U.S. patent application number 14/367618 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-13 for trampoline rod.
The applicant listed for this patent is BOARD & BATTEN INTERNATIONAL INC.. Invention is credited to David Jethro Miller.
Application Number | 20140336005 14/367618 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48067653 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140336005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; David Jethro |
November 13, 2014 |
Trampoline Rod
Abstract
In a trampoline in which a plurality of support rods connect
between the frame and the mat of the trampoline to hold the mat in
tension, the support rods comprise an integral skirt which
surrounds and encases at least an upper end length of the support
rod and optionally the whole support rod.
Inventors: |
Miller; David Jethro;
(Christchurch, NZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BOARD & BATTEN INTERNATIONAL INC. |
Georgetown |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48067653 |
Appl. No.: |
14/367618 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
December 21, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NZ2012/000246 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61579721 |
Dec 23, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/27 ;
482/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/045 20130101;
A63B 5/11 20130101; A63B 21/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/27 ;
482/148 |
International
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20060101
A63B005/11 |
Claims
1. A trampoline system comprising: a flexible rebounding mat, a
plurality of support rods, a frame, the support rods connecting
between the frame and the mat to hold the mat in tension, the upper
ends of the rods connected to the mat around the periphery of the
mat, the lower ends connected to the frame, wherein the upper end
of the main support rod is fitted with an edge connector to connect
the upper end of the support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat,
the edge connector comprising an enlarged end and an integral skirt
which surrounds and encases at least an upper end length of the
support rod below the enlarged end.
2. A trampoline system according to claim 1 wherein the integral
skirt surrounds and encloses a major part of the length of the
support rod.
3. A trampoline system according to claim 1 wherein the integral
skirt surrounds and encloses substantially all of the length of the
support rod at least between the enlarged end and the frame.
4. A trampoline system according to claim 1 wherein the integral
skirt surrounds and encloses a major part of the length of the
support rod between the enlarged upper end and an enlargement or
surround towards a lower end of the support rod at or adjacent a
connection or entry of the support rod to or into the frame.
5. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1 to 4
wherein the enlarged upper end of the support rod and the skirt and
optionally the enlargement or surround towards a lower end of the
support rod and are formed of a plastics material and by injection
moulding around and to or onto the support rod or at least an upper
end thereof.
6. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1 to 5
wherein the support rods are flat when no external force is
applied.
7. A trampoline system according to any on for claims 1 to 6
wherein the support rods have a square or rectangular
cross-section.
8. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1 to 7
wherein the support rods are formed from fibreglass.
9. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1 to 8
wherein the frame has the overall form of a rectangle in plan view,
the mat rectangular and having a perimeter which overlaps with the
frame.
10. A support rod for a trampoline system comprising a flexible
rebounding mat, a plurality of support rods, a frame, and wherein
the support rods connect between the frame and the mat to hold the
mat in tension, the upper ends of the rods connected to the mat
around the periphery of the mat, the lower ends connected to the
frame, in which support rod the upper end of the main support rod
is fitted with an edge connector to connect the upper end of the
support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat, the edge connector
comprising an enlarged end and an integral skirt which surrounds
and encases at least an upper end length of the support rod below
the enlarged end.
11. A support rod according to claim 10 wherein the integral skirt
surrounds and encloses a major part of the length of the support
rod.
12. A support rod according to claim 10 wherein the integral skirt
surrounds and encloses substantially all of the length of the
support rod at least between the enlarged end and the frame.
13. A support rod according to claim 10 wherein the integral skirt
surrounds and encloses a major part of the length of the support
rod between the enlarged upper end and an enlargement or surround
towards a lower end of the support rod at or adjacent a connection
or entry of the support rod to or into the frame.
14. A support rod according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein
the enlarged upper end of the support rod and the skirt and
optionally the enlargement or surround towards a lower end of the
support rod and are formed of a plastics material and by injection
moulding around and to or onto the support rod or at least an upper
end thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a trampoline in which a plurality
of support rods connecting between the frame and the mat of the
trampoline to hold the mat in tension comprise an integral skirt
which surrounds and encases at least an upper end length of the
support rod.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A trampoline is a gymnastic apparatus which in its most
basic form generally comprises a rebounding mat fixed to a support
frame so that the mat is supported above the ground. A user jumps
or otherwise bounces on the rebounding mat for entertainment and
exercise.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,174 discloses a form of soft-edged
trampoline in which the mat of the trampoline is supported by a
plurality of resiliently flexible rods received in a frame of the
trampoline at the lower ends of the rods, the upper end of the rods
coupled to the periphery of the bouncing or rebounding mat of the
trampoline, this arrangement avoiding the need for a solid frame
about the exterior of the bouncing mat, and exposed springs between
the frame and periphery of the mat. The rods are angled or
spiralled around the frame, extending outwards and upwards from the
frame. An example is shown in FIG. 1. The trampoline has a frame, a
rebounding mat, and a safety enclosure, the safety enclosure held
in position by a number of enclosure support members or poles. The
frame and rebounding mat are mutually adapted so that the flexible
rebounding mat is held above the frame and away from the ground in
tension and aligned in a substantially horizontal plane above the
frame. The enclosure support members or poles support the safety
enclosure so that the enclosure surrounds, and extends upwards
from, the rebounding mat to form an enclosed jumping area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved or
at least an alternative form of trampoline.
[0005] In broad terms in a first aspect the invention comprises a
trampoline system comprising:
[0006] a flexible rebounding mat,
[0007] a plurality of support rods,
[0008] a frame,
[0009] the support rods connecting between the frame and the mat to
hold the mat in tension, the upper ends of the rods connected to
the mat around the periphery of the mat, the lower ends connected
to the frame, wherein the upper end of the main support rod is
fitted with an edge connector to connect the upper end of the
support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat, the edge connector
comprising an enlarged end and an integral skirt which surrounds
and encases at least an upper end length of the support rod below
the enlarged end.
[0010] In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises a
support rod for a trampoline system comprising a flexible
rebounding mat, a plurality of support rods, a frame, and wherein
the support rods connect between the frame and the mat to hold the
mat in tension, the upper ends of the rods connected to the mat
around the periphery of the mat, the lower ends connected to the
frame, in which support rod the upper end of the main support rod
is fitted with an edge connector to connect the upper end of the
support rod to the edge of the trampoline mat, the edge connector
comprising an enlarged end and an integral skirt which surrounds
and encases at least an upper end length of the support rod below
the enlarged end.
[0011] Preferably the integral skirt surrounds and encloses a major
part of the length of the support rod.
[0012] In one embodiment the integral skirt surrounds and encloses
substantially all of the length of the support rod between the
enlarged end and the frame.
[0013] In one embodiment the integral skirt surrounds and encloses
a major part of the length of the support rod between the enlarged
upper end and an enlargement or surround towards a lower end of the
support rod at or adjacent a connection or entry of the support rod
to or into the frame.
[0014] Preferably the enlarged upper end of the support rod and the
skirt and optionally the enlargement or surround towards a lower
end of the support rod and are formed of a plastics material and by
injection moulding around and to or onto the support rod or at
least an upper end thereof. In one embodiment the rods are aligned
in a substantially horizontal plane above the frame and the free
length of the rods between the upper ends and the lower ends rods
extends or bows outwards from the frame along the entire free
length, the rods curving upwards from the frame towards the mat,
and the rods aligned to extend outwards substantially perpendicular
to the frame,
[0015] Preferably the rods are flat when no external force is
applied.
[0016] Preferably the rods have a square or rectangular
cross-section.
[0017] Preferably the rods are formed from fibreglass.
[0018] In another embodiment the rods are angled or spiralled
around the frame, extending outwards and upwards from the frame. An
example is shown in FIG. 1. The trampoline has a frame, a
rebounding mat, and the frame and rebounding mat are mutually
adapted so that the flexible rebounding mat is held above the frame
and away from the ground in tension and aligned in a substantially
horizontal plane above the frame.
[0019] The term "comprising" as used in this specification and
indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part
of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and
indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising",
features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be
present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be
interpreted in the same manner.
[0020] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or
both.
[0021] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural
and/or singular forms of the noun.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to
the accompany drawings by way of example, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first form of trampoline system, the
trampoline system having a frame, a jumping mat and an enclosure
net held above, and surrounding, the jumping mat to form an
enclosed jumping area, the frame and jumping mat connected via a
number of fiberglass rods extending upwards from the frame to the
edge of the mat.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a first preferred form of trampoline, the mat
of the trampoline is supported above a frame of the trampoline by a
plurality of resiliently flexible rods which extend outwards from
the frame to the mat, substantially perpendicular to the frame, the
rods curving outwards and upwards from the frame, the upper ends of
the rods connected to the periphery of the mat.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a support
rod of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view from one long side of the support rod of
FIG. 3.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view along line A-A of FIG. 4 of
the support rod of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a section of one side of the trampoline of FIG.
2, but show only two support rods, one only partly installed,
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view along line B-B of FIG. 6
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view line C-C of FIG. 6
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of second embodiment of a
support rod of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a view from one long side of the support rod of
FIG. 9.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a cross-section view along line C-C of FIG. 10 of
the support rod of FIGS. 11 and 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] A trampoline system 1 according to the invention is shown in
FIG. 2. The trampoline system 1 comprises a flexible rebounding mat
2 and a frame 3, the mat 2 and frame 3 held in position and in
tension on the frame relative to one another by a plurality of
support rods 4. The frame 3 of the embodiment shown is generally
rectangular in plan view, but may alternatively be for example,
square, oval or circular. The mat 2 has the same shape as the frame
3, but larger, so that when the mat is placed above the frame, each
edge of the mat overlaps the frame. The mat is formed from a
resiliently flexibly material such as woven polypropylene.
[0035] Each the support rod 4 has a lower end 7 which is connected
to the frame 3, and an upper end 8 which is connected to the mat 2.
Apertures are formed in the frame 3, along the outer side and
slightly towards the upper part of the frame 5, and the lower ends
7 of the support rods 4 insert into these apertures. The sides of
the apertures can be reinforced with support inserts or similar if
required. In the preferred embodiment the lower ends 7 of the
support rods are connected to the frame such that the rods angle
outwards, with their longitudinal axes aligned substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame. Each support
rod 4 has a free length 9, which is that length of the rod between
the upper end 8 (connected to the mat) and the lower end 7
(connected to the frame). The free length 9 bows, bends or extends
outwards from the frame 3) along the entirety of the free length to
form an outwardly bowed arc. In the preferred form, the rods 4 form
a row along each side of the frame 2 and mat 3. The corners of the
trampoline do not have support rods associated with them. In the
most preferred form, the corners of the rectangular mat 3 are `cut
off` diagonally between the end one of each row of support rods, to
avoid an unsupported or loose portion of material at the
corner.
[0036] The support rods 4 are, in the preferred embodiment, formed
from fibreglass or a similar material. The support rods 4 may be
formed as flat bars--that is, elongate members with a square or
more preferably rectangular cross-section, or of any other suitable
cross-sectional shape. In the preferred embodiment the support rods
are flat or straight when no external force is applied--that is,
they are not pre-formed with a curve. The sides of the rods (that
is, the narrower ones of the longer faces aligned along or with the
longitudinal axis of the rod) are, in the preferred embodiment,
fully radiused.
[0037] The enlarged upper end 8 of each support rod 4 is formed as
an edge connector 114 to connect the upper end 8 to the edge of the
mat 2 in co-operation with an edge fitting fitted to the edge of
the mat. In the preferred form the mat is fitted with mat edge
fittings comprising female connectors which receive the male edge
connectors 114. Preferably the female connectors are ganged in
single unitary components one connected to each edge of the mat.
This is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. A mat edge fitting or attachment
component--attachment component 20c--is shown connected to the edge
of the mat 2. Along each mat edge an attachment component 20c is
held in position on the underside of the mat edge by a series of
webbing straps 25c that are looped over the attachment component
20c and have ends stitched or sewn to the upper and lower surfaces
of the mat, the webbing straps aligned substantially perpendicular
to the edge of the mat 2 and passing across and over the attachment
component 20c.
[0038] FIGS. 7 and 8 show how the rod edge connectors 114 couple to
the attachment components 20c. The attachment component 20c has a
hollow interior (it may be formed by extrusion for example) and the
front of the attachment component 20c comprises as series of spaced
outwardly facing openings one indicated in FIG. 6 at 21c. In
assembly of the trampoline, a catch rod 44 is passed in through one
of the open ends of the attachment component 20c. The rod 44 is the
same length as the attachment component 20c. The catch rod 44 rests
at the lower front internal corner of the attachment component 20c;
after the lower ends of the support rods 4 have been attached to
the frame as outlined above, to connect each support rods 4 to the
attachment component 20c, the upper end 8 of the support rod 4 is
bent backwards/inwards towards the mat 2 and the connected
attachment component 20c. The angled top surface or face of the top
of the rod engages and pushes the catch rod 44 upwards within the
interior of attachment component 20c until the catch rod 44 passes
over the top of the rod end and drops down behind it to the
position shown in FIG. 8, engaging in notch 45.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 and 9 to 11, in accordance with
the invention the enlarged upper ends of the support rods 4
comprising the edge connectors 114 comprise an integral skirt 180
which surrounds and encases at least an upper end length of the
support rod below the enlarged end. Preferably the integral skirt
surrounds and encloses a major part of the length of the support
rod. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5 the integral skirt
180 may surround and enclose substantially all of the length of the
support rod, or as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 the integral skirt 180
may surround and enclose a major part of the length of the support
rod 4, and in particular that length between the top of the rod and
the frame of the trampoline when installed. In preferred
embodiments an enlargement or surround 181 is also integrally
formed with the skirt 180 towards a lower end of the support rod at
or adjacent a connection or entry of the support rod to or into the
frame (in the assembled trampoline). Preferably the enlarged upper
end 114 of the support rod and the skirt 180 and optionally the
enlargement or surround 181 towards a lower end of the support rod
and are formed of a plastics material and by injection moulding
around and to or onto the support rod or at least an upper end
thereof.
[0040] FIGS. 3 to 5 and 9 to 11 show a support rod 4 of the
trampoline embodiment of in particular FIG. 2. Alternatively, in a
soft edged trampoline as shown in FIG. 1 and as described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,319,174 referred to previously, and international patent
application publication WO03/043704, comprising resilient spring
rods angled or spiralled around a lower frame and extending
outwards and upwards from the frame to connect to fittings on the
underside of the edge of the mat, the rods may also be formed as
described above, with a ball end and integral skirt and optionally
an enlargement or surround 181 towards their lower ends of the
support rod all integrally and of a plastics material by injection
moulding around and to or onto the support rods. The foregoing
description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof.
Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *