Trampoline Frame with Flexible Plates and Springless Mat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recreational trampolines face challenges with user safety and manufacturing efficiency due to the use of extension springs, which can pose hazards and complicate the design, while soft-edged trampolines lack the traditional feel and performance.

Innovation Solution

A trampoline design featuring a frame with flexible and resilient plates extending upwards, connected to a jumping mat without the need for extension springs, using flexible rods or tubes that allow relative movement and are connected via rigid or semi-rigid coupling members to maintain performance and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extension springs are used to secure the jumping mat to the frame, then the trampoline provides bounce and support, but safety hazards arise from exposed springs and spaces between mat and frame

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidspring-related hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes extension springs from the trampoline system entirely, extracting the harmful element while maintaining the bouncing function through alternative means (flexible mat material and frame design). This directly addresses the safety hazard caused by exposed springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces padding as an intermediary element between the user and the frame, covering the spaces and potential hazard areas. This mediator provides safety without requiring the removal of the frame structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If padding and safety barriers are added to cover springs and spaces, then user safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the need for complex padding and barrier systems through spring elimination, the design simplifies manufacturing while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame design integrates safety features directly into the structure, combining the support function and safety function into a unified system that reduces separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If soft-edged trampolines use fibreglass rods instead of extension springs, then manufacturing is simplified, but the traditional trampoline feel and performance are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidperformance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the mat itself, using highly flexible and resilient material that can provide the traditional bounce feel without requiring rigid support rods or springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a material-based solution, using the inherent elastic properties of the mat material to provide the bouncing effect rather than mechanical springs or rods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a frame structure is used to support the jumping mat, then structural stability is provided, but spaces between mat and frame create safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspaces between mat and frame

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses padding as an intermediary to fill the spaces between the mat and frame, eliminating the harmful gaps while preserving the stable frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies padding coverage beforehand to protect users from potential hazards in the spaces between the mat and frame, preventing injury before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This design enhances user safety by eliminating spring-related hazards and maintains the traditional trampoline feel while improving manufacturing efficiency by eliminating the need for complex spring systems.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of spaced apart flexible and resilient plates extending upwards from said frame and connected thereto against relative movement therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the connection ideally allows for relative movement between segments as the mat moves up and down while a user is jumping thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion:

Data Source

PatentUS11724144B2Trampolines

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 VULY IP HLDG NO 2 PTY LTD

AI summary

A trampoline including: a frame adapted to rest on the ground or be mounted on a plurality of spaced apart legs; a plurality of spaced apart flexible and resilient plates extending upwards from said frame and connected thereto against relative movement therebetween; and a jumping mat operatively connected to said plates above said frame for movement with said plates upon a person jumping thereon.