Patent Publication Number: US-2023132551-A1

Title: Asymmetrical portable hammock stand

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/275,409, filed on Nov. 3, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supersedes said portion of said above-referenced applications. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to a portable hammock stand that uses an existing anchor on one end and one or more legs on the other end as an anchor. A hammock may be put into operation using one anchor not included within the hammock stand 
     BACKGROUND 
     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 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. Unlike tents hammocks generally are not free standing, like tents. Hammocks require connection to other objects for a structural anchor. In many cases, trees are used as structural anchors for supporting the weight of a camper in a hammock. However, not all campsites include trees or trees of sufficient size to support a camper in a hammock. Hammock stands have been produced to allow a hammock user to set up a hammock without the use of a tree although many of these stands are impractical for use while camping due to weight and portability issues. Furthermore, even when a campsite does include adequate trees to support a hammock, a distance between the trees may prohibit the use of a hammock. 
     The object of this disclosure is to provide a portable hammock stand that may take advantage of a tree, vehicle or another existing anchor point and using one or more legs to support another end of the stand. Since the stand uses an existing anchor point, the weight of the stand is reduced dramatically. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein is a hammock stand that includes a connector, a horizontal support and a leg junction. The horizontal support attaches to the connector system at a first end a leg junction. The leg junction attaches to the horizontal support at a second end. The leg junction includes a plurality of legs, and an attachment port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of two asymmetrical hammock stands connected to a vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top view of two asymmetrical hammock stands connected to a vehicle. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock. 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a perspective view of a connector system found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a second perspective view of a connector system found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of an alternative connector system disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of an alternative connector system disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached strap. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  illustrate two perspective views of a leg junction disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with telescoping legs. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of an unattached ball and socket connector system for an asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective view of an attached ball and socket connector system. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with connector. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with covering. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a perspective side view of ball assembly portion of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system attached to a base plate for asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand. 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system with additional attachments for asymmetrical hammock stand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     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 device 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 methods. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar 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.  1    and  FIG.  2    illustrate a perspective view  100  and a top view  200  of two asymmetrical hammock stands  105 A and  105 B connected to a vehicle. Hammock stands  105 A and  105 B each include 2 legs  110 A,  110 B,  110 C, and  110 D respectively. Legs  110 A and  110 B may be attached to junction  115 A. Similarly, legs  110 C and  110 D may be attached to junction  110 B. Junction  110 A and  110 B also connect to horizontal supports  120 A and  120 B respectively. Horizontal supports  120 A and  120 B also connect to connector systems  125 A and  125 B respectively. Connector systems  125 A and  125 B may connect to a vehicle, structure, tree, or other objects. Connector systems  125 A and  125 B also include a pivot point  135 A and  135 B respectively. Pivot points  135 A and  135 B may allow nonattached end of hammock stands  105 A and  105 B to be repositioned at various angles to the vehicle to which it is attached. Asymmetrical hammock stands  105 A and  105 B may be attached to a variety of objects such as trailers, posts, walls, trees, rocks, vehicles, and other stable anchoring objects. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand  300  with an attached hammock. Hammock stand  300  includes two legs  310 A and  310 B. Legs  310 A and  310 B both connect to junction  315 . Junction  315  also connects to horizontal support  320 , which may or may not be implemented in two or more sections. Junction  315  may also include a hammock attachment point  330 B which connects hammock stand  300  to a hammock. Horizontal support  320  also connects to connector system  325 . Connector system  325  may connect to a vehicle or other objects. Connector system  325  may also include a pivot point  335 . Pivot points  335  may allow nonattached end of hammock stand  300  to be repositioned at various angles to the vehicle or object to which it is attached. Connector system  325  may also include attachment point  330 A where a second end of a hammock may attach to hammock stand  300 . 
       FIG.  4 A  and  FIG.  4 B  show two different perspective views  400 A and  400 B of a connector system  425  found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system  425  may include pivot point  435  and may include a bolt or a rod that extends through horizontal support  420 . Pivot point  435  may allow hammock stand  105 A and  105 B, as shown in  FIG.  1   , to articulate side to side to accommodate both hammock stands in a small area, as shown in  FIG.  1   . Also connected to connector system  425  is hammock attachment point  430  which may be used to attach a hammock to a hammock stand. Connector system  425  may further include proximal plate  450  and distal plate  455  attached together by one or more couplers  445 A and  445 B. Proximal plate  450  and distal plate  455  may facilitate the attachment of hammock stand  300 , as shown in  FIG.  3   , for example, to a vehicle or other object. An object, such as a portion of a vehicle, such as a roof rack, may be disposed between proximal plate  450  and distal plate  455  and tightened together with one or more couplers  445 A and  445 B to cause connector system  425  to attach securely to the portion of the vehicle. 
       FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6    illustrate different perspective views  500  and  600  of a connector system  525  disposed on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand. Perspective view  600  depicts attached strap  580 . Connector system  525  may include pivot point  535  and may include a bolt or a rod that extends through horizontal support  520 . A hammock attachment point  530  may also be connected to connector system  525  which allows a hammock to connect to connector system  525 . Connector system  525  may further include proximal plate  550 . Proximal plate  550  may include apertures  565 A and  565 B that may accommodate couplers  445 A and  445   b  as depicted in  FIG.  4 A  and  FIG.  4 B . Slots  560 A and  560 B may also be sized to accommodate one or more of strap connector  570 A and  570 B located on one or more ends of strap  580 . Strap  580  may further include a fastener  575  that may connect strap connector  570 A to strap connector  570 B around a tree or a post or another object and which may also control tension or tightness of strap  580  in a fixed or adjustable manner. 
       FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B  illustrates two different perspective views  700 A and  700 B of a leg junction  725  found on an end of an asymmetrical hammock stand.  FIG.  7 A  illustrates a view from a perspective of the back end of leg junction  725 .  FIG.  7 B  illustrates a view of the front end of leg junction  725 . Leg junction  725  may include legs  710 A and  710 B that may attach at joint  785  allowing leg  710 A and/or  710 B to pivot towards horizontal support  720  for easy storage and transportation. Leg junction  725  may include a frame that holds legs  710 A and  710 B at a fixed angle. Legs  710 A and  710 B may pivot on the same pivot point. Such that legs  710 A and  710 B may be in line with one another when folded outwards away from horizontal support  720  or when folded towards horizontal support  720 . Further joint  785  may releasably lock into place to support a hammock. Leg junction  725  may further include attachment port  730  which may be used to attach a hammock to a hammock stand, such as hammock stand  300 , shown in  FIG.  3   . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand  800  with telescoping legs  810 A and  810 B. Hammock stand  800  may include telescoping legs  810 A and  810 B that allow telescoping legs  890 A and  890 B to be exposed extending a potential height of hammock stand  800 . Telescoping legs  890 A and  890 B may lock into a position independent of one another (e.g., different overall lengths) to accommodate for uneven ground. Horizontal supports  820 A and  820 B may also be included in hammock stand  800  such that a first horizontal support  820 A at one end may detachably lock into a second horizontal support  820 B to facilitate transportation. Horizontal support  820 A, at the first end, may include a male portion  895  that is insertable into the female portion of horizontal support  820 B. At a second end horizontal support  820 A may attach to a connection system to anchor to a vehicle, tree, wall, post, or other stable structure. Hammock stand  800  may include a plurality of horizontal support sections (i.e.  820 A,  820 B,  820 C . . .  820 N). Further, hammock stand  800  may also include attachment ports  830 A, at the second end, and  830 B where a hammock or other items may attach. In this manner, frame  825 , which includes leg  810 A, leg  810 B, and horizontal support section  820 B, may be collapsible. In other words, leg  810 A and leg  810 B may be drawn towards each other in by a hinge in frame  825  to be side by side while horizontal support section  820 B may fold, by a hinge, towards legs  810 A and  810 B such that the three elements are in a collapsed position for easy transport. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of an unattached ball and socket connector system  900  for an asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system  900  may include socket  935  sized to receive ball hitch  940 . When socket  935  is positioned over ball hitch  940  hitch pin  925  may be placed through one or more of pin apertures  930 A and  930 B. Hitch pin  925  once inserted may lock socket  935  over ball hitch  940  by being inserted towards the neck portion of ball hitch  940  (which as depicted is below the widest part of ball hitch  940 ). When ball hitch  940  is attached to socket  935  a hammock stand may pivot on ball hitch  940 . Positioned to distally to socket  935  may be attachment point  920 . Positioned distally to attachment point  920  may be horizontal support  905 . Ball hitch  940  may be attached at a first side of platform  910 . 
     Platform  910  may connect to upper base plate  915 A using one or more of base plate attachments  945 A-B. Platform  910  may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Attachments  945 A-B may be accessed through platform aperture  965 . Platform  910 , as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform  910  may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch  940  is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate  915 A. Upper and lower base plates  915 A-B may include apertures  950 A-D. Apertures  950 A-B positioned in upper base plate  915  and apertures  950 C-D positioned in lower base plate  915 B. Apertures  950 A-D may be “T” shaped such that the top part of the “T” is positioned towards the inside of the plate. Also, upper and lower plates  915 A-B may include pads  955 A-B, respectively. Pads  955 A-B may be facing each other when connectors  960 A-D connect upper and lower base plates  915 A-B. Upper and lower base plates  915 A-B may sandwich a rack, a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system  900  of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system  900  may be used with ball hitch  940  facing upwards, downwards, to the right or to the left. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a perspective view of an attached ball and socket connector system  1000 . Connector system  900  may include socket  935  sized to receive ball hitch  940 . When socket  935  is positioned over ball hitch  940  hitch pin  925  may be placed through one or more of pin apertures  930 A and  930 B. Hitch pin  925  once inserted may lock socket  935  over ball hitch  940  by being inserted towards the neck portion of ball hitch  940  (which as depicted is below the widest part of ball hitch  940 ). Positioned distally to socket  935  may be attachment point  920 . Strap  970  may be looped through attachment point  920 . Attached distally to attachment point  920  may be horizontal support  905 . Ball hitch  940  may be attached at the first side of platform  910 . When ball hitch  940  is attached to socket  935  a hammock stand may pivot on ball hitch  940 . 
     Platform  910  may connect to upper base plate  915 A using one or more of base plate attachments  945 A-B. Platform  910  may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform  910 , as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than another one of the four sides. Platform  910  may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch  940  is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate  915 A. Upper and lower base plates  915 A-B may include apertures  950 A-D. Apertures  950 A-B positioned in upper base plate  915  and apertures  950 C-D positioned in lower base plate  915 B. Apertures  950 A-D may be “T” shaped such that the top part of the “T” is positioned towards the inside of the plate. Also, upper and lower plates  915 A-B may include pads  955 A-B receptively (as depicted in  FIG.  9   ). Pads  955 A-B may be facing each other when connectors  960 A-D ( 960 A depicted in  FIG.  9   ) connect upper and lower base plates  915 A-B. Upper and lower base plates  915 A-B may compress around roof rack  975 , a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system  900  of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system  1000  may be used with ball hitch  940  facing upwards, downwards, to the right, or to the left. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a perspective view of an asymmetrical hammock stand  1100  with connector  1115 . Hammock stand  1100  may include leg junction  1105  that attaches to legs  1120 A-B and horizontal support  1110  at a first end. Leg junction  1105  may include attachment port  1125  where a hammock, a covering or other accessories may be attached. Leg junction  1105  may include a frame that holds legs  1120 A-B at a fixed angle. Support bar  1130  may also be attached to leg junction  1105  to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot  1145  may be attached to leg junction  1105  and to legs  1120 A-B allowing one or more of legs  1120 A-B to fold toward horizontal support  1110 . Lower push pin  1135  may lock legs  1120 A-B in a position away from horizontal support  1110 . Alternatively, upper push pin  1140  may lock legs  1120 A-B towards horizontal support  1110 . Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs  1120 A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot  1145 . Legs  1120 A-B may both pivot on pivot  1145 . Such that legs  1120 A-B may be in line with one another when both legs  1120 A-B are folded outwards away from horizontal support  1110  or when both legs  1120 A-B folded towards horizontal support  1110 . Horizontal support  1110  may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected as depicted in  FIG.  8   . Horizontal support  1110  may be a ball and socket connection system  1115  as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand with an attached hammock. Hammock stand  1200  may include leg junction  1205  that attaches to legs  1220 A-B and horizontal support  1210  at a first end. Leg junction  1205  may include attachment port  1225  where a hammock, a covering, or other accessories may be attached. Support bar  1230  may also be attached to leg junction  1205  to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot  1245  may be attached to leg junction  1205  and to legs  1220 A-B allowing one or more of legs  1220 A-B to fold toward horizontal support  1210 . Lower push pin  1235  may lock legs  1220 A-B in a position away from horizontal support  1210 . Legs  1220 A-B may both pivot on pivot  1245 . Such that legs  1220 A-B may be in line with one another when both legs  1220 A-B are folded outwards away from horizontal support  1210  or when both legs  1220 A-B folded towards horizontal support  1210 . Alternatively, upper push pin  2140  may lock legs  1220 A-B towards horizontal support  2110 . Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs  1220 A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot  1245 . Leg junction  1205  may include a frame that holds legs  1220 A-B at a fixed angle. Telescoping legs  1250 A-B may be insertable into legs  1220 A-B respectively. Leg extensions  1250 A-B may slide in and out of legs  1220 A-B and may lock independently in different positions. Attached to the bottom of leg extensions  1250 A-B may be feet  1255 A-B shaped to provide a stable footing for hammock stand  1200 . Horizontal support  2110  may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected, as depicted in  FIG.  8   . Horizontal support  1210  may be a ball and socket connection system  1215  as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Hammock  1265  may attach to hammock stand  1200  at attachment port  1125  (as depicted in  FIG.  11   ) at one end and attachment point  920  (as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   ). The length of horizontal support  1210  may be adjustable to accommodate different hammocks  1265  or other attachments. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a side view of an asymmetrical hammock stand implemented as a shelter with a covering. Hammock stand  1300  may include leg junction  1305  that attaches to legs  1320 A-B and horizontal support  1310  at a first end. Leg junction  1305  may include attachment port  1325  where a hammock a covering or other accessories may be attached. Support bar  1330  may also be attached to leg junction  1305  to provide support and/or additional place to attach accessories. Pivot  1345  may be attached to leg junction  1305  and to legs  1320 A-B allowing one or more of legs  1320 A-B to fold toward horizontal support  1310 . Lower push pin  1335  may lock legs  1320 A-B in a position away from horizontal support  1310 . Alternatively, upper push pin  1340  may lock legs  1320 A-B towards horizontal support  1310 . Pushing upper or lower push pins may unlock the legs  1320 A-B allowing them to pivot along pivot  1345 . Telescoping leg  1350 A-B insertable into legs  1320 A-B respectively. Leg extensions  1350 A-B may slide in and out of legs  1320 A-B and may lock independently in different positions. Attached to the bottom of leg extensions  1350 A-B may be feet  1355 A-B shaped to provide a stable footing for hammock stand  1300 . Horizontal support  1310  may be made up of a plurality of sections detachably connected as depicted in  FIG.  8   . Horizontal support  1310  may a ball and socket connection system  1315  as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Hammock  1365  may attach to hammock stand  1300  at attachment port  1125  (as depicted in  FIG.  11   ) at one end and attachment point  920  (as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   ). The length of horizontal support  1310  may be adjustable to accommodate different hammocks  1365  or other attachments. 
     Hammock stand  1300  may also include covering  1370  that may be placed over horizontal support  1310  to act as a ridge line. Alternatively, covering  1370  may be attached below horizontal support  1310  and attached to attachment port  1125  or support bar  1130  (as depicted in  FIG.  11   ) at one end and attachment point  920  (as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   ). Covering  1320  may include one or more anchor cords  1375  A-D and may be attached to covering at various locations. Anchor cord  1385 A-D may be anchored by stakes to help hold it covering  1320  in place. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a perspective side view of ball assembly  1400  of a ball and socket connector system for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform  1405  may connect to upper base plate  915 A as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Also platform  1405  may attach directly to a railing sized to fit lock nuts  1420 A-B. In this manner lock nuts  1420 A-B may slide into a groove in a railing and upon tightening attachments  1415 A-B lock nuts  1420 A-B may secure a portion of the railing between the lock nuts  1420 A-B and the bottom side of base  1435 . Attachment grooves  1425 A-B may be included and enable adjustment of platform  1405 . Platform aperture  1430  may be disposed in the top portion of platform  1405  to reduce weight and to allow access to attachments  1415 A-B. Platform  1405  may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform  1405 , as depicted, includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform  1405  may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch  1410  is non-orthogonal to length of the base  1435 . Connector system  1400  may be used with ball hitch  1410  facing upwards, downwards, to the right, or to the left. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system attached to a base plate for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform  1505  may connect to upper base plate  1550 . Base plate  1550  which includes base plate apertures  1540 A-B may attach to a post, wall, tree, vehicle, or another stable anchor. Apertures  1540 A-B may be “T” shaped such that the top of the “T” shape is towards the center of base plate  1540 . Attachment grooves  1525 A-B may be included enable adjustment of platform  1505  ( 1525 A not visible due to perspective). Platform aperture  1530  may be disposed in the top portion of platform  1505  to reduce weight and to allow access to attachments  1515 A-B. Platform  1505  may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform  1505 , as depicted, includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform  1505  may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch  1510  is non-orthogonal to the length of the base  1535 . Connector system  1500  may be used with ball hitch  1510  facing upwards, downwards, to the right or, to the left. 
       FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  illustrate a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system  1600  for asymmetrical hammock stand. Connector system  1600  may include platform  1605 . Ball hitch  1610  is attached to platform  1605 . Platform  1605  includes arms  1615 A-B extending off the right and left side of the platform  1605 . Connected to arms  1615 A-B are T-nuts  1620 A-B to slide sided to slide into rail  1635  through slot  1646 . Also, extending off the back of platform  1605  is head  1625  and connecting to head  1625  is lock nut  1630  sized to slide into rail  1635  through slot  1645 . Rail  1635  may have additional slots to accommodate different accessories or different connector systems. 
       FIG.  17    a perspective view of a ball portion of a ball and socket connector system with additional attachments for asymmetrical hammock stand. Platform  1705  may connect to lower base plate  1710 A using one or more of base plate attachments  945 A-B as depicted in  FIGS.  9  and  10   . Platform  1705  may include at least three sides where at least one side is different in length than another side. Platform  1705 , as depicted includes four sides where one or more sides are different in length than one of the four sides. Platform  1705  may be positioned such that an axis extended through the length of ball hitch  1725  is non-orthogonal to an axis extended through the height of upper base plate  1720 A. Also, lower and upper plates  1720 A-B may include pads  1735 A-B receptively. Pads  1735 A-B may be facing each other when connectors  1740 A-D connect lower and upper base plates  1710 A-B. Lower and upper base plates  1710 A-B may compress on a rack, a post, a wall, or any other stable anchor to secure the ball and socket connector system  1700  of the asymmetrical hammock stand. Attached to the top of upper base plate  1710 B is bracket  1715  and attached to bracket  1715  is insert  1720 . Lock nuts  1720 A-B are attached to insert  1720 . Lock nuts  1750 A-B are used to attach to a channel of a rail such as that depicted in  FIG.  16 B . Connector system  1700  may be used with ball hitch  1725  facing upwards, downwards, to the right or to the left. 
     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. For example, the connector systems throughout this disclosure may be used interchangeable 
     Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.