Improvements in Foundations connected with Memorials or Headstones for Graves.
Year: 1894

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Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Foundations connected with Memorials or
Headstones for Graves.
I, SAMUEL ALLTREE ANDREW, Registrar and Superintendent of Philips Park
Cemetery, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is designed to provide a sub-base or foundation for beadstones in
cemeteries or grave yards or for other memorial erections to which the stones may
be easily and readily affixed without the necessity for any other foundation what-
ever and which will firmly and permanently hold in position headstones without
bases as well as those with bases without their having to be removed when the
grave is re-opened.
It consists essentially in the combination with the headstones of a continuous
concrete sub-base of any required length laid in the ground transversely at the head
of the grave spaces and provided with a groove or slot longitudinally to receive and
support the lower edge of the memorial or headstone.
In carrying out the invention I construct the sub-base of about one foot square
of any required length. It is laid in the ground with its upper face about two
inches below the ground surface and so as to run transversely at the head of the
grave spaces for any desired distance so that at the head of each grave space as
it comes to be utilised the sub-base will be found ready to receive and support the
headstone.
The upper surface of the sub-base is provided with grooves or slots of any
suitable dimensions into which the bottom edge of the headstone if without base is
fitted and which supports it firmly and permanently in an upright position.
Headstones having blocks or bases attached are fixed upon the sub-base.
This continuous sub-base may be made in several forms according to the
requirements of the situation in which it is placed. In its simplest form it may
have a single slot or groove running longitudinally the full length so that the head-
stones may be erected at any position along its length. Or it may be made with
the addition of front or transverse slots running from one edge to the longitudinal
slot at fixed spaces for the heels of the border stones or kerbs to rest in. Or instead
of the longitudinal groove or slot being continuous the grooves or slots may be
formed at suitable distances apart to mark the position of the headstone and this
form may also be made without or with the addition of the transverse front slots
for the heels of the border stones or kerbs to rest in.
The continuous concrete base can be laid in the ground in as many lengths or
lines as may be required, beforehand, at any convenient time, and covered over,
leaving the surface like the other unused parts of the plot and will be ready for
use whenever required.
It can be laid either in straight lengths or round curves or circles in any position
required.
If properly put in, it will hold safely firmly and permanently any headstone with
or without base, and as the greater portion is always resting upon firm ground it is
perfectly safe even if the earth be excavated from under it at any other part or
parts whilst opening graves for the purpose of interments.
Dated this 16th day of March 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents:
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents:

page_text: Improvements in Foundations connected with Memorials or
.Headstones for Graves.
1, SAMUEL ALLTREE ANDREW, Registrar and Superintendent of Philips Park
Cemetery, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, 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 :-
This invention is designed to provide a grooved sub-base or foundation for
headstones in cemeteries or grave yards or for other memorial erections to which
the stones may be easily and readily affixed without the necessity for any other
foundation whatever and which will firmly and permanently hold in position head-
stones without bases as well as those with bases without their having to be removed
when the grave is re-opened.
It consists essentially in the combination with the headstones of a continuous
concrete sub-base of any required length laid in the ground transversely at the
head of the grave spaces and provided with a groove or slot longitudinally to
receive and support the lower edge of the memorial or headstone, and if desired
transverse slots to support the heels of the border stones.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the annexed drawings.
Fig. 1. Side elevation of the continuous concrete sub-base with longitudinal
groove.
Fig. 2. Plan of same.
Fig. 3. Transverse section.
Fig. 4. Sectional elevation with headstone without base in position.
Fig. 5. Side elevation of a modified form.
Fig. 6. Plan of same.
Fig. 7. Transverse section.
Fig. 8. Side elevation of another modification.
Fig. 9. Plan of same.
Fig. 1. Transverse section.
Fig. 11. Sectional elevation of sub-base with modified form of headstone with
base tongued on the bottom side to fit in the groove.
Fig. 114. Sectional elevation of sub-base shewing headstone with ordinary base.
Fig. 12. Elevation of border or kerb stone for use with the sub-base shown in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 13. Elevation of border or kerb stone to fit into the transverse slots shown
in sub-base Figs. 5 and 8, also for use with headstones with bases as in Figs. 11
and 114.
Fig. 14. Elevation of border or kerb stone for foot of grave.
Fig. 15. Perspective view of the three forms of sub-bases with one headstone
without base in position.
The sub-base A is constructed of concrete about one foot square and of any
desired length. It is laid in the ground to run transversely at the head of the
grave spaces for any desired distance with its upper face about two inches below
the ground surface so that at the head of each grave space-when it comes to be
utilised the sub-base A will be found ready to receive and support the headstone.
The sub-base A is provided on its upper face with a longitudinal groove or elot a
(or grooves or slots) into which the bottom edge 6 of the headstone B is fitted and
which supports the headstone firmly and permanently in an upright position. The
headstones B may be made either without or with bases . In the former case the
groove or slot a in the sub-base A is of a size to receive the bottom edge of
the headstone as in Fig. 4, and in the latter case the base 61 is formed with a

page_text: tongue to fit into the groove a as in Fig. 11, or it may rest upon it without
entering the groove, as in Fig. 11ª.
The continuous sub-base A may be made in several forms according to the
requirements of the situation in which it is placed.
In Figs. 1 to 4 it is shown in its simplest form with a single slot or groove a
running longitudinally the full length so that the headstones may be erected at any
position along its length.
In Figs. 5 to 7 it is made with the addition of front or transverse slots a' running
from one edge to the longitudinal slot at fixed spaces for the heels of the border
stones or kerbs C to rest in.
In Figs. 8 to 10 it is made with the grooves or slots a formed at suitable distances
apart to mark the position of the headstone and this form may also be made with
(or without) the addition of the transverse front slots a' for the heels of the border
stones or kerbs C to rest in.
The continuous concrete sub-base A can be laid in the ground in as many lengths
or lines as may be required, beforehand, at any convenient time, and covered over,
leaving the surface like the other unused parts of the plot and will be ready for use
whenever required.
It can be laid either in straight lengths or round curves or circles in any position
required.
If properly put in, it will hold safely, firmly, and permanently any headstone
with or without base, and as the greater portion is always resting upon firm ground
it is perfectly safe even if the earth be excavated from under it at any other part or
parts whilst opening graves for the purpose of interments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combination with a memorial or headstone for graves of a continuous
concrete sub-base forming a foundation therefor laid in the ground transversely at
the head of the grave spaces and provided with a longitudinal groove or slot into
which fits the lower edge of the headstone with or without tranverse slots to
receive the heels of the border stones or kerbs substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of October 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.