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 sit on the upper back 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,” 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 a backpack and in particular a hydration pack suitable to be worn on the upper back 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, require participants to bring their own hydration supply with them. 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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The hydration pack described herein addresses the disadvantages of the prior art backpacks by providing a pack that is designed to mount a hydration supply vessel high on the back of a user to reduce movement of the vessel due to normal body movement during the act of running. Positioning the pack high on the shoulders keeps the movement of the fluid in the vessel at a minimum, and a snug fit of the vessel holder as well as the vessel support designed into the vessel holder prevents the vessel from moving within the holder. Compared to a traditional waist mounted running pack, the hydration pack described herein experiences less heat buildup, less movement, and completely eliminates waist constriction, which can be uncomfortable while running. Compared to a standard backpack, the hydration pack described herein does not experience side-to-side sloshing.

[0010]The pack body is configured to rest on a user's upper back during use, for example between the shoulder blades. Consequently it is desirable to minimize discomfort to the user by providing a pack body that is contoured so as to reduce interaction with moving joints (e.g. the shoulder blades that move as one runs), thereby making the pack body more stable and secure. To achieve this goal, the bottom portion of the pack body is generally wider than the top portion, and the sides have a generally curved outer perimeter that continues along the shoulder extensions. Thus, when viewed as a whole with the shoulder straps, the hydration pack has a generally X-shaped overall geometric configuration.

[0011]The pack body has one or more secure storage areas configured to hold personal items. By way of example, the hydration pack described herein includes a single secure storage area. The secure storage area may be provided in any size and shape suitable to securely hold one or more of the user's larger personal items, for example including but not limited to one or more keys, wallet, money pouch, identification, music player, and the like. By way of example only, the secure storage area described herein includes a zippered pocket formed out of solid material that is accessed from the side. A second zipper may be included to provide zippered access from either side of the pocket. A small opening is provided near the top of the pocket to allow passage of a wire, for example for headphones. The secure storage area may also include a key clip to attach one or more keys. Two adjustment straps are attached to the bottom portion of the pack body and connect to the shoulder extensions. The adjustment straps are adjustable in length to accommodate a wide variety of users and to provide optimal comfort. One or more reflectors may be provided on the pack body to improve the visibility of users to automobiles at night.

[0013]The hydration vessel retention system is configured to securely hold a hydration vessel while allowing for easy insertion and removal of the hydration vessel during use. The hydration vessel may be any type of container capable of securely holding liquid, including but not limited to a bottle or pouch. For the purpose of illustration, the hydration pack described herein is configured to receive a bottle-type hydration vessel. The hydration vessel retention system is positioned along the midline of the pack body. This ensures that the hydration vessel will be positioned in the center of the user's upper back during use. Such a positioning has several advantages over traditional waist packs and standard-style backpacks, including minimal heat transfer from the user, less movement of the hydration vessel during use, and therefore less movement of the liquid in the hydration vessel during use.

[0014]The hydration vessel retention system includes a generally funnel-shaped opening that improves the efficiency at which the user is able to insert and remove the hydration vessel. By way of example only, the hydration vessel retention system includes a tension band positioned between inner and outer sleeves. The tension band creates an opening with a diameter that is smaller than the top opening created by the outer and inner sleeves. The result is a funnel-shaped opening that is not under tension but that will guide the vessel into the tension band. The tension band itself may exert less tension than exhibited in waist packs because the vessel will experience far less jostling when positioned on the upper back of a user. The end result is a hydration vessel retention system that allows for easy, one-handed insertion and removal of a hydration vessel while the user is running.

[0017]The hydration pack includes a plurality of pads on the back / inside surface of the pack. The pads are extra thick to provide for a snug, comfortable fit on the user. The pads are arranged in a quadrant configuration with a space in between them. The space functions as an air passage to improve “breathability” and comfort for the user.

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.

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 running, and especially challenging to replace the bottle while running.

However, less tension might allow the bottles to fall out of the holders while the runner is running.

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