Abstract:
The present invention includes a flexible device incorporating a magnet, and the method of manufacturing the device, wherein said device is used for holding an exercise towel against the metallic surfaces of fitness machines to promote the hygienic use of fitness towels. The device comprises an elongate strap having opposed and first and second end portions. An opening is provided in the first end portion for receiving a towel and a magnet is embedded within the second end portion for attaching the metallic surface of fitness machine. The invention includes a method for producing the device by using an open mold elongate cavity with a post attached to the base of the cavity of a first end of the elongate cavity for forming the opening in the device, and a metal post formed into the base of the second end of the cavity, the steps including: placing a magnet into the cavity at the second end, and positioning said magnet in proper location and orientation onto the top of said metallic post; filling said cavity with a liquid to cover the magnet in the second cavity end; and solidifying the liquid into a flexible material to form the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally fitness accessories for the hygienic and convenient use of exercise towels in a fitness facility and a method of making the device. More specifically, the invention includes a device incorporating a magnet for holding an exercise towel against the metallic surfaces of fitness machines such as found in fitness facilities. The present invention additionally includes a method of manufacturing the device. 
         [0004]    It is common practice for fitness facilities to require members to use exercise towels as a condition for use of the facilities. Such towels are used for wiping away perspiration during or after the workout on the body of the exerciser, or directly upon the exercise equipment after use. It is common courtesy for an exerciser to wipe perspiration from the seating and handles of the exercise equipment after use for hygienic use by the next person using the machine. 
         [0005]    During exercise on a fitness machine, the fitness facility user must decide where to place the towel during the workout. Although a towel can be placed in a pocket or waistband during a workout, many modern workout clothing outfits do not have suitable pockets or waistbands to accommodate a towel. Also, a fitness machine user can place the towel around the back of the neck, however, it is likely that the towel will fall to the ground during the workout. Also, placing the towel in a pocket, waistband or around the neck can restrict movement of the exerciser or otherwise interfere with movement during the exercise. Furthermore, the exerciser can chose to place the towel on the fitness equipment at the risk of having the towel fall to the floor or interfere with the operation of the exercise machine. Having the towel contact the floor is undesirable for a variety of hygienic reasons particularly in light of the recent increase in occurrences of sports related drug resistant microbes such as antibiotic-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus  bacteria (MRSA). 
         [0006]    Prior devices have been used and proposed to provide magnetic support of a towel on exercise equipments wherein the magnet is embedded directly into the towel such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,195, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, it would be desirable for a universal device that would be attachable to a standard type of workout towel for engaging the metal surfaces of exercise equipment and detachable for subsequent washing of the towel. As such, there is a long standing need in the art for a simple cost effective device that can be used to secure a standard workout towel to the magnetic surfaces of fitness equipment for the hygienic use of the towel. Furthermore, there is a need for a method for producing such a device on a cost effective and efficient basis. The device and method of present invention addresses these particular needs, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention includes a flexible device incorporating a magnet, and the method of manufacturing the device, wherein the device is used for holding an exercise towel against the metallic surfaces of fitness machines to promote the safe hygienic use fitness towels. The device comprises an elongate strap having opposed and first and second end portions. The device also has a continuous peripheral edge and top and bottom surfaces. An opening is formed in the first end portion for receiving a towel and a magnet is embedded, at least partially, within the second end portion for allowing the device to be attracted to and attached the metallic surface of fitness machine. 
         [0008]    In the first embodiment of the device of the present invention, the end portions have a greater cross-sectional depth than the depth of the intervening strap. This allows the middle strap portion to be more flexible. The devices is formed preferably from a semi-transparent flexible plastic or rubber like material. It is contemplated by the present invention that the magnets may include an informational sticker affixed to one or both sides of the magnet before it is embedded into the device structure. Because the device is formed from a semi-transparent material, the indicia found on the magnet can be seen through the material. As such, the device can be uses as a marketing tool for and can include a corporate logo or other similar information. 
         [0009]    The method of the invention includes a method for producing the device by using an aluminum or other non-magnetic material open mold elongate cavity with a post attached to the base of the cavity of a first end of the elongate cavity for forming the opening in the device, and a metal post formed into the base of the second end of the cavity. The cavity may be formed into a tray that may include multiple like cavities. The metal post is embedded into the base of the cavity and extends through the tray to be exposed on the underside of the tray. A magnet is position on the bottom of the tray against the metal post, effectively polarizing the post in a particular magnetic orientation. The method steps include placing a magnet into the cavity at the second end, and positioning said magnet in proper location and orientation onto the top of said metallic post. Because the metal post is magnetized in a particular orientation, the magnet will be positioned in proper orientation. In addition, the magnet can be centered on the post so that it is in proper alignment when a liquid is introduced into the mold. A step of the method includes filling the cavity with a liquid to cover the magnet in the second cavity end and then solidifying the liquid into a flexible material to form the device. Typically, the material will be introduced as a room temperature liquid that solidifies into a suitable flexible material. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment of the present invention involves the formation of the elongate strap with silicon rubber. The silicon rubber body is formed with the first end including a circular ridged structure such as washer that is included in the mold during forming of the body, with the washer aperture aligned with the opening in the first end. The second end is formed with a slot opening that allows a magnet to be inserted into the body after the silicon rubber has cooled. Because the silicon rubber body is formed using hot liquid silicon material, the magnet is introduced after formation of the body as heat exceeding 180 degrees Fahrenheit will degrade a rare earth magnet. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes a foil elongate strap. The foil strap is formed from two pieces of complimentary foil, with an adhesive that holds the pieces together when placed in contact. A first end of the foil strap includes a circular rigid structure, such as a washer, embedded between the foil strips, and with the opening placed alignment with openings in the foil strips to form an opening. A second end includes a circular magnet embedded between the strips of foil to provide the magnetized second end. As such the result is an elongate foil strip, having a reinforced opening in a first end for receiving an athletic towel, and a second end incorporating a magnet for contacting the metal surface of a fitness machine. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the elongate strap is formed from shrink tubing wherein a washer in incorporated into the first end and a magnet is incorporated into the second end. A hole is formed in the first end in alignment with the opening of the washer, and the ends of the shrink tubing are heat sealed. As such, the washer opening receives the towel and the second end of the strap includes the magnet for engaging the metal surface of a fitness machine. 
         [0013]    In an another embodiment of the present invention, the device of the first embodiment of the present invention, the device additionally includes a metal ring structure, such as a washer, embedded into the first end of the strap to provide additional structural support to the strap opening. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, the towel holder device is formed from two mirror image elongate pieces of elastic material. On the first end of both pieces, a cavity is formed so that when the two pieces are placed together, they envelope a magnet. On the second end, apertures are formed so that when the pieces are placed together the apertures align to form a single aperture for receiving a towel. The pieces are fixed together using a suitable adhesive. In a variation on the aforementioned embodiment, a recessed area can be formed around the apertures of the second end, sized to receive a rigid metal structure such as a washer. A washer is placed between the pieces along with the magnet to be enveloped when the two pieces are fixed together. 
         [0015]    In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, an elongate flexible body is formed from a suitable flexible material having top and bottom surfaces, with an aperture formed in the second end. A cavity is formed in the first end to receive a disc shaped magnet with a second tier recessed area, formed higher than the cavity but lower than the bottom surface of the flexible body. A flexible cover is provided to fit within the corresponding second tier recess area and is fixed into place with an adhesive, enveloping the magnet within the flexible body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional cutaway view of the elastic body of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is the side view of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the first embodiment of the device of the present invention engaged with a vertical metallic surface and holding an athletic towel; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows the device of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention engaged with a horizontal metallic surface and holding an athletic towel; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the towel of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention engaged with a vertical metallic surface; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a portion of open cavity molds used in the method to form the device of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a mold cavity used in the method to form the device of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the cavity and mold including the magnetic insert to demonstrate the method forming the device of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the mold, with the device material included within the mold to form the first embodiment of the device of the present invention in accordance with the method of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the mold along with a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention being removed from the mold in accordance with the method of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a cut away view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is top plan view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 16A  is a cross sectional view of the device of the second embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 16B  is a cross sectional view of the device of a third embodiment of the device of the present invention, using corresponding foil parts; 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device of the present invention using shrink tubing; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is a cut away view of an alternate embodiment of the first embodiment of the present invention incorporating a washer to provide structural support to the aperture; 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is a cross sectional exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention showing two piece construction; 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention showing the two piece construction fixed in place; 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the fifth embodiment of the present invention incorporating a washer to provide structural support to the aperture; 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is a cross sectional exploded view of an sixth embodiment of the present invention showing two piece construction wherein the second piece covers a magnet to be incorporated into the device; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a cross sectional of the sixth embodiment of the present invention showing the two piece construction fixed in place. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 4  a first embodiment of the present invention is shown of the towel holder device  10 . The towel holder device  10  is formed of a strong flexible rubber like material preferably polyurethane but can also be formed of silicone rubber. In this embodiment, the flexible material is semitransparent, however, the flexible material could be formed of an opaque flexible material. A first raised circular end  12  is interconnected to a raised circular end  14  by an elongate strap  16 . The elongate strap  16  includes a generally plainer top surface  18  and generally planar bottom surface  20 . This strap also includes peripheral edges  22  and  24 . The strap  16  interconnects the circular ends  12  and  14 , and end  14  includes aperture  26 . The aperture  26  is preferably a circular open used to allow the passage of a athletic towel to be held in place as shown in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 5  through  7 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows a circular aperture  26 , it is understood the aperture can be any suitable shape. On the opposite end of the strap  16  is the second circular end  14  that includes a magnet  28  embedded within the flexible device  10 . Preferably, the elastic material of the device  10  is semitransparent to allow the magnet  28  to be seen through the exterior surface of the device  10 . Preferably, the magnet would include visible indicia such as a logo to be included on the surface of the magnet and viewable through the surface of the device  10 . As such, the device  10  can be used as a promotional item for gymnasiums or corporations that could include their logo on the magnet surface. 
         [0042]    The device  10  is shown in operation in  FIGS. 5 through 7 . In operation, the second end of the device  10  incorporating the magnet  28  is placed against a metallic surface of a fitness machine. The soft flexible material of the device  10  will not damage the metallic surface  30  when engaged. The magnet is of sufficient strength to forcefully engage the metallic surface  30  and to support the weight of an athletic towel  32  while remaining in place. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7  the device can be attached on the vertical side of the metallic surface  30 , and the magnet has sufficient strength to remain in place even with the athletic towel incorporated through the aperture  26 . The soft flexible surface of the device  10  additionally adds friction to hold the device in place.  FIG. 6  shows the device  10  engaged with a horizontal metallic surface  34 . Utilizing the magnet  28  on a horizontal surface, increases the weight the device  10  is capable of supporting. The magnet  28  is preferably formed of a three quarter inch diameter rare earth magnet having ⅛ inch thickness. The device attached to a vertical surface is capable of holding approximately three (3) lbs. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 through 12  there is shown a method for manufacturing the athletic towel holder device as described in  FIGS. 1 through 7 .  FIG. 8  shows a top view of the open cavity urethane mold  36 .  FIGS. 9 through 12  show a cross-section  9 - 9  of the mold  36 . It is contemplated by the method that the method can be accomplished by a single mold, or upon a tray  38  that incorporates several open cavity molds as shown in the example of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0044]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 9  there is shown a cross- figure 9-9  of the open cavity mold  36  of  FIG. 8 . The open cavity includes a shallow region  40  used for forming the strap  16  as shown in  FIG. 12 . A first circular end  42  and second circular end  44  includes a deeper open cavity than the shallow strap region  40  to form the device as shown in  FIG. 1 . The first end  42  includes a post  46  formed into the base of the cavity extending the entire depth of the first end  42 . In the second cavity end  44  a metallic post  48  is formed into the base of the cavity and which extends through to the bottom surface of the tray  38  pool. A mold magnet  50  is fastened to the bottom of the tray  38  by a fastening means such as a tape  52  such that magnet  52  contacts the post  48  thereby magnetizing the post in a desired polarity. 
         [0045]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 10  the magnet  28  is centered onto the post  48  within the open cavity of the second end  44 . The post  48  aids in centering the magnet within the cavity  44 , as the post  48  is magnetized for a specific polarity by the magnet  50  the magnet  28  can only be positioned on the post  48  in the correct desired polarity. If the magnet is inserted incorrectly the post  48  would repel the magnet and not allow it to rest in position within the cavity  44 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the open cavity receives a liquid material  54  that is poured into the open cavity mold and allowed to cure and harden to form the flexible body of the device  10  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The liquid material envelopes the magnet  28  and forms around the post  46  to form the aperture  26  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The liquid material is typically a two part polyurethane material that is easy to utilize, but can also be rubber. The use of an open cavity mold is preferred in using the rare earth magnets as the earth magnets of sufficient strength will lose their magnetic attractive properties upon reaching a temperature of 180 degrees or more. As such, the liquid plastic material poured into the mold as shown in  FIG. 11  will be introduced into the mold at a temperature below 180 degrees, and allowed to cure to be removed from the mold as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0047]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 13 through 16A , there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention showing a device  54 . The device  54  operates in the same fashion as the device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1  though  7 , however, the device is formed by single piece silicone rubber. 
         [0048]    More particularly, the device  54  includes a first end  60  incorporating an aperture  62  for receiving an athletic towel. The first end  60  incorporates a washer  56  within the silicone rubber of the device  54 . Elongate strap  53  interconnects the first end  60  with the second end  64 . The second end  64  has a rare earth magnet  58  embedded between the silicone layers for providing the magnetic attraction necessary for engaging the device  54  against the metallic surface of a fitness machine. An opening  51  is provided in the formation of the silicone rubber to insert the magnetic disk  58  to the interior of the second end  64 . The magnet  58  is inserted after formation of the silicone rubber because the silicone rubber device  54  is produced in a high heat exceeding 180 degrees. Rare earth magnets degrade above a certain heat threshold and accordingly, the magnetic disk  58  is inserted after the device  54  is formed. The opening  51  may be sealed after insertion of the disk  58  to prevent the magnetic disk  58  from becoming dislodged from the device  54 .  FIG. 14  shows a cutaway view of the device  54  showing the washer  56  and the magnetic disk  58 .  FIG. 16A  shows a cross-sectional view along the lines  16 A in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0049]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 16B  there is shown a third embodiment of the present invention showing a device  55 . The device  54  operates in the same fashion as the device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1  though  7 , however, the device is formed by a layered foil configuration. A washer  57  and rare earth magnet  59  are layered between two sections of elongate foil that are held in place by an adhesive.  FIG. 16B  shows the device  55  in cross sectional view with a first end  61  incorporating an aperture  63  for receiving an athletic towel. An opening is formed in both long strips of foil before they are placed together by an adhesive, in alignment with the aperture  63  of the washer  57 . It is also contemplated that the aperture can be formed once the washer is placed between the foil strips by punching out the foil in the aperture of washer  57 . The washer  57  provides structural rigidity to the device  55  so that a athletic towel may be received within the aperture  63  without degrading the foil structure of the device  55 . A second end  65  has a rare earth magnet  59  embedded between the foil layer, and providing the magnetic attraction necessary for engaging the device  55  against the metallic surface of a fitness machine. As shown in  FIG. 16B  the rare earth magnet  59  is embedded between a first layer foil  67  and a second layer foil  69 . Likewise, a washer  57  is embedded between the layers of foil  67  and  69 . An aperture formed in the foil  67  and  69  is in substantial alignment with the opening of the washer  57 . 
         [0050]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 17  there is shown a third embodiment of the present invention showing a device  70 . The device  70  is formed with shrink tubing where a washer  72  is placed within the shrink tubing sleeve and a rare earth magnetic  74  is inserted in the opposite end of the shrink tubing. The shrink tubing is heated to a desirable temperate such that the shrink tubing envelopes the washer  72  and rare earth magnet  74  forming an elongate device  70  with the tubing between the washer  72  and magnet  74  forming the interconnecting strap  76 . An aperture  78  is pierced through the tubing in alignment with the opening of the washer  72 . As such, the device  70  as shown in  FIG. 17  may operate in similar fashion to the first embodiment as shown in operation in  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0051]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 18 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown as device  80 . The device  80  is structurally similar to the device  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 , however, in the fourth embodiment the device  80  additionally incorporates a washer  82  into the first end  84  where the opening of the washer  82  is in substantial alignment with the opening of the first end  84 . As in the first embodiment, a rare earth magnet  88  is embedded within the second circular end  86 . The device  80  is shown in cross-sectional view, in  FIG. 18  and in operation acts similar to the device  10  as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . The washer  82  provides additional support for the aperture  90 . The device  80  of  FIG. 18  may be formed in accordance with the method of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 8-12 , with the additional step of the placement of the washer  82  upon the post  46 . Accordingly, when liquid is introduced into the open cavity  54  it additionally envelopes the washer  82  as well as the rare earth magnet  88 . The washer  82  provides additional structural support to the first circular end  84  of the device  80 . 
         [0052]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 19 and 20  there is shown a fifth embodiment of the present invention as device  90 . The device is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  as cross-sectional views of the device  120 . 
         [0053]    The device  90  is formed from two strips of elongate elastic material  92  and  94 . In a first end of the device  90  apertures  96  and  98  are formed in the strips  92  and  94 . The strips  92  and  94  are formed from an elastic material to provide flexibility. The strips  92  and  94  additionally include recesses  100  and  102  respectively on the second end of the device  90 . A magnetic disc  104  is provided to the sandwiched between the layers  92  and  94 , and the layers  92  and  94  are secured together by an adhesive. The device  90  will operate in the same fashion as the first embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1  though  7 , however, the device is formed by separate strips  92  and  94 . An alternative to the fourth embodiment is shown in  FIG. 21 . The device  106  shown in  FIGS. 21  is a cross-sectional view. In  FIG. 21  a device  106  is shown with formed of two strips  108  and  110  and a magnetic disk  112  sandwiched between the layers secured together by an adhesive. The layers  108  and  110  additionally include recesses formed around openings  114  and  116  to form a single aperture. A metallic washer  118  is inserted into the recesses and sandwiched between layers  108  and  110 . the washer provides additional structural support for the aperture formed by aperture  114  to  116 . 
         [0054]    Referring particularly to  FIGS. 22 and 23  is shown a sixth embodiment of the present invention and is shown as device  120 . Again, the device  120  operates in the same fashion as the device  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , however, the device is formed from two pieces of material. Elongate flexible strip  122  is formed having an aperture  124  formed in the first end of the device  120 , the aperture  124  used for receiving an athletic towel. The device shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23  is a cross-sectional view of the device  120 . As shown in  FIG. 22  a second piece of flexible material  126  is provided to act as a cover for securing a rare earth magnet disk  128  into a recess  130 . A shallow recess  132  is additionally provided in strip  122  to mate with the flexible strip  126  and is shown in place in  FIG. 23 . The strip  126  is secured to the strip  122  by an adhesive material to envelope the magnetic disk  128  and to hold it in place within the device  120 . 
         [0055]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.