The present invention relates to caskets, and, more specifically to a system and method for attaching interchangeable decorative ornaments to a casket.
Caskets can be customized by selecting personalized trim or decorations to be installed on the casket. The decorations may capture the character and interest of the person being remembered. One such personalization typically includes decorative ornaments installed on the corners of the casket.
In accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a casket ornament attachment system and method. A casket may be customized by choosing from a variety of different decorations or ornaments. The ornaments may be interchanged with other ornaments to personalize the casket. A decorative ornament is attached to a casket having an ornament attachment plate. The ornament may be attached to corner member or other portion of the casket. Each ornament attachment plate has a pair of grooves including a straight groove and a curved groove for receiving shoulder screws on the back of the ornament. The ornament can be removed and attached by the same means to a keepsake plaque for friends and family members.
The attachment system of the present invention may be used for attaching casket ornaments other than corner ornaments or for attaching trim, molding and the like. Additionally, the attached system of the present invention is not limited to the death care industry but may be used in other applications as well in which objects are attached together such as furniture molding or small appliance accessory attachment.
The present invention and its presently preferred embodiments will be better understood by way of reference to the detailed disclosure herebelow and to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The casket ornament 30 (
The ornament attachment plate 28 or member is preferably formed from a polycarbonate material and has a front side 58 and a rear side 60 and includes two ramped grooves 62, 64, an oblong groove 66 and two attachment holes 68. Two fasteners 70 (
The two ramped grooves 62, 64 comprise a straight groove 62 and a curved groove 64 (
In order to install an ornament 30 onto a casket corner 20, the user holds the ornament 30 in both hands rotated ninety degrees from its intended resting position (
In order to remove the ornament 30, the step must be overcome. As the casket 12 is subjected to vibration, the ornament 30 will not inadvertently come loose because of this step 94 in the bottom portion of the curved groove 64. The lower shoulder screw 48 comes to rest in the vertical slot 92 at the bottom portion 90 of the curved groove 64. When the lower shoulder screw 48 rests in the vertical slot 92, the ornament 30 stays vertically oriented and aligned. In order to remove the ornament 30, the ornament 30 is gently pressed against the ornament attachment plate 28, compressing the pads 54, and rotated counter-clockwise ninety degrees and then up and out of the straight and curved grooves 62, 64.
After the ornament 30 is removed, it can be attached using an ornament attachment plate 28 as described above, to a keepsake plaque 96 (
Although the present invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those in the art without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/500,851 filed Sep. 4, 2003.
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