Patent Publication Number: US-2007119866-A1

Title: Drink delivery apparatus and method for race car drivers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to drink delivery apparatuses and methods and, more particularly, to a drink delivery apparatus and method that permits a race car driver to obtain a drink of fluid without removing his hands from the steering wheel.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Race car driving is a physically demanding sport for the participants. Like other endurance athletes, a driver in an event of any significant length, such as a NASCAR race, must consume fluids in order to continue to function at a high level, Typically, drivers accomplish this by grasping a water bottle with one hand and bringing the bottle up to the mouth.  
      However, there are various drawbacks with this method. A driver may need to avert his eyes momentarily from the track in order to locate the bottle, with potentially dangerous consequences, In addition, the removal of one hand from the steering wheel of a high performance race car in the middle of a race can also be risky,  
      A need therefore exists for an apparatus and method that permits a race car driver to obtain a drink of fluids, during a race, without the need to remove either hand from the steering wheel. The present invention satisfies this need, and provides other related advantages.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an improved drink delivery apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a reservoir containing a drinkable liquid; a hose having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the hose is positioned so as to carry the drinkable liquid out of the reservoir; an auto racing helmet having the second end of the hose inserted therethrough and positioned within an interior of the auto racing helmet; and means for delivering the drinkable liquid from the first end of the hose to the second end of the hose.  
      In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for delivering drinkable liquid to a race car driver is disclosed. The method comprises providing a reservoir containing a drinkable liquid; providing a hose having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the hose is positioned so as to carry the drinkable liquid out of the reservoir; providing an auto racing helmet having the second end of the hose inserted therethrough and positioned within an interior of the auto racing helmet; providing means for delivering the drinkable liquid from the first end of the hose to the second end of the hose; utilizing the delivering means for delivering the drinkable liquid from the first end of the hose to the second end of the house. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a helmet, illustrating coupling of a drinking hose thereto.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the helmet of  FIG. 1 , illustrating that the drinking hose extends into the interior of the helmet, so as to be proximate a driver&#39;s mouth.  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a race car steering wheel, illustrating coupling between the wheel and an activation cord from a drink pump.  
       FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of a drink reservoir, having a drink pump therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring first to  FIG. 4 , a drink reservoir  10  is shown. In one embodiment, the drink reservoir  10  has a pump  12  located therein. The pump  12  is adapted to pump liquid  14  out of the reservoir  10  via hose  16 . The liquid  14  may be water, a performance beverage, or any desired drink that may be consumed by a race driver. The reservoir  10  may be filled following removal of fill cap  17 , which covers a fill opening.  
      The pump  12  may be coupled to the race car&#39;s electrical system or powered by a separate battery (not shown) utilizing wiring  18 . In one embodiment, the pump  12  is switch operated. In this embodiment, a button-type switch  20  is positioned on a steering wheel  22 . Preferably, the switch  20  is positioned so that it may be activated by a driver&#39;s thumb or other finger, without the driver having to remove a hand from the steering wheel  22 . The switch  20  may be in electrical communication with the pump  12  via wiring  18 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , the hose  16  may be coupled to a helmet  24 , proximate a mouth of a driver. As seen more specifically in  FIG. 2 , the hose  16  extends into the interior of the helmet  24 . Preferably, a terminus of the hose  16  in the interior of the helmet  24  is in sufficient proximity to the driver&#39;s mouth so that the driver can readily, in a hands-free manner, bite down on or otherwise grasp the hose end in the mouth for purposes of receiving liquid  14 .  
      In this embodiment, a driver may obtain a drink of liquid  14  by depressing switch  20 . That causes activation of the pump  12 , which pumps liquid  14  through hose  16  into the interior of the helmet  24 . By taking the end of the hose  16  into the mouth, the driver may then receive liquid  14 . In performing these steps, the driver is never required to remove a hand from the steering wheel  22 .  
      It may be desired to provide a bite valve (not shown) on the end of the hose  16  inside the helmet  24 , so as to prevent accidental discharge of liquid  14  outside of the mouth of the driver. In this fashion, a driver can, after activating the pump  12  and upon being ready to drink, bite down on the bite valve, and thereby permit the flow of liquid  14  to begin.  
      It should be noted that the pump  12  represents only one possible means for propelling liquid  14  in a direction of a mouth of a driver, via hose  16 . For example, it may be desired to place the liquid  14  within the reservoir  10  under pressure, so that an opening of a valve, such as a bite valve, on an end of hose  16  will result in a flow of liquid without the need for a pumping apparatus.  
      In addition, it should be noted that even where a pumping  12  is utilized, the switch  20  may be placed within a different place within the car, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, which is intended to permit the delivery of liquid  14  to a driver without requiring the removal of a hand from the steering wheel  22 . For example, a the switch  20  may be incorporated into a bite valve or the like positioned on an end of the hose  16 , so that a driver&#39;s biting down thereon both opens the hose end and activates the pump.  
      While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.