Trampoline

Abstract

A trampoline comprises a mat, a frame, and a plurality of support rods connecting between the frame and the mat to hold the mat in tension above the frame, the support rods extending or bowing outwards from the frame and curving upwards from the frame towards the mat. Each of the support rods may have an associated shorter secondary support rod. The support rods may have a rectangular cross-section.

1 .- 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A trampoline comprising:
 a flexible rebounding mat,   a plurality of support rods,   a frame,   the support rods having an approximately rectangular cross-section and connecting between the frame and the mat to hold the mat in tension and aligned in a substantially horizontal plane above the frame, the upper ends of the support rods connected to the mat around the periphery of the mat, the lower ends connected to the frame,   the free length of the support rods between the upper ends and the lower ends support rods extending or bowing outwards from the frame, the support rods curving upwards from the frame towards the mat substantially perpendicular to the frame.   
     
     
         63 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the support rods are flat when no external force is applied. 
     
     
         64 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 63  wherein each of the support rods has a secondary support rod located at the rear of the support rod and extending along part of the rear of the support rod, the length of the secondary support rod is approximately half to two-thirds that of the main support rod, the lower ends of both the main support rod and the secondary support rod co-located. 
     
     
         65 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the secondary support rod has a cross-sectional profile the same shape and size as that of the main support rod. 
     
     
         66 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the mat is fitted with mat edge fittings by which the ends of the support rods are coupled to the mat. 
     
     
         67 .- 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 64  wherein each of the secondary support rods has a cap, the body of which encloses an upper end of the secondary support rod and also encloses an adjacent portion of the main support rod to hold the upper end of the secondary support rod against the main support rod. 
     
     
         78 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the upper end of a main support rod is fitted with an edge connector to connect the upper end of the main support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat. 
     
     
         79 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the mat is fitted with mat edge fittings by which the upper end of each support rod is connected to the trampoline mat. 
     
     
         80 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 79  wherein the mat edge fittings are ganged as a unitary item connected to the corresponding mat edge to form a row of multiple connectors on that edge of the mat. 
     
     
         81 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  also having an edge accessory attachment rail having a base connected to the trampoline, and at least one side wall portion, the at least one side wall or walls extending from and angled to the base to define and surround a hollow central area between the wall and the base, and to further define a slot that passes from inside the hollow central area to outside the rail. 
     
     
         82 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 62  also having a safety enclosure, comprising;
 at least one net, 
 a plurality of net support assemblies, each net support assembly having an outer upright aligned substantially vertically, and an inner upright associated with the inner upright, the upper and lower ends of the inner upright connected to the outer upright in such a manner that the body of the inner upright is bowed inwards towards the mat and away from the outer upright, the net support assemblies spaced at intervals along the edge of the mat, the net connected to the inner uprights so that the net forms an inwardly-bowed vertically aligned barrier along the edge of the mat. 
 
     
     
         83 . A trampoline safety enclosure comprising a wall or walls corresponding to each side of a trampoline mat and extending upwards from edges of the mat substantially vertically, the wall or walls each having a connector attached to or forming part of a lower edge of the wall, the connector located in a hollow central area to connect a base or lower edge of the wall to the trampoline mat, the walls being supported by wall members or similar connected between an upper part or portion of the wall and the remainder of the trampoline mat. 
     
     
         84 . A trampoline edge protector comprising an edge protector pad shaped and sized to fit to and over an edge of a trampoline to cover the edge of the trampoline, a lower surface of the pad having a connector attached to or forming part of the lower surface, the connector located in a hollow central area to connect a base or lower edge of a side wall to the trampoline, the side wall supported by wall members or similar connected between an upper part or portion of the wall and the remainder of the trampoline. 
     
     
         85 . A trampoline safety enclosure comprising:
 at least one net,   a plurality of net support assemblies,   
       each net support assembly having an outer upright aligned substantially vertically, and an inner upright associated with the inner upright, the upper and lower ends of the inner upright connected to the outer upright in such a manner that the body of the inner upright is bowed inwards towards the mat and away from the outer upright, the lower edge of the at least one net fitted with a net connector adapted to hold the lower edge of the net against a trampoline of a trampoline system, the net support assemblies spaced at intervals along the edge of the trampoline system, the net connected to the inner uprights so that the net forms an inwardly-bowed vertically aligned barrier along the edge of the trampoline system. 
     
     
         86 . A trampoline comprising:
 a frame,   a flexible rebounding mat above the frame, and   a plurality of resiliently flexible support rods connecting between the frame and an edge of the mat to hold the mat in tension, the support rods having a square or rectangular cross-section and comprising a main support rod having a lower end connected to the frame, an upper end connected to the edge of the mat, and a free length extending upwardly from the frame to the edge of the mat and bowing outwards from the frame and curving upwards from the frame towards the mat substantially perpendicular to the frame, the support rods also comprising a secondary support rod on one side of the main support rod, the secondary support rod extending from the frame towards the mat along part of the length of the main support rod and increasing the resistance of the support rod to bending along said part of the length of the main support rod.   
     
     
         87 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 86  wherein the upper end of the main support rod is fitted with an edge connector which engages an edge connector at the periphery of the mat to connect the upper end of the support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat. 
     
     
         88 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the length of the secondary support rod is approximately half to two-thirds that of the main support rod. 
     
     
         89 . A trampoline system as claimed in  claim 86  wherein the secondary support rod has a cross-sectional profile the same shape and size as that of the main support rod. 
     
     
         90 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 86  wherein the secondary support rod at or towards a mat end thereof is connected to the main support rod. 
     
     
         91 . A trampoline comprising:
 a flexible rebounding mat,   a frame,   a plurality of resiliently flexible support rods having an approximately rectangular cross-section between the frame and the mat, upper ends of the support rods connecting to the mat around a periphery of the mat and lower ends of the support rods connecting to the frame, the free length of the support rods between the upper ends and lower ends bowing outwards and curving upwards from the frame towards the mat substantially perpendicular to the frame to hold the mat in tension above the frame,   a safety enclosure having a lower edge connected to edges of the trampoline mat, and upright enclosure support members having lower ends connected to the frame below the mat and not otherwise being supported by or to the trampoline, and upper ends connected to the top of the enclosure to support the enclosure above the mat.   
     
     
         92 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 91  wherein the support rods are substantially flat when no external force is applied. 
     
     
         93 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 91  wherein the mat is larger than the frame so that the periphery of the mat overlaps the frame. 
     
     
         94 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 91  wherein the support rods comprise a main support rod having a lower end connected to the frame, an upper end connected to the edge of the mat, and a free length extending upwardly from the frame to the edge of the mat and bowed towards the mat, and a secondary support rod on one side of the main support rod, the secondary support rod extending from the frame towards the mat along part of the length of the main support rod and increasing the resistance of the support rod to bending along said part of the length of the main support rod. 
     
     
         95 . A trampoline as claimed in  claim 91  wherein the trampoline has an at least approximately oval or circular shape.