UC ingenuity scoops American award
Published by Communications and Development
4 February 2010
An innovative trampoline designed by a University of Canterbury mechanical engineer to win his wife over is now winning over the American public.
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| Associate Professor Keith Alexander and daughter Kate go for a bounce on a Springfree trampoline. |
The Springfree Trampoline has been voted top children’s product by 100,000 American families, winning the “Children’s Product of the Year” category in the Product of the Year Awards announced in New York last night. The Product of the Year is the largest consumer product survey in the United States.
Associate Professor Keith Alexander, UC’s Deputy Head of Mechanical Engineering, came up with the innovative design to allay his wife’s fear that trampolines were too dangerous for his then two-year-old daughter.
The trampoline has no steel frame on the mat edge, eliminating the need for safety pads. The traditional trampoline springs have been replaced with composite fibreglass rods specially developed by a New Zealand company for this type of application.
The trampoline was commercialised through Canterprise and the intellectual property was later bought by Springfree. The trampoline has been on sale in New Zealand since 2003 and available in the US since 2007.
Professor Alexander said he was delighted the trampoline had gained recognition in the US and said the success was the result of many years of hard work and commitment by the team both at the University and at Springfree.
“Starting with the idea and a vision is only one part. Finding the right people to work with is another, and Canterprise was involved here. Getting it manufactured and into the market is another huge part. Creating a winning profile requires different skills again. Congratulations go to all members of the team,” he said.
With more than 100,000 trampolines now sold worldwide, Professor Alexander said he was amazed at the success of the product built and tested in his backyard.
“At the time I remember thinking we might be able to sell 30 or 40 trampolines a year on the New Zealand market.
“The injury research made it clear that to reduce injury we had to design a system with no springs or metal frame. I’m delighted that there is now a safer trampoline out there that means more children will be able to test their limits without ending up in hospital.”
For further information please contact:
Associate Professor Keith Alexander
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Canterbury
Phone: +64 3 364 2987 ext 7385
Email: keith.alexander@canterbury.ac.nz