Wearable Towel

Abstract

A towel easily wrapped and fixed about a body of a wearer, the towel having a substantially planer rectangular main body having two openings in the main body configured for securing the towel to the body of the wearer using one arm.

Description

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/056,467, filed Mar. 27, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/992,406 filed Dec. 5, 2007 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to towels for body wiping, protection and privacy for temporary attachment to a human body during uses that can include physical workout, shaving, applying makeup, being in the presence of other people, between personal care activities, being unclothed in variously inclement surroundings, and/or other activities before being clothed.

Robes, tote towels and other modifications of towels are well known. In a manner taught by this invention, however, none are known to provide the temporary attachment as in the present invention.

The subject invention provides a novel, easy to manufacture, and easy to use towel to address the current need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention provides a novel towel configuration that is easily wrapped and fixed into position about the body of a wearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the towel includes a substantially planer rectangular main body as is commonly known. There are two openings that are congruently placed along the top and/or uppermost outermost subquandrant of the towel body. Suitable that one arm can support the main body.

In one embodiment, the opening is approximately about 10 inches long and up to 1 inch wide, with a preference between 0.1-0.7 inches wide. The ideal with, however, is approximately 0.5 inches wide. The opening, in this embodiment, is set inward from the edge of the longest towel side by about approximately 4 inches. The opening is set inward from the shorter towel side by about approximately about 3 inches. Opening placements and measurement will differ depending on the size of the towel.

In a preferred embodiment the said openings are congruently placed relative to their position to their respective adjacent edges.

Alternatively, the two openings may be positioned in any desired configuration. That would allow them to attach to only one arm of the user.

In one embodiment, the openings may have a mechanism by which the sizes of the opening can be adjusted. The said mechanism may be any that is commonly known and can include but would not be limited to buttons, snaps, zipper, Velcro®, hook and loop and the like.

In an alternative embodiment, the towel may have one opening adjacent to a first side and a mechanism for attaching the second or terminal side once the towel is wrapped around the body of a user.

The towel may be formed of any acceptable material including but not limited to conventional terrycloth-type material. Terrycloth is a fabric with loops that can absorb large amounts of water. It can be manufactured by weaving or knitting, with weaving on a dobby loom the predominant commercial method, having two beams of longitudinal warp through which the filler or weft is fired laterally.

Alternatively, the towel may be formed from non-absorbent materials and used for bathing suit cover-ups, pajamas, as well as the same configured invention may be used for a cocktail party were it, for example, made out of silk. We will refer to all rectangular configurations that can be fastened or secured in such a manner as a towel.

Preferably, the regions bordering each of the openings, are reinforced to give structural strength and integrity to the towel such that the repeated motion of placing an arm in the opening and removing the arm from the opening does not tear or otherwise compromise the integrity of the towel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts sequential steps relating to the use of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the towel divided into quadrants and subquadrants.

FIG. 4 shows plan and side views of the towel with oval openings.

FIG. 5 shows plan and side views of the towel with oval openings positioned on an angle.

FIG. 6 shows plan and side views of the towel with a single oval opening.

FIG. 7 shows plan and side views of the towel with a triangularly configured attaching means.

FIG. 8 shows plan and side views of the towel with triangularly arranged ovals around a triangular region.

FIG. 9 shows plan and side views of the towel with a single securing strap along the top center.

FIG. 10 shows plan and side views of the towel with triangularly arranged straps.

FIG. 11 shows plan and side views of the towel with straps along one edge.

FIG. 12 shows plan and side views of the towel with straps adjacent to one edge.

FIG. 13 shows plan and side views of the towel with straps along one edge.

FIG. 14 shows plan and side views of the towel with triangularly arranged straps.

FIG. 15 shows plan and side views of the towel with a single securing strap along the top center.

FIG. 16 shows various securing means.

FIG. 17 shows plan and side views of the towel with a plurality of receiving holes around the perimeter.

FIG. 18 is an expanded view from FIG. 17 showing embodiments of securing an attaching means to the towel.

FIG. 19 shows several embodiments of attaching means secured to the towel.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment having several towels attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Towel 10 includes a first side 25 and a second side 26 defined by the first vertical side 11 second vertical side 12 first horizontal side 13 and second horizontal side 14. First side 25 and second side 26 collectively form a substantially planer main body of towel 10. Towel 10 has a vertical axis A-A equidistant from first vertical side 11 and second vertical side 12. Towel 10 has a horizontal axis B-B equidistant from first horizontal side 13 and second horizontal side 14. Towel 10 may include periphery stitching 28 that is placed around the periphery of towel 10 along sides 11, 12, 13, and 14.

Towel 10 has a first opening 15 defined by outer opening border 16 inner opening border 17 lower opening border 18 and upper opening border 19. Opening 15 is parallel to first horizontal side 13 and configured such that opening 15 is relatively adjacent to second vertical side 12. Opening 15 may also include stitching 29 that may reinforce the integrity of the fabric bordering opening 15. Optionally, opening 15 may contain additional material along the periphery of opening 15 that may provide padding, or a decorative border.

Towel 10 has a second opening 20 defined by outer opening border 21 inner opening border 22 lower opening border 23 and upper opening border 24. Opening 20 is parallel to the second vertical site 12 and configured such that opening 20 is relatively adjacent to second vertical side 12. Opening 20 may also include stitching 27 that may reinforce the integrity of the fabric bordering opening 20. Optionally, opening 20 may contain additional material along the periphery of opening 20 that may provide padding, or a decorative border.

In an environment of use, as shown in FIG. 2, a user will place their entire arm through first opening 15, as shown in Step 1. Next, the user wraps towel 10 around their torso as shown in Step 2. Next, the user wraps towel 10 around their torso as shown in Step 2. The definition of torso described herein refers to the circumference of the trunk of the wearer. The trunk of the wearer refers to the circumference of the dorsal (comprising the spinal cavity) and the ventral (comprising the thoracic/abdomino-pelvic) cavities. Previous rectangular configurations referred to the torso as being the width of the wearer's trunk. The width of the torso, as previously described, is roughly the diameter of the torso. The present invention wraps around greater than twice the diameter of a torso, or twice the measurement from one armpit to the other. The present invention also wraps around the circumference of the torso, which is a distance of less than “pie” or “Π” times one-half of the diameter squared. Thus, the distance between the 2 securing means of the present invention is the circumference of the torso, which is much greater then the width of the torso previously described. The user will then place the same arm that had previously been placed through first opening 15, through second opening 20. Once the user has placed a single arm through each of first opening 15 and second opening 20, first side 25 will be facing away from the user and second side 26 will face the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is contemplated a towel of the present invention has a securing means. The securing means is preferably located, on, within, or adjacent to an uppermost outermost subquadrant. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows a towel divided into main quadrants I, II, III, and IV. Each of the main quadrants may be divided into subquadrants i, ii, iii, and iv. In the embodiment depicted, the attaching means would be positioned in, on, or near subquadrant i, of quadrant I, and subquadrant ii, of quadrant II. In positioning the attaching means in the uppermost outermost subquadrants as described, the towel will wrap around the wearer more like a toga style and not like a shirt, vest, or tunic. Additionally, a towel constructed in this manner, as well as a towel constructed with hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, hook, or snap attachments, does not require sleeves or any extra material, such as material extending beyond the outer periphery of the openings, half the perimeter of a torso, in order to secure to the body of a wearer.

FIGS. 8, 10, 14, and 18 have depictions showing multiple positions of the securing means. It is contemplated that towels of the present invention may have any single or multiple combinations of the depicted embodiments. For example, a towel according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 may have a single opening on each end (the above described uppermost, outermost subquadrant) selected from any one of the four depicted openings. Alternatively, the towel may have more than one opening on each of the uppermost outermost subquadrants chosen from the openings depicted.

The securing means may be any acceptable manner for securing the towel to the proximal portion of the arm of a user. This may include, but would not be limited to, a cavity, a cloth strap, the cloth may be a flexible piece of cloth material such as elastic, a hoop strap that may be made of cloth, elastic, plastic, leather or any other desired material.

Each of FIGS. 4-15 and 17 show a horizontal view of towel 25. Above each Figure is a top view along top edge 13. The left of each horizontal view has a left side view along side 12. The right of each horizontal view is a right side view along side 11. Below each horizontal view is a bottom edge view along side 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, first oval cavity 30 and second oval cavity 31 are available for a user to place an arm therethrough.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, first oval cavity 32 and second oval cavity 33 are angularly oriented in the upper most outermost subquadrant as described above.

FIG. 6 shows a centrally placed cavity 34 that is ornamental and not used or required to physically support towel 25.

FIG. 7 shows first triangular cavity 35 and second triangular cavity 36 positioned in the upper most outermost subquadrant of towel 25.

FIG. 8 shows oval cavities 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, and 43 that all depict possible orientations of the securing means on the towel. The securing means may be horizontal, as oval cavities 38 and 42; vertical as oval cavities 37 and 41; or angular as oval cavities 39 and 43. Additionally, triangular cavities 40 or 44 may be the securing means. In one embodiment, the towel may have any one pair or more of the securing means shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a strap 45 that is not a securing means but may be used for carrying towel 25.

FIG. 10 shows horizontal oriented straps 47 and 49; vertical oriented straps 46 and 50; and angular oriented straps 48 and 51. In one embodiment, the towel may have any one pair or more of the securing means shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 shows straps 52 and 53 secured along the upper horizontal edge 13 of towel 25.

FIG. 12 shows straps 54 and 55 secured adjacent the upper horizontal edge 13 of towel 25.

FIG. 13 shows straps 56 and 57 secured along the upper horizontal edge 13 of towel 25.

FIG. 14 shows horizontal oriented straps 59 and 61; vertical oriented straps 58 and 62; and angular oriented straps 60 and 63. In one embodiment, the towel may have any one pair or more of the securing means shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 shows a strap 64 that is not a securing means but may be used for carrying towel 25.

FIG. 17 shows a towel 25 that may have a plurality of openings 65. Although the openings are shown around the entire perimeter of towel 25, openings may be constructed and arranged around any portion of the perimeter. Openings 65 may be used for insertion of any securing means. As shown in FIG. 18, openings 65 may be used for attachment of securing means, or to secure additional towels one to another.

FIG. 19 shows various embodiments for attaching securing means to towel 25. Angular connectors 75 and 76, each with respective cavities 74 and 77 are attached to towel 25. Triangular connectors 78 and 80, each with respective cavities 79 and 81 are attached to towel 25

Vertical connectors 82 and 84, each with respective cavities 83 and 85 are attached to towel 25.

Horizontal connectors 86 and 8, each with respective cavities 87 and 89 are attached to towel 25.

In one embodiment, the securing means is arranged and configured such that one arm is placed through the first securing means, the towel is wrapped around the torso (as defined on page 8) of the user, and the same arm is placed through a second securing means.

As shown in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 11, 13, and 14, the securing means may be placed along the perimeter or edge of the towel.

FIG. 16 shows depictions of the various securing means that may be used. Also shown in FIG. 16 are first hook 80 second hook 82 joined with connector 81. An embodiment, as seen in FIG. 19 has first hook 82 attaches to towel 25 by passing through hole 65. First hook 82 is connected to second hook 80 by connector 81. Second hook 80 is then connected to a second towel 25. Alternatively, first hook 82 may pass through hole 65 and directly connect to a looped terminal end of strap 69.

Alternatively, as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18, the towel may have a receiving portion for receiving an attaching means. Although FIG. 17 shows a plurality of receiving holes around the entire perimeter, it is also contemplated that one embodiment may include receiving portions on only a portion or portions of the perimeter.

The embodiments shown in FIG. 19 show the attaching means may be part of or connected to, a second member that is attached to the main body of the towel. In the embodiments of FIG. 19, the attaching means is still on or attached to the uppermost outermost subquadrant as described herein.

In one embodiment, the two securing means may encompass an additional opening or strap and the like, looking similar to the 2 outer securing means such as those shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 15. This would be located along the center top line of the main body either on or adjacent to one top edge of the main body or across the length of the body in between the two outer holes.

This additional opening would not be needed to secure the towel to the user. It is an available option for aesthetic reasons only.

In the embodiments of FIG. 20, two towels 25 may be worn together by either overlapping openings or by connecting two towels along an edge.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A towel wrapped and fixed about a body of a wearer, the towel comprising:

a. a substantially planer rectangular main body having two substantially congruent horizontal edges and two substantially congruent vertical edges;

b. two securing means securing the main body to one arm of a user, wherein each securing means is positioned on, adjacent to, or within, the uppermost outermost subquadrant of two horizontal main body quadrants.

2. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are any of an opening in the main body, a strap, or combinations thereof.

3. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are straps releasably attached to said main body.

4. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are straps permanently attached to said main body.

5. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are on opposite ends of said main body.

6. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are on opposite ends of said main body separated from each other by a distance approximately two times the diameter of a human torso.

7. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are on opposite ends of said main body separated from each other a distance approximately the circumferecne of a human torso.

8. The towel of claim 1 wherein said towel wraps completely around the circumference of the trunk of the user.

9. The towel of claim 1 wherein said securing means are parallel and adjacent to the horizontal edge.

10. The towel of claim 1 wherein each securing means is congruently positioned relative to placement on the main body to a horizontal axis.

11. The towel of claim 1 wherein each securing means is congruently positioned relative to placement on the main body to a vertical axis.

12. The towel of claim 1 wherein each securing means is congruent relative to their distance from each of their respective adjacent horizontal and vertical sides of said towel body.

13. A method for wearing a towel comprising the steps of: wherein said two openings are parallel and adjacent to a horizontal edge of said body, and further wherein said two openings are congruent relative to a horizontal axis, and congruent relative to a vertical axis.

a. providing a towel according to claim 1;

b. securing the main body to a user by interacting one arm of a user with one securing means;

c. wrapping the main body of the towel around the body of the wearer;

d. securing a terminal side of the main body into a fixed position by placing the same arm from step b within the opposite opening securing means.