Modular darts environment system

Abstract

A modular darts system comprises a hub having a dartboard surface or a connector for weight-bearing connection to a dartboard, the hub further comprising a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of arms, the arms being configured to engage the plurality of apertures and to engage at least one ancillary dartboard component.

1 . A modular system, comprising
 a hub comprising a dartboard surface or a connector for weight-bearing connection to a dartboard, the hub further comprising a plurality of apertures; and   a plurality of arms, the arms being configured to engage the plurality of apertures;   wherein the arms are each configured to engage at least one ancillary dartboard component.   
     
     
         2 . A modular system according to  claim 1 , wherein each aperture comprises a retainer for retaining an arm in the respective aperture, wherein the retainer comprises a magnet or a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         3 . A modular system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the arms is configured to support the weight of the hub. 
     
     
         4 . A modular system according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the arms comprises a fastener hole for attachment to a vertical surface. 
     
     
         5 . A modular system according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the arms comprises a foot or wheel configured to engage a horizontal surface. 
     
     
         6 . A modular system according to  claim 5 , wherein the modular system is configured to stand vertically on the foot or wheel and to support the hub when the dartboard surface or dartboard is in use. 
     
     
         7 . A modular system according to  claim 1 , wherein the arms each comprise at least one track, the at least one track having a cross-sectional profile configured to permit attachment of a component to the track, and to permit movement of the component along a lengthwise direction of arm. 
     
     
         8 . A modular system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one track comprises at least two tracks arranged in different orientations with respect to the respective arm. 
     
     
         9 . A modular system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one ancillary dartboard component, wherein the at least one ancillary dartboard component is configured to engage the arms,   wherein the ancillary dartboard component comprises one or more of: a light, a score board, a dart holder, and a dartboard surround element.   
     
     
         10 . A mechanism for securing a dartboard to a mount, the mechanism having a first configuration in which rotation of the dartboard relative to the mount is prevented, and a second configuration in which rotation of the dartboard relative to the mount is permitted, wherein movement of the dartboard relative to the mount causes the mechanism to transition between the first configuration and the second, and wherein the mechanism is biased towards the first configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a mounting plate including a plurality of fastener holes for attachment to the dartboard by screws.   
     
     
         12 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a releasable connector for attachment to the mount, the releasable connector being configured to be releasable from the mount without tools.   
     
     
         13 . A mechanism according to  claim 12 , wherein the releasable connector comprises a bayonet attachment or a threaded attachment. 
     
     
         14 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the mechanism is configured to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration by a relative movement of the dartboard away from the mount along an axis of the rotation of the dartboard relative to the mount. 
     
     
         15 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a biasing member configured to bias the mechanism towards the first configuration, the biasing member being disposed between a flange formed on the mounting plate and a flange formed on the releasable connector,   wherein the flange of the releasable connector is provided on a dartboard-proximal-side of the biasing member, and the flange of the mounting plate is provided on a dartboard-distal-side of the biasing member.   
     
     
         16 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein, in the first configuration, the dartboard is lockable in one of ten, equiangularly-spaced orientations relative to the mount. 
     
     
         17 . A mechanism according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a plurality of positioning features, each positioning feature corresponding to one of the orientations and comprising a recess or a protrusion; and   at least one engagement feature configured to engage the plurality of positioning features to lock the dartboard in the respective orientation.   
     
     
         18 . A mechanism according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one positioning feature or at least one engagement feature is configured to bias the dartboard towards the nearest of the orientations when moving from the second configuration to the first configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A mechanism according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a mounting plate including a plurality of fastener holes for attachment to the dartboard by screws, the mounting plate comprising a shaft extending, in use, away from the dartboard;   a releasable connector for attachment to the mount, the releasable connector being configured to be releasable from the mount without tools, and the releasable connector comprising a bore extending, in use, away from the dartboard; and   a biasing member configured to bias the mechanism towards the first configuration, the biasing member being disposed between a flange formed on of the mounting plate and a flange formed on the releasable connector,   wherein the shaft and the spring are received within the bore, the spring surrounding the shaft;   wherein a flange is provided on the shaft of the mounting plate and contacts a dartboard-distal-side of the biasing member; and   wherein a flange is provided with the bore of the releasable connector and contacts a dartboard-proximal-side of the biasing member.   
     
     
         20 . A hub comprising:
 a dartboard surface or a connector for weight-bearing connection to a dartboard;   an electrical inlet for receiving electrical power; and   an electrical outlet for providing the electrical power to an ancillary dartboard component.   
     
     
         21 . A hub according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an integral levelling tool for verifying an orientation of the hub   
     
     
         22 . A hub according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrical inlet comprises a plug for connection to a mains electricity outlet. 
     
     
         23 . A hub according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrical outlet comprises a USB connector or a 12V direct current (DC) socket. 
     
     
         24 . A hub according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a transformer for transforming the received electrical power to electrical power for supply to the ancillary dartboard component.   
     
     
         25 . A hub according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a plurality of fastener holes for attachment to a vertical surface.   
     
     
         26 . A hub according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 damping members on a surface of the hub, the damping members being arranged to reduce transmission of vibrations between the hub and an adjacent object.