Trampoline

Abstract

A trampoline includes a stand which has a peripheral frame, a plurality of legs and a bounce mat which is elastically suspended on the frame. At least one guide is secured to the stand. A bar is received in a height adjustable manner in the guide. An inner piece is movably received in the guide. The bar is fixed by a relative movement between the inner piece and the guide.

Claims

1. A trampoline comprising: a stand which has a peripheral frame and a plurality of legs, a bounce mat which is suspended elastically on the peripheral frame, a guide which is secured to the stand, a bar which is received in a height-adjustable manner in the guide, and an inner piece which is slidably received in the guide, wherein the bar is fixed by a relative movement between the inner piece and the guide, wherein the guide is designed as a tube section including a peripheral circumferential wall, and wherein the tube section is arranged perpendicularly with respect to an axial direction of the plurality of legs and includes first and second transverse openings in the peripheral circumferential wall through which the bar extends.

2. The trampoline as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner piece is coupled to an actuating mechanism which is supported on the peripheral frame or on the guide or on an intermediate piece bearing on the guide.

3. The trampoline as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuating mechanism and the inner piece are in threaded engagement.

4. The trampoline as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuating mechanism has a threaded pin which engages with an inner thread of the inner piece.

5. The trampoline as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner piece has a threaded pin which engages with an inner thread of the actuating mechanism.

6. The trampoline as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuating mechanism is designed as a tensioning lever whose pivoting causes a movement of the inner piece in a direction of the tensioning lever.

7. The trampoline as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide has an opening through which the inner piece is configured to be inserted into the guide.

8. The trampoline as claimed in claim 7, wherein the opening is directed radially inward.

9. The trampoline as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner piece has an opening through which the bar extends.

10. The trampoline as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube section opens radially inward and includes a generally closed outer end front wall that supports an actuating mechanism for the inner piece.

11. A trampoline comprising: a stand which includes a peripheral frame and a plurality of legs, a bounce mat which is suspended elastically on the peripheral frame, a guide which is secured to the stand, a bar which is received in a height-adjustable manner in the guide, and an inner piece which is received in a radially movable manner in the guide, wherein the bar is fixed by a relative movement between the inner piece and the guide, wherein the inner piece includes an opening through which the bar extends, wherein the guide has a longitudinal axis which is oriented radially in relation to a perpendicular axis extending through a plane of the peripheral frame.

12. The trampoline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the guide is welded to the peripheral frame.

13. The trampoline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner piece is coupled to an actuating mechanism which is supported on the peripheral frame or on the guide or on an intermediate piece bearing on the guide.

14. The trampoline as claimed in claim 11 wherein the guide is designed as a tube section.

15. The trampoline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner piece includes at least one of a thread and a threaded pin.

16. The trampoline as claimed in claim 11, wherein the guide includes first and second openings and wherein the openings in the guide and the opening in the inner piece are at least partly aligned in order to allow the bar to extend through the respective openings in the guide and the inner piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a preferred illustrative embodiment and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a trampoline according to the invention with a holding bar;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of how the holding bar is secured to the trampoline frame;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the guide in which the holding bar is releasably received;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the schematic sectional view according to FIG. 3, with the holding bar fixed in the guide;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an alternative illustrative embodiment to FIGS. 3 and 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the interaction between the inner piece and the guide, wherein the inner piece is received in the guide;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the guide and the inner piece according to FIG. 7, wherein the inner piece is drawn slightly out of the guide; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the actuating mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a trampoline according to the invention. The trampoline has a frame 1 which is supported on the ground via a plurality of legs 2. The frame holds a bounce mat 3, which is held on the frame via a large number of spring elements 4. The spring elements 4 can be rubber-cord sections which are either of an open or of a closed configuration. Both variants are known from the prior art. The rubber-cord sections can be suspended in receiving elements, for example hook elements, secured to the bounce mat. Alternatively, metal springs are used, which are likewise known from the prior art.

(11) A bar 5 is secured to the trampoline. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the bar 5 is designed as a holding bar and has a handle 6. Alternatively or in addition, the bar can also have a support for an electronic appliance, for example a tablet PC or the like. The bar can also assume other functions. For example, a rubber-elastic strap can be secured to the bar in order to provide support when exercises are being performed on the trampoline. To make matters simpler, reference is made below exclusively to a holding bar.

(12) The holding bar 5 is held in a guide 7 which is secured, for example screwed or welded, to the frame 1. The guide can also be secured to one of the legs 2. The holding bar 5 is adjustable in height and can be fixed in the guide 7 by means of an actuating mechanism 8 (only indicated in FIG. 1).

(13) FIG. 2 shows the guide 7 from FIG. 1 in more precise detail. The guide 7 is firmly welded to the frame 1, as can be seen from the weld seam 9. For this purpose, the frame 1 is divided, at the place where the guide 7 is inserted, and forms a recess A. This gives the overall construction a high degree of stability while at the same time providing an elegant and slim design. The recess is shown for clarity in FIG. 6.

(14) The actuating mechanism 8 has a grip 10 which can be made of plastic. The grip sits on a rotation axle 11 which has a thread, as is described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

(15) Reference is made to FIG. 3, which shows a schematic section through the guide 7. The guide 7 is welded to the frame 1. The frame 1 encloses the guide preferably on both sides. The frame is indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3.

(16) The holding bar 5 is received in the guide 7 in such a way as to be displaceable in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The holding bar 5 can be fixed in the guide 7. For this purpose, an inner piece 12 is received movably in the guide 7. The inner piece 12 is preferably guided slidably in the guide 7. The inner piece 12 is preferably substantially cylindrical.

(17) The guide 7 has two openings 13, which are preferably flush. The inner piece 12 likewise has an opening 14. The bar 5 can be inserted through the openings 13, 14. For this purpose, the openings 13, 14 are expediently flush and are preferably larger than the cross section of the bar 5, such that the bar can be inserted through the openings.

(18) It will be noted at this point that only a part of the holding bar is shown in FIG. 3. The holding bar can have a round cross section. Alternatively, it has a polygonal cross section, in particular a square cross section. The openings are adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the holding bar.

(19) The inner piece 12 is coupled to the actuating mechanism 8. For this purpose, the inner piece 12 has an inner thread 15 which is in engagement with a threaded pin 16 of the actuating mechanism 8. The threaded pin 16 is rotated by means of the grip 10. On account of the threaded engagement between the inner piece 12 and the actuating mechanism 8, a rotation of the grip 10 leads to a movement of the inner piece 12 in the guide 7. Here, the actuating mechanism 8 is supported on the guide 7. The guide 7 preferably has a front wall 17 on which the actuating mechanism 8 is supported.

(20) FIG. 3 shows the inner piece 12 in an open position. In this position, the holding bar 5 is movable in the guide. That is to say, the openings 13 and 14 are oriented such that they allow the holding bar 5 enough play in order to be moved. The cross section of the opening 14 of the inner piece 12 is preferably larger than the cross section of the openings 13 of the guide.

(21) FIG. 4 shows the holding bar 5 in a fixed state. The holding bar 5 is clamped by means of the grip 10 of the actuating mechanism 8 being rotated such that the thread 16 pulls the inner piece 12 in the direction of the grip 10, as is indicated by the arrow P1. It will be noted that the structure can in principle also be configured such that, by actuation of the actuating mechanism 8, the inner piece 12 is moved in the other direction, i.e. counter to the arrow P1, and the holding bar 5 is thus fixed. The actuating mechanism 8 then has to bear on the inner side 18 of the guide in order to apply the force to the inner piece 12. For this purpose, for example, a blocking ring can be provided.

(22) During the movement of the inner piece 12 in the direction of the arrow P1, the opening 14 likewise migrates in the direction of the arrow P1 until the inner side 19 of the inner piece 12 comes to bear on the holding bar 5. The holding bar 5 is pressed against the inner side 20 of the opening 13 of the guide 7 and thereby fixed. An advantage of this illustrative embodiment is considered to be that the holding bar 5 is clamped by a large holding surface, which is made available by the inner side 19. This creates a stable and durable fixation of the holding bar in the guide 7.

(23) It is also considered to be an advantage that the guide provides two bearing surfaces 21, 22. One bearing surface 21 is preferably arranged at the top and one bearing surface 22 at the bottom. In particular, one bearing surface 21 can be arranged above the frame and the other bearing surface 22 below the frame. Such an embodiment of the invention provides an advantageous orientation of the holding bar 5 with respect to the frame 1.

(24) FIG. 5 shows an alternative illustrative embodiment to FIGS. 3 and 4. For reasons of clarity, the same or similar component parts are identified by the same reference numbers, even if they are intended to differ slightly from each other in design. The illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 5 shows the holding bar in a fixed state. The illustrative embodiment differs from FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the actuating mechanism 8 has no threaded pin but instead a nut 23. The inner piece 12 has a threaded pin 24. The inner piece 12 and the actuating mechanism 8 are in threaded engagement. As in the illustrative embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, rotation of the grip causes the inner piece 12 to be pulled in the direction of the arrow P1.

(25) FIGS. 6 and 7 show the interaction of the inner piece 12 and of the guide 7. For reasons of clarity, the actuating mechanism and the holding bar are omitted in the view. In FIG. 6, the inner piece 12 and the guide 7 are located in a position in which the openings 13 (of the guide) and 14 (of the inner piece) are flush. In this position, the holding bar can be inserted. The sectional opening resulting from the superpositioning of the openings 13, 14 must be at least as large as the cross section of the holding bar, so that the holding bar can be inserted through the guide 7 and the inner piece 12.

(26) FIG. 7 shows a position of the inner piece 12 in a position in which it is drawn slightly out of the guide 7. Here, it is clearly advantageous if the guide has an opening 25 lying radially inward. The opening 25 preferably lies opposite the front wall 17. Through this opening 25, the inner piece 12 can be inserted into the guide 7 for assembling and pulled out for dismantling. Assembly is therefore very straightforward. At the same time, the combination of inner piece 12 and guide 7 creates stable clamping of the holding bar via the inner sides 19 and 20, as has been mentioned above.

(27) The guide 7 is advantageously configured as a tube section. Such a tube section is easy to produce and is stable. In particular, the tube section can have a front wall 17 through which the actuating mechanism or a threaded pin protruding from the inner piece 12 extends (see FIG. 5).

(28) FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the actuating mechanism 8. The actuating mechanism has a tensioning lever 26. Here too, the tensioning lever and the inner piece are preferably in threaded engagement with each other (analogously to FIGS. 3 to 5). A rough adjustment is possible via the thread. The final clamping force is applied via the tensioning lever, which is advantageously supported on an intermediate piece 27 or directly on the guide 7. The intermediate piece 27 bears on the guide 7.

(29) The frame shape is shown in the figures exclusively as being round. It can also be polygonal, in particular hexagonal or octagonal.

(30) In the context of the description, all undefined terms of location such as over, under or laterally are made with reference to a standing trampoline. Terms of location or terms of direction such as radially inward or radially outward are also used. These are given with reference to the frame, which can be either round (in its plan view) or polygonal. If it has a round shape, the round frame forms a center point of curvature. The statements made are with reference to this point. A guide, which extends radially, thus lies on a line which extends radially outward from the center point of curvature. In polygonal frame shapes, straight frame portions are regularly provided between the corners. The guide will then be arranged at the center of the frame portions. The perpendiculars extending from the center of each frame portion intersect at the center of the frame, such that a tube section extending radially with respect to the polygonal frame lies on a line running radially outward from the center. At the center of the frame portion, this line intersects the frame perpendicularly.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(31) 1 frame 2 legs 3 bounce mat 4 spring elements 5 holding bar 6 handle 7 guide 8 actuating mechanism 9 weld seam 10 grip 11 rotation axle 12 inner piece 13 opening (of the guide) 14 opening (of the inner piece) 15 thread 16 threaded pin 17 front face 18 inner side 19 inner side 20 inner side (of the opening) 21 bearing surface 22 bearing surface 23 nut 24 threaded pin 25 opening 26 tensioning lever 27 intermediate ring P1 arrow A recess