Special receptacle or package – For a sport implement – exercise device – or game
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-09
2001-01-16
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a sport implement, exercise device, or game
C206S443000, C206S579000, C220S839000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173834
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a dart case, and more particularly to a transparent one-piece dart case for storing darts, dart components and dart assembly tools.
Conventional dart cases are often cumbersome to use because most are opaque and do not allow a user to see the contents unless opened. Some provide a window or have only one section which is partially transparent. However, a user is still required to either open, or physically orient the case in order to visually inspect the contents of the case, and usually cannot see the entire contents without opening the case. Such a limitation is not only time consuming and annoying, it also leads to misidentification, especially when an individual needs to identify a particular set of darts contained in a dart case which may be stored among several dart cases. In addition, such partially transparent dart cases have conventionally been constructed of several different pieces which require assembly, thereby increasing manufacturing costs. Other cases that are more fully transparent are constructed with elaborate hinges and have multiple pieces which are also not only time consuming to construct, the individual pieces are expensive to make.
Another difficulty which currently exists with conventional dart cases is that additional packaging or hanging brackets are required in order to display the dart case on a rack. These additional packaging and brackets increase the cost associated with the dart case and lead to unnecessary waste. Additionally, such cases that are not fully transparent either must be displayed in an open position, thereby requiring additional packaging, or closed, preventing prospective purchasers from inspecting the contents and/or the interior configuration.
Conventional dart cases also only secure darts and/or dart components. Dart components, such as shafts, are known to have been assembled on darts by using spare tips as a type of wrench to apply torque as necessary to tighten the assembly. This type of assembly can cause damage to the spare tips. Further, the technology associated with dart fabrication has increased the number of precision components, and some dart enthusiasts just prefer not to use tips as wrenches. The amount of effort required to assemble and disassemble darts has also increased. Therefore, special tools are now desired to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of various dart components and conventional cases do not provide a means for securing these tools.
One attempt at providing a transparent case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,537. This patent involves a dart carrying and display case having a transparent cover pivotally mounted to an opaque dart carrying section. This particular dart carrying case is also comprised of several different pieces which require assembly. Such a case does not allow a user to examine the contents of the case from a variety of orientations while the case is closed and is relatively expensive to produce.
Another dart case, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,922, provides an opaque cover and an opaque base connected via a hinge means. This dart case is only capable of securing darts and storing dart components, has no tool retaining members, and is not transparent. Another dart case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,108 which has a base member, a hinged cover member and a latch. The base member and hinged cover of this multiple-piece dart case are opaque and the case has no means for retaining dart assembly tools.
Further examples of prior art dart cases include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,533,625, 5,067,610, 4,773,578 and 3,960,271. However, none of these references provide a transparent, one-piece dart case that allows an individual to view the contents of the case from a variety of orientations while the case is closed. None can adequately secure dart assembly tools within the case in addition to holding darts and dart components, and none are capable of hanging from a rack, or some other device, for display without additional packaging or non-integral hanging members. All of which are desired features of an inexpensive dart case by dart enthusiasts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing a transparent dart case of one-piece design. In addition, the present invention also secures assembly tools within the dart case, as well as providing secure storage for the corresponding darts and dart components. The present invention also allows the dart case to be mounted directly onto a rack for display without any additional pieces and/or packaging.
The dart case of the present invention is a unitary molded case having a transparent first frame which has a back wall with an inside surface that is bounded by a side wall. The dart case also includes a transparent second frame which has a front wall with an inside surface that is bounded by another side wall. The first and second frames are integrally molded and attached by a living hinge. A portion of the side wall of the first frame is connected to a portion of the side wall of the second frame by the living hinge. The living hinge allows the first frame and second frame to remain connected as a one-piece assembly, while still allowing relative movement between the first frame and second frame such that the case can be opened and closed. When the side walls are mated together, an enclosure is formed that has sufficient integrity to protect and transport darts, dart components and at least one dart assembly tool.
The dart case also includes at least one elastic clamp which is capable of securing either darts, dart components and/or dart assembly tools. In addition, at least one fastener is attached to the side wall of the first frame which joins with another fastener attached to the side wall of the second frame so that the first frame and the second frame can be secured in a closed position.
The dart case of the present invention may also comprise a hanging bracket which is integrally molded with the case. The hanging bracket allows the dart case to be placed on a rack for display and is intended to be easily removed with minimal force after purchase, thereby eliminating unnecessary packaging.
One object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece dart case that can be completely transparent so that an individual can inspect the contents of the case from virtually any orientation.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a dart case which allows for securing dart assembly tools within the case along with the darts and dart components.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dart case with a removable hanging bracket molded integrally with the case which is directly mountable to a rack, or some other device, in order to place the case on display for sale without any additional pieces and/or packaging.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
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Voden Derick L.
Voden Justin L.
Cook & Franke S.C.
Gehman Bryon P.
Great Lakes Dart Mfg., Inc.
Ziolkowski Timothy J.
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