US4124380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Silver-copper-germanium alloys having high oxidation resistant melts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-24
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A silver-copper-germanium base alloy is disclosed consisting by weight of 40 to 85% silver, 15 to 60% copper and 0.1 to 10% germanium. Optionally, up to 15% by weight of the base alloy may be replaced with tin and up to 10% by weight of at least one of gold, palladium and platinum. The presence of germanium in the alloy virtually eliminates oxidation of the melt during the melting and casting of the alloy and thereby also improves resistance to tarnishing when the alloy is used in an oral environment.
Inventors
- 👤 William V. Youdelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:03
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C9/00; C22C5/00; C22C5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper and 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper and 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The alloy of claim 1 consisting essentially of 70 to 72% by weight silver, 26 to 28% by weight copper and 0.5 to 2% by weight germanium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper and 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy being replaced by up to 15% by weight tin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper and 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy being replaced by up to 15% by weight tin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The alloy of claim 3 consisting essentially of 60 to 66% by weight silver, 22 to 27% by weight copper, 0.5 to 2% by weight germanium, and 10 to 15% by weight tin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper, 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy of silver-copper-germanium being replaced by up to 10% by weight of at least one precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium and platinum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper, 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy of silver-copper-germanium being replaced by up to 10% by weight of at least one precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium and platinum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The alloy of claim 5 consisting essentially of 62 to 70% by weight silver, 24 to 27% by weight copper, 0.5 to 2% by weight germanium and up to 10% by weight gold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper, 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy being replaced by up to 15% by weight tin and by up to 10% by weight of at least one precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium and platinum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A base alloy of silver-copper-germanium consisting essentially of 40 to 85% by weight silver, 15 to 60% by weight copper, 0.1 to 10% by weight germanium, said base alloy being replaced by up to 15% by weight tin and by up to 10% by weight of at least one precious metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium and platinum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The alloy of claim 7 consisting essentially of 55 to 65% by weight silver, 20 to 25% by weight copper, 5 to 15% by weight tin, 3 to 7% by weight gold, and 0.5 to 2% by weight germanium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |