IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKETS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Theodore Henry Bryant, of Glencairn, Surbiton Hill, in
the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKETS."
A communication from abroad by Luis de Loma, of 4, Passage de l'Opera,
Paris France.
Sealed the 15th February 1878, and dated the 15th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Theodore Henry Bryant at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1877.
THEODORE HENRY BRYANT, of Glencairn, Surbiton Hill, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKETS." [A communication from abroad by Luis
de Loma, of 4, Passage de l'Opera, Paris, France.]
This Invention has for its object improvements in caskets.
The casket consists of a box, closed at the top by a lid made in two parts and
hinged on opposite sides. It is also furnished with a moveable base, which is
provided with a rim closely encircling the lower part of the box. This moveable
base is of a weight exceeding that of the lid, to the two parts of which it is con-
nected just outside the hinge joints by wires or similar connections in such manner
that when the casket is lifted by the body the weight of the base suspended from
the parts of the lid causes them to rise, so that the contents of the casket aro
exposed to view.
The wires or connections lie in channels formed to receive them on the body of
the box.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Theodore Henry Bryant in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
June 1878.
THEODORE HENRY BRYANT, of Glencairn, Surbiton Hill, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKETS." A communication from abroad by Luis
de Loma, of 4, Passage de l'Opera, Paris, France.
This Invention has for its object improvements in caskets.
The casket consists of a box, closed at the top by a lid made in two parts and
hinged on opposite sides. It is also furnished with a moveable baso, which is
provided with a rim closely encircling the lower part of the box. This moveable
base is of a weight exceeding that of the lid, to the two parts of which it is con-
nected just outside the hinge joints by wires or similar connections in such manner
that when the casket is lifted by the body the weight of the base suspended from
the parts of the lid causes them to rise, so that the contents of the casket are
exposed to view.
The wires or connections lie in channels formed to receive them on the body of
the box.
The Drawings hereunto annexed shew a casket constructed as above described.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the casket when closed and resting
on its bottom.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the casket when raised, and consequently opened.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the casket when closed.
A is the outer case or body. This is shewn to be of an oval form, with pro-
jecting channels A¹ at its two opposite ends. B is the moveable base, with a rim B¹
fitting closely within the bottom of the case A; C, C, are lids by which the top of
the case or body A is closed; C' are projections from the lids at the back of the
hinge joints, they cover the top of the channels A', and are connected by links D
to the moveable baso B. The links D pass down through the channels A¹, as
shewn, and are thus hidden; E is a fixed bottom to the case A, and F is a
partition dividing the interior of the case into two compartments.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim, the construction of caskets with
lids linked to a moveable base, so that the lids shall open when the casket is lifted,
as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Theodore Henry Bryant, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 14th day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand