Bridge Hammock - eliminate shoulder squeeze

[Just Jeff]

I had an idea that would completely eliminate shoulder squeeze in a bridge hammock - make an inflatable pad with smaller chambers on the sides. It'll basically look like this, where each symbol is an air chamber and the pad is viewed from the end:

*000*

See how the hammock can retain its curved shape along the bottom, but the occupant has a wider area to sleep on that remains flat?

Considerations:

• With a wide enough pad, no wings would need to be used. I don't even need wings when I use the Exped in a normal hammock b/c it holds the hammock open and b/c I'm sitting above where the hammock wraps around.
• Weight is very comparable to an underquilt setup...the 26"x74" Stephensen's insulated inflatable is only 23 oz, and it's 3-4" thick.
• Weight could be reduced by making a mummy-shaped pad (like the Stephensen's).
• This pad can still be used on the ground...at 26" wide, the flat part will still be 18-20" across...plenty for ground use. Flip it over to make it more stable.
• Center of gravity will be raised some...have to check this with the particular pad/hammock combination. My Exped is fine in a Speer but unstable in the Crazy Creek.
• Add this pad and a DWR version of the bug net and you'll stay warm at very low temps, even w/o the tarptent.

What do y'all think?

[GrizzlyAdams]

I had an idea that would completely eliminate shoulder squeeze in a bridge hammock - make an inflatable pad with smaller chambers on the sides. It'll basically look like this, where each symbol is an air chamber and the pad is viewed from the end:

*000*

See how the hammock can retain its curved shape along the bottom, but the occupant has a wider area to sleep on that remains flat?

Considerations:

• With a wide enough pad, no wings would need to be used. I don't even need wings when I use the Exped in a normal hammock b/c it holds the hammock open and b/c I'm sitting above where the hammock wraps around.
• Weight is very comparable to an underquilt setup...the 26"x74" Stephensen's insulated inflatable is only 23 oz, and it's 3-4" thick.
• Weight could be reduced by making a mummy-shaped pad (like the Stephensen's).
• This pad can still be used on the ground...at 26" wide, the flat part will still be 18-20" across...plenty for ground use. Flip it over to make it more stable.
• Center of gravity will be raised some...have to check this with the particular pad/hammock combination. My Exped is fine in a Speer but unstable in the Crazy Creek.
• Add this pad and a DWR version of the bug net and you'll stay warm at very low temps, even w/o the tarptent.

What do y'all think?

Two things.

First, it seems like a 26" wide Exped, sufficiently inflated, would serve (at least in the winter). I ordered one a couple of weeks ago, the company sent a 20" wide model (argh!) and so I'm in this dance with them about returning what I didn't order so that I can get what I did order.

Second, I wonder though if you put a 20" inflatable pad in a SPE, then rolls of clothing---something not very compressible---in the wings. If the pad is "stiff" enough it shouldn't compress.

Personally I wouldn't worry about stability in the BMBH on a 3" pad. With a 30" spread, that hammock is deep and bound to be very stable. I've spread my DIY bridge out to 42"....which of course brings the center of mass closer to the suspension lines....and I'm in no danger of falling out.

Grizz

[Peter_pan]

The following is copied from another thread..... since the same issues/points apply here also.

post:

We made a ballon bed.... a la, Bill Fornshell's approach, a while back, like 2-3 years ago.... while it works fine on the ground it is not stiff enough to offer the benefits that JJ suggests.

A luxury camprest , self inflator, 26 inches wide does add some improvement but the near 4 pound weight is a No Go for all but car camping..... Yet there are a lot of car campers...

The generous pad pocket is included in the Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock to make this an easy do for those so inclined.... Just like the under quilt attachment loops are also included

Pan

Post 2

The production models, and the proto types that will be at the MAHHA in two days, are 3 inches ( 11 percent) wider than the prototypes demoed at TD.... Most found the TD model comfortable... some noted squeeze.... the widening is more comfortable.....

Comfort is for each to determine.... every hammock design and many bed designs have trade offs......

Slim to average build folk may note squeeze but probably will not consider it a problem....

Pan