Rocking Hammock
A hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A resilient support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during a periodic rotational locomotion. The support surface may be suspended by suspension members between opposing ends of the support frame. The suspension member may be configured for a range of center of mass adjustment points for modifying a collective center of mass location for the rotational locomotion.
The field of invention relates generally to hammocks, and more specifically, to a hammock with a rocking feature.
BACKGROUNDHammocks 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 to create a fluid and versatile rocking movement.
SUMMARYAspects of the present disclosure relate to a rocking hammock. In one aspect, a hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A flexible support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during periodic rotational locomotion. At least two suspension members are provided for suspending the support surface between each of the first end and the second end of the arcuate support frame during the periodic rotational locomotion.
In another aspect, a hammock includes an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion. A flexible support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during periodic rotational locomotion. The support surface may be suspended by a suspension member with a range of center of mass adjustment points for modifying a collective center of mass location for the periodic rotational locomotion.
In yet another aspect, a hammock includes a support frame having an arcuate portion configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface and the support frame has opposing ends. A flexible support surface is suspended by suspension members disposed between the opposing end and the support surface is configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during the periodic rotational locomotion.
In one aspect, at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment. In another aspect, at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment. In yet another aspect, at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable. In another aspect, the hammock includes at least one rotational stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame. In yet another aspect, at least two adjustable suspensions members are configured for modifying a collective center of mass along a longitudinal direction of the support frame.
In one aspect, length-adjusting members allow for a movable collective center of mass in a rocking stand for a hammock for single or multiple users.
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.
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:
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.
As illustrated in
According to the teachings of the present disclosure, the support surface 110 can be of multiple planar geometric shapes, including rectilinear shapes. In one construction shown in the
As illustrated in
As shown in the Figures, support surface 110 may be suspended by a non-adjustable suspension line 140 between each of the first end 150 and the second end 152 of the arcuate support frame 200 during the periodic rotational locomotion or an adjustable suspension line 140 system with a plurality or ranges of center of mass adjustment points configured to modify a center of mass location for periodic rotary movement of the arcuate support frame 200. Referring to
Referring to
As noted previously, adjustable suspension line 140 of the hammock system 100 enables the length adjustment of the collective center of gravity. With continued reference to
Because the distance Da is length-changeable, the collective center of gravity longitudinal location of hammock 100 can be incrementally or continuously modified when considering the users stay in the same location on the support surface 110. Nevertheless, the reference point can be measured at the head-end (e.g., right end of support frame as shown in
In the constructions shown in
In yet another construction shown in
Referring to
where R defined as the radius of curvature of the support frame 200. Additionally, the total rotational perimeter (“TL”) of the support frame 200 can be determined with the same formula except that a center angle α can be measured from the foot-end to the head-end. According to the present disclosure, a ratio of the rotational perimeter l to the total rotational perimeter TL:
is less the 1.0 so to prevent over periodic rotational movement and to keep the user at a suitable vertical distance above a ground surface. In various constructions, the above noted ratio can be small for a short rotational movement (e.g., 0.10, 0.25, 0.33, and 0.50) and larger for a longer rotational movement (e.g., 0.60, 0.70, and 0.75). Nevertheless, other specific numerical parameters can be used. Referring to
Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative constructions and embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 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.
Claims
1. A hammock, comprising:
- an arcuate support frame configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface, the arcuate support frame having a first end and an opposing second end;
- a flexible support surface being configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during said periodic rotational locomotion; and
- at least two suspension members for suspending the support surface between each of the first end and the second end of the arcuate support frame during the periodic rotational locomotion.
2. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein the at least two suspension members have a range of center of mass adjustment points for suspending the support surface in the support frame so as to adjust a center of mass location for said periodic rotational locomotion.
3. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment.
4. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment.
5. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members further comprises a plurality of adjustment ribbons.
6. The hammock according to claim 1, further comprising at least one stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame.
7. The hammock according to claim 6, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame is less than 1.0.
8. The hammock according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
9. The hammock according to claim 1, further comprising a least one quick release device disposed at an end of at least one of the suspension members.
10. A hammock, comprising:
- a support frame having an arcuate portion configured for periodic rotational locomotion on a surface, the support frame having opposing ends; and
- a flexible support surface being suspended by suspension members disposed between the opposing ends, the support surface being configured for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon during said periodic rotational locomotion.
11. The hammock according to claim 10, wherein the suspension members further comprises adjustable suspension members configured for modifying a collective center of mass along a longitudinal direction of the support frame.
12. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables incremental length adjustment.
13. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members enables variable length adjustment.
14. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
15. The hammock according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the suspension members further comprises a plurality of adjustment ribbons.
16. The hammock according to claim 10, further comprising at least one rotational stop disposed on a rotational perimeter of the support frame.
17. The hammock according to claim 16, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame is less than 1.0.
18. The hammock according to claim 17, wherein a ratio of the rotational perimeter to a total rotational perimeter of the support frame ranges between 0.20 to 0.70.
19. The hammock according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the suspension members is length-adjustable.
20. The hammock according to claim 10, further comprising a least one quick release device disposed at an end of at least one of the suspension members.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2018
Inventors: Beverly Fries (Barboursville, VA), Ting Xu (Richmond, VA), David Yakos (Bozeman, MT), Kirk Turner (Bozeman, MT)
Application Number: 15/250,799