Help with a PVC pipe DIY [non-pond] project -- involves math

[Mmathis]

I want to make a mini-hammock for the cats, and the frame would be roughly similar to the picture.

Are there any mathematical [my WORST subject ever!] computations that I need to be aware of that will assure [ha!] the frame is structurally sound -- you know, that stuff about forces being exerted and doing this or that? IOW, what needs to be the relationship between the length & width of the base and the length of the "arms"?

Or am I way over thinking this?

I got this pic off the web. My PVC frame will also have cross pieces of pipe [width], which this pic doesn't show.

 

[tbendl]

I think we need to talk TM... LOL

 

[Meyer Jordan]

How many cats will this accommodate? How fat are the cats?

 

[Mmathis]

How many cats will this accommodate? How fat are the cats?

I don't think more than 2 will ever be on it at the same time. We have 5 cats ranging from ~10# to ~15#. Biggest single cat is ~15#, and combined weights of the two that would snuggle together is ~23#.

Marshall (13#) was looking over my shoulder just now and he said he resents being labeled as fat.... He says to tell you that "even the BIGGEST one of us actually IS a large cat!" Silly Marshall! Who knew cats cared.....

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Here you go! Just scale it down to size.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4964106_make-pvc-hammock-stand.html

 

[tbendl]

Please post pictures of the finished product!!

 

[Mmathis]

I think we need to talk TM... LOL

Did I mention that my math-brain consists of 10 fingers......it gets confusing past 20!

 

[tbendl]

It wasn't the math it was the building of lounge furniture for furry creatures that had me worried....
Ok and jealous, I'll admit it....

 

[Mmathis]

It wasn't the math it was the building of lounge furniture for furry creatures that had me worried....
Ok and jealous, I'll admit it....

Ooh! I thought everyone with cats understood..... Never mind! One can never have enough cat beds, but floor space is over run with AMAZON boxes (aka, cat beds), so I thought of going vertical. Not to mention how much fun Hubby & I will have watching the kitties get into and out of the hammock (see, I'm not the sweet person everyone thought I was, bwaa ha ha! )

 

[Mmathis]

Here you go! Just scale it down to size.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4964106_make-pvc-hammock-stand.html

Mr. GOOGLE let me down!!!!! This didn't come up on my search!

Thanks, BTW! Glad I won't need to use the 3" PVC.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

 

[Mmathis]

See!!! I want my babies to be that relaxed, LOL!

Oh, I Googled again and found an instructable for making almost the identical frame you first posted -- it's for your American Girl doll [if you have one of those]. It might be a little too small, easy to remedy.

 

[sburtchin]

Are there any mathematical [my WORST subject ever!] computations that I need to be aware of that will assure [ha!] the frame is structurally sound -- you know, that stuff about forces being exerted and doing this or that?

That math would be a nightmare even if you could find structural data for PVC pipe. It probably doesn't exist. Easy to determine by experiment. Clamp the end of the pipe in a vice. The length doesn't matter. Hang a weight equal to the force you expect to be exerted (about the weight of both cats). Measure the length of pipe from vice to weight and divide by 20 (that's 5%). The pipe shouldn't deflect more than that. If never exposed to sunlight you can probably get away with 10%. That's for the pipe at the ends. To test the pipe for the long pieces, support it at both ends and hang the weight from the middle. Again the length of the test piece doesn't matter. The cross pieces can be much, much smaller.

 

[mrsclem]

As the housekeeper of 3 furry friends, you know they will probably never use it if you put any amount of time into building it. It seems the cost and time spent building things for them is directly related to how much they will ignore it! Don't you have regular beds? That's where my children sleep! I bought one of those window seats for them. It didn't last 15 minutes, seems it wasn't designed to handle 3 cats ranging fron 12#- 23# at the same time.

 

[mrsclem]

How about getting your furry housemates something they will really enjoy-