Ultralight Hydration Pack

Abstract

This application describes a hydration pack suitable for use while engaging in a prolonged physical activity such as running. The hydration pack is configured to be worn on the upper leg of a user and includes an adjustable-height hydration vessel receptacle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 701,821 filed on Sep. 17, 2012 and entitled “Hydration Pack,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 751,886 filed on Jan. 13, 2013 and entitled “Athletic Hydration Pack,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this disclosure as if set forth fully herein.FIELD[0002]This application relates to an athletic hydration pack and in particular a hydration pack suitable to be worn on the leg of a user.BACKGROUND[0003]It is commonly known that people who engage in prolonged exercise activity need to keep themselves hydrated with water or other suitable hydration beverages. Certain activities, such as running, hiking, and biking, surfing, and paddleboarding require participants to bring their own hydration supply with them...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]By way of example only, the hydration pack described herein is provided as a single-bottle configuration. Other configurations are possible, (including but not limited to) multi-bottle configurations and bladder configurations (both single and multiple). The hydration pack includes a pack body, first and second upper attachment straps, first and second lower attachment straps, a hydration vessel retention system, and a vertical attachment strap. The first and second upper attachment straps are positioned opposite one another on the top portion of the pack body, with the first upper attachment strap attached to the first side and the second upper attachment strap attached to the second side. The first and second lower attachment straps are positioned opposite one another on the bottom portion of the pack body, with the first lower attachment strap attached to the first side and the second lower attachment strap attached to the second side. Each of the first and second upper attachment straps and the first and second lower attachment straps extend laterally away from the pack body (relative to the vertical midline of the pack body). The first and second upper attachment straps work in concert to secure the upper portion of the pack body to a portion of the user, for example a user's upper leg. Similarly, the first and second lower attachment straps work in concert to secure the lower portion of the pack body to a portion of the user. A vertical attachment strap is attached to the top portion and extends away from the pack body along the midline, and is configured to attach to a waist belt (for example) to help prevent the pack from sliding down the user's leg during use.

Problems solved by technology

This can be a challenge as hydration supplies and the equipment necessary to transport it can be heavy, bulky, and uncomfortable for the user.

This is especially true for runners, as they have to wear the hydration supply at all times while engaging in an activity that causes substantial movement of any packs they may be wearing.

This configuration has drawbacks, however, in that substantial jostling of the pack and hydration supply occurs due to the movement associated with running This can cause discomfort for the user in terms of chafing and uneven weight distribution.

Furthermore, heat buildup can be a problem with hydration supplies that are positioned at the waist or lower back.

For this reason, a hydration pack positioned on one's back may be difficult and awkward to access while engaged in the activity.

On the other hand, they are also bulky and rigid, which can be uncomfortable when worn.

In either case, however, bottles and pouches worn at the hip or lower back will experience substantial jostling while the user is running.

Even contents in a traditional backpack will experience significant side-to-side sway during use.

Another drawback with the traditional bottle-based packs is that the bottles are typically difficult to remove from and replace into the bottle holders.

Because of the placement on the body and the aforementioned jostling of the bottles, the tension required to keep the bottle stable within the bottle holders during use is significant.

This makes it more difficult for the user to access the bottle while engaged in any activity, and especially challenging to replace the bottle while running or while trying to maintain one's balance.

However, less tension might allow the bottles to fall out of the holders during activity.

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