Patent Publication Number: US-6659465-B2

Title: Silent dart board

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a dart board that does not generate noise when the blocks are hit by the darts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional dart board is shown in FIG.  6  and generally includes a frame  10  which is connected on a backing plate  13  and a plurality of electronic members  12  are connected on the backing plate  13 . The frame  10  includes a plurality of partitions separated by ribs on the frame  10  and each partition receives a block  11  therein. A dart  14  hits one of the blocks  11  and the block  11  being hit moves toward the backing plate  13  and activates the electronic members  12  so as to display scores that the throw gains. It is necessary to maintain a gap between the inside of the partitions and the blocks  11  so that the blocks  11  are allowed to move toward the backing plate  13 . Nevertheless, noise is generated when the block  11  is moving and the impact between the blocks  11  and the frame  10  no matter what material is used to make the block  11 . Besides, other blocks  11  that do not hit could shake and generate noise. The noise really reduces the feeling of entertainment of the players. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a dart board which comprises a backing plate and a frame is connected to the backing plate. A plurality of ribs extend from the frame to define a plurality of partitions in which a plurality of blocks are movably received respectively. Each block has flexible convex portions which contact an inside of the ribs defining the partition. A plurality of spring members are connected between the backing plate and the blocks. 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dart board that generates no noise when the darts hits the blocks. 
    
    
     The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show a block member and a casing of the dart board of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show the dart board of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the dart board of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows that a dart hits the block member of the dart board of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view to show that the block member received in the casing is engaged in a partition of the dart board of the present invention, and 
     FIG. 6 shows a dart hits a block of a conventional dart board. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 to  3 , the dart board of the present invention comprises a backing plate  20  and a frame  30  is connected to the backing plate  20 . A plurality of ribs  31  extend from the frame  30  and define a plurality of partitions  32  in various areas. An electronic plate  21  is connected to the backing plate  20  and located between the frame  30  and the backing plate  20 . 
     A plurality of blocks  40  are movably received in the partitions  32  respectively and each block  40  comprises a casing  41  in which a block member  42  is received from an open top of the casing  41 . Each casing  41  has a flexile peripheral wall  412  which is expanded by the block member  42  to be the convex portions  43  which contact an inside of the ribs  31  defining the partition. The block members  42  each are made by artificial fibers which are force-fitted in the casing  41  so as to expand the flexible peripheral wall  412  to be the convex portions  43 . Each casing  41  has protrusions  44  extending from an underside thereof. 
     A plurality of spring members  50  are connected between the backing plate  20  and the blocks  40 . The springs  50  each have a plurality of bosses  51  extending therefrom and electronic pads  52  are sandwiched between each of the bosses  51  and the protrusions  44 . The electronic pads  52  are electrically connected to the electronic plate  21 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the block  40  is hit by a dart  80 , the block  40  moves toward the backing plate  20  and the convex portions  43  contact the ribs  31  defining the partition  32  that the block  40  is received during the movement. The block  40  does not shank or impacts the ribs  31  so that noise is not generated. After the impact disappears, the spring member  50  pushes the block  40  back to its original position. 
     It is to be noted that the block member  42  and the casing  40  can be made to be a one-piece member. The convex portions  43  are still flexible and absorb noise during the movement of the blocks  40 . 
     While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.