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.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11 / 748,910, filed May 15, 2007.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to hammocks, particularly to a hammock having thermal insulation attached to the underside of the hammock bed for cold weather.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]For camping and other recreational activities, various hammocks have been developed to provide shelter from insects, ground dwelling creatures and inclement weather. Being suspended above the ground, hammocks are more comfortable, drier, warmer and cleaner than are tents.[0004]Traditional hammocks were entered by climbing over one side. That was difficult and sometimes dangerous, because the hammock was out of balance when a person entered it. The potential occupant pushed down one of the higher sides of the hammock, as low as possible, toward its longitudinal axis of symmetry, to gain access. As soon as the person sat down and his weight came off of his feet, the ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]An object of this invention is to improve the warmth and comfort of a hammock having a bottom entrance slit, without interfering with a person's ability to enter or exit the hammock.

[0011]A further object is to allow a person to place a selected amount of thermal insulation against the underside of a hammock bed to control the amount of heat loss from the hammock's occupant through the bottom of the hammock.

Problems solved by technology

That was difficult and sometimes dangerous, because the hammock was out of balance when a person entered it.

A sleeping bag alone is not sufficient to keep the occupant warm through the night as the bottom insulation of a sleeping bag is compressed by the user's weight, which reduces the insulation factor significantly.

By adding blankets or a quilt, one can be well insulated from above; however, the bottom of the sleeping bag, and any additional insulation, is compressed by the user's weight, which reduces the insulation factor.

Managing insulation pads inside the hammock is awkward; the pads can move under the occupant as he turns and tosses during the night.

The pad can even pop out from underneath the occupant, leaving him or her with a cold back.

Another disadvantage of this arrangement of insulating material is that it can interfere with entry into or exit from the hammock through the bottom, particularly if the hammock is of the bottom-entry type.

Images