Combination hydration, nutrition, and pack apparatus for a bicycle

摘要

The hydration pack apparatus for a bicyclist herein described includes a hydration fluid container that is removably mounted to a bicycle. Hydration fluid is transported from the container to the bicyclist via a flexible tube with one end connecting to an outlet on the container and the other end terminating at a bite actuated valve. The tube is routed on and mounted to the bicycle in a novel fashion. The cyclist, with the brief use of one hand, is able to easily access the bite valve and tube to retrieve hydration while continuing to ride the bicycle and maintaining a neutral and ergonomic posture. Retracting reel assemblies are used to automatically return and hold the tube in a stored position on the bicycle while not in use. The hydration pack can be equipped with additional features allowing for convenient storage and retrieval of nutrition supplements and for secure storage of other accessory items commonly employed by bicyclists.

主权项

1. A retractable reel apparatus comprising:
a housing defining an aperture and including a spring actuated assembly; a line coupled to the spring actuated assembly such that the line is resiliently extensible from and automatically retractable to the housing; an accessory coupler affixed to the line and being configured to couple an accessory to the line such that a tension in the line can urge the accessory coupler toward the housing and can apply a holding force longitudinally of the line to the accessory coupler when the accessory coupler is positioned adjacent the housing; and a retainer configured to supplement the holding force longitudinally of the line when the accessory coupler is positioned adjacent the housing; wherein the retainer comprises a snap-fit feature on the accessory coupler and a corresponding snap-fit feature on the housing, or a clasp-fit feature on the accessory coupler and a corresponding clasp-fit feature on the housing.