Improvements in Grave Vaults.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th May, 1893-Accepted, 19th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Grave Vaults.
I, JOHN GIBSON GRAY of Connersville Indiana U.S.A. Farmer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A platform of suitable hight is placed in the bottom of the grave, upon which
the coffin or casket is to rest. A cap or cover made air-tight in its walls, is placed
down over this platform extending down to the bottom of the platform-where it is
secured. Should water begin to rise in the bottom of the grave, an air chamber is
formed in this cover, the air in the interior becomes compressed, & the atmospheric
resistance checks the rising of the water to the point where the casket rests, and a
water-proof receptacle is produced.
Dated this 17th day of August 1892
JOHN GIBSON GRAY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Grave Vaults.
I, JOHN GIBSON GRAY, of Connersville, Indiana, U.S.A., Farmer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to that class of boxes or vaults used to enclose the coffins
or caskets in the burial of deceased persons.
My invention consists in a platform of suitable proportions and strength to
support the coffin or casket, which platform is provided with a cap or cover made
air tight in its walls and ceilings, and adapted to shut down over the platform, and
to rest on the projections of the base-plate of the platform, forming an air chamber
of the area enclosed in the interior of the cap or cover, the air in which is com-
pressed by the water rising in the bottom of the grave and around the vault, until
the atmospheric resistance in the air chamber checks the rising of the water in the
cap or cover.
In the drawings
Fig. 1 represents the platform.
Fig. 2 represents the air-tight cap or cover.
In Fig. 1A represents the top of the platform where the coffin or casket
rests.
B represents lugs or angle irons on the upper parts of the sides of the
platform.
C represents openings at the corners of the platform, through which the air can
circulate.
D represents projections of the base-plate of the platform.
E represents tongues on projections of the base-plate adapted to engage in the
grooves G on the base part of the cap or cover.
In Fig. 2 F represents springs on the base part of the cap or cover, and adapted
to engage in the lugs or angle irons B on the sides of the platform when the vault
is in position, thus locking the cap or cover to the platform.
In Fig. 3 like letters represent like parts.
When the vault is in position in the grave, and the water arises around the
structure, the escape of the air from the interior of the cap or cover is cut off, and
the water can only ascend to that point where the resistance of the compressed air
[Price 8d.1

page_text: will meet and counter-act its further upward progress. The cap or cover being
constructed air-tight, the atmospheric resistance is continuous and permanent,
and a water-proof receptacle is produced. The tendency of the opposing forces
to raise the cap or cover from its position by an increased volume or depth of
water, is obviated by the weight of the structure and the weight of the earth
resting on it.
The vault is constructed of iron or steel plate, of one-eighth of an inch in thickness,
heavier or lighter as may be desired, the end pieces of the cap or cover are flanged
and riveted to the other parts, sides and top, in such a manner as to be water and
air tight:
In the construction of the platform, a base-plate of sufficient length and width,
for the cap or cover to rest on, two inches projections more or less as may be desired,
angle irons are riveted to the projections of the base plate, narrow pieces of iron or
steel plate from three to six inches in width, according to the height of the cap or
cover, are riveted on the upturned edges of the angle irons, and to which plate in
turn other angle irons are riveted, and to which last mentioned angle irons the top
part of platform is riveted. Thus the platform is so constructed, that when the
vault is closed the platform, with the exception of the base plate, will be in the
interior of the cap or cover, and about one-fifth of the space of the interior will be
below the top part of the platform, and as the resistance of the compressed air in
the cap or cover is continuous and permanent, an apartment that is protected in
every respect, is secured for the rest of deceased persons, affording substantial
consolation to friends that are near and dear.
In
Where the vault is to be protected by masonry, any desired water-proof, thin
material, as ordinary zinc or copper, may be used for the cap or cover, as the
pressure out on the inside will be equal to the pressure in from the outside.
such case the platform, as herein described, or its equivalent must be used, and
be well secured to the masonry in the bottom of the grave to protect against
displacement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a grave vault, the platform Fig. 1, provided with lugs or angle irons B,
in combination with the air tight cap or cover; Fig. 2, provided with spring
catches F, adapted to catch beneath the lugs or angle irons B in locking the vault,
all combined and operating in the manner and for the purpose herein substantially
set forth and described.
2. In a grave vault, the tongues E on base-plate of platform, Fig. 1, that engage
in grooves G on base of cap or cover, Fig. 2, all combined and operating in the
manner and for the purpose substantially herein set forth and described.
3. In a grave vault, the method of, and devices for, protection from water, all
substantially as herein set forth and described.
Dated this 1st day of May 1893.
JOHN GIBSON GRAY.