U.S. patent application number 11/694085 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for golf towel and golf towel assembly.
Invention is credited to Jeremiah Bohannon, Darrell S. Staley.
Application Number | 20070226934 11/694085 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38556738 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070226934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bohannon; Jeremiah ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
GOLF TOWEL AND GOLF TOWEL ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A golf towel is provided which includes a single, multi-layered
towel article having a top end and a bottom end. The towel article
is folded in half along a vertical plane at a midpoint thereof so
as to form a pair of facing interior sheeting surfaces that are
impervious to moisture, a gap open at the bottom end of the towel
article between the facing interior sheeting surfaces, and a pair
of external sheeting surfaces. The facing inner sheeting surfaces
and corresponding outer sheeting surfaces form opposing but
separate panels of the towel article. The panels are bound to each
other only across one side of the towel article. The golf towel
includes attachment means provided on the towel article for
attachment to an external article.
Inventors: |
Bohannon; Jeremiah; (Emerald
Hills, CA) ; Staley; Darrell S.; (Santa Clara,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Family ID: |
38556738 |
Appl. No.: |
11/694085 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60787538 |
Mar 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/209.1 ;
15/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 57/60 20151001; A63B 47/04 20130101; A45F 5/04 20130101; A63B
55/408 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/209.1 ;
15/210.1 |
International
Class: |
A63B 47/04 20060101
A63B047/04; A63B 57/00 20060101 A63B057/00 |
Claims
1. A golf towel, comprising: a single, composite towel article
having a top end and bottom end and consisting of a first inner
sheet, a second outer sheet and a third sheet between the first
inner and second outer sheets, the three sheets bound together to
form the single composite towel article, the towel article folded
in half so as to form a pair of facing interior sheeting surfaces
of the first inner sheet, and to form a gap open at the bottom end
of the towel article between the facing interior sheeting surfaces,
the folded towel article forming a pair of external sheeting
surfaces of the second outer sheet, the third sheet serving as a
moisture impervious barrier layer so that the interior sheeting
surfaces when wet do not translate moisture to the external
sheeting surfaces.
2. The golf towel of claim 1, further comprising attachment means
provided at an upper corner of the top end for attaching the golf
towel to an external article.
3. The golf towel of claim 2, wherein the attachment means further
comprises, a pair or holes provided at the top end through the
three sheets on either side of a plane where the towel article is
folded so as to align at an upper corner of the folded towel
article, and a pair of grommets provided in the aligned holes for
receiving an attachment mechanism of the external article.
4. The golf towel of claim 3, wherein the external article is one
of a golf bag, a belt worn by a person and a belt loop of pants
worn by a person, and wherein the attachment mechanism is a
carabiner.
5. The golf towel of claim 2, wherein the attachment means further
comprises, a webbing article having formed loops at either end and
stitched to the towel article at an upper corner of a plane where
the towel article is folded, one loop secured within the towel
article and the other loop extending from the upper corner for
receiving an attachment mechanism of the external article.
6. The golf towel of claim 5, wherein the external article is one
of a golf bag, a belt worn by a person and a belt loop of pants
worn by a person, and wherein the attachment mechanism is a
carabiner.
7. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the folded towel article is
bound across its top surface to form the gap at the bottom end
between the facing bound inner sheeting surfaces of the first inner
sheet, and to form the outer sheeting surfaces of the connected
second outer sheet.
8. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the gap is formed so that the
facing inner sheeting surfaces of the first inner sheet and
corresponding outer sheeting surfaces of the connected second outer
sheet form opposing but separated panels of the towel article along
a single vertical side surface of the towel opposite a side where
the towel article is folded, the panels connected to each other
only across the top surface of the towel.
9. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the first inner sheet and
connected second outer sheet are composed of a material selected
from a group consisting of terry cloth, terry cloth combined with
filaments of one or more of cotton, polyester, polyimide,
polyurethane, sponge, synthetic or natural chamois leather, and a
microfiber.
10. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the third sheet is composed
of a flexible plastic sheet material selected from a group
consisting of vinyl, polyethylene, polyurethane and
polypropylene.
11. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the facing inner sheeting
surfaces of the first inner sheet have a coarser surface as
compared to the outer sheeting surfaces of the second outer
sheet.
12. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first,
second and third sheets includes a bactericidal agent or a
mildewicidal agent.
13. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the gap formed at the bottom
end permits the facing inner sheeting surfaces to remain dry when
the towel is subjected to precipitation or moisture in the
environment.
14. The golf towel of claim 1, wherein the facing inner sheeting
surfaces of the first inner sheet and corresponding outer sheeting
surfaces of the connected second outer sheet form opposing but
separated panels of the towel, and wherein a corner of one of the
panels is fixedly folded up against its outer sheeting surface to
facilitate insertion of a golf club head or hand therein.
15. A golf towel, comprising: a single, multi-layered towel article
having a top end and a bottom end and folded in half along a
vertical plane at a midpoint of the towel article so as to form a
pair of facing interior sheeting surfaces that are impervious to
moisture, a gap open at the bottom end of the towel article between
the facing interior sheeting surfaces, and a pair of external
sheeting surfaces, the facing inner sheeting surfaces and
corresponding outer sheeting surfaces forming opposing but separate
panels of the towel article, wherein the panels are bound to each
other only across one side of the towel article, and attachment
means provided on the towel article for attachment to an external
article.
16. The golf towel of claim 15, wherein the panels of the towel
article are separate along a single vertical side surface of the
towel article opposite a side where the towel article is
folded.
17. The golf towel of claim 15, wherein the multi-layered towel
article further comprises a first layer sheet, a second layer sheet
and a third layer sheet interposed between the first and second
sheets, the three sheets bound together around an outer periphery
thereof to form the single, multi-layered towel article.
18. The golf towel of claim 17, wherein the first and second layer
sheets are composed of a material selected from a group consisting
of terry cloth, terry cloth combined with filaments of or more of
cotton, polyester, polyimide, polyurethane and a microfiber, and
the third sheet is composed of a flexible plastic sheet material
selected from a group consisting of vinyl, polyethylene,
polyurethane and polypropylene.
19. The golf towel of claim 17, wherein one or more of the first,
second and third sheets includes a bactericidal agent or a
mildewicidal agent.
20. The golf towel of claim 15, wherein the gap formed at the
bottom end permits the facing interior sheeting surfaces to remain
dry when the towel is subjected to precipitation or moisture in the
environment.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/787,538, filed Mar. 31, 2006 to the inventor and entitled "GOLF
TOWEL AND GOLF TOWEL ASSEMBLY", the entire contents of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Example embodiments relate generally to a golf towel for
cleaning golf balls and golf equipment such as the heads and/or
faces of golf clubs.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] While playing the game of golf, a golfer will typically
encounter residual dirt, grass and other material on the golf ball,
club faces and/or his hands as he traverses the golf course during
his round. In an effort to have the cleanest contact between club
face and ball, it is desirable for the golfer to continually
maintain the faces of the club heads free of debris, dirt and/or
grass. Although the golfer cannot remove the ball from the fairway
or rough to clean the ball while playing shots to the green, once
the ball lands on the green the golfer may mark the spot and clean
the ball prior to taking his putt.
[0006] In an effort to maintain his clubs and balls in top rate,
clean condition, a golfer will typically carry one or more golf
towels either, attached to his belt or to a carabiner on his golf
bag. Often, some golfers periodically desire to moisten the towel
at a water cooler on the course or in a body of water traversing
one or more holes at the course. This occasionally may be a
distracting side trip during the round, as it is desirable for the
golfer to maintain his tempo on the course so as to be able to
concentrate on his swing and/or putt. In reality, most golfers do
not wet their towel due to the fact that the moisture often
transfers from the towel to their pant leg or other equipment as
they are carrying it. The presents a nuisance due to the
inadvertent contact between the wet towel and pant leg.
[0007] Some prior art golf towels include a dry, clean surface and
a wet, moistened surface. Other prior art golf towels may include a
pocket which may be configured to contain moisture, with the
outside of the towel having a dry cleaning surface for wiping down
the club face or ball.
SUMMARY
[0008] An example embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a golf towel. The golf towel includes a single, composite towel
article having a top end and bottom end and consisting of a first
inner sheet, a second outer sheet and a third sheet between the
first inner and second outer sheets, the three sheets bound
together to form the single composite towel article. The towel
article is folded in half so as to form a pair of facing interior
sheeting surfaces of the first inner sheet, and to form a gap open
at the bottom end of the towel article between the facing interior
sheeting surfaces. The folded towel article further forms a pair of
external sheeting surfaces of the second outer sheet. The third
sheet serves as a moisture impervious barrier layer so that the
interior sheeting surfaces when wet do not translate moisture to
the external sheeting surfaces.
[0009] Another example embodiment of the present invention is
directed to a golf towel. The golf towel includes a single,
multi-layered towel article having a top end and a bottom end and
folded in half along a vertical plane at a midpoint of the towel
article so as to form a pair of facing interior sheeting surfaces
that are impervious to moisture, a gap open at the bottom end of
the towel article between the facing interior sheeting surfaces,
and a pair of external sheeting surfaces. The facing inner sheeting
surfaces and corresponding outer sheeting surfaces form opposing
but separate panels of the towel article. The panels are bound to
each other only across one side of the towel article. The golf
towel includes attachment means provided on the towel article for
attachment to an external article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference
numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are
not limitative of the example embodiments of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a golf towel in accordance
with an example embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional top view of the one-piece towel
shown in FIG. 1A spread out in a single horizontal plane.
[0013] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional top down view illustrating the
relationship of sheet layers in the towel of FIG. 1A.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a golf towel assembly in accordance with another
example embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are tri-fold and bi-fold golf towels in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 6B is a partial front view of the lower portion of the
golf towel in FIG. 6A to illustrate the angled towel sheet.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front view of a golf towel in accordance with
another example embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8A is a top view of the golf towel in FIG. 7 laid flat
to illustrate the folds for binding the golf towel together.
[0022] FIG. 8B is a cross-section view taken across line A-A in
FIG. 8A to illustrate the tri-layer construction of the towel
article.
[0023] FIG. 8C is a perspective side view of the golf towel in FIG.
7 to illustrate an intermediate folding step for assembling the
golf towel.
[0024] FIG. 8D is a side view of the golf towel in FIG. 7 to
illustrate subsequent steps for binding the golf towel together at
a top end thereof and to illustrate the fold-up panel.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf towel in accordance
with another example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a golf towel in
accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1A, towel 100 may be embodied as a single
composite towel having three layered sheets, and which is bent at
bend 160 and secured via hole 150 with a suitable carabiner 180
attached through an inserted grommet 155 extending through aligned
holes 150 of the towel 100. A grommet 155 is provided on both sides
of the towel 100 as shown to facilitate removing the towel from an
external article to reverse it inside out, such as in cases of
inclement weather and/or to dry the towel 100, for example. Each of
the front outside flap surface 110, front inside flap surface 120,
rear inside flap surface 125 and rear outside flap surface 130 can
be made of the same sheeting material or different materials. The
towel 100 may be bound, such as stitched, sealed, fastened etc.
with a suitable stitching 140 or other fastening means such as
application of a heat sealing or bonding adhesive to secure the top
horizontal surfaces 135 and 145 of the front and rear flap portions
together, as shown in FIG. 1A. This creates an open cavity 165
between the inside flap surfaces 120 and 125.
[0027] The towel 100 may be made of a polyurethane-based material
such as Narcote.TM. or equivalent material (such as other
polypropylene) so that the outer surfaces 110 and 130 are smooth,
to be used as a drying surface. The inside surfaces 120 and 125 may
be wetted with a suitable liquid such as water, however, no
moisture is translated to the outer surfaces 110 and 130 due to a
moisture barrier layer sheet (not pictured in FIG. 1A) which is
provided as a middle enclosed layer sheet of the towel 100. In an
example, inner surfaces 120, 125 may have a rougher or coarser
surface to assist in removing dirt or debris, as compared to the
smoother outer surfaces 110, 130. In an alternative, the inner
surfaces 120, 125 may be composed of a sponge-like material or a
synthetic or natural chamois leather.
[0028] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional top view of the one-piece towel
shown in FIG. 1A spread out in a single plane. FIG. 1C is a
cross-sectional top down view illustrating the relationship of
sheet layers in the towel of FIG. 1A. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C,
and in particular, towel 100 may be comprised of two outer cloth
layers 132 and 134 which may be bound or stitched together or
fastened by other well-known textile combining means. Layers 132
and 134 may be made of a suitable cotton or terry cloth or
combination of terry cloth made with filaments of one or more of
cotton, polyester, polyimide, polyurethane, and a microfiber for
example. Alternatively, layers 132 and 134 may have outer and/or
inner surfaces 110, 120, 125 and 130 made of Narcote.TM., a
microfiber, a sponge-like material, chamois or other equivalent
type material.
[0029] A moisture barrier layer sheet 175 is provided between the
outer towel layers 132 and 134. Any suitable impervious material
may be used for the moisture barrier layer 175, such as a flexible
plastic sheet material of vinyl or polyolefins such as
polyurethane, polyethylene and polypropylene. In an example, a
bactericidal or mildewicidal agent may be incorporated in one or
more of the layers 132, 134 and/or 175 to prevent the growth of
bacteria or mildew. The moisture barrier layer 175 may be stitched
or bonded by adhesive to the towel layers 132 and 134 and as such
would not be in contact with the outside environment or air. The
plastic material utilized for moisture barrier layer 175 should be
a material which is not damaged when the towel 100 is washed in
conventional washing machines. As is known, materials such as
polyolefins and vinyls typically resist temperatures up to about
212.degree. F.
[0030] The towel 100 is attached via its grommet 155 to a golf bag
using carabiner 180. In use, the golfer wets the interior surfaces
with water and moisture barrier layer 175 preventing the outer
surfaces 110 and 130 from contact with the entrained moisture. The
golfer simply inserts his/her club face or ball into the open
cavity 165, grasps the towel 100 and applies a vigorous wiping
action. The can be done either by holding the towel 100 and moving
the club face or ball, or holding the club face or ball still and
massaging the club face or ball with the gripping action of the
towel 100. Once the golf ball or club face is free of debris or
grit, the golfer then dries the club face or golf ball on the outer
surfaces 100 or 130 and resumes his or her next shot.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the golf towel assembly 200
includes a single foldable towel 205 and a separately attachable
attachment flap 275. The attachment flap 275 may include a Velcro
patch 280 on the lower portion thereof and a grommet 285 which is
configured for attachment to a golf bag via suitable strap or
carabiner, as is known. Alternatively, patch 280 may be made of 3M
Hedlock material. The single towel 205 has a similar construction
as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, including a moisture barrier layer
between two outer cloth layers. Towel 205 also includes a
corresponding Velcro patch 255 (or 3M Hedlock material) on a rear
surface 230 thereof, such that towel 205 may be removably attached
to Velcro patch 280 on the attachment flap 275. This permits a
"grip and rip" function for the golfer to quickly remove the towel
205 from the attachment flap 275. Velcro discs 240 (or 3M Hedlock
material) are provided on inside surfaces 220 and 225 of the towel
205. When the towel 205 is attached to attachment flap 275, the
Velcro disc 240 may be secured together to form an open-ended
cavity 265 at a bottom of the towel 205 thereof. As in FIG. 1, the
user wets the interior surfaces 220 and 225 and the outer surfaces
210 and 230 remain dry due to the moisture barrier there between.
Accordingly, the function of cleaning debris, grit or grass off the
club face or golf ball, may be similar to as described in FIG. 1
and can be done with the towel 205 attached to the attachment flap
275 on a golf bag, or removed from the attachment flap 275 and
secured at a top end thereof via Velcro disc 240 to provide the
open ended cavity 265 for cleaning the club face or golf ball,
after which the club face or golf ball is dried on the outer
surfaces 210 or 230 of towel 205.
[0032] In each of FIGS. 1A and 2 and as to be described in
additional example embodiments hereafter, the inclusion of an
interior moisture barrier layer between the front and back surfaces
of the towel 100 or 205 may provide a reverse function in inclement
weather. For example, in FIG. 2 if during a rainstorm the outer
surfaces 210 and 230 of towel 205 become wet, the moisture barrier
layer between the inner and outer surfaces 210, 230 and 220, 225
enable the interior surfaces 220 and 225 to remain dry.
Accordingly, the golfer merely wipes his/her club face or ball on
the outer surfaces 210 or 230 of the towel 205, and then utilizes
one or both of the interior surfaces 220 or 225 to dry the cleaned
golf club face or golf ball.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 3, golf towel assembly 300 includes a
rear support towel flap 310 and a detachable composite towel 305
which is releasably attached to rear support towel flap 310 via
Velcro strips 319 and 324. Rear support towel flap 310 is generally
rigid and provides support for the composite towel 305. In an
example, the flap 310 can have a rigid member (plastic, woven
fiber, etc.) between two towel sheets that are bound to form the
flap 310 so as to provide some rigidity to the flap 310, and/or the
flap 310 may be of a single tightly-woven fabric that is rigid.
Rear support towel flap 310 includes a grommet 314 in an upper
corner of the towel 310 through hole 312 to allow attachment of the
towel assembly 300 to a golf bag with a suitable carabiner or
strap, for example.
[0034] Velcro strip 319 may be affixed (by sealing means,
stitching, etc.) in a diagonal fashion across the front surface 316
of towel flap 310. Towel flap 310 also has a pair of Velcro discs
318 stitched at opposite corners below a midway point 315 of towel
flap 310, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] The composite towel 305 includes a first towel sheet 320, a
moisture barrier sheet 330 and a second towel sheet 340. Each of
these sheets 320, 330 and 340 may be secured together at an outer
periphery thereof with suitable stitching 350, or alternatively
bonded by heat or adhesive along outer edges thereof. Moisture
barrier sheet 330 may be made of a suitable plastic such as a
polyolefin or Gortex.RTM., and first and second towel sheets 320
and 330 may be made of a suitable terry cloth or composite terry
cloth material made of filaments of cotton, polyester and/or
polyimide. Alternatively, towel sheets 320 and 330 may be made of
suitable microfiber structure as is known in the art. In an
example, inside surface 328 of first towel sheet 320 and inside
surface 342 of second towel sheet 340 may be fabricated to have a
rougher surface as compared to the outer surfaces 326 and 344,
which may have a smoother surface. This is to assist in removing
the debris or grit from the golf club face or a golf ball, for
example.
[0036] First towel sheet 320 has a pair of Velcro discs 322 and 325
across a diagonal thereof to mate up with Velcro disc 318 on towel
flap 310. When the composite towel 305 is removed from towel flap
310, Velcro disc 322 may be connected to Velcro disc 325 to form a
generally triangular towel shape which allows insertion of the club
face or golf ball into the wet, moistened interior, which would be
formed by the rear surface 326 of the first towel sheet 320. The
golfer can then dry the club face or ball on the outer surface 344
of second towel sheet 340. Once the round is finished, the
composite golf towel 305 can be refastened in a non-foldout
orientation via Velcro discs 318/320, 322/325.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 4, golf towel assembly 400 includes a
detachable, foldable towel 430 which may be attached to a rear
support towel flap 410 via Velcro strips 419 and 424. Velcro strip
419 is attached to front surface 416 of towel flap 410 at a
midpoint 415 of towel flap 410 by suitable stitching, for example,
or adhesively bonded to towel flap 410 at the midpoint 415. As in
FIG. 3, rear support towel flap 410 may be substantially rigid and
includes a hole 412 at an upper corner thereof for insertion of a
grommet 414 there through for attachment to a golf bag.
Additionally, there are included a pair of Velcro discs 418A and
418B on front surface 416, as well as a Velcro disc 417 at a lower
corner thereof. As previously noted, the flap 410 can have a rigid
member (plastic, woven fiber, etc.) between two towel sheets that
are bound to form the flap 410 so as to provide some rigidity to
the flap 410, and/or the flap 410 may be of a single tightly-woven
fabric that is rigid.
[0038] Detachable golf towel 430 may include a Velcro disc 432 on a
rear surface 436 and Velcro discs 438A and 438B which may be
attached to corresponding Velcro discs 418A and 418B on towel flap
410. Detachable golf towel 430 may also have the tri-layer sheet
construction as shown in the previous example embodiments. Interior
surfaces 433 and 435 can have a rough texture and may be moistened
with water or suitable liquid, while rear surface 436 and front
surface 434 may be made of a smooth Narcote.TM., terry cloth,
microfiber or other equivalent material for drying the golf club
face or golf ball after it has been cleaned within interior
surfaces 433 and 435. As an alternative, a zipper may replace
Velcro strips 419 and 424 for removably attaching towel 430 from
rear support towel flap 410. In another alternative, 3M headlock
material may be used in lieu of Velcro for each of the discs for
417, 418A, 418B, 438A and 438B. Additionally, the golfer may use
the front surface 416 of towel flap 410 to dry a club face, golf
ball or his hands after cleaning within interior surfaces 433 and
435 of the golf towel 430.
[0039] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate tri-fold and bi-fold example golf
towels in accordance with an example embodiment of the present
invention. In the tri-fold embodiment of FIG. 5A, a one-piece towel
having the tri-layer construction as described in the previous
embodiments may be folded in three folds and attached with a
grommet 555 there through. The interior surface 520 of towel 500A
may be of a rougher, coarser material than the outer surfaces 510
and 530. Similarly, in FIG. 5B, for the bi-fold, golf towel 500B,
the interior surface 520 to be wetted may be of a coarser, rougher
material than the outer surfaces 510 and 530 of towel 500B.
[0040] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a golf towel assembly in
accordance with another example embodiment of the present
invention. According to FIG. 6A, golf towel assembly 600 includes a
rear support towel flap 610 which may be generally rigid and which
tapers into a generally triangular lower end and a generally
triangular towel portion 620 which is removably attachable to towel
flap 610 via suitable Velcro strips (not shown) or via a zipper
630. Each of the towel flap 610 and towel portion 620 may have the
tri-layer construction as shown in the previous example
embodiments, or just towel portion 620. An interior surface 625 of
towel portion 620 and an interior surface 635 underneath towel
portion 620 of towel flap 610 may be made of a coarser, rougher
material such as Narcote.TM. or equivalent. Interior surfaces 625
and 638 may be moistened, with one or both of towel flap 610 and
towel portion 620 having an inner moisture barrier layer sheet
therein to prevent this moisture from being translated to outside
surface 627 of towel portion 620 and rear surface 631 of towel flap
610.
[0041] FIG. 6B shows a front view of lower a portion of towel
assembly 600 in FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6B, once golfing is
complete, the golfer may fold towel portion 620 such that Velcro
disc 636 is fastened to Velcro disc 640 on the front surface 615 of
the rear support towel flap 610. This facilitates drying of the
interior surface 625 of towel portion 620. Likewise, as best shown
in FIG. 6A, the bottom portion of rear support towel flap 610 can
be folded backwards so that Velcro disc 635 is fastened to the rear
Velcro disc 640 on the rear side of towel flap 610. It is of note
that the lower end of rear support towel flap 610 may be angled to
match the dimensions of towel portion 620, as shown in FIG. 6A, for
example.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a front view of a golf towel in accordance with
another example embodiment of the present invention. Golf towel 700
is formed of a single composite towel article 730 having a top end
735 and a bottom end 745. The towel article 730 has a multi-layer
sheet construction, similar to as described in FIGS. 1B and 1C, for
example, but does not utilize grommets 155 for attachment to an
external article. The three layer sheets are bound together via
suitable binding means such as sewing, heat-sealing, bonding, etc.,
as is known in the art to form the composite towel article 730. The
towel article 730 is folded in half so as to form a pair of facing
interior sheeting surfaces 720 and 725, and a pair of external
sheeting surfaces 710 and 715. A gap 760 is also formed along a
side 762 and along the bottom end 745 of the towel article 730, as
shown in FIG. 7.
[0043] An attachment means to an external article, shown as a
webbing article 750, is provided in an upper corner 755 of the golf
towel 700. The webbing article 750 includes loops 752 and 754
formed at either end. One loop 752 is secured within the folds of
the towel article 730. Loop 754 is shown extended from the upper
corner 755 for receiving a suitable attachment mechanism (i.e.,
carabiner) of an external article such as a golf bag, a belt worn
by a person or a belt loop of pants worn by a person. In an
alternative, the webbing article 750 may be replaced by the
attachment means (grommet and carabiner) shown in FIG. 1A, for
example.
[0044] Two panels 770 and 775 are formed by the folding of the
composite towel article 730. The two panels 770 and 775 are bound
only at the top end 735 of the towel article 730, shown generally
by a horizontal binding line 740, for example. A corner of panel
770 can be pulled back and fixedly attached to the outer sheeting
surface 710 so as to form a flap 790. In this configuration, it may
be easier for a user to insert a club head of a golf club or his
hand into the cavity or gap 760 formed between the panels 770 and
775. In an alternative, a pocket (not shown) may be affixed as part
of the flap 790 to facilitate engagement of the accessory with the
towel article 730.
[0045] FIG. 8A is a top view of the golf towel 700 to illustrate
the folds for binding the golf towel together. The towel article
730 is lain flat to illustrate the inner sheeting surfaces 720 and
725 which when folded will be facing one another. To arrange the
towel article 730 in its final form for binding along the top end
735, the towel article 730 is folded in half along first fold line
772. The towel article may then be folded along second fold line
774, and then folded along a third fold line 776 such that the fold
overlaps the fold made at the second fold line 774. However, it
would be evident to the skilled artisan to fold the towel article
730 in a different configuration or along different lines; the
above is merely one example. This will be shown in further detail
with regard to FIGS. 8C and 8D.
[0046] FIG. 8B is a cross-section view taken across line A-A in
FIG. 8A to illustrate the tri-layer construction of the towel
article 730. The towel article 730 has a tri-layer construction,
including a first towel sheet layer 728, a second towel sheet layer
734 and a moisture barrier layer 732 interposed therebetween. As
previously discussed, the three layer sheets 728, 732 and 734 are
bound together (such as by stitching, sealing, bonding, etc.)
around an outer periphery thereof to form the single, multi-layered
towel article 730.
[0047] As the towel article is folded at the first fold line 772,
the inner sheeting surfaces 720 and 725 of the first layer 728 will
face each other, with the outer sheeting surfaces 710 and 715
forming the exterior surfaces of the golf towel 700, as shown in
FIG. 7. The first towel sheet layer 728 (inner sheet) and the
second towel sheet layer 734 (outer sheet) may be composed of
materials such as terry cloth, terry cloth combined with filaments
of cotton, polyester and/or polyimide, a Narcote.TM., a microfiber
or equivalent material. As previously described in the above
example embodiments, the third moisture barrier sheet is embodied
as a flexible plastic sheet material. Examples of suitable
materials include vinyl, polyurethane, polyethylene and
polypropylene.
[0048] The different shadings between the first towel sheet 728 and
second towel sheet 734 are provided to reflect that the facing
inner sheet surfaces 720 or 725 of the first towel sheet 728 can
have a coarser surface or made of a different material such as a
sponge-like material or chamois, for example, as compared to the
outer sheeting surfaces 710 and 715 of the second towel sheet
734.
[0049] Similar to as previously described above, the inclusion of
an interior moisture barrier layer 732 between the front and back
surfaces of the towel 700 may provide a reverse function in
inclement weather. If during a rainstorm the outer surfaces 710 and
725 become wet, the moisture barrier layer 732 between the inner
and outer surfaces enable the interior surfaces 720 and 725 to
remain dry. Accordingly, the golfer merely wipes his/her club face
or ball on the outer surfaces 710 or 715 of the towel 700, and then
utilizes one or both of the interior surfaces 720, 725 to dry the
cleaned golf club face or golf ball.
[0050] FIG. 8C is a perspective side view of the golf towel in FIG.
7 to illustrate an intermediate folding step for assembling the
golf towel. FIG. 8C illustrates in particular how an upper portion
of the golf towel 700 is folded at the top end 735 thereof in
preparation for binding the two panels 775 and 770 together. The
towel 700 shows a first fold 782 which provides two roughly equal
size panels 770 and 775. FIG. 8C also better illustrates the facing
interior sheeting surfaces 720 and 725 of the corresponding panels
770 and 775. Further, a second fold 784 is made along the second
fold line 774 in FIG. 8A and then the third fold 786 is made along
the third fold line 776 in FIG. 8A. Alternatively, instead of
folds, the towel configuration for towel 700 may be effected
through other means such as bonding, heat sealing, etc.
[0051] FIG. 8D is a side view of the golf towel in FIG. 7 to
illustrate subsequent folding steps for binding the golf towel 700
together at a top end 735 thereof and to illustrate the fold-up
flap 790. FIG. 8D more clearly shows how the two folds 784 and 786
are bound together. In particular, fold 786 overlaps fold 784 and
then the towel 700 is bound along the top surface 735, such as
shown in FIG. 7 at binding line 740. Accordingly, the panels 770
and 775 are bound only to each other across one side of the towel
article 730. Once the towel article 730 is bound at the top surface
735, the flap 790 can be formed and suitably attached to the outer
sheeting surface 710 of panel 770 by a suitable affixing means such
as a stitches, corresponding pieces of Velcro or 3M Hedlock, or
thermally bound through a sealing means as is well known in the
art.
[0052] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf towel in accordance
with another example embodiment of the present invention. The golf
towel 900 of FIG. 9 is slightly different from the previous
embodiments in that it is bound along sides 935 and 945, as
generally indicated by binding lines 940 and 942. Similar to the
embodiments in FIGS. 1A and 7, the composite towel article 930,
which has the tri-layer construction as shown in any of FIGS. 1B,
1C and/or 8B for example, is folded at a first fold 982 which
vertically bisects the towel into two panels 970 and 975. The panel
970 formed by the fold 982 may have slightly longer edges so as to
enable subsequent folds 984 and 986 to wrap over the edges of panel
975. Accordingly, once these folds are bound along binding lines
940 and 942 so as to attach panels 970 and 975 together at sides
935 and 945, a cavity or gap 960 is formed between opposing inner
sheeting surfaces 920 and 925 of the first (inner) towel sheet in
the tri-layer construction of towel article 930. As each of the
layers may be configured as previously described, a detailed
explanation of the materials comprising the layers of the composite
towel article 930 are omitted for purposes of brevity.
[0053] In each of the above embodiments, a gap may be formed at the
bottom end of the golf towel so as to permit the facing interior
sheeting surfaces to remain dry when the towel is subjected to
precipitation or moisture in the environment. This is distinct from
prior art golf towel constructions, which typically are arranged in
a bucket fashion with the gap facing up. Thus, in a dry
environment, the interior sheeting surfaces within the gap can be
wetted to facilitate cleaning golf club faces, golf balls and/or
hands of the golfer, and the outer sheeting surfaces can be used to
dry the accessory or hands. Alternatively on a rainy day, the outer
surfaces may be used to clean a golf club face, golf ball or hand
and the inner sheeting surfaces, which remain dry due to the
moisture barrier layer provided in the tri-layer construction, may
be used to dry the accessory or hands. Further in each of the above
embodiments, the example golf towels can be flipped inside out to
dry after use.
[0054] Accordingly, the example embodiments are directed to golf
towels and/or golf towel assemblies which may be used on the golf
course and which provide an easier mechanism by which to clean a
golf ball, the golfer's hands and/or golf equipment for removing
grass stains, dirt and other debris. In some example embodiments,
an open cavity is formed at the bottom of the golf towel rather
than an actual pocket to facilitate ease of insertion of the golf
club head face, golf ball or handle up into the cavity.
[0055] Each of the example embodiments has a generally large
cleaning surface and a generally large drying surface using, for
example, conventional terry cloth sheeting materials or the like.
Each example embodiment includes a moisture barrier layer that is
not exposed to the environment or air between outer terry cloth or
other like material layers, so as to prevent moisture from
translating from one side surface to the other side surface of the
towel sheets. In several of the example embodiments, there is
provided an attachable or removable towel portion which can be
removed by the golfer for use on the putting green to clean their
dirty golf balls.
[0056] Additionally, several example embodiments provide attachment
means which allow portions of the golf towel to efficiently dry
once the golfer's round is complete, so as to avoid any bacteria or
mildew from forming on surfaces thereof. Therefore, the example
golf towel may improve the ease and efficiency by which a golfer
may clean their golf club faces, golf balls and/or hands.
[0057] The example embodiments of the present invention being thus
described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many
ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the
spirit and scope of the example embodiments of the present
invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one
skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of
the following claims.
* * * * *