Patent Grant
11330893
This disclosure relates generally to suspension seats, including, without limitation, hammocks and hammock chairs. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an adjustable-footprint suspension seat frame system.
Suspension seats, such as hammocks, hammock chairs and other seats which provide support for lying or sitting down while allowing for swinging motion along one or more degrees of freedom, come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Likewise, there is a similar heterogeneity in the sizes and shapes of users of suspension seats as well as contexts where use of a suspension seat is desired. Space permitting, suspension seats can provide a viable and comfortable seating option indoors and outdoors. The broad range of users and use contexts for suspension seats presents significant opportunities for improvement in the design of suspension seat frames, both in terms of accommodating heterogeneous users and in terms of adjusting the frames' footprints within a physical space.
This disclosure provides an adjustable footprint suspension seat system.
In a first embodiment, an adjustable-footprint suspension seat frame includes three or more feet, a first cantilever arm with a first anchor for a suspension seat, a second cantilever arm with a second anchor for the suspension seat and a first footprint adjustment bar connecting the first cantilever arm to the second cantilever arm.
In a second embodiment, an adjustable side clip for a suspension seat includes a hollow collar, the hollow collar having an internal cross section corresponding to an exterior cross section of a cantilever arm of a suspension seat, a suspension seat mount on an exterior portion of the hollow collar and a lock, the lock configured to maintain engagement of the adjustable side clip at a substantially fixed location relative to the cantilever arm of the suspension seat.
In a third embodiment, a footprint adjustment bar includes a length defining member, at a first end of the length defining member, a first connection region of the length defining member having a surface of substantially similar cross section to a counterpart connection region of a first cantilever arm, at a second end of the length defining member, a second connection region of the length defining member having a surface of substantially similar cross section to a counterpart connection region of a second cantilever arm, a first lock to maintain engagement between the length defining member and the first cantilever arm, and a second lock to maintain engagement between the length defining member and the second cantilever arm.
In a fourth embodiment, a footprint adjustment bar includes a first length defining member, the first length defining member having a first end with a first lock and a second end with a second lock, a second length defining member, the second length defining member having a first end and a second end, with a third lock disposed at the second end of the second length defining member, and a locking hinge connecting the second end of the first length defining member with the first end of the second length defining member.
Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.
Definitions for other certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments according to this disclosure provide an effective solution to certain suspension seat fit problems, including, without limitation, fitting a suspension seat (for example, a hammock or hammock chair) frame in a confined space, such as a dormitory room, or configuring a long hammock to support a lightweight user at a safe or comfortable height above the ground.
Referring to the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, first and second cantilever arms 105a-b comprise sections of a substantially rigid material, including, without limitation, metal tubing (for example, aluminum or steel), carbon fiber, fiberglass, wood or bamboo comprising a connection region 130, a transition region 135 and an extension region 140.
As shown in the non-limiting example of
According to embodiments, second cantilever arm 105b further comprises a transition region 135, wherein the centerline of the cantilever arm goes from being substantially parallel with first footprint adjustment bar 115a to being disposed at an angle (for example, 45 degrees) relative to the centerline of the cantilever arm. In the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, extension region 140 comprises a portion of second cantilever arm 105b which extends upwards and away from connection region 130 to provide one or more points to which a side clip (for example, adjustable side clip 120b) can be attached to provide support for a suspension seat. In the non-limiting example of
In the non-limiting example of
In some embodiments, first and second pairs of feet 110a-110b comprise sections of substantially rigid material (for example, materials suitable for first and second cantilever arms 105a-b) extending outward from anchor points to provide points of ground contact for suspension seat frame 100. In the non-limiting example of
According to various embodiments, first footprint adjustment bar 115a comprises one or more sections of substantially rigid material (for example, materials suitable for first and second cantilever arms) which are attached to first and second cantilever arms 105a-b, and maintain the separation between first and second cantilever arms 105a-b under loads generated by the user of an attached suspension seat. In the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, at least one of couplings 117a-b comprises a pin-hole pair, wherein one half of the pin-hole pair is on first footprint adjustment bar 115a, and the other half is on a cantilever arm. According to certain other embodiments, at least one of couplings 117a-b comprises a ring clamp disposed on the exterior of a region of overlap (for example, connection region 130) between the first footprint adjustment bar and a cantilever arm. According to still other embodiments, at least one of couplings 117a-b comprises a set screw in a region of overlap between the first footprint adjustment bar and a cantilever arm.
As shown in the non-limiting example of
According to various embodiments, first footprint adjustment bar 115a and second footprint adjustment bar 115b may comprise part of a set of footprint adjustment bars for use with a particular pair of cantilever arms. Alternatively, first footprint adjustment bar 115a may be cut to a length determined to meet the needs of a specific user application (for example, use indoors). According to certain embodiments, each of first and second footprint adjustment bars 115a-b comprises the same coupling hardware. Thus, in some embodiments, couplings 117a-b comprise pin-hole pairs, and first footprint adjustment bar 115a comprises the hole side of the pin-hole pairs, second footprint adjustment bar 115b likewise comprises the hole side of the pin-hole pairs. In this way, couplings 117a-b operate identically with first and second footprint adjustment bars 115a-b.
According to various embodiments, first and second adjustable side clips 120a-b comprise first and second anchors for a suspension seat. In the non-limiting example of
In at least one embodiment, first and second cradles 125a-b comprise guides disposed at the distal ends of first and second cantilever arms 105a-b to support and spread the tensile members of a suspension seat (for example, the ropes of a hammock which converge at the points of attachment to adjustable side clips 120a-b, enhancing the comfort and ease of entry to the hammock. Cradles 125a-b may be made of any suitable material(s) with the strength to support the load created by the occupant of a suspension seat, and presenting low surface friction (to avoid unnecessary friction and wear on the hammock). Suitable materials for cradles 125a-b include, without limitation, DELRIN®, varnished wood and chrome-plated steel.
Although
Referring to the non-limiting example of
Referring to the non-limiting example of
In some embodiments, compressible bushing 305 may be part of a first cantilever arm. According to other embodiments, compressible bushing 305 may be part of a footprint adjustment bar. According to still other embodiments, compressible bushing 305 may be part of a separate device for coupling a footprint adjustment bar to a first cantilever arm.
According to certain other embodiments, adjustable footprint suspension seat frame 300 comprises one or more compressible bushings 310 at the point of union between the leg and the rest of adjustable footprint suspension seat frame 300.
Referring to the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, first footprint adjustment bar 405 connects to cantilever arms 410a-b through transition hinges 420a-b. In this particular example, the footprint (as used in this disclosure, the term “footprint” is understood to encompass the dimensions between the points of contact between suspension seat frame 400 and a supporting surface, such as a floor or the ground) of the suspension seat frame 400 is defined by, inter alia, the current length of first footprint adjustment bar 405.
In this illustrative example, first footprint adjustment bar 405 comprises one or more structures which enable adjustment of the length of first footprint adjustment bar 405, such that adjustable-footprint suspension seat frame 400 may be operated at two or more footprint sizes with first footprint adjustment bar 405. As an example, first footprint adjustment bar 405 comprises two or more concentric members which can telescope relative to one another. According to such embodiments, first footprint adjustment bar 405 may comprise a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is substantially concentric to the second section and configured to move telescopically within the second section and configured to move telescopically (e.g., back and forth relative to each other) within the second section. Further, the first section is configured to operably engage with (to prevent movement of the first and second sections during use) to define two or more working lengths of the first footprint adjustment bar.
Operable engagement between the first and second sections of first footprint adjustment bar 405 is, in some embodiments, achieved by providing the second section with one or more holes for a pin-hole pair, and by providing the first section with at least one locking pin configured to pass through the locking pin hole to inhibit telescopic movement and substantially maintain the working length of first footprint adjustment bar 405. In other embodiments, operable engagement between the first and second sections of first footprint adjustment bar 405 is achieved by providing the second section with a ring clamp (for example, a “quick release” style ring clamp, such as used to provide easy adjustment of bicycle seat posts) to hold an interior surface of the second section against an exterior surface of the first section.
In some embodiments, adjustments in the length of first footprint adjustment bar 405 can be achieved by providing a first threaded member having a centerline substantially parallel to a longitudinal (e.g., lengthwise) axis of first footprint adjustment bar 405. In one example, the first threaded member has, at one end, a coupling portion suitable for attachment to a cantilever arm, or a length of material which connects to a cantilever arm. In this example, the first threaded member has, at the opposite end, a threaded portion (for example, a threaded rod, a nut, or a region where the material of the first threaded member has been bent or formed to provide threads). In this non-limiting example, first footprint adjustment bar 405 further comprises a second threaded member having a substantially parallel to a longitudinal (e.g., lengthwise) axis of first footprint adjustment bar 405. The second threaded member has, at one end, a coupling portion suitable for attachment to a cantilever arm, or a length of material which connects to a cantilever arm. In this example, the second threaded member has, at the opposite end, a threaded portion (for example, a threaded rod, a nut, or a region where the material of the first threaded member has been bent or formed to provide threads). According to some embodiments, the threaded portion of the first section engages directly with the threaded portion of the second section. According to other embodiments, the threaded portion of the first section is connected indirectly (for example, by a rod having a region with threads in one direction and another region with threads in another direction) by a third threaded member.
According to certain other embodiments, the length of first footprint adjustment bar 405 may be adjusted by other suitable length control mechanisms, including, without limitation, a first member having one half of a ratchet-pawl pair, and a second member having the other half of the ratchet-pawl pair.
In various embodiments according to this disclosure, first and second cantilever arms 410a-b comprise lengths of material (for example, circular, rectangular, polygonal or obround section metal tubing) of sufficient strength to provide cantilevered support to resist loads generated by the use of a suspension seat. In this non-limiting example, first and second cantilever arms 410a-b do not include holes for pin-hole pairs. In this particular example, first and second cantilever arms 410a-b are designed to pair with adjustable side clips which operably engage with first and second cantilever arms through friction (for example, friction provided by a set screw or a ring clamp).
According to various embodiments of this disclosure, first and second cantilever arms 410a-b connect to transition hinges 420a-b, and are maintained at an operable angle by transition hinges 420a-b.
In some embodiments, first and second leg pairs 415a-b comprise removable legs attached to transition hinges 420a-b. According to other embodiments, adjustable-footprint suspension seat frame 400 has only three legs, instead of the four legs shown in the non-limiting example of
As shown in the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, footprint adjustment bar 500 comprises a length-defining member 505. In the non-limiting example of
In some embodiments, length-defining member 505 comprises a single section of material. In other embodiments, length-defining member 505 comprises two or more lengths of material with centerlines substantially parallel to a common longitudinal axis, which can move relative to one another to change the overall length of length-defining member 505. According to certain embodiments, the two sections of material may be concentric and move telescopically relative to one another. According to other embodiments, the two sections may be parallel to one another, and connected by one or more crossbars which attach to one section, and allow the other section to pass through.
In the non-limiting example of
In some embodiments, footprint adjustment bar 500 further comprises a compressible bushing 515. According to certain embodiments, compressible bushing 515 covers one or more surfaces of footprint adjustment bar 500 in a region where footprint adjustment bar 500 mates with another component of a suspension frame (for example, cantilever arms or a transition hinge). In certain embodiments, compressible bushing 515 is formed of a hard plastic which helps eliminate “slop” between suspension seat frame components under load, and eliminates galling or other sources of friction and sticking between metal components.
Footprint adjustment bar 500 provides one example of a footprint adjustment bar according to this disclosure. Other embodiments are possible and within the intended scope of this disclosure. For example, according to certain embodiments, a footprint adjustment bar may be constructed from two lengths of material connected by a locking hinge. Further, the first length of material has locks at both ends, and the second length of material has, at a minimum, a lock at an end disposed away from the locking hinge. Accordingly, a footprint adjustment bar according to such embodiments supports at least two footprints. A first footprint may be defined when the locking hinge is fully opened, and the two lengths of material abut one another at their ends. A second footprint may be defined when the locking hinge is fully closed, and the cantilever arms of a suspension seat frame are connected to the locks at the ends of the first length of material.
Referring to the non-limiting example of
According to certain embodiments, adjustable side clip 600 comprises a hollow collar 605. Hollow collar 605 may be constructed of any material with sufficient strength to support both the tensile load from the suspension seat provided through suspension seat mount 610, as well as the sheer load provided through lock 615. Suitable materials for hollow collar 605 include, without limitation, steel, aluminum, titanium, polyphthalamide, or high density polyethylene (HDPE). According to various embodiments, hollow collar 615 has an interior cross section of similar shape and profile to that of cantilever arm 607, thereby allowing adjustable side clip 600 to slide between mounting positions and also maintain a tight, slop-free fit during use. In some embodiments, the interior surface of hollow collar 605 may comprise one or more internal rings, or areas of reduced cross section, to help ensure a slop-free fit between adjustable side clip 600 and cantilever arm 607.
In some embodiments, adjustable side clip 600 comprises a suspension seat mount 610 on an exterior portion of hollow collar 605. According to certain embodiments, suspension seat mount 610 may be integral to hollow collar 605, with both components being cast, molded or otherwise formed as one unit. According to certain embodiments, suspension seat mount 610 comprises a ring, hook, or horizontal bar having a cross section that is slender enough to allow engagement with a corresponding hook, ring, carabiner or other mounting hardware on the suspension seat, but also strong enough to withstand the tensile force generated by the suspension seat under load. According to some embodiments, such as when mounted on a suspension seat frame which includes a cradle (for example, cradle 125a in
As shown in the non-limiting example of
By their nature, suspension seats expand and contract during in response to a user's movements. Further, by their nature, suspension seats tend to have a narrow top width. As such, conventional blankets are generally unsuitable for use with suspension seats, in particular, hammocks. A conventional width blanket, such as a picnic blanket or bed blanket will likely be unduly wide, and drag on the ground at the edges, getting dirty and potentially providing passage for bugs, sticks and other unwanted material into the suspension seat. Conversely, a blanket sized to fit the width of a suspension seat will likely leave the user partially exposed, due to the inherent motion of the seat.
Certain embodiments of a suspension seat 900 according to this disclosure address these problems by providing a suspension seat, for example, a hammock, with an integrated blanket. As shown in the non-limiting example of
As shown in the non-limiting example of
This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Note that not all of the activities described above in the general description or the examples are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed.
In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.
Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims.
After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub combination. Further, references to values stated in ranges include each and every value within that range.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/680,378 filed on Jun. 4, 2018. The above-identified provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 290921 | Pluche | Dec 1883 | A |
| 950070 | Funke | Feb 1910 | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190365085 A1 | Dec 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62680378 | Jun 2018 | US |
