FOAM PIT ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A foam pit assembly includes a platform defining a foam pit opening and plurality of platform trampoline openings adjacent thereto. A plurality of platform trampolines extends across the platform trampoline openings. A framework assembly carries the platform and surrounds the foam pit opening defining a lower level thereof below the platform and above an underlying surface. First and second foam pit trampolines connect to the framework assembly and extend across the lower level of the foam pit opening. A wire rope run connects to the framework assembly and extends across the lower level of the foam pit opening, the wire rope run extending between, and connecting to, adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to foam pits, and more particularly, to foam pit assemblies for large scale recreational use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foam pits—in which a pit is filled with soft foam blocks—have been used for some time, particularly as a training tool for sports like gymnastics, but also for purely recreational purposes. The simplest foam pits are simply large boxes (usually rectangular) holding foam blocks. For enhanced safety and performance, some foam pits have been integrated into platforms that hold the bottom surface of the pit above the underlying surface. The bottom surface, rather than being rigid, can be formed with a trampoline. To further add to the fun, one or more trampolines can be incorporated into the top of the platform adjacent to the foam pit. Users can then get a better leap into the foam pit by first jumping off the adjacent trampoline.

For commercial venues, which may host hundreds of jumpers a day, a larger foam pit is desirable. However, increasing the size of the foam pit beyond a certain point—particularly a foam pit with a trampoline bottom—becomes more than a matter of scaling up and/or duplicating existing components. Accordingly, further improvements on existing foam pits are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved foam pit assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a foam pit assembly includes a horizontal platform defining a foam pit opening and a framework assembly supporting the horizontal platform above an underlying surface. The framework assembly surrounds the foam pit opening, and includes a plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members surrounding the foam pit opening at a foam pit bottom level below the horizontal platform and above the underlying surface. A first double run of wire rope extends across the foam pit bottom level and is secured to a first set of opposed rope connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members. First and second foam pit trampolines cover respective, adjacent first and second portions of the foam pit bottom level and are connected to respective first and second sets of trampoline connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members and to respective first and second runs of the first double run of wire rope.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the horizontal platform further defines a first platform trampoline opening adjacent to the foam pit opening, and the framework assembly surrounds the first platform trampoline opening. A first platform trampoline covering the first platform trampoline opening and is secured to the framework assembly therearound. According to further aspects, a third foam pit trampoline covers a third portion of the of the foam pit bottom level adjacent the second portion and is connected to a third set of trampoline connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members and, the second and third trampolines are connected to respective first and second runs of a second double run of wire rope extending therebetween.

These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foam pit assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the foam pit assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the foam pit assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of area 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of area 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the foam pit assembly of FIG. 1, with pads in place; and

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a foam block usable in the foam pit assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a foam pit assembly 10 includes a platform 12 defining a foam pit opening 14 and a plurality of platform trampoline openings 16 adjacent thereto. A framework assembly 20 supports the platform 12 above an underlying surface 22, and surrounds the foam pit opening 14 and trampoline openings 16. Foam pit trampolines 24 (only one shown in FIG. 1 for efficiency of illustration) cover respective portions 26 of a lower level of the foam pit opening 14. Wire rope runs 30 extend between adjacent portions 26 of the foam pit lower level, such that adjacent edges of foam pit trampolines 24 connect to the wire rope runs 30, while non-adjacent edges connect to the framework assembly 20. Advantageously, the wire rope runs 30 are each double runs, with each trampoline 24 being connected to the closer of the two runs. Platform trampolines 32 (one shown) cover each of the platform trampoline openings 16. Foam blocks (see FIG. 7 for an exemplary foam block) fill the foam pit opening 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame assembly 20 includes a plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members 34, which surround a bottom level of the foam pit opening 14 between the platform 12 and the underlying surface 22. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, opposite sides (one shown) of the lower perimeter members 34 form rope connection points 36 for the wire rope runs 30. As discussed above, each wire rope run 30 includes double runs 40. At each connection point 36, the free end of each run 40 is looped under the lower perimeter member 34 and clamped back to the run using a plurality of rope fasteners 42; preferably, saddle clips. In addition to fastening each run 40 back onto itself, the fasteners 42 each span both runs 40, connecting and helping maintain proper spacing between the runs 40 in each double run 30.

The lower perimeter members 34 also form a plurality of connection points 44 for the foam pit trampolines 24. Preferably, the connection points 44 include openings defined in the members 34, to which springs 46 of the trampolines 24 connect. Between adjacent trampolines 24, the springs 46 connect to the rope run 30, and more particularly, to the closer of the two runs 40. Connection points 50 are also defined in the framework assembly 20 surrounding the platform trampoline openings 16. Preferably, the connection points 50 include openings like the connection points 44, to which springs of the platform trampolines 32 connect, in the same manner as the springs 46.

Referring to FIG. 6, the peripheries of the foam pit opening 14 and the trampoline openings 16 are preferably covered by a plurality of foam pads 60. Abutting pads 60 are advantageously connected, for example by hook and loop fasteners, as well as being attached to the members of the platform 12 and/or framework assembly 20 lying thereunder. Also, within the foam pit opening 14, foam pads 60 preferably also overlie the wire rope runs 30 (which pads 60 would normally not be seen underneath the foam blocks filling the opening 14), further increasing the safety of the foam pit assembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, a foam block 70 for use filling the foam pit opening 14 advantageously includes a foam block core 72 covered by a sheath 74. The sheath 74 is preferably made of a woven or non-woven fabric and helps maintain the integrity of the core 72 over the course of repeated foam pit assembly 10 use, and minimizes the release of foam dust and particles resulting from the gradual deterioration of the core 72. This arrangement also allows for block colorations not limited by available colors of foam, as well as changing of foam colors without replacing cores 72, and easier cleaning of blocks 70.

In use, jumpers access the platform 12 via a first staircase 52 and jump from one of the platform trampolines 32 into the foam pit opening 14, where their descent is cushioned by foam blocks and the resilience of the foam pit trampolines 24. After exiting the foam pit opening 14 via on an opposite side of the platform 12, they descend to via second staircase 54.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the use of rope runs 30 between adjacent trampolines 24 allow a large continuous foam pit opening 14 without the need for a prohibitively large, continuous trampoline, which would be very problematic to construct and properly tension. The rope runs 30 are also preferable to rigid framework members extending across the bottom level of the foam pit opening 14.

The foregoing embodiment is provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, as well adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A foam pit assembly comprising: a platform defining a foam pit opening;a framework assembly carrying the platform and surrounding the foam pit opening defining a lower level thereof below the platform and above an underlying surface;a first foam pit trampoline connected to the framework assembly and extending across the lower level of the foam pit opening; anda plurality of foam blocks arranged in the foam pit opening.

2. The foam pit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pads surrounding a periphery of the foam pit opening on the platform.

3. The foam pit assembly of claim 1, wherein the platform further defines a first platform trampoline opening adjacent to the foam pit opening, and the foam pit assembly further comprises a first platform trampoline extending across the first platform trampoline opening.

4. The foam pit assembly of claim 3, wherein the platform further defines a second platform trampoline opening adjacent to the foam pit opening and the first platform trampoline opening, and the foam pit assembly further comprises a second platform trampoline extending across the first platform trampoline opening.

5. The foam pit assembly of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of pads surrounding a periphery of the foam pit opening and the first platform trampoline opening on the platform.

6. The foam pit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second foam pit trampoline connected to the framework assembly and extending across the lower level of the foam pit opening adjacent to the first foam pit trampoline.

7. The foam pit assembly of claim 6, further comprising a wire rope run extending across the lower level of the foam pit opening between adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines, the adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines being connected to the wire rope run.

8. The foam pit assembly of claim 7, wherein the wire rope run includes double runs.

9. The foam pit assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines are each connected to a respective one of the double runs closest thereto.

10. The foam pit assembly of claim 7, wherein opposite ends of the wire rope run are connected to the framework assembly.

11. The foam pit assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of pads surrounding a periphery of the foam pit opening on the platform and also the wire rope run under the plurality of foam blocks.

12. The foam pit assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of foam blocks includes a foam block core covered by a sheath.

13. The foam pit assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first staircase extending between the platform and the underlying surface.

14. The foam pit assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second staircase extending between the platform and the underlying surface, the second staircase extending to an opposite side of the platform than the first staircase.

15. A foam pit assembly comprising: a platform defining a foam pit opening and plurality of platform trampoline openings adjacent thereto;a plurality of platform trampolines extending across the platform trampoline openings;a framework assembly carrying the platform and surrounding the foam pit opening defining a lower level thereof below the platform and above an underlying surface;a first and second foam pit trampolines connected to the framework assembly and extending across the lower level of the foam pit opening; anda wire rope run connected to the framework assembly and extending across the lower level of the foam pit opening, the wire rope run extending between, and connecting to, adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines.

16. The foam pit assembly of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of pads surrounding a periphery of the foam pit opening and the first platform trampoline opening on the platform and also the wire rope run at the lower level of the foam pit opening.

17. The foam pit assembly of claim 15, wherein the wire rope run includes double runs and the adjacent edges of the first and second foam pit trampolines are each connected to a respective one of the double runs closest thereto.

18. The foam pit assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of platform trampoline openings are all adjacent a first side of the foam pit opening.

19. The foam pit assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a first staircase leading to the platform along the first side of the foam pit opening; anda second staircase leading from the platform along a second side of the foam pit opening opposite the first side.

20. The foam pit assembly of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of foam blocks arranged in the foam pit opening.