Hammock assembly for boats and related methods

Abstract

A hammock assembly for a sailboat may include a hull with a plurality of sides and a mast connected to the hull. The hammock assembly may include a frame comprising first and second frame members each having a proximal end and a distal end, respective first connectors connecting the proximal ends of the first and second frame members to at least one of the sides of the sailboat in spaced apart relation, and a second connector connecting the distal ends of the first and second frame members together so that the first and second frame members define a “V” shape. A halyard may be connected between the mast and the frame adjacent the distal ends of the first and second frame members, and a hammock may be suspended between the first and second frame members.

1 . A hammock assembly for a sailboat comprising a hull with a plurality of sides and a mast connected to the hull, the hammock assembly comprising:
 a frame comprising first and second frame members each having a proximal end and a distal end;   respective first connectors connecting the proximal ends of the first and second frame members to at least one of the sides of the sailboat in spaced apart relation;   a second connector connecting the distal ends of the first and second frame members together so that the first and second frame members define a “V” shape;   a halyard connected between the mast and the frame adjacent the distal ends of the first and second frame members; and   a hammock suspended between the first and second frame members.   
     
     
         2 . The hammock assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second frame members comprise telescoping frame members. 
     
     
         3 . The hammock assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a hammock support member coupled between the proximal ends of the first and second frame members; and wherein a first end of the hammock is coupled to the hammock support member. 
     
     
         4 . The hammock assembly of  claim 3  wherein the hammock support member comprises a chain. 
     
     
         5 . The hammock assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a hammock attachment bracket coupled to the second connector and having a hammock attachment point at a first end thereof coupled to a second end of the hammock. 
     
     
         6 . The hammock assembly of  claim 5  wherein the hammock attachment bracket further comprises a halyard attachment point at a second end thereof opposite the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The hammock assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a cover connected to the first and second frame members above the hammock. 
     
     
         8 . The hammock assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second frame members are pivotable about the first connectors; and wherein the halyard is configured to pivot the frame about the first connectors to raise and lower the distal ends of the first and second frame members between stowed and deployed positions. 
     
     
         9 . A hammock assembly for a boat comprising a hull with a plurality of sides, the hammock assembly comprising:
 a frame comprising first and second frame members each having a proximal end and a distal end;   respective first connectors connecting the proximal ends of the first and second frame members to at least one of the sides of the boat in spaced apart relation;   a second connector connecting the distal ends of the first and second frame members together so that the first and second frame members define a “V” shape; and   a hammock suspended between the first and second frame members.   
     
     
         10 . The hammock assembly of  claim 9  wherein the first and second frame members comprise telescoping frame members. 
     
     
         11 . The hammock assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a hammock support member coupled between the proximal ends of the first and second frame members; and wherein a first end of the hammock is coupled to the hammock support member. 
     
     
         12 . The hammock assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a hammock attachment bracket coupled to the second connector and having a hammock attachment point at a first end thereof coupled to a second end of the hammock. 
     
     
         13 . The hammock assembly of  claim 12  wherein the hammock attachment bracket further comprises a halyard attachment point at a second end thereof opposite the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The hammock assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a cover connected to the first and second frame members above the hammock. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 connecting proximal ends of first and second frame members of a hammock frame to at least one side of a sailboat in spaced apart relation using respective first connectors, the sailboat comprising a mast;   connecting distal ends of the first and second frame members together with a second connector so that the first and second frame members define a “V” shape;   connecting a halyard between the mast and the hammock frame adjacent the distal ends of the first and second frame members; and   suspending a hammock between the first and second frame members.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first and second frame members comprise telescoping frame members. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising a hammock support member coupled between the proximal ends of the first and second frame members; and wherein a first end of the hammock is coupled to the hammock support member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the second connector comprises a through bolt; and further comprising a hammock attachment bracket carried by the through bolt and having a hammock attachment point at a first end thereof coupled to a second end of the hammock. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the hammock attachment bracket further comprises a halyard attachment point at a second end thereof opposite the first end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first and second frame members are pivotable about the first connectors; and further comprising raising and lowering the distal ends of the first and second frame members between stowed and deployed positions using the halyard.