Rally Towel Device

Abstract

A rally towel device has an inner cylindrically shaped tube and an outer cylindrically shaped tube extending over the inner tube. An elongated connection line extends through the inner tube. The connection line has a looped top end located within the tube and a bottom end extending out of the bottom of the tube. A portion of a fabric rally towel extends through and around the looped top end of the connection line, thereby immovably positioning the portion of the towel within the inner tube, the majority of the length of the towel being extended out of the inner tube. Upon rotation of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, the towel is easily spun around the tubes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spectators and fans at sporting events, pep rallies, or other public gatherings where there is a rooting or vested interest, usually show support for their team by verbal means, i.e. cheering, shouting, chanting, etc. Other than displaying signs or posters with words, phrases, or pictures indicating team spirit and support, there is little else the fan can do to show support to his or her team. Most recently, however, so called “rally towels” have been provided to fans at sporting events. These towels are typically pieces of fabric material, approximately the size of hand towels, which have the name, logo, mascot, or other representation of the team or group being supported. The fans wave the towels in a circle to demonstrate team spirit and support.

However, one's arm rotation in order to wave the towels is an unnatural and awkward movement. Continual rotation of the towel is tiring and, after a brief period, the fan finds the towel to be difficult to hold onto as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple rally towel device which fixedly supports a rally towel, while allowing the user to easily and continuously wave the towel faster and longer with far less effort.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a rally towel device which has an inner cylindrically shaped tube and an outer cylindrically shaped tube extendin over the inner tube. An elongated connection line extends through the inner tube. The connection line has a looped top end located within the tube and a bottom end extending out of the bottom of the tube. A portion of a fabric rally towel extends through and around the looped top end of the connection line, thereby immovably positioning the portion of the towel within the inner tube, the majority of the length of the towel being extended out of the inner tube. Upon rotation of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, the towel is easily spun around the tubes.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components of the rally towel device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inner and outer tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view of the rally towel as it is being pulled through the inner and outer tubes of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of the rally towel device of the present invention being used to wave and spin a rally towel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The rally towel device of the present invention comprises inner cylindrically shaped tube 2 having main body section 4, top end section 6 and bottom end section 8, each of the end sections having a diameter larger than the main body section. Inner tube 2 is open at its top end 10 and partially closed off by stop wall 12 at its bottom end. Opening 22 extends through stop wall 12.

Outer cylindrically shaped tube 14 extends around inner tube 2, between end sections 6 and 8. Outer tube 14 has a larger diameter than main body section 4 of inner tube 2, but a smaller diameter than that of end sections 6 and 8 of the inner tube. Outer tube 14 is rotatable about inner tube 12.

Elongated connection line 16, made of flexible wire, plastic, or equivalent material, is configured to extend through inner tube 2. When rally towel device is assembled, see FIGS. 1 and 3, connection line 16 passes through inner tube 2 and outer tube 14. Bottom end 20 of connection line 16 extends out of inner tube 2 and through opening 22 in stop wall 12. When assembled, a section of connection line 16 remains in inner tube 2 as does its looped top end 18, and portion 32 of rally towel 30, as described below.

Rally towel 30 of given length is made of fabric material. A small portion 32 of rally towel 30 extends through and around top looped end 18 of connection line 16, as best seen in FIG. 1. When connection line 16 has passed through inner tube 2 and out opening 22, pulling on end 20 of the connection line compels and wedges portion 32 of rally towel 30 into the inner tube. By this configuration, rally towel 30 is immovably positioned, with its portion 32 wedged within the inner tube 2 and the majority of its length 34 extending out from the inner tube.

Stop device 32 is located around bottom end section 20 of connection line 16. When cinched up against stop wall 12 of inner tube 2, rally towel 30 cannot be pulled out of the inner tube.

In use, fan 40 grasps outer tube 14 of the rally towel device and simply rotates his or her hand in a circular motion. This in turn results in the rotation of inner tube 2 and, along with it, the rotating and twirling or spinning of rally flag 30 around the inner tube.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A rotatable rally towel device comprising:

an inner cylindrically shaped tube of given diameter, said tube having top and bottom end sections, each end section having a diameter greater than the diameter of the tube;

an outer cylindrically shaped tube extending over the inner shaped tube and between the end sections, the outer tube having a greater diameter than the inner tube, but less than the diameter of the end sections, and being rotatable around the inner tube;

an elongated connection line extending through the inner tube, the line comprising a looped top end located within the inner tube, and a bottom end extending out of the bottom end section of the inner tube; and

a fabric towel of given length, a portion of the towel extending into the inner tube and through and around the looped top end of the connection line thereby immovably positioning said portion of the towel within the inner tube, the majority of the length of the towel extending out of the inner tube, whereby upon the rotation of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, the towel is spun around the tubes.

2. The rally towel device as in claim 1 further comprising stop means connected to the bottom end of the connection line for maintaining the connection line within the inner tube.

3. The rally towel device as in claim 1 further comprising a bottom wall enclosing the bottom end section of the inner tube, said connection line extending through the bottom wall of the inner tube.

4. The rally towel device as in claim 3 further comprising stop means for maintaining the connection line in the inner tube.

5. A rotatable rally towel device comprising:

an inner cylindrically shaped tube of given diameter, said tube having top and bottom end sections, each end section having a diameter greater than the diameter of the tube;

an outer cylindrically shaped tube extending over the inner tube and between the end sections, the outer tube having a diameter greater than the inner tube, but less than the diameter of the end sections, and being rotatable around the inner tube;

a fabric towel of given length; and

towel connection means located within the inner tube for immovably positioning a portion of the towel within the inner tube, the majority of the length of the towel extending out of the inner tube, whereby upon the rotation of the outer tube in relation to the inner tube, the towel is spun around the tubes.

6. The rally towel device as in claim 5 wherein the towel connection means comprises an elongated connection line extending through the inner tube, the line comprising a looped top end located within the inner tube and a bottom end extending out of the bottom end section of the inner tube.

7. The rally towel device as in claim 5 further comprising stop means connected to the towel connection means for maintaining the connection means within the inner tube.

8. The rally towel device as in claim 6 further comprising stop means connected to the bottom end of the connection line for maintaining the connection line within the inner tube.

9. The rally towel device as in claim 6 further comprising a bottom wall enclosing the bottom end section of the inner tube, said connection line extending through the bottom wall of the inner tube.