US3643358A - Identification structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An identifying system for objects made from metal utilizing indicia selected from material having a substantially different radiation absorption coefficient and melting temperatures higher than the melting point of the object to permit identification by radiographic techniques.

Description

Miin mien mi Momiemsinn 1 Feb. 22, 11972 [54] HIDENTIIFIICATHUN STRUCTURE 1,561,427 11/1925 Forsberg ..40/2.2 X Inventor: Lawrence D. Mordamsim 918 Harcourt 2,800,731 7/1957 Carson ..40/2 H Road, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. 48230 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLKCATIONS 1 Filed:J y 1 6 62,236 5/1944 Denmark ..250/67 [21] Appl 751L678 Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall m S A f D Assistant ExaminerWenceslao J. Contreras 8mm U Wham mm mm Att0rney-Anthony J. Castorina I63] Continuation of Scr. No. 517,695, Dec. 30, 1965,

abandoned.

, An identifying system for objects made from metal utilizing in- [52] US. (31 "Mi/2.2, 283/7 dicia Selected from material having a substantially dmerem [51] 111M. (:1. ..GD91f3/02 radiation absorption Coefficient and melting temperatures [58] li ieidl of Search ..250/59, 67; 283/7; 40/22 higher than the melting point f the object to permit id ification by radiographic techniques. [56] References Cited 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,275,669 8/1918 Forbes ..250/67 UK of the object being so IDENTIFICATION STRUCTURE This is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 517,695 filed Dec. 30, 1965 and which is now abandoned.

The present invention relates to identification constructions for identifying selected objects.

In the identification of automobile engines and other parts, identification numbers are cast in the engine block or otherwise mounted on the surface. These identification numbers are readily locatable and can be easily changed or removed thereby destroying the means for identifying that particular object. This is especially significant when considering the ease with which such identification numbers, etc., can be changed upon stolen automobiles, etc. It is desirable that an identifica' tion construction be provided which is of a nature whereby it cannot be destroyed or altered. The need for such an identification construction is also present with firearms. Again, it would be highly desirable that an identification construction be provided which cannot be altered or destroyed. In the present invention an identification construction is shown which cannot be altered and in fact does not permit detection by normal, visual means where it could be located and altered or destroyed. Also, it is of such a nature that to destroy the identification would require the destruction of an integral part identified. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel identification construction for selected objects.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel identification construction for identifying selected objects which construction cannot readily be altered or destroyed.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an identification construction which cannot be located by simple visual observation and is completely embedded in the object being identified whereby it cannot be readily altered or destroyed.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view ofan identification construction embodying the features of the present invention with the object to be identified shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the identification construction of FIG. I taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIG. I with the object to be identified shown in solid lines;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 of a modification of the identification construction of FIG. I; FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa still different identification construction;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the identification construction of FIG. 4, taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 depicting a still different embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting another form of the invention.

In the past, identification tags have been constructed to be mounted or supported on the member or object to be identified and are visually observed. Likewise identifying symbols or numbers which are cast in the surface can be visually observed. In the present invention the identification construction is such that the identifying tag is completely embedded such that it cannot be observed visually. With this construction the serial number or other identifying symbols can be detected only by radiographic technique utilizing X-ray, gamma rays or other type radiation devices which are capable of penetrating through the material of the object to be identified. In the case ofa cast iron engine block, it is contemplated that the identifying tag be made of tungsten or some other material having a higher melting point than that of the cast iron. For objects made of materials other than cast iron, materials other than tungsten for the identification tag could be utilized provided that the material of the tag will not melt at the melting temperature of the material of the object being identified. In addition since the identification symbol is to be ascertained by radiographic techniques, it is important that the material of the identification tag have a substantially different absorption coefficient in order that detection may be accomplished by X- ray or other radiation techniques; for purposes of simplicity this characteristic will be referred to as radiation absorption coefficient.

Looking now to FIG. 1, an identifying tag is generally indicated by the numeral I0 and is shown to be completely embedded in an object generally indicated by thenumeral 12. The tag I0 is made of a solid block of material with numbers designated by the numerals I4, I6 and 18, being cut therethrough. In the embodiment of FIG. I, the numerals I4, I6 and I8 are out completely through the thickness of the material of thetag 10 such that upon pouring of the material of the object 112, that material will pass through the openings caused by the cutout portions ofnumerals 14, 16 and I8 (see FIG. 2). Thus upon identification radiographic equipment will detect the difference in the radiation absorption coefficient of the material which is then located in the voids of the numerals I4, I6 and 18 as compared to the material of the remaining surrounding portion of the tag I0 whereby a radiograph or film can be provided which will clearly provide the image of numerals I4, I6 and I8 and hence give: a means of identifying the serial number of the tag It).

In FIG. 3 a different embodiment is shown in which anidentification tag 20 is provided for use with anobject 22 to be identified. In this case the numbers indicated bynumerals 24, 26 and 28 are indented within the body of thetag 20 thereby providing for a substantially lesser thickness of the material outline thenumerals 24, 26 and 28. Upon casting thebody 22, the material therein will generally flow to fill the voids or recesses of thenumerals 24, 26 and 28 and because of the disparity in thickness between the numerals and the remaining portions of thetag 20, thenumerals 24, 26 and 28 can be discerned by radiographic techniques.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment which is generally opposite to that shown in FIG. 3, rather than having the numerals depressed, atag 32 is shown having numbers indicated by nu merals 34, 36 and 38 which are embossed or substantially raised from the surrounding surface of thetag 32 and hence upon being cast and completely surrounded by the material of a part 42 to be identified, the raised or embossednumerals 34, 36 and 38 will provide areas of substantially greater thickness and will again provide means whereby an image of thenumerals 34, 36 and 38 can be obtained by radiographic techniques. In some applications, it would be desirable if only the numbers and substantially no other structure were provided in the body of the object to be identified. Such a construction is shown in FIG. 6 and includes. anidentification tag 40 composed of numbers indicated bynumerals 44, 46 and 48 which are held by abody member 47. Thebody member 47 is made of a material which is vaporizable at the melting temperature of material in which the tag 40' is to be embedded. Thus, as the material of the object to be embedded is poured about thetag 40, thebody 47 will vaporize and leave behind thenumerals 44, 46 and 48 such that only thenumerals 44, 46 and 48 will remain in the object to be identified. Note that thenumerals 44, 46 and 48 are held together only by thebody member 47 afterbody member 47 has vaporized thenumerals 44, 46 and 48 are separated from each other.

FIG. 7 shows a still different form of identification tag being designated by thenumeral 50 and includes a plurality of formed numbers indicated by thenumeral 54, 56 and 58, which are held together by a holding bar 57, which is made of the same material as thenumerals 54, 56 and 58. Again, by molding the material ofan object to be identified about thetag 50, positive identification can be obtained because of the differences in radiation absorption coefficient, etc., of materials by radiographic techniques. Note that as a further modification thetag 50 could be initially held within a vaporizable body such as 47.

It can be readily seen that by employment of the various identification structures as shown and by completely embedding the identification tags within the material of the object to be identified, the identification numbers or designations are permanently secured to the object to be identified and cannot be altered or destroyed. Also, the location of the identification tags is not readily apparent and hence lends itself to the-concealment from individuals who would change such identifications. With this type of identification construcmaterial of the object to be made of a first material having a higher melting point than the identified with'said first material having a substantially different radiation absorption coefficient, said identification means being surrounded by the material of the object to be identified with said symbols being defined by said first material and the material of the object tion, more than one could be located in the object to be sov identified, and hence provide even further protection from discovery and hence destruction. By use of the abovedescribed identification construction, identification of engine blocks, firearms, etc., would besubstantially permanently retained. Of course, the invention is equally applicable to other objects to be thus permanently identified.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of whereby said symbols can be detected by radiographic techniques, and with said identification means comprising a tag member with said symbols constructed of said first materithe invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects,

al and a body member retaining said symbols, saidbody member being constructed of a' second material which vaporizes at the melting point of the material of the object whereby said body member is not present as a part of said identification means after the object is formed.

2. The structure ofclaim 1 with said first material being a metal and'with said material of said object being a metal cast about said identification means.

3. The structure of claim 2 with said object to be identified being a substantially permanent part of a vehicle whereby a substantially permanent identification of the vehicle is provided. P

block.

4. The structure of claim 3 with said object being the engine

Claims (4)

1. An identification structure for an object to be identified comprising identification means for permitting identification comprising identifying symbols, said identification means made of a first material having a higher melting point than the material of the object to be identified with said first material having a substantially different radiation absorption coefficient, said identification means being surrounded by the material of the object to be identified with said symbols being defined by said first material and the material of the object whereby said symbols can be detected by radiographic techniques, and with said identification means comprising a tag member with said symbols constructed of said first material and a body member retaining said symbols, said body member being constructed of a second material which vaporizes at the melting point of the material of the object whereby said body member is not present as a part of said identification means after the object is formed.

2. The structure of claim 1 with said first material being a metal and with said material of said object being a metal cast about said identification means.

3. The structure of claim 2 with said object to be identified being a substantially permanent part of a vehicle whereby a substantially permanent identification of the vehicle is provided.

4. The structure of claim 3 with said object being the engine block.

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