GB2107201A - Amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Amusement apparatus similar in nature to a trampoline comprises an annular inflatable support member 11 and a sheet member 15 attached to the member 11 by connecting means 14 to support the sheet member above a surface on which the member 11 rests. The sheet member may be flexible or rigid and the apparatus may also be used as a seat or lounger. A ring of steel tubing may surround the annular member below its mid-point to retain the ends of swing 14. The apparatus may also be of rectangular or horseshoe shape. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Amusement apparatus This invention relates to an amusement apparatus particularly, but not exclusively for use by children.

The invention provides an amusement apparatus comprising an inflated member providing a resilient peripheral support structure, connecting means anchored attached to the support structure and to a sheet member so as to resiliently dispose it within the support structure and spaced above a surface on which the support structure rests.

Conveniently the inflated member is an annulus similar to an inner tube for a vehicle tyre.

The connecting means can be a plurality of ligaments, such as straps or ropes, each anchored at one end to the support structure and at its other end to the sheet member.

The sheet member can be a flexible sheet of inextensible material such as canvas or the like.

Alternatively, the sheet could be rigid, e.g. a wood or piastics panel. As a further possibility, the sheet and/or the ligaments forming the support means can be of resilient material.

In a practical embodiment the inflated member is circular in plan and cross-sectional and the connecting means are anchored to the said member by having their one ends attached to a circular ring which surrounds the member below its mid point and extend over the upper part of the member to the periphery of the sheet.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred apparatus of the invention; and Figure 2 is a vertical fragmentary enlarged cross-section on the line Il-Il of Fig. 1.

A preferred apparatus 10 of the invention can function in the manner of a trampoline or be used as a seat or lounger. The apparatus 10 comprises a support structure constituted by an annular, circular sectioned inflatable member 11 made from rubber or similar material. A large vehicle inner tube is extremely suitable for the annular member 1 An extensible strong ring 12, for example of steel tubing, surrounds the member below its mid-point 1 3 and connection means in the form of straps 14 extend from ring 12 to the periphery of a circular sheet 1 5, of inextensible flexible material such as canvas, provided with eyelets 1 6. The sheet 1 5 is thus disposed in a plane above a supporting surface 17 and the apparatus 10 provides a resilient supporting surface similar to that of a trampoline. The apparatus 10, however, has the important advantage that an expensive, heavy metal frame is unnecessary and no injury can result from contact with the support structure 11 which is itself resilient. The apparatus 10 is suitable for use by children in a garden or playground and is cheap to manufacture, weather resistant, and requires little or no maintenance.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, sheet 1 5 and or straps 14 can be themselves resilient. Buckles or similar devices can be provided for altering the tension in straps 14. The sheet 1 5 could be solid, e.g. of wood, is desired. The sheet 1 5 could be secured directly to or be integral with the member 1 or secured thereto, by eyeletted flaps or the like. The plan shape of the apparatus could be rectangular, horseshoe shape or any other shape providing a reasonable full or part peripheral support for the platform. The cross-section of the member 1 5 can be varied as desired. The member 1 5 can have one or more inflation nozzles 1 8.

Many other variations are possible.

1. An amusement apparatus comprising an inflated member providing a resilient peripheral support structure, connecting means attached to the support structure and to a sheet member so as to resiliently dispose it within the support structure and spaced above the surface on which the support structure rests.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflated member is an annulus.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the annulus is an inner tube for a vehicle tyre.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the connecting means is a plurality of ligaments, each anchored at one end to the support structure and at its other end to the sheet member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet member is a flexible sheet of inextensible material.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet is rigid.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet and/or the ligaments forming the support means can be of resilient material.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inflated member is circular in plan and cross-section.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connecting means are anchored to the said member by having their one ends attached to a ring which surrounds the member below its mid point and extend over the upper part of the member to the periphery of the sheet.

10. Amusement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Amusement apparatus This invention relates to an amusement apparatus particularly, but not exclusively for use by children. The invention provides an amusement apparatus comprising an inflated member providing a resilient peripheral support structure, connecting means anchored attached to the support structure and to a sheet member so as to resiliently dispose it within the support structure and spaced above a surface on which the support structure rests. Conveniently the inflated member is an annulus similar to an inner tube for a vehicle tyre. The connecting means can be a plurality of ligaments, such as straps or ropes, each anchored at one end to the support structure and at its other end to the sheet member. The sheet member can be a flexible sheet of inextensible material such as canvas or the like. Alternatively, the sheet could be rigid, e.g. a wood or piastics panel. As a further possibility, the sheet and/or the ligaments forming the support means can be of resilient material. In a practical embodiment the inflated member is circular in plan and cross-sectional and the connecting means are anchored to the said member by having their one ends attached to a circular ring which surrounds the member below its mid point and extend over the upper part of the member to the periphery of the sheet. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred apparatus of the invention; and Figure 2 is a vertical fragmentary enlarged cross-section on the line Il-Il of Fig. 1. A preferred apparatus 10 of the invention can function in the manner of a trampoline or be used as a seat or lounger. The apparatus 10 comprises a support structure constituted by an annular, circular sectioned inflatable member 11 made from rubber or similar material. A large vehicle inner tube is extremely suitable for the annular member 1 An extensible strong ring 12, for example of steel tubing, surrounds the member below its mid-point 1 3 and connection means in the form of straps 14 extend from ring 12 to the periphery of a circular sheet 1 5, of inextensible flexible material such as canvas, provided with eyelets 1 6. The sheet 1 5 is thus disposed in a plane above a supporting surface 17 and the apparatus 10 provides a resilient supporting surface similar to that of a trampoline. The apparatus 10, however, has the important advantage that an expensive, heavy metal frame is unnecessary and no injury can result from contact with the support structure 11 which is itself resilient. The apparatus 10 is suitable for use by children in a garden or playground and is cheap to manufacture, weather resistant, and requires little or no maintenance. The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example, sheet 1 5 and or straps 14 can be themselves resilient. Buckles or similar devices can be provided for altering the tension in straps 14. The sheet 1 5 could be solid, e.g. of wood, is desired. The sheet 1 5 could be secured directly to or be integral with the member 1 or secured thereto, by eyeletted flaps or the like. The plan shape of the apparatus could be rectangular, horseshoe shape or any other shape providing a reasonable full or part peripheral support for the platform. The cross-section of the member 1 5 can be varied as desired. The member 1 5 can have one or more inflation nozzles 1 8. Many other variations are possible. CLAIMS

1. An amusement apparatus comprising an inflated member providing a resilient peripheral support structure, connecting means attached to the support structure and to a sheet member so as to resiliently dispose it within the support structure and spaced above the surface on which the support structure rests.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflated member is an annulus.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the annulus is an inner tube for a vehicle tyre.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the connecting means is a plurality of ligaments, each anchored at one end to the support structure and at its other end to the sheet member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet member is a flexible sheet of inextensible material.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet is rigid.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the sheet and/or the ligaments forming the support means can be of resilient material.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the inflated member is circular in plan and cross-section.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connecting means are anchored to the said member by having their one ends attached to a ring which surrounds the member below its mid point and extend over the upper part of the member to the periphery of the sheet.

10. Amusement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.