US 12,265,194 B2
Systems and methods for locating a metal object
Bruce Eidinger, Meriden, CT (US); Yong Cushing, Beacon Falls, CT (US); Michael Murray, Vernon, CT (US); and Bianca Linay, Waldwick, NJ (US)
Assigned to Stanley Black & Decker Inc., New Britain, CT (US)
Filed by Stanley Black & Decker Inc., New Britain, CT (US)
Filed on Jul. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/221,630.
Application 18/221,630 is a continuation of application No. 17/378,888, filed on Jul. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,740,379.
Application 17/378,888 is a continuation of application No. 16/663,960, filed on Oct. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,067,714, issued on Jul. 20, 2021.
Application 16/663,960 is a continuation of application No. 16/224,063, filed on Dec. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,908,312, issued on Feb. 2, 2021.
Application 16/224,063 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/632,175, filed on Jun. 23, 2017, granted, now 10,571,423, issued on Feb. 25, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/354,176, filed on Jun. 24, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2023/0358913 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. G01V 3/165 (2006.01)
CPC G01V 3/165 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stud finder, comprising:
a housing;
a capacitive sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a change in capacitance;
a charging capacitor;
a sampling capacitor;
a charge transfer engine configured to measure a capacitive change in the capacitive sensor; and
an indicator configured to indicate the presence of a stud to a user;
wherein the stud finder is configured to have a charge phase in which the charging capacitor charges the capacitive sensor; and
wherein the stud finder is configured to have a transfer phase in which charge from the capacitive sensor is transferred to the sampling capacitor.