US20080047924A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20080047924A1
Application number: US11/466,368
Authority: US
Inventors: William E. Coats; Robert V. Walsh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-22
Filing date: 2006-08-22
Publication date: 2008-02-28

Abstract

A bottle for containing liquids for a rider. The bottle includes a hollow container sized to be held in one hand of a rider having opposed top and bottom ends, and a continuous side wall extending between the top and bottom ends. The bottom end is closed, the top end has a filling means, and the side wall has an opening near the bottom end of the container. The opening has a closable spigot for drinking the liquid contained in the container without having to tip the bottle. The rider can hold the bottle in a generally upright position while pedaling the bicycle without having to remove his or her eyes from the road, thus improving riding safety.

Description

BACKGROUND

Most bicycle riders store bottles on bottle holders on their bicycles to replenish their thirst while riding. Riders, particularly high performance riders, often drink out of their water bottles while riding, instead of stopping to drink the water. A common problem for riders is falling or colliding with objects while simultaneously drinking liquids and pedaling a bicycle. The rider risks falling while looking down to reach for the water bottle, and then titling his or her head back to drink out of a conventional water bottle that has a spout on the top.

Some attempts have been made to provide riders with safer means to access to their water bottles. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,441,638; 5,301,858; 6,457,691; and 6,837,407.

Regrettably, none of these inventions provide an unobtrusive bottle that can easily be removed from a holder and used by the rider without requiring the rider to take his or her eyes off of the road. Such a water bottle is needed.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a bottle for containing liquids for a rider. The bottle comprises a hollow container sized to be held in one hand of a rider, the container having opposed top and bottom ends. A continuous side wall extends between the top and bottom ends. The bottom end is closed to hold the liquid in the container. The bottle further comprises closable filling means at the top end of the container, which allows for filling the container with a liquid from the top end. The side wall comprises an opening near the bottom end of the container. The opening comprises a closable spigot for drinking liquid in the container without having to tip the bottle. The bottle further comprises at least one indentation in the side wall between the top and bottom ends for placement of a rider's fingers for holding the bottle in a generally upright position. Additionally, the side wall can have a first diameter proximal the top end and can taper to a second diameter proximal the opening, the second diameter being less than the first diameter.

The filling means at the top end of the container can have a closable orifice that is sized for filling the container with liquid. Optionally, the filling means is removable from the container. The filling means can be attached to the container with a hinge. The filling means can optionally have a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in.

Near the bottom end of the container is an opening having a spigot. Optionally, the spigot can be a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in. The side wall of the bottle can be of a flexible material to allow the rider to easily squeeze liquid from the bottle. Additionally, the spigot can be a one-way valve that opens to allow liquid out of the bottle when the container is squeezed.

Additionally, the spigot can have a hinge and a spring biasing the spigot around the hinge toward a closed position. The spigot can be moved from the closed position to an open position for drinking.

To use the present invention, a rider can drink liquid while riding a bicycle by first placing the bottle in a holder on a bicycle. A rider then grasps the bottle using at least one indentation of the bottle while pedaling the bicycle and brings the spigot to the mouth while maintaining the bottle generally upright. The rider then causes the spigot to open and drinks liquid from the bottle.

Thus, a bottle is provided which allows a rider to safely drink liquids while continuing to pedal a bicycle.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bottle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a bottle having a concave portion and opposing indentations according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottle of the present invention in a mounting position in a holder on a bicycle;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the bottle of the present invention in use by a rider on a bicycle; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottle of the present invention in use by a rider on a bicycle.

DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 6, abottle10 having features of the present invention comprises ahollow container12 sized to be held in one hand of a rider, the container having opposed top14 andbottom16 ends. Thebottle10 has acontinuous side wall18 that extends between thetop14 andbottom16 ends. Thebottom end16 of thecontainer12 is closed to holdliquid19 within thecontainer12. Thetop end14 of thecontainer12 is generally open, which allows for filling thecontainer12 withliquid19 from thetop end14. However, thebottle10 further comprises a filling means20 at thetop end14 of thecontainer12, to keepliquid19 contained within thebottle10 upon filling thebottle10 withliquid19.

Theside wall18 has an opening22 or aperture near thebottom end16 of thecontainer12. The opening22 allows theliquid19 to be dispensed to the rider. Secured to theside wall18 at theopening22 is aclosable spigot24 for dispensing theliquid19 contained in thecontainer12 without having to tip thebottle10. Theclosable spigot24 preventsliquid19 leaking from the opening22 in thecontainer12.

Thebottle10 further comprises at least oneindentation28 in theside wall18 between thetop14 andbottom16 ends for placement of a rider's fingers for holding thebottle10 in a generally upright position. Theindentations28 are preferably located on the middle of theside wall18 to allow a rider to easily grasp thebottle10. As shown inFIG. 3, theindentations28 can be placed on opposing sides of theside wall18 to provide a grasp for both left-handed and right-handed riders. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, theindentations28 are preferably the size of a rider's fingers.

The filling means20 at thetop end14 of thecontainer12 comprises a closable orifice that is sized for filling thecontainer12 withliquid19. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, preferably the filling means20 at thetop end14 of thecontainer12 is removable from thecontainer12. The removable filling means20 can be attached to thecontainer12 with ahinge30 to prevent against permanently detaching the filling means20 from thebottle10. Additionally, the removable filling means20 can be a screw top. The filling means12 can optionally have a pull outspout32 that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in, as shown inFIG. 1. Thespout32 gives riders the option to drink from thetop end14 of thecontainer12.

Theside wall18 of thebottle10 can be of a flexible material to allow a rider to easily squeeze the bottle. Materials usable for making thebottle10 include, for example PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Other usable materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Thebottle10 can contain a variety of liquids including, for example, water, juice, soda and the like.

Theclosable spigot24 is located near thebottom end16 of thecontainer12. Preferably, in an embodiment where theside wall18 is flexible and squeezable, thespigot24 is a one-way valve34 that opens to allow liquid19 out of thebottle10 when thecontainer12 is squeezed, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

Optionally, thespigot24 can be a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in, as shown inFIG. 3. Preferably, the pull out spout can be pulled out and pushed closed with a rider's teeth. Thespigot24 can also have ahinge36 for allowing thespigot24 to be moved from a first position proximal thesidewall18 for ease of handling and storage, to a second position extended from thesidewall18 for easier access by the rider.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 3, thespigot24 can have aspring38 to bias the position of thespigot24. The spring can function to bias thespigot24 toward thesidewall18 so that the spigot will not impact or become stuck on whatever bottle holder is used in conjunction with the bottle. Moreover, thespigot24 can be configured so that the spigot is closed when moved to a closed position proximal thesidewall18 by thespring38, and opened for liquid flow when pulled away from the closed position to an open position by a rider.

Optionally, thespigot24 is a bite valve where the passage ofliquid19 is triggered by pressure from the rider's teeth on the spigot. An example of a bite valve is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,767 to Gardner et al., the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Another valve usable with the present invention is the “kicker valve” by Ultimate Direction U.S.A, in Louisville, Colo. Somespigots24 are self venting. Alternatively, thesidewall18 or filling means20 may contain a vent (not shown) for increasing fluid flow through the valve.

In an exemplary version of the invention, thebottle10 is preferably from about 2 to about 5 inches in diameter and more preferably from about 2½ inches to about 3 inches in diameter. Additionally, thebottle10 is preferably from about 6 to about 14 inches in height and more preferably from about 8 to about 10 inches in height. These dimension allow thebottle10 to be easily inserted into most standard existing bottle holders attached to bicycles. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, there are fourindentations28 in theside wall18 of thecontainer12 to allow for a rider's four fingers to grasp thebottle10.

As shown inFIG. 3, theside wall18 may have a taperedportion40 with thespigot24 being positioned inside the taperedportion40. The tapered portion allows a rider to easily access thespigot24 without thesidewall18 interfering with the rider's mouth or jaw. Additionally, the tapered portion helps the rider drain all of the liquid out of thebottle10.

Preferably, the tapered portion is rounded to fit the contours of a rider's face. Preferably, thespigot24 is moveable to a closed position proximal the taperedportion40 so that when in the closed position thespigot24 does not extend outside an untapered portion of the sidewall.

A rider uses thebottle10 by placing thebottle10 in aholder42 on thebicycle44, as shown inFIG. 4. Preferably, theindentations28 are facing upwards toward the rider when placed in theholder42. When thirsty, a rider grasps thebottle10 using at least one of theindentations28 of thecontainer12 while continuing to pedal thebicycle38. The rider does not have to divert their attention away from the road or path while grasping for thebottle10, since theindentations28 provide the rider with a convenient surface to grasp thebottle10.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, upon grasping thebottle10, the rider brings thespigot24 to themouth46 while maintaining thebottle10 generally upright. The rider then causes thespigot24 to open. The rider drinks liquid from thebottle10. Because thespigot24 is located near thebottom end16 of thecontainer12, the rider can drink the liquid without tipping their head back. This allows the rider to continue pedaling while looking at the road, path, and/or obstacles. Additionally, the rider does not have to invert their arm, wrist or hand to bring thespigot24 to their mouth, thereby allowing the rider to maintain their body in a stable position while drinking. All of these features function to dramatically increase the safety of the rider.

Thebottle10 has many applications where it can be used. In addition to being used on a bicycle, it may be used in other vehicles of transportation, including automobiles, airplanes, boats, scooters, motorcycles, unicycles, tandem bicycles, and other vehicles where a rider needs to maintain a focus on a path.

In addition to the advantages discussed above, thebottle10 of the present invention has many advantages over prior art bottles. For example, the bottle's design is lightweight. Additionally, use of the bottle requires minimal muscle movement thereby saving energy.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function, should not be interpreted as a “means” for “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

Claims

1. A bottle suitable for containing liquids for a rider comprising:

a) a hollow container sized to be held in a hand of the rider and having opposed top and bottom ends and a continuous side wall extending between the top and bottom ends, the bottom end being closed;

b) a closable filing means at the top end of the container, the filling means allowing for filling the container with a liquid;

c) an opening in the side wall proximal the bottom end of the container with a closable spigot for the opening for drinking liquid contained in the container without having to tip the bottle; and

d) at least one indentation in the side wall between the top and bottom ends for placement of a rider's fingers for holding the bottle in a generally upright position.

2. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the filling means is removable from the container.

3. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the filling means is attached to the container with a hinge.

4. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the filling means comprises a closable orifice sized for filling the container with liquid.

5. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the filling means comprises a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in.

6. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the side wall is flexible and squeezable, and wherein the spigot comprises a one-way valve that opens to allow liquid out of the bottle when the container is squeezed.

7. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the spigot comprises a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in.

8. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the spigot comprises a bite valve.

9. The bottle ofclaim 1 wherein the side wall has a first diameter proximal the top end and tapers to a second diameter proximal the opening, the second diameter being less than the first diameter.

10. The bottle ofclaim 9 wherein the spigot comprise a pull out spout that opens when pulled out and closes when pushed in.

11. The bottle ofclaim 9 wherein the spigot further comprises a hinge.

12. The bottle ofclaim 9 wherein the spigot further comprises a spring, the spring biasing the spigot toward the sidewall.

13. A bottle suitable for containing liquids for a rider comprising:

b) a closable filing means at the top end of the container, the filling means allowing for filling the container with a liquid; and

c) an opening in the side wall proximal the bottom end of the container with a closable spigot for the opening for drinking liquid contained in the container without having to tip the bottle, the spigot further comprising:

a hinge; and

a spring biasing the spigot around the hinge toward a closed position; and

wherein the spigot is moveable from the closed position to an open position for drinking.

14. The bottle ofclaim 13 wherein the sidewall has a first diameter proximal the top end and tapers to a second diameter proximal the opening, the second diameter being less than the first diameter.

15. A method for dispensing a liquid comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining the bottle ofclaim 1;

b. filling the bottle through the closable filling means; and

c. emptying the bottle through the closable spigot.