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Trampoline having cushion mechanism

Trampoline having cushion mechanism description/claims

The present invention generally relates to trampolines, and more particularly to a trampoline having cushion mechanism for enhancing its operation life.

Trampoline is a common exercise device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional trampoline contains a flexible jumping bed 20 enclosed by a circular frame 10 and the jumping bed 20 is stretched around its rim by a number of springs 25 to the frame 10.

A number of curved segments 11 and 13 are cascaded end-to-end alternately into the circular frame 10 by joining the ends 110 and 130 of neighboring segments 11 and 13 together. The trampoline further contains a number of legs 15, each formed by two vertical beams 16 and a bottom beam 17 into a U-like shape. Near the two ends of each segment 11, two downward sleeves 12 are provided so as to receive two vertical beams 16 from two legs 15, respectively, by joining their ends 120 and 160 together. As such, the frame 10, and therefore the jumping bed 20, is supported by the legs 15 above the ground for an appropriate height.

Conventionally, the design of the trampoline assumes that a user of an average weight jumps up and down in the center of the jumping bed 20. Then, based on the force exerted on the jumping bed 20, an appropriate number of springs 25 and the strength of each spring 25 are determined. As shown in FIG. 3, during the exercise, each spring 25 undergoes a diagonal force c1 with a horizontal component b1 and a vertical component a1. The horizontal component b1 is absorbed by the spring 25 while the vertical downward component a1 is completely borne by the frame 10 and the legs 15. The included angle between c1 and b1 represents the amount of distortion to the spring 25.

As the springs 25 undergo constant distortion after a period of usage, the flexibility of the springs 25 begins to decay. Since the user sometimes would land on the jumping bed 20 near the rim, this will deteriorate the springs 25 even faster. With less absorption by the springs 25, the greater vertical downward components a1, on one hand, further distort the springs 25 and, on the other hand, render stronger impact to the frame 10 and the legs 15. All these will contribute to the shortened operational life of the trampoline as the spring 25 or the frame 10 or the legs 15 are worn or broken down.

Accordingly, a novel trampoline is provided herein which is characterized by its extended operational life span.

In order to achieve the extended operation life, the trampoline adopts a cushion mechanism at the connections between the frame and the legs to absorb the vertically downward force of the user jumping on the trampoline. As such, the springs will suffer less distortion and therefore will not decay or wear down easily and shortly. In addition, the cushion mechanism lessens the direct impact exerted on the frame and the legs to prevent their broken down from overloading. Besides the extended operation life, the trampoline further enjoys the advantage of requiring a less number of springs and less rigid springs, which is readily translated into a smaller production cost.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a conventional trampoline.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a connection between the frame and the legs of the trampoline of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how a force is exerted on a spring of the trampoline of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the joining of the frame and the legs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram showing a trampoline according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a cushion mechanism adopted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cushion mechanism adopted in another embodiment of the present invention.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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