The Hanging Hammock Chair, Summer Relaxation At It's Best
The hanging hammock chair is simply a modern improvement and adaptation of a very old furniture item. Hammocks were invented in Pre-Columbian Latin America and are still used there as well as throughout much of the third-world. The hanging hammock chair is, as its name implies, a chair that hangs -it is freestanding, and hangs either from a rope or chain suspended to the ceiling, or from a stand or frame of some sort. While traditional hammocks were (and are) usually made of rope - and resemble a fish net, hanging hammock chairs are made specifically for sitting in an upright position. Some hanging hammock chairs are constructed out of fabric, and are suspended from a frame that keeps the body (particularly the back) supported in an upright sitting position. While traditional (rope netting) hammocks are not suitable for young children (because they can get tangled in the netting, choke or fall through to the ground), the hanging hammock chair is much safer. Another variation of the hanging hammock chair is made with a hard, or fixed 'shell' that resembles an egg-shaped container with an opening on the side. These hanging hammock chairs are, of course, much heavier then their traditional cousins, and must be securely attached to their hanging frames. A popular choice for many hanging hammock chairs today is the wicker-basket type, in which the person sits in a woven (wicker) basket. These can be made of bamboo, rattan, plastic or synthetic resin. These types of hanging hammock chairs are very popular with the kids, who seem to delight in spinning around and around in them (but the ropes must not be overly-twisted, or the chains bent, for safety reasons). Safety First! A major concern in using hanging hammock chairs is safety. First of all, they must be mounted properly and securely. Regardless of whether or not the hanging hammock chair is a freestanding unit, mounted directly to the ceiling above, or uses a frame, the hardware should be durable and the fabrics and other materials should be able to bear the weight of the person sitting in it. Hanging hammock chairs are typically suspended several feet above the ground, so if the unit should break and fall to the floor, serious injuries could result. Care should be taken to make sure that the ropes or chains (that the unit is suspended on) do not become twisted or bent. You should inspect the unit at least once a month for damage or signs of wear. If your hanging hammock chair needs extensive repair, take the unit down from its mounts, so that others will not attempt to sit in it. If your hanging hammock chair is in need of repair, refer the unit to a qualified professional or dealer for proper maintenance. If the unit is used out-of-doors, take steps to protect it from the rain - and move the hanging hammock chair indoors for storage in during the winter months. |
