GB2249761A - Hearse with passenger accommodation - Google Patents

Abstract

The hearse (1) includes a means (3) for carrying a coffin (7) and seating (5) for carrying eight or more passengers. The means for carrying the coffin comprises a platform (4) and fastening (8) to secure the coffin (7) perpendicularly to the direction of the vehicle (1). The passenger seating (5) is located rearwardly in the vehicle in relation to the coffin (7). <IMAGE>

Description

"Improved Hearse" This invention relates to an improved vehicle having a particular application in respect of funerals and the transporting of coffins. The invention also relates to the transportation of people associated with the funeral service.

In most countries it is common to have at least three or four vehicles, including a hearse and further limousines, for the transportation of the coffin and various people associated with the funeral, such as family, minister, funeral director and undertakers. It is generally necessary to transport all of these people from a church or the like, where the funeral service is held, to the place of burial or cremation.

There are significant costs involved in respect of the capital outlay and maintenance of these vehicles.

These costs include the original capital outlays in respect of each vehicle, running costs such as petrol, insurance, tax and devaluation, and further costs such as garaging and parking all of the vehicles as well as cleaning and maintaining them.

A further problem which may arise during a funeral service in respect of having a plurality of funeral vehicles is that the cortege vehicles may be separated in traffic. As a result of this members of the family are also separated which is generally undesirable at such a time.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a means for carrying a coffin and seating means for carrying eight or more passengers.

Preferably, the vehicle includes front seats capable of carrying a driver and oneQr more undertakers.

Preferably, the means for carrying a coffin comprises a platform and fastening means, wherein the coffin may be laid upon and fastened to the platform by said fastening means approximately perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle.

Preferably, the means for carrying a coffin also includes decoration supporting means for displaying decorations, flowers and the like.

Preferably, the platform may be folded away to allow further internal room within the vehicle.

Preferably, the seating means for carrying eight or more passengers is located rearwardly in the vehicle in relation to the means for carrying the coffin.

Preferably, the vehicle also includes doors to provide means for access and exiting the vehicle by passengers and the coffin, said doors being located externally between the means of carrying the coffin and the rear passenger seats.

Preferably, the vehicle also includes a detachable screen for shielding the view of the coffin from the passengers, if desired.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which; Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a vehicle in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 2 is an internal plan view of a vehicle in accordance with the invention.

A vehicle generally described at 1, comprises front seats 2 suitable for a driver of the vehicle and a further two passengers who are preferably undertakers assisting in a funeral service.

Behind the front seats 2 is located a coffin carrying means 3, which is in the form of a platform 4 and whereupon a coffin 7 may be laid in an east-west direction in respect of the vehicle. Yet further to the rear of the vehicle are a plurality of seats 5 for carrying passengers.

In this embodiment the vehicle has doors 6 that are located externally between the coffin carrying means 3 and the rear passenger seats 5. This enables the coffin 7 to be easily carried into and out of the vehicle 1 and positioned on the platform 4 with minimum risk of damaging the coffin 7 or undergoing any other type of interference. The doors 6 placed in this position also negate the need for passengers to directly pass the coffin 7 when finding their seat 5.

The platform 4 also comprises fastening means 8 which serve to locate the coffin 7 in a suitable position on the platform 4 and prevent sliding thereon or other movement of the coffin 7. The fastening means 8 may be by any suitable method, such as clips, straps, brackets or the like.

Also on the platform 4 is provided decoration supporting means. Again, this may be any suitable means for supporting decorations such as wreaths, flowers and other items of particular significance to a funeral.

The invention therefore provides many advantages over the common practice used at present which often requires four vehicles, including a hearse and three limousines.

While the vehicle in respect of the present invention is larger than any of the vehicles currently used, there is still a significant reduction in the capital outlay required in the purchase of only one vehicle as opposed to three or four.

This is also true in respect of running costs such as fuel, insurance, tax and devaluation. In every case it is cheaper to run one vehicle rather than three or four.

Yet further savings may be made in costs involved with cleaning and mechanical maintenance of the vehicles.

The vehicle in accordance with the present invention also requires less parking space at the funeral or cremation site and less garage space when not in use.

In this way it has considerable advantages relating to both cost and convenience.

There are also practical advantages provided by the invention, including the ability of all persons closely associated with the funeral to be in one vehicle and together all commuting from one venue to the next.

Another practical advantage is that there is no loss or separation of cortege vehicles in heavy traffic.

It is also realised in the invention that this type of vehicle may be used for other purposes. Generally hearses, so far known, have only one purpose. However, a vehicle in accordance with the present invention may be used for other purposes by using the platform to carry other types of articles. Alternatively, the platform may fold away to allow further seating for passengers. This latter aspect of the invention is particularly useful after a funeral service has taken place, given that there is no longer the requirement of carrying a coffin.

Further improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1 A vehicle comprising a means for carrying a coffin and seating means for carrying eight or more passengers.

2 A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes front seats capable of carrying a driver and one or more undertakers.

3 A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the means for carrying a coffin comprises a platform and fastening means, wherein the coffin may be laid upon and fastened to the platform by said fastening means approximately perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle.

4 A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the means for carrying a coffin also includes decoration supporting means for displaying decorations, flowers and the like.

5 A vehicle as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the platform may be folded away to allow further internal room within the vehicle.

6 A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the seating means for carrying eight or more passengers is located rearwardly in the vehicle in relation to the means for carrying the coffin.

7 A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle includes doors to provide means for access to and exit from the vehicle by passengers and the coffin, said doors being located between the means of carrying the coffin and the rear passenger seat.

8 A vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the vehicle also includes a detachable screen for shielding the view of the coffin from the passengers, if desired.

9 A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.