Trampolines and Mat Connectors for Trampolines

Abstract

A trampoline or trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.

1 . A trampoline system including:
 a frame or other foundation;   biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and   a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein   adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.   
     
     
         2 . A trampoline system including:
 a frame or other foundation;   biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation and extending therefrom;   a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and wherein   said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other by third ones of biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.   
     
     
         3 . A trampoline system including:
 a frame or other foundation;   a plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above said frame or other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of said plurality being connected to each other by biasing means extending from one of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing means in use being arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards each other.   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A trampoline system according to any one of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein said selected second ones of said biasing means or said second biasing means are hoop springs. 
     
     
         7 . The trampoline system according to  claim 6 , wherein the connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a resilient connection provided by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other. 
     
     
         8 . The trampoline system according to  claim 6  or  claim 7 , wherein the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the third biasing means. 
     
     
         9 - 58 . (canceled)