Stand for multiple hammocks

Disclosed herein is a hammock stand. The hammock stand may include a hub including a plurality of ends. The hammock stand may further include a plurality of braces which may be connected to on of the plurality of ends included in the hub. The plurality of braces may further include each hammock attachment point. At the center of the hammock stand, one or more support braces or a table providing structural support between the plurality of braces may be included.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to a stand for supporting multiple hammocks at one time. In particular, the stand may include multiple bases which connect to a head end or a foot end of two hammocks. Moreover, the stand may further include a central table that is removable or partially removable.

2. Description of the Related Art

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 still 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. Hammocks may be installed between two trees although finding two trees that are an appropriate distance apart which have a thickness or diameter of sufficient size to support a person, is not always a simple task in many forests. Other hammock stands have been developed which allow a single hammock or multiple hammocks to be deployed but many of these are dependent on having one or more counterweights or support two sides of a single hammock.

A need exists, therefore, to provide a hammock stand for multiple hammocks which does not require a counterweight to use. A further need exists for a hammock stand with a central hub that allows multiple hammocks to be suspended between bases, but that is also modular to add or remove hammocks as desired. A further need exists to provide a centralized support for a hammock stand, which may or may not also support a table.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein hammock stand. The hammock stand may include a hub including a plurality of ends. The hammock stand may further include a plurality of braces which may be connected to one of the plurality of ends included in the hub. The plurality of braces may further each include a hammock attachment point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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 hammock strap 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 apparatuses.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like 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.1illustrates a illustrates perspective view of a stand100for multiple hammocks. Stand100includes a plurality of bases105A,105B, and105C, which each serve as supports for stand100. Bases105A-105C may be made from a metal, carbon fiber, wood, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, bases105A-105C may be made from aluminum or steel tube. Bases105A-105C may be generally tear drop or loop shaped having an opening in the middle with a flat section, upsetting the tear drop/loop shape, where bases105A-105C contact a surface supporting stand100.

Stand100further includes a plurality of braces110A,110B, and110C which are connected to bases105A,105B, and105C, respectively. For example, brace110A may connect to base105A, brace110B may connect to base105B, and brace110C may connect to base110C. Braces110A,110B, and110C may be constructed as single pieces or may be constructed as an upper brace and a lower brace having one of the lower section and the upper section include a smaller diameter portion which acts as a male end which fits into a female end of the other of the upper or lower section of brace110A,110B, and110C. Braces110A,110B, and110C may be generally straight in a top half of braces110A,110B, and110C to a curve where hammock attachment125A-125C is positioned and may also include a slight curve in the lower half of braces110A,110B, and110C to facilitate connection to hub120and to provide a wider area of contact with a surface under stand100, such as the ground. In this manner, each hammock base105A-105C may be supported on the ground, for example, by a wider ground contact area and relieve the need for a counterweight on an opposing side of stand100.

Braces110A,110B, and110C may be connected on a bottom end by hub120. Hub120may include male ends, with diameters smaller than a bottom end of braces110A,110B, and110C such that the male ends of hub120may fit into a female end of the bottom end of braces110A,110B, and110C. It is also to be noted that in another embodiment, hub120may include female ends while braces110A,110B, and110C include male ends which fit into the female ends of hub120. Hub120may include a number of ends which accept a number of braces110A,110B, and110C. As shown inFIG.1, hub120may accept three braces. However, as shown inFIG.5, hub120(520) may accept four braces. Braces110A-110C having the same or substantially the same length may be connected by hub120whether hub120includes three ends or four ends. Braces110A-110C may be lengthened slightly and progressively for hubs which include more and more ends.

Braces110A-110C may be further supported by support connections115A,115B, and115C. Support connectors115A-115C may connect two of braces110A-110C. For example, support connector115A, may connect brace110A and110C. Support connector115B may connect brace110A and110B. Support connector115C may connect brace110B and110C. Support connectors115A-115C provide additional rigidity between braces110A-110C. Bases105A-105C, braces110A-110C, support connectors115A-115C, and hub120may be made from a metal, carbon fiber, wood, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, bases105A-105C, braces110A-110C, support connectors115A-115C, and hub120may be made from aluminum or steel tube or flat stock, as appropriate, which may be fitted and fashioned in the manner described herein.

A top end of braces110A-110C may further include a hammock attachment point125A-125C. Hammock attachment points125A-125C may be implemented to allow a hammock to attach to either side of braces110A-110C. Hammock attachment points125A-125C may be implemented as an opening created in a top of braces110A-110C. For example, hammock attachment points125A-125C may be created by, for example, welding a metal rod or element between the brace above the connector to the base and directly across to the brace, creating an opening between the metal rod or element and a bend in the brace. Hammocks may be attached to hammock attachment points125A-125C. For example, a head end of a hammock may be connected to hammock attachment point125A while a foot end of a hammock may be connected to hammock attachment point1258. Similarly, a head of a second hammock may also attach to hammock attachment point1258while a foot end of the second hammock may attach to hammock attachment point125C. It follows that a head end of a third hammock may attach to hammock attachment point125C while a foot end of the third hammock may attach to hammock attachment point125A.

FIG.2illustrates a perspective view of a stand200with multiple mounted hammocks205A-205C. Hammock stand200includes hammock stand100, shown and described above with respect toFIG.1. However, as shown inFIG.2, hammocks are installed in position on hammock stand200. For example, hammock205A may be attached at a first end to a brace and at a second end to another brace while a first end of hammock205B may be attached to the same brace as the second end of hammock205A and include a second end which is connected to another brace. Hammock205C may have a first end which connects to the same brace as the second end of hammock205B and a second end of hammock205C may connect to the same brace as the first end of hammock205A.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of a hammock stand300with a central table305. Hammock stand300includes hammock stand100, shown and described above with respect toFIG.1. As shown inFIG.3, a table305is fitted over support connectors115A-115C, shown and described above with respect toFIG.1. Table305may be implemented as a single piece table which connects to support connectors115A-115C or may be implemented in several pieces, as shown inFIG.3. Table305may include a plurality of table elements which constitute table305, such as table element310A,310B,310C, and310D. Table elements310A-310D form essentially an equilateral triangle. However, table elements, such as table element310D, for example, may be removed to accommodate other accessories. For example, table element310D may be removed to accommodate a cooler disposed within the table. Alternatively, table element310D may be retained in place and include one or more accessory ports310E which may allow accessories to be installed on the table, such as an umbrella which may be large enough to cover all of stand300.

FIG.4illustrates a perspective view of a hammock stand400with table305having removable elements310A-310D. Hammock stand400includes hammock stand100, shown and described above with respect toFIG.1. As shown inFIG.4, a table305is fitted over support connectors115A-115C, shown and described above with respect toFIG.1. Table305may be implemented a single piece table which connects to support connectors115A-115C or may be implemented in several pieces, as shown inFIG.4. Table305may include a plurality of table elements which constitute table305, such as table element310A,310B,310C, and310D. Table elements310A-310D form essentially an equilateral triangle. As shown inFIG.4, table elements, such as table element310D, for example, may be removed to accommodate other accessories. For example, as illustrated inFIG.4, table element310D may be removed to accommodate a cooler disposed within the table. Alternatively, table element310D may be retained in place and include one or more accessory ports310E which may allow accessories to be installed on the table, such as an umbrella which may be large enough to cover all of stand400.

FIG.5illustrates a perspective view of a hammock stand500for multiple hammocks. While four hammocks are shown inFIG.5, hammock stand500may accommodate a plurality of hammocks, as discussed herein. Stand500includes a plurality of bases505A,505B,505C, and505D which each serve as supports for stand500. Bases505A-505D may be made from a metal, carbon fiber, wood, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, bases505A-505D may be made from aluminum or steel tube. Bases505A-505D may be generally tear drop or loop shaped having an opening in the middle with a flat section, upsetting the tear drop/loop shape, where bases505A-505C contact a surface supporting stand500.

Stand500further includes a plurality of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D which are connected to bases505A,505B,505C, and505D, respectively. For example, brace510A may connect to base505A, brace510B may connect to base505B, brace510C may connect to base5100and brace510D may connect to base510D. Braces510A,510B,5100, and510D may be constructed as single pieces or may be constructed as an upper brace and a lower brace having one of the lower section and the upper section include a smaller diameter portion which acts as a male end which fits into a female end of the other of the upper or lower section of brace510A,510B,510C, and510D. Braces510A,510B,5100, and510D may be generally straight in a top half of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D to a curve where hammock attachment525A-525C is positioned and may also include a slight curve in the lower half of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D to facilitate connection to hub520and to provide a wider area of contact with a surface under stand500, such as the ground. In this manner, each hammock base505A-505D may be supported on the ground, for example, by a wider ground contact area and relieve the need for a counterweight on an opposing side of stand500.

Braces510A,510B,510C, and510D may be connected on a bottom end by hub520. Hub520may include male ends, with diameters smaller than a bottom end of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D such that the male ends of hub520may fit into a female end of the bottom end of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D. It is also to be noted that in another embodiment, hub520may include female ends while braces510A,510B,510C, and510D include male ends which fit into the female ends of hub520. Hub520may include a number of ends which accept a number of braces510A,510B,510C, and510D. As shown inFIG.5, hub520may accept four braces. Braces510A-510D having the same or substantially the same length may be connected by hub520whether hub520includes three ends, four ends, or a plurality of ends. Braces110A-110C may be lengthened slightly and progressively for hubs which include more and more ends.

Braces510A-510D may be further supported by support connections515A,515B,515C, and515D. Support connectors515A-515D may connect two of braces510A-510D. For example, support connector515A, may connect brace510A and510D. Support connector515B may connect brace510A and510B. Support connector515C may connect brace510B and510C. Support connector515D may connect brace510C and510D. Support connectors515A-515D provide additional rigidity between braces510A-510D. Bases505A-505D, braces510A-510D, support connectors515A-515D, and hub520may be made from a metal, carbon fiber, wood, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, bases505A-505D, braces510A-510D, support connectors515A-515D, and hub520may be made from aluminum or steel tube or flat stock, as appropriate, which may be fitted and fashioned in the manner described herein.

A top end of braces510A-510D may further include a hammock attachment point525A-525C. Hammock attachment points525A-525D may be implemented to allow a hammock to attach to either side of braces510A-510D. Hammock attachment points525A-525D may be implemented as an opening created in a top of braces510A-510D. For example, hammock attachment points525A-525D may be created by, for example, welding a metal rod or element between the brace above the connector to the base and directly across to the brace, creating an opening between the metal rod or element and a bend in the brace. Hammocks may be attached to hammock attachment points525A-525D. For example, a head end of a hammock may be connected to hammock attachment point525A while a foot end of a hammock may be connected to hammock attachment point525B. Similarly, a head of a second hammock may also attach to hammock attachment point525B while a foot end of the second hammock may attach to hammock attachment point525C. It follows that a head end of a third hammock may attach to hammock attachment point525C while a foot end of the third hammock may attach to hammock attachment point525D. A head end of a fourth hammock may attach to hammock attachment point525D and a foot end of the fourth hammock may attach to hammock attachment point525A.

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.