Illuminated Hammock

Abstract

A hammock has lighting elements that extend along the sides of the hammock. The lighting elements are disposed within channels that are inward of the edges of the hammock. The lighting elements are also connected to an elastic loop at one end to make them easily removable from the hammock.

Claims

1. A hammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock body having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge disposed across the hammock body from the second edge, and also having a third edge and a fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extending between the first edge and second edge and across the hammock body from one another; a first channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the first edge; a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the second edge; a first support channel extending along the third edge of hammock body to receive at least a portion of a first support member used to hang the hammock at a first end; a second support channel extending along the fourth edge of hammock body to receive a second support member used to hang the hammock at a second end; and lighting elements removably disposed within the first and second channels.

2. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, further comprising: a third channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the third channel disposed between first edge of the hammock body and the first channel; and a fourth channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the fourth channel disposed between the second edge of the hammock body and the second channel.

3. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second support members is a high strength polyester webbing.

4. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic loop disposed at one end of the first and second channels to be connected to the lighting elements.

5. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 4, wherein the lighting elements in the first and second channels have a hook to removably engage the elastic loop.

6. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, wherein the hammock body is comprised of three different sections.

7. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 6, wherein one section is along the first edge, the second section is along the second edge, and the third section is between the first and second sections.

8. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 7, wherein the first channel is in the first section and the second channel is in the second channel.

9. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 4, wherein the lighting elements are powered by a battery source stored in a separate pocket.

10. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 1, wherein the lighting elements comprise two strings of LED lights.

11. A hammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock body having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge disposed across the hammock body from the second edge, and also having a third edge and a fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extending between the first edge and second edge and across the hammock body from one another; a first channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the first edge; a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the second edge; and lighting elements disposed within the first and second channels, the lighting elements have a hook to removably engage an elastic loop disposed near one end of each of the first and second channels.

12. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11, further comprising: a third channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the third channel disposed between first edge of the hammock body and the first channel; and a fourth channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the fourth channel disposed between the second edge of the hammock body and the second channel.

13. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11, wherein the lighting elements are powered by a battery source stored in a separate pocket.

14. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11, wherein the battery source is removably attached to the lighting elements.

15. The hammock with removable lights according to claim 11, wherein the lighting elements comprise two strings of LED lights.

16. A hammock with removable lights comprising: a hammock body having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge disposed across the hammock body from the second edge, and also having a third edge and a fourth edge, the third edge and fourth edge extending between the first edge and second edge and across the hammock body from one another; a first channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the first channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the first edge; a second channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the second channel disposed inwardly in the hammock body from the second edge; a third channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the third channel disposed between first edge of the hammock body and the first channel; and a fourth channel extending along at least a portion of the hammock body, the fourth channel disposed between the second edge of the hammock body and the second channel, a first support channel extending along the third edge of hammock body to receive at least a portion of a first support member used to hang the hammock at a first end; a second support channel extending along the fourth edge of hammock body to receive a second support member used to hang the hammock at a second end; and lighting elements removably disposed within the first and second channels and having a hook to removably engage an elastic loop disposed near one end of each of the first and second channels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hammock with removable lights in a hanging position according to the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hammock body for the hammock with removable lights of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a detail elevational view of the channels in the hammock with removable lights of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the corner of the hammock with removable lights of FIG.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a corner of the hammock body showing the support members and the elastic loop for the lighting elements;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic of one embodiment of a lighting elements according to the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a power source according to the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a hook to be used with the lighting elements according to the present invention; and

[0020] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the lighting elements and the hook attached to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, there is an illuminated hammock 100 positioned as if it were being usedthe supports not being illustrated. The hammock 100 has a hammock body 102, which is also illustrated in FIG. 2 in a flat, laid-out position. The hammock body 102 preferably has three panels, two side panels 104,106 and a large central panel 108. The hammock body 102 could be a single panel or any other number of panels and still fall with the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the panels need not be situated as illustrated and may run in different directions, not have straight line sewing lines, etc. The hammock 100 is illustrated with an attached storage bag 110, which may be separate from the hammock body 102 or located in a different location on the hammock body 102.

[0023] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the hammock body 102 has a first edge 112 and a second edge 114, the first edge 112 is disposed across the hammock body 102 from the second edge 114. The first edge 112 and the second edge 114 are preferably associated with the long sides on the hammock 100 in FIG. 1. The hammock body 102 also has a third edge 116 and a fourth edge 118, the third edge 116 and the fourth edge 118 extend between the first edge 112 and second edge 114 and across the hammock body 102 from one another. As a result the hammock body 102 is a generally rectangular shape, but could have other shapes that still function to support a person between two supports.

[0024] The hammock body 102 has a first channel 120 that extends along at least a length of the hammock body 102 and the first edge 112. Preferably the first channel 120 is disposed inward in the hammock body 102 from the first edge 112. See FIG. 3. Additionally, there is a second channel 122 that extends along at least a length of the hammock body 102 and the second edge 114. Preferably the second channel 122 is also disposed inwardly in the hammock body 102 from the second edge 114. As discussed below in detail, lighting elements are disposed within the first channel 120 and the second channel 122.

[0025] There may be another channel, a third channel 124, that also runs along the length of the hammock body 102 and is disposed between the first channel 120 and the first edge 112. Similarly, on the opposite edge, the second edge 114, there is a fourth channel 126, that also runs along the length of the hammock body 102 and is disposed between the second channel 122 and the second edge 114. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first and third channels and the second and fourth channels are made from side panels 104,106. In particular, one edge 128 of the each of the side panels 104,106 is attached to an edge 130 of the central panel 108. Preferably the side panels 104,106 are sewn to the central panel 108 along the edges, preferably using triple stitch lines. However, other methods of joining the materials made used, e.g., heat sealing, ultrasonically welding, adhesives, etc. Along the opposite but parallel sides of the side panels 104,106, each of the side panels 104,106 is folded over and then connected to itself to create the first and second edges 112,114, respectively. As best seen in FIG. 3, there are two connection lines (or sew lines) along the first and second edges 112, 114. The first sew line 132 is to sew the edge of the side panels 104,106 to itselfmaking that portion a double layer of material. A second sew line 134 is disposed between the first sew line 132 and the first edge 112. Thus, the two channels 120, 124 and 122,126 in the side panels 104,106 along each edge 112, 114 are formed. However, it could be possible to simply sew a separate piece of fabric along the length of the first and second edges 112,114 to create the first and second channels 120,122. As such, the side panels 104,106 are not folded over on itself and there may not be third and fourth channels 124,126.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 2, there is a first support channel 140 extending along the third edge 116 of hammock body 102. At the other end of the hammock body 102, there is a second support channel 142 extending along the fourth edge 118 of hammock body 102. Preferably, the first and second support channels 140,142 cross the two side panels 104,106 and the central panel 108. The first and second support channels 140,142 can be formed by folding the material of the hammock body 102 over and triple sewing the third and fourth edges. See FIG. 2. At least a portion of a first support member 144 (see FIG. 5) is disposed within the first support channel 140 so that the hammock 100 can be hung at a first end 146. At least a portion of a second support member 148 is disposed within the second support channel 142 so that the hammock 100 can be hung at a second end 150. The support members 144,148 are preferably high strength polyester webbing (like seat belt material) so as to support a person using the illuminated hammock 100.

[0027] As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the first and second channels 120,122 are not sewn completely along the first and second edges, respectively, to the first and second support channels 140,144. There needs to be an opening 152 into the first and second channels 120,122 at each end 146,150 to allow access to the lighting elements and to be able to attach the lighting elements to the hammock body 102. Preferably the sewing stops about 7.5 cm from the endleaving a 7.5 cm opening 152. As will be recognized, the openings 152 could be longer or shorter as desired.

[0028] Turning to FIGS. 4-6, the lighting elements and the components to attach them to the hammock 100 are illustrated. The lighting elements 160 are preferably two strands of LEDs that are electrically and mechanically connected to one another at a first end 162, which end is then disposed at the second end 150 of the hammock 100. The second end 164 of each of the lighting elements 160 have a hook, described in more detail blow, to attach to an elastic loop 166 attached to the hammock 100. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an elastic loop 166 is sewn into the seam that forms the first support channel 140 at the first end 146 at both ends of the third edge 116 and near the opening 152. It should be noted that components for the lighting feature can be swapped between the first end 146 and the second end 150, either by way of designation or moving the lighting components between ends. The elastic loops 166 could also be attached to the hammock 100 in different places. As illustrated in the figures, the second ends 164 of the lighting elements are at the first end 146 of the hammock body 102 and by the first support channel 142. The elastic loops 166 are preferably outside the first and second channels 120,122 until the lighting elements 160 are attached to them. While the elastic loops 166 are illustrated as being elongated loops, the looping portion may only be along a portion of the lengththat is a smaller loop at the end of an elastic cord. It is preferable that the elongated loops 166 when connected to the lighting elements 160 are disposed within the first and second channels 120,122 during use of the hammock 100.

[0029] The lighting elements 160 are connected to a power source 168 at the first end 162. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the power source 168 is a battery pack that has a receptacle 170 to receive a plug 162a to mechanically and electrically connect to both strands of LEDs 160 to the power source 168. There may also be a switch or button 172 that allows the user to turn the lighting elements 160 on and off as desired. Adjacent the second end 150 of the hammock 100 is a power source pocket 174. See FIG. 2. As will be recognized, when the support members, and the second support member 148 in particular, are inserted into the support channels 140,142, the second end 150 of the hammock 100 (as well as the first end) is squished together as illustrated in FIG. 5, moving the power source pocket 174 toward the center of the hammock body 102. The power source pocket 174 may be a completely separate pocket that is sewn on to the hammock body 102 or a second piece of fabric attached to the hammock body creating a pocket therebetween. The power source pocket 172 may also have flap with a snap, hook-and-loop closure material, a draw string, or other type of closure to prevent the power source 168 from falling out of it.

[0030] At the second end 164 of the lighting elements 160 is a hook 180 to engage the elastic loops 166. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a hook 180 that can be used. The hook 180 preferably has a snap closure 182 or other closure at one end to prevent the elastic loops 166 from coming unattached from the hook 180. As another example, even a small carabiner could be used. The hook 180 has a second opening 184 at the other end to receive a portion of the lighting elements 160. The lighting elements 160 can be looped through the second opening 184 and attached to another portion thereof by a heat shrink tube 186. See FIG. 9. Preferably the hook 180 does not have a swivel so that the lighting elements 160 are not twisted and possibly damaged.

[0031] To install the lighting elements 160, the ends 164 with the hooks are inserted into the first and second channels 120,122, respectively, through the openings 152. This should be done at the end of the hammock 100 opposite the elastic loops 166. The lighting elements 160 are fed through the first and second channels 120,122, and connected to the elastic loops 166, which should then be disposed within the first and second channels 120,122. The lighting elements can then be plugged into the power source 168 and turned on and off using the switch 172.

[0032] Before spreading the hammock 100 out after use and removing the support members, the lighting elements 160 should be removed to as not to affect the mechanical and electrical connection between the two strands of LEDs. The lighting elements 160 and the power source 168 should be removed before washing or cleaning (or submerging in water) to protect the lighting elements 160.

[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.