Metal detectors, components of metal detectors, and methods of detecting metal

A ground search metal detector, comprising:

• a shaft,
• a probe, and
• a dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece is a one-piece structure,
• the probe comprising at least a first electromagnetic coil,
• the first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field upon electric current being passed through the first electromagnetic coil,
• the shaft attached to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece,
• the probe attached to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece,
• the ground search metal detector configured to be adjusted between at least a first arrangement and a second arrangement, wherein:
• in the first arrangement:
• the shaft is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a first pivot axis, the first pivot axis does not extend through the probe, and
• the probe is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a second pivot axis, the second pivot axis does not extend through the probe, the second pivot axis non-parallel with respect to the first pivot axis, and
• in the second arrangement:
• the probe is prevented from pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, and
• the shaft is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about the first pivot axis.

A probe assembly for a ground search metal detector, the probe assembly comprising:

• a probe,
• a dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, and
• at least a first connector,
• the probe comprising at least a first electromagnetic coil,
• the first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field upon electric current being passed through the first electromagnetic coil,
• the probe attached to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece,
• the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece is a one-piece structure comprising a first region and a second region,
• the first region defining at least a first substantially cylindrical space, the first substantially cylindrical space having a first axis of substantial symmetry,
• the second region defining at least a second substantially cylindrical space, the second substantially cylindrical space having a second axis of substantial symmetry,
• the second axis of substantial symmetry skew and substantially perpendicular with respect to the first axis of substantial symmetry,
• the dual axis-defining junction piece is attached to the probe by the first connector,
• the first connector is adjustable between at least a first connector pivotable position and a first connector non-pivotable position,
• with the first connector in the first connector pivotable position, the probe is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about the first axis of substantial symmetry,
• with the first connector in the first connector non-pivotable position, the probe is prevented from pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece.

A method of searching for ground metal, comprising:

• causing a shaft of a ground search metal detector to pivot relative to a dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a first pivot axis, the ground search metal detector comprising the shaft, the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, and a probe, the probe comprising at least a first electromagnetic coil, the first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field upon electric current being passed through the first electromagnetic coil,
• causing the probe of the ground search metal detector to pivot relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a second pivot axis, the second pivot axis non-parallel with respect to the first pivot axis,
• the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece is a one-piece structure comprising a first pivot axis-defining region and a second pivot axis-defining region,
• the first pivot axis-defining region defines the first pivot axis, the first pivot axis does not extend through the probe, and
• the second pivot axis-defining region defines the second pivot axis, the second pivot axis does not extend through the probe.

A method of searching for ground metal, comprising:

• adjusting a first connector from a first connector pivotable arrangement to a first connector non-pivotable arrangement,
• the first connector attaching a shaft of a ground search metal detector to a dual axis-defining junction piece of the ground search metal detector, the ground search metal detector comprising the first connector, the shaft, the dual axis-defining junction piece and a probe, the probe comprising at least a first electromagnetic coil, the first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field upon electric current being passed through the first electromagnetic coil, the probe attached to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece is a one-piece structure,
• the probe capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a first pivot axis, the first pivot axis does not extend through the probe,
• with the first connector in the first connector pivotable arrangement, the shaft is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a second pivot axis, the second pivot axis does not extend through the probe, the second pivot axis non-parallel with respect to the first pivot axis, and
• with the first connector in the first connector non-pivotable arrangement, the shaft is prevented from pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece.

A method of searching for ground metal, comprising:

• adjusting a first connector from a first connector pivotable arrangement to a first connector non-pivotable arrangement,
• the first connector attaching a probe of a ground search metal detector to a dual axis-defining junction piece of the ground search metal detector, the ground search metal detector comprising the first connector, the probe, the dual axis-defining junction piece and a shaft, the probe comprising at least a first electromagnetic coil, the first electromagnetic coil configured to generate a magnetic field upon electric current being passed through the first electromagnetic coil, the shaft attached to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece, the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece is a one-piece structure,
• the shaft capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a first pivot axis, the first pivot axis does not extend through the probe,
• with the first connector in the first connector pivotable arrangement, the probe is capable of pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece about a second pivot axis, the second pivot axis does not extend through the probe, the second pivot axis non-parallel with respect to the first pivot axis, and
• with the first connector in the first connector non-pivotable arrangement, the probe is prevented from pivoting relative to the dual pivot axis-defining junction piece.