Abstract: In one implementation, a casket lowering system is configured to enable the lowering of a casket into a grave and includes: a casket support system configured to support the casket and temporarily suspend the casket above the grave; an electrically-actuated brake assembly coupled to the casket support system and configured to control the rate of descent of the casket support system into the grave; and a rechargeable power source electrically coupled to the electrically-actuated brake assembly and configured to provide electrical energy to the electrically-actuated brake assembly.

Abstract: A method of servicing a pipe bundle or riser bundle employs a specially configured hoist having a rail that supports multiple lifts. A selected satellite pipe/conduit of the pipe bundle is both lifted and pulled horizontally in order to remove it from a plurality of supports that hold the satellite pipes together in spaced apart positions. During removal of a satellite pipe, the lifts elevate, then travel with and hold the pipe as it moves horizontally away from the bundle.

Abstract: A casket transport and lowering device system is presented. The system includes a transportable frame with extendable rails configured to rotate and extend out over a gravesite. The extendable rails may also include an end rail and one or more extendable feet. The transportable frame may also be protected inside an exterior housing. The system also includes a carriage that rolls along the extendable rails into a position directly over the top of the gravesite. The carriage supports a lowering device upon which the casket rests. When the carriage is positioned over the gravesite, the lowering device is also positioned to lower the casket into the grave.

Abstract: A vault lowering aid comprising a housing; an elongated member; a drive shaft; a drive sprocket disposed within the housing and engaged with the draft shaft, such that a rotation of the draft shaft causes a rotation of the drive sprocket; at least one driven sprocket disposed within the housing and engaged with the drive sprocket via a chain, wherein the chain enables the rotation of the drive sprocket to cause a rotation of the driven sprocket; a driven shaft, wherein the driven shaft is engaged with the driven sprocket, such that the rotation of the driven sprocket causes the rotation of the driven shaft, and wherein the driven shaft is configured to engage a vault lowering device geared box; and at least one guide mechanism configured to secure the vault lowering aid on the geared box.

Abstract: A motorized casket/coffin crank raises and lowers a casket/coffin bed effortlessly and with minimal sound emission. The casket/coffin crank can be used similar to a drill to be inserted into the bed device's hole and, with its long shaft, turning the key, which is typically hidden underneath the fabric lining in both the head and foot ends of the casket/coffin, allow the raising and lowering of the casket bed at an accelerated rate without requiring the effort typically required with manual cranks.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a positioner, two opposing end beams may be cooperatively engaged with two opposing side beams. A first lowering unit may be cooperatively engaged with either a first end beam or first ends of the two opposing side beams. A second lowering unit may be cooperatively engaged with either a second end beam or second ends of the two opposing side beams. Legs and leg extensions may be cooperatively engaged at either end of either end beam, and pads may be placed on the distal ends of each leg extension. Actuators corresponding to each leg and leg extension may be in communication with a control unit to control the position of each actuator. Lateral extensions may be engaged with each end beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for lowering an urn comprises a frame, a substantially horizontal platform for supporting the urn, and a lowering mechanism mounted to the frame that is releasably connected to the platform. The lowering mechanism automatically releases the platform when the platform is in the bottom position. To releasably connect the lowering mechanism to the frame, four hangers may be used to releasably connect the platform to respective suspension straps. Each hanger may comprise a square body for insertion through a corresponding square hole in the platform. Each hanger may have a pivoting arm that pivots into a substantially horizontal posture to support the platform from underneath, the pivoting arm of the hanger comprising a counterweight to cause the pivoting arm to return to a substantially vertical posture when legs underneath the platform reach the bottom position.

Abstract: A universal casket and vault lifting and lowering device comprises four corner posts, a pair of end tubes, one of which is connected between two of the corner posts at each end of the device, a pair of side tubes, one of which is connected between two of the corner posts at each side of the device, a pair of straps, each having opposite ends rotatably fixed to a respective one of the side tubes, a power transmission assembly for rotating the pair of side tubes in a first direction to wind the straps around the side tubes to take up slack in the straps and for rotating the pair of side tubes in a second direction to unwind the straps and create slack in the straps, and a gear mounted to one of the side tubes which, when rotated, rotates both of the side tubes in the first direction and bypasses a portion of the power transmission assembly.

Abstract: A space saving burial container that bores its own hole and efficiently guides the cut away receiving material up and out of the hole to inter a fully secured body in a permanently natural upright position.

Abstract: Dithiocarbamate and phosphite containing fertilizers, as well as methods of making and methods of using these fertilizers, are disclosed.

Abstract: Process methods of interring remains non-horizontally into earth, sand, snow or other receiving materials on dry or wet land or under water in a much less labor intensive manner while using far less land area than currently practiced.

Abstract: An apparatus for lowering an urn comprises a frame, a substantially horizontal platform for supporting the urn, and a lowering mechanism mounted to the frame that is releasably connected to the platform The lowering mechanism automatically releases the platform when the platform is in the bottom position. To releasably connect the lowering mechanism to the frame, four hangers may be used to releasably connect the platform to respective suspension straps. Each hanger may comprise a square body for insertion through a corresponding square hole in the platform. Each hanger may have a pivoting arm that pivots into a substantially horizontal posture to support the platform from underneath, the pivoting arm of the hanger comprising a counterweight to cause the pivoting arm to return to a substantially vertical posture when legs underneath the platform reach the bottom position.

Abstract: A burial vault assembly for displaying a vault cover and placing the cover onto a vault base. The assembly has a support structure with a first and second rail secured to the top of a support structure. Each rail has a first portion and a second portion that extends towards the seating area of the burial site and at a downward angle from the first portion. Each rail additionally at the end of its second portion has a stopping element. Thus, a burial cover is moveable along the first and second rails from a sealing position to a display position wherein the vault cover is stopped in place by the stopping element.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) is used to lift the buried lid of a crypt and any soil or turf overlying the lid. The vehicle (10) has a mobile frame (14) which can be positioned over the lid. An attachment frame (11) is suspended from a subframe (12) within the mobile frame (14), the subframe (12) being adjustable laterally relative to the frame (14). The attachment frame (11) has winch cables (19) adapted to be connected to respective attachment fittings on the lid. Hydraulic cylinders (13) are used to raise the attachment frame (11) relative to the mobile frame (14), and thereby lift the lid and any overlying soil/turf. The raised lid can be transported while suspended from the vehicle (10), and subsequently returned for replacement on its crypt in a reverse procedure.

Abstract: A trailer for transport, positioning and removal of grave-site supports by one workman provides a U-shaped base frame supporting an upstanding peripheral frame that carries an upstanding storage bin for tools and accessories required for set up of the grave-site support and supports a hoist structure. The U-shaped base frame defines a rearwardly opening medial space within which the grave-site support is carried for transport while allowing trailer positioning over the grave-site support for removal and placement. The hoist provides a depending tension element interconnecting plural connector elements which interconnect the grave-site support for vertical motion for positioning and transport.

Abstract: A burial service site assembly and method for viewing a casket at a specified location in a cemetery, remote from the grave site, prior to interment into a grave. The assembly comprises a base, a seating area, and a casket display and placing device. A casket is placed and secured on the casket display and placing apparatus during the burial service. Subsequent the service, the apparatus is moved and positioned over the opening of a burial vault. The casket is lowered into the burial vault and arranged for transport from the burial service site to a grave site. The apparatus is moved to its original position for a subsequent burial service.

Abstract: A burial service system (10), which is provided for both lowering a casket into a burial vault and lowering the casket-containing burial vault into a grave, comprises a first burial service unit (12) and a separate and distinct second burial service unit (14). When in use, the units are longitudinally spaced from one another across a grave and are interconnected by a flexible casket support (16) extending longitudinally over a burial vault opening and a flexible vault support (18) extending longitudinally across the grave. Referring to the first unit (12), each burial service unit includes a housing (12a), a first shaft (68) journaled in the housing, a first automatic drive system operatively connected to the first shaft, a flexible casket support member (20) carried by the first shaft, a second shaft (96) journaled in the housing, a second automatic drive system operatively connected to the second shaft, and a flexible vault support member (28) carried by the second shaft.

Abstract: A burial coffin arrangement including a ceremonial casket which can be used a number of times and which is provided with decorative material and which can be placed over or lifted from a disposable inner casket which is made from a material which is not detrimental to the environment when incinerated and when decomposing. The ceremonial casket includes mutually opposing side walls which are pivotally mounted at the top thereof to the upper part of the ceremonial casket. The side walls can be moved towards one another to form wedge-like inwardly inclined outer walls for the inner casket in a traditional manner. When the side walls are brought towards one another, shoulders on the side walls pass into form-bound engagement with the inner casket so that the caskets can be lifted together. When the ceremonial casket is to be lifted away from the inner casket in the case of cremation or when the inner casket is lowered from the ceremonial casket in the case of burial, the side walls are moved apart.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for the handling and setting of all commonly used burial vaults and vault covers.Specifically this device quickly, efficiently and safely allows burial vaults to be held above the surface of the ground in a position that facilitates the lowering of a casket therein; and allows the vault cover to be properly displayed during graveside services and to be properly sealed on the vault and for the assembled vault unit to be lowered into the grave.

Abstract: A generally rectangular-shaped casket-placer and casket-lowering apparatus for supporting a casket over a grave opening during a graveside service and for lowering the casket into the grave opening, or into the base of a burial vault in the grave opening, for interment after the conclusion of the graveside service includes side rails and end rails. The front or upper end rail is operatively connected to one of the side rails and transmits rotary motion of the one side rail through a shaft and gear mechanism in a combination braking and power transmission head to the armature of a D.C. motor generator which is located at one of the four corners of the apparatus and controls the speed of lowering of the casket by the apparatus. The lowering speed of the casket is controlled by an electrical loading circuit which incorporates a D.C. motor generator having an armature which is operatively connected to rotate with the side rails and the front end rail.