Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/006,477, filed on June 2, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to foam pits, and more particularly, to foam pit assemblies for large scale recreational use.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Foam pits - in which a pit is filled with soft foam blocks - have been used for some time, particularly as a training tool for sports like gymnastics, but also for purely recreational purposes. The simplest foam pits are simply large boxes (usually rectangular) holding foam blocks. For enhanced safety and performance, some foam pits have been integrated into platforms that hold the bottom surface of the pit above the underlying surface. The bottom surface, rather than being rigid, can be formed with a trampoline. To further add to the fun, one or more trampolines can be incorporated into the top of the platform adjacent to the foam pit. Users can then get a better leap into the foam pit by first jumping off the adjacent trampoline. [0004] For commercial venues, which may host hundreds of jumpers a day, a larger foam pit is desirable. However, increasing the size of the foam pit beyond a certain point - particularly a foam pit with a trampoline bottom - becomes more than a matter of scaling up and/or duplicating existing components. Accordingly, further improvements on existing foam pits are possible.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved foam pit assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a foam pit assembly includes a horizontal platform defining a foam pit opening and a framework assembly supporting the horizontal platform above an underlying surface. The framework assembly surrounds the foam pit opening, and includes a plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members surrounding the foam pit opening at a foam pit bottom level below the horizontal platform and above the underlying surface. A first double run of wire rope extends across the foam pit bottom level and is secured to a first set of opposed rope connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members. First and second foam pit trampolines cover respective, adjacent first and second portions of the foam pit bottom level and are connected to respective first and second sets of trampoline connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members and to respective first and second runs of the first double run of wire rope.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, the horizontal platform further defines a first platform trampoline opening adjacent to the foam pit opening, and the framework assembly surrounds the first platform trampoline opening. A first platform trampoline covering the first platform trampoline opening and is secured to the framework assembly therearound. According to further aspects, a third foam pit trampoline covers a third portion of the of the foam pit bottom level adjacent the second portion and is connected to a third set of trampoline connection points on the plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members and, the second and third trampolines are connected to respective first and second runs of a second double run of wire rope extending therebetween.

[0007] These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foam pit assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 is a top view of the foam pit assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0010] Figure 3 is a side view of the foam pit assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0011] Figure 4 is a detail view of area 4 of Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 5 is a detail view of area 5 of Figure 2;

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the foam pit assembly of Figure 1 , with pads in place; and

[0014] Figure 7 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a foam block usable in the foam pit assembly of Figure 1. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figures 1 and 2, a foam pit assembly 10 includes a platform 12 defining a foam pit opening 14 and a plurality of platform trampoline openings 16 adjacent thereto. A framework assembly 20 supports the platform 12 above an underlying surface 22, and surrounds the foam pit opening 14 and trampoline openings 16. Foam pit trampolines 24 (only one shown in Figure 1 for efficiency of illustration) cover respective portions 26 of a lower level of the foam pit opening 14. Wire rope runs 30 extend between adjacent portions 26 of the foam pit lower level, such that adjacent edges of foam pit trampolines 24 connect to the wire rope runs 30, while non-adjacent edges connect to the framework assembly 20. Advantageously, the wire rope runs 30 are each double runs, with each trampoline 24 being connected to the closer of the two runs. Platform trampolines 32 (one shown) cover each of the platform trampoline openings 16. Foam blocks (see Figure 7 for an exemplary foam block) fill the foam pit opening 14.

[0016] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the frame assembly 20 includes a plurality of foam pit lower perimeter members 34, which surround a bottom level of the foam pit opening 14 between the platform 12 and the underlying surface 22. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, opposite sides (one shown) of the lower perimeter members 34 form rope connection points 36 for the wire rope runs 30. As discussed above, each wire rope run 30 includes double runs 40. At each connection point 36, the free end of each run 40 is looped under the lower perimeter member 34 and clamped back to the run using a plurality of rope fasteners 42; preferably, saddle clips. In addition to fastening each run 40 back onto itself, the fasteners 42 each span both runs 40, connecting and helping maintain proper spacing between the runs 40 in each double run 30.

[0017] The lower perimeter members 34 also form a plurality of connection points 44 for the foam pit trampolines 24. Preferably, the connection points 44 include openings defined in the members 34, to which springs 46 of the trampolines 24 connect. Between adjacent trampolines 24, the springs 46 connect to the rope run 30, and more particularly, to the closer of the two runs 40. Connection points 50 are also defined in the framework assembly 20 surrounding the platform trampoline openings 16. Preferably, the connection points 50 include openings like the connection points 44, to which springs of the platform trampolines 32 connect, in the same manner as the springs 46.

[0018] Referring to Figure 6, the peripheries of the foam pit opening 14 and the trampoline openings 16 are preferably covered by a plurality of foam pads 60. Abutting pads 60 are advantageously connected, for example by hook and loop fasteners, as well as being attached to the members of the platform 12 and/or framework assembly 20 lying thereunder. Also, within the foam pit opening 14, foam pads 60 preferably also overlie the wire rope runs 30 (which pads 60 would normally not be seen underneath the foam blocks filling the opening 14), further increasing the safety of the foam pit assembly 10.

[0019] Referring to Figure 7, a foam block 70 for use filling the foam pit opening 14 advantageously includes a foam block core 72 covered by a sheath 74. The sheath 74 is preferably made of a woven or non-woven fabric and helps maintain the integrity of the core 72 over the course of repeated foam pit assembly 10 use, and minimizes the release of foam dust and particles resulting from the gradual deterioration of the core 72. This arrangement also allows for block colorations not limited by available colors of foam, as well as changing of foam colors without replacing cores 72, and easier cleaning of blocks 70.

[0020] In use, jumpers access the platform 12 via a first staircase 52 and jump from one of the platform trampolines 32 into the foam pit opening 14, where their descent is cushioned by foam blocks and the resilience of the foam pit trampolines 24. After exiting the foam pit opening 14 via on an opposite side of the platform 12, they descend to via second staircase 54.

[0021] As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the use of rope runs 30 between adjacent trampolines 24 allow a large continuous foam pit opening 14 without the need for a prohibitively large, continuous trampoline, which would be very problematic to construct and properly tension. The rope runs 30 are also preferable to rigid framework members extending across the bottom level of the foam pit opening 14.

[0022] The foregoing embodiment is provided for illustrative and exemplary purposes, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, as well adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.