Hammock, especially suitable for children and for therapy purposes

Abstract

A hammock consisting of a reclining surface and two opposite tapering ends. Each end leading to a suspension, wherein the base surface of the hammock is fashioned as an open ellipse with pointed converging ends in the form of end pieces. The reclining surface comprises a roughly rectangular middle region, which is stitched at both transverse edges each time to an edge of a roughly triangular or circular segment shaped end piece, which leads to a suspension at its free, pointed end.

Claims

1. A hammock, comprising a reclining surface and two opposite tapering ends, each leading to a suspension, wherein the base surface of the hammock is fashioned as an open ellipse with pointed converging ends in the form of end pieces, wherein the reclining surface consists of a roughly rectangular middle region, which is stitched at both transverse edges each time to an edge of a roughly triangular or circular segment shaped end piece, which leads to a suspension at its free, pointed end.

2. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reclining surface is laid in several flat folds at both transverse edges, each abutting against the edges of the triangular or circular segment shaped end pieces, and stitched to the edges.

3. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two longitudinal edges of the reclining surface is at least partly strengthened.

4. The hammock as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the two longitudinal edges of the reclining surface is at least partly upholstered.

5. The hammock as claimed in claim 4, wherein a broad upholstered margin area is formed for at least a part along one of the two longitudinal edges.

6. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reclining surface in a swing-like suspension of the hammock is closeable at least partly as a cavity by means of closure means arranged at the reclining surface.

7. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspensions are designed as loop bows arranged on the end pieces.

8. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop bows are arranged at the suspensions of the end pieces running in the horizontal plane of the reclining surface.

9. The hammock as claimed in claim 8, wherein the loop bows are formed from a band, whose two free ends are stitched roughly parallel to each other and with the same top side to the tapering end of the end pieces, whereby a spreading of the loop bow in the plane of the reclining surface as well as a pocket-like overlap of the center region of the band is produced.

10. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspensions designed as loop bows are arranged at the end pieces rotated by around 90° vertically to the horizontally extending reclining surface.

11. The hammock as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspensions each lead to a ring, around which the free ends of the end pieces or projections stitched to them are laid flush and secured.

Description

[0032] FIGS. 1-5 show various designs of the hammock according to the invention in reduced-scale, stylized representation. There are shown

[0033] FIG. 1 a top view of the hammock 1 according to the invention in a basic design;

[0034] FIG. 2 a top view of the hammock 1 according to the invention in an alternative design;

[0035] FIG. 3 a top view of the hammock 1 according to the invention in another alternative design;

[0036] FIG. 4 a top view of a loop bow 17 of the hammock 1 according to the invention in one design arranged running transversely to the plane of the reclining surface 2;

[0037] FIG. 5 a top view of a loop bow 17 with suspension ring 18 of the hammock 1 according to the invention in one design arranged running transversely to the plane of the reclining surface 2;

[0038] FIG. 6 a top view of a loop bow 17 of the hammock 1 according to the invention in an alternative design arranged running in the plane of the reclining surface 2;

[0039] FIG. 1 shows the hammock 1 according to the invention with a reclining surface 2 made of a roughly rectangular middle piece 3, which is advantageously laid in flat folds 8 roughly in the style of a pleated fabric at the transverse edges 6, 7 pointing toward the two suspensions 4, 5 and stitched at the transverse edges 6, 7 to an arc edge 9, 10 of a roughly circular segment shaped end piece 11, 12, which leads at its pointed free end lying opposite the arc edge 9, 10 to a suspension 4, 5 not shown here.

[0040] Thanks to this configuration, when lying in the hammock 1 according to the invention no traction or compression points detrimental to the comfort are produced in the area of the reclining surface 2, regardless of the distance of the two suspensions 4, 5 from each other.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an advantageous configuration of the hammock 1 according to the invention in which the two longitudinal edges 13, 14 of the reclining surface 2 are strengthened and upholstered.

[0042] In this way, the wear-sensitive longitudinal edges 13, 14 are significantly strengthened, especially when getting into or out of the hammock 1 according to the invention, and the lying comfort as a whole is improved, since even a lying transversely to the reclining surface 2 is much more comfortable.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows another advantageous design of the hammock 1 according to the invention, in which a much broader reinforced and upholstered margin area 15, 16 is formed along the two longitudinal edges 13, 14 at the margin.

[0044] In a special configuration, not shown visually, heavily upholstered margin areas 15, 16 can replace an additional cushion.

[0045] Thanks to these optically and texturally distinguished longitudinal edges 13, 14 of the hammock according to the invention from the middle piece 3 of the reclining surface 2, for example by being upholstered margin areas 15, 16, this design is much more easy to handle, especially for children or visually impaired persons, because the getting in and out of the hammock is significantly easier or assisted and the hands are as it were led “blindly” to the longitudinal edges 13, 14 at the sides. Also when lying in the hammock 1 the end of the reclining surface 2 is always clearly distinguishable, which improves the sense of safety of the user.

[0046] Furthermore, thanks to the novel design with a plurality of folds 8 stitched to the transitions to the end pieces 11, 12 and thanks to the strengthened longitudinal edges 13, 14 and upholstered margin areas 15, 16, the hammock 1 according to the invention spreads out advantageously and separates into strengthened or upholstered, roughly horizontally lying longitudinal edges or margin areas 13 to 16 and an inner, slightly drooping middle region 3 folded at the transverse edges.

[0047] When a patient during therapeutic exercises is lying stretched out on their stomach, face down, or lying across the reclining surface in a classical hammock, the edges of traditional hammocks may result in pressure pain at the armpits, for example if throwing exercises are performed from this position.

[0048] However, the strengthened and/or upholstered longitudinal edges and margin areas 13 to 16 of the hammock 1 according to the invention allow the patient full freedom of motion and lying, and at the same time prevent uncomfortable rubbing or pressure pain on the chest or arms.

[0049] Another expedient design of the hammock 1 according to the invention, not shown, calls for the reclining surface in the case of a swing-like suspension of the hammock 1 to be at least partly closable like a cavity by means of closure means arranged on the reclining surface 2, thanks to the large amount of fabric at the side.

[0050] This produces an additional benefit when the hammock 1 is used as a cavity, for example, for children and persons who have an increased need for withdrawal.

[0051] Another design, depicted in FIG. 4, calls for the two end suspensions 4, 5 at the tapering ends of the end pieces 11, 12 to be designed as loop bows 17′ and to be arranged rotated to the plane of the reclining surface 2, for example by an angle of around 90°.

[0052] In this arrangement, further elements serving for the suspension, such as ropes led through the loop bows 17′ or also a suspension ring 18, as shown in FIG. 5, can be arranged in turn extending in the plane of the reclining surface 2.

[0053] In the advantageous design per FIG. 5, the two ends of the hammock lead to a ring around which the fabric is laid flush and permanently secured.

[0054] In another alternative embodiment per FIG. 6, the loop bows 17″ have the same plane as the reclining surface at both ends. According to the invention, this loop bow 17″ is formed here from a band 19, whose two free ends 20 are stitched roughly parallel to each other and with the same top side to the tapering end of the end pieces 11, 12. This produces a spreading of the loop bow 17″ in the plane of the reclining surface 2 as well as a pocket-like overlap of the center region 21 of the band 19, causing a planar lie of this center region 21 for a suspension by these loop bows 17″ even without additional elements serving for the suspension, such as suspension rings 18.

[0055] This special configuration brings usage benefits in many respects: [0056] In a swing-like suspension at one point for therapeutic exercises, the two end loop bows 17″ can be laid flush one on top of the other in the region of the pocket-like overlap of the center areas 21. In this way, the thus doubled suspension point is more flat and less bulging. This increases the mobility during linear movements and rotary movements. In addition, the fabric of the reclining surface 2 drapes very straight, which facilitates the patients getting onto and off of the hammock. The wear on the hammock at the suspension points can also be reduced in this way, thereby improving its durability. [0057] Stable, secure and sturdy suspension even during intensive use. [0058] In a traditional suspension at two suspension points apart from each other, the hammock opens up invitingly, for example making access and climbing on easier for the elderly. [0059] In a swing-like suspension at two points on the ceiling for therapeutic exercises, the eyelets point away from each other, so that the fabric of the reclining surface drapes very straight, making access and climbing on easier for patients. [0060] In a traditional suspension at two suspension points apart from each other in a hammock stand, the hook on the hammock stand receives the newly designed loop at the same angle, so that an optimal horizontal hanging results, as opposed to the slight rotation which may occur with traditional systems. The whole functions with no additional aids, such as ropes.

[0061] On the whole, the hammock according to the invention is decidedly appealing both in terms of its comfort and safety in private use and in public use (such as kindergartens, rest homes) and in terms of the price benefit ratio, especially also for performing therapeutic exercises in practice or at home.