U.S. patent application number 15/771088 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for trampolines and mat connectors for trampolines.
The applicant listed for this patent is Vuly IP Holdings No. 2 Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Joe Andon.
Application Number | 20180353790 15/771088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58629609 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180353790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andon; Joe |
December 13, 2018 |
Trampolines and Mat Connectors for Trampolines
Abstract
A trampoline or trampoline system including: a frame or other
foundation; biasing means mounted to said frame or other
foundation; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected
first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or
other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first
ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats
outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being
operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent
portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means
being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein adjacent mats
are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by
selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent
mats towards each other.
Inventors: |
Andon; Joe; (Wakerley, Qld,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vuly IP Holdings No. 2 Pty Ltd |
Wakeriey, Qld |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
58629609 |
Appl. No.: |
15/771088 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
October 28, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2016/051013 |
371 Date: |
August 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/022 20130101;
A63B 21/026 20130101; A63B 2225/107 20130101; A63B 5/11 20130101;
A63B 2225/10 20130101; A63B 71/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20060101
A63B005/11; A63B 71/02 20060101 A63B071/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2015 |
AU |
2015904416 |
Mar 22, 2016 |
AU |
2016901080 |
Apr 11, 2016 |
AU |
2016901345 |
Claims
1. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation;
biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and a
plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said
biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in
side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing
means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said
mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to
each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected
second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats
upwards; and wherein adjacent mats are connected to each other
along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said
biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each
other.
2. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation;
biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation and
extending therefrom; a plurality of jumping mats operatively
connected to each other along respective connecting portions
thereof and/or to selected first ones of said biasing means
respectively above said frame in side by side relationship, said
selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias
said plurality of mats outward to tension said mats and said
plurality of mats being supported by selected second ones of said
biasing means along their respective connecting portions, said
second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said
plurality of mats upwards; and wherein said adjacent mats are
operatively connected to each other by third ones of biasing means
extending from the connecting portion of one mat to the adjacent
connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to bias adjacent mats
towards each other.
3. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; a
plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above said frame or
other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of said plurality
being connected to each other by biasing means extending from one
of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing means in use being
arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards each other.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein
said selected second ones of said biasing means or said second
biasing means are hoop springs.
7. The trampoline system according to claim 6, wherein the
connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a resilient
connection provided by third biasing means arranged to bias
adjacent mats towards each other.
8. The trampoline system according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein
the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the third
biasing means.
9-58. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to trampolines and mat connectors for
trampolines. The invention has particular application to
trampolines arranged in side by side abutting relationship and
having their respective jumping mats joined to each other, for
example, for use in trampoline parks. The invention also has
particular application to mat connectors for connecting the jumping
mats of two or more adjacent trampolines.
[0002] Trampoline parks typically include sections where a
plurality of independent trampolines are arranged side by side to
form an array with the jumping mats horizontal. In some parks, some
trampolines can have part of the jumping mat extending horizontally
and contiguous with a part which is inclined to the horizontal and
perhaps even close to vertical. Trampolines which are currently
used in trampoline parks typically include a steel frame with a
rectangular flexible jumping mat secured to the frame by a large
number of spaced apart extension springs, the axes of which are
coplanar with the mat, and are arranged to extend and contract as a
person jumps on the mat in order to give "bounce".
[0003] In such trampolines the extension springs and the space
between the jumping mat and the frame across which the extension
springs extend is typically covered by a padded safety barrier (or
"padding") extending about the mat. That space is typically in the
order of 300 mm wide but can be wider or narrower depending on the
size of the trampoline. Early trampoline parks had separate
trampolines arranged alongside each other, sometimes being tied
together about adjacent frame members, and having padding secured
over the springs. Thus, where two such trampolines are arranged
together with adjacent frames abutting, the space between the
jumping mats could be in the order of 400 mm to 800 mm wide.
Typically, a full width piece of safety padding is used to cover
the adjacent springs of both trampolines as well as the expected
stretch of the springs. As a consequence such padding can be up to
a metre wide in some cases. Such padded safety barriers are
typically secured to the steel frame by straps, clips, hook and
loop fasteners or the like to ensure that the springs are well
covered for the protection of jumpers using the trampolines.
[0004] Similar arrangements are typically made between horizontal
and inclined trampolines with large areas of safety padding over
horizontal and include springs. In other words, although the
trampoline frames are arranged alongside each other, adjacent mats
are spaced from each other by virtue of the distance required for
sets of springs for each of the mats as well as the frame. The
safety padding interferes with movement of persons from one
trampoline mat to the adjacent trampoline mat because the springs
and the frame are only covered by safety padding which is intended
not to be jumped on in the same manner as a trampoline mat but
rather to merely protect a person who misses the mat and
accidentally lands on the spring space.
[0005] Further, when a plurality of side by side trampolines (an
array) is used for games such as "dodge ball" or "soccer", there
are substantial areas between the individual mats which are
effectively "no-go" zones or at least "no-jump" zones.
[0006] The present invention is aimed at providing trampolines,
trampoline systems and various components such as mat connectors
for connecting trampoline mats together which at least ameliorate
some of the aforementioned problems or at least provide an
alternative. The invention is also aimed at providing a trampoline
mat connector system for connecting trampoline mats of adjacent or
adjoining trampolines to each other for use, for example in
trampoline parks and a method of joining trampoline mats and
supporting such mats in a trampoline park.
[0007] With the foregoing in view, the invention in one aspect
resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0008] a frame or other foundation;
[0009] biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation;
and
[0010] a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones
of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other
foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones
of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to
tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively
connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof,
and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to
bias said mats upwards; and wherein
[0011] adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent
portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means
arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
[0012] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0013] a frame or other foundation;
[0014] biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation
and extending therefrom;
[0015] a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to
selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said
frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of
said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats
outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being
supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their
respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing
means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and
wherein
[0016] said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other
by other biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one
mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to
bias adjacent mats towards each other.
[0017] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0018] a frame or other foundation;
[0019] a plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above said
frame or other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of said
plurality being connected to each other by biasing means extending
from one of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing means in use
being arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards each other.
[0020] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0021] a frame or other foundation;
[0022] first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
[0023] a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or
semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being
arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
[0024] said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at
selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and
wherein
[0025] the adjacent mats or mat segments are connected to each
other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or mat
segments towards each other.
[0026] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0027] a frame or other foundation;
[0028] first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
[0029] a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or
semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being
arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
[0030] said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at
selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and
wherein
[0031] padding is interposed between the second biasing means and
the continuous or semi-continuous mat, said padding including
locating means adapted to engage said second biasing means at said
selected locations to hold said padding in a predetermined
position.
[0032] Preferably, the padding provides a cavity or channel adapted
to at least partially house the coil springs of the third biasing
means. The padding also provides locating or engagement means for
locating the padding on the hoop springs or engaging the padding
with the hoop springs. The passing is held in place along the axis
of the hoop springs by cavities extending into the lower face of
the padding. The padding is held in place circumferentially of the
hoop springs by its position between the mats and also by the coil
spring being laid across the upper face of the channels. The
placement of the cover over the padding may also assist in
retaining the padding in its operative position.
[0033] The padding serves to protect a jumper from a hard landing
if a foot or hand lands directly on a hoop spring or coil spring as
well as to protect the cover from excessive wear. The cover adds to
the protection afforded to the jumper. The cover is adapted to
slide at least in part over the top of the padding and the coil
springs, the coil springs can stretch and retract within the
channel or cavity as would occur when the mat is displaced nearby
by a jumper. It will be appreciated that the bounce characteristics
of the mat and the join by virtue of the second and third biasing
means may be adjusted, for example, so that the mat provides a
freer bounce and the joint provides a tighter bounce or vice
versa.
[0034] Preferably, selected second ones of said biasing means or
said second biasing means are hoop springs. Preferably, the
connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a resilient
connection provided by third biasing means arranged to bias
adjacent mats towards each other. Preferably, the second biasing
means is arranged substantially below the third biasing means.
[0035] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a method of joining trampoline mats, including:
[0036] connecting a plurality of jumping mats to each other in side
by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to
provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat,
[0037] connecting the continuous or semi-continuous mat first
biasing means above a frame or foundation about its periphery to
bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;
[0038] supporting said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said
frame or foundation by second biasing means at selected locations
spaced inward from said periphery; and
[0039] pulling adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other by
third biasing means arranged to connect the adjacent mats or mat
segments to each other.
[0040] The mat segments may be constituted by a plurality of mats
joined together by non-resilient joiners or may be a larger mat
with the third biasing means or part of the third biasing means
being arranged across the mat from one side to the other to provide
two or more mat portions. The third biasing means is arranged to
bias or pull the two or more portions towards one another,
producing a fold, crease or pleat across the mat. Such an
arrangement may limit the extent or the stretch of the mat to the
length of the mat segment.
[0041] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0042] a frame or other foundation;
[0043] first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
[0044] a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or
semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being
arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
[0045] said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at
selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;
[0046] third biasing means connecting the adjacent mats or mat
segments to each other and arranged to bias the adjacent mats or
mat segments towards each other, and wherein
[0047] the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the
third biasing means and includes a hoop spring formed from a plate
and supplementary biasing means operatively connected to said hoop
spring to bias opposed sides of said hoop spring towards each
other.
[0048] The hoop spring may be formed from a plate, band or the
like, for example, a leaf spring. The leaf spring may comprise
multiple leaves or leaf segments.
[0049] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0050] a frame or other foundation;
[0051] first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
[0052] a plurality of jumping mats connected to said first biasing
means above said frame or foundation about the periphery of the
plurality of jumping mats, said first biasing means being arranged
to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality
of mats being operatively connected to each other in side by side
relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof;
[0053] said second biasing means being arranged to support said
plurality of mats above said frame or foundation substantially
along the connection between adjacent mats;
[0054] padding interposed between said second biasing means and the
adjacent mats, said padding including engagement means to retain
the connection between adjacent mats above said second biasing
means.
[0055] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0056] a frame or other foundation;
[0057] a jumping mat or a plurality of jumping mats connected to
each other in side by side relationship to form a continuous or
semi-continuous jumping mat;
[0058] first biasing means operatively connected to said continuous
or semi-continuous jumping mat about its periphery and to said
frame or other foundation so as to bias said continuous or
semi-continuous jumping mat to keep it taut;
[0059] second biasing means arranged to support said continuous or
semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected
locations spaced inward from said periphery;
[0060] third biasing means operatively connected to said frame or
other foundation under said jumping mat, said second biasing means
being connected to said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat
in selected locations spaced inwards from said periphery and
arranged to bias one or more selected portions of said continuous
or semi-continuous jumping mat towards an adjacent portion.
[0061] Preferably, the padding is also shaped to provide a
connection to the first biasing means by being shaped to locate the
padding in operative disposition above the first biasing means.
Preferably, a cover is provided on top of the connection between
adjacent mats to cover the padding and the connection.
[0062] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a method of joining trampoline mats, including:
[0063] providing a plurality of trampoline mats;
[0064] providing mat biasing means peripheral biasing means and
upward biasing means;
[0065] joining the mats to each other at their adjacent edges or
edge portions by said mat biasing means for biasing each mat
towards an adjacent mat to form a trampoline mat assembly;
[0066] resiliently supporting the trampoline mat assembly by at
least two of its peripheral edges to said peripheral biasing means;
and
[0067] supporting the adjacent edges of the mats by said upward
biasing means.
[0068] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0069] a frame or other foundation;
[0070] biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation
and extending therefrom;
[0071] a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to
selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said
frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of
said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats
outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being
supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their
respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing
means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and
wherein
[0072] said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other
by third biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one
mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to
bias adjacent mats towards each other.
[0073] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline
including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system
including:
[0074] a resilient joint support for supporting a mat connector
connecting adjacent trampoline mats above a support frame or
support surface for downward and lateral displacement of the mat
connector with part of at least one of the trampoline mats under a
load;
[0075] the mat connector including: [0076] tensioning means
operatively interposed between and connected to spaced adjacent
trampoline mats for providing tension towards each other; and
[0077] a cover strip having a width sufficient for covering the
tensioning means and an edge portion of the adjacent trampoline
mats, the cover strip being selected to resiliently accommodate
lateral relative displacement of the mats towards and away from
each other upon extension and retraction of the tensioning
means.
[0078] Preferably, the tensioning means are provided by a plurality
of coil springs extending between the adjacent edges of the
adjacent trampoline mats. It is also preferred that the mat springs
are coil springs having two opposed ends, each end being attached
to an edge of the adjacent trampoline mats to extend therebetween.
Preferably, the resilient joint support is provided by a plurality
of hoop springs aligned in spaced relationship along a hoop spring
axis passing substantially centrally through each hoop spring.
[0079] The hoop springs may be formed by various means, a preferred
method being to bend a length of spring steel or a similarly
resilient material until its ends meet and possibly overlap, the
leaf spring thus being formed substantially into a circular form.
Preferably, each hoop spring is reinforced by a laterally arranged
extension coil spring extending diametrically across the hoop
spring. The springs extending across the hoop springs may be of
much the same form as the springs connecting adjacent mats. For
convenience, the springs connecting the mats may be referred to as
mat springs and the springs extending across the hoop springs may
be referred to as frame springs. Each hoop is substantially
circular, being formed from plate spring steel and is of
substantially cylindrical form. An imaginary plane extends inward
from the centreline of each plate to span the space enclosed by the
cylinder and contains the point at the centre thereof. For
convenience, this plane will be referred to as the hoop spring
plane.
[0080] The hoop springs may also include one or more additional
leaves extending part way circumferentially around the hoop. One
arrangement is for each hoop spring to have a primary hoop of
substantially circular form and for the additional leaves to extend
symmetrically upward around the outside of the primary hoop in
close engagement therewith or biased against the outside of the
primary hoop. At least one of the additional leaves may be provided
in a segmental form, preferably the outermost additional leaf. That
is to say, at least one of the additional leaves is generally of
arcuate form, but the arcuate form is made up from a plurality of
straight sections extending end to end at an obtuse angle.
[0081] Each hoop spring preferably includes a covering of textile
material. Preferably, the covering includes a flange portion
extending inwardly from each side of the hoop spring and coincident
with the hoop spring plane, extending part way above and below the
lateral diameter of the hoop spring. The frame springs are
interposed between the flange portions and held taught in their
positions by the tension of the frame springs. A metal plate,
referred to for convenience hereinafter as a flange plate, is
enclosed within at least a part of each flange portion to prevent
the frame spring from tearing through the textile of the flange
portion.
[0082] The hoop springs may also be interconnected to each other by
interconnection means to assist in stabilising the disposition of
each spring. The interconnection means may include a tensioned
cable extending through each flange plate. The position of the
cable is diametrically outward from the ends of the frame springs.
Alternatively, the interconnection means may include elongate
resilient stiffening means attached to the outside of the hoop
springs. The elongate stiffening means is provided at least
somewhat parallel to the joint between the mats, preferably
extending along from hoop spring to hoop spring and connected,
fixed or fastened thereto. In one form, the elongate stiffening
means is in the form of one or more flexible rods, pipes or plates
attached to opposed sides of the hoop springs, preferably
diametrically opposed to each other.
[0083] The rods or pipes may be circular or elliptical in cross
section, the shape of the cross section being selected to provide
different stiffness in one direction compared to the stiffness in
the direction at right angles thereto. For example, the cross
section may be elliptical with the major axis upright, or a plate
may be provided in an upright orientation, so that the elongate
stiffening member is less flexible in the upright dimension than in
the lateral dimension at right angles thereto. The elongate
resilient stiffening means is provided to permit the resilient
strain of one hoop spring to be transferred at least in part to one
or more adjacent hoop springs.
[0084] Preferably, the cover strip is in the form of a cover
assembly having a substantially inextensible portion and two
extensible portions, one alongside each side edge of the
substantially inextensible portion. The substantially inextensible
portion of the cover assembly may include a central portion and two
edge portions. In such form, the edge portions are each are formed
from trampoline mat material and joined to an elastic portion. Each
elastic portion is joined to one side edge of the central portion.
In other words, the cover assembly, taken from one edge to the
other, has an edge portion joined to an elastic portion which in
turn is joined to the central portion, which in turn is joined to
the other elastic portion which in turn is joined to the other edge
portion. The edge portions of the cover assembly and the edges of
the trampoline mats have attachment means, such as hook and loop
fastener, for fastening or attaching the cover assembly to the
edges of adjacent trampoline mats. In such form, the adjacent mats
are joined to each other by the cover assembly.
[0085] Foam having selected characteristics is preferably included
in the cover assembly to reduce impact of the cover assembly with
the hoop springs supporting the joint. Other materials to resist
frictional wear may also be included. The cover assembly may be
attached to the edges of the adjacent mats by a hook and loop
fastener as hereinbefore described, but other types of fastener may
be used, such as zipper, stitching, hooks, buttons or such
like.
[0086] Preferably, the foam is shaped to engage with an upper
portion of each of several hoop springs on the underside of the
foam and with the coil springs connecting the trampoline mats on
the upper side. In such form, the foam is provided as a padding
assembly operatively interposed between the individual elements of
the tension means. The padding assembly may include an upper pad
sized to fit under the cover assembly and a plurality of
interpositional pads for operative interposition between the coil
springs of the tension means. In such form, the interpositional
pads may be attached to the underside of the cover assembly.
[0087] In a preferred form, the padding assembly has three layers.
The lower layer is an elongate strip extending along and between
the edges of adjacent trampoline mats and having rectangular
cavities penetrating therethrough at regular intervals in register
with the upper portions of the hoop springs. An intermediate layer
is bonded to the upper face of the lower layer and is provided in
the form of discrete substantially rectangular forms spaced from
each other by the width of the coil springs connecting the adjacent
mats. The rectangular forms have a width commensurate with the
spacing between the coil springs and a length commensurate with,
but less than, the length of the coil springs. Due to the
arrangement of the spacings between the hoop springs and the coil
springs, the intermediate layer covers the rectangular penetrations
in the lower layer.
[0088] The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise
composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular forms
of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular, but more
preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width is the same
as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, but the length
is selected to be that of the spacing between the edges of the
adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby overhanging the ends
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer. Such an arrangement
permits the overhang of the upper layer to be displaced downward
when the trampoline mat is displaced downwards under load.
Preferably, each layer has the same thickness.
[0089] The trampoline according to the invention may be laid out to
cover a square or rectangular area and surrounded at least in part
by further trampolines extending upwards from the periphery of the
rectangle at an oblique angle to form a trampoline court. It will
be appreciated that the oblique angle may be vertical.
[0090] Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention
resides broadly in a trampoline court including;
[0091] a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor
and
[0092] a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge to
each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at least
part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique angle
thereto,
[0093] the periphery of the first plurality of trampoline mats
being supported above a frame or other foundation by first biasing
means arranged to bias said plurality of mats outwards to tension
said mats;
[0094] second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other
foundation below said plurality of mats spaced inwardly from said
periphery of the first and second plurality of trampoline mats for
biasing the first plurality of trampoline mats upward and for
biasing the second plurality of mats upward at a complementary
angle to the oblique angle;
[0095] the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the
resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by third
biasing means for biasing the edges of the trampoline mats towards
each other to form a resilient joint therebetween;
[0096] each resilient joint being supported said second biasing
means; and wherein
[0097] said second biasing means includes a hoop spring and
additional biasing means for biasing opposed sides of the hoop
towards each other.
[0098] The periphery of the resilient floor may be supported in the
traditional manner of supporting trampoline mats, such as coil, rod
or leaf springs. However, it is preferred that the edge of the
peripheral floor be supported by a rigid or semi rigid frame member
along each edge and the mat or mats being connected thereto by
non-extendible connectors. In such form, the rigid or semi-rigid
frame member is supported by a plurality of springs in spaced
relationship along the member. The springs extend between the
member and a rigid support frame supported on or above the
ground.
[0099] Alternatively, the trampoline mats along one or more edges
may be supported on a curved frame, in particular, a frame to which
the second biasing means has two straight portions and a bend or
curve joining the two straight portions. In such form, the first
and second plurality of jumping mats become merged, the oblique
jumping mats being contiguous with the jumping mats along one or
more edges of the resilient floor.
[0100] Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention
resides broadly in a trampoline having a mat resiliently supported
by its edges above the ground by a support frame, at least one edge
of the mat having a rigid or semi-rigid frame member attached
thereto by substantially inextensible attachment means and a
tension means interconnecting the rigid or semi-rigid frame member
frame and the support frame.
[0101] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline
including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system
including:
[0102] a housing and two hollow connecting blocks;
[0103] the housing including means such as a passage for connecting
a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least
one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the two hollow
connecting blocks in substantially parallel relationship, the
cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face of the housing
for connection of the edge portions of adjacent mats to be
connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing for
fitting the connecting blocks thereto, the housing being so made
and arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the
opening to the upper face.
[0104] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a mat
connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline
including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system
including:
[0105] a housing and a connecting block;
[0106] the housing including means such as a passage for connecting
a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least
one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the connecting
block, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face of
the housing for connection of the edge portions of adjacent mats to
be connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing
for fitting the connecting block thereto, the housing being so made
and arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the
opening to the upper face, the connecting block having two
longitudinal spaced apart passages and each longitudinal passage
having an opening thereto along its length for receiving therein
the edge portion of a mat.
[0107] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline mat joiner for connecting adjacent trampoline mats to a
plurality of springs extending below the trampoline mats, the
trampoline mat connector being made up from a plurality of strips
of flexible material laid up on top of each other, the layers
including:
[0108] a joining layer having [0109] joining means for detachably
joining the joining layer to the plurality of springs and [0110]
attachment means on the upper side and along of each side edge;
[0111] a padding layer having [0112] a width less than that of the
attachment layer disposed above the connecting layer;
[0113] a joining layer above the padding layer and having [0114] a
width greater than that of the padding layer, [0115] complementary
attachment means on the lower side along each side edge for
detachable attachment to the attachment means of the connecting
layer to form an elongate passage for retaining the padding layer
and [0116] primary retaining means on the upper side along each
side edge; and
[0117] a cover layer above the joining layer and having [0118] a
width greater than that of the joining layer and [0119] secondary
retaining means on the lower side along each side edge, [0120] the
trampoline mats each having complementary retaining means on the
upper and lower faces along at least one edge of the mat for
engagement between the primary and secondary retaining means
whereby the mats may be joined to each other and connected to at
least some of the springs.
[0121] Preferably, the cover layer is in the form of the cover
assembly hereinbefore described.
[0122] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
detachable mat for a trampoline having a mat connector attached to
a trampoline frame, the mat connector including:
[0123] a housing and a hollow connecting block;
[0124] the housing including means such as a passage for connecting
a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least
one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the hollow
connecting, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face
of the housing for connection of an edge portions of the mats to be
connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing for
fitting the connecting block thereto, the housing being so made and
arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the
opening to the upper face.
[0125] Preferably, the layers of the trampoline mat connector are
formed of a material of greater elasticity than the main part of
the mat.
[0126] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
detachable trampoline mat for a trampoline having a frame and a
trampoline mat connector connected to a plurality of springs
extending below the trampoline mat to the frame, the trampoline mat
connector being made up from a plurality of strips of flexible
material laid up on top of each other, the layers including:
[0127] a connecting layer having [0128] connecting means for
detachably connecting the connecting layer to the plurality of
springs and [0129] attachment means on the upper side and along a
side edge;
[0130] a padding layer having [0131] a width less than that of the
attachment layer disposed above the connecting layer;
[0132] a joining layer above the padding layer and having [0133] a
width greater than that of the padding layer, [0134] complementary
attachment means on the lower side along an inner side edge for
detachable attachment to the attachment means of the connecting
layer and [0135] a seam along the along the other side edge, being
the outer side edge, the seam joining the joining layer to the
connecting layer to form an elongate passage for retaining the
padding layer and [0136] primary retaining means on the upper side
along the inner side edge; and
[0137] a cover layer above the joining layer and having [0138] a
width greater than that of the joining layer and [0139] secondary
retaining means on the lower side along an inner side edge,
[0140] the trampoline mat having complementary retaining means on
the upper and lower faces along at least one edge of the mat for
engagement between the primary and secondary retaining means
whereby the mat may be detachably joined to the mat connector and
connected to at least some of the springs.
[0141] Preferably, the attachment means, complementary attachment
means, retaining means and complementary retaining means are
constituted by hook and loop fastener strips of the hook and loop
or velour crochet type. It is also preferred that the cover layer
includes an extra strip of hook and loop fastener to prevent the
cover layer peeling back off the jumping mats.
[0142] Preferably, the flexible material of each strip is
substantially inextensible. In an alternative form, the flexible
material is extensible across the width of the strips. In a
preferred form, a cover layer is provided in the form of the cover
assembly hereinbefore described. It will be appreciated that where
extensible material is used for the layers or part thereof, it is
not necessary that the padding layer be extensible or as extensible
as the other layers.
[0143] The mats may be connected to the cylindrical leaf springs
via mat connectors which hold the adjoining mats a predetermined
distance above the leaf springs. Advantageously, the configuration
of the cylindrical leaf springs allows the mat portion at the joint
to be an active part of the mat, allowing users to jump on the
joint. The configuration also allows the cylindrical leaf springs
to "roll" by deforming the cylindrical shape and thereby providing
a horizontal component of bias to the mat at the connecting edge
(or joint) when a person jumps on one mat as well as an upwards or
vertical component of bias.
[0144] Where abutting mat connectors or spaced apart mat connectors
are used, the mat connectors along the connection portions of
adjacent mats may be themselves be joined by flexible or semi-rigid
longitudinal connecting means such as hollow fibreglass bars or
rods selected and arranged to allow the connectors to work together
to some extent by transmitting forces to adjacent connectors in a
diminishing order. In that respect, it will be appreciated that
each pair of adjoining mats may be joined together by a plurality
of connectors and both mats will be attached to each connector. In
such form it is also preferred that the flexible or semi-rigid
connecting means be secured together between adjacent connectors by
securing means such as steel clips selected and arranged to prevent
such connecting means from separating.
[0145] It is also preferred that the connectors have a rigid outer
housing or casing which is adapted to be connected to the relevant
leaf spring against relative movement therebetween and that the
adjoining mats be connected to the connector against relative
movement therebetween. In that respect, the housing includes
recesses or cavities adapted to receive therein the longitudinal
connecting means.
[0146] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline assembly including:
[0147] a frame;
[0148] a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending therefrom; and
[0149] first and second jumping mats connected to selected ones of
the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side
relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of each of the
mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free ends, the leaf
springs being connected to the frame intermediate the free ends and
portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of the free ends being
above the frame and spaced apart along the portion of the mats to
which they are connected and wherein one of the mats is connected
to the leaf spring at or adjacent one of the free ends and the
other of the mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent
the other of the free ends to provide alternate connections for the
first and second mats.
[0150] In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline including:
[0151] a frame;
[0152] a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending therefrom; and
[0153] a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected ones of
the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side
relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of each of the
mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free ends, the leaf
springs being connected to the frame intermediate the free ends and
portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of the free ends being
above the frame and spaced apart along the portion of the mats to
which they are connected and wherein one of the plurality of mats
is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent one of the free ends
and an adjacent one of the plurality of mats is connected to the
leaf spring at or adjacent the other of the free ends so as to bias
adjacent side by side jumping mats towards each other.
[0154] Selected leaf springs may be comprised of pairs of opposed
leaf springs, the leaf springs of each of the pairs being connected
to the frame at or adjacent one end and diverging away from the
frame and curving inwards towards each other towards the other end
so as to provide a substantially horizontal portion above the frame
and have a connector connecting the substantially horizontal
portions of the pair of leaf springs such that they move together
with the transfer forces from one mat to the adjacent mat.
[0155] The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a
plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending
therefrom; and first and second jumping mats operatively connected
to each other along a connecting portion of each thereof and to
selected first ones of the biasing means above the frame in side by
side relation, the selected first ones of the biasing means being
arranged to bias the first and second mats outwards to tension the
mats and the first and second mats being operatively connected to
selected second ones of the biasing means along the connecting
portions, the second biasing means being arranged to bias the first
and second mats upwards.
[0156] The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a
plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending
therefrom; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to each other
along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected
first ones of the biasing means respectively above the frame in
side by side relation, the selected first ones of the biasing means
being arranged to bias the plurality of mats outwards to tension
the mats and the plurality of mats being operatively connected to
selected second ones of the second biasing means along their
respective connecting portions, the second biasing means being
arranged to bias the plurality of mats upwards.
[0157] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline court including;
[0158] a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor
and
[0159] a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge to
each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at least
part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique angle
thereto,
[0160] the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the
resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by biasing
means for biasing the edges towards each other to form a resilient
joint therebetween;
[0161] each resilient joint being supported on a resilient joint
support for supporting the joint at a rest position such that
displacement of either or both of the adjacent mats is resiliently
accommodated by stretching of the joint between the adjacent mats
and flexure of the hoop spring whereby the joint may move laterally
or downward or both from the rest position.
[0162] In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in
a trampoline including:
[0163] a frame;
[0164] a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending upwardly therefrom; and
[0165] a plurality of jumping mats joined to each other along their
respective adjacent edges and supported on said biasing means in
side by side relation, each biasing means including a hoop spring,
the connection of said hoop spring to said frame being
substantially directly below the joint between the adjacent mats
such that application of a force on either adjacent mat is
resiliently accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring such that
the joint between the mats on the hoop spring moves laterally with
respect to the connection of the hoop spring to the frame and
application of a downward force to both adjacent mats is
accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring such that the joint
between the mats moves downwards.
[0166] The biasing means each may comprise a leaf spring forming a
loop which is closed at the top adjacent the mat and connects to
the frame at the bottom. In other words, in such form, the leaf
spring has two opposed ends which connect to the frame and from
which the leaf spring extends outwards and upwards for a
predetermined distance and then upwards and inwards to form a leaf
spring of substantially cylindrical form--"the cylindrical leaf
springs" and/or "loop springs" hereinbefore described.
[0167] The free edge portions of the connecting portions of the
adjoining mats may be secured to the longitudinal connecting means,
for example by engaging in slots provided therein. The longitudinal
connecting means may be encased in a flexible and resilient
material such as rubber and that the flexible and resilient
material be shaped to provide a relatively sharp of abrupt corner
at the line where the connecting mats adjoin so as to give the
appearance of continuity of the mat across the joint.
[0168] The layers of the trampoline mat connector may be formed of
a material of greater elasticity than the main part of the mat in
order to reduce the effect of "double bounce" from a person
simultaneously jumping on an adjacent mat. It is believed that the
elastic material selected should approximate as closely as possible
spaced apart horizontal coil springs along the length of the
connecting portions.
[0169] The biasing means may all be leaf springs and in such form,
all the leaf springs which are not connecting the mat along
adjoining mats may extend upwardly from the frame. Such leaf
springs may be sized so as to bend generally in only one direction,
for example, in the case of a square mat, the leaf springs would
only bend inwards and outwards towards the opposite side of the
mat, which would generally include an up and down component as well
but no sideways component. That is to say the axis of each spring
would bend in a vertical plane only.
[0170] Each leaf spring may comprise a plurality of laminated
elongate layers of spring steel over a substantial portion of its
length. In one such form selected to meet desired rebound
characteristics for the mat, the leaf spring comprises different
numbers of layers at different places along its length. It is
preferred that the springs along and supporting the joint be shaped
to provide more up and down bending upon a person jumping on the
region of the joint as well as the joint itself than the springs
located at the outside of the mats, that is, where the mats do not
adjoin another mat bout the periphery of the assembly of jumping
mats.
[0171] The term "leaf spring" used herein is generally intended to
refer to leaf springs having a rectangular cross section. However,
it is to be understood that leaf springs of other cross sections
which might not generally be considered as "leaf springs" are
intended to be included within the scope of that term, unless
clearly not appropriate. For example, leaf springs of square cross
section or round cross section which are capable of carrying out
the equivalent function of the leaf springs described and
illustrated are herein referred to as "leaf springs".
[0172] In a preferred form, the invention resides broadly in
trampoline or trampoline system including:
[0173] a frame or other foundation;
[0174] first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
[0175] a plurality of jumping mats or mat segments operatively
connected to each other in side by side relationship along
respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially
continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or
semi-continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means
above said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first
biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or
semi-continuous mat outwards;
[0176] said second biasing means including a plurality of hoop
springs upwardly biasing said continuous or semi-continuous mat
above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward
from said periphery;
[0177] the adjacent mats or mat segments being connected to each
other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or mat
segments towards each other; and wherein
[0178] the third biasing means includes extension springs attached
to the edges or edge portions of the adjacent mats or mat portions
and further including a resiliently elastic cover and padding
interposed between the cover and the hoop springs, the padding
having locating means for locating the padding on the hoop springs
and a plurality of channels for housing the extension springs of
the third biasing means.
[0179] Preferably, the trampoline or trampoline system includes a
rigid or semi rigid frame member interposed between the periphery
the first biasing means. Preferably, the plurality of mats or mat
segments is connected to the rigid or semi rigid frame member by
flexible non-extendible connectors for spacing the periphery from
the rigid or semi rigid member. The first biasing means may include
a plurality of coil springs extending outward from the rigid or
semi rigid member and substantially coplanar with the mats or mat
segments, or alternatively, or in addition thereto, a plurality of
leaf springs arranged angularly to the mats or mat segments to
provide the outward biasing.
[0180] Preferably, the hoop springs include supplementary biasing
means arranged to bias the sides of the hoop springs towards each
other substantially parallel to the mats or mat segments.
Preferably, interconnection means are provided in the form of a two
or more cables extending through the hoops and linked thereto such
that at least some of displacement of one hoop is transferred to
one or more hoops adjacent thereto.
[0181] The present invention lends itself to banks of trampoline
mats of different polygonal shapes, particularly hexagonal mats
which provide for better support in the corners than square or
rectangular trampolines. In such form, polygonal mats are
preferably joined edge to edge by the trampoline mat connector
system according to the present invention.
[0182] In order that the invention may be more readily understood
and put into practice reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0183] FIG. 1 is a pictorial and partly exploded view of a
trampoline park having a trampoline and mat connectors for
trampolines according the invention;
[0184] FIG. 2a is a pictorial view of a portion of the support
frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;
[0185] FIG. 2b is a pictorial view of a portion of another support
frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;
[0186] FIG. 2c is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support
frame of FIG. 2a;
[0187] FIG. 2d is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support
frame of FIG. 2b;
[0188] FIG. 3a is a pictorial view of a part of an edge frame
support assembly for supporting an edge portion of a trampoline mat
according to the invention;
[0189] FIG. 3b is a pictorial view of another part of the edge
frame support assembly of FIG. 3a;
[0190] FIG. 4a is pictorial, partly disassembled view of a part of
two adjacent trampoline mats showing a joint and a cover assembly
extending therebetween as supported by the support frame of FIGS.
1a or 1b;
[0191] FIG. 4b is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from a
different angle;
[0192] FIG. 4c is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from
underneath;
[0193] FIG. 4d is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from another
angle;
[0194] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of a trampoline mat
joint and cover assembly without the support frame;
[0195] FIG. 6 is another diagrammatic pictorial view of the
trampoline mat joint and cover assembly without the support
frame;
[0196] FIG. 7a is a pictorial view of part of a trampoline mat
connector according to the invention with part of a cover assembly
peeled back to reveal elements normally hidden from view;
[0197] FIG. 7b is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of FIG. 7a with the cover assembly removed and the edges of the
trampoline mat peeled back to show elements normally hidden from
view;
[0198] FIG. 7c is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
with the cover assembly removed of FIG. 7b with the edges of the
mats in their normal disposition;
[0199] FIG. 7d is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of FIG. 7c with the padding assembly lifted;
[0200] FIG. 7e is a pictorial view of part of an alternative cover
assembly;
[0201] FIG. 8a is a pictorial view showing the corner mounting
arrangements for oblique trampoline mats extending upward from the
edges of the joined trampoline mats;
[0202] FIG. 8b is a pictorial view showing generally the underside
of the obliquely mounted trampolines;
[0203] FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a cover assembly for covering
the other elements used for joining the jumping mats illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2d;
[0204] FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a trampoline mat connector
according to the invention viewed from below and one end;
[0205] FIG. 11 is an exploded pictorial view of the trampoline mat
connector of FIG. 10;
[0206] FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of FIG. 10 viewed from above and one end;
[0207] FIG. 13 is an end view of the alternative trampoline mat
connector of FIG. 11;
[0208] FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of a modification of the
alternative trampoline mat connector viewed from below and one
end;
[0209] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the trampoline park of FIG. 1;
[0210] FIG. 16 is a pictorial view a portion of the trampoline park
of FIG. 1;
[0211] FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of part of the
frame for the trampoline park of FIG. 1;
[0212] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a frame support for the
trampoline park of FIG. 15;
[0213] FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of the frame support of FIG.
18;
[0214] FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of a spring arrangement for the
trampoline park of FIG. 1;
[0215] FIG. 21 is an end view of the spring arrangement illustrated
in FIG. 20;
[0216] FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of the
alternative connector of FIG. 14;
[0217] FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a tube
connection arrangement;
[0218] FIG. 24 is another view of the alternative connector of FIG.
14;
[0219] FIG. 25 is a schematic pictorial representation of a portion
of a double mat trampoline showing the mat connector fitting and
cylindrical leaf spring in part;
[0220] FIG. 26 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of
FIG. 25;
[0221] FIG. 27 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of
FIG. 17 with a slightly different connector;
[0222] FIG. 28 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part
of another trampoline according to the invention; and
[0223] FIG. 29 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part
of another trampoline according to the invention which is similar
to the one shown in FIG. 20;
[0224] The trampoline park 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be
considered as a trampoline system, trampoline field or trampoline
park or for use in a trampoline park. The trampoline includes a
frame 01 supported on a floor 02 or other foundation. Biasing means
is mounted on or to said frame or other foundation and is described
in more detail later. A plurality of jumping mats shown typically
at 03 is connected to selected first ones of the biasing means 04
above the frame or other foundation in side by side relationship,
the selected first ones of the biasing means being arranged around
the periphery of the plurality of jumping mats to bias the
plurality of mats outwards to tension the mats. The mats are
operatively connected to each other along respective edge portions
thereof shown typically at 05, and selected second ones of the
biasing means are mounted on or to the frame or other foundation
below said plurality of mats. Adjacent mats are connected to each
other along adjacent portions by selected third ones of the biasing
means and arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other. The
second ones of the biasing means are located below the connections
between the mats as described in more detail in respect of FIGS. 2a
to 2d. The third ones of the biasing means are illustrated in more
detail in FIGS. 4a to 6.
[0225] An oblique wall 06 surrounds most of the trampoline leaving
an access opening in one side. The oblique wall is formed of
trampoline jumping mats supported and connected in similar
arrangement to the plurality of jumping mats, but at an oblique
angle extending upwards from the edge of the trampoline. A safety
wall or net 07 is mounted to the upper edges of the oblique
trampolines.
[0226] The first ones of the biasing means are mounted to the frame
to form a trampoline support frame 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2a to
2d. The trampoline support frame includes a plurality of hoop
springs shown typically at 13 spaced substantially regularly from
each other along a hoop axis and also being substantially parallel
to each other. The hoop springs are supported on a frame member 27,
each hoop spring being fastened to the frame member by a bolt shown
typically at 28.
[0227] Each hoop spring has a laterally arranged coil spring shown
typically at 11 interposed between two lateral straps shown
typically at 12 in FIGS. 2a and 12a in FIG. 2b, the lateral straps
and lateral spring coinciding substantially with the lateral
diameter of the hoop spring. The lateral straps 12 shown in FIG. 2a
are oriented substantially vertically, whereas the lateral straps
12a in FIG. 2b are oriented substantially horizontally. The hoops
are each covered by a sleeve of webbing material and from which the
lateral straps extend diametrically inwardly, also formed from
webbing material. A metal plate shown typically at 17 is encased,
preferably removably, in the lateral straps 12 of FIG. 2a for
attachment of the coil springs which hold the straps in their
diametral disposition across the hoop. The same arrangement is
provided where the trampoline mats are arranged obliquely, the
support frame being tilted at the appropriate angle.
[0228] Two parallel cables 16 as shown in FIG. 2a are fastened to a
cable anchor described below in relation to FIGS. 3b and 8b. In an
alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 2b an elongate stiffening
member 14 is attached to the outside of the hoop springs
substantially at an extension of the lateral diameter of each hoop,
and substantially parallel to the frame member 27. Each stiffening
member is in the form of a hollow pipe in the illustration shown,
but it will be appreciated that the stiffening member could be of
some other form selected according to the flexure characteristics
of the joint and jumping mats. The stiffening members are
resiliently displaced outwards from the centre of the hoops and
downward when a person jumps on the mat or on the joint, there
being a cover provided thereon as described hereinunder.
[0229] The edge frame support assembly 50 shown in FIG. 3a includes
a lower frame member 51 supported above the ground extending
substantially parallel to the edge of a trampoline mat (not shown),
a peripheral frame member 52 supported in spaced disposition from
the frame member upwardly and outwardly therefrom at an elevation
substantially the same as the trampoline mat and an intermediate
bar 52 supported substantially above the frame member and inwardly
from the peripheral frame member.
[0230] The intermediate bar is supported in its position by a
plurality of leaf springs shown typically at 54 extending upwardly
from the lower frame member as well as by a plurality of coil
springs 55 extending between the intermediate bar and the
peripheral frame member and in register with the leaf springs. A
plurality of flexible webs shown typically at 56 extend inward from
the intermediate bar to the mat, the flexible webs being in
register with the coil and leaf springs. The intermediate bar is of
a selected flexibility so that a force on the mat near one of the
leaf and coil springs is transmitted to adjacent leaf and coil
springs by deflection of the mat. The flexible webs provide a "soft
edge" to the trampoline mats, offering substantially no resistance
to downward displacement in and of themselves. The coil springs
have a short chain 57 interposed connecting them to the peripheral
frame member. The relative lengths of the chain and the coil spring
may be adjusted to change the bounce characteristics of the
trampoline.
[0231] A lower oblique mat support member 58 runs parallel to the
lower frame member inwardly therefrom and at substantially the same
elevation. A plurality of oblique coil springs shown typically at
59 resiliently connect an oblique trampoline mat 60 to the frame
oblique mat support member. The coil springs are preferably encased
in a sleeve.
[0232] The joint and cover assembly illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 6
includes a frame support 20a of similar form to that illustrated in
FIGS. 2a to 2d except that the elongate stiffening members or
cables are absent and supplementary spring supports 18 extend from
the lateral diametral points of the hoop springs to a supplementary
frame member (not shown) running parallel to the frame member
27.
[0233] The adjacent jumping mats 21 are connected to each other by
a plurality of mat joining springs 23 and a cover assembly is
arranged to have a substantially inextensible central portion 24
interposed between two extensible strips 25, each extensible strip
being interposed between an opposed edge of the central portion and
a respective side strip 26. Each side strip also provides
attachment to an edge of the appropriate jumping mat along a
complementary attachment strip 29. The side strips and attachment
strips preferably include hook and loop fastener strips, preferably
all of the way along in order to provide sufficient adhesion of the
cover assembly to the adjacent jumping mats.
[0234] The trampoline mat connector 30 illustrated in FIG. 7a
includes a cover assembly 19 of stretchable material having one
part of a hook and loop fastener 19a along each edge for engagement
with the complementary part of the hook and loop fastener along the
edges of the adjacent mats. A padding assembly 30 is interposed
between the cover assembly and the upper portion of the hoop
springs.
[0235] The padding assembly has two or three layers, a lower layer
is in the form of an elongate strip extending along and between the
edge of adjacent trampoline mats and having rectangular cavities
(not shown) penetrating therethrough at regular intervals in
register with the upper portions of the hoop springs. An upper
layer 35 is bonded to the upper face of the lower layer and is
provided in the form of discrete forms spaced from each other by
the width of the coil springs joining the adjacent mats and having
an overhang 36 at each end. The upper layer covers the rectangular
penetrations in the lower layer. In the embodiment illustrated
there are two coil springs between each adjacent pair of hoop
springs.
[0236] The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise
composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular forms
of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular, but more
preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width is the same
as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, but the length
is selected to be that of the spacing between the edges of the
adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby overhanging the ends
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer. Such an arrangement
permits the upper layer to be displaced downward when the
trampoline mat is displaced downwards under load. Preferably, each
layer has the same thickness.
[0237] The alternative padding assembly 30a illustrated in FIG. 7d
includes an elongate top cover pad 31 to which are bonded a
plurality of pads in spaced relationship from each other along the
length of the underside. In a typical arrangement, the top cover
pad is of a length commensurate with the length of the edge of the
trampoline mats being joined together. The springs joining the mats
together are spaced alternately at wide and narrow spacings, the
wide spacings being about twice the width as the narrow spacings.
The filler pads are sized correspondingly, and are referred to for
convenience as wide pads shown typically at 32 and narrow pads 33
shown typically at 33. The spacing between the filler pads is
selected to provide good clearance from the springs passing between
them. The clearance is selected to accommodate possible linear
displacement of parts of the padding assembly due to displacement
of the mat under load.
[0238] The cover assembly 40 illustrated in FIG. 7e has a main
cover strip 41 of stretchable material having a strip of hook and
loop along each edge for firm, but temporary, fastening to the
edges of adjacent mats. A high visibility strip 42, also being
stretchable, may be fastened atop the main cover strip if desired
for indicating the joint between adjacent mats. The high visibility
strip 42 is shown partly unrolled on top of the main cover strip,
the remainder of the high visibility strip for that length of the
joint being shown in a roll 43.
[0239] The cover strips are formed from a material which is
stretchable in one direction, but substantially non-stretchable in
the other direction. For locations where the joints between mats
meet at a three-way or four-way intersection, the material used for
the cover assembly is stretchable in both directions. Because the
cover assembly is subject to frictional contact with other elements
of the trampoline connector according to the invention, it is
readily replaceable by virtue of the hook and loop fasteners.
[0240] The corner mounting arrangements 80 for oblique trampoline
mats illustrated in FIG. 8a shows the arrangement for two oblique
trampoline mats 81 extending upward from the edges of the joined
trampoline mats shown generally at 21. The corner also shows two
edge frame support assemblies intersecting without necessarily
meeting at a right-angle corner. Two oblique frame members 82 are
mounted to the floor 83. A plurality of spring and chain assemblies
shown typically at 86 connect respectively to the edge each oblique
trampoline mat, crossing over or under each other to keep the mats
resiliently taught. The corner between the mats forms a sloping
valley, the oblique trampoline mats in the corners being
trapezoidal to accommodate the sloping valley.
[0241] The underside 90 of the trampoline shown generally in FIG.
8b shows a safety net 91 secured to the underside of the obliquely
mounted trampolines. Further safety nets are mounted to the
underside of the horizontal trampoline mats in similar fashion. A
cable anchor 92 is provided at each end of the frame member to
extend through the hoops. The cables each penetrate the metal plate
of each lateral strap 12 as shown in FIG. 1a. The cable anchor is
provided on each oblique frame member 93 supporting the trampolines
mats which are at an oblique angle. The arrangement permits part of
the deflection of one hoop spring under load to be taken up by one
or more adjacent hoop springs along the hoop axis and extending
from either side where an adjacent hoop spring is provided. The
cables may be tightened to the required tension by a turnbuckle 94
having a nut 95 threadedly engaged therewith.
[0242] The trampoline mat connector 1010 illustrated in FIG. 9
includes a connecting layer 1011 in the form of an elongate strip
of substantially inextensible material. The connecting layer has a
plurality of connecting tabs 1012 in regularly spaced arrangement
along the underside, one of which is shown. The connecting tabs are
smaller strips which are elongate in the same direction as the
elongate dimension of the connecting layer. Each connecting tab is
detachably connectible to one of a plurality of round springs 1013,
one of which is shown. The round springs are also in regularly
spaced arrangement along a frame axis which extends in the same
direction as the elongate dimension of the connecting layer. The
round springs are of circular form as described in our
international application No. PCT/AU2015/000398 ("our earlier
application"). The connecting tabs are formed from hook and loop
fastener material. The connecting layer also has an attachment
strip 1014 running along each side edge on the upper face in the
form of a strip of hook material for a hook and loop fastener. The
arrangements of the present invention may be applied to the
trampoline described in our earlier application for both the
horizontal trampoline mats and the sloping or oblique trampoline
mats.
[0243] A padding layer 1015 is disposed above the connecting layer
and is also in the form of an elongate strip, but the padding layer
is narrower than the connecting layer by at least the width of the
attachment strip. A joining layer 1016 is disposed above the
padding layer and a width greater than that of the padding layer,
the width being about the same as that of the connecting layer. A
complementary attachment strip 1017 is provided on the lower side
along each side edge for detachable attachment to the attachment
strip of the connecting layer. When the attachment strip and
complementary attachment strips are attached to each other, an
elongate passage is provided for retaining the padding layer
between the connecting layer and the joining layer.
[0244] The joining layer also has a primary retaining strip 1018 on
the upper side along each side edge. A cover layer 1019 is disposed
above the joining layer and has a width greater than that of the
joining layer and a secondary retaining strip 1020 on the lower
side along each side edge. The retaining strips are also provided
in the form of the hook material for a hook and loop fastener. The
joining layer is illustrated in FIG. 8 in two parts having a gap in
between, but the joining layer may be a contiguous layer.
[0245] Two adjacent trampoline mats 1021 each have a complementary
retaining strip on both the upper and lower faces at 1022 and 1023
respectively along at least part of the adjacent edges for
engagement between the primary and secondary retaining strips of
the joining and cover layers. By this arrangement, the mats may be
joined to each other and connected to at least some of the
springs.
[0246] The alternative trampoline connector illustrated in FIG. 14
has some of the same elements as the trampoline connector
illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, those elements in common having the
same reference numerals. However, a central strip 1024 is
interposed between the two sides of the connector to permit the
connector to stretch in the transverse direction, that is, in the
direction substantially at right angles to the elongate axis of the
connector. In the modification illustrated in FIG. 14, a first
overlap strap 1025 and a second overlap strap 1026 are provided to
connect the connector to the springs of the trampoline frame.
[0247] The trampoline park 1030 illustrated in FIG. 15 and in part
in FIG. 16 has a plurality of trampolines arranged with their mats
in edge to edge abutting or adjacent relationship, being joined to
each other by the connectors of the present invention. The
trampoline park has a support rail 1027 supporting the springs and
being elevated by a plurality of regularly spaced frame supports
1026 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The support rail also meets
with extended uprights 1028 to support the upper edge of obliquely
arranged trampolines. The obliquely arranged trampolines have their
springs mounted to oblique support rails 1029 in similar fashion to
those of the horizontal support rail shown at 1027.
[0248] Alternative arrangements for mounting the hoop springs are
shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. At the joints between two coplanar
trampolines, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the springs are inserted
into the hollow passage of the support rail through a slit or slot
and fastened in place by a fastener 1028. As shown in FIG. 24,
there is provided a first connecting strip 1031 and a second
connecting strip 1032, the first connecting strip being taken
around the spring and fastened in place by the second connecting
strip. The first and second connecting strips are comprised of a
complementary pair of hook and loop fastening strips.
[0249] The trampoline 810 illustrated in part in FIGS. 25 and 26
has a relatively rigid connector 860 used to connect the mats 821
as will be described in more detail later. Additionally, the two
mats have an elastic edge portion 821a at their adjoining edges.
The leaf springs 827 at the connecting portion of the two mats 821
are similar to the leaf springs illustrated our co-pending
international application No. PCT/AU2015/000398 in that they are
generally cylindrical in form, although they are not helical but
instead have their free ends aligned. However, in trampoline 810,
the cylindrical leaf springs 827 have their free ends secured in
the centre mounting frame member 820 and the upper centre portion
of each spring referenced as item 840 rests in a slot 861 provided
in the connector housing 862.
[0250] The connector housing 862 is constructed of a rigid plastics
material and has a longitudinally extending cavity 864 provided
therein (in the direction of the edges of the mats to be
connected). The cavity opens upwards towards the mat at
longitudinal opening 865 to allow the two mat edge portions to be
fitted therethrough. The cavity also opens to the opposite end
faces 866 and 867. As can be seen in FIGS. 25 and 26, the connector
includes two longitudinally extending slightly flexible but
resilient tubes 871 and 872 (formed of a hardened rubber compound)
which rest in the cavity 864 in slightly spaced apart relationship
and the edge portions of the two mats are fitted over the
respective tubes and engage in slots 871a and 872a provided
therein. It will be appreciated that the outer face of the tubes
engage the inner face of the cavity 864 so as to inhibit rolling of
the tubes and the upper opening 865 is sized to prevent the tubes
rolling out of the cavity. Notably, the tubes 871 and 872 are
shaped to provide relatively sharp corners 871b and 872b to sharpen
the corners of the mat thereby providing a somewhat invisible
joint.
[0251] The edge portions of the mats are also respectively held in
their rubber tubes by flexible fibreglass rods 873 and 874 which
have slots 873a and 874a provided therein along their lengths.
Notably, rods 873 and 874 extend across the full length of the
adjoining mats and connect all the mat connectors 860 connecting
the mats 821 together. That is to say, the fibreglass rods 873 and
874 lock the respective mat edge portions in their respective
rubber tubes 871 and 872 and also hold the connectors together
although the flexibility of the fibreglass rods allows some
relative movement between adjacent connectors. Suitably, in the
trampoline 810 illustrated, the connectors are slightly spaced
apart and a connector "clip" 874 is fitted to the two fibreglass
rods 873 and 874 to hold them together between adjacent connectors
thereby assisting the connector blocks to hold the two mats
together. In this case, the clip is formed of two abutting steel
tubes welded together but in other forms it could be manufactured
of a suitable plastics material.
[0252] Another trampoline mat connector is illustrated in FIGS. 27
and 28. However, in this example, the mats 921 and 922 are held
together by spaced apart strips 973 of hook and loop fasteners such
as that commonly known as "VELCRO" extending fully along the joint
with a cover strip 977 of mat fabric thereover which in turn is
secured to the respective adjoining mats along both edges by
zippers 978 and stitching 979 extending fully across the adjoining
mats. In this case, instead of having hoop springs as in the
trampolines of FIGS. 1 to 28, the biasing means at the joint region
of the two mats includes an elongate hydrostatic air bag 927
extending fully across the two trampoline mats under the joint line
and the mats are secured thereto by a wide strip of hook and loop
fasteners 994 such as "VELCRO".
[0253] As can be seen in FIG. 28 the hydrostatic air bag is secured
to the frame member 920 by leaf springs 971 spaced apart along the
length of the bag which in turn are secure to the bag by strips of
hook and loop fasteners 972. Advantageously the leaf springs bias
the bag to the centre of the frame member 920 as the bag tends to
roll from side to side under the action of persons jumping on the
adjacent mats and the bag accommodates jumping at the joint area
while resiliently supporting the adjoining mats upwards.
[0254] The alternate connection shown in FIG. 29 also uses the
hydrostatic air bag 927 but in this case an "intermediate mat" 981
is connected to the bag by hook and loop fasteners 973 and the two
jumping mats 921 and 922 are connected to the intermediate mat by
hook and loop fasteners 982 and 983. The loops are may be formed by
a strip of webbing cloth which is stitched to the mat on its
underside in a broken manner to provide spaced apart sleeves for
the leaf springs. This arrangement is particularly advantageous
with continuous mats and is relatively simple.
[0255] In use, trampolines according to the invention may be
assembled into a trampoline park, court or field. Such a trampoline
park provides more versatility for games such as dodgeball or
soccer because the players are not confined to bouncing, landing,
walking or standing on the jumping mats themselves.
[0256] The foregoing description has been given by way of
illustrative example of the invention and many modifications and
variations which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as claimed in the following claims.
* * * * *