The present invention pertains to an improved trampoline.
Currently, trampolines have either a rectangular or round shape. Rectangular trampolines include rectangular beds that are supported by rectangular frames having four sides. In contrast, round trampolines include round beds that are supported by round frames.
Rectangular trampolines historically were found to be more appropriate for acrobatic and competitive use because the rectangular bed provides better orientation for the users and provides better jumping characteristics. However, the rectangular frames used in rectangular trampolines need to be relatively thick to inhibit bending of the sides and normally require at least some structural supports that extend between the sides to inhibit bending of the sides. These structural supports are typically positioned directly below the bed of the trampoline. As a result, the frame is quite heavy and the bed of a rectangular trampoline needs to be raised higher above a support surface, i.e. the ground or a floor, to accommodate the structural supports. Moreover, in order to obtain the required structural rigidity of the rectangular frame, each of the sides is typically made as a thick, heavy, unitary structure. This increases the cost to manufacture, pack and ship the components of a rectangular-framed trampoline. Additionally, rectangular frames are typically not as stable as round frames, which can tend to be less conducive to sway or wobble.
In contrast, because of the curved shape, the round frame of the round trampoline does not have to be as thick and heavy. Further, the round frame can be made in a plurality of individual curved segments. As a result thereof, the cost to manufacture, pack and ship the components of a round trampoline is typically much less than that of a rectangular trampoline. Unfortunately, round trampolines are also not considered to be entirely satisfactory. Round trampolines can tend to cause a participant to lose orientation because there are no reference points for the user to ascertain his or her bearings, as there are when using a rectangular trampoline. Further, many competitors do not like the jumping characteristics of the round bed of the round trampoline.
In view of the above, a need exists to provide a trampoline that allows a user to maintain sufficient orientation without a decrease in stability of the frame. A further need exists to provide a trampoline that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance which is simplistic in design, is easy to assemble, relatively simple and economical to manufacture, and which includes a framework having a relatively sturdy superstructure, without compromising user orientation during trampolining.
A trampoline in accordance with the present invention includes a base frame having a substantially non-rectangular perimeter region, a bed suspension assembly and a bed. The bed is coupled to the base frame with the bed suspension assembly. The trampoline provided herein can include a partially or entirely curved base frame that supports a substantially rectangular bed or a bed having a first pair of substantially parallel sides. With this design, in one embodiment, the trampoline combines the structural benefits of a substantially round frame while also providing the jumping characteristics and orientation to the user of a rectangular bed, or a bed having at least one pair of parallel sides. As used herein, a “round” trampoline frame can include circular, oval or otherwise curved frames. In one embodiment, the bed includes a second pair of substantially parallel sides. In an alternative embodiment, the bed includes a second pair of sides that are arc-shaped. Additionally, the perimeter region of the base frame is substantially non-rectangular. For example, the perimeter region can be substantially oval-shaped or circular-shaped.
The trampoline can also include a first side section and a first side suspension that couples the first side section to the base frame. In one embodiment, the first side section includes a first inner side that is substantially linear and a first outer side that is substantially arc-shaped. The trampoline can also include a second side section and a second side suspension that couples the second side section to the base frame. In this embodiment, the second side section can have a second inner side that is substantially linear and a second outer side that is substantially arc-shaped. Further, the bed can be positioned substantially between the first side section and the second side section.
In another embodiment, the first side suspension includes a plurality of resilient members that support the first side section. The second side suspension includes a plurality of resilient members that support the second side section. Additionally, the trampoline can include a first end section and a first end suspension that couples the first end section to the base frame. The trampoline can also include a second end section and a second end suspension that couples the second end section to the base frame. In one embodiment, the end sections each have inner sides that are substantially linear and outer sides that are substantially arc-shaped.
The trampolines described herein have one or more of the following advantages: the substantially round base frame eliminates the need for a standard rectangular base frame that is positioned at least partially under the bed, and thus can result in lowering the bed closer to the support surface. The base frame provided herein can make use of existing modular economic features of the round base frame in fabricating, storing, assembling and/or shipping. The trampoline can result in taking up approximately the same amount of space as a conventional round trampoline. The rectangular bed has many or all of the same performance advantages of a conventional, rectangular bed on a rectangular base frame. One or more of the trampolines described herein provide substantially flat side and end sections between the perimeter region and the interior region of the base frame, which allow participants to get on and off the trampoline bed more efficiently and easily. These sections are conducive to standing, coaching, spotting and/or controlling accessibility to the bed of the trampoline. Moreover, the trampoline, when equipped with one or more backstops, forms a spaceball court.
The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a trampoline.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
The design of the bed 12 can vary depending upon the design requirements of the trampoline 10 and the base frame 14. In the embodiment illustrated in
The design of the base frame 14 can be varied to suit the design requirements of the trampoline 10, the bed 12 and/or the bed suspension assembly 16. In the embodiment illustrated in
Further, the perimeter region 38 can include a plurality of sections that can be secured together to form the perimeter region 38. With this modular-type design, shipping and disassembly for storage of the base frame 14 is facilitated. Alternatively, the perimeter region 38 can be formed as a unitary structure. In one embodiment, the perimeter region 38 includes two U-shaped sections 46 and two connector sections 48 that connect the U-shaped sections 46 together. Each U-shaped section 46 can be formed as a unitary structure, or can be formed from two or more separate sections that are secured together. In one embodiment, each U-shaped section 46 is substantially semi-circular in shape. Alternatively, each U-shaped section 46 can be parabolic, arcuate shaped, or can have another suitable configuration.
The connector sections 48 can be substantially linear or non-linear. Alternatively, the connector sections 48 can include both linear and non-linear sections. In one embodiment, for example, each connector section 48 is substantially linear, and is approximately five feet, five inches in length. However, any suitable configuration for the connector sections 48 can be utilized with the present invention.
In the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, the base frame 14 can be formed from various materials such as metal, wood, plastic, composite materials, ceramic or any other suitably rigid materials. Alternatively, a combination of such materials can be used.
As illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The first side section 18 includes a first inner side 54 and a first outer side 56. The first inner side 54 is positioned somewhat adjacent to one of the first sides 34A of the bed 12. The first outer side 56 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14.
The second side section 22 includes a second inner side 58 and a second outer side 60. The second inner side 58 is positioned somewhat adjacent to the other first side 34B of the bed 12. The second outer side 60 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the adjacent perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14. In one embodiment, the inner sides 54, 58 are parallel to the first sides 34A, 34B of the bed 12. Further, the outer sides 56, 60 have a shape that follows a contour of a portion of the perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the inner sides 54, 58 and/or the outer sides 56, 60 can have a different configuration.
The first side suspension 20 supports the first side section 18. The first side suspension 20 illustrated in
Somewhat similarly, the second side suspension 24 supports the second side section 22. The second side suspension 24 illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first end section 26 includes a first inner side 64 and a first outer side 66. The first inner side 64 of the first end section 26 is positioned somewhat adjacent to one of the second sides 36A of the bed 12. The first outer side 66 of the first end section 26 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14.
Moreover, the second end section 30 includes a second inner side 68 and a second outer side 70. The second inner side 68 is positioned somewhat adjacent to the other of the second side 36B of the bed 12. The second outer side 70 is positioned adjacent to a portion of the perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14. In this embodiment, the inner sides 64, 68 are parallel to the second sides 36A, 36B of the bed 12. Further, the outer sides 66, 70 have a shape that follows a contour of a portion of the adjacent perimeter region 38 of the base frame 14. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the inner sides 64, 68 and/or the outer sides 66, 70 can have a different configuration.
The first end suspension 28 supports the first end section 26. The first end suspension 28 illustrated in
Somewhat similarly, the second end suspension 32 supports the second end section 30. The second end suspension 32 illustrated in
The pad assembly 33 helps to protect the user from injury. In this embodiment, the pad assembly 33 includes one or more pads 35 (one of the pads 35 is shown in an exploded view for clarity) that substantially cover at least a portion of the bed suspension assembly 16 and/or a portion of one or more of the side suspensions 20, 24 and/or the end suspensions 28, 32. In
The trampoline 10 can also include one or more extension sections 74, as illustrated in
The extension frame 78 can include one or more extension legs 80 and a platform support 82. The extension frame 78 can be formed from relatively rigid materials such as wood or metal as non-exclusive examples. In the embodiment illustrated in
In this embodiment, the portion of the pad 35 adjacent to the resilient member 52 of the bed suspension assembly 16 has a somewhat wedge-shaped cross-section to accommodate the up and down movement of the bed suspension assembly 16 during use of the trampoline 10. Further, the portion of the pad 35 adjacent to the resilient member 72 of the first end suspension 28 has a somewhat rectangular cross-section.
It should be recognized that although the example illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Further, in this embodiment, the extension frame 78 includes a plurality of cross-ties 84 (illustrated in phantom) that aid in supporting the platforms 76. The cross-ties 84 increase the rigidity and strength of the extension frame 78.
The base frame 214 can also include one or more cross-members 239 that support the end member 237. For example, the cross-members 239 can span between the perimeter region 238 and the interior region 240 of the base frame 214. An individual can stand directly on the end member 237 to spot a user during trampolining, or prior to or following trampolining by the individual.
The pad assembly 233 includes one or more pads 235 having a somewhat triangular or trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, although this shape can vary. In this embodiment, the pad 235 does not extend over the first end section 226. However, in an alternative embodiment, the pad 235 can partially or fully cover the first end section 226.
It should be recognized that although the example illustrated in
Further, the bed suspension assembly 316 includes a plurality of resilient members 352 that couple the bed 312 to the base frame 314. For example, the bed suspension assembly 316 illustrated in
In this embodiment, the trampoline 310 also includes the first side section 318, the first side suspension 320, the second side section 322 and the second side suspension 324, as previously described above. However, because of the shape of the bed 312, this embodiment does not include first and second end sections and first and second end suspensions. Alternatively, the trampoline 310 can include the first and second end sections (not shown) and the first and second end suspensions (not shown), and omit the first and second side sections 318, 322 and the first and second side suspensions 320, 324.
In this embodiment, the trampoline 410 also includes the first and second side sections 418, 422, the first and second side suspensions 420, 424, the first and second end sections 426, 430 and the first and second end suspensions 428, 432, as previously described above.
The backstop frames 674 for the attachment are mounted to the base frame 14. Specifically, the backstop frames 674 are mounted on the base frame 614 to project upwards from the base frame 614. Further, each backstop frame 674 projects slightly outward radially from the center of the bed 612, so that an apex 676 of each backstop frame 674 is substantially directly above the base frame 614, as shown in
In this embodiment, the backstop frames 674 can also be attached to each other. With this configuration, a more sturdy structure is formed. The attachment can also include up to four backstop beds 678 (only two backstop beds 678 are illustrated for clarity). Each backstop bed 678 is attached to a backstop frame 674 with a backstop suspension assembly (not shown). With this configuration, a trampoline-like effect is created in each of the backstop beds 678. If the trampoline user rebounds against any of the backstop beds 678, the bed 678 reacts against the user and directs the user back towards the center of the bed 612. In one embodiment, one of the backstop beds 678 is omitted or made from a see-through netting material to allow for better spectator vision, coaching, and supervision.
In the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
The trampolines 10 described herein have one or more of the following advantages: the substantially round base frame 14 eliminates the need for a standard rectangular base frame that is positioned at least partially under the bed 12, and thus can result in lowering the bed 12 closer to the support surface 44. The base frame 14 provided herein can make use of existing modular economic features of the round base frame 14 in fabricating, storing, assembling and/or shipping. The trampoline 10 can result in taking up approximately the same amount of space as a conventional round trampoline. One or more of the beds 12 provided herein have many or all of the same performance advantages of a conventional, rectangular bed on a rectangular base frame. One or more of the trampolines described herein provide substantially flat side and end sections 18, 22, 26, 30 between the perimeter region 38 and the interior region 40 of the base frame 14, which allow participants to get on and off the trampoline bed 12 more efficiently and easily. These sections 18, 22, 26, 30 are conducive to standing, coaching, spotting and/or controlling accessibility to the bed 12 of the trampoline 10.
While the particular trampoline 10 as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050032609 A1 | Feb 2005 | US |