GB2389308A

GB2389308A - Towel for drying small children

Info

Publication number: GB2389308A
Application number: GB0213208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin James Steed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-08
Filing date: 2002-06-08
Publication date: 2003-12-10
Also published as: GB0213208D0

Abstract

The top of the towel 12 has neck straps (14 Fig 1) with a quick release fastening and the sides have large pockets (21). An adult 22 wearing the towel places their arms in the pockets and can then safely pick up a wet child direct from a bath. The towel may also be worn by a child in the manner of a bathrobe

Description

( BACKGROUND OF TITE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

(he present invention relates generally to a bathing accessory, specifically to a modified towel that may be worn by an adult while bathing a small child to prevent the wearer from being soaked by water during bathing and when removing the small child from the bathing receptacle. acilitating the safe removal of the child from the bathing receptacle and instantly allow the drying of the small child with the said towel. The present invention also relates to a bathing accessory that may easily be worn by a small child after leaving the bathing arena.

2. Description of the Background Art

The washing, bathing or showering of a small child can be a tiresome and wet task. It normally requires an adult to administer the washing process with the child in a bathing; receptacle, such as sink, bath or shower where a quantity of water is involved.

When bathing is finished the adult removes the small child from the bathing receptacle, quickly wrapping the drying towel around the small child at the same time minimizing the risk of the adult being saturated with water. The drying; towel is very rarely in a convenient and handy place and this in turn could lead to the adult getting wet from the oftenfractious child impatient with waiting to be removed from the bathing receptacle and be dried.

In the light of the above mentioned disadvantages and risks present in current methods in bathing small children with conventional drying towels, there is a need for a modified bathing towel that can be more convenient and easier for the adult to use.

A towel that can be worn by the adult when bathing and drying, a small child therefore limiting the possibilities of the adult being; soaked with bathing water.

Numerous designs for modified towels have been provided in prior art, even though

these designs may be suitable for specific individual purposes to which they address, they are not suitable for totally solving the problems addressed by the instant invention. As such it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need tor a new and improved towel, modified so that it can be worn by the adult to safely pick up, hold and dry a small child after removal from the bathing receptacle. In these respects the present invention provides an apparatus that substantially fulfils the need that departs from the conventional concepts and designs of prior art.

I he instant invention achieves its intended purposes, objects and advantages through a new, useful combination of method steps and components, with the use of an absolute minimum of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to the manufacturer, employing readily available materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY Ol; THE INVENTION:

Based on the foregoing;' the primary object of the instant invention is to provide a modified towel that can be worn by and hung from an adult while bathing, picking up and drying a small child It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a modified towel that allows easier removal of a small child from a bathing receptacle.

It is also an object of the instant invention that provides a modified towel for immediate drying of a small child after removal from the bathing receptacle.

It is also an object of the instant invention that provides a towel that prevents the adult wearer from being saturated with bathing water when removing a small child from the bathing receptacle.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide an easy to use after bathing towel for a small child to adorn.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide an economical. easy to manufacture and easy to market after bathing towel for small children.

It is also an object ofthe instant invention to provide an after bathing towel for small children that comprises a fabric material modified to include an adjustable neck strap, incorporated as part of the shorter edge, with suitably attached fasteners for quick release. In light of these and other objects the instant invention provides a modified towel that may be worn and used by an adult during and after bathing a small child. The preferred embodiment of the instant invention comprises a towel having a quick releasable and fixed neck strap proximal to the upper edge of the towel and a surt'ace area having a size adapted for substantially covering the lap and torso area of an adult.

The preferred embodiment of the instant invention also comprises suitably sized pocket frameworks embodied proximate to the outer longer lateral side edges.

In the preferred embodiment the instant invention is substantially of a rectangular shape. The towel may also he oval andlor rounded along selected edges. The towel is preferably manufactured from cotton, terry towelling cloth, hemp or similar materials having water absorption characteristics. The surface area of the towel preferably covers at minimum the torso area of an adult and provides adequately for wrapping around and covering a small child. The neck strap is preferably releasable and secured to the upper edge of the towel. The fasteners to the neck strap may comprise VELCRO A, snaps, clips and the like.

Bet'ore bathing a small child, the adult places their head through the neck strap, connecting the ends in such a way that the towel is then hung securely from the neck and the towel fully draped down the torso area of the adult. Once the child has completed bathing the adult can then place it's own hands into the pocket frameworks of the towel and pick up the wet child. The adult is then able to place the small child against the chest ensuring the wet child makes contact with the majority of the towel.

/ In accordance with these and other objects, the instant invention will now be described with particular ret'erence to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DF.SiCRIPTION OF THIS DRAWINGS: FIG 1 is a perspective front and rear view of the preferred embodiment of the bath towel device and method for small children in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the neck strap assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front and rear view of the preferred embodiment of the modified bath towel as worn by an adult user prior to placement of the small child therein in accordance with the present invention.

I4'IG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of' the towel as worn by an adult user with an infant secured within the towel in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIP'IION Of 'tile INVF.NTION: With ret'erence to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 4 depict the preferred and alternative embodiments of the modified towel of the instant invention that is characterized by the referenced numeral 12. Referring to FIG. I of the instant invention numeral 13 represents a substantially oval, water absorbent modified towel and an adjustable neck strap 14 attached thereto. Although the towel 12 is described as substantially oval it may also be rectangular in shape, and it may have rounded corners. The bath towel 12 is constructed with a shorter upper edge 15, which is closest to the neck strap 14 or neck ot'the wearer, a shorter corresponding trailing edge 16 and two longer lateral side edges 17. The towel is preferably manufactured t'rom cotton, terry towelling cloth, hemp or similar soft materials having water absorption characteristics, whilst also being durable and attractive. The pocket t'rameworks 2 I preferably will be shaped additional to the embodiment of the towel attached each to the lateral longer sides by stitching and the like. Referring to FIG. 2 the neck straps 1 4a and 1 4b preferably comprise similar aforementioned material, that may be joined 18 and 19 to the upper edge 15 by means of stitching, rivets, buttons and the like. The neck straps 1 4a and 1 4b may be secured at the intended joining free ends that fasten together, Fasteners 20 are attached to the free end of the straps joining together once the towel is in place around the adult users neck. The fasteners 20 are of a quick release attachment type, such as hook and loop, known by the trade name VELCRO or snaps, clips, tie straps and the like. Ret'erring to FIG. 3, Before bathing the small child the modified bath towel 12 is mounted to or worn by an adult user 22 by firstly fastening the straps 14a and 14b securely in place. The intended adult wearer then places their head through the connected neck strap in such way that the towel is then hung securely from the neck with the towel fully draped down the torso area of the adult with the pocket frameworks 21 facing towards the body. The body of the towel 12 has a length and breadth that substantially covers an adults torso. Accordingly, the towel 12 should have a length of two to five feet, and breadth of three to four point five feet. When worn, the body of the towel 12 is then suspended downward from the neck strap 14 and preferably covers a substantial portion of the torso. In this configuration and position of the towel 12 the adult 22 can perform the washing of a small child in a bathing receptacle (not shown) in an unobstructed manner without the risk of getting saturated by bathing water.

The tallowing is a more detailed description of the functionality of the invention with

the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 5 - 11 In FIG. 5 the adult then places the wrist and forearms into the embodiment of the pocket framework.

In};IG. 6 the adult then removes the small child from the bathing receptacle (not shown) with the adults hands/arms in each of the pockets framework.

In FIG. 7 the towel is then securely wrapped substantially around the torso of the wet child, with both of the adults arms still located inside each of the pocket frameworks.

In 1 1G. 8 gently remove one arm from one of the pocket frameworks leaving the other pocket framework still securely around the child. Then replace the arm to support the child from the outside of the towel.

In FIG. 9 repeat the process with the opposite arm then bring this arm back so that both arms now support the child.

In FIG. 10 the adult can now continue to dry the child knowing that the child has been safely removed t'rom the bathing receptacle and is substantially contained within the modified towel. The strap may then be released from around the adults neck, leaving the adult free to complete drying the child.

In FIG. 11 the alternative use of' the towel is shown in a reverse situation as being worn by a small child by putting their own arms and shoulders into each of the pocket frameworks, substantially covering the child's torso, similar to a dressing robe. The adult cater can then resume drying the child.

Whilst this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing description and drawings, the same is to be considered as illustrative and

not restrictive in character. With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be

realised that the optimum dimensional relationship for the parts of the instant invention may include variations in material, shape and size, Lorry, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.

The instant invention is shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is therefore recognised that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person or persons skilled in art.

Claims

Claims

What is claimed is: I.A bath towel for small children modified lor wearing by an adult while bathing and removing a small child from a bathing receptacle, the said towel comprising a flexible material having water absorption characteristics.

a body defined by said material between the upper and lower ends, and a strap assembly having each of one of it's ends affixed to the said material and when joined as means for mounting around an adults neck, and pocket frameworks being affixed to the said material.
2. A towel as recited in claim 1, wherein the strap assembly is affixed to the said upper end.
3.A towel as recited in claim I, wherein said strap assembly is fixed proximal to said upper end.
4. A towel as recited in claim 1, wherein the strap assembly comprises: a first strap having a fixed end at least proximal to said upper end and a free end having a first fastener, and a second strap having a fixed end attached to said material a predetermined distance from said first strap and a free end having a corresponding fastener that mates with said first fastener; said first fastener and said corresponding fastener cooperating for attachment behind adults neck to secure said material to the adult.
5. A towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said strap comprises: two fixed ends attached to the said material at least near said upper end when fastened and adjusted to define an opening that receives the adult's head and neck.
6. A towel as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and corresponding fasteners comprise hook-and-loop.
7. A towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said pocket frameworks are each fixed proximate to the longer lateral sides.