US2477531A

US2477531A - Magnetic dart game

Info

Publication number: US2477531A
Application number: US46634A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold J Volman
Original assignee: TOY ENTPR OF AMERICA Inc
Current assignee: TOY ENTERPRISES OF AMERICA Inc; TOY ENTPR OF AMERICA Inc
Priority date: 1948-08-28
Filing date: 1948-08-28
Publication date: 1949-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 1966-07-26

Description

y 1949- H. J. VOLMAN 2,477,531

MAGNETIC DART GAME Filed Aug. 28, 1948 Patented July 26, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,477,531 MAGNETIC DART GAME Harold J. Volman, Cicero, 111., assignor to Toy Enterprises of America,

corporation of Illinois Application August 28, 1948, Serial No. 46,634

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to games, an object of the invention being to provide a new and improved game simulating a dart game but capable of being played with blunt faced missiles so that the hazards incident to conventional dart ames are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved game provided with a target of magnetically susceptible material and missiles each having a permanently magnetized head which has sufficient magnetic energy to cause a missile to be sustained n the target when it is thrown toward the target and strikes the same.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved missile for a game of the character set forth in the preceding objects V which is held to a target solely as a result of the magnetic attraction between the target and the missile.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved missile as above set forth which is adapted to be freely propelled through the air and which has improved flight stabilizing or guiding means for maintaining the head of the missile foremost during flight.

More specifically, the invention relates to a game including a metallic target having a flat face, which target is formed of magnetically susceptible metal and the face of which target is provided with target indicia thereon at which one or more projectiles may be thrown, each pro- Jectile comprising a permanent magnet having a flat face, together with means such as a feather or a loop or the like for directing the projectile so that the flat face travels forwardly so that when thrown the flat face of the projectile will magnetically be attracted by and adhere to the flat face of the target.

These and other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. lis a perspective view of the game of the present invention, set up for playing'with a diagrammatic showing of the manner in which a projectile or missile may be propelled toward the target;

Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssectional view of the target and stand;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the stand for supporting the target of my game;

Fig. 4 is a front end view of the preferred form of missile or projectile on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary diametrical cross-sec Inc., Chicago, 111., a

2 tional view on an enlarged scale of a missile on the target, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of missile; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the missile shown in Fig; 6 indicating diagrammatically a manner in which a stabilizing feather may be secured to the head of a missile.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application'Serial No. 739,697, filed April 5, 1947, and entitled Game, now abandoned.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the improved game of the present invention includes a target Ill, a stand 2 for holding the target in substantially upright position, and a missile H! which is adapted to be propelled toward the target and is sustained or held thereon magnetically upon impact with the target. The target Ill, which is formed from relatively thin magnetically susceptible sheet metal, may be of any convenient size, for example, approximately one foot square. Preferably the .peripheral edges of the target are flanged or beaded as indicated at It in Figs. 1 and 2 to provide smooth edges. The area within the beaded edge l6 forms a fiat playing surface, all'portions of which preferably should be in. a common plane, and this face may be provided with any desired target indicia. In the present instance, which is purely for the purpose of illustration, the target is provided with top lettering l8 including the words Bull's-Eye and a centrally disposed target consisting of an inner circle or bulls-eye 20 and a plurality of concentric rings 22 surrounding the bulls-eye. The circle and rings may be contrastingly colored and may be marked with numbers indicating the scoring value to be assigned to each. If desired, the corners of the target outside the outer ring may be provided with other suitable indicia of any desired nature, or with a statement of the rules or instructions for playing the game. Since the target is made of magnetically susceptible sheet metal, the opposite sides thereof may be provided with diiferent target indicia, that described above being merely illustrative.

This target is supported in substantially upright position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, by means of the stand l2, best seen in Fig. 3. The stand is formed from relatively malleable wire rod to provide a horizontally extending back rest portion 24 and easel-like supporting structure on each end thereof in a plane normal thereto. Each of the easel-like supporting structures includes a leg 25 extending in an inclined plane rearwardly "feathers.

from the back rest portion ;24, and a foot 28 extending horizontalty forwardly from the leg 26. The feet on the twe'easel-lilie structures lie in the same horizontal plane so that the stand may be set up on the floor or on a table top.

At their forwardgends the feet terminate in upwardly projecting stop lugs30 and preferably the feet 28 are: somewhat longer than the legs 26 so that these iugs 30 will be positioned a slight distance forward of the back rest portion 24 when the stand is setup for use. As a result, the lower front edge of a target may be engaged behind the stop lugs 30 while the back side of the target engages the back rest portion 24 at a 'pomt somewhat above the bottom edge of the target. By reason of the fact that the feet 28 are somewhat longer than the legs 26, the target it is supported in a slightly rearwardiy inclined plane, as best seen in Fig. 2, and thus is more stable than if it were supported in a vertical plane.

,Another advantage of the stand described above arises from the factthat it may be made of malleable wire or rod and thus is'easily formed. Furthermore, since it is malleable; it may be cc]- lapsed for packaging in relatively thin packages by bending the angularly disposed legs 26 downwardly toward the feet 28. Subsequently, when the game is to be; used, the parts may readily be bent to the position shown in Fig; 2.

One of the features of the present invention is the improved? missile or projectile which I have devised for use in conjunction with the target above described. The preferred form of missile disclosed in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, has a generally disc-shaped header body 32 of magnetically sus ceptible metal and stabilizing rudder means 34 for guiding the missile in flight extending axially rearwardly from the rear face of the head. In Figs. 4 and it will be noted that the front side of the head is provided with a diametrically extending slot or kerf 36 of a depth approximately half the thickness of the head. Thus the head is provided with diametrically opposite generally segmental shaped fiat forward traces 38 and 40 '(Fig. 4), and because of the conformation of the head these faces acquire opposite polarity when the head is magnetized. In effect, the head becomes a horseshoe magnet with its opposite poles at the opposite faces 38 and 40, and the flux between these poles will be through the target when the front of the head strikes the target. Consequently a strong magnetic attraction between the missile and target is established. These pole faces also form. a flat impact surface for direct contacting engagement with the target in a manner which will be described subsequently.

.The stabilizing rudder means 34, previously mentioned, preferably consists of a plurality of Three feathers, arranged as shown, have been found to give satisfactory results. At one of their ends the quills of these feathers are fixed in an axially extending opening 42 (Fig, 5.- in the head 32 by gluing the same therein with a suitable adhesive. The forward ends of the quills should of course be short of the plane of the pole faces 38 and 40 on the head so that they do not interfere with the direct contacting engagement between the pole faces 38 and 4e and the target.

When a stabilizing rudder means of the type above described is used, its effect upon the missile, upon release of the latter from a propelling means, such asthe hand, is to immediately right the missile so that the front side of its head with the impact or pole faces 38 and 40 thereon is Suitable rules may be provided in accordance l missile on the target at the point of impact and cause the missile to adhere to the target until manually removed.

Any desired number of missiles may be used with a single game and the stabilizing feathers may be variously colored to assist in identification by different players in computing the score.

with the type of target used which, in addition to a bull's-eye, may depict any type of scene at which a projectile may be thrown, as, for example, a fort or a warship, or a plane.

A modifled iorm of missile is disclosed in Figs. 6 and I wherein the projectile is shown as consisting of a permanently magnetized head in the form of a generally rectangular shaped block 44 having a relatively broad, flat front face 46. On its rear face; the block preferably has a sheet metal clip 48 (Fig. 7) soldered or welded thereto at a central position. The corners of this clip are folded along the dotted lines upon themselves so as to embrace the quill of a feather 50 which forms a stabilizing rudder for the missile. The

feather is thus permanently secured to the head of the missile, as shown in Fig. 6. ijhe effect of this efeather upon the course of the missile in flight is generally the same as that previously described. A magnetized head of the type above described amounts in effect to a bar magnet with its two poles at opposite ends of the head. The fiuxlines between the poles will of course be through the magnetically susceptible target when the head impinges upon the target, and, as a resuit, the head will be made to adhere to the target.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a safe game for children to play because the missiles are not pointed like a game of darts. Furthermore,- since the missiles do not have a point, they will not stick in walls, furniture of other objects if they miss the target, and thus will not cause damage accidentally because the head or bodies are light enough so that even if the missile strikes a piece of furniture, for example, it will not put a dent in the finish.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction disclosed herein but is capable of other modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A projectile adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target of magnetically susceptible material having a fiat playing surface, said projectile comprising a relatively thin generally disc-shaped permanently magnetized body having a slotted forwardimpact face defining symmetrically arranged relatively large fiat areas of opposite polarity, and stabilizing means extendin generally axially from the rear face of said disc-shaped body for maintaining the impact face foremost in flight, said body having sufficient magnetic energy to sustain said projectile rigidly on said target when the impact face strikes said target.

2. A projectile adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target of magnetically susceptible material, said projectile comprising a permanently magnetized bodyhaving a relatively broad impact face slotted to define symmetrically arranged relatively large flat areas of opposite polarity and said body also having an axial opening, and stabilizing rudder means affixed in said opening and extending generally rearwardly with respect to said impact face, said rudder means being effective to cause said flat impact face to be turned foremost during flight irrespective of the direction in which it faces at the beginning of the flight of the projectile.

3. A projectile adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target of magnetically suss eptibie material, said projectile comprising a permanently magnetized body having a relatively broad impact face having a slot defining symmetrically arranged relatively large flat areas of opposite polarity, and stabilizing rudder means secured at one of its ends in said slot and extending generally rearwardly with respect to said impact face, said rudder means being effective to cause said flat impact face to be turned foremost during flight irrespective of the direction in which it faces at the beginning of the flight of the projectile.

4. A scoring piece adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target having a substantially impenetrable playing surfaceof magnetically susceptible material, said scoring piece comprising a permanently magnetized bidy having a blunt target-engaging and adhering face including spaced areas of opposite polarity lying in a substantially common plane for making contact with and adhering to any portion of said playing surface, and relatively light-weight rudder means attached to said body for stabilizing and guiding the scoring piece and maintaining said spaced areas foremost during flight, said rudder means extending generally rearwardly of said spaced areas, said body forming a sufficiently strong magnetic bond with a magnetically susceptible material to maintain the scoring piece substantially perpendicular to a playing surface formed of said material against the pull of gravity.

5. A scoring piece adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target having a substantially impenetrable playing surface of magnetically susceptible material, said scoring piece comprising a permanently magnetized disc having a blunt target-engaging and adhering face including spaced areas of opposite polarity lyin in a substantially common plane for making contact with and adhering to any portion of said playing surface, and relatively lightweight rudder means attached to said disc for stabilizing and guiding the scoring piece and maintaining said spaced areas foremost during flight, said rudder means extending generally rearwardly of said spaced areas, said disc having a diameter greater than the thickness of the disc and forming a suf- .ficiently strong magnetic bond with a magnetically susceptible material to maintain the scoring piece substantially perpendicular to a playing surface formed of said material against the pull of gravity.

6. In a game, a target having a substantially flat impenetrable vertical playing surface of magnetically susceptible material, and a scoring piece adapted to be freely projected through the air at said target, said scoring piece comprising a permanently magnetized body having a blunt target engaging and adhering face including spaced areas of opposite polarity, lying in a substantially common plane for making contact with and adhering to any portion of said playing surface, and relatively lightweight rudder means attached to said body for stabilizing and guiding the scoring piece and maintaining said spaced areas foremost during flight, said rudder means extending generally rearwardly of said spaced areas, said body forming a sufflciently strong magnetic bond with the magnetically susceptible material of said playing surface to maintain the scoring piece substantially perpendicular to said playing surface againset the pull of gravity.

7. In a game, a target having a substantially flat impenetrable vertical playing surface of magnetically susceptible material, and a scoring piece adapted to be freely projected through the air at said target, said scoring piece comprising a permanently magnetized disc having a blunt targetengaging and adhering face including spaced areas of opposite polarity lying in a substantially common plane for making contact with and adhering to any portion of said playing surface, and relatively lightweight rudder means attached to said disc for stabilizing and guiding the scoring piece and maintaining said spaced areas foremost during flight, said rudder means extending generally rearwardly of said spaced areas, said disc having a diameter greater than the thickness of the disc and forming a sufficiently strong magnetic bond with the magnetically susceptible material of said playing surface to maintain the scoring piece substantially perpendicular to said playing surface against the pull of gravity.

8. A game comprising a target having a playing surface including a substantially flat area of magnetically susceptible material and a projectile including a relatively thin generally disc-shaped permanently magnetized body having a forward impact face slotted to deflne symmetrically arranged relatively large flat areas of opposite polarity, and stabilizing means extending generally axially from the rear face of said disc-shaped body for maintaining the impact face foremost in flight, said body having sufiicient magnetic energy to sustain said projectile rigidly on said target when the impact face strikes said target.

9. A game comprising a target having a playing surface including a substantially'flat area of magnetically susceptible metal, and a projectile including a permanently magnetized body having a relatively broad impact face slotted to define symmetrically aranged flat areas of opposite polarity, said body having an axial opening, and stabilizing rudder means affixed in said opening and extending generally rearwardl with respect to said impact face, said rudder means being effective to cause said fiat impact face to be turned foremost during flight irrespective of the direction in which it faces at the beginning of the flight of the projectile, said body having sufficient magnetic energy to sustain said projectile rigidly on said target when the impact face strikes said target.

10. A game comprising a target having a playing surface including a substantially flat area of magnetically susceptible material and a projectlle including a permanently magnetized body having a relatively broad impact face having a slot defining symmetrically arranged relatively large flat areas of opposite polarity, and stabilizing rudder means secured at one of its ends in said slot and extending generally rearwardly with respect to said impact face, said rudder means being effective ,to cause said flat impact face to be turned foremost during flight irrespective of the direction in which it faces at the beginning of the flight of the projecitle, said body having sufficient magnetic energy to sustain said projectile rigidly on said target when the impact face strikes said target.

11. A projectile adapted to be freely propelled through the air at a target having a flat playing surface of magnetically susceptible material, said projectile comprising, a permanently magnetized body having a target engaging face including flat areas of opposite polarity lying in a substantially common plane, and flight-stabilizing means secured to said body and extending generally rearwardly with respect to said target engaging face .for maintaining said target engaging face foremost during flight, said body having suflicient magnetic energy to form a sufficiently strong magnetic bond with a magnetically susceptible material to maintain the projectile substantially perpendicular to a playing surface formed of said material against the pull of gravity.

12. A game comprising a target having aplaying surface of magnetically susceptible material and a projectile adapted to be freely propelled through the air at said target, said projectile comprising, a permanently magnetized body having a target engaging face including flat areas of opposite polarity lying in a substantially common plane, and flight-stabilizing means secured to said body and extending generally rearwardly with respect to said target engaging face for maintaining said target engaging face foremost during flight, said body 'having sufllcient magnetic energy to form a sufficiently strong magnetic bond with the magnetically susceptible material in the target to maintain the projectile substantially perpendicular to said playing surface against the pull of gravity.

HAROLD J. VOLMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenices are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS I Date