How Trampoline Hook Elements Prevent Strap Wear
A design for a trampoline hook that separates the two ends of a support strap to prevent them from rubbing together and wearing out.
Original patent title: “USRE49995E1 - Trampoline and hook element for trampoline”
A design for a trampoline hook that separates the two ends of a support strap to prevent them from rubbing together and wearing out. Granted to Bellicon AG in 2024 with 36 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a specific hook design used to attach a trampoline jumping sheet to its frame. Instead of a single loop or attachment point, the hook contains two distinct receiving sections separated by a fastening web. By forcing the two ends of the elastic strap to sit in separate channels, the design prevents the strap material from rubbing against itself during use. This reduction in friction significantly decreases wear and tear on the straps, which are the most common point of failure in high-end trampolines.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover trampolines that use metal springs instead of elastic strap sections.
- Does not cover hook designs where the strap ends are allowed to touch or overlap.
- Does not cover jumping sheets that attach directly to the frame without using a hook element.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation is the use of a physical barrier (the fastening web) to force a separation between the two ends of a single loop, effectively eliminating self-abrasion at the point of highest stress.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Bellicon premium fitness trampolines
High-end rebounders with elastic cord suspension systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Trampolines used for fitness, such as those sold by Bellicon, rely on high-tension elastic cords for a smooth bounce. Because these cords are constantly stretching and retracting, they are prone to fraying if they rub against themselves. This patent protects a mechanical solution that increases the longevity of these components, which is a key selling point for premium exercise equipment.
Filed
June 16, 2007
Granted
June 4, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Bellicon AG remains the primary entity utilizing this specific hook geometry for their rebounder products. The design is characteristic of niche, high-performance fitness equipment manufacturers who prioritize durability in their suspension systems.
Market impact
This patent reinforces the differentiation between low-cost, mass-market trampolines and premium fitness rebounders. By securing intellectual property on a specific failure-prevention mechanism, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → maintains a competitive advantage in the longevity and maintenance-free operation of their equipment.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a specific hook design used to attach a trampoline jumping sheet to its frame. Instead of a single loop or attachment point, the hook contains two distinct receiving sections separated by a fastening web. By forcing the two ends of the elastic strap to sit in separate channels, the design prevents the strap material from rubbing against itself during use. This reduction in friction significantly decreases wear and tear on the straps, which are the most common point of failure in high-end trampolines.
The clever bit
The innovation is the use of a physical barrier (the fastening web) to force a separation between the two ends of a single loop, effectively eliminating self-abrasion at the point of highest stress.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover trampolines that use metal springs instead of elastic strap sections.
- Does not cover hook designs where the strap ends are allowed to touch or overlap.
- Does not cover jumping sheets that attach directly to the frame without using a hook element.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$21K – $68K
Midpoint $42K · 1.0 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
36 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Schmauck, H. P. G. (2024). How Trampoline Hook Elements Prevent Strap Wear (U.S. Patent No. RE49,995). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE49995/google-meet
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Trampoline Hook Elements Prevent Strap Wear cover?
A design for a trampoline hook that separates the two ends of a support strap to prevent them from rubbing together and wearing out.
Who owns patent US RE49995?
Bellicon AG owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on June 4, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Trampolines used for fitness, such as those sold by Bellicon, rely on high-tension elastic cords for a smooth bounce. Because these cords are constantly stretching and retracting, they are prone to fraying if they rub against themselves. This patent protects a mechanical solution that increases the longevity of these components, which is a key selling point for premium exercise equipment.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover trampolines that use metal springs instead of elastic strap sections.
Patent monitoring