-
The present invention relates to a bouncing device, and
particularly to a bouncing device in the form of a trampoline.
-
Conventionally, trampolines comprise a frame which supports a
strong sheet of material therebetween via resilient means in a
substantially horizontal orientation, typically in the form of
springs or elastic members. The arrangement is such that when a
user jumps on an upper surface of the material, the force of the
weight of the user on the upper surface causes the springs to
expand/elongate and the sheet material flexes, typically in a
downwardly direction. The biasing force of the springs to return
to their original substantially compressed condition, causes the
sheet material to move in an upwardly direction, thereby
creating a reactive force in an upwardly direction on the user
sufficient to lift the user off the surface of the sheet material
and allowing the user to bounce on the upper surface of the
material.
-
Trampolines are widely used by children and a child will
typically bounce up and down on it for a period of time. People
also use trampolines for exercising on or for doing somersaults
and/or the like. However, conventional trampolines are
typically of only limited use and provide only limited interest to
a user.
-
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a
trampoline which increases the interest of a user therein and
which allows different games to be played and/or activities to be
undertaken as a result of the user bouncing thereon.
-
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is
provided a trampoline, said trampoline having frame means for
supporting via connection means, a play surface a pre-determined
distance above a floor surface, the play surface
and/or connection means arranged so as to allow a user and/or
object to bounce on the same, characterised in that sensing
means are associated with the trampoline, such that impact or
contact of the user or object on said play surface results in
detection of the same by said sensing means and, said detection
resulting in activation of audio and/or visual means associated
with said trampoline in a predefined manner.
-
The activation of the audio and/or visual means typically takes
place when the contact or impact exceeds, is between or is at a
pre-determined threshold level or range.
-
Preferably the position of impact on the play surface by one or
more users or objects effects any or any combination of
activation of said audio and/or visual means, the volume of said
audio once activated, the type or length of audio emitted, the
type or length of visual signal, one or more sequences of audio
and/or visual means and/or the like. In one embodiment the
activation, or type of activation is dependent upon a selection
made by the user of the trampoline.
-
In one embodiment the play surface can be provided with one or
more identified or target portions thereon, the audio and/or
visual means being activated on contact and/or impact by the
user or object on or in the vicinity of a target portion. The
reactive or target portion can be in the centre of the play surface
or, if more than one portion is provided, the portions can be
adjacent to each other or spaced apart. In addition, the target
portion can cover a whole, substantial portion or only part of
the play surface as required.
-
In one embodiment the one or more reactive portions can be
visible to a user on the play surface (i.e. defined by one or more
images, shapes, characters, text, icons and/or the like displayed
on the play surface), thereby allowing a user to orientate
themselves with respect to the reactive or target portions in use.
Alternatively, the one or more reactive portions can be hidden
to allow the user to selectively or apparently randomly activate
the audio and/or visual means.
-
In one embodiment there is a plurality of portions and sensing
means are associated with each of the target portions. Thus, for
example, the sensing means can be provided at or adjacent each
of said target portions.
-
The trampoline can provide different audio and/or visual
responses dependent on which of a plurality of target portions
have been impacted on by said user and/or object.
-
Preferably the trampoline has control means to allow the audio
and/or visual means to be moved between operational and non-operation
conditions, to allow the volume of the audio to be
adjusted, the type of audio and/or visual means to be adjusted,
one or more sequences of audio and/or visual means to be
adjusted and/or the like.
-
With regard to the type of audio that can be emitted following
impact on the play surface of the trampoline, the audio can
include the playing of music, abstract noises, sounds, one or
more voices and/or the like.
-
The visual means can include any or any combination of one or
more lights, video images, text and/or the like being displayed
on the trampoline.
-
The audio and/or visual means can be activated substantially
continuously following impact on the play surface, intermittently,
in a pre-determined sequence and/or on impact only.
-
In one embodiment display means are provided with the
trampoline and impact or contact on the play surface can affect
one or more characters, images, text and/or the like displayed
on the display means.
-
Preferably speaker means are provided with the trampoline to
allow the audio to be sounded therefrom.
-
In a preferred embodiment the trampoline is provided with
handle means to allow a user to grip the same when jumping on
the play surface of the trampoline. In one embodiment the
handle means include at least one elongate portion upstanding
from the play surface. Gripping portions can be provided on the
handle means, for example so as to depend therefrom in first
and second directions.
-
Preferably sensing means are provided on or adjacent an
underside, rear or lower surface of the trampoline play surface.
Impact or contact on an upper or front surface of the play
surface typically results in the sensing means creating a signal
which activates the audio and/or visual means.
-
The sensing means can be in substantially continual contact wit
the play surface or can be a spaced distance from the play
surface, such that on deformation of the play surface or
connection means, the sensing means are contacted.
-
In one example, the sensing means is in the form of pressure
detection means which detect when a user or object has jumped
or is located on the play surface.
-
In one embodiment the sensing means include a switch housing
located with respect to the play surface or connection means
such that impact or contact on an upper surface of the play
surface results in movement of the switch between on and/or
off conditions. Thus, in one embodiment, upon every detected
or sufficiently large impact the switch is moved to complete an
electrical circuit and trigger a signal to signal processing and
control means.
-
In one embodiment the switch means has a housing which is
mounted on or adjacent the underside of the play surface at the
location of said target portion. In one embodiment the housing
is provided with an electrical lead which reacts to the change in
condition of the switch means upon a player impact on the
surface and so results in the generation of a signal representing
the impact.
-
In one embodiment the sensing means are provided in or
associated with the connection means.
-
The impact or contact of a user on the upper surface of the play
surface and the positioning of the sensing means is selected so
that a "normal" bounce impact is typically of such a force, in
such a pre-determined manner, for a period of time sufficient to
activate the sensing means. In one embodiment the sensing
means is positioned at a distance offset from the underside of
the play surface such that a positive impact force is required to
activate the sensing means.
-
The advantage of the trampoline of the present invention is that
it increases the enjoyment and interest of a user, particularly if
the user is a child.
-
Typically the play surface is surrounded by a padding material
which typically masks the connecting means between the play
surface and the frame and therefore provides protection to the
user.
-
Preferably the switch includes a movable member which moves
following impact on the play surface, movement of said movable
member initiating an electrical signal in electrical circuitry which
activates said audio and/or visual means.
-
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is
provided a trampoline, said trampoline including a play surface
formed from substantially flexible material on which a user or
object can bounce in use, the play surface being suspended a
pre-determined distance above a floor surface between frame
means via resilient biasing means, the resilient biasing means
and the play surface being arranged such that when a load is
applied to the play surface via a user or object in the form of a
bounce, the play surface flexes and the resilient biasing means
extend in length from a first substantially compressed condition
to a second extended or substantially tensioned condition, the
biasing force of the resilient biasing means being such that as it
returns to the first substantially compressed condition, this
creates a reactive force on the play surface sufficient to push the
user or object a spaced distance apart from the play surface,
characterised in that impact or contact of the user or object on
the play surface is detected by sensing means which activates
audio and/or visual means associated with the trampoline in a
pre-defined manner.
-
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
- Figures 1a-c show the use of the trampoline of the invention
with examples of different games which can be selected to be
displayed;
- Figure 2a-2e illustrate various views of a cover plate of the
control means in one embodiment;
- Figures 3a-3e illustrate various views of the housing of the
control means for connection with the cover plate shown in
figures 2a-2e;
- Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an audio
mode of the present invention in one embodiment;
- Figure 5 illustrates the input/output ports on the control means
in one embodiment;
- Figures 6a-c illustrate views of the trampoline apparatus in one
embodiment of the invention; and
- Figure 7a-e show views of the trampoline in accordance with a
further embodiment of the invention.
-
-
Referring firstly to the figures 6a-c, there is illustrated a
trampoline 2 according to one embodiment of the present
invention which has audio means associated therewith to allow
audio to be sounded in response to a user impacting with a
surface of the trampoline.
-
The trampoline 2 includes a play surface 4 which is supported in
a required orientation a pre-determined distance above a floor
surface 5 between frame means 6. The play surface 4 is typically
provided in a substantially horizontal orientation, although the
invention would still function if the play surface was provided at
any angle, such as in a vertical orientation and objects were
thrown at the play surface for example.
-
The frame means 6 in this example is substantially triangular in
shape but it will be appreciated that the frame
means/trampoline can be provided in any required shape and/or
design. It has an upper surface 8 which has connection means 10
for connecting the play surface 4 thereto and support legs 12 for
supporting the upper surface, and thus the play surface, above
the floor surface on which the frame means is placed. Handle
means in the form of upright frame members 14 and gripping
portions 16 are provided to allow a user to grip the same when
they are using the trampoline. However, the handle means could
be removed or, if provided, the user can use the trampoline
without gripping the same if required.
-
The play surface 4 is typically formed from a material which
flexes upon a user jumping or impacting on an upper surface
thereof. The material is substantially the same shape as the
shape of the upper frame surface 8 and is attached thereto by
connection means 10.
-
The connection means 10 includes eyelets surrounding apertures
22 provided adjacent peripheral edge 24 of play surface 4. The
apertures 22 are provided at spaced distances apart on the play
surface. A connection member in the form of resilient or
elasticated member 26 passes through the apertures 22 to join
the same to the frame.
-
Figure 6b illustrates a plan view from above, with the handle
portions removed for illustrative purposes, and shows the
location of the target portion 43 which is located on the play
surface to indicate where the player should jump on the play
surface to be able to register an impact when playing a game.
-
Figure 6c is a plan view of the underside of the play surface and
indicates the location of a switch detection means 45, the
housing of which is located to the underside of the play surface
4, under the target portion 43 and typically offset a distance
from the play surface underside so as to avoid the occurrence of
false detections by the switch means when the player is simply
standing on the play surface.
-
In operation the play surface 4 is positioned on the frame 6 by
the connection means 10. The switch means 45 housing is
suspended in position via elasticated ropes 47, 49, typically
attached to the spacer units between the frame legs 12'. The
switch means also includes switch cord 51 which passes from
the housing 53 to the other frame leg 12. The switch cord is
moved when an impact is detected at the housing and this
movement causes the completion of an electrical circuit to the
control means 54 on the handle 14 such that an electrical signal
is generated each time an impact is registered. When the impact
force is removed, the cord returns to a first state where no
electrical signal is generated.
-
Turning now to a further embodiment of the invention as shown
in Figures 7a-e the same reference numerals as shown in Figures
6a-c are used for common features. However in this embodiment
the impact sensing means are provided at a plurality of location
on the play surface to match a series of target portions on the
same.
-
A description of one type of sensing means as used in Figures
7a-e is now described. The sensing means are each joined to a
hook or locking member 28, as shown in figures 7d and 7e.
Hook 28 engages an outer portion 30 in the form of ring
member 32 of a movable member 34 provided in a trigger
housing 36. The trigger housing 36 allows movement of the play
surface 4, as a result of a user jumping thereon, to be
transmitted to electronic circuitry provided with the trampoline,
thereby allowing activation of the audio means.
-
More specifically, trigger housing 36 includes switch means in
the form of a leaf switch 38. A plate member 40 is provided on
movable member 34 adjacent an opposite end to ring member 32
and, as a user impacts play surface 4, the said surface moves in a
downwardly direction, thereby placing the elasticated member 26
and hook 28 under tension. This causes ring member 32 to be
pulled in a direction outwardly of trigger housing 36. Movable
member 34 also moves outwardly of trigger housing 36 through
aperture 42 in housing 36 causing plate member 40 to contact
leaf switch 38 and move an electrical circuit associated therewith
to an "on" condition. Resilient biasing means in the form of a
spring 44 connects plate member 40 to an inner surface 46 of
trigger housing 36 opposite to the surface of housing 36
defining aperture 42. Once the weight of the user has been lifted
from the play surface 4 (i.e. during a jump), the biasing effect of
spring 44 moves plate member 40 towards surface 46, thereby
releasing contact of member 40 with the leaf switch 38 and
moving the electrical circuit associated therewith to an "off"
condition.
-
Electrical wiring 48 joins leaf switch 38 to electronic control
means 54 provided on the handle means. A channel in the form
of tubing 52 forming part of the frame means or associated
therewith houses the wiring 48 between the trigger housing 36
and the control means 54.
-
In which ever embodiment, electronic control means 54 includes
a housing 52, shown in figures 3a-3e, with a cover portion 50,
shown in figures 2a-2e, for attachment thereto. A speaker 56 is
located in housing 52 adjacent a plurality of apertures 58
provided in cover portion 50, thereby allowing generated audio
to be sounded from the control means 54. Microprocessing
means and memory means in the form of an electronic chip are
typically provided in the electronic circuitry located in control
means 54 to allow electrical signals transmitted via wiring 48 to
be converted into required audio signals.
-
Cover portion 50 can be connected to housing 52 by any
conventional means but in this example portion 50 is secured
using a plurality of fixing screws located through apertures 60 in
housing 52. The housing 52 and cover portion 50 can be
provided in any required shape and/or design and can be formed
from any suitable material.
-
In use, a user jumps on the play surface 4 of the trampoline and
this jumping causes electrical signals to be transmitted from the
trigger housing 36 to the electronic control means 54 for audio
to be generated. Examples of how the audio means can be used
to increase the interest of a user in the toy are illustrated in
figures 1a-c. For example, timing means 62 can be provided
which allows a user to count how many times they can bounce
on the play surface in a pre-determined period of time, as shown
by game reference 'A'. The display screen of the timing means
can display the time and/or the number of bounces/jumps
detected on the play surface in the time period. The audio could
also sound the number of bounces/jumps detected during said
time period. The pre-determined period of time can be set by
the user and/or the manufacturer and different levels of
difficulty can be provided as required.
-
Game reference 'B' illustrates an example where the number of
bounces are counted and sounded to a user as and when impact
of the user on the play surface is detected.
-
Game reference 'C' illustrates how a tune can be played, such as
"twinkle, twinkle little star" upon detection of one or more
impacts of the user on the play surface 4. Other noises, tunes
and/or sounds can be requested as required, such as drum noise
64, guitar sound 66, piano sound 68, pig sound 70, dog sound 72,
or cow sound 74.
-
Game reference 'D' illustrates how the detection of a pre-determined
number of bounces on the play surface 4 results in
facts being read out via electronic control means 50, such as
"altogether you have jumped as high as Big Ben". The control
means 50 logs the average height of a bounce and calculates the
total height achieved based on the number of jumps/impacts
detected on play surface 4.
-
Game reference 'E' illustrates how music statues can be played
such that a user is required to jump to the music and stop when
the music stops. One or more games with sets of rules could be
based around this example.
-
Game Reference 'F' illustrates how questions, such as sums, can
be asked via the control means 50 and the user has to bounce on
play surface 4 a required number of times corresponding to the
answer of the sum. The control means 50 can then sound a
"correct" or "incorrect" sound depending on whether the user
has undertaken the correct number of bounces corresponding to
the answer of the sum.
-
Game reference 'G' illustrates how abstract or funny noises can
be sounded upon detection of impact of the user of play surface
4.
-
Game reference 'H' illustrates how a background sound or
music can be produced and the user has to jump in time to the
sounds or music.
-
It will be appreciated that the above illustrations of game
references A-H are only a few examples of a large number of
possible examples in which the detection of a player's impact on
the play surface can be used to allow the playing of a game, to
set targets to be achieved and also allow audio to be used in
association with the trampoline. It will also be appreciated that
visual means can be provided in conjunction with the audio
means or separate thereto to further increase the appeal of the
trampoline to a user.
-
The control means 50 can be provided with a display screen or
other control buttons to allow a menu of possible games to be
played using the trampoline. A detailed example of the steps
involved in a game is illustrated in figure 4. In this embodiment,
the play surface is divided into different areas or portions, such
that impact by the user on a particular area or portion of play
surface 4 results in a different audio response generated
compared to impact on a different area of portion of play
surface 4. This can be achieved by the trigger housing adjacent
the particular area on which impact is detected signalling to the
control means a unique or pre-determined signal. Alternatively,
other sensing means can be attached to portions of the play
surface to allow activation of audio upon detection of impact.
-
Although the above examples relate to a trampoline for use by
children, the trampoline of the present invention could also be
used by adults, such as for use as an exercise trampoline.
Exercises which the user is required to perform can be sounded
by way of spoken instructions via the speaker means or
illustrated via a display screen associated with the control means.
-
Alternatively, music can be played upon impact of the user on
the play surface during exercise and/or the like.