Hammock

Abstract

A hammock ( 20 ) is described which comprises a pair of suspension points ( 22 ) provided on opposed sides that the hammock is arranged to suspend from in use. The hammock has a mid-section ( 25 ) for supporting a user's body in a direction perpendicular to a line ( 24 ) between the suspension points. The mid-section suspends from a pair of wings ( 29 ) extending outwardly from opposing lateral edges ( 28 ) of the mid-section to the suspension points. On each side of the hammock there may be provided a line of adjustable length ( 34 ) for raising a first portion of the mid-section, for example, for inclining the back of the hammock. Second lines of adjustable length ( 34 ) may be provided for raising a second portion of the mid-section to change the shape of the hammock further, for example raising the knees of the user to bring him or her into a fully-seated position. The hammock may further include a flysheet ( 40 ) to protect the user from the elements.

1 . A hammock comprising:
 a pair of suspension points provided on opposed sides of the hammock that the hammock is arranged to suspend from in use;   a mid-section for supporting a user's body in a direction substantially transverse to a line between the suspension points; and   a pair of wings extending outwardly from opposing lateral edges of the mid-section substantially to the suspension points.   
     
     
         2 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wings comprise woven fabric panels which preferably extend from a suspension point to a head end of the mid-section and to a foot end of the mid-section, and/or are preferably are substantially bell-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wings are cut with a curved base edge which preferably has a profile that is configured to provide a substantially flat mid-section for the user when the hammock is under load from a user resting in it. 
     
     
         4 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the base edge of the wings comprises a convex section. 
     
     
         5 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the base edge of the wings comprises a pair of spaced convex sections and a centrally positioned concave section between. 
     
     
         6 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the fabric comprises a warp and a weft which are orientated at about 45 degrees to a principal direction of tension in the wings when under load. 
     
     
         7 . A hammock comprising:
 a pair of suspension points provided on opposed sides of the hammock that the hammock is arranged to suspend from in use;   a mid-section for supporting a user's body in a direction substantially transverse to a line between the suspension points; and   on each side, a line of adjustable length for reducing, whilst in use, at a first location along each of opposing lateral edge of the mid-section, a distance between that location and the respective suspension point, so as to raise a first portion of the mid-section corresponding to the first location and thereby change the shape of the mid-section from a first configuration to a second configuration.   
     
     
         8 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first configuration is a reclined configuration, and preferably wherein the second configuration is a raised or seated configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the first location on each of the opposing lateral edges is arranged so that, when in use, reducing the distance between the first location and the respective suspension point elevates a region of the back of a user, preferably a shoulder region of a user, who is lying along the mid-section. 
     
     
         10 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 on each side, a line of adjustable length for reducing, whilst in use, at a second location along each of the opposing lateral edges of the mid-section, a distance between that location and the respective suspension point, so as to raise a second portion of the mid-section corresponding to the second location and thereby change the shape of the mid-section to a third configuration, preferably a fully-seated configuration.   
     
     
         11 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second location on each of the opposing lateral edges is arranged so that, when in use, reducing the distance between the second location and the respective suspension point elevates a knee region of a user supported by the mid-section. 
     
     
         12 . A hammock as claimed in  7 , wherein the lines of adjustable length are connected to the mid-section via a web of fabric to distribute a tension from the line across a length of lateral edge when the hammock is under load. 
     
     
         13 . A hammock as claimed in  7 , wherein each line of adjustable length is looped through a return device, preferably in the form of a buckle. 
     
     
         14 . A hammock as claimed in  7 , wherein the lines of adjustable length are straps. 
     
     
         15 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the hammock further comprises the features of
 a pair of wings extending outwardly from opposing lateral edges of the mid-section substantially to the suspension points.   
     
     
         16 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the mid-section includes a pocket for receiving a sleeping pad. 
     
     
         17 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a foot pocket formed at a foot end of the mid-section to receive the feet of a user resting on the mid-section. 
     
     
         18 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a ridgeline is provided between the suspension points and is adapted to be under tension when the hammock is under load. 
     
     
         19 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the hammock further comprises one or more inflatable members, preferably in the form of inflatable tubes extending either side of the mid-section. 
     
     
         20 . A hammock as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the mid-section is configured to accommodate two users in a side by side arrangement.