Trampoline with elastic frame attachment system

Abstract: A trampoline (20) including a trampoline mat (40), a frame (22) surrounding the trampoline mat (40), and an attachment system for connecting the frame (22) to the trampoline mat (40). The attachment system includes a plurality of elastic straps (42) connected to the periphery of the trampoline mat (40) and a plurality of connectors (50) for connecting the elastic straps (42) to the frame (22).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trampolines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an attachment system for connecting a trampoline mat to a trampoline frame. Description of the Related Art Trampolines and other springboards have been used for decades for sport, entertainment, and fitness purposes. Significant health risks, however, accompany the use of a trampoline. For instance, should the user lose control, he or she may land incorrectly on the trampoline or, even worse, fall off the trampoline causing significant injuries. A conventional trampoline includes a central mat connected to an outer frame by a plurality of springs having open hooks at their ends. The springs hook into slots or holes at the top of the frame and connect to the mat at the opposite end. This construction leaves large spaces between adjacent springs. Often, the trampoline may include a foam pad covering the frame and loosely attached to the frame with string. The pad typically vibrates and moves during use and leaves these large spaces uncovered or only partially covered with only a thin foam pad. Should the user lose control, he or she may fall into these spaces and be injured. GB-A-2 252 920 discloses a trampoline having a central mat that is suspended in an outer rectangular frame. The mat is provided with tubes of elastomeric webbing along it edges, and the frame has a respective tie bar bolted along each of its sides. The tubes of webbing pass around the tie bars such that each tube of webbing forms a loop therearound. In this way, the mat is attached to the tie bars and is thereby suspended in the frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realised and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. According to this invention, there is provided a trampoline as defined in claim 1. Optional features of the trampoline are defined in the dependent claims. Embodiments of the inventive trampoline incorporate the mat, the elastic mechanism, and the frame into an integral construction. According to an embodiment of the invention, a trampoline includes a trampoline mat, a frame surrounding the trampoline mat, an elastic portion connected to a periphery of the trampoline mat and extending between the trampoline mat and the frame to cover substantially all of a space between the trampoline mat and the frame, and at least one connector for connecting the elastic portion to the frame. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Fig. 1 is a top view of a trampoline according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the trampoline of Figure 1; Fig. 2A is an enlarged partial side view of the trampoline of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an elastic strap for use in a trampoline according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a an enlarged top view of a portion of the trampoline of Figure 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector for use in the trampoline of Figure 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a frame piece and connector for use in a trampoline according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of a trampoline according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector for use in the trampoline of Fig. 7. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed towards a trampoline having a mat, a frame, and an attachment system that connects the mat to the frame. The inventive trampoline may further include a frame protection system including a foam covering and a weather cover fixedly secured to the trampoline mat and frame. The trampoline attachment system consists primarily of elastic straps fixedly attached to the periphery of the mat and wire connectors for connecting the straps to the frame. Preferably, the trampoline includes a sufficient amount of elastic straps so that no spaces exist between the mat and the frame, as will be described further herein. In this way, a user that loses control will not fall between the mat and the frame. In addition, the construction to be described is lighter weight and easier to manufacture and transport than conventional trampolines. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a trampoline 20 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Trampoline 20 includes a mat 40 secured to a frame 22 by an attachment system to be described. Frame 22 generally includes a top portion 23 and a plurality of legs 24 supporting top portion 23. Top portion 23 may be comprised of a plurality of individual frame pieces, such as frame piece 28 shown in Figure 6. Each frame piece 28 is preferably of an approximately oval cross-section with a substantially flat top portion, a substantially flat bottom portion, and outer and inner sides. Frame pieces of other cross-sectional shapes (i.e. substantially round, square, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention. Each individual frame piece 28 preferably includes a swedged end 30 to telescope into a corresponding open end of an adjacent frame piece 28. This type of connection provides a sturdy frame that does not rotate and a frame that is easy to assemble and disassemble. In addition, the use of a plurality of frame pieces allows for a trampoline that is easy to manufacture and transport. Top portion 23 may be comprised of any suitable number of frame pieces 28 that, once connected together, form a shape that conforms to the shape of mat 40. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, top portion 23 is of a circular shape. Top portion 23, however, may be square, octagonal, rectangular, or any other suitable size or shape. Frame pieces 28 are preferably oval tubing having a thickness of approximately 25mm (one inch) and a width of approximately 75mm (three inches). Some or all of frame pieces 28 include one or more leg sockets 26, as shown in Figure 2. Each leg socket 26 accepts a leg 24. Leg sockets 26 are preferably tubing having a diameter of approximately 50mm (two inches) and a length of approximately 100mm (four inches). Sockets 26 are preferably welded or otherwise fixedly secured to frame pieces 28. Legs 24 are preferably tubing of slightly less than 50mm (two inches) in diameter to telescope into leg sockets 26. Legs 24 may be formed to any suitable length so that trampoline 20 is at a desired height above the ground. Each leg 24 terminates in a leg support 27 that rests on the ground or floor. Leg supports 27 accept a bottom end of legs 24 and may be integrally formed with legs 24. Frame pieces 28, leg sockets 26, legs 24, and leg supports 27 are preferably manufactured of a high strength metal or other suitable material of sufficient strength. Mat 40 may be a conventional trampoline mat made of polypropylene or other suitable material. Mat 40 attaches to frame 22 by an attachment system that includes a plurality of elastic straps 42, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Figure 1 shows only some of the plurality of elastic straps 42 that are used to attach mat 40 to frame 22. It is to be understood that elastic straps 42 surround the entire periphery of mat 40 to connect to frame 22. Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a single elastic strap 42 and its connection to mat 40 and top frame portion 23. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, each elastic strap 42 includes a top portion 43 which loops around to a bottom portion 44. Strap 42 also includes a top end 45 and a bottom end 46. Ends 45 and 46 are preferably sewn to the outer periphery of mat 40. Other means of fixedly connecting ends 45 and 46 to mat 40, or integrally forming mat 40 with straps 42, are within the scope of this invention. Strap 42 is manufactured from a woven elastic material that is elastically deformable (stretchable) so as to return to its original size and shape after deformation. The material of strap 42 is of a sufficient strength, however, to resist overstretching upon the application of large loads. A preferable material of strap 42 is a polypropylene woven elastic. Other suitable materials include woven nylon, rayon, or other like stretchable material. It is also important that such materials have a high resistance to ultraviolet rays. It is to be understood that any suitable number of elastic straps 42 may be used around the periphery of mat 40 to connect mat 40 to frame 22. In a preferred embodiment, a sufficient number of straps 42 are used so that no spaces exist between mat 40 and frame 22. This increases the safety of the trampoline as a user cannot fall between the mat and the frame. Each elastic strap 42 is preferably of a width that corresponds to the wire connectors to be described herein. In a most preferred embodiment, each strap 42 is approximately 75mm (three inches) in width. Each strap 42 has a length that is approximately two times the desired separation between mat 40 and frame portion 23 so that strap 42 can be folded over. The attachment system for connecting mat 40 to frame 22 further includes a plurality of wire connectors, such as a wire connector 50 shown in Figure 5. The wire connectors may be formed to fit any configuration or size tubing used in a trampoline frame. The wire connectors 50 of Figure 5 connect elastic straps 42 to top portion 23 of frame 22. Prior to or after sewing or otherwise connecting both of the top and bottom ends 45 and 46 of strap 42 to mat 40, a wire connector 50 is inserted within the loop portion of strap 42. In particular, a front bar 58 of wire connector 50 may be inserted within the loop portion of strap 42 after sewing ends 45 and 46 onto the periphery of mat 40. Wire connector 50 includes top arms 52 that engage a flat top portion of frame pieces 28, as shown in Figure 6. Wire connector 50 also includes side arms 54 that engage the outer sides of frame pieces 28, and bottom arms 56 that engage a flat bottom portion of frame pieces 28. Front bar 58 may be folded down, as shown in Figure 6, to engage the inner side portions of frame pieces 28 for additional strength, or may be kept unbent with respect to top arms 52, as shown in Figure 5. Wire connectors 50 are preferably constructed of heavy wire of a suitable high strength metal or other high strength material, such as molded plastic or aluminum. As shown in Figures 2 and 2A, a protective foam piece 60 overlies the top of frame portion 23 and is secured to frame portion 23 with ties 62, such as string or other suitable material, for added protection to the user. Foam piece 60 is preferably 25mm (one inch) thick by 75mm (three inches) wide to cover the entire width of frame portion 23. In a preferred embodiment, trampoline 20 may include a weather cover 70, shown in Figures 2 and 2A, sewn or otherwise fixedly connected to the outer perimeter of mat 40 at the same location that straps 42 are connected to mat 40. Weather cover 70 overlaps straps 42 and foam piece 60 and folds over frame portion 23. Weather cover 70 is then connected to leg sockets 26 via bungy-type cords, such as cords 80, that stretch during use. Cords 80 may be secured to an edge of cover 70 and looped around a leg socket 26. Weather cover 70 is preferably a three-ply laminated vinyl material or any other suitable material to protect foam piece 60 and elastic straps 42 from environmental elements. Weather cover 70 also provides additional protection to the user by covering any space between mat 40 and the frame portion 23. The above-described trampoline, including the mat, elastic straps, connectors, and weather cover, provides a safe connection system of integral construction that can be retrofitted to existing trampoline frames of any size. Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a trampoline according to the present invention and generally denoted by reference numeral 100. Trampoline 100 includes a trampoline mat 101 of an octagonal shape. As in the previous embodiment, trampoline mat 101 can be of any desired shape. Trampoline 100 further includes a frame having a plurality of individual frame pieces 102 that connect to form a top frame portion, similar to that described in the first embodiment. Each frame piece 102 includes a swedged end 104 to telescope into an open end of an adjacent frame piece 102. Once connected, frame pieces 102 form an octagonal shaped frame corresponding to the shape of trampoline mat 101. Some or all of frame pieces 102 include leg sockets (not shown) that accept legs (not shown), as described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The attachment system for connecting frame piece 102 to mat 101 includes the same elastic straps 42 described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6. The attachment system of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, however, uses a wire connector 110 of a different configuration than that of wire connector 50 used in the previous embodiment. Wire connector 110 includes a front bar 112 that is positioned within the loop of strap 42 and engages an inner side portion of frame pieces 102. Wire connector 110 further includes side hooks 114 that engage slots 106 in the top of frame pieces 102, as shown in Figure 7. In the alternative to wire connector 110, a metal pin may be placed through the loop of straps 42, and an S shaped hook can be connected to both ends of the pin and placed into slots 106 of frame pieces 102. Once frame pieces 102 are connected to trampoline mat 101, a foam piece can be positioned over and attached to frame pieces 102 in a similar manner as described earlier, and a weather cover can be attached to trampoline mat 101 and the frame of trampoline 100 also as discussed earlier. It also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the trampolines of the present invention and in construction of the trampolines. As an example, the trampoline mat elastic straps, and/or weather cover may be manufactured of a single one-piece construction with the wire connectors within the loops of the straps. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the examples be considered as exemplary only.

Claims: A trampoline (20) comprising: a trampoline mat (40); a frame (22) surrounding the trampoline mat (40); and an attachment system for connecting the frame (22) to the trampoline mat (40), the attachment system including a plurality of elastic straps (42) connected to a periphery of the trampoline mat (40) and a plurality of connectors (50) for connecting the elastic straps (42) to the frame (22), characterised by each of the plurality of connectors (50) being made of wire configured to the shape of the frame (22) and including a wire bar (58) for insertion into a loop formed by a top portion (43) of a respective one of the plurality of elastic straps (42) that is looped around to a bottom portion (44) of the same strap (42). The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic straps (42) cover substantially all of a space between the trampoline mat (40) and the frame (22). The trampoline of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the top end (45) and the bottom end (46) connect to the periphery of the trampoline mat (40). The trampoline of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of connectors (50) includes at least one top arm (52) for engaging a top portion (23) of the frame (22). The trampoline of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of connectors (50) includes at least one side arm (54) for engaging a side portion (28) of the frame (22). The trampoline of any preceding claim, wherein each elastic strap (42) is secured to the frame (22) by its own connector (50). The trampoline of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of connectors (50) includes at least one hooked portion for engaging a slot in the frame (22). The trampoline of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of connectors (50) includes a pin and a pair of S-shaped hooks. The trampoline of any preceding claim, further comprising a foam piece overlying the frame. The trampoline of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover connected to the periphery of the mat (40) and overlying the plurality of elastic straps (42). The trampoline of any preceding claim, wherein the frame (22) includes a plurality of interconnected frame pieces; optionally wherein each of the plurality of frame pieces includes a swedged end to telescope into an open end of an adjacent frame piece. The trampoline of any preceding claim, further comprising a weather cover connected to the periphery of the trampoline mat (40). The trampoline of any preceding claim, wherein the frame (22) is of non-circular cross-section and the or each connector (50) is formed to fit the around the frame (22).

Inventors: RICH ROLLAND WAYNE, RICH, ROLLAND WAYNE
Applicants: RICH ROLLAND WAYNE, RICH, ROLLAND WAYNE
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A63B5
IPC codes: A63B5