WO2003007280A1

WO2003007280A1 - Metal identification tag

Info

Publication number: WO2003007280A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/022098
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Yuran
Original assignee: James Yuran
Priority date: 2001-07-13
Filing date: 2001-07-13
Publication date: 2003-01-23

Abstract

A metal identification tag includes a blanked metal material formed with a hem. An image panel is placed on the blacked metal material. The image panel contains an image on one surface of the panel. The image as well as the metal shape may be changed to continually adapt to the ever changing popular imagery found in contemprorary society. The hem is then pressed down upon the periphery of the image panel such that the image panel is firmly held to the blanked metal material. The folded hem does not impede the view of the image, provides for an infinite number of widths, and adds an aesthetic value to the metal identification tag.

Description

METAL IDENTIFICATION TAG

Inventors: Jim Yuran

Atty. Docket Number: 1229-PA01

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a decorative object to be displayed

by its owner. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a decorative

metal tag. The present invention is particularly, though not exclusively, useful for

fashion and as an outlet for self expression.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Costume jewelry has been around for many years. The need to constantly

augment one's personal appearance to keep up with the "days fashion" has been a

driving force for a multi-billion dollar consumer clothing, jewelry, and cosmetic

industry. One's personal desire to "make a statement" about "who they are,"

"what they believe in," or "what they know" is also closely related to the fashion

choices one makes. Today's world of fashion is saturated with visual stimulus

ranging from newspapers and magazines, billboards and television, to fine art and photography. All of these images influence, and to a large degree dictate what the

popular fashion of the day will be. Various means of incorporating popular imagery

into one's personal wardrobe have been around for years. These include screen

printed T-shirts, hats, jackets, and even body tattoos. However, there remains an

alternative forum for self expression not yet tapped by the current markets.

Namely, a decorative metal tag that is capable of adaptation to the ever changing

popular imagery found in contemporary society.

United States Patent Number 5,363,964 issued to Hexter in 1994, (the

"'964 patent") presents a design for collectible trading cards in which cardboard

and metal are used. The '964 patent discloses a piece of sheet metal with rolled

edges that holds a printed piece of cardboard. As shown in Figure 1 , the '964

patent indicates that the sheet metal is rolled around the edges of the cardboard

such that only a surface with the exact thickness of the sheet metal provides the

frictional contact holding the cardboard in place.

The design disclosed in the '964 patent is susceptible to failure due to

sudden impacts that could occur in its ordinary use. Any impact on the surface of

the cylindrical bead edge could result in a large portion of the frictional contact

edge lifting from the cardboard. Once lifted, the remaining frictional contact

resulting from the undamaged frictional edge contacts may no longer be sufficient to hold the cardboard in place.

Additionally, the means by which the edges are rolled under the '964 patent

may limit the applications of the device to square or rectangular configurations.

The '964 patent mandates that the edges of the sheet metal be rolled into beads.

This requirement potentially results in jagged fringes that could cut a user of the

trading card. By limiting production to square or rectangular shapes, jagged

material may then be removed from the inner corners through cutting away a

portion of the bead in each of the four comers. Therefore the '964 patent design is

restricted to square or rectangular designs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention includes a metal cavity in which a panel containing

graphical images is placed. The edges, or hem, of the metal cavity are then folded

over the periphery of the image panel in order to hold the image panel securely in

the metal cavity. The images may be printed on any conventional printing

substrate, such as wear resistant materials, paper, or plastic foils, and positioned

within the metal cavity such that the image is exposed for viewing. A hole may be

punched in the metal cavity, allowing a person to place a chain through the metal

identification tag and wear the metal identification tag around their neck. Lastly,

the manufacturing method of the present invention allows for a large variety of shapes to be formed. The lack of restrictions on potential shapes of the invention

is significant in the present invention's ability to adapt to the ever changing popular

fashion of contemporary society.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to

its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying

drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which like

reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the prior art in which the edges of a

metal plate are rolled;

Figure 2 is an assembly drawing of the metal identification tag showing the

image panel and the metal blanked panel prior to the folding of the hem;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the metal identification tag subsequent to

the folding of the hem over the edges of the image panel;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the metal identification tag showing the

folded hem and image panel;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a deformed metal identification tag after

an impact with a foreign object showing the folded hem, image panel, and metal

blanked panel, and further illustrating the present invention's ability to sustain damage but remain functional;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the metal identification tag without an

image;

Figure 7 is a front view of the metal identification tag with an image panel

firmly held within the metal blanked panel by the folded hem;

Figure 8 is a back view of the metal identification tag;

Figure 9 is a side view of the metal identification tag;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of the metal identification tag; and

Figure 1 1 is a front view of the metal identification tag configured with a

hem width that varies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to Figure 2, an assembly drawing of the metal identification

tag of the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. Figure 2

shows that the metal identification tag 100 includes an image 102 placed upon an

image panel 104. The image panel 104 may consist of any conventional substrate.

Next the image panel 104 is applied to a blanked metal material 106 which then

passes through any number of die forming stages until a contiguous perimeter wall,

or "hem" 108 is flattened completely and uniformly on top of the applied image

panel 104. Figure 3 shows an assembled isometric view of the metal identification tag

100. In Figure 3, the formed hem 108 has a thickness 1 10 which represents the

uniform thickness of the metal identification tag 100 blanked metal 106. The

flattened hem 1 12 provides the frictional contact with the image panel 104

necessary to hold the image panel 104 tightly to the blanked metal 106. The

flattened hem 1 12 does not interfere with the exposure of the image 102, and

serves as an aesthetic enhancement to the metal identification tag 100. Figure 3

also shows a hole 1 14 which provides for the user to wear the metal identification

tag 100 around his or her neck with a chain, string, etc.

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the '964 patent by

folding the edges or hem 1 12 of the sheet metal 104 rather then rolling them. As a

consequence of this difference in manufacturing, the present invention is much

more durable in the course of regular usage, and provides for an unlimited number

of shapes and designs. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the

metal identification tag 100. In Figure 4, the frictional contact surface 1 16 can

be seen with a width 1 18 of the flattened hem 1 12. The frictional contact surface

1 16 area is greater in the present invention resulting in a greater reliability if a

portion of the frictional contact surface 1 16 were to be damaged. The frictional

contact surface area of the design disclosed in the '964 patent is restricted to the exact thickness of the piece of metal. Referring again to Figure 1 , in order to

increase the frictional contact surface area 10, the thickness of the metal 12 would

have to be increased. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the present

invention has a much larger frictional contact surface 1 16 area which may be

increased or decreased by adjusting the width 1 18 of the flattened hem 1 12. The

benefit of this adjustable width 1 18 lies in the ability to greatly increase the

frictional contact surface 1 16 area without increasing the overall thickness 120 of

the blanked metal 106, and also allows for an infinite number of aesthetic finishes.

The likelihood of a portion of the flattened hem 1 1 2 lifting due to a sudden

impact is also reduced by the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view

of the metal identification tag 100 after an impact upon the flattened hem 1 12.

Despite the deformation, the new frictional contact surface 122 remains sufficient

to hold the image panel 104 in place via frictional forces.

Lastly, Figure 1 1 shows a front view of the metal identification tag with a

hem width 122 that varies from point to point along the continuous flattened hem

1 12. The hem width 122 comprises a flattened continuous hem 1 12 with a small

hem width 124. The small hem width 124 gradually increases to a wider hem

width 126 at a different point along the continuous hem 1 12, up to an even wider

hem width 128 at a third point along the continuous flattened hem 1 12. The

variable width flattened hem 122 provides an infinite number of possible aesthetic configurations for the flattened hem 1 12.

While the metal identification tag as herein shown and disclosed in detail is

fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before

stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment

and an alternative embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended

to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the

appended claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A metal identification tag comprising:

an image panel, said image panel having an image on one surface of said

image panel;

a blanked panel, said blanked panel having a continuous hem such that said

continuous hem is folded over said image panel, holding said image panel to said

blanked panel.

2. The metal identification tag of claim 1 wherein said image panel is

constructed of any conventional printing substrate;

3. The metal identification tag of claim 1 wherein said image panel is

constructed of a wear resistant material;

4. The metal identification tag of claim 1 wherein said blanked panel is

constructed of metal.

5. The metal identification tag of claim 1 wherein said continuous hem has a

width that varies at different points along the length of said continuous hem.

6. The metal identification tag of claim 1 further comprising a hole, said hole

allows for a chain or necklace to be inserted through said hole such that a user may

wear said metal identification tag.