Tamper-resistant marker and method of mounting same

Abstract

A tamper-resistant marker is formed of metal sheet material from a substantially planar blank thereof having a perimeter and two faces. The marker has a flange extending therefrom about the perimeter in a direction substantially perpendicular to the faces. The marker also has indicia with raised portions on one of the two faces, the raised portions being raised in a direction opposite to that of the flange. Methods of manufacturing the marker and of mounting it on a surface are also disclosed.

1 . A method of mounting a tamper-resistant marker on a surface, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a marker having a substantially planar face and having a perimeter with a flange extending therefrom in a direction perpendicular to said face;    cutting a groove into said surface, said groove conforming to said perimeter of said marker so that said groove accommodates said flange;    applying an adhesive onto said surface within an area defined by said groove; and    pressing said marker onto said adhesive with said flange disposed in said groove.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said marker is circular in shape, and wherein said cutting step is accomplished with a hole saw.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising the step of drilling a hole in the center of said groove cut by said hole saw.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising the step of providing said marker with a central hole.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said applying step includes filling said hole with said adhesive.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising the step of securing a bolt through said marker and into said hole.  
   
   
       7 . A method of manufacturing a tamper-resistant marker, said method comprising steps of: 
 providing a blank of sheet metal, said blank having two faces and a perimeter;    embossing indicia having raised portions onto one of said two faces of said blank; and    forming a flange about said perimeter, said flange being in a direction substantially perpendicular to said faces and in a direction opposite to that of said raised portions of said indicia.    
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of forming a flange further includes cutting said blank into a circular form.  
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said step of forming a flange further includes forming a dome on said two faces convexly in a direction opposite to that of said flange.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the step of deburring said flange.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the step of cleaning said marker.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the step of treating said face bearing said raised portions of said indicia with an abrasive medium.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 applying a paint onto said face hearing said raised portions of said indicia; and    curing said paint.    
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising the step, between said applying and curing steps, of removing said paint from said raised portions of said indicia.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising, before the embossing step, the step of screen-printing a background onto said blank in at least one color, and wherein said embossing step is done in registration with said screen-printed background.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of baking said blank between said screen-printing and embossing steps.  
   
   
       17 . A tamper-resistant marker comprising: 
 a blank of metal sheet material, said blank being substantially planar and having a perimeter and two faces, said blank having a flange extending therefrom about said perimeter in a direction substantially perpendicular to said faces, said blank further having indicia with raised portions on one of said two faces, said raised portions being opposite in direction to said flange.    
   
   
       18 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said blank is circular.  
   
   
       19 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said blank is domed convexly in a direction opposite to that of said flange.  
   
   
       20 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said blank is of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, brass and stainless steel.  
   
   
       21 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said blank is 0.060 inch thick.  
   
   
       22 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said flange is 0.125 inch high.  
   
   
       23 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said face bearing said indicia with raised portions has a fine, uniform pattern of circular scratches.  
   
   
       24 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said face hearing said indicia with raised portions is covered with a paint.  
   
   
       25 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said paint is removed from said raised portions of said indicia.  
   
   
       26 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein said paint is removed with an abrasive sanding disk.  
   
   
       27 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said paint includes ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors.  
   
   
       28 . A tamper-resistant marker as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said face hearing said indicia with raised portions is screen-printed.