Exercise devices – Gymnastic – Projector
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2001-11-20
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Gymnastic
Projector
C482S028000, C482S029000, C482S030000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319174
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a trampoline for sporting and/or recreational use and particularly to a soft-edged trampoline without any exposed springs adjacent to the bouncing surface.
BACKGROUND ART
Despite a high degree of popularity and widespread use in homes, schools, parks and other public/holiday environments, the use of trampolines has been shown to incur an alarming accident/injury rate. As the overwhelming majority of injuries occur in domestic situations (i.e. non-public, household environments), any improvement in the intrinsic passive safety of the trampoline design would have significant advantages.
The design of conventional trampolines (circular, octagonal, or rectangular) incorporates a peripheral exterior metal frame with an interposed mat tensioned within the plane of the frame by conventional extension springs spaced about the edge of the mat and attached to the frame. This configuration leads to the springs being in the same plane as the bouncing surface of the mat, with the attendant risk that the user will land on the springs (and/or the gaps between springs) instead of the mat. Use of additional protective covers over the upper surface of springs minimises, but does not eliminate, the risk of injury. Moreover, the frame itself provides a non-yielding surface that can also cause injury to the user in the event of a wayward landing. Similar injuries are possible through impacts with the side of trampoline, e.g. inadvertent collisions from children engaged in (and distracted by) other garden activities such as rugby and so forth.
Whilst overcoming or reducing the aforesaid disadvantages is obviously desirable, any effective alternative to conventional trampolines must provide comparable performance in terms of the bouncing characteristics.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to substantially ameliorate the aforesaid disadvantages by the provision of an improved trampoline.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trampoline which may be easily assembled and disassembled with the minimum of tools.
The present invention provides a trampoline including
a flexible mat with a plurality of first retaining means located around the mat perimeter,
a plurality of second retaining means located about the periphery of a support element and
a plurality of flexible elongated rods,
such that in use on a flat horizontal surface, said mat forms a horizontal plane having an upper contact surface and a lower non-contact surface orientated vertically above said support element, wherein each said flexible rod is retained at a first and second end by said first and second retaining means respectively.
Preferably, each said rod extends upwards from said ring frame at an incline.
Preferably, the said rods are simultaneously inclined from said support element to intersect with the said mat perimeter at a non-orthogonal angle in both the vertical and horizontal planes.
Preferably, said mat is circular or polygonal.
Preferably, said support element is a annular frame orientated concentrically below said mat in use. The diameter of said mat preferably exceeds the said base, such that in use the trampoline forms an inverted substantially frustro-conical shape.
Preferably, said first retaining means comprises a plurality of pockets/pouches each formed with an aperture on said non-contact surface.
The said first end of each said rod preferably includes a smooth-edged enlarged portion capable of releasably engaging with said first retaining means.
Preferably, said enlarged portion is releasably detachable from said rods.
Preferably, said rods are formed from pultruded fibreglass.
Preferably said second retaining means comprises a plurality of cylindrical elements attached to the perimeter of said support element.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4836530 (1989-06-01), Stanley, Jr.
patent: 4880226 (1989-11-01), Krantz
Amerson Lori Baker
Donnelly Jerome W.
Ross, Ross & Flavin
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