IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAMPOLINES

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to trampolines.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a trampoline comprising a flexible mat connected to a frame by one or more resilient members such that the flexible mat is held above the ground in tension. The trampoline may comprise a plurality of support poles, each pole arranged to be connected to the frame to extend upwardly from the frame and a surround of flexible material arranged to be connected to the support poles to extend around and above the flexible mat. Each pole may be arranged to be connected to the frame at two locations such that the pole is deformed (from its natural state) to extend upwardly from the frame between the two locations. The surround may be connected to a portion of each support pole between the two locations.

As each support poles is placed in tension by connecting the support pole at two locations on the frame if a user falls on the surround, the support poles will resist forces (i.e. the weight of the user) pulling the surround away from its natural position. The support poles are also easier to assemble than arrangements in which the support poles are held in tension by connecting the poles to the surround.

The support poles may be arranged to be connected to the frame to extend across the trampoline such that the portion of each support pole to which the surround is connected is located within (not simply level with the edge of) a footprint defined by the frame. In this way, portions of the support poles proximate the frame can be arranged spaced from the surround. In this way, it is unlikely that a user will contact the support

poles when falling against the surround, enhancing the safety of the trampoline.

Furthermore, the surround may be arranged to be connected to the support poles so as to form a barrier between the flexible mat and the resilient members. In this way, the surround may prevent the user injuring him by falling against the resilient members. For example, in the case of the resilient members being coil springs, falling onto the coil springs could result in a part of the user becoming pinched within the springs.

Each support pole may be arranged to be connected to the frame at two locations such that the pole forms an arc extending upwardly from the frame between the two locations. The natural state for the support poles may be substantially straight. An arc is a strong shape for resisting forces and is the natural shape formed by a straight pole when bent.

The support poles may be made of fibre glass, aluminium or resilient plastic material. Aluminium is particularly advantageous as fibre glass and some plastics have a tendency to shatter under specific forces. An advantage of fibre glass and plastics is that these materials may be less expensive than aluminium.

Each support pole may be formed from a plurality of detachable sections. The sections of each support pole may comprise tubes having an elastic cord running therethrough that holds the sections of each support pole together when the sections are detached from one another. By having the support poles formed from a plurality of detachable sections, the support poles can be disassembled for storage and transport. The addition of an elastic cord running through the poles makes the support poles easier to

assemble as the cord ensures the required sections remain together in the correct order for assembly.

The support poles may be arranged to be connected to the frame such that each support pole crosses at least one other support pole. The ideal location on each support pole for connection of the surround is the highest point (apex) on each support pole. By having the support poles crossing, the apexes of each support pole can be located closer together to provide greater support for the surround.

The surround may comprise sleeves therein through which the support poles extend to connect the surround to the support poles. The use of sleeves rather than hoops, hooks, ties or the like provides a stronger attachment distributing any forces on the surround along a length of the support pole received in the sleeve. It will be understood, however, that additionally or alternatively, the support poles may be attached to the surround by hoops, hooks and/or ties.

The surround may comprise a sleeve at the top thereof which extends around the circumference of the surround and a stiffening rod located in the sleeve. The stiffening rod may be made of flexible, resilient material, such as fibre glass, aluminium or resilient plastic, and may be formed from a plurality of detachable sections. The sections may comprise tubes having an elastic cord running therethrough that holds the sections of the stiffening rod together when the sections are detached from one another. The stiffening rod is advantageous as it helps to maintain the required shape, preferably substantially cylindrical (at least at the top) of the surround, in particular ensuring the surround does not droop between apexes of the support poles.

The surround may comprise an inner barrier arranged to extend around and above the flexible mat and an outer collar that in use, extends from the top of the surround outside of and spaced from the inner barrier, the outer collar comprising the channels through which the support poles extend. The collar may define a series of arc shaped channels for receiving the support poles. An outer collar is required to connect the surround to the support poles as the support poles may be spaced from the inner barrier.

The frame may comprise a plurality of legs and each support pole may be connected to the frame by connecting each end of the support pole to a different leg of the frame. Each end of the support pole may be inserted into a channel in the corresponding leg. In this way, means for connecting the leg to the frame is provided integral with the leg, simplifying assembly of the trampoline.

One or more of the plurality of legs may be connected to two support poles. The support poles and legs may have indicia thereon for indicating which support poles can be connected to which legs. The indicia may be colour coding. Assembly of the trampoline may have to be carried out in a specified manner and the indicia can be used as a guide to the user.

The resilient members may be coil springs and the trampoline may be provided with a cover to obscure the coil springs from above. The cover limits access to the springs to mitigate the risk of injury to the user. A portion of the cover obscuring the coils springs from above may be arranged to be positioned, in use, at an angle to the horizontal (and/or plane of the trampoline as defined by the flexible mat) . This is advantageous as the angled surface of the cover is more difficult to stand on than a horizontal surface, reducing the likelihood that a user will stand on a potentially raised area of the trampoline, which could lead to injury.

The cover may also obscure the coil springs from below. This will mitigate the risks of injury associated with access to the springs from below the trampoline, for example to small children crawling beneath the trampoline.

The cover may be connected to the surround and may be arranged to be connected to extend from the surround over the coil springs, around the frame and then below the coil springs. By such an arrangement, the cover can aid securing of the surround in place.

The frame may comprise a plurality of legs and a plurality of support members that are detachably connected together with brackets integral with the legs, and the flexible mat is connected to the support members such that the flexible mat is held above the ground in tension by the frame.

It will be understood that the term "integral" as used herein means that the bracket is not intended to be separated from the leg during normal assembly and disassembly of the trampoline by the end user. Accordingly, the term "brackets integral with the legs" is intended to include integral formation, for example, formed through moulding, casting, pressing etc, of the brackets with the legs and manufacture of the legs using brackets separate from legs that are connected to the legs by gluing, rivets, screws, nuts and bolts or other fastening mechanism that is intended not to be undone by the end user.

The advantage of a bracket integral with the leg is that it reduces complexity of assembly of the trampoline and may result in a stronger trampoline when assembled.

In one embodiment, the support members and brackets have slots therein that align when the support members are inserted into the bracket and pins are provided that can be inserted in the slots to hold the support members and brackets together. The insertion of a pin into the slot simplifies assembly compared to assembly through use of more complex fastening means such as screws, bolts, etc.

An end of the support member inserted in the bracket and a channel in the bracket for receiving the end of the support member may have co- operating non-circular cross-sections that prevent rotation of the support member in the bracket. The co-operating cross-sections may be rectangular.

The support poles may be arranged to be connected to the legs of the frame so as to extend upwardly from the frame, wherein each pin has a recess therein for receiving one of the support poles to connect that support pole to the leg. In this way, the slots provided in the leg and support members have dual purpose. In another arrangement, the support poles may have a dual purpose as pins to hold the support members in the brackets and to support the surround. In such an arrangement, separate pins and support poles may not be required.

At least part of each leg may comprise a plastic moulding that has a surface facing outwardly from the trampoline, in use. The plastic moulding may be considered to be more aesthetically pleasing than the "industrial" appearance of bear metal legs. The plastic moulding may also provide a more forgiving surface against impacts than a metal leg increasing safety around the trampoline. The outwardly facing surface of the plastic moulding may extend along more than 25%, and preferably more than 50%, of the length of the leg.

Each leg may be connected at a plurality of different positions relative to the plane defined by the flexible mat. The angle of each leg relative to a plane defined by the frame and flexible mat may be adjustable. In this way, the height of the trampoline can be adjusted by altering the position of the leg and to compensate for uneven ground.

In the embodiment of the trampoline in which each leg comprises an integral bracket, the orientation of the leg relative to the bracket may be adjustable. The bracket may comprise a central section to which a leg is connected and an outer section either side of the central section, wherein each outer section has a channel for receiving a support member and the central section is adjustable, in one embodiment, by rotation, relative to the outer sections to adjust the orientation of the leg. In this way, the position (in particular the angle) of each leg relative to the plane defining by the flexible mat can be adjusted while the leg is connected to the support members.

The central section and outer sections may have co-operating formations arranged to inter-engage to hold the sections fixed relative to one another in one of a plurality of possible positions, the bracket arranged such that the co-operating formations can be disengaged to adjust the orientation of the leg. In this way, the leg can be locked in one of many different positions, as required. The co-operating formations may comprise a plurality of teeth arranged to mesh together.

In an alternative embodiment, the legs are a separate unit from the brackets that connect the support members together.

The legs may be adjustable to a position in which the leg extends inwardly from the frame underneath the flexible mat. In this position, the trampoline becomes a more compact structure suitable for storage.

Each leg may comprise a foot pivotally connected at the end thereof for contacting the ground. The pivoting foot advantageously compensate for uneven ground.

The leg may be connected to the foot via any suitable joint, for example ball and socket, candyloid, saddle, hinge or pivot joint.

The trampoline may comprise an entrance mat connected to the frame and having one portion arranged to extend downwardly form the frame to the ground and another portion arranged to extend across the ground. The entrance mat provides a surface for users to remove their shoes before using the trampoline. The trampoline may comprise one or more pockets located adjacent the entrance mat for receiving shoes.

The support poles may be arranged such that they can be disassembled while connected to the surround and frame to place the support poles and surround in a non-operating condition that is more compact than the operating condition. Each support pole may comprise a hinge joint to allow the support pole to be disassembled by folding the support pole towards the flexible mat. In this way the trampoline can be placed in a compact condition for storage without detaching the support poles from the surround or frame of the trampoline.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit that when assembled forms a trampoline as described herein.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a trampoline comprising a flexible mat connected to a frame by one or more resilient members such that the flexible mat is held above the ground in tension, a plurality of support poles, each support pole extending upwardly from the

frame and a surround of flexible material arranged to be connected to each support pole to extend around and above the flexible mat, wherein the surround comprises at least one opaque panel extending, in use, between a pair of the support poles and substantially a full height of the support poles and a series of openings in the opaque panel through which a user can be viewed, the openings spaced one above the other and each opening having a width significantly less than the width of the opaque panel.

It will be understood that the term "substantially full height of the support poles" means at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, and most preferably 100% of the height of the support poles.

It will be understood that the term "a width significantly less than the width of the opaque panel" means a width less than two thirds the width and preferably less than half the width of the opaque panel.

The opaque panel may comprise at least three openings spaced one above the other.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a trampoline comprising a flexible mat connected to a frame by one or more resilient members such that the flexible mat is held above the ground in tension, a plurality of support poles, each support pole extending upwardly from the frame and a surround of flexible material arranged to be connected to each support pole to extend around and above the flexible mat, wherein the surround comprises at least one opaque panel extending, in use, between a pair of the support poles and substantially a full height of the support poles and an opening in the opaque panel through which a user can be viewed, the opening located in a centre of the opaque panel.

Each opening may be covered with mesh. The surround may comprise at least one transparent panel extending substantially the full height of the surround.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a trampoline comprising a flexible mat connected to a frame by one or more resilient members such that the flexible mat is held above the ground in tension, a plurality of support poles, each support pole extending upwardly from the frame and a surround of flexible material arranged to be connected to each support pole to extend around and above the flexible mat, wherein the surround comprises at least one opaque panel extending, in use, substantially a full height of the surround and at least one transparent panel through which the user can be viewed extending substantially the full height of the surround.

The transparent panel may be mesh material through which the user can be viewed. Extending between each pair of support poles may be one of an opaque panel and a transparent panel. In one arrangement, extending between each pair of support poles is alternately an opaque panel and a transparent panel.

Embodiments of trampolines according to the invention will now be described, by example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trampoline in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is plan view of the trampoline;

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the trampoline;

FIGURE 4 is front view of the trampoline;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the trampoline without the surround;

FIGURE 6 is a top view of a leg of the trampoline;

FIGURE 7 is a front view of the leg of the trampoline;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of the leg of the trampoline;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view of the leg of the trampoline;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a bracket of the leg;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a bracket of the leg with the leg inverted;

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the leg showing how the support members of the frame are connected to the leg;

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of an end portion of the support member;

FIGURE 14 is a top view of the leg with a cut-away portion to show the support member received in the integral bracket of the leg;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the leg with a cut-away portion;

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of the leg indicating how the support poles are connected to the leg;

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view of a leg and foot of the trampoline showing how the foot is connected to the leg;

FIGURE 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foot and leg in accordance with the invention;

FIGURES 19 & 20 show how the foot leg changes orientation relative to the leg on uneven ground.

FIGURE 21 is a perspective view of a bracket in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 22 shows how the height of a trampoline with the bracket shown in Figure 21 can be adjusted;

FIGURE 23 shows how the leg of a trampoline with the bracket shown in Figure 21 can be placed in a storage position;

FIGURE 24 shows how the leg of a trampoline with a bracket shown in figure 21 can be adjusted to compensate for uneven ground;

FIGURE 25 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a trampoline in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 26 shows the trampoline of Figure 25 in an assembled condition;

FIGURE 27 shows the trampoline of Figure 26 wherein the surround has been disassembled for storage;

FIGURE 28 shows an embodiment of an entrance mat for a trampoline in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 29 shows a trampoline according to another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the trampoline in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises a hexagonal shaped flexible jumping mat 1 , which may be of materials such as polyethylene of polypropylene, connected to a hexagonal (in plain view) frame 2 by one or more resilient members (not shown) in this embodiment a plurality of coil springs. It will be understood that other resilient members could be used, for example spring loaded rods or elasticised material. The coil springs hold the flexible mat 1 in tension within the frame 2.

The frame 2 comprises support members 3, in this embodiment hollow steel rods, connected together and held above the ground by legs 4. Each leg 4 forms a corner of the hexagonal frame 2.

The trampoline further comprises a surround 5 that acts as a barrier to stop users from falling off the trampoline. The surround 5 is supported by support poles 6 to extend around and above the flexible mat 1.

As shown clearly in Figure 5 and Figure 6, each end 7, 8 of each support pole 6 is connected to a leg 4 of the frame 2 such that the support pole 6 is deformed from its natural state (substantially straight) to extend upwardly in an arc from the frame 2 between two spaced apart locations.

In this embodiment, shorter support poles 6a are connected to legs 4 at locations spaced a distance of one leg 4 and two support members 3 away

(i.e. is not connected to the very next support leg 4 but is connected to

the next leg 4 but one) . Longer support poles 6b are connected to legs 4 at locations spaced a distance of two legs 4 and three support members 3 away. The position of the apex of longer support poles 6b defines the front and rear of the trampoline. By having longer support poles 6b, sufficient space is provided for an entrance 9 in the surround 5. This arrangement of poles 6 result in the poles 6 crossing at various points.

The surround 5 is connected to the support poles 6 by inserting support poles 6 through sleeves in the material of the surround 5. In this embodiment, the surround 5 comprises an inner net section 10 that encloses the flexible mat 1 and outer sections 11 that extend outwardly from the inner section. These outer sections 11 are provided with the sleeves for receiving the support poles 6. In this embodiment, these outer sections 11 comprise substantially triangular portions 11 ' that extend substantially to the ends of the support poles 6 and planar arc shaped portions 11 " . It will be understood, however, that this is not necessary and smaller outer sections 11 with shorter sleeves can be used.

This embodiment of the surround further comprises a sleeve that runs around the top of the surround for receiving a stiffening rod 12 (see Figure 5) . This stiffening rod acts to maintain the required shape of the surround 5.

Each support poles 6 and stiffening rod 13 is formed of a plurality of detachable sections of tubing connected together (similar to tent poles) . These sections comprise an elastic cord running therethrough that holds the sections together, even when the sections of tubing are disassembled.

Integrally connected with the surround 5 is a cover 13. This cover 13 extends above the coil springs, around the outside of support members 3 and under the coil springs where it is connected in place with an

appropriate fastening mechanism, such as Velcro, ties, clips or the like, to reduce the possibility of a user trapping fingers, for example, in the coil springs. As can be seen from the Figures, the portion of the cover 13 extending above the coil springs is at an angle to the horizontal (and to the plane of the flexible mat 1) to encourage users not to stand on the cover 13, as this could be a safety hazard.

The legs 4 of the trampoline will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 6 to 19.

Each leg 4 comprises a bow shaped steel tube 15 having, at its upper end, an integral bracket 16 for receiving support members 3. This bracket 16 comprises two female connectors 17, 18 having rectangular cross-sections for receiving an end of a support member 3 (as shown in figures 12, 14 and 15) . The ends 19, 20 of the support members 3 are formed with a rectangular cross-section to match that of the female connectors 17, 18. The female connectors 17, 18 and ends 19, 20 of the support members 3 are provided with slots 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b therein that align when the support members 3 are inserted into the female connectors 17, 18. Pins 23, 24 can be inserted in the aligned slots 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b to hold the support members 3 in bracket 16.

The leg 4 also comprises a plastic moulding 25 that can be clipped around the leg 4 to present a smooth, outwardly facing plastic surface. This plastic moulding acts to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look to the legs 4 and to enhance the trampoline's safety as the plastic provides a more forgiving surface for impacts. Furthermore, the plastic moulding 25 may reduce flexing of rod 15, which in turn may reduce wear of bracket 16.

Referring to Figure 16, the support poles 6 are connected to legs 4 by inserting ends 7,8 of the legs 4 in recesses provided in pins 24, 25. The pins 24, 25 and the ends 7,8 of legs 4 may be colour coded to indicate which support pole 6 is received in which pin 24, 25.

A foot 26 is connected to the bottom of the leg 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 17, the foot 26 is connected to the end of the leg 4 using a ball and socket joint. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the foot 26 is connected to eh leg 4 using a pivot joint.

Figures 19 and 20 show the advantages of connecting the foot 26 to the leg 4 with a ball and socket joint in that the foot's orientation can be adjusted to compensate for uneven ground.

An alternative embodiment of a bracket 116 for connecting a leg 104 to support member 103 of a trampoline is shown in Figure 21. In this embodiment, the bracket 116 comprises a central section 130 integrally connected to the leg 104 and outer sections 131 either side of the central section 130. The outer sections 131 have channels therein for receiving ends of support members 103. Both non-circumferential faces of the central section 130 have formations 133, in this embodiment a set of teeth for interlocking with corresponding teeth 134 on an opposed face of each outer section 131. In use, the outer sections 131 can be pushed together such that the teeth of the outer section 131 mesh with the teeth of the central section 130 to lock the central section 130, and therefore leg 104, in place. However, in the position shown in Figure 21 with the sections 130, 131 pulled apart, the central section 130 can be rotated relative to the outer sections 131. Rotation of the central section 130 adjusts the position of leg 104.

Figure 22 to 24 show the advantages of being able to adjust the position of leg 104 in that the height of the trampoline can be adjusted by repositioning the leg 104 (shown in Figure 22) , the leg 104 can be folded underneath the trampoline for storage (shown in Figure 23) and the position of the leg 104 can be adjusted to compensate for uneven ground (shown in Figure 24) .

Figures 25 to 27 show an alternative embodiment of the surround. In the embodiment, the support poles 206 are connected to the frame 202 and to a top of the surround 205 such that the support poles 206 are held in tension in a bow shape. Each support pole 204 is provided with a hinge 240 that allows the support poles 204 to be folded with the surround 205 attached for storage of the trampoline. A cap 241 may be provided to cover the surround 205 during storage.

Figure 28 shows an entrance mat 350 that can be connected to the trampoline. The entrance mat 350 has a narrow central portion 351 that connects to the support members and extends to the ground. This narrow central portion 351 is connected to a ground covering portion 353 that is shaped to extend along the ground following the contour of the trampoline. The entrance mat 350 provides a surface for users to remove their shoes. Pockets 354 may also be connected to the frame of the trampoline for the storage of shoes.

Referring to Figure 29, there is shown a trampoline comprising a flexible mat 401 connected to a frame 410 by one or more resilient members (not shown) such that the flexible mat 410 is held above the ground in tension. A plurality of vertical support poles 409 equidistantly located around the frame support a surround of flexible material. The surround is arranged to be connected to each support pole 409 to extend around and above the flexible mat 401. In this embodiment, each support pole 409 extends to

the ground and may be enclosed by a cover (not shown) to hide the industrial look of the support poles 409 and legs of the frame 410 and to protect users during impact with the poles 409 or legs of the frame 410.

The surround 414 comprises three opaque panels 402, 412, 413 extending between pairs of the support poles 409 and a full height of the support poles 409 and three transparent mesh panels 408 extending between pairs of the support poles 409 and a full height of the support poles 409. In this embodiment, the opaque panels 402, 412, 413 and transparent panels 408 are spaced alternately around the trampoline.

In opaque panel 402 is a series of three openings 403 through which a user can be viewed, the openings 403 spaced one above the other. Each opening 403 has a width significantly less than the width of the opaque panel 402. Panels 412, 413 have one opening 405, the opening 405 located in a centre of the opaque panel 412, 413. Each opening 403, 405 is covered with mesh.

The panels 412, 413 are connected together by sleeves 404 that are arranged such that the sleeves 404 can be placed over the support poles

409 to secure the surround in place. Each sleeve 404 has a triangular section 406, the contour of which the panels 402, 408, 412, 423 follow such that the panels 402, 408, 412, 413 are tapered inwardly at the bottom to be connected to the mat 401 inwardly of the springs (which are covered by cover 411) .

This embodiment has the advantage that the user, such as a child, can interact with a viewer through openings 403 , 405 in the opaque panels 402, 412, 413 allowing the child to play games with the viewer that may enhance the user's experience of the trampoline. For example, the user could play the game known as peek-a-boo with a viewer through the

openings 403, 405 or the opaque panels 402, 412, 413 may aid the imagination of a child in viewing the trampoline as a house or other building. It is particularly advantageous to have three or more openings 403 spaced one above the other as it allows the child to bounce to different heights on the trampoline to look through each opening 403.