Hammock bag

Abstract

A hammock and a hammock bag are combined to permit use of a hammock on cooler days. The hammock has a generally rectangular body section with given dimensions, an upper surface, parallel side edges, and parallel top and bottom edges. The hammock bag is adapted for releasable attachment to the upper surface of the hammock rectangular body section with side ties that attach to the side edges of the hammock body section. The hammock bag has a flexible rectangular center section with dimensions generally corresponding to the dimensions of the hammock body section, and parallel side edges positioned adjacent the body section side edges; first and second side sections extending inwardly from the center section side edges over the center section; and releasable ties extending from the center section side edges to attach the bag to the body section side edges.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/339,111, filed Oct. 29, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to hammocks and to bags attachable to hammocks to render them useable on cooler days.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The mention of the word “hammock” brings to mind warm, lazy summer days with an individual stretched out in a hammock between trees in the backyard, enjoying the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, the opportunity to avail oneself of the enjoyment and relaxation offered by a hammock has heretofore been limited only to warm days. The present invention provides a convenient means to extend the usage of a hammock to include days that were previously unsuitable due to lower temperatures.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a hammock bag that can be quickly attached to the upper surface of a conventional hammock, with the hammock bag being designed to serve as a covering or comforter for the hammock user, warding off the chill, so that the user can continue to use the hammock even on cooler days.

[0005] Hammocks for use with the present invention are generally comprised of a flexible, rectangular portion that is commonly made of a plurality of ropes knotted together, usually in a square pattern. Alternatively, the hammock body portion may be formed of a fabric, such as a woven canvas. The hammock body portion includes opposed parallel sides, and opposed parallel ends.

[0006] The hammock also includes first and second end connection sections. Each end section includes an inner end that is attached to an end of the hammock body portion and converges toward an outer end that is adapted for attachment to a hammock support, such as a tree, post, or specially designed hammock frame. In order to maintain the hammock body portion in a generally rectangular configuration, especially when in use, the hammock also includes a pair of spreader bars that are attached to the ends of the hammock body portion.

[0007] In a typical construction, the hammock body portion is constructed of knotted ropes that extend through openings in the spreader bars to form the ends sections of the hammock. The outer ends of the ropes are often connected to stainless steel rings that are, in turn, connected by chains to hooks on the hammock supports.

[0008] The hammock bag of the present invention is adapted to be attached on top of the hammock body portion, and is comprised of a flexible, rectangular center section having dimensions generally corresponding to the dimensions of the hammock body section, and side sections that are folded over the bag center section. The center and side sections may be formed of a single material, such as an outer cloth covering, with an inner filler, such as fiberfill, down or other lofty, insulating material. Preferably, all components of the bag are washable. The cover may be printed in various decorative patterns.

[0009] The side sections of the bag are folded over the center section, and are preferably attached at their lower edges to the lower edge of the center section. The combined widths of the side sections are at least equal to the width of the center section, and preferably slightly greater, so that the center section is completely covered by the side sections.

[0010] The outer side edges of the side sections are adapted for releasable attachment. For example, one side section may include one or more sections of hook-and-loop fastener material along its outer edge, with the outer edge of the other side section including the mating section of hook-and-loop fastener. For example, when folded, the upper side edge of one section can include a section of hook-and-loop fastener, while the other side section includes an outwardly projecting flap with the mating section of hook-and-loop fastener on its lower surface to fold over and releasibly attach to the other side section.

[0011] Other types of fasteners may be used instead of hook-and-loop fastener. For example, the side edges may be releasibly attached with a zipper, buttons, snaps, etc. Preferably, only about the lower 75% or so of the edges are releasibly attached, so that the upper ends of the side sections can be folded outwardly.

[0012] The bag also includes ties extending outwardly from the bag at the intersections of the ends of the center and side sections for use in attaching the bag to a hammock. These ties may be formed of two cords that can be tied together around an outer end of a spacer bar or other part of the hammock edge. Additional ties may extend outwardly from the side of the bag for attachment along the sides of the hammock.

[0013] In order to use the bag, the user places the center section of the bag on top of the body section of the hammock and attaches the bag to the hammock with the ties. The user can then slip into the bag and attach the folded over side sections to each, forming a warm covering to permit the user to enjoy the hammock even on chilly days. If desired, the user can fold by the top edges of the bag side sections to the extent desired to control the temperature within the bag. Also, a pillow can be inserted into the upper end of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawing is an exploded, perspective view of the bag and a hammock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath, and the like, are used solely for the purpose of clarity in illustrating the invention, and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.

[0016] As illustrated in the drawing, the bag, generally 10, is comprised of a center or lower section 12, integrally connected side sections 14 and 16 that extend outward from the sides of section 12 and are folded over section 12 to form a top covering. Hook-and-loop fastener sections 18 on the lower surface of flap 20 extending from the edge of section 14 are releasibly attachable to hook-and-loop fastener sections 22 on the upper surface of folded section 16 The top corners of sections 14 and 16 are folded outwardly. Ties 24 are positioned to attach bag 10 to hammock 30.

[0017] Hammock 30 is comprised of a center body section 32, and upper and lower end sections 34 and 36. Hammock 38 also includes spacer bars 38 and 40. As illustrated, section 32 is comprised of ropes knotted together in a square pattern. Sections 34 and 36 are comprised to ropes that are attached at their inner ends to the ropes of section 32, and converge outward to attachment rings 42 that are attachable by chains or other leaders to supports, not shown.

[0018] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements are properly within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hammock bag adapted for attachment to the upper surface of a hammock having a body section with given dimensions, upper and lower parallel ends, and parallel side edges, said bag comprising:

a) a flexible rectangular center section having dimensions generally corresponding to the given dimensions of said hammock body section, said center section having parallel side edges positionable adjacent said body section side edges;

b) first and second side sections extending inwardly from said center section side edges over said center section; and

c) ties extending from said center section side edges to attach said bag to said body section side edges.

2. The hammock bag of claim 1, wherein said center section and said side sections are integrally formed of a material having a cloth covering and an inner filler.

3. The hammock bag of claim 1, wherein said side sections each have outer side edges adapted for releasable attachment to each other.

4. The hammock bag of claim 3, wherein the side edge of one of said outer edges includes a section of hook-and-loop fastener material and the side edge of the other outer edge includes a mating section of hook-and-loop fastener material.

5. The hammock bag of claim 1, wherein said center section side edges have upper ends, lower ends and a center, with ties extending from the top and lower ends of each center section side edge.

6. The hammock bag of claim 4, further including ties extending from the center of each center section side edge.

7. The hammock bag of claim 1, further including parallel spreader bars adjacent said body section upper and lower ends, said hammock bag center section being positionable between said spreader bars.

8. The hammock bag of claim 1, wherein each of said ties is formed of two cords adapted to be tied to each other around a part of said hammock.

9. The combination of a hammock and a hammock bag comprising:

a) a hammock having a generally rectangular body section with given dimensions, an upper surface, parallel side edges, and parallel top and bottom edges;

b) a hammock bag having

i) a flexible rectangular center section with dimensions generally corresponding to the given dimensions of said hammock body section, and parallel side edges positioned adjacent said body section side edges,

ii) first and second side sections extending inwardly from said center section side edges over said center section, and

iii) ties extending from said center section side edges to attach said bag to said body section side edges.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said hammock bag center section and said side sections are integrally formed of a material having a cloth covering and an inner filler.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said hammock bag side sections each have outer side edges adapted for releasable attachment to each other.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the side edge of one of said outer edges includes a section of hook-and-loop fastener material and the side edge of the other outer edge includes a mating section of hook-and-loop fastener material.

13. The combination of claim 9, wherein said hammock bag center section side edges have upper ends, lower ends and a center, with ties extending from the top and lower ends of each center section side edge.

14. The hammock bag of claim 13, further including ties extending from the center of each center section side edge.

15. The hammock bag of claim 9, further including parallel spreader bars adjacent said body section upper and lower ends, said hammock bag center section being positionable between said spreader bars.

16. The hammock bag of claim 9, wherein each of said ties is formed of two cords adapted to be tied to each other around a part of said hammock.