GB2229373A - Dartboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A dartboard comprises a matrix of open compartments (3, 8, 11, 14) defining different score areas of the board, the compartments being filled with a non-hardening plastic material, such as "Plasticine" (Registered Trade Mark). The matrix is suitably an integral plastics injection moulding. <IMAGE>

Description

DARTBOARD This invention relates to a dartboard.

Dartboards are conventionally formed by producing a printed fibrous blank and then attaching a wire frame to separate the different scoring areas. The wire frame is attached by staples, which present an obstruction to the darts entering the dartboard. Achieving accurate registration between the wire frame and the pre-printed blank is also difficult, and with wear of the fibrous blank, the board becomes unacceptable and has to be discarded.

According to the present invention, a dartboard comprises a matrix of open compartments defining different score areas of the board, the compartments being filled with a non-hardening plastic material. The matrix of compartments is preferably formed by a planar base having a plurality of partitions upstanding therefrom. The base and the partitions are preferably parts of an integrated plastics moulding, suitably an injection moulding.

The plastic material is suitably a modelling clay, for example of the type sold under the Registered Trade Mark "Plasticine". Different compartments or groups of compartments may contain different coloured plastic material to reproduce the conventional appearance of a dartboard.

The thickness of the plastic material is preferably at least 12mm.

The exposed edges of the compartments are preferably rounded to deflect the point of a dart striking said edge away from said edge.

The matrix is preferably mounted in a frame which has indicators corresponding to the score areas of the board.

The indicators may comprise numbers between radial divisions aligning with divisions in the board. The frame is suitably also a plastics moulding, the divisions and the numbers being moulded therein, e.g. by injection moulding. The frame can be provided with flat regions outwardly of the numbers, upon which advertising material can be displayed.

As well as eliminating the problems caused by clipping a wire frame on to a fibre base, the dartboard of the invention has further advantages. The holes caused in the surface of the board during play can readily be removed by rolling the surface of the plastic material with a small roller, thus ensuring that a clean surface is available for each game, if desired. If the plastic material in any segment deteriorates through excessive use, it can be easily replaced.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the dartboard; Figure 2 is a section on line X-X in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a frame for receiving the board shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a section on line Y-Y in Figure 3.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the dartboard 1 is of conventional layout, having radial divisions 2 defining twenty segments 3, each of which is sub-divided by circular divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7 to define an outer annulus of segments 3a forming the double score ring, an inner annulus of segments 3c forming the treble score ring, segments 3b therebetween, and segments 3d between the treble score ring and the bull 8, defined by a circular division 9, and containing a concentric circular division 10 defining the bullseye region 11. Each of the divisions 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 is formed as a partition upstanding from a planar base 12, the partitions and the base being integrally injection moulded in a plastics material such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers) or polystyrene.An outer partition 13 upstanding around the circumference of the base 12 defines an outer no-score region 14 of the board. The segments 3 and the regions 8, 11 and 14 thus define open compartments.

Each region of the board defined by the partitions, or compartment, is filled to a level with, or just below, the upper (or outer) edges of the partitions, with a non-hardening modelling clay such as "Plasticine" (Registered Trade Mark), coloured appropriately for the region.

The board is optionally provided with a frame, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The frame 30 consists of a plastics injection moulding having a raised circular portion 31 conforming with the outer partition 13 of the board and an inner circular flange 32 against which the board is received in use. The raised circular portion 31 is provided with moulded radial divisions 33 corresponding in position to the radial divisions 2 in the board 1. Within these divisions 33 are moulded numbers 34 according to the conventional arrangement. The remainder of the frame 30 provides four corner segments 35 which are generally flat and which are suitable for receiving, for example, adver tising material or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, the frame may be extended to provide, at each side, a chalkboard region for scoring purposes. The frame provides a convenient means of fixing the dartboard to a wall or the like.

While the dartboard illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is of a conventional pattern, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to any dartboard pattern.

Claims (9)

1. A dartboard comprising a matrix of open compartments defining different score areas of the board, the compartments being filled with a non-hardening plastic material.

2. A dartboard according to Claim 1, wherein the matrix of compartments is formed by a planar base having a plurality of partitions upstanding therefrom.

3. A dartboard according to Claim 2, wherein the base and the partitions are parts of an integrated plastics moulding.

4. A dartboard according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plastic material is a modelling clay.

5. A dartboard according to any preceding claim, wherein different compartments or groups of compartments contain different coloured plastic material.

6. A dartboard according to any preceding claim, wherein the exposed edges of the compartments are rounded to deflect the point of a dart striking said edge away from said edge.

7. A dartboard according to any preceding claim, comprising an outer frame into which the matrix may be inserted, the frame being provided with indicators corresponding to the score areas of the board.

8. A dartboard according to Claim 7, wherein the indicators comprise numbers between radial divisions aligning with divisions in the board.

9. A dartboard, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

9. A dartboard according to Claim 8, wherein the frame is a plastics moulding, the divisions and the numbers being moulded therein.

10. A dartboard according to Claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the frame is provided with regions positioned outwardly of the indicators for receiving display material.

11. A dartboard according to Claim 10, wherein each said region comprises a substantially planar surface.

12. A dartboard, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A dartboard comprising a matrix of open compartments defining different score areas of the board, the matrix being an integrated plastics moulding having a planar base with a plurality of partitions upstanding therefrom, the compartments being filled with a non-hardening plastic material, and the exposed edges of the compartments being rounded to deflect the point of a dart striking said edge away from said edge.

2. A dartboard according to Claim 1, wherein the plastic material is a modelling clay.

3. A dartboard according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein different compartments or groups of compartments contain different coloured plastic material.

4. A dartboard according to any Claim 1,2 or 3, comprising an outer frame into which the matrix may be inserted, the frame being provided with indicators corresponding to the score areas of the board.

5. A dartboard according to Claim 4, wherein the indicators comprise numbers between radial divisions aligning with divisions in the board.

6. A dartboard according to Claim 5, wherein the frame is a plastics moulding, the divisions and the numbers being moulded therein.

7. A dartboard according to Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the frame is provided with regions positioned outwardly of the indicators for receiving display material.

8. A dartboard according to Claim 7, wherein each said region comprises a substantially planar surface.