Fastening device for a trampoline

{
  "publication_number": "US10898748B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Fastening device for a trampoline",
  "abstract": "A cord hook for fastening a jump mat to a trampoline frame includes a holding section for holding a first and a second loop end section of the cord loop and a fastening section for fastening the flexible band element, wherein a main tension vector (V) is defined by tension at the band element. The hook has a transition section connecting the holding section and the fastening section and is designed in such a way that a straight line (g) through the main tension vector (V) divides the holding space into a first partial space and a second partial space in such a way that, when the cord hook is used as intended, the first loop end section lies in the first partial space and the second loop end section lies in the second partial space. Also disclosed are a trampoline and a method for fastening the jump mat.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A cord hook for securing a jump mat to a trampoline frame by means of a cord loop and at least one flexible band element having a distal end portion, the cord hook comprising: a distal receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion extends along a first direction and defines a receiving space for receiving a first loop end portion and a second loop end portion of the cord loop; a proximal securing portion, which extends along a second direction and which is designed such that the distal end portion of the flexible band element can be secured thereto; a transition portion which connects the receiving portion and the securing portion and which delimits the receiving space on one side; wherein, when the cord hook is put under tension by means of the cord loop securing the jump mat, a main tension vector is defined by tension on a proximal end portion of the at least one flexible band element; wherein the cord hook is designed such that a straight line through the main tension vector of the cord hook under tension and the flexible band element divides the receiving space into a first partial space and a second partial space such that, during intended use of the cord hook, the first loop end portion lies in the first partial space and the second loop end portion lies in the second partial space; wherein the cord hook is formed as a single-piece plastic part which has a vertical ridge which projects centrally into the receiving space and which serves for centering a clamping region of a cord loop in the receiving space.",
    "2. The cord hook as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction run transversely with respect to one another.",
    "3. The cord hook as claimed in claim 1, which is furthermore designed such that the straight line through the main tension vector intersects the receiving portion centrally with respect to a longitudinal extent along the first direction.",
    "4. The cord hook as claimed in claim 1, which is furthermore designed such that the straight line through the main tension vector intersects the securing portion centrally with respect to a longitudinal extent along the second direction.",
    "5. A cord hook for securing a jump mat to a trampoline frame by means of a cord loop and at least one flexible band element having a distal end portion, the cord hook comprising: a distal receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion extends along a first direction and defines a receiving space for receiving a first loop end portion and a second loop end portion of the cord loop; a proximal securing portion, which extends along a second direction and which is designed such that the distal end portion of the flexible band element can be secured thereto; a transition portion which connects the receiving portion and the securing portion and which delimits the receiving space on one side; wherein, when the cord hook is put under tension by means of the cord loop securing the jump mat, a main tension vector is defined by tension on a proximal end portion of the at least one flexible band element; wherein the cord hook is designed such that a straight line through the main tension vector of the cord hook under tension and the flexible band element divides the receiving space into a first partial space and a second partial space such that, during intended use of the cord hook, the first loop end portion lies in the first partial space and the second loop end portion lies in the second partial space; wherein the cord hook is formed as a single-piece plastic part; and at least one abutment element is provided which narrows the receiving space and which is arranged on the transition portion such that the abutment element is spaced apart from the receiving portion in the direction of the main tension vector and, at least in sections, extends parallel to the receiving portion along the first direction away from the transition portion and laterally proximally delimits the first partial space and the second partial space of the receiving space and is suitable for centering a clamping region of a cord loop in the receiving space.",
    "6. The cord hook as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first direction and the second direction run transversely with respect to one another.",
    "7. The cord hook as claimed in claim 5, which is furthermore designed such that the straight line through the main tension vector intersects the receiving portion centrally with respect to a longitudinal extent along the first direction.",
    "8. The cord hook as claimed in claim 5, which is furthermore designed such that the straight line through the main tension vector intersects the securing portion centrally with respect to a longitudinal extent along the second direction.",
    "9. A trampoline having a jump mat and having a trampoline frame, wherein the trampoline furthermore comprises a multiplicity of cord hooks, a multiplicity of elastic cord loops, wherein the number of cord hooks is equal to the number of elastic cord loops, and one flexible band element for each cord hook, wherein the multiplicity of cord hooks, the multiplicity of elastic cord loop and the flexible band elements are used to mount the jump mat in the trampoline frame, wherein the cord hook comprises: a distal receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion extends along a first direction and defines a receiving space for receiving a first loop end portion and a second loop end portion of the cord loop; a proximal securing portion, which extends along a second direction and which is designed such that the distal end portion of the flexible band element can be secured thereto; a transition portion which connects the receiving portion and the securing portion and which delimits the receiving space on one side; wherein, when the cord hook is put under tension by means of the cord loop securing the jump mat, a main tension vector is defined by tension on a proximal end portion of the at least one flexible band element; wherein the cord hook is designed such that a straight line through the main tension vector of the cord hook under tension and the flexible band element divides the receiving space into a first partial space and a second partial space such that, during intended use of the cord hook, the first loop end portion lies in the first partial space and the second loop end portion lies in the second partial space; wherein the cord loops are formed from a first cord portion, or from a first cord portion and a second cord portion, wherein each cord portion has in each case one first end portion and one second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the first cord portion is clamped to the second end portion of the first or of the second cord portion in a clamping region, and the second end portion of the first cord portion is clamped to the first end portion of the first or of the second cord portion respectively in a clamping region, such that the free portions of those end portions which are clamped together in each case point in the same direction, wherein the clamping region are mountable into the first or second partial space of the corresponding cord hook.",
    "10. The trampoline according to claim 9, wherein the cord loops are formed from a first cord portion, wherein each cord portion has in each case one first end portion and one second end portion, and wherein the first and second end portions are in each case bent to form a first loop and a second loop and are fixedly clamped in each case by means of at least one clamping element, wherein the first and second loops are mountable into the first and second partial space of the corresponding cord hook.",
    "11. The trampoline as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cord loops are in each case tensioned such that the clamping region is situated in each case in the first or in the second partial space corresponding cord hook.",
    "12. The trampoline as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second loop are mounted into the first and second partial space of the corresponding cord hook.",
    "13. A method for securing a jump mat to a trampoline frame, i) providing a multiplicity of cord hooks, ii) providing a multiplicity of elastic cord loops, iii) providing a multiplicity of flexible bands, wherein the number of cord hooks is equal to the number of elastic cord loops, and one flexible band element is provided for each cord hook, wherein the multiplicity of cord hooks, the multiplicity of elastic cord loop and the flexible band elements are used to mount the jump mat in the trampoline frame, wherein the cord hook comprises: a distal receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion extends along a first direction and defines a receiving space for receiving a first loop end portion and a second loop end portion of the cord loop; a proximal securing portion, which extends along a second direction and which is designed such that the distal end portion of the flexible band element can be secured thereto; a transition portion which connects the receiving portion and the securing portion and which delimits the receiving space on one side; wherein, when the cord hook is put under tension by means of the cord loop securing the jump mat, a main tension vector is defined by tension on a proximal end portion of the at least one flexible band element; wherein the cord hook is designed such that a straight line through the main tension vector of the cord hook under tension and the flexible band element divides the receiving space into a first partial space and a second partial space such that, during intended use of the cord hook, the first loop end portion lies in the first partial space and the second loop end portion lies in the second partial space, wherein the method further comprises iv) looping the cord loop around a portion of the trampoline frame and mounting the first loop end portion and the second loop end portion into the receiving space of the cord hook in order to tension the jump mat in the trampoline frame; wherein the cord loop is formed from a first cord portion or from a first cord portion and a second cord portion, wherein each cord portion has in each case one first end portion and one second end portion, wherein the first end portion of the first cord portion is clamped to the second end portion of the first or of the second cord portion in a clamping region, and the second end portion of the first cord portion is clamped to the first end portion of the first or of the second cord portion respectively in a clamping region, such that the free portions of those end portions which are clamped together in each case point in the same direction, wherein the clamping region is mounted into the first or second partial space of the corresponding cord hook.",
    "14. A method for securing a lump mat to a trampoline frame, i) providing a multiplicity of cord hooks, ii) providing a multiplicity of elastic cord loops, iii) providing a multiplicity of flexible bands, wherein the number of cord hooks is equal to the number of elastic cord loops, and one flexible band element is provided for each cord hook, wherein the multiplicity of cord hooks, the multiplicity of elastic cord loop and the flexible band elements are used to mount the jump mat in the trampoline frame, wherein the cord hook comprises: a distal receiving portion, wherein the receiving portion extends along a first direction and defines a receiving space for receiving a first loop end portion and a second loop end portion of the cord loop; a proximal securing portion, which extends along a second direction and which is designed such that the distal end portion of the flexible band element can be secured thereto; a transition portion which connects the receiving portion and the securing portion and which delimits the receiving space on one side; wherein, when the cord hook is put under tension by means of the cord loop securing the jump mat, a main tension vector is defined by tension on a proximal end portion of the at least one flexible band element; wherein the cord hook is designed such that a straight line through the main tension vector of the cord hook under tension and the flexible band element divides the receiving space into a first partial space and a second partial space such that, during intended use of the cord hook, the first loop end portion lies in the first partial space and the second loop end portion lies in the second partial space, wherein the method further comprises iv) looping the cord loop around a portion of the trampoline frame and mounting the first loop end portion and the second loop end portion into the receiving space of the cord hook in order to tension the jump mat in the trampoline frame; wherein each cord portion has in each case one first end portion and one second end portion, and wherein the first and second end portions are in each case bent to form a first and a second loop and are fixedly clamped in each case by means of at least one clamping element, wherein the first and second loops are mounted into the first and second partial space of the corresponding cord hook."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention is concerned with a cord hook of a securing device for a trampoline, with a securing device of said type for the insertion of a jump mat of the trampoline into the frame device of the trampoline.\n\nTrampolines, or mini trampolines, which are used for the promotion of health and for therapy purposes, require a suitable securing system, which is capable of oscillating, for the securing and tensioning or mounting of the jump mat.\n\nIt is known for the jump mat to be secured in frame devices of mini trampolines using steel springs. Steel-spring-based suspension arrangements however have the disadvantage that they tension the jump mat so as to be very taut. Furthermore, the steel springs give rise to disturbing squeaking noises during the use of the trampoline. When swinging or lightly jumping on steel-spring mini trampolines, a sinking depth to which the person exercising sinks into the mat amounts to just 20 millimeters to 60 millimeters, which corresponds to the damping braking travel upon impact. The impact forces are reduced only slightly by means of the steel spring tensioning arrangement. When training on devices with such a suspension arrangement of the jump mat, joints and the spinal column are therefore subjected to considerable loads.\n\nDE 102 26 707 A1 describes a tensioning arrangement which operates using elastic cord loops and cord hooks rather than steel springs. The rubber cord method offers much greater elasticity, that is to say longer damping travels and therefore softer damping characteristics, which are often preferred in particular in the physiotherapy sector.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 5/11",
    "A63B 21/0552",
    "A63B 21/0557",
    "F16B 45/00",
    "F16B 45/012",
    "F16B 5/0692"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63B 21/055",
    "A63B 5/11",
    "F16B 45/00",
    "F16B 5/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Angehrn AG Umformtechnik"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Erwin Bisang",
    "Ludwig Durrer-Kuettel",
    "Christian Mehr",
    "Silvan Schwarz"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-05-02",
  "publication_date": "2021-01-26",
  "grant_date": "2021-01-26",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-02",
  "application_number": "US-201716098327-A",
  "family_id": "55910803",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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  ]
}