Support device for coffin and funerary monument and associated coffin

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention lies in the technical field of funeral services and more particularly in the techniques of burying a coffin in the ground and preserving it.

[0002] This application is not exhaustive, however, and the support device could also be used for the protection and support of a coffin placed in burial plots with an underground or semi-underground entrance. Previous technique

[0003] Document DE 88 07 375 U1 discloses such a device.

[0004] Today, the preparation of a burial plot for a funeral is carried out by a stonemason using traditional techniques. Once the funeral has taken place, the stonemason closes the plot by adding earth almost to ground level. The stonemason then waits for the backfill to settle before placing the gravestone, including the headstone. This settling process can be achieved using machinery that compresses the earth or by allowing the soil to compact for a sufficient period, generally three to six months.

[0005] One drawback of burial directly in the ground is that the coffin must be placed at a significant depth, varying according to local regulations, and in France, typically 1.5 meters, which necessitates filling the grave with a substantial amount of earth. The mass of this earth, weighing between 2 and 5 tons, exerts considerable pressure on the coffin lid. It is common for the lid to break, at least partially, under the pressure, during the closing of the burial plot or within a relatively short time after the funeral, thus compromising the coffin's seal.

[0006] In practice, destroying the lid poses several problems, notably the contact between the body and its decomposition fluids or gases with the outside environment, leading to pollution, particularly during periods of rising groundwater. Another drawback is that if the seal is breached, the soil will contaminate the body, which is morally unacceptable. Furthermore, at least partial destruction of the coffin significantly complicates exhumation and / or reduction operations, especially for collecting the bones to be placed in the ossuary.

[0007] Another disadvantage of these burial techniques is the impossibility of placing the funerary monument quickly on the burial plot due to ground movements until the soil stabilizes, forcing the stonemason to carry out the burial operations on the one hand and the installation of the funerary monument on the other in several stages, including the installation of the base, the foundation, the tombstone, the plinth and the stele. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a support device for a coffin and funerary monument, particularly for burial in the ground, said device comprising, according to the invention: a receiving platform suitable for supporting the base of the coffin, the first pillars attached to the platform, means for receiving partitions between said pillars, side partitions whose upper surface allows for the formation of a support surface, at least one slab, suitable for being positioned on the support surface for the formation of a protective wall for the coffin.

[0009] The present invention also aims to protect a coffin; according to the invention, the coffin is adapted to be received by a support device, said coffin comprising a lid and a base, the base comprising a lower part and an upper part and such that the lower part rests on feet adapted to be engaged in recesses provided in the upper surface of the platform.

[0010] The invention also proposes a funerary monument that adapts to said support device. Benefits provided

[0011] A first objective of the present invention is to solve all or part of the technical problems related to the aforementioned prior art.

[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a support device for coffins and funerary monuments that prevents the destruction of the lid or the coffin placed in the ground.

[0013] The present invention also aims to provide a support device for coffins and funerary monuments allowing for the rapid installation of the funerary monument without delay in stabilizing the backfilling soil and without compacting said soil.

[0014] The present invention also aims to provide a support device for coffins and funerary monuments allowing easy access to the coffin in the event of exhumation or reduction.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a coffin allowing good preservation of the body by evacuation and treatment of liquids and decomposition gases.

[0016] An additional object of the invention is to provide a funerary monument suitable for being supported by the support device. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The present invention will be better understood upon reading a detailed embodiment with reference to the accompanying figures, provided by way of non-limiting example, among which: There figure 1 represents an example of an exploded perspective realization of a support device according to the invention, The figure 2 represents in view of the perspective of the support system of the figure 1 incorporating a coffin, The figure 3 represents a simplified schematic view of a coffin according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0018] The present invention aims to protect a support device 1 for a coffin and funerary monument. Referring primarily to the figure 1 We can see that this support device 1 includes a receiving platform 2.

[0019] This platform 2 is suitable for supporting the base of the coffin 3, both when positioned at the bottom of the concession and during the transport of the coffin 3 in the funeral vehicle or in the cemetery.

[0020] The support device 1 further includes first pillars 4 attached to the platform 2, these first pillars 4 are fixed at their bases to the platform 2 or possibly made in one piece with the platform 2.

[0021] Advantageously, the assembly formed by platform 2 with the first pillars 4 will be moved with the coffin to avoid transporting the entire support device 1 in one piece. In this way, it will be possible to move the coffin 3 and its platform 2 with standard handling equipment or manually, the other elements of the support device 1 being fixed once platform 2 is positioned in the concession.

[0022] To move the platform 2 on which the coffin 3 rests, guide means 5 are provided. These guide means 5 allow the descent from flanges of the platform 2. For this purpose, the guide means 5 include at least two grooves 6 on the lower surface 7 of the platform 2.

[0023] Each groove 6 allows the passage of a strap or buckle, while preventing the strap from moving out of the groove 6 during the handling of the platform 2. Once the platform 2 is in place, the tension on the straps is zero and the straps can slide along each groove for removal. To improve the strap movement of the platform 2 and, in particular, to prevent any tipping, rings 8 are also provided at the level of the guide means 5. These rings 8 are positioned on the first pillars 4 opposite the grooves 6 and allow the straps to pass through and be guided.

[0024] The support device 1 also includes receiving means 9. These receiving means 9 allow the positioning of partitions 10 between the first pillars 4.

[0025] As particularly represented at the figure 1The receiving means 9 advantageously include slides 11 integrated into the first pillars 4. In another embodiment, however, these slides 11 may be fixed to the first pillars 4. These slides 11 allow the vertical sliding of the side partitions 10. Once the platform 2 is positioned in its final location, the partitions 10 can simply be slid into the bottom of the slides 11 to install them. When all the side partitions 10 are in position, the protective wall 12 of the coffin 3 can be positioned.

[0026] For this purpose, the upper surface 13 of the side partitions 10 is provided as a support surface. This support surface 13 allows for the positioning of at least one slab 14. In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, five slabs are provided, these five slabs 14 constituting the protective wall 12 of the coffin. However, in other embodiments, a greater number of slabs 14 may be provided, thus reducing the weight of each slab 14, or conversely, only a single large slab 14 may be used, particularly when the cemetery in which the plot is located has lifting equipment capable of handling heavy loads.

[0027] In this regard, it is planned that, in order to support the earth load above the protective wall 12, the various constituent elements of the device 1, or at least those taking part of the forces exerted on the wall 12, are made of a concrete type material and in particular reinforced concrete or composite concrete.

[0028] To secure the slabs 14, in addition to providing a bearing surface, the upper surface 13 of the side partitions 10 is advantageously designed to form a cornice 15. This advantageous feature not only supports the slabs 14 but also locks them in place. The slabs 14 are effectively prevented from sliding against the edge of the cornice 15, thus avoiding any risk of slippage, particularly during the backfilling of the concession.

[0029] When platform 2 is placed with coffin 3, then side partitions 10 are placed between the first pillars 4 and finally slabs 14 are positioned, support device 1 effectively protects coffin 3 from risk of breakage.

[0030] The support device 1 further includes elements enabling the support of a funerary monument 16. More particularly the support device 1 includes means of fixing 17, at the level of said at least one slab 14, of second pillars 18 on the slabs 14. These second pillars 18 will enable the support of the funerary monument.

[0031] In this regard, it is important to note that by funerary monument, in this application, we mean an element enabling the location of the concession to be identified; it may include a tombstone or a simple stele.

[0032] The length of the second pillars 18 will be determined according to the depth of the concession so that the funerary monument 16 is substantially placed in the plane of the ground surrounding the concession.

[0033] Advantageously, the end 19 of the second pillars 18 is provided to include means of cooperation 20 with the support frame 21 of the funerary monument 16. These means of cooperation 20 include a hemispherical part 22, at the end 19 of the second pillars 18 cooperating with cavities 23 provided in the support frame 21. This assembly allows the funerary monument 16 to self-center with respect to the second pillars 18. Furthermore, it allows the funerary monument to be positioned without tools, the latter being held in place, once positioned, by gravity.

[0034] Advantageously, it is such that it is represented at the figure 1The support frame 21 of the funerary monument includes a slot 24 or opening for the passage and support of the base of a stele 25

[0035] Referring more specifically to the figure 3 , we see that the coffin 3 has a lid 26 and a base 27, the base having a lower part 28 and an upper part 29.

[0036] According to the invention, the lower part 28 rests on feet 30 adapted to engage in recesses 31 in the platform 2. Advantageously, the platform 2 includes several sets of recesses to accommodate various coffin sizes. The engagement between the coffin's feet 30 and the recesses 31 prevents slippage, particularly during descent into the burial plot between the platform 2 and the coffin 3.

[0037] Advantageously, the coffin includes means for filtering fluids and gases emitted by the decomposing body; for this purpose, the filtration means 32 are provided to include at least a double wall 33, of which an inner wall 34, made of geotextile, allows liquids and gases to pass through, said double wall 33 being filled with filtration compounds, in particular those based on activated carbon.

[0038] In addition, below the double wall on which the body rests, a storage area 35 for filtered liquids is planned.

[0039] According to an advantageous aspect, the storage area 35 is in contact with the lower part 28 of the base 27 of the coffin, this lower part 28 being made of a water-degradable material so that the lower part 28 once degraded allows the evacuation of filtered liquids.

[0040] The coffin 3, incorporating means for filtering bodily fluids 32, a storage area 35 for the filtered fluids, and a lower section 28 biodegradable by the filtered fluids, prevents stagnation of bodily fluids within the coffin. The filtered fluids are also drained beneath the platform 2 through its central opening.

[0041] Of course, other features of the invention could also have been considered without going outside the scope of the invention as defined by the claims below.

Claims

1. A support device (1) for a coffin (3) and funerary monument (16) as well, in particular for burial in the ground, characterized in that it includes: - a receiving platform (2) suitable for supporting the base (27) of the coffin (3), - first pillars (4) rigidly connected to the platform (2), - means for receiving (9) partitions (10) between said first pillars (4), - lateral partitions (10) with an upper surface (13) that constitutes a support surface, - at least one slab (14) to be positioned on the support surface to constitute a wall (12) for protecting the coffin (3).

2. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper surface (13) of the lateral partitions (10) forms a corniche (15) for supporting and immobilizing the slabs (14) forming the protection wall (12).

3. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the receiving means (9) include slides (11) integral with or rigidly attached to the first pillars (4) allowing vertical sliding of the lateral partitions (10).

4. The support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including guide means (5) adapted to allow lowering of the support platform (2) into the burial plot by means of straps.

5. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 4 in which the guide means (5) include at least two grooves (6) on the lower surface of the platform (2) and rings (8) on the first pillars (4) disposed facing the grooves (6) and allowing the passage of and the guiding (5) of the straps.

6. The support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means for fixing (17) second pillars (18) at the level of said at least one slab (14), said second pillars allowing support of a funerary monument (16).

7. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 6 in which the end (19) of the second pillars (18) includes means for cooperation (20) with a frame (21) supporting the funerary monument (16).

8. The support device (1) as claimed in claim 7 in which the cooperation means (20) include a hemispherical part (22) at the level of the end (19) of the second pillars (18) cooperating with cavities (23) formed in the support frame (21) allowing self-centering of the funerary monument (16) relative to the second pillars (18).

9. An assembly comprising a support device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a coffin including a lid (26) and a base (27), the base (27) including a lower part (28) and an upper part (29), said upper part (29) resting on feet (30), characterized in that said feet (30) are engaged in recesses (31) provided in the upper surface of said platform (2) of the support device (1).

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the coffin (3) includes means (32) for filtering bodily liquids associated with a zone (35) for storing the filtered liquids, said lower part (28) can be degraded by the filtered liquids, allowing prevention of stagnation in the coffin (3) of liquids from the body, the filtered liquids being evacuated under the platform (2) by a recess of the platform (2).

11. An assembly comprising a support device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 and a funerary monument (16), characterized in that the funerary monument has dimensions so as to cooperate with said second pillars (18).