Patent Publication Number: US-6901615-B1

Title: Beach umbrella towel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to towels and pillows. More specifically, the invention is a beach towel having various geometric shapes, and is used in conjunction with an umbrella by having an aperture for the umbrella handle in a selected location. There are pillows proximate the aperture. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The related art of interest describes various beach towels, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for a combination beach towel having an aperture for the post or handle of a beach umbrella and at least one attached pillow for lying comfortably on the beach. The related art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,257 B1 issued on Jan. 7, 2003, to Rosemary Glenn describes a beach blanket for receiving an umbrella so that the umbrella is positioned over the blanket comprising a flexible square panel having a centered opening with a doubled circular device angled at an incline over the aperture and supported by a flexible plate with fastening means such as hook and loop fastening, snaps or zippers. The device is distinguishable for requiring a fixed support around the opening. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,667 issued on Sep. 20, 1994, to Sam Schwarz et al. describes a protective beach appliance comprising a satchel for carrying a beach umbrella having a handle in three parts, and a rectangular blanket having a centered opening with a protective ring. The device is distinguishable for requiring a protective ring for the opening. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,322 issued on Dec. 12, 1950, to Saul Kober describes a beach umbrella comprising a folding umbrella having a small circular table on its handle and inserted through a wood center piece of a circular ground cloth having a zipper from the center out to the peripheral edge. The device is distinguishable for requiring a wood center piece and a zipper in the circular ground cloth. 
   France Patent Application No. 2 589 702 A1 published May 15, 1987, to Marc Legayan describes a parasol head rest comprising a parasol attachable to a foam or inflatable mattress consisting of a foam or inflatable head rest on a metal or polyvinyl chloride tubular frame, and having a fixed or orientable fastening system. The device is distinguishable for requiring a foam or inflatable mattress and attachment to an edge of the headrest portion. 
   U.S. Des. Pat. No. 360,793 issued on Aug. 1, 1995, to Solomon Nwani describes an ornamental combined beach mat and sunshade comprising a rectangular rubber or plastic mat having a built-in pillow and two sunshades with an upright rod at one end. The combined ornamental beach mat and sunshades is distinguishable for requiring a built-in pillow and two sunshades. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2003/0019034 A1 published on Jan. 30, 2003, for Michael A. Hyduk describes a kit of beach products comprising a rectangular towel having loops at each corner, ground anchor pins, a capped cup holder, and a flag. The kit is distinguishable for lacking an aperture in the towel for anchoring a beach umbrella. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,057 issued on Oct. 6, 1959, to Lisa M. Specht describes a rectangular beach sheet and six anchoring pins for the sheet&#39;s grommets. The device is distinguishable for requiring grommets and anchoring pins, and lacking an aperture for a beach umbrella. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,237,904 issued on Mar. 1, 1966, to Michael Abruzese describes a beach blanket anchor comprising four headed staffs to anchor a rectangular beach blanket at its corners. The beach blanket is distinguishable for lacking an aperture for a beach umbrella. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,754 issued on Jul. 15, 1986, to Robert W. Mairs, III et al. describes a combination wind screen and beach blanket apparatus comprising a rectangular beach blanket having a pair of apertures in each corner for inserting a pair of poles to support two upright screen assemblies on two adjacent sides. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring poles and screens. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,463 issued on Oct. 22, 1991, to Michael V. Peters describes a folding mat and shelter apparatus comprising a circular mat held by an outer rim reinforced by a steel ribbon. Three tent stakes at the periphery of the mat hold the mat in place. Three frame members made of fiberglass or metal pivot from diametrically opposed points. The frame members support a two-piece cover made of a nylon-Dacron mesh material. A center hole having a closable flap can be used for an umbrella. The circular mat is made of a soft cellular foam such as neoprene rubber covered by a Lycra fabric. A rectangular storage pouch is integrated with the mat proximate an edge and can be used as a pillow. The apparatus is distinguishable for requiring a circular mat having three frame members and a tent cover. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,343 issued on Oct. 13, 1998, to Dominic C. Zampirri, Jr. et al. describes a multi-purpose combination blanket and tote bag comprising a circular towel converted to form a large tote bag with a spring-loaded clip and drawstrings. When open, the blanket is 82 inches in diameter. The blanket has a layer of absorbent cotton blend cloth backed by a layer of waterproof nylon. The blanket has a double drawstring channel two-thirds away from its center having waterproof lining. A large grommet located proximate an edge of the blanket would accommodate a beach umbrella. The spring-loaded clip is attached to the side of the blanket-bag or, alternatively, to its bottom center to engage the drawstrings to form a carrying strap. The device is distinguishable for requiring a combination blanket and tote bag configuration with a spring clip to engage the drawstrings to form a carrying strap. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,571 issued on May 4, 1999, to Damon T. Chalk describes a beach towel, tote bag and beach umbrella system comprising a circular terry cloth towel member seven feet in diameter having a peripheral drawstring, a circular terry cloth umbrella member of the same diameter connected by a 2 part upright umbrella support pole. The device is distinguishable for requiring a tote bag configuration for the towel and umbrella. 
   France Patent No. 2 400 873 published on Mar. 23, 1979, for Jacques Galko describes as best understood a base cloth having a small base (or foot end) connected by its wider head portion to a semicircular shaped and zippered pouch with an apertured horizontal stand for supporting a beach umbrella located between two hand grips. The pouch has a zipper opening adjacent the head portion for rolling in the base portion. The device is distinguishable for requiring a zippered holding bag and an external horizontal apertured stand for holding an umbrella. 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a beach umbrella towel solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The beach umbrella towel is used in conjunction with a beach or picnic umbrella. The towel can have a variety of shapes such as rectangular, square or circular. There is at least one aperture in a selected place in the towel to locate an umbrella post or handle. One to four stuffed pillows having rectangular, arcuate or circular shapes are attached to the towel adjacent the aperture, by either hook and loop fastening or sewing. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a beach umbrella towel. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a beach umbrella towel having at least one aperture for locating the post or handle of a beach umbrella. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a beach umbrella towel having a variety of shapes such as rectangular, square or circular. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a beach umbrella towel having one to four pillows attached. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A-1F  are top plan views of six different rectangular beach umbrella towel arrangements, wherein each towel has an aperture for a beach umbrella and pillow(s), all according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  are top plan views of four different arrangements of square beach towels, wherein each towel has an aperture for a beach umbrella and pillow(s). 
       FIGS. 3A-3D  are top plan views of four different arrangements of circular beach towels, wherein each towel has an aperture for a beach umbrella and pillow(s). 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is directed to a first embodiment in  FIGS. 1A through 1F  of a rectangular beach umbrella towel  10  comprising a towel having an aperture  12  and up to four stuffed rectangular pillows  14  attached to the beach towel by hook and loop fastening or sewn at one end (hidden). The beach pillows in this invention all have one edge that is extended to allow the attachment of hook or loop fastening patches to appropriate loop or hook fastening patches on the towel  10 . 
     FIG. 1B  has the aperture  12  located in the center of the rectangular towel  16  with four arcuate pillows  18 . 
     FIG. 1C  has a circular pillow  20  surrounding the aperture  12  of towel  22 . 
     FIG. 1D  has the aperture  12  located adjacent one short end of the towel  24  with a rectangular pillow  26  located on the  10  inside of the aperture. 
     FIG. 1E  has the aperture  12  in a corner with a crescent moon-shaped pillow  30  opposite the aperture and the corner. 
     FIG. 1F  has the aperture  12  in a corner with three attached rectangular pillows  34  surrounding the aperture except for an open side. The pillows  34  form an inverted “U” configuration around the aperture. 
   The dimensions of the rectangular towels  10 ,  16 ,  20 ,  24 ,  28 , and  32  are preferably  9  feet by  6  feet, but can clearly be any size. The rectangular towels can have up to six pillows, but up to 4 pillows is preferred. The apertures  12  can be any size appropriate for the specific handle of an umbrella used, but a three-inch diameter is preferred. The pillows can be 5 in. to 10 in. in width, 2 in. 4 in. thick, and 4 ft. to 6 ft. in length; but 5.5 in. in width, 2.75 in. thickness, and a length of 8.5 in. is preferred. 
   Turning to the second embodiment of square beach towels,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a square towel  36  having two rectangular pillows  38  straddling the aperture  12 .  FIG. 2B  depicts a square beach towel  40  having four rectangular pillows  42  equidistantly spaced around the aperture  12  in the form of a square.  FIG. 2C  shows a square towel  44  having the aperture  12  in a corner surrounded by four equal sized 90-degree pillows  46  to form a circle.  FIG. 2D  illustrates a square towel  48  having the aperture  12  in a corner partially surrounded by circular pillow  50  covering an arc of 270 degrees. 
   The square towels  36 ,  40 ,  44 , and  48  are preferably 8 ft. by 10 ft. The pillows can number up to six, but up to four pillows is preferred. The aperture  12  is preferably 3 inches in diameter. The pillow size can be 6 to 10 inches long, 2 to 4 inches in thickness, and 4 to 6 inches wide, but a preferred size is 8.5 inches in length, 5.5 inches wide, and 2.75 inches thick. 
   Turning now to third and last embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 3A  to  3 D, a circular towel  52  in  FIG. 3A  has the aperture  12  surrounded by four rectangular pillows  54  adjacent the edge.  FIG. 3B  shows a circular towel  56  having its aperture  12  surrounded by a circular pillow  58 . FIG.  3 C has a centered aperture  12  surrounded by four rectangular pillows  62  to form a square configuration.  FIG. 3D  depicts a circular towel  64  having two apertures  12  located opposite each other adjacent the edge of the towel  64 . The first configuration  66  surrounds aperture  12  four arcuate pillows  68 . The second configuration  70  has a semicircular pillow  72  adjacent the aperture  12 . Thus, two umbrellas can be placed in the circular towel  64  for housing or protecting two groups of children. 
   The preferred size of a circular towel has a diameter of 3 to 5 feet. The circular towel can have up to six pillows, but up to four pillows is preferred. The preferred size of the aperture for the umbrella is 3 inches in diameter. The pillows can be 6 to 10 inches in length, 2 to 4 inches in thickness, and 4 to 6 inches in width. A preferred size is 8.5 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 2.75 inches in thickness. 
   The preferred towel fabric is cotton, but other materials such as polyester can be utilized. The pillow fabric can be identical to the towel fabric. The pillow filling is preferably polyester. The ends of the pillows are wrapped up around the pillow and folded up for storage in a bag if detachable from the towel. 
   It should be noted that the pillows of any configuration can have ends which are not perpendicular. 
   Thus, various towel shapes, various locations of the aperture(s), and various shapes and number of pillows have been shown for the satisfaction of any user. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.