Abstract:
A modular beach towel with an integral anchoring means designed to help keep the towel from blowing away while in use comprising additional enhancements is herein disclosed. The beach towel further comprises a plurality of grommets located along corner and perimeter areas. Each grommet receives a stake, thereby holding the beach towel down to a ground surface. The beach towel is fabricated of a layered textile assembly with internal cushioning, further having a removable protective waterproof mat and an attachable food and drink holder. The beach towel apparatus also comprises reflective zippered pouches at each corner position that provide storage of personal items as well as aiding in identifying the towel from a distance. The corner pouches may also be loaded with sand or weights to provide additional anchoring.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/299,026 filed Jan. 28, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to beach towels, and in particular, to a modular beach towel including a plurality of removably attachable portions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Very few leisure time activities rival that of spending a warm summer day at the beach. Whether the beach is at an ocean or a small lake, the feeling that comes with being outside and near water is enjoyable. Most people usually lie upon a large beach towel when at a beach. Such towels help to insulate them from the ground and keep the user clean and comfortable. 
     One (1) problem associated with using such towels is that they are prone to blowing away when no one is sitting on them. Even if people are sitting or lying upon them, the slightest breeze can cause corners to blow up and over, forcing a continuous and never ending battle to keep them down by weighting them with shoes, books, purses and the like. Additionally, such cloth towels have a number of other commonly encountered problems. For example, they do not provide any protection from water, which is often present at the ocean or lake. Also, towels do not make good barriers from sand and other environmental conditions which can be detrimental to both the beachgoer and their possessions. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide towels with additional accessories such as anchoring assemblies. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,904; U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,575; U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,485; U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,700; U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,813; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,527. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for such a towel exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 379,129 and D 439,463. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are difficult to install or remove and do not provide a sufficient level of stability once installed. Also, many such devices do not provide a sufficient range of storage, security, protection, and comfort for both a user and their personal effects. Furthermore, many such devices are not adjustable or customizable to accommodate various situations, locations, and preferences. In addition, many such devices do not allow a user to take advantage of the sunny conditions often found at a beach. Accordingly, there exists a need for a beach towel without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a beach towel providing a full range of comfort, protection, and customizability including stability and secure containment of personal items on a sand surface. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a range of modular capabilities and configurations particularly adapted for beneficial employment at a beach, i.e. on a sand surface and in sunny conditions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise a multi-layer towel assembly including a plurality of removably attachable layers providing a range of functionality. The towel assembly includes an upper towel surface, an internal cushioning batting layer, a reflective lower towel surface, and a removably attachable ground mat. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a comfortable fabric laying or resting surface. The upper towel surface is constructed of a terrycloth material similar to a common beach towel. The internal cushioning batting layer is located between the upper towel surface and lower towel surface and functions as a pad to enable comfortable resting upon the apparatus on any surface. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide stable anchoring of the apparatus using a plurality of stakes. The towel assembly also includes a plurality of grommets around a perimeter edge which align through the upper towel surface, the lower towel surface, and the ground mat and correspondingly receive the stakes. In this manner, the user can drive the stakes through a desired plurality of grommets into a ground surface to hold the apparatus in place during use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to facilitate installation and further secure the device by comprising each stake of an over-sized stake head including a large, flat area. The stake head provides a large area on which to strike the stake with a mallet or the like during installation, and provides additional contact with the ground surface upon installation. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide waterproof protection from wet or dirty ground surfaces by constructing the ground mat of a waterproof material such as plastic or rubber sheet. The mat is removably attachable from the lower towel surface using a plurality of hook-and-loop-type fasteners. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide storage and protection for personal effects within a plurality of corner pouches. Each pouch comprises a triangular pocket affixed to the towel assembly at a corner position. Each pouch further comprises an inwardly facing zipper which enables the user to both securely enclose an object within the pouch and which conceals the presence of the pouch from passersby. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to enable a user to provide additional stabilization of the corners of the towel assembly by filling the pouches with a weighted material such as sand. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to harness sunlight to good effect by comprising the lower towel surface of a solar reflective material such as a metalized fabric. This allows a user to selectively detach the ground mat, invert the towel assembly, and lay upon the lower towel surface in order to provide an enhanced tanning experience. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide secure upright containment of food and drink items using a food/drink platform. The food/drink platform comprises a molded plastic tray including a plurality of recessed drink holder pockets and a flat upper surface. The platform can be removably secured to the towel assembly by utilizing an integral hook-and-loop-type fastener. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring a model of the apparatus having a desired color or pattern as well as dimensions; attaching the ground mat to the lower towel surface using the hook-and-loop-type fasteners if a ground surface is wet or dirty; placing the apparatus on the ground surface; securing the apparatus to the ground surface by inserting the stakes through aligned pairs of grommets in the towel assembly and ground mat; driving the stakes into the ground surface using the mallet until the stake head of each stake is flush with the top surface of the towel assembly; utilizing the apparatus for sunbathing, resting, or the like, upon a ground surface; benefiting from a beach towel apparatus protected from disturbances brought on by conditions such as wind; loading personal items into one (1) or more pouches; loading sand or weights into one (1) or more of the pouches as needed; closing the zippers to secure the contents of the pouches; attaching the food/drink platform to a side portion of the towel assembly using respective hook-and-loop-type fastener portions; and, utilizing said food/drink platform to safely position drinks and food items. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beach towel with anchoring means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a section view taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ) of the beach towel with anchoring means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ) of the beach towel with anchoring means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a food/drink platform portion of the beach towel with anchoring means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10  
                 beach towel with anchoring means 
               
               
                   
                 20  
                 towel assembly 
               
               
                   
                 23  
                 upper towel surface 
               
               
                   
                 25  
                 batting layer 
               
               
                   
                 30  
                 lower towel surface 
               
               
                   
                 35  
                 ground mat 
               
               
                   
                 40  
                 grommet 
               
               
                   
                 45  
                 pouch 
               
               
                   
                 50  
                 zipper 
               
               
                   
                 55  
                 hook-and-loop-type fastener 
               
               
                   
                 60  
                 stake 
               
               
                   
                 62  
                 stake head 
               
               
                   
                 70  
                 food/drink platform 
               
               
                   
                 75  
                 drink holder pocket 
               
               
                   
                 80  
                 mallet 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 ground surface 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a beach towel with anchoring means (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , to stabilize the apparatus  10  against dislodging conditions such as wind. The apparatus  10  resembles a large terry-cloth towel similar to those commonly used at a beach, at a park, or on lounge chairs, and comprises a plurality of grommets  40  located at corner and along perimeter edge portions. Each circular grommet  40  comprises a central aperture portion which insertingly receives a stake  60 , thereby holding the towel assembly  20  securely to a ground surface  100 . The apparatus  10  comprises a multi-layered machine-washable towel assembly  20  further comprising a conventional terry-cloth upper towel surface  23 , an internal cushioning batting layer  25 , a reflective lower towel surface  30 , and a removably attachable ground mat  35  which provides waterproof protection to said towel assembly  20  when needed. The towel assembly  20  also comprises zippered corner pouches  45  that provide a convenient storage means and are made using a bright-colored and/or reflective textile material to aid in easy identification of the apparatus  10  from a distance. Said pouches  45  may be utilized to store various personal items associated with a beach excursion or may be alternately filled with sand or other heavy objects to provide additional anchoring to further stabilize the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a towel assembly  20  and a ground mat  35 . The towel assembly  20  comprises an upper towel surface  23  and a lower towel surface  30 . Said towel assembly  20  is removably attached to the ground mat  35  via a plurality of integrally sewn-on hook-and-loop fasteners  55 . Both the towel assembly  20  and the ground mat  35  comprise a plurality of correspondingly positioned anchoring grommets  40  arranged in an equally-spaced manner at corner locations and along a perimeter edge area. The upper towel surface  23  further comprises four (4) triangle-shaped pouches  45  located at each corner area. The towel assembly  20  is envisioned to be made using common textile materials utilizing conventional textile sewing techniques common in the industry. It is envisioned that the apparatus  10  may be introduced having towel assemblies  20  of different sizes, ranging from a small single occupant size, up to and including, a large family or group size, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     The grommets  40  provide a stable anchoring means to the apparatus  10  and are used in conjunction with a plurality of corresponding stakes  60 . The grommets  40  are envisioned to be made using corrosion-resistant plastic or metal materials and are permanently affixed to corner and edge regions of said towel assembly  20  and ground mat  35  using common fabrication techniques such as, but not limited to: plastic welding, swaging, adhesives, or the like. Each grommet  40  comprises a center opening portion approximately one (1) inch in diameter being suitable to receive a corresponding stake  60  through. Each stake  60  is envisioned to be made using corrosion-resistant plastic or light-weight metal materials and is approximately eight (8) inches long. Each stake  60  further comprises an over-sized integrally-molded stake head portion  62  at a top portion which extends perpendicularly outward to hold and stabilize the apparatus  10  against the ground surface  100 . The stake head  62  is envisioned to take a form of a decorative shape such as a seashell, a flower, a geometric shape, or the like. 
     The removable ground mat  35  provides waterproof protection to the towel assembly  20  from wet or dirty ground surfaces  100 . Said ground mat  35  comprises similar length and width dimensions as the towel assembly  20  and is envisioned being made of durable waterproof plastic or rubber sheet materials. The ground mat  35  further provides a removably attachable means to a bottom surface of said towel assembly  20  via a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners  55  such as VELCRO®, arranged along a perimeter edge of an upper surface of said ground mat  35  which attach in a normal manner to corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners  55  mounted to the lower towel surface  30  of the towel assembly  20  in like manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an upper absorbent towel surface  23 , an internal cotton or polyester batting layer  25  which provides additional padding, and a lower reflective towel surface  30 . Said upper towel surface  23 , batting layer  25 , and lower towel surface  30  are envisioned to be bonded or sewn together forming a permanently assembled and cushioned lamination using conventional bonding and sewing textile assembly techniques. The upper towel surface  23  is to provide a comfortable and moisture-absorbent fabric surface on which a user may sit or lay upon. The upper towel surface  23  is preferably made using a terry-cloth material or may utilize other equivalent natural or synthetic fabrics. The upper towel surface  23  is envisioned being provided in various attractive colors and patterns having a variety of printed or embroidered indicia incorporated onto, based upon a user&#39;s preferences. The lower towel surface  30  provides a solar reflection means via a highly reflective and/or metalized smooth fabric surface allowing a user to reverse the towel assembly  20  when desired, thereby enabling said user to lie upon the lower towel surface  30  to provide an enhanced tanning experience. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 1 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The reflective corner pouches  45  provide a convenient storage means as well as aiding in quick identification of the apparatus  10  from a distance. The pouches  45  are envisioned to comprise a colorful triangle-shape enclosures being located at each corner area of said towel assembly  20 . Each pouch  45  is also envisioned to comprise an inwardly-facing zipper  50 , thereby securely concealing personal items discreetly within. Said pouches  45  may also be filled with sand or weights, thereby providing an alternate anchoring means to stabilize the apparatus  10 . 
     The apparatus  10  is envisioned to also provide a number of accessory features such as, but not limited to: a mallet  80  or similar driving tool to drive the stakes  60  into a ground surface  100 ; various printed indicia displaying logos, figures, pictures, or the like; and, a food/drink platform  70  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a close-up view of a food/drink platform portion  70  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The food/drink platform  70  provides a convenient rectangular molded plastic appendage approximately one (1) foot square, to safely hold food and drink items. Said food/drink platform  70  provides removable attachment to a bottom surface of the towel assembly  20  along an edge portion, via corresponding integral hook-and-loop fastener portions  55  affixed to said towel assembly  20  and an edge portion of said food/drink platform  70 . Said food/drink platform  70  comprise a unitary plastic molded accessory portion further comprising a washable semi-rigid rectangular plastic platform further comprising having a pair of integrally-molded and recessed cylindrical drink holder pockets  75  and a flat upper surface providing a sufficient area so as to place various food items upon. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired color or pattern as well as desired length and width dimensions; placing the apparatus  10  upon a generally level ground surface  100  at a beach, a park, an athletic event grounds, or the like; attaching the ground mat  35  to the lower towel surface  30  of the towel assembly  20  using the perimeter hook-and-loop fasteners  55 , if said ground surface  100  is wet or dirty; securing the apparatus  10  to the ground surface  100  by inserting the stakes  60  through aligned pairs of grommets  40  upon said towel assembly  20  and said ground mat  35 ; driving the stakes  60  into the ground surface  100  using the mallet  80  until the stake head portion  62  of each stake  60  is flush with the top surface of the towel assembly  20 ; utilizing the apparatus  10  for sunbathing, resting, or the like, upon a ground surface  100 ; and, benefiting from a beach towel apparatus  10  being securely affixed to a ground surface  100 , thereby being protected from disturbances brought on by conditions such as wind, while using the present invention  10 . 
     The pouch portions  45  of the towel assembly  20  may also be utilized by performing the following steps: loading personal items into one (1) or more pouches  45  by opening one (1) or more respective zipper portions  50 ; and, loading personal items, food items, drink items, and the like, into said pouches  45  as desired. 
     The pouch portions  45  may also be utilized to stabilize the apparatus  10  by loading sand or weights into one (1) or more of said pouches  45 , as needed, during disrupting conditions such as windy conditions or the like. The pouches  45  are then closed using the zippers  50  to secure the contents. 
     The food/drink platform portion  70  of the apparatus  10  may be utilized by performing the following steps: attaching said food/drink platform  70  to a side portion of the towel assembly  20  using respective hook-and-loop fastener portions  55 ; and, utilizing said food/drink platform  70  to safely position drinks and food items. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.