Abstract:
A pneumatic tube jumping structure system to increase the safety and enjoyment of jumping and other physical activities. The pneumatic tube jumping structure employs a metal frame to support a pneumatic tube upon which a single user or multiple users may jump, bounce, or otherwise play. The frame provides safety handrails that serve dual purposes: ensuring the safety of a user; and aiding a user in jumping and otherwise making use of the pneumatic tube jumping structure system. The frame also allows for the connection of an activity attachment, such as a rope swing, for the enjoyment of a user, making the structure a multi-purpose amusement and exercise device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/725,876, filed Nov. 13, 2012 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of jumping structures and more specifically relates to pneumatic tube jumping structures incorporating safety support frames and interchangeable activity accessories. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Many individuals in modern society participate in physical activities for exercise and amusement purposes. Such physical activities as running and jumping improve health, reduce stress, and bring enjoyment to an individual&#39;s life. Children are especially encouraged to participate in physical activities to increase their desire to include exercise in daily activities as they mature through adolescence and into adulthood. To obtain this much-needed exercise, children are often encouraged to play outdoors; however, weather fluctuations throughout the year keep many children indoors during playtime. Indoor physical activities are often limited—parents generally disapprove of balls being thrown, races being run, and bikes being ridden indoors. The safety of children as well as that of breakable objects prevents many such activities being conducted indoors. Whether or not the weather and daylight conditions allow for outdoor playtime, children are often confined to a limited play space. Indoor play spaces, outdoor yards, and shared green spaces many times serve multiple purposes—playground, storage area, food preparation/serving area, and such. While children enjoy engaging in multiple activities throughout a playtime, many multi-activity play structures are too large to fit within confined play areas. 
     Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,765,673; 4,836,530; 5,921,899; 4,598,905; 5,613,922; 8,246,521; 3,130,816; 2003/0064861; and 6,679,811. This prior art is representative of jumping structures. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
     Ideally, a pneumatic tube jumping structure incorporating a support frame and interchangeable activity accessories should be durable, stable, user friendly, and, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable pneumatic tube jumping structure system incorporating a safety support frame and interchangeable activity accessories to increase the safety and enjoyment of jumping and other physical activities and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known jumping structures art, the present invention provides a novel Jungle Jumparoo System. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a pneumatic tube jumping structure system incorporating a safety support frame and interchangeable activity accessories to increase the safety and enjoyment of jumping and other physical activities. 
     A pneumatic tube jumping structure system is disclosed herein preferably comprising: a frame, a pneumatic tube, and at least one activity attachment. The frame preferably has a plurality of upright posts; a connection ring; and a support base that includes a plurality of both straight lateral members and corner members. Each of the upright posts is releasably attached at one end to the support base; extends vertically from the support base; is releasably attached at its other, angled, end to the outer surface of the connection ring; and is equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the connection ring from each of the other upright posts. 
     The lateral members of the support base are connected end-to-end to both the other lateral members and to the corner members of support base in such a way as to form a horizontal support base with a square footprint in order to provide stability and to support the pneumatic tube jumping structure upon a ground surface. Each lateral member has at least one protruding bar that extends horizontally perpendicular to the lateral member toward the center of the support base. Each protruding bar is angled upward perpendicular to the lateral member (toward the sky) at its midpoint, resulting in an “L”-shaped protruding bar. As the upright posts, lateral members, and protruding bars are preferably cylindrical tubes, each upright post may be friction-fit over the vertical shaft of a protruding bar, thereby releasably connecting each upright post to the support base. Connected as such, the combination of upright posts, support base, and connection ring constitutes the frame of the pneumatic tube jumping structure system. 
     The connection ring is preferably an octagonal continuous metal ring that maximizes the structural rigidity of the frame. The upright posts may be releasably attached to the connection ring by at least one fastener, a bolt-and-nut combination in the present embodiment. Also releasably attached to and suspended from the connection ring may be an activity attachment. This activity attachment provides that the pneumatic tube jumping structure system may be a multi-purpose jumping and activity structure that allows a user to enjoy a plurality of games and amusement activities during use. The activity attachment of the present embodiment is preferably a rope swing with two ends, each of which may be attached to connection ring to anchor the swing to the frame of the pneumatic tube jumping structure system. A variety of activity attachments may be used in place of the rope swing for the amusement of a user. 
     The pneumatic tube of the present embodiment is preferably an elastomeric circular ring that has an inner diameter and an outer diameter—the inner diameter defining a center void. The pneumatic tube surrounds a portion of the frame while resting thereon, providing a bouncing surface for at least one user. Each upright post extends vertically from the support base, through the center void of the pneumatic tube, and acts as a handrail for at least one user during use. Additionally, the upright posts of the frame prevent horizontal movement and flipping of the pneumatic tube while in use. 
     In the present embodiment, the modular frame and the pneumatic tube are collapsible, thereby allowing the pneumatic tube jumping structure system to be dismantled for storage and transport. The pneumatic tube jumping structure system may be employed both indoors and outdoors for the amusement of multiple users at one time. Many sizes of the pneumatic tube jumping structure system may be used, based on the needs and preferences of a user. 
     A method of using a pneumatic tube jumping structure system is also described herein preferably comprising the steps of: attaching each angled end of a plurality of upright posts to a connection ring; attaching each free end of the upright posts to a support base, thereby creating a frame; attaching an activity attachment to the connection ring; inflating a pneumatic tube; lowering the pneumatic tube over the frame, with the upright posts protruding vertically through a center void of the pneumatic tube; gripping at least one upright post and bodily mounting the pneumatic tube; completing at least one jump; gripping the activity attachment; and completing at least one activity. The method further comprises the steps of removing the activity attachment from the connection ring and attaching an alternate activity attachment to the connection ring. 
     The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a pneumatic tube jumping structure system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, Jungle Jumparoo Systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a pneumatic tube jumping structure system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the pneumatic tube jumping structure system as a frame and a pneumatic tube according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating the pneumatic tube jumping structure system with a connection ring, an upright post, fasteners, and a support base according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the pneumatic tube jumping structure system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the pneumatic jumping structure system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pneumatic tube jumping structure device and more particularly to a Jungle Jumparoo System as used to increase the safety and enjoyment of jumping and other physical activities. 
     Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a perspective view illustrating pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  preferably comprises: pneumatic tube  200 ; at least one activity attachment  400 ; and frame  205  having connection ring  325 , at least one, but preferably a plurality of, upright post(s)  310 , and support base  315  that includes at least one, but preferably a plurality of, straight lateral member(s)  320  and at least one, but preferably a plurality of, corner member(s)  317 . Ideally, upright post(s)  310 , support base  315 , and connection ring  325 , in combination, constitute frame  205 . In preferred embodiments, pneumatic tube  200  may rest upon support base  315  and may substantially surround a portion of frame  205 . Arranged in this way, pneumatic tube  200  may preferably act in a capacity of a bouncing surface for at least one user. 
     Each upright post  310  preferably extends vertically form support base  315 , and may thereby act in a capacity of a handrail for at least one user. In the present embodiment, a plurality of upright post(s)  310  may be used and may act in a capacity of handrails for multiple users simultaneously using pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100 . Additionally, at least one activity attachment  400  may preferably be releasably attached to and suspended from connection ring  325  so as to provide activity alternatives to users of pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100 . Versatile in design, pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  may be used indoors or outdoors, according to the desires and requirements of a user. Optionally, a texturized membrane, base tray, or the like may be employed to act in a capacity of a barrier between an underside surface of support base  315  and a ground surface upon which pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  may rest. Such a barrier may be used to prevent horizontal movement of pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  along a ground surface. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other non-skid barrier arrangements such as, for example, mats, adhesive strips, suction cups, etc., may be sufficient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view illustrating pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  as frame  205  and a pneumatic tube  200  shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
     Support base  315  preferably comprises a plurality of lateral member(s)  320  and a plurality of corner member(s)  317 . Each lateral member  320  may be releasably connected end-to-end to both lateral member(s)  320  and corner member(s)  317 , preferably in a friction-fit manner. In other embodiments, lateral member(s)  320  and corner member(s)  317  may be releasably connected one to another using alternate latching means such as hooks, threaded fasteners, pins, or the like. In the present embodiment, lateral member(s)  320  and corner member(s)  317  may preferably be friction-fit connected in a manner so as to form a continuous perimeter for a substantially horizontal support base  315 . In this way, support base  315  may support pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  upon a ground surface. 
     The configuration of support base  315  resulting from connecting lateral member(s)  320  and corner member(s)  317  may preferably yield a substantially square footprint, thereby maximizing stability of pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  during use. 
     In other embodiments, support base  315  may comprise only lateral member(s)  320  such that lateral member(s)  320  may form individual horizontally protruding feet as opposed to a continuous perimeter for support base  315 . In yet other embodiments, lateral member(s)  320  may be substantially curved such that by connecting each lateral member  320  end-to-end, a support base  315  with a substantially circular footprint may be formed. Further, lateral member(s)  320 , independently or in conjunction with corner member(s)  317 , may be arranged so as to form support base  315  of various shapes such as rectangles, octagons, triangles, and the like. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of constructing support frames as described herein, methods of creating horizontal support frames will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Within this particular embodiment shown, each upright post  310  may preferably be releasably attached at a proximate end to support base  315  and extend essentially vertically therefrom. Further, each upright post  310  may comprise an angled distal end that may be releasably attached to an outer surface of connection ring  325 . Each upright post  310  may preferably be spaced equidistant one from another about the circumference of connection ring  325 . In the present embodiment, pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  preferably comprises a plurality of upright post(s)  310 . Other embodiments, however, may comprise as few as one upright post  310  attached to and protruding from support base  315 . Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of constructing support frames as described herein, methods of creating vertical support frames will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Preferably comprising an elastomer, pneumatic tube  200  of the present embodiment may further comprise a substantially circular ring having both an inner diameter and an outer diameter in addition to a circular cross-section. This inner diameter preferably defines center void  210 , through which upright post(s)  310  protrude as shown in  FIG. 1 . While the present embodiment shows the cross-section of pneumatic tube  200  to be substantially circular, other cross-sections such as squares, triangles, octagons, or the like may be used. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other resilient material arrangements such as, for example, canvas, leather, etc., may be sufficient. 
     In preferred embodiments, pneumatic tube  200  may comprise at least one air valve for inflating and/or deflating pneumatic tube. Optionally, pneumatic tube  200  may comprise a pressure gage so as to allow a user to determine optimum inflation for comfort and safety purposes. Further, pneumatic tube  200  may comprise at least one handle in order to facilitate transport of pneumatic tube  200 . Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of constructing pneumatic tubes as described herein, methods of designing and constructing pneumatic tubes will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  preferably comprises frame  205  and pneumatic tube  200  operating in combination to provide entertainment, exercise, and the like to at least one user, as at least one user bounces, jumps, or otherwise plays atop pneumatic tube  200 . Alternately, pneumatic tube  200  may act in a capacity of independent play structure  220 . Similarly, frame  205 , individually or in conjunction with at least one activity attachment  400 , may act in a capacity of independent play structure  220 . The uses of frame  205 , pneumatic tube  200 , and activity attachment  400  and the combination thereof may be determined by the desires and requirements of a user. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view illustrating pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  with connection ring  325 , upright post  310 , fastener(s)  330 , and support base  315  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Ideally, connection ring  325  may provide frame  205  is modular. Connection ring  325  of the present embodiment may preferably comprise a substantially octagonal continuous metal ring in order to maximize the structural rigidity of frame  205 . Each upright post  310  may preferably be releasably attached to connection ring  325  by at least one fastener  330 , fastener(s)  330  of the present embodiment preferably comprising nut-and-bolt combinations. Upright post(s)  310  may vary in number and arrangement about circumference of connection ring  325 ; the present embodiment outlines eight upright post(s)  310 —one upright post  310  connected to each facet of the outer surface of octagonal connection ring  325 . In other embodiments, pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  may comprise connection ring  325  of alternate shapes such as circles, triangles, squares, or the like. Further, connection ring  325  may optionally comprise a solid metal plate, disk, or the like. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of connecting structural members as described herein, methods of connecting and stabilizing support frame members will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     The present figure illustrates support base  315  comprising lateral member(s)  320  in combination with corner member(s)  317 , each lateral member  320  having at least one protruding bar  322 . In the present embodiment, each protruding bar  322  preferably extends horizontally perpendicular to lateral member  320  toward the center of support base  315 . Further, protruding bar  322  preferably extends vertically perpendicular to lateral member  320 , preferably at the midpoint of protruding bar  322 . Each upright post  310  of the present embodiment may preferably be friction-fit over at least one corresponding protruding bar  322 . In this manner, each upright post  310  may be releasably attached to support base  315 . Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other connection and fastening arrangements such as, for example, hooks, threaded fasteners, pins, etc., may be sufficient. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of forming and attaching structural elements as described herein, methods of forming and connecting structural elements one to another will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     Preferably, upright post(s)  310 , lateral member(s)  320 , corner member(s)  317 , and protruding bar(s)  322  comprise metal circular-cylindrical tubes. These tubes may be hollow, solid, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, each of the aforementioned members may comprise cylindrical tubes of alternately-shaped cross-sections, e.g. square, triangular, octagonal, and the like. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural material arrangements such as, for example, plastic, wood, composites, etc., may be sufficient. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of forming structural elements as described herein, methods of forming and connecting structural elements will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view illustrating pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  shown according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Activity attachment  400  of the present embodiment preferably comprises swing  405  comprising rope having: one distal end, preferably terminating in a handle; and at least one proximate end, preferably releasably attachable to frame  205 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , swing  405  in the present embodiment preferably comprises two proximate ends converging at a midpoint of swing  405 . These two proximate ends of swing  405  may preferably be releasably connected to connection ring  325  in such a manner as to allow swing  405  to essentially be suspended therefrom. In this manner, connection ring  325  preferably acts in a capacity of an anchor, preventing unintentional movement of swing  405 , e.g. slipping out of position, sliding along upright post(s)  310 , or the like. The present figure illustrates attachment means for each proximate end of swing  405  to connection ring  325  as metal D-shaped spring-loaded gate clips. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other attachment and anchoring arrangements such as, for example, hooks, clamps, chains, etc., may be sufficient. Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of attaching and anchoring as described herein, methods of securing attachments to structural members will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art. 
     While the present embodiment outlines activity attachment  400  as swing  405 , pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  in other embodiments may comprise any variety of activity attachment(s)  400 , such as an elastic band for bouncing, a chain for climbing, and the like. As such, releasably-attached activity attachment  400  effectively ensures pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  acts in a capacity of a multi-purpose jumping and activity structure by providing a user with access to a plurality of amusement activities. 
     Ideally, pneumatic tube  200  and modular frame  205  are collapsible in such a manner as to facilitate the dismantling of pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  by a user for storage and transport. With regard to the requirements and desires of a user, pneumatic tube and jumping structure system may be manufactured in myriad sizes with customizable ornamentation, features, and attachments. 
     Pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one pneumatic tube  200 ; at least one upright post  310 ; at least one support base  315 ; at least one connection ring  325 ; at least one activity attachment  400 ; and at least one set of user instructions. Pneumatic tube jumping structure system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
       FIG. 5  is flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for pneumatic jumping structure system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     A method of using (at least hereby enabling method of use  500 ) a pneumatic jumping structure system  100  preferably comprising the steps of: step one  501  attaching each angled end of a plurality of upright post(s)  310  to connection ring  325 ; step two  502  attaching each free end of each upright post  310  to support base  315 , thereby creating frame  205 ; step three  503  attaching activity attachment  400  to connection ring  325 ; step four  504  inflating pneumatic tube  200 ; step five  505  lowering pneumatic tube  200  over frame  205 , with upright post(s)  310  protruding vertically through center void  210  of pneumatic tube  200 ; step six  506  gripping at least one upright post  310  and bodily mounting pneumatic tube  200 ; step seven  507  completing at least one jumping experience atop pneumatic tube  200 ; step eight  508  gripping activity attachment  400 ; and step nine  509  completing at least one activity. 
     The method of use  500  preferably further comprises the steps of: step ten  510  removing activity attachment  400  from connection ring  325 ; and step eleven  511  attaching an alternate activity attachment  400  to connection ring  325  for the purposes of completing at least one activity. 
     It should be noted that step three  503  as well as step eight  508 —step eleven  511  are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.