CN209952109U

CN209952109U - Frame component and bungee component assembly suitable for converting trampoline into bungee trampoline

Info

Publication number: CN209952109U
Application number: CN201790001213.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·T·J·格雷纳
Original assignee: November 24 2017 Patent Private LLC
Current assignee: November 24 2017 Patent Private LLC
Priority date: 2016-07-06
Filing date: 2017-07-05
Publication date: 2020-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-05
Also published as: DK179187B1; WO2018006922A1; DK201670501A1; EP3481512A1; EP3481512B1; US20190160318A1; AU2017293994A1

Abstract

An assembly of a frame component and a bungee component suitable for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline is disclosed. The trampoline is of the type having a fabric or canvas sheet attached to and extending to a trampoline frame having a periphery and at least three trampoline legs distributed along the periphery of the trampoline frame, each trampoline leg having an elongate straight leg portion, the frame members including a circumferential frame and at least three frame posts, each frame post having an upper post portion with an upper post end and a lower post portion with a lower post end, the upper post end being connected to the circumferential frame, the lower post portions of the frame posts being mounted on the elongate straight leg portions of the trampoline legs by brackets such that the longitudinal axis of each frame post is parallel to but not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongate straight leg portion. The assembly of the present invention enables a bungee trampoline to have a firm bungee trampoline structure, have any shape and size, be used on a hard surface, and do not present the risk of a user striking any part of the bungee structure.

Description

Frame component and bungee component assembly suitable for converting trampoline into bungee trampoline

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an assembly of a frame part and a bungee part suitable for converting a trampoline into a trampoline, the trampoline being of the type having a fabric or canvas sheet attached to and extending to a trampoline frame, the trampoline frame having a periphery and at least three trampoline legs distributed along the periphery of the trampoline frame, and wherein each of the three trampoline legs has an elongate straight leg portion, and wherein the frame part comprises at least three frame posts and a circumferential upper frame, and each frame post has an upper post portion and a lower post portion, the upper post portion having an upper post end connected to the circumferential upper frame, the lower post portion having a lower post end.

The assembly of the present invention can convert a trampoline that is directly erected on the ground into a bungee trampoline, or as described below, the assembly can convert a trampoline embedded in the ground into a bungee trampoline. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "trampoline" refers to a trampoline standing on the ground.

The shape of the trampoline frame of the trampoline to be converted into a bungee trampoline can be circular, rectangular or other shapes as the assembly of the invention can be mounted on a trampoline having any shape.

In the present invention, the fabric or canvas sheet attached to the trampoline frame may also be a bouncing mat attached to the trampoline frame or some other suitable bouncing device.

The bungee component of the present invention can take many different forms, but typically includes at least two bungee cords extending from the circumferential upper frame or upper portion of the frame posts to the bungee harness. Typically, the bungee component is adjusted so that the resting position of the bungee harness is above the center of the trampoline frame.

Background

A bungee trampoline is used primarily for professional use (e.g. a game) and has two primary functions. The first function is to allow the user to perform higher level stunt operations and jump higher than on a standard trampoline without a bungee harness and bungee cord. The second function is to prevent injury to the user, as the bungee harness and bungee cord can prevent the user from falling to the ground or striking the bungee trampoline structure itself.

CN204972826 describes a bungee trampoline in which bungee harnesses extend from two upwardly extending posts. To provide stability for the two columns, the columns are not only attached to the legs of the trampoline frame, but are connected to each other by telescopic rods at ground level, a further stabilising member is provided at ground level, extending from the bottom of each column and nailed to the ground, so that cables can extend from the upper portion of each column to the outer end of the corresponding stabilising member, and diagonal rods can extend between the middle portion of each column and the middle portion on the corresponding stabilising member. All of these means for stabilising the two posts make the trampoline expensive to manufacture, and complex and time consuming to assemble, and the two posts can still flex towards and away from the trampoline frame when subjected to forces exerted by a user using the trampoline. Furthermore, if such a trampoline is used on surfaces made of wood or concrete, for example, the surface will be permanently damaged by the nailing of the stabilising members into the ground.

US5788606 describes a bungee trampoline having a rectangular trampoline frame and trampoline legs, with bungee harnesses extending from two upwardly extending support columns. The support columns are not only stabilized by attaching the support columns to the trampoline frame and providing the support columns with their own support legs, but are also stabilized by connecting the support columns by telescopic rods at ground level and by providing a pair of side columns extending from a middle portion of each support column to the trampoline frame. All of these means for stabilizing the two support columns make the trampoline expensive to manufacture and complex and time consuming to assemble. Also, a user may potentially strike an upper horizontal rod that extends above the middle of the trampoline frame.

DE102005060405 describes a modular trampoline structure with a rectangular trampoline frame in which straight trampoline legs are provided at each corner of the trampoline frame. Upwardly extending support columns are located on top of each trampoline leg in an end-to-end configuration with a bungee harness extending from upper ends of two of the support columns. The trampoline legs are stabilized by means of foot supports in the form of horizontal plates and by means of a lower support frame having horizontal rods extending between the trampoline legs. The support columns are stabilized by an upper support frame, with horizontal rods extending between upper portions of the support columns. Each trampoline leg has a substantially square cross-section with four vertical sides provided with recesses such that each leg can be connected to two, three or four adjacent legs using the rods of the lower support frame such that a modular trampoline structure can have more than one trampoline area and the size of each area can vary within the limits of the components of the trampoline structure.

During use of the bungee trampoline, the weight and jumping motion of the user results in a force being applied to the bungee trampoline structure to which the bungee harness is attached. The magnitude and direction of the force changes during the jumping motion of the user, which means that the force will attempt to cause the upwardly extending posts to bend in alternating directions, primarily in a direction towards the user located in the center of the trampoline.

Too high a degree of curvature of the upwardly extending posts is undesirable for a number of reasons, including: the material of the post is stressed and strained; and reducing the desired spring effect of the bungee cord. For example, if the upwardly extending post remains more stable, stunt operation control for the user is easier, and this increased control reduces the risk of injury to the user.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In a first aspect of the invention, an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component is provided for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline having a secure bungee trampoline structure.

In a second aspect of the invention, an assembly of a frame component and a bungee component is provided that can convert any shape and size of trampoline to a bungee trampoline.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly of a frame member and a bungee member for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline which can be used on a hard surface where it is not possible to pass through the surface by means of e.g. nails.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a bungee trampoline without any parts above the user, such that there is no risk of the user striking any parts of the bungee structure.

A novel and unique way of accomplishing these aspects in accordance with the present invention is that the lower column portion of each of the frame columns is mounted to the elongated straight leg portion of the appropriate trampoline leg by a bracket such that the longitudinal axis of each frame column is parallel to but not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated straight leg portion.

The utility model provides an assembly of frame part and bungee part suitable for converting a trampoline into a bungee trampoline, the trampoline is the trampoline that has the fabric or canvas sheet type that attaches to and expands to the trampoline frame, the trampoline frame has periphery and at least three trampoline legs, at least three trampoline legs along the peripheral distribution of trampoline frame, every trampoline leg has the straight shank of slender portion, the frame part includes the frame in the periphery and at least three frame post, and every frame post has: an upper column part with an upper column end and a lower column part with a lower column end, the upper column end being connected to the circumferential frame. The lower column portion of the frame column is mounted to the elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg by a bracket such that the longitudinal axis of each frame column is parallel to but not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongate straight leg portion.

Preferably, when the frame post is mounted to the trampoline, a diameter of a first circle taken through the elongate straight leg portions of the trampoline legs connected to the frame post is smaller than a diameter of a second circle taken through the lower post portion of the frame post.

Preferably each said lower column portion extends along the entire length of the elongate straight leg of the corresponding trampoline leg.

Preferably, the bracket is adapted to secure the lower column portion of the frame column to the elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg without requiring holes to be punched in the elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg.

Preferably the support includes a U-shaped elbow having opposed support legs defining a gap for receiving the parallel elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg and the lower post portion of the frame post, the support legs of the support having support leg free ends for mounting clamp members for securing the parallel elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg and the lower post portion of the frame post within the gap.

Preferably, the circumferential upper frame extends between upper column portions of the respective frame columns, and corners of the circumferential upper frame are rounded.

Preferably, the circumferential frame is assembled from sub-elements and/or the frame posts are assembled from sub-elements.

Preferably, the length of the horizontal part of the circumferential frame is telescopically adjustable, and/or the length of the frame post is telescopically adjustable.

Preferably, the frame members are not used to support a safety net.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises a ground nail for each of the at least three frame posts, wherein each ground nail is adapted to be at least partially driven into the ground at a predetermined position of the frame post and for fastening to the lower post portion of the frame post.

The lower column portion of each frame column may be mounted to the elongate straight leg portion of the corresponding trampoline leg by one or more brackets. Although it is preferred to use two or more brackets for each pair of frame posts and corresponding trampoline legs, it is also possible to use only a single bracket, in which case the single bracket may be, for example, a bracket shaped such that it has a long extent in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the straight leg portion.

A weak point of such a trampoline structure in which the trampoline has been converted to a trampoline by an assembly of frame members and bungee members is the connection between each frame post and the corresponding elongate straight leg portion of the corresponding trampoline leg.

The effect of positioning the lower post portion of each frame post next to and parallel to the elongate straight leg not only strengthens the connection between the frame post and the trampoline, but also greatly reduces the freedom of movement of the frame post relative to the trampoline.

When the lower column part and the straight leg meet in the vertical direction, the connection is strengthened, which provides a stronger type of connection than for example an end-to-end connection.

The freedom of movement of each frame post not only decreases in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the lower post section due to the one or more brackets, but also in a horizontal direction towards and away from the elongate straight leg portion of the trampoline leg.

The reduced degree of freedom of movement of each frame post in the horizontal direction towards and away from the corresponding trampoline leg counteracts the forces experienced by the frame posts when the user uses the bungee trampoline.

The up and down movement of the user of the trampoline means that the bungee members exert a force on the upper column ends of the frame columns, including a horizontal force in a direction toward and away from the center of the trampoline. Such horizontal forces are counteracted by the reduced freedom of movement of the frame column in the horizontal direction.

The secure connection between the frame posts and the trampoline legs provides the following advantages: the entire trampoline structure (and in particular the upper portion of the frame members) remains more stable than known assemblies for converting a trampoline into a trampoline.

The connection is also strong because the frame maintains a fixed mutual distance between the upper column ends of the frame columns in the circumferential direction, thereby reducing the degree of fore-and-aft bending of the frame columns.

A firm connection between the frame posts and the trampoline legs is obtained due to the stabilizing action of the frame in the circumferential direction and the effect of the manner in which the lower post portions and the trampoline legs are positioned and interconnected with each other.

Furthermore, it is possible to mount the frame posts to the trampoline legs such that their lower post ends rest on the surface on which the bungee trampoline rests, wherein the friction between the lower post ends and the surface on which the bungee trampoline rests provides additional stability to the frame posts and thus also to the frame members.

Because the connection of the present invention is secure, the structure of the bungee trampoline can be kept simple, which means that it is not necessary to have an additional means of stabilizing the frame posts. Additional devices avoided are devices such as stabilizing bars extending between lower portions of the frame posts and/or between the trampoline legs, cables extending between upper/middle portions of the frame posts and the ground or trampoline frame, and special support plates located below the trampoline legs.

The advantage of being able to keep the frame parts sufficiently stable without any additional means for stabilizing the frame posts used in the prior art is: the cost of producing the frame components can be reduced while maintaining a sufficiently stable trampoline structure. Furthermore, the trampoline is sufficiently stable without the use of stabilising members nailed into the ground, i.e. such a trampoline can be used without damaging the surface on which the trampoline stands.

The most preferred embodiment of the invention has the same number of trampoline legs and frame posts (e.g. four), in which case each trampoline leg is connected to a different frame post. The trampoline legs are typically evenly distributed around the periphery of the trampoline frame, which means that the same number of frame posts of the assembly as the trampoline legs can also be evenly distributed around the trampoline.

The invention may also include fewer frame posts (e.g. three frame posts) and four trampoline legs than the number of trampoline legs, in which case it is preferred that the frame posts are distributed around the periphery of the trampoline frame at as great a distance as possible from each other to obtain the strongest and most stable trampoline structure.

The trampoline legs can be of different shapes and sizes, but are generally U-shaped with the two free ends of each leg attached to the periphery of the trampoline frame such that for each leg, two elongate straight leg portions extend downwardly from the periphery of the trampoline frame. Thus, it is possible to mount two frame posts to each of such U-shaped trampoline legs. For any embodiment, the frame posts are preferably evenly distributed around the perimeter of the trampoline frame.

Preferably, when the frame post is mounted to the trampoline, a first circle taken through the elongate straight legs of the trampoline legs connected to the frame post has a diameter that is less than a diameter of a second circle taken through the lower portion of the frame post.

In other words, the frame post is preferably mounted on the side of the straight leg portion facing away from the trampoline centre, which is most convenient for the person mounting the bracket providing the actual connection between the trampoline leg and the frame post.

The elongate straight leg portion preferably extends in a vertical direction from the periphery of the trampoline frame towards the ground so that the frame posts can be positioned on the outside of the bungee frame, and preferably direct physical contact between the lower post portion and the mating elongate straight leg portion.

In order to obtain a secure connection between the trampoline leg and the frame post, the lower post portion of each frame post preferably extends along the entire length of the straight leg of the trampoline leg to which it is mounted, which has the following advantages: it is possible to position a bracket at or near a first end of a straight leg portion and to position another bracket at or near the other end of the straight leg portion, i.e. the two brackets are as far away from each other as possible on the straight leg portion. The two brackets (possibly supplemented with one or more brackets between them) provide a secure connection between the trampoline legs and the frame posts.

A connection between a trampoline leg and a frame post having the same or even higher strength can also be obtained by using a single support having a long extent extending substantially along the entire longitudinal length of the straight leg portion.

By having the frame post extend not only along a part of the straight leg portion but also along the entire length of the straight leg portion, there are further advantages as follows: the lower column end of the frame column can rest firmly on the ground, which may be, for example, asphalt, or some other hard or substantially hard surface.

The term "one or more brackets" refers to a mounting device adapted to secure the lower column portion of a frame column to the straight leg portion of a mating trampoline leg without weakening the frame column or the trampoline leg. Thus, the installation can be performed without having to perforate, for example, frame posts or trampoline legs.

Each of the brackets may be a U-shaped bent tube having opposed bracket legs defining a gap for receiving the straight leg portion of the parallel trampoline leg and the lower column portion of the frame column, the bracket legs of each bracket having bracket leg free ends for mounting a clamp member for securing the straight leg portion of the parallel trampoline leg and the lower column portion of the frame column within the gap.

A circumferential upper frame extends between the upper column portions in each frame column, and the corners of the frame may be rounded. The use of rounded corners instead of, for example, right-angled corners has the effect of increasing the strength of the frame in the circumferential direction, which means that the likelihood of the frame in the circumferential direction breaking during use of the bungee trampoline is reduced.

The use of the rounded corners instead of, for example, right-angled corners can also serve to maintain the strength of the circumferential frame while reducing the amount of material from which the circumferential frame is made, which means that the production cost of the frame components can be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment having four frame posts arranged in a rectangular configuration, each of the four corners of the frame in the circumferential direction may have rounded corners in the circumferential direction.

The bungee member may advantageously be detachably secured to the circumferential upper frame and/or upper post portion of the frame member so that the bungee member can be easily replaced if, for example, the bungee member is damaged or another bungee member is required.

The circumferential frame and/or frame posts may be assembled from sub-elements so that the size of the frame parts can be changed if necessary and damaged sub-elements can be replaced without having to replace the entire frame part.

The use of frame posts made of sub-elements, particularly if the lower portion of each frame post is one sub-element and the upper portion of the frame post is one or more sub-elements, allows the overall length of the frame post to be easily and quickly changed by replacing one or more of the sub-elements with one or more sub-elements having another length, and thus converts the trampoline from being configured for a child to being configured for a heavier adult, or vice versa.

By using a circumferential frame made of sub-elements is meant that it is possible to change the size and dimensions of the circumferential frame, for example by replacing one or more sub-elements of the circumferential frame, such that an assembly of the invention can be easily and quickly converted from a trampoline configured for a trampoline frame having a specific size and shape to another trampoline having a trampoline frame of a different size and/or shape, simply by replacing one or more of said sub-elements of the circumferential frame with one or more sub-elements having another length.

Another advantage of using sub-elements is that the frame parts in the unassembled state do not take up much space, making storage and transport easier.

In another preferred embodiment the length of the frame post and/or the horizontal part of the frame in the circumferential direction can be telescopically adjusted, which is another way of obtaining the above mentioned advantages of easily and quickly changing the length of the frame post and/or changing the size and shape of the frame in the circumferential direction.

Since the bungee harness and bungee cord prevent a user from striking the bungee structure itself and, in particular, from falling to the ground, a safety net is not required to prevent injury to the user. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the frame members are not used to support the safety net.

If the frame members are adapted to support a safety net, for example by means of hooks extending from the frame members, the result will be a higher cost of production of the frame members and an increase in the time necessary to convert the trampoline into a bungee trampoline using the assembly of the present invention. Furthermore, the strength of the frame member must be increased to support the additional weight of the safety net and the hooks, which would mean an increase in cost for producing the frame member.

The bungee component of the present invention may advantageously comprise a bungee harness, wherein the vertical position of the bungee harness may be changed by e.g. a winch system, wherein each bungee cord extends from the bungee harness, via one or more winch pulleys attached to the circumferential frame or to an upper portion of at least one of the frame posts and further down to a winch attached to said frame post at a suitable height, so that the bungee cord may be easily operated. The advantage is that it is easier, faster and safer for the user to put on or take off the harness when the vertical position of the harness is lowered compared to the vertical height of the harness during jumping operations. Another advantage is that the bungee member is easily and quickly adapted to users of different heights.

A ground-embedded trampoline is a trampoline in which the trampoline frame, and hence the bouncing sheet or fabric attached thereto, is substantially at ground level. The main advantages of a ground-embedded trampoline are: a user falling from the trampoline falls to the ground over a shorter falling distance than a trampoline standing on the ground.

The ground-embedded trampoline is typically installed by digging an appropriate hole, placing the trampoline in the hole and finally backfilling some soil around the trampoline legs to help support the trampoline.

The trampoline legs of the trampoline embedded in the ground can have the same shape (e.g. U-shape) and dimensions as a standard trampoline standing on the ground, or they can be short legs, for example in the form of rods extending straight into the ground.

The assembly of the present invention can be used to convert a trampoline that is embedded in the ground into a trampoline, as long as the trampoline that is embedded in the ground has at least three legs, wherein each leg has at least one elongated straight leg, so that each of the assemblies of the present invention the lower part of at least three frame posts can be attached to the trampoline legs in the same way as a trampoline that stands on the ground.

If the length of the elongate straight leg of each of the trampoline legs of the ground-engaging trampoline is so short (e.g. 10cm) that there is not enough overlap between the straight leg portion and the lower column portion to obtain a sufficiently secure connection between each frame column and the corresponding trampoline leg by means of only one or more brackets and the parallel and coaxial positioning of the frame column relative to the straight leg portion, the assembly of the invention can be supplemented by the following ground pegs for each frame column, each being adapted to be driven into the ground and at the desired position of the frame column, and to be fastened to the lower column portion of the frame column. The frame components of such a floor-embedded trampoline maintain sufficient stability through the combined effect of the ground studs and frame posts being mounted to the trampoline legs.

Compared to an assembly according to the invention with four or more frame posts, an assembly according to the invention with only three frame posts and thus with a triangular circumferential frame is cheaper to manufacture and easier to assemble with a trampoline. On the other hand, increasing the number of frame posts increases the strength of the assembly and thus the strength of the bungee trampoline and provides additional safety for a user of the bungee trampoline. If the perimeter of the trampoline to be converted into a bungee trampoline is small or the person using such a bungee trampoline is a child, it is very well enough to use an assembly according to the present invention having only three frame posts. On the other hand, if the perimeter is large and/or the weight of the user is heavy, a larger number of frame posts is preferred to make the assembly sufficiently strong and stable. Naturally, other aspects such as the height of the frame post, the thickness of the rods of the frame in the circumferential direction and the strength of the bungee cord also have an effect on the strength and stability of the assembly.

The frame members are preferably made of metal, such as galvanized steel.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly having three frame posts according to the present invention, wherein a trampoline on which the assembly is mounted includes four trampoline legs and stands on the ground;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but having four frame posts;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of the assembly and trampoline shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of a portion of FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a corner element according to an embodiment of the invention, where one bracket is shown in its secured position, the other bracket is shown in an exploded view,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the bracket and accompanying clamp components of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 illustrates an assembly with four frame posts, wherein the trampoline on which the assembly is mounted is a trampoline embedded in the ground, and the assembly includes ground pins, in accordance with the present invention; and

fig. 9 is an exploded view of one of the ground nails and corresponding frame post shown in fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an assembly 1 of a frame part 2 and a bungee part 3 that has been used to convert a trampoline 4 into a bungee trampoline. The trampoline 4 has a trampoline frame 5 with a bouncing fabric 6 attached from the trampoline frame 5 with springs. The spring is covered by a protective cover 7 and is therefore not shown.

The trampoline 4 has four U-shaped trampoline legs 8 distributed along its periphery 9, of which only three are visible in fig. 1. The trampoline stands on a ground surface 10, which is shown as a lawn, but may also simply be a hard surface, such as an asphalt surface. Each leg 8 has two elongate straight leg portions 11 extending downwardly from the periphery 9 of the trampoline frame 5 to the ground 10, and a lower leg portion 12 extending between the two elongate straight leg portions 11 and resting on the ground 10.

The frame part 2 shown in fig. 1 has three frame posts 13, wherein each frame post 13 has an upper post part 14 with an upper post end 15, to which upper post end 15 a circumferential upper frame 16 is attached.

Each frame post 13 has a lower post section 17 which is attached to a respective trampoline leg 8, wherein each lower post section 17 is mounted to the elongate straight leg section 11 by two brackets 18, wherein the brackets 18 are located at opposite ends of the elongate straight leg section 11 to provide a secure connection between the frame member 2 and the trampoline 4.

Each frame post 13 shown in fig. 1 and also each frame post 13 of the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 8 is assembled from four sub-elements, because the upper post section 14 comprises three

sub-elements

14a, 14b, 14c and the lower post section 17 is a single sub-element. The frame post of the present invention is not limited to being assembled from four subelements, as in other embodiments each frame post may have a different number of subelements than four subelements, or may be a single element.

Each frame post 13 and the matching elongate straight leg 11 of one of the trampoline legs 8 are connected such that a longitudinal axis 19 through the frame post 13 and a longitudinal axis 20 through the straight leg 11 of the trampoline leg 8 are parallel but not coaxial. The lower column portion 17 of each frame column 13 extends along the entire length of the straight leg portion 11 of the trampoline leg 8.

The circumferential upper frame 16 shown in fig. 1 is composed of three rounded corner elements 21 and three rods 22 extending between the corner elements.

Each corner element 21 is formed by a rounded horizontal portion 23, a vertical portion 24 and a horizontal rail 25. The rounded horizontal portion 23 connects two adjacent rods 22. The vertical portion 24 is connected to the upper column portion 14 of the frame column 13. The horizontal rail 25 is located inside the rounded horizontal portion 23.

The bungee part 3 comprises a bungee harness 26, a winch 27, two bungee ropes 28 and four winch pulleys 29, wherein the two bungee ropes 28 extend between the bungee harness 26 and the winch 27 by means of the four winch pulleys 29. A winch pulley 29 is attached to the horizontal rail 25 of the corner element 21. Each bungee cord 28 is made up of an elastic portion 30 connected to a substantially inelastic portion 31 at a connection point 32, with the elastic portion 30 extending from the bungee harness 26 to the connection point 32, and a substantially inelastic portion 31 extending from the connection point 32 up to the circumferential frame 16 and down to the winch 27.

The assembly 1' shown in figure 2 is very similar to the assembly 1 shown in figure 1 and the trampoline 4 shown in figure 2 is the same as the trampoline 4 shown in figure 1.

The difference between the frame part 2 shown in fig. 1 and the frame part 2' shown in fig. 2 is that the frame part shown in fig. 1 has a triangular shape with three frame posts 13, three corner elements 21 and three bars 22 extending between the corner elements 21, whereas the frame part shown in fig. 2 has a rectangular shape with four frame posts 13, four corner elements 21' and four bars 22 extending between the corner elements 21 '.

There are also small differences between the corner elements 21, 21' of the embodiments shown in fig. 1 and 2, as will be described in connection with fig. 5-7.

The bungee member 3 shown in figures 1 and 2; the construction of 3 'is also different, since at all three corner elements 21 of fig. 1 there are winch pulleys 29, whereas at only three of the four corner elements 21' of fig. 2 there are winch pulleys 29.

The configuration of the bungee member 3 shown in figure 1 is the preferred configuration for an assembly according to the invention having a triangular upper frame. The configuration of the bungee member 3' shown in fig. 2 is the preferred configuration for an assembly according to the invention having a rectangular upper frame.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged scale view of the connection between the lower post section 17 and the elongated straight leg section 11, wherein it is easier to see how the lower post section 17 is positioned next to the straight leg section 11 and how they are connected to each other by the bracket 18.

Fig. 4 and 5 show the peripheral upper frame 16' and the bungee member 3' of the embodiment of fig. 2, viewed from above, so that its shape and function, as well as the structure of the bungee member 3' can be clearly seen. For illustrative purposes, the uppermost subelement 14c of the frame post 13 is also shown in fig. 4 and 5.

Each corner element 21 of the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2; 21' has a rounded horizontal portion 23; 23', a vertical portion 24; 24' and a horizontal rail 25; 25'. A rounded horizontal portion 23; 23' are connected to two adjacent rods 22. The vertical portion 24; 24' are connected to the uppermost subelement 14c of the frame post 13. A horizontal rail 25; 25' are located at the rounded horizontal portions 23; 23' inside.

The difference between the corner elements 21, 21' of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2 is: the angle between the free ends 40, 41 of the rounded horizontal portion 23 'of the embodiment of fig. 2 is 90 ° due to the rectangular shape of the circumferential upper frame 16', whereas the corresponding angle of the corner element 21 of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 is 60 ° due to the triangular shape of the circumferential upper frame 16. For other embodiments of the assembly of the present invention, wherein the number of frame posts is higher than four, the circumferentially upper frame will have a polygonal shape, and the angle between the free ends of the corner elements of these embodiments depends on the shape of the circumferentially upper frame.

Corner elements 21; 21' also affects the size of the angle between the free ends 40, 41 of the horizontal rail 25; 25' and otherwise the corner elements 21 of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2; 21' are identical.

The corner element 21 of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2; 21' is a telescopic rod 22, which has the advantage that the circumferential upper frame 16 can be easily changed; 16' without the need for rods having different lengths.

Each telescopic rod 22 essentially consists of two hollow tubes with different radii, wherein the tube with the smaller radius is partially inserted in a sliding manner into the other tube, and when the desired length of the rod 22 is obtained, the two tubes are fastened together by means of a plurality of fastening holes 38 and corresponding fastening screws 39 in the two tubes.

Fig. 6 shows the corner elements 21 'of the embodiment shown in fig. 2, wherein each corner element 21' is provided with two fastening holes 42 at the two

free ends

40, 41. For each corner element 21', the diameter of the free ends 40, 41 is different and adapted such that a tube with a smaller diameter can be slid into the free end 40 with a larger diameter and a tube with a larger diameter can be slid over the free end 41 with a smaller diameter, after which the rod 22 is fastened to the corner element 21' by means of fastening holes 42 in the corner element 21', matching fastening holes 38 at each end of the rod 22 and respective fastening screws 43. The fastening screw 43 for fastening the corner element 21' and the rod 22 is best shown in fig. 4 and 5.

The corner element 21 of the embodiment shown in figure 1 is identical to the corner element 21' shown in figure 6, except that the angle between the free ends of the rounded horizontal portions 23 is 60.

Fig. 7 shows that the bracket 18 has a U-shaped bent tube 33 with two opposite bracket legs 34 defining a gap 35 for receiving the parallel straight leg portion 11 of the trampoline leg 8 and the lower post portion 17 of the frame post 13, wherein the bracket legs 34 have bracket leg free ends 36 for mounting clamp members 37 for securing the parallel straight leg portion 11 to the lower post portion 17 within the gap. The holder 18 and accompanying clamp holder 37 of the embodiment shown in fig. 8 are identical to the holder 18 and clamp member 37 of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 8 shows the ground-engaging trampoline 4 'converted to a ground-engaging trampoline by the same assembly 1' as shown in fig. 2. The only differences between the bungee trampolines shown in figures 2 and 8 are the manner in which the frame posts are connected to the trampoline legs, the position of the winches and the additional ground pegs 44.

The four short trampoline legs 8 "of the floor-embedded trampoline shown in fig. 8 are straight rods that extend into the floor 10, and the lower portion 17 of each frame post 13 is mounted to the trampoline legs 8" by a ground peg 44 and a single bracket 18. Each ground spike 44 has been driven into the ground 10 just below the intended position of the frame post 13. As seen in fig. 9, each ground nail 44 comprises: a lower tapered portion 45 for facilitating insertion into the ground 10; and an upper tubular portion 46 having a diameter adapted such that the lower column portion 17 can be slid into the upper tubular portion 46. Each ground nail 44 is fixed to the corresponding frame post 13 by a fastening hole 47 in an upper tubular portion 46 and a corresponding fastening screw 48, the fastening hole 47 in the upper tubular portion 46 matching a fastening hole 49 in the lower end of the lower post portion 17. The lower conical portion 45 and the upper tubular portion 46 may be made as two metal units which are subsequently welded together. Ground nail 44 may also be made as a single unit of, for example, metal or some other suitable material.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, each ground peg 44 is mounted to a mating trampoline leg 8 "by a bracket 18, wherein the trampoline leg 8" and the upper tubular portion 46 are received within the gap 35 of the bracket 18.

Thus, not only is sufficient strength and stability provided to the assembly 1' to serve as a connection between the lower column portion 17 of the trampoline and the trampoline leg 8 ", but the ground peg 44 is also used.

Claims

1. An assembly (1; 1') of a frame part (2; 2') and a bungee part (3; 3') adapted to convert a trampoline (4) into a bungee trampoline,

the trampoline (4) is of the type having a fabric or canvas sheet (6) attached to and expanded to a trampoline frame (5) having a perimeter (9) and at least three trampoline legs (8; 8 ") distributed along the perimeter (9) of the trampoline frame (5),

each trampoline leg (8; 8') has an elongate straight leg (11),

the frame part (2; 2') comprises a circumferential upper frame (16; 16') and at least three frame columns (13), and

each frame post (13) has: an upper column part (14) with an upper column end (15) and a lower column part (17) with a lower column end, the upper column end being connected to a circumferential upper frame (16; 16'),

the method is characterized in that:

the lower column part (17) of the frame column (13) is mounted to the elongate straight leg (11) of the trampoline leg (8; 8 ") by means of a bracket (18) such that the longitudinal axis (20) of each frame column (13) is parallel to but not coaxial with the longitudinal axis (19) of the corresponding elongate straight leg (11).

2. The assembly (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of a first circle taken through the elongate straight leg (11) of the trampoline leg (8; 8 ") connected to a frame column (13) is smaller than a diameter of a second circle taken through the lower column portion (17) of the frame column (13) when the frame column (13) is mounted to the trampoline (4).

3. An assembly (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein each lower column section (17) extends along the entire length of the elongate straight leg (11) of the corresponding trampoline leg (8; 8 ").

4. An assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a bracket (18) is adapted to fix the lower column portion (17) of the frame column (13) to the elongate straight leg (11) of the trampoline leg (8; 8 ") without the need for holes to be made in the elongate straight leg (11) of the trampoline leg (8; 8").

5. An assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bracket (18) comprises a U-shaped bent tube (33) having opposite bracket legs (34) defining a gap (35) for accommodating the elongated straight leg (11) of the parallel trampoline leg (8; 8 ") and the lower column portion (17) of the frame column (13), the bracket legs of the bracket having bracket leg free ends (36) for mounting clamp parts (37) for fixing the elongated straight leg (11) of the parallel trampoline leg (8; 8") and the lower column portion (17) of the frame column (13) in the gap.

6. An assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the circumferential upper frame (16; 16') extends between the upper column portions (14) of the frame columns (13) and that the corners of the circumferential upper frame (16; 16') are rounded.

7. Assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the circumferential upper frame (16; 16') is assembled from sub-elements and/or the frame post (13) is assembled from sub-elements (14a, 14b, 14 c).

8. Assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length of the horizontal portion of the circumferential upper frame (16; 16') is telescopically adjustable and/or the length of the frame post (13) is telescopically adjustable.

9. An assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the frame member (2; 2') is not used to support a safety net.

10. Assembly (1; 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a ground spike (44) for each of the at least three frame posts (13), wherein each ground spike (44) is adapted to be driven at least partially into the ground (10) at a predetermined position of the frame post (13) and for fastening to the lower post portion (17) of the frame post (13).