WO2017192537A1

WO2017192537A1 - Sports bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2017192537A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/030569
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel M. Cooper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-03
Filing date: 2017-05-02
Publication date: 2017-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-03

Abstract

A sports drinking bottle is adapted for attachment to an item of sports equipment, by the use of a clasp that is adapted to be attached to a vessel body of bottle and removably attached to the item. The clasp may be integral with the vessel body and made of the same material as the body. Alternatively, the clasp may be affixed to a vessel body of the bottle by a vessel grasping ring. The vessel grasping ring may be part of the vessel body, part of the clasp, or a third component. The sports bottle may be further adapted with one or more tools, such as a bottle opener, cutter, wrench, screwdriver, etc. For example, a tool may be affixed to the vessel body, the clasp, or the vessel grasping ring. A tool may further be hinged to lie flush with the body of the bottle when not in use.

Description

SPORTS BOTTLE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/330,972 filed May 3, 2016, titled "Hockey Sports Bottle," and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/437,698, filed December 22, 2016 titled "Clincher Hockey Sports Bottle," the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Rigorous activities, such as sports like hockey, require participants to stay hydrated. Carrying a drink bottle in hand, however, is often inconvenient. Athletes, for example, may already be carrying a piece of sport equipment, such as a hockey or lacrosse stick, a golf club, a baseball bat, or the like. A lanyard or tether for the bottle may be undesirable, as such may allow the bottle to move unpredictably, for example.

[0003] U.S. Patent S/N 4,955,572 (Simmons), granted September 11, 1990, titled "Sports bottle supporting device," teaches a supporting device for a sports bottle having a liquid container with an integral neck and a cap which fits on the neck to hold the sports bottle in a vertical position. The supporting device is an integrally formed manufacture having a retaining section with a hole to fit over the neck of the container and is secured against vertical movement when the sports bottle cap is screwed down. Integral with the supporting device is a mounting tab which extends downward toward the container's base at or near the side of the sports bottle container when the supporting device is secured on the sports bottle. With the supporting device secured to the bottle, the bottle can be hung by placing the mounting tab over the belt of a person carrying the bottle, so that the person's hands are free while he is walking. Additionally, a receiving block that has a hole which accepts the mounting tab may be adhered within a car, such that the Simmons sports bottle can be hung within a car within easy reach of the user.

SUMMARY

[0004] A sports drinking bottle is adapted for attachment to an item of sports equipment, such as to the blade of a hockey stick, allowing a player to carry the bottle on the item. The bottle is adapted for attachment to the blade by the use of a clasp that is adapted to be attached to a vessel body of the bottle and removably attached to the item. The clasp may be formed integrally with the bottle, and may further be formed as a contiguous part of the bottle out of the same material as the body of the bottle. Alternatively, the clasp may be affixed a vessel body of the bottle by a vessel grasping ring. The vessel grasping ring may be part of the vessel body, part of the clasp, or a third component.

[0005] The sports bottle may be further adapted with one or more tools, such as a bottle opener, cutter, wrench, screwdriver, etc. For example, a tool may be affixed to the vessel body, the clasp, or the vessel grasping ring. A tool may further be hinged to lie flush with the body of the bottle when not in use.

[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to limitations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For convenience, similar items in different figures are often labeled with similar numbers, but may not be identical.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a profile of an example sports bottle shaped to allow a portion of the bottle itself to act as a clip or clasp for attachment of the bottle to an item of sports equipment.

[0009] Figure 2 illustrates the attachment of the example sport bottle of Figure 1 to the blade of a hockey stick.

[0010] Figure 3 is a profile of an example sports bottle that is equipped with a tool.

[0011] Figure 4 shows three views of the example bottle of Figure 3 in which the tool, here a bottle opener, is used.

[0012] Figure 5 shows three views of an example clasp which may be used on a sports bottle. [0013] Figure 6 shows two views of the example clasp of Figure 5 affixed to a vessel grasping ring for mounting on a sports bottle.

[0014] Figure 7 shows two views, including a sports bottle and a sports bottle to which the example clasp and ring of Figures 5 and 6 are fitted.

[0015] Figure 8 shows two views of the example and example sports bottle with a clasp and a vessel grasping ring being fitted to the blade of a hockey stick.

[0016] Figure 9 shows an example sports bottle that includes a vessel body, vessel grasping ring, clasp, and integrated tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] A sports drinking bottle may be adapted to conveniently attach to an item that an activity participant is already carrying, such as an item of equipment that a sports player is already carrying. For example, a bottle may be specially adapted for attachment to the blade of a hockey stick, allowing a player to carry the bottle on the stick. The bottle may be adapted by the use of a clasp which allows attachment to the body of the drinking vessel and to the item of sports equipment.

[0018] For attachment to the bottle, the clasp may have a vessel grasping ring, which at least partially encircles a portion of the drinking vessel. The vessel grasping ring may be set in place permanently around the neck or body of the drinking vessel, and may further be molded into a portion of the vessel.

[0019] Alternatively, the clasp may include a bar or other member which is attached to the vessel, e.g., via a screw, rivet, welded, or adhesive. Alternatively, the member may be molded into a portion of the vessel.

[0020] For attachment to the blade, the bottle may have a blade clasp attached to the vessel grasping ring. The blade clasp may be adapted to apply pressure to a first and a second flat side of the blade. For example, the blade clasp may be formed as a spring clip, e.g., a hinge with a spring that applies pressure to keep the hinge closed and one or more handles by which a user may apply force to open the hinge.

[0021] Alternatively the blade clasp may comprise a generally u-shaped bar of springy material, such as spring metal. A user may urge the clasp onto the blade and off again by applying a nominal force to open the spring. When the user lets go, the spring tension holds the blade clasp to the blade, and thereby the bottle to the blade.

[0022] The blade clasp may be locked in position relative to the vessel grasping ring, such that when the blade clasp is attached to the blade, the vessel grasping ring is locked in position relative to the blade, and thus the angle of the bottle relatively to the blade is fixed an predictable until the user removes the bottle from the blade.

[0023] The vessel neck, vessel body, vessel grasping ring, and blade clasp may be jointly formed of a single material. For example, a bottle may be blow molded from a single sleeve of a plastic material, whereby a first distal portion of sleeve expands to form the body of the drinking vessel, a second distal portion forms an arm extending near the body, and the mouth of the sleeve expands to form the neck of the vessel. The contours of the vessel body and the arm may be specially adapted for a particular item of sports equipment, such as a hockey stick. The arm may be displaceable under tension to allow the insertion of the blade between the body and the arm, such that when the displacing tension is removed, the arm applies force against the blade to hold the vessel in place relative to the blade. Thus the arm and body together act as the blade clasp, and the material joining the arm to the body acts as the vessel grasping ring.

[0024] The sports bottle may further include a tool attached to the blade clasp or the vessel grasping ring. The tool may be, for example, a screw driver, wrench, cutter, lacing hook, or a bottle opener, or other item useful to the sportsman. The tool is attached to the blade clasp or vessel grasping ring via a hinge, such that the tool may be laid flush with the apparatus or extended via the hinge for use.

[0025] The clasp may be formed integrally with the bottle. For example, the clasp may be formed of a first material, and then the vessel body of the bottle may be molded to incorporate a portion of the clasp, where the body of the bottle is made of a second material.

[0026] The sports bottle may be further adapted with a tool, such as a bottle opener, cutter, wrench, screwdriver, etc. For example, the tool may be affixed to a clasp that surrounds the body of the bottle, and may further be hinged to lie flush with the body of the bottle when not in use.

[0027] The bottle may further incorporate a sensor and computational electronics. For example, the bottle may sense the level of fluid in the bottle over time, and thereby compute the rate of hydration by the sportsman. The electronics may provide a reminder alarm for hydration, e.g., according to a schedule or regular interval. The electronics may include a clock or a timer, e.g., a penalty period timer, amount of time remaining timer, etc. Alternatively, a mechanical timer may also be used for some functions.

[0028] Figure 1 is a side view of an example sports bottle 100 that is shaped to allow an arm portion 110 of the bottle 100 to act as a clasp in conjunction with the main body 102 of the bottle 100. The bottle 100 has a neck 104 to which a cap 106 is fitted. The cap 106 may snap or screw onto the neck 104, for example, to allow opening the neck to fill the bottle 100. In the example of Figure 1, the cap 106 has a closeable spout 108 to allow drinking without removal of the cap. Alternatively, the cap 106 may have a flap, for example, to allow filling and drinking. The neck 104, arm 110, and body 102 are portions of a contiguous vessel. All portions of the vessel may be made of the same material and may be fabricated at the same time, e.g., by blow- molding. The cap 106 and spout 108 may be made from different materials, and at a different time, and added later to the vessel to complete the bottle 100. The arm 110 and body 102 are shaped to provide a gap 112 into which a portion of a piece of equipment may be inserted, such that the bottle becomes removably attached to the piece of equipment. The shape and material of the vessel may be selected to allow enough flexibility to allow the introduction of the piece of equipment to the gap 112 with minimum effort by a user, to hold the piece of equipment securely when the user lets go of the equipment, and then release the equipment again with a minimum effort by a user. The shape of the arm 110, gap 112, and body 102, may be adjusted to accommodate any kind of sporting, medical, or industrial equipment, such as, but not limited to: an ice hockey stick; a field hockey stick; a lacrosse stick; a golf club; a baseball bat; a rifle; a medical evacuation gurney; the tripod for a surveyors transit; or a ladder, to name but a few.

[0029] The dimensions of sports bottles described herein, such as the bottle 100, may be similar to conventional sports bottles. Similarly, the bottle described herein may be constructed of any standard material, such as, but not limited to high-density polyethylene (FIDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), co-polyester, polypropylene, polycarbonate plastic, or similar materials.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a front view of the bottle of Figure 1 when attached to the blade of a hockey stick 220. The blade 220 is fit snugly between the arm 110 and the body 102 of the bottle, such that the bottle 100 remains in place during ordinary use. The arm 110, gap 112, and body 102 of the bottle 100, as well as the materials used to form the bottle 100, as selected such that a user may readily attach and detach the bottle 100 from the blade 220, and may further be selected such that the bottle 100 remains fixed in relative position to the blade 220 during ordinary carrying of the hockey stick.. For example, the bottle 100 may be generally cylindrical, approximately 9 inches tall by 4 inches in diameter, where the clasp gap 112 approximately 4 inches in length, with a space of approximately 1/4 inch between the arm 110 and the vessel body 102. A hockey stick blade, such as blade, may be, for example in the general ranges of 11 inches long, 2 3/4 inches tall, and 1/4 inch thick.

[0031] Figure 3 depicts an alternative sports bottle 300 which incorporates a tool 320. Bottle 300 is similar to bottle 100 of Figures 1 and 2 in that a clasp is formed by shaping an arm 110 and the vessel body 102. Bottle 300 similarly has a neck 104, cap 106, and spout 108. In this design, the top of the arm 110 may optionally be made particularly strong, relative to the overall vessel body, e.g., due to its shape, thickening of material used in its formation, or molding a section of reinforcing material. A tool may be affixed to this region, or elsewhere on the bottle, e.g., by adhesive, welding, or rivet, or by screwing the tool to the arm 110 or a reinforcing plate, or by molding a portion of the tool into bottle, leaving the useful end of the tool accessible at the exterior of the bottle. In the example of Figure 3, the tool 320 is a bottle opener. A screw driver, wrench, cutter, or lacing hook may also be used, or similar tools.

[0032] Figure 4 shows three views, 4A, 4B, and 4C. In view 4A, a beverage bottle 400 with a cap 402 is brought to the sports bottle 300. In view 4B, the cap 402 is fit into the tool 320. In view 4C, the beverage bottle is twisted against the sports bottle 300, freeing the cap 402.

[0033] Figure 5 shows three views, 5A, 5B, and 5C, of an example clasp 500 that may be used to form an alternative sports bottle. View 5A is a profile. In this example, the clasp 500 is made by bending a sheet of metal or molding plastic, for example, to form a clasp arm 502 and a clasp body 504. View 5B is a front perspective, and View 5C is a rear perspective.

[0034] Figure 6 shows two views, 6A and 6B, of the example clasp 500 of Figure 5 connected to a vessel grasping ring 602. In this example, the vessel grasping ring 602 is an cylindrical section which may be fitted completely around the vessel body of a sports bottle. Alternatively, the vessel grasping ring 602 may only extend partially around the vessel body, allowing it to grip the vessel body without completely encircling it. In another alternative, the vessel grasping ring 602 may take the form of a hook or connector that may be affixed to the vessel body. The vessel grasping ring 602 may be made of metal or plastic, or a woven or non- woven textile or assembly. The ring 602 may, for example, be made of a thermal insulator material such as neoprene, and optionally bear a logo, e.g., the trademark of a sports team.

[0035] View 6A is a perspective view. View 6B is a profile, showing where a portion of the body 504 of the clasp 500 is obscured within the grasping ring 602.

[0036] Figure 7 shows two views of an example sports bottle with and without clasp and vessel grasping ring. View 7 A shows a vessel body 702 with an optional indent 710 for receiving a vessel grasping ring, a cap 704, and a spout 706. View 7B shows a sports bottle 700 that includes the vessel body 702 fitted with the clasp 500 and vessel grasping ring 602 of Figures 5 and 6.

[0037] Figure 8 shows two views of the sports bottle of Figure 7 being onto the blade of a hockey stick. View 8A shows the sports bottle 700, including the vessel grasping ring 602 and clasp 500, next to a blade 802 of a hockey stick. View 8B shows the sports bottle 700 affixed to the blade 802 by means of the clasp 500, where the clasp is affixed to the vessel body of the sports bottle 700 by means of the vessel grasping ring 602.

[0038] Figure 9 shows an alternative example sports bottle 900 that is similar to the sports bottle 700 of Figures 7 and 8. Like bottle 700, bottle 900 has a vessel body 902, a vessel grasping ring 906, and a clasp 910. The clasp has an arm 902 and a body portion 904 which are adapted for releasable attachment to an item of sports equipment. Further, sports bottle 900 has an incorporated tool 920, which, in this example is a bottle opener fashioned as a portion of the clasp 910.

[0039] Many alternative configurations of sports bottles may be made using the concepts described herein. For example, the vessel body, vessel grasping ring, and item clasp may be formed in any combination. All three components may be formed at the same time of the same material, as described in reference to Figures 1-4. Alternatively, the three components could be fabricated separately then assembled to form a sports bottle, as described in reference to Figures 5-9. Further, not shown in the figures, the functions of the vessel grasping ring and the vessel body could be incorporated in a single component, e.g., to which the item clasp is then connected. Similarly, the item clasp and the vessel grasping ring could be formed as a single component, e.g., by stamping a metal blank in the form of a T, and folding the horizontal arms of the T to form a partial ring to fit around the vessel body, and folding the vertical arm to form an item clasp. [0040] Similarly, tools may be fit onto the sports bottles described herein in a number of ways. A plate, reinforcement, or both may be imbedded in a portion of the vessel body, vessel grasping ring, or clasp, and the tool then affixed to the plate or reinforcement. A portion of the tool may be embodied in the vessel body, vessel grasping right, or clasp, e.g., as such

components are molded. One or more tools may be affixed to a component of a sports bottle by way of a hinge, such that they may be folded out of the way when not in use, and selectively deployed to use each tool in turn. For example, the tool feature may take the form of a multi-tool that includes a selection of tools and blades, such as, but not limited to, a flat head and a Philips, and Allen wrench, and a jackknife.

[0041] In describing embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed subject matter, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably attaching a drinking vessel, to a blade of a hockey stick, the apparatus comprising:

a vessel grasping ring, the vessel grasping ring at least partially encircling a

portion of the drinking vessel; and

a blade clasp attached to the vessel grasping ring, the blade clasp being adapted to apply pressure to a first and a second side of the blade,

wherein:

the blade clasp is locked in position relative to the vessel grasping ring, such that when blade clasp is applying pressure to the first and second sides of the blade, the vessel grasping ring is locked in position relative to the blade.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a vessel body of the drinking vessel.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the vessel grasping ring is integral to the vessel body.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein the blade clasp is integral to the vessel body.

5. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein the vessel body, the vessel grasping ring, and the blade clasp are jointly formed of a single material.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the vessel grasping ring and the blade clasp are jointly formed of a single material.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the vessel grasping ring and the blade clasp are made of plastic.

8. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the vessel grasping ring comprises neoprene.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the blade clasp comprises a hinge and a metal spring.

10. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the first and second side of the blade are the flat sides of the blade.

11. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the first and second side of the blade are the narrow edges of the blade.

12. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a first tool attached to the blade clasp or the vessel grasping ring.

13. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the first tool is a screw driver, wrench, cutter, lacing hook, or bottle opener.

14. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein the first tool is attached to the blade clasp or vessel grasping ring via a first hinge, such that the first tool may be laid flush with the apparatus or extended via the first hinge for use.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14, further comprising a second tool, the second tool being

attached to the blade clasp or vessel grasping ring via a second hinge.

16. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a timer, the timer providing a settable

alarm.

17. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic fluid level sensor, an electronic timer, an indicator, and an electronic processor,

where the processor is adapted to compare a reading from the electronic fluid level sensor to a time from the electronic timer and optionally signal the user of an alarm via the indicator.

18. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the processor is further adapted to maintain a

hydration schedule and to signal the user of the alarm when a user has deviated from the hydration schedule.

19. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the vessel body comprises high-density polyethylene.

20. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the vessel body comprises, low-density polyethylene, co-polyester, polypropylene, or polycarbonate plastic