GB2385804A

GB2385804A - Darts.

Info

Publication number: GB2385804A
Application number: GB0201183A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alistair Ian Mackay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-18
Filing date: 2002-01-18
Publication date: 2003-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-18
Also published as: GB0201183D0; GB2385804B

Abstract

A barrel (10) for a dart is substantially cylindrical and has a leading end (20) and a trailing end (30). The inside of the barrel (10) is comprised of three bore sections: a first bore (40) adjacent the leading end (20); a shaft-receiving bore (50) adjacent the trailing end (30); and a mounting bore (60) connecting the other two bores (40, 50). The barrel (10) includes a point (100) mounted therein. A trailing end of the point (100) is a press fit in the mounting bore (60) of the barrel (10). The remainder of the point (100) projects from the mounting bore (60) through the first bore (40) to emerge from the leading end (20) of the barrel (10). The point (100) is a clearance fit in the first bore (40). This allows the point (100) to bend about its mounting so as to be deflected relative to the barrel (100) upon striking the wire of a dartboard, thereby reducing the likelihood of a dart including the barrel (10) from bouncing out of the dartboard.

Description

Darts This invention relates to darts that are for throwing at a dartboard.

Conventional darts are comprised of a point, a barrel, a shaft and a flight. The point is an elongate metal spike. The barrel is a substantially cylindrical metal member with a respective bore at each of its ends. The barrel is arranged to receive and retain a blunt end of the point in one of the bores, that bore being at a leading end of the barrel. It is usual for the point to be fixedly mounted in the respective bore, for example by the point being a press fit in that bore. The bore at the trailing end of the barrel has a screw thread formed therein and is arranged to receive a leading end of the shaft, which has a cooperating screw thread formed thereon. A trailing end of the shaft is arranged to receive the flight.

In throwing such a dart at a dartboard, it is sometimes the case that the point will strike wire on the dartboard that marks out scoring areas thereon. This can result in the dart failing to become embedded in the dartboard. This is known as"bouncing out".

It is an object of this invention to address the problem of bouncing out.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a barrel for a dart, the barrel having a point mounted therein, the point projecting from its mounting through a bore in the barrel to emerge from a leading end of the barrel, wherein the point is a clearance fit in the bore.

This is advantageous in allowing the point to bend about its mounting so as to be deflected relative to the barrel upon striking wire of a dartboard, thereby reducing the likelihood of the dart bouncing out of the dart board.

Preferably the point is mounted towards a trailing end of the barrel. This is advantageous in maximising the distance between a leading end of the point and the point's mounting in the barrel, thereby maximising the bending moment of a force applied at the leading end of the point.

Preferably the point is of low mass in relation to the barrel, thereby facilitating deflection of the point with respect to the barrel.

As, an alternative to a conventional shaft-receiving bore in a trailing end of the barrel, the barrel may include a thread formed on the outside of the trailing end thereof, such that a leading end of a shaft can be fitted therearound, the shaft having a cooperating threaded bore in a leading end thereof. An externally

threaded trailing end of the barrel is advantageous over the threaded bore that is conventionally provided in the trailing end of a barrel in allowing the point to be mounted more closely to the trailing end of the barrel than would otherwise be the case.

The barrel may include at least one hole formed therein and arranged such that air entering the clearance between the point and bore of the barrel may exit through the hole. Preferably the hole is arranged such that air exiting therethrough flows over a flight of the dart. This is advantageous in maximising the aerodynamic performance of the dart. The hole may be arranged such that air exiting therethrough creates an audible noise, for example a whistling noise. Such a noise might be considered attractive by a person using the dart. Preferably the hole is positioned adjacent a trailing end of the bore.

The point may be mounted by a trailing end of the point being a press fit in a mounting bore of the barrel, the mounting bore being in communication with the first-mentioned bore. The point may be mounted by a taper towards the trailing thereof being pressed into a cooperating taper in the mounting bore.

The point may be mounted by being screwed into the mounting bore, the trailing end of the point and the mounting bore each having a cooperating

screwed thread formed thereon or therein. The mounting bore may also be in communication with a shaft-receiving bore of the barrel, such that the point can be forced free of the mounting bore by insertion of a point removing tool into the shaft-receiving bore so as to abut and act upon the trailing end of the point.

Where the trailing end of the barrel includes a thread formed on the outside thereof, the mounting bore may extend through the trailing end of the barrel so that the trailing end of the point is accessible by the point-removing tool.

Preferably, the point-removing tool includes a threaded portion that is arranged for cooperating with the thread on the outside of the barrel.

Where a shaft-receiving bore is provided in the trailing end of the barrel, the point-removing tool preferably includes a threaded portion that is arranged for cooperating with the a thread formed around the inside of the shaft-receiving bore.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a point removing tool for removing the point from the barrel of a dart, the point removing tool including a threaded portion that is arranged for cooperating with a threaded shaft-receiving portion of the barrel so that the tool abuts the point and acts to force the point from the barrel, when the tool and the barrel

are screwed together.

The threaded portion of the point removing tool may include an external thread for cooperating with a thread formed in a bore of the shaft receiving portion.

The threaded portion of the point removing tool may include an internal thread for cooperating with a thread formed on the outside of the shaft-receiving portion.

A specific embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a barrel for a dart; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a point for the dart; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a point-removing tool for use with the barrel of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of another point removing tool for use with another barrel.

Figure 1 shows a barrel 10 for a dart (not shown). The barrel 10 is substantially cylindrical and is made from metal, such as a Tungsten Nickel alloy or brass. The barrel 10 has a leading end 20 and a trailing end 30. The

inside of the barrel 10 is comprised of three bore sections. A first bore 40 extends from the leading end 20, beyond a midpoint of the barrel 10, towards the trailing end; a shaft-receiving bore 50 extends from the trailing end 30 towards the first bore 40; and a mounting bore 60 connects the other two bores 40,50. The mounting bore 60 is of lesser diameter than each of the first bore 40 and the shaft-receiving bore 60. Thus, the first bore 40 includes an annular shoulder 42 at the trailing end thereof and the shaft-receiving bore includes a similar annular shoulder 52 at the leading end thereof.

A portion of the shaft-receiving bore 50 adjacent the trailing end 30 of the barrel 10 has a screw thread 54 formed therein. The shaft receiving bore 50, and the screw thread 54 therein, are for receiving a conventional shaft and flight assembly (not shown).

The barrel 10 includes four holes formed in its side. Each hole forms a passageway 70 between the first bore 40 and the outside of the barrel 10. The passageways 70 are angularly distributed so that each is 90 degrees from the angularly adjacent passageways 70. Each passageway 70 extends oblique to the axis of the barrel such that the outside of each passageway 70 lies closer to the trailing end 30 of the barrel 10 than does the inside of each passageway 70.

Figure 2 shows a point 100 for use with the barrel 10 of Figure 1. The point 100 is an elongate, solid metal spike. The point 100 is comprised of three sections: a conical section 110, a cylindrical section 120, and a spigot 130. The conical section 110 is at a leading end of the point 100, such that the taper is towards that end. The cylindrical section 120 is of the same diameter as the base diameter of the conical section 110 and extends from the base of the conical section 110. The spigot 130 extends from the end of the cylindrical section 120 that is remote from the conical section 110. The spigot 130 is of lesser diameter than the cylindrical section 120 such that there is a shoulder 122 therebetween.

As in a conventional dart, the point 100 is for mounting inside the barrel 10.

This is effected by inserting the spigot 130 of the point 100 in the mounting bore 60 of the barrel 10. The relative diameters of the spigot 130 and the mounting bore 60 are such that the spigot 130 is a press fit in the mounting bore 60. The point 100 is mounted in the barrel 10 such that the shoulder 122 of the point 100 abuts the shoulder 42 of the first bore 40 of the barrel 10.

When the point 100 is so mounted, the cylindrical section 120 of the point 100 extends through the first bore 40 of the barrel 10 and emerges from the leading end 20 of the barrel 10, so that the conical section 110 lies therebeyond. The cylindrical section 120 of the point 100 is a clearance fit in the fist bore 40 of

the barrel 10.

In use, air enters the clearance between the point 100 and the first bore 40 at the leading end 20 of the barrel 10 and exits through the passageways 70. Air exiting through the passageways has a tendency to flow over surfaces of the flight of the dart. A flow of air over the flight is necessary for good aerodynamic behaviour of the dart. Thus, an increased airflow over the flight, with respect to the airflow over the flight of a conventional dart, will tend to result in improved aerodynamic behaviour. It is envisaged that the diameter, or other characteristics, of the passageways 70 may be chosen such that air passing therethrough creates a whistling noise.

In being thrown at a dartboard (not shown), the leading end of the point 100 may strike wire on a scoring surface of the dartboard. In such a situation, a conventional dart may fail to become embedded in the dartboard surface.

However, as the point 100 of the present embodiment is mounted so as to be cantilevered about the spigot 130, and as there is a clearance around the point 100, the point 100 is able to bend and to be deflected relative to the barrel 10.

Thus, upon striking wire of the dartboard, the point 100 is deflectable so as to enter the dartboard surface adjacent the wire.

Figure 3 shows a point-removing tool 200 for use with the barrel 10 of Figure 1 and the point 100 of Figure 2. The point-removing tool 200 is fashioned from metal, such as mild steel. The tool 200 is comprised of a cylindrical central portion 210 with a larger diameter, integral knob 220 at one end and a finger 230 at the other end. The central portion 210, the knob 220 and the finger 230 are all coaxial. The finger 230 is a cylinder of lesser diameter than that of the mounting bore 60 of the barrel 10 of Figure 1. The finger 230 is mounted in an axial bore 212 in the cental portion 210 of the tool 200 such that part of the finger 230 projects beyond the central portion 210.

The knob 220 has a knurled outer diameter 222. The central portion 210 has a screw thread 214 formed therearound. The central portion 210 and the screw thread 214 are arranged to cooperate with the thread 54 formed in the shaftreceiving bore 50 of the barrel 10.

In use, the point-removing tool 200 is presented finger 230 first to the shaftreceiving bore 50 of the barrel 10. The tool 200 is then screwed, by an operator grasping and rotating the knurled knob 222, into the shaft-receiving bore 50 such that the finger 230 abuts the spigot 130 of the point 100 that is situated within the mounting bore 60. Continued rotation of the knob 222 results in the finger 230 pushing the point 100 out of the mounting bore 60.

The point 100 can then be removed from the barrel 10.

Figure 4 shows another barrel 300. The other barrel 300 is similar to the barrel 10 described with reference to Figure 1, but differs therefrom in the region of its trailing end 330. Rather than having a shaft-receiving bore in its trailing end 330, the other barrel 300 has a portion 350, running from the trailing end 330, that is of a reduced outside diameter with respect to a main body portion of the other barrel 300. The outer surface of the portion 350 has a screw thread 354 formed therearound. The portion 350 and the thread 354 are for presenting to a barrel-receiving bore of another shaft (not shown), that bore having a cooperating thread formed therein, such that the other barrel 300 and the other shaft can be screwed together.

This arrangement allows a mounting bore 360 of the other barrel 300 to be provided at the trailing end of the other barrel 300. Another point (not shown) is mounted by press-fitting a spigot thereof into the mounting bore 360. The other point is substantially the same as the point 100 described above with reference to Figure 2. However, the other point is of greater length, such that a leading end of the other point projects to the same distance beyond the other barrel 300 as does the point 100 beyond the barrel 10. Thus, the leading end of the other point is at a greater distance from its mounting. In use, this results in

a greater deflection of the leading end of the other point, when compared to the point 100, for the same lateral force applied at that end. It will be appreciated that this is advantageous in increasing the tendency of a dart incorporating the other barrel 300 and the other point to become embedded in the surface of a dartboard upon striking wire thereof.

Although not shown in Figure 4, it is envisaged that passageways, similar to those 70 of the barrel 10 described with reference to Figure 1, may be provided in the other barrel 300.

Figure 5 shows another point-removing tool 400. The other point-receiving tool 400 is for use with another barrel 400. The other tool 400 is a hollow cylinder, with one end wall 410. A finger 420 is mounted in the end wall 410 so as to project inside the cylinder. The inside of the tool 400 has a screw thread 412 formed therearound. The screw thread 412 and the internal diameter of the other tool 400 are such that they cooperate with the screw thread 354 formed on the outside of the other barrel 300.

In use, the open end of the other tool 400 is presented to the trailing end of the other barrel 300, and is screwed onto that end. Continued rotation of the other tool 400 results in the finger 420 thereof abutting and then pushing the spigot

of the other point mounted in the other barrel 300 free of its mounting. In this way the other point of the other barrel 300 can be removed therefrom.

Claims

1. A barrel for a dart, the barrel having a point mounted therein, the point projecting from its mounting through a bore in the barrel to emerge from a leading end of the barrel, wherein the point is a clearance fit in the bore.

2. A barrel according to claim 1, wherein the point is mounted towards a trailing end of the barrel.

3. A barrel according to any preceding claim, wherein the point is of low mass in relation to the barrel, thereby facilitating deflection of the point with respect to the barrel.

4. A barrel according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrel includes a thread formed on the outside of the trailing end thereof, such that a leading end of a shaft can be fitted therearound, the shaft having a cooperating threaded bore in a leading end thereof.

5. A barrel according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrel includes at least one hole formed therein and arranged such that air entering the clearance between the point and bore of the barrel may exit through the hole.

6. A barrel according to claim 5, wherein the hole is arranged such that air exiting therethrough flows over a flight of the dart.

7. A barrel according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the hole is arranged such that air exiting therethrough creates an audible noise.

8. A barrel according to any preceding claim, wherein the point is mounted by a trailing end of the point being a press fit in a mounting bore of the barrel, the mounting bore being in communication with the first-mentioned bore.

9. A barrel according to claim 8, wherein the mounting bore is also in communication with a shaft-receiving bore of the barrel, such that the point can be forced free of the mounting bore by insertion of a point removing tool into the shaft-receiving bore so as to abut and act upon the trailing end of the point.

10. A barrel according to claim 8, when including at least the features of claim 4, wherein the mounting bore extends through the trailing end of the barrel so that the trailing end of the point is accessible by the point-removing tool.

11. A dart having a barrel as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

12. A point removing tool for removing the point from the barrel of a dart, a trailing end of the point being accessible through a trailing end of the barrel, the point removing tool including a threaded portion that is arranged for cooperating with a threaded shaft-receiving portion of the barrel so that the tool abuts the trailing end of the point and acts to force the point from the barrel, when the tool and the barrel are screwed together.

13. A point removing tool according to claim 12, wherein the threaded portion of the point removing tool includes an external thread for cooperating with a thread formed in a bore of the shaft receiving portion.

14. A point removing tool according to claim 12, wherein the threaded portion of the point removing tool may include an internal thread for cooperating with a thread formed on the outside of the shaft-receiving portion.

15. A barrel substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, or in Figure 3 and Figure 4 of those drawings.

16. A point removing tool substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings and/or as shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5 of those drawings.