US20180147435A1

US20180147435A1 - Trampoline systems and methods of making and using the same

Info

Publication number: US20180147435A1
Application number: US15/362,887
Authority: US
Inventors: Arch Luther Adams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-29
Filing date: 2016-11-29
Publication date: 2018-05-31

Abstract

Trampoline systems are disclosed. Methods of making and using trampoline systems are further disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to trampoline systems. This invention also relates to methods of making trampoline systems, as well as methods of using trampoline systems.

BACKGROUND

Efforts continue to further develop trampoline systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to trampoline systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the trampoline system has an overall system length and an overall system width, and comprising: a plurality of interconnected first trampolines, each first trampoline of the plurality of interconnected first trampolines comprising four side edges and four corners; wherein at least four first corners of two or more first trampolines are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane containing four of more second corners of the two or more first trampolines.
The present invention is also directed to methods of making trampoline systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a trampoline system of the present invention comprises: interconnecting a plurality of interconnected first trampolines, each first trampoline of the plurality of interconnected first trampolines comprising four side edges and four corners; and positioning at least four first corners of two or more first trampolines (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane containing four of more second corners of the two or more first trampolines.
The present invention is even further directed to methods of using trampoline systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a trampoline system comprises one or more of the following steps: enabling access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems; restricting access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems; charging admission for access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems; and jumping on one or more trampoline within one of the herein-described trampoline systems.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood and appreciated in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary trampoline system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 1 as view along line D shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary trampoline system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 3 as view along line D shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary trampoline system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 5 as view along line D shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary trampoline system of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the exemplary trampoline system shown in FIG. 7 as view along line D shown in FIG. 7.

In the specification, a same reference numeral used in multiple figures refers to the same or similar elements having the same or similar properties and functionalities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to trampoline systems such as exemplary trampoline system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8. The present invention is further directed to methods of making and using trampoline systems such as exemplary trampoline system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2, exemplary trampoline system 10 has an overall system length s_Land an overall system width s_W, and comprises: a plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11, each first trampoline 11′ of the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11 comprising four side edges 12 and four corners 13. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, at least four first corners 13 f of two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane F_Pcontaining four of more second corners 13 s of the two or more first trampolines 11′.
The present invention is further directed to methods of making trampoline systems such as exemplary trampoline system 10. As discussed above, in one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a trampoline system 10 of the present invention comprises interconnecting a plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11, each first trampoline 11′ of the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11 comprising four side edges 12 and four corners 13; and positioning at least four first corners 13 f of two or more first trampolines 11′ (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane F_Pcontaining four of more second corners 13 s of the two or more first trampolines 11′.
The present invention is even further directed to methods of using trampoline systems such as exemplary trampoline system 10. As discussed above, in one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a trampoline system 10 comprises one or more of the following steps: enabling access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems 10; restricting access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems 10; charging admission for access to one of the herein-described trampoline systems 10; and jumping on one or more trampoline 11′ within one of the herein-described trampoline systems 10.

Additional Embodiments

Trampoline Systems
1. A trampoline system 10, said trampoline system 10 having an overall system length s_Land an overall system width s_W, and comprising: a plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11, each first trampoline 11′ of said plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11 comprising four side edges 12 and four corners 13; wherein at least four first corners 13 f of two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane F_Pcontaining four of more second corners 13 s of said two or more first trampolines 11′.
2. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 1, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form one or more points P substantially within (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
3. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form two or more points P substantially within (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
4. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form a single point P within (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, or (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P. See, for example, FIGS. 2 and 4.
5. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form one or more lines L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
6. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 or 5, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form two or more lines L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
7. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 or 5, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ form a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, or (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P.
8. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 5 to 7, wherein at least one of said one or more lines L has a line length that is less than said overall system length s_Land said overall system width s_W.
9. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 5 to 8, wherein each of said one or more lines L has a line length that is less than said overall system length s_Land said overall system width s_W.
10. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 5 to 9, wherein at least one of said one or more lines L has a line length that is substantially equal to at least one of (i) said overall system length s_Land (ii) said overall system width s_W.
11. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 5 to 7 and 10, wherein each of said one or more lines L has a line length that is substantially equal to at least one of (i) said overall system length s_Land (ii) said overall system width s_W.
12. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 to 11, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise one or more pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ with each pair 17 of first trampolines 11′ forming a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
13. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 to 12, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise one or more pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ with each pair 17 of first trampolines 11′ has four first corners 13 f positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane F_Pcontaining four second corners 13 s of said pair 17 of first trampolines 11′.
14. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, 5 to 9 and 12 to 13, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise a single pair 17 of two first trampolines 11′ forming a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P. See, for example, FIGS. 5-6.
15. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 to 13, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ with each pair 17 of first trampolines 11′ forming a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P. See, for example, FIGS. 7-8.
16. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, 5 to 9 and 12 to 15, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ with each pair 17 of first trampolines 11′ forming a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P, and said two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ have an overall adjacent pair length that is less than (i) said overall system length s_Land (ii) said overall system width s_W.
17. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, 5 to 7 and 10 to 15, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ with each pair 17 of first trampolines 11′ forming a single line L substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P, and said two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ have an overall adjacent pair length that is substantially equal to at least one of: (i) said overall system length s_Land (ii) said overall system width s_W.
18. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 to 17, wherein said two or more adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ comprise two or more separate sets of adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′, said two or more separate sets of adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ being substantially parallel with one another and said four of more second corners 13 s of said two or more first trampolines 11′. See, for example, exemplary two or more separate sets of adjacent pairs 17 of first trampolines 11′ shown in FIGS. 7-8.
19. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise one or more sets of four first trampolines 11′ with each set of four first trampolines 11′ forming a single point P substantially within (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P. See, for example, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4.
20. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 and 19, wherein each set of four first trampolines 11′ has four first corners 13 f positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane F_Pcontaining twelve second corners 13 s of said set of four first trampolines 11′.
21. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 and 19 to 20, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise two or more sets of four first trampolines 11′ with each set of four first trampolines 11′ forming a single point P substantially within (i) a second plane S_Pabove said first plane F_P, (ii) a third plane T_Pbelow said first plane F_P, or (iii) both said second plane S_Pand said third plane T_P.
22. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4 and 19 to 21, wherein said two or more first trampolines 11′ comprise a single set of four first trampolines 11′.
23. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned above said first plane F_P.
24. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned below said first plane F_P.
25. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, 5 to 6, 8 to 13, 15 to 21 and 23 to 24, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned above and below said first plane F_P.
26. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, further comprising a plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21, said plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21 surrounding and being interconnected to said plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11.
27. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, further comprising a plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21, said plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21 (i) surrounding and being interconnected to said plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11, and (ii) being substantially within said first plane F_P.
28. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 27, further comprising framing 30, said framing 30 being capable of supporting all trampolines 11/21 within said trampoline system 10.
29. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, further comprising framing 30, said framing 30 comprising a framing member 31 along each edge 12 of each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10.
30. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 29, further comprising framing 30, said framing 30 comprising (i) a framing member 31 along each edge 12 of each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10, and (ii) a framing leg 32 at each intersection 33 of two or more framing members 31.
31. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 30, further comprising padding (not shown), said padding being positioned above any framing member 31 present along each edge 12 of each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10.
32. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, wherein each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10 has a trampoline length t_Lof from about 6.0 feet (ft) to about 12.0 ft (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, from about 6.0 ft to about 12.0 ft, e.g., 11.0 ft, or any range of values, in increments of 0.1 in, between about 6.0 ft to about 12.0 ft, e.g., from about 6.3 ft to about 7.2 ft), and a trampoline width t_Wof from about 6.0 feet (ft) to about 12.0 ft (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, from about 6.0 ft to about 12.0 ft, e.g., 8.5 ft, or any range of values, in increments of 0.1 in, between about 6.0 ft to about 12.0 ft, e.g., from about 8.3 ft to about 9.2 ft).
33. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 32, wherein each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10 has a trampoline length t_Lof from about 8.0 ft to about 10.0 ft, and a trampoline width t_Wof from about 8.0 ft to about 10.0 ft.
34. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 33, wherein each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10 has a trampoline length t_Lof about 8.5 ft, and a trampoline width t_Wof about 9.0 ft.
35. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 34, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned a height td_Hof from greater than 2.0 inches (in) up to about 2.0 ft (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, from about 2.0 in to about 24.0 in, e.g., 12.5 in, or any range of values, in increments of 0.1 in, between about 2.0 in to about 24.0 in, e.g., from about 12.3 in to about 17.2 in) (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane F_P.
36. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 35, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned a height td_Hof from about 8.0 in to about 18.0 in (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, from about 8.0 in to about 18.0 in, e.g., 10.5 in, or any range of values, in increments of 0.1 in, between about 8.0 in to about 18.0 in, e.g., from about 12.3 in to about 17.2 in) (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane F_P.
37. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 36, wherein said at least four first corners 13 f of said two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned a height td_Hof about 12.0 in (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane F_P.
38. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 30 to 37, wherein said framing leg 32 at each intersection 33 of two or more framing members 31 positioned said first plane F_Pa distance L_Habove a ground level G, with distance L_Hbeing greater than 2.0 ft (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, greater than 2.0 ft, e.g., 3.5 ft, or any range of values, in increments of 0.1 in, greater than 2.0 ft, e.g., from about 2.3 ft to about 8.2 ft).
39. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 30 to 39, wherein said framing leg 32 at each intersection 33 of two or more framing members 31 positioned said first plane F_Pa distance L_Habove a ground level G, with distance L_Hbeing from about 3.0 ft to about 6.0 ft (or any value, in increments of 0.1 in, from about 3.0 ft to about 6.0 ft, e.g., 3.8 ft, or any range of values, between about 3.0 ft to about 6.0 ft, e.g., from about 3.3 ft to about 5.2 ft).
40. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 39, wherein said trampoline system 10 comprising up to about 50 separate trampolines 11/21 (or any number, in increments of 1, from 2 to 50, e.g., 16, or any range of numbers, between 2 and 50, e.g., from about 16 to about 42).
41. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 33, wherein one or more framing legs 32 further comprise a brace member 17 operatively adapted to brace a given framing leg 32 to a base substrate 18 (e.g., the floor).
42. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 41, wherein one or more framing legs 32 comprise upper and lower framing leg members 32 _Land 32 _Uthat engage with one another, said upper and lower framing leg members 32 _Land 32 _Ubeing configured so as to adjust (i.e., increase or decrease) an overall height of a given framing leg 32. See, for example, FIG. 4.
43. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 42, wherein said upper and lower framing leg members 32 _Land 32 _Uare engaged with one another via a locking member (e.g., a pin)(not shown).
44. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 43, wherein each trampoline within said trampoline system 10 comprises a separate fabric material 105. See, for example, FIG. 11. Although any trampoline material may be used, each trampoline 11/21 is typically a woven polypropylene trampoline fabric.
45. The trampoline system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 44, wherein said trampoline system 10 further comprises a plurality of elastic members (not shown), said plurality of elastic members connecting each trampoline 11/21 to (i) another trampoline 11/21 within trampoline system 10, (ii) framing 30 within trampoline system 10, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
46. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 45, wherein said plurality of elastic members comprises a plurality of springs (not shown).
47. The trampoline system 10 of embodiment 45 or 46, further comprising padding extending over said plurality of elastic members (not shown).
48. The trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 47, wherein each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10 has a square or rectangular shape. It should be understood that, in other embodiments of the present invention, each trampoline 11/21 within said trampoline system 10 may independently have an oval shape, a diamond shape, a star shape, a triangular shape, a pentagon shape, a hexagon shape, an octagon shape, a figure-eight shape, and a rhombus shape.
Methods of Making Trampoline Systems
49. A method of making the trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 48, said method comprising: interconnecting the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11; and positioning the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11 so that at least four first corners 13 f of two or more first trampolines 11′ are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane F_Pcontaining four of more second corners 13 s of the two or more first trampolines 11′.
50. The method of embodiment 49, further comprising: interconnecting a plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21; and connecting the plurality of interconnected second trampolines 21 to the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11 so as to surround the plurality of interconnected first trampolines 11.
51. The method of embodiment 49 or 50, further comprising: attaching each trampoline 11/21 within the trampoline system 10 to a framing 30 capable of supporting each trampoline 11/21 within the trampoline system 10.
52. The method of any one of embodiments 49 to 51, further comprising: attaching one or more frame leg members 32 to one or more frame members 31 of a framing 30.
53. The method of embodiment 52, further comprising: adjusting an overall height of the one or more frame leg members 32.
54. The method of any one of embodiments 49 to 53, further comprising: attaching one or more elastic members to one or more trampolines 11/21 of the trampoline system 10.
55. The method of embodiment 54, further comprising: attaching the one or more elastic members to (i) another trampoline 11/21 within trampoline system 10, (ii) framing 30 within trampoline system 10, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
56. The method of embodiment 54 or 55, wherein the one or more elastic members comprise one or more springs.
57. The method of any one of embodiments 51 to 56, further comprising: covering one or more frame members 31 with at least one padding members (not shown).
Methods of Using Trampoline Systems
58. A method of using the trampoline system 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 48, said method comprising: enabling access to the trampoline system 10.
59. The method of embodiment 58, further comprising: restricting access to the trampoline system 10.
60. The method of embodiment 58 or 59, further comprising: charging admission for access to the trampoline system 10.
61. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 60, further comprising: jumping on one or more trampolines 11/21 within the trampoline system 10.
It should be understood that although the above-described trampoline systems and methods are described as “comprising” one or more components, features or steps, the above-described trampoline systems and methods may “comprise,” “consists of,” or “consist essentially of” any of the above-described components and/or features and/or steps of the trampoline systems and methods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portion thereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as “comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description of the present invention, or the portion thereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention, or a portion thereof, using the terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” or variations thereof as discussed below.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “contains”, “containing,” “characterized by” or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated otherwise, of the recited components. For example, a trampoline system and/or method that “comprises” a list of elements (e.g., components or features or steps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or components or features or steps), but may include other elements (or components or features or steps) not expressly listed or inherent to the trampoline system and/or method.
As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists of” and “consisting of” exclude any element, step, or component not specified. For example, “consists of” or “consisting of” used in a claim would limit the claim to the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claim except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impurities within a given component). When the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of” limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in that clause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claim as a whole.
As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists essentially of” and “consisting essentially of” are used to define trampoline systems and/or methods that include materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term “consisting essentially of” occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and “consisting of”.
Further, it should be understood that the herein-described trampoline systems and/or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of any of the herein-described components and features, as shown in the figures with or without any additional feature(s) not shown in the figures. In other words, in some embodiments, the trampoline systems and/or methods of the present invention may have any additional feature(s) that is not specifically shown in the figures. In some embodiments, the trampoline systems and/or methods of the present invention do not have any additional features other than those (i.e., some or all) shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown in the figures, are specifically excluded from the trampoline systems and/or methods.
The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

Trampoline systems, similar to exemplary trampoline system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-8, were prepared and used for exercise and entertainment.
From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in this art will readily comprehend the various modifications, re-arrangements and substitutions to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. In addition, it is understood to be within the scope of the present invention that the disclosed and claimed fuel tanks and/or methods may be useful in other applications. Therefore, the scope of the invention may be broadened to include the use of the claimed and disclosed structures for such other applications.

Claims

1. A trampoline system, said trampoline system having an overall system length and an overall system width, and comprising:

a plurality of interconnected first trampolines, each first trampoline of said plurality of interconnected first trampolines comprising four side edges and four corners;

wherein at least four first corners of two or more first trampolines are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane containing four of more second corners of said two or more first trampolines; and

a plurality of interconnected second trampolines, said plurality of interconnected second trampolines surrounding and being interconnected to said plurality of interconnected first trampolines.

2. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form one or more points substantially within (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane.

3. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form two or more points substantially within (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane.

4. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form a single point within (i) a second plane above said first plane, or (ii) a third plane below said first plane.

5. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form one or more lines substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane.

6. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form two or more lines substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane.

7. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said at least four first corners of said two or more first trampolines form a single line substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, or (ii) a third plane below said first plane.

8. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more lines has a line length that is less than said overall system length and said overall system width.

9. The trampoline system of claim 8, wherein each of said one or more lines has a line length that is less than said overall system length and said overall system width.

10. The trampoline system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said one or more lines has a line length that is substantially equal to at least one of (i) said overall system length and (ii) said overall system width.

11. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said two or more first trampolines comprise one or more pairs of first trampolines with each pair of first trampolines forming a single line substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane.

12. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said two or more first trampolines comprise one or more pairs of first trampolines with each pair of first trampolines has four first corners positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below said first plane containing four second corners of said pair of first trampolines.

13. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said two or more first trampolines comprise two or more adjacent pairs of first trampolines with each pair of first trampolines forming a single line substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane, and said two or more adjacent pairs of first trampolines have an overall adjacent pair length that is less than (i) said overall system length and (ii) said overall system width.

14. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein said two or more first trampolines comprise two or more adjacent pairs of first trampolines with each pair of first trampolines forming a single line substantially within or intersecting (i) a second plane above said first plane, (ii) a third plane below said first plane, or (iii) both said second plane and said third plane, and said two or more adjacent pairs of first trampolines have an overall adjacent pair length that is substantially equal to at least one of: (i) said overall system length and (ii) said overall system width.

15. (canceled)

16. A trampoline system, said trampoline system having an overall system length and an overall system width, and comprising:

a plurality of interconnected second trampolines, said plurality of interconnected second trampolines (i) surrounding and being interconnected to said plurality of interconnected first trampolines, and (ii) being substantially within said first plane.

17. A trampoline system, said trampoline system having an overall system length and an overall system width, and comprising:

framing, said framing comprising (i) a framing member along each edge of each trampoline within said trampoline system, and (ii) a framing leg at each intersection of two or more framing members.

18. The trampoline system of claim 1, wherein (i) each trampoline within said trampoline system has a trampoline length t_Lof from about 6.0 feet (ft) to about 12.0 ft, and a trampoline width t_Wof from about 6.0 feet (ft) to about 12.0 ft; (ii) said trampoline system comprising up to about 50 separate trampolines; (iii) each trampoline within said trampoline system comprises a separate fabric material; and (iv) each trampoline within said trampoline system has a square or rectangular shape.

19. A method of making the trampoline system of claim 1, said method comprising:

interconnecting the plurality of interconnected first trampolines;

positioning the plurality of interconnected first trampolines so that at least four first corners of two or more first trampolines are positioned (i) above or (ii) below or (iii) above and below a first plane F_Pcontaining four of more second corners of the two or more first trampolines;

interconnecting a plurality of interconnected second trampolines; and

connecting the plurality of interconnected second trampolines to the plurality of interconnected first trampolines so as to surround the plurality of interconnected first trampolines.

20. A method of using the trampoline system of claim 1, said method comprising one or more of:

enabling access to the trampoline system;

restricting access to the trampoline system;

charging admission for access to the trampoline system; and

jumping on one or more trampolines within the trampoline system.

21. The trampoline system of claim 17, further comprising: