Improvements in Burial Apparatus.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Burial Apparatus.
I, RICHARD HAMILTON THORNE, of El Paso, Texas, U.S.A., Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide certain improvements in apparatus of
that class used for carrying coffins from the hearse to the grave side, whereby the
size of the apparatus is rendered capable of being varied to suit coffins of different
sizes.
An apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a
rectangular frame provided with handles, and constructed of telescopic sides and
ends capable of being fixed in any position by set-screws.
The sides and ends preferably consist of two parallel telescopic bars having cross
stays in which screw-rods are journalled. These screw-rods have worm or gear-
wheels at their ends to enable the rotation of one screw-rod to rotate the others
which, working in nuts on one or more of the cross stays, cause the frame to
contract or distend as desired.
Two side screw-rods carry spools between
wound or unwound by the rotation of the rods.
across the frame; two or more of which are
rollers.
which straps extend and are
Telescopic cross bars also extend
journalled in hangers and carry
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicant.
I, RICHARD HAMILTON THORNE, of El Paso, Texas, U.S.A., Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to a burial device adapted particularly for use as a cemetery
hearse and also for depositing the casket in the grave.
It has for its objects to provide a structure of the kind referred to by which the
casket can be conveyed by the hearse, which will be mounted on wheels, to the
grave, and thence deposited from the hearse into the grave while the hearse is
standing over the grave.
It has also for its object to provide means whereby a canopy can be raised over
the grave and made to cover the hearse at the same time and upon which the floral

page_text: offerings may be sustained, so that the mourners may be spared the shock to the
feelings so commonly experienced while witnessing the depositing of the casket
in the grave and while standing about the grave until the conclusion of the burial
services.
It has also for its object to provide improved features of construction and new
combinations of parts entering into the formation of the hearse and also in the
means by which the casket is lowered from the hearse into the grave.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may be herein-
after made to appear the invention consists in the construction and in the combina-
tion of parts, all of which will be hereinafter particularly described, and then
sought to be specifically defined by the claims, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which :—
Figure 1 is a plan view of the device, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the
device. in both of which figures a portion is broken away. Fig. 2 is a detail
view of one of the canopy rods and its arms. Fig. 3 is an end elevation from the
front of the device. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a portion of the tendioralateral
adjusting means. Fig. 4 is an end elevation from the rear of the device. Fig.6
is a side elevation of a portion of the adjusting means for regulating the length of
the device, and also a side view of one of the gear-wheels, shewing the manner
of locking the same in position. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of one of the
casket supporting rollers and means for supporting the same. Fig. 7 is a per-
spective of one of the straps or bands for lowering the casket into the grave,
the same having a portion broken away and shewing the several members detached
from each other, and also shewing detail views of the hook-and-eye rods. Fig. 8 is
a perspective of one of the spools for carrying the strap or band. Fig. 9 is
an end view of the means for elevating or raising and lowering the canopy, the
same being shewn in two positions. Fig. 9 is a perspective of a portion of the
canopy elevating and lowering means. Fig. 10 is a perspective of the mantle
detached from the hearse. Fig. 11 is a detail view of the friction clamp or
brake and main bevel gear. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the same parts from the
face or front. Fig: 13 is a plan view of a portion of the frame, canopy-rod, and
roller-supporting-pin-operating mechanism. Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the same
parts, partly in full lines. Fig. 14 is a detail of portion of the supporting-pin-
operating mechanism. Fig. 14" is a perspective of the crank-shaft which is con-
nected to the roller supporting pin. Fig. 15 is. a detail view, on an enlarged scale,
of a part of one of the canopy operating rods. Fig. 16 is a perspective shewing
connection of the tongue to handle with parts broken away, and Fig. 17 is a plan
view of one of the track-rails with parts broken away.
The main frame is composed of the parallel side bars 1, which telescope with
the middle connecting bars 2, so that the frame may be lengthened or shortened,
as desired; the bars 1 and 2 preferably being made of tubular steel. The bars 1
at opposite ends of the device are bent inwardly, so as to constitute parallel end
bars 3, which at their inner ends telescope within the intermediate or middle
sections 4, so that the device can be adjusted in width as desired, the portions 3
and 4 preferably being made of tubular steel. The side bars are spaced apart by
suitable brackets 5 and the end bars by brackets 6, and at the corners additional
brackets 7 are preferably provided, one end of the brackets 7 being connected to
the outer end bars and the inner ends to the adjacent brackets 5 of the side
bars, as illustrated, and the intermediate or middle sections 2 of the side members
are spaced apart by the brackets 8. Through the lower portions of the brackets 5
on opposite sides of the frame are passed the revoluble shafts 9, which are
provided at their outer ends adjacent to the corners of the frame with spiral
gears 10, the inner ends of the shafts being connected by the shafts 11,
the ends of the shafts 1.1 which fit into the shafting 9 being made
angular in cross section and the inner portions of the shafting 9
into which the shafts. 11 fit being likewise made angular, 80 that
the shafts 11 and shafting 9 may revolve together and the shafts 11 and

page_text: shafting 9 at the same time rendered telescoping, so as to provide for the
longitudinal adjustment of the frame. The spiral gears 10 at the outer ends of the
shafting 9 mesh with spiral gears 12, secured to the outer ends of the shafts 13,
which are journalled so as to turn in the lower portion of the brackets 6 and 7,
the inner ends of the shafts 13 being made angular and fitting inside the tubular
shafting 14, journalled so as to revolve in the lower portion of the brackets 6.
The shafts 13 and the shafting 14 telescope with each other, so as to provide for
the adjusting of the frame as to width, and the angular connections of the shaft
provides for them turning together. Parallel with the shafting 9 on each side of
the frame there is secured the bars 15, which preferably are made of steel tubing
and are rigidly secured at one end to the brackets 5 and at their opposite ends to
the brackets 16 or some other suitable part of the frame. The inner ends of these
tubular bars are interiorly threaded or provided with internal nuts, with which
will engage the threaded portions of the revoluble shaft 17, which is journalled in
the brackets 8 and which have left hand threads at one end and right hand threads
at the other end so that when the shaft 17 is revolved the bars 15 and sections
of the frame to which they are connected will be moved outwardly or inwardly,
according to the direction in which the shaft 17 is turned, so as to lengthen or
shorten the frame. The shafting 17 carries a gear wheel 18, with which meshes
a gear 19, which is mounted upon the shaft 11. The gear 19 is feathered to
the shaft 11, so that it will turn with the shaft and may be moved into or out of
mesh with the gear 18. When the frame is to be adjusted in length, the gear 19
is moved upon the shaft 11, so as to bring it into mesh with the gear 18 and may
be locked in that position by means of the pivoted dog or pawl 20, which may
engage a notch on the feather of the shaft 11, as illustrated in Fig. 5. When
the frame has been adjusted, the gear 19 is moved sidewise out of mesh with the
gear 18 and is held out of engagement by means of the pawl or dog 20 engaging
another notch in the shaft 11, as illustrated in Fig. 5.
In adjusting the length of the machine motion is communicated to the gears 18
from the gears 19, which derive motion from the rotation of the shaft 9, which
receives motion through its spiral gears 10 from the spiral gears 12, which
derive motion from the rotation of the tubular shaft 14, which carries a bevelled
pinion 21, with which meshes with a bevel-gear 22, secured to its shaft 23,
journalled in suitable hangers from the tubular portions 4 at the end of the machine
and formed with an angular end to receive a crank 24, by which the main
bevel-gear may be turned. The side adjustment of the frame, so as to give the
desired width, is secured by means of the screw-shafts 25, which at one end work
in nuts secured to the brackets 6 and at the other end are provided with gear-
wheels 26, adapted to have brought into mesh therewith the gear-wheels 27, which
are feathered upon the shaft 14, so that by sliding them in one direction upon
said shaft they will be brought into mesh with the gear-wheels 26 and impart
motion thereto, so as to revolve the screws 25 and thus move sidewise the sections
of the frame and so as to increase or lessen the width of the frame, as desired,
the screws 25 being some of them right-handed and others left-handed as illus-
trated. After the frame has been adjusted in width the gears 27 are slid sidewise
out of mesh with the gears 26 and locked in position by the dogs or pawls 28
It will thus be observed from
engaging notches in the feathers of the shaft 14.
the description given that from the main bevel-gear 22 the frame of the device can
be adjusted in length without affecting the width, or may be adjusted in width
without affecting the length, or may be adjusted in both length and width.
The frame is supported on wheels 29, which are fitted with pneumatic tyres
and each one journalled in a fork 30, from the crown of which extends upwardly a
stem or head 31, which is connected to a yoke 32, through the upper end of which
pass the shaftings 9, so as to turn therein. Each of the wheel-frames is braced
by rods 33, which at one end are connected to the stems or heads 31 and at the
other end secured to the steel tubing 1. They are also braced by the rods 34,
connected at one end to the stems 31 and at the other ends are provided with

page_text: collars 35, which encircle the steel tubing 1, as illustrated. They are further
braced by rods 36, which at one end are connected to the heads or stems 31 and at
the opposite end are bent so as to extend parallel with the end bars and pass
loosely through hangers 37, which depend from the brackets 6. The front wheels
are swiveled in a manner like the front wheel of a bicycle upon ball-bearings, so
as to be free to be turned in guiding the hearse, the ball-bearings not being
shewn in detail, as the construction is well known.
To the forks of the front wheel are secured yokes 38, to which are hinged, by
bolts or otherwise, the inner ends of the draught tongues 39, said tongues being
curved inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and at their outer ends have the collars
or clips 40 pivotally connected thereto, through which clips passes loosely the
handle 41, and upon which handle the clips will slide longitudinally in adjusting
the width of the machine. The handle 41 is connected at its opposite ends by a
pivot-bolt or otherwise to the outer ends of brackets 42, which at their inner ends
are hinged by a pivot or otherwise to the collars 43, which turn loosely upon
the outer steel tubing 4. The collars 43 constitute a hinge which permits the
handle to be raised and lowered, and by pivoting the inner ends of the brackets
to these collars as specified the brackets are allowed to swing in a horizontal
direction, so that a double hinge is formed having a vertical and also a horizontal
movement, and a further movement is allowed the handle at points where it is
attached to the outer ends of the brackets 18. The inner faces of these brackets
are provided with projections 44, which limit the longitudinal or end movement
of the handles. The tongues 39 are provided with brakes 45, which are adapted
to be brought into contact with the tyre of the wheels by a downward movement of
the handles, so as to keep the wheels stationary and hold the hearse steady during
the operation of lowering the casket into the grave. If desired the wheels 29
may be removed, and the forks 30 used as a support for the hearse, or, if desired,
both the wheels and the forks may be removed and the hearse used without the
same.
The numerals 46 designate rollers, which are hinged at one end to the steel
tubing at one side of the machine by means of swinging hangers 47 and are
supported at the opposite side of the frame by journal-pins 48. The swinging
hangers 47 are each made in two parts bolted together by a suitable bolt and
provided with a socket 49, which receives a ball 50, secured to the end of each
roller 46, so as to constitute a ball and socket joint, which will permit the roller
to rotate when in a horizontal position and to drop to a vertical position when
released at the opposite end. The journal pins 48 pass through hangers 51,
secured to the inner steel tubing 1 at one side of the device and thence into the
end of the rollers, so that the rollers may turn thereon. The outer ends of these
journal pins are connected by links 48 to suitable crank shafts 48b, operated by
slotted arms 48°, connected to the hand holds 52, located at that side of the device,
in such manner that by turning said hand-holds in one direction the journal
pins may be withdrawn from the ends of the rollers and thus permit the rollers to
drop to a perpendicular position at the opposite side of the hearse. By turning
these handholds in the opposite direction the journal pins are thrust inwardly,
so as to enter the ends of the rollers and thus sustain the same in a horizontal
position. Handholds are also located at the opposite side of the frame of the device,
so as to constitute means by which the hearse may be carried by the hand if not
supported upon wheels. These handholds are secured upon the outer steel tubing 1
at the side of the frame of the hearse, so as to turn thereon. The rollers 46 are
tubular and made in sections, so that one section will telescope within the other
in order that they may be lengthened or shortened as desired. For the purpose
of adjusting them in length a bridge piece 53 is secured rigidly in one section.
and from it projects a screw rod 54, which passes through a bridge piece 55,
secured rigidly in the other section, the bridge piece 55 serving as a nut for the
screw 54, so that by turning the section to which it is secured one section will be
forced outwardly or drawn inwardly, depending upon the direction in which the

page_text: section is turned, so as thus to lengthen or shorten the roller.
For the purpose
of holding the telescoping sections to their adjustment a screw 56 is passed trans-
versely through the bridge-piece 55 so that its point will engage the threads of the
screw 54 and when tightened will hold the screw and its nut against further
movement. This set-screw 56 has its head fitted into a countersunk portion
formed in the section through which it passes, so that its head will be flush or
below the outside surface of that section and so that the crank 24 may be applied to
the head for the purpose of loosening or tightening the set-screw. Upon the
rotatable shafts 9 at opposite sides of the frame of the hearse are attached spools 57,
so as to rotate therewith. These spools are preferably made of sheet metal and
have the two end flange members connected by a tubular spindle, which fits upon
the shafts 9 and secured by a set-screw or otherwise to turn therewith. These
spools have secured to their shafts the ends of the bands or straps 58, by means of
which the casket may be lowered into the grave after the rollers 46 have been
dropped or swung to the side of the machine. These straps or bands are preferably
made of a textile webbing, but may be made of other material, and they are
composed of end strips 59, which may have their ends strengthened by metallic
or leather tips 60, through which will pass the screws or pins that will secure the
same to the spindles of the spools. The other ends of these end strips are likewise
strengthened by the tips 61, which are provided with hooks 62. These hooks are
preferably attached to a bolt 63, which passes through the loop end of the tips
attached to the end strips as illustrated clearly in Fig. 7. The other portion of
the straps or bands 58 constitutes the middle portion of the straps or bands and is
connected to the end portions by means of suitable eyes adapted to engage the
hooks on the end portions. These eyes are preferably formed by bolts 64, which
are passed through the loop or folded portions of tips 65, secured to the opposite
ends of the middle portions of the straps or bands, said tips having portions cut out,"
as illustrated, so that the hooks on the end portions of the strap may pass through
the cut out portions and engage the bolts 64. This constitutes a strong means for
connecting the sections of the strap or band, and permits the middle portion to
be detached from the end portion after the casket has been lowered in the grave
When the
so that the strap or band may be withdrawn from beneath the casket.
casket is first placed upon the hearse, it rests upon the rollers 46 until adjusted in
position, after which the rollers 46 are released at one end, when they swing to the
opposite side of the frame and are caught in spring clasps 66, which may be
attached to the brace rods 34 and which will hold the rollers in their dependent
position. The casket is now supported upon the straps or bands 58 until it is to be
deposited in the grave, which may be done by turning the main bevel-gear 22
so that the shafts 9 are rotated, so as to unwind the straps or bands 58 from
their spools and permit the casket to be slowly lowered into the grave. After the
casket has been lowered the straps or bands 58 are released at one end and with-
drawn from beneath the casket and from the grave.
To guard against the possibility of a too rapid lowering of the casket under
any circumstances, a brake is provided, and which is designed by the numeral 67.
This brake preferably consists of the two-part band 68, which passes around a
disc 69, formed as a part of or connected to the shaft 14 of the main bevel-gear, the
upper adjacent ends of the two parts of the band being hinged together by a pintle
or pin 70 or otherwise and the lower ends formed with ears 71, provided with
nuts 72, adapted to receive a screw 73 by means of which the two parts of the
strap may be made to grip or clutch with more or less friction the disc 69, so as to
control the rotation of the main bevel gear and thus the lowering of the casket.
The end of the screw 73 may be formed with an angular head to receive a crank
handle or wrench 74, by which the screw may be turned to tighten or loosen the
grip of the clutch on the disc. By this means the adjustment of the clutch is so
nicely adjusted or regulated that the casket may be slowly and safely lowered
without the necessity of manually operating the main bevel-gear for the purpose
of transmitting motion to the shafts carrying the spools around which

page_text: The
pass the straps on which the casket rests, the weight of the casket
being depended on for turning the spools and their shafts and the
speed of rotation being controlled by the friction grip or clutch.
friction grip or clutch may be concealed from view by being contained within
a boxing 75, which may be a casting of brass or other metal, which may he
supported by the plate 76 thereof, secured by bolts or otherwise to the frame of the
machine, as illustrated, which box may be made sufficiently strong to constitute the
hanger for the shaft of the main bevel-gear and in which the shaft of said gear
may be journalled.
When the hearse is at the grave, its wheels run upon tracks 71, which extend
along opposite sides of the grave. These tracks are formed with grooves 72" to
receive the tyres of the wheels. The ends of the tracks are bevelled, as illustrated
at 73 in Fig. 17, the bevelled ends may be formed with grooves 74
to serve in guiding the hearse wheels upon the track. The tracks are made in
sections, which are hinged together, as indicated at 75", so that they may be folded
for transport. The two tracks are spaced apart to the desired width by means of the
connecting rods 76, which have a hinged connection with the sides of the track,
the meeting ends of the rods being provided with set-screws passed through eyes
in the ends of the rods where they meet, so that by tightening said screws the
rods may be held at the angle to which they are adjusted in spacing the tracks
the desired distance apart. The inner faces of the tracks are provided with
hooks 77, from which will be suspended a curtain that will form a lining to the
inside of the grave. The end curtains for the same purpose will be suspended from
rods 78, which will be extended from one track to the other at opposite ends
thereof.
A mantle for the hearse is provided and is illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings.
This mantle is made in sections, preferably in four sections, so as to provide for the
adjustments which may be made in the length and in the width of the hearse.
The sections are adapted to overlap each other, so as to provide for the adjust-
ments that may be made without separating the sections of the mantle entirely
the one from the other. This mantle is composed of the outer curtain 79 and an
inner curtain 80, which are connected at the top by a middle portion 81, which
will lie across the top frame of the hearse, when in position, the outer, curtain
extending outside and the inner curtain inside of the frame. This mantle is
provided with the openings 82, so that the handholds 52 may project through the
same. The curtain is reversible, and one side will be black, and the other white,
so that either side may be used to suit the occasion.
For the purpose of elevating the inner curtain, so that it may form a canopy
over the grave after the casket has been deposited, the following construction is
provided: On opposite sides of the burial device or hearse there extend the shafts 83
which are supported so as to rotate in eyes or collars 84, formed as a part of the
side brackets of the side frame, and which shafts carry arms 85. Each of these
shafts is made of telescoping sections in any suitable way, preferably by forming
the middle section 86 of larger diameter than the end sections 87. so that the latter
may fit therein, the middle and end sections being connected together by headed
studs 88 in the end sections passing through longitudinal slots 89, formed in the
middle section, thus permitting the sections to telescope or slide one upon the other
when necessary, and yet at the same time connecting them, so that they may rotate
together. The arms 85 are curved, as shewn, and normally lie between the inner
and outer curtains of the mantle, so that when the shafts are turned by cranks 90
or other means the arms will be raised inwardly, and being in contact with the
inner curtains will lift the latter and thus form a mound or canopy over the grave,
the sides of the outer curtain still remaining in their hanging position. In this
way the grave is entirely concealed from view, and floral offerings may be placed
on top of the canopy. The arms 85 are formed with spurs 91, which will catch in
the inner curtains and prevent the same from slipping off the arms.
The arms 85 are held in their elevated position by a stop suitably located to

page_text: effect that result. The preferred form and application of such a stop consists of
a lug 92, connected to each arm 85 in such manner that when the arms 85 are in
their elevated position. the said lug will bear against an upright portion of one of
the brackets or hangers which connect the side rods or tubing constituting the
frame, as illustrated in the drawings, and thus prevent the shafts from turning,
and consequently hold the arms in their elevated position. When it is desired to
lower the arms, the shafts carrying the same are pushed lengthwise, so as to
disengage the lugs from the brackets or hangers, when the arms may be lowered or
dropped, after which the shafts may be moved in the opposite direction to bring
the lug back of the vertical portion of the bracket, against which it has bearing.
A spring 93 may be employed to press the shaft outward or hold the lug in
position opposite to the vertical portion of the bracket, so that the lug will be
held against the bracket, said spring yielding to the pressure of the shaft in any
direction and serving to move the shaft in the opposite direction when the pressure
thereon is relieved. The foregoing is the preferred construction and mode of
operation of the canopy shafts and arms; but other constructions may be employed,
so as to be within the scope of this feature of the invention.
It may be mentioned here that where the straps 58 pass over the inner tubings 1
of the frame friction rollers 94 are placed, so as to turn upon said tubings and
thus reduce the friction of the straps 58 at such points. It may also be mentioned
that, if desired, the wheels 29 may be removed from their forks 30 and said forks
be used as legs for supporting the burial device.
I have illustrated and described with particularity the preferred details of con-
struction of the several parts of my invention; but I wish it to be understood that
changes may be made in the details without departing from the spirit of the
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). In a burial device, a frame composed of side members formed in sections
and having a sliding connection with each other, end members formed in sections
having a sliding connection with each other, and screws operatively connected with
the sliding members for moving both the side and end members and holding the
same to their adjustment, and means for supporting a casket between the side and
end members of the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(2) In a burial device, a frame composd of centrally located stationary members
at both the sides and ends of the frame, adjustable members extended along a
portion of the sides and a portion of the ends of the frame and adjustably con-
nected at their ends to the stationary members at the sides and the ends of the
frame, and mechanically operated means for simultaneously shifting the movable
members either longitudinally or laterally for the purpose of varying the
dimensions of the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(3) In a burial device, the frame composed of end and side members, the side
members being formed in sections which have a sliding connection with each
other, screw-shafts provided with gear-wheels and formed with right and left
handed threads which engage with the movable sections of the side members so
as to adjust the same longitudinally, rotatable shafts located adjacent to said
screw-threaded shafts and provided with gear-wheels adapted to be thrown into and
out of gear with the wheels on the screw-shafts, a shaft extending transversely at
the end of the frame and provided with gear-wheels engaging with wheels on the
rotatable shafts at the sides of the frame, and means for rotating said end shaft so
as to transmit motion to the rotatable side shafts and the adjusting-screws, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
(4) In a burial device, the frame composed of the side and end members, the
end members having a sliding connection with each other to permit lateral
adjustment of the frame to vary its width, screws provided with gear-wheels and

page_text: having a connection with the movable members of the frame so as to adjust the
same laterally, shafts located at opposite ends of the frame, and each provided with
shiftable gear-wheels adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the
gear-wheels on the adjusting screws, means connecting the said cnd shafts with
each other so that motion may be transmitted from one to the other, and mechanism
for rotating the shafts, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(5) In a burial device, the frame composed of the adjustable side members and
end members, screw-shafts for adjusting the side members and provided with gear-
wheels, rotatable shafts located at opposite sides of the frame and provided with
spools carrying straps adapted to be wound upon and unwound from the spools by
the rotation of the said shafts, a transverse rotatable shaft geared with said side
shafts, movable gears on said side shafts adapted to be moved into and out of
engagement with the gears on the screw-shafts, and means for rotating the trans-
verse end shaft so as to transmit motion to the side shafts, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
(6) In a burial device, the combination of the frame provided with rotatable
shafts carrying spools, straps or bands secured to said spools so as to be wound
upon and unwound therefrom, said straps being secured at one end to the spools
and formed with a separable intermediate strap-section, the meeting ends of the
straps being provided one with hooks and the other with eyes to permit the
connection and separation of the parts of the straps, said eyes being formed of tips
with cut out portions and a rod passed transversely across the cut out portions,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
(7) In a burial device, the combination with the frame, of rollers suspended
between the opposite sides of the frame, hangers secured to one side of the frame
and having one end of the rollers secured thereto to permit rotation of the rollers
and swinging of the same when released at one end, and journal pins located at the
opposite side of the frame and adapted to be inserted and withdrawn from the
ends of the rollers so as to support the rotatable rollers and when retracted release
the rollers, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(8) In a burial device, the combination with the frame, of rollers supported
between the opposite sides of the frame, said rollers being formed in telescopic
sections and provided with means for securing the sections at their adjustment,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
(9) In a burial device, the combination with the frame, of the rollers supported
between opposite sides of the frame, said rollers being formed in telescopic sections,
one section having a screw extending therefrom into the other section, a nut in
said section to receive the screw, and means for locking the screw to its adjustment,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
•
(10) In a burial device, the combination of the frame laterally adjustable to vary
its width, supporting wheels for the frame, pivoted tongues extending in front of
one set of wheels and provided with brake-shoes to bear against the wheels to
steady the frame, and a handle connecting the opposite tongues and permitting the
adjustment of the tongues thereon to correspond with the width adjustment of
the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(11) In a burial device, the combination of the frame for supporting the casket,
wheels supporting the frame, the tongues hinged at one end to a portion of the
frame of the wheels, a handle having a hinged connection with the tongues so as
to move the casket supporting frame, and means for limiting the movements of
the handle both vertically and horizontally, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
(12) In a burial device, the combination with the frame, of the mantle formed
with an outer and inner curtain adapted to lie respectively to the outside and
the inside of the frame and formed in sections so as to be adjustable to vary the
dimensions thereof, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(13) In a burial device the combination with the frame, of the mantle enveloping
the frame and having an inside curtain, the swinging arms adapted to contact with

page_text: the inside curtain and when raised to elevate the inside curtain and form a canopy
over the space inside of the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(14) In a burial device, the combination with the frame, of the curtain, the
rotatable shafts, the arms attached thereto, means to rotate said shafts to elevate
said arms and means for holding the arms in their elevated position, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
(15) In a burial device, the combination with the casket supporting frame and
its supporting wheels, of the track-rails adapted to lie on opposite sides of the
grave and receive said wheels to support the burial device over the grave, and means
attached to the rails, for suspending a curtain inside. the grave, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
Th Now of Amil 1800