US20040238549A1

US20040238549A1 - Packwedge

Info

Publication number: US20040238549A1
Application number: US10/445,418
Authority: US
Inventors: Zane Murray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-28
Filing date: 2003-05-28
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

The packwedge is a bicycle accessory with multi purpose functions allowing the bicycle rider to carry a large amount of water while attaching the packwedge to the inside of the bicycle frame. With adjustable velcro straps the Packwedge is able to fit any bicycle through a universal means of adjustment, allowing the rider the freedom of mobility. The packwedge has multiple pockets for storage and a flexible drinking straw, which allows the rider access to his water supply while maintaining balance and control of the bicycle at any speed of travel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

GROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of invention to which the Packwedge pertains is that of sports equipment. The Packwedge is a multi function bicycle water bag, consisting of three main parts. The first is the outer bag, constructed of a light weight nylon mesh with a total of 12 utility pockets. The second is the inner water bag, capable of holding a large amount of fluid. The third is the drinking straw which reaches the rider through a flexible shaft.

Previous fluid storage devices have been limited by one of two factors. 1, water bottles can only store a small amount of fluid while enabling the rider mobility. 2, fluid holding backpacks hold a larger amount of water but hinder the rider's mobility by burdening the rider to were the device on his back.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Packwedge differs from commonly used water bags and bottles by its ability to hold a much larger amount of fluids and the fact that it attaches to the bicycle, instead of the rider. Securely fitting in an unused area of the bicycle frame allowing the rider to carry a large supply of fluids while freeing him from the burden of using previously developed means of hydration. The packwedge has 12 multi functional open-ended pockets for a variety of storage needs and a 30″ flexible straw for easy of fluid withdrawal by the rider while in motion. The triangular design attaches to three sides of the bicycle frame for a secure removable way to carry such a large amount of fluid. The triangular design also allows the water bag to be gravity fed enabling the rider to withdraw water from any position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A Depicts the right side view of both the external and internal bags, [0007]
FIG. 1B Depicts the right side view of both the external and internal bags. [0008]
FIG. 2A Depicts the left side view of the external bag. [0009]
FIG. 2B Depicts the right side view of the external bag. [0010]
FIG. 3A Depicts the left side view of the internal bag framed by the external bag. [0011]
FIG. 3B Depicts the right side view of the internal bag framed by the external bag. [0012]
FIG. 4A Depicts a cross section view of the outer bag from the front. [0013]
FIG. 4B Depicts a cross section view of both inner and outer bags from behind. [0014]
FIG. 5A Depicts a cross section view of the outer bag from the front. [0015]
FIG. 5B Depicts a cross section view of both inner and outer bags from the front. [0016]
FIG. 6A Depicts a profile view of the outer bag from above. [0017]
FIG. 6B Depicts a profile view of the outer bag from under neath. [0018]
FIG. 7A Depict an exploded profile view of the inner bag's cap from above. [0019]
FIG. 7B Depict an exploded profile view of the inner bag's cap from under neath. [0020]
FIG. 8A Depicts an exploded view of the water bag cap at a ¾ view from the top side. [0021]
FIG. 8B Depicts an exploded view of the water bag cap at a ¾ view from the under side. [0022]
FIG. 9 Depicts an exploded view of the flexible straw, pertaining to the furthest end including the shaft, mouth piece and both sides of the velcro attachment. [0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The packwedge is a liquid transportation system designed to fit the inner triangular area of a bicycle frame, comprised of ([0024] 1) the outer bag (3) the top side zipper (2,4,5,6,7) the adjustable velcro straps (8) the inner bag (9) the removable screw on cap (10) the ridge straw (17) the flexible straw (18) the male side of the velcro patch (19) the female side of the velcro patch(20) the flexible straw tip, and (11,12,13,14,15,16,21,22,23,24,25,26) the outer bag's storage pockets.
The outer bag([0025] 1) which measure 14″ vertically 18″ horizontally and 22.8″ on the diagonal side. The width of the outer bag is 2.8″ and is constructed of rip stop nylon mesh with 0.39″ of a gap between each thread strand.
The outer bag has a total of 12 storage pockets each closed on three sides with the top's open for easy access to items within the pockets. Both the right side and the left side of the outer bag's pockets are mirrored in placement and size for uniformity and convenience to the rider. Pockets([0026] 11,12,13,14,15,16) are placed on the left side of the outer bag. (21,22,23,24,25,26) are place on the right side of the outer bag. (11,21) measure 4″ wide by 3″ long. (12, 22) measure 4″ wide by 5″ long. (13,23) measure 3″ wide by 6″ long. (14,24) measure 5″ wide by 4″ long. (15,25) measure 7″ wide by 3″ long.(16,26) measure 3″ wide by 4″ long. Each pocket expands to a depth of 1″.
The packwedge attaches to the frame with five velcro straps. Each of the adjustable velcro straps divides evenly into two halves one half being the female side the other half being the male side of the velcro, each half measuring 3″ wide. The vertical side strap([0027] 5) measures 10″ in length and 6″ inches. The horizontal side of the outer bag has two velcro straps(2,4) both measure 6″ long by 6″ wide. The diagonal side has two velcro straps(7,6) both measure 6″ long by 6″ wide.
The outer bag opens on the horizontal side by means of a 17″ long zipper([0028] 3) leaving a 1″ space at the end of the outer bag for the flexible straw allowing the inner water bag to be removed and replaced as necessary by the rider. The inner bag(8) measures 12″ vertically 16″ horizontally and 20″ on the diagonal side. It has a width of 2.5″ . When filled it expands to hold 133 fluid ounces. Constructed of heat reflective plastic the inner bag maintains ideal water temperature for extended periods of time and can be removed and washed as necessary.
At the vertical and horizontal corner of the inner bag fluid can be added through the means of a removable screw on cap([0029] 9) constructed of durable plastic. The male end attached to the inner bag while the female end of the cap protrudes against the outer bag. The male end of the cap measures 1.9″ in diameter by 1″ thick. The female end of the cap measure 2″ in diameter by 1″thick.
The cap attaches through the means of a hole measuring 0.38″ to a ridged straw([0030] 10) which extends to the bottom of the inner bag, the straw measuring 14″ in length by 0.375″ in diameter. Through the nylon mesh of the outer bag a flexible straw(17) attaches into the cap, the straw measuring 30″ long by 0.375″ in diameter. The flexible straw is constructed of soft plastic protecting it from the stresses of normal wear and tear. The flexible straw allows ample reach to the rider who can withdraw liquid by the means of the straw tip(20) which measures 0.5″ long by 0.38″ in diameter allowing for a more comfortable and noticeable feel for the rider to hold in his mouth while in motion. 3″ away from the straw tip the flexible straw attaches to the outer bag by means of a velcro patch(19) which measures 2″ long by 0.376″ in diameter comprised of the female side of the velcro patch when wrapped around the flexible straw, the male side of the velcro patch(18) is attached to the outer bag 2″ down and 4″ in from the front comer of the outer bag. The male side measures 3″ in length by 2.5″ wide, securely holding the flexible straw to the outer bag allowing easy access to the straw by the rider.
The Packwedge is a fully developed design, including all parts and procedures necessary to produce and manufacture the embodied elements. All necessary volume and area calculations have been designed to function at the maximum efficiency for the Packwedge. The Packwedge offers a new approach to water transportation for the bicycling enthusiast, who wishes to carry a larger volume of fluid with added storage space provided by the Packwedge's utility pockets. The Packwedge offers the additional benefit by freeing the rider from being burdened or weighed down by previously clumsy or awkward means of liquid transportation for the modem bicyclist. [0031]

Claims

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for transporting a large amount of liquid easily when riding a bicycle that is comprised of:

(a) an outer bag which attaches to the bicycle frame;

(b) an inner bag which holds the former mention liquid;

(c) the means to remove the said liquid from the inner bag comprised of a ridged straw a flexible straw and an adjoining cap.