BLADE FOR A STICK

Abstract

The invention is for a blade for a stick, such as a hockey stick or a floor hockey stick comprising: an attachment means for a shaft close to an essentially elongated blade in turn comprising a first and a second surface surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge as well as a first and a second short side. Said first and second surfaces comprise a shooting and a dribbling surface as well as at least one hole, whereby said hole extends between the first and the second surfaces of the blade. The hole is a ball hole and comprises at least one diameter adapted such that it can hold the ball both during floor and air dribbling. Moreover, the ball hole is located in close proximity to the other short side, while the attachment means are located close to the short side. The ball hole is also enclosed by shooting and dribbling surfaces, the upper longitudinal edge and the lower longitudinal edge as well as the second short side. The blade provides the user with unusually good control of the ball during dribbling and facilitates a more air-based play than previously known blades.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related to an improved blade for a stick such as a hockey- or floor hockey stick providing improved dribbling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The last few decennia sports played with sticks have experienced ever greater advances in technology. For example, carbon fiber materials provide new light stick shafts which may be combined with new improved stick blades. Moreover, new materials are being developed which are lighter but provide the user with a better grip around the shaft. In order to achieve top performance today, practitioners of sports played with sticks have to be equipped with the right equipment.

Sports that are played with sticks have been popular for a long time both as competitive sports and as purely recreational sports. Within the competitive framework rigorous rules have been developed in order to regulate the type of equipment a practitioner is allowed to use and also the way the equipment is supposed to look. The rules safeguard that no practitioner during a competition gets an unfair advantage over the opponent. This rigorous set of rules needed to allow competition in sports such as floor hockey, hockey and similar sports has on the other hand resulted in a homogenization of the technological development, meaning that the rules have held back the development of sports played with sticks.

An example of a solution for an improved stick blade within the framework of the existing rules is presented in GB 2,318,064. Here, the stick blade comprises a lateral section in relation to the stick shaft whereby the lateral section is developed such that it facilitates control of the ball during dribbling. In WO 97/28854 a blade for a floor hockey ball stick is disclosed where a vertically arranged section in relation to the stick shaft on the upper side of the stick blade increases the shot precision and facilitates ball dribbling.

The development has previously focused on developing new sticks, stick blades and stick shafts which still may used in competitions, i.e. they are within the existing framework of norms concerning the design of the equipment. The framework of rules and the large commercial part behind getting approval for the equipment to be used in competition has lead to new sports generally having difficulties in developing and becoming popular. One can generally say that the development has been heading towards the manufacture of ever lighter sticks as well to the development of blades in order to enhance the dribbling properties or the ball control properties of the stick. One typical example when total ball control is needed is the dribbling type called “Zorro” in floor hockey. To do a “Zorro” involves a player picking up the ball on the stick blade with the stick and then moving the stick through the air with such a speed and precision that the ball still hangs on to the blade without falling off. In this way skilled players are able to perform very advanced movements with the stick while retaining the ball on the stick blade. While dribbling, players can move past other players in this way without the ball touching the ground during the dribble.

However, shooting and dribbling properties seem to always go hand in hand, i.e. if the dribbling properties are to be developed it occurs at the expense of the shooting properties and vice versa.

One example of this development is given in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,684 where a blade for a floor hockey stick is described. The blade comprises one or two apertures designed to facilitate shot control and the dribbling of a floor hockey ball. The aperture extends along and perpendicular to the entire length of the blade thickness. In the event of a shot the ball glides along a recess in the blade in order to arrive in the aperture in the blade where, according to the disclosure, optimum shooting control is to be found. Therefore, the aperture is first and foremost adapted for controlling the position of the ball when the ball is leaving the blade. The aperture (or apertures) in the blade is (/are) therefore designed to have a certain surface behind the ball in order for sufficient force to be transferred from the ball to the stick. Through the compromise between shooting control and dribbling control in the disclosed stick one obtains a stick that despite its design does not contribute significantly to better shooting control and dribbling, which would be desirable.

A patent describing a stick which reaches beyond the scope of the rules mentioned earlier is EP 0427522. In the patent games apparatus in the form of a paddle is disclosed, where the paddle comprises a central plate and two peripheral areas which can either be hollow or comprise a recess for the reception of a projectile such as a ball.

The size of the aperture corresponds approximately to size of the projectile. The games apparatus, however, does not provide total ball control which would be desirable. Furthermore, such games apparatus makes it difficult for experienced players of sports played with sticks to embrace such games apparatus, since it is very different from the earlier described sticks which are within the existing rule framework.

The present invention aims at solving at least some of the earlier mentioned problems. Hence, there seems to be a possibility of developing a blade which provides for improved ball control with respect to dribbling. There also appears to be a need for a blade which does not compromise shooting properties in order to obtain good dribbling properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has at least partly solved the problems mentioned earlier and also additional problems by providing a blade for a stick such as a floor hockey stick or a hockey stick where said blade comprises a ball through hole in order to hold a ball during dribbling. More specifically the blade comprises attachment means for a shaft in connection to an essentially elongated blade comprising a first and a second surface surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge as well as a first and a second short side, said first and second surface comprising a shooting and a dribbling surface as well as at least one ball through hole. The ball hole comprises at least a diameter adapted such that said ball through hole can hold a ball both during ground dribbling and during air dribbling.

The dribbling properties of a blade according to one embodiment of the present invention provide for a unique combination of ground dribbling and air dribbling. The simplicity in air dribbling, i.e. being able to perform very advanced movements in the air with a ball and a stick results also in that the invention is well suited for use with other goals than the conventional type of goals. For example, goals similar to basket ball hoops may be used as goals. The present invention provides for the holding of a ball with the blade making it possible for air dribbling and for pushing away the ball at various angles in a hitherto impossible way. A unique air play, air dribbling can be exercised with a stick equipped with a blade according to the invention, which would not have been possible with a blade and a stick falling within the scope of the existing rules for competition established for a sport such as floor hockey. Moreover the ball hole additionally provides for the reception of the ball and the holding of the ball with both sides of the blade. Thus, if a ball is located in a ball hole according to the present invention a user pushes away a shot rather than hitting away a shot, while the shooting and dribbling surface may be used as a conventional shooting and dribbling surface. The combination makes the present invention comprise both good shooting strength and good dribbling properties both during ground and air dribbling.

The ball hole may also comprise a circular cross section with an inner diameter, where said inner diameter is adapted for holding a ball in said ball hole both during ground dribbling and air dribbling. The invention provides the user with very good ball control during dribbling and the ball dribbling is so good that even inexperienced users can perform very advanced air dribbling movements with a stick equipped with a blade according to the invention. Additionally, a pass may be caught easily in the air with the blade according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the ball hole comprises an input surface in turn comprising an input diameter and an output surface comprising an output diameter where the inner diameter is located between the input and output surface and where said inner diameter is smaller than said input and output diameter of the ball hole. Such a configuration of the ball hole guarantees good control of the ball when the ball is retained for example between the inner diameter and the inner surface or the inner diameter and the output surface.

The ball hole can be adjusted to the shape of a ball by the surface, a so called ball surface, between the input surface and the inner diameter having essentially a concave character. This results in the ball through hole being able to hold the ball in an embracing fashion which further improves the dribbling properties. The ball surface between the output surface and the inner diameter may also have an essentially concave character. The blade then becomes more functional since both sides of the blade are usable for receiving a ball. By concave character it is meant that a ball surface between the input surface and the inner diameter as well as the ball surface between the output surface and the inner diameter has a shape which essentially follows the shape of a ball.

The ball surface can in an embodiment of the invention have a form which essentially follows the shape of a ball. The ball surface may in an embodiment of the present invention be comprised of a material other than the material of the blade in order to provide the ball surface with certain desirable properties, such as improved friction, damping properties and similar.

The circular cross section of the ball hole provides for a better fit between the ball and the blade which allows more advanced dribbling—even for inexperienced practitioners of sports that are played with sticks. These properties may be improved further by the input and output surfaces of the ball hole having a circular shape.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the blade comprises a first or second short side with a curvature which along at least a part of its side corresponds to the circular shape of the input and output surface. Such a stick shape is material-saving and gives the user the impression of a conventional stick.

The ball hole is preferably located close to said blade's first or second short side and preferably close to the other short side when the attachment means are located close to the first short side. Additionally, the shooting and dribbling surface of the first and second surface may have a concave shape. Such a shape facilitates the use of the entire shooting- and dribbling surface in order to guide the ball to the ball hole. Thus, regardless of where on the shooting and dribbling surface a user catches a ball during for example a pass, the user can easily transport the ball to the ball hole in order to dribble or to push away a shot.

The lower edge comprises a groove along at least a part of its length. Such a groove saves material while at the same time in certain embodiments of the present invention is able to provide a wide lower longitudinal side with minimal material expenditure. The upper edge may in one embodiment have a concave shape, while the lower edge may have a convex shape such that said blade acquires an essentially elongated curved shape.

A blade according to the present invention provides an inexperienced user with the possibility of performing advanced dribbles and a virtually unique air play. Therefore a game with sticks equipped with the present invention tends to lead to very high sticks and air shots. As a consequence it may be easy for the players' hands to be hit by the sticks. One embodiment of the present invention therefore comprises a shaft arranged in the attachment means for the blade and also a shaft equipped with a fender. The fender may be formed from the same material as the shaft or be made from a separate material. Preferably, the fender is laterally arranged in relation to the shaft and stretches around the entire periphery of the shaft such as on a tsuba or a katana sword. The fender is preferably arranged in such a way as to provide for a convenient two-hand grip around the shaft in order to make it possible to obtain a sufficiently high momentum when a ball is to be pushed away.

Moreover, the present invention comprises a ball as well as a blade according to claim 1, adapted for said ball. In order to obtain a good fit ensuring good floor dribbling and air dribbling properties the inner diameter of the ball hole (Φ_i) is preferably 75 to 99.9% of the diameter of the ball, more preferably 80 to 99% and most preferably 85 to 99% of the diameter of the ball.

The present invention is also related to a stick comprising a shaft and an elongated blade arranged on the shaft via an attachment means. The blade comprises a first and a second surface surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge as well as a first and a second short side. The first and second surface comprises a shooting and a dribbling surface as well as at least a through hole where said hole extends between the first and second surface of the blade. Said hole is a ball hole whereby the ball hole comprises at least a diameter adapted for said ball to be held therein both during floor dribbling and air dribbling.

Preferably, there is also a ball for said stick where the ball hole of said blade is adapted for said ball. Preferably, said ball and stick constitute a kit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a part of a stick with a blade according to one embodiment of the present invention with a view over the first surface of the blade.

FIG. 2 illustrates a part of a horizontal stick with a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section along a line A-A across the blade from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described below in more detail by means of examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates a blade 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The blade 10 comprises an essentially elongated shape with a first and a second surface 11, 12 surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge 13, 14 as well as a first and a second short side 15, 16. Said first and second surface 11, 12 comprise a shooting and a dribbling surface 16, 17 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises an essentially concave surface. The concave surface may however be straight or, in a less preferred embodiment, convex. Moreover, the first and the second surfaces 11, 12 may comprise a plurality of throughgoing air apertures 18 in order to minimize the air resistance on the blade when the stick is used to shoot or pass the ball to a team mate. The plurality of the throughgoing air holes 18 also provides for a lighter blade and thereby a lighter stick. Moreover, an attachment means 19 is arranged in connection to the upper longitudinal edge 13 and the first short side 15 of the blade. A shaft may be attached to the attachment means. Said shaft may also be equipped with a fender (not shown). The attachment means may be formed as a cylindrical pipe with a hole which the shaft may be put into in order to be attached to the blade 10. Alternatively, the attachment means may be of any other conventional type, where it may comprise a surface where the shaft for example can be attached by means of a screw or similar.

The slightly curved convex lower longitudinal edge 14 extends to the first short side 15 in a curved line to then be terminated in the attachment means 19. From the attachment means 19 the upper longitudinal edge 13 extends with a concave shape towards the second short side 16 which, in turn, comprises a semi-circular shape and meets with the lower longitudinal edge 14. The blade 10 thus comprises an essentially curved shape. Of course, it is within the scope of the invention for the upper and lower longitudinal edges 13, 14 to be straight or to be angled. The first and the second short sides 15, 16 may also be straight or angled.

Another ball through hole 20 for holding the ball during both ground dribbling and air dribbling is placed in the first and the second surface 11, 12. The ball hole 20 is in FIG. 1 of circular shape and has an input surface 21 comprising an input diameter Φ_id and an output diameter 22 comprising an output diameter Φ_ud whereby the input surface 21 with the input diameter Φ_id is placed in the first surface 11 of the blade where the output surface 22 with the output diameter Φ_ud is placed in the second surface 12 of the blade. In FIG. 1 both the input and the output radii Φ_id and Φ_ud are equal, but they could also be different, i.e. it may be possible to design the ball hole 20 such that the input and output surfaces are different. In the illustrated embodiment, the input surface 21 and the output surfaces 22 are circular, but they may also be of another shape, such as oval or similar. Moreover, the ball hole 20 comprises an inner diameter Φ_i between the input surface 21 and the output surface 22 which is less than said input diameter Φ_id and the output diameter Φ_ud. During dribbling it is mostly the inner diameter Φ_i which retains the ball in the ball hole. However, in certain preferred embodiments the input surface 21 with the to input diameter Φ_id and the output surface 22 with the output surface Φ_ud aids in retaining the ball in place.

The ball hole 20 may as in FIG. 1 be located close to the other short side 16, where in this case the ball hole 20 is delimited by the shooting and dribbling surface 16, 17, the upper and lower longitudinal edges 13, 14 as well as the other preferably semi-circular shaped short side 16. It is however within the scope of the invention for the ball hole 20 to be located close to the first short side 15 or alternatively the ball hole 20 may be placed in the middle of the blade 10.

In one embodiment of the present invention the input surface 21 and the output surface 22 of the ball hole are shifted in relation to the central point Φ_imp and the inner diameter Φ_i. In FIG. 1 it is shown how the input surface 21 and the output surface 22 of the ball hole may be shifted in relation to the inner diameter Φ_i such that the central point Φ_imp on the inner diameter Φ_i is located closer to the first short side of the blade than the central point mp on the input diameter Φ_id and the outer diameter Φ_ud. The shift is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a distance S along the longitudinal middle line M of the blade. The shift need however not be along the longitudinal middle line M but can also be located at an angle from said longitudinal central line M. The distance S is preferably between 1-25 mm long, more preferably between 1-20 mm and most preferably between 2-15 mm. The shift provides the ball hole with a special shape in order to enable a user to easily pick up a ball with the blade. Such a property becomes especially important when the user is running towards the ball and picks up the ball while running.

In FIG. 2, a perspective view of a part of a stick in a horizontal position with a blade 30 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. The blade 30 comprises an essentially elongated shape with a first and a second surface 31, 32 surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge 33, 34 as well as a first and a second short side 35, 36. Said first and second surface 31, 32 comprise a shooting and a dribbling surface 36, 37 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises an essentially concave surface. The concave surface may however also be straight or, in a less preferred embodiment, convex. Additionally the first and second surfaces 31, 32 may comprise a plurality of throughgoing air holes 38 in order to minimize air resistance on the blade when the stick is used for shooting or passing the ball to a team mate. The plurality of throughgoing air holes 38 also provides for a lighter blade which also results in a lighter stick. Moreover, an attachment means 39 is arranged in connection to the upper longitudinal edge 33 and the first short side 35 of the blade. A shaft may be attached to the attachment means, where the shaft may be equipped with a fender (not shown). The attachment means 39 may have the shape of a cylindrical pipe with a hole into which the shaft may be inserted in order to be attached to the blade 30. Alternatively, the attachment means may be of another conventional type, such as, for example, a surface to which the shaft may be attached by, for example, a screw or similar.

Additionally, a ball through hole 40 for holding the ball during floor dribbling and air dribbling is located in the first and second surface 31, 32. The ball hole 40 is shown in the figure as a circular ball hole with an input surface 41 with an input diameter Φ_id and an output surface 42 with an output diameter Φ_ud. The input surface 41 with the input diameter Φ_id is located in the first surface 31 of the blade and the output surface 42 with the output diameter Φ_id is located in the second surface 32 of the blade. In the illustrated embodiment, the input surface 41 and the output surface 42 are circular, but they may also have another shape, such as for example, an oval shape or similar.

Additionally, the ball hole 40 comprises an inner diameter Φ_i between the input surface 21 and the output surface 42 which is smaller than said input diameter Φ_id and output diameter Φ_ud. During dribbling it is mostly the inner diameter Φ_i which retains the ball in the ball hole. However, in certain preferred embodiments, the ball may also be held by the input diameter Φ_id and the output diameter Φ_ud.

A groove 43 adapted for saving production material as well as for obtaining a broad lower longitudinal edge 34 extends along at least the lower longitudinal edge 34. The groove 34 proceeds up to at least a part of the first short side 35. A broad lower longitudinal edge 34 provides for the easy lifting of a ball with the stick in order to place it in the ball hole 40 and thereby allow dribbling and advanced air movements with the stick—so called Zorros. Preferably the width of the lower longitudinal edge 34 is between 5-40 mm and more preferably between 5-25 mm. The width of the lower longitudinal edge 34 continues preferably up onto the second short side 36 such that the second short side 36 and the lower longitudinal edge 34 are of equal width. The second short side 36 narrows preferably as it transforms into the upper longitudinal edge 33.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shooting and dribbling surface 36, 37 has an essentially concave shape. The concave shape means that the blade 30 is thinner in the middle of the blade than along the upper and lower longitudinal edges 33, 34. In this embodiment, the entire shooting and dribbling surface 36, 37 functions as a guiding channel in order to move the ball to the ball hole 30, which is an improvement over previous technology. By having the entire shooting and dribbling surface 36, 37 functioning as a guiding channel towards the ball hole 40, the ball can be received, for example in the air, with the entire shooting and dribbling surface 36, 37, and then be guided down towards the ball hole 40. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention is advantageous for practitioners not used to catching a ball with the stick in order to perform a “zorro”.

In FIG. 3 a cross-section of the blade 40 along a line A-A is shown. In the figure, the hole 40 with an input surface 41 and an input diameter Φ_id, an inner diameter Φ_i and an output surface 42 with an output diameter Φ_ud are shown. Moreover, a part of the first and second surfaces 31, 32 is visible as well as a part of the upper and the lower longitudinal edges 33, 34, the inside of the other short side 36 as well as the groove 43, which has already been shown in FIG. 2. Between the input surface 41 and the inner diameter Φ_i there is a first ball surface 45 and between the input surface 42 and the output diameter Φ_ud there is a second ball surface 46. The ball surfaces 45, 46 aid in damping and holding a ball when it is received during, for example, a pass or when a ball is caught in the air by means of the ball hole. The ball surface 45, 46 may be concave as shown in the illustrated embodiment in order to able to better hold the ball in the ball hole 40. The concave surface on the ball surfaces 45, 46 provides for the enclosure of the ball and the holding of the ball in a better grip. Preferably, the concave ball surfaces 45, 46 are adapted to the round shape of the ball. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ball surfaces 45, 46 comprise a material different from the blade 30. For example, the ball surfaces 45, 46 may be coated with a softer material than the material from which the blade 30 is manufactured. For example, the ball surfaces 45, 46 may be coated with foam material, such as polyurethane in order to render the surface soft and to provide for high friction so that a ball can easily be retained in the ball hole 30.

In another embodiment of the present invention the invention comprises a ball where the input diameter Φ_id and the output diameter Φ_ud of the blade are larger than the diameter of the ball, while the inner diameter Φ_i is less than the diameter of the ball. Such an embodiment provides for a pass to be caught relatively easily with the ball hole.

A blade according to the present invention is primarily manufactured from plastic materials and especially from thermoplastic materials, such as polypropane, polyethene, polyurethane, polytetrafluoridethylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polysiloxane, polybutadiene or compounds thereof. Preferably compounds thereof comprising HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) or HDPP (High Density Polypropylene) are used. In order to obtain good performance in relation to the material usage, a blade according to the invention should weigh around 40-300 grams, preferably between 50-200 grams and most preferably 50-150 grams. Naturally, it is within the scope of the invention that also wood or other metal materials may be used for the blade, even though these materials generally are not as advantageous as the previously mentioned materials.

Claims

1. A blade for a stick, such as a hockey or floor hockey stick comprising: an attachment means for a shaft, an essentially elongated blade comprising a first and a second surface surrounded by an upper and a lower longitudinal edge as well as a first and second shod side, said first and second surface comprising a shooting and a dribbling surface as well as at least one through hole where said hole extends between the first and the second surfaces of the blade, wherein the hole is a ball hole, whereby the ball hole comprises at least one diameter adapted so that said ball hole may hold a ball during both floor dribbling and air dribbling, and in that said ball hole is located in close proximity to the second shod side and that the attachment means are located close to the first short side, whereby the ball hole is delimited by the shooting and dribbling surfaces, the upper and the lower longitudinal edges and the second short side.

2. The blade for a stick according to claim 1, wherein that the ball hole comprises a circular cross-section whereby said diameter is an inner diameter where said inner diameter is adapted for holding a ball during both floor dribbling and air dribbling.

3. The blade for a stick according to claim 2, wherein the ball hole further comprises an input surface comprising an inner diameter and an output surface comprising an output diameter whereby the inner diameter is located between the input surface (21, 41) and the output surface and whereby said inner diameter is smaller than said input diameter and output diameter of the ball hole.

4. The blade for a stick according to claim 3, wherein the ball surface between the input surface and the inner diameter and between the output surface and the inner diameter is essentially of concave character.

5. The blade for a stick according to claim 3, wherein also the input surface and the output surface of the ball hole have a circular shape.

6. The blade for a stick according to claim 3, wherein the input surface and the output surface of the ball hole are shifted a distance S in relation to a central point on the inner diameter.

7. The blade for a stick according to claim 6, wherein the central point of the inner diameter is located closer to the first short side of the blade than the central point of the input diameter and the output diameter.

8. The blade for a stick according to claim 5, wherein the first or second short side of the blade has a curvature which at least along one part of its side corresponds to the circular shape of the input surface and the output surface.

9. The blade for a stick according to claim 1, wherein the shooting and dribbling surface of the first and second surface has a concave shape.

10. The blade for a stick according to claim 9, wherein the entire shooting and dribbling surface functions as a guiding means for guiding the ball towards said ball hole.

11. The blade for a stick according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein the lower edge has a groove along at least a pad of its length.

12. The blade for a stick according to claim 1, wherein the upper longitudinal edge has a concave shape and that the lower longitudinal edge has a convex shape such that said blade acquires an essentially elongated curved shape.

13. The blade for a stick claim 1, wherein the blade comprises a shaft arranged in the attachment means of the blade and also that the shaft comprises a fender.

14. The blade for a stick according to claim 1, wherein a ball is associated with the blade whereby the ball hole is adapted for said ball.

15. The blade for a stick according to claim 14, wherein the diameter is an inner diameter whereby the inner diameter is at least 75 to 99.9% of the diameter of the ball.

16. The blade for a stick according to claim 15, wherein the inner diameter is at least 80 to 99% of the diameter of the ball.

17. The blade for a stick according to claim 16, wherein the inner diameter is at least 85 to 99% of the diameter of the ball.

18. A stick comprising a shaft and an elongated blade arranged with the shaft, via an attachment means, said blade comprising a first and a second surface surrounded by an upper and lower longitudinal edge as well as a first and a second shod side, said first and second surfaces comprising a shooting and a dribbling surface and at least one through hole whereby said hole extends between the first and second surface of the blade, wherein the hole is a ball hole, whereby the ball hole comprises at least a diameter adapted such that said ball hole can hold a ball both during floor dribbling and air dribbling, and where said ball hole is located in close proximity to the first short side and where the attachment means are located close to the first short side, whereby the ball hole is enclosed by the shooting and dribbling surfaces, the upper and the lower longitudinal edge as well as the second short side.

19. A kit comprising at least one ball and one stick according to claim 18, whereby the ball hole is adapted for said ball.