Transverse Hammock Wings for Flat Sleeping Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hammocks, especially transverse designs, face issues with sagging under load, tangling of ropes, discomfort due to tension points, and inadequate insulation, leading to an uncomfortable sleeping experience and reduced warmth retention.
Innovation Solution
A transverse hammock design featuring woven fabric wings cut on the bias with a curved base edge, which distribute tension evenly and provide a flatter sleeping surface, along with adjustable lines for altering the hammock's configuration and integrated sleeping pad pockets for improved insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If ropes are used to support the mid-section in a transverse hammock, then the hammock can achieve a flatter sleeping position, but the ropes are prone to becoming tangled when packed away
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical form of the support element from discrete ropes to a continuous flexible panel, fundamentally altering how the support structure is stored and deployed. The panel can be folded into compact configurations that resist tangling while maintaining the ability to create a flat sleeping surface when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible panel is divided into multiple strips that can be independently folded and stored. This segmentation allows the panel to be compacted in an organized manner that prevents tangling, while the strips can be reassembled to form the continuous support surface needed for a flat sleeping position.
2Weight of moving object
If ropes radiate out from suspension points to support the mid-section, then the hammock can be lightweight, but the ropes create points of high stress concentration causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stress concentration problem by removing the rope-to-fabric connection points that create high-stress zones. The flexible panel distributes loads continuously across its surface rather than concentrating forces at discrete attachment points, eliminating the harmful stress concentrations while maintaining lightweight construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible panel provides locally distributed support across the entire mid-section area, rather than discrete rope attachment points. This creates a uniform stress distribution pattern that eliminates high-stress concentration zones, improving comfort while maintaining the lightweight nature of the hammock.
3Temperature
If sleeping pads are retained in pockets, then insulation is improved, but the pad can transfer loads creating points of high seam tension and possibly result in the hammock ripping
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible panel merges the support function and insulation function into a single integrated structure. The panel itself provides thermal insulation while distributing loads uniformly across its surface, eliminating the need for separate sleeping pad pockets that would concentrate stresses at seams and attachment points.
4Shape
If the mid-section is provided as a wide continuous sheet with ropes attached at lateral edges, then a flatter profile is achieved, but the points where ropes connect represent high stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the connection parameter from discrete rope-to-edge attachments to continuous distributed support across the entire mid-section. The flexible panel maintains the flat profile through its distributed support structure while eliminating high-stress concentration points by avoiding localized attachment zones.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4C
AI summary
A hammock which includes a pair of suspension points provided on opposed sides that the hammock is arranged to suspend from in use. The hammock has a mid-section for supporting a user's body in a direction perpendicular to a line between the suspension points. The mid-section suspends from a pair of wings extending outwardly from opposing lateral edges of the mid-section to the suspension points. On each side of the hammock there may be provided a line of adjustable length for raising a first portion of the mid-section, for example, for inclining the back of the hammock. Second lines of adjustable length 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.