Improvements in Hammock Supports.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1899--Accepted, 30th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hammock Supports.
I, ISAAC EMERSON PALMER, of Middletown, in the County of Middlesex and
State of Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in hammock supports, one object
being to provide a hammock support in which the backbone or ridge-pole is made
extensible and contractible, so that it may be compactly packed for shipment,
and, when set up for use, may be extended to a greater or lesser extent to suit
the wish of the occupant of the hammock supported by it.
A further object is to provide an effective means for rigidly clamping the legs
of the support to the ends of the ridge-pole. A further object is to provide an
improved device for mounting the canopy upon the ridge-pole of the hammock
support, the said device being so arranged that it may securely clamp the canopy
in different tilting adjustments relative to the support, as may be desired by the
occupant of the hammock carried by the support.
In the accompanying drawings:-
for
Fig. 1 is a view of the support in end elevation, as it appears when set up
use, the position of the legs, when released from their clamping engagement
with the ridge-pole, being shewn in dotted lines;
Fig. 2 is a view of the support in side elevation, the support being shown in an
extended position in dotted lines;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the support;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, shewing the manner of clamping the legs
to the ridge pole;
Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view, with the parts in the same position as in
Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, shewing the position of the parts, when the
legs are swung away from each other, to release them from engagement with the
ridge pole;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the parts shewn in Fig. 4;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail front view of the means for clamping one of the
extensible sections of the ridge pole to the middle section;
Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the same;
Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the middle section of
5 the ridge pole ;
Fig. 11 is a view of the inner end of one of the extensible sections, shewing
the bracket for rigidly spacing the top and bottom bars apart.
Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the canopy, shewing
its method of attachment to the ridge-pole, and representing it in dotted lines
0 in one of its tilted positions ;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view, showing the means for retaining the canopy
ribs in their extended position;
Fig. 14 is a similar view of the parts, taken at right angles to Fig. 13;

page_text: Fig. 15 is a detail top plan view of the centre of the canopy, with the cloth
removed;
Fig 16 is an inverted transverse section of the parts shewn in Fig 15; and
Fig. 17 is a detail top plan view of the, bracket for rigidly spacing the side
bars of the middle section of the ridge pole.apart, at a point about midway its
length.
The backbone or ridge pole of the support is composed of a middle section a,
and two extensible end sections
and c.
The middle section . consists of two
longitudinal side bars rigidly spaced apart, at a point about midway of their
length by a bracket d, which bracket has two vertical portions, which extend
along the inner sides of the side bars; top and bottom extensions being clamped
over top and bottom edges of the side bars and connecting webs. The side bars
of the middle section a are only rigidly secured together at all times at this one
point. Each of the said side bars is provided with a longitudinal central rib,
which extends inwardly along its inner side opposite the rib of the other side bar.
Each of the extension end sections b and c consists of upper and lower longitu-
dinal bars, which are rigidly spaced apart at both ends, which bars are fitted to
slide along within the middle section a of the support, the longitudinal ribs of
the said middle section serving to guide the extensible section in its inward and
outward movements. The inner ends of the longitudinal top and bottom bars
of the extensible section are rigidly spaced apart by means of a bracket e, which
is provided with a longitudinal web, which adapted to be driven into the ends
of the two bars, and with wings projecting laterally from the said web, which
wings are adapted to be bent into snug engagement with the top and bottom edges
of each of the said bars.
The outer ends of the top and bottom bars of each of the extensible sections
are rigidly spaced apart by means of a bracket f, which bracket has a vertical
web portion, which is adapted to be driven into the ends of the top and bottom
bars, and with inwardly extended branches which are caused to embrace the top
and bottom edges of the said bars for a considerable distance inwardly from their
ends. This spacing bracket f is further provided, at two points between the top
and bottom bars, with seats for receiving the clamping shoes of the supporting
legs to be hereinafter described. One of these seats is located near the outer end
of the bracket f, and the other seat is located at the inner end of the said bracket.
The bracket f is further provided, at the inner end of its lowermost branch, with
a downwardly extended lug g for preventing the supporting legs from being
shoved too far inwardly along the ridge pole.
The means which I employ for clamping the extensible sections of the ridge
pole to the middle section in any desired longitudinal adjustment, consists of
fastening devices located at the ends of the said middle section, each of which
clamping devices is composed of the following parts: A clip h is secured to
the outer side of one of the side bars of the middle section, near its end, and a
second clip is secured to the outer side of the opposite side bar, at a point
opposite the clip h. A screw bolt passes through the clips h, i, and the side
bars, the head of the bolt being engaged with the outer face of the clip h, for
instance, and its screw-threaded end projecting beyond the outer face of the
clip. The screw-threaded end of the said bolt is engaged by a clamping nut k,.
which nut is preferably provided with an operating handle, so as to permit a
considerable purchase to be obtained upon the said nut, so as to permit the nut to
draw the side bars of the middle section snugly against the top and bottom bars
of the extensible section, when the nut is screwed home. As the nut is un-
screwed, the extensible section will be released, and may be slid longitudinally to
the point desired, where it may be again clamped.
j
The ridge pole is supported by four legs arranged in pairs at its opposite ends.
As the two pairs of legs are alike, I will describe the legs and m at one end of
the support only. Each leg consists of a bar split from its upper end a consider-
able portion of its length. The leg may be made of a single piece, or it may be

page_text: made of separate pieces secured firmly together. The bifurcated ends of the
leg are snugly held within sockets formed by branches projecting from a brac-
ket n, and the bifurcated ends of the opposite leg m are similarly secured within
sockets formed by branches of a bracket o. These brackets n and o are provided
with strengthening webs extended between their inner branches, as shewn. The
brackets n and o are hinged to inner and outer collars p and q by hinge pintles ŕ
and s, which collars are fitted to slide loosely over the end of the ridge pole until
they are stopped by the engagement of the collar with the lug g, carried by the
bracket f. The brackets and o are provided with pairs of inwardly extended
shoes t and u, which are adapted to engage the seats in the bracket f, and grip
the collars & q rigidly to the ridge pole, when the legs are drawn inwardly to-
ward each other. When the legs are swung outwardly away from each other,
the pairs of shoes t & u are swung away from their engagement with the seats, &
the collars P and 9 are thereby released, permitting the pair of legs to be removed
from the ridge-pole. Stops ŕ carried by the brackets &o limit the outward
swinging movement of the legs & m, by their engagement with the collar q.
The pairs of legs are locked in their position nearest to each other, for clamping
the legs rigidly to the backbone, by a link connection which is composed of a
pair of rods whinged together, one rod we being hinged to a sleeve fitted to slide
along the leg 1, and the other rod w being hinged to a sleeve y fitted to slide along
the leg m. As the sleeves and y are slid upwardly, the legs and m may be
swung away from each other, thus permitting the removal and insertion of the
legs from and onto the ridge-pole.
One of the collars, in the present instance the collar q, is provided with a suit-
able hook z for the attachment thereto of one end of a hammock.
The device which I employ for mounting the canopy upon the hammock sup-
port comprises the following parts: -A pair of stationary supporting uprights 1,2,
are arranged to be supported by the middle section of the ridge-pole upon opposite
sides of the central bracket d. Each of these supporting uprights is adapted to
fit snugly between the side bars of the middle section of the ridge-pole, and
it is provided with laterally extended portions 3, 4, which are
adapted to embrace
and rest upon, the upper edges of the said side bars. A swinging bolt 5 is hinged
at its lower end, between the uprights 1 and 2, by a hinge pintle 6. This bolt 5
is provided with laterally extended wings 7 and 8, at a point a short distance from
its hinged end.
An elongated slot is formed in the bolt, and in the wings 7 and 8, concentric
with the hinge pintle 6. A screw bolt 10 passes through the upper ends of the
stationary supports 1 and 2, and also through the slot 9 in the swinging bolt 5.
A clamping nut 11 engages the screw-threaded end of the bolt 10, whereby the
swinging bolt 5 may be clamped at different angles relative to the supporting
uprights carried by the ridge-pole. The upper end of the swinging bolt 5 is re-
duced to form a shoulder, which supports a central socket piece 12, to which are
hinged the plurality of radial ribs 13 of the canopy. This socket piece 12 is
clamped in its position upon the outer end of the swinging bolt 5 by a suitable
nut and washer 14, which engages the screw-threaded end of the said bolt 5.
The radial ribs are held in their extended position by a lock washer 15, which
is supported by the upper ends of a pair of feathers 16 and 17, which feathers
extend along the sides of the bolt downwardly into proximity to the winged
portion. The washer 15 is provided with suitable grooves, so that when it is
desired to release the ribs 13, the washer can be rotated until its grooves will
correspond with the feathers 16 and 17, when the washer will be permitted to
drop out of the way of the inner ends of the said ribs. By this structure, the
canopy is prevented from being buckled from any cause, such, for instance, as
wind.
The canopy and its supports may be removed from the ridge-pole, and when
the lock-washer 15 is removed from its engagement with the inner ends of the
ribs 13, the said ribs may be swung around into positions at substantially right
angles to their extended positions for folding the canopy into a compact bundle.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. The combination with a ridge-pole, of supporting legs, the members of a
pair of supporting legs being hinged to swing towards and away from each other,
to grip and release the ridge-pole, and means for holding the legs in their closed
adjustment, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with a ridge-pole, and collars arranged to loosely embrace
the ridge-pole, of supporting legs hinged to the collars, to swing into and out of
gripping contact with the ridge-pole, and means for holding the legs in their
closed adjustment, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with the top and bottom bars of one of the end sections
of a ridge-pole, of a bracket for rigidly spacing the top & bottom bars apart at
their outer ends, the said bracket being provided with seats, a collar arranged to
loosely embrace the top and bottom bars, and a pair of legs hinged to the said
collar, the said legs being provided with brackets having inwardly extended shoes
adapted to engage the said seats for clamping the legs to the end section, sub-
stantially as set forth.
4. In a hammock support an end section of the ridge-pole, comprising top and
bottom bars, a bracket for rigidly spacing the inner ends of the top and bottom
bars apart, and a second bracket for rigidly spacing the outer ends of the top
and bottom bars apart, substantially as set forth.
5. In a hammock support, a bifurcated supporting leg and a bracket for rigidly
spacing the bifurcated ends of the leg apart, the said bracket having sockets
arranged to snugly embrace the said ends, substantially as set forth.
6. A backbone for a hammock support, comprising a middle section, two exten-
sible end sections, the middle section consisting of two side bars rigidly spaced
apart, about midway of their length, for receiving between them, the end sections,
and clamping devices at the ends of the middle section, for clamping the end
sections to the middle section in different longitudinal adjustments, substan-
tially as set forth.
7. A backbone for a hammock support, comprising a middle section and two
extensible end sections fitted to be clamped thereto, each end section comprising
top and bottom bars rigidly spaced apart at their opposite ends, substantially
as set forth.
8. A backbone for a hammock support, comprising a middle section and two
extensible end sections, the middle section comprising two side bars rigidly spaced
apart, at a point intermediate of their ends, and having longitudinal ribs on their
inner faces, and the end sections each consisting of top and bottom bars fitted to
be guided in their inward and outward sliding movements by the said ribs on the
middle section, substantially as set forth.
9. A backbone for a hammock support, comprising a middle section and end
sections, the middle section comprising two longitudinal side bars and a bracket
for spacing the side bars rigidly apart, at a point intermediate of their ends, said
bracket having two vertical portions extending along the inner sides of the side
bars, a web connecting the vertical portions, and top and bottom extensions which
embrace the top and bottom edges of the said side bars, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with the middle section of the backbone of a hammock
support, said middle section comprising two side bars, and an end section fitted
to slide between the said side bars, of a clamping device for securing the two sec-
tions together, consisting of clips secured to the outer sides of the two side bars
of the middle section, a screw bolt passing through the clips and side bars, said
bolt having its head engaged with one of the clips, and its screw-threaded end
projecting through the other clip, and a clamping nut engaging said screw-
threaded end, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 11. The combination with a backbone of a collar fitted to loosely embrace the
end of the backbone, swinging legs hinged to the said collar in position to engage
the backbone when swung towards each other, for clamping the legs to the back-
bone, and stops carried by the legs, in position to engage the collar for limiting
the outward swinging movements of the legs, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with a backbone, and a collar arranged to loosely embrace
the end of the same, of a pair of swinging legs hinged to the collar in position to
engage the backbone when swung towards each other, and means for holding the
legs in their closed adjustment, comprising a pair of sleeves arranged to slide
along the legs, and a flexible connection between the sleeves, substantially as
set forth.
13. In combination, a stationary upright, a swinging bolt hinged thereto, a
canopy frame carried by the swinging bolt, and means for clamping the swinging
bolt to the stationary upright in different tilted adjustments, substantially as
set forth.
14. In combination, a stationary upright, a swinging bolt hinged thereto, said
bolt being provided with an elongated slot concentric with its hinge pivot, a
canopy frame carried by the swinging bolt, and a clamping bolt passing through
the said slot and the said stationary upright, for clamping the swinging bolt in
different tilted adjustments, substantially as set forth.
15. In combination, a bolt, a canopy frame, comprising a central socket piece
carried by the bolt, ribs hinged to the socket-piece, and a lock washer carried by
the bolt, and fitted to slide into position to lock the ribs in their extended posi-
tion, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with the ridge-pole of a hammock support, of a pair of
stationary supporting uprights carried thereby, a swinging bolt hinged between
the uprights, the said bolt being provided with an elongated groove concentric
with its hinged pivot, a canopy frame carried by the swinging bolt, and a clamp-
ing device comprising a bolt passing through the said elongated slot and the two
supporting uprights, and a clamping nut engaging the said bolt, for clamping
the swinging bolt in different tilted adjustments, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 27th day of June 1899.