AU2011201758B2

AU2011201758B2 - Improved Rod Construction For Soft-Edged Trampolines

Info

Publication number: AU2011201758B2
Application number: AU2011201758A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Keith Vivian Alexander
Original assignee: Board and Batten International Inc
Current assignee: Board and Batten International Inc
Priority date: 2003-10-15
Filing date: 2011-03-09
Publication date: 2012-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-20
Also published as: CA2546014C; CA2546014A1; ATE451951T1; EP1684875B1; EP1684875A4; AU2004279275A1; EP1684875A1; ES2338333T3; WO2005035070A1; AU2011201758A1; DE602004024706D1

Abstract

EDITORIAL NOTE Application No. 2011201758 This specification does not contain a page numbered 12. A J Park 8/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 18/023 Fax Server -3 A trampoline includes: a flexible mat and a plurality of esiliently flexible rods ech having a lower end retained in a frame of tie trampolini and an tipper end coupled to the mati about . 2 periphery of the mat, the rds being typicaly fomed of a ibte-reinforced mateal, i: rods having a protecive Liver such as a plastis s]ecvc over fie exterior sLILLC tLLeof

Description

A J Park 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 5/023 Fax Server

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Regubir 3.2 AUSTRALTA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Ninr. nf Applicar: 3OARD & BATTEN TNTPRNATION AL INC and ILITI I VIVIAN ALEXANDER Actual lventon: ALEXANDER, Keith Vivian Address fox sence in A I PARK, Level 1, 60 Marcus CIkrlte Sueet, Canbetta ACT Ausmaia: 2601, Ausradia Inventiun 'Ie: lmpvoved Rod Consruction Fur Soft-Edged Tramijpolesics The FnIlnwi g rseinent is a fuU descripliin .. Uhis invnuon, ncludign Ac bestkedxod of performing it knowa To rme rnh Jn N_- .P1-3 h,, P A-...ii. Ti- IJ- 19 f l r A J Park 6/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 6/023 Fax Server 2 FIELD OF fNVENTION The invention relates to Hr. improved rod consnartruc for softedged tiatulleasinely trampolines wich support the mat of rhe trampoline via a plurnlily Af treAeutly flexible 5 rodr, BACKGROUND US ptent 6,319;174 discloses a form or soft-mdged trampoline in wlji the mnar of the 10 trnmpolie is supported by a plurality of resiliently flexible rods received in a firame of the tratupoline at the lower cnts of the rods -and coupled to the periph csv of the bouncing mat of die uanpuline at their upper ends, and which avoids the need tor a solid frame about the err of the boUnlugnIIaL and exposed springs between he frame and periphery of thec mat 15 PCT patent publication WO 03/0,t3704 relates to improved edge fittings for such sac edged trampolines, fox coupling the upper ends of rte rods to the petiplhcir ol the r=st. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 20 The invention Provdes art irmproved or at least alternauve form of tod construction for a so fr-edged rmainc In broad terms the invention compties a trampoline including: a (lexible msar, and a 25 plurality of irrlenl y flexible rods each having a lower end oeained in s frame of the trampolne And an upper end coupled to the mat about a peiphery of the mat, the rods being formed of a fihbr-reinforced material and having a prorecrive layer ovr tshe exterior surface thereof, 30 In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises a trompoline and enclosure system including: a flexible Tra; at plundity of reriiienIV fxible spnng 1ods each having a lower end retained by a frame of the raipoLne ard arl tipper end ccmpled to the mar d. r i A P-j,,-P N, HP ai...ii. Ti - 1 not. (Vju..i xflhlnq..n A J-Parl 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 7/023 Fax Server 3 about a peiphery of the mat; a barrier of a flexible triaitial urrmding the maT above the mat and having a lower peripheral parT coupled diteedy or isdirectdv to tie mn1t; Antd a plumairy of restilenty flexible gIeerslly uptight enclosure support rods which support die uce abuve the mar at leas the snc6lOsuie rods having a protective layer over the exterior 5 surfiice thereof. The tibrereilnfonxd material may be a glass-fibre reinfoired material. Preferably fthe rods ae formed of a pultruded fibreglass material, 10 In a preferred fonn the potecdve layer comprises a separately formed sleeve fitted over the exterior surface of each mnd. In this specification (including claims) the tern "trampoline" .s intended to extend to smaller tramnpolin es commonly referred to as rebounders also, as well as larger trarpolines 15 of Al ses. Trampolines of the inventon mssay be circular, square, rectangular, or of o-her shapes such as octagonally shaped in plan view for example. - For the avoidance of doubt, in this specification (including clans) rhe itennsi "rod" is intended to include as wce as longitudinally extending sesibendy flexble eluxnrcts having a 20 solid cross-secton, longitudinaly extending elements having a tubular croas-secion, and luongitudialk extending resilicnidy B;exible eleinrs of non circular as weli m cicarcrosA seenonal shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 Prefenmd forms of trampoline are described wvjith relrence to the acconpavinvg drawings by way of example and without intending to be limiting, wherein! Figure I is a perspective view of a preferred fCor trampolie, Figure 2 is a side view of the trampoline of Figure 1 also with a surrounding Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1 hur of one sidc of dit trampoline only and showings parion of die edge af the mat of the trampoiue cut awry, ar id ini fl- i, sart'sl lAq 0.,_A h,, ID A T"fli- mo OW, 1995 n,,n. iV_&AA qll.flfl A J Park 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 8/023 Fax Server .4 Pigsu'e 3a is ai enlatgmi view of the cut away edge poroon of rihe h-Impoline, Figure 4 shows Lhe Lirmpohise and enclosure o f F1igur 2 in USE, Figure 5 s bows s single spring rod of an cabodmBet of the invention, Figure 6 is an end view of one fort of sleeve for finding to a md, and 5 Figure 7 is a cross section view of one end of a spring rod and a syeom for ing the sleeve to the rod of another embodiment of the invenio. DETAILED tDESCRIPTTON OP PREFERRED FORMS 10 Referting to Figurcs I to 3, a soft-edged Lrumpobne typically comprises a [e xible mat 1 on which users may bounce, a plutality of resihently flexible rods 2, and a bec frame 3. The preferred form trampoine shown is circular in shape hut rhe traimpoline could be of any usher desired shape such as oval, square, rectangulaf or sumla-r. 13 The base frame of the preferred form tmmpoline comprises a circular beanm 4 typically formed of steel or aluminium foe example, which may be sippurted osm the grotunid by legs a. The lower ends of eesiiatly flexible rods 2 are reT-ined by the base fame 3 and the upper 20 snds of the rods cOUneCr to fittings 6, which are coupled to the mat I about the periphery of die mal. In the preferred form the lower ends oF she cods 2 cater into rubular holders 7 fixed to the circular beam as shown, but the lower n6s of dh sods may he coupled to the circular beam, or a base frame of the trampoliC (If any orher fortI, in i y suitable way 25 the mat 1 is typically heavy canvas or a woven syntheri. matrial. A pocket 8 extends about the lpily of the mat. A number of ihe tnings 6 se positioned within his pockel in the peripheral edge of the mat as shown in Figuo 3 in particular. The fittings may be loosely captured within the pockeL ur aitcmatively may be stitched to rhe mat within the edge pocket, or ucchanically fasrened to the mat via rivers for eXmrrpl ''he 30 rods 2 have ball shaped super ends 12 which connect to de fittings 6. :I sIse as the trampohne *a bounced on by a usts. this will cause flemang of the rods 2 to a greater or COmq in m-,Ao'fl'as Di,, hiP 0-P T-,~f~,O flOSS n,. V-htAA uIlfmi-rf A J ParK 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 9/023 Fax Server 5 lesser extent depending upon rite ore and energy of the user, ald pivotal movenent between rihe upper ecls 12 of the rods 2 and the f6ttigs 6 coupled ro ther mr. T-picaly the trampoline is delivered to a purchaser in disassembled frm. The purchaser 5 inserts the lower ends of the sods inen ri e trampolinre base, loosely places the mat over the trampoline base, and [heu bends each resilient rod as required to engage the upper ends I2 of the rods into the sockct c-vitics of the fitting s I Referring to Figums 2 snd 4, the trampolIner may also comprise an endosre system as IC shown. hlie endfosure system cnais. Of A puality of resiliently fleribleo generally upright COnIloIMre stJppo3rt odA 13 The enclosure system also Comprises a barrier net 11, The eirclowsurre rods 13 support rhe nor 14 above the mnar, and the lower edge of the ierier net 14 is preferably coupled directly or indirectly :o the peripheral edge of the mat. Tic enclosure rods 13 are prefeily posNitioned on the outside of the ner 14 sr shown and are 15 coupled to the tmmpoline flame at the lower ends of the enclosure rods and to the uppei peripheral part of rhe net t or towards r-re uper ends of the enclosure rods. The uppr ends of all of the ncldosute rods 13 are preferably connected together so that all of ie enclosure rods I. ad net 14 form a dynamic rebound surface The enclosure system has high degree of flexibity or deformiibility. This is illustrated in Figure 4 which shows a isier 20 lesniig against the barriet net 14 and one enclosure iod 13, and it cm be seen that the enclosure rod defs-toe sway from use tampoline Typicaly whes o sverage sized or weight user asIn the enciosurc so that the enclosure deforms, rice impact energy abOrSrbld hy the enclosure will gently rehouId Lt; usms hack unto the trampoline TMat. That. is, a user impacting any side of the closure will cutx alt ofthe mids to defonn to some extent. 25 Typically the spnng reds 2 and the enclosure codA 13 are fu-omed of a fibre-reinforcel uxstectsl and particularly a glass-fibre reinforced material such as fibregliss. Most preferably the spring arid encisure sods it forteel of a pultruded fibreglass snmettial. In accore-dance with the invention the spring rods 2 and preferably also ite enclosure roda 13 30 have a protective layer over the exlersot surface thereof. Reletting to Figures 5 to 7 in A preferred foirns the proetive layer comprises a sepacarte formed sleeve 21) which is fitted over the extenor surface of each of the rods. The sleeve extends for most or all of the rnfl~q rni I-- hPrjs1e-a h ,, iP a . T,. -~ ,rw antsfl rV-kAA ifllt Ifl A J Park 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 10/023 Fax Server 6 length of the rod. Figure 5 shows a single spring rod 2 with a plastics sleeve 2? rovemrg su1bstaissdsilv all of the length thereof. The deoeve may be formed from a plastic. material as an e ltuded or injection smoulded plastics rube having an intemal diameter suched :o the external diarnetet of the rod. In manufacture the sleeve LS pushed onto the rod or vi. 5 versa so that the seeve covets substantialy all of the Length of the rod. 'li en closure rods 13 are also preferably covered with s longer Sleeve in the sme way. Preferably the sleeve is a friction fit to the rod to fi th sleeve ro the red As shown in Figure 6, rhe seve may have one or more internal prot:usions or ribs 21 io assist itn 10 providing a fretion fit between the seeve and the rod. Figure 6 shows three ribs 21 but less ot more ribs may be provided. In an alternative embodiunent the sleeve 26 rsAy be sxmided with a slight degree of curvature so that when it is pushed mrno . strighr rod 2 or 13 thee is s &irton grp which 15 holds the sleeve on the rod. Altnmtively again the sleeve may be extruded with a slight non .circular cross-section so that the sleeve must distort to fir the sitler to the rod, which again may provide a fricnin-li bCLWeen the sleevC and the rud. Alrernatively agAin the sleeve may be formed of a beat shzink plastics material and heat thrunlk onto the rod after initily bing slid over the rod. Ia a yet further embodunent a ho[e inay be punched in the 2D sleeve end so that the tom ends fold in and provide an esata obstrucdon to movement of the slcecv on rhe iod. Alhematively a separate fastening component ioch a aspng seral clp, or a flat rig crimped about the sleeve and rod, at one or hotli ends of the rid may fi he sleeve to the 25 vod. Refer-ing to Figure 7 thc sprig rods 2 iav at the upper cnds have fitted thenro a sesparaix component T2 which pemrides an enarged ball shaped end to the tods. which Fits into sockers on rhe underside of the fittintgH 6. The end of the. rod enters inro a hollow interior 30 of the end componenr 12. In addition a short. isltulh psn 25 extends fiom around the npening to the inteziot of the bal end and Cnns an annular clip integrd wrth the ball end component 12, which when rhe eod compoernt 12 s fitted to the end compresses the ("151 i SiM AQ'C-1li51 O N l, IP A .. r- Tim i/Wrr- i-2R flt /V.4.r fniL1..no A J Park 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 11/023 Fax server sleeve endt against rhe Tod. An ainulae barb 26 or a series of barbs may be provided as show which bire into the plastic sleeve, and a co-operating nnular groove 27 mar optionally bc provided in the rod ad. 5 Alteinatively again the deve rnny be bonded to the rod rising an industrial attangth adhesive compound or adhesive tape. In use uf the trampoline the spring rods and elso the crcsure rods are quite highly stressed. 'The external plastic sleeve as in the emnbodiinents deseibed above encloses and 10 protects a user from long sharp splinters of for eample glass fibres, becoming exposed and formrung a safety haxared whete the reds become stressed to the extent that fracture of glass fibres at the external sorhere of the mcd nccirs, during normal use or at a result of ovedudigdof the crampilinr. Another advantage. of providing the spring rods 2 with the s1eese cover is that the spring rods are also proterted where the rods beat iesvily against 15 the tubular holders 7 or eoqnivient into which the lower ends of the rods fiL. After some period of use, the surface ofthe rods a ite point of bearing can become brsed, Ifa rod is then removed, turned around and eoateled, for example if the trampoline is disasscnbled and reassemnbied during a shift frosm on location to another, the bruised sod section can Then core uider rensiot end in us :teW die red is fat nom susceptible to 20 fatgue failure, again exposing long herp glass splinters which fonts .i safety hazard. This can, alao occuewhere the cnclosuec rods enter into the holders 20. Further in ration to the enclosure cod in particular, if it rid should frarm-e 'n use the plastic sleeve over the exterior thereof should present a jagged end oc other part of the 25 fra rnred rod Lom bring erposed. fa rod should L-suure this will be apparent to a user, without the jagged end leing exposed and pucentially injuring [he user jumpirg on the rarnpolnc at the rimlie list the rod brakes. I he invention protects the spring and enclosure rods, to dither prevent injury should rod 30 frecture occur, prevent brising damage in normal use SU LIt fatigUre life is CXLended, and a3o present UV exposure iothat surface "blooming" does not expose [tbree, prevents nfiC 0 Al, AerqC..1'wal 0a-iA hu ID A,,A 4 pli. "rim, Nm i'5WR no /V..M. 2011.O A J Park 9/03/2011 2:18:00 p.m. PAGE 12/023 Fax Server fibres getting in a person's hands during handling such as assembly ot dammbly of the rampoliuc, nd also putectrs the rods [run accidental damage. In other embodiments hernatively a protctive layer may be provided on tie exterior the 5 rods by a coating, extaruding or injection noulding a liyer of for example n plastics material onto the exterior surface of the rads. For example a mould or die having a slightly larger diameter than the outer diameter of the rods ruY be tid and a pintruded rod priced inside and a thtcanoplastic material rJhen in)jeTCcl into the mould casi to covet the rod with a rh in plastics layer. Such anr Mection moulding ptocess may also be used to provide both a (0 coatingas well as a bl end to the rod equialem tc the ball end component 12, in a single operation. Alternatively the rod may be pasied through a plastics exrmusion die which sinultaneously exudes i plastics coming ove rhe length of the ru d. The foregoig describes rte invention including prefei-ed forms rheref. All alterations 15 sand modifications as will be obvious to those sollcd in the art are intended to be incorporarted within rt scope hereof.

Claims

1. A trampoline as claimed in any claim of patent 2002351531 wherein the rods each have a protective layer over the exterior surface thereof. 5

2. A trampoline according to claim 1 wherein the protective layer comprises a separately formed sleeve fitted over the exterior surface of each rod.

3. A trampoline according to claim 2 wherein the sleeve is a friction-fit to the rod. to

4. A trampoline according to claim 3 wherein the sleeve includes one or more internal protrusions to form a friction-fit between the sleeve and the rod.

5. A trampolie according to claim 4 wherein the one or more internal protrusions 15 comprise at least one rib running longitudinally of the length of the interior of the sleeve.

6. A trampoline according to claim 5 wherein the rod has a substantially circular cross-section and the sleeve has a slight non-circular cross-section to thereby provide a friction-fit between the sleeve and the rod. 20

7. A trampoline according to any one of claims 2 to 6 including a mechanical fastener about at least one end of the sleeve to fix the sleeve to the rod.

8. A trampoline according to claim 7 wherein the mechanical fastener is integral with 25 a rod end component which is separate from the rod and is fitted to an end of the rod.

9. A trampoline according to any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein said sleeve is formed from a plastics material. 30 10. A trampoline according to claim 2 wherein the sleeve is formed of a plastics material and is heat shrunk onto the rod.

10

11. A trampoline according to claim 1 wherein the protective layer comprises a layer coated onto the exterior surface of the rod.

12. A trampoline according to claim I wherein the protective layer comprises a layer 5 extruded onto the exterior surface of the rod.

13. A trampoline according to claim 1 wherein the protective layer comprises a layer injection-moulded onto the exterior surface of the rod. 10

14. A trampoline according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and an enclosure system comprising: a barrier of a flexible material surrounding the mat above the mat and having a lower peripheral part coupled directly or indirectly to the mat; and a plurality of resiliently flexible generally upright enclosure support rods which 15 support said barrier of flexible material above the mat at least the enclosure rods having a protective layer over the exterior surface thereof.

15. A trampoline according to claim 14 wherein the enclosure rods are formed of a fibre-rein forced material. 20

16. A trampoline according to claim 15 wherein the fibre-reinforced material is a glass-fibre reinforced material.

17. A trampoline according to claim 16 wherein the enclosure support rods are 25 formed of a pultruded fibreglass material.

18. A trampoline according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the protective layer comprises a separately formed sleeve fitted over the exterior surface of each enclosure support rod. 30

19. A trampoline according to claim 18 wherein the sleeve is a friction-fit to the enclosure support rod. 11

20. A trampoline according to claim 19 wherein the sleeve includes one or more internal protrusions to form a friction-fit between the sleeve and the enclosure support rod. 5

21. A trampoline according to claim 20 wherein the one or more internal protrusions comprise at least one rib running longitudinally of the length of the interior of the sleeve.

22. A trampoline according to claim 19 wherein the enclosure support rod has a substantially circular cross-section and the sleeve has a slight non-circular cross-section to 10 thereby provide a friction-fit between the sleeve and the rod.

23. A trampoline according to any one of claims 18 to 22 including a mechanical fastener about at least one end of the sleeve to fix the sleeve to the enclosure support rod. 15

24. A trampoline according to claim 23 wherein the mechanical fastener is integral with a rod end component which is separate from the enclosure support rod and is fitted to an end of the enclosure support rod.

25. A trampoline according to either one of claims 18 to 24 wherein said sleeve is 20 formed from a plastics material.

26. A trampoline according to claim 18 wherein the sleeve is formed of a plastics material and is heat shrunk onto the enclosure support rod. 25

27. A trampoline according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the protective layer comprises a layer coated onto the exterior surface of the enclosure support rod.

28. A trampoline according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the protective layer comprises a layer extruded onto the exterior surface of the enclosure support rod. 30