GB2273247A

GB2273247A - Blow pipe game.

Info

Publication number: GB2273247A
Application number: GB9225992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Anthony Manniex
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-12
Filing date: 1992-12-12
Publication date: 1994-06-15
Also published as: GB9225992D0

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game comprises, in combination, a target, a blow pipe, and a set of projectiles having a body 1 with a set of flights 3. In one form, the projectiles have a spike (2, fig. 1) at the leading end to penetrate the target, and in another form the spike is replaced by a sucker 20 to adhere to the target. The body 1 may also carry a rearwardly directed flexible skirt 4 which is a close fit in the blow pipe to enable to projectile to be launched by the blow pipe, alternatively the sucker 20 may incorporate this flange. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for use in playing a game of the kind in which a projectile is launched at a target with the object of hitting a specific area of the target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes apparatus for playing a game comprising, in combination, a target, a blow pipe, and a set of flighted projectiles adapted to be launched by the blow pipe, the projectiles and the target being such that the projectiles become engaged with the target upon contact therewith.

In order to attain a relatively high velocity with a blow pipe of minimum length, the projectiles preferably each have an outwardly extending annular flange which is a close fit within the bore of the blow pipe. The flange is preferably in the form of an annular flexible skirt.

By way of example, the projectiles may have a spike at their leading end for penetrating a suitåbl;e. target.

In another form of the invention, the projectiles may have a suction cup at their leading end to adhere to a smooth flat area of the target. The suction cup may be form the said flexible skirt, or a separate flange may be provided.

In order to achieve maximum velocity, the flexible skirt is preferably rearwardly-directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are side views of two different projectiles for use with two forms of apparatus of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the illustrated projectile may be used in combination with a target in the form of a conventional dart board. An elongate body 1 has a spike 2 at its leading end, and the rear portion is provided with a number of radially projecting flights 3. At an intermediate position along the body 1 there is an outwardly and rearwardly extending flexible skirt 4. The skirt is generally of annular form and gradually becomes thinner towards its outer periphery so as to increase its flexibility in the region of its outer edge.

In use, the projectile is inserted into a blow pipe (not shown) in the form of a length of tube having a plain circular inner surface slightly larger in diameter than the maximum width of the projectile.

Typically, by way of example, the tube may be between 50cm and l.5m long and between 5mm to 25mm inside diameter.

The blow ipe is then inserted into the mouth of a player who aims the pipe at the target and blows sharply into the pipe. This causes the projectile to travel along the pipe to be launched at the target.

The skirt 4 tends to expand into sealing engagement with the wall of the blow pipe allowing the projectile to attain a relatively high velocity for a given length of pipe. Upon hitting the target the spike 2 penetrates the target in the manner of a conventional dart.

The players will normally aim at a specific area of the target in order to obtain points according to their success at hitting the area in question.

The projectile of Fig. 2 differs from that of Fig. 1 in that the spike 2 is replaced by a flexible, forwardly directed suction cup 20. The projectiles are thus less dangerous and are more suitable for use by children.

The projectile is again inserted into a blow pipe of the kind described above, and aimed at a target which, in this case, has a smooth flat target surface (e.g. of pvc). Upon hitting the target the suction cup 20 will firmly adhere thereto by suction.

In this second form of projectile it has been found that the suction cup 20 itself acts as a skirt to increase the speed of the projectile. However, better results can be achieved by incorporating a second intermediate rearwardly and outwardly directed flexible skirt 4 similar to that of Fig. 1.

Although it has been found to be important to use a flexible skirt in order to achieve maximum velicity without risk of jamming in the blow pipe, it would also be possible to use a rigid annular flange or cylindrical body which is dimensioned to be a close fit in the blow pipe. Tolerances are more critical however, and there is inevitably a certain amount of leakage past the projectile which effectively reduces its velocity.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising, in combination, a target, a blow pipe, and a set of flighted projectiles adapted to be launched by the blow pipe, the projectiles and the target being such that the projectiles become engaged with the target upon contact therewith.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the projectiles each have an outwardly extending annular flange which is a close fit within the bore of the blow pipe.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, in which the flange includes a flexible peripheral outer portion.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the projectiles each have a spike at their leading end to penetrate the target.

5. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the projectiles each have a suction cup at their leading end to adhere to a smooth flat area of the target.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, in which the suction cup incorporates the said flange.

7. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the flange is rearwardly directed.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the blow pipe has a plain circular inner surface.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the blow pipe is between 500mm and 1.5m long.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the blow pipe is between 5mm and 25mm inside diameter.

11. Apparatus for playing a game., substantially as described with reference to the drawings.