Rebounding apparatus with tensioned elastic cords
DCFirst Claim
1. A rebounding apparatus comprising:
- a frame that defines a central opening;
a rebounding mat that is elastically suspended within the central opening;
at least one cordlike elastic member that couples the rebounding mat to the frame so that the mat is in elastic suspension, the member having an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end; and
a plurality of connectors attached to the rebounding mat, each connector coupling one or more elastic members to the rebounding mat,wherein at least one of the connectors is adapted to receive and secure at least two portions of the elongated body at two separate spaced apart locations on the connector,wherein at least one cordlike elastic member has a tensioned portion, the tensioned portion having a tension and extending between two spaced-apart positions along the body of the elastic member, the elastic member being secured to the at least one of the connectors at each of the positions, andwherein at least one of the at least one cordlike elastic member and the at least one of the connectors is adapted to dispose at least one of the first and second ends of the at least one cordlike elastic member at two alternative positions to provide at least two alternative levels of tension to the rebounding mat.
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Abstract
A trampoline with a frame has a rebounding mat that is tensioned to the frame with a plurality of flexible and cordlike linear elastic members. Preferably each cordlike elastic member is connected to the frame and the rebounding mat at one of two alternative positions to alter the tension. The alternative positions permit a tensioning process that extends the lifetime of elastic cords having a fabric sheath. This independent tension of each elastic member is via connector member that grips the rebounding mat but also grasps opposing the ends of the elastic members as well as central portion thereof so that two segment of the cord between each end and the central portion are preferably wrapped around the trampoline frame.
39 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A rebounding apparatus comprising:
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a frame that defines a central opening; a rebounding mat that is elastically suspended within the central opening; at least one cordlike elastic member that couples the rebounding mat to the frame so that the mat is in elastic suspension, the member having an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end; and a plurality of connectors attached to the rebounding mat, each connector coupling one or more elastic members to the rebounding mat, wherein at least one of the connectors is adapted to receive and secure at least two portions of the elongated body at two separate spaced apart locations on the connector, wherein at least one cordlike elastic member has a tensioned portion, the tensioned portion having a tension and extending between two spaced-apart positions along the body of the elastic member, the elastic member being secured to the at least one of the connectors at each of the positions, and wherein at least one of the at least one cordlike elastic member and the at least one of the connectors is adapted to dispose at least one of the first and second ends of the at least one cordlike elastic member at two alternative positions to provide at least two alternative levels of tension to the rebounding mat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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11. A rebounding apparatus comprising:
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a frame that defines a central opening; a rebounding mat that is elastically suspended within the central opening; at least one cordlike elastic member that couples the rebounding mat to the frame so that the mat is in elastic suspension, the member having an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end; and a plurality of connectors attached to the rebounding mat, each connector coupling one or more elastic members to the rebounding mat, wherein at least one of the connectors engages a cordlike elastic member at three or more separate locations on the connector and has at least one aperture through which a cordlike elastic member extends; and each cordlike elastic member has a bulbous protrusion at or near at least one of the first and second ends, the dimensions of the bulbous protrusion being greater than those of the aperture such that the bulbous protrusion acts as a stop that limits movement of the cordlike elastic member through the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 21)
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16. A rebounding apparatus comprising:
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a frame that defines a central opening; a rebounding mat that is elastically suspended within the central opening; at least one cordlike elastic member that couples the rebounding mat to the frame so that the mat is in elastic suspension, the member having an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end; and a plurality of connectors attached to the rebounding mat, each connector coupling one or more elastic members to the rebounding mat, wherein at least one of the connectors has a surface that provides a curved path for engaging a central portion of the cordlike elastic member and at least two apertures for receiving outer portions of the cordlike elastic member, and wherein the at least one cordlike elastic member has a central portion, an outer portion on either side of the central portion, and a bulbous protrusion at or near at least one of the first and second ends, the dimensions of the bulbous protrusion being greater than those of each aperture such that the bulbous protrusion acts as a stop that limits movement of the cordlike elastic member through each aperture. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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25. A rebounding apparatus comprising:
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a frame that defines a central opening; a rebounding mat that is elastically suspended within the central opening; at least one cordlike elastic member that couples the rebounding mat to the frame so that the mat is in elastic suspension, the member having an elongated body extending between a first end and a second end; and a plurality of connectors attached to the rebounding mat, each connector coupling one or more elastic members to the rebounding mat, wherein at least one of the connectors is adapted to receive and secure at least two portions of the elongated body at two separate spaced apart locations on the connector, and wherein the at least one of the connectors comprises; a first coupling position having a curved path for seating and retaining a cordlike elastic member; a second coupling position having means to grasp opposing ends of a cordlike elastic member; and a third coupling position having means to grasp opposing ends of a cordlike elastic member. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification