NL2018164B1 - Trampoline frame, sunken trampoline, kit of parts, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a trampoline frame for a sunken trampoline. The trampoline comprises a multiplicity of elongate profiles that are interconnected to build up a ring forming a suspension part for substantially enclosing a bounce mat. The profiles include support faces for supporting the ring forming the suspension part on the ground. Further, the profiles include upwardly extending prop walls for propping a side wall of the pit.

Description

Octrooicentrum

Nederland

© 2018164 © BI OCTROOI © Aanvraagnummer: 2018164 © Aanvraag ingediend: 12/01/2017 © Int. CL:

A63B 5/11 (2017.01) A63B 21/04 (2017.01) A63B

71/02 (2017.01)

Aanvraag ingeschreven:	© Octrooihouder(s):
25/07/2018	Berg Toys Beheer B.V. te Ede.
© Aanvraag gepubliceerd:
-	© Uitvinder(s):
	Hendrik van den Berg te Ede.
© Octrooi verleend:	Roëll Wiedijk te Ede.
25/07/2018	Charlotte Willemijn van Arragon te Ede.
© Octrooischrift uitgegeven:
31/07/2018	© Gemachtigde:
	ir. C.M. Jansen c.s. te Den Haag.

© Trampoline frame, sunken trampoline, kit of parts, and method

Ξ) The invention relates to a trampoline frame for a sunken trampoline. The trampoline comprises a multiplicity of elongate profiles that are interconnected to build up a ring forming a suspension part for substantially enclosing a bounce mat. The profiles include support faces for supporting the ring forming the suspension part on the ground. Further, the profiles include upwardly extending prop walls for propping a side wall of the pit.

NL Bl 2018164

a pc sDit octrooi is verleend ongeacht het bijgevoegde resultaat van het onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek en schriftelijke opinie. Het octrooischrift komt overeen met de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken.

P113748NL00

Title: Trampoline frame, sunken trampoline, kit of parts, and method

The invention relates to a trampoline, especially a recreational trampoline, such as a recreational trampoline for home use. In particular, the invention relates to a so-called sunken trampoline.

In this context, it is noted that there are two main types of known recreational trampolines. The first of said two main types concerns so-called regular trampolines and the second type concerns the so-called sunken trampolines.

A known trampoline of the regular type comprises a bounce mat, or so-called trampoline bed, which is suspended above the ground surface by means of a frame which is placed on the ground surface. The frame has a height sufficient for allowing that the lowest point of the bounce mat can still be above the ground surface when the bounce mat is deflecting to its maximum extent during use of the trampoline. The frame of such a regular trampoline comprises a suspension part to which the bounce mat is attached, usually by means of multiple coiled springs. The suspension part usually is formed as a circular, rectangular or polygonal ring, usually made of circular steel pipe. Such a ring-shaped suspension part is held sufficiently high above the ground surface by means of support legs which are attached to said ring and which extend downwards up to the ground surface.

Trampolines of the sunken or so-called buried type are at least partly sunken or buried into the ground. Like a regular type trampoline, such a sunken trampoline or so-called ground-sunk trampoline also comprises a bounce mat, or so-called trampoline bed, suspended by means of a frame. However, contrary to a regular trampoline, the bounce mat of a buried or sunken trampoline is suspended at a relatively low height, e.g. a height slightly above the ground surface level or even lower, e.g. substantially at the ground surface level. A pit is dug out below the bounce mat to enable sufficient deflection of the bounce in a downward direction. It will be appreciated that said pit can thus allow that at least parts of the bounce mat move down to a level below the level of the ground surface when the bounce mat deflects, e.g. due to the impact of a trampoline user landing on said bounce mat. Like the frame of a regular type trampoline, also the frame of a sunken trampoline usually comprises a circular, rectangular or polygonal ring, often made of a circular steel pipe. In known sunken trampolines, said ring is often also supported by means of support legs attached to said ring. However, in sunken trampolines, said support legs, which are commonly made of steel, are relatively short in comparison with the support legs of regular type trampolines. Often, lower ends of the relatively low support legs of sunken trampolines are placed on the ground surface, just outside the pit. Alternatively, the support legs can extend into the pit, and can for instance rest on a recessed skirt or ledge enclosing a central main part of the pit. In such cases, the top surface of the recessed skirt may then form a surface for supporting thereon the legs of the frame of the trampoline. Said top surface of the recessed skirt can extend substantially horizontally. An inward facing edge of said top surface can adjoin the central main part of the pit, whereas an outward facing edge of said top surface of the recessed skirt can adjoin a lower end of an upwardly extending side wall of the pit. In order to counteract that the ground around the pit collapses into the pit, said upwardly extending side wall of the pit, which wall may extend substantially vertically, is usually propped up by means of plastic prop panels. In order to allow air to flow out of the pit when the bounce mat deflects downwardly and to flow back into the pit when the bounce mat moves back upwardly, the ring forming the suspension part to which the bounce mat is suspended is usually positioned about 20-25 cm above the ground level, such that air can flow through slots between said ring and the ground surface. For instance for safety reasons, such slots are often shielded by means of a net. It is noted that the plastic prop panels do then not extend up to the suspension part forming ring held above the ground surface level, such that said plastic prop panels will not prevent air flowing into and out of the pit.

Advantages of a sunken trampoline or so-called buried trampoline, which is located at least partly in the ground, over a regular type trampoline, which usually will be located on top of the ground, may include increased safety, as the sunken trampoline is located less high. Additionally or alternatively, a sunken type trampoline may be preferred over a regular type trampoline for aesthetic reasons, as it looks less intrusive than a regular type trampoline.

Although sunken trampolines can have one or more advantages over regular type trampolines, which may usually be located above the ground, regular type trampolines can also have advantages over the sunken type trampolines. For example, the installation of a sunken trampoline can be relatively cumbersome, relatively difficult, relatively error-prone, relatively time-consuming, and/or relatively expensive, e.g. due to the need of digging a pit. Not only can digging be a heavy and time-consuming chore, it may also be a difficult job, which has to be performed precisely and carefully, for instance when preventing that the pit caves in during installation of the trampoline. Additionally or alternatively, the bouncing behavior of a sunken trampoline may be inferior to that of a regular trampoline, as air may not flow relatively easily out of and into the pit, as a result of which an undesirable cushioning effect may occur.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative trampoline and/or to provide an alternative trampoline frame. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide an alternative sunken trampoline and/or an alternative sunken trampoline frame. More in particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide an alternative trampoline and/or frame, wherein at least one of the disadvantages of one or more prior art trampolines and/or frames is counteracted. Even more in particular, the invention may aim to provide a sunken trampoline and/or a sunken trampoline frame, wherein at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted. In embodiments, the invention aims at providing a sunken trampoline and/or a sunken trampoline frame which can be installed relatively easily, relatively fast, relatively error-insensitively, and/or relatively inexpensively, and/or which trampoline or frame can itself be of a relative simple design, relatively durable, and/or relatively inexpensive.

Thereto, the invention provides for a trampoline frame for a sunken trampoline, comprising a multiplicity of elongate profiles, wherein the profiles are interconnected to build up a ring forming a suspension part for substantially enclosing a bounce mat, wherein the profiles include support faces for supporting the ring forming the suspension part on the ground, and wherein the profiles include upwardly extending prop walls for propping a side wall of a pit.

By including both the prop walls, or so-called retaining walls, and the support faces in the profiles for forming a bounce mat suspension ring, a relatively simple constructions can be provided. For example, the complete trampoline frame can substantially solely consist of a ring build up from interconnected profiles. For instance, there then is no need for support legs. Additionally, there then for instance also is no need for a separate prop wall, and it can thus be prevented that one unintentionally forgets to install such prop wall, e.g. after installing the frame. Since no separate prop wall needs to be installed, it can also be prevented that a not exactly installed prop wall might hinder installing the frame. It will be appreciated that integration of the prop walls and/or the integration of the support face in the profiles can have additional or alternative advantages. For example, the frame, and therefore the trampoline, can be installed relatively easily, relatively swiftly, relatively error-insensitively, and/or relatively inexpensively.

In embodiments, the profiles can comprise or can be formed as hollow sections, which can have a hollow tubular cross-section. As a result, the trampoline frame can for instance be of a relative simple design, and/or can be relatively inexpensive. For example, the hollow sections can be formed as a pipe or tube, which may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape.

Advantageously, the hollow sections can be formed from a so-called welded pipe, e.g. a pipe or tube rolled or bend from a strip, in particular a steel strip, wherein the lateral edges of the strip are then welded to each other. Alternatively, the hollow sections, or any other type of sections or profiles, can be produced by any other suitable method. For instance, the profiles may be formed as extrusion profiles.

It will be appreciated that profiles, for instance in case of a circular trampoline, may be bent in their longitudinal or axial direction, for instance in order to let them form a curved, e.g. circular, ring.

By letting the elongate profiles have a substantially oblong cross-sectional shape having a height that is greater than the width of said cross-sectional shape, suspension springs for suspending the bounce mat, which springs may for instance be attached to the top of the profile, can be attached relatively high above a recessed ledge or skirt enclosing a central main part of the pit, on which ledge or skirt a support face located at a lower end of the profile can rest. This can for example be advantageous as the recessed skirt may therefore extend from the prop wall or so-called prop in an inward direction of the pit to some extent, in particular without substantially hindering the suspension springs when deflecting, e.g. deflecting from a substantial horizontal direction to a substantial obliquely downwards direction. Due to the upwardly extending oblong cross-sectional shape, support legs may be omitted, which can result in a relatively simple design. For example, the height of the profile may be between 5 cm and 60 cm, for instance between 8 cm and 40 cm, in particular between about 10 cm and about 20 cm, such as for instance about 12 cm or about 15 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the diameter of the trampoline and/or the diameter of the ring forming the suspension part can for instance be between 2 meter and 6 meter, such as for instance about 2.7, 3.3, 3.8 or 4.3 meter. Additionally or alternatively, the perimeter of the trampoline and/or the diameter of the ring forming the suspension part can for instance be between 6 meter and 16 meter, such as for instance about 8.5 meter, about 10 meter, about 12, such as about 11.9 meter, or about 13.5 meter. It will be appreciated, that each of the elongate profiles, which profiles for instance may all have substantially the same length, may for instance each extend along a certain part of the perimeter of the ring and/or of the trampoline, for example along about 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11 or 1/12 of said perimeter.

The invention also relates to a sunken trampoline.

Further, the invention relates to a kit of parts for assembling a sunken trampoline.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling a trampoline.

Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a trampoline according to an aspect of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the trampoline of Fig. 1 in which the padding is omitted for clarity reasons;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of the trampoline of Figs. 1 and 2 in which the padding is omitted as well;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the trampoline of Figs. 1-3 in an installed state;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic detail of a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the trampoline of Fig. 1-4 in an installed state in which the padding is omitted;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of profiles for a trampoline frame according to an aspect of the invention; and

Fig. 7 shows multiple schematic cross-sectional shapes for alternative profiles for trampoline frames according to aspects of the invention.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figs. 1 and 2 show schematic perspective views of an embodiment of a trampoline 1, especially a recreational trampoline, such as a recreational trampoline for home use. For example, the trampoline 1 can be installed in a garden or the like. The trampoline 1 comprises a suspension part 2 for suspending a bounce mat 3, which can be mounted to said suspension part 2 by means of suspension springs 4. As can be understood from Fig. 1, said springs 4, as well as the suspension part 2, can be covered by padding 5. In order to show elements of the trampoline covered by the padding, said padding 5 is omitted in Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3, the latter of which is showing a more close-up detail of said trampoline 1.

As for instance can be seen relatively well in Fig. 4, which shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the trampoline 1 in an installed state, in embodiments, the trampoline 1 can have a frame 20 solely formed by the suspension part 2. However, in alternative embodiments, the frame 20 may comprise other parts as well. Said suspension part 2 is formed as a ring 21, as can be seen relatively well in Fig. 2.

Although the ring 21 here has a round shape when seen from above, the ring 21 may have different shapes in alternative embodiments. For example, the ring 21 can have an oval or elliptical shape, or may have a square, rectangular or polygonal shape, such as for instance an octagonal shape. It is noted that the term ring is thus not limited to circular rings.

Referring to Fig. 4, it is noted that the trampoline 1 is a so-called sunken trampoline 1 or so-called buried trampoline 1, which during normal use is located at least partly in the ground. The ring 21 forming the suspension part 2 is not positioned relatively high above the ground surface

6, and the bounce mat 3 or so-called trampoline bed 3 can deflect downward into a pit 8 dug out below said bounce mat 3, e.g. due to the impact of a trampoline user (not shown) landing on said bounce mat 3, or due to the weight of a user standing on said bounce mat 3.

The trampoline frame 20 comprises a multiplicity of elongate profiles 7 or profile members 7 or so-called sections 7 or structural sections

7. For example, the frame can comprise eight of such elongate profiles 7. However, in alternative embodiments, the frame 20 may comprise another number of profiles 7 or sections 7, such as for instance six, ten or twelve profiles. It is noted that the profiles 7 may be considered to be load bearing structures. Additionally or alternatively, the frame 20 or ring 21 can be considered as a load bearing structure.

At least in the embodiments of Figs. 1-6, the profiles 7 are formed as hollow sections 7 having a hollow tubular cross-section. The profiles 7 can be formed as tubular girders. For example, the profiles 7 may be formed as box girders. Although the hollow sections here have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, they may have a different cross-sectional shape in alternative embodiments. For example, the hollow sections 7 can have a substantially rectangular, substantially circular or substantially oval cross-section. Advantageously, the hollow tubular cross-section can substantially have a closed cross-section 7A, e.g. such as to provide relatively good load bearing properties. However, in alternative embodiments, such as for instance can be seen in Fig. 7, the cross-section 7C can comprise an opening 70, e.g. an opening formed by a longitudinally extending slit.

Although the profiles 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7E may comprise and/or may be formed as hollow sections having a hollow tubular cross-section, the profiles 7 do not need to be hollow, and/or an internal room of a profile may be filled up at least partly. Further, it is noted that the elongate profiles 7, 7D can have any suitable form or shape, and may for instance be formed as or comprise I-beams 7D.

The profiles 7 are interconnected to build up the ring 21 forming the suspension part 2. As can be seen in Fig. 2, during use, the ring 21 substantially encloses the bounce mat 3. Said bounce mat 3 can be suspended on the suspension part 2 by means of suspension springs 4, in particular coil springs 4 or so-called helical springs, more in particular tension coil springs 4, which can provide for the elasticity for bouncing. Preferably, the profiles 7 can therefore be provided with attachment means 40 for attaching bounce mat suspension springs 4 to the suspension part 2. For example, said attachment means 40 can be formed as eyes, holes, rings or hooks or the like into or onto which eyes or hooks 41 or the like at the end of the springs 4 may be hooked. In embodiments, the attachment means 40 may be provided at or near a top side of the profile 7, for example in or at a top wall 71 or a top flange 72 of the profile 7.

Advantageously, the profiles 7 include upper support faces 71, 72, e.g. formed by a top wall 71 or a top flange 72 of the profile. Such upper support faces 71, 72 can be for supporting thereon a portion of a padding 5, and/or can counteract that the profile has a relatively narrow and/or relatively sharp edge at its top side, which otherwise might unintentionally damage the padding and/or harm a user.

The profiles 7, in particular lower end regions thereof, include support faces 73. The support face 73 is intended for placement on the ground 60 and for supporting the ring on the ground 60. For example, the support faces 73 can be formed at least partly by the bottoms 74 of the hollow sections 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7E. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the support face may be formed by a bottom flange 75. Advantageously, the support faces 73 may extend substantially horizontally or substantially laterally. Although it may be advantageous to have a substantially flat support face, e.g. in order to distribute the weight or impact force relatively well over the ground 60 below the ring 21, the support face 73 may alternatively be formed differently, e.g. by a substantially concave or convex bottom side, such as for instance is the case with a tubular profile having a substantially circular or substantially oval cross-section 7B.

As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the support face 73 may be placed on top of a recessed skirt 80 or ledge 80 enclosing a central main part 81 of the pit 8 dug out for the so-called buried or so-called sunken trampoline 1, which pit 8, at least in embodiments, may be considered as part of the trampoline 1. The support face 73 may counteract that the ring is pushed into the ground 60 unintentionally.

The profiles 7 further include upwardly extending prop walls 76. The prop wall 76 may for instance be formed by a side wall 77 of a hollow section 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7E or by a web 78, for instance the web of an I-beam 7D. Preferably, the prop wall can extend substantially vertically, e.g. at least during use. The prop wall 76 or so-called maintaining wall 76 is for propping a side wall 82 of the pit 8, in particular a side wall 82 extending downwards from the ground surface 6 up to the recessed skirt 80. It will be appreciated that the main part 81 of the pit may extend deeper than the recessed skirt 80 or ledge 80, and that said pit’s main part 81 may for instance be cup shaped, which shape may help counteracting caving in.

It is noted that the elongate profiles 7 may advantageously have a substantially oblong cross-sectional shape 7A-7E having a height H being greater than its width W. For example, the height H of the cross-sectional shape may be at least 50% greater that the width W. Preferably, the height may be at least two times the width W of the cross-sectional shape, or even more, such as for instance at least three, at least four or at least five times the width. As can be understood from Fig. 4, in which the bounce mat 3 is deflecting downward in the depicted state (and in which the user is not shown), a relatively large height H and a relatively small width W may counteract that the bounce mat suspension springs 4 may unintentionally abut against the ground 60, even if the recessed skirt 80 enclosing the central main part 81 of the pit 8 is relatively wide, e.g. substantially wider than the profile 7 and/or substantially wider than the support face 73. Therefore, a relatively high cross-sectional profile shape having a relatively small width W can allow for a relatively wide skirt width or ledge width, which can be advantageous as it can counteract that the recessed ledge or skirt 80 caves in and/or as it may allow a less precise excavation, which may ease the installation of the trampoline 1.

In order to interconnect the elongate profiles 7, said elongate profiles can comprise connectors 11, 12 for connecting respective ends 10, 10A, 10B of the elongate profiles 7 to each other, an embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 6. For example, the respective ends 10, 10A, 10B of the elongate profiles 7 can be arranged to engage each other, for instance by plugging a first end 10A of a first profile into a second end 10B of a second profile. Thereto, said second end 10B can form a socket 12 or socket portion and the first end 10A can form a plug 11 or plug portion for plugging into said socket 12. Although the first end 10A of a profile 7 can be provided with a plug portion 11 and the second end 10B of said profile 7 can be provided with a corresponding socket portion 12, e.g. in order to enable that all profiles of the frame 20 can be of substantial the same design, it may also be possible that one profile can have two ends each forming a plug portion, whereas another profile of the same frame can for instance have two ends each forming a socket portion for such plug portions. It is noted that the socket portion can for instance be simply formed by the hollow space inside the end of a hollow section. The plug portion may for instance be made by so-called narrowing or so-called reducing a hollow section forming the profile 7. However, the socket and/or the plug can be formed alternatively. For example, a plug may be formed by mounting an insert into a hollow end of a hollow section. Furthermore, other alternative connections are possible. For example, in particular in case of hollow sections, a separate fitting, e.g. a slip-on pipe fitting or a pipe coupling, may be used to interconnect two adjoining profile ends 10A, 10B.

As further is shown in the embodiment of Fig. 6, the frame 20 may include locking means or fasteners 14 to secure or lock the profiles 7 with respect to each other. Such fasteners or securing means may for instance include a set screw. Alternatively or additionally, the fasteners may include bolts 14A and nuts 14B. It will be appreciated that the profiles may be provided with corresponding holes 15, e.g. screw holes, through holes or other holes, for enabling the locking or securing of the profiles by means of such fasteners or securing means 14.

As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the trampoline 1 may be substantially flush with the ground surface 6 of the ground surrounding the trampoline. For example, the padding 5 and/or the top side of the ring 21 may be located substantially at the height level of the ground surface 6. In order to allow air to flow out of the pit 8 when the bounce mat 3 deflects down and to allow air to flow back into the pit 8 when the mat is pulled back upwards by the springs 4, the bounce mat 3 may allow for relatively much air flow, e.g. by having relatively many and/or relatively large openings for allowing air flow 31 through the bounce mat 3.

Alternatively or additionally, the air flow can be enhanced by other means. For example, as can be seen in Figs. 2-5, the trampoline 1 may be provided with padding suspension means 900 for holding the padding 5 suspended when the bounce mat 3 deflects downwards. As a result, it can be counteracted that the padding 5 sags when the bounce mat 3 and the suspension springs 4 deflect down. Therefore, it can be counteracted that a space between the bounce mat 3 and the suspension part 2 is closed of by the padding 5 during such downward deflection of the bounce mat 3, as a result of which air flow 32 through said space can be enabled. Consequently, the bounce effectiveness of the sunken trampoline 1 can be relatively great. Additionally or alternatively, the padding suspension means 900 can counteract that the padding 5 flaps or flutters during use of the trampoline, which may reduce noise.

Advantageously, said padding suspension means 900 may be flexible, preferably in a resilient manner, such that said padding suspension means 900 can temporarily deflect, e.g. when a user accidently lands on the padding 5. For example, the padding suspension means 900 may comprise springs 9, e.g. coil spring, in particular tension coil springs, which padding suspension springs 9 can hold and tension a padding suspension ring 92 which can be substantially inwardly offset from the ring shaped bounce mat suspension part 2. The padding suspension ring 92 may for instance comprise one or more straps or bands 93. As said band(s) or strap(s) in the initial position of the bounce mat 3 may lie on the bounce mat suspension springs 4, even in said initial position a slit may be present between the padding 5 and the bounce mat 3 to allow air flow 32 there through. For instance to ease installation, the band(s) or strap(s) may be provided with tensioning means, e.g. in order to tensioning the strap(s) or band(s) after installation. Additionally or alternatively, the strap(s), band(s) or other padding suspension ring 92 forming element or elements may be provided with attachment means 94 for attaching padding suspension springs 9 to the padding suspension ring 92 forming element(s). For example, said attachment means 94 can be formed as eyes, holes, rings or hooks or the like into or onto which eyes or hooks 95 or the like at the respective ends of the padding suspension springs 9 may be hooked.

It will be appreciated that the profiles 7 can also be provided with attachment means 90 for attaching padding suspension springs 9 to the trampoline frame 20. For example, said attachment means 90 can be formed as eyes, holes, rings or hooks or the like into or onto which eyes or hooks 91 or the like provided at the respective ends of the padding suspension springs 9 may be hooked. In embodiments, said attachment means 90 may be provided at or near a top side of the profile 7, for example in or at a top wall 71 or top flange 72 of the profile 7.

In order to assemble the trampoline 1, a step of interconnecting the elongate profiles 7 can be conducted. By interconnecting the elongate profiles 7, one can build up the ring 21 forming the suspension part 2 for substantially enclosing the bounce mat 3. For example, the profiles may be interconnected by plugging or shoving a respective plug portion at the respective ends of respective profiles into respective corresponding socket portions at the respective ends of respective profiles. Such method of assembling the trampoline 1 may further comprise a step of placing the support faces 73 of the profiles 7 on excavated ground surface 80, in particular on a recessed skirt 80 enclosing a central main part 81 of a pit 8, wherein said step may for instance be conducted after and/or at least partly simultaneously with the step of interconnecting the elongate profiles 7.

Assembling the trampoline 1 may for instance be done by using a kit of parts for assembling a sunken trampoline, which kit of parts comprises at least a multiplicity of such elongate profiles 7. Further, the kit of part may comprise one or more elements or parts as described herein, such as for instance a bounce mat 3, bounce mat suspension springs 4, padding 5, fasteners or securing means 14 for locking the profiles 7 once interconnected, and/or padding suspension means 900. The padding suspension means 900 may for instance comprise padding suspension springs 9 and/or one or more bands or straps 93 for forming a padding suspension ring 92.

It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Further, it is noted that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

For example, the sections or profiles, in particular hollow sections, may be made of metal or a metal alloy, in particular steel. Said sections may be coated and/or treated otherwise, e.g. in order to counteract rusting.

As another example, it is noted that although the upper ends of the profiles may be substantially flush with the ground surface level, the profiles may alternatively extend substantially above the ground surface level, such as for instance between 5 cm and 35 cm above said ground surface level. In such cases, the profiles, in particular side walls and/or webs thereof, may be provided with air passage apertures to allow air to radially flow into or out of the space below the bounce mat. It will be appreciated that such air passage apertures present in walls or webs that also form the prop walls may preferably be located above the ground surface level during use.

Such and other variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims (15)

Conclusions CLAIMS 1. Trampoline frame for a sunken trampoline, comprising a plurality of elongated profiles, the profiles being interconnected in order to form a ring which forms a suspension part for substantially surrounding a jumping mat, the profiles having supporting surfaces for being on the ground supporting the ring forming the suspension part, and wherein the profiles have upwardly extending strut planes that are for propping a side wall of a pit. Trampoline frame according to claim 1, wherein the profiles comprise hollow profiles or are formed as hollow profiles. Trampoline frame according to claim 2, wherein the side walls of the hollow profiles form the strut surfaces that extend upwards. Trampoline frame according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the undersides of the hollow profiles form the support surfaces for supporting the ring forming the suspension part on the ground. Trampoline frame according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the hollow profiles have a hollow tubular cross-section with a substantially rectangular cross-section. Trampoline frame as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the elongated profiles have a substantially elongated cross-sectional shape with a height that is greater than its width, for example wherein the height of the cross-sectional shape is at least twice the width of the cross-sectional shape. Trampoline frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support surfaces extend substantially horizontally. Trampoline frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting surfaces are formed by substantially flat surfaces. Trampoline frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated profiles comprise I-profiles. Trampoline frame as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the elongated profiles comprise coupling means for coupling together respective ends of the elongated profiles. Trampoline frame as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the respective ends of the elongated profiles are adapted to engage each other, for instance by inserting a first end of a first profile into a second end of a second profile. 12. Trampoline frame as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the profiles are provided with a fixing means for fixing a jumping mat to the suspension part. A sunken trampoline comprising a trampoline frame according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. Kit of parts for assembling a sunken trampoline, comprising at least a multiple number of elongated profiles, the profiles being interconnected in order to form a ring forming a suspension part for substantially surrounding a jumping mat, the profiles have supporting surfaces for supporting on the ground the ring which forms the suspension part, and wherein the profiles have upwardly extending support surfaces for supporting a side wall of the pit. A method for assembling a trampoline, comprising at least one step of interconnecting elongated profiles to form a ring that forms a suspension member for substantially surrounding a jumping mat, the elongated profiles having supporting surfaces for mounting on supporting the ground of said ring which forms the suspension part, and wherein the elongated profiles are furthermore provided with upwardly extending props for supporting a side wall of the pit. 1/7 2/7 r CM 6) Ll 3/7 92, 93 co 6) Ll 4/7 σ) Ll 5/7 7/7 τ r- 74 73 CO r rQ Η- 00 r <Η r6) Ll rTitle: Trampoline frame, sunken trampoline, kit or parts, and method