Dartboards

Abstract

 A method of making a wire structure for defining the playing area of a dartboard comprising the steps of providing a series of concentric rings of wire positioned so as to define the "double" area (1,2) the "treble" areas (1,4) and the outer bullseye (5) of the playing area, positioning twenty equiangularly spaced, radially-­extending wires (6) over at least the "double" and "treble" concentric rings of wires, each radial wire (6) extending from the outer bullseye ring (5) to beyond the concentric ring (1) of greatest diameter, each radial wire at that end being provided with a spike (7) for engagement with a dartboard when the completed wire structure is applied thereto, and attaching the radial wires to the concentric circles of wires at each junction thereof by fusing.
Thus a stapleless dartboard is provided.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to dartboards and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for constructing the wire structure which overlies the playing surface of a dartboard.

[0002] As is well known, the playing area of a conventional dartboard is circular with a small circle, known as the inner bullseye, being defined at the centre of the board and surrounded by an annulus, known as the outer bullseye or "25 ring". From the outer bullseye, twenty identical segments radiate, with each segment being provided with a first transverse area, known as the "treble", approximately mid-way along the segment, and terminating in a second transverse area, known as the "double". The "treble" and "double" areas of the twenty segments together form two annuli concentric with the centre of the playing area of the dartboard. The segments are numbered from one to twenty, typically by fixing the appropriate numbers to a wire ring movably attached to the dartboard and surrounding the playing surface. The numbers ring is movable so as to permit even wear and "recovery" of the dartboard as will be explained.

[0003] Traditionally, the inner and outer bullseyes and the twenty segments have been defined by wires so that it is readily discernible in which portion of the playing area a dart lands so as to be able to allocate the score to that "throw". More specifically, the "treble" and "double" annuli are each formed by two concentric rings each fashioned from a length of wire, and the size of the segments are defined by radially-extending wires which are disposed over the "treble" and "double" wires, terminating at one end beyond the periphery of the outer ring of the "double" annulus and terminating at the other end immediately inside the ring defining the outer bullseye. The end of each radial wire is formed, such as by turning over the ends of the wire, with a spike which is driven into the playing surface of the dartboard to secure the ends in position. It is necessary to secure the "double" and "treble" wire rings in position and this is normally achieved using wire staples placed over each radial wire, one immediately adjacent the inner "treble" ring, one immediately adjacent the outer "treble" ring, and one immediately adjacent the inner "double" ring, e staples being positioned outside the "treble" and "double" annuli, as appropriate, whereby the "treble" and "double" areas of each segment are cleanly defined by the radial wires and the "treble " and "double" wires, save for the "treble" areas of two adjacent segments and the "double" areas of the same or different adjacent segments inbetween which areas the ends of the "treble" an "double" wire rings abut each other. An extra staple is placed over the appropriate radial wire immediately adjacent the inner "treble" wire ring and another immediately adjacent the inner "double" wire ring where the ends thereof abut each other.

[0004] It will be appreciated that the ends of the twenty radial wires which terminate in the outer bullseye take up a relatively high proportion of the area thereof which is not, therefore, available for entry by a dart. Furthermore, these ends present obstacles to a dart which is likely to bounce therefrom and thus fail to score. A similar problem arises with the staples used on the radial wires as these present obstacles to a dart, there being some sixty-two staples in this category.

[0005] It has always been a problem to minimise the number of lost darts by virtue of them bouncing off wires and staples and thus failing to score but this has assumed greater proportions as a result of the dramatic increase in the popularity of darts resulting in ever increasing prize money in top competitions. Accordingly, an otherwise valid dart which is lost as a result of bouncing off an obstacle and not penetrating the playing area could make a very significant difference in the result of a game and hence in the financial reward of a player. Of course, the wires themselves present obstacles in addition to the staples but attempts have been made to overcome this aspect by making the wires of a cross-sectional shape such that they tend to deflect a dart into one area or another of the playing surface as opposed to the dart bouncing from the playing area.

[0006] The present applicants attempted to obviate the problem of the presence of staples and inner ends of radial wires presenting obstacles for darts by constructing the wire structure from a plurality of wires each profiled so as to define at least part of a radial segment of the playing area, at least part of the "treble" area at the playing area, and at least part of a "double" area at the playing area and each having securing means at at least at or towards each end, the wires being secured together to form an integral wire structure for application to the playing surface of a dart board.

[0007] Whilst a wire structure formed in accordance with such an arrangement represents a significant improvement upon the prior arrangements in providing a virtually stapleless dartboard, it suffers from one disadvantage in that where adjacent wires contact each other at points along their lengths, there can be presented a small crevice in which a dart might lodge although the chances of this happening are extremely remote. If the crevice is adequately filled by a weld, then the weld itself presents an obstacle to a dart apart from the time factor in ensuring that all junctions between adjacent wires are adequately "sealed" in this respect.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantage of the wire structure disclosed in copending Patent Application No. 8705585.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a wire structure for defining the playing area of a dartboard comprising the steps of providing a series of concentric rings of wire positioned so as to define the "double" area, the "treble" area and the outer bullseye of the playing area, positioning twenty equiangularly spaced, radially-­extending wires over at least the "double" and "treble" concentric rings of wires, each radial wire extending from the outer bullseye ring to beyond the concentric ring of greatest diameter, each radial wire at that end being provided with a spike for engagement with a dartboard when the completed wire structure is applied thereto, and attaching the radial wires to the concentric circles of wires at each junction thereof by fusing.

[0010] The term "fusing" as used throughout this specification is intended to cover any form of connecting two metallic members together such as by welding, including spot welding, soldering, and by actual fusion by way of applying sufficient heat to the members so that each softens and fuses one to the other, such as by resistance welding.

[0011] The method may further comprise the step of providing a plurality, preferably four, of the radial wires with a spike at each end and arranging for those wires to engage beneath the outer bullseye ring in order to secure the latter to the dartboard when the wire structure is applied thereto. Preferably, the step of providing each of said plurality of radial wires with a second spike includes forming each of those wires with a stepped portion adjacent said second spike, each stepped portion receiving an adjacent portion of the outer bullseye ring.

[0012] Alternatively, each radial wire is formed with only one end spike and the other end terminates at, and overlies, the outer bullseye ring, the method comprising the further step of providing an arcuate member of the same radius as the outer bullseye ring and placing it beneath the latter so that it is fused to the outer bullseye ring during the fusing step, the arcuate member being provided with at least one spike for engagement with the dartboard when the wire structure is applied thereto. Peferably, the spike is provided at one end of the arcuate member and is formed by turning the latter through 90° as is each spike on the radial wires. A spike may be formed at each end of the arcuate member. The method may comprise the further step of providing two arcuate members to support substantially the whole of the outer bullseye ring. Alternatively, the arcuate member may be formed virtually as a full circle to support the outer bullseye ring.

[0013] The method may comprise the further step of providing a circle of wire concentric with the other circles of wire and arranged to define the inner bullseye of the playing surface, with an arcuate member being provided beneath the bullseye ring and provided with a spike, the arcuate member serving to support the bullseye ring when fused thereto during the fusing step. As before, two arcuate members may be provided or one member formed virtually as a full circle. Again as before, each arcuate member may be provided with a spike at one or both ends.

[0014] When the inner bullseye is formed in this way, the entire wire structure is secured to a dartboard solely by virtue of the spikes provided on the various components of the wire structure, whereby an entirely stapleless dartboard is provided. This gives rise to an extremely significant advance in the art.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wire structure for a dartboard constructed in accordance with the foregoing method.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a jig for forming a wire structure for defining the playing area of a dartboard, the jig being provided with a series of concentric circular slots for receiving wires defining the "treble" playing area of the playing surface, the "double" playing area of the playing surface and the outer bullseye ring, the jig also comprising twenty equiangularly spaced and radially-extending slots to receive wires for defining the twenty segments. The jig may also be provided with a further circular slot for receiving a wire defining the inner bullseye.

[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a partial view of a dartboard fitted with a wire structure in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a view on the line II-II of Figure 1 showing the wire structure only,

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but showing an alternative embodiment,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a component of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a side view of an inner bullseye ring and support for use with either of the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.

[0018] Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, this illustrates part of a dartboard provided with a wire structure in accordance with the present invention, the wire structure comprising a first pair of concentric wire rings 1 and 2 defining the "double" area of the playing surface, a second pair of wire rings 3 and 4 defining the "treble" area of the playing surface, the second pair of wire rings 3 and 4 being concentric with the wire rings 1 and 2, and a wire ring 5 defining the outer bullseye of the playing surface, ring 5 also being concentric with rings 1, 2, 3 and 4. The wire structure further comprises twenty (of which only some are shown) equiangularly spaced, radially-extending wires 6 which extend from the outer bullseye ring 5 to beyond the concentric ring of greatest diameter, namely ring 1.

[0019] As seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, each radial wire 6 is turned through 90° at its radially outer end in order to form a spike 7 for engaging the dartboard. The spike is preferably of the order of 30mm long in order that it penetrates through the bristle which, on a quality dartboard, is provided for the playing surface, and into a backing for the bristle normally composesd of wood, fibreboard or the like. The majority of the radial wires 6 terminate at the outer bullseye ring 5 as seen in the lower half of Figure 2. However, a plurality, preferably four, of the radial wires 6′ are provided with a further spike 8 at the outer bullseye ring end and are futhermore formed with a stepped portion 9 at that end in order to receive the outer bullseye ring 5. The four radial wires 6′ are generally equally spaced around the dartboard in order to provide fixation points for the outer bullseye ring 5 when the wire structure is applied to the dartboard. The number of the radial wires 6′ employed can be varied as required and can be the totality of radial wires. Furthermore, the spikes 8 may be formed separately and spot welded to the inner end of each radial wire 6 to be fitted therewith.

[0020] Instead of forming the radial wires 6 with the stepped portion 9, the ends of these wires may be bent generally at right angles so as to lie along part of the outer bullseye ring 5 and be attached to the underside thereof by spot welding, for example.

[0021] The wire structure comprising the components 1 to 6 described above is formed, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, by placing the various wires in appropriate slots in a jig and then securing the wires together at the respective junctions thereof in order to provide an integral wire structure for application to the dartboard itself. This step of connecting the wire components of the wire structure together can be accompanied by an actual fusion technique in which sufficient heat is applied to the wires in order to soften the same and fuse contacting wires together (for example by resistance welding), or may be accomplished by welding, spot welding or the like. Once the wire structure has been completed in this respect, it is then applied to the dartboard and merely pressed into position, whereupon the spikes 7 and 8 engage the bristle playing surface and extend therethrough into the backing of the dartboard so as firmly to secure the wire structure in position.

[0022] As yet, no reference has been made to the inner bullseye and this can be in the form of a ring of wire 13 which is stapled in position although preferably, it is otherwise secured to the playing surface of the dartboard in a manner to be described in connection with Figures 3 to 5 of the drawings.

[0023] Turning now to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, this illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the concentric "double" and "treble" rings 1, 2; 3, 4 are employed as in the first embodiment, together with the radial wires 6 all of which terminate at the outer bullseye ring 5 which is again as in the first embodiment. Instead of employing a number of the radial wires 6′ with an extra spike 8 at the end thereof in order to secure the outer bullseye ring 5, the latter is secured in this embodiment using at least one securing member in the form of an arcuate wire 11 of the same radius as the outer bullseye ring 5 and formed at each end with a spike 12. As will be seen from Figure 3, the outer bullseye ring 5 is arranged to overlie the arcuate member 11, with the ends of the radial wires 6 in turn overlaying the outer bullseye ring 5. Thus, during the fusing step, these three components are secured together. This embodiment avoids the necessity of providing the slightly differently formed radial wires 6′ whereby a standard radial wire 6 can be employed throughout. If desired, two of the arcuate wires 11 can be employed in order to support the outer bullseye ring 5 substantially all around its circumference.

[0024] A similar arcuate member 11 may be employed to support an inner bullseye ring 13 in a similar manner to the outer bullseye ring 5, thus providing a wire structure for a dartboard which is entirely devoid of any staples for securing that structure to the dartboard itself. As with the outer bullseye ring 5, two arcuate wire members 11 may be used to support the inner bullseye ring 13. In both instances, a single arcuate member may be employed which is virtually a full circle. Figure 4 of the drawings illustrates the arcuate member 11 in perspective view and Figure 5 illustrates the inner bullseye ring 13 supported by an arcuate member 11.

[0025] The wire used for entire wire structure is preferably of stainless steel and wire of 1/16" (l.5mm) diameter has been found particularly suitable. The use of stainless steel wire permits welding and yet provides a corrosion free, stable structure which does not require to be subjected to annealing in order to remove brittleness which needs to be done if steel or other wire is employed.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a wire structure defining the playing area of a dartboard which either substantially eliminates, or entirely eliminates, the need for staples to secure that structure to the dartboard.

Claims

1. A method of making a wire structure for defining the playing area of a dartboard characterised in that it comprises the steps of providing a series of concentric rings of wire positioned so as to define the "double" area (1,2), the "treble" area (1,4) and the outer bullseye (5) of the playing area, positioning twenty equiangularly spaced, radial]y-extending wires (6) over at least the "double" and "treble" concentric rings of wires, each radial wire (6) extending from the outer bullseye ring to beyond the concentric ring of greatest diameter, each radial wire at that end being provided with a spike (7) for engagement with a dartboard when the completed wire structure is applied thereto, and attaching the radial wires to the concentric circles of wires at each junction thereof by fusing.

2. A method according to claim 1 characterised, in that it further comprises the step of providing a plurality of the radial wires (6) with a spike (7,8) at each end and arranging for those wires to engage beneath the outer bullseye ring (5) in order to secure the latter to the dartboard when the wire structure is applied thereto.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the step of providing each of said plurality of radial wires (6) with a second spike (8) includes forming each of those wires with a stepped portion (9) adjacent said second spike, each stepped portion receiving an adjacent portion of the outer bullseye ring (5).

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the step of providing a plurality of the radial wires (6) with a spike (7,8) at each end involves four of the radial wires.

5. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that each radial wire (6) is formed with only one end spike (7) and the other end terminates at, and overlies, the outer bullseye ring (5), and in that the method comprises the further step of providing an arcuate member (11) of the same radius as the outer bullseye ring (5) and placing it beneath the latter so that it is fused to the outer bullseye ring during the fusing step, the arcuate member being provided with at least one spike (12) for engagement with the dartboard when the wire structure is applied thereto.

6. A method according to claim 5, characterised in that the spike (12) is provided at one end of the arcuate member (11) and is formed by turning the latter through 90°.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a spike (12) is formed at each end of the arcuate member (11).

8. A method according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it comprises the further step of providing two arcuate members (11) to support substantially the whole of the outer bullseye ring (5).

9. A method according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it comprises the further step forming the arcuate member (11) virtually as a full circle to support the outer bullseye ring (5).

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises the further step of providing a circle of wire concentric with the other circles of wire and arranged to define the inner bullseye (13) of the playing surface, with an arcuate member (11) being provided beneath the bullseye ring and provided with a spike (12), the arcuate member serving to support the bullseye ring when fused thereto during the fusing step.

11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises the further step of providing two arcuate members (11) to support substantially the whole of the inner bullseye ring (13).

12. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises the further step of forming the arcuate member (11) virtually as a full circle to support the inner bullseye ring (13).

13. A wire structure for a dartboard constructed in accordance with the method of any of the preceding claims.

Drawing