Are Asym hammocks cut asymetrically?

[entropy]

On my walk to work this morning I was pondering the Hennessy asym, the Warbonnet footbox and the cut of the fabric of these hammocks. Are these hammocks made from fabric cut in a rectangle, or a parallelogram? It seems a parallelogram with channels at the end (see picture) would encourage a nice flat diagonal lay when gathered and hung.

Have I re-invented the wheel here? My Hennessey is melted together at the ends, and I've never seen a Warbonnet BB up close...

[MacEntyre]

I think you have reinvented the Switchback Hammock from Tree to Tree Trail Gear!

I'm going to try it on my next DIY hammock.

[angrysparrow]

The HH is a rectangle, with a parallelogram bugnet. It derives it's asym shape from the net.

The WB fabric base is also a rectangle, but with an extra fabric triangle sewn on the side (footbox). So, it has a symmetrical bugnet (including the shelf space).

[Mustardman]

Is the Switchback sewn asymmetrically? I thought the whole point was that it was symmetrical and you can lay on any angle you want.


I actually had the same thought, and the next time MrsMustardman makes a warbonnet-whipped hammock she's probably gonna try the parallelogram idea and see what happens.

Edit: I actually went and dug up the original Switchback introduction thread, and found this. I'm still not sure if it's a parallelogram, or something different - will keep digging and see what I find.

Edit 2: After further reading, I was incorrect and the Switchback is definitely asymmetrical. The trick is that you can flip yourself around, and put your feet where your head just was, and have the same lay, but your feet would still be to the right and head to the left, regardless of which side you chose as the head end, if you laid according to the attached tieouts.


That still doesn't answer the question of whether it's cut as a parallelogram or some other unique shape, but helps clarify a bit at least.

The Switchback is cut to minimize shoulder squeeze and to allow for a good flat diagonal lay or a comfortable lay straight down the center line. In short, the Switchback is not cut rectangularly.

[MacEntyre]

Is the Switchback sewn asymmetrically?

No, I don't think so... the OP's drawing is a symmetrical parallelogram.

Such a hammock would be "handed" in that it would favor one diagonal over the other. I believe that is the case with the Switchback.

Caveat: I may not have a clue as to what I am talking about.

[Mustardman]

No, I don't think so... the OP's drawing is a symmetrical parallelogram.

Such a hammock would be "handed" in that it would favor one diagonal over the other. I believe that is the case with the Switchback.

Caveat: I may not have a clue as to what I am talking about.

Except for the special case of a rhombus, a parallelogram does not have symmetry. Or, to say it more precisely, it doesn't have bilateral symmetry, which is what we generally mean with hammocks. It does technically have rotational symmetry, but that's not what is generally understood when one uses the word "symmetry" without qualifiers



/mathgeek

[Cannibal]

Except for the special case of a rhombus, a parallelogram does not have symmetry. Or, to say it more precisely, it doesn't have bilateral symmetry, which is what we generally mean with hammocks. It does technically have rotational symmetry, but that's not what is generally understood when one uses the word "symmetry" without qualifiers



/mathgeek

Huh?

[Frawg]

I think you have reinvented the Switchback Hammock from Tree to Tree Trail Gear!

I'm going to try it on my next DIY hammock.

I'm thinking you could get the same effect with appropriate gathering of the ends. Gotta locate some spare fabric to try this.

[TDFbound]

Except for the special case of a rhombus, a parallelogram does not have symmetry. Or, to say it more precisely, it doesn't have bilateral symmetry, which is what we generally mean with hammocks. It does technically have rotational symmetry, but that's not what is generally understood when one uses the word "symmetry" without qualifiers



/mathgeek

LOL i thought this was supposed to be a family friendly site? on the other hand, this is a language i actually understand!

[MacEntyre]

I'm thinking you could get the same effect with appropriate gathering of the ends.

I imagine that somehow, like Schrodinger, I will come up with the right equation on the first try. With a parallelogram pattern, such a gathered end becomes precisely reproducible: run the whoopie through the channel, gather and toss a clove hitch behind the knob. It's the same every time!

Mustardman, of course, you are correct... I was guilty of baiting the math geeks!