Inflatable platform for repetitive bouncing

• US 4,516,767 A
• Filed: 08/09/1982
• Issued: 05/14/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luther Eskijian
• Original Assignee: Luther Eskijian
• Inventors: Eskijian, Luther
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US06/406,269
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 272/65, 272/70, 272/130, 272/69, 272/74, 272/109, 272/135-140, 272/144, 272/146, 272/DIG. 9, 272/130, 272/93, 5/441, 5/448, 5/452, 5/456, 5/457, 5/417, 5/420, 5/449, 5/450, 182/137-140, 152/350, 152/354 R, 152/DIG. 14
• US Class Current: 482/27
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/11 Trampolines

Abstract

An inflated platform, for bouncing, includes a reinforced upstanding and flexible outer side wall to resist outward expansion during bouncing, and a central upper wall at a lower level than an annular flexible top wall that merges with the central wall and side wall, the central wall overlying and spaced from a bottom flexible wall. A reinforcing layer is carried by the central wall and is centered by air pressure below the annular top wall and surrounding that layer, during bouncing; the reinforced layer and the reinforced side wall cooperating to aid platform stability during bouncing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in repetitive bouncing to improve blood and lymphatic solution circulation, the apparatus comprising

(a) an inflated platform, that consists of flexible elastomeric material defining a hollow interior in which pressurized gas is received,

(b) the platform having a central upper wall and there being a reinforced layer on said upper wall on which to stand, during bouncing, the platform having an annular top wal at substantially higher level than said layer, and a bottom wall beneath said upper wall,

(c) the platform having a side wall which integrally merges with said top and bottom walls, and which is reinforced to resist outward expansion during bouncing, the annular top wall merging with said central upper wall,

(d) said side wall being everywhere openly and unobstructedly exposed to all of said hollow interior below said upper central wall and above said bottom wall, and also below said annular top wall,

(e) there being a flat reinforcement layer on and covering said central upper wall,

(f) the platform being deflectible and frameless, the platform defining an upwardly opening recess immediately above said upper layer, the depth of said hollow interior below said central wall being sufficient to prevent bottoming of said wall during bouncing,

(g) the platform annular side wall having associated glass fiber reinforcement, the thickness of said side wall and reinforcement substantially exceeding the thickness of each said top and bottom walls, and a gas fill valve in said side wall near said bottom wall.

2. Apparatus usable in repetitive bouncing, said apparatus comprising

(a) an inflated platform consisting of flexible elatomeric material defining a hollow interior in which gas is received for maintaining the platform inflated,

(b) said material defining an annular upstanding outer side wall, a substantially flat and horizontal bottom wall merging with said outer side wall at an annular lower location, and an annular top wall merging with said side wall at an annular upper location,

(c) there being reinforcement associated with and extending substantially throughout the extent of said side wall to resist radially outward expansion of said side wall, the side wall and said reinforcement having thickness substantially greater than the thickness of said bottom wall and said top wall,

(d) said elastomeric material defining an upper central wall which extends generally horizontally and is spaced directly above said bottom wall, said annular top wall extending radially inwardly and downwardly to integrally merge with the periphery of said central wall whereby the central wall is everywhere at a substantially lower level than the major extent of said top wall,

(e) and a reinforced everywhere horizontal layer of material carried by said central elastomeric wall and characterized by lesser flexibility than said central wall, said layer covering substantially the entirety of the central wall and extending to th peripheral region of said central wall, whereby said layer is centered by gas in said inflated platform surrounding the layer,

(f) said side wall being everywhere openly and unobstructedly exposed to all of said hollow interior below said upper central wall and above said bottom wall and also below said annular top wall.