Deflating Airbag for Casket Lowering in Subterranean Crypts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for lowering caskets into subterranean crypts require significant lifting manpower and often involve individuals entering confined spaces, with non-standardized materials and methods, compromising safety and dignity during funeral services.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, deflating rectangular bag with a release valve is used to lower caskets into subterranean crypts, reducing manpower requirements and ensuring safe, dignified lowering by inflating the bag to 95% capacity, placing a board on top, rolling the casket onto it, and then deflating the bag to lower the casket into the crypt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical track and roller assembly or lumber-based methods are used to lower caskets, then casket lowering can be achieved, but significant lifting manpower is required and safety/dignity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an airbag (pneumatic element) that can be inflated with air to lift and lower the casket. By controlling the inflation and deflation of the airbag, the system achieves smooth, controlled movement of the casket into the crypt without requiring manual lifting, thereby reducing manpower requirements while maintaining safety and dignity through standardized, controlled operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical lifting systems (track and roller assemblies or lumber-based methods requiring manual handling) with a pneumatic airbag system. This substitution eliminates the need for significant manual lifting effort while providing controlled, dignified lowering of the casket through air pressure management rather than mechanical force application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-standardized materials and methods are used for lowering caskets, then flexibility in crypt orientation is achieved, but safety and dignity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is designed as a universal lowering mechanism that can be applied to various crypt orientations (front-facing and side-facing) without requiring customization or non-standardized materials. The same standardized airbag apparatus performs the lowering function across different configurations, ensuring consistent safety and dignity protocols are maintained regardless of crypt orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If individuals enter confined crypt spaces to lower caskets, then precise placement is achieved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system performs the casket lowering operation autonomously through controlled inflation and deflation, eliminating the need for personnel to physically enter the confined crypt space to manually lower the casket. The system self-regulates the lowering process through air pressure control, achieving precise placement without exposing workers to safety hazards in confined spaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces manpower needs, enhances safety and dignity during the lowering process, and facilitates easier casket placement in both front- and side-facing crypts, improving the overall feasibility of the process.
Implementation Method 1
The airbag is inflated to 95% capacity and a board is placed on top of the airbag and the casket is placed on top of the board
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight deflating rectangular bag made of a leak and puncture resistant mattress film with a plastic two-way valve for lowering of caskets for entombment in below-floor level “Westminster” crypt locations. The deflating bag is configured to lower a casket, in a safe, dignified, and simple manner, into a subterranean crypt for final entombment, while family members, relatives, and friends observe during this important moment in the funeral service.