New structural compass for recording structural data, areas and linears in the terrain

Abstract

The invention relates to a new structural compass for recording structural data, areas and linear lines in the terrain. The structural compass includes • a measuring base plate (1), • a support arm (3) connected thereto, which can be folded around a support arm axis (2b) by means of a hinge (2a), and which has a substantially U-shape, • to which a compass (4a) is attached, which can swing along a compass axis (4b) between the two sides of the U, • the compass has a pendulum weight (5) on its underside, and • a push button (6) for locking or unlocking the compass needle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a novel structural compass for recording structural data, areas, and linear lines in the terrain. In particular, surfaces (e.g., at rock edges) are to be measured / surveyed.

[0002] Well-known structural compasses are further developments of the geologist's compass, with which areas and linear lines (strike and dip) can be measured together in a single measurement step. This involves measuring the angle of inclination (relative to the horizontal) and the horizontal orientation.

[0003] Simple models are known, with a measuring base plate for placing against the surface to be measured, and a hinged surface section into which are permanently embedded: a compass with a compass needle, a lock button for locking the compass needle, and a circular button vial (spirit level). A protractor is attached to a hinge for measuring the angle between the horizontal and the surface to be measured. To do this, the surface section must first be folded so that the button vial indicates correct alignment in one of the two horizontal directions, so that the angle of inclination of the surface to be measured can be read. The compass is then aligned along the surface by rotating it on the stone so that the compass is also level in the second horizontal direction. This means there are degrees of freedom in two directions - which is why a button vial is required.In summary, two directions have to be set and read, which is disadvantageous and results in relatively large measurement errors.

[0004] Furthermore, two hands are disadvantageously required to press the measuring base plate against the edge of the rock and to operate the locking button (on the surface part in the plane of the compass, i.e. to lock the compass needle).

[0005] In addition, such known structural compasses cannot be used in the range of 0-360° inclination of the surface relative to the horizontal.

[0006] Overhead measurement is not possible.

[0007] DE 196 51 476 A1 describes a geologist's compass for determining the position of surfaces and lines relative to the Earth's gravity and magnetic field. It consists of a lockable compass ball enclosed in a housing with more than 60% visibility. A graduation and pole marking on the housing and compass ball allow geologically relevant values (strike, direction of incidence, angle of incidence, surface pole) to be read simultaneously in a single measurement. The compass can be operated with one hand and measured values can be "frozen." Furthermore, the compass can be used as an inclinometer, spirit level, or leveling device.

[0008] DE 18 11 579 U describes another magnetic compass for geological measurements.

[0009] US 2015 / 0 377 620 A1 discloses a compass for measuring geological features using individual compass configurations for each type of measurement. The compass comprises a base, a hinge assembly rotatably connected to the base, and a cover rotatably connected to the hinge assembly. The cover can be rotated about both a major axis and a minor axis of the compass. A sighting tube is located in a hollow bore of the hinge assembly, which can be used to sight directional bearings.

[0010] The objective of the invention is to develop a stable and foldable structural compass. It should allow for minor measurement errors when aligning the compass to the surface to be measured. Furthermore, it should be operable with one hand, allowing the compass to be pressed against the rock edge with the supporting hand at the same time.

[0011] It should be able to be used at any angle of inclination of the surface to be measured (deviation from the horizontal), i.e. at 0°-360°.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent subclaims.

[0013] The invention relates to a structural compass comprising: • a measuring base plate, • a support arm connected thereto, which can be folded around a support arm axis by means of a hinge and which has an essentially U-shape, • to which a compass is attached, which can swing along a compass axis (it runs between the two sides of the U) (from 0° to 360°), • the compass has a pendulum weight on its underside, and • a button for locking or unlocking the compass needle.

[0014] "Compass" in the sense of the invention is the part of a compass that includes the compass needle, the pin on which the compass needle can freely rotate, and the scale for the compass needle. It is circular and flat, meaning it is flat in the plane of the compass needle's movement.

[0015] The compass of the structural compass according to the invention can rotate 360° around the compass axis, as shown by the dashed circle in Fig. 2 in a preferred embodiment, since it swings freely between (essentially) U-shaped recesses formed by the U-shaped support arm. This free swinging within the meaning of the invention also includes the fact that the compass's swingability is only established by pressing a button. In any case, the compass is attached to the support arm in such a way that, when the structural compass is in use, free rotation around the compass axis can be achieved, at least temporarily.

[0016] As is usual with compasses, the compass needle is located inside the compass and is freely rotatable on a pin made of non-magnetizable material, such as chrome-nickel steel or stainless steel.

[0017] The compass axis runs from the left to the right suspension of the support arm. This suspension is located in the area of the end of each of the two legs of the U-shaped support arm. The compass is thus mounted on the support arm so it can rotate around the compass axis.

[0018] The "two sides of the U" are the two ends. Both ends of the U-shape form the compass mount. The compass axis runs between these two mounts of the U-shaped support arm.

[0019] The "support arm axis" (when the structural compass is folded) runs along a plane, on or parallel to the plane of the measuring base plate. In any case, the support arm and the measuring base plate can be folded toward each other, and the support arm axis has a hinge.

[0020] According to the invention, the pendulum weight always swings freely on the compass. It is designed as a freely swinging pendulum weight with a flat surface so that the compass can be folded. "Flat" means that the pendulum weight is wider than it is thick. Advantages

[0021] The advantage of the invention is that it only has one degree of freedom when it comes to alignment to the rock edge, because the freely swinging compass always aligns itself exactly horizontally. Therefore, the invention requires only an elongated tubular spirit level for manual alignment and no longer requires a circular button spirit level. This is because the manual alignment of the compass (when it is placed against the surface to be measured) only needs to be performed in one direction (rotation around the perpendicular to the surface); alignment can then be performed using a tubular spirit level. Human measurement error is inevitably reduced.

[0022] Furthermore, the structural compass can be operated with one hand and can be used for inclinations (i.e. tilts) of the surface to be measured in the range of 0-360°. Preferred embodiments

[0023] The measuring base plate can, for example, have a size of 8 cm × 7.5 cm, whereby bulges or holes are irrelevant and this size refers to the outer edges of the measuring base plate.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the pendulum weight is flat (i.e. thicker than wide or long) and 2-7mm thick (preferably even 2-4mm or even 2.5-3.5mm) and has the shape of a (suspended) semicircle or a U suspended (at the two U ends) (particularly preferred: suspended sickle shape).

[0025] For the sickle-shaped design, the sickle is preferably 6 mm thick ±10% (meaning "outer diameter of the sickle minus inner diameter of the sickle"). The inner radius can be, for example, 9 mm and the outer radius 15 mm.

[0026] Accordingly, in the semicircular design (flat), the diameter can be, for example, 30mm (±10%).

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pushbutton is designed to lock or unlock the compass needle and compass. The advantage of this design is that it facilitates one-handed and overhead operation. In this version, pressing this single pushbutton with the measuring base plate resting against the surface (in the locked position) locks all relevant measurement parameters, allowing them to be read and recorded later.

[0028] Particularly preferred is that the button is unlocked when pressed, so that the correct readings (for this, the compass needle and compass must be locked) can be recorded simply by releasing the button, resulting in hardly any change in the readings. The measurement error is correspondingly small. This means that without the button being pressed, the compass and compass needle (in this design) are locked, and when used on rock, the button is briefly pressed so that the compass needle and compass can adjust. The button is then released, and the readings remain locked and can then be read when the compass is brought back into view.

[0029] It also corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention if the support arm has a length of 3.7-4.7 cm between the support arm axis and the compass axis.

[0030] Other preferred dimensions of the support arm: In a preferred embodiment (according to Fig. 7) The (essentially) U-shape of the support arm consists of two angular projections at both ends of the U and a central section consisting of three semicircular segments (in the sense of an arched section, i.e., a wall section framed by a circular segment above doors and portals). The angular projections are particularly preferably 10 mm (±10% relative deviation) long.

[0031] The relative deviation at all points in the description text, if one is specified, can also be ±8% or even only ±5%.

[0032] The compass axis is logically located in the middle of this length. The thickness of the angular projections can be 5 mm (±10%).

[0033] The "depth" of the U-shape, i.e., measured from the end of the U to the bottom edge of the U-curvature, is preferably 28.3 mm (±10%). The width of the U-shape, i.e., from the outside of the left leg to the outside of the right leg, can preferably be 75 mm (±10%).

[0034] In the above-mentioned embodiment with angular projections, a distance of 2 mm between the angular projection and the central region is particularly preferred.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment, the compass includes a pendulum weight suspension (preferably elongated and axis-shaped) perpendicular to the compass axis, on which the pendulum weight can freely swing. This allows the structural compass to be folded up – for this purpose, the pendulum weight is preferably flat.

[0036] Most preferably, the pendulum weight has a thickness of 2-7mm (particularly preferably 2-5mm, 2-4mm, or even 2.5-3.5mm) and is shaped like a semicircle or U, with the semicircle or U hanging with the curve facing downwards on the underside of the compass. "Down" refers to the state when the compass is freely swinging. This means that regardless of the exact orientation of the compass during field use, the pendulum weight in this embodiment hangs with the curve facing downwards (relative to the curvature of the semicircle or the curvature of the U-shape).

[0037] In another preferred embodiment, the support arm and measuring base plate can span an angle α of 45-135° (or 90° ±35° or even just ±30°) when the compass is unfolded. This particularly applies to the fixed unfolded state shown below, in which this support arm angle α is reversibly fixed during use by inserting the locking pin into an opening.

[0038] It also corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention if the compass comprises a locking stand, which is pivotally attached to the support arm and has at least one locking pin (preferably 2-3, even 2) on its lower edge for insertion into an opening in the measuring base plate (ideally in the same number as there are locking pins). In this embodiment, the locking stand is capable of supporting the support arm on which the compass is located. This then corresponds to the "unfolded state" of the structural compass mentioned below.

[0039] The locking stand then ensures that a fixed angle is established between the measuring base plate and the support arm. It rests on the measuring base plate at a preferred angle of 90°, so that forces can be optimally transferred from it to the measuring base plate without the risk of the locking stand accidentally folding to the side. The locking pins and openings further secure this support effect and also prevent accidental folding. The advantage of the locking stand and the associated fixed angle α is that the tilt of the surface to be measured (that is, the deviation from the horizontal) can then be read off the hinge according to the invention.

[0040] It is particularly preferred in this embodiment if the locking stand has essentially the same U-shape as the support arm in terms of area (so that in the folded state with the support arm and locking stand lying against each other (as in Fig. 3) both the locking stand and the support arm have the same contours (in terms of the flat view) so that the compass finds its place without bumping into it.

[0041] This concerns (with regard to an exemplary implementation in Fig. 7) clearly not the width of the U-shaped locking stand (in Fig. 7 from left to right), but rather the curved part of the U. Even in the upright position (i.e., with the locking pins inserted into the openings), the compass, including the pendulum weight, should be able to swing freely without hitting the support arm or locking stand. Thus, in the upright position, the locking stand fixes an angle α, which is spanned between the measuring base plate and the support arm.

[0042] It is also particularly preferred in the aforementioned embodiment with locking stand, locking pin and opening, • if the locking stand is attached to the support arm with a stand hinge at the ends of the U of the U-shaped support arm in the upper half of the U (preferably at a distance of 0.8-1.1 cm measured from the compass axis), and • this stand hinge is attached parallel to the plane of the U-shaped support arm (i.e., viewed in cross-section: next to it), so that there is a thickening on the support arm (preferably on the side of the support arm that faces the measuring base plate when folded), and • the measuring base plate has a recess for this thickening.

[0043] In this preferred embodiment, the compass axis is not directly in the plane of the support arm, but deviates from it in the direction of the locking stand (preferably by 0.5 cm ± 10%) and the attachment of the locking stand is a further 0.5 cm ± 10% away from there (when viewed along the perpendicular to the plane of the support arm away from this plane).

[0044] The recess can consist of a circular cutout in the measuring base plate or only a (e.g. circular) recess in the measuring base plate.

[0045] The advantage is that the structural compass is foldable and flat.

[0046] Particularly preferably, in the above-mentioned embodiment with locking stand and locking pins, this locking stand (in cross-section) has a (roughly described) J-shape, so that the center of the stand hinge lies in the plane of the outer edge of the locking stand, as can be seen in Fig. 8 recognizable.

[0047] It is also a particularly preferred variant (of the above-mentioned design with locking stand, locking pin and opening) if a circular scale for reading an angle of the pendulum compass is attached to the support arm in the area of the compass axis.

[0048] "On the support arm in the area of the compass axis" means at the two ends of the U-shaped support arm that point towards the compass. These ends are sensibly rounded so that the scale can be applied evenly. The scale can be printed or engraved, for example. The scale sensibly covers 360°. The displayed angle corresponds (during use, i.e. when measuring an area by placing the measuring base plate against a rock fracture edge) to the angle that the rock fracture edge forms with respect to the horizontal. For this purpose, it is sensibly, as explained above, to fix the locking stand (by inserting the locking pin into the opening) so that the set support arm angle α is fixed and the reading on the scale works.

[0049] Another particularly preferred variant (of the above-mentioned design with locking post, locking pin, and opening) is when the locking post has a length of 2.1-2.4 cm (particularly preferably 2.33 mm ± 0.03 mm) between the center of the pivoting attachment on the support arm and its lower edge (i.e., measured from the center of the hinge to the end of the side of the locking post that faces the measuring base plate when unfolded (excluding the length of the locking pins)). The thickness is preferably 5 mm ± 10%.

[0050] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the measuring base plate, the support arm, and an annular housing of the compass are made of aluminum (except for the cover and underside of the compass). The pendulum weight is preferably made of brass. This advantageously makes the structural compass lightweight and easy to manufacture.

[0051] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the compass comprises a tubular vial running along the compass axis. A "tubular vial" is a tube-shaped enclosure for an air bubble in a liquid, similar to a spirit level. Because the compass freely swings on its support arm, one direction of the normally required circular button vials is eliminated, so that the invention advantageously uses a tubular vial, which reduces measurement errors during horizontal alignment. The tubular vial is particularly preferably curved upward in the middle ("up" refers to the freely swinging state during use).

[0052] Particularly preferred in this version with a tubular spirit level is a ring with a printed scale inside the compass, so that the compass can be seen through and the tubular spirit level can be seen from above and below the compass. This means that the compass needle can move freely in the middle of the ring. The advantage of this design is that it allows for overhead measurements. This is because scales on prior art composite compasses are printed on circular dials, which prevent the compass from being seen through. To align and view the spirit level, one would otherwise have to look down at the compass. In this version, however, the view from below is unobstructed through the ring with the printed scale (as in this embodiment of the invention) and onto the tubular spirit level. It is sensible for both the upper and lower covers of the compass to be transparent, for example made of glass or plastic.An opaque dial is wisely avoided. A top and bottom cover made of Plexiglas is also possible, preferably with a screen protector as a scratch-resistant coating.

[0053] The tube level can preferably be curved upwards so that its two ends point diagonally downwards (up / down again refers to the use of the compass in the field, i.e. with a freely swinging compass).

[0054] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pusher is arranged along an outer side of the U-shaped support arm and comprises: a pusher button, a pusher extension and a pusher piston, wherein (in a particularly preferred embodiment) the latter can press on a curved leaf spring within the compass so that the compass needle stops within the compass.

[0055] “Push button extension” is the connection between the push button and the push button piston and runs along the outside of the U-shaped support arm.

[0056] The "curved leaf spring" is connected to a compass needle brake, so that when the curved leaf spring comes into contact with the pusher piston, the curved leaf spring lifts in the area of the compass needle brake and brakes the compass needle and finally locks it so that the orientation of the compass needle can no longer change.

[0057] The "outer side" refers to the side of a support arm, preferably rectangular in shape, that faces away from the compass to the left and right, respectively. In particular, the pusher extension, which is ideally elongated to act as a lever, runs along this outer side and connects the force point of the pusher button with the force point of the pusher piston (the force point is the location of the force applied by, for example, the user's fingers or the pusher piston).

[0058] The extension along the outside of the U-shaped support arm preferably affects only one side of the U-shape. This allows the device to be operated with one hand. This single button can be used to lock or unlock both the compass needle and the pendulum compass.

[0059] The advantage of this design is that the compass can be operated particularly easily with one hand. The push button is located on an outer edge of the support arm, particularly preferably in the lower third of the support arm (close to the hinge that connects the measuring base plate and the support arm). The center of the push button is particularly preferably located between 2 and 2.5 cm from the outer edge of the measuring base plate. Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the structural compass in its erected state, in which the locking stand 8 ensures a fixed support arm angle α. Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of this embodiment, showing the pendulum weight 5 swinging on the underside of the compass 4a. For a folded state, it can be pivoted to the side, resulting in a flat, portable compass after folding up the locking stand 8. Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment with a view of the underside of the obliquely tilted compass, so that the pendulum weight 5 can be seen, which is attached to a pendulum weight suspension 7 on the underside of the compass 4a. Fig. 4 / left shows in this open state according to Fig. 3 the then visible locking pins 9 at the lower end of the locking stand and the corresponding openings 10 in the measuring base plate. If the locking pins are inserted into the openings, the locking stand stands firmly on the measuring base plate, as shown in Fig. 4 / shown right. Fig. Figure 5 shows the vertical cross-section through the compass in a preferred embodiment, wherein the pusher piston 11 (of the pusher) and the curved leaf spring 12 (of the compass) are visible. Fig. Figure 6 shows various views of the compass in a preferred embodiment, each in the folded (flat) state (left and right: opposite side views of the hinge 2a, bottom center: top view of the compass). The lower view also shows the compass axis 4b and the suspension axis 7b, to which the pendulum weight 5 is attached by means of a pendulum weight suspension. Both axes are at an angle of 90° to each other. Fig. Figure 7 shows the (essentially) U-shape of the support arm in a preferred embodiment with angular projections (at both ends of the U) and a three-part and semicircular central region (between both angular projections). Fig. Figure 8 shows a particularly preferred form of such a locking stand (for a preferred embodiment with a locking stand) in cross-section. The center of the stand hinge lies in the plane of an outer edge of the locking stand.

[0060] It is advisable to combine the different embodiments with one another, unless otherwise stated.

[0061] The invention will be explained in more detail below using several preferred embodiments. These are not intended to limit the invention. Examples of implementation

[0062] A first embodiment is shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The pendulum weight is semicircular. Fig. 8 shows a possible locking stand for this purpose.

[0063] A second embodiment is shown in detail in Fig. 5 shown.

[0064] A third embodiment with a sickle-shaped pendulum weight is shown in Fig. 6 and also Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0065] Fig. 7 shows (partially) another embodiment with a special shape of the support arm. Reference symbol 1 measuring base plate 2a Hinge (for connecting the measuring plate and support arm) 2b Support arm axis (rotation axis of the hinge (2a)) 3 support arm 4a Compass (with pendulum weight) 4b Compass axis (axis of rotation of the pendulum movement of the compass) 5 pendulum weight 6 push buttons 7 Pendulum weight suspension 7b Suspension axle (for pendulum weight) 8 locking stands 9 Locking pin 10 Opening (of the measuring base plate, for the locking pin) 11 pusher pistons 12 Curved leaf spring 13 Tube Dragonfly α Support arm angle (between measuring base plate and support arm)

Claims

[1] Structural compass, comprising: • a measuring base plate (1), • a support arm (3) connected thereto, which can be folded around a support arm axis (2b) by means of a hinge (2a) and which has a substantially U-shape, • to which a compass (4a) is attached, which can swing along a compass axis (4b) between the two sides of the U, • the compass has a pendulum weight (5) on its underside, and • a push button (6) for locking or unlocking the compass needle. [2] Compass according to claim 1, wherein the pusher (6) is designed to lock or unlock the compass needle and the compass (4a). [3] Compass according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the support arm (3) has a length of 3.7-4.7 cm between the support arm axis (2b) and the compass axis (4b). [4] Compass according to one of the two claims 1 to 3, wherein the compass (4a) comprises a pendulum weight suspension (7) perpendicular to the compass axis (4b), on which the pendulum weight (5) can swing freely. [5] Compass according to claim 4, wherein the pendulum weight (5) has a thickness of 2-7mm and has the shape of a semicircle or a U-shape, wherein the semicircle or U is attached with the curvature hanging downwards to the underside of the compass (4a). [6] Compass according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support arm (3) and the measuring base plate (1) can span an angle α of 45-135° in the unfolded state of the compass. [7] Compass according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a locking stand (8) which is pivotally attached to the support arm (3) and has at least one locking pin (9) on its lower edge for insertion into an opening (10) of the measuring base plate (1). [8] Compass according to claim 7, wherein the locking stand (8) has substantially the same U-shape as the support arm (3) in terms of area. [9] Compass according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the locking stand (8) is fastened to the support arm (3) by means of a stand hinge at the ends of the U of the U-shaped support arm (3) in the upper half of the U, and wherein this stand hinge is attached to the support arm (3) parallel to the plane of the U-shaped support arm, so that there is a thickening on the support arm (3), and wherein the measuring base plate (1) has a recess for this thickening. [10] Compass according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a circular scale for reading an angle of the pendulum compass (4a) is mounted on the support arm (3) in the region of the compass axis (4b). [11] Compass according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the locking stand (8) has a length of 2.1-2.4 cm between the center of the pivotable attachment to the support arm (3) and its lower edge. [12] Compass according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the measuring base plate (1), support arm (3) and an annular housing of the compass (4a) are made of aluminum. [13] Compass according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the compass (4a) comprises: a tube level (13) which runs along the compass axis (4b). [14] Compass according to claim 13, wherein a ring with a printed scale is provided inside the compass (4a) so that the compass (4a) can be seen through and the tube level (13) can be seen from above and below the compass (4a). [15] Compass according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pusher (6) is arranged along an outer side of the U-shaped support arm (3) and comprises: a pusher button, a pusher extension and a pusher piston (11) which can press on a curved leaf spring (12) inside the compass (4a) so that the compass needle stops inside the compass.

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