Abstract: A casket display structure has a back wall and wing walls that are removably-attached to the back wall to form an alcove. A double-tiered display rack is mounted between the wing walls. The display structure includes a lower casket rollout rack connected to the fixed double-tiered rack by a scissors unit.

Abstract: Handling apparatus for a casket has a first member for applying a laterally inwardly directed force to a wall of the casket, a second member for applying laterally outwardly and upwardly directed forces to a lower edge of the casket, a third member interconnecting the first and second members, and a handle connected to one of the first, second and third members. When the handling apparatus is placed in contact with the casket lower edge and wall and the handle lifted upwardly a couple is applied to the apparatus and hence the casket thus retaining the apparatus in contact with the casket and enabling the casket to be lifted and transported with the apparatus. The apparatus is quickly removed by simply removing upward force from the handle. Alternatively, a clamp in the form of the threaded bolt can be included in the apparatus for clamping the casket edge between the second member and the bolt for semi-permanent installation of the apparatus on the casket.

Abstract: The combination of a casket and non-invasive externally removable hardware for lifting the casket. The combination comprises a casket shell including a socket in a wall thereof, a plate, a handle operably connected to the plate for lifting the casket, a stud passing through the plate, means for translating the stud relative to the plate, a retainer connected to the stud, and resilient material surrounding the stud and disposed between the plate and the retainer. The handle, when the stud is inserted into the casket shell wall socket, is removably securable to the casket shell upon actuation of the translating means to translate the stud and retainer toward the plate compressing the resilient material therebetween and causing the resilient material to swell to fill the socket.

Abstract: An improved wedge bar locking mechanism for a burial casket requires only a bracket, a screw and a clip which cooperate with one end of a wedge bar to cause longitudinal movement of the wedge bar in two directions for locking end unlocking the lid of a casket to the body of the casket. The components of the mechanism are located in the body of the casket, adjacent an end wall. The bracket mounts rigidly to the body. The screw threads directly to the wedge bar, and the bracket and clip hold opposite ends of the screw to prevent axial and radial movement thereof so that rotational movement of the screw is converted to longitudinal movement of the wedge bar. The screw is accessible for rotation via a keyway in the end wall. A center wall of the bracket engages the end of the wedge bar to prevent rotational movement thereof when the screw is rotated. The bracket also includes integral tabs which serve as over-travel stops for both the locked and unlocked positions of the wedge bar.

Abstract: A snap-in, recessed insert removably attaches to a casket lid, and a dish removably attaches to the recessed insert, to facilitate the display of different decorative interiors for the casket lid. The recessed insert has a shape which spans the interior of the casket lid and conforms substantially in depth to the inside of the casket lid. The insert snap connects to an internal flange of the casket lid for accurate and repeatable mounting to the lid, without requiring tools. The insert also includes internal structure for retaining a dish inside thereof, including a center depression formed therein for positively seating the middle of the dish to the insert and the casket lid. This recessed insert minimizes the cost and complexity associated with dish changeover and assures accuracy in mounting a dish to the casket lid.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for a burial casket comprises a sacrificial anode rod, nylon sleeves encircling the rod and metal straps positively positioned relative the sleeves and welded to the casket bottom. One of the sleeves encircles the resistor of the system. The lead of the resistor connected between the casket and strap is carried in a slot in the one sleeve. The strap includes a welding dimple and a dog-eared corner which traps the lead between the casket bottom and the strap during welding of the strap to the bottom.

Abstract: Casket hardware comprises a corrosive trim plate adapted to be secured to an outer surface of a wall or a casket, an arm adapted to support a casket handlebar and having a bolt connected thereto, the bolt being adapted to pass through the plate and the casket wall, a nut threadably engaging the bolt interior of the casket, a seal surrounding the bolt between the nut and the inner surface of the casket wall and a non-corrosive compressive load carrying member between the casket wall and the arm for creating tension in the bolt as the nut is tightened against the seal. When the corrosive trim plate corrodes and falls away from between the casket wall and the arm the non-corrosive compressive load carrying member maintains the bolt in tension thereby maintaining the seal in compression between the nut and the casket wall inner surface.

Abstract: A collapsible locking crank for use in locking burial caskets including a body pivotally housing a crank key arm and crank handle. The crank key arm includes a hexagonal key head on its free end for engaging the locking mechanism of the casket. The arm and handle may be pivoted away from the body to an open, operative position and toward the body to a closed, inoperative position. Rotation of the crank key arm about its longitudinal axis is had by rotation of the crank handle through the crank body when the crank is configured into a generally Z-shape. The crank is compact and lightweight for discrete and dignified use.

Abstract: A casket display structure has a back wall and wing walls that are removably-attached to the back wall to form an alcove. A double-tiered display rack is mounted between the wing walls. The display structure includes a lower casket rollout rack connected to the fixed double-tiered rack by a scissors unit.

Abstract: An externally mounted removable hardware assembly for a casket having a threaded bolt extending through a hole in a casket side wall. Inside the casket, the bolt threadably engages a nut which is snap-fit within a retention can. The nut has a longitudinally threaded bore therein and is formed from complementary nut sections which mate. An ejector pin is slidably mounted in a longitudinal bore in the bolt. The ejector pin may be depressed from outside of the casket. The pin slides within the bolt bore and contacts the retention cap thereby forcing the retention cap off of the nut allowing the nut halves to fall apart. Once the nut is dislodged from the retention cap and the nut sections have split apart and separated from the bolt, the bolt is thereby freed to be removed from the casket through the hole in the casket exterior wall without opening of the casket.

Abstract: A prop for supporting the arm of a deceased person in a casket of the type having a bed supported by longitudinally-extending angle irons having an angle iron edge portion extending upwardly above the bed, the prop being preferably of foam plastic such as polystyrene and having concave arm-supporting surfaces at one end and on one edge, the member being supported on the angle iron by means of a groove-like depressed area and slot in a side surface which receives the angle iron edge portion. Other mounting of the member is also available to provide support at various heights.

Abstract: A combustible bed for a casket including a frame made of a combustible material, namely wood, and a fabric made of a combustible material, namely polypropylene, connected to the frame to provide a surface for supporting a body.

Abstract: A tray with a bottom of a casket has a bottom wall, longitudinal side walls and transverse end walls that are interconnected to create a water-tight container. A network of upstanding ribs is formed on the bottom wall to create a plurality of discrete isolated compartments for the retention of liquids. The side walls and end walls have vertical, inwardly projecting ribs for stiffening purposes. The tray is preferably made by vacuum forming of a thermoplastic material such as high density polyethylene.