Memorial Day 2013 – Memorial Marker Patent.

U.S. Patent No. 8,209,891:  Memorial marker.

JW Note: Memorial Day in the United States is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We wish all of our readers a safe and happy Memorial Day 2013.

What is claimed is:

1. A memorial marker, comprising: a grave marker; a base placed on the grave marker, the base including a spring element coupled thereto and affixing the base to the grave marker; and a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod coupled to the base at the first end and disposed in a substantially upright position, the second end of the rod having an ornament coupled thereto.

2. The memorial marker according to claim 1, further including a cover tube disposed over the rod and between the base and the ornament.

3. The memorial marker according to claim 2, further including a locknut cooperating with the second end of the threaded rod and disposed between the cover tube and the ornament, the locknut securing and substantially immobilizing the cover tube against the base.

4. A memorial marker, comprising: a base for placement on a grave marker, the base including a spring element coupled thereto and configured to affix the base to the grave marker; and a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod coupled to the base at the first end and disposed in a substantially upright position, the second end of the rod having an ornament coupled thereto, wherein the ornament is a medallion, and wherein the base includes a first threaded aperture formed therein, the rod is threaded and the first end of the rod cooperates with the first threaded aperture of the base, and the ornament has a threaded hole cooperating with the second end of the threaded rod, the threaded hole formed in a projection extending from the medallion.

5. The memorial marker according to claim 4, wherein the base includes a second threaded aperture.

6. The memorial marker according to claim 5, wherein the first threaded aperture is formed in a top surface of the base, the spring element is disposed on a bottom surface of the base, and the second threaded aperture is formed in a side surface of base, wherein the side surface is oriented perpendicular to the top surface.

7. A memorial marker, comprising: a grave marker:, a base for placement on the grave marker, the base including a spring element coupled thereto and configured to affix the base to the grave marker; and a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod coupled to the base at the first end and disposed in a substantially upright position, the second end of the rod configured to permit an ornament to be coupled to the second end of the rod, wherein the spring element includes a polymeric layer formed from a closed cell foam, wherein a first adhesive layer is disposed on one side of the polymeric layer and a second adhesive layer is disposed on an other side of the polymeric layer, and wherein the first adhesive layer is configured to affix the polymeric layer to the grave marker, and the second adhesive layer affixes the polymeric layer to the base.

8. The memorial marker according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric layer is a closed cell acrylic foam.

9. A kit for a memorial marker, comprising: a base for placement on a grave marker, the base including a spring element coupled thereto and configured to affix the base to the grave marker, wherein the base includes a first threaded aperture and a second threaded aperture formed therein, wherein the first threaded aperture is formed in a top surface of the base, the spring element is disposed on a bottom surface of the base, and the second threaded aperture is formed in a side surface of base, and wherein the side surface is oriented perpendicular to the top surface; and a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod configured to be coupled to the base at the first end and disposed in a substantially upright position, the second end of the rod configured to permit an ornament to be coupled to the second end of the rod.

10. The kit according to claim 9, further including an ornament configured to be coupled to the second end of the rod, wherein the ornament is at least one of a medallion and a flag.

11. The kit according to claim 9, further including a cover tube configured to be disposed over the rod.

12. The kit according to claim 11, further including a locknut configured to be disposed between the cover tube and the ornament, the locknut securing and substantially immobilizing the cover tube against the base.

13. The kit according to claim 12, further including an alcohol pad for cleaning a surface of the grave marker upon which the base is placed.

14. The kit according to claim 13, further including an additional adhesive for applying to the first end of the rod and the base to permanently affix the rod to the base.

15. A method for memorializing a deceased individual, comprising the steps of: providing a kit for a memorial marker including a base for placement on a grave marker, the base including a spring element coupled thereto and configured to affix the base to the grave marker, a rod having a first end and a second end, the rod configured to be coupled to the base at the first end and disposed in a substantially upright position, the second end of the rod configured to permit an ornament to be coupled to the second end of the rod, a cover tube configured to be disposed over the rod, a locknut configured to be disposed between the cover tube and the ornament, the locknut securing and substantially immobilizing the cover tube against the base, an alcohol pad for cleaning a surface of the grave marker upon which the base is placed, and an additional adhesive for applying to the first end of the rod and the base to permanently affix the rod to the base; providing an ornament for memorializing the deceased individual; applying the additional adhesive to the first end of the rod; coupling the first end of the rod to the base; cleaning with the alcohol pad a surface of the grave marker to which the base of the memorial marker is to be affixed; disposing the cover tube over the rod after the first end of the rod has been coupled to the base; applying the additional adhesive to the second end of the rod; disposing the locknut on the second end of the rod to secure and substantially immobilize the cover tube against the base, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the rod is exposed for coupling with the ornament; coupling the ornament to the second end of the rod; and affixing the base of the memorial marker to the grave marker.