Apparatus for cooling trampolines

A cooling system for a trampoline includes an enclosure assembly and a sprinkling system. The enclosure assembly includes a frame and a net. The enclosure assembly is configured to couple to the trampoline and extend upwardly therefrom. The frame includes a plurality of supports spaced about an outer periphery of the trampoline. The net is configured to couple to the plurality of supports such that the net substantially circumscribes the trampoline. The sprinkling system is coupled to at least one of the frame sub-assembly or the net. The cooling system includes a plurality of discharge openings positioned a height above the trampoline for spraying cooling fluid radially inward above the trampoline. The plurality of discharge openings are configured to be coupled in flow communication with a source of cooling fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to trampolines, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for supplying cooling fluid to trampolines.

Trampolines are well known in the art for providing both recreation and/or physical fitness exercise to users of the trampolines. Because of their overall size, and because of height restrictions, generally trampolines are used in gymnasiums or outdoors. Those trampolines used outdoors are generally used in locations that are not climate controlled and that may be exposed to sunlight. As a result, the combination of the environmental conditions present at the location of the trampoline and the physical exertion of the user(s) may increase the temperature of the trampoline and that of any user(s), and thus diminish the enjoyment and potential health benefits of the users on the trampoline.

To facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the trampoline at least some known trampolines include water spray devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,990 describes a trampoline water spray device that is coupled circumferentially around the trampoline to the frame supporting the trampoline mat at an elevated location above the ground. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,495 describes a trampoline sprinkler system that is coupled circumferentially about the trampoline to the frame supporting the trampoline mat at an elevated location above the ground. In both of the afore-mentioned systems water is discharged upwardly and radially inward when the systems are activated. However, because of the discharge location of the water, the effectiveness of each system would be diminished if coupled to a trampoline including a safety net as the cooling water would have to pass through the net assembly before reaching its intended cooling location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a trampoline is provided. The trampoline includes a trampoline mat, a frame, an enclosure assembly, and a cooling system. The trampoline frame includes an upper support and a plurality of stanchions. Each of the plurality of stanchions extends between the upper support and the ground. The upper support is coupled to an outer periphery of the trampoline mat. The enclosure assembly includes a frame sub-assembly and a net. The enclosure assembly is coupled to the trampoline frame and extends upwardly therefrom. The frame sub-assembly includes a plurality of supports spaced at intervals circumscribing the trampoline mat. Each of the plurality of supports includes a first end and a second end. Each support first end is coupled to the frame upper support such that the support extends upwardly from the frame upper support. The net is coupled to the plurality of supports such that the net substantially circumscribes the trampoline mat. The cooling system is coupled to at least one of the plurality of supports or the net. The cooling system includes an inlet and a plurality of discharge openings positioned a height above the trampoline mat for spraying cooling fluid radially inward above the trampoline mat. The plurality of discharge openings are in flow communication with the inlet.

In another aspect, an enclosure assembly for a trampoline including a mat supported by a frame is provided, wherein the frame includes an upper support that is coupled to and supports the mat a height above the ground. The enclosure assembly includes a frame sub-assembly, a net, and a cooling system. The frame sub-assembly includes a plurality of supports spaced at intervals circumscribing the trampoline mat. Each of the plurality of supports is coupled to the trampoline frame and extends upwardly therefrom. The net is coupled to the plurality of supports such that the net substantially circumscribes the trampoline mat. The cooling system is coupled to at least one of the frame sub-assembly or the net. The cooling system includes a plurality of discharge openings positioned a height above the trampoline mat for spraying cooling fluid radially inward above the trampoline mat. The plurality of discharge openings are coupled in flow communication with a source of cooling fluid.

In yet another aspect, a cooling system for a trampoline is provided. The cooling system includes an enclosure assembly and a sprinkling system. The enclosure assembly includes a frame and a net. The enclosure assembly is configured to couple to the trampoline and extend upwardly therefrom. The frame includes a plurality of supports spaced about an outer periphery of the trampoline. The net is configured to couple to the plurality of supports such that the net substantially circumscribes the trampoline. The sprinkling system is coupled to at least one of the frame sub-assembly or the net. The cooling system includes a plurality of discharge openings positioned a height above the trampoline for spraying cooling fluid radially inward above the trampoline. The plurality of discharge openings are configured to be coupled in flow communication with a source of cooling fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an exemplary trampoline10including a cooling fluid delivery system12.FIG. 2is a perspective view of a portion of cooling fluid delivery system12taken along area2.FIG. 3is a perspective view of a portion of cooling fluid delivery system12taken along area3. Trampoline10is known in the art and includes a trampoline mat14, a frame assembly16, and a net assembly18. In the exemplary embodiment, mat14is octangal-shaped and is sized to support a plurality of users thereon. The overall size and shape of mat14are variably selected depending upon the desired use of trampoline10.

In the exemplary embodiment, frame assembly16includes a plurality of mat or upper support members20and a plurality of stanchions24. Mat support members20are interconnected together substantially symmetrically about an outer periphery26of mat14. Adjacent members20are connected together at a corner28such that members20form an annular structure. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, when members20are fully assembled, members20define an octagon. In an alternative embodiment, frame assembly16may include an annular mat support member that is sized and shaped to circumscribe mat14.

In the exemplary embodiment, mat14is coupled to frame assembly16by a plurality of spring members30that extend between mat14and a respective mat support member20. As such, when fully assembled, spring members30circumscribe mat14at spaced intervals about mat outer periphery26. Moreover, when fully assembled, mat14is coupled to members20via spring members30such that mat14is suspended radially within frame assembly16, and such that members30are generally co-planar with mat14.

Stanchions24extend generally perpendicularly downward from frame members20at spaced intervals about mat14, such that mat14is elevated above the ground. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each of eight stanchions24is coupled to a pair of adjacent members20at each respective corner28. Alternatively, more or less stanchions24may be used, and/or stanchions24may be coupled to only a single member20. In the exemplary embodiment, stanchions24extend between frame members20and the ground or surface that supports trampoline10.

Each stanchion24includes a base40that is adjustably coupled to a lower end42of each stanchion24to support trampoline10against the ground or surface supporting trampoline10. In the exemplary embodiment, each base40is threadably coupled to each stanchion24and stanchions24are adjustable to facilitate leveling trampoline mat14within a generally horizontal plane. More specifically, as is known in the art, adjustments of stanchions24facilitate raising or lowering portions of trampoline mat14and frame members20with respect to the supporting ground. In addition, stanchions24facilitate limited control of the height of elevation of mat14with respect to the ground.

In the exemplary embodiment, net assembly18includes a net50, a plurality of net upright supports52, and a plurality of lateral supports54. Upright supports52each include a lower end56and an upper end58. In the exemplary embodiment, each support lower end56is securely coupled via a band clamp60to a respective stanchion lower end42. An upper support band clamp62is coupled to, and extends, between each stanchion24and each upright support52. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each upper support band clamp is positioned between each band clamp60and each corner28. In the exemplary embodiment, supports52are each hollow.

When each upright support52has been coupled to each respective stanchion24each support52extends generally vertically from each respective stanchion base40. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each support52is obliquely oriented with respect to the ground such that each support upper end58is positioned a larger radial distance D outward from each frame support20than each respective support lower end56. Moreover, when each upright support52has been coupled to each respective stanchion24, supports52circumscribe mat14at spaced intervals about an outer periphery70of frame assembly16as defined by support members20. In an alternative embodiment, stanchions24may extend vertically upward from frame members20to form upright supports for use with net assembly18.

In the exemplary embodiment, lateral supports54are hollow and are interconnected together substantially symmetrically such that adjacent supports54are connected together at corners72and such that supports54define an annular structure. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, when supports54are fully assembled, supports54define an octagon shape. In an alternative embodiment, net assembly18may include an annular lateral support member that is sized and shaped to interconnect supports54. In another alternative embodiment, all of supports54are not interconnected together, but rather only pairs of adjacent supports54are connected together.

In the exemplary embodiment, net50is fabricated from a plurality of panels78that are connected together and are coupled to supports54to facilitate constraining each user utilizing trampoline10. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, an upper edge80of net50is coupled to lateral supports54, and a lower edge82of net50is coupled to mat outer periphery26. As such, in the exemplary embodiment, net assembly18defines an inverted frusto-conical shape, such that each net panel is oriented obliquely with respect to the ground. In the exemplary embodiment, at least one net panel78includes a flap door84that enables a user to access and egress from trampoline mat14.

Cooling fluid delivery system12includes at least one piece of tubing100that is coupled to, or formed integrally with net assembly18at a height H above trampoline mat14for discharging cooling fluid generally radially inwardly towards a center101of trampoline mat14. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, tubing100is coupled to net50and to at least one upright support52. Alternatively, at least a portion of cooling fluid delivery system12may be formed integrally with a portion of trampoline10, such as, but not limited to, frame assembly16, and/or net assembly18.

Tubing100is hollow and includes an inlet end102, a capped end104, and a tubing body106extending therebetween. Inlet end102enables tubing100to be coupled to a pressurized source of cooling fluid. In the exemplary embodiment, inlet end104is a female threaded connector that enables tubing100to be coupled to a male connector extending from a known garden hose. Alternatively, inlet end104may be, but is not limited to being, a male connector, a quick disconnect, an interconnect, a sleeve coupler, or any other coupling mechanism that enables tubing100to be coupled to pressurized source of cooling fluid.

Tubing capped end104is capped to prevent fluid flow from exiting tubing body106therethrough. End104may be capped in any known manner that prevents fluid from exiting from tubing body106such as, but not limited to, through fusing, molding, clamping, or gluing a cap to end104.

In the exemplary embodiment, tubing body106is perforated with a plurality of openings110that extend into a flow passage112defined within hollow tubing100. Accordingly, openings110are in flow communication with the inlet end102and the pressurized source of cooling fluid for discharging cooling fluid generally radially inward towards trampoline mat center102. A distance of separation between adjacent openings110, the diameter of openings110, the cross-sectional shape of openings110, the number of openings110, and the relative location of openings110are each variably selected to facilitate a desired spray pattern across trampoline mat14and to achieve a desired cooling of trampoline users. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 2, tubing100includes a first plurality of openings that are sized with a first diameter, d1, and a second plurality of openings that are each sized with a second diameter, d2, that is larger than the first diameter d1. Because the first openings are positioned between the second openings and the inlet, the variance in opening diameter facilitates a more uniform spray of cooling fluid across trampoline mat14.

In the exemplary embodiment, openings110are sized, shaped, spaced, and located such that cooling fluid discharged from openings110is discharged in a mist-like fashion across trampoline mat14. In other embodiments, tubing openings110are formed in a plurality of nozzles that facilitate enhanced control of the spray pattern of cooling fluid discharged from cooling system12.

In another embodiment, inlet end102is coupled to a known pressure regulator that facilitates controlling a discharge pressure of cooling fluid from tubing100and facilitates controlling a spray depth of cooling fluid across mat14, and a height of discharged cooling fluid relative to mat14. In another embodiment, inlet end102is coupled to a control valve, such as an on/off valve or a time-controlled valve, as shown in shadow inFIG. 3, that controls the flow of fluid entering cooling fluid delivery system12. In a further embodiment, tubing100is at least partially routed through at least one upright support52and/or lateral support54, such that the respective support52and/or54facilitates shielding at least a portion of tubing100. In yet another embodiment, at least one upright support52and/or lateral support54is coupled in flow communication with tubing100such that at least a portion of cooling fluid is routed through each support52and/or54. Moreover, in at least some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 4, at least one support52and/or54includes at least one discharge opening formed therein at a height above mat14, such that at least some cooling fluid routed through supports52and/or54is discharged radially inward towards mat center102.

The above-described trampoline cooling system is cost-effective and provides an effective means for cooling trampoline users over other known systems. The cooling system includes tubing that is coupled to a net assembly at a height above the trampoline mat such that the cooling effectiveness of the cooling system is enhanced. As a result, the cooling system facilitates increased cooling of trampoline users in a cost-effective and reliable manner

Exemplary embodiments of trampoline cooling systems are described above in detail. The assemblies are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each assembly may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, each cooling system component and/or trampoline component can also be used in combination with other trampolines.