US4114884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Darts
Assignee: L A AND E W TUNNICLIFFE Ltd
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Filing: 1977-02-15
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Granted: 1978-09-19
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Expires: 1997-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A dart has a unitary plastics flight of cruciform cross-section, the four wings being joined directly together at the spine. Before the flight is fitted to the shaft of the dart, the wings are folded flat, one pair on each side of the spine and an aperture is cut through the spine and a small metal cap fitted into it. The flight is unfolded to its cruciform cross-section and the wings fitted into slits in the end of the shaft. The cap fits over the tail end of the shaft to urge together the prongs formed by the slits and to cover the open ends of the slits.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Alfred Tunnicliffe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:07
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B6/00; F42B6/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/53; Y10T403/535; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A dart having a shaft which is slit at the tail end, a flight of which the wings are directly interconnected at the spine being received in the slits and a pointed metal cap received in openings in the wings and slidably engaging and fitting closely over the slit tail end of the shaft, urging the prongs formed between the slits toward each other and against the flight, the openings having spaced, substantially U-shaped inner and outer edges, the outer edges of the openings being of arched shape substantially conforming to the outer surface of the metal cap, and the inner edges of the openings defining around the spine a tongue which projects into the interior of the cap to locate it positively co-axially with the spine of the flight even when the flight is separated from said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A dart having a shaft which is slit at the tail end, a flight of which the wings are directly interconnected at the spine being received in the slits and a pointed metal cap received in openings in the wings and slidably engaging and fitting closely over the slit tail end of the shaft, urging the prongs formed between the slits toward each other and against the flight, the openings having spaced, substantially U-shaped inner and outer edges, the outer edges of the openings being of arched shape substantially conforming to the outer surface of the metal cap, and the inner edges of the openings defining around the spine a tongue which projects into the interior of the cap to locate it positively co-axially with the spine of the flight even when the flight is separated from said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
A dart flight having wings which are directly interconnected at the spine of the flight, an opening in the wings of said flight co-axial with the spine thereof, a pointed cap received in said opening and being adapted to fit over the tail end of a shaft slit to receive the wings of said flight, said opening having outer edges of arched shape substantially conforming to the outer surface of said cap, and a tongue within the opening projecting into the interior of the cap to retain it in said opening co-axially with the spine of the flight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A dart flight having wings which are directly interconnected at the spine of the flight, an opening in the wings of said flight co-axial with the spine thereof, a pointed cap received in said opening and being adapted to fit over the tail end of a shaft slit to receive the wings of said flight, said opening having outer edges of arched shape substantially conforming to the outer surface of said cap, and a tongue within the opening projecting into the interior of the cap to retain it in said opening co-axially with the spine of the flight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The dart flight of claim 2 wherein the wings of said flight are foldable about said spine between a flat condition and an open condition, said tongue retaining said cap in said opening regardless of the open or closed condition of said wings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The dart flight of claim 3 wherein said tongue is constructed and arranged that when said wings are folded to their open condition the tongue is also opened out to a three dimensional shape of a size to be received within said cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The dart flight of claim 4 wherein said flight has four wings and said tongue is cruciform in shape when said wings are in their open condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dart flight of claim 2 wherein said pointed cap is metal and arranged to divert the point of a following dart which strikes it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-18 | 1982-03-20 | 1982-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-18 | 1986-03-20 | 1986-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-18 | 1990-03-20 | 1990-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |