Trampoline system

Abstract

A trampoline system has a rebounding bed and a resilient member located below the bed at such a position that the bed depresses the resilient member when the bed is sufficiently depressed by a person jumping on the bed. The presence of the resilient member makes it easy tune the system to adjust the performance of the trampoline and to minimize impacts on a jumper and thereby reduce the likelihood of bed-impact injuries.

1 . A trampoline system comprising: 
 a frame    a rebounding bed supported by the frame; and    a resilient member located below the bed at such a position that the bed depresses the resilient member when the bed is sufficiently depressed by a person jumping on the bed.    
   
   
       2 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein the resilient member is a bed of planar material that is positioned at a distance below and extends generally parallel to the rebounding bed and that is supported by the frame.  
   
   
       3 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the frame is supported by a plurality of legs; and    the resilient member is connected to and supported by the legs.    
   
   
       4 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein the resilient member is a sheet of fabric that is stretched on the frame.  
   
   
       5 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein the distance between the rebounding bed and the resilient member is at least six inches.  
   
   
       7 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein resilient member comprises a cushion member located between below the bed.  
   
   
       8 . The trampoline of  claim 7  wherein the cushion member comprises an inflated bladder.  
   
   
       9 . The trampoline of  claim 8  wherein the bladder is filled with air.  
   
   
       10 . The trampoline of  claim 8  wherein the bladder is generally ring-shaped.  
   
   
       11 . The trampoline of  claim 8  wherein the bladder has a plurality of attachment loops adapted for connection to the tethers.  
   
   
       12 . The trampoline of  claim 11  wherein the loops extend from the bladder generally toward the frame.  
   
   
       13 . The trampoline of  claim 8  wherein the bladder is tethered to the frame by a plurality of elongated tethers extending between the bladder and the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The trampoline of  claim 8  wherein the bladder is generally horizontally centered below the bed.  
   
   
       15 . The trampoline of  claim 7  wherein: 
 the resilient member further comprises a bed of planar material that is positioned at a distance below and that extends generally parallel to the rebounding bed; and    the cushion member is located between the rebounding bed and the lower bed of planar material.    
   
   
       16 . The trampoline system of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plurality of upwardly extending poles, each pole being secured to the frame; and    a mat secured to the poles.