EP4357724A1 - Sport and play apparatus and rotation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sports and game device for a throwing or shooting game, comprising • a target with a circular target surface which is divided in the circumferential direction into a number n of equally sized circular sectors, wherein at least part of the target is rotatably mounted, • an actuator operatively connected to the target for generating a rotation of at least part of the target by an angular step α < 360° • a control device operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator, and • at least one sensor operatively connected to the control device which is designed to detect a hit on the target surface and to transmit a signal to the control device.The invention further relates to a rotating device for receiving and rotating a target of a throwing or shooting game with a circular target surface.

Description

The invention relates to a sports and game device for a throwing or shooting game, which has a rotatable target with a circular target surface and a sensor for detecting hits on the target surface. The invention also relates to a rotating device for receiving and rotating a target of a throwing or shooting game with a circular target surface.

Darts is a game of skill and a precision sport in which arrows (darts) are thrown at a round disk (the dartboard). The front of the dartboard serves as the target. The back of the dartboard is used to attach the dartboard, for example to a wall. The target area is divided into 20 circular sector-shaped target sectors with values from 1 to 20, each 18° (20 x 18° = 360°). The center of the dartboard is the single bull and the bull's eye. There are also two surrounding rings of different diameters, namely the double ring (doubles the value of the field) on the outer diameter of the target area and the triple ring (triple the value of the field) between the center of the dartboard and the outer diameter.

In classic dartboards made of sisal fibers, the segments are separated by a wire net along the segment boundaries. This wire construction is called a spider. Similarly, the numbers are attached to a wire ring that is attached to the edge of the dartboard using clamp connectors. Each player usually has only one set of three darts at his disposal.

During the game, the player throws his three darts, goes to the dartboard, picks up his darts and makes room for the next player. During training, the darts must be removed from the dartboard as soon as the number of darts in the dartboard becomes too large and the darts prevent further possible hits. The continuity with which a user trains is therefore often interrupted.

Another problem is the uneven wear of a dartboard, caused by the fact that higher-value fields or fields adjacent to them are hit more often and thus wear more than others. This affects both so-called steel dartboards, which are hit with darts with steel tips, and soft dartboards, which are hit with darts with plastic tips and have built-in electronics for scoring.

Devices are known in the art which reveal a rotating dartboard or a dartboard with a rotating target surface.

On the one hand, it is suggested to rotate the dartboard by a certain angle in order to achieve as even wear as possible between games.

For example, the CN 106940154 B a detachable dartboard rotating device comprising a dartboard and a positioning structure. The dartboard is equipped with a first positioning module. The positioning structure may comprise a pivot and a second positioning module mounted on the surface of the positioning structure are provided. The axis of the dartboard is detachably rotatably supported on the pivot, and the first positioning module and the second positioning module are combined to position the dartboard. The detachable dartboard rotating device of the present invention enables the dartboard to be rotated so that the smaller hitting area of the dart hole is below the red center, so that the dartboard can continue to be used and thus the life of the dartboard is extended.

The CN106949789A describes an automatic electronic turntable. The automatic rotating electronic target includes a target body seat, a circular target body frame, and a circular stepped ring pressure plate, a circle of gear teeth is arranged on the side surface of the seat, a motor is fixedly installed on the target body seat, a gear is fixedly installed on an output shaft of the motor, an opening is formed in the side wall of a first groove between the motor and the seat, the gear is engaged with the gear teeth on the side surface of the seat through the opening, and a controller is connected to the motor. According to the automatic electronic turntable, electronic control of the disk frame of the electronic turntable is realized, and a stepping motor is used, so that the rotation angle is accurate and the product quality is ensured.

In addition to automatically rotating dartboards, manually rotating devices are also known, for example from the GB 2471337 B , the GB2234186A or the US 7 866 668 B2 .

Devices that include a dartboard that can be rotated during a game to increase the fun of the game are also known.

For example, the DE 196 51 703 C2 a dartboard having a lower portion with a number of control buttons and an upper portion with displays for presenting data showing the state of a game, and a back wall to which a dartboard is attached. The dartboard is mounted on the wall for rotation. A fixed plate attached to the back wall carries a rotating plate on a shaft and ball bearing. The fixed plate carries a series of electrical slide tracks. The rotating plate carries a corresponding number of slide pins which are in electrical contact with the slide tracks as the rotating plate rotates. The dartboard can be motorized or manually rotated.

Finally, the US 3 836 148 A an automatic scoring dartboard that uses darts with magnets attached to them to throw at a dartboard. The dartboard is pivotally mounted on a frame and is driven by an electric motor that rotates the dartboard at a slow speed. A plurality of magnetically actuated switches are located behind the rotating dartboard in alignment with the dartboard's grooves so that the magnets and darts are rotated by a switch, thereby operating the switch that triggers the score on the visual display.

The invention is based on the object of providing a sports and game device and a rotating device which enable more effective training.

The object is solved by the features of independent patent claim 1 and independent patent claim 19. Further expedient embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

• eine Zielscheibe mit einer kreisrunden Zielfläche, die in Umfangsrichtung in eine Anzahl n gleich großer Kreissektoren unterteilt ist, wobei zumindest ein Teil der Zielscheibe drehbar gelagert ist,
• einen mit der Zielscheibe in Wirkverbindung stehenden Aktor zur Erzeugung einer Drehung zumindest eines Teils der Zielscheibe um einen Winkelschritt α < 360°,
• eine mit dem Aktor in Wirkverbindung stehende Steuerungseinrichtung zur Ansteuerung des Aktors, und
• mindestens einen mit der Steuerungseinrichtung in Wirkverbindung stehenden Sensor, der dazu ausgebildet ist, einen Treffer der Zielfläche zu detektieren und ein Signal an die Steuerungseinrichtung zu übermitteln.

To solve this problem, a sports and game device for a throwing or shooting game is proposed, comprising

• a target with a circular target surface which is circumferentially divided into a number n of equal-sized circular sectors, wherein at least part of the target is rotatably mounted,
• an actuator operatively connected to the target for generating a rotation of at least part of the target by an angular step α < 360°,
• a control device operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator, and
• at least one sensor which is operatively connected to the control device and which is designed to detect a hit on the target surface and to transmit a signal to the control device.

Preferably, the target area is divided circumferentially into n = 20 equal-sized circular sectors of 18° each.

The rotation of a part of the target is advantageously carried out around the center of the target area. In particular, the part of the target is rotated which is formed by the target area, whereby parts of the target that do not belong to the target area are fixed. Alternatively, other areas of the target can also be rotated, such as a housing and/or an edge area and/or a number ring to indicate the value of the individual areas of the target area.

The sports and game device according to the invention is preferably designed in the manner of a soft dartboard or in the manner of a steel dartboard.

It can be provided that the actuator is an electric motor, for example a servo motor.

It can also be provided that the actuator drives at least one drive pinion that is operatively connected to the target. Advantageously, this makes it possible to precisely define the angular step by which the drive pinion must be rotated in order to cause the target or part of the target to rotate by the desired angular step α.

Alternatively, the actuator can drive a belt transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, the target is held by two or more rotating holding rollers on an edge that borders the target. This advantageously represents a particularly stable form of storage, particularly given that commercially available dartboards are often very heavy.

It can further be provided that at least one holding roller is simultaneously designed as a drive pinion.

Preferably, the drive pinion is a toothed pinion which is operatively connected to a toothing arranged on the target.

In particular, the teeth are arranged on the edge(s) defining the target.

Alternatively, the drive pinion may be designed as a friction wheel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuator drives a shaft that is operatively connected to the center of the target surface and simultaneously serves to rotatably mount the target. This design is particularly space-saving in its implementation.

It can be provided that the sensor is designed to detect a vibration triggered by a hit on the target surface.

It may be irrelevant where on the target surface the arrow is hit. A user of the sports and games device according to the invention can advantageously concentrate his training on a specific area of the target surface, whereby it can be assumed that he will at least come close to the desired area with his hits. By rotating the disc or part of the target after a signal or a certain number of signals have been sent to the control device, the area of interest that may be equipped with arrows is released for new arrows.

It is conceivable that the sensor, which is designed to To detect vibrations, the sensor has a detection field in a specific area of the target area. For example, the sensor can be arranged at a point behind the target area where the target area is hit particularly frequently. For example, when using the sports and games device according to the invention for intensive dart training, this can be the field of the circular sector arranged in the triple ring with the value 20, in which the highest score can be achieved in a regular game of darts. The sensor is advantageously not arranged in the area of the center of the target area, since this position remains unchanged by rotating the target.

It can further be provided that the sensor, which is designed to detect vibrations, is removable and can be attached by a user of the sports and play device according to the invention to any location on the back of the target area that is of interest to him.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the sensitivity of the sensor, which is designed to detect vibrations, is adjustable in order to reduce or enlarge the area of the target surface which is detected by the sensor.

Furthermore, it can be provided that several sensors are present, with each of the sensors being designed to detect vibrations that are triggered by a hit in a certain area of the target area. For example, in a conventional dartboard, each individual hit area of the target area can be connected to a sensor. so that a user of the sports and games device according to the invention can direct his training to any field of the target area. Directing the training to any field of the target area is also advantageously possible if only one sensor is arranged that detects vibrations in the entire target area.

It can also be provided that a sensor aimed at a specific field or several sensors aimed at different fields are coupled to a control unit that has artificial intelligence. In this way, it is conceivable that the target area will only be triggered to rotate further when the artificial intelligence has achieved a certain number of hits in a certain field or a certain number of points (determinable by the user), regardless of what other hits occurred or what hits were used to achieve the score.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sensor can be a camera whose detection field includes the target area. Advantageously, an exact area, for example individual fields of the target area, can be selected which is to be detected, whereby the area can be easily changed by the user of the sports and games device according to the invention.

Preferably, the control device activates the actuator after a number i of signals transmitted by the sensor, preferably after every three transmitted signals. This has the effect that after a certain number i, which represents the number of hits in the detection field of the sensor or the number of hits on the target area represents the target is rotated further by an angular step α < 360°. The sensor remains in its original position, whereby a new detection field is assigned to the sensor after the target has rotated. If exactly one sensor is arranged that is designed to detect a shock triggered by a hit on the target surface, this can also be rotated when the target is rotated or can be arranged in a fixed position.

It can be provided that the number i can be selected and adjusted by a user of the sports and play equipment.

It can further be provided that the control device can additionally activate the actuator based on a voice control and/or a sound control, for example triggered by clapping and/or whistling and/or snapping or comparable sounds, and/or by an input on an external device, for example in an app on a smartphone and/or a smartwatch and/or a tablet PC.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle α is an integer multiple of 360°/n, preferably one or two times 360°/n. Preferably, the target is rotated so far during a rotation that after the rotation the segments of the target surface are again in the same positions where other segments were before the rotation.

In a conventional dartboard, the angle α is an integer multiple of 18°, preferably 18° or 36°, where for an odd divisor n the color of the segments after the rotation does not match the color of the segments that were in a position before the rotation, while for an even divisor n the positioning of the colors on the target area in the selected circle segment remains.

The rotation can be clockwise or counterclockwise.

It can be provided that the angle α can be selected and adjusted by a user of the sports and play equipment.

It can also be provided that a display device is arranged outside the target area to show the point values assigned to the sectors. This can be a number ring, for example.

The display device is arranged so that it is either non-rotatable or optionally rotatable and fixable.

For example, an additional detachably attached non-rotatable cover can be arranged, which covers a display device arranged on the sports and games equipment, wherein the cover can also be designed to display point values assigned to the sectors.

In a preferred embodiment, the sports and games device further comprises a holder for attaching the sports and games device to a wall or to a tripod.

Preferably, the sensor, the actuator and the control device are arranged on the holder and the target can be attached to the holder in an interchangeable manner.

Advantageously, conventional targets can be upgraded with the sports and games device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the holder preferably has damping means for dampening vibrations of the target surface.

• eine Halterung zur Aufnahme und Fixierung der Zielscheibe
• einen Aktor zur Erzeugung einer Drehung der aufgenommenen Zielscheibe um einen Winkelschritt α < 360°,
• eine mit dem Aktor in Wirkverbindung stehende Steuerungseinrichtung zur Ansteuerung des Aktors, und
• mindestens einen mit der Steuerungseinrichtung in Wirkverbindung stehenden Sensor, der dazu ausgebildet ist, einen Treffer der Zielfläche zu detektieren und ein Signal an die Steuerungseinrichtung zu übermitteln.

The object is further achieved by a rotating device for receiving and rotating a target of a throwing or shooting game with a circular target surface, the rotating device comprising

• a holder for holding and fixing the target
• an actuator for generating a rotation of the recorded target by an angular step α < 360°,
• a control device operatively connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator, and
• at least one sensor which is operatively connected to the control device and which is designed to detect a hit on the target surface and to transmit a signal to the control device.

The rotating device is constructed in a similar way to the sports and game device according to the invention, whereby the target is not part of the rotating device and can be attached to the rotating device separately. In this way, the invention offers a retrofit solution for existing targets, which makes it possible to rotate the targets after a certain number of hits have been detected.

The actuator of the rotating device can be an electric motor, for example a servo motor, whereby it can be provided that the actuator drives at least one drive pinion that can be brought into operative connection with the target. Advantageously, it is thus possible to define exactly in which angular step the drive pinion must be rotated in order to cause the target or part of the target to rotate by the desired angular step α.

Alternatively, the actuator can drive a belt transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotating device has two or more rotatable holding rollers between which a target can be accommodated in such a way that the target is held by the holding rollers at an edge that borders the target. This advantageously represents a particularly stable form of storage, particularly given that commercially available dartboards are often very heavy.

It can further be provided that at least one holding roller is simultaneously designed as a drive pinion.

Preferably, the drive pinion is a toothed pinion which is operatively connected to a toothing which can be attached to the target.

Alternatively, the drive pinion may be designed as a friction wheel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuator drives a device connected to the center of the target surface in A shaft that can be attached to the active connection and also serves as a rotating support for the target. This design is particularly space-saving in its implementation.

It can be provided that the sensor is designed to detect a vibration triggered by a hit on the target surface of a target held in the rotating device.

Furthermore, it can be provided that several sensors are present, wherein each of the existing sensors is designed to detect vibrations triggered by a hit in a certain area of the target surface.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the sensor is a camera whose detection field includes the target surface of a recorded target.

Preferably, the control device activates the actuator after a number i of signals transmitted by the sensor, preferably after three signals transmitted. This causes the target to be rotated further by an angular step α < 360° after a certain number i, which represents the number of hits in the sensor's detection field or the number of hits on the target surface. The sensor remains in its original position, whereby a new detection field is assigned to the sensor after the target has been rotated. If exactly one sensor is arranged that is designed to detect a shock triggered by a hit on the target surface, this can be rotated the target can also be rotated or fixed in place.

It can be provided that the number i can be selected and adjusted by a user of the rotating device.

It can further be provided that the control device can additionally activate the actuator based on a voice control and/or a sound control, for example triggered by clapping and/or whistling and/or snapping or comparable sounds, and/or by an input on an external device, for example in an app on a smartphone and/or a smartwatch and/or a tablet PC.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle α is an integer multiple of 360°/n, preferably one or two times 360°/n. Preferably, the target is rotated so far during a rotation that after the rotation the segments of the target surface are again in the same positions where other segments were before the rotation.

In a conventional dartboard, the angle α is an integer multiple of 18°, preferably 18° or 36°, whereby with an odd divider n the color of the segments after the rotation does not match the color of the segments which were in a position before the rotation, while with an even divider n the positioning of the colors on the target surface remains in the selected circle segment.

The rotation can be clockwise or counterclockwise take place.

It can be provided that the angle α can be selected and adjusted by a user of the rotating device.

It can also be provided that a display device for displaying the point values assigned to the sectors of the target is arranged on the rotating device. This can be a number ring, for example.

The display device is arranged so that it is either non-rotatable or optionally rotatable and fixable.

For example, an additional detachably attached non-rotatable cover can be arranged, which covers a display device arranged on the rotating device, wherein the cover can also be designed to display point values assigned to the sectors.

Advantageously, the holder of the rotating device also has damping means for dampening vibrations of the target surface of a mounted target.

Preferably, the sensor, the actuator and the control device are arranged on the holder and a target can be exchangeably attached to the holder.

Advantageously, the sports and games device according to the invention and the rotating device according to the invention offer the possibility of making training for a throwing or shooting game more effective. In particular, because the target of the sports and games device according to the invention After a certain number of hits, the arrows are rotated by a certain angle, allowing a user to throw a large number of arrows in a continuous sequence at a position where there is a field that normally only has space for three arrows. The arrows on the sports and game equipment need to be removed less often and the user experiences greater efficiency.

• Fig. 1: eine Vorderansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Sport- und Spielgeräts;
• Fig. 2: die Rückseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Sport- und Spielgeräts.

The invention is explained in more detail below using embodiments and associated drawings.

• Fig.1 : a front view of a sports and play device according to the invention;
• Fig.2 : the back of a sports and play device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a sports and play device according to the invention.

The sports and game device has a target 1 with a circular target surface 2. The target surface 2 is divided in the circumferential direction into a number n of equally sized circular sectors, which are interrupted by an inner ring 2.1 and an outer ring 2.2. The target 1 is mounted so as to be rotatable around the center of the target surface 2.

This involves a rotation, driven by a Figure 1 not recognizable actuator, by an angle step α < 360°. In the embodiment shown, an angle step α is exactly as large as the angle that a circular sector of the target surface 2. Thus, α is 18° in the embodiment shown. A rotation by the angular step α therefore results in the circular sectors being rotated by one position.

The target 1 is held on an edge 1.1 delimiting the target 1 by holding rollers 7, in the present embodiment by three holding rollers 7, one being arranged on the upper edge and two on the lower edge of the target 1. One of the lower holding rollers 7 is simultaneously designed as a drive pinion 6, which can set the target 1 in rotation.

Also in Figure 1 You can see the bracket 9, with which the sports and games equipment can be attached to a wall or to a tripod.

Figure 2 shows the back of a sports and games device according to the invention. An actuator 3 is arranged on the back of the target 1, which is operatively connected to a control device 4. The actuator 3 drives a drive pinion 6, which is arranged on the edge 1.1 of the target 1 and is simultaneously designed as a holding roller 7. In the embodiment shown, two further holding rollers 7 are formed on the edge 1.1 of the target 1, whereby the holding roller 7 arranged on the upper edge is adjustable in its position (indicated by a dashed representation) and can thus release the target 1 for removal from the sports and games device.

Also arranged on the back of the target 1 is a sensor 5, which is designed to detect vibrations to detect vibrations that are triggered by a hit on the target surface. As soon as the sensor 5 detects a shock and thus a hit, it transmits a signal to the control device 4, which activates the actuator 3 after a certain number i of transmitted signals and thus triggers the rotation of the target. The rotation preferably takes place after 3 hits, since the individual fields, especially in the area of the inner ring and the outer ring of the target surface (in Figure 1 Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2) are not large enough to accommodate more than three arrows. In particular, if an experienced user uses the sports and game device according to the invention to practice hitting a certain field, it can be assumed that a hit detected by the sensor 5 has also occurred in or near the targeted field and that a rotation by the angular step α frees up the area of interest for new arrows.

List of reference symbols

1

Target

1.1

Edge of the target

2

Target area

2.1

inner ring

2.2

outer ring

3

Actuator

4

Control device

5

sensor

6

Drive pinion

7

Holding rollers

8th

Display device

9

bracket

α

Angle step

Claims (20)

Sports and game equipment for a throwing or shooting game, comprising • a target (1) with a circular target surface (2) which is divided in the circumferential direction into a number n of equally sized circular sectors, wherein at least a part of the target (1) is rotatably mounted, • an actuator (3) operatively connected to the target for generating a rotation of at least a part of the target (1) by an angular step α < 360°, • a control device (4) operatively connected to the actuator (3) for controlling the actuator (3), and • at least one sensor (5) which is operatively connected to the control device (4) and which is designed to detect a hit on the target surface (2) and to transmit a signal to the control device (4). Sports and game device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (3) drives at least one drive pinion (6) operatively connected to the target (1). Sports and game equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the target (1) is attached to a target (1) delimiting edge (1.1) is held by two or more rotatable holding rollers (7). Sports and game equipment according to claims 2 and 3, wherein at least one holding roller (7) is simultaneously designed as a drive pinion (6). Sports and game device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the drive pinion (6) is a toothed pinion which is operatively connected to a toothing arranged on the target (1). Sports and game device according to claim 5, wherein the toothing is arranged on the/an edge (1.1) delimiting the target (1). Sports and games device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (3) drives a shaft which is operatively connected to the center of the target surface and which simultaneously serves to rotatably support the target (1). Sports and games device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor (5) is designed to detect a vibration triggered by a hit on the target surface. Sports and games equipment according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor (5) is a camera whose detection field includes the target area. Sports and game equipment according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control device (4) controls the actuator (3) after a number i of signals transmitted by the sensor (5), preferably after every three transmitted signals, activated. Sports and games device according to claim 10, wherein the number i is selectable and adjustable by a user of the sports and games device. Sports and game equipment according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the angle α is an integer multiple of 360°/n, preferably one or two times 360°/n. Sports and games equipment according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the angle α is selectable and adjustable by a user of the sports and games equipment. Sports and games equipment according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a display device (8) for displaying point values assigned to the sectors is arranged outside the target area. Sports and games equipment according to claim 14, wherein the display device (8) is arranged such that it is either non-rotatable or optionally rotatable and fixable. Sports and games equipment according to one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a holder (9) for attaching the sports and games equipment to a wall or to a tripod. Sports and game device according to claim 16, wherein the sensor (5), the actuator (3) and the control device (4) are arranged on the holder (9) and the target (1) is replaceably attached to the holder (9) can be attached. Sports and games equipment according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the holder (9) has damping means for dampening vibrations of the target surface. Rotating device for receiving and rotating a target of a throwing or shooting game with a circular target surface (2), the rotating device comprising • a holder (9) for holding and fixing the target • an actuator (3) for generating a rotation of the recorded target by an angular step α < 360°, • a control device (4) operatively connected to the actuator (3) for controlling the actuator (3), and • at least one sensor (5) which is operatively connected to the control device (4) and which is designed to detect a hit on the target surface (2) and to transmit a signal to the control device (4). Rotating device according to claim 19, wherein the holder (9) has damping means for dampening vibrations of the target surface.

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