Improvements in Tombstones, Monuments, and Statuary.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tombstones, Monuments, and Statuary.
1, JOSEPH HENRY SIBSON of 6 Morley Villas, Morley Road, Lewisham, Kent,
Woollen Drapers Assistant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of forming boxes of glass or any suitable material in all kinds
of monuments, statuary, memorial stones or tablets, and the like objects such as
tombstones for the which it is particularly applicable.
According to the present custom wreaths of flowers often in glass cases are placed
on the grave or hung round tombstones or monuments.
My invention is to make a glass case inside the tombstone and I will now describe
one way in which 1 propose to carry this out. In forming the box in the ordinary
erect slab. tombstone with a half round top, a round hole is cut to the required size
right through the stone, the top of the circle being 2 or 3 inches from the top of the
stone. A piece of clear glass is fixed over the hole on the front of the stone, and a
door of coloured glass over the circle on the back of the stone.
A box being now formed inside the tombstone a wreath of flowers can be placed
therein or if prefered a small bust or a portrait of the deceased person or persons can
be placed in the centre of the wreath.
J. H. SIBSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tombstones, Monuments, and Statuary.
I JOSEPH HENRY SIBSON, of 6 Morley Villas, Morley Road, Lewisham, in the
County of Kent, Woollen Drapers Assistant, 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 :-
My invention consists in forming boxes or recesses in all kinds of monuments,
statuary memorial stones and the like, and it has for its objects first, the reception of
flowers, wreaths, memorial cards, busts, portraits, and the like; and secondly, the
more artistic and permanent lettering recording the date of the birth and death etc.,
of the deceased person whose grave the stone is intended for.
1 attain these objects in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing which
shows one manner of carrying my invention into practical effect. Figure 1. is a view
in front elevation of a memorial or tombstone fitted according to my invention.
Figure 2. is a view in back elevation thereof and Figure 3 is-a-view in transverse
section through the centre of the stone.
:
Throughout these views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
In a memorial or tombstone of the shape illustrated I cut one or more holes of a
round or any other suitable section right through the stone, the position of the holes
being as illustrated or otherwise as found most convenient with respect to the shape
of the stone or with respect to each other. The front of each of these holes is glazed
with glass or other suitable transparent material and the rear thereof is fitted with a
hinged door the frame of which is adapted to be fitted with a sheet of glass, either
plain, coloured, or silvered. If I use only one box or recess 1 prefer to place it in
the position occupied by that marked A in the accompanying drawings and if I use
three I place the other two in the positions occupied by those marked A' A' in the
accompanying drawing. The holes may be of a circular, square, oval, heptagonal, or
1

page_text: any other suitable shape or they may be made of a combination of two or more of
such shapes as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. The frame b. carrying the
glazed front B is fixed to the stone in any suitable manner, and the door at the
back is hinged to a suitable frame c. also fixed to the stone in any suitable manner.
The frame of the door C¹ is adapted to receive a sheet of glass C which may be either
plain, coloured, or silvered. The door C¹ is provided with a suitable fastening or lock
so that it may be securely fastened. In the frame of the door or in one of the
frames b. or c. are formed one or more small holes to allow air to get access to the
interior of the box or recess formed in the stone. In the interior of the box or recess
a hook, stand, or its equivalent may be used if necessary to support whatever it may
be desired to place in the said box or recess.
When the boxes or recesses A' A' are
used they are preferably designed to bear engraved glass fronts giving particulars
relating to the birth and death of the deceased as illustrated in the accompanying
drawing. In this case the doors at the backs of the boxes or recesses may be
dispensed with, and the backs merely glazed in a similar manner to the fronts.
It will be understood that boxes or recesses may be formed in the manner herein-
before described in any monumental stones tablets or statuary.
By the use of my invention memorial or tombstones may be rendered more artistic
than those at present used, while the greatest protection is afforded to floral tributes
or other offerings. By cutting the recesses right through the stone tablet or statuary
and glazing the back part with glass either plain, coloured, or silvered, the interior of
the box or recess is made much lighter-than would be the case if it had a solid
back either by the direct or reflected light. I wish it to be particularly understood
that I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction hereinbefore set forth
but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within
the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertaind the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is ;-
1st. The improvement in memorial or tombstones and the like, as set forth.
2nd. In a memorial or tombstone, or the like, the use of boxes or recesses formed
in the said stones and having glazed fronts and backs, as and for the purpose set
forth.
3rd. In a memorial or tombstone, the combination with engraved glass tablets of
holes passing through the said stone to admit light behind the said tablets, as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 13th day of January 1890.