U.S. patent application number 12/201220 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for flexible enclosure for a recreational structure.
Invention is credited to Jeffry L. VanElverdinghe.
Application Number | 20090062078 12/201220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40408400 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090062078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VanElverdinghe; Jeffry L. |
March 5, 2009 |
Flexible Enclosure For A Recreational Structure
Abstract
A safety enclosure structure comprises a plurality of flexible
rods and a frame assembly. Each flexible rod comprises a first end
and a second end. The frame assembly comprises at least four
apertures arranged in a first through fourth sequential arrangement
along the frame assembly. Each aperture is capable of receiving an
end of a flexible rod. The first end of a first flexible rod is
received by the first aperture and the second end of the first
flexible rod is received by the third aperture. The first end of
the second flexible rod is received by the second aperture and the
second end of the second flexible rod being is by the fourth
aperture. The first and second flexible rods each form an arch
shape between the apertures receiving the respective ends of the
first and second flexible rods.
Inventors: |
VanElverdinghe; Jeffry L.;
(Beaverton, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH P. CURTIN
1469 N.W. MORGAN LANE
PORTLAND
OR
97229
US
|
Family ID: |
40408400 |
Appl. No.: |
12/201220 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11970412 |
Jan 7, 2008 |
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12201220 |
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60969586 |
Aug 31, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20130101; A63B
71/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/29 |
International
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20060101
A63B005/11 |
Claims
1. A safety enclosure structure, comprising: a plurality of
flexible rods, each flexible rod comprising a first end and a
second end; and a frame assembly comprising at least four apertures
arranged in a first through fourth sequential arrangement along the
frame assembly, each aperture capable of receiving an end of a
flexible rod, the first end of a first flexible rod being received
by the first aperture and the second end of the first flexible rod
being received by the third aperture, and the first end of the
second flexible rod being received by the second aperture and the
second end of the second flexible rod being received by the fourth
aperture, the first and second flexible rods each forming an arch
shape between the apertures receiving the respective ends of the
first and second flexible rods.
2. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 1, further
comprising a net coupled to at least a top arch portion of at least
one of the first and second flexible rods.
3. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 2, wherein the
first and second flexible rods provide a lateral support to each
other.
4. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 3, further
comprising at least one ferrule coupled to two adjacent flexible
rods.
5. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 3, wherein the
frame assembly is part of a standard trampoline frame.
6. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 5, further
comprising a rebounding surface coupled to the frame assembly.
7. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 3, wherein the
frame assembly is part of a panel-type trampoline frame.
8. The safety enclosure structure according to claim 7, further
comprising a rebounding surface coupled to the frame assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent application is a continuation-in-part
patent application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008, entitled "Panel-type Frame
Structure For A Recreational Structure, invented by Jeffry L.
VanElverdinghe, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/969,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled
"Patent-type Trampoline And Trampoline Embodiments," invented by
Jeffry L. VanElverdinghe, the disclosures of both being
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present
patent application is also related to U.S. Design Patent
Application Serial No. (Attorney Docket No. 135.0026), entitled
"Flexible Safety Enclosure For A Recreational Structure," and U.S.
Design Patent Application Serial No. (Attorney Docket No.
135.0027), entitled "Connector For Flexible Enclosure For A
Recreational Structure," both of which being filed concurrently
herewith and both disclosures being incorporated by reference
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated by way of
example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which
like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure
according to the subject matter disclosed herein;
[0004] FIGS. 2A-2C depict exemplary embodiments of ferrules that
can be used with a flexible rod that forms the safety enclosure of
FIG. 1;
[0005] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a safety enclosure according to the subject matter
disclosed herein;
[0006] FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure
according to the subject matter disclosed herein;
[0007] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively depict top and side views of an
exemplary embodiment of a portion of recreational structure frame
according to the subject matter disclosed herein;
[0008] FIG. 5C depicts an alternative configuration for coupling a
spring member to recreational structure frame according to the
subject matter disclosed herein; and
[0009] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of a recreational frame T-coupler that is suitable for use with the
safety enclosure and recreational structure frame depicted in FIG.
1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not to be construed as necessarily
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure
100 according to the subject matter disclosed herein. Safety
enclosure 100 is designed to safely stop a user from falling from
the rebounding surface of the recreational structure and operates
as a fence around the rebounding surface, but does not act as a
rebounder. Safety enclosure 100 comprises a plurality of flexible
rods 101 that supports and suspends safety netting 102. One
suitable flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod 101 is
disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Safety
netting 102 comprises a net or fabric mesh and a plurality of
sleeves 303 (see FIG. 3) formed along a top edge of the netting in
which a rod 101 can be inserted. When a rod 101 is inserted into a
sleeve 303, the two ends of the rod extend out from sleeve 303. In
another embodiment, the top of safety netting 102 is fastened to
rods 101 in a well-known manner. The ends of each flexible rod 101
are then coupled to a frame 150, such as a standard trampoline
frame, by inserting each end into an aperture or a side-sleeve
member, such as any of the apertures and/or side-sleeves described
in connection with T-coupler devices disclosed herein, so that the
rod 101 forms an arch that spans between two apertures (and/or
side-sleeve members) that are spaced apart. For example, referring
to FIG. 1, a rod 101 forms an arch that spans between two T-coupler
devices 151 located at point A and point C. Points A and C are
spaced apart, in this case, by two times the length of the span of
frame 150 between two T-coupler devices 151 plus the length of one
T-coupler device 151 that is located at B. Other exemplary
distances are possible for forming an arch by a rod 101.
[0012] A sleeve 303 (FIG. 3) formed in flexible netting 102 is
coupled to an arched flexible rod 101 at least at a top portion of
the arch formed by a flexible rod. The arrangement is repeated
around the frame 150 so that adjacent flexible rods 101 overlap and
provide lateral support to each other. In one exemplary embodiment,
the number of flexible rods 101 equals the number of T-coupler
devices in frame 150 of the recreational structure. In another
exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods 101 is a
sub-multiple of the number of number of T-coupler devices in frame
150 of the recreational structure. While flexible rods 101 are
depicted in FIG. 1 has extending substantially vertically from
frame 150, the apertures and/or side-sleeve members that receive
flexible rods 101 could be oriented and the size of the top of the
safety netting at the sleeves is such that flexible rods 101 bow
outward from frame 150 before bowing back in at the top of the
safety netting. Additionally, safety netting 102 comprises a door
arrangement (not shown) for allowing entry into the area enclosed
by safety enclosure 100. Frame 150 is coupled to a trampoline bed
(not shown), or a rebounding surface (not shown), in a well-known
manner, such as by springs.
[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible rod 101 comprises a
ferrule 201 disposed at each end of the rod, such as shown in FIG.
2A. The size of ferrule 201 is selected so that it can be inserted
into an aperture or a sleeve-sleeve member of a T-coupler device,
such as that depicted in FIG. 6. One exemplary embodiment of a
ferrule 201 comprises an integrated stop flange 202 for preventing
the flexible rod from being inserted too far into an aperture or a
side-sleeve member of a T-coupler device. Further, in one exemplary
embodiment, flexible rod 101 can be formed from one piece. In an
alternative exemplary embodiment, a flexible rod 101 can be formed
from a plurality of shorter flexible members 101a (FIGS. 2B and
2C). When flexible rod 101 is formed from a plurality of flexible
members 101a, the flexible members 101a can be fastened together
using rigid connector ferrules 203 and 204, such as are shown
respectively in FIGS. 2B and 2C. FIG. 2B shows one exemplary
embodiment of a rigid connector ferrule 202, and FIG. 2C shows an
alternative exemplary embodiment of a rigid connector ferrule 204.
When flexible rod 101 comprises a coated fiberglass rod, the jacket
material of the fiberglass rod forming the coated portion should be
removed if ferrule will be crimpled or glued.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a safety enclosure 300 according to the subject
matter disclosed herein. Safety enclosure 300 is depicted as being
coupled to a panel-type trampoline frame 350, such as that
disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/969,586,
filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled "Patent-type Trampoline And
Trampoline Embodiments," and U.S. Utility patent application Ser.
No. 11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008, entitled "Panel-type Frame
Structure For A Recreational Structure, the disclosures of both
being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Frame 350
is coupled to a trampoline bed, or a rebounding surface, 310 in a
well-known manner, such as by springs.
[0015] Safety enclosure 300 comprises a plurality of flexible rods
301 that supports and suspends a safety netting (partially shown).
One suitable flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod 301
is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The safety
netting comprises a net or fabric mesh (partially shown for
clarity) and a plurality of sleeves 303 formed in a well-known
manner along a top edge of the netting in which a rod 301 can be
inserted. When a rod 301 is inserted into a sleeve 303, the two
ends of the rod extend out from sleeve 303. The ends of each
flexible rod 301 are then coupled to frame 350 by inserting each
end into an aperture or a side-sleeve member, such as any of the
apertures and/or side-sleeves described in connection with
T-coupler devices disclosed herein, so that the rod 301 forms an
arch that spans between two apertures (and/or side-sleeve members)
that are spaced apart. Safety enclosure 300 further comprises a
plurality of ferrules 304, of which only a few are indicated, that
rods 301 pass through in a well-known manner. Ferrules 304 provide
additional support between the different rods 301. Rods 301 form
arches in a configuration that is similar to the arches formed by
rods 101 in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a safety
enclosure 400 according to the subject matter disclosed herein.
Safety enclosure 400 is depicted as being coupled to a panel-type
trampoline frame 350, such as that disclosed in U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/969,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled
"Patent-type Trampoline And Trampoline Embodiments," and U.S.
Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008,
entitled "Panel-type Frame Structure For A Recreational Structure,
the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
[0017] Safety enclosure 400 comprises a plurality of flexible rods
401 that supports and suspends safety netting 402. One suitable
flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod 401 is disclosed
by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference herein. Safety netting 402
comprises a net or fabric mesh and a plurality of sleeves (see
sleeves 303 in FIG. 3) formed along a top edge of the netting in
which a rod 401 can be inserted. When a rod 401 is inserted into a
sleeve, the two ends of the rod extend out from the sleeve. The
ends of each flexible rod 401 are then coupled to frame 450 by
inserting each end into an aperture 504 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) of an
angled-sleeve-joint coupling 501 so that the rod 401 forms an arch
that spans between two angled-sleeve-joint couplings 501 that are
spaced about by at least one angled-sleeve-joint coupling. For
example, referring to FIG. 4, a rod 401 forms an arch that spans
between the angled-sleeve-joint couplings located at point A and
point C, while points A and C are spaced apart, in this case, by
the single angled-sleeve-joint coupling located at B. The sleeve
formed in flexible netting 402 is coupled to an arched flexible rod
at least at a top portion of the arch formed by a flexible rod. The
arrangement is repeated around the frame 450 so that adjacent
flexible rods 401 overlap and provide lateral support to each
other. In one exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods 401
equals the number of panels 461 forming panel base 460. In another
exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods 401 is a
sub-multiple of the number of panels 461 forming the panel base.
While flexible rods 401 are depicted in FIG. 4 has extending
substantially vertically from frame 450, apertures 504 could be
oriented and the size of the top of the safety netting at the
sleeves is such that flexible rods 401 bow outward from frame 450
before bowing back in at the top of the safety netting.
Additionally, safety netting 402 comprises a door arrangement (not
shown) for allowing entry into the area enclosed by safety
enclosure 400.
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively depict top and side views of an
exemplary embodiment of a portion of recreational structure frame
450. In particular, FIG. 5A depicts a top view of one exemplary
embodiment of an angled-sleeve-joint coupling 501 into which frame
members 502 of frame 450 are inserted. The angle .phi. shown in
FIG. 5A varies depending on desired polygonal shape of frame 450.
For example, when the desired polygonal shape is an octagon, angle
.phi. is 45.degree.. When the desired polygonal shape is a regular
sixteen-sided polygon, angle .phi. is 22.5.degree.. FIG. 5B depicts
a side view of a portion of recreational structure frame 450 and a
portion of two adjacent panels 461.
[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, frame members 502 are fitted
together using angled-sleeve-joint couplings 501 to form a frame
comprising polygonal shape that corresponds to the polygonal shape
formed by a plurality of panels 461. In another exemplary
embodiment, frame members 502 are fitted together with
angled-sleeve-joint couplings 501 and straight-sleeve-joint
couplings (not shown) to form a frame comprising a polygonal shape
that corresponds to the polygonal shape formed by a plurality of
panels 461.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, angled sleeve-joint coupling
501 comprises apertures 504, which are each configured for
accepting an enclosure pole, and an aperture 505, which is
configured for accepting a carriage pin 506. Carriage pin 506
extends through an aperture (not shown) formed in each of the tab
members (not shown) of a panel 461 when the tab members are
interdigitated. A straight sleeve-joint coupling 503 is configured
similarly to angled-sleeve-joint coupling, but is straight rather
than comprising an angle .phi.. A washer 507 is positioned and nut
508 is threaded onto carriage pin 505 in a well-known manner. While
one carriage pin 506 is shown in FIG. 5B that extends between the
top and bottom edges of a panel, it should be understood that a
plurality of carriage pins could be used along the joining edges of
adjacent panels 461.
[0021] FIG. 5C depicts an alternative configuration for coupling a
spring 505 to recreational structure frame 450. One exemplary
embodiment provides apertures 510 that are configured along a top
side of frame 450 to accept the hook portion of a spring. An
alternative embodiment provides apertures 510 arranged in an
alternating manner along the top and bottom sides of a frame 450,
such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,318 B2 to VanElverdinghe
to Adams and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0258510
A1 to McGee et al., the disclosures of each being incorporated by
reference herein. Another exemplary embodiment provides
spring-attachment members 511 that are attached to a frame member
502 in a well-known manner, such as by welding. Spring-attachment
members 511 are configured to accept the hook portion of a spring
in the space formed between frame member 502 and the
spring-attachment member 511.
[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of a recreational frame T-coupler 600 that is suitable for use with
the safety enclosure and recreational structure frame depicted in
FIG. 1. T-coupler 600 comprises a horizontal portion 601 that is
capable of receiving horizontal frame members (not shown) of a
recreational frame structure in a well-known manner, and a vertical
portion 602 that is capable of receiving a leg member of the
recreational frame structure in a well-known manner. T-coupler 600
further comprises side sleeves 603 and 604 that in one exemplary
embodiment are arranged directly adjacent to each other. In another
exemplary embodiment, sleeves 603 and 604 are arranged to have a
spacing between each sleeve. Side sleeves 603 and 604 are capable
of receiving an end of a flexible rod 101 (FIG. 1). In one
exemplary embodiment, sleeves 603 and 604 each include an aperture
that is capable of receiving a spring-locking mechanism form into
the end of a flexible rod 101. In another exemplary embodiment,
sleeves 603 and 604 do not comprise an aperture that is capable of
receiving a spring-locking mechanism of a flexible rod. It should
be understood that alternative embodiments of a T-coupler could be
used in place of the exemplary embodiment of T-coupler 600 depicted
in FIG. 6. For example, exemplary suitable T-couplers are disclosed
in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/176,407, filed Jul.
20, 2008, entitled "Concentric Arrangement Frame Structure For
Recreational Structure," the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. It should also be understood that vertical
portion 602 of T-coupler 600 could have a length that is sufficient
to be a leg of a trampoline structure.
[0023] Although the foregoing disclosed subject matter has been
described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding,
it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be
practiced that are within the scope of the appended claims.
Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the subject matter disclosed
herein is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be
modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended
claims.
* * * * *