Patent ID: 7197925

Claim:
Wind indicator apparatus for indicating air flow comprising: a direction pointer, including a vane member, for providing a visible indication of air flow direction; pivoting means including a fixed portion for coupling to a sailing craft and a pivotable portion able to pivot with respect to said fixed portion and with which said direction pointer is entrained for movement therewith; and a counterbalance extending from said pivotable portion of said pivoting means and arranged to move therewith, the mass of the counterbalance being disposed so as to maintain the direction pointer in a substantially level position; wherein said pivoting means comprises a ball and cup joint in which said fixed portion comprises a cup member and said pivotable portion comprises a ball member arranged to roll within the cup member, the cup member comprising a ring having an internal profile matched to the shape of the outer circumference of the ball member, said ring being horizontal in the neutral position.