Trampoline

Abstract

The invention to which this application relates is a trampoline having a play area on which a person can jump, said area having an elasticity and resilience to act as a trampoline and there is provided as part of the apparatus at least one sensing means to detect the contact of a person on a target portion or portions of the play surface. Activation of the sensing means causes a change in condition in audio and/or visual means provided as part of the apparatus so as to provide a reaction to the contact on the play surface.

1 . 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.  
   
   
       2 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the audio and/or visual means are activated when the impact or contact detected on the play surface exceeds a pre-determined threshold value or range.  
   
   
       3 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the position of impact on the play surface by the user or object affects 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.  
   
   
       4 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the effect of activation of said audio and/or visual means is dependent upon a selection made by the user of the trampoline from a range of selectable audio and/or video options.  
   
   
       5 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  charactcrised in that the play surface is provided with one or more target portions thereon, and the audio and/or visual means are activated on contact and/or impact by the user or object on or in the vicinity of a target portion.  
   
   
       6 . A trampoline according to  claim 5  characterised in that a target portion is provided in the centre of the play surface.  
   
   
       7 . A trampoline according to  claim 5  characterised in that more than one target portion is provided and said target portions are provided adjacent each other or a spaced apart to each other.  
   
   
       8 . A trampoline according to  claim 5  characterised in that the one or more target portions are visible to a user on the play surface.  
   
   
       9 . A trampoline according to  claim 5  characterised in that sensing means are associated with said one or more target portions.  
   
   
       10 . A trampoline according to  claim 5  characterised in that different audio and/or visual responses are activated depending on which target portion has been impacted by a user and/or object of a plurality of possible target portions.  
   
   
       11 . A trampoline according to  claim 1 , characterised in that control means are provided to allow any or any combination of the audio and/or visual means to be moved between operational and non-operational conditions, the volume of the audio to be adjusted, the type of audio and/or visual means to be adjusted and/or one or more sequences of audio and/or visual means to be adjusted.  
   
   
       12 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that display means are provided with the trampoline and impact on the play surface affects one or more characters, images or text displayed on the display means.  
   
   
       13 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the trampoline is provided with handle means to allow a user to grip the same when jumping on the play surface of the trampoline.  
   
   
       14 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the sensing means are provided on or adjacent an underside or lower surface of the play surface and impact of the user or object on an upper surface of the play surface results in activation of the audio and/or visual means.  
   
   
       15 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the sensing means are in substantially continual contact with the play surface or connection means in use.  
   
   
       16 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the sensing means are arranged a spaced distance from the play surface or connection means and said play surface and connection means contacts said sensing means following an impact on the play surface by a user and/or object.  
   
   
       17 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that 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.  
   
   
       18 . A trampoline according to  claim 1  characterised in that the sensing means include a switch 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.  
   
   
       19 . A trampoline according to  claim 18  charactetised in that the switch is moved to complete an electrical circuit and trigger a signal to signal processing and control means.  
   
   
       20 . A trampoline according to  claim 18  characterised in that 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.  
   
   
       21 . 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.