Locking means may be operatively coupled to the pivoting means to enable operation of the pivoting means to allow rotation of the bed when the locking means is in a first disengaged position, and disable operation of the pivoting means to prevent rotation of the bed when the locking means is in a second engaged position.  
         [0018]     For the pivoting casket carrier described above, the pivoting means may be a hub connected at a central widthwise location on the bed for allowing rotation of the bed. The hub may include a rod extending therefrom, the rod being disposed in a plurality of holes in a mounting frame assembly connected to a vehicle including the pivoting casket carrier mounted thereon to enable free rotation of the rod and thereby the hub. The hub may include a plurality of radial notches. The locking means may be a reciprocable locking bar, the locking bar being engageable with one of the notches to prevent rotation of the bed and further being disengageable from the notches to allow rotation of the bed. The locking bar may be spring biased for engagement with one of the notches. The pivoting casket carrier may further include a casket cover disposed on the pivoting bed to substantially enclose the pivoting bed.  
         [0019]     The invention also provides a vehicle including a pivoting casket carrier mounted thereon. The vehicle may include a pivoting bed having a predefined length and width. The bed may include a plurality of rollers disposed substantially transverse to the length of the bed for facilitating removal and placement of a casket on the bed. A pivoting mechanism may be operatively connected to the bed to allow a predetermined degree of rotation of the bed about a central axis of the pivoting mechanism. A locking system may be operatively coupled to the pivoting mechanism to enable operation of the pivoting mechanism to allow rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a first disengaged position, and disable operation of the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the bed when the locking system is in a second engaged position.  
         [0020]     For the vehicle described above, the pivoting mechanism may include a hub connected at a central widthwise location on the bed for allowing rotation of the bed. The hub may include a rod extending therefrom, the rod being disposed in a plurality of holes in a mounting frame assembly connected to the vehicle including the pivoting casket carrier mounted thereon to enable free rotation of the rod and thereby the hub. The hub may also include a plurality of radial notches. The locking system may include a reciprocable locking bar, the locking bar being engageable with one of the notches to prevent rotation of the bed and further being disengageable from the notches to allow rotation of the bed. The locking bar may be spring biased for engagement with one of the notches. The pivoting casket carrier may further include a casket cover disposed on the pivoting bed to substantially enclose the pivoting bed.  
         [0021]     Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative perspective view of a vehicle including a pivoting casket carrier according to the present invention mounted thereon, the casket carrier being disposed in a longitudinal traveling configuration;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , the casket carrier being disposed in a rotated unloading configuration;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrative of the mounting frame assembly for mounting the pivoting casket carrier onto the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view illustrative of a hub/rod assembly rotatably disposed within apertures provided in the transverse brace of the mounting frame assembly;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrative of the locking system for the pivoting casket carrier of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrative of the pivoting bed for the pivoting casket carrier of  FIG. 1 , the bed being mounted on the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the locking system for the pivoting casket carrier of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the pivoting bed for the pivoting casket carrier of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a pivoting casket carrier according to the present invention, generally designated  10 .  
         [0032]     Generally, the present invention is directed to a pivoting casket carrier  10  having an enclosed bed that rotates 90° or at other predefined increments to the right or left for facilitating easy loading and unloading of caskets from a multi-roller mounted bed. The purpose of pivoting casket carrier  10  is to transport a casket from the cemetery funeral grounds to the grave site in a self-contained vehicle that can travel down the small rows of grave markers without disturbing the grounds. Upon reaching the grave site, the bed containing the casket can be rotated as needed to the right or left to allow the casket to be rolled out of the covered bed into a lowering device without any special maneuvering of the casket carrying vehicle.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , pivoting casket carrier  10  generally includes a pivotable bed  12  mounted on a vehicle  14  by means of mounting frame assembly  16 . As shown, vehicle  14  may be similar to a TORO yard maintenance truck, or a similarly sized vehicle designed for traveling down the small rows of grave markers in a cemetery. Vehicle  14  may generally include an operator cab  18  for allowing a single operator to enter and operate the vehicle as needed to maneuver the same through a cemetery. Vehicle  14  may further include a rear cargo area  20  having a frame structure  22  onto which mounting frame assembly  16  may be fixedly attached by means of bolts (not shown), welding or the like.  
         [0034]     Still referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , mounting frame assembly  16  may generally include a pair of mirror image opposite side supports  24  mounted substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. A transverse brace  26  may be welded or otherwise joined to each side support  24  for providing a rigid platform for mounting of pivoting bed  12 . Side supports  24  may include a plurality of holes  25  for insertion of bolts (not shown) for attachment of supports  24  onto frame structure  22 . An aperture  28  may be disposed generally centrally in upper surface  34  connected to transverse brace  26  for insertion of rod  30  of hub  32  (see  FIGS. 4 and 7 ). In the particular embodiment illustrated, hub  32  may have a 3750 lb load capacity. In addition to upper surface  34 , brace  26  may include lower surface  36  having aperture  29  coaxial with aperture  28  so that rod  30  projects through each of the apertures and is thereby held in an upright configuration. The provision of the upper and lower surface  34 ,  36 , respectively, also provides a rest and support area for rod  30  to thereby allow free rotation of hub  32  and rod  30  disposed within apertures  28 ,  29 .  
         [0035]     Turning next to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4 ,  5  and  7 , locking system  38  for casket carrier  10  may generally include a locking mechanism  40  operative in conjunction with hub  32 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , hub  32  may include a plurality of notches  42 , and in the particular embodiment shown, four notches  42  may be provided at 90° intervals about the circumference of hub  32 . As would be apparent to those skilled in the art, additional notches  42  may be provided at 45° or 30° intervals, for example, for further controlling and limiting pivotal movement of bed  12 , as will be described in further detail below.  
         [0036]     Locking mechanism  40  may generally include first, second the third linkages  44 ,  46 ,  48 , respectively. Linkage  44  may be pivotally mounted to fixed connection  50  by means of a hinged pin connection  52 , and fixed connection  50  may be attached to upper surface  34  connected to brace  26  by means of bolts, welding or the like. Linkage  44  may be further fixedly mounted to linkage  46  (or formed therewith), which may be pivotally mounted to adjustable linkage  48  by means of a hinged pin connection  54 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , linkage  48  may be adjustable by means of a conventional nut/bolt type connection  56  which allows the length of linkage  48  to be increased or decreased by rotation of bolt  60  in a locking direction relative to section  62  of linkage  48 . Further, in order to facilitate disassembly of the components of locking mechanism  40 , bolt  60  may be rotated in an opposite unlocking direction to disassemble sections  64  and  62 . The opposite end of linkage  48  may include a helical spring  49  having opposing ends disposed against spring seat  66  and handle brace  68 . Brace  68  may be attached to a component of mounting frame assembly  16  by means of bolts, welding or the like. Brace  68  may further include an aperture having section  62  of linkage  48  disposed therethrough. A handle  70  may be provided at a generally 90° angle relative to section  62  of linkage  48  for operating locking mechanism  40 , as described in greater detail below.  
         [0037]     Referring next to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  6  and  8 , pivotable bed  12  may generally include a length L and width W dimensioned to adequately support a casket. Bed  12  may include an aperture  72  disposed at a generally widthwise central location. A plurality of holes  74  may be provided at fixed radial and angular locations corresponding to lugs  76  such that when assembled, lugs  76  enter through holes  74 , and alignment rod  75  of hub  32  protrudes through aperture  72 . Bed  12  may further include a plurality of rollers  78  for facilitating placement and removal of a coffin thereon. As shown in  FIG. 8 , rollers  78  may be mounted along side rails  80 , and the diameter and spacing of rollers  78  may be determined by testing of casket carrier  10 , as apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0038]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-8 , the operation of pivoting casket carrier  10  will now be described in detail.  
         [0039]     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with a casket placed on pivoting bed  12  within enclosure  82 , as discussed above, vehicle  14  may be driven through the grassy areas between the rows of headstones to the open gravesite in a cemetery, without unwanted damage to the grounds. Upon reaching a selected gravesite, vehicle  14  may be stopped at the site and bed  12  may be unlocked and rotated in either direction by means of locking system  38 . Specifically, handle  70  of locking system may be pulled to release the angular edge of locking mechanism  40 , formed by linkages  44  and  46 , from within the associated notch  42  in hub  32 . With locking mechanism  40  released, bed  12  may be rotated as needed to the 90° rotated orientation shown in  FIG. 2 . As discussed above, for a hub having additional notches  42  provided at 45° or 30° intervals, bed  12  may be rotated as needed for additional orientational control thereof. After unloading the casket from within enclosure  82 , bed  12  may be rotated back to its original position of  FIG. 1  by pulling handle  70  of locking system  38  to allow rotation of hub  32 . Thereafter, vehicle  14  may driven out from the grassy areas between the rows of headstones as needed for transportation of additional caskets.  
         [0040]     Based upon the discussion above, pivoting casket carrier  10  thus eliminates the use of much large hearses, vans, and other large vehicles that have a tendency of damaging the well manicured grounds. Pivotable casket carrier  10  also provides for simple operation for loading and unloading caskets, and requires minimal maintenance for adequate and continued operation.  
         [0041]     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.