MXPA98009911A - Trampolin with armazon elast coupling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trampoline characterized in that it comprises: a trampoline mat, a frame surrounding the trampoline mat, and a fastening system for connecting the frame to the trampoline mat, the fastening system includes a plurality of straps elastics connected to a periphery of the trampoline mat and a plurality of connectors for connecting the elastic straps to the frame, wherein each connector has a shape corresponding to the shape of the frame, the shape-to-shape correspondence provides a connection between the connector and the frame, and wherein the plurality of elastic straps substantially cover an entire space between the trampoline mat and the sea

Description

TRAMPOLIN WITH ELASTIC FRAME COUPLING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to trampolines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling system for connecting a trampoline mesh to a trampoline frame.

Description of Related Art Trampolines and other rebound elements have been used for decades for sports, entertainment and fitness purposes. However, significant health risks accompany the use of a trampoline. For example, if the user loses control, he may land incorrectly on the trampoline or, even worse, fall off the trampoline causing significant damage.

REF: 29024 A conventional trampoline includes a central mesh connected to an outer frame by a plurality of springs that have open hooks at their ends. The springs snap into slots or holes in the top of the frame and connect the mesh to the opposite end. This construction leaves large spaces between the adjacent springs. Frequently, the trampoline may include a foam pad that covers the frame, and loosely coupled to the frame with the row. The pad typically vibrates and moves during use and leaves these large spaces uncovered or only partially covered only with a thin foam pad. If the user loses control, he can fall into these spaces and be injured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The objects and advantages of the invention will be described in part in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and achieved by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as exemplified and broadly described herein, the trampoline of the invention includes a trampoline mesh, a frame surrounding the trampoline mesh, and a coupling system to connect the frame to the trampoline mesh. The coupling system includes a plurality of elastic strips connected to the periphery of the trampoline mesh and a plurality of connections for connecting the elastic strips to the frame. The trampoline of the invention therefore incorporates the mesh, the elastic mechanism, and the frame within an integral construction. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a trampoline includes a trampoline mesh, a frame surrounding the trampoline mesh, an elastic portion connected to a periphery of the trampoline mesh and extending between the trampoline mesh and the trampoline mesh. frame, to cover substantially an entire space between the trampoline mesh and the frame, and at least one connector for connecting the elastic portion to the frame.

It is understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The appended drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a top view of a trampoline according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the trampoline of Figure 1.

Figure 2A is a partial, enlarged side view of the trampoline of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective figure of an elastic strap embodiment for use on a trampoline according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the trampoline of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connector for use on the trampoline of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a frame part and the connector for use on a trampoline according to the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a trampoline according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Y Figure 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connector for use on the trampoline of Figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is directed to a trampoline having a mesh, a frame, and a coupling system that connects the mesh to the frame. The trampoline of the invention may further include a frame protection system that includes a foam cover and a cover against environmental conditions fixedly secured to the trampoline mesh and frame. The trampoline coupling system consists mainly of elastic strips fixedly attached to the periphery of the mesh, and wire connectors to connect the strips to the frame. Preferably, the trampoline includes a sufficient amount of elastic strips so that there are no gaps between the mesh and the frame, as will be described hereinafter. In this way, a user who loses control will not fall between the mesh and the frame. In addition, the construction to be described is lighter in weight and easier to manufacture and transport than conventional trampolines. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a trampoline 20 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The trampoline includes a net 40 secured to a frame 22 by a coupling system to be described later. The frame 22 generally includes an upper portion 23 and a plurality of legs 24 that support the upper portion 23. The upper portion 23 may be comprised of a plurality of individual frame members, such as the frame part 28 shown in the Figure 6. Each frame part 28 is preferably of an approximately oval cross section, with a substantially planar upper portion, a substantially planar lower portion, and external and internal sides. Frame pieces of other transverse shapes (eg substantially round, square, etc.) are within the scope of the present invention. Each individual frame part 28 preferably includes a reduced diameter end 30 for moving telescopically at a corresponding open end of an adjacent frame part 28. This type of connection provides a firm frame that does not rotate and a frame that is easy to assemble and disassemble. In addition, the use of a plurality of frame pieces allows a trampoline that is easy to manufacture and transport. The upper portion 23 can be comprised of any suitable number of frame pieces 28 which, once connected together, give a shape conforming to the shape of the mesh 40. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the portion upper 23 is of a circular shape. The upper portion 23, however, may be square, octagonal, rectangular, or any other suitable shape or size. The frame pieces 28 are preferably oval pipe having a thickness of about 2.54 cm (1 inch) and a width of about 7.6 cm (about 3 inches). Some or all of the frame pieces 28 include one or more leg plugs 26, as shown in Figure 2. Each leg plug 26 accepts a leg 24. The leg plugs 26 are preferably tubing having a diameter of approximately 5. cm (two inches) and a length of approximately 10 cm (approximately four inches). The plugs 26 are preferably welded or otherwise securely secured to the frame pieces 28. The legs 24 are preferably tubing slightly less than 5 cm (about 2 inches) in diameter to move telescopically within the leg plugs 26. The legs 24 can be formed at any suitable length, so that the trampoline 20 is at a desired height above the floor. Each leg 24 ends in a leg support 27 resting on the ground or floor. The leg supports 27 accept a lower end of the legs 24 and can be formed integrally with the legs 24. The frame pieces 28, the leg sockets 26, the legs 24, and the leg supports 27 are preferably manufactured from a high strength metal or other suitable material of sufficient strength. The mesh 40 may be a conventional trampoline mesh made of polypropylene or other suitable material. The mesh 40 is coupled to the frame 22 by a coupling system that includes a plurality of elastic strips 42, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Figure 1 shows only some of the plurality of elastic strips 42 that are used for coupling the mesh 40 to the frame 22. It should be understood that the elastic strips 42 surround the entire periphery of the mesh 40 to be connected to the frame 22. Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a simple elastic strip 42 and its connection to the mesh 40 and the upper frame portion 23. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, each elastic strip 42 includes an upper portion 43 which turns around a lower portion 44. The strip 42 also includes an upper end 45 and a lower end 46. The ends 45 and 46 are preferably sewn to the outer periphery of the mesh 40. Other means for fixedly connecting the ends 45 and 46 to the mesh 40, or integrally forming the mesh 40 with the straps 42, are within the scope of the present invention. The strip 42 is made of a woven elastic material that is elastically deformable (stretchable) to return to its original size and shape after deformation. The material of the strip 42 is of sufficient strength, however, to resist overstretching after the application of large loads. A preferable material of the strip 42 is a woven polypropylene elastic material. Other suitable materials include woven nylon, rayon, or other similar stretchable material. It is also important that such materials have a high resistance to ultraviolet rays. It is understood that any suitable number of elastic strips 42 can be used around the periphery of the mesh 40 to connect the mesh 40 to the frame 22. In a preferred embodiment, a sufficient number of strips 42 are used, so that there are no spaces between the mesh 42 and the frame 22. This increases the safety of the trampoline since a user can not fall between the mesh and the frame. Each elastic strip 42 is preferably of a width corresponding to the wire connectors to be described herein. In a more preferred embodiment, each strip 42 is approximately 7.6 cm (approximately three inches) wide. Each strip 42 has a length that is approximately twice the desired distance between the mesh 40 and the frame portion 23, so that the strip 42 can be bent. The coupling system for connecting the mesh 40 to the frame 22 further includes a plurality of wire connectors, such as a wire connector 50 shown in Figure 5. The wire connectors can be formed to fit any pipe size or configuration used in a structure or frame for trampoline. The wire connectors 50 of Figure 5 connect the elastic strips 42 to the upper portion 23 of the frame 22. Before or after sewing or otherwise connecting the upper and lower ends 45 and 46 respectively, of the strip 42 to the mesh 40, a wire connector 50 is inserted into the turn portion of the strip 42. In particular, a front bar 58 of the wire connector 50 can be inserted into the turn portion of the strip 42 after of sewing the ends 45 and 46 on the periphery of the mesh 40. The wire connector 50 includes upper arms 52 which engage a flat upper portion of the frame pieces 28, as shown in Figure 6. The wire connector 50 also includes side arms 54 that engage the outer sides of the frame pieces 28, and lower arms 56 that engage a flat bottom portion of the parts of the frame. frame 28. The front bar 58 can be folded down, as shown in Figure 6, to engage the internal side portions of the frame pieces 28 for additional strength, or it can be maintained without flexing with respect to the upper arms. 52, as shown in Figure 5. The wire connectors 50 are preferably constructed of heavy wire of a suitable high strength metal or other high strength material, such as molded plastic or aluminum. As shown in Figures 2 and 2A, a piece of protective foam 60 overlaps the top of the frame portion 23 and is secured to the frame portion 23 with the ties 62, such as a chain or rope or other suitable material , for added protection to the user. The foam piece 60 is preferably 2.54 cm (one inch) thick by 7.6 cm (three inches) wide to cover the full width of the frame portion 23. In a preferred embodiment, the trampoline 20 may include a cover 70 against environmental conditions, shown in Figures 2 and 2A, sewn or otherwise fixedly connected to the outer perimeter of the mesh 40 at the same location as the strips 42 are connected to the mesh 40. The cover 70 against the conditions The overlaps 70 overlap the strips 42 and the piece of foam 60 and fold over the frame portion 23. The cover 70 against ambient conditions is then connected to the sockets 26 for leg by means of "bungy" type cords, such as the strings 80, which stretch during use. The cords 80 can be secured to one edge of the cover 70 and wrapped around a leg plug 26. The cover 70 against environmental conditions is preferably a laminated three-ply vinyl material or any other material suitable for protecting the foam piece 60 and the elastic strips 42 from the environmental elements 42. The cover 70 against environmental conditions also provides protection additional to the user by covering any space between the mesh 40 and the frame portion 23. The above described trampoline, which includes the mesh, the elastic strips, the connectors, and the cover against ambient conditions, provides a secure construction connection system integral that can be retrofitted to existing trampoline frames, of any size. Figure 7 shows a second mode of a trampoline according to the present invention, and generally denoted by the reference number 100. Trampoline 100 includes a 101 mesh trampoline of an octagonal shape. Like the previous embodiment, the trampoline mesh 101 can be of any desired shape. The trampoline 100 further includes a frame having a plurality of individual frame pieces 102 which are connected to form a portion of the upper frame, similar to that described in the first embodiment. Each frame part 102 includes a reduced diameter end 104 for telescopically moving within an open end of an adjacent frame part 102. Once connected, the frame pieces 102 constitute an octagonal frame corresponding to the shape of the mesh 101 of the trampoline. Some or all of the frame pieces 102 include leg plugs (not shown) that accept the legs (not shown) as described in the relation. with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The coupling system for connecting the frame part 102 to the mesh 101 includes the same elastic strips 42 described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6. The coupling system of the modality shown in Figure 7, however, uses a wire connector 110 of a configuration different from that of the wire connector 50 used in the previous embodiment. The wire connector 110 includes a front bar 112 that is positioned within the turn of the strip 42, and engages an internal side portion of the frame pieces 102. The wire connector 110 further includes the side hooks 114 which they are coupled to the slot 106 in the upper part of the frame pieces 102, as shown in Fig7. In the alternative to the wire connector 110, a metal pin can be placed through the return of the strips 42, and an S-shaped hook can be connected to both ends of the pin and placed within the slots 106 of the frame pieces 102. Once the frame pieces 102 are connected to the mesh 101 of the trampoline, it can be placed a piece of foam on and coupled to the frame pieces 102 in a similar manner as described at the beginning, and a cover against ambient conditions can be coupled to the 101. mesh of the trampoline and to the frame of the trampoline 1 00, as is also discussed at the beginning. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the trampolines of the present invention and to the construction of the trampolines, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. As an example, the elastic strips of the trampoline mesh, and / or the cover against ambient conditions can be manufact from a simple one-piece construction with the wire connectors within the turns of the strips. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention described herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a scope and true spirit of the invention which is indicated by the following claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (21)

1. A trampoline, characterized in that it comprises: a trampoline mesh; a frame that surrounds the trampoline mesh; and a coupling system for connecting the frame to the trampoline mesh, the coupling system includes a plurality of elastic strips connected to a periphery of the trampoline mesh and a plurality of connectors for connecting the elastic strips to the frame.

2. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of elastic strips cover substantially a whole space between the trampoline mesh and the frame.

3. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of elastic strips defines a portion thereof in order to accept a connector.

4. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of elastic strips includes an upper portion having an upper end and a lower portion having a lower end.

5. The trampoline according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper portion and the lower portion define a return portion of the elastic strip, to accept a connector.

6. The trampoline according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper end and the lower end are connected to the periphery of the trampoline mesh.

7. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors is made of metallic wire.

8. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors is made of wire configured to the shape of the frame.

9. The trampoline according to claim 8, characterized by each of the plurality of connectors includes at least one upper arm for coupling to an upper portion of the frame.

10. The trampoline according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors includes at least one side arm to be coupled to a side portion of the frame.

11. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors includes a wire rod for insertion within a turn portion of one of the plurality of elastic strips.

12. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors includes at least one portion with hooks to engage a groove in the frame.

13. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of connectors includes a spike and a pair of S-shaped hooks.

14. The trampoline according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a piece of foam that overlaps the frame.

15. The trampoline according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a cover connected to the periphery of the mesh and which overlaps the plurality of elastic strips.

16. The trampoline according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame includes a plurality of interconnected frame pieces.

17. The trampoline according to claim 16, characterized in that each of the plurality of frame pieces includes an end with a reduced diameter to move telescopically within an open end of an adjacent frame piece.

18. A trampoline coupling system for connecting a trampoline mesh to a surrounding frame, the coupling system is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of elastic strips connected to a periphery of the trampoline mesh; and a plurality of connectors for connecting the elastic strips to the frame.

19. The trampoline coupling system according to claim 18, further characterized in that it comprises a cover against environmental conditions connected to the periphery of the trampoline mesh.

20. A trampoline, characterized in that it comprises: a trampoline mesh; a frame that surrounds the trampoline mesh; an elastic portion connected to a periphery of the trampoline mesh and extending between the trampoline mesh and the frame, to cover substantially a whole space between the trampoline mesh and the frame; and at least one connector for connecting the elastic portion to the frame.

21. The trampoline according to claim 20, characterized in that the elastic portion includes a plurality of elastic strips and at least one connector includes a plurality of connectors.