Abstract
A hydration device wherein a customized bladder is secured in a fixed position within a customized glove covering the topside surface area of a hand and the full 360-degree surface area of a forearm. A chamber stitched into an internal surface of the glove and a reclosable fastener secure the bladder's fixed position. The bladder is constructed with additional material on its sides, so that it conforms to the shape of and distributes the weight of its contents 360 degrees along the contours of the appendages. Two holes stitched into the outer portion of the glove expose the bladder's reclosable aperture for filling and a spout for extracting the bladder's contents. The bladder's contoured, 360-degree design impels the hydration device to lay fitted along the appendages with the spout purposefully positioned in a mouth's path during a normal arm swing, thereby promoting the user to maintain unaltered motion while drinking.
Claims
1. A wearable hydration device, comprising: A. A fabric glove with an internal and external surface that conforms to the shape of the hand and arm; B. An outer portion with two different circular holes stitched into the fabric glove's external surface to expose embodiments of a bladder externally, a reclosable fastener forming the bottom portion of an internal chamber, and elastic bands sewn into the fabric glove around the fingers and a section of the forearm; C. An inner portion with a chamber sewn into the internal surface of the glove, in the shape of a bladder, wherein the bladder can sit in a fixed position secured by fabric and the reclosable fastener.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein a chamber is sewn between the topside internal surface and other fabric of the glove that sits on the skin along the topside of the hand as well as the topside and underside of the forearm.
3. A specially constructed, refillable hydration bladder that can fit secured inside the chamber of claim 2, comprising: A. A shape that mimics the contours of relevant appendages; B. Additional material along the sides of its continuous form for holding greater contents; C. An inner portion that holds contents; D. An outer portion with a reclosable aperture for filling or emptying the bladder's contents, which is placed to permit exposure externally through the circular hole of the glove; E. A reclosable cap for sealing the reclosable aperture and which is placed to permit exposure externally through a circular hole of the glove; F. An outer portion with a spout for extracting the contents within the bladder's inner portion and which is placed to permit exposure externally through a circular hole of the glove.
4. The hydration bladder of claim 3, wherein the spout sits at an angle that positions the spout in the path of a user's mouth while executing a normal arm swing during physical activity.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The figures of the following drawings exemplify the novel construction and configuration of the embodiments of the present invention, and they are intended, through illustration, to describe and increase understanding of some of the novel functions, benefits and uses thereof. The functions, benefits and uses, however, are not limited to those demonstrated in the figures exemplifying the construction and configuration of the aforementioned embodiments. Also, the figures do not show definitive material aspects of the embodiments, or the precise scale thereof. Please take note that the same reference number used in more than one figure generally indicates a similar embodiment, while the perspective, scale or any other visual aspect of the figure may have changed somewhat.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a topside perspective of a hydration device that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an underside, right-angled perspective view of a hydration device that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention, in which a silhouette illustrated in dashed lines represents a bladder embodiment contained within a chamber sewn into the internal surface of a fabric glove embodiment, i.e. between the topside internal surface of the glove and the fabric sitting on the skin. In particular, the dashed lines designate where the wings of the bladder embodiment meet the borderlines of the chamber. Take note that the dashed lines are for illustration only and cannot be seen on the external surface of the actual fabric glove, which is why the dashed lines are referred to as a “silhouette” of the bladder.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention in use, from the topside perspective, while worn on, but not limited to, the appendages on the right side of the body.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a topside diagrammatic view of the bladder embodiment when outside of the glove embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an underside diagrammatic view of the bladder embodiment when outside of the glove embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a right-angled, side view of the bladder embodiment when outside of the glove.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a right-angled, topside close-up, i.e. zoomed in, view of a reclosable bladder aperture and attached cap embodiment of the bladder embodiment when inside or outside the glove. In this view, the attached cap of the reclosable aperture is an open position.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional, underside diagrammatic view of the glove embodiment in which the reclosable fastener is shown to extend somewhat to each side of the appendage, i.e. somewhat beyond the topside width of the appendage when in three-dimensions, as if being worn, opposed to lying flat in two-dimensions.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional, topside diagrammatic view of the glove embodiment that clearly illustrates, among other things, the two different sized circular holes stitched in the top left and bottom center of the fabric of the glove embodiment through which the spout and cap of the bladder embodiment, respectively, are exposed when the bladder embodiment sits secured in the chamber of the glove embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a topside, functional diagrammatic view that shows, side-by-side, the bladder embodiment when outside of the glove embodiment and the glove embodiment with the reclosable fastener opened, indicating illustratively that the bladder embodiment is inserted into the chamber of the glove embodiment through the fastener.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a topside perspective of a hydration device that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention, in which a silhouette illustrated in dashed lines represents the bladder embodiment contained within the chamber sewn into the internal surface of the glove, i.e. between the topside internal surface of the glove and the fabric sitting on the skin. In particular, the dashed lines designate where the wings of the bladder embodiment meet the borderlines of the chamber. Take note that the dashed lines are for illustration only and cannot be seen on the external surface of the actual fabric glove, which is why the dashed lines are referred to as a “silhouette” of the bladder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Below, the drawings of FIGS. 1-11 and particularly FIGS. 1-3 and 11, being represented by the reference number 10 when embodiments of the present invention are referenced and/or described collectively, are referenced to describe and illustrate in detail a hydration device that is configured and constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention. Take note that the present invention and its embodiments, including their functions, benefits and uses, are not limited by the terms, types and applications mentioned in the detailed description below.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a topside perspective view of a hydration device 10 that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention. A fabric glove 8 with an internal and external surface and made using a synthetic blend of flexible, durable, sturdy, proportionally absorbent thread, such as high elastic nylon, securely covers the hand and forearm, while also helping support the hand and wrist and absorbing sweat. Sewn into the fabric glove 8 are elastic bands around the base of each finger 4, i.e. near the knuckles, and an elastic band at the section of the forearm where the glove ends when worn 7, which further secure the fabric glove 8 and prevent movement of the present invention along the appendages during rest and physical movement.
[0039] In further reference to FIG. 1, the glove 8 also includes an outer portion with two different circular holes stitched into the top left 12 and bottom center 11 of the fabric. Exposed out of the top left circular hole 12 is a spout with a lock system valve 1 that is molded onto an outer portion of a bladder embodiment, wherein the bladder embodiment and its respective embodiments are shown clearly in FIGS. 4-7. The spout 1 potentially has a cap 3 to cover it. Exposed out of the bottom center hole 11 is a reclosable aperture 5 of an outer portion of a bladder embodiment, wherein the bladder embodiment and its respective embodiments are shown clearly in FIGS. 4-7.
[0040] In further reference to FIG. 1, the glove 8 also includes an outer portion with a reclosable fastener 6, such as hook and loop or dual lock, that is sewn inside a slit in the fabric and extends the full width of the wrist's topside surface.
[0041] FIG. 2 is an underside, right-angled perspective view of a hydration device 10 that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a silhouette drawn in dashed lines represents the wings of the bladder 9A and 9B when secured in a fixed position inside the fabric glove 8. The wings 9A and 9B are extensions of a single continuous form and material composing the bladder 9, which sits along portions of the topside and underside of the forearm and the topside of the hand while secured inside the fabric glove 8. As demonstrated by the silhouette, the wings 9A and 9B do not extend the full width of the appendage, i.e. until the wings 9A and 9B would meet in the middle of the appendage, so that the bladder 9 is relatively more easily and quickly inserted into and removed from the inside of the fabric glove 8.
[0042] In further reference to FIG. 2, the reclosable fastener 6, shown more clearly in FIG. 1 as 6, extends somewhat around the left and right sides of the appendage 6A and 6B, but at a proportionally smaller length than the bladder wings 9A and 9B, when the hydration device 10 is worn. The reclosable fastener 6 extends somewhat around the left and right sides of the appendage 6A and 6B at a proportional length to help secure the bladder 9 in a fixed position within the fabric glove 8 and facilitate the bladder's insertion and removal. The elastic bands around the base of each finger 4, i.e. near the knuckles, and the elastic band in the section of the forearm where the glove ends when worn 7 wrap around the full 360 degrees of the respective appendages' surface area to further secure the fabric glove 8 and prevent movement of the present invention along the appendages during rest and physical movement, including while the bladder 9 is secured in a fixed position within the fabric glove 8.
[0043] In FIG. 2, the spout 1 that is molded onto an outer portion of the bladder 9 sits exposed externally out of the circular hole stitched into the top left 12 of the fabric glove 8. The spout 1 sits at an angle that is advantageous for the user to contact the mouth with the spout 1 and access the contents of the bladder 9 while executing a normal arm swing.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the present invention in use, from the topside perspective, while worn on, but not limited to, the appendages on the right side of the body. The spout 1 is in eminent contact with the mouth of the user 15 while exposed externally out of the circular hole stitched into the top left 12 of the fabric glove 8, because the spout 1 sits at an angle that places the embodiment in the path of the user's mouth 15 during a normal arm swing. The elastic bands 4 and 7 and the blended synthetic thread, such as high elastic nylon, out of which the fabric glove 8 is likely made securely fixes the fabric glove 8 to the appendages and provides additional support to the wrist. The fabric glove 8 thus helps prevent movement of the hydration device 10, resulting in the spout 1 being oriented continuously in a position that is advantageous for contacting the user's mouth 15 during a normal arm swing. In addition, the position of the spout 1 being in the path of the mouth 15 during a normal arm swing helps the user maintain their normal full body motion, orientation and direction of their arm, and line of sight during physical activity.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a topside diagrammatic view of the bladder 9 when outside of the fabric glove 8. FIG. 5 is an underside diagrammatic view of the bladder 9 when outside of the fabric glove 8. FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the bladder 9 is a single continuous form and material that mimics the shape of appendages, particularly a portion of appendages extending from near the bottom of the knuckles until near the end of the forearm. The wings 9A and 9B are extensions of the bladder 9 on the right and left sides of a single continuous form and material that store within the bladder 9 additional liquid around the 360-degree surface area of the relevant appendage(s), particularly a section of the forearm. Since the wings 9A and 9B store liquid around the 360-degree surface area of a section of the forearm, the bladder 9 can contain a larger supply of liquid, and the weight and volume of the bladder 8 and its contents are distributed along a large surface area, thereby helping prevent the bladder 9 from loading the appendage(s) down or protruding while secured within the fabric glove 8.
[0046] In further reference to FIG. 5 in particular, the wings 9A and 9B move flexibly as extensions of a single continuous bladder 9 and curve to conform to the contours of the relevant appendage(s), particularly a section of the forearm. As a result of the wings 9A and 9B conforming to the contours of a section of the forearm, the bladder 9 lays relatively flat while secured in a fixed position within the fabric glove 8, as illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 1-3, so the present invention is hampered from scraping or striking other parts of the user's body during a normal arm swing.
[0047] In further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bladder 9 includes an inner portion that can store liquid as well as an outer portion that has two apertures 12 and 5. The aperture in the top left 12 is the result of a spout 1 molded directly onto the bladder 9, thereby making the spout 1 and aperture in the top left 12 the same aperture that functions seamlessly to make the contents of the inner portion accessible to the user possibly through suction or by applying pressure to the spout 1. Located in the bottom center of the bladder is a reclosable aperture in a closed position 5 that is used for filling and refilling the bladder 9 with liquid.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a right-angled, side view of the bladder 9 when outside of the fabric glove 8. The reclosable aperture in a closed position 5 is composed of an aperture at the bottom center of the bladder 5B and a reclosable cap 5A. In further reference to FIG. 6, the wings 9A and 9B are shown more clearly to move flexibly as extensions of a single continuous bladder 9 and curve to conform to the contours the relevant appendage(s).
[0049] FIG. 7 is a right-angled, topside close-up, i.e. zoomed in, view of the reclosable aperture in an open position 17, when the bladder 9 is inside or outside the fabric glove 8. The inner portion of the bladder 18 is filled or refilled through the aperture at the bottom center 5B of the bladder 9, while the reclosable cap 5A is disengaged from the aperture at the bottom center 5B. The reclosable cap 5A is potentially attached to the base of the aperture at the bottom center 5B, thereby facilitating the aperture 5B to be quickly sealed with the reclosable cap 5A and preventing the reclosable cap 5A from being relatively easily misplaced by the user.
[0050] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional, underside diagrammatic view of the fabric glove 8 showing that the reclosable fastener 6 extends somewhat around the left and right sides of the appendage 6A and 6B, i.e. somewhat beyond the topside width of the appendage when in three-dimensions, as if being worn, opposed to lying flat in two-dimensions.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional, topside diagrammatic view of the fabric glove 8 that clearly shows, among other things, two different circular holes stitched into the top left 12 and bottom center 11 of the glove's outer portion. The top left circular hole 12 and bottom center circular hole 11 are constructed and configured to expose and give the user access to particular embodiments of a bladder embodiment, wherein the bladder embodiment and its respective embodiments are shown clearly in FIGS. 1-3 and 11.
[0052] In further reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, sewn into the fabric glove 8 are elastic bands around the base of each finger 4, i.e. near the knuckles, and an elastic band at the section of the forearm where the glove ends when worn 7. The elastic bands 4 and 7 are more clearly shown to wrap around the full 360 degrees of the respective appendages' surface area, thereby further securing the fabric glove 8 and preventing movement of the present invention along the appendages during rest and physical movement.
[0053] FIG. 10 is a topside, functional diagrammatic view that shows, side-by-side, the bladder 9 when outside of the fabric glove 8 and the fabric glove 8 with the reclosable fastener 6 in the open position, demonstrating with an arrow 14 that the bladder 9 is inserted into or removed from the fabric glove 8 through the reclosable fastener 6. Sewn into the internal surfaces, i.e. top and bottom, of the slit containing the reclosable fastener 6 is the material used to seal the fastener's opening 13. The material used to seal the fastener's opening 13 is attached along the entire length of the internal surfaces, i.e. top and bottom, of the slit containing the reclosable fastener 6.
[0054] FIG. 11 is a topside perspective of a hydration device 10 that is constructed and configured according to the principles of various embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 11, a silhouette drawn in dashed lines represents the bladder 9, which includes the wings of the bladder 9A and 9B as extensions of its single continuous form, that sits along portions of the topside and underside of the forearm and the topside of the hand when secured inside the chamber 19 sewn into the fabric glove 8. The reclosable fastener 6 is located directly beneath the bottom border of the chamber 19A. When the reclosable fastener 6 is in the closed position, the reclosable fastener 6 merges with the bottom border of the chamber 19A, thereby helping secure and “lock” the bladder 9 within the chamber 19.
[0055] In further reference to FIG. 11, the chamber 19 and the bladder 9, including the wings of the bladder 9A and 9B as extensions of its single continuous form, are the same shape, and accordingly both embodiments 19 and 9 conform to and lay along the contours of the topside of the hand as well as the topside and underside of the forearm, when the fabric glove 8 is worn. The wings 9A and 9B wrap around the sides of the forearm, illustrating that the wings 9A and 9B continue from the topside surface area of the forearm to a portion of the underside surface area of the forearm.
[0056] In further reference to FIG. 11, the reclosable aperture in a closed position 5 is exposed out of the bottom center circular hole 11 stitched into the fabric glove 8, allowing the user to fill or refill the contents of the bladder 9 while the bladder 9 remains secured inside the chamber 19.
