The present invention relates to gold pans and, more particularly, to a gold pan with metal detecting capabilities.
Paning for valuable metals using a hand held gold pan involves picking a spot on the planet where metals are suspected by a prospector to exist, placing material from the earth in the pan and manually agitating these materials to cause separation in order of density. or specific gravity. The operator of the pan may or may not add water to the mix to facilitate washing away of light materials. The object is to trap the heavier materials in the bottom of the pan for collection, while lighter non metallic materials are washed away or manually discarded. Metals such as gold, platinum and silver are some of the more common but not the only metals that are collected by gold panning.
The problems involved with the use of a gold pan to reduce material for the purpose of separating and recovering valuable metals are multiple; The ability to locate a prospective area of parent material, bearing valuable metals is a hit and miss affair unless the prospector has previous experience with gold panning, and or has knowledge to some degree of geology.
Once a metal bearing area of soil, gravel or other materials has been located, the traditional, iconic gold pan is loaded with material, and the act of separating metals from non-metallic material called “panning” begins. The time and effort required to assess the metal content of the sample being reduced, are considerable and mandatory. The operator may often as not spends minutes or hours unsuccessfully reducing material that will yield no valuable metals. This causes much wasted time.
Once materials reduction is accomplished through use of the gold pan, the success of the effort depends on the ability of the operator to visually identify valuable metals. This ability may be hampered by a coating of, or contamination of valuable metals, by minerals or other substances, altering their appearance so as not to be visually recognizable. Another problem is that the metals in the bottom of the pan are shrouded from view by the overburden of non metallic materials contained in the pan. This results in discarding valuable metals and wasted time when the metals are discarded by mistake because they are not recognized by the operator as being metal.
Determining ferrous from non ferrous metals visually is another problem. While the two may look similar, the non ferrous metals are not usually what are being separated for collection. Non ferrous metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, nickel and others are usually what are being sought. Valuable metals are often found in the presence of iron which is a ferrous metal, and a concentration of iron warrants further attention to a prospective area.
The issue of time spent reducing materials with a gold pan for the identification and recovery of valuable metals, is accurately expressed by the old saying, “Time is money”. Many hours may be spent reducing material, only to find there are only non valuable ferrous metals in the bottom of the pan.
The traditional hand held gold pan has seen solutions to the problem of consolidating, separating and identifying metals from other materials, approached through the use of mechanical means. There have been riffles, flukes, agitator knobules, water delivery cups, and other mechanical means applied to the body of the traditional gold pan. All are attempts to increase the speed and efficiency of the act of “panning for gold”.
Examples of these solutions may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,119 (Gold Pan With Riffles)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,239 (Gold Pan With Flukes)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,293 (Gold Pan With Agitator Knobules)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,303 (Gold Pan With Water Delivery Cups)
Examples of gold pan history, design and the panning process, may be seen at: http://www.keeneengineering.com/pamphlets/howpan.html
Examples of metal detectors may be seen at: http://www.tesoro.com/product/detectors/
Unlike the metal detecting gold pan, all other devices called gold pans, and being hand held, have relied on mechanical means of one sort or another to trap metals so as to concentrate them in sufficient quantity, to be visually identified and collected. This is normally accomplished through manually reducing the overburden material covering the heavier metals on the bottom of the pan through the relatively slow process known as panning.
There are no previous improvements to the gold pan which allow the prospector to electronically “see” metals collecting in the bottom of the pan, without taking the time to reduce the overburden. Nor do they address the issue of time spent reducing out the overburden material, to finally determine if there are metals in the bottom of the pan. They do not speed this process, and they do not identify collected metals, as ferrous or non ferrous, as does the metal detecting gold pan.
Other solutions to improving the efficiency of the gold pan, do not address the problem of locating a prospective area bearing valuable metals, as does the metal detecting gold pan.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a metal detecting gold pan with the capability to detect ferrous, or non ferrous metals confined to the interior of, or in proximity to the gold pan. This hand held gold pan has metal detection electronics, including sensors, power source, and associated circuitry integral to, or in proximity to the body of the gold pan. Power source may be rechargeable, or throw away batteries.
The gold pan shape is round or other shape, having a sloping wall that terminates at the bottom of the pan. The bottom of the pan is of smaller dimension than the top rim.
The pan body is made of plastic or other non metallic material, and constructed so as to house the electronics, sensors, circuitry, power supply and optional wireless communications, so as to be integral or in proximity to the body of the gold pan. This is accomplished through node structures that double as handles, and through encapsulation by the body of the pan when it is moulded. Nodes and circuitry may also be installed using adhesives and coatings.
The bottom of the metal detecting gold pan is equipped with two sensors; The surveying sensor, integral to the bottom of the pan, is of a diameter smaller than the bottom of the pan. It is oriented to sense and locate metals outside the pan. This is accomplished by scanning, or waving the bottom of the pan over soil, rock or other materials.
A recovery sensor is installed in the bottom of the metal detecting gold pan, and is oriented so as to sense the presence of metals contained inside the pan, primarily but not limited to the juncture of the wall and bottom of the pan.
Circuitry integral to the body of the pan, either through encapsulation by the structure of the pan, or attachment by means of adhesive or other means, allow electronic communication and distribution of power between sensors and metal detection electronics.
Metal detection electronics are housed in a power/electronics node integral to the body, and, or in proximity to the metal detecting gold pan. Metal detection electronics housed in a peripheral metal detection electronics/power pack, may also be connected to the power/electronics node peripherally, via a power/data cord, or by optional wireless communication.
A peripheral power/electronics pack houses a battery power source, metal detection electronics and optional wireless communication electronics, It is equipped with a power/data cord and an earphone connection point.
Controls for power and function of electronics are dictated by choice of particular brand and type of metal detection electronics chosen for application.
It would be advantageous to provide a metal detecting gold pan to speed the process of reducing materials for the collection of metals, through the process known as “gold panning”.
It would also be advantageous to provide a metal detecting gold pan, having the capability to identify ferrous and non ferrous metals.
It would further be advantageous to provide a metal detecting gold pan, having the capability to locate metals in the ground, and in proximity to the metal detecting gold pan.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
The on, off power switch 16, mode switch 18, and sensor selection switch 20 are of a type known as blister switches because they are covered with a plastic material to seal them, looking much like a blister. They are normally open switches used to trigger different functions by press and release action. They are mounted into the body of the ergonomic power/electronics node 14a just below, and slightly shrouded by the lip of the gold pan 12. as seen in
The on, off power switch 16 routes electrical power from the battery 28, to all power consuming devices and circuitry 40 integral to, and those that are connected peripherally to the metal detecting gold pan 10, via the power/data cord 22. The power/data cord 22 must be light, flexible and supple, to reduce feedback of motion created by the act of “panning”, through the cord to peripheral devices, causing unwanted motion. It must also be kink resistant, damage resistant and of a diameter to meet these criteria, while also being of sufficient diameter to contain all needed circuitry 40. The exact number of wires contained in the cable, and appropriate cable connection ends are dictated by the brand and type of the metal detection electronics 42 chosen for installation.
The mode switch 18 is used to toggle between various function modes of the metal detecting electronics, as dictated by the specific brand or type of metal detection electronics 42 installed. Modes may include but not be limited to such functions as detection of ferrous metals, detection of non ferrous metals, or detection of ferrous and non ferrous metals simultaneously.
The sensor selection switch 20 allows the operator of the metal detecting gold pan 10 to choose which, of one or more sensors installed into, or in proximity to the body of the invention will be selected for utilization at various stages of the prospecting process. The selected sensor signal to the metal detection electronics 42, is then processed. The operator is notified of the presence of metal via one of the signaling devices. The most commonly used signal is the audio signaling device 32. It is of pezio electric design, and is loud enough to be heard above normal background noise. It is activated by the metal detection electronics 42. If background noise is too loud for the pezio device to be heard, earphones may be connected to the peripheral electronics/power pack. The audio, light source, or vibrating signal device 34 may be selected
The power/data port 24 allows the operator of the gold pan 12 to connect the peripheral electronics/power pack 26 to the ergonomic power/electronics node 14a by use of the power/data cord 22. This port is waterproof and is sealed by the use of a screw—in waterproof plug when not in use. Advances in deep water exploration have spawned many waterproof cable connections that are applicable to this port, as well as to the power/data cord 22 ends.
Circuitry 40 must be of the type required by the choice of brand and type of electronics to be installed. It is responsible for linking all electrical components to the metal detection electronics 42.
Circuitry 40 is encapsulated into the body of the gold pan 12 at the time of injection molding, or may be bonded to the exterior by use of adhesives or thermal bonding. The circuitry 40 must be protected from damage, by encapsulation in the body of the gold pan 12, or by a covering if installed on the exterior of the pan. Circuitry 40 and sensors as well as other components will interfere with the materials reduction, or “panning” process if they protrude into the interior of the pan. Sensors are installed flush with the interior surface of the pan.
Circuitry 40 may be of a ribbon type, similar to that found used in computers, or singular wires, of a gauge appropriate to facilitate complete encapsulation in the body of the gold pan 12 at the time of injection molding. Ribbon circuits are flat. flexible groupings of multiple wires, and may be laid in a mold, to conform to many different shapes. They are connected to components by soldering or other means, to be dictated by the particular brand and type of components to be installed into the metal detecting gold pan 10.
The light source signaling device 30 is optional. It is a light emitting diode oriented to the front center of the lip of the pan, so as to be visible by the operator while “panning”. It's purpose is to alert the gold pan 12 operator when metals are present in close proximity to, or in contact with the recovery sensor 38. This light source must be bright enough to be seen in daylight conditions, and rugged, as this location is prone to damage if the pan is dropped or struck by accident. The light source signal device, and associated circuitry 40, is best installed by encapsulation techniques used at the time of injection molding of the metal detecting gold pan 10. It is to be connected to, and activated by the metal detection electronics 42.
The surveying sensor 36 is used to locate an area containing metals. It is of coil construction, as is used in most metal detectors today. The actual specifications for the coil are dictated by the brand and type of metal detection electronics 42 chosen to be installed, and the diameter of the bottom 12b of the gold pan 12. This sensor is of a diameter allowing it to be encapsulated in the bottom 12b of the pan, or applied to the external surface of the bottom 12b of the pan. If not encapsulated, it may be fastened by the use of adhesives, or thermal bonding.
The surveying sensor 36, used to detect ferrous or non ferrous metals is of coiled wire construction as is found on most metal detectors used by the public for coin and jewelry hunting, relic hunting, and prospecting for valuable metals. It is used similarly, as described at
The recovery sensor 38 is used for detecting, and identifying the type of small quantities of metals contained in the bottom 12b of the metal detecting gold pan 10. It is installed in the bottom 12b of the gold pan 12, at the juncture of the side wall 12a and the bottom 12b of the pan, so as to be oriented to the front, (or 12 o'clock position) when the metal detecting gold pan 10 is in use. It is mounted flush with the bottom 12b of the gold pan 12 so as not to protrude into the interior of the pan.
The recovery sensor 38 is of a small diameter, and is thin enough to be mounted in the bottom 12b of the metal detecting gold pan 10, without adding undue thickness to the bottom 12b of the pan when it is installed along with the surveying sensor 36.
The exact diameter and thickness of the recovery sensor 38 is also dictated by the brand and type of metal detecting electronics installed. A diameter in the range of ½ to 2 inches is preferable. This allows for sensing the presence of metals early in the process of separating and reducing the parent materials from metals. This small diameter sensor monitors the area where metals will begin to collect, as the materials contained in the gold pan 12 are agitated to induce the metals to migrate to the bottom 12b of the metal detecting gold pan 10.
Construction of the recovery sensor 38 may be of the conventional coil, or other type. It should be of sufficient sensitivity to detect metal quantities with weights of ½ grain, or less.
The peripheral electronics/power pack 26 is a water resistant or waterproof housing, containing electronics, and a battery 28 to power electronics. It is equipped with an on/off switch of blister design and is waterproof. The power/data cord 22 is hard wired to the peripheral electronics/power pack 26, The pack also houses a connection to accommodate the operators use of earphones, for monitoring faint audio signals indicating the presence of minute quantities of metal in proximity to the surveying sensor 36, or the recovery sensor 38, mounted in the metal detecting gold pan 10
The peripheral electronics/power pack 26 may be worn at the waist by use of a belt clip. If the operator is wearing clothing that would prohibit comfortable positioning of the pack, it may be worn hung around the operators neck by a lanyard.
Depending on the brand and type of metal detection electronics 42 installed in the metal detecting gold pan 10, this peripheral electronics/power pack 26 may contain all, or part of the necessary electronics needed for the system to function. If usable space in the body of the gold pan 12 is not sufficient for the installation of all desired electronics, they may be installed into the peripheral electronics/power pack 26, and connected to the ergonomic power/electronics node 14a via the power/data cord 22.
This design factor allows for optional electronics, such as wireless communications equipment, GPS equipment, data recording equipment or other electronics to be installed for use in conjunction with the metal detection electronics 42.
The signal from surveying sensor 36 to the ground is shown.
In operation, metal jewelry or other metal objects are removed from the hands. The hand, or hands used to grip the metal detecting gold pan 10 while surveying, should be free of metallic objects, so as to avoid possible false, positive signals, for the presence of metals, being generated by these objects.
The metal detecting gold pan 10 is held by the operator in a bottom 12b down position. The on, off power switch is activated powering up the metal detection electronics 42, drawing power from the battery 28. The sensor selection switch 20 is activated to select the surveying sensor 36 for use, and activating the signal from surveying sensor 36. The metal detecting gold pan 10 is gripped in a comfortable manner as decided by the operator, and is oriented with the bottom 12b down. With the surveying sensor 36 now in use, and the mode switch 18 set to ferrous and non ferrous metals detection, the pan is lowered towards the earth, or other surface to be surveyed, until it reaches a distance that is as close to this surface as it can be, without making contact. The operator begins the survey, by sweeping the pan parallel to the surface being prospected, while maintaining a minimal distance (typically less than an inch), from the surface. Each sweep surveying a new swath of ground, adjacent to the previous.
If metals are present in parent material at or below the surface, within the range of detection (dictated by the choice of brand and type of electronics installed) the metal detection electronics 42 will signal the operator of their presence via earphones, vibrating signal device 34, audio signaling device 32, or light source signaling device 30. Upon detection of metals, if earphones or audio signalling device are in use, typically a beep, whoop, or clicking sound will be used to alert the operator, by audible signal.
Upon being alerted to the presence of metal in the area being surveyed, the mode switch 18 is used to select, non ferrous mode. This mode identifies the detected metals as having a non ferrous metals content, by cancelling the signal produced by the ferrous metals. By doing so, only the signals generated indicating the presence of non ferrous metals reach the operator.
Upon determining by electronic survey that the prospective area contains metals, the sensor selection switch 20 is used to activate the recovery sensor 38. Switching to the recovery sensor 38 also powers down the surveying sensor 36. The mode switch 18 is activated to set the metal detecting electronics to detect ferrous and non ferrous metals.
A quantity of known metal bearing material, having been identified by the survey, is transferred to the interior of the metal detecting gold pan 10. Water may be added to the mix to aid in separating the materials through a washing effect. With the recovery sensor 38 activated, the metal detecting gold pan 10 is held as shown in
The heavier metals will begin consolidating at the juncture, and on top of the recovery sensor 38. The sensor then detects these metals, and the metal detection electronics 42 alert the operator to their presence, using the signaling device selected by the operator. The metals in proximity to the recovery sensor 38 may then be identified as having, or not having a non ferrous metals content, by use of the mode switching capabilities of the metal detection electronics 42.
This is a very quick means of accomplishing identification of the valuable metals 46 in the bottom 12b of the metal detecting gold pan 10, as opposed to taking the time to manually reduce the overburden of unwanted material contained in the pan, and visually identify the collected metals.
Peripheral electronics, as dictated by brand and type for application, are connected to the metal detecting gold pan 10 via the power/data cord 22, to supplement existing electronic capabilities, or to add capabilities.
metal detection electronics 42
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/257,787, filed Nov. 3, 2009, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61257787 | Nov 2009 | US |