Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 7th Dec., 18
1, SAMUEL MORECROFT, of The Green, Handsacre, Rugeley, Staffordshire,
Carpenter and Joiner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists of the improvements in metallic coffins hereinafter
described by which a strong and air-tight coffin of metal can be produced at a
small cost.
In carrying out my invention I cut from galvanized sheet iron or steel a blank
having the shape of the bottom, sides and ends of the required coffin and I bend up
the sides and ends at right angles to the bottom and secure the vertical joints by
soldering or by rivets. Around the bottom of the coffin and outside thereof I provide
a light angle iron frame into which the coffin fits and which is secured to the coffin
by rivets, and around the sides and ends of the coffin flush with the top is rivetted
another angle iron frame forming a flange all round the top of the coffin. These
angle iron frames are each preferably welded or brazed up entire before being rivetted
to the coffin and they add strength thereto, the top one serving as hereinafter
described for the attachment of the lid. The lid is formed of galvanized sheet iron or
steel cut to the required shape and strengthened by an angle iron frame rivetted
thereto of such a size as to fit on to and around the above mentioned frame on the top
of the coffin. In addition to the angle iron frames above mentioned the coffin and
the lid are each strengthened by metal bands rivetted thereto the ends of which are
secured underneath the angle iron frames.
The exterior of the coffin can be ornamented as desired either by stencilled designs
or by ordinary metallic lace soldered, rivetted or otherwise fixed thereto. The lid is
fixed to the top of the coffin by screw bolts passing therethrough and screwed into
the angle iron frame around the top of the coffin. The joint between the lid and the
top of the coffin is rendered air-tight by a strip of india-rubber or other suitable
substance running all round the underside of the lid and fixed thereto by suitable
•

page_text: cement. In the lid of the coffin, just over where the face of the corpse would lie 1
provide a window which is rendered air-tight by a pane of glass fixed thereto under-
neath, by fitting in a suitable frame which is soldered to the lid..
Either the sides or ends of the coffin or both, instead of being formed in a piece
with the bottom as above described, may be made separate therefrom and secured
thereto by the angle iron frame or by being soldered, rivetted or otherwise secured to
the bottom.
Instead of making the bottom, sides and lid of galvanized sheet iron or steel as
above described they may be made of black sheet iron or steel and then galvanized
after the angle iron frames and bands have been fixed thereto and the coffin is otherwise
finished with the exception of the ornamentation and trimmings.
The corners of the coffin are sometimes strengthened by corner plates soldered,
rivetted or otherwise secured thereto preferably between the angle iron frame and the
sheet metal sides and ends.
The swansdown or other lining of the coffin can very conveniently be fixed
by glue.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Coffins.
I SAMUEL MORECROFT Carpenter The Green Handsacre Rugeley Staffordshire
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:-
1st I propose useing galvanised sheet iron, steel or zine I shall cut the above
sheets to the desired shape of the bottom of the coffin then I shall cut out the sides
and ends and solder them to the bottom of the coffin above stated.
2 Or I propose useing galvanised sheet iron, steel or zinc wide enough, and long
enough so that the above sheets cut at the ends and shoulder, the sides and ends will
turn up to form sides and ends of the coffin. (Instead of soldering sides and ends to
the bottom.)
3 The sides at each four corners I shall rivet to the ends, and the cut at the
shoulders I shall rivet together and then solder inside and outside to make a firm joint
at each corner and the shoulders.
4 Round the bottom of the coffin I shall put a frame of angle iron, steel, or zinc
riveted or soldered to the coffin one angle under the bottom of the coffin the other to
come up the side.
:
5 I shall put a frame of angle iron, steel or zinc round the top of the coffin riveted
to the sides and ends of coffin, with holes tapped with a screw thread to receive screw
pins which will fasten on the lid. A small portion of the top edge of the sides and
ends of the coffin I shall press down flat upon angle metal frame to receive flexible
band or tube when the lid is screwed down.
6 I shall make the lid of galvanised sheet iron, steel, or zinc cut to the shape and
size of the top of coffin, secured to an angle metal frame of iron, steel or zinc by
means of rivets, one angle on the top of the lid the other to come down the side of
the coffin.
7 To make the coffin air-tight I propose to fix a textile band or tube of India
rubber, hemp cotton, or asbestos between the top of coffin and lid either fixed round
the top of coffin or secured to the lid by means of cement, gum, or glue.
8 I propose to fasten the lid down with screw pins, which will pass through the
angle metal frame on the lid through the textile band or tube and screw into the angle
metal frame round the top of coffin which when screwed down will press textile
band firmly between the lid and the top of coffin, to make the coffin air- and
water-tight.
9 I shall use set pins or ordinary screw pins with various shaped heads made in
brass iron or steel.
10 I shall insert into the lid a sheet of plate glass, over the head, so that the face
can be seen after the lid is screwed down, shall fix a moveable metallic cover over
same to prevent the glass from being broken.
11 I shall use ordinary coffin furniture as used in other coffins.

page_text: 12 The breast-plate will be fastened to the lid with two small screw pins with
ornamental nuts or heads so that the plate can be removed at will.
13 The handle fastneses to pass through the sides and be screwed or clenched and
then soldered inside the coffin.
14 I shall paint, enamel, Japan or cover them with paper, and varnish, or cover
with cloth, decorate with stencil patterns, or trancefer flowers, or relief patterns or
gild with leaf or bronze powder.
15 I propose to line the coffins with wadding or other material, gumed, glued or
pasted to the inside as in ordinary coffins.
16 Or I propose to make the coffins of ordinary sheet metal as above stated and
then galvanise them after they are made to prevent decay.
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
1st. To be the Inventor of an angle metal frame of iron, steel, or zinc, whereby
metallic coffins, are improved, strengthened, and made airtight.
2nd. A more simple, easier, and quicker method of fixing lids to metallic coffins by
means of screw-pins.
3rd. A flexiblo band or tube fixed between the lid and coffin which makes metallic
coffins air-tight.
4th. To make coffin bottom, sides, and ends from one sheet of metal by turning up
sides and ends galvanised or otherwise.
5th. To embellish and decorate metallic coffins by means of stencil patterns transfer
and relief patterns and flowers.
Dated this 90th day of Santambon 1000
SAMUEL MORECROFT,
Carpenter,
Armitage, Rugeley,
Staffordshire.