Patent Description:
Medical research has demonstrated the importance of maintaining adequate hydration to maintain a person's physical and mental health. Serious consequences can occur due to the lack of proper hydration. These consequences can range in severity from fatigue and nausea to loss of consciousness and even death. To maintain optimum health, physicians generally recommend that under normal conditions individuals drink at least eight <NUM> ounce (<NUM>) glasses of water a day (for a total of half a gallon (<NUM>,<NUM>) of water per day). When an individual is under physical exertion, exposed to extreme environmental conditions, and/or over weight, the amount of fluids that the individual needs to consume generally increases because the individual's rate of fluid loss increases under such circumstances. Thus, regardless of whether a person is exercising, working, or simply resting, maintaining proper hydration and peak performance (both physical and mental) requires the regular ingestion of fluids, which in turn requires the availability of fluids to ingest.

Various portable devices have been developed to help address the availability problem. These devices have included, for example, aluminum canteens and plastic water bottles. While these devices are reasonably light, durable, and inexpensive, they do not allow hands-free fluid consumption, which may be desirable or even extremely important in some applications. In addition, they are often awkwardly mounted to a waist belt or in a pocket of a backpack, making the process of accessing them during certain activities impractical and even unsafe. As a result, individuals using these types of portable devices often go without fluids longer than they should. Frequently, this is because the user has to wait for a suitable break in their activity before safely reaching for the water bottle or canteen. Because of the inconvenience and/or safety issues, individuals using these types of devices also often wait until they feel thirsty before finding a suitable break in whatever activity they are engaged to have a drink. The problem with this approach, however, is that by the time a person is thirsty, they are already dehydrated and thus their body is no longer capable of optimal performance. In addition, if an individual waits too long to properly hydrate, their body can begin to cramp, causing pain and a further reduction in the individual's ability to engage in physical activity. Moreover, a person does not immediately recover from dehydration by drinking water or other fluids. This is because the cells of the human body begin to shut down once the human body becomes dehydrated, and it is only through a slow process of rehydration that the cells of the body can recover and begin to function properly again.

More recently, personal hydration systems have been developed that offer a number of advantages over water bottles and canteens, including improved fluid delivery capabilities and convenience. These systems frequently include either a semi-rigid or flexible bag-like fluid reservoir that may be carried in a pack on the user's back or waist. These systems permit a user to drink more frequently while engaged in a variety of sporting, recreational, and work-related activities because a long flexible drink tube is connected to the reservoir through an exit port at one end and terminates in a mouthpiece with a bite valve at the other end. The tube is long enough to allow the mouthpiece to be carried in the user's mouth to enable the user to draw water from the reservoir at will. Examples of personal hydration systems of this type and mouthpieces therefor are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Although personal hydration systems have generally provided a significant advance over traditional water bottles, they continue to suffer from a number of shortcomings. One shortcoming, for example, has been that the components of the hydration system downstream from the fluid reservoir have historically been either permanently secured together or secured together via a tight friction fit that tends to be difficult to establish or release. Although these types of connection structures provide suitable fluid-tight seals, they are not optimal in terms of both providing a fluid-tight seal and permitting components downstream of the reservoir to be quickly and repeatedly interchanged by a user. Moreover, these structures are not designed to permit downstream components to be easily and safely disconnected in the event of an emergency or in the event of something snagging one of the downstream components.

Mechanical quick connects, such as those described in <CIT>, have been employed to allow downstream components in a personal hydration system to be quickly and repeatedly connected and disconnected. Mechanical quick connects also allow a user to quickly and easily interchange downstream components. As a result, mechanical quick connects are quite useful in many applications. One drawback of mechanical quick connects, however, is that once they are connected they can only be disconnected by pressing a release button. This can pose a significant safety problem in a number of sporting and work-related activities. Furthermore, depending on the location of the mechanical quick connect in the fluid delivery system, two hands may actually be required to connect and/or disconnect the male and female members of the quick connect provided on the mating components of the hydration system. And certainly, mechanical quick connects are not designed to permit users to attach or detach components with a single hand, or without the benefit of the user visualizing the male and female members of mechanical quick connect that are to be connected or disconnected.

Another shortcoming in these conventional systems is that the drink tube is left dangling. As a result, when the user releases the mouthpiece located on the terminal end of the of the drink tube from the user's mouth, the tube will fall away from the user's mouth and require the user to retrieve the drink tube and put the mouthpiece back in his or her mouth the next time another drink is desired. However, it may not be practical (or even safe) for a user to manipulate the drink tube in this manner during certain activities, for example when the user is traveling at a high rate of speed, such as on a bicycle, in a race car or on a motorcycle. Yet, it is also not always practical, or even desirable, for the user to keep the mouthpiece in his or her mouth at all times.

Headgear has been developed to facilitate hands-free hydration. The headgear is designed to permit the bite-valve of the drink tube to be adjustably located in front of the user's mouth. A variety of different types of headgear of this type are described in <CIT>. The various types of headgear described in the Bradley patent are all designed to be worn on the user's head such that an intermediate portion of the drink tube is located vertically above the user's mouth. The configuration employed in the Bradley patent is designed so that when the user is riding a bicycle or the like, fluids can be provided from a back mounted hydration pack to the user via gravity or a siphon, thereby reducing the amount the user has to suck on the bite valve, which is located on the terminal end of the drink tube, to draw fluids from the hydration reservoir to the user's mouth. All of the connectors used in the headgear described in Bradley, however, are of the friction fit variety. As a result, the portion of the drink tube that extends from the headgear to the fluid reservoir is subject to being snagged by objects in the environment in which the user is performing his or her activity. For example, a tree limb could snag the drink tube as a bicyclist is riding past a tree. If the drink tube is snagged in this manner, the headgear can potentially be ripped from the user's head and/or the user can be injured. Also, if a portion of the hydration system is attached to a vehicle, such as a car, truck, motorcycle, or bicycle, the use of all friction fit type connectors can pose a significant safety problem. For example, it complicates the ability of a safety crew to extract a driver from the vehicle should the need arise. It also complicates the ability of the driver to separate him or herself from the vehicle in both emergency situations, as well as non-emergency situations.

Furthermore, document <CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a hydration system including a fluid reservoir, a fluid path in communication with the reservoir, and a magnetic quick connect interposed in the fluid path is disclosed. Document <CIT> discloses a drinking device placed internally in a headgear, and having an L-bend joint articulated between a fixed duct and a displaceable duct.

According to the invention, a headset for a personal fluid delivery system is disclosed in claim <NUM> and includes a fluid conduit adapted to connect to a distal end of a hydration system supply tube and a magnetic quick connect. The magnetic quick connect has an upstream and a downstream coupling member with a common mating axis and which together define a portion of the fluid conduit. The upstream member also includes an off-axis arm that can rotate about the mating axis without decoupling the coupling members.

Some embodiments also include a mount adapted to support the quick connect on headgear adapted to be worn on a user's head. For example, the mount may be (i) configured to attach to headgear and support the headset on the headgear once attached, (ii) attached to headgear, or (iii) at least partially formed integral with headgear.

In some embodiments, the upstream coupling member may include a fluid connector adapted to connect to the distal end of a hydration supply tube. The fluid connector may, for example, comprise a push to connect type connector or any other suitable connector. A valve may also be interposed in the fluid conduit between the connector and a downstream end of the upstream member of the magnetic quick connect. In some embodiments, the headset may also include a valve interposed in the fluid conduit between the magnetic quick connect and a fluid outlet port of the fluid conduit. To the extent the valves are included, they may, for example, comprise a check valve, or one-way valve, such as a ball valve. The fluid outlet port may, for example, comprise a nozzle.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the fluid conduit downstream of the magnetic quick connect may be configured to be selectively adjustable to allow the selective positioning of a fluid outlet port proximate to a user's mouth. For example, at least a portion of the fluid conduit downstream of the magnetic quick connect may comprise a flexible tube. The headset may also include an adjustable arm for supporting the flexible tube on the headgear and configured to permit positioning of a fluid outlet port proximate a user's mouth.

In some embodiments, the headgear may comprise safety headgear, such as a helmet or hard hat. In other embodiments, the headgear may comprise other common headgear such as, for example, eye glasses, a hat, a head bracket, headphones, or any other garment or device intended to be worn on a person's head. Further, a headset of the present patent document may be attached to, or integrated with, any type of helmet, including, for example, motorcycle helmets (half, three quarter, open face, and full face), auto racing helmets, cycling helmets, snowboarding and skiing helmets, mountain climbing helmets, military and other tactical helmets, fire helmets, safety helmets, rescue helmets, and welding helmets. Further, as noted above, the mount of the headset may be configured to attach to the headgear, it may already be attached to the headgear, or at least a portion of the mount may be formed integral with the headgear.

In some embodiments the mount may be further configured to support the headset on the headgear so that when the headgear is worn on a user's head, at least a portion of the magnetic quick connect is disposed behind the user's ear. Thus, for example, in embodiments where the mount is configured to attach to headgear, such as a hat or helmet, the mount may be configured to attach to the headgear so that when the headset is attached to the headgear and the headgear is worn on a user's head, the magnetic quick connect is at least partially disposed behind the user's ear. In other embodiments, however, the mount may be configured to attach to the headgear so that when the headgear is worn by the user the magnetic quick connect will be disposed in front of the user's ear.

In one implementation, the headgear comprises a helmet and at least a portion of the mount is formed integral with the helmet.

In some embodiments, an axial pull force along the mating axis that is set in the range of <NUM> ounce-force (<NUM>,<NUM> N) and to <NUM> ounce-force (<NUM>,<NUM> N) between the upstream member and downstream member of the magnetic quick connect is required to decouple the upstream and downstream members of the magnetic quick connect in the axial direction.

Preferably, the upstream member and downstream member of the magnetic quick connect may also be decoupled by pivoting the off-axis arm of the upstream member toward or away from the downstream member through the application of a torque that is in the range of about <NUM> ounces-inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) to <NUM> ounce-inches (<NUM>,<NUM>). The off-axis arm may, for example, form a lever arm of greater than or equal to about <NUM>,<NUM> inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) and less than or equal to about <NUM> inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) from the pivot point. As it will be appreciated from reviewing the enclosed drawings, the location of the pivot point will depend on whether the off-axis arm is pivoted toward or away from the downstream member.

In some implementations, one of the upstream and downstream coupling members is a male coupling member and the other is a mating female coupling member. The male coupling member will typically include a protrusion and the female coupling member will typically comprise a matching protrusion receiving area defined by a protrusion mating surface. The protrusion may include an O-ring disposed around its outer perimeter in some embodiments. In such embodiment, when the male and female coupling members are coupled together, the protrusion extends into the protrusion receiving area, a first fluid communication path provided in the male coupling member and a second fluid communication path provided in the female coupling member will be in fluid communication, and the O-ring is compressed between the protrusion and protrusion mating surface. Although the protrusion may take on a variety of shapes, preferably the protrusion and protrusion mating surface have a frusto-conical shape in which their sidewalls are tapered at an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the mating axis. More preferably, the sidewalls of the protrusion and protrusion mating surface are tapered at an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the mating axis.

While the magnetic quick connect may comprise a male coupling member and a female coupling member, the headset is not limited in this manner. Indeed, in other implementations, the mating coupling members may not include a male and female member.

In some embodiments in which the mount comprises a helmet mount, the helmet mount is preferably elongated in one direction and includes a helmet mating surface that is shaped to generally match the curvature of the helmet to which it is to be attached in the elongated direction such that the helmet mount can be attached to the helmet using double sided tape or an adhesive pad. Further, the fluid conduit extends from an inlet of the upstream member of the first magnetic quick connect to the outlet of the downstream member of the second magnetic quick connect, and ultimately to the fluid outlet port of the headset. Further, the fluid conduit preferably extends transverse through the helmet mount from a supply tube side to a helmet side of the mount.

In another aspect of the present patent document, a headgear mount for a hydration system is provided. The headgear mount comprises a headset according to claim <NUM> and a support structure including the downstream coupling member of the magnetic quick connect of the headset, said support structure being configured to attach to a headgear. The fluid path may include an inlet port in the off-axis arm and an outlet port disposed in the downstream coupling member. The inlet port may, for example, comprise a connector, such as a push to connect connector, adapted to permit the fluid conduit to be detachably connected to a distal end of a supply tube of a hydration system so that the fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the supply tube.

In other aspects of the present disclosure, not covered by the invention, a personal hydration system is provided, and in still another aspect, a fluid delivery system for a personal hydration system is provided. The personal hydration system and fluid delivery system include a headset and/or headgear as described herein.

Further aspects, objects, desirable features, and advantages of the invention that is the subject of the present disclosure will become manifest and be better understood from the following description considered in connection with accompanying drawings in which various embodiments of the disclosed invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed invention that is only defined by the appended claims.

While it should be understood that the invention described herein is described in connection with particular examples, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific examples. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate after reviewing the present disclosure that the following teachings can be used in a much wider variety of applications than the examples specifically mentioned herein.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding components throughout the drawings, there is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> a headset <NUM> according to the present disclosure for a personal hydration system <NUM>. The headset <NUM> and personal hydration system <NUM> include a number of distinct aspects. Distinct aspects of the hydration system <NUM> include, for example, headset <NUM>, magnetic quick connect <NUM>, and mount <NUM>.

It is to be expressly understood that the present patent disclosure is not restricted to the fluid delivery system embodiments described herein. Indeed, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the present disclosure, one or more aspects of the hydration system <NUM> may readily be incorporated into other vehicles, personal hydration systems and/or fluid delivery systems without departing from the scope of the present disclosure that is defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, although shown on only the driver side of the vehicle <NUM>, one or more hydration systems <NUM> may be provided at any suitable location of the vehicle <NUM>, such as at a passenger side or rear seat.

<FIG> illustrates a user <NUM> driving a vehicle <NUM> in the form of a race car that includes a personal hydration system <NUM>. As discussed in greater detail herein, the personal hydration system <NUM> includes a fluid delivery system <NUM> and a fluid source (e.g., fluid source <NUM>), and may further include an audio source (e.g., audio source <NUM>). The fluid delivery system <NUM> includes everything downstream of the fluid source <NUM> that defines a fluid delivery path to an outlet port <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>, <FIG>) of headset <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid outlet port <NUM> comprises a nozzle. In other embodiments, a bite valve or other suitable outlet port may be used.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, fluid delivery system <NUM> includes fluid control unit <NUM>, fluid supply tube <NUM>, and headset <NUM>, all of which are in fluid communication with each other and fluid source <NUM>. Fluid delivery system <NUM> also preferably includes a wireless actuation system <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). Fluid control unit <NUM> and wireless actuation system <NUM> collectively form a wireless pump system.

The fluid and audio sources may be supported directly or indirectly on the frame of vehicle <NUM> without the user <NUM> having to carry the fluid and/or audio sources on his or her person. For example, the fluid and/or audio sources may be disposed within the cabin of vehicle <NUM> so as to be supported directly or indirectly by the frame of the vehicle <NUM> at a location behind the user <NUM>.

The fluid source <NUM> preferably comprises a potable liquid such as water or other hydration liquid, and may include a reservoir to store the potable liquid. In this way, the hydration system <NUM> may supply a drinkable liquid to the user <NUM>.

The flexible reservoirs such as those provided by CAMELBAK™ are particularly well suited for use as fluid reservoir for fluid source <NUM>. Such reservoirs will fit well in many locations within the cabin of a vehicle <NUM>.

Although flexible hydration reservoirs, such as those provided by CAMELBAK™, are particularly well suited for use as a reservoir for fluid source <NUM> in the system <NUM> of the present patent document, any suitable sealable container can be used. For example, depending on the application the reservoir of fluid source <NUM> may be made from rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material. Furthermore, in some applications, it may be desirable to use a reservoir that is insulated, such as an insulated bottle or jug, for the reservoir. Alternatively, the reservoir may be included within an insulated sleeve in some embodiments.

Regardless of the particular form of the reservoir of fluid source <NUM>, the material or materials used in its construction (particularly any that will come in contact with the fluids contained within the reservoir) should be suitable for contact with liquids that are intended for human consumption. This is also true with the other portions of the fluid delivery system <NUM> that may come in contact with fluid that is transported from the fluid source <NUM> through the fluid delivery system <NUM> to the user <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a proximal end of a fluid supply tube <NUM> is connected to the fluid source <NUM> via fluid control unit <NUM>. The proximal end of fluid supply tube <NUM> is connected to the fluid control unit <NUM> so that fluid supply tube <NUM> is in selective fluid communication with the fluid source <NUM>.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used in relation to fluid source <NUM>. Thus, for example, the proximal end of supply tube <NUM> would be the end of supply tube <NUM> closest to the outlet port (not shown) of fluid source <NUM>, while the distal end of fluid supply tube <NUM> would be the end of dispensing hose furthest away from the outlet port of fluid source <NUM>.

As best seem in <FIG>, a magnetic quick connect <NUM> is interposed in the fluid deliver path of fluid delivery system <NUM>. Interposing magnetic quick connect <NUM> into the fluid delivery path of fluid delivery system <NUM> allows the upstream components of the fluid delivery system <NUM> to readily be attached to and detached from downstream components of the fluid delivery system <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, this means that headgear or helmet <NUM> together with majority of the components of headset <NUM> are readily separable from hydration system <NUM> in the event user <NUM> needs to exit the car or has to be extracted from the car in the event of an emergency. At the same time, user <NUM> can readily attach an upstream coupling member <NUM> to a downstream coupling member <NUM> of magnetic quick connect <NUM> using one hand and without having to view the coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> when mating them together, for example, when user <NUM> enters vehicle <NUM>.

Advantageously, when upstream coupling member <NUM> is detached from downstream coupling member <NUM>, upstream coupling member <NUM> will stay attached to the distal end of fluid supply tube <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, headset <NUM> includes a fluid conduit <NUM> and a magnetic quick connect <NUM>. Fluid conduit <NUM> is adapted to connect to a distal end of a hydration system supply tube <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, magnetic quick connect <NUM>, flexible tube <NUM>, and mouthpiece assembly <NUM> each defines a portion of the fluid conduit <NUM>.

Magnetic quick connect <NUM> has an upstream coupling member <NUM> and a downstream coupling member <NUM>. Coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> share a common mating axis <NUM> (as best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>). Furthermore, fluid paths provided in each of the coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> cooperate to define a portion of the fluid conduit <NUM>. The upstream member <NUM> also includes an off-axis arm <NUM> that can rotate about the mating axis <NUM> without decoupling the coupling members <NUM>, <NUM>. Depending on the application, the angle α between the mating axis <NUM> and the axis <NUM> of off-axis arm <NUM> may be an acute angle, right angle, or obtuse angle. Preferably, the angle α is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°. More preferably, the angle α is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

Headset <NUM> also includes a mount <NUM> adapted to support the magnetic quick connect <NUM> on headgear adapted to worn on a user's head. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount <NUM> of headset <NUM> includes the magnetic quick connect <NUM>. In addition, the mount <NUM> is configured to attach to the helmet <NUM>. For example, double sided tape or a double sided adhesive pad may be attached to a mating surface <NUM> of the back side of mount <NUM> and used to attach mount <NUM> to helmet <NUM>. In other embodiments, a suitable adhesive or other suitable attachment means may be used.

In the illustrated embodiment, mount <NUM> is configured to attach to the headgear <NUM> so that when the headgear <NUM> is worn by a user <NUM> the magnetic quick connect <NUM> will be disposed in front of the user's ear. In other embodiments, however, mount <NUM> may be configured to support the headset <NUM> on the headgear <NUM> so that when the headgear <NUM> is worn on a user's head, at least a portion of the magnetic quick connect <NUM> is disposed behind the user's ear.

Referring to <FIG>, helmet mount <NUM> comprises a support structure <NUM> and upstream coupling member <NUM>. Support structure <NUM> includes the downstream coupling member <NUM> of magnetic quick connect <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, protrusion mating surface <NUM> and annular channel <NUM> of downstream coupling member <NUM> are integrally formed in the support structure <NUM>. In other embodiments, the coupling member <NUM> may be formed entirely separate from the support structure and then attached thereto using any suitable means, including for example adhesive and/or mechanical means.

Upstream coupling member <NUM> and downstream coupling member <NUM> are configured to magnetically mate with one another to define the mating axis <NUM> and a fluid path <NUM> extending between the members. Magnetic mating is achieved using first and second annular magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM>. Annular channel <NUM> in the downstream coupling member <NUM> is sized for holding annular magnetic material <NUM> therein. Similarly, upstream coupling member <NUM> includes an annular channel <NUM> sized to hold annular magnetic material <NUM> therein. The first and second magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a ferromagnetic material and ferrimagnetic material. At least one of the first and second annular magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM> is formed from a permanent magnet, preferably a rare earth magnet. In preferred embodiments both comprise annular permanent magnets. The first and second magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM> are selected to have sufficient magnetic properties so that the magnetic force of attraction between them will detachably hold the male coupling member <NUM> and female coupling member <NUM> together, preferably with sufficient force to compress O-ring <NUM> sufficiently to provide a liquid tight, or substantially liquid tight, seal. As a result, the male and female coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> of the magnetic quick connect <NUM> may be quickly and repeatedly connected and disconnected from one another.

The magnetic force of attraction between coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> maybe increased, for example, by (i) increasing the thickness of the first and/or second magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM>; (ii) increasing the cross-sectional area of the pole of the first and/or second magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM> that faces the other magnetic material ("the mating cross-sectional area"); (iii) increasing the flux density (B) and/or magnetization (M) of the first and/or second magnetic material <NUM>, <NUM>; and/or (iv) decreasing the thickness and/or magnetic permeability (µ) of any non-magnetic material between the first and second magnetic materials <NUM>, <NUM> and the mating surfaces of mating ends of male and female coupling members <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Conversely, the magnetic force of attraction between coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> may be decreased, for example, by adjusting parameters (i)-(iv) in the opposite direction.

Annular grooves <NUM> may be provided at the bottom of both annular channels <NUM>, <NUM>. The annular channels <NUM> may be provided to receive adhesive and facilitate the adhesive bonding of annular magnets <NUM>, <NUM> within channels <NUM>, <NUM>.

As noted above, upstream member <NUM> includes an off-axis arm <NUM> that may be rotated about the mating axis <NUM> without decoupling the members. In the present embodiment, the fluid path <NUM> includes an inlet port in the off-axis arm <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> disposed in the downstream coupling member <NUM>. The inlet port may, for example, be included in connector <NUM>, which is adapted to permit the fluid path <NUM> (and fluid conduit <NUM>) to be detachably connected to a distal end of a supply tube <NUM> of a hydration system <NUM> so that the fluid path <NUM> is in fluid communication with the supply tube <NUM>. Connector <NUM> in the present embodiment comprises a push to connect type connector.

While in the illustrated embodiment, connector <NUM> comprises a push to connect type connector, any suitable connector may be used. And, while connector <NUM> may allow the distal end of tube <NUM> to be selectively attached and detached, as with other friction fit or mechanical connectors, connector <NUM> will remain connected to the distal end of fluid supply tube <NUM> when upstream coupling member <NUM> is disconnected from downstream coupling member <NUM>. This permits user <NUM> to readily disconnect or connect headset <NUM> to hydration system <NUM> without difficulty.

A valve <NUM> may also be interposed in the fluid conduit between the connector <NUM> and a downstream end of the upstream member <NUM> of the magnetic quick connect <NUM>. Valve <NUM> may, for example, comprise a check valve, or one-way valve, such as a ball valve.

Headset <NUM> may also include a valve interposed in the fluid conduit <NUM> between the magnetic quick connect <NUM> and the fluid outlet port <NUM> of the fluid conduit <NUM>. For example, a valve may be included in mouthpiece assembly <NUM>.

In addition to being a one-way valve or check valve, the valve included in mouthpiece assembly <NUM> and valve <NUM> may, for example, comprise a two-way valve. A food grade silicon dispensing valve, such as those used in non-drip squeezable condiment dispenser bottles, may be used as a suitable two-way valve.

Regardless of whether one-way or a two-way valve is used, the valves should open when a threshold cracking pressure is applied to each valve based on the pressure differential achieved immediately upstream and downstream of each valve. If a two-way valve is used, then the valve will open in the appropriate direction when the required pressure differential (or cracking pressure) is achieved on either side of the valve.

Inclusion of valves in headset <NUM> in this manner is beneficial because it helps to keep hydration fluids in the fluid delivery system <NUM>. In other words, it keeps fluids from receding back to the fluid source <NUM> after the pump in fluid control unit <NUM> is turned off. This allows fluids to be delivered immediately following each activation of the pump, as opposed to first having to refill the supply tube <NUM> with fluids each time control unit <NUM> activates its pump.

Inclusion of valve <NUM> and/or a valve in mouthpiece assembly <NUM> will also minimize the amount of hydration fluids that escape from supply tube <NUM> and headset <NUM> when the upstream and downstream coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> of magnetic quick connect <NUM> are decoupled from one another. This minimizes the loss of fluids from the system <NUM> and the leaking of fluids onto user <NUM>.

If valve <NUM> is a two-way valve, fluid may flow in both directions through valve <NUM>. As a result, when coupling member <NUM> is disconnected from coupling member <NUM>, it may be connected to another source of hydration fluids so that fluid source <NUM> may be refilled through supply tube <NUM> by driving the pump in fluid control unit <NUM> in the opposite, or reverse, direction. On the other hand, if a one-way valve is used for valve <NUM>, refilling is not possible through coupling member <NUM> because fluid may not flow in reverse through valve <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, flexible tube <NUM> forms part of the fluid conduit <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment. Flexible tube <NUM> is in fluid communication with the outlet <NUM> at one end and a fluid path that extends through the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> at the other end. The upstream end of tube <NUM> is disposed in a recess <NUM> provided in the support structure <NUM> so that it abuts an O-ring <NUM> provided at the mouth of outlet <NUM>. The upstream end of tube <NUM> is held against O-ring <NUM> with a C-clamp member <NUM> and fasteners <NUM>. When clamp member <NUM> is tightened down, it forces the outer surface of flexible tube <NUM> into triangular shaped ridges <NUM> provided in recess <NUM>. Tube <NUM> may thereby be held against O-ring <NUM> in a watertight manner.

The downstream end of tube <NUM> is connected to the fluid path that extends through the mouthpiece assembly <NUM> with a connector <NUM> disposed at an upstream end of the mouthpiece assembly <NUM>. Connector <NUM> may, for example, comprise a push to connect type connector. However, any suitable connector may be used for connector <NUM>.

Headset <NUM> also includes an adjustable arm <NUM> for supporting the flexible tube <NUM> on the headgear <NUM> and is preferably configured to permit positioning of fluid outlet port <NUM> proximate a user's mouth.

In the illustrated embodiment, the headgear <NUM> comprises a helmet. Further, at least a portion of the mount <NUM> may be formed integral with the helmet instead of being attached thereto.

In some embodiments, the axial pull force along the mating axis <NUM> may be set in the range of <NUM> ounce-force (<NUM>,<NUM>) and to <NUM> ounce-force (<NUM>,<NUM>) between the upstream member <NUM> and downstream member <NUM> of the magnetic quick connect <NUM> in order to decouple the upstream and downstream members <NUM>, <NUM> of the magnetic quick connect <NUM> in the axial direction.

Preferably, the upstream member <NUM> and downstream member <NUM> of the magnetic quick connect <NUM> may also be decoupled by pivoting the off-axis arm <NUM> of the upstream member <NUM> toward or away from the downstream member <NUM> through the application of a torque that is in the range of about <NUM> ounce-inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) to <NUM> ounce-inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) through the application of a suitable force to the off-axis arm <NUM>. The off-axis arm <NUM> may forms a lever arm. The lever arm, may for example, be greater than or equal to about <NUM>,<NUM> inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) and less than or equal to about inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) from the pivot point, more preferably about <NUM>,<NUM> inches (<NUM>,<NUM>) to about <NUM> inches (<NUM>,<NUM>). As will be appreciated from reviewing the enclosed drawings, the location of the pivot point will depend on whether the off-axis arm <NUM> is pivoted toward or away from the downstream coupling member <NUM>.

In some implementations, one of the upstream and downstream members <NUM>, <NUM> is a male coupling member and the other is a mating female coupling member. In the present embodiment, the upstream member <NUM> is the male coupling member and the downstream member <NUM> is the female coupling member. The male coupling member will typically include a protrusion <NUM> and the female coupling member will typically comprise a matching protrusion receiving area defined by a protrusion mating surface <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may include an O-ring <NUM> disposed in an annular channel <NUM> sized to receive and hold the O-ring <NUM> around the outer perimeter of the protrusion <NUM>. When the male and female coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled together in such embodiments, the protrusion <NUM> extends into the protrusion receiving area, a first fluid communication path provided in the male coupling member <NUM> and a second fluid communication path provided in the female coupling member <NUM> will be in fluid communication to form fluid path <NUM>, and the O-ring <NUM> is compressed between the protrusion <NUM> and protrusion mating surface <NUM>. Although the protrusion <NUM> may take on a variety of shapes, preferably the protrusion <NUM> and protrusion mating surface <NUM> have a frusto-conical shape in which their sidewalls are tapered at an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the mating axis <NUM>. More preferably, the sidewalls of the protrusion and protrusion mating surface are tapered at an angle from <NUM>° to <NUM>° with respect to the mating axis <NUM>.

While the magnetic quick connect <NUM> may comprise a male coupling member and a female coupling member, the headset is not limited in this manner. Indeed, in other implementations, the mating coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> may not include a male and female member.

As seen in the illustrated embodiment, helmet mount <NUM> is preferably elongated in one direction and includes a support structure <NUM> with a helmet mating surface <NUM> that is shaped to generally match the curvature of the helmet to which it is to be attached in the elongated direction such that the helmet mount <NUM> can be attached to the helmet <NUM> using double sided tape or an adhesive pad. Further, the fluid path <NUM> that extends through the magnetic quick connect <NUM> preferably extends transverse through the helmet mount <NUM> from a supply tube side to a helmet side of the mount <NUM>.

While in the illustrated embodiment, mount <NUM> of headset <NUM> is configured to be attached to the headgear in the form of a helmet <NUM>, in other embodiments the mount may be attached to the headgear or at least partially formed integral with the headgear.

Further, mount <NUM> may be configured to be attached to or be integral with a variety of other safety or non-safety headgear. For example, the headgear to which mount <NUM> is configured to be attached or formed integral with may comprise common headgear such as, for example, eye glasses, safety glasses, sun glasses, hats, head brackets, headphones, or any other garment or device intended to be worn on a person's head. Further, the headset <NUM> of the present patent document may be attached to, or integrated with, any type of helmet, including, for example, motorcycle helmets (half, three quarter, open face, and full face), auto racing helmets, cycling helmets, snowboarding and skiing helmets, mountain climbing helmets, military and other tactical helmets, fire helmets, safety helmets, rescue helmets, and welding helmets.

Referring now to <FIG>, the fluid delivery system <NUM> further includes a wireless actuation system <NUM> for remotely controlling the actuation of the fluid control unit <NUM> connected to the fluid source <NUM>. A switch <NUM>, preferably a microswitch, is operably connected to the fluid control unit <NUM> connected to the fluid source <NUM> so that operation of the microswitch <NUM> controls the operation of the fluid control unit <NUM>. The microswitch <NUM> is mounted on the steering wheel <NUM> in a location sufficiently proximate to where a hand of user <NUM> would grip the steering wheel <NUM> to steer the vehicle <NUM>. In this way, the user <NUM> can operate the microswitch <NUM> without the user <NUM> removing his or her hand from the steering wheel <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the microswitch <NUM> is mounted sufficiently proximate the left-hand grip. In another embodiment, the microswitch <NUM> may be mounted sufficiently proximate the right-hand grip. In still another embodiment, a first microswitch <NUM> may be mounted sufficiently proximate the left-hand grip, and a second microswitch <NUM> may be mounted sufficiently proximate the right-hand grip. The microswitches <NUM> may be mounted a wheel portion of the steering wheel <NUM>, or may be mounted at a hub of the steering wheel <NUM>. Furthermore, the microswitches <NUM> may be mounted at a front portion, at a rear portion, and/or at a side portion of the steering wheel <NUM>.

In a preferred approach, the microswitch <NUM> is operably connected to the fluid control unit <NUM> via a wireless connection between control unit <NUM> and a wireless transmitter <NUM> that is removably mounted on the steering wheel <NUM> proximate the microswitch <NUM>. In other approaches, however, the microswitch <NUM> may be operably connected to control unit <NUM> by being hard wired to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes a pump (not shown) that is in turn operably connected to the fluid source <NUM> so as to control the dispensing of fluid from the second source <NUM>.

The microswitch <NUM> may be mounted to the steering wheel <NUM> using a mounting means <NUM> provided proximate the microswitch <NUM>. In the approach illustrated in <FIG>, the mounting means <NUM> comprises a pair of cable ties and an elongated piece of heat shrink tubing. In other embodiments, the mounting means may comprise other suitable structures for mounting microswitch <NUM> in the desired location. The wireless transmitter <NUM> may similarly include a mounting means attached thereto for removably attaching the wireless transmitter <NUM> to the steering wheel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a cable <NUM> electrically couples the microswitch <NUM> to the transmitter <NUM> to form the wireless actuation system <NUM>. Cable <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is electrically connected to the microswitch <NUM> at one end and includes an electrical connector, such as a conventional tip sleeve mini jack or cable jack, at a second end for selectively electrically coupling the microswitch <NUM> to the transmitter <NUM> via a mating electrical connector (such as a mating socket connector) provided in one end of the transmitter <NUM>. The mating electrical connector provided on one end of the wireless transmitter <NUM> removably receives the electrical connector.

The wireless transmitter <NUM> is preferably in the form of a FOB and may, for example, be a Bluetooth transmitter, and more preferably a Bluetooth Low Energy ("BLE") transmitter.

The microswitch <NUM> is preferably a normally open switch so that it is closed when the user <NUM> depresses the button of the microswitch <NUM> and is open when the user releases the button of the microswitch <NUM>. In some approaches, the wireless transmitter <NUM> is configured to transmit a first signal when the microswitch <NUM> is closed. The first signal may, for example, instruct controller <NUM> to send power to the control unit <NUM> in order to pump fluids from the fluid source <NUM> through the fluid delivery system <NUM> to the user <NUM>. The wireless transmitter <NUM> may also be configured to transmit a second signal when the microswitch is open. The second signal may, for example, instruct the fluid control unit <NUM> to not send power to its pump. When the controller <NUM> receives the second signal, it will stop sending power to the pump in control unit <NUM> if it was previously sending power to the pump, thereby stopping the pumping of fluids from the fluid source <NUM> through the fluid delivery system <NUM> to the user <NUM>. On the other hand, if the control unit <NUM> had previously received the second signal, such that it had already stopped sending power to the pump, then the control unit <NUM> will simply continue to not send power to the pump. Then when the first signal is again transmitted to the control unit <NUM> from the wireless transmitter <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> will again send power to its pump so that it again begins to pump fluids through the fluid delivery system <NUM> to the user <NUM>. In this way, the user <NUM> can control the delivery of fluid from the fluid source <NUM> on demand by simply pressing and releasing microswitch <NUM>. Importantly, in the illustrated embodiment, the user <NUM> can press and release the microswitch <NUM> without ever having to remove his or her hand from the steering wheel <NUM>, so that regardless of how fast the user <NUM> is traveling in the vehicle <NUM> or the difficulty of the terrain being traversed, the user <NUM> is able to instruct the fluid delivery system <NUM> to deliver the hydration fluid contained within the fluid source <NUM> as desired while maintaining both hands on the steering wheel <NUM> and steering the vehicle <NUM>.

While fluid control unit <NUM> may be configured to provide fluids as long as the user <NUM> is pressing the microswitch <NUM> as described above, the fluid control unit <NUM> may also be configured to provide a defined aliquot of fluids each time the control unit <NUM> receives the first command signal (e.g., when the user <NUM> presses the microswitch <NUM>, regardless of how long the user holds down the microswitch). The aliquot, for example, may be a squirt of a certain duration or volume.

In view of the fact that user <NUM> can safely and conveniently operate microswitch <NUM> while driving the vehicle <NUM> under various conditions, it is much more likely that the user <NUM> will drink fluids from the fluid source <NUM> more regularly, thereby allowing the user <NUM> to remain hydrated during his or her ride, race, etc..

The fluid control unit <NUM> and wireless actuation systems <NUM> described in co-pending <CIT> may be used for control unit <NUM> and wireless actuation system <NUM> of the present patent document.

The mouthpiece assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> described in co-pending <CIT> may be used for mouthpiece assembly <NUM> of the present patent document. Similarly, the microphone boom <NUM> described in co-pending <CIT> may be used for the flexible arm <NUM> described in the present patent document.

The components defining the fluid delivery path of fluid delivery system <NUM> shown herein are exemplary in nature, and in other embodiments of fluid delivery system <NUM>, additional components, fewer components, or completely different components may be used to form the fluid delivery path of fluid delivery system <NUM>. In general terms, however, the fluid delivery system <NUM> will typically include a fluid delivery path having a proximal end adapted to be attached to fluid source <NUM> so that fluid communication between the fluid delivery path and the fluid source <NUM> may be established. In addition, the fluid delivery path will include an outlet port for delivering liquid fluids to a user from the fluid source <NUM>. For example, liquid may be delivered through outlet port <NUM> in mouthpiece assembly <NUM>. Further, a magnetic quick connect, such as magnetic quick connect <NUM>, is interposed in the fluid delivery path of the fluid delivery system <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, another embodiment of a headgear mount is now described. Headgear mount <NUM> is the same as headgear mount <NUM> described in connection with <FIG>, except that instead of employing a unitary molded support structure <NUM>, the support structure <NUM> of the mount <NUM> is formed from a first front half <NUM> and a second, mating back half <NUM>. The two halves <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to one another with adhesive and/or mechanical locking tabs molded into the two halves.

Fabricating the support structure <NUM> out of two pieces reduces material costs during the fabrication process.

Claim 1:
A headset (<NUM>) comprising:
a fluid conduit (<NUM>) adapted to connect to a distal end of a hydration system supply tube (<NUM>); and
a magnetic quick connect (<NUM>) having an upstream (<NUM>) and a downstream (<NUM>) coupling member with a common mating axis (<NUM>) and which together define a portion of the fluid conduit (<NUM>), wherein the upstream member (<NUM>) comprises an off-axis arm (<NUM>) that can rotate about the mating axis (<NUM>) without decoupling the coupling members (<NUM>, <NUM>).