GB2464955A - Bungee-cord trampoline structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular bungee trampoline frame structure comprises of a series of vertical, horizontal tubular frame members, a trampoline mat 4, a bungee cord 11 attached to a user harness 5 and a bungee cord tensioning system 1,2,3,6,12 and 15. The bungee cord tensioning system introduces pulleys 1,2 and 3 and winch motor 6. The pulleys 1 are positioned half way along horizontal frame members 13 so as to allow the user to perform acrobatic maneuvers free from fouling by the tensioning ropes 12. The bungee trampoline frame structures are modular in construction such that a plurality of bungee trampolines may be connected adjacent to each other (see figures 4-9).

Description

TiUe:-BUNGEE-CORD TRAM POLINE STRUCTURE

Background:-

This invention r&ates to an indoor integrated single and multi-bay bungee-cord acrobatic suspension and trampoline structures.

Most commerciaUy operated indoor play centres, sports halls, and family entertainment centres (FEC's) are restricted by the footprint of the building making the provision of single and multi-bay bungee-cord acrobatic suspension and trampoline structures difficuft to accommodate at ground level.

Description of the Related Art:-

Children are increasingly demanding more exciting apparatus with which to play on. Outdoor bungee trampolines have been in existence for a number of years with very simi'ar operationa' characteristics. These characteristics are not intrinsica'ly adaptable for indoor sports halls or play centres.

Refer to fig. 1. The bungee systems available today consist of circular trampolines structures with a central bungee-cord support extending to around 7.Om. This construction makes it difficult to integrate into an existing facility.

The floor area required for a single jump system is typically 21 square metres and for a 4 jump system it is 100 square metres. This space prohibits their use in most indoor sports arena's and play centres.

Summary of the Invention:-

This primary objective of this invention is to provide a bungee trampoUne frame structure which is constructed from standard 48mm steel tube, and associated commercially available clamps, and that can be incorporated into the standard p'ay frame structure constructed from similar said components.

The secondary objective was to create a system that minimised the footprint of a typica' bungee trampoline system to allow them to be incorporated into indoor sports arenas and play structures.

To achieve the above aforementioned objectives the invention has been designed to be either freestanding or use the existing sports structures to provide the necessary framework to create the single or multi-bay bungee-cord acrobatic suspension and trampoline structure whilst incorporating either a vertical or horizontal side pul' bungee-cord tensioning system. The invention is currently designed around the 2.44m bays that is the industry standard within the play industry but can be modified to suit a variety of structures. The floor area required or a single jump system is 10 square meters and for a four jump system it is 40 square metres (zero when incorporated into an existing structure). This represents a significant reduction in the footprint of the commercially available bungee systems and opens up a significant market potential.

The trampoline framework consists of 48mm steel tube and associated tube clamps drilled with 6-8mm holes at 100-200mm intervals dependant upon the number of springs and the tension desired in the trampoline cover. This is not inconsistent with current art.

Trampolines covers will be square or rectangular in shape and be not less than 2.44m x 2.44m.

The bungee system framework consists of 48mm steel tube and associated commercially available tube clamps creating A-frame supports at a height of not less than 4.Om from the trampoline surface with a horizontal separation between said frames equal to the structures height (refer to fig 2). The side frames are angled out from the base at an angle of not less than 15 degrees to allow space for the acrobatic activities to be performed in safety whilst maintaining the 2.44m base dimension. Vertical sides are possible but this limits the maneuvers to basic jumping. The steelwork is covered in 9-14mm thick foam wrap with vinyl covering in accordance with BS8409:2002 and fully netted to create safe play arena. The bungee tensioning mechanism is unique in that it routes the rope around the outer edge of the frame to provide the necessary clearance for the acrobat. This rope can then be tensioned either in a horizontal or vertical direction through suitable placement of the winch motor, depending upon the chosen layout.

Advantages:-The design is modular in construction and can allow the incorporation of a single or multi-bay bungee trampoline system within a new or existing indoor play structures with either no or minimal impact on the available footprint of the building. This is a significant advantage as any loss of visitor seating negatively impacts the businesses.

The bungee-cord tensioning system uses the said frame work to route the cord around the outside edge of the play structure allowing a more compact placement of the winch motor with either a horizontal or vertical tensioning possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An examp'e of the invention wi now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig:1 Standard Arrangement for a bungee-cord frame and tensioning system (single unit) as is commerciaUy avaable today.

Fig.2: Modu'ar Bungee Sing'e Jump System -Cord Tensioning Arrangement systematicaUy highlighting the respective puey positions, rope routing and winch motor ayout.

Fig.3: Modu'ar Bungee Sing'e Jump System -Bungee A-Frame Arrangement systematically highlighting the A-frame design, side extensions, and trampoline frame.

Fig.4: Modu'ar Bungee Twin Jump System -Cord tensioning arrangement systematicaUy highlighting the respective puey positions, rope routing and winch motor layout for a two jump system.

Fig.5: Modular Bungee Twin Jump System -Plan View Arrangement of figure 4 highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Fig.6: Modu'ar Bungee Trip'e Jump System -Perspective View of A-Frame layout highlighting the modular nature of the design.

Fig. 7: Modular Bungee Triple Jump System -Plan View of A-Frame ayout highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Fig.8; Modular Bungee Four Jump System -Perpendicu'ar Arrangement P'an view with rope tensioning high'ighting the respective puey positions, rope routing and winch motor layout.

Fig.9: Modu'ar Bungee Four Jump System -ParaUe Arrangement Plan View highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Refer to fig 1 -Standard configuration of a bungee trampoline system depicting position of the vertical uprights relative to the trampoline and the positioning of the winch motor.

Refer to fig. 2 -Modular Bungee Single Jump System. The distance between the trampoline cover, 4, and the first pulley 1 must be >=4.0m to allow sufficient space to achieve the acrobatic maneuvers. The winch motor, 6, is positioned in the A-frame section, 10, with a minimum allowable clear pull equal to the distance of the first pulley (1) above the trampoline cover 4, i.e. not less than 4.Om to ensure sufficient distance to fully raise and lower the harnesses, 5, attached to the bungee-cords 11. The connecting ropes, 12, from each side of the harnesses, 5, pass through a single pulley, 1, located along the centre line of the top span 13. The connecting ropes, 12, then pass through a twin pulley, 2, or a single pulley, 3, depending upon which side of the frame the winch motor, 6, is located. From the single pulley, 3, the connecting rope, 12, is routed to the twin pulley, 2, located on the opposite A-frame, 8, and connects to the opposite connecting rope, 12, via a shackle, 14. The winch motor rope, 15, is fastened to the shackle, 14, at an angle of no greater than 5 degrees to allow a smooth and even coil on the winch motor drum, 6.

Refer to fig. 3-Modular Bungee Single Jump System -Frame design. The frame design, manufactured entirely from 48mm number 8 steel tube unless specified, is modular and has been designed be either free standing through floor brackets, 1, or incorporated into the existing play structures through inline connectors, 2. For structural integrity the vertical uprights, 3 & 4, should be constructed from single length tubes. The angled uprights, 5, allow sufficient space for acrobatic maneuvers and are at an angle of not less than 15 degree's from the vertical. The A-Frame supports, 6, need to be located a minimum horizontal distance of 1.22m from the upright, 3, to ensure structural rigidity.

The single pulleys, 7, and twin pulley, 8, are fastened to the top span, 9, through a stainless steel shackle and through eye bolt. Other retention methods are permitted provided they achieve the desired loading.

Refer to Fig 3. Trampoline Frame Arrangement. The trampoline frame can be integrated into the existing structure. The longitudinal members, 10, are fastened to the upright posts, 3,4&5, through commercially available 90 degree crossover clamps. The tubes are drilled with 6-8mm holes at 100-200mm centres (dependant upon required tension) along the top centerline of the tube throughout its length to allow the assembly of the trampoline springs.

The trampolnes cross members, 11, are attached to the longitudinal frames through commercially available short tee connections. The cross members are also drilled with 6-8mm holes at 100-200mm centres (matching the longitudinal members) along the top centerline of the tube throughout its length to allow the assembly of the trampoline springs.

The trampoline frames must be located no less than 600mm from frames attachment points, either 1 or 2, dependant upon location. This provides sufficient height for the depression of the trampoline.

Horizontal span, 1 2, provides a waiting area for staff and users of the equipment.

This span should be a minimum of 750mm in width.

Refer to fig. 4-Modular Bungee Two Jump System. The twin system comprises of two single modular arrangements back to back. The figure depicts a mirror image arrangement with the tensioning arrangement in that the winch motors, 1, are on opposing A-frames, 2. Although not essential, this provides a simplified arrangement in that all attachment points, pulleys and ropes are in the same horizontal and vertical attitude.

The waiting area, 3, is duplicated thus providing a minimum width of 1.50m to allow space for two staff members and users of the equipment.

Refer to Fig 5-Modular Bungee Two Jump System -Plan View Arrangement. The plan view highlights the relationship between the trampolines, the side extensions, and the waiting area.

Refer to fig. 6&7 -Modular Bungee Three Jump System. The triple jump system comprises of three single modular arrangements with two arranged as a twin jump system and the third position at right angles. No alterations are required to the design. The figure depicts the waiting area's, 3, trampolines, 2, and the side extensions, 1.

Refer to fig. 8 -Modular Bungee Four Jump System -Cross Arrangement with Cord Tensioning Arrangement. When you extend the design to four trampolines then there is a variety of arrangements that are possible with the modular single frame layout. Figure 8 depicts the cross arrangement with bungee rope tensioning system, central waiting area 3, trampolines 2, and side extension sections 1.

Refer to fig. 9 -Modular Bungee Four Jump System -Parallel Arrangement. When you extend the design to four trampolines then there is a variety of arrangements that are possible with the modular single frame layout.

Figure 8 depicts the parallel arrangement with separate waiting area's, 3, trampolines, 2, and the side extensions, 1.

In summary, the bungee trampone frame structure and bungee tensioning system is a modular construcflon that can be incorporated into standard number 8 tube prevalent in most commerciay available play frame structures. The tensioning system introduces a side pu arrangement to avow the winch motors to be positioned in the top of the structure and provide sufficient clearance for acrobatic maneuvers below.

These embodiments described above are to clarify the present invention to enable the person skilled in the art to understand, make, and use the present invention and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent modification and variation according to the spirit of the present invention is to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Fig:1 Standard Arrangement for a bungee-cord frame and tensioning system (single unit) as s commercially avaable today.

Fig.2: Modular Bungee Single Jump System Cord Tensioning Arrangement systematically highllghting the respective pulley positions, rope routing and winch motor layout.

Fig.3: Modular Bungee Single Jump System -Bungee A-Frame Arrangement systematically highllghting the A-frame design, side extensions, and trampone frame.

Fig.4: Modular Bungee Twin Jump System -Cord tensioning arrangement systematically highllghting the respective pulley positions, rope routing and winch motor layout for a two jump system.

Fig.5: Modular Bungee Twin Jump System -Plan View Arrangement of figure 4 highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Fig.6: Modular Bungee Triple Jump System -Perspective View of A-Frame layout highlighting the modular nature of the design.

Fig. 7: Modular Bungee Triple Jump System Plan View of A-Frame layout highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Fig.8; Modular Bungee Four Jump System -Perpendicular Arrangement Plan view with rope tensioning highlighting the respective pulley positions, rope routing and winch motor layout.

Fig.9: Modular Bungee Four Jump System -Parallel Arrangement P'an View highlighting the trampolines, side extension sections and the waiting area.

Claims (19)

1. Claims.1. A modular single bungee trampone frame structure comprising: Multiple horizontal, vertical and angled tubes interconnected through commercially avaable tube fixings to form at least three horizontal rectangular frames, at least two transverse A-frames horizontally separated by a distance not less than the vertical distance between said transverse A-frames and the said trampoline face and at least two side extensions to provide space for acrobatic maneuvers.
2. 2. Said single modular bungee trampoline frame structure according to claim 1, interconnects with existing Size 8 tube frame structures through said commercially available inline internal couplings or ground fixings to create said transverse A-frames.
3. 3. Said transverse A-frames according to claim 1, are interconnected through a transverse top span and additional mid-section supports using commercially available tube clamps.
4. 4. Said A-frames, according to claim 1, are structurally secured to the said horizontal section via an angled tube from the said transverse top span to the side extension interface.
5. 5. Said singular modular bungee trampoline construction according to claim 1, incorporates two axial side extension sections created through angled tube of an angle of not less than 15 degrees to the vertical. Alternatively, vertical side sections can be adopted if space is limited.
6. 6. Said side extensions (or vertical uprights), according to claim 5, is attached to the said trampoline base through commercially available tube clamps and to the said horizontal tubes, creating a triangular extension section.
7. 7. Said singular modular bungee trampoline construction according to claim 1, allows multiple configurations to create a range of bungee trampoline arrangements with a considerably reduced footprint. This is achievable through the interconnection of the said axial side extension sections.
8. 8. The bungee tensioning system is located within the said transverse A-frame arrangements and comprises: Winch motor located on the said the A-frame vertical tube.2 Single pulleys located in the centre of said transverse A-frame top spans, according to claim 3, through commercially available stainless steel shackles, or suitable alternative, and through eyebolts.Twin pulley arrangement located on the extreme edge of said transverse A-frame top span according to claim 3, and opposite said transverse A-frame supporting the said winch motor.

   Single pulley arrangement located on the extreme edge of said transverse A-frame top span according to claim 3, and on said A-frame supporting the said winch motor.
9. 9. The said bungee tensioning system routing comprises: Bungee rope extending from centre of said trampoline surface to said centre single pulley located in the centre of said transverse A-frame top span.Said bungee rope routing directs rope from said single pulley to said twin pulley and terminates immediately after in a commercially available shackle.Said bungee rope routing on opposite said A-frame directs the said rope from the said central pulley to the said edge single pulley.Said rope is then routed towards to the said opposite A-frame around the said twin pulley and terminated in the said shackle.Said bungee rope is then routed back to the said opposite A-frame and into the said winch motor.
10. 10. The trampoline frame structure according to claim 1, wherein each horizontal and axial tube has multiple holes, and said holes are used to install a bouncing face to said rectangular frame by said transverse and axial tubes.
11. 11.The trampoline frame structure, according to claim 7, wherein said bouncing face comprises multiple elastic elements at a separation of 1 OOmm-200mm and a resilient mat. At one end of the said elastic elements is joined to said hole of said horizontal and axial frame structure and the other end to said resilient rectangular mat.
12. 12. The trampoline frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic elements are metal springs or elastic cord.
13. 13. The said trampoline frame structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic elements according to claim 9, are protected by vinyl covered foam.
14. 14. The said trampoline structure according to claim 1, provides an integral waiting area comprising of said horizontal and axial tubes.
15. 15. The said horizontal and axial tubes, according to claim 11, are arranged to provide a structure to support a padded floor.
16. 16. The said padded floor, according to claim 12, is constructed from sheet material covered in foam with a vinyl outer covering.
17. 17. A trampoline frame structure substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
18. 18. A bungee support frame structure substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
19. 19. A bungee tensioning system arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.