Hammock support structure

Abstract

A structure is described for supporting a hammock. It includes an arc shaped stand formed of a bottom, mid section and two end sections. The stand is attached to foot supports which extend perpendicularly outward therefrom. Each foot support is attached by means of a saddling wedge, which stabilizes the joint. The joint is secured by means of a bolt which extends through aligned apertures in the joint.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a hammock support structure comprised of several tubular members unencumbered by an permanent perpendicular attachment which can be assembled into an arc shaped stand and foot supports which are tightly and strongly joined by means of a saddling wedge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hammocks are one of the least expensive, oldest and most convenient of devices for accommodating individuals in a reclining position. Traditionally, hammocks have been strung between trees, upright poles, and other convenient, relatively stable structures. It has frequently developed, however, that the very environments which are most desirable and conducive to the use of a hammock, such as the beach or open sunny areas of the yard, are devoid of suitable structures to which the ends of a hammock can be attached. Accordingly, various devices have been developed to provide the necessary structure for suspending a hammock from its two ends so that it can swing freely above the ground. Such structures must be relatively large in order to support the fully extended hammock, and permit it to swing freely.

Since these devices are of necessity, large and bulky, it is advantageous if they can be collapsed and shipped in a disassembled configuration. Various devices have been employed to permit such disassembling such as laminated or interlocking members which can be joined together to form the hammock support structure.

One popular type of hammock support structure includes as its main element, an arc shaped stand, with its opposite ends extending upwardly. A hammock can be extended between these opposite ends. Attached to the bottom of the arc shaped stand, are two foot supports which extend perpendicularly from the stand. The joint between stand and the foot supports is a critical element. It needs to be detachable, so that the structure can be disassembled for convenient packaging and shipping. But it also must be strongly and tightly attached, because it is subjected to substantial stress forces, particularly as the hammock swings and its weight is shifted from one side to the other, across the joint which attaches the stand to the foot supports.

In the past, this joint was generally formed by welding two short tubular attachment pieces to the bottom of the stand. Corresponding ends of the foot support were inserted into these attachment pieces and bolted in place. This connection was difficult to make and allowed twisting and turning at each joint. The welded joint was esthetically unattractive and created a packaging problem because the two tubular attachment pieces, although short, still substantially increased the bulk of the bottom section of the arc shaped stand.

It is therefore, the object of this invention to provide a hammock support structure comprised of several tubular members unencumbered by any permanent perpendicular attachment, which can be assembled into an arc shaped stand and foot supports which are tightly and strongly joined.

1. Disclosure of the Prior Art

The only prior art of which applicant is aware and which may be of possible relevance is the following prior patents and references cited against it:

5,113,530 Branch
4,817,359 Colonias
4,737,047 Oshita
4,677,805 Schleisner
3,632,147 Finger
2,506,389 Samuelson

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the hammock stand and its foot supports, as disassembled components.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hammock stand and foot supports as assembled into a unit.

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the joint between the hammock stand and one of its foot supports.

FIG. 4 illustrates details of the saddle wedge that facilitates the joint between the hammock stand and each of its foot supports.

FIG. 4a is a top plan view.

FIG. 4b is a side elevational view with phantom lines.

FIG. 4c is the same as 4b, but with the saddle wedge turned 90° from the view illustrated in FIG. 4b.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention a hammock support structure is provided which comprises an elongated arc shaped stand formed of a mid section and two end sections. The arc shaped stand is attached to foot supports which extend outwardly from and perpendicularly to the said arc shaped stand. Each foot support is attached at its mid point to the bottom of the stand at the joint between the mid section and an end section. Each foot support is attached to the bottom of the arc shaped stand, by means of a saddling wedge, which stabilizes the joint between the two, and is secured by a single bolt which extends through aligned apertures in the joint, through the saddling wedge and through the support foot. A nut is screwed on to the bottom of a bolt which extends through the joint and protrudes beneath the foot support.

The present invention in its various forms and embodiments will however, be more fully appreciated by having reference specifically to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Directing attention to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the hammock support stand is shown as the disassembled parts; mid section 2 of the arc shaped stand, right end section 3 and left end section 4. Each section is made of tubular aluminum. End sections 3 and 4 have a capped end 6, and are open on the opposite end. Both ends of mid section 2 have a circumferentially reduced portion 5, which fits snugly into the open ends of sections 3 and 4. Apertures 104 are drilled through the open ends of sections 3 and 4. Corresponding apertures 10B are drilled through circumferentially reduced portions 5 of mid section 2. Right foot support 7 and left foot support 8 are illustrated, with aperture 17 extending through the mid point of foot support 7 and aperture 18 extending through the mid point of foot support 8.

FIG. 2 shows the hammock support structure assembled, and identifies the joint 9 between the arc shaped hammock stand 1 and the foot supports 7 and 8.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail joint 9. The aligned apertures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D form a shaft through which the bolt 14 is extended attaching the arc shaped stand 1, to the foot support 7 through aperture 17. The bolt head 15 is above the aperture 10A. The opposite end of the bolt 14, protrudes beneath the aperture 10D in foot support 7 and is secured by nut 16. Saddling wedge 11 is located between the bottom of arc shaped stand 1, and foot support 7.

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate the saddling wedge 11 in greater detail. In 4a, its outer periphery is square shaped and it has an aperture 10c through its center. From FIG. 4b, it will be seen that the saddling wedge 11, has an upper surface 12 which curves upwardly from the aperture 10c. The upper surface 12, is curved upwardly to match the curvature of the aluminum tube that comprises stand 1, or more specifically the joint between mid section 2 and end section 3 or 4. FIG. 4c, is the same view as 4b, but with the saddle wedge 11 turned 90° from the position shown in 4b. From this angle, the saddle wedge 11, is seen to have a bottom surface 13, which curves downwardly to match the curvature of the aluminum tube that comprises the foot supports 7 or 8.

The fact that this saddle wedge 11, has a upwardly curved surface 12, and a downwardly curved surface 13, perpendicular to upwardly curved surface 12, allows it to form a very tight and strong joint between the stand 1, and the foot supports 7 and 8. The saddle wedge 11, accommodates and enables the curvature of both elements in a perpendicular attachment.

Claims

1. A hammock support structure comprising:

a plurality of round or tubular members which can be assembled into an arc shaped stand for supporting a hammock, and foot supports attached to the bottom surface of said stand and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom:

one or more saddling wedges forming the joint between said shaped stand and said foot supports;

each said saddling wedge comprising an upper portion and a lower portion having central apertures which are aligned with one another, said upper portion having top surface that curves upwardly and said lower portion having a bottom surface that curves downwardly; detachable means to secure said saddling wedges into a tight and strong joint with said arc shaped stand and said foot supports.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the arc shaped stand is formed of a bottom, mid section, and end sections attached to opposite ends of said mid section and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein each foot support is an arc shaped rounded or tubular member attached at its mid point through the said saddling wedges to said stand, and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein said mid section and said end sections have at their joints aligned apertures which form a shaft through said stand and which align with corresponding apertures in said saddling wedges and said foot supports.

5. The structure of claim 4, wherein a bolt is inserted into said shaft extending through the said joint between sections of the stand, and aligned apertures in the saddling wedges and foot supports, and secured with a nut.