Tensegrity stand for multiple hammocks

**MacEntyre** · 09-20-2010, 16:31

Originally Posted by PGSoft

I would expect that pole to come directly over the top and land on me.

I believe that is the least likely scenario... the pole would have to come up a long way before it reaches the tipping point and falls toward you.

But, who knows? We'll find out one day!

**Alamosa** · 09-20-2010, 17:37

When I take my stand down, I just remove the ratcheting tie-down strap and let the whole thing collapse to the ground before unhooking all the cords.

The two poles that still have vertical supports will pull the third one right over the top with a very little push. I am assuming that adding my weight in a hammock on those two poles would only make it happen faster. Don't think I will verify that assumption though (at leat not on purpose).

**MacEntyre** · 09-20-2010, 17:42

I keep forgetting that others are using steel struts... I'll stick with my aluminum struts. They might hurt less when disaster strikes!

**Alamosa** · 09-20-2010, 17:52

Yea, yea, rub it in.

Although I think I have tracked down a lead on an aluminum pole supplier so I hope to be joining you there soon.

**tensegrity** · 09-21-2010, 05:27

Hey WV and MacEntyre, I summarized your work to date and blogged it, as I think it is important and cogent to the broader tensegrity-structure community. I am very impressed, keep me posted as to future events.

Blog post is here: http://tensegritywiki.blogspot.com/2...novations.html

I also tried to write a how-to in the wiki, here: http://tensegrity.wikispaces.com/How...+Hammock+Stand

You can write me if you like offline, tensegritywiki, one word, at my gmail account, to let me know if this is helpful, a hindrance, or any some such. See you camping!

**MacEntyre** · 09-21-2010, 06:12

We are grateful to have your participation, Tensegrity! Do you hang?

**tbone** · 09-21-2010, 20:33

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

How soon? I do not know! The more we shift Molly Mac Gear production to TTTGear, the more time I have for development.

How about a single stake?

Also, a single tarp can share that single stake, but to cover the entire structure with a modular tarp requires three stakes.

You could counterbalance the stand instead of using a stake. Put 10 to 20 pounds of rocks in a bag hanging from the strut opposite your hammock!

That it does well, if you have no stakes in the ground.

I'll try a different geometry, using a larger base, and see if it is possible to use no stakes!

- MacEntyre

If you construct it so that the hammocks hang to the inside of your base footprint would that counteract the tipping and remove the need for stakes of any kind ? Not that using a stake or 2 is a big deal.

**MacEntyre** · 09-21-2010, 20:43

Originally Posted by tbone

If you construct it so that the hammocks hang to the inside of your base footprint would that counteract the tipping ...

On the inside, there are struts in the way... also, if the base is larger than the top, and there is enough distance between top ends of struts to hang a hammock, then you are talking about some very long struts.

But you should get some sticks and give it a try! There certainly are a lot of ways to build a tensegrity structure! We need all the help we can get...

WV · 09-21-2010, 22:08

Originally Posted by tbone

If you construct it so that the hammocks hang to the inside of your base footprint would that counteract the tipping and remove the need for stakes of any kind ? Not that using a stake or 2 is a big deal.

You've got the right idea, tbone. It's just a matter of fine-tuning the variables to see how short a strut you can use and still have a large enough base, a long enough ridgeline (top tendon), and a good height from which to hang.

**Xauto** · 09-22-2010, 08:53

Has anyone set there stand up with the poles (struts) starting with a X (other than over under over under over) the with the third under the X? Like Snelson's X form. http://www.kennethsnelson.net/new_st...tructure17.htm