FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The field of invention relates generally to hammocks, and more specifically, to a hammock with a split structure feature.

BACKGROUND

[002] Hammocks provide sleeping and reclining accommodation for users. Hammocks are usually affixed to a tree or post. Some hammocks are used for camping to elevate the user from a ground surface. There is a need for another hammock design.

SUMMARY

[003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a hammock. In one aspect, a hammock includes a resilient support surface for supporting at least one user, and a separation element being disposed in the support surface at least one separable section of the support surface ("separable support surface").

[004] In another aspect, a hammock includes a resilient support surface for supporting a mass of at least one user thereon. In one aspect, a separation element is disposed in the support surface. In yet another aspect of the hammock, the separation element has an opposing first edge and a second edge such that the separation element functions in a closed position when the first and second edges are interconnected and separation element functions in an open position when the first edge and second edge are unconnected.

[005] In another aspect of the hammock, the first edge and second edge includes at least two interlocking connecting members. In yet another aspect of the hammock, the separation element includes a closure member interconnected with the interlocking connecting members. In another aspect of the hammock, the support surface has a plurality of separable sections. In yet another aspect of the hammock, at least one separable support surface is created when the separation element is in an opened position. In another aspect of the hammock, at least one inclined separable support surface is created when the separation element is in an opened position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.

Features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon a review of this disclosure in its entirety, including the drawing figures provided herewith.

[007] Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and wherein:

[008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hammock and a support frame structure in accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.

[009] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the hammock and the support frame structure shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a separation feature of a hammock in accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a hammock in a separated or opened state in accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a hammock in isolation from a support structure.

[0013] FIG.6 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock in accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG.7 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock in accordance with the various teaching of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative construction of a hammock in a separated or opened state and during use by users.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates the hammock shown in FIG. 8 in an unseparated or closed state during use by users.

[0017] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative construction of separation elements according to the teachings of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 in accordance with various constructions, is an aerial hammock 100 ("hammock") for placement in a suitable indoor or outdoor area, such as a room, a play gym, lawn, park, playground or similar area. The hammock 100 has a support surface 110 made of a stretchable elastic woven fiber, a plurality of inelastic fibers or a resilient sheet material for supporting the mass/weight of at least one user. The hammock 100 may be mounted to a support frame 200, such as a portable hammock stand. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, hammock 100 can be of multiple planar geometric shapes, including rectilinear shapes. In one construction shown in the FIGS. 1-6, hammock 100 is provided as a square shape. Accordingly, hammock 100 has four points of connection at the corners of the square shape. At each corner of hammock 100 there is affixed an anchor connection member 120 formed of any number of materials. In one construction, the connection members 120 can be a fabric webbing material, such as tubular webbing or formed in a loop structure. Nevertheless, the connection members 120 can be other arrangements such as a ring fastened to the hammock material. The connection member 120 enables a suspension line 130, such as a rope, cord, cable, wire, or strap, to be attached to the hammock 100 and to connect the hammock 10 to a fixed support structure, such as tree, post or stand. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the distal ends of the suspension line 130 are fastened to the connection members 120 and the opposing distal ends are fastened to support frame 200. It should be noted that the distal ends of the suspension line 130 could retain any number of quick release devices, such as a carabiner device.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, in accordance with at least one construction, support frame 200 has a tubular configuration of a four-point star-like shape. Each connection point of the support frame 200 has cross-bar 210 to which the suspension line 130 of the hammock 100 is removably affixed thereto. In this way, the hammock 100 can be suspended above a ground or floor surface with a portable structure. However, the support frame for the hammock 100 is not limited to attachment at the cross bar and may affix to the support frame at a different point on the support frame that falls within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure.

[0021] In the construction shown in the figures, hammock 100 includes a separation element 140 being disposed from one edge to the center line of the square. The separation element 140 allows for manipulation or transformation of the hammock support surface 110 into different support sections and sloping sections or a spiral. Referring to FIG. 2 and for ease of explanation in the orientation of the hammock, the edge of the hammock 100 having the separation element 140 will be the designated front direction. The opposing edge will be designated as the rear direction. The left and right sides will be designated accordingly with respect to the front direction. Additionally, the separation element 140 advantageously creates designated functional regions or quadrants of hammock 100. For instance, there is defined a front-left section 150, a rear-left section 160, a front-right section 170, and a rear-right section 180. Each of the defined sections, 150, 160, 170, and 180, structurally creates a separable section; or alternatively, a separable cupping section, when the hammock 100 supports the mass/weight of a user/object in static or dynamic movement. In this construction, the separation element 140 extends one -half the width of the hammock 100. While the separation element 140 can extend almost any distance from edge to edge of hammock 100, it can extend 25%, 33%, 50%, 67%, or 75 % of the width of the hammock 100 in different constructions.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, separation element 140 comprises opposing edges (e.g., a first edge 142 and a second edge 144). A plurality of alternating interlocking connecting members 146 is fixedly disposed on each edge 142, 144 of the separation element 140. Each of the connecting members 146 may be formed of a web loop structure sewn in to the hammock material. An elongated closure element 148 is threaded through the connecting members so that two edges are secured together. The elongated closure element 148 can be constructed of a webbing strap. The front end of the closure element 148 can include a loop such that a locking element 149 can provide an enhanced locking function of the separation element 140. One example of a locking element is a carabiner device. At the front end of each edge of the separation element 140, left connection member 122 and a right connection member 124 are each fixedly attached to the hammock 100. The separation element 140 is in a partially closed position when the first edge 142 and second edge 144 are at least partially interconnected by the interlocking connecting members 146 and closure element 148. The separation element 140 is in a partially opened position when the first edge 142 and second edge 144 are at least partially disconnected by the interlocking connecting members 146 and closure element 148. However, embodiments are not limited to the closure methods and elements described herein and may encompass other closure methods and elements that fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the closure element 148 is removed or otherwise disconnected from the interlocking connecting members 146 so that the edges of the separation element 140 become freely moveable. Multiple hammock arrangements can be created when the left connection member 122 and right connection members 124 of the separation element 140 are secured at various strategic locations. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the left connection member 122 can be secured at a location below the hammock 100. In this configuration, the front-left section 150 of the hammock 100 forms a separate inclined spiral surface when the front left corner connection member 120 is suspended above a ground surface. In this way, at least one separable support section is provided for hammock 100. Advantageously, the inclined spiral surface 150 can provide a play structure and function as a slide structure to enable users disposed on upper rear-left region 160 to slide down. Alternatively, (not shown) the right connection member 124 can be suspended with a suspension line 130 connected to a crossbar 210 of the support frame 200. It is recognized that an alternative arrangement can be created when the right connection member 124 is secured at a location below the hammock 100 while the left connection member 122 is suspended.

[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in one operation of the hammock 100, at least one user can be supported on the hammock. Users can sit or lay stationary on support surface of the hammock 100 when it is in the closed/unseparated state. (See FIG. 9.) Additionally, users climb or slide down the inclined support section when the hammock 100 is in a separated/opened state as shown in FIG 8.

[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative constructions of hammocks 300, 400 according to the teaching of the present disclosure. Hammocks 300, 400 have a similar construction as hammock 100, but have different surface materials. FIG. 6 illustrates a hybrid hammock design 300 constructed of a fabric 310 and netting material 320 with a separation element 140. The fabric and netting materials are provided in triangular sections. In one advantage, the fabric 310 and netting 320 sections support the users in different functions. For example, the netting material enables more airflow ventilation than fabric. FIG. 7 illustrates a hammock 400 which comprises netting material 410 with a separation element 140. Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative constructions and embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, while the separation element 140 has been described by using a plurality of interlocking web loops 146 and a threaded flexible strap 146, the separation element could be provided in other configurations. For example, the separation element 140 could be provided in the form of a zipper construction of two rows of protruding teeth, which may be made to interdigitate, linking the rows of sufficient strength to support users in the hammock (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Other configurations include the use of buckles, clamps or high strength hook/loop released closure, such as Velcro® to connect the two opposing edges of 142, 144 of the separation element 140.