EXERCISE SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/738,545, filed December 24, 2024, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a trampoline and a shell that can be converted between exercise equipment and a piece of furniture.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] A trampoline and a shell are described that may be incorporated together. When the user wishes to use the trampoline for exercise, the shell or a portion thereof may be removed so that the user can stand on the trampoline and bounce up and down. On the other hand, when the trampoline is not being used, the shell covers the trampoline to obstruct visibility of the trampoline. The trampoline covered by the shell resembles a piece of furniture, such as an ottoman or table, among others. This allows the trampoline and the shell to be located in a living room or bedroom without the trampoline looking out of place. The disclosure may also include any other aspect described below in the written description or in the attached drawings and any combinations thereof.

[0004] Some embodiments are directed to an exercise system that includes a trampoline and a shell. In some embodiments, the trampoline includes a frame defining a central opening; a flexible membrane attached to the frame and covering the central opening; and legs extending from the frame for supporting the frame above a ground surface. In some embodiments, the shell is configured to at least partially enclose the trampoline. In some embodiments, the shell includes a base portion extending around a circumference of the trampoline so as to at least partially surround the trampoline; and a cover portion coupled to the base portion such that it is disposed above the flexible membrane and the frame. In some embodiments, the cover portion is removably coupled to the base portion such that the flexible membrane is covered by the cover portion when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion and the flexible membrane is exposed when the cover portion is removed from the base portion. In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the base portion includes slots extending up from a bottom of the base portion, and the slots are configured to receive the legs of the trampoline such that the legs extend through the slots.

[0005] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the cover portion has a top side and a bottom side, and the exercise system further includes a balance trainer coupled to the bottom side of the cover such that the balance trainer is enclosed by the base portion and the cover portion when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion.

[0006] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the base portion is a hollow cylinder.

[0007] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the balance trainer includes a half stability ball that has a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of the cover portion so as to form a rim surrounding half stability ball.

[0008] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the flexible membrane is recessed below a top of the base portion.

[0009] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the exercise system includes leg cover portions coupled to the base portion such that the leg cover portions at least partially enclose the legs of the trampoline.

[0010] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the base portion is removably coupled to the trampoline.

[0011] Some embodiments are directed to an exercise system that includes a trampoline and a shell. In some embodiments, the trampoline includes a frame defining a central opening; a flexible membrane attached to the frame and covering the central opening; and legs extending from the frame for supporting the frame above a ground surface. In some embodiments, the shell is configured to at least partially enclose the trampoline. In some embodiments, the shell includes a base portion surrounding at least a portion of the trampoline; and a cover portion removably coupled to the base portion, wherein the cover portion has a top side and a bottom side. In some embodiments, the cover portion comprises a balance trainer having a base and a ball disposed thereon, such that the balance trainer is enclosed by the base portion and the cover portion when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion.

[0012] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the trampoline is integral with the shell.

[0013] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the top side of the cover portion is flat.

[0014] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the flexible membrane is recessed below a top of the base portion to form a recess, and the balance trainer is disposed in the recess when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion.

[0015] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the exercise system includes a latch configured to releasably couple the cover portion to the base portion.

[0016] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the base portion is removably coupled to the trampoline.

[0017] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the trampoline includes legs, and the base portion comprises slots extending up from a bottom of the base portion that are configured to receive the legs of the trampoline.

[0018] Some embodiments are directed to an exercise system that includes a base portion and a cover portion. In some embodiments, the base portion includes a wall that at least partially defines a central opening; and a trampoline comprising a flexible membrane attached to the wall of the base portion and covering the central opening. In some embodiments, the cover portion is removably coupled to the base portion at a top surface of the wall such that the flexible membrane is covered by the cover portion when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion and the flexible membrane is exposed when the cover portion is removed from the base portion.

[0019] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the exercise system includes a handle extending up from a top of the base portion, and the handle may be removably coupled to the base portion.

[0020] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the handle is configured to be housed within the shell when the handle is not coupled to the base portion.

[0021] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the exercise system is configured to be a table when the cover portion is coupled to the base portion.

[0022] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the flexible membrane is directly coupled to the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same.

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise system according to some embodiments.

[0025]FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise system of FIG. 1 with a cover portion removed.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates a rigid portion of the exercise system surrounding a rigid frame of a trampoline according to some embodiments.

[0027]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of a shell of the exercise system according to some embodiments.

[0028]FIG. 5 illustrates the shell of the exercise system according to some embodiments.

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates the exercise system with the base portion of the shell of FIG. 5 positioned on the trampoline and with the cover portion of the shell removed.

[0030]FIG. 7 illustrates a balance trainer according to some embodiments.

[0031]FIG. 8 illustrates an exercise system according to some embodiments.

[0032]FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section along line 9-9 of the exercise system of FIG. 8.

[0033]FIG. 10 illustrates an exercise system according to some embodiments.

[0034]FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section along line 11-11 of the exercise system of FIG. 10.

[0035]FIG. 12 illustrates an exercise system having a handle according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Small trampolines are a common type of exercise equipment that individuals use to bounce up and down on for physical exercise and fun. However, like other exercise equipment, trampolines are typically only used periodically for relatively short exercise routines but are left unused most of the time. While this is fine when a user has a dedicated exercise room with other exercise equipment, many users may like to have a trampoline in their living spaces like a living room, bedroom, etc.

[0037] However, using a trampoline in a regular living space has several disadvantages. Since the trampoline will only be used for relatively short exercises, it occupies space the rest of the time that could be used for other purposes, or requires the user to remove and store the trampoline between uses. Many people also tend to view a trampoline as out of place in a personal living space. Thus, if one wants to use a trampoline in their personal living space, they may end up moving it each time they use it to a storage closet or some other storage place that is out of sight and out of the way.

[0038] Embodiments described here overcome these and other challenges by providing—among other benefits—an exercise system that includes a trampoline but can be converted into a piece of furniture when not in use. Some embodiments described herein include multiple pieces of exercise equipment (e.g., a trampoline and a balance trainer) incorporated into the system.

[0039]Referring now to the figures, and particularly to FIGS. 1-2, an exercise system 5 includes a trampoline 10 that is coupled to a shell 12 as shown.

[0040] Trampoline 10 may be a standalone trampoline that is covered by shell 12 to resemble furniture, or trampoline 10 may be integrated into shell 12 such that the system resembles furniture when not in use. In some embodiments, trampoline 10 is a standalone trampoline with a frame 22 defining a central opening, a flexible membrane 18 attached to frame 22 and covering the central opening, and legs 48 extending from the frame. In some embodiments, the legs support the frame above a ground surface. In some embodiments, trampoline 10 is a rebounder trampoline.

[0041]In some embodiments, exercise system 5 includes a shell 12 that includes a cover portion 14 and a base portion 16. Cover portion 14 may have a top side and a bottom side. As shown in FIG. 1, when the trampoline 10 is not being used, a cover portion 14 may be placed on top of the base portion 16 such that top side of cover portion 14 is exposed and the base portion 16 and cover portion 14 together resemble a piece of furniture 10. As a result, the shell 12 obstructs visibility of the trampoline 10 when it is not in use. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover portion 14 may be removed from the base portion 16 to expose the top of the trampoline 10. This allows the user to stand on the jumping mat (e.g., flexible membrane 18) of the trampoline 10 in order to bounce up and down on the trampoline 10 for exercise or fun. In some embodiments, trampoline 10 also has an elastic structure 20 like rubber bands or springs that connect the flexible membrane 18 to a rigid frame 22 (FIG. 3) that surrounds the flexible membrane 18 and the elastic structure 20. However, in alternate embodiments, flexible membrane 18 is attached directly to rigid frame 22 and may include a support structure below the membrane 18 such as a plurality of flexible rods, e.g., fiberglass rods. In some embodiments, the trampoline 10 may be provided with a fabric spring cover 24 that covers the elastic structure 20, which helps prevent the user from becoming entangled in the elastic structure 20 and also makes the trampoline 10 look more aesthetic.

[0042]In addition to covering the top of the trampoline 10 (e.g., the cover portion 14 covering the flexible membrane 18), in some embodiments, the shell 12 surrounds the outer circumference of the trampoline 10 (e.g., the base portion 16 surrounding the rigid frame 22). Although the shape of the trampoline 10 and the shell 12 may vary, in some embodiments the trampoline 10 and the shell 12 both have a circular shape. The shape of the shell 12 may correspond to the shape of the trampoline 10. For example, shell 12 may be an annular shape or a ring shape, and may be a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, base portion 16 is a hollow shell and cover portion 14 is a disk shape. Thus, in the case of the trampoline 10, in some embodiments the rigid frame 22 that surrounds the flexible membrane 18 and the elastic structure 20 is round. It is to be understood that shell 12 may be various shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, shell 12 is rectangular or square, and trampoline 10 is also rectangular or square. In some embodiments, shell 12 is rectangular or square and trampoline 10 is circular.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the flexible membrane 18 of the trampoline 10 is recessed below the top of the base portion 16 of the shell 12. For example, in some embodiments, the flexible membrane 18 may be recessed at least 3” below the top of the base portion 16. This may be desirable so that when the trampoline 10 is not being used and the cover portion 14 is disposed on top of the base portion 16, the height of the shell 12 may be at a comfortable height to sit on or to use as an ottoman.

[0044] Turning to FIGS. 3-4, in some embodiments, the shell 12 is made from a rigid portion 26, such as wood, with fabric 28 (FIGS. 1-2) covering the rigid portion 26. In some embodiments, the shell 12 may include cushion material 30, and cushion material 30 may be arranged between the rigid portion 26 and the fabric 28 as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, shell 12 includes a first cushion on an outer surface of base portion 16 and a second cushion on a top surface of the cover portion. Providing cushion material 30 underneath the outer fabric 28 is especially desirable on top of the cover portion 14, around the outer circumference of the base portion 16 and along the inner circumference of the base portion 16, since these are the surfaces that people are most likely to come into contact with. Thus, the construction of the shell 12 is much like a sofa or lounge chair. And in particular, it is desirable for the shell 12 to look as much like a regular piece of furniture as possible so that it aesthetically fits in with the decor of a typical living room or bedroom.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the rigid portion 26 of the base portion 16 of the shell 12 may include a first annular rigid portion 32 disposed above the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10. In some embodiments, the rigid portion 26 may be designed so that the annular rigid portion 32 rests on top of the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10. Along the outer circumference of the annular rigid portion 32, a series of thin rigid portions 34 (e.g., bars, rods or planks) may be attached to the annular rigid portion 32 so that the thin rigid portions 34 extend vertically below and/or above the annular rigid portion 32. The thin rigid portions 34 may be spaced apart from each adjacent thin rigid portion 34 by a gap 36, and the thin rigid portions 34 may be spread around the outer circumference of the annular rigid portion 32 to form a circular vertical wall 38 around the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10.

[0046] In some embodiments, the rigid portion 26 also includes thin rigid portions 40 attached to the inner circumference of the annular rigid portion 32 and extending vertically above the annular rigid portion 32. The inner thin rigid portions 40 may be spaced around the inner circumference of the annular rigid portion 32 with gaps 42 therebetween like the outer thin rigid portions 34. in some embodiments, a second annular rigid portion 44 is also attached to the top end of the inner and outer thin rigid portions 40, 34 so that the rigid portion 26 forms a circular vertical wall 38 above the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10 with a thickness that is wider than the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10.

[0047]Turning to FIGS. 5-6, the base portion 16 of the shell 12 may be provided with slots 46 that the legs 48 of the trampoline 10 may extend outward therethrough. In some embodiments, the legs 48 are attached to the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10 and extend down to the floor surface. Thus, the legs 48 may be designed with sufficient strength to support a person bouncing on the trampoline 10. In some embodiments, slots 46 extend up from a bottom end 67 of base portion 16 towards a top end 66 of base portion 16. In some embodiments, the slots 46 in the base portion 16 extend to the bottom of the base portion 16 and include openings 50 at the bottom thereof. Thus, the base portion 16 of the shell 12 may be removed from the trampoline 10 by sliding the base portion 16 upwards along the legs 48 and past the openings 50. The base portion 16 may be placed over the trampoline 10 in the reverse manner.

[0048]In some embodiments, base portion 16 has a diameter greater than the outermost diameter of trampoline 10 (i.e., including legs 48) such that base portion enclose the entire trampoline 10, including legs 48. In such an embodiment, base portion 16 may not include slots 46.

[0049]As shown FIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, the system includes leg cover portions 52 attached to the base portion 16 which obstruct visibility of the legs 48. The leg cover portions 52 may be made from a rigid portion 26, cushion material 30 and fabric 28 like in FIG. 4. Leg cover portion 52 may be integrally formed with base portion 16 or may be separately formed and attached to base portion 16. In some embodiments, the leg cover portions 52 may not touch the floor surface since the first annular rigid portion 32 of the base portion 16 rests on the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10, but the leg cover portions 52 could contact the floor surface with the first annular rigid portion 32 being spaced above the rigid frame 22 of the trampoline 10 if desired. Each leg cover portion 52 may be arranged over a slot of the base portion 16. Leg cover portion 52 may extend from bottom end 67 of base portion toward top end 66. Leg cover portion may define a channel therein to receive the leg of the trampoline 10. Leg cover portion may have a U-shaped cross sectional area.

[0050]As illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, both a trampoline and a second piece of exercise equipment (e.g., a balance trainer) are incorporated into exercise system 5. FIG. 7 illustrates a balance trainer 60 that can be incorporated into exercise system 5. As shown in FIG. 9, balance trainer 60 may serve as the cover portion 14 as described herein. In some embodiments, balance trainer 60 includes a half stability ball 61 disposed on a first side of a base 62. Second side of base opposite first side may be generally flat or planar. In some embodiments, the second side of base 62 includes surface 64. Base 62 may be a rigid material so that surface 64 serves as a seat or table to support a weight of a person thereon. Base 62 may have a circular shape and may have a diameter that is the same as or slightly greater than a diameter of half stability ball 61 so as to form a rim 63 surrounding half stability ball 61.

[0051]FIGS. 8-11 show an exercise system 5 in which trampoline 10 is integral with a piece of furniture. In such embodiments, flexible membrane 18 of trampoline 10 may be attached to base portion 16. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 18 is fixedly attached to base portion 16. In such embodiments, shell 12 does not include slots 46 because there are no legs 48 attached to trampoline 10. Likewise, there are no leg cover portions 52. Although FIGS. 8-11 illustrate exercise system 5 with balance trainer 60, it is to be understood that exercise system 5 could include the integral trampoline 10 without balance trainer 60.

[0052]FIG. 8 illustrates exercise system 5 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, exercise system 5 can include an outer wall 65 that surrounds flexible membrane 18. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, flexible membrane 18 is recessed below a top end 66 of base portion 16, which creates a cavity 68 above flexible membrane 18. In such embodiments, balance trainer 60 can be coupled to base portion 16 such that half stability ball 61 is facing down and is disposed in the cavity 68 above flexible membrane 18. Rim of base may be arranged on top of top end 66 of outer wall 65 to secure balance trainer to outer wall 65. In some embodiments, top end 66 of outer wall may include one or more engagement features to engage with mating engagement features on top end 66 of outer wall 65 to securely attach balance trainer 60 to outer wall 65. Further, base 62 can serve as both the base of balance trainer 60 during an exercise and service as cover portion 14 of exercise system 5 when not in use. Thus, when not in use, the flexible membrane 18 and half stability ball 61 are enclosed by cover portion 14 and base portion 16, and exercise system 5 has a flat top surface. In some embodiments, the flat top surface could be used as a tabletop, as a seat, ottoman, or other similar piece of furniture.

[0053]In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, rim 63 may rest on wall 65 at the top end 66 of wall 65 such that exercise system 5 resembles furniture and the flexible membrane 18 and half stability ball 61 of balance trainer 60 are concealed within wall 65.

[0054]As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, balance trainer 60 can be stored within outer wall 65. In some embodiments, base 62 of balance trainer can have a diameter smaller than an overall diameter of exercise system 5 such that outer wall 65 surrounds balance trainer 60 and balance trainer 60 is disposed in the cavity beneath flexible membrane 18. In such embodiments, cover portion 14 may be removable from base portion 16, and base portion 16 may be removable from balance trainer 60. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, wall 65 may rest on rim 63 and cover portion 14 may couple to top end 66 of wall 65 such that exercise system 5 resembles furniture and the flexible membrane 18 and half stability ball 61 of balance trainer 60 are concealed within wall 65.

[0055]In some embodiments, flexible membrane 18 of trampoline 10 is recessed relative to the top of outer wall 65, as shown in FIG. 9. In some embodiments, flexible membrane 18 of trampoline 10 is disposed at the same height as the top of outer wall 65, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0056]In some embodiments, trampoline 10 is a standalone trampoline configured to couple with base portion 16 and cover portion 14, and both base portion 16 and cover portion 14 are removably coupled to trampoline 10. In some embodiments, trampoline 10 is integral with base portion 16 such that trampoline 10 is fixedly coupled to base portion 16 and cover portion 14 is removably coupled to base portion 16.

[0057] As discussed above and shown throughout the figures cover portion 14 may be removably coupled to base portion 16. In some embodiments, exercise system 5 includes an engagement mechanism (e.g., a latch or a hinge) configured to secure cover portion 14 to base portion 16. In some embodiments, cover portion 14 is may not be removably coupled to base portion 16. For example, in some embodiments, cover portion 14 may be hingedly coupled base portion 16 such that cover portion 14 can rotate to expose trampoline 10.

[0058]In some embodiments, cover portion 14 and base portion 16 are made of rigid components (e.g., metal, wood, or combinations thereof). In some embodiments, cover portion 14 and/or base portion 16 are at least partially covered by a cushion, fabric, or combinations thereof.

[0059]As shown in FIG. 12, exercise system 5 can include handle 70 coupled to shell 12. In some embodiments, handle 70 is coupled to base portion 16, for example at outer wall 65. In some embodiments, handle 70 is stored within base portion 16 when not in use and can be removed and attached to outer wall 65. In some embodiments, the handle is configured to couple to outer wall 65 and be used to support balancing when the trampoline is used for an exercise routine. Handle 70 may include at least one rod 71 extending up from the top end 66 of base portion 16. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, handle 70 may include two rods 71 extending upward and a grip portion 72 extending horizontally between rods 71. In some embodiments, handle 70 is removably coupled to base portion 16 and can be stored inside of base portion 16 when not in use. In some embodiments, handle 70 is configured to telescope up and down within wall 65 of base portion 16.

[0060] As used herein, the terms “upper” and “lower,” and “top” and “bottom,” and the like are intended to assist in understanding of embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings with respect to the orientation of as shown, and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the disclosure or to limit the disclosure scope to the embodiments depicted in the Figures. The directional terms are used for convenience of description and it is understood that the exercise system may be positioned in any of various orientations.

[0061] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not any other section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. Other sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.

[0062] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0063] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0064] The above examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0065] References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0066] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.