U.S. patent application number 10/421008 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-28 for lawn crypt covering system and method.
Invention is credited to Bobbitt, Gary M., Sannipoli, Alfred L. SR., Sannipoli, Wayne Peter.
Application Number | 20040211129 10/421008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33298590 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040211129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sannipoli, Alfred L. SR. ;
et al. |
October 28, 2004 |
Lawn crypt covering system and method
Abstract
A lawn crypt system and method in which at least one lawn crypt
is buried at a burial site and covered with a covering layer of
artificial material such as artificial turf. In a cemetery, an
array of crypts are buried in a single hole and an artificial turf
layer extends over all of the crypts, and is bonded to the array at
least around its periphery. At each interment, a cut is made in the
artificial turf around the lid of the lawn crypt at the burial
site, the lid and cut section of turf is lifted off the crypt, the
casket is placed into the crypt, and the lid and cut section of
turf are replaced over the crypt.
Inventors: |
Sannipoli, Alfred L. SR.;
(Temecula, CA) ; Bobbitt, Gary M.; (San
Bernardino, CA) ; Sannipoli, Wayne Peter; (Escondido,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GORDON & REES LLP
101 WEST BROADWAY
SUITE 1600
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
33298590 |
Appl. No.: |
10/421008 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/133 ; 52/131;
52/134; 52/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/133 ;
052/134; 052/136; 052/131 |
International
Class: |
E04H 013/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A lawn crypt system, comprising: at least one lawn crypt for
burying at a burial site, the crypt comprising a rectangular
container for holding at least one casket, the container having an
open top, and a lid for covering the open top of the container; and
a covering layer for covering the lid of the crypt after burial,
the covering layer comprising artificial material.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, including bonding means for
bonding the covering layer to the crypt lid.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, including a layer of fill
material between the lid and the covering layer.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, including a marker retaining
indent in the lid of the crypt, the covering layer having a cut-out
around the marker indent, and a grave marker installed through the
turf layer cut-out and into the indent.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, including a layer of fill
material beneath the crypt.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, including a sealing gasket
between the lid and open upper end of the container.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of lawn
crypts buried to form an array of crypts arranged side-by-side in a
series of adjacent rows with a predetermined gap between adjacent
crypts in each row and adjacent rows of crypts, a layer of porous
fill material located beneath the array of crypts and non-porous
fill material filling the gaps between adjacent crypts and crypt
rows, and the cover layer covering the top of all of the crypts in
the array.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each crypt has a lower
wall having at least two drain holes, and a drainage assembly for
liquids and gases extends through the layer of porous fill material
beneath the array of crypts.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, in which the drainage assembly
comprises a series of perforated pipes extend beneath the array of
crypts such that at least one length of pipe extends beneath each
crypt, at least one outlet pipe, each perforated pipe having at
least one end connected to the outlet pipe, and a vertical stand
pipe connected to the outlet pipe for venting of gases.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drainage assembly
comprises a second gas circulating pipe and a second stand pipe
connected to the second circulating pipe, each perforated pipe
having a second end connected to the second gas circulating
pipe.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the artificial
material is artificial turf.
12. A lawn crypt system for a cemetery, comprising: a plurality of
lawn crypts arranged in an array comprising a plurality of rows of
crypts arranged side-by-side in each row with a predetermined gap
between adjacent crypts in each row and a predetermined gap between
adjacent rows of crypts, each crypt comprising a container having
an open top and a lid covering the open top of the container; the
array of crypts being located in a hole in the ground at a
predetermined depth beneath the surrounding grade level; and a
cover layer of man-made covering material extending over the lids
of all of the crypts in the array.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover layer is
located directly on top of the crypt lids.
14. The system as claimed in claim 13, including a bonding material
extending around the periphery of the array and securing the
periphery of the cover layer to the array of crypts.
15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bonding material
comprises double sided carpet laying tape.
16. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the covering
material comprises artificial turf.
17. The system as claimed in claim 12, including a lower layer of
fill material beneath the array of crypts.
18. The system as claimed in claim 17, including a gas drainage
system embedded in the fill material beneath the crypts, and a
stand pipe remote from the crypt array and connected to the
drainage system for venting gases, each crypt having a lower wall
with at least two drain holes.
19. The system as claimed in claim 12, including a non-porous fill
material filling the gaps between the crypts and crypt rows.
20. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each crypt has a
sealing gasket between the open top of the container and the
lid.
21. The system as claimed in claim 12, including a cut-out region
in the covering layer over each crypt lid, the crypt lid having a
marker holding recess, and the cut-out region exposing the marker
holding recess.
22. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least some of the
lawn crypts are double depth crypts.
23. An interment method, comprising the steps of: burying at least
one lawn crypt comprising a container and a lid to a predetermined
depth; and covering the lid of the lawn crypt with at least one
layer of a man-made covering material.
24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the covering
material comprises artificial turf.
25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the crypt is buried
to a depth such that the lid is approximately at grade level and
the covering layer is secured directly on top of the lawn
crypt.
26. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the crypt is buried
such that the lid is a predetermined depth below grade level, and a
layer of fill material is placed on top of the crypt lid prior to
placing the covering material layer on top of the fill
material.
27. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the step of burying
the lawn crypt comprises the steps of digging a hole to a
predetermined depth, and placing a layer of porous fill material
into the hole prior to burial of the lawn crypt.
28. The method as claimed in claim 23, comprising burying a
plurality of lawn crypts in an array in a single hole in the earth,
the array comprising a series of rows of lawn crypts arranged
side-by-side in each row with gaps between each adjacent pair of
lawn crypts in each row and gaps between each adjacent row of
crypts, and placing a single layer of the covering material to
extend over the entire array of crypts.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the step
of filling all of the gaps between crypts with a non-porous fill
material.
30. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the steps
of, at each interment, cutting through the covering material around
the lid of the lawn crypt at the burial site, lifting the lid and
cut section of material off the crypt, placing the casket into the
crypt, and replacing the lid and cut section of covering material
over the crypt.
31. The method as claimed in claim 30, further comprising the step
of adhering the cut section of covering material and adjacent cut
edge of material around the periphery of the lid after the
interment with a bonding material.
32. The method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising the step
of cutting out a section of covering material over the lid to leave
a cut out opening and installing a grave marker into the opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to lawn crypts or
burial vaults, and to cemeteries where such crypts are buried.
[0002] In the past, coffins or caskets of various materials were
buried under the ground and covered with a layer of turf or grass.
An improvement over this system was the introduction of lawn crypts
or burial vaults, which may be of single or double depth, and which
are of a strong, durable material such as concrete. The crypt is
installed at a burial site prior to any interment, and is again
buried under the ground and covered with a layer of turf or grass.
At an interment, the turf is removed to expose the lid of the
crypt, the lid is lifted off, and the casket is lowered into the
crypt. The lid is then replaced and the dirt and turf is replaced
over the top of the crypt. Although this system has advantages,
there is a requirement in the United States that there is at least
18 inches of ground cover above the crypt lid for a single layer
lawn crypt, and 12 inches of ground cover for a double depth crypt.
A double depth lawn crypt or vault is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,746,030 of Sannipoli, while a modified lid for such a crypt,
incorporating a headstone support, is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,243,997 of Sannipoli.
[0003] One problem with existing cemeteries having buried lawn
crypts is that a large amount of digging has to take place at each
interment. This involves driving heavy digging equipment over the
turf to the grave site, which often damages the grass, then digging
down to 12 to 18 inches below grade level to expose the lid of the
crypt. After the interment, the procedure is repeated to replace
the dirt and turf over the crypt. This is also very labor intensive
and expensive. There is also the problem of maintenance costs for a
large area of grass, and water damage to crypts and headstones as a
result of daily watering of the grass. Another problem in prior
cemeteries where headstones are placed in the earth above a crypt
is that they will tend to tilt or even fall over with time as a
result of the inconsistent support of the surrounding earth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved lawn crypt system and interment method.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a lawn
crypt system is provided, which comprises at least one lawn crypt
for burying at a burial site, the crypt comprising a rectangular
container for holding at least one casket, the container having an
open top, and a lid for covering the open top of the container, and
a covering layer for covering the lid of the crypt after burial,
the covering layer comprising artificial turf or other artificial
or man-made material.
[0006] The artificial turf may be secured directly to the upper
surface of the lid by a suitable bonding material or adhesive. In
an alternative arrangement, a fill material may be placed on top of
the crypt lid, and the artificial turf is then laid on top of the
fill material. The fill material may be gravel, dirt, sand, or the
like.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system
comprises a plurality of lawn crypts buried to form an array of
crypts arranged side-by-side in a series of adjacent rows at a
cemetery, each crypt having opposite side walls and end walls, with
a predetermined gap between adjacent crypts in each row and
adjacent rows of crypts, a predetermined thickness of fill material
forming a layer beneath the array of crypts, fill material filling
the gaps between adjacent crypts and crypt rows, and a layer of
artificial turf covering the top of all of the crypts in the array.
The artificial turf may be laid directly on top of the array of
crypts, or a layer of fill material may be provided between the
crypt array and the turf. Where the artificial turf is laid
directly over the lids of the crypts, it may be secured to the
array by a suitable bonding material around the periphery of the
array.
[0008] A seal will be provided around the lid of each crypt so as
to prevent or reduce leakage of any gases upwardly from the
interior of the crypt. A drainage or leach system for liquids and
gases may be provided beneath the array of crypts. Each crypt will
have a base wall having two spaced drain openings. At the same
time, a series of perforated pipes extend beneath the array of
crypts such that at least one length of pipe extends beneath each
crypt. The pipes are connected to inlet and outlet manifolds at
each end, and the manifolds in turn are connected to vertical stand
pipes at a distance from the crypt array, for creating air flow
through the drainage system and venting any decomposition gases.
The fill material beneath the crypts is of a porous nature to
permit liquids and gases to drain downwardly, while the porous
pipes provide an escape path for gases to the exit stand pipe. The
fill material beneath the crypts may be birds eye gravel, for
example. A different, non-porous fill material is provided in the
gaps between adjacent crypts, such as sand, to prevent gases from
escaping upwardly in the cemetery area.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
interment method is provided, which comprises the steps of:
[0010] burying at least one lawn crypt comprising a container and a
lid to a predetermined depth; and
[0011] covering the lid of the lawn crypt with at least one layer
of covering material, the covering material comprising artificial
turf.
[0012] The artificial turf layer may be secured directly on top of
the lawn crypt, in which case the crypt need only be buried to a
depth such that the lid of the crypt is at grade level.
Alternatively, a second layer of fill material may be placed on top
of the crypt lid, and the layer of artificial turf is then laid on
top of the fill material. In an exemplary embodiment, a hole is dug
in the earth to a predetermined depth, and a layer of porous fill
material is placed into the hole prior to burial of the lawn
crypt.
[0013] The method may comprise burying a plurality of lawn crypts
in an array comprising a series of rows of lawn crypts arranged
side-by-side in each row with gaps between each adjacent pair of
lawn crypts in each row and similar dimension gaps between each
adjacent row of crypts. A non-porous fill material is then placed
into all of the gaps so as to completely fill the gaps, and a layer
of artificial turf is secured over the array of crypts.
[0014] At each interment, the artificial turf is cut around the lid
of the lawn crypt at the burial site, and the lid and cut section
of turf are then lifted off the crypt. The casket is then placed
into the crypt, and the lid and turf are replaced over the crypt.
The turf is adhered around the periphery of the lid by a suitable
bonding material such as double sided adhesive tape of the type
used in carpet laying. A section of turf over the lid may be cut
out to allow installation of a suitable grave marker, such as a
vertical headstone which is supported in a suitable holder on the
lid, or a horizontal marker laid into a receiving recess on the
lid. The turf is then suitably stuck down or bonded to the lid
around the periphery of the cut out.
[0015] It can be seen that the lawn crypt system and interment
method of this invention is a considerable improvement over the
conventional prior art arrangement. The crypts do not have to be
buried as deeply as in an earth covered system, so that the hole
for receiving one or more crypts only needs to be deep enough to
position the crypt lids at grade level, rather than 12 to 18 inches
below grade level. The artificial turf requires much less
maintenance than grass, with no mowing, and no watering which could
cause water damage to grave markers or headstones. There will also
be significant cost savings for each interment, with no heavy
digging equipment required before and after the interment, as is
standard in conventional cemeteries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will be better understood from the
following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lawn crypt system according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, with an associated venting
system;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a section view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a view similar to the upper portion of FIG. 2,
showing the cutting of the top cover around a single burial
vault;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a similar view showing lifting of the lid and top
cover to expose the vault;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with a casket in place
and the lid replaced; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 3, showing a
marker panel inset in the crypt lid and cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings illustrate a lawn crypt system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, while FIGS.
4 to 7 illustrate an interment method using this system. The
illustrated system is for a multiple burial site with a plurality
of lawn crypts 10, but it will be understood that the same system
may be applied to a single or family burial site, such as a family
estate containing one or two crypts. Additionally, the drawings
illustrate single crypts each designed to contain one casket.
However, it will be understood that some or all of the crypts may
be double lawn crypts for containing two caskets, or even larger
crypts for containing more than two caskets, such as the multiple
level crypt as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,030 of Sannipoli,
the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The
crypts are of concrete or other sufficiently strong, water
resistant and durable material.
[0025] The lawn crypt system of FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a plurality
of single or double depth crypts 10, or a mixture of single and
double depth crypts, buried in a single-hole 12 dug into the earth
14 to a predetermined depth, and arranged in an array of rows of
crypts arranged side-by-side in each row. A layer 15 of porous fill
material such as gravel is placed into the bottom of the hole 12
before lowering in the crypts 10. The depth of the hole is arranged
such that the lids 16 of the crypts 10 are substantially at grade
level 18 when installed.
[0026] A suitable drainage system 20 for liquids and gases may be
embedded in the gravel layer 15 prior to placement of the crypts
10. The system 20 comprises a series of perforated pipes 22, each
pipe running under a line of crypts 10 as indicated in FIG. 1.
Opposite ends of each pipe 22 are connected to first and second
inlet/outlet pipes 23,24 running along opposite ends of the array.
Vertical stand pipes 25,26 of at least ten feet in height are
connected to the end of each pipe 23,24 at a distance from the
array of lawn crypts, for allowing venting of gases.
[0027] Each crypt has two spaced drain holes 28 in its base 30, and
typical casket risers 32 are also provided on the base. In the case
of a double depth lawn crypt, a suitable panel will be positioned
approximately half way up the crypt for supporting a second casket,
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,030 cited above. A sealing
gasket 34 of rubber or the like is provided between the upper end
of the casket walls and the lid 16, for preventing or limiting
leakage of gases upwardly out of the crypt in the cemetery
area.
[0028] The crypts are positioned with a small gap 35 of the order
of half an inch between adjacent crypts in each row and a similar
size gap between adjacent rows of crypts, as indicated in FIGS. 2
and 3. The gap 35 is filled with a non-porous fill material 36 such
as sand, to further limit upward escape of any gas resulting from
decomposition. A single layer 38 of artificial turf or other
man-made covering material is placed on top of the array of crypts
so as to cover the lids of all of the crypts. The covering material
may be a sheet or layer of any artificial covering material, such
as artificial grass, sand, pebbles, and the like. However, in the
exemplary embodiment, the material is artificial turf. The turf
layer 38 may be adhered to the underlying crypt lids around its
entire periphery by a suitable bonding material, such as double
sided adhesive tape 40 as is commonly used in carpet laying.
[0029] Although in the illustrated embodiment the artificial turf
layer 38 is secured directly on top of the crypt lids 16, in an
alternative embodiment a layer of fill material may be first placed
on top of the entire crypt array, and the artificial turf is then
placed on top of the fill layer. The fill material layer may have a
depth of the order of 12 inches. In this case, the initial hole 12
will be dug to a suitable depth to accommodate the additional depth
of fill layer, such that the top of the upper fill layer is
substantially at grade level.
[0030] Instead of sealing gasket 40, each lid 16 may be permanently
secured to the upper end of the crypt after the final interment by
a suitable non porous bonding material, to further deter any escape
of gases in an upward direction. This helps to ensure that any such
gases will be directed along the pipes 22 and one of the pipes
23,24 to the outlet stand pipe.
[0031] Although a multiple crypt array is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to
3, the same system may be applied to a single or double crypt in a
family estate. In this case, the crypt is buried inside an
enclosure or outer building comprising the family estate. Instead
of burying the crypt to a level of 12 to 18 inches below grade
level, the crypt in this case is buried such that the lid is
substantially at grade level, and a layer of artificial turf is
placed over the lid and adhered to the lid by double sided tape
around its periphery, for example. The lawn crypt system may
therefore be applied to a single grave site or multiple grave
sites.
[0032] FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate an interment method using the system
of FIGS. 1 to 3. First, the artificial turf layer is cut around the
periphery of the lid at the grave site, as indicated in FIG. 4,
using a suitable cutting tool or blade 42, for example of the type
used in carpet laying. Markers may be provided to identify each
grave site so that the appropriate cutting position can be
determined readily. Subsequently, a suitable lifting device is used
to lift both the lid 16 and the cut portion 44 of artificial turf
off the crypt 10, as indicated in FIG. 5. A casket 45 is then
placed into the crypt 10, and the lid and turf portion 44 are
replaced, as indicated in FIG. 6. The cut portion 44 of the
artificial turf layer and the surrounding cut edges 46 of the
remaining turf layer are then suitably bonded or stuck down
securely, using a suitable bonding material such as double sided
adhesive tape 48 of the type used in carpet laying.
[0033] After the casket has been interred and the lid and covering
layer of artificial turf have been replaced, a suitable upright or
horizontal grave marker may be installed at the site immediately
after the burial. If the lawn crypt uses horizontal markers, the
lids 16 will each have a rectangular recess 50 for receiving a
marker 52. The recess will be of suitable dimensions, such as 17
inches by 29 inches, although the dimensions may be different in
other cases. In order to install the marker, a cut is made in the
artificial turf around the underlying marker recess, and the cut
portion of artificial turf is removed to expose the recess. The
marker 52 is then placed into the recess. If necessary, the cut
edges of turf surrounding the marker may be stuck down in the
manner described above, prior to placing the marker. A similar
procedure will be followed for installing an upright headstone. In
this case, the lid 16 will have a suitable holder for the lower end
of the headstone, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,243,997 of Sannipoli, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference. In this case, the turf will be cut around the
periphery of the vertical headstone holder, and the headstone will
be installed.
[0034] The method and system described above has many advantages
over existing, conventional cemetery systems, in which each casket
or crypt is buried at some depth in the earth with earth and grass
covering the grave site. First, costs of both burial and cemetery
maintenance are significantly reduced. Since the lawn crypts are
covered with artificial turf or other artificial material, rather
than grass, maintenance costs of mowing and watering are completely
eliminated. Second, heavy digging equipment is only needed when the
crypts are initially buried, and not at subsequent interments. All
that is needed in order to prepare for an interment is to cut
around the turf at the appropriate burial site and to remove the
lid and cut portion of artificial turf. All that is required after
the interment is to replace the lid and cut turf portion and to
stick down the edges of the turf around the site. The grave marker
can be set immediately, rather than having to wait until earth has
been replaced to cover the crypt.
[0035] This invention also solves the problems of burials in cold
climates or in winter, where the earth may be frozen, making
digging to expose a grave site extremely difficult or impossible.
In such situations, heat blankets are sometimes needed to thaw the
ground and permit burial to take place. The artificial turf
covering layer in the system of this invention completely avoids
such problems. The lawn crypts can be buried during warmer weather,
and readily exposed when needed, whether summer or winter. The
artificial turf layer can be readily replaced as necessary, and any
damaged portions can also be simply cut out and replaced as
appropriate. The need to drive heavy digging equipment over the
cemetery before and after each burial, which sometimes damages the
grass in a conventional cemetery, is completely eliminated in this
invention, since the only major digging necessary is on
construction of the cemetery when a single hole is dug and all the
lawn crypts are buried and covered with the single artificial turf
layer, so that they are ready for all subsequent interments.
Although primarily intended for a cemetery having multiple,
side-by-side single or double burial sites, the system is also
useful for single burial sites within family estates, for example,
as described above, making burials in such estates easier and more
convenient.
[0036] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
described above by way of example only, it will be understood by
those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the
disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *