Abstract:
The present invention includes a dart carrier for carrying darts, dart parts and other items associated with dart throwing. The dart carrier includes a quiver member having storage chambers such as through-bores, re-entrant bores, and recesses, for example. The various storage chambers retain and store assembled darts and accessories. The carrier further includes a plunger or piston to elevate stored items resting on a lifter plate in the housing for easy access. The plunger retracts the lifter plate during storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to dart carriers and more specifically to a mechanical dart carrier for holding and transporting darts and related accessories. 
     Dart throwing is a popular pastime and competitive leisure time sport among amateurs and professionals. Often a dart shooter may wish to carry extra flights and/or tips for replacement during play. Currently, foldable wallet-style carriers are available to house these extra tips and flights. However, this type of carrier presents several drawbacks. First, since flights are stored therein, either as a part of a dart assembly or separately, crush damage to these delicate, relatively flexible parts is possible. Further, the carrier is not impervious to liquid; hence, its contents are susceptible to fluid damage if the carrier is accidentally dropped in water, for example. 
     The above-mentioned invention offers a solution to these problems while additionally offering several features unique to dart carriers. The mechanical dart carrier of the present invention is preferably cylindrical in shape and includes a quiver member and a protective housing. The quiver member is designed to retain assembled darts and extra tips and flights. A plunger or piston serves to elevate a lifter upon which assembled darts rest. The piston elevates the lifter for access and retracts the lifter when the darts resting thereon are placed in storage position. A return rod is directly connected to the plunger. Downward longitudinal movement of the return rod, while the lifter is in the extended or in use position, returns the lifter to the stored position. The return rod may be of any length, but is preferably of a length to accommodate the length of the dart being stored. The dart carrier preferably includes a cap which, while in place over the quiver member, prevents the return rod and lifter from inadvertent elevation. 
     The dart carrier may also include other features such as recesses for extra coin storage and internal or external lighting. Further, the case housing and cap are preferably made from anodized aluminum or other durable material that may be additionally personalized by engraving or the like. The quiver member may be made from any corrosive resistant material such as stainless steel or a translucent material such as acrylic plastic. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of dart carriers, the present invention provides a new carrier. The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved dart carrier and method, which does not have the disadvantages present in known devices. 
     More particularly, the present invention provides an enclosure or housing for assembled dart and a number of dart accessories including tips, flights and extra coins, by way of example. The housing may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing be cylindrical and have a tubular bore. The items to be stored are retained in a quiver member residing in the tubular bore and extending outwardly from an end of the housing. The quiver member preferably includes specially configured, coextensive through-chambers and circumferentially spaced recesses and re-entrant bores. Assembled darts to be stored may be housed in the through-chambers and suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter located in the housing below the quiver. Additional items may be stored in stationary, circumferentially spaced recesses and re-entrant bores located in the quiver member. 
     The moveable lifter preferably includes a stem having at its lower end a radially extending lifter plate. The lifter plate is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member and below the items located in the coextensive through-chambers to be supported thereon. The lifter, while in the retracted position, is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member to allow the stored items resting on the lifter plate to be elevated above the top of the quiver member upon longitudinal upward travel of the lifter plate. This action allows access of the stored items when they are elevated by the lifter plate. The lifter plate and stem are captive in the housing. However, when fully elevated, the stem may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member. A removable cap further protects the contents of the quiver member while not in use. 
     It is an object of this invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier which supports and protects delicate dart components during transport. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier with a longitudinally movable supporting lifter plate which allows darts to be enclosed during transport and elevated for use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a dart and accessories carrier that can be provided with illumination means. 
     Various other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the dart carrier. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in FIG. 1 with the top removed. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a longitudinal section of the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and taken along line 3 a- 3 a  of FIG. 2 showing the lifter plate in retracted, storage position. 
     FIG. 3 b  is a longitudinal section similar to the view of FIG. 3 a , but showing the lifter plate in the extended position. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 1-3 b , inclusive. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded elevational view of an alternative embodiment dart carrier. 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in FIG. 5 with the top removed. 
     FIG. 7 a  is a longitudinal section of the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and taken along line 7 a- 7 a  of FIG.  6  and showing an alternative embodiment including an externally threaded lifter plate in retracted, storage position. 
     FIG. 7 b  is a longitudinal section similar to the view of FIG. 7 a , but showing the threaded lifter plate in the extended position. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 5-7 b , inclusive. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded elevational view of another alternative embodiment dart carrier. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the dart carrier shown in FIG. 9 with the top removed. 
     FIG. 11 a  is a longitudinal sectional view of the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and taken along line  11   a - 11   a  of FIG. 10 showing the lifter plate in retracted, storage position. 
     FIG. 11 b  is a longitudinal section view similar to the view of  11   a  but showing the lifter plate in the extended position. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the components comprising the dart carrier shown in FIGS. 9-11 b , inclusive. 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded elevational view of another alternative embodiment dart carrier showing a rotatable collar member. 
    
    
     Like elements described and illustrated herein bear like reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring now to the views of FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the dart carrier  10  may be seen. As seen particularly in the view of FIG. 4, the dart carrier  10  includes a housing member  12  and a quiver member  14  attached to one end  16  of the housing member  12 . The housing  12  may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing  12  be cylindrical. The items to be stored are retained below the top surface  15  of the quiver member  14  in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers  18 , circumferentially spaced recesses  20 , and re-entrant bores  22 . 
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 2,  3   a , and  3   b , through-chambers  18  are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member  14 . Assembled darts  24 , shown in phantom in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , are slidably received in individual through-chambers  18 . The through-chambers  18  include a through bore  26 , an open outer end  28   a  and an open inner end  28   b . Individual assembled darts  24  to be stored in respective through-chambers  18  are preferably inserted tip  24   a  first through open outer end  28   a . The open inner end  28   b  allows the through-chamber bore  26  to be in communication with the housing bore  30 . Through-chambers  18  are preferably further provided with communicating, radially extending slots  32  to provide support and protection for the flights  24   b  of assembled darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18 . 
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  4 , additional items, such as extra flights  24   a  or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses  20  located on the periphery of the quiver member  14 . The recesses  20  preferably include a supporting surface  34  facing the exterior of the quiver member  14  and oppositely disposed, facing grooves  36  defining the width of the recess  20 . The configuration of the recesses  20  is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members  24   a  or coins (not shown). 
     It is preferred that the quiver member  14  further include at least one re-entrant bore  22  for slidably receiving and storing replacement dart tips  24   a . The re-entrant bore  22  is preferably circumferentially-spaced and of a sufficient depth to accommodate a dart tip  24   a . As seen in FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  4 , the re-entrant bore  22  may further include a removable cap  38 . The removable cap  38  is easily dislodged from its interference fit in the re-entrant bore  22  by inserting a fingernail (not shown) or other suitable tool in skived area  78  (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ). 
     As mentioned above, assembled darts  24  are preferably retained in through-chambers  18  located in the quiver member  14 . Since the inner end  28   b  of each through-bore  26  is open and in communication with the hollow bore  30  of the housing  12 , darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18  may enter the hollow housing bore  30 . Assembled darts  24  are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter  40  located in the housing bore  30  below the quiver member  14 . As seen in FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  4 , the lifter  40  preferably includes a stem member  42  having a lower end portion  44  and an upper end portion  46 . The lower end portion  42  of the stem member  42  includes a radially extending lifter plate  48 . The lower end portion  44  of the stem member  42  may be connected to the lifter plate  48  in any feasible manner, however it is preferred that lower end portion  44  be threadably connected to the lifter plate  48 . 
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , the upper end portion  46  of the stem member  42  is preferably of a greater diameter than the lower end portion  44 . The two end portions  44 ,  46  being threadably connected to one another and slidably received in a stem through-bore  50  located in the quiver member  14 . The stem through-bore  50  preferably includes major portion  52  terminating in a minor portion  52   a  at shouldered area  54 . The major portion  52  is preferably of a larger diameter than the minor portion  52   a , the diameters corresponding to the respective diameters of the upper end  46  and lower end  44  of the stem member  42 . This arrangement allows the stem member  42  to travel longitudinally within the stem through-bore  50  with the shouldered area  54  acting as a stop for the larger diametered upper end  46  of the stem member. The shouldered area  54  retains the stem member  42  in the stem bore  50  during downward travel to prevent the lifter  40  from escaping the housing bore  30 . 
     The lifter plate  48  is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member  14  and below the items to be stored in the through-chambers  18 . A countersunk well area  56  in the supporting surface  58  of the lifter plate  48  allows dart tips  24   a  of assemble darts  24  to be supported thereon. 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , movement of the lifter  40  may be seen. The lifter  40 , while in the retracted position seen in FIG. 3 a , is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member  14  to permit the darts  24  to reside below the top surface  15  of quiver member  14 . Upon longitudinal upward travel of the lifter  40 , seen in FIG. 3 b , the stored darts  24  resting on supporting surface  58  of countersunk well area  56  of the lifter plate  48  are elevated for access above the top surface  15  of the quiver member  14 . Optionally, washers  88  made of hook and loop fastener material may be provided as seen in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  to aid in retaining the lifter plate  48  in the elevated position. The lifter plate  48  and stem member  42  are captive in the housing  12 , however when fully elevated, the stem member  42  may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member  14 . 
     A removable cap  60  (seen in FIGS. 1 and 4) further protects the contents of the quiver member  14  while not in use. While the removable cap  60  is in place over the quiver member  14  it also serves to limit travel of the stem member  42  to thereby prevent inadvertent elevation of the stored darts  24 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 inclusive, an alternative embodiment dart carrier  10   a  may be seen. As seen in the previous embodiment, the dart carrier  10   a  includes a housing member  12  and a quiver member  14 , however as seen here the quiver member  14  is integrally formed with the housing member  12 . The housing  12  may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing  12  be cylindrical. Similarly to the previous embodiment, the items to be stored are retained below the top surface  15  of the quiver member  14  in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers  18 , circumferentially spaced recesses  20 , and re-entrant bores  22  (not seen in these views). Although storage areas  18 ,  20 ,  22  are preferred, it is to be understood that it is not necessary for the dart carrier to include all storage areas  18 ,  20 ,  22 . Further, other configurations for storage areas will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 6,  7   a , and  7   b , through-chambers  18  are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member  14 . Assembled darts  24 , shown in phantom in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b , are slidably received in individual through-chambers  18 . As seen in the previous embodiment, the through-chambers  18  include a through bore  26 , an open outer end  28   a  and an open inner end  28   b . Individual assembled darts  24  to be stored in respective through-chambers  18  are inserted tip  24   a  first through open outer end  28   a . The open inner end  28   b  allows the through-chamber bore  26  to be in communication with the housing bore  30 . Through-chambers  18  are preferably further provided with communicating, radially extending slots  32  to provide support and protection for the flights  24   b  of assembled darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18 . 
     Additional items, such as extra flights  24   a  or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses  20  located on the periphery of the quiver member  14 . The recesses  20  preferably include a supporting surface  34  facing the exterior of the quiver member  14  and oppositely disposed, facing grooves  36  defining the width of the recess  20 . The configuration of the recesses  20  is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members  24   a  or coins (not shown). 
     While not shown in the views of FIGS. 5-8, it is to be understood that the quiver member  14  of dart carrier  10   a  may be optionally provided with at least one re-entrant bore  22  similar to those shown in the previous embodiment. The optional re-entrant bore  22  (seen In FIG. 1) slidably receives and stores replacement dart tips  24   a.    
     As in the previous embodiment, assembled darts  24  are preferably retained in through-chambers  18  located in the quiver member  14 . Since the inner end  28   b  of each through-bore  26  is open and in communication with the hollow bore  30  of the housing  12 , darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18  may enter the hollow housing bore  30 . Assembled darts  24  are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter assembly  40   a  located in the housing bore  30  below the quiver member  14 . As seen in FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b , and  8 , the lifter assembly  40   a  preferably includes a threaded stem member  42   a . The stem member  42   a  includes a threaded portion  61  and a socket portion  62 . The socket portion is adapted to receive the tip of a conventional allen wrench (not shown) should it be desired to adjust the stem member  42   a . The threaded stem member  42   a  is threadably connected to a threaded, radially extending lifter plate  48   a.    
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b , socket portion  62  the stem member  42   a  is preferably of a greater diameter than the threaded portion  61 . The two portions  61 ,  62  being slidably received in a stem through-bore  50  located in the quiver member  14 . The stem through-bore  50  preferably includes major portion  52  terminating in a minor portion  52   a  at shouldered area  54 . The major portion  52  is preferably of a larger diameter than the minor portion  52   a , the diameters corresponding to the respective diameters of portions  61 ,  62  of the stem member  42   a . This arrangement seats the socket portion  62  securely in shouldered area  54 . The threaded lifter plate  48   a  includes circumferentially spaced threads  64  that are threadingly mated with threads  66  in threaded bore  30   a.    
     The threaded lifter plate  48   a  is normally spaced below the stationary quiver member  14  and below the items to be stored in the through-chambers  18 . A countersunk well area  56  on the supporting surface  58  of the lifter plate  48   a  allows dart tips  24   a  to be supported thereon. 
     Referring now particularly to FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b , movement of the lifter assembly  40   a  may be seen. The lifter assembly  40   a , while in the retracted position seen in FIG. 7 a , is located a sufficient distance below the quiver member  14 . Upon rotational movement of the base member  82 , threaded lifter plate  48   a  and the stored darts  24  resting on the lifter plate  48   a  are elevated for access above the top surface  15  of the quiver member  14 . The threaded lifter plate  48   a  and stem member  42  are captive in the housing  12 , however when fully elevated, stop rods  68  secured to lifter plate  48   a  may rise above the upper periphery of the quiver member  14 . The purpose of the stop rods  68  is to prevent inadvertent elevation of the lifter assembly  40   a  and damage of the items contained in the quiver  14 . Upon placement of the removable cap  60  on the quiver member  14 , the stop rods  68  are prevented from elevation, thereby also preventing the lifter assembly  40   a  from elevating as well. This feature allows the lifter assembly  40   a  to be elevated only when the cap  60  is removed. 
     Yet another embodiment of the dart carrier may be seen in the views of FIGS. 9-12, inclusive. As seen in the previous embodiments, the dart carrier  10   b  includes a housing member  12  and a quiver member  14  attached to one end  16  of the housing member  12 . The housing may be of any suitable shape, although it is preferred that the housing be cylindrical, and as shown in FIG. 9 may include flattened outer surface areas  80 . Flattened outer surfaces areas  80  may be engraved, if desired. The items to be stored are retained below the top surface  15  of the quiver member  14  in specially configured, coextensive through-chambers,  18  circumferentially spaced recesses  20 , and re-entrant bores  22 . 
     As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 10,  11   a , and  11   b , through-chambers  18  are preferably cylindrical in shape and longitudinally coextensive with the quiver member  14 . Assembled darts  24 , shown in phantom in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b , are slidably received in individual through-chambers  18 . As seen in the previous embodiments, the through-chambers  18  include a through bore  26 , an open outer end  28   a  and an open inner end  28   b . Individual assembled darts  24  to be stored in respective through-chambers  18  are inserted tip  24   a  first through open outer end  28   a . The open inner end  28   b  allows the through-chamber bore  26  to be in communication with the housing bore  30 . Through-chambers  18  are preferably further provided with communicating radially extending slots  32  to provide support and protection for the flights  24   b  of assembled darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18 . 
     Additional items, such as extra flights  24   a  or coins (not shown) may be stored in stationary, circumferentially-spaced recesses  20  located on the periphery of the quiver member  14 . The recesses  20  preferably include a supporting surface  34  facing the exterior of the quiver member  14  and oppositely disposed, facing grooves  36  defining the width of the recess  20 . The configuration of the recesses  20  is adapted to accommodate replaceable flight members  24   a  or coins (not shown). As seen particularly in FIG. 10, recesses  20  may be further provided with a secondary, countersunk recess  20   a . Secondary recess  20   a  may be used for storage of additional items such as a dart wrench (not shown). 
     As in the previous embodiments, the quiver member  14  preferably further includes at least one re-entrant bore  22  for slidably receiving and storing replacement dart tips  24   a . The re-entrant bore  22  is preferably circumferentially-spaced and of a sufficient depth to accommodate a dart tip  24   a . The re-entrant bore may further include a removable cap  38  as seen in FIG.  12 . Cap  38  may be easily removed by inserting a fingernail (not shown), or other suitable tool into skived area  78  (see FIGS.  9  and  10 ). 
     As mentioned above, assembled darts  24  are preferably retained in through-chambers  18  located in the quiver member  14 . Since the inner end  28   b  of each through-bore  26  is open and in communication with the hollow bore  30  of the housing  12 , darts  24  stored in the through-chambers  18  may enter the hollow housing bore  30 . Assembled darts  24  are preferably suspended on a longitudinally movable lifter  40  located in the housing bore  30  below the quiver member  14 . As seen in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b , the lifter  40  functions similarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b . However it is to be noted that dart carrier  10   b  seen in FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  is further fitted with an internal lighting source, such as a light emitting diode (LED)  70 . LED  70  is activated by way of switch  72  upon contact with the lifter plate  48 . The dart carrier  10   b  shown in FIGS. 9-12 may be further provided with a quiver light source  74 . Light source  74  including a finger operable switch  76 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, an alternative embodiment dart carrier  10   c  can be seen. The dart carrier  10   c  illustrated in this view, while similar to the previously mentioned embodiments, includes a rotatable collar member  84 . Rotatable collar  84  includes open ends  85   a ,  85   b  and is adapted to be slidably received on housing member  12 . The collar member  84  preferably includes at least one circumferentially spaced aperture or window  86 . Dart carrier  10   c  is further provided with circumferentially spaced recesses  20   a  located on the outer periphery of the housing member  12  and arranged to provide additional storage space, if necessary. The rotatable collar member  84  provides alternative closure and access of the recesses  20   a  as rotation of the collar  84  moves the window  86  into and out of alignment with individual recesses  20   a.    
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.