Frame member and attached membranes

A collapsible apparatus includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane, and an inflation member. The second membrane is attachable to the first membrane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a towel-mat having a frame member and removably attached membranes.

Conventional beach towels and picnic blankets are typically used, for example, to separate a person from the ground (e.g., beach sand) and/or to line a chair. Difficulty exists, however, in maintaining the shape of these items when being used for such purposes. For example, when a beach towel is used to separate a person from the beach sand, the towel will typically lose its spread out shape and converge towards the person.

Several attempts have been tried to remedy these problems with towels. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,876, issued to Graves, discloses one attempt to maintain the desired shape of a towel. The towel in Graves has continuous flexible weights secured along two opposed edges of the towel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,430, issued to Nicoll, discloses a beach blanket having a non-metallic tube filled with a liquid weight such as water located at the perimeter of the blanket.

These known towels, however, can be difficult to arrange when configured to have a large size. These towels can be cumbersome to arrange for separating a person from the beach sand, to line a chair, and to pack for removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A towel-mat includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane has a perimeter portion to which a frame member is fixedly attached. The second membrane has a perimeter portion. The second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane.

In one embodiment, the second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane along the perimeter portion of the second membrane and along the perimeter portion of the first membrane.

In another embodiment, the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion. The extended portion and the perimeter portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane.

In yet another embodiment, the towel-mat further comprises a fastener having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fastener is attached to the first membrane, and the second portion of the fastener is attached to the second membrane. The fastener is adapted to removably attach the first membrane to the second membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A towel-mat includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane has a perimeter portion to which a frame member is fixedly attached. The second membrane has a perimeter portion. The second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane.

The term “membrane” is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a layer of material. For example, the membrane can be a piece of fabric such as terry cloth or nylon. In one embodiment, for example, one membrane (e.g., the second membrane which can form a top membrane of the towel-mat) can be a machine-washable fabric such as terry cloth to face the user comfortably; the other membrane (e.g., the first membrane with the frame member fixedly attached which can form a bottom membrane of the towel-mat) can be a fabric, not necessarily machine washable, such as nylon to face the ground.

The term “perimeter portion” is used herein to include an area substantially about the perimeter of a membrane. The perimeter portion can be, for example, twenty percent of the membrane area nearest to the membrane perimeter.

In one embodiment, the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion and a facing portion. The extended portion and the facing portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane. The term “extended portion” is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a portion of a membrane extending beyond the membrane perimeter. For example, the extended portion can include a portion of the membrane that is folded over at the perimeter. The extended portion can be made of the same material as the membrane itself or can be made of a material different from the membrane, for example, an elastic material sewn to a nylon membrane. The term “facing portion” is used herein to include a portion of a membrane that faces the extended portion of the membrane.

The “perimeter pocket” formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the membrane can be any type of cavity or opening along at least a portion of the perimeter. In one embodiment, the frame member is fixedly attached along the perimeter of one towel-mat membrane (e.g., the lower membrane) which is, in turn, inserted into the perimeter pocket of another membrane (e.g., the top membrane); the extended portion can be an elastic material which is stretched over the lower membrane so that it is disposed within the perimeter pocket formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the lower membrane.

FIG. 1shows a top view of a top membrane of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2shows a side view of the top membrane shown in FIG.1.FIG. 3illustrates a bottom view of the top membrane for the towel-mat shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

A towel-mat includes a top membrane110and a bottom membrane120. A body portion111and a head portion112can be fixedly attached to top membrane110. Body portion111and head portion112can be fixedly attached to the top membrane110by, for example, sewing along the perimeters of those portions. Head portion112can be sewn along a portion of the perimeter of the head portion112to provide an opening113where a pillow can be inserted as will be discussed below.

Top membrane110includes an extended portion114, which is located on the underside of the top membrane110from the top view perspective. Extended portion114and the facing portion of top membrane110form a pocket into which the bottom membrane120can be removably inserted. The extended portion114can be made, for example, an elastic material that can be stretched over lower membrane120to better place lower membrane120within the pocket. In other words, the bottom membrane120can be removably attached to the top membrane110by placing lower membrane120within the pocket formed by extended portion114and top membrane110.

FIG. 4shows a bottom or top view of the bottom membrane for attachment to the top membrane shown inFIGS. 1 through 3. The lower membrane120has the frame member (not shown) fixedly attached. The lower membrane120can be folded over the frame member and then sewn along the interior of the lower membrane120. In other words, lower membrane120can have an oval shape; the frame member can be placed along the perimeter and then the lower membrane120can be sewn along the inner perimeter to capture the frame member within the doubled-over lower membrane. Because the frame member is captured within the lower membrane120, the frame member is essentially fixedly attached to the lower membrane120.

FIG. 5shows a cross-sectional view of the top membrane shown inFIG. 1along line A and the lower membrane inserted into the perimeter pocket of the top membrane. As shown inFIG. 5, the lower membrane120is placed within the pocket formed by top membrane110and extended portion114.FIG. 5illustrates the frame member130located along the perimeter of lower membrane120.

FIG. 6shows an exploded view of the end portion of the cross-section shown in FIG.5.FIG. 6illustrates one manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat shown inFIGS. 1-5can be constructed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6, lower membrane120can be folded over frame member130and sewn along that inner perimeter of lower membrane120, which is solid along its interior. In an alternative embodiment, the lower membrane120has a hole within its interior and the frame member is sewn along a perimeter portion.

AsFIG. 6illustrates, top membrane110can be sewn to extended portion114so that the seam is on the interior of the towel. The far end of extended portion114can be sewn with a binding.

FIG. 7illustrates an alternative manner in which the membranes of a towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. AsFIG. 7illustrates, the top membrane810and extended portion814can be sewn with an exterior seam815and then have a binding placed over the seam. The far end of the extended portion, again, can have a binding816.

FIG. 8illustrates yet another manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 8, the top membrane can be constructed similar to that shown inFIG. 7with an additional segment918attached to the extended portion914.

FIG. 9illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention. Towel-mat200includes top membrane210, lower membrane220and fastener230. Top membrane can include a body portion211and a head portion212. The frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane220. Fastener230has one portion attached to the top membrane210and another portion attached to the lower membrane220. The portions of the fastener230can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes210and220, respectively. The fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps. The particular fastener shown inFIG. 9is a zipper.

The head portion212can be fixedly attached to body portion211by sewing the head portion212to the body portion211along the semi-circular outer perimeter214of the head portion212. A opening can be formed along the straight side215of head portion212to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel. Once head portion212has been attached to body portion211, both portions can be fixedly attached to top membrane220, for example, by sewing along the perimeter of body portion211.

FIG. 10illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG.10. Towel-mat300includes top membrane310, lower membrane320and fastener330. Top membrane can include a body portion311and a head portion312.FIG. 12illustrates a bottom or top view of the towel-mat shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. The frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane320.

Fastener330has one portion that is to be attached to the top membrane310and another portion that is to be attached to the lower membrane320. The portions of the fastener330can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes310and320, respectively. The fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps. The particular fastener shown inFIGS. 10 and 11is a zipper.

The head portion312can be fixedly attached to top membrane310by sewing the head portion312to the top membrane310along the semi-circular outer perimeter of the head portion312. An opening can be formed along the straight side of head portion312to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel.

FIG. 13illustrates a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 14illustrates a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG.13. Although many of the details of the towel-mat400are omitted fromFIGS. 13 and 14for clarity, the shown details are those that relate to the head portion of the top membrane. The head portion412can be sewn along three of the four sides of its perimeter and can be sewn along interior lines to form an opening413to a central pocket414(into which a pillow can be placed), left pocket415and right pocket416(into which miscellaneous items, such as sunglasses, keys and suntan lotion can be placed).

FIG. 15shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 16shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG.15. Similar to the discussion above, the details again shown here relate to head portion512, which has been sewn along three of its four sides to form a pocket513.

FIG. 17shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 18shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG.17. Again, the details shown relate to the head portion612, which is shown along three of its four sides to form an opening613.

FIG. 19illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes.FIG. 20is a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG.19.FIG. 21shows a bottom view of the towel-mat shown inFIGS. 19 and 20. Towel-mat700includes top membrane710, lower membrane720, fastener730and pull ring740. Top membrane710includes body portion711and head portion712, which are fixedly attached to top membrane710. Fastener730has one portion attached to top membrane710and another portion attached to lower membrane720. The fastener can be located, for example, around the perimeter portions of top membrane710and lower membrane720. The fastener shown inFIGS. 19 through 21is a zipper.

FIG. 22illustrates a top view of the towel700shown inFIGS. 19 through 21where the top membrane710is removed from the lower membrane720. Note that the view of bottom membrane720is from a top view.

A cord750has cord sections751and752, and is located within the lower membrane720. Cord section751is fixedly attached directly to the frame member (not shown) or fixedly attached to the lower membrane720itself. The other end of cord section751is movably engagable through the lower membrane and connected to pull ring740. Similarly, cord section752is also fixedly attached to either the frame member or the lower membrane720at a location angularly separated from the fixedly attached location of cord section751. The remaining end of cord section752is movably engagable through lower membrane720and again connected to pull ring740.

An elastic member760attaches to cord section752, and to cord section751or a location on the lower membrane720. As shown inFIG. 22, the elastic member760can have one end attached to cord section751where it fixedly attaches to the frame member or lower membrane720and the remaining end of elastic member760can be connected at point between the end points of cord section752, for example, at a halfway point on cord section752. Alternatively, the elastic member760can have its one end (the end opposite from the attachment at cord section752) attached to the band (not shown) or to the lower membrane720itself. This end of elastic member760can be attached at any point along the band or the lower membrane720so that slack in the length of elastic member is taken up.

Note that the configuration of the cord with its cord sections (and the optional elastic member) shown inFIG. 22is just one of many possible configurations. These other possible configurations are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/229,966, entitledCollapsible Frame, filed on Jan. 14, 1999 and which is incorporated herein by reference.

A user can convert the towel-mat from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration by pulling pull ring740. The extended configuration of the towel-mat is shown in FIG.22. The towel-mat can also be converted to a collapsed configuration and a chair configuration which are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/081,134, entitled ASelf-Opening Towel, filed on May 19, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,100) and is incorporated herein by reference (see, e.g.,FIGS. 3-8,10-14and their corresponding written description).

FIG. 23shows a top view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 24shows a top view of a pillow according to another embodiment of the present invention. AsFIGS. 23 and 24illustrate, the pillow can have varying types of shapes that allow them to be removably insertable into a pillow pocket for any of the towel-mat configurations discussed above. The pillow can be inflatable and deflatable for ease of storage and use.

FIG. 25illustrates a self-opening towel, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Self-opening towel800includes frame member810, fastener820and covering membrane830which includes upper side831and lower side832. Covering membrane830can be made of various types of appropriate materials. For example, the upper side831of covering membrane830can be made of terry cloth and can absorb moisture; the lower side832of covering membrane830can be made of nylon and can block moisture.

In this embodiment, the upper side831and lower side832of covering membrane830are connected along the perimeter except for the portion of the perimeter where fastener820is connected along the seam of the perimeter. For example, the upper side831and lower side832of covering membrane830are connected by a sewn seam along the perimeter of covering membrane830. Covering membrane830can have dimensions of, for example, approximately 5′6″×3′6″.

Fastener820can include a first portion which is attached to the upper side831of covering membrane830and a second portion which is attached to lower side832of covering membrane830. Fastener820can be, for example, a zipper or a set of snaps. Where fastener820is a zipper, the two portions of the zipper can be sewn to the respective side of covering membrane830.

FIG. 26illustrates a frame member of a self-opening towel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, frame member810includes tube811and closed, spring-like loop812. Closed, spring-like loop812can be made up of, for example, metal or any similar type of material. Closed, spring-like loop812can have dimensions appropriate to maintain the shape of self-opening towel800when in an extended configuration, yet flexible and twistable enough to allow the transition to or from an extended configuration, a collapsed configuration and/or a chair configuration. For example, closed, spring-like loop812can have the dimensions of ¼″ by {fraction (1/16)}″.

Tube811can be made of any sort of appropriate material such as rubber which is flexible yet sturdy enough to maintain closed, spring-like loop812being encased within the interior portion of tube811. Tube811can be constructed of a waterproof material like rubber or plastic which can prevent water from contacting and rusting closed, spring-like loop812.

Additional items can be also used in conjunction with a self-opening towel, for example, by inserting an additional item into the interior portion of a self-opening towel.FIG. 27illustrates an air-inflatable mat, according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be inserted into an interior portion of a covering membrane. More specifically, air-inflatable mat840can be inflated through a plug841. Air-inflatable mat840can be inserted between upper side831and lower side832of covering membrane830. Plug841can then be inserted through a hole833in upper side831of covering membrane830. The air-inflatable mat840can be inserted into self-opening towel800when in an extended configuration and then removed when self-opening towel800is converted to a collapsed configuration or a chair configuration. Alternatively, air-inflatable mat840can be inserted into and retained within self-opening towel800when in an extended configuration, a collapsed configuration and/or a chair configuration. Air-inflatable mat840can be temporarily inserted into self-opening towel800by, for example, a hook-and-pile type of fastener, or permanently inserted into self-opening towel800by, for example, sewing air-inflatable mat840into covering membrane830of self-opening towel800.

FIGS. 28 and 29illustrate an air-inflatable cushion, according to another embodiment of the present invention, which can be inserted into an interior portion of a covering membrane.FIG. 28shows an air-inflatable cushion inserted into self-opening towel800;FIG. 29shows the disassembled pieces of self-opening towel800. As shown inFIG. 29, air-inflatable cushion850can be inserted between the upper side831and the lower side832of covering membrane830. Upper side831of covering membrane830can include a hole833through which the plug on the air-inflatable cushion850can be inserted to provide access for inflating and deflating air-inflatable cushion850. Of course, the air-inflatable cushion850can be inserted and removed through fastener820when the upper side831and lower side832of covering membrane830are assembled along the seam and assembled with the portions of fastener820.

It should, of course, be understood that while the present invention has been described in reference to particular component shapes and configurations, other component shapes and configurations should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although the band is shown and discussed as having a circular shape, the band can have a more rectangular shape with rounded corners. Although the cord sections are shown and discussed with having a common point of intersection, the cord sections can be interconnected at different points.