Dart machine with electronic matrix
AssigneeArachnid, Inc.
InventorSamuel N. Zammuto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dart game for use with "safe" darts has enhanced electronic scorekeeping reliability. The dart game has a target including target sections for receiving thrown safe darts, the target sections being slidably mounted in a spider target frame. The spider and target sections are mounted in front of a pressure sensitive switch matrix for electronic sensing of dart hits. An apertured sheet of resilient material placed between the target sections and the switch matrix creates a gap through which an impacted target section must be displaced before it can compress and close an associated switch in the switch matrix, thereby enhancing the continuity and prolonging the duration of the switch contact. Ridges on the target section sides ensure ease of motion of the target section in the spider target frame.
Claims20
A target for use in an electronic game with automatic scorekeeping capability having a front side to which projectiles are projected and an inner side, said target comprising:
- a plurality of target sections for receiving said projectiles;
- a target frame, in which said target sections are slidable inwardly and outwardly, and which holds said target sections in a predetermined array;
- a pressure sensitive sensor matrix, located inward of said target frame, having first and second conductive contact layers separated by a non-conductive middle layer, said first conductive contact layer being pliable, said first and second contact layers having opposed pairs of contact points aligned with respective ones of said target sections, and said non-conductive middle layer having apertures through which the contact points in said first contact layer are movable in response to pressure from aligned target sections to contact their respective opposed contact points to produce respective electrical contact-point indicating signals;
- dampening means, located between said target frame and said pressure sensitive sensor matrix, wherein said dampening means comprises a sheet of material having apertures aligned with said target sections so that a distance is defined through which each target section must be inwardly displaced in response to the impact of said projectile in order to push against said sensor matrix and transmit, thereby, an impulse to said pressure sensitive sensor matrix.
A target board for use in an electronic game with automatic scorekeeping capability having a front side to which projectiles are projected and an inner side, said target board comprising:
- a plurality of target sections for receiving said projectiles;
- a target frame in which said target sections are slidable inwardly and outwardly, which holds said target sections in a predetermined array;
- a pressure sensitive switch matrix, located inward of said target frame, having switches individually responsive to pressure from aligned target sections, contact and closure of said switches indicating a predetermined score, wherein said switch matrix comprises first and second conductive contact layers separated by a non-conductive middle layer, said first conductive contact layer being pliable, said first and second contact layers having opposed pairs of switch points of said switches aligned with respective ones of said target sections, and said non-conductive middle layer having apertures through which the switch points in said first contact layer are moveable in response to pressure from aligned target sections to contact their respective opposed switch points to produce said closure of said switches;
- delay means, located between said target frame and said pressure sensitive switch matrix, comprising a sheet of material having apertures aligned with said target sections, so that a distance is defined through which the target section receiving one of said projectiles must be inwardly displaced by the impact of said projectile in order to push against the respective switch and transmit, thereby, an impulse to said pressure sensitive switch matrix;
- biasing means, located between said target frame and said delay means, for biasing said target sections in the outward position in said target frame, and for increasing the duration of said transmission of momentum by padding the impact point between the target sections and said pressure sensitive switch matrix.
A dart board for use in an electronic game with automatic scorekeeping capability having a front side which forms a target for "safe" darts with flexible tips an inner side, said board comprising:
- a plurality of target sections for receiving and holding the tip of a dart, the target sections having feet which protrude inwardly;
- a spider target frame in which said target sections are slideable inwardly and outwardly, which holds said target sections in a predetermined array;
- a resilient sheet, located inward of said spider target frame, said sheet biasing said target sections in the outward position in said spider target frame;
- a pressure sensitive switch matrix, located inward of said resilient sheet, having switches aligned with said feet of said target sections and responsive to contact therefrom, such contact indicating a predetermined score, wherein said switch matrix comprises first and second conductive contact layers separated by a non-conductive middle layer, said first conductive contact layer being pliable, said first and second contact layers having opposed pairs of switch points of said switches aligned with respective ones of said target sections, and said non-conductive middle layer having apertures through which the switch points in said first contact layer are moveable in response to pressure from aligned target sections to contact their respective opposed switch points to produce said closure of said switches;
- and
- a damper sheet, located between said resilient sheet and said pressure sensitive switch matrix, having apertures aligned with said feet of said target sections, so that a distance is defined through which an impacted one of said target sections must be inwardly displaced upon receiving one of said darts in order to push against the respective one of said switches and transmit, therby, an impulse to said pressure sensitive switch matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.