Patent Publication Number: US-2005132492-A1

Title: Clew attachable plate

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention is directed to a plate for identification or other purpose, which can be removably attached to the ropes of a hammock clew.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Hammocks are an increasingly popular form of outdoor furniture. They provide a comfortable place to recline in the backyard, on the patio, at the beach or any other outdoor setting. They can be extended between trees or posts, or in a moveable stand. Being readily moveable, they can easily be misplaced or lost. For this and various other reasons (including pride of ownership), it is desirable to have something like an identification plate that can be attached to the hammock. The plate could be the name of the hammock owner, beach resort to which it belongs, the manufacturer, etc. But hammocks, by their essential nature, are comprised entirely of fabric or rope. The only hard surface on which to apply such a plate, would be the wooden spreader bars, which are to a large extent, hidden under ropes or canvas.  
      It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a means of attaching a plate for identification or other purpose to the rope clew of a hammock.  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE PRIOR ART  
      Applicant is aware of no relevant prior art that directly relates to this invention.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one end of a hammock with the plate of the invention attached to the clew of the hammock.  
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the plate.  
       FIG. 3  is an end view of the plate.  
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the upper section of the plate.  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the lower section of the plate.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plate for identification or other purpose that can be removably attached to the ropes of a hammock clew. The plate comprises an upper section and a lower section of similar dimension. Both sections have corresponding grooves formed in their adjacent surfaces. The lower section is placed under four centrally located ropes of the clew so that the ropes lie in the grooves of the lower section. The upper section is then placed with its grooves over the ropes. The corresponding grooves now form apertures through which the ropes extend. The upper section is secured to the lower section by means of screws, which extend through the upper section and into the lower section. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1  illustrates one end of a hammock  1 , comprising hammock bed  2 , spreader bar  3 , clew  4  and terminating in clew ring  5 . Attached to the clew  4  is the plate  6 , which is formed of a hardwood such as oak and covered with a glossy, weather resistant coating such as marine varnish.  
      As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plate consists of an upper section  7  and a lower section  8 . The two sections have similar dimensions. The sections  7  and  8  are held together by screws  9   a  and  9   b . Corresponding grooves  10   a  and  10   b  are formed in adjacent surfaces of upper section  7  and lower section  8 , so that when sections  7  and  8  are joined together the corresponding grooves  10   a  and  10   b  form apertures  10  through plate  6 . Each end of the apertures  10  has an enlarged, funnel-shaped area  11 .  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the grooves  10   a  and  10   b , with funnel-shaped ends  11 . It further illustrates that groove  10   b  in the lower section  8 , and the groove  10   a  in the upper section  7  are of corresponding shape and size so that when the sections  7  and  8  are joined the grooves  10   a  and  10   b  form apertures  10  through plate  6 .  
      It will be appreciated that the apertures  10  are spaced at intervals along plate  6  that correspond to the spacing of ropes in the clew  4 . To attach plate  6  to the clew  4 , the lower section  8  is held beneath the clew  4  and lifted up until four centrally located ropes of clew  4  are within the corresponding apertures  10 . Upper section  7  is then placed over the lower section  8  and the enclosed ropes of clew  4 . The upper section  7  is then secured to the lower section  8 , by screws  9   a  and  9   b . If the user wishes to make it a permanent attachment, the two sections  7  and  8  can also be glued together.  
      The apertures  10  have funnel shaped ends  11  so as to not crimp the clew ropes nor abrade them.