Compass with improved reading precision

• US 8,296,960 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2011
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brunton International LLC
• Original Assignee: Fenix Outdoor AB (Fenix Outdoor International AG)
• Inventors: Iden, Marlin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US13/181,749
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 333/55.R, 333/55.D, 333/56, 333/64, 116/327, 116/328
• US Class Current: 33/355.R
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/04 with north-seeking magnetic elements, e.g. needles

Abstract

A recreational or outdoor compass is comprised of a base member and a vial assembly pivotally coupled to said base member. The vial assembly comprises a vial with an orienting marker and a magnetized indicator member journaled in the vial and pointing to magnetic north, the indicator member having through hole. The orienting marker has an outer contour, wherein the shape of the outer contour of the orienting marker essentially corresponds to the shape of the inner contour of the through hole, such that the outer contour of the orienting marker virtually matches the inner contour of the through hole when pointing northwards.

Claims

1. A compass comprising

a base member;

and a vial assembly pivotally coupled to said base member, the vial assembly comprising;

a vial with at least one orienting marker;

an azimuth ring; and

a magnetized indicator member journaled in the vial, the magnetized indicator member pointing to magnetic north;

wherein the magnetized indicator member comprises a through hole; and

the orienting marker has an outer contour, wherein the shape of the outer contour of the orienting marker essentially corresponds to the shape of the inner contour of the through hole, such that outer contour of the orienting marker virtually matches the inner contour of the through hole when pointing northwards.

2. The compass of claim 1, wherein the outer contour of the orienting marker and the inner contour of the through hole are of a circular shape.

3. The compass of claim 2, wherein the circular shaped contours further comprise matching indentations.

4. The compass of claim 3, wherein the indentations point northwards.

5. The compass of claim 1, wherein the magnetized indicator member is a needle comprising a north endue.

6. The compass of claim 5, wherein the needle comprises a south end.

7. The compass of claim 6, wherein the through hole is positioned at one end of the needle.

8. The compass of claim 1, wherein an N is placed within the contour of the orienting marker.

9. The compass of claim 8, wherein the contour of the orienting marker is at least partially filled with a color silhouetted against the N.

10. The compass of claim 1, wherein the vial is transparent.

11. The compass of claim 1, wherein the vial is filed with a damping fluid.