Temporary Marker

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for a temporary marker are described. The temporary marker can be made at home by a user having basic computer and printing capabilities, without the need for commercial printing or design equipment. The temporary marker consists of a synthetic sheet of paper that can be fed through a home printer and mounted between two sheets of hard, transparent material. The two sheets of hard, transparent material attach to one another with the sheet of paper secured between. A stake is then added to the two sheets of transparent material so that the temporary marker can be secured into the ground. Also, computer software may be provided that allows for easy formatting and input of various texts and images to be printed onto the paper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of grave markers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a temporary marker that can be used to mark a grave until a gravestone is installed. Specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a temporary marker that can be custom made at home using computer software and a weather resistant, waterproof paper that is compatible with a home printer.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

It is well known that graves are marked by headstones identifying where a deceased comes to rest. However, oftentimes, these headstones take time and effort to make. Additionally, there is typically a period of time between a funeral and installation of a headstone for a variety of reasons. During this time period, it is common to install a temporary grave marker that identifies who has been buried at a given location. Traditionally, these temporary markers can be purchased from the funeral home or another manufacturing service provider equipped with heavy-duty printing equipment. Typically, the temporary markers include text such as the date of birth and date of death and even include an image of the loved one. However, purchasing a temporary marker from a funeral home or manufacturing service can be expensive. These markers can also be time-consuming is they are made to order.

This has resulted in a demand for do-it-yourself-style temporary marker products. Some do-it-yourself-style temporary marker options include metal slide-in letters; handwritten markers that are then laminated; printing markers to standard paper and laminating; and printing markers to an adhesive vinyl. One drawback to the do-it-yourself-style temporary marker products is that the qualify of the final product is generally low. For instance, metal slide-in letters are formalistic and lack the personalized touch that individuals wish to use on grave markers of loved ones. When using regular paper or vinyl, there is still the risk of fading due to exposure to the sun. Also, vinyl has a tendency to bubble when applied to the surface. Additionally, as temporary markers remain outside, they may be subject to rain, snow, and other condensation, which can cause any images printed on regular paper to smear, run, or wrinkle. Use of laminates requires advanced machinery and still do not guarantee that the paper will be isolated from water. To honor a loved one, individuals obviously want to avoid temporary markers that are low quality or would be easily damaged by the elements.

What is needed therefore is a product that allows for creation of customized temporary markers in the convenience of one's home using equipment commonly found in a household. Additionally, what is needed is a product of high quality that is weather resistant.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, the present invention is directed to a temporary grave marker. A primary object of the invention is to provide all of the required pieces of a temporary grave marker, such that an individual can prepare, print, and assemble a customized grave marker in the comfort of one's home. Ideally, this will be completed using one's personal computer and a standard home printer for instance a laser jet printer.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by providing an apparatus comprising two sheets of a hard, transparent material, a sheet of synthetic paper, a plurality of fasteners, and a stake. A personalized message is printed onto the synthetic paper using a laser jet printer. This synthetic paper is then placed between the two sheets of transparent material. The sheets are fastened together such that the paper is secured between the two sheets. A stake that allows the apparatus to be placed into the ground attaches to one, or both, of the sheets.

In one embodiment, the personalized message contains text and an image. The personalized message may be created using computer software that allows a user to insert relevant information, such us the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, and an image of the deceased. The computer program will automatically configure these input materials such that each will fit on the sheet of synthetic paper. The computer program then can send the personalized message to a standard home printer, such as a laser jet printer. The synthetic paper is special in that it is thin enough to fit through such a printer. The synthetic paper may have pre-made perforations that allow a user to easily detach a portion of the paper such that it fits appropriately between the two sheets. Ideally, the two sheets of material will be made of acrylic, and both sheets will be of the same dimensions.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by a method of generating a personalized temporary marker comprising the steps of providing an input to a printing system; printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper; placing the sheet of paper between two sheets of hard, transparent material that have a plurality of holes; and attaching the two sheets together with the sheet of synthetic paper in between. This can be done at home using a personal computer and a home printer. Additionally, the two sheets can be attached by punching a plurality of holes through the sheet of paper using the holes in the sheets as guides; inserting a plurality of fasteners into the holes through the paper and the two sheets of material; mounting a stake to the fasteners; and tightening the fasteners. In one embodiment, these fasteners are nuts and bolts. In an alternative embodiment, the stake can be clipped or snapped to the two sheets of material.

In one embodiment, the synthetic paper is of the same dimensions as the two sheets of material. This helps to create an aesthetically pleasing final product with flush edges. The synthetic paper may be waterproof and may include a UV protective coating to protect the paper from smearing or fading due to the weather.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by a method of manufacturing a temporary marker using a home printer comprising the steps of providing a computer software; inputting a set of information that is processed by the computer software; configuring the information so that it is contained within the temporary marker; printing the information onto a sheet of paper; placing the sheet of paper between two rigid, transparent sheets of material; and connecting the two sheets of material with the paper in between. In one embodiment, the paper is a synthetic paper that is thin enough to be fed through a laser jet printer.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved by a kit for making a personalized temporary marker comprising a computer software used to design a personalized message; a sheet of synthetic paper onto which the personalized message is printed using an laser jet printer; two sheets of transparent, hard material between which the sheet of synthetic paper is held; a plurality of fasteners to hold the two sheets of transparent, hard material together; and a stake that connects to at least one of the fasteners. In one embodiment, this kit is sold online.

These and other aspects and objects of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention, includes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A clear conception of the advantages and features constituting the present invention and of the construction and operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a method of generating a personalized waterproof temporary marker;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of manufacturing a personalized, temporary marker using a home printer;

FIG. 3 illustrates a personalized message printed on a sheet of synthetic paper for use with the inventive temporary marker;

FIG. 4 illustrates the personalized message of FIG. 3 mounted between two sheets of hard, transparent material;

FIG. 5 illustrates the two sheets of material being fastened together with the sheet of paper in between;

FIG. 6 illustrates a stake being mounted to one of the two sheets of material;

FIG. 7 illustrates one of the fasteners being tightened to complete the temporary marker; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a kit used to create a personalized temporary marker.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words “connected”, “attached”, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following description.

1. System Overview

The present invention involves a temporary grave marker that is waterproof and in full color and can be printed and assembled in a user's house without use of commercial printing equipment or having to ship items back. This eliminates high freight costs. Such a grave marker is used until a permanent grave marker is available. As permanent grave markers are made to order and often are made of stone or metal, it often takes time for these permanent grave markers to be ready for installation. The temporary grave marker includes a stake; two transparent sheets, such as acrylic; waterproof/weatherproof paper; and a fastener or attachment devices. The paper is used with digital printers such as digital or laser printers. In using a digital printer, the image is printed onto the paper and ink is made waterproof with the paper. Additionally, the paper may include a UV protective coating that prevents fading of the image that would otherwise occur due to the effects of sunlight. The paper is placed between the two sheets and attached together. The stake may be attached to the brass bolts. Alternatively, the stake may slide into a plastic injection-molded bracket that will clip into holes on the two transparent sheets, eliminating the need to include brass bolts. Once fully assembled, the stake holds the marker in the ground with the paper bolted between.

2. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The assembled inventive temporary marker 20 can be seen in FIG. 7. The temporary marker 20 is made of two sheets of hard, transparent material 22; a sheet of synthetic paper 24 with a personalized message 30; a plurality of fasteners; and a stake 48. The two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 protect the sheet of synthetic paper 24 contained within, and allow observers to read the message 30 provided on the sheet of synthetic paper 24. To ensure the temporary marker 20 is aesthetically pleasing, the two sheets of the hard, transparent material 22 should be of the same dimension such that the temporary marker 20 is flush around each edge.

The sheet of synthetic paper 24 contains a personalized message 30, which may include text 32 and images 34 as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the text 32 includes the name of the deceased individual, the date of birth of the deceased, and the date of death of the deceased. Additional text may be present such as Biblical verses, poems, or other short messages. Furthermore, the sheet may also include images 34 such as a background image and/or an image of the deceased. These images 34 can be generated using a computer program that allows a user to input a desired text 32 or image 34. The computer program then formats the input information and prepares the information for printing. This computer program is compatible with as personal computer and has an easy-to-use interface such that no design background is required for the user to generate the personalized message 30.

In one embodiment, the synthetic paper 24 may be a synthetic paper that is waterproof. As the temporary marker 20 will likely be placed outdoors, it will be exposed to varying weather such as rain and snow. Without a waterproof sheet of synthetic paper 24, there is risk that the personalized message 30 will smear or otherwise be ruined if exposed to moisture. Additionally, the synthetic paper 24 may contain a UV protective coating 26. The UV protective coating 26 will prevent the personalized message 30 from fading due to the sunlight. This will further ensure that the personalized message 30 remains of high quality. The synthetic paper 24 may be thin enough such that it can be fed through a home printer 36, for instance a laser et printer 38 as is known in the art. Many types of paper that are waterproof and UV protected are thicker, or require special types of ink such that the paper cannot be used with home printers. This type of synthetic paper 24 is convenient for users in that they do not have to send away for the printing, or visit a specialty printing store to receive a printed personalized message 30 that is resistant to water and UV damage. In the event that the dimensions of the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 are smaller than that of the synthetic paper 24, the synthetic paper 24 may have pre-made perforations that allow the synthetic paper 24 to be easily divided into the appropriate size such that it its cleanly within the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22.

The sheet of synthetic paper 24 is placed between the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 as seen in FIG. 4. The two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 are then fastened together as seen in FIG. 5. Any number of different fasteners 42, connectors, or other attachment devices may be used. In one embodiment of the inventive temporary marker 20, the fasteners 42 are standard nuts 41 and bolts 40. Alternatively, the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 may be fastened using clips, snaps, or other fastening devices as would be known in the art. The synthetic paper 24 may have pre-made perforations that can easily be removed. Alternatively, holes may be punched through the synthetic paper 24 using the holes 23 in the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 as guides. In some embodiments, the fasteners may need to go through the sheet of synthetic paper 24.

A stake 48 is then connected to the fasteners, and more specifically the bolts 40 as shown in FIGS. 6-7, allowing the temporary marker 20 to be securely placed into the ground. Alternatively, the stake 48 may clip or connect directly to the sheets of hard, transparent material 22 or the holes 23 in the sheets of hard, transparent material 22. The stake 48 may be made or a variety of materials, including, for instance, metal or plastic.

Also, a kit 60 as seen in FIG. 8 may be provided for making the inventive temporary marker 20. The kit 60 includes computer software 62 that may be installed onto the user's personal computer. The computer software 62 allows the user to input text 32, such as a deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death, or images 34. The computer software 62 then formats the input text 32 or images 34 into a personalized message 30. The kit 60 also includes a sheet of synthetic paper 24, onto which the personalized message 30 is printed. For instance, the personalized message 30 can be printed onto the synthetic paper 24 using a laser jet printer 38. Also included in the kit are two sheets of a hard, transparent material 22. The sheet of synthetic paper 24 with the personalized, message 30 is placed between the sheets of hard, transparent material 22. The kit 60 may also include a plurality of fasteners which allows the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 to be mounted together, for instance by fasteners 42. Furthermore, the kit may include a stake 48 that can be mounted to the two sheets of hard, transparent material 22 or to at least one of the fasteners. The kit 60 may be sold online.

A method is also provided for generating the personalized waterproof temporary marker, as shown in FIG. 1, comprising the steps of providing an input to a printing system 100; printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper 102; placing the sheet of paper between two sheets of hard, transparent material that have a plurality of holes 104; and attaching the two sheets together with the sheet of synthetic paper between 106. In one embodiment, the two sheets are attached together by the steps of punching a plurality of holes through the sheet of paper using the holes in the two sheets of material as guides 110; inserting a plurality of fasteners into the holes through the paper and the two sheets of material 112; mounting a stake to the fasteners 114; and tightening the fasteners 116. The fasteners may be a plurality of nuts and bolts 120. In another embodiment, the two sheets are attached by the steps of clipping a stake to the two sheets of material with the paper in between 122.

To ensure that the paper and the two sheets of hard, transparent material properly align, the sheet of paper may be of the same dimension as the two sheets of material 124. The sheet of paper may be a synthetic paper that is waterproof 126. Additionally, the sheet of paper may have a UV protective coating 128 to prevent fading due to sunlight. This allows the temporary marker to be resistant to rain and sunlight.

For added convenience, in one embodiment, the personalized message can be printed onto the sheet of paper using a home printer 130. In an alternative embodiment, the personalized message can be printed onto the sheet of paper using a laser jet printer 132.

A second method is provided for manufacturing a personalized temporary marker using a home printer, as shown in FIG. 2, comprising the steps of providing a computer software 140; inputting a set of information that is processed by the computer software 142; configuring the information so that it is contained within the temporary marker 144; printing the information onto a sheet of paper 146; placing the sheet of paper between two sheets of hard, transparent sheets of material 148; and connecting the two sheets of hard, transparent material with the paper therebetween 150.

In one embodiment, the sheet of paper is a sheet of synthetic paper that is thin enough to be fed through a laser jet printer 160. The synthetic paper may be waterproof 162. Additionally, the synthetic paper may have a UV protective coating 164 to protect it from fading.

In one embodiment, the two sheets of hard, transparent material may be connected by screws 166, Alternatively, the two sheets of hard, transparent material may be connected by snaps 168. Alternatively still, the sheets of hard, transparent material may be connected by a stake that clips to the sheets of hard, transparent material.

Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications, and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept.

Claims

1. A temporary marker comprising: two sheets of a hard, transparent material;a sheet of synthetic paper with a personalized message placed between the two sheets of hard, transparent material;a plurality of fasteners connecting the two sheets of hard, transparent material; anda stake that is releasably attached to at least one of the two sheets of hard, transparent material.

2. The temporary marker of claim 1, wherein, the personalized message contains a text and an image.

3. The temporary marker of claim 2, wherein the personalized message is designed using a computer software that automatically configures the personalized message to fit on the synthetic paper.

4. The temporary marker of claim 3, wherein, the personalized message is printed onto the synthetic paper using a home printer.

5. The temporary marker of claim 3, wherein the personalized message is printed onto the synthetic sheet using a laser jet printer.

6. The temporary marker of claim 5, wherein the synthetic paper has a UV protective coating.

7. The temporary marker of claim 1, wherein the two sheets of hard, transparent material are acrylic and are of identical size and shape.

8. The temporary marker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners are nuts and bolts.

9. A method of generating a temporary marker comprising the steps of: providing an input to a home printer;printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper;placing the sheet of synthetic paper between two sheets of hard, transparent material that have a plurality of holes; andattaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the two sheets are attached by the steps of: punching a plurality of holes through the sheet of synthetic paper using the holes in the two sheets of hard, transparent material as guides;inserting a plurality of fasteners into the holes through, the paper and the two sheets of material;mounting a stake to the fasteners; andtightening the fasteners.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of attaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween using a plurality of bolts and a plurality of nuts.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of attaching the two sheets of hard, transparent material together with the sheet of synthetic paper located therebetween by clipping a stake to the two sheets of material.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of aligning the sheet of synthetic paper such that the sheet of synthetic paper is flush with the two sheets of hard, transparent material.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper that is waterproof.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper that has a UV protective coating.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper using a home printer.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of printing a personalized message onto a sheet of synthetic paper using a laser jet printer.

18. A kit for making a temporary marker comprising: a computer software used to design a personalized message;a sheet of synthetic paper onto which the personalized message is printed using a laser jet printer;two sheets of a hard, transparent material between which the sheet of synthetic paper is held;a plurality of fasteners to hold the two sheets of hard, transparent material together; anda stake that connects to at least one of the fasteners.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the kit is sold online.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the synthetic paper is waterproof.