Improvements in Sectional Monuments.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th June, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 6th Sept., 1887.
Improvements in Sectional Monuments.
1, AUGUST HERRMAN MILLER, of 61 Dodge Street, in the City of Cleveland, State
of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of a monument constructed
according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation of the monument partly
broken away to disclose the connecting rod and other features of construction
connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a detail of one of the several plates forming the
respective sections with the locking device for the panel in position on its inner side.
Fig. 4 is a separate view of the said locking device. Fig. 5 is a detail of the cap
which mounts the respective sections and upon which the next succeeding section
rests. Fig. 6 is a separate view of the locking nut with a section of the connecting
rod attached, and Fig. 7 a section thereof. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of one of
the section plates shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the crown. It will
be understood that the entire structure herein described excepting in some instances
the panels, is formed of metal and preferably of cast metal, though of course other
material that is found sufficiently durable and has the quality to be moulded may be
adopted without departing from my invention.
The base or pedestal A here shown consists of stone, and is provided with a
rectangular recess a, in the center for fastening the connecting rod. This recess is
formed with two of its sides converging slightly from the bottom to the top of the
recess. In this recess I place a block a¹ having four straight sides corresponding
to the sides of the recess and of such size at its base as to just freely pass through
the top of the recess. Then when the block is inserted a free space is left at one side
and this being filled with a key or wedge a², the block is firmly locked in the recess.
A screw threaded opening serves for fastening the connecting rod, B.

page_text: The rod B is formed in sections b, one corresponding to each section of the
monument, and having a coupling nut b¹ preferably cast thereon so as to avoid
threading except at one end. This enables me to tighten the respective sections
upon the base, and upon each other as I go in the erection of the monument, as
well as to make the rod convenient for packing and shipping, which is of much
importance to me.
C represents one of the four plates constituting the respective sections of the
monument. These plates are made larger or smaller according to the size of the
monument, and are constructed alike in all particulars. As shown in Figs. 3 and 8,
the plate is provided with a central opening cover which the panel is placed upon the
inside. Each plate has a curved extension c¹ on one side, the base of which at c
extends outward beyond the face thereof and curves thence around to the rear of
the plate, furnishing a plain straight inside surface c³.
At this
Inside of the curved extensions are two lugs c* having notches co, adapted to
engage and lock the adjoining plate which stands at right angles to the plate here
shown, and has its edge formed as shown at the right of Figs. 3 and 8.
edge are two slight lugs e, which set in the notches and when tressed down to
suitable size make a close joint between the meeting edges of the two plates.
D represents a section сар
which may be cast in a single piece or in two horizontal
sections dd, as shown in the middle of Fig. 2. On the bottom of the said cap is a
bead or its equivalent for engaging and holding the top ends of the side pieces, and
beads d, on the top of the caps are provided for a like purpose. The precise means
of making these connections is not deemed material, provided the parts are so united
that they will interlock and be firmly secured. dad represent cross pieces with a
central socket d* in which the small end of the lock nut upon the connecting rod rests
and is free to turn when the sections are tightened together.
E is a front view of one of the panels which is held in position on the inside of the
plate by lugs e at the sides and slotted lugs e¹ e² at the top and bottom within which it
fits, and cross arms F shown separately in Fig. 4. Those armis bear upon the panel
at their ends and are locked in position by the longitudinal arm f, which has a beveled
head at its lower end resting in a slot in the lug e', and a tapering upper end
extending through a corresponding slot in the upper lug e. By inserting the cross
arms as shown in Fig. 3 and driving 1L wedge into the upper slot behind the. arm f
the several arms will bear against the panels and hold them firmly in position.
G represents the crown cap which corresponds in general make up and function to
the locking nut, and rests in a flanged socket in the neck of the finishing section H.
This cap is the last thing put in place, and when screwed down the erection of the
monument is complete, and all the parts are not only firmly united and locked from
removal from the outside, but the monument to all appearances is as solid as marble
or granite which it may be made to resemble.
It will of course be understood that the exact details of construction herein set forth
need not be followed where other and equivalent means will answer the same
purpose.
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. A monument built in sections and provided with a sectional connecting rod
having a lock at its respective joints, whereby each section as erected may be tightened,
substantially as set forth.
2. A sectional monument, each section having a cap piece provided with a socket
in the center, in combination with a sectional connecting rod and a lock therefor to
lock the cap piece and thereby tighten the section it surmounts, substantially as
set forth.
3. A sectional monument each section of which is composed of separate plates and
each plate having notched lugs in which the meeting edge of the adjacent plate is
held, in combination with cap pieces and a connecting rod to lock the parts together,
substantially as set forth.

page_text: 4. In a sectional monument the section plates provided with central openings and
slotted lugs on the inside, in combination with panels to cover the openings and cross
arms to fasten the panels, the vertical arms having a beveled head at one end and
tapered at the other end to enter said slots and lock the panels, substantially as
set forth.
5. In a sectional monument, a base or pedestal having a recess provided with sides
converging towards the top thereof, in combination with a block formed with
corresponding sides and adapted, to be locked in said recess, said block having an
opening for attaching the connecting rod, substantially as set forth.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.