Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention is related to hammock assembly and specifically to a hammock supporting frame assembly for conventional hammock. Further, this invention is related to a foldable hammock supporting frame assembly that can support a hammock in multiple reclining positions.
Different hammock supporting frames are known. For example, patent application US2016/0106200 A1 is showing a frame that has two curved elongate support members bolted together at opposite ends under acute angle. Each elongate element made of several sections and can be taken apart.
Although the prior art has numerous reclining positions that allow the hammock to move back and forth, the circular arc shape of the two elongate support members is such that the frame tend to be hard to balance by the user and too easily leans one way or the other. The shape of the curved members can be improved to limit the rocking motion of the swing and thus increase the comfort for the user.
While portability is an essential part of the prior art, it is usually achieved by taking apart the hammock frame which is very time consuming and inconvenient for the user. Foldable models (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 337,792A) are complicated, costly to manufacture, and heavy or hard and time=consuming to fold by the user.
The purpose of the current invention is a stable and foldable supporting frame for hammock providing comfort for the user. The Foldable hammock frame has sturdy structure and is easy to (operate) fold and unfold by the user. In folded position the frame can be easily moved, transported or stored in any contemporary home.
In the preferred embodiment the current invention has two elongate support members hinged together at opposite ends. Each support member comprises consecutively connected curved sections with different radiuses of the curvature, with the curvature of the two support members being equal.
The Folding hammock frame can be folded when said second elongate member that is hinged to the said first elongate member can be moved so that the central parts of both elongate support members can be moved close to each other.
Hammock attachment members are attached to both hinges located at each of the opposite ends so that a hammock can be deployed between the two opposite ends. The hammock is free to rotate to tilted positions dependent upon an occupant's center of gravity relative to the hammock frame wherein the hammock frame will support the occupant in stable reclining and multiple stable sitting positions as well as in multiple stable positions in which an occupant will be inclined relative to horizontal and vertical planes.
Said two support members hinged together at the opposite ends lie in parallel planes relative to each other (1) when the frame is folded. (2) When the frame is unfolded the two support members lie in transverse planes at an acute angle relative to each other. The measurement of the acute angle is determined by an Angle limiter. Both hinges have the same design.
Angle limiter is used to limit separation of the opposite support members when the frame is unfolded holding the hammock at a preset distance from the ground level. Thus the invention enables the ease of operation and the elimination of additional elements such as lateral support strap (used in US2016/0106200 A1-FIG. 1).
The Folding hammock frame also has a fixing mechanism that prevents the frame from accidentally folding during usage. The foldable frame for hammock swing can be folded when the fixing mechanism is disengaged.
In the preferred embodiment elongate support member 1 and elongate support member 2 are identical made of solid wood with rectangular cross-section. In other embodiments, elongate support members 1 and 2 can be made of metal, plastic or other material with ellipse, tubular or other cross sections.
In the preferred embodiment said FFHS has two identical hinges 3. Each hinge 3 (
Part of each hinge 3 is a fixing mechanism comprising bolt 9 and nut 10 used to hold said hinge 3 in open position and thus prevent the foldable frame for hammock swing from folding when in unfolded position.
Other hinge designs can be used to connect the two elongate support members.
Angle limiter limits the hinge opening so that each hinge 3 has a limited rotation angle. Limited rotation angle of the hinge 3 limits the hinge opening and thus allows the FFHS to hold the hammock 4 at a predetermined distance from the ground.
In the preferred embodiment, angle limiter is designed to allow the two elongate support members to diverge at a 40 degrees acute angle 26 (
Other angle limiter designs can be used to limit the hinge angle of rotation.
Each elongate support member 1 and 2 is U-sapped and has a curved section comprising ten (10) connected arcs with different curvature profiles (radiuses). U-shaped elongate support members 1 and 2 allow the foldable frame for hammock swing to stand in multiple reclining positions. In addition, curvature of the U-shaped curve is specially designed to optimize the rocking experience of the user and force the foldable frame for hammock swing to tend to stand centered touching the ground close to mid-point 22 (
The straight section 17 runs between two points with coordinates (726.2039, 730.0000) and (726.2039, 530.865)
The first arc has center 18 with coordinates (−39.4171,565.1387) and radius 687.64 mm
The second arc has center 19 with coordinates (−209.8277,531.8258) and radius 517.64 mm
The third arc has center 20 with coordinates (−133.9768,782.9517) and radius 776.17 mm
The fourth arc has center 21 with coordinates (−18.5644,707.6878) and radius 1707.79 mm
Fixing Mechanism is designed to hold the foldable frame for hammock swing in unfolded position and prevent accidental folding of the foldable frame for hammock swing when in use.
In the preferred embodiment fixing mechanism is part of each hinge 3 and comprises of a fixing bolt 9 (
Other fixing mechanism designs can be used to hold the frame in unfolded position. In another embodiment (
In this embodiment Metal plate 14 is positioned on the outer side of elongate support members 1 and 15.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5636392 | Choi | Jun 1997 | A |
10441060 | Pinholster, Jr. | Oct 2019 | B1 |