Beach bucket kit

Abstract

A beach bucket kit for use on the beach is provided which includes a bucket, a beach mat, stakes for anchoring the beach mat, and at least one beach towel. The kit may optionally contain a number of items used on the beach including suntan lotion, water bottles, frisbees, hair accessories and the like. A beach bucket kit for use by children is also provided which includes a bucket, at least one beach towel, and at least one toy.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/701,581, entitled BEACH BUCKET KIT filed Jul. 22, 2005. The entire contents of said application are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beach bucket kit, and more particularly, to a beach bucket kit including a portable bucket in combination with items used on the beach such as beach towels and other items which can be easily carried and which can be used to prevent or minimize sand from getting on the user.

When taking a trip to the beach, it is often desirable to bring along a number of items such as beach towels, suntan lotion, a beach umbrella, and the like. Many devices have been developed to carry such items in a portable manner, such as totes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,108, which teaches a portable beach umbrella which includes storage areas for drinks, beach items, and the like. However, it is difficult to set up towels on the beach in such a way that sand is prevented from getting on the towels and other beach items as well as on one's body.

It would be desirable to provide a portable device for carrying useful beach items while also providing a means of preventing or minimizing sand from getting on the user and on the items themselves when in use. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a kit of beach items which can be used for essentially sandless sunbathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets those needs by providing a beach bucket kit which includes a bucket containing beach items such as beach towels, and a beach mat on which the beach towels and other items may be placed. The kit further includes anchoring devices for securing the beach mat to the ground which helps avoid or minimize sand getting on the user. The bucket, when filled with water, can be used to wash sand off of a user's feet, which also minimizes the chance of sand getting on a user and/or the beach items. The bucket can be easily carried to the beach and the items unloaded for use, and then reloaded into the same bucket when leaving the beach.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a beach bucket kit is provided comprising a bucket containing a beach mat, a plurality of stakes for securing the beach mat, and at least one beach towel. By a “beach mat”, we mean an essentially flat sheet or mat, generally of rectangular shape, which is large enough in size to accommodate at least two beach towels being placed thereon.

The beach bucket kit preferably further includes at least one beach pillow. The pillow may comprise a cushioned pillow, or in the alternative, it may comprise a pillow case which can be filled with sand. The beach bucket kit also preferably includes a rug which can be used to wipe one's feet. The kit preferably further includes a water bottle. The kit may further include a beach umbrella.

The beach mat is preferably provided with grommets at each corner of the mat. The kit also preferably includes stretchable looped cords which are adapted to be guided through each of the grommets. The stakes in the kit are adapted to be driven through the looped cords to anchor the beach mat to the ground. Preferably, the kit includes four stakes. When setting up the beach mat on the beach, the cords are stretched at each corner of the mat and the stakes are driven into the sand to stretch out the mat and anchor it into position on the sand. In an alternative embodiment, the stakes may be driven directly through the grommets to secure the beach mat. Preferably, beach bucket kit preferably further contains a mallet for the purpose of driving the stakes through the cords or grommets.

The bucket may optionally include a cover which encloses the bucket. The cover preferably comprise netting. Preferably, a rope is threaded through the netting and may be tied to secure the netting and aid in carrying the bucket.

The beach bucket kit may optionally contain a number of other items used on the beach, including, but not limited to, suntan lotion, tote bags, spray bottles, paper products, frisbees, balls, trash bags, wrist bands, hair accessories, or combinations thereof.

If desired, the bucket may be designed to contain lifesaving equipment, including, but not limited to, a floatable device, ropes, a flashlight, clock, mirror, a writing clipboard, food, or combinations thereof.

When the bucket is carried to the beach, the items may be removed from the bucket for use and the bucket may then be filled with water and used as a means of rinsing one's feet to remove sand before stepping on the beach mat/beach towels, entering a car, etc. In addition, because the towels are placed on the beach mat which is anchored in the sand, this also aids in keeping sand off the user.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a beach bucket kit is provided for children which comprises a bucket, at least one beach towel, and at least one beach toy. The bucket may optionally contain educational activity items such as name tags, an erasable writing board, or combinations thereof. The bucket may also optionally contain wrist bands, water bottles, suntan lotion, hair accessories, a tote or shell collecting bag, or combinations thereof.

Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a beach bucket kit for use on the beach which holds a number of items used on the beach and which aids in keeping sand away from one's body. These, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph illustrating an adult beach bucket kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the contents of the beach bucket kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the contents of the beach bucket kit in use on a beach; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph illustrating the contents of a children's beach bucket kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, a beach bucket kit 10 for adult use is shown. The kit includes a bucket 12 which is preferably enclosed in a cover 14 which functions to maintain the contents of the bucket therein. The cover 14 preferably comprises netting. The cover preferably includes a rope 16 woven therein which can be tied to secure the netting.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the beach bucket kit 12 further contains a beach mat 24 and one or more beach towels 18. The beach mat may be comprised of a number of materials including cloth, vinyl, nylon, or any other suitable lightweight material which functions as a mat.

The kit further includes stakes 32 for securing the beach mat to the ground. The kit preferably further includes a mallet 34 for driving the stakes into the ground.

The beach bucket kit may optionally contain a one or more beach pillows 20, a foldable beach umbrella 22, a rug 26 and a water bottle 28. The bucket may also contain additional personal items such as suntan lotion 38, hair accessories such as a comb/brush set, and a first aid kit.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the contents of the beach bucket kit after they have been removed from the bucket for use on the beach. As shown, one or more beach towels 18 are positioned on the beach mat 24 along with one or more beach pillows 20, a foldable beach umbrella 22, and a rug 26.

As shown, the beach mat 24 includes grommets 36 at each corner and optional stretchable looped cords 30 which are threaded through the grommets. As shown, stakes 32 are driven through the cords by mallet 34 into the sand to anchor the beach mat so that it is pulled tight to aid in preventing sand from getting on the mat and/or beach towels. In an alternative embodiment, the stakes may be driven directly through the grommet holes to secure the mat.

When the bucket is in use, the items may be removed from the bucket in the following order: the rug 26 is taken out and laid on the sand. The bucket 12 is placed on the rug 26 as shown. The beach mat 24 is then taken out along with the stakes 32 and mallet 34. The mat is spread out and the individual stakes are driven into the sand with the mallet. The beach towel(s) 18 and beach pillows 20 are then laid on the mat. The beach umbrella 24 may then be anchored by unfolding the stake and putting it in the sand where desired. Alternatively, the beach umbrella may be anchored using one of the grommets/cords from the beach mat. Before stepping onto the beach mat containing the beach towels, the (empty) bucket may be filled with an amount of water, either from the ocean or another source, and then placed onto the rug 26. One can then place one foot at a time in the bucket, using the water to remove any sand from the feet before stepping on the beach mat/towels.

The items can easily be placed back into the bucket for future use, preferably in the following order: 1) pull out the stakes and bungee cords and place in the bottom of the bucket; 2) put pillow(s) in bucket; 3) take down umbrella and roll up in rug; 4) place mallet in rug; roll up towels and place in bucket; 5) fold up beach mat and place in bucket; followed by any remaining items, i.e., water bottle, suntan lotion, etc.; 6) pull up netting around bucket and tie for carrying. It should be appreciated that the order of removal and/or placement of items back into the bucket may be varied.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a children's beach bucket kit 40 is illustrated. As shown, the bucket kit preferably includes the bucket 40, at least one beach towel 42, and at least one beach toy 46 such as a shovel. Suitable beach toys for inclusion in the bucket include, but are not limited to, balls, frisbees, rakes/shovels, and boats.

As shown, the children's bucket may also be enclosed in a cover 14 such as netting which is tied with a rope 16.

The bucket preferably further includes an erasable writing board 48 and at least one name tag 50. The bucket may also contain a number of other items including, but not limited to, wrist bands, suntan lotion, hair accessories, water bottles, and a tote or shell collecting bag. It should be appreciated that the items contained in the bucket may be tailored for use by a boy or girl.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A beach bucket kit comprising:

a bucket containing a beach mat, a plurality of stakes for securing said beach mat, and at least one beach towel.

2. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 including four stakes.

3. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 including a mallet for driving said stakes into the ground.

4. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including at least one beach pillow.

5. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including a beach umbrella.

6. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including a rug.

7. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including a water bottle.

8. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 wherein said beach mat includes grommets positioned at each corner of said mat.

9. The beach bucket kit of claim 8 including a plurality of stretchable looped cords which are adapted to be guided through each of said grommets.

10. The beach bucket kit of claim 9 wherein said stakes are adapted to be driven through said looped cords to secure said beach mat.

11. The beach bucket kit of claim 8 wherein said stakes are adapted to be driven through said grommets to secure said beach mat.

12. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including a cover which encloses said bucket.

13. The beach bucket kit of claim 12 wherein said cover comprises netting.

14. The beach bucket kit of claim 13 including a rope threaded through said netting.

15. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including beach items selected from the group consisting of suntan lotion, tote bags, spray bottles, paper products, frisbees, balls, trash bags, wrist bands, hair accessories, or combinations thereof.

16. The beach bucket kit of claim 1 further including lifesaving equipment selected from the group consisting of a floatable device, rope, a flashlight, clock, mirror, writing clipboard, food, or combinations thereof.

17. A beach bucket kit for use by children comprising a bucket, at least one beach towel, and at least one beach toy.

18. The beach bucket kit of claim 17 further comprising educational activity items selected from the group consisting of name tags, an erasable writing board, or combinations thereof.

19. The beach bucket kit of claim 17 further comprising beach items selected from the group consisting of wrist bands, water bottles, suntan lotion, hair accessories, a tote or shell collecting bag, or combinations thereof.