US20080090704A1 - Foldable trampoline frame assembly - Google Patents

A foldable trampoline frame assembly comprises spaced apart frame segments, a travel limiting member and an engagement member. The spaced apart frame segments are pivotably attached to each other for enabling a first one of the frame segments to be pivoted with respect to a second one of the frame segments between a use configuration and a folded configuration. The travel limiting member is positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of the first frame segment and is movable to a non-limiting position. The engagement member is fixedly attached to the second frame segment. The engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting the frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

• The disclosures made herein relate generally to hinge structures, more particularly, to hinge structures for foldable trampolines.

BACKGROUND

• A trampoline typically includes a frame assembly supported on a floor by a plurality of supporting legs, and a jumping bed tightly stretched within an opening in the frame assembly via a plurality of spaced elastic elements. Helically wound extension springs, elastic bands, etc are examples of such elastic elements. A user may continuously jump on and rebound from the jumping bed for the purpose of exercise, entertainment, training, etc.

• A trampoline that has a non-foldable frame assembly has a major drawback of storage and shipping of the trampoline being compromised due to the physical size of the frame. To address these drawbacks, various configurations of trampolines with foldable frame assemblies have been devised. While such foldable trampoline frame assemblies at least partially alleviate drawbacks leading to compromises in storage and shipping, the folding action of a trampoline frame creates a potential safety issue when folding the frame. The tension exerted by elastic elements between frame segments and a jumping mat of a foldable trampoline provides for a considerable amount of stored energy in the trampoline. This tension can be used to secure the frame segments of a frame assembly in a use configuration (e.g., via an over center action at hinges of the frame assembly). It is not typical or desirable to have to remove all or a portion of the spaced elastic elements for the purpose of releasing such tension prior to moving the frame segments from a use configuration toward a folded configuration. Thus, releasing the frame segments from the use configuration and moving it toward the folded configuration can result in tension in the spaced elastic elements causing a rapid and forceful release of such tension. This rapid and forceful release of tension exerts a ‘self-closing force’ on the frame segments that causes the frame segments to pivot toward the folded configuration at a rate of movement and with sufficient force to startle and, potentially, injure a nearby person or persons. For example, initial movement of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration may be very controlled due to the self-closing force being initially low in magnitude. But, with further pivoting of one frame segment with respect to the other, the self-closing force increases, thereby causing rapid movement of the frame segments towards the folded configuration. Due to the magnitude of such self-closing force and/or its presence being unanticipated, the frame segments may begin to move toward the folded position at an extreme rate and contact with a person may result in bodily injury. Thus, a hinge assembly that mitigates, if not eliminates, the adverse aspects of the folding the frame of a trampoline having tensioned elastic elements would be advantageous, desirable and useful.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

• Embodiments of the present invention address adverse aspects of foldable trampoline frame segments being moved from a use configuration to a folded configuration while elastic elements are still in tension between the frame segments and a jumping mat. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention limit the degree of folding that can unrestrictedly take place during folding of such trampoline frame segments, which limits the amount of self-closing force that is uncontrollably and/or suddenly exerted on the frame segments while moving the frame segments toward the folded configuration. In doing so, embodiments of the present invention advantageously overcome one or more shortcomings associated with conventional foldable trampoline frame assemblies.

• In one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable trampoline frame assembly comprises a first frame segment, a second frame segment and a travel limiting member. The first frame segment has a pivot arm rigidly attached thereto. The travel limiting member is positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of the pivot arm of the first frame segment and is movable to a non-limiting position. The second frame segment has a pivot arm rigidly attached thereto. The pivot arm of the second frame segment is pivotably attached to the pivot arm of the first frame segment for enabling the frame segments to be pivoted with respect to each other between a use configuration and a folded configuration. The pivot arm of the second frame segment includes an engagement member fixedly attached thereto. The engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting the frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.

• In another embodiment of the present invention, a foldable trampoline frame assembly comprises a first frame segment, a second frame segment and a travel limiting member. The first frame segment has spaced apart pivot arms rigidly attached thereto. The travel limiting member is positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with mating portions of the pivot arms of the first frame segment and is movable to a non-limiting position. The second frame segment has spaced apart pivot arms rigidly attached thereto. The pivot arms of the second frame segment are pivotably attached to the pivot arms of the first frame segment for enabling the first frame segment to be pivoted with respect to the second frame segment between a use configuration and a folded configuration. At least one of the pivot arms of the second frame segment includes an engagement member fixedly attached thereto. The engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting the frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.

• In another embodiment of the present invention, a foldable trampoline frame assembly comprises spaced apart frame segments, a travel limiting member and an engagement member. The spaced apart frame segments are pivotably attached to each other for enabling a first one of the frame segments to be pivoted with respect to a second one of the frame segments between a use configuration and a folded configuration. The travel limiting member is positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of the first frame segment and is movable to a non-limiting position. The engagement member is fixedly attached to the second frame segment. The engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting the frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.

• Turning now to specific aspects of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, each one of the spaced apart pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith.

• In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the mating portion of the pivot arms of the first frame segment is a hole in each pivot arm of the first frame segment and the travel limiting member is removably engagable through each hole.

• In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the travel limiting member is an elongated generally straight member and the holes of the pivot arms are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the travel limiting member extends generally parallel with a pivot axis of the frame segments when the travel limiting member is engaged within the holes.

• In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the holes are located between a pivot axis of the frame segments and bottom edges of the frame segments when the frame segments are in the use configuration.

• In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a self-closing force is exerted on the frame segments by elastic elements connected to the frame segments when the frame segments are in the partially folded configuration.

• These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1

  is a perspective view showing a foldable trampoline in accordance with the present invention.

• FIG. 2

  is a fragmentary view of the foldable trampoline shown in

  FIG. 1

  with an edge cover being omitted.

• FIG. 3

  is a bottom view showing configuration of frame segments and hinge structure of the foldable trampoline shown in

  FIG. 1

  .

• FIG. 4

  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in

  FIG. 3

  .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
• FIGS. 1-4

  depict various aspects of an embodiment of a foldable trampoline in accordance with the present invention, which is referred to herein as the

  trampoline

  10. While the

  trampoline

  10 is of a relatively small size, it is disclosed herein that the present invention is not limited to a foldable trampoline of any particular size. More broadly, the present invention is useful with foldable trampolines of various sizes, shapes and physical constructions.

• As shown in

  FIGS. 1 and 2

  , the

  trampoline

  10 includes a

  frame assembly

  12, legs 14 a

  jumping mat

  16,

  extension springs

  18 and an

  edge cover

  20. The

  frame assembly

  12 includes a

  first frame segment

  22, a

  second frame segment

  24 and

  hinge structures

  26. The

  hinge structures

  26 are connected between the

  first frame segment

  22 and the

  second frame segment

  24 for enabling the frame segments (22, 24) to pivot with respect to each other thereby providing for foldability of the

  frame assembly

  12. The

  legs

  14 are attached to the frame segments (22, 24) in a spaced apart manner for supporting the

  frame assembly

  12 above a support surface. The frame segments (22, 24) are curved such that the frame segments (22, 24) are connected to form a ring-like structure when the frame segments (22, 24) are in a use configuration U (

  FIGS. 1 and 2

  ). When in the use configuration U, the frame segments (22, 24) jointly define an

  opening

  28 in a central portion of the ring structure. The

  jumping mat

  16 is positioned within the opening 28 and each one of the

  extension springs

  18 is connected in a spaced apart and tensioned manner between a respective one of the frame structures (22, 24) and the

  jumping mat

  16. The

  edge cover

  20 covers the frame segments (22, 24) and the

  extension springs

  18, thereby protecting users and by-standers from dangers associated with the

  extension springs

  18 and the open space between the

  jumping mat

  16 and the frame segments (22, 24).

• It is disclosed herein that a foldable trampoline in accordance with the present invention may be constructed using known fabrication techniques and materials. For example, in one embodiment, the frame segments (22, 24) are bent steel tubing, the

  legs

  14 are lengths of steel tubing having threaded portions that screw into mating threaded portions of the frame segments (22, 24), and the jumping

  mat

  16 is a fabric mat made from natural and/or synthetic material and having eyelets provide therein around its perimeter edge. It is further disclosed herein that extension springs are one embodiment of an elastic member suitable for supporting and tensioning the jumping

  mat

  16. For example, a bungee cord is another embodiment of an elastic member suitable for supporting and tensioning the jumping

  mat

  16. Thus, it is disclosed herein that a trampoline in accordance with the present invention is not unnecessarily limited to being constructed using any specific fabrication technique, components and/or materials.

• Referring now to

  FIGS. 1-4

  , each

  hinge structure

  26 includes a first pivot body 30 and a second pivot body 32. The first pivot body 30 is attached to end

  portions

  34 of the

  first frame segment

  22 and the second pivot body 32 is attached to end

  portions

  36 of the

  second frame segment

  24. Preferably, but not necessarily, the pivot bodies (30, 32) are made from steel and are welded to the respective end portions of the frame segments (22, 24). A frame segment and attached pivot body jointly define a frame segment structure.

• As best shown in

  FIG. 3

  , the first pivot body 30 includes spaced apart pivot

  arms

  38 that are rigidly attached thereto and the second pivot body 32 includes spaced apart pivot

  arms

  40 rigidly attached thereto. The

  pivot arms

  38 of the first pivot body 30 are pivotably attached to the

  pivot arms

  40 of the second pivot body 32 via a

  pivot pin

  42 that extends through the pivot arms (38, 40). The pivotable attachment of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the first pivot body 30 to the

  pivot arms

  40 of the second pivot body 32 enable the

  first frame segment

  22 to be pivoted with respect to the

  second frame segment

  24 between the use configuration U and a folded configuration F (

  FIG. 4

  ).

• A travel limiting member 44 (i.e., a hitch pin) is engagable within engagement holes 46 (

  FIGS. 2 and 4

  ) of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the

  first frame segment

  22. Preferably, but not necessarily, the

  holes

  46 are located between a longitudinal axis of the

  pivot pin

  42 and bottom edges 47 (

  FIG. 4

  ) of the frame segments (22, 24) when the frame segments (22, 24) are in the use configuration U. When engaged within the

  holes

  46 of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the

  first frame segment

  22, the

  travel limiting member

  44 is in a travel limiting position and, when removed from the

  holes

  46 of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the

  first frame segment

  22, the

  travel limiting member

  44 is in a non-limiting position. The

  holes

  46 of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the

  first frame segment

  22 are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the

  travel limiting member

  44 extends generally parallel with a pivot axis of the frame segments (22, 24) when the

  travel limiting member

  44 is engaged within the

  holes

  46.

• The

  pivot arms

  40 of the second pivot body 32 each include an engagement member 48 (

  FIGS. 3 and 4

  ) fixedly attached thereto. The

  engagement members

  48 engage the

  travel limiting member

  44 when the

  travel limiting member

  44 is engaged within the

  holes

  46 of the

  pivot arms

  38 of the

  first frame segment

  22 during pivoting of the frame segments (22, 24) from the use configuration U toward the folded configuration F thereby limiting the frame segments (22, 24) to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration P (

  FIG. 4

  ) when the

  travel limiting member

  44 is in the travel limiting position. At least a portion of the self-closing force exerted on the frame segments (22, 24) by extension springs 18 is still being exerted by the extension springs 18 when the frame segments (22, 24) are in the partially folded configuration P. As such, the

  frame assembly

  12 is advantageously and usefully configured for precluding a self-closing force exerted by the extension springs 18 from causing the frame segments (22, 24) to move from the use configuration U to the folded configuration F in an unrestricted manner. When a person moves the frame segments (22, 24) from the use configuration U toward the folded configuration F, engagement of the

  engagement members

  48 with the

  travel limiting member

  44 limits the frame segments (22, 24) to being pivoted to the partially folded configuration P and, thus, limits unrestricted self-folding of the frame segments (22, 24). This allows a person to more readily control any self-folding tendencies stemming from release of tension in the extension springs 18, which provides for increased safety.

• It is disclosed herein that in other embodiments of the present invention, various aspects of the embodiment pf the present invention disclosed above may be altered while still being captured within the scope and spirit of the present invention. In one alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pivot pin extend through only one pivot arm of each pivot body. In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pivot pin is precluded from being fully detached from both pivot bodies. In still another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pivot arms are integral with at least one of the frame segments such that at least one frame segment does not have a discrete pivot body attached thereto. In still another alternate embodiment of the present invention, each hinge structure includes only one engagement member as opposed to two as depicted in

  FIG. 3

  .

• In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of such inventive disclosures. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.