Method for making bi-metallic members

Abstract

A method of making a colored anodized aluminum inner core for making a bi-metallic member, such as a coin or a medal having a metallic outer ring member consists in a first step of anodizing the inner core with a coloring agent so as to create an anodized portion. Once anodized, the inner core is inserted into an inner hollow section of the outer ring member so as to make the bi-metallic member. Once the bi-metallic member is created, it is stamped with an engraving image into a coin, token, or medal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to metallurgy but more particularly to a method for making bi-metallic members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bi-metallic coins are used in many countries as their higher denomination coinage because it is difficult to replicate or counterfeit. Other objects such as medals and tokens also use bi-metals in a similar fashion. Bi-metallic members are usually composed of a core and a ring that are either electroplated steel or metallic alloy. Coins, because of their handling, tend to wear out fast and lose their shininess. Because of that, coins are regularly recuperated by banks who send them back to the mint where they are melted and recycled into new coins. The process of melting and stamping new coins is quite onerous. Depending on the amount of coins a particular country has in circulation, even if a small percentage is being recycled, that cost can be noticeable. If coins could last longer, millions could be saved in coin stamping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for a method for using colored anodized aluminum for bi-metallic coinage or medals and tokens.

In order to do so, the invention consists in the process of making bi-metallic members with an inner core made of anodized aluminum. The anodizing process can not only color aluminum in any one of a variety of colors, but the process also provide a very strong coating on the surface. In fact, only diamonds are known to be harder than an anodized aluminum coating. The insertion and stamping can be done using the same process currently used in minting coins and as such, does not require any new equipment. Also, both parts of the piece can be made from aluminum and colored differently. This principle is to ensure that there will be no discoloration or tarnishing on the anodized parts.

The use of aluminum makes it possible for the manufacturing cost to be lower and the use of anodized aluminum makes the shiny coin finish last longer. In this manner, coins do not need to be renewed as often, and when they are renewed, the cost is lower.

The method further includes the steps of:

a. providing a metallic outer ring member having an inner hollow section;
b. providing a metallic inner core member shaped to fit within said inner hollow section of said metallic outer ring member;
c. anodizing said metallic inner core member with a coloring agent, thereby forming an anodized portion;
d. inserting said metallic inner core member into said inner hollow section of said metallic outer ring member to form said bi-metallic member;
e. stamping said bi-metallic member to thereby hold said metallic inner core member and said metallic outer ring member together.

The step of stamping the bi-metallic member further includes providing an engraved image upon the surfaces of the metallic inner core member and the metallic outer ring member, to thereby provide an identifying image upon the bi-metallic member which can then be used as a monetary coin, token or medal.

The metallic outer ring member is formed from a metallic material chosen from a list of metallic materials comprising aluminum, steel, iron, copper, nickel, zinc, niobium, gold, silver, and platinum.

The metallic inner core member is formed from a non-ferrous metal chosen from a list comprising aluminum, niobium, zinc, and platinum.

The shape of the inner hollow section of the metallic outer ring member is formed as a cylindrical volume.

The shape of the metallic inner core member is formed as a cylindrical volume.

Type III “hard coat” is preferably used as the anodizing method.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, to the arrangements or shape or size of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-C Isometric views of a completed coin, an outer ring, and an inner core, respectively.

FIGS. 2A-B Side cutaway view of a coin, and close up of the interface between the outer ring and the inner core with its anodized section.

FIG. 3 Side elevation of a coin and a coin stamping press.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for making a colored anodized aluminum inner core (10) for making a bi-metallic member (12), such as a coin, token or a medal having a metallic outer ring member (14), consists in a first step of anodizing the inner core (10) with a coloring agent so as to create an anodized portion (15).

Once anodized, the inner core (10) is inserted into an inner hollow section (16) of the outer ring member (14) so as to make the bi-metallic member (12).

Once the bi-metallic member (12) is created, it is stamped with an engraving image into a coin or medal.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of making bi-metallic members comprising the steps of:

a. providing a metallic outer ring member having an inner hollow section;

b. providing a metallic inner core member shaped to fit within said inner hollow section of said metallic outer ring member;

c. anodizing said metallic inner core member with a coloring agent, thereby forming an anodized portion;

d. inserting said metallic inner core member into said inner hollow section of said metallic outer ring member to form said bi-metallic member;

e. stamping said bi-metallic member to thereby hold said metallic inner core member and said metallic outer ring member together.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of stamping said bi-metallic member further includes providing an engraved image upon the surfaces of said metallic inner core member and said metallic outer ring member, to thereby provide an identifying image upon said bi-metallic member which can then be used as a monetary coin.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said metallic outer ring member is formed from a metallic material chosen from a list of metallic materials comprising, but not limited to aluminum, steel, iron, copper, nickel, zinc, gold, silver, and platinum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said metallic inner core member is formed from a non-ferrous metal chosen from a list comprising but not limited to aluminum, zinc, niobium, and platinum.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said shape of said inner hollow section of said metallic outer ring member is formed as a cylindrical volume.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said shape of said metallic inner core member is formed as a cylindrical volume.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the anodizing process is type III.