Patent Publication Number: US-2023160228-A1

Title: Grave Marker

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to markers for graves, and more particularly to grave markers that are affordable along with theft and vandal-resistant. 
     Headstones, tombstones, and gravestones mark the graves of the deceased so their locations can be determined. Grave markers are commonly made of stones that are placed over a grave, and may have the deceased&#39;s name, date of birth, date of death and other indicia engraved in it. Grave markers commonly include other engraved matter that may include a message, a prayer and artwork. Grave markers come in many forms, and can be elaborate or simple, but all grave markers are intended to inform the living about a deceased person buried at a particular location. 
     Traditional grave markers made of stone have typically been thick so that they last for many years. Because vandals and thieves seek to move or damage grave markers, making such markers heavy also makes them resistant to theft and vandalism. Unfortunately, the cost of stone grave markers has become high due to the cost of thick and heavy stone as well as the labor required to engrave and position them. 
     The need exists for a less expensive alternative to the traditional thick, heavy and expensive stone grave marker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein is a marker for a grave in the earth. The marker comprises a base configured for contact with the earth and a planar stone panel with indicia thereon. The stone panel has opposing first and second faces and opposing first and second edges. Opposing structures are structures that face generally away from one another. Opposing structures need not face exactly opposite directions. A first bracket is configured for extending over the first edge and a second bracket is configured for extending over the second edge. The first and second brackets are configured for restraining the stone panel therebetween. A frame attaches to the first and second brackets and is configured for attachment to the base. 
     In some embodiments, the first bracket has a first front face panel and at least one finger configured for disposing adjacent the first edge. In some embodiments, the second bracket has a second front face panel and at least one finger configured for disposing adjacent the second edge. The stone panel may be configured for interposition between the frame and the first and second front face panels. In some embodiments, at least one member is configured to extend to the base from attachment to the frame, thereby forming an enclosure between the stone panel and the base. In some embodiments, a third bracket is configured for extending over a third edge of the stone panel and a fourth bracket is configured for extending over a fourth edge of the stone panel, wherein the third and fourth brackets are configured for attachment to the frame. 
     Some embodiments include a second planar stone panel with indicia, the second stone panel having opposing first and second edges and configured for being spaced from the stone panel. A third bracket is attached to the frame and is configured for extending over the first edge of the second stone panel. A fourth bracket is attached to the frame and is configured for extending over the second edge of the second stone panel. 
     In some embodiments, a receptacle is mounted to the frame, the first bracket and/or the second bracket. 
     Disclosed herein is a method of constructing a grave marker at a grave in the earth. The method comprises disposing a base in contact with the earth, attaching a frame to the base and attaching first and second spaced brackets to the frame. The method also comprises a step of disposing a planar stone panel with indicia in a gap between the first and second brackets, the stone panel having opposing first and second edges over which the first and second brackets, respectively, are disposed. This forms a gap between the stone panel and the base, wherein the first and second brackets sufficiently restrain the stone panel to restrict removal of the stone panel without moving at least one of the brackets relative to the stone panel. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes extending at least one member to the base from attachment to the frame, thereby forming an enclosure between the stone panel and the base. In some embodiments, the method includes extending a third bracket, which is attached to the frame, over a third edge of the stone panel, and extending a fourth bracket, which is attached to the frame, over a fourth edge of the stone panel. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes spacing from the stone panel a second planar stone panel having indicia and opposing first and second edges. The embodiment may include extending a third bracket, which is attached to the frame, over the first edge of the second stone panel, and extending a fourth bracket, which is attached to the frame, over the second edge of the second stone panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view illustrating an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear view illustrating the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side view in perspective illustrating the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a front view in section through the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a front view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    show a grave marker  10  with a frame  20  holding a stone  30 . The stone  30  may be a marble or granite panel or any other suitable planar or non-planar object. The stone  30  may bear indicia  31  on one or more sides, such as one of the major surfaces, and the indicia  31  may include letters, numbers, artwork, shapes, and/or desired images of any kind, or a combination of all of these, such as dates, names and images of a person, as an example. Any indicia may be formed on the stone  30  by engraving, laser etching, chemical etching or any other means of imprinting or placing visible items on the stone  30 . 
     The frame  20  may include frame members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  ( FIG.  2   ), which are attached at opposite ends of each of the members to form a rigid structure to which other components of the grave marker  10  may attach. The frame  20  may be made of stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the frame members  22 - 28  are stainless steel beams that are welded at opposite ends to form a rectangular shape as seen in  FIG.  2   . Some or all of the beams may have a cross section that is L-shaped, U-shaped, planar or another suitable shape. 
     Attachment legs  40  and  42  are a component of the frame  20  and extend from the members  22 - 28  to a base, which may be a concrete pad  50  resting upon, or in, the earth. The base may alternatively be a vertical post or pole mounted in the earth, or such post combined with a horizontal panel attached to the post. The base may be any other combination of structures that are resting upon, or attached to, the earth and to which the other components of the grave marker  10  may be mounted to make the grave marker  10  difficult for a person to move or damage. In one embodiment, the legs  40  and  42  are stainless steel beams that are welded at one end to opposite sides of the combined frame members  22 - 28  shown in  FIG.  2   . One or both of the legs  40  and  42  may have a cross section that is L-shaped, U-shaped, planar or another shape. The legs  40  and  42  may be fastened to the concrete pad  50 , such as by welding, adhesive or fasteners, such as bolts. In a preferred embodiment, the legs  40  and  42  are angled relative to the frame members  24  and  28  by an angle of about 80 to 85 degrees, thereby causing the stone  30  to be tilted relative to the pad  50  for aesthetic and functional purposes. Typically, the stone  30  does not contact the pad  50 , and is spaced from the pad by at least one-half inch, and preferably one to two inches. Thus, a gap is formed between the lower end of the stone  30  and the pad  50 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the stone  30  is a six-sided granite panel with one curved side  32 , three straight sides  34 ,  36  and  38 , and two opposing faces  15  and  17 , one of which has the indicia  31 . The stone  30  has four corners  33 ,  35 ,  37  and  39  where the sides  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  intersect. The stone  30  may be about one inch thick, with a width of about 32 inches and a height of about 30 inches at the peak in the orientation of  FIG.  1   . Alternative stones may be thinner or thicker and a typical thickness range is between about one-half inch and about two and one-half inches thick. The width and height may range from a few inches to several feet. 
     The frame  20  supports the stone  30  by a plurality of brackets  23 ,  25 ,  27  and  29  that are fixed to the frame  20  and restrain the position of the stone  30  relative to the frame. The brackets are attached to the frame to prevent substantial movement, such as by welding, adhesive or fasteners, such as bolts or rivets. Any suitable attachment may be substituted. When the stone is positioned between the brackets, the stone cannot move enough relative to the frame  20  to be removed from the frame. The embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 4    has four brackets with one at each of the corners of the stone, but fewer than four brackets may be necessary for stones of other shape. If the shape of the stone is suitable, as few as two brackets may be used to secure the stone in the grave marker. For example, two brackets at opposing sides or corners may restrain a stone sufficiently to limit movement, depending on the shape of the stone and the desired level of security. In some embodiments, three brackets may be necessary or desirable, and in others four or more may be desirable. 
       FIG.  4    shows the corners  33 - 39  of the stone  30  with the brackets  23 - 29  in section and in an operable position, with each bracket at a corresponding corner. Each of the brackets  23 - 29  consists of fingers (e.g., the bracket  25  has fingers  25   a  and  25   b ) angled relative to one another, and each finger is disposed adjacent a respective one of the sides  32 - 38  of the stone  30 . The fingers may be stainless steel strips or plates welded or bent at their intersection, or the entire bracket may be cast or forged into shape. Because the brackets  23 - 29  are positioned at the corners of the stone  30  with fingers abutting adjacent sides, and the brackets are fixed to the rigid members  22 - 28 , the brackets  23 - 29  restrict the stone from moving substantially within the plane that contains the stone  30 . There may be enough space between the brackets and the stone to move the stone a fraction of an inch within the plane, but under normal conditions the positions of the brackets and their relative sizes prevent the stone from being removed from the frame  20  without the brackets being moved. 
     Each of the brackets has a respective front panel (see  FIG.  1   ) that restricts the stone  30  from moving perpendicular to the plane of the stone  30  away from the frame  20 . The front panels  23 ′,  25 ′,  27 ′ and  29 ′ may be welded or otherwise adhered to the respective fingers of each corresponding bracket, or they may be integrally cast or forged with the fingers. Some or all of the brackets may have a rear panel that is similar to the front panels. The frame  20  is positioned on the opposite, rear major face of the stone  30  and restricts the stone  30  from moving perpendicular to the plane of the stone  30  a substantial distance away from the front panels  23 ′- 29 ′ of the brackets  23 - 29 , which is directly toward the frame  20 . 
     The stone  30  is thus retained between the opposing brackets  23 - 29 , portions of which enclose the opposing corners  33 - 39  and sides  32 - 38  of the stone  30  to prevent the stone  30  from being removed from between the brackets  23 - 29  without moving one or more of the brackets from the restraining position shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . Once positioned as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the stone  30  is restrained from substantial movement sufficient to remove the stone  30  from the remaining components of the grave marker  10 . 
     Structural members may extend from the frame  20 , such as from the side members  24  and  28  to the legs  42  and  40 , respectively, to support the grave marker  10 . As an example, the member  60  may be a stainless steel beam that is welded at one end to the top (in the orientation of  FIG.  2   ) of the member  28  and extends at an angle to the end of the leg  40 , where it is also welded. The member  62  may be a stainless steel beam that is welded at one end to the top (in the orientation of  FIG.  2   ) of the member  24  and extends at an angle to the end of the leg  42 , where it is also welded. Thus, the members  60  and  62 , as parts of the frame  20 , support the members  22 - 28  and the stone  30  against movement transverse to the plane of the stone. 
     It is contemplated to extend a transparent or translucent panel, such as glass, acrylic or polycarbonate sheet, between the members  60  and  62  to form a ceiling. Such a ceiling would shed rain, snow and other precipitation, and protect any decorative items or lights that are positioned between the panel and the stone  30 . It is also contemplated to extend translucent or other panels between any or all of the members and legs to enclose the entire rear region adjacent the stone. Such an enclosure may protect lights, flowers, or other memorabilia for display in the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a stone may be restrained by three brackets. In  FIG.  5   , an embodiment is shown with a triangular stone  70  that is held at all three corners  71 ,  72  and  73  by brackets  81 ,  82  and  83 , respectively. A frame is made up of the members  90  and  91 , which, in the orientation of  FIG.  5   , may be fixed together in an inverted T-shape. The brackets  81  and  83  may be attached at the opposing ends of the member  90 . The bracket  82  is fixed near the end of the member  91  opposite the member  90 . The brackets  81 - 83  thus restrain the stone  70  similarly to the brackets described above in relation to the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 4   . 
     The legs  92  and  93  attach to the member  90  and enable the frame members  90  and  92 , along with the attached brackets  81 - 83  and the stone  70 , to be attached to the base  85  by any suitable fasteners or other means. The base  85  may rest upon or may be submerged in the earth to the top of the base  85 . 
     In some embodiments, an accessory, such as the banner stone  98  ( FIG.  5   ), may be mounted to one of a framework of members, such as the member  94 , which attaches to the member  91 . The member  91  is fixed to the member  94 , which has brackets  95  and  96  fixed at opposite ends of the banner stone  98  to restrain the stone  98  and prevent theft or damage. In the embodiment of  FIG.  5   , the frame members and brackets may be made of stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitable material. In one contemplated embodiment, the members  90 - 94  are stainless steel beams that are welded together to form the shape shown. Some or all of the members may have a cross section that is L-shaped, U-shaped, planar or another shape. 
     In some embodiments, a stone may be restrained by two brackets. In  FIG.  6   , an embodiment is shown with an elliptical stone  100  that is held at opposing sides by brackets  110  and  112 . A frame is made up of the members  122 ,  124 ,  126  and  128 , which may be stainless steel or aluminum beams, welded together, which may form a rectangle. The brackets  110  and  112  are attached to the members  124  and  122 , respectively, and the stone  100  is restrained therebetween. The members  122  and  124  are fixed to the base  130 , such as by bolts or by the members  122  and  124  inserting into, the top of the base  130 . 
     In some embodiments, there may be stones of shapes that are not described by common geometric terms. Nevertheless, these stones may be retained by a plurality of brackets on opposing sides in order to restrain the stones therebetween. In an embodiment shown in  FIG.  7   , a grave marker  200  includes the members  202 ,  204 ,  206  and  208 , which may be stainless steel beams welded together at opposing ends where they join or overlap one another. The members  202 - 208  are fastened to the base  285 , which may be a concrete pad, such as by bolts. 
     The rectangular stones,  210 ,  211 ,  212 ,  213 ,  214 , and  215  are joined together by a plurality of beams, some of which are given reference numbers (e.g.,  220 ,  222 ,  224  and  226 ). The beams may be metal, stone, adhesive, plastic, composite or any other structural member that connects the stones  210 - 215 . The beams connect the stones to form a single, rigid unit that is held between the bracket  230 , which is fixed to the member  206 , the bracket  232 , which is fixed to the member  204 , and the bracket  234 , which is fixed to the member  208 . In this manner, the brackets  232 - 236  attached to the frame members  204 - 208  on opposite sides of the stones  210 - 215  restrain the unit that is made up of the stones  210 - 215  connected by the beams. 
     Other structures may be mounted to the grave markers described herein, such as the grave marker  150  shown in  FIG.  6   . A cylindrical receptacle  140  may be mounted to the member  122  as shown in  FIG.  6   . The receptacle  140  may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, stone or any suitable material. The receptacle  140  may be in the form of a cup with circular cylindrical sidewalls and a floor that retain flowers and water therein for display. Other structures that may retain mementos, such as flowers, photographs or other items, may be mounted to the members, brackets or stones. 
     This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.