CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/294,943 filed February 12, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a trampoline, and in particular to a trampoline having a reduced gap distance between the rebounding mat and the surrounding frame assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The modern trampoline is a well-known device having a lineage of over 80 years. Early forms arose as a training tool in gymnastics and diving, and were quickly adopted for use in schools for fighter pilots and astronauts. The use of trampolines in gymnastic competition has matured through the years, and is now a recognized Olympic sport.

[0004] Trampolines are commonly found on the commercial market, in particular for residential users. Many homes now have trampoline systems as an effective source of entertainment and exercise. With this shift towards the residential user, safety concerns have been identified and the trampoline has continued to evolve in the attempt to make them safer.

[0005] Perhaps the most notable safety system now employed on many residential units is the safety enclosure that prevents the user from falling over the side of the trampoline. Such enclosures are generally made of a durable flexible netting material, sufficiently strong to keep users within the jumping area.

[0006] Another area of concern in trampoline systems is the gap spacing between the frame and the rebounding mat. Traditional trampoline systems generally incorporate a series of horizontally oriented spring elements within this gap. A pad or other sheathing material is generally provided to cover the gap spacing, but such covers are prone to moving, or may displace if impacted on an angle.

[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to improve upon the manner by which spring systems are incorporated into the trampoline system.

SUMMARY

[0008] According to an aspect of the disclosure, provided is a trampoline. The trampoline comprises a rebounding mat, a support frame that includes a mat- surrounding structure, and a plurality of mat support connectors, wherein each mat support connector extends between the rebounding mat and an anchor structure. For each mat support connector, the mat support connector includes a flexible elongate first portion that extends in tension along a respective first axis from the rebounding mat towards the mat-surrounding structure. The mat support connector changes direction at a transition surface on the mat-surrounding structure, and includes a flexible elongate second portion that extends in tension away from the transition surface along a respective second axis that is at a non-zero angle relative to the respective first axis. Each mat support connector includes an elastic region at least a portion of which is outside of the first portion.

[0009] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a trampoline is provided. The trampoline includes a rebounding mat a support frame that includes a mat-surrounding structure; and a plurality of mat support connectors. Each mat support connector has a first end that is connected to the rebounding mat and a second end that is connected to an anchor structure. Between the first and second ends of the mat support connector, the mat support connector engages a transition surface on the mat-surrounding structure to transition the mat support connector from extending along a first axis to extending along a second axis that is at a non-zero angle relative to the first axis. The mat support connector includes an elastic region at least a portion of which is between the transition surface and the anchor structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the disclosure. The drawings are not to scale.

[0011] Fig. 1 is perspective view of a trampoline according to a first embodiment hereof.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the spring element according to the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a trampoline according to a second embodiment hereof.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the spring element according to the embodiment

[0015] Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view with reference to line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0017] Reference is made to Fig. 1 , which shows a perspective view of a trampoline 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The trampoline 10 includes a rebounding mat 20 and a support frame 22 that includes a mat-surrounding structure 24. The trampoline 10 has a plurality of mat support connectors 26 distributed around the rebounding mat 20 to support it on the support frame 22, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0018] The mat support connector 26 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2. The mat support connector 26 includes a flexible elongate first portion 28 that extends in tension along a first axis (shown at A1 ) from the rebounding mat 20 towards the mat- surrounding structure 24. The mat support connector 26 changes direction at a transition surface 55 on the mat-surrounding structure 24. A flexible elongate second portion 30 of the mat support connector 26 extends in tension away from the transition surface 55 along a respective second axis (shown at A2) that is at a non-zero angle relative to the respective first axis A1. The mat support connector 26 includes an elastic region 35 at least a portion of which is outside of the first portion 28.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the elastic region 35 includes a compression spring 36 that drives a piston 40 away from the rebounding mat 20. The piston 40 is moveable in a piston housing 34. A first end of the compression spring 36 engages the piston 40 and a second end of the compression spring engages a housing stop 38 that is integrated onto the wall structure of the piston housing 34. The compression spring 36 urges the piston 40 towards a limit surface on a first end cap 42 of the piston housing 34. Tension in the first inelastic elongate segment 53 causes movement of the piston 40 towards the housing stop 38 to cause compression in the compression spring 36. The housing stop 38 has an elongate segment pass-through aperture 56 therein to permit the pass-through of the first inelastic elongate segment 53, while preventing the pass-through of the compression spring 36. The piston 40, the compression spring 36 and the piston housing 34 together make up a spring assembly 32.

[0020] The piston housing 34 may include a head portion 48 that serves to support the mat support connector 26 on the mat-surrounding structure 24. As shown, each piston housing 34 is securely registered in a corresponding seat, provided on the mat- surrounding structure 24. In particular, the piston housing 34 is dimensioned to fit within a shaped aperture 44, such that bearing surfaces 46a, 46b of the piston housing cap 48 are supported on an upper surface 50 of the mat-surrounding structure 24. The piston housing 34 may be secured in place using any suitable fastening means, such as one or more suitable fasteners, an adhesive or any other suitable fastening means. The head portion 48 also provides a bearing pin 52 to transition the mat support connector 26 between the first and second axes at the mat-surrounding structure 24. In other words, the mat support connector 26 bends around the bearing pin 52 to transition from the first axis to the second axis.

[0021] The rebounding mat 20 is operably connected to the piston 40 of the mat support connector 26. More specifically, a first inelastic elongate segment 53 extends from the rebounding mat 20 to the piston 40. The first inelastic elongate segment 53 has a first attachment end 54 that connects to the rebounding mat 20, by any suitable means, such as by forming a loop that extends around a structural peripheral cable 57 along the periphery of the rebounding mat 20. From the rebounding mat 20, the first inelastic elongate segment 53 extends along the first axis A1 in tension towards the mat-surrounding structure 24, bends around the bearing pin 52 and extends along the second axis A2 to connect at a second attachment end 58 to the piston 40. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the first inelastic elongate segment 53 extends through a connector pass-through aperture 62 in the piston 40, and the second attachment end 58 of the first inelastic elongate segment 53 is positioned in a shouldered seat 60 provided on a distal face of the piston 40. Thus, the first inelastic elongate segment 53 makes up the first portion 28 of the mat support connector 26 and also makes up some of the second portion 30 of the mat support connector 26 in the example shown in Fig. 2.

[0022] Thus, it will be understood that each mat support connector 26 extends between the rebounding mat 20 and an anchor structure (which in the example shown in Fig. 2 is the housing stop 38).

[0023] In use, while a user jumps on the rebounding mat 20, downward movement of the rebounding mat 20 under the weight and force of the user generates an increase in tension on the mat support connector 26. This increased tension causes movement of the piston 40 upwardly within the piston housing 34, towards the rebounding mat 20. This results in temporary compression of the compression spring 36. The rebounding mat 20 subsequently returns towards the neutral position as the compression spring 36 returns to the uncompressed state (as shown in Fig. 2).

[0024] In the specific configuration shown, the first axis is generally horizontal, while the second axis is generally vertical. Alternatively, the first and second axes may be oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. It will be appreciated however that the first and second axes need not be strictly horizontal and vertical, or arranged perpendicularly, but rather could be oriented such that the second axis is any non-zero angle relative to the respective first axis.

[0025] In the specific configuration shown, the second portion 30 of the mat support connector 26 is generally below the mat-surrounding structure 24. It will be appreciated, however, that other arrangements may be possible where the second portion 30 is generally in-plane with the mat-surrounding structure 24 (e.g. in embodiments in which the spring assemblies 32 extend generally tangentially to the curvature of the mat-surrounding structure), or in some cases positioned above the mat- surrounding structure 24 (e.g. vertically upwards from the plane of the mat-surrounding structure 24).

[0026] Worded another way, each mat support connector 26 has a first end 54 that is connected to the rebounding mat 20 and a second end (which is the second end of the compression spring 36) that is connected to an anchor structure (which is the housing stop 38). Between the first and second ends of the mat support connector 26, the mat support connector 26 engages the transition surface 55 on the mat-surrounding structure 24 to transition the mat support connector 26 from extending along the first axis A1 to extending along the second axis A2, which, as described above, is at a nonzero angle relative to the first axis A1. The mat support connector 26 includes an elastic region 35 at least a portion of which is between the transition surface 55 and the anchor structure.

[0027] Turning now to Fig. 3, shown is a trampoline 1 10 having an alternative embodiment for the mat support connector. As the trampoline 1 10 is substantially the same as the trampoline 10 presented in Fig. 1 , specific details on its general construction will not be described. Components that are functionally and/or structurally similar to those in Fig. 2 are indicated with corresponding reference numerals increased by 100.

[0028] Having regard to Fig. 4, the mat support connector 126 includes a flexible elongate first portion 128 that extends in tension along a first axis A1 from the rebounding mat 120 towards the mat-surrounding structure 124. The mat support connector 126 engages a transition surface 155 that is part of the mat-surrounding structure 124. The mat support connector 126 also includes a flexible elongate second portion 130 that extends in tension away from the transition surface 155 along a respective second axis A2 that is at a non-zero angle relative to the respective first axis. The transition surface 155 may be a transition surface on a bearing pin 152, on which the mat support connector 126 bends to transition from the first axis A1 to extend along the second axis A2. The mat support connector 126 includes an elastic region 135 at least a portion of which is outside of the first portion 128.

[0029] In this embodiment, the elastic region 135 is provided in the form of a tension spring 70. The tension spring 70 is supported at first and second ends between a first inelastic elongate segment 128 of the mat support connector 126, and a second inelastic elongate segment 153 of the mat support connector 126. From the rebounding mat 120, the first inelastic elongate segment 153 extends to the mat-surrounding structure 124, transitions (e.g. bends) around the transition surface 155, and extends away from the transition surface 155 along the second axis A2, to connect to a first end of the tension spring 70. The first inelastic elongate segment 128 is attached to the rebounding mat 120 at a first attachment end 154 by any suitable means (e.g. by a loop at the first attachment end 154 that extends around a structural, peripheral cable 157 (Fig. 5) of the mat 120). A second attachment end 158 of the first inelastic elongate segment 128 attaches to the first end of the tension spring 70 by a first triangular ring 72.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, a second inelastic elongate segment 159 extends between the second end of the tension spring 70 and the lower structural member 82 of the support frame 122. The connections between second inelastic elongate segment 159 and the tension spring 70 and the lower structural member 82 may be by use of triangular rings 72 at each end of the second inelastic elongate segment 159, and by an anchor loop 84 on the lower structural member. While the structural member 82 is referred to herein as a lower structural member, particularly because it is positioned below the mat-surrounding structure 124, it may also be referred to as an anchor structure 82, since it provides anchoring for a second end of the mat support connector 126.

[0031] A pin housing 74 containing a bearing pin 152 is provided (see Fig. 5). The pin housing 74 is supported on the mat-surrounding structure 124, such that bearing surfaces 76a, 76b of the pin housing 74 are supported on an upper surface 78 of the mat-surrounding structure 124. The pin housing 74 may be secured in place using any suitable means such as by threaded fasteners, or through a suitable bonding means (i.e. adhesive) or by welding. Each pin housing 74 aligns with a respective connector pass-through aperture 80 in the mat-surrounding structure 124 to permit passage of the mat support connector from the transition surface 155 and through the aperture 80 to connect to the tension spring 70. [0032] In use, while a user jumps on the rebounding mat 120, the downward movement of the rebounding mat 120 under the weight and force of the user applies an increase in tension on the mat support connector 126. This increased tension translates through the first and second portions 128, 130, therein resulting in extension of tension spring 70. The rebounding mat 120 subsequently returns (i.e. rebounds) to the neutral position as the tension spring 70 returns to the non-extended state (as shown in Fig. 4).

[0033] The first and second axes may be generally perpendicular relative to one another. In the configuration of the mat support connector 126 shown in Fig. 2, the first axis is generally horizontal, while the second axis is generally vertical. It will be appreciated however that the first and second axes need not be horizontal and vertical, or be arranged perpendicularly, but instead could be oriented such that the second axis is at any non-zero angle relative to the respective first axis.

[0034] In the specific configuration shown, the elastic region 135 and the second portion 130 of the mat support connector 126 are generally below the mat-surrounding structure 124. It will be appreciated however that other arrangements may be possible where one or both of the elastic region and the second portion 130 is positioned in- plane with or above the mat-surrounding structure 124.

[0035] Worded another way, each mat support connector 26, 126 has a first end 54, 154 that is connected to the rebounding mat 20, 120 and a second end that is connected to an anchor structure (e.g. the second end of the compression spring 36 in Fig. 2 which engages the housing stop 38, or the end of the second inelastic elongate member 159 that connects to the anchor structure 82). Between the first and second ends of the mat support connector 26, 126, the mat support connector 26, 126 engages the transition surface 55, 155 on the mat-surrounding structure 24, 124 to transition the mat support connector 26, 126 from extending along the first axis A1 to extending along the second axis A2, which, as described above, is at a non-zero angle relative to the first axis A1. The mat support connector 26, 126 includes an elastic region 35, 135 at least a portion of which is between the transition surface 55, 155 and the anchor structure 38, 82.

[0036] In the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the distance between the rebounding mat 20, 120 and the mat-surrounding structure 24, 124 is defined as a gap G (see Figs. 2 and 5). Whereas in traditional trampoline systems the spring element is positioned in this gap space, the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 locate the spring elements outside of this gap and at least partially below the mat-surrounding structure 24, 124. As a result, the gap G of the aforementioned embodiments can be configured smaller in comparison to traditional trampolines, improving overall aesthetics and safety for the user.

[0037] It will be appreciated that suitable materials for constructing the standard components of a trampoline are known. For example, rebounding mat 20, 120 may be any durable mat material including but not limited to nylon, polypropylene or any other suitable fabric material. The support frame 22, 122, including the mat-surrounding structure 24, 124 may be any suitable material that is sufficiently rigid to support the trampoline. For example, the frame components may be of steel, aluminum or composite material construction.

[0038] The first and second portions 28, 30, 128, 130 may be any form of flexible material that can transition around the bearing pin 52, 152. For example, the first and second portions 28, 30, 128, 130 may be an elongate structure including, but not limited to a nylon strap or cable. As the mat support connector 26, 126 already includes the spring component, the first and second portions 28, 30, 128, 130 need not exhibit elastic character, although elastic materials could be implemented.

[0039] In respect of the elastic regions, suitable materials for the compression and tension springs may include, but are not limited to high-carbon steel alloy or stainless steel. The piston housing 34 of the embodiment in Fig. 2 may be formed from similar materials to the support frame. For example the piston housing (and the support frame) may be formed of steel, aluminum or a composite material. [0040] While the spring elements of the mat support connector 26, 126 have been exemplified as springs of the compression and tension-type, other types of spring elements may be employed, including but not limited to elastic cord (i.e. shock cord). In other embodiments, the mat support connector and in particular the first and second portions may be unitary and formed of an elastic material along the entire length thereof. For example, an elastic cord may extend from the rebounding mat 20, 120, may bend around the bearing pin 52, 152, and may extend to the support frame 22, 122. Thus, the elastic cord may make up substantially the entirety of the first and second portions of the mat support connector 26, 126.

[0041] It will be appreciated that trampoline systems may additionally include a safety enclosure. Such enclosures are generally known, and can be designed in a number of ways. The trampolines 10, 1 10 depicted in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 each provide such an enclosure 90, 190. In general, safety enclosure 90, 190 will include a flexible netting 92, 192 and a plurality of support members 94, 194 to maintain the flexible netting 92, 192 in a taut state during use. The enclosure 90, 190 may be mounted on the support frame 22, 122 as shown, or may be suspended on some alternate fashion.

[0042] As used herein, the terms horizontal and vertical and variations thereof are to be understood with reference to the structure of the trampolines 10, 1 10 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Specifically, the term horizontal refers to a direction that is parallel to the plane defined by rebounding mat 20, 120, while the term vertical refers to a direction that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the rebounding mat 20, 120. Similarly, the terms upward, downward, upper, lower, as well as derivations thereof are used to refer to a relative position that is generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the rebounding mat 20, 120.

[0043] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented only as illustrations and examples of the present disclosure, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is also apparent that the various features shown in the various embodiments to make the rainwater harvesting system safer for indoor use can all be applied in a combination in a system or singularly in a system, it is not necessary to incorporate all together. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.