Abstract:
A combination user protector and baby safety towel is provided including a long front fabric member, a short back fabric member, two long sleeve fabric members, a belt fabric member, complementary belt-attachment members, and complementary sleeve-securing button and loop members. The front and sleeve fabric members are a soft, absorbent fabric. 
     Each sleeve is positionable. The loop engages the button to retract the sleeve for washing the baby. The sleeve is held extended for drying the baby by insertion of the user&#39;s thumb into the loop. 
     The combination user protector and baby safety towel allows the user to draw a wet baby out of a bath and immediately and conveniently wrap and dry the baby in the extended sleeve fabric members while cuddling the baby on the front fabric member. Thus safety and convenience are increased while the user&#39;s clothing is protected from wetness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/215,370, filed on Jun. 27, 2008, which is now abandoned, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to wearable towel articles, and more particularly, to a combination baby safety towel and a wearable protector for the user who is attending the baby. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     A baby requires frequent baths, yet bath time presents numerous difficulties and safety issues. Commonly a baby is bathed by a parent; the wet, wiggly, slippery baby is drawn out of the water; a nearby dry towel is grabbed; and then the baby is held in one arm against the parent&#39;s chest, while the other arm wraps the baby in a towel and dries the baby. 
     A primary concern is safety. The parent (or other attendant) may lose his or her grip on the wet baby in the transfer from the tub to the towel. An accident may result, which can be particularly hazardous due to the many hard surfaces often located nearby, such as the tub, toilet, sink, cabinets, and flooring. Even if the parent merely lets the baby slip, but recovers without an injury, the baby will be distraught—feeling the precariousness of the situation. What potentially could have been a pleasant experience suddenly becomes stressful and problematic. 
     Besides the safety issue, the baby may experience stress or discomfort during the awkward transfer. Picking up the dripping baby and then providing support with one hand, while wrapping the towel quickly and efficiently around the baby with the other hand, is tricky and inconvenient. Additionally, this procedure needs to be performed rather quickly to keep the wet baby from becoming chilled. 
     A separate problem is the wetting of the parent&#39;s clothing. As the dripping baby is supported in the single arm against the chest, the parent&#39;s clothing normally becomes saturated with water from the baby. Thus the parent optimally notes before the baby&#39;s bath time whether his or her clothing is suitable, and, if not, may need to change before the baby&#39;s bath. The parent may also need to change after the baby&#39;s bath, if his or her clothing becomes too damp. 
     The current invention solves these problems by providing an article of clothing that is worn protectively over the parent&#39;s clothing that also allows the parent to quickly, safely, and efficiently move, support, and dry the wet baby. 
     A similar problem occurring when drying a child after swimming or when washing a pet dog is also solved by the current invention. 
     Accordingly, there is an established need for a combination user protector and baby safety towel that increases safety and security for the baby, thus increasing the enjoyment of bath time for both parent and child, while providing protection for the parent&#39;s clothing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a convenient combination user protector and baby safety towel that is worn by the user to efficiently wash the baby and to safely draw the wet baby out of the bathwater and to immediately and conveniently dry the baby—while protecting the user&#39;s clothing from dampness. The combination user protector and baby safety towel includes a front fabric member, a back fabric member, two sleeve fabric members, a belt fabric member, complementary belt-attachment members, and complementary sleeve-securing members. The fabric members are preferably of a soft, absorbent fabric. 
     The front fabric member (extending generally from the user&#39;s front neck area to the user&#39;s knee area), two sleeve fabric members, and the short back member connect to form a smock-like covering for the user. The belt fabric member is used to secure the combination user protector and baby safety towel to the user via the complementary belt-attachment members. Each sleeve can be held in a retracted or rolled-up position for convenience in bathing the child, by one set of complementary sleeve-securing button and loop members. The loop that engages the button to secure the sleeve in a retracted position is also slipped around the thumb of the user, thus retaining the sleeve in the extended position for drying the child. 
     Thus safety and convenience are increased, the comfort of the baby is increased as he or she is cuddled to the user&#39;s chest covered by the front fabric member while being dried, and the user&#39;s clothing is protected from dampness. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a combination user protector and baby safety towel that is adapted to increase safety for a wet baby. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination user protector and baby safety towel that is adapted to protect the clothing of the user from wetness. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination user protector and baby safety towel that is adapted to allow the user to conveniently and securely hold a wet baby. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a combination user protector and baby safety towel that is adapted to increase comfort for the baby. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing a first embodiment of the combination user protector and baby safety towel of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the first embodiment of the combination user protector and baby safety towel of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the first embodiment of the combination user protector and baby safety towel of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the combination user protector and baby safety towel of the present invention, illustrating the retracted sleeves, a shoulder variation, length variation, optional trim, and optional embroidery. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a convenient combination user protector and baby safety towel that is capable of increasing safety and comfort in the process of drawing a baby out of water and drying the baby, while protecting the clothing of the parent. The combination user protector and baby safety towel is a smock-like covering worn by a parent with a unique button and loop sleeve securing system, which allows the same loop to secure the sleeve in a retracted position for bathing (loop engages button) or to secure the sleeve in an extended position for drying (user slips thumb through loop). 
     While herein described for the particular application of drying a baby after a bath ( FIG. 1 ), the combination user protector and baby safety towel is equally usable in other similar situations, such as, for example, drying a baby or small child after swimming or drying a dog or other pet after a bath. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a combination user protector and baby safety towel, shown generally as reference number  10 , is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  includes a front fabric member  11 ; a back fabric member  12 ; two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14 ; a belt fabric member  15 ; at least one set of complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21  ( FIG. 2 ); a first set of complementary button and loop sleeve-securing members  25 ,  26  ( FIG. 2 ); and a second set of button and loop sleeve-securing members  27 ,  28  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  is worn by the user  30  (the parent, caregiver, or other bath attendant) to dry the baby  31 , while the baby  31  is supported in the arms of the user  30 . The combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  is configured as a smock-like article of clothing which, prior to beginning the bath, is placed over the head of the user, with the user&#39;s clothing protected underneath. The combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  is secured around the user&#39;s waist via the complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21 . The loops  26 ,  28  ( FIG. 1 ) of the complementary sleeve-securing members are fitted over the user&#39;s thumbs to allow the sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  to remain fully extended when the baby is picked up and supported. The loops  26 ,  28  are also used to secure the sleeves in a retracted position ( FIG. 4 ), out of the way for washing and playing with the baby in the bathtub. 
     The front fabric member  11 , back fabric member  12 , and the two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  are preferably manufactured of a soft, absorbent material, such as cotton terry cloth or the like. A separate lining is preferably provided for the front fabric member  11 , most preferably manufactured of a satin-type material matching the color of the front fabric member  11 . 
     The front fabric member  11  is sized and configured to cover the front of the user  30 . The front fabric member  11  may extend from the front neck area of the user  30  to the front thigh area of the user  30  ( FIG. 4 ). However, preferably, the front fabric member  11  extends to the knee ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ) or below the knee of the user  30  (not shown). 
     The front fabric member  11  has an upper segment  11   a  (generally above the waist of user  30 ) and a lower segment  11   b  (generally below the waist of user  30 ). The upper segment  11   a  has an upper edge, a central portion of which forms a front neck opening  19 . Front neck opening  19  may be of any of a variety of typical neck opening types, such as, for example, a V-neck ( FIG. 2 ), a scoop neck ( FIG. 4 ), a square neck (not shown), or the like. 
     The back fabric member  12  ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 ) is sized and configured to generally extend from the back neck area of the user  30  to the mid-back area of the user. The back fabric member  12  has an upper edge, with a central portion of its upper edge forming a back neckline  18 . Back fabric member  12  provides support to hold front fabric member  11  and sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  in position on the user  30 . Preferably back fabric member  12  is manufactured of a satisfactorily sturdy fabric, such as denim or canvas, but most preferably denim matching the color of front fabric member  11 . 
     The two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  are generally bell-shaped with a significantly wider distal portion and a narrower proximal portion. The proximal portions of both sleeve fabric member  13  and sleeve fabric member  14  are non-removably attached to the sides of back fabric member  12  and to the sides of the upper segment  11   a  of front fabric member  11 . Sewing the sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  to back fabric member  12  and to upper segment  11   a  with a suitably durable thread is preferred. 
     Front fabric member  11 , back fabric member  12 , and sleeves  13 ,  14  may be joined in any of several ways to form the smock-like protective covering for the user. As illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2 , the front fabric member  11  and the back fabric member  12  are joined with the sleeves  13 ,  14  inset. Optionally, and preferably, the upper edge of each sleeve  13 ,  14  may form a portion of the neckline, as illustrated in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 4 . In the preferred embodiment, the upper front portions of sleeve  13  and sleeve  14  are joined to the front fabric member  11 , and the upper back portions of sleeve  13  and sleeve  14  are joined to the back fabric member  12 , having slanted seams  38  from the underarm to the neck in front and back, such as are often referred to as raglan sleeves. 
     The two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  are configured to be wrapped around the back of the baby  31  as the user  30  lifts and holds the wet baby. The extra fabric at the distal ends of the two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  permits covering the entire back of the baby, from the neck to feet. Most preferably the two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  will be lined with a matching, satin material. 
     Two sets of complementary sleeve-securing members  25 ,  26  and  27 ,  28  are utilized to retain the two sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  in a retracted position. Sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  may be rolled or merely crumpled upward and secured by a first and second set of complementary members  25 ,  26  and  27 ,  28 . Complementary sleeve-securing members  25 ,  26  and  27 ,  28  are preferably buttons  25 ,  27  with loops  26 ,  28 . Buttons  25  and  27  are sewn on the opposite shoulder areas of front fabric member  11 . Loops  26 ,  28  are sewn onto or near the distal edge of sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14 , respectively. An inner reinforcement material may be included inside front fabric member  11  at the location of the button attachment to provide support and reinforcement. 
     As an additional feature, the loops  26 ,  28  may also be used to keep the sleeve extended to the maximum length, without encumbering or obstructing the freedom of the hands. This is achieved by inserting the thumbs of the user  30  into loops  26 ,  28  when the sleeves are extended ( FIG. 1 ). Using this feature allows the user&#39;s fingers and thumbs to be free and unhampered, providing a proper grip on the baby for security. 
     The button-engaging loops  26 ,  28  are preferably formed of a sturdy material, such as denim or canvas. An additional hanging loop  39  ( FIG. 3 ) is preferably sewn to an area of the back neck opening  18 , allowing for convenient hanging to dry. Hanging loop  39  is sized and configured similarly to button-engaging loops  26 ,  28 . Preferably the color of the material to form button-engaging loops  26 ,  28  and hanging loop  39  will match the color of front fabric member  11 . 
     The belt fabric member  15  is removably attachable to the front fabric member  11  to secure the combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  around the back waist area of the user  30 . Belt fabric member  15  is generally rectangular and is sized to reach approximately half way around the user&#39;s waist. At least one set of complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21  is used to attach belt fabric member  15  to front fabric member  11 . Preferably a second set of complementary belt-attachment members  22 ,  23  is also utilized. If only one set of complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21  is used, the second end of belt fabric member  15  is preferably sewed to the waist area of front fabric member  11 . Most preferably the two sets of complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21  and  22 ,  23  comprise a button  20 ,  22  and with a complementary loop  21 ,  23  sized to fit over the button  20 ,  22 . Loops  21  and  23  are preferably disposed on the opposing ends of belt fabric member  15 ; buttons  20  and  22  are preferably disposed on front fabric member  11  near the waist. Other types of complementary belt-attachment members  20 ,  21  and  22 ,  23 , such as snap fasteners, hook-and-loop type fasteners, a set of ties, male and female quick release buckles, or the like, are also within the scope of the invention. 
     Optionally, trim  33 ,  34 , such as ribbons, fringe, piping, rickrack, or other decorations, can be attached to the front fabric member  11 , back fabric member  12 , sleeves  13 ,  14 , and/or belt fabric member  15  in an aesthetically pleasing pattern. Trim  33 ,  34  can be sewn and/or glued on with adhesive, but most preferably is applied with adhesive and then sewn for most durability. Preferable locations for trim  33  include the lower edges, mid-section, sleeves, and neckline. Further, machine stitching may be used as a decorative feature. Most preferably ribbon is utilized along the lower edge and lower middle section, and machine stitching is utilized along the neckline. Additionally, embroidery  35 ,  36  ( FIG. 4 ) may be used to enhance the visual appeal of the combination user protector and baby safety towel. 
     The combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  of the present invention is configured to fit a variety of sizes of users, but can easily be supplied in larger or smaller sizes if needed. 
     To use the combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  of the present invention, before bathing the baby or small child the user slips the combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  over his or her head. Then the user  30  secures belt fabric member  15  around his or her waist by engaging complementary belt-attachment member  20  with complementary belt-attachment member  21  and by engaging complementary belt-attachment member  22  with complementary belt-attachment member  23 . The user  30  secures the sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  in the retracted position by attaching loop  26  to button  25  and by attaching loop  28  to button  27 . This keeps the long sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  dry during the bath time. Also, this allows the user&#39;s hands and lower arms to be bare and unrestricted for using soap and shampoo to clean the baby or for playing with the baby in the bathtub. 
     When the bathing is completed the user releases sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  by disengaging loop  26  from button  25  and by disengaging loop  28  from button  27  and extends the sleeve fabric members down to his or her wrist area. Then the user  30  most preferably slips his or her thumbs ( FIG. 1 ) through loops  26 ,  28  to hold the sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  at their full extension. 
     The user  30  removes the baby from the bathtub using both hands. The baby is moved into position cuddled on the user&#39;s front-fabric-member-covered chest area, supporting the baby with one arm covered in sleeve fabric member  13  or  14 . Generally simultaneously, the other arm (covered in sleeve fabric member  13  or  14 ) is wrapped around the baby to provide support to the baby&#39;s back, to keep the baby warm, to encourage a snuggly and cozy feeling, and to dry the baby. The baby may then be placed in a safe location and the distal ends of sleeve fabric members  13 ,  14  used to further dry the baby. 
     From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the combination user protector and baby safety towel  10  of the present invention increases safety for a wet baby by allowing the caretaker to quickly receive the baby into the soft sleeve-fabric-member-covered arms, without reaching for and managing the positioning of a separate towel. Additionally, the use of the combination user protector and baby safety towel protects the clothing of the user from wetness. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.