US2799867A - Trampolins - Google Patents

Description

R. M. FENNER Erm. l Y 2,799,867

July 23, 1957 Y "rRAMPoLINs 'Y Fle July 26,` 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l WIX ' ATTORNEY July 23, 1957 R. M. FENNER ETAL.

TRAMPOLINS '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1954 ATTORNEY United States if' .217.955.867 Y "mAMroLINS neuve. con.

Thisinvention relates-to a ,bonning acrobatic `[table of the typeknown as a trampoln, andhasator itsprincipal object the provision of atrampolin-which canbe gnickly and easily folded and mounted for transportationtbrough resttiotedpaces. Suctls dPOfWaysnQ-.ihe like Another object. is to so Vnmstrucf the. :trenitalia that the supporting leg lstructures-will act aswdiagonal brace `structures so'that all transverse membersbelow thebed or webbing which might beinjurions can be eliminated.

vA further object is to provide Va trampoln in whicljrthe supporting legs will automatically Afold against thetrampolin sections when the latter are folded. together, andto provide portable wheeled supports for Vtransportingthe trampolin, and,v protective aprons for concealing andpreventing accidental contacts with-the ,trampolinsprings.

Other `objects and advantages reside in, th e` detailrconstruction of the invention, which is `designed for simplicity, economy, and eniciency. These will become morey apparent lfrom the following description. a

In the following detailed description `ofthe invention, reference ishad Ito `the accompanying drawing. .which forms a part hereof. Like numerals referto like parts in all views of thedrawingandthronghout the description.

In the drawing:

Eig. lis a plan Vview ofrtheimproved .trampolimrpartially broken away to illustrate the supportingI structure;

Fig. 2 is a side-view thereof in .the erected position;

Fig. 3 is.anvenlarged, dfragmentary, diagonal view, looking along Vthe arrow 3 vin-Fig. 1; Y

.Fig- 4 is asimilar enlarged fragmentary Yiiwrlsokng along thearrow 4 in Fig. 1;

VFg- 5 iS-.a detail crossfsection through .tbefsaofthe trampoln bed, taken on the line 5 5, Eig.; `l;

, Fig. 6 is a'simiiar detailsec'tion, taken on .the line Y.6v-.6, Fig. l showing a detail viewi'o'f at protective apron-supporting structure employed npon, the ,improved trampoln;

Y Fig. 7 is-an.enlarged,-fragrnentary, sfide viewillustrting a type-of hinge employed in the `improved trampoln;

Fig. 8 is a similarly enlarged, .detailzsectiom taken on the line 8-8, Fig. 7; i

Fig. 9 is a detail, perspective viewon the scale. of Fig. 1, illustratingl a wheeled standard employed for .transporting the improved trampolin;

Fig. 10 is aside View ofthe vimproved trampolinas it wouldkappear'whilefbeing folded fortranportationgand Fig. l1 is an end view of theimproved trampohninthe folded, transportation position. l u

The table portions of modern trampolins are-formed from a plurality of longitudinally 4and laterally/.extending webbingsstitched together to form a llexiblebedbottom, .which will be herein `designated as the ffbed."-.Oo .ther types are formed with a single sheetV of ilexible .canvas or the like.

' This improved trampoln isdesigned for use with* either type of bed, and `for convenience of illustration, is'I illustrated as a singlestlexible sheet which willbehereindesignated as thepbed 12. The exible bedw12 is resiliently supported in a taut, stretched condition by means of a atent 2,799,867 Paten-ted Jair ,23. 1957 ice plurality. of peripheral tension lsprings 13 extending to a supporting framework. It is in the supporting framework thatthe principal advantages ofv this invention reside.

The framework of this improved trampoln comprises two tubular, U-shaped end members 14 and twofstraight, tubular side members 15. The side members 15 extend between `the terminals ofthe two U-shaped end members 141m form a rectangular, elongated enclosing frame with four ronnded corners.

i vThe side members 15 are joined to the extremities of the U-shaped end members 14 by means of elongated, channel-shaped hinge members 16, the extremities of which extend on opposite sides of the adjacent extremities of the frame members 14 and 15 and are hingedly secured to the V,latter by means ofA spaced-apart hinge rivets or pins 17. The hinge members 16 extend across theptops yofthe joints between the members 14 and 15 andthe tops ofthe lhinge members are notched back, as indicated at 18, Vtoi provide space to `allow the frame members 1.4 and 15 to swing into parallel relation, such as indicatedyin ,broken line at A in Fig. 10. Y U The tension springs 13 aresecured attheir inner. ex- ,trernitiesin any desired mannertothe liexible bed 12. They are hooked at their outer extremities through perforatedattachment ribs 19 which are weldedor otherwise .secured` to, or formed on, t'heinside faces of the straight portions of the frame members 14/ and 1S. 'Y

Each of the straight side members`1'5 istrussed against vertical; stresses by means of artruss rod 2llfwhichiswelded to the extremities of each'mernben15V aLitsextremieS, and which is rnedially spaced from themember. 1.5 by means of a horizontal tubular axle sleeve 21.

The transverse portions of each of the ltlv-shaped frame membersrll is strengthened and stifened against horizontalstressesby means of a truss member 22 welded atits extremities to the member 14 and spaced medially therefrom by means Vof a suitable spacer 22. j

TheV supporting frame is supported upon f our diagonally positioned, -V-shaped, leg frames 23. "-Eachleg' frame vc nnprises atubular, trussed frame having a rounded bot- 7tornportion,coveredv by. means Vof a cushion sleeve 24 of rnbberizedfabric or lother suitable fmaterial 4'to` prevent slippage upon and damage to a floor. The upper extremities of each V-.shaped leg frame extend horizontally and oppositelyvoutward to form hinge stubs 25. The hinge vstubs 25 arerotatably receivedl in hinge collars 26, there being oneshinge collar 26 weldedbeneath each extremity of Veach of theU-.shaped frames 14, and twohinge sleeves welded in spaced` relation beneath ,the mid-portion Vof each of the 'yu-shaped frames 14 in aligned pairs so that the ,leg frames will extend diagonally across the corners of the'Ufshaped frames 14 approximately below the corners of the flexible Abed 12.

The leg frames are prevented from. swingingyoutwardly Aby `means kof vilexible chains 27 extending from the. truss rords 20 at each side to the leg frames'23.

The leg frames are preventedffromswinging inwardly by means of tubular diagonal braces 28. Each ,brace has an angularly turned, horizontal upper end portion 29 adaptedV to .be received in a receiving sleeve 3l)V welded beneath the Aarcuate Ycorner `of Vthe U-shaped lframeplt. Each diagonal brace 12S is also provided withan angularly turned, horizontal, `lower end portion 31 which is rotatably received in a bearing tnbe 32 welded yor otherwise secured to the leg frame l23. Each diagonal brace is resiliently held in position in its sleeve 30 and in its bearing ,tube 32 ,bymeans of a tensiongspring v33 tensioned between the brace A28 and the leg frame 273.l

It can be seen that if a` weight of other impact isimpoesd upon the medial portion ofr the. llexible bed V12, it will I,tend to pull the two side frame membersolS inwardly toward each other. VIn the nsual trampoln this inward pull is resisted by cross-members below the bed which limit the depressionv of the latter and which are dangerous to users of the trampoln.

In this improved trampoln, vthis inward pull of the side members is transmitted to the ends of the `Atwo U- shaped frame members, tending to pull the latter inwardly. The inward pull on the extremities of the U-shaped frame members s resisted iirst by. the natural Vresistance of the members themselves', andV second by the diagonal placement of the leg frames 23, which serve as rigid diagonal braces for the extremities of the U-shaped frame members, Vand which act'to transmit the inward moment to Vthe mid-portion of each end frame member. rIr'he latter are preventedfrom bending under the resulting stress by the truss member 22.

lTwoY of the wheeled standards, Aas illustrated in Fig. 9, are employed for transporting the trampoln. Each of the wheeledstandards comprises a horizontal base tube 34 supported at its extremities upon caster wheels 35. A vertical post or standard 36 is secured to and arises from each base tube 34. The upper extremity of each post or standard terminates in a horizontally projecting bearing stud 37. A hooked arm 38 projects from one side of the upper portion of each post or standard 36, and a U-shaped receiving yoke 39 projects from the other side of the lower portion thereof. f

Let usrassume that it is desired to fold the trampoln from the erected position of Figs. l and 2 and transport it to a new location. The sides of the trampoln are alternately, slightly lifted and the bearing studs 37 of the posts or standards 36 are slipped into the bearing sleeves 21k of the side frame members. The height of the posts or standards 36 is such that when the studs 37 are Aslipped into the sleeves 21, the bed will be elevated above its working position.

The end portions 29 of the diagonal braces 28 are pulled from the receiving sleeves 30 against the action of the springs 33 to release the leg frames. The U-shaped end This is avoided in the improved trampoln by providing exible aprons 40 along the two sides and the two ends of the bed 12. These aprons are supported above the springs 13 upon resilient supporting rods 41, the outer extremities of which are turned vertically downward and inserted through openings in the frame members 14 and 15. The outer edges of the aprons are tied tothe frame members by suitable tying tapes 42. The innerV edges are supported on the inner extremities of the rods 41 and are tensioned longitudinally by means of end springs 43. This supports the aprons above the springs 13 so that they do not slap and vibrate against the springs. The aprons however, are suciently resilient to prevent injury to a body falling thereon, and are suiiiciently tensioned to prevent the arms or legs ofthe user from being forced between the springs. Since these aprons are completely tiexble, they fold with the folding of the bed.

While a specific form of the improvement has been Y described and illustrated herein, it is toY be understood frame 14 at the right s lifted upwardly, as indicated in solid line at-B in Fig. 10. As it lmoves upwardly, it will increase the tension in the two chains 27 at that extremity. As the tension increases, the chains will act .to pull the two leg frames 23 into tight, parallel, folded position on the end member 14. The folding is continued until. the end member 14, and its associated leg frames lie in the folded position as indicated at A n Fig. l0. Y' v The U-shaped end member 14 at the left extremity is :now similarly folded upwardlyand folded over'the top "of the folded right endY frame so that the two end frames and, their associatedleg frames will lie in horizontal, parallel relation uponthe side frame members 15, supported on the posts 36. The folded structure is now tiltedjto therrght to a'rvertical position about the axes of the sleeves 21 so that the side frame structureswill enter into the U-shaped yokes 39 to prevent withdrawal of the bearing studs 37 and to support the entire trampolin in a vertical position between the posts or standards 36 with the weightv being carried uponV the four caster wheels 35. Y The down-folded'left end frame depends from its ,hinge member over they up-folded iight end frame to prevent the Ylatter from unfolding. The height of the folded structure is onlyV slightly in excess of the length Vof the side members 15 andthe width is exceed- Aingly narrow so that it can be conveniently wheeled through doorways and other restricted spaces.

f When it s desired to unfold the trampoln for use, the folded structure s swung upwardly until it strikes therhook arms 33, which4 serve as a'stop. The left end frame is then unfolded, while the hook arms prevent the remainder from tilting'. The right end frame is then unfolded, the

diagonal braces are engaged, andthe posts or standards .36 are removed. The trampoln s now ready for use.

Accidents occasionally occur on trampoln due to the legs and arms Vof the users dropping betweenY the springs.

that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. f

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is: v

l. A trampoln comprising: an elongated, exible bed; a side frame member extending along the medial portion of each side of said bed; a U-shaped frame member extending across each end of said bed to the cornersthereof thence extending inwardly from said corners along the opposite sides of the extremities of said bed toward said side frame members; an elongated hinge link connecting each extremity of each U-shaped framemember to the adjacent extremity of one of said side frame members; tension springs secured to and extending between said bed and said frame members; four V-shaped leg frames, there being one of said V-shaped leg framesV positioned below and extending diagonally across each corner of each U-shaped frame member; hinge means securing the extremities of each of said V-shaped frames to the adjacent U-shaped frame member, and flexible tension members, each secured at one end to an intermediate point of an adjacent side frame member `and at the other-end to said leg frame to retain said leg frames from spreading when` set up. f Y

2. A trampoln as described in claiml l in which Vthe hinge means at `one extremity of each V-shaped leg memher s positioned adjacent the extremity of one of said U-shaped frame members `and the hinge means at the Y of'a U-shaped frame member.

3. A trampoln as described in claim 2 having a truss member mounted on the mid-portion 'of'each U-shaped frame member resisting flexure of the latter in the plane of said bed; and an additional truss memberv mounted on each of said straight portions of said'sde frame members resisting vertical flexure thereof. n

4. A trampoln as described in claim 3 having a bearing sleeve mounted at `the .middle of'y each side frame member in axial alignment with each other; two supporting posts; a stud projecting from Veach post, said studs adapted to be received in said bearing sleeves to rotatably support said frame members and said bed; and wheels supporting each post.

5. A trampoln comprising: an elongated, exible bed; Va side frame member extending along the medial portion of each sdverof said bed; a U-shaped frame member extending across each end of said bed to the corners thereof thence extending inwardly from said cornersV along the opposite sides of the extremities of said bed toward said side frame members; an elongated hinge link connecting each extremity of each U-shaped frame member to the tension springs secured to and extending between said bed and said frame members; leg frames supporting said U-shaped frame members; a bearing sleeve secured at the middle of each side frame member, said sleeves being in horizontal aXial alignment; a pair of supporting standards; Wheels supporting each standard; and la pivot stud projecting from each standard, said studs being adapted for insertion in said sleeves to rotatably support said frame members and said bed in a tilting position.

6. A trampoln as described in claim 5 having an arm member projecting from each standard and acting to prevent tilting of said frame members and bed in one direction; and a yoke device mounted on each standard adapted to receive said frame members when the latter are tilted in the opposite direction to prevent withdrawal of said pivot studs from said bearing sleeves.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 411,687 Seibert Sept. 24, 1889 1,347,413 Schaefer July 20, 1920 1,722,413 Ellsworth July 30, 1929 2,370,990 Nissen Mar. 6, 1945 2,513,168 Gottlieb June 27, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 209,293 Switzerland 1940

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