Grave Marker

Abstract

A marker for a grave includes a base configured for contact with the earth and a planar stone panel with indicia thereon. The stone panel has opposing first and second faces and opposing first and second edges. A first bracket is extends over the first edge and a second bracket extends over the second edge. The first and second brackets restrain the stone panel therebetween and a frame attaches to the first and second brackets for attachment to the base.

1 . A marker for a grave in the earth, the marker comprising:
 (a) a base configured for contact with the earth;   (b) a stone panel with indicia thereon, the stone panel having opposing first and second faces and opposing first and second edges;   (c) a first bracket configured for extending over the first edge;   (d) a second bracket configured for extending over the second edge, the first and second brackets configured for restraining the stone panel therebetween; and   (e) a frame attached to the first and second brackets and configured for attachment to the base.   
     
     
         2 . The marker in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket has a first front face panel and at least one finger configured for disposing adjacent the first edge, the second bracket has a second front face panel and at least one finger configured for disposing adjacent the second edge, wherein the stone panel is configured for interposition between the frame and the first and second front face panels. 
     
     
         3 . The marker in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising at least one member configured to extend to the base from attachment to the frame, thereby forming an enclosure between the stone panel and the base. 
     
     
         4 . The marker in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a third bracket configured for extending over a third edge of the stone panel; and   (b) a fourth bracket configured for extending over a fourth edge of the stone panel, wherein the third and fourth brackets are configured for attachment to the frame.   
     
     
         5 . The marker in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a second planar stone panel with indicia thereon, the second stone panel having opposing first and second edges and configured for being spaced from the stone panel;   (b) a third bracket attached to the frame and configured for extending over the first edge of the second stone panel; and   (c) a fourth bracket attached to the frame and configured for extending over the second edge of the second stone panel.   
     
     
         6 . The marker in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a receptacle mounted to at least one of the frame and the first and second brackets. 
     
     
         7 . A grave marker mounted at a grave in the earth, the marker comprising:
 (a) a base in contact with the earth;   (b) a stone panel with indicia thereon, the panel having opposing first and second faces and opposing first and second edges;   (c) a first bracket extending over the first edge;   (d) a second bracket extending over the second edge, wherein the first and second brackets sufficiently restrain the stone panel to restrict removal of the stone panel without moving at least one of the brackets relative to the stone panel; and   (e) a frame attached to the brackets and extending to attachment to the base, thereby forming a gap between the stone panel and the base.   
     
     
         8 . The marker in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the first bracket has a first front face panel and at least one finger disposed adjacent the first edge, the second bracket has a second front face panel and at least one finger disposed adjacent the second edge, and the stone panel is interposed between the frame and the first and second front face panels. 
     
     
         9 . The marker in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising at least one member extending to the base from attachment to the frame, thereby forming an enclosure between the stone panel and the base. 
     
     
         10 . The marker in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising:
 (a) a third bracket attached to the frame and extending over a third edge of the stone panel; and   (b) a fourth bracket attached to the frame and extending over a fourth edge of the stone panel.   
     
     
         11 . The marker in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising:
 (a) a second planar stone panel with indicia thereon, the second stone panel spaced from the stone panel and having opposing first and second edges;   (b) a third bracket attached to the frame and extending over the first edge of the second stone panel; and   (c) a fourth bracket attached to the frame and extending over the second edge of the second stone panel.   
     
     
         12 . The marker in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a receptacle mounted to at least one of the frame and the first and second brackets. 
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing a grave marker at a grave in the earth, the method comprising:
 (a) disposing a base in contact with the earth;   (b) attaching a frame to the base;   (c) attaching first and second spaced brackets to the frame; and   (d) disposing a stone panel with indicia in a gap between the first and second brackets, the stone panel having opposing first and second edges over which the first and second brackets, respectively, are positioned, forming a gap between the stone panel and the base, wherein the first and second brackets sufficiently restrain the stone panel to restrict removal of the stone panel without moving at least one of the brackets relative to the stone panel.   
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising extending at least one member to the base from attachment to the frame, thereby forming an enclosure between the stone panel and the base. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (a) extending a third bracket attached to the frame over a third edge of the stone panel; and   (b) extending a fourth bracket attached to the frame over a fourth edge of the stone panel.   
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (a) spacing from the stone panel a second planar stone panel having indicia and opposing first and second edges;   (b) extending a third bracket attached to the frame over the first edge of the second stone panel; and   (c) extending a fourth bracket attached to the frame over the second edge of the second stone panel.   
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising mounting a receptacle to at least one of the frame and the first and second brackets.