Abstract:
A casket system includes a casket container and a movable platform. The casket container has a bottom, and includes a plurality of rollers supported by said bottom. The movable platform is displosed within the casket container. The movable platform including slots extending through the platform and aligned horizontally with the plurality of rollers, the movable platform having a raised position and a lowered position, wherein at least a portion of a first number of the plurality of rollers extend through the slots and stand proud the movable platform in the lowered position, and a portion of fewer than the first number of the plurality of rulers stand proud the movable platform in the raised position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to the field of caskets and particularly to casket inserts used within rental caskets. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Burial or cremation containers, referred to herein collectively as caskets, are one of the most expensive elements of a traditional funeral. Costs associated with traditional caskets are attributable in significant part to the material and labor cost of forming a traditional casket of wood or metal material. Accordingly, one way to reduce casket (and hence funeral) costs includes the use of caskets made from alternative materials, such as paperboard. Such caskets are particularly suitable for cremation. However, caskets constructed of alternative materials of paperboard often do not provide as pleasing a presentation of the deceased during the wake or viewing. While advances in the construction of paperboard caskets have resulted in aesthetic improvements, such caskets still lack the aesthetic appeal of traditional wood caskets. 
         [0003]    One solution to the countervailing tensions of reducing cost and retaining aesthetic appeal of wood (or metal) caskets involves the use of a reusable rental casket. Specifically, if a casket is desired for a traditional ceremony or viewing but not needed for burial because cremation has been elected, a paperboard casket or body tray may be inserted into a more ornate rental casket to provide an aesthetic viewing experience. 
         [0004]    One of the issues of known rental systems is the method by which the paperboard insert or tray is placed within and removed from the reusable casket. In one known rental casket system, a foot panel opens at one end to facilitate insertion and removal of the insert into and out of the rental casket. In such a system, the paperboard tray or casket insert may also serve as part or all of the cremation container. The insertion and removal of the casket insert, however, may be difficult due to friction between the bottom of the casket insert and the bottom of the rental casket. 
         [0005]    There is a need, therefore, for a casket system that addresses the needs for reduced cost and aesthetically pleasing presentation without inherent difficulties associated with known rental casket systems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    At least some of the embodiments of the present invention address the above-described need by providing a casket system employing a system of roller assemblies and movable platform that can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of a casket insert into the casket container. The casket container may suitably be an aesthetically pleasing structure that can be reused with multiple casket inserts. 
         [0007]    A first embodiment is a casket system that includes a casket container and a movable platform. The casket container has a bottom, and includes a plurality of rollers supported by said bottom. The movable platform is disposed within the casket container. The movable platform including slots extending through the platform and aligned horizontally with the plurality of rollers, the movable platform having a raised position and a lowered position, wherein at least a portion of a first number of the plurality of rollers extend through the slots and stand proud the movable platform in the lowered position, and a portion of fewer than the first number of the plurality of rulers stand proud the movable platform in the raised position. 
         [0008]    The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of a casket container of a reusable casket system according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  depicts a perspective view of the casket container of  FIG. 1A  and a casket insert of the reusable casket system according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of the casket container of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a cutaway side view of a casket system according to the first embodiment of the invention wherein the casket insert is partially inserted into the casket container; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a cutaway side view of a casket system of  FIG. 3  wherein the casket insert is fully inserted into the casket container and raised for viewing; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a casket insert of the casket system of  FIG. 3  apart from the casket container; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a cutaway side view of the casket container of the casket system of  FIG. 3  apart from the casket insert; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict perspective and side plan view of an exemplary roller assembly that may be used in the casket system of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary lift mechanism of the casket system of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present invention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a casket system  5  that includes a casket container  10  and a casket insert  50  (see  FIG. 1B ). In general, the casket container  10  may suitably be a substantial structurally and aesthetically pleasing for viewing a deceased. By way of example, the casket container  10  may be constructed of hardwood, or laminated wood. The casket insert  50  is an open container that may be used as transport and support mechanism for the deceased. The casket insert  50  is configured to slide into and out of the casket container  10  at a first end thereof.  FIG. 1B  shows the casket insert  50  partially inserted into the casket container  10 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the casket container  10  include side panels  11 ,  13 , a head panel  15  and a foot panel  16  arranged in an elongate box that includes a head portion  12  and a foot portion  14 . The foot portion  14  is the portion of the casket container proximate the foot panel  16 . As is known in the art, the foot panel  16  is pivotally attached to can pivot between an open position to receive the insert  50  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 1A ) to retain the insert  50 . In an alternative embodiment, the foot panel  16  can be completely removable, or a portion thereof complete removable or pivotally attached. In any event, the casket container  10  also includes a bottom  18 , and a conventional lid  19 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the casket container  10  with the foot panel  16  in the open position, and with the lid  19  removed for purposes of clarity. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the casket container  10  includes four roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  and a movable or adjustable bed platform  30 . Each of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  is configured to be mounted or secured to the bottom  18  either directly or indirectly, and to expose rolling surfaces  41  of rotatable rollers of the roller assemblies. Further details regarding an exemplary roller assembly  20  is provided below in connection with  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         [0022]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the four roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  are spaced along the bottom  18  from the foot portion  14  to the head portion  12 . The roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  are not evenly spaced but are closer together at the foot portion  14  than the head portion  12  of the casket container  10 . For example, the first roller assembly  20   a  may be two to three inches from the foot panel  16 , the second roller assembly  20   b  may be 12 to 13 inches from the first roller assembly  20   a,  the third roller assembly  20   c  may be 18 to 19 inches from the second roller assembly  20   b  and the fourth roller assembly  20   d  may be 25 to 26 inches from the third roller assembly  20   c.    
         [0023]    The movable bed platform  30  is sized and configured to fit inside the assembled side and end panels  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  16  of the casket container  10 . The movable bed platform  30  includes four slots  40   a - 40   d  extending therethrough, and which are sized and configured to align with the four roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d.    
         [0024]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show cutaway side views of the casket arrangement  5 , without the lid  19 , taken along line III-III of  FIG. 2 . In contrast to  FIG. 2 , however,  FIGS. 3 and 4  also show the casket insert  50  disposed at least partly within the casket container  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  extend upwardly from the bottom  18  of the casket container  10 . The third roller assembly  20   c  is supported by a block  22  and the fourth roller assembly  20   d  is supported by two blocks  22 . Thus, the height of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  increases monotonically from the foot portion  14  to the head portion  12 . For example, the first and second roller assemblies  20   a,    20   b  may extend to the same height, 1.0 to 1.2 inches, from the bottom  18 , the third roller assembly  20   c  may extend 1.5 to 1.7 inches from the bottom  18  and the fourth roller assembly  20   d  may extend 2.0 to 2.2 inches from the bottom  18  of the casket container  10 . 
         [0025]    As also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a lift mechanism  44 , which in this embodiment comprises a screw mechanism, is configured to raise and lower at least a portion of the platform  30  near the head end  12  of the casket container  10 . In this manner, the head end of the platform  30  may be moved from a lowered position to a raised position, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  respectively. 
         [0026]    To this end,  FIG. 8  shows in further detail a perspective view of an exemplary screw lift mechanism  44  that may be used to move the movable platform  30  between the raised and lowered positions as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  8 , the mechanism  44  includes a threaded rod  82  that rotatably engages a linear bearing/worm gear  84 , as is known in the art. The linear bearing/worm gear  84  fixedly mounted to a mounting structure  86  that includes a first mounting plate  88  configured support the linear bearing/worm gear  84 . The mounting structure further includes a second mounting plate  89  coupled to the first mounting plate  88 . The second mounting plate  89  is configured to securedly attach to the head end  32  of the movable platform  30 . 
         [0027]    In the embodiment described herein, the second mounting plate  89  is hingedly attached to the first mounting plate  88  to allow for angular movement between the head end  32  of the movable platform  30  and the first mounting plate  88  (and hence the threaded rod  82 ), reducing strain on the screw lift mechanism  44 . It will be appreciated that in  FIG. 8 , the second mounting plate  89  is shown substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate  88 , although in practice the second mounting plate  89  will be rotated to closer to parallel with and even substantially planar with the first mounting place, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6 . 
         [0028]    At the top  81  of the threaded rod  82  is a hex key head  83  having a hex key receptacle (not shown) to facilitate the rotation of the threaded rod  82 . 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 3  shows the adjustable bed platform  30  in a lowered position wherein the bed screw mechanism  44  has been rotated to lower the platform  30 . In this embodiment, when the platform  30  is in the lowered position, surfaces of the rollers of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  extend upwardly through the slots  40   a - 40   d  such that at least part of the roller surfaces  41  stand proud of the top surface  38  of the adjustable bed platform  30 . 
         [0030]    Accordingly, when the movable platform  30  is in the lowered position, the casket insert  50  rests on at least some, and preferably most or all, of the roller surfaces  41  of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d.  As a consequence, the casket insert  50  may be rolled along the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  as it is inserted into the casket container  10  until the head end  52  of the casket insert  50  is positioned at the head portion  12  of the casket container  10 . Likewise, the casket insert  50  may be rolled along the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  to during removal of the insert  50  from the casket container  10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4 , by contrast, shows the adjustable bed platform  30  is in a raised position wherein the bed screw mechanism  44  has been rotated until the second, third and fourth roller assemblies  20   b - 20   d  do not extend upwardly through the second, third and fourth slots  40   b - 40   d.  When the adjustable bed platform  30  is in the raised position, the roller surfaces  41  of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  no longer stand proud of the adjustable bed platform  30 . Because the adjustable bed platform  30  is coupled to the casket container  10  at the foot portion  14  of the casket container  10 , the first roller assembly  20   a  may still extend slightly above the adjustable bed platform  30  even when in the raised position. Because the roller surfaces  41  of the roller assemblies  20   b - 20   d  no longer stand proud of the adjustable bed insert  30  when in the raised position, the casket insert  50 , which is positioned on the adjustable bed platform  30 , no longer rolls on the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  and the head end  52  of the casket insert  50  is raised for viewing by the head end  32  of the adjustable bed platform  30  within the casket container  10 . 
         [0032]    With general reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the adjustable bed platform  30  includes a head end  32 , a foot end  34 , a bottom surface  36  and a top surface  38 . The adjustable bed platform  30  is dimensioned so that the adjustable bed platform  30  may fit within and rest on the bottom  18  of the assembled panels  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  16  casket container  10 . The adjustable bed platform  30  includes four slots  40   a - 40   d  spaced between the head end  32  and the foot end  34 . The slots  40   a - 40   d  are configured so that they align with, and receive, the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  when the adjustable bed platform  30  rests on the bottom  18  of the casket container  10 . 
         [0033]    The blocks  22  are sized so that they do not pass through the slots  40   a - 40   d  but the remaining portions of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  may pass through the slots  40   a - 40   d.  As discussed above, when the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  pass through the slots  40   a - 40   d,  the rotating surfaces of the rollers thereof stand proud of the adjustable bed platform  30 . 
         [0034]    As discussed above, the casket container  10  also includes a bed screw mechanism  44  attached to the movable bed platform  30  near the headend  32  thereof. The bed screw mechanism  44  extends downwardly from the bottom surface  36  of the adjustable bed platform  30  and contacts the bottom  18  of the casket container  10 . The bed screw mechanism  44  is well known in the art and is used to raise and lower the head end  32  of the adjustable bed platform  30 . Other suitable casket lift mechanisms capable of raising and lowering the head end of the platform  30  would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0035]    Referring back generally to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , during normal use, the head end  32  is raised while the deceased is in the casket container  10  to improve the visibility of the deceased during a funeral or other ceremony and is lowered for transportation or interment. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the casket insert  50  is shown. The casket insert  50  is dimensioned and configured to carry the deceased and to slide through an opening between the side panels  11 ,  13 , formed by the removal/opening of the foot panel  16 . The casket insert  50  is configured to rest on the adjustable bed platform  30  within the casket container  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The casket insert  50  includes four side panels  51 ,  53 ,  55  and  57  and a bottom panel  56  defining a rectangular container having an interior  58  for receiving a deceased. The casket insert  50  includes a head end  52  and a foot end  54  and may be made of a paperboard or any other material, preferably flammable which is sturdy enough to support the weight of the deceased. The walls  51 ,  53 ,  55  and  57  preferably have a height that, when disposed on the movable platform  30  in the raised position, is less than or equal to the height of panels  11 ,  13  of the container  10 . Accordingly, even when the platform  30  is in the raised position, visibility of the walls  51 ,  53 ,  55  and  57  is substantially inhibited, at least from a side view. It will be appreciated that in this context, the “raised position” means any position in which fewer than all (and possibly none) of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   b  engage the insert  50 . 
         [0037]    In use, the casket container  10  is empty when it is ready for accepting a casket insert  50  with a deceased. The casket container  10  in this condition may suitably appear as shown in  FIG. 1A . To start the process of placing the casket insert  50  into the casket container  10 , the foot panel  16  is “opened” by pivoting the foot panel  16  downward, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The adjustable bed platform  30  should be, or at least be placed, in the lowered position as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0038]    After the casket container  10  is configured as shown in  FIG. 6 , the casket insert  50 , bearing the deceased, is inserted through the opening in the foot portion  14  where the foot panel  16  had been before it was pivoted downward.  FIGS. 1A and 3  show the casket insert  50  partially inserted into the casket container  10 . During the insertion, the rolling surfaces  41  of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d  engage the bottom panel  56  of the casket insert  50  and assist the insertion of the casket insert  50  into the casket container  10 . Once the casket insert  50  is fully inserted into the casket container  10 , the foot panel  16  is pivoted to the closed position. 
         [0039]    The bed screw mechanism  44  is rotated in a manner that raises the adjustable bed platform  30  from the lowered position and thus moves the second, third and fourth roller assemblies  20   b - 20   d  from the corresponding slots  40   b - 40   d  such that the roller surfaces  41  thereof no longer contact the bottom surface  56  of the casket insert  50 . 
         [0040]    In further detail, to move the movable platform  30  between the lowered and raised positions ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), an operator inserts a hex key, not shown, but well known in the art, into the hex key receptacle of the hex key head  83 . The operator then rotates the key, which rotates the threaded rod  82 . As the threaded rod  82  rotates, the linear bear/worm gear  84  moves up or down, depending on the direction of rotation. The head portion  32  of the movable platform  30  moves with the linear bearing/worm gear  84  because it is fixedly attached thereto. 
         [0041]    When the adjustable bed platform  30  is in the raised position (shown in  FIG. 4 ), the head end  52  of the casket insert  50  is raised relative to the casket container  10 . Once the viewing is complete, the bed screw mechanism  44  is rotated such that the adjustable bed platform  30  is returned to the lowered position (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The foot panel  16  is pivoted to the open position and the casket insert  50  is removed through the foot portion  14  of the casket container  10 . The casket container  10  may then be reused with another similar casket insert in the future. 
         [0042]    In this embodiment, the adjustable bed platform  30  is never fully horizontal, even in the lowered position because of the support provided by the blocks  22  under the third and fourth roller assemblies  20   c,    20   d.  This angle aids in the initial phase of removing the casket insert  50  from the casket container  10 . However, as the head end  52  of the casket insert  50  passes over the first and second roller assemblies  20   a,    20   b,  which do not have any blocks  22 , the foot end  54  of the casket insert  50  may be raised so that the casket insert  50  is nearly horizontal. This angle aids in the final phase of removing the casket insert  50  from the casket container  10  and transferring it to another table or platform. 
         [0043]    In other words, the use of identical heights for the roller assemblies  20   a,    20   b  and the monotonically increasing height of the roller assemblies  20   c,    20   d  provide for specific advantages in placement and removal of the insert  50 . When the casket insert  50  is mostly out of the container  10 , it may be moved horizontally. When the casket insert  50  is mostly (or fully) within the container  10 , the slight grade formed by the roller assemblies  20   c,    20   d  can aid in removal. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an exemplary embodiment of a roller assembly  20  that may be used as any of the roller assemblies  20   a - 20   d.    FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the roller assembly  20 , and  FIG. 7B  is a side plan view of the roller assembly  20 . In this embodiment, the roller assembly includes eight chamfered rollers  72 , each having an outer rolling surface  41 . The rollers  72  are rotatably attached by four axles  74  to a double-U shaped metal frame  76 . Such roller assemblies are commonly used in further moving equipment, and may be readily incorporated into an existing or new casket container. However, it will be appreciated that other roller assemblies may suitably be used. 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated that the above describe embodiments are merely illustrative, and that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily device their own implementations and adaptations that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.