BLADE OF A STICK

Abstract: A blade for a ball playing stick, particularly a floorball stick. The blade (1) includes a skirt (6) that extends along at least a part of the upper edge of the blade. The skirt projects out laterally above at least one main blade surface (12) for better ball control.

Description: BLADE OF A STICK The present invention relates to a blade for ball-playing sticks, particularly a blade for an indoor bandy or floorball stick. A conventional floorball stick will either have a straight blade or a blade that curves in its longitudinal direction. The curve in the blade facilitates capturing and centering of a ball in relation to the blade so as to place the ball in the best starting position for firing a shot or striking the ball. The curved blade also to some extent compensates for the centrifugal force that is generated in conjunction with shooting the ball by virtue of the arcuate movement of the arm and stick. The blade is essentially straight in a vertical sense, to provide the best shot position irrespective of where the ball strikes the blade in its vertical or height extension. The direction in which the ball moves can be controlled by angling the blade, which also enables the ball to be screwed. The main object of the present invention is to provide a stick blade that improves ball control in dribbling manoeuvres and further enhances shot precision. The invention is based on the concept of achieving this object by providing the blade with a border or skirt along the upper edge that improves the control of the ball and its rotation. A stick blad in accordance with the invention is characterized in that a skirt extends along at least a part of the upper edge of the blade and projects out laterally above at least one of the main surfaces of the blade. This skirt can be used to capture a ball and to control movement of the ball when firing a shot. The skirt can also be used to hold the ball firmly to the club blade in conjunction with dribbling manoeuvres. This greatly increases the smoothness and quickness with which the ball can be maneuvered. According to one preferred embodiment of the blade, at least one main blade surface is concave between the lower edge of the blade and said skirt. Alternatively, at least a part of one blade main surface may be inclined from said lower edge towards the skirt. It is therewith possible to press the ball against the skirt and to move the ball in the longitudinal direction of the blade in conjunction with firing a shot, by angling the blade in its vertical or height direction. It is also possible to firmly lock the ball between the playing surface and the skirt in conjunction with dribbling the ball. Other features of an inventive blade will be evident from the following Claims. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. IA and IB illustrate schematically a conventional floorball stick seen from one side and from above respectively; Fig. 2 is a front view of the blade shown in Fig. 1 and shows the blade in contact with a ball; Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a first embodiment of an inventive blade in side view and front view respectively; Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a somewhat modified blade in conjunction with a shot; and Fig. 5 shows the blade of Fig. 4 during a dribbling manoeuvre. Figs. IA and IB are schematic illustrations of a conventional blade 1 of a floorball stick or indoor bandy stick. The bottom part of the stick shaft is referenced 2. As evident from Fig. IB, the blade 1 has a bend in its longitudinal direction, said bend facilitating capturing of a ball 3 and improving ball control. There is also obtained a certain degree of compensation for the centrifugal force acting on the ball when a shot is fired and the stick moves in an arcuate path. As will be seen from Fig. 2, the blade 1 is straight vertically and in order to propel the ball in the desired direction 10 when firing a shot, it is necessary to adapt the angle 5 to the playing surface in accordance with the speed or force of the shot among other things. Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate an inventive stick blade 1 having a handle mounting part 8. In this embodiment, the main surface 14 of the blade intended for contact with a ball is generally vertical. Extending along the upper edge of the blade is a skirt 6 which projects laterally outwards from the surface 14. The purpose of the skirt will be described in detail hereinafter. Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate a slightly modified embodiment of the inventive blade 1 and show the blade together with a ball 3. In this embodiment, the lower half of the main blade surface 12 defines an angle 7 with a vertical plane through the blade. The blade can therewith be given a basin-like shape with the surface 12 being concave between the lower edge part and the skirt 6. Alternatively, the blade may slope evenly from the lower edge part up to the skirt 6. As the ball 3 is struck, movement of the blade will force the ball up against the skirt 6, wherewith upward movement 13 (Fig. 4A) of the ball will stop so as to prevent the ball from leaving the blade in said upward direction. Instead, the ball is able to run in the longitudinal direction of the blade along the skirt 6 in the direction of arrow 14 shown in Fig. 3B. The ball will therewith be propelled from the forward blade path in the shot direction with great force and with great precision. As evident from Fig. 5, the skirt 6 and the angle 7, or the basin¬ like shape of the surface 12, enables a player to lock the ball 3 firmly between skirt 6 and the playing surface 9 when dribbling the ball. This also enables the ball to be drawn in the direction of arrow 11 in dribbling a player on the opposing team. This is not possible with a blade of conventional design. The inventive blade thus enables significantly more advanced dribbling of the ball to be achieved, as a player is able to manoeuvre the ball in two mutually opposite main directions while keeping the ball well under control on one side of the blade. The lower edge part 16 of the blade 1 may also project out laterally in relation to the surface intended for contact with the ball. In this regard, the edge part 16 may slope from its bottom edge surface in towards the main blade surface. The blade may also be typically curved slightly in its longitudinal direction, to further improve ball control. The blade may be configured for both left-handed shots and right-handed shots. Although the invention has been described with reference to illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood that modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the following Claims. For instance, the blade configuration of bars and intermediate openings may be varied as required, or the blade may be completely imperforate. Neither need the skirt along the upper edge of the blade be continuous, but may be comprised of shorter parts. While the skirt may be a separate part of the blade, it is preferred that the skirt is formed integrally with the blade in general. When the other main surface of the blade is also to be used for ball contact, the skirt may be constructed to also project beyond this surface. The inventive stick blade may also be used in other ballgames, in addition to floorball or indoor bandy.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A blade for ball playing sticks, particularly a blade for a floorball stick, characterized in that the blade includes a skirt (6) which extends along at least a part of the upper edge of the blade (1) and projects out laterally above at least one of the main blade surfaces (12; 14) . 2. A blade according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one main blade surface (12) is concave between the lower edge part (16) of the blade and said skirt (6) . 3. A blade according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least ( 1/ a part of one main blade 'surface slopes from said lower edge towards said skirt (6) . 4. A blade according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the lower edge part (16) of the blade (1) projects laterally outwards in relation to at least one main blade surface (12) . 5. A blade according to Claim 4, characterized in that said edge part slopes from its bottom edge surface in towards the main blade surface. 6. A blade according to any one of Claims 1-6, characterized in that the blade is curved slightly in its longitudinal direction.

Inventors: BENGTSSON KENT, BENGTSSON, KENT
Applicants: BENGTSSON KENT, OEREBROSKENAN AB, BENGTSSON, KENT, OEREBROSKENAN AKTIEBOLAG
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63B59
IPC codes: A63B59