U.S. patent application number 15/250825 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for hammock.
The applicant listed for this patent is Plow & Hearth, LLC.. Invention is credited to Beverly Fries, Kirk Turner, Ting Xu, David Yakos.
Application Number | 20180055201 15/250825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61240175 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180055201 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fries; Beverly ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
Hammock
Abstract
A hammock includes a resilient support surface for supporting a
mass of at least one object thereon, and a separation element being
disposed in the support surface defining a plurality of separable
support sections.
Inventors: |
Fries; Beverly;
(Barboursville, VA) ; Xu; Ting; (Richmond, VA)
; Yakos; David; (Bozeman, MT) ; Turner; Kirk;
(Bozeman, MT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Plow & Hearth, LLC. |
Madison |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61240175 |
Appl. No.: |
15/250825 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45F 3/24 20060101
A45F003/24 |
Claims
1. A hammock, comprising: a resilient support surface for
supporting a mass of at least one user thereon, and a separation
element being disposed in the support surface, the separation
element having an opposing first edge and a second edge, the
separation element being in a closed position when the first and
second edges are interconnected; and the separation element being
in an open position when the first edge and second edge are
unconnected.
2. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein the first edge and
second edge includes at least two interlocking connecting
members.
3. The hammock according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking
connecting members further comprises a loop structure.
4. The hammock according to claim 2, wherein the separation element
includes a flexible closure member interconnected with the
interlocking connecting members.
5. The hammock according to claim 2, further comprising a first
connection member at a free end of the first edge and the second
connection member at a free end of the second edge.
6. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein the support surface
has at least one separable support section.
7. The hammock according to claim 6, wherein at least one cupping
section is created when the separation element is an opened
position.
8. The hammock according to claim 6, wherein at least one inclined
section is created when the separation element is an opened
position.
9. The hammock according to claim 1, further comprising a stand for
suspending the support surface thereon.
10. The hammock according to claim 9, wherein the stand comprises a
four-point star arrangement.
11. A hammock, comprising: a resilient support surface for
supporting a mass of at least one user thereon, and a separation
element being disposed in the support surface defining at least one
separable support section.
12. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein said at least one
separable section is created when the separation element is an
opened position.
13. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one
inclined section is created when the separation element is an
opened position.
14. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein the separation
element includes an opposing first edge and a second edge, the
separation element being in a closed position when the first and
second edges are interconnected and separation element being in an
open position when the first edge and second edge are
unconnected.
15. The hammock according to claim 14, wherein the first edge and
second edge includes at least two interlocking connecting
members.
16. The hammock according to claim 15, wherein the separation
element includes a flexible closure member interconnected with the
interlocking connecting members.
17. The hammock according to claim 16, wherein the interlocking
connecting members further comprises a loop structure.
18. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein the separation
element comprises rows of protruding interdigitate teeth.
19. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein the separation
element partially extends a width of the support surface.
20. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein the support surface
further comprises a fabric and a netting material.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The field of invention relates generally to hammocks, and
more specifically, to a hammock with a split structure feature.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hammocks provide sleeping and reclining accommodation for
users. Hammocks are usually affixed to a tree or post. Some
hammocks are used for camping to elevate the user from a ground
surface. There is a need for another hammock design.
SUMMARY
[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a hammock. In
one aspect, a hammock includes a resilient support surface for
supporting at least one user, and a separation element being
disposed in the support surface at least one separable section of
the support surface ("separable support surface").
[0004] In another aspect, a hammock includes a resilient support
surface for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon. In one
aspect, a separation element is disposed in the support surface. In
yet another aspect of the hammock, the separation element has an
opposing first edge and a second edge such that the separation
element functions in a closed position when the first and second
edges are interconnected and separation element functions in an
open position when the first edge and second edge are
unconnected.
[0005] In another aspect of the hammock, the first edge and second
edge includes at least two interlocking connecting members. In yet
another aspect of the hammock, the separation element includes a
closure member interconnected with the interlocking connecting
members. In another aspect of the hammock, the support surface has
a plurality of separable sections. In yet another aspect of the
hammock, at least one separable support surface is created when the
separation element is in an opened position. In another aspect of
the hammock, at least one inclined separable support surface is
created when the separation element is in an opened position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in
the appended claims. Features of the disclosure will become more
apparent upon a review of this disclosure in its entirety,
including the drawing figures provided herewith.
[0007] Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hammock and a
support frame structure in accordance with the various teaching of
the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the hammock and the support
frame structure shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a separation feature of a hammock in
accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a hammock in a separated or opened state
in accordance with the various teaching of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a hammock in isolation from a support
structure.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock
in accordance with the various teaching of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock
in accordance with the various teaching of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock
in a separated or opened state and during use by users.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates the hammock shown in FIG. 8 in an
unseparated or closed state during use by users.
[0017] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative construction of
separation elements according to the teachings of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following description of various illustrative
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration,
various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made,
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 in accordance with various
constructions, is an aerial hammock 100 ("hammock") for placement
in a suitable indoor or outdoor area, such as a room, a play gym,
lawn, park, playground or similar area. The hammock 100 has a
support surface 110 made of a stretchable elastic woven fiber, a
plurality of inelastic fibers or a resilient sheet material for
supporting the mass/weight of at least one user. The hammock 100
may be mounted to a support frame 200, such as a portable hammock
stand. According to the teachings of the present disclosure,
hammock 100 can be of multiple planar geometric shapes, including
rectilinear shapes. In one construction shown in the FIGS. 1-6,
hammock 100 is provided as a square shape. Accordingly, hammock 100
has four points of connection at the corners of the square shape.
At each corner of hammock 100 there is affixed an anchor connection
member 120 formed of any number of materials. In one construction,
the connection members 120 can be a fabric webbing material, such
as tubular webbing or formed in a loop structure. Nevertheless, the
connection members 120 can be other arrangements such as a ring
fastened to the hammock material. The connection member 120 enables
a suspension line 130, such as a rope, cord, cable, wire, or strap,
to be attached to the hammock 100 and to connect the hammock 10 to
a fixed support structure, such as tree, post or stand. As can be
seen in FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the distal ends of the suspension line 130
are fastened to the connection members 120 and the opposing distal
ends are fastened to support frame 200. It should be noted that the
distal ends of the suspension line 130 could retain any number of
quick release devices, such as a carabiner device.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in accordance with at least one
construction, support frame 200 has a tubular configuration of a
four-point star-like shape. Each connection point of the support
frame 200 has cross-bar 210 to which the suspension line 130 of the
hammock 100 is removably affixed thereto. In this way, the hammock
100 can be suspended above a ground or floor surface with a
portable structure. However, the support frame for the hammock 100
is not limited to attachment at the cross bar and may affix to the
support frame at a different point on the support frame that falls
within the spirit and scope of the principles of this
disclosure.
[0021] In the construction shown in the figures, hammock 100
includes a separation element 140 being disposed from one edge to
the center line of the square. The separation element 140 allows
for manipulation or transformation of the hammock support surface
110 into different support sections and sloping sections or a
spiral. Referring to FIG. 2 and for ease of explanation in the
orientation of the hammock, the edge of the hammock 100 having the
separation element 140 will be the designated front direction. The
opposing edge will be designated as the rear direction. The left
and right sides will be designated accordingly with respect to the
front direction. Additionally, the separation element 140
advantageously creates designated functional regions or quadrants
of hammock 100. For instance, there is defined a front-left section
150, a rear-left section 160, a front-right section 170, and a
rear-right section 180. Each of the defined sections, 150, 160,
170, and 180, structurally creates a separable section; or
alternatively, a separable cupping section, when the hammock 100
supports the mass/weight of a user/object in static or dynamic
movement. In this construction, the separation element 140 extends
one-half the width of the hammock 100. While the separation element
140 can extend almost any distance from edge to edge of hammock
100, it can extend 25%, 33%, 50%, 67%, or 75% of the width of the
hammock 100 in different constructions.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, separation element 140 comprises
opposing edges (e.g., a first edge 142 and a second edge 144). A
plurality of alternating interlocking connecting members 146 is
fixedly disposed on each edge 142, 144 of the separation element
140. Each of the connecting members 146 may be formed of a web loop
structure sewn in to the hammock material. An elongated closure
element 148 is threaded through the connecting members so that two
edges are secured together. The elongated closure element 148 can
be constructed of a webbing strap. The front end of the closure
element 148 can include a loop such that a locking element 149 can
provide an enhanced locking function of the separation element 140.
One example of a locking element is a carabiner device. At the
front end of each edge of the separation element 140, left
connection member 122 and a right connection member 124 are each
fixedly attached to the hammock 100. The separation element 140 is
in a partially closed position when the first edge 142 and second
edge 144 are at least partially interconnected by the interlocking
connecting members 146 and closure element 148. The separation
element 140 is in a partially opened position when the first edge
142 and second edge 144 are at least partially disconnected by the
interlocking connecting members 146 and closure element 148.
However, embodiments are not limited to the closure methods and
elements described herein and may encompass other closure methods
and elements that fall within the spirit and scope of the
principles of this disclosure.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the closure element 148 is removed
or otherwise disconnected from the interlocking connecting members
146 so that the edges of the separation element 140 become freely
moveable. Multiple hammock arrangements can be created when the
left connection member 122 and right connection members 124 of the
separation element 140 are secured at various strategic locations.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the left connection member 122 can
be secured at a location below the hammock 100. In this
configuration, the front-left section 150 of the hammock 100 forms
a separate inclined spiral surface when the front left corner
connection member 120 is suspended above a ground surface. In this
way, at least one separable support section is provided for hammock
100. Advantageously, the inclined spiral surface 150 can provide a
play structure and function as a slide structure to enable users
disposed on upper rear-left region 160 to slide down.
Alternatively, (not shown) the right connection member 124 can be
suspended with a suspension line 130 connected to a crossbar 210 of
the support frame 200. It is recognized that an alternative
arrangement can be created when the right connection member 124 is
secured at a location below the hammock 100 while the left
connection member 122 is suspended.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in one operation of the
hammock 100, at least one user can be supported on the hammock.
Users can sit or lay stationary on support surface of the hammock
100 when it is in the closed/unseparated state. (See FIG. 9.)
Additionally, users climb or slide down the inclined support
section when the hammock 100 is in a separated/opened state as
shown in FIG. 8.
[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative constructions of
hammocks 300, 400 according to the teaching of the present
disclosure. Hammocks 300, 400 have a similar construction as
hammock 100, but have different surface materials. FIG. 6
illustrates a hybrid hammock design 300 constructed of a fabric 310
and netting material 320 with a separation element 140. The fabric
and netting materials are provided in triangular sections. In one
advantage, the fabric 310 and netting 320 sections support the
users in different functions. For example, the netting material
enables more airflow ventilation than fabric. FIG. 7 illustrates a
hammock 400 which comprises netting material 410 with a separation
element 140.
[0026] Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of
illustrative constructions and embodiments thereof. Numerous other
embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and
spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary
skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example,
while the separation element 140 has been described by using a
plurality of interlocking web loops 146 and a threaded flexible
strap 146, the separation element could be provided in other
configurations. For example, the separation element 140 could be
provided in the form of a zipper construction of two rows of
protruding teeth, which may be made to interdigitate, linking the
rows of sufficient strength to support users in the hammock (see
FIGS. 10 and 11). Other configurations include the use of buckles,
clamps or high strength hook/loop released closure, such as
Velcro.RTM. to connect the two opposing edges of 142, 144 of the
separation element 140.
* * * * *