ROD HOLDER FOR TRAMPOLINES

Description

The invention relates to a rod holder for trampolines, having a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion which is connected to the first sleeve portion with variable spacing and which forms therewith a receptacle for a circumferential trampoline frame which extends in the axial direction of the receptacle and which has a circular cross section, wherein in order to form the receptacle the first sleeve portion has a first partial receptacle and the second sleeve portion has a second partial receptacle.

The trampolines are in particular fitness trampolines which compared with larger trampolines, such as, for example, garden trampolines, are suitable for only one person. Such trampolines have a circumferential frame and a jumping sheet which is tensioned by means of resilient elements within the frame. The resilient elements are, for example, metal helical springs or rubber resilient cable portions, in particular cable rings.

Generic rod holders serve to receive a rod which can act as a holding rod for the user of the trampoline. The user holds the rod securely with his/her hands, whilst he/she carries out jumping exercises. Often, the rods are T-shaped and are therefore also referred to as “T-bars”.

DE 10 2016 103 072 A1 discloses a rod holder which is securely connected to the frame of a trampoline. It has an opening in which the holding rod is received so as to be able to be adjusted in terms of height. The holding rod is fixed in the opening by an inner piece which is arranged in a housing being moved relative to the housing and the holding rod thereby being clamped. Since the rod holder is welded to the frame, it is very stable.

In contrast, the invention is based on retrofittable rod holders. These may be subsequently fitted to existing trampolines. The user can thus decide whether he/she would like to use the trampoline without holding rods. The trampoline can then be used without any rod holder. If it is desirable to use the trampoline with a holding rod, the rod holder can be secured to the trampoline.

DE 10 2015 116 961 A1 discloses a rod holder which is releasably connected to the trampoline. The known rod holder can be retrofitted. To this end, the known rod holder has a first and a second sleeve portion which engage around the circumferential trampoline frame.

Retrofittable rod holders must perform two functions. Firstly, a stable fixing to the trampoline must be ensured. This is also particularly important since during use significant lever forces act on the rod holder.

With the rod holder according to the above-mentioned publication DE 10 2015 116 961 A1, a stable fixing on the trampoline is ensured in that the two sleeve portions engage not only around the circumferential trampoline frame, but also around a leg of the trampoline. The rod holder thereby cannot rotate about the circumferential frame, even in the event of significant lever forces.

DE 10 2019 125 210 A1 discloses a rod holder in which a rotation prevention means is provided in that it is exclusively fixed to the leg of the trampoline.

DE 20 2017 100 605 U1 discloses a trampoline having a trampoline frame which has an angular cross section. Two sleeve portions engage around the trampoline frame. As a result of the angular cross section, the holding rod is secured to prevent rotation about the frame.

The second requirement placed on a retrofittable holding rod is for the holding rod to be securely fixed in the rod holder. Otherwise, there is the risk that the holding rod may become released and, as a result of gravitational force, moving downward or—if the user pulls the holding rod upward—moving upward. The latter constitutes a specific risk if the holding rod moves out of the rod holder completely during exercises.

An object of the invention is to provide a retrofittable rod holder which provides good retention on the trampoline. In particular, the rod holder should, even with trampoline frames with a circular (round) cross section, also provide good retention against rotation with respect to the trampoline frame.

In order to achieve this object, the rod holder mentioned in the introduction is characterized according to the invention in that the first partial receptacle is configured to be curved in the axial direction.

The invention is based on the recognition that the difference between a rectilinear receptacle and a receptacle which advantageously has a curvature of the circumferential trampoline frame is quite considerable. Tests have shown that a rod holder having a rectilinear receptacle, that is to say, a receptacle without any curvature in the axial extent direction, in spite of a considerable pretensioning is not capable of absorbing significant lever forces of the holding rod. An additional positive-locking connection between the rod holder and the frame by means of a screw also did not provide satisfactory results. The desired stability in order to avoid a rotation of the rod holder relative to the trampoline frame was achieved in the prior art as described in the introduction exclusively by the connection of the rod holder to at least one leg of the trampoline.

It has surprisingly been found that the curvature of the first partial receptacle in the axial direction results in such a considerable torsional strength that, even in the event of significant lever forces acting on a rod received in the rod holder, the rod holder is securely located in the trampoline frame. This is also astonishing in that, for example, with a trampoline having a diameter of 120 cm, the curvature can hardly be determined with the naked eye and is only a few tenths of a millimeter.

The basic concept of the invention is thus to form at least the first sleeve portion with a curvature which corresponds to the curvature of the circumferential trampoline frame in its axial direction for which the rod holder is intended. Since there are trampolines with different diameters, the rod holder is advantageously adapted to the respective diameter. An—as known from the prior art—additional support on a trampoline leg is not required. The curvature alone is sufficient to ensure secure retention of the rod holder even with a great loading.

According to the invention, at least the first partial receptacle is configured to be curved in the axial direction. In this instance, this is the axial extent direction of the trampoline frame which is intended to be received or has been received. The trampoline frame according to the invention has a round cross section. This cross section is located perpendicularly to the axial extent of the circumferential trampoline frame.

Considerable clamping forces can already be achieved by only the first partial receptacle having a curvature in an axial direction. Preferably, the second partial receptacle is also configured to be curved in the axial direction. The clamping force can thereby be increased again. The curvature of the first and the curvature of the second partial receptacle advantageously correspond.

In the context of the invention, the first partial receptacle and/or the second partial receptacle may be configured to be curved in the axial direction.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, with a correct orientation of the rod holder, the first sleeve portion is arranged above the second sleeve portion or vice versa. In the operating state of the rod holder (in which a received holding rod extends vertically), a horizontal dividing plane is thus advantageously produced. This has, on the one hand, advantages in securing the rod holder to the trampoline frame. On the other hand, production-related technical advantages are also afforded. With a mounted rod holder, a rod which is inserted will preferably extend perpendicularly to the horizontal dividing plane.

Preferably, the first sleeve portion is screwed to the second sleeve portion, wherein at least one first screw is arranged at one side of the receptacle and at least one second screw is arranged at the other side of the receptacle. As a result of the fact that at least one screw is arranged at each side of the receptacle, high clamping forces can be provided. It is considered to be advantageous for two first screws to be arranged at one side of the receptacle and for two second screws to be arranged at the other side of the receptacle. Not only is it thereby possible to provide considerable clamping forces. As a result of two screws at each side, a particularly compact construction of the rod holder according to the invention is also possible, as will be explained in greater detail below.

In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the extent direction of the at least first screw and the at least second screw with a correct orientation of the rod holder extends vertically. The correct orientation of the rod holder is such that the rod holder with a vertical trampoline with a horizontal jumping mat extends vertically. As already mentioned above, with the correct orientation the received rod extends at least vertically in the lower portion thereof. The rod may be in the form of a holding rod and has a horizontal handle. The vertical arrangement of the first screw(s) and the second screw(s) allows (with a vertical trampoline in the operating position thereof) a particularly user-friendly securing of the rod holder.

In a development of the invention, it is proposed that the first sleeve portion have an opening for retaining a rod. The opening serves to receive the rod and extends vertically in the case of a mounted trampoline. Preferably, the opening has an opening axis which extends in the direction of a holding rod which is intended to be received or has been received. The opening axis advantageously extends perpendicularly to the dividing plane mentioned above.

The curvature of the first and/or the second partial receptacle preferably extends around the opening. It advantageously forms a curvature plane which corresponds to the plane in which a circumferential trampoline frame which is received in the receptacle extends.

In addition to a secure fit of the rod holder even with relatively high loads, a secure and durable receiving of the rod in the rod holder is also of great significance. The rod must not move during use or even slide out of the rod holder. In this context, it is advantageously proposed that the rod holder have a stop for the rod and a pulling piece for pulling a rod which has been inserted into the opening in the direction toward the stop. When the pulling piece is activated, the rod inserted is pressed onto the stop. Preferably, the pulling piece has to this end a second opening in which the rod can be inserted.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop is arranged in an extent direction of the rod between the opening and the pulling piece. The latter can advantageously be moved relative to the opening. If the rod is inserted and the pulling piece is activated, the rod is pressed counter to the stop and thereby tensioned.

A structurally compact construction is achieved by the stop being formed by the second sleeve portion. Alternatively or additionally, the second sleeve portion forms a sliding face for the pulling piece on which the pulling piece slides when it is activated. The sliding face advantageously forms a rotation prevention means for the pulling piece.

Preferably, the pulling piece can be moved relative to the second sleeve portion.

In an advantageous embodiment, the pulling piece covers the at least one second screw in the assembly state. The pulling piece is thus—depending on the orientation of the rod holder in the operating state—arranged above or below the at least one second screw. On the one hand, this affords optical advantages since the first screw(s) cannot be seen. On the other hand, such a construction allows a particularly compact construction. This applies particularly when the second sleeve portion—as mentioned above—provides a sliding face for the pulling piece and/or a stop for the rod, as is considered to be advantageous.

The compact construction has already been discussed several times above and according to the invention is capable, in spite of a relatively small contact face with respect to the frame, of fixing the rod holder securely on the frame of the trampoline. In a development of the invention, it is proposed that the opening is configured to receive a rod with an angular cross section in a rotationally secure manner and, when the rod is inserted and fixed in the opening, for two opposing corners of the rod to be located on a radial axis of the trampoline. This rod position is in the context of the invention also understood to be a radial orientation. In addition, there may be provision for the stop to form a notch which when the rod holder is mounted rests on a radial axis. The radial orientation of the rod—and consequently the opening—allows the rod holder, in the front region thereof which faces inward in the mounted state, to have a tapering form. In particular, there may be provision for the rod holder to have tapering outer walls which delimit the opening. In addition, the pulling piece may also have tapering outer walls which delimit the second opening.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment in connection with the appended drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a trampoline having a rod holder according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an enlarged cut-out of the trampoline according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a plan view of an enlarged cut-out of the trampoline according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a view of the first sleeve portion from below;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the rod holder according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the rod holder in the assembled state;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of the rod holder;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a view of the rod holder from below;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of the rod holder with a loosely inserted rod; and

FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a side view of the rod holder with a fixed rod.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a trampoline 1 having a rod holder 2 according to the invention in which a rod 3 is inserted and fixed. The rod 3 may be in the form of a holding rod. It may also be configured without handles and, for example, have a holding apparatus for tablet computers or another device.

The trampoline 1 has a circumferential frame 4 and a jumping mat 5 which is tensioned on the frame 4 by means of resilient cable portions. In this instance, the cable portions are in the form of cable rings 6 which are suspended in hooks 7 secured to the jumping mat 5. Such a tensioning of the jumping mat is known from the prior art. The invention is not limited to this.

From the circumferential frame 4 there protrude legs 8 which keep the frame 4 at a distance from the base on which the trampoline 1 is mounted. The legs 8 may be welded to the frame 4. They are then rigid. They may also be in the form of folding legs which are folded in the direction toward the frame 4 in order to transport the trampoline 1 and to store it in a space-saving manner.

The frame 4 has a round basic shape. Such frames are also referred to as round frames. The frame 4 has a circular cross section. The invention is in particular directed toward this. The frame 4 is preferably formed by a pipe. Such a construction is known.

The rod holder according to the invention has a first sleeve portion 9 and a second sleeve portion 10. The two sleeve portions 9, 10 engage around the frame 4 and consequently fix the rod holder 2 to the frame 4.

The first sleeve portion 9 has an opening 11 through which the rod 3 is inserted. The opening 11 preferably has a substantially square cross section and may have rounded corners. The rod 3 preferably has a substantially square cross section and may have rounded corners.

In order to fix the rod 3 in the rod holder 2, the rod holder 2 has an activation device 13 which in this instance comprises a lever 14. In place of the lever 14, a hand screw or the like may also be provided. By rotating the activation device 13, the rod 3 is fixed, as will be set out in greater detail below. Preferably, the activation device 13 engages through the second sleeve portion 10.

Reference will be made below to FIG. 3, which shows a plan view of the rod holder according to the invention. The opening 11 preferably has two corners 15 which in the plan view of the rod holder 2 in the mounted state are on a radial axis 16 of the trampoline. With round trampolines having a round frame, the radial axis extends from the center of the round frame. Additionally or alternatively, the rod has two corners 17 which in the inserted state in the plan view are located on the radial axis 16. For greater clarity, the rod is illustrated only with broken lines in FIG. 3.

It can further also be seen in FIG. 3 that the rod holder 2 has two side walls 18 which in the plan view taper toward the rod holder 2. Not only does the tapering have aesthetic advantages, it also reduces a friction of the cable rings 6 on the rod holder 2. This applies particularly when the cable rings 6 merge in the direction toward the center of the trampoline 1, as is the case with some known clampings of the jumping sheet 5. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the side walls 18 taper in the plan view toward the rod holder 2 at a 90° angle. Advantageously, the end 19 of the rod holder 2 rests in the plan view on the radial axis 16.

If, in the context of the present description, a plan view is mentioned, it is a plan view of the rod holder 2 in the mounted orientation thereof with a vertical trampoline. In this instance, it should be taken into account that the rod holder depending on the configuration can be mounted in such a manner that either the first sleeve portion 9 or the second sleeve portion 10 is arranged at the top.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the first sleeve portion 9 from below. The first sleeve portion 9 has a first partial receptacle 20 by means of which the first sleeve portion 9 in the mounted state engages around the trampoline frame 4 which is only indicated in FIG. 4. The frame 4 of the trampoline 1 is configured in a round manner and extends in the axial direction of the receptacle, as indicated by the receiving axis 21. According to the invention, the first partial receptacle 20 is configured to be curved in the axial direction. The curvature advantageously corresponds to the curvature of the trampoline frame 4 of the trampoline for which the rod holder is intended. In this instance, standard dimensions have become commercially established, such as, for example, 100 cm, 112 cm or 125 cm.

Preferably, the curvature extends around the opening 11. This is advantageous in that the rod 3 can then be mounted inside the trampoline frame 4 (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2), as is also considered to be advantageous. In this instance, as a result of the closer position of the rod 3 to the jumping mat 5, smaller lever forces occur during use. Furthermore, the overall construction is more compact and does not protrude to such an extent from the trampoline frame 4, which reduces the risk of injury.

As can further be clearly seen in FIG. 4, the first sleeve portion 9 has four threads 22 for two first screws 23 and two second screws 24 (see FIG. 5), by means of which the two sleeve portions 9, 10 are releasably connected. It should be noted at this point that a high clamping force can already be provided when only a first screw 23 and a second screw 24 are used, wherein in the mounted state preferably at least a first screw 23 is arranged at one side of the partial receptacle 20 and at least a second screw 24 is arranged at the other side of the partial receptacle 20. However, the present illustration also shows that two first screws 23 and two second screws 24 are particularly advantageous in technical spatial terms. Between the screws 23, 24 or the associated threads 22 there is space for the opening 11 which extends with a corner 15 between two threads 22.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded illustration of the rod holder 2 according to the invention. As already described in connection with FIG. 4, the first sleeve portion 9 and the second sleeve portion 10 are screwed by means of the screws 23, 24. The first sleeve portion 9 has the first partial receptacle 20 and the second sleeve portion 10 has a second partial receptacle 25. The first partial receptacle 20 and the second partial receptacle 25 form a receptacle 26 for the trampoline frame, as can be seen in FIG. 6. For clamping, the first and the second sleeve portion 9, 10 can be moved relative to each other so that a trampoline frame 4 can be clamped between them.

A pulling piece which can be activated by means of the activation device 13 is designated 27. To this end, the activation device 13 has a threaded rod 28 which cooperates with a thread 29 of the pulling piece 27. By rotating the activation device 13, the pulling piece 27 can be pulled in the direction toward the second sleeve portion 10. The lever 14 allows a high torque. Alternatively, for example, a hand screw is possible.

Preferably, the activation device 13 extends through the second sleeve portion 10. To this end, a through-opening 30 is preferably formed in the second sleeve portion 10. Advantageously in technical spatial terms, the activation device 13 extends through between the first screws 23 and/or the second screws 24.

Advantageously, the second sleeve portion forms a sliding face 31 for the pulling piece 27 on which the pulling piece 27 can slide (see also FIG. 8).

As can further be seen in FIG. 5, the second sleeve portion 10 further has a stop 32 which is preferably in the form of a notch. When fixing the holding rod 3 in the rod holder, the holding rod 3 is supported on the stop 32, as will be explained in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10.

Furthermore, the pulling piece 27 advantageously has a second opening 33 through which the rod 3 can engage. The opening 33 allows the rod 3 to be able to be pulled in the direction toward the stop 32.

Preferably, the pulling piece 27 has outer walls 34 which merge together. The advantage was described in connection with the side walls 18 which are also advantageously in the form of outer walls.

FIG. 6 shows the rod holder 2 in the assembled state. This Figure shows that the openings 11 and 33 in the assembled state of the rod holder 2 are advantageously in alignment so that a rod 3 can be inserted through in order to be fixed.

The pulling piece 27 can preferably be moved relative to the second sleeve portion 10. Advantageously, the pulling piece 27 is movably guided on the second sleeve portion 10.

In an advantageous embodiment, the openings 11 and 33 can be moved relative to each other. An inserted rod 3 can thereby be tensioned.

FIG. 7 shows the rod holder 2 as a side view. The first sleeve portion 9 and the second sleeve portion 10 form the receptacle 26. The rod holder 2 is—as shown—in the state in which an upright trampoline which is secured to a frame 4 is orientated in such a manner that a horizontal dividing plane 35 is produced between the first sleeve portion 9 and the second sleeve portion 10. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 7 that the activation device 13 engages with the threaded rod 28 thereof through the second sleeve portion 10 and is in threaded engagement with the pulling piece 27. To this end, the threaded rod 28 advantageously has an outer thread at least at the free end thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the rod holder 2 from below. In this view, the screws 23 are illustrated with broken lines since they are concealed by the pulling piece 27 in the assembled state, as considered to be advantageous.

The threaded rod 28 of the activation device 13 has a rotation axis 36 on which at least one corner 15 of the opening 11 (see FIG. 3) and/or at least one corner 37 of the pulling piece 27 are advantageously located. A targeted clamping force can thereby be applied.

Reference will be made below to FIGS. 9 and 10 which show a schematic section through the rod holder 2.

In FIG. 9, the rod holder 2 is located in a position in which the openings 11 and 33 are in alignment in such a manner that a rod 3 can be inserted through both openings. In order to lock the holding rod 3 in the rod holder 2, the activation device 13 is activated. The pulling piece 27 thereby moves relative to the second sleeve portion 10 and presses the rod 3 against the stop 32, as shown in FIG. 10. Advantageously, the stop 32 is arranged in the side view of the rod holder 2 between the two openings 11, 33. The situation in FIG. 10 is illustrated to an exaggerated scale for better understanding in order to show that the rod 3 bears on the stop 32. In reality, the holding rod 3 is orientated approximately vertically in the fixed state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• • 1 Trampoline
  • 2 Rod holder
  • 3 Rod
  • 4 Trampoline frame
  • 5 Jumping mat
  • 6 Cable ring
  • 7 Hook
  • 8 Leg
  • 9 First sleeve portion
  • 10 Second sleeve portion
  • 11 Opening
  • 12 ./.
  • 13 Activation device
  • 14 Lever
  • 15 Corner
  • 16 Radial axis
  • 17 Corner
  • 18 Side wall
  • 19 End
  • 20 First partial receptacle
  • 21 Receiving axis
  • 22 Thread
  • 23 First screw
  • 24 Second screw
  • 25 Second partial receptacle
  • 26 Receptacle
  • 27 Pulling piece
  • 28 Threaded rod
  • 29 Thread
  • 30 Through-opening
  • 31 Sliding face
  • 32 Stop
  • 33 Second opening
  • 34 Outer wall
  • 35 Dividing plane
  • 36 Rotation axis
  • 37 Corner