HK1257619B - Trampoline suspension mount and connection system - Google Patents

Description

Trampoline suspension and connection system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application No. 15/068,093 filed on day 11/3/2016. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of trampolines, and more particularly, to a trampoline suspension and connection system having a pivoting bed beam and a shock absorber assembly incorporated into a vertical support.

Background

The trampoline park industry has rapidly developed in the united states over the last seven years, and has recently expanded to the international market. One of the biggest problems facing the industry is injury when a customer falls on the trampoline. In a typical arrangement, a frame of steel rods and/or cables is located beneath the trampoline mat, and springs connect the trampoline mat (jumping surface) to the bed beams (steel rods or cables) of the trampoline. A thick vinyl foam pad is typically attached to the top of the bed rail to cover the underlying steel frame and springs. This foam pad is the only soft surface to protect a customer from injury when they fall onto the trampoline bed.

In trampoline parks, the use of cables as trampoline frames instead of steel rods reduces the impact on customers falling on the bed beams to some extent as the cables provide limited bending. However, the amount of bending provided by the wire rope is limited and presents its own problems. In particular, the effects of customer contact with the wire ropes are not primarily absorbed (with a small amount of energy absorbed) but rather transmitted between the interconnected wire ropes of the trampoline, creating a wave effect between all the wire ropes throughout the field and reducing their effect of absorbing energy on impact. The trampoline park with the steel bars under the trampoline does not produce any energy absorption when the steel bars collide, thereby causing the risk of serious injury.

The present invention solves the problem of injury from landing on the trampoline mat/bed rails by incorporating a shock assembly into the trampoline frame. The system allows the bed beam to pivot upon impact, thereby mitigating the impact force on the customer. There have been a number of patent applications relating to trampolines and trampoline structures, but none of these inventions incorporate the safety features of the present invention.

Us patent No. 3,677,368(Green, 1972) discloses a trampoline having a frame made of tubular material and supported on legs which resist downward movement of the frame against downward impact of the frame. The present invention also includes a "force-bearing" pad mechanism on the frame to cushion a user from impacting the frame.

Us patent No. 5,336,135(Keyvani, 1993) provides an amusement device comprising a series of vertically aligned trampolines offset from one another to allow a user to jump in succession from an uppermost trampoline to a downstream trampoline. In one embodiment, the trampoline has a rigid support structure except for portions that can deflect when excessive force is applied to the trampoline. The latter embodiment includes a curved "buckling beam" that terminates in a steel spring to partially absorb the impact force.

U.S. patent No. 6,598,365(Abraham et al, 2003) describes impact and energy absorbing products for floors, walls and other flat surfaces. The present invention relates generally to placing a coil spring throughout an area to be protected. The flare inserts are attached to the spring and the flare inserts are inserted into a receiving member that is secured to the planar surface.

Us patent No. 6,662,538(Yoon, 2003) relates to a so-called "safety" trampoline comprising a generally circular inner canvas having a plurality of inner planar springs distributed around its periphery and a generally circular outer canvas having a plurality of outer planar springs distributed around its periphery. Binding cords attach the inner planar spring to the inner canvas and the outer planar spring to the outer canvas.

Us patent No. 6,733,420(Schroeder, 2004) discloses an exercise device comprising a frame formed by angle elements connected at adjacent corners thereof, including shoulders and gussets, and a fabric bed disposed within the frame and connected to the frame by coil springs. The plunger in the leg assembly provides additional travel displacement during use of the device.

U.S. patent No. 8,668,190(Heruska et al, 2014) provides an impact-absorbing structure having a vertical hollow column telescopically receiving a post. The coil spring is located between a support plate at the top of the vertical hollow column and a top plate connected to the top end of the column. When a downward force is applied to the roof, the post retracts within the hollow post and the spring is compressed.

U.S. patent application publication No. 2006/0116242(Publicover) describes a trampoline with adjustable spring tension in which springs or other resilient connectors support the bed within the trampoline frame and are adjustably connected to each other. The tension between the springs may be adjusted to provide more or less tension between adjacent springs (or adjacent sets of springs).

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is a trampoline suspension and connection system comprising: an elongated bed beam pivotally attached to a telescoping vertical support comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member and a floor, wherein the first tubular member is hollow and attached to and extends upwardly from the floor and the second tubular member telescopically fits within the first tubular member; wherein the top end of the second tubular is configured to form at least one channel into which a first end of the bed beam is inserted, the first end of the bed beam comprising an axis about which the first end of the bed beam pivots relative to the top end of the second tubular; and the first and second tubular members comprise a shock absorber assembly comprising a cylindrical bottom post secured to the bottom plate at a bottom end of the cylindrical bottom post, the bottom plate configured to fit within the first tubular member, wherein a bottom end of a shock absorber is attached to a top end of the cylindrical bottom post and a top of the shock absorber is attached to a top end of the second tubular member.

In a preferred embodiment, the second tubular member comprises four outer surfaces and four plastic liners, each plastic liner being secured to an outer surface of the second tubular member. The bed beam preferably includes a mechanism for attaching the trampoline springs. The mechanism for attaching the trampoline springs is preferably one or more zigzag members.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the bed beam includes a cylindrical bushing located within a cylindrical passage in the first end of the bed beam, and the axle passes through a central bore in the cylindrical bushing. The shock absorber assembly preferably further comprises a coil spring located around the cylindrical bottom post between the base plate and a top plate located at the top end of the cylindrical bottom post. The damper is preferably a gas spring.

In a preferred embodiment, the axle extends through a slot in each of the plates on either side of the first end of the bed beam, and the slot is configured to allow the axle to move laterally within the slot when the bed beam is pivoted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the bed beam attachment point of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the shock absorber assembly of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention with the shock absorbers in an uncompressed position.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention with the shock absorbers in a compressed position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the top piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the base of the vertical support of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fixed vertical support without the shock absorber assembly.

Fig. 19 is a top detail view of a trampoline mat connected to the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1 vertical support

2 horizontal bed beam assembly

3 bottom plate

4 first tubular member

5 second tubular member

6 Plastic liner

7 bolt

8 shock absorber

9 storage rack

9a support plate

9b storage plate

9c arch member

10 bed beam

10a cylindrical passage

11Z-shaped component

12 bolt

12a hole (for bolt 12)

13 groove (in storage rack)

14 shock absorber assembly

15 bottom pillar

16 bottom plate

17 Pin

18 spring retainer ring

19 helical spring

20 Top plate

21 support bracket

22 trampoline mattress

23 trampoline spring

24 liner

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present invention comprises a vertical support 1 and a horizontal bed beam assembly 2. The vertical support 1 comprises a bottom plate 3, a first tubular member 4 (hollow) attached to the bottom plate 3 and extending upwards from the bottom plate 3, and a second tubular member 5 (hollow) telescopically fitted within the first tubular member 4. The outer diameter of the second tubular member 5 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first tubular member 4, and the second tubular member 5 preferably comprises four flat plastics (preferably polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon)) Liners 6, each attached to one of the four outer surfaces of the second tubular member 5. Both the first and second tubular members 4, 5 are elongate. The plastic lining 6 preferably extends from the top of the second tubular member 5 directly below the bolt 7 up to the bottom of the second tubular member 5 (see fig. 3), the bolt 7 fixing a shock absorber 8 (not shown) to the second tubular member 5. Note the top of the first tubular member 4The end is open (so that the second tubular member 5 can be slid into it) and the bottom end of the first tubular member 4 is closed (as it is welded to the base plate 3). Both the top and bottom ends of the second tubular member 5 are preferably open.

Two elongated receiving brackets 9 are welded to the top end of the second tubular member 5. Each receiving bracket 9 is oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the central axis of the first and second tubular members 4, 5. In this embodiment, each receiving bracket 9 is welded to the outer surface of the second tubular member 5, and the receiving brackets 9 are located on the opposite surfaces of the second tubular member 5. The height of the receiving bracket 9 is preferably the same as the height of the bed beam 10, and the width of the receiving bracket 9 is preferably equal to at least three times the width of the second tubular member 5. The receiving bracket 9 is preferably centrally located at the top end of the second tubular member 5.

In the preferred embodiment, the receiving bracket 9 includes a zigzag member 11, the zigzag member 11 being welded to the outside of the receiving bracket 9 and serving as an attachment point for a trampoline spring (not shown). The bed beam 10 is pivotally attached to the receiving bracket 9 at each end of the receiving bracket 9. As shown in fig. 1, one end of the bed beam 10 is fitted between the opposite ends of the two receiving brackets 9 and is fixed to the receiving brackets 9 with bolts 12, the bolts 12 extending through the middle ends of the two receiving brackets 9 and the bed beam 9. In the preferred embodiment, the zigzag members 11 are welded to the two horizontally oriented outer surfaces of each bed beam 9; these zigzag members 11 serve as attachment points for trampoline springs (not shown). Note that the height of the bed beam 10 is preferably substantially the same as the height of the storage brackets 9, and the width of the bed beam 10 is approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of the two storage brackets 9 that are opposed. It should also be noted that the top end of the second tubular member 5 preferably only terminates proximally below the top edge of the receiving bracket 9.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the bed beam attachment point of the present invention. As shown, bolts 12 extending through the receiving bracket 9 and the bed beam 10 pass through horizontal slots 13 at each end of the receiving bracket 9. These slots 13 are preferably elongated because the slot width is greater than the slot height for reasons that will be explained below in connection with fig. 4 and 5. In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical bush 24 is located within a cylindrical channel 10a in the end of the bed beam 10, the end of the bed beam 10 being inserted into the channel between the two receiving brackets 9. Each bolt 12 extends through a slot 13 in the receiving bracket 9 and also through a central hole 12a in the bush 24. Note that the bolt 12 serves as an axis about which the end of the bed beam 10 rotates.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the shock absorber assembly of the present invention. As shown, the shock absorber assembly 14 includes a cylindrical bottom post 15 secured at one end to a base plate 16, the base plate 16 being configured to fit within the first tubular member 4. A pin 17 secures the bottom end of the cylindrical bottom post 15 to a spring collar 18, which spring collar 18 extends around the cylindrical bottom post 15 and rests on top of the bottom plate 16. An optional coil spring 19 is positioned around the cylindrical bottom post 15 between the bottom plate 16 and the top plate 20; the top plate 20 is upwardly abutted against the bottom surface of the second tubular member 5. The bottom end of the shock absorber 8, preferably in the form of a gas spring, is screwed into the top end of the cylindrical bottom pillar 15. As described in connection with fig. 1, the top of the gas spring 8 is fixed to the top end of the second tubular member 5 (located directly below the storage bracket 9) with the bolt 7. The damper 8 is located inside the second tubular member 5 between the top plate 20 and the top end of the second tubular member 5. In embodiments without coil spring 19, top plate 20 or spring collar 18 may not be necessary.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention with the shock absorber in an uncompressed position, and fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention showing the shock absorber in a compressed position. As shown in fig. 4, when there is no weight on the bed beam 10, the shock absorbers 8 are fully extended and the bed beam 10 is kept horizontal (i.e., perpendicular to the first and second tubular members 4, 5); however, as shown in fig. 5, when a downward force is applied to the bed beam 10, the bed beam 10 pivots relative to the vertical support 1, so that the bed beam 10 moves (or pivots) downward at the storage bracket 9 as the shock absorbers 8 retract.

Note that the other end (not shown) of the bed beam 10 may be connected to another vertical support through a shock absorber, or it may be connected to a vertical support without a shock absorber (see fig. 18). If both ends of the bed beam are connected to the vertical supports with shock absorbers, the entire bed beam will move down somewhat and the end of the bed beam connected (by the storage brackets) to the top of the vertical supports will pivot somewhat (relative to the storage brackets), as shown in fig. 4. On the other hand, if the other end of the bed beam is connected to the vertical support without a shock absorber, the end of the bed beam that is connected (by the receiving bracket) to the top of the vertical support will move down (or pivot relative to the receiving bracket) to a greater extent than shown in fig. 4; in other words, the angle at which the bed beam is angled relative to the second tubular appears to be greater than the angle shown in fig. 4, because the end of the bed beam above the shock absorber will move downward a distance equal to the extent to which the shock absorber is retracted.

Attention should also be paid to the relative positions of the bolts 12 (not shown) in the slots 13 in the receiving brackets 9 in fig. 4 and 5. In the position shown in fig. 4 (no weight on the bed beam), the bolt 12 is located at the end of the slot 13 closest to the vertical support 1. In the position shown in fig. 5 (with a weight on the bed beam) the bolt 12 moves outwards in the slot 13. In the preferred embodiment, the slot 13 is configured to allow the bolt 12 to move laterally within the slot 13 as the bed beam pivots. When the second tubular member 5 travels downward under load, the second tubular member 5 pushes the top plate 20 downward, thereby compressing the coil spring 19 between the spring collar 18 and the top plate 20. When the weight is lifted, the coil spring 19 pushes the top plate 20 and the second tubular member 5 upwards, thereby assisting the damper/gas spring 8 to lift the entire assembly 2 upwards. In fig. 4 and 5, the bolts 12 are omitted for clarity, but the holes 12a in the bushings 24 through which the bolts extend (at the ends of the bed beam 10) are marked.

Fig. 6-10 show an alternative embodiment of the receiving bracket 9. Fig. 6 shows the same configuration as the storage rack shown in the previous figures. Fig. 7 shows the same storage rack configuration as fig. 6, except that the zigzag members 11 are omitted from one of the storage racks. Figure 8 shows a storage rack configuration in which one storage rack is the same as that shown in figure 6 and the other storage rack comprises a support plate 9a (similar to the storage rack 9 described in connection with the previous figures) and two shorter storage plates 9b which are parallel to each other and extend outwardly at a ninety (90) angle from the support plate 9 a. Each of the two receiving plates 9b includes a slot 13 as previously described, and the support plate 9a includes a slot 13 on either end of the support plate. Two bed beams 10 (not shown) are inserted between the storage bracket 9 and the support plate 9a and secured therein by bolts (not shown) which allow the bed beams to pivot relative to the storage bracket/support plate as previously described. One bed beam 10 (not shown) is inserted into a recess between the two receiving plates 9b and fixed therein by means of bolts (not shown) which allow the bed beam to pivot relative to the receiving plates 9 b. Thus, the vertical support configuration shown in fig. 8 can accommodate three bed beams instead of two. The embodiment shown in fig. 9 differs from the embodiment shown in fig. 8 only in that the zigzag-shaped member is omitted from one of the storage brackets 9. The arched members 9c between the receiving plate 9b and the support plate 9a provide additional structural support.

The embodiment shown in fig. 10 comprises two support plates 9a and four receiving plates 9 b. This particular configuration can accommodate four pivoting bed beams. The embodiment shown in fig. 11 comprises three truncated supporting plates 9a and one receiving plate 9 b; this embodiment can accommodate two bed beams 10 oriented perpendicular to each other.

Fig. 12-17 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the bottom piece of the vertical support. In all these embodiments, the first tubular member 4 is identical. As shown, the base plate 3 may take any of the different forms shown in these figures (or any other form); the present invention is not limited to any particular size or shape of the bottom plate 3. The first tubular member 4 may further be supported by one or more diagonal support brackets 21. The support bracket 21 has one end welded to the first tubular support member 4 and the other end welded to the base plate 3.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fixed vertical support without the shock absorber assembly. As noted above, in some configurations of trampoline parks, it may be preferable to attach one end of a bed beam to a vertical support with the shock absorbers shown in fig. 1, and attach the other end of the bed beam to a vertical support without shock absorbers. In the vertical support shown in this figure, there is no second tubular (see reference number 5 in figure 1); only the first tubular member 4, the top end of which is welded at the inner surfaces of the two parallel receiving brackets 9. In this embodiment the outer diameter of the first tubular member 4 is the same as the outer diameter of the second tubular member 5 shown in the previous embodiments, since the top end of the tubular member must have substantially the same outer diameter as the bed beam in order to fit within the channel formed by the receiving bracket 9, the support plate 9a and/or the receiving plate 9 c.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged top view of a trampoline mat connected to the trampoline suspension and connection system of the present invention. When fully assembled, the trampoline mat 22 is connected to the zigzag members 11 and/or the arch members 9c by trampoline springs 23, as shown in this figure. A foam pad (not shown) is then placed over the trampoline pad 22 and the interconnected bed frame.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A trampoline suspension and connection system comprising:

an elongated bed beam pivotally attached to a telescoping vertical support comprising a first tubular, a second tubular and a floor, wherein the first tubular is hollow and attached to and extends upwardly from the floor and the second tubular telescopically fits within the first tubular;

wherein the top end of the second tubular is configured to form at least one channel into which a first end of the bed beam is inserted, the first end of the bed beam comprising an axis about which the first end of the bed beam pivots relative to the top end of the second tubular; and

wherein the first and second tubular members comprise a shock absorber assembly comprising a cylindrical bottom post secured to a bottom plate at a bottom end of the cylindrical bottom post, the bottom plate configured to fit within the first tubular member, wherein a bottom end of a shock absorber is attached to a top end of the cylindrical bottom post and a top portion of the shock absorber is attached to a top end of the second tubular member.

2. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein the second tubular member includes four outer surfaces and four plastic liners, each plastic liner being secured to an outer surface of the second tubular member.

3. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein the bed beam includes a mechanism for attaching trampoline springs.

4. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 3 wherein the mechanism for attaching trampoline springs is one or more zigzag members.

5. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein a first end of the bed beam includes a cylindrical bushing located within a cylindrical passage in the first end of the bed beam, and the shaft passes through a central bore in the cylindrical bushing.

6. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber assembly further comprises a coil spring positioned around the cylindrical bottom pole between the base plate and the top plate, and the top plate is positioned at the top end of the cylindrical bottom pole.

7. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber is a gas spring.

8. The trampoline suspension and connection system of claim 1 wherein the axle extends through a slot in each of two plates on either side of the first end of the bed beam, and the slots are configured to allow the axle to move laterally within the slots as the bed beam pivots.