Magnetic detection appartaus with plastic housing and sound-transmissive handle

• US 5,097,211 A
• Filed: 05/25/1990
• Issued: 03/17/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schonstedt Instrument Co. LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Schonstedt Instrument Company
• Inventors: Schonstedt, Erick O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/528,414
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 324/67, 324/149, 324/253-255, 324/326-329, 324/345, 336/65-68, 336/90, 336/92, 200/84 C
• 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 magnetic detection apparatus (magnetic locator) comprises a housing constituted by a first integral molded plastic unit and a second integral molded plastic unit that are joined. The first unit has a tube with a plate at one end thereof transverse to the length of the tube, the plate having an opening through which a magnetic sensor assembly is inserted into the tube. The second unit has a cover open at one end and having a tubular handle at the opposite end, by which the user may grasp the apparatus. Attachment of the cover to the plate closes the open end of the cover to provide a casing. Magnetic sensors are mounted on a channel or angle structural member that is rigidly attached to the chassis of an electrical unit mounted in the casing. Sound from a loudspeaker mounted on the chassis is transmitted through the handle to the exterior of the apparatus. The chassis also supports a meter that is visible through an opening in an end wall of the cover adjacent to the handle.

Claims

1. Magnetic detection apparatus comprising a housing having a first integral unit and a second integral unit, the first unit including a tube with a plate at one end thereof transverse to the length of the tube and having a hole therein aligned with the tube, the second unit including a cover, one end of which is closed by said plate to form a casing and the opposite end of which has a handle for grasping the apparatus, means for fastening said first unit to said second unit, a sensor assembly including a pair of spaced magnetic sensors mounted on an elongated support in said tube, and an electrical unit mounted in said casing and electrically and mechanically connected to said sensor assembly via the hole in said plate, said support having means for extending the support rigidly from said electrical unit as a cantilever so that said electrical unit and said sensor assembly form an integral apparatus capable of being assembled with said housing unitarily, said electrical unit comprising means cooperable with said sensors to detect magnetic objects and having means for indicating the detection of magnetic objects.

2. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tube and said plate are constructed of molded plastic, and said cover and said handle are constructed of molded plastic.

3. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrical unit is mounted on said plate.

4. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said indicating means comprises an electro-acoustic transducer, and said handle is a tube providing a path for the transmission of sound from said transducer to the exterior of said apparatus.

5. Magnetic, detection apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said transducer is aligned with an open end of said handle interiorly of said casing and said handle has a shielded opening at the opposite end.

6. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said indicating means comprises a meter visible through an opening in a wall of said cover at said opposite end.

7. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrical unit comprises a chassis having mounted thereon a printed circuit board and said indicating means, wherein said chassis is attached to said plate, and wherein said support of said sensor assembly is rigidly attached to said chassis as a cantilever.

8. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said support comprises an elongated channel or angle structural member entirely open at one side thereof and embracing and adhesively attached to said sensors.

9. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sensor assembly includes pads between said support and said tube.

10. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said indicating means comprises a loudspeaker aligned with said handle, and said handle comprises a tube through which sound from said loudspeaker is transmitted to the exterior of said apparatus.

11. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said indicating means comprises a meter visible through an opening in a wall of said cover at said opposite end.

12. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising control means for said electrical unit rigidly mounted on said printed circuit board and having an operating member aligned with an opening in said plate.

13. Magnetic detection apparatus comprising a housing having a first integral unit and a second integral unit, the first unit including a tube with a plate at one end thereof transverse to the length of the tube and having a hole therein aligned with the tube, the second unit including a cover, one end of which is closed by said plate to form a casing and the opposite end of which has a handle for grasping the apparatus, means for fastening said first unit to said second unit, a sensor assembly including a pair of spaced magnetic sensors mounted on an elongated support in said tube, and an electrical unit mounted in said casing and electrically and mechanically connected to said sensor assembly via the hole in said plate, said electrical unit comprising means cooperable with said sensors to detect magnetic objects and having means for indicating the detection of magnetic objects, wherein said indicating means comprises an electro-acoustic transducer, and said handle is a tube providing a path for the transmission of sound from said transducer to the exterior of said apparatus.

14. Magnetic detection apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein said transducer is aligned with an open end of said handle interiorly of said casing and said handle has a shielded opening at the opposite end.