WO2010030183A1

WO2010030183A1 - Swimming pool, trampoline and assembly of a swimming pool and a trampoline

Info

Publication number: WO2010030183A1
Application number: PCT/NL2009/050547
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renatus Wilhelmus Seraphinus Overhoff
Original assignee: Overhoff Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2008-09-11
Filing date: 2009-09-11
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: NL2001981C

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swimming pool, trampoline and assembly of a swimming pool and a trampoline. The swimming pool is provided with coupling means for coupling a trampoline to the swimming pool at a plurality of coupling positions located a distance from each other. The trampoline comprises a frame, a bounce mat connected resiliently to the frame, and counter-coupling means connected to the frame for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool.

Description

Swimming pool, trampoline and assembly of a swimming pool and a trampoline

The present invention relates to a swimming pool, a trampoline and assembly of a swimming pool and a trampoline.

Swimming pools and trampolines are used both in public locations such as recreation parks and in a domestic setting. Use in a domestic setting in particular is strongly on the increase. Both swimming pools and trampolines can, as desired, be placed on the ground or at least partially in the ground. A drawback of both swimming pools and trampolines is that they take up a considerable amount of space, which limits further growth in their use.

The object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool, a trampoline and an assembly of a swimming pool and a trampoline, whereby use is made of the available space in efficient manner.

The invention provides for this purpose a swimming pool, provided with coupling means for coupling a trampoline to the swimming pool at a plurality of coupling positions located a distance from each other. A trampoline can hereby be coupled/combined with the swimming pool, wherein the trampoline need not extend outside the contours of the swimming pool, or hardly so. The surface area required for a swimming pool can in this way also be utilized for the use of a trampoline. It thus also becomes possible to successively use both a swimming pool and a trampoline in for instance a garden of a limited size. Because a trampoline can be coupled to the swimming pool by means of a plurality of coupling positions located a distance from each other, a stable coupling can be realized and the mechanical load exerted on the individual coupling means remains limited. This renders the swimming pool less susceptible to possible damage and/or breakage, particularly as a result of peak loads. The risk of a sudden breakage of the swimming pool and/or the coupling means is hereby low. Because in addition no parts are required which protrude outside the contours of the trampoline for the purpose of coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool, a trampoline is provided which is safe to use. In a first embodiment the coupling means are provided with support surfaces for supporting a trampoline coupled to the swimming pool such that the load directed toward the bottom is at least partially transmitted by the trampoline to the swimming pool. By making use of coupling means provided with support surfaces the load exerted on the swimming pool by a trampoline coupled to the swimming pool is transmitted in simple manner, and it is possible to opt for a very simple construction which limits the risk of damage to and/or crack formation in the swimming pool. The swimming pool is particularly embodied such that it is adapted to only engage a coupled trampoline in supporting manner. This means that a trampoline is placed only on support surfaces arranged for this purpose. This obviously relates to a construction which is very simply embodied, and coupling and uncoupling of swimming pool and trampoline moreover becomes a very simple operation. Because the swimming pool can guarantee a better support than a random ground surface such as the ground surface in a garden, the trampoline is guaranteed stable support, whereby the danger of the trampoline displacing in undesired manner during use will be very small.

In another advantageous embodiment of the swimming pool the coupling means are connected non-releasably to the swimming pool. This means that the coupling means form an integral part of the swimming pool. This measure ensures that the coupling means will not become detached from the swimming pool, or that there is only a very small chance thereof. Nor is there any risk of the coupling means being partially or completely lost. Peak stresses of a trampoline coupled to the swimming pool can also be transmitted directly into the swimming pool, i.e. without interposing of connecting means for the coupling means with the swimming pool, whereby the construction has great durability. Alternatively, it is also possible for the coupling means to be connected at least partially releasably to the swimming pool. This makes the swimming pool more flexible in use. The coupling means can thus be removed at least partially, and in particular completely, when they are not in use. Non-functioning or damaged coupling means can also be easily replaced.

Yet another variant of the swimming pool is provided with coupling means which are combined with an upper edge of the swimming pool. The form of the swimming pool need not therefore undergo any great modification. It is further advantageous for the coupling means to be combined with at least one of the wall parts of the swimming pool. Owing to this measure the loads can be efficiently transmitted further into the swimming pool via the coupling means and the wall part, and the stresses can be distributed over the wall part. The wall parts can here be locally thickened, wherein the local wall thickness of the wall part is preferably at least 3 centimetres and still more preferably at least 5 centimetres.

In yet another embodiment the distances between adjacent coupling positions are substantially equal. The mechanical load of a trampoline coupled to the swimming pool is hereby transmitted over uniformly distributed positions in the swimming pool, which further reduces the risk of possible crack formation in the swimming pool close to the coupling positions and enhances the stability of the coupling. It can also be envisaged that such a positioning of the coupling means makes the swimming pool user-friendly, since the trampoline can be coupled in different orientations to the swimming pool and need not be placed first in one specific position in order to realize a coupling with the swimming pool. The number of coupling positions can vary, the number of coupling positions can for instance be 4 or 8.

In yet another embodiment of the swimming pool the coupling means comprise recesses, these recesses being opened at the top. This combines a user- friendly method of coupling a trampoline to the swimming pool with not only a vertical limitation of the displaceability of the coupled trampoline but also a locking in lateral direction, whereby the safety in the use of the trampoline also increases. Placing components of the trampoline (in particular legs or coupling rods) into the recesses already suffices to couple the trampoline to the swimming pool. The recesses are particularly arranged in the construction of the swimming pool, preferably at least partially in a wall part close to the upper edge of the swimming pool. It is also possible to arrange the recesses in a separate component and to connect the separate component in supporting manner to the construction of the swimming pool. The component can for instance be a holder arranged outside the contours of the swimming pool and provided with a hole that is opened to the top, the holder being connected to the wall part at different positions for transmitting the mechanical loads uniformly into the wall part at different positions.

Yet another possibility is to provide the coupling means with releasable support members and/or vertically displaceable support members, which support members can be inserted at least partially into the recesses at the coupling positions. It is necessary here to envisage for instance posts/legs which can be placed removably in the swimming pool and with which the trampoline can be engaged. This measure also provides a flexible manner of coupling when the user can select support members of desired length for coupling a trampoline to the swimming pool at a desired height. The support members are particularly posts, for coupling the trampoline in supporting manner to the swimming pool at a pre-desired height. The displaceable support members can for instance be embodied as coupling rods which are displaceable relative to the swimming pool and can be stored in the swimming pool. Such coupling rods may comprise a telescopic construction for bringing the support members to a desired height and coupling the trampoline to the support member at the desired height.

Yet another embodiment variant of the swimming pool comprises first coupling means for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool at a first height and second coupling means for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool at a second height. The user can now easily couple the trampoline to the swimming pool at a standardized desired height, without for instance the coupling means first having to be replaced. The coupling means particularly comprise first holes with a first depth and second holes with a second depth. The first and second holes can be positioned such that a simple displacement, in particular a vertical displacement with a rotation about a vertical axis, relative to first holes of the trampoline is sufficient to couple the trampoline to second holes. By coupling the trampoline to a swimming pool at a relatively low height, for instance in combination with a low water level, the trampoline can be placed in extremely low position relative to the ground surface surrounding the swimming pool. This provided that the swimming pool is recessed for at least a substantial part into the ground. This increases the safety of use of the trampoline.

In yet another embodiment the swimming pool comprises coupling means with a locking for locking a coupling of the swimming pool to a trampoline. This measure ensures that the chance of undesired uncoupling of the trampoline is reduced. Especially during intensive use of the trampoline there is after all a danger, resulting from the movement of the trampoline relative to the swimming pool, of the two detaching from each other. The swimming pool can have any desired form. The swimming pool can for instance be given a rectangular form. In an advantageous embodiment variant the swimming pool has a circular cross-section. If a trampoline that is likewise substantially circular is now coupled to the swimming pool, a very good support of the trampoline can be realized, since the distance of the user of such a trampoline from the contour of the circular swimming pool, and thereby from the contour of the corresponding trampoline, is on average the greatest.

The swimming pool can be manufactured from different materials. In particular the swimming pool is at least partially manufactured from a material selected from the group comprising polyester, metal and concrete. These materials are not only cheap, but can also be shaped very easily and are strong. The swimming pool is preferably fibre- reinforced, particularly in the case of a polyester or concrete swimming pool. The fibres can readily absorb the peak stresses, particularly for the purpose of transmitting high peak loads. The fibres are selected particularly from the group comprising glass fibres, carbon fibres, aramid fibres and metal fibres. Such fibres provide flexibility during production of the swimming pool and are durable. It is particularly advantageous for the swimming pool to be fibre-reinforced close to the coupling means. If the coupling means comprise holes, bushes, desirably bushes manufactured from metal, can be placed in the holes in order to absorb and uniformly transmit the mechanical load.

The invention also provides a trampoline, comprising a frame, a bounce mat connected resiliently to the frame, and counter-coupling means connected to the frame for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool according to the present invention. Such a trampoline can be coupled rapidly and in user-friendly manner to the swimming pool. By being coupled to the swimming pool the trampoline does not take up a separate space in the vicinity of the swimming pool. The bounce mat is preferably connected to the frame via a plurality of resilient elements. The trampoline can also be provided with a net extending substantially vertically and surrounding the trampoline, this increasing the safety of use of the trampoline.

In a advantageous embodiment the counter-coupling means are connected non- releasably to the trampoline. This measure ensures that the counter-coupling means cannot be lost and also makes coupling of the trampoline simple. Non-releasable counter-coupling means also ensure that peak stresses in the trampoline coupled to the swimming pool are directly transmitted from the trampoline into the counter-coupling means, i.e. not via connecting means for the counter-coupling means to the trampoline, thereby increasing the durability of the trampoline. It is also possible to connect the counter-coupling means releasably to the trampoline. This makes the trampoline more flexible in use. The counter-coupling means can thus be removed at least partially, and in particular wholly, when they are not in use. Non-functioning or damaged coupling means can also be easily replaced.

The trampoline can have any desired form. It is however advantageous if the form of the frame of the trampoline substantially corresponds to an upper edge of the swimming pool. Owing to this measure the trampoline can be coupled to the swimming pool, wherein the trampoline coupled to the swimming pool takes up no more space, or hardly so, than the space occupied by the swimming pool.

The frame particularly comprises a substantially circular bounce mat holder. Such a bounce mat holder decreases the risk of a user falling off the trampoline, since the distance of the user of such a trampoline from the contour of the bounce mat holder is on average the greatest.

The invention further provides an assembly of a swimming pool according to the invention and a trampoline according to the invention coupled to the swimming pool. Such an assembly provides the advantages as already described above with reference to the swimming pool and the trampoline according to the present invention. For the advantages of the assembly reference is therefore made to the advantages of the swimming pool and the trampoline already described above.

In an advantageous embodiment of the assembly of the swimming pool and the trampoline, the trampoline is dϊsplaceable, in a situation coupled to the swimming pool, between a position connecting to the swimming pool and covering the swimming pool, and a trampoline position in which the bounce mat is situated at a greater distance from the swimming pool. The position of a coupled trampoline can thus be changed in vertical direction. The trampoline can hereby be used as a cover, for screening the the swimming pool against fouling such as leaves, rainwater and so on, and also as a trampoline. In order to actually use the trampoline as trampoline, the trampoline need only be placed higher above the swimming pool. Alternatively, it is also possible to opt for adapting the water level of the swimming pool; by lowering the water level space can be created under the trampoline which makes use of the trampoline possible.

The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Identical components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. Herein:

figure 1 : shows a schematic perspective view op a swimming pool according to the invention, figure 2: shows a cross-section along A-A of the swimming pool of figure 1, figure 3: shows a cross-section along B-B of the swimming pool of figure 1, figure 4: shows a schematic perspective view on a trampoline according to the invention, figure 5: shows a schematic perspective view of the trampoline of figure 4 coupled at four positions to the swimming pool of figure 1 , figure 6: shows a schematic perspective view of a trampoline according to the invention coupled at eight positions to the swimming pool according to the invention, and figure 7: shows a cross-section along the line C-C of the trampoline of figure 3 coupled to the swimming pool of figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a swimming pool, designated in its entirety with 1. Swimming pool 1 comprises a bottom 3 and a wall part 2, which wall part 2 wholly encloses the swimming pool in peripheral direction. Wall part 2 comprises a thickened portion 5 close to an upper edge 4. Arranged in thickened portion 5 are first holes 6 with an upward facing opening, which holes 6 have a first depth. Arranged adjacently of first holes 6 on first sides of first holes 6 are second holes 7 with a second depth, wherein second holes 7 are deeper than first holes 6 (see also figure 2). Arranged adjacently of second holes 7 on first sides of second holes 7 are third holes 8 with a third depth, wherein third holes 8 are deeper than second holes 7 (see also figure 2). Swimming pool 1 is partially filled with water 9. Swimming pool 1 is manufactured from polyester resin, wherein glass fibres are added to the polyester resin. Figure 2 shows a cross-section along line A-A of figure 1. This figure clearly shows the cross-section of first holes 6, second holes 7 and third holes 8. First holes 6, second holes 7 and third holes 8 have a depth of respectively dl , d2, d3, wherein it is the case that d3>d2>dl . Holes 6, 7, 8 all have an equal diameter D. Lower edge 10 of thickened portion 5 is shown as a broken line.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section along line B-B of figure 1. This figure shows the cross- section of third holes 8, with depth d3.

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a trampoline, designated in its entirety with 20. Trampoline 20 comprises a frame 21 provided with a circular bounce mat holder 22 manufactured from metal and a plurality of legs 23 manufactured from metal and connected non-releasably to bounce mat-holder 22. A bounce mat 25 is also connected to bounce mat holder 22 via springs 24 manufactured from steel. Posts 23 have a diameter which is slightly smaller that the diameter D of holes 6, 7, 8 as shown in the foregoing figures, so that posts 23 can be received by holes 6, 7, 8.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of trampoline 20 of figure 4 coupled to swimming pool 1 of figure 1. Swimming pool 1 is located in an opening (not shown) arranged in a ground surface 30 of a garden. Thickened portion 5 here extends partially above ground surface 30. The four posts 23 of trampoline 20 extend to the bottom (not shown here) of the four third holes 8. Because the depth d3 of third holes 8 is greater than respectively the depth dl and d2 of first holes 6 and second holes 7, third holes 8 provide the lowest position at which trampoline 20 can be coupled to swimming pool 1. Because swimming pool 1 lies substantially in the opening arranged in ground surface 30, wherein the water level is substantially lower than upper edge 4 of swimming pool 1, the trampoline can be placed close to, i.e. at a short distance from, the ground. This increases safety during use of the trampoline.

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view similar to figure 5 of trampoline 20 coupled to swimming pool 1. Trampoline 20 is here coupled at eight positions to swimming pool 1. The eight posts 23 of trampoline 20 extend to the bottom (not shown here) of the eight third holes 8 of swimming pool 1. When trampoline 20 is now displaced upward so that posts 23 are wholly removed from third holes 8, trampoline 20 can be rotated such that posts 23 are for instance situated above first holes 6. When trampoline 20 is subsequently moved downward, posts 23 will make contact with the bottoms (not shown) of first holes 6. Since first holes 6 are less deep than third holes 8, trampoline 20 will extend higher above swimming pool 1 when posts 23 of trampoline 20 are situated in first holes 6 than when posts 23 of trampoline 20 are situated in third holes 8. In this position (i.e. with posts 23 in first holes 6) trampoline 20 can be used as trampoline, even when there is a large amount of water in swimming pool 1.

Figure 7 shows a cross-section along the line C-C of trampoline 20 of figures 4 and 5 coupled to swimming pool 1 of figure 1, wherein swimming pool 1 lies substantially in an opening arranged in the ground 30. Posts 23 here extend to the bottom of third holes 8. Posts 23 have a length here such that the bounce mat holder 22 extends above upper edge 4 of swimming pool 1. In this situation trampoline 20 is suitable as a cover for screening swimming pool 1 against fouling.

Claims

1. Swimming pool, provided with coupling means for coupling a trampoline to the swimming pool at a plurality of coupling positions located a distance from each other.

2. Swimming pool as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the coupling means are provided with support surfaces for supporting a trampoline coupled to the swimming pool such that the load directed toward the bottom is at least partially transmitted by the trampoline to the swimming pool.

3. Swimming pool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling means are connected non-releasably to the swimming pool.

4. Swimming pool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling means are connected in at least partially releasable manner to the swimming pool.

5. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means are combined with at least one of the wall parts of the swimming pool.

6. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the distances between adjacent coupling positions are substantially equal.

7. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means comprise recesses, these recesses being opened at the top.

8. Swimming pool as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the coupling means are provided with releasable support members, which support members can be inserted at least partially into the recesses at the coupling positions.

9. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means comprise vertically displaceable support members.

10. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the swimming pool comprises first coupling means for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool at a first height, and comprises second coupling means for coupling the trampoline to the swimming pool at a second height.

11. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the coupling means comprise a locking for locking a coupling of the swimming pool to a trampoline.

12. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the swimming pool has a substantially circular cross-section.

13. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the swimming pool is at least partially manufactured from a material selected from the group comprising polyester, metal, concrete.

14. Swimming pool as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the swimming pool is fibre-reinforced.

15. Trampoline, comprising: a frame, a bounce mat connected resiliently to the frame, and counter-coupling means connected to the frame for coupling the trampoline to a swimming pool as claimed in any of the claims 1-14.

16. Trampoline as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the counter-coupling means are connected non-releasably to the trampoline.

17. Trampoline as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the counter-coupling means are connected releasably to the trampoline.

18. Trampoline as claimed in any of the claims 15-17, characterized in that the form of the frame substantially corresponds to the form of an upper edge of the swimming pool.

19. Trampoline as claimed in any of the claims 15-18, characterized in that the frame comprises a substantially circular bounce mat holder.

20. Assembly of a swimming pool as claimed in any of the claims 1-14 and a trampoline as claimed in any of the claims 15-19 coupled to the swimming pool.

21. Assembly as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that in a situation coupled to the swimming pool the trampoline is displaceable between a position connecting to the swimming pool and covering the swimming pool, and a trampoline position in which the bounce mat is situated at a greater distance from the swimming pool.