Trampolines and connectors for trampolines

Abstract

Provided herein is a hoop spring assembly for use in a mat connection system of a trampoline, in which the hoop spring assembly includes a pair of hoop portions hingedly connected by a pair of laterally positioned hinge members and a resilient member, such as an elastic band or coil spring, operably connected to each of the hinge members and extending therebetween. Mat connection systems and trampolines including such a hoop spring assembly are also provided.

Claims

1. A hoop spring assembly for use in a mat connection system of a trampoline, the hoop spring assembly comprising: a first hoop portion and a second hoop portion hingedly and operably connected by a pair of laterally positioned hinge members which each define a pivot point there between; and a resilient member operably connected to each of the pair of laterally positioned hinge members and extending there between.

2. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is operably connected to each of the pair of laterally positioned hinge members by a pair of respective loop members, wherein each of the pair of loop members is pivotably connected to their respective hinge member and extends inwardly therefrom.

3. The hoop spring assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the pair of loop members comprises a pair of arms pivotably connected to their respective pivot point and a retaining bar extending perpendicularly therebetween, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises a series of two or more opposed apertures spaced therealong for receiving an end of the retaining bar therethrough.

4. The hoop spring assembly of claim 3, wherein the position of the retaining bar relative to each arm of the pair of arms is adjustable.

5. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein said hoop spring assembly is disposed angularly within a second hoop, wherein said hoop spring assembly is engaged to said second hoop at a base portion of said second hoop.

6. The hoop spring assembly of claim 5, wherein the second hoop comprises a second resilient member disposed within the second hoop and extending between lateral portions of the second hoop so as to be operably connected thereto.

7. The hoop spring assembly of claim 5, wherein the hoop assembly is disposed perpendicularly within the second hoop.

8. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second hoop portions comprise a leaf spring.

9. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises a coil spring.

10. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises an elastic band.

11. The hoop spring assembly of claim 1, wherein a resting tension of the resilient member is adjustable.

12. A mat connection system for connecting adjacent jumping mats of a trampoline, the mat connection system comprising the hoop spring assembly of claim 1 connected to a frame of the trampoline and underlying a joint portion between first and second jumping mats of the adjacent jumping mats.

13. The mat connection system of claim 12, further comprising a spring member disposed between the first and second jumping mats and operatively connected thereto for biasing the first and second jumping mats towards each other.

14. The mat connection system claim 13, further comprising upper and lower protective layers between which is disposed the spring member.

15. The mat connection system of claim 14, further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the cover layer and the upper protective layer that engages the first and second jumping mats and extends therebetween.

16. The mat connection system of claim 15, wherein the first and second jumping mats each further comprise a skirt extending from a respective end portion thereof so as to be disposed between the intermediate layer and the upper protective layer.

17. The mat connection system of claim 14, further comprising a resiliently compressible portion disposed between the lower protective layer and the hoop spring assembly.

18. The mat connection system of claim 12, further comprising a resilient cover layer configured for covering the joint portion between the first and second jumping mats, wherein the cover layer is adapted to facilitate relative lateral displacement of the first and second jumping mats upon extension and retraction of the spring member.

19. The mat connection system claim 12, further comprising a spring support disposed adjacent and underlying a base portion of the hoop spring assembly and extending circumferentially partly therearound.

20. A trampoline comprising: a frame; a jumping mat; and a hoop spring assembly connected to the frame and being disposed below the jumping mat so as facilitate biasing the jumping mat upwards; said hoop spring assembly comprising a first hoop portion and a second hoop portion hingedly and operably connected by a pair of laterally positioned hinge members which each define a pivot point there between; and a resilient member operably connected to each of the pair of laterally positioned hinge members and extending there between.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some aspects of the prior art and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a pictorial and partly exploded view of a trampoline park having a mat connection system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mat connection system of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is perspective view of the mat connection system of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the mat connection system of FIG. 2;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a hoop spring assembly for resiliently supporting adjoining mats of the trampoline park of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a close up perspective view of a hinge assembly for the hoop spring assembly of FIG. 5; and

(8) FIG. 7 is another close up perspective view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 6; and

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a series of the hoop spring assemblies of FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a further embodiment of a trampoline according to the present invention including a further embodiment of a hoop spring assembly;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional elevation of a multi-mat (or continuous mat) trampoline (or bank of trampolines) similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 9 with rows of the hoop spring assemblies of FIG. 9 at the mat connection regions with four mats and three intermediate (or “centre”) frame cross members with centre springs attached thereto, the end frames and end springs are not shown);

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic close up view of one centre frame cross member of the trampoline depicted in FIG. 9 showing the spaced apart loop springs connected thereto;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) A trampoline park 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and may also be considered a trampoline system, trampoline field or trampoline park or for use in a trampoline park. The trampoline park 10 includes a frame 11 supported on or extending above a floor 12 or other foundation. A plurality of biasing members are mounted on or to the frame 11 as hereinafter described in more detail.

(14) A plurality of jumping mats is shown typically at 13, each jumping mat 13 being connected to a first set of biasing members 14 above the frame 11 in side by side relationship, the first set of biasing members 14 being arranged or disposed around the periphery of the plurality of jumping mats 13 to bias the plurality of jumping mats 13 outwards to afford tension thereto.

(15) Further to the above, the plurality of jumping mats 13 are operatively connected to each other along respective joint portions thereof shown typically at 15. Disposed or positioned below the joint portions 15 are a second set of biasing members (not shown), which are mounted on or to the frame 11 therebelow. At the joint portions 15, adjacent jumping mats 13 are further connected to each other along their respective adjacent outer portions by a third set of biasing members (not shown), which are arranged to bias said adjacent jumping mats 13 towards each other. The second set of biasing members are located below the third set of biasing members and the joint portions 15 between the mats 13 as described in more detail in respect of FIGS. 2 to 11.

(16) An oblique wall 16 surrounds most of the trampoline park and having an opening in one side so as to allow access thereto. The oblique wall 16 is also formed of a plurality of jumping mats 15 supported and connected in a similar arrangement as previously described, but at an oblique angle extending upwards and outwards from an edge of the trampoline park 10. A safety wall or net 17 is mounted on or to an upper edge of the oblique wall 16. In FIG. 1, the safety net 17 is shown exploded from the remainder of the trampoline park 10, but it would be appreciated that in use, the safety net 17 is mounted to and extends substantially upward from the upper edge of the oblique wall 16. That is to say, in the illustration shown, the exploded view of the trampoline park 10 may be reassembled by notionally moving the safety net 17 downwards in the direction of arrows 18 to sit atop the oblique wall 16.

(17) An embodiment of a mat connection system 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. Similar to the other embodiments described herein, the mat connection system 1 is designed for not only connecting and biasing two adjacent mats together, but also providing bounce characteristics similar to that of a trampoline at a joint portion 15 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the mat connection system 1 includes a second set of biasing members comprising a plurality of hinged hoop spring assemblies 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the hoop spring assemblies 30 are substantially regularly spaced axially along the frame 11 so as to define a hoop spring axis.

(18) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hoop spring assembly 30, comprises a first curved or hoop portion 31 and a second curved or hoop portion 32 hingedly and operably joined by a pair of laterally positioned hinge members 26a,b at respective first and second ends of the hoop portions 31, 32. In this regard, the hinge members 26a,b define a pair of respective and diametrically opposed pivot points 27a,b. The hinge assemblies 26a,b function to facilitate hinged movement of the hoop portions 31, 32 relative to each other and about the pivot points 27a,b upon a person jumping on the junction point 15 beneath which the mat connection system 1 is disposed. Preferably, one or both of the first and second hoop portions 31, 32, are or comprise a leaf spring. From FIG. 2, it can be observed that the hoop spring assembly 30 is supported on a cross member 22 of the frame 11 and engaged thereto so as to be held in a substantially stable position in respect of the cross member 22 by a locking plate 23. In order to provide some protection, each of the first and second hoop spring portions 31, 32 are preferably encased in a sleeve of textile material (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a cut-out 31a is provided on a lower face of the spring sleeve encompassing the first hoop portion 31.

(19) The hoop spring assembly 30 may be formed by any means known in the art, such as bending a length of spring steel or a similarly resilient material until the leaf spring thus being formed is in of a substantially semi-circular, arcuate or curved form.

(20) The mat connection system 1 further includes a leaf spring support 23b in the form of a further curved leaf spring that is disposed adjacent and underlying a lower or base portion of the second hoop portion 32 and extends circumferentially partly therearound and proximate thereto.

(21) The hoop spring assembly 30 further comprises a laterally disposed or arranged continuous resilient or elastic loop or band 24 engaged to a pair of opposed retaining assemblies 25a,b and operably disposed therebetween so as to be arranged in a substantially diametrical disposition across the hoop spring assembly 30.

(22) Each of the retaining assemblies 25a,b comprise a pair of planar arms 28a-d that are pivotably connected to the pivot point 27a,b of their respective hinge member 26a,b and extend inwardly therefrom into the central space defined by the hoop spring assembly 30. Extending perpendicularly through and between opposing apertures 29a,b in each of the planar arms 28a-d is a retaining bar 28e,f, which is reversibly fastened thereto by a pair of fastening elements, such as screws, nuts or the like.

(23) As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the elastic band 24 extends around each of the retaining bars 28e,f, so as to maintain the elastic band 24 at an appropriate tension desired by a user. In order to alter the tension of the elastic band and therefore the bounce characteristics of the mat connection assembly 1, the position of the retaining bar 28e,f with respect to the retaining assembly 25a,b may be altered by virtue of the presence of a linear arrangement of further apertures 21a,b spaced along the length of each of the planar arms 28a-d. By way of example, the resting tension of the elastic band 24 may be increased by moving one or both of the retaining bars 28e,f to the further aperture 21a,b of the planar arm 28a-d closer to their respective hinge assembly 26a,b.

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a first jumping mat 40a is connected to a first hooked portion 41a of a first end of a coil spring member 41 by way of a loop-shaped first mat connector 42a, such as a mat shackle. Similarly, a second jumping mat 40b is connected or engaged to a second hooked portion 41b of a second end of the coil spring member 41 by way of a loop-shaped second mat connector 42b. The first and second mat connectors 42a,b are fastened or stitched along the respective lateral side edges of the first and second jumping mats 40a,b so as to be configured to attach to the first and second ends of the coil spring member 41. By virtue of this arrangement, the first and second jumping mats 40a,b are effectively and operably joined together as well as being biased towards each other so as to impart tension to each of the mats 40a,b.

(25) The mat connection system 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 further comprises a cover layer 44, which extends axially as a strip of extensible spandex material or the like overlying the junction point 15. The cover layer 44 has a width sufficient for covering the coil spring member 41 and an edge portion of each of the adjacent first and second jumping mats 40a,b. Preferably, the cover layer 44 is of a material or adapted to resiliently accommodate lateral relative displacement of the first and second jumping mats 40a,b towards and away from each other upon extension and retraction of the coil spring member 41 during use of the trampoline.

(26) Directly underlying and proximate the cover layer 44 is provided above an intermediate layer 45 formed from a strip of carpet or similar textile material. The intermediate layer 45 is attached along respective outer edge portions thereof to an upper surface portion of each of the respective jumping mats 40a,b by a fastener, such as a hook and loop or velour crochet fastener or the like. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the intermediate layer 45 is disposed between the cover layer 44 and an upper protective layer 46 which in turn is laid out above the coil spring member 41 which, as previously described, extends laterally between the adjacent jumping mats 40a,b. The upper protective layer 46 functions at least in part to protect users from contacting the underlying coil spring member 41, and as such may be formed from any durable textile material or the like.

(27) An extension skirt or flap 43a,b, which may be considered as lapping strips or the like, extends outwardly or laterally from a respective end portion of each of the first and second jumping mats 40a,b so as to be disposed between the intermediate layer 45 and the upper protective layer 46. Although the extension flaps 43a,b are shown in FIG. 2 as extending only partway between the intermediate layer 45 and the upper protective layer 46, it is preferred that they each extend further inwardly or centrally of the mat connection system 1 and may even overlap each other by extending between the intermediate layer 45 and the upper protective layer 46. A lower protective layer 47 is further provided which is disposed between the coil spring member 41 and a resiliently compressible portion 48 in the form of a foam pad. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the resiliently compressible portion 48 is operably disposed between the lower protective layer 47 and the first hoop portion 31 so as to facilitate the transfer of upward and downward bounce forces therebetween.

(28) The lower protective layer 47 also includes a skirt portion 49a,b extending laterally from each side edge thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the skirt portion 49a,b extends downwardly toward the hoop spring assembly 30, such that the free ends thereof reach beyond the respective hinge assemblies 26a,b. In the embodiment provided, the skirt 49a,b is formed from jumping mat material, although any suitable material known in the art is contemplated. The skirt 49a,b is attached to an upper surface of the lower protective layer 47 to prevent or decrease wear on the lower protective layer 47 whilst also functioning as a protective curtain for the hoop spring 30.

(29) A body portion 41c of the coil spring member 41 is substantially encased in a cylindrical and corrugated housing or protector 41d. The cylindrical protector 41d is preferably comprised of a suitable plastic material that prevents or limits contact or impact between the coil spring member 41 and the respective overlying and underlying upper and lower protective layers 46, 47 upon a user bouncing on the respective joint portion 15 of the trampoline 10. Accordingly, the protector 41d prevents or inhibits the sawing action of the coil spring member 41 upon the upper and/or lower protective layers 46, 47 upon contact therewith.

(30) The upper and lower protective layers 46, 47 are suitably made from a double layer of resilient textile material, such as jumping mat material, in order to provide an additional layer of support and protection from the coil spring member 41 for a user and distribute their weight across a larger surface area upon bouncing on the respective joint portion 15. It is intended that such an arrangement affords a more level and cushioned bounce when jumping on the joint portion 15. Further, the resiliently compressible portion 48 is provided for additional cushioning and to increase the distance between the cover layer 44 and the first hoop portion 31. It is intended that such an arrangement increases safety to a user and affords a substantially obstruction-free bounce.

(31) A further embodiment of a hoop spring assembly 130, which may be used in respect of the previously described mat connection system 1 as a replacement or alternative to the hoop spring assembly 30, is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7. The hoop spring assembly 130 includes a curved or arcuate first hoop portion 131 hingedly connected at respective free ends thereof to a similarly shaped second hoop portion 132. In the present embodiment, each of the first and second hoop portions 131, 132 comprise leaf springs and are joined at their respective free ends to each other by way of first and second hinge members 135a,b, so as to define a substantially cylindrical space therewithin. The hinge members 135a,b function to facilitate hinged movement of the hoop portions 131, 132 relative to each other and about a respective pivot point 127a,b defined thereby upon a person jumping on the junction point 115 beneath which the hoop spring assembly 130 is disposed.

(32) As can be observed in FIG. 5, a coil spring member 133 extends between the opposed free ends of the first and second hoop portions 131, 132 so as to be in a substantially diametrical disposition across the hoop spring assembly 130. In this regard, the coil spring member 133 is pivotally connected to each of the hinge members 135a,b with at least some tension therebetween by way of respective chain links 134a,b. To this end, the coil spring member 133 has one of the chain links 134a,b at a free end thereof, with each chain link 134a,b being linked to its respective hinge member 135a,b by way of a D-link 136a,b. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative means of operably connecting the coil spring member 133 to each of the hinge members 135a,b as are known in the art are contemplated.

(33) As can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the straight portion of the D-link 136a,b forms the pin for the respective hinge member 135a,b. The combined arrangement of the hoop portions 131, 132, hinge members 135a,b and the coil spring member 133 facilitates the translation of vertical motion to horizontal motion due to the straightening of the curved hoop portions 131, 132 and the lengthening of the coil spring member 133 when a weight or force is applied vertically to the hoop spring assembly 130, when orientated in its normal upright orientation as illustrated in FIG. 5. The arrangement of FIG. 5 is preferred because the coil spring member 133 between the hinge members 135a,b may be damaged if one or both of the hoop portions 131, 132 are depressed to an extent that they may impact and possibly damage the coil spring member 133.

(34) It will be appreciated that the previously described embodiments of the hoop spring assemblies 30, 130 may be tilted for use with the sloping or oblique walls 16 of the trampoline park 10 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the hoop spring assemblies 30, 130 may be used to resiliently support the peripheral edges of a trampoline in conjunction with coil springs attached to the peripheral edge of the respective mat. To this end, the hoop spring assemblies 30, 130 can extend in a substantially coplanar orientation with respect to the mat and be attached to the frame 11 in an arrangement akin to the arrangement used for prior art trampolines. In addition to the above, it will be apparent that the bounce characteristics of the associated jumping mats 15 may be altered as required by changing the characteristics or resting tension of the hoop spring assemblies 30, 130, the elastic band 24 and/or the coil spring member 133.

(35) FIG. 8 illustrates a mat connection system 100 showing an arrangement of a plurality of the hoop spring assemblies 130. The mat connection system 100 includes a plurality of the hoop spring assemblies shown typically at 130 spaced substantially regularly from each other along a hoop axis and also being substantially parallel to one another. Each of the hoop spring assemblies 130 is supported or engaged at a base portion thereof to the cross member 22 of the frame 11, and being held in position in respect of the frame 11 by a fastener 140, such as a bolt or the like, and the locking plate 123.

(36) A further embodiment of a trampoline 200 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and includes an elevated rectangular main frame 211 which is supported on spaced apart legs 212 (not shown) which are welded to the frame 211 at their upper ends, although in other versions the legs are bolted to the frame.

(37) The frame 211 comprises two spaced apart long side upper members (or rails) 213 and 215, two spaced apart short side or end upper members (or rails) 216 and 218 extending between the side members and welded thereto adjacent their respective opposite ends, and a plurality of lower cross members 220 also extending between the short side members 216, 218 and spaced apart along their length and at a substantially lower level therefrom. Inclined frames 250 extend upwards and outwards from the main frame 211 for supporting inclined mats as will be described in more detail later.

(38) The side members 213, 215 and the end members 216, 218 are constructed of 100 mm×50 mm rolled hollow section steel tube while the cross members 220 are constructed of 100 mm by 50 mm rolled hollow section steel tube. However, it will be appreciated that other sections and sizes and configurations could be used if desired.

(39) Five substantially identical rectangular jumping mats 221-225 are connected to the frame 211 via a plurality of coil spring members 226 spaced apart around the perimeter of the rectangular frame 211 and an array of a further embodiment of a mat connection system 210 which are spaced apart along the joint portions 214 between adjacent jumping mats 221-225.

(40) Each mat connection system 210 includes a hoop spring assembly 230 comprising first and second cylindrical hoop spring members 228 and 229 as can be seen in FIG. 9, with each hoop spring member 228, 229 taking the form of a single cylindrical or near cylindrical leaf spring. The hoop spring members 228, 229 are perpendicularly disposed or positioned within and with respect to each other and a pair of coil spring members 230a,b extends diametrically across and between each respective lateral portion thereof. As described earlier, substantially the same effect could be achieved by having multiple leaf springs in the region about the diametrical line. Each of the first and second hoop spring members 228, 229 overlap at respective base portions thereof so as to define a lower intersection point. The first and second hoop spring members 228, 229 are then secured to the frame member 220 by a single fastener, such as a bolt, screw, rivet or the like, passing through their respective overlapped base portions. In some forms of the invention the lateral portions of the hoop spring members 228, 229 are secured together at an upper intersection point by a further fastener although they could be welded together if desired. Alternatively, in other forms the lateral portions of the hoop spring members 228, 229 are not secured to each other at an end portion thereof but are retained in overlapping pockets providing on the bottom side of the jumping mat 221-225, which hold them in a desired position relative to the overlying jumping mat 221-225 and together but with a small amount of freedom to move with some limited independence.

(41) As can be seen in FIG. 9, inclined mats 231-239 are connected to the inclined frames 250 by further coil spring members 241 in the same manner as the jumping mats 221-225 while adjacent jumping mats 221-225 are connected to each other at respective edge portions thereof by an arrangement of hook and loop fasteners as described in PCT/AU2015/000398 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by way of reference. In another embodiment, the adjacent jumping mats 221-225 are connected to each other at respective edge portions thereof by a similar arrangement to that described above for the mat connection system 1. By way of example, the hoop spring assembly 30 demonstrated in FIGS. 2-5 may be replaced by the hoop spring assembly 230 presently described.

(42) The inclined mats 231-239 are supported at the joint portions thereof by a series or row of cylindrical further hoop spring members 244 which comprise a leaf spring, as can be seen in FIG. 11 in the manner more clearly shown in FIG. 3, which is also described in PCT/AU2015/000398.

(43) It will be appreciated that the mat connection system 210 can be used with the jumping mats 221-225 under the joint portions as illustrated as well as or alternatively at any position between the joint portions, such as illustrated in FIG. 10.

(44) The further hoop spring members 244 disposed under the inclined mats 231-239 are all connected to the frame 211 in the same manner by locating or engaging their bottom end portions in the hollow of the RHS tube via spaced apart slots 251 respectively which are formed in the side walls of the tube and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube frame and secured therein by virtue of a bolt 252 as can be seen in FIG. 11. The jumping mats 231 to 239 are connected to the further hoop spring members 244 by straps 246 formed of a plastics webbing material which extend across the underside of the inclined mats 231-239 to form sleeves about the further hoop spring members 244.

(45) Advantageously, a player can jump on the mat immediately above the mat connection system 210 to obtain greater lift than between them. Advantageously, various games can be played whereby players can achieve better performance by being able to pick out the high lift jumping spots on the mat as they move around.

(46) 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 hereinbefore described.