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Trampoline with adjustable spring tensionRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Gymnastic, Projector, TrampolineTrampoline with adjustable spring tension description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060116242, Trampoline with adjustable spring tension. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to the U.S. provisional application for a "Trampoline with adjustable spring tension" filed on Nov. 19, 2004, having serial number 60/629,652, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to improvements in trampoline, and in particular, the present invention concerns jumping surfaces used with trampolines to protect trampoline users from injury, and to provide new uses for trampolines. [0003] In the past, trampolines have been used for a variety of athletic and recreational purposes. However, thousands of injuries have resulted when persons jumping on a trampoline have landed on the rebounding surface while in an awkward or incorrect body position. These "on-bed" injuries, according to some medical studies, represent the majority of trapoline-related emergency room visits. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that in 1999 approximately 110,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for trampoline related injuries. Even though this number is half that of play structure/swing set injuries, some in the medical community have called for a ban on the sale of backyard trampolines. The CPSC and the AAOS have taken a more responsible and measured approach to problem. Recognizing that other outdoor activities that are more injurious, like bicycling, would fill the void left by backyard trampoline play, these organizations have instead called for safety improvements to help reduce the large number of trampoline injuries. [0004] One approach to reducing trampoline injuries has been to form a wall around the perimeter of a trampoline bed so that when a jumper lands too near the edge, the wall prevents the jumper from falling off. Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,132 and 6,053,845. However, these devices do not directly address injuries that result when users impact the rebounding surface incorrectly or while in an awkward position. A second approach, the use of a harness (worn by the jumper) suspended by elastic cords above the rebounding surface, is an effective way to reduce on-bed, or rebound surface impact injuries. However, such harnesses are designed for safely teaching users advanced acrobatics on high-performance competition trampolines by trained professionals, making them largely inappropriate for low-performance backyard trampolines that are used almost entirely for basic jumping activities and not for advanced acrobatics. [0005] All things being equal, a bed with less tension is more forgiving when a jumper first contacts its surface, it absorbs the impact more slowly and will thus reduce the severity and quantity of on-bed injuries. Nevertheless, injuries suffered during an impact with the rebounding surface are still occurring in large numbers on backyard trampoline beds even though these beds are designed to be less responsive and to have less initial surface tension than gymnastic grade, competition trampoline beds. Reducing bed-impact injuries, especially those that occur on backyard trampolines, was the purpose of the present invention, though the art can be used with all trampolines. [0006] Low performance backyard trampolines are used very differently than high performance trampolines used by skilled competitors for training and competition. For instance, many on-bed backyard trampoline injuries occur when multiple jumpers are using the trampoline at the same time as reported in the NEISS data compiled by the CPSC. Because children enjoy playing together most families allow more than one child to jump at the same time even though this practice is strongly discouraged by trampoline manufacturers, the CPSC, and others experts. Competition trampolines are used almost exclusively in disciplined environments for the structured teaching of specific skills. In contrast, backyard trampolines are largely used for fun, unstructured, imaginative play activities that are relished by kids and recommended by child development experts who understand that daily physical activity significantly enhances learning ability and that kids need activities to counterbalance today's over-structured and sedentary lifestyles. [0007] Unfortunately, these unstructured trampoline activities generate numerous on-bed injuries when jumpers land on the rebounding surface in an awkward body position or when a jumper lands on a trampoline bed that has been preloaded with the energy from other jumper impacts. [0008] There thus remains a need to significantly reduce the quantity and severity of on-bed injuries that result from such playful activities. Prior trampolines used a rebounding matt that is attached to a frame by a plurality of springs that have a fixed tension. The fixed tension is not suitable for all users as they very in body weight, age and strength. [0009] It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved trampoline with adjustable springs. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0010] In the present invention, the first object is achieved by proving a trampoline wherein the springs attach to the frame via an intermediate member whose length can be varied to modify the spring tension. [0011] The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the trampoline rebounding matt and attachment to the trampoline frame. [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trampoline rebounding matt, frame and springs showing where the spring tension is adjusted along the edge of the frame. [0014] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevation showing the rotating pin and related structure as disposed within the bore trampoline frame. [0015] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation showing the detailed construction of a first embodiment of the pin in FIG. 3. [0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional elevation showing the detailed construction of a second embodiment of the pin in FIG. 3. [0017] FIG. 6 is an elevation of the pin of FIG. 5 from a viewpoint outside the trampoline frame, corresponding to section A-A in FIG. 5. [0018] FIG. 7 is an external plan view of an alternative embodiment of the pin. [0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation of the pin of FIG. 7. [0020] It should be understood that FIG. 1-8 are not intended to be drawn to the same relative or absolute scale, but rather each figure is drawn at a scale to properly display and describe the interrelationship between the elements thereof It being understood that one of ordinary skill in the art, can readily make adjustments thereto depending on the same and scale of the desired trampoline. Continue reading about Trampoline with adjustable spring tension... Full patent description for Trampoline with adjustable spring tension Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Trampoline with adjustable spring tension 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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