NO344165B1

NO344165B1 - Metal detecting footwear

Info

Publication number: NO344165B1
Application number: NO20180949A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Inge Johannes Solesvik
Original assignee: Inge Johannes Solesvik
Priority date: 2018-07-05
Filing date: 2018-07-05
Publication date: 2019-09-23

Description

METAL DETECTING FOOTWEAR

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to a footwear that can be worn to detect hidden metal objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a metal detecting system incorporated within a footwear or a shoe to alert a user from metal objects below the surface.

BACKGROUND

A metal detector is an electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal objects nearby. Metal detectors are useful for detecting hidden metal objects below the surface. Generally, the metal detector is carried on a rod is well known and have been commercially available for many years. Carrying some kind of handheld metal detector is inconvenient and impractical for users to carry multiple items simultaneously.

For an example, a soldier holding a handheld metal detector by hands and scanning the ground or surface to find metal objects. Such a technique has an advantage that it can be used to safely find metal objects. However, in war zones or emergency situations, the soldier cannot easily carry the handheld metal detector by one hand and a gun by another hand. It is inconvenient and impractical for the soldiers.

In addition, the handheld metal detector is not convenient to use while trekking or walking for long time for trekking peoples or hikers, treasure hunters and children. The conventional handheld metal detector occupies huge space inside a backpack or any package and may causes inconvenience to the user by holding them for a long time.

A prior art, US20150185352 of Jayasuriya, discloses a metal detecting system that can be installed inside the sole of a shoe. In other cases, detection coils, sensors, buzzers and LEDs can be installed inside the sole and on the shoe while other components of the detection system can be packaged in an external pouch to be carried by the wearer of the metal detecting shoes. The buzzers and LEDs may be attached to the shoe as well as to the external electronic module when the module is designed to be held away from the shoe. In the event, that a buried metal object is found along the path of the shoe swinging in the air while walking, the buzzers will sound and the LEDs will illuminate to notify/alarm the user, thus fulfilling its purpose. The strength, buried depth and variety of metals that can be detected depend on the electronics, coils and sensors used in the metal detecting shoe system. However, the positioning of the electronic hardware on the shoe may easily get worn out on excessive usage of shoes, which leads to providing error or nil alerts to the wearer.

In the light of above mentioned problems, it is desirable to provide an affordable and convenient metal detecting system incorporated within a footwear. It is desirable to provide a metal detecting system incorporated within a footwear for greater flexibility of operation for the users such as soldiers, hikers or trekking peoples, treasure hunters and children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present invention discloses a metal detecting system incorporated within a footwear. In an embodiment, the metal detecting system is incorporated within a footwear or a shoe for detecting metal objects below the surface. In one embodiment, the metal detecting system comprises at least one sensing coil and an electronic module. In one embodiment, the sensing coil could be fastened to a sole of a footwear. The sensing coil is configured to sense the metal objects below the surface. In one embodiment, the electronic module is detachably fastened to an article of clothing of a user. The electronic module is configured to provide an alert to the user based on a sensor signal received, via a connecting means, from the sensing coil.

In one embodiment, the sensing coil is fastened to the sole of the footwear via an adhesive. In another embodiment, the sensing coil is fastened to the sole of the footwear via a fastener. In one embodiment, the electronic module further comprises at least one speaker. In another embodiment, the electronic module further comprises a vibrator. The vibrator is configured to provide vibration alerts to the user when receiving a signal from the sensing coil. In one embodiment, the electronic module is detachably attached to an article of clothing of a user via, but not limited to, straps, fasteners, straps, belts, buttons, snaps, adhesives, and zippers provided to the electronic module.

In one embodiment, the connecting means is a communication cable. In one embodiment, the connecting means having one end coupling the sensing coil in the sole and another end is coupling to the electronic module. In one embodiment, the connecting means is configured to communicate sensor signals to the electronic module.

In one embodiment, the sensing coil and electronic module are communicated via a wired communication means to transmit and receive the sensor signals based on the presence of the metal objects. In another embodiment, the sensing coil and the electronic module are communicated, via a wireless communication means to transmit and receive the sensor signals based on the presence of the metal objects.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG.1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a metal detecting system incorporated within a footwear an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of at least one sensing coil fastened to a sole of a footwear in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an electronic module of the metal detecting system is detachably attached to an article of clothing of a user in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the perspective view of a metal detecting system 100 incorporated within a footwear 106 is illustrated. In an embodiment, the metal detecting system 100 is incorporated within a footwear 106 or a shoe for detecting metal objects below the surface. In one embodiment, the metal detecting system 100 comprises at least one sensing coil 102 and an electronic module 108. In one embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is fastened to the sole 104 of the footwear 106. The sensing coil 102 is configured to sense the metal objects below the surface. In one embodiment, below the surface could be the underground or below the surface of the shoe. In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 is detachably fastened to an article 110 of clothing of a user. The electronic module 108 is configured to provide an alert to the user based on a sensor signal received, via a connecting means 112, from the sensing coil 102.

In one embodiment, the connecting means 112 is a communication cable or a cord. In one embodiment, the connecting means 112 having one end coupling to the sensing coil 102 and another end coupling to the electronic module 108. In one embodiment, the connecting means 112 is configured to communicate the sensor signals to the electronic module 108.

Referring to FIG.2, the perspective view of the sensing coil 102 fastened to a sole 104 of a footwear 106 is illustrated. In one embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is fastened to the sole 104 of the footwear 106 via an adhesive. In another embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is fastened to the sole of the footwear 106 via a fastener. In one embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is configured to sense the metal objects below the surface. In one embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is could be in communication with the electronic module 108 via a wired communication means. In another embodiment, the sensing coil 102 is could be in communication with the electronic module 108 via a wireless communication means.

Referring to FIG.3, the perspective view of an electronic module 108 of the metal detecting system 100 is detachably attached to an article 110 of clothing of a user is illustrated. In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 could be detachably fastened to the article 110 of clothing of a user. In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 is configured to provide an alert to the user based on the sensor signal received. In some embodiments, the article 110 of clothing of the user could be, but not limited to, a suit, a jacket, a belt, a vest, a shirt, a pant, a hat, headbands, or any other clothing which could conveniently retain the electronic module 108.

In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 further comprises at least one speaker. The speaker is configured to provide audio alerts to the user based on the presence of the metal objects below the surface. In another embodiment, the electronic module 108 further comprises at least one vibrator. The vibrator is configured to provide vibration alerts to the user when receiving a signal from the sensing coil 102. In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 is detachably attached to the article 110 of clothing of the user via, but not limited to, fasteners, straps, belts, buttons, snaps, adhesives, zippers, rivets, buckles or other suitable devices provided to the electronic module 108.

In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 further comprises a plurality of control switches to control the operation of the metal detecting system 100. In one embodiment, a power source is positioned within the electronic module 108. The power source is configured to power the electronic components within the electronic module 108. In one embodiment, the power source could be a battery, a fuel cell, and a solar cell.

In operation, the user could wear the footwear 106, which is incorporated with the metal detecting system 100. When the user came near to the metal object, the sensing coil 102 could sense the nearest metal object and transfer a signal to the electronic module 108 via the connecting means 112 or the wireless communication means. In one embodiment, the electronic module 108 could alert the user via the audio alerts based on the sensor signals received. In another embodiment, the electronic module 108 could alert the user via the vibration alerts based on the presence of the metal object.

In one embodiment, the metal detecting system 100 could be incorporated within, but not limited to, shoes. The metal detecting system 100 is cost-effective. The metal detecting system 100 needs not to be carried by hands for detecting metal objects and provide convenience to the user. The sensing coil 102 and the electronic module 108 are communicated via a wired communication means and also communicated via the wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving the signals based on the presence of the metal objects. The metal detecting system 100 incorporated within a footwear 106 provides greater flexibility of operation for the users, but not limited to, soldiers, hikers or trekking peoples, treasure hunters and children for detecting the metal objects.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present concept disclosed herein. While the concept has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the concept has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the concept is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the concept extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the concept in its aspects.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A metal detecting system (100) incorporated within a footwear (106), characterized by:

at least one sensing coil (102) fastened to a sole (104), via an adhesive, of a footwear (106), configured to sense metal objects; and

an electronic module (108) comprising at least one speaker and vibrator, detachably fastened to an article (110) of clothing of a user, configured to provide an alert to the user based on a sensor signal received from the sensing coil (102), wherein the sensing coil (102) in the sole of the footwear and the electronic module (108) in the clothing of the user, are communicated via a wireless communication means to transmit and receive the sensor signals.

2. The metal detecting system (100) incorporated within a footwear (106) of claim 1, wherein the electronic module (108) is detachably attached to the article (110) of clothing of a user via straps, fasteners, straps, belts, buttons, snaps, adhesives, and zippers.