Closed Cable Hook Layout for Trampoline Spring Travel and Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mini trampolines face challenges in optimizing the usable length of elastic cable elements for larger spring travel without reducing the exercise area diameter, while ensuring user safety and maintenance-friendliness, and providing better oscillation and durability.

Innovation Solution

A cable hook design with a housing featuring four receivers, two elastic elements with clamping elements, and a flexible strap element, where the cable hook has a closed body with central receiving cavities and terminating pieces that form a visual and tactile warning, allowing for improved clamping and increased durability through reduced installation height and enhanced structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the length of elastic elements is increased for larger spring travel, then the oscillation quality improves, but the external diameter of the frame must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring travelVSAvoidframe diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable hook utilizes the vertical dimension by routing the flexible strap element over the top of the frame tube and down the opposite side, allowing the elastic elements to achieve greater travel distance without increasing the horizontal footprint of the frame. This dimensional transition enables longer spring travel within the same circular area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cable hook structure is simplified for easier manufacturing, then production costs decrease, but user safety and durability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable hook productionVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable hook is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing for structural support, receivers for elastic element attachment, and a flexible strap element for mat connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both manufacturing ease and safety performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible strap element acts as an intermediary between the rigid cable hook housing and the rebound mat, providing a safe, non-rigid connection point that reduces injury risk while maintaining structural integrity. This intermediary component enables simplified housing design without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of moving object

If the installation length is reduced for compact design, then the usable exercise area increases, but the clamping mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise areaVSAvoidclamping mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strap element is nested within the cable hook housing structure, with the strap running through the housing and connecting to the elastic elements internally. This nesting arrangement minimizes the external installation footprint while containing the clamping mechanism within the housing boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If conventional fixing methods are used, then installation is simple, but the service life of elastic elements is limited to fewer oscillation cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidelastic element service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strap element provides continuous, smooth force transmission from the rebound mat through the cable hook housing to the elastic elements, eliminating stress concentrations and discontinuities that would accelerate wear. This continuous force path enables the elastic elements to withstand 50 to 600% more oscillation cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly increases the service life of elastic elements by tolerating 50 to 600% more oscillation cycles, providing a safer and more durable exercise experience with improved oscillation quality and user safety through visual and tactile markings.

Implementation Method 1

two elastic elements with clamping elements enlarging the periphery of the elastic element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11174882B2Cable hook of a fixing device for a trampoline

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 ANGEHRN AG UMFORMTECHN

AI summary

A cable hook for fixing a rebound mat to a trampoline frame by means of two elastic elements and at least one flexible strap element has a housing with four receivers, wherein each elastic element has two free ends, each of which has a clamping element enlarging the periphery of the elastic element. A clamping element is inserted in each receiver. The cable hook has a cable hook body which is closed in the peripheral direction transversely to the fixing direction, wherein in each case two receivers are separated centrally by a receiving cavity in the cable hook body through which a clamping element can be passed. The cable hook has two terminating pieces which can each be inserted in a respective receiving cavity, and each has a cover rounding pointing away from the cable hook housing and oriented towards each other.