Collapsible Trampoline Enclosure Arch Hinge Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current trampoline enclosures are not strong enough to prevent injuries from direct impact and lack effective means to inhibit unsupervised use, particularly when used by young or inexperienced individuals without proper supervision.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible trampoline enclosure assembly with a base frame and enclosure assembly featuring resilient members, a cover, and a hingably secured enclosure frame that can be easily moved between working and non-working configurations to prevent unwanted use, incorporating arch connectors for increased sturdiness and impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a straight support design is used for the enclosure, then the enclosure is simple to manufacture, but it is not strong enough to prevent injuries from direct impact
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure support structure is divided into multiple arches (first arch, second arch, third arch, fourth arch) that are hingably connected to the base frame. Each arch can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, allowing for simpler individual components while creating a stronger overall structure through their cooperative arrangement around the perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure employs arched support structures instead of straight supports. The arches are curved elements that naturally distribute impact forces more effectively along their length and transfer loads to the base frame. This curved geometry provides greater strength and impact resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized arch components.
2Reliability
If the enclosure is made more sturdy to withstand direct force, then injury prevention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure arches are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot between a deployed position (providing protection) and a collapsed position (for storage or transport). This dynamic capability enables the structure to adapt to different usage states while maintaining strength when needed, without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements are combined into the arch structure itself - the arches serve as both structural supports, impact barriers, and movable enclosure boundaries. By integrating these functions into a single cohesive arch system rather than separate components, the overall device complexity is managed while reliability is enhanced.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the enclosure uses fixed support structures, then the structure is stable during use, but it cannot be easily collapsed or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The arches are connected through hinges that allow controlled movement between stable deployed and collapsed states. During use, the hinges maintain structural stability by keeping the arches in their rigid deployed position. When reconfiguration is needed, the same hinges enable easy collapse without compromising the stability of the operational configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The arches are pre-configured with hinge connections and overlapping arrangements that enable easy collapse before use. The structural design anticipates the reconfiguration need by incorporating movable joints from the outset, allowing rapid transition between states without requiring complex disassembly procedures while maintaining stability when assembled.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An enclosure assembly (22) for use with a trampoline assembly (10) comprises a plurality of support arches (32) including at least a first support arch (32A) and a second support arch (32B) that are hingably secured to a base frame (14). The second support arch (32B) overlaps the first support arch (32A) and is selectively secured to the first support arch (32A). The plurality of support arches (32) can further include a third support arch (32C) and a fourth support arch (32D) that are hingably secured to the base frame (14). The third support arch (32C) and the fourth support arch (32D) overlap and are selectively secured to at least one of the other support arches (32). The plurality of support arches (32) are selectively movable between an upright configuration and a collapsed configuration. When the first support arch (32A) is in the upright configuration, one or more of the other support arches (32B-32D) are inhibited from being moved from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration. Additionally, when the first support arch (32A) is in the collapsed configuration, one or more of the other support arches (32B-32D) are inhibited from being moved from the collapsed configuration to the upright configuration.