NL2036489B1 - Trampoline with improved suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trampoline (1), comprising: a jump mat (14), a supporting frame (10) for the jump mat that is provided with an 5 upper bar (11), a lower bar (12) being situated under the upper bar, and a number of legs (13) that support the bars, a plurality of connecting elements (20) for connecting the jump mat to the upper bar and tensioner means (30) for pretensioning the connecting elements to the lower bar. The upper bar is longer than the lower bar and each connecting element is rigid and 10 is arranged for rotation around the upper bar, such that in the assembled state each connecting element forms a lever with a fulcrum around the upper bar, wherein the connecting element has an upper lever arm extending substantially upwards from the upper bar and a lower lever arm extending substantially downwards from the upper bar. 15 Fig. 1

Description

TRAMPOLINE WITH IMPROVED SUSPENSION

The present invention refers to a trampoline, comprising: a jump mat; a supporting frame for the jump mat, which supporting frame is provided with an upper bar forming a substantially closed first loop, a lower bar being situated under the upper bar and forming a substantially closed second loop, and a number of legs that support the upper bar and the lower bar; a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the jump mat to the upper bar, wherein each of the connecting elements is arranged for pivotable attachment on the upper bar; and tensioner means for pretensioning the connecting elements to the lower bar.

Trampolines are popular for recreational use as outdoor toys for the garden. Due to their large dimensions, trampolines are usually transported in separate parts and assembled and installed by the consumer themselves. In a conventional trampoline the jump mat is connected at its periphery by a plurality of springs to the upper bar. A special protection cushion is placed over the springs to prevent injuries when a user jumps or falls on the springs. In practice the protection is suboptimal as the cushion tends to shift caused by the constant movement of the jump mat.

US2017/0001054 describes a trampoline according to the preamble in which the jump mat is connected to the supporting frame by a plurality of elastic units, comprising said connecting elements and said tensioner means, wherein said elastic units are arranged vertically. The elastic units address only part of the problem of safety by placing the tensioner means vertically. Furthermore attaching the elastic units to the supporting frame is time consuming. Each connection element has a projection end that needs to be pivotally connected to a mounting member that is fixed on an outer side of the upper bar.

The invention has for its object to provide a trampoline of the type stated in the preamble that has an even safer suspension for the jump mat and that is easier to assemble.

The trampoline according to the present invention is thereto characterized in that the first loop is larger than the second loop; and in that each connecting element is rigid and is arranged for rotation around the upper bar, such that in the assembled state each connecting element forms a lever with a fulcrum around the upper bar, wherein the connecting element has an upper lever arm extending substantially upwards from the upper bar and a lower lever arm extending substantially downwards from the upper bar.

Due to the novel construction of the supporting frame the tensioner means extend under the jump mat and are placed completely out of the jumping surface thus enhancing safety. This results in a compact design since the tensioner means take up less space in the vertical direction and consequently the distance between the upper and lower bars can be kept smaller. Due to the novel construction of the connecting elements, in use each connecting element rotates around the upper bar under the influence of the stretching force of the jump mat acting on the upper lever arm versus the tensioning force of the tensioner means acting on the lower lever arm.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention each connecting element is provided with adjusting means for adjusting a point of application of the tensioner means on the lower lever arm between a first position and a second position, wherein the point of application in the first position is closer to the fulcrum than in the second position. In the first position the tensioning force of the tensioner means exerted on the lower lever arm is smaller than in the second position because the load arm is shorter. In the first position the trampoline is therefore suitable for users having a lighter weight. When the users are young children, over time the trampoline can be set in the second position when the children have grown heavier. Advantageously the trampoline can be easier assembled in the first position, since less force is required to fasten the tensioner means to the lower lever arms.

According to an elegant, preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention the adjusting means comprise a fastening element for the tensioner means, wherein the lower lever arm comprises a slot-shaped opening in which the fastening element is movably arranged. Preferably the slot-shaped opening is curved. Due to the curved shape movement of the fastening element in the slot-shaped opening can only take place against the action of the tensioning means and thus the fastening element is automatically locked in the respective first or second position.

In a practical preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention the fastening element comprises an adjusting pin for sliding in the slot-shaped opening.

In a user-friendly preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention the fastening element is provided with a control element, such as a pedal or a handle.

In an efficient preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention each connecting element is arranged for detachable connection to the upper bar. In a further elaboration of the efficient preferred embodiment each connecting element comprises a recess for receiving the upper bar. The efficient preferred embodiment allows for a quick and reliable assembly of the trampoline. Preferably the recess is provided with a bearing that is more preferably arranged as an insert. The sliding properties of the bearing can be enhanced by choosing a suitable material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM).

Preferably the connecting elements of the trampoline according to the invention are each made out of one piece. Preferably the connecting elements are made of plastic. Plastic one piece connecting elements can be made by injection moulding.

According to a reliable preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention the tensioner means comprise springs, such as helical springs, or elastic cords, such as bungee cords.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of a trampoline according to the invention;

Figure 2A schematically shows part of the embodiment of figure 1 in a first position;

Figure 2B shows a side view of the embodiment of figure 2A in a second position;

Figure 2C shows an exploded view of the embodiment of figure 2B;

Figure 3A shows a detailed view of a second preferred embodiment of the trampoline according to the invention in a first position; and

Figure 3B shows a detailed view of the embodiment of figure 3A in a second position.

In all figures the same numerals denote the same parts.

Figure 1 schematically shows a first preferred embodiment of a trampoline according to the invention. Trampoline 1 comprises a supporting frame 10 provided with an upper bar 11 and a lower bar 12 that are supported by a number of legs 13. The trampoline 1 further comprises a jump mat 14 that needs to be tensioned on the supporting frame 10. Hereto a plurality of connecting elements 20 are provided. Each connecting element 20 is pivotably connected to the upper bar 11. The trampoline 1 furthermore comprises tensioner means 30 for pretensioning the connecting elements 20 to the lower bar 12.

The upper bar 11 and the lower bar 12 each form a loop that preferably is substantially closed. The surface enclosed by the upper bar 11 is larger than the surface enclosed by the lower bar 12. In the first preferred embodiment shown both the upper bar 11 and the lower bar 12 are substantially round or annular in shape. Herein the upper bar 11 is longer than the lower bar 12. It is noted however that other unround shapes, such as a rectangular or oval shape, also form part of the invention.

Optionally the trampoline 1 is provided with a safety net and a number of standing tubes can be connected to the supporting frame 10 to fasten the safety net on.

Figure 2A shows part of the trampoline 1 schematically in more detail. For clarity reasons in figure 2A only one connecting element 20 is shown taking up a first position.

Figure 2B shows a detailed side view of the connecting element 20 in a second position.

Figure 2C shows the connecting element 20 in exploded view.

Each connecting element has a fulcrum 21, an upper lever arm 20A and a lower lever arm 20B. In the preferred embodiment shown the fulcrum is arranged for detachable connection to the upper bar 11. The fulcrum of each connecting element 20 is formed by a recess 21 provided with a bearing 22 for receiving the upper bar 11.

Each connecting element 20 is arranged for detachable connection to the jump mat 14. In the preferred embodiment the jump mat comprises eyelets 15 and each upper lever arm 20A comprises a jump mat hook 28 for cooperation with one of the eyelets 15. The jump mat hook 28 is arranged at an outer end of the upper lever arm 20A.

Each connecting element 20 is arranged for detachable fastening of the tensioner means. In the preferred embodiment the tensioner means are formed by helical springs 30, also denoted herein as tensioner springs. Each tensioner spring is at one end provided with a lower lever arm hook 31 and at an opposite end with a lower bar hook 32. The lower bar 12 is provided with holes 16 for accommodating the lower bar hooks 32.

Each connecting element 20 is provided with adjusting means for adjusting a point of application of the tensioner means on the lower lever arm between a first position and a second position. In the first position the point of application is closer to the fulcrum than in the second position.

In the preferred embodiment the lower lever arm hook 31 is arranged for fastening to one of the connecting elements 20 by means of a fastening element 23. The fastening element 23 is attached to an adjusting pin 24. Each lower lever arm 20B is provided with a slot-shaped opening 25 in which the adjusting pin 24 is slidable. The adjusting pin 24 is provided with a control element 26 to move the adjusting pin 24 between the first position of figure 2A and the second position of figure 2B. In the first preferred embodiment the control element is a control pedal 26. Preferably the slot-shaped opening 25 is curved, such that the outer ends of the slot-shaped opening 25 lie closer to the centre of trampoline 1 than the middle portion of the slot-shaped opening 25.

Figure 3A schematically shows a second preferred embodiment of the connecting element 20 of the trampoline 1 in a first position. Figure 3B shows the connecting element 20 of figure 3A in a second position. In the second preferred embodiment only the adjusting means are different with respect to the first preferred embodiment. More specifically the control element is a control handle with two grips 27 attached to either side of the adjusting pin 24.

According to the invention a point of application of the force of the tensioner springs 30 in the first position lies closer to the fulcrum than in the second position. Consequently in the first position the spring force on the jump mat 14 is lower than in the second position.

Each connecting element 20 has a rigid body. Advantageously said body is made out of one piece. Preferably said body is made of plastic material. A suitable plastic material for the body is polyamide (nylon plastic), preferably glass fibre reinforced polyamide.

A suitable material for the bearing 22 is polyoxymethylene (POM).

Suitable materials for the fastening element 23, the adjusting pin 24 and the control elements 26, 27 is polypropylene.

In the preferred embodiments an above ground trampoline is shown freestanding on a supporting frame with relatively high legs. It will be apparent that the invention also 5 encompasses inground and ground level trampolines. Thereto some changes to the supporting frame are necessary that lie within the competence of a person skilled in the art.

The invention is of course not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiments, but also encompass other variants that lie within reach of a person skilled in the art. Consequently, the invention extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims and as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims (12)

CONCLUSIONS 1. Trampoline, comprising: a jumping mat; a supporting frame provided with an upper bar forming a substantially closed first loop, a lower bar located beneath the upper bar and forming a substantially closed second loop, and a plurality of legs supporting the upper bar and the lower bar; a plurality of connecting elements for connecting the jumping mat to the upper bar, wherein each connecting element is rotatably mounted on the upper bar; and tensioning means for pretensioning the connecting elements to the lower bar, characterised in that the first loop is larger than the second loop; and in that each connecting element is rigid and adapted to rotate about the upper bar, such that each connecting element, in the assembled state, forms a lever with a fulcrum about the upper bar, wherein the connecting element has an upper lever arm extending substantially upward from the fulcrum, and a lower lever arm extending substantially downward from the fulcrum. 2. A trampoline as claimed in claim 1, wherein each connecting element is provided with adjustment means for adjusting a point of application of the tensioning means on the lower lever arm between a first position and a second position, wherein the point of application in the first position is closer to the support point than in the second position. 3. Trampoline according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment means comprise a fastening element for the tensioning means, wherein the lower lever arm comprises a slot-shaped opening in which the fastening element is movably arranged. 4. A trampoline as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slot-shaped opening is curved. 5. Trampoline according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fastening element comprises an adjustment pin slidably arranged in the slot-shaped opening. 6. Trampoline according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the mounting element is provided with a control element, such as a pedal or a handle. 7. A trampoline according to any preceding claim, wherein each connecting element is adapted for releasable attachment to the top bar. 8. A trampoline as claimed in claim 7, wherein each connecting element has a recess for receiving the top bar. 9. Trampoline according to claim 8, wherein the recess is provided with a bearing, preferably designed as an insert. 10. A trampoline according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each connecting element is made in one piece. 11. Trampoline according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each connecting element is made of plastic. 12. A trampoline according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning means comprise springs, such as coil springs, or elastic cords, such as bungee cords.