Patent Publication Number: US-6910396-B2

Title: Hand-held multi-task device for detecting warfare and strategic traps

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT patent application PCT/IL01/00407 filed May 9, 2001, and claims priority therefrom. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hand-held multi-task device for detecting warfare and strategic traps. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held multi-task device that is especially useful for military or police purposes when it is necessary to search an area and/or object suspected of having concealed mines, grenades, suspension wires wired to explosive devices, or other strategic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of means for detecting mines, booby traps and other explosives are known in the art. Each of these known means is configured and designed for the detection of a particular known type of explosive or trap. 
     However, since numerous explosives and traps can be put in one area, a soldier (a “soldier” is meant to imply a soldier or any other military or police personnel) has to be equipped with several detecting tools and must operate them simultaneously if the threat of accidentally triggering an explosive is to be eliminated in an effective manner. For example, the soldier might be required to carry and simultaneously operate a tool for detecting mines or grenades in or on the ground, a tool for detecting above-waist suspension wires, as well as a tool for detecting below-waist suspension wires (suspension wires are usually connected to explosives that detonate upon disturbance of the wire). The detecting tools can be both cumbersome and uncomfortable for the soldier. Furthermore, since the soldier often has to operate multiple tools at the same time, the job cannot be done as effectively as would be desired, thereby posing a threat to the soldier and to those who pass through the area at a later time. In many cases, it is necessary for more than one soldier to search the same section of land, so that each soldier may be given a specific tool for detecting a particular sort of explosive or trap. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide a hand-held multi-task device for simultaneously detecting different types of explosives or strategic traps. The present invention may enable, without limitation, efficient detection of above-waist suspension wires, below-waist suspension wires, and mines, grenades or other booby traps that detonate upon disturbance. The device may be easily and effectively operated by one soldier. The device may be stored in a compact and convenient form when not in use. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention a hand-held multi-task device comprising a handle, a pendulum pivotally attached to the handle, an adjustable-length rod attached to the handle, and at least one prodder attached to the handle. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the at least one prodder comprises a plurality of modular connector elements, which are joinable together to form a desired length. 
     Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the pendulum comprises a cord with a weighted element attached thereto. 
     Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention at least one of the pendulum, the rod and the at least one prodder is storable in the handle. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention one of the modular connector elements comprises a ring member, which may be detachable from the modular connector element. 
     Further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the at least one prodder is detachable from the handle. 
     Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the invention the at least one prodder comprises a tip at an end thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is herein described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the weighted element suspended from the handle; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the second prodder attached to the handle; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     It should be appreciated that the detailed description that follows is provided to describe certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It in no way is intended to limit the scope of the invention, as set out in the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the hand-held multi-task device of the present invention may include a handle  5  of any arbitrary shape, such as but not limited to, a rectangular shape. Handle  5  may be adapted to receive therein components of the device to be described below such that the device can assume a compact and convenient form for example, for storage in a pocket or knapsack. The device may have various components that enable multiple tasks to be performed simultaneously. A cord  7  with a weighted element  10  attached thereto, may be attached to or disposed in handle  5 . Cord  7  and weighted element  10  may form a pendulum when suspended from the handle  5  for the purpose of detecting below-the-waist obstacles or suspension wires, which would otherwise be invisible to the eye or barely noticeable. Any obstacle or suspension wire upon contacting the pendulum formed of cord  7  and weighted element  10 , disturbs the pendulum, which disturbance is easily detectable by a user holding the device. The user may adjust the length of cord  7  to any desired length. When not in use, cord  7  and weighted element  10  may be stored in handle  5 , such as in a recess  8  (seen best in FIG.  3 ). 
     The device may also be equipped with an adjustable length rod  3 , which may be particularly effective in detecting above-the-waist and overhead obstacles or suspension wires. When not in use, rod  3  may be folded or pivoted downward and received in a lateral slot  21  formed in handle  5 . Adjustable length rod  3  may be telescopic. 
     The device may also be equipped with a first prodder  20  having a pointed tip  15  for aiding in the detection and identification of suspicious objects. The pointed tip  15  may be formed of any suitable material, such as but not limited to, metal or plastic. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a second prodder  9  may be provided, which may be attached at one end thereof to handle  5 , by any attachment means, such as but not limited to, a pinned joint or screw connection. The second prodder  9  may aid in detection and identification of suspicious objects on the ground. The second prodder  9  may comprise a plurality of modular connector elements  1 . Modular connector elements  1  may be of equal or different sizes, shapes and lengths, and may be joined together by any suitable means, such as but not limited to, press-fit connections, half-turn fits or screw threads, so as to form second prodder  9  of any desired length. A tip  14 , formed of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material, may be connected at the end of second prodder  9 . One of modular connector elements  1  may comprise a detachable ring member  12  for receiving therethrough a user&#39;s finger. 
     Handle  5  may comprise gripping means, such as but not limited to, a series of indentations  11  located on the bottom side of handle  5 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , it is seen that first prodder  20  may be folded into a space  25  formed in handle  5 . Dotted lines a and b indicate the manner in which first prodder  20  and rod  3 , respectively, may be folded into handle  5 . It should also be noted that rod  3  appears in  FIG. 2  in a lengthened, extended form, as opposed to  FIG. 1 , in which rod  3  is shown in a shortened, contracted form. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a spring  30   a , spiral pin  30   b  or any combination thereof or other appropriate means, may be employed to enable folding rod  3  and first prodder  20  into their respective receiving portions of handle  5 . A pin  30   c  may be used to form a pin connection to enable attaching and detaching second prodder  9  to and from handle  5 . 
     It is noted that in  FIG. 3 , for the sake of convenience, second prodder  9  is illustrated incorporating fewer modular connector elements  1  than the second prodder  9  of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  2 . Second prodder  9  may be lengthened or shortened according to the needs of the user. First prodder  20  may be provided as a separate component of the device, and may be detachable from the device. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , when weighted element  10  is not in use, cord  7  may be wound around a portion of weighted element  10  to allow for storage inside the handle  5 . It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this arrangement and other storage arrangements are possible within the scope of the invention. 
     Furthermore, as it would be evident to those skilled in the art, other aspects of the invention may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention, as set out in the claims.