Trampoline with feedback system

Abstract

A trampoline includes a frame and a jumping mat assembly that is supported by the frame to allow at least one user to bounce thereon. The trampoline also includes a sensor system that includes a plurality of sensors that are supported by the frame and/or the jumping mat assembly. The plurality of sensors are spaced apart from each other. At least two of the plurality of sensors generate a respective signal due to the user impacting the jumping mat assembly. The trampoline further includes a feedback system that provides a feedback signal and a controller that compares the respective signals from the sensors to determine a status of user. The controller is operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal according to the determined status of the user.

1 . A trampoline comprising:
 a frame;   a jumping mat assembly that is supported by the frame to allow at least one user to bounce thereon;   a sensor system that includes a plurality of sensors that are supported by at least one of the frame and the jumping mat assembly, the plurality of sensors being spaced apart from each other, at least two of the plurality of sensors generating a respective signal due to the at least one user impacting the jumping mat assembly;   a feedback system that provides a feedback signal; and   a controller that compares the respective signals from the at least two of the plurality of sensors to determine a status of the at least one user, the controller operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal according to the determined status of the at least one user.   
     
     
         2 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , wherein the controller compares the respective signals from the at least two of the plurality of sensors to determine at least one of:
 a location of the at least one user relative to the jumping mat assembly,   whether the at least one user has completed a predetermined movement relative to the jumping mat assembly, and   a number of the at least one users that are atop the jumping mat assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The trampoline of  claim 2 , wherein the jumping mat assembly includes a peripheral edge, wherein the controller compares the respective signal from the at least two of the plurality of sensors to determine whether the at least one user is within a predetermined distance of the peripheral edge, wherein the controller is operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal when the at least one user is within the predetermined distance of the peripheral edge. 
     
     
         4 . The trampoline of  claim 2 , wherein the controller compares the respective signals from the at least two of the plurality of sensors to determine whether the at least one user has completed a lap around the jumping mat assembly, wherein the controller is operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal when the at least one user has completed the lap around the jumping mat assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The trampoline of  claim 2 , wherein the controller compares the respective signals from the at least two of the plurality of sensors to determine whether the number of users is greater than a predetermined limit, and wherein the controller is operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal when the number of users is greater than the predetermined limit. 
     
     
         6 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, a camera, a motion detector, and a piezoelectric sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure system that encloses at least a portion of the jumping mat assembly, wherein the sensor system includes an enclosure sensor that is supported by the enclosure system, the enclosure sensor operable to detect that the enclosure system has been impacted by the at least one user. 
     
     
         8 . The trampoline of  claim 7 , wherein the controller compares the respective signals from the at least two sensors and the enclosure sensor to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal according to the determined status of the at least one user. 
     
     
         9 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback system provides an audible feedback signal. 
     
     
         10 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback system provides a visible feedback signal. 
     
     
         11 . The trampoline of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback system includes a feedback device that provides the feedback signal, the feedback device being remote from the frame and the jumping mat assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A trampoline comprising:
 a frame;   a jumping mat assembly that is supported by the frame to allow a user to bounce thereon;   an enclosure system that encloses at least a portion of the jumping mat assembly;   a sensor system that detects the user impacting the enclosure system; and   a feedback system that provides a feedback signal when the sensor system detects the user impacting the enclosure system.   
     
     
         13 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure system includes at least one vertical support that is coupled to the frame and that extends away from the frame, wherein the enclosure system includes a flexible wall member that is supported by the at least one vertical support, wherein the sensor system includes a sensor that is attached to the vertical support. 
     
     
         14 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the enclosure system includes at least one vertical support that is coupled to the frame and that extends away from the frame, wherein the enclosure system includes a flexible wall member that is supported by the at least one vertical support, wherein the sensor system includes a sensor that is attached to the flexible wall member. 
     
     
         15 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback system includes an audio feedback device that emits an audible feedback when the sensor system detects the user impacting the enclosure system. 
     
     
         16 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback system includes a visual feedback device that emits a visible feedback when the sensor system detects the user impacting the enclosure system. 
     
     
         17 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback system includes a feedback device that provides the feedback signal, the feedback device being remote from the frame, the jumping mat assembly, and the enclosure system. 
     
     
         18 . The trampoline of  claim 12 , wherein the sensor system includes at least one of an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, a camera, a motion detector, and a piezoelectric sensor to detect the user impacting the enclosure system. 
     
     
         19 . A trampoline comprising:
 a frame;   a jumping mat assembly that is supported by the frame to allow at least one user to bounce thereon;   an enclosure system that encloses at least a portion of the jumping mat assembly, the enclosure system including a vertical support that is coupled to the frame and that extends away from the frame, the enclosure system also including a flexible wall member that is supported by vertical support;   a sensor system that includes a plurality of first sensors that are coupled to one of the frame and the jumping mat assembly to detect bouncing of the at least one user on the jumping mat, the plurality of first sensors being spaced apart from each other, the sensor system also including a second sensor that is fixed to one of the vertical support and the flexible wall member to detect impact of the at least one user with the enclosure system;   a feedback system that provides a feedback signal; and   a controller that compares output from the plurality of first sensors to determine a status of the at least one user, the controller operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal according to the determined status of the at least one user, the controller also operable to cause the feedback system to provide the feedback signal when the second sensor detects impact of the at least one user with the enclosure system.   
     
     
         20 . A method of providing feedback for at least one user of a trampoline comprising:
 generating signals from at least two sensors due to at least one user impacting a jumping mat assembly of the trampoline, the at least two sensors supported by the trampoline and spaced apart from each other;   comparing the signals of the at least two sensors;   detecting a status of the at least one user based on the comparison of the signals; and   providing a feedback signal based on the detected status.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein detecting the status includes at least one of:
 detecting a location of the at least one user relative to the jumping mat,   detecting whether the at least one user has completed a predetermined movement relative to the jumping mat assembly, and   detecting a number of the at least one user that are atop the jumping mat assembly.