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  DartThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080090684. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates generally to darts and specifically to an improved dart coating wherein the dart has increased durability and wear resistance. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The game of darts has been played for centuries. Today, the game of darts is seen everywhere from pubs to organized competitive leagues. Since the origins of dart games in medieval times, the dart itself has undergone many changes. Darts were first crudely made from shortened arrows which were thrown at tree trunks or wine barrels. Today's darts consist generally of a dart barrel, a shaft, a tip and an end having flights (also known as fletchings). While these four basic features of darts remain relatively constant, numerous other factors determine the overall quality of a dart. [0003]Several factors are critical in making a good dart. For instance, the composition of the dart barrel, weight of the barrel, overall balance, and the durability of the barrel are important features of a dart. A primary object of this invention focuses on increasing the durability of a dart. Many darts known in the art suffer from disadvantages related to durability. Dart barrels are typically coated; the nature of the coating determines whether the surface of the dart body will be prone to scratching, flaking and other signs of coating fatigue. Other darts have coatings that are known to decrease or mute the surface characteristics of the uncoated dart body. Darts known in the art have coatings that are susceptible to these disadvantages and, as such, have a shorter product life. [0004]There is an ongoing search for a new and superior dart that has substantially improved life and increased wear resistance. It would be an improvement in the art to provide a new dart having a coating which gives the dart improved hardness and wear resistance. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0005]It is an object of this invention, to provide a dart barrel having a coating with improved hardness and wear resistance. [0006]Another object of the invention is to provide a dart having improved hardness and wear resistance. [0007]A further object of the invention is to provide a dart having a surface with improved grip. [0008]Another object of the invention is to provide a dart having a surface with accentuated surface characteristics. [0009]Still another object of the invention is to provide a dart having an improved appearance. [0010]It is yet another object of the invention to provide a dart having increased product life. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011]According to the invention, a dart barrel is disclosed having improved hardness and wear resistance. This dart barrel is characterized primarily by the elements: [0012]a) a body; [0013]b) a surface on the body; and [0014]c) a coating deposited on the surface by physical vapor deposition, said coating comprising a layer of titanium, aluminum and nitride. The dart body is metal. Specifically, the dart body is one or more of tungsten, tungsten-copper, tungsten-nickel, tungsten-copper-nickel, tungsten-iron-nickel, brass, stainless steel and steel. In certain preferred embodiments, the coating is a mono-layer coating of Aluminum-Titanium-Nitride. In other highly preferred embodiments, the coating is a multi-layer coating of Titanium-Nitride and Titanium-Aluminum-Nitride. [0015]The present invention also includes a dart having improved hardness and wear resistance. [0016]Further details, advantages and features of this invention are given by the following description with reference to the enclosed drawings. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017]FIG. 1 shows a photograph of the inventive dart. [0018]FIG. 2 shows a photograph including the inventive dart side-by-side to a competitor dart. [0019]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of the dart barrels of the inventive dart and the competitor darts of FIG. 2. Continue reading... Full patent description for Dart Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dart patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dart or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Concept for activating a game device Next Patent Application: Deairing type hydraulic tensioner Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dart patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.16444 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf |
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