Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6418676
-
Patent Number
6,418,676
-
Date Filed
Friday, October 27, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 16, 200221 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Friedman; Carl D.
- Katcheves; Basil
Agents
- Steinberger; Brian S.
- Law Offices of Brian S. Steinberger, PA
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 052 103
- 047 66
- 248 278
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A sturdy and lightweight decorative frame cover for upper edge corners of monument type headstones. The frame cover has an upper top frame member that pivotally is attached to a lower backing frame member with each member formed from wire type members that can be preformed into various decorative patterns such as heart shapes, and the like. The frame cover can include hooks for attaching a potholder, and a wreath thereon, and a removable flagpole holder. The frame cover can be easily affixed to the headstone by non rustable bolts that can allow the frame cover to be both affixed to the headstone and separated from the headstone by a space formed between the headstone and frame cover. Side frame members are attached to the frame cover and are adjustable to fit about different thickness headstones. The frame cover can fold up when not in use and when used supports items that include a wreath, potholder and flagpole off the ground.
Description
This invention relates to memorials, and in particular to a decorative foldable frame that can be attached to corners of headstones for supporting flagpoles, planters, and wreaths thereon.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
The adorning of gravesites with ornamentation such as flowers, plants, wreaths, flags, etc. has long been an integral part of most cultures. Over time cemeteries become more crowded and have less space in which visitors can leave remembrances. Additionally, the sheer volume of items left at the gravesites can become unsightly. For example, loose flowers and wreaths can scatter, and flowerpots and vases can easily topple and break. Thus, routine cemetery maintenance now often requires picking up broken flowerpots, dead flowers, flags broken glass vases and broken pots, etc. The cost for these cleanups is often passed on to consumers as a part of the perpetual care for the cemeteries.
Over the years various types of patents have been proposed. However, some of the proposed solutions require large obtrusive metal mesh type devices that must cover the entire gravesite itself which would restrict ground upkeep to the grave, and must be staked into the ground at multiple locations. The ground engaging metal mesh and metal stakes can further rust and corrode over time. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 728,081 to Buchanan; and U.S. Pat. No. 873,279 to Weber-Illig. Other proposals are temporary type stand-alone racks that are limited to only holding wreaths and the like, where the racks are not fastened down and can be easily toppled and/or stolen. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 745,295 to Raysik; U.S. Pat. No. Re.17,487 to Meinz and U.S. Pat. No. 1,907,917 to White. Other proposals have included small devices that must be staked into the ground on or adjacent to the monument that support flower pots and flags adjacent to the ground level, and do not provide any decorative type covering for the monument itself, and do not allow for the placement of larger objects such as wreaths thereon.
Thus, there exists a need to provide a solution to the problems described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover that allows people to adorn a gravesite monument with wreaths, flower and plant pots and flags above the ground.
The second objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover that decorates an upper portion of a gravesite monument.
The third objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover that attaches directly to a gravesite monument and does not engage nor touch the ground.
The fourth objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover for gravesite monuments that can be folded together for ease in storage and transportation.
The fifth objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover for gravesite monuments that allows users to personally adorn the monuments.
The sixth objective of the invention is to provide a frame cover for gravesite monuments that allows users to follow cemetery rule restrictions.
The seventh objective of the invention is to provide a cover for decorating gravesite monuments that eliminates unsightly debris caused from leaving adornments on the ground.
A decorative frame cover for attachment to cemetery headstones includes an upper top frame member, a lower backing frame member pivotally attached to the upper frame member, wherein the upper frame member and the lower frame member attach about an upper edge corner portion of a headstone. The frame cover can be affixed to a headstone by screw type bolts that pass through the frame members and have ends that abut against the headstone and also form a space between the frame members and the headstone so that the frame members do not directly touch the headstone. The frame members can be formed from wire type strands such as cold rolled steel, and the like, that can be pre-shaped into various decorative patterns that include curves, hearts, rectangles, triangles, circles, curves, and customized shapes, and the like. Side members can be attached to the upper top frame member and the lower back frame member. Fasteners allow the side members to adjust to different thicknesses of headstones. The cover frame can include a detachable potholder for supporting planters, and flowers, and the like, as well as a detachable flagpole holder, and hooks for other items such as wreaths, that all can be supported securely above ground level. When the frame cover is not being used, and/or is stored and/or being transported, the side frame members can be detached from the frame cover and the upper frame member can be folded over the lower frame member so that all the frame members can be stacked together on top of one another.
The invention can fit on the right and/or left sides of a headstone as both a decorative and functional addition to the headstone, where items such as flags, pots, wreaths, and the like, are securely and safely supported above ground level.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a pot holder and flagpole holder detached from the frame cover.
FIG. 2
is a view of
FIG. 1
with both the pot and flagpole holders attached to the frame cover.
FIG. 3A
is a top view of the upper frame member of
FIG. 2
along arrow A.
FIG. 3B
is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper frame member of FIG.
3
A.
FIG. 4A
is side view of the lower frame member of
FIG. 2
along arrow B.
FIG. 4B
is an enlarged view of a portion of the lower frame member of FIG.
4
A.
FIG. 5
is a front view of the frame cover of
FIG. 2
along arrow C.
FIG. 6
is another view of
FIG. 1
with a pot in the potholder and a flagpole in the flagpole holder.
FIG. 7
is a view of
FIG. 6
with the potholder and flagpole holder attached to the frame cover.
FIG. 7
shows the frame cover of
FIG. 2
affixed about a corner of a headstone.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a potholder
10
and flagpole holder
20
detached from the frame cover
1
.
FIG. 2
is a view of
FIG. 1
with both the pot and flagpole holders
10
,
20
attached to the frame cover
1
.
FIG. 3A
is a top view of the upper frame member
100
of
FIG. 2
along arrow A.
FIG. 3B
is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper frame member
100
of FIG.
3
A.
FIG. 4A
is side view of the lower frame member
200
of
FIG. 2
along arrow B.
FIG. 4B
is an enlarged view of a portion of the lower frame member
200
of FIG.
4
A.
FIG. 5
is a front view of the frame cover of
FIG. 2
along arrow C showing side frame member
300
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-5
, frame cover
1
includes upper frame member
100
which functions as a top plate, and is formed from durable wire type metal strands such as cold rolled steel, and the like, that can be painted with a weather coating type paint for long wear. Upper frame member
100
can include four longitudinal strands
110
,
120
130
and
140
that can be attached to one another by welding, soldering, and the like, that together form a rectangular type frame. A pair of narrowly separated parallel strands
150
,
160
that have ends attached to external side strands
110
,
120
form slide bars that allow fasteners
151
,
161
such as non rustable bolts, screws, nuts, and the like, to be able to be rotated to abut against a monument headstone. The fasteners
151
,
161
, can be formed from plastic, nylon, and the like, and can include internal nuts, that can be connected to top strand
340
of side member
300
, and top strand
440
of opposite side member
400
, the function of which will be explained in more detail later. The upper frame member
100
can further include patterned shapes such as decorative curved designs
133
,
137
,
143
,
147
and heart shapes
149
can be formed from pre-bending the metal type strands. Upper frame
100
can have a width of approximately 13 inches and a length of approximately 14 inches, and be sized to fit over the top of most headstones.
The upper frame member
100
is pivotally connected by a bent wire ends
112
,
122
which form a hinge to protruding wire ends
212
,
222
to lower frame member
200
, which forms a back plate for the frame cover
1
. Lower frame member
200
is formed from durable wire type metal strands such as cold rolled steel, and the like, that can be painted with a weather coating type paint for long wear. Lower frame member
200
can include three longitudinal strands
210
,
220
230
and parallel strands
270
,
280
that can be attached to one another by welding, soldering, and the like, that together form a rectangular type frame. A pair of narrowly separated parallel strands
250
,
260
that have ends attached to external side strands
210
,
220
form slide bars that allow fasteners
251
,
261
such as non rustable bolts, screws, nuts, and the like, to be able to be rotated to abut against a monument headstone. The fasteners
251
,
261
, can be formed from plastic, nylon, and the like, and can include internal nuts, that effectively cause the lower frame member
200
to remain affixed to but physically separated from the monument itself. Another pair of narrowly separated parallel strands
270
,
280
that have ends attached to external side strands
210
,
220
form another set of slide bars allow additional fasteners
271
,
281
similar to those previously described that can be connected to back strand
350
of side member
300
, and back strand
450
of opposite side member
400
, the function of which will be explained in more detail later. The lower frame member
200
can further include patterned shapes such as decorative curved designs
213
,
223
,
233
,
237
,
273
,
283
and heart shapes
239
,
279
,
289
can be formed from pre-bending the metal type strands. Lower frame
200
can have a width of approximately 13 inches and a length of approximately 22 inches, and be sized to fit over the most of the side edge of many headstones. A decorative pot holder
10
that can have four upwardly protruding prongs
12
,
14
,
16
,
18
each that can have decorative curved ends can be attached to the lower member by a fastener
11
, such as a screw, and the like, and/or by a hook
15
, that can hang from a bent strand
237
. Additionally, a cylindrical type flagpole holder
20
having an open top end
22
can also be attached to the lower member
200
by fasteners
21
, such as screws, and the like.
Two side frame members
300
,
400
can be fastened to both the upper frame member
100
and the lower frame member
200
. Each of the side frame members
300
,
400
can include three sections a large upper portion
310
,
410
, that can be a wire type strand bent in the shape of a heart, a middle mid-size portion
320
,
420
, that can also be a wire type strand bent in the shape of a heart, smaller than the upper portion
310
,
410
, and a small bottom portion
330
,
430
also shaped like a heart. Each of the portions
310
,
320
,
330
and
410
,
420
,
430
can be welded to one another and to respective top strand members
340
,
440
and back strand members
350
,
450
, respectively. The top strand members
340
,
440
can be adjustably moved relative to the upper member
100
by having fasteners
151
,
161
that can slide within parallel strands
150
,
160
so that the side frame members
300
,
400
can adjustably fit about various thickness monument stones. Similarly, back strand members
350
,
450
can adjustably moved relative to the lower frame member
200
by having fasteners
251
,
261
,
271
,
281
that can slide within two sets of parallel strands
250
,
260
and
270
,
280
. When the cover frame I is not being used and/or is being transported, side frame members
300
,
400
can be detached by their respective fasteners from upper and lower frame members
100
,
200
, and upper frame member
100
can fold over lower frame member
200
as shown by the positions
110
′ and
110
″ shown in FIG.
5
.
FIG. 6
is another view of
FIG. 1
with a pot
19
in the potholder
10
and a flagpole
29
in the flagpole holder
20
.
FIG. 7
is a view of
FIG. 6
with the potholder
10
and flagpole holder
20
attached to the (back) lower frame member
200
of the frame cover
1
.
FIG. 7
shows the frame cover
1
of
FIG. 2
affixed about an upper corner of a headstone
500
, where nonmetallic bolts
199
,
399
,
299
can screw into respective upper, side and lower frame members
100
,
300
,
200
to both affix the cover frame
1
to the headstone
500
while keeping the cover frame
1
from touching the headstone
500
. At a mininum two bolts
199
,
299
can be used for leveling purposes and to keep the frame members
100
,
200
,
300
from touching the monument headstone
500
. The bolts can be adjusted along slide bars formed around them. The bolt sizes
199
,
299
can be one inch, one and half inch, and the like. An additional hook
610
can be affixed to one of the bent strands of the cover frame
1
in order to suspend a wreath
600
therefrom.
While the frame cover has been described as fitting about one upper corner of a headstone, more than one frame cover can be used where both upper corners of a headstone are effectively wrapped with respective frame covers.
Although the preferred embodiment is described as being formed from metal such as cold rolled steel, other types of materials such as but not limited to aluminum, plastic, and the like can be used.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
Claims
- 1. A decorative frame cover for attachment to cemetery headstones, comprising in combination:a headstone having a front face and a rear face, a first side edge, a top edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge; an upper substantially rectangular frame member being positioned to substantially rest parallel to a portion of the top edge of the headstone; a lower substantially rectangular frame member, the lower substantially rectangular frame member being positioned to substantially rest parallel to a portion of one of the first side edge and the second side edge; and means for pivotally attaching the lower substantially rectangular frame member to the upper substantially rectangular frame member, wherein the upper substantially rectangular frame member and the lower substantially rectangular frame member pivotally wraps about one upper edge portion of the headstone where the top edge meets one of the first side edge and the second side edge of the headstone.
- 2. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:means for attaching the frame cover to the headstone.
- 3. The decorative frame cover of claim 2, wherein the attaching means includes:a first bolt connected to the frame cover, and having an end that abuts against and does not penetrate a surface portion of the headstone, wherein rotating the first bolt affixes the frame cover to the headstone.
- 4. The decorative frame cover of claim 3, further comprising:a second bolt connected to the frame cover, and having an end that abuts against and does not penetrate another surface portion of the headstone, wherein rotating the first bolt and the second bolt both affixes the frame cover to the headstone while forming a space that keeps the frame cover from touching against the headstone.
- 5. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper substantially rectangular frame member and the lower substantially rectangular frame member includes:a decorative pattern formed from wire members.
- 6. The decorative frame cover of claim 5, wherein the pattern includes a heart shape.
- 7. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:a side frame member attached to both the upper substantially rectangular frame member and the lower substantially rectangular frame member, the side frame member covering a portion of one of the front face and the rear face of the headstone, wherein the upper substantially rectangular frame member and the lower substantially rectangular frame member being substantially perpendicular to one another.
- 8. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:a potholder for supporting at least one of a planter and a flower pot therein from the lower substantially rectangular frame member.
- 9. The decorative frame cover of claim 8, further comprising:a hook for attaching and detaching the potholder from the lower substantially rectangular frame member.
- 10. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:a pole holder for supporting a flagpole therein from the lower substantially rectangular frame member.
- 11. The decorative frame cover of claim 10, further comprising:means for attaching and detaching the pole holder from the lower substantially rectangular frame member.
- 12. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:a wreath; and a hook for attaching and detaching the wreath from the frame cover.
- 13. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, further comprising:a hinge attached to both the upper frame member and the lower frame member, wherein the hinge allows the upper frame member to be perpendicular to the lower frame member and pivotally fold to where the upper frame member is substantially parallel to the lower frame member.
- 14. The decorative frame cover of claim 1, wherein the upper frame member and the lower frame member each are formed from wire members.
- 15. A corner frame cover for substantially wrapping about upper side edges of headstones, comprising in combination:a headstone having a front face and a rear face, a first side edge, a top edge and a second side edge; an upper substantially planar shaped frame member for substantially resting against a portion of the top edge of the headstone; a lower substantially planar shaped frame member for substantially resting against a portion of one of the first side edge and the second side edge, of the headstone; means for connecting the upper substantially planar shaped frame member to the lower substantially planar shaped frame member wherein the frame cover substantially wraps about one upper corner edge of the headstone where the top edge meets one of the first side edge and the second side edge, of the headstone; means for fixably attaching the corner frame cover to the headstone; and means for supporting an item from the lower substantially planar shaped frame member, wherein the item is selected from at least one of: a wreath, a flagpole, and a pot.
- 16. The corner frame cover of claim 15, further comprising at least one of:a removable holder for supporting the item, and a hook for allowing the holder to be attached and detached from the lower substantially planar shaped frame member.
- 17. The corner frame cover of claim 15, wherein the connecting means includes:a hinge for allowing the upper substantially planar shaped frame member to pivotally attach to the lower substantially planar shaped frame member at the one upper corner edge of the headstone where the top edge meets one of the first side edge and the second side edge, of the headstone.
- 18. A method of wrapping a decorative frame covers about headstones, comprising the steps of:providing a headstone having a front face, a rear face, a top edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; pivotally attaching an upper rectangular planar frame member to a lower rectangular planar member; positioning the upper rectangular planar frame member to rest against a portion of the top edge of a headstone; positioning the lower rectangular planar frame member to rest against a portion of one of the first side edge and the second side edge, of the headstone, wherein the upper rectangular frame member and the lower rectangular planar member substantially wraps about only one of an upper corner edge of the headstone where the top edge meets one of the first side edge and the second side edge, of the headstone; and attaching item holders to the lower rectangular planar frame member; and supporting at least one of a pot holder, a flagpole holder and a wreath solely from portions of the lower rectangular frame member.
- 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pivotally attaching further includes the step of:pivotally attaching the lower rectangular planar frame member to the upper rectangular frame member with a hinge.
US Referenced Citations (13)