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(11) | EP 4 098 826 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | MEMORIAL STONE |
| (57) The present invention relates to a memorial stone comprising a) a base-plate having
a first circular or polygonal hole formed (shaped) therein, b) a first insert-plate
adapted to fit in the first circular or polygonal hole and with a second circular
or polygonal hole, and c) a second insert-plate adapted to fit in the second circular
or polygonal hole. |
The technical area
[0001] The present invention relates to memorial stones such as gravestones, tombstones, and similar items.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Ritual artifacts have always been necessary props for man, and they have created meaning in our lives, personally and socially. In the past, a grave and a memorial stone were primarily a memorial for the deceased. Today the grave also functions as an altar, and the ritual artifacts are of great importance to the relatives of the deceased in their grief.
[0004] The memorial stones in our cemeteries have been present in the public space for a century and are an essential part of our cultural heritage.
[0005] Today, an urn is protected for at least 10 years and a coffin for at least 20 years. Times change, which means that needs change, both in relation to the public space, our common cultural heritage, and the needs of the relatives of the deceased.
[0007] The character of grief changes over time. Thus, there may be a big difference in the need for decoration and the character (nature) of ritual elements shortly after the deceased has passed away than may be the case e.g., 10, 20, 30, or 50 to 100 years later.
[0008] A walk in the cemetery quickly shows that the need of relatives for decorations and ritual artifacts is big. Ritual elements are used extensively and extend far beyond a bouquet of fresh flowers. The relatives need to express their grief individually and creatively. There is a very different need in relation to the age of the relatives, for example it is evident that children have a great need to express their grief creatively.
[0009] As the behavioral patterns change in terms of expressing one's personal grief at the burial site, at the same time, a need grows to have a place in the home that is reserved for remembering a near deceased.
[0010] Research supports that the burial site, the memorial altar, and ritual elements are important elements for a large group of people in their grieving process.
[0011] Death can be articulated; the mourner feels a connection to their deceased relative, and this has a healing effect. Therefore, there is a great need for innovation in this field, innovation that may guide and support the mourners in this process.
Purpose of the invention
[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to make memorial stones dynamic in order to meet the changing patterns of behavior of grieving relatives.
Description of the invention
[0014] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a memorial stone comprising:
- a base-plate having a first circular or polygonal hole shaped therein;
- a first insert-plate adapted to fit into the first circular or polygonal hole and with a second circular or polygonal hole; and
- a second insert-plate adapted to fit into the second circular or polygonal hole.
[0015] The existing memorial stones for laying down in a lawn are often a flat stone that cannot accommodate ritual elements. The relatives place in very close connection with the memorial stone, where allowed, a traditional grave vase, for upright fresh flower bouquets. Such vase must not be used in the lawn care demanding part of the season. Memorial stones do exist which have integrated grave vases placed in a hole in the memorial stone, some with a vase lid that is removed when the vase is to be used for fresh bouquets, others are reversible vases.
[0016] Common to such memorial stones is that the decorations fill up over the top surface of the memorial stone. In most cemeteries, there is a conflict between the relatives 'need to commemorate and honor their deceased with flowers and decorations, and the cemetery staff's maintenance of the areas around the grave, e.g., a lawn.
[0017] The relatives' needs for ritual artifacts and decorations lead in most cemeteries to autonomous solutions, where the lawn stones and the lawn surrounding them is chaotically filed with decorations, also in the lawn-care required part of the season. This means that the staff have to move ornaments and decorations from the graves to do maintenance, which is offensive to the relatives that have placed such decorations.
[0018] This invention meets the need for an industrial and scalable solution that addresses the opposing needs, the needs of relatives to commemorate their deceased, and the needs of cemetery staff to carry out their maintenance tasks. At the same time, the nature of the grief of the relatives to the deceased changes over time, and with this change also the purpose as well as the requirement for aesthetics and functions for the memorial stone and the ritual artifacts. Hence the need for individual and flexible solutions with built-in possibilities for variability in relation to functions and aesthetic appearance.
[0019] In the present context, the word "memorial stone" must be understood very broadly and includes memorial plaques and gravestones.
[0020] The memorial stone may be designed with a flexible altar bowl, which is characterized by the fact that it can be laid in a lawn and can accommodate interchangeable functional ritual elements that are level with or below the top surface of the memorial stone.
[0021] The water mirror invites the sky down to earth and is a very beautiful and magnificent phenomenon.
[0022] Research shows that when mourners perceive themselves as part of a larger whole, and feel in touch with nature, their sense of being alive, and at the same time also of being connected with the deceased, is strengthened. Water has a calming and healing effect.
[0023] Water, nature, and the environment are intertwined. Access to water intensifies the wildlife and nature experiences in the cemetery.
[0024] In addition, a reservoir provides better conditions for the fresh flowers, and extends the durability of the fresh decorations.
[0025] In one or more embodiments, the memorial stone further comprises a first bottom-plate attached to the underside of the base-plate and positioned thus, that it closes the bottom of the first circular or polygonal hole, thus forming a bowl.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, the memorial stone further comprises a first bottom-plate attached to the underside of the base-plate and having a circular or polygonal hole, which first bottom-plate is alternatively smaller in extent than the base-plate, so that the two plates together form a funnel shape.
[0027] In one or more embodiments, the memorial stone further comprises a plug adapted to cover the circular or polygonal hole in the first bottom-plate or in a circular or polygonal hole in a second bottom-plate alternatively mounted to the underside of the first bottom-plate.
[0028] In the other zones of the cemetery, there is also a clear need to decorate in front of the upright memorial stones. In step with the changing behavioral patterns in terms of expressing one's personal grief at the burial site, at the same time a need grows to have a place in the home, reserved to commemorate a very near deceased. At the same time, there may be a long distance from the burial site to the relatives' residence.
[0029] It may create an emotional connection to the deceased via the grave site, by taking home "something" from the gravestone.
[0030] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system of memorial stones comprising:
- a first memorial stone according to the present invention of a given size; and
- a second memorial stone according to the present invention and of a relatively smaller size than the first memorial stone.
[0031] A third aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the system where the first memorial stone is placed at a burial site and the second memorial stone is placed in a house or in a garden.
[0032] The memorial stone with altar-bowl thus increases the flexibility in relation to use, both locally and globally, and may be adapted to the ritual traditions of different cultures.
[0033] The memorial stone with altar-bowl may thus be placed on top of the ground in the zones of the cemetery in which this is permitted. The memorial altar-bowl may also serve as a supplement to an upright memorial stone.
[0034] The vases, which are on the market today, are intended for upright bouquets. In the cemeteries, a need for individual flat decorations is registered, in different sizes as well as small installations determined by the local cultural influences. Therefore, there is a need for flexibility, which need is addressed by the present invention.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, the second insert-plate has a third circular or polygonal hole,
and wherein the memorial stone further comprises a third insert-plate adapted to fit in the second circular or polygonal hole.
[0036] In one or more embodiments, the base-plate comprises a first stop-ring mounted on its underside and which is smaller than the extent of the base-plate, wherein said first stop-ring comprises a first cut-out of a given shape located within the extent of the first circular or polygonal hole, wherein the first insert-plate comprises a second stop-ring mounted on its underside and which is smaller than the extent of the first insert-plate and which fits into said first cut-out.
[0037] In one or more embodiments, the second stop-ring comprises a second cut-out of a given shape, which is located within the extent of the second circular or polygonal hole in the first insert-plate, wherein the second Insert-plate comprising a third stop-ring mounted on its underside and which is smaller than the extent of the second insert-plate and which fits into said second cut-out.
[0038] The memorial stone may thus function as an altar-bowl in the form of a flat decorative dish that may be varied in size. The size of the altar-bowl is varied with the ring elements. The ring elements may be made of stone, such as granite, artificial stone, metal, such as copper or bronze, or bioplastic.
[0039] When the rings are fixedly mounted, as for example such as the bottom-plate under the base-plate, they form part of the construction of the memorial stone. When the insert-plates / rings are not fixed, such as the insert-plates, the size of the bowl may be increased as needed, by picking up the rings, and decreased, by placing the ringsback in the bowl.
[0040] In one or more embodiments, the base-plate and / or the insert-plates are provided with a rounding on the inner lower edge, so that there is room for the user to grasp the fingers if / when the insert-plates are to be removed or replaced. The rounding may be mad with a stone cutter on the inner diameter of the ring edge towards the bottom.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, the base-plate and / or insert-plates are provided with a rounding on the inner lower edge of the circular or polygonal hole, so that space is created for a user to grasp the plate with his/her fingers through the circular or polygonal hole.
[0042] The singular forms "a" and "an" and corresponding definite endings as used in the description and the requirements also include plurals unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Intervals can here be expressed as from "around" or "approximately" a certain value and / or to "around" or "approximately" another certain value.
[0043] When such an interval is specified, another aspect comprises from one particular value and / or to the other particular value. In the same way, it must be understood that when values are stated as approximations and are preceded by the word "around", the particular value constitutes another aspect.
[0044] It should be noted that aspects and functions described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.
Description of the figures
[0045]
Figure 1: Combinatoric cup drill cuts - for the top surface and bottom-plates of the memorial stone.
Figure 2: Circular intersections, the relative sizes, and connections of the rings.
Figure 3: Stop-rings for one-layer solution.
Figure 4: Lamination of bases
Figure 5: The production of a memorial stone and a mini-twin version.
Figure 6: Memorial stone with altar-bowl - elements for water.
Figure 7: Circular insert-plates.
Figure 8: Memorial stone with altar-bowl
References
[0046]
0 Starting material
1-4 Base-plate
5-6 Starting material, or Insert-plate
7-15 Insert-plate
16, 18 Starting material or Bottom-plate
17, 19 Bottom-plate
20 Decoration
21 Flat memorial stone
22-24 Stop-rings
25 Bottom-plug or insert-plate
26 Base-plate with stop-ring
27-28 Insert-plate with stop-ring
29 Flat memorial stone with stop-rings
30-31 Memorial stone with altar-bowl
32-33 Flat memorial stone without stop-rings
34 Memorial stone with altar bowl
35-39 Ritual Elements
Detailed description of the invention
[0047] This invention is characterized by being applicable to industrial production. The individual elements may be carved with a cup drill.
[0048] The following are non-limiting examples of embodiments, which fall within the general concept of the invention. It is characteristic of these circular carvings that they have cut surfaces that fit into each other so that they may be combined and assembled into the circular top surface of the memorial stone.
(Figure 1: Numbers 0-16)
[0049] Base-plates and insert-plates may have the following relative diameters and interrelationships:
055-034-021-013-08-05-03-02-01
∅1= 1 / 1 = 1 ("∅" designates the diameter and can be in cm or other measure - it is the relative numbers that are important)
∅2= 2 / 1 =2
∅3= 3 / 2 = 1.5
∅5= 5 / 3 = 1.666
∅8= 8 / 5 = 1.6
013 = 13/8 = 1.625
∅21= 21 /13 = 1.615
034= 34 / 21 = 1.619
055= 55/34 = 1.6176
Embodiment 1
[0050] Combinatorics on the cup drill cuttings for the memorial stone (base-plate, insert - plates and any stop-rings) (Figures 1 and 2). A stone plate is selected (may also be of other material, as described above), in which the top surface and the bottom surface of the individual elements are made flat and parallel. The stone plate is cut into a height x (for example 2-20 cm, such as 5-12 cm).
[0051] From this plate, for example, four circular plates with an outer diameter of ∅55, ∅34, 021 and 013 may be cut out to serve as a starting material (figure 1, plate no. 0, 5, 6 and 7, respectively). Holes (centered or eccentric) in sizes ∅34, 021, 013 and ∅2 may be cut out, with cup drills or the like, in these plates, so that the base plates 1-4 are obtained. These holes then correspond to the hole on the bowl. The eccentric hole on 013 is positioned so that the section at the apex of 013 is tangent to the section center ∅34.
[0052] In plate ∅34 (figure 1, plate no. 5), for example, three centered hole sizes may be designed, 021, 013 and ∅2 (figure 1, plate no. 11, 12 and 14) as well as two eccentric hole sizes of 013 and ∅2, respectively (figure 1, plate no. 13 and 15). The eccentric hole ∅2 may be positioned so that the section at the apex of ∅2 is tangent to the section surface of the centered hole in the 013 plate.
[0053] In plate 021 (figure 1, plate no. 6), for example, two hole sizes of 013 and ∅2 may be designed (figure 1, plate no. 8 and 9):
In plate ∅7 (figure 1, plate no. 7), for example, a hole size of ∅2 may be designed (Figure 1, plate no. 10).
[0054] Any bottom slices for the base-plates may be designed into bottom-plates with an outer diameter of ∅42 and ∅27, respectively (Figure 1, plate no. 16 and 18). In each of the bottom-plates, a centered drain hole may be cut / designed with a cup drill or similar, for example in 013 (figure 1, plate no. 17 and 19).
Embodiment 2
[0055] When a base-plate is laminated together with a bottom-plate, this forms a memorial stone with an altar-bowl (Figures 4, 6 and 8), thus forming the base for the insert-plates and the ritual elements. The outer diameter of the base-plate corresponds to the edge of the memorial stone with the altar-bowl and thus defines the size of the stone, and the hole defines the size of the bowl. Insert-plates may in some cases function as a base-plate, so that the memorial stone becomes smaller. The definitions of base-plate and insert-plate are therefore used only as relative terms. Examples of base-plates for building memorial stones with altar-bowls may therefore be plates no. 1,2, 3, 8, 11, and 12 (figure 1).
[0056] The selected base-plate is laminated (for example glued, doweled, or welded depending on the choice of material) with an associated bottom-plate that has a slightly smaller diameter.
[0057] The bottom-plate is selected according to size and use, outdoor, indoor and to the local global climatic conditions, with or without hole.
[0058] Cut-outs for Bottom-plates are shown in plates no. 16, 17, 18, and 19 (figure 1). Figures 4 and 8 show finished examples.
Embodiment 3
[0059] Manufacture and execution of a memorial stone with altar-bowl for a grave, as well as a smaller twin for use in the home, where the bowls' insert-plates / -rings are taken from the same starting material.
[0060] For example, the memorial stone with altar-bowls ∅55 may be placed on the grave, while the twin in size ∅34 is for the home (see for example Figures 4, 6 and 8).
[0061] Figure 5 shows the memorial stones 32 and 33 (flat, and without altar-bowl), which are built up of different base-plates 1 and 11, respectively, and insert-plates 11, 8 and 7, and 8 and 7, respectively.
Embodiment 4
[0062] Manufacture and execution of a memorial stone 30 with variable size altar-bowl with bottom-plug 25 (figure 6). The size of the altar-bowl is varied with the insert plates 8r + 11r. The insert plates 8r + 11r are provided with a rounding on the inner lower edge, so that space is created for a user to grasp with the fingers if / when the insert plates need to be removed or replaced.
[0063] The bottom plug 25 actually consists of two components, where the "abutment disc" "for the "bottom-plug" 25 is the stop-ring 24 from figure 4.
Embodiment 5
[0064] Manufacture and execution of a memorial stone with ritual elements as insert-plates (Figure 7). The ritual elements may be a printed portrait 7p, turned metal 35, an ornamented insert-plate 36, an ornamented insert-plate with hole (wreath) 37, a vase 38, or a mosaic 39.
[0066] Memorial stones with eccentric holes may be used in an environment on a burial site or ground in which the other stones have a direction. The insert-plates may be used for name features, years, and / or symbols. A stop-ring may be fitted in the holes against the terrain. (Figure 3A, number: 22-23-24). Insert-plates may function as stop-rings or bottom-plates that may be combined in different ways (Figure 1, number: 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16). These may then be fixed either in the bowl or placed loosely and removed as needed.
[0067] The Memorial stone with altar-bowl may be transformed and varied according to appearance, size, and function. When a stone element is removed, the volume of the memorial bowl increases and the decoration area increases and allows (allowing) for diverse decorations. In all variations of the memorial stone, the holes may also be combined with functional ritual elements (Figure 7A no. 10-2-11-1). The circular insert-plates may be removed and replaced by a ritual element of the same diameter (Figure 7B). The ritual elements have different functions, some are intended for decorations below terrain, and other ritual elements "close" a hole with a stationary decoration, e.g., a photograph of the deceased printed on a final stone (Figure 7 no./p ("p"-rint)). The ritual elements and decorations may be changed and replaced according to the season and over time. With this, the ritual elements can follow the course of the year and the general cultural development in society, as well as the nature of the grief and thus meet the relatives' changing needs for different ritual artifacts. The memorial stone may serve as a traditional gravestone, with a stationary decoration in stone or metal when the need arises.
[0068] The relatives may decorate the memorial stone at a level below the ground, during the periods when areas around the memorial stone require the care of the cemetery staff. It is possible for a robotic lawnmower to drive over the memorial stone without the staff having to move the relatives' decorations when the lawnmower or robotic lawnmower is running.
[0069] The memorial stone may be decorated with decorations above the ground, during the periods when this is allowed in the cemetery. The memorial stone with altar-bowl can be characterized by the structure described in figure 4 with a) circular ring elements and / or cylinder elements (Figure 1 no. 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15).
[0070] The memorial stone with altar-bowl may thus be transformed and varied according to size and function. When a stone element is removed, the volume of the memorial bowl increases and the decoration area increases, allowing for various decorations or functional ritual elements that fill in extent flat with the grave.
[0071] Figure 8 exemplifies five different solutions and features that emerge when ring and circle elements are removed and either expand the bowl size or are replaced with dedicated ritual elements. Figure 8 shows three sizes of altar-bowls and two sizes of wreaths. In this flexible memorial stone, it is also possible to integrate a low vase into upright bouquets.
[0072] In the memorial stones, which include an altar-bowl with a drainage hole, for example 013, this may be provided with an insert-plate or a bottom-plug.
[0073] A memorial stone with an altar-bowl with a bottom-plug (no. 25) can be seen, for example, in Figures 3 and 6. The bowl may be used as an altar, vase, water reservoir or mirror basin, depending on the size of the bowl. With wet elements, the center hole of the bowl is thus closed at the bottom.
[0074] The stone and special types of stone that are suitable for lying in a cemetery for decades are very precious and exclusive resources. It is known to recycle existing stones, but in the present invention it may be a question of refining. It can be in the form of an industrial product in a timeless design, with a high-use value, and built-in variability over time. It is an invention that may be scaled and by dedicating the ritual artifacts to local culture, rituals and traditions, the precious natural resources may be recycled and refined everywhere on the globe.
[0076] The invention is intended for the use of residual production from slice-cut granite, such as from kitchen worktops, where very exclusive types of stone with dense structures that are resistant to acid are often used. This residual production would otherwise turn into crushed granite and recycled into "crushed granite" at a "lower" processing level.
1. A Memorial stone comprising:
- a base-plate (1-4, 26) having a first circular or polygonal hole shaped therein.
- a first insert-plate (11-15, 27) adapted to fit into the first circular or polygonal hole and with a second circular or polygonal hole; and
- a second insert-plate (6-10, 28) adapted to fit into the second circular or polygonal hole.
2. The memorial stone (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second insert-plate (8-9) has a third circular or polygonal hole, and wherein
the memorial stone further comprises a third insert-plate (7,10) adapted to fit into
the second circular or polygonal hole.
3. The memorial stone (100) according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the base-plate (26) comprises a first stop-ring mounted on its underside and which
is smaller than the extent of the base-plate (26), wherein said first stop-ring comprises
a first cut-out of a given shape located within the extent of the first circular or
polygonal hole, wherein the first insert-plate (27) comprises a second stop-ring mounted
on its underside and which is smaller than the extent of the first insert-plate (27)
and which fits into said first cut-out.
4. The memorial stone (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second stop-ring comprises a second cut-out of a given shape, which is located
within the extent of the second circular or polygonal hole in the first insert-plate,
wherein the second insert-plate (28) comprising a third stop-ring mounted on its underside
and which is smaller than the extent of the second insert-plate (28) and which fits
into said second cut-out.
5. The memorial stone (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the memorial stone further comprises a first bottom-plate (16, 18) attached to the
underside of the base-plate (1-4) and positioned in a way such that it closes the
bottom of the first circular or polygonal hole, thereby forming a bowl or the like.
6. The memorial stone (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that it further comprises a first bottom-plate (17) attached to the underside of the base-plate
(1) and having a circular or polygonal hole, which first bottom-plate is alternatively
smaller in extent than the base-plate, so that the two plates (1, 17) together form
a funnel shape.
7. The memorial stone (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a plug (24, 25) adapted to cover the circular or polygonal hole
in the first bottom-plate (17) or in a circular or polygonal hole in a second bottom-plate,
which is alternatively mounted to the underside of the first bottom-plate (17), thus
forming a relatively deeper funnel / vase shape.
8. The memorial stone (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the base-plate and / or the insert-plates (8r, 11r) are provided with a rounding
on the inner lower edge of the circular or polygonal hole, so that space is created
for a user to grasp the plate with his/her fingers through the circular or polygonal
hole.
9. Use of a memorial stone (100) according to any one of claims 1-8 for a gravestone.
10. A system of memorial stones comprising:
- a first memorial stone (30) according to any one of claims 1-8 of a given size; and
- a second memorial stone (31) according to any one of claims 1-8 of a relatively smaller size than the first memorial stone (30).