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US 6,599,221 B1Granted
Foldable trampoline
AssigneeTracy Goldwitz
InventorBrian L. Goldwitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable trampoline including a resilient web, a web frame assembly and a plurality of springs includes peripheral frame members pivotally connected to each other such that the web can be positioned between a first position oriented in an approximately horizontal configuration forming a trampoline, and a second position where a portion of the web is oriented at an angle of less than 180° relative the other portion of the web to thereby form a backstop for ball games. Frame assembly members dampen the movement of the frame members relative to each other to thereby control the rate at which the trampoline is folded.
Claims25
A foldable trampoline, comprising:
- a resilient web;
- a web frame assembly including a first peripheral frame and a second peripheral frame connected to the first peripheral frame;
- a plurality of springs connecting the resilient web to the first and second peripheral frames;
- and
- wherein at least one of the peripheral frames is pivotable relative to the other of the first and second peripheral frames to thereby pivot the resilient web and the web frame assembly between (i) a first position wherein the first and second peripheral frames and resilient web connected thereto are oriented in an approximately horizontal configuration forming a trampoline, (ii) a second position wherein at least one of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto are rigidly oriented at an angle of less than 180° relative the other of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto to thereby form a back stop for ball games, and (iii) a third position wherein the web frame assembly is compacted for transport and storage.
2 more elements
An athletic apparatus for providing a trampoline and a back stop, the athletic apparatus comprising:
- a resilient web for tumbling by a person and returning balls projected thereon;
- a first frame portion for partially surrounding a first portion of the resilient web;
- a second frame portion for partially surrounding a second portion of the resilient web;
- a plurality of springs flexibly connecting the resilient web to the first and second frame portions;
- a pair of pivot joints for connecting the first frame portion to the second frame portion, wherein the pivot joints allow adjustment of the first frame portion with respect to the second frame portion in a plurality of positions including an adjacent substantially parallel position for use as a trampoline and a substantially perpendicular position for use of the first portion as a back stop;
- a locking mechanism for rigidly fixing the first frame portion with respect to the second frame portion in the adjacent substantially parallel position and the substantially perpendicular position;
- and
- a plurality of depending members attached to the first frame portion and the second frame portion for supporting the first frame portion and the second frame portion on a support surface.
5 more elements
An athletic apparatus for providing a trampoline and a back stop, the athletic apparatus comprising:
- first means for tumbling by a person and returning balls projected thereon;
- second means for partially surrounding a first portion of the first means and supporting the first means;
- third means for partially surrounding a second portion of the first means and supporting the first means;
- fourth means for flexibly connecting the first means to the second and third means;
- fifth means for connecting the second means to the third means and for allowing adjustment of the second means with respect to the third means in a plurality of positions including an adjacent approximately parallel position for use as a trampoline and an approximately perpendicular position for use of the second means and the first portion of the first means as a back stop;
- sixth means for rigidly fixing the second means with respect to the third means in the adjacent approximately parallel position and the approximately perpendicular position;
- and
- seventh means for supporting the second and third means on a support surface.
5 more elements
A foldable trampoline, comprising:
- a resilient web;
- a web frame assembly including a first peripheral frame and a second peripheral frame connected to the first peripheral frame;
- a plurality of springs connecting the resilient web to the first and second peripheral frames wherein at least one of the peripheral frames is pivotable relative to the other of the first and second peripheral frames to thereby pivot the resilient web and the web frame assembly between (i) a first position wherein the first and second peripheral frames and resilient web connected thereto are oriented in an approximately horizontal configuration forming a trampoline, (ii) a second position wherein at least one of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto are rigidly oriented at an angle of less than 180° relative the other of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto to thereby form a back stop for ball games, and (iii) a third position wherein the web frame assembly is compacted for transport and storage;
- and
- at least one locking device connected to at least one of the first and second peripheral frames for locking the respective frame and the associated portion of the resilient web in the first and second positions wherein the at least one locking device has a lateral frame detachably connected on one end to the first peripheral frame and detachably connected on another end to the second peripheral frame.
2 more elements
A foldable trampoline, comprising:
- a resilient web;
- a web frame assembly including a first peripheral frame and a second peripheral frame connected to the first peripheral frame;
- a plurality of springs connecting the resilient web to the first and second peripheral frames wherein at least one of the peripheral frames is pivotable relative to the other of the first and second peripheral frames to thereby pivot the resilient web and the web frame assembly between (i) a first position wherein the first and second peripheral frames and resilient web connected thereto are oriented in an approximately horizontal configuration forming a trampoline, (ii) a second position wherein at least one of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto are rigidly oriented at an angle of less than 180° relative the other of the first and second peripheral frames and associated portion of the resilient web connected thereto to thereby form a back stop for ball games, and (iii) a third position wherein the web frame assembly is compacted for transport and storage;
- and
- at least one locking device connected to at least one of the first and second peripheral frames for locking the respective frame and the associated portion of the resilient web in the first and second positions wherein the at least one locking device has a pivot joint pivotally connected at one end to the first peripheral frame and pivotally connected on another end to the second peripheral frame.
2 more elements
A foldable trampoline, comprising:
- a resilient web;
- a web frame assembly including a first peripheral frame and a second peripheral frame connected to the first peripheral frame;
- a plurality of springs connecting the resilient web to the first and second peripheral frames;
- a pivot joint, connecting the first peripheral frame with the second peripheral frame, for adjusting the first peripheral frame with respect to the second peripheral frame, wherein the first peripheral frame is pivotable relative to the second peripheral frame to thereby pivot the resilient web and the web frame assembly between (i) a first position wherein the first and second peripheral frames and resilient web connected thereto are oriented in an approximately horizontal configuration forming a trampoline and (ii) a second position wherein the web frame assembly is compacted for transport and storage;
- and
- a motion dampening device connected to the web frame assembly for safely moving the web frame assembly from the first position to the second position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.