U.S. patent application number 10/174927 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for device for securing a towel.
Invention is credited to Brogdon, William B. III.
Application Number | 20030056344 10/174927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26870677 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030056344 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brogdon, William B. III |
March 27, 2003 |
Device for securing a towel
Abstract
A device for securing a towel includes a pair of opposed
clamping members, adjoined at one end, free at the other end and
defining an opening with a v-shaped space therebetween. The opening
of the space is preferably sufficiently wide to engage at least two
layers of a towel. The clamping members are generally rigid but
sufficiently flexible so that they may be deflected to increase the
space therebetween. The inner surfaces of the clamping members
include protrusions to enhance gripping friction without snagging
or damaging the towel. The face of the device provides space for an
aesthetically pleasing design, logo or advertisement.
Inventors: |
Brogdon, William B. III;
(Neptune Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK J. YOUNG
50 N. LAURA STREET
SUITE 3300
JACKSONVILLE
FL
32202
US
|
Family ID: |
26870677 |
Appl. No.: |
10/174927 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60299325 |
Jun 19, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/564 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 55/00 20130101;
Y10T 24/44932 20150115; A47K 10/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/564 |
International
Class: |
A44B 021/00 |
Claims
Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire
to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:
1. A device for releasably securing a towel, said device including:
a first clamping member having a free end, a joining end, a
clamping side and a plurality of protrusions on the clamping side
to frictionally engage a towel; a second clamping member having a
free end, a joining end, a clamping side and a plurality of
protrusions on the clamping side to frictionally engage a towel;
said second clamping member and said first clamping member being
joined at the joining end of the first clamping member and the
joining end of the second clamping member by a joining means, said
clamping side of said second clamping member being opposed and in
spaced relation to said clamping side of said first clamping member
to define an opening for frictionally engaging a towel between the
clamping side of said first clamping member and the clamping side
of said second clamping member.
2. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 1, wherein
said plurality of protrusions on said first clamping member have
geometries that will not damage a towel and said plurality of
protrusions on said second clamping member have geometries that
will not damage a towel.
3. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 2, wherein
said plurality of protrusions on said first clamping member are
comprised of a plurality of horizontal ridges and said plurality of
protrusions on said second clamping member are comprised of a
plurality of horizontal ridges.
4. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 3, wherein
said plurality of horizontal ridges on said first clamping member
are offset from said plurality of horizontal ridges on said second
clamping member.
5. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 4, wherein
said first clamping member is flexible to allow a user to manually
deflect said first clamping member so as to increase the width of
said opening to facilitate releasing or engaging a towel.
6. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 5, wherein
said second clamping member is flexible to allow a user to manually
deflect said second clamping member so as to increase the width of
said opening to facilitate releasing or engaging a towel.
7. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 6, wherein
said first clamping member and said second clamping member are
comprised of a plastic.
8. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 7, wherein
said joining means is comprised of a chemical bond.
9. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 1, said
device further comprising a means for hanging said device.
10. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 1, said
device further comprising a face for displaying one or more
promotional indicia.
11. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 4, wherein
said plurality of horizontal ridges on said first clamping member
and said plurality of horizontal ridges on said second clamping
member have an average height, and the maximum distance between the
clamping side of said first clamping member and the clamping side
of said second clamping member is approximately less than three
times the average height of said horizontal ridges.
12. A device for releasably securing a towel as in claim 11,
wherein said towel has an uncompressed thickness and said average
height is approximately equal to 0.25 to 1.25 times said
uncompressed thickness.
13. A method for securing a towel around a person's waist or torso
using a device as in claim 1, said method comprising steps of
wrapping the towel around said person's waist or torso such that
the wrapped towel includes a free outer exposed end and one or more
underlying wrapped layers of the towel, sliding the device down
onto a portion of the towel at or near the free outer exposed end
of the towel and a portion of one or more of said one or more
underlying towel layers until the device securely engages the towel
within the opening or space provided between the first and second
clamping member.
14. A method for securing a towel around a person's waist or torso
as in claim 13, said method further comprising a step of displaying
one or more promotional indicia on said device.
15. A method for hanging a towel on an object using a device as in
claim 9, said method comprising steps of sliding the device down
onto a portion of the towel until the device securely engages the
towel within the opening or space provided between the first and
second clamping member, hanging the device on the object using said
hanging means.
Description
PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/299,325, filed Jun. 19, 2001, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention relates to towels. More particularly,
the subject invention relates to a device and method for releasably
securing a towel.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Beachgoers and swimmers require means for securing their
towels. Often, towels are wrapped around waists in a familiar
manner. To keep a wrapped towel in place, it is well-known to tuck
the top corner of the outer layer behind the one or more inner
wrapped layers. Unfortunately, to remain secure, the towel must
often be wrapped uncomfortably tight around the waist. Invariably,
over time, especially with movement, the tucked corner tends to
loosen, causing the towel to slide down or fall to the ground. In
addition to being an annoyance, such loosening may cause tripping
or result in a soiled, wet or otherwise damaged towel.
[0004] Beachgoers and swimmers also require a means to securely
hang a towel, such as while showering to rinse off sand or
chlorine. Many facilities lack clean and dry places for hanging a
towel while showering.
[0005] Concomitantly, businesses seek new media for displaying
advertising. Beachgoers and swimmers provide an ideal target
audience for marketing goods and services such as those directed to
summer and beach-related products (e.g., swimwear, tanning lotions,
surfboards and related gear, snack foods, beer and soft drinks, to
name a few).
[0006] Thus, there is a need for an easy to use device for
releasably securing and hanging a towel. The device should not
snag, puncture or otherwise damage the towel, even with repeated
use. The device should also preferably be lightweight, relatively
inexpensive, corrosion resistant, small enough to fit in a purse or
pocket, and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, the device should
also preferably provide a means to market goods and services.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a device for releasably securing and/or hanging a
towel.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
device for releasably securing and/or hanging a towel without
causing damage to the towel.
[0009] It is also another object of the invention to provide a
relatively inexpensive, corrosion resistant, aesthetically pleasing
device for releasably securing and/or hanging a towel.
[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
device for releasably securing and/or hanging a towel wherein the
device is small enough to fit in a conventional purse or
pocket.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a device
for releasably securing and/or hanging a towel wherein the device
may be used for marketing purposes.
[0012] To achieve these and other objects, a towel clamping device
is provided for releasably securing and/or hanging a towel. The
device includes opposed clamping members with staggered or offset
opposed protrusions for frictionally engaging a towel. The members
are sufficiently rigid to securely grip the towel, yet flexible
enough to facilitate releasing the towel. Faces of the towel
clamping device are preferably well-suited for displaying an
aesthetically pleasing design or advertisement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become better understood with reference
to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying
drawings, where:
[0014] FIG. 1 conceptually depicts a free-end view of a first
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 conceptually depicts a side profile view of a first
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 conceptually depicts a plan view of a first clamping
member with a plurality of protrusions in accordance with a
preferred implementation of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 4 conceptually depicts a perspective view of a first
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 5 conceptually depicts a free-end view of a second
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 6 conceptually depicts a side profile view of a second
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 7 conceptually depicts a plan view of a second clamping
member with a plurality of protrusions in accordance with a
preferred implementation of the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 8 conceptually depicts a perspective view of a second
clamping member in accordance with a preferred implementation of
the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 9 conceptually depicts a side view of a device in
accordance with a preferred implementation of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to FIG. 9, a towel clamping device 910 in
accordance with a preferred implementation of the present invention
generally includes a pair of clamping members 200 and 600, adjoined
at one end 940, free at the other end 910 and defining an opening
therebetween 930, such as an opening having a generally u- or
v-shaped space. The opening of the space is preferably sufficiently
wide to engage at least two layers of a conventional towel. While
many dimensions may be utilized and come within the scope of the
present invention, in a preferred implementation the width of the
opening at the free end (i.e., the distance between opposed
clamping sides of clamping members 200 and 600) is equal to
approximately one to three times the height of protrusions therein
as discussed below. The clamping members are generally rigid but
sufficiently flexible so that they may be deflected to increase the
space therebetween. Clamping-side surfaces of the clamping members
are preferably textured to enhance gripping friction. In an
exemplary embodiment the texturing includes a plurality of
protrusions, preferably ridges that are horizontally disposed along
the inner surface. The inner surfaces also preferably have enough
surface area to support the weight of a wet towel.
[0024] An individual may use the device to secure a towel wrapped
around his or her waist. The opening of the device is slipped over
portions of the free exposed end of the wrapped towel and the
underlying wrapped layer or layers of the towel. The device is slid
down securely over the portions of the free end of the towel and
underlying towel layers until the clamping members securely engage
the towel within the opening or space provided therebetween. Any
attempt to release the towel with the device securely in place will
then be resisted.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, end, side, plan and
perspective views of a first clamping member 200 in accordance with
a preferred implementation of the present invention are shown. In a
preferred embodiment, the first clamping member 200 includes a face
300 and a clamping side 310. A plurality of protrusions such as
horizontal ridges 210-240 are spaced apart along a portion of the
length of the clamping side 310 of clamping member 200. Surfaces
290 and 295 are provided to be in contact with opposed surfaces of
a second clamping member 600, as described below, thereby defining
a u- or v-shaped space between the two clamping members. Means for
interlocking the opposed surfaces, such as female receptacles 250
and 260 are preferably also provided. Chamfer 280 and opposed
chamfer 680 (as in FIG. 6) define a channel for receiving an
object, such as a cord or chain for creating a loop to hang the
device.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, end, side, plan and
perspective views of a second clamping member 600 in accordance
with a preferred implementation of the present invention are shown.
In a preferred embodiment, the first clamping member 600 includes a
face 700 and a clamping side 710. A plurality of protrusions such
as horizontal ridges 610-630 are spaced apart along a portion of
the length of the clamping side 710 of clamping member 600.
Surfaces 690 and 695 are provided to be in contact with opposed
surfaces 290 and 295 of first clamping member 200, thereby defining
a u- or v-shaped space between the two clamping members. Means for
interlocking the surfaces 690 and 695 with opposed surfaces 290 and
295, such as male pins 650 and 660, are preferably also provided.
Chamfer 680 is provided to oppose chamfer 280 and thereby define a
channel 920 (as in FIG. 9) for receiving an object, such as a cord
or chain for creating a loop to hang the device.
[0027] An important aspect of a preferred embodiment is the
arrangement of protrusions or ribs. Preferably ribs protrude from
the clamping-side surface of each clamping member. The ribs
preferably have rounded tops extending outwardly from the base of
the inner surface by approximately the thickness of a typical
towel. The outward extension is referred to herein as the height,
even if the ribs extend sideways or downward. The rounded tops of
the ribs grip the towel without damaging it. Opposed ribs are
staggered or offset so they do not collide when the clamping means
is depressed, closing the opening. The distance from the centerline
of one rib to the centerline of an adjacent opposed rib is
preferably at least the thickness of a typical towel (e.g.,
approximately 0.125 inches for a typical uncompressed towel). While
many dimensions may be utilized and come within the scope of the
present invention, in a preferred implementation adjacent ribs on a
clamping member are spaced approximately 0.75 inches apart and the
ribs have an average height of approximately 0.125 inches.
[0028] A towel clamping device in accordance with a preferred
implementation of the present invention uses ribs as well as the
inner surface of each clamping member to effectively grip a towel.
When the device is applied to a towel, the towel is interwoven
between opposed ribs. This creates many points of frictional
contact between the device and the towel. As the towel approaches
the tip of the u- or v-shaped closure, the space may narrow, the
gripping forces may progressively increase and the towel becomes
securely wedged therein. The ribs prevent the towel from retreating
from the device, without damaging the towel. This provides means
for securing layers of towels having various thicknesses.
[0029] Protrusion geometries and arrangements other than ribs are
possible. Preferably, the protrusions enhance frictional gripping
of the towel without damaging it. Such other protrusions may
include curved ribs, rounded nubs and the like.
[0030] A towel clamping device in accordance with a preferred
implementation of the present invention may also include a hanging
means such as a ring, chain or cord for attachment to a key chain
or for hanging the device from a hook or the like. The ring, chain
or cord may engage channel 920. While suspended thereform, the
device may securely hold a towel. Thus, for example, a towel may be
safely hung in a restroom.
[0031] A secured towel may easily be released by deflecting the
clamping members to increase the space therebetween while removing
the towel from the device (or vice versa). A towel may also be
released by pulling it from the device.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping means are comprised
of a plastic known in the art, such as plastics based on
polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride,
acrylics, cellulosics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers
(ABS), acetal resins, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyesters.
Though other materials may be used, preferably the material is
corrosion resistant, light weight, durable, relatively inexpensive
and capable of producing an aesthetically pleasing part.
[0033] The clamping means 200 and 600 may be produced using plastic
manufacturing techniques known in the art, such as injection,
compression, structural foam, blow, or transfer molding;
polyurethane foam processing techniques; and casting. In a
preferred implementation the clamping means are produced from
injection molding of ABS.
[0034] The clamping means 200 and 600 may be joined at 290-295 and
690-695 using any joining means and processes capable of producing
a strong, durable, waterproof, aesthetically pleasing joint. In a
preferred embodiment, a methacrylate adhesive or a methyl ethyl
ketone (MEK) solvent may be used to achieve a chemical bond with
little or no surface preparation. Other glues, adhesives chemical
bonding agents, tapes, mechanical fasteners and the like may also
be used as joining means without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Alternatively, the clamping device may be
comprised of a single integral piece having clamping means 200 and
600 joined at or near the end opposite the free end of each
clamping member. Each clamping member may also be comprised of a
plurality of separate pieces without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0035] The device may also include one or more compartments for
storing keys, money and the like. Preferably, such a compartment
would be formed in a clamping member and include a means for entry
thereto. Thus, the device may provide means for safekeeping
valuables while engaged in beach or poolside activities.
[0036] The subject invention may also be used to secure articles
other than towels. For example, the device may be used to secure
hats or baseball caps to a pocket or belt by slipping the opening
over a portion of the held article and the pocket or belt. In such
case, the portion of the held article and the belt or pocket are
wedged in the device. Again, the secured article may easily be
released by deflecting the clamping members to increase the space
therebetween while removing the article from the device (or vice
versa).
[0037] The subject invention may also be used to secure portions of
a shirt in a taught configuration, thereby preventing flapping and
achieving a fashionable appearance, or in a raised configuration,
thereby exposing part of the wearer's torso. To do so, the device
may be slipped over folded portions of the shirt. The folded
portions may be gathered in the front, on either side or in the
back of the shirt. In such case, the folded portions of the shirt
are wedged in the device. Again, the secured folded portions may
easily be released by deflecting the clamping members to increase
the space therebetween while removing the article from the device
(or vice versa).
[0038] Another possible use of the device includes securing
articles (e.g., directions or parking passes) to a visor in an
automobile. To do so, the device may be slipped over a portion of
the articles and the visor, wedging them into the device. Again,
the articles may be released by deflecting the clamping members to
increase the space therebetween while removing the secured article
from the device (or vice versa).
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, either or both faces 300 and 700
may include decorative features or promotional information. Thus,
the device may provide a unique fashion accessory or advertising
means. For example, in a mode of advertising use, businesses may
display their trademarks or service marks on a face (300 and/or
700) and distribute towel clamping devices in accordance with a
preferred implementation of the present invention to their
customers (or potential customers), such as in giveaways as part of
a promotional campaign. In using the device on a beach, in a locker
room or around a pool, customers would display the trademarks or
service marks for all individuals in the vicinity to view. Given
the uniqueness of the device and the mode of use, it is believed
that the device will draw considerable attention. In beach and
poolside settings this could translate into exposure to hundreds or
thousands of potential consumers. At televised events, the exposure
can be significantly greater.
[0040] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention,
materials, shapes, forms, functions, compositions and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art. All substantially 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. As numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction,
configuration and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents that may be resorted to,
are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *