Abstract: In a casket, a rigid bed frame is adjustably mounted at its end so that the casket bed frame can be raised, lowered and tilted. Mounted on the rigid bed frame is an adjustable body support positioned at about the thoracic area for raising the chest and lifting the chin off the chest. It is contemplated that the adjustable device has a pair of hinged frames with a power transmission mechanism for sliding one edge of the frame to pivot the hinged edges of the frame of the bed. Alternatively, an inflatable bladder underlies the body and is used to raise it, or is positioned between a pair of hinged members and causes the upper hinged member to raise the body. Two pairs of hinged members may be positioned across the width of the bed frame underlying the body, and the upper hinged member of each pair may be raised to different heights thereby allowing the thoracic area of the body to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of the bed frame.

Abstract: A casket bier pedestal has two vertical plastic sheets joined together at right angles along their center lines. They have horizontal edges, a central portion for which is notched. A rigid plastic cap having a cruciform slot receives and holds the horizontal edges of the sheets perpendicular to each other so that the pedestal does not become unstable.

Abstract: A pillow for a burial casket. The pillow is formed of a trapezoidal cross section, head block, four trapezoidal shoulder blocks that are detachable from the head block and a covering pad having a concave undersurface into which the head and shoulder blocks nest. A fabric pillow case has a transverse zipper at its upper end which is normally covered by a fabric. The zipper provides access into the interior of the pillow so as to remove and/or adjust the several blocks in order to present the deceased as attractively as possible.

Abstract: Non-invasive hardware for a metal casket. A casket wall is deformed to form a recess. A slotted plate is welded to the recess. A hardware assembly includes a rivet head that is slid into the slot and under the plate. A plastic strip mates with the slot to hold the hardware assembly from slipping out from the slot in the plate.

Abstract: A gasket for a casket is an endless integral rubber element that extends around the perimeter of the casket and seals the lid to the shell. The gasket has a wide base and at its outer edge an upwardly-projecting ridge which is approximately triangular in cross section. The outer surface of the ridge is concave to promote the flexing of the ridge outwardly when the lid is closed upon the shell. The tip of the ridge and the underside of the gasket have continuous ribs that form the seals to the lid and shell, respectively.

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.

Abstract: Locking mechanism for burial caskets in which a rod extending into the outer wall of the casket shell rotates a latch having a hook-like arm extending above the upper edge of the casket shell and provided with a cam surface which engages a keeper member on a matching edge of the casket cap to pull the cap tightly against the shell.

Abstract: A casket has a metal shell. A plurality of blocks project from the surface of the shell and are integral with the shell. Mounts are secured over the blocks and have laterally-projecting trunnions. Arms are mounted on the trunnions at one end and receive a handle bar at the other, thereby providing a pivotable handle bar mount.

Abstract: A brace for wooden casket cap. A channel slot is routed in the top edge of the body of the casket. A plastic channel is inserted in the slot. The channel is secured in the slot by transverse fore and aft nails. A brace is pivoted to the cap and slidable in the channel. A hook on the end of the brace is captured by the aft nail to hold the brace and cap in the open position.

Abstract: A casket bed has a rectangular metal frame formed by inserting tongues projecting from some frame members into slots in the adjacent frame member. Bands of industrial strapping are wrapped horizontally and longitudinally about the frame to complete the formation of the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laminating a fabric material to a substrate, and in particular for laminating velvet to a cardboard puffing section to be assembled into a burial casket cap panel dish, without marring or bubbling of the fabric, is disclosed. The fabric material is positioned on a laminating surface and held in place by a vacuum. A substrate is coated with adhesive on a substantial portion of one side and subsequently positioned by a transfer means on top of the fabric and adhered thereto by action of the adhesive and by the uniform vacuum pressure applied to the fabric and the adhesive-laden substrate. As the substrate is passed through the adhesive applicator, it is positioned onto the transfer means. An electric eye senses the trailing edge of the substrate as it passes to the adhesive applicator and after a delayed period, triggers the movement of the transfer means to position the substrate onto the back side of the fabric.

Abstract: A snap-in, flexible casket dish or puffing for the lids of caskets allows for rapid and accurate insertion and replacement without special tools. A flexible channel member is attached to the interior of the casket lid and releasably retains flexible edges of the casket dish or puffing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dual-functioning alignment and trim device for a burial casket. An alignment and trim strip is attached to the back side of a series of decorative plates which are in turn attached to handle arms and casket handles. The trim strips are fastened in a suitable fashion, preferably by a cooperating boss and aperture arrangement. The trim strip passes through notches formed in the sides of the decorative plates and serves to align a series of decorative plates affixed to one side of a burial casket. The trim strip may conveniently be attached to the casket hardware, i.e., to the decorative plates, prior to assembly of the handle and associated hardware to the burial casket wall. In this fashion, each of the decorative plates employed is aligned in the proper position on the face of the casket wall and with respect to the other decorative plates.