Patent Publication Number: US-11654318-B1

Title: Mobile trampoline basketball game

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed generally toward a mobile gaming device, and more particularly toward a trailer mounted, collapsible trampoline basketball game. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Trampoline basketball games are generally stationary or require substantial breakdown for transport. Such games include many features for the safety of the users that are incompatible with easily moving the game. Furthermore, the dimensions of such games make them problematic to move intact. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a mobile trampoline basketball game with a collapsible top frame component to lower the backboards for transport. 
     In a further aspect, the components are configured to prevent user contact with certain components that may be hazardous to the users. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and should not restrict the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  3    shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  5    shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  6    shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  7    shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  8    shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein; and 
         FIG.  9    shows a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed description of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only, and should not be construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the contrary. 
     Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts, and “a” and “an” are intended to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combination of two or more such features, along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instant disclosure. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a mobile trampoline basketball gaming device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein is shown. The mobile trampoline basketball device includes a trailer frame component  100  with a trailer coupler  102 . The trailer frame component  100  is affixed to a frame comprising vertical frame posts  104 , angled trampoline frame components  106 , a base trampoline component, and a collapsible frame component (as more fully described herein). The frame includes one or more wheeled components  112  to facilitate transport. In at least one embodiment, the frame includes a wheeled trailer jack  114  to facilitate movement of the mobile trampoline basketball device when not secured to a vehicle. 
     In at least one embodiment, one or more sets of collapsible stairs  110  are affixed to the frame. In at least one embodiment, one or more jacks  116  are affixed to the frame at various locations to allow the mobile trampoline basketball device to be levelled and stabilized. 
     The frame supports a plurality of independent trampoline components  118 ,  120  and a plurality of safety or environmental pads  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the mobile trampoline basketball device includes at least one storage element  134  for storing various removable components during transport, and a pressurized vessel  132  for storing a pressurized gas or pressurizing a fluid to actuate various hydraulic or pneumatic components. Such hydraulic or pneumatic components may include the one or more jacks  116  and/or certain linear actuators configured to raise collapsible back-board components as more fully described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , exploded perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein is shown. A mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  is configured with a plurality of attach points, some configured for springs to connect the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  to the independent trampoline components  202   118 ,  120 , and other attach points configured to attached the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  to the plurality of safety or environmental pads  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the mobile trampoline basketball device includes a bottom trampoline component  202  configured to connect via a plurality of springs to the perimeter elements of a base frame component, In at least one embodiment, base frame component is configured to accept a standard sized bottom trampoline component  202 . Angled side trampoline components  120  are attached to the angled trampoline frame components along the sides and top, but not at any point along the bottom. The angled trampoline frame component is positioned and oriented such that the bottom of the angled side trampoline components  120  is disposed some distance from the springs attaching the bottom trampoline component  202  to the base frame component parallel to the bottom of the angled side trampoline component  120 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the mobile trampoline basketball device includes a plurality of vertical side trampoline components  118  configured to connect via a plurality of springs to the angled trampoline frame component and a vertical door frame post of the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200 . In at least one embodiment, the vertical side trampoline components  118  are also connected to a top frame component of the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200 . The vertical side trampoline components  118  are may not be connected to the bottom frame component of the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200 . 
     In at least one embodiment, a plurality of side safety pads  122  are configured to connect to the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  at several points to prevent users from passing underneath the vertical side trampoline components  118  and impacting proximal frame components and entering or leaving the mobile trampoline basketball device except through defined entry points. The side safety pads  122  are disposed inside the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200 , and potentially between the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  and the corresponding vertical side trampoline components  118 . 
     In at least one embodiment, a plurality of angled side safety pads  124  are configured to connect to the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  at several points to prevent users from passing underneath the angled side trampoline components  120  and impacting proximal frame components and entering or leaving the mobile trampoline basketball device except through defined entry points. The angled side safety pads  124  are disposed inside the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200  but outside the angled trampoline frame components. Furthermore, an angled frame component pad  126  may be affixed to a top cross-bar of the angled trampoline frame component, disposed between the top cross-bar and a user inside the mobile trampoline basketball device. 
     In at least one embodiment, the mobile trampoline basketball device includes an environmental shield  128  such as a tarp configured to removably cover and connect to various portions of the top of the mobile trampoline basketball device frame  200 . The environmental shield  128  protects the play surfaces and users from rain, excessive sun, and other environmental factors. In at least one embodiment, the environmental shield  128  may include lateral components  204  that each conform to a corresponding top cross-bar of a collapsible back-board component to prevent lateral movement of the environmental shield  128  and further protect the play surfaces and users from directional environmental factors. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 ,  5 , and  6   , a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein are shown. The mobile trampoline basketball device frame includes a base frame component  420  connected to the trailer frame component  100  and wheeled component  112  for transport via attachment to a separate vehicle. Angled trampoline frame components  106  are connected to the base frame component  420  and vertical frame posts  104  such that corresponding angled side trampoline components create a backstop beneath a corresponding basketball hoop  426 . 
     Because the wheeled component  112  is necessarily disposed beneath the base frame component  420 , and the base frame component  420  supports a bottom trampoline component that substantially deforms when users are jumping on it, the angled trampoline frame components  106  should be attached to the base frame component  420  at least directly above the wheeled component  112 , and potentially even further inside, to prevent a user from contacting the axel while jumping. 
     The base frame component  420  is connected to a plurality of door frame posts  422  that define the entry point and support corresponding top frame components  424 . In at least one embodiment, the entry point defined by the plurality of door frame posts  422  may include a ventilation and lateral support structure  416  to stiffen the door frame posts  422  and facilitate air flow which may otherwise be restricted by the trampoline components and pads affixed to the mobile trampoline basketball device frame. ventilation and lateral support structure  416  may include a solid lattice or grate, a fabric mesh, or any other similar structure that allows airflow but prevents basketballs from exiting the device. 
     The mobile trampoline basketball device frame includes a collapsible frame component comprising two backboard structures, each having a two vertical backboard posts  400  connected to a backboard top cross-bar  410  to define the backboard surface. Each backboard structure is affixed to the top frame components  424  via a top frame hinge  406 . In at least one embodiment, hinge support structures  404  are used to extend the top frame component  424  and push back the connection point to the backboard structure without substantially increasing the footprint of the device. 
     In at least one embodiment, each backboard structure is further connected to the top frame components  424  via one or more linear actuators  412  disposed between a vertical backboard post  400  and corresponding top frame component  424 . Such linear actuators  412  may be hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or mechanical, and serve to raise and lower the corresponding backboard into a vertical orientation for normal operation or horizontal orientation for transport. The top frame hinges  406  may be raised above the top frame component  424  to accommodate the operation of the linear actuators  412  and define an arc that allows the linear actuators  412  to lay flat against the top frame component  424  during transport. 
     In at least one embodiment, the collapsible frame component includes a plurality of lateral support members  402 . Each lateral support member  402  may be pivotally connected to a corresponding backboard via either the backboard to cross-bar  410  or a vertical backboard post  400 . Furthermore, opposing lateral support members  402  (lateral support members  402  connected to opposite backboards) may be connected to each other via a lateral support member hinge  408  that allows each opposing lateral support member  402  to fold down for transport as illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  8   . In at least one embodiment, a lateral support post  414  may secure the lateral support member hinge  408  in a fully extended orientation, as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , by supporting a lateral support member  402 . The lateral support post  414  may be releasably secured to a corresponding door frame post  422 . 
     In at least one embodiment, each backboard may define a ventilation structure  418  to facilitate air flow which may otherwise be restricted by the trampoline components and pads affixed to the mobile trampoline basketball device frame. The ventilation structure  418  may include a solid lattice or grate, a fabric mesh, or any other similar structure that allows airflow but prevents basketballs from exiting the device. Having the ventilation structures  418  defined by the backboard necessarily places them at the top of the device which facilitates a draft by letting warmer air exit at the top and drawing in cooler air through gaps defined by the springs that secure the bottom trampoline component to the base frame component  420 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , a side view and a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein are shown. In a configuration for transport, the collapsible stairs  110  are folded up and the jacks  116  retracted. Furthermore, the linear actuators  412  are also retracted to pivot the backboard structures about their corresponding top frame hinges  406  such that the vertical backboard posts  400  are oriented substantially parallel to the top frame components  424 . Removing or retracting the lateral support posts  414  allows the lateral support members  402  to pivot about their respective connection points to the backboard structure, and a hinge connecting opposing lateral support members  402 . In at least one embodiment, the lateral support members  402 , when in a transport configuration, obstruct the entry point defined by the door frame posts  422  to prevent or deter entry during transport, or alternatively retain anything inside the mobile trampoline basketball device frame during transport. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a mobile trampoline basketball device frame according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein is shown. Where the base frame component  420 , vertical frame posts  104 , and angled trampoline frame components  106  meet, the angled trampoline frame components  106  may be connected to the base frame component  420  so as to obstruct the springs  900  connecting the bottom trampoline component  202  to the base frame component  402  that are disposed behind an angled side trampoline component attached to the angled trampoline frame component  106  via a plurality of spring attachment points  902 . While springs  900  have been specifically mentioned herein, other structures are used in trampolines, and such other structures are envisioned. 
     It is believed that the inventive concepts disclosed herein and many of their attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description of embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein or without sacrificing all of their material advantages; and individual features from various embodiments may be combined to arrive at other embodiments. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. Furthermore, any of the features disclosed in relation to any of the individual embodiments may be incorporated into any other embodiment.