초록 ▼

A tamper resistant apparatus for removable retention of a memorial marker such as those found at a grave site. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism housed within a cylinder. The cylinder has a cover intended for use exposed to the environment. The cylinder is attached to a footing plate that p

A tamper resistant apparatus for removable retention of a memorial marker such as those found at a grave site. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism housed within a cylinder. The cylinder has a cover intended for use exposed to the environment. The cylinder is attached to a footing plate that provides lateral stability during placement of the apparatus in the ground. Horizontal gripping within the ground is provided by a helical anchor attached to the footing plate. The locking mechanism includes a latch which may be moved into and out of a notch in the post of the memorial marker to respectively retain and release the marker from the apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, said apparatus comprising: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of said cover;a locking mechanism attached to said cover at said center;a footing plate configured to be buried below a surface of

1. An apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, said apparatus comprising: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of said cover;a locking mechanism attached to said cover at said center;a footing plate configured to be buried below a surface of the earth, said footing plate having a width greater than said cover to provide lateral stability, said footing plate including a recessed surface aligned with said aperture, said recessed surface configured to seat an end of a post of said memorial marker to prevent torqueing of said post;an elongated anchor connected to said plate; anda canister connecting said cover to said footing plate and providing an inner cavity within which said locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position for retention of said memorial marker and an unlocked position for release of said memorial marker. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover includes a peripheral groove retaining a topmost edge of said canister. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking mechanism includes a latch capable of movement into a notch of a post attached to said memorial marker so as to retain a portion of said post within said inner cavity between said aperture and said recess. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said footing plate has substantially greater horizontal surface area than said cover. 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said elongated anchor is formed by a helical auger. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein cover is fabricated from a material resistant to corrosion and sunlight. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said footing plate, said canister, and said elongated anchor are each fabricated from a suitably durable metal. 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein cover is fabricated from nylon, said footing plate and said canister are fabricated from aluminum, and said elongated anchor is fabricated from stainless steel. 9. An apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, said apparatus comprising: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of said cover, said aperture including a removable plug therein;a footing plate configured to be buried below a surface of the earth, said footing plate having a width greater than said cover to provide lateral stability, said footing plate including a recessed surface aligned with said aperture, said recessed surface configured to seat an end of a post of said memorial marker to prevent torqueing of said post;a locking mechanism attached to said cover at said center, said locking mechanism having a latch capable of movement into a notch of a post attached to said memorial marker so as to retain a portion of said post between said aperture and said recess;a helical anchor connected to said plate; anda canister connecting said cover to said footing plate and providing an inner cavity within which said locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position of said latch within said notch for retention of said memorial marker and an unlocked position of said latch out of said notch for release of said memorial marker. 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cover includes a peripheral groove retaining a topmost edge of said canister. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said footing plate has substantially greater horizontal surface area than said cover. 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein cover is fabricated from a material resistant to corrosion and sunlight. 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said footing plate, said canister, and said helical anchor are each fabricated from a suitably durable metal. 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein cover is fabricated from nylon, said footing plate and said canister are fabricated from aluminum, and said helical anchor is fabricated from stainless steel. 15. An apparatus providing tamper resistant releasable retention of a memorial marker, said apparatus comprising: a cover including an aperture located adjacent a center of said cover;a locking mechanism attached to said cover at said center, said locking mechanism oriented vertically through said cover;a footing plate configured to be buried below a surface of the earth, said footing plate having a width greater than said cover to provide lateral stability, said footing plate including a recessed surface aligned with said aperture, said recessed surface configured to seat an end of a post of said memorial marker to prevent torqueing of said post;an elongated anchor connected to said plate; anda canister connecting said cover to said footing plate and providing an inner cavity within which said locking mechanism is moveable between a locked position for retention of said memorial marker and an unlocked position for release of said memorial marker. 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said cover includes a peripheral groove retaining a topmost edge of said canister. 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said locking mechanism includes a latch capable of horizontal movement into a notch of a post attached to said memorial marker so as to retain a portion of said post within said inner cavity between said aperture and said recess. 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said elongated anchor is formed by a helical auger. 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein cover is fabricated from a material resistant to corrosion and sunlight. 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said footing plate, said canister, and said elongated anchor are each fabricated from a suitably durable metal.