PERSONAL HYDRATION DEVICE

• US 20050241641A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
• Inventors: Fletcher, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.220
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/086 Adaptations for consuming refreshments without unmasking
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86919 Sequentially closing and opening alternately seating flow controllers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A personal hydration device providing fluid delivery to an external mouthpiece and a gas mask mouthpiece is disclosed. The personal hydration device includes a container having an exit port and an exit valve, a diverter valve, an external mouthpiece, a gas mask with a gas mask mouthpiece, and three hoses connecting these elements together. The diverter valve has a body, including one inlet and two outlets, and a spool moveably mounted within the body. The spool is moveable between a first position and a second position, and normally biased toward the first position. When in the first position, the first outlet is in an open position and fluid is delivered to the external mouthpiece. When in the second position, the first outlet is in a closed position and fluid is delivered to the gas mask mouthpiece.

Claims

1. A personal hydration device comprising:

a container having an exit port and an exit valve;

a diverter valve having a body comprising an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a spool moveably mounted within the body, the spool being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first outlet is in an open position and the second outlet is in a closed position, and wherein in the second position the first outlet is in a closed position and the second outlet is in an open position;

means for biasing the spool toward the first position;

means for urging the spool toward the second position; and

a container hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the exit port of the container, and the second end being connected to the inlet of the diverter valve.

2. The personal hydration device of claim 1, further comprising an external mouthpiece hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to an external mouthpiece.

3. The personal hydration device of claim 1, further comprising a gas mask having a gas mask mouthpiece, and a gas mask mouthpiece hose, having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the second outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to the gas mask mouthpiece.

4. The personal hydration device of claim 3, wherein the first end of the gas mask mouthpiece hose is the male coupling half of a coupler socket, and the second outlet of the diverter valve is the female coupling half of a coupler socket, the male half and the female half being releasably connected to form a coupler socket,

5. The personal hydration device of claim 1, wherein the diverter valve is in the first position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is not connected to the diverter valve, and wherein the diverter valve is urged to the second position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is connected to the diverter valve.

6. In combination with a personal hydration device including a container having an exit port and an exit valve, and a container hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the exit port of the container, the improvement comprising:

a diverter valve connected to the first end of the container hose, having a body comprising an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a spool moveably mounted within the body, the spool being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first outlet is in an open position and the second outlet is in a closed position, and wherein in the second position the first outlet is in a closed position and the second outlet is in an open position;

means for biasing the spool toward the first position; and

means for urging the spool toward the second position,

7. A personal hydration device for use in providing fluid delivery to an external mouthpiece and a gas mask mouthpiece, comprising:

a container having an exit port and an exit valve;

a diverter valve having a body comprising an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and a spool moveably mounted within the body, the spool being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first outlet is in an open position and the second outlet is in a closed position, and wherein in the second position the first outlet is in a closed position and the second outlet is in an open position;

means for biasing the spool toward the first position;

a container hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the exit port of the container, and the second end being connected to the inlet of the diverter valve;

an external mouthpiece hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to an external mouthpiece;

a gas mask having a gas mask mouthpiece;

a gas mask mouthpiece hose, having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the second outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to the gas mask mouthpiece;

the diverter valve being in the first position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is not connected to the diverter valve; and

the diverter valve being urged to the second position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is connected to the diverter valve.

8. The personal hydration device of claim 7, wherein the first end of the gas mask mouthpiece hose is the male coupling half of a coupler socket, and the second outlet of the diverter valve is the female coupling half of a coupler socket, the male half and the female half being releasably connected to form a coupler socket.

9. A personal hydration device for use in providing fluid delivery to an external mouthpiece and a gas mask mouthpiece, comprising:

a container having an exit port and an exit valve;

a diverter valve having a body comprising an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet, and a spool moveably mounted within the body, the spool being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first outlet is in an open position and the second outlet is in a closed position, and wherein in the second position the first outlet is in a closed position and the second outlet is in an open position;

a spring biasing the spool toward the first position;

a container hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the exit port of the container, and the second end being connected to the inlet of the diverter valve;

an external mouthpiece hose having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the first outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to an external mouthpiece;

a gas mask having a gas mask mouthpiece;

a gas mask mouthpiece hose, having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the second outlet of the diverter valve, and the second end being connected to the gas mask mouthpiece;

the diverter valve being in the first position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is not connected to the diverter valve; and

the diverter valve being urged to the second position when the gas mask mouthpiece hose is connected to the diverter valve.

10. The personal hydration device of claim 9, wherein the first end of the gas mask mouthpiece hose is the male coupling half of a coupler socket, and the second outlet of the diverter valve is the female coupling half of a coupler socket, the male half and the female half being releasably connected to form a coupler socket.