GAME SET FOR CONSTRUCTING A STATIONARY PLAYING FIELD

Abstract

A game set includes a first, a second and/or a further edge element, and a connection element with a first receptacle to receive the first edge element, and a second receptacle to receive the second and/or the further edge element. The first edge element and the second and/or further edge elements are detachably connected via the connection element. The first, the second and/or the further edge element, when connected, together form an edge for deflecting a movement of a movable game element for a playing area onto a playing area plane. The first, the second and/or the further edge element has/have a main body which has a curved cross-section having a curvature contour. The main body can thereby have a rolled-up or a stretched position. The main body is receivable, in the stretched position, with the curvature contour along a respective receiving axis in the first and/or second receptacle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/DE2022/200014, filed on Feb. 1, 2022 and which claims benefit to German Patent Application No. 10 2021 102 323.8, filed on Feb. 2, 2021. The International Application was published in German on Aug. 11, 2022 as WO 2022/167047 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The present invention relates to a game set for constructing a stationary playing area arranged in a playing area plane for a movable game element, wherein the movable game element is movable on the playing area for achieving a game success, in particular via an item of games equipment, comprising a first edge element and a connection element, wherein the connection element comprises a first receptacle for receiving the first edge element, and a second receptacle for receiving a second edge element and/or a further edge element, so that the first edge element can be detachably connected, via the connection element, to the second edge element and/or to the further edge element and, in a connected state, an edge for deflecting a movement of the movable game element for the playing area onto the playing area plane is formed cohesively via the first edge element, via the second edge element, and/or via the further edge element.

BACKGROUND

Such game sets for constructing a stationary playing area, in particular for a movable game element such as a ball or a puck, are in principle known. In this case, such playing areas or game sets either comprise edge elements which, placed side-by-side, are used for protecting an outer surface or for protecting against a ball rolling away, or they are complex and large elements, which are thus unfavorable for storing, and must connected in a complex manner.

DE 196 14 274 A1 describes, for example, playing equipment of a minigolf facility in which corresponding edge elements are plugged together using connection elements. U.S. Pat. No. 9,623,319 B2 likewise describes a corresponding playing area comprising edge elements that are plugged together.

The respective solutions have in common the fact that in each case a special plug-in connection of rigid edge elements is required in order to fix the edge elements within the connection elements, for example, dovetail connections or the like.

Arrangements have likewise been described, for example, in GB 800,440 A, in which a playing area is constructed from a stretched band which is, for example, fastened to a table via retainers. These systems are bound to a corresponding table geometry and are furthermore not particularly stable so that a more secure construction of the playing area is highly dependent on the mode of construction.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention is to improve upon the prior art.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a game set for constructing a stationary playing area which is arranged in a playing area plane for a movable game element. The movable game element is movable on the stationary playing area for achieving a game success. The game set includes a first edge element, a second edge element, a further edge element, and a connection element comprising a first receptacle for receiving the first edge element, and a second receptacle for receiving the second edge element and/or the further edge element. The first edge element is detachably connected, via the connection element, to the second edge element and/or to the further edge element. In a connected state, the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be, together form an edge for deflecting a movement of the movable game element for the stationary playing area onto the playing area plane. The first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element comprises/comprise a strip-shaped main body. The strip-shaped main body has a curved cross-section which has a curvature contour. The curved cross-section having the curvature contour provide the strip-shaped main body with a bistable shape behavior so that the strip-shaped main body can be transferred from a rolled-up position into a stretched position. In the stretched position, the strip-shaped main body can be received with the curvature contour of the curved cross-section along a respective receiving axis in the first receptacle and/or in the second receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in greater detail below on the basis of embodiments and of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a game set which forms a playing area;

FIG. 2 shows a connecting stone for forming the playing area of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative connecting stone;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a slap band for use as an edge element in a rolled-up position;

FIG. 5 A) is a side view of an alternative connecting stone comprising a slap band that is inserted and clamped in;

FIG. 5 B) is a side view of an alternative connecting stone comprising two slap bands that are inserted and clamped in;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative connecting stone;

FIG. 7 shows an alternative bat in the form of a puck striker comprising a handle;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative bat comprising a base plate and handle;

FIG. 9 A) is a side view of an alternative connecting stone comprising a horizontally arranged slap band that is inserted and clamped in; and

FIG. 9 B) shows an arrangement of an alternative connecting stone according to FIG. 9 A) and a horizontal edge element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a game set for constructing a stationary playing area, arranged in a playing area plane, for a movable game element, wherein the movable game element is movable on the playing area, in particular via an item of games equipment, for achieving a game success, comprising a first edge element and a connection element, wherein the connection element comprises a first receptacle for receiving the first edge element, and a second receptacle for receiving a second edge element and/or a further edge element, so that the first edge element can be detachably connected, via the connection element, to the second edge element and/or to the further edge element and, in a connected state, an edge for deflecting a movement of the movable game element for the playing area onto the playing area plane is formed cohesively via the first edge element, via the second edge element, and/or via the further edge element, wherein the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element comprises a strip-shaped main body, wherein the strip-shaped main body has, in particular in a stretched position, a curved cross-section having a curvature contour, so that, via a bistable shape behavior and using the cross-section that is curved in a stretched position, the strip-shaped main body can be transferred from a rolled-up position into a stretched position, and the strip-shaped main body can be received, in the stretched position, with the curvature contour of the curved cross-section along a respective receiving axis, in the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle.

The game set according to the present invention makes it possible to erect a corresponding playing area in a playing area plane in a simple manner using few components, which can be stored in a compact manner, which can also take place relatively independently of the substrate. It is thus possible, for example, for a table, grass, or also a gravel carpark to be used for this purpose. A paved outside surface can likewise serve for construction of the game set. It is advantageous in this case that corresponding connection elements having simply shaped geometric receptacles in conjunction with the bistable strip-shaped main bodies of the edge elements can always be stored in a compact manner and, in the case of use of the corresponding stretched position of the edge elements, a playing area can be constructed that has a large surface area and is very stable.

The following terms explained in connection therewith:

A “game set” is an assembly of different objects of the game set which serve, together, for example, in a connected state or in corresponding interaction of the components, to allow a game for one or more players. The game set within the meaning of the present invention in this case in particular relates to a physically active game which can be played by one or more participants. The game set in this case serves for constructing what is referred to as a “playing area”, i.e., a correspondingly limited surface or a partially or a completely limited region for playing a corresponding game. The stationary playing area is in this case constructed in a “playing area plane” which is formed, for example, by a planar or largely planar substrate, a table, or another item of furniture, or also a board required for the game. The term “playing area plane” is in this case to be understood not only in the mathematically exact sense of a plane, but rather also in the sense of a reference plane, which forms, for example, an average plane of uneven ground or an uneven substrate.

In connection therewith, a movable “game element” is an object which is used for being pushed around, shot around or placed on the stationary playing area, for example, in order to achieve a corresponding game success. A game element of this kind is in this case, for example, a ball, a puck, or, in the simplest case, for example, also a pebble located in the vicinity of the playing area to be constructed.

In this case, “achieving (a) game success” describes, for example, analogously to shooting at a goal in a football game, for example, in another form with respect to the game set mentioned here, moving the game element into a specific zone of the playing area, or following a specific, predetermined dexterity path via the game element, for example, in a manner similar to minigolf.

In this case, “games equipment” describes an accessory in the sense of a game tool, such as a bat or another object, which serves to move the game element on the playing area. In this case, games equipment of this kind need not necessarily be designed as a bat, but can rather also be, for example, a hollow body for blowing a game element, games equipment having a spring preload for sometimes randomly moving the game element, or a game element of a different design.

An “edge element” serves, within the game set, for steering, catching, intercepting and/or deflecting the game element in the sense of a mechanical interaction of the game element with, or a mechanical reflection of the game element on, an edge element of this kind. An edge element of this kind can be designed, for example, to be strip-shaped, elongate, and having a thickness that sufficiently creates a bending stiffness, and can be formed from various materials, such as a metal, a plastics material, or also wood. An edge element can then be connected to a further edge element or plurality of further edge elements via a “connection element”. A connection element of this kind is in this case, for example, a geometrical body which is designed to have a “receptacle” or a plurality of “receptacles”, i.e., for example, stampings, millings, or pocket-shaped receptacles or recesses for receiving a respective edge element. A connection element of this kind has in this case in particular a base surface or also a floor surface via which the respective connection element can stand on the playing area plane and then forms, together with the edge elements, above the playing area plane, a corresponding “edge”, i.e., a border closed along a specific distance, for deflecting a movement of the movable game element. The term of the edge that is “formed cohesively” describes, in this connection, at least one portion of an edge which can stand independently and thus allows, for example, a deflection of the movable game element at least in a partial region. Such stability can be formed by a corresponding geometric size and/or also a weight of the connection elements, which then function in the sense of a fixed point on the playing area for the edge elements, or also by the geometrical design of the edge elements relative to one another, in conjunction with the connection element, in that, for example, a particular installation surface is bridged, and thus a geometrical stability is achieved.

A “strip-shaped main body” of a respective edge element refers to the geometrical design of the edge element in which the edge element has a significantly greater length compared with its width, and a significantly greater width compared with its thickness, so that, for example, the corresponding main body is formed of a sheet metal strip or plastics strip. The strip-shaped main body has in this case a curved cross-section having a curvature contour, in particular in a stretched position. The “curvature contour” describes a contour rolled around the longitudinal extension of the strip-shaped main body which, in this stretched position, makes the strip-shaped main body appear similar to, for example, a partial tube wall. The strip-shaped main body is dimensionally stable in this stretched position, wherein the corresponding curvature contour may be disrupted locally by a preload of the strip-shaped main body that is then released, and automatic rolling along a rolling direction, into a rolled-up position. This behavior is described as “bistable shape behavior” due to the two inherently stable states. The curvature contour then serves to introduce the strip-shaped main body, in the stretched position, i.e., in the stretched stable state, along a “receiving axis” and into a respective receptacle, or to remove it from the respective receptacle. The receiving axis in this case in particularly extends substantially in parallel with respect to the playing area plane, wherein in this case the parallelism is allowable in the context of the technical deviations of, for example, up to 15° or also 30° based on a full angle of 360°. If the respective receptacle is correspondingly shaped or, for example, opened to a corresponding side, the receiving axis can also be arranged at up to 90° to the playing area plane. Receiving along the receiving axis in this way in particular provides that the curvature contour interacts with the receptacle so that the strip-shaped main body is received in the respective receptacle so that a shifting of the strip-shaped main body relative to the connection element is not possible or is at least temporarily not possible.

Since the respective connection element comprises a first receptacle and a second receptacle, the formation of an edge consisting of a first edge element and a second edge element together with a connection element is in particular possible.

In order to be able to construct a larger playing area or a more complex geometry of the edge, the connection element comprises a third receptacle, a fourth receptacle and/or a further receptacle, so that the respective strip-shaped main body of the respective edge element can be received, in the stretched position, with the curvature contour of the curved cross-section along a respective receiving axis, in the third receptacle, in the fourth receptacle and/or in the further receptacle.

In one embodiment, a receiving contour of the respective receptacle substantially corresponds to the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the respective strip-shaped main body of the respective edge element so that, and/or a receiving contour of the respective receptacle geometrically limits the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the respective edge element so that, and/or geometrically deforms the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the respective edge element so that the respective edge element can be received in a form-fitting and/or frictional manner in the respective receptacle, can in particular be reversibly clamped therein, via an elastic deformation of the curvature contour of the strip-shaped main body.

This design of the receiving contour of the respective receptacle makes it possible for the curvature contour to be used in the sense of an elastic deformation or a frictional connection on account of the curvature contour with the receptacle in order to establish an at least temporarily stable connection between the connection element and the respective edge element.

A “receiving contour in this case” in particular describes the contour of the respective receptacle in the viewing direction along the receiving axis, i.e., along the direction in which the edge element is pushed into the receptacle. A contour in the direction of another axis can also, however, be denoted thereby if, for example, an undercut or a type of bayonet connection or rear closure is used for receiving the edge element.

A correspondence between the receiving contour and the curvature contour in this case denotes a geometric similarity which is so great that, for example, a frictional connection is established via a deformation of the curvature contour which is not visible by eye, or securing against game elements arriving laterally at the edge results, for example, by a particular insertion depth into the receptacle, only in the case of an analogous design of the receiving contour with respect to the curvature contour. A limitation or deformation of the corresponding curvature contour in contrast describes receiving in the sense of “clamping” on account of an elastic deformation of the curvature contour.

In this case, “can be reversibly clamped in” describes an arrangement where the edge elements can of course also again be removed from the connection element in that, for example, friction or a specific form-fitting connection is released or overcome by a movement, pulling on the edge element, or the like.

Analogously thereto, a receiving contour of the respective receptacle can substantially correspond to the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of a plurality of strip-shaped main bodies of a plurality of respective edge elements so that, and/or can geometrically limit and/or deform the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the respective edge elements so that the respective edge elements can be received in a form-fitting and/or frictional manner in the respective receptacle, can in particular be reversibly clamped therein. In the same way as described above, a plurality of edge elements can thus then be received by one receptacle, for example, in order to be able to form a widened region or an acute angle in the playing area.

In one embodiment, a first receiving axis of the first receptacle, a second receiving axis of the second receptacle, a third receiving axis of the third receptacle, a fourth receiving axis of the fourth receptacle, and/or a further receiving axis of the further receptacle are arranged at an angle of 180°, less than 180° to 90°, 90° to 45°, and/or 45° to 30°, about a vertical axis of the respective connection element that is arranged substantially orthogonally to the playing area plane.

Complex playing areas can be formed in this way via the game set, which areas again and again allow new and interesting game forms, in particular by differently arranged receptacles at different angles, when the game set is erected into a playing area again, in a different form in each case. Not only straight-line connections can thus be established by edge elements, but rather also corners and/or, for example, goal regions can be formed. A goal region of this kind can in this case be an end one of a playing area formed via a plurality of edge elements and a plurality of connection elements, on a respective side of a respective player. If a respective receptacle is in this case, for example, arranged at a corresponding angle with respect to another receptacle, then, depending on the design of the receptacles in the respective connection element, respective angles can be achieved between individual edge elements. These can, for example, be arranged at right angles, i.e., at an angle of 90°, or also at an angle of 30°, 45°, 60°, or at any other angle, in each case based on a full angle of 360°.

The “angle” is in this case defined about a “vertical axis” of the respective connection element that is arranged substantially orthogonally to the playing area plane, wherein the vertical axis is in this case defined in the sense of a perpendicular line on the playing area, i.e., on the playing area plane. It should be noted in connection therewith that, in this case, orthogonality in the mathematical sense is not required, but is rather to be considered a vertical axis that is arranged “substantially” orthogonally to the playing field plane, in the sense of the tolerances of a game set of this kind and a corresponding playing area, i.e., for example, deviations of up to ±15° with respect to a full angle of 360° can be tolerated.

In order, for example, to also take into account the impact strength on the corresponding game element in a manner of interest in the game, a respective receiving height of the respective receptacle, arranged substantially orthogonally to the respective receiving axis, is arranged at an angle of more than 45°, in particular substantially orthogonally, to the playing area plane. This “receiving height” in this case describes the real height extension of the edge element in the connection element as a result of which, for example, by a corresponding angle of more than 45°, a slanting of the edge relative to an arrival direction of the game element is possible so that, for example, the edge element forms a type of ski jump, so that a game element that is played too hard or fast can also pass over the edge. If the corresponding receiving height is arranged substantially orthogonally to the playing area plane, an edge such as in the case of indoor football is formed which does not have this effect. In contrast, if the respective receptacle or a further receptacle on the respective connection element is substantially horizontal, and thus arranged substantially in parallel with the playing area plane, then use can be made of a high degree of stiffness of the edge element against striking of the game element. The game set can thus be used in a manner of interest and a varied manner.

It is here also noted that corresponding angular specifications are to be understood with the above-mentioned tolerances, and in this case, it is not the mathematical precision, but rather the purpose, in the sense of the game set, that is decisive for the necessary tolerances.

In one embodiment, the respective receptacle passes through the connection element from an upper side facing away from the playing area, as far as an underside facing the playing area, and/or completely from a starting side as far as an end side.

A particularly simple manufacture of the connection element can be achieved as a result.

A corresponding “upper side” and the opposing “underside” in this case describes the corresponding start of the receptacle facing away from the playing area and an end of the receptacle facing the playing area. The underside can in this case also be the installation side, wherein, for example, in the case of an oblique receptacle of a corresponding edge element, the upper side can then be arranged obliquely on the connection element in a manner analogous to the above example of the ski jump. Analogously thereto, the terms “starting side” and “end side” are to be understood in the case of, for example, a receptacle arranged substantially in parallel with the playing area plane, i.e., denote the start and the end of a receptacle that completely penetrates the respective connection element from the start to the end.

In one embodiment, a respective receptacle, arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the playing area plane and intended for an edge element and/or for the respective edge element, is arranged at a receiving elevation above the playing area plane that corresponds to a height of the movable game element, so that the receiving elevation is selected to be smaller than the height of the movable game element so that the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the edge element, which contour is oriented in the direction of the playing area, allows for deflection, holding back and/or clamping of the movable game element between the playing area plane and the edge element.

This design allows, for example, for goal zones or also retaining regions which do not require a complex design, for example of a U-shaped zone having a plurality of edge elements and a plurality of connection elements.

In order to further simplify the manufacture of the connection elements, the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle is/are designed as a slot-shaped receptacle or slot-shaped receptacles having in particular a constant slot cross-section. This design makes it possible, for example, to manufacture a receptacle via a simple saw cut which completely penetrates the connection element.

In one embodiment, a depth of the respective receptacle, oriented in the direction of the respective receiving axis, is dimensioned so that the stretched position of the main body of the respective edge element is fixed in the respective connection element.

A secure fixing of the connection element can thus be achieved only via the geometric design of the respective receptacle. In this connection, a depth of the respective receptacle is, for example, cited, so that this corresponds, for example, to twice or also three times or a greater multiple of a curvature height of the curvature contour of the bistable main body.

A “depth” is in this case measured in the direction of the receiving axis, i.e., describes the respective plug-in or insertion depth of the edge element into the connection element.

In order to acquire corresponding edge elements economically and, for example, also to complete a game set via an existing connection element and other existing parts, the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element is a slap band and/or a snap band. Those bands known under the term “slap band” or also “snap band” are known, for example, as reflector bands for bringing together the trouser legs when cycling, or also as party entertainment or festival identification. Such slap bands can in this case be equipped, for example, with a reflective surface, in fluorescent colors, or with additional effects.

In a further embodiment, the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element are connected via the connection element or via a plurality of connection elements so that the edge for the playing area is formed to be continuously closed, so that the edge completely surrounds the playing area.

A closed playing area can thereby be created using the game set, which playing area, for example, makes it almost impossible to lose the games equipment, and thus makes a game possible during travel, for example, even on a narrow table, for example, a camping table.

An edge element of this kind and/or a connection element of this kind in particular has a height of between 2 cm and 20 cm, for example, between 3 cm and 10 cm, for example, between 4 cm and 5 cm.

In a further embodiment, the movable game element is in this case a ball, a sphere or a disc, in particular a disc having a round cross-section, which is also known as a puck. A ball and/or a disc of this kind in this case has/have a diameter of, for example, 1 cm to 6 cm.

In this case, the associated games equipment can be a bat, a pusher, or a correspondingly shaped playing handle for pushing the game element. A bat, pusher or playing handle of this kind can in this case also consist of a plurality of elements, for example, a handle part which is connected to a contact sensor for contact with the game element, for example, also interchangeably via a screw connection.

In order to provide the playing area with light effects or simple lighting for playing in the dark, the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the respective edge element can in this case comprise a lighting device so that the playing area can be lit via the lighting device. A lighting device of this kind can in this case be an LED strip or other lighting incorporated in a corresponding edge element.

In an alternative, an assembly of connection elements and edge elements, also without a game element and/or games equipment, can be formed as a game set in the sense of a construction game for constructing almost any geometries.

The present invention will be explained in greater detail below under reference to embodiments as shown in the drawings.

A game set 101 is constructed from a plurality of parts and forms a playing area 103. The game set 101 in this case comprises both slap bands 105 and connecting stones 107. The slap bands 105 are connected via the connecting stones 107, and specifically by inserting the elongated slap bands 105 into corresponding slots of the respective connecting stone 107. The playing area 103 comprises a goal zone 121 in an end region 120, and a goal zone 123 in an end region 122. A ball 171 can be moved in the playing area 103 by respective bats 191. Each bat 191 comprises a base plate 193 and a handle 195 for this purpose.

In order to form the playing area 103, the slap bands 105 are connected to one another both in a straight line, via connections 131, and at an angle of approximately 90°, via corner connections 133. The goal zones 121 and 123 are also constructed via corner connections 133. The slap bands 105 can in this case be displaced in a variable manner in the connecting stones 107 so that the size of the playing area 103 can be adjusted in a variable manner.

The connecting stones 107 have longitudinal slots 201 and transverse slots 203 for this purpose. The longitudinal slot 201 and the transverse slot 203 are in this case introduced into the respective connecting stones 107 from an underside 205 as far as a rib 207. The longitudinal slots 201 and the transverse slots 203 do not penetrate through as far as the upper side 209 of the respective connecting stone. The longitudinal slots 201 and transverse slots 203 are arranged at an angle of approximately 90° relative to one another.

In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal slots 201 and the traverse slots 203 or other slots in other connecting stones 107 can also be arranged at a different angle, for example, 30°, 45° or also 60° (see, in detail, also FIG. 6).

The underside 205 of each connecting stone 107 in this case serves as a footprint on a straight substrate, such as the installation surface 151.

The respective connecting stone 107 is shown as a cuboid block. A connecting stone of this kind can alternatively also be formed, like the connecting stone 307, having corresponding longitudinal slots 301, transverse slots 303, and chamfered flanks 305. The flanks 305 enable a further transition between the connecting stone 307 and the slap bands 105 so that the ball 171 used for playing can bounce more uniformly off an edge 181 formed by the slap bands 105 and by the connecting stones 107 or 307.

The respective slap band 105 is a metal, bistable band having a plastics coating or shell which, in the rolled-up state, forms a roll 413. An end cross-section 411 is in this case curved so that a curvature 412 results. In the completely unrolled and stretched state, the curvature 412 extends along an entire length of each slap band 105 so that the slap band 105 remains stably stretched. If this bistable state is disrupted mechanically, for example, by a local folding of the slap band 105, this then forms a straight end cross-section 415 and automatically rolls up into a roll 413.

In a dismantled state, the game set 101 consisting of the connecting stones 107 or 307 and the respective slap bands 105 and one or more bats 191 can thus be stored in a very compact manner.

An alternative connecting stone 507 is shown, analogously to the connecting stone 107, as a cuboid block, wherein the connecting stone 507 comprises longitudinal slots 501 and transverse slots 503 which are arranged peripherally on the corresponding outer surfaces of the cuboid connecting stone 507 at an angle of approximately 90° relative to one another. A respective longitudinal slot 501 and also the transverse slots 503 in this case each have a width 571 which is slightly smaller than the free width of the curvature 412 of the slap band 105 (viewed into the drawing plane). The curvature 412 of the slap band 105 is therefore deformed with a flat point 551, and thus becomes clamped inside the longitudinal slot 501 and, analogously thereto, also inside the transverse slot 503 (not shown explicitly).

Analogously thereto, a connecting stone 508 can also have a corresponding width 572 of the respective longitudinal slot 501 and transverse slot 503 which is suitable for receiving the slap band 105 and a further slap band 106 in a corresponding manner. Corresponding flat points 553 and 558 then hold the slap bands 105 and 106 in a frictionally engaged manner, on account of the preload of the slap bands 105 and 106, within the longitudinal slot 501 or the transverse slot 503. A connecting stone 510 additionally comprises respective flat slots 511, which extend horizontally with respect to the installation surface 151 and can receive the slap band 105 horizontally. A height of the flat slot 511 is selected so that the ball 171 is clamped under the curvature of the slap band 105 if the ball 171 is played in the region between the connecting stones 510 (FIG. 9 B) shows a detail of a playing area, for example, in addition to or as an alternative detail with respect to the playing area 103). An alternative connecting stone 607 is designed hexagonally in a plan view and comprises receiving axes 681, 682 and 683, which are in each case arranged symmetrically relative to one another, about a vertical axis 691, in the corresponding side surfaces of the hexagonally prismatic connecting stone 607, slots 601, 602 and 603 opposite one another in each case. The function in this case is analogous to the connecting stones shown above, and here another geometry of such a connecting stone is merely set out which enables the construction of interesting playing area geometries (see FIG. 6).

A puck striker 701 which can be used as an alternative to the bat 191 and which comprises a main body 703 and a handle part 705 (see FIG. 7), and an alternative bat 801 comprising a base plate 803, a handle 805 and a curved strike side 807 (see FIG. 8), can be used in order to bring about different game variants or also different levels of difficulty of the game.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments described herein; reference should be had to the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

101 game set

103 playing area

105 slap band

106 slap band

107 connecting stone

120 end region

121 goal zone

122 end region

123 goal zone

131 connection

133 corner connection

151 installation surface

171 ball

181 edge

191 bat

193 base plate

195 handle

201 longitudinal slot

203 transverse slot

205 underside

207 rib

209 upper side

281 receiving axis

283 receiving axis

301 longitudinal slot

303 transverse slot

305 flank

307 connecting stone

381 receiving axis

383 receiving axis

411 end cross-section

412 curvature

413 roll

415 end cross-section

501 longitudinal slot

503 transverse slot

505 underside

507 connecting stone

508 connecting stone

509 upper side

510 connecting stone

511 flat slot

551 flat point

553 flat point

558 flat point

571 width

572 width

601 slot

602 slot

603 slot

607 connecting stone

609 upper side

681 receiving axis

682 receiving axis

683 receiving axis

691 vertical axis

701 puck striker

703 main body

705 handle part

801 bat

803 base plate

805 handle

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A game set for constructing a stationary playing area which is arranged in a playing area plane for a movable game element, wherein the movable game element is movable on the stationary playing area for achieving a game success, the game set comprising:

a first edge element;

a second edge element;

a further edge element; and

a connection element comprising a first receptacle for receiving the first edge element, and a second receptacle for receiving the second edge element and/or the further edge element,

wherein,

the first edge element is detachably connected, via the connection element, to the second edge element and/or to the further edge element,

in a connected state, the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be, together form an edge for deflecting a movement of the movable game element for the stationary playing area onto the playing area plane,

the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element comprises/comprise a strip-shaped main body, the strip-shaped main body having a curved cross-section which has a curvature contour, the curved cross-section having the curvature contour providing the strip-shaped main body with a bistable shape behavior so that the strip-shaped main body can be transferred from a rolled-up position into a stretched position, and

in the stretched position, the strip-shaped main body can be received with the curvature contour of the curved cross-section along a respective receiving axis in the first receptacle and/or in the second receptacle.

16. The game set as recited in claim 15, wherein the connection element further comprises,

a third receptacle,

a fourth receptacle, and/or

a further receptacle,

which are arranged so that the respective strip-shaped main body of the respective first edge element, second edge element and/or further edge element can be received, in the stretched position, with the curvature contour of the curved cross-section, along a respective receiving axis, in the third receptacle, in the fourth receptacle and/or in the further receptacle.

17. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle comprises/comprise a receiving contour which,

substantially corresponds to the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the respective strip-shaped main body of the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element,

and/or,

geometrically limits and/or deforms the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element,

so that the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element can be received in a form-fitting manner and/or a frictional manner in the the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle via an elastic deformation of the curvature contour of the strip-shaped main body.

18. The game set as recited in claim 17, wherein the receiving of the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element in the form-fitting manner and/or the frictional manner in the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle is a reversible clamping.

19. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle comprises/comprise a receiving contour which,

substantially corresponds to the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of a plurality of the strip-shaped main bodies of a plurality of the first edge element, a plurality of the second edge element and/or a plurality the further edge element,

and/or,

geometrically limits and/or deforms the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the respective first edge element(s), the second edge element(s) and/or the further edge element(s),

so that the respective first edge element(s), the second edge element(s) and/or the further edge element(s) can be received in a form-fitting manner and/or a frictional manner in the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle via an elastic deformation of the curvature contour of the strip-shaped main body of the first edge element(s), the second edge element(s) and/or the further edge element(s).

20. The game set as recited in claim 19, wherein the receiving of the first edge element(s), the second edge element(s) and/or the further edge element(s) in the form-fitting manner and/or the frictional manner in the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle is a reversible clamping.

21. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein,

the first receptacle comprises a first receiving axis,

the second receptacle comprises a second receiving axis,

the third receptacle comprises a third receiving axis,

the fourth receptacle comprises a fourth receiving axis, and/or

the further receptacle comprises a further receiving axis, and

the first receiving axis, the second receiving axis, the third receiving axis, the fourth receiving axis, and/or the further receiving axis is/are arranged at an angle of 180° or less about a vertical axis of a respective connection element which is arranged substantially orthogonally to the playing area plane.

22. The game set as recited in claim 21, wherein the first receiving axis, the second receiving axis, the third receiving axis, the fourth receiving axis, and/or the further receiving axis is/are arranged at an angle of 45° to 30° about the vertical axis of the respective connection element which is arranged substantially orthogonally to the playing area plane.

23. The game set as recited in claim 21, wherein a depth of the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle, respectively, oriented in the direction of the first receiving axis, the second receiving axis, respectively, the third receiving axis, the fourth receiving axis, and/or the further receiving axis, as the case might be, is dimensioned so that the stretched position of the strip-shaped main body of the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be, is fixed in the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle, as the case might be.

24. The game set as recited in claim 21, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle comprises/comprise a receiving height which is/are arranged substantially orthogonally to the first receiving axis, the second receiving axis, the third receiving axis, the fourth receiving axis, and/or the further receiving axis, as the case might be, the height being arranged,

substantially in parallel with the playing area plane, and/or

at an angle of more than 45° to the playing area plane.

25. The game set as recited in claim 24, wherein the angle is substantially orthogonal to the playing area plane.

26. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle, as the case might be, passes through the connection element,

from a starting side to an end side, and/or

completely from an upper side which faces away from the stationary playing area as far as an underside which faces the stationary playing area.

27. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle, as the case might be, is/are arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the playing area plane so that the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be, is arranged at a receiving elevation above the playing area plane which corresponds to or which is smaller than a height of the movable game element so that the curvature contour of the curved cross-section of the strip-shaped main body of the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be, is oriented in a direction of the stationary playing area so as to allow for a deflection, a holding back and/or a clamping of the movable game element between the stationary playing area plane and the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, as the case might be.

28. The game set as recited in claim 16, wherein the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle is/are designed as a slot-shaped receptacle.

29. The game set as recited in claim 28, wherein the slot-shaped receptacle has a constant slot cross-section.

30. The game set as recited in claim 15, wherein the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element is a slap band and/or a snap band.

31. The game set as recited in claim 15, wherein the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element are connected by the connection element or by a plurality of connection elements so that an edge for the stationary playing area (103) is formed which completely surrounds the stationary playing area.

32. The game set as recited in claim 15, wherein,

the first edge element, the second edge element and/or the further edge element, and/or

the first receptacle, the second receptacle, the third receptacle, the fourth receptacle and/or the further receptacle,

has/have a height of from 2 cm to 20 cm.

33. The game set as recited in claim 15, wherein,

the movable game element is a ball, a sphere or a disc, and/or

the movable game equipment is a bat, a pusher or a playing handle.

34. The game set as recited in claim 33, wherein the disc has a round cross-section.