NL2007641C2

NL2007641C2 - Hand-held game device and game assembly comprising such a device.

Info

Publication number: NL2007641C2
Application number: NL2007641A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Adar Golad; Donald Ullman; Carmine Capone
Original assignee: Adar Golad
Priority date: 2011-10-21
Filing date: 2011-10-21
Publication date: 2013-04-23
Also published as: EP2768588A1; WO2013058657A1; US20140339766A1

Description

No. NLP189334A

Hand-held game device and game assembly comprising such a device

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a game device comprising a handle, a turning axle having an axis of rotation and 5 connected to said handle, and an elongated figurine having a longitudinal axis, wherein said figurine is connected to the turning axle. Such devices are known for instance from NL 200 912, which describes a figurine for a game of table football, wherein the figurine is mountable on a rod of a 10 regular table football apparatus. In such a regular table football apparatus, the rod is fixedly connected to a handle, such that when the figurine is mounted on the rod and the handle is spun, the figurine spins as well.

Though such known game devices provide great 15 entertainment value, they are bulky and inconvenient to carry, especially for children. It is an object of the present invention to provide a more compact and portable game device which still provides similar entertainment.

20

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a hand-held game device 25 comprising a handle for holding the device, an elongated figurine having a longitudinal axis, wherein the figurine is rotatably connected to said handle around an axis of 2 rotation which is at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A person may thus hold the handle of the game device in one hand, while a rotating motion is imparted on the figurine, for instance by the person pushing 5 or pulling the figurine with the other hand. The rotating motion is preferably used to kick a playing piece, such as a ball or a disc, across a playing surface, such as a table. As the game device may be held and completely supported in one hand, the game device is substantially freely moveable 10 over the entire playing surface, providing dynamic game play.

In an embodiment the figurine is adapted for spinning rotation around the axis of rotation. The game device according to the invention may thus provide a game 15 play similar to regular table football. Once a spinning motion has been imparted on the figurine, it will keep on spinning for some time due to inertia, during which time the hand-held game device may be moved to a different position over the playing surface to kick a playing piece.

2 0 In an embodiment the hand-held game device comprises a turning axle rotatably connecting said handle to said figurine, wherein said turning axle has a longitudinal axis coinciding with the axis of rotation.

In an embodiment the turning axle is substantially 25 rotation-fixedly attached to said handle and substantially rotation-freely attached to the figurine or vice versa, allowing rotation of the figurine with respect to the handle around the axis of rotation.

In an embodiment the turning axle is detachably 30 attached to the handle, the figurine or both. In the latter case the game device can be disassembled into at least three parts, i.e. the figurine, the handle and the turning axle, for easy transportation. Moreover, this embodiment allows easy replacement of handle, figurine and/or turning axle.

35 In an embodiment the hand-held game device further comprises drive means for driving rotation of the figurine around the axis of rotation. Preferably these drive means 3 are manually powered. A rotating motion of the figurine may be thus achieved by operating the drive means, instead of by directly imparting motion on the figurine manually, such that there is no need for a player to directly touch 5 the figurine, especially when the figurine is spinning.

In an embodiment the drive means comprises a rack and pinion drive, a torsion spring drive and/or an elastic spring drive. Preferably the drive means comprise a spring-loaded plunger connected to a rack, wherein a pinion 10 adapted for cooperation with the rack is connected to the turning axle and/or to the figurine.

In an embodiment the handle and/or the turning axle comprise said drive means. When the drive means are comprised in the handle, rotation of the figurine may be 15 effected by the same hand holding the game device. A player may thus hold and operate a hand-held game device according to the invention in each hand.

In an embodiment the hand-held game device further comprises a battery, wherein said drive means comprise an 20 electromotor powered by said battery.

In an embodiment, the figurine is adapted to be rotatable around the axis of rotation over a range less than 360 degrees, preferably over a range of 180 degrees or less. In this embodiment simple drive means may be used. Moreover, 25 according to this embodiment, a hinge having a limited rotation range may be used instead of a turning axle, for rotatably connecting the figurine to the handle.

In an embodiment the hand-held game device further comprises a ratchet adapted for allowing rotation of said 30 figurine around said axis or rotation in a first direction of rotation and for blocking rotation of said figurine around said axis of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to said first direction of rotation. The chance of a player accidentally kicking a playing piece in 35 the second direction is thus reduced, which is particularly advantageous when drive means are used that work by converting a reciprocating motion into a rotation of the 4 figurine around the axis of rotation.

In an embodiment the figurine comprises a head-part at a distal end of the figurine, wherein an orientation of the head-part around the longitudinal axis of the 5 figurine is adjustable. The head-part preferably comprises a face section which, at least during a game and when the figurine is in the upright position, faces away from the player holding the game device. The face section preferably comprises features which discern it from other sections of 10 the head-part, such as eyes, a nose, mouth, and the like. As the orientation of the head-part is adjustable, the head-part can be arranged for either right handed or left handed use of the hand-held game device. Preferably, the head-part connected to the main body of the figurine via a detachable 15 connection, wherein the head-part may be attached to the main body in at least a first orientation and a second orientation rotated 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the figurine relative to the first orientation. Additionally or alternatively, the head-part may be 20 rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the figurine when connected to the main body of the figurine.

In an embodiment the turning axle extends substantially through the figurine. Preferably the figurine comprises one or two accommodation spaces for accommodating 25 the turning axle. When the turning axle extends entirely through the figurine, protruding from the figurine on two sides, only one accommodation space for the turning axle which forms a through-passage through the figurine along the axis of rotation is needed for allowing the turning axle to 30 be attached to the figurine for either right or left handed use of the game device. Alternatively, the figurine may comprise two accommodation spaces for accommodating the turning axle, one on either side of the figurine along the axis of rotation, such that the turning axle may be inserted 35 into either one of these accommodation spaces for right or left handed use respectively. The possibility to choose between right- and left handed use of the game device is 5 especially advantageous when the figurine has a preferred front facing side, such as a front facing side adapted for kicking a playing piece.

In an embodiment the turning axle has a first 5 distal end and a second, opposite distal end, wherein the second distal end of the turning axle comprises an accommodation space for fittingly accommodating a first distal end of a second such turning axle. In this embodiment further turning axles and figurines may be connected in 10 serial to the handle. The turning axle preferably extends completely through the figurine.

In an embodiment the handle of the hand-held game device is a first handle, and the game device further comprises a second handle rotation-fixedly attached to the 15 figurine. By turning the second handle relative to the first handle, a rotating motion is imparted on figurine. The second handle preferably has a diameter which is substantially less than the length of the figurine, such that the circumferential speed of a surface of the handle is 20 substantially less than the circumferential speed of the distal ends of the figurine when the figurine is rotating. A rotating motion of the figurine may thus be achieved by rotating the second handle relative to the first handle, such that there is no need for a player to directly touch 25 the figurine, especially when the figurine is spinning.

In an embodiment the figurine comprises a foot- part at a distal end of the figurine, which foot-part is adapted for kicking a playing piece. When the figurine also comprises a head-part, the foot-part is at the opposite end 30 of the head-part of the figurine. When the hand-held game device is a hand-held table football device the playing piece may for instance comprise a ball. Alternatively the playing piece may comprise a puck or any other playing piece suitable for movement across a playing surface.

35 In an embodiment an orientation of the foot-part of the figurine is adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the figurine. This allows the direction 6 in which a playing piece is kicked when hit by the by the foot-part to be substantially set in advance.

According to a second aspect the present invention provides a hand-held game assembly comprising a hand-held 5 game device as described herein. Besides a figurine as described, the assembly preferably also comprises one or more playing pieces, such as a ball or a puck, to be kicked by the figurine. Preferably, when multiple playing pieces are provided, at least some of these have substantially 10 different characteristics, such as size, weight, elasticity, shape etc, for providing different game play.

In an embodiment said assembly further comprises one or more detachable foot-liners adapted for detachable attachment to said foot-part.

15 In an embodiment at least one of said one or more detachable foot-liners has a first face and a second face, both faces facing outwards, with the first face facing away from the second face, wherein the foot-liner is attachable to the foot-part with its first face arranged for kicking 20 the playing piece, and attachable to the foot-part with its second face arranged for kicking the playing piece, wherein the first and second faces have different kicking characteristics. The first face may for instance have a friction coefficient, elasticity, and/or shape which differs 25 from the second face.

In an embodiment a first of said one or more detachable foot-liners has a different kicking characteristic than a second of said one or more detachable foot-liners. The first foot-liner may for instance have a 30 weight, elasticity, and/or shape which differs from the second foot-liner.

In an embodiment the assembly further comprises a playing piece, and the foot-part comprises an accommodation space for at least partially accommodating said playing 35 piece, preferably in a loosely fitting manner. A playing piece that is loosely accommodated in the accommodation space may be ejected in a substantially predetermined 7 direction when the figurine is rotated, allowing for instance simulation of penalties.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, 5 wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications .

10

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in 15 which:

Figures 1A and IB show a cross-sectional front view and an isometric view respectively of a handheld game device according to the invention, figures 2A and 2B show a handheld game device 2 0 according to the invention with a figurine with an adjustable foot-part, figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a handle of a game device according to the invention, comprising manually powered drive means, 25 figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a handle of a game device according to the invention, comprising electronically powered drive means, figures 5A-5C show a game assembly according to the present invention, comprising a hand-held game device as 30 described herein, and a detachably attachable foot-liner, figures 6A-6E show different embodiments of detachably attachable foot-liners of an assembly according to the invention, figures 7A-7C show a game assembly according to 35 the invention, in which the figurine comprises a foot-part adapted for loosely holding a ball, figure 8 shows a game assembly according to the 8 invention, in which the turning axle is connectable to further such turning axles, figures 9A and 9B show two embodiments of a handheld game device according to the invention, comprising a 5 first and a second handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

10

Figure 1A shows a cross-sectional front view of a handheld game device 1 according to the invention. The device comprises an asymmetrical handle 2 for holding the device, preferably for completely supporting the device 15 using only one hand. The handle 2 has a first end 4 and a second end 5, between which a hollow tubular space 3 extends adapted for substantially fittingly accommodating a part of turning axle 10. The turning axle 10 is connected to and extends through a main body 21 of an elongated figurine 20 2 0 having a longitudinal axis L, such that the figurine may be spun around axis of rotation R of the turning axle 10, relative to the handle 2. The axis of rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the figurine. The part of the turning axle 10 which extends 25 through the figurine 20 has a substantially constant diameter d2 which is slightly less than a diameter dl of tubular space 22 within the figurine 20, to facilitate rotation of the figurine 20 around the turning axle 10. The turning axle 10 comprises a first distal end 11 closer to 30 the figurine than to the handle 2, at which distal end 11 the turning axle 10 is provided with a split 13 allowing deformation of the end 11 when arranging the figurine over the turning axle 10. Close to said distal end 11 the turning axle 10 comprises a raised edge 12 for subsequently 35 preventing the figurine 20 from sliding off the turning axle 10. The turning axle 10 is detachably connected to both the handle 2 and to the figurine 20, allowing the handle 2, 9 figurine 20 and/or turning axle 10 to be easily replaced. Additionally, the turning axle 10 may be attached to the handle 2 at either the first end 4 of the handle 2, as shown, or the second end 5 of the handle 2 (not shown) , 5 allowing a player to change the way he holds the asymmetrical handle 2.

The turning axle 10 is substantially rotation fixedly attached to the handle 2, and rotation-freely attached to the figurine 20, allowing rotation of the 10 figurine 20 relative to the handle 2 around axis of rotation R.

At a first distal end the figurine 20 comprises a head-part 23. The head-part has markings which indicate a front facing side of the head-part, e.g. eyes, nose and 15 mouth are arranged on the front facing side of the head- part. An orientation of the head-part around the longitudinal axis of the figurine is adjustable such that the front facing side of the head-part may be arranged to face in both directions normal to a plane spanned by the 2 0 longitudinal axis and the axis of rotation of the figurine, for instance depending on whether the handle 2 is held in the right or left hand of a player. Though in the embodiment shown the head-part is connected to the main body in a rotatable manner relative thereto, it is also conceivable 25 that in an embodiment the head-part may be detachable such that the head-part may be detached from the main body of the figurine, rotated 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, and re-attached to the main body of the figurine .

30 At a second distal end opposite to the first distal end of the figurine, the figurine 20 comprises a wedge shaped foot-part 24 which is adapted for kicking playing piece such a miniature ball or a marble or the like. The foot-part 24 is connected to the main body 21 of the 35 figurine 20 through connecting piece 25.

Figure IB shows an isometric view of the hand-held game device of figure 1A. A rotating motion of the figurine 10 20, similar to the spinning motion of figurines in a regular table football game, is achieved when the handle 2 is held in one hand while the head-part 23 is pulled or pushed in a direction of rotation D with the other hand, such that the 5 foot-part 24 may kick a playing piece in direction A. The rotating motion is typically a spinning motion comprising multiple complete rotations of the figurine 20 around the axis of rotation R.

The hand-held table football device may freely be 10 moved over a playing surface S, such as the surface of a table, by moving the hand holding the device 1 over the table. The figurine 20 is thus adapted to be moved over the entire playing surface S, and has substantially six degrees of freedom of movement relative to said playing surface S.

15 Figures 2A and 2B schematically show an embodiment of a hand held game device 100 according to the invention, comprising a handle 102, a turning axle 110 substantially rotation fixedly connected to the handle 102, and a figurine 120 rotatably connected to the turning axle. The figurine 20 120 comprises a connection piece 125 comprising a deformable joint allowing adjustment of the orientation of the foot-part 124 with respect to the longitudinal axis L, though other adjustable connection pieces for instance comprising a ball-joint or screw-connection or hinges may be used 25 instead. An orientation of a foot-part 124 of figurine 120 is thus adjustable with respect to the main body 121 of the figurine 120.

In figure 2A the orientation of foot-part 124 has been rotated with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the 30 figurine 120, such that force imparted on a ball or the like when hit by the rotating figurine 120 is no longer substantially completely directed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation R, but more along a direction A normal to face 12 6 of the foot-part, which face 35 is adapted for kicking a playing piece such as a ball.

In figure 2B the orientation of the foot-part is adjusted around an axis B substantially parallel to the axis 11 of rotation R, such that an amount of lift imparted on a playing piece when hit by the figurine is changed.

Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional side view of a handle 302 and turning axle 310 of a hand- 5 held game device according to the invention. The handle 302 comprises a housing 355 and is provided with drive means in the form of a spring loaded rack and pinion drive. The drive means comprises a rack 351 attached to a plunger 350 which is movable along direction PI. A spring 353 connected on one 10 side to the housing 355 of the handle 302 and on another side to the plunger biases 350 the plunger away from the housing 355. The turning axle 310 is provided with teeth 352 on its circumference for engagement with teeth 351 of the rack 356, which comprises a resilient material. When the 15 plunger 350 is pressed towards the housing 355 in direction PI, the teeth 351 of the rack 356 engage the teeth 352 on the turning axle 310 causing the axle to turn around its axis of rotation R in direction D. When the plunger 350 is pulled back in the opposite direction by spring 353, a 20 ratchet pawl 354 blocks rotation of the turning axle 310 in a direction opposite to D. However, as the rack comprises a resilient material, the rack may flex along direction P2, allowing the teeth of the rack to slide over the teeth of the turning axle without turning the axle.

25 Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a hand held game device 401 according to the invention having a turning axle 410 with is rotatably connected to a handle 402, and partially accommodated in accommodation space 403. A drive means in the form of an 30 electromotor 460 is comprised inside the handle 402. The electromotor comprises 460 a rotor 461 which is rotation fixedly connected to a distal end 414 of the turning axle 410. At another, opposite, distal end 411 the turning axle comprises a split 413, for allowing the figuring to be 35 detachably attached to the turning axle. The handle further comprises a battery 463 and a switch 464 connected between the battery 4 63 and the electromotor 4 60, for controlling 12 activation of the electromotor. When the motor is activated, it drives rotation of the turning axle 410 relative to the handle 402, and thus rotation of elongated figurine 420, comprising a head-part 423, a main body 421, a foot-part 424 5 and a connecting piece 425 connecting the main body 421 to the foot-part 424.

Figure 5A shows a game assembly according to the present invention, comprising a hand-held game device 501, comprising a handle 502, and an elongated figurine 520 10 rotatably attached to the handle 502, the figurine comprising a head-part 523, a main body 521, and a foot-part 524. The assembly further comprises a foot-liner 570 having a kicking face 571, wherein the foot-liner 570 is adapted for detachable attachment to the foot-part 524 of the game 15 device. The foot-liner 570 comprises an elastic material, such as rubber or silicon, and can be slid over the foot-part 524 for attachment thereto. Alternatively the foot-liner may comprise a hard-plastics material and click or snap mechanism for connection to the foot-part. Preferably 20 the game assembly comprises several foot liners for detachable attachment to the foot-part 524, with the foot liners having different kicking properties. For instance, the foot liners may have different weights, such that the speed of rotation of the figurine 520 is affected by which 25 foot liner is attached to the foot-part 524.

Figures 5B and 5C show two isometric views of a detachable foot-liner 570 having a first face 571 and a second face 572, both faces facing outward and adapted for kicking a playing piece such as a ball. As the first face 30 571 is substantially planar and the second face 572 is curved, both faces provide have different kicking characteristics when kicking the playing piece. In the example shown, the second face 572 is adapted for providing more top-spin to a ball than the first face 571.

35 Figures 6A-6D show different detachable foot- liners of an assembly according to the invention providing different kicking characteristics. Typically when a ball is 13 hit by a foot liner which is attached to a rotating figurine, the ball first impacts a top portion of the liner and subsequently rolls of the liner at a lower edge of the foot liner.

5 Figure 6A shows a side view of a foot-liner 600 with a substantially trapezoid cross-section, comprising a first substantially planar face 601 and a second face 602 comprising knobs 603. The two faces 601, 602 of the foot liner 601 have different kicking characteristics. In the 10 embodiment shown the second face 602 has a higher friction coefficient than the first face 601. Alternatively, the first face 601 may comprise a more elastic material than the second face 602, such that the velocity imparted on a ball also depends on which face is used to kick the ball.

15 Figure 6B shows an isometric view of a detachable foot-liner 610, having a face 611 for kicking a playing piece, wherein said face comprises dimples 613 instead of knobs .

Figure 6C shows an isometric view of a detachable 20 foot-liner 620 having a face 621 for kicking a ball, wherein said face 621 is provided with a bar-shaped protrusion 623 extending substantially parallel to a bottom edge 624 of the face 621, which edge forms a distal edge of a figurine of and foot-liner when the foot-liner is attached to the foot-25 part of the figurine. When the ball rolls off the bottom edge 624 of the face 621, it hits the protrusion 623, causing the ball to accelerate suddenly in another direction. The protrusion 623 may also help in providing additional lift to the ball when kicked.

30 Figure 6D shows a cross-sectional view of a foot liner 630 comprising a smooth protrusion 633 located near the bottom edge 634 of a face 632 for kicking a ball.

Figure 6E shows a perspective front view of a face of a foot-liner 640, provided with grooves 643 extending 35 from the bottom edge 644 of face 641 towards a top edge 645 of said face 641. The grooves 643 diverge from the bottom edge 644 to the top edge 645, such that a ball, when kicked, 14 rolls towards the bottom edge 644 and is centered on the face 641.

Figure 7A shows a game assembly according to the invention comprising a hand-held game device 700 according 5 to the invention and a playing piece in the form of a ball 730, wherein the game device comprises handle 702

rotationally connected to an elongated figurine 720 via a turning axle 710. The figurine comprises foot-part 724 provided with an accommodation space 731 for loosely 10 fittingly accommodating the playing piece 730. Figure 7B

shows the playing piece 730 being held in the accommodation space, and figure 7C shows how the playing piece is propelled from the accommodating space in direction C when the figurine is rotated around the axis of rotation R. This 15 embodiment is adapted for instance for shooting penalties. Additionally the accommodating space is suitable for holding the ball during transport or storage of the game assembly.

Figure 8 shows a game assembly 800 according to the present invention, comprising a handle 801, a playing 20 piece in the form of a ball 802, and a figurine 803 to which a turning axle 804 is attached, here partially shown in dotted lines. The turning axle 804 has a first distal end 805 which is adapted to be accommodated in accommodation space 809 of handle 801. The turning axle further has a 25 second, opposite distal end 806, comprising a accommodation space 807 for fittingly accommodating a first distal end of a second such turning axle. In this way, two or more figurines may be serially attached to a single handle.

Figure 9A shows an alternative embodiment of a 30 hand-held game device 900 according to the invention. The game device comprises an elongated figurine 920, a first handle 930, and a second handle 940. The first handle 930 and the second handle 940 comprise end sections 931 and 941 respectively, which end sections are adapted for rotation 35 fixed connection, at least when the game being is played, with the figurine 920. Each end section 930,940 comprises a shaft 931, 941 with a screw-thread 932,942, and the figurine 15 comprises matching screw-accommodation sections 921,922.

Whereas the first end section 930 is attached rotationally fixed to the first handle 930, the second end section 941 is substantially rotation freely attached to the 5 second handle 940, for instance by means of a turning axle between the end section 941 and the second handle 940, or other means known per se. The first handle 930 may thus be used to impart a rotating motion to the figurine 920 relative to the second handle, whereas the second handle 10 supports the figurine while it rotates around its axis of rotation R.

Figure 9B shows a preferred embodiment of a hand held game device according to the invention. The game device 1000 comprises a longitudinal figurine 1020 rotation freely 15 connected to a first handle 1030 around axis of rotation R which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the figurine. The game device further comprises a second handle 1040, rotation fixedly attached to the figurine, for imparting a rotating motion on the figurine around the axis 2 0 of rotation R relative to the first handle. The game device can be adjusted for right or left handed use by turning the direction in which the head-part 1023 faces by 180 degrees. The figurine comprises a foot-part 1024, to which a foot-liner 1060 may be attached by means of a click-connection. 25 The foot-liner may be clicked onto a front-facing side of the foot-part and/or onto a back-facing side of the foot-part. Preferably the foot-liner is attached to the foot-part such that its kicking face faces in the same direction as the face section of the head-part.

30 It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be 35 encompassed by the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

A hand-held game device comprising a handle for holding the device, an elongated game figure with a longitudinal axis, characterized in that the game figure is rotatably connected to the handle around a rotation axis that is at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

A hand-held game device according to claim 1, wherein the game figure is adapted to rotate rapidly around the axis of rotation.

3. A hand-held game device according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a pivot axis that rotatably connects the handle to the game figure, the pivot axis having a longitudinal axis coinciding with the axis of rotation.

A hand-held game device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivot axis is connected to the handle in a substantially rotational manner and is connected to the game figure in a substantially rotational manner or vice versa.

A hand-held game device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivot axis is releasably connected to the handle, the game figure or both.

6. Hand-held game device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it further comprises drive means for driving rotation of the game figure around the axis of rotation.

7. Hand-held game device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the drive means comprise a rack and gear drive, a torsion spring drive 30 and / or an elastic spring drive.

A hand-held game device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the handle and / or the axis of rotation comprise the drive means.

9. Hand-held game device as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises a battery, wherein the drive means comprise an electric motor supplied by the battery.

10. A hand-held game device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a return paw arranged for allowing rotation of the game figure around the axis of rotation in a first direction of rotation and for blocking rotation of the game figure around the axis of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

11. A hand-held game device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis of rotation 15 extends substantially through the game figure.

A hand-held game device according to claim 12, wherein the pivot axis has a first distal end and a second opposite distal end, the second distal end of the pivot axis including a receiving space 20 for appropriately receiving a first distal end of second such pivot axis.

13. Hand-held game device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the handle is a first handle, wherein the game device further comprises a second handle which is rotationally fixed to the game figure.

14. A hand-held game device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the game figure comprises a main part at a distal end of the game figure, wherein an orientation of the main part around the longitudinal axis of the game figure is adjustable.

15. A hand-held game device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the game figure comprises a foot part at a distal end of the game figure, which foot part is adapted to kick a game piece, such as a ball.

A hand-held game device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an orientation of the foot part is adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the game figure.

A game assembly comprising a hand-held game device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the assembly further comprises one or more detachable foot coverings adapted for detachable attachment to the foot part.

18. Game assembly as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that at least one of the one or more detachable foot coverings has a first side and a second side, wherein both sides are directed outwards, the first side being directed away from the second side wherein the foot covering is attachable to the foot part with its first side arranged for kicking the game piece, and attachable to the foot part with its second side adapted to kick the game piece, the first and second sides have different pedaling characteristics.

19. A game assembly as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein a first of the one or more detachable foot coverings has a different step characteristic than a second of the one or more detachable foot coverings.

A game assembly according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that the assembly further comprises a game piece, and the foot part of a receiving space for at least partially receiving the game piece, preferably in a loosely fitting manner. -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-