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  Hydration apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20070221692Title: Hydration apparatus Abstract: A hydration apparatus attachable to an individual for maintaining the individual's fluid balance. The hydration apparatus includes a body portion, an intake conduit, a fluid pump, a discharge conduit, and a distribution outlet. The body portion is disposable about a portion of the individual's body. The body portion has a bladder supported thereon. The bladder is adapted to receive a fluid. A first end of the intake conduit is connected to and in fluid communication with the fluid in the bladder. The fluid pump is connectable to a second end of the intake conduit so that the fluid pump is in fluid communication with the bladder. A first end of the discharge conduit is connectable to and is in fluid communication with the fluid pump. The distribution outlet is connectable to and in fluid communication with a second end of the discharge conduit. (end of abstract)
Agent: Dunlap, Codding & Rogers P.C. - Oklahoma City, OK, US Inventor: David Witten USPTO Applicaton #: 20070221692 - Class: 2241482 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070221692. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/784,327, filed Mar. 21, 2006, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cooling and hydrating an individual's body, and more particularly, not by way of limitation, to an improved hydration apparatus to supply water to an individual in order to restore or maintain fluid balance. [0004]2. Brief Description of the Prior Art [0005]In hot weather and/or during strong physical activity, the body dehydrates rapidly. Most of the heat generated from extreme physical activity or high weather temperature tries to escape through the top of the head. With a head enclosure such as a hat, bicycle helmet, motorcycle helmet or military helmet, the heat is trapped with little ability for the high temperature and super-heated body and head heated sweat to escape. Currently, one of the accepted methods to cool and hydrate the body is taking in fluids by mouth and relying on normal body evaporation for cooling. Another method is to douse the body's surface with water. [0006]To this end, although apparatuses of the existing art are operable, further improvements are desirable to enhance the use of a hydration apparatus which functions to selectively maintain an individual's body fluids while also providing for cooling of the individual's body. It is to such a hydration apparatus that the present invention is directed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0007]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a hydration apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, the hydration apparatus being positioned over the shoulders of an individual. [0008]FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a hydration apparatus positionable about the waist of an individual. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0009]Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown therein is a hydration apparatus 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention, the hydration apparatus 10 being shown attached to an individual 12. Although the hydration apparatus 10 is shown positioned about an individual 12 riding a motorcycle, it should be understood that the present invention may be used in conjunction with a variety of military, commercial, work or recreational activities so long as the hydration apparatus 10 functions in accordance with the manner described herein by delivering fluid to the head and body of an individual for cooling and hydration purposes. It should also be understood that the hydration apparatus 10 may be mounted to a fixed surface, such as a bicycle frame or a motorcycle fender. [0010]The hydration apparatus 10 includes a body portion 14, an intake conduit 16, a fluid pump 18, a discharge conduit 20, a distribution outlet 22 and a power assembly 24. The body portion 14 is provided with first and second extension members 26 and 28 extending from the body portion 14 so as to be disposable about a portion of the individual 12 in order to secure the body portion 14 on a portion of the individual 12, such as a back of the individual. A buckle 29 is utilized for attaching the first and second extension members 26 and 28 to one another. However, it should be understood that any known connector may be used to attach the first and second extension members 26 and 28 to one another when extended about the individual 12. As shown, the body portion 14 is positioned about the torso of the individual 12. [0011]As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second extension members 26 and 28 may function as a harness and may be positioned over the shoulders (FIG. 1) of the individual 12, or the first and second extension members 26 and 28 may be disposed about the waist of the individual 12 (FIG. 2) so as to function similar to a belt. Thus, it should be understood that the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 12 may be connected to the individual 12 in any variety of ways, such as over the shoulders, about the waist, in combination and the like, so long as the hydration apparatus 10 functions in the manner described herein. In addition, the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10 may be mounted to a fixed surface such as a motorcycle fender, a bicycle frame, or some other support structure. [0012]Although the intake conduit 16, the fluid pump 18, the discharge conduit 20 and the power assembly 24 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 positioned outside of the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10, it should be understood that the body portion 14 may be configured such that the intake conduit 16, the fluid pump 18, the discharge conduit 20 and the power assembly 24 are disposed within the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10. [0013]The body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10 is constructed from a material capable of withstanding strenuous activity and extreme temperatures. Examples of such material include, but are not limited to, nylon, spandex, cotton, or other similar textile or polymeric materials. [0014]A bladder 30 is supported on or in the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10. The bladder 30 is adapted to receive a fluid used to cool and hydrate the individual 12. The size of the body portion 14 and the capacity of the bladder 30 can vary widely so as to provide a hydration apparatus 10 suitable for use by individuals of various size or for various activities. The bladder 30 is fabricated of any fluid impervious material such as neoprene, spandex and the like. However, it should be understood that the bladder 30 may be constructed of any material capable of holding a fluid. In addition, it should be understood that any fluid, such as water and the like, known to one of ordinary skill in the art, to cool and hydrate the individual 12 may be used to fill the bladder 30. The fluid is disposed in the bladder 30 in any amount sufficient for use by the individual 12. [0015]A handle 31 may also be connected to the body portion 14 for allowing the individual 12 to carry and transport the hydration apparatus 10 to and from various locations. While the handle 31 has been shown as extending from an upper portion of the body portion 14, it should be understood that the handle 31 may be positioned anywhere on the body portion 14. [0016]The intake conduit 16 of the hydration apparatus 10 has a first end 32 and a second end 34. The first end 32 of the intake conduit 16 is connected to and in fluid communication with the contents within the bladder 30. The fluid pump 18 is connectable to the second end 34 of the intake conduit 16 so that the fluid pump 18 is in fluid communication with the bladder 30. The fluid pump 18 may be any size pump so that it may be supported by the body portion 14 or may be positioned remotely from the body portion 14 of the hydration apparatus 10. [0017]The fluid pump 18 is used to selectively pump the fluid from the bladder 30 upon activation of the fluid pump 18. It should be understood that any conventional fluid pump may be used in the hydration apparatus 10 as long as the fluid pump 18 is capable of discharging fluid from the bladder 30. The fluid pump 18 operates in a conventional manner. Thus, the operation of a fluid pump such as the fluid pump 18 is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, no further description of the fluid pump 18 or its operation is believed necessary. [0018]The discharge conduit 20 of the hydration apparatus 10 has a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first end 36 of the discharge conduit 20 is connected to and is in fluid communication with the fluid pump 18. The distribution outlet 22 is connectable to and in fluid communication with the second end 38 of the discharge conduit 20. [0019]The discharge conduit 20 is disposable in a spatial relationship relative to the individual's head or is disposable on the individual's head or in close proximity thereto for distributing fluid on the individual's head. The distribution outlet 22 is shown to be a padded sponge-like member which slowly and evenly distributes fluid on the head of the individual 12. However, it should be understood that any suitable member may be used as the distribution outlet 22 as long as such member is capable of distributing fluid in the manner as described herein. [0020]The distribution outlet 22 is shown to be positioned in a helmet 40. However, it should be understood that the distribution outlet 22 may be positioned in or near any head covering such as any hat, headgear, headpiece, or the like. In addition, it should be understood that the distribution outlet 22 may be disposed on or in close proximity to the individual's head without any head covering via a harness or webbing. Continue reading... Full patent description for Hydration apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hydration apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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