MINIATURIZED BALL OR PUCK GAME

Abstract: The present invention relates to a miniaturized ball or puck game intended to be placed on a flat base such as a table, for example, which ball or puck game comprises a goal (1) and an obstacle (5) in the form of a simulated goalkeeper (5), the goal (1) comprising a frame (2) and said obstacle (5) being integrated with at least one part of the frame (2), so that at least one part of the frame (2) of the goal (1) is executed in one piece with the obstacle (5). The goal has a goal area that is divided by the obstacle (5) into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards by the flat base, so that a ball or puck can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal (1).

Description: MINIATURIZED BALL OR PUCK GAME The present invention relates to an article for entertainment in the form of a miniaturized ball or puck game, comprising a goal and a simulated goalkeeper. BACKGROUND Miniaturized ball or puck games that simulate team games such as football or ice hockey have long been used as a pastime and are often used indoors in small gatherings. Examples of such games are described for example in US patent specification 5242164, US patent specification 5882007, US patent specification 5449170, GB A 2 056 290 or DE 298 16 446 U. Miniature games of this kind can comprise a playing board and one or more goals and a ball or puck in miniature. It is also known that miniature games of this type can include elements for hitting the ball or puck towards a goal. Such elements can be executed in the form of simulated players, as shown in the above-mentioned US 5242164 or in the form of hockey sticks in miniature, as shown in the above-mentioned US 5882007. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized ball or hockey game that permits use with both a ball and a puck and can be manufactured simply and at low cost. A further object is to provide a miniaturized game that takes up very little room and can thereby easily be taken along on journeys. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, the miniaturized ball or puck game comprises a goal and an obstacle in the form of a simulated goalkeeper, the goal having a frame. Said obstacle in the form of a simulated goalkeeper is here integrated into/fixedly connected to the frame of the goal. This can be achieved for example by manufacturing the frame and the obstacle (the simulated goalkeeper) by themselves and then joining them to one another by gluing, for example, or another method of fixed joining. However, said obstacle is preferably integrated with the frame in such a way that the frame and the obstacle are produced in one piece right from the start. In a preferred embodiment, the entire frame is made in a single piece, the entire frame and said obstacle being made in a single piece, for example in plastic by injection moulding. However, it is also conceivable for the frame to be manufactured in two separate parts, one frame part of which is executed in one piece with the obstacle, following which the frame parts are then joined, for example in wood. The finished game will then comprise an obstacle integrated with at least one part of the frame, so that at least one part of the goal's frame is executed in one piece with the obstacle. The ball or puck game according to the invention is intended to be placed on a flat base such as a table, for example, or the like. The frame is divided into a first frame part and a second frame part, the first frame part including goalposts that define the limits of the goal. The second frame part is intended to form a support or "foot" for the goal when the goal is placed on a flat base. The second frame part is thus suitable to function as a support for the goal. Ifthe goal is manufactured in a stiff but foldable material, such as cardboard, the frame can be divided into said first and second frame part by folding the frame so that the first frame part will be separated or delimited from the second frame part by a fold or fold indication. The game is designed so that, when it is placed on a flat base such as a table, the goal has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts of the first frame part and downwards by the flat base, and divided by the obstacle into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards by the flat base, so that a puck or ball can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal. The game is preferably designed so that, when it is placed on a flat base, the obstacle extends down to the flat base so that the obstacle is delimited downwards by the flat base and fills the area between the first and the second open goal area. A puck or ball that slides or rolls towards the goal can then enter the goal only by entering the first or second open goal area. The game is preferably designed so that, when placed on a flat base and supported by the second frame part, the goal has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts and is divided by the obstacle into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards only by the flat base, so that a puck or ball can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal. It is expedient here to design the ball or puck game so that the first frame part is separated from the second frame part by a straight fold indication or bending line, in which case a straight line coinciding with the straight fold indication or bending line also coincides with a lower edge of the obstacle and forms a limit for the extension of the obstacle, more precisely defined a lower limit for the extension of the obstacle. When the game is placed on a flat base, the simulated goalkeeper covers more than 25% of the total goal area and the simulated goalkeeper preferably covers at least 50% of the (total) goal area. However, the simulated goalkeeper should not cover more than 80% of the goal area. The simulated goalkeeper should preferably cover 50%-60% of the goal area. The frame should have one side that is intended to form the outside. When manufacturing the game according to the invention, the outside of the frame can expediently be coloured, it being possible to provide the simulated goalkeeper with features, for example the features of a known hockey goalkeeper. Following a punching operation, when the frame is punched out of a sheet of cardboard, the frame thus punched out can be folded so that the coloured outside will be turned outwards. The punched-out frame can then be placed in a transparent packaging, for example a transparent plastic bag, the coloured outside of the frame being turned outwards in the packaging. At least one and preferably at least two hockey sticks in miniature and at least one miniature puck are then placed in the packaging, following which the packaging is closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention shall now be described in greater detail with reference to the enclosed figures. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in perspective, set up on a flat surface. Fig. 2 shows the same embodiment as in Fig. 1 , but seen here from a different perspective. Fig. 3 shows the same embodiment as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, but seen here from a third perspective. Fig. 4 shows a flat sheet intended to form the frame for a goal. Fig. 5 shows a set-up of elements intended together to form a complete playing set and intended to be packaged together. With reference to Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a goal 1 is shown that has a frame 2 with a first frame part 3 and a second frame part 4. The first frame part comprises a first vertical goalpost 3a and a second vertical goalpost 3b, which first and second goalposts are joined together by a third goalpost 3 c. The second frame part 4 is intended to form a support or "foot" for the goal 1 when the goal 1 is placed on a flat base. The goalposts 3a, 3b and 3c define limits for the goal 1. When the game or goal is placed on a flat base - for example a table - the goal 1 has a goal area, which goal area is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts 3 a, 3b, 3 c of the first frame part and downwards by the flat base. Fixedly connected to the first frame part 3 is an obstacle 5 in the form of a simulated goalkeeper. The game is designed such that, when it is placed on a flat base, the goal has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts 3a, 3b, 3c and divided by the obstacle 5 into a first open goal area and a second open goal area. The first and second open goal area is delimited downwards by the flat base so that a ball or puck can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal 1. The game is preferably designed so that, when the game is placed on a flat base, the obstacle 5 extends down to the flat base so that the obstacle 5 is delimited downwards by the flat base and fills the area between the first and the second open goal area so that a puck or ball that slides or rolls towards the goal 1 can only enter the goal 1 by entering the first or second open goal area. The game is preferably designed so that, when it is placed on a flat base and supported by the second frame part 4, the goal 1 has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts 3a, 3b, 3c and divided by the obstacle 5 into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards only by the flat base, so that a puck or ball can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal 1. It is expedient in this case to design the ball or puck game so that the first frame part 3 is separated from the second frame part 4 by a straight fold indication or bending line 9, in which case a straight line that coincides with the straight fold indication or bending line 9 also coincides with a straight lower edge 12 of the obstacle 5 and forms a limit for the extension of the obstacle 5. When the game is placed on a flat base, the simulated goalkeeper 5 covers more than 25% of the total goal area and the simulated goalkeeper 5 preferably covers at least 50% of the total goal area. However, the simulated goalkeeper 5 should not cover more than 80% of the total goal area. The simulated goalkeeper 5 should preferably cover 50% - 60% of the total goal area. Said obstacle 5 in the form of a simulated goalkeeper is thus fixedly connected to the frame 2 of the goal 1. This can be achieved for example by the frame 2 and obstacle 5 (the simulated goalkeeper) being manufactured by themselves (for example in plastic or wood) and then joined to one another by gluing, for example, or another method of fixed joining. Preferably, however, said obstacle 5 is integrated with the frame 2 in such a way that the frame 2 and obstacle 5 are made in one piece right from the start. In a preferred embodiment, the entire frame 2 is made in a single piece, the entire frame 2 and said obstacle 5 being made in a single piece. However, it is also conceivable for the frame 2 to be manufactured in two separate parts, one frame part of which is executed in one piece with the obstacle 5, following which the frame parts are then joined. The finished game will then comprise an obstacle 5 integrated with at least one part of the frame 2, so that at least one part of the frame 2 of the goal 1 is executed in one piece with the obstacle 5. The goal 1 is also preferably provided with a net 6 or textile cloth to intercept a ball or puck that is hit into the goal. The net or cloth 6 can be fixed to the frame 2 by gluing, stapling or by another method evident to the expert. Fig. 1 also shows a miniature puck 7 and a miniature stick 8, which miniature puck 7 and miniature stick 8 can be used in the game. Suitable dimensions for the goal are approx. 15 cm - 30 cm in width (i.e. the distance between the vertical goalposts 3a and 3b is approx. 15 cm - 30 cm) and are preferably approx. 20 cm. A suitable height measurement (i.e. the distance between a flat base and the third goalpost 3c) can be specified as 7 cm - 15 cm and is preferably approx. 10 cm. If a width of 20 cm and a height of 10 cm are chosen, the total goal area is thus 10 x 20 = 200 cm , of which the obstacle in the form of a simulated goalkeeper covers more than 25% and preferably covers 50-60%. Since the goalkeeper integrated with the goal covers such a large part of the goal area, this means that it is not entirely easy to score a goal, which contributes to making the game more challenging and entertaining. A suitable length of shaft for the stick 8 can be 15 cm - 30 cm and preferably approx. 20 cm, with a blade that is proportionate in relation to the length. The frame 2 and the goalkeeper integrated with it can be manufactured from wood. According to a preferredly conceived embodiment, however, the goal and the goalkeeper will be executed entirely in cardboard that can be manufactured in a flat piece, punched out in a desirable manner and then folded together to form a finished goal 1. With reference to Fig. 4, a frame is shown with an obstacle 5 that has been punched out of a flat sheet of a relatively stiff but nevertheless foldable material such as cardboard, for example, and then provided with a fold or fold marking 9 that divides the first frame part 3 from the second frame part 4 that is intended to form a support or "foot" when the goal is placed on a flat base. The following method can be used for manufacturing a ball or puck game in miniature: A flat sheet of relatively stiff but nevertheless foldable material such as cardboard is provided. The flat sheet is subjected to a punching operation, a frame 2 for a goal 1 being punched out of the flat sheet, which frame 2 comprises an obstacle 5 in the form of a simulated goalkeeper 5. The punched-out frame 2 is provided with either a fold 9 or a fold marking 9 that shows where the frame 2 should be folded, which fold 9 or fold marking 9 divides the frame 2 into a first frame part 3 and a second frame part 4. The first frame part 3 comprises goalposts 3 a, 3 b, 3 c that delimit a goal area, which goal area is also delimited by a limiting line that extends between two of the goalposts 3 a, 3 b and coincides with the fold or fold marking 9 and a lower edge 12 of the obstacle 5, and forms a limit for the extension of the obstacle 5, and in which the lower edge 12 of the obstacle 5 extends along a part of the limiting line between two goalposts but not along the whole of the limiting line. The marking 9 can be executed by actually folding the frame or by applying a coloured marking or the like that shows where the punched cardboard sheet is to be folded. In connection with folding of the frame 2, it can also be expedient to attach a net or a cloth 6 to the frame. To manufacture a complete game set, see Fig. 5, which is cheap and simple to produce and is suitable for displaying at a sales point, the following method can be used. A miniaturized puck game set is manufactured by first providing a flat sheet of a relatively stiff but nevertheless foldable material, such as cardboard for example. The flat sheet is then subjected to a punching operation, a frame 2 for a goal 1 being punched out of the flat sheet, which frame 2 comprises an obstacle 5 in the form of a simulated goalkeeper 5. The frame 2 should have one side that is intended to form the outside. The outside of the frame 2 can expediently be coloured, which can be done before or after the punching operation. In this case, the simulated goalkeeper can be given features intended to imitate the features of a sports star, for example a known goalkeeper. Following punching, the frame 2 thus punched out is folded so that the fold divides the frame 2 into a first frame part 3, comprising goalposts delimiting the goal area and a simulated goalkeeper integrated with the first frame part. Following this, at least one and preferably two hockey sticks 8 are provided in miniature, as well as a miniature puck 7. The punched-out and folded frame 2 is now placed with the miniature puck 7 and the miniature stick/sticks 8 into a transparent packaging such as a transparent plastic bag, the folded frame being placed inside the transparent packaging such that the outside of the frame 2, i.e. a coloured side of the simulated goalkeeper 5, is visible outwards, for example visible to a potential buyer at a sales point where the game set is displayed. Due to the fact that the simulated goalkeeper 5 is fixedly connected to the frame 2 for the goal 1, a miniature game is obtained that can be produced at a low cost. This applies in particular if the simulated goalkeeper is integrated with the frame 2 of the goal 1. By integrating the goalkeeper 5 with the frame 2, one punching operation can be used in the production of both the goal and the goalkeeper. If the miniature game is manufactured mainly by punching and the goalkeeper is manufactured in the same production stage as the goal, production can be made very cost-effective. Due to the fact that the miniature game according to the present invention consists of relatively few parts (since the goalkeeper is integrated with the goal) and only takes up little space, the game can easily be taken on journeys and can be used in very limited spaces where other miniature games would be too unwieldy and take up too much room. Due to the fact that the game can be folded, the conditions are created for compact storage and transport. Due to the fact that the game is executed so that a miniature puck can slide into the goal, the game can be used both with a puck and a ball. The invention is not restricted to what is described above, but can be varied within the scope of the following claims. Thus it is understood for example that a number of different materials (such as plastic/wood, metal, card) and various combinations of these can be used to produce the game.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Miniaturized ball or puck game intended to be placed on a flat base such as a table, for example, which ball or puck game comprises a goal (1) and an obstacle (5) in the form of a simulated goalkeeper (5), the goal (1) comprising a frame (2) and said obstacle (5) being integrated with at least one part of the frame (2) so that at least one part of the frame (2) of the goal (1) is executed in one piece with the obstacle (5) and in which the frame (2) comprises a first frame part (3) with goalposts (3a, 3b, 3c), characterized in that the game is designed so that, when it is placed on a flat base, the goal has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts (3a, 3b, 3c) and divided by the obstacle (5) into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards by the flat base, so that a ball or puck can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal (1). 2. Miniaturized ball or puck game according to claim 1 , characterized in that the game is designed so that, when the game is placed on a flat base, the obstacle (5) extends down to the flat base so that the obstacle (5) is delimited downwards by the flat base and fills the area between the first and the second open goal area, so that a puck or ball that slides or rolls towards the goal (1) can only enter the goal (1) by entering the first or second open goal area. 3. Miniaturized ball or puck game intended to be placed on a flat base such as a table, for example, which ball or puck game comprises a goal (1) and an obstacle (5) in the form of a simulated goalkeeper (5), the goal (1) comprising a frame (2) and said obstacle (5) being integrated with at least one part of the frame (2) so that at least one part of the frame (2) of the goal (1) is executed in one piece with the obstacle (5), and in which the frame (2) comprises a first frame part (3) and a second frame part (4), which first frame part (3) comprises goalposts (3a, 3b, 3c), and which second frame part (4) is suited to function as a support for the goal (1), characterized in that the game is designed so that, when it is placed on a flat base and supported by the second part of the frame (4), the goal has a goal area that is delimited upwards and to the sides by the goalposts (3a, 3b, 3c) and divided by the obstacle (5) into a first open goal area and a second open goal area, which first and second open goal areas are delimited downwards only by the flat base, so that a puck or a ball can roll or slide on the flat base into the goal (1). 4. Miniaturized ball or puck game according to claim 3, characterized in that the first frame part (3) is separated from the second frame part by a straight fold indication or bending line (9), a straight line that coincides with the straight fold indication or bending line (9) also coinciding with a lower edge (12) of the obstacle (5) and forming a limit for the extension of the obstacle (5).

Inventors: DAHLGREN LARS-ERIK, JOHANSSON THOMAS, DAHLGREN, LARS-ERIK, JOHANSSON, THOMAS
Applicants: DAHLGREN LARS ERIK, JOHANSSON THOMAS, LIR HANDELSBOLAG, DAHLGREN, LARS-ERIK, JOHANSSON, THOMAS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A63F7
IPC codes: A63F7