IMPROVEMENTS IN HAMMOCKS AND IN THEIR COMBINATION WITH A TRICYCLE AND A TENT
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Edward Hiester of Harrisburg, in the county of
Dauphin and state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN HAMMOCKS AND IN THEIR COMBINATION
WITH A TRICYCLE AND A TENT
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Edward Hiester at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1883.
CHARLES EDWARD HIESTER of Harrisburg in the county of Dauphin and
State of Pennsylvania in the United States of America IMPROVEMENTS IN
HAMMOCKS AND IN THEIR COMBINATION WITH A TRICYCLE AND A TENT
My invention relates to an improvement in hammocks, which by reason of said
improvement are capable of suspension from a tricycle or other vehicle, and the
objects of my improvements are first, to provide a hammock capable of holding a
person within a space less than the length of said person, second to suspend such a
hammock from the wheels of a vehicle permitting tourists to convert their vehicle
into a sleeping apartment at night or afford an opportunity for a position of ease
when fatigued, and third, to accomplish these ends with the maximum simplicity
of construction. I attain these ends by the means shown in the accompanying
drawing in which Figuré 1 represents a side elevation of an inverted tricycle.
converted into a sleeping apartment with my hammock in place the whole being.
covered by a suitable covering the upper portion of which may be waterproof.
Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 with the covering removed showing the
inverted tricycle with my hammock suspended therefrom. Figure 3 is a plan view.
of my improved hammock Figure 4 illustrates the method of affixing my
hammock..
Similar letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views.
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page_text: For the purpose of illustration I have shown my improved hammock affixed to
a tricycle patented to me in the United States January 30, 1883 N° 271583, but it is
obvious that its use is not so limited and that it is capable of suspension from any
two wheels mounted on the same axle or from a tricycle, as shown in the drawing
or from the two axles or opposing spokes of a four wheeled vehicle. A represents
a wheel mounted on an axle B whose other end is held in position by the counter-
part of said wheel the wheel is provided with suitable spokes C. When it is desired
to affix the hammock any cord as H is wound one turn around the rim and then a
half turn around itself. The tendency of such fastening is to draw the wheels
together and this is entirely obviated by a light rod D whose opposite ends are
inserted in flexible or other sockets R attached to the said cords. It will be under-
stood that the more the tendency of the wheels to come together the more does the
rod act to counteract said tendency and exactly neutralize it.
The
Moreover as the duty required by the rod D is in a longitudinal direction along
which line it has the maximum strength, it will be seen that an ordinary stick or
the joint of a fishing rod will suffice for all practical purposes. G represents my
hammock having two cords E E two cords F F and two cords H. H. The
cords E E F F join at the same socket and are fastened at the same place.
purpose of the cords E E is to shorten the hammock in the direction of its length
taking advantage of the joint at the knee thereby practically placing a six foot
man in a four foot space or in other words accommodating the man to the
diameter of the wheel. It will be observed that a desirable position of rest is
afforded by the hammock which is entirely due to the relative position of the
cords E E. I represent the frame supporting the main frame J of the machine.
Pedals K K are attached to this frame operating flexible connections L L which
work suitable driving discs. M is a connecting bar operated by pedal M¹ and
operating a pivoted brake N. A bifurcated steering lever P having a swivel joint
in the socket O is operated by a handle convenient to the seat and holds at the
lower end an axle on which the wheel Q revolves. S is a covering whose upper
portion may be water proof, affording protection from the elements above while the
hammock is sufficiently high from the ground to be secured against the effect of
unpleasant conditions beneath. Should it be desirable to extend any portion of the
hammock without increasing the space required for suspension, light bars may be
affixed carrying an additional piece of canvass as shown in dotted lines figure 3.
Having thus fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is :-
1st A hammock having two cords at one end and four cords at the other end, two
of the latter cords being located at a distance from that end equal to one-fourth
the entire length of said hammock substantially as set forth. 2nd The method of
suspending a hammock from the wheels of a vehicle which consists of passing the
cords around the rims at suitable points and holding the loose ends in position by
devices independent of and supplemental to the rims substantially as set forth
3rd A hammock having two cords at each end and two additional cords at a
distance from one end equal to one fourth the entire length of said hammock
adapted to be suspended from the wheels of a vehicle substantially as specified.
4th A hammock having two cords at each end and two additional cords at a
distance from one end equal to one fourth the entire length of said hammock in
. combination with rods or spreaders for counteracting the inward pressure of the
wheels of a vehicle from which it is adapted to be suspended substantially as
specified.
5th A hammock G having two cords H H at one end and four cords E E F F
at the other end the cords E E being located at a distance from that end equal to
one fourth the entire length of said hammock substantially as set forth. 6th A
hammock G having two cords HH F F at each end and two additional cords E E
at a distance from one end equal to one fourth the entire length of said hammock

page_text: in combination with sockets R R attached to the cords and rods or spreaders D D
for counteracting the inward pressure of the wheels A A of a vehicle from which
the hammock is adapted to be suspended substantially as specified.
In witness whereof I the said Charles Edward Hiester have hereunto set my
hand and seal this tenth day of May in the year of our Lord, One thousand,
Eight hundred and Eighty three.
CHARLES EDWARD HIESTER (L.S.)