Abstract:
A metal detecting gold pan for speeding the location, identification and recovery of ferrous or non ferrous metals from parent materials. Metal detecting electronics and sensors in proximity to, connected by cord to, and imbedded in the body of the pan sense and identify metals inside or outside the pan. The metal detecting gold pan is used in the traditional manner, using either wet or dry methods for materials separation. Metals consolidating in the interior of the pan are electronically sensed and identified. Metal bearing parent material external to the pan may be located by using a sensor in the bottom of the pan. Time and effort to reduce overburden and identify materials is greatly reduced during the panning process.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    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. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to gold pans and, more particularly, to a gold pan with metal detecting capabilities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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”. 
         [0010]    Examples of these solutions may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,119 (Gold Pan With Riffles) 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,239 (Gold Pan With Flukes) 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,293 (Gold Pan With Agitator Knobules) 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,303 (Gold Pan With Water Delivery Cups) 
         [0014]    Examples of gold pan history, design and the panning process, may be seen at: http://www.keeneengineering.com/pamphlets/howpan.html 
         [0015]    Examples of metal detectors may be seen at: http://www.tesoro.com/product/detectors/ 
         [0016]    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. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    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. 
         [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    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. 
         [0024]    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. 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    Controls for power and function of electronics are dictated by choice of particular brand and type of metal detection electronics chosen for application. 
         [0028]    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”. 
         [0029]    It would also be advantageous to provide a metal detecting gold pan, having the capability to identify ferrous and non ferrous metals. 
         [0030]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    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: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a left perspective view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a top detail view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a bottom detail view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a left plan view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention in use; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing of the overall invention view of a metal detecting gold pan in accordance with the invention, in use by operator with peripheral power supply and metal detection electronics. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  is a left perspective view of the metal detecting gold pan  10 , in accordance with the invention for the rapid identification and collection of metals contained by the interior of the pan, or outside the pan. The gold pan  12  is constructed through an injection molding process and is plastic. The side wall  12   a  of the metal detecting gold pan  10  is shown with metal detection electronics  42  housed in the ergonomic power/electronics node  14   a . This node is also injection molded of plastic. It may be installed on the outside wall of the pan by use of waterproof adhesives, thermal bonding, or may be molded as part of the pan to keep water out. Advanced injection molding techniques allow for total encapsulation of parts included in the metal detecting gold pan  10 , at the time of molding. If this node is to be bonded to the wall of the pan, all connections from electronics contained in the node, to circuitry  40  integral to the body of the pan, for sensors, signalling devices and the metal detection electronics  42 , must be made before installation of the ergonomic power/electronics node  14   a . This node also functions as a handle when operating the metal detecting gold pan  10  This node provides housing for the on, off power switch  16 , mode switch  18 , vibrating signal device  34 , and sensor selection switch  20 . It also houses a power/data port  24  for connection to the power/data cord  22 . A waterproof removable cover, sealed by an O-ring, and secured with stainless steel screws or other fasteners, allows access to the battery  28  compartment, for installing or changing the battery  28  that is housed in the ergonomic power/electronics node  14   a . All components including the node are waterproof by virtue of method of installation, or construction of individual components manufactured as waterproof. 
         [0040]    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  14   a  just below, and slightly shrouded by the lip of the gold pan  12 . as seen in  FIG. 4 . This position allows a certain amount of protection, and they may be actuated by the thumb or fingers of the operator without significantly altering his or her grip on the pan, while agitating the contents of the pan during the process commonly known as “panning”, 
         [0041]    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. 
         [0042]    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. 
         [0043]    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 
         [0044]    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  14   a  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. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a top detail view of the metal detecting gold pan  10 . It shows the circuitry  40 , surveying sensor  36 , recovery sensor  38  and light source signaling device  30 , integral to the side wall  12   a  and bottom  12   b  of the gold pan  12 . 
         [0046]    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 . 
         [0047]    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. 
         [0048]    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 . 
         [0049]    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&#39;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 . 
         [0050]    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  12   b  of the gold pan  12 . This sensor is of a diameter allowing it to be encapsulated in the bottom  12   b  of the pan, or applied to the external surface of the bottom  12   b  of the pan. If not encapsulated, it may be fastened by the use of adhesives, or thermal bonding. 
         [0051]    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  FIG. 6 . It is mounted in the bottom  12   b  structure of the pan below the recovery sensor  38  and is oriented to search for metals below and exterior to the metal detecting gold pan  10 . The surveying sensor  36  has the capability to locate metals at the surface of, or below the surface of the ground. The rule of thumb in the metal detecting industry is, “The larger the diameter of the coil, the deeper the metal detecting signal will penetrate into the ground”. An acceptable depth of ground penetration for this application is three or more inches. 
         [0052]    The recovery sensor  38  is used for detecting, and identifying the type of small quantities of metals contained in the bottom  12   b  of the metal detecting gold pan  10 . It is installed in the bottom  12   b  of the gold pan  12 , at the juncture of the side wall  12   a  and the bottom  12   b  of the pan, so as to be oriented to the front, (or 12 o&#39;clock position) when the metal detecting gold pan  10  is in use. It is mounted flush with the bottom  12   b  of the gold pan  12  so as not to protrude into the interior of the pan. 
         [0053]    The recovery sensor  38  is of a small diameter, and is thin enough to be mounted in the bottom  12   b  of the metal detecting gold pan  10 , without adding undue thickness to the bottom  12   b  of the pan when it is installed along with the surveying sensor  36 . 
         [0054]    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  12   b  of the metal detecting gold pan  10 . 
         [0055]    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. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3 , is a bottom  12   b  detail view of the metal detecting gold pan  10 , showing location of the surveying sensor  36 , recovery sensor  38 , ergonomic electronics/power node, and associated circuitry  40 , encaplulated in, or bonded to the body of the metal detecting gold pan  10 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4 , is a left plan view of the metal detecting gold pan  10  showing the location of the ergonomic power/electronics node and control buttons, with power/data cord  22  connected. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the metal detecting gold pan  10  in use. Shown, is the hand position traditionally used by the prospector/operator for “panning”. The recovery sensor  38  is oriented to the front and center position, where the most rapid consolidation of metals occurs during the reduction, or “panning” process. Also shown are metal bearing parent materials  48  and valuable metals  46  being contained in the metal detecting gold pan  10 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the metal detecting gold pan  10  in use by the prospector/operator  44  connected via the power/data cord  22 , to the peripheral electronics/power pack  26 . 
         [0060]    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   
         [0061]    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. 
         [0062]    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  14   a  via the power/data cord  22 . 
         [0063]    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 . 
         [0064]    The signal from surveying sensor  36  to the ground is shown. 
         [0065]    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. 
         [0066]    The metal detecting gold pan  10  is held by the operator in a bottom  12   b  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  12   b  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. 
         [0067]    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. 
         [0068]    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. 
         [0069]    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. 
         [0070]    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  FIG. 5 , with the recovery sensor  38  in the bottom  12   b  of the pan oriented to a forward, or twelve o&#39;clock position. The metal detecting gold pan  10  is held so that the bottom  12   b  is sloped away from the operator. and downward toward the recovery sensor  38 . The ergonomic nodes are cupped in the hands if desired. The material in the pan is then harshly agitated by a quick, forceful, combination of fore and aft, lateral, and or circular movement while maintaining the slope in the bottom  12   b  of the metal detecting gold pan  10 . This causes the heavier metals in the parent material to gravitate downward through the lighter materials in the pan, and toward the juncture of the side wall  12   a  and bottom  12   b , where the recovery sensor  38  is located. 
         [0071]    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 . 
         [0072]    This is a very quick means of accomplishing identification of the valuable metals  46  in the bottom  12   b  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. 
         [0073]    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. 
         [0074]    metal detection electronics  42   
         [0075]    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. 
         [0076]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.