Safety net for a trampoline and a trampoline

Abstract

The invention is a safety net (106) for a rectangular trampoline (100) that comprises a mat (101 ), a frame (102), a plurality of resilient members (103) and an edge pad (104). The safety net is removably attached to the poles (105) and comprises at least one end wall (107) attached between two adjacent poles and at least one side wall (108). The end wall comprises vertical casings (171 ) through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles. The side wall comprises a fastening arrangement (181 ) to attach a lower corner (182) of the side wall substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that at least one entrance (161 ) is arranged to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall.

Description

[0001] Safety net for a trampoline and a trampoline

[0002] The invention relates to a safety net for a trampoline comprising a mat, a frame, a plurality of resilient members arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad arranged above the resilient members, and the safety net comprises at least one end wall and at least one side wall and an entrance between the side wall and the end wall. The invention relates also to a trampoline comprising a mat, a frame, an edge pad, and a safety net. The invention relates also to a trampoline.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Trampolines are commonly used in outdoor and indoor activities. Trampolines comprise a frame and a rebounding mat connected to the frame with stretching elements such as springs or similar. Further trampolines typically comprise various safety elements to prevent injury of a user such as a safety net and a safety edge pad. A safety net is used to prevent the user of a trampoline from jumping or falling outside of the trampoline jumping area onto the surrounding ground, which could result in injury. A safety edge pad is a padding arranged on top of springs and a frame that helps to prevent injury in case a user jumps or falls on top of the springs or the frame. A safety edge pad is typically attached to the frame of a trampoline and resting on top of the springs of the trampoline.

[0005] A variety of different trampoline safety net systems are described in patent publications. Conventionally, a safety net is a single enclosure made of flexible barrier material and is removably attached to poles extending upward from the frame of a trampoline to form an enclosure wall around the mat of the trampoline. To allow a user of the trampoline to enter the trampoline, a slit like opening or a flap door with closure means, such as hooks, zipper, or hook-and-loop fastener, is provided. Such safety net arrangements are disclosed for example in patent publications US6053845A and US6607468B1 . However, such entry way arrangements are quite cumbersome to use, and the closure means are prone to failure, because the material of the safety barrier must be under tension in order to deflect the possible impact of a user.

[0006] Patent publication US7883446B2 discloses a safety net with an arched entry way, so that when the entry way is in the open position, the material closing the arch falls out of the way facilitating ingress and egress to the jumping chamber. However, such entry way arrangement requires a zipper, and the tension of the safety net makes it difficult to use the zipper and can commonly, eventually lead to the zipper pulling away from the material, or the zipper mechanism itself failing.

[0007] Patent publication GB251651 OA discloses a safety net with entry system comprising an externally facing first doorway comprising a first aperture, an internally facing second doorway comprising a second aperture, said first and second apertures being substantially non-aligned with one another. An access an access tunnel with an inner wall and an outer wall is formed through which a user may enter to the trampoline. However, such arrangement for entry system is still quite cumbersome to use.

[0008] Although conventional safety net systems are useful, such systems still have several shortcomings. There is a clear need for a simple and reliable trampoline safety net with an entry way that is safe and easy to use.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0010] The object of the invention is a solution that can significantly reduce the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is a solution where a device is a safety net for a trampoline that reduces risk for injuries, is modular, easy to setup and has configurable easy to use entry ways.

[0011] The objects of the invention are attained with a device that is characterized by what is stated in the independent patent claim. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0012] The invention is a safety net for a rectangular trampoline having four comers of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline. The trampoline comprises a mat, a frame, a plurality of resilient members arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad arranged above the resilient members, and poles at least at each corner of the trampoline and the safety net. The poles are attached to the frame and extending above the surface of the mat. The safety net is removably attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat. The safety net comprises a plurality of separate pieces made of fabric, including at least one end wall attached between two adjacent poles to one end of the trampoline and at least one side wall. The end wall comprises vertical casings through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles. The side wall comprises a fastening arrangement to attach a lower corner of the side wall. At least one lower corner of the side wall is folded inwards and attached substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall.

[0013] When reference is made in the text to the upper or the lower parts or respective directions such as down or up, or vertical or horizontal directions, a situation is described in which the trampoline according to the invention is in use. Also, when reference is made to the front, rear, top or side parts or directions, the trampoline is placed similarly and in such a way that the front side is generally used for jumping on the trampoline, and in case of a rectangular trampoline, the side is the longer side of the rectangular. When reference is made to the internal or external sides or direction inwards, the trampoline is placed similarly and the internal side is facing towards the centre of the mat and the external side is facing outwards the centre of the mat. When reference is made to the inwards or outwards directions, the trampoline is placed similarly and the inward direction is towards the centre of the mat and the outward direction is away the centre of the mat.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention is a safety net for a rectangular trampoline having four corners of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline. The trampoline comprises a mat, a frame, a plurality of resilient members arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad arranged above the resilient members, substantially vertical poles at least at each corner of the trampoline and the safety net. The mat comprises an upper surface of the mat and a lower surface of the mat. The edge pad comprises an outer edge of the edge pad and an inner edge of the edge pad. The poles are substantially vertical and are attached to the frame and extending above the upper surface of the mat when the trampoline is in use. The mat comprises an edge of the mat. The safety net is removably attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat when the trampoline is in use. The safety net is substantially at the outer edge of the edge pad. The safety net is for preventing a user of a trampoline from jumping or falling outside of the trampoline onto the surrounding ground, which could result in injury. In one advantageous embodiment, the safety net comprises a plurality of separate pieces made of fabric, and these pieces comprise at least one end wall attached between two adjacent poles on one end of the trampoline and at least one side wall attached between two poles at least on one side of the trampoline. The end wall comprises vertical casings through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles, and the side wall comprises a side hem, a lower corner, an upper corner, and a fastening arrangement, and the fastening arrangement is for attaching the lower corner of the side wall. The safety net is configured in such a way that at least one lower corner of the side wall is foldable inwards and attachable with the fastening arrangement substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall. The entrance comprises an aperture of the entrance, and the aperture of the entrance is formed from the side hem of the side wall, inner surface of the end wall and upper surface of the edge pad.

[0015] The pieces of the safety net are attached to the poles so that the safety net encircles the mat and there are no gaps in between the pieces of the safety net except entrances. The end wall comprises vertical casings through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles. The side wall comprises a fastening arrangement to attach a lower corner of the side wall. At least one lower corner of the side wall is folded inwards, i.e. towards centre of the trampoline, and attached substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall. The entrance allows a user to enter to the trampoline. The inwards folded lower corner of the side wall prevents a user to accidentally exiting the trampoline. The entrance is easy to use as it is a single aperture and there is no need to close the entrance when the trampoline is used. The aperture the entrance is at the corner of the trampoline over and above the edge pad. The aperture of the entrance is formed from a side hem of the side wall, surface of the end wall and surface of the edge pad. The shape of the aperture tapers upwards forming a sort of triangular shape. The aperture of the entrance is not parallel to longitudinal axis of the side of the trampoline nor parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end of the trampoline, and it is not facing direction towards the centre of the trampoline. The entrance may remain permanently open. A user entering or leaving the trampoline can use the pole beside the entrance as a hand hold.

[0016] In a second embodiment of the safety net, the aperture of the entrance is triangular.

[0017] In a third embodiment of the safety net, the aperture of the entrance comprises an upper corner of the aperture, and the upper corner of the aperture and coincides with the upper corner of the side wall.

[0018] In a fourth embodiment of the safety net, the fastening arrangement comprises a fastening strap having a first end of the fastening strap and a second end of the fastening strap, and the fastening strap is attached on the lower corner of the side wall.

[0019] In a fifth embodiment of the safety net, the edge pad comprises an opening in a vertical direction, and the fastening strap is configured to be carried under the edge pad through the opening and fixed to the frame to attach the lower corner of the side wall on top of the edge pad to form the entrance. In some embodiments, the opening goes through the edge pad in a vertical direction. The fastening strap is attached on the lower corner of the side wall, carried under the edge pad through the opening and fixed to the frame to attach the lower corner of the side wall on top of the edge pad to form the entrance. The fastening strap is used to attach the lower corner of the side wall to open the entrance. This way the fastening strap is used to tighten the lower hem of the side wall on top of the edge pad.

[0020] In a sixth embodiment of the safety net, the opening of the edge pad is located in midway between the frame and the edge of the mat in the edge pad that is at the end of the trampoline. This ensures that there is enough space for a user to enter the trampoline and still the inwards folded lower corner of the side wall prevents a user to accidentally exiting the trampoline. The folded part of the side wall is between the mat and the pole that is at the corner of the trampoline, which is enhancing the safety of the trampoline. The folded part of the side wall is advantageously sloping towards the centre of the trampoline because the lower hem of the side wall folded over the edge pad is between the mat and the frame and the upper corner of the side wall is attached to the upper end of the pole that is at the corner of the trampoline.

[0021] In a seventh embodiment of the safety net, the fastening strap is fixed substantially perpendicularly to the frame when the entrance is opened. This ensures that the fastening strap can be easily tightened, and the fixing point of the fastening strap will not move or slide when the fastening strap is tightened or when the trampoline is used.

[0022] In an eighth embodiment of the safety net, the fastening arrangement further comprises a tightening arrangement attached to the first end of the fastening strap, and the fastening strap is attached on the lower corner of the side wall from the point between the first end and the second end of the fastening strap, and the first end of the fastening strap and the second end of the fastening strap are carried under the edge pad through the opening and connected together with the tightening arrangement to tightening the fastening strap to the frame. In a nineth embodiment of the safety net, the edge pad comprises a padding and a reinforcement plate, and the padding is covered by an upholstery, and the reinforcement plate is arranged under the padding substantially between the opening of the edge pad and the frame. This ensures that the edge pad will not be squashed in horizontal direction and the place of the opening will not move when the fastening strap is tightened.

[0023] In a tenth embodiment of the safety net, trampoline further comprises an elongated support rod arranged to the corner of the frame under the edge pad.

[0024] In an eleventh embodiment of the safety net, the fastening strap is carried under the support rod, i.e. the support rod is between the fastening strap and the lower surface of the edge pad when the trampoline is in use. This ensures that the edge pad will not be squashed in horizontal direction and the place of the opening will not move when the fastening strap is tightened.

[0025] In a twelfth embodiment of the safety net, the fastening strap is fixed to the frame by fixing the fastening strap to the support rod. This makes it possible to use shorter fastening strap as the support rod is located close to the opening of the edge pad. In one advantageous embodiment the fastening strap comprises two pieces that are connected together with a tightening arrangement that comprises a release buckle. In an advantageous embodiment a release buckle is arranged into the opening of the edge pad so that it is easily accessible from above of the surface of the trampoline and a user of the trampoline can easily attach the lower corner of the side wall on top of the edge pad to form the entrance.

[0026] In a thirteenth embodiment of the safety net, the side wall comprises a lower hem, and the edge pad comprises a channel on upper surface of the edge pad, and the channel is substantially angled to the frame and on which the lower hem of the side wall is configured to be placed when the lower corner of the side wall is attached on top of the edge pad to form the entrance.

[0027] In a fourteenth embodiment of the safety net, the casing comprises a collar on upper end of the casing and the collar is partially closing the upper end of the casing, the poles comprise top caps attached to top ends of the poles and the top cap further comprises a lower rim, an upper rim and a neck portion between the lower rim and the upper rim, the upper rim is removably attached to the neck portion, and the collar is arranged to fit to the neck portion between the lower rim and the upper rim in such a way that the lower rim prevents the casing and the end wall from sliding down. In a fifteenth embodiment of the safety net, the safety net comprises a plurality of entrances and any of the entrances are configured to be closed and disabled by detaching the fastening arrangement and connecting the adjacent edges of the side wall and the end wall to each other.

[0028] In a sixteenth embodiment of the safety net, the safety net comprises closure means between the side wall and the end wall to connect the edges of the side wall and the end wall to each other. In some embodiments these closure means are devices, such as hooks, zipper or hook-and-loop fastener or similar. In some embodiments, the closure means are also configured to attach the lower edges of the side wall and the end wall to the edge pad.

[0029] In a seventeenth embodiment of the safety net, the safety net comprises a plurality of the side walls and a plurality of the end walls, and any of the side walls or the end walls are independently attached and detached.

[0030] In an eighteenth embodiment of the safety net, the safety net comprises two end walls arranged to the ends of the trampoline and two side walls arranged to the sides of the trampoline.

[0031] In a nineteenth embodiment of the safety net, the safety net and the edge pad comprises closure means to attach the lower edge of the side wall and the lower edge of the end wall to the edge pad.

[0032] In one embodiment of the safety net, the edge pad comprises a channel on the upper surface of the edge pad, and the channel is substantially angled to the frame and on which the lower hem of the side wall is placed when the lower corner of the side wall is attached on top of the edge pad to form the entrance. This ensures that the lower hem of the side wall stays at the desired position and the entrance stays in the desired shape. In one embodiment the channel is at an angle of 45 degrees to the side of the trampoline so that an isosceles right triangle is formed to the edge pad at the corner of the trampoline.

[0033] In one embodiment of the safety net, the casing of the end wall comprises a collar on the upper end of the casing and the collar is partially closing the upper end of the casing. The poles comprise top caps attached to the top ends of the poles and the top cap further comprises a lower rim, an upper rim and a neck portion between the lower rim and the upper rim. The upper rim is removably attached to the neck portion, and the collar is arranged to fit to the neck portion between the lower rim and the upper rim in such a way that the lower rim prevents the casing and the end wall from sliding down. The top caps are used to provide protection from the top end of the pole and to prevent rainwater to enter inside a hollow pole. The top cap made of two pieces makes it easier to setup the safety net. The poles can be covered with foam tubes and the lower rim also prevents the foam tube to move up. The removable upper rim makes it possible to attach the upper corner of the side wall to the pole easily with a simple fastening loop. The removable upper rim makes it also possible to attach to the top end of the pole an accessory, such as basketball hoop, with a simple vertical pipe joint structure.

[0034] In one embodiment of the safety net, the safety net comprises a plurality of the side walls and a plurality of the end walls, and any of the side walls or the end walls can be independently attached and detached. The end wall and the side wall can be attached and detached independently which allows any of the walls to be left out or to be replaced with different kind of wall, such as a wall including game goals or game targets. Preferably, the safety net encircles the entire trampoline, but in some cases the end wall or the side wall can be left out to open the jumping area of the trampoline, which allows, for example, two trampolines to be connected to each other.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention is a trampoline that is rectangular, and the trampoline comprises four corners of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline, and the trampoline further comprises a mat, a frame, a plurality of resilient members arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad arranged above the resilient members, a safety net, and poles at least at each corner of the trampoline. The poles are substantially vertical and are attached to the frame and extending above a surface of the mat, and the mat comprises edge of the mat, and the safety net is removably attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat. In one advantageous embodiment, the safety net comprises a plurality of separate pieces, and these pieces comprise at least one end wall attached between two adjacent poles to one end of the trampoline and at least one side wall attached between two poles at least on one side of the trampoline, and the end wall comprises vertical casings through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles, and the side wall comprises a side hem, a lower corner, an upper corner and a fastening arrangement, and the fastening arrangement is for attaching the lower corner of the side wall, and the safety net is configured in such a way that at least one lower corner of the side wall is foldable inwards and attachable with the fastening arrangement substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall. The entrance comprises an aperture of the entrance, and the aperture of the entrance is formed from the side hem of the side wall, inner surface of the end wall and upper surface of the edge pad. This means that said parts form edges of the aperture of the entrance.

[0036] It is an advantage of the invention that it provides a trampoline that is safe and easy to use. This is due to an inventive entrance structure.

[0037] It is a further advantage of the safety net according to the invention that the safety net of the trampoline is modular and easy to setup, and it includes configurable and easy to use entry ways.

[0038] DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0039] In the following, the invention is described in detail. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0040] Figure 1 shows an example of a trampoline according to an embodiment with one entrance,

[0041] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an example of a trampoline according to an embodiment with four entrances,

[0042] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an entrance as presented in Figure 1 and Figure 2,

[0043] Figure 4 shows an example of a safety net of the trampoline from top,

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of an end wall of the safety net for a trampoline according to an embodiment,

[0045] Figure 6 shows an example of a side wall of the safety net for a trampoline according to an embodiment,

[0046] Figure 7 shows an example of a fastening arrangement of the side wall as presented in Figure 6 in greater detail, Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an example of a fastening strap of the fastening arrangement fixed to a frame of a trampoline according to an embodiment as seen from below,

[0047] Figure 9 shows a cross section view of an example of a fastening arrangement of the side wall fixed to a frame of a trampoline according to an embodiment,

[0048] Figure 10 shows another perspective view of an example of a fastening strap of the fastening arrangement fixed to a frame of a trampoline according to an embodiment as seen from below,

[0049] Figure 11 shows an example of a collar of an end wall of a trampoline according to an embodiment,

[0050] Figure 12 shows an example of a top cap of a pole of a trampoline according to an embodiment,

[0051] Figure 13 shows an example of a safety net for a trampoline according to an embodiment.

[0052] DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

[0053] The embodiments in the following description are given as examples only and someone skilled in the art can carry out the basic idea of the invention also in some other way than what is described in the description. Though the description may refer to a certain embodiment or embodiments in several places, this does not mean that the reference would be directed towards only one described embodiment or that the described characteristic would be usable only in one described embodiment. The individual characteristics of two or more embodiments may be combined and new embodiments of the invention may thus be provided.

[0054] In following Figures a safety net 106 according to the invention is implemented to a trampoline 100 comprising a similar frame 102 in all Figures. Also, the safety net 106 comprising same elements can disclose several embodiments. Therefore, corresponding features in different Figures have same reference number even if different embodiments are disclosed in different Figures. It must be noted that the safety net according to the invention can be installed in many different kind of trampoline frames. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a trampoline 100. The trampoline comprises a mat 101 , a frame 102, a plurality of resilient members (not shown), an edge pad 104, vertical poles 105 and a safety net 106 attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat. In this Figure the safety net is transparent.

[0055] The trampoline 100 is rectangular and has four comers of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline. In this embodiment, the sides of the trampoline are longer than the ends of the trampoline. In some embodiments, the shape of the trampoline may be different. For example, there are embodiments where than the ends of the trampoline are longer than the sides of the trampoline. The trampoline comprises four comers of the trampoline and eight vertical poles 105 to which the safety net 106 is attached. Of course, there are embodiments where amount of the poles is different. The mat 101 is substantially rectangular. The resilient members are between the mat and the frame structure, i.e. they are attached both to the mat and the frame structure as it can be seen in Figure 9. The resilient members are, for example, metal springs, rubber structures or other resilient bodies. Advantageously, the spring elements are detachable. The resilient members provide the bouncing effect for the mat and thus for the trampoline. The edge pad 104 is a flat structure and it is arranged to cover the resilient members. The edge pad comprises an upper surface of the edge pad and a lower surface of the edge pad and an inner edge of the edge pad and an outer edge of the edge pad.

[0056] The safety net 106 comprises two end walls 107 attached on the shorter side of the rectangular shape of the trampoline 100 and two side wall 108 attached on the longer side of the rectangular shape of the trampoline 100. Of course, in some embodiments, the walls are positioned differently. The side walls and end walls comprise inner surfaces and outer surfaces. The inner surfaces are towards the interior of the trampoline. The side walls are on opposite sides of the trampoline and the end walls are on opposite walls of the trampoline. The end walls 107 and the side walls 108 are made from flexible barrier material such as mesh or webbing of some fabric. The walls comprise edges of the walls. The end walls are attached on two adjacent poles 105 that are on the comers of the rectangular trampoline, i.e. corner poles. The side walls are attached to the corner poles and poles on the sides of the trampoline. In this embodiment, the side wall extends from one corner of the trampoline to another corner of the trampoline. The upper comers of the side wall are attached to the poles 105 that are on the comers of the trampoline. Of course, if the side wall comprises two or more parts, they may have only one corner pole attachment or none. The side walls comprise a side hem 188 of the side wall (i.e. ends of the side wall), a lower hem of the side wall, an upper edge of the side wall, an upper corner of the side wall and a lower corner 182 of the side wall. The side hem is between the upper corner of the side wall and the lower corner of the side wall, in other words, between the upper edge of the side wall and the lower hem of the side wall. In some embodiments, the hems and edges of the side walls comprise some structures that improve durability and handling of the side walls. In some embodiments, this structure is a wire or a rope or a similar elongated body fixed to at least some of the edges or hems of the side walls. The walls comprise inner surfaces and outer surfaces of walls.

[0057] The safety net 106 further comprises an entrance 161 that is formed between the side hem 188 of the side wall 108 and the end wall 107. The entrance comprises an aperture of the entrance. The entrance is formed by folding the lower corner 182 of the side wall inwards, i.e. towards the centre of the trampoline 100. Thus, a fold 189 of the side wall is formed. The aperture of the entrance is formed from the side hem 188 of the side wall, inner surface of the end wall 107 and upper surface of the edge pad 104. The shape of the aperture tapers upwards forming a sort of pyramid shape formed by the side hem 188 of the side wall, the fold 189 of the side wall and the pole 105. The entrance is kept open by a fastening arrangement.

[0058] Figure 2 shows a trampoline 100 with rectangular shape and a safety net 106 comprising four wall pieces and two entrances 161 : a first entrance and a second entrance. Naturally, a trampoline according to the embodiment can comprise a safety net with more or less pieces and entrances. The trampoline comprises a frame 102 and poles 105. The safety net comprises two end walls 107 and two side walls 108. The side walls comprise a side hem 188 of the side wall at both ends of the side wall, a lower hem of the side wall, upper corners of the side wall and lower comers 182 of the side wall. The walls are attached to the poles similarly as in Figure 1.

[0059] The first entrance 106 is formed between the side hem 188 of one side wall 108 and one end wall 107. The second entrance, in this embodiment, is formed between another end wall 107 and another side hem of the same side wall that forms the first entrance. Of course, there are embodiments where the entrances are formed on the opposing comers.

[0060] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an entrance 161. Basic properties of the entrance are similar as presented in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The trampoline comprises the mat 101 , the edge pad 104, the pole 105 and the safety net. In this embodiment, on the upper surface of the edge pad is a channel 145. In this embodiment, the channel extends from one side of the trampoline to adjacent side of the trampoline. In this embodiment, the channel is at an angle of 45 degrees to the sides of the trampoline. Thus, an isosceles right triangle is formed to the edge pad at the corner of the trampoline. Of course, there are embodiments where the channel is positioned differently.

[0061] The safety net comprises the end wall 107 and the side wall 108. The end wall is attached to the pole 105 at the corner of the trampoline. The side wall comprises the upper corner 186 of the side wall, the side hem 188 of the side wall, the lower hem of the side wall and the lower corner 182 of the side wall. The side wall further comprises a fastening loop 187 at the upper corner of the side wall.

[0062] The upper corner 186 of the side wall is attached to the top ends of the pole 105 with fastening loop 187. At the entrance 161 the lower corner 182 of the side wall 108 is folded inwards from the fold 189 and the lower hem of the side wall is attached on the channel 145 that is on the upper surface of the edge pad 104. The entrance is between the side hem 188 of the side wall and the inner surface of the end wall 107. A user of a trampoline enters to the mat 101 of the trampoline through the entrance.

[0063] In some embodiments, the side hem 188 of the side wall comprises closure means 190 for connecting the edge of the side wall and the end wall 107 to each other. The closure means comprise, for example, zipper, hooks, hook-and-loop fastener or similar arrangements. When the entrance is not formed between the side wall and the end wall, the edge of the side wall is connected to the edge of the end wall with the closure means so that there is no gap in between them and a user may not enter to the trampoline between the said side wall and the said end wall. The entrance is formed by disconnecting the edges of the side wall and the end wall from each other, folding the lower corner of the side wall inwards and attaching the lower corned of the side wall on the edge pad. The edges of the side wall and the end wall are disconnected from each other at least partially starting from the lower corner i.e. at the upper end the edges may remain connected to each other. The height of the entrance can be changed by changing the height up to which the edges of the side wall and the end wall are disconnected from each other. In some embodiments, an entrance can be formed in between any adjacent side wall and end wall. When the entrance is formed and in use, a user may enter to the trampoline without changing the configuration of the entrance i.e. the entrance may remain open during the use of the trampoline. The inwards folded lower corner of the side wall prevents a user to accidentally exiting the trampoline.

[0064] In some embodiments, the safety net and the edge pad 104 comprises closure means 190 to attach the lower edges of the side wall 108 and the lower edges of the end wall 107 to the edge pad 104 so that there is no gap in between them and a user cannot drop in between them. The closure means comprise, for example, zipper, hook-and-loop fastener or similar arrangements.

[0065] Figure 4 shows an example of a safety net 106 as seen from above. The safety net surrounds the mat of the trampoline (not marked in Figure). For sake of clarity, the frame, the mat and the edge pad are not marked in this Figure. In this embodiment, the frame of the trampoline comprises poles 105 at the comers of the trampoline. The safety net comprises two opposing end walls 107 and two opposing side walls 108. In this embodiment, there are four entrances. Each entrance is at its own corner of the trampoline. The entrances are formed similarly as was described before. The upper corner of the side wall is attached to the pole 105. The side walls comprise the side hem 188 of the side wall, the lower hem 185 of the side wall and the lower corner of the side wall. The side wall further comprises a fastening arrangement 181 In this embodiment, the fastening arrangement is in the lower corner of the side wall. When forming the entrance the lower corner of the side wall is positioned on the edge pad in such a position that the entrance is opened. The fastening arrangement is arranged to attach a lower corner of the side wall to the frame of the trampoline for keeping the entrance in a required position.

[0066] Figure 5 shows an example of an end wall 107. The end wall is a rectangular piece. The end wall comprises an upper edge of the end wall, a lower edge of the end wall and end sides of the end wall. When the end wall is used for installation of the safety net, the upper edge of the end wall and the lower edge of the end wall are horizontal and the end sides of the end wall are vertical. The end wall further comprises casings 171 at the end sides of the end wall. The casings are at least partially hollow structures and the poles of the trampoline are configured to be fitted into the casings for attaching the end wall to the trampoline. It must be noted that the end walls may comprise more than two casing depending on construction of the frame of the trampoline. The casing further comprises a collar 172 on upper end of the casing. The collar is partially closing the upper end of the casing. In some embodiments, the upper edge of the end wall and the lower edge of the end wall comprise a hem structure of the end wall for improving structure of the end wall. Figure 6 shows an example of a side wall 108. The side wall comprises an upper edge of the side wall, a lower edge of the side wall, end sides of the side wall, upper comers of the side wall and lower comers 182 of the side wall. In this embodiment, one end side of the side wall is used for forming an entrance. At said end side of the side wall is a side hem 188 of the side wall, a lower hem 185 of the side wall and the lower corner of the side wall. The entrance is formed when the side wall is folded by moving the lower corner of the side wall. The side wall is a rectangular piece. In this Figure the said end side of the side wall is shown as folded. At the lower corner of the side wall is a fastening arrangement. In this embodiment, the fastening arrangement comprises a fastening strap 183. The fastening strap is used for attaching the lower corner of the side wall to the frame of the trampoline.

[0067] Figure 7 shows the lower corner 182 of the side wall 108 presented in Figure 6 in more detail. On the side edge of the side wall is the side hem 188 of the side wall and on the lower edge of the side wall is the lower hem 185 of the side wall. The side hem and the lower hem comprise closure means 190. In this embodiment, the closure means is a zipper. To the lower corner 182 of the side wall is fixed the fastening arrangement comprising the fastening strap 183. The fastening strap comprises a tightening arrangement 184. In this embodiment, the tightening arrangement is a tightening buckle. By adjusting the tightening buckle or other embodiments of the tightening arrangement, the length of the fastening arrangement can be varied. The fastening strap forms a loop. One end of the loop can be attached to the frame of the trampoline, and thus the lower corner of the side wall is attached to the frame.

[0068] Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a fastening arrangement comprising a fastening strap 183 as seen from below, i.e. from under the trampoline. The trampoline comprises the frame 102 of the trampoline, the edge pad 104 and the safety net. For sake of clarity, the resilient members are not marked in this Figure. The safety net comprises the side wall 108 and the fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement comprises the fastening strap 183 comprising the tightening arrangement 184. The side wall comprises the lower corner of the side wall and the side hem 188 of the side wall. The frame of the trampoline comprises a support rod 146. The support rod is an elongated body having ends 147 of the support rod. The support rod extends from one side of the trampoline frame to the other side of the trampoline frame at the corner of the trampoline. The support rod is fixed on upper side of the frame. The support rod is for supporting the edge pad 104. The edge pad comprises an opening 141 . The opening extends through the edge pad. The fastening strap 183 comprises a first end of the fastening strap and a second end of the fastening strap. The fastening strap is attached on the lower corner of the side wall from the point between the first end and the second end of the fastening strap, and the first end of the fastening strap and the second end of the fastening strap are carried under the edge pad through the opening 141 and connected together with the tightening arrangement 184 comprising the tightening buckle to tightening the fastening strap to the frame 102.

[0069] In this embodiment, the fastening strap 183 is carried under the support rod 146, i.e. the support rod is configured to be between the fastening strap and the edge pad 104. In this embodiment, the opening of the edge pad is located in midway between the frame and the edge of the mat in the edge pad, i.e. distances between the opening and the frame and between the edge of the mat and the opening are approximately equal. In some embodiments, said distances differ at maximum 20% from each other. In this embodiment, the fastening strap is arranged to be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the frame 102.

[0070] There are embodiments where the fastening strap 183 comprises two pieces that are connected together with a tightening arrangement 184 that comprises a release buckle or similar arrangement that is arranged into the opening 141 of the edge pad 104. In that way the tightening arrangement is easily accessible from above of the surface of the trampoline and a user of the trampoline can easily attach the lower corner of the side wall on top of the edge pad to form the entrance. The tightening arrangement can comprise a buckle with tightening and release functionality.

[0071] Figure 10 is similar as the Figure 8, but Figure 10 shows an alternative way to attach the fastening strap 183 to the frame 102. The fastening strap is fixed to the support rod 146, i.e. the connection to the frame is implemented via the support rod. This allows to use shorter fastening straps, and stress forces to the edge pad 104 caused by the fastening strap are reduced. The tightening arrangement, for example a release buckle (not shown in this Figure), is arranged into the opening of the edge pad 104 so that it is easily accessible from above the edge pad and the lower corner of the side wall 108 can be easily attached or detached when the entrance is being enabled or disabled.

[0072] Figure 9 shows a cross section view of the lower corner 182 of the side wall 108 and the corner area of the trampoline where an entrance is formed. The trampoline comprises, the mat 101 , the frame 102 of the trampoline, the resilient members 103, the edge pad 104 and the safety net. The side wall 108 comprises the lower corner 182 of the side wall and the side hem 188 of the side wall.

[0073] The edge pad 104 comprises the opening 141 . The edge pad further comprises a padding 142, an upholstery 143 and a reinforcement plate 144. The padding is soft elastic material that form core of the edge pad. The upholstery covers the padding and protects the padding. The reinforcement plate is arranged under the padding.

[0074] The side wall 108 comprises the fastening arrangement for connecting the lower corner 182 of the trampoline to the frame 102 of the trampoline for keeping the entrance open. The fastening arrangement comprises the fastening strap 183. The fastening strap is configured go through the opening 141. The reinforcement plate 144 is between the fastening arrangement and the edge pad 104. The reinforcement plate protects the edge pad when the fastening arrangement moves when the trampoline is used, i.e. for example when the fastening strap is tightened and loosened when the trampoline and the entrance are in use.

[0075] Figure 11 shows an example of a collar 172 of the end wall 107. The end wall 107 comprises the upper edge of the end wall and the side walls of the end wall. At the end wall is the casing 171 for the pole of the trampoline. The casing comprises the collar 172 on upper end of the casing. The collar is partially closing the upper end of the casing. There is a hole in the collar, i.e. the collar is a ringlike structure.

[0076] Figure 12 shows the pole 105 of the trampoline. The pole comprises a top cap 151. The top cap is configured to be attached to top end of the pole. The top cap comprises a lower rim 152, an upper rim 153 and a neck portion 154 between the lower rim and the upper rim. The top cap and its parts are circular and said parts have diameters. The diameter of the neck portion is less than the diameters of the lower rim and the upper rim. The upper rim is removably attached to the neck portion. The collar of the end wall shown in Figure 11 is arranged to fit to the neck portion when the upper rim is removed. When the upper rim is placed on the top cap, the collar is between the lower rim and the upper rim, i.e. the collar is positioned around the neck portion. In that position the lower rim prevents the casing and the end wall from sliding down and the upper rim prevents the collar detaching from the neck portion. The fastening loop of the side wall show in Figure 3 is arranged to fit to the neck portion similarly like the collar the end wall.

[0077] Figure 13 shows an example of the safety net 106 for the trampoline. The trampoline comprises the mat 101 , the frame 102, and the edge pad 104. In this embodiment, the safety net comprises one end wall 107 and two side walls 108. One side wall is configured to form an entrance in one corner of the trampoline. The safety net is open to one side of the trampoline. This side is the side of the trampoline that is opposite to the end wall 107. With this kind of a construction two corresponding trampolines can be joined.

[0078] Some advantageous embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention have been described above. The invention is however not limited to the embodiments described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.

[0079] Reference Signs: trampoline 100 mat 101 frame 102 resilient members 103 edge pad 104 pole 105 safety net 106 end wall 107 side wall 108 opening 141 padding 142 upholstery 143 reinforcement plate 144 channel 145 elongated support rod 146 end of the support rod 147 top caps 151 lower rim 152 upper rim 153 neck portion 154 entrance 161 vertical casings 171 collar 172 fastening arrangement 181 lower corner of the side wall 182 fastening strap 183 tightening arrangement 184 lower hem of the side wall 185 upper corner of side wall 186 fastening loops 187 side hem of the side wall 188 fold of the side wall 189 closure means 190

Claims

Patent claims1 . A safety net (106) for a rectangular trampoline (100) having four corners of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline, and the trampoline comprises a mat (101 ), a frame (102), a plurality of resilient members (103) arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad (104) arranged above the resilient members, and poles (105) at least at each corner of the trampoline, and the poles are substantially vertical and are attached to the frame and extending above an upper surface of the mat, and the mat comprises edge of the mat, and the safety net (106) is removably attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat, characterized in that the safety net comprises a plurality of separate pieces, and these pieces comprise at least one end wall (107) attached between two adjacent poles to one end of the trampoline and at least one side wall (108) attached between two poles at least on one side of the trampoline, and the end wall comprises vertical casings (171 ) through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles, and the side wall comprises a side hem (188), a lower corner (182), an upper corner (186) and a fastening arrangement (181 ), and the fastening arrangement is for attaching the lower corner (182) of the side wall, and the safety net is configured in such a way that at least one lower corner of the side wall is foldable inwards and attachable with the fastening arrangement substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance (161 ) is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall, and the entrance comprises an aperture of the entrance, and the aperture of the entrance is formed from the side hem (188) of the side wall, inner surface of the end wall (107) and upper surface of the edge pad (104).

2. The safety net (106) according to the claim 1 , characterized in that the aperture of the entrance (161 ) is triangular.

3. The safety net (106) according to the claim 2, characterized in that the aperture of the entrance (161 ) comprises an upper corner of the aperture, and the upper corner of the aperture and coincides with the upper corner (186).

4. The safety net (106) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fastening arrangement (181 ) comprises a fastening strap (183) having a first end of the fastening strap and a second end of the fastening strap, and the fastening strap is attached on the lower corner (182) of the side wall (108).

5. The safety net (106) according to the claim 4, characterized in that_and the edge pad (104) comprises an opening (141 ) in a vertical direction, and the fastening strap is configured to be carried under the edge pad through the opening and fixed to the frame (102) to attach the lower corner of the side wall on top of the edge pad to form the entrance (161 ).

6. The safety net (106) according to the claim 5 characterized in that the opening (141 ) is located in midway between the frame (102) and the edge of the mat (101 ) in the edge pad (104) that is at the end of the trampoline.

7. The safety net (106) according to any one of the claims 4 to 6 characterized in that the fastening strap (183) is fixed substantially perpendicularly to the frame (102) when the entrance (161 ) is open.

8. The safety net (106) according to any one of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the fastening arrangement (181 ) further comprises a tightening arrangement (184) attached to the first end of the fastening strap (183), the fastening strap is attached on the lower corner of the side wall (108) from the point between the first end and the second end of the fastening strap, and the first end of the fastening strap and the second end of the fastening strap are carried under the edge pad through the opening (141 ) and connected together with the tightening arrangement to tightening the fastening strap to the frame (102).

9. The safety net (106) according to any one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the edge pad (104) comprises a padding (142) covered by an upholstery (143) and a reinforcement plate (144), and the reinforcement plate is arranged under the padding substantially between the opening (141 ) and the frame (102).

10. The safety net (106) according to any one of the claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the trampoline further comprises an elongated support rod (146) arranged to the corner of the frame (102) under the edge pad (104).

11. The safety net (106) according to the claim 10, characterized in that the fastening strap (183) is carried under the support rod (146), i.e. the support rod is between the fastening strap and the lower surface of the edge pad when the trampoline is in use.

12. The safety net (106) according to the claim 11 , characterized in that the fastening strap (183) is fixed to the frame (102) by fixing the fastening strap to the support rod (146).

13. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (108) comprises a lower hem (185), and the edge pad (104) comprises a channel (145) on upper surface of the edge pad, and the channel is substantially angled to the frame and on which the lower hem (185) of the side wall (108) is configured to be placed when the lower corner (182) of the side wall is attached on top of the edge pad to form the entrance (161 ).

14. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (171 ) comprises a collar (172) on upper end of the casing and the collar is partially closing the upper end of the casing, the poles (105) comprise top caps (151 ) attached to top ends of the poles and the top cap further comprises a lower rim (152), an upper rim (153) and a neck portion (154) between the lower rim and the upper rim, the upper rim is removably attached to the neck portion, and the collar is arranged to fit to the neck portion between the lower rim and the upper rim in such a way that the lower rim prevents the casing and the end wall from sliding down.

15. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety net (106) comprises a plurality of entrances (161 ) and any of the entrances are configured to be closed and disabled by detaching the fastening arrangement (181 ) and connecting the adjacent edges of the side wall (108) and the end wall (107) to each other.

16. The safety net (106) according to the claim 15, characterized in that the safety net (106) comprises closure means (190) between the side wall (108) and the end wall (107) to connect the edges of the side wall and the end wall to each other.

17. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety net (106) comprises a plurality of the side walls (108) and a plurality of the end walls (107), and any of the side walls or the end walls are independently attached and detached.

18. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety net (106) comprises two end walls (107) arranged to the ends of the trampoline and two side walls (108) arranged to the sides of the trampoline.

19. The safety net (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety net (106) and the edge pad (104) comprises closuremeans (190) to attach the lower edge of the side wall (108) and the lower edge of the end wall (107) to the edge pad.

20. A trampoline (100) that is rectangular, and the trampoline comprises four corners of the trampoline, two sides of the trampoline and two ends of the trampoline, and the trampoline further comprises a mat (101 ), a frame (102), a plurality of resilient members (103) arranged between the mat and the frame, an edge pad (104) arranged above the resilient members, a safety net (106), and poles (105) at least at each corner of the trampoline, and the poles are substantially vertical and are attached to the frame and extending above a surface of the mat, and the mat comprises edge of the mat, and the safety net (106) is removably attached to the poles to form an enclosure wall vertically upwardly extended around the mat, characterized in that the safety net comprises a plurality of separate pieces, and these pieces comprise at least one end wall (107) attached between two adjacent poles to one end of the trampoline and at least one side wall (108) attached between two poles at least on one side of the trampoline, and the end wall comprises vertical casings (171 ) through which the poles are carried to attach the end wall between the two adjacent poles, and the side wall comprises a side hem (188), a lower corner (182), an upper corner (186) and a fastening arrangement (181 ), and the fastening arrangement is for attaching the lower corner (182) of the side wall, and the safety net is configured in such a way that at least one lower corner of the side wall is foldable inwards and attachable with the fastening arrangement substantially on top of the edge pad in such a way that an entrance (161 ) is formed to the trampoline between the side wall and the end wall, and the entrance comprises an aperture of the entrance, and the aperture of the entrance is formed from the side hem (188) of the side wall, inner surface of the end wall (107) and upper surface of the edge pad (104).

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