trampoline

Abstract

The invention relates to a trampoline (1) comprising a trampoline cloth (6) fixed to a frame structure (2) via elastic elements, and a frame cover (8) covering the upper side of the frame structure (2) and the elastic elements. The frame cover (8) has a multi-layer structure, the layers of which are composed of different materials. Alternatively or additionally, the frame cover (8) has a spatially varying height profile.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a trampoline. Background Art

[0002] A large number and variety of such trampolines are used as sports equipment, both for recreation and for competitive sports.

[0003] Such trampolines usually have a frame structure on which a jumping cloth is mounted by means of elastic elements. The jumping cloth forms a jumping surface lying in a horizontal plane on which a user of the trampoline can jump.

[0004] Such a trampoline is known from EP 2 208 512 B2. It comprises a frame structure having a frame extending in a horizontal plane and feet extending from the underside of the frame for placing the trampoline on a base, in particular the floor. An elastic element in the form of a spring is clamped in the frame.

[0005] If a user jumps on the trampoline, the user may step on areas of the elastic element, which may cause injury.

[0006] To prevent this, the trampoline has a frame cover which covers the upper side area of ​​the frame and the elastic elements. The frame cover is made of a foam layer. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a trampoline of the type mentioned at the outset which has a high degree of functional safety.

[0008] The features of the preferred embodiments of the invention are intended to provide a solution to this object. Advantageous embodiments and suitable further developments of the invention are described in the context of the alternative embodiments.

[0009] The present invention relates to a trampoline having a trampoline fabric and a frame cover. The trampoline fabric is fixed to a frame structure via elastic elements, and the frame cover covers the upper side of the frame structure and the elastic elements. The frame cover has a multi-layer structure, the layers of which are composed of different materials. Alternatively or additionally, the frame cover has a spatially varying height profile.

[0010] The functional safety of the trampoline is significantly increased by the frame cover according to the invention.

[0011] The frame cover completely covers the upper side of the frame structure and the elastic elements mounted thereon in a manner known per se, which serve to secure the trampoline, i.e. the frame cover is mounted on the upper side of the frame structure and on the elastic elements. The frame cover is thereby fixed to the frame structure and thus secured in position so that it does not slip when the trampoline is in use.

[0012] Therefore, the frame cover usually has a protective function, which can prevent the user from directly hitting the frame structure or the elastic element when jumping, thereby causing injuries.

[0013] By designing the frame cover according to the present invention as a multi-layer structure composed of layers of different materials, the damping effect can be adapted to the frame structure and the elastic element. In particular, the multi-layer structure can be locally varied to provide different damping behaviors specifically for the areas where the frame cover rests on the frame structure and the areas where the frame cover rests on the elastic element. This damping behavior is adapted to the frame structure on the one hand and the elastic element on the other. The spatial variation of the multi-layer structure ensures that the frame structure forms a rigid base, while the elastic element is elastically deformable and yielding. The multi-layer structure is thus advantageously designed so that it exerts a stronger damping effect in the area of ​​the frame structure than in the area of ​​the elastic element.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the height profile of the frame cover according to the present invention can also vary. This also allows the damping behavior of the frame cover to be adapted to the trampoline structure on a regional basis. Since the damping effect is greater the higher the frame cover, the frame cover is preferably designed so that its height in the area of ​​the frame structure is greater than its height in the area of ​​the spring elements.

[0015] This not only adapts the damping behavior of the frame cover to the structure of the trampoline, but also ensures rational, cost-effective production of the frame cover, since the lower height of the frame cover in the area of ​​the spring elements allows for significant material savings.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the multilayer structure has a base layer made of PE (polyethylene) based foam and an upper layer made of PU (polyurethane) based foam.

[0017] The base layer and the upper layer are thus made of materials with different damping behaviour. With these two layers, the multilayer structure can be formed in such a way that the damping method of the frame cover is optimally adapted to the structure of the trampoline.

[0018] The base layer is either made entirely of polyethylene or contains polyethylene as a main component. Advantageously, the upper layer is made almost entirely of polyurethane. Furthermore, it contains only the additives required to produce the foam from the liquid base material.

[0019] In a multilayer structure formed in this way, the upper layer is heavier and at the same time has a lower compressive stiffness than the base layer.

[0020] Advantageously, the base layer has a support surface for supporting the upper side of the frame structure and the elastic element. Here, the base layer extends over the entire area of ​​the upper side of the frame structure and the elastic element. In particular, the upper layer is mounted on sections of the base layer.

[0021] The base layer thus forms a base layer that rests on the upper side of the frame structure and the elastic element. Conversely, the upper layer is mounted on the base layer, thereby forming at least partially the upper side of the multi-layer structure. This is an advantageous arrangement because the upper layer has a stronger damping effect, and when the upper layer is arranged on the upper side of the multi-layer structure, this damping effect can be better transmitted to the user.

[0022] Since the frame structure is stiffer and less susceptible to yielding than the elastic elements, in order to achieve the highest possible damping and protective effect, it is preferred that the upper layer extends over the region of the frame structure. In principle, it is sufficient if the upper layer also extends into the region where the elastic elements are connected to the frame structure, since the frame cover should also provide a high protective effect there.

[0023] In order to achieve dimensional stability of the frame covering, in particular of the multilayer structure, it is advantageous if the base layer and the upper layer are connected to one another by means of fixing means.

[0024] This fixing can be realized by suitable adhesive or adhesive tape.In addition, mechanical fixing is also possible.For example, on the upper layer or the base layer, there can be space or projection, which cooperate with each other in pairs.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the height profile of the frame cover is formed in such a way that the height of the frame cover reaches a maximum in the upper region of the frame structure.

[0026] This ensures that the protective effect, ie the damping effect, is greatest in the region of the frame structure.

[0027] It is further advantageous if the height of the frame cover has a minimum in the edge region of the frame cover adjacent to the jumper cloth.

[0028] In the border area of ​​the jumper, only a slight damping effect of the frame cover is required, so it is sufficient if the frame cover has its minimum height in this area. Furthermore, this also ensures that there is no tripping hazard for the user, since the frame cover flattens towards the jumper.

[0029] It is further advantageous if, in a transition region of the frame cover, its height decreases continuously from a maximum value to a minimum value.The transition region of the frame cover is in the region of the elastic element.

[0030] As a result, the frame cover has no disruptive edges or projections that could pose a tripping hazard.

[0031] The frame cover formed in this manner has a wedge-shaped cross-section. The frame cover can extend over the entire perimeter of the trampoline without gaps. The cross-section of the frame cover is essentially constant, resulting in a uniform, consistent protective effect around the perimeter of the trampoline. Advantageously, the frame cover of the present invention extends only along the longitudinal sides of the rectangular trampoline. A flat, conventional frame cover can be provided at the narrow ends of the trampoline, as the landing mat providing injury protection is typically attached there.

[0032] The protective effect of the frame cover according to the invention is further improved in that the frame cover according to the invention has a cover element which covers the frame structure laterally.

[0033] The lateral cover elements protect the user from being bumped against the frame structure from the side due to their damping effect.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, the multilayer structure of the frame cover is enclosed by a covering, wherein fixing means are provided for fixing the multilayer structure to the covering and for fixing the covering to the frame.

[0035] The first fixing device provides the position fixing of the multilayer structure in the covering. For this reason, advantageously, the downside of the multilayer structure is fitted with a rough layer in some places.

[0036] The cover can be fixed on these rough sections with Velcro strips or the like. This Velcro connection can be detached at any time, for example, to replace a multilayer structure or a cover.

[0037] The cover, and thus the frame cover, is secured to the trampoline frame structure using further securing means. These securing means can be formed by pockets on the underside of the cover that are inserted into brackets arranged in the region of the elastic element and connected to the frame structure. Alternatively or additionally, a locking device, such as a locking button, can also be provided, by means of which the cover element for the frame cover is secured to the frame structure.

[0038] Frame cover of the present invention can be used for trampolines of different structural types and sizes. Advantageously, this frame cover forms a module, which also can be installed on the trampoline afterwards. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will be explained below with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a trampoline of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 : Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a trampoline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of a trampoline 1 according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0043] Trampoline 1 has a frame structure 2. This structure comprises a substantially rectangular frame 3 oriented in a horizontal plane. Legs 4 extend from the underside of frame 3 in its corners. The longitudinal axes of these same legs 4 extend in the vertical direction. Legs 4 are used to support trampoline 1 on a base, such as a hall floor. Supports 5 are located on the underside of legs 4 to ensure a good footing on the base.

[0044] The frame structure 2 advantageously consists of a profile structure or a tubular structure made of metal.

[0045] The jump cloth 6 is clamped in the frame 3 of the frame structure 2. The jump cloth 6 is fixed to the frame 3 by elastic elements in the form of springs 7, in particular as Figure 2 The jumping cloth 6 can, for example, consist of a braid or an arrangement of cross straps. The upper side of the jumping cloth 6 thus forms a jumping surface on which the user can jump.

[0046] In order to prevent the user from falling on the frame 3 or the elastic element during jumping, a frame cover 8 is provided to cover the upper side of the frame 3, thereby covering the frame structure 2 and the elastic element. Figure 1 As shown, the frame cover 8 extends around the entire periphery of the trampoline 1 .

[0047] Figure 2 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a frame cover 8 according to the present invention. According to the present invention, the frame cover 8 has a multi-layer structure consisting of a plurality of layers of different materials. In addition, the frame cover 8 has a height profile that is position-dependent. Here, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, there is a position dependency in the X direction, where the directional arrow runs from the side edge of the frame structure 2 toward the center of the trampoline 1. In contrast, the cross section of the frame cover 8 is constant in the circumferential direction of the trampoline 1, except in the corner regions. In these corner regions, the frame cover 8 is extended due to its geometry.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, in this example, the multilayer structure of the frame cover 8 consists of two layers, namely a base layer 9 and an upper layer 10. Both layers are formed as foam layers and thus have elastic damping properties. The base layer 9 is essentially composed of PE (polyethylene). The upper layer 10 is composed of PU (polyurethane)-based foam.

[0049] The underside of the base layer 9 rests on the frame 3 and the springs 7 fastened thereto. Thus, the frame cover 8 completely covers the frame 3 and the springs 7, i.e. the elastic elements, up to the jumping fabric 6, thereby shielding the visitor from all possible dangers when jumping on the trampoline 1.

[0050] The upper layer 10 is located in a groove of the base layer 9, wherein the groove is provided on the upper side of the base layer 9. The shape of the upper layer 10 is adapted to the shape of the groove, so that the upper layer 10 is connected to the boundary surface of the base layer 9 without gaps.

[0051] The upper layer 10 is held on the base layer 9 and fixed in place by fixing means. In this example, the fixing means is formed by an adhesive or tape. Figure 2 Not shown separately.

[0052] from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, the upper layer 10 extends only over the region of the frame 3 and the adjacent coupling means for connecting the spring 7 to the frame 3, wherein the coupling means are hooks 11 in this example.

[0053] The risk of injury is greater with a rigid frame 3 than with an elastically deformable spring 7. Therefore, the frame cover 8 has an increased damping effect in the region of the frame 3, which is achieved by the upper layer 10 in the region of the frame 3.

[0054] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, an increased damping effect in the region of the frame 3 is achieved by the frame cover 8 having a height profile that varies in the X direction. Figure 2 It can be seen that the height of the frame cover 8 reaches its maximum in the area of ​​the frame 3, thereby achieving a particularly strong damping effect there. From this maximum, the height of the frame cover 8 decreases continuously in the area of ​​the springs 7 to a minimum, which is achieved at the edge of the frame cover 8 adjacent to the jump cloth 6. This results in a wedge-shaped cross-section of the frame cover 8. The maximum value is preferably around 8 centimeters, while the minimum value is around 2 centimeters. Generally speaking, the height of the frame cover 8 ranges from single-digit centimeters.

[0055] Since a greater damping effect of the frame cover 8 is not required in the region of the springs 7, the height of the frame cover 8 decreases steadily in this region, thereby also allowing material savings when producing the frame cover 8. Since the frame cover 8 tapers gently towards the jump cloth 6, undesirable tripping hazards are also avoided.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the protective function of the frame cover 8 is extended because it has a cover element 12 which rests laterally against the frame 3 and which, due to its damping effect, protects the user from side impacts with the frame 3 .

[0057] In this example, the cover element 12 has a rectangular cross-section and is fixed to the underside of the frame cover 8, for example, by means of an adhesive. Like the base layer 9, the cover element 12 preferably consists of PE foam. In principle, the cover element 12 can also be formed integrally with the base layer 9.

[0058] like Figure 2As shown, the frame cover 8 is enclosed by a covering 13 which, in this example, is made of PVC.

[0059] There is a roughened layer on the underside of the frame cover 8. The cover 13 can be fixed to this layer, for example by means of Velcro.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to fix the frame cover 8 to the frame 3, the brackets 14 are rotatably supported. The brackets 14 are preferably distributed on the periphery of the frame 3 with a predetermined distance between each other. Figure 2 ) at the lower side of the pocket groove 15 cooperates and thereby provides position fixation of the frame cover 8 relative to the frame 3.

[0061] Reference Mark List

[0062] (1) Trampoline

[0063] (2) Frame structure

[0064] (3) Framework

[0065] (4) Support legs

[0066] (5) Support parts

[0067] (6) Jump cloth

[0068] (7) Spring

[0069] (8) Frame cover

[0070] (9) Grassroots

[0071] (10) Upper layer

[0072] (11) Hook

[0073] (12) Cover element

[0074] (13) Covering

[0075] (14) Bracket

[0076] (15)Bag slot.

Claims

1. A trampoline (1) comprising a trampoline cloth (6) and a frame cover (8), wherein the trampoline cloth is fixed to a frame structure (2) via elastic elements, and the frame cover covers the upper side of the frame structure (2) and the elastic elements, characterized in that: The frame cover (8) has a multilayer structure, the layers of which are composed of different materials, and the multilayer structure has a spatially varying height profile with a wedge-shaped cross-section, and due to the multilayer structure and the height profile, the frame cover (8) exerts a stronger damping effect in the area of ​​the frame structure (2) than in the area of ​​the elastic element, wherein the multilayer structure has a base layer (9) and an upper layer (10), wherein the upper layer (10) extends only in the area of ​​the upper side of the frame structure or only in the area of ​​the upper side of the frame structure (2) having the connection area of ​​the elastic element and the frame structure (2), wherein the multilayer structure of the frame cover (8) is covered by a covering (13), wherein fixing parts are provided for fixing the multilayer structure to the covering (13) and for fixing the covering (13) to the frame (3).

2. Trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base layer (9) is composed of PE (polyethylene) based foam and the upper layer (10) is composed of PU (polyurethane) based foam.

3. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The base layer (9) has a supporting surface for supporting on the upper side of the frame structure (2) and the elastic element.

4. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The upper layer (10) is supported on a section of the base layer (9).

5. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base layer (9) extends over the upper side of the frame structure (2) and over the entire area of ​​the elastic element.

6. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The base layer (9) and the upper layer (10) are connected to each other via fixing members.

7. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The height of the frame cover (8) has a maximum in the region of the upper side of the frame structure.

8. The trampoline (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that In the edge region of the frame cover (8) adjacent to the jump cloth (6), the height of the frame cover has a minimum value.

9. The trampoline (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that In the transition region of the frame cover (8), the height of the frame cover decreases continuously from a maximum value to a minimum value.

10. The trampoline (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The transition region of the frame cover (8) is located in the region of the elastic element.

11. The trampoline (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The frame cover (8) has a cover element (12) that laterally covers the frame structure.

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