Cemetery vase and locking mechanism

Abstract

An assembly and method for decorating a monument is disclosed that may employ a theft deterrent locking device. The assembly may include a container that may be located and stored within a housing. The container may be generally oriented in two positions with respect to the housing, namely an upright, standing position and a lowered, stored position. The container may be lifted via a handle up through the housing into the upright, standing position. In the upright, standing position, the container may be locked to the housing from beneath a collar attached to the housing using a locking mechanism disclosed herein, such that the container may not be removed from the housing and may not be inverted. The container may be lowered and stored within the housing without inverting the container, when the container is no longer in use, such that the container may reside within the housing in a substantially flush manner with respect to a surrounding material.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. The Field of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to containers and locking mechanisms therefor, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to cemetery vases provided with an anti-theft locking mechanism for decorating a grave site.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Cemetery vases are well known in the art to enhance the beauty of a monument at a grave site. It is a common problem for such vases to be stolen from those grave sites. The present disclosure is particularly directed to solving the unwanted removal or theft problem by implementing a unique locking mechanism as shown and described in the Detailed Description.[0005]Further, cemeteries often require that a vase be substantially even or flush with the ground surface when not in use in order to facilitate maintenance of the cemetery grounds. For example, when the grass is being cut it has been found desirable to have vases that can be stored beneath ground level such t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It is a common problem for such vases to be stolen from those grave sites.

However, the prior countersunk vase assemblies have their drawbacks.

For example, these countersunk vases can be awkward and clumsy because of the chain that is provided as security against theft making the vase difficult to handle.

The chain is usually fixed to the vase, making it difficult and unmanageable to turn the vase over for storage or use.

Further, chains have been proven ineffective as an anti-theft device and simply do not provide the required strength to adequately deter theft, since such chains can be easily cut with an appropriate cutting instrument.

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