Improvements in Burial and other Vaults.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Burial and other Vaults.
I, FRANK KAUFMAN, of Rosedale, County of Madison, Ohio, U.S.A.,Drain
Tile 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: —
This invention relates to the construction of burial vaults and other subter-
raneous chambers from which it is desired to exclude water and prevent the
inroads of burrowing animals and has for its object to simplify and cheapen
this class of structure and provide for the ready assemblage and attachment
together of the parts.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vault con-
structed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 a longitudinal section of the
same, the cover being in position and shewing different means for securing a
tight joint between the slabs or parts composing the cover. Fig. 3 a top plan
view of the bottom from which the upper part of the vault has been removed.
Fig. 4 a top plan view of the vault with the cover removed. Fig. 5 a transverse
section of the body of the vault the cover being omitted. Fig. 6 is a group of
details.
The burial vault or subterraneous structure is composed of a series of suitably
formed slabs or tiles, which are cemented together at their meeting edges, and
constructed of earthenware, concrete, or suitable plastic composition, and to secure
the requisite strength and lightness the said slabs or tiles are hollow, although
this is not absolutely necessary in the bottom and side tiles.
The slabs or tiles 1 comprising the bottom will have an integral rib 2 on their
top side adjacent to the outer edge to form an abutment to prevent the inward
displacement of the side or body slabs 3. When the slabs do not extend the
entire width of the vault or structure, the intermediate ones will be plain, and
only those designed to form the outer side will be supplied with the projecting
rib 2, as shewn. The end or corner slabs will be secured together by a miter joint,
so that the rib 2 may extend entirely around the bottom at the desired distance
from the outer edge thereof, as shewn most clearly in Fig. 3. The purpose of the
rib 2 is to prevent inward displacement of the side slabs 3 when the latter are
subjected to pressure from without by reason of tamping the earth about the
vault after the latter is set up.
The side or body slabs 3 are similarly formed, each having a projecting lip 4
at one edge to extend over the joint formed by placing the slabs end to end. A
slab at each corner has a lip 5, extending from the side thereof and correspond-
ing to the lip 4 and for a like purpose, the lip 5 overlapping the joint formed
by placing the edge of one corner slab against the side of the adjacent corner
slab. The top edge of the side or body slab 3 is grooved or channeled, as shewn

page_text: at 6, the said groove being sufficiently deep to receive a tie bar 7 and a rib 8,
the latter being formed on the lower side of a cap 9. The tie bar 7 forms a bond
to connect the body slabs at their upper ends and is preferably in the form of a
frame, although this is not essential so long as the required object is obtained.
The cap 9 is intended to give a neat finish to the upper portion of the vault
body and conceal the upper ends of the lips 4 and 5 and is provided in the shape of
tiles of suitable length and is held in place by a cement or mortar joint. The
parts comprising the cap will be arranged to break joint with the side slabs, thereby
giving additional strength to the vault.
The cover is composed of a series of top slabs 10, which are hollow and of large
dimensions, so as to span the vault and rest upon the side walls thereof. The
lower portion of the top slabs is flat, whereas the upper portion inclines in opposite
directions from an intermediate point, and one or more webs connect the upper
and lower portions, so as to brace and strengthen them. The position and number
of these webs 11 are immaterial and may be varied as desired. Flanges 12 pro-
ject vertically from the ends of each top slab, and the flanges of adjacent slabs
touch throughout their length and breadth when the slabs are placed end to end.
The upper edges of the flanges are bevelled outwardly and downwardly, so that
a trough is formed between the bevelled edges of contiguous flanges when the top
slabs are in position. This trough provides for the reception of cement, whereby a
close joint can be secured. A cap 13 may be placed over the meeting flanges
and cemented in place to serve in securing a substantial and tight joint between
the ends of adjacent slabs., This cap is curved between its edges and is formed
of the material employed in the construction of the slabs or tiles entering into
the formation of the structure.
In forming a vault or like chamber in accordance with this invention the bottom
slabs or tiles are placed in position, so as to provide a vertical rib 2 adjacent to
the outer edge of the bottom. The side or body slabs are next placed in position
upon the outer edge portion of the bottom, exterior to the rib 2, and their upper
ends are bonded by placing the tie bars 7 in the groove or channel at the top
edges of the body slabs. The upper edge of the body is finished by placing
the cap 9 thereon. When it is required to close the vault, the cover is placed
thereon by resting the top slabs upon the cap, and the joints between the meeting
edges of the top slabs are cemented. The meeting edges and parts of the
several slabs or tiles are connected by a mortar or cement joint, whereby the
vault is sealed and rendered practically proof against moisture and the ingress
of burrowing animals.
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:
1. A slab for use in the construction of burial vaults or like structures, having
vertical or outwardly extending flanges at its ends, which flanges are bevelled
outwardly at their extreme edges to form a trough when similar slabs are placed
end to end, substantially as set forth.
2. In a vault or like structure, a top composed of a series of hollow slabs having
their upper surfaces oppositely inclining from an intermediate point, and having
vertical Hanges at their ends which are bovelled outwardly at their extreme edges
so as to form a trough when the slabs are together, substantially as shewn for the
Purpose described.
3. In a vault or like structure, a top formed of hollow slabs having vertical
flanges at their ends bevelled outwardly to form troughs, and a cap cemented over
the upper edges of the flanges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a vault, the combination of a series of body slabs grooved or channeled
in their upper edges, a tie bar cemented in the groove or channel, and a cap for
securing a finished appearance to the top edge of the vault composed of sections

page_text: which are arranged to break joint with the body slabs, and having a pendent
tongue to enter and be cemented in the aforesaid groove or channel, substantially
as set forth.
Dated this 10th day of A 1907
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.