Abstract:
A coffin with a removable 2 piece cover that accommodates bodies of differing lengths having, within an enclosure, a 2 piece platform that adjusts so as to allow the body to form a v-shape by bending the body at the hip whereby the longitudinal length of the body can be adjusted.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates generally to coffins and specifically to coffins having unique shapes and systems and methods for housing bodies in coffins. The terms casket and coffin as used herein are interchangeable. 
     One embodiment of a coffin that accommodates bodies of differing lengths comprises, within an enclosure, a 2 piece platform that adjusts so as to allow the body to form a v-shape by bending the body at the hip whereby the longitudinal length of the body can be adjusted. This is advantageous over conventional coffins because larger bodies can be accommodated by the same coffin without having to special order one. 
     One of skill in the art would appreciate that the size of the coffin will be proportional to the size of common vaults or Sarcophagi that the coffins are placed in, and that the size can be varied somewhat without compromising the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, some sizes are in the range 24 to 26 inches high×84 to 87 inches long and 24 to 36 inches wide. 
     In one embodiment, a pair of complementary coffins are provided, each comprising: a curved bottom surface and two vertical side walls attached to each side of the curved bottom surface so as to form a container with an opening, a removable cover having upper and lower surfaces and that are attachable to the opening adjacent the lower surface whereby the container can be sealed. The upper surfaces of the removable covers of the coffins have complementary jagged profiles whereby they can be fitted together, in combination with the coffins, to form essentially a heart shape as viewed from a side. The general heart shape can be realized using various curvatures ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ). 
     In general, the curved bottom surface has the shape of one half of a heart shape and the top profile of the coffin has a jagged shape to resemble a rent or torn heart—hence a broken heart shape. Two such coffins may be placed such that the arrangement resembles a whole heart shape. A coffin in the shape of a heart is advantageous in that it the curved lower surface allows positioning a body in a V-shape whereas convention rectangular caskets having flat bottom surfaces are less suited. Moreover, such a shape is less intimidating for children to look at. A married couple can each be buried in one half of the heart shape knowing that the two halves shall be reunited for eternal rest. Additionally, one of the two can be inverted resulting in the final resting place of the coffins is actually in a heart shape. 
     One of skill in the art would appreciate that the present invention can be made of the same materials (e.g. wood, metal, fiberglass, composites, etc.) that conventional coffins are made of. 
     Various ways of providing a movable cover are possible. For instance, the cover can be completely removable or alternatively have hinges whereby the cover may be opened and closed from either the sides or ends or some combination thereof. A completely removed cover makes it easier to load and unload bodies. In one embodiment, carrying handles are affixed to each of the vertical sides. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the invention 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the invention 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the invention 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the invention 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the invention 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the invention 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the invention 
         FIG. 9  depicts a side view of the invention 
         FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 11  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 13  depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
         FIG. 14  depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the invention comprises: a curved bottom surface  10 , two vertical side walls  11  attached to each side of the curved bottom surface so as to form a container having an opening  12 , a removable cover that is attachable to the opening  12  whereby the container can be sealed, a first gasket is attached to the periphery of the opening  12 , a second gasket for sealing the interface  41  of the first and second cover portions  40 ,  60 , and first and second cooperative support platforms  71 ,  72 . One of skill in the art would appreciate that the gasket is not essential but highly preferred to isolate the contents from the surrounding environment. 
     The cover comprises first and second cover portions  40 ,  60 . The first and second cooperative support platforms  71 ,  72  are independently adjustable so as to support a human body of different sizes. As depicted in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , the platforms are arranged differently to accommodate different sizes. Moreover, a wide range of body sizes can be accommodated by adjusting the platforms ( FIG. 9 ). 
     Each of the support platforms  71 ,  72  is releasably attached on both sides to the vertical side walls  11  by pegs, tabs, or hooks  73  ( FIG. 9 ) whereby the platforms can be positioned in different arrangements. To facilitate adjustment for varying body lengths, separate diagrams or indicia can be marked on the inside of the vertical walls, each corresponding to differing lengths. One of skill in the art would appreciate that the adjustable support platforms could be employed in coffins of traditional rectangular shapes. 
     The cover can be attached to the coffin using various methods. In one embodiment, a first end  51  of the first cover portion  60  is hingedly connected to a first end  42  of the second cover portion  40 , a second end  43  of the second cover portion  40  is connected to a first end  13  of the opening  12  by tongue and groove means  30 , and a second end  50  of the first cover portion  60  is releasably secured to a second end  15  of the opening by latch or clasp means. In another embodiment ( FIG. 10 ), the first and second cover portions  40 ,  60  are each hingedly connected to one side  14  of opening  12 . 
     A cradle ( FIGS. 6-8 ) is provided in some embodiments to facilitate holding the container in a fixed position. The cradle can be made of wood, metal, or any other material has similar properties. Additionally, brass or other materials having a decorative effect can be used. 
     The cradle is made of elongated rigid members  80 - 87  comprising, upper  80 - 83  and lower  84 - 87  rectangular support frames that are vertically displaced with respect to each other by rigid support posts  90 . The lower support frame  84 - 87  is of less cross sectional area than the upper support frame  80 - 83  to accommodate curved surface  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the curved surface rests within each end of each  80 ,  81 ,  84 ,  85  of the support members. In one embodiment, side pieces  82 ,  83 , of the upper support member are offset somewhat from the vertical side walls  11  to allow them to be used as handles for carrying the coffin. Alternatively, carrying handles can be attached to the sides  11 . In one embodiment, rigid member  84  is displaced slightly higher vertically with respect to rigid member  85  to facilitate a snug fit to lower surface  10 . 
     In one embodiment ( FIG. 7 ), lower rectangular support frame  84 - 87  has two wheels  100  attached to member  84 . The wheels are placed so as to be above the floor and only in contact with the floor when the cradle is tilted, whereby the cradle can be used to roll the coffin in transport. 
     In one embodiment ( FIG. 12 ), one side of the coffin has a tapered portion  12 B to facilitate better viewing the head of the deceased. Cover  60 B is adapted to correspond to the profile of tapered portion  12 B so the opening is completely sealed in the closed position. 
     In one embodiment ( FIG. 13 ), the bottom portion of curved surface  10 C of the coffin is adapted to have a recessed flat portion  17 C to facilitate placement of the coffin on a preparation table. Curved surface  10 C forms lobes  16 C on either side of flat portion  17 C. As depicted in  FIG. 14 , one embodiment of the present invention comprises an urn having: a curved outer surface  105  having upper and lower ends  106 ,  102  said lower end  102  being attached to a base member  103 ; two vertical side walls  101  attached to each side of said curved outer surface so as to form a container having an opening  107 ; a removable cover  104  having inner and outer surfaces  109 ,  108  and being attachable to said opening  107  adjacent said inner surface  109  whereby said container can be sealed; said base member  103  being essentially a slab and further being adapted to support said container and said cover in an upright position (as depicted in  FIG. 14 ); said outer surface  108  of said removable cover having a jagged profile for abutting a complementary jagged outer surface  108 A of a second urn thereby forming essentially a heart shape as viewed from the side when the two urns are abutted; the second urn further having a curved outer surface  105 A having upper and lower ends  106 A,  102 A said lower end  102 A being attached to a base member  103 A; two vertical side walls  101 A attached to each side of said curved outer surface so as to form a container having an opening  107 A; a removable cover  104 A having inner and outer surfaces  109 A,  108 A and being attachable to said opening  107 A adjacent said inner surface  109 A whereby said container can be sealed; said base member  103 A being essentially a slab and further being adapted to support said container and said cover in an upright position (as depicted in  FIG. 14 ). The base members  102 ,  102 A are adapted to essentially complete an “L” shape when attached to the containers. The urns can alternatively be positioned as book ends. 
     In one embodiment, the urn is sized 12 inches (“x” in  FIG. 14 ) vertically and 4 inches deep.