Induction Frame for a Dartboard

Abstract

An induction frame for a dartboard is positioned on the front surface of the dartboard according to predetermined shape and number so as to define a plurality of scoring areas thereon. The induction frame is inductive and has conductive ends that are used to penetrate the dartboard. On the front side of the respective frames is formed guiding surface that is located in the direction in which the dart is tossed. The abovementioned design enables the respective frames to be directly connected to the electronic scoring unit for scoring, thus effectively simplifying the structure, reducing the complexity and cost of the circuit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an induction frame for a dartboard, and more particularly to a conductive induction frame for a dartboard, on the surface of the dartboard is defined a plurality of scoring areas, and the induction frame can be electrically connected to an electronic scoring unit directly to record the score.[0003]2. Description of the Prior Art[0004]Dart game is one of the major sports and recreation activities, therefore, the demand for improving the technology of dart products grows increasingly. To cope with the demand for innovation and change, various target products also need to be improved in terms of accuracy, convenience and quality. And induction-scoring has long become an important selling point that the dartboard manufactures are competing for, and such a scoring function has already been used in international dart competitions. Therefore, finding an electronic dartboard scoring equipment to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]To obtain the above objective, the induction frame of the present invention should be conductive, on the surface of the dartboard is defined a plurality of scoring areas, and the respective arc-shaped frames and the fan-shaped frames have conductive ends that are used to penetrate the dartboard. The abovementioned design enables the respective frames to be directly connected to the electronic scoring unit for scoring. Therefore, the present invention not only can separate the scoring areas but also can execute the scoring operation. Further, the design of the shared conductive end shared by a plurality of scoring areas and induction frames effectively simplifies the structure, and reduces the complexity and cost of the circuit.

[0021]Another objective of the present invention is to provide a durable induction frame for a dartboard. Each of the arc-shaped frames and the fan-shaped frames is a unitary structure made of conductive hard material. On the front side of the respective frames is formed a guiding surface that is located in the direction in which the dart is tossed. The abovementioned design can prevent the tip of the dart from being stopped by the arc-shaped frames and the fan-shaped frames. Therefore, the structure of the present invention is durable.

[0022]Another objective of the present invention is to provide an easily assembled induction frame for a dartboard.

[0023]Each of the conductive ends of the respective induction frames has a sharp front terminal portion to be engaged in the dartboard, and the respective induction frame are formed at the lower edge thereof with a blade-shaped engaging portion. By such arrangements, the arc-shaped frames and the fan-shaped frame can be engaged in the wood, plastic or sisal made dartboard quickly and easily. Therefore, the assembly time and cost can be reduced.

[0027]In addition to being a conductive unitary structure, the induction frame can be inserted or coated with easily produced or low cost accessories that are located in the direction of the dartboard, and the induction frame still can be used to guide the dart and to record the score only maintaining the conductive hard material of the induction frame in the direction in which the dart is tossed. The aforementioned embodiments can be made, for example, by stuffing plastic accessories into the hollow induction frame integrally formed by copper, or by wrapping the plastic accessories with silver induction frame. The aforementioned accessories can also be made of low cost material, such as plastic, or wood.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, finding an electronic dartboard scoring equipment to better meet the users' requirement has become an important issue for the manufacturers.

First, since the porous board is a movable structure, it will move and press the circuit board as long as a dart impacts the porous board, thus wrongly sending out a signal to start scoring. Therefore, no matter the tip of the dart is inserted into the hole of the porous board or not, the porous board will move and create a wrong score, as along as an impact occurs. And even if the tip of the dart rebound after hitting the porous board, the porous board will still move and trigger the circuit board, and start scoring.

Second, if the force when the tip of the dart is inserted into the hole of the porous board is too small to move the porous board and to make the electronic circuit to create a score, or the throwing force of the tip of the dart is so great that the porous board can't return to its original position, thus repeatedly triggering the scoring function. The abovementioned conditions will cause misjudgment and wrong score. Therefore, the electronic tactile type dartboard cannot be used in formal competition.

First, the operation of winding many induction coils 11 and the assembly of extending end 110 are complicated and will increase the operation cost. For easy connection of the extending end 110, it requires more complex structure and technique to cooperate with the induction coils. If no appropriate measures are made to protect the scoring block 10, the dart will damage the induction coils 11 or the extending end 110, thus causing wrong scoring and failure.

Second, the scoring block 10 should be wound with many turns of induction coils 11, this will waste the induction coils 11 and increase the cost.

Third, after induction coils 11 wind around the scoring block 10, the scoring block 10, the frame of the dartboard and other components should still be assembled to the dartboard, respectively, and this assembly operation will further increase the assembly time. Therefore, the assembly of this conventional structure is complicated, and the number of the components thereof is great.

Fourth, the scoring block 10 can easily be penetrated by a metal dart, and the speedy dart is likely to damage the induction coils 11 around the scoring block, or even worse, it is likely to cause failure of the induction coils 11.

This conventional product decreases cost of the coil winding and prevents the dart from damaging the induction coils, however, it still has the following disadvantages:

However, due to such methods of connecting, the dartboard will be covered with complicated circuits (for example, the induction coil 15 in the topmost scoring area must wind through the entire surface of the dartboard, otherwise, both ends of the induction coils 15 cannot protrude out.

In addition, each space 14 must be provided with many turns of induction coils 15, this will waste the induction coils and will increase the cost.

Further, to enable the frame 13 to be engaged in the surface of the dartboard 12, the dartboard 12 must be subjected to a complicated grooving process, and thus the relative cost will be increased.

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