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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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adjustable cap is needed that can be placed on multiple bottle top openings, provide a seal, and allow fluid to be withdrawn with a tube.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

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view the adjustable cap.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable cap.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cap thread.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the adjustable cap.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the adjustable cap.

Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.