Method and system for adjusting the height of a trampoline

Abstract

A height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, as well as a method for the same. The height adjustment device may comprise a first support configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a trampoline that supports the jumping mat; a second support operable with the first support and configured to interface and join with a portion of a leg of the trampoline in contact with the support surface and that supports the frame; and an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of the first support relative to the second support, and thus the height of the jumping mat of the trampoline. The height adjustment device may also comprise a u-shaped leg operable with a similar first support, wherein the u-shaped leg is designed to completely replace an existing leg of the trampoline. The adjustment of the height adjustment device may be carried out using any one of a plurality of different methods or configurations specifically designed to facilitate the quick and easy adjustment of the jumping mat to one of a plurality of adjustment positions or heights.

1 . An intermediate height adjustment device configured to adjust a height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, said intermediate height adjustment device comprising: 
 a first support configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a trampoline that supports said jumping mat;    a second support operable with said first support and configured to interface and join with a portion of a leg of said trampoline in contact with said support surface and that supports said frame; and    an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of said first support relative to said second support, and thus at least a portion of said height of said jumping mat of said trampoline.    
   
   
       2 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second supports are configured to releasably couple to said frame and said leg of said trampoline, respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second supports are universal and configured to be interchangeable and used on different types of trampolines, thus making said intermediate height adjustment device universal and interchangeable with said different types of trampolines.  
   
   
       4 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter having a first end configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a second trampoline, and a second end configured to interface and join with said first support, said adapter being configured for use with said first support to enable said first support to be operable with said second trampoline.  
   
   
       5 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter having a first end configured to interface and join with said second support, and a second end configured to interface and join with a portion of a leg of a second trampoline, said adapter being configured for use with said second support to enable said second support to be operable with said second trampoline.  
   
   
       6 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said portion of said frame comprises a sleeve having a cylindrical configuration and extending in a downward direction from said frame.  
   
   
       7 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 6 , wherein said first support comprises a cylindrical configuration, and wherein at least a portion of said first support comprises a diameter less than a diameter of said sleeve, thus enabling said portion of said first support to fit within said sleeve for support.  
   
   
       8 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 7 , wherein said portion of said first support, having said diameter less than said diameter of said sleeve, comprises a tapered configuration configured to enable said first support to interface and join with sleeves of different sizes.  
   
   
       9 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said leg comprises a unshaped leg having first and second vertical extensions and a horizontal ground support portion extending therebetween, wherein said second support interfaces and joins with one of said first and second vertical extensions.  
   
   
       10 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 9 , wherein said portion of said leg comprises one of said vertical extensions, and wherein said vertical extensions comprise a cylindrical configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 10 , wherein said second support comprises a cylindrical configuration, and wherein at least a portion of said second support comprises a diameter greater than a diameter of said vertical extension, thus enabling said vertical extension to fit within and support said second support.  
   
   
       12 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said first support is slidably related with said second support.  
   
   
       13 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 12 , wherein said adjustment configuration comprises: 
 at least one adjustment aperture formed in said first support;    at least one adjustment aperture formed in said second support and configured to correspond to and align with said adjustment apertures formed in said first support, upon sliding said second support with respect with said first support, to provide a plurality of selectable adjustment positions; and    a fastener configured to be inserted through said adjustment apertures of said first and second supports when aligned to secure said first and second supports in one of said plurality of adjustment positions.    
   
   
       14 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 13 , wherein said first and second supports collapse about one another to provide a lowermost adjustment position.  
   
   
       15 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 14 , wherein a portion of said frame is caused to rest upon a rim of said second support when said first and second supports are collapsed about one another in said lowermost adjustment position.  
   
   
       16 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second supports comprise different lengths to increase the stability of said intermediate height adjustment device in said adjustment positions.  
   
   
       17 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said first support comprises a lip, and wherein said portion of said frame is configured to rest upon said lip when said first support is joined with said portion of said frame.  
   
   
       18 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second support comprises a tapered segment configured to increase the stability and support of said second support as interfaced and joined with said portion of said leg, said tapered segment terminating in a rim configured to engage and rest upon a lip of said portion of said leg.  
   
   
       19 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 4 , wherein said adjustment configuration comprises: 
 at least one adjustment aperture formed in said adapter;    at least one adjustment aperture formed in said first support and configured to correspond to and align with at least one of said adjustment apertures formed in said adapter to provide a plurality of selectable adjustment positions;    at least one aperture formed in said second support and configured to correspond to and align with at least one of said adjustment apertures formed in said first support to provide a plurality of selectable adjustment positions; and    a plurality of fasteners configured to be inserted through said adjustment apertures of said adapter and said first and second supports when aligned to secure said adapter and said first and second supports in one of said plurality of adjustment positions.    
   
   
       20 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 19 , wherein said adapter comprises a two stage cylindrical configuration, with a first stage comprising a diameter to allow said first stage to fit over a downward extending sleeve of a frame of a trampoline and a second stage comprising a diameter to receive a portion of said first support.  
   
   
       21 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 20 , wherein said adapter further comprises at least three apertures formed within said first stage at an equidistance around said first stage, said apertures being configured to receive securing fasteners therein, wherein each of said securing fasteners are caused to adjustably engage said vertical sleeve to secure said adapter to said vertical sleeve.  
   
   
       22 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 9 , wherein said horizontal ground support further comprises a length adjustment configuration operable therewith and configured to facilitate the adjustability of a length of said horizontal ground support, thereby enabling said u-shaped leg and said first support to be operable with different trampolines having corresponding sleeve components of different distances from one another.  
   
   
       23 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment configuration comprises: 
 a thread configuration formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of said first support; and    a thread configuration formed on at least a portion of an inner surface of said second support operable with said thread configuration on said first support to facilitate the rotatable adjustment of said first support with respect to said second support into one of a plurality of adjustment positions.    
   
   
       24 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment configuration comprises: 
 a compression member operable with said second support to apply a compression force to said first support, thereby securing said first and second supports in one of a plurality of adjustment positions.    
   
   
       25 . The intermediate height adjustment device of  claim 24 , wherein said compression member comprises a quick-release system.  
   
   
       26 . A height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, said height adjustment device comprising: 
 a first support configured to interface and join with a portion of a frame of a trampoline, said frame configured to support said jumping mat;    a u-shaped leg operable with said first support to adjustably support said frame of said trampoline about said support surface, said u-shaped leg comprising first and second vertical extensions and a horizontal ground support portion extending therebetween; and    an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of said first support relative to said u-shaped leg, and thus at least a portion of said height of said jumping mat of said trampoline.    
   
   
       27 . The height adjustment device of clam  26 , wherein said adjustment configuration comprises: 
 at least one adjustment apertures formed in said first support;    at least one adjustment aperture formed in said u-shaped leg and configured to correspond to and align with said adjustment apertures formed in said first support, upon sliding said u-shaped leg with respect with said first support, to provide a plurality of selectable adjustment positions; and    a fastener configured to be inserted through said adjustment apertures of said first support and said u-shaped leg when aligned to secure said first support and said u-shaped leg in one of said plurality of adjustment positions.    
   
   
       28 . The height adjustment device of  claim 26 , further comprising an adapter configure to facilitate the coupling of said first support and said u-shaped leg to a second trampoline.  
   
   
       29 . The height adjustment device of  claim 26 , wherein said horizontal ground support further comprises a length adjustment configuration operable therewith and configured to facilitate the adjustability of a length of said horizontal ground support, thereby enabling said u-shaped leg and said first support to be operable with different trampolines having corresponding sleeve components of different distances from one another.  
   
   
       30 . The height adjustment device of  claim 29 , wherein said length adjustment configuration comprises: 
 a collar slidably disposed about and supporting first and second horizontal components of said horizontal ground support; and    a plurality of selectable adjustment positions between said collar and said first and second horizontal components.    
   
   
       31 . A height adjustment device configured to adjust the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, said intermediate height adjustment device comprising: 
 means for interfacing and joining with a portion of a frame of a trampoline, said frame configured to support said jumping mat;    means for interfacing and joining with a portion of a leg of a trampoline configured to support said frame above said support surface; and    means for adjusting said means for interfacing and joining with respect to one another to adjust a height of at least a portion of said frame and said jumping mat with respect to said support surface.    
   
   
       32 . The height adjustment device of  claim 31 , further comprising means for interchanging said means for interfacing and joining with said portion of said frame and said portion of said leg, respectively, for use on one of a second trampoline.  
   
   
       33 . The height adjustment device of  claim 32 , wherein said second trampoline is of a different type.  
   
   
       34 . The height adjustment device of  claim 31 , wherein said means for adjusting comprises a series of lockable telescoping elements operably supported together, and configured to collapse on one another to achieve a desired height of said jumping mat.  
   
   
       35 . A trampoline system configured to provide a jumping mat of a trampoline with a plurality of different jumping heights, said trampoline system comprising: 
 a trampoline comprising: 
 a jumping mat;  
 a frame configured to support said jumping mat, said frame comprising a closed loop horizontal frame assembly and a plurality of sleeves extending downward from said closed loop horizontal frame assembly;  
 a plurality of biasing means configured to couple said jumping mat to said frame in a biased manner;  
 at least one u-shaped leg configured to support said frame and said jumping mat about said support surface, said u-shaped leg comprising first and second vertical supports and a horizontal ground support extending therebetween, said first and second vertical supports each being configured to releasably join to one of said plurality of sleeves; and  
   a height adjustment device configured to interface and join with a portion of said frame and a portion of said u-shaped leg to adjust a height of at least a portion of said jumping mat with respect to said support surface.    
   
   
       36 . The trampoline system of  claim 35 , wherein said height adjustment device comprises: 
 a first support configured to interface and join with one of said sleeves of said frame;    a second support operable with said first support and configured to interface and join with a portion of said u-shaped leg; and    an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of said first support relative to said second support, and thus the height of said jumping mat of said trampoline.    
   
   
       37 . The trampoline system of  claim 35 , wherein said height adjustment device comprises: 
 a first support operable with said u-shaped leg and configured to interface and join with one of said sleeves of said frame; and    an adjustment configuration configured to facilitate the adjustment of said first support relative to said u-shaped leg, and thus the height of said jumping mat of said trampoline.    
   
   
       38 . A method for adjusting at least a portion of a height of a jumping mat of a trampoline, said method comprising: 
 obtaining a trampoline having a frame supporting a jumping mat and a plurality of legs supporting said frame about a support surface;    replacing at least a portion of at least one of said legs with a height adjustment device configured to interface and join with a portion of said frame and a portion of said leg to adjust said height of at least a portion of said jumping mat and said trampoline with respect to said support surface; and    adjusting said height adjustment device to adjust said height of at least a portion of said jumping mat and said trampoline to one of a plurality of heights.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said replacing comprises: 
 joining a first support to a portion of said frame; and    joining a second support to a portion of one of said plurality of legs, said second support being adjustable with respect to said first support.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting said first support with respect to said second support via an adjustment configuration.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said replacing comprises: 
 joining a first support to a portion of said frame; and    joining a u-shaped leg with said first support to replace all of one of said plurality of legs, said u-shaped leg comprising first and second vertical extensions and a horizontal ground support portion extending therebetween, said u-shaped leg being configured to adjustably support said frame of said trampoline about said support surface;    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said adjusting comprises adjusting said first support with respect to said u-shaped leg via and adjustment configuration.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising interchanging at least a portion of a leg of another trampoline with said height adjustment device.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising adjusting said height adjustment device to enable a leg to which said height adjustment device is attached to to comprise a different height than at least one other leg assembly of said trampoline, thereby introducing a leveling function to said trampoline in the event of an uneven support surface.  
   
   
       45 . A method for adjusting a height of at least a portion of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, said method comprising: 
 providing a height adjustment device configured for use with an existing trampoline;    facilitating the replacement of at least a portion of a leg of a trampoline with said height adjustment device; and    facilitating the selective adjustment of said height adjustment device to adjust said height of at least a portion of said jumping mat to one of a plurality of heights.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising facilitating the interchangeability of said height adjustment device with another trampoline.  
   
   
       47 . A system for adjusting the height of a jumping mat of a trampoline with respect to a support surface, said system comprising: 
 at least one interchangeable support, each having a fixed, pre-determined length corresponding to a desired height, and each being configured to replace a portion of an existing leg of said trampoline and to interface and join with at least a portion of a frame and a remaining portion of said existing leg of said trampoline to achieve said desired height.