U.S. patent application number 10/826427 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for multi-surface towel.
Invention is credited to Ortega, Charles M., Wiederkehr, Paul Michael.
Application Number | 20040194242 10/826427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29739205 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040194242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ortega, Charles M. ; et
al. |
October 7, 2004 |
Multi-surface towel
Abstract
A multi-surface towel is afforded. A first piece of material has
an absorbent surface. A second piece of material is coupled to the
first piece of material and has a surface suitable for polishing. A
third piece of material is coupled to the first and second piece of
material and has an abrasive surface. Thus, the towel is
multi-functional.
Inventors: |
Ortega, Charles M.;
(Estates, CA) ; Wiederkehr, Paul Michael; (Long
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARR & FERRELL LLP
2200 GENG ROAD
PALO ALTO
CA
94303
US
|
Family ID: |
29739205 |
Appl. No.: |
10/826427 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10826427 |
Apr 16, 2004 |
|
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10264456 |
Oct 4, 2002 |
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60391914 |
Jun 25, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/118 ;
15/209.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 55/408 20151001;
A63B 57/60 20151001; A47L 13/16 20130101; A47K 10/02 20130101; A63B
47/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/118 ;
015/209.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-surface towel, comprising: a first piece of material
having an absorbent surface, the first piece of material forming a
first side of the towel; a second piece of material having a
surface suitable for polishing, the second piece of material
comprising a portion of a second side of the towel; and a third
piece of material having an abrasive surface, the third piece of
material comprising a portion of the second side of the towel
contiguous with the second piece of material.
2. The multi-surface towel of claim 1, further comprising an
opening passing through the first side of the towel, the opening
contiguous with the second side of the towel.
3. The multi-surface towel of claim 2, further comprising a
reinforcer to support the opening.
4. The multi-surface towel of claim 3, wherein the reinforcer is a
grommet.
5. The multi-surface towel of claim 2, wherein an attachment means
is passed through the opening for attaching the towel to an
object.
6. The multi-surface towel of claim 5, wherein the attachment means
is a carabiner.
7. The multi-surface towel of claim 1, wherein the first piece of
material is terry cloth.
8. The multi-surface towel of claim 1, wherein the second piece of
material is chamois.
9. The multi-surface towel of claim 1, wherein the third piece of
material is a scrubber pad.
10. A towel, comprising: a first piece of material having an
absorbent surface; a second piece of material coupled to the first
piece of material, the second piece of material having a surface
suitable for polishing; and a third piece of material coupled to
the first and second piece of material, the third piece of material
having an abrasive surface.
11. The towel of claim 10, wherein the second piece of material and
the third piece of material comprise a first side of the towel
opposing a second side of the towel comprising the first piece of
material.
12. The towel of claim 10, wherein the first piece of material and
the third piece of material comprise a first side of the towel
opposing a second side of the towel comprising the second piece of
material.
13. The towel of claim 10, wherein the first piece of material and
the second piece of material comprise a first side of the towel
opposing a second side of the towel comprising the second piece of
material.
14. The towel of claim 10, wherein the first piece of material is
terry cloth.
15. The towel of claim 10, wherein the second piece of material is
chamois.
16. The towel of claim 10, wherein the third piece of material is a
scrubber pad.
17. The towel of claim 10, further comprising an opening extending
through the towel.
18. The towel of claim 17, further comprising a reinforcer to
support the opening.
19. The towel of claim 18, wherein the reinforcer is a grommet.
20. The towel of claim 17, further comprising an attachment means
inserted through the opening for fastening the towel.
21. The towel of claim 20, wherein the attachment means is a
carabiner.
22. A multi-functional towel comprising: means for absorbing
moisture from a surface of an object; means for polishing the
surface of the object; and means for scrubbing the surface of the
object.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation--and claims the priority
benefit--of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/264,456 filed Oct.
4, 2002 entitled "A Multi-Surface Towel" which claims the further
priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No.
60/391,914 filed Jun. 25, 2002 entitled "A Golf Towel." The
disclosure of both applications is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
towels, and more particularly to a multi-surface towel having
various materials for performing different functions.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] Ideally, golf courses require manicured grass, which is
watered often in order to maintain green color and durability of
the grass. Due to the damp grass, golf balls and golf clubs
frequently accumulate mud and dirt. Further, course hazards, such
as water obstacles, sand traps, etc. result in a wet or dirty golf
ball and/or golf club. Because a golfer's hands often come in
contact with the wet and dirty golf balls and golf clubs, the
golfer's hands become wet and soiled as well. Accordingly, golfers
tend to carry golf towels in order to clean and dry hands and golf
equipment.
[0006] Conventional golf towels are typically small terry cloth
towels attached to a golf bag in some manner. The golf towels are
utilized to dry the golfer's hands, as well as the golfer's
equipment. The mud and/or dirt on golf clubs and golf balls are
often cleaned off utilizing the golf towel as well. Eventually, the
golf towel itself becomes exceedingly soiled and is thus no longer
capable of providing a proper surface for drying and cleaning
hands, equipment, etc. Accordingly, traditional golf towels are
habitually impractical for providing a drying and cleaning
surface.
[0007] In addition, traditional golf towels are an inadequate means
of cleaning stubborn dirt from balls and/or clubs. Mud is
frequently left to dry on the golf ball and/or golf club. The
temperature may be such that the mud dries on the golf equipment in
between plays, or equipment may not have been cleaned following the
end of a game of golf, etc. The terry cloth surface of conventional
golf towels cannot sufficiently remove dried-on mud, or even sand
embedded in the seams of a golf club head. Because the smallest
amount of substance on golf equipment can interfere with play, the
ability to remove even the minutest debris is paramount.
[0008] Additionally, once golf equipment is cleaned, the equipment
commonly dulls in appearance. Traditional golf towels do not
provide materials for polishing golf clubs. Disadvantageously,
terry cloth can partially clean a surface in some instances, but it
is not capable of actually polishing the surface of golf clubs to
produce a shine and remove more subtle remnants of debris.
[0009] Similarly, other sports and activities require cleaning of
equipment and accessories associated with the sport. For example,
cyclists often meticulously clean their cycles. As another example,
bowling accessories, such as bowling balls, bowling shoes, bowling
bags, etc. frequently accumulate debris and must be cleaned and
polished.
[0010] Thus, there is a need for a towel with surfaces for cleaning
stubborn stains from equipment, for polishing the equipment, and
for drying the equipment. There is a further need for the towel to
dry a player's hands, a player's shoes, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides in various embodiments a
towel having multiple surfaces. A first piece of material has an
absorbent surface. A second piece of material is coupled to the
first piece of material and has a surface suitable for polishing. A
third piece of material is coupled to the first and second piece of
material, and has an abrasive surface.
[0012] A multi-surface towel according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes a first piece of material having an
absorbent surface. The first piece of material forms a first side
of the towel. A second piece of material, having a surface suitable
for polishing, comprises a portion of a second side of the towel. A
third piece of material has an abrasive surface, which comprises a
portion of the second side of the towel contiguous with the second
piece of material.
[0013] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
inventions herein may be realized by reference to the remaining
portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front side of a towel in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a back side of the towel in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of material
configuration of the towel of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is yet another alternative embodiment of material
configuration of the towel of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is still another alternative embodiment of material
configuration of the towel of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is still further alternative embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of means for attaching
the towel of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As shown in the exemplary drawings wherein like reference
numerals indicate like or corresponding elements among the figures,
embodiments of a system according to the present invention will now
be described in detail. The following description sets forth
examples of multi-surface towels. Reference is made to the
multi-surface towel in terms of a golf towel. While the
multi-surface towel presents various advantages for use in the game
of golf, one skilled in the art will recognize that the
multi-surface towel has uses in a variety of sports and activities
in general.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, a front side of a towel 100 is
shown. The front side includes an absorbent material 102. The
absorbent material 102 may be terry cloth, for example. The towel
100 further includes an opening 104. The opening 104 may further
include a reinforcer 106, such as a grommet. Additionally, a clip
108 may be inserted through the opening 104 in order to fasten the
towel 100 to a bag or other equipment. For example, the towel 100
may be a golf towel, which may be attached to a golf bag. As shown
in FIG. 1, a graphic 110 may be printed on the towel 100 for
purposes of advertising, identifying the owner, etc.
[0023] A variety of materials or fabrics may be used for the
absorbent material 102 that forms the front side of the towel 100.
As previously discussed, terry cloth fabric may be utilized.
Typically, terry cloth is made with cotton. However, terry cloth
itself is available in various forms and may be made with various
materials. For instance, terry cloth may be made with microfiber,
such as a polyester blend, a stretch type material, etc. Further,
terry cloth may be categorized as rich pile, velour, looped pile,
sheared pile, etc. Ideally, loosely twisted loops tend to be softer
and more absorbent, while tightly twisted loops tend to make a
rougher fabric. Additionally, long pile tends to be more absorbent
than short pile. Although terry cloth has been described for use in
the present invention, any suitable absorbent material 102 may be
utilized to form the front side of the towel 100 in accordance with
the present invention.
[0024] Additionally, any type of opening 104 may be formed and any
type of reinforcer 106 may be employed that is suitable for use
with the present invention. Advantageously, the reinforcer 106
strengthens and/or augments the opening 104 so as to bolster the
opening 104, and allow entry of the clip 108. The clip 108 may be
any type of clip 108 that is suitable for use with the present
invention. For example, a heavy duty clip 108, such as a carabiner,
may be utilized. As another example, a light clip, such as a ring
typically used with key chains may be utilized.
[0025] As a further example, any type of attachment mechanism
suitable for use with the present invention may be utilized. For
instance, a strap and buckle may be inserted through the opening,
allowing the towel 100 to be buckled to an object in some
manner.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, a back side of the towel 100 is
shown. The back side of the towel 100 includes a polishing material
202 that extends only a portion of the way down the back side. The
remainder of the back side includes an abrasive material 204. As
shown in FIG. 2, the opening 104 on the back side of the towel 100
is contiguous with the opening 104 from the front side of the towel
100. Further, the reinforcer 106 extends through, or is otherwise
attached, to the back side of the towel 100 consistent with the
front side of the towel 100.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the polishing
material 202 is 13.5 inches along its length and 12 inches along
its width, while the abrasive material 204 is 2.5 inches along its
length and 12 inches along its width. This configuration dictates
that the polishing material 202 extends down its elongated portion
5/6 to 7/8 of the way, with the abrasive material 204 extending
down its elongated portion 1/6 to 1/8 of the entire length of the
second side of the towel 100. The towel 100 shown in FIG. 2 is 16
inches by 12 inches. However, any suitable size towel 100 may be
employed in accordance with the present invention. The length and
width may be any variety of sizes. For example, a larger size may
be particularly useful for cleaning the inside and outside of
automobiles.
[0028] Furthermore, any suitable proportions of the polishing
material 202 and abrasive material 204 may be employed. For
example, the polishing material 202 may only extend down 3/4 of the
total length of the towel 100, while the abrasive material extends
down 1/4 of the entire length of the towel 100. As another example,
the polishing material 202 and abrasive material 204 may each
occupy equal space on the second side of the towel 100, etc.
[0029] The polishing material 202 may include any material suitable
for polishing. For example, chamois (i.e. a soft, pliant leather)
is a polishing material that may be utilized. Although chamois
originates from the skin of a chamois, it may be made from the skin
of sheep, goat, kid, deer, and calf. As another example, cotton
fabric may be made to resemble chamois, and may also be utilized as
a polishing cloth.
[0030] The abrasive material 204 may include any materials suitable
for use with the present invention. A scrub pad, for example, may
be utilized. Scrub pads and abrasive materials, generally, may
include nylon, linen, loufa, sisal, wool, abrasive walnut shell,
etc. The abrasive material 204 may also be scratch free.
[0031] The front side and the back side of the towel 100 may be
attached to form the towel 100 in any suitable manner. For example,
the front side and the back side of the towel 100 may be sewn
together, snapped together, adhered together in some manner,
etc.
[0032] An advantage of the towel 100 is that it is washable.
Traditional golf towels, for example, often fray when washed. The
towel 100 of the present invention maintains its form due to the
front side of the towel 100 being bound to the second side of the
towel 100.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
abrasive material 204 may be located on the front side of the towel
100, sharing a portion of the elongated section with the absorbent
material 102. In such an embodiment, the polishing material 202
constitutes the entire back side of the towel 100. Alternatively,
any combination of the absorbent material 102, polishing material
202, and abrasive material 204 is possible in accordance with the
present invention.
[0034] In use, the towel 100 of the present invention offers many
advantages. For example, rather than carrying several towels or
cleaning items, only one towel 100 is needed. The absorbent
material 102 is useful for drying hands, drying a golf club, etc.
The abrasive material 204 is often needed for cleaning stubborn
dirt off a club, removing residue from seams in a club head, etc.
The polishing material 202 is useful for polishing club heads, club
shafts, etc.
[0035] The towel 100 of the present invention may be utilized in
accordance with any sport or activity in general. For example, the
towel 100 of the present invention may be utilized to clean and
polish a pair of shoes, golf related or otherwise. Further,
furniture, jewelry, audio visual equipment, etc. may be cleaned
utilizing the towel 100 of the present invention. As previously
discussed, the towel 100 may be particularly useful for cleaning
the interior and exterior of an automobile. A variety of uses are
contemplated.
[0036] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 both indicate stitch lines along the
periphery of the towel 100 and along the abrasive material 204
section. Stitch lines may show both on the side of the towel 100 on
which the particular material is sewn, as well as on the opposing
side. It shall be noted that any manner of combining the materials
discussed herein suitable for use with the present invention may be
employed. In other words, although the FIGS. 1-7 indicate stitch
lines, the materials may be joined via any other methods. For
example, the materials may be joined via an adhesive.
[0037] In one embodiment, an opening may be included along a side
of the towel 100. In other words, the materials may be joined
together, except for a section that does not join the materials
together. Such a section provides an area for a user to insert a
hand, for better manipulation of the towel 100 and item for which
the towel 100 is being utilized.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment as
discussed herein is shown. A front side of a towel 300 comprises an
absorbent material 302. The absorbent material 302 extends down a
portion of the front side of the towel. An abrasive material 304
extends down the remaining portion of the front side of the towel.
As discussed herein, the respective portions may be any portions
suitable for use with the present invention. A back side of the
towel 300 comprises a material suitable for polishing. It should be
noted that reference to a front side and a back side of the towel
100, 300 is made for purposes of illustration and accordingly, the
materials discussed may be located on either the front side or the
back side of the towel 100, 300.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of a
towel 400 is shown. A front side of the towel 400 comprises an
absorbent material 402 extending down a portion of the front side,
while a polishing material 404 extends down the remaining portion
of the front side of the towel 400. The back side of the towel 400
comprises an abrasive material 406.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of a
towel 500 is shown. The front side of the towel 500 is either an
absorbent material or a polishing material. An abrasive material
506 extends vertically down the left side of the towel 500. Thus,
the abrasive material 506 extends along a portion from a top to a
bottom of the front side of the towel 500, the absorbent material
502 or the polishing material 504 extending along the remaining
portion between the top and bottom of the front side of the towel
500. Alternatively, the abrasive material 506 may extend down the
right side of the towel 500. The back side of the towel 500 is
comprised of whichever material (i.e., absorbent material 502 or
polishing material 504) does not comprise the front side of the
towel 500.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a
towel 600 is shown. A front side of the towel 600 comprises an
absorbent material 602. A back side of the towel 600 comprises a
polishing material 604. Further comprising the second side of the
towel 600 is a triangular section of abrasive material 606 at
either the right or left edge of the towel 600. Alternatively, the
front side of the towel 600 may comprise the polishing material
604, having a back side comprised of the absorbent material 602 and
a triangular section of abrasive material 606. As another
alternative, a triangular section of abrasive material 606 may
comprise both edges of either the front or back side of the towel
600.
[0042] Another embodiment includes a portion of each material
occupying a portion of each side of the towel 600. For example, a
front side of the towel 600 may include a strip of absorbent
material, polishing material, and abrasive material arranged either
horizontally or vertically along the front side. A back side of the
same towel 600 may include a similar configuration or one of the
materials, two of the materials, etc. Furthermore, a front side of
the towel 600 may include an absorbent material with a strip of
abrasive material occupying a portion of the space of the front
side, while a back side of the towel 600 includes a polishing
material with a strip of abrasive material occupying the remaining
space on the back side. Accordingly, both the front side and the
back side of the towel may include abrasive material, in strip
form, triangular form, a square section on either edge of the towel
600, etc.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the
towel 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the opening 104 and
reinforcer 106 are replaced by a snap 702 for attaching the towel
to an object via snapping it in place. The snap 702 may include
either the male or female section only, the object including the
reciprocating section. As an alternative, the towel 700, itself,
may include the reciprocating section of the snap 702 in another
area on the towel 100. For example, an opposing edge may include
the reciprocating section of the snap 702, allowing the towel 100
to be snapped around an object, to an object, etc.
[0044] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, strings
may extend from the towel 700, allowing the towel 100 to be tied to
an object. As another example of attachment means, a button may be
included on the towel 700 for attaching the towel to an object. An
opening for the button may be included on the object for fastening
the towel 700 thereto. Alternatively, the towel 700, itself, may
include the opening for the button, allowing the towel to be
fastened to the object by buttoning the towel 700 together. As
another option, the towel 700 may be fastened to a button on the
object via the button hole on the towel 700. Any attachment means
suitable for use with the present invention is possible.
[0045] The above description is illustrative and not restrictive.
Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of
skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the
invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to
the above description, but instead should be determined with
reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of
equivalents.
* * * * *