Patent Abstract:
A first dart tool  110  having a hollow first housing  112 . The first dart tool  110  has a flight straightener  114  securely attached to the first housing  112 . The flight straightener  114  has a flight straightener top  114 T which has a flight straightener top front  114 TA having a flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and a flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL. The flight straightener  114  further has a flight straightener bottom  114 B which has a flight straightener bottom front  114 BA having a flight straightener bottom front right corner  114 BAR and a flight straightener bottom front left corner  114 BAL. A first sharpener  116  is securely positioned within the first housing  112 . An alternative embodiment of the dart tool includes a unique combination of flight straighteners, tip sharpener and wrench-type devices for removal of metal and plastic types of several sizes, as well as a device for removal of broken plastic shafts and tips. A housing is provided having a flight straightener, a tip sharpener, and an adjacent metal insert which includes a through hole which defines wrenches of several types and sizes for ready tip removal. A channel is provided in the housing to receive a shaft for removal. Positioned within the channel is a post which is insertable into an aperture of the shaft to rotationally fix the shaft for threaded removal. The post includes a plurality of sharp tips at the free end for gripping the surface of a broken shaft or tip for threaded removal. The unique collection of multi-type tools in a single unit permits the player to concentrate effectively while quickly maintaining the darts with a readily accessible combination of tools.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/481,244, filed Jan. 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,977, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/291,442, filed Apr. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,841, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/837,542, filed Apr. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,874, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the game of darts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for maintaining projectile-type darts in which various tools of different types and distinct functions are uniquely combined to facilitate quick and efficient maintenance of such darts under competitive conditions, including such functions as grooming of the fins or flights, tightening of the shaft, removal of the shaft when broken, sharpening of the tip when required, and removal of the tip when necessary. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A game dart is essentially a hand thrown fin stabilized projectile which includes four major sections, including a sharpened tip at the distal end, a head, and a shaft at the proximal end, the shaft having fins made of feather-like materials, metallic foil, plastic or the like, supported thereon which act as aerodynamic stabilizers. The head may also be denoted the barrel. The fins in combination are referred to as a flight. The sharp tip is attached to the distal end of the head and the shaft is attached to the proximal end of the head. 
     While early darts actually used feather materials for construction of the flights, modem darts now primarily use various synthetic materials which have been proven to maintain a preselected aerodynamic shape and alignment. Typically, the flights are now made from mylar, metallic foil, and synthetic plastics of various types. Through use the flights generally sustain age which affects the aerodynamic performance of the darts resulting in reduced accuracy and consistency of flight. What is needed is a device which is capable of grooming the flights to restore and maintain the aerodynamic performance of the darts, while also having the capability to repair all sections of the darts in a relatively quick manner, without distracting the user, since the user is usually functioning under intense competitive conditions. In particular, a typical user of such darts requires heavy concentration on his or her own actions and score while remaining intent on the actions of the opposing side during their turn(s). Thus, a unique combination of tools in a single compact unit will permit the user to maintain the darts with minimum distraction from the game. 
     As noted, the dart projectiles themselves have a sharp point at the distal end of the tip. These sharpened points of the darts are typically made of a metallic material. These dart points become dull during use of the darts when they hit objects such as dividing wires (i.e. wires which divide numbered segments on a dart board), other darts, or bounce out onto a hard surface. In order to resharpen the dart tips to a sharp point a stone-type sharpening tool having an abrasive sharpening surface is commonly used. 
     Although the traditional-type darts with metallic tips are used with a bristle-type dart board, with the advent of electronics a new type of dart tip and board has emerged. There now exists an electronic dart board typically made of a plastic material and having a multiplicity of electronically sensitive apertures. These new dart boards contain electronic systems, so that the score of the game is automatically recorded and tallied when a dart enters an aperture in the board. Such boards are also made without the electronic features, whereby scores are manually tallied. 
     These new dart boards require the player to use special dart tips made of plastic, so as not to damage the board or the electronic circuitry in the board. The plastic dart tips are typically attached to the dart head by screwing a threaded portion of the dart tip into a correspondingly threaded aperture in the dart head. However, in order to securely attach the dart tips, the tips must be sufficiently tightened into the dart head. 
     The plastic dart tips typically have indentations on the proximal surface so that a wrench-type tool can be used to grip the tip to screw it into the dart head. Various types of wrench-type configurations may be used. The indentations on the surface of the plastic tips typically may have either a star-type configuration or a configuration having two or more flat surfaces. When two flat surfaces are used, they are generally parallel to each other. Other combinations of surfaces may include conventional wrench-type shapes including rectangular or hexagonal configurations or the like. In either instance, the wrench utilized for removal or tightening the tip portion will have a corresponding similar configuration, such as star-type or the like. 
     The star-type configuration is such that when viewed from the top of the tip, it appears that the indentations in the surface of the tip form a star-type pattern. The dart tip removal tool is typically generally slid over the distal end of the tip and fits over the proximal end portion of the tip, and has corresponding protrusions which engage the indentations on the tip, thus securely holding the tip in place. The wrench type configuration is such that when the tip is viewed from the front, there are two flat indentations in the proximal surface of the dart tip. Again, the tip removal tool for this configuration fits over the proximal end portion of the dart tip and has corresponding parallel surfaces which engage the parallel sides on the dart tip to hold the dart in place. Other wrench type configurations operate in a similar manner. 
     The plastic tips for the darts must be changed on a regular basis so that they function properly with the new electronic boards. Since the tips are made of plastic they are easily broken or deformed during normal use or by dropping onto a hard surface. Although, as described, there are tools for removing such tips, such tools are typically a thin sheet of metal and do not adequately hold the dart tip securely when loosening or tightening. Thus the indentations on the dart tips may become stripped and the threaded portions on the dart tips become damaged since the tips are not held securely in place while they are screwed into the dart head. 
     Numerous innovations for dart tools have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hand held device having a double bladed tool which conditions the flights by removing or reducing nicks and notches which occur through use. The present invention has a handle attached to a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the handle. A recess is formed between the blades. The blades are positioned to accept the flights of the dart. In use, a flight is slid through a recess in the blades which are squeezed together by the user. This action removes or compresses a small portion of the flight which restores the flight to a flightworthy condition. 
     The types of problems encountered in the prior art are maintenance of game darts including; restoring aerodynamic surfaces of dart flights by removing nicks and notches in the flights, removing broken shafts and tightening shafts. 
     The present invention solves the problem of restoring aerodynamic surfaces of dart flights by removing or reducing nicks and notches in flights by reshaping the flight until the nicks and notches are removed or reduced. 
     The present invention solves the problem of removing broken shafts by providing a tool which engages the broken shaft end and permits turning the shaft so as to unscrew it from the head, or holding the shaft and turning the head. The tool has at least a pair of posts which are sharpened. Preferably, a plurality of sharpened posts (i.e. spikes) is provided, each having a slanted acute angular orientation toward the direction of unthreading of the broken shaft or tip. Such sharpened posts- or spikes- may be provided along the peripheral edge of a support post, or alternatively over the entire surface of the support post. The sharpened ends of the posts are inserted into the broken end of the shaft so as to pierce the relatively irregular broken surface of the shaft. The posts are recessed within the tool to permit safe pocket storage. 
     The present invention solves the problem of tightening shafts by providing a post which is inserted into a shaft hole and in cooperation with the tool provides leverage for tightening or loosening shafts. 
     Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited as dart throwing increases in popularity. 
     The present invention fills a long felt need for a device which restores the aerodynamic properties of the flights. 
     In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a flight straightener. 
     When the dart tool is designed in accordance with the present invention, the flights are restored to a flight worthy aerodynamic condition. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flight straightener having a flight straightener top. 
     In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the flight straightener has a flight straightener top and a flight straightener bottom. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the flight straightener top has a flight straightener top front which has a flight straightener top front right corner and a flight straightener top front left corner. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is that the flight straightener bottom has a flight straightener bottom front which has a flight straightener bottom front right corner and a flight straightener bottom left corner. 
     Still another feature of the present invention is that the first dart tool has a first housing which contains a first sharpener a first sharpener opening and a third sharpener. 
     Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the this sharpener has a third sharpener opening, and a third sharpener shaft connector remover. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that a second dart tool has a second housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the second housing has a second housing channel, second housing post, second sharpener, and a second sharpener opening. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that a flight straightener top and flight straightener bottom, in an operable position, are parallel to the flight. 
     Another feature e present is that a flight straightener top and flight straightener bottom have peripheral edges which are not sharpened, functioning to permit safe use and pocket storage. 
     Still yet another feature of the present invention is that a flight straightener top flight straightener bottom do not require a shield to protect the user when the first dart tool ( 110 ) is stored and during use. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a dart tool for maintaining such projectile-type darts, each having a head portion, a tip portion and a shaft portion, the shaft portion having flight stabilizing devices supported thereon to form a flight. The present dart tool has the added feature of a tool for removing a dart tip portion that is threadedly attached in the head portion of the dart. The dart tool has a flight straightener which is attached to the housing. There is a top flight straightener and a bottom flight straightener each having a flat surface and a peripheral edge, which are squeezed together by a user while a dart flight is slid between the top and bottom, whereby the surface of the flight is smoothed and/or material is scraped therefrom. The dart tool has the added feature of having a wrench-type device for threadedly removing a tip portion from the head portion. One wrench-type device includes parallel flat surfaces to fix the position of the tip portion, and a second wrench-type device includes a star-type device for threadedly removing a star-type-tip portion from the head portion. Still another wrench-type device has parallel surfaces similar to the first mentioned wrench-type device, but is dimensioned to accommodate darts of lesser dimension. Each type of wrench is included in the dart tool. Furthermore, a dart shaft removal device is incorporated in the dart tool for tightening or loosening dart shafts and may also be used to remove broken portions of a dart shaft or dart tip, usually plastic, from the dart head. 
     An added feature of the dart tool is a dart shaft holder which is incorporated into the housing of the dart tool by which a dart shaft is held in place while the user tightens or loosens a dart head. Preferably, the dart shaft holder is a channel in the housing which cradles a dart shaft, and a post is securely attached within the channel and extends upwardly therefrom whereby the post is positioned in an aperture provided in the dart shaft to hold the dart shaft in the channel fixed from rotation. The channel may be optionally coated with a non-abrasive material such as plastic, leather, rubber, nylon and fabric cloth, so that the dart head will not be scratched by the surface of the housing. 
     In addition, there are multiple spikes protruding outward from the top of the post for gripping a broken shaft or broken tip broken at the level at the dart head. These spikes may be placed anywhere on the top of the post and are preferably angled in a direction opposite the threading direction of the shaft or tip to increase the grip the spikes have on a broken shaft or tip when in use. The spikes are preferably provided over the entire top surface of the free end of the post, but may also be provided along a peripheral edge of the post. 
     The dart tool of the present invention solves the problem of removing old or worn plastic dart tips from the dart head by providing a device for holding the tip securely to eliminate slippage and unwanted movement. 
     The dart tool of the present invention solves the problem of having to carry multiple separate tools to accomplish the task of removing various types of plastic dart tips, repair damaged flights, and sharpen steel tipped darts. The dart tool of the present invention conveniently combines a plurality of dart maintenance devices, applicable to darts of various types such as metal darts, plastic darts, etc. Because of its compact structure and its multiple functions, it can be readily incorporated into well known multi-function tools such as Swiss army-type knives or tools marketed under the registered trademark LEATHERMAN. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein; 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a first dart tool; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the dart tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the dart tool shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a second dart tool; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the second dart tool shown in FIG.4; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear view of the second dart tool shown in FIG.4; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the dart tool shown in FIG.4; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of a third sharpener; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the third sharpener shown in FIG.8, taken along lines  9 — 9  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 a right side perspective view from above, of the dart tool constructed according to the invention illustrating an exemplary dart positioned to be inserted into the point sharpener of the tool; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG. 10, illustrating the multi-functional features of the dart tool of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of the flight straightener device with a damaged flight positioned therein for repair; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along lines  13 — 13  of FIG. 12, illustrating a damaged portion of the flight shown in FIG. 12 prior to engagement by the flight straightener blade; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 13 after engagement of the damaged flight by the flight straightener blade of the flight straightener device of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the dart tool of the invention, illustrating a multi-sized wrench-type dart tip removing device; 
     FIG. 16 is a left side perspective view from above of an exemplary wrench shaped plastic dart tip; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the dart tool shown in FIG. 11, taken along lines  17 — 17  of FIG. 15, illustrating the wrench-type dart tip removing device of FIG. 15, with a representative smaller sized dart positioned therein for tip removing purposes; 
     FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the dart tool of FIG. 10, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the star-type dart tip removing device; 
     FIG. 19 is a right side perspective view from above, of an exemplary star shaped plastic dart tip; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the dart tool shown in FIG. 11, taken along lines  20 — 20  of FIG. 18, illustrating the star type dart tip removing device of FIG. 17 with a representative dart positioned therein for tip removal purposes; 
     FIG. 21 is a left side elevational view of the dart tool of FIG. 10, illustrating the dart shaft removing device of the invention; 
     FIG. 22 is an elevational view of the dart shaft removing device of FIG. 21, illustrating the angled pointed spikes adapted for pierced engagement of the broken shaft for removal purposes; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the dart shaft removing device of FIGS. 21 and 22, illustrating removal of a remaining threaded portion of a plastic dart shaft which has been broken at the level of the dart head; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a dart shaft removing device being used in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 23, illustrating removal of a threaded portion of a dart tip which has been broken at the level of the dart head; and 
     FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the dart shaft removal device for use with metal shafts, wherein the post is inserted into an aperture provided on the dart shaft for leveraged rotation of the threaded dart shaft from the dart head. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Firstly, reference is made to FIG. 1 which is a side view of a first dart tool  110  and FIG. 2 which is a front view of a first dart tool  110 . The first dart tool  110  comprises a hollow first housing. The first dart tool  110  further comprises a flight straightener  114  which is securely attached at a rear end to the first housing  112 . The first housing  112  and the flight straightener  114  are constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, epoxy, fiberglass, and carbon-graphite. 
     The flight straightener  114  comprises a flight straightener top  114 T which comprises a flight straightener top front  114 TA having a flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and a flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL. The flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and the flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL and the flight straightener bottom front right corner  114 BAR and the flight straightener bottom front left corner  114 BAL are rounded as shown in FIG. 7 to prevent damage to the flight during use. The flight straightener  114  further comprises a flight straightener bottom  114 B which comprises a flight straightener bottom front  114 BA having a flight straightener bottom front right corner  114 BAR and a flight straightener bottom front left corner  114 BAL. 
     A damaged flight is shown in FIG. 12 positioned between the flight straightener top  114 T and flight straightener bottom  114 B. FIG. 13 illustrates the damaged portion  352  of the flight between the flight straightener blades. In operation a flight  350 , having at least one edge, is inserted between the flight straightener top  114 T and flight straightener bottom  114 B such that the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B straddles at least one edge of the flight. FIG. 14 shows how the user moves the first dart tool  110  generally parallel to at least one edge while squeezing the flight straightener bottom  114 B and the flight straightener top  114 T together. This motion alternatively smoothes and scrapes material from the surface of the flight. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, alternatively, the flight is inserted between the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B such that the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B are generally perpendicular to at least one edge of the flight. The user moves the first dart tool  110  generally perpendicularly and outwardly to at least one edge while squeezing the flight straightener bottom  114 B and the flight straightener top  114 T together. This motion smoothes the surface of the flight. 
     The center of the flight may be repaired in addition to the outer peripheral edge. The flight is inserted between the flight straightener top  114 T and flight straightener bottom  114 B. The flight straightener is brought toward the center of the flight where the top and bottom straighteners are en pressed together as shown in FIG. 14 The user then moves the tool along the length of the center portion of the flight that is damaged. This motion smoothes and flattens the center portion of the flight that is damaged. 
     This motion may result in filaments of flight material attached to at least one edge of the flight at one end of the opposite end and extending beyond at least one edge of the flight. These filaments can cause degradation of aerodynamic flight. The filaments are removed by inserting the filaments between the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B such that the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B are generally perpendicular to at least one edge. The insertion is stopped when the flight straighter top front  114 TA and flight straightener bottom front  114 BA are positioned at the inner end of the filament. When the user squeezes the flight straightener top  114 T and the flight straightener bottom  114 B together and pulls the first dart tool  110  generally perpendicularly and outwardly to at least one edge of the flight the filaments are removed. 
     The flight straightener top  114 T and flight straightener bottom  114 B have peripheral edges having a shape selected from a group consisting of not sharpened, rounded and square which functions to protect adjacent fins, a dart shaft, and the user. 
     The first dart tool  110  still further comprises a first sharpener  116  securely positioned within the first housing  112 . The first sharpener  116  comprises a first sharpener opening  116 A in which a user sharpens a dart point. The first sharpener  116  is constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of stone, diamond cutting material, cubic zirconium, stone composites, and composites. 
     Secondly, reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a top view of a first dart tool  110 . The first dart tool  110  comprises a hollow first housing. The first dart tool  110  further comprises a flight straightener  114  which is securely attached at a rear distal end to the first housing  112 . 
     The flight straightener  114  comprises a flight straightener top  114 T which comprises a flight straightener top front  114 TA having a flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and a flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL. 
     Thirdly, referring to FIG. 4 which is a side view of a second dart tool  210 , FIG. 5 which is a front view of the second dart tool  210 , FIG. 6 which is a rear view of the second dart tool  210  and FIG. 7 which is a top view of the first dart tool  210  all together. The second dart tool  210  comprises a second housing  212  which comprises a second housing channel  212 A functioning to cradle a dart shaft therein. A second housing post  212 B is securely attached within the second housing channel  212 A extending upwardly therefrom. The second housing post  212 B is positioned in an opening in a dart shaft functioning to hold the dart shaft in place while a user tightens or loosens a dart head. A second sharpener  216  is positioned within the second housing  212 . The second sharpener  216  comprises a second sharpener opening  216 A. The second sharpener  216  is constructed from stone. 
     The second dart tool  210  further comprises a flight straightener  114  securely attached at a rear distal end to the second housing  212 . The flight straightener  114  comprises a flight straightener top  114 T which comprises a flight straightener top front  114 TA having a flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and a flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL, The flight straightener  114  further comprises a flight straightener bottom  114 B which comprises a flight straightener bottom front  114 BA having a flight straightener bottom front right corner  114 BAR and a flight straightener bottom front left corner  114 BAL. The flight straightener top front right corner  114 TAR and the flight straightener top front left corner  114 TAL and the flight straightener bottom front right corner  114 BAR and the flight straightener bottom front left corner  114 BAL are rounded functioning to prevent damage to the flight during use. 
     The second housing  212  and the flight straightener  114  are constructed from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, expoy, fiberglass, and carbon-graphite. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which is a top view of a third sharpener  316  and FIG. 9 which is a cross sectional view of a third sharpener  316  along line  9 — 9 . The third sharpener  316  comprises a cylindrical third sharpener opening  316 A and a third sharpener shaft connector remover  316 B positioned within the third sharper opening  316 A. The third sharpener  316  is constructed from stone. 
     The third sharper shaft connector remover  316 B comprises a third sharpener shaft connector remover plate  316 BA having at least two third sharpener shaft connector remover spikes  316 BB positioned round a periphery extending upwardly therefrom. The third sharpener shaft connector remover  316 B functions to remove a broken plastic dart shaft connector from a dart head. There are at least two third sharpener shaft connector remover spikes  316 BB recessed within the third sharpener  316  permitting the third sharpener  316  to be inserted into a user&#39;s pocket without incurring a prick from the at least two third sharpener shaft connector remover spikes  316 BB. 
     The foregoing description can be found in my pending application Ser. No. 481,244, filed Jan. 11, 2000, which is a continuation of my application Ser. No. 291,442, filed Apr. 13, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 837,542, filed Apr. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,874, issued Jul. 13, 1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein and made part of this disclosure. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown a dart tool  400  which is an alternative embodiment of the dart tool shown in the previous Figs. Plastic dart tip remover device  402  is combined in the tool  400 . FIG. 10 shows an exemplary dart  404  with tip  419  in preparation for sharpening in the sharpening device of the tool  400 . The alternative embodiment  400  includes flight straightener  380  top and flight straightener bottom  382  positioned generally parallel to each other for reception of a flight therebetween. The flight straighteners are connected to a housing  384  that is cylindrical in shape and is at least partially filled with a solid support material  387 , preferably metal for strength. The flight straighteners preferably have a square profile shape along the peripheral edge as shown at  381  in FIG.  10 . Alternatively, the profile shape of the peripheral edge may be sharpened, not sharpened, or rounded. 
     A dart tip sharpener  386  is preferably made from a sharpening stone material and is positioned adjacent the metal support section  387  inserted into the opposite side of housing  384  as best shown in FIG.  11 . FIG. 11 shows a shaft removing device  406  with a post  407  having a plurality of points  408  on the end of the shaft remover  406 . The post  407  is preferably positioned in the center of a semi-circular channel  410  extending vertically from the top to the bottom of the housing  384 . The channel  410  is such a depth and width so that it securely holds a dart shaft in place when the dart shaft is being removed. In another alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 25, a non-marking material such as plastic coating  422  may be attached to the surface of the semi-circular channel in the housing so as to provide a surface that does not damage the dart shaft. The non-marking material may be made of plastic, rubber, nylon, cloth or leather. 
     FIG. 21 shows the spikes  408  on the post  407 . The spikes  408  generally point in a direction away from the base  412  of the shaft removal device  406 . Preferably, spikes  408  are positioned along the periphery of the free end of post  407 . Alternatively, they may be positioned over the entire upper surface of the free end of post  407 . 
     FIG. 22 shows one preferred embodiment of the spikes  408  on the post  407 . The spikes  408  on the post  407  are preferably slanted at an acute angle in a rightward direction as shown to facilitate effective removal by unthreading of the broken portions of the dart shafts or tips with the shaft removal device  406 . This slanting of spikes  408  is made possible by the fact that the tool is intended only for unthreading of a broken tip or shaft, and not for threading of such broken piece. The direction of slant of spikes  408  should be opposite the direction of threading of the shaft so that the spikes may penetrate and grip the broken piece to unthread it from the dart head. Thereafter, the broken portion of the dart shaft will be removed by turning the dart head in the unthreading direction to engage the points of the dart shaft removal device  406  with the broken portion of the dart shaft as shown. The angled configuration of the spikes  408  facilitates better engagement and gripping of the broken dart shaft for rotation since the slanted orientation of the spikes actually causes an inward force provided by a user to have a rotational force component which enhances the user provided torque to remove the broken piece. As noted, spikes  408  can be included in various arrangements, i.e., over the entire upper surface of post  407  or around the peripheral edge. 
     FIG. 23 shows the broken shaft remover device  406  engaging the broken portion of the dart shaft  414  that is broken at the level of the dart head  416 . 
     Alternatively, FIG. 24 shows the dart shaft removal device  406  as it may be used in the same manner to remove broken portions of plastic dart tips  420  broken at the level of the dart head  416 . 
     The number of spikes  408  to grip the broken shaft  414  is not limited to any particular number, nor only to the peripheral edge of the post  407 . Multiple rows of such spikes  408  may be positioned around the periphery of the post  407  as shown, and may also be distributed over the entire surface of the free end of post  407  to provide increased engagement of the broken shaft  414 , with improved gripping action. 
     FIG. 25 shows the post  407  of dart shaft removal device inserted into an aperture  418  extending through a dart shaft  420  made of metal. To use the dart shaft removal device for a metal shaft, the dart removal device is inserted into the aperture  418  of the shaft  420  so that the shaft  420  is held securely in place and the dart head  416  can then be unscrewed in a counterclockwise direction to unthread the dart head  416  from the dart shaft  420 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 11, the dart tool combines a wrench device  402  for removing a replaceable dart tip from the dart head. Since plastic dart tips on certain darts need to be removed from time to time, the tips are configured to have an outer surface profile made for engaged mating reception within the wrench device  402 . The outer surface of the tip may include multiple flats or dimpled recesses for engaged relation with the wrench device  402 , such that upon engagement, the wrench device may be turned to unscrew the dart tip from the dart head, or alternatively, the wrench device may be held fixed while the dart head is rotated in the unthreading direction. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  11 . Metal insert  387  is proportioned within housing  384  on one side thereof and dart tip sharpener  386  is positioned on the other side as shown, opposite the metal insert. Housing  384  includes a first aperture  422  which communicates with a first wrench-type device  428 ,  432  defined by metal insert  387 . On the opposite side of housing  384 , aperture  442  communicates with a second wrench-type device in the form of a star wrench  444 , defined within metal insert  387 . Apertures  422  and  442  are of sufficient dimension and shape to accommodate entry of a dart head for entry into the respective wrench-type device. 
     In FIG. 11, wrench-type device  428 ,  432  includes two distinct wrench sections, as shown, to receive and rotate dart heads of respective different dimensions. The first wrench device  428  includes two parallel walls  428  as shown in FIG. 15 to accommodate reception of corresponding flat surfaces on a dart tip portion therebetween. Positioned inwardly of walls  428  are two parallel walls  432  which are spaced closer together from walls  428  to accommodate correspondingly dimensioned flat surfaces on the tip portion of a smaller dart. In operation, dart tips of two distinct sizes may be inserted into aperture  422  and gripped between the respective walls  428 ,  432  for rotational removal from respective heads. 
     Referring again to FIG. 11, aperture  442  communicates with star-shaped wrench  444  defined by metal insert  387 . Star-type wrench  444  is best shown in FIG.  18  and includes axial opening  450  having a plurality of radial fins  448  extending inwardly thereof and dimensioned and configured for entry into correspondingly positioned and dimensioned slots on the outer surface of a dart tip. Thus, when a dart tip is inserted into aperture  442 , and made to be aligned for entry of fins  448  into the slots thereon, the dart tip will be gripped for manual threaded removal from the head of the dart. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11 FIG. 15 shows a rear view of a wrench type device  422  having an aperture  424  on one side of the housing  426  that is slightly larger than the circumference of the dart head  416  so as to permit entry therein. The aperture  424  extends through the wall of the housing  426  and is configured in such a way as to receive a dart tip for entry into wrench-type device  428 . 
     FIG. 16 shows an exemplary partial perspective view of a dart tip  434  contemplated for use with the wrench-type tool of the present invention. The wrench type dart tip  434  has a conical shape  436  that decreases in diameter approaching the distal pointed tip  438 . On the sides of the dart tip  434  there are two parallel flat sections  440  which form the wrench-type surfaces. The dart tip  434  is shown fully screwed into the dart head  416 . 
     FIG. 17 shows a smaller dart tip  434  in the wrench type dart tip remover device  422 . The dart tip  434  is shown in engagement with the smaller parallel walls  432  inside the wrench-type removal device  422 . 
     Since dart tips generally have two types of outer surfaces, namely a wrench-type surface with flat parallel surfaces, or a star-type tip, thus two types of removal wrenches are typically required. However, in the present invention the two wrenches are combined into one tool for easy access. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, the opposite side of the aperture  424  of the wrench tip remover  422  extends completely through housing  384  to the front of the tool  400 . The aperture or opening  442  on the front side forms the star type device  444  for removing the star shaped dart point  446 . The star opening  442  is only slightly larger than the dart head  416  so as to limit side to side motion of the head but still allow easy insertion and for exiting. 
     Referring to FIG. 18, a plurality of fins  448  extend out from the inner surface  450  of the star-type wrench  444  to grip the a dart tip point  446 . The fins  448  extend outward from the inside surface  450  toward the center of the aperture  442 . The length of the fins  448  is such that a dart tip  446  may engage the points on the outer recesses  452  in the dart tip  446 . The fins  448  are such that both the larger and smaller star shaped dart tips  446  can be removed using the star wrench  444 . In the preferred embodiment, there are four fins  448  spaced equally apart from each other in the aperture  442 . 
     FIG. 19 shows an exemplary partial perspective view of the star-type dart tip  446 . The star-type dart tip  446  has a plurality of recesses  454  on the surface  456  of the dart to engage a corresponding number of fins  448  in the star-type wrench device  444 . The dart tip  446  is shown as being fully screwed into the dart head  416 . 
     FIG. 20 shows the star-type wrench  444  engaging a star-type dart tip  446 . The fins  448  are shown to extend into the recesses  454  in the surface of the dart tip  446 . The dart tip  446  is now held securely in place so that the dart head  416  may be unscrewed from the dart tip  446 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific of this invention. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a dart tool it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention as described and defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1