Most trampolines are either rectangular, round or octagonal in shape.
Trampolines can help children develop balance and coordination through exciting physical activity. However, trampolines can be quite dangerous. Each year, doctors treat hundreds of thousands of injuries resulting from trampoline use, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The majority of the injured are children jumping on trampolines in the home environment. Properly maintained equipment can reduce the safety hazards. Trampoline mats, especially those located outdoors, are exposed to water, bird droppings and UV rays that can cause hazardous rips and tears. When replacing a damaged mat, companies require numerous measurements. Some companies request measurements in feet and inches, while others want the measurements in inches only. Check your order form before measuring.
Instructions
Rectangular
1. Count the number of spring holes on one of the long edges, or lengths, of the trampoline. If your trampoline has spring holes in the corners, do not count these holes. Record this number with your pen and paper.
2. Count the number of spring holes on one of the short edges, or widths, of the trampoline. Do not count any spring holes located in the corners of your trampoline. Record this number.
3. Ask your partner to place one end of the measuring tape on the first spring hole of one of the lengths. The tape should touch the spring hole on the part closet to the mat.
4. Take the other end of the measuring tape and walk around the trampoline until you are directly opposite your partner.
5. Stretch out the measuring tape and read the measurement where the tape touches the first spring hole on your side of the trampoline.
6. Record this measurement using your pen and paper.
7. Take another width measurement, this time from the center of the long edges. To find the center, take the number of springs along the length and divide it by two. Ignoring any remainder, count this number of holes from the end and add one more to find the center point of your trampoline. For example, if the length of your trampoline has 23 spring holes, divide 23 by two to get 11.5. Ignore the ".5" and count 11 holes from the end of the trampoline. Position your tape measure on the 12th hole.
8. Record this second width measurement.
9. Measure the length of the trampoline from the center of the short edges. Write this measurement down.
10. Remove one spring from the trampoline. Measure its length from the end of one hook to the end of the other hook. Record this measurement.
Round
11. Have your partner stand facing the trampoline with his belly button lined up with one of the spring holes.
12. Ask your partner to place one end of the measuring tape on the spring hole directly in front of her.
13. Take the loose end of the measuring tape and walk halfway around the edge of the trampoline until you're facing your partner.
14. Pull the measuring tape gently to get rid of any slack.
15. Place your end of the measuring tape on the spring hole in front of you. Write down this measurement. Call this measurement "diameter 1."
16. Have your partner take several small steps to the right, moving the measuring tape as well. Adjust your position so that you're in line with your partner. Take and notate a second measurement. Record this measurement as "diameter 2." Repeat a third and fourth time, depending on your trampoline mat order form requirements.
17.Count the number of spring holes on your trampoline's frame. Record this number.
18. Remove one spring from the frame and measure its length. Include both hooks in this measurement. Record this measurement.
Octagonal
19. Give your partner one end of the measuring tape.
20. Have your partner place the end of the measuring tape on a spring hole located in the middle of one of the sides of the trampoline.
21. Take the other end of the measuring tape and walk around the trampoline until you're directly across from your partner.
22. Pull the measuring tape so that it lays perpendicular to the ground with no visible slack.
23. Read the measurement where your end of the tape reaches the spring hole across from your partner's. Record this measurement with your pencil and paper. This measurement is the width.
24. Ask your partner to walk one-quarter of the way around the trampoline. Have her place the measuring tape on a spring hole located in the middle of this side of the trampoline.
25. Take the other end of the tape and place it on the spring hole directly opposite your partner's. The measuring tape should lie at a right angle to the width measurement you already took.
26
Make note of this measurement, which is the length.
27
Count and record the number of spring holes on one side of your octagonal trampoline. If your trampoline frame has spring holes in each corner, don't count these holes.
28
Remove one spring and measure it. Record the spring's length, including both hooks.
Tags: measuring tape, your partner, Record this, spring hole, spring holes