Abstract:
A flexible trampoline board includes compartments for receiving stiffening elements and weights to more closely approximate the response and feel of a wakeboard, skateboard or snowboard.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to trampoline boards, and more particularly, to a trampoline board with stiffening elements  105 ,  110  and weights to more closely approximate the response and feel of another board, such as a wakeboard, skateboard or snowboard.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The use of boards on a trampoline is gaining popularity as a method for training for other board sports. For example, people wishing to improve snowboarding or wakeboarding skills may use a trampoline board. Some trampoline boards are typically comprised of soft sided board-like structures that will not damage the trampoline or injure the user. Occasionally, conventional boards (e.g., snowboards, skateboards and wakeboards) are used with or without soft coverings for protection.  
         [0003]     Unfortunately, each of the foregoing approaches suffers shortcomings. Many conventional foam trampoline boards lack sufficient rigidity to provide a realistic training experience. In use, the board flops around, which interferes with training. Conventional foam boards also lack appropriate weight to provide a realistic training experience. Thus, airborne maneuvering of the training board does not realistically simulate the feel of maneuvering a snowboard, wakeboard or skateboard.  
         [0004]     When conventional boards (e.g., snowboards, skateboards and wakeboards) are used on trampolines, they do not flex sufficiently to conform to the trampoline surface during jumps. Additionally, even if the edges of the board may be covered, the hard surface of the board poses a risk to users.  
         [0005]     In view of the foregoing state of the art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a soft flexible board for use on a trampoline, which is simple in design and manufacture and includes stiffeners and weights for providing a realistic training experience. It would also be an advancement in the art to provide variable stiffening and weight elements  115 ,  130 . The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and achieving one or more of the objectives as set forth above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     To overcome problems as set forth above, in one aspect of the invention a flexible foam board with compartments for receiving stiffening elements  105 ,  110  is provided. The stiffening elements  105 ,  110  may be removable or fixed. The stiffening elements  105 ,  110  may be comprised of a material such as plastic or fiberglass and configured to provide a desired quantum of flexibility and rigidity to the board.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the invention a flexible foam board with compartments for receiving weight elements  115 ,  130  is provided. The weight elements  115 ,  130  may be integrated with stiffening elements  105 ,  110  or may be separate elements. The weight elements  115 ,  130  may be comprised of any dense material configured to provide a desired quantum of weight to the board. The compartments for receiving the weights may be located at various positions to achieve a desired weight distribution.  
         [0008]     In yet another aspect of the invention a protective cover may be applied to the board.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect of the invention laterally adjustable and pivotal foot bindings  120 ,  125  may be applied to the board.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:  
         [0011]     The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an exemplary board according to principles of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an exemplary board in a flexed position according to principles of the invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an exemplary binding for and exemplary board according to principles of the invention. 
     
    
       [0015]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the shapes, relative sizes, proportions or materials shown in the figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a flexible foam board  100  with compartments or other means for receiving or operably engaging stiffening elements  105 ,  110  is provided. The stiffening elements  105 ,  110  may be removable or fixed. The stiffening elements  105 ,  110  may be comprised of a material that is more rigid than the foam board, such as plastic or fiberglass, and is configured to provide a desired quantum of flexibility and rigidity to the board. In a preferred implementation, stiffness is adjustable. For example, the board may be made stiffer for larger users and more flexible for lighter users. In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening elements  105 ,  110 , e.g., fiberglass strips, do not run to the board ends, leaving the ends soft and flexible for safety.  
         [0017]     Compartments for receiving (i.e., operably engaging) weight elements  115 ,  130  may also be provided in the foam board  100 . The weight elements  115 ,  130  may be integrated with stiffening elements  105 ,  110  or may be separate elements. The weight elements  115 ,  130  may be comprised of any dense material (i.e., of greater density than the board) configured to provide a desired weight to the board. The compartments for receiving the weights may be located at various positions to achieve a desired weight distribution. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the board is weight adjustable to better match a preferred “swing weight” of the board  100  in the air. Therefore, the board  100  approximates the actual feel of a wake snow or skate board, making it a realistic training tool.  
         [0018]     The tip and tail may be either arched up to provide a “kicktail” or level and planar as shown in the Figures. The top may have bindings  120 ,  125 . However, if the top does not have bindings  120 ,  125  it may be covered in foam and neoprene ribbed surface for grip. The board may be sized comparable to a conventional wakeboard, skateboard or snowboard, or other boards.  
         [0019]     The soft foam provides safety, and is flexible with the bounce of the trampoline. The surface is compatible with gym shoes or bare feet and perfectly mimics a recreational boarding experience on a trampoline for safe practice.  
         [0020]     Any conventional bindings  120 ,  125  may be adapted to the board. By way of example and not limitation, the binding system may incorporate stance adjustment wherein the distance between a user&#39;s feet can be changed to match a user&#39;s preferences. Bindings  120 ,  125  may also be configured to pivot on a base attached to the board to match a user&#39;s preferred stance. The binding base  121 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , is preferably lightweight plastic lined with soft foam rubber for comfort. An adjustable strap  123  with a foam cushion  122 , interlocks with a clasp  124 , to holds the user&#39;s foot in place. The bindings  120 ,  125  may also be rubber foam lined for comfort and grip.  
         [0021]     The board  100  may be wrapped and sealed with a jacket, such as a Lycra fabric as found in modern wakeboard  100  lifejackets. The covering makes the board  100  tear resistant and gives it a unique look and feel.  
         [0022]     The board  100  may be shaped like a small wakeboard  100  (i.e., oblong and slightly oval). The flexibility allows the board  100  to conform to the concave shape of a trampoline surface during use. It is a safe and forgiving tool useful for coaches and students to develop “air and board  100  awareness” before taking their tricks to the snow, pavement or water.  
         [0023]     The rider, or person using the board  100 , is attached via adjustable foot straps  123 . The portion  122  of the foot straps in contact with rider&#39;s foot may be wrapped with a thin layer of wetsuit foam rubber covered with soft Lycra fabric for comfort. The “Foot bed” may be a raised and reinforced area on the board  100 , which may also have a rubber non-skid traction pad for keeping the rider&#39;s foot securely in place during use.  
         [0024]     The board  100  itself may be comprised of a soft flexible molded foam such as found in a gymnastics floor mats. In an exemplary embodiment, three strips of fiberglass may be sandwiched and molded into the core of the board  100  to add to the flex dynamics or rebound off the bounced trampoline. Alternatively, as discussed above, the strips may be inserted in compartments, sleeves or other enclosures in the board  100 . Illustratively, the strips may run lengthwise to within 7″ of the tip and tail and are situated evenly widthwise on the board  100 . The board  100  may be foam molded as one piece and then rubber dipped to seal and protect the foam core. After dipping, bindings  120 ,  125  are mounted and secured to board  100 . The exemplary board  100  may be 42″ long, 1″ thick and 16″ wide at the center, tapering to 9½″ at each end. However, other shapes, dimensions and configurations also come within the scope of the invention. The board  100  may be symmetrical in shape and meant to mimic the outline of a wakeboard, skateboard or snowboard.  
         [0025]     While the invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, implementations and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims including equivalents thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Variations and modifications may be affected within the scope and spirit of the invention.