Abstract:
A kit of various beach products consisting of a ground covering such as a blanket, spread, mat or towel and the like with a plurality of loops or buttonholes at multiple locations on the top and bottom of the hem which can be optionally rolled into a sheath for storage and transport of ground anchors; a plurality of direct attachment ground anchor pins or tethered ground anchor assemblies which are used to secure the covering to the ground or sand; which tethered ground anchors also incorporate a capped cup holder, a flag or a fastener. A compact kit of such products are useful for the convenience, enjoyment and safety of a person at the beach, pool or patio.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. Provisional Applications: No. 60/296,776 filed Sep. 10, 2001; No. 60/296,777 filed Sep. 7, 2001; No. 60/296,778 filed Sep. 10, 2001; No. 60/296,779 filed Jun. 8, 2001; No. 60/296,780 filed Jul. 26, 2001; and No. 60/306,244 filed Aug. 10, 2001. 
     
    
     
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a kit of various beach products consisting of a ground covering such as a beach towel and having secured thereto, ground anchor pins or tethered ground anchor assemblies and selectively the anchor assemblies may include a cup holder, a flag or a fastener.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates to a kit of various beach products consisting of a ground covering such as a beach towel with loops or buttonholes and having secured thereto, ground anchor pins or tethered ground anchor assemblies and selectively the anchor assemblies may include a cup holder, a flag or a fastener.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0006]    A ground cover, such as a blanket, a spread, a mat, a towel or such other similar items, that is placed on the sandy beach tends to reposition itself when the wind blows and/or other movements occur. Once positioned, this covering is readily subject to disarray from these movement effects. This results in reduced usage area of a covering as well as discomfort to the user. Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to solving these challenges. The following patents are considered representative of some of these innovations. For illustrative purposes only, the cited patents have been separated to refer to the various features of the invention; however, patents directed to one feature may be pertinent to others.  
           [0007]    The prior art directed to a first feature of the kit of beach products, namely, loops or reinforced buttonholes being constructed on appropriate positions on the hem or hems of the ground covering, includes the following patents:  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,200 to Sherman et al. discloses a spike through a grommet on a tab that is attached to a pocket for receiving sand as a weight. A strap is provided to receive the corner of a towel which is inserted into a pocket.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,813 to Wilburn et al. discloses a circular grommet for the insertion of the closed loop that is connected to a pin.  
           [0010]    The prior art directed to a second feature of the kit of beach products, namely, wherein there is included a plurality of ground anchor pins for retaining a ground covering on the sand, includes the following patents:  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,678 to Wall relates to a ground covering having various means of attachment to weights with optional spikes. A case which utilizes a strap for transport about the users waist also serves as a weight that can be divided into two parts. The weights can be attached to the ground covering with Velcro™ or clamps.  
           [0012]    The prior art directed to a third feature of the kit of beach products, namely, substituting ground anchor assemblies for the ground anchor pins recited in the first feature, each of the anchor assemblies having a tether for securing the anchor assemblies to the ground covering, includes the following patents:  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,727 to Ippolito describes combination beach towels and carrying cases and suggests carrying anchoring stakes in its rolled up towel secured by elastic straps.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,715 to Dinkins is directed to a blanket anchor apparatus. The apparatus has an anchor and tethered clip but the single strand tether has loops at either end. The tether is fastened to the anchor at the head which is flat. The anchor has ridges to hold the anchor more securely in the sand. The practical utility of these ridges is questionable for two reasons: the top few inches of sand are too loose for the ridges to hold, and if the wind is blowing so hard as to make the ridges necessary, perhaps the safest place is not on the beach. An anchor is held in place by driving the tip of the anchor an inch or so into the firm subsurface. The clip appears to be a custom alligator-style design and probably expensive to make. The area of the clip in contact with the blanket appears to be needlessly large giving the impression that the designer intended the size of the clip to be more important than its gripping mechanism or force. This patent shows a single-strand tether connecting to the anchor and both use an alligator-style clip.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,364 to Bloxson et al. is a clothes-pin style clip attached with a looped strap to a weighted pocket. Such devices require the user to carry multiple weighted sack to and from the beach.  
           [0016]    The prior art directed to a fourth feature of the kit of beach products, namely, at least one of the ground anchor assemblies being associated with a cup holder and the ground covering, includes the following patents:  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,083 to Roth uses a pressure plate to hold down the blanket which is a less effective means of securing the blanket and quite similar to placing a shoe or cooler on the corners. The product will probably serve as a drink-holder anchored into the sand, but not as a secure anchor for a towel or blanket in all situations.  
           [0018]    Design Patent 325,678 to Niles is a stake with a drink-holder passed through the opening in the blanket and firmly fixing the blanket to the sand. It does not use a tether nor a foot pedal.  
           [0019]    The prior art of a fifth feature of the kit of beach products, namely, at least one of ground anchor assemblies associated with a flag and the ground covering, includes the following patents:  
           [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,877 to Riffle et al. described a bag filled with sand to support a beach umbrella.  
           [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,069 to Schelfhout describes a buoy system that utilizes tether lines to stabilize a flag attached to a flotation unit.  
           [0022]    The prior art directed to a sixth feature of the kit of beach products, namely, a plurality of clip fasteners associated with the ground covering for attaching the anchor assemblies to the ground covering, includes the following patents:  
           [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,309 to La Barbera and U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,383 to Ramirez et al., cite integral anchors and alligator-style clips. Such devices are inferior to tethered anchors. Fixing the blanket to the sand places considerable stress on the anchoring site as weight (most often over 100 pounds) is placed on the blanket and will eventually result in weakening of the fabric (if the gripping force is too great) or separating the clip from the blanket (if the gripping force is too weak). The gripping force of the clip must withstand the combined effects of use and wind gusts.  
           [0024]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken singly or in combination, are seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0025]    A principle object of the present invention relates to a kit of various beach products consisting of a ground covering such as a beach towel with loops or buttonholes and having secured thereto, ground anchor pins or tethered ground anchor assemblies and selectively the anchor assemblies may include a cup holder, a flag or a fastener.  
           [0026]    More specifically, the object of the present invention relates to a kit consisting of a ground covering such as a beach towel having loops or buttonholes and hems rolled into sheaths, anchor pins being secured to the ground covering, which pins penetrate into the ground or a sandy beach. Or in lieu of the anchor pins, tethered anchor assemblies are used which selectively may include a capped cup holder, a flag or a fastener. A compact kit of such products is useful for the convenience, enjoyment and safety of a person at the beach, pool or patio.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ground covering showing anchor pins at the top and anchor assemblies at the bottom thereof, in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 2A, 2B and  2 C are partial perspective views of the ground covering, showing three forms of attaching the loop to the ground covering.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial perspective views of the ground covering, showing the buttonhole thereon.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ground anchor pin.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ground anchor assembly, showing the connecting tether and the end-to-end connector.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the ground covering, showing the anchor pin and the connecting loop.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the ground covering with the connecting tether and the loop.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the ground covering with the loop passing through the buttonhole.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an anchor assembly being inserted for storage within a sheath of the ground covering.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ground covering showing anchor assemblies holding the cup holder, the flag and the clip fastener.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the cup holder of FIG. 10 in detail.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the flag of FIG. 10 in detail.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the clip fastener and anchor assembly of FIG. 10 in detail. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    The invention relates to a kit of various beach products associated with a ground covering. As defined in this application, the term “ground covering” refers to a ground covering, a ground cover, a beach towel, a blanket, a spread, a mat, and other such similar items.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 shows two ground anchor pins  14  secured at the corners of the top of the ground covering  10 . Two ground anchor assemblies or spikes  16  are secured at the bottom thereof. A substitution of the ground anchor assemblies  16  may be made for the ground anchor pins  14  and vice versa.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 2A, 2B and  2 C show three forms of attaching loops  20  to the ground covering. FIG. 2A shows the loop  20  in the form of a circle whose one side is stitched to the underside of a hem  18  which is rolled over and stitched to the covering  10  forming a sheath  24 . The reinforced hems  18  are formed at each end of the ground covering  10 . FIG. 2B is similar to FIG. 2A and shows the loop  20  in the form of a teardrop whose narrow end is stitched to the underside of the hem  18  forming the sheath  24 . FIG. 2C is similar to FIG. 2A and shows the loop  20  in either a circle or teardrop configuration stitched to the underside of the hem  18  without the formation of a sheath.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3A shows a reinforced buttonhole  26  on the underside of the hem  18  which is rolled over and stitched to the covering  10  to form the sheath  24 . FIG. 3B shows the buttonhole  26  in the hem without the formation of the sheath.  
         [0044]    The loops and the buttonholes  26  are constructed on appropriate positions on the hems  18 . The loop  20  is stitched securely to the top surface of the covering  10 . The hem  18  is then folded or rolled over and stitched to the covering  10  so that the end result is the loop  20  is positioned on the underside of the covering  10 . In a similar fashion, the buttonholes  26  are placed into the top of the hem  18  and the hem  18  is folded or rolled over to position the buttonholes  26  on the underside of the covering  10 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4 shows the structural arrangement of the anchor pin  14 . In FIG. 1, two pins  14  are shown secured to the top corners of the ground covering  10 , but more anchor pins could be used if found necessary. Each pin  14  consists of a head  32 , a tension clip  34  under the head  32  and a shaft  28  terminating in a pointed end  30 . The tension clip  34  is firmly affixed to the head  32 . The head  32  is rounded to facilitate the driving of the pin  14  into the sand  12  by the user pressing with the heel of the hand, the foot or a suitable tool such as a mallet. The anchor pin and the tension clip may be made in any suitable length. The anchor pin may be used in any application where a ground covering has a provision for attachment such as a loop, tab, grommet, eyelet and the like.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 5 shows the ground anchor assembly  16  having the tether  38  with its end-to-end connector  40 . The tether  38  passes through aperture  36  of the anchor assembly  16 . FIG. 6 shows the ground covering  10  having the loop  20  on the underside of the hem  18  which is rolled over to form the sheath  24  and the anchor pin  14  is attached to the loop  20 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 and shows the ground covering  10  having the loop  20  on the underside of the hem  18  which is rolled over to form the sheath  24  and the anchor assembly  16  is attached to the loop  20  and the connecting tether  38 . FIG. 8 is similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 and shows the ground covering  10  having the loop  20  on the underside of the hem  18  which is rolled over to form the sheath  24  and the anchor assembly  16  is attached to the tether  38  which passes through the buttonhole  26  on the underside of the hem  18 .  
         [0048]    Placement of a loop or buttonhole may be constructed on the underside of a ground covering and as such would have the advantage of leaving the top surface of the ground covering more attractive. Also, the attachment site of an anchor assembly could be selected to be substantially out of view and thus would not interfere with the activities of the user. A loop or buttonhole may be constructed on a ground covering to be visible from the top or be placed out of sight. Loops or buttonholes may be positioned at any suitable location on a ground covering. Loops and buttonholes may be in various shapes, sizes, or arrangements, such as being constructed to be parallel to the ends or to the sides of a ground covering. The ground covering may also be made without a sheath in which case the loops can still be positioned on the underside whereas the buttonholes would be through the covering and therefore visible when viewed from above.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 9 shows the anchor assembly  16  being inserted for storage within the sheath  24  on one end of the covering  10 . This storing feature may also be utilized on the hem of the other end of the covering  10 . Each anchor assembly  16  comprises a shaft  28  having a cap  52  and a pass-through-aperture  36  near the top of the shaft  28  for insertion of the flexible tether  38  that connects with the hem  18 . Thus, anchor assembly  16  is operatively connected to the ground covering  10 . The cap  52  is rounded to facilitate the user&#39;s driving of the anchor assembly  16  into the sand  12  with the hand, foot or a suitable tool such as a mallet. A tether may consist of a flexible closed loop with an end-to-end connection and be made of any suitable material and length. The length of the tether must be such that an anchor assembly is not too far from a ground covering itself to avoid interference with other people nearby or passing by. In the present invention, the reinforced hems  18  at each end of the ground covering  10  are rolled into cylindrical shape members or sheaths  24  wherein parts of the kit may be stored therein, and thereby facilitating transport.  
         [0050]    The anchor assemblies may be used in any application where a ground covering has a provision for attachment such as a loop, tab, grommet, eyelet and the like.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 10 shows a capped beverage cup holder  46 , a flag or pennant  60  and a clip fastener  62  mounted on anchor assemblies  16 . This is one possible arrangement of the cup holder, flag, anchor assembly and clip fastener but any number, combination, placement and arrangement of these items are possible depending on the provisions in the ground covering and the preferences of the user.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 11 shows the cap  52  of the anchor assembly  16  having a flat plate that constitutes a foot plate  50  for driving the anchor assembly  16  into the sand  12 . A cup holder may be any suitable height which could accommodate a standard-size 5 inch beverage can and the like. The cap  52  may be a separate unit with two rods  54  that fit into channels  56  on either side of the cup holder  46 . This allows the cap to be used with beverage containers or other items up to 10 inches.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 12 shows the flag  60  also having a flat footplate  50  so that it performs the same function as the one associated with the cup holder  46 . A flag may be made in a variety of colors, sizes and designs for attracting the attention of the passers-by. The use of a rigid placard rather than a draping flag shape may also be used. A supporting staff  58  of the flag  60  may be made in any suitable height. A flag provides group affinity or signalling passers-by.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 13 shows a clip fastener  62  connected to the anchor assembly  16  via the tether  38  with its end-to-end connector  40 . The clip fastener  62  is shown as a toggle fastener type. The clip fastener  62  consists of upper and lower plates  68 ,  78  connected by a hinge  80  which plates are readily latched together to form a firm attachment when the clip fastener  62  operatively clamped on the ground covering  10 . The plates may have various types of gripping means and be made of various materials. A concave opening  66  exists within the confines of the plates  68 ,  78  and the end opening  64  allows the clip fastener  62  to fit securely around the covering  10 .  
         [0055]    In summary, the present invention provides a kit of various beach products for a user at the beach that involves the use of a ground covering such as a beach blanket. The ground covering includes loops or buttonholes at appropriate sites thereon for receiving the anchors. A hem is constructed on each end of the ground covering and the respective hems are rolled into cylindrical-shaped or sheath-like members for storing kit parts and subsequent transport. The kit may include ground anchor pins operatively secured to the ground covering, which pins are operatively inserted into the sand. Or optionally in lieu of the anchor pins, the kit may include tethered ground anchor assemblies that are operatively inserted into the sand. The kit includes an anchor assembly that is associated with a cup holder for receiving a capped beverage container therein. The kit also includes a flag associated with an anchor assembly for group affinity or signalling passers-by. The kit may include various types of fasteners for securing the respective anchor assembly to the ground covering.  
         [0056]    A kit of beach products as defined above may be commercially sold separately or as a packaged unit. Accordingly, the addition or substraction of certain products/parts may be readily made and are considered within the scope of the invention.  
         [0057]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes of form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.