WO2000016932A1

WO2000016932A1 - Bar with a plurality of sections capable to be severed from one another

Info

Publication number: WO2000016932A1
Application number: PCT/IB1999/001566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Arthur Steinhobel
Original assignee: Consolidated Bullion Limited
Priority date: 1998-09-22
Filing date: 1999-09-22
Publication date: 2000-03-30
Also published as: AU5643199A

Abstract

A frangible bar (10) includes a top surface (20), a bottom surface (22) and a plurality of sections (12) connected to one another by non-linear connectors (14) so that the sections (12) can be severed from one another via the connectors (14). The connectors (14) are zig-zag in shape with the troughs (18) of the connectors (14) being located at or adjacent the bottom surface (22) of the bar (10) and the peaks (16) of the connectors (14) being located below the top surface (20) of the bar (10) so that there are gaps (24) between adjacent sections (12) above the peaks (16) of the connectors (14).

Description

BAR WITH A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS CAPABLE TO BE SEVERED FROM ONE ANOTHER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a bar and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a gold bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a bar includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of sections connected to one another by non-linear connectors so that the sections can be severed from one another via the connectors.

The connectors are preferably zig-zag in shape.

The connectors may be continuous or discontinuous.

Each connector preferably has spaced peaks and troughs, with the troughs being located at or adjacent the bottom surface of the bar, and the peaks being located below the top surface of the bar so that there are gaps between adjacent sections above the peaks of the connectors. Preferably at least part of the sides of adjacent sections, between which the gaps are located, diverge from one another so that the sections can be urged towards one another to reduce the gaps and in so doing to break the connectors.

The sections preferably have a length greater than their width, with the connectors extending along the length of the sections. The bar may be made of metal and preferably of a precious metal. In one form of the invention the bar is made of gold.

In the preferred form of the invention each section is identical.

According to another aspect of the invention a bar includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of sections connected to one another by spaced webs located between adjacent sections.

The webs may be substantially orthogonal, inclined or parallel relative to the plane of the bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the top of a bar according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the bar;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the bar;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the bar;

Figure 5 is an end view of the bar;

Figure 6 is a partial section on line VI - NI of figure 3 ; Figure 7 is a partial section on line Nil - Nil of figure 3 ;

Figure 8 is a section on line VIII - VIII of figure 3; and

Figure 9 is a side view of a section of a gold bar having a discontinuous sinuous connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to figures 1 to 8, a frangible gold bar 10 consists of identical sections 12 connected to one another by zig-zag or sinuous connectors or webs 14. Each connector 14 has spaced peaks 16 and troughs 18.

The bar 10 has a top surface 20 and a bottom surface 22. The troughs 18 are located at the bottom surface 22 of the bar 10. A gap 24 is located between the sections 12 above the peaks 16. The sides 26 of the sections 12 above the peaks 16 diverge away from one another.

A section 12 can be severed from the remaining sections 12 by hand by urging the sections 12 towards one another to reduce the gap 24 and, in so doing, severing the sections from one another. Since the sections 12 each have equal or substantially equal mass, the gold bar 10 can easily be divided up by hand into sections of equal or substantially equal mass.

Referring now to figure 9, a section 12.1 of a gold bar is connected to an adjacent section by spaced inverted V-shaped connectors or webs 14.1. Compared to the section shown in figure 8, every alternate connector is omitted from the section 12.1. It will be appreciated that depending on the size of the sections, groups of two or more zig-zags may be connected to one another and then spaced from further such groups. The individual connectors 14.1 shown in figure 9 may be spaced from one another by a distance of more than one connector 14.1.

Although the invention has been described with reference to sinuous or zig-zag connectors, the applicant believes that connectors of other configurations would work. In this regard the connectors may be spaced and they may be horizontal or vertical. However they are preferably inclined, and they may be inclined at an inclination of at least 30°. In one form of the invention they are inclined at 45°.

The applicant has found that because of the malleability of gold it is necessary to design, via the configuration of the connectors, a degree of brittleness into the connectors so that they will break cleanly and not simply bend like a hinge. The applicant believes that the connectors described achieve this objective.

The applicant has also found that the connectors should not be too thin otherwise the bar will not be self supporting. The connectors should also not be too thick otherwise the sections cannot readily be separated by hand.

It will be appreciated that many modifications or improvements of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bar includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of sections connected to one another by non-linear connectors so that the sections can be severed from one another via the connectors.

2. The bar of claim 1 wherein the connectors are zig-zag in shape.

3. The bar of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connectors are continuous or discontinuous.

4. The bar of claims 2 or claim 3 wherein each connector has spaced peaks and troughs with the troughs being located at or adjacent the bottom surface of the bar, and the peaks being located below the top surface of the bar so that there are gaps between adjacent sections above the peaks of the connectors.

5. The bar of claim 4 wherein at least part of the sides of adjacent sections, between which the gaps are located, diverge from one another so that the sections can be urged towards one another to reduce the gaps and in so doing to break the connectors.

6. The bar of any of the above claims wherein the sections have a length greater than their width, and the connectors extend along the length of the sections.

7. The bar of any of the above claims wherein the bar is made of metal.

8. The bar of claim 7 wherein the metal is a precious metal.

9. The bar of any of the above claims wherein each section is identical.

10. A bar including a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of sections connected to one another by spaced webs located between adjacent sections.

11. The bar of claim 10 wherein the webs are substantially orthogonal to the plane of the bar.

12. The bar of claim 10 wherein the webs are inclined relative to the plane of the bar.

13. The bar of claim 10 wherein the webs are substantially parallel to the plane of the bar.

14. The bar of any of claims 10 to 13 wherein at least three spaced webs are located between adjacent sections.

15. A bar substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.