U.S. patent application number 15/686742 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for trampoline.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jung-Ching Chang, Stephen O'Brien. Invention is credited to Jung-Ching Chang, Stephen O'Brien.
Application Number | 20190060692 15/686742 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65434695 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190060692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Jung-Ching ; et
al. |
February 28, 2019 |
Trampoline
Abstract
A trampoline is disclosed having a zipper, one half of which is
attached to the outer portion of the jumping surface, the other
half attached to the lower portion of the protective netting, so
that the jumping surface and protective netting can be connected in
a continuous fashion. The zipper is an open type zipper design, and
preferably begins and ends in a position in proximity to a pole
from which the protective netting is suspended. A second zipper is
disclosed in the protective netting to allow for an open position
and a closed position, such that when in the closed position, the
second zipper tab is in proximity to the first zipper tab when
closed, so that the two can be tethered together to discourage the
zippers from becoming unzipped.
Inventors: |
Chang; Jung-Ching; (Allen,
TX) ; O'Brien; Stephen; (Sudbury, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chang; Jung-Ching
O'Brien; Stephen |
Allen
Sudbury |
TX |
US
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
65434695 |
Appl. No.: |
15/686742 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/0072 20130101;
A44B 19/30 20130101; A63B 71/022 20130101; A63B 5/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20060101
A63B005/11; A63B 71/02 20060101 A63B071/02; A44B 19/30 20060101
A44B019/30 |
Claims
1. A trampoline assembly having an improved connection between a
trampoline's jumping surface and protective netting enclosure
comprising: a first zipper having a first half zipper attached to
the outer portion of the jumping surface and a second half zipper
attached to the lower portion of the protective netting, whereby
the first half zipper and second half zipper can be connected to
each other.
2. A trampoline assembly having an improved connection between a
trampoline's jumping surface and protective netting enclosure as
claimed in claim 1 wherein the first zipper is an open type zipper
design.
3. A trampoline assembly having an improved connection between a
trampoline's jumping surface and protective netting enclosure as
claimed in claim 1 wherein the first zipper begins and ends in a
position in proximity to a pole from which the protective netting
is suspended.
4. A trampoline assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a second zipper opening in the protective netting to allow for an
open position and a closed position, such that when in the closed
position, the second zipper tab is in proximity to the first zipper
tab when closed.
5. A trampoline assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a tether connecting the tab of the first zipper to the tab of the
second zipper.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention refers in general to the field of
trampolines, and more particularly, to a trampoline having an
improved connection between a trampoline's jumping surface and
protective netting enclosure.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Trampolines generally include a jumping surface stretched
and secured to a rigid frame, often by springs, though other
implementations may be employed. Typically, the jumping surface
includes rings, often triangular-shaped or D-shaped, secured by
webbing and sewn onto the circumferential edge portion of the
jumping mat. One end of a spring is attached to the ring and the
other end is attached to the frame. Protective netting encompasses
the trampoline to prevent users from jumping or falling off when
jumping on the trampoline.
[0003] Traditionally, the netting has been secured to the
trampoline by employing the rings. Specifically, the lower edge
portion of the netting is often manufactured with holes or
separations in the material to allow for a rope, often made of
polypropylene. The rope is woven between the rings and the netting
holes, thus attaching the netting to the jumping surface. As a user
jumps on the trampoline, however, the space between the protective
netting and the jumping surface separates and a gap is created.
Depending upon the location of any gaps, the springs may be
accessed by the user while jumping, thereby creating potential for
injury. There also exists the danger that a user can get hands,
feet, or even their head stuck in this gap and injury may
result.
[0004] An alternate method of securing the jumping surface to the
protective netting enclosure includes webbing attached to the outer
portion of the jumping surface. The webbing often has holes and can
be secured to the mesh protective netting enclosure by weaving a
cord or string through the netting and web holes. This method
likewise leaves gaps that can cause injury.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved way to attach protective netting to a trampoline jumping
mat.
[0006] It is a related object of the present invention to provide
an improved trampoline that reduces injuries that can occur from
the protective netting-to-jumping surface attachment.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to more securely
protect a user while jumping on a trampoline.
[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a trampoline assembly having an improved connection
between a trampoline's jumping surface and protective netting
enclosure comprises a first zipper having a first half zipper
attached to the outer portion of the jumping surface and a second
half zipper attached to the lower portion of the protective
netting, whereby the first half zipper and second half zipper can
be connected to each other.
[0009] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the
following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, embodiments
of the present invention are disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the
invention are set forth in the appended claims and claims yet to be
filed. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode
of use and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
read in conjunction with the accompanying Figures wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trampoline with the
connections between a trampoline's jumping surface and the
protective netting enclosure in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention and also having a door opening
in the protective netting;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trampoline as in FIG. 1
showing the door in the closed position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a close-up view circled section 3 of FIG. 2;
and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a view as in FIG. 3 showing the zipper tabs
tethered together
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are
provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the
invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part
shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore,
specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ
the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed
system, structure or manner.
[0016] Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown trampoline 10
having a jumping surface 12. Trampoline jumping surface 12 is
attached to rigid frame 14 by springs that are shown covered for
protection. A protective mesh netting enclosure 22, is shown
suspended from upright poles 25. Trampoline 10 in the illustrated
embodiment is shown having separation 27 in protective netting
enclosure 22 to allow a user access to jumping surface 12.
[0017] As shown at least in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connection between
trampoline jumping surface 22 and trampoline protective netting
enclosure 22 is by way of zipper 31. The illustrated embodiment,
zipper 31 is of the open type configuration. Accordingly, first
half 33 of zipper 31 includes a tape portion that is attached to
trampoline mat 22. In the illustrated embodiment, first half 33 of
zipper 31 is sewn to jumping surface 12. The mating, second half 35
of zipper 31 is attached to the bottom portion of trampoline
protective netting enclosure 22. For purposes of the present
invention, it does not matter which half of open zipper 31 is
attached to trampoline jumping surface 12 and which is attached to
trampoline protective netting enclosure 22, as long as the halves
are matting, such that one half has the traditional box, and the
other half has the traditional pin to be inserted into the box.
Alternately, zipper 31 may be of a design having two pins.
Regardless of zipper design, it is important that first half 33 of
zipper 31 attached to trampoline jumping surface 12 and second half
35 of zipper 31 attached to protective netting enclosure 22 mate in
the traditional zipper configuration.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, zipper 31 is of a box and pin
type design. Once the pin is inserted though zipper body 41 and
into box 43, the two haves may be connected by pulling zipper tab
45 along the length of the two halves, ending close to the starting
position. In this way, trampoline jumping surface 12 and protective
netting enclosure 22 are connected. Further, in the preferred
embodiment, zipper 31 is of the double sided design with a pull
tabs on each side of zipper body 41, so that trampoline jumping
surface 12 and trampoline protective netting enclosure 22 are
connected along the length of their respective ends.
[0019] Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is protective netting enclosure
opening 27. Opening 27 is a separation in protective netting
enclosure 22 so that a user my pass through from one side of
protective netting enclosure 22 to the other side. In the
illustrated embodiment, opening is shown as a vertical opening.
Opening 27 is opened and closed by way of second or door zipper 51.
In the illustrated embodiment, door zipper 51 has one half attached
to one side of opening 27 and the other half attached to the other
side of opening 27. Preferably, door zipper 51 is of the closed
zipper design. Door zipper 51 is connect one half 53 to the other
half 5 when door zipper 51 is in the down position, and generally
disconnected throughout most of the length when door zipper 51 is
in the upper position, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Door opening
may be expanded by unzipping door zipper 51 and partially unzipping
31.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the terminal, closed position
of zipper 31 and door zipper 51 are in proximity to each other. In
this manner, the tabs of zipper 31 and door zipper 51 are also in
close proximity when the two zippers are in the connected position
through the length of each zipper. As illustrated in FIG. 4, holes
59 of tabs 57 of the two zippers 31, 51 may then be tethered
together so that a person in the inside of protective netting
enclosure 22 will not easily be able to unzip either zipper 31, or
door zipper 51.
[0021] While the invention has been described in connection with
preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary,
it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims, and claims that may
issue.
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