Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
1
TRAMPOLINES AND MAT CONNECTORS FOR TRAMPOLINES
This invention relates to trampolines and mat connectors
for trampolines. The invention has particular application to
trampolines arranged in side by side abutting relationship and
having their respective jumping mats joined to each other, for
example, for use in trampoline parks. The invention also has
particular application to mat connectors for connecting the
jumping mats of two or more adjacent trampolines.
Trampoline parks typically include sections where a
plurality of independent trampolines are arranged side by side
to form an array with the jumping mats horizontal. In some parks,
some trampolines can have part of the jumping mat extending
horizontally and contiguous with a part which is inclined to the
horizontal and perhaps even close to vertical. Trampolines which
are currently used in trampoline parks typically include a steel
frame with a rectangular flexible jumping mat secured to the
frame by a large number of spaced apart extension springs, the
axes of which are coplanar with the mat, and are arranged to
extend and contract as a person jumps on the mat in order to
give "bounce".
In such trampolines the extension springs and the space
between the jumping mat and the frame across which the extension
springs extend is typically covered by a padded safety barrier
(or "padding") extending about the mat. That space is typically
in the order of 300 mm wide but can be wider or narrower
depending on the size of the trampoline. Early trampoline parks
had separate trampolines arranged alongside each other,
sometimes being tied together about adjacent frame members, and
having padding secured over the springs. Thus, where two such
trampolines are arranged together with adjacent frames abutting,
the space between the jumping mats could be in the order of
400 mm to 800 mm wide. Typically, a full width piece of safety
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
2
padding is used to cover the adjacent springs of both trampolines
as well as the expected stretch of the springs. As a consequence
such padding can be up to a metre wide in some cases. Such padded
safety barriers are typically secured to the steel frame by
straps, clips, hook and loop fasteners or the like to ensure
that the springs are well covered for the protection of jumpers
using the trampolines.
Similar arrangements are typically made between horizontal
and inclined trampolines with large areas of safety padding over
horizontal and include springs. In other words, although the
trampoline frames are arranged alongside each other, adjacent
mats are spaced from each other by virtue of the distance
required for sets of springs for each of the mats as well as the
frame. The safety padding interferes with movement of persons
from one trampoline mat to the adjacent trampoline mat because
the springs and the frame are only covered by safety padding
which is intended not to be jumped on in the same manner as a
trampoline mat but rather to merely protect a person who misses
the mat and accidentally lands on the spring space.
Further, when a plurality of side by side trampolines (an
array) is used for games such as "dodge ball" or "soccer", there
are substantial areas between the individual mats which are
effectively "no-go" zones or at least "no-jump" zones.
The present invention is aimed at providing trampolines,
trampoline systems and various components such as mat connectors
for connecting trampoline mats together which at least
ameliorate some of the aforementioned problems or at least
provide an alternative. The invention is also aimed at providing
a trampoline mat connector system for connecting trampoline mats
of adjacent or adjoining trampolines to each other for use, for
example in trampoline parks and a method of joining trampoline
mats and supporting such mats in a trampoline park.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
3
With the foregoing in view, the invention in one aspect
resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation;
and
a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first
ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or
other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected
first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said
mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats
being operatively connected to each other along respective
adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said
biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and
wherein
adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent
portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means
arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation
and extending therefrom;
a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to
selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above
said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first
ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality
of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats
being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means
along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of
said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats
upwards; and wherein
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
4
said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other
by other biasing means extending from the connecting portion of
one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat
so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above
said frame or other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of
said plurality being connected to each other by biasing means
extending from one of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing
means in use being arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards
each other.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-
continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means
being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation
at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and
wherein
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
the adjacent mats or mat segments are connected to each
other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or
mat segments towards each other.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
5 in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-
continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means
being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation
at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and
wherein
padding is interposed between the second biasing means and
the continuous or semi-continuous mat, said padding including
locating means adapted to engage said second biasing means at
said selected locations to hold said padding in a predetermined
position.
Preferably, the padding provides a cavity or channel
adapted to at least partially house the coil springs of the
third biasing means. The padding also provides locating or
engagement means for locating the padding on the hoop springs
or engaging the padding with the hoop springs. The passing is
held in place along the axis of the hoop springs by cavities
extending into the lower face of the padding. The padding is
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
6
held in place circumferentially of the hoop springs by its
position between the mats and also by the coil spring being laid
across the upper face of the channels. The placement of the
cover over the padding may also assist in retaining the padding
in its operative position.
The padding serves to protect a jumper from a hard landing
if a foot or hand lands directly on a hoop spring or coil spring
as well as to protect the cover from excessive wear. The cover
adds to the protection afforded to the jumper. The cover is
adapted to slide at least in part over the top of the padding
and the coil springs, the coil springs can stretch and retract
within the channel or cavity as would occur when the mat is
displaced nearby by a jumper. It will be appreciated that the
bounce characteristics of the mat and the join by virtue of the
second and third biasing means may be adjusted, for example, so
that the mat provides a freer bounce and the joint provides a
tighter bounce or vice versa.
Preferably, selected second ones of said biasing means or
said second biasing means are hoop springs. Preferably, the
connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a
resilient connection provided by third biasing means arranged
to bias adjacent mats towards each other. Preferably, the second
biasing means is arranged substantially below the third biasing
means.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a method of joining trampoline mats, including:
connecting a plurality of jumping mats to each other in
side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions
thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous
mat,
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
7
connecting the continuous or semi-continuous mat first
biasing means above a frame or foundation about its periphery
to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;
supporting said continuous or semi-continuous mat above
said frame or foundation by second biasing means at selected
locations spaced inward from said periphery; and
pulling adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other
by third biasing means arranged to connect the adjacent mats or
mat segments to each other.
The mat segments may be constituted by a plurality of mats
joined together by non-resilient joiners or may be a larger mat
with the third biasing means or part of the third biasing means
being arranged across the mat from one side to the other to
provide two or more mat portions. The third biasing means is
arranged to bias or pull the two or more portions towards one
another, producing a fold, crease or pleat across the mat. Such
an arrangement may limit the extent or the stretch of the mat
to the length of the mat segment.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent
portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-
continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being
connected to said first biasing means above said frame or
foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means
being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat
outward;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
8
said second biasing means being arranged to support said
continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation
at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;
third biasing means connecting the adjacent mats or mat
segments to each other and arranged to bias the adjacent mats
or mat segments towards each other, and wherein
the second biasing means is arranged substantially below
the third biasing means and includes a hoop spring formed from
a plate and supplementary biasing means operatively connected
to said hoop spring to bias opposed sides of said hoop spring
towards each other.
The hoop spring may be formed from a plate, band or the
like, for example, a leaf spring. The leaf spring may comprise
multiple leaves or leaf segments.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats connected to said first biasing
means above said frame or foundation about the periphery of the
plurality of jumping mats, said first biasing means being
arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and
said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other
in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions
thereof;
said second biasing means being arranged to support said
plurality of mats above said frame or foundation substantially
along the connection between adjacent mats;
padding interposed between said second biasing means and
the adjacent mats, said padding including engagement means to
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
9
retain the connection between adjacent mats above said second
biasing means.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
a jumping mat or a plurality of jumping mats connected to
each other in side by side relationship to form a continuous or
semi-continuous jumping mat;
first biasing means operatively connected to said
continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat about its periphery
and to said frame or other foundation so as to bias said
continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat to keep it taut;
second biasing means arranged to support said continuous
or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at
selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;
third biasing means operatively connected to said frame or
other foundation under said jumping mat, said second biasing
means being connected to said continuous or semi-continuous
jumping mat in selected locations spaced inwards from said
periphery and arranged to bias one or more selected portions of
said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat towards an
adjacent portion.
Preferably, the padding is also shaped to provide a
connection to the first biasing means by being shaped to locate
the padding in operative disposition above the first biasing
means. Preferably, a cover is provided on top of the connection
between adjacent mats to cover the padding and the connection.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a method of joining trampoline mats, including:
providing a plurality of trampoline mats;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
providing mat biasing means peripheral biasing means and
upward biasing means;
joining the mats to each other at their adjacent edges or
edge portions by said mat biasing means for biasing each mat
5 towards an adjacent mat to form a trampoline mat assembly;
resiliently supporting the trampoline mat assembly by at
least two of its peripheral edges to said peripheral biasing
means; and
supporting the adjacent edges of the mats by said upward
10 biasing means.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation
and extending therefrom;
a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each
other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to
selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above
said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first
ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality
of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats
being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means
along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of
said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats
upwards; and wherein
said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other
by third biasing means extending from the connecting portion of
one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat
so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
11
trampoline including a plurality of mats, the mat connector
system including:
a resilient joint support for supporting a mat connector
connecting adjacent trampoline mats above a support frame or
support surface for downward and lateral displacement of the mat
connector with part of at least one of the trampoline mats under
a load;
the mat connector including:
tensioning means operatively interposed between and
connected to spaced adjacent trampoline mats for
providing tension towards each other; and
a cover strip having a width sufficient for covering the
tensioning means and an edge portion of the adjacent
trampoline mats, the cover strip being selected to
resiliently accommodate lateral relative displacement
of the mats towards and away from each other upon
extension and retraction of the tensioning means.
Preferably, the tensioning means are provided by a
plurality of coil springs extending between the adjacent edges
of the adjacent trampoline mats. It is also preferred that the
mat springs are coil springs having two opposed ends, each end
being attached to an edge of the adjacent trampoline mats to
extend therebetween. Preferably, the resilient joint support is
provided by a plurality of hoop springs aligned in spaced
relationship along a hoop spring axis passing substantially
centrally through each hoop spring.
The hoop springs may be formed by various means, a preferred
method being to bend a length of spring steel or a similarly
resilient material until its ends meet and possibly overlap, the
leaf spring thus being formed substantially into a circular
form. Preferably, each hoop spring is reinforced by a laterally
arranged extension coil spring extending diametrically across
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
12
the hoop spring. The springs extending across the hoop springs
may be of much the same form as the springs connecting adjacent
mats. For convenience, the springs connecting the mats may be
referred to as mat springs and the springs extending across the
hoop springs may be referred to as frame springs. Each hoop is
substantially circular, being formed from plate spring steel and
is of substantially cylindrical form. An imaginary plane extends
inward from the centreline of each plate to span the space
enclosed by the cylinder and contains the point at the centre
thereof. For convenience, this plane will be referred to as the
hoop spring plane.
The hoop springs may also include one or more additional
leaves extending part way circumferentially around the hoop. One
arrangement is for each hoop spring to have a primary hoop of
substantially circular form and for the additional leaves to
extend symmetrically upward around the outside of the primary
hoop in close engagement therewith or biased against the outside
of the primary hoop. At least one of the additional leaves may
be provided in a segmental form, preferably the outermost
additional leaf. That is to say, at least one of the additional
leaves is generally of arcuate form, but the arcuate form is
made up from a plurality of straight sections extending end to
end at an obtuse angle.
Each hoop spring preferably includes a covering of textile
material. Preferably, the covering includes a flange portion
extending inwardly from each side of the hoop spring and
coincident with the hoop spring plane, extending part way above
and below the lateral diameter of the hoop spring. The frame
springs are interposed between the flange portions and held
taught in their positions by the tension of the frame springs.
A metal plate, referred to for convenience hereinafter as a
flange plate, is enclosed within at least a part of each flange
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
13
portion to prevent the frame spring from tearing through the
textile of the flange portion.
The hoop springs may also be interconnected to each other
by interconnection means to assist in stabilising the
disposition of each spring. The interconnection means may
include a tensioned cable extending through each flange plate.
The position of the cable is diametrically outward from the ends
of the frame springs. Alternatively, the interconnection means
may include elongate resilient stiffening means attached to the
outside of the hoop springs. The elongate stiffening means is
provided at least somewhat parallel to the joint between the
mats, preferably extending along from hoop spring to hoop spring
and connected, fixed or fastened thereto. In one form, the
elongate stiffening means is in the form of one or more flexible
rods, pipes or plates attached to opposed sides of the hoop
springs, preferably diametrically opposed to each other.
The rods or pipes may be circular or elliptical in cross
section, the shape of the cross section being selected to provide
different stiffness in one direction compared to the stiffness
in the direction at right angles thereto. For example, the cross
section may be elliptical with the major axis upright, or a
plate may be provided in an upright orientation, so that the
elongate stiffening member is less flexible in the upright
dimension than in the lateral dimension at right angles thereto.
The elongate resilient stiffening means is provided to permit
the resilient strain of one hoop spring to be transferred at
least in part to one or more adjacent hoop springs.
Preferably, the cover strip is in the form of a cover
assembly having a substantially inextensible portion and two
extensible portions, one alongside each side edge of the
substantially inextensible portion. The substantially
inextensible portion of the cover assembly may include a central
portion and two edge portions. In such form, the edge portions
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
14
are each are formed from trampoline mat material and joined to
an elastic portion. Each elastic portion is joined to one side
edge of the central portion. In other words, the cover assembly,
taken from one edge to the other, has an edge portion joined to
an elastic portion which in turn is joined to the central
portion, which in turn is joined to the other elastic portion
which in turn is joined to the other edge portion. The edge
portions of the cover assembly and the edges of the trampoline
mats have attachment means, such as hook and loop fastener, for
fastening or attaching the cover assembly to the edges of
adjacent trampoline mats. In such form, the adjacent mats are
joined to each other by the cover assembly.
Foam having selected characteristics is preferably included
in the cover assembly to reduce impact of the cover assembly
with the hoop springs supporting the joint. Other materials to
resist frictional wear may also be included. The cover assembly
may be attached to the edges of the adjacent mats by a hook and
loop fastener as hereinbefore described, but other types of
fastener may be used, such as zipper, stitching, hooks, buttons
or such like.
Preferably, the foam is shaped to engage with an upper
portion of each of several hoop springs on the underside of the
foam and with the coil springs connecting the trampoline mats
on the upper side. In such form, the foam is provided as a
padding assembly operatively interposed between the individual
elements of the tension means. The padding assembly may include
an upper pad sized to fit under the cover assembly and a
plurality of interpositional pads for operative interposition
between the coil springs of the tension means. In such form, the
interpositional pads may be attached to the underside of the
cover assembly.
In a preferred form, the padding assembly has three layers.
The lower layer is an elongate strip extending along and between
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
the edges of adjacent trampoline mats and having rectangular
cavities penetrating therethrough at regular intervals in
register with the upper portions of the hoop springs. An
intermediate layer is bonded to the upper face of the lower
5 layer and is provided in the form of discrete substantially
rectangular forms spaced from each other by the width of the
coil springs connecting the adjacent mats. The rectangular forms
have a width commensurate with the spacing between the coil
springs and a length commensurate with, but less than, the length
10 of the coil springs. Due to the arrangement of the spacings
between the hoop springs and the coil springs, the intermediate
layer covers the rectangular penetrations in the lower layer.
The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise
15 composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular
forms of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular,
but more preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width
is the same as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer,
but the length is selected to be that of the spacing between the
edges of the adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby
overhanging the ends rectangular forms of the intermediate
layer. Such an arrangement permits the overhang of the upper
layer to be displaced downward when the trampoline mat is
displaced downwards under load. Preferably, each layer has the
same thickness.
The trampoline according to the invention may be laid out
to cover a square or rectangular area and surrounded at least
in part by further trampolines extending upwards from the
periphery of the rectangle at an oblique angle to form a
trampoline court. It will be appreciated that the oblique angle
may be vertical.
Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention
resides broadly in a trampoline court including;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
16
a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor
and
a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at
least part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique
angle thereto,
the periphery of the first plurality of trampoline mats
being supported above a frame or other foundation by first
biasing means arranged to bias said plurality of mats outwards
to tension said mats;
second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other
foundation below said plurality of mats spaced inwardly from
said periphery of the first and second plurality of trampoline
mats for biasing the first plurality of trampoline mats upward
and for biasing the second plurality of mats upward at a
complementary angle to the oblique angle;
the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the
resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by third
biasing means for biasing the edges of the trampoline mats
towards each other to form a resilient joint therebetween;
each resilient joint being supported said second biasing
means; and wherein
said second biasing means includes a hoop spring and
additional biasing means for biasing opposed sides of the hoop
towards each other.
The periphery of the resilient floor may be supported in
the traditional manner of supporting trampoline mats, such as
coil, rod or leaf springs. However, it is preferred that the
edge of the peripheral floor be supported by a rigid or semi
rigid frame member along each edge and the mat or mats being
connected thereto by non-extendible connectors. In such form,
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
17
the rigid or semi-rigid frame member is supported by a plurality
of springs in spaced relationship along the member. The springs
extend between the member and a rigid support frame supported
on or above the ground.
Alternatively, the trampoline mats along one or more edges
may be supported on a curved frame, in particular, a frame to
which the second biasing means has two straight portions and a
bend or curve joining the two straight portions. In such form,
the first and second plurality of jumping mats become merged,
the oblique jumping mats being contiguous with the jumping mats
along one or more edges of the resilient floor.
Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention
resides broadly in a trampoline having a mat resiliently
supported by its edges above the ground by a support frame, at
least one edge of the mat having a rigid or semi-rigid frame
member attached thereto by substantially inextensible attachment
means and a tension means interconnecting the rigid or semi-
rigid frame member frame and the support frame.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a
trampoline including a plurality of mats, the mat connector
system including:
a housing and two hollow connecting blocks;
the housing including means such as a passage for
connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing,
and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving
the two hollow connecting blocks in substantially parallel
relationship, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper
face of the housing for connection of the edge portions of
adjacent mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end
face of the housing for fitting the connecting blocks thereto,
the housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the
connecting block escaping from the opening to the upper face.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
18
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a mat
connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline
including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system
including:
a housing and a connecting block;
the housing including means such as a passage for
connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing,
and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving
the connecting block, the cavity, recess or passage opening to
an upper face of the housing for connection of the edge portions
of adjacent mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end
face of the housing for fitting the connecting block thereto,
the housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the
connecting block escaping from the opening to the upper face,
the connecting block having two longitudinal spaced apart
passages and each longitudinal passage having an opening thereto
along its length for receiving therein the edge portion of a
mat.
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline mat joiner for connecting adjacent trampoline mats
to a plurality of springs extending below the trampoline mats,
the trampoline mat connector being made up from a plurality of
strips of flexible material laid up on top of each other, the
layers including:
a joining layer having
joining means for detachably joining the joining
layer to the plurality of springs and
attachment means on the upper side and along of each
side edge;
a padding layer having
a width less than that of the attachment layer
disposed above the connecting layer;
a joining layer above the padding layer and having
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
19
a width greater than that of the padding layer,
complementary attachment means on the lower side
along each side edge for detachable attachment to the
attachment means of the connecting layer to form an
elongate passage for retaining the padding layer and
primary retaining means on the upper side along each
side edge; and
a cover layer above the joining layer and having
a width greater than that of the joining layer and
secondary retaining means on the lower side along
each side edge,
the trampoline mats each having complementary retaining
means on the upper and lower faces along at least one edge of
the mat for engagement between the primary and secondary
retaining means whereby the mats may be joined to each other and
connected to at least some of the springs.
Preferably, the cover layer is in the form of the cover
assembly hereinbefore described.
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
detachable mat for a trampoline having a mat connector attached
to a trampoline frame, the mat connector including:
a housing and a hollow connecting block;
the housing including means such as a passage for
connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing,
and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving
the hollow connecting, the cavity, recess or passage opening to
an upper face of the housing for connection of an edge portions
of the mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end face
of the housing for fitting the connecting block thereto, the
housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the connecting
block escaping from the opening to the upper face.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
Preferably, the layers of the trampoline mat connector are
formed of a material of greater elasticity than the main part
of the mat.
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
5 detachable trampoline mat for a trampoline having a frame and a
trampoline mat connector connected to a plurality of springs
extending below the trampoline mat to the frame, the trampoline
mat connector being made up from a plurality of strips of
flexible material laid up on top of each other, the layers
10 including:
a connecting layer having
connecting means for detachably connecting the
connecting layer to the plurality of springs and
attachment means on the upper side and along a side
15 edge;
a padding layer having
a width less than that of the attachment layer
disposed above the connecting layer;
a joining layer above the padding layer and having
20 a width greater than that of the padding layer,
complementary attachment means on the lower side
along an inner side edge for detachable attachment to
the attachment means of the connecting layer and
a seam along the along the other side edge, being the
outer side edge, the seam joining the joining layer to
the connecting layer to form an elongate passage for
retaining the padding layer and
primary retaining means on the upper side along the
inner side edge; and
a cover layer above the joining layer and having
a width greater than that of the joining layer and
secondary retaining means on the lower side along an
inner side edge,
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
21
the trampoline mat having complementary retaining means on
the upper and lower faces along at least one edge of the mat for
engagement between the primary and secondary retaining means
whereby the mat may be detachably joined to the mat connector
and connected to at least some of the springs.
Preferably, the attachment means, complementary attachment
means, retaining means and complementary retaining means are
constituted by hook and loop fastener strips of the hook and
loop or velour crochet type. It is also preferred that the cover
layer includes an extra strip of hook and loop fastener to
prevent the cover layer peeling back off the jumping mats.
Preferably, the flexible material of each strip is
substantially inextensible. In an alternative form, the flexible
material is extensible across the width of the strips. In a
preferred form, a cover layer is provided in the form of the
cover assembly hereinbefore described. It will be appreciated
that where extensible material is used for the layers or part
thereof, it is not necessary that the padding layer be extensible
or as extensible as the other layers.
The mats may be connected to the cylindrical leaf springs
via mat connectors which hold the adjoining mats a predetermined
distance above the leaf springs. Advantageously, the
configuration of the cylindrical leaf springs allows the mat
portion at the joint to be an active part of the mat, allowing
users to jump on the joint. The configuration also allows the
cylindrical leaf springs to "roll" by deforming the cylindrical
shape and thereby providing a horizontal component of bias to
the mat at the connecting edge (or joint) when a person jumps
on one mat as well as an upwards or vertical component of bias.
Where abutting mat connectors or spaced apart mat
connectors are used, the mat connectors along the connection
portions of adjacent mats may be themselves be joined by flexible
or semi-rigid longitudinal connecting means such as hollow
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739 PCT/AU2016/051013
22
fibreglass bars or rods selected and arranged to allow the
connectors to work together to some extent by transmitting
forces to adjacent connectors in a diminishing order. In that
respect, it will be appreciated that each pair of adjoining mats
may be joined together by a plurality of connectors and both
mats will be attached to each connector. In such form it is also
preferred that the flexible or semi-rigid connecting means be
secured together between adjacent connectors by securing means
such as steel clips selected and arranged to prevent such
connecting means from separating.
It is also preferred that the connectors have a rigid outer
housing or casing which is adapted to be connected to the
relevant leaf spring against relative movement therebetween and
that the adjoining mats be connected to the connector against
relative movement therebetween. In that respect, the housing
includes recesses or cavities adapted to receive therein the
longitudinal connecting means.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline assembly including:
a frame;
a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending therefrom; and
first and second jumping mats connected to selected ones
of the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by
side relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of
each of the mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free
ends, the leaf springs being connected to the frame intermediate
the free ends and portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of
the free ends being above the frame and spaced apart along the
portion of the mats to which they are connected and wherein one
of the mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent one
of the free ends and the other of the mats is connected to the
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
23
leaf spring at or adjacent the other of the free ends to provide
alternate connections for the first and second mats.
In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a
trampoline including:
a frame;
a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending therefrom; and
a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected ones of
the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side
relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of each of
the mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free ends, the
leaf springs being connected to the frame intermediate the free
ends and portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of the free
ends being above the frame and spaced apart along the portion
of the mats to which they are connected and wherein one of the
plurality of mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent
one of the free ends and an adjacent one of the plurality of
mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent the other
of the free ends so as to bias adjacent side by side jumping
mats towards each other.
Selected leaf springs may be comprised of pairs of opposed
leaf springs, the leaf springs of each of the pairs being
connected to the frame at or adjacent one end and diverging away
from the frame and curving inwards towards each other towards
the other end so as to provide a substantially horizontal portion
above the frame and have a connector connecting the
substantially horizontal portions of the pair of leaf springs
such that they move together with the transfer forces from one
mat to the adjacent mat.
The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a
plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending
therefrom; and first and second jumping mats operatively
connected to each other along a connecting portion of each
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
24
thereof and to selected first ones of the biasing means above
the frame in side by side relation, the selected first ones of
the biasing means being arranged to bias the first and second
mats outwards to tension the mats and the first and second mats
being operatively connected to selected second ones of the
biasing means along the connecting portions, the second biasing
means being arranged to bias the first and second mats upwards.
The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a
plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending
therefrom; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to each
other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to
selected first ones of the biasing means respectively above the
frame in side by side relation, the selected first ones of the
biasing means being arranged to bias the plurality of mats
outwards to tension the mats and the plurality of mats being
operatively connected to selected second ones of the second
biasing means along their respective connecting portions, the
second biasing means being arranged to bias the plurality of
mats upwards.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline court including;
a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor
and
a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge
to each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at
least part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique
angle thereto,
the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the
resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by
biasing means for biasing the edges towards each other to form
a resilient joint therebetween;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
each resilient joint being supported on a resilient joint
support for supporting the joint at a rest position such that
displacement of either or both of the adjacent mats is
resiliently accommodated by stretching of the joint between the
5 adjacent mats and flexure of the hoop spring whereby the joint
may move laterally or downward or both from the rest position.
In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly
in a trampoline including:
a frame;
10 a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and
extending upwardly therefrom; and
a plurality of jumping mats joined to each other along
their respective adjacent edges and supported on said biasing
means in side by side relation, each biasing means including a
15 hoop spring, the connection of said hoop spring to said frame
being substantially directly below the joint between the
adjacent mats such that application of a force on either adjacent
mat is resiliently accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring
such that the joint between the mats on the hoop spring moves
20 laterally with respect to the connection of the hoop spring to
the frame and application of a downward force to both adjacent
mats is accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring such that the
joint between the mats moves downwards.
The biasing means each may comprise a leaf spring forming
25 a loop which is closed at the top adjacent the mat and connects
to the frame at the bottom. In other words, in such form, the
leaf spring has two opposed ends which connect to the frame and
from which the leaf spring extends outwards and upwards for a
predetermined distance and then upwards and inwards to form a
leaf spring of substantially cylindrical form - "the cylindrical
leaf springs" and/or "loop springs" hereinbefore described.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
26
The free edge portions of the connecting portions of the
adjoining mats may be secured to the longitudinal connecting
means, for example by engaging in slots provided therein. The
longitudinal connecting means may be encased in a flexible and
resilient material such as rubber and that the flexible and
resilient material be shaped to provide a relatively sharp of
abrupt corner at the line where the connecting mats adjoin so
as to give the appearance of continuity of the mat across the
joint.
The layers of the trampoline mat connector may be formed
of a material of greater elasticity than the main part of the
mat in order to reduce the effect of "double bounce" from a
person simultaneously jumping on an adjacent mat. It is believed
that the elastic material selected should approximate as closely
as possible spaced apart horizontal coil springs along the
length of the connecting portions.
The biasing means may all be leaf springs and in such form,
all the leaf springs which are not connecting the mat along
adjoining mats may extend upwardly from the frame. Such leaf
springs may be sized so as to bend generally in only one
direction, for example, in the case of a square mat, the leaf
springs would only bend inwards and outwards towards the
opposite side of the mat, which would generally include an up
and down component as well but no sideways component. That is
to say the axis of each spring would bend in a vertical plane
only.
Each leaf spring may comprise a plurality of laminated
elongate layers of spring steel over a substantial portion of
its length. In one such form selected to meet desired rebound
characteristics for the mat, the leaf spring comprises different
numbers of layers at different places along its length. It is
preferred that the springs along and supporting the joint be
shaped to provide more up and down bending upon a person jumping
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
27
on the region of the joint as well as the joint itself than the
springs located at the outside of the mats, that is, where the
mats do not adjoin another mat bout the periphery of the assembly
of jumping mats.
The term "leaf spring" used herein is generally intended
to refer to leaf springs having a rectangular cross section.
However, it is to be understood that leaf springs of other cross
sections which might not generally be considered as "leaf
springs" are intended to be included within the scope of that
term, unless clearly not appropriate. For example, leaf springs
of square cross section or round cross section which are capable
of carrying out the equivalent function of the leaf springs
described and illustrated are herein referred to as "leaf
springs".
In a preferred form, the invention resides broadly in
trampoline or trampoline system including:
a frame or other foundation;
first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame
or other foundation;
a plurality of jumping mats or mat segments operatively
connected to each other in side by side relationship along
respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially
continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-
continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means above
said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first
biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-
continuous mat outwards;
said second biasing means including a plurality of hoop
springs upwardly biasing said continuous or semi-continuous mat
above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced
inward from said periphery;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
28
the adjacent mats or mat segments being connected to each
other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or
mat segments towards each other; and wherein
the third biasing means includes extension springs attached
to the edges or edge portions of the adjacent mats or mat
portions and further including a resiliently elastic cover and
padding interposed between the cover and the hoop springs, the
padding having locating means for locating the padding on the
hoop springs and a plurality of channels for housing the
extension springs of the third biasing means.
Preferably, the trampoline or trampoline system includes a
rigid or semi rigid frame member interposed between the
periphery the first biasing means. Preferably, the plurality of
mats or mat segments is connected to the rigid or semi rigid
frame member by flexible non-extendible connectors for spacing
the periphery from the rigid or semi rigid member. The first
biasing means may include a plurality of coil springs extending
outward from the rigid or semi rigid member and substantially
coplanar with the mats or mat segments, or alternatively, or in
addition thereto, a plurality of leaf springs arranged angularly
to the mats or mat segments to provide the outward biasing.
Preferably, the hoop springs include supplementary biasing means
arranged to bias the sides of the hoop springs towards each
other substantially parallel to the mats or mat segments.
Preferably, interconnection means are provided in the form of a
two or more cables extending through the hoops and linked thereto
such that at least some of displacement of one hoop is
transferred to one or more hoops adjacent thereto.
The present invention lends itself to banks of trampoline
mats of different polygonal shapes, particularly hexagonal mats
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
29
which provide for better support in the corners than square or
rectangular trampolines. In such form, polygonal mats are
preferably joined edge to edge by the trampoline mat connector
system according to the present invention.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood
and put into practice reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a pictorial and partly exploded view of a
trampoline park having a trampoline and mat connectors for
trampolines according the invention;
Fig. 2a is a pictorial view of a portion of the support
frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;
Fig. 2b is a pictorial view of a portion of another support
frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;
Fig. 2c is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support
frame of Fig. 2a;
Fig. 2d is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support
frame of Fig. 2b;
Fig. 3a is a pictorial view of a part of an edge frame
support assembly for supporting an edge portion of a
trampoline mat according to the invention;
Fig. 3b is a pictorial view of another part of the edge
frame support assembly of Fig. 3a;
Fig. 4a is pictorial, partly disassembled view of a part
of two adjacent trampoline mats showing a joint and a cover
assembly extending therebetween as supported by the support
frame of Figs. la or lb;
Fig. 4b is another view of the mats of Fig. 4a from a
different angle;
Fig. 4c is another view of the mats of Fig. 4a from
underneath;
Fig. 4d is another view of the mats of Fig. 4a from another
angle;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of a trampoline mat
joint and cover assembly without the support frame;
Fig. 6 is another diagrammatic pictorial view of the
trampoline mat joint and cover assembly without the support
5 frame;
Fig. 7a is a pictorial view of part of a trampoline mat
connector according to the invention with part of a cover
assembly peeled back to reveal elements normally hidden
from view;
10 Fig. 7b is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of Fig. 7a with the cover assembly removed and the edges
of the trampoline mat peeled back to show elements normally
hidden from view;
Fig. 7c is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
15 with the cover assembly removed of Fig 7b with the edges
of the mats in their normal disposition;
Fig. 7d is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of Fig. 7c with the padding assembly lifted;
Fig. 7e is a pictorial view of part of an alternative cover
20 assembly;
Fig. 8a is a pictorial view showing the corner mounting
arrangements for oblique trampoline mats extending upward
from the edges of the joined trampoline mats;
Fig. 8b is a pictorial view showing generally the underside
25 of the obliquely mounted trampolines;
Fig. 9 is a pictorial view of a cover assembly for covering
the other elements used for joining the jumping mats
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2a to 2d;
Fig. 10 is a pictorial view of a trampoline mat connector
30 according to the invention viewed from below and one end;
Fig. 11 is an exploded pictorial view of the trampoline mat
connector of Fig. 10;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
31
Fig. 12 is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector
of Fig. 10 viewed from above and one end;
Fig. 13 is an end view of the alternative trampoline mat
connector of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a pictorial view of a modification of the
alternative trampoline mat connector viewed from below and
one end;
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the trampoline park of Fig. 1;
Fig. 16 is a pictorial view a portion of the trampoline
park of Fig. 1;
Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of part of
the frame for the trampoline park of Fig. 1;
Fig. 18 is an exploded view of a frame support for the
trampoline park of Fig. 15;
Fig. 19 is a pictorial view of the frame support of Fig.
18;
Fig. 20 is a pictorial view of a spring arrangement for the
trampoline park of Fig. 1;
Fig. 21 is an end view of the spring arrangement illustrated
in Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of the
alternative connector of Fig. 14;
Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a tube
connection arrangement;
Fig. 24 is another view of the alternative connector of
Fig. 14;
Fig. 25 is a schematic pictorial representation of a
portion of a double mat trampoline showing the mat
connector fitting and cylindrical leaf spring in part;
Fig. 26 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of
Fig. 25;
Fig. 27 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of
Fig. 17 with a slightly different connector;
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
32
Fig. 26 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part
of another trampoline according to the invention; and
Fig. 29 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part
of another trampoline according to the invention which is
similar to the one shown in Fig. 20;
The trampoline park 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 may be
considered as a trampoline system, trampoline field or
trampoline park or for use in a trampoline park. The trampoline
includes a frame 01 supported on a floor 02 or other foundation.
Biasing means is mounted on or to said frame or other foundation
and is described in more detail later. A plurality of jumping
mats shown typically at 03 is connected to selected first ones
of the biasing means 04 above the frame or other foundation in
side by side relationship, the selected first ones of the biasing
means being arranged around the periphery of the plurality of
jumping mats to bias the plurality of mats outwards to tension
the mats. The mats are operatively connected to each other along
respective edge portions thereof shown typically at 05, and
selected second ones of the biasing means are mounted on or to
the frame or other foundation below said plurality of mats.
Adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent
portions by selected third ones of the biasing means and arranged
to bias adjacent mats towards each other. The second ones of the
biasing means are located below the connections between the mats
as described in more detail in respect of Figs. 2a to 2d. The
third ones of the biasing means are illustrated in more detail
in Figs. 4a to 6.
An oblique wall 06 surrounds most of the trampoline leaving
an access opening in one side. The oblique wall is formed of
trampoline jumping mats supported and connected in similar
arrangement to the plurality of jumping mats, but at an oblique
angle extending upwards from the edge of the trampoline. A safety
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
33
wall or net 07 is mounted to the upper edges of the oblique
trampolines.
The first ones of the biasing means are mounted to the
frame to form a trampoline support frame 20 illustrated in Figs.
2a to 2d. The trampoline support frame includes a plurality of
hoop springs shown typically at 13 spaced substantially
regularly from each other along a hoop axis and also being
substantially parallel to each other. The hoop springs are
supported on a frame member 27, each hoop spring being fastened
to the frame member by a bolt shown typically at 28.
Each hoop spring has a laterally arranged coil spring shown
typically at 11 interposed between two lateral straps shown
typically at 12 in Fig. 2a and 12a in Fig. 2b, the lateral straps
and lateral spring coinciding substantially with the lateral
diameter of the hoop spring. The lateral straps 12 shown in Fig.
2a are oriented substantially vertically, whereas the lateral
straps 12a in Fig. 2b are oriented substantially horizontally.
The hoops are each covered by a sleeve of webbing material and
from which the lateral straps extend diametrically inwardly,
also formed from webbing material. A metal plate shown typically
at 17 is encased, preferably removably, in the lateral straps
12 of Fig. 2a for attachment of the coil springs which hold the
straps in their diametral disposition across the hoop. The same
arrangement is provided where the trampoline mats are arranged
obliquely, the support frame being tilted at the appropriate
angle.
Two parallel cables 16 as shown in Fig. 2a are fastened to
a cable anchor described below in relation to Figs. 3b and 8b.
In an alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 2b an elongate
stiffening member 14 is attached to the outside of the hoop
springs substantially at an extension of the lateral diameter
of each hoop, and substantially parallel to the frame member 27.
Each stiffening member is in the form of a hollow pipe in the
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
34
illustration shown, but it will be appreciated that the
stiffening member could be of some other form selected according
to the flexure characteristics of the joint and jumping mats.
The stiffening members are resiliently displaced outwards from
the centre of the hoops and downward when a person jumps on the
mat or on the joint, there being a cover provided thereon as
described hereinunder.
The edge frame support assembly 50 shown in Fig. 3a includes
a lower frame member 51 supported above the ground extending
substantially parallel to the edge of a trampoline mat (not
shown), a peripheral frame member 52 supported in spaced
disposition from the frame member upwardly and outwardly
therefrom at an elevation substantially the same as the
trampoline mat and an intermediate bar 52 supported
substantially above the frame member and inwardly from the
peripheral frame member.
The intermediate bar is supported in its position by a
plurality of leaf springs shown typically at 54 extending
upwardly from the lower frame member as well as by a plurality
of coil springs 55 extending between the intermediate bar and
the peripheral frame member and in register with the leaf
springs. A plurality of flexible webs shown typically at 56
extend inward from the intermediate bar to the mat, the flexible
webs being in register with the coil and leaf springs. The
intermediate bar is of a selected flexibility so that a force
on the mat near one of the leaf and coil springs is transmitted
to adjacent leaf and coil springs by deflection of the mat. The
flexible webs provide a "soft edge" to the trampoline mats,
offering substantially no resistance to downward displacement
in and of themselves. The coil springs have a short chain 57
interposed connecting them to the peripheral frame member. The
relative lengths of the chain and the coil spring may be adjusted
to change the bounce characteristics of the trampoline.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
A lower oblique mat support member 58 runs parallel to the
lower frame member inwardly therefrom and at substantially the
same elevation. A plurality of oblique coil springs shown
typically at 59 resiliently connect an oblique trampoline mat
5 60 to the frame oblique mat support member. The coil springs are
preferably encased in a sleeve.
The joint and cover assembly illustrated in Figs. 4a to 6
includes a frame support 20a of similar form to that illustrated
in Figs. 2a to 2d except that the elongate stiffening members
10 or cables are absent and supplementary spring supports 18 extend
from the lateral diametral points of the hoop springs to a
supplementary frame member (not shown) running parallel to the
frame member 27.
The adjacent jumping mats 21 are connected to each other
15 by a plurality of mat joining springs 23 and a cover assembly
19 is arranged to have a substantially inextensible central
portion 24 interposed between two extensible strips 25, each
extensible strip being interposed between an opposed edge of the
central portion and a respective side strip 26. Each side strip
20 also provides attachment to an edge of the appropriate jumping
mat along a complementary attachment strip 29. The side strips
and attachment strips preferably include hook and loop fastener
strips, preferably all of the way along in order to provide
sufficient adhesion of the cover assembly to the adjacent
25 jumping mats.
The trampoline mat connector 30 illustrated in Fig. 7a
includes a cover assembly 19 of stretchable material having one
part of a hook and loop fastener 19a along each edge for
engagement with the complementary part of the hook and loop
30 fastener along the edges of the adjacent mats. A padding assembly
30 is interposed between the cover assembly and the upper portion
of the hoop springs.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
36
The padding assembly has two or three layers, a lower layer
34 is in the form of an elongate strip extending along and
between the edge of adjacent trampoline mats and having
rectangular cavities (not shown) penetrating therethrough at
regular intervals in register with the upper portions of the
hoop springs. An upper layer 35 is bonded to the upper face of
the lower layer and is provided in the form of discrete forms
spaced from each other by the width of the coil springs joining
the adjacent mats and having an overhang 36 at each end. The
upper layer covers the rectangular penetrations in the lower
layer. In the embodiment illustrated there are two coil springs
between each adjacent pair of hoop springs.
The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the
rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise
composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular
forms of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular,
but more preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width
is the same as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer,
but the length is selected to be that of the spacing between the
edges of the adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby
overhanging the ends rectangular forms of the intermediate
layer. Such an arrangement permits the upper layer to be
displaced downward when the trampoline mat is displaced
downwards under load. Preferably, each layer has the same
thickness.
The alternative padding assembly 30a illustrated in Fig.
7d includes an elongate top cover pad 31 to which are bonded a
plurality of pads in spaced relationship from each other along
the length of the underside. In a typical arrangement, the top
cover pad is of a length commensurate with the length of the
edge of the trampoline mats being joined together. The springs
joining the mats together are spaced alternately at wide and
narrow spacings, the wide spacings being about twice the width
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
37
as the narrow spacings. The filler pads are sized
correspondingly, and are referred to for convenience as wide
pads shown typically at 32 and narrow pads 33 shown typically
at 33. The spacing between the filler pads is selected to provide
good clearance from the springs passing between them. The
clearance is selected to accommodate possible linear
displacement of parts of the padding assembly due to
displacement of the mat under load.
The cover assembly 40 illustrated in Fig. 7e has a main
cover strip 41 of stretchable material having a strip of hook
and loop along each edge for firm, but temporary, fastening to
the edges of adjacent mats. A high visibility strip 42, also
being stretchable, may be fastened atop the main cover strip if
desired for indicating the joint between adjacent mats. The high
visibility strip 42 is shown partly unrolled on top of the main
cover strip, the remainder of the high visibility strip for that
length of the joint being shown in a roll 43.
The cover strips are formed from a material which is
stretchable in one direction, but substantially non-stretchable
in the other direction. For locations where the joints between
mats meet at a three-way or four-way intersection, the material
used for the cover assembly is stretchable in both directions.
Because the cover assembly is subject to frictional contact with
other elements of the trampoline connector according to the
invention, it is readily replaceable by virtue of the hook and
loop fasteners.
The corner mounting arrangements 80 for oblique trampoline
mats illustrated in Fig. 8a shows the arrangement for two oblique
trampoline mats 81 extending upward from the edges of the joined
trampoline mats shown generally at 21. The corner also shows two
edge frame support assemblies intersecting without necessarily
meeting at a right-angle corner. Two oblique frame members 82
are mounted to the floor 83. A plurality of spring and chain
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
38
assemblies shown typically at 86 connect respectively to the
edge each oblique trampoline mat, crossing over or under each
other to keep the mats resiliently taught. The corner between
the mats forms a sloping valley, the oblique trampoline mats in
the corners being trapezoidal to accommodate the sloping valley.
The underside 90 of the trampoline shown generally in Fig.
8b shows a safety net 91 secured to the underside of the
obliquely mounted trampolines. Further safety nets are mounted
to the underside of the horizontal trampoline mats in similar
fashion. A cable anchor 92 is provided at each end of the frame
member to extend through the hoops. The cables each penetrate
the metal plate of each lateral strap 12 as shown in Fig. la.
The cable anchor is provided on each oblique frame member 93
supporting the trampolines mats which are at an oblique angle.
The arrangement permits part of the deflection of one hoop spring
under load to be taken up by one or more adjacent hoop springs
along the hoop axis and extending from either side where an
adjacent hoop spring is provided. The cables may be tightened
to the required tension by a turnbuckle 94 having a nut 95
threadedly engaged therewith.
The trampoline mat connector 1010 illustrated in Fig. 9
includes a connecting layer 1011 in the form of an elongate
strip of substantially inextensible material. The connecting
layer has a plurality of connecting tabs 1012 in regularly spaced
arrangement along the underside, one of which is shown. The
connecting tabs are smaller strips which are elongate in the
same direction as the elongate dimension of the connecting
layer. Each connecting tab is detachably connectible to one of
a plurality of round springs 1013, one of which is shown. The
round springs are also in regularly spaced arrangement along a
frame axis which extends in the same direction as the elongate
dimension of the connecting layer. The round springs are of
circular form as described in our international application No.
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
39
PCT/AU2015/000398 ("our earlier application"). The connecting
tabs are formed from hook and loop fastener material. The
connecting layer also has an attachment strip 1014 running along
each side edge on the upper face in the form of a strip of hook
material for a hook and loop fastener. The arrangements of the
present invention may be applied to the trampoline described in
our earlier application for both the horizontal trampoline mats
and the sloping or oblique trampoline mats.
A padding layer 1015 is disposed above the connecting layer
and is also in the form of an elongate strip, but the padding
layer is narrower than the connecting layer by at least the
width of the attachment strip. A joining layer 1016 is disposed
above the padding layer and a width greater than that of the
padding layer, the width being about the same as that of the
connecting layer. A complementary attachment strip 1017 is
provided on the lower side along each side edge for detachable
attachment to the attachment strip of the connecting layer. When
the attachment strip and complementary attachment strips are
attached to each other, an elongate passage is provided for
retaining the padding layer between the connecting layer and the
joining layer.
The joining layer also has a primary retaining strip 1018
on the upper side along each side edge. A cover layer 1019 is
disposed above the joining layer and has a width greater than
that of the joining layer and a secondary retaining strip 1020
on the lower side along each side edge. The retaining strips are
also provided in the form of the hook material for a hook and
loop fastener. The joining layer is illustrated in Fig. 8 in two
parts having a gap in between, but the joining layer may be a
contiguous layer.
Two adjacent trampoline mats 1021 each have a complementary
retaining strip on both the upper and lower faces at 1022 and
1023 respectively along at least part of the adjacent edges for
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
engagement between the primary and secondary retaining strips
of the joining and cover layers. By this arrangement, the mats
may be joined to each other and connected to at least some of
the springs.
5 The alternative trampoline connector illustrated in Fig.
14 has some of the same elements as the trampoline connector
illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, those elements in common having
the same reference numerals. However, a central strip 1024 is
interposed between the two sides of the connector to permit the
10 connector to stretch in the transverse direction, that is, in
the direction substantially at right angles to the elongate axis
of the connector. In the modification illustrated in Fig. 14, a
first overlap strap 1025 and a second overlap strap 1026 are
provided to connect the connector to the springs of the
15 trampoline frame.
The trampoline park 1030 illustrated in Fig. 15 and in part
in Fig. 16 has a plurality of trampolines arranged with their
mats in edge to edge abutting or adjacent relationship, being
joined to each other by the connectors of the present invention.
20 The trampoline park has a support rail 1027 supporting the
springs and being elevated by a plurality of regularly spaced
frame supports 1026 as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. The
support rail also meets with extended uprights 1028 to support
the upper edge of obliquely arranged trampolines. The obliquely
25 arranged trampolines have their springs mounted to oblique
support rails 1029 in similar fashion to those of the horizontal
support rail shown at 1027.
Alternative arrangements for mounting the hoop springs are
shown in Figs. 20 and 21. At the joints between two coplanar
30 trampolines, as illustrated in Fig. 20, the springs are inserted
into the hollow passage of the support rail through a slit or
slot and fastened in place by a fastener 1028. As shown in Fig.
24, there is provided a first connecting strip 1031 and a second
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
41
connecting strip 1032, the first connecting strip being taken
around the spring and fastened in place by the second connecting
strip. The first and second connecting strips are comprised of
a complementary pair of hook and loop fastening strips.
The trampoline 810 illustrated in part in Figs. 25 and 26
has a relatively rigid connector 860 used to connect the mats
621 as will be described in more detail later. Additionally, the
two mats have an elastic edge portion 821a at their adjoining
edges. The leaf springs 827 at the connecting portion of the two
mats 821 are similar to the leaf springs illustrated our co-
pending international application No. PCT/AU2015/000398 in that
they are generally cylindrical in form, although they are not
helical but instead have their free ends aligned. However, in
trampoline 810, the cylindrical leaf springs 827 have their free
ends secured in the centre mounting frame member 820 and the
upper centre portion of each spring referenced as item 840 rests
in a slot 861 provided in the connector housing 862.
The connector housing 862 is constructed of a rigid
plastics material and has a longitudinally extending cavity 864
provided therein (in the direction of the edges of the mats to
be connected). The cavity opens upwards towards the mat at
longitudinal opening 865 to allow the two mat edge portions to
be fitted therethrough. The cavity also opens to the opposite
end faces 866 and 867. As can be seen in Figs. 25 and 26, the
connector includes two longitudinally extending slightly
flexible but resilient tubes 871 and 872 (formed of a hardened
rubber compound) which rest in the cavity 864 in slightly spaced
apart relationship and the edge portions of the two mats are
fitted over the respective tubes and engage in slots 871a and
872a provided therein. It will be appreciated that the outer
face of the tubes engage the inner face of the cavity 864 so as
to inhibit rolling of the tubes and the upper opening 865 is
sized to prevent the tubes rolling out of the cavity. Notably,
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
42
the tubes 871 and 872 are shaped to provide relatively sharp
corners 871b and 872b to sharpen the corners of the mat thereby
providing a somewhat invisible joint.
The edge portions of the mats are also respectively held
in their rubber tubes by flexible fibreglass rods 873 and 874
which have slots 873a and 874a provided therein along their
lengths. Notably, rods 873 and 874 extend across the full length
of the adjoining mats and connect all the mat connectors 860
connecting the mats 821 together. That is to say, the fibreglass
rods 873 and 874 lock the respective mat edge portions in their
respective rubber tubes 871 and 872 and also hold the connectors
together although the flexibility of the fibreglass rods allows
some relative movement between adjacent connectors. Suitably,
in the trampoline 810 illustrated, the connectors are slightly
spaced apart and a connector "clip" 874 is fitted to the two
fibreglass rods 873 and 874 to hold them together between
adjacent connectors thereby assisting the connector blocks to
hold the two mats together. In this case, the clip is formed of
two abutting steel tubes welded together but in other forms it
could be manufactured of a suitable plastics material.
Another trampoline mat connector is illustrated in Figs.
27 and 28. However, in this example, the mats 921 and 922 are
held together by spaced apart strips 973 of hook and loop
fasteners such as that commonly known as "VELCRO" extending
fully along the joint with a cover strip 977 of mat fabric
thereover which in turn is secured to the respective adjoining
mats along both edges by zippers 978 and stitching 979 extending
fully across the adjoining mats. In this case, instead of having
hoop springs as in the trampolines of Figs. 1 to 28, the biasing
means at the joint region of the two mats includes an elongate
hydrostatic air bag 927 extending fully across the two
trampoline mats under the joint line and the mats are secured
CA 03002251 2018-04-17
WO 2017/070739
PCT/AU2016/051013
43
thereto by a wide strip of hook and loop fasteners 994 such as
"VELCRO".
As can be seen in Fig. 28 the hydrostatic air bag is secured
to the frame member 920 by leaf springs 971 spaced apart along
the length of the bag which in turn are secure to the bag by
strips of hook and loop fasteners 972. Advantageously the leaf
springs bias the bag to the centre of the frame member 920 as
the bag tends to roll from side to side under the action of
persons jumping on the adjacent mats and the bag accommodates
jumping at the joint area while resiliently supporting the
adjoining mats upwards.
The alternate connection shown in Fig. 29 also uses the
hydrostatic air bag 927 but in this case an "intermediate mat"
981 is connected to the bag by hook and loop fasteners 973 and
the two jumping mats 921 and 922 are connected to the
intermediate mat by hook and loop fasteners 982 and 983. The
loops are may be formed by a strip of webbing cloth which is
stitched to the mat on its underside in a broken manner to
provide spaced apart sleeves for the leaf springs. This
arrangement is particularly advantageous with continuous mats
and is relatively simple.
In use, trampolines according to the invention may be
assembled into a trampoline park, court or field. Such a
trampoline park provides more versatility for games such as
dodgeball or soccer because the players are not confined to
bouncing, landing, walking or standing on the jumping mats
themselves.
The foregoing description has been given by way of
illustrative example of the invention and many modifications and
variations which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art
may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as claimed in the following claims.
