Leaf Spring Trampoline Enclosure Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trampoline enclosures face challenges in providing both strong support and safety during jumps, with existing rigid mesh net supports making assembly difficult and requiring tools, while flexible supports may not adequately catch users who fall onto the netting.

Innovation Solution

A spring enclosure trampoline system featuring a leaf spring support that is flexible in both horizontal and vertical directions, with a higher vertical spring constant than horizontal, and a snap buckle connection mechanism allowing tool-free assembly, ensuring resilient support and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid mesh net support is used, then the support strength is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases and requires tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strengthVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid mesh net support is divided into multiple rod segments that can be easily connected and disconnected. Each rod can be independently handled and assembled, transforming a difficult-to-assemble rigid structure into manageable segments that connect through simple coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a completely rigid configuration to a semi-flexible segmented structure that maintains strength while enabling dynamic assembly and disassembly. The segments can be easily connected and disconnected without tools, providing both structural integrity and assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If an inflexible support is used, then the strength for retaining a user is improved, but the safety when a user contacts the enclosure support deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength for retaining userVSAvoidsafety during user contact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the support structure have different flexibility characteristics. The rod segments maintain rigidity for strength when needed, but the segmented nature and connection points provide local flexibility to cushion accidental contacts, creating zones of different mechanical properties within the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure combines rigid rod segments with flexible connection mechanisms, creating a composite system that exhibits both strength and controlled flexibility. This allows the structure to provide strong support when necessary while reducing impact forces during accidental contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If long rods are used for the support frame, then the structural strength is improved, but the assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Long rods are divided into shorter, more manageable segments that are easier to handle, transport, and assemble. The segmented structure maintains the required structural strength through proper connection design while eliminating the handling difficulties associated with long rigid rods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rod segments are pre-configured with connection mechanisms that simplify assembly. The segments can be pre-assembled into partial structures or pre-positioned, reducing the complexity of final assembly and making the overall construction process more manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The spring enclosure trampoline effectively catches users who fall by flexing and distributing their weight, preventing ground contact, while simplifying assembly with tool-free connections and enhanced structural strength without excessive stiffness.

Implementation Method 1

The leaf spring is flexible in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction... The horizontal spring constant of the leaf spring, and a vertical spring constant of the leaf spring are different... the leaf spring is resiliently flexible in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The spring enclosure netting support is formed as a leaf spring... effectively catches users who fall by flexing and distributing their weight, preventing ground contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3243555B1Spring enclosed trampoline
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 SPORTSPOWER LTD
  • EP3243555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3243555B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3243555B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A spring enclosure (3) trampoline (9) includes a trampoline (9) bed (15) connected across a horizontal frame member (30). The trampoline (9) bed (15) is supported by a plurality of springs. Trampoline legs (54) support the horizontal frame member (30) above a ground surface. A trampoline (9) enclosure (3) supports a trampoline (9) enclosure (3) net (52) from a spring enclosure netting support (40). The trampoline (9) enclosure (3) surrounds the trampoline (9) bed (15) and the trampoline (9) enclosure (3) is supported on a trampoline (9) pole. The spring enclosure netting support (40) is formed as a leaf spring (41). The leaf spring (41) is flexible in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. A leaf spring vertical dimension (141) is greater than the leaf spring horizontal dimension (142). A horizontal spring constant of the leaf spring (41), and a vertical spring constant of the leaf spring (41) are different.