Patent Publication Number: US-9889057-B1

Title: Retractable handle system for a casket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/440,097, entitled “RETRACTABLE HANDLE SYSTEM FOR A CASKET”, filed Feb. 23, 2017, the relevant portions of said application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates to a retractable handle system for use with a casket or coffin. 
     State of the Art 
     Caskets or coffins are used to hold the bodies of the dead for burial. Often caskets are placed on display prior to burial. Caskets may be on display during a viewing or a funeral. Caskets may be displayed with their lids open or closed. 
     Families of the individual being buried may have difficulty finding a casket that reflects who the individual was. Therefore, it is often desirable to personalize the coffin for the specific person being buried. Traditional caskets are not always amenable to personalization as they are typically predecorated or have handles or other hardware in locations that make it difficult to personalize the casket. 
     Personalization of a casket may involve any type of decoration. Caskets may be personalized to reflect an individual&#39;s interests such as trains, planes, cars, hunting, fishing, the outdoors, princesses, ice skating, dolls, photography, animals or the like. Additionally, personalization may include the individual&#39;s name, family pictures or even a replication of the individual&#39;s tattoos. 
     Caskets may also be difficult to move around and fit through narrow openings as they often have handles or other hardware extending from the surfaces. Additionally, handles and other hardware require extra space in mausoleums or vaults which may hold the casket after burial. 
     Therefore it is desirable to have a casket with retractable handles which move from a closed to an open position and allow the casket to take up less space during moving and burial. 
     It is also desirable to have a casket that has handles that when retracted no longer look like handles and therefore allow personalization of the casket. 
     While there are caskets that have retractable handles, such as those described in Babbitt, U.S. Pat. No. 906,363; Angermann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,003; Enneking et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,376; Elhaj, U.S. Pat. No. 7,921,528; Hughes, U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,851; Davis et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0174378; and Hoijng, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0228318. Very few of these references disclose handles that when retracted no longer look like handles. The references that do, have handles that are in locations that prevent personalization of the casket as personalization would likely interfere with the functioning of the handles. 
     Accordingly, an invention is needed to provide a casket with handles that retract in order to allow the casket to take up less space and which has handles that when retracted no longer appear to be handles in order to allow personalization of the casket. Additionally, retractable handles that retract in a way that personalization will not interfere with the functioning of the handles is also needed. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention discloses a retractable handle system for use with a casket. 
     Disclosed is a handle system for use on a casket, the handle system includes at least one bar and at least two arms coupled to the at least one bar. At least one spacer is between the at least two arms, wherein the at least two arms slide horizontally adjacent the spacer causing the at least one bar to retract to a closed position. A top panel is located adjacent the at least one spacer. A bottom panel is also located adjacent the at least one spacer. 
     Alternate embodiments may include a casket with retractable handles including a casket box and a casket lid openably coupled to the casket box. At least one handle coupled to a bottom of the casket box. Wherein the at least one handle includes a bar, and at least two arms coupled to the bar, wherein the at least two arms are horizontally slidable from a closed location to an open location. A spacer is between the at least two arms. At least one panel abuts the spacer. Wherein the at least one panel and the spacer form a solid casket base with channels for the at least two arms to slide in. 
     In some embodiments, a casket having retractable handles includes a casket box with a casket lid openably coupled to the casket box. A base is coupled to the casket box. Wherein the base includes, at least one panel comprising a panel length and a panel width, wherein the panel length is between half a length of the casket box and a full length of the casket box and the panel width has a width between half a width of the casket box and a full width of the casket box. At least one spacer is coupled to the at least one panel, wherein the at least one spacer and the at least one panel form channels. A plurality of arms are slidably located in the channels. At least four bars are coupled to the plurality of arms. Wherein sliding the plurality of arms in the channels causes the four bars to move from the closed position to an open position. 
     Additional embodiments of a handle system for use on a casket may include a bottom panel and a plurality of spacers coupled to and abutting the bottom panel, wherein the plurality of spacers and the bottom panel form at least one channel. At least one arm is slidably located in the at least one channel. At least one bar may be coupled to the at least one arm, wherein the at least one arm slides horizontally adjacent at least one of the plurality of spacers causing the at least one bar to retract to a closed position. A top panel may be coupled to and abut the plurality of spacers, wherein the bottom panel, the plurality of spacers and the top panel form a mostly solid panel. 
     Other embodiments of a casket with retractable handles may include a casket box, a casket lid openably coupled to the casket box and a handle system coupled adjacent to a bottom of the casket box. The handle system may include at least one bar, and at least two arms coupled to the at least one bar. The at least two arms may be horizontally slidable from a closed location to an open location. A spacer may be between the at least two arms with at least one panel abutting the spacer, wherein the at least one panel and the spacer form a mostly solid panel with channels substantially the same width as the at least two arms for the at least two arms to slide in. 
     Further embodiments of a casket having retractable handles may include a casket box, a casket lid openably coupled to the casket box; and a base coupled adjacent to a bottom of the casket box. The base may include at least one panel comprising a panel length and a panel width, wherein the panel length is between half a length of the casket box and a full length of the casket box and the panel width has a width between half a width of the casket box and a full width of the casket box. At least one spacer may be coupled to the at least one panel, wherein the at least one spacer and the at least one panel form channels. A plurality of arms may be slidably located in the channels, wherein a width of the channels are substantially the same as a width of the plurality of arms. At least four bars may be coupled to the plurality of arms, wherein sliding the plurality of arms in the channels causes the at least four bars to move from a closed position to an open position. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top exploded view of a casket with retractable handles; 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric partially exploded view of a casket with retractable handles; 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric exploded view of a casket base with retractable handles; 
         FIG. 15  is a top exploded view of a portion of a casket base with retractable handles; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a casket with retractable handles in an open position; and 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a casket with retractable handles in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of this invention disclose a retractable handle system for use on a casket. The retractable handle system includes handles that may be retracted to a closed position adjacent the casket. When the handles are in the closed position, the handles may appear to be trim on the casket. In alternate embodiments, the handles are flush with the sides of the casket and therefore no longer appear to be handles. However, when the handles are needed for use, they may be pulled to an open position so that they may be used to carry the casket from one location to another. 
     It is to be understood that some of the terms used herein to disclose the elements and various embodiments of the present invention may have broad meaning according to at least the definitions provided herein below. “Casket” means a rectangular box often with a split lid which is used for burying the dead. “Coffin” means a box for burying the dead. Typically a “Coffin” is hexagonal in shape. While the definitions of “Casket” and “Coffin” are different, the words will be used interchangeably to describe a box for burying the dead regardless of shape. “Hardware” is the ornamental fixtures and fittings that are coupled to the outside of a casket or coffin. Typical “Hardware” includes handles and corners. “Handles” are the hardware coupled to the outside of a casket that are designed to allow the casket to be lifted by hand. “Handles” are typically used by pall bearers to move the casket from one location to another. “Handles” comprise a “Bar” and “Arms”. The “Bar” of a handle is the portion that is held in the hand. On caskets, the “Bar” is typically a bar that is coupled to the casket for lifting. “Bars” may run the entire length of the casket or multiple shorter “Bars” may be coupled along the casket as distinct handles. The “Arm” of a handle is the portion that extends from the “Bar” to the side of the casket. “Bars” are typically coupled to a casket by at least two “Arms”. 
       FIGS. 1-11  illustrate a casket with retractable handles  10 . In particular,  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate a casket with retractable handles  10  in an open position, while  FIGS. 7-11  illustrate a casket with retractable handles  10  in a closed position. 
     A casket with retractable handles  10  as illustrated in the figures includes a casket  12  having a casket box  16  and a casket lid  14 . The casket  12  illustrated is a rectangular casket  12  with a single piece casket lid  14 . The casket lid  14  may be completely removable from the casket box  16  or the casket lid  14  may be hingedly coupled to the casket box  16 . 
     Though illustrated as a rectangular casket  12 , the casket  12  may also be a hexagonal coffin. The casket  12  may have rounded edges. The casket  12  may also narrow or widen at different portions as desired. The casket  12  may be any shape desired which serves the purpose of holding a body for burial. 
     The casket  12  may be formed from metal, wood, green materials, glass or the like. The casket  12  may also be formed from a mixture of materials. The casket  12  may be formed from any material which is strong enough to hold a body for transportation. 
     The casket lid  14  may be a single piece as illustrated or the casket lid  14  may have a split lid. A split lid is a lid that opens in two separate sections. Typically split lids are used for caskets  12  which will be displayed at viewings or funerals. Split lids allow the top of the casket lid  14  to be opened to display the head and upper torso of the deceased, while the bottom half of the lid  14  remains closed. 
     The casket lid  14  may be completely removable from the casket box  16  or the casket lid  14  may be hingedly coupled to the casket box  16 . 
     The casket lid  14  may be flat or angled as illustrated in the figures. Additionally, the casket lid  14  may be arched, curved or the like. 
     The casket box  16  is the portion of the casket  12  in which the body is held. The casket box  16  must be deep enough, wide enough and long enough to allow a body to be easily placed inside. The casket box  16  is also often lined with satin, fabric or the like depending on the desires of the customer. The casket may also contain padding or other objects that allow the body to be placed in a position which appears comfortable to those viewing the body in the coffin. 
     The casket box  16  may be rectangular as illustrated or else the casket box  16  may be rounded, circular, curved or the like. The casket box  16  may be any shape that allows a body to be placed in the casket box  16 . 
     The casket  12  and the casket box  16  may also contain other features that are typical in caskets  12 . The casket  12  may contain a drawer or other hidden location in which personal effects of the deceased may be stored. The casket  12  may also have latches or other devices for securing the lid  14  in place for burial. 
     Additionally, caskets  12  may also include gaskets and other methods of sealing the casket  12  to dirt and moisture. 
     The casket  12  may be decorated with trim  24 . The trim  24  may be any decoration applied to the outside of the casket  12 . Typically, trim  24  is a linear ornamentation or decoration that protrudes from the surface of the casket  12 . The trim  24  is a raised area on the casket  12  that increases the visual appeal of the casket  12 . 
     Trim  24  is typically applied around the bottom and top of the casket box  16  and around the edge of the lid  14 . Trim  24 , however, may be placed in any location on the casket  12 . 
     Trim  24  may be formed from the same material as the casket  12  such as wood or metal, or the trim  24  may be formed from a different material in order to provide a contrast. 
     In alternate embodiments, it may be desirable for a casket  12  to not include trim  24  or to include minimal trim  24 . Trim  24  may sometimes interfere with or detract from personalization of the casket  12 . Additionally, some customers do not like the look of trim  24 . 
     The casket box  16  is coupled to a casket base  22 . The casket base  22  is located at the very bottom of the casket  12  under the casket box  16 . The casket base  22  provides support to the casket box  16 . Additionally, the casket base  22  contains the retractable handles  19 . 
     The retractable handles  19 , as illustrated in the figures, comprise a bar  18 . The bar  18  is a linear member which is the same length or a similar length to that of the casket  12 . The bar  18 , however, could be a series of shorter bars  18  placed adjacent each other or spaced along the edge of the casket  12 . 
     The bar  18  may be any shape desired. The bar  18  is illustrated as resembling the trim  24  on the casket  12  in order to allow the bar  18  to be camouflaged when the handle  19  is in the closed position. The outside surface of the bar  18  may have a shape of the trim  24  on the casket  12 , while the other surface of the bar  18  may be any shape desired which makes the bar  18  easier to use as a handle. Therefore, the surface of the bar  18  closest to the casket  12  may be rounded or the like. 
     In alternate embodiments, the bar  18  may also resemble the sides of the casket  12 . In these embodiments, the bar  18  may have a flat smooth outer surface. When the retractable handles  19  are in a closed position, the bar  18  is flush with the outer surface of the casket  12  and blends in with the surface. The retractable handles  19  are located along all four sides of the casket  12 . Therefore all four sides of the casket  12  have a bar  18  that runs the length of the casket  12  side. 
     In alternate embodiments, multiple bars  18  may be located along each of the four sides of the casket  12 . 
     Each bar  18  may have an angle  21  formed in each of the ends of the bar  18 . The angles  21  formed in the ends of the bars  18 , as illustrated, are 45 degree angles which allow all of the bars  18  to abut each other without the bars  18  interfering with each other and without gaps between the bars  18 . 
     In embodiments with caskets  12  of other shapes or sizes, the angle  21  formed in the end of the bars  18  may be different in order to allow the bars  18  to be disguised as trim  24  when the retractable handles  19  are in the closed position. 
     In alternate embodiments of a casket with retractable handles  10 , the bars  18  may not have an angle  21  formed at their ends. Instead, the ends of the bars  18  may have a flat end which abuts a corner piece when the retractable handles  19  are in a closed position. 
     The retractable handles  19  also comprise at least one arm  20 . The arms  20  are linear members that connect the bar  18  to the casket base  22 . The arms  20  may be any size or shape that allows the arms  20  to support the bar  18  when the handles  19  are in use. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a casket with retractable handles  10  from a bottom angle. This figure illustrates the bottom of the casket base  22 . The bottom of the casket base  22  includes a bottom panel  38 . The bottom panel  38  is a thin rectangular panel of material that is similar in size and shape to the bottom surface of the casket  12 . 
     The bottom panel  38  may, however, be slightly smaller than the bottom of the casket  12  in order to allow clearance for the retractable handles  19 . The bottom panel  38  may have a width between half the width of the casket  12  and the whole width of the casket  12 . The bottom panel  38  may also have a length between half the length of the casket  12  and the whole length of the casket  12 . 
     The bottom panel  38  adds support to the casket  12  and the casket base  22 . 
     Along the lower surface of the bottom panel  38  are skids  40 . Skids  40 , as illustrated, are 3 rectangular members that are coupled to the bottom panel  38 . Skids  40 , however, may be any size or shape as desired. Additionally, there may be a fewer or greater number of skids  40  coupled to the bottom panel  38 . The number of skids  40  may depend on the size of the casket  12  and the like. 
     The skids  40  provide clearance for the retractable handles  19 . When the casket  12  is sitting on a table or a cart, the skids  40  provide clearance so that a user can place their fingers under the edge of the casket  12  in order to pull the handles  19  to an open position. 
     Additionally, when the casket  12  is placed on the casket lowering device which lowers the casket  12  into a grave, the skids  40  provide clearance to allow the retractable handles  19  to be moved to a closed position. 
       FIGS. 7-11  illustrate a casket with retractable handles  10  in a closed position. As illustrated in these figures, the retractable handles  19  appear to be trim  24  when they are in the closed position. This allows the casket  12  to be decorated with all types of artwork, photographs and the like. 
     Caskets  12  may be wrapped in vinyl wraps such as those used to decorate vehicles and the like. Vinyl wraps may be printed with any type of artwork, photographs or the like. The wrap is then applied to the casket  12  in order to personalize the casket  12  for the individual being buried. The wrap may also be applied to the bars  18  of the retractable handles  19  so that when the handles  19  are in the closed position, they blend in with the rest of the casket  12 . 
     By placing the retractable handles  19  towards the bottom of the casket  12  and by allowing the handles  19  to appear as trim  24  in the closed position, the casket with retractable handles  10  can be easily personalized. Additionally, in embodiments where the handles  19  blend in with the sides of the casket  12 , placing the retractable handles  19  towards the bottom of the casket  12  allow for easier personalization and reduce the chance that the retractable handles  19  will impede personalization. 
       FIGS. 12-15  illustrate different exploded views of the casket base  22 .  FIG. 12  illustrates an exploded view of the casket with retractable handles  10  from the top. 
     Retractable handles  19 , as discussed previously include a bar  18 . The bar  18  is coupled to the casket base  22  through arms  20 . When the retractable handles  19  are in an open position, the arms  20  appear to be simple rectangular members. When removed from the casket base  22 , however, the arms  20  located along the long sides of the casket  12  have narrow portions  32  and  36  located at the ends farthest from the bar  18 . Narrow portions  32  and  36  are portions or sections of the arms  20  where a rectangular portion of one side of the arm  20  have been removed. These narrow portions  32  and  36  allow the arms  20  from both sides of the casket  12  to pass each other without interfering in each other&#39;s motion. 
     In alternate embodiments of the retractable handles  19 , the arms  20  do not pass each other as they slide from a closed position to an open position. Instead, the arms  20  are shorter than half the width of the casket  12  and therefore do not abut or interfere with each other. In these embodiments, the narrow portions  32  and  36  of the arms  20  are not needed. 
     Narrow portion  32  has a rectangular portion of the arm removed towards a proximal end  17  of the casket  12 , while narrow portion  36  has a rectangular portion of the arm  20  removed on the side of the arm  20  located towards a distal end  23  of the casket  12 . 
     The arm  20  on one side of the casket  12  is configured directly opposite to the arm  20  on the other side of the casket  12 . Therefore, the arm  20  on a first side of the casket has the narrow portion  32  located towards the proximal end  17  ( FIG. 12 ) of the casket  12 , while the arm  20  on a second side of the casket  12  is configured with the narrow portion  36  located towards the distal end  23  of the casket  12 . 
     When the retractable handles  19  are in the closed position, the narrow portions  32  and  36  of arms  20  on the opposite sides of the casket  12  overlap. 
     When the retractable handles  19  are in the open position, a wide portion  30  and  34  are the only portions of the arms  20  which are visible. The wide portions  30  and  34  of the arms  20  are located between the bar  18  and the narrow portions  32  and  36  of the arms. The wide portions  30  and  34  are illustrated as rectangular members. 
     On the retractable handles  19  located along the long sides of the casket  12 , the arms closest to the proximal end  17  also include a stop  31 . Stops  31  are small square or rectangular extensions located along the arms  20 . The stops  31  interact with the casket base  22  and prevent the retractable handles  19  from pulling off of the casket  12  when the user is moving the retractable handles  19  from the closed position to the open position. 
     The arms  20  on the retractable handles  19  on the short sides of the casket  12  are configured slightly different from the arms  20  on the retractable handles  19  on the long sides of the casket  12 . The arms  20  on the short sides of the casket  12  are simple rectangular members  26  with stops  28  formed at the end of each arm  20 . 
     The stops  28  prevent the retractable handles  19  from pulling out of the casket base  22  when in use. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a partially exploded view of a casket with retractable handles  10 . In this figure, the casket box  16  and a top panel have been removed from the casket base  22 . 
       FIGS. 14-15  illustrate exploded portions of the casket base  22 . The casket base  22  is coupled to the bottom of the casket box  16  on a casket with retractable handles  10 . 
     The top of the casket base  22  includes a top panel  50  ( FIG. 14 ). The top panel  50  is a thin rectangular member which is approximately the same size and shape as the bottom of the casket box  16 . The top panel  50  may be slightly smaller than the bottom of the casket box  16 . The top panel  50  may have a width between half the width of the casket  12  and the whole width of the casket  12 . The top panel  50  may also have a length between half the length of the casket  12  and the whole length of the casket  12 . 
     The top of the casket base  22  which is coupled to the bottom of the casket box  16  may include two top panels  50 . The top panels  50  as described above are thin rectangular panels which provide support and stability to the casket base  22 . 
     The top panels  50  may be coupled together with adhesive, nails, screws, staples or the like. Additionally, the top panels  50  may be coupled to the casket box  16  with adhesive, nails, screws, staples or the like. 
     Though, illustrated as two separate panels, the top panels  50  may actually be one thicker panel or a panel of stronger material that provides the support and stability needed. 
     The bottom of the casket base  22  includes skids  40  as discussed previously. The skids  40  are coupled to the bottom panel  38 . The skids  40  may be coupled to the bottom panel  38  through nails, screws, staples, adhesive or the like. 
     The bottom panel  38  as discussed previously is a thin rectangular panel that provides support and stability to the casket base and reduces friction for the retractable handle arms  22 . As illustrated, there may be two bottom panels  38  coupled together for additional support. 
     The bottom panels  38  may be coupled together with adhesive, nails, screws or the like. 
     Though illustrated as two separate bottom panels  38 , there may only be one bottom panel  38  which is thicker or stronger than the bottom panels  38  illustrated. In this case, a single bottom panel  38  may be adequate to provide the support required. 
     Spacers  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are coupled to the top of the bottom panel  38 . Spacers  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  are thin members of material that are coupled to the bottom panel  38  through adhesive, nails, screws, staples, brads, fasteners or the like. The spacers  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  create smooth channels  41  along the surface of the bottom panel  38 . The channels  41  are substantially the same width or only slightly wider than the arms  20 . The arms  20  of the retractable handles  19  move back and forth in these channels  41  as they are moved from an open position to a closed position and back again. 
     Spacers  42  are illustrated as narrower than spacers  44 . However, all spacers may be the same width depending on the configuration of the arms  20 . 
     One of spacers  42  located towards an end of the casket  12  may also include stop grooves  39 . Stop grooves  39  are indentations formed in the edge of the spacer  42 . The stop grooves  39  run a small portion of the total length of the spacer  42 . Additionally, there are two stop grooves  39  formed on the edge of the spacer  42 . 
     The stop grooves  39  receive the stops  31  coupled to the edges of two of the arms  20 . The stop grooves  39  are designed to prevent the arms  20  from being pulled out of the channels  41  and therefore the retractable handles  19  pulled off of the casket  12 . The stop grooves  39  also prevent the retractable handles  19  from being forced too far under the casket  12 . 
     The stop grooves  39  prevent the retractable handles  19  from being pulled too far out by preventing the stop from travelling farther than the length of the stop groove  39 . As the retractable handles  19  are moved from the closed position to the open position, the stop  31  travels the length of the stop groove  39 . When the retractable handles  19  reach their fully open location, the stop  31  abuts the end of the stop groove  39  therefore preventing the retractable handles  19  from being pulled or from sliding out from under the casket  12 . 
     Additionally, the stop  31  abuts the other end of the stop groove  39  when the retractable handles  19  are in their fully closed position. 
     Spacer  48  and  46  create channels  41  for the arms  20  of the retractable handles  19  located on the short or proximal  17  and distal  23  ends of the casket  12 . Spacers  46  are small rectangular spacers that are coupled to the four corners of the bottom panel  38 . Spacers  48  are rectangular members that are located between spacers  46  along the end edges of the bottom panel  38 . 
     Spacers  48  also have indentations  37  along their shorter two edges. These indentations  37  receive stops  28  formed on the edges of the arms  26  on the retractable handles  19  at the shorter sides or width of the casket. The indentations  37  receive stops  28  in order to prevent retractable handles  19  from pulling or sliding out of the casket base  22 . 
     As the retractable handles  19  are pulled from a closed position to an open location the stops  28  slide along the indentations  37  until they abut an end of the indentations  37 . When the stops  28  abut an end of the indentations  37  the retractable handles  19  are in the fully open position and the retractable handles do not slide any farther from the casket  12 . 
     When the arms  20  are in place in the channels  41  formed by spacers  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  and the top panels  50  are coupled in place to the top of spacers  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48 , the retractable handles  19  are prevented from moving up and down as the arms  20  of the retractable handles  19  are held in a horizontal plane by the top panels  50 . 
     In order to use the casket with retractable handles  10 , the casket  12  may be placed on a table or a cart. The skids  40  provide clearance for the user&#39;s fingers to slip under the edge of the casket  12 . The user then pulls the retractable handles  19  by pulling on the bar  18 . As the user pulls the retractable handles  19 , the stops  31  and  28  move along the stop grooves  39  or indentations  37  until the stop  31  or  28  abuts an edge of the stop groove  39  or indentation  37 . Once the stop  31  or  28  abuts an end of the stop groove  39  or indentation  37 , the retractable handles  19  are in the fully open position. 
     The users must pull each of the retractable handles  19  to the fully open position individually. 
     The casket  12  may now be moved from one location to another by lifting on the bar  18  of the retractable handles  19 . 
     Once the casket  12  is in the desired location, such as on the casket lowering device, the retractable handles  19  may be returned to the fully closed position by the user pushing the bar  18  back to a position adjacent the edge of the casket. 
     Though illustrated as part of the casket  12 , in alternate embodiments, the casket base  22  may be removable. Additionally, the casket base  22  may be attached to preexisting caskets  12  in order to give the casket  12  retractable handles. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a casket with retractable handles  10 . In these figures, the bars  18  have flat ends that abut corner members  60  when in the closed position. 
     Corner members  60  are decorative corners that are raised above the original surface of the casket  12 . As illustrated, corner members  60  may be rounded or arched. Corner members  60  extend from the top of the lid  14  of the casket  12  to the bottom of the casket box  16 . Corner members  60  may be formed in two pieces so that the lid  14  of the casket  12  may still be opened. 
     Corner members  60  may be any size, shape or style desired to achieve a particular aesthetic for the client. 
     Alternate embodiments of corner members  60  may include corner members  60  that are only located on the casket box  16  or corner members that are only located on the casket lid  14 . 
     Bars  18  have smooth flat outer surfaces so that when they are in a closed position, the outer surface of the bars  18  are flush with the outer surface of the casket  12  and therefore the bars  18  are disguised and do not appear to be handles. 
     Having the bars  18  close to a position where their outer surface is flush with the outer surface of the casket  12  allows for increased personalization of the casket  10 . If the casket  10  is to be wrapped with images printed on vinyl, the vinyl may be extended to the bars  18  also. This allows the bars  18  to be completely camouflaged when they are in the closed position. 
     The bars  18  may also have a curved interior surface in order to allow for comfort when the bars  18  are being used to carry the casket  12 . 
     Accordingly, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, the components defining any embodiment of the invention may be formed as one piece if it is possible for the components to still serve their function. The components may also be composed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended mechanical operation of the invention. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers synthetic and/or natural, woods, glasses, composites such as fiberglass, carbon-fiber and/or other like materials, polymers such as plastic, polycarbonate, PVC plastic, ABS plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, phenolic, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, alloys, such as aluminum, and/or other like materials, any other suitable material, and/or any combination thereof. 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation.