Down Hammock

Description

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

This application includes material which is subject or may be subject to copyright and/or trademark protection. The copyright and trademark owner(s) has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trademark rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to combination hammock and sleeping bag systems. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of unique materials, design configurations and methods to construct a versatile hammock that is compact and well suited for sleeping in cold weather.

(2) Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,764 by Lowrimore was granted on Sep. 2, 1913 and discloses blankets integrated with a hammock, but is difficult to manufacture and to roll into a compact form factor for traveling.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,256 by Tallarico et al granted on Jul. 11, 1972 discloses a sleeping bag attached to suspension lines, but the suspension lines, when under tension, are painful to the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,902 by Hall et al discloses a tent, sleeping bag and hammock system that requires the use and attachment of several ropes to attach and is rather complex to assemble.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,909 by Jacobson granted on Nov. 21, 1978 discloses a flexible support system to support a user of a combination sleeping bag and hammock system. The Jacobson patent uses awkward flexible support members that do no provide means for compact storage when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,465 by Lyons granted on Dec. 17, 1991 discloses a suspendable sleeping bag. But, Lyons uses bulky and inflatable chambers for support. The inflatable chambers are prone to leaks, especially when exposed to the rigors of camping or backpacking.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,182 by Brenner et al granted on Feb. 20, 2007 discloses a suspended sleeping bag with a rope support system. The Brenner disclosure requires difficult rope and/or fastener adjustments that are extremely time consuming and require adequate lighting.

While then general concept of an insulated sleeping system taking the form of a hammock is well known and repeated in the prior art cited above, the prior art fails to suggest or disclose an efficient form factor and assembly system that is both comfortable, easy to set up, light weight and compact for storage.

The prior art backpacking hammocks are not waterproof and often suffer from CBS or cold bottom syndrome wherein a user suffers from cold weather.

Thus, there is room in the art for the disclosed embodiments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes shortfalls in the related art by presenting an unobvious and unique combination, configuration and use of baffling, baffle sizing, support systems, fastener systems, material selections and other systems to produce a superior sleeping system that comports to the needs of backpackers and cold weather camping enthusiasts.

The known related art fails to disclose, suggest or teach the use of the disclosed systems, methods and materials. Disclosed embodiments may include the use of rip stop nylon cord, such as 2.2 oz Hex70 XL, 1.1 oz ripstop nylon, two carabiners, a 6 mm accessory cord, such as one made by New England, 850 fill downtek and eno atlas straps. The downtick water replant down was found to have superior insulation properties after extensive research and undue experimentation.

Disclosed embodiments include a design of approximately a gross size of 5.5 feet by 12 feet for an outer layer of 2.2 hex ripstop and an inner layer of 1.1 ripstop. Insulation, such as 850 downteck may be disposed between the inner and outer layers. Fold over sections may act as perimeter barriers and keep the insulation between the inner and outer layers. The insulation may be further contained by use of baffling. The use of one foot by one foot squares of baffling achieved unexpectedly excellent results.

Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the related art by providing a comfortable, lightweight, warm and compact sleeping solution that eschews the use of separate tents and sleeping pads. Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the art by being water proof, well insulated, holding over 500 pounds, being ten times stronger than other hammocks, having a gross weight of 2.4 pounds and having a compact travel form factor suitable for backpacking. The attachment system comports to the safety needs of rock climbers who may be suspended over great heights.

Disclosed embodiments may use a rip stop fabric due to having waterproof qualities and being approximately ten times stronger than nylon taffeta. However, disclosed embodiments do include the use of nylon taffeta.

The disclosed embodiments take into consideration the interplay of how denier and the tensile strength of fabrics (or tensility) interact to suspend human weight in a hammock form factor. Tested fabrics included Nylon Taffeta (70D), Nylon Ripstop (70D) and Cuben (Not specified). Equations used to find the optimal embodiments include:

Denier=weight (in grams) of 9000 m of yarn=Volume×Specific Gravity (S.G.)=9000 m×10 2

cm/m×A (cm 2)×S.G.

Tensility=g/d=g/[9*10 5 cm×A (cm 2)×S.G.]

Solving for Force vs. Area (stress) Stress @ Break=g/A (g/cm 2)=9*10 5 cm×Tensility×S.G.=F/A (psi)=12,800×specific gravity×Tensility (gpd)

Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the art by use of baffling sizing that is not obvious to one skilled in the art. By use of unduly extensive experimentation and field use, baffling sizing of one foot by one foot is found to be unexpectedly optimal. Factors that are considered in this optimal sizing include compression vs. clumping, heat retention, crease points vs. heat retention, crease points vs. compact form factor when stuffed in a stuff bag, comfort, and crushing of the baffling vs. heat retention. Baffling of two feet by two feet is the second embodiment and baffling of five inches by three inches is the third embodiment.

Disclosed embodiments overcome shortfalls in the related art by use of a first outside or upper fabric, a layer of insulation, a second inside or lower layer of fabric; with baffling partitioned over the entirety of the first and second layers or the entirety of the hammock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an upper, middle and lower component system

FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of a construction configuration

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of an optimal quilt or fabric configuration

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a disclosed embodiment

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of a disclosed embodiment

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment in a closed position

FIG. 8 depicts a chart showing optimal sizes of baffles

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

• • 100 disclosed embodiment in general
  • 120 disclosed embodiment in a closed position
  • 130 zipper or other fastener
  • 200 top or outer layer of fabric
  • 300 middle layer of insulation
  • 320 first side layer of fabric
  • 340 second side layer of fabric
  • 400 inner layer of fabric
  • 500 first fold over fabric
  • 530 second fold over fabric
  • 600 baffle pattern
  • 700 rope end
  • 800 storage sack

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

Referring to FIG. 1 a top or first layer 200 of fabric is disposed over a lower, inside or second section or layer 400 of fabric. The void 300 defined by the first and second layers of fabric may be filled with insulation, such as down feathers or the preferred embodiment of 850 downteck or similar material.

The top layer 200 may be made of 2.2 hex ripstop and the bottom or inside layer 400 may be made of 1.1 ripstop.

Referring to FIG. 2, fold outlines of both top 200 and bottom 400 layers of fabric are shown. Insulation may be contained by use of side folds 320 and 340 and top and bottom folds 500 and 530 with such fold spanning the space or void 300 between the top and bottom layers. The use of the disclosed fold system overcomes shortfalls in the related art by providing efficient means of securing the insulation between the first and second layers of fabric and by providing living hinges or living seams to allow for packing the embodiment into a stuff sack for transport and for providing a base for application of a zipper to enclose the cover system for cold weather. The top and bottom fold seams provide secure means of attachment points for ropes and other means of securing the system to posts or trees. The side seams 320 and 340 also provide advantages over the prior art in providing arm rests for a user of the system. When an embodiment is in use, an occupant may rest their arms along the relatively flat planes presented by use of side seams 320 and 340.

FIG. 3 depicts a preferred embodiment of a one foot by one foot baffling pattern. This pattern provides unexpectedly excellent results in maximizing heat retention while minimizing clumping of the down material and providing an excellent seam to flat fabric ration for quick compaction for storage and transport. The seam or baffling patterns of a 9 to 14 inch square pattern or approximately one foot by one foot provides unexpected results, especially after 20 minutes, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 4 depicts a disclosed embodiment 100 in an open position. The fold seams 320, 340, 500 and 530 shown in FIG. 2 provide excellent support in suspending the embodiment by attachment to the two ends. In one embodiment, ropes or cords alone the longitudinal section of the fabric is not needed due to the unexpected strength of the fold seams shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view showing attachment points or rope ends 700 with the rope ends having a first end for attachment to a pole or tree and a second end attached to the fold seams. A disclosed embodiment may fit into a relatively small stuff bag 800.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment in a folded 120 state. A zipper 130 or other means of securing the two longitudinal sides together is securely fastened due to the use of the side folding seams, providing a strong anchor plane. The use of the folding seams also facilities the taco shape that is achieved is a closed or zipped position. This shape provides amply warmth and protection from the elements, vitiating the need for a user to need a separate tent structure.

FIG. 8 depicts a chart showing the unexpectedly excellent results with baffling in the range of 9 inch to 14 inch squares. Baffling patterns of 5 in.×3 in., 1 ft×1 ft and 2 ft×2 ft were rigorously tested. At 20 minutes, the benefits of a 1 ft×1 ft baffling pattern stand out. This is not an obviously expected result as the 1 ft×1 ft baffle pattern is neither the biggest or smallest. The found pattern of one foot squares is against the current trend of ski jackets having very small 3 in×3 in baffling patterns. Thus, the current art of baffling teaches away from the preferred baffle pattern of the disclosed embodiments.

The outer or first fabric may be known by a tradename of 2.2 oz. Hex70 XL Ripstop Nylon and an inner layer may be known by the tradename 1.1 Ripstop Nylon. No known trademarks are involved with the materials used in making the disclosed embodiment. The outer layer may be disposed under the inner layer such that when an embodiment is zipped up or held in place by a hook and loop fastener, the outer layer is exposed to the elements and the inner layer is next to, adjacent to or touching the occupant.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.

The following items describe disclosed embodiments.

Items.

1. An insulated and collapsible hammock (100) suited for backpacking and for suspension upon two raised points, the hammock comprising:

a) an outer layer of fabric (200);
b) an inner layer of fabric (400);
c) the outer layer of fabric and inner layer of fabric defining a void (300) with the void filed with a layer of insulation;
d) both the outer layer of fabric and inner layer of fabric comprising a first longitudinal seam fold (320), a second longitudinal seam fold (340), a first end seam fold (500) and a second end seam fold (530);
e) all four seam folds in a folded position so as to contain the insulation;
f) the outer layer of fabric and inner layer of fabric further securing the insulation by use of baffling squares of 9 to 14 inches per side; and
g) a connection line (700) secured within first end seam fold and a connection line (700) secured within the second seam fold.

2. The hammock of item 1 further comprising a zipper attached to outer longitudinal edges of the first longitudinal seam fold and the second longitudinal seam fold.

3. The hammock of item 1 further comprising a hook and loop attachment system attached to outer longitudinal edges of the first longitudinal seam fold and the second longitudinal seam fold.

4. The hammock of item 1 wherein the baffle pattern is comprised of squares having sides in the range of 10 to 14 inches.

5. The hammock of item 1 wherein the four seam folds provide an area to comport with thickness of the insulation.

6. The hammock of item 1 wherein the outer layer is comprised of 2.2 hex ripstop nylon.

7. The hammock of item 1 wherein the inner layer is comprised of 1.1 ripstop nylon.

8. The hammock of item 1 wherein the insulation comprises down feathers.

9. The hammock of item 1 wherein the insulation comprises 850 downteck down feathers.