# US 7,612,682 B2 · Locator with removable antenna portion

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- Number: US 7,612,682 B2
- Document ID: US7612682B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/445,085
- Filed: 2006-05-31
- Published: 2007-01-18
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-06-07
- Assignees: Metrotech Corporation
- Inventors: Greg Staples; George Crothall; James W. Walte
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7612682B2

## CPC

- G01V 3/15: specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)

## Abstract

A locator is disclosed that includes a base module and an antenna module. The base module and antenna module are coupled both mechanically and electrically at a joint. Such an arrangement allows for easy stowage and shipment of the locator as well as the ability, by interchanging antenna modules, to provide multi-functional locators.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A locator that locates underground objects, comprising:
a base module; and
an antenna module,
wherein the base module and the antenna module are electrically and mechanically coupled in a removable fashion to form the locator; and
wherein the locator is able to locate underground objects only when the base module and the antenna module are coupled.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The locator of claim 1, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The locator of claim 1, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.

### Claim 4

A base module of a locator, comprising:
electronics for receiving and processing data from an antenna module to locate an underground object;
an electrical coupler for accepting an electrical connection to the antenna module; and
a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling to the antenna module;
wherein the base module is able to locate an underground object only when coupled with the antenna module.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The base module of claim 4, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The base module of claim 4, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.

### Claim 7

An antenna module for a locator, comprising:
at least one electromagnetic field detector;
an electrical coupler for accepting an electrical connection to a base module, the base module receiving signals from the at least one electromagnetic field detector to locate an underground object; and
a mechanical coupler for mechanically coupling to the base module;
wherein the locator is able to locate an underground object only when the base module and the at least one electromagnetic field detector are coupled.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The antenna module of claim 7, wherein the locator is a line locator that locates underground conductors.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The antenna module of claim 7, wherein the locator is a marker locator that locates underground markers.