Abstract:
Disclosed is a hydration system that generally includes a tank and a bracket. The hydration system may include a two-part bracket comprising a conveyance bracket portion and a tank bracket portion. The tank may be provided with an elongate sleeve disposed in the tank proximal a fill opening and defining a fluid conduit, the sleeve being provided with a plurality of apertures, the tank further being provided with a float sized to fit within the fluid conduit and cooperating with the sleeve to occlude the fill opening in response to the tank being filled with fluid. In many embodiments, the hydration system described herein permits ready and rapid filling of the tank through the fill opening while inhibiting splashing of the fluid out of the tank.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/332,144, filed May 6, 2010, titled “Hydration System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention are in the field of fluid containers, and certain embodiments pertain to systems for containing, carrying, and dispensing fluids while operating or utilizing conveyances. In some embodiments, the invention is directed towards a fluid bottle for a bicycle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A number of approaches exist for providing and carrying liquids when the user is away from traditional water sources. Such containers and systems may be used to carry liquids while a user is operating or riding in a conveyance. One such situation is when a user carries a hydrating fluid while operating a bicycle. One traditional approach for carrying water during bicycling is a water bottle and water bottle cage mounted on a down tube of the user&#39;s bicycle. 
         [0004]    During bicycle races, it is desired to fill the water bottle as quickly as possible, to minimize the time taken for this operation. In many known designs, water or other fluid (e.g., a vitamin fortified athletic beverage) will be introduced into the bottle via pouring from a commercially purchased bottle or from a pitcher. In some known designs, the rapid filling cannot readily be accomplished quickly without causing the fluid to splash out of the water bottle. Desirably, a wider hydration system for a bicycle should be designed to inhibit or minimize such splashing during rapid filling. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Generally, the invention provides a hydration system that includes a tank and that typically includes a bracket. In accordance with one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus having a tank and a bracket comprising a conveyance bracket portion and a tank bracket portion that are releasably coupled to one another. The tank is connected to the tank bracket portion such that the tank may be connected and disconnected to the conveyance by coupling and decoupling the tank bracket portion from the conveyance bracket portion. The tank has a container with a fill opening and an elongate sleeve disposed in the tank proximal the fill opening, the sleeve defining a fluid conduit. The sleeve has a plurality of apertures which permit fluids poured into the fill opening of the container to rapidly exit from the interior of the elongate sleeve and fill the container. The tank also has a float sized to fit within the fluid conduit and cooperating with the sleeve to occlude the fill opening in response to the tank being filled with fluid. In this manner, the user may rapidly fill the tank by pouring fluid through fill opening. As the tank fills with fluid, the float rises to close the fill opening and provides a seal to retain the fluid within the tank. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the tank has a cap with a flange sized to restrict movement of the float device out of the sleeve. The flange of the cap may extend around the fill opening so that the float seats against the flange of the cap as the float cooperates with the sleeve to occlude the fill opening in response to the tank being filled with fluid. In this manner, the float closes the fill opening as the tank is filled with fluid. This design eliminates time spent closing a valve or cap which would otherwise be used in some traditional water bottle systems. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the elongate sleeve of the tank has a plurality of apertures including columns of spaced-apart apertures. The opposing columns of spaced-apart apertures permit fluid poured through the fill opening and into the fluid conduit of the elongate sleeve to rapidly exit the elongate sleeve through the opposing columns of apertures. While the apertures of the elongate sleeve permit fluid to rapidly exit the fluid conduit, the sleeve has portions without apertures that limit the rate at which fluid in the tank can enter the fluid conduit. This design limits the splashing that may occur within the fluid conduit during bicycling and while filling the tank. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus having a tank with a bracket coupling portion, the tank comprising a container having a fill opening and elongate sleeve disposed in the tank proximal the fill opening. The sleeve defines a fluid conduit in the tank and is provided with a plurality of apertures which permit fluid flow from within the conduit into the tank. The tank has a float sized fit within the fluid conduit and cooperating with the sleeve to occlude the fill opening in response to the tank being filled with fluid. When the tank has a low fill level, the float is disposed away from the fill opening such that a fluid source may be inserted into the fill opening or otherwise communicate fluidically with the tank to allow filling. As the fluid level rises within the tank, the buoyancy of the float causes the float to rise within the fluid conduit until the float occludes the fill opening once the tank has been filled. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the invention provides a bicycle that includes a hydration system as described herein. The bicycle may comprise a conventional bicycle structure having a frame, wheels, drive system, fork, handlebars, and steerer tube, and a tank mounted to the bicycle. The tank may be mounted via a bracket that is coupled to the steerer tube. In other embodiments, the invention provides a method for introducing liquid into a hydration system. The method comprises introducing a liquid, such as water, into the fill opening of a hydration system as described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the hydration system of the invention mounted on a bicycle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the hydration system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the tank of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a fluid level approximately three-quarters full, and further illustrating an internal sleeve and floats of the hydration system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing the fluid level approximately one-quarter full. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partially cut-away side elevational view of the tank and sleeve of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1  and further illustrating a drinking straw in a first configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , but illustrating the straw in a second configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8A  is a front elevational view of a steerer tube bracket portion of the hydration system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8B  is a rear elevational view of a bracket of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 8B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the bracket shown in  FIG. 8B . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the steerer tube bracket portion. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view, enlarged with respect to  FIG. 11  and partially cut-away, of one of the sockets shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12B  is a perspective view, and partially cut away, of the socket of  FIG. 12A  engaged with a prong of a tank bracket portion of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 12C  is a section taken along line  12 C- 12 C in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a tank assembly comprising the tank and the tank bracket portion of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is an elevational view, enlarged with respect to  FIG. 13 , of one of the prong portions of the tank bracket portion. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the bracket of the hydration system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the tank assembly illustrating first and second sections of the tank bracket assembly. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the tank and internal structures of the hydration system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a front elevational view of the sleeve shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the sleeve shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the cap shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 21 and 22  are enlarged perspective views of the tank of the hydration system of  FIG. 1  showing, respectively, a float of the tank occluding a fill opening of the tank and the float recessed within the tank such that the fill opening is exposed. 
       
    
    
       [0034]    Terms of orientation and relative size are intended solely for reference to the drawings herein, and are not intended to be limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a bicycle  10  includes a frame  12 , a front wheel  14 , and a fork  16 . The fork  16  is operably connected to a steerer tube  18 , which is coupled to a handle bar structure  20  via a stem  22 , by which the rider may turn the fork  16  and wheel  14  relative to the frame  12  to thereby steer the bicycle  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, and with further reference to  FIG. 2 , the bicycle  10  includes a hydration system  30 . 
         [0036]    With further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hydration system  30  generally comprises a tank  32  and a bracket  34 . The bracket  34  in the illustrated embodiment is a bracket composed of a tank bracket portion  36  and a conveyance bracket portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyance bracket portion is a steerer tube bracket portion  38  that is mounted to the steerer tube  18  of the bicycle as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-6  and  17 , the tank  32  may be filled with a fluid, typically water or a sports beverage, through the fill opening  50  (shown in  FIG. 17 ). The tank  32  includes a sump  54  and a straw  56  that extends through a first straw opening  58  (see  FIG. 17 ) in the tank  32 , optionally but preferably disposed in the tank  32  such that a distal end  60  of the straw  56  is proximal the sump  54 . In this manner, most or all of the liquid that is in the tank  32  will be accessible to the rider via the straw  56 . As seen, the tank  32  includes the bottom wall  162  that is not flat, but in the illustrated embodiment, is angled. This creates the sump  54 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . The full opening is covered by a cap  182 . 
         [0038]    As further illustrated, the tank  32  is provided with a second straw opening  62  (see  FIG. 17 ) that in normal use is covered with a plug  64 . As seen by comparison of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the straw may be moved from the first straw opening  58  to the second straw opening  62  to suit the preference of the rider. The tank  32  is further provided with an elongate sleeve  70  and at least one float  52 , the purpose of which will be as discussed hereinbelow. The sleeve is shown as being a separate structure but may be otherwise configured, e.g., the sleeve may be formed integrally. At a minimum, the sleeve preferably is configured to restrict the flow to a range of travel proximal the fill opening  50 . The sleeve  70  is provided with a plurality of apertures  74  (as seen in  FIG. 5 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  70  is provided with fourteen apertures, six of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 . The apertures  74  in the illustrated embodiment are provided as opposing columns of spaced-apart apertures, where at least one aperture in each column is aligned with the corresponding aperture on the opposing column. In the embodiment illustrated, all of the apertures  74  in a first column are aligned with opposing apertures  75  (shown in  FIG. 18 ) and the upper aperture  160  is opposed by aperture  161 . 
         [0039]    With reference now to  FIGS. 8A-11 , the steerer tube bracket portion  38  includes a steerer tube collar portion  80  having a retention screw  82  provided for purposes of securing the bracket  34  to the steerer tube  18  of a bicycle. The claimed apparatus is not necessarily limited to operation on a bicycle, and it is contemplated that the bracket  34  may be mounted to a different structure on a bicycle or to a different form of conveyance altogether. Because conventional high-performance steerer tubes are made of carbon fiber or other material with a relatively low tensile strength, the steerer tube collar portion  80  is provided with a gap  84  (seen in  FIG. 10 ) suitably dimensioned, such as having a gap width of approximately 1.5 mm, to permit sufficient clamping without crushing the steerer tube. The retention screw  82  is seated in a threaded socket  85  (shown in  FIG. 8B ). 
         [0040]    With particular reference to  FIG. 9 , the steerer tube collar portion  38  is composed of an intermediate portion  86  separated from the steerer tube collar portion  80  by a first angle  88  and a face portion  90  separated from the intermediate portion  86  by a second angle  92 . The face portion  90  and the steerer tube collar portion  80  are roughly in the nature of planar surfaces that are perpendicular to one another. This structure permits presentation of the face portion  90  at a roughly 90° angle with respect to the ground when the bracket is mounted to the steerer tube of a bicycle, and yet to provide clearance from the stem  22 , tire  14 , and other bicycle structures when so mounted. With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the steerer tube  18  is shown as inclined generally in the direction of the rider, but in other bicycles the steerer tube is inclined generally away from the direction of the rider. In either case, the illustrated bracket will allow the tank to be disposed proximal to the handle bar structure  20  but will permit clearance with respect to other bicycle structures such as the tire  14  and handle bar structure  14 . 
         [0041]    With further reference to  FIGS. 8-12B , the steerer tube bracket portion  38  is provided with a cutout portion  100  for weight savings. With particular reference to  FIGS. 8A and 11 , the face portion  90  in the illustrated embodiment is provided with another cutout  102  and three socket cutouts  104 ,  106 ,  108  which accommodate three socket mechanisms  110 ,  112 ,  114 . The socket mechanisms  110 ,  112 ,  114  may have press fit engagement with the face portion  90 . 
         [0042]    As seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the tank bracket portion  36  includes a plurality of prongs  120 ,  122 ,  124  that engage the sockets  110 ,  112 ,  114  to releasably couple the tank bracket portion  36  and the steerer tube bracket portion  38 . As seen in  FIG. 12A-12C , the sockets  120 ,  122 ,  124  are provided with a plurality of ball bearings  126  retained in a spring-loaded fashion within channels  127  in the sockets  110 ,  112 ,  114 . The springs of the sockets  120 ,  122 ,  124  that bias the ball bearings  126  radially inward may each have a spring tension of approximately 10 lbs. Each prong  120 ,  122 ,  124  is provided with a retaining groove  128  into which the ball bearings  126  seat when the plugs  120 ,  122 ,  124  are fully inserted into the sockets  110 ,  112 ,  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, three ball bearings  126  are included, but it is contemplated that a different number of ball bearings  126  may be included or a different retention mechanism altogether may be provided. The illustrated design permits coupling of the tank bracket portion  36  and steerer tube bracket portion  38  with sufficient strength to retain the coupling during a typical bicycle race, but to permit manual decoupling of the tank bracket portion  36  and steerer tube bracket portion  38  by firmly pulling these portions  36 ,  38  apart. 
         [0043]    As seen in  FIG. 16 , the tank bracket portion  36  includes a first section  140  and a second section  142 , the first section  140  being provided with two prongs  120 ,  122  and the second section  142  being provided with a single third prong  124 . The tank  32  is provided with a ridge  144  and the first and second sections  140 ,  142  each are provided with a track  146  such that via engagement of the ridge  144  and the tracks  146 , the tank  32  is coupled to the tank bracket portion  36  to form a tank bracket portion assembly  150 . In the illustrated embodiment, retention screws  152  are provided to releasably couple the first section  140  and the second section  142 . It is contemplated that, in normal usage, the tank  32  will remain coupled with the tank bracket portion  36 , but the illustrated structure permits the tank  32  to be removed for cleaning, repair, or replacement. 
         [0044]    With reference now to  FIG. 17 , and with further reference to  FIGS. 3-4 , it is contemplated that a large water bottle or hose may be inserted into the fill opening  50  of the tank  32  to quickly fill the tank  32  during a bicycle race or otherwise. It has been found that the illustrated configuration of sleeve  70  having apertures  74 , in which there are several apertures each separated by a distance of 12 mm and each aperture having a diameter of 6 mm (except for the upper apertures  160 ,  161  which have diameters of 4 mm) provides a useful anti-splash feature. In preferred use, the columns of apertures  74  (best seen in  FIG. 18 ) are positioned in the tank  32  such that a line through opposing apertures in the columns of apertures will be normal to the major dimension of the tank  32 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The tank  32  and sleeve  70  may be provided with a key structure (not illustrated) to ensure that the sleeve  70  is so positioned during normal use. It is believed that the water or other fluid entering the tank  32  will be substantially inhibited from splashing out of the tank  32  through the fill opening  50  by the sleeve  70 . As the fluid enters the sleeve  70 , the fluid will exit through the apertures  74 . It is contemplated that the bicycle and tank may be in motion as the tank is filled, that the water within the tank may splash internally. The sleeve, however, will partially occlude access to the fill opening  50  and will thereby inhibit splashing of liquid out of the tank  32 . 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sleeve  70  preferably extends to a depth not quite to touch a bottom wall  162  of the tank, such that a fluid conduit  164  (seen in  FIGS. 3 and 19 ) defined within the sleeve  70  permits communication of fluid from the fill opening  50  to the bottom of the sleeve  70  upon initial filling. As seen in  FIGS. 17-19 , the sleeve  70  is provided with an outwardly protruding flange  170  which, as seen in  FIG. 17 , cooperates with an upper lip  172  of a neck  174  of the tank  32  to maintain the proper insertion depth of the sleeve  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  182  engages threads on the neck  174  of the tank  32  to secure the cap  182  to the neck  174  and clamp the flange  170  of the sleeve  70  between the cap  182  and the neck  174 . 
         [0046]    The floats are best illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 ,  17 ,  21 , and  22 . As seen in  FIGS. 3-4 , as the tank  32  is filled and the water level rises, the floats  52 ,  53  rise within the sleeve  70 . As the water level reaches the top of the tank  32 , the uppermost pair of apertures  160 ,  161  (shown in  FIG. 17 ) accommodates further filling of the tank  32 . When the tank  32  is substantially completely full, the floats  52 ,  53  will rise such that the uppermost float  52  cooperates with a flange  180  of the cap  182  to thereby occlude the fill opening  50  in response to the tank  32  being filled with fluid. The floats  52 ,  53  are preferably sized such that some amount of fluid may be removed by the rider through the straw before the floats descend to a point such that the fill opening  50  is exposed. It has been found, that although a single float is operative, two floats (which may or may not be joined together) have been found to facilitate filling of the tank  32  and to inhibit splashing during normal bicycle riding. 
         [0047]    The bracket and tank and other parts may be made of any suitable materials. In some embodiments, the bracket may be made from 7000 Series Aluminum and finished with an anodized finish. The tank, floats, sleeve, and straw should be made from a food-grade material, typically a plastic such as food grade white plastic. 
         [0048]    It is thus seen that a hydration system that includes a tank and bracket is provided. Different features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways as may be operative. For instance, where a single sleeve is described and depicted, plural sleeves may be employed, and other features may be changed as desired. 
         [0049]    Uses of singular terms such as “a,” “an,” are intended to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms. Any description of certain embodiments as “preferred” embodiments, and other recitation of embodiments, features, or ranges as being preferred, or suggestion that such are preferred, is not deemed to be limiting. The invention is deemed to encompass embodiments that are presently deemed to be less preferred and that may be described herein as such. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended to illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention. Any statement herein as to the nature or benefits of the invention or of the preferred embodiments is not intended to be limiting. This invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited herein as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The description herein of any reference or patent, even if identified as “prior,” is not intended to constitute a concession that such reference or patent is available as prior art against the present invention. No unclaimed language should be deemed to limit the invention in scope. Any statements or suggestions herein that certain features constitute a component of the claimed invention are not intended to be limiting unless reflected in the appended claims. Neither the marking of the patent number on any product nor the identification of the patent number in connection with any service should be deemed a representation that all embodiments described herein are incorporated into such product or service.