GB2227426A - Darts - Google Patents

Description

4 C I- THROWING DART is :2 2, --.7 <! - C.-t The present invention relates

to a throwing dart and more specifically to a dart having collapsible flights that are-moved to a stored position after the dart has impacted and adhered to the game board.

A number of dartboard games utilize a throwing dart of the type having a pointed end that pierces the game board and a rear end having a plurality of flights that stabilize. and enhance the flight characteristics of the dart after it is thrown.

The flights are usually constructed of plastic or feathers and as such are semi-rigid. For reasons of aerodynamics, the flights usually extend radially outwardly and in doing so present a cross-sectional area somewhat greater than the cross-sectional area of the body of the dart. Thus, the flights of a dart already in place on the game board will interfere with the target area adjacent that dart and it is not unusual for subsequently thrown darts to strike the flights of the dart in place and fall to the ground rather than embedding themselves in the game board.

Prior art has shown darts of the type in which the flights would disengage from the dart body upon striking the board and fall to the ground. The obvious disadvantage of a dart of this type is that it requires a re-assembling of the flight to the dart body in order to place the dart in condition for subsequent throwing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a throwing dart having flexible flights that will move from an operable fanned position during throwing to a stored collapsed postion when the dart impacts the game board.

f 1.

is A throwing dart of the type utilized in conjunction with a dart receiving game board includes an elongated body having a pointed tip at one end and a plurality of flights at the other end.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the flights are movable between an operative fanned position and a collapsed stored position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the dart is provided with storage means operably connected to the flights to move the flights between the operative and stored positions.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the storage means is responsive to the impact of the dart upon the board so that the flights are moved to the stored position upon the dart impacting the board.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the dart body defines a cavity in which the actuating mechanism for the storage means is disposed.

The present invention thus provides a throwing dart having flights that provide the dart with the necessary flight characteristics and which move to a stored position upon impacting the game board so as to present a reduced profile in order to offer less interference to susequently thrown darts.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a throwing dart constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the dart of FIG. 1; t FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the dart of FIG. 2 with its flights in a stored position; FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the dart flight assembly prior to installation on the dart.

FIG. 1 illustrates a throwing dart 10 of the type utilized with a dart receiving game board (not shown). Dart 10 includes an elongate body 12 having a generally circular cross-section and having a pointed tip 14 at its forward end and a series of elongate flights 16 disposed at its rear end. Elongate body 12 is formed by a pair of body halves 18 and 20 that when joined define a hexagonal cavity 22.

Flights 16 are formed from a flexible material and may be moved from an operative fanned position (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) to a collapsed stored position (FIG. 3) in which flights 16 present a cross-sectional dimension substantially equal to that of body 12. FIG. 5 illustrates one of but many ways that flights 16 may be constructed. A sheet 24 of flexible material such as plastics or heavy duty felt is cut at a number of points along its-width with the cuts extending from one end of sheet 24 to a point 26 spaced from the other end of sheet 24. These cuts form a plurality of flexible fingers 28 and the uncut portion forms a base 30. Sheet 24 is then wound into a cylinder and base 30 is attached to the rear end of elongate body 12.

In order to move fingers 28 from their operative fanned position to their collapsed stored position, dart 10 is provided with storage means 32 which includes a sleeve 34 that substantially surrounds fingers 28 and is mounted for sliding movement between a first position (FIG. 2) in which sleeve 34 is sub- stantially adjacent flight base 30 and a second position (FIG. 3) in which sleeve 34 has moved axially outwardly from the first position to collapse fingers 28 into their stored position.

Sleeve 34 is actuated by plunger means 36 slidably disposed within hexagonal cavity 22. Plunger means 36 includes a cartridge portion 38 having a forward end 40 to which pointed tip 14 is connected and a rear end 42 of reduced cross-sectional area.

A pair of connectors 44 in the form of wires are connected to an extension 46 of rear end 42 and extend rearwardly and outwardly through a pair of slots 48 in body 12. The rear end of each of wires 44 is provided with a hook 50 that engages a hole in the forward portion of sleeve 34. Wires 48 are also provided with a gooseneck 52 that serves as a stop that engages the forward edge of slot 48 to limit the amount of forward travel of storage means 32 and tip 14.

In operation, dart 12 is thrown by a game player in the condition shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this position flexible fingers 28 are in their operable fanned position in which they stabilize and enhance the flight of dart 10. When dart 10 engages the game board (not shown) tip 14 will become embedded in the game board and elongated body 12 will continue to move forward. This forward movement of body 12 translates into relative rearward movement of tip 14, cartridge portion 38 and associated wires 44. This causes sleeve 34 to move from the position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to its second position (FIG. 3) in which it moves axially rearwardly to engage fingers 28 and move them to their collapsed stored position.

When dart 10 is removed from the game board, body 12 will move rearwardly resulting in a relative forward movement of tip 14, cartridge 38, wires 44 and 1 sleeve 34. This will continue until goosenecks 52 engage the forward portion of slots 48 at which time relative movement between body 12 and the storage components is prevented and tip 14 is pulled out from the board. Dart 10 is then in condition to be thrown again.

90/3661/01 C1 1 6

Claims (11)

1. A throwing dartr of the type utilised in conjunction with a dart receiving game board having scoring indicia imprinted thereon, comprising an elongate body having a first end terminating in a tip adapted to engage and adhere to the surface of the game board and having a second end having a plurality of elongate flights disposed thereon, the flights being movable between an operative position in which the flights are in a fanned array in order to stabilise and enhance the flight of the dart and a stored position in which the flights are collapsed in order to present substantially equal to a cross-sectional dimension that of the body, the body having storage means operably connected to the flights to move the flights from the operative position to the stored position, the storage means being responsive to the impact of the dart upon the board so that the flights are moved to the stored position upon the dart impacting the board.

2. A throwing dart according to claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises a sleeve substantially surrounding the flights movable between a first position, substantially adjacent the point of connection between the flights and the body, in which the flights are in the operative position and a second position, axially outwardly from the first position, in which the sleeve collapses the flights to the stored position.

3. A throwing dart according to claim 2, wherein the body defines a cavity, the tip being mounted for sliding axial movement within the body, and the storage means comprises plunger means slidably dinposed within the cavity and having a first end 90/3661/01 ( 1 7 connected to the tip and a second end operably connected to the sleeve so that movement of the tip into the body upon impact with the game board causes the sleeve to move from the first position to the second position.

4. A throwing dart accordng to claim 3y wherein the plunger means comprises a cartridge portion having a forward end connected to the tip and arear end containing at least one elongate flexible connector extending rearwards in the cavity and extending outwards from the cavity through an opening provided in the body to a point of connection with the sleeve.

5. A throwing dart according to claim 4, wherein the rear end of the cartridge portion has a cross-sectional dimension less than that of the forward end.

6. A throwing dart according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein theelongate flexible connector comprises a pair of wires having a first end connected to the rear end of the cartridge and a second end connected to the sleeve.

7. A throwing dart according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elongate body comprises apair of mating body halves which when joined define a hexagonal cavity.

8. A throwing dart according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flights comprise a hollow cylinder of flexible material, the material being cut at a plurality of points about one end of the cylinder, the cuts extending axially from the one end of the cylinder to a point spaced from the other end of the 90/3661/01 t 8 cylinder so that a plurality of flexible fingers are formed that extend axially from said other end with said other end forming a base for attachment to the body.

9. A throwing dart according to claim 8y wherein the fingers are of substantially equal length.

10. A throwing dart according to claim 8 or claim 9. wherein the fingers are of sustantially equal width.

11. A throwing dart substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

PubU 1990 at The P&AtntOffice.SL&ta Housa.8871 H4h Holborn.LcndonWC1 A 4TP-Purther copies may t obtained trom The Patent Omce Me& Branch. St Itary Cray, Orpington. Kent BM 3RD Printed by llultiplex tach=ques ltd. St Mary C Kent. Con 1,87 -1v