Folding trampoline

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable trampoline comprising a frame for suspending a trampoline mat, the frame being connected to a support for supporting the frame and wherein the frame is formed with two wings which can pivotally move between a deployed position where the wings are substantially horizontal, and a storage position where the wings are brought towards each other, each wing having a fixed arm extending from the wing which forms a lever and directly links the wing to a linear actuator for controlling the movement of the wings between the deployed and storage positions. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts for producing the foldable trampoline.

1 . A foldable trampoline comprising
 a frame for suspending a trampoline mat, the frame being connected to a support for supporting the frame and being formed with two wings which can pivotally move between a deployed position where the wings are substantially horizontal, and a storage position where the wings are brought towards each other, each wing having a fixed arm extending from the wing which forms a lever and directly links the wing to a linear actuator for controlling the movement of the wings between the deployed and storage positions.   
     
     
         2 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a central portion, to which the wings are pivotally mounted. 
     
     
         43 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the wings are pivotally mounted to either side of the central portion. 
     
     
         44 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is one of the following: a worm gear arrangement, a pulley and ratchet arrangement, a pneumatic piston arrangement, a hydraulic pump arrangement, a gas spring and an oil filled damper. 
     
     
         45 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a damper to control the movement of the wings between the deployed and storage position. 
     
     
         46 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1  in which each fixed arm extends downwards from its respective wing. 
     
     
         47 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a biasing arrangement which biases the wings towards the deployed position when the wings are in, or near to, the deployed position, and biases the wings towards the storage position when the wings are in, or near to, the storage position. 
     
     
         48 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the biasing arrangement comprises two springs, each spring having a first end which is coupled to the lever of a respective wing and a second opposing end which is coupled to the support. 
     
     
         49 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the springs are in an extended configuration when the wings are moved towards the deployed and storage positions and in a compressed configuration when the wings are in a position between the deployed and the storage position. 
     
     
         50 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein each wing further comprises a second fixed arm which extends to form a lever that is coupled to a damper arrangement. 
     
     
         51 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the second fixed arms of the wings are coupled together by means of the damper arrangement. 
     
     
         52 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises a locking means for locking the wings in the storage position and/or the deployed position. 
     
     
         53 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein the locking means is disposed adjacently to or at the point of pivotal movement of the wings. 
     
     
         54 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trampoline further comprises legs, which are connected to the frame for stabilising the frame when the wings are in the deployed position. 
     
     
         55 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 54 , wherein the legs are adapted to releasably lock in a downwardly projecting orientation from the frame when the wings are in the deployed positions. 
     
     
         56 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises an enclosure comprising an enclosure support which is releasably attachable to a leg of the trampoline by means of a clamp. 
     
     
         57 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 56 , wherein the clamp comprises two clamping members which are pivotally attached to one another, each clamping member having a clamping surface which is capable of gripping at least part of the exterior of the leg and the enclosure support when the clamping members are pivotally moved towards one another, at least one clamping surface being adapted to conform to at least part of the profile of the exterior of the leg or the enclosure support and the clamp further comprising means for releasably locking the clamping members in position around the leg and the enclosure support. 
     
     
         58 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 57 , wherein both clamping surfaces are adapted to conform to at least part of the profile of the exterior of the leg and the enclosure support. 
     
     
         59 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the frame is one of the following: a circle, an oval, a hexagon, an octagon or a pentagon. 
     
     
         60 . A kit of parts for producing a foldable trampoline comprising:
 a. a trampoline mat;   b. a frame for suspending a trampoline mat, the frame comprising tubular sections which are joined together to form two side wings of the trampoline frame, each wing having a fixed arm extending from the wing for forming a lever;   c. a pivot for allowing the two sides of the trampoline frame to pivotally move between a deployed position where the wings are substantially horizontal, and a storage position where the wings are brought towards each other;   d. a support for supporting the frame;   e. a linear actuator coupled to arms extending from the wings for controlling the movement of the wings between the deployed and storage positions; and   f. suspension means for suspending the trampoline mat from the frame.   
     
     
         61 . A kit of parts for producing a foldable trampoline comprising:
 a. a trampoline mat;   b. a frame for suspending a trampoline mat, the frame comprising tubular sections which are joined together to form two side wings of the trampoline frame, each wing having a fixed arm extending from the wing for forming a lever;   c. a pivot for allowing the two sides of the trampoline frame to pivotally move between a deployed position where the wings are substantially horizontal, and a storage position where the wings are brought towards each other;   d. a support for supporting the frame;   e. a linear actuator coupled to arms extending from the wings for controlling the movement of the wings between the deployed and storage positions; and   f. suspension means for suspending the trampoline mat from the frame.