US20120252634A1 - Trampoline with collapsible enclosure assembly - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B5/00—Apparatus for jumping
  • A63B5/11—Trampolines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/02—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using resilient force-resisters
  • A63B21/023—Wound springs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
  • A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2210/00—Space saving
  • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2244/00—Sports without balls
  • A63B2244/08—Jumping, vaulting
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/0009—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for handicapped persons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
  • A63B71/022—Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Definitions

• trampoline enclosures have become a popular means utilized to decrease the number of injuries that occur due to falls from trampolines.
• current trampoline enclosures typically use a straight support design that is not always strong enough or sturdy enough to prevent injuries when a person jumps into the side of the enclosure.
• current enclosures do not provide an adequate means for preventing or inhibiting unsupervised use of the trampolines. Accordingly, there is a need for a trampoline enclosure that can withstand a greater amount of direct force while still enabling the user to remain on the trampoline bed surface. Further, there is a need for a trampoline enclosure that can provide a means to inhibit unwanted and/or unsupervised use of the trampoline.
• the present invention is directed to an enclosure assembly for use with a trampoline assembly, the trampoline assembly including a base frame.
• the enclosure assembly comprises a plurality of support arches including at least three support arches that are hingably secured to the base frame. Each support arch overlaps and is selectively secured to two of the other support arches. Additionally, the plurality of support arches cooperate to extend substantially fully around a perimeter of the base frame. Further, the plurality of support arches are selectively movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration.
• an inner edge of at least one of the plurality of support arches is connected to an outer edge of each of two of the other support arches, and (ii) an outer edge of at least one of the plurality of support arches is connected to an inner edge of each of two of the other support arches.
• the plurality of support arches includes a first support arch, a second support arch and a third support arch that are hingably secured to the base frame.
• the second arch overlaps the first support arch and is selectively secured to the first support arch
• the third support arch overlaps the second support arch and is selectively secured to the second support arch.
• the third support arch overlaps the first support arch and is selectively secured to the first support arch.
• the plurality of support arches can further include a fourth support arch that is hingably secured to the base frame.
• the fourth support arch can overlap the third support arch and can be selectively secured to the third support arch. Additionally, in some such embodiments, the fourth support arch overlaps the first support arch and is selectively secured to the first support arch.
• an inner edge of the first support arch is selectively secured to an outer edge of the second support arch and an outer edge of the fourth support arch;
• the outer edge of the second support arch is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A, and an inner edge of the second support arch is selectively secured to an outer edge of the third support arch;
• the outer edge of the third support arch is selectively secured to the inner edge of the second support arch, and an inner edge of the third support arch is selectively secured to the outer edge of the fourth support arch;
• the outer edge of the fourth support arch is selectively secured to the inner edge of the third support arch and the inner edge of the first support arch.
• an inner edge of the first support arch is selectively secured to an outer edge of the third support arch and an outer edge of the fourth support arch;
• an inner edge of the second support arch is selectively secured to the outer edge of the third support arch and the outer edge of the fourth support arch;
• the outer edge of the third support arch is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch and the inner edge of the second support arch;
• the outer edge of the fourth support arch is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch and the inner edge of the second support arch.
• one or more of the other support arches can be inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration. Additionally and/or alternatively, when the first support arch is in the collapsed configuration, one or more of the other support arches can be inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• the support arches when the plurality of support arches are in the collapsed configuration, the support arches are positioned substantially within the perimeter of the base frame.
• the enclosure assembly can further comprise an enclosure that is selectively coupled to the plurality of support arches.
• the present invention is also directed to a trampoline assembly including a base frame and an enclosure assembly as described above.
• the present invention is also directed to a method for making a trampoline assembly.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention
• FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the collapsed configuration;
• FIG. 2B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame is moved partially toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 2C is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame is moved further toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 2D is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame is moved still further toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 2E is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the upright configuration;
• FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of still another embodiment of a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention
• FIG. 5A is a simplified perspective view of yet another embodiment of a trampoline assembly, wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the upright configuration;
• FIG. 5B is a simplified perspective view of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 5A , wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the collapsed configuration;
• FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a base connector usable with a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention
• FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the base connector illustrated in FIG. 6A that is mounted on the base frame;
• FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a base connector usable with the present invention.
• FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the base connector illustrated in FIG. 7A ;
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a pair of support arches and an embodiment of an arch connector usable with a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention
• FIG. 9A is a simplified flowchart illustrating the movement of the enclosure assembly from the working configuration to the non-working configuration
• FIG. 9B is a simplified flowchart illustrating the movement of the enclosure assembly from the non-working configuration to the working configuration
• FIG. 10A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of still yet another embodiment of a trampoline assembly, wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the collapsed configuration;
• FIG. 10B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame is moved partially toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 10C is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame is moved further toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 10D is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame is moved still further toward the upright configuration;
• FIG. 10E is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame is positioned in the upright configuration;
• FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the base frame and still another embodiment of a base connector usable with the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a simplified perspective view of still another embodiment of a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trampoline assembly 10 having features of the present invention.
• the trampoline assembly 10 includes a bed 12 (only partially illustrated in FIG. 1 ), a base frame 14 (a portion of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 ), a plurality of resilient members 16 (some of which are illustrated in FIG. 1 ), a cover 18 , a plurality of legs 20 , and an enclosure assembly 22 .
• the plurality of resilient members 16 connect the bed 12 to the base frame 14 , so as to place the bed 12 in tension.
• the trampoline assembly 10 is uniquely designed so that the enclosure assembly 22 exhibits improved strength and sturdiness characteristics during use. Additionally, the enclosure assembly 22 is uniquely designed to inhibit unwanted and/or unsupervised use of the trampoline assembly 10 . More particularly, the enclosure assembly 22 is designed so that the enclosure assembly 22 can be quickly and easily put up and taken down, i.e. moved between a working configuration and a non-working configuration, by one person so as to inhibit unwanted and/or unsupervised use of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the design of the bed 12 can be varied depending upon the requirements of the trampoline assembly 10 and/or the base frame 14 .
• the bed 12 is substantially circular in shape.
• the bed 12 can have a diameter of approximately seven, nine, eleven, thirteen or fourteen feet.
• the bed 12 can have a diameter of greater than fourteen feet or less than seven feet.
• the bed 12 can be substantially oval shaped, square shaped, rectangle shaped, or some other shape.
• the bed 12 can be formed from various sturdy fabric materials that are designed to withstand the repeated impact from a person using the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the bed 12 can be formed from a mesh material or other similar material.
• the bed 12 can be formed from materials including heavy canvas, vinyl, or nylon.
• the design of the base frame 14 can be varied depending on the requirements of the trampoline assembly 10 , the bed 12 and/or the plurality of resilient members 16 .
• the base frame 14 is substantially circular in shape.
• the base frame 14 can have a diameter of approximately eight, ten, twelve, fourteen or fifteen feet.
• the base frame 14 can have a diameter of greater than fifteen feet or less than eight feet.
• the base frame 14 can be substantially oval shaped, square shaped, rectangle shaped, or some other shape.
• the base frame 14 can include a plurality of sections that can be secured together to form the base frame 14 .
• the base frame 14 is formed from a pair of sections that are each substantially semi-circular in shape. With this modular-type design, shipping and disassembly for storage of the base frame 14 is facilitated.
• the base frame 14 can be formed as a unitary structure.
• 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 any of such materials can be used.
• each resilient member 16 connects the bed 12 to the base frame 14 , so as to maintain the bed 12 in tension.
• Each resilient member 16 can include a spring, elastic, plastic, rubber, or other suitably resilient structure.
• the size and number of the resilient members 16 can vary.
• the trampoline assembly 10 can include approximately 48 similarly-sized extension springs that are equally spaced around the perimeter of the bed 12 .
• each spring can have a diameter of approximately twenty-two millimeters and be formed from 3.2 millimeter thickness spring steel.
• the trampoline assembly 10 can be designed to have greater than 48 or fewer than 48 springs, and the trampoline assembly 10 can utilize springs that have various dimensions and are made of various materials.
• the cover 18 substantially covers at least a portion of the plurality of resilient members 16 and at least a portion of the base frame 14 (a portion of the cover 18 is cut away in FIG. 1 to illustrate a portion of the base frame 14 and some of the plurality of resilient members 16 ).
• the cover 18 is designed to help protect the user from injury by preventing the user from getting hands or feet or other body parts caught or pinched within the plurality of resilient members 16 . Additionally, the cover 18 is designed to help protect the user from injury by preventing the user from directly contacting the rigid materials used to form the base frame 14 .
• the cover 18 can be made of nylon or other suitable, pliable material.
• a layer of padding (not illustrated in FIG. 1 ) can be positioned between the cover 18 and the plurality of resilient members 16 and between the cover 18 and the base frame 14 .
• the legs 20 are connected to the base frame 14 and are spaced apart around the base frame 14 , so as to maintain the base frame 14 and the bed 12 above a support surface 24 , such as a floor or the ground.
• the configuration of the legs 20 and the number of legs 20 can vary.
• the trampoline assembly 10 includes four legs 20 (only three are illustrated in FIG. 1 ) that are spaced apart around the base frame 14 .
• each leg 20 can be somewhat W-shaped for rigidity and strength. Further, with this design, each leg 20 has one or more contact points with the support surface 24 for increased stability.
• the trampoline assembly 10 can be designed to have more than four or less than four legs 20 , and the legs 20 can have other than a W-shaped design.
• the legs 20 can have a straight leg design.
• the enclosure assembly 22 is removably and hingably coupled to the base frame 14 . Additionally, the enclosure assembly 22 is selectively movable between a working configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure assembly 22 is positioned to protect the user during use of the trampoline assembly 10 , and a non-working configuration (not illustrated), wherein the enclosure assembly 22 is folded down and/or removed from the base frame 14 .
• the design of the enclosure assembly 22 can be varied depending on the requirements of the trampoline assembly 10 , the bed 12 , and/or the base frame 14 .
• the enclosure assembly 22 includes an enclosure frame 26 , an enclosure 28 , and a plurality of enclosure connectors 30 that selectively connect the enclosure 28 to the enclosure frame 26 .
• the enclosure frame 26 includes a plurality of support arches 32 that are removably and hingably secured to the base frame 14 and that are selectively secured to one or more of the other support arches 32 .
• each of the support arches 32 is selectively secured to two of the other support arches 32 .
• the enclosure frame 26 is selectively movable between an upright configuration (as illustrated In FIG. 2E ), wherein the enclosure assembly 22 can be positioned in the working configuration, and a collapsed configuration (as illustrated in FIG. 2A ), wherein the enclosure assembly 22 is positioned in the non-working configuration.
• the movement of the enclosure frame 26 between the collapsed configuration and the upright configuration is illustrated and described in greater detail below in relation to FIGS. 2A-2E .
• the enclosure frame 26 includes four support arches 32 , i.e. a first support arch 32 A, a second support arch 32 B, a third support arch 32 C, and a fourth support arch 32 D.
• the enclosure frame 26 can be designed to include more than four or less than four support arches 32 .
• the enclosure frame 26 includes three support arches 32 or five support arches 32 .
• the number of arches 32 is increased as the size of the trampoline is increased.
• An example of a suitable enclosure frame 26 for the trampoline assembly 10 is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,922, issued to Nissen. To the extent permitted, the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,922 is incorporated herein by reference.
• the plurality of support arches 32 are removably and hingably connected to the base frame 14 and extend upward away from the base frame 14 .
• each of the support arches 32 can be selectively pivoted relative to the base frame 14 between the upright configuration and the collapsed configuration.
• each support arch 32 extends slightly outward radially from the center of the bed 12 , so that an apex of each support arch 32 is substantially directly above the base frame 14 .
• each support arch 32 has a pair of spaced apart support arch ends 34 that are removably and hingably secured to the base frame 14 with a pair of base connectors 36 .
• the support arch ends 34 can extend somewhat below the level of the base frame 14 , with areas of the support arch 32 close to the support arch ends 34 being secured to the base frame 14 .
• a specific embodiment of the design of the base connectors 36 will be discussed in greater detail below.
• the cover 18 includes a plurality of cover apertures 18 A that are spaced apart around the perimeter of the cover 18 and that are adapted to be positioned adjacent to the base frame 14 .
• the cover apertures 18 A are designed to ensure the proper positioning of the support arches 32 around the base frame 14 , as each of the base connectors 36 is adapted to be properly positioned substantially within one of the cover apertures 18 A.
• the cover apertures 18 A enable the cover 18 to be utilized on alternative, yet similarly sized, base frames, while still ensuring that the support arches 32 can be properly positioned around the base frame.
• the cover 18 with the cover apertures 18 A can be used as a template to properly locate the base connectors 36 on the base frame 14 .
• the cover 18 can be used to as a template to retrofit existing trampolines.
• each support arch 32 can be further selectively connected to two of the other support arches 32 with one or more arch connectors 38 .
• the support arches 32 are able to create a much sturdier structure for the enclosure assembly 22 , to better support the enclosure 26 , and to better protect the user when using the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the arch connectors 38 can include some sort of bracket connector or some other type of connector that enables each support arch 32 to be securely attached to two of the other support arches 32 .
• the enclosure assembly 22 includes the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D that cooperate to extend substantially fully around the perimeter of the base frame 14 .
• the support arches 32 A- 32 D can cooperate to extend less than fully around the perimeter of the base frame 14 .
• each support arch 32 A- 32 D overlaps somewhat and is selectively connected to the adjacent support arches 32 A- 32 D with one of the arch connectors 38 .
• the first support arch 32 A overlaps with and is selectively connected to the second support arch 32 B with an arch connector 38 and overlaps with and is selectively connected to the fourth support arch 32 D with an arch connector 38
• the second support arch 32 B overlaps with and is selectively connected to the first support arch 32 A with an arch connector 38 and overlaps with and is selectively connected to the third support arch 32 C with an arch connector 38
• the third support arch 32 C overlaps with and is selectively connected to the second support arch 32 B with an arch connector 38 and overlaps with and is selectively connected to the fourth support arch 32 D with an arch connector 38
• the fourth support arch 32 D overlaps with and is selectively connected to the third support arch 32 C with an arch connector 38 and overlaps with and is selectively connected to the first support arch 32 A with an arch connector 38 .
• first support arch “second support arch”, “third support arch” and “fourth support arch” are used merely for purposes of convenience and for identifying relative positioning of similar features. Further, any of the support arches can equally be referred to as the first support arch, the second support arch, the third support arch and/or the fourth support arch.
• the height of the arch connectors 38 and the degree of overlap of the adjacent support arches 32 can be varied depending upon the requirements of the enclosure assembly 22 .
• the arch connectors 38 are positioned at a point that is approximately one-half of the way up the overall height of the support arch 32 .
• the adjacent support arches 32 are shown to overlap by between approximately fifteen and thirty degrees around the circumference or perimeter of the base frame 14 .
• the arch connectors 38 can be positioned so that they are higher or lower than shown in FIG. 1 , and the adjacent support arches 32 can overlap by more than thirty degrees or less than fifteen degrees around the circumference of the base frame 14 .
• the design of the enclosure 28 can be varied to suit the requirements of the trampoline assembly 10 and/or the enclosure assembly 22 . As illustrated, the enclosure 28 extends from a bottom edge 28 B that is at approximately the same height as the base frame 14 to an opposed top edge 28 T that is at a height that is at or near the height of the top of the support arches 32 . With this design, the enclosure 28 forms an enclosed area within which the user can jump on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the enclosure 28 can be formed from a lightweight but strong netting or resilient fabric material that is designed to be opaque or semi-opaque so as to enable the user to be viewed from outside the enclosure 28 and to allow the user to see outside of the enclosure 28 .
• suitable materials for the enclosure include polypropylene, nylon, high density polyethylene, and Dacron polyester.
• the flexible or resilient material utilized to form the enclosure 28 is designed to absorb the force of impact when a user collides against the side of the enclosure 28 and to prevent the user from falling off the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the plurality of enclosure connectors 30 connect the enclosure 28 to the enclosure frame 26 , so as to maintain the top edge 28 T of the enclosure 28 in tension.
• the enclosure connectors 30 extend substantially between the top edge 28 T of the enclosure 28 and the enclosure frame 26 .
• the enclosure connectors 30 can be fixedly secured to the top edge 28 T of the enclosure 28 , and the enclosure connectors 30 can be selectively attached to the enclosure frame 26 .
• the enclosure connectors 30 can be selectively attached to the top edge 28 T of the enclosure 28 and/or the enclosure connectors 30 can be fixedly secured to the enclosure frame 26 .
• Each enclosure connector 30 can include a flexible or resilient tie, a spring, elastic, plastic, rubber, or other suitably resilient structure.
• the enclosure assembly 22 includes eight enclosure connectors 30 , wherein two enclosure connectors 30 are utilized to connect the enclosure 28 to each support arch 32 of the enclosure frame 26 .
• the enclosure assembly 22 can be designed to include more than eight enclosure connectors 30 or less than eight enclosure connectors 30 , and/or the specific positioning of the enclosure connectors 30 can be varied.
• the bottom edge 28 B of the enclosure 28 is further secured to one or more of the base frame 14 , the cover 18 , the bed 12 , and the plurality of resilient members 16 , so as to maintain the bottom edge 28 B of the enclosure 28 in tension.
• the enclosure 28 is able to better support and protect the user of the trampoline assembly 10 when and if the user contacts the enclosure 28 during use of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate one non-exclusive example of the gradual movement of the enclosure frame 26 from the collapsed configuration (illustrated in FIG. 2A ) to the upright configuration (illustrated in FIG. 2E ).
• FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the collapsed configuration
• FIG. 2B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved partially toward the upright configuration
• FIG. 2C is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved further toward the upright configuration
• FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved further toward the upright configuration
• FIG. 2A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG.
• FIG. 2D is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved still further toward the upright configuration; and
• FIG. 2E is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the upright configuration.
• each of the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C, and the fourth support arch 32 D are positioned substantially adjacent to one another in a folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 10 . More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 2A , the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the collapsed configuration, and the trampoline assembly 10 is protected from unwanted and/or unsupervised use.
• the support arches 32 A- 32 D can be adapted to be rotated upward into an upright position consecutively in a clockwise direction, in a counter-clockwise direction, or in some other order.
• the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• FIG. 2B a portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the first support arch 32 A, has been moved to the upright position wherein the apex of the first support arch 32 A is positioned away from the base frame 14 . More particularly, with each support arch end 34 of the first support arch 32 A being hingably and/or pivotably coupled to the base frame 14 , the first support arch 32 A has been rotated in a generally upward direction so that the first support arch 32 A is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 10 . Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2B , the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• FIG. 2C another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the second support arch 32 B, has been moved to the upright position wherein the apex of the second support arch 32 B is positioned away from the base frame 14 .
• the second support arch 32 B is now positioned substantially adjacent to the first support arch 32 A in the upright position. More particularly, with each support arch end 34 of the second support arch 32 B being hingably and/or pivotably coupled to the base frame 14 , the second support arch 32 B has been rotated in a generally upward direction so that the second support arch 32 B is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 10 . Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2C , the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• an arch connector 38 can be utilized to selectively secure the second support arch 32 B to the first support arch 32 A. More particularly, in one embodiment, the arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the second support arch 32 B to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A. Moreover, the use of the arch connector 38 better enables the maintaining of the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B in the upright position while the remaining support arches 32 C, 32 D are awaiting movement into the upright position.
• the fourth support arch 32 D is inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• the first support arch 32 A is inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 2D another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the third support arch 32 C, has been moved to the upright position wherein the apex of the third support arch 32 C is positioned away from the base frame 14 .
• the third support arch 32 C is now positioned substantially adjacent to the second support arch 32 B in the upright position. More particularly, with each support arch end 34 of the third support arch 32 C being hingably and/or pivotably coupled to the base frame 14 , the third support arch 32 C has been rotated in a generally upward direction so that the third support arch 32 C is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 10 . Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2D , the fourth support arch 32 D is still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• an arch connector 38 can be utilized to selectively secure the third support arch 32 C to the second support arch 32 B. More particularly, in one embodiment, the arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C to the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B. Moreover, the use of the arch connectors 38 better enables the maintaining of the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B and the third support arch 32 C in the upright position while the fourth support arch 32 D is awaiting movement into the upright position.
• the third support arch 32 C when the third support arch 32 C is in the upright configuration, the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B are inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 2E another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the fourth support arch 32 D, has been moved to the upright position wherein the apex of the fourth support arch 32 D is positioned away from the base frame 14 .
• the fourth support arch 32 D is now positioned substantially adjacent to the third support arch 32 C and the first support arch 32 A in the upright position. More particularly, with each support arch end 34 of the fourth support arch 32 D being hingably and/or pivotably coupled to the base frame 14 , the fourth support arch 32 D has been rotated in a generally upward direction so that the fourth support arch 32 D is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• an arch connector 38 can be utilized to selectively secure the fourth support arch 32 D to each of the third support arch 32 C and the first support arch 32 A. More particularly, in one embodiment, an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D to the inner edge of the third support arch 32 C, and an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A. Moreover, the use of the arch connectors 38 better enables the maintaining of the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D in the upright position.
• the fourth support arch 32 D when the fourth support arch 32 D is in the upright configuration, the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B and the third support arch 32 C are inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration.
• the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A is selectively secured to the outer edge of the second support arch 32 B and the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D (i.e. the first support arch 32 A is effectively positioned outside the second support arch 32 B and the fourth support arch 32 D); the outer edge of the second support arch 32 B is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A, and the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B is selectively secured to the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C (i.e.
• the second support arch 32 B is effectively positioned inside the first support arch 32 A and outside the third support arch 32 C); the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C is selectively secured to the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B, and the inner edge of the third support arch 32 C is selectively secured to the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D (i.e. the third support arch 32 C is effectively positioned inside the second support arch 32 B and outside the fourth support arch 32 D); and the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D is selectively secured to the inner edge of the third support arch 32 C and the first support arch 32 A (i.e. the fourth support arch 32 D is effectively positioned inside the third support arch 32 C and the first support arch 32 A).
• the support arches 32 A- 32 D are better able to share the load of impact if and when a user of the trampoline assembly 10 contacts the enclosure 28 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) during use of the trampoline assembly 10 .
• FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 310 having features of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a base frame 314 , a plurality of legs 320 , and an enclosure frame 326 that are substantially similar to the base frame 14 , the plurality of legs 20 and the enclosure frame 26 illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 1 .
• the base frame 314 can be approximately fourteen feet in diameter and the trampoline assembly 310 includes five legs 320 that are spaced apart around the base frame 314 , so as to maintain the base frame 314 and the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) above the support surface 24 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
• the enclosure frame 326 includes five support arches 332 that are removably and hingably connected to the base frame 314 and extend upward away from the base frame 314 , and that cooperate to extend fully around the perimeter of the base frame 314 .
• FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of still another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 410 having features of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a base frame 414 , a plurality of legs 420 , and an enclosure frame 426 that are substantially similar to the base frame 14 , the plurality of legs 20 and the enclosure frame 26 illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 1 .
• the base frame 414 can be approximately eight feet in diameter and the trampoline assembly 410 includes three legs 420 that are spaced apart around the base frame 414 , so as to maintain the base frame 414 and the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) above the support surface 24 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
• the enclosure frame 426 includes three support arches 432 that are removably and hingably connected to the base frame 414 and extend upward away from the base frame 414 , and that cooperate to extend fully around the perimeter of the base frame 414 .
• FIG. 5A is a simplified perspective view of yet another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 510 , wherein the enclosure frame 526 is positioned in the upright configuration.
• the trampoline assembly 510 is somewhat similar to the trampoline assemblies illustrated and described herein above.
• the trampoline assembly 510 includes a base frame 514 and a bed 512 that are substantially rectangle shaped. More particularly, the base frame 514 includes a pair of opposed frame sides 514 S and a pair of opposed frame ends 514 E.
• the enclosure frame 526 includes a pair of side support arches 532 S that extend substantially parallel to the frame sides 514 S and a pair of end support arches 532 E that extend substantially parallel to the frame ends 514 E. Due to the shape of the base frame 514 , the side support arches 532 S are somewhat larger and span a greater portion of the perimeter of the base frame 514 than the end support arches 532 E. However, each of the side arches 532 S and each of the end arches 532 E are still pivotally connected to the base frame 514 by a pair of base connectors 536 . Further, each of the side arches 532 S can be connected to each of the end arches 532 E by one or more arch connectors 538 so as to maintain the enclosure frame 526 in the upright configuration.
• FIG. 5B is a simplified perspective view of the trampoline assembly 510 illustrated in FIG. 5A , wherein the enclosure frame 526 is positioned in the collapsed configuration.
• the arch connectors 538 have been removed so that the side arches 532 S and the end arches 532 E can be and has been pivoted relative to the base frame 514 so that the enclosure frame 526 is in the collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a base connector 636 usable with a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention.
• the base connector 636 can be used with any of the trampoline assemblies 10 , 310 , 410 , 510 illustrated and described above in relation to FIGS. 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 A, respectively.
• the base connector 636 connects one of the support arch ends 34 of one of the support arches 32 to the base frame 14 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
• the design of the base connector 636 can be varied depending on the specific requirements of the trampoline assembly 10 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) and/or the support arches 32 .
• the base connector 636 includes a collar 640 , a connector base 642 , and a connector attacher 644 .
• the collar 640 is adapted to be selectively secured to the base frame 14 .
• the design of the collar 640 can be varied depending on the requirements of the base connector 636 .
• the collar 640 is substantially ring shaped and is adapted to substantially encircle the base frame 14 .
• the collar 640 can be made from two semi-circular collar members 640 A, 640 B that are selectively connected together to effectively position the collar 640 about the base frame 14 .
• one of the collar members 640 A, 640 B includes a hook portion 646 and the other collar member 640 A, 640 B includes one or more slots 648 that are adapted to alternatively receive the hook portion 646 so that the collar 640 can be properly sized as the collar 640 is positioned about the base frame 14 .
• each collar member 640 A, 640 B can include a pin aperture 650 that are positioned substantially adjacent to one another when the collar 640 is positioned about the base frame 14 , and that are adapted to receive a collar pin 651 , e.g., a screw, to secure the collar members 640 A, 640 B together about the base frame 14 .
• the collar 640 can be quickly and easily connected to and removed from the base frame 14 .
• the collar 640 further includes a connector receiver 652 that is adapted to receive the connector attacher 644 .
• the connector receiver 652 is substantially circular in shape and protrudes from the outer surface of the collar 640 and is internally threaded so as to effectively receive the connector attacher 644 .
• the connector receiver 652 can have a different shape and/or a different design. When in use, the connector receiver 652 is positioned substantially directly above the base frame 14 in order to receive the connector attacher 644 .
• the connector base 642 is adapted to be secured to the collar 640 .
• the connector base 642 can be somewhat U-shaped and includes a connector bottom 654 and a pair of spaced apart connector sides 656 .
• the connector bottom 654 further includes an attacher aperture 658 .
• the attacher aperture 658 is substantially circular in shape and the connector receiver 652 can extend through the attacher aperture 658 .
• the connector attacher 644 includes a threaded portion that is adapted to extend into and threadedly engage the connector receiver 652 to secure the connector base 642 to the collar 640 .
• the base connector 636 can be designed without the collar 640 , and the connector base 642 can be directly connected to the base frame 14 .
• the connector attacher 644 can extend through the attacher aperture 658 and through a frame aperture that extends substantially vertically through the base frame 14 .
• each of the connector sides 656 can include an arch aperture 660 .
• the support arches 32 can include an end aperture 662 positioned near each support arch end 34 of the support arch 32 .
• the end aperture 662 is adapted to be positioned in alignment with the arch apertures 660 , such that a connector pin 664 , e.g., a bolt or a screw, can extend through each of the arch apertures 660 and the end aperture 662 .
• the support arches 32 can be sturdily maintained in a coupled relationship with the base frame 14 via the base connector 636 . Additionally, this design allows the support arches 32 to rotate and/or pivot relative to the connector base 642 , thereby enabling the support arches 32 to be selectively moved between the upright configuration and the collapsed configuration.
• each of the support arches 32 can include two pairs of connector pins, e.g., detent buttons, such that one pair of connector pins are positioned substantially adjacent to and cantilever laterally away from each of the support arch ends 34 .
• Each of the connector pins is adapted to be positioned within and/or extend through one of the arch apertures 660 .
• each of the connector pins is biased to be in an extended position such that the connector pins can be effectively maintained within the arch apertures 660 to maintain the support arches 32 in a coupled relationship with the base frame 14 via the base connector 636 .
• each of the connector pins can be depressed to enable the connector pins to be quickly and easily positioned within and/or removed from the arch apertures 660 .
• the connector attacher 644 is adapted to extend through the attacher aperture 658 and into the connector receiver 652 to secure the connector base 642 to the collar 640 .
• the connector attacher 644 is a screw that is externally threaded so as to be effectively screwed into the connector receiver 652 .
• the connector attacher 644 can have a different design.
• a washer 666 can be positioned between connector attacher 644 and the connector bottom 654 of the connector base 642 .
• FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the base connector 636 illustrated in FIG. 6A that is connected to or mounted on the base frame 14 .
• the collar 640 substantially encircles the base frame 14 . More particularly, the hook portion 646 engages one of the one or more slots 648 , and the collar pin 651 extends through the pin apertures 650 (illustrated in FIG. 6A ) to secure the collar 640 of the base connector 636 to the base frame 14 .
• the connector base 642 is secured to the collar 640 by the connector attacher 644 as the connector attacher 644 extends through the attacher aperture 658 (illustrated in FIG. 6A ).
• FIG. 6B when the connector base 642 is secured to the collar 640 , the connector base 642 is positioned substantially directly above the base frame 14 and the connector sides 656 extend in a generally upward direction away from the connector bottom 654 , the collar 640 and the base frame 14 .
• the arch apertures 660 are positioned to receive the connector pin 664 (illustrated in FIG. 6A ) that is adapted to extend through the arch apertures 660 and the end aperture 662 (illustrated in FIG. 6A ) that are positioned near each support arch end 34 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the support arch 32 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
• FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a base connector 736 usable with the present invention.
• the base connector 736 is somewhat similar to the base connector 636 illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 6A .
• the connector receiver 752 is rectangle shaped and includes a substantially square shaped receiver aperture 768 that is adapted to receive the connector attacher 644 (illustrated in FIG. 6A ).
• the base connector 736 further includes a connector cap 770 that can be positioned substantially above and adjacent to the collar 740 when the base connector 736 is fitted about the base frame 14 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ).
• the connector cap 770 includes a cap aperture 772 that is sized and shaped to fit about the connector receiver 752 .
• FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the base connector 736 illustrated in FIG. 7A .
• FIG. 7B illustrates the base connector 736 with the connector cap 770 positioned substantially above an adjacent to the collar 740 so that the base connector 736 can be more securely connected to the base frame 14 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) and to otherwise inhibit contact between the user and the collar 740 and the collar pin 751 (illustrated in FIG. 7A ).
• FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a pair of support arches 832 and an embodiment of an arch connector 838 usable with a trampoline assembly having features of the present invention.
• the arch connector 838 can be used to connect the pair of support arches 832 , e.g., a first support arch 832 A and a second support arch 832 B, in any of the trampoline assemblies 10 , 310 , 410 , 510 illustrated and described above in relation to FIGS. 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 A, respectively.
• the design of the support arches 832 A, 832 B and the design of the arch connector 838 can be varied.
• the first support arch 832 A includes a first connector aperture 874 A that is adapted to receive a portion of the arch connector 838 .
• the second support arch 832 B includes a second connector aperture 874 B that is designed to be substantially aligned with the first connector aperture 874 A and is adapted to receive a portion of the arch connector 838 .
• the arch connector 838 includes a connector head 876 and a connector body 878 .
• the connector head 876 is adapted to selectively engage the connector body 878 so as to secure the first support arch 832 A to the second support arch 832 B.
• the connector head 876 includes a head aperture (not illustrated) that is internally threaded and that is sized and shaped to threadedly receive a portion of the connector body 878 .
• the connector body 878 e.g., a screw, is adapted to extend through the first connector aperture 874 A and the second connector aperture 874 B and be screwed into the head aperture of the connector head 876 .
• the connector body 878 includes a body end 882 , e.g., a nut, that inhibits the connector body 878 from being removed from the first connector aperture 874 A and the second connector aperture 874 B when the connector head 876 is selectively engaging the connector body 878 .
• the arch connector 838 can have a different design.
• the connector head 876 can be substantially triangle shaped so as to enable the user to more easily grip and rotate, i.e. to tighten and/or loosen, the connector head 876 relative to the connector body 878 .
• the connector head 876 can have a different shape.
• FIG. 9A is a simplified flowchart illustrating the movement of the enclosure assembly from the working configuration to the non-working configuration.
• each of the enclosure connectors that extend between the enclosure frame and the enclosure is disengaged from the enclosure frame and/or from the top edge of the enclosure.
• the bottom edge of the enclosure is disengaged from the base frame, the cover, the bed and/or the plurality of resilient members.
• step 905 the arch connectors that are utilized to connect the first support arch and the adjacent support arches, e.g., the second support arch and the fourth support arch, are disconnected so that the first support arch is no longer connected to any of the other support arches. Then, in step 907 , the first support arch is folded down or collapsed onto the bed of the trampoline assembly.
• step 909 the arch connector that is utilized to connect the second support arch and the third support arch is disconnected so that the second support arch is no longer connected to any of the other support arches. Then, in step 911 , the second support arch is folded down or collapsed onto the bed of the trampoline assembly.
• step 913 the arch connector that is utilized to connect the third support arch and the fourth support arch is disconnected so that the third support arch is no longer connected to any of the other support arches. Then, in step 915 , the third support arch is folded down or collapsed onto the bed of the trampoline assembly.
• step 917 the fourth support arch is folded down or collapsed onto the bed of the trampoline assembly.
• the enclosure assembly is fully in the non-working configuration and each of the support arches are folded down or collapsed substantially adjacent to one another onto the bed of the trampoline assembly.
• FIG. 9B is a simplified flowchart illustrating the movement of the enclosure assembly from the non-working configuration to the working configuration.
• the first support arch is rotated relative to the base frame so that the first support arch is in the upright position.
• the second support arch is rotated relative to the base frame so that the second support arch is in the upright position substantially adjacent to the first support arch.
• an arch connector is utilized to connect the first support arch and the second support arch. This enables the first support arch and the second support arch to be maintained substantially adjacent to one another in the upright position.
• step 927 the third support arch is rotated relative to the base frame so that the third support arch is in the upright position substantially adjacent to the second support arch.
• step 929 an arch connector is utilized to connect the second support arch and the third support arch. This enables the first support arch, the second support arch and the third support arch to be maintained substantially adjacent to one another in the upright position.
• step 931 the fourth support arch is rotated relative to the base frame so that the fourth support arch is in the upright position substantially adjacent to the first support arch and the third support arch.
• step 933 an arch connector is utilized to connect the third support arch and the fourth support arch, and an arch connector is utilized to connect the first support arch and the fourth support arch. This enables the first support arch, the second support arch, the third support arch and the fourth support arch to be maintained substantially adjacent to one another in the upright position.
• step 935 the bottom edge of the enclosure is engaged with the base frame, the cover, the bed and/or the plurality of resilient members.
• step 937 enclosure connectors are extended between the enclosure frame and the enclosure to connect and/or engage the enclosure frame with the top edge of the enclosure. At this point, the enclosure assembly is fully in the working configuration and the trampoline assembly is ready to be used by one or more users.
• FIGS. 10A-10E illustrate another non-exclusive example of the gradual movement of the enclosure frame 26 from the collapsed configuration (illustrated in FIG. 10A ) to the upright configuration (illustrated in FIG. 10E ).
• FIG. 10A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of still yet another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 1010 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the collapsed configuration
• FIG. 10B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 1010 illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved partially toward the upright configuration
• FIG. 10C is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 1010 illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved further toward the upright configuration
• FIG. 10A is a simplified perspective view of a portion of still yet another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 1010 , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the collapsed configuration
• FIG. 10B is a simplified perspective view of a portion of
• FIG. 10D is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 1010 illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is moved still further toward the upright configuration; and
• FIG. 10E is a simplified perspective view of a portion of the trampoline assembly 1010 illustrated in FIG. 10A , wherein the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the upright configuration.
• each of the first support arch 32 A, the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C, and the fourth support arch 32 D are positioned substantially adjacent to one another in a folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 1010 . More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 10A , the enclosure frame 26 is positioned fully in the collapsed configuration, and the trampoline assembly 1010 is protected from unwanted and/or unsupervised use.
• all of the support arches 32 A- 32 D are again positioned substantially within the perimeter of the base frame 14 such that no portion of any of the support arches 32 A- 32 D extends outside the perimeter of the base frame 14 .
• the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• FIG. 10B a portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the first support arch 32 A, has been rotated to the upright position and the first support arch 32 A is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 1010 . Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 10B , the second support arch 32 B, the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 1010 .
• the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• FIG. 10C another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the second support arch 32 B, has been rotated to the upright position and the second support arch 32 B is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 1010 . Additionally, the second support arch 32 B is now positioned substantially directly across from the first support arch 32 A in the upright position. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10C , the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D are still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 1010 .
• the fourth support arch 32 D is inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.
• FIG. 10D another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the third support arch 32 C, has been rotated to the upright position and the third support arch 32 C is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 1010 . Additionally, the third support arch 32 C is now positioned substantially adjacent to the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B in the upright position. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10D , the fourth support arch 32 D is still in the folded down or collapsed position on the bed 12 of the trampoline assembly 1010 .
• an arch connector 38 can be utilized to selectively secure the third support arch 32 C to each of the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B. More particularly, in one embodiment, an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A, and an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C to the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B.
• the third support arch 32 C when the third support arch 32 C is in the upright configuration, the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B are inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration.
• FIG. 10E another portion of the enclosure frame 26 , i.e. the fourth support arch 32 D, has been rotated to the upright position and the fourth support arch 32 D is no longer folded down or collapsed on the bed 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1 ) of the trampoline assembly 1010 . Additionally, the fourth support arch 32 D is now positioned substantially adjacent to the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B in the upright position, and the fourth support arch 32 D is positioned substantially directly across from the third support arch 32 C.
• an arch connector 38 can be utilized to selectively secure the fourth support arch 32 D to each of the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B. More particularly, in one embodiment, an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A, and an arch connector 38 selectively secures the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D to the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B.
• the fourth support arch 32 D when the fourth support arch 32 D is in the upright configuration, the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B are inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration.
• the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A is selectively secured to the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C and the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D (i.e. the first support arch 32 A is effectively positioned outside the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D); the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B is selectively secured to the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C and the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D (i.e.
• the second support arch 32 B is effectively positioned outside the third support arch 32 C and the fourth support arch 32 D); the outer edge of the third support arch 32 C is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A and the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B (i.e. the third support arch 32 C is effectively positioned inside the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B); and the outer edge of the fourth support arch 32 D is selectively secured to the inner edge of the first support arch 32 A and the inner edge of the second support arch 32 B (i.e. the fourth support arch 32 D is effectively positioned inside the first support arch 32 A and the second support arch 32 B).
• FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the base frame 14 and still another embodiment of a base connector 1136 usable with the present invention.
• the base connector 1136 is somewhat similar to the base connectors 636 , 736 illustrated and described above in relation to FIG. 6A and FIG. 7A , respectively.
• the base connector 1136 is designed without a collar, and the connector base 1142 is directly connected to the base frame 14 .
• the connector attacher 1144 is somewhat longer than in the previous embodiments so that the connector attacher 1144 can extend through the attacher aperture 1158 and through a frame aperture 1184 that extends substantially vertically through the base frame 14 .
• an attacher retainer 1186 to maintain the connector base 1142 securely connected to the base frame 14 .
• the attacher retainer 1186 is internally threaded so as to effectively receive and retain the externally threaded portion of the connector attacher 1144 .
• FIG. 12 is a simplified perspective view of still another embodiment of a trampoline assembly 1210 having features of the present invention.
• the trampoline assembly 1210 is somewhat similar to the previous embodiments.
• the trampoline assembly 1210 again includes a bed 1212 , a base frame 1214 , a plurality of first resilient members 1216 (some of which are illustrated in FIG. 12 ), a cover 1218 , a plurality of legs 1220 , and a support assembly 1222 .
• the plurality of first resilient members 1216 again connect the bed 1212 to the base frame 1214 , so as to place the bed 1212 in tension.
• the design of the bed 1212 can be varied depending upon the requirements of the trampoline assembly 1210 and/or the base frame 1214 .
• the bed 1212 is substantially circular in shape.
• the bed 1212 can be substantially oval shaped, square shaped, rectangle shaped, or some other shape.
• the bed 1212 is approximately thirty-one inches in diameter.
• the bed 1212 can be greater than or less than thirty-one inches in diameter.
• the design of the base frame 1214 can be varied depending on the requirements of the trampoline assembly 1210 , the bed 1212 and/or the plurality of first resilient members 1216 .
• the base frame 1214 is substantially circular in shape.
• the base frame 1214 can be substantially oval shaped, square shaped, rectangle shaped, or some other shape.
• the base frame 1214 is a tubular frame that is approximately four feet in diameter.
• the base frame 1214 can be greater than or less than four feet in diameter.
• the base frame 1214 can include a plurality of sections that can be secured together to form the base frame 1214 .
• the base frame 1214 is formed from a pair of sections that are each substantially semi-circular in shape. With this modular-type design, shipping and disassembly for storage of the base frame 1214 is facilitated.
• the base frame 1214 can be formed as a unitary structure.
• the base frame 1214 can be formed from various materials such as metal, wood, plastic, composite materials, ceramic, or any other suitably rigid materials. Alternatively, a combination of any of such materials can be used.
• the plurality of first resilient members 1216 connect the bed 1212 to the base frame 1214 , so as to maintain the bed 1212 in tension.
• Each first resilient member 1216 can include a spring, elastic, plastic, rubber, or other suitably resilient structure.
• the size and number of the first resilient members 1216 can vary.
• the trampoline assembly can include approximately 48 similarly-sized extension springs equally spaced around the perimeter of the bed 1212 .
• Each spring can have a one-inch diameter and be formed from 12-gauge steel.
• the trampoline assembly 1210 can be designed to have greater than 48 or fewer than 48 springs that have various dimensions and are made of various materials.
• the cover 1218 substantially covers at least a portion of the plurality of first resilient members 1216 (a portion of the cover 1218 is cut away in FIG. 12 to illustrate some of the plurality of resilient members 1216 ).
• the cover 1218 is designed to help protect the user from injury by preventing the user from getting hands or feet or other body parts caught or pinched within the plurality of first resilient members 1216 .
• the cover 1218 can be made of nylon or other suitable, pliable material.
• a layer of padding (not illustrated in FIG. 1 ) can be positioned between the cover 1218 and the plurality of first resilient members 1216 .
• the legs 1220 are connected to the base frame 1214 and are spaced apart around the base frame 1214 , so as to maintain the base frame 1214 and the bed 1212 above the support surface 24 .
• the configuration and the number of legs 1220 can vary.
• the trampoline assembly 1210 has eight substantially straight legs 1220 that are equally spaced around the base frame 1214 .
• the trampoline assembly 1210 can be designed to have more than eight or less than eight legs 1220 , and the legs 1220 can have other than a straight leg design.
• the support assembly 1222 is designed to help support the user and to help the user to maintain balance while he or she uses the trampoline assembly 1210 . Additionally, the support assembly 1222 is designed to enable the user to easily get on and off the trampoline assembly 1210 before and after each use. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 , the support assembly 1222 includes a plurality of support arches 1226 , a first support segment 1228 , a second support segment 1230 , a support bar 1232 , and a plurality of support resilient members 1234 .
• the plurality of support arches 1226 are connected to the base frame 1214 and cantilever upward away from the base frame 1214 . Further, the plurality of support arches 1226 can be formed from various materials such as metal, wood, plastic, composite materials, ceramic, or any other suitably rigid materials. Alternatively, a combination of any of such materials can be used.
• Each support arch 1226 has a pair of spaced apart support arch ends 1236 that are secured to the base frame 1214 with a pair of base connectors 1238 .
• the support arch ends 1236 can extend somewhat below the level of the base frame 1214 , with areas of the support arch 1226 close to the support arch ends 1236 being directly connected to the base frame 1214 .
• the base connectors 1238 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener, or some other type of connector that enables the support arch 1226 to be securely attached to the base frame 1214 .
• Each support arch 1226 is further connected to at least one of the other support arches 1226 with one or more arch connectors 1240 , so as create a much sturdier structure for the support assembly 1222 to better support the user when using the trampoline assembly 1210 .
• the arch connectors 1240 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener or some other type of connector that enables each support arch 1226 to be securely attached to one or more of the other support arches 1226 .
• the support assembly 1222 includes three support arches 1226 that extend around only a portion of the base frame 1214 . Each support arch 1226 overlaps somewhat and is connected to the adjacent support arch(es) 1226 with one of the arch connectors 1240 .
• a first support arch 1226 A overlaps with and is connected to a second support arch 1226 B with an arch connector 1240
• the second support arch 1226 B overlaps with and is connected to a third support arch 1226 C with an arch connector 1240
• the support assembly 1222 can be designed to have more than three or less than three support arches 1226 .
• the height of the arch connectors 1240 and the degree of overlap of the adjacent support arches 1226 can be varied depending upon the requirements of the support assembly 1222 .
• the arch connectors 1240 are positioned at a point that is approximately one-third to one-half of the way up the overall height of the support arch 1226 .
• the adjacent support arches 1226 are shown to overlap by approximately 20 degrees around the circumference of the base frame 1214 .
• the arch connectors 1240 can be positioned so that they are higher or lower than shown in FIG. 12 , and the adjacent support arches 1226 can overlap by more than 20 degrees or less than 20 degrees.
• the support arches 1226 are at an angle of approximately 75 degrees relative to bed frame 1214 .
• the support arches 1226 can be at an angle of greater than or lesser than 75 degrees relative to the bed frame 1214 .
• the support arches 1226 are collapsible. More specifically, the support arches 1226 are selectively pivotable relative to the bed frame 1214 (e.g., the support arches 1226 are hingably secured to the base frame 1214 with the pair of base connectors 1238 ) when the arch connectors 1240 are detached so that the trampoline assembly 1210 can be stored in a relatively small configuration. Alternatively, the trampoline assembly 1210 can be designed so that the support arches 1226 are not collapsible.
• the plurality of support arches 1226 extend around only a portion of the base frame 1214 .
• this design there is an open space 1245 between the first support arch 1226 A and the third support arch 1226 C that enables the user to easily get on and off of the trampoline assembly 1210 , while still maintaining a significant strength and structural integrity to the support assembly 1222 .
• the first support segment 1228 is connected to the base frame 1214 and the first support arch 1226 A, and the first support segment 1228 cantilevers upward away from the base frame 1214 .
• the first support segment 1228 includes a bottom end 1242 and a top end 1244 .
• the bottom end 1242 of the first support segment 1228 is connected to the base frame 1214 with a base connector 1238 .
• the bottom end 1242 can extend somewhat below the level of the base frame 1214 , with areas of the first support segment 1228 close to the bottom end 1242 being directly connected to the base frame 1214 .
• the base connector 1238 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener, or some other type of connector that enables the first support segment 1228 to be securely attached to the base frame 1214 .
• the base connector 1238 can be a hinge that enables the first support segment 1228 to pivot relative to the base frame 1214 .
• the first support segment 1228 is connected to the first support arch 1226 A with a segment connector 1246 .
• the segment connector 1246 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener, or some other type of connector that enables the first support segment 1228 to be securely attached to the first support arch 1226 A.
• the segment connector 1246 is positioned approximately halfway between the bottom end 1242 and the top end 1244 of the first support segment 1228 .
• the first support segment 1228 is collapsible (i.e. can pivot relative to the base frame 1214 ) when the segment connector 1246 is detached so that the trampoline assembly 1210 can be stored in a relatively small configuration.
• the second support segment 1230 is connected to the base frame 1214 and the third support arch 1226 C, and the second support segment 1230 cantilevers upward away from the base frame 1214 .
• the second support segment 1230 includes a bottom end 1242 and a top end 1244 .
• the bottom end 1242 of the second support segment 1230 is connected to the base frame 1214 with a base connector 1238 .
• the bottom end 1242 can extend somewhat below the level of the base frame 1214 , with areas of the second support segment 1230 close to the bottom end 1242 being directly connected to the base frame 1214 .
• the base connector 1238 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener, or some other type of connector that enables the second support segment 1230 to be securely attached to the base frame 1214 .
• the base connector 1238 can be a hinge that enables the second support segment 1230 to pivot relative to the base frame 1214 .
• the second support segment 1230 is connected to the third support arch 1226 C with a segment connector 1246 .
• the segment connector 1246 can include some sort of bracket connector, fastener or some other type of connector that enables the second support segment 1230 to be securely attached to the third support arch 1226 C.
• the segment connector 1246 is positioned approximately halfway between the bottom end 1242 and the top end 1244 of the second support segment 1230 .
• the second support segment 1230 is collapsible (i.e. can pivot relative to the base frame 1214 ) when the segment connector 1246 is detached so that the trampoline assembly 1210 can be stored in a relatively small configuration.
• the top end 1244 of the first support segment 1228 curves somewhat toward the top end 1244 of the second support segment 1230
• the top end 1244 of the second support segment 1230 curves somewhat toward the top end 1244 of the first support segment 1228
• the top end 1244 of the first support segment 1228 and the top end 1244 of the second support segment 1230 are at a height that is equal to or approximately equal to the height of the support bar 1232 .
• the height of the support segments 1230 is within approximately 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 5 inches of that of the support bar 1232 .
• the first support segment 1228 and the second support segment 1230 are just portions of an incomplete arch that is similar in size and shape to the other arches 1226 .
• the support bar 1232 is positioned above the bed 1212 of the trampoline assembly 1210 to provide the user with a stabilizer to enhance balance and coordination when using the trampoline assembly 1210 . As shown, the support bar 1232 is positioned substantially horizontally (and substantially parallel with the bed 1212 ) approximately three feet above the bed 1212 of the trampoline assembly 1210 . Alternatively, the support bar 1232 can be positioned so that it is greater than or less than three feet above the bed 1212 of the trampoline assembly 1210 .
• the support bar 1232 has a semi-enclosed shape having a first end 1248 and a spaced apart second end 1250 . With this design the user can easily get on and off the trampoline assembly 1210 and gain access to the support bar 1232 within the semi-enclosed figure.
• the support bar 1232 can be substantially C-shaped.
• the support bar 1232 can be substantially U-shaped, substantially rectangle-shaped with one side or most of one side open or missing, substantially square-shaped with one side or most of one side open or missing, or some other shape.
• the plurality of support resilient members 1234 connect the support bar 1232 to the rest of the support assembly 1222 .
• Each support resilient member 1234 can include a spring, elastic, plastic, rubber, or other suitably resilient structure.
• each support resilient member 1234 can include a support cover 1252 that is designed to help protect the user from injury by preventing the user from getting hands or feet or other body parts caught or pinched within the support resilient member 1234 .
• the support cover 1252 can be made of nylon or other suitable, pliable material.
• the support assembly 1222 includes four support resilient members 1234 , wherein one support resilient member 1234 is positioned near the first end 1248 of the support bar 1232 , one support resilient member 1234 is positioned near the second end 1250 of the support bar 1232 , and two support resilient members 1234 are substantially evenly spaced along the support bar 1232 between the first end 1248 and the second end 1250 .
• two support resilient members 1234 connect the support bar 1232 to the second support arch 1226 B, one support resilient member 1234 connects the support bar 1232 to the first support segment 1228 near the top end 1244 of the first support segment 1228 , and one support resilient member 1234 connects the support bar 1232 to the second support segment 1230 near the top end 1244 of the second support segment 1230 .
• the support assembly 1222 can be designed to include more than four support resilient members 1234 or less than four support resilient members 1234 , one or more of the support resilient members 1234 can be connected to the first support arch 1226 A or the second support arch 1226 C, and/or the spacing between the support resilient members 1234 can be varied.

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• Tents Or Canopies (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (28)

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Cited By (11)

Citations (12)

• 2012
  • 2012-06-11 US US13/493,970 patent/US20120252634A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (12)

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