Patent Description:
The ball boy typically stands in readiness, however, at a location away from the placement of the towel. To retrieve the towel for the player, the ball boy must first run to the line umpire chair before heading to the players, which results in lost time. The ball boy must also return to the ready position outside the playing area as quickly as possible, and therefore has less time to properly place a towel on the chair.

The ball boy is typically also instructed to spread out the towel before handing it to the player, shortening the time the player will need to dry himself off. This may require some delay in handing the towel to the player, as the towel is seldom placed such that it is neatly spread out between points. Even during the same match, at each end of the court, the towel may be in different locations and, as the ball boys are typically rotated, the towel will further be found randomly in more than one spot. In this case, the player will not immediately know which ball boy to signal when the towel is desired, resulting at times in delay between points. The placement of the towel on a line umpire chair also requires the ball boy to manoeuvre around the line umpire who stands right in front of the chair. The chair may further sit within a closed box, further adding a degree of awkwardness in placing the towel neatly on the chair.

In terms of appearance, a sweat drenched towel in full view of television viewers, often in close ups and lying in rumpled disarray in any of the aforementioned locations, is not aesthetically pleasing and reduces the attractiveness of tennis as a global sport.

Most professional tennis tournaments are played outdoors. Some, such as the Australian Open during summer months, can reach on court temperatures exceeding <NUM>° C. During changeovers, many players require shading from the sun and ice packs, so severe is the effect of the heat. Profuse sweating is a typical result. Heat affected players may take more time between points in order to recover, causing stoppage and delays in play and increasing match length.

Furthermore, the placement of a towel on a chair results in the line umpires sitting on a chair which had a sweat soaked towel laying upon it, and further results in the players wiping their faces with a towel which was lying on a chair which line umpires sit on during changeovers. In hot weather, this is especially unhygienic.

Finally, as throwing a towel upon a chair or back drop, where it lies in rumpled disarray during play, is not aesthetically pleasing to both live spectators and television viewers, the solution to this problem presents unique advertising opportunities to sponsors and tennis tournaments, as described in the instant application.

<CIT>] discloses a towel dryer which has a bar for supporting a towel and which has front and rear panels, which partially hide the towel from view. However, the towel rail is located above the level of the front and/or rear panels such that an upper part of a towel supported by the rail is visible to a user, and also more readily graspable. Other known supports are disclosed in <CIT>]; <CIT>]; <CIT>]; and <CIT>].

The invention is as set forth in the appended independent claim. Preferred and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in the appended dependent claims. Features of the present disclosure can be best understood from the following drawings and detailed description.

The drawings can be briefly described as follows:.

An exemplary towel rack <NUM> that, in accordance with the invention, is positioned on the tennis court, at a far end of the court and near, but spaced from, the playing area, is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> of the drawings.

Turning to <FIG> in particular, the towel rack <NUM> (outside the scope of claim <NUM>) includes a support section <NUM>, a base section <NUM> and a plurality of display panels 16a-16b. In this example, the support section <NUM> is fastened to the base section <NUM>, which is in turn fastened to the plurality of display panels 16a-16b. This disclosure extends to other types of towel racks, however, including those provided by separate, or separable, components, as will be appreciated from the below description. In one example, the towel rack <NUM>, whether provided by separate components or not, is a dedicated structure for supporting a towel T thereon.

The support section <NUM> includes a towel support <NUM>, here illustrated as a towel bar, supported by a vertical pole, or post, <NUM>. The towel support <NUM> is configured to support a towel T thereon. In this regard, the width W of the towel support <NUM> may be selected to correspond to an expected width of a particular towel T. Further, the height H of the pole <NUM> may be selected such that the towel support <NUM> supports the towel T below an upper display panel 16a and above a lower display panel 16b, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this manner, placing the towel T on the towel support <NUM> does not obstruct a view of either of the display panels 16a-16b. Further yet, if the towel T itself includes a logo L, the disclosed towel rack <NUM> allows for simultaneous viewing of the logo L and the display panels 16a-16b, as shown in <FIG>.

While <FIG> show support <NUM> supported by the vertical pole <NUM>, the vertical pole <NUM> could act as the towel support <NUM>. To this end, the towel support <NUM> could be arranged in any manner (either perpendicular, parallel, vertical, horizontal, etc.) as one would appreciate from below. In other words, the support <NUM> is not limited to any particular orientation.

It is possible to configure the towel support <NUM> such that it rolls, or spins, about its long axis relative to the pole <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, the chances of snagging the towel T on the towel support <NUM> or on the pole <NUM> during towel removal are reduced. A feature may be added to adjust the resistance of the towel support <NUM> to rotation, to allow a user to select a desired rotatability. In a further feature, the towel support <NUM> could be made of a rubber material which would prevent the towel T from slipping off in the event the towel T is not positioned evenly across the towel support <NUM>.

Turning back to <FIG>, the example base section <NUM> includes a plurality of lateral base supports 22a-22b, as well as a transverse base support <NUM>, each of which works to provide the towel rack <NUM> with stability. While only one transverse base support <NUM> is shown, additional transverse supports can be included. In general, however, the lateral supports 22a-22b serve to prevent side-to-side tipping of the towel rack <NUM>, whereas the transverse support <NUM> generally prevents tipping in a front-to-back direction. Further, rubber feet could be attached to the base section <NUM>, increasing the stability thereof.

As one would appreciate, the dimensions of the towel rack <NUM> may affect the stability and functionality of the rack. For example, the length of the transverse base support <NUM> may be selected such that it is proportional to the height H of the towel support <NUM> and the display panel 16a. Further, pole <NUM> may be positioned offset from the display panel 16b, which will further add front-to-back stability to the towel rack <NUM>, however the pole <NUM> should be positioned so that there is no obstruction in quickly placing the towel T on the towel support <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, an alternate pole <NUM> arrangement is illustrated. In this example, the pole <NUM> is connected further back on the transverse base support <NUM>, but is provided with an "L-shape" such that the towel support <NUM> is in the same relative position as in the example of <FIG>. This further increases the front-to-back stability of the towel rack <NUM>. The pole may further include a flexible joint <NUM> such that any great tug would have the force projected into the joint <NUM> before working to tip the towel rack <NUM> over. Optionally, the entire pole <NUM> may be flexible.

The base section <NUM> provides the towel rack <NUM> with the stability to be a freestanding, mobile structure. That is, the towel rack <NUM> is not required to be permanently fixed to any larger structure for support, although it can be if desired. For example, the base section <NUM> may be provided with any locally available additional weights (e.g., such as water bottles or sand bags), or may be affixed (e.g., by way of screws or the like) to a surface (such as a wall, floor, or the tennis court itself) for added stability. Towards this, back supports <NUM>, which may include rubber, may be hingeably connected to vertical display supports 26a-26b to slide under a backdrop or wall, or to support a counterweight thereon further increasing rack <NUM> stability, as generally illustrated in <FIG>. It is also possible to make the entire towel rack <NUM> out of a material such as steel, with sufficient weight to provide the needed stability. It is further possible to make the base section <NUM> out of a material heavier than the remainder of the towel rack <NUM>.

Upper and lower display panels 16a-16b may be configured, as explained above, to be positioned above and below the towel T when the towel T is placed on the towel support <NUM> but offset vertically, for the reasons as previously described. Vertical display supports 26a-26b may extend upwardly from a rear lateral base support 22a to support the upper display panel 16a. The lower display panel 16b, in the example, is positioned directly above a front lateral base support 22b. This way the towel T does not block viewing of either display panel 16a-16b. The display panels 16a-16b may display a message (here shown as a sponsor message including a corporate logo), such as an advertisement, or any other type of message. By way of an additional example, third and fourth display panels could be placed laterally to the base section <NUM> (as generally illustrated in <FIG>), further increasing potential sponsor revenue. Additional display panels may be added to the towel rack <NUM> as desired.

It will be appreciated that the term "message" includes sponsor messages, and can further include messages such as the time of day, a length of time of a tennis match, a speed of a serve of a tennis ball, and any other relevant information that event organizers desire to convey to spectators, as examples. "Sponsor message," as used herein, includes a name, logo, advertisement, photo, etc., which promotes or represents a company, product, service, or brand name, generally for marketing or publicity purposes. In other words, the message could include at least one of (<NUM>) a sponsor message, (<NUM>) the time of day, (<NUM>) a length of time of a tennis match, and (<NUM>) a speed of a serve of a tennis ball. The message could further include a shot clock, or some other type of indicator providing information regarding the match.

Further, the vertical display supports 26a-26b may be hingeably connected to the base section <NUM> so as to increase the stability of the rack <NUM>, and to direct the display panel 16a upwardly for increased viewing, if desired.

Additionally, the front display panel 16b may be larger than in the example shown, such that the display 16b completely obscures the view of the towel T from a front perspective, as illustrated in <FIG>. In some instances, it may be preferred to essentially hide the towel T behind the display panel 16b (e.g., for aesthetic reasons).

Given that the towel rack <NUM> is positioned on a tennis court during play (e.g., the towel rack <NUM> is be placed on the court and near, but spaced from, the playing area), both in-person and television spectators of the tennis match may be capable of viewing the display panels 16a-16b. Although the display panel 16a-16b may be relatively small in size (relative to typical advertisements associated with tennis matches), the relative visibility may be pronounced as a camera zooms in on a particular player between points, or as the camera tracks the ball boy as he gives the player his towel. The display panels 16a-16b could include LED screens, or other types of electronic display screens, or a display of the rotating variety for changing the display between games/sets. Further, the display panels could be boards, stickers, or any other type of panel configured to be removed from the towel rack <NUM> and replaced as needed, and need not be electronic screens.

In general, the towel rack <NUM> is configured for outdoor use to withstand wind and rain. As mentioned, the towel rack <NUM> may be made of steel, and can be further made of materials such as aluminium, plastic, carbon fibre, or any other suitable material. If a lightweight material is selected for the towel rack <NUM>, additional weights can be added to the base section <NUM> (as generally noted above). This way, the towel rack <NUM> maintains the required stability when it is free standing.

Again, the disclosed towel rack <NUM> is used on, or near, a tennis court during a tennis match. In particular, the towel rack <NUM> is positioned near a ball boy at the far end of the court, or even near a player bench. In general, one may select a location for the towel rack <NUM> depending on the desired towel rack <NUM> visibility. In one example, the towel rack <NUM> is placed outside the doubles line of a tennis court, which is typically where the ball boys stand during points (so that they do not interfere with the line judges). Thus, the towel T will be well away from any playing area. This also puts the towel T in a consistent place where the ball boy knows to retrieve it, allowing for a speedier retrieval and possibly quicker play.

Accordingly, the disclosed towel rack <NUM> keeps a towel in a tidy fashion between points, while reducing the time and energy required to place and subsequently retrieve the towel (as the towel will be located in a single, convenient location), spread out on the towel rack, the towel will stay fresher and dry quicker and therefore function better to absorb sweat for the players. Further, the incorporation of one or more of the display panels 16a-16b serves as an additional revenue generator for a tennis tournament, for example. It is possible that two towel racks will be used for each match (one for each player at each side), potentially adding to the promotional/advertising benefits of the display panels 16a-16b.

To the extent not otherwise described or shown, the embodiments illustrated across <FIG> corresponds to the embodiments of <FIG>, with like parts having reference numerals prefixed with a "<NUM>," unless specified otherwise below.

Turning to <FIG>, a towel rack <NUM> includes a support section <NUM>, a base section <NUM> and preferably a plurality of display panels 116a-b, which in this example are electronic display panels.

The support section <NUM> includes a towel support <NUM> supported above the base section <NUM>. The towel support <NUM>, here illustrated as a bar, is configured to support a towel T thereon in a position generally perpendicular to the display panels. In this regard, the width of the towel support <NUM> may be selected to correspond to an expected width of a towel T. In some configurations, as seen in <FIG>, the front display panel 116b is of an increased size which will largely hide the towel T. This achieves at least three functions.

First, it allows for a larger and more visible display, increasing the potential value and revenue with regards to sponsors. Second, it will largely keep the towel T discretely out of public view during play, which may be considered to be of aesthetic value. And third, it allows for an increased stability by virtue of the towel support <NUM> being perpendicular to, and connecting, the back support to the front display panel.

The electronic displays 116a-16b could be separate screens showing separate images or, for example, could be synchronized to show one large image. Suitable electronics may be added to allow for the electrical requirements of the screens, including as well a remote or Bluetooth connection (or other wireless connection) to allow remote control of the brightness and/or video images which would be required during play.

The towel support <NUM> in its perpendicular orientation can further allow a ball boy, say, to more easily throw the towel over the towel support <NUM> from the side position, where the ball boy would normally stand after retrieving the towel from the player prior a new point commencing.

It will be appreciated that the structure supporting the towel may be of any shape and need not specifically be described as a single bar. The towel support <NUM> can be duplicated into a double bar, for example, which via greater exposed towel surface area would provide for quicker drying, as well as a wider target for quickly placing the towel. There can also be a net between the two bars which would catch the towel if the ball boy is unable to place the towel with enough care that it would not slip or fall off the towel support(s). Other examples could be a box or a basket located below, or alternatively in place of, the towel support <NUM>. Broadly speaking, the towel support may be any structure which can receive the towel for placement in between the player's use of the towel. A further example for the towel support not within the scope of claim <NUM>, is a generally flat towel panel <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, and generally discussed below.

<FIG> show the display panels as being preferably an electronic screen, which would allow more visible logos, as well as actual advertising videos or animated logos prior to the match start and during the changeovers. As the changeovers are <NUM> seconds, multiple sponsors could be obtained for the same stand, as the electronic panel could show, for example, three sponsors at <NUM> second intervals or, in the alternative, one sponsor per a predetermined number of games, further increasing revenue opportunities. The front display panel is of a height allowing two separate screens in the normal <NUM>:<NUM> dimension or one large screen positioned vertically. Where it is not preferred to have a higher structure 116a for example, the rack can include only the front display panel 116b, as illustrated in <FIG>.

It should be appreciated that the towel rack could be of any particular size and dimension, incorporating one or multiple display panels, in accordance with the specific needs of the tournament and the court upon which it will be located. A centre court may require electronic display panels while an outer court, normally untelevised, may require only printed display panels. A combination of both electronic and printed display panels within the same towel rack may also be preferable, and where electronic display panels are employed, a Plexiglas sheet (or the like) may be used to protect the screen.

<FIG> shows a cooling plate <NUM>, incorporating (and may replace) towel support <NUM>, which serves as a cooling surface and upon which the towel is placed. The refrigeration system <NUM> could provide cooling via pipes <NUM>. Additionally, a blowing function could be added to cause air to blow out of the multiple openings in cooling plate <NUM> which would further cool the towel, as well as dry it. Such a feature during play in hot temperatures would provide relief to players (who otherwise need to wait until the changeover in order to use an ice pack). Any such respite would improve play as well as protect players from heat exhaustion.

<FIG> shows another configuration of a cooling system, whereby the cooling structure is the vertical post <NUM>, together with towel support <NUM>, which receive cool air from a refrigeration system <NUM> via a pipe <NUM>. The cold air would blow out of the small openings of bars <NUM> and <NUM>, cooling the towel T. While this solution is shown relative to a parallel towel support <NUM>, it could be incorporated into the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, in which the towel support <NUM> is positioned generally perpendicular to the display panels 116a-16b.

<FIG> shows a variation whereby the cooling plate is in the form of a coil <NUM>, not unlike coils commonly found in bathrooms used to heat towels. Here, however, the coil serves to cool, not heat, the towel. The coil may preferably have openings to allow the escape of cool air on to the towel, as performed by a blowing structure within or separate from refrigeration system <NUM>.

<FIG> shows yet another cooling configuration, whereby the towel T, in addition to being cooled by bar <NUM>, as a part of towel support <NUM>, via refrigeration system <NUM>, will fall within a cooling box <NUM> or container, as fed via pipe <NUM>. The walls of the cooling box <NUM> may contain small openings allowing cool air to be blown through by an air blower which circulates the cold air. An air blower outlet or fan within the cooling box <NUM> will contribute further to cooling down the towel by blowing the cold air at the bottom of the box upwards and unto the towel. A multiple of bars or any wider support could also be employed so that the towel is spread out wider, allowing more of the inside surface area to be reached by the cool air. The front display panel 116b is positioned and of a size where the cooling box <NUM> is hidden from view, especially to television viewers where the camera angle is typically from the end of the court. The cooling box, as seen by some spectators in the stadium or side camera angles, can have a logo visible on its side or a side display panel can separately conceal the cooling box <NUM>. Further, means can be fitted to hold water within the cooling box <NUM> for either ball boys (who are typically youths more prone to dehydration) or even players to quickly sip cool water in lieu of towelling off (in light of the <NUM> second time allotted between points). The water could be kept accessible in any of the configurations across <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the box <NUM> may be employed alone as the towel support and/or in a general configuration need not be cooled.

<FIG> shows a side panel <NUM> which allows for further sponsor signs in addition to the display panels 116a and 116b. This side panel can be duplicated on both sides of the stand or just one side. It may be of any size, whether to allow view of the towel or to conceal it. The side panel <NUM> may be positioned slightly off the ground so that a ball boy's feet will be less likely to knock against the side panel <NUM> when placing the towel T on the towel support <NUM> from the side. Additionally, the side panel <NUM> could be hinged at one end, allowing them to be moved into, for example, a <NUM>° angle to the back and front displays.

<FIG> shows towel support <NUM>, as resting on support <NUM>, which can be rotated to any position, preferably parallel or perpendicular to the display panels 116a and 116b, upon connector <NUM>. By having the towel support <NUM> in the parallel position, the depth of the towel rack structure can be reduced substantially in circumstances where available space is limited. The bar <NUM>, when in the perpendicular position, may be easily fixed to the back support for display panel 116a and to the back support for display panel 116b, for added stability during use or transport. Connector <NUM> allows for the bar <NUM> to click into place to secure its connection in at least the parallel and perpendicular positions (again relative to the display panels <NUM>-116b). Support <NUM> may be used in various places to further provide stability for the electronic screens or printed signs. During transport, in order to position the towel rack <NUM> on court, wheels and/or brakes may be fitted to the towel rack <NUM> for ease of transportation. Furthermore, to increase stability, the front display panel 116b could be angled slightly backward (to a more acute angle with support <NUM>) so as to work against it potentially tipping forward. This could actually improve the viewing angle since most speculators in the stadium and the televised camera angle are typically from high up.

In <FIG>, the towel rack is shown incorporated into a line umpire chair. This configuration is however not covered by the wording of the claims and is merely shown as an example. Towel supports <NUM>, which can also act as an arm rest, can hold a towel. In order that the line umpire may sit on the chair, towel support <NUM> may swivel out upon hinge <NUM>. Sponsor logos may be placed on the back or sides of the chair, as shown display <NUM>. Additionally, a bar, box or basket can be attached to or positioned behind the back of the chair in circumstances where the ball boy assesses the time required to lay the towel over the towel support <NUM> as being too short, and therefore can quickly throw the towel into the receptacle. Towel support <NUM> may be placed on the back side of the chair or on the back side of the front display panel <NUM>. It will be appreciated that particular elements of the towel rack ensemble can be detachable. Moreover, in each of the configurations described herein, each element need not be physically connected. By way of example, the display screen for reasons of convenience need not be physically connected (i.e. mechanically attached, for example by bolt, hinge or screws) to the towel support if the elements work together to perform the function as described herein.

<FIG> shows the towel rack with a lower towel panel which can be used to catch a towel which might fall off the towel support <NUM> if placed too hastily by the ball boy. <FIG> shows a towel rack which the towel panel is used with or in place of a towel support <NUM>. Towel panel <NUM> may have small holes or slots, or can be a net or basket, so that the underside of the towel will be exposed to air, further facilitating drying.

As previously discussed, each element need not be physically attached/connected and may also be employed in close proximity in order to achieve the same function.

Claim 1:
A tennis court comprising:
a court surface;
a playing area on the court surface; and
a towel rack (<NUM>) positioned on the court, at a far end of the court and near, but
spaced from, the playing area, the towel rack (<NUM>) being suitable for use at the
far end of the tennis court
during a tennis match, and comprising:
a support section (<NUM>) fastened to a base section (<NUM>) having sufficient weight and dimensions to provide the towel rack (<NUM>) with the stability to be a freestanding structure; and a display panel (16b) fastened to the base section (<NUM>) or the support section (<NUM>),
the support section (<NUM>) including an towel support (<NUM>, <NUM>) for supporting a towel (T), the towel support (<NUM>, <NUM>) being positioned offset from and behind the display panel (16b) and being any structure which can receive the towel (T), and being any one of: a bar (<NUM>); a cooling system, whereby the cooling structure is a vertical post (<NUM>), together with a towel support (<NUM>), which receive cool air from a refrigeration system (<NUM>) via a pipe (<NUM>) such that the cold air blows out of the small openings of bars (<NUM>) and (<NUM>), cooling the towel; a pole (<NUM>); a net between two bars; a box (<NUM>); a box (<NUM>) with openings in it; a cooling box with a blower outlet or a fan in it; a basket; characterised in that:
the display panel (16b):
is a front display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned in front of the towel support (<NUM>, <NUM>) for displaying a message in the direction of the playing area; the towel support (<NUM>, <NUM>) supports the towel (T) such that the front display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) obscures a view of the towel (T) from the front perspective to hide the towel (T) behind the front display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>) and thereby block a full view of a towel (T) placed on the support (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the front perspective; and by the display panel (<NUM>, 16a-16b, <NUM>) being any one of: an LED screen; an electronic display screen; a display of the rotating variety for changing the display between games/sets; a board configured to be removed from the towel rack (<NUM>) and replaced as needed; a sticker configured to be removed from the towel rack (<NUM>) and replaced as needed; and a panel configured to be removed from the towel rack (<NUM>) and replaced as needed.