trampolines

Abstract

This invention concerns a trampoline comprising a flexible bounce mat connected to a frame by one or more resilient members such that the flexible bounce mat is held above the ground in tension. A plurality of support poles is arranged, in use, to extend upwardly from the frame and a surround of flexible material is arranged to be connected to the support poles to extend around and above the flexible bounce. An interface between the flexible bounce mat and surround may be inward of the resilient members. A cover comprising a sheet of material may extend from the surround over the resilient members to the frame. The trampoline may be without foam / padding material over at least some of the resilient members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of British Patent Application No. 1006379.0 filed Apr. 16, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of British Patent Application No. 1011373.6 filed Jul. 6, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the invention[0003]This invention concerns improvements in or relating to trampolines.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Conventionally, trampolines comprise a flexible bounce mat tensioned within a frame by helical springs. One of most significant safety hazards on a trampoline is a user falling on our becoming trapped in the springs. Accordingly, to prevent injury to users, a foam filled pad is provided over the springs to protect the user when the user falls on the springs (and / or the steel frame). It is known to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The invention may be advantageous as the cover restricts access to the resilient members, for example springs, and the surround, located inwardly of the resilient member, prevents a user bouncing on the bounce mat from falling on the resilient members. In this way, fewer, or possibly no, foam pads are required resulting in significant cost savings in manufacture of the trampoline.

[0034]An advantage of the third and fourth embodiments of the invention is that the customer does not need to connect the surround to the frame, as the trampoline is supplied in this condition, but simply needs to adjust the trampoline to the operating position for use. Furthermore, this may be achieved without increasing the space required in a delivery truck or the like, as in the collapsed position the trampoline is compact and substantially flat.

Problems solved by technology

One of most significant safety hazards on a trampoline is a user falling on our becoming trapped in the springs.

However, to erect such surrounds can take time and, once erected, users are often reluctant to disassemble the surround / trampoline because of the time involved in erecting / disassembling the surround.

This reluctance exists despite the fact that the trampoline may take up room, for example in a private garden / backyard, and users may view permanent erection of the surround as aesthetically displeasing.

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