Spring structure for trampoline

United States Patent Application 20080171638

Disclosed is an improved spring structure used in trampoline for the purpose of sports or exercise. The spring includes coiled plastic middle part and hooks on both ends, at least one of which extends inward with a curve. This makes the exposed part of the hook smooth, thus improve the safety during using the spring. In addition, the end extends outward after extending inward, making the whole structure “R” shaped, which forms an assemble guiding part to provide easy connection between the spring and the trampoline and meanwhile avoids disconnection during movement with a smaller opening. This special structure will improve the safety and stability of trampoline, thus relieving consumers' concern about safety when using the trampoline.

Chen, Samuel (Kowloon, CN)

11/653814

07/17/2008

01/16/2007

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A63B5/11

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RICHMAN, GLENN E

NEWHOPE LAW, PC (Los Alamitos, CA, US)

1. A new trampoline spring structure, which is used to connect the trampoline's frame and the fabric, comprising: hooks on both sides of a coiled elastic middle part, wherein an at least one hook extends inward with a curve.

2. The trampoline spring structure of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook has an assembly guiding part, which extends outward after extending inward with a curve, making the at least one hook “R” shaped.

3. The trampoline spring structure of claim 1, wherein both hooks extends inward with a curve.

4. The trampoline spring structure of claim 1, wherein both hooks extends inward with a curve and wherein the at least one hook has an assembly guiding part, which extends outward after extending inward with a curve, making the at least one hook “R” shaped.

5. The trampoline spring structure of claim 1, wherein both hooks extends inward with a curve and wherein both hooks have an assembly guiding part, which extends outward after extending inward with a curve, making both hooks “R” shaped.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a new spring structure used in trampoline for the purpose of sports or exercise.

BACKGROUND

As a popular sports or exercise equipment, trampoline is more and more appealing to consumers. A typical trampoline operates in such a manner that a frame and fabric are connected by springs, whose quality determines safety and stability of a trampoline. Currently used springs have hooks with big openings at both ends, making the structure “C” shaped. Although it is easy for connection, the hook' exposed end, with typical sharp tip at the end of a hook, can cause injuries, especially scalp injuries to kids who are more likely to run under the trampoline. In addition, currently used springs with shorter hooks may disconnect during movement, therefore affect the stability of the trampoline.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to avoid the above shortcomings in currently used product, providing a trampoline spring structure with more safety and stability.

This object is accomplished by the following design: The spring includes coiled elastic middle part and hooks on both ends, at least one of which extends inward with a curve. This makes the exposed part of the hook smooth, thus improve the safety during using the spring.

In addition, the end of the hook extends outward after extending inward, making the whole structure “R” shaped, which forms an assembly guiding part to provide easy connection between the spring and the trampoline. Meanwhile, the small opening in the “R” shaped hook can effectively avoid disconnection during movement. This new structure also can avoid hand injuries to users during assembling and scalp injuries to children who are likely to play under the trampoline. The present invention employing the structure can improve the safety and stability of trampoline dramatically, thus relieving consumers' concern when using the trampoline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a spring of the first embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the spring is comprised of hooks 1 and 2 on the end and coiled elastic middle part 3, in which, hook 1 is “C” shaped and connects trampoline frame, hook 2 is “R” shaped and connects triangle hoops on trampoline fabric. Hook 2 extends inward with a curve as 21 then extend outward as 22, forming an assembly guide part to provide easy connection with triangle hoops on trampoline fabric, creating a small opening 20 of 4.4˜4.5 mm in diameter to avoid spring disconnection during movement.

A second version of the present invention can be achieved by making both hooks “R” shaped, therefore ensuring a safer and more stable trampoline.