Security prescreening device

• US 7,053,785 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Edward Akins
• Original Assignee: James Edward Akins
• Inventors: Akins, James Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/701,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 340/551, 3406939-69312, 324/228, 324/243, 108/107, 361683-685
• US Class Current: 340/693.9
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12

Abstract

An apparatus for prescreening an individual about to be subjected to a security screening including a magnetometer. The prescreening device comprises a base housing having a top panel, and a plurality of downwardly extending sidewalls. The base housing is adapted to adjustably support a metal detector within the base housing such that when an individual places an object, such as a shoe, in proximity to the base housing, the metal. detector detects the presence of metal, weapons, explosives, or other contraband in the object, thereby alerting the individual that the object may contain enough material to alarm the magnetometer. The individual may then take the necessary steps to remove the object from their persons, thereby possibly reducing the number of potentially false magnetometer alarms.

Claims

1. A prescreening device for supporting a metal detector comprising:

a top panel;

a plurality of sidewalls extending downwardly from a perimeter of the top panel and being operatively interconnected to one another;

an interior compartment defined by the top panel and the plurality of sidewalls; and

a metal detector support adapted to support at least a portion of a metal detector within the interior compartment, the support adapted to permit the metal detector to be supported in an operating position sufficient to enable the metal detector to detect the presence of metal placed in proximity to the top panel,

wherein the metal detector support is operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, and wherein the metal detector support is moveable between a plurality of positions within the interior compartment.

2. A prescreening device for supporting a metal detector comprising:

a top panel;

an interior compartment defined by the top panel and at least one sidewall;

a metal detector support adapted to support at least a portion of a metal detector within the interior compartment, the support adapted to permit the metal detector to be supported in an operating position sufficient to enable the metal detector to detect the presence of metal placed in proximity to the top panel;

a display unit adapted to display information; and

a display stand operatively interconnected to at least one of the top panel and the sidewall, wherein the display stand is adapted to support the display unit,

wherein the metal detector support is adjustably connected to the at least one sidewall, and wherein the metal detector support is adjustably moveable between a plurality of positions within the interior compartment.

3. A prescreening device for supporting a metal detector comprising:

a top panel;

an interior compartment defined by the top panel and at least one sidewall;

a metal detector; and

a metal detector support adapted to support at least a portion of the metal detector within the interior compartment, the support adapted to permit the metal detector to be supported in an operating position sufficient to enable the metal detector to detect the presence of contraband placed in proximity to the top panel,

wherein the metal detector support is operatively connected to the at least one sidewall and wherein the metal detector support is moveable between a plurality of positions within the interior compartment.