Hammock Having Insulation Retaining Panels

Abstract

A thermally insulated hammock is provided with a pair of insulation retaining panels, one secured to either side of the hammock bed. The panels can be drawn across the bottom surface of the hammock and fastened so as to hold one or more insulation pads against the bottom surface of the hammock bed in cold weather. The retaining panels may be rolled up out of the way and tied at the edges of the hammock when insulation is not needed.

1 . A hammock comprising
 a bed made of a piece of sheet material gathered at opposite ends and joined at each said end to a suspension rope, said bed having lateral edges extending between said opposite ends,   a pair of flexible retaining panels for holding thermal insulation against the bottom of the bed, each retaining panel being secured along at least one edge thereof to the bed, the retaining panels being sized so that they meet or overlap when the panels are drawn together beneath the hammock bed, and   at least one releasable fastener for securing the panels in their drawn together configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener is a zipper or hook-and-loop fastener with complementary portions attached to the respective free edges of the retaining panels. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener comprises an elastic cord. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said panels are sized so that they overlap substantially in their drawn together configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said bed has an entrance slit running from one of said ends to a point intermediate said ends. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one layer of thermal insulation placed between the hammock bed and the insulation retaining panel. 
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 6 , further comprising a metallicized heat reflecting layer placed above the insulation layer. 
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein said thermal insulation is an open-celled foam. 
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein said thermal insulation has an integral skin. 
   
   
       10 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining panel forms a pocket into which at least one piece of thermal insulation may be placed. 
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the thermal insulation layer is attached to the retaining panel. 
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 6 , wherein the insulation is selected from the group consisting of felt, woven material, feathers, down, loose bulky material, spun insulation, and polymeric foam. 
   
   
       13 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the retaining panels is permanently secured to the hammock bed. 
   
   
       14 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the retaining panels is detachably secured to the hammock bed.