Hammock With Adjustable Curvature

Abstract

This invention relates to a hammock for use by people for leisure or sleeping. It provides adjustable features that allow the users longitudinal curvature to be flat, or curved upward, or curved downward, or both with the head and feet raised to different and opposing levels with respect to the flat configuration. This adjustable longitudinal curvature control enhances user comfort during leisure and enhances the ability to sleep in this hammock.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hammock comprising:
 a bed formed from a blank of strong flexible fabric, the blank defined by opposed ends and opposed sides, the ends and sides of the sheet of fabric coinciding with opposed ends and opposed side edges of the hammock respectively, each side of the sheet of fabric having a smoothly curved shape that is narrower in the middle between the ends, and wider at each end, and each side having a curve that can be measured as an inset dimension along an axis Y, called the lateral axis, that is parallel to the two parallel ends, and an axis X, called the longitudinal axis, that goes from the corner of one end and side of the blank to the corner of the other end and that same side of the blank, so that the side curve can be described by a function Y(X), and where the first derivative of Y(X), called dY(X) has a single point where it is zero, and where the second derivative of Y(X), called d 2 Y(X) is unipolar (either always positive or always negative for all X along the side curve), where the polarity of d 2 Y(X) is determined by the choice of direction of Y as toward or away from the hammocks other side), and where d 2 Y(X) is not bipolar (both positive and negative values for all X along the longitudinal axis).   
     
     
         2 . The hammock of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means comprises a loop of material formed by an excess length of the side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The hammock of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting means on each side of the hammock is connected to the suspending means on each side of the hammock by routing one suspending means on each side of the hammock through the loop of material along each side of the hammock, and the connecting means may or may not be attached to the suspending means. 
     
     
         4 . The hammock of  claim 3 , wherein the suspending means comprises a high-tension flexible suspension load bearing member like a strap, webbing, rope or cable, with at least one high tension loop in the suspending means located outward from each end of the hammock, to allow the high-tension flexible suspension load bearing member to be affixed to an attachment point directly at each end, or to be attached to a carabiner at each end to connect to another extension high tension suspension load bearing member like a strap, webbing, rope or cable with an end loop to attach to each ends carabiner, and a buckle located towards the other end, to allow the extension high tension suspension load bearing member to be wrapped around an elevated vertical support point and adjusted in length to controllably shorten the extension and thereby tighten the longitudinal tension of the hammock between two elevated vertical support points. 
     
     
         5 . The hammock of  claim 4 , wherein it includes cross-braces proximal each end of the hammock, each cross brace capable of constraining the distance to the second suspension member on the opposing side of the hammock to a fixed dimension. 
     
     
         6 . The hammock of  claim 5 , wherein the cross brace has an adjustable length capable of constraining the distance to the second suspension member on the opposing side of the hammock to an adjustable dimension. 
     
     
         7 . The hammock of  claim 6 , wherein the cross brace has a hole or slot at both ends of the cross brace to allow the suspension member on one side and one end of the hammock to be routed through the hole or slot on one end of the cross-brace, and the suspension member on the opposing side and same end of the hammock to be routed through the hole or slot on the other end of the cross-brace. 
     
     
         8 . The hammock of  claim 7  whereby tensioning the suspension members on both sides of the hammock while constrained in their lateral dimension by the cross-braces, causes the fabric support surface to drape between and below the suspension members so that an occupant may rest essentially level on the hammock bed surface in an essentially flat laying position. 
     
     
         9 . The hammock of  claim 8 , wherein both sides and both ends of the hammock have velcro, zippers, snaps or similar add-on accessory provisions attached either in discrete locations or intermittently along their lengths, or continuously along their lengths, to allow attaching accessories like netting, tenting, packing bags, cup or water bottle holders, and similar items. 
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising a hammock according to  claim 9 , and extension suspending means for attaching and suspending the hammock between upright support structures with different separation distances.