Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A method of making a bi-metal object having a base and at least one area raised in relief on said base, said relief being formed of a first metal and said base being formed of a second metal with a sharp border between the two metals, the steps comprising: a. providing a first die cavity which is the negative of the relief to be formed; b. filling said first die cavity with a powder of said first metal; c. compacting said first metal powder in said first die cavity to form a cohesive relief compact and removing any excess metal from the edges of said compact; d. providing a phantom die area which is the negative of said base and having a second die cavity identical to said first die cavity, said second die cavity being positioned at the bottom of said phantom die area, and said relief compact being seated within said second die cavity; e. filling the remainder of said second die cavity above said relief compact and partially filling said phantom die area with a powder of said second metal; f. compacting said second metal powder to form a composite with said relief compact; g. sintering said composite at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a durable bi-metal object, but insufficient to produce any significant dimensional change in said composite; and h. striking the final design of said base in a coining press, the bottom die of said press having a coining die cavity identical in configuration and position to said second die cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
260 words
A method of making a bi-metal object having a base and at least one area raised in relief on said base, said relief being formed of a first metal and said base being formed of a second metal with a sharp border between the two metals, the steps comprising: a. providing a first die cavity which is the negative of the relief to be formed; b. filling said first die cavity with a powder of said first metal; c. compacting said first metal powder in said first die cavity to form a cohesive relief compact and removing any excess metal from the edges of said compact; d. providing a phantom die area which is the negative of said base and having a second die cavity identical to said first die cavity, said second die cavity being positioned at the bottom of said phantom die area, and said relief compact being seated within said second die cavity; e. filling the remainder of said second die cavity above said relief compact and partially filling said phantom die area with a powder of said second metal; f. compacting said second metal powder to form a composite with said relief compact; g. sintering said composite at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a durable bi-metal object, but insufficient to produce any significant dimensional change in said composite; and h. striking the final design of said base in a coining press, the bottom die of said press having a coining die cavity identical in configuration and position to said second die cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said bimetal object is a coin or medal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said first metal is gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said second metal is silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said first metal is 24 karat gold, said second metal is fine silver, and the powders of each metal have average particle sizes in the range of about 1/2 to 15 microns diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the sintering step is carried out at a temperature of about 400°F. for about 2 hours in a clean atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein prior to step (c) said first die cavity and said first metal powder are covered with a relatively resilient material, and said resilient material is pressed against said first metal powder during the compacting step (c).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein compacting step (c) is carried out at a total pressure of less than 1 ton.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein compacting step (f) is carried out at a pressure of about 20 to 60 tons per square inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein compacting step (f) is carried out in a dual action press.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said phantom area is defined by a collar mounted on a first die, said first die comprising said first die cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the inside diameter of said collar is slightly smaller than the final diameter of the bi-metal coin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said relief compact is ejected from said first die cavity prior to step (d) and seated in said second die cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composite formed by step (f) is ejected from said second die cavity prior to sintering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
A bi-metal object formed by the method of claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bi-metal coin or medal formed by the method of claim 6 and having a gold relief raised about 0.100 inches or more above the abutting base surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bi-metal coin or medal according to claim 16 wherein said silver base has a proof finish.