Plastic gravestone

Abstract

 The invention relates to a plastic gravestone, consisting of an annular side wall and a cover plate which connects to a first outer end of the annular side wall. The cover plate and the annular side wall consist of a single plastic shell, and the shell also comprises an edge protruding all round on the second outer end of the annular side wall.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plastic gravestone, comprising an at least substantially annular side wall manufactured from plastic and a cover plate which is manufactured from plastic and which connects to a first outer end of the annular side wall.

[0002] A gravestone of this type is known from the application NL 6815816. In the known application the gravestone is manufactured from two plastic shells provided with strengthening profiles, wherein the space between the two shells is filled with a plastic, this to give the gravestone sufficient strength. The drawback of the known gravestone is that production thereof is complicated and expensive. Furthermore, it is not apparent how the gravestone can be attached to the ground surface, other than by its own weight.

[0003] The gravestone according to the invention obviates these drawbacks and has the feature that the cover plate and the annular side wall are manufactured from a single plastic shell, and that this shell also comprises an edge protruding at least substantially perpendicularly of the annular side wall on a second outer end of the annular side wall.

[0004] An advantageous embodiment, wherein the protruding edge makes a maximum contribution toward the strength of the gravestone, has the feature that the shell comprises an edge protruding all around on the second outer end of the annular side wall.

[0005] A further advantageous embodiment, wherein the rigidity of the gravestone can be increased locally if desired, has the feature that the protruding edge is provided at least partially with a strengthening profile or strengthening strip.

[0006] A further advantageous embodiment, wherein the gravestone acquires a simple yet classic form, has the feature that the annular side wall takes an at least substantially rectangular form, with two long sides and two short sides, wherein a first short side is higher than a second short side.

[0007] A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the cover plate is provided close to the first short side with a first panel on which a text can be arranged. The first panel is preferably arranged removably in the cover plate so that, using for instance a standard engraving device, the text can be arranged in simple manner after removal of the panel.

[0008] A further advantageous embodiment has the feature that the cover plate is provided close to the second short side with a second removable panel. A favourable alternative embodiment has the feature that the cover plate is provided close to the second short side with a removable flower box. When a gravestone according to the invention is purchased, the purchase of both a second removable panel and a flower box can then be considered, whereafter the second removable panel can be replaced by a flower box arrangement and vice versa, this such that the gravestone will always look well cared-for.

[0009] A favourable alternative embodiment has the feature that the annular side wall takes an at least substantially rectangular form, with two long sides and two short sides, and that the first long side and/or the second long side is provided with a panel on which a text can be arranged. This embodiment can be used if it is not the wish to completely cover the grave with a gravestone, but instead to place only a so-called upright stone. The panel is here preferably also arranged removably in the annular side wall so that, with for instance a standard engraving device, the text can be arranged in simple manner after the removal of the panel.

[0010] The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Fig. 1A

shows a possible embodiment of a gravestone according to the invention in side view;

Fig. 1B

shows this embodiment in top view;

Fig. 1C

shows a top view of a grave before placing of a gravestone;

Fig. 2A

shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a gravestone according to the invention;

Fig. 2B

shows this embodiment in top view;

Fig. 2C

shows this embodiment in front view;

Fig. 3A

shows a side view of a possible embodiment of an upright stone according to the invention;

Fig. 3B

shows this embodiment in top view;

Fig. 3C

shows this embodiment in front view;

Fig. 4A

shows an alternative embodiment of an upright stone;

Fig. 4B

shows a further alternative embodiment of an upright stone;

Fig. 4C

shows a further alternative embodiment of an upright stone.

[0011] Fig. 1A shows a side view of a possible embodiment of a gravestone 1 according to the invention. Gravestone 1 consists of a cover plate 2 and an annular side wall 3, a first short side 4 of which is slightly higher than a second short side 5, whereby a more or less classic form is obtained. Side flaps 6a,6b,6c,6d, of which only side flaps 6a,6b,6c are visible in this figure, are arranged at right angles to side wall 3, and give gravestone 1 sufficient strength and serve as anchoring in the ground. Gravestone 1 consists of one part and is manufactured from glass fibre-reinforced plastic, preferably polyester, in a manner which is further self-evident to the skilled person. Fig. 1B shows this embodiment in top view with cover plate 2, annular side wall 3 with first short side 4 and second short side 5, and side flaps 6a,6b,6c,6d. Also shown are removable panel 7, on which a text can be arranged, for instance engraved, and removable panel 8 which can be replaced by a flower box, not shown in this figure. Removable panels 7,8 can likewise be manufactured from plastic but can, if desired, be manufactured from another material, for instance metal. These are fastened to cover plate 2 with screws in a manner which is self-evident to a skilled person. Removable panels 7,8 may also be omitted. If desired, a text plate can instead be attached in a different manner to cover plate 2 or side wall 3. Fig. 1C shows a top view of a grave before placing of a gravestone 1. Preferably after hole 9 has been filled, an edge 10 is dug away around hole 9, on which edge are placed side flaps 6a,6b,6c,6d, where after edge 10 is filled with the dug-out soil. If the soil on which side flaps 6a,6b,6c,6d rest is unstable, stones 11, for instance paving stones, can be laid on edge 10 before placing of gravestone 1. The final height of gravestone 1 above ground level depends on the depth of edge 10, whereby it is readily possible to comply with possible local regulations.

[0012] Fig. 2A shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a gravestone 1 according to the invention. Gravestone 1 consists of a cover plate 2, which protrudes upward on one side, whereby an upright stone part 12 is seemingly obtained, in addition to an annular side wall 3 which connects all around to cover plate 2. A side flap 6 running all around is arranged at right angles to side wall 3, this side flap giving gravestone 1 sufficient strength and serving as an anchoring in the ground. Gravestone 1 consists of one part and is manufactured from glass fibre-reinforced plastic, preferably polyester, in a manner which is further self-evident to a skilled person. Fig. 2B shows this embodiment in top view, with cover plate 2, annular side wall 3 and side flap 6 running all round and provided with four fastening holes 13a,13b,13c,13d with which gravestone 1 can be anchored on or in the ground. Also shown is a removable flower box 14 which is arranged recessed into cover plate 1 and which can, if desired, be replaced by a removable cover plate. A removable panel 15, on which a text can be engraved, is placed on upright stone part 12. Fig. 2C shows this embodiment in front view with side wall 3, upright stone part 12, side flap 6 running all round and removable panel 15.

[0013] Fig. 3A shows a side view of a possible embodiment of an upright stone 16 according to the invention. Upright stone 16 consists of a cover plate 2 and an annular side wall 3 which connects all around to cover plate 2. A side flap 6 is arranged running all round and at right angles to side wall 3, this flap giving gravestone 1 sufficient rigidity and serving as anchoring in the ground. Upright stone 16 consists of one part and is manufactured from glass fibre-reinforced plastic, preferably polyester, in a manner which is further self-evident to a skilled person. The part of side wall 3 which is placed above the hole is provided here with a strengthening rib 17. Fig. 3B shows this embodiment in top view with cover plate 2, annular side wall 3, the peripheral side flap 6 which is provided with four fastening holes 13a,13b,13c,13d with which upright stone 16 can, if desired, be anchored on or in the ground, and strengthening rib 17. On upright stone 16 is placed a removable panel 15 on which a text can be engraved. Fig. 3C shows this embodiment in front view with side wall 3, peripheral side flap 6, strengthening rib 17 and removable panel 15.

[0014] Fig. 4A shows an alternative embodiment of an upright stone 16, which here takes the form of a heart. Fig. 4B shows a further alternative embodiment of an upright stone 16, which here takes the form of a droplet. Fig. 4C shows an upright stone 16 with a modern design. Such shapes can be realized in simple manner and at relatively low cost because a single plastic shell is used here.

Claims

1. Plastic gravestone, comprising an at least substantially annular side wall manufactured from plastic and a cover plate which is manufactured from plastic and which connects to a first outer end of the annular side wall, characterized in that the cover plate and the annular side wall are manufactured from a single plastic shell, and that this shell also comprises an edge protruding at least substantially perpendicularly of the annular side wall on a second outer end of the annular side wall.

2. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shell comprises an edge protruding all around on the second outer end of the annular side wall.

3. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protruding edge is provided at least partially with a strengthening profile or strengthening strip.

4. Plastic gravestone as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the annular side wall takes an at least substantially rectangular form, with two long sides and two short sides, wherein a first short side is higher than a second short side.

5. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the cover plate is provided close to the first short side with a first panel on which a text can be arranged.

6. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the first panel is arranged removably in the cover plate.

7. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover plate is provided close to the second short side with a second removable panel.

8. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover plate is provided close to the second short side with a removable flower box.

9. Plastic gravestone as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the annular side wall takes an at least substantially rectangular form, with two long sides and two short sides, and that the first long side and/or the second long side is provided with a panel on which a text can be arranged.

10. Plastic gravestone as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the panel is arranged removably in the annular side wall.

Drawing