U.S. patent application number 13/525284 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for adjustable cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIKE SALISBURY. The applicant listed for this patent is AARON HOWCROFT, MIKE SALISBURY. Invention is credited to AARON HOWCROFT, MIKE SALISBURY.
Application Number | 20130334162 13/525284 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49754926 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130334162 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOWCROFT; AARON ; et
al. |
December 19, 2013 |
ADJUSTABLE CAP
Abstract
An adjustable cap comprising a grip and a hub is coupled to the
grip. Wherein the grip and the hub are configured to rotate
independently of each other and a plurality of legs is coupled to
the hub and a lock coupled to the hub wherein the hub and the lock
are configured to rotate independently of each other. The lock is
further configured to move the legs toward a center of the lock and
a cap thread is coupled to the hub wherein the cap thread is
configured to move down when the grip is rotated. A plate is
coupled to the cap thread wherein the plate is configured to rotate
independently of the cap thread. The adjustable cap provides a seal
on multiple bottle opening sizes that can be used with a tube to
withdraw fluid.
Inventors: |
HOWCROFT; AARON; (Provo,
UT) ; SALISBURY; MIKE; (Mapleton, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOWCROFT; AARON
SALISBURY; MIKE |
Provo
Mapleton |
UT
UT |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SALISBURY; MIKE
HOWCROFT; AARON
|
Family ID: |
49754926 |
Appl. No.: |
13/525284 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/227 ;
215/272 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20130101; A47G
19/2266 20130101; A45F 3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/227 ;
215/272 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00; B65D 51/00 20060101 B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. An adjustable cap comprising: a grip; a hub coupled to the grip
wherein the grip and the hub are configured to rotate independently
of each other; a plurality of legs coupled to the hub; a lock
coupled to the hub wherein the hub and the lock are configured to
rotate independently of each other and wherein the lock is further
configured to move the legs toward a center of the lock; and a cap
thread coupled to the hub wherein the cap thread is configured to
move down when the grip is rotated.
2. The adjustable cap of claim 1 further comprising a top plate and
a bottom plate coupled to the cap thread wherein the top plate and
the bottom plate are configured to rotate independently of the cap
thread.
3. The adjustable cap of claim 2 further comprising a gasket
coupled to the bottom plate configured to fit around the top of a
bottle and form a seal.
4. The adjustable cap of claim 1 further comprising a check valve
in the cap thread.
5. The adjustable cap of claim 1 further comprising a hole in the
cap thread configured to allow a tube to be inserted through the
hole.
6. The adjustable cap of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
wedges coupled to the lock wherein the plurality of wedges can move
the plurality of legs by rotating the lock.
7. The adjustable cap of claim 1 wherein the plurality of legs have
a lip that is configured to grab on an edge.
8. An adjustable cap comprising: a grip; a hub coupled to the grip
wherein the grip and the hub are configured to rotate independently
of each other; a plurality of legs coupled to the hub; a lock
coupled to the hub wherein the hub and the lock are configured to
rotate independently of each other and wherein the lock is further
configured to move the legs toward a center of the lock; a cap
thread coupled to the hub wherein the cap thread is configured to
move down when the grip is rotated; and a plate coupled to the cap
thread wherein the plate is configured to rotate independently of
the cap thread.
9. The adjustable cap of claim 8 further comprising a gasket
coupled to the plate configured to fit around the top of a bottle
and form a seal.
10. The adjustable cap of claim 8 further comprising a check valve
in the cap thread.
11. The adjustable cap of claim 8 further comprising a hole in the
cap thread configured to allow a tube to be inserted through the
hole.
12. The adjustable cap of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of
wedges coupled to the lock wherein the plurality of wedges can move
the plurality of legs by rotating the lock.
13. The adjustable cap of claim 8 wherein the plurality of legs
have a lip that is configured to grab on an edge.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Staying hydrated during exercise such as bike riding,
hiking, walking or running is essential for peak performance.
Hydrations systems are available that can deliver fluids to a
person while they are exercising through a tube. The tube allows a
person to continue to exercise and drink at the same time. Due to
the movement created by the exercise, the fluid must be in a sealed
container to prevent fluid from escaping while being moved.
Existing hydration systems provide a specific sealed reservoir for
liquid with a tube that is used to withdraw the liquid. This is a
limitation in that existing hydration systems will only function
with the fluid reservoir provided with the system.
[0002] Bottles containing beverages such as sport drinks, juice,
water and sodas are manufactured with a wide range of bottle top
openings. A sealed adjustable cap is needed that can be placed on
multiple bottle top openings, provide a seal, and allow fluid to be
withdrawn with a tube. This will allow a person to use a typical
type of bottle in a hydration system. The adjustable cap can fit on
multiple bottle openings and allow fluid to be removed with a
tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of an apparatus are also described. In one
embodiment, the apparatus is an adjustable cap comprising a grip
and a hub is coupled to the grip. Wherein the grip and the hub are
configured to rotate independently of each other and a plurality of
legs is coupled to the hub and a lock coupled to the hub wherein
the hub and the lock are configured to rotate independently of each
other. The lock is further configured to move the legs toward a
center of the lock and a cap thread is coupled to the hub wherein
the cap thread is configured to move down when the grip is rotated.
Other embodiments of the apparatus are also described.
[0004] Embodiments of an apparatus are also described. In one
embodiment, the apparatus is an adjustable cap comprising a grip
and a hub is coupled to the grip. Wherein the grip and the hub are
configured to rotate independently of each other and a plurality of
legs is coupled to the hub and a lock coupled to the hub wherein
the hub and the lock are configured to rotate independently of each
other. The lock is further configured to move the legs toward a
center of the lock and a cap thread is coupled to the hub wherein
the cap thread is configured to move down when the grip is rotated.
A plate is coupled to the cap thread wherein the plate is
configured to rotate independently of the cap thread. Other
embodiments of the apparatus are also described.
[0005] Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
illustrated by way of example of the principles of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view the adjustable cap.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable cap.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cap thread.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable cap.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustable cap.
[0011] Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be
used to identify similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view the adjustable cap. Adjustable
cap 4 comprises grip 8 connected to hub 12 which is connected to
lock 14. Grip 8, hub 12, and lock 14 are connected such that all
can rotate independently of each other. In one embodiment each grip
8 snaps into hub 12 wherein grip 8 and hub 12 can rotate with
respect to each other and stay connected. Cap thread 30 is inserted
into grip 8 and comprises check valve 22 and hole 18. Tab 26 and
tab 34 keep cap thread 30 in the same rotation as grip 8.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable cap. Slot 42
and slot 46 match with tab 26 and tab 34. Cap thread threads 38
extend below grip 8 and thread into hub threads 58. When grip 8 is
rotated, cap thread 30 will move up or down in relation to hub
12.
[0014] Legs 50 are located in slots 54. Slots 54 allow legs 50 to
rotate in and out from the center of lock 14. Lip 52 is located at
the bottom of legs and allow legs 50 to grip to an edge. Wedges 62
are positioned on the inside edge of lock 14 and rotate legs 50 in
or out based on the direction lock 14 is turned.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cap thread. Gasket 66
provides a seal between top plate 68 and bottom plate 74 to prevent
fluid from escaping between the two plates and seals around hole
18. Bottle gasket 70 is located on the bottom of top plate 68 and
is placed around bottom plate 74. Check valve tube 78 consists of a
simple check valve comprising ball 82 and spring 86. As fluid is
removed from a bottle the spring 86 compresses, allowing air into
the bottle. When no fluid is removed from the bottle, spring 86 and
ball 82 form a seal to prevent fluid from leaving the bottle.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable bottle cap.
Adjustable cap 4 placed on top bottle 94. Lock 14 is rotated such
that wedges 62 allow legs 50 to fit over edge 98. Lock 14 is
rotated and wedges 62 press lip 52 under ledge 98. When bottle 94
is secure and cannot be pulled away form adjustable cap 4, grip 8
is rotated and cap thread 30 presses large gasket 70 into the top
of bottle 94 creating a seal. Top plate 68 and bottom plate 74 can
rotate independently of cap thread 30. This allows large gasket 70
to be compressed tightly against the top of bottle 94 without
movement between large gasket 70 and top of bottle 84. While cap
thread 30 is rotated to create compression on the top of bottle 94,
large gasket 70 does not rotate. Straw 90 can then be inserted
through hole 18 to remove fluid from bottle 94. The adjustable cap
4 can be adjusted to fit a variety of bottle opening sizes and
still maintain a seal.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustable cap. Section A-A is
a cross section of the adjustable cap 4 on bottle 94.
[0018] Although the operations of the method(s) herein are shown
and described in a particular order, the order of the operations of
each method may be altered so that certain operations may be
performed in an inverse order or so that certain operations may be
performed, at least in part, concurrently with other operations. In
another embodiment, instructions or sub-operations of distinct
operations may be implemented in an intermittent and/or alternating
manner.
[0019] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated, the invention is not to be limited to
the specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and
illustrated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the
claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
* * * * *