Abstract:
A trampoline includes a trampoline frame including a trampoline frame ring supported by a trampoline frame. A trampoline bed is supported across the trampoline frame. The trampoline frame is foldable. Enclosure poles are oriented in a vertical orientation when the enclosure poles are in a deployed position. One or more hinge joints connect the enclosure poles to the trampoline frame. The enclosure poles are mounted to the trampoline frame ring at the hinge joints. The enclosure poles fold inward to a horizontal position when the enclosure poles fold to a folded position. The enclosure poles may overlap each other when folding to the folded position.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional application 62/299,387filed Feb. 26, 2016, entitled Fold Down Trampoline by inventor Samuel Chen, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0002]    The present invention also claims priority from China application 201621475238.0 filed Dec. 30, 2016, entitled A Trampoline with Separate Automatic Detent Structure by applicant Xiamen Dmaster Health Technology Co., Ltd., now assigned to Sportspower Limited, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is in the field of folding frame trampolines. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0004]    A variety of different trampoline enclosures can fold-down. These trampoline enclosures are used for improving safety of users to help them not fall out of the trampoline jumping area. For example, in U.S. patent publication 2012/0252634 published Oct. 4, 2012 by inventor Masato Ikegami entitled Trampoline With Collapsible Enclosure Assembly, an enclosure assembly has support arches that fold-down, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Ikegami also discloses that hinge joints can be used. 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the folded-type trampoline proposed by the prior art Taiwan patent publication document TW M285374 operates the second frame rod  12  from an unfolded position to a folded position after clamping the pivot  121  of the second frame rod  12  to the pivot connection groove  111  of the corresponding first frame rod, and finally inserts the locating assembly  13  into the corresponding locating hole  122  to fix the spacing and the trampoline is unfolded. However, the trampoline bed has a strong elastic contraction force. This causes several problems. First, if not completely clamped to the corresponding pivot connection groove  111 , the pivot  121  will eject from the pivot connection groove  111  when the second frame rod  12  is operated from the unfolded position to the folded position. Second, if the force interrupts when the second frame rod  12  is operated from the unfolded position to the folded position, the elastic contraction force of the trampoline bed will clamp the first frame rod  11  and the second frame rod  12  and thus users may be clamped by the trampoline frame like a fly in a Venus fly trap like what is happened with some Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled trampolines. Finally, even if the second frame rod is operated to the folded position, the locating assembly  13  needs to be inserted into the locating hole  122 . During this process, force must be exerted to ensure the second frame rod  12  is constantly in this folded position, otherwise the second frame rod  12  will be pulled by the trampoline bed, bounce back and hurt the users, which is indeed very dangerous. As is shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , when the second frame rod  12  is operated from the unfolded position to the folded position, force needs to be exerted to ensure the second frame rod  12  is located in this folded position. Then, a locating assembly  13  is inserted into a locating hole  122  to fix the spacing, during which users face the same risk of injury. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a variety of different trampoline frames are made to be foldable. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,444, issued Jun. 5, 1984, inventor Schulze, Jr., discusses a “rebound exerciser” or trampoline that is foldable, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Schulze, Jr. describes “a hinge with a locking means that secures symmetrical sections together. The locking member have substantially U-shaped rod having two threaded ends which are adapted to be inserted through said pair of spaced-apart, aligned bores when said sections are in said second extended position; and a pair of double threaded nuts adapted to be mated with said threaded ends when said threaded ends are inserted through said pair of bores so as to releasably secure said sections in said second extended position.” Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,181 published Aug. 22, 2006, discusses a foldable trampoline. Inventor Hall describes legs and hinges configured to provide lateral flexibility in the framework, to thereby decrease the stress imposed on the hinges, thereby increasing the life of the hinges, when the trampoline is folded. The same inventor Hall in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,799 published Nov. 18, 2003, discusses a Foldable Trampoline in which the “pivoting means include a pair of hinges and a set of hinges. The pair of hinges are disposed on opposite ends of the frame such that a pivot axis is along a diametrical line of the circular frame, including the pair of hinges. In such a configuration, the hinges permit the frame to be moved between a substantially planar open position and a folded position.” 
         [0007]    Also, Wang et. al. discusses in U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,270 entitled Foldable Trampoline published Sep. 6, 2005, two pairs of overlapped lug portions to have two through holes provided thereon opposite to the shaft pin, so that a safety pin may be inserted into the through holes when the frame sections are in a fully extended position. The invention entitled titled Foldable Trampoline and Conversion Kit in U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,479 by inventor Goldwitz, published Jan. 4, 2011, discusses hydraulic cylinders connecting the base frame member to the center hinge, which, “may assist in controlling the movement of the frame assembly from a collapsed state to an expanded state or vice-versa. For example, the hydraulic cylinders may substantially or completely assist in preventing the frame assembly from “snapping” shut thereby causing injury to the user when moving the frame assembly from a collapsed state to an expanded state or vice-versa.” 
         [0008]    Instead of a snapping hinge, inventor Tacquet in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,074 published Aug. 29, 2000, discusses, “opening the trampoline for use involves using a crank to turn the screw and doing that, the pushrods will push against the thrusts and the distance between the ends of the adjacent frame sections will be increased. The more the user turns the screw, the more the distance between the ends of the adjacent frame sections increases, and when that distance increases, it also increases the diameter of the whole frame as well as its distance from the mat. As the mat is linked to the frame by means of the springs, the length of the springs is increased and the force applied via springs increases proportionally to their length. The maximum tension of the mat is obtained when the screws have been fully turned.” 
         [0009]    Inventor Lai in U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,020 published Dec. 23, 2008, entitled Foldable Trampoline, discusses a safety feature in the summary of invention as, “When the coupling shaft is extended into the coupling notch, and the foldable frame unit is operated to move from the folded state to the unfolded state, the securing shaft is guided along the guiding edge of the first end part of the first frame section and is subsequently received in the securing notch such that the coupling shaft and the securing shaft cooperate with the first end part of the first frame section to secure the foldable frame unit in the unfolded state.” 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,100 entitled Opposed Rebounding Exercise Device, published Apr. 25, 1989, by inventor Hall et al. discusses a safety feature where each sleeve is slidable along a leg of a U-shaped frame and is locked in desired position by a pair of set screws and that are threaded through the sleeve and into engagement with the leg. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,151 entitled Collapsible Rebound Exercise Device, published Nov. 15, 1983, inventor Daniels discusses a trampoline with framework that includes a first pair of opposed hinges disposed for permitting the framework to be moved between a substantially planar open position and a folded or collapsed position, and including a lock arrangement for retaining the framework in the open, or use, position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A trampoline of the present invention has a frame that can fold to a flat folded position from a deployed position. A trampoline with a folding frame has a frame supporting a bed tensioned by springs across the frame. The frame has horizontal frame members including a horizontal frame member formed as a frame unit. The frame unit has a first frame rod and a second frame rod. The first frame rod connects to the second frame rod. Two locating assemblies pass the joint of the first and the second frame rods and multiple support rod bases where the first and the second frame rods extend downwardly. The first frame rod extends and includes two first ends. 
         [0012]    A retaining plate is mounted to the first frame rod. The retaining plate has a pair of plate sides. The pair of plate sides extend downwardly from the retaining plate. The retaining plate is mounted on the first ends of the first frame rod. Each retaining plate has an end face formed toward a front of the two first ends. Two clamping grooves are indented at a pair of end faces. The pair of end faces is formed on the pair of plate sides. Two pivot connection grooves extend upwardly into a pair of undersurfaces. The pair of undersurfaces are formed on the lower surface of the pair of plate sides. Two stop grooves that extend laterally from the two pivot connection grooves. Two pivots are mounted on the second frame rod and configured to engage the two stop grooves. A locating hole is formed on the second frame rod at a side of the second frame rod. The locating hole is configured to receive a locating assembly that engages the two clamping grooves. 
         [0013]    Optionally, the trampoline with folding frame may have a retaining plate with stop blocks on the lower surface. Each stop groove has an upper groove wall and a lower groove wall is set opposite to an upper groove wall. A groove sidewall is configured between the upper groove wall and the lower groove wall. Each upper groove wall, lower groove wall and groove sidewall is load bearing and may abut the frame rods. The second frame rod also includes two auxiliary supports connected to their corresponding auxiliary support bottom edges and auxiliary support pivots. The retaining plate has plate sides that are parallel to each other. The second frame rod also includes threading slots connected to corresponding locating holes. The two locating assemblies each comprise a rod and multiple fixture blocks that protrude and extend towards the outer periphery of the rod. Each rod and its corresponding fixture block respectively respond to their respective threading slot. 
         [0014]    Each locating assembly also includes a bumper in an arc shape. An end of each bumper is connected to a first side end of the corresponding rod. The other end of each bumper is detachably nested in a second side end of the corresponding rod. Each retaining plate may have an inverted U-shape cross-section. The support rod bases have joint pipes connected to an outer periphery of the first frame rod and the second frame rod and legs connected to the joint pipes. The joint pipes are welded to the first frame rod and the second frame rod. 
         [0015]    Through the design of the pivot connection grooves and the stop grooves, the locating assemblies can be first inserted into the corresponding locating holes. After the pivot is clamped to the corresponding pivot connection groove, the second frame rod is operated from the unfolded position to the folded position. Then the locating assemblies are respectively inserted into the corresponding locating holes and clamping grooves. Moreover, the pivot is clamped to the corresponding stop groove to complete the unfolding action. Hence, this design can enhance the operational safety of the product. 
         [0016]    The trampoline also includes a trampoline frame including a trampoline frame ring supported by a trampoline frame. A trampoline bed is supported across the trampoline frame. Enclosure poles are oriented in a vertical orientation when the enclosure poles are in a deployed position. One or more hinge joints connect the enclosure poles to the trampoline frame. The enclosure poles are mounted to the trampoline frame ring at the hinge joints. The enclosure poles fold inward to a horizontal position when the enclosure poles fold to a folded position. The enclosure poles may overlap each other when folding to the folded position. In this way, the entire trampoline can fold for shipping or storage including the poles and frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is prior art partial exploded view, illustrating the corresponding positions of a pivot connection groove, a pivot, a locating assembly and a locating hole. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a prior art partial exploded-view, indicating the corresponding positions of a locating assembly and a locating hole. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an incomplete exploded-view drawing of the prior art, illustrating the corresponding positions of a locating assembly and a locating hole. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of an embodiment of the trampoline with folding frame in the present invention, demonstrating the combination relationship between a frame unit and a trampoline bed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an incomplete partial enlarged diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, indicating the status where the first frame rod and the second frame rod is fixed by a locating unit. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an incomplete partial exploded-view drawing of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the corresponding positions of a pivot connection groove, a stop groove, a pivot, a locating hole and a locating assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of an embodiment of the invention, suggesting the status where the second frame rod is unfolded and the first frame rod and the second frame rod are turned over. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is an incomplete partial section view of an embodiment of the present invention, suggesting the status where the second frame rod is located in this unfolded position and the locating hole and its corresponding clamping groove are staggered. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an incomplete partial section view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the status where the locating hole and its corresponding clamping groove are apposed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of the assembled trampoline in upright configuration. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a diagram of the trampoline being disassembled. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a diagram of the trampoline being disassembled. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a diagram of the enclosure pole connector. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a diagram of the folding trampoline enclosure pole. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide for referencing the element numbers of the drawings.
     11  First frame rod     111  Pivot connection groove     12  Second frame rod     121  Pivot     122  Locating hole     13  Locating assembly     200  Frame unit     20  First frame rod     21  First end     22  Retaining plate     221  End face     222  Clamping groove     223  Undersurface     224  Pivot connection groove     225  Stop groove     226  Stop block     227  Plate side     228  Upper groove wall     229  Lower groove wall     230  Groove sidewall     30  Second frame rod     31  Second end     32  Bottom edge     33  Pivot     34  Auxiliary support     35  Stopper     36  Locating hole     37  Threading slot     40  Locating assembly     41  Rod     42  Fixture block     43  Bumper     50  Support rod base     51  Joint pipe     52  Leg     600  Trampoline bed     60  Mesh     70  Fitting     80  Separate connector   X Circumferential Direction     110  Trampoline Frame     115  Trampoline Frame Ring     116  Trampoline Frame Leg     120  Trampoline Bed     130  Enclosure Pole     131  Enclosure Pole Connector     132  Trampoline Frame Hinge Joint     133  Upper Enclosure Support     134  Pin     135  Pin Receiving Opening     136  Knob     137  Spring Cover Strap   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0084]    As is indicated in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 , an embodiment of the trampoline with folding frame in the present invention includes a frame unit  200 , and a trampoline bed  600 . The frame unit  200  includes a first frame rod  20 , a second frame rod  30  which is connected to the first frame rod  20  in a hollow ring shape, two locating assemblies  40  which can pass the joint of the first and the second frame rods  30 , multiple support rod bases  50  where the first and the second frame rods  30  extend downwardly, and multiple separate connectors  80  which are respectively equipped in the outer periphery of the first frame rod  20  and the second frame rod  30 . The first frame rod  20  extends circularly and includes two first ends  21  set opposite and two retaining plates  22  respectively mounted on the first ends  21 . 
         [0085]    Each retaining plate  22  has an end face  221  formed in the front, two clamping grooves  222  which depress towards the end faces  221  and extend circularly, multiple undersurfaces  223  which respectively intersect with the end faces  221  and are located at the bottom, two pivot connection grooves  224  which depress towards each undersurface  223  and two stop grooves  225  where one end of each pivot connection groove  224  and away from the end face  221  extends circularly, many stop blocks  226  which are located in the corresponding undersurfaces  223 , pivot connection grooves  224  and stop groove  225 , and multiple plate sides  227  which are respectively located at both sides and correspond to the pivot connection grooves  224  and the stop grooves  225 . 
         [0086]    Each stop groove  225  has an upper groove wall  228  corresponding to the undersurface  223 , a lower groove wall  229  set opposite to the upper groove wall  228  and a groove sidewall  230  situated between the upper groove wall  228  and the lower groove wall  229 . In the present embodiment, the cross-section of each retaining plate  22  is in an inverted U-shape, and is fixed downward to the first end  21 . However, retaining two plates to both sides of the corresponding first end  21  can achieve the same effects as well. 
         [0087]    The second frame rod  30  extends circularly and includes: two second ends  31  set opposite, two bottom edges  32  respectively formed at the bottom of the second end  31 , two pivots  33  which are respectively connected to the bottom edges  32  and nested in the stop grooves  225  via the corresponding pivot connection grooves  224 , two auxiliary supports  34  whose two ends are respectively connected to the corresponding bottom edges  32  and pivots  33 , many stoppers  35  formed at two ends of each pivot  33 , multiple locating holes  36  which respectively depress toward the second end  31  and are located at the corresponding two sides of the pivots  33  and many threading slots  37  that are connected to the corresponding locating holes  36 . More specifically, each upper groove wall  228 , lower groove wall  229  and groove sidewall  230  can press against the pivot  33  corresponding to the spacing. The pivots  33  and the locating holes  36  are configured in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the circumferential direction X. 
         [0088]    Each locating assembly  40  includes a rod  41 , multiple fixture blocks  42  that protrude and extend towards the outer periphery of the rod  41 , and a bumper  43  in an arc shape. Each rod  41  and its corresponding fixture block  42  respectively respond to the threading slot  37 . One end of each bumper  43  is connected to one side end of the corresponding rod  41 , while the other end of each bumper  43  is detachably nested in the other side end of the corresponding rod  41 . Specifically, the locating assembly  40  has the effect of automatically stop so that the first frame rod  20  and the second frame rod can press against and fix each other. 
         [0089]    The support rod base  50  has many joint pipes  51  alternately equipped and connected to the outer periphery of the first and the second rods  20  and  30  and many legs  52  connected to the corresponding joint pipes  51 . It should be noted that the joint pipes  51  are welded to the first and the second frame rods  20  and  30 , and that each joint pipe  51  is equipped in the adjacent corresponding separate connector  80 . The trampoline bed  600  is hung at this frame unit  200 , and includes the mesh itself  60 , multiple fittings  70  fixed around the mesh  60 . The fittings  70  are connected to the first and the second frame rods  20  and  30 . 
         [0090]    As is shown in  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 , to facilitate storage and transport, in this embodiment, the first frame rod  20  is generally separate from the second frame rod  30  in order to save space. When this embodiment is unfolded and used, it is first turned over to the back, the locating assembly  40  is first inserted into the corresponding locating hole  36 , and then the pivot  33  is clamped to the corresponding pivot connection groove  224 . Next, the second frame rod  30  is pressed downward from an unfolded position where the locating hole  36  and the corresponding clamping groove  222  are staggered ( FIG. 8 ) to the front of the corresponding clamping groove  222  of the locating assembly  40 . Next, the pivot  33  is moved circularly to the corresponding stop groove  225  so that the second frame rod  30  is operated to a folded position ( FIG. 9 ) where the locating hole and its corresponding clamping groove are apposed. 
         [0091]    Specifically, when the second frame rod  30  is located in this folded position, the locating assemblies  40  are respectively inserted into the corresponding locating holes  36  and the clamping grooves  222 , and the pivots  33  are clamped to the corresponding stop grooves and is pressed against and stopped by the stop blocks  226 . When operation is conducted between the unfolded position and the folded position, the stopper  35  can press against the corresponding plate side  227  ( FIG. 6 ), thereby preventing the pivot  33  from moving perpendicularly to the circular direction when the second frame rod  20  operates between the unfolded position and the folded position. 
         [0092]    In conclusion, the present invention provides a trampoline with folding frame that includes a frame unit. In the prior art, force needs to be applied to ensure the second frame rod is located in this folded position before the locating assemblies  40  can be inserted into the corresponding locating holes  36 . In contrast, in the present embodiment, before unfolding, the locating assemblies  40  are first inserted into the corresponding locating holes  36 , and then after the pivot  33  is clamped to the corresponding pivot connection groove  224 , the second frame rod  30  is operated from the unfolded position where the locating hole  36  and the corresponding clamping groove  222  are staggered to the folded position where the locating hole  36  and the corresponding clamping groove  222  are apposed in order to complete the unfolding action. The danger caused by exerting a force on the folded position for a long time can be avoided so as to enhance the operational safety of the device. 
         [0093]    The trampoline also has an enclosure that folds down. The trampoline has a trampoline frame  110  which supports the trampoline bed  120 . The trampoline frame  110  has a trampoline frame ring  115  that is substantially horizontally oriented for supporting the trampoline bed  120  in a horizontal position. The trampoline frame ring  115  is supported by one or more of the trampoline frame legs  116 . 
         [0094]    The trampoline frame ring  115  also includes trampoline frame hinge joints  132 . The hinge joints  132  allow the enclosure poles  132  fold-down after the upper enclosure support  133  has been removed. The enclosure poles fold inward at an angle normal to the trampoline frame ring  115 . 
         [0095]    The enclosure poles  132  are hinged to the trampoline frame ring  115  at the trampoline frame hinge joints  132 . The enclosure poles  132  are independent and cross over each other when the trampoline enclosure is in stowed configuration. The enclosure poles  132  fold inward when the enclosure is in stowed configuration and fold upward to an upright position when the enclosure is in the deployed position. 
         [0096]    The enclosure pole connectors can be formed as sockets having a slot for receiving the upper enclosure support  133 . The upper enclosure support  133  can be formed as a horizontally suspended ring made of metal, plastic or fiberglass. The upper enclosures for  133  can be formed as segments of a plurality of connected rods. The hinge joint  132  can be stabilized by a pin  134  that is inserted into a pin receiving opening  135  on the hinge joint  132  to keep the enclosure pole  130  in upright position. The pin  134  preferably passes through the enclosure poles which are formed as hollow metal tubes. The hinge joint can also have a pair of flanges that have openings for the pin receiving opening  135 . The pin  134  receiving opening  135  passes through the pair of flanges and the enclosure pole for locking them together. The pin  134  receiving opening  135  and the pin  134  can be threaded for additional tightness and security and to avoid wobble. 
         [0097]    A knob  136  can be formed on the trampoline frame leg  116  at the junction of the trampoline frame leg  116  and the trampoline frame ring  115 . The knob  136  can be connected to a bolt that bolts or connects the trampoline frame leg to the trampoline frame ring  115 . The knob  136  is located below the level of the trampoline frame ring  115 , but can also provide the same function as the pin  134  if the knob  136  is at least partially connected to a portion of the trampoline enclosure pole. 
         [0098]    A spring cover strap  137  can be formed as a loop that has an opening that fits over the knob  136 . The spring cover strap  137  loop ends are connected to the spring cover. The spring cover covers the springs. The spring cover can be a sheet of plastic or can have a thicker expanded foam padding. Trampoline pads can have straps that loop over the head of the knob  136 . The trampoline pads traps can be formed of fabric or cord the as rope. The trampoline pads are typically placed along a circumferential periphery of the trampoline frame ring  115 . Trampoline pads can have an elastic strap for the spring cover strap  137  that fits over the head of the knob  136 .