AU708358B2

AU708358B2 - Search device for searching large areas

Info

Publication number: AU708358B2
Application number: AU64471/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Peter Bawelski; Klaus Ebinger
Original assignee: Ing Klaus Ebinger Firma
Current assignee: Ing Klaus Ebinger Firma
Priority date: 1995-09-08
Filing date: 1996-09-06
Publication date: 1999-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-06
Also published as: DE59608909D1; AU6447196A; EP0767390B1; EP0767390A3; EP0767390A2; DE29514494U1; ATE214809T1

Abstract

The searching device has a frame (1) which has at least one search cable. It also has a carrier device. The frame can be folded. The cable is held in the frame (1) even when the frame (1) is in the folded state. In another arrangement the carrier device has a tube (3) connected to the frame (1). The tube is adapted to receive an analyser unit adapted to the shape of the tube. The end of the tube has a rotatable region which can be connected to a switch of the analyser and which receives a coaxial fine adjustment device. Preferably the frame is tubular and made of carbon fibre material or glass fibre material. The frame (1) may be formed as a polygonal frame especially with six side pieces.

Description

la SEARCH DEVICE FOR SEARCHING LARGE AREAS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a detector or search device for searching areas, particularly for metal objects, using a frame having a search cable and also a carrying device.

Search devices are known for numerous different fields of use. For searching large ground areas use is made of large frames, which permit a rapid searching of such areas.

ooooo A search device of the aforementioned type is known from :5 German utility model 88 00 815, in which a frame constructed in modular manner is joined together to an optional size. The search loops or cables are fixed to the frame using elastic clips. To each of the end faces is fixed a carrying strap, so that the search device can easily be carried by two persons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to create a search device for searching areas for metal objects having a frame with at least one search cable and with a carrying device, which is suitable for searching large areas and can simultaneously be easily operated and handled.

This object is achieved by a frame which is foldable and a search cable which is received by the frame, even when the latter is folded up.

S According to a fundamental idea of the invention this is I I 2 achieved in that the frame is foldable and that the search cable is received by the frame, even when the latter is in the folded state. This means that even in the folded state the search cable is connected to the frame. The search cable can be fixed both in the interior and also onto the frame or can have a flexible form. This makes it possible to use a large frame, which can be folded up and collapsed with a few manipulations and can consequently be easily transported, e.g. in a car.

In an alternative solution offered by the invention the carrying device has a tube connected to the frame. The tube is contructed for receiving an evaluating unit adapted to the tubular shape and the tube end has a rotary area, which is functionally connected to a multiple contact switch of the evaluating unit and receives a coaxially positioned fine adjustment device. This greatly aids the usability of the search device. The search device can easily be held and simultaneously operated by a single operator. This can also be implemented in conjunction with the fundamental idea of S" the invention.

The frame preferably comprises tubular parts, which are internally hollow and through which passes the cable. The tube forming the frame or loop linkage is preferably made from high-strength carbon fibre materials, which on the one hand are particularly light and therefore easy to handle and on the other can receive the search cable without electromagnetically shielding the same.

The loop linkage is preferably in a hexagonal form and in particular is formed from six identically long side pieces.

However, numerous other geometrical shapes are conceivable, e.g. rectangular, square, round, octagonal or decagonal shapes. Particular advantages can be provided by a I

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3 matrix-like fourfield loop, in whose segments are placed individual reception loops, which cooperate with the large, all-round search cable.

It is particularly advantageous that the frame can be collapsed or folded up to the length of one of the side pieces. In addition, from the angles or corners of the side pieces emanate stabilizing rods, which are at the most precisely as long as the side pieces, so as to ensure the collapsability to the length of the side pieces. In the preferred hexagonal embodiment this leads to six equilateral triangles with which a particularly stable construction of the very light frame can be achieved.

o .1 In a particularly advantageous further development of the invention the tube can have a telescopically extendable construction and the frame or loop linkage can be hung with cables on the tube. This leads to a particularly easy handling of the search device or detector suitable for one person. Through the integration of the evaluating unit into a. the telescopically extendable tube, the operator can guide and simultaneously easily operate the search device. As a result of the suspension of the frame with cables on the tube, the operator can swing the frame backwards and forwards and consequently search in easy manner large surface areas.

It is advantageous to fix the cables to the tube in such a way that they can be wound up. As a result of wind-up suspension, it is also possible to bring the frame into an inclined position by winding up and consequently guide it e.g. between trees standing close together or to adapt it to a slope.

The operation of the search device is aided by the evaluat- 4 ing unit housed in the tube. The tube in particular receives the batteries for the power supply, the evaluating unit and a multiple contact switch.

The search device is advantageously operated in pulse induction technology, because the latter has the important advantage that virtually any randomly large search loop can be used on the available search electronics. This offers the possibility of providing a search device which can be used for the most varied search tasks. The search device can consequently be used with a very large loop surface for sounding a large ground area or also in depth sounding.

Specifically for fine sounding purposes, the search electronics used are connected to a smaller coil. Apart from the use of the search device with pulse induction technology, the use with modern sinusoidal technology is possible.

As a result of the search system according to the invention it is consequently possible for a single operator to search S an approximately three to five times larger surface than was previously possible with two operators, who had to carry the loop between them. This leads to a hitherto unachieved surface area search capacity.

~In a preferred further development of the invention the coil can be designed as a compensating system and for this purpose a continuous central web must also be provided with a search cable. As a result of the use of an additional joint in a stabilization web adapted to the search cable receptacle, the frame can again be folded up in such a way that, apart from the outer side pieces, also the connection of the centrally passing through cable in the modified stabilizing rod is retained. On the basis of the same prin- _1 5 ciple, it is also possible to create further cable connections in and/or on the stabilizing rods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to the drawings, wherein show: Fig. 1 Fig. 2 viS 4**

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Figs. 3 to 5 Figs. 6a to d Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig.9, 10 and 11 A perspective overall view of the search device according to the invention.

A plan view of the search device according to the invention.

Larger scale details of the search device of fig. 2.

The fold-up frame in different collapse stages.

The suspension of the frame on the carrying tube.

A detail view of fig. 7.

Further detail views of the frame joints.

Fig. 12 A view of the carrying tube.

Fig. 13 14 Fig. 15 Larger scale details of fig. 12.

A fold-up frame with compensating loop in the central stabilizing rod.

I I I 6 Fig. 16 The folding of the collapsible frame of fig. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows the overall arrangement with the frame i, carrying or bracing tube 3 and cable system 2. The carrying tube 3, which is also referred to just as tube, comprises the elements 3a to 3d and can be telescopically extended and retracted. The cable system 2 comprises two suspensions with in each case two cables, so that there is a four-point suspension of the frame 1.

The four-point suspension of the cable system 2 is clearly visible in fig 2. The actual frame 1 comprises the allround side pieces 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f and the stabilizing rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e and 6f emanating from the joints 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e and 5f located in the angles or corners. These stabilizing rods meet in the centre and are fixed there to a retaining plate 7. The cable system 2 is S fixed in centrosymmetrical manner to the frame 1 and the carrying tube 3, which leads to a balanced suspension. The oe, ~stabilizing rods comprise hollow, high-strength carbon fibre tubes.

A detail view of the retaining plate 7 is shown in fig. 3.

It is possible to see the stabilizing rods 6a to 6f running into the retaining plate 7 and which are aligned by coupling pins 8 in the two-part retaining plate 7. A central screw 9 is used for tightening the two parts of the retaining plate 7 and therefore for the final fixing of the stabilizing rods.

Fig. 4 shows the joint 5a with the search coil connection 10. The joint essentially comprises two plastic disks 11 and i 0 7 12 connected by a screw 13. From the joint pass the side pieces 4a and 4f along whose interior passes the search cable 14. The stabilizing rod 6a also emanates from said joint. For retaining the stabilizing rod 6a the joint has a third plastic disk, shown in broken line form in fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows the joint 5c, which essentially comprises the plastic disks 11 and 12 with the fixing screw 13. To the fixing screw 13 is also secured a support of the loop system 2 with a carry handle-like suspension 15. It is also possible to see the side pieces 4b and 4c and the stabilizing rod 6c.

Figs. 6a to 6d show the folding apart of the frame i. Originally the entire frame was concentrated in the area of the lower side piece 4d in fig. 6a. By simultaneously pulling up and apart, the state shown in fig. 6a is reached.

If the outer joints are pulled apart in the arrow direction, the position shown in fig. 6b is arrived at. The stabilizing rods engaging on the side pieces are then folded towards the centre, as shown in fig. 6c. The stabilizing rods are then screwed to the retaining plate 7 in the centre of the frame.

This gives the stable, hexagonal arrangement according to fig. 6d. The inventive search device or detector is operated in pulse induction technology and can contain a singleloop system or also a compensating or differentiating loop system. In the foldable frame shown in fig. 6 can be drawn one or more loops. For this purpose it is merely necessery to have a tubular central web, which is also foldable. The actucal search cable, which is passed through the side pieces 4 of the frame 1, is in the form of a multiple cable, which can be electrically shielded.

Fig. 7 shows the telescopically extendable tube and in par- I r 8 ticular the tubular element 3d, to which are fixed the cable elements 2a and 2c, which are suspended at the bottom of the frame 1.

In the detail view of fig. 8, it is possible to see that the cable 2a is guided through a hole 35 in the tubular element 3d and is in this way fixed in the carrying tube 3.

Therefore the tilting of the carrying tube leads to a lengthening of the cable on one side and to a shortening of the cable on the other side and consequently to an inclined position of the frame. The same effect and an overall cable system shortening also occurs on winding and turning the tube 3.

.00.0: Fig. 9 is a cross-section through one of the joints 5. The joints comprise disks 11 and 12 and are secured by a through fixing screw 13. Both the joint disks and the screw are made from plastic, so that the operation of the through search cable 14 is not impaired by any metal objects. A third disk 16 having a recess 17 for receiving a stabiliz- *555 ing rod is also fixed to the screw 13. A plan view of this joint is provided in fig. Fig. 11 shows a similar cross-section to fig. 9, but the 2. joint with the two disks 11 and 12 and the through search cable 14 have a different orientation. The recesses 18 and 19 in the disks 12 and 11, which are produced by holes, serve to receive the side pieces 4, in whose interior is guided the search cable. The disks 11 and 12 also have a recess 20, so that the search cable 14 can be guided round the fixing screw 13 from one disk into the other.

Fig. 12 is a partial view of the carrying tube 3. The casing 21 of the tube 3 has at its rear, i.e. operator-side end a rotary area 22, which is connected to the internal I 9 multiple contact switch 23. The evaluating unit also has an electronic cartridge 24, which is connected to the multiple contact switch 23. To the electronic cartridge 24 is connected a battery compartment 25 with in this case six batteries. A larger scale view of the battery compartment is provided in fig. 13. The tube has a slot 26, through which the batteries can be introduced and contacted by means of a spring 27. The slot 26 is automatically covered by screwing the electronics into the tube 3. A flat cable for the connection of the search device passes through the battery compartment and issues into a connecting plug at the front end of the electronic housing. The plug with cable are housed in the telescopic tube and are consequently pro- .4 tected. A larger scale view of the rear part of the tube 3 is shown in fig. 14, where the rotary part 22 is shown with a fine adjustment device 28 and is connected by a spindle 29 to the internal multiple contact switch 23. Below the spindle of said switch is also fixed the signal generator whose sound signals can pass out via the holes 31, O which are distributed over the entire circumference of the tube 3. The rotary, switching part of the casing simultaneously receives the fine adjustment device 28 arranged coaxially therein and consequently has taken over two mechanical functions, without destroying the coaxial con- .25 struction of the mechanism by other controls. Upstream of the multiple contact switch 23 is located the electronic cartridge 24 and comprises an insulating material cylinder, which receives two or more moulded circuit boards, so that the construction is resistant to tropical conditions and shocks. On the main circuit boards are provided contact strips for the internal equipment cabling, which can be released by a plug without a soldered connection. On the end face of the moulded electronic cartridge 24 is provided a further plug 32 for the connection of the search device, i I

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10 as well as two or more adjustment elements 33 for the basic adjustment of the search device.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in fig. For the construction of a compensating search loop a search cable is passed through the central stabilizing rod 61, 62, 63 and on folding together the frame not only the connection of the all-round side pieces 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46, but also the centrally passing connection of the stabilizing rod 61, 62 and 63 must be retained. For this purpose it is necessary to modify the joints compared with the fold-up frame shown in fig.6, because here an additional connection must be retained. Thus, the central retaining e e plate shown in fig. 3 must be so modified as to provide two 5 disks rotating towards one another and which are suitable for receiving the stabilizing rods 63 and 61 and for the passage of the through search cable. In addition, the cent-

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ral retaining plate of this embodiment must have a cavity for the detachable reception of the remaining four stabilizing rods 51, 52, 53 and 54. The four angle joints on the remaining stabilizing rods 51, 52, 53 and 54 are unmodified compared with the simple embodiment without compensating loop and are constructed in the manner shown in fig. 11. As a modification compared therewith the angle joints on the S central stabilizing rods 62 and 61 have a further cable passage also enabling the cables to be introduced from the side pieces 45 and 46 or 42 and 43 into the stabilizing rods 62 or 61. An additional joint comprising two disks rotatable against one another and suitable for cable passage purposes is introduced into the centre of the two-part stabilizing rod 62, 63.

The folding together of this frame will be described relative to figs. 15 and 16. As in figs. 6a to 6d, firstly the central retaining plate must be released, so that the stai 11 bilizing rods 51, 52, 53 and 54 are released and folded over outwards. The facing side pieces 42, 43, and 45, 46 are drawn through to the opposite side, so that the side pieces form a structure as in fig. 6a. As a result of the additional joint in the two-part stabilizing rod 62, 63 and the joint in the central retaining plate between the stabilizing rods 61 and 63, the cable connection through the rods 61, 63 and 62 is retained, as shown in fig. 16. In the final step following onto fig. 16, the frame shown in partly folded form in fig. 16 is further compressed from the top and bottom until said frame is also collapsed substantially to the size of one side piece.

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12 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: i. Search device for searching surfaces for metal objects, having a frame with at least one search cable and with a carrying device, characterized in that the frame is foldable and that the search cable is received by the frame, even when the latter is folded up.

2. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrying device has a tube having a tubular shape connected to the frame, that the tube is constructed for receiving an evaluating unit adapted to the tubular shape and that the end of the tube has a rotary area, which is functionally connected to a switch of ~the evaluating unit and receives a coaxially positiona.

ed fine adjustment device.

3. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame essentially comprises tubes.

4. Search device according to claim i, characterized in that the tubes are formed from carbon fibre.

Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubes are formed from glass fibre materials.

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Claims

6. Search device according to claim 1i, characterized in that the frame is constructed as a polygonal frame, with six side pieces.
7. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame can be collapsed to the length of one of the side pieces.
8. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame has stabilizing rods, which are at the most precisely as long as the side pieces.
9. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube of the carrying device is telescopically extendable.
10. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that e*. the frame is suspended with cables on the tube.
11. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cables can be wound on the tube.
12. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the search device is equipped with pulse induction technology. I I 14
13. Search device according to claim i, characterized in that a central retaining plate is provided, which re- ceives the stabilizing rods and which can be fixed by a central screw.
14. Search device according to claim i, characterized in that the side pieces of the frame have joints, which com- prise three superimposed plastic disks connected to a plastic screw and whereof two are provided for receiv- ing in each case one side piece and one for receiving a stabilizing rod. Search device according to claim i, 5505 r characterized in that eo at least one search cable is located in the interior *0 of the frame. :0 16. Search device according to claim i, ceoo 5 characterized in that at least one search cable is placed on and fixed to dnthe frame. 350
17. Search device according to claim characterized in that in addition to a loop located in the interior of the frame, e.g. a search cable, at least one further loop is provided externally on the frame.
18. Search device according to claim i, characterized in that two stabilizing rods are constructed for receiving an additional search loop. ill I I T
19. Search device according to claim 18, characterized in that one of the stabilizing rods for receiving the search cable has an additional centrally positioned joint. Search device according to claim 18, characterized in that the central retaining plate is provided for a detachable reception of four stabilizing rods and for the rotary retaining of the cable-guiding stabilizing rods.
21. Search device according to claim 1, characterized in that two stabilizing rods are constructed for receiving a compensating loop arrangement.
22. Search device for searching areas for metal objects, with a foldable frame having at least one search cable and with a carrying device, characterized in that the carrying device has a tube having a tubular shape connected to the frame, :20 that the tube is constructed for receiving an evaluating unit adapted to the tubular shape and that the end of the tube has a rotary area, which is functionally connected to a switch of the evaluating unit and receives a coaxially positioned fine adjustment device. ooo.oi Dated this 1st day of June 1999. FIRMA ING KLAUS EBINGER By its Patent Attorneys MADDERNS ABSTRACT Search device or detector for searching surfaces, particularly for metal objects, having a frame with at least one search cable and with a carrying device the frame (1) being foldable and the search cable is received in the frame, even when the latter is folded up. This means that even in the folded state the search cable is connected to the frame This makes it possible to use a large frame, which can be folded up and collapsed with a few manipulations a *o o..o