Portions of the disclosure of this document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction of the document or disclosure as it appears in official records, but reserves all remaining rights under copyright.
Vehicles adapted to be used as hearses typically are constructed on a chassis supplied by Lincoln, Cadillac or other luxury car manufacturer. The chassis typically must be cut, altered and/or stretched with numerous changes by a conversion company. These modifications are not inexpensive, and often result in a vehicle with body, drivetrain or electrical problems.
Other vehicles used in the transport of dead bodies include vans. Vans typically do not have to be modified, but also do not provide desirable carrying capacity or functionality, reverential conveyance of the deceased.
The invention overcomes the foregoing with a conversion that does not require structural alterations to the vehicle chassis. The invention preserves the integrity, safety and reliability that would be expected from a production vehicle and provides optimal carrying capacity and usability than the aforementioned altered vehicles at considerably less cost.
The invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof, for the purposes described, which are inexpensive, dependable and effective in accomplishing intended purposes of the invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawings.
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:
This disclosure is not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth or illustrated in the drawings herein. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Phraseology and terminology used herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. Uses of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, “connected,” “coupled” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. “Connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical or electrical connections or couplings. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical or electrical configurations described or illustrated are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure. However, alternative mechanical or electrical configurations are possible, which are considered to be within the teachings of the disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, “or” is to be considered inclusive.
The invention includes a kit for and method of converting a vehicle into a hearse.
While the steps of the methods herein are described in order of preference, rigid adherence to the order is not critical to the invention.
Referring to
Vehicle V, as obtained, may present cargo area C with seating, trim and other installations (not shown). In that case, method 200 advances to step 210 of removing nonessential structure from cargo area C, including, but not limited to seating, trim and other installations, thereby appearing as shown in
With cargo area C stripped of all but essential structure, referring also to
Sizing of supports 513 is determined by whatever clearance is needed for installation on or relative to floor 505 of components such as, but not limited to, rollers 510, skid plates 515, stops 520 and other containment devices to receive and constrain the movement of caskets, stretchers, boxes, urns or other containers customarily or intended for transport in vehicle V.
Preferably, flooring 505 is configured with appropriately sized and arranged apertures 507 for receiving and maintaining bier pins 580 or other structures commonly used for securing caskets and the like.
After step 215, method 200 advances to step 220 of installing flooring covering 525 on flooring 505. Flooring covering 525 preferably is a laminate or other moisture- and abrasive-resistant material for transporting floral arrangements, flower racks, and funeral equipment without developing an unsightly appearance of flooring covering 525. Flooring covering 525 also should be resistant to penetration of bodily fluids, dirt and other materials that may be present in the transport of dead human bodies, and should be readily cleanable.
Method 200 then advances to step 225 of installing a partition 530 on flooring 505 between cargo area C and passenger area P. Partition 530 is intended to promote safety and provide a visual and atmospheric barrier between cargo area C and passenger area P. Partition 530, preferably, is constructed of ¾-inch plywood braced with wood 2×4′s, glued thereon with urethane and then reinforced with threaded fasteners. Preferably, partition 530 is constructed with storage trays (not shown).
As shown in
Partition 530 may be attached to flooring 505 with a steel clip system 590, preferably selected from those shown in
Partition 530, preferably, is covered with one or more of carpeting, metal and wood elements to enhance the appearance and protect from wear and tear of partition 530.
Referring also to
Referring again to
Method 200 then advances to step 240 of installing rear sill rollers 510 on floor F. The mounting component of rollers 510 and floor F may capture a portion of flooring 5 therebetween. Preferably, rollers 510 are eight ¾-inch rollers.
Method 200 then advances to step 245 of installing skid plates 515 and stops 520 on flooring 505.
Method 200 then advances to step 250 of installing rear door sill plates 545 on flooring 505. Rear door sill plates 545, preferably, are constructed of stainless steel and permit the loading and unloading of contents without damage to the container thereof or vehicle V.
Referring also to
Referring to
Method 200 then advances to step 263 of installing wheel well enclosure coverings 570 on wheel well enclosures 555. Preferably, wheel well covers 570 include padding and exterior materials that are wear resistant and compliment the rest of the interior of cargo area C as converted.
Method 200 then advances to step 270 of installing bands 565 on wheel well enclosures 555 and partition 530. Bands 565, preferably, are constructed of stainless steel having a 6-inch width and are attached with threaded fasteners via ½-inch chrome edge strips. Bands 565 are wear resistant and maintain the appearance of the finished interior of vehicle V.
Referring also to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring also to
Method 300 then advances to step 315 of installing exterior covering 610 on exterior substrate 605. In practice, covering 610 is constructed of five sections of vinyl, stitched together, fitted, stretched and then glued over exterior substrate 605.
Method 300 then advances to step 320 of installing an accent band 615 on exterior covering 610. Accent band 615, preferably, is constructed of stainless steel. Accent band 615 conceals the vinyl seam and receives wreath identification badges 645.
Method 300 then advances to step 323 of installing edging 630 around exterior covering 610. Preferably, edging 630 is a ¼-inch aluminum strip that is attached with threaded fasteners around exterior covering 610 and the edges of accent band 615.
Method 300 then advances to step 325 of installing an antenna 620, preferably, on exterior covering 610. Preferably, antenna 620 is configured for reception of Sirius® radio reception.
Method 300 then advances to step 330 of installing landau bars 625 on exterior covering 610. Landau bars 625 are attached to the sides of vehicle V with bolts through holes drilled into the rear third of the roof sides.
Method 300 then advances to step 335 of installing a grill 635 in place of the factory-issued plastic grill shown in
Method 300 then advances to step 340 of installing wheel rims 640 in place of the factory-issued standard painted wheel rims shown in
Method 300 then advances to step 345 of painting the exterior sliding door mechanism to match a coloring and styling of the body of vehicle V.
Method 300 also may include installing: name plates, additional windows, strobe warning lights, pin striping, and stainless steel rocker covers.
The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and depicted herein, rather only to the following claims.
This Application incorporates by reference and, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62019871 filed on Jul. 1, 2014.
This invention is not the subject of federally sponsored research or development.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62019871 | Jul 2014 | US |