Abstract:
A safety enclosure structure comprises a plurality of flexible rods and a frame assembly. Each flexible rod comprises a first end and a second end. The frame assembly comprises at least four apertures arranged in a first through fourth sequential arrangement along the frame assembly. Each aperture is capable of receiving an end of a flexible rod. The first end of a first flexible rod is received by the first aperture and the second end of the first flexible rod is received by the third aperture. The first end of the second flexible rod is received by the second aperture and the second end of the second flexible rod being is by the fourth aperture. The first and second flexible rods each form an arch shape between the apertures receiving the respective ends of the first and second flexible rods.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008, entitled “Panel-type Frame Structure For A Recreational Structure, invented by Jeffry L. VanElverdinghe, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/969,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled “Patent-type Trampoline And Trampoline Embodiments,” invented by Jeffry L. VanElverdinghe, the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present patent application is also related to U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. (Attorney Docket No. 135.0026), entitled “Flexible Safety Enclosure For A Recreational Structure,” and U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. (Attorney Docket No. 135.0027), entitled “Connector For Flexible Enclosure For A Recreational Structure,” both of which being filed concurrently herewith and both disclosures being incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       [0002]    The subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated by way of example and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure according to the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         [0004]      FIGS. 2A-2C  depict exemplary embodiments of ferrules that can be used with a flexible rod that forms the safety enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         [0005]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure according to the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         [0006]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure according to the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         [0007]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively depict top and side views of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of recreational structure frame according to the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         [0008]      FIG. 5C  depicts an alternative configuration for coupling a spring member to recreational structure frame according to the subject matter disclosed herein; and 
         [0009]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a recreational frame T-coupler that is suitable for use with the safety enclosure and recreational structure frame depicted in  FIG. 1   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not to be construed as necessarily preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure  100  according to the subject matter disclosed herein. Safety enclosure  100  is designed to safely stop a user from falling from the rebounding surface of the recreational structure and operates as a fence around the rebounding surface, but does not act as a rebounder. Safety enclosure  100  comprises a plurality of flexible rods  101  that supports and suspends safety netting  102 . One suitable flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod  101  is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Safety netting  102  comprises a net or fabric mesh and a plurality of sleeves  303  (see  FIG. 3 ) formed along a top edge of the netting in which a rod  101  can be inserted. When a rod  101  is inserted into a sleeve  303 , the two ends of the rod extend out from sleeve  303 . In another embodiment, the top of safety netting  102  is fastened to rods  101  in a well-known manner. The ends of each flexible rod  101  are then coupled to a frame  150 , such as a standard trampoline frame, by inserting each end into an aperture or a side-sleeve member, such as any of the apertures and/or side-sleeves described in connection with T-coupler devices disclosed herein, so that the rod  101  forms an arch that spans between two apertures (and/or side-sleeve members) that are spaced apart. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , a rod  101  forms an arch that spans between two T-coupler devices  151  located at point A and point C. Points A and C are spaced apart, in this case, by two times the length of the span of frame  150  between two T-coupler devices  151  plus the length of one T-coupler device  151  that is located at B. Other exemplary distances are possible for forming an arch by a rod  101 . 
         [0012]    A sleeve  303  ( FIG. 3 ) formed in flexible netting  102  is coupled to an arched flexible rod  101  at least at a top portion of the arch formed by a flexible rod. The arrangement is repeated around the frame  150  so that adjacent flexible rods  101  overlap and provide lateral support to each other. In one exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods  101  equals the number of T-coupler devices in frame  150  of the recreational structure. In another exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods  101  is a sub-multiple of the number of number of T-coupler devices in frame  150  of the recreational structure. While flexible rods  101  are depicted in  FIG. 1  has extending substantially vertically from frame  150 , the apertures and/or side-sleeve members that receive flexible rods  101  could be oriented and the size of the top of the safety netting at the sleeves is such that flexible rods  101  bow outward from frame  150  before bowing back in at the top of the safety netting. Additionally, safety netting  102  comprises a door arrangement (not shown) for allowing entry into the area enclosed by safety enclosure  100 . Frame  150  is coupled to a trampoline bed (not shown), or a rebounding surface (not shown), in a well-known manner, such as by springs. 
         [0013]    In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible rod  101  comprises a ferrule  201  disposed at each end of the rod, such as shown in  FIG. 2A . The size of ferrule  201  is selected so that it can be inserted into an aperture or a sleeve-sleeve member of a T-coupler device, such as that depicted in  FIG. 6 . One exemplary embodiment of a ferrule  201  comprises an integrated stop flange  202  for preventing the flexible rod from being inserted too far into an aperture or a side-sleeve member of a T-coupler device. Further, in one exemplary embodiment, flexible rod  101  can be formed from one piece. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a flexible rod  101  can be formed from a plurality of shorter flexible members  101   a  ( FIGS. 2B and 2C ). When flexible rod  101  is formed from a plurality of flexible members  101   a , the flexible members  101   a  can be fastened together using rigid connector ferrules  203  and  204 , such as are shown respectively in  FIGS. 2B and 2C .  FIG. 2B  shows one exemplary embodiment of a rigid connector ferrule  202 , and  FIG. 2C  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a rigid connector ferrule  204 . When flexible rod  101  comprises a coated fiberglass rod, the jacket material of the fiberglass rod forming the coated portion should be removed if ferrule will be crimpled or glued. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure  300  according to the subject matter disclosed herein. Safety enclosure  300  is depicted as being coupled to a panel-type trampoline frame  350 , such as that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/969,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled “Patent-type Trampoline And Trampoline Embodiments,” and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008, entitled “Panel-type Frame Structure For A Recreational Structure, the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Frame  350  is coupled to a trampoline bed, or a rebounding surface,  310  in a well-known manner, such as by springs. 
         [0015]    Safety enclosure  300  comprises a plurality of flexible rods  301  that supports and suspends a safety netting (partially shown). One suitable flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod  301  is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The safety netting comprises a net or fabric mesh (partially shown for clarity) and a plurality of sleeves  303  formed in a well-known manner along a top edge of the netting in which a rod  301  can be inserted. When a rod  301  is inserted into a sleeve  303 , the two ends of the rod extend out from sleeve  303 . The ends of each flexible rod  301  are then coupled to frame  350  by inserting each end into an aperture or a side-sleeve member, such as any of the apertures and/or side-sleeves described in connection with T-coupler devices disclosed herein, so that the rod  301  forms an arch that spans between two apertures (and/or side-sleeve members) that are spaced apart. Safety enclosure  300  further comprises a plurality of ferrules  304 , of which only a few are indicated, that rods  301  pass through in a well-known manner. Ferrules  304  provide additional support between the different rods  301 . Rods  301  form arches in a configuration that is similar to the arches formed by rods  101  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts another exemplary embodiment of a safety enclosure  400  according to the subject matter disclosed herein. Safety enclosure  400  is depicted as being coupled to a panel-type trampoline frame  350 , such as that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/969,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2007, entitled “Patent-type Trampoline And Trampoline Embodiments,” and U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/970,412, filed Jan. 7, 2008, entitled “Panel-type Frame Structure For A Recreational Structure, the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0017]    Safety enclosure  400  comprises a plurality of flexible rods  401  that supports and suspends safety netting  402 . One suitable flexible rod that could be used for a flexible rod  401  is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,187 A1 to Lin et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Safety netting  402  comprises a net or fabric mesh and a plurality of sleeves (see sleeves  303  in  FIG. 3 ) formed along a top edge of the netting in which a rod  401  can be inserted. When a rod  401  is inserted into a sleeve, the two ends of the rod extend out from the sleeve. The ends of each flexible rod  401  are then coupled to frame  450  by inserting each end into an aperture  504  ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ) of an angled-sleeve-joint coupling  501  so that the rod  401  forms an arch that spans between two angled-sleeve-joint couplings  501  that are spaced about by at least one angled-sleeve-joint coupling. For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , a rod  401  forms an arch that spans between the angled-sleeve-joint couplings located at point A and point C, while points A and C are spaced apart, in this case, by the single angled-sleeve-joint coupling located at B. The sleeve formed in flexible netting  402  is coupled to an arched flexible rod at least at a top portion of the arch formed by a flexible rod. The arrangement is repeated around the frame  450  so that adjacent flexible rods  401  overlap and provide lateral support to each other. In one exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods  401  equals the number of panels  461  forming panel base  460 . In another exemplary embodiment, the number of flexible rods  401  is a sub-multiple of the number of panels  461  forming the panel base. While flexible rods  401  are depicted in  FIG. 4  has extending substantially vertically from frame  450 , apertures  504  could be oriented and the size of the top of the safety netting at the sleeves is such that flexible rods  401  bow outward from frame  450  before bowing back in at the top of the safety netting. Additionally, safety netting  402  comprises a door arrangement (not shown) for allowing entry into the area enclosed by safety enclosure  400 . 
         [0018]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively depict top and side views of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of recreational structure frame  450 . In particular,  FIG. 5A  depicts a top view of one exemplary embodiment of an angled-sleeve-joint coupling  501  into which frame members  502  of frame  450  are inserted. The angle φ shown in  FIG. 5A  varies depending on desired polygonal shape of frame  450 . For example, when the desired polygonal shape is an octagon, angle φ is 45°. When the desired polygonal shape is a regular sixteen-sided polygon, angle φ is 22.5°.  FIG. 5B  depicts a side view of a portion of recreational structure frame  450  and a portion of two adjacent panels  461 . 
         [0019]    In one exemplary embodiment, frame members  502  are fitted together using angled-sleeve-joint couplings  501  to form a frame comprising polygonal shape that corresponds to the polygonal shape formed by a plurality of panels  461 . In another exemplary embodiment, frame members  502  are fitted together with angled-sleeve-joint couplings  501  and straight-sleeve-joint couplings (not shown) to form a frame comprising a polygonal shape that corresponds to the polygonal shape formed by a plurality of panels  461 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , angled sleeve-joint coupling  501  comprises apertures  504 , which are each configured for accepting an enclosure pole, and an aperture  505 , which is configured for accepting a carriage pin  506 . Carriage pin  506  extends through an aperture (not shown) formed in each of the tab members (not shown) of a panel  461  when the tab members are interdigitated. A straight sleeve-joint coupling  503  is configured similarly to angled-sleeve-joint coupling, but is straight rather than comprising an angle φ. A washer  507  is positioned and nut  508  is threaded onto carriage pin  505  in a well-known manner. While one carriage pin  506  is shown in  FIG. 5B  that extends between the top and bottom edges of a panel, it should be understood that a plurality of carriage pins could be used along the joining edges of adjacent panels  461 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 5C  depicts an alternative configuration for coupling a spring  505  to recreational structure frame  450 . One exemplary embodiment provides apertures  510  that are configured along a top side of frame  450  to accept the hook portion of a spring. An alternative embodiment provides apertures  510  arranged in an alternating manner along the top and bottom sides of a frame  450 , such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,318 B2 to VanElverdinghe to Adams and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0258510 A1 to McGee et al., the disclosures of each being incorporated by reference herein. Another exemplary embodiment provides spring-attachment members  511  that are attached to a frame member  502  in a well-known manner, such as by welding. Spring-attachment members  511  are configured to accept the hook portion of a spring in the space formed between frame member  502  and the spring-attachment member  511 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a recreational frame T-coupler  600  that is suitable for use with the safety enclosure and recreational structure frame depicted in  FIG. 1 . T-coupler  600  comprises a horizontal portion  601  that is capable of receiving horizontal frame members (not shown) of a recreational frame structure in a well-known manner, and a vertical portion  602  that is capable of receiving a leg member of the recreational frame structure in a well-known manner. T-coupler  600  further comprises side sleeves  603  and  604  that in one exemplary embodiment are arranged directly adjacent to each other. In another exemplary embodiment, sleeves  603  and  604  are arranged to have a spacing between each sleeve. Side sleeves  603  and  604  are capable of receiving an end of a flexible rod  101  ( FIG. 1 ). In one exemplary embodiment, sleeves  603  and  604  each include an aperture that is capable of receiving a spring-locking mechanism form into the end of a flexible rod  101 . In another exemplary embodiment, sleeves  603  and  604  do not comprise an aperture that is capable of receiving a spring-locking mechanism of a flexible rod. It should be understood that alternative embodiments of a T-coupler could be used in place of the exemplary embodiment of T-coupler  600  depicted in  FIG. 6 . For example, exemplary suitable T-couplers are disclosed in U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/176,407, filed Jul. 20, 2008, entitled “Concentric Arrangement Frame Structure For Recreational Structure,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It should also be understood that vertical portion  602  of T-coupler  600  could have a length that is sufficient to be a leg of a trampoline structure. 
         [0023]    Although the foregoing disclosed subject matter has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced that are within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the subject matter disclosed herein is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.