Monument Assembly and Method of Installation

Abstract

A monument assembly ( 10 ) formed from: (i) a headstone component ( 12 ); (ii) a rail assembly ( 14 ) attached to the headstone component ( 12 ); and (iii) an inlay panel ( 16, 16 A) supported by and surrounded by the rail assembly ( 14 A) surrounds and open space.

1 . An inscription plate formed by a pair of end sheets having indicia formed thereon which are aligned with each other and thus are identical and a translucent, transparent or coloured intermediate sheet not incorporating indicia interposed between each end sheet wherein light from a rear of the inscription plate provides an aesthetic effect when viewed from a front of the inscription plate. 
   
   
       2 . An inscription plate as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the pair of end sheets are metal plates separated by a transparent intermediate sheet formed from glass or clear plastics material. 
   
   
       3 . An inscription plate as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the indicia formed in each end sheet are formed by openings in each end sheet. 
   
   
       4 . An inscription plate as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the openings are formed by laser cutting. 
   
   
       5 . A monument assembly incorporating the inscription plate of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       6 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 5  having the inscription plate formed as a part of a headstone component. 
   
   
       7 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 5  having the inscription plate supported on a horizontally disposed rail assembly. 
   
   
       8 . A monument assembly formed from:
 (i) a headstone component;   (ii) a rail assembly attached to the headstone component;   (iii) an inlay panel supported by and surrounded by the rail assembly or alternatively said rail assembly surrounds an empty space; and   (iv) leveling means including a threaded upstanding bolt or stud located at least at a pair of corners of the rail assembly which is adjustably attachable to an adjacent part of the rail assembly and locable thereto when desired whereby the rail assembly may form a substantially horizontal support plane when required.   
   
   
       9 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the headstone component is a hollow casing having a front surface for displaying indicia. 
   
   
       10 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the rail assembly includes a pair of side rails and an end rail distal from the headstone component all attached to each other. 
   
   
       11 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the headstone component is attached to the headstone component. 
   
   
       12 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the headstone component is releasably attached to a head rail attached to each adjacent side rail. 
   
   
       13 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each side rail is attached to an adjacent support surface of the headstone component. 
   
   
       14 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said adjacent part is an adjoining end of each side rail. 
   
   
       15 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said adjacent part is a corner component or junction component interconnecting adjacent ends of the end rail and adjoining side rails. 
   
   
       16 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the headstone component engages with each side rail in a male/female interaction. 
   
   
       17 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each headstone end of each of the side rails engages with a socket of corresponding cross sectional shape in the headstone component. 
   
   
       18 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the inlay panel may comprise at least in part an inscription plate formed by a pair of end sheets having indicia formed thereon which is aligned with each other and a transparent intermediate sheet interposed between each end sheet. 
   
   
       19 . A monument assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said threaded bolt or stud is located at each corner of the rail assembly remote from the headstone component. 
   
   
       20 . A method of installation of a monument assembly to a grave site which includes the steps of:
 (i) placing a rail assembly in a predisposed grave site which includes a pair of side rails and at least one end rail; and   (ii) adjusting the height of at least a pair of corners of the rail assembly to achieve a desired height so that the pair of side rails and said at least one end rail may form a level horizontal plane for supporting an inlay panel; and   (iii) locking each corner of the rail assembly in place after said desired height has been achieved.   
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20  wherein there is also provided a headstone component which is mounted to the rail assembly at one end thereof distal to said at least one end rail. 
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said at least a pair of corners are located at each end of the rail assembly remote from the headstone