Trampoline system

Abstract

A fence surrounds a trampoline and extends above the rebounding surface, reducing the risk of injury. Shock absorption is aided in the preferred embodiment by a support system of independent poles, linked at their tops by a flexible strap or line. The trampoline may include a tubular frame supported by a plurality of legs with brackets securing the legs to the frame tube without welds. The trampoline may also include an electronic accessory that is activated or that produces an electrical signal as a result of jumping on the trampoline.

1 . A trampoline comprising:
 a rebounding surface;   a frame that supports the rebounding surface and that comprises a frame tube that extends generally horizontally;   a plurality of vertically extending legs that support the frame tube; and   a plurality of brackets securing the legs to the frame tube, at least one of the brackets having a vertically-extending, downwardly-opening sleeve and horizontally-extending sleeves, wherein an end portion of a leg is received in the downwardly-opening sleeve of the bracket and the horizontally-extending sleeves of the bracket receive portions of the tube.   
   
   
       2 . The trampoline of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the brackets comprises two members secured together by fasteners with portions of a leg and the frame tube clamped between the members. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A trampoline enclosure system comprising:
 a trampoline having a rebounding surface;   a frame that supports the rebounding surface and that comprises a frame tube that extends generally horizontally;   a plurality of vertically extending legs that support the frame tube;   a plurality of posts having a wall support portion located above the level of the surface;   a plurality of brackets securing the legs and the posts to the frame tube, at least one of the brackets having a vertically-extending, downwardly-opening sleeve, a vertically-extending, upwardly-opening sleeve, and horizontally-extending sleeves, wherein a leg is received in the downwardly-opening sleeve of the bracket, a post is received in the upwardly-opening sleeve of the bracket, and the horizontally-extending sleeves of the bracket receive portions of the tube; and   a generally cylindrical wall made of a flexible material that is secured to the wall support portions of the posts so that the wall defines a chamber above the rebounding surface.   
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A trampoline system comprising:
 a trampoline having a rebounding surface and a frame that supports the rebounding surface;   a sensor operable to detect motion of the rebounding surface; and   an electrical apparatus that receives input from the sensor and presents visual or audio feedback to a user.   
   
   
       15 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the sensor is a position sensor. 
   
   
       16 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the sensor is a strain sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the sensor is an accelerometer. 
   
   
       18 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor. 
   
   
       19 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the sensor is a momentarily operable switch. 
   
   
       20 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a CPU-based device that calculates calories expended or histograms of usage. 
   
   
       21 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a device that keeps count of bounces on the trampoline. 
   
   
       22 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a device that keeps a game score. 
   
   
       23 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a device that keeps a log of exercise activity. 
   
   
       24 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises a visual display for outputting data to a user. 
   
   
       25 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises an input device having at least one momentarily operable switch. 
   
   
       26 . The trampoline system of  claim 25  wherein the input device is a keyboard comprising a plurality of momentarily operable switches. 
   
   
       27 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical apparatus comprises at least one loudspeaker for playing sounds to the user. 
   
   
       28 . The trampoline system of  claim 27  wherein the electrical apparatus causes the sounds to be played by the loudspeaker in response to movement of the rebounding surface by the user. 
   
   
       29 . The trampoline system of  claim 27  further comprising an amplifier and a radio receiver or a media player operable to provide an amplified audio signal to the loudspeaker. 
   
   
       30 . The trampoline system of  claim 14  further comprising an electrical cable connected to transmit a signal from the sensor to the electrical apparatus.