Abstract:
A dart game apparatus for alternate participation by a plurality of players by skillfully dropping projectiles toward a target, having defined thereon a plurality of discrete, identified regions, through a vertical tubular structure to acquire a score.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The conventional dart game employs a dartboard and a plurality of projectiles. Players alternate participation by propelling projectiles through the air towards a target to acquire points.  
           [0002]    There is a need for a dart game that incorporates a tabletop game play without limitations regarding a need for a large area to play within.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The invention relates in general to a game apparatus for use by one or more players who alternate in active participation by skillfully dropping projectiles through an opening of a vertical tubular structure toward a target at the opposite end of the vertical tubular structure. By removing the target cap, a player calculates their score by counting the value of the areas in which their projectiles are positioned. Once a score is calculated, the player removes its projectiles from target and then repositions the target cap into the vertical tubular structure to continue game play. Several different games and alternate types and or artwork for targets may be played utilizing this form of game play.  
           [0004]    The invention may be used as a travel game, a floor game, a desktop or tabletop game as well as a handheld game.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a dart game apparatus assembled.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a vertical tubular structure.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a removable cap.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of one form of a projectile.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of one form of target.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 through FIG. 11 are perspective drawings demonstrating the use of the dart game apparatus during game play.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 12 is a drawing of a section through FIG. 2.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 13 is a drawing of a target adhered to a removable cap.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate target design.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 15 is a perspective drawing of an alternative structure comprised of a skeleton type structure.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 16 is a perspective drawing of an alternative structure comprised of a skeleton type structure having telescoping capabilities to extend height of game play.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 17 is a perspective drawing of an alternate removable cap having target artwork printed or silkscreen directly onto the cap&#39;s surface.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 18 is perspective drawings in series of an alternate embodiment having permanent target end caps secured to a vertical tubular structure.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown a dart game apparatus of this invention which includes the use of a clear plastic extruded or cast tube  200 . The tube  200  could be of many shapes namely round, square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, oval or any other shape that may utilize this form of game play. The tube  200  may be made of other material such as injected molded plastic, extruded aluminum or any similar material and process that utilizes this form of game play. The tube  200  may be of any length or diameter consisting of an inner wall  203 , an outer wall  204  and open ends  201  and  202 . The tube&#39;s ends  201  and  202  may be modified to receive the removable target caps  300   a  such as having a portion of threaded inner wall  203  or portion threaded of outer wall  204  to accommodate and securing target cap  300   a.    
         [0020]    The removable target cap&#39;s  300   a  interior plug  303  is screwed or press fitted into the tube&#39;s  200  open ends  201  and  202  or inserted into or on by any other similar non-permanent means. To remove the target cap  300   a , it is preferable to grasp the rim or flange  302  and turn, twist or pull depending on the type of interference between the plug  303  and the inner wall  203  or outer wall  204 . When the game is played on a tabletop environment, the bottom surface  301  of the target cap  300   a  lies flush to tabletop&#39;s surface and the apparatus stands erect. The removable caps  300  are formed of any rigid material such as wood, plastic, metal, aluminum or of any soft material such as rubber, cork or any other similar hard or soft material. Both removable caps  300  have targets  500  mounted to them by the means of adhesive or the like, in which case the cap  300  and target  500  act unitarily. During game play, only one removable target cap  300   a  is inserted and secured into the bottom opening  202  of the tube  200  leaving the top end  201  open as shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 11.  
         [0021]    The target  500 , made of cork, paper, rough hook surface or any similar target material, may be permanently adhered to the surface  304  of the removable caps  300 . The target  500  is in the form of a circle having a plurality of discrete, identified regions  502  which are silkscreen, printed or any other similar means of applying artwork on the top surface  501 . The target  500  could be of many shapes, namely round, square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, oval or any other shape that may utilize this form of game play. Normally, the target  500  shape will follow the contour of the inner wall  203  of the tube  200 . In an alternate embodiment the target  500  may also rest atop of the surface  304  without being permanently attached to the removable cap  300  which will allow many different designs of targets  501   a  to be interchanged for alternative game play.  
         [0022]    The projectiles  400  have a main body  401  and a sharp needle like tip  402  that will penetrate the targets  500  top surface  501  and maintain its position on impact. The projectiles  400  are made up of metal or a heavy material or weighted plastic. In an alternate embodiment the projectiles may be balls with a fuzz surface that will be used with a target having a rough hook surface. In conventional dart games, there are many forms of projectiles and targets, any of which may be used in this form of game play.  
         [0023]    Referring particularly to FIG. 6 through FIG. 11, the drawings demonstrate the use of the invention during game play. In FIG. 6, the player holds and skillfully aims its projectile  400  over the opening  201  of the tube  200 . At player&#39;s discretion, will release the projectile  400  staying within the inner walls  203  of the tube  200  towards the target  500 .  
         [0024]    In FIG. 7, the projectile  400  has been released and is free falling towards the target  500 .  
         [0025]    In FIG. 8, the projectile  400  penetrated the target&#39;s  500  top surface  501  maintaining its position after impact.  
         [0026]    In FIG. 9, a second projectile  400   a  is held over the opening  201  of the tube  200  and released as shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 shows both projectiles  400  and  400   a  maintaining their position after impact of the target  500 . This process continues to repeat itself for all projectiles  400 . Players may choose to remove their projectiles  400  after their turn. This will be determined from what game is played.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 shows the target  502  silkscreen or printed or any other similar means of applying artwork onto the top surface  304  of the removable cap  300   b.  The cap  300   b  would be made of a penetrable material such as cork or any other similar pervious material.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 shows an alternate embodiment having permanent target end caps  300   c  secured to a vertical tubular structure  200 . The target end caps  300   c  have a means of releasing projectiles externally. This may be achieved by a steel plug  302  being separated from target housing  301   c  and allowing the magnetic projectiles  400   a  free fall towards the bottom target  500   b . Once a score has been calculated, the embodiment is rotated  180  degrees and the process is repeated. In this embodiment, both target end caps  300   c  and target design would be identical.