US3734496A - Stabilized trampoline - Google Patents

Abstract

A trampoline includes an inflated elastomeric toroid, such as a tire inner tube, provided with taut top and bottom webs interconnected by straps extending between the webs about the tube outer surface. A stabilizer against tipping is separably associated with the trampoline and extends around the tube outer underface. Examples of stabilizers are circumferentially spaced hollow stackable wedge shaped foot pieces separably connected at their inner ends to the bottom web and engaging the tube underface, diametric cross-bars sandwiched between the tube and bottom web and projecting beyond the tube, outerwardly directed loops secured to the bottom webs and holding stabilizing members below the tube outer face, and a narrow inflated torus underlying the tube inner under face.

Description

United States atet [191 Rubin 1541 STABILIZED TRAMPOLINE [75] Inventor: Herbert Rubin, New York, NY.

[73] Assignee: New York Toy Corporation, New

York, NY.

22 Filed: Sept. 18, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 73,400

[52] US. Cl ..272/65, 182/139 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 5/00 [58] Field of Search ..272/65, 1 R;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,347,546 10/1967 Abberly ..272/65 3,095,947 7/1963 Beaulaurier.. ..l82/l39 2,324,970 7/1943 Woolley 182/139 X 2,797,853 7/1957 James ..l82/l37 2,764,766 10/1956 Boyle et al.... ..l82/138 X 3,125,377 3/1964 Bridges ...l82/139 UX 3,130,816 4/1964 Wright ..272/65 51 May 22, 1973 1,379,423 5/1921 Trirnm .272/57 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerRichard J. Apley Att0rneyStanley Wolder [57] ABSTRACT A trampoline includes an inflated elastomeric toroid, such as a tire inner tube, provided with taut top and bottom webs interconnected by straps extending between the webs about the tube outer surface. A stabilizer against tipping is separably associated with the trampoline and extends around the tube outer underface. Examples of stabilizers are circumferentially spaced hollow stackable wedge shaped foot pieces separably connected at their inner ends to the bottom web and engaging the tube underface, diametric crossbars sandwiched between the tube and bottom web and projecting beyond the tube, outerwardly directed loops secured to the bottom webs and holding stabilizing members below the tube outer face, and a narrow inflated torus underlying the tube inner under face.

9 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMYZZW 3,734,496

SHEET 1 OF 4INVENTOR Z7 1 3 f5 29 r feeaerflaa/A/ BY.

ATTORNEY PATENTED 3,734,496 3SHEET 2UF 4 BY i I ATTOR NEY PATENTEB HAYZZ I973 SHEET 3 [IF 4 INVENTOR iw'aser Pu /N BY f? M, A ORNEY PATENTEDWZZIW 3, 734,496

SHEETQ 0F 4 INVENTOR yamazwr flaw/v I? Mow AORNEY 1 STABILIZED TRAMPOLINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in exercising and amusement devices and it relates more particularly to an improved trampoline of the pneumatic type.

Trampolines are highly popular as an exercising and amusement device but the conventional trampolines are expensive and bulky devices requiring firm foundations and careful erection and considerably available space. A trampoline which overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks of the conventional trampoline is of the pneumatic type which includes an inflated tire inner tube having a web tautly secured across the top thereof. This type of trampoline is generally satisfactory and possesses numerous advantages being relatively small, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and may be collapsed to a highly compact state for storage, shipping and handling purposes. However, the pneumatic type of trampoline is an unstable structure in that it has a tendency to tilt toward overturning when force is applied to its peripheral border. Thus, the pneumatic type of trampoline unless it is very carefully employed may present the danger of physical injury to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved exercising and amusement device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved trampoline.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pneumatic type of trampoline.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved trampoline of the type including an inflated tire inner tube body member having an overlying flexible web attached thereto and possessing high resistance to overturning.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a highly stabile pneumatic trampoline of the above nature characterized by its ruggedness, simplicity, convenience, use, its ready collapsibility to a compact state for storage, packaging and shipping purposes and its great versatility and adaptability.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a pneumatic trampoline comprising an inflated elastomeric tubular member of substantially toroidal shape, a flexible first web overlying the top of said inflated member, means securing said web to said inflated member, and separate stabilizing means located around and underlying the bottom face of said inflated member externally of the bottom periphery thereof.

In its preferred form the body member of the improved trampoline is an inflated tire inner tube. Webs are tautly drawn across the top and bottom of the inner tube by straps interconnecting the borders of the webs and extending about the tube outer surface. The stabilizing means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced open bottom wedge shaped foot pieces having curved inner faces engaging the outer underface of the tube. Means are provided for securing the inner ends of the foot pieces to the bottom web or between the bottom web and tube. The preferably hollow footpiece walls may converge upwardly to facilitate the nested stacking thereof. Such foot pieces may be shaped wire members having outer cross members terminating in inwardly directed legs projecting between the tube and bottom web. In an alternative stabilizer structure a plurality of angularly related slats extend diametrically between the bottom web and tube and project beyond the tube outer periphery. The slats may be conveniently constructed to be collapsible. In another form flexible loops secured to the border of the bottom web and beyond the tube outer periphery may releasably engage footpieces which underlie outer underface of the tube. A narrow inflated torus may be employed as a stabilizer, underlying and engaging the outer underface of the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the stabilizing elements in the embodiment of FIG. 10, shown in a separated detached state;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thereof shown in a connected state;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 of another form of stabilizing member;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a separable stabilizing member thereof;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a separable stabilizing member thereof;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a separable stabilizing member thereof; and

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 to 5 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral generally designates the improved pneumatic trampoline which includes a body member ormain section 1 1 and astabilizer section 12. Themain section 1 1 is of broadly conventional construction, except as will be hereinafter described, and is substantially of the same structure in all the embodiments of the present invention, but modified to cooperate with the particular associated stabilizer section. It should be noted that the subject invention may be advantageously employed with pneumatic main sections specifically different from those described and illustrated.

Themain section 11 includes a horizontal inflatedtoroid 13 having an elastomeric wall and is advantageously a vehicle tire rubber inner tube of suitable size provided with a conventional tubular stem housed inflation valve such as of the Shroeder type. A strong flexible, preferably woven fabric, substantially circulartop web 14, for example formed of canvas, heavy muslin or the like, overlies the central opening of the inflatedtoroid 13 with its border extending to or shortly outwardly of the top periphery 16 of inflatedtoroid 13, it being noted that the periphal border oftop web 14 may be scalloped and provided with a plurality of radially projectingapices 17. Abottom web 18 generally similar in shape and construction totop web 14 underlies the inflatedtoroid 13 and extends to at least thebottom periphery 19 thereof.

The top andbottom web 14 and 18 are separably secured to the inflatedtoroid 13 and maintained in a taut condition by a plurality of flexible straps orwoven bands 20, eachband 20 having one its opposite ends secured, such as by sewing to diametrically opposed apex points on thebottom web 18 and extending about the outer surface of inflatedtoroid 13 and diametrically across the top thereof between corresponding diametrically opposedtop web apices 17 to which thestrap 20 is secured by sewing or the like. It should be noted thatstraps 20 may be secured totop web 14 at other points and may be secured to each other at their area of intersection which registers with acircular opening 21 formed intop web 14. Thetoroid 13 is advantageously sufficiently inflated to draw webs l4 and 18 and straps 20 very taut, thewall sections 22 of inflated toroid l3 delineated by the edges ofwebs 14 and 18 andstraps 20 being outwardly distended into bulbous sections.

The stabilizingsection 12 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced wedge shaped chocks onfoot pieces 23 which are of hollow approximately prism shape, open at their bottoms and formed of any suitable material such as synthetic organic thermoplastic resins, for example the polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride or the like. Eachchock 23 includes an upwardly inwardly inclinedouter wall 24, an upwardly outwardly inclined, upwardly concave arcuateinner wall 26 mating the outer bottom face ofinflated toroid 13,walls 24 and 26 converging to a rounded apex, and upwardly convergingtriangular side wall 27. Each of thechock walls 26 includes an inwardly projectingflat tongue 29 coplanar with the bottom ofchock 23 and terminating in a pair of integrally formed laterally spaced outwardly directedhook defining legs 30 disposed below thetongue 29.

Disposed on the underface ofbottom web 18 shortly inwardly of thetoroid bottom periphery 19 and in alignment with the ends ofbands 20 areshort bands 32 parallel to the border ofbottom web 18 and secured at their ends toweb 18 to delineate respective narrow passageways slightly greater than the widths oftongues 23.

In the erected operative position of the trampoline it} achock 23 registers with the ends of eachstrap 20, thechock surface 26 matingly engaging the outer under face ofinflated toroid 13 throughrespective straps 20 and resting in the valleys betweensuccessive protuberances 22. Thechock tongues 29 project through the passageways abovebands 32, thehooks 30 engaging the inner borders ofbands 32 thereby preventing the separation and outward movement of the chocks. Thechocks 23 shift the overturning axes of the trampoline 10 outwardly from thetoroid bottom periphery 19 to the bottom edges ofchock walls 24 thereby radically improving the stability of the trampoline 10.

In disassembling and collapsing the trampoline 10 the chocks are separated from the trampoline by pushing the individual chocks inwardly to effect disengagement ofbands 32, byhooks 30, spreading the space betweenband 32 andbottom web 18 and withdrawing thetongues 29 and hooks 30 therethrough. Thechocks 23 may be stacked in a compact nested condition, as shown in FIG. 5, by reason of the open bottom and converging walls thereof. The webs and deflated inner tube may be likewise collapsed to a compact condition. The stabilized trampoline 10 may be erected by a procedure opposite to that effecting its collapse as described above.

The trampoline illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the trampoline 10 described above only in the arrangement for separably connecting the chocks to the body member, the trampoline being otherwise the same. Specifically the modified trampoline includes abottom web 33 corresponding tobottom web 18 and associatedinflated toroid 13a, top web and interconnecting straps. Located on the underface ofweb 33 proximate its borders are a plurality of circumferentially spacedbands 34 corresponding tobands 32,bands 34 being sewn at their ends toweb 33. Medially formed in eachband 34 is an opening which is engaged by agrommet 36 which may be the socket member of a snap type separable fastener.

The associated chocks 37 are similar in shape and construction to chocks 23, and include inwardly directedtongue sections 38. Each tail section is provided proximate its free end with an integrally formed depending plug or peg 39 which separably engages the correspondinggrommet 36, the inner end oftongue 38 slideably registering with the passageway betweenbottom web 33 andrespective band 34 and the curved inner face of chock 37 engaging the bottom outer face of the trampoline inflatedtoroid 13a. The assembly, erection, dissassembly and use of the trampoline last described is similar to that of trampoline 10.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawing there is illustrated another form of trampoline 40 embodying the present invention differing from trampoline 10 in the shape of the chocks and their coupling to the trampoline body. The trampoline 40 includes aninflated toroid 41, abottom web 42, and a top web and interconnecting straps (not shown) in the manner of trampoline 10, thecoupling bands 32 of trampoline 10 being omitted. It should be noted that there are radial passageways between the confronting faces oftoroid 41 andbottom web 42 having outwardly facingopenings 43 separated by successive web connecting straps.

The stabilizing section of trampoline 40 comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced separable stabilizingmembers 44. Each stabilizingmember 44 includes aflat base plate 46 provided with an inwardly projectingtongue section 47 integrally formed with the outer section of eachbase plate 46 is an open bottom chock defining section including upwardly converging curved concaveinner wall 48,outer wall 49 andside walls 50 corresponding in shape towalls 26, 24 and 27 ofchocks 23, thereby permitting the stacking of detached stabilizingmembers 44.

In the assembled condition of the trampoline 40, the stabilizingmembers 44 are circumferentially positioned about theinflated toroid 41, thetongue sections 47 thereof projecting between and embraced by the confronting faces ofinflated toroid 41 andbottom web 42 between successive web connecting straps, and thechock walls 48 directly engaging the outer underface of theinflated toroid 41. The erection, assembly and use of trampoline 40 is clear from the above.

Referring now to FIGS. to 12 of the drawings which illustrate another embodiment of the present invention differing from those earlier described in the construction and arrangement of the stabilizing members. The body member of the trampoline 51, includes aninflated toroid 52, a bottom web 53underlying toroid 52, a topweb overlying toroid 52 and connected to bottom web 53 by a plurality of straps corresponding tostraps 20, access between bottom web 53 andtoroid 52 being provided between successive web connecting straps.

The stabilizing section includes a plurality of angularly related bars orslats 54 which extend diametrically across the bottom of theinflated toroid 52 and overlie bottom web 53. Theslats 54 intersect preferably at the bottom center oftoroid 52 and project beyond the toroid outer periphery. The opposite sections ofslats 54 inwardly of the ends thereof are sandwiched between the confronting faces of bottom web 53 andtoroid 52 and project through the passageways delineated thereby. In order to facilitate the compact storage of the stabilizingslats 54, eachslat 54 may include at least twoseparable end sections 56 and 57 provided with mating separable coupling sections. For example slat section 57 is provided with alongitudinal end tongue 58 of reduced transverse cross section andslat section 56 is provided with a mating end socket which is engaged by arespective end tongue 58.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 13 other forms of stabilizing slats of a collapsible nature may be provided. For example, each stabilizingslat 58, which functions in the manner ofslats 54 comprises a plurality of tubular longitudinal end to endsections 59 which are detachably rigidly interconnected by plug elements 60 separably telescopically engaging confronting ends ofadjacent sections 59.

In FIG. 14 of the drawings there is illustrated another form of stabilizing system which may be advantageously employed with the improvedpneumatic trampoline 63.Trampoline 63 has a body member similar to that described above including an inflatedtoroid 64 and abottom web 65, as well as a top web and interconnecting straps.

The trampoline stabilizing system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced side byside foot pieces 66 formed of heavy wire, bar or the like. Each foot piece includes a cross member which may be linear on arcuately concentric withtoroid 64 and which terminates at opposite ends in inwardly radially convergingside legs 68. Side legs 68' ofadjacent foot pieces 66 are parallel and juxtapositioned and separably medially radially project through the passageways delineated, and being embraced by the confronting faces of bottom web 6:3 andtoroid 64. In the assembled condition of thefoot pieces 66 and the trampoline body member, the footpiece cross members 67 are located radially outwardly of the outer periphery of inflated toroid 6 and are in substantially end to end relationship. In the assembly and disasembly of the stabilized trampoline last described thefoot piece legs 68 are respectively slideably inserted or retracted from betweentoroid 64 andbottom web 65.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 to 20 of the drawings which illustrate embodiments of the present invention which differ from the trampolines first described primarily in the chock attaching arrangements these embodiments differing from each other in the specific shapes of the chocks. The body of the trampoline in each case includes aninflated toroid 70, a top web 71 overlying the top oftoroid 70, abottom web 72 underlying thetoroid 70,webs 71 and 72 being interconnected by cross straps as in the earlier described trampolines.

A plurality of circumferentially spacedflexible loop members 73 are secured to the border ofbottom web 72 and project radially therefrom. Eachloop member 73 is formed of a flexible, preferably woven,band 74 having overlapping ends stitched or otherwise connected tobottom web 72.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 each of theloops 73 releasably engages a hollow openbottom chock 76. Eachchock 76 includes an upwardly concave arcuateinner wall 77 and an upwardly inwardly inclinedouter wall 78,walls 77 and 78 converg ing upwardly to arounded apex 79, and upwardly slightly convergingside walls 80. Alongitudinal channel 81 of about the width ofband 74 is formed in inner andouter walls 77 and 78 and is bordered byparallel ridges 82. The bottom borders ofwalls 77 and 78 are inwardly curved as at 83. In the assembled and erected condition of the trampoline last described achock 76 registers with eachloop 73 which engages therespective groove 81, and theloops 73 are of such size and thechocks 76 of such size and configuration that the outer underface of inflated toroid 7t} rests onchocks 76 and is engaged bychock walls 77 thereby greatly increasing the stability of the trampoline. In the disassembled con dition of the trampoline thechocks 76 may be stacked in nested condition.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 differs from that last described only in that rectangularwooden blocks 83 are substituted for thechocks 76. Theblocks 83, which may be short pieces of a conventional 2X 4 are separably medially engaged byrespective loops 73 with theblocks 83 resting on their narrow sides. Theloops 73 and blocks 83 are so dimensioned and related that in the trampoiine erected condition the upper inner edges ofblocks 83 engage or are closely proximate the upper portion of the bottom outer face of inflated toroid whenloops 73 are fully extended.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, in place of thechocks 76 or blocks 83 there are employed as foot pieces cylindrical members which are the conventional sheet metal cans in which beverages are marketed and dispensed or any other similar cylindrical can. Thecans 84 are medially separably engaged byrespective loops 73 which are of such size and disposition as to retain thecans 84 against the outer bottom face of theinflated toroid 70 when the letter is in use thereby outwardly extending the trampoline overturning axis and increasing its stability.

Theimproved trampoline 86 shown in FIG. 21 of the drawing, like in the earlier embodiments, comprises aninflated toroid 87 provided with top and bottom webs interconnected by straps corresponding towebs 14 and 18 and straps of the trampoline 10. In order to maintain thetrampoline 86 in a stable condition and inhibit the overturning thereof there is provided a torus shaped stabilizingmember 88 which peripherally releasably engages the outer bottom face ofinflated toroid 87 along a circumference between the outer and bottom peripheries oftoroid 87 and in this condition the bottom peripheries oftoroids 87 and 88 are advantageously coplanar. The stabilizingmember 88 may be a hollow ring of a synthetic organic plastic or the like or may advantageously be an inflated elastomeric tube, such as, for example, an inflatable bicycle tire inner tube of suitable size.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pneumatic trampoline comprising an inflated elastomeric tubular member of substantially toroidal shape and a flexible first web overlying the top of said inflated member and means extending from said first web about said inflated tubular member securing said web to said inflated member, separable stabilizing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly projecting foot pieces with their underfaces at substantially the level of the trampoline underface, each of said foot pieces including an inwardly downwardly inclined upper inner face engaging the outer underface of said trampoline, and means separably interconnecting said stabilizing means and said trampoline including means for separably securing the inner ends of said foot pieces to said web securing means.

2. The trampoline ofclaim 1, said web securing means including a second flexible web underlying said inflated member and flexible bands secured to said first and second webs and extending between said webs about the outer periphery of said inflated member.

3. The trampoline ofclaim 2 wherein said foot piece securing means comprises circumferentially spaced securing members disposed on the underface of said second web proximate the periphery thereof and defining radial passages therewith, the inner ends of said foot pieces traversing said passages, and hooks formed at the inner ends of said foot pieces releasably engaging the inner edges of securing members.

4. The trampoline ofclaim 2 wherein each of said foot pieces is hollow and open bottomed and includes upwardly converging walls to permit the nested stacking of said foot pieces.

5. The trampoline ofclaim 2 wherein said means for separably securing the inner ends of said foot pieces to said web securing means separably secures said foot piece inner ends to said second web.

6. The trampoline ofclaim 2 wherein said foot piece securing means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced first separable fastener elements positioned along the peripheral border of said second web and second fastener elements located proximate the inner ends of said foot pieces and releasably engaging said first fastener elements.

7. The trampoline of claim 6, wherein said fastener elements comprising mating plugs and sockets.

8. The trampoline ofclaim 2 wherein said separable securing means comprises an elongated tongue projecting inwardly from the base of each said foot pieces between said second web and said inflated member.

9. The trampoline ofclaim 1 wherein each of said foot piece inclined upper inner faces is of concave curvature and mates the underface of said inflated member.

Claims (9)

1. In a pneumatic trampoline comprising an inflated elastomeric tubular member of substantially toroidal shape and a flexible first web overlying the top of said inflated member and means extending from said first web about said inflated tubular member securing said web to said inflated member, separable stabilizing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly projecting foot pieces with their underfaces at substantially the level of the trampoline underface, each of said foot pieces including an inwardly downwardly inclined upper inner face engaging the outer underface of said trampoline, and means separably interconnecting said stabilizing means and said trampoline including means for separably securing the inner ends of said foot pieces to said web securing means.

2. The trampoline of claim 1, said web securing means including a second flexible web underlying said inflated member and flexible bands secured to said first and second webs and extending between said webs about the outer periphery of said inflated membeR.

3. The trampoline of claim 2 wherein said foot piece securing means comprises circumferentially spaced securing members disposed on the underface of said second web proximate the periphery thereof and defining radial passages therewith, the inner ends of said foot pieces traversing said passages, and hooks formed at the inner ends of said foot pieces releasably engaging the inner edges of securing members.

4. The trampoline of claim 2 wherein each of said foot pieces is hollow and open bottomed and includes upwardly converging walls to permit the nested stacking of said foot pieces.

5. The trampoline of claim 2 wherein said means for separably securing the inner ends of said foot pieces to said web securing means separably secures said foot piece inner ends to said second web.

6. The trampoline of claim 2 wherein said foot piece securing means comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced first separable fastener elements positioned along the peripheral border of said second web and second fastener elements located proximate the inner ends of said foot pieces and releasably engaging said first fastener elements.

7. The trampoline of claim 6, wherein said fastener elements comprising mating plugs and sockets.

8. The trampoline of claim 2 wherein said separable securing means comprises an elongated tongue projecting inwardly from the base of each said foot pieces between said second web and said inflated member.

9. The trampoline of claim 1 wherein each of said foot piece inclined upper inner faces is of concave curvature and mates the underface of said inflated member.

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