US3339925A

US3339925A - Portable and demountable recreational apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3339925A
Application number: US414811A
Authority: US
Inventors: George P Nissen
Original assignee: Nissen Corp
Current assignee: COLE EDWARD W
Priority date: 1964-11-30
Filing date: 1964-11-30
Publication date: 1967-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 1984-09-05
Also published as: DE1478051A1; GB1084569A

Description

Sept. 5, 1967 G. P. NISSEN 3,339,925

I PORTABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE RECREATIONAL APPARATUS I Filed Now). 30, 1964 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE P. NISSEN ATTORNEY PORTABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE RECREATIONAL APPARATUS Filed NOV. 30, 1964 G. P. NISSEN Sept. 5, 1967 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I.\'V[ZNTOR.

GEORGE P. NISSEN BY f f ATTORNEY Sept. 5, 1967 G. P. NISSEN PORTABLE AND DEMOUNTABLE RECREATIONAL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 50, 1964 FIG '4 ].\"V[ZN'TOR.

GEORGE P. NISSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent George P. Nissen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assiguor to Nissen Corporation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Filed Nov. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 414,811 11 Claims. (Cl. 27395) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved trampoline which may be used as such or be additionally fitted for the playing of a ball game thereon as shown in US. Patents 3,201,126 and 3,256,021. In its basic form, the apparatus employs a single trampoline equipped with a pair of inclined, resilient backstop panels which are adjustable for inclination. The upper ends of the panels are supported by inclined legs hinged to the upper ends of the panels and the adjacent ends of the trampoline so that upon inward movement of the legs the entire trampoline is lifted off the floor and easily movable about on casters provided on the lower end of the legs. In addition, a removable form of the backstop panels is disclosed as well as a removable gantry for use with the trampoline when employed as described in the foregoing patents. The removable backstop panels include reinforcing yokes which prevent their collapse upon detachment from the trampoline. The removable gantry transversely straddles the trampoline bed and is wholly supported upon the floor by casters at the lower ends of two pairs of upright gantry legs, the latter resiliently engaging means on the side frames of the trampoline in order to locate the gantry midway between the trampoline ends while permitting vertical movement of the trampoline independently of the gantry.

Background of the invention Experience has proven how greatly the utility of a trampoline is increased when it is so constructed as to be foldable into a compact unit for the purposes of storage and easy transport. An example of a foldable trampoline and of various means by which it may be transported are shown and described in US. Patents 2,969,124 and 3,116,809, both to Nissen. It is even more desirable, in the case of a trampoline fitted for the playing of a ball game thereon of the nature described in the aforesaid Patents 3,201,126 and 3,256,021, that the entire apparatus be easily movable about a gymnasium floor and at the same time to have the additional equipment mounted on the trampoline for the purposes of such game easily demountable therefrom so that the trampoline alone can be used. The chief object of present invention, therefore, is to provide means by which a folding type of trampoline may be equipped with the backstops and with the gantry or barrier structure described in the latter two patents which are not only readily attachable and detachable with respect to the trampoline but which in addition also incorporate means by which the entire unit, including the assembled backstops and gantry, may be readily transported about the floor of a gymnasium.

Summary of the invention stop frame and since the frame must be open at the bot- 3,339,925- Patented Sept. 5, 1967 Ice tom where it is attached to the trampoline in order not to interfere with the performers, it is necessary to provide some means so that when the backstop is demounted from the trampoline, the tension exerted by the panel will not cause bending or collapse of the frame. This is accomplished by means of a U-shaped yoke secured at each of its ends to the lower ends of each backstop frame and lying, when the backstop is in operative position, to the rear thereof so as not to interfere with the performers. In its preferred form, the yoke merely lies atop the adjacent portions of the trampoline frame and when the backstop is demounted from the trampoline the yoke in effect forms a kind of fourth side for the backstop frame sufficient to prevent its serious bending or collapse.

It is also necessary to provide some means of support for the upper ends of the backstops and, as shown in the aforesaid Patents 3,201,126 and 3,256,021 such supports have taken the form of two pairs of legs extending downwardly from the upper ends of the backstop frames to the ground or floor and suitably braced to the trampoline frame. Each leg is of two telescoping sections so that the inclination of the backstops with respect to the trampoline bed may be adjusted. The present invention also incorporates a modified form of such legs and braces whereby upon simple and quick movement thereof the entire trampoline, together with the backstops, may be lifted so as to be wholly carried by the legs which in turn are provided with casters or other suitable means at their lower ends. The entire apparatus can thus readily be moved from place to place on the gymnasium floor and easily lowered at any location for use.

Finally, the present invention incorporates a form of gantry which, instead of being carried on the trampoline frame proper, straddles the latter, being supported wholly upon the floor on casters and held in proper location only by virtue of its frame resiliently gripping the sides of the trampoline frame. Thus, when the apparatus is elevated for purposes of movement on the gymnasium floor, the gantry follows of its own accord on its casters. At the same time, owing to the mode in which the gantry frame engages the side members of the trampoline frame, it can be easily rolled on its casters and slipped off one end of the trampoline once the backstop at that end has been removed.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is an upper perspective side view of a trampoline equipped with demountable backstops and a portable gantry, all incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an upper perspective view of one end of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 showing the same in its lowered or playing position;

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to that of FIGURE 2. but illustrating the backstop supporting legs in their position whereby the trampoline is elevated and the entire apparatus rendered portable;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view showing an example of means by which the backstops may be demountably attached to the trampoline frame;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a detail view showing one means by which the gantry may be located along the sides of the trampoline frame; and

FIGURE 7 is a detail view showing one backstop demounted from the trampoline and carried on a stand for transport and storage.

Description 0 the preferred embodiments In the drawings 10 designates generally a trampoline of the folding type employing a rectangular frame 11 of flattened oval tubing having side members 12 and end members 13, side members 12 being suitably articulated at 12' in order to permit folding of trampoline in the manner disclosed in the aforesaid patents 2,969,124 and 3,116,809. Frame 11 encompasses a trampoline bed 14 of interwoven strips of suitable fabric tensionally mounted within frame 11 by suitable resilient means 15, such as shock cord or extensible helical springs. As is usually desirable, trampoline 10 may also be provided with auxiliary side rails 16 (see FIGURES 2, 3 and 6), also of fiattened oval tubing interrupted opposite each hinge point 12', cantilevered outwardly from and along side members 12 in order to provide platforms on which inactive performers may stand without interfering with performers on bed 14. Each such platform may be covered by suitable pads 17. Trampoline 10 is supported upon a collapsible undercarriage generally indicated at 18 and hingedly attached to the underside of frame 11. Further details with respect to the structure of trampoline 10 and its undercarriage 18 may be found in the two patents 2,969,124 and 3,116,809 to which reference has already been made.

Trampoline 10 is equipped with a pair of backstops 20, inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the ends of bed 14, each backstop 20 employing an inverted U-shaped frame 21 of flattened oval tubing similar to that forming trampoline frame 11. Each U-frame 21 surrounds the upper end and two sides of a backstop panel 22, similar in nature to trampoline bed 14, and also tensionally secured to U-frame 21 by suitable resilient means 23 similar to those indicated at employed for trampoline bed 14. The lower ends of backstop frames 21 are secured to their respective side members 12 of trampoline frame 11 so as to be easily and quickly detachable therefrom. The securing means employed in the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawings incorporate at each lower end of U-frame 21 a pair of

vertical plates

24 and 25 straddling the adjacent frame side member 12 and carried both above and below the latter. The upper ends of each pair of

plates

24 and 25 receive its respective one of the lower ends of U-frames 21 which is hinged therebetween on a transverse horizontal axis by means of a hinge pin 26 so that the inclination of each backstop with respect to trampoline bed 14 may be varied. Below hinge pin 26 plates 24 and receive one end of a U-shaped reinforcing yoke 27, also of flattened oval tubing, which end is fixedly secured to

plates

24 and 25 as by welding. Each yoke 27 is generally congruent with and lies atop the adjacent portions of its respective frame side members 12 and their included end member 13 of trampoline frame 11 to the rear of its respective backstop 20. The ends of each pair of

plates

24 and 25 below trampoline frame side member 12 are provided with a pair of notches 28 extending horizontally inwardly from corresponding edges thereof. Notches 28 receive a latch bar 29 extending therebetween just beneath their frame side member 12 thereabove and horizontally pivoted to plate 24, as at 30, so that latch bar 29 may be swung out of notches 28 sufficiently to permit backstops 20 and their respective reinforcing yokes 27 to be lifted from trampoline frame 11. In order to secure backstops 20 tightly to trampoline frame 11 each latch bar 29 is fitted midway between notches 28 with a suitable hand screw 31 extending vertically therethrough to engage the underside of its respective frame side members 12, whereby the latter is clamped tightly between hand screw 31 therebelow and the end of reinforcing yoke 27 thereabove. If desired, the upper end of each backstop 20 may be provided with a suitable pad 32 to protect the performers.

It is also desirable to provide each backstop 20 with a horizontal bushing 33 fixed to the rear of each side member of U-frames 21 about midway therealong. Bushings 33 permit the use with backstops 20 of supporting stands of the nature described in the aforesaid patent 3,116,809. Each backstop 20 can be rotated downwardly about its hinge pin 26 so that it lies flat upon its yoke 27,

extending outwardly beyond the end of trampoline frame 11. Each bushing 33 is then engaged by the horizontal pintle 34 of a stand 35 whereupon, after releasing its latch bar 29, each backstop 20 can be carried off it end of frame 11 on its pair of stands 35. Thereafter, rotation of each backstop 20 upon the pintles 34 of its pair of stands 35 to the vertical position shown in FIGURE 7 permits easy transport and storage of same.

Each backstop 20 is supported at its upper end by a pair of legs 40, each composed of two sections of tubular material the upper of which telescopes within the lower, the latter being provided at its upper end with suitable clamping means operated by hand screws 41 so that the overall length of each leg 40 may be adjusted. The upper end of each leg 40 is hinged at 42 to the upper end of its respective backstop 20 adjacent one upper corner thereof so that leg 40 extends downwardly and outwardly therefrom outboard of its adjacent end member 13 of trampoline frame 11 and may be move-d toward and against the latter about its hinge 42. Legs 40 are provided at their lower ends with suitable means, such as casters 43, in order to permit movement of legs 40 in any direction upon the floor or ground. Each leg 40 is connected in turn to trampoline frame 11 by means of a tubular brace 44 hinged at its upper end at 45 to the underside of the adjacent end member 13 of trampoline frame 11 and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom to be similarly hinged to its respective leg 40 at 46, all so that leg 40 may be moved about its hinge 42 toward its adjacent frame end member 13 as aforesaid. Accordingly, when each leg 40 is moved inwardly about its hinge 42 to and against its adjacent end member 13 of trampoline frame 11, braces 44 correspondingly move about their

hinges

45 and 46 to a more vertical position, whereupon it will be apparent that trampoline 10 is bodily elevated from the floor or ground with its entire weight being thence carried by braces 44, the portions of legs 40 below hinges 46, and casters 43. The apparatus is thus converted from its playing position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 to its transport or portable position shown in FIGURE 3. An important derivative feature of casters 43 is that they effectively prevent walking of the apparatus when in its playing position. If legs 40 are not equipped with casters 43 but merely abut the ground, not only is portability lost but the entire apparatus tends to walk along the floor during play owing to the flexing of trampoline frame 11 and the various components of undercarriage 18.

It is desirable that some means be incorporated by which legs 40 are maintained against their adjacent end members 13 of trampoline frame 11 in order to retain the apparatus in its transport position during movement about the floor or ground. A simple way of accomplishing this is simply to provide an eye 47 on each leg 40 just below its adjacent end member 13 of trampoline frame 11 through which in turn may be hooked one end of one of the adjacent resilient cords or springs 15' which has been first unhooked from its frame end member 13 (see FIGURE 3). The upper ends of each pair of legs 40 may also carry a secondary target structure in the form of a rebound net comprising an inverted U-shaped tubular frame 48 extending thereabove and closed by netting 49 loosely secured about frame 48. The latter may be telescoped into the upper ends of legs 40 or may, independently of legs 40, also be hinged at 42 so that frames 48 may be folded down against legs 40.

Gantry or barrier 50 is constituted from a pair of inverted, U-shaped tubular frames 51 straddling trampoline frame 11 transversely of bed 14 and midway along the latter. U-frames 51 are laterally spaced from and parallel to each other by means of suitable horizontal struts 52 above trampoline bed 14 and incorporate legs 53 extending downwardly past the auxiliary side rails 16 of trampoline frame 11, their respective lower ends being joined by feet 54 carrying casters 55 which engage the floor or ground. The upper end members 56 of U-frames 51 carry the respective ends of a horizontally disposed, open tunnel 57 having a reduced central section 58. Tunnel 57 is located so that its axis extends longitudinally of and centrally between the sides of bed 14 and the upper area within each U-frame 51 surrounding one end of tunnel 57 is closed by suitable netting 59 in order to constitute gantry 50 a barrier to the passage of a missile therethrough except through tunnel 57. The upright legs 53 of U- frames 51 are of a length sufficient so that the elevation of tunnel 57 is above the reach of a player standing stationary on bed 14. If desired, in order to adjust the height of tunnel 57, the legs 53 of U-frames 51 may be provided with adjustably telescoping portions in the manner of those for legs 40 of backstops 20. Gantry 50 may be located with respect to bed 14 by any suitable means which will permit it easily to be removed therefrom on its casters 55. The means illustrated are simple but effective. The upright legs 53 of gantry 50 are formed with respect to end members 56 therebetween so that they resiliently engage auxiliary side rails 16 and are located therealong by means of a pair of tubular bars 60, each of which is cantilevered outwardly from its respective auxiliary side rail 16 and bent at its mid-portion to form a rounded nose 61 and a ramp 62 on each side of the latter extending horizontally outward from each rail 16. Each pair of corresponding legs 53 of gantry frames 51 thus resiliently engage the ramps 62 and straddle nose 61 of a bar 60. The foregoing has proved to provide sufficient location for gantry 50 and yet at the same time to permit it easily to be slipped off at one end of trampoline on casters 55 upon removal of one backstop 20.

Though the present invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof and detailed descriptive language has been used, the invention is not limited thereto. Instead, the following claims are to be read as encompassing all modifications and adaptations falling within the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. Portable recreational apparatus comprising a trampoline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, an undercarriage depending from said frame and engaging the ground effective to maintain said trampoline in horizontal spaced relation thereabove, a pair of backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, each of said backstops being pivotally secured at its lower end to said trampoline frame effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstop relative to said bed, and means operatively associated with said trampoline frame and each of said backstops supporting the latter and optionally rendering said apparatus portable, said means including a support assembly supporting each of said backstops in an inclined position relative to said bed, each of said assemblies inclining downwardly and outwardly from adjacent the upper end of its respective backstop outboard of the adjacent end of said trampoline frame, the lower end of each of said assemblies being provided with rolling means engaging the ground effective to permit movement therealong in a plurality of directions, each of said assemblies being pivoted to its respective backstop effective to permit its optional movement to and retention in an apparatus portable position by movement thereof inwardly toward its respective adjacent end of said trampoline frame, and a brace assembly for each of said support assemblies inclining downwardly and outwardly from each of said adjacent ends of said trampoline frame to its respective support assembly, said brace assemblies being pivoted to their respective adjacent ends of said trampoline frame and to their respective support assemblies effective to permit said movement of said support assemblies to their respective apparatus portable positions, whereby said trampoline undercarriage is elevated above the ground and said apparatus is wholly supported thereon by said rolling means.

2. Portable recreational apparatus comprising a tram- 6 poline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, an undercarriage depending from said frame and engaging the ground effective to maintain said trampoline in horizontal spaced relation thereabove, a pair of backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, each of said backstops being pivotally secured at its lower end to said trampoline frame effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstop relative to said bed, and means operatively associated with said trampoline frame and each of said backstops supporting the latter and optionally rendering said apparatus portable, said means including a pair of laterally spaced, tubular legs supporting each of said backstops in an inclined position relative to saidbed, each pair of said legs inclining downwardly and outwardly from the upperend of their respective backstop outboard of the adjacent end of said trampoline frame, each of said legs comprising two telescoping portions having clamping means for adjusting the overall length thereof, the upper portions of each pair of said legs being pivoted to the upper end of their respective backstop at laterally spaced locations therealong effective to'permit movement of said legs inwardly toward their respective adjacent end of said trampoline frame to an apparatus portable position, the lower ends of each of the lower portions of said legs being provided with rolling means engaging the ground effective to permit movement therealong in a plurality of directions, whereby the inclination of said backstops with respect to said bed may be adjusted, a brace member inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of said trampoline frame to each of said legs, each of said brace members being pivoted to its respective leg and trampoline frame end effective to permit said move ment of said legs to said apparatus portable position, whereby when in said position said trampoline undercarriage is elevated above the ground and said apparatus is wholly supported upon said rolling means, and means effective to maintain said legs in said portable position during movement of said apparatus upon said rolling means.

3. Portable recreational apparatus comprising a trampoline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, an undercarriage depending from said frame and engaging the ground effective to maintain said trampoline in horizontal spaced relation thereabove, a pair of backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, each of said backstops being pivotally secured at its lower end to said trampoline frame effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstop relative to said bed, a removable gantry structure comprising a pair of parallel, laterally spaced upright frames of inverted U- shape straddling said bed transversely thereof and centrally between its ends, whereby said bed is divided into a pair of substantially equal playing zones bounded at their opposite ends by said gantry and said backstops, each of said gantry frames carrying one end of a target device including a horizontally disposed, elongated tunnel extending longitudinally and centrally of said bed above the reach of a player standing stationary thereon, the upright portions of said gantry frames resiliently engaging the sides of said trampoline frame but permitting vertical movement of said trampoline relative to and independently of said gantry, the lower ends of said portions extending downwardly and engaging the ground through rolling means permitting movement of said gantry thereon in a plurality of directions, means releasably locating said gantry centrally between the ends of said bed as aforesaid,

' and means operatively associated with said trampoline frame and each of said backstops supporting the latter and optionally rendering said apparatus portable, said last named means including a pair of laterally spaced, tubular legs supporting each of said backstops in an inclined position relative to said bed, each pair of said legs inclining downwardly and outwardly from the upper end of their respective backstop outboard of the adjacent end of said trampoline frame, the upper ends of each pair of said legs being pivoted to the upper end of their respective backstop at laterally spaced locations therealong effective to permit movement of said legs inwardly toward their respective adjacent ends ofsaid trampoline frame to an apparatus portable position, the lower ends of said legs being provided with rolling means engaging the ground effective to permit movement therealong in a plurality of directions, a brace member inclining downwardly and outwardly from the ends of said trampoline frame to each of said legs, each of said brace members being pivoted to its respective leg and trampoline frame end effective to permit said movement of said legs to said apparatus portable position, whereby when in said position said trampoline undercarriage is elevated above the ground and said apparatus is wholly supported upon said rolling means, and means effective to maintain said legs in said portable position during movement of said apparatus upon said rolling means.

4. Portable recreational apparatus comprising a trampoline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, an undercarriage depending from said frame and engaging the ground effective to maintain said trampoline in horizontal spaced relation thereabove, a pair of backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, and a removable gantry structure comprising a pair of parallel, laterally spaced upright frames of inverted U-shaped straddling said bed transversely thereof and centrally between its ends, whereby said bed is divided into a pair of substantially equal playing zones bounded at their opposite ends by said gantry and said backstops, each of said gantry frames carrying one end of a target device including a horizontally disposed, elongated tunnel extending longitudinally and centrally of said bed above the reach of a player standing stationary thereon, the upright portions of said gantry frames resiliently engaging the sides of said trampoline frame but permitting vertical movement of said trampoline relative to and independently of said gantry, the lower ends of said portions extending downwardly and engaging the ground through rolling means permitting movement of said gantry thereon in a plurality of directions, and means releasably locating said gantry centrally between the ends of said bed as aforesaid.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said locating means comprises a pair of ramps formed on each side of said trampoline frame, each pair of said ramps beginning at a pair of spaced locations along its respective side of said trampoline frame and convergingly inclining outwardly therefrom to form an apex at their outer ends located outboard of said trampoline frame side and centrally between the ends of said bed, the upright portions of said gantry frame at each side of said trampoline frame resiliently engaging their respective ramps and straddling said apex therebetween.

6. Demountable recreational apparatus comprising a trampoline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, said frame having a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end members, and a pair of demountable, generally rectangular backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, each of said backstops including an inverted U-shaped frame forming the side and top members thereof, means releasably securing each lower end of each of said backstop frame side members to its respective trampoline frame side member, each lower end of said backstop frame side members being pivoted to one of said means effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstops relative to said bed, adjustable backstop supports releasably secured to said backstops adjacent said top members thereof and to said trampoline frame effective to maintain said backstops at a selected inclination relative to said bed, a backstop panel lying in the plane of each of said backstop frames and tensionally and resiliently secured thereto along said side and top members thereof, and a reinforcing yoke for each of said backstops of generally U-shape secured at each of its ends to one of said means, each of said yokes extending horizontally generally along its adjacent portions of said trampoline side members and their included end member effective to maintain the U-shape of said backstop frame despite the tension thereon arising from said panel thereof when said backstop is demounted from said trampoline frame.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein each of said reinforcing yokes lies upon and is generally congruent with its respective portions of said trampoline frame and wherein each of said releasable securing means, comprises a pair of laterally spaced, upright plates straddling the respective one of said trampoline frame side members and extending thereabove effective to provide both for one end of one of said reinforcing yokes being fixed to and between said plates and for one of the lower ends of one of said backstop side members being pivotally mounted on an axis between the upper ends of said plates above said end of said reinforcing yoke, and plates extending below said trampoline side member sufficient to provide for a pair of notches extending horizontally inwardly from corresponding edges of said plates effective to receive a latch bar therein extending horizontally therebetween and under said trampoline frame side member, said latch bar being pivoted at one end thereof to one of said plates effective to permit said latch bar to be swung out of said notches sufficient to permit said backstops and their respective reinforcing yokes to be lifted from said trampoline frame upon release of said adjustable backstop supports from said trampoline frame, and releasable screw means extending vertically through said latch bar effective to engage the underside of said trampoline frame side member and clamp the latter against said end of said reinforcing yoke.

8. Demountable recreational apparatus comprising a trampoline having a horizontal bed suspended from a horizontally disposed, generally rectangular trampoline frame surrounding said bed, said frame having a pair of spaced side members and a pair of spaced end members, an undercarriage engaging the ground and supporting said trampoline in horizontal spaced relation thereabove, and a pair of demountable, generally rectangular backstops inclining upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the respective ends of said bed, each of said backstops including an inverted U-shaped frame forming the side and top members thereof, means releasably securing each lower end of each of said backstop frame side members to its respective trampoline frame side member, each lower end of said backstop frame side members being pivoted to one of said means effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstops relative to said bed, adjustable backstop supports engaging the ground effective to maintain said backstops at a selected inclination relative to said bed, said supports comprising a pair of laterally spaced, tubular legs supporting each of said backstops in an inclined position relative to said bed, each of said legs comprising two telescoping portions carrying means for adjusting the overall length thereof, the upper portion of each pair of said legs being pivoted to the top member of their respective backstop at laterally spaced locations therealong, the lower ends of each of the lower portions of said legs engaging the ground, whereby the inclination of said backstop with respect to said bed may be adjusted, a brace member pivotally connected at one end to each of said legs and releasably connected at its other end its adjacent trampoline frame end member, a backstop panel lying in the plane of each of said backstop frames and tensionally and resiliently secured thereto along said side and top members thereof, and a reinforcing yoke for each of said backstops of generally U-shape secured at each of its ends to one of said securing means, each of said yokes extending horizontally generally along its adjacent portions of said trampoline side members and their included end member effective to maintain the U-shape of said backstop frame despite the tension thereon arising from said panel thereof when said backstop is demounted from said trampoline frame.

9. The device of claim 8 including means rendering said apparatus portable, said means including inclining said legs downwardly and outwardly from said pivotal connection to said backstop outboard of their respective trampoline frame end members, said pivots being effective to permit movement of said legs toward their adjacent trampoline end members, securing rolling means to the lower ends of the lower portion of said legs engaging the ground effective to permit rolling movement thereon in a plurality of directions, inclining each of said brace members downwardly and outwardly from its adjacent trampoline frame end member to its respective one of said legs and pivotally connecting said brace member to both said trampoline frame end member and said leg effective to permit said movement of said leg toward said trampoline frame end member.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said apparatus includes a removable gantry comprising an upright frame structure of inverted U-shape straddling said bed transversely thereof and centrally between its ends, whereby said bed is divided into a pair of substantially equal playing zones bounded at their opposite ends by said gantry and said backstops, said gantry carrying a target device including a horizontally disposed, elongated tunnel extending longitudinally and centrally of said bed above the reach of a player standing stationary thereon, the up right portions of said gantry frame extending downwardly past said trampoline frame side members and engaging the ground on rolling means supporting said gantry and permitting movement thereof on the ground in a plurality of directions, said trampoline being vertically movable relative to and independently of said gantry.

11. A detachable backstop for use with a trampoline including a generally rectangular frame having frame side and end members, said backstop comprising: an inverted 'U-shaped frame forming the side and top members thereof, means carried by each lower end of said backstop frame for releasably attaching said backstop to the tram- I poline frame side members, each of said lower ends being pivoted to its respective one of said means effective to permit alteration of the inclination of said backstops relative to the trampoline, a backstop panel lying in the plane of said backstop frame and tensionally and resiliently secured thereto along said side and top members thereof, and a reinforcing yoke for said backstop of generally U- shape secured at each of its ends to one of said means, said yoke being adapted to extend along the adjacent portions of the trampoline frame side members and their included end member when said backstop is attached to the trampoline as aforesaid and effective to maintain the U- shape of said backstop frame despite the tension thereon arising from said panels thereof when said backstop is demounted from the trampoline frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1965 Nisseu 273 6/1966 Nissen 27395

Claims

1. PORTABLE RECREATIONAL APPARATUS COMPRISING A TRAMPOLINE HAVING A HORIZONTAL BED SUSPENDED FROM A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, GENERALLY RECTANGULAR TRAMPOLINE FRAME SURROUNDING SAID BED, AN UNDERCARRIAGE DEPENDING FROM SAID FRAME AND ENGAGING THE GROUND EFFECTIVE TO MAINTAIN SAID TRAMPOLINE IN HORIZONTAL SPACED RELATION THEREABOVE, A PAIR OF BACKSTOPS INCLINING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY FROM ADJACENT THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID BED, EACH OF SAID BACKSTOPS BEING PIVOTALLY SECURED AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID TRAMPOLINE FRAME EFFECTIVE TO PERMIT ALTERATION OF THE INCLINATION OF SAID BACKSTOP RELATIVE TO SAID BED, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TRAMPOLINE FRAME AND EACH OF SAID BACKSTOPS SUPPORTING THE LATTER AND OPTIONALLY RENDERING SAID APPARATUS PORTABLE, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A SUPPORT ASSEMBLY SUPPORTING EACH OF SAID BACKSTOPS IN AN INCLINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BED, EACH OF SAID ASSEMBLIES INCLINING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY FROM ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF ITS RESPECTIVE BACKSTOP OUTBOARD OF THE ADJACENT END OF SAID TRAMPOLINE FRAME, THE LOWER END OF