Improvements in Coffins.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 23rd Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
CORDELE DIBUITIVATION.
Improvements in Coffins.
I, MARIE CONSTANT HIPPOLYTE NICOLLE, of Cesny-Bois-Halbout (Calvados), in
the Republic of France, Independent Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in coffins.
Unhappily, it sometimes occurs that a person in a state of lethargy or cata-
lepsy is interred alive. The most certain means of avoiding such a mistake is
to delay the burial of the supposed corpse until after the commencement of
decomposition, but coffins as heretofore employed are not particularly adapted
for the application of this proof.
Keeping this principle in view, I have devised an improved coffin which
permits the body to be kept during a certain time, until decomposition sets in,
and, moreover, enables the person enclosed in the coffin to give warning if there
has been a mistake.
My invention will be readily understood from the following description refer-
ence being had to the accompanying specimen drawing in which
Figure 1 is a side view of my improved coffin, with parts removed to show
the interior.
Figure 2 shows the mechanism displaced by the movement of a resuscitating
person.
Figure 3 is a plan of the coffin, parts of the covers being removed to show the
interior.
Figure 4 illustrates the method of closing the coffin after the fact of decease
has been positively ascertained.
Figure 5 is a transverse section of the coffin showing the mechanism therein.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the figures of
the drawing.
As shown in the drawing, my improved coffin comprises an interior envelope a
of wood, a lining 6 of lead or the like and an exterior envelope c.
At the head of the coffin the interior envelope a is not closed and the sides a¹
are brought towards each other to permit the working of the mechanism, as will
be explained hereinafter.
The lead lining b is provided, at the head end of the coffin, with a glazed
window d mounted in a gas-tight frame. A metallic frame e, resting on a
caoutchouc washer or packing f, is arranged at the interior against the glass d
and the leaden envelope b. Similarly, on the outside, there is a caoutchouc washer.
or packing g and a metallic frame h. Bolts i, provided with caoutchouc washers,
extend through the frames e and h and the envelope b, and receive, on the out-
side, nuts which are let in flush within the thickness of the frame h. The
frame is attached at each side, at its lower part, to a transverse piece k and its

page_text: upper part rests within a slot or groove / cut in the lid. The exterior envelope c
of the coffin is provided, in front of the window d, with a small door m which
is adapted to turn upon the hinges n.
A kind of double lever p is mounted, by means of two ears or lugs, o upon the
interior frame e. The central part of the said. lever. p forms a handle or folded
part p whilst the free, ends receive counterweights r, preferably of lead.
A frame or lever t supporting a hook which engages in the handle p² to
maintain the counterweiglits elevated,, is also hinged, by means of ears or
lugs s, upon the frame e.
When a body is placed in the coffin, the counterweights are lifted and main-
tained in this position by means of the hook engaging in the handle p¹. The
door m, arranged at the head of the coffin, is left open so that, through the
window d, the decomposition of the corpse can be watched.
If a mistake has been made, the supposed corpse will be able to obtain air
and to summon assistance in. the following manner: At the time of recovery the
person will naturally raise the head. In making this movement the person
strikes the arrangement and releases the hook t¹ from the handle p¹. This
handle, thus liberated, by the action of the counterweights r, swings against and
breaks the glass d.
The person can then breathe since, the glass being broken, air is now admitted
to the interior of the coffin. Moreover, the glass, in breaking, makes sufficient
sound to attract attention or, I can, also by the breaking of the glass, set in
motion any convenient apparatus for sounding an alarm. For example, I arrange
upon the projecting parts of the bolts i a bar or arm y, lying in the path of
and adapted to be pushed away by the handle so as to put in operation a
gong or any other suitable sound producing device.
If the decomposition of the corpse sets in, it is then certain that death has
taken place. Before removing the coffin for burial, the window d is covered with a
sheet of caoutchouc or other suitable packing and a plate of sheet iron which
is supported by a metallic frame held in place by means of nuts 2 engaging
the projecting ends of the bolts i, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. When
this has been done, the small door m is closed and secured by screws to the lid
of the coffin which can then be transported in the usual manner.
The shape, details, accessories, materials and dimensions of my improved coffin
can be varied without departing from the nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. An improved coffin in which a frame or lever is arranged to extend above the
head of a person lying in the said coffin, and is so supported that, when displaced
by the said person, a hook formed thereon is moved out of engagement with the
handle of a double lever so as to permit the said handle, which is actuated' by
counter-weights on the arms of the said lever, to swing against and to break a
glazed window mounted in the head of the coffin, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
..
2. In a coffin such as is hereinbefore described, a bar or 'arm adapted to be
displaced by the handle of the swinging double lever and to 'set in operation a
device for sounding an alarm, substantially as described.
3. The improved coffin constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawing, for the purposes specified.
1 1
00
1
1000
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.