Dynamic hammock spreader apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction;   suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor;   suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor;   spreading the hammock base in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system; and   adjusting automatically, by the dynamic spreader system, the amount of the spreading in response to changes in at least one of the weight, shape, and orientation of contents within the hammock base.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic spreader system comprises a first spreader resiliently deflected to arch over the hammock base and urge the first side away from the second side. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first spreader extends substantially linearly in its neutral, undeflected position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the hammock further comprises:
 a hammock canopy having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction; and   the hammock canopy cooperating with the hammock base to form an enclosure.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the dynamic spreader system further comprises:
 a first spreader anchor connected to the hammock base proximate the first side thereof;   a second spreader anchor connected to the hammock base proximate the second side thereof; and   the second spreader anchor being directly laterally opposite the first spreader anchor.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first spreader comprises a first end engaging the first spreader anchor and a second end engaging the second spreader anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the hammock canopy comprises a first guide sized to receive the first spreader. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first spreader extends from the first spreader anchor, through the first guide, to the second spreader anchor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first spreader suspends the hammock canopy above the hammock base. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the dynamic spreader system further comprises a second spreader resiliently deflected to arch over the hammock base and urge the first side away from the second side. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second spreader extends substantially linearly in its neutral, undeflected position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dynamic spreader system further comprises:
 a third spreader anchor connected to the hammock base proximate the first side thereof;   a fourth spreader anchor connected to the hammock base proximate the second side thereof; and   the fourth spreader anchor being directly laterally opposite the third spreader anchor.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second spreader comprises a first end engaging the third spreader anchor and a second end engaging the fourth spreader anchor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the hammock canopy comprises a second guide sized to receive the second spreader. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second spreader extends from the third spreader anchor, through the second guide, to the fourth spreader anchor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second spreader suspends the hammock canopy above the hammock base. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second spreader is substantially identical to the first spreader. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 selecting a hammock comprising:
 a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction, 
 a first tether holding the first end of the hammock base in a first gather, and 
 a second tether holding the second end of the hammock base in a second gather; 
   securing the first tether to a first anchor;   securing the second tether to a second anchor;   installing at least one spreader resiliently deflected to arch over the hammock base and urge the first side away from the second side; and   occupying, by a human user after the installing, the hammock base without employing any rigid spreader.   
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 selecting a hammock system comprising:
 a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction, 
 a first tether holding the first end of the hammock base in a first gather, 
 a second tether holding the second end of the hammock base in a second gather, and 
 a dynamic spreading system; 
   securing the first tether to a first anchor;   securing the second tether to a second anchor;   spreading the hammock base in the lateral direction using exclusively the dynamic spreader system;   placing contents within the hammock base; and   adjusting automatically, by the dynamic spreader system in response to the placing, the amount of the spreading.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the spreading comprises installing at least one spreader resiliently deflected to arch over the hammock base and urge the first side away from the second side.