Foldable trampoline frame assembly

Abstract

A foldable trampoline frame assembly comprises spaced apart frame segments, a travel limiting member and an engagement member. The spaced apart frame segments are pivotably attached to each other for enabling a first one of the frame segments to be pivoted with respect to a second one of the frame segments between a use configuration and a folded configuration. The travel limiting member is positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of the first frame segment and is movable to a non-limiting position. The engagement member is fixedly attached to the second frame segment. The engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of the frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting the frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration.

1 . A foldable trampoline frame assembly, comprising:
 a first frame segment having a pivot arm rigidly attached thereto;   a travel limiting member positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of the pivot arm of the first frame segment and movable to a non-limiting position; and   a second frame segment having a pivot arm rigidly attached thereto, wherein the pivot arm of the second frame segment is pivotably attached to the pivot arm of the first frame segment for enabling said frame segments to be pivoted with respect to each other between a use configuration and a folded configuration, wherein the pivot arm of the second frame segment includes an engagement member fixedly attached thereto and wherein the engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of said frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting said frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.   
   
   
       2 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the engagement member is integral with the pivot arm of the second frame segment. 
   
   
       3 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the mating portion of the pivot arm of the first frame segment is a hole; and   the travel limiting member is removably engagable within the hole.   
   
   
       4 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the hole in the pivot arm of the first frame segment is located between a pivot axis of said frame segments and bottom edges of said frame segments when said frame segments are in the use configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein a self-closing force is exerted on said frame segments by elastic elements connected to said frame segments when said frame segments are in the partially folded configuration. 
   
   
       6 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein:
 the engagement member is integral with the pivot arm of the second frame segment;   the mating portion of the pivot arm of the first frame segment is a hole;   the travel limiting member is removably engagable within the hole; and   the hole in the pivot arm of the first frame segment travel limiting member is located between a pivot axis of said frame segments and bottom edges of said frame segments.   
   
   
       7 . A foldable trampoline frame assembly, comprising:
 a first frame segment having spaced apart pivot arms rigidly attached thereto;   a travel limiting member positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with mating portions of said pivot arms of the first frame segment and movable to a non-limiting position; and   a second frame segment having spaced apart pivot arms rigidly attached thereto, wherein said pivot arms of the second frame segment are pivotably attached to said pivot arms of the first frame segment for enabling the first frame segment to be pivoted with respect to the second frame segment between a use configuration and a folded configuration, wherein at least one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment includes an engagement member fixedly attached thereto and wherein the engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of said frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting said frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.   
   
   
       8 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 7  wherein a first one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith. 
   
   
       9 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 8  wherein a second one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith. 
   
   
       10 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 7  wherein:
 the mating portion of said pivot arms of the first frame segment is a hole in each one of said pivot arms of the first frame segment; and   the travel limiting member is removably engagable through the holes of said pivot arms.   
   
   
       11 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 10  wherein:
 the travel limiting member is a elongated generally straight member; and   the holes of said pivot arms are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the travel limiting member extends generally parallel with a pivot axis of said frame segments when the travel limiting member is engaged within said holes.   
   
   
       12 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 11  wherein:
 a first one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith; and   a second one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith.   
   
   
       13 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein said holes are located between a pivot axis of said frame segments and bottom edges of said frame segments when said frame segments are in the use configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 7  wherein a self-closing force is exerted on said frame segments by elastic elements connected to said frame segments when said frame segments are in the partially folded configuration. 
   
   
       15 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 14  wherein:
 the mating portion of said pivot arms of the first frame segment is a hole in each one of said pivot arms of the first frame segment;   the travel limiting member is removably engagable through the holes of said pivot arms;   the travel limiting member is an elongated generally straight member;   the holes of said pivot arms are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the travel limiting member extends generally parallel with a pivot axis of said frame segments when the travel limiting member is engaged within said holes;   a first one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith; and   a second one of said pivot arms of the second frame segment has a respective engagement member integral therewith.   
   
   
       16 . A foldable trampoline frame assembly, comprising:
 spaced apart frame segments pivotably attached to each other for enabling a first one of said frame segments to be pivoted with respect to a second one of said frame segments between a use configuration and a folded configuration;   a travel limiting member positionable in a travel limiting position when engaged with a mating portion of said first frame segment and movable to a non-limiting position;   an engagement member fixedly attached to said second frame segment, wherein the engagement member engages the travel limiting member when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position during pivoting of said frame segments from the use configuration toward the folded configuration for limiting said frame segments to be pivoted to a partially folded configuration when the travel limiting member is in the travel limiting position.   
   
   
       17 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 16  wherein:
 the mating portion of said pivot arms of the first frame segment includes a hole; and   the travel limiting member is removably engagable through the hole.   
   
   
       18 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 17  wherein:
 the travel limiting member is an elongated generally straight member; and   the holes of said pivot arms are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of travel limiting member extends generally parallel with a pivot axis of said frame segments when the travel limiting member is engaged within the hole.   
   
   
       19 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 16  wherein a self-closing force is exerted on said frame segments by elastic elements connected to said frame segments when said frame segments are in the partially folded configuration. 
   
   
       20 . The foldable trampoline frame assembly of  claim 19  wherein:
 the mating portion of the first frame segment includes a hole;   the travel limiting member is removably engagable through the hole;   the travel limiting member is an elongated generally straight member; and   the holes of said pivot arms are positioned such that a longitudinal axis of the travel limiting member extended generally parallel with a pivot axis of said frame segments when the travel limiting member is engaged within the hole.