SPORTS TOWEL AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

A towel, comprising: a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; and a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel. The towel may also comprise one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/599,123, filed on Feb. 15, 2012, and entitled “TOWEL AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF USE,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/712,894, filed on Oct. 12, 2012, and entitled “AUTOGRAPH TOWEL,” the contents of both of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the fields of sporting goods, sports memorabilia, and sports collectibles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sports towel, such as a golf towel or the like, that is configured and shaped to be comfortably and securely disposed over the shoulder or the like of a user. The present invention further relates to a sports towel that includes one or more tab appendages disposed about the periphery thereof that is/are configured and sized to receive the autograph of a sports figure, celebrity, or the like, representing a piece of sports memorabilia.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need in the art for a sports towel, such as a golf towel or the like, that is configured and shaped to be comfortably and securely disposed over the shoulder or the like of a user. Such a sports towel would remedy the problems associated with conventional rectangular towels that are cumbersome, and unwieldy to carry, such that the sports towel would be readily available for use in wiping ones hands, ones perspiration, a golf club grip or head, or the like, and not easily dropped.

There is also a need in the art for a sports towel that includes one or more tab appendages disposed about the periphery thereof that is/are configured and sized to receive the autograph of a sports figure, celebrity, or the like, representing a piece of sports memorabilia. At sporting events and the like, it is often desirable to have a piece of clothing, a piece of equipment, or other keepsake autographed by a sports figure, celebrity, or the like. Numerous such pieces of clothing, pieces of equipment, and other keepsakes have been designed and marketed specifically for this purpose. However, no adequate towel or the like is yet available.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a sports towel, such as a golf towel or the like, that is configured and shaped to be comfortably and securely disposed over the shoulder or the like of a user. The present invention also provides a sports towel that includes one or more tab appendages disposed about the periphery thereof that is/are configured and sized to receive the autograph of a sports figure, celebrity, or the like, representing a piece of sports memorabilia.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a towel, comprising: a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; and a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel. Optionally, one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion. Optionally, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle. Alternatively, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve. The towel may also comprise one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel. Preferably, the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting. Optionally, the first panel and the second panel are cut from a rectangular piece of a textile and remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a towel, comprising: providing a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; and providing a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel. Optionally, one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion. Optionally, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle. Alternatively, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve. The method may also comprise providing one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel. Preferably, the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting. Optionally, the first panel and the second panel are cut from a rectangular piece of a textile and remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing towels, comprising: cutting a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge from a rectangular piece of a textile; cutting a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge from the rectangular piece of the textile; wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof to form a towel such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel; and joining remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel. Optionally, one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion. Optionally, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle. Alternatively, a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve. The method may also comprise providing one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel. Preferably, the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like towel components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a planar top view of one exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a planar top view of another exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a planar top view of a further exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a planar top view of a still further exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention in use; and

FIG. 6 is a planar top view of a still further exemplary embodiment of the towel of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Again, in various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a sports towel 10 (FIGS. 1-6), such as a golf towel or the like, that is configured and shaped to be comfortably and securely disposed over the shoulder or the like of a user. The present invention also provides a sports towel 10 (FIG. 6) that includes one or more tab appendages 50 (FIG. 6) disposed about the periphery thereof that is/are configured and sized to receive the autograph of a sports figure, celebrity, or the like, representing a piece of sports memorabilia.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, in several exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a towel 10, comprising a first panel 12 comprising an end edge 14, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges 16, and a center edge or portion 18; and a second panel 20 comprising an end edge 22, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges 24, and a center edge or portion 26. Each panel 12, 20 is woven or otherwise manufactured from a towel material, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The first panel 12 is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel 20 at the center edges or portions 18, 26 thereof such that a center portion 28 of the towel 10 has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge 14 of the first panel 12 or the end edge 22 of the second panel 20. Optionally, one or more of the side edges 16, 24 of the first panel 12 and the second panel 20 further comprise a straight portion 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Optionally, a selected side edge 16 of the first panel 12 meets a selected side edge 24 of the second panel 20 at an angle. Alternatively, a selected side edge 16 of the first panel 12 meets a selected side edge 24 of the second panel 20 in a continuous curve.

The towel 10 may also comprise one or more tab appendages 50 (FIG. 6) attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge 14 of the first panel 12, a side edge 16 of the first panel 12, the end edge 22 of the second panel 20, and a side edge 24 of the second panel 20. Preferably, the one or more tab appendages 50 each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting. Accordingly, the appendages 50 may have a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, or the like, and dimensions on the order of several centimeters or several inches.

Optionally, the first panel 12 and the second panel 20 are cut from a rectangular piece of a textile and remaining portions (not illustrated) of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel (not illustrated) and an eye shaped towel (not illustrated) separate and distinct from the towel 10.

Accordingly, in a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing towels, comprising cutting a first panel 12 comprising an end edge 14, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges 16, and a center edge or portion 18 from a rectangular piece of a textile; and cutting a second panel 20 comprising an end edge 22, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges 24, and a center edge or portion 26 from the rectangular piece of the textile. Each panel 12, 20 is woven or otherwise manufactured from a towel material, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The first panel 12 is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel 20 at the center edges or portions 18, 26 thereof to form a towel 10 such that a center portion 28 of the towel 10 has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge 18 of the first panel 12 or the end edge 26 of the second panel 20. The remaining portions (not illustrated) of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel (not illustrated) and an eye shaped towel (not illustrated) separate and distinct from the towel 10. Optionally, one or more of the side edges 16, 24 of the first panel 12 and the second panel 20 further comprise a straight portion 30 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Optionally, a selected side edge 16 of the first panel 12 meets a selected side edge 24 of the second panel 20 at an angle. Alternatively, a selected side edge 16 of the first panel 12 meets a selected side edge 24 of the second panel 20 in a continuous curve.

The towel 10 may also comprise one or more tab appendages 50 (FIG. 6) attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge 14 of the first panel 12, a side edge 16 of the first panel 12, the end edge 22 of the second panel 20, and a side edge 24 of the second panel 20. Preferably, the one or more tab appendages 50 each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting. Accordingly, the appendages 50 may have a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, or the like, and dimensions on the order of several centimeters or several inches.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. In this respect, the above detailed description of the present invention is to be considered non-limiting and all-encompassing to the greatest extent possible.

Claims

1. A towel, comprising:

a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; and
a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge;
wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel.

2. The towel of claim 1, wherein one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion.

3. The towel of claim 1, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle.

4. The towel of claim 1, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve.

5. The towel of claim 1, further comprising one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel.

6. The towel of claim 5, wherein the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting.

7. The towel of claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel are cut from a rectangular piece of a textile and remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel.

8. A method for manufacturing a towel, comprising:

providing a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge; and
providing a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge;
wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the first panel and the second panel are cut from a rectangular piece of a textile and remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile are joined to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel.

15. A method for manufacturing towels, comprising:

cutting a first panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge from a rectangular piece of a textile;
cutting a second panel comprising an end edge, two wholly or partially tapering or curved side edges, and a center edge from the rectangular piece of the textile;
wherein the first panel is one of integrally formed with and joined to the second panel at the center edges thereof to form a towel such that a center portion of the towel has a width that is less than a width of either the end edge of the first panel or the end edge of the second panel; and
joining remaining portions of the rectangular piece of the textile to form one of a diamond shaped towel and an eye shaped towel separate and distinct from the towel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein one or more of the side edges of the first panel and the second panel further comprise a straight portion.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel at an angle.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a selected side edge of the first panel meets a selected side edge of the second panel in a continuous curve.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing one or more tab appendages attached to and protruding from one or more of the end edge of the first panel, a side edge of the first panel, the end edge of the second panel, and a side edge of the second panel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more tab appendages each comprise a substantially unmarked portion on the surface thereof configured to receive handwriting.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130209720
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2013
Inventor: Christopher W. Cieri (Waxhaw, NC)
Application Number: 13/768,111
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Nonrectangular Sheet (428/80); Textile Product Fabrication Or Treatment (28/100)
International Classification: A47K 10/02 (20060101); D04H 13/00 (20060101);