US20150013065A1

US20150013065A1 - Multipurpose Wind Resistant Beach Towel

Info

Publication number: US20150013065A1
Application number: US13/941,451
Authority: US
Inventors: Kameron Lee Ketcham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-13
Filing date: 2013-07-13
Publication date: 2015-01-15

Abstract

A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel that has trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets attached to the bottom surface of the towel to form sand traps that anchor said towel to the sand and prevent the wind from displacing the towel. Open-ended pockets are used for ease of filling and removal of sand. Additionally the present invention allows for the removal of unwanted sand and debris from the surface of the said towel without removing it from the anchored position. Optionally the present invention may be used as a lounge chair cover by anchoring the towel to the head and foot of the lounge chair by use of sand traps. Lastly, the present invention functions as an easy to carry and or hang towel.

Description

DEFINITIONS

Invention: The term “invention” is used herein merely to relate to the inventive idea that is the subject of this Provisional Patent Application to refer to the “concept” being presented. The term “invention” shall not be construed to mean the “literal and legal” translation of the term “invention”; instead it shall pertain to the “concept” being presented. When this Provisional Patent Application is claimed as preference for the future non-provisional patent application then the term “invention” shall be taken at full face value of the “literal and legal” translation of the term: The term “invention” is used herein merely to relate to the inventive idea that is the subject of this Provisional Patent Application to refer to the “concept” being presented. The term “invention” shall not be construed to mean the “literal and legal” translation of the term “invention”; instead it shall pertain to the “concept” being presented. When this Provisional Patent Application is claimed as preference for the future non-provisional patent application then the term “invention” shall be taken at full face value of the “literal and legal” translation of the term.
Sand Trap: The term “sand trap(s)” shall refer to a trapezoid shaped open-ended anchoring pocket made of, but not limited to nylon stretch fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the field of beach towels. More particularly, it relates to the field of wind resistant beach towels including anchoring apparatus that have multiple functionality.
2. Prior Art
Beach towels are well known in the art. Wind resistant beach towels with pocket like apparatus are known in the art to prevent the beach towel from blowing away in the wind, and other similar problems associated with wind disturbing the preferred flat structure of the towel when placed on the sand. It is known that people use heavy objects, clips, sand or rocks, and stake like apparatus to secure the towel to the sand by means of either placing those objects on the towel surface, or in an enclosed pocket, or by adhering them to the structure of the towel. It is also known in the prior art to store personal effect in pocket like compartments on the surface of the towel, which obstructs the usability of the surface area of the towel. It is also known in the art that unwanted sand and other unwanted objects can be blown, kicked, or other methods of placement onto the surface of the towel, and the only method of removal is to pick up and shake off the unwanted sand or other unwanted item from the towel. This can be an annoyance to the user, as well as, other beach goers near by. Lounge chair towels are also known in the art. Prior art has methods of securing towels to lounge chairs by means of elastic bands, ties, clips, and enclosed pockets.
What is needed is a more convenient and simple way to anchor the beach towel to the surface of the sand and an easier way to remove it from the sand without constricting the sand in the enclosed pockets. Another need is to simplify the way in which unwanted sand or other unwanted items are removed from the surface of the towel without disrupting its anchored position and other beach goers. What is also needed is a method to utilize the same wind resistant anchoring apparatus for use in securing the beach towel to a lounge chair. What is further needed is a more convenient way to hang, carry and store said towel.
Various towels have been proposed to address these problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,659, issued Apr. 18, 1995, to Gary L. Camp, titled, “Beach Towel,” discloses a beach towel containing of no less than three corners and provides triangle-shaped pockets at each corner on the bottom surface with one triangular pocket on the top surface. Also with a loop of added material at each corner of the towel to force the pocket inside out. The triangular shaped pockets only allow for sand to enter and exit through one opening, which causes sand to become embedded in the corner portion of the pockets. The loop devices attached to each corner are not needed for the process of scooping sand and the method of using one hand limits the pockets filling capacity. The top surface of the towel has a triangular shaped pocket on one corner that is used to store items, which minimizes the usable surface area of the towel. The Camp towel does not provide a simple method to remove sand or other unwanted items from the surface of the towel without disrupting the anchored position or other beach goers. The Camp towel does not permit the ability to easily fasten the towel to a lounge chair. Further more, the Camp towel does not allow for convenient hanging, storing, or carrying for the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,229, issued May 28, 1991, to Douglas A. Eberhart, titled, “Pocketed Beach Towel,” discloses a pocketed beach towel having pockets at each of the corners and weights in a sealed package for each of the pockets. Each pocket also functions as a hidden compartment for personal items and valuables by including a closeable opening that simulates a permanent closure. One embodiment states that the weight in the sealed package is to be inserted into the pockets. The additional weights are big, heavy, and bulky for the user. Another embodiment states that the opening of the towel pockets are releasably fastened by interlocking strips of a hook and loop fastener on the fabric of the towel and pockets to simulate a permanent closure. The hook and loop fastener collect sand preventing its optimum use over time. The Eberhart towel does not provide a simple method to remove sand or other unwanted items from the surface of the towel without disrupting the anchored position or other beach goers. The Eberhart towel is not designed to be attached and used on a lounge chair. Further more, the Eberhart towel does not allow for convenient hanging, storing, or carrying for the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,762, 628 B2, issued Jul. 27, 2010, to Benjamin Jacob Williams, titled, “Lounge Chair Cover,” discloses a lounge chair cover comprising a substantially-rectangular, typically absorbent, textile sheet and adjustable fasteners at the four corners of the textile sheet. One embodiment of the Williams lounge chair cover is its hook and loop fasteners, which attach the lounge chair cover to the chair along the longitude side of the chairs frame. Attaching the hook and loop fastener to the chairs frame is known to be a timely and inconvenient process. The Williams lounge chair cover will not work on all lounge chair styles because of the restricted use of the hook and loop fasteners. The hook and loop fasteners also protrude from the longitudinal sides of the cover which disrupt the storage ability of the cover. Another embodiment is that the Williams lounge chair cover has a pocket with a drawstring at the head of the chair cover and adjustable fasteners at the foot of the lounge chair cover. Having the pocket and draw string at the head of the lounge chair cover and the fasteners at the foot make it a timely and inconvenient process to attach it to the lounge chair. The Williams towel does not provide a simple method to remove sand or other unwanted items from the surface of the towel without disrupting the anchored position. The Williams lounge chair cover cannot be used as a cover that can be anchored by the sand. Further more, the Williams towel does not allow for convenient hanging, storing, or carrying for the user.
None of these patents or inventions, either alone or in obvious combination, fully satisfies the needs detailed above or discloses the invention as claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the technical problems presented above, there is a need for the present invention. The present invention is a multipurpose beach towel that can be easily anchored to the sand, which allows it from being displaced by the wind. The present invention also allows the user to remove sand and other unwanted items from the surface without removing it from the preferred anchored position. The present invention can also be easily attached to the head and foot of an unoccupied lounge chair. All embodiments are accomplished without the use of additional tools and implements.
An object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel made of an absorbable fabric, such as, but not limited to, a terry cloth material that is comprised of at least three corners. Each sand trap is constructed of, a trapezoid shaped material, preferably made of a nylon stretch fabric, but not limited to said nylon stretch fabric, said trapezoid shaped fabric is attached to a corresponding portion of the bottom surface corners of the towel. The edges of the sand traps are sewn to the corresponding edges of the towel to allow the smaller and larger ends of the sand traps to remain open. The smaller ends of the sand traps allow sand to easily pass through, preventing sand from becoming imbedded into the edges. The larger open ends of the sand traps are grasped by two hands and forced into the sand to scoop enough sand that is needed and that the nylon stretch fabric will allow. The sand traps anchor the towel to the sand.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel, that while anchored to the sand, allows the user to grab hold of the center of the top surface of the towel to shake it in an up and down motion to remove sand and other unwanted debris that has accumulated on the surface of the towel without removing the sand traps from the anchored position.
A further object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel that can be conveniently placed and secured onto an unaccompanied lounge chair.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel that can be easily hung or carried by placing a hook or similar wall mounted apparatus, or finger through the sand trap openings. The invention allows for multiple towels to be hung or held at once with ease.
A Still further object of the invention is to provide a multi purpose wind resistant beach towel that can be easily folded and stored without the bulky addition of other implements, tools, and fabric, which obstruct the towels original integrity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures provided herein are not necessarily drawn to scale; some components are features are exaggerated for clarity. Of these:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the multipurpose wind resistant beach towel.

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged section taken from one corner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an assembly drawing of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows the use of the sand traps according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the towel 2 is of a rectangular shape having four corners and is made of an absorbable fabric, such as, but not limited to, a terry cloth material 12. It may, however, be constructed of any desired material and shape within the spirit of the invention.
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts the bottom surface of the multipurpose wind resistant beach towel indicated at 2. The present invention is a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel, which includes trapezoid shaped sand traps 4, 6, 8, 10 at each corner for holding sand, which anchors the multipurpose wind resistant beach towel to the sand. The sand traps 4, 6, 8, 10 also allow the user to anchor the towel to an unaccompanied lounge chair. At 20, 22, 24, 26, the drawing depicts an elastic rubber type material sewn into the larger opening of the sand traps. The elastic material used is to aid in the durability and functioning of the sand trap, by creating more retention when holding the sand and returning the sand trap to it's original form when not in use. Elastic material may or may not be used in the construction of the sand traps in the present invention 2. At 28, 30, 32, 34, the drawing depicts an elastic rubber type material sewn into the smaller opening of the sand traps. The elastic material used is to aid in the durability and functioning of the sand trap, by creating more retention when holding the sand and returning the sand trap to it's original form when not in use. Elastic material may or may not be used in the construction of the sand traps in the present invention 2.
Turning now to FIG. 2 of the invention 2. It is an enlarged fragmentary section view of the present invention 2 representing sand trap 4 and the description of embodiments apply to all 4, 6, 8, 10 sand traps. Sand trap 4 is attached to the corner and corresponding section of the preferred rectangular shaped material 12. The preferred material 12 and sand trap 4 is stitched together along edges 41 and 43 leaving the smaller and larger portion of the sand trap unstitched to 12 to remain open. Along the larger and smaller portion of the sand trap 4 is depicting an elastic material 20 and 28 that is stitched to the preferred material of sand trap 4.
Now turning to FIG. 3 a perspective view of the assembly of the present invention 2. FIG. 3 depicts where sand traps 4, 6, 8, 10 are to be attached to the corresponding sections of the preferred rectangular material as illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section view of the present invention 2 and the description of embodiments apply to all 4, 6, 8, 10 sand traps. FIG. 4 illustrates the present inventions 2 bottom surface on the sand and the user grasping the larger portion of sand trap 6 to create a space between 12, preparing to anchor to sand.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section view of the present invention 2 and the description of embodiments apply to all 4, 6, 8, 10 sand traps. FIG. 5 illustrates the method of anchoring the present invention 2 to the sand. After grasping sand trap 6 the user stretches the nylon elastic material away from 12, then forces sand trap 6 into the sand while scooping the maximum amount of sand that sand trap 6 will allow, anchoring the present invention 2 to the surface of the sand.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of present invention 2 by which the user grabs a hold of the center of 12 and performs an up and down motion as to remove the unwanted sand or any other unwanted item from the surface of the present invention 2 without removing the present invention 2 from its original anchored position.
Now turning to FIG. 7 that illustrated the user grasping the uncovered triangular shaped corner portion of fabric 12 of the present invention 2 and lifting it in an upward movement away from the sand, as the user removes the corner the sand falls out effortlessly from the sand trap (4, 6, 8, 10) allowing the nylon stretch material to return to its normal state of being. No unwanted sand is trapped in the corners and or edges of the present invention 2.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of present invention 2. The user is carrying the present invention 2 by inserting a finger into the larger opening of the sand trap 6 and exiting out of the smaller opening of the sand trap 6.
Turning to FIG. 9 the present invention 2 is depicted anchored onto an unaccompanied lounge chair. In FIG. 9 sand traps 6, 8, 10 are shown anchored to the head and foot corner portions of the unaccompanied lounge chair. It is to be assumed that sand trap 4 is anchored to the head corner portion of the lounge chair as well.
Thus, there is a multipurpose wind resistant beach towel which can be effectively anchored and secured to the surface of the sand without disturbance of the wind and additional implements and tools and can be easily cleaned of all unwanted debris and also has the desirable function of being anchored to an unaccompanied lounge chair.
Those skilled in the art can readily use the descriptions and illustrative embodiment above to make many more modifications than have been mentioned without straying from the innovative concepts of the spirit of the invention. The embodiments have been generic in description only and may not be used for the purpose of limitation.
The breadth of the present invention is not to be limited to the examples provided and/or the subject specification, but rather only by the scope of the claim language. Use of the term “invention” herein is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any manner. Rather it should be recognized that the “invention” includes the many variations explicitly or implicitly described herein, including those variations that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present specification. Further, it is not intended that any section of this specification (e.g., the Summary, Detailed Description, Abstract, Field of the Invention, etc.) be accorded special significance in describing the invention relative to another or the claims. Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is contemplated that certain modifications may be practiced within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel comprising:

a rectangular shaped absorbable fabric suitable for a beach, having a plurality of trapezoid shaped fabrics made of a stretchable material, denser than sand so that sand cannot transfer through the material, having said trapezoid shaped fabrics directly overlay corresponding areas of the bottom surface of said rectangular shaped fabric, attaching said trapezoid shaped fabrics to bottom surface corners of said rectangular shaped fabric by stitching along the adjoining perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics and corresponding perpendicular edges of said rectangular shaped fabric, having the smaller paralleled edge of said trapezoid shaped fabrics closest to said rectangular shaped fabric corner, leaving the paralleled larger edge unstitched and the smaller paralleled edge unstitched of said trapezoid shaped fabrics to said rectangular shaped fabric, leaving exposed a small obtuse, right, or acute triangular shaped portion of said rectangular shaped fabric uncovered by said trapezoid shaped fabrics on every corner of said rectangular shaped fabric where the longitudinal and latitudinal edges meet, creating a plurality of trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets.

2. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets are formed by stitching the perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics to the adjoining edges of said rectangular shaped fabric corresponding perpendicular bottom surface corners.

3. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein the adjoined perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics and said rectangular shaped fabric creates a plurality of said open-ended pockets used for anchoring to sand.

4. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein the adjoined perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics and said rectangular shaped fabric creates a plurality of said open-ended pockets used for anchoring to a lounge chair.

5. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein the adjoined perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics and said rectangular shaped fabric creates a plurality of said open-ended pockets used to carry said multipurpose wind resistant beach towel by placing a finger through the smaller and larger open-ends of said open-ended pockets.

6. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein the adjoined perpendicular edges of said trapezoid shaped fabrics and said rectangular shaped fabric creates a plurality of said open-ended pockets used to hang said multipurpose wind resistant beach towel by placing an apparatus designed for hanging items through the smaller and larger open-ends of said open-ended pockets.

7. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 6, wherein said trapezoid shaped fabrics comprising of nylon stretch material or non-nylon stretch material.

8. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 7, wherein said trapezoid shaped fabrics comprising of sizes that vary dependent on sizing of said rectangular shaped fabric that said trapezoid shaped fabrics are to be adhered to, with said trapezoid shaped fabrics being of equal size and measurements to each other being no smaller than one inch long and no larger than thirty-six inches long on the larger open-ended paralleled edges, having each perpendicular edge of said trapezoid shaped fabrics stitched to the corresponding perpendicular edge of said rectangular shaped fabric at a point that the longitudinal and latitudinal perpendicular edges of both said trapezoid shaped fabrics and rectangular shaped fabric meet, so long as the positioning allows said trapezoid shaped fabrics to lay flat on said bottom surface of said rectangular shaped fabric and not exceed the bordering edges.

9. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 8, wherein said trapezoid shaped fabrics comprising of elastic rubber sewn along the larger open-ended and smaller open-ended parallel edges.

10. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 9, wherein said trapezoid shaped fabrics comprising without elastic rubber sewn along the larger open-ended and smaller open-ended parallel edges.

11. A multipurpose wind resistant beach towel according to claim 1, wherein an obtuse, right, or acute triangular shaped portion of the rectangular shaped fabric is left uncovered by the trapezoid shaped fabrics at each of the corners where the longitudinal and latitudinal edges meet.

12. A method of anchoring to sand said multipurpose wind resistant beach towel of claim 1 having a plurality of trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets at each corner of the bottom surface of said rectangular shaped fabric, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) grasping with either one or two hands the larger open-end of the trapezoid shaped open-ended pocket, and forcing the pocket into the sand in a downward scooping motion, to fill the open-ended pocket with sand,

(b) grasping the obtuse, right, or acute triangular shaped portion of the rectangular shaped fabric where the longitudinal and latitudinal edges meet, which is uncovered by the trapezoid shaped open-ended pocket and lifting upward to empty the trapezoid shaped open-ended pocket of sand.

13. A method of using said multipurpose wind resistant beach towel of claim 1 having a plurality of trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets at each corner of the bottom surface of said rectangular shaped fabric, said method of removing sand or other unwanted debris from the surface of said towel while anchored to said sand comprising the steps of:

(a) grasping the center of the surface of said towel while in the anchored position, and moving said towel in an upward and downward motion.

14. A method of anchoring to a lounge chair said multipurpose wind resistant beach towel of claim 1 having a plurality of trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets at each corner of the bottom surface of said rectangular shaped fabric, said method comprising of:

(a) grasping the trapezoid shaped open-ended pockets and placing them over the head and foot corresponding corners of the unaccompanied lounge chair