Abstract:
A backpack is configured to be secured to a backside of a wearer. An elongated fluid reservoir is disposed a generally horizontal orientation in or on the backpack. The elongated fluid reservoir has a horizontal-to-vertical elongation ratio of at least about 2:1 and is positioned adjacent a hip region of a wearer. A hip belt is configured to at least partially secure the backpack to a wearer and is further configured to compress the generally horizontally oriented elongated fluid reservoir against hips of a wearer. A fluid delivery tube is operatively connected with the elongated fluid reservoir to enable a wearer to selectively draw fluid from the elongated fluid reservoir.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The following relates to the personal hydration arts, such as hydration packs, backpacks including fluid bladders, containers, or reservoirs, or so forth. 
         [0002]    A hydration pack is a fluid-carrying device used to carry water, a sports drink, coffee, an alcoholic beverage, or another consumable fluid during walking, backpacking, bicycling, hiking, jogging, or other athletic activities. The hydration pack includes a bladder or other fluid reservoir that is attached to the associated person by straps or other fasteners. A fluid delivery tube extends from the fluid reservoir, such as a fluid bladder, fluid container, or so forth, and at the distal end includes a bite valve or other mechanism to -selectively allow the person to drink. In some hydration packs, the bite valve or other delivery mechanism is configured to be readily accessed while performing rigorous activity. 
         [0003]    A typical hydration pack employs an elongated fluid reservoir that is positioned vertically in a backpack substantially centered, on the spine of the back, with the fluid delivery tube connected at the bottom of the fluid reservoir. Such an arrangement promotes efficient and complete delivery of all fluid in the backpack, and also keeps weight centered on the spinal column. However, existing hydration packs are problematic in that they have a tendency to shift about during rigorous activity, which can tend to unbalance the wearer or in extreme cases cause a fall or other accident. In such a fall or accident, there is potential for serious injury, including in some cases injury to the kidneys, liver, or other vital organs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In at least one illustrated embodiment, a backpack is configured to be secured to a wearer. The backpack includes a hip region that overlaps a hip region of the wearer when the backpack is secured to the wearer. An elongated fluid reservoir is disposed in or on a hip region of the backpack. The elongated fluid reservoir has a direction of elongation oriented generally transverse to a spinal column of the wearer when the backpack is secured to the wearer. A hip belt is configured to secure the hip region of the backpack to a wearer and to compress the elongated fluid reservoir against hips of a wearer. 
         [0005]    In at least one illustrated embodiment, a backpack is configured to be secured at least to a hip region of a wearer. An elongated fluid reservoir is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation in or on the backpack. A hip belt is configured to at least partially secure the backpack to a wearer and is further configured to compress the generally horizontally oriented elongated fluid reservoir against hips of a wearer. 
         [0006]    In at least one illustrated embodiment, backpack configured to be secured to a backside of a wearer. An elongated fluid reservoir is disposed a generally horizontal orientation in or on the backpack. The elongated fluid reservoir has a horizontal-to-vertical elongation ratio of at least about 2:1 and is positioned adjacent a hip region of a wearer. A hip belt is configured to compress the generally horizontally oriented elongated fluid reservoir against hips of a wearer. The hip belt includes split elastic connection straps that produce stabilizing vertically converging retention forces. A fluid delivery tube is operatively connected with the elongated fluid reservoir to enable a wearer to selectively draw fluid from the elongated fluid reservoir. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1-3  show front, back, and side views, respectively, of a backpack including a hydration system. The side view of  FIG. 3  shows the backpack being worn by a wearer. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the hydration pack of  FIGS. 1-3 , with the front cover removed to reveal internal features of the backpack. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows a back view of the harness of the backpack of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows an enlarged view of the adjustable hip belt of the backpack of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a front view of a modified backpack. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of a hydration system configured as a fanny pack. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows the hydration system of  FIG. 8  with the front cover removed to reveal internal features of the hydration system. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of an alternative adjustable hip belt suitably substituted for the hip belt of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    With reference to  FIG. 1-5 , an example backpack  10  is worn by a wearer W. The term “wearer” refers to a person wearing a backpack including a hydration system. The wearer is not part of the backpack or part of the hydration system. The term “backpack” as used herein is intended to encompass any pack that is worn on the backside of a wearer. The term “backpack” as used herein is intended to encompass, for example, a conventional backpack including shoulder straps and a hip belt for securing to the wearer, or a fanny pack, or a lumbar pack, or so forth. 
         [0016]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the example backpack  10  includes a back side  12  configured to rest against a wearer&#39;s back, and a front cover  14 . The back side  12  and front cover  14  are operatively connected to define a generally hollow region therebetween for containing items. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 5 , an upper portion of the generally hollow region is configured as a main pocket  16  for containing items, and is accessible via a main zipper  18  or other selectively sealable opening. Optionally, the main pocket includes one or more internal pockets  20  for organizing, separating, or otherwise arranging stored times. In the illustrated embodiment, one such pocket  22  is configured for storing a portable music player (not shown), such as an MP3 player, and a small opening  24  (see  FIG. 1 ) is provided in the front cover  14  via which a headphone cable of the portable music player may extend. The backpack  10  optionally further includes other features for attaching or storing items, such as D-ring connectors  26  for tying or otherwise securing items, a lower zipper  28  for accessing a small lower gear compartment, or so forth. The area of the back side  12  of the backpack  10  that contacts the wearer&#39;s back typically includes a soft padding material to provide padding and enhance comfort. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the backpack  10  is configured to be secured to the wearer W, and when so secured has generally bilateral symmetry with respect to a spinal column S (diagrammatically indicated by a heavy dotted line in  FIGS. 1-5 ) of the wearer W. 
         [0017]    The example backpack  10  further includes an example hydration system. A bladder or other fluid reservoir  30  is disposed in a lower portion of the generally hollow region between the back side  12  and the front cover  14 , that is, in a hip region  32  of the backpack  10  that overlaps a hip region H of the wearer W. The fluid reservoir  30  is an elongated fluid reservoir  30  having a direction of elongation  34  oriented generally transverse to the spinal column S of the wearer W when the backpack  10  is secured to the wearer W. The fluid reservoir  30  may be secured in the backpack  10  in various ways, such as being sewn to an interior wall of the backpack  10 , or disposed in a conformably sized pocket or other compartment of the backpack  10 , or so forth. It is also contemplated for the fluid reservoir  30  to be integrally formed into the backpack  10 , for example being defined by a sealed water-tight integral compartment of the backpack  10 . In some embodiments, the fluid reservoir  30  is permanently secured in the backpack  10 , while in other embodiments the fluid reservoir  30  is removably secured or stored in the backpack  10 . A removable arrangement has certain advantages such as facilitating cleaning of the fluid reservoir  30 , replacement of the fluid reservoir  30 , or so forth. A permanently secured arrangement may have certain manufacturing and cost advantages. 
         [0018]    The arrangement of the elongated fluid reservoir  30  in the hip region  32  with the direction of elongation  34  oriented generally transverse to the spinal column S advantageously lowers an overall center of gravity (diagrammatically indicated in  FIG. 4  by a diagrammatic symbol  36  for the case of the fluid reservoir  30  being fully filled with fluid) of the wearer W, and operatively mechanically joins the elongated fluid reservoir  30  with the body of the wearer W so that the fluid reservoir  30  moves with the body of the wearer W during rigorous activities such as downhill or free-ride mountain biking, MotoCross, snowboarding, rock climbing, jogging, running, skating, horse riding, or so forth. In contrast, existing hydration systems typically have the fluid reservoir oriented parallel with the spinal column, which typically results in a higher overall center of gravity and an undesirable tendency toward side-to-side movement of the fluid reservoir with strenuous activity. A high center of gravity and tendency toward side-to-side movement can unbalance the wearer and can lead to back strain, fatigue, discomfort, degraded balance, falling, and so forth. 
         [0019]    The illustrated elongated fluid reservoir  30  is kept in the desired central location with the direction of elongation  34  oriented generally transverse to the spinal column S of the wearer W by an illustrated hook-and-loop bladder locator arrangement  40  securing an elastic containment mesh (not shown) surrounding the fluid reservoir  30 , or by another fastening mechanism. The fluid reservoir  30  is fillable and refillable via a threaded fill cap  42  that can be screwed onto or unscrewed off of a mating coupling (not shown) of the fluid reservoir  30 . The illustrated fluid reservoir  30  is accessible for removal or installation via an interior elasticized opening  43  and outer zippered access openings  44 ,  45 . Velcro, buttoned, or otherwise configured access openings may also be used, and the number of openings may range between one access opening, two access openings, or more access openings. In some embodiments, the fluid reservoir may be permanently secured in the backpack, in which case no access openings may be provided except for some coupling for filling. 
         [0020]    A fluid delivery tube  50  extends from the fluid reservoir  30 , an terminates in a bite valve  52  or other mechanism for selectively allowing the wearer W to sip or otherwise draw fluid from the fluid reservoir  30 . The illustrated fluid delivery tube  50  is coupled with the elongated fluid reservoir  30  at a bottom of the fluid reservoir  30  using a pivoting tube coupling  54  such as a ball bearing-type coupling. This arrangement advantageously allows the fluid delivery tube  50  to extend over the right side of the wearer W (as shown for example in  FIG. 3 ) or over the left side of the wearer, as well as the ability to route the tube under either the left or right arm. The illustrated fluid delivery system  50 ,  52 ,  54  is an example. In other embodiments, for example, the fluid delivery tube may extend from a dedicated side of the elongated fluid reservoir, such as from a right end of the elongated fluid reservoir. 
         [0021]    The backpack may be secured to the wearer in various ways. The illustrated backpack  10  includes a shoulder harness  60  depicted in  FIG. 5  and shown in part in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The shoulder harness  60  includes adjustable shoulder straps  62  secured to the shoulders of the wearer W (see  FIG. 3 ) and including strap couplings  64  that connect with straps  66  that support the upper portion of the backpack  10 . The hip region  32  of the backpack  10  that overlaps the hip region H of the wearer W is secured by an adjustable hip belt  70 . Additional securing mechanisms may be provided, such as an optional adjustable chest tightening strap  72  (shown only in  FIG. 5 ) arranged across the chest to tighten the shoulder straps. The adjustable hip belt  70  advantageously cinches the hip region  32  of the backpack  10 , including the elongated fluid reservoir  30 , to the hip region H of the wearer W to ensure that the fluid reservoir  30  is operatively mechanically joined with the hip region H of the wearer W so that the fluid reservoir  30  moves with the body of the wearer W during rigorous activities. Additionally, the positioning of the elongated fluid reservoir  30  around at least the back portion of the hip region H provides protection of vital organs such as the kidneys and liver in the event that the wearer W does fall or suffers some other sudden impact to the lower torso region. Indeed, in some embodiments, it is contemplated for the elongated fluid reservoir to be further elongated to so as to extend along the hip belt  70  over to the front-side of the wearer W so as to provide protection for the front portion of the lower torso as well. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , one suitable embodiment of the hip belt  70  includes elastic connection straps  76  connected to the backpack  10 . The hip belt optionally includes a size adjustment for accommodating a larger or smaller wearers. The illustrated hip belt  70  includes an elastic hip adjustment strap  78  with a hook-and-loop attachment  80  that connects with a side strap that includes a canvas or mesh side strap portion  82  and a Nylon webbing portion  84 . The side strap terminates in a buckle  86  or other fastener. The elastic nature of the hip belt  70 , provided in the illustrated embodiment by the elastic connection straps  76 , advantageously allows the backpack  10  to be maintained snug against the wearer&#39;s body without being locked into a tight position, so as to allow the position of the fluid reservoir  30  to elastically flex and move with the body instead of on its own trajectory. The splitting of the elastic connection straps  76  into upper and lower straps, as shown in  FIG. 6 , creates vertically converging retention forces F 1 , F 2  (indicated diagrammatically by arrows in  FIG. 6 ) that are believed to advantageously help stabilize the elongated fluid reservoir  30  against the back of the wearer. The illustrated hip belt  70  is an example, and other configurations are contemplated for providing elasticity, including configurations that do not include the illustrated split elastic connection straps  76 . While the illustrated hip belt  70  is elastic, it is also contemplated to substitute an inelastic hip belt for the illustrated elastic hip belt  70 . The hip belt may be adjustable, as in the case of the illustrated hip belt  70  having the elastic hip adjustment strap  78  and hook-and-loop attachment  80 , or may be non-adjustable. It is contemplated to provide different elastic or inelastic hip belt sizes (e.g., different lengths) to accommodate different wearer sizes, e.g. a “small”, “medium”, “large”, “extra-large” or other size configuration. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a front view of a modified backpack  10 ′ is shown. The modified backpack  10 ′ is similar to the backpack  10  of  FIGS. 1-6 , except that the elongated fluid reservoir  30  is replaced by a modified elongated fluid reservoir  30 ′ (outline shown in phantom by dashed lines in  FIG. 7 ) that, in addition to being elongated along the direction of elongation  34 , also extends upwards partway. In effect, the backpack  10 ′ trades off a reduction in storage space in the upper compartment for the larger-capacity elongated fluid reservoir  30 ′. The general elongation of the fluid reservoir  30 ′ in the direction of elongation  34  provides an advantageously lowered center of gravity  36 ′, which however is not as lowered as the center of gravity  36  of the fluid reservoir  30  due to the additional upward extension portion of the fluid reservoir  30 ′. However, it will be noted that the indicated center of gravity  36 ′ corresponds to a relatively high diagrammatically indicated fluid level L of the fluid reservoir  30 ′. As the fluid is consumed by the wearer, the fluid level will rapidly drop (due to the narrowness of the upward extension of the fluid reservoir  30 ′, so that the indicated center of gravity  36 ′ will drop toward the center of gravity  36  of the fluid reservoir  30 . The illustrated elongated fluid reservoirs  30 ,  30 ′ are examples, and other fluid reservoirs can be used with other configurations that include substantial elongation in the direction of elongation  34  generally transverse to the spinal column S of the wearer W. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an example hydration system configured as a fanny pack  110  is disclosed. A generally hollow elongated containment pack  112  contains the elongated fluid reservoir  30  that is elongated along the direction of elongation  34  generally transverse to the spinal column S, as in the backpack embodiment  10 . The elongated fluid reservoir  30  is accessible for removal or installation via the outer zippered access openings  44 ,  45 . The containment pack  112  and elongated fluid reservoir  30  overlap the hip region H of the wearer W is are secured thereto by the adjustable hip belt  70 , again as in the backpack embodiment  10 . The fanny pack  110  does not include the upper storage compartment or internal pockets  20 ,  22 . Rather, the illustrated fanny pack  110  contains only the fluid reservoir  30 . A fanny pack such as the illustrated fanny pack  110  further provided with one or more small compartments (not shown) for storage of keys or other small items is also contemplated. 
         [0025]    The illustration of the fanny pack  110  in  FIG. 9  shows details of the connection of the drinking tube  50  to the elongated fluid reservoir  30 . A threaded fill cap  142  is included that is similar to the fill cap  42  of the backpack  10 . The connection configuration shown in  FIG. 9  includes a retractable reel  144  that retracts and extends the fluid delivery tube  50  to allow a user to pull and extend the bite valve  52  from the hip of the wearer to the wearer&#39;s mouth then have it retract back to the hip when not in use. The illustrated retractable reel  144  is a spring-biased retractable reel that is built into the fill cap  142 , and includes a 90° elbow  146  and a swiveling ball bearing  148  allowing the connected drinking tube  50  to rotate into either left-hand or right-hand output positions. Semi-automated “roll-up” type retraction is provided by a biasing spring  150 , similar to a key lanyard, while the tube is withdrawn against the biasing spring force by pulling on the portion of the drinking tube  50  that extends out of the containment pack  112 . In some embodiments, the biasing spring  150  is configured similarly to a circular watch-type spring to roll the drinking tube  50  onto a spindle (not shown) while still allowing fluid to be drawn seamlessly from the fluid reservoir  30  by sucking on the bite valve  52 . The illustrated retractable reel  144  is an example, and more generally substantially any type of retractable reel can be used to keep the drinking tube  50  inside the containment pack  112  except when temporarily reeled or drawn out by the user to drink. Using a retractable reel for the fluid delivery tube  50  advantageously keeps the drinking tube  50  stowed when not in use, so that the drinking tube  50  does not impede the user when engaging in strenuous activity. Moreover, although the retractable reel  144  is illustrated in  FIG. 9  in conjunction with the fanny pack-type hydration system  110  of  FIG. 9 , it is to be understood that the illustrated retractable cord  144 , or another suitable retractable reel, is advantageously integrated into substantially any type of hydration pack, including the illustrated backpack-type hydration packs  10 ,  10 ′ or substantially any other type of hydration pack. The illustrated retractable reel is disposed inside the containment pack  112 , which advantageously protects it from damage from exposure to the elements. However, it is also contemplated to dispose the retractable reel outside of the containment pack or backpack, such a configuration having the advantage of facilitating repair in the field of the tube gets tangled up with the retractable reel. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , the configuration of the hip belt can substantially affect the comfort and security of the fastening, and impacts the wearer&#39;s comfort.  FIG. 10  shows a hip belt  70 ′ that is optionally substituted for the hip belt  70  shown in  FIG. 6 . The hip belt  70 ′ of  FIG. 10  includes the split elastic connection straps  76 , hook-and-loop attachment  80 , canvas or mesh side strap portion  82 , and Nylon webbing portion  84  as in the hip belt  70  of  FIG. 6 . However, the elastic hip adjustment strap  78  of the hip belt  70  is replaced in the hip belt  70 ′ by an inelastic and narrower sewn connection  78 ′ that provides more play for making the hip adjustment. The split connection straps  76  are typically elastic; however, it is also contemplated to employ inelastic connection straps. The shape or curvature of the cover  14  in the vicinity of attachment to the split connection straps  76  can also be tailored for enhanced comfort for specific sizes and body characteristics of the wearer. 
         [0027]    The illustrated embodiments are examples. It will be appreciated that the disclosed hydration systems including elongated fluid reservoirs elongated in the direction generally transverse to the spinal column are readily incorporated into substantially any sort of backpack, including backpacks for hiking or backpacking that have internal frames, backpacks for hiking or backpacking that have external frames, lightweight daypacks that include a hip belt, fanny packs, lumbar packs, and so forth. Such a backpack can be dedicated solely to supporting the hydration system (as for example is the case for the fanny pack  110  of  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) or may additionally include compartments or pockets for storing or carrying other items (as for example is the case for the backpacks  10 ,  10 ′ of  FIGS. 1-7 ). Advantages of such an elongated fluid reservoir are many, including but not limited to better ergonomic design for rigorous activities, lowered center of gravity, improved balance, fluid-based protection for internal organs of the lower torso such as kidneys and the liver, and so forth. 
         [0028]    The elongation of the elongated reservoir  30 ,  30 ′ should be sufficient to provide the desired lowered center of gravity. In some embodiments, the elongated fluid reservoir  30 ,  30 ′ has an elongation ratio of at least about 2:1. In some embodiments, the elongated fluid reservoir  30 ,  30 ′ has a horizontal-to-vertical elongation ratio (that is, a ratio of length in the direction of elongation  34  to a length in the direction transverse to elongation) of at least about 3:1. In some embodiments, the elongated fluid reservoir  30 ,  30 ′ has a horizontal-to-vertical elongation ratio of at least about 4:1. Generally, an increased elongation ratio provides a lower center of gravity and increased protection of the lower torso through distribution of more liquid around the lower torso. However, if the elongation ratio is increased to a large value, the fluid capacity may be compromised. An arrangement such as that of the fluid reservoir  30 ′ in which only a central portion of the fluid reservoir extends in the vertical direction (that is in the direction generally transverse to the direction of elongation  34 ) can provide increased fluid capacity in a smaller elongation ratio with reduced impact on the position of the center of gravity. 
         [0029]    The invention′ has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.