Transition trampoline bed

A transition trampoline apparatus includes a transition trampoline bed having an elongate configuration that, when mounted on support legs, provides a track for a gymnast that is sufficiently bouncy to ease wear and tear on a gymnast's knees and ankles while not affecting her footwork while running and doing gymnastic maneuvers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to gymnastics devices and, more particularly, to a transition trampoline bed apparatus.

Many gymnastics devices such as trampoline apparatus are preceded by a padded or cloth runway so as to relieve tension and reduce injury on the legs of a gymnast. The bed must be stable and secure against inadvertent movement so as not to create a hazard and cause a gymnast to stumble or to alter her step patterns. The present invention allows for a safer training experience by being able to secure matting to the bed in a manner that the matting will not move around while an athlete tumbles toward it. Also, with the added layer on top of the polypropylene it creates a tighter rebound which makes the transition of a tumbling pass from the transition trampoline to the Gymnastics Floor much easier.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a transition trampoline bed that, when mounted on support legs, provides a track for a gymnast that is sufficiently bouncy to ease wear and tear on a gymnast's knees and ankles while not affecting her footwork while running and doing gymnastic maneuvers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A transition trampoline apparatus according to the present invention includes a bed assembly having a generally elongate and rectangular configuration and constructed of a semi-flexible material that, when supported atop a framework, is suitable for a gymnast to run and perform gymnastic maneuvers on without the associated wear and tear on knees and ankles and the like.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transition trampoline bed that, when mounted on support legs, provides a track portion for a gymnast that is sufficiently resilient to ease wear and tear on a gymnast's knees and ankles while not affecting her footwork while running and doing gymnastic maneuvers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

a transition trampoline apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3of the accompanying drawings and photographs. The transition trampoline bed apparatus10includes a trampling bed assembly20, a plurality of D-ring fasteners42, and a pair of opposed strips of loop fasteners suitable for attachment to related gymnastic equipment.

The transition trampoline bed apparatus10consists of multiple pieces attached together to create a trampoline bed which may connect to the framework of a trampoline apparatus such as one marketed as T-Trak™ or other gymnastics equipment or otherwise provide a safer training track to practice gymnastic routines that may then be transferred to a less forgiving apparatus, such as a floor routine mat, parallel bars, or the like. The transition trampoline bed apparatus10includes a bed assembly20and various layers and fasteners that enable use with other gymnastics equipment.

More particularly, the bed assembly20is constructed of a semi-flexible material, such as a polypropylene material, that is durable but has resilient or bouncy properties when suspended on spaced apart support members12. It will be appreciated that each support member12may include one or a pair of upstanding legs and a support beam extending between the upstanding legs, the support beam being configured and operable to support the bed assembly20thereon. It is understood that a framework of support members12shown in the drawings only shows two support members12, the bed assembly20may be longer than shown and many more support members12may be incorporated. The bed assembly20is the primary and base component of the apparatus10and to which all other components are attached. The bed assembly20has a generally elongate rectangular configuration and is normally planar or flat. The bed assembly20, however, is constructed of a semi-flexible material that is selectively rolled out flat for use and rolled up for being stowed or transported. The bed assembly20includes a first end21and an opposed second end22, each end including an end panel that may include printed indicia, such as a company logo23, warning label24, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, each end panel may measure about 18 inches inward from the end edge, respectively.

The bed assembly20has a top side26and an opposed bottom side27to which other components are attached, such as by sewing or the like. Preferably, the top side26includes a layer of hook and loop material and the bottom side27include a layer of vinyl material for added durability and strength. The bed assembly20has opposed left and right edges that extend longitudinally between the first and second ends, respectively, so as to give the bed assembly20peripheral side edges of a rectangular configuration. Further, the bed assembly20includes a left section30adjacent the left edge and a right section32adjacent the right edge and extending between the opposed ends and on the top side26of the bed assembly20. The left and right sections may be referred to as layers and are constructed of loop material suitable to receive corresponding hook material of other exercise equipment. The left section30is displaced from the right section32by the track portion34described below. In other words, the left and right sections do not extend completely between left and right edges but, rather, are separated by the track portion34which is sandwiched therebetween. In an embodiment, the vinyl layer described above may be opposite and corresponding to only the left and right sections. In addition, the left section30and right section32may be constructed to include a red color (color indicia) that may indicate to a gymnast that she is near an edge of the apparatus10, i.e. that she is not straight.

The track portion34is also constructed of hook and loop material and is a portion of the bed assembly20intermediate the first and second edges (i.e. side edges) and, more particularly, what is seen in the drawings as that portion of the bed assembly20situated between the left and right sections30,32, respectively Like the bed assembly20as described earlier, the track portion34has a planar configuration when the bed assembly20is rolled out flat.

Similarly, the bed assembly20may include a guide strip36extending longitudinally down the center of the track portion34. Stated another way, the track portion34defines a center longitudinal axis along which a narrow white line that is the guide strip36is attached. The guide strip36may also be constructed of hook and loop material. In use, the guide strip36provides a clear intention of a user's direction of running (and perhaps turning flips, cartwheels, and other gymnastics techniques) and may also enhance a user's ability to stay straight.

In another aspect, the transition trampoline bed10includes a plurality of fasteners40that are configured and operable to attach the transition trampoline bed10to other gymnastic equipment and vice versa. Preferably, each fastener of the plurality of fasteners40may be a metal D-ring fastener42and includes a structure that includes characteristics of making a quick connection. As shown, the plurality of fasteners40may be arranged into two lines of adjacent fasteners, the two lines of fasteners being displaced by about 60 inches in an embodiment (FIG. 2). Preferably, each D-ring fastener42is positioned about 2.5 inches from an adjacent D-ring fastener42such that associated gymnastics equipment of various sizes and configurations may be coupled to the transition trampoline bed apparatus10. The quantity of rings depends on the length of the bed. Each D-ring fastener42may be sewn to the bed assembly along with a portion of nylon webbing.

In yet another aspect, various components of the present invention may include color indicia operable to communicate with a user, i.e. a gymnast, a coach, or a spectator. The colors are not random but rather are intended to convey a corresponding message. For instance, the guide strip36may include a white color indicia indicative of a straight (and correct) path down the bed assembly20. The track portion34may include a different indicia, e.g. a blue color indicia, indicative of the acceptable area on which to run or make a tumbling pass. Further, the left section30and right section32(along opposing peripheral edges) may include still another indicia, such as a red color indicia, indicative of danger or being too near a respective side edge. In other words, the red color is a visual cue to an athlete that she is near an edge of the bed. This helps visually if an athlete tends to tumble toward one side or the other.

In use, the bed assembly20may be supported upon the plurality of spaced apart support members12so that the bed assembly20is allowed to move flexibly as a gymnast runs and does tumbling maneuvers. The resultant flexible and resilient movement eases the fatigue and wear-and-tear on the knees and ankles of the gymnast that would be otherwise experienced on a floor exercise mat, track to a vault, and the like.