Patent Description:
In practice there are two entirely separate markets for trampolines, namely trampolines designed for athletic competition, and trampolines for family use as play equipment.

Trampolines for use as play equipment traditionally comprise a flat jumping mat connected to a frame, the flat mat being held under tension by a plurality of springs, historically helical springs, or, more recently, by alternative means for holding the mat flat and under tension such as leaf springs, and are usually supplied together with a safety net enclosure to prevent a user being accidentally injured as the result of being propelled from or falling off the trampoline.

In <CIT> Plum Products Ltd, a trampoline is described with an improved safety enclosure net. As shown in <FIG> of the accompanying drawings, which corresponds to <FIG> of <CIT>, a circumextending net <NUM> was supported by a plurality of poles <NUM> coupled to or forming part of support structure <NUM> of the trampoline, so that for most of the height of the net, its position corresponded to the periphery of the support structure, while a lower portion <NUM> of the net was displaced inwardly so that it could be coupled to the periphery of trampoline mat <NUM> inboard of springs <NUM>. This arrangement largely prevented a user from inadvertently stepping on the springs <NUM> or on an annular mat <NUM>, if present, placed over the springs <NUM>. The net <NUM> was suitably mounted to the poles <NUM> by a sleeve <NUM>; and in some embodiments, a substantially triangular piece <NUM> was coupled between the lowermost portion of the sleeve and the lower portion <NUM> of the net. As a result, the lower portion <NUM> of the net sloped inwardly in a roughly frustoconical configuration.

Although the structure described in <CIT> has significantly improved safety for users without users feeling cramped and threatened by the enclosing net, which may occur when the whole of the net is positioned inboard of the springs, we have found that some users abused the safety net by bouncing against the sloped surface of the lower portion of the net, with a resultant risk of damage to the net.

The present disclosure arises from the Applicant's continuing endeavours to provide trampolines with enhanced user experience and with increased safety.

Flat trampoline mats are the norm as they are adapted to straight up and down jumping to achieve height.

However, other arrangements have been described in the literature. In particular, <CIT>, as is apparent from its Abstract and from the Summary of Invention section at [<NUM>], is primarily concerned with a trampoline with a jumping mat that has a horizontal portion between two arcuate portions at opposite ends of the horizontal portion. As shown in Figs. <NUM> to 12C, both the frame and the jumping mat take on a bed-like configuration. However, Allen et al. also describe a generally dished construction with a jumping mat that has a central circular portion and a surrounding frustoconical portion. As described, and as illustrated, for example in Fig. 3a, in this case, the jumping mat is constructed in several individual pieces which are joined together.

<CIT> discloses a trampoline with a generally rectangular configuration in which springs or other elastic biasing elements between a frame and a trampoline jumping mat are entirely dispensed with. Instead, in <CIT>, the whole of the frame itself is designed to act as a spring element to absorb and release the jump energy. The jumping mat is attached to the corners of the frame by flexible, stretch resistant, traction devices. The generally flat useable area of the jumping mat is enclosed by a safety edge, which may be of a strikingly different colour, and extends obliquely upwards.

<CIT> discloses a trampoline having a rigid frame with spaced apart first support members that extend above a jumping mat. The mat is suspended above the frame by a plurality of second support members. The second support members are connected to upper ends of the first support members by resiliently flexible spring members. The resiliently flexible spring members provide a trampoline spring effect, from above, to users jumping on the mat. The second support members can also be integral with a safety net to support and tension the safety net above the mat.

<CIT>et al is a similar disclosure to the previously discussed <CIT>, wherein the only feasible constructions proposed of a generally dished construction with a jumping mat having a central circular portion and a surrounding frustoconical portion are ones where several individual pieces are joined together.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a trampoline comprising: a support frame and a jumping mat, the jumping mat having a configuration comprising a generally flat base portion at a position lower than the periphery of the jumping mat for a user to bounce on, and a side portion around the entire periphery of the base portion and extending to the periphery of the jumping mat, the jumping mat being connected to the frame by at least two connectors that place the jumping mat in said configuration with the jumping mat supported under tension at a position above ground or flooring; the jumping mat being formed as a single piece of woven material so that the side portion, against which a user may also bounce, is integral with and continuous with the base portion and the connectors comprising elastic biasing connectors placing the jumping mat under tension and providing tension between the jumping mat and the support frame.

In a practical embodiment the jumping mat has a generally dished configuration with the side portion adopting a generally frustoconical configuration.

Preferred arrangements may have one or more of the following features: a first elastic biasing connector or first set of elastic biasing connectors connect the periphery of the jumping mat to the frame. A second elastic biasing connector or second set of elastic biasing connectors connect the frame to the jumping mat where the edge of the base portion is continuous with the side portion. The jumping mat may be provided with additional reinforcement where the second biasing connector or set of biasing connectors are coupled to the jumping mat. The second biasing connector or the second set of biasing connectors, together with the first biasing connector or the first set of biasing connectors hold the one-piece jumping mat under uniform tension. The first and second connectors may each or both comprise a continuous length of elastic webbing, bungee cord, or similar flexible members extending between the jumping mat and the frame. The first and/or second sets of biasing connectors may comprise one or more of: helical springs (for example made from steel or elastic), elastic webbing, individual elastic portions, individual elastic bungee cords, leaf springs, flexible rods or any combination of these. In Applicant's most preferred arrangement, a first set of biasing connectors in the form of a plurality of individual bungee cords is employed, together with a second set of biasing connectors also in the form of individual bungee cords.

Preferably, the jumping mat is formed as a single flat circular sheet of woven material which is stretched into the configuration of said base portion and said integral side portion as a result of the tension created in the material of the jumping mat by the at least two elastic biasing connectors.

The frame preferably comprises a first circumextending support, to which the first elastic biasing connector or first set of biasing connectors is connected, and a second circumextending support, lower than the first to which the second elastic biasing connector or second set of elastic biasing connectors is connected.

The side portion of the jumping mat may itself comprise two or more sections all forming, together with the flat base portion an integral one-piece jumping mat. In addition to a first side portion extending completely about and being continuous with the base portion, there may be a second side portion extending completely about and being continuous with the first side portion. In this case, it will be the second side portion that extends to the periphery of the jumping mat. A third elastic biasing connector or set of elastic biasing connectors is coupled between the frame and the jumping mat where the first and second side portions are continuous with each other. The first and second side portions may have frustoconical configurations with the second side portion making a smaller conical angle than the first. In a specific embodiment, the second side portion may extend generally vertically.

The term "circumextending" does not require that the second circumextending supports lie outside the footprint of the jumping mat, although it should lie outside the footprint of the base portion.

The trampoline may also comprise netting extending above the first circumextending support to reduce the risk of users falling from the trampoline.

By "above", the Applicant is not requiring that the net extends vertically, or that the footprint of the net needs to match the first circumextending support. The net can have vertical walls, or alternatively the net can be curved, onion shaped as a whole, or frustoconical, provided that it extends generally upwards from the first circumextending support.

The trampoline may further comprise netting extending below the first circumextending support to the second circumextending support to reduce access to the first biasing connector or first set of biasing connectors, and/or the second biasing connector or second set of biasing connectors. This netting may be a continuation of netting that extends above the first circumextending support to reduce the risk of users falling off the trampoline. Alternatively or additionally, the trampoline could further comprise a net or other enclosure extending below the second circumextending support down to ground level in order to prevent users or other persons, accessing the area under the trampoline.

"Supported at a position above ground or flooring by a frame" means held so that there is space beneath the mat into which the mat can deform when the mat is jumped upon by a user. In the case of so called "in ground" trampolines, for example, the trampoline is installed into a pit dug into the ground, and the jumping mat is then held at a position above the bottom of the pit in order to provide the necessary space between the ground and the mat.

Particular embodiments are described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Referring first to <FIG>, there is shown a trampoline <NUM> comprising a jumping mat <NUM> with a generally dished configuration, which is connected to a frame <NUM> by first and second sets of biasing connectors <NUM>, <NUM> at a position above the ground or flooring. Jumping mat <NUM> is formed as a single flat circular sheet <NUM> (<FIG>) of woven material with a series of cut-outs <NUM> in its peripheral edge <NUM> for locating individual biasing connectors <NUM>, which jumping mat is stretched into the illustrated dished configuration as a result of the tension created in the material of the jumping mat by the first and second sets of elastic biasing connectors. The mat <NUM> comprises a generally flat base portion <NUM> at a position lower than the periphery <NUM> of the jumping mat, and an integral side portion <NUM> continuous with the base portion <NUM> around the entire periphery <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> and extending to the periphery <NUM> of the jumping mat.

The first set of biasing connectors <NUM> here comprise a plurality of individual elastic bungee cords <NUM> in this particular embodiment, but alternatives such as individual leaf springs, individual helical springs, individual elastic portions, or individual flexible rods connecting the jumping mat to the frame, or alternatively a single connector such as elastic fabric/webbing or elastic bungee cord, woven between the jumping mat and the frame, could be substituted without any major modifications to the arrangement being necessary. Alternatively, there may be a single connector such as elastic fabric/webbing or elastic bungee cord, woven between the jumping mat and the frame, in place of a set of individual connectors.

The second set of biasing connectors <NUM> here also comprise a plurality of individual elastic bungee cords <NUM> in this particular embodiment, but, again, alternatives such as individual leaf springs, individual helical springs, individual elastic portions, or individual flexible rods connecting the jumping mat to the frame, or alternatively a single connector such as elastic fabric/webbing or elastic bungee cord, woven between the jumping mat and the frame, could be substituted without any major modifications to the arrangement being necessary. Again, there may be a single connector such as elastic fabric/webbing or elastic bungee cord, woven between the jumping mat and the frame, in place of a set of individual connectors.

By manufacturing the mat <NUM> by die cutting it from a length of woven elasticated material, the mat has a predictable and uniform response spread throughout the warp and weft of the whole material when a user jumps on it. Although the mat <NUM> is suitably provided with additional reinforcement (See <FIG> and <FIG> below) to allow it to be coupled to the first and second sets of biasing connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, we have found that, even with this reinforcement the reactive force of the mat is still enabled to be spread throughout the material in a way that is not possible when the mat is formed from individual pieces of material joined together by seams, since, with a cut and seamed structure, the warp and weft no longer run in a continuous fashion through the material of the mat as a whole, and the seams create an inertia to the reactive forces of the trampoline material that propel a user into a bounce with height.

Turning now to <FIG>, which shows a preferred frame <NUM> for the trampoline, with the jumping mat and biasing connectors omitted, it will be seen that frame <NUM> is supported above the ground or floor by a plurality of legs <NUM>, which in this embodiment are generally U-shaped legs <NUM>. Those involved with the design of trampolines will be familiar with alternative W-shaped, single vertical leg, T-shaped and inverted T-shaped legs, all of which could be used in place of the illustrated U-shaped legs. A plurality of curved poles <NUM> extend upwardly from legs <NUM> and are coupled to first and second circumextending support rings <NUM> and <NUM>. Bungee cords <NUM> of the first set <NUM> of biasing connectors are coupled to the peripheral edge <NUM> of the jumping mat <NUM>, as described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, and to first circumextending support <NUM>; while bungee cords <NUM> of the second set <NUM> of biasing connectors couple second circumextending support <NUM> to the jumping mat <NUM> in the region where the base portion <NUM> is continuous with the side portion <NUM> of the mat.

In this embodiment, the first set of biasing connectors <NUM> pull the periphery <NUM> of jumping mat <NUM> generally upwards and away from the centre of base portion <NUM>. The second set of biasing connectors pull the mat <NUM>, in the region where the base portion <NUM> is continuous with the side portion <NUM>, generally downwards and away from the centre of base portion <NUM>. As a result the jumping mat is <NUM> placed under a generally uniform tension throughout.

The term "circumextending" does not require that the first and second supports <NUM>, <NUM> necessarily lie outside the footprint of the jumping mat as a whole.

Alternative biasing or spring arrangements could be used to support jumping mat <NUM> in Applicant's preferred configuration under tension. For example, the first and/or the second set of biasing connectors may comprise a plurality of flexed rods similar to those described in <CIT>. If the first set of biasing connectors comprises a plurality of flexed rods similar to those described in <CIT> the first circumextending support may lie within the footprint of the jumping mat <NUM>, and generally beneath its peripheral edge <NUM>. If the second set of biasing connectors comprises a plurality of flexed rods similar to those described in <CIT>, the second circumextending support may lie within the footprint of the base portion <NUM> of the jumping mat. The first and/or the second set of biasing connectors may alternatively comprise a plurality of leaf springs similar to those described in <CIT>. If the first set of biasing connectors comprises a plurality of leaf springs the first circumextending support may match or lie within the footprint of the jumping mat <NUM> and generally beneath its peripheral edge <NUM>. If the second set of biasing connectors comprises a plurality of leaf springs the second circumextending support may match or lie within the footprint of base portion <NUM> of the jumping mat and generally beneath its periphery <NUM>.

Referring to the side elevational view of <FIG>, it will be seen that the upper distal ends <NUM> of poles <NUM> are joined by a ring <NUM> from which a net <NUM> is supported. Net <NUM> is connected to the peripheral edge <NUM> of the jumping mat <NUM>, outboard of the jumping space, but inboard of the first set of biasing connectors <NUM>, preventing users from jumping on the biasing connectors <NUM>, which may also be covered by an annular protective pad. The net will necessarily be provided with a doorway to allow access for users on to the trampoline. Since the peripheral edge <NUM> of the jumping mat is higher than for conventional trampolines, a ladder may need to be attached to frame <NUM> to allow users to climb to the level of circumextending support <NUM>.

A second net <NUM>, supported by poles <NUM>, extends below first circumextending support <NUM> to second circumextending support <NUM> to restrict access to the second set of biasing connectors <NUM> to prevent children or adults who are not on the trampoline from getting fingers, clothing, etc. caught in the connectors. Net <NUM> is integrally formed with net <NUM>. The connectors may also be covered by an annular protective cover.

Providing a trampoline with an enclosure net in which the net, in addition to having a portion extending above the level of a circumextending support coupled to the periphery of the jumping mat, and thus preventing a user from accidentally falling from the trampoline mat, has a portion extending below that circumextending support to a lower circumextending support to restrict access for non-users into space beneath the first circumextending support is believed novel in its own right.

Reference may now be made to <FIG> and <FIG> to better understand how the biasing connectors are coupled to the jumping mat and to the circumextending supports. The perspective view shown in <FIG> is of the segment A-A identified in the top plan view of <FIG>, from which the portions of poles <NUM> extending above the level of the first circumextending support <NUM> and the associated nets <NUM>, <NUM> have been omitted for clarity. <FIG> is an enlarged sectional view through the region of mat <NUM> where the base portion <NUM> is continuous with the side portion <NUM>, and associated parts. Individual second bungee cords <NUM> pass through a fabric loop <NUM> and are coupled to a clip <NUM> which hooks over second circumextending support <NUM>. The fabric loop <NUM> is held in place beneath the jumping mat <NUM> between underside <NUM> of mat <NUM> and webbing <NUM>. A second piece of webbing <NUM> is provided on top surface <NUM> to provide reinforcement and stitching is provided through the several layers of webbing <NUM>, mat <NUM>, fabric loop <NUM> and webbing <NUM>. For ease of illustration, the thickness of these layers has been exaggerated in <FIG>.

It should be understood that because the warp and weft of the woven elasticated material of the one-piece jumping mat is continuous through the assembly of <FIG>, tension is transmitted through the assembly between base portion <NUM> and side portion <NUM> of the jumping mat <NUM> in a largely uninterrupted fashion. Again, because the mat <NUM> is in one piece rather than being formed of several pieces joined together, the side portion <NUM> of the mat, shown in section, will not form an exactly straight line, but will be very slightly curved, and there may also be a very slight curvature in the base portion. This effect has been exaggerated in <FIG> for the purpose of illustration. The terms "generally frustoconical", "generally flat" and "generally vertical" are intended to encompass this very slight departure from true frustoconical, true flatness and true verticality that will naturally occur due to one portion of the one-piece mat merging into another continuously.

Individual first bungee cords <NUM> pass through a fabric loop <NUM> and are coupled to a clip <NUM> which hooks over first circumextending support <NUM>. The fabric loop <NUM> is held in place between underside <NUM> of the mat <NUM> and webbing <NUM>.

As a further aid to avoid accidental injury to users of the trampoline or others in the vicinity, the portions of the circumextending supports <NUM>, <NUM> between the positions of each clip <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with a soft foam protection sleeve <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, which is a view similar to <FIG> through an alternative embodiment of trampoline, it will be seen that side portion <NUM> can itself be formed of a plurality of continuous sections between the region where it is continuous with base portion <NUM> and the peripheral edge <NUM> of the mat <NUM>. Each portion further outward from lowermost portion <NUM> continuous with base portion <NUM> will have a smaller conic angle. In the illustrated arrangement, the outermost section <NUM> has a zero conic angle, extending vertically. In addition to the biasing connectors at the periphery <NUM> of the mat coupled to the first circumextending support, where each such section is continuous with another such section it will be provided with a set of biasing connectors (bungee cords in the illustrated arrangement) coupled to a respective circumextending support.

When a user jumps on the base portion <NUM> of the jumping mat, energy is stored in the whole of the mat, due to its unitary nature. It is the effective release of this stored energy that propels the user into a bounce. Applicant has found that the existence of seams between different components of a jumping mat formed from several pieces results in a degree of inertia and a slower response as compared with a one-piece jumping mat formed as a single elasticated woven fabric with warp and weft extending continuously through the material of the mat. The result with a one-piece mat is an enhanced, predictable and uniform bounce.

If the user should bounce on to the side portion110, the energy of their jump is again distributed through the whole of the mat because of the continuous warp and weft of the material, and the user is propelled by the rebounding side portion back towards the centre of the base portion. The added height of the side portion in all cases of trampolines embodying the teachings of the present disclosure, but the more so in arrangements such as that of <FIG>, makes it much less likely than in more conventional trampolines that a user will come into contact with the netting of a safety enclosure. The higher the side portion extends above the base portion of the trampoline mat, the less is there a need for netting and the shorter will be the height of netting with which a use may come in contact.

Claim 1:
A trampoline comprising a support frame (<NUM>) and a jumping mat(<NUM>), the jumping mat having a configuration comprising agenerally flat base portion (<NUM>) at a position lower than the periphery (<NUM>) of the jumping mat for a user to bounce on, and a side portion (<NUM>) around the entire periphery (<NUM>) of the base portion (<NUM>) and extending to the periphery (<NUM>) of the jumping mat, the jumping mat being connected to the frame by at least two connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>) that place the jumping mat in said configuration with the jumping mat supported under tension at a position above ground or flooring; the trampoline being characterised in that the jumping mat (<NUM>) is formed as a single piece of woven material so that the side portion (<NUM>), against which a user may also bounce, is integral with and continuous with the base portion (<NUM>), and in that the connectors comprise elastic biasing connectors (<NUM>, <NUM>) placing the jumping mat (<NUM>) under tension and providing tension between the jumping mat (<NUM>) and the support frame.