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Method and system for adjusting the height of a trampolineRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Projector, TrampolineMethod and system for adjusting the height of a trampoline description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070021272, Method and system for adjusting the height of a trampoline. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/696,614, filed Jul. 5, 2005, having a title of "Method and System for Adjusting the Height of a Trampoline," which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to trampolines, and more particularly to a method and system for adjusting the height of a trampoline relative to the ground or other surface supporting the trampoline, wherein the trampoline may be made safer and more accommodating to younger children, and wherein the trampoline height can be adjusted to optimally accommodate jumpers of all sizes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART [0003] Since their advent, trampolines have steadily increased in popularity. Currently, there are about 500,000 trampolines sold each year, with most of these being intended for residential use. Notably, the increased use of trampolines has spanned both residential and competition settings, such that the trampoline is now a well recognized piece of sporting or exercise equipment, in addition to the more familiar play device found in numerous households. Indeed, trampoline use is more than a recreational pastime, it is a great form of aerobic exercise for athletic training and a great way to showcase practiced skill and talent in a competitive manner. [0004] Despite the enjoyment and satisfaction that can be realized from jumping on a trampoline, there are many risks involved. What is seemingly a source of fun and way to foster competitive sport, a trampoline can quickly become a cause of serious injury and even death if not used properly. The increased popularity of trampolines has unfortunately resulted in a dramatic increase in serious injuries, including broken necks, spinal cord injuries, damage to internal organs, and disabling head traumas, many of which result in permanent paralysis or even death. In addition, trampolines are responsible for many less serious injuries such as broken bones, including legs, arms, and other parts of the body, as well as different types of dislocations and muscle damage. To make matters worse, the majority of these injuries occur among children under the age of 14 who do not recognize the inherent risks associated with jumping on a trampoline. While two-thirds of trampoline related injuries occur on the jumping mat, a large number of injuries are sustained while mounting and dismounting the trampoline. This is especially true for younger children who are smaller, and thus have a more difficult time getting on and off the trampoline because of its height with respect to the ground or other support surface. [0005] The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that roughly 80,000-100,000 people are treated each year for injuries sustained while jumping on a trampoline or otherwise using or attempting to use a trampoline. Accordingly, the CPSC has recognized the need and has called for the development of safety advancements to help reduce the number of trampoline injuries. [0006] A typical trampoline, namely the frame and the jumping mat supported by the frame, comprises a jumping height between 32 and 34 inches as measured from its support surface, such as the ground, depending upon the particular make of the trampoline. This particular Jumping height has been calculated to provide a safe jumping experience, while still achieving good trampoline performance. This particular jumping height has also been determined as the most optimum height for accommodating the greatest number of people, including children and adults, based on both age and weight, as well as the stiffness of the springs coupling the jumping mat to the frame. Indeed, most people can utilize a trampoline of this height with the jumper and the jumping mat displacing a sufficient distance without contacting the ground. [0007] Despite the seeming advantages of providing a trampoline with a standard height, there are many instances where such a standard height is excessive. One particular instance is when the trampoline is purchased for use by children. Statistics show that the most common practice for consumers of trampolines is to purchase a trampoline not for themselves, but for their children. Occasionally adults will utilize the trampoline, but the majority of time it will be used by their children and their friends. As such, a trampoline having a standard height between 32 and 34 inches, or rather a height to accommodate the majority of the population, including adult jumpers, is unnecessary. More importantly, such an unnecessary height can lead to injuries that may otherwise be prevented or mitigated. As indicated above, among the many accidents that occur each year from trampoline use is children attempting to mount or dismount the trampoline. This is an especially daunting task for children trying to mount or dismount a trampoline having a standard height as the frame and jumping mat can be far over their heads or beyond their stepping or even leaping capabilities. As such, they resort to placing various objects in close proximity to the trampoline, the most common object being a chair, which they scale or otherwise climb onto to assist them in mounting or dismounting of the trampoline. Such practices lead to injuries as the child must dismount an object being used in a way other than as intended. For example, a chair may fall out from under the child as the child leans away from the chair to mount the trampoline. Furthermore, injury may result from children falling off of the trampoline, or even from their being catapulted from the trampoline. A trampoline with a standard height can provide an unnecessary and potentially dangerous fall for a child. [0008] Another disadvantage to prior related trampolines is that they must be placed on a level surface in order to obtain a level jumping surface, as there is no mechanism or means available to modify the level of the jumping surface of the trampoline. As such, uneven support surfaces, such as an uneven ground surface, will result in the trampoline being on an undesirable incline, which may make jumping difficult and even dangerous. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In light of the problems and deficiencies inherent in the prior art, the present invention seeks to overcome these by providing a height adjustment device configured to selectively adjust the height of a trampoline. In one embodiment, the height adjustment device may be an intermediate height adjustment device configured to replace a portion of an existing leg assembly and to interface and join with an existing frame of a trampoline. In another embodiment, the height adjustment device may replace the leg assembly altogether. [0010] In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, and in one exemplary embodiment, the present invention features an intermediate height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, the intermediate height adjustment device comprising: (a) a first support configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a trampoline that supports the jumping mat; (b) a second support operable with the first support and configured to interface and join with a portion of a leg of the trampoline in contact with the support surface and that supports the frame; and (c) an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of the first support relative to the second support, and thus the height of at least a portion of the jumping mat of the trampoline. [0011] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention features a height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, the height adjustment device comprising: (a) a first support configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a trampoline that supports the jumping mat; (b) a u-shaped leg operable with the first support to adjustably support the frame of the trampoline about the support surface, the u-shaped leg comprising first and second vertical extensions and a horizontal ground support portion extending therebetween; and (c) an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of the first support relative to the u-shaped leg, and thus the height of at least a portion of the jumping mat of the trampoline. [0012] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention features a height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, the intermediate height adjustment device comprising: (a) means for interfacing and joining with a portion of a frame of a trampoline configured to support the jumping mat; (b) means for interfacing and joining with a portion of a leg of a trampoline configured to support the frame above the support surface; and (c) means for adjusting the means for interfacing and joining with respect to one another to adjust a height of at least a portion of the frame and the jumping mat with respect to the support surface. [0013] In still another exemplary embodiment, the present invention features a system for adjusting the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, the system comprising: (a) at least one interchangeable support, wherein each support has a fixed, pre-determined length corresponding to a desired height, and wherein each support is configured to replace a portion of an existing leg of the trampoline and to interface and join with at least a portion of a frame and a remaining portion of the existing leg of the trampoline to achieve the desired height. Typically, two or more supports for each leg of the trampoline will be provided, which may be selectively interchanged with one another to achieve a variety of heights, and/or a variety of inclines or different heights between leg assemblies, such as for leveling purposes. [0014] In still another exemplary embodiment, the present invention features a trampoline system configured to provide a jumping mat with a plurality of jumping heights comprising: (a) a trampoline comprising: (i) a jumping mat; (ii) a frame configured to support the jumping mat, the frame comprising a closed loop, horizontal frame assembly and a plurality of sleeves extending downward from the closed loop, horizontal frame assembly; (iii) a plurality of biasing means configured to couple the jumping mat to the frame in a biased manner; (iv) at least one u-shaped leg configured to support the frame and the jumping mat about the support surface, the u-shaped leg comprising first and second vertical supports and a horizontal ground support extending therebetween, the first and second vertical supports each being configured to releasably join to one of the plurality of sleeves; and (b) a height adjustment device configured to interface and join with a portion of the frame and a portion of the u-shaped leg to adjust a height of at least a portion of the jumping mat with respect to the support surface. [0015] In still another exemplary embodiment, the present invention features a method for adjusting a height of a jumping mat of a trampoline, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a trampoline having a frame supporting a jumping mat and a plurality of legs supporting the frame about a support surface; (b) replacing at least a portion of at least one of the legs with a height adjustment device configured to interface and join with a portion of the frame and a portion of the leg to adjust the height of at least a portion of the jumping mat and the trampoline with respect to the support surface; and (c) adjusting the height adjustment device to adjust the height of at least a portion of the jumping mat and the trampoline to one of a plurality of heights. [0016] In still another exemplary embodiment, the present invention still further features a method for adjusting a height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, the method comprising: (a) providing a height adjustment device configured for use with an existing trampoline; (b) facilitating the replacement of at least a portion of a leg of a trampoline with the height adjustment device; and (c) facilitating the selective adjustment of the height adjustment device to adjust the height of the jumping mat to one of a plurality of heights. [0017] The above height adjustment devices, systems, and methods feature the ability to adjust one leg assembly (e.g., an existing leg joined with another height adjustment device, or the complete replacement of a leg with a height adjustment device) to one height and a different leg assembly to another height to achieve different heights for one or more purposes. For example, providing the ability to adjust different legs or leg assemblies of the trampoline to different heights, a leveling function may be introduced to the trampoline in the event of an uneven support surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present invention they are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. It will be readily appreciated that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Nonetheless, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary trampoline comprising a plurality of height adjustment devices operable therewith to enable selective height adjustment of the frame and the jumping mat supported by the frame, wherein the height adjustment devices are adjusted to provide a relatively low adjustment position and a corresponding jumping height, and wherein the height adjustment devices are configured according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Method and system for adjusting the height of a trampoline... 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