US3233895A

US3233895A - Trampolines

Info

Publication number: US3233895A
Application number: US144948A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert C Grelle; John K Rauschenberger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-10-13
Filing date: 1961-10-13
Publication date: 1966-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-02-08

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. c. GRI-:LLB Er AL TRAMPOLINES T"- V e 'I Lll Feb. 8, 1966 A. c. GRELLE ETAL 3,233,895

TRAMPoLINEs Filed Oct. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f6 24 J4 v Feb. 8, 1966 A. c. GRELLE ETAL 3,233,895

` TRAMPoLINEs Filed Oct. 13, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,233,895 TRAMPOLINES Albert C. Grelie, Clairton, Pa. (3150 N. Atlantic Ave.,

Apt. 100-7, Cocoa Beach, Flin), and John K. Rauschenberger, 388 Cavan Drive, Pittsburgh 36, Pa.

Filed Oct. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 144,948 9 Claims. (Cl. 272-65) This invention relates to trampolines and specifically to a safe, detachable construction for a trampoline which can be applied to a single tramopline or to multiple-unit trampoline centers.

The primary object of this invention is the construction of a portable above-ground tramopline center which eliminated the hazards of injury to a jumper from striking the trampoline frame or from slipping between the springs and which may be installed satisfactorily on uneven terrain. Y

More specifically, the objects of this invention are:

To construct a trampoline eliminating the tubular trampoline frame and consequently the injury hazard it presents.

To provide a protective cover for the rebound springs of a trampoline of sufficient rigidity that it will protect against a person slipping between springs but will not interfere with the action ot' the springs.

To provide a rigid protective cover for the rebound springs of a trampoline of sufficient rigidity that it will protect against a person on the trampoline slipping between adjacent'springs but which will present a resilient shock absorbing surface to prevent injury to a jumper falling on to the spring area or edge of the trampoline.

To provide a rigid protective cover which can be used on frameless trampolines or on trampolines having a frame to prevent injury to jumpers falling on to the spring and -frame area.

To construct a portable trampoline center employing a minimum of different elements in its construction.

To provide braces or supports for the elevated deck of a tramp-oline center which supports are constructed of a minimum of dierent elements and can be erected to levelly support the deck over uneven terrain sloping in one or more directions.

' These and other objects and the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View illustrating the general layout of a multiple unit trampoline center constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a more detailed view of a single trampoline unit illustrating the attachment of the rebound springs and the location and manner of attachment of the spring covers.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 showing in detail the manner of attaching the rebound springs to the box frame, the construction of the spring cover and the mode of attaching it to the springs.

FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c are views similar to FIGURE 3 but showing different modes of attaching the rebound springs to alternative structures of the box frame. FIG- URES 3a and 3b also show alternative means of attaching the spring cover to the rebound springs.

3,235 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 ICC FIGURE 4 is a sectional View through a cushion or bumper block for the spring covers taken along the line 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective View of a retaining block which can be used to attach the spring cover to the springs.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a supporting brace for the elevated platform having two supporting arms which can be adjusted to permit the platform to be supported at a level attitude on uneven terrain.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a supporting brace similar to that in FIGURE 6 except that it has three supporting arms.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective View of a supporting brace similar to that shown in FIGURE 6 except that it has four supporting arms.

FIGURE 9 shows an alternative -form of supporting brace.

FIGURE l0 shows the spring cover of this invention applied to a trampoline having a tubular frame.

Referring more specifically now to the drawings it will be seen that the numeral 10 refers to the rebound bed of a trampoline. The rebound bed is usually made of a woven material either in one piece or of interlaced webbing. In some cases it is made of perforated sheet material. The material most commonly used is nylon. However, the nature of the bed forms no part of this invention and is recited here merely for information. The bed has a series of loops 11 located around its periphery and suitable to receive one end of a rebound spring 12. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the other end of each spring is hooked through apertures 13 in one leg 14 of an angular spring retaining strip 15 secured to the members 16 of a box frame 17.

Alternatively as shown in FIGURES 3a and 3b the members of the box frame 17 may be made of met-al or a rigid plastic of angular or I-beam cross section and provided with spring receiving apertures 18 or other means for attaching the ends of the springs such as the eye bolts 19 secured in apertures 20.

FIGURE 3c shows another alternative construction in which one end of the rebound springs 12 is secured to a rod or tubular bar 63 maintained in a position slightly spaced from the box frame members by bolt, nut and

washer assemblies

64, 65, 66. The Shanks of bolts 64 t loosely in bores 67 in the box frame members so they are relatively free to follow vertical and lateral movements of the rod or bar 63 as the springs'are deflected under load of a person jumping on the trampoline. Thus only a tensile load is applied to the bolts.

As seen in FIGURE l a typical above ground trarnpoline center may consist of a number of trampolines indicated generally by the numeral 26 set into a platform or deck 27. In the form covered by this invention each trampoline is entirely within its box frame. Deck plates 25 are set on top of and secured to the frame members between adjacent sides of each trampoline to provide a walkway or butter area. Extensions 29 of theframe members serve to tie the trampolines together and provide an integral platform above the ground. An outer frame 31 completes the platform and together with extensions 30 provides support for Aan outer walkway 32. The peripheral area between the edge of each rebound bed and the adjacent edge of the deck is covered by substantially rigid spring covers 24.

It can readily beseen that-inl the form of this invention there is presented a continuous substantially smooth and level surface over the entire area of the platform. All of this surface is capable of supporting the Weight of a person Walking on it. In addition the spring covers 24 have a resilient, shock absorbing top layer 33 to protect a jumper from injury if he falls olf the rebound bed onto the spring or frame area While performing on the trampoline. The spring covers are preferably made of two-layersr33 and 34; The bottom layer 34 is preferably of wood or some other material havingl sufficient rigidity to support the weight of a person stepping on the spring area. The top layer 33 may be of foam rubber or plastic foam material. In practice an expanded polyurethane foam is preferred because it appears to retain its resilience and is relatively unaffected by exposure to weather and moisture and does notretain water. However., any rubber or plastic material or any other substance having the requisite resilience and shock absorbing characteristics may be used. Foam rubber has a tendency to deteriorate in the presence of heat and moisture and retains water. Therefore, if it or certain other substances are used it is necessary to protect the spring cover. with a non-porous, water-repellent sheet material. The spring covers may be made long enough to cover .all of the springs on one edge ofthe rebound bed or to facilitate handling and construction, they may be made shorter than the lengthofa side of the rebound bed and two or more used at each side. Suitable provision such as mitering is made so the spring covers meet and match at the corners.

T-he spring cover is'made to followthe vertical deflection of the Springs during use of the trampoline by means of retaining blocks 35 shown in detail in FIGURE 5. A` series of cushion or bumper blocks 36 which may be of the same material as the top layer 33 of the spring cover help to resiliently support the spring cover on the springs. A sound deadening member 37 may be placed inside each spring contacted by a retaining block to dampen vibrations caused by rubbing contact between the spring and the block and reduce noise.

The retaining blocks are provided with a Ipair of parallel grooves 33 of generally cylindrical shape, the diameter of the grooves being slightly larger than the outside diameter of the rebound springs. The distance across the 'block between adjacent edges of grooves being slightly less than the spacing between adjacent springs,

on which the block will ride. In this manner there is no interference with the action of the springs. The grooves 3S may be so proportioned that the springs must be inserted axially therethrough rather than through the side opening.

In the preferred construction the spring retaining member 15 may be an angle iron of suitable size and strength and may be attached to the frame members by bolts and nuts 21 or by lag screws. The retaining members 15 are attached. to the box frame members 16 at a point suciently below the level of the top 22 of the frame members that the top surface 23 of the spring cover will be substantially flush with the top surface of the deck plates 25 when the whole is assembled.

A block 39 may -be attached along the lower edge of the spring cover so that it rests on the spring retaining member 15 and helps support the spring cover and maintain it in position.

Alternatively as shown in FIGURES 3a and 3b tne retaining blocks 35 may be dispensed with and replaced with additoinal bumpers 36. Attachment, between the spring covers and the springs may be by means of elastic attaching strips 4t) as shown in FIGURE 3a'. The attaching strips may be looped through the hooks on the ends of the springs and the ends of the loop secured by suitable fasteners 41 to the spring cover.

The spring cover may also be held in position on the springs as shown in FIGURE' 3b"by a releasable clasp 42 .attached to the xed endofthe spring and` to a fastener 43 such as a screw eye on the underside of the spring cover. An elastic cord 44 attached to the other end of the spring .by means of a releasable clasp 45 and connected to the underside of the spring cover yby a fastener 46 causes the spring cover to follow the spring and the edge of the rebound bed. Thus a continuous supporting surface is always presented to a jumper on the trampoline from the edge of the rebound bed to the deck area.

Each box frame is supported.' from the ground near its corners and at intervals along the length of its members as requiredv to` give sufficient: rigidity to the box same basic elements are used in constructingeither thevv two, three or. four arm braces.

Each of the braces consists of a base 48 and an upright member 49. resting in a groove 50 in the base. The upright member. is relatively free to move longitudinally in the groove 50. A pair of

angular brackets

51 and 52 are attached to the center of the upright member by means of a bolt and nut 53A orf other suitable fastening means extending through the upright member and one

leg

54, 55 of. each bracket. The

other leg

56, 57 o'f each bracket extends generally at right anglesl to its respective one leg. Links or

arms

60 and 61 are attached to

legs

56 and 57 respectively ofthe bracket by nut and

bolt assemblies

58 and 59 or other suitable fastening means. The other end of eachy link is secured to the member. 62 to be supported by means of bolt and

nut assemblies

63 and 64. The member 62 represents either a box frame member or a deck supporting member.

It can readily be seen that the location of bolts 5S and 59 can be adjusted so that the member 62 is supported at a level attitude by the links,

v

60 and 61 even though the terrain on which the base 148 rests` may be inclined. To compensate for. slope of the supporting terrain in a direction along the longitudinal axisof the upright member 49,

brackets

51 and 52 canbe swivelled about the bolt S3 until the

arms

60, 61 are parallel to member 62.

Preferably, but not necessarily,

brackets

51 and 52 `are located so that their link supporting arms are offset from each other approximately the thickness of member 62. The links 60, 61- canthus be attached to opposite sides of member 62 to lendadditional. rigidity to the structure.

At. places in the platform structurevwhere the frame members form a T, as fory example at the junction of extensions 30 with the outer frame 31 of the platform, a supporting brace .having three supporting arms as shown in FIGURE 7 may beprovided. For this structure an additional link or arm 70 is inserted between one of the

brackets

51 or 52 and the upright member 49. The arm 70 is secured to the member 49 by thesame bolt and nut assembly 53, 54 as is used'to'attach the brackets.

As seen in FIGURE 8 the braces with four supporting arms are constructed by insertingv a fourth ar-m 71 under the

bracket

51 or 52 on the opposite side -ofmember 49. Braces with four supporting armsmay be provided at the corners of the box frames. It is obvious ofcourse that all the support bracesy may be of the type having two;

supporting arms or that they may be used in any suitable.

combination With braces having three or four supporting arms.

FIGURE l9 shows another form of support brace. This bolt receiving apertures spaced about its periphery is threaded onto the support bar. Two, three or four supporting arms or links 78, as required may be pivotally attached to the sleeve 76 by bolt and nut assemblies 79 or other suitable fastening means passing through bolt receiving apertures near the ends of the supporting arms 7 8 and the trunnions 77. The other end of each supporting arm is provided with an aperture 80 for receiving fastening means for attaching the arm to the member to be supported, such as the frame members 16 and

extensions

29 and 30.

In the structure shown in FIGURE 9 the height of the support brace may be adjusted by rotating the support bar or jack screw 75 as required. This may be necessary to compensate for settling of the ground under a support brace after initial installation or to simplify installation of a brace over a pronounced depression without requiring extreme adjustment in the angle between the supporting arms. Vertical adjustment can be made without detachment of any parts and while the brace is under load. Polygonal lands 81 or extensions 82 may be provided on the jack screw to permit application of a wrench.

As shown in FIGURE 10 the spring cover of this invention can be applied to a conventional trampoline having a tubular frame. FIGURE l0 shows the spring cover attached by retaining blocks 35 but it is apparent that the alternative means described in connection with FIGURES 3a and 3b may be used or suitable means may be employed to attach the spring cover to the tubular frame.

In any of these structures the spring covers may be attached alternatively or additionally to the deck or box frame by suitable means.

Obviously many modifications and variations of this invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A trampoline comprising a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to a rigid frame and a protective spring cover consisting of a flat substantially rigid sheet member having a resilient shock absorbing top surface and extending from an edge of the rebound bed over the area occupied by the springs attached to said edge.

2. In a trampoline comprising a rectangular rebound bed supported by four rows of tensioning springs one each of said rows being stretched between one edge of said rebound bed and the adjacent inner periphery of a box frame surrounding the rebound bed, a spring cover for at least one of said rows of springs consisting of a flat substantially rigid member having a resilient shock absorbing top surface and extending substantially from the edge of the rebound bed over the area occupied by the springs.

3. A trampoline comprising a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to a rigid frame and a protective spring cover supported solely 'by the springs and secured solely thereto said cover extending substantially over the entire area occupied by the springs and being sufciently rigid t0 support the weight of a person jumping thereon to prevent the foot of a person landing on the area occupied by the springs from slipping between adjacent springs.

4. A trampoline center comprising a platform structure having a plurality of rigid frames arranged in parallel rows and connected by frame extensions to form a deck area to receive a plurality of rows of trampolines, said frame extensions supporting walkways separating said rows of trampolines and additional frame extensions supporting an outer walkway around the periphery of said platform structure, each trampoline comprising a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to one of said rigid frames, the level of the rebound bed being slightly below the level of the top surface of the walkways, and a protective spring cover for each trampoline, said spring cover lbeing of substantial thickness and lresting on the springs, the top surface of the spring cover being substantially Hush with the top surface of the walkways and said spring cover overlying the area between the edges of the rebound bed and the contiguous edges of the walkways so that a substantially smooth continuous surface is provided over the entire area of the trampoline center.

5. A trampoline center comprising a platform structure having a plurality of rigid rectangular frames arranged in parallel rows and connected by frame extensions to form a deck area to receive a plurality of rows of trampolines, said frame `extensions supporting walkways eparating said nows yof trampolines and ladditional frame extensions supponti-ng an outer walkway around the periphery of said platform structure; each trampoline oomprising -a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs Ito one of said rigid Irectangular frames, the level of the :rebound bed being slightly below the llevel of the lto-p surface of the walkways; and a substantial-ly rigid protective Vspring cover for teach trampoline resting on said springs, said spring cover being of substantial thi-ckness and having a resilient, shock 'absorbing top surface, fthe top sur-face of `the .spring cover being substantially llush with the top surface of the walkways when the tramp-oline is not in use and said spring cover overlying the area Ibetween .the edges of the rebound bed and the contiguous edges of the walkways.

6. A trampoline center comprising a decklike structure including a series of trampolines arranged in parallel rows separated by walkways and surrounded by an outer walkway, each trampoline comprising a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to a rigid frame, a protective cover over the springs secured solely to said springs, said cover consisting of a flat substantially rigid sheet member having a resilient shock absorbing top surface and extending from an edge of the rebound bed over the area occupied by the springs attached to said edge, and a plurality of supports for said decklike structure to hold it in elevated position above the ground.

7. A trampoline center comprising a decklike structure including a series of trampolines arranged in parallel rows separated by walkways and surrounded 'by an outer walkway; each trampoline comprising a rebound 'bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to a rigid rectangular frame, the level of the rebound bed being slightly below the level of the top surface of the walkways; a substantially rigid protective spring cover for each trampoline resting on said springs, said spring cover being of substantial thickness and having a resilient, shock absorbing top surface, the top surface of the spring cover being substantially flush with the top surface of the walkways when the trampoline is not in use and said spring cover overlying the area between the edges of the rebound bed and the contiguous edges of the walkways; and a plurality of similar supports to maintain said decklike structure in a level position elevated above the supporting terrain.

8. A trampoline center comprising a decklike structure including a series of trampolines arranged in parallel rows separated by walkways and surrounded by an outer walkway; each trampoline comprising a rebound bed secured by a peripheral row of springs to a rigid rectangular frame, the level of the rebound bed being slightly below the level of the top surface of the walkways; a substantially rigid protective spring cover for each trampoline resting on said springs, said spring cover being of substantial thickness and having a resilient, shock absorbing top surface, the top surface of the spring cover being substantially flush with the top surface of the walkways when the trampoline is not in use and said spring cover overlying the area between the edges -of the rebound bed and the contiguous edges of the walkways; and a plurality of supports to maintain said deckline structure in a level position elevated above the supporting terrain, each of said supports comprising a base member, an opstanding member resting on said base andextending in a generally vertical position from said base and at least two support links pivotally supported from said upstanding member and extending diagonally in avgenerally upward direction to- Ward the structure to be supported.

9. A platform structure comprising a peripheral horizontal deck area in the shape of a closed rectangle supported above the ground lby a deck supporting structure including a box frame defining the inner boundary of said deck area and forming an integral part of the deck supporting structure, a trampoline surrounded by said deck and comprising a rebound bed supported at its edges by springs attached to the members of said box frame.

Reerenees Jited 'by the Examiner UNTTED 3/1945 9/1949` 5/1951 3/1952 7/196'1 l0/-l96l S/1962 STATES PATENTS Nissen v 272-65 X Isakson 24S- 194 Bloch 248-194 Hendershott 272-1 Sampson 1812-139 Nissen 182-139 Mikesell 182-139 RCHARD C. PNKHAM, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE H. BREHM, Examiner.

Claims

9. A PLATFORM STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PERIPHERAL HORIZONTAL DECK AREA IN THE SHAPE OF A CLOSED RECTANGLE SUPPORTED ABOVE THE GROUND BY A DECK SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A BOX FRAME DEFINING THE INNER BOUNDARY OF SAID DECK AREA AND FORMING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DECK SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, A TRAMPOLINE SURROUNDED BY SAID DECK AND COMPRISING A REBOUND BED SUPPORTED AT ITS EDGES BY SPRINGS ATTACHED TO THE MEMBERS OF SAID BOX FRAME.