Towel with pocket and strap

Abstract

A towel with pocket and strap comprising a piece of fabric, one or more pockets comprising square pieces of material attached to the piece of fabric, and having means to secure the pockets, a strap having an attached end, that is attached to the fabric, and a free end, and the free end of the strap has means to attach the free end of the strap to the attached end of the strap.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/554,059 filed Mar. 16, 2004. The prior application is hereby incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to towels with pockets.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various types of towels are known in the prior art. A typical example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,698, “Folded Pocket Towel.”

The Folded Pocket Towel comprises a towel constructed of an elongated rectangular fabric piece with a concealed pocket formed by a partially folding over one end of the rectangular fabric piece. The partially folded-over fabric piece is secured on opposite sides to form an integrated pocket. The sides include a security flap made from the pocket's overhanging flap of towel material so that the zipper-type closure of the pocket is concealed. The zipper type closure has a zipper tab. An adjustable strap is attached to the base of the pocket and one end in between the fold of fabric forming the base of pocket.

While the above-mentioned devices are directed to towels, they do not allow ready access to the pocket while simultaneously using an exercise or other machine. Many of the devices lack pockets that are readily accessible from the top so the user can access them without removing or changing the position of the towel. Nor can the user of those devices open the pocket while simultaneously engaged in another activity.

Therefore, there is a resulting need in the art for an improved towel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a towel with one or more pockets that can be secured, and having a strap or other device enabling its user easy access to the towel so the user can pull the towel up to the user's face or body to remove perspiration while being removably attached to an exercise machine or other device.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description of the invention and referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the towel of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another view of the towel of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the towel and a user of the towel.

FIG. 8 is another view of the towel and a user of the towel.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the towel.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the towel.

FIG. 11 is another view of the towel and a user of the towel.

FIG. 12 is front view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a towel comprising a piece of fabric, one or more pockets that can be secured, and that has an attached strap with an attached end and free end, and having means to secure the free end of the strap to the towel to form a loop enabling a user of the towel easy access to the towel while working on an exercise or other athletic device. Because the strap can be secured to the towel to form a loop, a user of the towel can pull the towel to the user to access one or more pockets of the towel, or pull the towel up to the user's body to remove dirt, perspiration, water or salt spray, for example, while the towel is attached to the user's belt, a boat railing, an industrial or exercise machine, or other device. Because the pockets are readily accessible to the user, the user can access the pockets while simultaneously using an exercise or other machine.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the towel includes an elongated generally rectangular piece of fabric 100 having a top end 102, a bottom end 103, two side ends 104 and 105, a front surface 106 and a back surface 201 formed from a washable piece of terry cloth. A pocket 108 is constructed by sewing a small rectangular panel of fabric 109 to the front surface 106 of the rectangular piece of fabric 100 on each of the rectangular panel of fabric 109's three sides 110, 111, and 112. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the rectangular panel of fabric 109 is formed of washable terry cloth material. A second pocket 107 can be created by sewing a stitch 113 across the middle of the rectangular panel of fabric 109 from the top end 102 of the rectangular piece of fabric 100 to the seam on side 111.

Referring now to FIG. 2 it is seen that pocket 108 has opposite sides 202 and 203 that are secured by means 204 and means 205 respectively to close the pocket 107. Velcro is one means of closing the pocket as recited in the claims. A zipper is another means of closing the pocket as recited in the claims. The pocket 107 can be accessed by pulling apart its opposite sides 202 and 203 using tabs 204 and 205 respectively which are sewn onto opposite sides 202 and 303 respectively of the pocket 107.

A second pocket 107 has opposite sides 208 and 209 that are secured by means 210 and means 211 respectively to close the pocket 107. Velcro is one means of closing the pocket as recited in the claims. A zipper is another means of closing the pocket as recited in the claims. The pocket 108 can be accessed by pulling apart its opposite sides 208 and 209 using tabs 212 and 213 respectively which are sewn onto opposite sides 208 and 209 respectively of the pocket 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown a strap 301 with a free end 302, an attached end 303, an inside surface 304 and an outside surface 401. The strap 301 is constructed of flexible material, preferably nylon. The strap can also be constructed of polypro, flat woven elastic, or knitted elastic as recited in the claims. The inside surface 304 of the attached end 303 of the strap 301 has means 305 to affix the inside surface 304 to the back side 201 of the towel. Means 305 is affixed to Velcro 306 on the back side 201 of the rectangular fabric piece 100 just below its top end. The Velcro 306 shown in FIG. 3 is one means to affix the free end 302 of the strap to the back surface 201 of rectangular fabric piece 100 as recited in the claims. A snap and fastener is another means to affix the free end 302 of the strap 301 to the back surface 201 of the towel as recited in the claims. The free end 302 attaches to the inside surface 304 of the strap 301 in such a fashion to form a closed loop 400 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 it is seen that in another embodiment of the invention, the rectangular piece of fabric 100 can be folded in half lengthwise and ends 105 can be secured to end 106 by snap fastener 501 which mates with snap receiver 502.

Referring now to FIG. 7 it is shown that once the free end 302 of the strap 301 is closed to form the closed loop 400, the towel can be hung on an exercise machine or other object 700. Other objects upon which the towel of the present invention can be secured include but are not limited to drill presses and other industrial machines, boat railings, computer monitors, baby cribs, a bicycle, a belt worn by a user of the towel, or even the user's shoulder, arm, or wrist. The unique construction of the strap 301 and of the pockets 107 and 108 allows a user of the towel 701 to reach the towel's pockets 107 and 108 while using an athletic machine or other device without breaking the stride or rhythm required of the user while using the athletic or other machine, and without diverting the user's attention away from operation of the athletic or other machine or device.

Referring now to FIG. 7 it is also seen that once the free end 302 of the strap 301 is closed to form the closed loop 400 and the towel hangs on a belt, an exercise or other machine 700, an athlete or other user of the towel such as a bartender, server, salesman, outdoorsman, sportsman, boater, or driver can easily open one or more of the pockets of the towel to retrieve items stored in the pockets 107 or 108 of the present invention. Because the pocket is easily opened by pulling on tabs 206 and 207, it can be accessed by a user who is simultaneously engaged in another activity.

Referring now to FIG. 8 it is seen that once the free end 302 of the strap 301 is closed to form the closed loop 400, and the towel hangs on an exercise or other machine 700, belt, or other device such as a boat railing, or a chair, the user of the towel can pull the towel to his face to remove perspiration, salt spray, other liquid, or dirt.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 it is seen that in another embodiment of the present invention, a pad 901 comprising an abrasive surface can be removably affixed to the rectangular piece of fabric 100. The pad 901 can be affixed to the rectangular piece of fabric 100 by affixing the pad 901 on to means to affix 902 which is sewn into the towel. Velcro is one means to attach the pad 901 to the rectangular piece of fabric 100 as recited in the claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 it is seen that the towel can then be folded in half lengthwise and the attached pad 901 can be used to clean golf clubs or other equipment including but not limited to the narreling of a weight bar.

Referring now to FIG. 12, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, a larger sized beach towel is disclosed that can be hung on a beach chair and whose straps prevent the towel from falling down. The beach towel comprises a much larger elongated generally rectangular piece of fabric 1200 having a top end 1202, a bottom end 1203, two side ends 1204 and 1205, a front surface 1206 and a back surface 2101 formed from a washable piece of terry cloth. A pocket 1208 is constructed by sewing a small panel of fabric 1209 to the front surface 1206 of the rectangular piece of fabric 1200 on each of the rectangular panel of fabric 1209's three sides 1210, 1211, and 1212. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the rectangular panel of fabric 1209 is formed of washable terry cloth material. A second pocket 1207 can be created by instead sewing a longer panel of fabric to the beach towel 1200 and then sewing a stitch 1213 across the middle of the rectangular panel of fabric 1209 from the top end 1202 of the rectangular piece of fabric 1200 to the seam on side 1211. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the rectangular panel of fabric 1209 is formed of washable terry cloth material.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 12a there are shown straps 301 and 1212 with free ends 302 and 1213, having attached ends 303 and 1214, inside surfaces 304 and 1215, and outside surfaces 401 and 1216. The straps 301 and 1215 are constructed of flexible material, preferably nylon. The straps 301 and 1215 can also be constructed of polypro, flat woven elastic, or knitted elastic as recited in the claims. The inside surfaces 304 and 1215 of attached ends 303 and 1213 of straps 301 and 1201 have means 305 and 1217 to affix the inside surfaces 304 and 1216 to the back side 201 of the towel. Means 305 and 1216 are affixed to Velcro 306 and 1218 on the back surface 1201 of the rectangular fabric piece 1200 just below its top end. The Velcro 306 and 1218 shown in FIGS. 12 and 12a is one means to affix the free ends 302 and 1213 of the straps to the back surface 201 of rectangular fabric piece 1200 as recited in the claims. A snap and fastener is another means to affix the free ends 302 and 1213 of straps 301 and 1215 to the back surface 1201 of the towel as recited in the claims. The free ends 302 and 1204 attach to the inside surfaces 304 and 1215 of straps 301 and in such a fashion to form a closed loop 1250 enabling a user of the towel to attach it to a chair. A pocket 1208 located in the upper left corner can hold various items such as keys, lotion, phone, etc. The towel has a side Velcro strip 1220 sewn onto the towel that will allow a user of the towel to wrap the towel around the user and hold it around the user once Velcro patch 1221 is affixed to Velcro strip 1220 so that towel does not fall off.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular panel of fabric 109 can be constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to mesh fabric; clear, soft pliable plastic; or from water resistant material including but not limited to cotton canvas, duck, or rubber.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the pockets can be removed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the straps 301 and 1201 are constructed of other flexible material including but not limited to polypro, cotton or polyester as recited in the claims. In another embodiment of the present invention, the straps 301 and 1201 are constructed of elastic material, preferably of flat woven or knitted elastic webbing. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the inside surfaces 401 and 1251 of straps 301 and 1201 have Velcro affixed to the entire length of their inside surfaces 401 and 1251 so that the user of the strap can vary the length of the loop 400 formed by the strap.

With respect to the foregoing description it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.

It should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A towel, comprising:

a piece of fabric;

one or more pockets comprising square pieces of material attached to the piece of fabric, and having means to secure the pockets;

a strap having an attached end, that is attached to the fabric, and a free end; and

the free end of the strap has means to attach the free end of the strap to the attached end of the strap.

2. A towel, comprising:

an elongated generally rectangular piece of fabric having a top end, a bottom end, two side ends, a top surface and a bottom surface formed from a washable piece of terry cloth;

one or more pockets comprising square pieces of material attached to the top surface of the piece of fabric at its top end, and having means to secure the pockets;

a strap having an attached end that is attached to the bottom surface of the top end of the towel, a free end, an inside surface and an outside surface; and

the free end of the strap has means to attach the free end of the strap to the bottom surface of the towel at its top end to form a loop.

3. The towel of claim 2, wherein the fabric is washable terry cloth.

4. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are sewn to the rectangular piece of fabric.

5. Towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets can be removed from the rectangular piece of fabric.

6. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are formed of washable terry cloth material.

7. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are formed of mesh fabric.

8. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are formed of water resistant material.

9. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are formed of cotton canvas, duck, or rubber.

10. The towel of claim 2, wherein the pockets are formed of clear, soft, pliable plastic.

11. The towel of claim 2, wherein the means to secure the pockets is Velcro.

12. The towel of claim 2, wherein the means to secure the pockets is a zipper.

13. The towel of claim 2, wherein the means to secure the pockets is a snap and fastener.

14. The towel of claim 2, wherein the strap is constructed of flexible material.

15. The towel of claim 2, wherein the strap is constructed of material from the group consisting of nylon, polypro, cotton, polyester, flat woven elastic, and knitted elastic.

16. The towel of claim 2, wherein the strap is constructed of nylon.

17. The towel of claim 2, wherein the strap is constructed of polypro, cotton, or polyester.

18. The towel of claim 2, wherein the length of the strap is adjustable.

19. The towel of claim 2, wherein the means to attach the free end of the strap to the bottom surface of the towel at its top is Velcro.

20. The towel of claim 2, wherein the towel can be folded in half lengthwise and secured.

21. A towel, comprising:

an elongated generally rectangular piece of fabric having a top end, a bottom end, two side ends, a top surface and a bottom surface formed from a washable piece of terry cloth;

one or more pockets comprising square pieces of material sewn to the top surface of the piece of fabric at its top end, and having means to secure the pockets;

two straps each having an attached end that is attached to the bottom surface of the top end of the towel, a free end, an inside surface and an outside surface;

the free end of the strap has means to attach the free end of the strap to the bottom surface of the towel at its top end to form a loop; and

a means to affix one side of towel's top end to another part of the towel so that a user of the towel can secure the towel to itself while the user is wearing the towel.

22. The towel of claim 21, wherein the fabric is washable terry cloth.

23. The towel of claim 21, wherein the pockets are formed of washable terry cloth material.

24. The towel of claim 21, wherein the means to secure the pockets is Velcro.

25. The towel of claim 21, wherein the means to secure the pockets is a zipper.

26. The towel of claim 21, wherein the straps are constructed of flexible material.

27. The towel of claim 21, wherein the straps are constructed of material from the group consisting of nylon, polypro, cotton, polyester, flat woven elastic, and knitted elastic.

28. The towel of claim 21, wherein the means to attach the free end of the strap to the bottom surface of the towel at its top is Velcro.

29. The towel of claim 21, wherein the means to affix one side of towel's top end to another part of the towel is a Velcro strip on one side of the towel and a Velcro patch on another part of the towel.