Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a garment with an integrated hydration system comprising a jacket, a first fluid reservoir removably enclosed within a first pocket on the inside along a lateral side of said jacket, a second fluid reservoir removably enclosed within a second pocket on the inside along the other lateral side of said jacket, a first flexible connecting tube connecting said first fluid reservoir to a mouthpiece, and a second flexible connecting tube connecting said second fluid reservoir to said mouthpiece, said mouthpiece comprising a selector valve to allow a user to select between drinking from said first fluid reservoir and said second fluid reservoir.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a garment with an integrated hydration system, suitable for use by skiers and snowboarders. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many people like to partake in outdoor activities that require strenuous exertion, and need to remain hydrated while doing so. This need is very inconvenient, as some of these activities such as skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling require participants to be in more remote locations. The use of water bottles is an insufficient solution to this problem as many sports, including the aforementioned ones, require participants to maintain free use of their hands for balance and control. Moreover, the use of water bottles also raises the risk of injury to the individual during a fall because the person may land on the water bottle. Relying on water bottles also inconveniences participants by interrupting their activities and even requiring them to remove protective gear such as gloves to open the bottle, thereby exposing participants to the elements. 
     Hydration packs allow the user to hydrate themselves without interrupting the sports activity and do not require continuous use of the individual&#39;s hands. However they are typically worn as a backpack, which is often subject to impact when users fall. Further, because backpacks are typically worn on the outside of the user&#39;s clothing, the fluid in the reservoir is subject to freezing if the user is engaged in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling. And because hydration packs are designed to be worn on the back by the user they are more prone to damage when the person engaged in sporting activities falls on their back. Backpacks also present a problem for skiers and snowboarders riding chairlifts because the do not allow the user to lean back against the chair backrest and may even be caught on a moving chairlift, causing a significant safety hazard. 
     While some hydration systems are incorporated into a garment, they are still located on the back and therefore don&#39;t reduce the risk of damage when the user falls. 
     U.S. Publication No. US2008/0277443 describes a hydration system designed specially for firefighters. The hydration system is incorporated into a frame that is to be worn on the exterior of a firefighter&#39;s coat. The hydration system is designed to be hands free and makes up only one part of the frame, as it is to be multifunctional for the use of a firefighter. The pouch containing the hydration system is one of two pouches that are fixed to the frame. The other pouch is not a hydration system, and intended to be used to hold protective survival gear for the firefighter such as a mask and one other accessory. 
     Australia Patent Application No. AU2012/100188 describes a hydration system that is attached to a jacket or coat. The fluid reservoir of the hydration system is located in a pouch on the inside of the back of the jacket or coat. Attached to the pouch is a flexible tube. The tube runs along the torso of the body from the back to the front. There is an opening in the front of the torso where the tube can temporarily pass through for the wearer&#39;s use. This allows the user to access the hydration system by pulling the flexible tube through the opening. Normally the flexible tube remains within the garment until needed. 
     U.S. Publication No. US2002/0124294 describes a hydration system for surfers and other sports participants. This hydration system is designed to minimize the disruption of the sports activity. The hydration system contains a removable fluid container to which is attached flexible tubing. It is to be worn on the inside of the back of an upper body garment, such as a wetsuit vest. The garment is made of a semi-flexible material that is stiff enough to maintain its shape and adjust to the physique of the user. The garment also includes side panels made up of material that is both flexible and body conforming such as Lycra®. 
     Thus, there exists a continuing need for a garment with an integrated hydration system having fluid reservoirs located along the sides of the garment. The position of the reservoir pouches reduces possibility of damage to the hydration system when the user falls on their back, as is common in outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding. The present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a garment with an integrated hydration system comprising a jacket, a first fluid reservoir removably enclosed within a first pocket on the inside along a lateral side of said jacket, a second fluid reservoir removably enclosed within a second pocket on the inside along the other lateral side of said jacket, a first flexible connecting tube connecting said first fluid reservoir to a mouthpiece, and a second flexible connecting tube connecting said second fluid reservoir to said mouthpiece, said mouthpiece comprising a selector valve to allow a user to select between drinking from said first fluid reservoir and said second fluid reservoir. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a garment of the present invention having an integrated hydration system. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a fluid reservoir of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a reservoir of the present invention located within a pocket of garment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the jacket of the invention having a removable face warmer attached to the jacket collar. 
     
    
    
     In the following description of the invention similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a jacket  100  of the present invention having an integrated hydration system. Jacket  100  includes jacket collar  120  and pockets  140 . Pockets  140  are adapted to contain fluid reservoirs  300 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each fluid reservoir  300  is sectioned by a pair of seams  320 . Seams  320 , when present, prevent reservoirs  300  from sagging at the bottom when filled or partially filled with fluid, as they create chambers within fluid reservoirs  300 . Fluid reservoirs  300  are positioned along the sides of jacket  100 , so that when in use each fluid reservoir  300  is located between the user&#39;s armpit and hip bone. This arrangement protects fluid reservoirs  300  from impact when the user falls on his or her back, as is common during snowboarding and skiing. In addition, the location of the fluid reservoirs between the user&#39;s arm pit and hip bone protects the fluid reservoirs from impact when the user falls on his or her side because the point of impact tends to be the person&#39;s hip. Further, because fluid reservoirs  300  are located inside, rather than outside, jacket  100 , the fluid within fluid reservoirs  300  is less susceptible to freezing during use in cold environments. 
     Fluid reservoirs  300 , which are removable for ease of cleaning and filling, may be filled and emptied via reservoir fill holes  340 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of fluid reservoirs  300  has a pocket zipper  360  that enables fluid reservoir  300  to be zipped to pocket  140 , which reduces movement of fluid reservoirs  300  while in use, thereby providing improved comfort to the user. In addition, securing fluid reservoirs  300  inside pockets  140  provides a barrier between the fluid reservoirs and the individual, thereby reducing the transfer of heat from the individual to the fluid reservoir and the likelihood that condensation on the reservoir will wet the individual. Alternatively, fluid reservoirs  300  may be secured to jacket pockets  140  by one or more hook-and-loop fasteners. Connecting tubes  400  connect fluid reservoirs  300  to mouthpiece  500 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , connecting tubes  400  attach to fluid reservoirs  300  along the side edges of the fluid reservoirs  300 , and are easily detachable therefrom. This arrangement provides for a flatter, less bulky profile for fluid reservoirs  300 . Connecting tubes  400  are located within tube channels  420 , which run along the inside of jacket  100  and exit at jacket collar  120 . This arrangement hides the hydration system, making its appearance more discrete while also making it easy to access both liquid reservoirs for use. Connecting tubes  400  connect to mouthpiece  500 , which is visible just outside jacket collar  120 . Mouthpiece  500  includes a valve  520  that allows the user to select the fluid reservoir  300  from which to drink. Having two fluid reservoirs  300  allows for the consumption of more fluid, thereby extending the time during which the user may avoid having to discontinue their activity to re-hydrate. It also gives the user more control over hydration system, as it allows a user, if desired, to fill one of fluid reservoirs  300  within one fluid and the other fluid reservoir  300  with a different fluid. In addition, the use of two fluid reservoirs  300  located along the sides of the individual allows for equal weight distribution and improved balance for the individual, which can be very advantageous in sporting activities like snowboarding and skiing, which require excellent balance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , jacket  100  may include an optional zipper  182  and an optional hook-and-loop fastener strap  184  at each of sleeve cuffs  180  to allow a wearer to open and close sleeve cuffs  180  easily. The sleeve cuff openings may be from about one inch to about 6 inches in length. This would permit a wearer to put on ski gloves and tighten sleeve cuffs  180  over the gloves without having to first remove jacket  100 . In one embodiment the sleeve cuff openings are from two inches to five inches in length. In another embodiment the sleeve cuff openings are from three to four inches in length. Other common closure means, such as buttons or snaps, of course, may be used in place of a zipper and a hook-and-loop fastener. Jacket  100  also may include a removable face warmer  125  attached to jacket collar  120  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows an enlarged view of fluid reservoir  300 . Seams  320  create three fluid chambers, thereby preventing fluid reservoir  300  from sagging at the bottom when filled or partially filled with fluid. As shown, seams  320  allow for even distribution of fluid throughout fluid reservoirs  300 . Fluid reservoir  300  may be filled or emptied via reservoir fill hole  340 . As stated above, fluid reservoir  300  has a pocket zipper  360  that enables fluid reservoir  300  to be zipped to pocket  140 , which reduces movement of fluid reservoir  300  while in use, thereby providing improved comfort to the user.  FIG. 2  further shows connecting tube  400  attached to fluid reservoir  300  towards the bottom along a side edge. As stated above, this arrangement provides for a flatter, less bulky profile for fluid reservoirs  300 . Connecting tube  400  runs along the inside of jacket  100 , within tube channel  420 , and attaches to mouthpiece  500 . 
       FIG. 3  shows jacket pocket  140  having zipper  145  and flap  150 . Fluid reservoir  300  is zipped to jacket pocket  140  using pocket zipper  360 . To further secure fluid reservoir  300  within jacket pocket  140 , flap  150  folds down and jacket pocket  140  may be zipped closed using zipper  145 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an enlarged view of jacket collar  120  with removable face warmer  125 . As shown, face warmer  125  is removably attached to jacket collar  120  via face warmer snap buttons  127  and jacket collar snap buttons  128 . Of course, other attachment means, such as, for example, hook and loop fasteners or zippers, may be used instead of snap buttons. Face warmer  125  may be designed to take the shape of the front portion of jacket collar  120  when face warmer snap buttons  127  are secured to jacket snap buttons  128 . Face warmer  125  allows an individual to adjust the amount of heat the individual would like to retain or release at neck area. For example, an individual could secure face warmer  125  to jacket collar  120  using face warmer snap buttons  127  and jacket collar snap buttons  128  while unzipping jacket  100  in order to keep the individual&#39;s neck and face area warm while cooling off the individual&#39;s trunk. Alternatively, the individual could maximize heat retention by zipping up jacket  100  and securing face warmer  125  to jacket collar  120  using face warmer snap buttons  127  and jacket collar snap buttons  128 . In certain embodiments the attachment means allows the position of the position of face warmer  125  to be adjusted, for example, to allow a tighter or looser fit against the user&#39;s face or neck. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Modifications may be made by persons skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 
     All of the U.S. patents referred to in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present description.