Abstract: This apparatus supports gripping, manipulation and/or insertion or removal of a planar workpiece from a receptacle into which it fits tightly. The apparatus has two substantially identical rigid arms attached to one another at a single pivot point near their longitudinal center. One end of each arm forms a handle; pressing or releasing these two handles actuates the gripper. The other end of each arm has attached on its inside surface a rigid plate. Together these two substantially parallel plates form jaws to grip the planar workpiece. A spring attached to the two handles biases the jaws toward the closed position. An optional adjustable stop mechanism supports setting the gap between jaws when the apparatus is in the closed position. An alternative embodiment utilizes step-shaped jaws for applications where flat jaws are difficult to utilize.

Abstract: This apparatus supports gripping, manipulation and/or insertion or removal of a planar workpiece from a receptacle into which it fits tightly. The apparatus has two substantially identical rigid arms attached to one another at a single pivot point near their longitudinal center. One end of each arm forms a handle; pressing or releasing these two handles actuates the gripper. The other end of each arm has attached on its inside surface a rigid plate. Together these two substantially parallel plates form jaws to grip the planar workpiece. A spring attached to the two handles biases the jaws toward the closed position. An adjustable stop mechanism supports setting the gap between jaws when the apparatus is in the closed position. An alternative embodiment utilizes step-shaped jaws for applications where flat jaws are difficult to utilize.

Abstract: A coffin transport block is provided. The coffin transport block includes a body portion with a top end and a bottom end. Protruding from the top end is a first node and a second node forming a top channel in between. Protruding from the bottom end is a first node and a second node forming a bottom channel in between. A method of use includes the following. The coffin lid may be opened to place the cadaver within the coffin and to prepare the cadaver. The bottom end of the coffin transport block may be placed on a coffin edge so that the coffin edge is within the bottom channel. The lid may be placed on the top end so that the lid edge is within the top channel, thereby propping the coffin in an open position. The cadaver may then be transported to the funeral with the lid of the coffin semi-opened, which prevents the preparation of the cadaver from being disturbed.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell, a lid closable on the shell, and a hinge mounting the lid to the shell. The hinge comprises a first hinge leaf attached to the shell, a second hinge leaf attached to the lid, a first link having a first end pivoted to the first hinge leaf, a second link having a first end fixed to the second hinge leaf, and the first and second links having respective second ends selectably fixable to one another at a plurality of positions along a length of the second link.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a container and a two-piece lid. The two-piece lid includes a superior lid that covers the anterior end of the casket and an inferior lid that covers the opposite end. The container includes a bottom panel, an inferior end panel, a superior end panel, and two elongated side panels. Each elongated side portion has a recessed portion on the superior end of the casket for providing an improved viewing of the deceased. In one embodiment, the casket panels each include a plurality of mortise holes and/or tenons. The tenons on individual panels are designed to fit into the mortise holes on other panels. Pins are placed through pinholes on the tenons to retain the tenons in the mortise holes. A shelf and bracket assembly may be provided for use in displaying mementos of the deceased and/or for supporting the inferior casket lid.

Abstract: A casket comprises a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, a casket lid pivoted to the casket shell for movement to an open position and to a closed position, and a combination hinge, brace, and lock mechanism connecting the lid to the shell. The mechanism comprises a first hinge plate secured to the shell, a second hinge plate secured to the lid, the first and second hinge plates pivoted to one another, and a latch bar moveably mounted relative to the first and second hinge plates for movement to first, second, and third positions. The latch bar and hinge plates are configured such that when the latch bar is in the first position the latch bar fixes the hinge plates relative to one another such that the lid is fixed in the closed position. When the latch bar is in the second position the hinge plates are free to pivot relative to one another such that the lid is free to pivot relative to the shell.

Abstract: A lid support releasably locks a casket lid in an open position relative to a casket body. A curved arm with a curved slot is pivotably connected at one end to the lid and the other end having a circular opening at the adjacent end of the slot. A follower has a stem disposed in the slot and is movable therein as the lid is moved between its open and closed position. A tubular boss coupled with the stem is adapted to enter the circular opening under the influence of a spring to releasably lock the lid in its open position. Upon depressing the stem against the bias of the spring, the boss is adapted to be withdrawn from the opening and the stem is adapted to enter the slot to permit the lid to be moved to its closed position.

Abstract: A casket cap brace support comprises a support bracket adapted to be affixed to a wall of the casket body and including an aperture therethrough adapted to receive an end of a brace member, an elongated brace member having one end pivoted to the cap and the other end received in the support bracket aperture, the other end having a projection thereon, the support bracket having an elongated slot therein with a terminal end, the brace member projection being received in the slot during at least a portion of the movement of the cap to and between the closed and open positions, the slot being so configured such that when the cap is in the open position the brace member is in compression, the brace member projection residing in the slot terminal end and being prevented from moving out of the slot terminal end by the action of the weight of the cap, the cap thereby being resistant to inadvertent closing in the event that the casket cap or body is accidentally bumped.

Abstract: A stay mechanism for two hingedly connected members which are moveable between a first unengaged position and a second engaged position. An arm is hingedly attached at one end to a first member. The other end of the arm has a protrusion which is resiliently held in the pocket portion of a resilient strip attached to a second member, when the members are in the second position. A camming surface, facing the pocket of the resilient strip, defines, with the pocket, a resilient enclosure for the protrusion. The protrusion may be forced to slide out of the enclosure when the two members are moved towards the first position, by the resilient deformation and opening of the pocket. The resilient strip also has an inclined portion adjacent the pocket portion which serves as a guide for the protrusion into the pocket, when it is desired to move the members from the second position into the first position.

Abstract: A display and burial system wherein a base has a lid member associated therewith which is movable between closed and open viewing positions. A two-part link holds the lid member in open viewing position with one link part pivotally connected to the lid member and the other link part being releasably connectable to a frame member of the base by entry into a slot or recess therein when the link is partially collapsed. An end of the second link part engages a pin within the recess and, thereafter, the lid member is moved to fully open position and the link parts move to a straight-line relation wherein the link is locked to the pin within the recess and the lid member is securely held in open viewing position. A reversal of steps enables disconnection of the link from the base with the link retaining its connection to the lid member and being collapsible to a storage position within the lid member.

Abstract: A brace for rigidly locking a casket cap in its open position to positively preclude movement of the cap about its pivotal connection with the casket body in either direction. The brace includes an elongated member pivotally mounted in a support bracket carried by the casket body and transversely displaced from the hinge for the casket cap. This elongated member then extends generally upward through an elongated slot in the casket cap which telescopes outwardly over the member as the cap is pivoted from the closed position to the open position. When the cap reaches the open position, cooperating locking means on the cap and the end of the elongated member engage to lock the cap in the open position. The locking means precludes further pivotal movement of the cap in either direction until the locking means is released. Resilient biasing means maintain the locking engagement and facilitate its release.