Ball game device and ball game

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball game device (1) comprising at least one at least partially hollow cone-shaped or hollow truncated-cone-shaped ball-catching section (2). In order to enable a new type of ball game, the ball game device (1) has at least one annular actuating section (4) which is connected to a tapered end section of the ball-catching section (2), wherein the actuating section (4) is designed in such a way that either exclusively a human arm or exclusively a single human finger can be guided through the actuating section (4), and wherein an axially extending longitudinal central axis (L) of the actuating section (4) is oriented perpendicularly to a cone axis (K) of the ball-catching section (2).

Description

[0001] Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWG - 1 -

[0002] Ball game equipment and ball game

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to a ball game device with at least one ball-catching section that is at least partially hollow-conical or truncated hollow-conical in shape. The invention also relates to a ball game with at least one ball.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Various ball games are known that require a high degree of skill and reaction time. Furthermore, various ball games are known that utilize ball games equipment which must be manipulated by a person in a specific way. For example, DE 86 12 409 U1 discloses a ball game device with a ball-catching funnel and a handle attached to it. DE 361 846 A discloses a ball game device with a catching funnel and a ejection device.

[0007] Disclosure of the invention

[0008] One purpose of the invention is to enable a novel ball game.

[0009] This problem is solved by the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures, whereby these embodiments, either individually or in combination with at least two of them, can represent an advantageous and / or further developing aspect of the invention.

[0010] A ball game device according to the invention has at least one ball-catching section that is at least partially hollow-conical or truncated hollow-conical in shape and at least one ring-shaped actuating section connected to a tapered end section of the ball-catching section, wherein the actuating section is designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can be passed through the actuating section, and wherein an axially extending longitudinal center axis of the Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWG - 2 -

[0011] The actuation section is aligned perpendicular to a conical axis of the ball catching section.

[0012] The ball game device according to the invention, or its actuating section, can, for example, be placed on a person's finger in the manner of a ring, such that the ball game device can rotate around the finger about the axially extending longitudinal center axis of the actuating section when the finger is moved transversely to the longitudinal center axis of the actuating section. This embodiment of the invention is referred to in the application as the finger variant.

[0013] At the start of a ball game played with the ball game device, the device can be positioned on the finger such that the ball-catching section is located above the actuation section. In this position, a ball can be inserted into the ball-catching section. The person can then move the ball game device upwards with their finger and / or the arm to which the finger is attached, causing the ball to detach from the device and preferably perform a free upward movement. After the ball has detached from the device, the person can rotate the device at least once through 360° around their finger by moving their finger and / or arm, allowing the free ball to fall back into the ball-catching section from above.This movement of the ball game device around the finger is made possible, among other things, by the fact that the longitudinal central axis of the actuating section, which runs axially with respect to the ring-shaped geometry of the actuating section, is aligned perpendicular to the conical axis of the ball-catching section, which is identical to a vertical axis of the ball-catching section. The movement required by the person to catch the ball again demands particular skill and precise timing, and thus a certain amount of practice, which can be acquired through play. A novel ball game can therefore be realized with the ball game device according to the invention.

[0014] The ball game device according to the invention can alternatively be designed as an arm variant, which is significantly larger than the finger variant of the ball game device described above. In the arm variant of the ball game device, instead of a single finger, a person's arm is guided through the actuation section. Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWG - 3 -

[0015] At the start of a ball game playable with this arm variant of the ball game device according to the invention, the ball game device can be arranged on the arm such that the ball-catching section is positioned above the actuating section. In this state, a ball can be inserted into the ball-catching section. The person can then move the ball game device upwards with their arm in such a way that the ball is released upwards from the ball game device and preferably performs a free upward movement. After the ball is released from the ball game device, the person can, by moving their arm, cause the ball game device to rotate at least once through 360° around the arm, so that the free ball can fall back into the ball-catching section from above.This movement of the ball game device around the finger is made possible, among other things, by the fact that the longitudinal central axis of the actuating section, which runs axially with respect to the ring-shaped geometry of the actuating section, is aligned perpendicular to the conical axis of the ball-catching section, which is identical to a vertical axis of the ball-catching section. The movement required by the person to catch the ball again demands particular skill and precise timing, and thus a certain amount of practice, which can be acquired through play. A novel ball game can therefore be realized with the ball game device according to the invention.

[0016] The ball catching section can be partially or completely hollow conical or truncated hollow conical. The ball catching section has a flared end section with a ball catching opening and a tapered end section axially opposite the flared end section, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the flared end section.

[0017] The actuating section can be connected to the tapered end section of the ball-catching section in any suitable manner, for example, by a material bond or by non-destructive detachability. The actuating section is ring-shaped, having an axial ring width and a radial ring thickness. In the finger variant of the ball game device according to the invention described above, the actuating section is designed such that only a single human finger, for example, the index finger or middle finger, can pass through the actuating section. In the arm variant of the ball game device according to the invention described above, the actuating section is designed such that... [Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 4 -]

[0018] Finally, a single human arm, for example forearm, can be guided through the actuation section.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, a circumferential material thickening is formed on the flared end section of the ball-catching section, which forms the ball-catching opening. During failed attempts, the ball strikes the free edge of the flared end section of the ball-catching section. Since there are generally more failed attempts than attempts in which the ball falls into the ball-catching section, there are numerous contacts between the ball and the free end of the flared end section. If the ball is made of a non-elastically deformable or hard material, these contacts can lead to significant wear or damage to the ball-catching section. To prevent this, the flared end section of the ball-catching section features a completely circumferential material thickening, which is more robust and better able to absorb forces.The material thickening can, for example, be formed as a radially outward-pointing bead or a radially outward-pointing collar.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ball-catching section and / or the actuation section are at least partially made of a plastic, a metal, a metal alloy, or a composite material. The choice of material allows the ball game device to be optimally adapted to various requirements and preferences. To reduce the weight of the ball game device, particularly for the arm version, the material of the ball-catching section and / or actuation section can, for example, be partially or completely foamed. A fiber-reinforced plastic, for instance, is a suitable composite material.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ball catching section and / or the actuation section are at least partially additively manufactured or injection-molded components. Both alternatives enable simple and cost-effective production of the ball game device, even in large-scale series production. The ball catching section and the actuation section can be additively manufactured separately and then joined together. Alternatively, the ball catching section and the actuation section can be joined using Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 5 -

[0022] They are manufactured simultaneously and joined together using a shared additive manufacturing process.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ball-catching section is monolithically connected to the actuation section. This one-piece design of the ball game device allows for simple manufacturing without assembly steps. Furthermore, the one-piece version of the ball game device is very robust. The monolithic connection between the ball-catching section and the actuation section can be achieved, for example, by manufacturing the ball-catching section and the actuation section using a single additive manufacturing process.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ball game device has at least one rolling bearing arranged on and coaxially with the actuating section, designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can pass through the rolling bearing. This significantly reduces the force required to rotate the ball game device around the finger or arm. Furthermore, no contact friction occurs on the finger or arm during such rotation, which could lead to skin irritation, especially during prolonged use of the ball game device. The rolling bearing can, for example, be designed as a radial-axial bearing. The rolling bearing can, for example, be designed as a ball bearing or needle bearing.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the ball game device has at least one ring-shaped retaining element by which the rolling bearing can be fixed to the actuating section. The retaining element can, for example, have a retaining section that at least partially receives the rolling bearing in a form-fitting manner and can be inserted into the actuating section. The ball game device can, for example, also have two retaining elements that can be inserted into the actuating section in opposite directions and that can be designed such that one retaining element can be inserted at least partially into the other retaining element. The ball game device can, for example, also be provided with at least two differently designed retaining elements that can be selectively arranged on the actuating section.

[0026] nen, in order to be able to selectively arrange differently sized rolling bearings on the actuating section via these retaining elements.

[0027] A ball game according to the invention comprises at least one ball and at least one ball game device according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments or a combination of at least two of these embodiments, wherein a diameter of the ball is smaller than a diameter of the ball-catching opening of the ball-catching section.

[0028] The advantages mentioned above regarding ball games are correspondingly linked to ball games. The ball can be non-elastically deformable, for example as a juggling ball, or elastically deformable, for example as a silicone ball or a hard rubber ball.

[0029] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the attached figures using a preferred embodiment, wherein the features explained below can represent an advantageous and / or further developing aspect of the invention both individually and in different combinations with one another.

[0030] Brief description of the characters

[0031] It shows:

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a ball game device according to the invention; and

[0033] Fig. 2 shows another schematic and perspective representation of the ball game equipment shown in Fig. 1.

[0034] Detailed description of the characters

[0035] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are marked with the same reference symbols. Repeated descriptions of such components may be omitted to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective representation of an embodiment of a ball game device according to the invention. 1.Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 7 -

[0037] The ball game device 1 has a hollow, cone-shaped ball catching section 2. The ball catching section 2 is made of a plastic, a metal, a metal alloy, or a composite material. The ball catching section 2 is an additively manufactured component or an injection-molded component.

[0038] A circumferentially arranged, radially outwardly projecting, bead-shaped material thickening 3 is formed on a flared end section of the ball catching section 2, which forms a ball catching opening shown in Fig. 2 and is arranged at the bottom in Fig. 1.

[0039] The ball game device 1 also has an annularly shaped actuating section 4 connected to a tapered end section of the ball catching section 2 arranged at the top in Fig. 1. The actuating section 4 is made of a plastic, a metal, a metal alloy, or a composite material. The actuating section 4 is an additively manufactured component or an injection-molded component. The ball catching section 2 is monolithically connected to the actuating section 4.

[0040] Actuation section 4 is designed in such a way that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can be passed through actuation section 4.

[0041] An axially extending longitudinal center axis L of the actuation section 4 is aligned perpendicular to a conical axis K of the ball catching section 2.

[0042] Furthermore, the ball game device 1 has a rolling bearing 5 arranged on and coaxially with the actuating section 4. The rolling bearing 5 is designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can pass through the rolling bearing 5.

[0043] The rolling bearing 5 has an outer bearing ring 6, an inner bearing ring 7, and rolling elements 8 arranged between the two bearing rings 6 and 7, which are designed as balls. The inner bearing ring 7 is designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can pass through the inner bearing ring 7. Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 8 -

[0044] In a transition area between the ball-catching section 2 and the actuation section 4, two connecting sections 9 are arranged, diametrically opposite each other with respect to the cone axis K, and monolithically connected to the ball-catching section 2 and the actuation section 4. The connecting sections 9 make the ball game device 1 more robust.

[0045] The ball game device 1 has two ring-shaped and monolithic retaining elements 10 and 11, with which the rolling bearing 5 can be fixed to the actuating section 4. Each retaining element 10 or 11 has a hollow cylindrical retaining section 12 or 14, respectively, and a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential flange section 13 or 15, respectively. The respective flange section 13 or 15 is connected to an axial end of the respective retaining section 12 or 14, respectively.

[0046] The retaining elements 10 and 11 are made of a plastic, a metal, a metal alloy, or a composite material. The respective retaining element 10 or 11

[0047] 11 is an additively manufactured component or an injection-molded component. The retaining element 11 can alternatively be monolithically connected to the actuating section 4.

[0048] The inner diameter of the retaining section 14 is larger than the outer diameter of the retaining section 12, so that the retaining section 12 can preferably be inserted into the retaining section 15 in a form-fitting manner. The inner diameter of the actuating section 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the retaining section 14, so that the retaining section 14 can preferably be inserted into the actuating section 4 in a form-fitting manner. The inner diameter of the retaining section 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the rolling bearing 5 or the outer bearing ring 6, so that the retaining section 12 can preferably be fitted onto the rolling bearing 5 in a form-fitting manner.

[0049] The ball game device 1 could be provided with at least two differently designed holding elements 10, which differ from each other solely in the inner diameter of the holding section 12, so that at least two rolling bearings 5 ​​with different outer diameters can be optionally combined with the actuating section in order to easily adapt the ball game device 1 to different finger or arm thicknesses. Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 9 -

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic and perspective representation of the ball game device 1 shown in Fig. 1, wherein the retaining elements and the rolling bearing shown in Fig. 1 have been omitted in Fig. 2 for the sake of simplicity.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows in particular the ball-catching opening 16 of the ball-catching section 2 of the ball game device 1. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the description above for Fig. 1. Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO

[0052] Reference symbol list

[0053] 1 ball game

[0054] 2 Ball catching section 3 Material thickening

[0055] 4 Actuation section 5 Rolling bearings

[0056] 6 outer bearing ring

[0057] 7 inner bearing ring

[0058] 8 rolling elements

[0059] 9 Connecting section 10 Holding element

[0060] 11 retaining element

[0061] 12 Holding section of 10 13 Flange section of 10 14 Holding section of 11 15 Flange section of 11 16 Ball catching opening on 2 K conical axis

[0062] L Longitudinal center axis of 4

Claims

Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 1 - Patent claims 1. Ball game device (1) with at least one ball catching section (2) that is at least partially hollow conical or truncated hollow conical in shape, characterized by at least one ring-shaped actuating section (4) connected to a tapered end section of the ball catching section (2), wherein the actuating section (4) is designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can be passed through the actuating section (4), and wherein an axially extending longitudinal center axis (L) of the actuating section (4) is aligned perpendicular to a conical axis (K) of the ball catching section (2).

2. Ball game device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a circumferentially arranged material thickening (3) is formed on a widened end section of the ball catching section (2) forming a ball catching opening (16).

3. Ball game device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ball receiving section (2) and / or the actuating section (4) are at least partially made of a plastic, a metal, a metal alloy or a composite material.

4. Ball game device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ball catching section (2) and / or the actuating section (4) are at least partially an additively manufactured component or an injection molded component.

5. Ball game device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ball catching section (2) is monolithically connected to the actuating section (4).

6. Ball game device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by at least one rolling bearing (5) arranged on the actuating section (4) and coaxially to the actuating section (4), which is designed such that either only a human arm or only a single human finger can be passed through the rolling bearing (5). Lehmann, Ronny LHM003PWO - 2 - 7. Ball game device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by at least one ring-shaped retaining element (10, 11) by means of which the rolling bearing can be fixed to the actuating section (4).

8. Ball game with at least one ball, characterized by at least one ball game device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a diameter of the ball is smaller than a diameter of the ball receiving opening (16) of the ball receiving section (2).

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