Game apparatus

A game apparatus including at least one rebound surface and flexible material dividing the rebound surface into at least two play areas includes a rebound surface mounting frame and a flexible material mounting frame coupled to hold the frames in substantially fixed relationship but allow movement of one frame in relation to the other for stress relief between the frames. At least one cross member supports the flexible material between play areas and reinforces the flexible material mounting frame. The individual play areas are formed by separate preassembled flexible material units that are mounted in the flexible material mounting frame and then secured together to for the individual play areas. The flexible material mounting frame includes walk bars and also supports basket assemblies used in game play.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of game apparatus including a trampoline and structure above the trampoline for playing games while jumping on the trampoline.

2. State of the Art

In the early eighties I invented a game, with several variations, which utilized one or more trampolines and structure above the trampoline surface or surfaces. These game apparatus are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,838 and 4,569,515, and are available commercially under the trademarks AEROBALL and HIBALL from Maze, Inc., Springville, Utah. The game apparatus includes one or more trampolines with netting around the rebound surface of the trampoline to ensure that the players jumping on the trampoline do not fall off the rebound surface and which divides the play area into individual cells with a cell for each player. The netting dividing the cells prevents the players from jumping into or hitting one another. The structure above the rebound surface provides nets and goals for players to hit or throw a ball over or into and netting to keep the ball or other play object in the playing area.

The play apparatus as shown in cited U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,838 and 4,569,515 generally works well but I have now made several improvements to the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the rebound surface mounting frame and the flexible material mounting frame are constructed as separate frames but coupled in a manner to hold the frames in substantially fixed relationship to one another and to allow movement between the frames to relieve stress between the frames. My prior apparatus used a unitary frame. The apparatus of the invention includes preassembled flexible material units that are secured together and to a flexible material mounting frame to form the individual play areas above the rebound surfaces. My prior apparatus had a single preassembled flexible material assembly that included all play areas and was heavy, unwieldy, and difficult to install. The apparatus of the invention includes cross frame members extending across the frame between individual play areas and forming the lower edge of openings between individual play areas. This allows the individual play areas to be separated with connecting material straddling the cross members and attaching to the walls of the individual play areas to close the space between individual play areas and strengthens the frame to prevent bowing of frame members. The invention includes walk members in the flexible material mounting frame to allow a person assembling the apparatus to walk on such members and reach the top of the frame for frame assembly and attachment of the flexible material units to the frame. The connection of the goals or baskets is improved and provision is made for return of playing objects thrown into a vacant play area from the vacant play area to the player in an adjacent play area. Further, improvements in spring covers and bars to aid entry and exit to the play areas are provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Although the game apparatus of the invention can be made with varying numbers of individual playing areas, the apparatus will generally be provided in two player models with two individual playing areas or in four player models with four individual playing areas.FIGS. 1-11show a two player model andFIGS. 13-15show a four player model. Further, with each model, a single large rebound surface can be provided so that different portions of the same rebound surface are divided into and included in the individual playing areas, or individual rebound surfaces can be provided for each individual playing area. The drawings show individual rebound surfaces for each playing area.

Referring toFIGS. 1-10a two player game apparatus includes a rectangular rebound surface mounting frame, generally20as best seen inFIG. 2, having side members21connected by corner connectors22and intermediate connectors23. Corner legs24connect to side members21through connector sleeves25, and intermediate leg bottom sections26with straight leg sections27connect to side members21and intermediate cross member28also through connector sleeves25. Corrugated rods29are secured, such as by welding to the sides of side members21and intermediate cross member28for attachment of springs35,FIG. 3, to secure rebound surface36to rebound surface frame20.FIG. 3shows only the left hand portion of rebound surface mounting frame20as shown inFIG. 2which mounts one rebound surface36. A second rebound surface substantially identical to rebound surface36is also mounted on the right hand portion of rebound surface mounting frame20as shown inFIG. 4. Rebound surface mounting frame20with spring mounted rebound surface36form what is commonly referred to as a trampoline. Rebound surface mounting frame20as shown inFIGS. 1-4form side by side rebound or trampoline surfaces36. Spring covers37are secured over springs36for safety and aesthetic purposes and pad38is secured over springs36on the side of the frame that will include the door39,FIG. 1, to the play areas to pad the springs as a player crawls or climbs over them to enter the play areas. Spring covers37may be secured over springs36by straps40,FIG. 3a, on the underside of the covers, and pads38may be secured using ties41,FIG. 3b. In addition, it is preferred that a strip of hook and loop fastener material such as VELCRO be secured to the edges of the rebound surface36as at42to mate with mating strips of hook and loop fastener material secured to the bottom edges of the spring covers37and pad38as at edges43. The mating hook and loop fastening material holds the covers37and pads38more securely in place than merely straps40and ties41and slow the wear of such covers37and pads38, but are not necessary as the straps and ties will hold the covers and pads in place.

A flexible material mounting frame, generally50as best seen inFIG. 4, includes vertical corner poles51and vertical intermediate poles52, with horizontal mid side bars53, horizontal top side bars54, an intermediate cross frame member55and a top cross frame member56. Walk bars57are also preferably provided on which a person assembling the flexible material mounting frame and securing the flexible material thereto can stand and walk to reach the top of the flexible material mounting frame to attach the flexible material to the top of the flexible material mounting frame. Since the vertical corner poles51and vertical intermediate poles52are relatively long, generally about fifteen feet or more, each of the vertical corner poles51and vertical intermediate poles52are preferably made up two separable telescoping sections51aand51band52aand52b, respectively which are separated for shipping or other transportation and storage. Each of the side bars53and54, the walk bars57, the intermediate cross frame member55, and the top cross frame member56are formed of tubes with ends53a,54a,57a,55a, and56a, respectively, bent at ninety degrees to the length of the tube to slip into and be held by receiving sleeves60secured to corner poles51and intermediate poles52. Rather than the ends being bent at ninety degrees, the tube ends could be secured, such as by welding, to the tubes at ninety degrees. This provides for easy assembly of the flexible material mounting frame50as the ends of the side bars53and54, the walk bars57, the intermediate cross frame member55, and the top cross frame member56are easily inserted into respective receiving sleeves60to assemble the flexible material mounting frame50.

The flexible material mounting frame50is interconnected with the rebound surface mounting frame20so that the two frames remain in substantially fixed relationship. However, the preferred mounting allows movement of the two frames in relation to one another to relieve stress in the frame that might otherwise develop if the frames were one rigid frame. To accomplish this, the frames are coupled by sliding vertical corner poles51of the flexible material mounting frame50through sleeves62which are part of the corner connectors22of the rebound surface mounting frame20and by sliding vertical intermediate poles52through sleeves63which are part of the intermediate connectors23of the rebound surface mounting frame20. The poles51and52are slidingly received in the receiving sleeves62and63and are free to slide therein to equalize stress cause by uneven ground or other causes. Poles51and52rest directly on the surface supporting the game apparatus and have feet65secured to the bottom thereof to avoid scratching of floors or other hard surfaces on which the apparatus may be mounted or to prevent such poles from sinking into the ground or other soft surfaces the apparatus may be mounted on.

The flexible material to form the individual play areas is conveniently provided as separate assembled units for each play area.FIG. 5shows schematically two of these assembled units70and71. The only difference between these units are the connecting side flaps72and top flap73extending from unit70for attachment to unit71. While various flexible materials may be used, the presently preferred material is a mesh or netting material, such as a vinyl coated dacron or nylon mesh, having mesh openings big enough so the material is generally see through, but small enough so that fingers or teeth do not pass into the openings. This allows people outside the apparatus to watch the game being played in the apparatus, but maintains the safety of the apparatus. Both units70and71have opposite side walls74, back walls75, and partial front walls76. These wall form the individual play areas within the walls. The upper portions of the front of each unit are open as at77. These open areas form an opening between the units when the units are joined together to allow play objects, such as balls, to move between individual play areas. The top of each unit may be closed, as shown, by tops78or may be left open. If left open, a separate top will be positioned over the tops of the units by the flexible material mounting frame to close the tops to prevent play objects used in the apparatus from coming out of the play areas. The bottom of each unit is open so when positioned over a rebound surface36of the apparatus, the rebound surface forms the floor for each play area. Doors39, generally formed by an opening in the wall and a flap over the opening, are provided in one of the side walls74in each unit. A goal or basket assembly80is provided in each of the back walls75. Various ties, hooks, and reinforcing webbing material strips, not shown inFIG. 5, are provided for securing the units in the flexible material mounting frame over the rebound surfaces. The units70and71are assembled by sewing or otherwise connecting the various pieces of the flexible material and other materials as needed to form the preassembled units70and71.

The assembled apparatus is shown inFIG. 1. Once the rebound surface mounting frame is assembled, the rebound surface or surfaces mounted in the rebound surface mounting frame, and the flexible material mounting frame is assembled as coupled to the rebound surface mounting frame as shown inFIG. 4, the preassembled flexible material units are mounted to the flexible material mounting frame over the rebound surfaces to complete assembly of the apparatus. In securing the preassembled flexible material units to the flexible material mounting frame, the units are hung in the frame from the top and the bottom and preferably an intermediate portion of the sides are also secured to the mounting frame to securely hold the flexible material units in position in the mounting frame. Thus, rings85, such as “D” rings, are secured to the top corners of each unit70and71, to the bottom corners of each unit, and to intermediate edges, as shown inFIGS. 5,6,7, and1. These rings are then resiliently attached to similar rings86secured to poles51and52of the flexible material support frame through links87and springs88as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, and schematically as attachments89inFIG. 1. A strip of reinforcing webbing material90,FIG. 1, may connect the intermediate edge rings85. Such reinforcing webbing material will also generally extend along the top edges and bottom edges of the units connecting the top and bottom rings85.

Units70and71will be spaced apart as shown inFIG. 1when assembled in the apparatus to prevent a player who may fall against the front wall of a play area from hitting a player in the other play area. This is a further safety feature of the invention. Because of this separation, the area around the opening77between the two units should be closed to prevent a play object, such as a ball, from leaving the adjoined play areas. For this purpose, when the units70and71are assembled as shown inFIG. 1, side flaps72of unit70extend to unit71and close the side area between the units, and top flap73of unit70extends to unit71and closes the top area between the units. Preferably some type of connectors connect the ends of the flaps to unit71. For this purpose, it has been found convenient to secure a strip of hook and loop fastener91,FIGS. 5 and 8, to the side and top edges of unit71around opening77and secure a mating strip of hook and loop fastener92along the edges of flaps72and73of unit70. When assembled as shown inFIG. 1, the flaps are extended between the units and secured to close the side and top spaces between the units. Intermediate cross frame member55extends across the frame between units70and71and defines the lower edge of the opening77between the units. It is preferred that the intermediate cross frame member be height adjustable to adjust the bottom level of the opening77between the units70and71between two heights. Additional adjustment can be provided, but adjustment between two heights has been found sufficient. Intermediate cross frame member55extends between opposite sleeves60secured to intermediate poles52,FIG. 4. To provide the height adjustment, two sleeves60, indicated as sleeves60aand60binFIG. 9which shows one pole52, are provided on each pole52at different desired heights. The ends of intermediate cross frame member55can be placed in the selected pairs of opposing sleeves60to mount intermediate cross frame member55at the desired height along poles52.FIG. 1shows intermediate cross frame member55mounted in the upper of the two pairs of opposing sleeves, i.e., in the upper position. In this position, intermediate cross frame member55extends through a closeable slit94,FIGS. 1,5, and8, in side flaps72, and the slit94is closed by mating hook and loop material tabs95,FIG. 8, and particularly the enlarged insert ofFIG. 8, and/or clips96. When intermediate cross frame member55is moved to its lower position, it will be at the bottom end of slit94and again the slit will be secured closed to prevent a play item from leaving the play area.

To close the bottom of opening77between units70and71, flexible material98,FIGS. 4 and 8, is draped over intermediate cross frame member55with the flexible material98extending from intermediate cross frame member55on both sides downwardly and outwardly to front walls76,FIGS. 9 and 5, of units70and71. Strips of hook and loop material100,FIG. 9, may be secured to the inside of front walls76to mate with mating strips of hook and loop material, not shown, on the underside of material98to secure the edges of material98to the front walls76of units70and71. Several strips100of hook and loop material are spaced along the height of the front walls76so material98can be secured to front walls76in either of the height positions of intermediate cross frame member55. If desired, clips101can be provided along the outside edges of material98to be clipped to “D” ring85and secured to the flexible material mounting frame along with “D” ring85as shown inFIG. 9and the enlarged insert ofFIG. 9. These clips101ensure that material98stretches from side to side of front walls76. Intermediate cross frame member55is padded to prevent injury to a player who may hit the cross member. This padding may be padding wrapped around member55independently of material98, or may be padding attached to the underside of material98where it drapes over member55. The provision of intermediate cross frame member55not only defines the lower edge of opening77between playing areas and provides support for material98, but also strengthens the flexible material mounting frame50and prevents bowing of posts52. Without such cross member, posts52have to be extremely heavy to minimize bowing when the material defining and separating play areas is attached thereto.

Goal or basket assemblies80,FIGS. 1 and 5, are secured in the back wall74of each unit70and71. The basket assemblies provide the goals at which players in playing areas direct playing objects such as balls during play of many of the various games that can be played in the apparatus. Thus, in some games, a player in one play area attempts to throw a ball through the adjoining play area past the player in that adjoining play area and into the basket or goal. The basket will generally have an inlet105and outlet106so that when the ball is thrown into the inlet, it will be directed by the basket assembly to the outlet so that it exits the basket assembly through the outlet and a player does not have to reach into the basket to remove it. The basket assembly is generally secured, such as by sewing, in the back wall material. In addition, it is mounted to the flexible material mounting frame as shown inFIG. 1. In the past, the mounting to the frame has been with springs. However, with movement of the material, a problem has been that the springs become momentarily decompressed and separate from the frame. It is currently preferred that the basket assembly be secured to the frame with closed links, such as snap rings107,FIG. 1, so that the basket assembly remains secured to the frame. The snap rings attach to attachment rings108,FIG. 4b, secured, such as by welding, to walk bar57.

In some instances, a single player may want to play or practice throwing a ball at a basket without a player present in the adjoining play area. In such instance, the player does not want to lose the ball in the vacant play area, but would like it to return to the play area from which it is thrown. In order to have the ball return, a temporary sloped platform110,FIG. 10, may be attached between the back wall74in the vacant play area and over material98so that a ball thrown into the vacant play area, whether or not it makes the basket or goal, rolls down the sloped material110to return to the play area from which it was thrown. Generally, the sloped material110can be the same flexible material making up the walls of the play areas and can be secured in place with clips or ties provided on the sloped material and the walls of the play areas.

As indicated, for entering or leaving the play areas, a door39, generally a flap over a small entrance opening, is provided. Pad38allows a player to easily crawl over springs35without discomfort. To aid in mounting or dismounting the rebound surface, bars112are mounted in sleeves113secured to side rebound surface mounting frame side bar22on opposite sides of door39. A rail114placed in sleeves115tend to keep the bars112from rotating and provides a step. Feet116are provided on the bottom of bars112.

While it is preferred to build the rebound surface mounting frame and the flexible material mounting frame specifically to match, a game apparatus of the invention can be built from a standard trampoline with a flexible material mounting frame coupled to the existing trampoline frame. For such purpose, mounting sleeves for receiving and holding the poles of the flexible material mounting frame may be removably secured to the trampoline frame. For example,FIG. 12shows a clamp120for removable attachment to a trampoline frame member. Clamp arms121are placed around trampoline frame member122and a screw123is tightened into nut124to tightly close the clamp around trampoline member122. Clamp120provides a sleeve125for receiving a pole of the flexible material mounting frame.

FIGS. 13-15show a four player version of the apparatus of the invention.FIG. 13shows an assembled four player version and is similar toFIG. 1for the two player version.FIG. 14is similar toFIG. 4for the two player version but does not show the side bars or top cross bars. However, it does show the intermediate cross members130with flexible material sheets131which are draped over the cross members130. These intermediate cross members130fit into receiving sleeves133and are height adjustable between two height positions as explained for the two player version. However, a center pole134is provided which has telescoping portions to provide the height adjustment for that center pole. Upper pole portion134aslides in lower pole portion134and is held in desired height position by pin135which passes through aligned holes in both pole portions when at the desired set height. This adjustment of the pole adjusts the height of sleeves135which receive the inner ends of cross members130. These heights correspond to the two selectable sleeves133on the intermediate poles136.FIG. 14also shows the arrangement of four rebound surfaces140arranged in rebound surface mounting frame141. With the four player apparatus, four individual play areas are divided and positioned above the four rebound surfaces140. The play areas are formed by preassembled flexible material units142shown inFIGS. 13 and 15. These are similar to the preassembled units shown and described for the two player apparatus. The difference is that the units are open on two sides rather than one side so that all four play areas are connected by upper openings. This is shown inFIG. 15where the upper portion of the inside of the play areas are open to one another. The flexible material units143defining the four individual play areas are secured to the flexible material mounting frame at the corners of the units as shown and described for the two player units, except for the center of the apparatus where four corners come together. Here, the corners are resiliently connected to top cross member145at its junction with top cross members146connected through sleeves147to top cross member146. Since the flexible material units143are open at their top portions and the walls do not extend to the top where the four units come together, strips of web material148define the edges and corners of the play areas at the top and the corners where the strips of web material come together are preferably resiliently secured to top cross member145. Top cross member145may be a double member or larger member to support the other cross members146and webbing material148. Also, since top cross member145is about fifteen feet long, it may be made in two pieces which telescope together so it can be separated into two pieces for shipping and storage. Units143may have individual tops, or as shown, may have open tops. When they have open tops, a separate top piece150is provided to cover the tops of all individual play areas. Top150may be secured directly to the flexible material mounting frame or, as shown, may be secured to the top of the flexible material units143as by hooks151,FIG. 15a, attached to “D” rings152which are secured to the flexible material mounting frame by resilient connectors153as described for the two player apparatus.

Similarly to the two player apparatus, the four player apparatus includes walk bars155and basket assemblies156which are secured to the mounting frame through snap rings157,FIG. 15b, connected between basket assembly rings158and rings159extending from walk bars155.FIG. 15bshows the basket assembly156with sleeves160which receives a mounting bar161therein. Mounting bar161provides the rings158extending therefrom and through openings162in sleeves160. Sleeves160are preferably closed at their bottom ends and open only at their top ends to receive mounting bar161. Mounting bar161maintains the configuration of the basket assembly156.

FIG. 13shows advertising banners165attached to the flexible material mounting frame to advertise the apparatus and safety warning signs166secured to the outside of the walls of the flexible material units143above doors167where they can be seen and read by players before entering the play areas of the apparatus.

If desired, flaps170,FIG. 15, may be provided on the underside of top150to be normally held against the underside of top150by fasteners such as patches of mating hook and loop material171when the apparatus is used for four players, or can be extended from the underside of top150to close the opening between two of the play areas and divide the four player apparatus into two side by side two player configurations. This provides flexibility to the four player apparatus.

FIG. 16shows a rebound surface mounting frame and rebound surface for a two player apparatus similar to that previously described, but showing a single rebound surface175for the apparatus rather than two separate side by side rebound surfaces as previously shown. The same flexible material mounting frame and flexible material units secured in the mounting frame are used as previously shown and described. However, with the single rebound surface, different portions of the same rebound surface is used for the floor of both play areas rather than having separate rebound surfaces for each play area. This adds different rebound surface characteristics than separate rebound surfaces and requires different game playing skills. The single rebound surface can also be used with the four player apparatus. Further, various configurations such as round or octagon shaped rebound surfaces can be used with individual play areas configured to correspond to the shape of the rebound surface.

While the apparatus can be provided in various sizes, a size which has been found satisfactory provides individual play areas of about four feet nine inched by four feet nine inches. For this size play areas, a rebound surface beneath the play areas of about five feet by five feet is desirable. This then requires that the rebound surface mounting frame be about fifteen feet long to provide two five feet by five feet side by side rebound surfaces. A two player apparatus will then be about fifteen feet by seven and one half feet and a four player apparatus will be about fifteen feet by fifteen feet. The units will preferably be about fifteen feet high.

Whereas the invention is here illustrated and described with reference to embodiments thereof presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out the invention in actual practice, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in adapting the invention to different embodiments without departing from the broader inventive concepts disclosed herein and comprehended by the claims that follow.