Patent ID: 7357183

Claim:
An apparatus for retrieving a metal object comprising: a cylindrical housing with an inner part, said housing having a first wall, wherein said housing has a radial open end and a closed end; a sleeve concentrically disposed within said housing, said sleeve being constructed of a non-magnetic conduction material, said sleeve having a proximal end and a distal radial end; a magnet disposed within said sleeve, said magnet having a north pole and a south pole; a container disposed within said sleeve, said container having a second wall, wherein said container having a closed end and a radial open end, and wherein said open end defines a cavity, and wherein said radial open end of said housing, said distal radial end of said sleeve, and said radial open end of said container are flush; wherein said first wall defines a first pathway for magnetic lines of flux for the north pole of the magnet and wherein said second wall defines a second pathway for magnetic lines of flux for the south pole of the magnet so that an annular magnetic field is formed about said flush radial open end of said housing, said distal radial end of said sleeve, and said radial open end of said container.