GB2225569A

GB2225569A - Darts case

Info

Publication number: GB2225569A
Application number: GB8823642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-29
Filing date: 1988-10-07
Publication date: 1990-06-06
Also published as: GB8823642D0

Abstract

A darts case is disclosed comprising a block 2 having holes in one end 5 each to receive the full length of the stem of a dart, and slots 6 across the open ends of the holes to receive the flights of the dart. The block 2 is reduced in thickness in the region that the barrel assumes when a dart is carried in the case, the reduction in thickness being sufficient to expose the barrel through a hole 8. <IMAGE>

Description

DARTS CASE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cases for darts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The game of darts has risen in recent years from virtual obscurity, to one of the most popular games in existence.

Not only has it come to the forefront in this country, but it has also taken a major grasp world wide. There is now virtually not a country in the world where darts is not played.

The receptacle used for carrying darts has traditionally been a plastics box, cardboard packing or a leather pouch.

The plastic container is designed to carry the darts in one piece or stems and flights separated. It is brittle, easily damaged and it is easy to sustain personal injury. The leather pouch is small and is designed to carry the stems and flights separately. Each time the darts are used, assembly of the flights on the stems is necessary. Repeated assembly leads to the flights being damaged. The cardboard packing is basically for display only and there is great danger of personal injury.

More recently, darts cases have been proposed comprising a block of wood having cylindrical holes in one end to receive the full length of the stems and having cross shaped slots across the ends of the holes to receive the flights, so that the darts do not need to be dissembled. A problem with this proposal is that the player has to tip the darts out.

This can lead to the flights being damaged, and if the darts are dropped there is still a danger of injury.

In a similar proposal, the block has a large hole right through exposing the barrels of the darts. The end of the block, beyond the through hole, has small holes to receive the points of the darts. Although removal of the darts is facilitated, the case is not really safe, either as the darts are placed in it, or when the darts are being carried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a darts case comprising a block having holes in one end each to receive the full length of the stem of a dart, and a slot or slots across the open ends of the holes to receive the flights of the dart, the block being reduced in thickness in the region that the barrel assumes when a dart is carried in the case, the reduction in thickness being sufficient to expose the barrel.

In one form a single slot is cut across the case through all the holes. The flights are folded flat before inserting the dart in the case. In another form cross shaped slots are cut across each hole, so that the flights do not have to be folded.

The darts can be easily removed by pushing on the barrel with a finger or thumb. They are easy to insert because the holes extend the full length of the stem and there is no need to fiddle to get the points into small holes. As the barrel of the darts is exposed by a reduction in thickness of the block, the block extends between the darts even where the barrels are exposed. The arrangement is much safer and more convenient.

Preferably the block is reduced in thickness on one side only.

The block is preferably wooden.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Two embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a darts case embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the case of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the case of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front view of a second darts case embodying the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the darts case of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a top view of the darts case of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the darts case comprises a block 2 in this case of wood, but other materials could be used, for example plastics or metal. The particular example illustrated is 6.5 inches long, 3.25 inches wide and 1.25 inches thick.

The block has three cylindrical holes 4 in one end 5 (the top). The holes are each of suitable dimensions to receive the entire length of the stem of a dart. Across the top of each hole cross shaped slots 6 are cut to a depth and of a thickness to receive the flights of a dart. In the particular embodiment illustrated the slots are cut to a depth of 1.25 inches.

In the region that the barrel of a dart assumes when carried in the case, the block is reduced in thickness, as can be seen from Figure 2. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the block is reduced to a thickness of 0.75 inches. The reduction in thickness is sufficient to break a hole 8 in the wall of each of the holes 4, so that the barrel of a dart in the hole is exposed. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the holes 8 are 1 inch long and 0.375 inches wide. As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 1 and 3, the holes 8 are considerably less than the full width of the holes 4 and it will be observed that there is material of the block between the darts in the region of the holes 8.

This is intended to prevent the darts accidentally poking through the holes 8 when darts are being inserted or carried.

The darts may be removed from the case by pushing the exposed part of the barrel with a finger or thumb. As the darts are constrained from poking through the holes 8, the danger of injury is minimised.

The embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 illustrated is reduced in thickness on one side only. In other embodiments of the invention, the case may be reduced in thickness on both sides. In the embodiment illustrated, the reduction in thickness is effected to the edge of the case. In other embodiments the reduction in thickness may stop short of the edge.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4 to 6. This is similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, except that a single slot 6 is cut through the holes 4 right across the top 5. In this case the flights have to be folded flat before inserting in the case. This arrangement has the advantage that the case 2 can be thinner than that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. For example the thickness of the case may be 2.7 cm. As to the other dimensions, the full length of the case illustrated is 16.5 cm, the openings 8 are 6 cm by 0.8 cm, the width of the slots is 0.3 cm and the overall width of the case is 7cm.

Claims

1. A darts case comprising a block having holes in one end each to receive the full length of the stem of a dart, and a slot or slots across the open ends of the holes to receive the flights of the dart, the block being reduced in thickness in the region that the barrel assumes when a dart is carried in the case, the reduction in thickness being sufficient to expose the barrel.

2. A darts case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block is reduced in thickness on one side only.

3. A darts case as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the block is wooden.

4. A darts case as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is a single slot across the holes.

5. A darts case as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein there is a cross shaped slot across each hole.