Patent Application
20090320337
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a device and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions, such as, for example, photographs, patterns, symbols, words and the like to be applied to headstones, front coverings of crypts, etc.
2. Related Art
Commemorative inscriptions include photographs, patterns, symbols and words of every type, are widely used for headstones or for the covering walls of crypts.
Traditionally, the inscriptions on the headstones are realized by directly engraving the headstone material, which may be, for example, marble or other similar stone. Alternatively, the individual letters in the case of words, or the reproductions, patterns, and photographs may be glued or fixed by other means to the headstone.
These methods of realization or application of inscriptions are quite laborious and expensive due to the labor required and the need has therefore arisen to provide more inexpensive devices or methods for the application of commemorative inscriptions on headstones and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,327 B1 describes a commemorative plaque to be applied in a removable manner to the front part of a headstone or the front covering of a crypt.
The plaque comprises an indicator block, a metal surround, with a hollow rear part, which is able to hold and protect the indicator block and a three-armed bracket.
The indicator block is in turn fixed by screws to the surround in order to form a single combination with the surround itself.
The surround-indicator block combination also comprises a plate fixed with screws to the upper part of the surround and placed at a certain distance from the rear face of the indicator block in order to form an elongated seat in which it is possible to insert the upper arms of the bracket which in turn is fixed to the headstone by means of two anchor bolts.
The surround-indicator block combination is hung from the upper arms of the bracket which fits into the space between the rear face of the indicator block and the upper plate, making the surround slide along the headstone.
The surround is then blocked by a screw fitted in the lower side face of the surround. The single screw is inserted in a threaded hole at the end of the bracket's lower arm.
The plaque according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,327 B1 is quite a complex construction comprising several parts fixed together with screws.
If each of the parts forming the plaque of U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,327 B1 is not fully tightened and locked against spontaneous unscrewing, it is possible for some parts of the plaque and in particular the surround to accidentally detach themselves.
In turn, the surround may also cause the detachment of the bracket from the headstone since the bracket itself is fixed only with two screws, whilst the surround, comprising also the indicator block, may be quite heavy, especially if the indicator block is made from marble or other similar stone.
In addition, since the bracket is formed with three arms it lies behind the indicator block and increases the overall thickness of the plaque.
An aim of this invention is to improve the prior art.
Another aim of this invention is to provide a device and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions which is easy to produce.
A further aim of this invention is to provide a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions which is inexpensive to produce and easy to use.
An additional aim of this invention is to provide a device and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions which enables safe assembly and disassembly, without the risk of accidental falling of any parts.
Yet another aim of this invention is provide a device and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions which is strong and can support heavy indicator blocks.
A further aim of this invention is to provide a device and a method for fixing commemorative inscriptions which can be easily applied to headstones or covering walls of crypts and which has a limited thickness.
A device for fixing commemorative inscriptions according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in claim 1.
A device for fixing commemorative inscriptions to a headstone or a wall according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in independent claim 24.
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying figures which illustrate a preferred embodiment of a device for fixing commemorative inscriptions provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:
With reference to the accompanying figures, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a device for fixing commemorative inscriptions according to this invention, which comprises basically an outer surround 2, an inner frame 3 fitted inside the surround 2 and associated to the latter by connection means 5, 6, 15, 16 and an indicator block 7 fitted, on the exposed face, with commemorative inscriptions 8, schematically shown in the figures by rectangles.
For the purpose of this invention, the term inscriptions and the schematization with rectangles in the figures can comprise words of any type and size, as well as patterns, symbols, photographs, reproductions, supports for lights, vases, etc.
As illustrated in particular in
The above-mentioned fixing means comprise a plurality of connection means 9, which may be realized by screws and expansion plugs fitted in special holes provided in the wall 4, or by other equivalent connection means.
The connection means 9 are distributed uniformly along the frame 3 to distribute in an optimum manner the load deriving from the surround 2 and from the indicator block 7.
In the case of a rectangular surround as illustrated in the figures, the frame 3 has the approximate shape of an inverted “U”, that is to say, a structure formed by three approximately flat elements, placed substantially perpendicular and connected together.
By way of an example, but without restricting the scope of the invention, the indicator block may have a thickness of approximately one centimeter, whilst the surround may have a thickness of approximately 2 to 3 centimeters, thereby providing a very small overall thickness even though it can be dismantled.
The frame 3, which can be manufactured by a die casting, pressing or welding process, has a thickness such as to provide sufficient resistance to the load deriving from the surround 2 and the indicator block 7.
The surround 2 has a rear border 10 which therefore rests completely on the wall 4.
As illustrated in detail in
In particular, the shape of the frame 3 is complementary to the shape of the indicator block 7 which must be inserted inside the perimeter of the surround 2 and may have different shapes.
The surround 2, which may be realized by a casting, die-casting or pressing process, has a rectangular shape in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, but may have any other shape, for example, polygonal, oval, circular, etc.
The frame 3 and the surround 2 may be made from corrosion resistant metal and, for example, may be made from bronze, brass or stainless steel.
As illustrated in more detail in
The above-mentioned supports 12, 13 and lateral blocks 14 act as a support and reference for the indicator block 7 in a vertical and lateral direction with respect to surround 2.
As illustrated in
By bending the above-mentioned inclined portion 19, this plate 17 may be adapted to blocks 7 of different thicknesses.
The frame 3 also comprises lateral lugs 15 for fixing the surround 2 to the frame 3.
As illustrated in detail in
In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the jointing means comprise the protrusions 5 fitted on the frame 2 and the housings 6 fitted on the surround 3.
The housings 6 are complementary to the protrusions 5 and enable insertion of the above-mentioned protrusions 5, and they have dimensions such as to prevent, in particular, detachment movements of the surround 2 perpendicular to the wall 4.
The housings may be obtained by means of mechanical machining, for example by grinding or similar machining, or they may be obtained directly by the casting, die-casting or pressing processes.
The protrusions 5 can have different shapes and have a flat plate shape as illustrated in the figures, or can have the shape of a pin or prismatic element, etc. Naturally, the housing 6, which is complementary to the protrusion 5, will consequently have a cylindrical, prismatic shape, etc.
Since the jointing means, that is to say, the protrusions 5, of which there are, specifically, two, are formed in the upper part of the frame 3, as are the housings 6 of the surround 2, the surround 2 itself is practically hung from the frame 3.
For the full fixing of the surround 2 to the frame 3, the connection means comprise means of anchoring to the lugs 15 within which the connection means 16 of the removable type are inserted.
The connection means 15, 16 lie in the lower part of the surround 2 and the frame 3 since the jointing means 5, 6 lie in the upper part of the surround. In this way, the surround 2 is completely fixed to the frame 3 above and below.
The connection means may be realized for example by means of screws 16 screwed in the lateral border of the surround 2.
The end of the screws protruding on the inner side of the border of the surround 2 enter special holes provided in the lateral lugs 15, thereby realizing the full anchoring of the surround 2 to the frame 3.
Whatever the case, the anchoring means may comprise any type of matchable and removable jointing means such as, for example, pins, nails, rivets, etc., to be inserted in special holes or seats provided on the frame 3.
As illustrated in more detail in
In
In
It can also be seen that, on the top, the surround 2 is still anchored to the protrusions 5 by the housings 6, since the housings 6 have a depth “D” which is greater than the distance “H”
Therefore, even during the disassembly, the accidental falling of the surround 2 is prevented, and in particular the accidental detachment of the surround from the protrusions 5 is prevented.
In addition, in the version illustrated in
The housings 6 can also be inclined like the protrusions 5 (version not shown here) and present an opportune clearance to enable a relative movement between housings 6 and protrusions 5, or the housings 6 can have a length “B” which enables the protrusions 5 to be received even if inclined (
As can be seen in particular in
Also with this simplified version the appendages 20 fit into the protrusions 5 for a section “D” greater than the distance “H” and there is still therefore the same protection against accidental falling of the surround 2, preventing the surround from accidentally detaching itself from the protrusions 5.
With this invention it is therefore possible to fix in a simple and safe manner the commemorative inscription to a headstone or to a wall.
The fixing is perfectly reversible and it is therefore possible to use the device according to this invention on different headstones or walls even several times.
The entire fixing and indicator block system is completely housed inside the surround and is therefore protected and the surround is also resting completely on the headstone or wall.
The connection between the outer surround and the inner frame is achieved with jointing means of a very strong type completely enclosed inside the surround itself.
The relative dimensions of the protrusions 15 and the housings 16 enable the disassembly and the assembly of the surround 2 from and to the frame 3 always in a safe manner.
Thanks to the extent of the connection means 9 on the wall, the fixing is safe and even able to support heavy loads. The surround and the fixing frame may have different shapes: polygonal, oval, circular shapes etc. are possible in addition to the rectangular shape illustrated.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| VR2008A000077 | Jun 2008 | IT | national |
