US20160058215A1

US20160058215A1 - Towel

Info

Publication number: US20160058215A1
Application number: US14/833,668
Authority: US
Inventors: Steve Meyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-26
Filing date: 2015-08-24
Publication date: 2016-03-03

Abstract

A towel including an elongated piece of fabric that has a top, a bottom, and multiple sides, which in one exemplary embodiment is rectangular, having a pocket positioned on the pocket. The pocket has an interior with a series of pockets for storing personal possessions, which in some arrangements is protected by a padded or water-resistant lining. The pocket has a closing assembly for sealing the pocket to prevent easy access, thereby hindering or preventing theft and reducing the likelihood of damage. Additionally, apertures positioned at the corners of the towel and enforced with support rings receive stakes to hold the towel in place, or hooks to hang the towel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/042,006 tiled Aug. 26, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a towel. More specifically and without limitation, this invention is directed towards a towel having a pocket.
When visiting the beach it is customary to bring along a number of various items including sunglasses, sandals, sun tan lotion, a book, etc. Many of these items risk damage, theft, or being lost if left out in the open when the owner is not using them or they are away from their location at the beach.
It is also common for individuals to bring along additional bags to hold all of the additional things they bring to the beach. These bags share similar risks as the items they contain, including damage and theft. For example, a person Who packs up their wallet and book while taking a nap can have someone take their bag and simply walk away with it.
College students face similar problems in dormitories. When use community bathrooms students must carry a towel along with a bag that contains their toiletries in a separate bag, many of which do not accompany the student into the shower with them. These items can easily be carried away without being noticed given their small size and easy concealment.
Another issue associated with towels relates to keeping the towel in place. It is normal for a towel to be lifted up by passing wind, as well as by individuals walking over the towel. Therefore, there is a need in the art to address these deficiencies.
Thus it is a primary object of the invention to provide a towel that improves upon the state of the art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a towel that protects an individual's possessions from theft and the elements.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a towel that is convenient.
Another object of the invention is to provide a towel that stays in place.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a towel that is durable.
Another object of the invention is to provide a towel that has an intuitive design.
These and other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a towel; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of a towel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, a towel 10 is presented. The towel 10 has an elongated piece of fabric 11 that has a top 12, sides 14, and a bottom 16 and has a generally rectangular shape. The fabric 11 in one embodiment is made of a soft absorbent material. In alternative arrangements, the towel 10 is a blanket or large beach towel.
In between the top 12 and the bottom 16 of towel 10 is a pocket 18 that aligns with one side 14 and extends into the middle of the towel 10. In one embodiment, the pocket 18 covers about a third of one side 14, but in other embodiments can be smaller or larger and positioned at other locations about the towel 10 such as the top 12 and the bottom 16. In this position, the pocket 18 provides the advantage of easy access without shortening the usable area of the towel 10. The pocket 18 can be attached to the towel 10 in any conventional way including by sewing or Velcro.
The pocket 18 has an exterior 20 and an opening 21 that allows access into an interior 22 of the pocket 18, The opening 21 in one embodiment faces the middle of the towel 10 but in other embodiments can face either side 14 of the towel 10 or the top 12 and bottom 12 or face multiple sides of the towel 10, such as the top 12 and bottom 14 to facilitate greater access to the pocket 18. The exterior 20 of the pocket 18 can be made of any material or fabric, but in one embodiment is made of the same material as the rest of the towel 10. In one arrangement, a plurality of sleeves 24 are positioned within the pocket 18 to hold an individual's possessions. In alternative embodiments more than one pocket 18 is positioned on the towel 10.
In one embodiment, the interior 22 is covered with a lining 26. The lining 26 can be made of any material but in one arrangement is a water-resistant material. The lining 26 prevents leaking toiletries or other containers to leak out of the pocket 18. Simultaneously, the lining 26 prevents water from harming the contents of the pocket 18. In another arrangement, the lining 26 is padded to provide protection from pressure.
Attached to the opening 21 is a closing assembly 28. In one arrangement, the closing assembly 28 is a zipper, but in other arrangements can be a buttoned flap, a Velcro strip, or a combination of any of these.
Positioned at corners 30 of the towel 10 are a plurality of apertures 32. The apertures 32 can be of any size or shape, but in one arrangement are sized to receive a stake 34. In another arrangement the apertures 32 are sized to receive a corner of the towel 10 to allow for easy tying around a person's waste. In yet another arrangement, the apertures 32 are sized to receive one or more hooks to allow the towel 10 to be hung from a door. Encircling each aperture 32 is a support ring 36, In one arrangement the support ring 36 is a flexible and soft rubber. In other arrangements the support ring 36 can be a hard plastic, metal, additional fabric, additional stitching, or any other material that provides strength and durability to the area surrounding the apertures 32.
In Operation: An individual spreads out the towel 10 on the beach. Next, the individual places a stake 34 through each of the apertures 32 located at the corners 30 of the towel 10. The support rings 36 prevent the stake 34 from harming the towel 10.
The individual then opens the pocket 18 located along the side 14 of the towel 10 and places items within the sleeves 24 found in the interior 22 of the pocket 18. Then the individual uses the closing assembly 28 of the opening 21 to secure the items within the pocket 18.
In the event that the pocket 18 is stepped on or gets wet, the lining 26 protects the items from damage. At the same time, the exterior 20 of the pocket 18 has similar material as the rest of the towel 10 to not interrupt the enjoyment of using the towel 10.
Alternatively, an individual removes the towel 10 from a hook on a door after showering. Next, the individual ties the towel around their waist using an aperture 26 on the towel. The individual then removes toiletries and the like from the pocket 18. When the individual is finished, the items are returned to the pocket 18 and the towel 10 is once again hung by the apertures 26 on the towel 10 to dry while avoiding leakage from the items sealed in the pocket 18.
From the above discussion, it will be appreciate that the towel presented improves upon the state of the art. Thus it is a primary objective of the invention is to provide a towel that improves upon the state of the art. That is, the towel presented protects an individual's possessions from theft and the elements; is convenient; stays in place; is durable; and has an intuitive design.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without parting from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims that are intended to be covered thereby.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A towel comprising:

an elongated piece of fabric having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides;

at least one pocket positioned between the top and the bottom the fabric;

the at least one pocket having an exterior, an opening, and an interior; and

a closing assembly attached to the opening of the pocket.

2. The towel of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sleeves positioned within the pocket.

3. The towel of claim 1 further comprising the interior of the pocket having a water-resistant lining.

4. The towel of claim 1 further comprising the interior of the pocket having a padded lining.

5. The towel of claim 1 further comprising the interior of the pocket having a water-resistant padded lining.

6. The towel of claim 1 further comprising at least one corner of the fabric having an aperture.

7. The towel of claim 7 wherein each aperture is encircled by a support ring.

8. The towel of claim 1 further apertures encircled with support rings positioned at corners of the fabric.

9. The towel of claim 8 wherein the support rings are rubber.

10. The towel of claim 8 wherein the support rings are made of additional stitching.

11. The towel of claim 8 wherein the support rings are made of metal.

12. The towel of claim 1 wherein the pockets covers approximately one third of one side of the fabric.

13. The towel of claim 1 wherein the pocket aligns with one side and extends towards the middle of the fabric.

14. The towel of claim 1 further comprising a second pocket.

15. The towel of claim 1 wherein the closing assembly is a combination of a buttoned flap and a zipper.