AU2019100654A4 - Trampoline Game Field and Trampoline Game - Google Patents

Abstract

A trampoline game field for a trampoline game to be played by a plurality of players, the trampoline game field including: one or more trampolines providing a floor with a floor perimeter such that at least some of said floor includes a bouncing surface; two or more side walls extending upwardly from at or near at least part of the perimeter to define a bounce space; and one or more goals in said bounce space.

Description

TRAMPOLINE GAME FIELD AND TRAMPOLINE GAME

This invention relates to a trampoline game field and a game which may be played or performed on the trampoline game field. The invention has particular application to trampoline game played on an assembly or array comprising a plurality of trampolines arranged in edge-to-edge abutting, proximate or spaced apart relationship. The invention is particularly suited to a trampoline game having such trampolines arranged to provide corridors or tunnels having a trampoline surface with soft, resilient sidewalls of sidewalls with a bouncing mat.

Trampolines aligned in an array next to one another are sometimes referred to collectively as a trampoline park. Trampoline parks presently in use usually have a plurality of trampolines arranged beside one another with platforms between some of them at the same level as the jumping mat. Some trampolines are set up at an include angle and some curve from horizontal to inclined. Such trampoline parks may further be improved to include barriers, nets or walls between some of the adjacent trampolines, have interfretted edges or interleaved crenellated edges between some of the abutting trampolines, or landing areas, pits filled with pliant materials such as plastics balls or pieces of sponge-like material between some of the adjacent trampolines, though such arrangements are not known in trampoline parks, nor are such arrangements taught in the art. In this specification, such improved arrangements will be referred to as a trampoline game field. It will be appreciated that the provision of a trampoline game field would permit conducting games, and in particular, games in which the play may be enhanced by the provision of a trampoline with one or more of the aforesaid improved arrangements, even though the game may be played in trampoline parks of current design.

The present invention aims to provide a trampoline game which takes advantage of at least one of the features of the trampoline park or at least provides for the educational and physical development of individuals who perform the game in accordance with the invention. The invention also aims to provide an improved trampoline game field which permits performance of a game, as well as to provide

2019100654 17 Jun 2019 a trampoline game which takes advantage of at least one of the features of the trampoline park and/or trampoline game field and adds thereto at least one feature or game dimension.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides broadly in a game for a trampoline game field to be played by a plurality of players, the trampoline game including:

one or more markers to be carried by or associated with each player; markable apparel for each player adapted to be marked by any of the markers.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of using a trampoline game field, including:

providing a plurality of players with one or more markers; providing each player with markable apparel to be donned whilst playing the game;

each player attempting to mark the markable apparel of each other player with their marker;

the last player remaining unmarked being the winner.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a trampoline game field for a trampoline game to be played by a plurality of players, the trampoline game field including:

one or more trampolines providing a floor with a floor perimeter such that at least some of said floor includes a bouncing surface;

two or more side walls extending upwardly from at or near at least part of the perimeter to define a bounce space; and one or more goals in said bounce space.

In the other aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a game for a plurality of players including;

providing a trampoline game field as hereinbefore described;

each player in turn bouncing on the bouncing surface of the floor; and each player attempting to realize the one or more goals in the bounce space.

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Preferred, the winning player is the player that realizes the or each goal in the minimum time. If desired, the game may be integrated into or added to the game hereinbefore and hereinafter described.

The marker may be a glove or the like which can mark the markable apparel when contact is made therewith. Preferably, the marker is a chalk ball which can mark the markable apparel when struck by the chalk ball. Preferably, the players each throw, toss or bowl their chalk ball at other players in an attempt to strike each one of the other players with their chalk ball. The chalk ball may be retrieved by the player, but variations to the game include allocating particular markings to individual players, or alternatively, having no specific markings, whereby any player may pick up a chalk ball thrown in performance of the trampoline game according to the invention.

The trampoline game field may include hiding areas, such as elevated platforms, walls which are padded or in the form of inclined or vertical trampoline, nets, pits filled with loose impact absorbing materials and such like to enhance the enjoyment, and thereby, the usefulness of the game in physical and other development of participants. In particular, one or more elevated platforms may be provided across the joins between adjacent trampolines, the height being sufficient for a player to duck behind to hide from other players.

It will be appreciated that the players' skin may be regarded as markable apparel if the chalk ball is capable of marking, at least temporarily, the skin. However, it is preferred that the markable apparel is provided in a form that marking by a chalk ball is not readily removable during play. Moreover, the markable apparel may have limited target areas which are markable to discourage players taking aim at sensitive or vulnerable areas of the body.

Preferably, the goal is a light beam, such as a laser beam visible to the players and passing across the bounce space. In such form, the goal is realized by passing through the light beam. Other goals may be provided, such as a bell which may be struck, a frangible object which may be broken, a token which may be grabbed, or any combination of same. The goals may be in fixed disposition in

2019100654 17 Jun 2019 the bounce space or they may be moving during the playing of the game. The movement may be reliant on the movement of the player in the bounce space.

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 diagrammatic pictorial view of a trampoline game field for performing a trampoline game according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of a part of the trampoline game field of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of another part of the trampoline game field of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of an alternative arrangement of trampolines for the trampoline game field of Fig. 1;

Fig; 5 is a plan view of an arrangement of trampolines for a trampoline game field for performing a trampoline game according to the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of an arena for a trampoline game field such as that illustrated at least in part in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of a part of a trampoline game field according to the invention illustrating the positioning of the goals;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side sectional view of a part of the trampoline game field according to the invention illustrating the arrangement of bouncing surfaces.

The trampoline game field 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of level trampolines 11 arranged adjacent one another at a level and also includes an elevated trampoline 11a at a higher level than the others. The trampoline game field also includes a plurality of inclined trampolines 12 extending upward at an oblique angle from some of the edges of the level trampolines. The inclined trampoline beside the elevated trampoline is a shorter trampoline 12a.

Some of the trampolines abut one another and where so arranged, may have non-locking, but somewhat interleaved or interfingered edges permitting the terminating ends of the springs of each trampoline to be located within the line of terminating ends if the springs supporting the jumping mat of the other. In such form, the adjacent mats include a plurality 30 of square or rectangular tabs

2019100654 17 Jun 2019 extending outward, each tab being intermediate two tabs of the adjoining mat, except, of course, for the tabs at the ends of the adjacent edges. The distal or outer ends of the tabs are connected to the ends of springs extending upward from a rigid frame, the springs being secured in the frame and the mat being sized in a way which provides tension to the mat. The arrangement of springs is generally upward from a rigid frame which permits the mat to be supported above the frame and thereby permit the close edge-to-edge abutment of one trampoline to another, and therefore a superior arrangement for arranging trampolines about a trampoline park or trampoline game field.

Additional features provided in the trampoline game field include a net 13 between some of the trampolines, a mirror wall 14 at the end of one of the lines of trampolines, a padded barrier 15 to land on or hide behind and a ravine or pit 16 at least partly filled with foam blocks to jump over The elevated trampoline is separated from the other trampolines by a padded ramp 17. Although the threads used to form the mats of the trampolines are opaque, usually black in colour, the mat itself has an open weave sufficient to permit light to pass through.

Lights as shown at 18 may be switched on and off at random intervals to reveal or conceal the location of players. There is a combination of opaque and transparent walls, padded walls, nets and inclined trampolines. Some of the walls may be inclined.

Trampolines are arranged into intersecting corridors as illustrated in Fig. 2, adjacent corridors as illustrated in Fig. 3, or different levels as illustrated in Fig. 4, but also in combination of same. The adjacent corridors illustrated in Fig. 3 have mirrored canopies 21 angled to permit viewing by players, shown typically at 22 of other players in a the next, or next but one, corridor. The different levels illustrated in Fig. 4 have a lower level 21, an intermediate level 22 and an upper level 23 having a railing 24. Players may also take a zip line 25 from the upper level to the ground, but may leave the zip line part way along to bounce on one of the trampolines. A bungee line 26 may also be provided.

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The arrangement 27 illustrated in Fig. 5 is a simplified maze, permitting multiple routes and backtracking whereby targets - that is, other players - may disappear and reappear for added interest in the game. A prize 29 may be provided in the centre.

The arena 30 illustrated in Fig. 6 is devoid of walls, nets and other elements described and illustrated with respect to Figs. 1 to 5. Although such elements may be provided, the game according to the invention may also be played on an open trampoline game field in the form to the arena having an array of trampolines shown typically at 31 arranged in a square pattern in edge-to-edge abutting relationship. Four raised gantries bisect the array in both directions, extending from a raised podium at the same level of the gantries. Trampolines are arranged at an oblique, but steep, angle between the podium and the array of trampolines. A central darkened maze may be provided as an objective beneath the podium, but it will be appreciated that unless sufficient height is provided in the maze, the floor would be limited to a non-bouncing one.

The trampoline game field 40 illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 includes a floor 41 provided by one or more trampolines, the floor providing a bouncing surface 42 upon which a player my bounce into a bounce space 43. Two side walls 44 extend upwardly from the perimeter of the floor, or near thereto, to define upper limits to the bounce space.

A plurality of laser beams shown typically at 45 cross the bounce space between the side walls at different angles. The floor may have the bouncing surface arranged as a plurality of bouncing surfaces at different elevations as shown in particular in Fig. 8. The floor may further include one or more fixed or moving padded surfaces 46 which are non-bouncing. The in between surfaces between the bouncing surfaces are shown at 47 and may take the form of padded or bouncing surfaces. One or more other fixed or moving obstacles and/or distractions may also be provided in the bounce space. One or more of the bouncing surfaces may also move.

A scoreboard 18 is provided to inform players of the number of goals realized, and then show the time once all of the goals have been scored or realized.

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The game may be provided at different levels of player skill, with additional challenges, such as laser beams that are more difficult to score, different or more challenging lighting effects, such as strobe lights, coloured lights and such like. The goals may trigger sounds to let the player know that the goal has been realized, and additional sounds may be provided to enhance the game play experience.

A player 50 starts at the entrance to the trampoline game field at one or the other end of the corridor or tunnel. In Fig. 8, the player starts from the right hand end and follows a course indicated by arrows shown typically at 51. Some of the laser beams may have a higher score if they are more difficult to pass through. The laser beams may be continuous or intermittent, and may remain in a prescored condition or change to a post-scored condition after the beam has been broken. Of course, the player may have to return to a previous trampoline bouncing surface to score or realize goals that were missed. One or more of the laser beams may be of a different colour to indicate that such beams are to be avoided, and if the beam is broken, a negative score may be applied.

The player's score may be communicated to the player electronically, such as via an app, SMS, Facebook entry or such like. The player may install an app on a mobile device, such as a mobile telephone or cell phone, tablet computer or such like, whereby their score may be shared with other players and a competition set up for a group of players. The app may include communications with a command centre to permit features, bonus points, or other game opportunities or entitlements to be obtained or awarded.

The laser beams are provided by arranging a plurality of lasers outside one of the side walls and a corresponding plurality of sensors or a sensor grid so that once all of the laser beams have been passed through, the time is displayed for that player. The laser beams may be aligned in a fixed disposition by fixed mirrors or moved with the use of moving mirrors. The laser beams are made visible by the addition of mist or fog to the bounce space, the fog or mist being produced by one or more fog generators.

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It can be seen that, in use, the trampoline game of the present invention provides an entertaining and enjoyable means by which players can practise and enhance their fitness, eye-hand co-ordination, and if players are allocated to teams, teamwork, skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills and strategy and management skills. Moreover, the invention specifically embodies substantially useful activities for the educational and physical development of individuals who perform the game in accordance with the invention.

The players may be able to achieve increasing skill levels, with walls of different heights being set up as challenges to players. Moreover, skilled players may be able to jump over an adjoining corridor to one further over as their trampoline jumping skills improve. Skills include throwing the chalk ball while jumping, striking another player with the chalk ball while that player is in the air jumping, avoiding being struck by an accurately aimed chalk ball whilst in the air jumping and such like. In a typical scenario, players are issued with an allocated number chalk balls and allowed into the trampoline game field in their markable apparel. At a signal, the game commences, whereupon players may take aim and cast their chalk balls towards other players whilst at the same time avoiding being struck by chalk balls being cast about the trampoline game field.

The game may be combined with other game aspects, such as having two or more players, each having a identity for scoring the goals, such that the player who scores the most goals is the winner. Other players may be added with alternative game objectives, such as markers or the like for marking other players as hereinbefore described.

The foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention and any 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 defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (5)

1. A trampoline assembly comprising a bouncing surface on which a person may bounce into a bounce space, the bouncing surface comprising:

a plurality of substantially horizontal bouncing surfaces arranged at different elevations;

a side wall extending upwardly from the perimeter, or near thereto, of the plurality of bouncing surfaces to define upper limits to the bounce space;

an in-between surface between the bouncing surfaces, wherein the in-between surface provides a bouncing surface that is inclined at an oblique angle with respect to the bouncing surfaces.

2. The trampoline assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of substantially horizontal bouncing surfaces comprises a first substantially horizontal bouncing surface and a second substantially horizontal bouncing surface, wherein the first bouncing surface is at a higher elevation than the second bouncing surface.

3. The trampoline assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the trampoline assembly further comprises:

a rigid frame;

springs secured to the rigid frame and for supporting the bouncing surfaces; and wherein the springs extend upright from the frame to permit the bouncing surfaces to be supported above the frame.

4. The trampoline assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminating ends of the springs of one of the bouncing surfaces are located within the line of the terminating ends of the springs supporting an adjacent bouncing surface.

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5. The trampoline assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the side wall comprises a net.