Rotatable Hammock Stand With Curved Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hammock stands face challenges such as large footprints, instability, and a utilitarian appearance, making them impractical for indoor and certain outdoor spaces, and lacking aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A free-standing rotatable hammock stand with a base and curved support arms that allow 360-degree rotation, featuring a U-shaped support structure and a coupling assembly with a rotary bearing, enabling compact footprint and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a free-standing hammock stand with two points of support is used, then the hammock can be supported stably, but the footprint becomes large occupying excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges both support points into a single centralized base structure. The U-shaped support structure with curved arms extends upward from one central base, consolidating what would traditionally require two separate support points into a single footprint location. This allows the hammock to be supported at two elevated points while the base occupies minimal ground space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal spread of support points to a vertical arrangement. Instead of placing support points far apart horizontally, the curved support arms extend upward and outward in three-dimensional space from a central base, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve stable hammock support without increasing horizontal footprint.
2Area of stationary object
If a single overhead point of support is used, then the footprint is reduced, but the hammock configuration becomes unstable and confining
Solution Approach 1:
The single overhead support point is segmented into two separate curved support arms within the U-shaped structure. Each arm independently supports one end of the hammock, creating two distinct support points that provide stable configuration while maintaining a centralized base location for minimal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical and lateral extension of curved arms from a central base to create separated support points. The arms extend upward and outward in three-dimensional space, providing spatial separation for stable hammock configuration without requiring horizontal separation of the base structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional hammock stand structures are used, then functional support is provided, but the aesthetic appeal is reduced due to utilitarian appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved support arms with arcuate shapes instead of straight rigid beams. The U-shaped support structure and curved arms create organic, flowing lines that are visually appealing while maintaining structural strength. The curved geometry provides both aesthetic beauty and functional effectiveness for supporting the hammock.
4Device complexity
If fixed non-rotatable support arms are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and user experience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a rotary bearing mechanism that allows the U-shaped support structure to rotate relative to the base. This dynamic capability enables the hammock to be positioned at various angles and orientations, providing adaptability for different user preferences and space configurations while adding only moderate complexity through the bearing assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A hammock stand includes two structural support arms extending from a central base and configured to support a hammock above the base. Each support arm has a curved shape bowing inward at upper ends, such that an overall shape of the hammock stand is tapered. The hammock stand is configured to support a hammock occupant generally oriented transverse to an axis defined along the structural support arms. The structural support arms are coupled to the central base by a coupling assembly. In some examples, the coupling assembly includes a yoke configured to couple the structural support arms to a rotary bearing. The rotary bearing allows the structural support arms, and therefore the hammock, to swivel relative to the base.