Locator with removable antenna portion

• US 20070013379A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MetroTech Corporation Inc.
• Original Assignee: MetroTech Corporation Inc.
• Inventors: Crothall, George, Staples, Greg, Waite, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,612,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/326
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat

Abstract

A locator is disclosed that includes a base module and an antenna module. The base module and antenna module are coupled both mechanically and electrically at a joint. Such an arrangement allows for easy stowage and shipment of the locator as well as the ability, by interchanging antenna modules, to provide multi-functional locators.

Claims

1. A locator that locates underground objects, comprising:

a base module; and

an antenna module,

wherein the base module and the antenna module are electrically and mechanically coupled in a removable fashion to form the locator.

2. The locator of claim 1, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

3. The locator of claim 1, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.

4. A base module of a locator, comprising:

electronics for receiving and processing data from an antenna module to locate an underground object;

an electrical coupler for accepting an electrical connection to the antenna module; and

a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling to the antenna module.

5. The base module of claim 4, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

6. The base module of claim 4, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.

7. An antenna module for a locator, comprising:

at least one electromagnetic field detector;

an electrical coupler for accepting an electrical connection to a base module, the base module receiving signals from the at least one electromagnetic field detector to locate an underground object; and

a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling to the base module.

8. The antenna module of claim 7, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

9. The antenna module of claim 7, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.