Recreational towel

A recreational towel type device specifically designed for absorbing moisture and use as a ground or furnishing cover, capable of being secured to the covered surface and further being capable securing other objects is provided.

This invention relates to articles associated with recreational activities. 
More particularly, this invention relates to moisture absorbing towels and 
their designs which are directed for use as coverings for ground or 
various outdoor furnishings. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Towels are generally employed to absorb moisture. For recreational 
purposes, particularly those directed to water sports, towels are 
manufactured of soft, moisture-absorbing fabrics which are acceptable for 
direct contact with and drying skin. In addition to the primary function, 
towels often double as a covering to provide a clean or cushioned surface 
for the user. Commonly towels employed as such are spread on the ground or 
over an article of furniture. One problem generally assoc-iated with the 
use of a towel as a ground or furnishing covering is when subjected to a 
strong breeze it will often blow around and require subsequent 
rearrangement by the user. For example, when a towel is draped over a 
chaise lounge, a moderate wind will easily move the towel from its desired 
position. 
It is therefore desirable to provide a towel which is configured for use in 
particular situations and is able to be secured to prevent dislocation 
from the original position selected by the user. 
The principal object of this invention is to satisfy the foregoing purposes 
by providing a moisture absorbing towel configured to be used in 
particular situations and capable of being secured on the ground or on 
particular furnishings by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, towel 10 adapted for use with a chaise 
lounge generally associated with swimming and tanning. Towel 10 is 
generally manufactured from a soft, absorbent, material such as terry 
cloth (80% cotton and 20% polyester) or other adequate moisture absorbing 
material. Towel 10 is composed of torso section 12 and leg section 14. 
Disposed along the upper edge of torso section 12 is overlap section 16 
which is constructed by folding a short length (3 inches) of fabric over 
itself and sewing or otherwise securely affixing elastic strap member 18 
along the edge of overlapping section 16 and section 12. One such 
affixation method is sewing the elastic strap to the tufted overlap 12 and 
the contiguous edge of section 12. By such construction, overlap section 
16, as better illustrated in FIG. 2, forms an approximate 3" wide inwardly 
facing pocket which is able to be secured around the top of chaise lounge 
30. 
Pocket member 20 extends from one side of towel 10 which is adapted to 
overhang the edge of chaise lounge 30 when towel 10 is properly positioned 
as illustrated in FIG. 2. Pocket is constructed to hold miscellaneous 
articles such as suntan lotion, sun glasses, etc. 
Torso section 12 and leg section 14 are joined at seam 24 which extends 
across their respective widths. Nylon strings 22 are sewn into seam 24. 
These strings are formed from 1/8" diameter nylon cord and are 
approximately six inches long. Their purpose is to permit towel 10 to be 
tied to chaise lounge 30 so that towel 10 is secured to lounge 30 in a 
position illustrated in FIG. 2. The edges of towel 10 feature seamed 
borders 26 which are not necessary but a 1/4 inch overlap provides 
additional structural strength to towel 10 and prevents fraying and other 
wear along the edges. 
FIGS. 3 through 6 relate to the second preferred embodiment of the 
invention. Towel 40 is particularly adapted for placement and securing to 
the ground or a sandy beach. The predominant features of towel 40 include 
rectangularly shaped, terry cloth sheet 42, 4 inch wide edge overlaps 44 
and protruding loops 46 disposed at each of the four corners and extending 
from the edge overlaps 44. Edge overlaps 44 further include pocket members 
48, one located at each of the four corners. Loops 46 of overlap 44 extend 
from pockets 48. Loops 46, one sewn into or otherwise attached to each 
pocket member 48, are formed from 1/4 inch diameter nylon cord. 
The perspective view of FIG. 4 better illustrates the relative 
configuration of edge overlap 44 and the relationship of seams 50 thereto. 
Oppositely disposed pockets 48 are formed at each end of overlap section 
44 and are defined by the outer edge of towel 40 and seams 50. Seams 50 
are located approximately 14 inches from the respective edges of overlaps 
44. These pockets provide a storage space for spikes 54 one of which fits 
into each of the four pockets 48 formed within edges 44. The purpose of 
spikes 54 is disclosed below. 
In FIG. 5, greater detail of the interior of pocket 48 is illustrated. 
Pocket 48 includes complementary and mating Velcro strips 52 and 53 which, 
when pressed together, securely close the opening of pocket 48. One-half 
inch wide Velcro strips have been determined to be adequate for this 
purpose. Pockets 48 are specifically designed to securely house spikes 54. 
When not in use one spike 54 is placed inside one pocket 48 and Velcro 
strips 52 and 53 are engaged by pressing together. In this way spikes 54 
will not be misplaced or separated from towel 40. 
Spike 54 generally illustrated in FIG. 6 is of a conventional nature having 
hook end 57, central extending portion 55 and beveled end 56. End 56 is 
driven into the sand or soil on which the blanket is laid. If spikes 54 
extend through and engage loops 46 as illustrated in FIG. 4, towel 40 will 
be secured to the ground so as not to blow freely in the wind. The 
arrangement disclosed is therefore directed to not only securing towel 40 
to the ground or beach but also to provide a convenient storage means for 
spikes 54. 
Other embodiments, variations and modifications of the invention disclosed 
herein should now be obvious to one or ordinary skill of the art and are 
intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.