US20200121064A1

US20200121064A1 - Total Hammock Enclosure Sack

Info

Publication number: US20200121064A1
Application number: US16/165,907
Authority: US
Inventors: Jim TenBrink
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2020-04-23

Abstract

A hammock enclosure sack made of fabric. The hammock enclosure sack can enclose a generally cylindrical volume and is open on the ends with a head-end opening opposite of a foot-end opening. The hammock enclosure sack has a top half and a bottom half. A head-end closure attached to the head-end opening where the head-end closure includes a draw string. A foot-end closure attached to the foot-end opening, and the foot-end closure includes a draw string.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/574,565, filed Oct. 19, 2017

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to outdoor camping equipment, and more particularly, to a hammock enclosure sack to protect an occupant from the elements and insects.

Background of the Invention

The elements (for example wind, rain, dew, snow and cold) and insects are issues for individuals outdoors in hammocks, and other outdoor personal sleeping devices such as sleeping bags. Hammocks are comprised of thin materials and are open to the elements and do little to protect the person inside from the elements. The parts of a body that are pressed against the hammock can get uncomfortable from cold, insect bites, water etc.
Hammocks with elaborate, built-in tarp systems, are inconvenient for people in sleeping bags a.k.a. ground sleepers, and persons in survival situations
Hammocks by default are fully exposed, uncovered, and susceptible to getting drenched with rain, covered in snow, and open to bugs. Current options to protect an outdoor hammock include a built-in rain tarp or bug netting system or setting up a separate tarp cover above the hammock, but these systems are expensive, bulky, heavy, cumbersome and messy. These systems are elaborate and can include zippers, snaps, Velcro, tie-down tarp cords, and cord ground stakes. These existing rain tarp systems take time to set up, have cords that can get tangled, and become tripping hazards when staked to the ground.
Hammocks by themselves offer minimal protection—people use tarps to compensate, which need to be supported via ropes and ground stakes, but they still leave the hammock vulnerable to the elements. More elaborate, costlier hammocks with built-in tarp systems, are supported via one main center line and with several tie-down cords that are either tied to tree branches, to the ground via ground stakes, or to the hammock itself. These built in hammock tarp systems can be cumbersome, tripping hazards, and still leave the hammock exposed to wind, moisture, and insects.
Existing, built-in hammock rain tarp systems can still leave the hammock susceptible to winds/mist/bugs and can potentially become unstable, flapping open to the elements and leaving the user exposed. These systems are also dependent on their surroundings as well, as the length of the tie-down ropes are limited to what they can tie to, limiting ease of set up or offer no set-up at all. And they still leave the hammock partially exposed. Rain tarps, whether part of the hammock system or purchased independently, do not offer 360-degree protection from wind, mist, insects or the cold. Sleeping bag covers, a.k.a. bivvy sacks, are restrictive and cover only the sleeping bag, whether on the ground or within a hammock, leaving the person and hammock open to the elements.
Bivvy sacks (bivouac sack) encompass only the sleeping bag, nothing else. Bivvy sacks also don't completely encompass the entire person, leaving the persons head partially exposed to the elements. A drawback of a bivvy sack is the humidity that condenses on the inside, leaving the occupant or the sleeping bag moist. Moisture severely decreases the insulating effect of the sleeping bags
People in survival situations rely on survival blankets, which merely wrap around the person's head and torso, leaving their face, legs and bottoms poorly covered and partially exposed.
What is needed is a quick to setup solution that protects an individual from the elements or insects or both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes a hammock enclosure sack made of fabric. The hammock enclosure sack can enclose a generally cylindrical volume and is open on the ends with a head-end opening opposite of a foot-end opening. The hammock enclosure sack may have a top half and a bottom half connecting the two ends. A head-end closure may be attached to the head-end opening where the head-end closure includes a draw string. A foot-end closure may be attached to the foot-end opening, and the foot-end closure may include a draw string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual view of a hammock enclosure sack surrounding a hammock with the ends open.

FIG. 2A illustrates a conceptual view of a harsh weather hammock enclosure sack made out of waterproof breathable material.

FIG. 2B illustrates a conceptual view of a mesh hammock enclosure sack.

FIG. 2C illustrates a conceptual view of a reversible hammock enclosure sack with a top half made with mesh and a bottom half being made of waterproof breathable material.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrates steps that may be used to put the hammock enclosure sack on a hammock.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrates the steps a hammock occupant would take to use the hammock enclosure sack.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hammock enclosure occupant in a hammock enclosure sack with the top made of mesh and with a ceiling line.

FIG. 6A illustrates the ceiling line being tied to a tree.

FIG. 6B illustrates the ceiling line being tied to the hammock support line.

FIG. 7 illustrates a spreader that can be used with a double ceiling line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual view 100 of a hammock enclosure sack 102 that is capable of generally being cylindrically shaped surrounding a hammock 104 with a head-end opening 106 and a foot-end opening 108. The head-end opening 106 has a head-end closure shown as a head-end drawstring 110. The foot-end opening 108 has a foot-end closure shown as a foot-end drawstring 112.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 guards an occupant against the elements, and also may help retain body heat. The hammock enclosure sack 102 may be completely independent from the hammock 104. The hammock enclosure sack 102 may be composed of weatherproof, water-resistant, rainproof, waterproof, breathable, snow-proof, windproof, insect-resistant, flexible, and tear-resistant material or materials. The hammock enclosure sack 102 is all-encompassing, and provides full 360-degree protection and may not need any extra supports. The hammock enclosure sack 102 provides the hammock and occupant protection from insects and the elements.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 may be lightweight and may be rolled or folded to provide a minimal packing footprint for example for storage. The hammock enclosure may be quickly readied by unfolding it or unrolling it.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 may be constructed as a single piece of material folded over on itself and secured to itself along the long end, for example by sewing a seam. Or more than one piece of material may be used to create the hammock enclosure sack 102. For example the hammock enclosure sack 102 may be made out of two sheets of material. The sheets of material may be big enough to fully encompass a hammock, for example 12 feet long by 5 feet wide. The material may be weather proof material. The material may be a fabric. The materials may be fastened together by sewing or any other means to make a permanent seam. Sewing may be done using heavy duty polyester thread.
Some of the material of the hammock enclosure sack 102 may be for ventilation, for example using a heavy-duty mesh ventilation fabric. The ventilation fabric may be located in any number of locations, for example bi-laterally or on the bottom of the hammock enclosure sack.
Some of the material of the hammock enclosure sack 102 may be see-through, for example a clear vinyl window, marine-grade vinyl or a mesh fabric or the like to provide the user an “open sky” window view of the surroundings.
The encircling enclosure may have an “open sky” vinyl see-through window, which may be sewn across the entire face area of the Hammock enclosure sack, and can provide the user full views of the surroundings. The Hammock enclosure sack 102 works the same for ground sleepers with sleeping bags and persons in survival situations. The nature of the Hammock enclosure sack 102 is to repel water and guard against wind and insects, keeping the person protected, warm and dry and worry free. Because the Hammock enclosure sack 102 encompasses the user 360-degrees from head to toe, they are fully protected from the elements.
The materials that the hammock enclosure sack 102 is made out of may be available in 60 inch wide bulk rolls. The material may be in various solid colors or have patterns printed on them. Weather resistant bug screen may be used as part of the top of the hammock enclosure sack 120, this embodiment would be useful in hot/warm conditions. Thicker, warmer materials may be used on embodiments for chilly weather camping. The materials may be rolled out and cut into two 12 foot long sheets. The 2 sheets of material can then be laid on top of each other, squared up, and first sewn together along the edge of one of the long sides. Once the long side edge is sewn together, the panel may be opened up, like a book, which in a particular embodiment may be 10′×12′. Next, short ends edges may be folded over, or folded under, by 4 inches and sewn to create the tunnel for the drawstrings. Next, the two sheets can be folded back so one is on top of the other and the other long side edge of the panel may be sewn, which now creates an enclosure with openings on the ends, specifically a head-end opening and a foot-end opening. The drawstrings may be inserted through the tunnels at both the head-end opening and foot-end opening of the sack. Once the drawstrings are fed entirely through, the ends of the drawstrings may have barrel clamps placed on them. The barrel clamps can lock down the drawstrings when they are cinched tight, for example cinched tight against the hammock support line. The hammock enclosure sack 102 may be turned inside out so the seams are on the inside.
A window of a certain size may be cut out of the hammock enclosure sack at either the bottom or lower lateral sides, whereby mesh material may be permanently sewn over the opening(s) to provide ventilation. In one embodiment a window of a certain size may be cut out near the head-end to make a “window” for the hammock enclosure sack 102 using a see-through clear vinyl or water-resistant mesh material that can be placed onto the material's surface and sewn in place.
The ends of the hammock enclosure sack 102 may have end closures, for example ropes going through a tunnel or sleeve sewed on the end of the material, as described above. The ropes may be sewn into the circumference of the sack head-end opening and foot-end opening. The ropes may be secured at one end of the sleeve, for example by sewing the ropes into the material with ropes traveling through the sleeve and out a hole or two that the ropes comes such that pulling the two strings closes up the opening. Alternatively a single rope may be used. The single rope maybe stitched half way around the tunnel to the material. Specifically the ropes may be two 70 inch length ropes and 2 single drawstring holes. The closure may gather the material to close it in on the hammock support line. The closure may be used to pull the end together till it is completely closed around the hammock support line.
A securing mechanism may be used to hold the pull strings with the opening is drawn closed. For example the securing mechanism may be a push-button barrel clamp, cord stop or any other mechanism to hold the drawstrings snug against the drawstring hole. Alternatively the head-end closure or foot-end closure may use straps with cam locks, rubber bands, bungee cords, a one-way lashing cam lock, Velcro, double D loop or any means that can be constructed that allows the material to be gathered or cinched against a hammock support line.
The foot-end opening may be large enough for a rope to go through, but too small for a carabineer to go through. In that way the hammock enclosure sack 102 may be placed on the foot-end of the hammock and stopped from sliding any further. Alternatively a carabineer could be attached to the foot-end opening of the sack by latching on a loop sewn into the foot-end opening, or there could be a hook or carabineer that is attached to a pre-gathered foot-end opening of the hammock enclosure sack 102 where the pre-gathered foot-end opening may be permanently or temporarily gathered.
In another embodiment the foot-end opening may be attached to the foot end of the hammock 104.
A heavy-duty mold resistant, mesh fabric may be sewn onto the sack either bilaterally or one at the bottom to serve as ventilation window(s). Heavy duty weatherproof stitching may be used to sew material pieces together.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 can be used anywhere and at any time and for any condition within reason. With the hammock enclosure sack 102, hammock users do not have to fear inclement or unpredictable weather. A hammock user can fully appreciate and enjoy the outdoors without fear of getting wet if it rains during the night. The Hammock enclosure sack 102 offers peace-of-mind and worry-free sleep and protection form the elements and insects.
FIG. 2A shows an illustration 200 of a conceptual view of a harsh weather hammock enclosure sack 202 made out of waterproof breathable material. In the harsh weather hammock enclosure sack 202 embodiment two sheets of waterproof breathable material may be sewn together to form the hammock enclosure sack.
Waterproof may be measured by the amount of water, in millimeters (mm), which can be suspended above the fabric before the water seeps through. For example, if a material can withstand a pressure of over 1,000 mm of water without leaking then its waterproof rating would be 1000 mm. The material used to construct the hammock enclosure sack 102 may have a minimum waterproof rating of above 500 mm, more appropriate would be a waterproof rating of 1000 mm, good is a waterproof rating of 5000 mm, better is a waterproof rating of 20,000 mm and best is a waterproof rating above 20,000 mm.
Breathability or moisture vapor transmission rate may be measured by the rate at which water vapor passes through, in grams of water vapor per square meter of fabric per 24-hour period (g/m2/d), often abbreviated to just “g”. The material may have a minimum breathability rating of 300 g, more appropriate is a breathability rating of 5,000 g, better is a breathability rating of 20,000 g or best is a breathability rating above 20,000 g.
FIG. 2B shows an illustration 220 of a conceptual view of a mesh hammock enclosure sack 222 made with mesh material. The mesh material may be see-through material. The see-through mesh material may keep out the bugs. The mesh hammock enclosure sack 222 may provide maximum ventilation and be good to use on a hot day.
The mesh material may have a mesh size of 1.2 millimeters (0.047 in) which is desirable to stop mosquitoes, or smaller mesh size, such as 0.6 millimeters (0.024 in) to stops other biting insects such as biting midges/no-see-ums.
FIG. 2C shows an illustration 240 of a conceptual view of a reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 with a mesh side 244 and a waterproof breathable side 246. The reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 may have one part of the two pieces that are sewn together be mesh to keep out bugs and the other part be waterproof and breathable. In warm rainless conditions the mesh side may be pointed up to provide the occupant with a good view of the surroundings but keeping away unwanted insects. When it is raining, then the waterproof breathable side 246 may be turned up to keep the occupant dry. An occupant of the reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 may change which side is up without having to get out of the hammock and while remaining in the reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 by grabbing the material and rotating it manually.
When the reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 is used by a ground sleeper, for example the occupant of a sleeping bag, then the waterproof breathable side 246 may be placed on the ground and provide isolation from the ground for example isolation from the ground's moisture.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 may start rolled up in which case the user would unroll the hammock enclosure sack 102. For hammock users, the user may insert the foot end hammock tree support line through the hammock enclosure sack 102 and pull it all the way through the hammock enclosure sack 102, and then secure the head end hammock support line to a tree. The user may then take the foot-end closure and close the foot-end opening tightly so the foot-end opening is cinched around the hammock tree support line. A line may be a rope, strap or other equivalent.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrates a set of steps that may be used to put the hammock enclosure sack 102 on a hammock 104. FIG. 3A shows a scene 300 with a user gathering the hammock enclosure sack 102 so there is an opening to pass the hammock 104 support line through. FIG. 3B shows a scene 320 with the user passing the head-end of the hammock 104 line through the hammock enclosure sack 102. Next, FIG. 3C shows a scene 340 with the hammock user securing the hammock head end line to an opposite tree. Using a securing mechanism like a barrel clamp, the drawstring cord may be locked into place. This will provide not only a sealed foot end, but also provides the “anchor” for the hammock occupant to complete the installation of the hammock enclosure sack 102, as show in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C. Alternatively, the hammock foot-end line may be passed through the hammock enclosure sack 102 first and then the hammock may be attached to the trees.
Alternatively, the foot-end opening may already be gathered. Or the foot-end may not have a gathering mechanism but instead be permanently gathered or already in a closed position.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrates the steps a hammock occupant may do to use the hammock enclosure sack 102. FIG. 4A shows a scene 400 of a hammock user nested in the hammock 104 and using both hands, the occupant can pull the hammock enclosure sack 102 up and over. FIG. 4B shows a scene 420 of the occupant pulling the hammock enclosure sack 102 over the hammock 104, and themselves. The head-end opening of the hammock enclosure sack 102 can be closed off from inside the hammock enclosure sack via the head-end closure, for example a drawstring, which closes the head-end opening snugly against the hammock support line. For example, closing so the head-end opening is less than a quarter inch in diameter, or closing the head-end opening to leave an opening of less than 1 inch in diameter.
Once an occupant is in the hammock, the occupant may grab the hammock enclosure sack 102 head opening and draw it over themselves and the length of the hammock 104. The occupant is now inside the hammock enclosure sack. The occupant may use the head-end closure to close the head-end opening onto the hammock line. The head-end closure is designed to close the head-end opening from within the sack, for example with a drawstring closure where the drawstring is pulled into the closure and once the material is gathered then it can be kept closed using a retaining mechanism like a push button barrel clamp. The occupant and hammock are now fully encompassed and protected from the elements by the hammock enclosure sack 102 where they hammock enclosure sack 102 may keep them dry, bug free, warm and comfy with adequate ventilation being provided either by the breathable fabric or via the mesh window(s). For extra air flow, the head-end and foot-end closure may be opened some.
To use the hammock enclosure sack 102 for those sleeping on the ground, for example in sleeping bags, first an occupant needs to use the foot-end closure to close the foot-end opening of the hammock enclosure sack 102. For example, use a foot-end draw-string to tightly close the foot-end opening of the sack before the person gets into the Hammock enclosure sack. The person will then get into the sleeping bag and with both hands, grab the Hammock enclosure sack 102 and wiggle themselves and their sleeping bag into the sack until they are encompassed. Once completely inside the sack, the person can cinch the head-end draw string from inside. For a person in a survival situation, he or she will first cinch the foot end drawstrings tightly closed. Next, he or she will step into the sack and with both hands, pull the sack over themselves. Once the person is totally encompassed, the person can then cinch the head end drawstring of the sack closed.
FIG. 5 shows an illustration 500 of a hammock enclosure occupant in the reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 with a ceiling line 262. The ceiling line 262 can create the top of an “A” frame. When an occupant is pulling the hammock enclosure sack 102 over the hammock and themselves they may also be pulling the hammock enclosure sack over any ceiling support lines.
FIG. 6A illustrates a reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 with a ceiling line 262 tied to the trees. After the hammock is securely hung to trees on both ends, the user may install a ceiling support line by first looping it around the foot end tree, then bringing it through the reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 and tying it tightly around the head end tree. FIG. 6B illustrates a reversible hammock enclosure sack 242 with the ceiling line 262 tied to the hammock support line.
For a more roomy experience, a user can use a double ceiling support line along with a spreader bar to provide a ceiling inside the hammock enclosure sack 102. The spreader bar is added between the two lines, spreading them apart to open the sack further to create more open space around the head and torso.
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a spreader bar as a collapsible spreader bar 700 that can be used with a double ceiling line. The collapsible spreader bar 700 may be composed of ends 702 and 704 that fit in a coupling 706.
A double ceiling support line may be a stretch cord line. A double ceiling support line may can serve along with the collapsible spreader bar 700 to create a ceiling that the hammock enclosure sack 102 hangs from.
The user may place the collapsible spreader bar 700 into the sack within easy reach before they climb into the hammock. The hammock enclosure sack 102 can be further opened or expanded in order to keep the walls of the sack further off of the hammock, which can be done from inside the hammock enclosure sack 102. From inside the hammock enclosure sack 102, the collapsible spreader bar 700 may be positioned between the two ceiling support lines in order to spread the hammock enclosure sack 102 further off of the hammock walls, creating a sort of ceiling in the hammock enclosure sack 102 and providing an internal support structure within the sack that creates a more roomy experience.
The hammock enclosure sack 102 may have pockets, on the inside, for example in the corners where ends of flexible poles may be placed to expand up the top of the hammock enclosure when the hammock enclosure is on the ground. The material top and bottom may be waterproof and breathable and provide an additional enclosure to help keep the occupant or sleeping bag occupant warm yet comfortable with the structure of the hammock enclosure sack as described above with proper ventilation, breathable yet waterproof material.
With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hammock enclosure sack comprising:

a enclosure made of flexible material where the enclosure encircles a volume and is open on the ends with a head-end opening opposite of a foot-end opening,

a head-end closure attached to the head-end opening, and

a foot-end closure attached to the foot-end opening.

2. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 1 where the enclosure can be expanded into a general cylindrical shape.

3. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 1 where the head-end closure can bring the head-end opening closed small enough to be snug on a hammock support line.

4. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 3 where the foot-end closure can bring the head-end opening closed small enough to be snug on a hammock support line.

5. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 1 where some of the flexible material is waterproof and breathable.

6. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 5 where some of the flexible material is see-through mesh.

7. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 1 where some of the flexible material is see-through mesh and also keeps bugs out.

8. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 1 further comprising a ceiling line that passes through the head-end opening and foot-end opening.

9. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 8 further comprising a second ceiling line a spreader, where the spread is between the ceiling line and the second ceiling line.

10. A hammock enclosure sack comprising:

a enclosure made of fabric where the enclosure encircles a volume and is open on the ends with a head-end opening opposite of a foot-end opening, and

a head-end closure attached to the head-end opening.

11. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 10 where the head-end closure includes a draw string.

12. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 11 further including a foot-end closure attached to the foot-end opening.

13. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 10 where some of the fabric is waterproof and breathable.

14. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 10 where some of the fabric is see-through mesh and also keeps bugs out.

15. A hammock enclosure sack comprising:

an enclosure made of fabric where the enclosure can enclose a generally cylindrical volume and is open on the ends with a head-end opening opposite of a foot-end opening and the enclosure has a top half and a bottom half that run between the head-end opening and foot-end opening,

a head-end closure attached to the head-end opening where the head-end closure includes a draw string, and

a foot-end closure attached to the foot-end opening, and the foot-end closure includes a draw string.

16. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 15 where the top half and bottom half is made of waterproof and breathable fabric.

17. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 15 where the top half and the bottom half is made of is see-through mesh.

18. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 15 where the top half is made of see-through mesh and the bottom half is made of waterproof and breathable material.

19. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 15 where the head-end closure can be closed by an occupant inside the hammock enclosure sack.

20. The hammock enclosure sack of claim 19 where the foot-end closure also has a barrel clamp.