GB2084473A

GB2084473A - Dartboards

Info

Publication number: GB2084473A
Application number: GB8031740A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: NODOR CO Ltd
Current assignee: NODOR CO Ltd
Priority date: 1980-10-02
Filing date: 1980-10-02
Publication date: 1982-04-15
Also published as: GB2084473B

Abstract

A method of manufacturing the wiring which defines the scoring areas on a dartboard comprises bending two adjacent end portions of a wire or wires which form the wiring, so that perpendicular spikes (4) are formed. The spikes are joined by welding together at a position (5) out of the plane of the surface portion of the wire. The bend ends are inserted into the dartboard to locate the wire and the weld is then beneath the surface and will not obstruct a thrown dart. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to dartboards This invention relates to dartboards and in particular to the wiring located on the surface of dartboards to define the various scoring areas.

In high quality dartboards hard steel wire is used both for the circular wire rings and for the radial wires. These wires must be made accurately to size and must be accurately positioned on the playing surface, and a high degree of accuracy is particularly required in the circular wires which bound the doubles, trebles, and bullseye rings.

Typically these rings are closed by forming with a welded butt-joint, as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Three main problems arising from this method of joining the ends of the wire can be identified.

Firstly, the heat generated by the welding operation degrades the strength of the wire.

Depending on the type of alloy used, it may become either brittle or very soft. In either case the joint is easily broken by the impact of a dart.

Secondly, during the formation of the butt-joint the welded ends of the wire are forced together and produce an unsightly bulge.

Thirdly, the diameter of the finished ring, which must be accurate, is affected not only by its initial cut length, but also by the amount of compression of the wire ends during the welding operation.

Control of this amount when automatic production machinery is used, is not easy to achieve.

The present invention seeks to provide a method of joining the ends of wires for a dartboard in which these problems are reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing the wiring for a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising the steps of bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, bringing the bent ends into conjunction, securing the bent portions together at a position out of the plane of the wire.

The invention also provides a method of assembling a dartboard from a joined wire as aforesaid comprising inserting the joined bent portions into the surface of the board.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 3 is an elevational view of a wire for a dartboard at a first stage in its manufacture, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a circular wire of a dartboard formed from the wire of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an alternative circular wire of a dartboard.

In a method according to the invention a length of hard steel wire is cut longer than needed to provide a circular wire for a dartboard. The wire is formed on a jig and equal portions at each end are bent downwards to leave a length of the exact size required. This is illustrated in Figure 3. The wire is then placed in a further jig which holds it accurately in the desired circular shape with the bent limbs touching one another. The limbs are then welded together near their free ends, as is illustrated in Figure 4. This welding operation does not affect the ring diameter.

When the ring is attached to the front surface of a dartboard the two limbs welded together are pushed deep into the board, and the weld is thus hidden from sight. The weld is also protected from contact by the point of a dart.

In another version of the method, illustrated by Figure 5, a ring wire is formed from a number of parts, a 3-part ring being shown in the figure. Each part has bent limbs at each end which are welded to a limb of an adjacent part in a jig. When the ring so formed is placed in position on a dartboard and the projecting limbs pressed into the surface, the ring is held in position by the inserted limbs. This simple attachment enables the ring to be held while other wiring operations are carried out and before its more permanent securement.

Whilst in the methods described above the limbs are welded together, other techniques may be used to join them, for example, by brazing, soldering, or the use of adhesives. In addition, the joints may be given further protection by means of plastic or metal sleeves, lacquer etc.

1. A method of manufacturing the wiring for a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising the steps of bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, bringing the bent ends into conjunction, and securing the bent portions together at a position outside the plane of the wire.

2. A method of assembling a dartboard utilising wiring manufactured in accordance with Claim 1 and comprising the step of inserting the joined bent portions into the surface of the board.

3. A method of assembling a dartboard as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a circular wire of the dartboard is formed from a plurality of lengths, each length being joined to an adjacent length by the method claimed in Claim 1.

4. A dartboard made by a method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. A method of making a dartboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 4th Aug. 1981 Superseded claims 1-5 New or amended claims: 1. A method of manufacturing the wiring which defines the scoring areas on the surface of a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising: bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, and securing the end portions together at a position which when the wiring is located in the dartboard by means of the insertion of said bent portions, is beneath the surface of the board.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to dartboards This invention relates to dartboards and in particular to the wiring located on the surface of dartboards to define the various scoring areas. In high quality dartboards hard steel wire is used both for the circular wire rings and for the radial wires. These wires must be made accurately to size and must be accurately positioned on the playing surface, and a high degree of accuracy is particularly required in the circular wires which bound the doubles, trebles, and bullseye rings. Typically these rings are closed by forming with a welded butt-joint, as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Three main problems arising from this method of joining the ends of the wire can be identified. Firstly, the heat generated by the welding operation degrades the strength of the wire. Depending on the type of alloy used, it may become either brittle or very soft. In either case the joint is easily broken by the impact of a dart. Secondly, during the formation of the butt-joint the welded ends of the wire are forced together and produce an unsightly bulge. Thirdly, the diameter of the finished ring, which must be accurate, is affected not only by its initial cut length, but also by the amount of compression of the wire ends during the welding operation. Control of this amount when automatic production machinery is used, is not easy to achieve. The present invention seeks to provide a method of joining the ends of wires for a dartboard in which these problems are reduced. According to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing the wiring for a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising the steps of bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, bringing the bent ends into conjunction, securing the bent portions together at a position out of the plane of the wire. The invention also provides a method of assembling a dartboard from a joined wire as aforesaid comprising inserting the joined bent portions into the surface of the board. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 3 is an elevational view of a wire for a dartboard at a first stage in its manufacture, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a circular wire of a dartboard formed from the wire of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an alternative circular wire of a dartboard. In a method according to the invention a length of hard steel wire is cut longer than needed to provide a circular wire for a dartboard. The wire is formed on a jig and equal portions at each end are bent downwards to leave a length of the exact size required. This is illustrated in Figure 3. The wire is then placed in a further jig which holds it accurately in the desired circular shape with the bent limbs touching one another. The limbs are then welded together near their free ends, as is illustrated in Figure 4. This welding operation does not affect the ring diameter. When the ring is attached to the front surface of a dartboard the two limbs welded together are pushed deep into the board, and the weld is thus hidden from sight. The weld is also protected from contact by the point of a dart. In another version of the method, illustrated by Figure 5, a ring wire is formed from a number of parts, a 3-part ring being shown in the figure. Each part has bent limbs at each end which are welded to a limb of an adjacent part in a jig. When the ring so formed is placed in position on a dartboard and the projecting limbs pressed into the surface, the ring is held in position by the inserted limbs. This simple attachment enables the ring to be held while other wiring operations are carried out and before its more permanent securement. Whilst in the methods described above the limbs are welded together, other techniques may be used to join them, for example, by brazing, soldering, or the use of adhesives. In addition, the joints may be given further protection by means of plastic or metal sleeves, lacquer etc. CLAIMS 1. A method of manufacturing the wiring for a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising the steps of bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, bringing the bent ends into conjunction, and securing the bent portions together at a position outside the plane of the wire. 2. A method of assembling a dartboard utilising wiring manufactured in accordance with Claim 1 and comprising the step of inserting the joined bent portions into the surface of the board. 3. A method of assembling a dartboard as claimed in Claim 2 wherein a circular wire of the dartboard is formed from a plurality of lengths, each length being joined to an adjacent length by the method claimed in Claim 1. 4. A dartboard made by a method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3. 5. A method of making a dartboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 4th Aug. 1981 Superseded claims 1-5 New or amended claims:

1. A method of manufacturing the wiring which defines the scoring areas on the surface of a dartboard in which two ends of one or more wires are joined, the method comprising: bending adjacent end portions to form projecting limbs, and securing the end portions together at a position which when the wiring is located in the dartboard by means of the insertion of said bent portions, is beneath the surface of the board.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the end portions are bent prior to being secured together.

3. A method of assembling a dartboard utilising wiring manufactured in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2 and comprising the step of inserting the joined bent portions into the surface of the board.

4. A method of assembling a dartboard as claimed in Claim 3 wherein a circular wire of the dartboard is formed from a plurality of lengths, each length being joined to an adjacent length by the method claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2.

5. A dartboard made by a method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. A method of making a dartboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.