If you can imagine me traveling the
world, explaining to audiences since the late 70's how "rebound exercise is the
most efficient, effective form of exercise yet devised by man",
then the following will be extremely exciting to you!
When I approached Dr. Spencer Magleby,
PhD., Dean of the Mechanical Engineering Department of Brigham
Young University, Provo, Utah, with the proposal that I wanted
to improve upon the quarter-fold rebounder we had perfected
and made available in 1995, he surprised me by saying, “All
of the technology necessary to develop your quarter-fold
rebounder was available to us during the First World War.”
He was talking about the bending,
welding, painting and drilling and milling of steel to create
the frames that are being used in all of the rebound exercise
equipment today.
“Your next step is to bring the
rebounding equipment into the new century.”
|
"
Six weeks later I was able to see a three dimensional
digital drawing of the Ultimate Rebound™. To me,
it was museum art. I wanted to frame the drawings,
place them on the wall and stare at them.". |
“How do we do that?” I asked.
“Use polymer - composite materials,”
he answered.
“Aren’t polymers brittle, soft and cheap
looking?" I inquired.
“They can be, but they can also be
harder than steel, immaculately crafted, lighter, and
stronger. The stealth fighters are made of composite polymers;
polypropylene and fiberglass. Many automobile parts -
including engine parts are made of polymers. There are over
fifty different combinations of materials that can go into the
production of products each with their own specific
characteristics. All you have to do is find the combination
that fits your needs. A rebounder is an ideal devise to be
constructed of composite polymer materials.”
“Is it expensive?” I asked.
“Only in the beginning, but I believe
the investment will be well worth it.”
“Well, let’s explore its potential,
then.”
That was my beginning of a great
adventure into a world previously unknown to me of composite
materials.
Professor Magleby appointed me as the
head of the project. The six students were there to get a
grade. I was there to receive the benefit of what would come
of the mechanical engineering project called “New Rebound.” I
presented the primary specifications.
1. It is an exercise device that
will be used on a daily basis.
2. It provides an efficient rebounding experience.
3. The 28½ inch diameter Baycor®
Permatron™ mat is
circular and parallel to the floor. (Made in the
U.S.A. by the Ten Cate Nicolon Corp.)
4. It is supported by eighteen aluminum mat/spring
attachments, which, in turn is supported by 36 wide
bellied springs.
5. It has to support 400 pounds of dynamic weight.
6. The 36 springs are connected to a frame that has
4 uniquely designed hinges and is capable of being
folded twice into a quarter-fold.
7. The frame is 40 inches in diameter and supported
by 6 permanently connected aluminum legs.
8. Each leg must have the ability to
"unlock" and be folded out
of the way.
With that information and a review of the original
Quarter Fold ReboundAIR™, a steel
rebounder, the students went to
work on a new composite polymer hybrid rebounder. Six weeks
later I was able to see a three dimensional digital drawing of the
Ultimate Rebound™. To me, it was museum art. I
wanted to frame the drawings, place them on the wall and stare
at them.
The design was such that it made a frame cover obsolete.
There was no need for springs in the leg. You simply slid them
into their slots and turned them by 30 degrees to lock them in
place.
They even designed a built-in
compartment for each leg to fit in when the frame is folded.
Very useful!
The students were great, but they were only students. To
perfect the design we needed to go to the experts - the
engineers who were going to create the actual mold for the
frame.
This was a real challenge because we couldn’t
find a
factory in the United States who would design and produce the
mold for under $150,000.00 up front.
Our search culminated in a high-tech factory in Korea
which was perfectly equipped for the project. They were
so confident in the outcome, they were willing to guarantee their
workmanship and back up every component produced!
We even included a good looking, custom
fitted, double zippered nylon carrying case and
its own transport dolly. However, what we thought was going to
take 90 days from design to production has taken over two years
due to meticulous product test improvements!
Was it worth it? You
decide. After 12 years of Quarter Fold evolution, I proudly present to you, The Ultimate Rebound™.
Revolutionary materials and
workmanship. The ultimate in convenience and
portability. The ultimate rebound exercise devise!
- Al Carter, Founder,
American Institute of Reboundology, Inc. Patents Pending
on The Ultimate Rebound™ concept and design.
Questions or comments? Feel free
to e-mail us or
call toll free 1-888-464-JUMP (5867).
