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System for improving the stability of a trampolineRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Projector, TrampolineSystem for improving the stability of a trampoline description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060116243, System for improving the stability of a trampoline. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of prior United States non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/269,915, filed Nov. 7, 2005, which claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional Application No. 60/626,008, filed Nov. 8, 2004. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to trampolines, and more particularly, to an improved frame for supporting the bouncing surface of a trampoline. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Generally, trampolines are circular, rectangular, or square in shape. Trampolines are typically constructed with a frame having a top rail that encompasses a mat. The mat is typically attached to the top rail of the frame using a number of extension springs. The frame, springs, and mat are elevated off the ground by attaching legs to the top rail. The legs are typically a straight piece of pipe with a foot end cap to make contact with the ground. A tube or pipe is typically welded to the top rail at each location to receive a leg. The legs are attached to the frame by inserting into the welded tube or pipe. This allows for flexing and movement of the trampoline when jumping on the trampoline. These forces exerted by using the trampoline are concentrated on the weld joints holding the pipes that are holding the legs, effectively creating single points of strain. In some cases, the forces created by the flexing and movement of the trampoline causes one or more of these weld joints to break apart, separating the leg from the trampoline. Such failure of the trampoline frame may result in injuries or cause a product recall of the trampoline. [0004] The present invention avoids design defects caused by single points of strain by distributing the transfer of trampoline forces to the legs through multiple points in a linear fashion. The present invention reduces the opportunity for frame failure while maintaining the desired flexing, movement, and stability of the trampoline. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] This invention relates generally to trampolines, and more particularly, to an improved frame for supporting the bouncing surface of a trampoline. [0006] Provided is a trampoline system comprising a plurality of sidebar assemblies, each said sidebar assembly having a top rail having a first end and a second end, each sidebar assembly further having a leg stub having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of leg members, with each leg member having a first end and a second end. Each first end of the leg members attach to a first end of a first leg stub and each second end of the leg members attach to a second end of a second leg stub. Each first end of the top rails connects to a second end of a second top rail. [0007] Also provided is a trampoline frame comprising a plurality of sidebar assemblies, each sidebar assembly comprising a top rail having a first end and a second end, and a leg stub having a first end and a second end. A portion of the leg stub is parallel to the axial direction of the top rail. The leg stub is affixed to the top rail at least partially along said portion that is parallel to the leg stub. [0008] Further provided is a trampoline frame comprising a plurality of sidebar assemblies, a plurality of leg members, and a plurality of corner members. The sidebar assemblies each comprise a top rail having a first end and a second end and a leg stub having a first end and a second end. A portion of the leg stub is affixed to the top rail at least partially along a portion of the leg stub that is parallel to the axial direction of the top rail. The leg members each have a first end and a second end. Each first end of the leg members attach to a first end of a first leg stub and each second end of the leg members attach to a second end of a second leg stub. The corner members each have a first end and a second end. Each first end of the top rails attaches to a first end of a first corner member, and each second end of the top rails attach to a second end of a second corner member. [0009] The sidebar assembly has a top rail and a leg stub welded together adjacent to each other, with an object of providing double strength. The leg stub is bent at both ends to an approximate ninety-degree turndown. This allows the leg members of the trampoline to be inserted into the bent end portion of the leg stubs, instead of to a single-point welded stub. The leg member then connects across the corner of the trampoline to the next sidebar assembly, and continues in such manner until all four sides are connected together. After all four leg members are inserted, four swaged corner members are inserted into the top rails of the sidebar assemblies, completing the perimeter of the frame. The trampoline frame of the present invention provides a continuous connection from one sidebar assembly to the next sidebar assembly through the leg members and corner members, resulting in improved stability of the trampoline. [0010] Also provided is a method of constructing a trampoline system having a plurality of sidebar assemblies, a plurality of leg members, and a plurality of corner members, the method comprising the steps of: connecting each leg member to a first sidebar assembly and a second sidebar assembly, thereby connecting each pair of adjacent sidebar assemblies and connecting the last sidebar assembly to the first sidebar assembly; connecting each corner member to a first sidebar assembly and a second sidebar assembly, thereby securing each pair of adjacent sidebar assemblies and securing the last sidebar assembly to the first sidebar assembly; and attaching each of a plurality of springs to the sidebar assemblies and to a mat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the trampoline frame of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trampoline frame with mat and padding installed of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view of the sidebar of the trampoline frame of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the leg of the trampoline frame of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the corner member of the trampoline frame of the present invention. REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS [0016] The following elements are numbered as described in the drawings and detailed description of the invention: TABLE-US-00001 1 sidebar 2 top rail 3 leg stub 4 weld points 5 leg member 6 corner member 7 mat 8 mat springs 9 pad 16 swaged end 26 setback hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the trampoline frame of the present invention. As illustrated for an approximately rectangular-shaped trampoline, there are four sidebar assemblies 1, one for each side of the trampoline. Sidebar assembly 1 is generally horizontal. Sidebar assembly 1, which is further detailed in FIG. 3, has a top rail 2 and leg stub 3. Top rail 2 and leg stub 3 comprise one or more of pipes, tubes, channels, conduit or other similar frame materials. Continue reading about System for improving the stability of a trampoline... Full patent description for System for improving the stability of a trampoline Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System for improving the stability of a trampoline patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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