Minelab Coil Patent Application

[VicR]

Interesting that Minelab have just applied in Australia for a new patent titled "A Metatl Detector Coil". See below screen shot of the application.

Now i am guessing that "Metatl" is suppose to be "Metal" and it is just a typing error and it should read "A Metal Detecting Coil".

Anyway - still interesting as Minelab normally don't try to patent coils - usually the patents are for "an improved metal detector".  The general consensus on this forum is that Minelab is not in the business of making exceptional coils - they leave that to the after market specialists while they mainly focus on the development of metal detectors . Looks like that may change in the future.

 

[phrunt]

Must be for the new Equinox 1000 🙂  Great news, it means dramatic changes are coming.

[VicR]

Yes - could well be to do with a new generation of VLF detector - or it could be something else entirely out of left field. (translation of left field = something we don't know, we don't know)

[GotAU?]

You know what this means? The GPXRF coil is coming and there will be no more lead detecting! 😁

[rvpopeye]

Or maybe we DO know what it means.....an "improved" wireless coil  ?

[phrunt]

We do know new models of VLF are coming from their annual report, I don't think any new gold machines are coming, there was no hint of it.

If they've improved VLF coils enough to need a patent it can only be a good thing, as long as it's not for "an improved wireless coil"  Then I'd cry 🙂

[GotAU?]

2 hours ago, phrunt said:

We do know new models of VLF are coming from their annual report, I don't think any new gold machines are coming, there was no hint of it.

If they've improved VLF coils enough to need a patent it can only be a good thing, as long as it's not for "an improved wireless coil"  Then I'd cry 🙂

Wireless coils would be expensive and very limited. And the used market for wireless coils will be very risky, internal lithium batteries and more electronics to go bad. That would be a terrible idea.

[VicR]

Not sure a wireless coil would be a great leap forward - i would be just thinking its just another gadget that i have to ensure is fully charged before going on a hunt.

Think outside the square - how about a coil that can be adjusted in size? - two coils for the price of one.

[phrunt]

A coil that maintains normal performance while employing better EMI mitigation techniques would be a giant leap forward.

Now we're moving into a multi frequency world with our detectors EMI is increasingly becoming more of a problem.  It might not be physical shielding that solves the problem, it might be solved electronically.

[GotAU?]

Too bad Minelab didn’t get the patent on these, they would’ve been awesome coils!

https://www.hammacher.com/product/metal-detecting-sandals