White's Electronics, Inc.

Peter T Smith

Mark W Rohde

Donald K Shoemaker

A housing for the magnetic induction coils of the search loop assembly of a metal detector is constructed of plastic resin reinforced with non-metallic electrically conductive graphite fibers, and is connected to ground potential of the main electronics package of the metal detector so that the housing acts as a static-draining shield for the search loop assembly. The mixture of graphite fibers and plastic conducts electricity well enough to prevent accumulation of static electricity charges and makes the housing stronger and more abrasion resistant than similar housings of non-reinforced plastic. The housing may be molded as two halves to include a central aperture, to allow the user of the metal detector to see the precise location on the ground at which to dig for detected targets. Upstanding walls concentric with the perimeter of the housing may be included in one half of the housing, to be used as spools for transmit, receive and balance coils wound directly onto these spools, simplifying the manufacture of a search loop assembly. Polyurethane foam is expanded in place in a cavity defined in the interior of the housing, further strengthening the search loop assembly. The density of the foam may be chosen to result in a search loop assembly having neutral buoyancy in fresh or sea water.

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Sweet Home, OR, United States of America

Peter T Smith