Abstract:
A dart is disclosed which includes a flexibly mounted point and flight shaft. The dart includes a central tubular body which has fore and aft end caps. The fore cap includes a central bore, a forward through bore, and a socket therebetween. A point is mounted in a carrier, which is received in the central bore of the fore cap and seats in the socket. An elastomeric spring cylinder biases the carrier forward so the point is normally located along the dart axis. Upon impact with a target, the point can move longitudinally and, in some embodiments, pivot under compression against the spring cylinder, to reduce the chance of dart rejection if it strikes a target impediment or divider. The rear flight shaft can be mounted in a manner similar to the point, so the dart flights have reduced tendency to deflect other incoming darts. The central body includes an adjustable weighting arrangement. The parts of the dart may be provided in a kit form to allow a player to adjust the dart weight, balance, and characteristics to his preference.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/560,546, filed Nov. 17, 1995, now abandoned. 
    
    
     DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     There have been an extremely large variety of advances made in and for the various games of darts. A dart is a hand held tubular projectile having a point, that is generally designed to be thrown at a target for the purposes of scoring within circularly and radially defined impact areas on the target. A typical dart also includes an attachable shaft carrier aft of and axially oriented to the main body which generally carries guidance vanes, called flights, to help stabilize the trajectory of the thrown dart. 
     In most cases, the advances have been applied to an external shape of the dart. Various materials are used to create the barrel or central segment of a dart body, such as wood, brass, various amalgams, or tungsten. Into these materials are formed various shapes or patterns, designed to enhance the user&#39;s grip or finger placement. Shapes may include dish-outs for finger placement, or knurling. 
     Points for darts may be either “soft tip” or “steel tip”. The soft tip is usually of plastic, and designed to be used with an electronic scoring board. The steel tip is a hardened metallic member designed to impact a target of densely packed sissal which can accept the scoring point, so the player can visually establish the value of the thrown dart. A steel tip dart must remain in the target during the player&#39;s turn sequence (which may include throw of multiple darts), to create a score. Both the electronic and sissal target boards include areas of different value separated by thin metal or plastic dividers (sometimes called “spiders”). If a dart directly impacts a divider, it may bounce off the target without sticking or scoring. Prior attempts have been made to design darts which will remain in the target even if a divider is struck. 
     In one approach, the soft tip has been formed from a composite of carbon oriented plastic so as to provide a means of flexion when it strikes the target, thereby reducing the chance of rejection by a divider. In this composite dart tip, it has been shown that if the dart tip is sharpened after deformation created by impact with an impediment, the harmonic signature of the dart is changed. 
     Another prior art dart point approach, has been to provide means to allow for axial movement of the point within a forward containment area of the central dart body, with various controls therefor. Several approaches employ a floating point shaft contained in or by a screw-in race, one being a manually applied pinch effect of the taper of the point in an axial bore of the race, where, impact with the target releases the point so as to allow a hammer effect to drive the dart further into the target. Another approach involves an enlarged aftward head on the axial point shaft, either being rounded or drop hammer formed in a manner called peening, with the head being constrained by a screw-in or press fitted race, or obverse axially oriented machining; and, constrained forwardly by manually induced placement, or by annularly placed resilient washers, or O rings. Other approaches, rather than O-rings, have utilized axial placement of resilient strips in machined grooves to engage the shaft&#39;s collar in an attempt to slow the impact moment; whereas, a variation to the O-rings employs radially inwardly projecting fingers that interact with the enlarged collar to control the impact induced moment in the containment cavity. Again, these various structures are employed in a hammering system; but, there is a failure to recognize that this approach, during initial impact with a target or divider, does not allow the linear alignment between the dart&#39;s point and body to be altered. 
     Further, in several of the latter approaches, the O-rings have been placed in a subtending annular race of the enlarged shaft ending head; or, they have been placed in the orienting insert, within a radially outwardly positioned annular raceway; or, they have been placed, in combination, forwardly of that enlarged head and in the raceway. But, in these darts, it is common to find that substantial wear occurs, as the rotation of the variously placed O-rings are working against a stationary shoulder, thereby limiting the value of the point movement. 
     Another approach has been the usage of a spring body surmounted about a shaft positioner so as to provide an axially oriented progressive loading characteristic for impact with a scoring area. However, springs are known to lose temper due to the short compression cycle experienced by the impact of these darts. 
     In other darts, the aftward portion of the shaft-ending enlarged head can impact a taper formed in a cavity-ending buttress, this to provide an angular distortion about the body or barrel&#39;s axis; a conoid machined shaft that impacts a similarly shaped and obversely positioned conoid body thereaft during impact-induced axial travel, this to provide a non-axial motion when impact with the target&#39;s dividers or impediments occurs, particularly in the segments that have the highest scoring value. But, it is known that the use of springs, with their subsequent loss of temper caused by pico-second impact can and do lose this non-axial movement utility; both coil springs and metal strips which are constrained against lateral displacement outside the axis of the load causes direct loss of that ability. 
     Also, due to the various construction methods, none of these approaches have the ability to ignore the effects of gravity, which may eliminate their effectiveness, because, when the point is retained in the target board, the body of the dart may be angled downwardly relative to the point, and this body may block subsequent darts thrown toward small areas of high score value. 
     One such example is the internal and forward use of a resilient cylinder with an axially formed bore receiver for receipt of a point shaft, with the aftward end thereof being rounded, with the resilient body simply push-inserted into a receiver cavity of the dart, and placement being arrested by the round end of the shaft against a buttress. There are no provisions against the elastomeric cylinder&#39;s propensity to return to an unloaded state; distortion created by non-axial movement upon impact with a target would cause the cylinder to actually creep out of this position; this distortion would tear the bore therein. 
     Two other approaches employ either a wound spring on the depending shaft of the point, or to a flight-carrying shaft; while showing some utility, neither recognizes that heat and/or non-axial loading will cause displacement or breakage of the point. The wound spring, like its rubberoid counterpart, will actually displace itself from the containment cavity upon lateral displacement. The cupped spring with curved end catchments for the flight shaft, or any half-dome with a central hole receiver for that shaft carrier, faces two considerations: any spring, beyond heat loss, will attempt to return to an unloaded state, thereby becoming an impediment that could interfere with the trajectory of subsequent darts; whereas, the fully cupped spring, beyond the increased potential of resistance, actually embodies a buckle effect. In addition, a strip-type spring, like those above, limits the flight-carrying shaft to only two directions of movement, they being along the axis formed by the width thereof. 
     Regarding the weights and shapes of darts available, there have been more than one approach. One is an end-threaded shaft that connects the fore and aft ends of the barrel. Various axially-bored pieces of varying density are placed along the shaft to create varying weight and shapes. Stability is improved by an O-ring positioned appropriately. 
     Another employs a similar internal shaft, and has a variety of weight beads that are placed thereon by the user, prior to insertion into an internal cavity of the barrel, where stability is derived, again, by an appropriately positioned O-ring. 
     Yet another employs various media, in the hammer approach, that are sometimes separated so as to provide a differing method of weight distribution within the internal chamber of the dart. 
     Then another employs a simple and fixed addition to the internal chamber, from the aft end, the density of which changes relative to the desired weight; but, whose forwardly positioned end in the tapered receiving bore is employed as a buttress, it affecting the point&#39;s reaction to impact of impediments. 
     Additionally, another approach combines the annular receipt of an O-ring impinging a ball-ended shaft, with that ball impinging upon the forward end created by impact. 
     In all of the above approaches, while showing some utility, none consider the effect of having a forwardly formed cavity which affects the desired forwardly induced weight differential. Additionally, because of the possibility of loosening, which can cause rattling and distraction; or the fact that the loss of any one piece can eliminate that dart from play, the utility of the prior art are considered minimal at best. 
     And, regarding guidance vanes or flights, there have been a variety of attachment variations: there is a polymer shaft, extending radially aftwardly from the central body, generally being threadably attached, and having forward molded receiver slots in an X-format, it receiving a press-insertion of the flights chosen by the player; or, obversely joined V&#39;s, the vertice junction creating a slot for that flight member insertion. And, there have been specialized flight-carrying shafts that receive a tripodal vane rather than the four vanes more commonly used for the guidance of the thrown projectile, this approach limiting the impediments involved in trajectory interference. 
     Another approach, called SLIKSTIK, employs that shaft but has a slot that is end-bounded that, in turn, receives the “X” flight slipped laterally into and positioned at the aftward end of the slot prior to the player&#39;s throw, this allowing forward but non-radial movement created from impact with any subsequently thrown dart. And, after the throw and removal from a target, must be manually moved to the backward station. 
     One of the first spinning flights, called DYNA-STAR, employs an aftwardly axial shaft that has an enlarged portion thereon for receipt of a pull-molded spline carrying the flights, that is slip-pressed onto and beyond a pinch created shoulder of that shaft carrier. This allows radial movement created by an incoming projectile thrown in close proximity to an at-rest dart. 
     There are others that are also rotational about the dart axis; but, none recognize that by the time the impact induces any spinning movement, the dart is well past the point of collision therewith. In addition, spinning about that axis can be a detriment; none take into account that the darts thrown have multiple speeds and trajectories. 
     In all of the prior art approaches noted, notwithstanding the displayed utility, the attempts have been to provide the player with a dart that will enhance their application of skills and growth in the game of darts. Yet, there are possible advances to the general application of dart design that will enable the particular user to create a more fully personalized involvement with this enjoyable game, thereby furthering the art of the game and the player&#39;s approach towards serious enhancement of their skills. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention employs various embodiments of soft tip and steel tip darts. The darts can be personalized while maintaining the same overall external shape. The darts are designed to greatly reduce or eliminate rejection if the dart hits a divider or other impediment, as well as to have reduced interference with and deflection of subsequently thrown darts to target areas of high value. 
     This toy projectile is designed to be thrown at a polymer surface having a plethora of holes, in the electronic game; or at a sissal target for receiving the steel tip, in the traditional game. Both types of target usually have scoring areas delineated by radial and circumferential spokes (or “spiders”). An important design consideration for the soft tip dart is that the dart must depress a scoring segment, even if initial contact is with a spider; whereas, steel tip darts require that a thrown dart must remain in the board until removed by the player to score, as any dart that falls out during the turn does not count towards a score in that turn. 
     A carrier was created that holds a point having a shaft and enlarged shoulder. This carrier, in three disclosed embodiments, employs a forward partial ball, for example of DELRIN®, and fore and aft subtending tapers; or a TEFLON® (PTFE) insert giving axial constraint. Each embodiment of the carrier receives the shaft and shoulder through a bore and countersink cup from the aftward position. 
     The carrier mates with a forecap at the forward end of the dart. Two embodiments of forecap are disclosed. In one embodiment, the forecap includes an aft bore, and a smaller diameter forward bore, with a socket therebetween, the sides of the forward bore being tapered. In another embodiment, both through bores have parallel walls. 
     Unlike the prior art springs which control point movement upon impact, my invention uses an elastomeric or rubberoid cylinder, for example of extruded silicone derivative. The cylinder is received in a cupped receiver of the point carrier. The hardness of the cylinder can range from 40 to 70 SHORE A. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the adjustability of the internal weighting, while maintaining the same outer shape. Behind the forward point and carrier, is a weight receiving chamber. Several types of weight arrangements may be inserted in this chamber. 
     In one embodiment, a fully threaded stick is provided, along with at least one weight bead, for example tungsten, having an axial bore to receive the stick therein. Threaded nuts are placed on the stick on each side of the bead, and tightened against the bead to adjustably hold the weight bead(s) in the desired position. A rubber washer may be placed between the bead and nut for additional stability. 
     The nut(s) and bead(s) have complementary shapes for a close fit, such as a chevron shape. 
     In a variation of this weight stick embodiment, the shaft is provided with an enlarged shoulder at one end, and a short threaded segment at the other end. At the shoulder end is an end piece having a cup receiver for receiving the elastomeric cylinder. Threaded onto the threaded end is a stop washer. Between the end piece and nut, various weights are placed in a desired configuration along the shaft. 
     In another embodiment, a solid weight body is provided, of complementary shape to the weight chamber. The weight body, for example tungsten, may have an annular cutout portion to adjust the weight. 
     In another embodiment, the weight body is a solid aluminum billet, with a bore in one end. Weight powder, such as tungsten, is packed into the bore. The bore is closed off by a cup member, which receives the elastomeric cylinder. 
     Another embodiment of the weight body is an aluminum tube. Into the tube is packed weight powder, such as tungsten. A rubber filler piece may also be placed in the tube between layers of tungsten powder, to adjust the weight distribution. The tube is capped off with a cupped receiver which can receive the elastomeric cylinder. 
     It is important to note that in each weight embodiment, the weight along the dart body does not have to be uniform, but can be adjusted so the fore and aft sections of the dart have a desired weight ratio. It is contemplated that the fore/aft weight ratio will be adjustable between 50:50 and 95:5. 
     Another important aspect of the invention is the rear flight carrier. The flights of a dart which is received in a target may deflect the path of a subsequently thrown dart. The invention includes several embodiments designed to reduce this deflection. 
     The attachment of the flight carrier to the dart body may be similar to the attachment of the point to the dart body. In one embodiment, the flight shaft has an enlarged collar at its forward end, the shaft extending rearward and adapted to receive conventional flights. Like the point, movement of the flight shaft may be controlled by an elastomeric cylinder, located aft of the weight chamber and forward of the shaft collar. 
     The flight shaft may be received in a carrier which allows non axial movement. The carrier includes a bore to receive the shaft, and a forward countersink to receive the collar. The carrier includes a cupped forward portion to receive the elastomeric cylinder. The carrier is held in place by a rear end cap which may have tapered sides. 
     Instead of having two endcaps, the central body of the dart may be machined so one end cap is integral therewith. 
     It is contemplated that the invention will be especially useful when sold in a kit format: the kit would include dart bodies and internal weights of various types and values that the player could arrange to best suit his needs for a desired game. The player could gain access to the dart interior by removing one end cap, and then adjust the weight assembly therein, and reattach the end cap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a prior art soft tip dart received in an electronic scoreboard. 
     FIG. 2 shows a prior art steel tip dart received in a sissal scoreboard. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show prior art arrangements for attaching dart flights to a shaft. 
     FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross section of one embodiment of a soft tip dart of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross section of one embodiment of a steel tip dart of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 shows an exploded cross section of various possible combinations of forecap, point carrier, point, and elastomeric cylinder. 
     FIG. 7 shows an exploded cross section of various possible combinations of a central dart body, and removable end cap. 
     FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal cross section of another embodiment of a central dart body, having a partial socket formed integrally therewith. 
     FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross section of a threaded weight stick with weight components installed thereon. 
     FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a partially threaded weight stick with weight components installed thereon. 
     FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a solid weight billet. 
     FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal view, partly in section, of two possible embodiments of a weight billet with a bore therein to receive weight powder, showing receipt of an elastomeric cylinder. 
     FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a hollow weight carrier with an end cup to receive the elastomeric cylinder. 
     FIG. 14 shows an exploded cross section of an attachment of an end cap to the dart body. 
     FIG. 15 shows an exploded cross section of two possible assemblies of an aft cap, flight shaft, and elastomeric cylinder. 
     FIG. 16 shows an exploded cross section of an end cap, shaft carrier, flight shaft, and elastomeric cylinder. 
     FIG. 17 shows a detail view, partly in section, of an attachment between a collared flight shaft or point shaft, and its associated carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, this shows a typical dart  10 , with a soft tip, comprising tubular central body or barrel  11  having grip  12 ; screw-in scoring tip  13  with a tapered front  14  and larger shaft  15 , and screw-in collar  16  threadably joined to the barrel. At the rear of the dart is a screw-in flight-carrying shaft  17 , with an X-slot  18  for receiving slide-in flight  19 . 
     The typical electronic dart board  20  includes a scoring face  22 , with areas of different value delineated by boundaries or “spiders”  21 . The scoring face includes holes  23  for receiving the dart tip. Impact planes  24  and  25  cooperate with signal plane  26  to record the score. The board is mounted on backing carrier  27 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a typical steel tip dart received in a typical sissal board  28 . 
     FIG. 3 a  shows a flight carrying shaft used in the prior art, comprising round rod  29  for receiving press fitted carrier  30  having an X-slot  18  to receive flight  19 . FIG. 3 b  shows that rod  29  may have a wire  31  extending therefrom, the wire having an indent  32  for receiving DYNASTAR flights. 
     FIG. 4 shows a cross section of one possible dart of this invention, having a soft tip  59 . The dart includes a central body  40 , a threaded forecap  35  attached to the central body, and a threaded rear cap  43  attached to the central body. A threaded insert  39  is threaded into the central body and contains a forward threaded section to which the forecap  35  is attached, as well as a forward indentation or cup  73 . The forecap includes a large central through-bore  36 , and a reduced diameter front through-bore  37  with a socket  38  for receiving a carrier  33 . The carrier  33  is for supporting a scoring point  14 , which extends through bore  37  for contacting a target board. A central bore  56  extends through the carrier for receiving point shaft  60 . The rear of the bore  56  opens to a seat  57  for receiving point collar  61 . The rear of seat  57  opens to an indentation or cup  58 . An elastomeric cylinder  34  is received in and held between the cup  58  of the carrier and cup  73  of the threaded insert. As shown, the carrier  33  includes a forward convex, partial ball  52  received in socket  38 . The carrier is tapered as shown by angle  53  to help it seat in the socket under compression from cylinder  34 . A shoulder  54  is provided as a seat against socket  38 . Absent any impact forces, the cylinder  34  will tend to bias the carrier to a central position so that point  14  is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the barrel. As the point impacts against a target, the carrier is able to pivot in an arc  62  relative to the forecap against a restoring force provided by spring cylinder  34 , so the point  14  can assume an orientation not along the longitudinal axis of the dart barrel. Pivoting is limited by rear taper  55 . 
     Located within the central body  40  between threaded front insert  39  and threaded rear insert  41   a  is a chamber  42  for receiving a weight assembly. As shown in FIG. 4, the weight assembly may include a threaded rod  88  with pintle ends  89 . The pintle ends of the threaded rod are held between bores  77  of inserts  39 ,  41   a . 
     Between the rear insert  41   a  and the end cap  43  is a chamber. The rear cap  43  may include a bore  84  facing forward. The rear insert  41   a  may include a cup protector  101  having a cup  102  facing to the rear. The rear cap further includes a central bore  86  of reduced diameter compared to the bore  84  and communicating with the bore  84  at a shoulder  85 . A flight shaft  44  with collar  124  is received in the cup and retained by the shoulder  85 . A rear elastomeric cylinder  34  is received between cup  102  and bore  84 , and biases the shaft  44  toward the rear. 
     FIG. 5 shows a another possible embodiment of a dart, with a modified carrier  45  and modified forecap  46 . In forecap  46 , the front bore has inclined sides as shown by angle  48 ; carrier  53  has a tapered front section shown by  53 . No shoulder  54  is necessary since the tapered sections  48 ,  53  will mate to keep the carrier centered. The dart of FIG. 5 also includes an internal weight body  50 , which receives tungsten powder  51  and elastomeric material  117 , located within weight chamber  42 . The weight chamber includes forward and rearward integral cups  58  to receive front and rear elastomeric cylinders  34 . Also note that structure equivalent to a rear cap  122  is integral with central body  49 . 
     FIG. 6 shows various possible combinations of parts that may be assembled to form the front end of the dart. For example, it is seen that a soft tip  59  can be received in a “weak” carrier  33 , which is received in a threaded forecap  35  (as shown in the example of FIG.  4 ). A soft tip  59  or a steel tip  63  can be received in a “strong” carrier  45 , which is received in a threaded forecap  46 . Also shown is a non pivotal carrier  64 . This carrier can be used with either forecap  35  or  46 , in cases where it is desired that point  59  or  63  be longitudinally movable under bias from cylinder  34 , but not pivotal. Non-pivotal carrier  64 , which may be made of TEFLON® (PTFE), includes a central bore  65  to receive the point, a shoulder  38   a  to seat in socket  38  of the forecap, side walls  36   a  to engage forecap bore  36  and prevent pivoting, a rearwardly facing open cavity having tapered walls  66  and an inner abutment  68 , and rear shoulder  67  to engage a forward wall  74  of a threaded insert. The point  59  or  63  is received in a bore  56  of a shoe  69 , having a tapered side wall  70  to engage the tapered wall of carrier  64 . The rear of the shoe includes bores  57  and  58  to engage the point collar  61  and cylinder  34  respectively. 
     FIG. 7 shows two possible embodiments of the central dart barrel or body  40 ,  81 , as well as two possible thread bearers  39 ,  41   b  that may be attached thereto. The barrel  40 , which may be of tungsten, includes a central through bore  42 , and larger diameter end bores  71  and  72 . Bore  42  is intended to receive a weight assembly. End bore  71  is intended to receive a forward thread bearer  39  or  41   b . As shown, thread bearer  39  or  41   b  includes a rear cylindrical wall  78  which is engageable in bore  71 . Thread bearer  39  includes an end chamber  76  and end wall  75 , through which bore  77  extends to receive the pintle end of a weight stick. Thread bearer  41   b  includes a through bore  80 , which can receive the end of a weight body  50 . 
     FIG. 7 also shows an alternative dart body  81 , in combination with thread bearer  41   b . The dart body  81  includes a central bore  82  intended to receive a weight assembly. One end includes an integral cap, having end buttress wall  83 . Extending into wall  83  is bore  84 , for receipt of cylinder  34 . The inner end of bore  84  having shoulder  85  to seat collar  124  of a flight shaft; bore  86  extends from the shoulder to the exterior to slidably receive flight shaft  44 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternative dart body  87 , in which structure equivalent to forecap  35  or  46 , is integral with the body. The fore end includes a socket  38  formed into the body. Forward bore  37  may have tapered sides  48 . 
     FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a weight assembly for placement within the dart. A rod  88 , for example stainless steel, is fully threaded, except for pintle ends  89 . A weight bead  92 , for example tungsten, having a central bore  95 , is received over the rod and manually placed at a position desired by the player to achieve a desired weight distribution. A position nut  90 , and a stop nut  98 , each having a threaded central bore, are then threaded onto the rod, on either side of the weight bead, and tightened to hold the bead in the desired position. An elastomeric washer  96  having a central hole  97 , may be placed between the bead and nut for better alignment. The nuts and bead may include complementary walls  91 ,  93 ,  94 ,  99 ,  100  of chevron shape for a more close fit. Also note that the shape of wall  91  of nut  90  is complementary to wall  75  of thread bearer  39 , and wall  99  of nut  98  is complementary to forecap wall  83 . 
     FIG. 10 shows an alternative weight assembly. This weight assembly includes a central shaft  104 . One end of the shaft has an enlarged head  105 ; the other end of the shaft is threaded for a short distance, sufficient to receive end stop nut  98 . End nut  136  includes an end wall  91 , a bore  58  to receive cylinder  34 , a smaller bore  57  to capture head  105 , and a through bore  56  for passage of shaft  104 . Located along the shaft between end nuts  136  and  98 , may be placed pieces  106 ,  107  of selected weight characteristics, as well as a tungsten bead  92 , and washer  96 . A player can customize the weight distribution of the dart by removing end nut  98 , and placing pieces  92 ,  106 ,  107  of desired weights along the shaft in desired locations, and replacing nut  98  to hold the assembly together. Note that pieces along the shaft may have complementary chevron shaped walls. 
     FIG. 11 shows an alternative weight body. This is a billet of solid material such as tungsten. Machined thereinto are end shoulders  109  of shape complementary to wall  75  of thread bearer  39 , and wall  83  of aft cap  43 . At one end, a cup for cylinder  34  is machined into the billet. The billet also includes a cutout or race section  108 . This cutout may be offset relative to the center of the billet, to create a desired fore/aft weight distribution, ranging from 50/50, to 95/5. 
     FIG. 12 shows segments of two alternative weight bodies. The weight body shown on the left is a billet of material, preferably T-6 aluminum. Extending into one end of the billet, to a desired depth, is an axial cavity  110 . Into the cavity is packed a quantity of powdered metal, preferably tungsten powder  51 , leaving a gap delimited by level  112 , the gap serving as a cup for receiving elastomeric cylinder  34 . 
     FIG. 12 also shows, to the right, an alternative weight body. Like the weight body shown to the left, this weight body is a billet of material, preferably T-6 aluminum. Extending into one end of the billet, to a desired depth, is an axial cavity  113 , of larger diameter than bore  110 . Into the cavity is packed a quantity of powdered metal, preferably tungsten powder  51 , leaving a gap which can receive cup bearer  101 . Cup bearer  101  includes an inner wall  103  which serves to retain the metal powder in the bore, and a cup  102  for receiving elastomeric cylinder  34 . The opposite end of the billet includes an end wall  109 , with a cup  114  for receiving an elastomeric cylinder  34 . Note that cup  114  is of smaller diameter than cup  102 , for receiving a smaller diameter cylinder  34  (note FIG.  5 ). 
     FIG. 13 shows an alternative weight assembly. The assembly has a carrier  115 , preferably of spun cast aluminum. A cup receiver  58  is molded into one end. A first charge of metal powder, preferably tungsten powder  51 , is packed into the carrier to a first position  116 . An elastomeric member  117  is then pushed into the carrier to retain the first charge in place. A second charge of powder  51  is then packed into the cylinder to a second position  118 . A closure body  119  is then pushed into the carrier to retain the second charge in place, the closure body having a cup receiver  58  for cylinder  34 . By adjusting the relative amounts of powder in the first and second charges, one can adjust the relative fore and aft weight ratio of this weight assembly. 
     FIGS. 14-16 show various arrangements for attaching the flight carrier to the aft end of the dart. FIG. 14 shows an aft cap  120 , which threadably receives, at its aft end, a flight shaft  17 . The fore end of the cap has a threaded bore to receive thread bearer  41   b . Extending from the forward bore is a cup receiver  121  for cylinder  34 . 
     FIG. 15 shows two alternative end caps engageable with aft thread bearer  41   a  (note FIG.  4 ). End cap  122  is the same type of end structure shown in FIG. 5, except that this cap is shown integral with the barrel in FIG.  5 . End cap  122  includes a forward bore  126 , serving as an end chamber for the central body, a cup bore  84  having an end shoulder  125 , and a through bore  86 . The flight shaft assembly  44  is inserted from the fore end through the end cap, so the shaft  123  slides through bore  86 , and end collar  124  rests against shoulder  125 . Elastomeric cylinder  34  then seats in bore  126 , and applies a biasing force against the shaft assembly  44  (the opposite end of cylinder  34  being received in a cup  58 ,  102 , or  114 ). 
     End cap  43  is the same as shown in FIG. 4, and is similar to cap  122 , except that the shoulder  125  is replaced by tapered transition  127  between bores  84  and  86 , and bore  86  is shorter, this arrangement allowing for a bit of lateral movement against the bias of cylinder  34  upon impact from another incoming dart, as well as longitudinal movement. 
     FIG. 16 shows an end cap designed to allow more significant pivoting action of the flight shaft assembly  44  upon impact from another dart. The aftcap  128  includes an inner chamber with tapered walls  131 , which terminate in a passage  133 . A carrier  129  is provided having a forward partial ball  134 , and tapered walls  130  which mate with carrier walls  131 , as well as pivot-limiting walls  135 . The carrier includes a front bore  58 , intermediate bore  57 , and through bore  56 . The shaft  123  is passed through bore  56  until collar  124  seats in bore  57 . The carrier is then placed within aftcap  128  so the shaft  123  extends through opening  133 . Elastomeric cylinder  34  seats in bore  58  of the carrier, and the cap is threaded onto thread bearer  41   b  of the dart. The cylinder biases the carrier into engagement with the aftcap so shaft  123  extends to the rear of the dart along its longitudinal axis. Upon impact from another dart, the shaft  123  can pivot and move longitudinally against the bias of cylinder  34 , to reduce deflection of that other dart. 
     It is important to note that the attachments of FIGS. 15 and 16 also allow the shaft assembly  44  to rotate about the axis of the dart, to further reduce deflection of an incoming dart. 
     FIG. 17 shows a view of an alternative engagement between a shaft and a carrier. The shaft may be a point shaft  60 , with collar  61 , which is engaged into a carrier  33  or  45 ; or may be a flight shaft  123  with collar  124 , which is engaged into carrier  129 . The shaft includes a radially indented portion  199  having a tapered wall, at the junction with the collar. The carrier includes a reduced diameter portion  99  between collar seat  57  and through bore  56 , with tapered transition walls. When the point is pushed into the carrier and the collar is seated in bore  57 , the reduced diameter portion will engage the indentation  199  to resist longitudinal separation therebetween, while allowing relative rotation between the point and carrier. This will help prevent loss of these small parts during dart disassembly. 
     It is important to note that the various embodiments of dart parts disclosed can be combined in a “mix and match” fashion to create a completed dart; only a few of the possible combinations have been illustrated herein. It is contemplated that parts will be sold in a kit form, which dart players will assemble according to their needs and skill level. This will provide a player with the ability to build highly customizable darts which have a reduced tendency for target rejection, and reduced deflection of subsequently thrown darts. This is considered an advantage not possible with prior art dart constructions. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the illustrations and examples in the specification, but only by the following claims.