Motorized hammock swinging assembly

• US 7,159,254 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aric R. Voorting
• Original Assignee: Aric R. Voorting
• Inventors: Voorting, Aric R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield; Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPAHN, GAY
• Application Number:
  US11/001,511
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 5120-130, 510/8, 510/9, 5 9/31, 5 9/32, 5 9/5, 472/119, 472/107, 472/97, 472/96, 248/676, 248/156, 248/545
• US Class Current: 5/120
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/22 Hammocks; Hammock spreaders

Abstract

A motorized hammock swinging assembly automatically swings a hammock back and forth. A housing has a motor operationally connected with a crankshaft assembly. A cable is attached to a crankshaft of the crankshaft assembly and to the hammock such that when the motor is operation, the crankshaft rotates causing the cable to be pulled back and forth. The reciprocating cable causes the hammock to be swayed back and forth. The housing can be frame mounted such that the frame is secured to the ground at its point of operation, or the housing can be mounted to a structure such as a tree. The motor can be run by a battery located within the housing or by a source of AC electrical power, which source can be used to charge the battery or by a solar cell.

Claims

1. A swinging assembly comprising:

a housing;

a motor disposed within the housing;

a source of electrical power for powering the motor;

a crankshaft disposed within the housing and operationally connected with the motor such that motor operation causes crankshaft rotation;

a cable having a first end attached to the crankshaft and a second end adapted to be secured to a hammock, the cable protruding through an opening on the housing;

a flap covering the opening on the housing, the cable passing through the flap; and

wherein motor operation causes the crankshaft to rotate, which causes the cable to be reciprocated back and forth imparting a swaying motion on the hammock.

2. The swinging assembly as in claim 1 wherein the source of electrical power is a battery held within the housing.

3. The swinging assembly as in claim 2 wherein the source of electrical power further comprises a transformer adapted to be plugged into a source of AC electrical power and also to be electrically connected to the motor for powering the motor and to the battery for recharging the battery.

4. The swinging assembly as in claim 1 wherein the source of electrical power comprises a transformer adapted to be plugged into a source of AC electrical power and also to be electrically connected to the motor for powering the motor.

5. The swinging assembly as in claim 1 further comprising a frame adapted to be secured to the ground, the housing attached to the frame.

6. The swinging assembly as in claim 5 wherein the frame has an upright stanchion such that the housing is attached to the stanchion and is adjustably positionable along a length of the stanchion.

7. The swinging assembly as in claim 5 where the frame has at least one spike attached thereto, the spike being used to secure the frame to the ground.

8. The swinging assembly as in claim 1 wherein the speed of the motor is variable.

9. The swinging assembly as in claim 1 further comprising at least one strap attached to the housing such that the strap is adapted to encompass a support structure for securing the housing to the support structure.

10. The swinging assembly as in claim 9 wherein the length of the strap is adjustable.

11. A swinging assembly comprising:

a housing;

a motor disposed within the housing;

a source of electrical power for powering the motor;

a crankshaft disposed within the housing and operationally connected with the motor such that motor operation causes crankshaft rotation;

a hammock;

a cable having a first end attached to the crankshaft and a second end secured to the hammock, the cable protruding through an opening on the housing;

a flap covering the opening on the housing, the cable passing through the flap; and

wherein motor operation causes the crankshaft to rotate, which causes the cable to be reciprocated back and forth imparting a swaying motion on the hammock.

12. The swinging assembly as in claim 11 wherein the source of electrical power is a battery held within the housing.

13. The swinging assembly as in claim 12 wherein the source of electrical power further comprises a transformer adapted to be plugged into a source of AC electrical power and also to be electrically connected to the motor for powering the motor and to the battery for recharging the battery.

14. The swinging assembly as in claim 11 wherein the source of electrical power comprises a transformer adapted to be plugged into a source of AC electrical power and also to be electrically connected to the motor for powering the motor.

15. The swinging assembly as in claim 11 further comprising a frame adapted to be secured to the ground, the housing attached to the frame.

16. The swinging assembly as in claim 15 wherein the frame has an upright stanchion such that the housing is attached to the stanchion and is adjustably positionable along a length of the stanchion.

17. The swinging assembly as in claim 15 where the frame has at least one spike attached thereto, the spike being used to secure the frame to the ground.

18. The swinging assembly as in claim 11 wherein the speed of the motor is variable.

19. The swinging assembly as in claim 11 further comprising at least one strap attached to the housing such that the strap is adapted to encompass a support structure for securing the housing to the support structure.

20. The swinging assembly as in claim 19 wherein the length of the strap is adjustable.