Trampoline

{
  "publication_number": "US9399152B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Trampoline",
  "abstract": "The present invention is a trampoline with a unique frame structure to improve strength, stability and safety. The safety poles of the trampoline are organized in a lattice type of formation with multiple joints. It provides more coverage around the trampoline as a safety mechanism. The lattice type formation also strengthens the safety poles via strategic connections, disperses force asserted onto the safety poles. As a result, the trampoline of the present invention guarantees a safe and stable amount of space for bouncing, suitable for children as well as for adults.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A trampoline comprising: an enclosed frame connected to a mat for bouncing thereon, wherein the enclosed frame further comprises a plurality of frame tubes and locking mechanisms, with one frame tube being locked at a first end of each locking mechanism and another frame tube being locked at a second end; a plurality of leg units, wherein each leg unit further comprises a foot joint and at least two leg poles connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via a plurality of insertion tubes around the enclosed frame to raise the enclosed frame and the mat above ground; a plurality of safety units connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via the plurality of insertion tubes and extending upwards to form an enclosure around the mat, wherein each safety unit further comprises at least two safety poles, each with a first end locked at the insertion tube from an adjacent locking mechanism, the at least two safety poles extending upwards to terminate at a second end at an upper section of the safety unit after crossing each other at a location above the enclosed frame; and a safety net connected to the second ends of the safety poles via a plurality of spring connections, and to an outer edge of the mat at a plurality of locations around the mat.",
    "2. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the frame tubes further comprise at least one set of slits to allow attachment of springs to the edge of the mat.",
    "3. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein each locking mechanism comprises: a connection tube with a receiving end and an exiting end; at least one insertion tube attached from outside to the connection tube to form a T junction, wherein the insertion tube further comprises pairs of openings aligned with corresponding locking features on the leg units and the safety units; and a reinforcement piece attached to the connection tube and to the insertion tube.",
    "4. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein each leg unit further comprises: a foot joint with a bottom surface resting on a ground surface and at least two upward U shaped plates facing each other; and at least two leg poles with bottom ends rotatably attached to the upward U shaped plates on the foot joint via pins, and upper ends attached to adjacent locking mechanisms via insertion tubes on the enclosed frame.",
    "5. The trampoline of claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of each foot joint comprises anchors that can be driven into the ground surface to secure the trampoline at a fixed location.",
    "6. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the safety poles further comprise interlocking sections lengthwise.",
    "7. The safety unit of claim 1, wherein an upper section of each safety pole comprises a complimentary surface with an opening rotatably attachable to an opposing safety pole at a corresponding location in the same safety unit to form an X junction.",
    "8. The safety unit of claim 1, wherein the second end of each safety pole is attached to the second end of a safety pole from an adjacent safety unit.",
    "9. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the second end of each safety pole is attached to a first end of a connecting pole, and a second end of the connecting pole is attached to the second end of a safety pole from an adjacent safety unit.",
    "10. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the second ends of the safety poles are directly connected to an edge of the safety net via a spring connection.",
    "11. The trampoline of claim 1, wherein the safety net is connected to the safety units via a spring connection, comprising a spring, latching onto a corner of a triangular link, with an opposing edge of the triangular link secured onto a piece of fabric extension.",
    "12. The trampoline of claim 9, wherein the connecting pole further comprises lengthwise interlocking sections.",
    "13. A trampoline comprising: an enclosed frame connected to a mat for bouncing thereon, wherein the enclosed frame further comprises a plurality of frame tubes and locking mechanisms, with one frame tube being locked at a first end of each locking mechanism and another frame tube being locked at a second end; a plurality of leg units, wherein each leg unit further comprises a foot joint and at least two leg poles connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via a plurality of insertion tubes around the enclosed frame to raise the enclosed frame and the mat above ground; a plurality of safety units connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via the plurality of insertion tubes and extending upwards to form an enclosure around the mat, wherein each safety unit further comprises at least two safety poles, each with a first end locked at the insertion tube from an adjacent locking mechanism, the at least two safety poles extending upwards to terminate at a second end after crossing each other at a location above the enclosed frame, and the second end of each safety pole is attached to the second end of a safety pole from an adjacent safety unit via a sphere joint, comprising a housing end and a sphere end, the housing end comprising a cavity to allow entry of the sphere end, to allow relative rotation between the cavity and the sphere end, and to block the exit of the sphere end; and a safety net connected to the second ends of the safety poles via a plurality of spring connections, each secured onto a pair of openings on the sphere joint, and to an outer edge of the mat at a plurality of locations around the mat.",
    "14. A trampoline comprising: an enclosed frame connected to a mat for bouncing thereon, wherein the enclosed frame further comprises a plurality of frame tubes and locking mechanisms, with one frame tube being locked at a first end of each locking mechanism and another frame tube being locked at a second end; a plurality of leg units, wherein each leg unit further comprises a foot joint and at least two leg poles connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via a plurality of insertion tubes around the enclosed frame to raise the enclosed frame and the mat above ground; a plurality of safety units connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via the plurality of insertion tubes and extending upwards to form an enclosure around the mat, wherein each safety unit further comprises at least two safety poles, each with a first end locked at the insertion tube from an adjacent locking mechanism, the at least two safety poles extending upwards to terminate at a second end after crossing each other at a location above the enclosed frame, and the second end of each safety pole is attached to the second end of a safety pole from an adjacent safety unit via a clamp, comprising pairs of openings to secure each second end; and a safety net connected to the second ends of the safety poles via a plurality of spring connections, each secured onto a third opening on the clamp, and to an outer edge of the mat at a plurality of locations around the mat.",
    "15. A trampoline comprising: a first enclosed frame connected to a mat for bouncing; a second enclosed frame, wherein the second enclosed frame further comprises a plurality of frame tubes and locking mechanisms, with one frame tube being locked at a first end of each of the locking mechanisms and another frame tube being locked at a second end; a plurality of leg poles connected around the first enclosed frame to raise the first enclosed frame and the mat above ground; a plurality of safety units connected to the second enclosed frame at ground level extending upwards to form an enclosure around both frames and the mat, wherein the safety units each further comprise at least two safety poles with lower ends joined at ground level to a lower end of a safety pole from an adjacent safety unit via adjacent locking mechanisms, and each of said safety units having an upper section of the safety poles leading toward each other and joined together at an upper section of the safety unit; and a safety net with a top edge connected to top ends of the safety units via spring connections, and a bottom edge connected to an outer edge of the mat at a plurality of locations around the mat.",
    "16. A trampoline comprising: an enclosed frame connected to a mat for bouncing thereon, wherein the enclosed frame further comprises a plurality of frame tubes and locking mechanisms, with one frame tube being locked at a first end of each of the locking mechanisms and another frame tube being locked at a second end; a plurality of leg units, wherein each leg unit further comprises a foot joint and at least two leg poles connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via a plurality of insertion tubes around the enclosed frame to raise the enclosed frame and the mat above ground; a plurality of safety units connected to adjacent locking mechanisms via the plurality of insertion tubes and extending upwards to form an enclosure around the mat, wherein each safety unit further comprises at least two safety poles, each with a first end locked at the insertion tube from an adjacent locking mechanism, the at least two safety poles extending upwards to terminate and to connect with each other at a second end via a pin; and a safety net connected to the second ends of the safety poles via a plurality of spring connections secured onto a loop end on the pin, and to an outer edge of the mat at a plurality of locations around the mat."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a type of recreation and fitness equipment. More specifically, the present invention is a trampoline with a unique frame structure to improve strength, stability and safety.\n\nTrampoline is a popular recreational and sporting equipment. In order to prevent injuries arise from accidentally bouncing off the mat, most trampolines erect safety poles to support a safety net around the bouncing mat. Setups of this type of safety mechanism with poles and nets can be appreciated from patents such as: U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,667B2, US20100190608A1, US20140228176A1, and US20140221162A1. One common feature shared by these safety mechanisms is that adjacent safety poles are generally parallel to each other. Safety poles can bend toward the bouncing mat due to the force exerted from the bouncing surface.\n\nOne problem with the safety poles bending toward the mat is that it effectively reduces the space a person can utilize vertically while bouncing. The reduction of jumping space is also unpredictable, due to the dynamic force exerted through jumping. This element of uncertainly presents a challenge for the jumper to have to continuously compensate for it in order to avoid hitting the poles. Such a challenge can be particularly dangerous for children, who are in general less aware of the space around them, and require longer reaction time since they are still in the process of learning to avoid obstacles. The tips of the poles, as they bend towards the bouncing person, can also cause scraping injuries if the person is too close to the edge of the bouncing mat.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 5/11",
    "A63B 71/022",
    "F16B 7/00",
    "F16B 7/042"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63B 5/11",
    "A63B 71/02",
    "F16B 7/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Wei Yang"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-05-01",
  "publication_date": "2016-07-26",
  "grant_date": "2016-07-26",
  "priority_date": "2014-07-30",
  "application_number": "US-201514701889-A",
  "family_id": "52165991",
  "cited_by_count": 8,
  "citations": [
    "US20020137598A1",
    "US20100190608A1",
    "US5941798A",
    "US20110039660A1",
    "US7708667B2",
    "US20090062078A1",
    "US20140323272A1",
    "US20120252634A1",
    "US20100240496A1",
    "US20140228176A1",
    "US8764610B2",
    "US20140221162A1"
  ]
}