# Patent

## Title
Knock-down hammock stand

## Abstract

A hammock stand is described that can be assembled from a plurality of tubular members. The tubular members are of similar dimensions and to some extent interchangeable. This allows the stand, in disassembled form to be contained in a relatively small box for shipping and storage.

## Background
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a hammock stand that is assembled from a plurality of tubular members which are similar in dimension and to some extent interchangeable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hammocks are an ever popular form of outdoor, leisure furniture. Hammock stands are a convenient means of supporting a hammock, since they are readily mobile (as contrasted to trees or posts). But one problem with hammock stands, is their bulk; they are quite large because they need to extend substantially beyond each end of the hammock and have lateral foot supports that extend to or beyond the sides of the hammock.
In commerce this bulk is a particular problem, because manufacturers and merchants making and selling hammock stands require large containers to package them and considerable space to store them.
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved hammock stand comprised of a plurality of tubular members similar in dimension, which can be disassembled for storage or shipment in a relatively small container. Other objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and are inherent in the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
DISCLOSURE OF THE PRIOR ART
Applicant is aware of no prior art directly relevant to the present invention.
Description of a conventional hammock stand can be seen in such prior art as U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,538.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the straight pole
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the swaged pole
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the assembled stand
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the assembled stand
FIG. 5 is a front plan view of lateral foot member
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional front view of the elbow joint as attached to the foot member
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the elbow joint as attached to the foot member



SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a hammock stand is formed of six interconnected poles, two of which comprise a base member and four of which comprise upwardly extending members on opposite ends of the base member. The base member and upwardly extending members are joined by an elbow joint which is permanently attached to laterally extending foot members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made to the present preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the two aluminum tubular members which constitute the basic components of the hammock stand.
The straight pole 1 has opposite end portions 4 and 6. An aperture 5 is formed through one wall of the end portion 4. An aperture 7 is formed through one wall of end portion 6.
The swaged pole 2 has opposite end portions 3 and 9. An aperture 10 is formed through one wall of end portion 9. End portion 3 is circumferentially reduced, so that its outer diameter is slightly less than inner diameter of end portion 6. A spring button 8 extends upwardly through one wall of end portion 3. When end portion 3 is inserted into end portion 6, the spring button 8 aligns with and engages the aperture 7.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the assembled hammock stand. It comprises a base member 11, having upwardly extended numbers 12a and 12b at its opposite ends. Base member 11, as well as upwardly extending members 12a and 12b, each is formed of joined and secured poles 1 and 2. On the upper ends of members 12a and 12b, are end caps 13a and 13b, which fit tightly over the upper ends of member 12a and 12b. Both end caps 13a and 13b, have support hooks 14a and 14b, to receive and support the terminal clew ring of a hammock extended between them. Foot members 15a and 15b extend laterally from opposite ends of base member 11. Opposite ends of foot members 15a and 15b, are covered by end caps 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d. Foot members 15a and 15b are joined to base member 11 and upward members 12a and 12b by elbow joints 17a and 17b. 
Foot member 15 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Elbow joint 17 is permanently attached to foot member 15 by spot welds, 18a and 18b. 
The elbow joint 17 is further illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The elbow joint 17 has opposite end portions 20a and 20b. Through the upside wall of end portion 20a, extends the spring button 19a. Through the upside wall of end portion 20b, extends the spring button 19b. The spring buttons 19a and 19b, align with and engage the apertures 5 and 10 in poles 1 and 2, which comprise members 11, 12a and 12b. 
It will be appreciated that when disassembled, the hammock stand comprises six relatively short poles 1 and 2, as well as two slightly larger foot members 15. So the entire disassembled stand can be packed into a relatively small storage and shipment container.
It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the device and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

## Claims

1. A stand for supporting a hammock comprising:
a horizontal base member and an upwardly extending member detachably connected to each end of said base member;
a foot member detachably connected to each end of said base member and extending laterally therefrom;
said base member and said upwardly extended members, each comprising at least two detachable connected tubular poles;
said tubular poles, all being of approximately the same dimension;
each set up connected poles comprising at least one straight pole and one swaged pole, the swaged pole having one circumferentially reduced end portion, the outer diameter of which is slightly less than the inner diameter of the straight pole;
each said circumferentially reduced end portion having an outwardly extending spring button which aligns with and engages a corresponding aperture in the connected straight pole.