Abstract:
A multi-surface towel is afforded. A first piece of material has an absorbent surface. A second piece of material is coupled to the first piece of material and has a surface suitable for polishing. A third piece of material is coupled to the first and second piece of material and has an abrasive surface. Thus, the towel is multi-functional.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/826,427 filed Apr. 16, 2004 entitled “A Multi-Surface Towel” and now ______, which is a continuation of and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/264,456 filed Oct. 4, 2002 entitled “A Multi-Surface Towel” and now abandoned, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/391,914 filed Jun. 25, 2002 entitled “A Golf Towel.” The disclosure of all these applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to the field of towels, and more particularly to a multi-surface towel having various materials for performing different functions.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0005]     Ideally, golf courses require manicured grass, which is watered often in order to maintain green color and durability of the grass. Due to the damp grass, golf balls and golf clubs frequently accumulate mud and dirt. Further, course hazards, such as water obstacles, sand traps, etc. result in a wet or dirty golf ball and/or golf club. Because a golfer&#39;s hands often come in contact with the wet and dirty golf balls and golf clubs, the golfer&#39;s hands become wet and soiled as well. Accordingly, golfers tend to carry golf towels in order to clean and dry hands and golf equipment.  
         [0006]     Conventional golf towels are typically small terry cloth towels attached to a golf bag in some manner. The golf towels are utilized to dry the golfer&#39;s hands, as well as the golfer&#39;s equipment. The mud and/or dirt on golf clubs and golf balls are often cleaned off utilizing the golf towel as well. Eventually, the golf towel itself becomes exceedingly soiled and is thus no longer capable of providing a proper surface for drying and cleaning hands, equipment, etc. Accordingly, traditional golf towels are habitually impractical for providing a drying and cleaning surface.  
         [0007]     In addition, traditional golf towels are an inadequate means of cleaning stubborn dirt from balls and/or clubs. Mud is frequently left to dry on the golf ball and/or golf club. The temperature may be such that the mud dries on the golf equipment in between plays, or equipment may not have been cleaned following the end of a game of golf, etc. The terry cloth surface of conventional golf towels cannot sufficiently remove dried-on mud, or even sand embedded in the seams of a golf club head. Because the smallest amount of substance on golf equipment can interfere with play, the ability to remove even the minutest debris is paramount.  
         [0008]     Additionally, once golf equipment is cleaned, the equipment commonly dulls in appearance. Traditional golf towels do not provide materials for polishing golf clubs. Disadvantageously, terry cloth can partially clean a surface in some instances, but it is not capable of actually polishing the surface of golf clubs to produce a shine and remove more subtle remnants of debris.  
         [0009]     Similarly, other sports and activities require cleaning of equipment and accessories associated with the sport. For example, cyclists often meticulously clean their cycles. As another example, bowling accessories, such as bowling balls, bowling shoes, bowling bags, etc. frequently accumulate debris and must be cleaned and polished.  
         [0010]     Thus, there is a need for a towel with surfaces for cleaning stubborn stains from equipment, for polishing the equipment, and for drying the equipment. There is a further need for the towel to dry a player&#39;s hands, a player&#39;s shoes, etc.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides in various embodiments a towel having multiple surfaces. A first piece of material has an absorbent surface. A second piece of material is coupled to the first piece of material and has a surface suitable for polishing. A third piece of material is coupled to the first and second piece of material, and has an abrasive surface.  
         [0012]     A multi-surface towel according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first piece of material having an absorbent surface. The first piece of material forms a first side of the towel. A second piece of material, having a surface suitable for polishing, comprises a portion of a second side of the towel. A third piece of material has an abrasive surface, which comprises a portion of the second side of the towel contiguous with the second piece of material.  
         [0013]     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventions herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front side of a towel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a back side of the towel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of material configuration of the towel of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is yet another alternative embodiment of material configuration of the towel of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is still another alternative embodiment of material configuration of the towel of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is still further alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is an alternative embodiment of means for attaching the towel of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     As shown in the exemplary drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements among the figures, embodiments of a system according to the present invention will now be described in detail. The following description sets forth examples of multi-surface towels. Reference is made to the multi-surface towel in terms of a golf towel. While the multi-surface towel presents various advantages for use in the game of golf, one skilled in the art will recognize that the multi-surface towel has uses in a variety of sports and activities in general.  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front side of a towel  100  is shown. The front side includes an absorbent material  102 . The absorbent material  102  may be terry cloth, for example. The towel  100  further includes an opening  104 . The opening  104  may further include a reinforcer  106 , such as a grommet. Additionally, a clip  108  may be inserted through the opening  104  in order to fasten the towel  100  to a bag or other equipment. For example, the towel  100  may be a golf towel, which may be attached to a golf bag. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a graphic  110  may be printed on the towel  100  for purposes of advertising, identifying the owner, etc.  
         [0023]     A variety of materials or fabrics may be used for the absorbent material  102  that forms the front side of the towel  100 . As previously discussed, terry cloth fabric may be utilized. Typically, terry cloth is made with cotton. However, terry cloth itself is available in various forms and may be made with various materials. For instance, terry cloth may be made with microfiber, such as a polyester blend, a stretch type material, etc. Further, terry cloth may be categorized as rich pile, velour, looped pile, sheared pile, etc. Ideally, loosely twisted loops tend to be softer and more absorbent, while tightly twisted loops tend to make a rougher fabric. Additionally, long pile tends to be more absorbent than short pile. Although terry cloth has been described for use in the present invention, any suitable absorbent material  102  may be utilized to form the front side of the towel  100  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]     Additionally, any type of opening  104  may be formed and any type of reinforcer  106  may be employed that is suitable for use with the present invention. Advantageously, the reinforcer  106  strengthens and/or augments the opening  104  so as to bolster the opening  104 , and allow entry of the clip  108 . The clip  108  may be any type of clip  108  that is suitable for use with the present invention. For example, a heavy duty clip  108 , such as a carabiner, may be utilized. As another example, a light clip, such as a ring typically used with key chains may be utilized.  
         [0025]     As a further example, any type of attachment mechanism suitable for use with the present invention may be utilized. For instance, a strap and buckle may be inserted through the opening, allowing the towel  100  to be buckled to an object in some manner.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a back side of the towel  100  is shown. The back side of the towel  100  includes a polishing material  202  that extends only a portion of the way down the back side. The remainder of the back side includes an abrasive material  204 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the opening  104  on the back side of the towel  100  is contiguous with the opening  104  from the front side of the towel  100 . Further, the reinforcer  106  extends through, or is otherwise attached, to the back side of the towel  100  consistent with the front side of the towel  100 .  
         [0027]     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the polishing material  202  is 13.5 inches along its length and 12 inches along its width, while the abrasive material  204  is 2.5 inches along its length and 12 inches along its width. This configuration dictates that the polishing material  202  extends down its elongated portion ⅚ to ⅞ of the way, with the abrasive material  204  extending down its elongated portion ⅙ to ⅛ of the entire length of the second side of the towel  100 . The towel  100  shown in  FIG. 2  is 16 inches by 12 inches. However, any suitable size towel  100  may be employed in accordance with the present invention. The length and width may be any variety of sizes. For example, a larger size may be particularly useful for cleaning the inside and outside of automobiles.  
         [0028]     Furthermore, any suitable proportions of the polishing material  202  and abrasive material  204  may be employed. For example, the polishing material  202  may only extend down ¾ of the total length of the towel  100 , while the abrasive material extends down ¼ of the entire length of the towel  100 . As another example, the polishing material  202  and abrasive material  204  may each occupy equal space on the second side of the towel  100 , etc.  
         [0029]     The polishing material  202  may include any material suitable for polishing. For example, chamois (i.e. a soft, pliant leather) is a polishing material that may be utilized. Although chamois originates from the skin of a chamois, it may be made from the skin of sheep, goat, kid, deer, and calf. As another example, cotton fabric may be made to resemble chamois, and may also be utilized as a polishing cloth.  
         [0030]     The abrasive material  204  may include any materials suitable for use with the present invention. A scrub pad, for example, may be utilized. Scrub pads and abrasive materials, generally, may include nylon, linen, loufa, sisal, wool, abrasive walnut shell, etc. The abrasive material  204  may also be scratch free.  
         [0031]     The front side and the back side of the towel  100  may be attached to form the towel  100  in any suitable manner. For example, the front side and the back side of the towel  100  may be sewn together, snapped together, adhered together in some manner, etc.  
         [0032]     An advantage of the towel  100  is that it is washable. Traditional golf towels, for example, often fray when washed. The towel  100  of the present invention maintains its form due to the front side of the towel  100  being bound to the second side of the towel  100 .  
         [0033]     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the abrasive material  204  may be located on the front side of the towel  100 , sharing a portion of the elongated section with the absorbent material  102 . In such an embodiment, the polishing material  202  constitutes the entire back side of the towel  100 . Alternatively, any combination of the absorbent material  102 , polishing material  202 , and abrasive material  204  is possible in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0034]     In use, the towel  100  of the present invention offers many advantages. For example, rather than carrying several towels or cleaning items, only one towel  100  is needed. The absorbent material  102  is useful for drying hands, drying a golf club, etc. The abrasive material  204  is often needed for cleaning stubborn dirt off a club, removing residue from seams in a club head, etc. The polishing material  202  is useful for polishing club heads, club shafts, etc.  
         [0035]     The towel  100  of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with any sport or activity in general. For example, the towel  100  of the present invention may be utilized to clean and polish a pair of shoes, golf related or otherwise. Further, furniture, jewelry, audio visual equipment, etc. may be cleaned utilizing the towel  100  of the present invention. As previously discussed, the towel  100  may be particularly useful for cleaning the interior and exterior of an automobile. A variety of uses are contemplated.  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  both indicate stitch lines along the periphery of the towel  100  and along the abrasive material  204  section. Stitch lines may show both on the side of the towel  100  on which the particular material is sewn, as well as on the opposing side. It shall be noted that any manner of combining the materials discussed herein suitable for use with the present invention may be employed. In other words, although the  FIGS. 1-7  indicate stitch lines, the materials may be joined via any other methods. For example, the materials may be joined via an adhesive.  
         [0037]     In one embodiment, an opening may be included along a side of the towel  100 . In other words, the materials may be joined together, except for a section that does not join the materials together. Such a section provides an area for a user to insert a hand, for better manipulation of the towel  100  and item for which the towel  100  is being utilized.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment as discussed herein is shown. A front side of a towel  300  comprises an absorbent material  302 . The absorbent material  302  extends down a portion of the front side of the towel. An abrasive material  304  extends down the remaining portion of the front side of the towel. As discussed herein, the respective portions may be any portions suitable for use with the present invention. A back side of the towel  300  comprises a material suitable for polishing. It should be noted that reference to a front side and a back side of the towel  100 ,  300  is made for purposes of illustration and accordingly, the materials discussed may be located on either the front side or the back side of the towel  100 ,  300 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of a towel  400  is shown. A front side of the towel  400  comprises an absorbent material  402  extending down a portion of the front side, while a polishing material  404  extends down the remaining portion of the front side of the towel  400 . The back side of the towel  400  comprises an abrasive material  406 .  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of a towel  500  is shown. The front side of the towel  500  is either an absorbent material or a polishing material. An abrasive material  506  extends vertically down the left side of the towel  500 . Thus, the abrasive material  506  extends along a portion from a top to a bottom of the front side of the towel  500 , the absorbent material  502  or the polishing material  504  extending along the remaining portion between the top and bottom of the front side of the towel  500 . Alternatively, the abrasive material  506  may extend down the right side of the towel  500 . The back side of the towel  500  is comprised of whichever material (i.e., absorbent material  502  or polishing material  504 ) does not comprise the front side of the towel  500 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of a towel  600  is shown. A front side of the towel  600  comprises an absorbent material  602 . A back side of the towel  600  comprises a polishing material  604 . Further comprising the second side of the towel  600  is a triangular section of abrasive material  606  at either the right or left edge of the towel  600 . Alternatively, the front side of the towel  600  may comprise the polishing material  604 , having a back side comprised of the absorbent material  602  and a triangular section of abrasive material  606 . As another alternative, a triangular section of abrasive material  606  may comprise both edges of either the front or back side of the towel  600 .  
         [0042]     Another embodiment includes a portion of each material occupying a portion of each side of the towel  600 . For example, a front side of the towel  600  may include a strip of absorbent material, polishing material, and abrasive material arranged either horizontally or vertically along the front side. A back side of the same towel  600  may include a similar configuration or one of the materials, two of the materials, etc. Furthermore, a front side of the towel  600  may include an absorbent material with a strip of abrasive material occupying a portion of the space of the front side, while a back side of the towel  600  includes a polishing material with a strip of abrasive material occupying the remaining space on the back side. Accordingly, both the front side and the back side of the towel may include abrasive material, in strip form, triangular form, a square section on either edge of the towel  600 , etc.  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the towel  100  is shown. In this embodiment, the opening  104  and reinforcer  106  are replaced by a snap  702  for attaching the towel to an object via snapping it in place. The snap  702  may include either the male or female section only, the object including the reciprocating section. As an alternative, the towel  700 , itself, may include the reciprocating section of the snap  702  in another area on the towel  100 . For example, an opposing edge may include the reciprocating section of the snap  702 , allowing the towel  100  to be snapped around an object, to an object, etc.  
         [0044]     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, strings may extend from the towel  700 , allowing the towel  100  to be tied to an object. As another example of attachment means, a button may be included on the towel  700  for attaching the towel to an object. An opening for the button may be included on the object for fastening the towel  700  thereto. Alternatively, the towel  700 , itself, may include the opening for the button, allowing the towel to be fastened to the object by buttoning the towel  700  together. As another option, the towel  700  may be fastened to a button on the object via the button hole on the towel  700 . Any attachment means suitable for use with the present invention is possible.  
         [0045]     The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.