WAVE HAMMOCK

Abstract

A hanging hammock having a semi-rigid frame that provides the hammock with the shape of a wave during use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from provisional application Ser. No. 60/954,218, filed Aug. 6, 2007.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to hammocks and recreational hanging furniture. In particular, a hanging hammock contains a semi-rigid frame that maintains a “wave” shape both in use to match the contour of a reclining person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional hammocks provide a net, mesh, canvas, quilting, cloth or other type of porous, flexible material that is suspended by ropes or lines which are in turn attached to upright structures, such as trees, posts or a frame. A person lies in the net or other material to lay suspended above the ground in a reclined position. More sophisticated hammocks use a spreader bar on each end of the hammock to maintain a standard width of the hammock, thereby creating a wider, more stable surface on which the person may recline. One of the drawbacks of such hammocks is that the reclining position of the user is one where the user sags in the middle of the hammock, making the reclined position less comfortable depending on how tight the hammock is hung. In addition, it is sometimes difficult to get into and out of the hammock because of the formless shape of the hammock created by the use of the flexible material for the hammock bed.

In contrast to traditional hammocks, lawn and deck furniture can be designed to follow the contours of a reclined person. In lawn and deck furniture, a rigid frame uses the ground for direct support. The frame can be made of any type of suitable material, such as metal, plastic, wicker or wood, and is configured to provide a comfortable position for the user. In the typical lounge chair, the seating surface curves along the back of the user to provide support, then elevates the knees of the user just below the head but above the feet of the user. The seating surface stretches across the frame of the lawn or deck furniture, and can be made of plastic, wood, wicker, cloth or the like. The drawback for the typical lawn and deck furniture is that it is limited to placement on a supporting surface and lacks the unique feel of a hammock that is capable of swinging freely between support ropes or lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines the features of reclined lawn and deck furniture with the unique features of a hammock. A hammock is created by using a stiff outer frame with support struts over which is placed a semi-flexible material to form a hammock that conforms to the contours of the human body for improved comfort of the user. The hammock is suspended above the ground through the use of ropes or lines of a traditional hammock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hammock of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the hammock of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention being suspended by a support structure.

DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the frame of wave hammock 1 is formed by side supports 2 and end supports 3 to form the outer frame of the hammock. The outer frame is provided with structural support through cross braces 4 that are connected between side braces 2. The configuration of the outer frame and cross braces are a matter of design choice, as long as the frame is appropriately shaped to support a person in a reclined position. For instance, a varying number of cross braces can be used. In addition, the cross braces can, for example, be configured parallel to end supports 3, run diagonal or cross each other to provide additional structural support. The frame of wave hammock 1 can be made of any rigid material that substantially maintains its shape when a user reclines in the wave hammock. In the preferred embodiment, the frame is made of epoxy-coated aluminum.

Hammock bed 5, which supports the user in a reclined position, is formed by a material extending between side supports 2 and end supports 3, and can be additionally supported by cross braces 4. The material for hammock bed 5 can be any type of woven fabric, quilted fabric, netting and in the preferred embodiment is an all-weather wicker. At one end of wave hammock 1, a pillow 6 can be attached, preferably to end support 3, for the comfort of the user. The pillow could be formed of various materials.

Cross braces 4 may also have shapes other than straight as shown in the preferred embodiment of the figures. As an example, the cross braces can be bowed downward so that the wave hammock contains a broad, shallow depression in its center line. The material of hammock bed 5 can be made to follow the lines of the bowed cross braces. The overall effect would be to have a depression in the overall shape of the hammock running through the center of the hammock along its length, similar to the shape of a traditional hammock when a person is using it. A user would fit into the depression, which would provide additional stability.

In use, wave hammock 1 is suspended between any type of support structure through support lines 7. Support lines 7 are attached to the outer frame of the hammock, and preferably to end supports 3. Support lines 7 can take on any number of configurations as long as the wave hammock has sufficient stability such that a person may comfortably recline. An example of a supporting structure is shown in FIG. 3, where frame 8 supports wave hammock 1 through support lines 7.

Wave hammock 1 permits the user to recline in a comfortable position while being suspended in the air. The rigid support frame across which the hammock bed is formed permits the wave hammock to maintain a shape, i.e., a “wave,” that is more comfortable for the user than a traditional hammock made of netting.

Other advantages which are inherent to the structure are obvious to one skilled in the art. The embodiments described herein are illustrative and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as claimed. Variations of the foregoing embodiment will be evident to a person with ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A hammock comprising:

a hammock frame having at least two tubular side members connected to at least two tubular end members, with the tubular side members being longer than the tubular end members;

the tubular side members each having a section curved in a first direction, a second section curved in a direction opposite the first direction and a third section curved in the first direction;

a hammock bed extending between and attached to the tubular side members and tubular end members;

at least two support lines connected proximate the tubular end members that provide the only support for the hammock; and

wherein the combination of the tubular side members and the hammock bed form a structure with sufficient rigidity that in use the shape of the curved sections remains substantially the same.

2. The hammock of claim 1, further comprising:

cross braces extending between the tubular side members.

3. The hammock of claim 1, further comprising:

a head rest attached proximate one of the tubular end members.

4. The hammock of claim 1, wherein the hammock frame is comprised of epoxy-coated aluminum.

5. The hammock of claim 1, wherein the hammock bed is comprised of wicker.

6. A hammock comprising:

a hammock bed having a length greater than a width;

means for supporting the hammock bed such that in use the hammock bed maintains a downwardly curved section and an upwardly curved section along the length of the hammock bed; and

at least two support lines connected to the means for supporting the hammock bed proximate each end of the length of the hammock bed.

7. The hammock of claim 6, wherein the means for supporting the hammock bed includes cross braces.

8. The hammock of claim 6, further comprising:

a head rest attached proximate one end of the length of the hammock bed.

9. The hammock of claim 6, wherein the means for supporting the hammock bed is comprised of epoxy-coated aluminum.

10. The hammock of claim 6, wherein the hammock bed is comprised of wicker.

11. A hammock comprising:

an outer frame having a length greater than a width and forming a gradual wave shape along the length of the outer frame for supporting a person in a reclined position;

a hammock bed attached to and formed within the outer frame; and

at least two support lines connected to the outer frame near each end of the length of the outer frame.