Trampoline System Having Arcuated Jumping Surfaces

Abstract

A trampoline system is described. The trampoline includes a frame, a jumping mat and elastic means for connecting the jumping mat to the frame. The jumping mat includes a substantially horizontal jumping region between two arcuated shaped jumping regions at opposing ends of the horizontal jumping region when connected to the frame. The frame may include two opposing ends formed from a pair of substantially parallel arcuated tubes each having a substantially vertical end, a substantially horizontal end, and a mid-point along its curved length, a support bar connecting the arcuated tubes at their substantially vertical ends, a pair of end footings, wherein each end footing is connect to the support bar and to the mid-point of one of the arcuated tubes, and a pair of side footings, wherein each side footing is connected to a leg of one of the end footings and to one of the arcuated tubes at its substantially horizontal end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 014,294, filed Aug. 29, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61 / 694,624 filed Aug. 29, 2012, and 61 / 864,980 filed Aug. 12, 2013, the entire contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein as if each is being set forth in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Presently, trampolines have consisted of a single, flat jumping mat attached under the tension of elastic springs or cords to a rigid frame, such that a subject can bounce up and down on the jumping mat. While there have been many improvements to the design and quality of materials of trampolines, all these advancements have retained the general design of the jumping mat surface being on a single plane.[0003]It is well known that trampolines introduce a risk of injury to the subject or subjects jumping on them. For example, subjects can inadvertently launch...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is related to a trampoline system, which includes a frame, jumping mat, and elastic means for connecting the jumping mat to the frame. The frame has at least two cross-bar supports running perpendicular to the length of the jumping mat, or at least five cross-bar supports. The frame may also have at least one cross-bar support running underneath the horizontal jumping region. The horizontal jumping region is between 1 and 10 feet in length, or between 2 and 20 feet in length. The frame end includes a support bar and a pair of arcuated tubes with a mid-point, a support bar connecting the arcuated tubes at their vertical ends, a pair of end footings, a pair of side footings, and a cross-bar connecting the side footings. This frame end structure provides stability and support for the trampoline system.

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that trampolines introduce a risk of injury to the subject or subjects jumping on them.

For example, subjects can inadvertently launch towards the perimeter of the trampoline, possibly falling into the trampoline framework, or even falling entirely off the trampoline, resulting in injury.

In other examples, a subject can inadvertently slip through the trampoline in the region of the elastic springs or cords connecting the jumping mat to the frame, also resulting in injury.

Unfortunately, while these safety measures help to decrease the number of injuries, they significantly detract from the experience of trampoline use.

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