PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/275,409, filed on Nov. 3, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supersedes said portion of said above-referenced applications.
TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to a portable hammock stand that uses an existing anchor on one end and one or more legs on the other end as an anchor. A hammock may be put into operation using one anchor not included within the hammock stand
BACKGROUND Many historians credit ancient Greece for the invention of the hammock. However, history also indicates that hammocks were likely not in significant use in the old world until sometime after the discovery of the New World. European explorers found that the inhabitants of the new world slept in beds that were generally made of tree bark or fibers and suspended above the ground by attaching the bark or fibers on either end to a tree. Before long, many berths and bunks in sailing ships were provided for the crew by hammocks because the hammocks were not only more efficient in terms of space, but also were easier for the crew to sleep in when the ship was at sea. These hammocks used spreaders attached to canvas hammocks that could be attached by strings to wooden beams or other supports could be found. Hammocks are used by sailors, on many ships, still today.
One difficulty of hammock use, especially in non-maritime environments, is finding a suitable location for setting up a hammock. Unlike tents hammocks generally are not free standing, like tents. Hammocks require connection to other objects for a structural anchor. In many cases, trees are used as structural anchors for supporting the weight of a camper in a hammock. However, not all campsites include trees or trees of sufficient size to support a camper in a hammock. Hammock stands have been produced to allow a hammock user to set up a hammock without the use of a tree although many of these stands are impractical for use while camping due to weight and portability issues. Furthermore, even when a campsite does include adequate trees to support a hammock, a distance between the trees may prohibit the use of a hammock.
The object of this disclosure is to provide a portable hammock stand that may take advantage of a tree, vehicle or another existing anchor point and using one or more legs to support another end of the stand. Since the stand uses an existing anchor point, the weight of the stand is reduced dramatically.
SUMMARY Disclosed herein is a hammock stand that includes a connector, a horizontal support and a leg junction. The horizontal support attaches to the connector system at a first end a leg junction. The leg junction attaches to the horizontal support at a second end. The leg junction includes a plurality of legs, and an attachment port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of two asymmetrical hammock stands connected to a vehicle.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of two asymmetrical hammock stands connected to a vehicle.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock.
FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a connector system found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 4B illustrates a second perspective view of a connector system found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative connector system disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative connector system disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached strap.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate two perspective views of a leg junction disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with telescoping legs.
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an unattached ball and socket connector system for an asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an attached ball and socket connector system.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with connector.
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock.
FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with covering.
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective side view of ball assembly portion of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system attached to a base plate for asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand.
FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system with additional attachments for asymmetrical hammock stand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such as particular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the device disclosed herein. While the techniques and embodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the techniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similar methods.
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. It is further noted that elements disclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted to only those embodiments in which they are described. For example, an element described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may be alternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless of whether or not those elements are shown or described in another embodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may be interchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein, whether shown or not.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a perspective view 100 and a top view 200 of two asymmetrical hammock stands 105A and 105B connected to a vehicle. Hammock stands 105A and 105B each include 2 legs 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D respectively. Legs 110A and 110B may be attached to junction 115A. Similarly, legs 110C and 110D may be attached to junction 110B. Junction 110A and 110B also connect to horizontal supports 120A and 120B respectively. Horizontal supports 120A and 120B also connect to connector systems 125A and 125B respectively. Connector systems 125A and 125B may connect to a vehicle, structure, tree, or other objects. Connector systems 125A and 125B also include a pivot point 135A and 135B respectively. Pivot points 135A and 135B may allow nonattached end of hammock stands 105A and 105B to be repositioned at various angles to the vehicle to which it is attached. Asymmetrical hammock stands 105A and 105B may be attached to a variety of objects such as trailers, posts, walls, trees, rocks, vehicles, and other stable anchoring objects.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand 300 with an attached hammock. Hammock stand 300 includes two legs 310A and 310B. Legs 310A and 310B both connect to junction 315. Junction 315 also connects to horizontal support 320, which may or may not be implemented in two or more sections. Junction 315 may also include a hammock attachment point 330B which connects hammock stand 300 to a hammock. Horizontal support 320 also connects to connector system 325. Connector system 325 may connect to a vehicle or other objects. Connector system 325 may also include a pivot point 335. Pivot points 335 may allow nonattached end of hammock stand 300 to be repositioned at various angles to the vehicle or object to which it is attached. Connector system 325 may also include attachment point 330A where a second end of a hammock may attach to hammock stand 300.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show two different perspective views 400A and 400B of a connector system 425 found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system 425 may include pivot point 435 and may include a bolt or a rod that extends through horizontal support 420. Pivot point 435 may allow hammock stand 105A and 105B, as shown in FIG. 1, to articulate side to side to accommodate both hammock stands in a small area, as shown in FIG. 1. Also connected to connector system 425 is hammock attachment point 430 which may be used to attach a hammock to a hammock stand. Connector system 425 may further include proximal plate 450 and distal plate 455 attached together by one or more couplers 445A and 445B. Proximal plate 450 and distal plate 455 may facilitate the attachment of hammock stand 300, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, to a vehicle or other object. An object, such as a portion of a vehicle, such as a roof rack, may be disposed between proximal plate 450 and distal plate 455 and tightened together with one or more couplers 445A and 445B to cause connector system 425 to attach securely to the portion of the vehicle.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate different perspective views 500 and 600 of a connector system 525 disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. Perspective view 600 depicts attached strap 580. Connector system 525 may include pivot point 535 and may include a bolt or a rod that extends through horizontal support 520. A hammock attachment point 530 may also be connected to connector system 525 which allows a hammock to connect to connector system 525. Connector system 525 may further include proximal plate 550. Proximal plate 550 may include apertures 565A and 565B that may accommodate couplers 445A and 445b as depicted in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Slots 560A and 560B may also be sized to accommodate one or more of strap connector 570A and 570B located on one or more ends of strap 580. Strap 580 may further include a fastener 575 that may connect strap connector 570A to strap connector 570B around a tree or a post or another object and which may also control tension or tightness of strap 580 in a fixed or adjustable manner.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrates two different perspective views 700A and 700B of a leg junction 725 found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. FIG. 7A illustrates a view from a perspective of the back end of leg junction 725. FIG. 7B illustrates a view of the front end of leg junction 725. Leg junction 725 may include legs 710A and 710B that may attach at joint 785 allowing leg 710A and/or 710B to pivot towards horizontal support 720 for easy storage and transportation. Leg junction 725 may include a frame that holds legs 710A and 710B at a fixed angle. Legs 710A and 710B may pivot on the same pivot point. Such that legs 710A and 710B may be in line with one another when folded outwards away from horizontal support 720 or when folded towards horizontal support 720. Further joint 785 may releasably lock into place to support a hammock. Leg junction 725 may further include attachment port 730 which may be used to attach a hammock to a hammock stand, such as hammock stand 300, shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand 800 with telescoping legs 810A and 810B. Hammock stand 800 may include telescoping legs 810A and 810B that allow telescoping legs 890A and 890B to be exposed extending a potential height of hammock stand 800. Telescoping legs 890A and 890B may lock into a position independent of one another (e.g., different overall lengths) to accommodate for uneven ground. Horizontal supports 820A and 820B may also be included in hammock stand 800 such that a first horizontal support 820A at one end may detachably lock into a second horizontal support 820B to facilitate transportation. Horizontal support 820A, at the first end, may include a male portion 895 that is insertable into the female portion of horizontal support 820B. At a second end horizontal support 820A may attach to a connection system to anchor to a vehicle, tree, wall, post, or other stable structure. Hammock stand 800 may include a plurality of horizontal support sections (i.e. 820A, 820B, 820C . . . 820N). Further, hammock stand 800 may also include attachment ports 830A, at the second end, and 830B where a hammock or other items may attach. In this manner, frame 825, which includes leg 810A, leg 810B, and horizontal support section 820B, may be collapsible. In other words, leg 810A and leg 810B may be drawn towards each other in by a hinge in frame 825 to be side by side while horizontal support section 820B may fold, by a hinge, towards legs 810A and 810B such that the three elements are in a collapsed position for easy transport.
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an unattached ball and socket connector system 900 for an asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system 900 may include socket 935 sized to receive ball hitch 940. When socket 935 is positioned over ball hitch 940 hitch pin 925 may be placed through one or more of pin apertures 930A and 930B. Hitch pin 925 once inserted may lock socket 935 over ball hitch 940 by being inserted towards the neck portion of ball hitch 940 (which as depicted is below the widest part of ball hitch 940). When ball hitch 940 is attached to socket 935 a hammock stand may pivot on ball hitch 940. Positioned to distally to socket 935 may be attachment point 920. Positioned distally to attachment point 920 may be horizontal support 905. Ball hitch 940 may be attached at a first side of platform 910.
Platform 910 may connect to upper base plate 915A using one or more of base plate attachments 945A-B. Platform 910 may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Attachments 945A-B may be accessed through platform aperture 965. Platform 910, as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform 910 may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch 940 is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate 915A. Upper and lower base plates 915A-B may include apertures 950A-D. Apertures 950A-B positioned in upper base plate 915 and apertures 950C-D positioned in lower base plate 915B. Apertures 950A-D may be “T” shaped such that the top part of the “T” is positioned towards the inside of the plate. Also, upper and lower plates 915A-B may include pads 955A-B, respectively. Pads 955A-B may be facing each other when connectors 960A-D connect upper and lower base plates 915A-B. Upper and lower base plates 915A-B may sandwich a rack, a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system 900 of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system 900 may be used with ball hitch 940 facing upwards, downwards, to the right or to the left.
FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an attached ball and socket connector system 1000. Connector system 900 may include socket 935 sized to receive ball hitch 940. When socket 935 is positioned over ball hitch 940 hitch pin 925 may be placed through one or more of pin apertures 930A and 930B. Hitch pin 925 once inserted may lock socket 935 over ball hitch 940 by being inserted towards the neck portion of ball hitch 940 (which as depicted is below the widest part of ball hitch 940). Positioned distally to socket 935 may be attachment point 920. Strap 970 may be looped through attachment point 920. Attached distally to attachment point 920 may be horizontal support 905. Ball hitch 940 may be attached at the first side of platform 910. When ball hitch 940 is attached to socket 935 a hammock stand may pivot on ball hitch 940.
Platform 910 may connect to upper base plate 915A using one or more of base plate attachments 945A-B. Platform 910 may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform 910, as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than another one of the four sides. Platform 910 may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch 940 is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate 915A. Upper and lower base plates 915A-B may include apertures 950A-D. Apertures 950A-B positioned in upper base plate 915 and apertures 950C-D positioned in lower base plate 915B. Apertures 950A-D may be “T” shaped such that the top part of the “T” is positioned towards the inside of the plate. Also, upper and lower plates 915A-B may include pads 955A-B receptively (as depicted in FIG. 9). Pads 955A-B may be facing each other when connectors 960A-D (960A depicted in FIG. 9) connect upper and lower base plates 915A-B. Upper and lower base plates 915A-B may compress around roof rack 975, a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system 900 of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system 1000 may be used with ball hitch 940 facing upwards, downwards, to the right, or to the left.
FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand 1100 with connector 1115. Hammock stand 1100 may include leg junction 1105 that attaches to legs 1120A-B and horizontal support 1110 at a first end. Leg junction 1105 may include attachment port 1125 where a hammock, a covering or other accessories may be attached. Leg junction 1105 may include a frame that holds legs 1120A-B at a fixed angle. Support bar 1130 may also be attached to leg junction 1105 to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot 1145 may be attached to leg junction 1105 and to legs 1120A-B allowing one or more of legs 1120A-B to fold toward horizontal support 1110. Lower push pin 1135 may lock legs 1120A-B in a position away from horizontal support 1110. Alternatively, upper push pin 1140 may lock legs 1120A-B towards horizontal support 1110. Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs 1120A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot 1145. Legs 1120A-B may both pivot on pivot 1145. Such that legs 1120A-B may be in line with one another when both legs 1120A-B are folded outwards away from horizontal support 1110 or when both legs 1120A-B folded towards horizontal support 1110. Horizontal support 1110 may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected as depicted in FIG. 8. Horizontal support 1110 may be a ball and socket connection system 1115 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10.
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock. Hammock stand 1200 may include leg junction 1205 that attaches to legs 1220A-B and horizontal support 1210 at a first end. Leg junction 1205 may include attachment port 1225 where a hammock, a covering, or other accessories may be attached. Support bar 1230 may also be attached to leg junction 1205 to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot 1245 may be attached to leg junction 1205 and to legs 1220A-B allowing one or more of legs 1220A-B to fold toward horizontal support 1210. Lower push pin 1235 may lock legs 1220A-B in a position away from horizontal support 1210. Legs 1220A-B may both pivot on pivot 1245. Such that legs 1220A-B may be in line with one another when both legs 1220A-B are folded outwards away from horizontal support 1210 or when both legs 1220A-B folded towards horizontal support 1210. Alternatively, upper push pin 2140 may lock legs 1220A-B towards horizontal support 2110. Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs 1220A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot 1245. Leg junction 1205 may include a frame that holds legs 1220A-B at a fixed angle. Telescoping legs 1250A-B may be insertable into legs 1220A-B respectively. Leg extensions 1250A-B may slide in and out of legs 1220A-B and may lock independently in different positions. Attached to the bottom of leg extensions 1250A-B may be feet 1255A-B shaped to provide a stable footing for hammock stand 1200. Horizontal support 2110 may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected, as depicted in FIG. 8. Horizontal support 1210 may be a ball and socket connection system 1215 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Hammock 1265 may attach to hammock stand 1200 at attachment port 1125 (as depicted in FIG. 11) at one end and attachment point 920 (as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10). The length of horizontal support 1210 may be adjustable to accommodate different hammocks 1265 or other attachments.
FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand implemented as a shelter with a covering. Hammock stand 1300 may include leg junction 1305 that attaches to legs 1320A-B and horizontal support 1310 at a first end. Leg junction 1305 may include attachment port 1325 where a hammock a covering or other accessories may be attached. Support bar 1330 may also be attached to leg junction 1305 to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot 1345 may be attached to leg junction 1305 and to legs 1320A-B allowing one or more of legs 1320A-B to fold toward horizontal support 1310. Lower push pin 1335 may lock legs 1320A-B in a position away from horizontal support 1310. Alternatively, upper push pin 1340 may lock legs 1320A-B towards horizontal support 1310. Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs 1320A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot 1345. Telescoping leg 1350A-B insertable into legs 1320A-B respectively. Leg extensions 1350A-B may slide in and out of legs 1320A-B and may lock independently in different positions. Attached to the bottom of leg extensions 1350A-B may be feet 1355A-B shaped to provide a stable footing for hammock stand 1300. Horizontal support 1310 may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected as depicted in FIG. 8. Horizontal support 1310 may a ball and socket connection system 1315 as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Hammock 1365 may attach to hammock stand 1300 at attachment port 1125 (as depicted in FIG. 11) at one end and attachment point 920 (as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10). The length of horizontal support 1310 may be adjustable to accommodate different hammocks 1365 or other attachments.
Hammock stand 1300 may also include covering 1370 that may be placed over horizontal support 1310 to act as a ridge line. Alternatively, covering 1370 may be attached below horizontal support 1310 and attached to attachment port 1125 or support bar 1130 (as depicted in FIG. 11) at one end and attachment point 920 (as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10). Covering 1320 may include one or more anchor cords 1375 A-D and may be attached to covering at various locations. Anchor cord 1385A-D may be anchored by stakes to help hold it covering 1320 in place.
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective side view of ball assembly 1400 of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform 1405 may connect to upper base plate 915A as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Also platform 1405 may attach directly to a railing sized to fit lock nuts 1420A-B. In this manner lock nuts 1420A-B may slide into a groove in a railing and upon tightening attachments 1415A-B lock nuts 1420A-B may secure a portion of the railing between the lock nuts 1420A-B and the bottom side of base 1435. Attachment grooves 1425A-B may be included and enable adjustment of platform 1405. Platform aperture 1430 may be disposed in the top portion of platform 1405 to reduce weight and to allow access to attachments 1415A-B. Platform 1405 may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform 1405, as depicted, includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform 1405 may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch 1410 is non-orthogonal to length of the base 1435. Connector system 1400 may be used with ball hitch 1410 facing upwards, downwards, to the right, or to the left.
FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system attached to a base plate for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform 1505 may connect to upper base plate 1550. Base plate 1550 which includes base plate apertures 1540A-B may attach to a post, wall, tree, vehicle, or another stable anchor. Apertures 1540A-B may be “T” shaped such that the top of the “T” shape is towards the center of base plate 1540. Attachment grooves 1525A-B may be included enable adjustment of platform 1505 (1525A not visible due to perspective). Platform aperture 1530 may be disposed in the top portion of platform 1505 to reduce weight and to allow access to attachments 1515A-B. Platform 1505 may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform 1505, as depicted, includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform 1505 may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch 1510 is non-orthogonal to the length of the base 1535. Connector system 1500 may be used with ball hitch 1510 facing upwards, downwards, to the right or, to the left.
FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system 1600 for asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system 1600 may include platform 1605. Ball hitch 1610 is attached to platform 1605. Platform 1605 includes arms 1615A-B extending off the right and left side of the platform 1605. Connected to arms 1615A-B are T-nuts 1620A-B to slide sided to slide into rail 1635 through slot 1646. Also, extending off the back of platform 1605 is head 1625 and connecting to head 1625 is lock nut 1630 sized to slide into rail 1635 through slot 1645. Rail 1635 may have additional slots to accommodate different accessories or different connector systems.
FIG. 17 a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system with additional attachments for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform 1705 may connect to lower base plate 1710A using one or more of base plate attachments 945A-B as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Platform 1705 may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform 1705, as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform 1705 may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch 1725 is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate 1720A. Also, lower and upper plates 1720A-B may include pads 1735A-B receptively. Pads 1735A-B may be facing each other when connectors 1740A-D connect lower and upper base plates 1710A-B. Lower and upper base plates 1710A-B may compress on a rack, a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system 1700 of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Attached to the top of upper base plate 1710B is bracket 1715 and attached to bracket 1715 is insert 1720. Lock nuts 1720A-B are attached to insert 1720. Lock nuts 1750A-B are used to attach to a channel of a rail such as that depicted in FIG. 16B. Connector system 1700 may be used with ball hitch 1725 facing upwards, downwards, to the right or to the left.
The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise forms or embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. For example, components described herein may be removed and other components added without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein or the appended claims. For example, the connector systems throughout this disclosure may be used interchangeable
Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
