Patent Publication Number: US-2016242539-A1

Title: Suspended support net

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/119,396, filed Feb. 23, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a woven apparatus, more specifically, a woven apparatus used as a platform, for recreation, lounging, catching or securing objects indoors or outdoors. 
     2. Background 
     Many outdoor locations, such as forests and parks are located on slopes and have very rocky surfaces. Pitching a tent or sitting in a chair or on the ground are not conducive to such surfaces because the surfaces are uneven or uncomfortable. Hammocks support one to two people but cannot be subjected to high tension. Hammocks also do not provide much support or stability because fabric is used for the support surface. Other types of suspending platforms may support approximately three people, however, they are comprised of many different parts making it difficult to assemble and use. 
     In some apparatuses, there is described a double hammock configured to accommodate two persons; however such an apparatus suffers from the disadvantage of supporting a maximum of two people. 
     In another apparatus, there is a multi-point stabilized suspended sleeping surface with a tensioning device; however, such an apparatus suffers from the disadvantage that the sleeping surface is composed of a heaving, weight-bearing fabric. Since the sleeping surface is composed of one piece of fabric, it cannot bear much weight as supported from the fact that its largest sleeping surface area is approximately the size of a cot or single mattress. Further, such an apparatus also suffers from the disadvantage that it is comprised of multiple parts making it difficult to assemble and use. 
     In another apparatus, there is a portable outdoor suspending shelter constructed of a fabric base panel; however, it suffers from the disadvantage that the fabric base panel can only support the weight of up to two people. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a suspending platform that is easy to assemble, adjust and use and that can support more than approximately three people. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a suspended support net that satisfies the need for easy assembly, easy adjustment and ease of use and can support more weight, for example can support more weight than three average adults. The claimed apparatus improves upon current hammocks and suspending platforms because at least two to five times more strength can be achieved; the length of the invention can be easily increased by simply increasing the quantity and diameter of the perimeter cord; the invention is easily adjustable thus allowing the user to increase or decrease the slack because of its woven nature; and the support surface has increased elasticity. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: a frame including at least two perimeter cords forming a perimeter; a surface inside the frame comprising a plurality of cords interconnected with the perimeter; a plurality of connection elements interconnected with the perimeter, at least two of the connection elements being interconnected with the perimeter at a point where a first perimeter cord meets a second perimeter cord; a plurality of attachment points, each attachment point extending from each connection element; a plurality of adjustment elements attached to one or more of the plurality of connection elements configured for adjusting a tension of the surface. 
     In other embodiments, the plurality of connection elements may comprise rings, cords and knots, and loops; the plurality of attachment points may comprises a figure eight end; and the plurality adjustment elements may comprise loops and knots and a tensioning system built into the attachment points. 
     In another embodiment, the plurality of cords are interconnected with the perimeter by splicing each of a first end of the plurality of cords through a first side of the perimeter and forming a mesh weave with each adjacent cord such that each first end and each second end of the plurality of cords meet at a second side of the perimeter, the second side opposing the first side, and each first end and second end of each cord is secured with the second side of the perimeter. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of making an apparatus for suspension above ground. The method comprises steps including: (1) forming a perimeter with at least two cords, each cord having opposing terminal ends; (2) for each cord of the at least two cords, feeding one of the terminal ends, hereinafter a first cord terminal end and a second cord terminal end, into a ring tied to a separate rope using a cow hitch; and forming at least one prusik knot by wrapping the first cord terminal end around the second cord terminal end and securing the prusik knot with a figure eight knot; (3) forming a figure eight knot on each of the at least two cords at a point between its opposing terminal ends; (4) splicing a plurality of surface cords through one side of the perimeter, each of the surface cords having a pair of terminal ends; (5) interweaving each of the plurality of surface cords to an adjacent surface cord to reach an opposing side of the perimeter; and (6) connecting each pair of terminal ends of the interwoven surface cords to the opposing side of the perimeter by using a double fisherman&#39;s knot. 
     These features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged partial view of the support surface from  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of part  4 A from  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of part  4 B from  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the apparatus connected to support structures, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only. 
     An embodiment of the invention is described in  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus  1  comprising a perimeter  2  formed of a plurality of perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b ; a support surface  24  surrounded by the perimeter  2 , the support surface  24  formed of a plurality of support cords  8  attached to the perimeter  2  by knots  22 ; a plurality of connection elements  4 ; a plurality of corresponding attachment points  6 , each extending from a connection element  4 ; and a plurality of handle loops  16 , each attached to a connection element  4 . As particularly illustrated in an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus  1  comprises four connection elements  4 ; and two handle loops  16  connected to corresponding connection elements  4  which are diagonally opposed. The perimeter  2  serves as a frame to the support surface  24 . 
     The perimeter  2  comprises of at least two perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b , which can be at least nine millimeters wide and hollow. The perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  of the perimeter  2  can be polyester or other synthetic materials of at least equal strength and can be made of a single cord; the single cord comprising of many individual threads inter-woven into a single cord. The perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  are laid onto one length-wise and one width-wise portion of a weaving board (not pictured here) making a perimeter  2  shaped substantially like a square or rectangle. For example, the perimeter may be formed to frame a four corner platform, such that perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  are laid as opposing L-shapes. Perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  are connected at two opposing corners of the apparatus  1  at connection element  4  having a handle loop  16 , see connection part  4 A. As shown, cord  2   a  is a continuous cord running length-wise and width-wise; similarly cord  2   b  is an opposing continuous cord running length-wise and width-wise. A first set of terminal ends of cords  2   a  and  2   b  meet through a connection element  4  with a handle loop  16  (see part  4 A), whereas a second set of terminal ends of cords  2   a  and  2   b  meet through a diagonally opposed connection element  4  with a handle loop  16 . 
     In order to form a connection element  4  of part  4 A on the apparatus  1 , at two opposing corners where there exist the terminal ends of perimeter cord  2   a  and  2   b , a ring  10   a  is connected to a ring cord  11   a  (a separate rope) by a knot, such as a cow hitch  12   a . The ring  10   a  is connected to the perimeter cord  2   a  by a loop, such as a locking Brummel  20   a . The two terminal ends of perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  are fed through the ring  10   a . The free-hanging terminal end of a perimeter cord  2   a  of the perimeter  2  forms a prusik knot  14  onto the free-hanging terminal end of a perimeter cord  2   b . The prusik knot  14  is then looped off using a locking Brummel  20   d . The prusik knot  14  is a friction knot that stops the free-sliding perimeter cord  2   b  from loosening once under tension. The prusik knot  14  is tied and then fed back through to form a figure eight end  18   a . The figure eight end  18   a  (figure eight knot) secures the prusik knot  14 . The attachment points  6  comprise the figure eight end  18   a . The remaining section of the perimeter cord  2   a  comprising the figure eight end  18   a  is tied off using a locking Brummel  20   d  and stored into the hollow perimeter  2 . Similarly, the same type of connection (part  4 A) is made at an opposing corner where the terminal ends of perimeter cord  2   a  and  2   b  meet. 
     In order to form a connection element  4  of part  4 B on the apparatus  1 , at two opposing corners where there is a continuous perimeter cord  2   a  or  2   b , a ring  10   b  is connected to a ring cord  11   b  by a knot, such as a cow hitch  12   b . The ring  10   b  is connected to the perimeter cord  2   a  by a loop, such as a locking Brummel  20   b . The continuous perimeter cord  2   a  is bent and fed through the ring  10   b , forming the corner which is tied off using a knot such as a figure eight end  18   b  or overhand knot. The knot is therefore located between the terminal ends of the continuous perimeter cord  2   a . The knot creates the attachment points  6  needed for hanging the apparatus  1  to support structures. Similarly, the same type of connection (part  4 B) is made at an opposing corner, where continuous perimeter cord  2   b  is bent and fed through a ring  10   b , forming the corner which is tied off using a knot such as a figure eight end knot  18   b  or overhand knot. 
     The support surface  24  is formed by interweaving a plurality of support cords  8  which begin from a first edge  3  of the perimeter  2  and are threaded through at an opposing second edge  5  of the perimeter  2 , then return back and are knotted  22  at the first edge  3  of the perimeter  2 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of support cords  8  can be knotted  22  at the second edge  5  of the perimeter  2 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the cords are knotted in a double fisherman&#39;s knot  22 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of a side of the perimeter  2  of the apparatus  1  being perforated through or spliced near an edge  5  with individual surface/platform cords  8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The individual surface cords  8  are then intertwined with laterally adjacent surface cords  8  until the surface cords  8  reach the opposing side of the perimeter  2 . The surface cords  8 , at their terminal ends, are then secured to the perimeter  2  at edge  3  (not shown), for example by a knot such as a double fisherman&#39;s knot  22 . The weave of the surface cords  8  of the support surface  24  allows weight to be re-distributed over multiple surface cords  8 . By redistributing the weight, this increases the strength of the apparatus  1 . Using surface cords  8  allows repairing the apparatus  1  without deconstructing the apparatus  1 , and allows a margin of damaged surface cords  8  without compromising the function of the apparatus  1 . Perforating the perimeter  2  using a surface cord  8  prevents the surface cords  8  of the support surface  24  from sliding back and forth. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a surface cord  8  is perforated or punctured through the perimeter  2  cord, then wrapped around the outermost edge  5  of the perimeter  2  and intertwined with an adjacent surface cord  8 . The pattern of the surface cords  8  can be an inter-woven, knotless, diamond mesh weave that inter-weaves parallel surface cord  8   a  with surface cord  8   b  and surface cord  8   b  with surface cord  8   c . An adjacent surface cord  8  is similarly perforated or spliced through the perimeter  2  at a location offset from adjacent surface cord  8 . The spacing is preferably substantially evenly spaced between points where the surface cords  8  are perforated through the perimeter  2 . This method of perforating the perimeter  2  also maintains the shape of the apparatus  1  and prevents formation of large gaps between the surface cords  8  of the support surface  24 . The surface cords  8  of the perimeter  2  and the support surface  24  can be made of stronger synthetic blends of cord that are resistant to ultra-violet radiation and other forms of degradation. 
     The support surface  24  can be made by perforating the perimeter  2  with approximately four to six millimeters sized surface cords  8 . The surface cords  8  of the support surface  24  can be made of synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester or other like material and combinations thereof or of metal cable. When the surface cords  8  are made of metal cable, the surface cord  8  do not perforate the perimeter  2 . Rather the metal cable surface cords  8  are wrapped around the perimeter  2 . A surface cord  8   a  of the support surface  24  is perforated substantially perpendicularly through the center of the perimeter  2  at a spacing approximately in the range of two to three inches from the next surface cord  8   b  and so forth. Free hanging surface cords  8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  of the support surface  24  are then interwoven either directly to the left or right of the surface cord  8  creating an interlocking lattice that spans the support surface  24  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . However, other interlocking lattice patterns can be used to create the support surface  24 . Steel crimps can also be used to connect surface cords  8  instead of interweaving them. When the support surface  24  is woven, the surface cords  8  of the support surface  24  is perforated through the perimeter  2  and secured by a knot such as a double fisherman&#39;s knot  22  and the free ends of the surface cord  8  are taped or sealed using heat. 
     The design of the support surface  24  increases the elasticity of the interior portion of the support surface  24  making it more comfortable and ergonomic for the user. There may be a plurality of connection elements  4  as that shown of part  4 B on the apparatus  1  depending on the quantity of cords used to make the perimeter  2 . Other patterns of the present support surface  24  can be a cargo-style lattice of knotted diamonds. The support surface  24  can be made of a single continuous piece of surface cord  8 . When the surface cords  8  of the support surface  24  are hollow, the surface cords  8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  can be individually spliced through the middle of each of parallel surface cords  8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c , creating a mesh weave such as a diamond configuration. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of a connection element  4  of part  4 A on the apparatus  1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connection element  4  comprises a ring  10   a . The ring  10   a  can be made of any sturdy metal such as aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, chromium, iron, nickel, steel, tin, titanium. The ring  10   a  can have a capacity of at least 32 kilo-Newtons and can be polished or unpolished. The ring  10   a  linearly redirects forces from the perimeter  2  to each of the four connection elements  4  without fraying the perimeter  2 . The ring  10   a  reduces the strain on the support surface  24  which is weaker than the perimeter  2  and is removably attached to the perimeter  2  by a cow hitch  12   a  and locking Brummel  20   a . The ring cord  11   a  forming the cow hitch  12   a  and locking Brummel  20   a  can be made of material such as nylon, polyester, or other synthetic blends. The prusik knot  14  adjusts the length of the apparatus  1 . Instead of using a prusik knot  14 , other fastening means such as a mechanical locking device can also be used. 
     The prusik knot  14  allows the cords  2   a  and  2   b  of perimeter  2  to expand or contract in lateral directions by placing a grip over the prusik knot  14  and pulling hard on the handle loop  16 . The perimeter  2  can be tightened or loosened when the apparatus  1  is anchored or not anchored to support structures. When the apparatus  1  is under tension, the prusik knot  14  locks by tightening against the free hanging rope terminated by the handle loop  16 , and the perimeter  2  can no longer change lengths. Sufficient space is required between the ring  10   a  and prusik knot  14  so as both the ring  10   a  and prusik knot  14  do not contact each other. Pulling the handle loop  16  while holding onto the prussic knot  14  allows the slack of the apparatus  1  to increase or decrease. The handle loop  16  provides leverage when adjusting the length of the apparatus  1 . Decrease slack means a firmer apparatus  2  is present, whereas increase slack means a less firm apparatus  2  is present. The user can easily adjust the slack thus controlling the firmness of the apparatus  1  by pulling on the handle loop  16  and prusik knot  14 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is no prusik knot  14  at each connection element  4 . Rather, there is a permanent knot that secures the perimeter cords  2   a  and  2   b  together. 
     The locking Brummel  20   c  of the handle loop  16  secures the handle loop  16  by making it difficult to untie or undo the handle loop  16 . The figure eight end  18   a  aids in removably attaching apparatus  1  to support structures by connecting the figure eight end  18   a  to ratchet straps, another cord, or a pulley system. Should another cord be used, for example an extension, such cord is connected to each corner of the apparatus  1  by the figure eight end  18   a  using knots, hooks, rings, or carabiners or the like. The locking Brummel  20   d  of the figure eight end  18   a  safely secures the terminal end of perimeter cord  2   b  to the perimeter  2 . There may be a plurality of connection elements  4  as that shown of part  4 A on the apparatus  1  depending on the quantity of cords used to make the perimeter  2 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of a connection element  4  of part  4 B on the apparatus  1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connection element  4  comprises a ring  10   b . The ring  10   b  is removably attached to cord  2   b  of the perimeter  2  by a cow hitch  12   b  and locking Brummel  20   b . Connection element  4  of part  4 B comprises the same elements as connection element  4  of part  4 A, however, it only has a figure eight end  18   b.    
       FIG. 5  illustrates the apparatus  1  connected to trees shown in phantom lines, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus  1  can communicate with a variety of support structures such as trees, cars, weight-bearing beams within a house or on other parts within a home, or large equipment. A minimum of four support structures are needed. 
     The apparatus  1 , can be used as a safety function such as a safety catchment when hung below a person working at a considerable height or under a load of considerable weight. The apparatus  1  can also be hung above individuals. The apparatus  1  can be used to secure loads on top of vehicles or other structures or to store items. The apparatus  1  can be used as a seating platform or couch of sorts for social gatherings. The apparatus  1  can be hung in garages and be a hanging platform within which supplies or gears can be stored. 
     Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments of the foregoing description.