Patent Publication Number: US-6988967-B2

Title: Team trampoline game and method of playing the same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game to be played by teams of players while bouncing on trampolines and rules for playing the same. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,557 (Cole 1998) discloses a basketball game played by individual players while bouncing on a trampoline. A frame is placed over the surface of the trampoline which divides the trampoline into two symmetrical and adjacent playing areas. Two basketball goals are provided facing each other on opposed ends of the trampoline. The frame is raised sufficiently to allow a basketball to pass underneath. Although separate and mechanically isolated trampolines may be used for each playing area, it is preferred that a single continuous trampoline be shared by the two playing areas. This allows an additional strategic element to be added to the game in which a player uses the timing of his or her own jump to change the rebound characteristics of the trampoline. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a team trampoline game. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a trampoline game which includes an elongate rectangular enclosure having parallel side walls, a first end wall and a second end wall. A first team goal is positioned on the first end wall which is adapted to permit a game projectile to pass through. A second team goal is positioned on the second end wall which is adapted to permit the game projectile to pass through. A first team offensive trampoline is spaced from the second team goal. A second team defensive trampoline is positioned between the first team offensive trampoline and the second team goal. A second team offensive trampoline is spaced from the first team goal. A first team defensive trampoline is positioned between the second team offensive trampoline and the first team goal. A first protective barrier between the first team offensive trampoline and the second team defensive trampoline, the first protective barrier being adapted to prevent collisions between players. A second protective barrier is positioned between the second team offensive trampoline and the first team defensive trampoline, the second protective barrier being adapted to prevent collisions between players. A third protective barrier is positioned between the first team offensive trampoline and the second team offensive trampoline, the third protective barrier being adapted to prevent collisions between players. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of playing a trampoline game. A first step involves providing a trampoline game structure, substantially as described above. A second step involves playing by having a defensive player bouncing on either the first team defensive trampoline or the second team defensive trampoline pass the game projectile to his offensive player team-mate bouncing on the respective offensive trampoline. The offensive player then attempts to score by propelling the game projectile past the other team&#39;s defensive player and into the other team&#39;s goal. 
     The trampoline game and method of play described above, is a team game which requires co-ordination and passing. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trampoline game, as described above, after experimenting with various types of goals it was determined that even more beneficial results may be obtained when the first team goal has an opening positioned substantially parallel to the first end wall and the second team goal has an opening positioned substantially parallel to the second end wall. This configuration of goal is best suited for the game structure and also allows more flexibility as to the type of game projectiles which can be used. One could use various types of balls, such as a volleyball or water polo ball. These balls could be manually propelled in accordance with rules of volleyball or water polo. One could also turn this into a team racquet game and use game projectiles from one of several racquet sports and propel them with racquets. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trampoline game, as described above, it is convenient to return the game projectile to play as soon as possible so as not to disrupt the flow of the game. Even more beneficial results may, therefore, be obtained when each team goal has a receptacle with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The receptacle preferably has a bottom that is sloped downwardly toward the outlet opening, such that a game projectile positioned within the receptacle tends to slide down the bottom to the outlet opening. 
     Although beneficial results may be obtained through the use of the trampoline game, as described above, in testing of a prototype of the game structure problems were encountered with keeping players confined on their respective trampolines. In normal trampoline use, persons tend to centrally position themselves while bouncing on a trampoline. However, with the present game, players ignore their positioning on the trampoline while pursuing the game projectile (usually some sort of ball). In order to ensure the safety of the players, even more beneficial results may be obtained when each of the trampolines is suspended by springs, and a bottom edge of each of the side walls is lashed onto a peripheral edge of each of the trampolines, such that the springs are positioned outside of the side walls. This prevents a player&#39;s leg from passing between a peripheral edge of one the trampolines and one of the side walls. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the trampoline game depicting both the outer and inner components of the game. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the trampoline game depicting mainly the outer frame with trampoline detail shown at one end. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cross section depicting the placement of protective barriers relative to the rest of the structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a goal illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the goal illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment, a trampoline game generally identified by reference numeral  10 , will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     Structure and Relationship of Parts: 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a trampoline game generally indicated by reference numeral  10 . Trampoline game  10  includes an elongate rectangular enclosure  12  having a first end wall  14 , a second end wall  16  and side walls  18  which are adapted in part with see-through netting. Side walls  18  include entrance flaps  20 . Enclosure  12  is suspended and supported by an outer frame  22  and supports  24 . A first team goal  26  is positioned on first end wall  14  and is adapted to permit a game projectile  28  to pass through. A second team goal  30  is similarly positioned on second end wall  16  and similarly adapted to permit game projectile  28  to pass through. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a first team offensive trampoline  32  is spaced from second team goal  30 . A second team defensive trampoline  34  is positioned between first team offensive trampoline  32  and second team goal  30 . A second team offensive trampoline  36  is spaced from first team goal  26 . A first team defensive trampoline  38  is positioned between second team offensive trampoline  36  and first team goal  26 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first protective barrier  40 , adapted in part with see-through netting, is positioned between first team offensive trampoline  32  and second team defensive trampoline  34 . A second protective barrier  42 , adapted in part with see-through netting, is positioned between second team offensive trampoline  36  and first team defensive trampoline  38 . A third protective barrier  44 , adapted in part with see-through netting, is positioned between first team offensive trampoline  32  and second team offensive trampoline  36 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , elongate enclosure  12  consists of two parallel side walls  18  supported by outer frame  22  and supports  24 . Outer frame  22  is has legs  46 , which provide clearance to enable the trampolines to function. Cables  43  that project outwardly from outer frame  22  or bracing members  45  that project outwardly from legs  46  can be added to stabilize outer frame  22  when it is used in heavy winds. A skirt  47  depends from base  21  of outer frame  22  to underlying surface  49  to prevent access beneath enclosure  12 . Where side walls  18  meet each of first team offensive trampoline  32 , second team defensive trampoline  34 , second team offensive trampoline  36  and first team defensive trampoline  38  at base  21  of outer frame  22 , a protective flap  48  is provided thereby facilitating safety. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of trampolines  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  are suspended by springs  50 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , bottom edge  45  of each of side walls  18  is lashed with lashing  52  onto a peripheral edge  47  of each of trampolines  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Springs  50  are positioned outside of side walls  18 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , pads  51  are secured over springs  50  between each of trampolines  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 , and side walls  18  to preventing a player&#39;s leg from passing between one of trampolines  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 , and one of side walls  18 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , safety is further advanced by having protective flap  48  positioned over lashing  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , first team goal  26  is in the nature of a receptacle  53  having an inlet opening  54  and an outlet opening  56 . Inlet opening  54  is positioned substantially parallel to first end wall  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with receptacle  53  having a bottom  58  that is sloped downwardly toward outlet opening  56 . As a result, game projectile  28  when positioned within receptacle  53 , tends to slide down bottom  58  to outlet opening  56 . Second team goal  30 , which is similar in nature, includes a receptacle  53  having an inlet opening  54  and an outlet opening  56 . Inlet opening  54  is similarly positioned substantially parallel to second end wall  16  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with receptacle  53  having a bottom  58  that is sloped downwardly toward outlet opening  54 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , as a result, game projectile  28  when positioned within receptacle  53 , tends to slide down bottom  58  to outlet opening  54 . 
     Operation: 
     The use and operation of trampoline game  10  in accordance with the preferred method of play will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , four players  60 , entering through entrance flaps  20 , occupy one each of trampolines  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38 . Although only one player  60  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that four players  60  are included in playing game  10 . Players  60  on trampolines  32  and  38  which constitute a first team, attempt to advance game projectile  28  into second team goal  30 ; and players  60  of trampolines  34  and  36  which constitute a second team, attempt to advance same game projectile  28  into first team goal  26 . A key to success in game  10  is bouncing so as to position oneself advantageously. Safety is advanced by use of first protective barrier  40 , second protective barrier  42  and third protective barrier  44  and protection flap  48  as cited above 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , game projectile  28  moves from space to space within elongate enclosure  12  and over first protective barrier  40 , second protective barrier  42  and third protective barrier  44 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , eventually, game projectile  28  will be directed through inlet opening  54  of one or other of first team goal  26  or second team goal  30 . The team with the highest number of goals wins. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, game projectile  28  is illustrated as being a ball which could be a volleyball, waterball or other suitable type of ball. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment shows game projectile  28  being propelled manually, rackets, paddles, or scoops, could also be used to volley game projectile  28  during play. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , as first team goal  26  and second team goal  30 , each have receptacle  53  with bottom  58  that is sloped downwardly toward outlet opening  56  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , game projectile  28  positioned within receptacle  53  tends to slide down bottom  58  to outlet opening  56  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , so as to return game projectile  28  to play as soon as possible so as not to disrupt the flow of game  10 . 
     In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.