Abstract:
This invention improves on existing trampolines by utilizing a strap and pulley to relocate the resilient means from a horizontal position adjacent to the jumping surface to a vertical position below the upper trampoline frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The disclosed subject matter generally relates to the manner in which elastic force is applied to trampoline beds and the way in which they connect to a trampoline frame. Traditionally, trampoline beds are attached to trampoline frames by utilizing horizontally configured resilient means such as springs or elastics that run between the trampoline bed and the upper trampoline frame. Such a setup is illustrated by U.S. application Ser. No. 05/457,555 invented by McNeil. Utilizing this setup aligns the resilient means adjacent and parallel to the jumping surface, exposing users to the risk of landing on the resilient means. The traditional setup presents problems in both safety and operation. Most importantly, landing on the resilient means is likely to cause injury to a user. Additionally, the traditional trampoline setup reduces trampoline bed area and increases the area unsuitable for landing, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of the trampoline. 
         [0005]    While the traditional setup is not as problematic for single trampoline setups such as circular shaped backyard trampolines, excessive resilient means surrounding a trampoline bed becomes increasingly problematic when arranging trampolines adjacent to one another to form a trampoline park. In a trampoline park, multiple square or rectangular shaped trampoline beds are arranged closely in a grid allowing users to jump from one bed to another. Both the attachment method and trampoline park design are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,122 hereafter referred to as the Winkelhorn Patent and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,696 hereafter referred to as the Gurley Patent. Both the Winkelhorn and Gurley patents present the problem of exposing users to the risk of landing on the resilient means as well as reducing the trampoline bed area. While these patents apply padding to the resilient means to reduce the chance of injury, injuries are still common and the problem of minimized trampoline area remains. Generally speaking, minimizing the distance between trampoline beds is advantageous in a trampoline park because it increases both the square footage of trampoline bed per trampoline park and its level of safety. 
         [0006]    A trampoline park refers to a grid or array of trampoline beds placed adjacent to one another in a manner suitable for users to jump from one to another. Its intended use is for exercising, both leisure and competitive sport. 
         [0007]    Trampoline beds relate to the taut piece of inelastic fabric used as a jumping surface, usually made of canvas or polypropylene. 
         [0008]    Resilient means refer to the components that provide elasticity such as springs, elastics, metals, plastics, or other materials with desirable elastic properties. 
         [0009]    Padding refers to the cushioning mounted on top of the resilient means and upper trampoline frame, often made of foam or another soft material capable of absorbing the force of an impact. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention aims to greatly reduce the problems of both user injury and reduced trampoline bed area for single trampolines and trampoline parks alike. It is achieved by relocating the resilient means from a horizontal position between the upper trampoline frame and trampoline bed to a vertical position below the upper trampoline frame. This is achieved by mounting a pulley on the upper trampoline frame to redirect the force applied to the trampoline beds from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. This allows the resilient means to be relocated to the vacant area directly beneath the upper trampoline frame. Of the many advantages this invention achieves, relocation of the resilient means most importantly frees up a large amount of space between the upper trampoline frame and trampoline bed, allowing the trampoline bed to be enlarged and extended right up to the pulley mounted on the upper trampoline frame. The result is increased trampoline bed area, thereby increasing both safety and trampoline effectiveness. Another advantage of this invention is increased flexibility in choice of resilient means. While the choice of resilient means in a traditional trampoline setup is limited by the distance between the trampoline bed and upper trampoline frame, this invention relocates the resilient means to a larger area that offers more choice in type, size, elasticity, material, and price of the resilient means. Similarly, relocating to this larger area provides the additional space to install tensioning mechanisms, toggle clamps, buckles, and any other features an owner may utilize to make trampoline bed or part replacement quicker, safer, and easier. Utilizing one of these said mechanisms will not only save time and effort, but will also reduce trampoline down time during part replacement. 
         [0011]    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of the invention in a single trampoline bed setup. Only one assembly of the invention is illustrated to exemplify the device in more clarity. In fully functional operation an array of these assemblies will be utilized to distribute the force applied to the trampoline bed evenly. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative attachment method of the invention in a single trampoline bed setup. This setup can be utilized when lower support members are not utilized, it is not desirable to attach to the floor, or it is more cost effective to extend the pulley housing than establish a secure attachment point. A single assembly of the invention is illustrated here for simplicity, but a full array of the invention is utilized in operation. 
         [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the alternative attachment system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates how the invention can be alternated to support adjacent trampoline beds on a single upper trampoline frame. 
         [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates the invention in an operational trampoline park setup. Although only four trampoline beds are illustrated, an owner may integrate as many as they prefer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an assembly of the invention in a single trampoline bed setup. Pulley housing  1  is fixed the to upper trampoline frame  7  via nuts and bolts, welds, the tension of nylon strap  3 , gravity, or some other fastening means. Pulley housing  1  is designed and attached in such a way that pulley  2  is centered laterally over the upper trampoline frame  7  when mounted on either side. This is advantageous because a single upper trampoline frame  7  can support adjacent trampoline beds on both sides when applicable, shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . Padding  9  utilizes a rigid bottom half which rests on pulley housing  1  and is displaced from strap  3  and pulley  2  such that the padding never comes in contact with either. The top of padding  9  is made of a soft material such as foam designed to absorb user contact. Pulley  2  is capable of freely spinning on pulley pin  11  within pulley housing  1 . Pulley pin  11  is set within pulley housing  1  by a through hole and clevis pin assembly, a milled recess within pulley housing  1 , or any other means capable of holding it in place. Nylon strap  3  is connected to both trampoline bed  6  and resilient means  4 . Nylon strap  3  is laid halfway around pulley  2  such that pulley  2  redirects the force on nylon strap  3  ninety degrees from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. This allows resilient means  4  to be relocated directly below upper trampoline frame  7  and then attached to optional mechanisms such as tensioner  5 . Optional tensioner  5 , shown in this drawing, may be replaced by or used in combination with mechanisms such as buckles, clamps, quick connect devices, or any other means to make part replacement easier. Tensioner  5  is then attached to a rigid member such as a lower trampoline frame  8 , an anchor in the ground, or another secure attachment point. As force is applied to the trampoline bed  6 , nylon strap  3  is displaced over the freely spinning pulley  2  and resilient means  4  is extended. As resilient means  4  contracts, nylon strap  3  is displaced back over freely spinning pulley  2  and trampoline bed  6  returns to its original position, providing bounce to a user. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the invention. Strap  3  connects trampoline bed  6  to resilient means  4 . Strap  3  is laid halfway around pulley  2  which spins freely on pulley pin  11  within pulley housing  1 . Pulley housing  1  is attached to upper trampoline frame  7 . Resilient means  4  is then connected to tensioner  5 , which is then connected to lower trampoline frame  8  or another secure attachment point such as an anchor in the floor. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative attachment method of the invention. It operates in the same manner as the invention in  FIG. 1  except pulley housing  1  is designed and fabricated to extend the full length of the invention. Strap  3  is still connected to both trampoline bed  6  and resilient means  4 . Strap  3  is laid halfway around pulley  2  which spins freely within pulley housing  1  on pulley pin  11 . Pulley housing  1  is fastened to upper trampoline frame  7  which is then supported by vertical column  10 . Padding  9  rests on pulley housing  1  and is held in place by means such as nuts and bolts, Velcro straps, rope, or other means to keep it in place. Resilient means  4  is attached to optional component tensioner  5 . The biggest difference in this setup method is that rather than connecting to a secure attachment point such as a lower trampoline frame or floor anchor, tensioner  5  is attached to pulley housing  1 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the alternative attachment method described and illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  is operationally identical. Strap  3  connects trampoline bed  6  and resilient means  4  while wrapped halfway around pulley  2 . Pulley  2  spins within pulley housing  1  on pulley pin  11 . Pulley housing  1  is fixed to both upper trampoline frame  7  as well as optional component tensioner  5 . Tensioner  5  is then secured to resilient means  4 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates the invention alternated along upper trampoline frame  7  to support adjacent trampoline beds to either side of the upper trampoline frame  7 . This attachment method is advantageous because utilizing one upper trampoline frame  7  rather than two reduces the surface area between trampoline beds, increasing safety and effectiveness. By alternating the orientation of the invention along upper trampoline frame  7 , every other assembly of the invention supports a trampoline bed on one side while the reciprocal assemblies support the other. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  illustrates a fully assembled trampoline park. The interior upper trampoline frames alternate the invention to support trampoline beds on adjacent sides as illustrated in  FIG. 5  while the exterior upper trampoline frames only support trampoline beds on one side. While only four trampoline beds are shown, an unlimited amount of trampoline beds can be added in the same manner as shown.