Abstract:
Portable Fluid Delivery Device used for transporting water or other fluids comprising a shaft, a reservoir, and a means for holding a water bottle or other container. In a preferred embodiment, the Portable Fluid Delivery Device also comprises an optional attachment assembly in order to facilitate quick removal of the device from the article it is thereto attached for use.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a device for providing water or other fluids to animals or humans. Specifically, the present invention involves the use of a device that allows for attachment of a water bottle or other container to the device, attachment of the device to a belt or other convenient article, and allows for consumption of water or other fluids from the device while a pet owner is mobile.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Providing water for household pets is usually accomplished using a stationary pet bowl. These pet bowls adequately serve the purpose of providing water for the pet in one fixed location, but are not well suited to provide water to the pet while the pet and owner are mobile. The bowl can be difficult for the owner to carry and water can spill. Owners that wish to provide water to their pets while mobile must use these existing stationary bowls or existing portable pet watering devices. These existing portable devices prevent water from spilling when mobile, but are inconvenient and bulky to carry.  
           [0003]    Therefore, in light of the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art, the applicant&#39;s invention is herein presented.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the convenient carrying and dispensing of fluids to pets or humans while mobile. Preferably, the present invention comprises a shaft, a reservoir, and means for attaching a water bottle or similar container to the shaft. Depending on the embodiment, the device could have rigid bands that hold the water bottle with a friction fit, flexible or adjustable bands that wrap around the water bottle, or clip like appendages which can be spread apart to receive a water bottle.  
           [0005]    It is preferred that the device has a mechanism to attach the device to a person or other suitable article. Depending upon the embodiment, the attachment mechanism may be a belt clip, belt slot or other similar mechanism. The attachment mechanism allows the user to detach the device when desired by a user.  
           [0006]    The reservoir may be used to hold water dispensed from a water bottle or other source and serves as a bowl for the pet to drink from. Preferably the device also comprises a mechanism that prevents slippage of a water bottle along the shaft such as stop members along the shaft of the device. These stop members (“dimples”) are appendages along the shaft that prevent an attached water bottle from sliding along the shaft.  
           [0007]    In operation while walking a pet, a person can detach the device from the article it is thereto attached, and dispense fluid from the water bottle. This dispensing process may take place while the water bottle is still attached to the device. Once fluid fills the fluid reservoir, the pet may then consume it. Once finished, the entire device may be re-attached to the person or otherwise stored. A further feature of the present invention is that a bottle can be conveniently removed for immediate use while one is mobile. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device according to the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device according to the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device according to the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device according to the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device shown in FIG. 7 according to the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of a Portable Fluid Delivery Device according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    A preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  is shown in FIG. 1. The Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  comprises a shaft  12  having a first and second end, a partial cup-shaped reservoir  28 , and at least one full annular band,  16  or  20 . The Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  may be used to hold and dispense fluid for a pet or human while mobile. The embodiment shown also includes an optional attachment assembly  14  used to attach the Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  to an article of clothing of the user or any other suitable article. The attachment assembly  14  facilitates quick detachment of the Portable Fluid Delivery Device for use. The attachment assembly shown comprises a belt-clip assembly located at the first end of said shaft. Other attachment assemblies are contemplated such as a fixed belt slot, a hook and loop attachment mechanism, or other attachment assemblies known in the art.  
         [0017]    This embodiment also includes an optional means for storing the device upon a peg. The means for storing the device shown comprises an appendage  30  at the first end of the shaft having a hole through the center of said appendage. This embodiment also includes an optional means for preventing slippage of an attached water bottle along the shaft. The means for preventing slippage shown comprises a pair of dimples  24  and  26 .  
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an upper full annular band  16  and a lower fall annular band  20  are located along the shaft  12 . The upper full annular band  16 , and lower full annular band  20  are used to selectively attach a water bottle along said shaft  12 . A water bottle may be inserted through the upper fall annular band  16  and then through the lower fall annular band  20 . Other means for securing a water bottle to said device are contemplated such as at least one annular band, a hook and loop attachment mechanism, at least one adjustable strap, or other means of attachment readily known in the art. It is further contemplated that a water bottle may be integrated into the Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  in the form of a vessel located along the shaft  12 .  
         [0019]    The dimples  24 ,  26  are appendages protruding from said shaft  12 . Dimples  24 ,  26  are used to prevent slippage of a water bottle that is positioned along shaft  12 . Other embodiments for preventing slippage of an attached water bottle are contemplated, such as the use of varying sized annular bands, non-slip surfaces along the shaft  12  or on the inner surface of annular bands  16  &amp;  20 , and other slippage prevention means known in the art.  
         [0020]    The reservoir  28  is located at the second end of said shaft. The reservoir  28  may be any shape that is capable of containing and giving access to fluid. A user may detach the Portable Fluid Delivery Device  10  from an article it is thereto attached and dispense fluid from an attached water bottle. The fluid reservoir  28  retains fluid and may serve as a water bowl for the pet. The fluid reservoir is contemplated as being made in varying sizes and shapes. Although not shown, an optional reservoir drain hole is also contemplated and could be added by one ordinarily skilled in the art.  
         [0021]    A further preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  110  is described in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 having an alternate embodiment of the fluid reservoir  128 , in lieu of the fluid reservoir  28  shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    A further preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  210  is described in FIG. 5 having at least one pair of gripping appendages  116  and  118 , and/or  120  and  122  in lieu of the full annular bands  16 ,  20  described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The gripping appendages  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  are used as a means to selectively attach a water bottle to the Portable Fluid Delivery Device  210 . The gripping appendages  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  preferably are fabricated using plastic that has a “memory”, in that it will return to its original shape after being flexed. Still other attachment means could be used in lieu of the appendages  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  such as clips, straps, or other attachment means readily known to the art.  
         [0023]    A further preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  310  is described in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The Portable Fluid Delivery Device  310  is similar to preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  110  described in FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , with the substitution of appendages  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and  122  in lieu of full annular bands  16  and  20 .  
         [0024]    A further preferred Portable Fluid Delivery Device  410  described in FIG. 8 has a slot  114  through the first end of the shaft  112  in lieu of the belt-clip assembly shown in FIGS. 1, 2,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 . Said Portable Fluid Delivery Device  410  is shown with an optional reservoir  228  that is detachable from the shaft  112 . Detachment of said fluid reservoir allows for additional uses of said Portable Fluid Delivery Device such as the transportation of water for use by humans and/or the placement of the fluid reservoir on the ground or other suitable surface for use as a stationary pet bowl.  
         [0025]    Portable Fluid Delivery Devices according to the present invention may be manufactured from any of a plurality of materials that are generally known to those ordinarily skilled in the art including, but not limited to appropriate plastics, wood, or composition material. Preferably, they may be manufactured from appropriate polypropylene plastics. They may be manufactured using techniques well known to those ordinarily skilled in the art.  
         [0026]    The forgoing disclosure is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although one or more embodiments of the invention have been described, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications could be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention. As such, it should be understood that all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. The written description and drawings illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.